Latest news with #SandeepAurPinkyFaraar
News18
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Malaika Arora Shares Cryptic Post On Ex Arjun Kapoor's Birthday: 'What They Hate In You...'
Last Updated: Arjun Kapoor confirmed his single status last Diwali at a party hosted by MNS chief Raj Thackeray, telling media, 'Nahin ab main single hoon, relax karo.' Arjun Kapoor turned 40 on Thursday, and among the many birthday wishes he received, one came from his ex-girlfriend Malaika Arora. While her sweet post caught attention, what followed stirred even more buzz. Malaika posted a playful boomerang video of Arjun jumping joyfully on a street—likely abroad on her Instagram Stories. Alongside the clip, she wrote, 'Happy birthday @arjunkapoor…" adding a white heart emoji and clinking champagne glasses. However, soon after this cheerful message, Malaika shared two cryptic quotes on her Stories. The first read, 'Live by 3 simple rules: Love needs action; Trust needs proof; Sorry needs change." The second one read: 'I'm in love with this quote: What they hate in you is missing in them. Keep Shining." The timing of these quotes reignited curiosity around their breakup. The couple, who reportedly began dating around 2018, were once known for their social media PDA and red carpet appearances. However, earlier this year, they confirmed their split. Malaika was notably absent from Arjun's 39th birthday bash in Mumbai last year and had posted another cryptic message then, saying, 'I like people that I can trust with my eyes closed and my back turned." Arjun confirmed his single status last Diwali at a party hosted by MNS chief Raj Thackeray, telling media, 'Nahin ab main single hoon, relax karo." Malaika, for her part, has chosen to remain tight-lipped. In a past interview with ETimes, she said, 'I will never choose a public platform to talk about my personal life. So, whatever Arjun has said is entirely his prerogative." Arjun, whose film career includes both critically acclaimed and commercially successful projects like Ishaqzaade and Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, has seen his personal life consistently under the scanner. First Published: June 26, 2025, 23:32 IST
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Arjun Kapoor Birthday Special: When Malaika Arora danced on Chaiyya Chaiyya at her then-boyfriend's birthday; watch
Jun 26, 2025 12:46 PM IST Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor is celebrating his 40th birthday today. In the last 13 years of his acting career, Arjun has seen many highs and lows. While some of his releases couldn't quite impress the audience, other masterpieces such as Ishaqzaade (2012) and Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar (2021) left a lasting impact. Apart from his career graph, another reason why Arjun has been a constant in the news is his love life. In 2016, Arjun started dating Malaika Arora. After setting couple goals for many years, the two parted ways last year. Well, today on Arjun's birthday, let's look back at their happier times. Malaika Arora and Arjun Kapoor Two years ago on Arjun Kapoor's 38th birthday, his friends and family came together under one roof to celebrate his special day. What made the occasion even more special was an inside video from the star-studded bash where his then-girlfriend Malaika Arora burnt the dance floor with her sexy moves and thumkas. Dressed in a white bodycon sleeveless midi dress by Loewe with a floral pattern over it, Malaika grooved on her iconic track Chaiyya Chaiyya from Shah Rukh Khan's 1998 film Dil Se. If you thought her dance with SRK was fire, wait till you watch this throwback video from Arjun's birthday bash: Back in October last year, Arjun confirmed his break up with Malaika after dating for 8 long years. During the promotions of his 2024 film Singham Again, where Arjun portrayed the role of a deadly antagonist named Zubair Hafeez aka Danger Lanka, the actor shared the news in an interaction with fans. When the crowd chanted Malaika's name and asked how she is, Arjun had replied, 'Nahi nahi abhi single hun, relax karo.' Meanwhile, his director Rohit Shetty and his co-star Tiger Shroff were left in splits in the background. Today on Arjun's 40th birthday, we wish the actor love, happiness and success!
Indian Express
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar: You're all very mean to Arjun Kapoor; all he needs is a great director to guide him
A bad performance in a hit film will be remembered, but a great performance in a flop won't. This is the harsh reality of commercial Hindi cinema, where quality is inconsequential to success. Arjun Kapoor would know; his finest performance came in a movie that nobody watched. And those that did, misunderstood and mischaracterised it. Either in an act of deliberate vindictiveness or casual apathy, the theatrical release of Dibakar Banerjee's Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar was pushed numerous times, with the pandemic finally presenting itself as the rug it could be swept under. It was an unfortunate blow for everybody involved; Kapoor's career, one can observe, never really recovered. But that isn't because he's bad at his job. Far worse actors have enjoyed far greater success. It's because, as a person, he projects an inherent vulnerability that simply doesn't align with the Hindi film industry's idea of leading men. But this vulnerability is perhaps what made him such an ideal candidate to play Satinder 'Pinky' Dahiya in Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar. Pinky is a suspended cop from Haryana, who, in a desperate effort to be reinstated, agrees to drive a young woman named Sandeep to her death. Conscience strikes when she tells him she's pregnant and on the run because she was about to expose a massive scandal at her workplace. Together, they hide out at a border town in Uttarakhand and plot to cross over into Nepal. Also read – Tees movie review: Dibakar Banerjee's unreleased saga is ambitious, intimate, and incendiary Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar didn't earn particularly positive reviews after its theatrical debut; it was only after the movie was unceremoniously dumped on Prime Video — even Kapoor wasn't told about it — that it found its true audience. This was perhaps the pandemic era's first real sign of changing times and tastes. There was a clear distinction between a streaming audience and a theatre-going audience. Kapoor himself had experienced something like this a couple of years earlier, albeit in a second-hand fashion. He played a cameo in Vikramaditya Motwane's Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, which found similar success after its streaming debut. It is clear from the very first scene of the film that Pinky isn't the sort of rowdy Haryanvi character that Hindi cinema typically typecasts in henchman roles. He's easily provoked, but also a pookie; every fibre of his being appears to be in a constant battle with the patriarchy he's grown up around. He's the sort of person who probably got fit only because he didn't want to stand out in the community he came from; he instinctively grabs Sandy by the throat on a couple of occasions, perhaps because his behaviour has been programmed by the men around him. But he also has the sensitivity to recognise the hurt that this behaviour likely caused his mother, whom he seems to care about. These are the sort of details that you gather when excellent writing — shout-out, Varun Grover — is married with a good performance. It's one thing to appreciate the hard work that Kapoor probably put into his dialect and disposition, but accents and affectations are mere accessories. When a performer draws you in with a silent expression, when they make you wonder what's going on in their mind, that's when you know that they've hit the jackpot. You could admire the way Pinky chews his food, or the way he yawns without covering his mouth. The Salman Khan bracelet on his wrist says so much about who he is. But he communicates so much more when he's simply wrestling with himself; a wannabe alpha who was probably belittled by his father in front of his cousins. In an interaction with Pinkvilla not too long ago, actor Rashmika Mandanna spoke highly of her Pushpa 2 co-star Allu Arjun's 'alphaness', in reference to a 20-minute sequence in the movie where he wears a saree. 'Imagine someone who has the guts, power, and alphaness to wear a saree, dance in a saree, perform action sequences in a saree, and deliver dialogues in a saree. For 21 minutes of the film, he is wearing a freaking saree. Tell me, what man can do that?' she asked. Why, besides Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi and so many others? Arjun Kapoor. It's important to give credit where it's due. In an on-the-nose metaphor for Pinky finally shedding every last vestige of the patriarchy embedded in his soul, he disguises himself as a woman in the film's memorable climax, and finds himself emancipated, both literally and otherwise. Read more – Stolen: The rare Hindi movie that isn't afraid to insult its own audience, and you know what, we deserve it Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar finds Banerjee revisiting a couple of his favourite themes: systemic corruption and middle-class apathy. He's a particularly unlucky filmmaker, whose frustration at his never-ending misfortune was recently unleashed in the rather unwatchable Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2. Kapoor seems to have been cursed with similar bad luck. There's only so much good work going around in Bollywood. His issue isn't a lack of talent, but a complete inability to discern a good project from a bad one. Nothing else could explain Mere Husband Ki Biwi, Sardarji Ka Grandson, and Ek Villain Returns. In times like this, it is important to remember that even someone as blazingly gifted as Colin Farrell latched onto colourful supporting roles when the lead offers dried up. It worked out well for him. Going on a victory lap for Singham Again isn't the answer. If there's one movie that Kapoor should be screaming from the rooftops about, it's this one. Post Credits Scene is a column in which we dissect new releases every week, with particular focus on context, craft, and characters. Because there's always something to fixate about once the dust has settled. Rohan Naahar is an assistant editor at Indian Express online. He covers pop-culture across formats and mediums. He is a 'Rotten Tomatoes-approved' critic and a member of the Film Critics Guild of India. He previously worked with the Hindustan Times, where he wrote hundreds of film and television reviews, produced videos, and interviewed the biggest names in Indian and international cinema. At the Express, he writes a column titled Post Credits Scene, and has hosted a podcast called Movie Police. You can find him on X at @RohanNaahar, and write to him at He is also on LinkedIn and Instagram. ... Read More
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who Is Varun Grover? From IIT Graduate to acclaimed writer, lyricist & more
The well-known Indian screenwriter, lyricist, comedian, and filmmaker, has been in the news recently for his comments on the stark pay gap between actors and writers in Indian television, specifically recalling his experience writing for Farhan Akhtar 's talk show Oye! It's Friday! in 2009. Here let's take a look at everything you should know about Varun Grover . Born on January 26, 1980, in Sundernagar (Himachal Pradesh), Varun Grover has steadily built a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in Indian entertainment. Whether he's penning lyrics that connect emotionally or crafting screenplays with quiet depth, Varun Grover has carved his own path, one that includes stand-up sets that hit as hard with truth as they do with humour. Born to a schoolteacher mother and an army engineer father, Grover moved across towns, Sundernagar, Dehradun, and eventually Lucknow, soaking in different cultures and stories along the way. Though he graduated as a civil engineer from IIT-BHU in 2003 and briefly worked in software consulting, it wasn't long before the pull of storytelling took over. By 2004, he had packed up and moved to Mumbai, chasing the words he truly wanted to write. Varun Grover's Breakthrough and Creative Journey As reported by IMDB, it was 2005 when Varun Grover first stepped behind the curtain of television comedy, joining The Great Indian Comedy Show as a staff writer. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo On paper, the role looked modest, just another line on a fledgling résumé, but the experience quietly rewired his creative compass. Those writers'-room sessions honed his timing, sharpened his voice, and set the stage for everything he would tackle next, from acclaimed screenplays to razor-edged stand-up sets. From that writers' room, Grover began carving out a path that would eventually see him become one of Indian entertainment's most distinct voices, someone who could make you laugh, think, and feel, often all at once. After that he's been part of films including 'Masaan', 'Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar', and 'All India Rank'. A Voice That's Unafraid to Speak Up Varun Grover doesn't fit neatly into any one box. Yes, he's a screenwriter and lyricist, but above all, he's a keen observer of the world around him. His songs often carry a quiet intensity, while his stand-up is laced with wit that cuts deep, always rooted in real-life contradictions and ironies. There's no effort to sugarcoat or play safe. His work feels lived-in, thoughtful, and often deeply personal. What makes Grover stand out is that rare balance, he can stir emotions and spark reflection, without ever losing the lightness or sharpness that makes his voice so compelling. And in an industry where writers are too often left in the background, he's one of the few who openly calls for fairness and recognition, making sure the people behind the words aren't forgotten. Speaking Up About the Pay Gap In a recent interview with The Lallantop, Grover recalled a moment from early in his career that revealed just how wide the pay gap is between actors and writers. While working on the talk show Oye! It's Friday! hosted by Farhan Akhtar, he discovered that the host was reportedly paid ₹45 lakh per episode, while Grover, one of the show's writers, earned ₹45,000. 'It was a shock,' he admitted, acknowledging that even though the figures might not be exact, the disparity was undeniable. That moment stayed with him, reinforcing the need for a conversation around fair compensation for writers, something he continues to champion today. While working on Oye! It's Friday!, a high-profile show hosted by Farhan Akhtar, Grover said he learned about the massive gap between what writers and actors are paid. 'I heard the host was earning ₹45 lakh per episode, while I was getting ₹45,000,' he recalled. Though he admits that the numbers might not be exact, the disparity was glaring and hard to ignore. It's an issue he continues to speak about, bringing attention to the often-overlooked role of writers in entertainment. While working on the television show Oye! It's Friday! hosted by Farhan Akhtar, Grover realized the vast difference between what actors and writers earn.'I found out the actor was earning ₹45 lakh per episode, while I, as a writer, was being paid just ₹45,000,' he revealed. Though he acknowledged that the figure could have been exaggerated to provoke him, the incident left a lasting impression. It also brought into focus the longstanding debate about fair compensation for creators behind the scenes in Indian entertainment. Anurag Kashyap faces backlash for his viral pics with Sandeep Reddy Vanga
News18
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
'Farhan Akhtar Got Rs 45 Lakh, I Earned Rs 45,000': Why Varun Grover Quit Writing For Stars
Varun Grover recalls writing for Farhan Akhtar's show, revealing a shocking pay gap and why he stopped creating stand-up content for TV and movie stars. Varun Grover may now be recognised for his acclaimed work as a filmmaker and writer, but his journey began much earlier in India's television and comedy circuit. Before gaining praise for films like Masaan, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, and his directorial debut All India Rank, Grover worked behind the scenes as a comedy writer on several TV shows. Among his early gigs was writing for popular shows like The Great Indian Comedy Show and Ranvir Vinay Aur Kaun. But one particular experience made him rethink writing for television altogether — his time on Oye! It's Friday!, a celebrity talk show hosted by Farhan Akhtar. 'After Ranvir Vinay Aur Kaun, I joined Farhan saab's Oye! It's Friday! It was during my time there that I realised that there was not much value addition happening from the side of the performer to the material I was writing for them," Grover shared in an interview with The Lallantop. He recalled the moment he learned just how wide the earnings gap was between performers and writers. 'That was also the first time I got to know how much actors make doing such shows. Even though I had an idea prior to that as well, I did not assume the gap to be so big. But once I learnt about it – maybe it's false information and somebody told me this only to provoke me; I can't say for sure – I realised the gap was huge. He was being paid Rs 45 lakh for each episode, while I was earning just Rs 45,000." Grover said the contrast between effort and reward felt unfair, especially when the material was entirely his. 'It was my material, and he was just delivering the lines. (Although he's getting paid 100 times more) There wasn't 100 times the value added." He also spoke about the scale of production, revealing how lavish the set was. 'The show was shot in Yash Raj Studio. It was a really good, expensive set. Had I stolen one of those twinkling balls hanging there each day, my daily Rs 45,000 would've been sorted. That was the first time I saw such a dazzling set." Eventually, the glam, the imbalance, and growing restrictions pushed him away from the format. 'By then, I had also lost interest in writing stand-up for television, particularly since censorship had also started." Grover's reflection offers a candid look into the often-unspoken struggles of writers in entertainment — underpaid, undervalued, and frequently overshadowed by star power. First Published: June 10, 2025, 14:06 IST
