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Marathi cinema has come a long way from introducing the Indian audience to the medium of film. One of the first pioneers of Marathi cinema, Dr Dadasaheb Phalke, brought the moving images to the audience with Raja Harishchandra, the first Indian silent film, in 1913. Marathi cinema also gave Indians the first feature film- Shree Pundalik, directed by Dadasaheb Torne, released on 18 May 1912.

The Marathi cinema suffered a significant comedown after the 1970s. With Mumbai becoming the dominant kernel for the more successful and more extensive cannon of Hindi cinema (or Bollywood), the theatre-oriented Marathi cinema seemed to shrink in size before the titan. However, in a period of the last five years when the regional-language cinema is getting more acceptance beyond the nation, the Marathi films are soaring once again for the plinth they once owned exclusively. In this piece, we curate the best of the 21st-century Marathi cinema.

15. Nude...

What to watch this weekend: January 17(Photo Credit – YouTube)

This week’s theatrical lineup features six exciting films. On the Ott front, Prime Video offers a much-anticipated second season of a series that originally premiered in 2020. Lionsgate introduces a new chapter in a popular horror franchise, while Netflix brings three fresh entries, including a documentary about a renowned Bollywood family.

There’s much more to explore; scroll down for the full list. We at Koimoi wish our readers a joyful and prosperous Makar Sankranti.

Prime Video

Paatal Lok season 2 (Hindi)

Release Date: January 17, 2025

Season 2 of the crime investigation thriller starring Jaideep Ahlawat is coming. This time, our protagonist delves into the murder of the founder of the Nagaland Democratic Forum. As the investigation unfolds, he uncovers a dark web of drug syndicates, migrant worker disappearances, and the many complexities that lie beneath.

Lionsgate play

Hellboy: The Crooked Man (English)

Release...

Noted actor Pankaj Tripathi faced one of the toughest challenges of his career when he was asked to portray former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in biopic “Main Atal Hoon.”

Vajpayee (1924-2018) was a poet and a politician who served three terms as Prime Minister. He belonged to the Bharatiya Janata Party (Bjp), the party, which is currently in power in India. Vajpayee, who presided over India’s nuclear tests, was also known as a diplomat who improved relations with the country’s arch rival Pakistan and introduced multiple reforms. He was popular across party lines.

“I’m not good at mimicry,” Tripathi told Variety. The conflict that the actor was how much of Vajpayee to mimic and how much to internalize his performance. “How much of his mannerisms should I keep and how much not,” Tripathi said.

Tripathi read several books about Vajpayee and watched news clips and speeches.

Ravi Jadhav’s directorial drama film, Main Atal Hoon, incorporates the real-life struggles of India’s renowned political leader, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and helps the viewers understand his rise to power and the things he wanted to accomplish during his lifetime. Atal’s sacrifices and contributions for the sake of India are incredible, and the way he has sacrificed his entire life for the betterment of the country cannot be erased from our minds. How did Atal manage to toss the Congress party and rise to power? What did he do during his tenure to win the hearts of the people? Let’s find out!

Spoilers Ahead

How Was Atal Drawn To Politics?

Atal ji was well-known for his poems, aside from his political career. His passion for public speaking made him a good orator, eventually drawing him into politics. When Atal was just a college student, he was inspired by Keshav Baliram Hedgewarji,...

Mumbai, Jan 31 (Ians) Actor Sachin Parikh, who is known for his work in ‘Pk’, ‘Aligarh’, among others, shared that he believes that he is yet to explore the best within him, adding that an artist is always hungry for better roles with good filmmakers.

Sachin, who was recently seen in a pivotal role in Ravi Jadhav’s ‘Main Atal Hoon’, feels that he has not yet explored his full potential in Hindi films.

Talking about the same, the actor who was a part of ‘Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji’ said: “An actor is always hungry for better roles with good makers. Our industry has fantastic makers and I am glad to work under their direction.”

“I have worked with eminent directors like Rajkumar Hirani (Pk), Hansal Mehta (Aligarh), Madhur Bhandarkar (Dil Toh Bachha Hai Ji), Ravi Jadhav (Main Atal Hoon), R. Balki (Paa), etc. But I still believe that I...

Main Atal Hoon Movie Review Rating:

Star Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Piyush Mishra, Raja Rameshkumar Sevak, Daya Shankar Pandey, Payal Nair

Director: Ravi Jadhav

Main Atal Hoon Movie Review Is Out! (Picture Credit: IMDb)

What’s Good: The fact that it informs something about one of the greatest political leaders of all time…

What’s Bad: …but the makers don’t use that information to execute an entertaining film

Loo Break: Multiple times!

Watch or Not?: Skip it, especially if you’re a fan of the man

Language: Hindi

Available On: Theatrical Release

Runtime: 2 hours 19 minutes

User Rating:

Growing up being righteous, getting inspired by the political philosophy of Kb Hedgewar (Ajay Purkar) and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (Daya Shankar Pandey), a very young Atal Bihari Vajpayee is a proud member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. This might ruffle some feathers, but just like Saadat Hasan Manto, even Vajpayee held the mirror...

“Main Atal Hoon” emerges as a standout biopic, encapsulating the life of one of India’s most revered political figures, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. National Award-winning director Ravi Jadhav has masterfully condensed significant events of Vajpayee’s life into a 2+ hour cinematic experience, earning a rating of 3.5/5.

Strong Foundations of the Film

The movie’s success is anchored in three key aspects: adept writing, precise casting, and compelling acting. The screenplay effectively weaves through Atalji’s life journey, supplemented by archival footage. The casting of political figures like L.K. Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, and Pramod Mahajan is commendable, adding authenticity to the narrative.

#OneWordReview…#MainAtalHoon: Captivating.

Rating: ½

It’s tough to make a biopic on a stalwart and encompass pertinent episodes from his lifespan in 2+ hours… #NationalAward-winning director #RaviJadhav achieves it with flourish… #MainAtalHoon is, without doubt, one of… pic.twitter.com/rkR9Ab4pPP

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh...

Politics and actors have always had a deep-rooted connection, so it is hardly surprising that irrespective of his or her political affiliation, an actor does not let an opportunity to essay the role of a popular leader pass by. Especially if the subject is the former Prime Minister late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Directed by Ravi Jadhav, ‘Main Atal Hoon’ is a biographical drama that follows the life and political career of Vajpayee, a beloved mass leader who was not only a politician, but also a poet, a gentleman, and as the film suggests, “a statesman”.

Highlighting Vajpayee’s role in shepherding India during some of its most challenging times, including the Kargil War with Pakistan and the Pokhran nuclear tests, the 137-minute film attempts to explore the man behind the politician, revealing his personal struggles and relationships with family and friends, as well as his love for poetry and literature.

Renowned actor Pankaj Tripathi, accompanied by his wife Mridula Tripathi, producer Vinod Bhanusali, and director Ravi Jadhav, recently met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in the national capital. The meeting revolved around their upcoming film, ‘Main Atal Hoon,’ where Pankaj Tripathi takes on the challenging role of portraying former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Warm Exchanges and Film Discussions

During the meeting, warm greetings were exchanged as Pankaj Tripathi and his team engaged with Nitin Gadkari about the intricacies of ‘Main Atal Hoon.’ The film, dedicated to the life of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, promises to be a cinematic tribute to the former Prime Minister’s journey and contributions to the nation.

हमेशा सुखद होता है आपसे मिलना सर । हमारी टीम आपका स्नेह और आशीर्वचन पा कर आह्लादित् है ।@nitin_gadkari https://t.co/I...

January 2024 Box Office Collection Expectations From Katrina Kaif, Hrithik Roshan & Deepika Padukone ( Photo Credit – IMDb )

The year 2024 is expected to deliver a banger with Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s Fighter. However, it will not be the first film of the year. The first Bollywood film of the year would be Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi’s Merry Christmas.

Unlike the last year, this year has three releases in January. However, in 2023, January witnessed two other releases – Kuttey, which did not create much buzz, and Thalapathy Vijay’s Varisu, dubbed in Hindi. Both of them were very limited in terms of buzz.

So the only big release of January in 2023 was Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, unlike this year when three Bollywood films were ready to hit theaters. But what is interesting is their expected opening numbers at the box office, according to the buzz.

Trending Akshay Kumar’s 5000 Crore...

What To Watch In January 2024: From Hrithik Roshan’s Fighter In Theatres To Kangana Ranaut’s Tejas & Rohit Shetty’s Indian Police Force On Ott ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

2024 promises a bunch of new releases in theaters and on the web. In addition, a lot of old releases that you might have missed in the theaters are ready to release on Ott. Right from Kangana Ranaut to Siddharth Malhotra, actors are ready to get dropped on your digital screens.

In January 2024, a lot of new releases have been lined up for Ott. These include fresh releases as well as theatrical releases. Even Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal is ready to drop on Ott in the last week of January. However, the platform is still unknown.

Last year’s The Kerala Story is awaiting an Ott release since the film isn’t getting any Ott buyers, according to the rumors. So,...

Actor Pankaj Tripathi, who will be seen portraying Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the upcoming biopic ‘Main Atal Hoon’, on Monday was spotted at the Siddhivinayak Temple, as he celebrated the 99th birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister.

Pankaj was accompanied by the director of the movie Ravi Jadhav, producer Sandeep Singh and other team members of the movie.

The ‘Omg 2’ actor wore a white kurta and dhoti, and carried a red cloth around his neck.

Celebrating the 99th birth anniversary of Vajpayee, the makers have also dropped the first song titled ‘Desh Phele.’

The song takes you into the world of Vajpayee, a poet who rewrote history. Sung by Jubin Nautiyal, the heart-touching lyrics are penned by Manoj Muntashir and composed by Payal Dev.

Directed by award-winning director Ravi Jadhav, and written by Rishi Virmani and Ravi Jadhav, the movie is a Bhanushali Studios Limited and Legend Studios production,...

Pankaj Tripathi, who plays Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the upcoming biopic ‘Main Atal Hoon’, has revealed one quality of the late Prime Minister that resonates with him the most. At the trailer launch of the film in Mumbai, the actor said, “In today’s modern language it is called Emotional Quotient. Atal Ji had a very high emotional quotient. He used to write a poem every year on his birthday in December.

“After reading so much about him, I realised why he wrote those poems and in what context. So, I connect with this quality of his the most because I am also an emotional person. I can cry a lot without any reason.”

Sharing his view on the genre of biopics, Tripathi said, “A biopic is made so that people can be inspired by an important person who has lived an extraordinary life. I see biopics as an inspiration.

Pankaj Tripathi, who’s all set to be seen playing the role of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the biopic ‘Main Atal Hoon’, says that he has read so much about the former prime minister that he can now write a book on him.

He was speaking to the media in Mumbai at the trailer launch of the film, which is scheduled for release on January 19, 2024.

Talking about his role, Tripathi said, “We have tried to showcase those moments of his life in the film which are not known to the public and which are not available on any public platform. I have read so much about him that I can write a book on him and it will be bigger than this film. I have seen all his interviews, read so much about him that I have understood his persona.”

On the use of prosthetics to get his look right,...

Actress Sushmita Sen, who had suffered a heart attack during the filming of the third season of her hit streaming show ‘Aarya’, elaborated on how the environment and set-up on shoot helped her ease into the process.

‘Aarya’ is synonymouswith strength, someone who can command a storm and be one too. However, Sushmita Sen, who plays this character is no less fierce. After a deadly health scare, Sushmita jumped right back into the shoes of Aarya Sareen.

Opening up about returning to the sets of the show, Sushmita said: “I was itching to get back to work and I believe the longer you sit and ponder about a situation, you give it the chance to engulf you. The only way to move past any life challenge is to keep forging ahead and all I needed was the green light from my doctor to proceed.”

“Earlier on, I didn’t think...

Actress Sushmita Sen, who had suffered a heart attack during the filming of the third season of her hit streaming show ‘Aarya’, elaborated on how the environment and set-up on shoot helped her ease into the process.

‘Aarya’ is synonymouswith strength, someone who can command a storm and be one too. However, Sushmita Sen, who plays this character is no less fierce. After a deadly health scare, Sushmita jumped right back into the shoes of Aarya Sareen.

Opening up about returning to the sets of the show, Sushmita said: “I was itching to get back to work and I believe the longer you sit and ponder about a situation, you give it the chance to engulf you. The only way to move past any life challenge is to keep forging ahead and all I needed was the green light from my doctor to proceed.”

“Earlier on, I didn’t think...

Actress and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen’s character Aarya Sareen in the crime thriller ‘Aarya 3’ is a true powerhouse, with a strength that could rival a tornado, and a life story that’s seen more twists than a deck of cards.

Sushmita said: “From season one itself, she becomes a single mother running the show, which I have done.”

The ‘Main Hoon Na’ fame actress said: “She has a lot of resilience and ability to tolerate pain but when she lets go it’s iconic, pretty much like this very calm me, till that moment requires it, she likes to respond not react, I am built like that but all and all, she has seen more betrayal than I have, thank god for that, I have seen good people and I have been hoping that in this show she starts meeting good people, that bring back some hope in her life,...

Actress and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen’s character Aarya Sareen in the crime thriller ‘Aarya 3’ is a true powerhouse, with a strength that could rival a tornado, and a life story that’s seen more twists than a deck of cards.

Sushmita said: “From season one itself, she becomes a single mother running the show, which I have done.”

The ‘Main Hoon Na’ fame actress said: “She has a lot of resilience and ability to tolerate pain but when she lets go it’s iconic, pretty much like this very calm me, till that moment requires it, she likes to respond not react, I am built like that but all and all, she has seen more betrayal than I have, thank god for that, I have seen good people and I have been hoping that in this show she starts meeting good people, that bring back some hope in her life,...

After winning the hearts of the audiences in the previous seasons of the crime thriller ‘Aarya’, versatile Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen is set to reprise her titular role in the season three of the series, and shared how her own truth blends with the character’s, creating a captivating fusion.

Sushmita plays the character Aarya Sareen in the series. She has revealed how Aarya’s strength, imprinted from the script’s inception, continues to fortify her presence in season three.

Talking about the same, the former ‘Miss Universe’ said: “I’ve always been inspired by ‘Aarya’ because of the system the 360 – the way we shoot, the truth of both of them get mixed, there has to be the truth of Sushmita being present and Aarya influenced by Sushmita also.”

“The takeaway of Aarya’s strength is something from the moment I read this script, I took it with me, and...

After winning the hearts of the audiences in the previous seasons of the crime thriller ‘Aarya’, versatile Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen is set to reprise her titular role in the season three of the series, and shared how her own truth blends with the character’s, creating a captivating fusion.

Sushmita plays the character Aarya Sareen in the series. She has revealed how Aarya’s strength, imprinted from the script’s inception, continues to fortify her presence in season three.

Talking about the same, the former ‘Miss Universe’ said: “I’ve always been inspired by ‘Aarya’ because of the system the 360 – the way we shoot, the truth of both of them get mixed, there has to be the truth of Sushmita being present and Aarya influenced by Sushmita also.”

“The takeaway of Aarya’s strength is something from the moment I read this script, I took it with me, and...

The creative duo Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D. Nishandar, who have garnered positive responses for the Sushmita Sen-starrer streaming series ‘Taali’, have shared their best memories from the shoot of the show, calling it an “amazing” experience. ‘Taali’ brings to screen the inspiring journey of transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant, portrayed by Sushmita. Born as Ganesh and raised in Pune. Shreegauri revolutionised the transgender movement in the country, and the series shows her iconic fight for the recognition of the third gender in the country.

Talking to Ians, the creators revealed the behind-the-scenes moments from the sets of ‘Taali’, and also opened up on the inspiration behind the show.

Sharing memories, Arjun and Kartk said: “We made a whole lot of memories on the sets of ‘Taali’. Preparation for ‘Taali’ was an amazing experience.”

“Sushmita had to undergo massive transformation- both physical as well as emotional. Physical weight, body language,...

Actress Sushmita Sen shared her thoughts about her on-screen brother-sister bond with Ankur Bhatia, portrayed in ‘Aarya’, saying Rakshabandhan is a celebration where you embrace ‘imperfect’ bond, promise to be each other’s strength in tough times

From having each other’s backs to fighting over the silliest things, brother-sister bond experiences all emotions possible. One such complex aspect of the relationship we witnessed in the fan-favorite series ‘Aarya’. While Aarya (Sushmita) and Sangram (Ankur) do not share the perfect brother-sister relationship, the love and care for one another remain unwavered.

Opening up about the same, Sushmita said: “Sibling relationships are very difficult to put into words. They fight, they make-up, they fight again, it’s a vicious cycle that we all enjoy going through. The bond between Aarya and Sangram is not the ideal one but what I love about their relationship is that they have accepted their bitter...

Actress Sushmita Sen on Monday showered love on her younger daughter Alisah on her birthday, saying how special God has made her, and that she “couldn’t be prouder.” Taking to photo-sharing platform Instagram, Sushmita shared a video montage wherein we can see throwback photos of Alisah with the family.

There are glimpses of her childhood photos, school pictures with her elder sister Renee, travel clicks with mumma Sushmita, some glimpse of her maternal grandparents, photos of her previous birthday celebrations, and other candid photographs.

The former Miss Universe captioned the post: “Happyyyyy Birthday Love Of My Life!!! How special God made you…and this privilege of being your Mother…I couldn’t be prouder Alisah!!!! I love you Shona!!! #apowerfuldestinyawaits.”

Fans took to the comment section of the post, and wrote: “Happy birthday Alisah!! Hope u have a great one dearie.”

“Happiest birthday wishes princess!! May God bless you with abundant joy,...

Currently garnering critical acclaim for her impressive act in the newly released series ‘Taali’ is actress Sushmita Sen who is regarded as an accomplished star in the Indian entertainment industry. Based on the life of transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant, ‘Taali’ is directed by National award-winning director Ravi Jadhav and written by Kshitij Patwardhan.

Busy promoting the show, Sushmita Sen recently spoke about prepping for her role in ‘Taali’, motherhood and more.

When asked to open up about being badass in the industry and why she always speaks her mind, Sushmita Sen revealed, “There were (repercussions) in the ’90s because back then, it was a much more closeted society. So for you to speak your mind and to say anything that you believed in was like, ‘Phew! She is a bad influence, don’t get her in front of our kids and everyone else. There was a time when they told...

Referring to a scene in Sushmita Sen starrer web series ‘Taali’, actress Raveena Tandon on Tuesday heaped praises saying ‘baat mein dum hai boss’. The show brings to screen the inspiring journey of transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant, portrayed by Sushmita. Born as Ganesh and raised in Pune. Shreegauri revolutionised the transgender movement in the country, and the series shows her iconic fight for the recognition of the third gender in the country.

Raveena took to Instagram Stories, and shared a snapshot of a scene, wherein we can see Sushmita on the screen, and her dialogue is flashed: “This country needs more foster mother”.

The ‘Mohra’ fame actress congratulated the producer of the show Afeefa Nadiadwala Sayed, and said: “Congratulations Afeefa Suleman Nadiadwala! Baat mein Dum hai Boss!”

Afeefa shared Raveena’s post and wrote,”love u so much”.

For the unversed, Raveena had adopted two girls, Pooja (11 years old), and...

Taali – a web series inspired by transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant released on Jio Cinema on August 15, 2023. ShreeGauri Sawant who runs an Ngo is the first transgender person to file a petition in the Supreme Court to demand adoption rights of transgender people. Sushmita Sen plays the protagonist. The series appears engaging and impactful with its every scene.

Director Ravi Jadhav spoke at length about Sushmita Sen playing the lead role. While talking about the thunderous response received by Taali, director Ravi Jadhav said, “I was not expecting so much love. One thing I know is that we have honestly worked on the subject. When we read about Shreegauri Sawant, about her struggle, her fight, we knew since day one that we are going to surrender to the subject.”

“In terms of writing, performance and everything. I feel that people have responded really well to this honesty. People are feeling that...

We have many films and television shows that have had male or female actors play the role of a trans man or a trans woman, and in most cases, they have aced it. The notable ones are Sadashiv Amrapurkar in Sadak, Vijay Sethupathi in Super Deluxe, Kalidas Jayaram in Paava Kadhaigal, and Kubra Sait in Sacred Games. We have never had anyone tell the story of a prominent transgender activist who has faced severe hardships and managed to help the downtrodden. We are talking about Shreegauri Sawant, a prominent figure who fought for the rights of transgender community in India. Keeping her story in mind, writer Kshitij Patwardhan, director Ravi Jadhav, and creators Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartik D Nishandar give the audience Taali, a six-episode mini-series about her life. The question remains: Was Taali a good attempt to showcase her struggle?

Taali revolves around Shreegauri Sawant, originally born Ganesh Sawant...

New Delhi, Aug 10 (Ians) Whether you’re a fan of riveting movies or prefer to dive into gripping series on Ott platforms, there’s something extraordinary in store for everyone in the coming days.

From Gal Gadot and Alia Bhatt’s ‘Heart Of Stone’ to Sushmita Sen’s ‘Taali’, the upcoming lineup promises to keep you hooked and engaged.

Ians has brought an enthralling slate of six titles on various Ott platforms, which will captivate audiences of varied choices with titles spanning across genres and languages.

Heart Of Stone:

Join Rachel Stone, a skilled spy, as she protects a valuable secret for a global peace agency. She’s the only woman in this high-stakes world, balancing her agency’s goals and the secrecy of the asset she guards. With important missions at risk, Rachel must act fast against enemies to save the asset from danger. Her determined efforts set...

Sushmita Sen will be seen in a never-seen-before avatar as transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant in the upcoming series Taali. The show’s trailer is out, and it promises a touching yet powerful story of courage and Sushmita shines as Shreegauri.

In the trailer, we get a glimpse of the challenges and humiliation Shreegauri faced before deciding to challenge the system. Sushmita’s portrayal is intense, with her eyes conveying much of the emotion. Particularly in a scene where she is in the hospital after surgery, uttering the words – ‘Gauri aa gayi (Gauri has arrived).’ This moment highlights why Sushmita is the perfect fit for the role.

Fans on the internet loved the trailer and praised Sushmita Sen for her dedication.

The web show is helmed by National award-winning director Ravi Jadhav and is created by Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D Nishandar. Taali will start streaming on JioCinema from August...

Mumbai, Aug 8 (Ians) Actress Sushmita Sen, who will be seen in the role of a transgender activist in the upcoming web series ‘Taali’, bonded well with a child artiste on the set and even calmed down the little girl during a particularly difficult scene.

Shivlae Dusad, the mother of child artiste Aroha, described how Sushmita pampered her daughter and allowed her to indulge in some vanity van salon experience after the day’s shoot was wrapped up.

The two bonded so well that though Aroha is back in school, she keeps enquiring from her mother about Sushmita.

Describing a particularly difficult shoot one day, Shivale said that Sushmita calmed Aroha during the scene.

Shivale said: “She made her understand that it was all just an act, and she was there protecting her, holding her hand so she didn’t have to worry at all. When she was in the scene,...

The trailer of upcoming series ‘Taali’ starring Sushmita Sen in the lead, showcases the revolutionary story of transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant, and her iconic fight for the recognition of the third gender in India. The two minute 11 seconds trailer, which was unveiled on Monday starts with Sushmita’s voice, saying “Namaste Mai Gauri. Ye Kahani mere jaise kayi logo ki hain, kyuki ye Gauri bhi kabhi Ganesh tha.”

The video shows a glimpse of a school child, and his teacher asks him what will you become when you grow up, to which he replies, ‘mujhe maa banna hai’. The teacher says ‘mard kabhi maa nahi ban sakta’.

The little boy can be then seen wearing a saree and a red bindi on his forehead, and he performs some rituals with transgenders.

The transition happens, and Sushmita is seen in the place of that boy. She is filling an application form,...

Cinema and art have seen a refreshing representation of unconventional characters and narratives, with the spotlight on the other gender in films and shows serving as a much-needed catalyst for change.

With the emergence of Ott platforms, these narratives have broken free from traditional shackles, inviting audiences to embrace diversity, challenge stereotypes, and redefine acceptance.

Many films and shows have emerged that sensitively portray transgender characters, shedding light on their struggles, triumphs, and unique stories.

Here’s a list of five must-watch films and shows available on various Ott platforms that capture their stories:

Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui

Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, it is a romantic film that revolves around a love story set in the vibrant city of Chandigarh. The film follows the journey of a bodybuilder, portrayed by Ayushmann Khurrana, who unexpectedly falls in love with a Zumba teacher, played by Vaani Kapoor. Unaware of her identity as a transgender,...

The creators of ‘Taali’, Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D Nishandar, have opened up on how Sushmita Sen and transgender social activist Shreegauri Sawant bonded over a ‘common’ factor.

Sushmita will portray one of the boldest avatar as ‘Shreegauri Sawant’ in the upcoming series ‘Taali’.

The teaser gave a sneak peek of the courageous quest of struggles, resilience and triumph of the transgender activist.

Talking about the common bonding factor between Sushmita and Shreegauri, the duo said: “Imagine having to petition to be recognised as a gender. Shreegauri Sawant’s story will reveal how many odds citizens like her have to face.”

“She is a huge inspiration as a human-being who not only triumphed over societal challenges but also adopted the daughter of a deceased AIDS patient. Both Sushmita and Shreegauri Sawant are adoptive mothers, and bonded closely over this common factor,” they shared.

Sushmita is a mother of two adopted daughters.

Having starred alongside Sushmita Sen, as siblings in the two seasons of the critically acclaimed series ‘Aarya’, actor Ankur Bhatia has now reunited with the actress again for the biographical drama ‘Taali’.

In the Ravi Jadhav directorial, Ankur will be seen in a bold choice of role as a gay activist. The role celebrates diversity and inclusivity.

Talking about his role in the series, Ankur revealed: “In the show, I play the character of Navin, who is a gay activist, and the biggest supporter of Gauri Sawant, played by Sushmita Sen.”

In the crime thriller ‘Aarya’, Ankur had played the character of Sangram Singh Rathore, who was Aarya Sareen’s (played by Sushmita) half brother.

On his reunion with Sushmita, Ankur shared: “It brought me immense happiness and excitement to reunite with Sushmita after ‘Aarya’, and especially on this kind of a subject that carries such an important message.”

“And...

Actress Sushmita Sen is all set to portray one of the boldest avatar as the transgender activist ‘Shreegauri Sawant’, in the upcoming series ‘Taali’. The 47 seconds teaser which was unveiled on Saturday, gives a sneak peek of the courageous quest of struggles, resilience and triumph.

It starts with Sushmita’s deep and rich voice saying, “Namaskar main Gauri Sawant.” Sushmita as ‘Gauri’ is donning a grey saree with yellow blouse, a gajra on her bun. She adjusts her saree’s pallu, wearing a pendant of ‘Sai Baba’, and applies a big red bindi on the forehead, while looking herself at a mirror.

The voiceover given by the actress further says, “Jisse koi ‘Hijra’ kehta hai, koi ‘social worker’. Koi ‘nautanki’ bulata hai koi ‘gamechanger’. Ye kahani isi safar ki hai. Gaali se Taali Tak.”

Gauri is seen sitting with a panel on stage, and the crowd is clapping for her.

Actor Pankaj Tripathi on Saturday announced the wrap up of the final schedule of the much-awaited film ‘Main Atal Hoon’.

Helmed by National Award-winning director Ravi Jadhav, ‘Main Atal Hoon’ features Pankaj as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the three-time Prime Minister of India.

During the Lucknow shooting schedule, the film’s makers met the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, and discussed the film at length.

The film wrapped up its final schedule in Mumbai on Saturday. The film is shot in 45 days across locations in Mumbai, Delhi, Kanpur and Lucknow promises to take the viewers through Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s childhood and extraordinary political journey.

Pankaj took to social media, and shared a video wherein we can see BTS clips from the shoot of the movie, and a glimpse of the actor as Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He captioned the post in Hindi: “This ‘Atal’ journey will always be remembered and cherished.

‘Sairat’ star Akash Thosar is set to play Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the upcoming Marathi film ‘Bal Shivaji’.

The film was announced on Tuesday on the occasion of the 349th anniversary of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as the king of Maratha Swaraj.

The first look of the film was also unveiled on the occasion.

The film, directed by Ravi Jadhav, will capture the adolescent years of the courageous Maratha warrior king, revealing gripping and compelling details that transpired in his life from the time he turned 12 to the age of 16.

Talking about the film, Ravi Jadhav said: “My film will show the invaluable contribution made by Chhatrapatti Shivaji Maharaj’s parents, Jijamata and Shahaji Raje Bhosale, building a strong foundation for him as a child. How from a young age his skills were sharpened as a warrior and a ruler. I worked on the script for nine years...

Mumbai, May 7 (Ians) Acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi has shared an update about his next ‘Main Atal Hoon’. He has commenced shooting for the film.

Today, the makers officially announced the filming of ‘Main Atal Hoon’. The movie will revolve around the life and political career of India’s beloved leader, Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was not only a politician but also a poet, a gentleman and a statesman.

Commencing the shoot in Mumbai, the team will have a long schedule of more than 45 days covering different parts of our country like Mumbai and Lucknow.

“Getting a chance to play the role of our great leader, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an honour in itself. We went through rigorous reading sessions, to understand the dialect, his lifestyle and his vision for India. I feel elated today as we begin shooting for Main Atal Hoon,” shared Pankaj.

Director Ravi Jadhav added, “I...

Actress Sushmita Sen, who is set to play transgender activist Gauri Sawant in the web series ‘Taali’, took 6 months for the project but she learnt every dialogue by heart. It was Gauri Sawant’s Pil (public interest litigation) that led to a landmark Supreme Court judgement in 2014, recognising the transgender community as the third gender.

The creative duo behind ‘Taali’ Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D. Nishandar revealed that the actress did her homework quite well.

The creative duo recalled the passion with which Sushmita immersed herself into Gauri’s life. They said: “She took around six months to say okay to the script and she knew it by heart. So in tune with the script she was by then that during the shoot, if we added or changed a line, she would tell us instantly that it wasn’t there originally. She does her homework very well.”

The duo...

Mumbai, Feb 16 (Ians) Actor Sikandar Kher will be seen playing a negative character in the upcoming web-series ‘Chidiya Udd’. His character is inspired by a real life criminal from Kamathipura.

‘Chidiya Udd’, which will be out on Mx Player, is about human trafficking which is set in Kamathipura. The sources say there has been a lot of detailed discussion on this real life person.

A source said: “Kamathipura is infamous for tough bouncers, who are known for being rough.”

“Sikandar’s character is sort of inspired by someone who lives there and has a criminal background. There has been a lot of discussion about the real person, like his mannerisms, the way he talks or the way he thinks. Since the inspiration for the character is a real person, the team is not naming him.”

The web series also stars ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ actor Madhur Mittal, along with Ravi Kothari, Gopal K Singh,...

Actor Pankaj Tripathi is playing the role of former Prime Minister of India – Atal Bihari Vajpayee – in the biopic ‘Main Atal Hoon’, and his first look from the film was released by the makers on Sunday on the occasion of the stateman’s birth anniversary.

The first look shows him dressed in the Indian attire of kurta and dhoti and shows many sides of Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a poet, a statesman, a leader and a humanitarian.

The film is being helmed by National Award winning director, Ravi Jadhav and written by Utkarsh Naithani with music composed by Salim-Sulaiman with lyrics by Sameer, while Sonu Nigam has rendered vocals for the motion video announcement.

Presented by Bhanushali Studios Limited and Legend Studios, produced by Vinod Bhanushali, Sandeep Singh, Sam Khan and Kamlesh Bhanushali and co-produced by Zeeshan Ahmad and Shivv Sharma, aMain Atal Hoon’ will release in cinemas in December...

Ever since the announcement of a film on our three-time Prime Minister was announced, it piqued the audience’s interest to know who will be playing the role of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a leader par excellence. With Pankaj Tripathi joining hands with the makers of this film, the excitement within the audiences has raised a notch higher. The film will be helmed by three times National Award winner Ravi Jadhav, one of the renowned directors of the Marathi film Industry and written by Utkarsh Naithani.

‘Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon Yeh Desh Rehna Chahiye- Atal’ revolves around the journey of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji, an honourable leader of India and one of the co-founders and a senior leader of the Bhartiya Janta Party (Bjp).

Speaking about playing Atalji, Pankaj Tripathi expressed, “It’s my Honour to portray such a humane politician on screen. He was not just a politician but so much more,...

For Marathi actor Prathamesh Parab returning to the superhit Marathi film franchise ‘Timepass’ with its third instalment was a homecoming. ‘Timepass 3’ directed by Ravi Jadhav, the third film in the franchise stars Prathamesh Parab and Hruta Durgule in lead roles.

Talking about the film Prathamesh Parab said, “Timepass 3′ is a film really close to my heart and returning to this franchise felt like returning home. I am glad that I could be a part of this mass entertainer.”

Director Ravi Jadhav came up with ‘Timepass’ in 2014 and followed it up with a sequel in 2015. The first film told the love story of two adolescents, Dagdu and Prajakta, played by Prathamesh Parab and Ketaki Mategaonkar. ‘Timepass 2’ was set 15 years after the first one and starred Priyadarshan Jadhav and Priya Bapat. In the third instalment of the franchise, the story returns with a younger Dagdu played by Prathmesh Parab again.

The...

It is true that India is the country that produces the largest number of films every year. Thousands of new titles in many languages pour into our screens every year. They include both big-budget films with major movie stars that have the backing of the biggest studios and production houses and also a growing and thriving independent cinema which produces many of the best movies every year.

There are films which manage to generate pre-release buzz and are highly anticipated by the movie going audience. The buzz could result from the involvement of major stars, a grand scale, subject matter that catches our fancy, an encouraging response to the trailer or in some cases, nationwide controversy.

The big event releases worldwide like “Avengers:Endgame” or the final season of “Game of Thrones” have seen unparalleled excitement from fans and it will be the same in India. However, this article will restrict itself to Indian movies.

It’s a sigh of relief for the makers of unconventional Marathi film Nude which has been caught under the censor scissors over its controversial title and subject. The makers can finally rejoice the great news that the Cbfc decided to stand in support of them and gave it a full clearance with an A certification. Reportedly, director Ravi Jadhav was excited to share the news and even thanked Prasoon Joshi for giving a green signal. The committee which watched the film also had Vidya Balan as one of the members who was all praises for the film.

The post Nude gets clearance certificate from Cbfc and has been certified as an ‘A’ film appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

India’s biggest and Asia’s oldest film festival, the International Film Festival of India (IFFi) gets into its 48th year in Goa from next week. While the festival promises to celebrate some of the best films in India and across the globe, it has been a subject of heated discussion ever since two films Ravi Jadhav’sRead More

The post Is this the real truth behind Iffi controversy? appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Malayalam filmmaker Sanal Kumar Sasidharan who should be devoting all his time to the post-production work of his new film, is running in and out of his lawyer’s office. He has taken the I&B (Information and Broadcasting) Ministry and the Iffi (International Film Festival of India) to court for the seemingly cursory rejection of hisRead More

The post “Ravi Jadhav and I are going to court” – Sanal Kumar Sasidharan on Iffi fiasco appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Director Ravi Jadhav who finds himself in the eye of a storm as his new Marathi film Nude was pulled out of the International Film Festival Of India (Iffi) at the last minute without informing him, says he’s ready to go through the process of submission again if at any point, he made a mistakeRead More

The post “If they’re saying I submitted an incomplete film, I’m ready to submit the film again” – Nude director Ravi Jadhav on taking Iffi to the court appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan is very angry and dejected with the cursory way his film S Durga, earlier titled Sexy Durga, has been pulled out of the 48th International Film Festival Of India. Speaking exclusively to this writer Sanal says, “Basically it comes down to one lady deciding that my film is not to beRead More

The post Directors Sanal Sasidharan and Ravi Jadhav react to their films being pulled out of the Iffi appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Not many might be aware about this outside Maharashtra but Riteish Deshmukh is doing great as a Marathi film producer. It all started with his 2013 path-breaking, entertaining film Balak-Palak, directed by Ravi Jadhav, who later directed Riteish in Banjo last year. In the same year, he made another unconventional film, Yellow. In 2014, heRead More

The post Riteish Deshmukh’s Shivaji biopic to go on floors next month; keeps mum about Housefull 4 appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.