Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar has only been active in films for one and a half decade, but he has carved his own niche in Hindi cinema with a series of critically and commercially successful films such as Vicky Donor (2012), Madras Cafe (2013) and Piku (2015). Critics laud him for his craft and reward with amazing reviews and viewers love him for making carefully observed movies about relationships. After co-producing the path-breaking film Pink in 2016, the acclaimed filmmaker is back with his next directorial October, starring Varun Dhawan and debutante Banita Sandhu. In an interview with our Mumbai correspondent, Mohnish Singh, Shoojit Sircar talks candidly about October, his actors, and much more.
Could you please tell us something about your new film, October?
It’s a very simple film. After watching the trailer, people are responding that the film is intriguing and thrilling, but it’s not. It’s a very simple story, not a love story, but a story about love and relationships. The story can be relatable to anyone. Fortunately, in the film, it’s a boy-girl story but it could be for anyone.
In my films, I try to highlight and tell a story about little moments and emotions of life that every individual goes through. When you will see the film, you will realize that the emotions are simple and relatable. This idea was there with me for a long time, a personal experience since 2004 and that is the backdrop of the film. Then Juhi Chaturvedi created the characters and beautiful scenarios.
How did a newcomer like Banita Sandhu land a lead role in your film?
We were looking for a fresh cast, a new talent. When I saw her, I noticed that she was intelligent and her eyes were very expressive. She didn’t have to do much to express herself. She did very little and yet it expressed a lot. With a little expression, you can see what is going in her mind and that is a good acting on her part. Along with that, my gut and instinct told me that she was the right choice. I clicked a picture of her and sent it to Ronnie and Juhi and suggested that we should go with her for the role.
Banita is not born and brought up in India. So, was the language barrier a problem?
She is from Wales but she learned the language and dubbed herself, and she was perfectly fine. The outcome came out perfectly. The main thing was to express and understand the character. That is very difficult. She is just 20 and is in college, yet she is mature enough to recognize her character which I found in her.
How did Varun Dhawan get cast in the film?
We needed somebody young, around the age 20-21. Varun was not on my casting list. I knew him through his commercial films, and the character in my movie is very different from his previous roles. One day, he came to my office and I saw the honesty and innocence in his eyes. He held something nice and vulnerable within him.
What do you have to say about his performance?
It will be one of his best performances that you will ever see, and now you can’t think of anybody else for this role. He embraced the role perfectly. He is just perfect as that character. It took some time for him to get into the skin of the character. The things he learned up till now, he had to unlearn them. One thing that is very good in Varun is that, in his successful period, he picked up a film which has an unusual and unconventional story. I think that is very brave of him.
What did Varun Dhawan do to perfect his character?
Firstly, he had to unlearn a lot of things. Secondly, we had to calm him down, then the third was to express less, like less is more and lastly, to know the character’s job i.e. training in the hotel industry. I worked in a hotel industry and I really wanted people to know what goes behind in a hotel industry - hundred of people are working behind to make sure you are comfortable.
The trailer shows so much and yet so little, so what should the audience expect from the movie?
As long as it is building the curiosity, making you want to go and watch the film, the trailer’s job is done. And I always try to create a trailer where I can intrigue the audience but contrary to that, everything that is in the trailer shows that you have to put two and two together. Though it’s a very simple film, it’s not a thriller. It’s a very simple slice-of-life story about family, relationship, people and some love.
How was it to work with Banita Sandhu?
There is a process (for acting). It mostly comes from and depends on actors. Is the actor ready to do it or not? Is the actor ready to surrender or not? That she has done it and so did Varun. They completely surrendered and left it to me. She is studying in London and lived in Wales, so much of our starting interaction was through Skype. We did simple exercises and discussed a lot to understand the milieu of the character. It’s like filling the hard disk with a lot of information, so that was my job - talking, talking, and talking. I did that with both of them. Sometimes both of them would say that we have got it but still, I would talk and provide them with enough information.
How was your experience directing October?
When you perform, it’s not easy. You spend the whole night thinking about it. You have to concentrate and when you come and perform it, it takes a toll on you. As a director of the film, I would say that I didn’t feel I had to give too much of an effort because, I think, we were prepared thoroughly. We knew what we were jumping into. We were all on the same page.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she’s just getting started in Hollywood.
Stars as a fierce MI6 agent alongside Idris Elba and John Cena.
Gets into serious action mode with explosions, helicopters, and hand-to-hand combat.
Says her journey is still evolving, with much more to explore in the West.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas may have ruled Bollywood for over two decades, but the global star believes she’s still “nascent” in her Hollywood journey, and that’s what makes it exciting.
The Quantico and Citadel actor stars in the new Amazon Prime Video film Heads of State, playing a sharp MI6 agent named Noel Bisset. Her character has a complicated history with British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (played by Idris Elba) and is tasked with protecting him and the newly elected US President Will Derringer (John Cena) when they're attacked before a major NATO conference.
Priyanka Chopra calls herself nascent in Hollywood as 'Heads of State' streams on Prime VideoGetty Images
In a chat with PTI, Priyanka said she’s proud of her Indian film career and now wants to build an equally diverse portfolio in the West.
“It’s constant evolution for sure. I would’ve never imagined in 2002, when I did my first movie, that I’d be here today,” she said. “I feel like I’m really nascent in my work in the West. I have a major filmography in India, across genres and with amazing filmmakers. I want to build on that in English-language work too. There’s a lot more to do and explore, and I’m excited to see what unfolds.”
Over the years, Priyanka has taken on major Hollywood roles in Baywatch, The Matrix Resurrections, Love Again, and, of course, her breakout lead role in Quantico.
With Heads of State, directed by Ilya Naishuller, she says she had a blast, literally. From gun battles and hand-to-hand fights to explosive helicopter sequences, the film puts her action skills to the test once again.
“I want to be proud of the work I do. I try to choose characters with agency, not just ornamental roles,” she said. “This was a fun movie to do, and I’m really proud of what I did with this character.”
Priyanka Chopra wants to build her English film portfolio after Bollywood successGetty Images
The action-heavy film gave her the chance to collaborate with WWE legend-turned-actor John Cena for the first time, even though they started their careers around the same time in the early 2000s.
“I’ve known of John since his WWE days. He’s so popular in India; it’s hard not to know him,” she laughed. “When he transitioned to movies, I found his choice of roles really interesting. So I was very excited to work with him.”
Priyanka added that Cena is just as funny off-screen as he is on it, something that made their scenes easier and more spontaneous.
“He’s got great comedic timing even in real life. That helps a lot, especially when you're improvising on set.”
Talking about the film’s high-octane stunts, Priyanka gave full credit to the crew.
“Actors are only as good as the teams around us, especially in a movie like this. We had an incredible stunt team and a visionary director who storyboarded nearly every shot. He knew exactly how high a helicopter needed to be or how big an explosion should look. When you’re surrounded by such a solid technical team, you feel confident and capable, no matter which country you’re filming in.”
Ilya Naishuller, Priyanka Chopra and John Cena attend the special screening for "Head of State" Getty Images
The ensemble cast also includes Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, and Sarah Niles. The film is produced by Peter Safran and John Rickard.
As she continues balancing work across continents, Priyanka Chopra says one thing remains unchanged: her drive to grow.
“Success is constant evolution,” she said. “And I feel like I’m just getting started out here.”
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.
Arijit Singh becomes most followed musician on Spotify
• Arijit Singh makes global music history with 151 million Spotify followers
• Surpasses Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran in follower count
• Still trails in monthly listeners with 47.4 million vs. The Weeknd's 112.2 million
• Other Indians in top 25 include A R Rahman, Pritam, and Neha Kakkar
Indian playback sensation Arijit Singh has achieved a record-breaking milestone by becoming the most followed artist on Spotify, beating global icons Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran in the process. With a staggering 151 million followers, the Tum Hi Ho singer now tops the list of most followed musicians on the streaming giant, according to updated rankings released by data tracking platforms Chartmasters and Volt.fm earlier this week.
Swift, one of the world’s top pop stars, holds second place with 139.6 million followers, while Ed Sheeran, who recently released an India-inspired track titled Sapphire, follows at number three with 121 million.
Although Singh leads in follower count, the monthly listener figures tell a different story. Arijit clocks in at 47.4 million monthly listeners. In comparison, The Weeknd leads with 112.2 million, followed by Ed Sheeran (98.4 million), Billie Eilish (95.1 million), and Taylor Swift (82.3 million).
This difference highlights a key distinction: followers represent loyal fans who want updates on future releases, while listeners are users who stream the artist’s songs during a given period, often influenced by recent trends or viral hits.
Arijit Singh clicked during a performance Getty Images
Indians on the global Spotify map
Arijit isn’t the only Indian name on the coveted list. A R Rahman sits at No. 14 with 65.6 million followers, Pritam is 21st with 53.4 million, and Neha Kakkar holds the 25th spot at 48.5 million. Legendary icons from the golden era of Indian music also feature Lata Mangeshkar at the 100th rank (22 million followers) and Kishore Kumar is 144th (16 million), proving their enduring legacy across generations.
From reality show to stadium shows
Arijit Singh’s journey is a modern-day music fairy tale. The 38-year-old first appeared on the TV reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005. But it wasn’t until 2013 that he truly arrived, thanks to the soulful blockbuster Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2, which turned him into an overnight star. Since then, he’s been the go-to voice for every mood: heartbreak (Channa Mereya), longing (Raabta), celebration (Kesariya), and everything in between (Phir Le Aaya Dil, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil).
Now, Arijit is taking his voice global once again with a major live concert at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, solidifying his place not just as India’s favourite singer, but a global music force to reckon with.
Keep ReadingShow less
Liam Gallagher arrives for the special screening of Oasis documentary "Supersonic"
Liam Gallagher issued an apology after using a racial slur in a now-deleted social media post.
The offensive post appeared just days before Oasis kicked off their reunion tour in Cardiff.
Fans criticised the singer on X, prompting him to clarify it was unintentional.
Oasis will perform over 40 shows globally, starting 5 July in Wales.
Liam Gallagher has apologised for using a racial slur in a post on X, as Oasis reunites for their first tour in 15 years. The singer shared a one-word reply on Monday that included a derogatory term aimed at East Asian people. Though he quickly deleted it, screenshots circulated online, sparking widespread criticism.
In a follow-up post on Tuesday, Gallagher wrote: “Sorry if I offended anyone with my tweet before it wasn’t intentional you know I love you all and I do not discriminate. Peace and love LG x.”
Liam Gallagher accepts Oasis' award for 'Best Album of 30 Years' Getty Images
Racial slur prompts public response ahead of tour
The post, now deleted, triggered a wave of reactions from fans, some calling the language racist. One user replied, “Liam you can’t say that,” to which Gallagher initially responded, “Why.” After further backlash, another fan warned he could get “cancelled,” prompting Gallagher to retort, “Whatever.” These responses only heightened the controversy before his eventual apology.
The term used by Gallagher has long been condemned for mocking East Asian accents and was especially criticised during the pandemic when anti-Asian hate incidents increased globally.
— (@)
Oasis set for comeback after 15-year hiatus
The controversy comes at a pivotal moment for Gallagher. Oasis, the Britpop band he co-founded with his brother Noel, is preparing for a major reunion tour kicking off Friday, 5 July, in Cardiff, Wales. The tour will include over 40 concerts across the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, and Mexico, running through November.
The band split in 2009 after years of personal tensions, but recent announcements, including an upcoming concert film directed by Steven Knight, have fuelled excitement around their long-awaited return.
Liam Gallagher plays to a sell out crowd at the Universal AmphitheatreGetty Images
Fans react with mixed emotions
While some fans expressed disappointment over the singer’s comments, others welcomed his apology and are focused on the upcoming shows. Gallagher has been active on social media in recent weeks, hyping the tour and interacting with fans, including praising a prankster who trolled Green Day with a cheeky rendition of Wonderwall.
Liam and Noel Gallagher perform together in Cardiff for the first time since 2009 Instagram/oasis
As Oasis returns to the stage, the incident may linger, but it remains to be seen whether it will cast a shadow over one of the most anticipated tours of the year.
Michael Madsen was known for blending menace with vulnerability across a 200-film career.
His breakout role as Mr Blonde in Reservoir Dogs remains one of the most iconic villains in cinema.
Roles in Kill Bill and Donnie Brasco cemented his status as a cult favourite and Tarantino regular.
He also surprised audiences with emotional performances in Free Willy and Thelma & Louise.
Some actors chase stardom. Michael Madsen wasn’t one of them. He didn’t charm you with a smile; he unnerved you with a stare. His voice wasn’t smooth; it was gravel scraped over concrete. He played men who lived in the shadows, spoke in grunts or chillingly calm threats, and carried violence like a familiar tool. But damn, when he was on screen, you couldn’t look away.
Madsen didn’t act tough; he was tough, and not in the movie-star sense. In a real, broken, beautiful way. These 10 roles aren’t just career highlights. They’re pieces of a man who gave us something rare: the truth, hidden in hard men with soft edges.
10 iconic Michael Madsen roles that made him Hollywood’s ultimate tough guy Getty Images
1. Mr Blonde / Vic Vega – Reservoir Dogs (1992)
This was the performance that made people remember his name, and wince at the sound of “Stuck in the Middle With You.” Sadistic but eerily calm, Mr Blonde was cinema’s most unsettling psychopath. Madsen’s slow dance with madness in the torture scene became legend. You couldn’t look away. Iconic doesn’t cover it. This is scripture!
He used to be a deadly assassin. Now he lives in a trailer, sweeping floors at a strip club. Budd is bitter, broke, and tired. But in Madsen’s hands, he wasn’t pathetic, just human. When he tells Beatrix he’s going to bury her alive, you believe it. But you also sense the pain in him, too. This was Madsen showing the flip side of the killer coin, the burnout, the regret, and the dark humour clinging to survival. His reunion with Tarantino after the Pulp Fiction miss was pure magic.
Michael Madsen as Budd aka SidewinderIMDB
3. Jimmy Lennox – Thelma & Louise (1991)
A rare crack in the tough-guy armour. As Louise’s boyfriend, Jimmy was tender and vulnerable. The way he proposed, quietly and without ego, gave the film its emotional anchor. It shattered the typecast before it even fully formed. He could do tenderness and do it damn well. Again, it proved Madsen didn’t need blood or guns to break your heart. Just honesty.
Thelma & LouiseIMDB
4. Glen – Free Willy (1993)
Nobody expected Michael Madsen in a family movie. But he surprised everyone as the gruff but caring foster father who supports a troubled kid and a whale. It was his gentlest role. It was a massive hit, proving his face could sell popcorn to kids, not just nightmares to adults. For a whole generation, this was the first time they saw a different side of him.
Free WillyIMDB
5. Sonny Black’s crew – Donnie Brasco (1997)
Thrown in with Pacino and Depp? No sweat. He wasn’t centre stage in this one, but his presence mattered. Playing a low-key mobster in Al Pacino’s crew, Madsen added quiet threat to every scene. His chemistry with Johnny Depp added tension, always teetering between trust and suspicion. He held his own effortlessly, proving his power wasn’t just in volume, but in chilling authenticity.
Donnie BrascoAlex on Film
6. Detective Bob – Sin City (2005)
Brief, but slick. In Robert Rodriguez’s grim, graphic world, Madsen slipped in perfectly as a shady cop who clearly had seen too much. His dialogue was sharp, his smirk even sharper. He felt like he belonged in that black-and-white world of revenge and ruin. Honestly, we bought it!
Sin CityIMDB
7. Joe Gage – The Hateful Eight (2015)
Stuck in a snowy cabin with strangers, Madsen’s Joe Gage claimed to be writing a memoir. But you never bought it. He was too quiet, too calculating. His stillness screamed suspicion. Tarantino knew what he was doing when he brought Madsen back into the fold. Classic Madsen menace, refined like aged whisky.
The Hateful Eight IMDB
8. Detective Eddie Hall – Mulholland Falls (1996)
Old-school noir suited him. In this 1950s crime story, he played a no-nonsense cop with a worn-out charm. The suits, the cigarettes, the world-weariness, it let him lean hard into that trademark cool. He wasn’t the star, but he owned every scene with brute force and exhausted cynicism that felt lived-in. Pure noir cool.
Mulholland FallsVirtual History
9. Vince – Kill Me Again (1989)
Before Tarantino, there was Kill Me Again. This early role showed flashes of what would become his signature: ice-cold menace and unpredictable rage. This is where the “lethal quiet man” persona truly crystallised. Vince was brutal but controlled, always one bad moment away from exploding. You saw the blueprint of what Tarantino would later amplify into legend.
Kill Me Again
10. Sheriff Hackett – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
A tiny, meta cameo, but oh so perfect. Playing a laconic TV sheriff in Tarantino’s ode to old Hollywood? In Tarantino’s nostalgic love letter to old Hollywood, Madsen turned up as a TV cowboy: raspy, rugged, and perfectly cast. It felt like a quiet goodbye, or maybe a wink to all the dusty sheriffs he could’ve played.
Michael Madsen attends the Closing Ceremony and Fistful of Dollars Screening Getty Images
More than a tough guy
Madsen never chased the spotlight. He just did the work and let the work speak. He gave us characters we didn’t always like but couldn’t forget. He was the terrifying villain you couldn’t forget (Blonde), the weary killer you almost pitied (Budd), and the tough guy who could surprisingly break your heart (Jimmy, Glen).
In a world full of actors trying to be cool, Michael Madsen was cool, because he didn’t try. He just was. That’s why he mattered. And why he always will.
Keep ReadingShow less
Katy Perry Orlando Bloom Choose Co Parenting Future After Nine Years
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have ended their nine-year on-off relationship, confirmed via reps.
The couple says the focus has now shifted to co-parenting their daughter, Daisy.
Perry got emotional on stage during the Australian leg of her tour amid split rumours.
Bloom posted cryptic quotes about loneliness and new beginnings.
After weeks of speculation, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have officially confirmed they are no longer together. The singer and actor, who have been in a high-profile relationship since 2016, released a joint statement through their representatives, saying they’ve “shifted” their relationship to focus on co-parenting their daughter. The pair, who got engaged in 2019 and welcomed daughter Daisy Dove Bloom in 2020, had reportedly been living increasingly separate lives in recent months.
Katy Perry Orlando Bloom Choose Co Parenting Future After Nine YearsGetty Images
Couple to continue as co-parents
In the statement released via their representatives, the couple acknowledged the growing media interest in their relationship, clarifying that they’ve been navigating a transition “over the past many months.” They added that their priority remains raising Daisy in a stable and loving environment. “They will continue to be seen together as a family,” the statement read, emphasising their commitment to respectful co-parenting.
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom focus on raising their daughter with love and respect Getty Images
Signs of distance: Solo appearances and emotional moments
Bloom recently attended Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding in Venice without Perry, fuelling breakup rumours. Meanwhile, Perry was wrapping up the Australian leg of her Lifetimes world tour. On stage in Adelaide, fans captured footage of the singer holding back tears as she thanked the audience, saying, “Thank you for always being there for me, Australia. It means the world,” before launching into Firework.
— (@)
Cryptic social media posts spark rumours
Adding to the speculation, Bloom shared a series of introspective posts on Instagram. One included a Buddha quote: “Each day is a new beginning. What we do today is what matters most.” Others included Carl Jung’s reflections on loneliness and human connection, which fans interpreted as hints at personal turmoil.
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom end their long running romance and plan to raise their daughter together as a family
Long road with no wedding in sight
Perry and Bloom first met at a Golden Globes after-party in 2016, got engaged three years later, and welcomed their child in 2020. A wedding had been planned in Japan but was postponed due to the pandemic and never rescheduled. Both have been married before: Perry to comedian Russell Brand and Bloom to model Miranda Kerr. This marks another high-profile chapter closed in both their personal lives.