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Pratik Gandhi on playing a real-life character in audio show ‘Gangistan’

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Actor Pratik Gandhi, who is known for playing ‘Harshad Mehta’ in ‘Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story’, now plays journalist Aashu Patel in Hindi audio show ‘Gangistan’.

The story revolves around Gujarati author and journalist Aashu Patel and his investigation and research work about the Mumbai underworld.

Talking about ‘Gangistan’, Pratik says that this is his first audio show and he has known Aashu Patel for many years, so bringing the character on-screen was not that tricky.

“Playing the role of Aashu was slightly easy for me because I have known Aashu Patel for many years. Immersing myself in complex emotions and intriguing situations was a treat. I was able to naturally relate with the protagonist’s ambition and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of having to use only my voice to perform the role.”

The story of ‘Gangistan’ spans across different eras like the 1960s, 1980s and the present. It brings out some interesting facts and stories about Mumbai’s gangs, their operations and impact on people. The 48-episode series features Pratik Gandhi, Saiyami Kher and Dayashankar Pandey in lead roles.

Pratik adds: “‘Gangistan’ lets you create your own visual interpretation which I think is the power of audio. What’s cool is that while recording it with the team, we did not just stand in front of the mic and speak. We recreated situations from the script, for example a hospital scene with Saiyami lying down in the studio and me sitting next to her or some of the encounter scenes where the actors ran across the studio.”

‘Gangistan’ is directed by Siddhanta Pinto, the story by Aashu Patel, writer and creative producer Heer Khant.

For journalist Aashu Patel, this has been a nostalgic affair. He adds: “Audio has an appeal similar to that of the power of the pen, in the sense that it’s left to the audience’s imagination to picturise the story. Writing ‘Gangistan’ with Heer Khant brought back so many memories from my journalism days. It is truly a grand story, over a grand timeline of several decades, straddling both fiction and non-fiction. This has never been done before in the audio space.”

Director Siddhanta Pinto says that the project took a year to complete: “Finally, after being in the Indian audio industry since 2001, I feel we are scratching the surface of the true power of audio. This project took over a year, and every minute has brought joy.”

The Hindi audio thriller ‘Gangistan’ can be listened to on Spotify.

Bollywood

Emraan Hashmi unveils the high-octane action world of ‘Gunmaster G9’ in first glimpse

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Mumbai, Aug 25: Actor Emraan Hashmi has unveiled the first glimpse of his upcoming action entertainer ‘Gunmaster G9.’

The glimpse sets the tone for an action-packed narrative while also teasing the chemistry between Hashmi and the film’s lead cast. Taking to Instagram, Emraan shared the teaser, writing, “The World of G9 Begins. Romance. Music. Action.#GunmaasterG9 brings it all together in a story that’s ready to take you on a ride. In cinemas 27th November 2026.#G9 #Gunmaaster Produced by @deepakmukut @hunarmukut @sangeetaahirofficial Presented by @sohamrockstrent Pvt Ltd.”

Soham Rockstar Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and Deepak Mukut have reunited Emraan Hashmi, Himesh Reshammiya and Datt nearly two decades after their first collaboration in 2005 on “Gunmaaster G9.” The reunion also marks another musical collaboration between Hashmi and Reshammiya, with Himesh composing the music for the upcoming film.

Producer Deepak Mukut said, “With the teaser of Gunmaaster G9 we have kickstarted the film’s promotional campaign. This will build anticipation for the film, as the teaser has all the ingredients that make Gunmaaster G9 a big screen experience.”

Director Aditya Datt added, “Gunmaaster G9 is a film which will see Emraan Hashmi leaves no stone unturned in protecting the love of his life from everything that threatens her. The film combines action, romance and music to give all Emraan Hashmi fans a complete entertainer.”

Emraan Hashmi said, “Adi and I have worked together in the past and we share a wonderful relationship as creative collaborators. We get each other intrinsically and when we are on set, we bring out the best in each other. I play Eshwar in the film— an ordinary dairy farm owner who is willing to go to any lengths for his beloved.”

“Gunmaaster G9” stars Emraan Hashmi, Genelia D’Souza, Aparshakti Khurana and Abhishek Singh. The film is produced by Deepak Mukut, Hunar Mukut and Sangeeta Ahir, and presented by Soham Rockstar Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. Directed by Aditya Datt, the action romance is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on November 27, 2026.

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Anupam Kher reflects on his acting journey: Don’t feel the same need to impress

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Mumbai, Aug 25: Veteran actor-filmmaker Anupam Kher reflects on his evolution as an actor, opening up about how his approach to the craft has changed over the years and added that he has become more relaxed and curious about the art of acting.

Anupam took to Instagram, where he shared a motley of pictures featuring the characters he has played over the years in Hindi cinema. He also looked back at his journey from the National School of Drama to the present and said that he now feels less pressure to prove himself.

He wrote as the caption: “HEART AND CRAFT OF AN ACTOR! Actors are vulnerable people. We willingly expose emotions that most people spend their lives trying to hide. Grief, fear, jealousy, love, joy, insecurity… we have to go looking for them inside ourselves. So yes, I think actors are also very brave.”

The actor said: “Of course, acting can bring fame, money and luxury. But none of these can help you when the camera comes close and you have to reveal something truthful. For that you need craft, but you also need a certain kind of heart. Sometimes even a broken one!”

He revealed that in the earlier years of his career, he thought he was in a hurry to prove himself.

“I had come into films with no godfather, but with the training and confidence of the #NationalSchoolOfDrama. Somewhere I was constantly saying, “Look what I can do. Look how different I can be.”

The actor said: “Maybe that was necessary then. But over the last ten years, something has changed. I am much more relaxed. I don’t feel the same need to impress. Instead, I have started enjoying the uncertainty of a character—his silences, contradictions, weaknesses, even his foolishness. I challenge myself more now, but strangely, with much less anxiety.”

“Perhaps that is one of the nicer things about growing older as an actor: you stop trying to show how much you know… and start becoming curious about how much you still don’t know. Here are a few faces from that journey. Each one taught me something new about acting! And about myself. Enjoy.”

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Salman Khan threat case: Mumbai Police say accused allegedly cooked up fake gang threat to extort money

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Mumbai, Aug 25: Mumbai Police have claimed to have busted an alleged extortion plot targeting Salman Khan, with the accused allegedly creating fake WhatsApp chats and identities to make it appear that an organised crime gang was threatening the Bollywood superstar.

The police said the investigation found discrepancies in the WhatsApp chats and CCTV footage failed to support the accused’s claims, leading to his alleged confession that he had fabricated the entire story to extort money.

During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted to creating a fake identity and fabricated WhatsApp chats using electronic means with the intention of scaring Salman and extorting money from him.

Police said the accused had hidden two mobile phones near the Bandra seafront.

The devices were later recovered and seized based on information provided by him. Screenshots of the alleged fake WhatsApp chats were also seized in the presence of witnesses.

The investigation further revealed that the accused allegedly received around Rs 1.30 lakh from Siwan in Bihar through PhonePe and later collected the money in cash through a money transfer agent in Bandra.

The accused has been booked under Sections 336(3), 351(3), 353(2), 271, 340 and 248 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.

Mumbai Police said the investigation is underway to determine whether the accused allegedly acted alone or whether any other person or gang was involved in the purported fake threat and extortion conspiracy.

In other news, Salman is gearing up for “Bigg Boss 20.”

Speaking about the new season, Salman Khan said in a statement, “Every season of Bigg Boss brings a fresh game, new dynamics and unexpected twists. But this season, there’s a mystery at the heart of it that makes it unlike anything we’ve seen before. The first hint is already out there, you just have to look at it twice. The teaser is just the beginning, and I can’t wait for audiences to start piecing the clues together when Bigg Boss Hindi Season 20 begins.”

According to reports, the makers are planning a complete makeover of the Bigg Boss house design this season. Omung Kumar and his wife Vanita Garud Kumar, who have previously designed the set, will reportedly not be creating the house this year.

According to reports, several celebrities are being considered as potential contestants for Bigg Boss 20. The rumoured list includes Mahhi Vij, Geeta Basra, Jannat Zubair, Faisal Shaikh (Mr Faisu), Sunil Pal, Nia Sharma, Pearl V Puri, and Showik Chakraborty.

The reality show will premiere on Colors TV and JioHotstar on September 6, 2026.

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