Latest news with #Raees
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Happy Birthday, Huma Qureshi: From almost starring opposite SRK to leading India's only TIFF 2025 entry, there's more you didn't know
Whether it's portraying the middle-aged home chef in Tarla or the young and mysterious Monica in Monica, O My Darling, Huma Qureshi brings every role to life with power and ease. From Double XL to Leila, she has always chosen bold, different characters, and made them her own. Interestingly, after completing 13 years in cinema, she's not just an actor, she's also a producer. Her latest film Bayaan has been selected for the Discovery section at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the only Indian film in that category this year. Huma not only plays the lead but also takes on the role of executive producer. She marked the moment with a heartfelt note on Instagram, celebrating both a personal and professional high. 6 lesser-known facts about Huma Qureshi Today, as Huma turns 39 and celebrates her big day, here's a look at some lesser-known moments from her powerful journey in films, and a glimpse into the years that shaped her before the spotlight found her. Her acting journey started in Delhi, not Mumbai Before entering the world of films, Huma earned her bachelor's degree in history with honors from Gargi College, University of Delhi. It was during her college years that she discovered a passion for acting. She soon became active in Delhi's theater circle, joining several groups that honed her performance skills. Huma's Ad with Aamir Khan landed her a film deal, here's how Huma's life took a turn when she landed a two-year contract with Hindustan Unilever in Mumbai. She appeared in ads for Pears, Nerolac, Vita Marie, and Saffola. But it was a Samsung mobile ad, which also featured Aamir Khan, that changed her life. The ad was directed by Anurag Kashyap, who was so impressed by her performance during the shoot that he later cast her in a three-film deal, leading to her act in Gangs of Wasseypur (2012). She was set to star opposite SRK in Raees, but then this happened During those ad days, Huma also shared screen space with Shah Rukh Khan in a Nerolac advertisement. Years later, she got a chance to reunite with Khan on the big screen with Rahul Dholakia's Raees. Although she fit the role, the makers eventually replaced her with Mahira Khan, reportedly looking for someone who could bring in 'a certain kind of mannerisms.' Two big films that never happened Many believe Gangs of Wasseypur was her debut, but Huma had actually bagged another film first. After moving to Mumbai in 2008, she was selected for a movie titled Junction, which never took off. She was also chosen out of 700 actors for Billa 2 but opted out due to production delays. She's acted in multiple languages While Huma is known for her strong presence in Hindi cinema, she has also left her mark in other industries. She's acted in Marathi, Malayalam and Tamil films, appeared in TV shows, and even featured in music albums Huma turned author with a superhero book Beyond the screen, Huma has explored her literary side. She authored a book titled Zeba: An Accidental Superhero, marking her entry into the publishing world. The book blends fiction and inspiration, showcasing a different side of the actor that fans might not have expected. She has explored many roles over the years and continues to take on new challenges in front of and behind the camera. Which of her works have stayed with you the most?
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Silent Strain of Stardom: Adil Hussain, Bhagyashree, Anant Mahadevan, Sohaila Kapur and others speak out on burnout, pressure and pain in Bollywood
In a country where stardom is worshipped and celebrity lives are dissected frame by frame, Bollywood stars seem to float in a world of glitz, admiration, and affluence. But beneath the perfectly-contoured smiles, the crafted Instagram reels, and the impeccably-timed red carpet appearances lies a reality that is far more fragile and human. This ETimes feature dives deep into the undercurrent of emotional distress that runs through India's film industry — exploring how public performance, relentless comparisons, social media scrutiny, and suppressed vulnerability have made mental health a serious, yet silent, crisis in showbiz. The pressure to be 'on' — always Veteran actor Adil Hussain believes that mental burnout is avoidable if you're grounded — but even he admits to physical fatigue from back-to-back shoots and international travel. 'There is not a pressure unless you want to take the pressure on yourself,' he says, before adding that actors must often perform pleasantness, if not joy. 'Even when I'm tired, I take it as an opportunity... and say, 'I will now smile.' It is not an artificial smile but a genuine smile. ' His coping mechanism lies in a spiritual discipline passed down from a mentor, which he's practiced for 25 years. Yet, Hussain is clear-eyed about the stigma that still clouds Bollywood: 'It has just become a little more acceptable... by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Поза во сне может многое рассказать о вашем характере! Удивительные Новости Undo not necessarily normalized. I just hope people are more empathetic — not just to actors, but from the spot boy to the crew.' He makes a crucial point — that the entire ecosystem of cinema, not just its glamorous faces, needs emotional care. Workshops and mental health education for the cast and crew could be a sustainable way forward, he suggests. The emotional cost of power games Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia is blunt: 'We don't have jobs many times a year — there's no monthly paycheck... If the film doesn't work, forget about it. Our lives are pushed away.' But the real damage, he says, comes from egos and power dynamics on sets. 'The stress of handling cast, crew, producers, and stars is just another ball game.' Dholakia's health suffered repeatedly. 'I had diabetes after one film, blood pressure after another, a heart attack after one more.' Even while shooting Raees, his mother was in the ICU and he was in chronic pain, yet he didn't — or couldn't — stop. 'You can't bring your problems on set.' His advice to others: 'Don't let anyone take your life away from you. If you feel low, don't feel shy to take help.' Looking back, he wishes he had resisted substances and faced problems head-on. 'Face the problems. Deal with them.' Performance anxiety, driven by perception Actress Bhagyashree highlights a subtler battle — the battle within. 'The expectations of society, the industry, peers, and PR machinery can often feel like a relentless noise—dominating and overwhelming. To stay grounded, it's essential to filter out that noise and reconnect with your inner self. Your goals are not the same as your identity. Successes and failures are outcomes, not measures of your worth as a person.' She suggests a barometer: "Is this advice or criticism helping me refine my path toward my goals? If yes, embrace it. But if it begins to compromise your core values—the very principles that define who you are—it's time to walk away." Preity Zinta to Sonam Kapoor: Bollywood Divas Take Over London & Wimbledon in Style The stigma of self-worth in an unforgiving industry For director Anant Mahadevan , the struggle has often been about surviving targeted exclusion. 'Being deliberately sidelined was... demoralizing,' he admits, especially when his refusal to play the networking game was held against him. His critically acclaimed The Storyteller was met with strategic silence. One critic even traveled to the Kerala Film Festival just to run down his film. Mahadevan draws strength from his craft. 'Reinforcing the faith in oneself... shields your mind from damage. The years of such rigmarole have taught me to be a survivor.' Therapy, bonsais, and bikerides: New-age coping tools Actor-filmmaker Kabir Sadanand lays bare the emotional debris of endless 18-hour shoots. 'I began to feel the impact... emotionally fatigued. It started affecting my relationships.' He links much of the distress to social media's performative joy: 'There's an unspoken expectation that we must always appear upbeat. Mental health remains taboo.' His solutions? Regular therapy, long bike rides, bonsai gardening, and letting emotions out instead of bottling them. 'Like a shaken champagne bottle — if you don't release the pressure, it will eventually explode.' When fame is a choice — but the fallout isn't Veteran actress Sohaila Kapur takes a pragmatic stance. 'You know what you're in for, so you should be prepared. There is a flip side to fame.' But she too has needed to ground herself through travel, silence, meditation, and theatre. 'You can't ask someone to treat you with kid gloves... self-help is the best. Or see a good therapist.' Her mantra: Upgrade your sense of self-worth. 'Tell yourself you're your best when you're yourself. Don't be afraid of criticism.' The burden of comparisons Actor-anchor Karan Singh Chhabra speaks of a daily battle — the battle of being measured. 'In this industry, you are compared all the time... with every post, every appearance, you are judged.' The release of his film, where he played the antagonist, brought anxiety. His self-talk became his anchor: 'You have come this far and that is a success... This is a dream for many.' His escape? Turf cricket games, solo travel, gym sessions, and Zumba classes. 'Between action and cut, the actor has to switch... work diverts your mind from the sadness.' He issues a reminder to media and paparazzi: 'That actress you scoff at today could be the next big star tomorrow. Please keep your thoughts to yourself.' What needs to change While several public figures now speak freely about seeing therapists or seeking spiritual grounding, the industry's machinery is still largely unsympathetic. There's fear — of being replaced, of looking weak, of being dropped from projects. Whether it's Rahul Dholakia silently enduring chronic pain on set, Adil Hussain turning to meditation, or Kabir Sadanand finding solace in a bonsai garden, their stories converge on one point: the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health in Bollywood. But the industry has a long way to go. While some speak up, many still fear judgment, dismissal, or losing work. The pressure to look perfect, the obsession with relevance, and the machinery of fame make it hard to just "be." The answer may not be one-size-fits-all. For some, it is therapy. For others, it's silence, laughter, travel, or simply being heard without being fixed. As Kabir Sadanand said, 'Many are silently struggling, while their online personas tell a very different story.' Until those personas are reconciled with reality, and vulnerability is accepted as part of the job — not a weakness — the cost of fame may remain heavier than the applause it brings. If you or someone you know is dealing with emotional distress, don't hesitate to reach out. Mental health is not a weakness — it's a journey, and it deserves as much care as any blockbuster script or red carpet gown.
Wall Street Journal
12-07-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Now You Can Travel for Less by Buying Someone Else's Vacation
Samina Ahmed admits she's obsessed with travel. The 46-year-old single mother, who recently left her job as an IT engineer in Leeds, England, said she's taken her toddler, Raees, on 'more holidays than most people have in a lifetime.' What keeps Ahmed both on the road and in the black? She books almost every trip on SpareFare. Founded in 2016, this eBay-like marketplace pairs unfortunate travelers looking to sell nonrefundable trips, flights and hotel nights they can't use to bargain hunters like Ahmed who take over the reservation. For one vacation, that meant paying around $1,200 for an all-inclusive trip to Thailand that originally cost around $4,700. 'It was a week—I wish that had been longer,' Ahmed said.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kanwar Yatra: 222 liquor shops in Noida & Ghaziabad to be covered; hotels & dhabas directed to display food licences
'You can't kiss me' - When Pakistani actress Mahira Khan told Shah Rukh Khan while shooting for 'Zaalima' song from 'Raees' Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, who has worked with Shah Rukh Khan in 'Raees', recently recalled filming the popular song 'Zaalima'. During her recent interview, Mahira revealed that she repeatedly told SRK that he can't kiss her because she was scared, 'ki kahin kuch zyada na ho jaye'. She added, 'He used to be like, 'Kya ho gaya hai'. He, obviously, used to get a kick out of it as well.' Talking about the 'nose-to-nose kissing' scene being included as the hook step of the song, Mahira said, 'We didn't know what to do on the hook in the song, so it became a joke that since nothing else can happen, let's make the noses kiss. The whole song if you look at it, he just does a little nose thing. He was just like, 'Will this be okay? Is this okay for you?' In my heart, I would be like, 'What do you know?' Watch the video for more news and updates, stay tuned to ETimes. Times Of India
Pink Villa
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Maalik Trailer HONEST REVIEW: Rajkummar Rao's 2.0 version will thrill you – unexpected pairing with Manushi Chhillar might just work
Rajkummar Rao in a never-seen-before avatar is here to rule the screens and how! The badass Maalik is here to prove he can do anything, and watch out for what seems like one of his most powerful performances on the big screen. A combination of Ranbir Kapoor' s Animal and Shah Rukh Khan's Raees, a new hero has arrived and we ain't complaining a bit. That swag walk, those dialogue deliveries, and the body language, Rao is sure to send chills down your spines. Maalik's trailer The teaser begins with a powerful dialogue from Rajkummar Rao, where he is talking to his on-screen father. He tells him, "Majboor baap ka beta hai, kismat thi humari. Par aapko majboot beta ka baap banna padega, kismat hai aapki." (I am the son of a helpless father; it was my fate. But you will have to become the father of a strong son; it is your fate.) It is the confidence and the ease with which he holds the gun, shoots, and walks away in the scene that is going to make him a winner. The full-grown beard and moustache suit him perfectly, and we have to admit that we might be falling in love with his new rugged avatar. Manushi Chhillar and Rajkummar Rao's chemistry Bollywood films often surprise us with fresh pairings, and Maalik also introduces us to a brand new pair of Manushi Chhillar and Rajkummar Rao. These two look like a breath of fresh air, and we bet fans cannot wait to watch what they have got in store for us. Not to miss out, the actress can be seen in a desi avatar and looks gorgeous. We have seen Rajkummar excel in his comic timing, romance, the thriller genre, and emotional roles, too, but now it's time to see him unleash his inner beast in a full-fledged action film. Set in Allahabad, it follows a gangster who rises through the ranks of the criminal underworld and establishes his dominance. His thick beard has added a touch of reality to his daring role, and his transformation has wowed netizens. Backed by Kumar Taurani and Jay Shewakramani, the movie is slated to hit the big screen on July 11, 2025. Besides Rajkummar and Manushi Chhillar, it also stars Prosenjit Chatterjee. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more such updates!
