Latest news with #PonniyinSelvan
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Sanjay Leela Bhansali on working with Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai on Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam sets: ‘Love was in the air'
As Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam completes 26 years, the director spoke about his experience of working on the film. In a conversation with the Times of India, he called it a fulfilling experience, and also spoke about Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai's chemistry in the film. Sanjay Leela Bhansali said that they were all like one big family while they shot for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. In the interview, Sanjay shared that there was pressure to show Aishwarya Rai's character end up with Salman Khan instead of Ajay Devgn; however, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was a film where he chose not to succumb to any pressures and compromise on the story. Bhansali also revealed how Aishwarya perfectly fit the bill to play Nandini. He said that she perfectly matched his vision, and that is a very rare experience for any filmmaker. A post shared by Bhansali Productions (@bhansaliproductions) Also Read: 'Angry Sanjay Leela Bhansali would hurl objects at me if I moved even slightly': Sooraj Pancholi recalls experience as SLB's assistant on Guzaarish Talking about Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai's chemistry both on-screen and off-screen, Bhansali revealed that 'there was love in the air'. He further went on to explain that not just Salman and Aishwarya, but all the cast members were quite affectionate towards each other — Zohra Sehgalji, Helen, Salman, Aishwarya, Vikram Gokhale, and Smita Jayekar were all like one big family. The filmmaker also went on to say that shooting for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was one of his most fulfilling experiences. A post shared by Bhansali Productions (@bhansaliproductions) As per reports, Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai were dating around the film; however, it was later said that the actress decided to part ways with Salman as their relationship got abusive. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam emerged as one of the landmark films of Hindi cinema and established Sanjay Leela Bhansali as an auteur. During the promotions of Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan, Aishwarya had reflected on how both these character's names were Nandini. 'It's amazing na? Even Nandini in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was very very memorable. She ruled over people's heart and I'm so so thankful that I got to play Nandini then too. She had remained special to the audience and, of course, to me'.
Pink Villa
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Why did Mani Ratnam drop first version of Ponniyin Selvan starring Thalapathy Vijay and Mahesh Babu?
The Ponniyin Selvan franchise by Mani Ratnam, starring Chiyaan Vikram, Ravi Mohan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Trisha Krishnan, has been considered super-successful for several reasons. The epic historical drama was a two-part film series released between 2022 and 2023. However, did you know that the filmmaker had a completely different cast in mind initially when he had planned out the movie back in 2010? Yes, you read that right. Ponniyin Selvan was supposed to be made in 2010 In an old Tamil interview, Mani Ratnam's assistant and director Dhana had revealed that the former had plans to make Ponniyin Selvan as far back as 2010. He said that the filmmaker had already begun the pre-production work for the project, and several discussions had taken place. Most importantly, Dhana mentioned that Mani Ratnam had an altogether different idea about the cast of the film in mind, which did not include any of the names with whom Ponniyin Selvan was eventually made. Were Mahesh Babu, Thalapathy Vijay first choice for Ponniyin Selvan? Well, yes, Mahesh Babu and Thalapathy Vijay were the first ones to be signed to play the leads in Ponniyin Selvan. The two of them had signed the project, and a brief shooting had also taken place. However, it was Mani Ratnam who decided to stall the project, since he believed the availability of advanced VFX was not so readily abundant back then. It was dropped and then taken up almost a decade later. When Mahesh Babu confirmed brief stint with Thalapathy Vijay for Ponniyin Selvan Later on, Mahesh Babu also confirmed the same, speaking about the brief period he spent working with Thalapathy Vijay on a small photoshoot for the Mani Ratnam film. He said, 'Before seven days of the principal shoot, there was a photo shoot session with Vijay in Chennai, but unfortunately, the project got shelved. Even now, I share a close rapport with Vijay; he is a good friend."
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Throwback: When Aishwarya Rai Bachchan silenced David Letterman over ‘living with parents' jibe
has long been admired not just for her beauty and talent, but for her grace under pressure, and one memorable moment from her international media appearances continues to prove just that. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Back in 2005, while promoting Bride and Prejudice on The Late Show with David Letterman , the Bollywood icon found herself on the receiving end of a culturally loaded question. The host asked, 'Do you still live with your parents, and is that common in India?' Without skipping a beat, Aishwarya delivered a poised and razor-sharp response that drew thunderous applause from the studio audience. 'It's fine to live with your parents,' she said coolly. 'Because in India, we don't have to make appointments with our parents for dinner.' The clip, which has since become a viral favourite, resurfaced on social media once again, reigniting praise for the Ponniyin Selvan actress's composed confidence and cultural pride. Nearly two decades later, the exchange still resonates as a reminder of how Bachchan's intelligence and dignity often speak louder than any scripted line. Netizens laud the smart reply Aishwarya Rai's answer was as much a cultural primer as it was a comeback. By turning the question on its head with her wit, she highlighted the warmth of multigenerational households while deflating the notion that such arrangements are somehow regressive. One Reddit user wrote, 'Aishwarya Rai has so much class. She has dealt with so much nonsense being hurled at her over the years in the most civil way possible. A great ambassador for my country along with currently, who is also someone that's constantly under scrutiny and a recipient of vitriol.' Another one wrote, 'Living with your parents is also normal in Eastern Europe too.' Work front On the professional front, Aishwarya's previous hit film was 's directorial epic drama movie 'Ponniyin Selvan 2'. The actress played the role of Oomai Rani and Nandini in this epic drama film directed by the veteran. This Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's doppelganger is Aishwarya Rai Ultra Pro Max
India Today
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
What went wrong with Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam's Thug Life?
'Thug Life' marked the legendary and most ambitious collaboration in Indian cinema by bringing Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam after almost four decades. Their gangster saga promised an epic exploration of gangsters, violence and betrayal in the trailer sparked curiosity, evoking memories of Mani Ratnam's classic gangster films like 'Nayakan' and 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam'. With a strong cast including Silambarasan TR, Trisha, Joju George, and music by AR Rahman, expectations were once the film ended, one question remained: what went wrong with a film that had everything going for it? Spoiler alert...!The story wants to be everything, and ends up being nothing'Thug Life' tells the story of Rangaraya Sakthivel, an ageing gangster seeking revenge on those who betrayed him, including his brother, his own gang members, and Amar (his right hand and adopted son, played by Silambarasan). It is also a tale of mistrust and power struggles, with Sakthivel willing to destroy anyone he suspects of threatening him. The film also explores a morally murky subplot: Sakthivel's extramarital relationship with Indrani (Trisha Krishnan), a social media influencer. He casually calls the act of infidelity his 'disorder'.On paper, 'Thug Life' is rich with ideas: it aims to be a dark, psychological crime drama in the vein of 'Nayakan'. But in execution, it tries to be too many things at once. With multiple subplots competing for attention, characters feel underdeveloped and scenes rushed. While 'Nayakan' also juggled complex narratives, it did so with organic flow and emotional depth, something 'Thug Life' gangster drama feels like the final instalment of a franchise film, packed with too many characters and motives, yet without the benefit of prior films to build toward this so-called final arcs and unclear motivationsPerhaps the most unexpected shortcoming is the lack of clear motivations, surprising from a legend like Mani Ratnam, known for emotionally complex characters. For instance, Sakthivel names Amar as his successor as he goes to prison. Amar conquers and calls himself the next Rangaraya Sakthivel. Also, there's a secret regarding Amar's father's killing that affects his bond with Sakthivel. What makes Amar the potential leader? What does he contribute to the gang? The film offers no satisfying answers. If the gangsters' own activities are unclear, it is unrealistic to expect a well-defined motivation for Indrani is another missed opportunity. After her nuanced role as Kundavai in the 'Ponniyin Selvan' series, here she feels vague and ornamental. Is she a lover, muse, or distraction? The film never gives her enough space or clarity. With better writing, she could have anchored the shifting dynamics between Amar and Sakthivel, much like Nandini's character in 'Ponniyin Selvan'.Silambarasan's Amar lacks a clear personality or emotional grounding. His choices appear impulsive without adding intrigue. If his confusion was deliberate to explore inner conflict, it might have worked, but instead it feels like the film itself is unsure of who he is. Consequently, key moments like Amar's betrayal or Sakthivel's revenge lack the emotional impact they the large cast, only Inspector Jai Royappa (Ashok Selvan) carries emotional weight. His motivations are clearer, and his past is explored enough to make him compelling. But even he cannot hold together a film where most characters feel half-formed and much telling, too little showingMani Ratnam is celebrated for his visual storytelling. Iconic scenes like the sun shot in 'Thalapathi' or Shaila's pregnancy-reveal in 'Bombay' communicate volumes without words. 'Thug Life', however, leans heavily on exposition. Key developments like Amar's rise, Sakthivel's exile transformation, the gang's collapse, and what happened to Jeeva (Sakthivel's wife) are relayed through rushed dialogue and montages. Instead of giving these moments emotional weight, the film tells us what happened without letting us feel example, Amar supposedly restructured the gang's operations in two years, but what exactly did he do? How did the world change during Sakthivel's absence? Why does Amar's rise make sense, or does Sakthivel's influence wane? None of this is shown; characters just talk about it. The story feels disjointed, important moments are described rather than highs and flat revealsThe trailer's standout line, 'Inimel inga naan dan Rangaraya Sakthivel (Here on, I am Rangaraya Sakthivel),' hits hard in promos but barely registers in the film. It is not due to Simbu's performance, which is strong, but because the build-up is missing. Mani Ratnam's best films rely on emotional highs: Remember the mirror scene in 'Nayakan', the train departure in 'Alaipayuthey', or the press conference in 'Guru'? In 'Thug Life', many emotional beats arrive without proper setup or feel hastily key interval reveal, intended as a pivotal twist, falls flat. The issue is not the twist but the missing emotional groundwork. If Amar was told early on that the gang was responsible for his father's death, what motivates his sudden switch at the interval? The manipulation by Manikkam (Nasser) is unclear, and the strength of Amar's bond with Sakthivel is not explored. The scene feels gimmicky and unconvincing. Similarly, confrontations like the beach scene between Sakthivel and Jeeva or Amar's final showdown with Indrani aim for gravity but come off sluggish and under the weight of its own legacyA major factor behind the mixed response to 'Thug Life' is how it was promoted. Marketed as Kamal Haasan's grand return to the gangster genre, with heavy callbacks to 'Nayakan', from the character's name to interviews where both Kamal and Mani Ratnam evoked their earlier works' emotional and cinematic weight, expectations soared. The stage was set for a profound character drama rich with tragedy and 'Thug Life' leans heavily on the aesthetics of those classics without capturing their emotional soul. The title, tone, and visuals suggest depth, but the world it builds lacks real stakes. The final product: a gangster saga with no real danger, a father-son conflict without emotional rupture, and a betrayal that feels the film excels. But this beauty often feels disconnected from the storytelling. At times, the music, composed by AR Rahman, overwhelms rather than supports key emotional scenes. The expectations set by its legacy and marketing created a bar so high that the film struggled to reach. 'Thug Life' is not without merit. There are moments where the film shines, especially in the performances of Sakthivel and Amar, and the early scenes between them that carry Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan's signature craft. But instead of building on these strengths, the film often chooses style over substance. It is not a bad film, but one that feels stuck, caught somewhere between honouring the past and finding a new voice. This unresolved tension leaves the film feeling distant when it should have been deeply engaging.
News18
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Thug Life Box Office Day 4: Kamal Haasan's Film Collects Rs 35 Crore On 1st Weekend
Last Updated: Thug Life Box Office Collection Day 4: Kamal Haasan's Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, earned Rs 35.64 crore in its first weekend. Thug Life Box Office Collection Day 4: Kamal Haasan is back in action, and so is the box office. His much-awaited film Thug Life has wrapped up its first weekend on a modest note, collecting a solid Rs 35 crore in just four days. Mani Ratnam's Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR and Trisha Krishnan-starrer Thug Life is receiving a lukewarm response at the box office. Thug Life hit theatres on Thursday with a bang, raking in Rs 15.5 crore on day one. But things slowed down quickly – Friday saw a sharp dip, with the film earning Rs 7.15 crore. Saturday gave it a small boost, collecting Rs 7.75 crore, and by Sunday, the momentum eased further with an estimated Rs 5.24 crore. All in all, the film wrapped up its first weekend with a total of Rs 35.64 crore at the Indian box office. While the Rs 35.64 crore weekend collection isn't bad, it does fall short of the sky-high expectations set for Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan's big reunion. Fans were hoping for a stronger weekend surge, but with numbers dipping instead of rising, the weekdays don't look too promising either. For context, Kamal's last outing Indian 2, directed by Shankar, pulled in Rs 62.15 crore in just four days. Mani's Ponniyin Selvan films also fared much better at the box office, with Part I earning Rs 120.15 crore and Part II collecting Rs 103.75 crore in their opening weekends. Comparatively, Thug Life seems to be off to a more modest start. Thug Life stars a fantastic ensemble including Trisha, Silambarasan, Joju George, Ashok Selvan, Nasser, Abhirami, and more. The music is composed by the legendary AR Rahman, with stunning visuals captured by cinematographer Ravi K Chandran. The movie's editing is handled by A Sreekar Prasad. A part of the review of the film by News18 read, 'Thug Life ends up becoming a film that is torn between telling two stories. One is the unkillable and morally ambiguous king who continues to defy death. This story of Rangaray Sakthivel is a stand-in or metaphor for Kamal Haasan himself and how the actor has stood the test of time. However, this is half-done as the film is also about Amar and his tragedy. The climax is supposed to complete the circle. Now, the 'shield' gets shielded but still, the arc isn't organic and the irony kind of gets lost in the immortality of Sakthivel." Before Thug Life hit theatres, Kamal Haasan promoted the film with great energy. He was especially happy to team up with director Mani Ratnam again after 38 years. Their last film together was the classic Nayakan in 1987. Kamal spoke warmly about the reunion during promotions, calling it a special moment in his career. As per ANI, he told the press, 'Every film is a challenge, especially when you add another director like Mani Ratnam and a story that is so interesting. Fortunately, he included me in the story's preparation. I gave him an idea. Most of the time I was getting vegetables and helping him make it more tasty. That's what I did. And that I call a true collaboration…We are both children of cinema, and that is how we see each other." First Published:
