The film feels understated and subtle. What challenges did you face while doing it?

R. Madhavan: It was challenging because I’ve carried a romantic image since Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein, but the definition of romance has changed. What was once considered romantic might now be seen as stalking. I had to unlearn old notions and adapt to today’s context. I was also nervous about looking too old for a romantic film and even asked the director if I should dye my hair. Luckily, he stood his ground, and the audience appreciated the authenticity.

Did any part of the film remind you of your own love story with your wife, Sarita?

Madhavan: Yes, especially the idea of complete surrender in love. In the film, my character experiences that, and it reflects in the body language. I’ve felt that same surrender in real life too.

The film touches on age-gap relationships. What’s your take on that?

Madhavan: I’ve seen it in my own family — couples with a 15–20 year age gap living happily. Love and understanding matter more than age. Earlier, society was more accepting, but now, even a 10-year gap can feel huge due to fast-changing generations like Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Gen Beta.

Raju Hirani once said you blend like water into every role. What are your thoughts on that?

Madhavan: Raju sir is a legend. I didn’t grow up wanting to be an actor — I entered the industry by accident, without any cinema conditioning. Maybe that’s why he sees my perspective as different. I view cinema through my own lens, not with reverence or fear.

Despite your popularity, you do fewer films. Why is that?

Madhavan: Surprisingly, most of my Instagram followers are men aged 18–40, not women (laughs). I became a romantic hero at 32, so I knew I had a short window before that image got repetitive. I also realised I wasn’t using my real strengths in commercial films. I took a break to reinvent myself and return with meaningful work. Now, I’m finally doing films that reflect who I truly am.

How was your experience shooting in Jamshedpur, your hometown?

Madhavan: It was nostalgic. Visiting my childhood home made me realise how small everything looked now. Though we only shot for a few days in Jamshedpur, the experience was touching. Shooting in Kolkata, especially at the Hooghly Ghat, felt spiritual. We’ve seen that location in so many films, and being there felt surreal.

You began with TV, moved to films, and now OTT—how do you see this evolution?

Madhavan: OTT is more demanding. In a series, you’re shooting scenes from different episodes on the same day, so you must track your character’s emotional journey across 8–10 hours. Unlike films, OTT relies heavily on tight scripts, strong dialogues, and pacing to make up for the lack of big-screen impact. Choosing the right platform is crucial—some stories work better as films, others as series. I’ve turned down good scripts simply because they were on the wrong medium.

Has your experience as a director influenced your choices as an actor?

Madhavan: Absolutely. Watching my own and others’ mistakes has made me more careful. Now, I pick projects that align with my sensibilities and suit the platform they’re being made for.

Your chemistry with Fatima Sana Shaikh looks great in the trailer. Did you both do workshops?

Madhavan: Yes, we did extensive readings. Fatima was very particular about the dialogues and suggested meaningful changes. Vivek (the director) made the final calls, which is important—there should be one creative captain. These workshops helped a lot, especially for scenes with on-screen family members I was meeting for the first time. That preparation gave us familiarity, which translated into believable chemistry on screen.

Your character in Aap Jaisa Koi is a loner. Do you personally relate to that loneliness? What are your insecurities as an actor?

Madhavan: Yes, I do relate. You’ve touched a nerve—I’ve been shooting in Chennai for the past three months and often feel lonely. My son is swimming, my wife is with him, my dogs are elsewhere, and I sometimes question if it’s all worth it at this stage in life. After shoot, I return to a hotel room and stay locked in till the next day. There’s a constant inner struggle: am I missing out on real life? Sometimes I think I should just stop and be with my family. I also feel lazy compared to actors like Ajay and Akshay, who are constantly working!

After your powerful performance in Shaitaan, you’re now doing a romantic film. How do you switch roles so effortlessly?

Madhavan: The credit goes entirely to the directors. After watching Shaitaan, it was Vivek who wanted to cast me in Aap Jaisa Koi. Good casting is vital, and Vivek, Kumar ji, Vikas, and even Ajay Devgn believed in me for roles like the Aghori in Shaitaan. Ajay trusted me and backed the film as producer—that gave me space to perform. I’m not a trained film expert; I rely on my directors, and Vivek is one of the best—his knowledge of cinema is encyclopedic.

By Keerti Kadam

The post Interview : R. Madhavan : I view cinema through my own lens, not with reverence or fear! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Arjan shared that he had auditioned for the role of Shyam Saxena, which was eventually played by #RMadhavan. After the audition, Anurag Kashyap called him and said, “Don’t get excited but Mani sir saw your audition and really liked it.” Arjan was very hopeful at that time. But after a while, he found out that Madhavan had been chosen instead. Arjan said, “I was quite disheartened. I think Mani sir had a bond with Madhavan, as he had launched him in Tamil films.”

Soon after, someone from Mani Ratnam’s direction team asked Arjan to audition for a different role. This time, Mani Ratnam himself recorded his audition using a handycam and said, “Good,” which made Arjan very happy. “An actor waits his whole life to hear something like that,” he said.

After this, Arjan again spoke to Anurag Kashyap, who told him that the new role was amazing. Anurag said, “It’s the best role. You will grow from age 28 to 68 in the film.” Arjan felt excited and believed it would be a powerful role. But when the actual shooting started, he realized that the role had been reduced a lot. “We didn’t even shoot most of the scenes that were written in the script,” Arjan said.

He added, “I was hurt by that. I don’t know the reasons. Maybe the director changed his vision, or maybe this happens often in the film industry. But I really wanted to prove myself, and it didn’t go the way I hoped.”

In Guru, Arjan played the role of Arzan Contractor.

By Keerti Kadam

The post Arjan Bajwa talks about his disappointing experience! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

#ARRahman, the Oscar-winning Mozart of Madras and the film’s music composer, set the tone for the evening with a soulful live performance of “Anju Vanna Poove”, a song from the album, leaving the audience mesmerized and yearning for more. He wasn’t alone in this sonic spectacle.

Every song in the explosive soundtrack of ‘Thug Life’ was rendered live by its respective powerhouse singers. Seated in the front row and soaking in the sonic feast were none other than #KamalHaasan, #Silambarasan, #TrishaKrishnan, #ManiRatnam, #AliFazal, #JojuGeorge, #Abhirami, #AshokSelvan, and #SanjanaKrishnamoorthy. Moreover, Kannada superstar Shivarajkumar graced the evening as a special guest. However, the buzz of the film’s music wasn’t just confined to the stage. The film’s two already-released tracks — the fiery “Jinguchaa” and the sass-loaded “Sugar Baby” are reigning on social media, with fans grooving to their addictive tune, amping up expectations for the full album.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKCx1Ylyp8R/?igsh=MnJ0Z2lzMmh6bm4y

The track list features the following gems:

Song: Jinguchaa
Lyrics: Mehboob
Singers: Shukwinder Singh, Ronkini Gupta, Aashima Mahajan & Vaishali Samant

Song: Sugar Baby
Lyrics: Mehboob
Singers: Nikitha Gandhi, Shuba & Sashwath Singh

Song: Ang Ang Morey
Lyrics: Mehboob
Singers: Chinmayi Sripada

Song: Song: Veer-e-Kainaat
Lyrics: Mehboob
Rap: Prashanth
Singers: Nikitha Gandhi & A.R. Ameen

Song: Chand Ke Tukdey
Lyrics: Mehboob
Singers: Sneha Shankar

Song: O Maara
Lyrics: MC Heam
Singer: Nitesh Aher

Song: Ek Chehra
Lyrics: Mehboob
Singer: Shifa Ruby

Song: Let’s Play
Lyrics: thoughtsfornow
Singer: thoughtsfornow

Song: Chand Ke Tukdey (Reprised)
Lyrics: Mehboob
Singer: Vijay Prakash

Produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International, Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies, R. Mahendran, and Siva Ananth, Thug Life boasts an ensemble cast of stellar performers. Kamal Haasan leads the film as Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker, alongside Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ali Fazal, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf, among others. With Mani Ratnam at the helm and A.R. Rahman’s music, Thug Life is all set for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2025. Brace yourself for an electrifying cinematic experience like never before.

By Keerti Kadam

The post Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam and A R Rahman Launch Songs of ‘Thug Life’! 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 evening saw the titans of the film grace the stage—Kamal Haasan, #ManiRatnam, #ARRahman, #SilambarasanTR (STR), #Trisha, #Abhirami, and #AshokSelvan—each met with roaring applause and standing ovations. As the trailer rolled on giant screens, the atmosphere electrified with gasps, cheers, and goosebumps. Kamal Haasan’s fierce transformation and magnetic screen presence, Ravi K. Chandran’s arresting visuals, and Rahman’s soul-piercing score came together in a montage that evoked power, pain, and purpose. At its core, Thug Life promises a saga of revenge and betrayal, told through the eyes of a man who refuses to be tamed.

Thugfluencers Event – A playground for creators, the event doubled up as a haven for digital creators and influencers from across the country , who were treated to curated experiential zones across the venue: The Jinguchaa Song Reel Zone had fans dancing to the film’s catchy number, designed to go viral across reels and shorts. A Film by Mani Ratnam Zone gave cinephiles a chance to step into the maestro’s world, dissecting scenes and cinematic moments through interactive displays. RKFI Movies Zone paid tribute to the iconic banner’s legacy, from Nayakan to Thug Life. AR Selfie Zone with Kamal Haasan and STR had fans lining up to grab once-in-a-lifetime pictures with digital avatars of the stars. Vinvelli Nayagan Setup recreated the intense, otherworldly look from the teaser, where fans donned the signature Kamal Haasan costume and pose. Thugs Zone brought alive the grit and grime of the film’s underworld setting with stylized backdrops and props for reels and photoshoots.

The evening also featured candid talk sessions with the cast, where Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam opened up about their collaboration after 36 years. Rahman spoke about how the score is as much a character in the film as the protagonist. STR, Trisha, and the supporting cast shared their experiences of working under Mani Ratnam’s legendary direction and matching steps with Kamal Haasan’s powerhouse performance.

In Thug Life, Kamal Haasan takes on the role of Rangaraya Sakthivel Nayakar, a complex figure navigating the shadows of crime and justice. Mani Ratnam’s script and direction promise a larger-than-life narrative, while Rahman’s compositions are expected to heighten the drama and emotional stakes.

Produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International, Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies, R. Mahendran, and Siva Ananth, Thug Life boasts an ensemble cast of stellar performers. Kamal Haasan leads the film as Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker, alongside Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, and Abhirami in pivotal roles. Adding to the star power, the film also features Nassar, Chetan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Tanikella Bharani, Bagavathi Perumal, Chinni Jayanth, and Vaiyapuri. Further enriching its grandeur, Thug Life includes Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf, Baburaj, Arjun Chidambaram, Rajshri Deshpande, Sanya Malhotra, and Vadivukarasi, promising an ensemble of powerhouse performances. With Mani Ratnam at the helm and A.R. Rahman’s music, Thug Life is all set for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2025. Brace yourself for an electrifying cinematic experience like never before!

Thug Life – Hindi Trailer | Kamal Haasan | Mani Ratnam | STR | A.R. Rahman | RKFI | MT | RG

By Keerti Kadam 

The post Kamal Haasan’s ‘Thug Life’ promises a saga of revenge and betrayal! 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 year 2025 promises to be a landmark one for Ali, with a series of exciting projects across various platforms. He will be seen in #AnuragBasus highly anticipated ensemble film #Metro… In Dino, the much-awaited #Mirzapur: The Movie, and the Tamil film Thug Life with legendary director #ManiRatnam. On the OTT front, Ali will star in Raj and DK’s period drama series #Rakhtbrahmand. Adding to his impressive lineup is Lahore 1947, a historical drama produced by #AamirKhan and co-starring #SunnyDeol, and the Hollywood film Rule Breakers, where Ali shares the screen with the globally acclaimed Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Speaking about his incredible slate of projects, Ali Fazal shared, “2025 feels like a culmination of years of hard work and passion for storytelling. I’m incredibly excited about the diverse range of projects I’m a part of this year. From exploring the intricate stories of Metro… In Dino and stepping into the world of Mirzapur again but this time on the big screen, to work with Mani Ratnam sir in Thug Life, it has been a creatively enriching journey. Collaborating with Raj and DK on a period drama like Rakhtbrahmand has been a thrilling experience, as they continue to redefine the OTT space in India. With Lahore 1947, I’m honored to work alongside Sunny Deol and under the visionary production of Aamir Khan. And finally, Rule Breakers is a dream project—sharing the screen with Phoebe Waller-Bridge and working on a story that is as universal as it is unique is a privilege. Each of these projects challenges me in new ways, and I’m looking forward to bringing them to audiences across the globe.”

By Keerti Kadam

The post Ali Fazal says, “I’m incredibly excited about the diverse range of projects I’m a part of this year”! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

This prestigious appointment comes at an exciting time in Rahman’s career, as he continues to make waves in both the global music industry and in his continued efforts to nurture new talent. The music legend, known for his Academy Award-winning scores and his pioneering work in musical theatre, views this honour as a step toward realising his vision for the future of music and performance arts in India.

Rahman reflected on his journey in musical theatre, recalling a significant moment in 2000 when he met the legendary composer #AndrewLloydWebber. “When I met the king of musical theatre, Andrew Lloyd Webber, he casually asked me, ‘Are you going to take the mantle of musical theatre forward?’ At the time, I didn’t fully grasp what he meant,” Rahman recalled. “But as I worked on projects like Bombay Dreams on Broadway and The Lord of the Rings in England and Canada, I began to realize the depth of his vision. It was a serious, visionary thought.”

Rahman believes that India has a bright future in the realm of musical theatre, but emphasises the importance of nurturing talent at home. “If we invest in our talent and build the right infrastructure, we can open up a whole new genre of entertainment in India,” he said. “But I can’t do it alone. I need government support, incentives for performers, musicians, and the infrastructure to support this growth. We are now at a technological crossroads where visuals can be easily generated, but nothing compares to the magic of live performance.”

He also pointed to the global success of recent Western tours as a sign of growing demand for authentic, live entertainment. “Western artists have made billions on recent tours. People want to experience real performances. The honour of being appointed Honorary President of Trinity Laban comes at a perfect time, as it also empowers me to undertake transformational projects in India, particularly through collaborations like the KM Music Conservatory and exciting future initiatives at Trinity Laban.”

Through his new role at #TrinityLaban, Rahman hopes to not only influence the global music community but also contribute significantly to the development of performing arts in India. His work with institutions like Trinity Laban in tandem with the KM Music Conservatory and Sunshine Orchestra, aim to create new pathways for young talent to grow and thrive in a rapidly evolving global entertainment landscape.

“The next five years at Trinity Laban could mark a new era of global collaboration in music and dance” he said.

In the new year, AR Rahman’s upcoming mega projects include #Chhava, #Lahore1947, an Indian period epic, #GandhiSeries, projects with #ImtiazAli and #ManiRatnam; in addition to other international commitments.

By Keerti Kadam

The post A.R. Rahman Appointed Honorary President of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

“Thug Life,” touted to be a magnum opus by Mani Ratnam, promises to be a cinematic extravaganza, showcasing Fazal in a leading role alongside the veteran actor Kamal Hassan and other . While the details of Fazal’s character are being kept under wraps, the actor expresses his elation at being a part of this groundbreaking venture.

Ali Fazal shares, “I am truly thrilled to be a part of Mani Sir’s vision for ‘Thug Life.’ And i can only hope i bring somethin of significance to this canvas . It’s also an honor to work alongside the Kamal Haasan sir and share notes with him on this. The opportunity to collaborate with two stalwarts of Indian cinema has been humbling. I am deeply grateful to Mani Sir for entrusting me with this role and am eager to bring it to life on screen”.

Production for “Thug Life” has officially commenced, with Ali Fazal diving into his role as filming begins in Delhi. After exploring Anurag Basu’s cinematic worlds , The actor is poised to bring depth and charisma to his new character, adding another feather to his cap in an already illustrious career.

The post Ali Fazal confirms doing Mani Ratnam’s ‘Thug Life’! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

“In the wake of ‘RRR’ popularity and congratulating the team I remember I was one of the first Bollywood lead actors to be cast by a south director, Mani Ratnam, in 1992-93. I played a totally different character of an underworld queen, Chandralekha, in the film. In fact, there was a song about the beauty of Chandralekha like some old depictions of goddesses in our ancient spiritual literature and I danced down incredible moves. I was pitted against two boys and there were elephant chases, a lot of running, and escape which to me was amazing fun. I shot with a leopard, did out-of-the-box kind of stuff, and ended up thanking my stars for having had the opportunity to work with Mani Ratnam who did an unbelievable amount of preparation months before we even started shooting. I was impressed with his and the entire team’s dedication to produce a film unmatched,” she said.

“In fact I remember when we were shooting Chandralekha, and Konjam Nilavu song the choreographer had exclaimed ‘She, Anu can dance!’ That’s when I realised they had the idea that ‘Bollywood actresses can’t dance’. Also they saw me punctual, and even after a couple accidents I had landed on set to shoot. I used to learn Tamil late at night when we weren’t shooting, and went to set early in the morning, as scenes of my close ups were done at sunrise. It was a joy. I hit it off fabulously well with the Director and the entire crew, and they laughed at my Camel cigarettes, or that I traveled alone and my mother didn’t accompany me to the shooting, and then started fondly laughing and saying ‘well that’s Anu’. They adored me. There was a big gap between the south and north films then. The honcho South Indian big movie houses were reluctant, they didn’t think much of Bollywood actors. Subsequently more actors from Bollywood started to be signed and the trend continues in a big way today. Today it is a privilege to be cast by one of the leading directors down south, for instance even RRR has Alia Bhatt and Mani Ratnam has cast Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,” she added.

Appreciating team RRR and the movie, she said, “I chanced upon RRR on Netflix last month and was astounded at the craftsmanship and the full energy feel of the film whose roots show they are so beautifully Indian.”

So are you open to working in films from the South? “I am open to working with anybody who is plunging into making unforgettable cinema, and that includes all such movies whether they are in the South or North,” Anu concluded.

The post Anu Aggarwal shares her experience of working in a Mani Ratnam film! 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 #ManiRatnam film stars #ChiyaanVikram, #JayamRavi, #Karthi, #Trisha and #AishwaryaRaiBachchan in lead roles.

Subaskaran’s Lyca Productions presents PS-1. Jointly Produced by Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions, Directed by Mani Ratnam, and Music Composed by AR Rahman. PS-1 is now in cinemas in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.

The post Day 1 Bumper Opening of 80+ Crores Worldwide Gross for “PS-1”! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Recently, Sobhita’s look from Ponniyin Selvan: I, have come out in which she was seen in an Indian historic and cultural look which has become a point of constant buzz among her fans to witness her queen look on the screens. Today morning, the actress was spotted at the airport when she was leaving for the promotion of the film. She was seen donning up a white top with a navy blue skirt while she takes up her black glayers while she yet again kept her hotness symbol intact.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiKPmScIL7F/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
Pic Credit – Sneh Zala

Although it’s almost half of the year and Sobhita is constantly running busy with shootings, and promotions, it’s time for her back-to-back releases from which ‘Major’ has already taken over while her fans are eagerly waiting for much more exciting projects.

On the work front, Apart from Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: I, which is all set to release on 30 September, she has one of the most awaited shows Made In Heaven season 2, and another film, The Night Manager.

The post Sobhita Dhulipala gets ready to promote Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan: I, lraves for Chennai! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.