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Gulf Today
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Always believed women belong to the centre of action narratives: Saiyami
Saiyami Kher, whose latest release is the series Special Ops 2, said that action has always been more than just a genre for her and added that she has always believed that women belong at the centre of action narratives. Talking about her love for the genre, Saiyami said: 'Action has always been more than just a genre for me — it's a space where I feel truly free.' She feels there's something incredibly empowering about pushing physical limits and telling stories through grit and movement. 'It's demanding, yes, but deeply fulfilling. I've always believed that women belong at the center of action narratives, not just as emotional anchors but as forces of strength, strategy, and intensity.' Saiyami has previously worked in action-centric projects like Jaat, Agni and the Telugu action-thriller Wild Dog. 'With every role — be it in Wild Dog, Agni, or Special Ops — I've tried to bring that belief to life. I'm proud to be part of a growing shift where audiences are opening up to seeing women lead in this space, and I hope Special Ops 2 takes that conversation forward.' She added: 'This isn't just about doing stunts — it's about reclaiming space, changing perception, and proving that action has no gender.' The show stars Kay Kay Menon, Prakash Raj, Vinay Pathak, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Saiyami Kher, Muzammil Ibrahim, Gautami Kapoor, Karan Tacker, Parmeet Sethi, and Kali Prasad Mukherjee in crucial roles, along with others. The latest season of 'Special Ops' will show Kay Kay Menon returning as the sharp and unyielding R&AW officer Himmat Singh, leading his team into a new kind of war — one fought not on battlefields, but in the shadows of the digital world. As coordinated cyber breaches threaten national stability, Himmat, along with his team, goes on a silent war. Saiyami Kher's became the first Indian actress Who has complete the Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Berlin: The Ironman 70.3 is a grueling triathlon that involves a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km bike ride, and a 21.1 km run, all completed in order without breaks. Kher's achievement is an inspiration for aspiring athletes, especially women, and demonstrates the power of hard work and determination. Kher was born on 29 June 1992 in Nashik, Maharashtra. Her father Advait Kher was a model and her mother Uttara is Femina Miss India of 1982 and her elder sister Saunskruti Kher is also a Marathi actress. She is the granddaughter of actress Usha Kiran and the niece of actress Tanvi Azmi. Kher completed her graduation from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Kher made her acting debut with the Telugu film Rey (2015) and her Hindi debut with Mirzya (2016), for which she received Stardust Award for Superstar of Tomorrow — Female. Kher has since appeared in Mauli (2018), Choked (2020) and Ghoomer (2023). Agencies
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Adivi Sesh puts rumours of rift with Shruti Haasan over Dacoit walkout to rest: ‘No big controversy'
Actors Adivi Sesh and Shruti Haasan attended a 50 Cent concert in Mumbai in November last year. A month later, the duo announced that they were working together in a rustic drama called Dacoit. However, soon there was talk of a rift over creative differences and Mrunal Thakur being announced as the replacement for Shruti in May this year only added salt. On Rajesh Manne's podcast, Sesh clarified that there was no 'big controversy' surrounding Shruti's exit. Shruti Haasan was supposed to play one of the leads in Adivi Sesh's Dacoit. Sesh was asked on the podcast about Shruti walking out of the project despite their collaboration being announced with a video last year. Sesh revealed why she walked out and said, 'It just didn't work out. Also too many things like working styles. And also, she's very busy with Coolie. So it was very amicable and friendly. It takes me a lot of time to make a film. So, not everyone will sync with that process. Really, that's the reason why. There's no big controversy behind it.' He also stated that he has liked Mrunal since he watched her in Sita Ramam and was happy she said yes to the project in a matter of hours, unlike other Bollywood actors who usually take a month. Sesh also stated that Mrunal was happy that in their announcement video, she was introduced first and her name took centre stage, unlike how it's usually done. Sesh called Dacoit a 'two-hero film', saying her character has equal importance in it. About Dacoit Dacoit is cinematographer Shaneil Deo's debut as a director. The cameraman is known as the man behind the visuals of Wild Dog, Nishabdham, and Goodachari. Dacoit, which also stars Anurag Kashyap as a cop, is being shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu. Some characters will be portrayed by different actors in both versions. It is slated for release on 25 December. Sesh also has the sequel to Goodachari, G2, lined up. The film will also star Wamiqa Gabbi, Banita Sandhu, and Emraan Hashmi. The actor called the film 'monstrous' on the podcast, revealing that they will shoot it in six countries instead of using greenscreen.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Nagarjuna Akkineni interview: Sekhar Kammula is a great storyteller and stars like us can add value
Amid the promotional whirlwind, when Nagarjuna Akkineni finally sits down for this interview, he jokes about being the only one giving interviews while director Sekhar Kammula is tied up with last-minute post-production. Kuberaa, his first collaboration with the filmmaker, and with co-stars Dhanush, Rashmika Mandanna and Jim Sarbh, releases in cinemas in multiple languages on June 20. The trailer, which hints at a drama spanning different strata of society, has already sparked curiosity. 'Whenever we step into a new zone, we always have butterflies. We wonder whether the audience will accept it,' says Nagarjuna, who has been watching recent releases to understand audience sentiment. 'People have been receptive to films with strong drama and compelling characters, regardless of scale. In Kuberaa, we are all playing characters — we are not acting like stars. I believe that will resonate.' This collaboration has been a long time coming. Nagarjuna does not hide his admiration for Sekhar's ability to craft socially conscious, yet entertaining films that also perform well at the box office. 'We have met several times over the years, and I used to joke with him — he has worked with my wife, son, and nephew, so what is stopping him from casting me?' Amala Akkineni starred in Life is Beautiful,Naga Chaitanya in Love Story, and Sumanth played the lead in Godavari. Nagarjuna recalls, 'Sekhar would say, 'You are a big star — I am not sure you would fit into my stories'. And I would tell him, he is a brilliant storyteller, and stars like us can help bring people to the cinema. It's not just true for Telugu, Hindi or Tamil cinema — even in Hollywood, audiences go to theatres to watch a Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks film.' Hard-hitting and entertaining When Sekhar finally approached Nagarjuna for Kuberaa, the actor readily accepted. 'I do not often get such opportunities where I can truly become a character,' he says. Recalling the film's pre-release event, he adds, 'SS Rajamouli put it beautifully. He spoke about how Sekhar, who appears deceptively soft-spoken, never compromises on his principles, and that conviction shows in his storytelling.' In recent years, Nagarjuna has appeared in the action dramas Wild Dog and The Ghost, as well as the entertainer Naa Saami Ranga. While none stood out remarkably, they hinted at the actor's desire to reinvent himself. 'I was looking for something distinctive and found that in Sekhar's film,' he says. 'Take Wild Dog, for instance, the narration was solid but straightforward, with no room for commercial elements. Sekhar has this knack for placing a song where you least expect it, and making it feel organic. His films are uplifting, with strong music and a clear message. Love Story addressed caste and gender while still entertaining. It made people think. Kuberaa will do the same.' Love Story marked a turning point for Naga Chaitanya, whose emotionally nuanced performance drew praise. In Kuberaa, Nagarjuna plays a middle-class character named Deepak, opposite Dhanush's beggar, Deva, and Jim Sarbh's ultra-wealthy businessman. 'The story unfolds between these three social strata and strikes an emotional chord,' he says. 'The song 'Naadhi Naadhi' encapsulates the narrative beautifully.' The role required Nagarjuna to both unlearn and relearn. There were extensive discussions before filming began, and on set, Sekhar would brief the actors not just on the scene at hand but also on the ones preceding and following it, to offer full context. 'There were moments when Sekhar would say, 'I don't want to see confidence in your eyes, tone it down.' For another scene, he told me to let the tragedy show through my eyes, because my character knows the truth. These details made the performance feel authentic.' Nagarjuna recalls how Jim Sarbh surprised the entire team with his command over Telugu dialogue. 'He was the most hard-working among us,' he says. 'He doesn't speak a word of Telugu, yet he delivered even the longer lines with the correct intonation.' Unapologetic antagonist Back in 1988–89, Nagarjuna worked on two vastly different films in succession — Mani Ratnam's romantic musical drama Geetanjali, followed by Ram Gopal Varma's gritty actioner Siva. Decades later, history repeats itself as he juggles between the emotionally grounded Kuberaa and Lokesh Kanagaraj's high-octane action entertainer Coolie, starring Rajinikanth. He laughs at the contrast. 'I have been switching between a middle-class character and a suave antagonist,' he says. 'But both directors, and their teams, create the right environment on set. Lokesh, for instance, plays background music suited to each scene — it could be from Jailer or any Tamil, Telugu, even English film. It helps everyone get into the mood instantly.' In Coolie, Nagarjuna plays an antagonist with no room for introspection or redemption. 'He's an unapologetic, double alpha male,' Nagarjuna says. 'But there are no crass or crude scenes — it's the character's mindset that comes through. I enjoyed playing the bad guy who believes he's the king of the world and will take what he wants. When you have a protagonist like Rajinikanth, it's essential to have a formidable antagonist.' 100th film Nagarjuna will soon begin work on his 100th film. With over four decades in the industry, he believes staying relevant means keeping pace with changing audience preferences. 'It is the younger generation that's going to cinemas. We need to understand what appeals to them and present it in a way that resonates. I cannot come across as someone lecturing them. If I question why they are glued to their phones or stay up all night, they won't listen. Either I adapt to connect with them or I step aside.' He observes that audiences today are discerning about what they want to watch in cinemas versus on digital platforms. 'Some films are doing exceptionally well while others are tanking. The disparity is stark. Take Court, for instance — not a big-budget film, yet it did very well because of its strong drama.' The actor has seen the industry face existential questions thrice in his career — whether during the advent of television, the shift from film to digital, or now with OTT platforms. While acknowledging real challenges such as shorter theatrical windows and piracy, Nagarjuna remains optimistic. 'If a film is well made, the theatrical experience is still unmatched. New technology will only enhance that. The kind of viewing experience that's coming to cinemas simply cannot be recreated at home.' Speaking of the communal joy of watching films on the big screen, he offers an example. 'I watched Pushpa 2at home and again in the cinema. It was fun in the theatre, but boring at home. It's like watching a cricket match alone versus being in a stadium — cheering, feeling the excitement build. That atmosphere makes all the difference.'
India Today
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Saiyami Kher recalls facing casting couch at 19: Was asked to make compromises
Actor Saiyami Kher, who made her Bollywood debut with Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra's 'Mirzya', recently made a revelation about her struggling days. Saiyami said that she was asked to compromise for a role in a Telugu in an interview with Bollywood Bubble, recalled the interaction with a female casting agent and said, "I have been very fortunate with regards to all the offers I have received. In the film industry, there was this one agent who called me for a Telugu film when I was 19 or 20 years old. She said, 'You know, you will have to make compromises.' I was trying to test her, because it was a woman saying it to another woman. I felt that deeply."advertisementShe further added, "So I said, 'Ma'am, I'm not understanding what you are saying.' I kept repeating that. And then finally she said, 'See, you have to understand.' So I said, 'I'm sorry that you feel I'm someone who needs to go down this route. There are certain limits I have never crossed in my life.' So yes, I have experienced it once, but it was just that one time when a woman actually asked me this." Saiyami was paired opposite Anil Kapoor's son, Harshvardhan Kapoor in 'Mirzya.' She later featured in movies such as 'Choked,' 'Unpaused,' and Telugu films like Nagarjuna's 'Wild Dog' and 'Highway.' She was also praised for her roles in R Balki's 'Ghoomer,' co-starring Abhishek Bachchan and Tahira Kashyap's 'Sharmajee Ki Beti.'Saiyami was last seen in Sunny Deol-starrer action-drama 'Jaat' where she played Sub-Inspector Vijaya Lakshmi. The Gopichand Malineni directorial also featured Randeep Hooda, Regina Cassandra, Vineet Kumar Singh and others in crucial is the granddaughter of late actor Usha Kiran and niece of actor Tanvi Watch
