Latest news with #Neerja
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
As Ranbir Kapoor gears up for Ramayana, the newest take on Indian mythology is a 5-minute AI film on the Bhagavad Gita
Just when you thought India's obsession with mythology movies had peaked between Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming Ramayana, Prabhas' Adipurush (2023) and Ranbir Kapoor's Brahmāstra: Part One (2022), along comes a twist no one saw coming: a five-minute AI-powered VR short film on the Bhagavad Gita. Yes, you read that right. Ram Madhvani Filmmaker Ram Madhvani, best known for Neerja (2016) and Aarya, is now stepping into the world of immersive media with a bold new project that uses artificial intelligence and virtual reality to reinterpret one of India's most revered spiritual texts. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Madhvani revealed that this short film — developed quietly over two years — is currently being screened in private previews. While it may be just five minutes long, the project is far from small in ambition. It's a proof of concept for something far more expansive: Madhvani hopes to eventually cover all 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita and ultimately reimagine the entire Mahabharata in VR. 'In VR we have an opportunity to restore the sanctity of immersive storytelling. And what better source than epics and texts that have endured for centuries?' he said. For Madhvani, this isn't just about mythological content — it's about creating a transformative experience. He believes that spiritual and philosophical narratives hold a rare power in the Indian psyche. The goal? To use VR and AI to evoke a genuine feeling of divinity in the viewer — particularly for younger generations who may be spiritually curious but emotionally disconnected from ancient texts. He aims to imbue the viewer with a profound feeling of divinity, an experience he feels a younger generation might particularly benefit from. But this vision isn't limited to private headsets or niche tech events. As revealed in an interview with AdGully, Madhvani plans to take VR experiences to temples and tourist sites across India — imagine experiencing the miracles of Shirdi Sai Baba or the construction of the Taj Mahal through immersive visuals, right at the physical locations themselves. It's a dramatic pivot for a director known for emotionally grounded, real-world stories which have won him many awards and international nominations. But if there's one thing Madhvani knows how to do, it's scale intimate narratives into something universal — and now, possibly spiritual. And so, the question stands: Do we need this AI-powered Gita experience? Maybe not, but we're getting it anyway.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ram Madhvani unveils India's first mythological virtual reality universe
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel National Award-winning filmmaker Ram Madhvani , known for works such as Neerja and Aarya, has announced his latest foray into storytelling. It is an ambitious AI-Virtual Reality (VR) venture that marks the beginning of India's first spiritual, mythological, and cultural universe hosted in the mesmerising and immersive world of virtual reality.'In theatres, we experience magic. At home, we have scale and comfort. But in personal viewing, we are often watching stories on split screens, sharing attention with emails, calls, or messages,' said Ram Madhvani, Co-founder, Equinox Virtual . 'With VR, especially powered by AI, we have a chance to restore the sanctity of immersive storytelling—even in a solitary experience. And what better canvas than our own epics that have lived through centuries—spiritual texts that remain culturally resonant to this day?,' Madhvani addedWhile industry attention has often been focused on VR hardware, Madhvani's contrarian bet is on content. 'Devices will improve. But the real challenge, and opportunity, is in the story, and the soul,' he over two years, the first short film is a cutting-edge AI adaptation of the Bhagavad Gita and has already begun private previews for select 24 more films in development over the next year and a goal to scale to 100 films by 2028, the venture aims to reimagine spiritual, cultural, and personal viewing experiences for the modern Indian mythology, spiritual teachings, and devotional narratives as the foundation, the VR content leverages AI to create deeply immersive, culturally rooted experiences. This is not just a one-off experiment, but the beginning of a long-term vision: to build an AI Gita-inspired mythological universe in VR, steeped in Indian storytelling traditions, spiritual meaning and powered by state-of-the-art technology.'At Equinox, we've always believed that technology should serve emotion, not overshadow it. This venture is deeply personal. It is an offering of faith, form, and future. With mythology as our compass and AI-VR as our vessel, we're inviting audiences into a space where timeless stories can be experienced in profoundly new ways,' said Amita Madhvani, Co-founder, Equinox Virtual. 'It's not just about innovation, it's about devotion—reimagined for a generation ready to feel, not just watch.'In terms of distribution, Madhvani is in talks with device manufacturers. The venture has already sparked significant investor interest. Madhvani said 'These are matters of scale and ongoing negotiation. I wanted to ensure the first film matched my creative vision before inviting partners into this journey.'Equinox Virtual is the immersive storytelling division of Equinox Films, co-founded by visionary filmmaker Ram Madhvani and Amita Madhvani. Focused on building India's first mythological, cultural and spiritual universe in VR, Equinox Virtual blends centuries-old Indian epics with cutting-edge technology, beginning with an AI adaptation of the Bhagavad Gita.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sonam Kapoor celebrates 7 years of Ranbir Kapoor's 'Sanju' with a heartfelt BTS moment
Picture Credit: Facebook Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor starrer 2018 biographical comedy-drama "Sanju" has clocked seven years since its release today. To mark the milestone, Sonam took to her Instagram Stories to share a special memory. She posted a video featuring one of her scenes with Ranbir Kapoor from the film, blending it with behind-the-scenes glimpses from the set. In one shot, Sonam is seen alongside director Rajkumar Hirani. The video concludes with a throwback clip of the entire team announcing the wrap of the film. "Sanju," directed and edited by Rajkumar Hirani, was co-written by Hirani and Abhijat Joshi. The film was jointly produced by Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra under the banners Rajkumar Hirani Films and Vinod Chopra Films. The movie explored the turbulent life of Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt, shedding light on his battle with drug addiction, his arrest in connection with the 1993 Bombay bombings, his bond with his father, and his journey in the film industry. Ranbir Kapoor played the titular role alongside actors Paresh Rawal, Vicky Kaushal, Manisha Koirala, Anushka Sharma, Dia Mirza, and Jim Sarbh. "Sanju," which recorded the biggest opening of any Indian release in 2018, was released on 29 June. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Interestingly, Sonam Kapoor made her acting debut in 2007 with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's romantic drama "Saawariya" alongside Ranbir Kapoor. The 'Neerja' actress made her comeback to the screen with the 2023 crime thriller "Blind", in which she portrayed a visually impaired ex-police officer. The film marked her return to acting following a break she took after welcoming her son, Vayu, in 2022. Directed by Shome Makhija, the thriller also starred Shubham Saraf, Danesh Razvi, Purab Kohli, Vinay Pathak, Lillete Dubey, and Javed Khan in key roles. "Blind," released as a JioCinema original, was a remake of the 2011 South Korean film of the same name, originally featuring Yoo Seung-ho and Kim Ha-neul in lead roles.
Mint
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Sonam Kapoor donates 12 inches of her hair to charity. Fans say, ‘That is definitely not…'
Actor Sonam Kapoor has taken a meaningful step both in style and spirit — donating 12 inches of her hair to charity. The 40-year-old actor, who shared a video of her dramatic haircut on Instagram, said the decision was deeply personal. In the clip, Sonam can be seen undergoing the transformation, later revealing that the chopped hair would be sent to a charitable organisation. The 'Neerja' actor also credited her father, veteran actor Anil Kapoor, for her lustrous mane, saying he was the inspiration behind her long hair. She shared the video with the caption, 'Decided to cut off 12 inches off my hair and give it away! @peteburkill thanks @anilskapoor for the genes (sic).' The people on the internet had mixed reactions. While some people praised the actress, some were left confused. One person wrote, 'Sonam, your new haircut looks absolutely stunning on you! (sic).' Another user jokingly commented, 'She decided to cut it off and give it to are eternally grateful to Sonam Kapoor for her grand gesture and magnamity (sic).' Check out some other reactions too: Internet's reaction to Sonam Kapoor's 'big' change. The move comes as Sonam gradually steps back into the spotlight after taking a break from acting following the birth of her son, Vayu, in August 2022. She is married to businessman Anand Ahuja. Sonam was last seen in the thriller 'Blind' in 2023. The actor has since announced her return to acting with an upcoming streaming project, although she has kept further details under wraps.
India.com
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet star kid who once borrowed clothes from designers, has represented India globally,
Meet actress, who once once worked as a waitress, borrowed clothes from designers, gave many superhits, is now..., name is..., net worth is Rs.. They say star kids have it easy, but the truth behind their journeys often holds surprising twists. One such story is of Bollywood's fashion-forward actress Sonam Kapoor. Known for her fearless fashion choices and red carpet appearances, few know that the actress, now a style icon, once borrowed clothes to pursue her love for fashion. From walking in her father Anil Kapoor's footsteps to carving a distinct identity, Sonam's path has been anything but ordinary. Sonam started her acting career in 2007 with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Saawariya, opposite Ranbir Kapoor. Though the film flopped at the box office, she didn't give up. Over the years, she featured in critically acclaimed films like Raanjhanaa, Neerja, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Sanju, and Pad Man. Despite appearing in fewer commercial hits, her performance was often appreciated. According to media reports, her net worth is estimated to be around ₹115 crore today. A significant part of this comes from brand endorsements, not films alone. But more than her acting, Sonam has consistently been in the spotlight for her fashion sense. She once revealed that to keep up with her passion for fashion, she even borrowed clothes from top designers. Contrary to assumptions, it wasn't due to financial limitations. Instead, she believed not everything needs to be purchased. Borrowing was a practical choice—and an international trend—not very common in India at the time. Sonam started borrowing clothes at just 20, driven purely by her love for fashion. She didn't want to buy everything; she only wanted to wear what she liked and from designers she admired personally. It was a bold move in an era when repeating or borrowing outfits was frowned upon. But Sonam owned it and continued to express her style unapologetically. Before her debut as an actor, Sonam was working as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant while studying at United World College of South East Asia in Singapore. She later pursued her Bachelor's from the University of East London. She also takes immense pride in representing Indian culture globally. Be it the red carpet, museums, or any international stage, she ensures India's essence reflects in her fashion. 'It makes me proud to represent India in front of the world,' she once said, adding how even South Asians abroad appreciated her cultural representation. Today, Sonam Kapoor is not just an actress but a global ambassador of Indian fashion, who once dared to borrow clothes just to stay true to her passion. Currently, Sonan Kapoor is away from the spotlight and has been embracing her motherhood, occasional film work, and appearances at the global stage. Her current net worth is approximately. Rs. 115 crores.
