Bollywood
Alia on ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’: She’s sunshine but there’s sadness in her

Every time she comes on screen she gives her all to the role she plays. Actress Alia Bhatt, who currently awaits the release of her upcoming film ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, has talked about how emotionally draining it was to play an intense character like Gangubai in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial and described her as “sunshine” but with “sadness”.
‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ tells the tale a young girl named Ganga who becomes Gangubai, a madame in the red light area of Kamathipura. It is loosely based on the true story of Gangubai Harjivandas, popularly known as Gangubai Kothewali, whose life was documented in the book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’ written by S. Hussain Zaidi.
In a conversation with IANS, Alia spoke about the emotionally draining part of playing a real life character like Gangubai, who was sold by her suitor to a brothel.
Alia said in the candid chat: “One of the things that maybe you’ll also get to see in the trailer that there is a constant anger in her eyes so that comes with what happened to her and the situation she was put in. I remember whenever we used to play out scenes and there would always be that layer sir would ask me to bring in the character and maybe I didn’t understand it while I was doing it and bringing it I was understanding it but when I saw the film in a flow I understood what he was trying to do and that is something … that all adds up.”
“That was one of her biggest sensitive points that what happened to her was not fair and which world she had to enter is not fair but the beauty is what she does with that anger… She has it in her body and soul but how she turns it around.”
So how would you describe Gangubai?
“She is sunshine but there is sadness in her that is emotionally draining…to that to do what she did… “
The 28-year-old actress added: “Her picture was on every girl’s wall in Kamathipura for 50 years. That was the impact she had for women so put yourself out for other people and not really be there for yourself that is another weight to carry. Even when I was dancing, walking or laughing… Sanjay sir said ‘weight’. ‘Weight’ doesn’t mean physical weight… It means in the heart and head and that’s what translates hopefully in the screen.
Asked how much is too much an actor to invest in intense roles, Alia, who has given power-packed performances in films such as ‘Highway’, ‘Raazi’ and ‘Udta Punjab’ to name a few, said: “Well, it depends in your personality I am that kind of a person where I will give everything.”
“That’s how I think sir and I connected. I kind of feel we had a sould connect by the end of it. We are both number 6… I could hear him without him saying things to me.. That’s the kind of connect we have formed and I have seen how he gives everything.”
Alia added: “He does not even rest even when his back was hurting he would be standing in pain and would not let his crew down. It is a very soldier like attitude. You have to soldier on there is no excuse. So, I am that kind of person and so is sir.”
Bollywood
Indian cinemas biggest stars rally behind WAVES 2025 event in Mumbai

Mumbai, April 19: The who’s who of the Indian film industry are set to attend the WAVES (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit) in Mumbai.
On Saturday, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister of Railways of India took to his X, formerly Twitter, and shared a promotional video featuring the biggest stars of Indian cinema including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Vikrant Massey and Nagarjuna.
In the video, the actors talk about the upcoming event, and also reveal that the conversation will be taken forward by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
It’s also revealed in the video that the event will see thought leaders from the entertainment industry, and pioneers across the industries lending their inputs to the event.
The World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) is a global platform that unites pioneers, visionaries, and aspiring creatives from the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry.
The event is organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the Create in India Challenge, and is poised to be a groundbreaking forum for discussions, collaborations, and transformative innovations.
It is sponsored by Netflix and orchestrated by Reskilll, and is set to redefine the future of storytelling, filmmaking, and digital content creation.
Waves Summit 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary. With over 3,000 applications, only the top 600 candidates were meticulously selected and trained, ensuring a pool of highly skilled and passionate participants. The ‘Trailer Making Competition’, the event’s crown jewel, saw an overwhelming 134 entries, showcasing an array of creative talents eager to make their mark in the industry.
The event has seen over 3,000 applications, of which top 600 candidates have been selected and trained, ensuring a pool of highly skilled and passionate participants. The event is set to be held in Mumbai from May 1 to May 4 in the BKC area of Mumbai.
Bollywood
A.R. Rahman reveals how news about his personal life affects his mental state

Mumbai, April 17: Music maestro A.R. Rahman, currently preparing for his ambitious “Wonderment” tour, has admitted that news and rumours about him do take a toll on his mental well-being. In an exclusive conversation with Media, A.R. Rahman opened up about his preparation for the ‘Wonderment’ tour, the use of AI in music, his mental state, and much more.
When asked, “Music requires a happy state of mind, do news and rumours about you that circulate everywhere affect you?”
Rahman replied, “I think every artist goes through this. Sometimes they are in a very, very sad state, and they have to do ‘Chhaiya Chhaiya’ or ‘Hamma Hamma’. You can’t say I’m not in the mood. They will go to somebody else. Sometimes you are very happy, and they want you to do the saddest song. You should be ready for it. In music, you have to be in a very neutral condition. You are almost like an actor. You are sad inside but you have to play happy.”
When further inquired , “But as an artist and as a human being, does it really affect you when you read so much about yourself.” Opening about it Rahman quipped, ‘It does, It does affect but it’s part of the game. The ups and downs.”
For the unversed, A.R. Rahman’s wife announced her divorce with him in the month of November 2024. Soon a social media post went viral accusing Rahman of having an extra-marital affair with one of his band members which led Rahman to issue a statement. He also announced to take a legal action against those spreading defamatory news about him.
Further during the conversation, A.R. also spoke about his health and shared a message with his fans stating “Thank you for all the love. Sorry to have scared you. The hospital gave something which went viral. I am here healthy with all your prayers and love. See you on the 3rd at D.Y. Patil stadium.”
In the month of March, A.R. Rahman was admitted to the hospital in Chennai due to chest pain.
Bollywood
R Madhavan reflects on his glorious 25 Years: ‘A Journey beyond my wildest dreams’

Mumbai, April 14: One of the most versatile actors, R Madhavan marked 25 glorious years in the Indian film industry on Monday.
The ‘Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein’ actor chose to commemorate the occasion in the most soulful and humble way, with a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Joining him were his ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ co-stars, Akshay Kumar, and Ananya Panday, as the trio sought blessings ahead of their much-anticipated film’s release on April 18.
Madhavan took to his official IG and dropped a picture of him offering prayers, alongside Akshay and Ananya.
He penned a heartfelt note on the photo-sharing app, reflecting on his 25 wonderful years in the Indian cinema.
He said, “25 Glorious, Wonderful, Rewarding and Blessed years as a Film actor…. Journeys beyond my wildest dreams…with Ecstasy and Agony for constant companion, yet with all the LOVE earned that overwhelms my Heart to this day…. And So… during this very spontaneous Pilgrimage on this very Auspicious and Special day (14th April 2000 when my FIRST FILM ALAIPAYUTHEY Released)..Just To Surrender and show GRATITUDE for all the blessings that can either be Explained nor Justified AAAAA.. Thank You and Guide me.”
As mentioned in the post, Madhavan made his debut with Mani Ratnam’s 2000 flick “Alai Payuthey” and never looked back since.
From memorable roles in “Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein”, “3 Idiots”, and “Tanu Weds Manu” to the critically acclaimed “Shaitaan”, Madhavan’s journey has been rich with diverse characters and impactful stories.
Now, he is looking at another powerful performance as Advocate Neville McKinley in “Kesari Chapter 2”.
A spiritual sequel to the 2019 outing, “Kesari”, the film is a cinematic adaptation of the book “The Case That Shook The Empire” by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, centred around C. Sankaran Nair and the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
The Karan Singh Tyagi’s directorial has been produced by Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, and Cape of Good Films.
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