Jugal Hansraj joins Masoom: The Next Generation; says returning to the film after 43 years feels "like life coming full circle"

Actor Jugal Hansraj is set to return to the Masoom universe with Masoom: The Next Generation, reuniting with filmmaker Shekhar Kapur more than four decades after making his acting debut in the 1983 classic. The upcoming film will also see Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi reprise their roles from the original, marking a reunion of the central cast that introduced audiences to one of Hindi cinema's most memorable family dramas.

Shekhar Kapur reflects on Jugal Hansraj's return Speaking about bringing Jugal back for the new film, Shekhar Kapur described the reunion as an emotional moment. He said, "There is something profoundly beautiful about coming home, not to a place, but to a story that has stayed alive in people's hearts for decades. Jugal was just a young boy when we made Masoom, and today, welcoming him back as an accomplished actor is both emotional and deeply fulfilling. Reuniting him with Naseer and Shabana is a reminder that some relationships transcend cinema."

Kapur added, "As we begin this new chapter, I hope audiences experience the same honesty, tenderness and emotional truth that made Masoom so enduring." "People still call me the 'Masoom boy'" Jugal Hansraj shared that returning to the franchise was an easy decision when Shekhar Kapur approached him: "When Shekhar called to tell me he wanted me to be a part of the new Masoom, it made me so happy. Masoom has been a part of my life, my identity, for as long as I can remember. Even after all these years, I'm still 'that Masoom boy.'"

The actor said, "It's been more than 40 years since the film released, but people still remember it with so much affection. I constantly get stopped by people even here in New York, and they tell me with a warm smile that their kids or grandkids still listen to 'Lakdi Ki Kathi.' They meet me like I'm a member of their own family."

Reflecting on the emotional connection audiences have with the film, he added: "Masoom slowly made its way into people's hearts and made a home there. It continues to do so. I'm so excited that I can be a part of this special film and this special family. It's like life coming full circle."

Masoom: The Next Generation is described as a spiritual sequel to Shekhar Kapur's 1983 classic. Like the original, the film will explore themes of family relationships, identity and changing dynamics across generations.

The cast includes Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Jugal Hansraj, Manoj Bajpayee, Nithya Menen and Kaveri Kapur.

The film will feature music by Academy Award-winning composer A. R. Rahman, who is also attached as a co-producer.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Shekhar Kapur rumoured to team up with Avani Rai as Director of Photography for Masoom: The Next Generation

Vishal Bhardwaj wants to adapt the Tarun Tejpal case into a “Rashomon”-style film: “It's a very important case for society”

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has confirmed that he is developing a feature film inspired by the Tarun Tejpal case, just days after the Bombay High Court overturned the former Tehelka editor's acquittal, convicted him of rape and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Speaking about the project, Bhardwaj said the case's contrasting court judgments and its many lesser-known details make it a compelling subject for a film. He also emphasised that his approach would remain balanced and rooted in multiple perspectives rather than predetermined conclusions. Vishal Bhardwaj explains why the case drew his attention In an interview with Variety, Bhardwaj said, "The contradiction between the two judgments makes it a perfect case for a 'Rashomon'-style narrative. There are a lot of facts and incidents in this case that nobody knows about, and people will be amused and surprised to discover them on screen."

The director revealed, "As they say, the devil lies in the detail. How do you expect people to go through the tiring, dry legal language of a 500-plus-page court judgment? I have gone through the minutest details. I have read the judgment many times and am still grappling with it. It's a very important case for society." "The film should be made as a dispassionate observer" Bhardwaj clarified that he does not intend to make a film that begins with a fixed point of view. Instead, he wants to present the story through different perspectives. "It's too early for me to make up my mind on what the film is about."

He added, "I'm very clear that the approach must be that of a dispassionate observer, like a true film journalist, if I may say so."

Explaining his storytelling philosophy, Bhardwaj said, "No story is complete without all the different points of view, especially in a 'Rashomon' structure, because half a glass of water is also half empty at the same time. The only difference is perspective." Director wants actor to approach the role without preconceived notions Speaking about casting, Bhardwaj said he would prefer an actor who is unfamiliar with the case so the performance remains free of preconceived ideas: "I want the actor to be unaware of the crime, if possible, and to set the judgments aside. I would love for him to approach it as fiction."

The filmmaker also revealed that the project is being produced in association with a major Bollywood studio, although he has not disclosed the name of the production house. Bombay High Court recently convicted Tarun Tejpal The announcement comes shortly after the Bombay High Court overturned the 2021 acquittal of Tarun Tejpal by a Goa sessions court.

Tejpal was arrested in 2013 after a junior colleague accused him of sexual assault. While the trial court had acquitted him in 2021, the Goa government challenged the verdict.

On August 6, the Bombay High Court set aside the acquittal, describing the trial court's judgment as "perverse." The High Court relied on the complainant's testimony, CCTV footage and apology emails sent by Tejpal before convicting him and sentencing him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Tejpal has stated that he will challenge the High Court's verdict before the Supreme Court.

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra Jonas and daughter Malti Marie share precious moment with Vishal Bharadwaj during surprise LA visit; see pic

Ramayana set for historic global rollout across 50,000 international screens; English trailer unveiled

Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana has achieved another major milestone ahead of its release. The makers have unveiled the English lip-synced trailer while confirming that the epic will release across 50,000 screens in international markets, making it one of the biggest global rollouts ever planned for an Indian film.

The massive overseas release underlines the makers' ambition to position Ramayana as a global cinematic event, significantly expanding its reach beyond traditional Indian diaspora markets. Ramayana targets record-breaking international release According to the latest announcement, Ramayana will be distributed internationally across 50,000 screens, an unprecedented figure for an Indian film. The scale is expected to help the mythological epic reach audiences across multiple territories simultaneously.

While Sony Pictures' association as the international distributor had already been announced earlier, the focus has now shifted to the film's extraordinary release footprint, which is among the largest ever for an Indian production.

Alongside the announcement, the makers also released the English lip-synced trailer, offering international audiences a glimpse of the ambitious adaptation. Two-part epic to release across two Diwalis Produced by Namit Malhotra and directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana will be released as a two-part cinematic saga.

The first installment is scheduled to hit theatres worldwide on November 6, 2026, coinciding with Diwali, while the second part is slated for a Diwali 2027 release.

Also Read: CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurates Namit Malhotra’s Prime One; says, “I will be disappointed if Academy Award doesn’t come to Ramayana”

SCOOP: Love & War begins on Independence Day! Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal’s FIRST LOOKS to drop on August 15

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is gearing up to wrap up shooting for his most ambitious romantic drama Love and War by the end of August. While Vicky Kaushal has already wrapped up shooting for the film, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are expected to shoot for another 20 days through the month. Excitement is mounting ahead of the release of this epic saga, as fans have been constantly demanding updates from the producers.

Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learnt that Sanjay Leela Bhansali will be unleashing the character posters of Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal from Love and War on August 15. "Love And War is the most ambitious film of Indian Cinema, with a casting coup bringing together Ranbir, Alia and Vicky. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is all set to introduce the world to his epic on August 15, building up for the film's theatrical release on the Republic Day 2027 weekend," a source told Bollywood Hungama.

The source further informs that SLB could also bring an immersive announcement video for the film, serving as a motion poster with grand visuals of Love and War. "It's work in progress, and he might or might not reveal the looks in video format. While character posters are locked, one still awaits clarity on this new format of announcement," the source tells us further.

Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Love and War is scheduled to release on January 22, 2027. The magnum opus is mounted on a budget of Rs. 300 crores, excluding print and publicity, making it the most expensive film of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's career.

Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal go viral in air force uniforms as behind-the-scenes photos from Love and War surface

Kroll Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2025: Ananya Panday breaks into top 20, climbs to no 19

Actor Ananya Panday has registered one of the biggest jumps in this year's Kroll Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2025, climbing to No. 19 among India's 25 most valuable celebrity brands. The actress was ranked No. 25 in 2024 and stood at No. 46 in 2023, reflecting a steady rise in her commercial value over the last three years.

The latest rankings underscore Ananya's growing appeal among brands and marketers, as she continues to expand her endorsement portfolio across fashion, beauty and lifestyle categories. Steady climb in Kroll rankings Ananya's journey in the Kroll Celebrity Brand Valuation rankings has been marked by consistent growth. After featuring at No. 46 in 2023, she moved up to No. 25 in 2024 before breaking into the Top 20 this year with a No. 19 ranking.

The improvement reflects her increasing influence in the advertising and endorsement space, making her one of the leading female celebrity brands in India. Brand portfolio continues to expand Over the past year, Ananya has strengthened her presence through collaborations with several prominent national and international brands.

One of the biggest milestones in her endorsement journey came when she was announced as India's first-ever brand ambassador for CHANEL, adding a global luxury label to her growing list of partnerships.

Alongside luxury fashion, the actress has continued to associate with brands across beauty, lifestyle and consumer categories, positioning herself as a preferred face for campaigns targeting young and aspirational audiences. Growing value beyond films While Ananya continues to build her film career, the latest Kroll rankings highlight her growing commercial influence beyond the big screen.

Her consistent rise from No. 46 in 2023 to No. 19 in 2025 reflects her expanding brand equity and increasing relevance among advertisers. With a diversified endorsement portfolio and strong visibility across digital platforms, Ananya has emerged as one of the fastest-rising celebrity brands in the country.

The Kroll Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2025 estimates the combined value of India's top 25 celebrity brands at USD 2 billion, with Ananya among the notable gainers in this year's rankings.

Also Read: Kroll Celebrity Brand Valuation 2025: Nearly half of the Top 25 are actresses; no South male star in rankings

'Operation Safed Sagar contributed over Rs 215 crores to Indian economy,' says Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos

As Netflix celebrates a decade of operations in India, the streaming giant has revealed the economic impact of its biggest Indian production to date, Operation Safed Sagar. Speaking at the premiere of the series, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos announced that the ambitious project contributed more than US$24 million (over Rs 215 crore) to the Indian economy through production, employment, local business partnerships and creative technology.

The announcement highlights what Netflix describes as "The Netflix Effect," referring to the wider economic and industry impact generated by its original productions beyond entertainment. Ted Sarandos highlights India's production capabilities Speaking at the premiere, Sarandos praised India's growing filmmaking ecosystem and the scale at which the series was mounted. "Every Netflix production is also a local production. Behind every episode are thousands of people whose creativity, skill and dedication make that story possible. The scale of this series and the production demonstrates that India today has the talent, the technical expertise and the production capabilities to create entertainment that stands confidently alongside the very best in the world," he said.

He added, "After ten years in India, we've seen The Netflix Effect come to life through every story we've had the privilege of making here. Tonight, Operation Safed Sagar is one of the most powerful expressions of that journey." Production generated employment across multiple sectors Filmed over 115 days across 11 Indian cities, including Patiala, Chandigarh, Gwalior, Bikaner, Mumbai, Noida, Gurugram, New Delhi, Manali, Keylang and Pataudi, the production also shot at operational Indian Air Force bases in Nal, Chandigarh and Gwalior, as well as high-altitude locations in Himachal Pradesh reaching nearly 16,000 feet.

According to Netflix, the series directly hired more than 200 cast and crew members from eight states while creating opportunities for over 4,000 daily hires during production.

The project also partnered with over 850 local businesses across construction, set design, hospitality, transport, logistics, catering, equipment rental, technical services and post-production, contributing to local economies in every filming location. VFX work contributed nearly Rs 49 crore A significant portion of the project's investment went into visual effects and creative technology. Netflix collaborated with 15 India-based VFX studios across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai, engaging nearly 1,200 artists to create approximately 50 minutes of aerial sequences for the series.

These VFX partnerships alone contributed around US$5 million (over Rs 49 crore) to India's economy, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the production's total economic contribution.

The announcement comes as Netflix marks its 10th anniversary in India. Over the past decade, the platform has launched more than 200 Indian Originals, with Indian films and series reaching audiences worldwide while supporting the country's expanding creative economy.

Also Read: Abhay Verma opens up about his connection with Operation Safed Sagar; says, “I wanted to become a pilot”

Netflix launches ‘India Storytelling Initiative’ to strengthen creative talent pipeline

Netflix has announced a major step towards strengthening India's creative landscape with the launch of the ‘Netflix India Storytelling Initiative’, reaffirming its long-term commitment to the country's growing entertainment industry. The announcement comes after Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos met Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to discuss the increasing global appeal of Indian stories and the company's continued investment in India's creative economy.

Having worked with India's creative community for over a decade, Netflix has produced more than 200 Originals and filmed across over 100 locations in the country. Building on this foundation, the newly launched initiative aims to support the next generation of storytellers through a multi-phase investment focused on talent development. The programme will establish strategic collaborations with leading Indian institutions to equip aspiring creators with industry-relevant skills across the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) ecosystem, an important contributor to India's growing Orange Economy.

The initiative is also aligned with the Government of India's vision for Viksit Bharat @ 2047 by promoting stronger ties between education and industry while nurturing creative talent capable of competing on a global stage. Through these efforts, Netflix hopes to further position India as an international hub for storytelling and entertainment production.

Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO, Netflix, said, "India has always been one of the world's greatest storytelling nations. Over the past decade, we've had the privilege of seeing Indian stories connect with audiences not just across India, but around the world. As we begin our next decade here, we believe our greatest investment is in the people who will tell India's next generation of stories. The Netflix India Storytelling Initiative reflects our long-term commitment to strengthening India's creative ecosystem by creating more opportunities for emerging creators, because investing in creators is investing in India's creative future."

The first phase of the initiative will focus on youth skilling through two key partnerships. Netflix has joined hands with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) to develop an industry-focused curriculum in Visual Effects Mastery and Media Technology Workflows. The company will also provide 100 scholarships for students enrolling in in-person courses covering Interactive Comics and Sequential Art, Virtual Art Department Content Creation, Art of Character Animation, E-Sports and Gaming Management, along with other emerging creative fields.

Additionally, Netflix has partnered with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) to develop a skilled workforce for new roles created under the Prime Minister's accessibility agenda. The collaboration will train audio description writers and voice professionals to make films and series more accessible for audiences with visual and hearing impairments. The programme will follow international standards while incorporating local storytelling traditions, supporting the shared vision of Netflix and the Government of India to promote inclusive storytelling.

Through these initiatives, Netflix aims to create more opportunities for emerging creators, strengthen India's entertainment production capabilities, and further expand the global reach of Indian stories. The company stated that as it enters its second decade in India, it remains committed to investing in creative talent, enhancing industry partnerships, and supporting Indian storytellers in reaching audiences across the world.

Also Read: Netflix drops announcement video of Musafir Cafe for Season 2: Vikrant Massey, Vedika Pinto and Mahima Makwana to return