‘I Might Settle There’: Sunny Deol Highlights the Strength of South Indian Cinema, Encourages Bollywood to Learn

 

Sunny Deol shared his thoughts on what Bollywood producers could learn from their South Indian counterparts during the trailer launch of his upcoming movie Jaat. Directed by Gopichand Malineni, known for Krack, and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, the studio behind the Pushpa franchise, the film is generating considerable buzz.

Written by: Devansh Sharma
New Delhi | March 24, 2025 | 17:39 IST

At the trailer launch for Jaat, Sunny Deol remarked, “North India has witnessed the strength of this hand, now it’s the turn of the South,” referring to his iconic character. Following the immense success of Gadar 2 in 2023, Deol is now venturing into the South Indian film industry. He also discussed how Bollywood producers can gain insight from the way their South Indian counterparts approach filmmaking.

He continued, “I hope Bollywood producers can learn from South filmmakers. Focus on making Hindi cinema, and then learn the art of filmmaking. The script is the real hero in South cinema. I had such a great experience that I’m already asking them to make another film with me. Who knows, I might just go there and settle down,” Sunny Deol said during the trailer launch event in Mumbai.

Gopichand Malineni, the film’s director, also spoke about casting Sunny in his Bollywood debut, saying, “I grew up watching Sunny Deol’s action-packed films. I always watch them before starting a new project. Films like Ghatak, Ziddi, and Damini—Damini is my personal favorite. I aim to reintroduce the Sunny Deol from Damini to the audience.” 

Hina Khan Ditches Wig, Flaunts Natural Hair at Award Ceremony; Asks Fans for Their Opinion on Her New Look

 At the recent OTTplay Awards, Hina Khan, who is currently battling breast cancer, walked the red carpet in a stunning black dress and embraced her natural hair. The actor, who has completed her chemotherapy treatment and is now undergoing immunotherapy after surgery, shared with photographers, “Only so much hair has grown back as of now," with a smile.

On Instagram, she also posted an emotional note, reflecting on the recognition she received for her work in the serial Grihalaxmi. “Over my 16-year career, I've won many awards, but I’ve never shared a winning speech or stage interaction. This one feels particularly special because while filming Grihalaxmi, I was going through a really tough time, and so much happened afterward,” she shared.

“How do you guys like my new look?” Hina asked her followers.

It’s worth noting that hair loss is one of the most visible and emotionally difficult side effects of cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy.

Karan Johar Addresses Criticism of Ibrahim Ali Khan-Khushi Kapoor’s Nadaaniyan, Asks for ‘Sensitivity’

 

Karan Johar recently responded to the backlash surrounding Nadaaniyan, a film starring Khushi Kapoor (daughter of Boney Kapoor and Sridevi) and Ibrahim Ali Khan (son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh), which was produced under his banner, Dharmatic Entertainment. The film, released on Netflix on March 7, has been the subject of widespread trolling, mainly for the performances of the star kids and the film’s plot and execution.

In response to the online backlash, Karan Johar spoke out at a recent trailer launch event for a Punjabi film. He condemned the harsh language used by critics in their reviews. Johar expressed his discontent over the comment of one critic who wrote, “I want to kick this film.” He said, “I have major issues with these people. I have no issues with the industry, trolls, opinion makers, social commentary. I happily accept people’s opinions. In the same way, we have also our Nadaaniyan, Gustakhiyaan, and Gehraiyaan. But when you write such things in your review, it is not a reflection of the film, it is a reflection of you.”

Karan Johar emphasized the need for sensitivity when criticizing individuals, especially those who are children of celebrities. He reminded everyone that the people they are targeting—Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan—are someone’s son or daughter and deserve respect. Johar's statement reflects his concern for the emotional toll such harsh criticisms can have on the young actors, pointing out the personal aspect of these critiques.

The controversy surrounding Nadaaniyan continues to spark debates about the treatment of star kids in the film industry, their acting abilities, and the nature of public discourse in entertainment.

Brahmastra Director Ayan Mukerji’s Father, Actor Deb Mukherjee, Passes Away

 

Bollywood director Ayan Mukerji’s father, actor Deb Mukherjee, has passed away, confirmed a spokesperson for Dharma Productions to SCREEN on Friday. Deb Mukherjee, 83, was known for his roles in classic films like Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978), Baaton Baaton Mein (1979), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992), and Kaminey (2009). He reportedly passed away due to age-related ailments after being unwell for the past few months.

According to Times Now, his last rites will be held at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Juhu, Mumbai, on Friday evening. Bollywood stars such as Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, Kajol, Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Rani Mukerji, and Sidharth Malhotra are expected to attend the funeral.

A member of the renowned Mukherjee-Samarth film family, Deb’s father, Sashadhar Mukherjee, was a famous producer and the founder of Filmalaya Studios. His mother, Satidevi Mukherjee, was the only sister of cinematic legends Ashok Kumar, Anup Kumar, and Kishore Kumar. Deb’s brothers also had prominent careers in the film industry. His brother Joy Mukherjee was an actor, and his other brother, writer-director Shomu Mukherjee, was married to veteran actress Tanuja. Bollywood actresses Kajol and Tanishaa are their daughters.

Deb Mukherjee was married twice, and his daughter from his first marriage, film producer Sunita, is married to acclaimed filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker. Ayan Mukerji is his son from his second marriage.

Ayan began his film career by assisting his brother-in-law, Ashutosh Gowariker, on the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Swades(2004) before working as an assistant director with Karan Johar on Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), which starred SRK, Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, and Abhishek Bachchan. Ayan made his directorial debut with the successful Wake Up Sid (2009), starring Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma. His strong bond with Ranbir Kapoor led the actor to star in Ayan’s later projects: Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) and Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022).

Anushka Sharma Steals the Spotlight with Heartwarming Gesture to Virat Kohli at Champions Trophy Final

 

Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma captured hearts as she cheered for her husband, Virat Kohli, during the intense Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand. A touching moment between the couple quickly went viral, as a video showed them exchanging waves, drawing overwhelming affection from fans.

As the final match unfolded, Anushka Sharma was spotted in the stands, passionately supporting not only her husband but also Team India. However, it was an emotional interaction between the couple just before the match that became the talk of the town.

In a video shared on X, viewers saw Virat Kohli, who was engaged in a discussion with his teammates, glance towards the stands. Upon spotting Anushka, he waved at her, and in a heartwarming response, Anushka, who seemed lost in thought, beamed with a bright smile and waved back enthusiastically.

The sweet exchange sparked a flood of reactions from fans on social media. One fan remarked, "Kohli & Anushka’s sweet waves to each other, the little gestures that make cricket more than just a game." Another fan wrote, "A supporter like Anushka is all we need in life."

Alia Bhatt Shares How Ranbir Kapoor Has Transformed After Raha's Birth

  

Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor became parents to their daughter Raha in 2022. In an exclusive interview with Jay Shetty, Alia opened up about how their lives have changed since Raha's arrival. She shared that Ranbir now has "stars in his eyes" whenever he interacts with Raha, highlighting the deep bond between them.

Alia further described Ranbir's creativity when it comes to entertaining Raha, saying, "She entertains him as well. They share a very special friendship, almost like two friends. It’s a dynamic where, at different moments, they could either be like two adults or two toddlers, and it’s beautiful to see their connection evolve."

She also reflected on the significant changes she’s noticed in Ranbir since becoming a father. "Of course, this happens to any parent, but seeing it firsthand is different. I knew Ranbir before, and now I see the change in him. I can see the difference in how he interacts with people and how he is as a father. He’s just so full of love. It's not like he was ever impatient or edgy—he’s always been calm—but now there’s a sense of fullness that I witness every day. It’s really sweet and special to watch their interactions," she added.

In a lighter moment, Alia revealed that she secretly videotapes the adorable moments between Ranbir and Raha to preserve them as memories. "I sneakily record a lot of their random moments together. They don’t even know I’m doing it. Eventually, one of them notices the camera, and I quickly turn it off, but I plan to keep doing it—it’s just the beginning," she laughed.

Maddock Films’ Secret Sauce: How Dinesh Vijan Is Redefining Bollywood and Outplaying Big Studios with These 5 Game-Changing Strategies!

  

In a time when Bollywood is continuously adapting to shifting audience tastes and changing distribution methods, Maddock Films, led by Dinesh Vijan, has proven itself as a consistent box-office success. With recent hits like Chhaavaand Stree 2, Maddock Films is proving that innovation in filmmaking can still capture mass appeal. Here are five key strategies behind their success:

1. The Perfect Blend of Content and Commerce

One of Maddock Films' standout strengths is its ability to create films that strike the right balance between commercial viability and solid storytelling. Movies like Stree (2018) and Chhaava (2025) showcase how strong narratives, combined with mass appeal, can drive box office success. While many studios tend to either focus on content-driven cinema or pure commercial entertainment, Dinesh Vijan has found a perfect balance that appeals to audiences while ensuring long-term success even after the films leave theaters.

2. Genre Experimentation & Innovation

Maddock Films has broken the mold of genre filmmaking in Bollywood by proving that unique, out-of-the-box concepts can succeed commercially. From horror-comedies (Stree, Bhediya) to period action-dramas (Chhaava), slice-of-life rom-coms (Luka Chuppi, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke), and socially relevant comedies (Bala, Mimi), Dinesh Vijan has succeeded in various genres. Rather than sticking to familiar formulas, he has embraced fresh ideas and genre-blending, an approach Bollywood should adopt to avoid recycling outdated narratives.

3. Mastering Commercial Success with Originality

Maddock Films has perfected the art of commercial success while maintaining a unique voice and originality. As Bollywood grapples with challenges such as fragmented audiences, unpredictable box office performance, and evolving consumption patterns, Dinesh Vijan’s approach offers valuable lessons in finding a formula for success that doesn’t sacrifice creativity.

The takeaway for the industry is clear: Maddock Films has mastered the balance of commercial success and originality, setting a model for others to follow in these changing times.