Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Pari director Prosit Roy: I never chose a horror film. It was in fact the other way around

Helmed by Prosit Roy, Pari starring Anushka Sharma has hit the screens today. The film has been received well by the audience and the critics. In an interaction with a leading Indian daily, Prosit Roy was asked about what made him to choose a horror movie as his directorial debut.

Prosit said, "A lot of people ask me – why did you choose a horror film for your debut feature? And I always tell them that I never chose a horror film. It was in fact the other way around. The film chose me, in a way. You see my grandparents were originally from the other part of undivided Bengal, what is now known as Bangladesh. They had come over during the Partition, and my grandmother used to tell me literally hundreds of stories — folk tales and stories of the land. Quite a few of these were stories about ghosts and apparitions. So, the love for the horror genre was always there. But then horror is a vast space, you see. Within horror, there are so many sub-genres. I never consciously decided that I am going to make a horror film. The horror element almost came as a by-product of my love for a good story. And then I came to know that there’s this production house in Mumbai which wanted to make a horror film. So, (my co-writer) Abhishek Bannerjee and I wrote a storyline and went to the production house. They said we love your story, why don’t you show us a full draft? Abhishek and I went back and fleshed out the full draft, but by that time, the production house had decided not to make a horror film anymore. By that time, I was working as an assistant director for Phillauri, and I showed the story to Karnesh. He loved the story and that’s how the journey began."


Talking about why nothing was revealed about the film prior its release, he said, "This was not pre-decided, so to speak. When we started off, we had initially thought that we will keep making the film, keep everything under wraps, and at one point, we will take a call on how to go forward with the marketing of it. But after we saw the first rushes, our producer and the marketing team felt that it would be in the best interest of the film to build this sense of intrigue around it. It was then that we decided not to reveal even a part of the story to the world. And I must say it’s a tremendous job both Karnesh (Sharma), our producer, and the marketing team has done, and I think it has worked wonderfully well so far. I have been getting calls and messages and mails asking me – what is the story behind Pari? And the best part is, the teasers and the trailers have been decoded by various people in various ways, they all have their own version of the story now, and some of those versions are rather interesting and funny. So, as I said, it wasn’t planned, but along the way we decided that we will do it this way."

The director added, "I have been very fortunate, I feel – to have such tremendous amount of unconditional support from the folks at Clean Slate Films. To have the kind of creative freedom that a filmmaker seeks, and to have such faith in his or her vision, especially when there’s so much riding on that vision – that takes a lot of guts and courage to do. I felt right at home, and I have to thank Karnesh for making me feel that way. Also, I have to mention Anushka – she had so much faith in my vision, that even when I told her that we need to go to this remote location in the outskirts of Kolkata and shoot in the middle of these bamboo groves, she agreed in an instant. For an A-lister star to back a debut director in this manner – it is very, very heartening and encouraging."

"A lot of that depends on how Pari does. I do have a number of ideas that I would like to take forward. But one thing that I can tell you is that I would not want to repeat myself. As a creative person, I would like to explore other genres, tell various kinds of stories," Prosit Roy said.

More For You

Netflix raises UK subscription prices

Netflix raises UK subscription prices, leaving many users questioning its value

iStock

Netflix prices are rising again – Why it’s happening and the best budget-friendly alternatives!

Netflix subscribers in the UK will once again pay more as the streaming giant quietly rolls out its latest price hike. The updated pricing structure affects both new and existing users, following similar increases in the US and other countries. While Netflix continues to dominate the streaming market, the rising costs leave many wondering if the service still offers the best value for money.

New Netflix Prices in the UK

  • Standard Plan : Now costs £12.99 per month, an increase of £2.
  • Premium Plan : Increased by £1, now priced at £18.99 per month.
  • Ad-Supported Plan : Now costs £5.99, up by £1.
  • Extra Member Add-on : Increased from £4.99 to £5.99.
  • Ad-Supported Extra Member : Increased from £3.99 to £4.99.
The changes are already in effect for new users, while existing subscribers will see the higher fees in their next billing cycle. Netflix has assured that customers will receive an email notification before the price increase takes effect.



Why is Netflix Raising Prices Again?
Netflix says the price hike is necessary to invest in high-quality content. A spokesperson for the company stated, "As we continue to invest in programming and deliver more value for our members, we will occasionally ask them to pay a little more so that we can reinvest to further improve Netflix."

Keep ReadingShow less
After Squid Game S2, these K-dramas are set to take over the world

K-dramas continue to dominate global entertainment, with new hits on the horizon after the success of Squid Game

Instagram

After Squid Game S2, these K-dramas are set to take over the world

In a world where entertainment often feels like a revolving door of reboots and remakes, Korean dramas aka K-dramas have emerged as a breath of fresh air, in fact, irresistibly addictive air. What started as a regional fascination has now exploded into a global phenomenon, with shows like Squid Game and The Glory not just breaking records but boundaries as well. And now, in 2025, the highly anticipated Squid Game Season 3 is set to conclude the saga, with creator Hwang Dong-hyuk teasing a “crazy, crazy, crazy” finale.

But while Squid Game may have kicked open the doors, K-dramas have certainly wasted no time in breaking genre moulds, with new releases just proving the industry’s ability to just evolve and dominate.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ed Sheeran and AR Rahman’s 'Shape of You*Urvashi' performance at Chennai concert goes viral

Ed Sheeran and A.R. Rahman create magic on stage in Chennai, blending Shape of You with Urvashi Urvashi in a viral moment

Instagram/teddysphotos

Ed Sheeran and AR Rahman’s 'Shape of You*Urvashi' performance at Chennai concert goes viral

Ed Sheeran’s concert in Chennai turned into an unforgettable night when he surprised the crowd by bringing legendary composer A.R. Rahman on stage. The unexpected collaboration sent fans into a complete frenzy as the two global music icons merged Sheeran’s hit Shape of You with Rahman’s classic Urvashi Urvashi.

As Sheeran played the melody on his guitar, Rahman joined in with the iconic Urvashi chorus, creating an electrifying fusion of Western pop and Indian musical nostalgia. The energy in the crowd was charged, with fans singing along to the mashup. Despite some microphone issues affecting Rahman’s vocals, the iconic duo managed to keep the audience engaged. Sheeran then took over parts of the performance while the composer continued vocalizing Urvashi Urvashi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra turns heads at brother’s wedding with £1.2M necklace

Priyanka Chopra shares a heartfelt moment with brother Siddharth Chopra on Sangeet night, dazzling in a stunning Rahul Mishra ensemble and exquisite Bvlgari jewelry.

Instagram/priyankachopra

Priyanka Chopra turns heads at brother’s wedding with £1.2M necklace

Priyanka Chopra, Bollywood’s reigning queen who’s taking the world by storm, is currently basking in the joy of her brother Siddharth Chopra’s wedding to actress Neelam Upadhyaya in India. The pre-wedding celebrations have been a glittering spectacle, and Priyanka, as always, has been the epitome of elegance and poise. At the Mehendi-cum-Sangeet bash, she was truly a vision in a bespoke floral masterpiece by designer Rahul Mishra, but it was her jaw-dropping jewelry that truly stole the spotlight.

Priyanka slipped into a strapless, gem-encrusted gown dripping with intricate floral patterns, exuding pure charm and sophistication. But the real showstopper? A breathtaking Bvlgari necklace that could make even the stars jealous. Crafted in pink gold and encrusted with diamonds, the necklace featured seven pear-shaped morganites, six cushion-cut mandarin garnets, and nine cabochon amethysts. Fashion experts over at Diet Sabya pegged its value at a jaw-dropping 11,04,346.44 pounds basically wearing a fortune around her neck!

Keep ReadingShow less
Netflix’s 'Apple Cider Vinegar' exposes influencer who faked illness for fame and fortune

Kaitlyn Dever stars as Belle Gibson in Apple Cider Vinegar, Netflix’s gripping series that exposes the dangerous lies behind a wellness influencer’s rise to fame.

Instagram/netflixanz

Netflix’s 'Apple Cider Vinegar' exposes influencer who faked illness for fame and fortune

Netflix’s latest series, Apple Cider Vinegar, dives into the shocking story of Belle Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer who built an empire on lies. Created by Samantha Strauss, the six-part drama explores how Gibson falsely claimed to have cured her terminal brain cancer through natural remedies, amassing a massive following before her deceit was exposed.

The series stars Kaitlyn Dever as Belle Gibson, a young woman who rises to fame by sharing her fabricated cancer journey. Her story of overcoming the disease through clean eating and alternative therapies influence thousands, leading to a bestselling cookbook, a popular app, and even a deal with Apple. However, her success unravels when investigations reveal she never had cancer and misused funds meant for charity.

Keep ReadingShow less