Tag: bollywood

Actor Sanjay Dutt, known for his recent work across pan-India projects, is all set for a packed 2025 with more than three big-budget films lined up for release. Among the most anticipated are ‘The Raja Saab’ with Prabhas and ‘Dhurandhar’ starring Ranveer Singh, both currently slated for release on December 5, 2025. Addressing the potential box office clash between the two films at the teaser launch event of his Kannada film ‘KD – The Devil’, Dutt expressed his hope that the release dates may change. “It’s amazing. Two different kinds of roles I’m playing. Dhurandhar is different, and The Raja Saab is different. I don’t want the films to clash, and I hope they don’t. Every film has its own journey,” the veteran actor said. Reflecting on his experience working in Telugu cinema, particularly alongside Prabhas, Dutt shared a warm anecdote: “I’m trying to learn Telugu because I’m doing a film with Prabhas. He makes me eat a lot! He’s one of the most amazing people and a great actor. I love Chiranjeevi sir—he did Munna Bhai here. I share a great relationship with him.” In a candid moment, Dutt also drew a comparison between Bollywood and Telugu cinema, pointing to what he sees as a loss of artistic drive in his home industry. “I take back the passion which Bollywood has lost. I hope it returns. I miss the passion for making good films back home. Everything has become about numbers in Bollywood, but it should be about passion,” he said. ‘Dhurandhar’, directed by Aditya Dhar, features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Akshaye Khanna. Meanwhile, ‘The Raja Saab’, directed by Maruthi, stars Boman Irani, Malavika Mohanan, and Nidhhi Agerwal alongside Prabhas. During the Mumbai launch of the teaser for ‘KD – The Devil’, Sanjay Dutt also spoke fondly of the team and expressed his excitement about the upcoming release.

In a delightful surprise for fans of both Bollywood and streaming content, Amazon Prime Video released a lighthearted crossover video featuring Panchayat’s beloved Pradhan ji (played by Raghubir Yadav) and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, star of the newly released action-comedy Heads of State. The unexpected interaction quickly went viral, charming netizens with its quirky humor and nostalgic Phulera charm. What Went Down The video begins with Pradhan ji watching Heads of State on his phone, thoroughly enjoying Priyanka’s performance. With his trademark rustic flair, he remarks, “Sachiv ji, zara dekhiye toh, kya dhamaal machaya hain Priyanka bitiya ne. Hum shubhkaamnayein de dete hain unko,” praising her energy and sending his good wishes. Soon after, he connects with Priyanka Chopra via a video call. Priyanka greets him warmly and jokes, “Arey toh isi baat pe thodi lauki yahaan bhi bhijwa dijiye na. New York mein kahi nahi milti,” referring to the now-iconic lauki (bottle gourd) subplot from Panchayat. Pradhan ji, ever the gracious village head, promises to send her some fresh Phulera lauki. Priyanka joyfully responds, “Dekh raha hai Binod? Humare liye Phulera se lauki aa rahi hai,” giving fans another meme-worthy Panchayat moment. She also complimented Season 4 of Panchayat, telling Pradhan ji he’s the “true winner” of the elections — a nod to the show’s storyline. How the Internet Reacted The charming interaction struck a chord online, with fans flooding social media with reactions: Why It Matters This creative crossover not only celebrates the global appeal of Priyanka Chopra and the desi-rooted charm of Panchayat, but also shows how streaming platforms like Prime Video are bridging gaps between Indian heartland narratives and international entertainment. With Panchayat Season 4 winning hearts and Heads of State adding to Priyanka’s global portfolio, this quirky crossover has offered fans a fun, wholesome treat — and possibly the most iconic lauki delivery in pop culture history.

Rating: ★★½ (2.5/5) The Verdict:Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan may not be a perfect film, but it certainly marks a promising debut for Shanaya Kapoor. Earnest performances from the cast and a nostalgic, melodious soundtrack by Vishal Mishra make this romantic drama watchable, even as it struggles under the weight of clumsy execution and a plot that relies too heavily on “how convenient!” moments. 🌟 What Works ❌ Where It Falters 💬 Final Word: Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is the kind of film you want to like. It has heart, a solid cast, and musical soul — but it’s let down by lazy plotting and directorial missteps. Still, Shanaya Kapoor makes a confident debut, Vikrant Massey is endearing, and Zain Khan Durrani gives the audience a new swoon-worthy character. If you’re in the mood for an old-school romantic triangle with modern packaging, give it a shot — just don’t expect fireworks. Verdict: Almost charming, but “almost” isn’t always enough.

Rating: ★½ (1.5/5) In Maalik, director Pulkit attempts to steer Rajkummar Rao away from his usual boy-next-door persona into the dark alleys of 1980s-90s Allahabad as a hardened gangster. It’s a bold move, and one that piques curiosity—can the actor known for his realism and restraint embody a ruthless crime lord? ❌ The Verdict: Not Quite. Despite Rao’s earnest transformation—complete with gruff styling, grim expressions, and a gold-chain-clad persona—the film itself is a tepid and overlong rehash of every gangster trope we’ve seen before. From the rise of the underdog to the inevitable betrayal and downfall, Maalik offers little in the way of novelty or engagement. 🧊 What Doesn’t Work ✅ What Slightly Works 🎭 Cast Highlights: 📝 Final Word: Maalik tries to rebrand Rajkummar Rao as a larger-than-life anti-hero, but the effort is let down by uninspired writing and excessive length. What could’ve been a bold genre switch for Rao ends up being a forgettable detour. Skip it unless you’re a die-hard Rajkummar Rao fan.