Tag: farhan akhtar

  • Why does Farhan Akhtar prefer staying in over going out?

    Why does Farhan Akhtar prefer staying in over going out?

    While many enjoy late-night outings and social gatherings, actor and director Farhan Akhtar prefers a quieter setting.

    In a podcast with Chapter 2 hosted by Rhea Chakraborty, Akhar revealed his love for staying in rather than going out.
    Farhan argued why should a person “who is happier spending time at home, is happy to meet you in the day, in the evening up to a certain time, doesn’t want to go out to a club, doesn’t want to go out to a bar, want to hang out at home” be considered “boring”.

    Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara actor added a lighthearted example, saying that if he were to ask people to join him on a seven-day trek and they refused, should he think, “Oh my God, you’re so boring that you’re not coming for a seven-day trek”?

    Shibani Dandekar, his wife, also shared their love for simple nights at home, saying, “For us, just the thought of sitting on the couch under a blanket and watching stuff on TV is the most exciting day by far.”

    “It’s so exciting, snacks, pyjamas, we live for it. In fact, Farhan often says to me, ‘Should we watch something, should we just like sit on the couch and watch something?’ as if it’s a new thing we’ve never done before, we do it every week,” she added.

    Farhan and Shibani tied the knot on February 19, 2022, in Khandala.

  • Shah Rukh Khan not part of Don 3 for this reason

    Shah Rukh Khan not part of Don 3 for this reason

    Indian director and actor Farhan Akhtar has talked to Variety about the reason why the iconic action franchise ‘Don’ has rebooted with Ranveer Singh and not Shah Rukh Khan, who played the role in 2006 and 2011.

    The announcement that Ranveer Singh will play the iconic villain was made in August, leaving audiences divided.

    Now, Akhtar has revealed that he and King Khan had parted mutually after they couldn’t find any common ground on how the story is supposed to go forward.

    “I’m not in the position of replacing anybody. These are things that we discussed over the years, I wanted to take a certain direction with the story, somehow we just couldn’t find common ground. We just parted mutually knowing that it’s probably for the best. So that’s where it is.”

    The son of lyricist Javed Akhtar went on to express his excitement about Ranveer playing Don, and said the actor was charged up for the project.

    “I’m really excited Ranveer’s on board. He’s so charged and so ready to go. It’s a big film, just purely from the point of view of an actor, it’s a big thing to do, and we’re really excited to have him on board. His energy is energizing us, so to speak.”

    In a lengthy post on his Instagram account, Ranveer gushed about this being a childhood dream that he was selected to perform the role of the iconic villain, previously played by Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan.

    “As a child I fell in love with the movies, and like the rest of us,” gushed the ‘Rocky and Rani ki prem kahani actor. “Watching and worshipping Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan – the two G.O.A.Ts of Hindi Cinema. I dreamed of growing up to be like them. They are the very reason I wanted to become an actor and a ‘hindi film hero’. Their impact and influence on my life cannot be overstated. They’ve shaped the person and actor that I am. Taking their legacy forward is a manifestation of my childhood dream.”

  • Zoya Akhtar responds to backlash over Muslim representation in her films

    Zoya Akhtar responds to backlash over Muslim representation in her films

    Zoya Akhtar has been long criticised by social media users for the manner in which Muslims are represented in her films and dramas. The critically acclaimed series ‘Made In Heaven’, airing on Amazon Prime, prompted several users to criticise the director, who is the sister of actor Farhan Akhtar and daughter of Javed Akhtar, for episode 6. The criticism focused on the aspect that only polygamy marriages among Muslims are depicted rather the oppression or violence the community suffers from in India. The episode focuses on a woman Shehnaz, who attempts to kill herself after her husband gets married for the second time.

    On Instagram, Zoya finally responded by responding to a commentator who asked her to show positive Muslim characters, and stop relying on regressive stereotypes.

    The ‘Dil Dhadhakne Do’ director answered by listing several films where she had Muslim characters like Gully Boy, ‘Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara’, ‘Luck By Chance’:

    “Zaffar Khan and Tanveer in Luck By Chance. Imran and Laila in ZNMD. Farah Ali in Dil Dhadakne Do. Practically everyone in Gully Boy. Sarfaraz Khan and Leila Shirazi, Kabir, Faiza and Nawab have in Made In Heaven.”

  • Delays in ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ shoot: Priyanka out, Anushka in?

    Delays in ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ shoot: Priyanka out, Anushka in?

    The Indian film news site ‘Moviefied Bollywood’ has reported that Priyanka Chopra has walked away from the anticipated female-led film ‘Jee Le Zaraa’, costarring Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt, after inordinate delays.

    The site has also reported that Anushka Sharma and Kiara Advani are being considered for the role.

    Since the post went viral on social media, fans are jumping in to recommend their ideal Bollywood actress to do justice to the role, with the majority of people wanting to see Deepika Padukone in the role.

    “Get Deepika instead, and this should be fun… the publicity will be unreal,” one user wrote.

    Chopra had taken to Instagram in 2021 to announce the film ‘Je Lee Zaraa’ which was inspired by the idea of having an all-girls movie which would celebrate friendship, and then she had later shared this idea with her two real-life close friends Alia Bhatt and Katrina, who had agreed to come on board.

  • Shah Rukh Khan steps away from Don 3

    Excitement rose when Excel Entertainment confirmed that work on the film ‘Don 3’ had started, with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan joining ‘Don 3’. Farhan Akhtar is set to write the script while Ritesh Sidhwani will produce.

    However, Bollywood news website E Times has now reported that King Khan has decided to step away from the project, after long discussions with Akhtar and Sidhwani. The report revealed that the ‘Pathaan’ actor wasn’t keen on reprising his iconic role because it did not fit in to the kind of cinema he wants to do at the moment. Furthermore, the actor felt that the film wouldn’t help him cater to a wide-set audience, which is why he decided to exit the production of ‘Don 3.

    This news is indeed heartbreaking for fans who had grown up loving the Don franchise but currently, Akhtar is looking for an actor from the new generation of Bollywood actors who can take on the ever-loved gangster. The original script, according to media reports, had planned on bringing three generations of actors together who had played the beloved villain, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan- and a new actor who would be the next ‘Don’.

  • Meesha Shafi sings for Juhi Chawla’s Amazon Prime series, but this isn’t her Bollywood debut

    Meesha Shafi sings for Juhi Chawla’s Amazon Prime series, but this isn’t her Bollywood debut

    A new cross-border collaboration has made it’s way to the digital space, and its Meesha Shafi’s soulful voice for Amazon Prime India’s new series Hush Hush. The show stars, Juhi Chawla, Soha Ali Khan, Kritika Kamra, Karishma Tanna, Shahana Goswami among others.

    The song called Mere Mahru dropped on YouTube on Sunday that opens to Chawla working out at dusk, her daily life featuring the other female leads and Shafi’s belting notes. The show director, Tanuja Chandra took to Instagram and shared her experience of when she first heard the song. “Arijit Datta sent me [‘Mere Mahru’] as a voice note, I loved it. I’m so happy to have it in Hush Hush, it’s kind of the beating heart of the series,” she wrote.

    <p>Photos: Meesha Shafi and Juhi Chawla /instagram</p> <p>” width=”643″ height=”362″/></figure> <p>She credited the song writer Sameer Rahat and Shafi’s “gorgeous voice” while encouraging her followers to let the song “transport” them.</p> <p>The music video features the women of the show, Chawla, Ali Khan, Tanna, Kamra, Goswami and others. Taking to her Instagram stories, Shafi wrote, “Thank you for trusting me with this Tanuja Chandra. Arijit Datta and Sameer Rahat it was an absolute pleasure to sing this most special song.”</p> <blockquote class=

    Chandra re-shared her Instagram story and thanked Shafi for singing for them “from across oceans”. She also expressed that she’s glad Shafi came to her mind after she spoke with actor Sania Saeed and asked if she could get her the ‘Muaziz Saarif’ singer’s contact details.

    According to Amazon Prime, Hush Hush is about “four friends that find themselves hurling down a rabbit hole of lies, deceit and secrets after a dangerous encounter at a party. As their privileged and safe world turns upside down, the secrets become the reason to bond for their survival.”

    The show is now available to watch on the OTT platform and has seven episodes in total.

    Well this isn’t the first time that Meesha has made her way to Bollywood. Earlier she starred opposite Farhan Akhtar in the superhit film, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

    Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)

    She has also starred in the Hollywood film, Reluctant Fundamentalist which also starred Bollywood actors.

    THE TALENTED MEESHA SHAFI - Fashion & Lifestyle Blog - Pakistani Fashion Blog | SiddySays
  • Farhan Akhtar praises Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, shares experience on Ms Marvel

    Farhan Akhtar praises Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, shares experience on Ms Marvel

    Bollywood director and actor Farhan Akhtar penned a long statement of gratitude for the crew of Ms Marvel, including Pakistani director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy for her ‘guidance’.

    Ms. Marvel Snippet Gives Us the First Look at Farhan Akhtar in the MCU Show

    Akhtar, whose role in Ms Marvel is yet to be revealed, started his tweet off by writing: “The post is in appreciation of the creators, the directors and all those in front and behind the camera, who collaborated to make Ms Marvel what it is.”

    The Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara star gave a shout out to Chinoy, saying: “It is in appreciation of Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy for her guidance through my days of working on it.”

    He then went on to share his appreciation for Marvel itself, writing: “It is in appreciation of Marvel. I’m proud to be part of their conscious inclusiveness.”

    “This show is a celebration of diversity and it certainly will bring joy and pride of self-identity to millions of young girls and boys of the sub-continent.”

    Akhtar then moved to conclude his note, saying: “And last but not least, it is in appreciation of the wonderfully talented Iman Vellani. Be prepared to be thoroughly entertained and effortlessly charmed by her. Thank you and good luck, team Ms Marvel.”

  • Farhan Akhtar, Swara Bhasker and other celebrities blast BJP’s Nupur Sharma for derogatory remarks

    Farhan Akhtar, Swara Bhasker and other celebrities blast BJP’s Nupur Sharma for derogatory remarks

    The ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on Sunday, 5th June suspend its leaders Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal from the party’s membership for passing derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam religion.

    This development came after Nupur’s hateful remark that she made during a television interview on June 1 while Jindal was slammed on social media over his tweet referring to the Prophet on the same day.

    This remarks irked Muslims living in the country and the rest of the world. Also, the party faces strong criticism from the leaders of opposition parties and many Bollywood celebs. 

    After seeing the nationwide rage over the current scenario, the ruling party also cleared its stance today on a statement. It distanced itself from the two members, asserting that it respects all religions and is strongly against any ideology that insults or demean any sect or religion.

    After her suspension of her membership from the party, Nupur Sharma took to Twitter and issued an apology regarding her statement on the Prophet during a recent TV debate. She said that her intention was not to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments and she is unconditionally withdrawing her statement. 

    Many famous Bollywood celebrities like Farhan Akhtar, Swara Bhasker, Vishal Dadlani and KRK slammed Nupur over her remarks.

    https://twitter.com/kamaalrkhan/status/1533409039077494784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1533409039077494784%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.janbharattimes.com%2Fentertainment%2Fnupur-sharma-controversial-remarks-against-prophet-bollywood-celebs-slam-bjp-twitter

    Many Islamic Countries including Qatar, Kuwait and Iran slammed India over the remark and summoned Indian envoys in their respective countries. The controversial remark also sparked a  Twitter trend in the Arab world calling for a boycott of Indian products. 

  • Bollywood calls out Indian app which listed Muslim women for auction including Malala

    Bollywood calls out Indian app which listed Muslim women for auction including Malala

    Photographs of more than 100 Muslim women were displayed on an application known as “Bulli Bai” where women were posted as the auction of the day, reports Al Jazeera.

    The pictures were uploaded on an app for “sale” without their permission. The list included Pakistani Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and award-winning Bollywood actor Shabana Azmi.

    Following the news, several Bollywood celebrities have come forward to express their anger.

    Actor and activist Swara Bhaskar, in a tweet, said, “At that point where we’ve to remind ourselves that it’s not okay to sell Muslim women online! Remind ourselves that it’s not kosher to rally & call for genocide! That it’s not okay to disrupt people’s prayers. This is happening in our name, in the name of our Gods. It’s on us!”

    Actor and Director Farhan Akhtar termed the auction a “grostesque act” and called for strict action against the perpetrators.

    Dozens of Muslim women began posting their shock and outrage on social media after seeing their photographs and details on the app. The app was taken down on Saturday.

  • ‘I can’t deny that’: Fawad Khan confirms role in Disney’s Ms Marvel

    ‘I can’t deny that’: Fawad Khan confirms role in Disney’s Ms Marvel

    Ms Marvel is an upcoming American television miniseries created by Bisha K Ali for the streaming platform Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics character Kamala Khan / Ms Marvel and Pakistan’s superstar Fawad Khan has confirmed his role in it.

    Marvel’s first Pakistani Muslim woman superhero will be played by Iman Vellani. She will take on the role of Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American teen based in New Jersey. Another talented Pakistani working on the project is filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who will join Meera Menon, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fa.

    Earlier, rumors were making rounds on social media that Fawad Khan will be the part of upcoming series. Recently, Fawad Khan has confirmed his role in the upcoming Ms Marvel series, laying to rest months of speculation around the same.

    In a recent interview with Indian journalist Anupama Chopra, Fawad addressed questions about whether he was a part of the Marvel show to which he replied: “Yeah, I am.” He further reiterated, “I can’t deny that or lie about it because they have put out the news themselves.”

    Fawad will be starring alongside acclaimed performer Nimra Bucha who is part of the cast of the show.

    BBC journalist Haroon Rashid has also tweeted about Fawad’s role in the series.

    The series is set to premiere on Disney+ in late 2021.