Shyam Benegal’s Manthan starring Smita Patil and Naseeruddin Shah to re-release in Indian cinemas in 50 cities after Cannes 2024 screening

After the success of the world premiere of the Film Heritage Foundation’s restoration of Shyam Benegal’s 1976 film Manthan at the Cannes Film Festival 2024, the Film Heritage Foundation and the Gujarat Co-Operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. have collaborated with PVR-INOX Ltd. and Cinépolis India to release the restored classic in 50 cities and 100 cinemas across India on June 1 & 2, 2024.

Manthan, a fictionalized version of the beginnings of the extraordinary dairy cooperative movement that transformed India from a milk-deficient nation to the world’s largest milk producer inspired by Dr. Verghese Kurien, the Father of the White Revolution, is also India’s first crowdfunded film produced by 500,000 dairy farmers who contributed Rs. 2/- each towards the production of the film.

The film featured a stellar cast including Girish Karnad, Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, Dr. Mohan Agashe, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Anant Nag and Abha Dhulia. Manthan was shot by renowned cinematographer and director Govind Nihalani and the music was composed by eminent music composer Vanraj Bhatia.

Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation states, “When Film Heritage Foundation takes up the restoration of a film it is with the ultimate aim of bringing it back to the public for which it was made. Funded by 500,000 farmers, ‘Manthan’ is a film made by the people for the people and we knew that it was imperative that the restored film be shown back on the big screen to reach the widest audience possible. I am so pleased that audiences across the country in cities ranging from the big metros like Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai to smaller cities like Dharwad, Kakinada, Nadiad, Bhatinda, Panipat and Kozhikode will have the opportunity to watch the beautifully restored film.”

Shyam Benegal states, “I was so pleased to hear about the fantastic response that the restoration of ‘Manthan’ received at its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. But I am even more delighted that the restored film will be released in cinemas across the country. “Manthan” will be the first restoration of one of my films that will have a theatrical release. When Manthan released in 1976, it was a great success as the farmers themselves came to see the film in droves, travelling in bullock carts from small towns and villages. I hope that 48 years later when the restored film comes back to the big screen this June, people across India will come to the cinema to watch the film.”

Naseeruddin Shah states, “Watching the restored ‘Manthan’ at its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival was a very emotional experience for me. I was overwhelmed by memories from almost fifty years ago when cinema was a vehicle of change and moved to tears by the standing ovation at the end, which was not just for myself but for the film which has more than stood the test of time and also for the beauty of the restoration. I am delighted that the film is to be released in cinemas across India and I hope that people will not lose the opportunity to watch a beautiful restoration of a historic film on the big screen. I will be going to the theatre myself to watch the film again.”

Govind Nihalani states, “Having been involved in the restoration of ‘Manthan’ and seen the painstaking effort that Film Heritage Foundation has put in over many months to ensure that the restoration is as true to the original work as possible, I cannot wait to watch the film back on the big screen, the way it should be watched and to see the work that Shyam and I envisioned nearly fifty years ago come back to life again.”
ALSO READ: Cannes 2024: Restored version of Shyam Benegal’s Manthan starring Smita Patil premieres; Naseeruddin Shah receives standing ovation and he hugs Prateik Babbar, watch videos

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Salman Khan to kick off AR Murugadoss’ Sikandar from June 20 with action-packed schedule in Mumbai: Report

Even though Eid 2024 lacked a Salman Khan release, the superstar has unveiled a grand project titled Sikandar to make up for it. This action extravaganza marks Khan’s first collaboration with director AR Murugadoss, and filming is set to commence in June 2024. Murugadoss is currently juggling projects, including an action film featuring Tamil star Sivakarthikeyan (tentatively titled SK23). To ensure a smooth transition to Sikandar, he aims to wrap up a significant portion of SK23 before diving into Khan’s film.

“Murugadoss wants to complete as much of SK23 as possible before Sikandar goes on floors,” an insider revealed, according to a Mid-day report. The plan involved shooting the initial schedule of Sikandar in May, followed by a return to Sivakarthikeyan’s film in June. From July onwards, Murugadoss will devote his full attention to Sikandar.

With a target Eid 2025 release, the team is working tirelessly to meet the deadline despite the director’s packed schedule. “To avoid any delays, Murugadoss has assembled a dedicated team to expedite the completion of SK23,” the source added.

Another report in the same publication revealed that the pre-production began last week in May, paving the way for a June shoot. The first schedule will take place in Mumbai, with location scouting currently underway to finalize filming spots. Additionally, Salman Khan will be involved in a photoshoot towards the end of May, followed by the commencement of principal photography after June 20.

Action sequences are a priority for Murugadoss, and the action directors are busy choreographing these set pieces. Salman Khan has already begun his preparations. “Salman insists on performing the action sequences himself. He has modified his workout regimen to achieve a chiseled physique,” the source revealed.

Table reads with Khan and leading lady Rashmika Mandanna are expected to start in early June. A significant portion of the film will be shot in Mumbai and Hyderabad before the team embarks on an international schedule. To ensure Khan’s safety, considering past threats, filming locations will be disclosed on a need-to-know basis.

Sikandar marks Murugadoss’s highly anticipated return to Hindi cinema after an eight-year hiatus following Akira (2016). This project also reunites Khan with producer Sajid Nadiadwala, the duo behind blockbuster hits like Kick, Judwaa, and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.
ALSO READ: Salman Khan to kick off AR Murugadoss’ Sikandar in May 2024: Report

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Bhabi Ji Ghar Pe Hai actor Firoz Khan passes away due to heart attack

Firoz Khan, a television actor most known for impersonating Amitabh Bachchan in the hit program Bhabi Ji Ghar Pe Hai, died of a heart attack. According to reports, the actor had a heart attack in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday morning.

Firoz had been in Badaun for quite some time, taking part in numerous activities while being there. Just one day before his death, he posted a video of himself reenacting Big B’s classic moment from the film Coolie.

Mourning his demise, Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai actor Saumya Tandon told Indian Express, “Absolutely shocked and deeply saddened. He was too young to leave. Worked briefly with him, but I remember him as quiet, polite and so respectful on sets. He was so talented. I can’t ever forget the episode where he became Amitabh Bachchan. It was such a hilarious episode and he was so funny. We were laughing as we were filming the scene. And him as dhobi was so special. As I talk, all the scenes done with him are flashing in front of my eyes. Uff this is soo sad. I wish this is all a rumour.”

Charrul Malik, Firoz Khan’s co-star in Bhabi Ji Ghar Pe Hai, paid tribute to him and fondly recalled their time together. She said, “It’s very sad news. I met him several times during award shows and on the show. He was a very gentle and down-to-earth person. His comic timing was amazing. He used to be very happy and cheerful. He once asked to make a reel together, but we never got a chance to do that.”

Binaiferr Kohli, the producer of Bhabi Ji Ghar Pe Hai, also remembered Firoz’s warmth and sensitivity. She recalled, “He was the nicest, sweetest person on the set. He was very pure and sweet and would get scared quickly that somebody was going to scold him. After Covid, he went into a shell and needed help. I asked him to take up therapy. He had lost his mojo for acting. He was very sceptical about performing. But I asked him to come on the set and be with everyone. Then his mother got seriously ill and passed away. Just a couple of months back, his mother expired, and he went further into depression.”

Reflecting on Firoz’s struggles, Kohli added, “Everybody on the set tried to call him for lunch and spend time with him. We thought of putting him in a scene so that he could get his spunk back, but he just wouldn’t come on the set. He was also having a lot of problems, and it weighed heavily on him because he was a gentle soul. I feel sad that such a nice, gentle, pure person is no more.”

In addition to Bhabi Ji Ghar Pe Hai, Khan was seen in numerous television shows, including Jija Ji Chhat Par Hai, Saheb Bibi Aur Boss, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, and Shaktimaan. He was also featured in Adnan Sami’s music video for ‘Thodi Si Tu Lift Kara De’.

Also Read : Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai actress Vidisha Srivastava aka Anita Bhabhi has announced her pregnancy; due date is in July

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Dedh Bigha Zameen Trailer: ‘Common Man’ Pratik Gandhi gets ready to fight the world with Khushalii Kumar for his sister

The makers of Dedh Bigha Zameen have dropped the trailer of the film featuring Pratik Gandhi as the ‘common man’ in a crowd along with Khushalii Kumar as his wife. Set in a small town of Uttar Pradesh, the trailer showcases the struggle of a common man who fights all odds to get his sister married. Essaying the role of Pratik Gandhi’s wife, Khushalii Kumar features in a non-glamorous avatar as her character plays the role of a perfect supportive partner.

The trailer takes us right into the social drama where a middle-class common man promises his sister’s to-be in-laws about an extensive dowry. Soon we are taken further into the way he is trying to raise money for the impending money along with his supportive wife but is in for a shock when his ancestral land is encroached. With corruption at its peak, law being unavailable to the common man, can a middle-class man find a way to get himself out of this crisis?

 

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Unveiling the trailer on May 23, the director of the film Pulkit said, “Our labour of love, a long wait for this one but trust me, this small film is very special. Watch it on @officialjiocinema from May 31st.” Along with that, they also unveiled the video clip in association with JioCinema and shared, “Sometimes standing against the wrong is more important than defeating it”. Toh chaliye #EkAwaazGalatKeKhilaaf uthate hai #DedhBighaZameen, streaming 31 May onwards, only on JioCinema Premium.”

 

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Directed by Pulkit and produced by, Shaailesh R Singh, and Hansal Mehta being the creative director, the film features Pratik Gandhi and Khushalii Kumar in lead roles. The film is slated for release on May 31 and will premiere on JioCinema.

Also Read: Hansal Mehta unveils first poster of Pratik Gandhi starrer Dedh Bigha Zameen, shoot begins today in Jhansi

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Jackie Shroff joins the cast of Akshay Kumar starrer Welcome To The Jungle: Report

A couple of days ago, there were reports about Sanjay Dutt exiting the comic caper Welcome To The Jungle, led by Akshay Kumar, due to health issues. As the shoot continues in Mumbai, there is another update about this Ahmed Khan-directed adventure comedy. As per a report by PinkVilla, Firoz Nadiadwala and Ahmed Khan have roped in Jackie Shroff to play a key role in the film.

“Jackie Shroff has been silently shooting for Welcome To The Jungle ever since Sanjay Dutt’s exit from the film. There is a twist in the tale for Welcome To The Jungle as the makers have reworked on the character traits and re-casted for some parts. While Suniel Shetty will now be playing the role which was initially written for Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff has come on board to play the part that Suniel Shetty had signed on for,” revealed a source close to the development.

Both Suniel and Sanjay have a macho personality, and the makers have taken this as a well-informed move to ensure that the USP of the character remains intact. “The humour for Suniel’s character comes from his machoism. Jackie, on the other hand, shares a very exciting dynamic with the lead roles, and the film presents him in a completely new avatar. The casting change happened back in December, and Jackie has already shot considerably for his part in the film,” the source added.

Welcome To The Jungle is touted to be the biggest comedy of 2024, as the makers have gathered an impressive ensemble cast. Directed by Ahmed Khan, the film is gearing up for a Christmas 2024 release and marks the return of Akshay Kumar to the Welcome franchise. If everything goes as planned, the film is expected to wrap up by the end of July. Apart from Akshay, Suniel, and Jackie, the film also stars Paresh Rawal, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Lara Dutta, Raveena Tandon, Rajpal Yadav, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Mika Singh, and Daler Mehndi in key roles.

Also Read: Welcome To The Jungle wraps a power packed schedule in Mumbai with 200 horses for a ‘never-seen-before’ action sequence

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Srikanth Box Office: Rajkummar Rao is super stable on Wednesday, crosses Rs. 30 crores

Before the close of second week, Srikanth has now crossed the Rs. 30 crores mark. This could well have been the lifetime number for the film and that too would have been considered good enough given the genre, subject and target audience. However, it has done well enough to reach this far already and with at least Rs. 15 crores more set to come in, Srikanth is going to end up with more than just a respectable score but rather emerge as quite healthy.

This is happening because of super stability that the film has been demonstrating ever since its release and in the process turning out to be an affair that’s not just relegated to weekend audiences but even weekday footfalls. Also, it’s a very consistent run as well due to which even though the day on day collections are in that Rs. 1-1.50 crores zone, the incremental progress has been good enough to allow the film jump from Rs. 10 to 20 to 30 crores in a good time.

Currently, the Rajkummar Rao starrer stands at Rs. 30.55 crores and by the close of the third weekend it would be just a couple of crores short of the Rs. 40 crores mark. So far, the trending is giving all the indications of a possible Rs. 50 crores lifetime and once that turns out to be the case, Srikanth will get classified as a straight forward hit.

Note: All collections as per production and distribution sources

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Radhika Apte becomes brand ambassador for Manforce Epic ThinX Condoms

Under the umbrella of Manforce- India’s No.1 condom brand, Epic Condoms, has roped in Radhika Apte as its official brand ambassador. The brand has unveiled the latest campaign with Radhika Apte that emphasizes the importance of female pleasure and choosing the right condom for themselves. Conventionally, the choice of condoms has been a prerogative of men, making it a sensitive and often avoided subject among women. Many women feel discomfort when discussing this matter, a challenge that persists even today.

The brand aims to bring a paradigm shift in the mindset through this campaign. It empowers the women to come to the forefront. The film emphasizes never compromising on pleasure, protection, and comfort. This decision should not be left to anyone but should be made jointly by both partners. It’s a powerful reminder that women should never hesitate to choose what’s right for them including the choice of condom because it’s them only who bear the consequences if quality is compromised.

 

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The brand has launched the Epic ThinX Condom, which is ultra-thin, free from harsh chemicals and is just 0.03 mm thin. It offers a natural feel and is completely vegan with innovative easy peel packaging. Speaking about the campaign, Rajeev Juneja, Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Mankind Pharma, said, “We aim to educate our audience about the importance of choosing the right condom. The campaign highlights that sexual intimacy involves a deep connection between partners, and making informed choices about protection should not be left to anyone else. We are delighted to have Radhika Apte on board, and we strongly feel that Radhika is a complete fit for the brand.”

Commenting on the partnership, Radhika Apte said, “I am thrilled to be the face of Epic ThinX Condoms. My first-ever campaign with Manforce Epic Condom is truly exciting because it not only focuses on promoting safe sex but also emphasizes the importance of making informed choices about one’s sexual health. It’s crucial for people, especially women, to feel empowered to choose the condom that best suits their needs and preferences. I believe this campaign will inspire many to take control of their sexual wellness and make decisions that prioritize their comfort and pleasure.”
ALSO READ: Radhika Apte gets trapped in aerobridge with passengers; takes a sarcastic dig at airlines: “Thanks for the fun ride”

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Shah Rukh Khan ‘doing well’ after hospitalization due to heatstroke, confirms his manager

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan received a wave of well wishes from fans around the world after being hospitalized due to heat stroke during a recent IPL match. According to his friend and co-actor Juhi Chawla, Khan is making a good recovery. The incident occurred on Tuesday after Khan attended the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He was accompanied by his children, Suhana and Abram, and his manager Pooja Dadlani. News of his hospitalization spread quickly, causing concern among fans. Thankfully, his manger has indicated a positive recovery.

Shah Rukh Khan’s manager, Pooja Dadlani, took to social media on May 23 to address the situation. In a brief statement, Dadlani wrote, “To all of Mr Khan’s fans and well wishers – he is doing well. Thank you for your love, prayers and concern.”

To all of Mr Khan’s fans and well wishers – he is doing well. Thank you for your love, prayers and concern ????
— Pooja Dadlani (@pooja_dadlani) May 23, 2024

Khan wasn’t alone at the stadium. Juhi Chawla, his co-owner of the KKR franchise, along with her husband Jay Mehta, were also present. The couple was seen leaving the hospital where Khan was admitted, though they refrained from speaking to the media.

Meanwhile, Gauri Khan, Shah Rukh’s wife, rushed to Ahmedabad to be by her husband’s side upon hearing the news. However, Suhana Khan, their daughter, returned to Mumbai. Photos showed her alongside friends Ananya Panday, Shanaya Kapoor, and Navya Nanda at a private airport.

The outpouring of support for Khan has been immense. Fans and well-wishers worldwide have sent their best wishes for a speedy recovery. Many expressed a hope to see him cheering on his team, the KKR, in the upcoming IPL finals.
ALSO READ: Shah Rukh Khan recovering well after heatstroke, to attend IPL 2024 finals to support KKR, says Juhi Chawla

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Ranveer Singh’s shocking exit from Prasanth Varma’s Rakshas costs producers Rs. 25 crores; leaves them stunned, furious and in financial turmoil!

Over the last 3 days, Ranveer Singh has been hitting the headline for all the wrong reasons as he decided to walk out of the Prasanth Varma directed Rakshas, after committing to start the film from July. The controversy gained even more momentum after Bollywood Hungama broke the news that Ranveer Singh has walked out of the film after shooting with the team for an exclusive announcement video for two days in Hyderabad. And now, we have another scoop for our readers.

A source close to the production tells us that Ranveer Singh’s u turn has cost the producers, Mythri Productions, a loss of Rs. 25 crores. “This has not gone down well with Mythri. To start with, Ranveer went and leaked his decision of not doing the film in the media before actually informing the producers. When Ranveer finally informed them about his exit, they were shell-shocked and upset. They questioned him for being unprofessional and conveyed that they were not happy with how the things unfolded,” a source told Bollywood Hungama.

Rakshas was slated to be the big-ticket entry of Mythri Production in the Hindi Film Industry, and they gave in all the respect to the superstar stature of Ranveer Singh, only to face this behaviour. “It was Ranveer who approached Prasanth Varma for the film and it was due to Ranveer’s request that Mythri came on board. They spent nearly Rs. 25 crores on the pre-production, which includes a massive sum of Rs. 10 crores splurged for the 4-day announcement video shoot. All of it has gone waste now, as Ranveer has backed out from Rakshas. The announcement video will now find a place in the archives of Mythri,” the source told us further.

This is the third Ranveer Singh film that has failed to take off in the post Covid world. The earlier ones include Shankar’s big ticket period drama, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Baiju Bawra among others. Two other announced films – Shaktimaan and Don 3 – are also in an iffy state, though the makers claim that the film will take off in 2025. It’s all wait and watch for now!

Also Read: SCOOP: Ranveer Singh shoots for Rakshas promo with Prasanth Varma; Walks out later citing ‘Personal Reasons’

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Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s brother Ayazuddin arrested in forgery case

In a recent turn of events, Ayazuddin Siddiqui, the elder brother of renowned Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, has been arrested by the Budhana police in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, May 22, on allegations of forgery.

According to a report by DNA, Ayazuddin Siddique was apprehended after allegedly issuing a fake order letter to the consolidation department on behalf of the District Magistrate court, concerning an ongoing farming land dispute with an individual named Javed Iqbal.

The forged document came to light when it was discovered that the order issued by Ayazuddin Siddique was illegitimate, prompting the District Magistrate to file a complaint. Consequently, a case has been registered against Ayazuddin Siddique under sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the Indian Penal Code. This incident marks a troubling development for Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s family, with Ayazuddin having faced legal troubles in the past as well. In 2018, he was accused of hurting religious emotions by sharing an offensive photo on social media.

This recent arrest comes amidst a series of personal challenges faced by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, including his highly publicized separation from his wife, Aaliya Siddiqui. While Aaliya had initially sent a divorce notice to Nawazuddin in May 2020, alleging marital discord, she later expressed her desire to reconcile with him, citing changes in their circumstances. Despite the turbulence in their relationship, Aaliya conveyed her intention to prioritize peace and unity for the sake of their children, signalling a potential shift in their marital dynamics.

Also Read: Nawazuddin Siddiqui recalls working with Aamir Khan in Sarfarosh and Talaash: “Our bond was just strong, full of mutual respect and an unspoken understanding”

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