Sidharth Malhotra in advanced talks to join Saif Ali Khan in Race 4; filming to begin in first half of 2025: Report

The Race franchise is set to make a return with Race 4, and the anticipation is palpable. Producer Ramesh Taurani has confirmed that the film will be a reboot, bringing back the original star, Saif Ali Khan, to the heart of the action. Now, a significant development has emerged: Sidharth Malhotra is in advanced talks to join the cast alongside Saif Ali Khan.

According to a report in Pinkvilla, Sidharth Malhotra has expressed keen interest in the franchise and has been engaged in discussions with Taurani for some time. A source close to the project shared, “While Ramesh Taurani’s in-house writers are working on the basic plot, he’s also collaborating with seasoned writers and directors to develop a compelling screenplay. And as the writing process progresses, he’s initiated conversations with Sidharth Malhotra to take on the lead role opposite Saif Ali Khan.”

The production is gearing up to begin filming in the first half of 2025. The team is currently focused on finalizing the script, laying the groundwork for a thrilling new chapter in the Race saga.

The Race franchise has always been defined by its dynamic and often antagonistic relationships between male protagonists. From Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna in Race to Saif and John Abraham in Race 2 and Salman Khan and Bobby Deol in Race 3, the series has consistently delivered high-stakes confrontations.

Race 4 is set to continue this tradition, with a face-off between Saif and Sidharth. As the source revealed, “Staying true to the essence of the franchise, Race 4 will feature a clash between two strong-headed men. It’s a pure two-hero film, with both characters having shades of gray.”

Beyond the central conflict, Race 4 promises a strong ensemble cast and a blend of thrills and glamour. The source added, “The film is being planned on a grand scale, and Ramesh Taurani and his team have immense faith in the franchise.”

Both Saif and Sidharth are expected to sign on to the project once the final script is ready, which is anticipated to happen around November 2024. While the actors have shown positive interest, their official commitment will depend on their satisfaction with the narrative.

ALSO READ: Saif Ali Khan returns to the Race franchise with fourth instalment: Report

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TMKOC’s Dilip Joshi, aka Jethalal, visits Olympic champion Aman Sehrawat, shares Fafda-Jalebi

Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat had a dream come true when he met the iconic actor Dilip Joshi, best known for his role as Jethalal in the popular television show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. The heartwarming encounter took place recently, and Sehrawat shared pictures and details of the meeting on Instagram.

When Aman Sehrawat met TMKOC’s Jethalal

Sehrawat, who won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, expressed his admiration for Joshi and the joy he brings through his work. In his Instagram post, Sehrawat wrote, “Today I felt great meeting Jethalal (Dilip Joshiji) @maakasamdilipjoshi Seeing these always makes me laugh and happiness in ‘Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chasma,’ thank you so much for visiting me.”

The pictures shared by Sehrawat show him and Joshi engaged in a warm conversation over a plate of fafda-jalebi, a popular Gujarati snack. Joshi also presented Sehrawat with a goody bag to celebrate his Olympic victory.

 

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A post shared by Aman Sehrawat (@amansehrawat057)

Sehrawat’s fans and followers were delighted to see the two icons together. One user commented, “Bast bahi aman ,” while another wrote, “2 Legends!” Many expressed their admiration for Sehrawat’s achievement and his genuine appreciation for Joshi’s work.

Aman Sehrawat in Paris Olympics 2024

Aman Sehrawat’s bronze medal win at the Olympics 2024 was a significant milestone for Indian wrestling. The athlete’s dedication and hard work paid off as he secured a podium finish in the men’s freestyle 57 kg wrestling match. Upon his return to India, Sehrawat was honored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries for his exceptional achievement.

Also Read: Goli says goodbye: Kush Shah quits Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah after 16 years

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Sanya Malhotra gets standing ovation at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne after Mrs screening

Sanya Malhotra, who attended the premiere of Mrs at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, is on cloud nine. The actress received a standing ovation for her performance in the film, which is directed by Arati Kadav. A video featured Sanya getting emotional as audiences stood up and applauded the film as well as Sanya’s performance.

Post the premiere, the actress expressed how she prepped for the role of Richa in Mrs. She said she met several women and took help of a very close friend, who had similar experiences as shown in the film.

“She graciously shared her therapy notes, which I used to read almost every day and used to feel anger and sadness, as I was very close to her. It pains me to know that some women are going through this, has accepted it and has given up on their dreams and their want,” the actress shared, adding that every day on the sets of ‘Mrs’ was “brilliant”. She also spoke about how she wants to do films that leave an impact and inspire, especially women.

The Sanya-starrer Mrs is an official adaptation of the Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen. The film has been receiving an incredible response at international film festivals. Earlier this year, Sanya won the Best Actress award at the New York Indian Film Festival, which has amped up excitement among her fans to witness the film in theatres. While Mrs continues to make waves nationally and internationally, Sanya Malhotra is gearing up for an interesting line-up of projects. She is currently prepping for Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari and Thug Life. She also has an untitled film with Anurag Kashyap in the pipeline.

Also Read: Sanya Malhotra shares behind-the-scenes photos from Mrs ahead of IFFM premiere: “Every day on the set was unique and memorable”

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Photos: Priyanka Chopra Jonas snapped at the airport

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Sikh body demands BAN on Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency: Expresses concerns over misrepresentation of Sikhs

Days after the trailer launch of Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency, controversy has sparked as prominent Sikh organizations call for an immediate ban on the movie. The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) have raised strong objections, accusing the film of misrepresenting Sikh figures and disrespecting the community’s history.

Akal Takht and SGPC Demand Ban on Emergency

The SGPC chief, Harjinder Singh Dhami, expressed his concerns during a press conference, asserting that the film deliberately portrays Sikhs in a negative light. He described the movie as an attempt to “character assassinate” Sikhs, particularly Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who is considered a martyr by the community.

Allegations of Distorting Sikh History

The controversy centres around Emergency, a political drama that portrays the period when the Emergency was imposed in India in 1975. Kangana Ranaut stars as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and the film depicts her political journey and the challenges she faced. However, the portrayal of certain Sikh characters and events has not been well received by Sikh leaders.

Gyani Raghbir Singh, the Jathedar (head) of the Akal Takht, condemned the film, alleging that it paints Sikhs as separatists and misrepresents the community’s role in history. He termed the film’s depiction of Sikhs as part of a “deep conspiracy” and accused it of creating an “anti-Sikh narrative.” Singh also highlighted the sensitivity surrounding the events of June 1984, a period of significant turmoil for the Sikh community, and claimed that Emergency disrespects the memory of Sikh martyrs.

Call for Government Action

In addition to demanding a ban on the film, the SGPC has called for legal action against Kangana Ranaut. Dhami urged authorities to register an FIR against the actress, accusing her of inciting religious sentiments through the film. He also criticized the government for allegedly protecting Ranaut despite her past controversial statements about Sikhs and Punjab.

The SGPC president further urged the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting to take immediate steps to ban the film. He stated that the Sikh community has repeatedly been hurt by the misrepresentation of their history in films, and such portrayals should be prevented in the future. Additionally, Dhami called for the inclusion of Sikh members in the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to ensure that Sikh sentiments are respected in Indian cinema.

The Film’s Release and Ongoing Debate

Emergency, which boasts a stellar cast including Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, and the late Satish Kaushik, is scheduled to hit theaters worldwide on September 6, 2024. Despite the growing controversy, the filmmakers have yet to respond to the demands for a ban.

Also Read: Emergency trailer launch: “I would love to direct Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan; eternally grateful to them for adding revenue to the industry” – Kangana Ranaut

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Rani Mukerji and Kajol’s cousin Samrat Mukherjee BREAKS SILENCE on being arrested in accident case; CLARIFIES he is not the Bengali actor who hit a motorcyclist in Kolkata

Rani Mukerji and Kajol’s cousin filmmaker, Samrat Mukherjee, has clarified that he is not the Bengali actor who was arrested for hitting a motorcyclist in Kolkata.

The confusion arose after a Bengali actor named Samrat Mukherjee was involved in a road accident in Behala, Kolkata. Many people speculated that the actor was the same Samrat Mukherjee who is related to the Bollywood stars. However, the filmmaker has denied these claims.

Samrat Mukherjee Denies Involvement in the Accident

In an interview with Times Entertainment, Samrat Mukherjee stated that he is based in Mumbai and is not the same person who was involved in the accident. He further explained that the actor in question is a television star based in Kolkata.

He said, “I would like to clarify that the actor Samrat Mukherjee, who met with an accident is not me. The actor Samrat Mukherjee is based in Kolkata and I am a filmmaker, owner of Filmalaya studios, based in Mumbai. Since morning I have been getting calls and tired now, telling them how I am not the same Samrat. It is reported that the actor who met with an accident belongs to our family, but it is not true.”

The Real Samrat Mukherjee

The Bengali actor who was arrested is a television star known for his work in the Sun Bangla series, Akash Sumon. The motorcyclist who was injured in the accident was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Samrat Mukherjee, the filmmaker, is the owner of Filmalaya Studios in Mumbai. He is a well-known figure in the Indian film industry and has worked with many prominent filmmakers.

Also Read: Rani Mukerji says, “Truly manifesting a musical with Hugh Jackman” as she opens up about India-Australia cinematic collaboration

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Photos: Rakul Preet Singh, Jackky Bhagnani and others attend CEAT Cricket Ratings Award 2024

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