logo
Kiara Advani appears fierce, powerful in first look poster of 'War 2'

Kiara Advani appears fierce, powerful in first look poster of 'War 2'

Khaleej Timesa day ago

Bollywood actor Kiara Advani, who is all set to join the Yash Raj Films spy universe with War 2, has shared her first-look poster from the film.
Fans were enthralled after they witnessed the never-seen-before look of their favourite actor from the movie.
War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji, stars NT Rama Rao Junior and Hrithik Roshan in the lead.
The poster showed her in all black, pairing an open long trench coat with leather pants.
The actress exuded bossy vibes as she held a gun while aiming at a distance.
Taking to Instagram, the actor shared her first look poster from the film.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by KIARA (@kiaraaliaadvani)
Along with Advani's first-look poster, the makers of War 2 have also released the first looks of the lead actors, Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.
War 2 will debut in IMAX theatres across major international markets.
A special teaser for the IMAX release of War 2 has already begun playing in theatres globally.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Cultural appropriation or inspiration? Prada gets flak for Kolhapuris on runway
Cultural appropriation or inspiration? Prada gets flak for Kolhapuris on runway

Khaleej Times

time3 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

Cultural appropriation or inspiration? Prada gets flak for Kolhapuris on runway

It's a straightforward comparison‭ ‬—‭ ‬even those outside the fashion world can see the parallels‭. ‬On June 22‭, ‬Prada unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026‭ ‬menswear collection in Milan‭; ‬two days later‭, ‬Louis Vuitton showcased its own in Paris‭. ‬Both featured summer-ready pieces inspired by age-old Indian garments and motifs‭. ‬It's encouraging to see legacy fashion houses looking East for inspiration‭, ‬expanding their design language for a global audience‭. ‬But too often‭, ‬this comes with spun narratives‭ ‬—‭ ‬or worse‭, ‬no narrative at all‭. ‬The key difference between the two‭? ‬Louis Vuitton proudly and respectfully framed its show as an‭ ‬homage to India‭, ‬explicitly labelling its S/S‭ ‬'26‭ ‬offering as‭ ‬'multi-faceted signatures of Indian sartorialism‭ ‬—‭ ‬threading a cross-cultural narrative through a contemporary wardrobe'‭. ‬Meanwhile‭, ‬Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons of Prada lifted the Kolhapuri chappal straight from the town of Kolhapur and rebranded‭ ‬it as‭ ‬'leather one-toe sandals'‭, ‬offering no credit or mention of the centuries-old Indian craft it so clearly borrowed from‭.‬ Pharrell Williams‭, ‬Louis Vuitton's menswear creative director‭, ‬made his influences clear‭. ‬The runway was designed by celebrated Indian architect Bijoy Jain‭, ‬announced boldly across the brand's social channels‭. ‬Music was composed by AR Rahman‭. ‬Front-row seats were filled by Indian stars like Ishaan Khatter‭. ‬The show notes openly acknowledged the collection as a reflection of‭ ‬'the multi-faceted sensibilities of present-day India'‭. ‬'This is acknowledgment‭. ‬This is cultural exchange‭. ‬This is appreciation of heritage‭ ‬—‭ ‬not appropriation‭,‬'‭ ‬says Sujata Assomull‭, ‬launch editor-in-chief of‭ ‬Harper's Bazaar India‭.‬ The issue at hand isn't just about giving credit where it's due‭ ‬—‭ ‬though that‭, ‬too‭, ‬is increasingly non-negotiable in today's hyper-connected digital age‭. ‬The deeper problem lies in a long-standing pattern of discrediting and rebranding by luxury houses‭ ‬—‭ ‬a habit quietly perpetuated for centuries‭. ‬Prada referring to Kolhapuri chappals as‭ ‬'leather one-toe sandals'‭ ‬isn't fashion's first fumble‭. ‬From the Indian dupatta being adapted into the so-called Scandinavian scarf‭, ‬the traditional dhoti to harem pants‭, ‬and the‭ ‬'boho'‭ ‬paisley mango print to rebranded Kashmiri pashmina shawls as mere‭ ‬'cashmere'‭ ‬—‭ ‬these are all examples of Indian cultural staples repackaged and sold by the West with little to no cultural acknowledgment‭. ‬ Inside the Collection Prada's Spring/Summer 2026‭ ‬menswear collection marked a shift in tone‭ ‬—‭ ‬softer‭, ‬more playful‭, ‬and unmistakably relaxed‭. ‬Gone were the sharp business suits‭. ‬In their place‭: ‬pastel-hued trousers‭, ‬athletic-inspired tracksuits‭, ‬and loose shorts cinched with elastic waistbands‭. ‬Light blazers‭, ‬glossy biker jackets‭, ‬and whimsical accessories‭ ‬—‭ ‬raffia bucket hats‭, ‬polished leather bags‭, ‬and colour-blocked backpacks‭ ‬—‭ ‬added a sense of breezy irreverence‭. ‬Footwear followed suit‭, ‬favouring ease over formality‭: ‬flip-flops‭, ‬slender driving shoes‭, ‬and open-toe leather sandals took centre stage‭, ‬replacing traditional dress options‭. ‬A fresh palette of mint‭, ‬lemon‭, ‬and powder‭ ‬blue breathed life into the classic greys‭, ‬making the collection feel contemporary‭, ‬cheerful‭, ‬and unmistakably resort-ready‭.‬ The Origins of the Design Kolhapuri chappals‭ ‬—‭ ‬awarded a Geographical Indication tag in 2019‭ ‬—‭ ‬have been handcrafted for generations across eight districts in Maharashtra and Karnataka‭. ‬Made from sun-dried buffalo hide and‭ ‬assembled entirely by hand‭, ‬they require no synthetic materials or adhesives‭. ‬Each pair is a labour of skill and tradition‭, ‬often taking up to two weeks to complete‭. ‬While Prada hasn't named Kolhapuris explicitly‭, ‬the resemblance is hard to miss‭ ‬—‭ ‬and the omission has sparked renewed debate around cultural appropriation in luxury fashion‭. ‬For some‭, ‬seeing the silhouette on‭ ‬a global runway was a moment of overdue recognition‭. ‬But in the absence of any acknowledgment‭ ‬—‭ ‬no mention of the artisans‭, ‬no nod to the heritage‭ ‬—‭ ‬the gesture risks feeling hollow‭. ‬Inspiration‭, ‬when left uncredited‭, ‬too easily slips into erasure‭.‬ The chatter around the matter‭ ‬ Still‭, ‬its inclusion on the runway has sparked curiosity and intrigue‭. ‬The sandals have been making the rounds online‭, ‬with side‭-‬by-side posts and close-up comparisons drawing attention to their roots‭. ‬For some‭, ‬it's opened the door to deeper questions about visibility and sourcing‭, ‬and what recognition can look like‭. ‬The Kolhapuri chappal‭, ‬a long-standing staple in Indian wardrobes‭, ‬now finds itself in the spotlight‭. ‬So‭, ‬while its silhouette hasn't really changed‭, ‬the audience has‭. ‬We asked Assomull what she thinks of this move‭, ‬or lack of move by Prada‭, ‬and she reminds us‭: ‬'India has always been a source of inspiration for global fashion‭ ‬—‭ ‬and proudly so‭. ‬At one point‭, ‬British shopkeepers would label‭ ‬garments‭ ‬'Made in India'‭ ‬as a mark of craft excellence‭. ‬But history also reminds us how that shifted in the 1800s when Indian textile imports were banned under colonial rule‭. ‬Today‭, ‬brands from Dior and Hermès to Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad regularly turn to India's rich textile traditions‭ ‬—‭ ‬and most Indians take pride in this‭.‬'‭ ‬ ‭ ‬'The problem arises when that inspiration isn't acknowledged‭,‬'‭ ‬she adds‭. ‬ The debate online has left people from all over the world‭, ‬feeling the same way‭. ‬Fashion influencer and local crafts enthusiast‭ ‬Masoom Minawala took to her social media platform to point out‭: ‬'Here's the thing‭, ‬referencing is easy‭. ‬Respecting the roots takes more intention‭. ‬Let's remember‭, ‬inspiration must come with credit‭.‬'‭ ‬ ‭ ‬ The Lesson Luxury brands have had their fair share of messing up‭ ‬—‭ ‬and learning from their mistakes‭. ‬They've seen highs like no other industry‭, ‬and lows like every other one‭. ‬Over the years‭, ‬each of these brands has built a loyal base‭ ‬of clientele‭, ‬and as they continue to reshape themselves‭, ‬a new generation of young consumers keeps joining the fanbase‭. ‬However‭, ‬the legacy of an entire brand can be washed away if mistakes like these happen one too many times‭. ‬ Today's consumers are smart‭ ‬—‭ ‬they're listening‭, ‬watching‭, ‬and making choices that are politically and morally conscious‭. ‬And rightfully so‭. ‬After all these years‭ ‬of chiselling their craft and honing their creative direction‭, ‬a luxury brand should be focusing on giving back to society‭ ‬—‭ ‬not just through CSR strategies‭, ‬but by acknowledging the cultures they've borrowed from‭, ‬and sharing traceability over the paths they've walked‭. ‬ Host of the podcast‭ ‬Fashion Your Seatbelt‭ ‬and a regular on the front row at fashion weeks‭, ‬Jessica Michault says‭: ‬'In today's social media age‭, ‬there's no excuse for brands not to credit the craft or culture they draw from‭ ‬—‭ ‬especially when the inspiration is so clearly rooted in a specific style and region‭. ‬Whether through a press release‭, ‬at the event‭, ‬or in post-show communication‭, ‬acknowledging the origin is the least that should be done‭.‬'

Has Diljit Dosanjh Been Removed from 'Border 2'?
Has Diljit Dosanjh Been Removed from 'Border 2'?

UAE Moments

time4 hours ago

  • UAE Moments

Has Diljit Dosanjh Been Removed from 'Border 2'?

Various media outlets have been reporting that the Punjabi popstar Diljit Dosanjh has been removed from the upcoming film 'Border 2'; however, Hindustan Times has confirmed that no such decision has been made. The news of Dosanjh being removed from the highly anticipated film came after the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) called for the musician's songs, films, concerts, and live performances to be banned in India. There has been a increasing demand to ban the singer from 'Border 2' as well. This backlash has come because of the release of Dosanjh's film 'Sardaar Ji 3', which features Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. However, Hindustan Times reported that the film producers will not remove Dosanjh from the film, citing highly placed sources. The source said, "There is no plan to replace or remove Diljit from Border 2. The announcement about his casting was made almost nine months back, before any of the unfortunate situations had happened." "Almost 40-50 percent of the film's shooting has already been done, so making any change at this point is not possible," he added. On Wednesday, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had written letters addressed to Bhushan Kumar (co-producer of Border 2) and actor Sunny Deol, demanding that they disassociate from their collaboration with Dosanjh. Neither has responded to these letters or issued a statement. FWICE also wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw the permission granting to the production team of 'Border 2' for shooting at the National Defence Academy (NDA) premises in Pune. This article was previously published on bahrainmoments. To see the original article, click here

Dubai could be the next big acting hub, says leading casting director Mukesh Chhabra
Dubai could be the next big acting hub, says leading casting director Mukesh Chhabra

Khaleej Times

time6 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

Dubai could be the next big acting hub, says leading casting director Mukesh Chhabra

For someone who has spent his life helping others take centre stage, Mukesh Chhabra rarely seeks the spotlight. But when he enters a room, he doesn't need it. His energy does the work for him. He's warm, quick with a joke, and quicker still to notice what most people overlook — a flicker of doubt, a hint of potential, a person just beginning to believe in oneself. It's this understated superpower that has made him one of Indian cinema's most trusted casting directors. From breakout choices in Kai Po Che!, Gangs of Wasseypur, and Dangal to recent hits like Scam 1992, Laal Singh Chaddha, and Jawan, Chhabra is widely credited with reshaping how Bollywood discovers talent, consistently introducing fresh, unexpected faces who've gone on to become household names. Think Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Tripti Dimri, among many others. His company, Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company, has worked on over 300 films and hundreds of web series and commercials, redefining the role of the casting director from a behind-the-scenes, often mysterious, figure to a frontline creative force. But behind the successes, and the infectious laughter, is a story of someone who's been carrying more than he lets on. 'Humour is the only way to deal with stress,' says Chhabra, who was recently in Dubai to host his first acting workshop, JUST ACT, a seven-day masterclass co-led with Kabir Khan, the acclaimed director of the Salman Khan-starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan. One of the most sought-after casting directors in Bollywood, Chhabra works in a space where every decision carries weight, shaping lives and dreams in ways one can only fathom. 'The stress, the tension... My work comes with immense responsibility. People come to me with hope in their eyes. If I show them my heaviness, I'll end up taking something from them. And that's not fair.' He may work in one of the most competitive film industries in the world, but he refuses to pass on the burden. 'I've been through my share of grief,' he says, with a softer voice. 'And it doesn't go away. It just changes shape. Sometimes it's loud. Sometimes it sits in the corner of the room. But it's always there. You learn to walk with it.' Chhabra never once considered stepping away. Not when he lost his lead actor and close friend Sushant Singh Rajput weeks before the release of his debut directorial, Dil Bechara. Not even when he lost his mother, Kamla Chhabra, in 2023. Through it all, he's continued to show up — to classes, to auditions, to crowded rooms filled with nervous newcomers. He's kept nurturing young talent, kept laughing with them, kept believing in the magic of fresh starts. 'I think the only thing that saved me was work. I love it so much. I have never taken a vacation in my life. Not because I couldn't, but because I never felt the need. This is my holiday. I rest through work. It's what keeps me alive.' Hunger to do more But if you think he's driven purely by ambition, you'd be mistaken. Because what guides him isn't just his hunger to do more, but also his intuition. A quiet, almost spiritual kind of gut instinct that's only sharpened over time. 'In this world of reels and filters and likes, it's so easy to get lost,' he says. 'Everyone's trying to be seen. But very few are actually listening to their gut. That inner voice? It's still the most honest thing you have.' He says he protects his intuition like it's a fragile heirloom. And perhaps it is. In an industry where voices get shaped, smoothed, and sometimes jaded by the machinery, Chhabra stays rooted by surrounding himself with people who knew him before the fame. His old friends. His family. People who see him, not his filmography. 'The moment your circle keeps changing, your gut gets diluted. You forget who you are. And in this line, if you forget that, you've lost everything.' It's this clarity that informs his casting choices too. He reads a script again and again until the characters feel like people he knows. Then, and only then, does he begin imagining who can carry that truth on screen. 'I don't go by faces. I go by feeling. Sometimes someone walks into the room and surprises me. I can't explain it. But I know they're right. That's the magic of it. The surprise.' When asked what he's usually looking for in an audition as a casting director, he's quick to respond, 'The truth is, the more honest someone is in an audition, the more powerful it is. Even if they mess up lines. Honesty moves people. That's what I'm always chasing.' The Dubai factor Recently, that search brought him to Dubai, where he conducted an acting workshop that left him unexpectedly inspired. He was taken aback by how much raw, untrained talent exists here and how little of it has access to platforms that could truly nurture it. He envisions a future where Dubai becomes a casting destination in its own right. Not an extension of Mumbai, but a new, parallel space where stories from this region can take centre stage. And he doesn't want to wait. 'There's a massive gap,' he says. 'I want to do so much more in Dubai. I want to come back, host a full-fledged masterclass, maybe even collaborate with local theatre groups. This isn't just a one-off visit. It feels like the beginning of something long-term.' Lastly, when asked about one faux pas an aspiring actor should never commit, Chhabra doesn't mince his words. 'Don't ask me 'When will I get the part?'' he says, smiling but firm. 'That's not how this works. You're not here to chase roles, you're here to chase honesty. If you're doing it just to be picked, you'll lose the joy of the process. The right part will come when you're ready, but you can't force it.' Because, after all, 'You don't need to be perfect,' says Chhabra. 'Acting is not about showing off. It's about showing up. Just show up with your truth. That's all I need to see.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store