
Reddit names Bollywood films that deserved sequels but never got one: Go Goa Gone, Chandni Chowk to China, and more
Emraan Hashmi's Ground Zero explores Kashmir's complexity, joining films like The Kashmir Files, Uri, Haider, Highway, and Shaurya that delve into the region's political, personal, and emotional landscapes through nuanced storytelling and powerful performances.

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Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
BJP backs Diljit Dosanjh amid Sardaar Ji 3 row, says Punjabi actor-singer a 'national asset'
The ongoing row over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Amir in 'Sardaar Ji 3' has led to backlash for actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh, with people calling for boycott of the movie. Some have also demanded for Diljit's Indian citizenship to be revoked. In a post on social media platform X, BJP national spokesperson R P Singh said that Dosanjh was a 'celebrated artist'. However, amid the online flak, the Bharatiya Janata Party has extended its support to Dosanjh, calling him a 'national asset' and a 'global ambassador of Indian culture'. In a post on social media platform X, BJP national spokesperson R P Singh said that Dosanjh was a 'celebrated artist'. He said that the call by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), asking for the singer's Indian citizenship to be revoked, was 'unfair' and 'shockingly disproportionate'. Defending Dosanjh's movie, Singh said it was shot before the Pahalgam terror attack. 'If there is anguish, it can be expressed through a boycott or by urging that the film not be screened in India,' the BJP spokesperson said, adding that 'attacking' Dosanjh's patriotism was 'simply irrational'. 'Just days before the Pahalgam incident, the Indian cricket team played a match against Pakistan. Did FWICE or others object then? TV news channels routinely invite Pakistani guests to boost TRPs. Should those anchors now relinquish their citizenship too?' Singh questioned in the post. He urged the FWICE to reconsider its stance and not to 'weaponise patriotism', while saying that it weakens our moral standing. 'Have they forgotten Uri, Pulwama?': FWICE on Sardaar Ji 3 row While Diljit Dosanjh addressed the backlash for the movie's casting of Hania Amir, saying that these decisions are not in his control, FWICE objected to his working with a Pakistani artiste. The federation has also written to the Government of India, seeking strong action against the film and its makers. 'How have they forgotten Uri, Pulwama, or Mumbai attack or so many other attacks that Pakistan did on our country?' FWICE Chief Advisor and President, Indian Film and Television Directors' Association, Ashoke Pandit, questioned. He further said that Dosanjh was being 'careless about emotions of this country', adding that the singer had not condemned Hania Amir's remarks on Operation Sindoor and India. The movie 'Sardaar Ji 3' was released overseas on Friday (June 27), but will not be available for the public in India.


India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Exclusive: Vivek Agnihotri on India's soft power, 10 US premieres of Bengal Files
Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri on Friday announced that he would showcase his upcoming film 'The Bengal Files' at 10 grand premieres in the US. In an interview with India the director now opened up on promoting his film as 'India's soft power', and beginning the worldwide promotions first than marketing the film in India.'The Bengal Files', which is the third chapter in his trilogy, will be screened at mega-premieres across the United States, starting July 19 in New Jersey and concluding on August 10 in Houston. The premiere tour will include special screenings in key cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Washington DC, Raleigh, Tampa, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay spoke about his decision to screen the film in the US first, and said, "At the time of 'The Kashmir Files', the first film of my trilogy, I had realized that Indian films don't work as the soft power for India to create a grand narrative in the world. Therefore, we decided to showcase our films in different parts of the world, even before they are released in India. We have seen the success of the Kashmir Files, we have seen the grand, unprecedented success of 'The Kashmir Files'." The director said his films stand for the truth, the kind of uncomfortable narrative that most filmmakers shy away from. He explained, "Because these narratives people wanted to know, these truths people wanted to know, but nobody was telling them. The films which had truth in them were made small like our films, but they were only for domestic consumption, and the world never got to know about those stories. So therefore, instead of going to the international market, we decided that we will go top to down."advertisementAgnihotri talked about what he called the 'top to bottom' approach for the promotion of his film. He said the journey of 'The Bengal Files' promotions will begin in the US with the 10 grand premieres across the country."We will start with international market and come to India. This is something which is very close to my heart, and I am very very happy, delighted and proud that the Bengal Files is going to reach people in US, policymakers, congressmen, senators, media people, blacks, Jews, people from different diverse international communities, and they will understand that what happens when a community is being persecuted for more than 1000 years. And it also gives a message that why it is so important for every citizen of the world to protect humanity," he went on. Agnihotri continues, "And this film conveys that, and that's why I am taking this film to the USA, and all the local organisers and our national partners in the USA, Kohona and GKPD, are working so hard. And this work is done only by volunteers. It's not a commercial project; it's a purely philanthropic charity and non-profit exercise by the volunteers who want to promote truth cinema."advertisementAgnihotri's decision to promote 'The Bengal Files' in the overseas market first also comes from the audience's response to 'The Kashmir Files' in the same market. The filmmaker enjoys a growing global appeal and the rising excitement for his kind of cinema beyond India.A teaser for 'The Bengal Files' was released earlier this month, featuring all the prominent cast members. One striking scene featured Goddess Durga's idol engulfed in flames. Later, as the scene became a topic of discussion on social media, the filmmakers clarified that they had backed the story by thorough teaser was headlined as: "If Kashmir hurt you, then Bengal will haunt you."The Bengal Files is written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi. It stars Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Anupam Kher, and Darshan Kumar. The film, presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal and I Am Buddha, is a part of Agnihotri's Files trilogy that includes 'The Kashmir Files' and 'The Tashkent Files'. It will arrive in theatres on September 5, 2025.- Ends


Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Pink Villa
7 best films of 2025 first-half to watch on OTT: Kesari Chapter 2 to Superboys Of Malegaon
As June is about to end, it's time to take a look at the best movies that entertained the audience in the first half of 2025. Here's a list of 7 must-watch movies that you can stream online on the OTT platform. 1. Sky Force Akshay Kumar started 2025 on a solid note as Sky Force emerged as one of his finest performances in recent times. Co-starring Veer Pahariya, Sky Force explored the untold story of India's first airstrike. Jointly directed by Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Anil Kapur, Sky Force is available to stream on Netflix. It is a must-watch movie. 2. The Diplomat Released in cinemas during the Holi weekend, The Diplomat performed decently at the box office. Starring John Abraham and Sadia Khateeb in the lead roles, the thriller drama revolves around the true story of an Indian girl who was stuck in Pakistan. Directed by Shivam Nair, The Diplomat is best known for its performances and thrilling execution. The movie is available to stream on Netflix. 3. Ground Zero Helmed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, Ground Zero stars Emraan Hashmi in the lead role. Based on the true story of BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, the movie explored an army operation in which terrorist Gazi Baba was killed. Bankrolled by Excel Entertainment, Ground Zero didn't do well at the box office, but it won appreciation for its storyline and ideology. It is streaming now on Prime Video. 4. Superboys of Malegaon Superboys of Malegaon is undoubtedly the best film of 2025 till now. The comedy-of-age drama explored a real-life story of an amateur filmmaker who made three films, way before the Internet era. The movie stars Adarsh Gourav, Shashank Arora, Anuj Singh Duhan, and Vineet Kumar Singh. Directed by Reema Kagti, the movie didn't do well in cinemas but won hearts on OTT. 5. Kesari Chapter 2 Based on a brave and hidden chapter of modern Indian history, Kesari Chapter 2 is a must-watch movie. Akshay Kumar essayed the on-screen role of C Sankaran Nair, who fought against the crown for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. Co-starring R Madhavan and Ananya Panday, Kesari Chapter 2 is streaming now on Netflix. The Karan Singh Tyagi directorial did average business at the box office. 6. Sister Midnight Sister Midnight is a dark comedy that stars Radhika Apte in the lead role. She played a woman who is not happy with her arranged marriage. What happens next forms the crux of the story! Directed by Karan Kandhari, Sister Midnight is available to watch on Prime Video India. 7. Raid 2 If you are craving a cat-and-mouse chase, this can be the best pick for you. Starring Ajay Devgn and Riteish Deshmukh, Raid 2 is a superhit venture that met with mixed-bag reactions. The movie revolves around an IRS officer, Amay Patnaik, on his 75th raid on a big political figure who is treated as the most influential man in his constituency, and people see him as a demigod. Streaming now on Netflix. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more.