Latest news with #Dileep


Time of India
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dileep and Dhyan Sreenivasan's 'Prince and Family' receives overwhelming response after OTT release
Mollywood actor Dileep 's film 'Prince and Family' crossed 100 million streaming minutes after its premiere on OTT. The Malayalam comedy-drama hit theatres on May 9 and made its way to the OTT platform on June 20. According to Google trending data, this wholesome family entertainer has earned the label of 'Most Searched Movie' and is steadily rising in popularity. Within just a few hours of release, Prince and Family crossed 100 million streaming minutes and began trending on social media. It has already become the number one film on ZEE5. About 'Prince and Family' The movie features a stellar cast including Raniya, Dhyan Sreenivasan , Siddique, Bindu Panicker, Johny Antony, and Manju Pillai . Veteran actress Urvashi has a cameo role in the movie. Directed by Binto Stephen (in his directorial debut), Prince and Family collected a total of Rs 26.3 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk. ETimes reviewed the movie : 'It is a typical good guy marries 'bad girl' story. Dileep is the titular Prince, a small-town but very popular boutique owner and the oldest of three brothers. The bane of his life is that he, with his various conditions for what his wife must be like, remains unmarried, while his brothers are married and start families. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cuối cùng, chơi miễn phí game chiến thuật hay nhất 2025! Sea of Conquest Phát ngay Undo The film looks at some important, pertinent issues of today, namely the use and abuse of social media, particularly in light of the recent suicide by influencer Misha Agarwal. It shows how tied youngsters are to public opinion and how this has a bigger hold over them than family, community, and even basic etiquette and morals.'


The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Meet the Artisans Behind India's Iconic Kolhapuri Chappals
On June 25, as India's GI-tagged Kolhapuri chappal featured in Prada's Spring/Summer 2026 show in Milan, it made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Where was the credit? In Maharashtra's Kolhapur, over 10,000 artisan families have been crafting these chappals by hand for generations. Famous for their use of vegetable-tanned leather, intricate braiding techniques of the toe loops, and use of indigenous designs, they also received the GI tag in 2019. But has this tag ever stopped a luxury fashion label from cultural appropriation? In 2023, Louis Vuitton launched a range of silk scarves resembling Banarasi brocade and fast fashion major Zara has been notorious for using Indian textiles and prints on their apparel. As the news went viral on social media, in Kolhapur, Dileep More — who hails from a family that crafts Kolhapuris — took to Linkedin to vent. 'India's iconic #handcrafted leather sandal, reimagined and now selling for over ₹1 lakh a pair. Yes, the same design that's been handcrafted for generations by artisans in #Kolhapur…But there was no mention of India. No nod to the artisans. No acknowledgment of the cultural roots', he wrote. With a Ph.D from IIT Bombay, Dileep returned to his roots as a third-generation entrepreneur and kickstarted Korakari in 2014 and works with over 200 artisan families from Kolhapur. While these artisans, he says, are 'far away from the news of the Prada runway', Dileep, 47, says credit is due. 'Prada should have given the artisans credit and acknowledged that it is a GI-tagged product. Their description of the sandal used on the runway is vague but the entire aesthetics (look, design, etc) is that of an original Kolhapuri,' he says, 'When such brands recognise the craft and its makers, even artisans feel proud.' How do they make a Kolhapuri chappal? Preparing the base Leather selection: A thick leather hide is selected. Front layer: The leather cloth is cut to shape for the upper. Vanvat: A thin cotton or leather lining is added inside for comfort and finish. 2. Sole assembly Layering: Two or more leather soles are cut and joined together. Kala mitti application: A traditional black mud sticky paste (kala mitti) is applied temporarily to hold the layers in place. Hammering: The sole is hammered thoroughly to toughen the leather and compress the layers. 3. Stitching the sole The joined soles are stitched by hand around the edges using a strong white thread. 4. Chaprega (decorating the surface) Artisans create front and back designs using punches and hammers. Small metal tools are used to stamp traditional patterns like elephants, birds, and geometric borders. 5. Making the strap and toe loop Leather Cutting: Thin leather strips are dyed, softened, and cut into shape. Folding and lining: The strap is folded for strength, often with inner reinforcement. Punching the toe hole: A toe loop is attached and stitched firmly. 6. Final assembly The upper strap and toe loop are stitched and fixed to the sole. Additional hammering and edge smoothing is done for finish and comfort. Polishing and colouring The chappals are polished in natural or dyed colours such as brown, tan, mustard, etc. Tightly-knit community Dileep explains how despite having a high demand — both domestically and internationally — the Kolhapuri chappal faces resistance from first-timers. 'They have a hard sole, and take time to adjust to one's feet,' he says, adding that he overcame these challenges by crafting variants with cushioning, and also introducing more colours such as reds and blues to keep them 'trendy'. At Korakari, close to 10,000 pairs are made every month, and also sold online. 'Brands such as FabIndia, Myntra, and Amazon also source from us.' Rajkumar Jaisinghrao Powar, 47, also a third generation artisan from the city, has had his unit since the 1950s. Unlike Dileep, he has kept his business local and supplies to stories in Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur. 'Working with big brands requires large investments, and working with a fixed price which is not ideal when artisans are involved,' says Rajkumar, who has 14 artisans in his unit. In a day, each artisan can craft up to three pairs, and these are sold anywhere between ₹1,000 to ₹6,000, depending on the technique and design. 'The Kolhapuri chappal is famous world-over. Prada might have imitated the design, but no one can craft the exact shape and design like our artisans. It is impossible,' says Rajkumar. The Senapati Kapshi variant, for instance, is known for its intricate handwork and its price can go up to ₹5,000. 'Only a few people are aware of this design and value it. If we get custom orders, we reach out to the handful of artisans who make the Senapati Kapshi and place orders,' he explains, adding that January to July is the peak making season as the monsoon season between August and November makes it difficult to work with leather. Contemporary upgrades Over the years, to keep the craft relevant and edgy, a number of designers and brands have given the Kolhapuri chappal a contemporary spin. One of the firsts was Aprajita Toor, who launched her footwear label of the same name in early 2012. Her 'obsession' with Kolhapuris, she says, started at home. 'My mother had Kolhapuris in literally every colour, like a rainbow had walked into her wardrobe. I'd slip into them as a kid, strutting around like I owned the world. Clearly, the fashion bug bit early!' says the designer who has crafted versions of the traditional chappal into slip-on sliders, wedge heels, stacked heels, and pencil-thin soles with a range of embellishments. 'Legacies don't need reinvention, they need evolution,' she says, adding that her approach has always been rooted in 'respect for the original form, but with an eye on the now'. 'We introduced cushioned insoles for modern-day comfort, refined the silhouettes, and pioneered the use of varied heel forms, all while preserving the soul of the craft. It wasn't about redesigning tradition, but about letting it evolve with the times that speaks across generations,' says Aprajita, who works with over 60 artisans in her Mumbai unit, and retails her creations upwards of ₹2,700 and they can go upto ₹7,000. Pune-based Harshwardhan Patwardhan, 33, worked in his family's transport business for a year before launching Chappers in 2015. 'While I was studying Business Management in Nottingham, UK, I used to wear traditional Kolhapuri chappals and to my surprise, people always complimented them. That unexpected attention sparked an idea: why not reimagine these classic Indian sandals for a modern, global audience?' says the entrepreneur who has reimagined these classics with sleek silhouettes, vibrant colours, and tech enabled customisation. 'We've introduced cushioned insoles and ergonomic footbeds, something traditional Kolhapuris didn't offer. For durability, we've reinforced the soles with high-grade rubber that can withstand urban wear and tear. Early days involved Harshwardhan travelling to Kolhapur to meet local artisans, studying leather craft, and sourcing materials from places like Dharavi in Mumbai. 'Inspired by the Make in India movement, I tested the basic early prototypes myself, by walking long distances in them to ensure their durability,' he says, adding that each pair is made on order. Today, he works with over 50 artisans; half work at his in-house manufacturing unit in Pune. 'Some artisans are from Kolhapur, some from internal parts of Maharashtra like Parbhani, Nanded, and a few from internal parts of Bihar and UP,' he explains. Customisation is at the core of the brand, as he says it 'not only keeps the craftsmanship alive but also makes every pair feel like a reflection of the wearer's personality'. Harshwardhan has introduced touchscreen kiosks at their stores in Pune and Nashik so people can design their own footwear on the spot. His creations are priced upwards of ₹1,999 and go up to ₹25,000. Making a shift Given, a majority of artisans in Kolhapur work from home, this is a largely unorganised sector. As Dileep points out, 'Many artisans are stuck in debt traps, and there is no industry leader to set standards or work as a reference point.' Harshwardhan adds that teaching artisans how to navigate design software, manage online orders, or even use smartphones for communication took time and patience. 'Handcrafted products are, by nature, time-intensive and unique. Scaling up production while preserving that handmade charm was a delicate balancing act. Initially, even convincing customers that Kolhapuris could be both fashionable and comfortable wasn't easy. It took storytelling, design innovation, and a lot of footwork literally to shift that perception,' he says. As for their runway moment, Harshwardhan felt 'a mix of pride and frustration'. 'On one hand, it was great to see a piece of our heritage walk the global stage…these sandals, born in the lanes of Kolhapur and shaped by generations of artisans, had made it to Milan. That's no small feat,' he says, adding, 'But then came the sting: no credit, no context, no mention of India or the artisans. It felt like I'm watching someone else tell the Kolhapur story, but leaving its name out. Why not collaborate with artisans and tell their stories? Share the spotlight, that's how we turn a runway moment into real cultural recognition.'


News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Prince And Family: Dileep's Comedy Drama To Release On This Date
Last Updated: Besides Dileep and Raniya Raanaa, Prince and Family also stars Dhyan Sreenivasan, Siddique, Bindu Panicker, Manju Pillai, Johny Antony and Josekutty Jacob in key roles Prince and Family, the heartfelt comedy drama, is ready for an OTT premiere. The film, directed by Binto Stephen released in the theatres on May 9. Starring Malayalam star Dileep, the movie is set against the backdrop of rural Kerala. The plot centres around an introverted bridal boutique owner, Prince (Dileep), considered the most eligible bachelor in town. He gets married to a woman, Chinchu Rani (Raniya Raanaa), who is the polar opposite of his personality. Soon, chaos and comedy unfold due to their contrasting traits coming into conflict. Prince and Family will be arriving on Zee5 on June 20. On June 10, Dileep shared the announcement on Instagram. His post was accompanied by a poster of the film, depicting the cast. The side note read, 'Winning the hearts of the audience with big giggles and small bursts, the first family hit of 2025, Prince and Family on our own Zee5 Malayalam from June 20th." Take a look: Prince and Family's script is penned by Sharis Mohammed, and the film is produced by Listin Stephen under the banners of Magic Frames. Besides the lead cast, the movie also stars Dhyan Sreenivasan, Siddique, Bindu Panicker, Manju Pillai, Johny Antony, and Josekutty Jacob in key roles. Not long ago, Dileep expressed his gratitude to fans for Prince and Family's positive response. The 57-year-old, in a conversation with OTT Play, revealed, 'I am obviously thrilled. When Pavi Caretaker was released, we did not get a lot of theatres. Plus, there is a general notion that prevents people from going to theatres to watch my movies anymore. I believe that has changed with this film." He added, 'More than it being a commercial movie, it also addresses a relevant subject about the influence of social media in our lives. I think that is what has struck a chord with the audience. I could see that response in theatre visits… When veteran actors get good characters in good films, those movies will work. I hope I keep getting those good roles." Prince and Family carries a special significance, as the film marks Dileep's 150th project in his illustrious career. First Published:


Pink Villa
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Prince and Family Movie Review: Dileep starrer is a mismanaged exploration of finding love but fails miserably
Prince and Family is a Malayalam-language comedy drama starring Dileep in the lead role, which was released in theaters on May 9, 2025. Following the theatrical release, the film is available for streaming on ZEE5. The Binto Stephen directorial is penned by Sharis Mohammed, and if you're planning to watch it, here's the Pinkvilla review. The Plot Prince and Family features the story of Prince Chakkalakkal, the eldest in his family, who is an introverted boutique owner. Raised in a small rural town in Kerala, he is considered the most eligible bachelor, but he cannot find 'The One' meant for him. As the man tries to balance his happiness and family expectations, the film focuses on him exploring love. The Good Prince and Family is a seemingly better film among recent duds featuring Dileep in the lead. The movie offers a stereotypical template of a slice-of-life drama coupled with humor and drama. As the film manages to uphold the integrity in terms of balancing humor and chaos, the movie keeps hold of its path for most of the time. While in terms of acting, performers like Dileep, Siddique, Bindu Panicker, and even Dhyan Sreenivasan manage to keep their charm, while it may be let down by the subpar writing. From a technical standpoint, the film does not manage to click with a refreshing tone, but the music by Sanal Dev is commendable, with some melodious compositions. The Bad Prince and Family is best labelled as a cinematic venture aimed at creating an 'average' cash grab for its own sake. The movie, which marks Dileep's 150th cinematic venture since his debut, heavily relies on the actor's emotional value amongst the audience. From the title card, the film seeks to remind the audience who the actor is and how relevant he is to the pop culture of Malayalam cinema. While it is undeniable that the actor is an irreplaceable part of cinema amongst Malayalis, it reaches a saturation point where one must feel, enough is enough. Apart from the spoonfeeding of nostalgia and the amateur attempt to trigger the connection the audience has towards the actor, the film fails to become a comedy drama from its writing. While including Jana Gana Mana fame Sharis Mohammed as the writer was expected to create some awe, many would forget that the characters are not being played by Prithviraj Sukumaran or Suraj Venjaramoodu. The inability of the characters to pull off the dialogue can suffocate the audience to a point where it is difficult to sit through without letting out a deep sigh. What makes the narrative of Prince and Family sheepish is the unnecessary whitewashing of the main lead's image in real life. The interaction between Prince and one of his friends during a particular scene feels like an unofficial PR strategy for the actor. Often claimed as the victim of the 'media trial' by his fans, the character and the movie as a whole seem to be a crash course for the audience to remember who Dileep was over the past years. The Performances Talking about the performances depicted by actors, Dileep manages to play a solid role. However, there are points where one feels like the actor has lost his natural charm, which he was once famous for. On the other hand, Dhyan and Siddique manage to hold up well, with Bindu Panicker being the saving grace with her humor. Watch trailer of Prince and Family The Verdict Prince and Family is, at best, an average comedy drama, which does have its moments. If you're someone who enjoys such ventures, then surely tune into ZEE5 to give it a watch.


Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Prince and Family' OTT release: Social media reactions: Check out what netizens are saying about the Dileep starrer
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) After a long gap, Mollywood actor Dileep has delivered a decent film with the comedy drama 'Prince and Family'. The movie had good theatrical run and is finally out on OTT. As the Dileep starrer has started streaming on OTT, has it impressed the movie buffs? Let's check out what the Twitter world has to say. Twitter reactions One Twitter user wrote, '#Dileep The Performer Janapriya Nayakan Moment from #PrinceAndFamily.' Another review read, ' Netizens are praising Dileep's performance in a certain emotional sequence in the movie. One wrote, 'suddenly the movie went to the "ജനപ്രിയ നായകന് "moment #PrinceAndFamily.' — Whitepearl_N (@Whitepearl_N) Another one called the film a 'Decent family entertainer' that had a great message. The Tweet read, 'It was a decent family movie with a great the comic timing specially siddique, but didn't like the climax tbh ! How easily they mended the couple into a happily ever after and they even showed that her core mentality is not changed !.' Mixed responses also pour in Meanwhile, there are also mixed reviews for the film as one Tweet read, 'A film that could've been a good entertainer with a good message, let down by bad writing and one of the most irritating performances I've ever seen from the lead actress. The film crashed at the 1hr mark. Dileep's performance is undoubtedly his recent best.' Another mixed opinion read, '#PrinceandFamily A potentially strong plot was wasted due to weak writing,The emotional scenes were okay, but the cringe comedy and irritating heroine really dragged it down.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Another Tweet reads, '#PrinceAndFamily The comedy part falls flat,almost disastrous. The emotional portions work relatively better, mainly carried by Dileep & Manju Pillai. Pathetic writing, especially in the comedy & the heroine's character Below average one.' Overall verdict Looking at the responses from netizens for 'Prince and Family' after the OTT release, it cannot be said that the movie has brought back Dileep to his success form, like how 'Thudarum' was for Mohanlal, but the comedy drama movie is surely a decent watch.