Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Have spent long time being secondary to men, now women need to have agency: Priyanka Chopra

“I called up Alia and Katrina, this is before Farhan or anybody came (on board). I called the girls first. I was sitting at home and I wanted to do a Hindi movie. But I wanted it to be on the terms of women.”

Have spent long time being secondary to men, now women need to have agency: Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she has spent enough time playing second fiddle to heroes in her two decades in the movies and is hoping that her much-anticipated film “Jee Le Zaraa” will help women actors have more agency in their lives.

Priyanka, one of the most popular Indian artists globally, will be co-starring opposite Bollywood stars Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt in the road trip movie.


“I have spent a long time in my career where we have always been secondary to men. The heroes decide where the movie is shot, who is cast and what’s happening. It is boring. We are living in a time where women need to be able to have agency in their lives,” the 40-year-old actor told PTI in an interview.

The germ of “Jee Le Zaraa”, to be directed by actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, took root in Priyanka’s mind and what followed was a long telephonic chat with her friends Katrina and Alia.

“I called up Alia and Katrina, this is before Farhan or anybody came (on board). I called the girls first. I was sitting at home and I wanted to do a Hindi movie. But I wanted it to be on the terms of women,” she added.

To be produced by Farhan and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, and Tiger Baby, headed by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, the film will start shooting sometime next year.

Priyanka believes her generation of women actors have paved the path for the upcoming female artists to headline powerful stories.

“My generation of actresses really really opened the door for the next generation of actresses to be the faces on the posters, to be able to sell movies. So, I really wanted to bring together my friends and say let’s create a movie that will do well at the box office and it will be ours… So, the stars aligned and we decided to do it. Hopefully, we will start shoot it next year,” she said.

Apart from the Bollywood film, “The Matrix Resurrections” star is also looking forward to the premiere of the Amazon original series “Citadel”, produced by “Avengers: Endgame” directors Anthony and Joe Russo.

“Citadel” is a multi-series franchise with local productions being made in Italy, India, and Mexico. Priyanka and “Game of Thrones” star Richard Madden are headlining the American version, which also stars Danish actor Roland Moller, known for films such as “Skyscraper” and “Papillon”.

Priyanka, who will next be seen in Hollywood romance drama “Love Again, said it was challenging to work on “Citadel” as most parts of the show was shot during the pandemic.

But working with the Russo Brothers was a delightful experience, the actor added.

“‘Citadel’ first season is finished and it should come out next year after ‘Love Again’. It was a very difficult show because we shot it during the pandemic… I am very excited as it is very ambitious. It looks amazing and I can’t wait it to share it with the world. It is a great cast and Russo Brothers are magical to work with.” Described as an action-packed spy series with a “compelling emotional centre”, “Citadel” is executive produced by Russo Brothers along with former ABC Studios president Patrick Moran and Mike Larocca. The show has been shot in several locations across the US and the UK.

Priyanka said her production banner Purple Pebble Pictures has a first-look deal with Amazon Prime Video under which she is developing multiple projects for the OTT platform.

The idea is to collaborate with new filmmakers and give opportunity to young talent, said the actor, who has backed Marathi hits “Ventilator” and “Paani” as well as Nepali feature “Pahuna: The Little Visitors”.

“The idea of my company is to always work with new filmmakers. That’s what gives me excitement as when I joined the industry nobody was doing that for new people. I had to build my own way… I have build enough credibility where I can be the spring board for new filmmakers to reach where they want to be,” she said.

The actor-entrepreneur is currently in India to promote her haircare brand Anomaly, which has been launched in the country with the beauty e-commerce platform Nykaa.

More For You

Kajol

Kajol says star kids face harsher pressure as Ibrahim Ali Khan gears up for Sarzameen

Getty Images

Kajol defends Ibrahim Ali Khan amid trolling, says star kids today face a do or die reality

Highlights:

  • Kajol says today’s star kids face intense pressure to succeed immediately.
  • She compares their experience to her own, where she had time and space to evolve.
  • The actor is starring as Ibrahim Ali Khan’s mother in the upcoming film Sarzameen.
  • Kajol stresses the importance of reinvention and praises new actors for adapting beyond films.

Kajol believes the new generation of star kids in Bollywood are under far more pressure than actors from her era. The actress, who will soon be seen in Sarzameen alongside debutant Ibrahim Ali Khan, said young actors today are expected to prove themselves instantly, and harsh judgement follows if they don’t.

 Kajol  Kajol discusses star kids and the changing rules of BollywoodGetty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Cardi B wears blooming 3D flowers

Cardi B continues her bold fashion streak with floral runway glamour

Instagram/rahulmishra_7

Cardi B stuns in a 3D floral Rahul Mishra gown at Paris Couture Week

Highlights:

  • Cardi B wore a ruby-red custom Rahul Mishra gown with sculptural 3D flowers at Paris Couture Week.
  • The outfit followed her earlier dramatic appearance at Schiaparelli in a fringe dress with a live crow.
  • She’s currently working on her debut album Am I the Drama? and a beauty venture with Revolve.
  • The look featured diamond accessories, a sculpted bun, and smoky makeup to match the theatrical dress.

Cardi B took her fashion game to new heights in Paris, stepping out in a dramatic Rahul Mishra creation that fused red carpet glamour with runway sculpture. The rapper’s custom-made gown, featuring 3D blooming flowers and a shimmering ruby base, was a highlight at Paris Haute Couture Week, making it one of her most talked-about looks this season.

 Cardi B wears blooming 3D flowers Cardi B's red gown features 3D sculpted flowers and intricate embroideryInstagram/rahulmishra_7

Keep ReadingShow less
Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa

Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa expecting first child, share news with sweet Instagram post

Instagram/patralekhaa

Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa announce pregnancy in joint Instagram post

Highlights:

  • Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa announced their pregnancy via a joint Instagram post on Wednesday.
  • The image showed a floral cradle with “Baby on the way” written on it, captioned simply: “Elated ❤️.”
  • Industry friends including Farah Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, and Esha Gupta congratulated them.
  • The couple, who were together for 11 years before marrying in 2021, recently launched their production house, KAMPA Film.

Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa shared that they are expecting their first child together in a joint Instagram post on Wednesday. The announcement came with a floral-themed image featuring a cradle illustration that read, “Baby on the way,” along with their names. The couple summed up their feelings in one word: “Elated.”

 Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa smiling during a public appearance earlier this year Instagram/patralekhaa/rajkummar_rao 

Keep ReadingShow less
Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp attends the "Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness" Screening at the Red Sea International Film Festival

Getty Images

Johnny Depp says Warner Bros. pushed him to ''retire'' from 'Fantastic Beasts' after libel case

Highlights:

  • Johnny Depp says Warner Bros. asked him to resign from Fantastic Beasts in 2020, but he felt they wanted him to retire.
  • The actor had just lost a libel case against The Sun, which referred to him as a “wife-beater.”
  • Depp was replaced by Mads Mikkelsen in The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022).
  • He has now returned to directing after 20 years with his new film Modì, releasing on 11 July in the UK.

Hollywood actor Johnny Depp has opened up about being removed from the Fantastic Beasts franchise, saying he felt the studio’s request for his resignation was effectively a push into retirement. Depp made the comments in a recent interview while promoting his new directorial project Modì: Three Days on the Wing of Madness.

In 2020, shortly after losing a high-profile libel case against The Sun over claims of domestic abuse during his marriage to Amber Heard, Depp was asked to step down from the Harry Potter spin-off series. Speaking about the moment, Depp said, “It literally stopped in a millisecond, like, while I was doing the movie. They said, ‘We’d like you to resign.’ But what was really in my head was, they wanted me to retire.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Ranbir Kapoor Ramayana

Ranbir Kapoor will play Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming Ramayana

Youtube Screengrab/Sony Music India

Ranbir Kapoor tops 'Ramayana' cast fees with £14 million as Yash and Sai Pallavi secure record pay

Highlights:

 
     
  • Ranbir Kapoor is reportedly earning £14 million (₹150 crore) for playing Lord Rama in both parts of Ramayana.
  •  
  • Yash, cast as Raavan and also producing, is expected to receive £9.3 million (₹100 crore).
  •  
  • Sai Pallavi will reportedly take home £1.1 million (₹12 crore) as Sita.
  •  
  • Sunny Deol is said to be charging £3.7 million (₹40 crore) for portraying Hanuman.
  •  
 

The upcoming two-part film Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is shaping up to be one of the most expensive projects in Indian cinema history. With its Diwali 2026 and 2027 releases already confirmed, all eyes are now on the cast’s sky-high fees.

Though the production house hasn’t officially confirmed individual earnings, multiple media reports, including those from Siasat.com and Republic, have provided a breakdown of what the film's leading stars are reportedly taking home, and the numbers are staggering.

Keep ReadingShow less