The recently-released film Rautu Ka Raaz has received acclaim for its quirk, performances and setting. The title is such because it is set in a place called Rautu Ki Beli. Interestingly, director Anand Surapur’s earlier film The Fakir Of Venice (2019), which marked Farhan Akhtar’s acting debut before Rock On (2008), also mentioned a place in its title. Bollywood Hungama, in an exclusive interview, asked Anand about this aspect, his upcoming film and a lot more.

When asked if it was intentional to have names of towns or cities in his film titles, Anand Surapur laughed and replied, “It was not intentional. I got the idea for this film before The Fakir Of Venice. The title ‘The Fakir Of Venice’ was apt as it’s about a fakir and is set in Venice. Rautu Ka Raaz was originally titled Love Is Blind. But during the shoot, we realized that the title gives away an important plot point of the film (laughs). Also, initially, my idea was to shoot the film with a blind character’s perspective.”

Anand continued, “This is why we decided to name the film after the village Rautu Ki Beli, where the film was also shot. However, the producers (Zee Studios) reasoned that the title does not signify the mystery element of the film. This is how we finalized the title Rautu Ka Raaz.”

Anand Surapar is happy with the feedback, “The response has been very good according to Zee. The reviews were 70% positive. And I don’t mind because nobody can make a film that everybody loves! You can’t please everyone on this planet.”

Anand Surapur shared some fascinating trivia about the Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer, “Initially, we had set the film in a blind school in Mumbai. However, the school didn’t give us permission to shoot as it would have made life difficult for the students. So, we started looking for alternatives. I went to Uttarakhand and I fell in love with the location. It also had a blind school nearby. We then decided to change the film’s setting. Thankfully, it was also an apt decision because a city-based thriller would have been very different.”

Admitting that he and his team “got lucky with the casting”, Anand Surapur further said, “We got blind students from Mumbai and also from a famous government blind school in Dehradun. We also thought of shooting there but again, it was located in Dehradun city. Then we decided to shift to Rautu Ka Beli, located an hour and a half away from Dehradun.”

He revealed, “It’s quite peaceful and relaxing to shoot in Uttarakhand. We shot there in a normal, government school, that too in the holidays. The bathrooms and the steps were not in good condition. We did the repairs and even gave a fresh paint to the school.”

When asked how many days it took him to film, Anand Surapur made a surprise revelation, “We shot the film in 25 days. I even shot The Fakir Of Venice in 23 days. I shoot very fast. I am a producer’s dream (laughs)!”

The director has already started work on his next. He said, “After Rautu Ka Raaz was well-received, Nawaz bhai called me up and told me, ‘Let’s do the other film as well, the mystery one set in Uttarakhand’ (the director had narrated the idea to the actor earlier). He has even given us dates to shoot in December.”

When asked for details, he replied, “It’s about the paris and chudails in Uttarakhand. The state has many ghost stories. It’s believed that if you go to Pari Tibba in Mussoorie and if the fairy likes you, she’ll take you away. In fact, many youngsters hang out there for this reason (laughs)!”

Anand Surapuar, however, also said that he has two scripts in hand, “There’s also a murder mystery. We are figuring out which one to make. But the pari one seems more interesting.”

The fairy-witch tale, in his opinion, will appeal to the audience as it is novel. He explained, “It’s difficult to differentiate one content from another (in this genre). People also get bored of it after a point. Once in a while, if you make something unique, it will work. It’s a clutter-breaking thing actually.”

He added, “I did music videos like ‘Bulla Ki Jana’ with Rabbi Shergill and ‘Teri Deewani’ with Kailash Kher. So, I have always focused on things that people can relate to and which are also clutter-breaking.”

Rautu Ka Raaz was released directly on Zee5. Will his next film with Nawazuddin Siddiqui be released in theatres? Anand Surapar smiled as he said, “It’s every director and producer’s dream to release the film in theatres. We also wanted to release Rautu Ka Raaz on the big screen. However, considering the market and mood, we opted for a direct-to-OTT release. Once the film is made, we’ll take a call.”

Also Read: Rautu Ka Raaz Trailer: Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays a smart cop in lazy murder investigation, watch

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Vikrant Massey’s popularity got a boost with the surprise success of 12th Fail (2023). Hence, his next theatrical release, The Sabarmati Report, is much awaited. The film was all set to release on May 3 but it was postponed to August 2. It now seems that Vikrant’s fans and admirers will have to wait a little longer. As per sources, The Sabarmati Report has been further pushed.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “The makers are looking at a new release date. The film is now expected to release in September or October 2024. The makers will announce the new release date in a week or two. The exhibitors, too, would be informed about The Sabarmati Report’s postponement.”

A few days ago, Bollywood Hungama broke the news that Ajay Devgn-starrer Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, which was all set to release on July 5, has been pushed ahead and would now arrive in cinemas on August 2. It would have led to a three-way clash on the first Friday of August as Janhvi Kapoor-starrer Ulajh is also scheduled for a release in theatres on August 2.

Besides Vikrant Massey, The Sabarmati Report also stars Raashii Khanna and Ridhi Dogra. It is a political thriller about two reporters investigating the burning of the Sabarmati Express at Godhra on February 27, 2002. It is produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Amul V Mohan and Anshul Mohan and directed by Ranjan Chandel.

In April 2024, Bollywood Hungama was the first one to report that The Sabarmati Report won’t be able to make it in cinemas on May 3. A source told us, “The Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) Examining Committee saw the film and had objections to certain scenes. Also, fearing that it might violate the model code of conduct as laid down by the Election Commission of India, it has been advised that it should be released after the last phase of elections, which will take place on June 1.”

Also Read: The Sabarmati Report teaser out: Vikrant Massey, Raashii Khanna and Riddhi Dogra starrer investigates Godhra incident

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The month of May brought some relief to the exhibitors thanks to the Rajkummar Rao-starrer Srikanth. It was one of the few major releases of the month and did exceptionally well in cinemas. It also made its director Tushar Hiranandani someone to watch out for. It has now come to light that Tushar has already moved on to his next project. As per a source, he is reshooting certain portions of the Vikrant Massey-starrer The Sabarmati Report.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “The film is not going for a massive reshoot. The producers felt that some scenes could come out strongly and also, they thought of roping in Tushar Hiranandani for the reshoot. The actors, too, readily came on board.”

In April 2024, Bollywood Hungama reported that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had expressed reservations that certain moments in the film could hurt the sentiments of a section of the moviegoers and hence, the makers had toyed with the idea of reshooting the film. The source, however, has no information on whether the film is being reshot for this reason or some other factor.

Back then, Bollywood Hungama was the first one to report that The Sabarmati Report wouldn’t be able to make it in cinemas on May 3. This was a time when the Lok Sabha Elections were going on and besides objections to some scenes, the CBFC also feared that it might violate the model code of conduct as laid down by the Election Commission of India.

Besides Vikrant Massey, The Sabarmati Report also stars Raashii Khanna and Ridhi Dogra. It is a political thriller about two reporters investigating the burning of the Sabarmati Express at Godhra on February 27, 2002. It is produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Amul V Mohan and Anshul Mohan and directed by Ranjan Chandel.

Also Read: BREAKING: The Sabarmati Report delayed due to Censor issues; expected to release after the Lok Sabha Elections 2024

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Bollywood actor Salman Khan received the loudest cheers when he performed alongside groom-to-be Anant Ambani during the latter’s wedding sangeet in Mumbai on Friday evening. At the ceremony, the duo played Salman’s hit song ‘Aisa Pehli Baar Hua Hai’. Anant, the son of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and wife Nita Ambani, is expected to marry Radhika Merchant next week. Ahead of Anant’s wedding, the Ambanis held a magnificent sangeet at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), which was attended by numerous Bollywood A-listers.

In a video shared by Viral Bhayani, Anant can be seen mimicking Salman’s hook step on ‘Aisa Pehli Baar Hua Hai’ while the audience goes crazy. Salman looked smart in a black tuxedo, while Anant was stunning in a blue shimmering kurta and silver jacket.

 

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In an Instagram video, Ranveer Singh was seen dancing to Salman’s No Entry title song. He danced on stage while wearing a silver-colored half-sleeve vest, jeans and trainers. The actor also donned black shades. Deepika Padukone, was seen walking in the crowd in another clip. For the event, Deepika wore a purple and silver saree.

 

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Mukesh and Nita Ambani recently hosted a mass wedding for the needy on July 2 at Swami Vivekanand Vidyamandir in Palghar as part of their wedding festivities. On July 3, the Ambanis hosted a stunning Mameru ceremony, which is a Gujarati wedding ritual in which the bride’s maternal uncle (mama) visits her with sweets and presents.

The major festivities will begin on July 12 with the auspicious Shubh Vivah (wedding ceremony). According to reports, visitors are invited to get into the spirit of the occasion by dressed in traditional Indian costume. The festivities will continue on Saturday, July 13, with Shubh Aashirwad. The last celebration, Mangal Utsav, or wedding reception, is slated for Sunday, July 14.

Also Read : Salman Khan gives thumbs up to Vicky Kaushal’s new song ‘Tauba Tauba’: “Great moves” 

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Just one week is left for the release of Akshay Kumar-starrer Sarfira in cinemas and the promotional campaign has been minimal. Bollywood Hungama has learned that it’s a conscious decision by the makers due to several factors, one of them being Akshay Kumar’s poor run at the box office.

Industry analysts speculate that the success of Sarfira will depend heavily on word-of-mouth and the film’s ability to resonate with viewers beyond the initial promotional blitz. This approach contrasts sharply with the high-profile campaigns typically associated with Akshay’s films, which have often relied on extensive marketing to drive box office numbers.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Akshay’s recent films haven’t worked, be it Selfiee (2023), Mission Raniganj (2023) or Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024). The last one was a big-budget flick and its failure affected the actor big time. Moreover, the makers want to go the 12th Fail (2023) way. It was also a film which didn’t have extensive promotions and it picked up through word of mouth. Sarfira makers believe that their film is in the same zone and would score once the public reports are out.”

“It’s clear that the producers are wary of overspending on promotions when the return on investment is uncertain,” commented a Bollywood insider familiar with the situation. “Given the current climate where even star-studded films can falter at the box office, there’s a cautious optimism surrounding Sarfira.”

However, what adds to their challenge is that it’s a remake of Suriya’s National Award-winning film Soorarai Pottru (2020). This Tamil flick and also its Hindi dubbed version Udaan are available on Amazon Prime Video and have already been seen by several Hindi audiences. The source added, “The makers of Sarfira are getting the film promoted through certain influencers and they have been told not to mention that it’s a remake. But the aam junta knows about it.”

In fact, post-pandemic, Bollywood filmmakers are trying their best to ensure that the original film’s Hindi dubbed version is not available before their remake releases in Hindi. The manner in which Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo’s (2020) Hindi version was stopped from being released in cinemas until its remake Shehzada (2023), doesn’t release in cinemas, is a memorable episode. Manish Shah of Goldmines, eventually, released the Hindi dubbed version on his television channel. Though he didn’t make it available on his popular YouTube channel, pirated copies were made and widely consumed. This was a time when Allu Arjun became a huge star in Hindi markets with the success of Pushpa (2021) and it added to Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo’s Hindi version’s viewership.

The makers of Drishyam 2 (2022) went to great lengths to stop the release of the Telugu film Drushyam 2’s (2021) Hindi dubbed version online. For Shaitaan (2024), the makers went one step ahead and reportedly, they stopped the original film Vash (2023) from being aired on Shemaroo Me. It’s significant to note that Vash was not even dubbed in Hindi and yet, the producers of the Ajay Devgn starrer took this step.

Trade veteran Taran Adarsh, however, said, “Sarfira is not a Bade Miyan Chote Miyan or one of those masala films. Soorarai Pottruis a real-life story and the way they have presented the story on screen is beautiful. Also, the same director directing it (Sudha Kongara) makes a difference. I don’t know how many changes they have made in the Hindi version, though.”

He added, “Nevertheless, Sarfira is a content-based film and it’ll require nurturing and word of mouth. The good thing is that the trailer has been liked. And people would hopefully see it as an inspirational tale.”

As the release date for Sarfira approaches, all eyes will be on how this unconventional marketing strategy plays out in the competitive landscape of Bollywood. Will the decision to go low-key prove to be a stroke of genius or a missed opportunity? Only time and audience reception will tell whether Sarfira can defy the odds and emerge as a sleeper hit amidst the current uncertainties of the Indian film market.

Also Read: Sarfira: Akshay Kumar and Radhika Madan bring Maharashtrian wedding vibes in ‘Chaawat’, watch

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Star Plus show Anupama which continues to receive applause and appreciation from the audience and has been retaining high TRP charts consistently, will see a new twist being added to the current gripping plot. According to a new promo, new twists and drama will unfold in the lives of Anupama and Anuj, and it is to be seen if the show will keep the audience hooked on their television screens with its plotline.

Makers drop a new promo

The excitement for the upcoming episodes show is quite high as makers have an intriguing promo for Anupama, leaving quite a bit of mystery ahead for what’s in store for audience’s favourite couple – Maan. The promo highlights the turn of events that take place in the lives of Anupama and Anuj and showcases the emotional turmoil of the two lead characters of the show. With this clip, the audience will get to witness Anuj’s new shattered and changed look, that has been doing the rounds on social media.

Yes, the makers have finally addressed this look and it is being said that this tattered avatar is a reflection of the hurdles that are faced by Anuj during this phase of his life. Meanwhile, Anupama, who still seems to be estranged, has struggled her way through obstacles and is living independently in a shelter home away from her own family.

 

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Although Anupama is a bridge for making loved ones meet, will she be able to find her own love? Will these hearts reunite? What will happen when these two souls cross paths again are questions that are left unanswered by the promo, leaving the views in mystery.

About Anupama

Anupama is an Indian Hindi-language television drama series on Star Plus. Produced by Rajan Shahi and Deepa Shahi under the banner of Director’s Kut Productions, the show, also starring Sudhanshu Pandey, Madalsa Sharma, Kunwar Amar, Nidhi Shah, Alpana Buch, among others, airs on the channel at 10 pm from Monday to Sunday.

Also Read: Sukriti Kandpal confirms her exit from popular television show Anupama; appreciates her time with the team

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Esha Gupta, a renowned Bollywood actress and self-proclaimed football fanatic, is gearing up to take the beautiful game by storm. Gupta has been selected as the only Indian Bollywood actress to grace the prestigious UEFA Euro 2024 in Berlin, Germany.

This exciting news comes as no surprise to those familiar with Esha’s unwavering dedication to football. A regular fixture at high-profile matches, she’s consistently displayed her passion for the sport, both on and off the screen. Her social media presence is a testament to this love, filled with glimpses of her cheering on her favourite teams and players. With Cristiano Ronaldo being a known favourite, many speculate she’ll be rooting for Portugal during the tournament.

Beyond her career in Bollywood, Esha Gupta has carved a niche for herself as a true sports fan.
ALSO READ: Elegant, Classy and Exquisite – Esha Gupta’s choice of Indian Sarees that have been going viral

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The city of dreams, Mumbai is currently buzzing with the excitement and joy as the grand pre-wedding ceremony of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant are in full swing. It is well known that the on-going grand ceremony, will see several celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, make their presence and make it even more special. While photos and videos of the international pop-singer and icon Justin Bieber have already found its way online as he arrived in the city to join the celebrations, we hear Indian artists like famous rapper Baadshah, musicians Stebin Ben and Karan Aujla will also be a part of the event.

The stage is guaranteed to be set on fire at the mega night of the Sangeet ceremony

Prior the wedding, Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant have kicked off their wedding festivities with the couple celebrating the functions in full swing. Their grand sangeet ceremony will be held in the city as a part of these celebrations and it will be joined by a host of celebrities. We hear that Justin Bieber, Badshah, and the other performers are going to put some lavish acts as they wish the couple on their special day.

About the wedding

After a grand pre-wedding which was held in March for an entire weekend with music, performances, and a grand tour of the Ambani’s wildlife preservation project Vantara, as well as a star-studded cruise bash last month, the wedding celebrations has once again kicked off at the Ambani and Merchant household. For the unversed, the grand wedding ceremony will take place at the Jio World Convention Centre on July 13 in Mumbai, promising to be a magical, starry, and glitzy evening to remember!

Also Read: Justin Bieber charges a staggering Rs. 83 crore to perform at Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant’s sangeet, arrives in Mumbai from private airport

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The polygamous relationship of the Maliks seems to be the highlight of Bigg Boss OTT Season 3, and the entry of this the trouple of Armaan and his two wives has left many upset. Former contestant of the reality show, Rakhi Sawant, shared her two cents on this relationship wherein she expressed her displeasure over showcasing such relationships on reality show. Now slamming her Armaan’s first wife Payal has taken to social media to respond to her statements.

After her exit, Payal Malik shared a video responding to Rakhi’s statements

In a dramatic turn of events, Bigg Boss OTT 3 fame Payal Malik has responded to Rakhi Sawant’s recent comments about her relationship with her husband, Armaan. Rakhi Sawant had taken to social media to share a video in which she said, “Agar main show mein aayi toh kahi teesri biwi banke bahar naa niklu (If I enter the show, I might become the third wife and get eliminated).”

Payal did not take kindly to Rakhi’s dig at her family. Addressing the controversy surrounding Armaan’s marriages and Rakhi’s remarks, Payal posted a video on her social media channelsas a rebuttal, saying, “I think you don’t have any work, that’s why you are targeting my family. You are calling Kritika a lizard and insulting Armaan by abusing him. I did not ask for any kind of justice from you. You need to give justice to all the three or four men you got married to. You just want to create a controversy. That’s it. We don’t have any such problems going on in our family, so it would be better if you stay away from it. This won’t be my final video, if you try to sabotage our image, I will give it back to you.”

Apart from Rakhi, Devoleena Bhattacharjee also expressed her anger

Former Bigg Boss contestant and TV actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee also expressed her anger on social media soon after the entry of Armaan Malik along with Payal and Kritika Malik, leading the actress to pen long notes, accusing the show of promoting polygamous relationships.

Bigg Boss OTT 3 is currently being streamed on JioCinema with new episodes available every day. The reality show, this season, features names like Ranvir Shorey, Vishal Pandey, Sai Ketan Rao, among others.

Also Read: Bigg Boss OTT 3: Rakhi Sawant SLAMS Uorfi Javed as she supports Armaan Malik’s polygamy: “Payal Malik is not happy”

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The wait is over. The much-awaited third season of Mirzapur was released today on Amazon Prime Video and it has already become a talking point on the internet. The show has a loyal fan base and not just its characters but even its memes are iconic. Many must have wondered if the third season would be the last one of the franchise. But it has now come to light that Season 3 leaves fans on the edge of their seats, delivering an explosive conclusion that sets the stage for an even more intense Season 4.

The fascinating aspect of Mirzapur is how the characters evolve due to the changing circumstances and the demise of their close ones. Hence, Guddu Pandit (Ali Fazal) and Golu Gupta (Shweta Tripathi Sharma) are no longer the same as they were in the first season. Kaleen Bhaiyya (Pankaj Tripathi), too, is manoeuvring his moves smartly after he was ousted from the throne of Mirzapur. The third season focuses on these aspects and the final episodes are full of twists and turns and arresting developments. One might feel disappointed as certain tracks are forgotten and even left abruptly. But at the same time, it gives an indication that the next season is in the offing, which is when the makers will take the story of these characters forward.

In other words, fans can expect more bloodshed, power plays, and emotional turmoil as the saga continues. With the foundation laid for new conflicts and alliances, Season 4 of Mirzapur is poised to deliver an even more thrilling experience.

Mirzapur’s first season dropped in November 2018 and in no time, became an overnight sensation. During the pandemic era, in October 2020, Season 2 was released. At the trailer launch of Mirzapur Season 3, Nikhil Madhok of Amazon Prime Video revealed, “Within the first seven days, the second season of Mirzapur became the most watched show ever on our service. That’s spectacular. Even today, it has a viewership in 180 countries. What makes Mirzapur special is the iconic characters and the incredible love they have from the fans.”

At this event, executive producer Farhan Akhtar joked, “It is phenomenal how Mirzapur has made a place in the hearts of the audience across the world. Whenever I go, people ask me only two-three questions – tum yahan kya kar rahe ho? Don 3 kabhi aayegi aur Mirzapur 3 kabhi aayegi?!”

Besides Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Mirzapur Season 3 also stars Rasika Dugal, Vijay Varma, Isha Talwar, Anjumm Shharma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Harshita Shekhar Gaur, Rajesh Tailang and Sheeba Chadha.

Also Read: Web Series Review: Mirzapur Season 3

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