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Time of India
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Diana Penty praises Deepika Padukone's discipline and stunning transformation as Veronica in 'Cocktail'
Diana Penty fondly recalls her Bollywood debut in 'Cocktail', praising Deepika Padukone's disciplined and stunning performance as Veronica. She credits the film's success to their contrasting characters and stylist Anita Adjania's impactful fashion, which perfectly captured Meera's simple yet chic transformation influenced by Veronica's style. Diana Penty opened up about her journey in Bollywood, highlighting key roles and her ambitions ahead. She fondly reminisced about sharing screen space with Deepika Padukone in 'Cocktail', expressing admiration for Deepika's portrayal of Veronica. The actress also reflected on her own debut as Meera in the film. "Cocktail" as a Career Milestone During her conversation with Diana described 'Cocktail' as an ultra-special project that will always remain one of the most special memories throughout her life. She expressed immense gratitude for the chance to play Meera, a character that deeply resonated with her own nature. She couldn't have asked for a better debut film or a role that suited her personality more perfectly. Given her nature, Meera came very naturally to her, and portraying the character on screen felt authentic because it reflected who she was at that time. Dismissing Limelight Claims When asked about taking the limelight from Deepika in 'Cocktail', Diana was quick to dismiss the idea, saying she didn't at all. She praised Deepika's performance as amazing, noting that she looked great and delivered one of her best performances at that time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Diana emphasized that there was no way she took any limelight from Deepika. Collaborative Success and Character Contrast She highlighted that the film's success came from the combined efforts of the cast, especially the two female leads whose contrasting personalities played a key role. She noted that the movie thrived because the two girls were so polar opposite from each other. Recalling the re-release of 'Cocktail', she shared how she and her mother were completely drawn to Padukone's performance, unable to take their eyes off her. Deepika's portrayal was described as incredibly good, effortless, and disciplined, with a reputation for never being late on set. Styling and Meera's Signature Look Penty also credited the film's stylist, Anita Adjania, for the distinct and impactful fashion in 'Cocktail'. She said hats off to Anita, who styled the whole film and did a fabulous job with each character, making sure every character had their own individual style that was different from the others and added so much value to that character. She explained the vision behind Meera's seemingly simple yet chic style, saying the whole idea was to make Meera the girl next door, who was not overly stylized. In the story, Meera came to London very traditionally Indian, dressing in salwar suits, and then, after meeting Veronica, she was influenced by her decisions, style, and choices, even borrowing clothes from her wardrobe in a very simple way. This approach worked really well, making Meera well put together, simple, but chic.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Arjun Rampal praises Ranbir Kapoor's 'Animal' performance, celebrates rise of dark, complex roles in Hindi cinema
Arjun Rampal embraces Bollywood's shift toward darker, complex characters. In 'Rana Naidu Season 2', he delivers a powerful performance as Rauf. He praises Ranbir Kapoor's Animal and highlights evolving villain portrayals. With ten upcoming projects, Rampal remains committed to exploring morally ambiguous roles and pushing storytelling boundaries. Arjun Rampal continues to choose roles that explore deep and complex emotions. In 'Rana Naidu Season 2', he delivers a powerful performance as Rauf, blending menace with humanity. Rampal also highlights Bollywood's growing trend toward darker, more intricate characters—an artistic direction he fully embraces. Evolution of Villains and Anti-Heroes in Bollywood Speaking to Arjun observes a clear evolution in Bollywood's portrayal of villains and anti-heroes. He notes that only a select few actors have taken on these darker roles, but those who have explored anti-heroes or dark characters have been extremely successful. He highlights 'Animal' as a standout example, saying, 'Take Animal, for example—how successful was that? Ranbir was fantastic in it. ' From One-Dimensional Villains to Complex Characters The actor points to a notable evolution in Hindi films, where villains are no longer just simple obstacles for the hero. Instead, they are portrayed as complex individuals with emotions, histories, and reasons behind their actions. This shift makes them more relatable and captivating, moving beyond the traditional 'evil' stereotype. Opportunities and Challenges in Portraying Dark Roles Rampal also observes that while some are doing it really well, others maybe need to do it a bit better. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo He remains optimistic that filmmakers will keep pushing boundaries and provide actors with opportunities to take on such challenging roles. According to him, this not only excites audiences but also allows actors to grow and test their limits. Rampal's Commitment to Morally Ambiguous Characters Whether playing a multifaceted gangster in 'Daddy' or his recent role in 'Rana Naidu', Rampal gravitates toward morally ambiguous roles. Reportedly, with ten upcoming projects—including intense dramas, suspense thrillers, and experimental films—he's committed to pushing the boundaries of storytelling.
News18
12-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Nifty Pharma Rebounds As Asian Drug Stocks Slide On Trump's Drug Price Cut Plans
Last Updated: Pharma stocks rebound in India after early dip; Trump's drug price cut plan hits Asian drugmakers, some fall up to 7% on growth fears Domestic pharmaceutical and healthcare stocks staged a mild recovery on Monday, May 12, after initially slipping in response to US President Donald Trump's announcement to significantly slash prescription drug prices in the US, aiming to bring them among the lowest globally. In contrast, Asia-based drugmakers extended their slide, with some falling as much as 7% amid concerns over future earnings growth. According to a report by Trump took to Truth Social, saying, 'For many years, the world has wondered why prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals in the United States were so much higher in price than they were in any other nation. Sometimes being five to ten times more expensive than the same drug, manufactured in the same laboratory or plant, by the same company." He blamed pharmaceutical firms for justifying these high costs with research and development expenses, arguing that American consumers were being taken advantage of. 'The pharmaceutical companies would say, for years, that it was research and development costs, all of which were borne by the 'suckers' of America, alone," Trump said. Despite opening nearly 2% lower, the Nifty Pharma index recovered to trade 0.3% higher at 21,138.90 by 10:45 AM. Leading the rebound were Mankind Pharma, Dr Reddy's, and Granules India, which rose up to 4%, according to Moneycontrol. However, in broader Asia, sentiment remained negative. Japanese pharma giants such as Chugai Pharmaceutical tumbled up to 7.2%, while Daiichi Sankyo and Takeda Pharmaceutical declined by around 5% each. South Korean stocks like SK Biopharmaceuticals, Celltrion, and Samsung Biologics also dropped more than 3%. Speaking to Moneycontrol, Vinit Gala, Founder of Xylem PMS, noted that Trump's call for major price cuts is likely more rhetorical than practical: 'It is not something which can be applicable." He pointed out that the cost of US compliance and the complexity of FDA approvals significantly elevate drug prices compared to countries like India. Gala added that Indian generic drugmakers are likely to be more insulated, as they play a crucial role in driving down prices in the US by introducing alternatives once patented drugs go off-patent. Conversely, Korean drugmakers, which focus on patented biologics, may face more direct challenges. This move follows two executive orders signed by Trump on May 5. As per Moneycontrol, the first aims to promote domestic drug production by easing regulations and boosting U.S. pharmaceutical supply chains. The second restricts funding for research that may enhance virus pathogenicity, citing biosecurity concerns. Nuvama Institutional Equities said that 'The policy initiatives, if implemented fully, may lead to increased compliance/operational costs for foreign manufacturers, including those in India." They added that uncertainty around these policies may cause generic pharma stocks to continue underperforming. The executive orders also stress the urgency of bolstering US manufacturing capacity for APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients), KSMs (key starting materials), and associated raw materials, highlighting national security risks due to current supply chain delays, Moneycontrol reported. First Published: May 12, 2025, 12:00 IST
News18
30-04-2025
- Business
- News18
600 Indian Flights Diverted In 5 Days Due To Pakistan Airspace Closure After Pahalgam: Report
Last Updated: Following the closure of Pakistan's airspace following the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian flights have been forced to take longer alternative routes, raising fuel costs. In the wake of the barbaric terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, India imposed a series of measures downgrading ties with Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan responded by suspending trade and closing its airspace for Indian airlines, forcing them to divert. Around 600 West-bound international flights of Indian airlines have been forced to divert in the first five days since Pakistan's move on April 24, while 120 flights have had to make an extra stop to refuel while flying to Europe, North America and other destinations, according to News18′ s sister publication The report cited data shared by online travel agents and flight tracking platforms. Indian airlines are forced to reroute international flights over Mumbai and Ahmedabad, turning over the Arabian Sea to head to Muscat, and then flying to their destination. As of March 2025, Indian airlines operated around 800 international flights per week that relied on Pakistani airspace. With recent disruptions, rerouting these flights has become increasingly complicated and expensive. Routes originating from cities like Delhi, Amritsar, Srinagar, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Jaipur — especially those bound for the Middle East — are now taking 15 to 45 minutes longer. Flights heading to Europe are facing even steeper delays, with extended durations of up to 1.5 hours. 'All IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India and Air India Express international flights from Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, Lucknow and Srinagar to countries in the Middle East including Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, countries in Eastern Europe including Turkey, Greece, Georgia, and to the US and Canada have been rerouted since April 24," a senior executive from an online travel platform told Linus Bauer, founder and managing director of UAE-based consultancy BAA & Partners, said if Pakistan's airspace closure continues over a month, the financial impact on Indian airlines could be in the range of $10-15 million, including direct operational costs such as fuel and crew overtime plus indirect revenue losses, reduced cargo capacity and schedule unreliability. Financial Impact On Indian Airlines Explaining how the airspace closure would impact India, Bauer said additional cost per flight could go as high as $1,350 to $3,000 as planes fly longer distances. As the airspace closure persists, airline costs are bound to rise and could result in higher airfares. Furthermore, airlines from other countries can continue to overfly Pakistan, possibly giving them an advantage in terms of costs over their Indian counterparts on the affected routes. This situation is reminiscent of the 2019 airspace closure by Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack on Indian Army personnel. According to the then-aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Indian carriers lost over Rs 540 crore between February 26 and July 2, 2019. State-owned Air India had incurred a loss of Rs 491 crore alone. India Mulling To Close Airspace For Pakistani Carriers Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that it is working with Indian airlines to get a better assessment of the impact of Pakistani airspace closure, and to work out the best possible solutions for both passengers and carriers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had issued an advisory to airlines focusing on passenger communication and comfort. Meanwhile, India is considering closing its airspace to Pakistani carriers in a retaliatory move following Islamabad's decision to block Indian airlines from its airspace, which would force Pakistani airlines to reroute their flights over China or Sri Lanka to reach Southeast Asian destinations like Kuala Lumpur. Many of Pakistan's commercial flights to the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and beyond, including key routes such as Karachi to Kuala Lumpur or Dubai, rely heavily on access to Indian airspace. If India were to shut its skies, these flights would be forced to reroute over Iran, Afghanistan, or Central Asian countries – regions that pose both geopolitical and logistical risks. First Published:
