News Analysis India

Tag: Farhan Akhtar

  • Zoya Akhtar’s movies to be showcased in this film festival – check where and when | People News

    New Delhi: PVR Inox Cinemas’ luxury arm, The Luxury Collection, announced the launch of PVR Inox Lido, Juhu, in conjunction with a special retrospective film festival celebrating 15 years of filmmaker Zoya Akhtar’s journey in Bollywood. The week-long festival will showcase a selection of Zoya Akhtar’s widely loved films including ‘Luck By Chance,’ ‘Dil Dhadakne Do,’ ‘Talaash,’ ‘Gully Boy,’ and ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.’

    To commemorate this occasion, the PVR INOX Ltd. The initiative hosted an engaging conversation featuring Zoya Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar, and Reema Kagti alongside Ajay Bijli, Chairman & MD of PVR Cinemas.

    Talking about the retrospective, Zoya Akhtar said, “When I heard about this retrospective, I was excited because my films are going to be on the big screen again. I love the movies. This industry has got all my heart, I don’t want to be anywhere else, this is my home.” She also highlighted the significance of the new PVR Inox Lido cinema, saying, The new PVR Lido cinema really gives the youth a chance to watch older films that may have been before their time – it’s a real gift.

    Reema Kagti praised Zoya’s contribution to Indian cinema, stating, “Zoya has been one of the defining voices of modern Hindi cinema.”

    Farhan Akhtar added, “This means a lot to us. I would like to thank Mr. Ajay for encouraging people to return to theaters and making it a great experience. I myself have fond memories of watching films here back in the days.”

    Further talking about the catalogue of movies being screened here, he said, “I’m proud of Zoya’s unique voice in filmmaking. As a collaborator, producer, and brother, I couldn’t be happier.”

  • Filming for Marvel series was no different from doing a Bollywood film, says Actor Farhan Akhtar

    By IANS

    MUMBAI: Filmmaker-actor-producer Farhan Akhtar, who was recently seen in the limited Marvel series ‘Ms. Marvel’, shared that he didn’t come across much of a difference between working in the west and India.

    Participating in a fireside chat with the director duo The Russo Brothers, who are currently in India on a promotional tour of their recent release ‘The Gray Man’, Farhan told the media: “My experience of working with Marvel was no different than working in any film from India and Marvel would back me up for saying this.”

    The ‘Dil Chaahta Hai’ director further mentioned that making films is a work of passion and to get to work with a crew that shares the same passion is a blessing.

    “Filmmaking is about finding order in chaos. What you need is a crew that is passionately involved in the making. Enjoyment is really palpable when you have a brilliant crew,” he concluded.

    The Russo Brothers, the sibling-directors, have earlier made blockbuster films such as ‘Captain America: Civil War’, ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’, are promoting their recently released film ‘The Gray Man’, which stars Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Dhanush and the Cuban-American actress Ana de Armas.

    The high-octane action thriller, which earlier had a limited theatrical release, has been severely panned by critics. ‘The Gray Man’ is streaming on Netflix.

    MUMBAI: Filmmaker-actor-producer Farhan Akhtar, who was recently seen in the limited Marvel series ‘Ms. Marvel’, shared that he didn’t come across much of a difference between working in the west and India.

    Participating in a fireside chat with the director duo The Russo Brothers, who are currently in India on a promotional tour of their recent release ‘The Gray Man’, Farhan told the media: “My experience of working with Marvel was no different than working in any film from India and Marvel would back me up for saying this.”

    The ‘Dil Chaahta Hai’ director further mentioned that making films is a work of passion and to get to work with a crew that shares the same passion is a blessing.

    “Filmmaking is about finding order in chaos. What you need is a crew that is passionately involved in the making. Enjoyment is really palpable when you have a brilliant crew,” he concluded.

    The Russo Brothers, the sibling-directors, have earlier made blockbuster films such as ‘Captain America: Civil War’, ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’, are promoting their recently released film ‘The Gray Man’, which stars Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Dhanush and the Cuban-American actress Ana de Armas.

    The high-octane action thriller, which earlier had a limited theatrical release, has been severely panned by critics. ‘The Gray Man’ is streaming on Netflix.

  • Actors Iman Vellani, Rish Shah open up about their on-screen bonding in ‘Ms Marvel’

    By IANS

    MUMBAI: Pakistani-Canadian actress Iman Vellani and her co-actor Rish Shah in the recently released superhero series ‘Ms Marvel’, spoke about their on-screen bond in the series which also features Indian actor-director Farhan Akhtar.

    Even though Iman’s character of Kamala spends a lot of her time with her two best friends Bruno and Nakia played by Matt Lintz and Yasmeen Fletcher, her life changes in unexpected ways when she meets Kamran played by Rish Shah.

    Describing Kamran’s dynamics with Kamala in the series, Rish Shah said, “Kamran initially is just a random boy Kamala meets, and she is immediately infatuated by his charm and charisma. He always felt a lack of belonging and community. When he gets to know Kamala, he finds someone he can relate with in the sense of their culture, humour, and being able to talk about Pakistani things together and not having to hide that or feel embarrassed by it.”

    Meanwhile, Vellani says that Kamala’s been around a lot of people and friends, but there’s never been someone who fully understands her or what she goes through.

    Describing the insecurities of her character, Iman said, “There’s always been that little sense of loneliness and a chip on her shoulder because she feels like she must act differently in school when she is not around brown people.”

    She continued, “But this changes when Kamran enters, who is this charismatic, attractive guy who lets Kamala lift that chip off her shoulder because she can just be herself around him. It’s one of the first times she lets herself be infatuated by a guy who shares similar experiences and goes through a lot of the same stuff she does,” she added.

    ‘Ms Marvel’ is currently available to stream on OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar.

  • Being a part of MCU makes you start to feel like a superhero: Farhan Akhtar on his Marvel debut

    By IANS

    MUMBAI:  Filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar, who has made his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut with the fourth episode of Marvel Studios’ ‘Ms. Marvel’, recently shared his feelings about being cast in a Marvel intellectual property.

    Farhan, who plays the role of Waleed, the leader of the ancient order known as the Red Daggers, said in a statement, “You automatically start feeling like a superhero when someone tells you that you are going to be part of the MCU. I stood like a superhero, just missing my cape.”

    The actor also answered some Marvel trivia questions. Sharing the name of the first MCU film/series he watched, he said, “As far as my memory serves me, ‘Iron Man’ was the first MCU film I watched.”

    When asked who he would like to team with in the future, Farhan said, “That would be Iron Man. I know, unfortunately, he is no longer with us but if they could find a way, I’d like it to be him.”

    While the actor is a big Iron Man fan, he mentions that he finds Doctor Strange’s powers really cool and would love to have those. When asked to name three female Avengers in 10 seconds, Farhan promptly answered Ms. Marvel followed by Captain Marvel and Black Widow.

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.

  • Exciting to be part of culturally inclusive ‘Ms Marvel’: Farhan Akhtar

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: It’s not the length of the role but the excitement to be a part of Marvel Studios’ first steps in the South Asian subcontinent that motivated actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar to join “Ms Marvel”, a show he believes is landmark in the way it represents “our cultures and our people”.

    Akhtar, known for directing acclaimed films “Dil Chahta Hai”, “Lakshay” and “Don” series as well as for his on screen performances in movies “Luck by Chance”, “Rock On!!” and “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”, has made his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut with the Disney+ Hotstar show.

    When he was first offered “Ms Marvel”, the actor said he was bowled over by the cultural inclusivity and diversity of the show, which centres around Kamala Khan aka Ms Marvel, a Pakistani-American teenager growing up in Jersey City.

    “When I found out that the show was the very first step that Marvel is taking into the subcontinent, creating a subcontinent superhero that is going to represent our cultures and our people, I was very excited,” Akhtar told PTI in a virtual interview.

    “I truly wanted to be a part of it because it is a landmark show. And I feel that it’s important because it’s diverse. There’s an incredible amount of cultural inclusivity that’s happening via the show,” he added.

    Fronted by newcomer Iman Vellani, “Ms Marvel” is a coming-of-age story of a Muslim teenager who discovers that she has superpowers and a family history going all the way back to India-Pakistan Partition in 1947.

    “Bad Boys for Life” helmers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a two-time Oscar winner in the documentary short category, and Meera Menon, who has worked on shows like “The Walking Dead”, have directed the episodes of the series.

    Akhtar features in the fourth episode of the show, titled “Seeing Red”, directed by Obaid-Chinoy. He essays the role of Waleed, a senior member of an organisation called Red Dagger. Waleed acts as a mentor to Kamala when she lands in Karachi to meet her maternal grandmother and uncover the mystery behind her superpowers.

    The actor said he was not concerned about the length of his role on the show as the focus was to be in a culturally diverse story. “I really didn’t stop to think about whether it should be longer or not. I was really happy,” he said.

    According to Akhtar, Marvel Studios has strived to deliver family entertainers with its films and now TV shows. “What Marvel has done over the years, even before the show, they’ve always strived to give very good clean family entertainment. And this series is in the same vein. I don’t think there’s any point to be made as such, but it’s a new experience for the audience. It’s a new experience for the viewer that is absolutely signed into the universe and is committed to watching what they do,” he added.

    Akhtar teased viewers about exciting things to look forward to in the upcoming episodes of the show. “As you may have noticed already that she has travelled back to the subcontinent. She’s travelled back home, there’s a lot more fun waiting for her and a lot more exciting things for the audience to watch,” he said.

    As far as his involvement in the future Marvel projects or returning to this role is concerned , the 48-year-old actor said he is open to any offer from the studio. “I feel like I’m already a part of the MCU by playing Waleed… Of course, I would love for more stuff to happen because I had an incredible time working on the show. I leave that to their best judgment. But from my end, whenever they want me to be back and do anything that they need me to for this character, I’ll be there,” Akhtar said.

    There was considerable buzz around Akhtar and Pakistani superstar Fawad Khan’s casting in the show that has been hailed for its depiction of a culturally rich story of India and Pakistan, through its numerous Bollywood and Shah Rukh Khan references, it’s positive focus on Islam and family values. “There are many generations that are touched upon through the story, as you may have noticed already. Family plays a very important role in the show,” Akhtar said.

    While the Bollywood actor-director has a significant role in the fourth episode of the series, Fawad Khan makes a blink-and-you-miss-it appearance in a family portrait that Kamala’s grandmother shows her.

    “Ms Marvel” also features Nimra Bucha, Aramis Knight, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Laith Nakli, Azhar Usman, and Travina Springer. The show is available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

  • Farhan Akhtar pens note for ‘Ms Marvel’ team, praises show for ‘conscious inclusiveness’

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar on Tuesday said he is proud to be associated with “Ms Marvel”, the upcoming Disney+ series which he described as a “celebration of diversity”.

    Ahead of the series premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on Wednesday, Akhtar penned a note of appreciation for the makers of “Ms Marvel” congratulating them for mounting a show that promises to bring a “pride of self-identity” to several young children in the Indian subcontinent.

    “Ms Marvel”, part of the blockbuster Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is fronted by newcomer Iman Vellani who plays Kamala Khan aka Ms Marvel, a Pakistani-American teenager growing up in Jersey City.

    “Tomorrow, 8th June, will see the release of the first episode of Ms Marvel on Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar. This 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. It is in appreciation of Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy for her guidance through my days of working on it,” the multi-hyphenate personality wrote.

    “Bad Boys for Life” helmers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a two-time Oscar winner in the documentary short category, and Meera Menon, who has worked on shows like “The Walking Dead”, have directed the episodes of the series.

    “Ms Marvel” marks the Hollywood debut for Akhtar, known for starring in films like “Rock On”, “The Sky is Pink” and for directing features like “Don” and “Dil Chahta Hai”. He is said to be guest-starring on the show.

    Commending Marvel Studios, owned by The Walt Disney Company, for its continued push for inclusion, the actor-filmmaker said the series is a “celebration of diversity”.

    “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,” he added.

    Akhtar, 48, also gave a shout-out to Vellani and said the audience will be impressed by the debutante’s performance.

    “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,” he added.

    “Ms Marvel” also features Pakistani stars Fawad Khan, Nimra Bucha, Aramis Knight, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Laith Nakli, Azhar Usman, and Travina Springer.

    The show will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

  • Farhan Akhtar to appear in Marvel Studios series ‘Ms Marvel’

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar will be making an appearance in “Ms Marvel”, the first Muslim superhero series from Marvel Studios.

    According to Deadline, the details of his character have been kept under wraps, even though it is said to be a guest appearance.

    The Disney+ show will be the first Hollywood project for Akhtar, who is known for starring in hits like “Rock On!”, “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”, “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” and “Dil Dhadakne Do”.

    Akhtar has also directed critically-acclaimed and commercially-successful films such as “Dil Chahta Hai”, “Lakshya”, “Don” and “Don 2”.

    “Ms Marvel”, which comes from the blockbuster Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is fronted by newcomer Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan aka Ms Marvel, a Muslim American teenager growing up in Jersey City.

    “Kamala is an avid gamer and a voracious fan-fiction scribe with an oversized imagination – particularly when it comes to Captain Marvel (played by Brie Larson in the MCU).

    “Yet Kamala feels she doesn’t fit in at school and sometimes even at home, until she gets superpowers like her idols,” the official plotline read.

    “Bad Boys for Life” helmers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a two-time Oscar winner in the documentary short category, and Meera Menon, who has worked on shows like “The Walking Dead”, have directed the episodes of the series.

    Bisha K Ali, a scribe and stand-up comic known for her personal-political comedy, serves as head writer on the project.

    The cast also includes Aramis Knight, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Laith Nakli, Azhar Usman, Travina Springer and Nimra Bucha.

    “Ms Marvel” will premiere on June 8 on streaming service Disney+ Hotstar, where it will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam languages.

  • Young adult dramedy series ‘Eternally Confused and Eager for Love’ to debut on Netflix in March

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Streaming service Netflix on Thursday announced that its latest series, “Eternally Confused and Eager for Love”, will premiere on its platform on March 18.

    Created and directed by Rahul Nair, the show features an ensemble cast of actors Vihaan Samat, Rahul Bose, Suchitra Pillai, Jim Sarbh, Ankur Rathee and Dalai.

    The show is Netflix’s first joint series with Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby, the production banner from Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar.

    “Eternally Confused and Eager for Love” presents the story of Ray, an awkward young man who is navigating adulthood and the daunting world of romance in the 21st century.

    “He does this with the help of ‘Wiz’, a personification of Ray’s inner voice, who tells us what Ray cannot say out loud. In a quest to understand if he wants sex, love or a relationship, Ray goes through a series of work-life misadventures and indecisions, continually finding himself, ‘Eternally Confused And Eager For Love’,” the official logline read.

    “‘Eternally Confused and Eager for Love’ is a labour of love. Rahul Nair has been able to capture the reality and hilarity of what most of today’s young people deal with – it also has a lot of heart, and marks the beginning of our association with Netflix. We’re passionate about sharing our work with the service’s global audience,” Sidhwani said in a statement.

    Kagti said the show is quite relevant for the current generation. “‘Eternally Confused and Eager for Love’ is a fresh take on the daily struggles of Ray, a young adult, as he navigates the complexities of love, relationships and sex in a post modern world.

    “We are very excited to have collaborated with first-time director Rahul Nair along with Excel Entertainment and Netflix on a series which will definitely connect with the younger generation today,” she added.

    Monika Shergill, Vice President of Content at Netflix India, described “Eternally Confused and Eager for Love” as a “complex and hilarious exploration” of the dating lives of young adults.

    “Debutant writer and director Rahul Nair brings a distinctive voice to the series and has beautifully captured the day-to-day dilemmas of friendships, dating and relationships in these modern times. With this warm-hearted entertainer we mark the beginning of our association with the powerhouse storytellers, Tiger Baby and Excel Entertainment,” she said.

    The show is executive produced by Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akthar, Kagti, Kassim Jagmagia, Angad Dev Singh and Zoya Parvin.

    Kartik Shah serves as the creative producer.

  • Row over Mirzapur web series: Allahabad HC stays arrest of Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar

    By PTI
    ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad High Court on Friday stayed the arrest of ‘Mirzapur’ web series producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar while asking them to join the investigation by the police in the case lodged against them.

    A bench of justices Manoj Kumar Gupta and Subhash Chand gave the relief to the two on a plea by them challenging the FIR registered at the Kotwali Dehat police station in Mirzapur on a complaint accusing them of wrongly depicting the eastern UP district, sullying its image.

    The complaint also accused them of committing offences under sections 295 A, 504, 505 and 34 of the IPC for allegedly outraging religious sentiment by their deliberate acts, insulting somebody to provoke breach of peace, committing public mischief and committing a criminal act with joint liability respectively.

    The FIR also listed section 67 A of the Information Technology Act against them accusing them of publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.

    The court after saying arrests of Sidhwani and Akhtar adjourned the hearing of their pleas to the first week of March.

    The court also issued notices to the state government and the complainant on the duo’s plea for the annulment of the FIR against them.

    The counsel for Sidhwani and Akhtar argued in the court that even if all the allegations in the FIR were accepted as true, no case was made outr against the petitioners.

    There is no allegation that this web series was created with an intention to hurt the religious and social sentiments of citizens.

    The court, after hearing arguments of the parties concerned, stayed their arrest and asked police to take no coercive action against them.

    Mirzapur is an action crime thriller web series being screened on OTT Amazon Prime Video.

    The script of this web series was written by Karan Anshuman along with Puneet Krishna and Vineet Krishna and it was produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar.