Worked harder than the King
Actor and politician Kangana Ranaut has drawn comparisons between her journey and that of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, claiming her struggles were “tougher” than his. Speaking at a PHDCCI event in Delhi, Kangana said, “Why did I get so much success? There is probably nobody else who came from a village and got such success in the mainstream. You talk about Shah Rukh Khan — they are from Delhi, convent-educated. I was from a village that nobody would have even heard of — Bhamla.” Kangana, who left home at 15 and debuted with Gangster (2006) at 19, was last seen in Emergency. She will next be seen in the Hollywood horror Blessed Be the Evil. SRK, meanwhile, will star in Siddharth Anand’s King alongside his daughter Suhana Khan.
Make way for new talent
Alizeh Agnihotri and Raghav Juyal
Director Vikas Bahl is set to helm the Indian adaptation of the acclaimed French-Belgian film La Famille Bélier (2014), featuring Alizeh Agnihotri and Raghav Juyal in lead roles. The slice-of-life drama, backed by Reliance Entertainment, revolves around a girl who can hear in a family of hearing-impaired members. She dreams of becoming a singer while helping her parents run their business. The project marks Reliance’s long-awaited use of adaptation rights secured nearly eight years ago. We have learnt that Vikas has reportedly been developing the script for two years and plans to begin filming by the end of 2025. With this film now taking precedence, the director’s planned sequel to Kangana Ranaut’s Queen (2013) will be delayed.
‘Hang my head in shame’
Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar expressed his disappointment at the grand reception accorded to Afghanistan Foreign Minister and Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi, upon his arrival in India last week. Taking to X, Akhtar wrote, “I hang my head in shame when I see the kind of respect and reception has been given to the representative of the world’s worst terrorists group Taliban by those who beat the pulpit against all kind of terrorists.” He also came down heavily on Darul Uloom Deoband, one of the most influential Islamic seminaries in South Asia, for hosting the Taliban minister. “Shame on Deoband too for giving such a reverent welcome to their ‘Islamic Hero’ who is one of those who have completely banned girls’ education.”
