Actor Saanand Verma, who plays one of the most popular characters on Indian television, Anokhe Lal Saxena, in &TV sitcom Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain!, is gearing up for the release of his new film Pataakha, wherein he plays the role of Tharki Patel, a lecher who wants to get laid with either of the two female protagonists. The talented actor says that films are his first love and when maverick filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj signed him on for his directorial, he was on cloud nine. Just a few days ahead of the film’s release, our Mumbai correspondent, Mohnish Singh, talked to Saanand about his character, how he came about finding this role and how things change when a television actor makes a transition to films. Excerpts...
The trailer of your forthcoming film Pataakha has caught everyone’s attention. Could you please brief us about your character in this madcap drama?
My character is called Tharki Patel. Tharki means lecherous. So, I am that lecherous guy who wants to sleep either with Chhutki or Badki (played by Sanya Malhotra and Radhika Madan respectively). He is the richest man in the village, who tries to manipulate both girls’ father by using the power of his money. He tries to get things done that he desperately wants to get done.
How did this film happen to you? Who approached you for the role?
I was approached by the casting director. He basically called me for an audition. So, I went there and gave the audition. Later, I realized that it was for Vishal Bhardwaj’s film. Normally I do not do this, but this time around I gave a call back to the casting director and asked him what the status of my audition was. I was told that the movie had been deferred and had gone to the backseat and that Vishal sir was doing another film with Irrfan Khan. I was told that, at the moment, I should forget the audition that I had given. So, I tried to forget it.
What happened next?
Later, after six months or so, I got a call asking me if I can come for an audition. I asked which audition. The casting director told me that he wanted me to give the same audition which I had given earlier. So, I again went for the audition. I think Irrfan’s health was not good and that was the reason the film starring him went to the backseat. And this film Pataakha was back as the frontrunner. So, I again gave the audition. Again, I got a call for the third round of audition. They required more expressions. A new situation was given to me. After the third round of audition, I got a call, I guess, 15 days later, confirming my selection for the role of Tharki Patel by Vishal Bhardwaj. Vishal sir was extremely happy with my audition. I was on cloud nine when I came to know that I have been selected for a film which is being directed by Mr Vishal Bhardwaj.
How was it to work with Vishal Bhardwaj, one of the finest filmmakers in our country?
It was a divine experience, because I feel Vishal Bhardwaj is not just a filmmaker, he is not just a music composer, he is not just a writer, he is not just a producer, he is not just a poet, but he is a very divine human being. He is a very, very evolved human being. He is unlike any directors that I have worked with. I have worked with almost two hundred directors as I have done over two hundred fifty ad films. But this man called Vishal Bhardwaj has a very different creative mind that functions differently. He does not use foul language on sets. He is very sensitive about his cast and crew, be it actors, cinematographers, lightmen or spotboy. It’s an actor’s delight to work with Vishal Bhardwaj because he gives his actors a lot of freedom.
You are also doing a popular daily soap called Bhabiji Ghar Per Hain. So, how did you manage to shoot for the show and the film? Did you take some days’ off from the show, or you shot for it and the film simultaneously?
I was shooting for both the projects simultaneously. Moreover, the daily soap which I do has me in a supporting role. I am not in a lead role there. I don’t shoot for it on a daily basis. So, it is very easy for me to keep dabbling in films. I already had a lot of time on hand. Basically, my dream was to become a film actor. That was one of the reasons I took up this show because it did not need me every day. Frankly speaking, there were two reasons for me to do Bhabiji Ghar Per Hain. First, the character that I play in the show is very unique. As an actor, it was a great excitement and challenge for me to do the role of Saxena. So, that is one creative reason I did the so. The logical reason was that I knew that they would not need me for a lot of days. I would get a lot of free time every month to pursue my real dream which is to become a film actor.
What kind of difference do you see when a television actor makes a crossover to films?
When you are working on a television show, you have a very less time to prepare for your scenes. And when you are doing a feature film, in that case, you are narrated the entire script well in advance. The script is already there with you, and you are already living that character in your mind which is there in the script. So, you get a lot of preparation time for a role in a feature film. When you get a sufficient amount of preparation time, then definitely you will be happier creatively. You will do your job a thousand times better.
Also starring Sanya Malhotra, Radhika Madan and Sunil Grover, Pataakha releases on 28th September, 2018.
Scarlett Johansson says early roles focused on “desirability” and male-centred narratives
Notes positive shift in how women are portrayed in Hollywood today
Recalls being hypersexualised and typecast as a young actress
Currently stars in The Phoenician Scheme, with Jurassic World Rebirth out on 2 July
Scarlett Johansson has reflected on how Hollywood roles for women have evolved, admitting that early in her career, most of her characters were written to serve male-driven storylines. Speaking in an interview, the actress said the landscape has changed, with more nuanced opportunities for women on screen.
The Black Widow star, who began acting at nine, noted a shift in the kinds of roles she’s being offered now. “When I was younger, a lot of the roles I was offered had their ambitions or arcs revolving around their desirability or the male gaze,” she said. “That is less frequent now; something has shifted.”
Scarlett Johansson opens up about breaking free from early typecastingGetty Images
Johansson says more complex roles are finally being written for women
The 39-year-old actress acknowledged that the film industry is slowly embracing more layered portrayals of women. “The messaging is different now; there are more role models, women in visible and powerful positions, and roles that aren’t just one-note,” she said.
Scarlett has long been vocal about the way she was sexualised early on in her career. In a 2022 interview, she admitted that being objectified in Hollywood made her fear she’d be stuck playing the same type of roles. “I kind of became pigeonholed… I remember thinking, ‘I think people think I’m 40 years old,’” she said.
Johansson reflects on her childhood stardom and evolving careerGetty Images
From child star to filmmaker, Johansson now takes control of the narrative
Having debuted in North (1994), Scarlett went on to star in Lost in Translation, The Horse Whisperer, Ghost World, and the Avengers franchise. Now, she’s not just acting; she’s also directing. Her first feature, Eleanor the Great, premiered at Cannes in May.
From Avengers to auteur Scarlett Johansson embraces creative control Getty Images
Alongside her current role in Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, she has Jurassic World Rebirth, which hit theatres on 2 July. After decades in the business, Johansson seems to finally be stepping into a space where she can define her own story, both on and off the screen.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Flying car mishap forces Beyoncé to pause Houston performance mid-song
Beyoncé stopped her Houston Cowboy Carter show after her suspended Cadillac prop tilted dangerously.
The singer was performing 16 Carriages mid-air when she yelled, “Stop! Stop!” to halt the show.
She was safely lowered to the stage and told fans, “If ever I fall, I know y’all will catch me.”
Parkwood Entertainment confirmed a technical mishap but said the show resumed without injuries.
Beyoncé stopped her Cowboy Carter tour performance in Houston after a mid-air prop began to tilt precariously during the penultimate song. The singer, perched in a suspended red Cadillac high above the crowd, abruptly cut the song 16 Carriages short when the vehicle began to slant.
The dramatic moment unfolded on Saturday night at NRG Stadium, where Beyoncé was performing a sold-out hometown show. The car, typically used as a soaring stage prop, began to tip sideways as she sang, prompting her to clutch a pole for stability and shout, “Stop! Stop, stop, stop!”
Fans gasped as the vehicle leaned further mid-song. Video clips posted online show Beyoncé remaining composed before being slowly lowered to the ground. Once safely back on stage, she smiled at the crowd and said, “If ever I fall, I know y’all will catch me.”
Beyoncé halts Cowboy Carter show after flying car nearly tips over crowd in HoustonGetty Images
Beyoncé’s production company, Parkwood Entertainment, later confirmed the incident was due to a “technical mishap” with the cables holding the Cadillac. “She was quickly lowered, and no one was injured,” the statement read. “The show continued without incident.”
This isn’t the first time Beyoncé has experienced prop malfunctions during a live show. Earlier this year, a robot bartender missed pouring her drink on cue, and during her 2018 On The Run II tour, a broken platform forced her to climb down a ladder while wearing heels.
Beyoncé fans react as ‘Queen B’ keeps cool mid-crisis
Fans quickly took to social media with reactions ranging from concern to humour, many quoting her old on-stage catchphrase: “Somebody’s getting fired.” Others expressed admiration for how calmly she handled the situation, finishing the concert without missing a beat.
The Houston show marked the 23rd stop on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour, which ends in Las Vegas next month. The three-hour spectacle, featuring country-infused ballads, fan favourites, and her daughters Blue Ivy and Rumi, continues to smash venue records worldwide.
With sharp wit, emotional honesty and a knack for turning personal crises into punchlines, Indian comedian Prashasti Singh is set to make her Edinburgh Fringe debut this August with her acclaimed stand-up show, Divine Feminine. Before taking on the world’s biggest arts festival, she will offer London audiences a sneak peek with previews at Soho Theatre from 23 to 26 July.
Prashasti, known globally for her appearances on Netflix’s Ladies Up, Comedy Premium League and Amazon Prime’s Comicstaan, uses this deeply personal new show to unpack the consequences of chasing a dream that might not have been hers to begin with. Raised in a patriarchal family, she once aspired to become a patriarch herself. Now, inching towards 40 and pretending to be 30, she wonders – was it all worth it?
A blend of silliness, angst, cultural insight and raw emotional truth, Divine Feminine is the Indian funny girl’s boldest, most introspective work yet. As she prepares for Edinburgh, she opens up about the journey, nerves and joy of revealing just a little too much on stage.
How do you reflect on your action-packed comedy journey so far?
Oh, it has been great! A lot of luck and of course some challenges. I stumbled upon stand-up at the verge of 30 while still at my marketing job. The stars aligned in a way that it became my profession before it truly became my passion. The initial years were mostly about getting on stage as much as possible and delivering what was expected of me. I think in the last couple of years, I have finally understood myself as an artist and performer, and with this show, I am at last finding my voice.
How much does the success of Divine Feminine mean to you? I have travelled with this show across India, Europe and Australia and have been overwhelmed by the love it has received. The Hindi version is 1.5 hours long and performing it has given me immense confidence and security as an artist. That is also why I wanted to break out of my comfort zone and write a version of the show in English to reach a more global audience. The process has been very enriching, and I am very curious to see how a more diverse audience will respond.
How much are you looking forward to taking the show to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe? Very, very excited. I have visited the festival a couple of times before and have always wondered how it would feel to be a performer at such a big and vibrant festival. This year I will get to experience that.
What can audiences expect from your show? Some very silly, some very angsty jokes, some cultural, some human insights and a lot of emotional truth.
Do you ever feel like you are revealing too much about yourself on stage? I do feel that I reveal a lot about myself, but I do not think it is a problem. I feel whatever inside me is finding expression in humour is no longer raw or volatile. It has been processed enough internally that I am able to laugh at it, and hence feel safe putting it out in front of people.
How do you feel when you are on stage in front of a live audience? It is always the best part of my day. I feel very good.
Does being at a festival like Edinburgh, with thousands of acts, put pressure on you or motivate you? I think it does both. I have seen some mind-blowing shows at the Fringe in past years, so I want my show to be a respectful offering in this amazing buffet. At the same time, the Fringe is a place where artists and audiences are most open to experiments. So I feel motivated to try new things and take some risks that I would otherwise shy away from.
What is the comedy master plan going forward? There is no master plan. I am working on a very simple philosophy – do work that I enjoy and people enjoy, and then find ways to grow that work and the number of people who enjoy it.
What inspires you creatively? Great work by other artists. The drive for excellence. People who are brave enough to put out their original, twisted thoughts in front of others. That is why being at the Fringe is so exciting.
Who is your comedy hero? Oh, this is a long list. So many people have done such great work before me. It is really very difficult to name just one.
Who is the funniest person you know in real life? One aunt of mine who has had a fairly tough life. She reminds me that humour is a great life skill beyond the stage.
Has being funny ever got you out of trouble? Absolutely never.
Why should we all come and watch Divine Feminine at the Edinburgh Fringe? See, if you have come this far, you are already hooked. Also, if you have ever thought that you could be losing your sanity or femininity, if you have ever felt old or joyless or lonely or not perfect in any way – the show is for you. It is funny, insightful and fairly honest. I am looking forward to seeing you all at the Fringe.
Charli XCX criticised certain fans for attacking her autotuned vocals at Glastonbury 2025.
Called the backlash “the most boring take ever” in a series of posts on X.
Defended her artistic choices, saying divisive art is often the most impactful.
Her Brat set clashed with Neil Young’s headline act, drawing polarising reactions.
Charli XCX has addressed criticism over her use of autotune during her Glastonbury 2025 performance, calling out the ageist tone of comments that questioned her authenticity as a performer. The singer clapped back on X, brushing off the noise as outdated and out of touch.
Charli XCX defends her Glastonbury set, calling autotune criticism outdated and dull BBC
Charli XCX defends Glastonbury set from autotune critics
During her Brat set on the Other Stage, Charli delivered fan favourites like “365” and “Von Dutch” to a roaring crowd. But online, some viewers slammed her use of autotune and lack of a live band. In a sharp response the next day, she posted: “The idea that singing with deliberate autotune makes you a fraud… is like, the most boring take ever. Yawn.”
— (@)
Charli has long been open about using autotune deliberately as an artistic tool. In earlier interviews, she said she intentionally includes “pitchy” moments in her vocals to add texture and imperfection. Responding to the online backlash, she added: “I enjoy the discourse… the best art is divisive and confrontational and often evolves into truly interesting culture.”
— (@)
Brat performance draws strong reactions, both love and hate
Charli’s set, held opposite Neil Young’s headline slot, split Glastonbury attendees and online viewers alike. Despite the criticism, her show was widely praised by critics.
— (@)
Highlights included a cameo from fellow performer Gracie Abrams during the viral “Apple” dance segment. Charli ended her performance drenched in stage rain, sipping white wine, with giant signs declaring “Brat is forever.”
— (@)
After her set, Charli joined her fiancé George Daniel, drummer of The 1975, for an intimate DJ session, keeping the Brat Summer spirit alive.
Keep ReadingShow less
Kareena Kapoor gets emotional discussing Saif’s stabbing incident in an interview with Barkha Dutt
Kareena Kapoor has spoken out for the first time about Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing.
Saif was attacked at home in January 2025 during a burglary attempt.
Their sons, Taimur and Jeh, witnessed the violent episode.
Kareena says the family is still coping but trying to move forward together.
Actor Kareena Kapoor has opened up for the first time about the terrifying night her husband, Saif Ali Khan, was stabbed by an intruder at their Mumbai home. In a deeply personal interview with journalist Barkha Dutt, Kareena admitted that the incident left her shaken and sleepless for months, especially with their children, Taimur and Jeh, present during the attack.
The January 2025 break-in at their Bandra residence ended with Saif being stabbed six times. The attacker, later identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, entered the flat during a failed burglary attempt and assaulted Saif in four-year-old Jeh’s room. The actor underwent emergency surgery to remove part of the knife lodged near his spine.
Kareena Kapoor says the incident left their children Taimur and Jeh shakenGetty Images
‘I still haven’t come to terms with it,’ says Kareena Kapoor
Kareena described the emotional aftermath of the attack as “something I haven’t fully processed.” She spoke about the trauma of watching a violent act unfold inside their own home, saying, “Seeing someone in your child’s room, that doesn’t leave you. For weeks, I couldn’t sleep.”
She said that such incidents felt “unthinkable in Mumbai,” where celebrity homes are considered secure. “It felt like something that happens elsewhere, not here. But it happened to us,” she said.
‘We’re stronger as a family, but my sons saw too much too soon’
Both of their sons witnessed the stabbing, something Kareena says forced her to balance her own trauma with parenting. “They’ve always lived a very protected life. Then this happened, and suddenly they saw blood, violence… I hope it teaches them resilience, but no child should have to go through that.”
Kareena and Saif are now focusing on healing as a family after the traumatic episodeGetty Images
Jeh, the younger of the two, has found his own way to cope. “He calls his father Batman and Iron Man. That’s how he sees him, like a superhero,” Kareena said, adding that the family has leaned on each other for strength and grown stronger as a unit.