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Filmmakers Call for Reform in Hindi Film Industry: “It’s About Passion, Not Just Profit”

June 8, 2025, 3:43 pm

Veteran filmmakers Kiran Rao, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Anurag Kashyap have expressed concern about the increasing structural problems in the Hindi film industry, which range from poor theater experiences and rising marketing budgets to OTT-driven algorithms and a shortage of enthusiastic producers. They contend that small films are finding it more difficult to thrive as a result of the growing divide between creators and financiers caused by tech ownership.

In order to bring back the creative spirit of the industry, the filmmakers demand more accommodating producers, more equitable promotion tactics, and flexible release models as theaters become more impersonal and streaming becomes more popular.

“Now it’s statistics and algorithm,” says Kashyap

Anurag Kashyap highlighted the loss of passionate producers in today’s film industry. “There was a time when producers were proud of films, now it’s statistics and algorithm,” he said. Kashyap recalled how Rakesh Roshan once mortgaged his house for his 1987 film Khudgarz. He added, “Whenever people have liked my film, there was a good producer empowering me. And whenever my film didn’t work, the same producer was pulling the strings because the money comes from somewhere else.”

Vikramaditya Motwane echoed similar concerns, explaining, “Most of our entertainment is owned by tech companies. There’s a slight broadening of the gap between creative people and people who have the money.” He praised Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films but added, “Not every producer or studio is like that.”

Filmmakers Demand Fair Play

Kiran Rao pointed out that high marketing costs make it difficult for small films to reach audiences. “There’s so much noise now… only big films can afford [to promote]. Small films that are great just cannot,” she said. Speaking about the struggle of attracting people to cinemas, Rao added, “It takes a lot for someone to find the right show, the right timing. Ticket prices are sometimes prohibitive, and it’s not convenient.”

Vikramaditya Motwane was more blunt in his criticism of cinema halls. “You walk into a theatre that’s sterile. There are 30 minutes of ads, disclaimers, then 15 more during the interval. You exit through the bum of the place.” The group also discussed the impact of streaming.

He criticised the eight-week rule between theatre and OTT releases, saying, “We’ve become used to watching films at home… I don’t think it should be standard.” Kiran Rao added, “Streaming and theatres are not mutually exclusive. You should be able to release a film on both at once.”

In the end, all three agreed that the Hindi film industry needs passionate producers, fair marketing practices, better cinemas, and flexible release models to truly thrive.

Congress Starts ‘Laapataa Ladies’ Campaign Ahead Of Maharashtra Election

October 1, 2024, 10:56 am

Ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra elections, the Congress has launched the ‘Laapataa Ladies’ campaign, inspired by the Kiran Rao-directed film, to criticize the Eknath Shinde government for its handling of women’s safety.

Posters Highlight Missing Women

Posters across Maharashtra bear the title “Laapataa Ladies” along with the alarming statement, “64,000 women missing in a year,” written in Marathi. The silhouettes of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar are also featured in the posters.

The campaign name draws from the movie Laapataa Ladies, which garnered praise for addressing patriarchy through its comedic narrative and was selected as India’s official Oscar entry.

Criticism Following Recent Incidents

The Congress campaign comes on the heels of a tragic case in Badlapur, where two schoolgirls were sexually abused. The campaign specifically targets Devendra Fadnavis, who is in charge of the Home Ministry in the state, emphasizing the government’s failure to ensure women’s safety.

Fadnavis’ Previous Statement on Missing Women

In a 2022 Assembly address, Fadnavis stated that 64,000 women and girls go missing in Maharashtra annually. Of these cases, 87% of the missing individuals returned in 2021, with 86% returning in 2022. He noted that efforts are being made to reduce these numbers, but concerns remain.

Government’s Response with New Scheme

To counter the criticism and reach out to female voters, the state government introduced the ‘Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana,’ which provides ₹1,500 per month to eligible women aged 21-65 with family incomes below ₹2.5 lakh.

Tough Electoral Battle Ahead

The upcoming election presents a challenging contest between the ruling coalition—comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP—and the opposition alliance of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the opposition had a strong showing, winning 30 of Maharashtra’s 48 seats, setting the stage for an intense political battle in the state.

Laapataa Ladies Actress Nitanshi Goel: ‘I Missed Class 11 Exams to Promote the Film’

September 24, 2024, 10:37 am

Kiran Rao’s film Laapataa Ladies has been chosen as India’s official entry for the Oscars next year. The movie features newcomers Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Sparsh Shrivastav in leading roles. During the film’s promotion in June, Nitanshi shared an interesting experience on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, revealing that she had to miss her Class 11 exams to support the film’s publicity efforts.

Nitanshi’s Experience

In her conversation, Nitanshi expressed gratitude for the support she received from her friends and teachers. She explained, “I have gotten very supportive friends and teachers. Because my promotions were going on, I could not take my final exams. I took them later for 11th standard. During the exam, a teacher came to me and said, ‘You’ve done such good work!’ The invigilator, who was there, said, ‘Listen, let her complete her exam then we all will get a chance to talk to her, click selfies with her, and tell her how good she was.’ They all somewhere have rooted for me. I couldn’t tell them what exactly was the film I was doing earlier, but now that they’ve watched it, I hope they’re proud of me. I’m now in class 12, studying commerce, and I’ll of course give the board exams, which will be next year.”

Film Synopsis

Laapataa Ladies is set in the fictional state of Nirmal Pradesh in 2001 and follows the story of two brides, Phool and Pushpa, who accidentally get swapped during a train journey. One bride is taken home by the other’s groom, while the other is left stranded at a railway station. A police officer, played by Ravi Kishan, takes on the responsibility of investigating the unusual case. The film is presented by Jio Studios and produced by Aamir Khan Productions along with Kiran Rao’s Kindling Productions. It is co-produced by Kiran Rao, Aamir Khan, and Jyoti Deshpande and is available for streaming on Netflix India.

Kiran Rao And Aamir Khan Set To Reunite For A New Project? Find Out The Details Here

September 23, 2024, 7:00 pm

Kiran Rao’s film Laapataa Ladies has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars in the Best Foreign Film category. The film is co-produced by Aamir Khan, her former husband, with whom she still shares a professional relationship despite their divorce in 2021. During a recent IANS event, Kiran confirmed that she and Aamir would “definitely” work together again, although she wasn’t sure in what capacity. She highlighted that her focus remains on the development of the story.

Laapataa Ladies is a collaborative production of Aamir Khan Productions, Jio Studios, and Kindling Pictures. Aamir Khan Productions expressed their gratitude to the Film Federation of India through an Instagram story, saying, “A heartfelt thanks to the Film Federation of India selection committee for choosing our film Laapataa Ladies to represent India at the Oscars! We are immensely grateful to our audiences, the media, and the film fraternity for their overwhelming support. Thanks to Jio Studios and Netflix for their strong backing. Love, Team AKP.”

The film, released in March, stars Nitanshi Goel as Phool Kumari, Pratibha Ranta as Jaya, and Sparsh Shrivastav as Deepak Kumar, with notable performances from Ravi Kishan, Chhaya Kadam, and Satendra Soni. The movie revolves around the story of two young brides and explores the theme of women’s empowerment. It is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

Did Aamir Khan hint at Retirement?

August 9, 2024, 11:51 pm

Superstar Aamir Khan and his ex-wife, filmmaker Kiran Rao, recently had a meaningful discussion with Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud following a special screening of their acclaimed film Laapataa Ladies at the Supreme Court. Held on Friday, this screening was part of a gender sensitisation initiative and was attended by several Supreme Court judges.

Aamir shared that his motivation to produce Laapataa Ladies was driven by both “fear and desire.” Reflecting on his career, he noted, “During COVID, at 56, I realized I’m in the final phase of my career. I might have around 15 years left of active work, and I wanted to give back. The industry, society, and country have given me so much. I thought I could produce one film a year, but as a producer, I could support multiple stories I care about.”

Known for his focus on socially relevant cinema, Aamir expressed his dedication to fostering new talent in filmmaking. “By producing, I can create opportunities for new writers, directors, and other creatives. Laapataa Ladies is the first step in this direction. I aim to produce four to five films a year to showcase more such innovative work,” he explained.

Chief Justice Chandrachud also asked about the film’s inspiration. Kiran Rao revealed that it all started with an original script by Biplab Goswami, which Aamir discovered during a Screen Writers Association competition in 2020. They decided to acquire the rights and add more humor to the script. “The journey was long and uncertain due to industry changes,” Kiran noted.

Despite suggestions to release the film directly on OTT platforms, they opted for a theatrical release. “The film has been well-received by audiences, and I’m pleased we brought it to cinemas,” Kiran said.

Laapataa Ladies is about two newlywed brides who are accidentally switched during a train journey to their husbands’ homes. The film had a modest box office performance but achieved even greater success on Netflix, breaking several viewership records.

Fans React To Aamir Khan And Sons Looking Like ‘Three Brothers’ During Outing With Ex-Wife Kiran Rao

August 2, 2024, 2:33 pm

Actor Aamir Khan recently deviated from his typically private lifestyle by stepping out with his sons, Junaid and Azad, along with his ex-wife, filmmaker Kiran Rao.The family appeared cheerful as they attended a get-together, and Aamir graciously posed for photos with the paparazzi. Junaid and Azad, standing by their father, were seen smiling for the cameras, adding to the heartwarming scene.

Social media quickly buzzed with videos and pictures from their outing, with fans expressing joy at the sight of Aamir enjoying quality time with his sons. Many noted that the trio resembled “three brothers,” highlighting the close bond they share.

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A post shared by Varinder Chawla (@varindertchawla)

Kiran Rao also joined the family event, sharing in the moments and posing for the photographers. On the professional front, Aamir is set to appear in “Sitare Zameen Par,” while Junaid is gearing up for a romantic comedy with Khushi Kapoor and a film with Sai Pallavi. Junaid’s recent debut in Netflix’s “Maharaj” has been met with positive reception, and Aamir has expressed pride in his son’s accomplishments.

Kiran Rao On Post-Divorce Life: “Happy Without Aamir, We Don’t Need A Paper To Define Us”

July 22, 2024, 1:27 pm

Kiran Rao has finally come out to express her happiness over the separation from Aamir Khan. She revealed in an interview that while the act of separation was difficult, she was more than relieved that they had pulled it off. Aamir and Kiran declared their separation in July 2021.

“It’s been a very happy divorce,” Rao said during an interview with Faye D’Souza and added, “I feel relationships need to be redefined from time to time because we change as human beings as we grow. We need different things and this (divorce) is what I felt would make me happy and has made me very happy, honestly.”
“Before Aamir, I was single for a very long time. I did, actually. I enjoyed my independence. I was lonely, but now I have Azad, so I don’t tend to be lonely. I think loneliness is the only thing most people are a bit worried about when they get divorced or lose a partner. I haven’t felt lonely at all. In fact, I get the support of both families, his family and mine. Anyway, actually, it’s all been good stuff. It’s been a very happy divorce,” she said.

However, Kiran also confessed that ending their 15-year-long marriage wasn’t easy for either of them. The Laapataa Ladies director revealed that the Bollywood actor “took a while to get there emotionally and mentally.” Rao further expressed that she knew she would cope with the divorce because she wanted “independent, individual time to myself and my life”.

“There’s a lot of love, lot of respect, there’s a lot of shared history, shared laughs, shared ideology, there’s lots of things that we look for in each other. So, I didn’t want to lose that,” said Kiran Rao, as she concluded her statement, meaning thereby that though she and Aamir have parted ways, they didn’t need any paper to define them. “‘Yeah, we don’t need paper saying that we are married, but we know what we mean to each other’… This is a relationship which will stand the test of time despite the divorce,” she said.

LS Polls Phase 5: Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao Cast Their Votes

May 20, 2024, 3:46 pm

Actor Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao exercised their voting rights on Monday by visiting their assigned polling booth to cast their ballots. Following their participation in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Mumbai, they proudly displayed their inked fingers as proof of their voting.

Aamir Khan’s children Junaid and Ira, from his first wife Reena Dutta, enthusiastically posed for photographs after casting their votes. Additionally, the actor’s mother, Zeenat Hussain, was seen at a polling booth, defying her age. Voting commenced this morning at 7.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), over 8.95 crore voters, comprising 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors, will determine the fate of 695 candidates in the fifth phase of voting. This phase features significant contests across various constituencies.

Key leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, BJP figures Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP’s Ramvilas chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC’s Omar Abdullah, and RJD’s Rohini Acharya aspire for electoral success. The states and union territories involved in phase 5 include Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Of the 49 Lok Sabha seats, Uttar Pradesh has 14, Maharashtra 13, West Bengal 7, Bihar 5, Jharkhand 3, Odisha 5, and one each from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

To ensure a tranquil environment for voters, a comprehensive surveillance operation is underway across the 94,732 polling stations. This includes 2,000 flying squads, 2,105 static surveillance teams, 881 video surveillance teams, and 502 video viewing teams, maintaining vigilance round the clock.

Laapataa Ladies directed by Kiran rao hits theatres today

March 1, 2024, 9:29 am

Set in rural India, the film “Laapataa Ladies” delves into the story of two missing brides. The story of the movie has amusing moments woven into the serious situation of a lost wife being replaced by another mysterious woman. Today, on March 1, the film makes its debut in theaters. Kiran Rao steps into the director’s role for the second time in 14 years with “Laapataa Ladies.”

During the press conference, Director Kiran Rao stated, “There is a specific community tasked with assessing and selecting one of the finest films of the year, and if our film is deemed worthy, we will submit it for the prestigious Oscars. However, for now, we are eagerly anticipating the recognition we are yet to receive on March 1, 2024,” hinting at the film’s release.

Produced under the banners of Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, “Laapataa Ladies” features Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, and Chhaya Kadam in prominent roles. The film is based on Biplab Goswami’s award-winning story.

Kiran Rao recalls amusing moments of Nupur, Ira’s wedding

January 19, 2024, 10:24 am

Filmmaker Kiran Rao, who recently made her debut on Instagram, shared delightful moments from the wedding of Aamir Khan’s daughter, Ira Khan. Ira and her long-time boyfriend, Nupur, had a traditional Christian wedding in Udaipur, Rajasthan, following their registered marriage in Mumbai on January 3.

Kiran Rao, through her Instagram handle, posted several charming photos from the destination wedding. In one image, Kiran radiates joy in a stunning black off-the-shoulder dress. Another picture captures a joyful moment with Kiran, Ira, Aamir Khan, Reena Dutta, and Azad smiling together. The sangeet night is depicted in a photo of Kiran and Aamir playing the harmonium.

#AamirKhan and #KiranRao dancing at #IraKhanWedding https://t.co/BlFyWiBqIW

— Media Myths (@Media_Myths) January 14, 2024

Further images showcase Kiran embracing the newlyweds and sharing heartfelt moments, symbolizing the bonds of love and family. A photo capturing Kiran hugging Ira beautifully illustrates their close relationship. Additionally, Junaid Khan, Azad, and Ira are seen posing together.

Kiran captioned the post, “Some outtakes from a super fun wedding. We laughed, sang, danced, hugged, posed, and even chilled. A lot. (with heart emoji)” [Link to the Instagram post provided]

Some outtakes from a super fun wedding. We laughed, sang, danced, hugged, posed and even chilled . A lot. – #KiranRao #IraWedding #Aamirkhan #Family pic.twitter.com/0d2wbKlkwo

— Lirica saito telles (@TellesSaito) January 18, 2024

Kiran Rao, marking her Instagram debut, shared a picture from the sets of her upcoming comedy-drama film ‘Laapataa Ladies.’ The film, set in 2001 in rural India, revolves around the amusing chaos that unfolds when two young brides go astray from a train. ‘Laapataa Ladies,’ directed by Kiran Rao, is scheduled for release on March 1, 2024, and features Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan in key roles. The film is presented by Jio Studios and produced by Aamir Khan and Jyoti Deshpande under the banners of Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions.

Kiran Rao makes Instagram debut; shares a quirky picture : Bollywood News https://t.co/Ig37jas0GL

— Bollywood Fain (@Bollywoodfain) January 17, 2024

Viral Video: Uday Chopra trolled for greeting Aamir Khan and his ex-wife Kiran Rao with a smile at mom Pamela Chopra’s funeral

April 21, 2023, 11:15 am

Yash Chopra’s wife, Pamela Chopra’s sudden demise has left the entire film industry grief-struck. From Shah Rukh Khan to Karan Johar, Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, and Karan Johar among others visited Aditya Chopra’s residence to offer their condolences. The ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ actor Aamir Khan was also snapped by the photographers. In the viral video, the actor was hugging Pamela’s son Uday Chopra as he offered his condolences. He was also accompanied by his former wife Kiran Rao.

The video was shared by popular Bollywood paparazzi Viral Bhayani on Instagram. As soon as the video surfaced online, Instagram users noticed something unusual in the video. Why? Because Uday Chopra was seen greeting Aamir and Kiran with a smile. A section of people in the comment section felt that Uday smiling was not a good sign. Reacting to the viral video, one of the Instagram users wrote, “shameless Uday Chopra.” Another wrote, “Why he is smiling?” A third user wrote, “Is this a funeral or a house warming ceremony?” A fourth user wrote, “Why is Uday Chopra greeting Kiran Rao with a smile?”

Check out the viral video below

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A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

For those unaware, the ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ actor shares a close relationship with the Chopra family. He has worked in several films produced under the family’s YRF banner, such as Dhoom 3, Thugs of Hindostan, and Fanaa.

AAMIR KHAN CELEBRATES HIS 15TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WITH 10 ASIATIC LIONS AT GIR

December 28, 2020, 4:16 am

AHMEDABAD: Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary at the Gir National Park. The actor and his wife were overwhelmed to see world famous Asiatic lions in the Gir National Park.

Early in the Sunday morning, Aamir took the privilege of a jungle safari ride in Sasan in more than ten vehicles with his family. More than 10 lions were spotted on different routes.

“When we were looking for a place to visit on our wedding anniversary, Gir was the first place that came to our mind and so we visited Gir,” said Aamir Khan after seeing a lion in Gir. “We’ve heard a lot about this and we’ve really got more than that. We are happy to have seen the lion. I would tell people to come here whenever the opportunity arises.”

During the safari in the forest, Aamir Khan was accompanied by a staff of forest department trekkers. Aamir Khan and his family spent nearly two and a half hours in the jungle safari.

“This is the first time I have come to Gir,” Aamir Khan told reporters. This is a very beautiful place. We are lucky to have seen a lion. We had so much fun. I will insist people that if you come to Gir you will see what is rare and the pride of our India. I would tell people to come here if they get the chance.

The Bollywood superstar arrived with his family on Saturday evening to visit the world famous Sasan Gir to celebrate his wedding anniversary and spent the night at the Woods Hotel there.