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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Enjoyed Vaani Kapoor's Mandala Murders? Binge-watch these acclaimed series right now
Vaani Kapoor's Mandala Murders has been garnering much attention ever since it dropped on Netflix on July 25, with its twisted storyline and mysterious vibes. If you have already watched the show and need more such intriguing dramas for your late-night binge-watching, we have put together a list of series that have garnered critical acclaim and are available to watch on OTTplay Premium. From Kay Kay Menon's Special Ops Season 2, which gave us an exciting dose of espionage thrills, to Pankaj Tripathi solving another gruesome case in Criminal Justice Season 4, catch more interesting titles here. Vaani Kapoor in Mandala Murders Notable series to binge-watch now Special Ops Season 2 of this espionage thriller series recently made its OTT debut, focusing on AI-driven threats to India's digital infrastructure. Agent Himmat Singh and his team are seen battling cyber-terrorism in this new season, exploring the dangers and potential political disruptions. The story revolves around a high-profile kidnapping, a mole within the RAW, and a businessman aiming to exploit India's digital payment system. Criminal Justice This series was first released in 2019, and Season 4 of the legal drama dropped in 2025. Pankaj Tripathi is seen reprising his role as Advocate Madhav Mishra, solving another gruesome case. Season 4 revolves around a murder in a family, where a middle-aged doctor is accused of killing his lover, who was a nurse, while his wife and daughter are caught in the crossfire. Madhav Mishra returns to defend the doctor. The Broken News Season 2 of this newsroom drama series secured much viewership last year. Featuring an impressive cast of Sonali Bendre, Jaideep Ahlawat, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Taaruk Raina, The Broken News garnered much attention. In Season 2, we saw the intensified rivalry between the two media giants, exploring themes of power struggle, fake news, journalistic ethics, and more in a high-stakes environment. Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story This series is a biography of Harshad Mehta, a notorious stockbroker and the key figure in the 1992 scam that sent shockwaves through the nation. Harshad Mehta was involved in a scam of ₹30,000 crore, as per reports. The incident exposed significant loopholes in the Indian banking and stock market systems. The titular role was played by Pratik Gandhi in the series. Undekhi Another thriller drama with a gruesome murder case, mysteries, and rigorous investigations. This series follows a fictional family of the Atwals. After a dancer is murdered at their lavish wedding function, the powerful family comes under the scanner. The interesting part is that not just the police, but a film crew is also investigating the Atwals on their own to unravel more secrets about them. TVF Pitchers The story revolves around four friends who quit their corporate jobs, jto focus on their dreams of entrepreneurship. TVF Pitchers tracks their journey and struggles to set up a start-up business. The series will be especially relatable to those seeking to pursue their ambitions and goals in life.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shriya Pilgaonkar: I don't want to do roles for the sake of visibility
Shriya Pilgaonkar Shriya Pilgaonkar , who began her Bollywood journey with Fan, made a mark in the OTT space with web shows like Mirzapur, Guilty Minds, and The Broken News. The actress is shifting her focus more toward films now. She shares, 'I'm being very selective with roles in the series space because I want to focus more on films, as I miss the medium. That doesn't mean I won't be a part of web shows.' The actress, who was recently seen as cop Devika Rathore in Chhal Kapat: The Deception, says she has also learned to factor in how a project is presented. 'The platform matters. How a show or film is mounted affects how the audience perceives it. In the past, even when my performance was appreciated, the overall mounting sometimes didn't support it. Now, I take all of those factors into consideration,' she explains. Shriya's career choices are now guided by the quality and potential of a role, not just the association. 'The films I've taken up recently are interesting. I've also been offered films with big actors, but the parts weren't exciting. It's not about screen time or the size of the role; it's about the value that I can bring. I want to show my skill and build on it, not do roles for the sake of visibility,' she concludes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo In a previous chat with us, the actress, who has also been part of projects like The Great Indian Bride, The Gone Game, Ekulti Ek, and Haathi Mere Saathi, reflected on how she's often typecast and how she's actively working to change that image. She told us, 'The general perception is that I'm associated with roles that are righteous. Once I realised that, I knew I had to break it. My focus now is to be reimagined. For that, I want to work with makers who see me differently. '
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
No monsoon is complete without listening to Kishore da's classics: Shriya Pilgaonkar
Shriya Pilgaonkar (Aditya Yadav) For actress Shriya Pilgaonkar , monsoon is more than just a change in weather, it's a feeling. Whether it's long drives in the rain with Kishore da's music or sipping hot coffee by the window, Shriya embraces every drop of the season. Known for her roles in Mirzapur, Guilty Minds, The Broken News and Taaza Khabar, she made her Bollywood debut alongside Shah Rukh Khan in Fan. In a candid chat with us, Shriya opened about her favourite time of the year which is monsoon. 'I love to romanticize rain' If there's one season that speaks to Shriya Pilgaonkar's soul, it's monsoon. 'I absolutely love the rain. Monsoon is my favourite weather. It brings with it a sense of calm, romance and nostalgia. I romanticize everything about the rain. Also, shoots are usually a bit lighter during monsoon, which makes it even more special. It allows me to slow down and relax, ' she says. When asked about any monsoon rituals she swears by as a rain lover, the actress reveals a few. 'Rain-watching is a full activity for me. Every time it starts to rain, I just sit by the window with a hot cup of coffee and watch it fall. It's super soothing. 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 And every year during monsoon, I make sure to spend at least one day getting drenched on the terrace. I absolutely love it,' she shares. Zara Zara from RHTDM and Rimjhim Gire Sawan from Manzil are some of Shriya's favourite monsoon songs 'No monsoon is complete without listening to Kishore da's classics' Fan-famed actress Shriya is fond of driving in the monsoon and listening to old classics. She often escapes to the Konkan region during the season. 'Driving in the rain, especially along the Konkan coastal belt, is one of the most peaceful feelings. There's something about being on the road during rain,' she says. Daughter to veteran actors Sachin Pilgaonkar and Supriya Pilgaonkar , Shriya also relishes spending time with her family at their farmhouse. 'I like to visit our farmhouse with my parents whenever I get the chance. I love going there during the monsoon. It's so lush, so alive during this time,' she adds. Shriya Pilgaonkar When asked about her go-to monsoon tracks, the ones she listens to while watching the rain or going for drives, she says, 'My playlist for the rainy season includes songs from the movie Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, the evergreen soundtrack of Lootera and of course Kishore da's classics. They just fit the mood so perfectly during monsoon.' 'I like all things hot and crispy in monsoon' For Shriya, monsoon is incomplete without snacking on the crispy pakoras. 'When it comes to my favourite food to enjoy in the monsoon, I like all things garam. Anything hot and crisp like pakoras, along with a cup of strong coffee, that's my idea of the perfect rainy-day treat,' she says. Shriya Pilgaonkar 'Monsoon is very nostalgic for me' Speaking of her fondest monsoon memories, Shriya recalls her college days. 'Monsoon is nostalgic for me. I remember in college, we used to be so excited to bunk lectures just to hang out in the rain. It's those small, silly memories that stay with you,' she says. While she expresses her love for the season, Shriya also acknowledges the privilege in being able to enjoy it. 'Though I tend to enjoy the monsoon a lot, I know it comes with a lot of privileges. Still, monsoon is a time that makes one pause, feel and live in the present,' she reflects. -Amina Ashraf
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘The industry began to see me exclusively as a series actor; I have therefore consciously decided to do more films,' says Shriya Pilgaonkar
In an intriguing arc of roles, Shriya Pilgaonkar seems to be completing what one might call the Holy Trinity of Bombay cinema's noble professions. After embodying a relentless journalist in The Broken News and stepping into the courtroom as a sharp-witted lawyer in Guilty Minds, she now dons the khaki uniform in the newly released web series Chhal Kapat, portraying a police officer with grit and grace. Only the role of a doctor remains, waiting in the wings to complete a symbolic quartet of service and storytelling. In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, Pilgaonkar, alongside the show's producer Samar Khan, dives into the layered world of Chhal Kapat. They speak of navigating the creative fatigue that haunts the ever-expanding OTT landscape, the subtle art of sidestepping typecasting, and of course, touch upon the swirling speculations around the much-anticipated Mirzapur film. (Edited excerpts for brevity and clarity) Q: It's often said that morally upright characters are the toughest to portray. They risk coming off as flat or too predictable. You've played an honest lawyer, a principled journalist, and now, an upright cop. How do you keep the inner tension alive in these roles? Where do you find the spark? Shriya: That's actually where Chhal Kapat gets its name. Because deception runs deep, and nothing is quite what it seems. Yes, my character is a cop and yes, she's doing her duty. But beneath that surface, she's carrying her own demons. There's a lot going on in her personal life, and we've kept much of that hidden, on purpose. She's mysterious, and you get only glimpses of her inner world. Even with morally righteous characters, like in Guilty Minds, for instance, the tension came from the fact that my character was so driven by her principles that it put her at odds with her own family. Is that still 'right'? That's not for me to answer, it's for the audience to decide. That's what excites me about playing someone like Devika. She may always seem morally correct, but the question is: who decides what's moral? What's right? The show never answers that for you, it lets you question it throughout. Also, after doing intense back-to-back roles, the lawyer, the journalist, I deliberately chose something different with Taaza Khabar, where I played a sex worker. She had this punk energy, this entirely different vibe. It helped me shift gears. And now, in my next project, I'm doing all the wrong things. I'm very happy to say I'm venturing into the dark side, for all the fans out there! Samar: Exactly. That's why we titled the show Chhal Kapat. What's right or wrong, who gets to decide that? It's all about perception. And that grey area is where the drama truly begins. Q: One thing I'm particularly excited to see in Chhal Kapat is how it navigates the portrayal of women in uniform. A space where representation has often been downplayed. We've seen in shows like Dahaad how just the image of a woman in a position of authority unsettles people. Can we expect Chal Kapat to explore these social discomforts? Shriya: Yes, you'll see that in a few scenes. It's done quite subtly, but you will notice how Devika is often taken for granted. We were discussing earlier something insightful: the uniform itself brings authority, and authority is often only associated with masculinity, with men. That's societal conditioning, right? Because of this, women sometimes feel the need to occupy more space and be a little sterner just to be taken seriously. So yes, there is a character in Chal Kapat who crosses the line and tries to undermine her. But the interesting part is that Devika is not someone who loses her cool. She isn't portrayed as a super-aggressive cop. Instead, she asserts herself with gentleness. In a way, that's our way of showing that aggression isn't the only way to get the job done. Samar: Exactly. When women enter positions of power, some men do feel uncomfortable, and we've tried to address that in the show. But not in an overt or confrontational way. We've also shown that there are men who are supportive and okay with it. What's particularly interesting is that Devika initially assumes the man isn't comfortable with her authority. That defensiveness is natural. But then the man clarifies, 'Listen, I'm okay with it. I'm not talking to you as a man to a woman, I'm talking to you as an officer.' So we've tried to maintain that balance, without slipping into male-bashing where every man is portrayed as offended by a woman in power. That's simply not true, and it's important to represent that nuance: some men are genuinely supportive and accepting. The story needed that balance. Also Read | Shriya Pilgaonkar feels some actors are great at marketing themselves even if aren't hugely talented: 'Audience will remember you for roles, not reels' Shared post on Time Q: For you Shriya — and many others — OTT has truly been a blessing. But do you also feel we've reached a point of saturation in the kind of content being made? We're seeing shows get cancelled, writers not being fairly compensated, actors getting typecast, and platforms shying away from anything out-of-the-box. What's your take on where we stand with streaming today? Shriya: I think the industry is going through its own churning and evolution, as it always does. When OTT platforms first emerged, I was part of that era. Say, around the time Sacred Games and Mirzapur had just been released. Then we saw a huge surge in creativity, people were taking risks and telling diverse stories. Suddenly, those chances stopped. Then they started again. For a while, only certain actors were getting cast, then the opportunities broadened, and then narrowed once more. So, I see it as a cycle. Ultimately, I feel we should let creators make the choices they want to make, and let the outcomes reflect naturally over time. Speaking personally, I'm taking a leap of faith by making choices I hadn't considered before. I've also stepped back from some kinds of work because I want to focus more on films. There was a moment when I felt a shift in how people perceived me — having done more series, I started getting introduced as 'a very good series actor.' I don't really understand these labels; an actor is an actor. But I was missing the film format because it presents you differently. So now I've consciously chosen that path. I'm also working on a couple of independent films, something I've always wanted to support. There are such incredible storytellers and writers out there, and I want to tap into that talent. They're looking for actors to support their vision, and we're looking for exciting stories and collaborators who have faith in us. Because, as I was saying earlier, the nature of show business is such that the industry is very comfortable keeping you where you are. You have to claw your way out of those notions. Q: You worked on Anubhav Sinha's Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai, but it hasn't been released yet. Is there any update on when we can expect to see it? And more broadly, when do we get to see you back on the big screen? Shriya: You'll have to ask Mr. Anubhav Sinha about that, because we actually shot the film around four to five years ago. It had an incredible cast, Pankaj Tripathi, Divya Dutta, Manoj Pahwa, Pawan Malhotra, Saurabh Shukla, Prateik Babbar, Dilip Prabhavalkar, and myself. It was a huge ensemble, and honestly, it was wonderful when we shot it. But kismat hoti hai, you never know what happens. It was kind of like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, a satire. But why it didn't release, I really don't know. That's what I mean when I say every project has its own destiny. Over the past 7–8 years, there have been two or three films I was supposed to do that, for various reasons, didn't work out. But eventually, I've come to realize that when you're working on something, when a story has emotional resonance, the medium doesn't matter. What matters is the connection. And now, I'm consciously seeking out work, even developing projects for myself, work that I know I would like to do in the future, even if it takes time. Because this is the right time to step out of your comfort zone. For creators and actors alike. Q: There's been talk of a Mirzapur film. Can we expect your character to return in that universe? Shriya: Well, you've heard it's connected to Season 1, right? So, I think you can definitely expect something.
Indian Express
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Sonali Bendre answers if Raj Thackeray had a crush on her 20 years ago: ‘Its not in good taste when people…'
Sonali Bendre recently made headlines for alleged rumours of being romantically involved with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray 20 years ago. The speculations about the politician having a crush on the actor escalated after an old video of the two went viral on social media. However, in a recent interview with ANI, Sonali responded to the rumours, and expressed her displeasure over unnecessary gossip, saying that families are involved in all of that. Reacting to the buzz about Thackeray having a crush on her years ago, Sonali instantly said, 'Did he? I doubt it, but ya.' She further dismissed the claims over the viral video and elaborated, 'Honestly, when I spoke and I called in the video, I was talking to my sister, who was right there. Not even behind him, but I was telling my sister to come. That's the thing about this. It's just not in a very good taste when people talk about it.' Criticising the online chatter and explaining the link between their families, she said, 'First of all, there are families and people involved. Secondly, something that till date I've never even bothered telling this, but other than the fact my brother-in-law, who is a cricketer, hence he used to play cricket with Raj's cousin. Moreover, my sister's mother-in-law was the head of department in literature at the college I am from. She knows Raj because of his father, they all know each other somehow.' ALSO READ | Sonali Bendre admits she wasn't 'fond' of Salman Khan, says his caring side emerged during her cancer battle: 'He made two trips to New York…' Sonali added, 'For me, the connection was that Sharmila, Raj's wife, her mother, and my Maasi were best friends. Her mother has held me for 10 days because you know how, oh, her, my mother's younger sister, Maasi. So when she delivered Raj, they all came laughing. Oh, her elder sister's baby. Let's go and see the baby. They've come to the hospital and seen me. So literally, that's the kind of connection. I have always travelled around, so it's not like I know them beyond a point, because I came into Maharashtra only once in two years during summer holidays or something like that.' On the work front, Sonali Bendre was last seen in the second season of her ZEE5 show The Broken News. She will next star in a series, reportedly based on the infamous Ranga and Billa, along with Ali Fazal.
