The Hollywood Reporter India
Christopher Nolan On The Odyssey, IMAX & A Dream He Chased Since 16 | InFocus | THR India
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Anupama, Justin and Rahul bring their sharp perspectives, candid humor and deep love for cinema to every frame of discussion. With honesty and energy, “It’s A Wrap” captures the cultural impact of these films and shows—celebrating the moments that worked, critiquing the ones that didn’t, and highlighting how stories continue to evolve in Indian entertainment. This is The Hollywood Reporter India’s monthly take on movies, shows and everything in between.
#TheHollywoodReporterIndia #Bollywood #Saiyaara
While acknowledging the film's typical Malayalam cinema pitfalls - including a meandering second half, awkward song sequences, and forced subplots - Vishal remains largely positive about the viewing experience. He commends the "crackling chemistry" between Mohanlal, Malavika Mohanan, and Sangeetha Prathap, noting that Mohanlal lifts the complexities of his character "as though it's made of feathers." Though Vishal admits Hridayapoorvam may not rank among the best Sathyan-Mohanlal collaborations given their formidable legacy, he concludes that the film "feels like home" in the most familiar and comforting way possible, making it a worthy addition to their long-standing partnership.
#Hridayapoorvam #MohanlalMovie #MalayalamCinema
The panel delved into practical challenges of VFX execution, the role of actor conviction in selling fantastical worlds, and the impact of AI on creative storytelling. Ram revealed his pioneering work in virtual reality with plans for mythological short films, while Aditya shared how budget constraints shape creative decisions in CGI-heavy productions. Shriya emphasized the importance of surrendering to directorial vision when performing against green screens, highlighting the collaborative trust required between actors and filmmakers. The discussion touched on everything from Tim Burton's influence to the challenges of competing with global content standards, offering audiences a rare glimpse into the creative processes behind India's most ambitious cinematic universes.
00:00 Introduction
02:13 What does "world building" really mean for filmmakers?
04:46 Tim Burton influence and creating unique cinematic worlds
06:30 Ram Madhvani's System 360 - No lights, no "action", no "cut"
08:08 Acting in fantastical worlds vs reality-based stories
10:44 Green screen challenges and trusting the director's vision
12:28 Working with CGI co-actors and technical performance
15:01 Thama teaser discussion and the horror-comedy universe
17:02 Creating Indian vampire mythology
19:00 Virtual reality as the new frontier of storytelling
21:04 Critics, validation, and dealing with reviews
24:20 Directing actors in different worlds and mythical performances
26:28 Indian VFX evolution - Budget vs ambition
29:40 AI in filmmaking - Will it replace human creativity?
33:50 The human element in creative arts
#THRSpotlight #IndianCinema #WorldBuilding
The conversation takes an emotional turn as Karan reflects on the loss of his parents at a young age and how those experiences shaped his perspective on life and success. He discusses his nickname "Geeta the Machine," coined by producer Deep Jandu, his dream collaborations with artists like Arijit Singh and international stars like Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg, and the responsibility that comes with influencing millions of fans. From his village in Punjab to private jets and sold-out arenas, Karan's story is one of resilience, authenticity, and the transformative power of music.
00:00 Introduction
04:17 Creating "Gabru" - the rock Punjabi sound
06:27 Writing process and iPhone notes
07:30 Processing 20,000 people chanting your name
09:23 Recharging at home in Punjab
11:00 Staying humble despite massive success
13:22 Bollywood debut and cricket friendships
15:00 Balancing global audience with Punjabi roots
16:51 Who is the OG Karan Aujla fan
18:36 Hearing his music in Costa Rica
20:16 Childhood memories that keep him grounded
24:20 Forgiving life for the cards dealt
26:00 Living life like a video game
27:58 Dream collab with Arijit Singh
30:05 "Geeta the Machine" origin story
33:16 30-35 tracks made, 11 chosen
37:37 Three words to describe Karan
#KaranAujla #PPOPCulture #THRIndia
The conversation delves deep into Shruti's evolution as an artist, from her initial reluctance towards acting to discovering it as her life's passion during a two-year hiatus. She candidly discusses the price of honesty in the industry, her struggle with acceptance after years of rejection, and how acting broke her open as a human being, ultimately enriching her music. Shruti also shares insights about being a multilingual, multi-hyphenate artist who seamlessly navigates between being "the boss" in her independent music career and "a cog in the machinery" of big-budget films. She reveals her upcoming projects including the Hollywood film "The Eye," her work with Vijay Sethupathi in "Train," and her continuous journey of writing, composing, and performing music that serves as both therapy and artistic expression.
#ShrutiHaasan #CoolieMovie #THRIndiaExclusive
Vishal highlights how Lokesh Kanagaraj's filmmaking patterns have become formulaic, noting his use of Chekhov's gun devices and recycled elements from his previous films like Kaithi, Vikram, Master, and Leo. He critiques how the film tries desperately to be both another Rajinikanth film and another Lokesh film simultaneously, following the towering shadow of the Baasha formula while regurgitating tricks from the superstar playbook. The review covers the film's convoluted plot with too many twists, subplots, and characters that create a web of lies where everything stops making sense, comparing it to the structure of 1990s Abbas-Mustan movies. Vishal notes that while Rajinikanth's Deva comes alive better in lighter moments than action blocks, the film suffers from convenient writing and lacks the organic whistle-worthy moments Lokesh used to create. He concludes that ironically for a film titled Coolie, both the director struggles under the weight of the film's superstar and appears burdened by his own fan following.
#Coolie #Rajinikanth #LokeshKanagaraj
Anupama highlights the film's star-studded, glossy, and expensive production values while noting that it fails to deliver the adrenaline high of its predecessor. She praises the towering talent of leading men Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr. as superb actors but critiques how director Ayan Mukerji seems more interested in scale and set pieces than developing the crucial relationship between Kabir and Vikram, which serves as the spine of the narrative. The review covers the screenplay by Shridhar Raghavan and dialogue by Abbas Tyrewala from Aditya Chopra's story, while noting that Kiara Advani has more to do than Vaani Kapoor did in the first War but her track doesn't add much emotion or humor. Anupama concludes that what should have been a thundering battle of wills between two superb actors becomes an occasionally intriguing but mostly labored spy saga, though she recommends staying for the post-credits scene introducing Alpha featuring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari.
#War2 #HrithikRoshan #NTRJr
Suchin highlights the series' solid production values, praising production designer Sukanta Panigrahi and costume designer Vira Kapoor for bringing the 1970s setting to life, while noting that the show awards dimension and humanity to Pakistani characters rather than reducing them to cartoon villains. He reviews the performances, noting that while Pratik Gandhi is one of India's finest actors, he isn't able to breathe life into a character the narrative doesn't know what to do with. The review covers standout performances from Sunny Hinduja as ISI head Murtaza and Suhail Nayyar as Sukhbir, while critiquing the show's reliance on insecure voiceover narration and its struggle to effectively establish characters. Suchin concludes that despite having potential for a tense thriller with grand stakes, the series rarely brings tension and feels more like a forgettable feature film lost in an uneven series format.
#SaareJahanSeAchcha #PratikGandhi #Netflix
Pooja also shares insights into creating the viral sensation 'Monica O My Darling' with its 55 million views, the five-day shoot in challenging conditions, and the unexpected validation from Monica Bellucci herself. From her early struggles getting meetings despite her success in South cinema to working with icons like Vijay in his final film, Hrithik Roshan who praised her rare talent, and maintaining perspective through social media trolling, this conversation captures an actress at a pivotal moment in her career. She candidly discusses her upcoming projects, her philosophy on choosing films, and why she believes cinema has the power to change lives.
00:00 Introduction
02:50 Career's finest performance
05:46 Monica song
09:35 Working with Karthik Subbaraj
15:14 Being typecast in Mumbai
17:31 From Radhe Shyam to Retro
22:14 Emotional decisions about Hindi films
24:15 Hindi cinema and pan-India reach
27:11 Acting across different cultures
31:48 Working with Suriya
37:25 Dealing with paid trolls
40:05 Social media vs ticket buyers
42:07 Hrithik Roshan's quote
44:29 Obsession with cinema
46:34 Getting meetings in Bollywood
48:38 Vijay's last film experience
52:55 Not being a diva
#PoojaHegde #RetroMovie #CoolieMovie #THRIndia
The conversation delves deep into the professional challenges these women face in an industry still learning to embrace female talent beyond traditional roles. From Ashwiny's admission about struggling to hustle for opportunities despite her proven track record, to Neha's frustration at still being questioned about her ability to handle handheld cameras after 18 projects, the panelists share candid insights about navigating systemic biases. They discuss the evolving landscape of women-centric narratives, the importance of female representation in technical departments, and their ambitious future goals – including Ashwiny's desire to direct a thousand-crore blockbuster action film. The discussion highlights both the progress made and the journey ahead, as these women continue to challenge stereotypes and create space for more diverse voices in Indian cinema.
#WomenInFilm #BehindTheCamera #BreakingBarriers
Throughout this candid conversation on The Hollywood Reporter India’s InFocus, Shanoo Sharma reveals the challenges of keeping faith over nine years while grooming Ahaan Panday for his eventual debut, the instant chemistry she felt with Aneet Padda, and her unique philosophy of treating casting as a maternal profession. She shares fascinating anecdotes about working with Aditya Chopra, the importance of watchability in actors, and why she believes in looking for talent everywhere—from Instagram to wedding celebrations. This rare interview offers aspiring actors invaluable advice while showcasing the woman whose keen eye for talent has shaped modern Bollywood.
#ShanooSharma #bollywood #saiyaara
0:00 Introduction
2:12 Magical response to Saiyaara’s release
6:01 “I’m not going to let them go”
8:04 Keeping faith over 9 years with Ahaan
9:03 Aditya Chopra’s faith in Ahaan during pandemic
11:10 Training Ahaan during COVID with Railway Men
14:21 Aneet Padda’s journey from Vijay 69 casting
16:08 “I have gold in my hand”
19:19 Process that got Mohit Suri to warm up to Aneet
21:22 “Back to work, back to training” advice post-success
24:32 Keeping newcomers away from media strategy
26:05 First day 20 crore opening reactions
28:45 “I wait for that same physical feeling”
33:56 Finding Vishal Jethwa for Mardaani 2
35:31 Ranveer Singh’s exit - “There’s no bad blood”
39:00 Nature of stardom has changed
44:05 “I’m perpetually looking”
47:38 Anyone ignored by team faces “calamity”
52:00 Hunger and dedication impress her most
56:16 Future homemaker dream and personal life
1:00:02 Aditya Chopra as only client
1:04:09 Never took a vacation in 18 years
#InFocusTHRIndia #ShanooSharmaYRF #BollywoodCasting
The conversation explores Raj's journey from radio jockey to one of Kannada cinema's most innovative voices, his collaboration with the "Shetty trinity" (Rishab and Rakshit Shetty), and his commitment to nurturing fresh talent through Lighter Buddha Films. Raj also opens up about his "accidental actor" approach, the importance of authentic storytelling rooted in local culture, and why he believes content-driven cinema will always triumph over star-driven projects. He discusses his upcoming thriller project, his refusal to work with big stars due to scheduling constraints, and his vision for the future of Kannada cinema.
00:00 Introduction
03:49 Discussing Su From So's theatrical success story
06:10 Origin of ghost Sulochana from Someshwara
11:04 Casting theater troupe for village characters
13:00 Playing fraudulent spiritual guru Guruji character
17:04 JP Thuminad's directorial improvisation and comedy pacing
19:04 Lighter Buddha Films philosophy and name origin
22:35 Writing process preferring uncertainty over design
27:05 Writing new thriller after gangster comedy genres
32:05 Small budget films versus star-driven productions
34:07 Kannada cinema landscape post-KGF and Kantara
39:43 Malayalam release and Hindi remake possibilities
#RajBShetty #SuFromSo #KannadaCinema
Anupama highlights the performances, particularly praising Triptii Dimri's portrayal of Vidhi as not being the naive angelic character from the original, but rather someone determined to fight once she discovers the deep bigotry in her affluent upper-caste family. She notes Siddhant Chaturvedi's solid performance despite his troubling tanned complexion manufactured for the film, as he locates the several beats of Neelesh's anguished journey. The review covers how the film went through a long battle with the censor board, resulting in 16 cuts and a disclaimer lasting 1 minute 51 seconds. Anupama concludes that while Dhadak 2 has the right intentions and moments of vigor and urgency with a striking performance by Siddhant, the parts don't coalesce into a whole, feeling more generic and designed compared to the documentary-like rawness and authenticity of Pariyerum Perumal.
#Dhadak2 #SiddhantChaturvedi #TriptiiDimri
Kairam highlights the film's consistently excellent visual elements, praising the breathtaking cinematography by Jomon T. John and Girish Gangadharan, Avinash Kolla's immersive production design, and Anirudh Ravichander's music and background score. She notes that while Navin Nooli's editing keeps the first half tight and densely packed, the sharpness doesn't carry through to the second half as the script meanders into predictable territory. The review covers the strong performances, particularly the chemistry between Vijay Deverakonda and Satyadev, while noting that the espionage element feels complex with confusing character roles including Bhagyashri Borse's. Kairam concludes that Kingdom starts with a distinct identity but gradually loses its footing, settling into something more generic by the end, though it delivers enough through craftsmanship and performances to earn viewers' time.
#Kingdom #VijayDeverakonda #GowtamTinnanuri
The conversation spans multiple fascinating topics including the evolution of stardom in post-COVID Bollywood, the surprising success of animated film 'Mahavatar Narsimha', and the changing dynamics of theatrical releases. Vishek and Akkshay share their candid insights on why certain superstars like Salman Khan need to reinvent themselves, how films like 'Raid 2' and 'Sitaare Zameen Par' performed despite expectations, and what the historic Independence Day clash between 'War 2' and 'Coolie' means for Indian cinema. They also discuss the cross-pollination of talent between Hindi and South Indian cinema, marking a new era where the lines between regional industries are blurring.
0:00 Independence Day weekend historic for Indian cinema
2:56 Saiyaara exceeds expectations with record-breaking opening
5:55 Millennials craved intense romantic stories on screen
9:03 Hrithik Roshan's Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai stardom comparison
12:30 Rebranding male heroes with aggressive machismo works
15:35 Box office consistency returns after pandemic uncertainty
18:22 Content creators understand post-COVID audience preferences
21:40 Stardom guarantees opening but needs strong storytelling
25:12 Shah Rukh Khan reinvented with Pathaan action avatar
28:07 Salman Khan needs next transition after long run
31:20 Stars must evolve to remain relevant always
34:00 Theatrical stars just one film from resurrection
36:26 Mahavatar Narsimha breaks animation box office records
39:16 More mythology animation films needed for children
42:05 Apple's F1 proves theatrical remains profitable business
45:25 War 2 and Coolie create unprecedented Independence weekend
48:35 Cross-pollination of talent breaks regional barriers completely
50:20 Both films will deliver historic weekend collections
51:15 IMDb Watchlist Segment
#THRBuzz #BollywoodBoxOffice #IndianCinema
Karan reveals the insider secrets of the luxury watch world, explaining the Holy Trinity of watchmaking (Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin), the rise of independent watchmakers, and why brands like Bvlgari's Octo Finissimo and Blancpain are gaining popularity among Indian celebrities. The conversation covers the complex world of secondary markets, purchase history requirements, and the 40% combined duty structure that makes luxury watches in India significantly more expensive.
Learn about the three essential watches every collector needs, the difference between genuine enthusiasts and those just seeking status symbols, and the surprising stories behind sourcing rare timepieces for Bollywood's elite. From explaining watch complications to revealing which timepiece everyone wants but few can get, this episode is your ultimate guide to understanding India's luxury watch culture.
#Rolex #LuxuryWatches #BollywoodLifestyle


