Himank Gaur Shares How He Unlocked a Hilarious and Unseen Dimension of Kay Kay Menon in Prime Video’s Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya.
Certain casting decisions have the power to completely reinvent an actor’s image for the audience. Prime Video’s Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya promises to do just that, presenting Kay Kay Menon in one of the most surprising avatars of his illustrious career. Known for his legendary portrayal of intense, deep, and morally grey characters, Menon pivots beautifully into a world of warmth, charm, and subtle humor as Gyaneshwar Tripathi, the easygoing headmaster of a chaotic, eccentric school. While the series captures the nostalgia, joy, and friendships of school days, the ultimate showstealer is Menon’s fresh comic timing. For director Himank Gaur, this choice was a deliberate masterstroke rather than a risk. Ahead of the show’s highly anticipated premiere, Gaur opens up about his intentional decision to cast India’s powerhouse performer in a role that shatters expectations and highlights a brand-new facet of his acting genius.

Opening up about the thought process behind casting Kay Kay Menon in a role so unlike anything audiences have associated him with, Himank Gaur shared, “I’ve always loved the idea of anti-casting because it challenges both the actor and the audience. We’ve known Kay Kay Menon sir as one of the finest performers of our time, but we’ve never really seen him do comedy like this before. He’s shown glimpses of it over the years, but I always felt that side of him hadn’t been fully explored. The moment we narrated the concept of Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya to him, he immediately said, ‘I want to do this,’ and that gave us immense confidence. When you have an actor of his calibre, you know he’ll bring honesty and conviction to any genre. Watching him embrace comedy with the same sincerity that he brings to intense roles has been one of the most rewarding parts of making this series.”

Adarsh Baal Vidyalay is a lighthearted Prime Original series that explores universal themes of hope, resilience, and community as an unlikely headmaster rallies his staff to transform the institution despite everyday challenges, limited resources, and impossible odds. Directed by Himank Gaur and created and executive produced by Biswapati Sarkar and Sameer Saxena under the banner of Posham Pa Pictures, the seven-episode comedy-drama is written by Biswapati Sarkar, Akshay Asthana, Nupur Pai, Tatsat Pandey, and Meghna Srivastava. Led by the highly versatile Kay Kay Menon, the series also stars Archana Puran Singh, Abhimanyu Singh, Naveen Kasturia, Prasanna Bisht, Deven Bhojani, Ajitesh Gupta, Annapurna Soni, and Prachee Shah in lead roles. Adarsh Baal Vidyalay will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in Hindi with English subtitles, across India and over 240 countries and territories worldwide on July 24.

By Keerti Kadam

The post “We’ve Never Truly Witnessed Him in a Comic Avatar Like This”: Director Himank Gaur on Casting Kay Kay Menon Against Type in Prime Video’s Adarsh Baal Vidyalay! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Murshid Pathan (Kay Kay Menon), a ‘retired’ don, is pulled back into the murky world he left behind, when his former ally turned bitter foe, Farid (Zakir Hussain), threatens the life of his son. To protect his child, Murshid once again finds himself entangled in the dark web of crime. Aiding him in this treacherous journey is his adopted son Kumar Pratap (Tanuk Virwani), a police inspector walking a tightrope between law and loyalty. The stakes escalate as political figures, including the Chief Minister and his power-hungry son (Anang Desai and Rajesh Shringarpure), manipulate these gangsters to cement their grip on power. The unfolding of this high-stakes power play is where the story truly takes flight.

Writer-director Shravan Tiwari once again proves his prowess when it comes to capturing the intricacies of the underworld. Known for his compelling work in Aazam, Tiwari’s research and storytelling here feel grounded in reality, weaving a complex web of relationships and betrayals around the central characters. What sets Murshid apart is the layered human element—each character is fleshed out, their vulnerabilities on display, making the drama more relatable and engrossing. Tiwari’s direction shines as the series unfolds, tightening its grip with every episode. The atmosphere, replete with gritty authenticity, is further enhanced by solid technical execution across departments.

But, it is Kay Kay Menon who stands tall. His quiet intensity, his restrained yet powerful portrayal of Murshid, captures the viewer’s attention in every frame. His performance is a masterclass in underplaying emotion, proving once again why he is one of the most respected actors in the industry. Zakir Hussain, too, holds his own, delivering a performance that oozes menace and conviction. The supporting cast complements the leads admirably, adding depth to the overall narrative.

Murshid, while following the familiar beats of a gangster tale, stands out for its exceptional performances—especially Menon’s magnetic presence—and its well-crafted storytelling.

Rating : ***1/2

By Keerti Kadam

The post Review : Murshid : Kay Kay Menon Breathes Authenticity into a Gritty Gangster Drama first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

The five episode series shed light on unheard narratives of Ayodhya Ram Mandir Saga. It has been made under the banner of Flying Dreams Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

Shredding light on interesting historical anecdotes which he got to know which people aren’t aware of, he stated, “I think people need to know that people of Ayodhya give lot of importance to brotherhood and Coexistence. Lawyers from both sides used to go in same auto rikshaw as they were fighting in court but were friends outside of court. The person who was detailed to change Ram ji’s clothes was a muslim guy. Not only this, I also learnt that Lord Ram fought his own legal case as a legal entity in the judicial proceedings.”

On talking about how the whole idea of making the docu-series came up, he tells, “When Mr. Sarit Agarwal, an educator and a professional from IIT BHU, approached me with his innovative concept of ‘Vedshaala,’ a platform designed to connect our ancient Indian history with the youth of today while empowering them to navigate the contemporary complex challenges, I found the idea compelling. Despite Ayodhya’s recent challenges, I believed it would be the right place to initiate this transformative endeavor. Mr. Sarit, my team and I went on a recce to Ayodhya with the intention of devouring every detail, we met several seers and most of them had one prevailing sentiment – Ram is our idol, he imparted lessons of co-existence and an ideal state of living, be it his kingdom, relationships, business or personal. There is no place for hatred in Ram’s heart. We met people from both sides and they all spoke about brotherhood & harmony.”

When quizzed about the consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir that happened even before its completion as many people claim it to be a political propaganda, he tells, “I have met religious top boisses there and I strongly feel they are not influenced by any party. They clearly keep Lord Ram above all and they did the honour when they felt the need to do it. Ram ji’s statue got a better place which can’t be questioned.”

Talking about the main a behind creating this docu-series, he mentioned, “This is a collective effort, not only from me but from many people who felt that this message of Ram Lalla needs to be passed on to generations to come. If you watch the documentary, you will get an idea of our good intent and the message of people of both sides in Ayodhya that we want to portray to the world. It was a life changing experience, not only to me but to all my team members who have been a part of this project, irrespective of their caste, creed and religion. We all came together to bring to light the truth and history is witness to this day, that truth prevails and the world will watch it.”

The docu-series features prominent personalities like Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad (Former Union minister of Law & Justice), Rahul Shrivastava (Journalist & Commentator), Vinay Katiyar (Founder of Bajrang Dal), Ranjana Agnihotri (Sr. Advocate), Iqbal Ansari (Prime litigant in the case), Acharya Satyendra Das (Chief Priest of Ram temple), KK Muhammed (Archeologist) and many more. Produced by Sarit Agarwal and Kushal Srivastava, the documentary has been extensively shot in Ayodhya, Lucknow, Delhi & Mumbai.

The post Unfiltered Ayodhya story, ‘Vodka Diaries’ fame filmmaker Kushal Srivastava’s “The Battle of Ayodhya”! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Set against the backdrop of the Bhopal Gas Leak, The Railway Men is all set to tell a gripping tale of the unsung heroes, who went beyond their call of duty, trying to save the hundreds of lives on a fateful night. The teaser, that gave a glimpse into this heroic effort, has gripped people’s attention.

Debutant director Shiv Rawail, one of YRF’s homegrown talents, is thrilled with the positive response that the show is getting globally. He says, “This is my first project as a director and every bit of validation means the world to me! To read about the love that is pouring in from all quarters for the teaser of The Railway Men is quite heartening and overwhelming to say the least. The Railway Men is a complete team effort and I share the joy and encouragement with everyone who has worked on this project.“

He further adds, “I can’t wait for the audience to see the trailer and we hope people love it too. We wanted to tell a story that’s extremely compelling and sensitive. We were really touched by this story of human resilience and compassion in the wake of insurmountable tragedy.”

The Railway Men premieres worldwide on November 18 only on Netflix.

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Shujaat said, “Kay Kay was a no brainer, I had sent a script out to him. I have been trying to work with him for almost 20 years and things have never materialized. If there’s anyone who could do justice to the role of Ismial Kadri, it was this spectacular actor. I needed somebody who came up and had a certain personality, an aura that speaks volumes. I had a vision of people just seeing the character and in one shot understanding the backstory of him, his life and I am spellbound by how easy Kay Kay made this look.”

The series also features Avinash Tiwary, Kritika Kamra, Nivedita Bhattacharya along with Amyra Dastur in pivotal roles. Produced by Excel Media and Entertainment’s Ritesh Sidhwani, Kassim Jagmagia and Farhan Akhtar, Bambai Meri Jaan is created by Rensil D’Silva and Shujaat Saudagar and directed by Saudagar. The 10-part Hindi Original series will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India and across 240 countries and territories on 14 September in multiple Indian and international languages.

The post Director of ‘Bambai Meri Jaan’, Shujaat Saudagar talks about casting Kay Kay Menon! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Watch the trailer of Bambai Meri Jaan here: https://youtu.be/mkTcLd3b_Us?si=h7KYosf4Sg1AydCH

Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, today launched the trailer of its upcoming fiction crime thriller Amazon Original series Bambai Meri Jaan. Produced by Excel Media and Entertainment’s Ritesh Sidhwani, Kassim Jagmagia and Farhan Akhtar, with the story by S. Hussain Zaidi, Bambai Meri Jaan is created by Rensil D’Silva and Shujaat Saudagar and directed by Shujaat Saudagar and brings under one umbrella, versatile and talented actors such as Kay Kay Menon, Avinash Tiwary, Kritika Kamra and Nivedita Bhattacharya along with Amyra Dastur. The 10-part Hindi Original series will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India and across 240 countries and territories on 14 September across multiple Indian languages including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and English, and in foreign languages like French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Polish, Latin Spanish, Castilian Spanish, Arabic and Turkish. The series will also be available with subtitles in a number of foreign languages including Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Filipino, Finnish, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Korean, Malay, Norwegian Bokm, Romanian, Russian, Swedish, Thai, Ukranian and Vietnamese.

“Jab imaandari bhuk se takraati hai to hamesha haarti hai. Main imaandar tha, par Dara bhooka tha.” Kicking off with this profound narration, the trailer of Bambai Meri Jaan takes the viewers on a fast-paced, gritty and immersive ride through the mean streets of fictionalized 1970’s Bambai, where gang wars, crimes, and treachery were a common occurrence. Against this backdrop, the fictional series is a captivating saga of an honest cop who sees his son choose the path of crime to overcome a life of poverty and struggle. The trailer gives the viewers a glimpse of the pain a father undergoes as he sees his family being torn apart by lost ethos, greed, and corruption.

Talking about his role in the upcoming series, Kay Kay Menon said, “My character Ismail Kadri is multi-layered and complex. He is an honest cop and a doting father who isn’t perfect. On one hand, he is deeply committed to cleaning the city of Bambai of all crime, on the other, to save his family, he is forced to become a pawn to the city’s crime syndicate. Even as Ismail fights against all odds not to give in to the evil surrounding him, he sees his own flesh and blood rising as the city’s new gang lord. Shujaat and Rensil’s vision for this character was so clear and precise that it was easy for me to essay this role. Thank you, Prime Video and Excel Entertainment, Rensil and Shujaat, for making me a part of such a gut-wrenching story.”

Avinash Tiwary said, “When I first read the script and about my character, Dara Kadri, I was awestruck and hesitant at the same time. The character I play in Bambai Meri Jaan is something that very few actors get an opportunity to sink their teeth into, this early in their career. The way I saw it, there are villains and then there is Dara, a dynamic young man who believes that honest hard work won’t get you money and power. From nothing (hunger) to something (provider for the family and his people) to everything (power), bhook is an integral part of his journey. To become someone everyone bows down to, one who is feared and revered in equal measures, he has to turn into a cold-blooded monster. As a director, Shujaat’s creativity, attention to detail, and his ability to inspire and motivate each one of us to give our best, really enabled me to bring Dara’s character to life the way he and Rensil had envisioned while writing the script. I am looking forward to reactions from viewers from India and around the world.”

The post The trailer of the edge-of-the-seat crime thriller ‘Bambai Meri Jaan’ released! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, announced the global premiere of its upcoming crime drama, Bambai Meri Jaan. The 10-part Amazon Original series will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India and across 240 countries and territories on 14 September. Produced by Excel Media and Entertainment’s Ritesh Sidhwani, Kassim Jagmagia and Farhan Akhtar, with the story by S. Hussain Zaidi, Bambai Meri Jaan is created by Rensil D’Silva and Shujaat Saudagar and directed by Shujaat Saudagar. The bingeworthy, fast-paced crime thriller is the latest addition to the Prime membership. Prime members in India enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in single membership for just ₹1499/year.

Link – https://x.com/primevideoin/status/1696047693393547443?s=48&t=zKLdrIFiiYLsmxJ3oqTQmw

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cwem-FcLxoN/?igshid=MWZjMTM2ODFkZg==

Featuring a highly versatile and talented cast with Kay Kay Menon, Avinash Tiwary, Kritika Kamra and Nivedita Bhattacharya along with Amyra Dastur in pivotal roles, the fictional crime series is a gripping saga about a father and son who are two sides of the same coin. The series explores the classic, universal battle of good versus evil. Set in the post-independence era, the story chronicles the life and rise of a young man, Dara Kadri (played by Tiwary), torn between his father’s law enforcement legacy (played by Menon) and his own journey into the heart of organized crime.

“Bambai Meri Jaan is an intricate and intriguing story of dreams and ambitions, where the insatiable hunger for power defines one’s choices. The story is like an immaculate symphony that delves deep into the psyche and emotions of its key characters, as they struggle with the consequences of their own choices,” said Aparna Purohit, head of India Originals, Prime Video. “We are incredibly excited to present our fifth project with Excel Media and Entertainment, with whom we share a common vision to tell authentic, rooted and relatable stories across genres. We are confident that Bambai Meri Jaan will resonate with our viewers not just in India, but across the world.”

Ritesh Sidhwani of Excel Media and Entertainment said, “Set in the post-independence era, Bambai Meri Jaan chronicles the birth of the underworld in Mumbai set against the backdrop of a free nation. Viewers will witness a gripping gangster thriller, exploring the classic, universal battle of good versus evil. We are truly delighted to be working with Prime Video yet again to bring another thought-provoking series to our viewers around the world.”

Shujaat Saudagar, the creator of the show, shared, “Bambai Meri Jaan deals with the complexity of nature vs nurture. Thematically stories which relate to dysfunctional relationships have always attracted me to tell a cinematic narrative. Bambai Meri Jaan weaves the saga of a family inhabiting and growing through their trials and tribulations alongside burgeoning post independent Mumbai. We can’t wait to see viewers’ reactions to the series that is so close to our hearts.”

The post A riveting crime drama, Bambai Meri Jaan, to premiere on September 14! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Following its worldwide release, the Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi-starrer crime-thriller Farzi has achieved the biggest opening for a new Local Original show on Prime Video in India. Released in 37 languages globally, the series was streamed by viewers on Prime Video in over 170 countries and territories already over the launch weekend. With a high IMDb rating of 8.7, the thriller scaled a global milestone as it entered the top 10 trending titles lists on Prime Video in multiple countries and territories around the world including India, U.S., UK, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia. The show has been applauded by viewers not just in India but also globally for its fast-paced and edgy narration, high-production values and genre-defining performances.

“Buoyed by immense love and appreciation that the show has garnered so far from fans and audiences, at Prime Video, we are committed to building a service that appeals to customers across all of India. Farzi has set an exciting new benchmark against that ambition,” said Sushant Sreeram, Director – SVOD Business, Prime Video, India. “Farzi’s phenomenal success is a testament to the growing global popularity of Indian content, and helps us shine the spotlight on India’s world-class, quintessential and diverse storytelling cultures. We are delighted to have worked with the maverick duo Raj & DK again, and with such an incredible cast. The love from customers everywhere across the country and the world over the launch weekend has been truly humbling and exciting at the same time, and I am certain this is going to get even bigger!”

Creator duo Raj & DK said, “We are elated and overwhelmed by the fantastic response the show has received across the board. The stellar cast did an amazing job, we are grateful that we could get them all in one show! All this love from the audience motivates us to continue to work hard and create compelling content!”

Link :

https://twitter.com/PrimeVideoIN/status/1626499188925075456?t=0XsEDGkhjmDX8IvjubaVUQ&s=19

Produced by D2R Films and created by Raj & DK, Farzi marks the digital debut of Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi. The crime thriller revolves around a con-artist sunny (Shahid) who finds himself drawn into the dark while he plots a perfect con. However, Vijay, a fiery but eccentric task force officer, has made it his goal to eliminate the threat he represents to the country. The series is streaming now on Prime Video in India and across 240 countries and territories.

The post “Farzi” enters the top 10 trending titles with an IMDb rating of 8.7! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Prime Video today launched the trailer of their upcoming Indian Amazon Original Series – Farzi. The crime drama marks the digital debut of superstar Shahid Kapoor and the ‘Makkal Selvan’, Vijay Sethupathi. Along with them, the series also features an ensemble cast including talented actors Raashii Khanna, Kay Kay Menon, Bhuvan Arora, Regina Cassandra, and Amol Palekar in pivotal roles. Produced by D2R Films, and directed by Raj & DK, Farzi will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on 10th February. Along with Raj & DK, Farzi is written by Sita R Menon and Suman Kumar.

The trailer gives us a glimpse into the life of a small-time con artist Sunny (Shahid), who finds himself drawn into the dark while creating a perfect con. However, a fiery and unconventional task force officer (Vijay) has made it his mission to rid the nation of the threat he poses. Spanning eight episodes, Farzi is a fast-paced, edgy, one-of-a-kind crime thriller, with the director duo’s trademark humour, stitched around a clever underdog street artist’s pursuit to con the system that favours the rich.

Trailer link: https://youtu.be/rcQ_xZdzPBc

Speaking about the series on the trailer launch day, Shahid Kapoor said, “This Amazon Original Series, Farzi has a special corner in my heart. Kehne ko toh this is my digital debut, but working with Raj & DK, felt like home. And working with such brilliant co-actors like Vijay Sethupathi, Nanu (Amolji), Kay Kay Menon, Raashii had its own charm. Playing Artist aka Sunny wasn’t simple, the character is quite complex, his situations and his greed for a better life makes him take some decisions, which he has not necessarily thought through. I am quite sure, that the audience will love the show, they will enjoy the humour, the grit and the overall story, it will keep them at the edge of their seats. And of course, Prime Video will be taking this series to a worldwide audience, usse better kya hi ho sakta hai, that people around the world get to watch this amazing content.”

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with the dynamic duo Raj and DK and alongside Shahid Kapoor, who is both a talented actor and a wonderful person. It was incredible to work with such a brilliant team and create something as mind blowing as Farzi. I can’t think of a better digital debut, and I’m excited for the series’ global release.” said Vijay Sethupathi.

The post Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi starrer crime thriller Farzi trailer out! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

#PrimeVideo unveils an intriguing motion poster featuring the lead cast of the upcoming crime thriller, #Farzi.
The first look of #KayKayMenon and #RaashiiKhanna from the #series Farzi is out now.

With the unveiling of Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi’s look from the upcoming Amazon Original Farzi, Prime Video has created much anticipation among the viewers. Adding to the excitement, the streaming service today dropped a new motion poster revealing the character looks of the lead cast -Shahid Kapoor, Vijay Sethupathi, Raashii Khanna and Kay Kay Menon. Their enigmatic presence and fiery looks surely raise the stakes and it will be exciting to see these actors portraying complex characters, adding layers to the narrative.

*Link* – https://twitter.com/PrimeVideoIN/status/1612325416961990656?s=20&t=i4AVlDgAPoFb8xvkj3LmDQ

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnLuoIHAJmG/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Farzi marks the digital debut of Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi and is all set to release on 10th February, 2023 on Prime Video. Created by Raj & DK, the upcoming Amazon Original series is a fast-paced and edgy crime thriller that also features Kay Kay Menon, Raashii Khanna, Amol Palekar, Regina Cassandra, and Bhuvan Arora in pivotal roles.

The post Meet the “Farzi” gang, motion poster out! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.