Entertainment

Nagabhushana interview: On ‘Vidyapati’, friendship with Dhananjaya and growing up in Mysuru

Kannada actor Nagabhushana, known for his comedic characters, is gearing up for his film Vidyapati, produced by Sandalwood star Dhananjaya.
| Video Credit:
The Hindu

Nagabhushana, gearing up for the release of Vidyapati, talks about the importance of all-round entertainers. “The film industry always worries about people not coming to theatres. If you entertain people, they will always support you. You should not bore them,” says the Kannada actor.

Actor Nagabhushan.
| Photo Credit:
Ravichandran N

Also starring Garuda Ram and Malaika T Vasupal, Vidyapati hits the screens on April 10, 2025. Nagabhushana plays the husband of Vidya (Malaika), a popular heroine. He is a greedy man who lives a lavish life from the earnings of his wife. The story turns into a quirky David-vs-Goliath comedy-drama when the small-statured protagonist takes on a burly criminal (Garuda Ram).

“In acting, you must either be yourself or become the character. In many of my movies, I have played the hero’s friend. I remain as casual and natural as possible while essaying those roles. However, the character in Vidyapati is unlike who I am. It required me to flaunt my wealth and lead a flashy lifestyle. It was a challenge for me to crack the character,” says Nagabhushana.

Actor Nagabhushan.
| Photo Credit:
Ravichandran N

Transitioning from a comedian to a hero has been a cherishable journey, says Nagabhushana. He first played the lead in Ikkat (2021), a hilarious lockdown-inspired comedy directed by Esham and Haseen Khan, the brothers who have now directed Vidyapati. “Before Ikkat, I would play the role of a comedian and entertain people in bits and pieces in a movie. However, as a hero, I faced the challenge of keeping the viewers engaged for the entire runtime of Ikkat. But when people loved that film, I got the confidence that I can carry a film as a protagonist,” he explains.

ALSO READ:Dhananjaya interview: On ‘Kotee’ and why he loves the middle-class hero

Nagabhushan adds that comedians always aim to break their stereotypical image on-screen. “People have seen me in comic roles in movies. On the contrary, I have mostly played serious characters during my theatre days. I am not a comedian. I am an actor who also does comedy. When comedians turn into heroes, people might feel that they aren’t capable of handling the new role. It’s not their fault because they are used to seeing me in similar characters.”

Vidyapati has helped him experiment in his career, with a smattering of action sequences. “InVidyapati, I have attempted action for the first time. You won’t see me do traditional action. The fight sequences come with coatings of comedy and emotions. It’s a great combination. That’s how people will slowly embrace my shift to playing lead roles. I can’t do what star actors do and expect people to accept me,” Nagabhushana says.

The actor in ‘Vidyapati’.
| Photo Credit:
Daali Pictures/YouTube

Vidyapati has been bankrolled by actor-producer Dhananjaya, Nagabhushana’s friend since their college and theatre days in Mysuru. The actor mostly features in films from Dhananjaya’s banner Daali Pictures, along with other artistes (Poornachandra Mysore) from the heritage city. What is the brand of filmmaking the Mysuru team is trying to champion?

“We want to set our stories in villages in and around Mysuru. I am well-versed in the dialects of those regions. I grew up witnessing the cultural diversity in those small towns. My Tagarupalya was relatable to people because it was set in a village, and the story was about a popular ritual. 

He says he was a ‘nobody’ when I acted in the film, but audiences embraced me. “Tagarupalya ran to a full house in theatres before doing well on OTT. We released the film on YouTube as well. So far, it’s got 6M views. It’s the highest-rated film on TV for 2023 with a score of 7.2.”

The whole world knows that Sunny Deol hails from a Jat family, but this week (April 10, 2025), he is in theatres to state the obvious with Gopichand Mallineni’s Jaat, which marks the Telugu director’s Hindi debut. The film also stars Regina Cassandra, Saiyami Kher and Vineet Kumar Singh.

“We needed a strong title, and there can’t be a more powerful title than Jaat,” Sunny deadpans as we settle for a chat in Delhi. The theme song that cleverly associates Jaat with Jai Shri Ram suggests a political spin, but Sunny says not to read too much into the film.

“Approach it as an entertainer,” he suggests. The star underlines that it is an original idea, unlike a rash of remakes of hits from southern film industries, and that is what hooked him after the success of Gadar 2

Sunny says that right from his father Dharmendra’s time, there has been cross-pollination of ideas and talent between the North and the South. ““While the South kept making the cinema that brought together a cross-section of society to theatres, we moved to cater to specific sections of the audience. I find the directors in the South get a lot of freedom from the producers and stars to execute their vision.”

Objecting to classifying the audience of pan-Indian films as a mass, Sunny says it feels like undermining the taste of the majority that wants big-screen entertainment. “If a film works for the entire country, it doesn’t make the audience mass.”

Sunny Deol in ‘Jaat’.
| Photo Credit:
Mythri Movie Makers/YouTube

Looking back, he says the “action and aggression” that his early films like Arjun, Dacait, and Yateem represented is missing these days. “I feel the turmoil that the youth is going through is no different, but I can’t see a young actor or director who could capture that raw emotion the way someone like Rahul Rawail did.”

As the focus is back on Sunny, Lahore 1947, his association with his long-time associate, Raj Kumar Santoshi, is also generating buzz. Sunny says Raj, ‘the poor thing’, has been trying to tell the story based on Asghar Wajahat’s popular play Jisna Lahore Nahin Dekhya O Jamyai Nai for a long time.

“The success of Gadar-2 made it possible. See, the success of one kind of entertainer helped realising another kind of emotion and storytelling.” Co-starring Aamir Khan and Sabhana Azmi, the film is expected to change Sunny’s Gadar image. “The thappa (stamp) is so strong that it is hard to walk away. But yes, you never know. A powerful subject, a character seen in a new light, can change things.”

ALSO READ:Rajkumar Santoshi ropes Santosh Sivan as cinematographer for ‘Lahore 1947’

The actor remembers the first press conference after the release of Ghayal, a blockbuster that marked his entry into production. “I was so apprehensive that I was almost crouching, but when I found that the critics had found it a fine blend of art and entertainment, I felt bold.”

For Sunny, mainstream cinema cannot be like visual arts, where what is beneath the surface, which is intangible for most, is valued higher than what’s on it or what everyone finds beautiful. “In visual arts, a painting is understood by a few, usually fetches the highest bid, but in cinema, what works for the maximum audience is the winner.”

‘Jat in Hollywood action’

When Randeep Hooda found out he was not considered for the title character in a film called Jaat, he was disappointed. “Coming from a community that takes pride in its identity, I took time to mull over the offer to play the antagonist. I sought advice from my family and friends, and they asked who was playing the lead then. When I said Sunny Paaji, I was told I must, as he is best suited to justify the title. So, I put my identity behind me and put on my acting shoes to play Ranatunga.”

Randeep Hooda in ‘Jaat’.
| Photo Credit:
Mythri Movie Makers/YouTube

Randeep grew up on a diet of Sunny Deol’s movies and recalls how Betaab drew him to horses at a young age. “I watched it in reruns, and the image of a young macho man on a horse got imprinted. So were the songs. We would sing the film’s songs to girls with no response from the other side.”

For us, the name Ranatunga, evokes memories of legendary Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, who was quite a thorn in the flesh of the Indian team when the Island Nation was at its peak in the 1990s. “You can say the inspiration has come from there, laughs Randeep. “Just that Randeep kicks and jogs better,” Sunny chips in.

Coming straight after directing the politically charged Swatantrya Veer Savarkar that took a lot out of him, physically and emotionally, Randeep says it was relaxing to be a “jamai (groom) on the set” all over again. “I asked Gopinath how I should approach the role. He said everything is designed, shot by shot. Cool, I said.” It looks otherwise, but Randeep insists that he is more commercial in his choices as a filmmaker than an actor.

ALSO READ:Randeep Hooda to shoot next Hollywood venture in Budapest

After Extraction, Randeep is upbeat about his second collaboration with director Sam Hargrave on Matchbox. “In the past, our actors like Om Puri and Irrfan (Khan) have played important roles in Hollywood and European films, but I take pride in the fact that I am the only one approached for hardcore action. See, Hollywood also needs a Jat for action,” Randeep roars.

Akshay Kumar fans, do not waste another second and head straight to his Instagram. Why, you ask? Well, the actor has just dropped a new poster for his upcoming film, Kesari Chapter 2. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, the film also features Ananya Panday and R Madhavan in key roles.

In the new poster, Akshay Kumar is seen dressed in Kathakali attire. FYI: Kathakali is a classical Indian dance form from Kerala, known for its elaborate costumes, vibrant makeup, and intricate storytelling through stylized movements and facial expressions. 

In the caption, Akshay wrote, “This is not a costume. It’s a symbol — of tradition, of resistance, of truth, of my nation. C Sankaran Nair didn’t fight with a weapon. He fought the British Empire with the law — and with fire in his soul. This 18th APRIL, we bring you the court trial they never taught in textbooks.” 

Reacting to the post, Dharma Productions’ official Instagram said, “Can’t wait for the world to witness this story!” Actresses Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh and Bhumi Pednekar dropped red heart, clapping and raising hands emojis in the comment section. 

Kesari Chapter 2 is based on Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat’s book – The Case That Shook The Empire. The film’s plot revolves around the untold story of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the fight for justice led by C Sankaran Nair, a lawyer and former President of the Indian National Congress.

Produced by Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective and Cape of Good Films, Kesari Chapter 2 is a sequel to the 2019 film, Kesari. It is set to hit theatres on April 18.

L2: Empuraan, Mohanlal’s latest offering, witnessed a dip in its box office figures on the second Tuesday. The film, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, is the sequel to the 2019 action thriller, Lucifer. 

On Day 13, L2: Empuraan minted ₹ 1.25 crore at the ticket window, as per a report by industry tracker Sacnilk. With this, the movie’s total box office earnings stand at ₹ 101.15 crore. L2: Empuraan recorded an “overall 15.32 percent Malayalam occupancy” rate on April 8, added the report. 

Besides Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran also plays a key role in L2: Empuraan. The project marks the duo’s third collaboration after Lucifer (2019) and Bro Daddy (2022). 

L2: Empuraan’s supporting cast includes Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, Sachin Khedekar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Indrajith Sukumaran, Abhimanyu Singh, Eriq Ebouaney and Jerome Flynn. The film is produced under the banners of Lyca Productions, Sree Gokulam Movies and Aashirvad Cinemas. 

Previously, Prithviraj Sukumaran spoke about his experience of working with Mohanlal. The director-actor, in a conversation with India Today, revealed his key takeaways from the collaboration. 

Prithviraj Sukumaran said, “He (Mohanlal) really opened my eyes about how I should be with my directors. It is a wonderful lesson for an actor because it is very important to realise that you are but an instrument to create the director’s vision. Your ultimate goal as an actor should be to help the director bring that vision to life. Of course, you bring in your interpretation, your layer to it.” 

Speaking about his directorial ventures, Prithviraj Sukumaran shared, “Since I have started directing, I have realised I need to switch off the technician in me when I am acting. I was not able to do that completely when I was only an actor. But now, after turning director, I can do it comfortably. It is strange, but the making of this film has helped me do that.”

Up next, Mohanlal will be seen in the Jethu Joseph directorial Drishyam 3. The Malayalam superstar confirmed the news on X. Read all about it here. 

The first song from Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat’s heist film Jewel Thief released on Wednesday. Dripped in bling, glamour and style, the song features Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Nikita Dutta. A surprise package – Kunal Kapoor, introduced as a “relentless” cop. 

Saif Ali Khan, known for his charm and swag, rules the dance floor. Jaideep Ahlawat is seen breaking the barrier as he matches his steps with Saif Ali Khan. Joining the bandwagon is Kunal Kapoor, enjoying every bit of this party anthem.

The song has been  sung by Raghav Chaitanya. The lyrics are by Kumaar and the music has been composed by OAFF & Savera.

The teaser of the film was unveiled in Mumbai in February.

The teaser is replete with a whole lot of swag, style, action and an elusive diamond, valued at Rs 500 crore. The teaser shows Jaideep Ahlawat hiring a sophisticated and suave thief, played by Saif Ali Khan, to steal the world’s most expensive diamond – the African Red Sun.

Saif Ali Khan can be seen taking up several disguises in order to plot a successful heist. Everything seems to be fine until twists, and unexpected alliances unfold in this high-stakes race, making it a deadly game of deception and betrayal.

This film also marks Saif Ali Khan’s first project announcement following the knife attack on him at his Bandra home in an attempted burglary in January.

Jaideep Ahlawat has earlier worked with Kareena Kapoor in the Netflix original Jaane Jaan alongside Vijay Varma. The film has been directed by Kookie Gulati G Robbie Grewal and produced by Siddharth Anand. 

Actor Tom Cruise, promoting the film “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” stands onstage during a Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The eighth instalment of the Mission Impossible franchise is all set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, which will be held from May 13-24. Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning will debut at the 78th edition of the prestigious film festival on May 14, 2025 out of competition.

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the trailer of the film which launched on Monday (April 07, 2025) saw Cruise’s Ethan Hunt performing super-human stunts, building anticipation for what is being billed as the climactic entry in the franchise.

The cast of the film features familiar faces like Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Vanessa Kirby, as well as newcomers such as Hannah Waddingham, Nick Offerman, and Katy O’Brian.

The production of the film has faced multiple delays, including disruptions from Hollywood writers’ strike in mid-2023.

In an interview with Deadline in February, Cruise admitted that he passed out several times while filming a particularly intense action sequence for the film.

The star, who has built a reputation for performing dangerous stunts noted that the high-speed stunt, where Cruise’s face is exposed to the wind at speeds of over 120 miles per hour, presented a serious challenge for him. “When you stick your face out, going over 120 to 130 miles an hour, you’re not getting oxygen,” Cruise shared as quoted by Deadline, adding, “So I had to train myself how to breathe. There were times I would pass out physically; I was unable to get back into the cockpit.”

The summer 2025 release is a follow-up to last year’s Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One, which earned over $571 million globally.

The film will release in India May 23, 2025 in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

The poster for ‘AA 22’ and the poster for ‘Dune’
| Photo Credit: X/ @sunpictures, Warner Bros.

The poster for Allu Arjun and director Atlee’s newly announced film has stirred controversy just hours after its reveal, with social media users accusing the team of copying visuals from Dune. Shared by production house Sun Pictures to celebrate over six million views on the announcement video, the poster quickly drew comparisons to the 2021 sci-fi blockbuster.

Fans on X were quick to point out striking visual similarities ranging from the layout and color palette to the desert-like aesthetic, that strongly resemble promotional material from Dune. “Atlee just rebranded Dune and called it a day,” one user posted, while others shared side-by-side images highlighting the likeness.

The Jawan director has previously faced criticism for scenes in his past films allegedly mirroring those from earlier hits. In a 2023 interview, Atlee defended his style, saying, “In the creative field, you end up making similar stories. That doesn’t mean I copy it. It can be inspired.”

The upcoming project, currently titled AA 22, is being described as a sci-fi action entertainer. The teaser hints at a large-scale production with collaborations involving Hollywood VFX teams. Atlee has called the film his “dream project,” while praising Allu Arjun and producer Kalanithi Maran for backing his vision.

Anticipation still remains high for AA 22, especially with music by rising talent Sai Abhyankkar. The full cast is yet to be announced, but the film is expected to go on floors soon.

It goes without saying that Tillotama Shome is a powerhouse of talent. The actress’ on-screen performances always leave a lasting impression on the audience. 

Recently, Tillotama opened up about a moment in her career when she shared her dream of earning enough to buy a specific car – only to be told by a director that she would never be paid that much.

In a conversation with the Hollywood Reporter India, Tillotama Shome said, “A director I worked with paid me very, very low. At the wrap up party, we were all talking, and someone asked me, ‘So what would be something that you are lusting for?’ And I said, ‘A particular car which costs so much. And I want to do a film where I earn this much and I can buy this car.’”

Sharing the director’s reaction, the actress added, “And the director said, ‘I am so sorry to break this to you, but you will never earn that money. It is unfair. But you, unfortunately, are very talented. But in this industry, the way it is, you will never earn that money.’” 

And guess what? Tillotama didn’t just let it slide – she gave it back to the director, not with words but through her actions. The actress went on to bag an offer that was double the amount she had mentioned at that party. 

Tillotama Shome shared, “And I remember my next film, I negotiated for four months, knowing that was the best part I am ever going to get. And I am not going to name this film, obviously, but it was everything I wanted creatively. But I fought for it, for the money, because it had to be double the amount that I told that director. And once I got that double the amount, I sent a message saying, ‘By the way, I just closed a contract, and I got paid this much. I think you should just know. Before the next time you tell an actor that they can’t do this.’ And it was very important for me.”

On the work front, Tillotama Shome’s latest Bengali film, Shadowbox, premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival in February. The film marks the directorial debut of Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi.

With a bunch of star kids joining film industry, all eyes are on Ajay Devgn and Kajol’s daughter Nysa. Kajol addressed the speculation if Nysa would join films or not. At News18’s Rising Bharat Summit 2025, Kajol said, “Bilkul nai (Absolutely not)..no, I think..vo 22 saal ki ho gaye hai..hone wali hai abhi.. I think she has made up her mind that ki nai aane wali hai abhi (She won’t join films).”

Kajol was also asked to share advise for upcoming talents, “Pehle baat main yeh kehna chahungi ki please don’t take advise from everybody. Most importantly ki kyunki agar aap puchenge mujhe kya karna chahiye toh 100 log khare hoke bolenge tumhe yeh karna chahiye, tumhe apna naak badlo, tumhe apna haath badlo, baalon ka colour badlo, yeh karo vo karo. (First of all, I would like to say, please do not take advise from everybody. If you ask people about what you should do, then 100 people would stand up and tell you to change your nose, hand, hair colour, this or that),” added Kajol.

Kajol’s daughter Nysa is often spotted at parties, screenings and events. She often accompanies her family members to various outings.

On the work front, Kajol will be next seen in mythological horror film Maa. The film will be directed by Vishal Furia. The first look of film Maa was shared in March this year and it shows Kajol as a fierce mother, trying to protect her daughter.

Maa is all set to release in theatres on June 27, 2025.