The Indian diaspora is one of the largest and most diverse global communities, with an estimated 32 million people of Indian origin living across the world. From the shores of the Caribbean islands to the bustling cities of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond, Indians have built thriving communities that are often key to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of their host nations. Over the past few centuries, the Indian diaspora has experienced remarkable growth, playing an influential role in shaping the world’s geopolitical landscape, global markets, and cultural exchanges. This article aims to explore the rise of the Indian diaspora, their historical journey, the factors contributing to their migration, and their diverse and substantial contributions to their host countries and to India itself.
Historical Background of Indian Emigration
Early Waves of Migration
Indian migration has a rich history that spans centuries. The earliest recorded instances of Indian emigration occurred during the ancient and medieval periods, with Indians settling in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. Traders, scholars, and missionaries often traveled across the Indian Ocean, leaving behind traces of Indian culture and religion.
During the British colonial period (18th–20th centuries), however, emigration from India significantly increased. The indentured labor system, implemented by the British after the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, became the primary mechanism for the large-scale migration of Indians. Millions of Indians were transported to various colonies such as Mauritius, Fiji, the Caribbean islands, and South Africa to work on sugar plantations, railways, and in other industries. This wave of migration laid the foundation for the development of vibrant Indian communities in these regions, some of which still maintain strong cultural ties to their Indian roots.
Post-Independence Migration
After India’s independence in 1947, migration patterns began to shift. Many Indians sought better economic opportunities abroad, especially in Western countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The 1960s and 1970s saw the rise of skilled Indian professionals, including doctors, engineers, and IT specialists, migrating to meet labor shortages in these nations. By the 1980s and 1990s, the expansion of India’s global footprint, coupled with economic liberalization, further accelerated the migration of professionals seeking better opportunities in growing economies.
Factors Driving Indian Migration
Economic Opportunities
The most significant factor driving Indian migration has been the search for better economic prospects. As India’s population grew and its economic landscape evolved, many Indians faced limited opportunities for career advancement, education, and financial stability at home. Countries with burgeoning economies and labor shortages, such as the Gulf states, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, offered higher wages, better living standards, and improved career prospects.
In the post-1991 liberalized economy, India’s economic growth allowed many to take advantage of international opportunities. The rise of the Indian information technology (IT) sector also played a crucial role in facilitating the migration of highly skilled professionals to countries like the United States and Canada.
Educational Pursuits
The pursuit of education has also been a driving force for migration. Indian students have flocked to institutions abroad for higher education, particularly in fields like engineering, medicine, management, and the sciences. The United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada remain top destinations for Indian students, who not only benefit from quality education but also gain exposure to international networks, knowledge, and skills.
Political and Social Factors
In some cases, migration was driven by political instability, persecution, or limited opportunities in India. For example, during the period of political turmoil in India during the 1970s and 1980s, large numbers of people sought refuge or better prospects abroad. In countries like Uganda, Fiji, and Kenya, political events (such as Idi Amin’s expulsion of Indians from Uganda) forced many to leave.
Additionally, factors such as religious intolerance, caste-based discrimination, and economic inequalities led to waves of migration from certain regions within India to more developed countries, where better social mobility and opportunities were available.
Indian Diaspora’s Contribution to Global Economies
Economic Impact and Remittances
One of the most important contributions of the Indian diaspora has been in the form of remittances. According to the World Bank, India has been the largest recipient of remittances globally, receiving over $87 billion in 2020 alone. Remittances sent by Indian expatriates to their families back home have been a vital source of income for millions, contributing significantly to poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, and overall economic growth.
The economic footprint of the Indian diaspora extends beyond remittances. Indian entrepreneurs and professionals have made substantial investments in their host countries, contributing to the growth of industries ranging from technology to real estate, hospitality, and retail. The Indian diaspora has played a key role in the global technology boom, especially in sectors like software development, finance, and telecommunications.
Business and Entrepreneurship
Indians have been instrumental in the development of several industries worldwide. In countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, Indian entrepreneurs have built successful businesses that employ thousands of people. In Silicon Valley, Indian-origin entrepreneurs have become some of the most prominent figures in the tech industry, with individuals like Sundar Pichai (CEO of Google), Satya Nadella (CEO of Microsoft), and Vinod Khosla (co-founder of Sun Microsystems) leading major global tech firms.
In the United States, Indian immigrants have made their mark in the healthcare sector, particularly in the fields of medicine and biotechnology. Indian-origin doctors, researchers, and health professionals are highly respected for their expertise and have contributed to the development of cutting-edge medical technologies.
Indian businesses have also flourished in the Gulf states, where large communities of Indians work in construction, retail, and hospitality. Moreover, successful Indian businesspeople, such as Lakshmi Mittal, who heads ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel producer, and Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, have become global symbols of entrepreneurship.
Contributions to Culture and Society
Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power
The Indian diaspora has been a powerful vehicle for the spread of Indian culture across the globe. Whether through Bollywood films, traditional dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathak, or global cuisine, the Indian diaspora has brought India’s rich cultural heritage to the forefront of global consciousness. Cultural festivals, such as Diwali and Holi, are celebrated by communities of Indian origin in many countries, fostering a greater understanding of Indian traditions and values.
In countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, the Indian diaspora has been at the center of intercultural dialogues, promoting diversity, tolerance, and understanding. The popularity of yoga and meditation in the West is also largely attributed to the Indian diaspora’s efforts in sharing these practices with the world.
Philanthropy and Social Causes
Indian diaspora communities have also made significant contributions to charitable causes and social development, both in their host countries and in India. Many members of the Indian diaspora have been involved in philanthropy, supporting causes such as education, healthcare, and disaster relief.
The Indian diaspora has also been active in promoting educational initiatives, providing scholarships to students in need, and supporting schools and universities in India. The contributions of Indian-origin individuals to international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization further highlight the global impact of the Indian diaspora.
Political Influence and Advocacy
Engagement in Host Country Politics
The Indian diaspora’s political engagement has grown significantly over the years. In countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, Indian-origin individuals have been elected to high political offices, contributing to the political landscape of their respective nations. Notable figures include Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, and Priti Patel, the Home Secretary of the United Kingdom, both of whom have Indian heritage.
Indian-origin politicians have advocated for the interests of the diaspora, building bridges between their home country, India, and their adopted nations. In the United States, for example, Indian-Americans have emerged as a significant voting bloc, influencing political campaigns, policy decisions, and international relations.
Strengthening India’s Global Presence
The Indian diaspora has also played a crucial role in strengthening India’s global influence. By acting as a bridge between their host countries and India, the diaspora has contributed to enhancing India’s diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with the world. Indian-origin politicians, business leaders, and community organizers have often acted as ambassadors for India, lobbying for greater trade and investment, fostering bilateral partnerships, and promoting India’s interests on the global stage.
The Future of the Indian Diaspora
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the role of the Indian diaspora is expected to grow even further. In the coming decades, the Indian diaspora will continue to be a critical factor in fostering India’s global standing. The rise of India as an economic powerhouse, along with its expanding influence in global politics, will provide new avenues for the diaspora to contribute to their home country’s growth.
Moreover, as the Indian diaspora becomes more integrated into the societies in which they live, their contributions will likely become more visible and impactful. The focus will likely shift from simple remittances and labor to more complex forms of collaboration, such as joint ventures, innovation partnerships, and global research initiatives.
Tag: Bollywood
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The rise and contributions of the Indian diaspora
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Ananya Panday calls Deepika Padukone her inspiration
Ananya Panday recently opened up during an event on her experience of working with Deepika Padukone on Gehraiyaan and showered praises on her co-star. She revealed that it was Deepika who inspired her to stand up for herself. Looking back on their time working on the Shakun Batra relationship drama, Ananya shared that Deepika showed her the way on how to speak her mind in a more confident and assured, but polite way.
“When I started out in the industry, I didn’t really know that one could really stand up and reinforce what they want. I used to simply do what I was asked to do. Deepika is a woman who stands up for every person on the set, in a very polite way,” she said.
The CTRL actress further added, “Whenever a girl speaks up she is called bossy, or difficult to work with, but she used to convey her needs in a very polite and empathetic way, which made me realise that there is a way in which you can do this.”
Ananya regarded the experience of working with Deepika as an empowering one, which instilled the value of choosing more consciously in her. “Deepika inspired me as a younger female actress to go on further to make a change. Now I do speak up when I am not comfortable doing certain things or saying certain things, because I don’t want a young girl to be spoken to in a certain manner because I am being shown like that on-screen,” she remarked.
On the work front, Ananya Panday’s recent OTT successes include Call Me Bae, an eight-episode comedy-drama which released on Amazon Prime Video in September, and the Netflix original, CTRL, a sci-fi thriller directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. -
Taapsee begins shoot for Gandhari: Let the war begin
Actor Taapsee Pannu began shooting for her next film, Gandhari. Touted to be an action-thriller, Gandhari is directed by Devashish Makhija and produced by Kanika Dhillon. Taapsee shared pictures from the set and wrote a lengthy caption. Sharing images from her first day on set, Taapsee wrote, “Dear God, grant my request so that I may never deviate from doing good deeds. That, I shall have no fear of the enemy when I go into battle and with determination I will be victorious (sic).”
She added, “That, I may teach my mind to only sing your praises. And when the time comes, I should die fighting heroically on the field of battle. Let the war begin! #Gandhari (sic).”
In the pictures, Taapsee’s face remains hidden as she poses with her back to the camera. Dressed in attire reminiscent of a village woman, she is seen posing alongside Kanika and Devashish.
Gandhari marks Taapsee’s reunion with producer Kanika Dhillon following the success of their Haseen Dilruba franchise. They had also collaborated for the 2018 film Manmarziyaan, co-starring Abhishek Bachchan.
Gandhari is set to release in theatres in 2025. -
Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon to reunite for the 2nd time in Homi Adajania’s Cocktail 2
A sequel to the 2012 Homi Adajania film Cocktail is reportedly underway. A Pinkvilla report states that the sequel, which will be helmed by Homi again, will see Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon reunite again after their Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.
The publication quoted sources stating that Dinesh Vijan will produce the sequel to the hit film. Much like the first film, it will be a love triangle, with the hunt on for another female lead. Rashmika Mandanna’s name has also been attached to the project, according to some recent reports.
“After the success of Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon are reuniting on Cocktail 2. The duo loved the script and are excited to venture into the world of this romantic comedy,” they quoted a source as saying.
When Cocktail was released in 2012, the film became a game changer for Deepika, skyrocketing her career. The film was successful when it was released, with the story penned by Imtiaz Ali. It told the story of a love triangle between a playboy, a photographer and a conservative girl. The rom-com’s sequel will also see Luv reportedly be involved in the process. The casting for the film is reportedly underway and will go on floors in May 2025.
Shahid, last seen in TBMAUJ, is shooting for Rosshan Andrrews’ Deva with Pooja Hegde. He has also reportedly said yes to films directed by Vishal Bharadwaj. After TBMAUJ, Kriti starred in Crew and the Netflix film Do Patti. Kriti has yet to announce her upcoming projects but she recently hinted a potential collaboration with sister Nupur Sanon. Source: HT -
Ustad Zakir Hussain: Tabla loses its vibrant voice
The tabla fell silent as Ustad Zakir Hussain (1951-2024), one of the greatest global ambassadors of Indian classical music, passed away on Monday (December 16, 2024) after a brief illness in San Francisco, California. A maestro who transformed the modest instrument into a robust voice for universal peace and humanity, Hussain’s incredible speed, dexterity, and creativity mesmerised audiences across cultures.
Having grown up singing odes to Mother Saraswati, verses of the holy Quran, and hymns of the Bible as a daily ritual, India’s syncretic soul echoed through Hussain’s rhythmic art. With a flair for carving stories out of percussive sound, his conversational music buzzed with a spark of spontaneity. Natural flow defined his music and personality. The Padma Vibhushan would impress the purists, enthrall the seekers of fusion, and handhold the fans of Bollywood music into his creative space with equal felicity. At the peak of his creativity genius, he bagged three Grammys in one night this February.
Like his carefully designed free-flowing style, the versatile artist would execute complex rhythms, intricate patterns, and nuanced dynamics and then move on to items like the sound of traffic signal and deer’s walk, without putting music into brackets. In tune with technology, over the years, he experimented with frequencies to highlight the subtle shades of the instrument to establish that tabla is not just a rhythmic instrument but also a melodic one. He emerged on the scene alongside eminent tabla artists like Anindo Chatterjee, Shafaat Ahmed Khan, Kumar Bose, and Swapan Chaudhuri, but Hussain’s role in popularising tabla and providing it a global platform remains unparalleled.
Born to Ustad Alla Rakha, the eminent accompanist of Pandit Ravi Shankar, credited with taking tabla to foreign shores, tabla chose Hussain. He grew up in Mumbai in an environment where his father believed that every instrument has its spirit. Hussain befriended the tabla at the age of three and by the time he hit teenage, the instrument had become his muse for life and perhaps an extension of his personality. After watching him play, one couldn’t see playing tabla as a chore in classical music.
His other two brothers, Taufiq and Fazal, are also noted percussionists but Hussain took his father’s legacy to the next level by adding a touch of showmanship and expanding the riches he inherited from the Punjab gharana. A keen learner and listener, Hussain was like a responsive satellite in orbit as an accompanist, shone like a star in his solos, and reserved the adventurous streak of a meteor for creating fusion music.
A child prodigy who gave his first professional performance at 12, Hussain was not regimented by his teacher-father. Rooted in Indian tradition, he was allowed to develop wings and explore new shores. His day would start with devotional music that would invoke Hindu deities followed by polishing Koranic verses in the neighbourhood madarsa before he would join the morning prayers at the Convent school. By 19, Hussain taught at the University of Washington before joining Ustad Ali Akbar Khan’s music college in San Francisco where he met his soulmate Antonia Minnecola.
Another fortuitous meeting in New York led to a lifelong bond with the iconic English guitarist John McLaughlin. Their friendship led to the formation of the groundbreaking Shakti band in 1973 which included violinist L. Shankar and percussionist T. H. Vinayakram who blended Hindustani and Carnatic classical music with Western jazz influences. This year, the band where Hussain joined hands with a new set of distinguished musicians won the Grammy for Best Global Music.
Hussain’s desire to experiment led to rewarding collaborations with Irish singer Van Morrison, American percussionist Mickey Hart, Latin Jazz percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo, and Jerry Garcia, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the Grateful Dread. He joined the Asian Underground music’s electronic surge as well in the 1990s but retained the natural acoustic quality of tabla. He shared a special bond with Santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, flautist Hari Prasad Chaurasia, and sarangi stalwart Ustad Sultan Khan. Their jugalbandis would start as melodic banter and then turn meditative. In sync with the next generation, last year, he composed the Triple Concerto for Tabla, Sitar and Flute, with Niladri Kumar and Rakesh Chaurasia, and his collaboration with Carnatic musicians extended to violinist Kala Ramnath and veena exponent Jayanthi Kumaresh.
Fusion was never a novelty for Hussain as he had grown up listening to stories of how Amir Khusrau blended the Indian traditions of Dhrupad and Haveli sangeet with Sufi Qaul to create Khayal. As a young musician, he saw his father and colleagues contributing to Hindi film music that liberally drew from diverse musical streams. Hussain had his brush with cinema when he played tabla for Laxmikant Pyarelal’s maiden venture Parasmani. Later he composed music for Ismail Merchant’s films like Muhafiz, Aparna Sen’s Mr And Mrs Iyer, and Rahul Dholakia’s Parzania. The meaningful sound of his tabla lent layers to storytelling in international productions like Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now and recently Dev Patel’s Monkey Man.
Hussain also had a flair for acting from a young age. It is said Dilip Kumar recommended his name to K Asif for the role of young Salim in Mughal-e-Azam but Ustad Alla Rakha vetoed it. Later, he performed in Ismail Merchant’s Heat & Dust and Sai Paranjpye’s Saaz. However, he became a household figure when he brought classical music to the mainstream by promoting a tea brand in a commercial where he played tabla at the iconic Taj Mahal. As an article in The Hindu described, “The combination of “Wah Taj!” with the dashing young Hussain’s curly locks flying about his face as his fingers flew across the surface of his tabla — not to mention that charming smile accompanied by the resonance of his playing — ensured brand immortality.
Fame didn’t diminish his humility and age didn’t wilt his curiosity. Music was an endless journey for Hussain. Every time someone would toss the word perfection, he would say, “I haven’t played good enough to quit.”
Source: The Hindu -
Churning in Hindi cinema forcing filmmakers to think differently: Manoj Bajpayee
Hindi cinema is going through a lull phase but this churning will, hopefully, lead to something better as creative people always find a way, says actor Manoj Bajpayee. In a year where the box office once again appears to be dominated by blockbusters from the South like “Kalki 2898 AD” and “Pushpa 2: The Rule”, the successful business of “Stree 2”, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3”, and “Singham Again” has given some hope to Bollywood. Asked whether Hindi cinema was in “trouble”, Bajpayee said that isn’t the case.
“… But it is definitely forcing filmmakers to think differently. And there is nothing wrong with it. I think it is a churning, it’s a lull period. I’m hopeful that it will go back to its natural self very soon.
“I don’t see it as a problem because creative people always find a way. It is a jolt, a shock. And, now they are thinking hard and trying to come together to find a solution to it. And they will find a solution,” the actor told PTI in an interview during a visit to the news agency’s headquarters. Bajpayee said horror comedy “Stree 2”, which earned over ?800 crore at the box office, did “remarkable” business.
“That means people are somewhere willing to go to theatres but they want something else. And that ‘something else’, a filmmaker has to really innovate and think hard about… My films these days come onto OTT and they have an even bigger audience.
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Allu Arjun’s blockbuster Pushpa 2 becomes biggest hit of 2024, chases RRR’s record
After becoming the fastest film to enter the Rs 1000 crore club worldwide, Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna’s Pushpa 2: The Rule has maintained its phenomenal performance at the box office. Now in the middle of its first week of release, the film added an impressive Rs 42 crore to its collection on Wednesday, according to industry tracker Sacnilk. While there was an 18 percent drop in earnings, it didn’t deter the film from amassing Rs 687 crore in the domestic market.
Released in multiple languages, the Hindi version of the film has consistently outperformed its Telugu counterpart. On Wednesday, the Hindi version brought in a remarkable Rs 30 crore, compared to Rs 9 crore from the Telugu version. Other language versions also contributed, with the Tamil version earning Rs 2 crore, the Kannada version Rs 0.6 crore, and the Malayalam version Rs 0.4 crore.
Pushpa 2 has demonstrated an impressive box office trajectory, even as it experienced a steady decline in weekday collections. After an extraordinary opening weekend, which included a massive Rs 141.05 crore haul on its first Sunday, the film witnessed a sharp 54.31 percent drop on Monday. This was followed by another 20.02 percent decline on Tuesday and an 18.53 percent dip on Wednesday (Day 7).
Despite these weekday fluctuations, Pushpa 2 has achieved a staggering worldwide collection of Rs 1,062 crore. The film entered the elite Rs 1000 crore club within just six days of its release, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2024. It has surpassed the lifetime worldwide collection of Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD, which stood at Rs 1,042.25 crore.
Now that Pushpa 2 has overtaken Kalki 2898 AD, all eyes are on whether the film can become the highest-earning Indian film of all time. Currently, Nitesh Tiwari and Aamir Khan’s Dangal holds the top spot with a lifetime worldwide collection of Rs 2,070.3 crore. Other films in the prestigious Rs 1000 crore club include Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (Rs 1,788.06 crore), RRR (Rs 1,230 crore), KGF: Chapter 2 (Rs 1,215 crore), Jawan (Rs 1,160 crore) and Pathaan (Rs 1,055 crore). The Allu Arju-starrer has left both the Shah Rukh Khan-starrers – Jawan and Pathaan – behind in the box office race.
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Priyanka Chopra confirms Bollywood comeback
After making her mark in the Hindi film industry, and a permanent place in our hearts, Indian actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas shifted her focus to the West. She appeared in American TV series and Hollywood films, eventually emerging as a global icon. Well, the last Hindi film that fans saw PeeCee in was The White Tiger (2021), alongside Adarsh Gourav and Rajkummar Rao. It’s been three years now and audiences really miss Priyanka in Bollywood. Much to the delight of movie-buffs, the actor has now confirmed that she hopes to return to the Indian silver screen with a Hindi film in 2025.
Priyanka recently graced the Red Sea Film Festival 2024 held in Jeddah. During the same, the actor talked about signing an Indian film soon. In a viral video from the event, PeeCee shared, “I take my roots wherever I go. It’s a part of my family, it’s a part of my upbringing. India has always been in my heart, Indian films will always be a part of my heart. I am very close to deciding on doing one next year, so keep your fingers crossed. Send good vibes that it works out and that I actually end up doing one next year. I really miss the dancing more than anything.”
We are sure fans will be over the moon with joy after hearing this! Well, this Indian film that Priyanka has hinted at will be a perfect addition to her already glorious line up of upcoming releases. This year, the actor wrapped up two exciting Hollywood films— Ilya Naishuller’s American action comedy Heads of State co-starring Idris Elba and John Cena, and action drama film The Bluff where Priyanka will be seen as a pirate fighting to protect her family.
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Vivek Oberoi calls Bollywood ‘insecure place’
Vivek Oberoi established himself in Bollywood with films like Saathiya and Company. However, the actor’s career saw a dull phase when he had to sit at home for months despite his films working at the box office. Vivek then decided to pursue his plan B, which was to become a businessman.
In a conversation with SCREEN, Vivek Oberoi reveals how he had to switch to business to counter the efforts of a lobby that existed within the industry. He revealed that after Shootout at Lokhandwala, he had no work for 14 to 15 months despite the success of the film and this prompted his decision to become a businessman.
He said, “I have done about 67 projects in 22 years, but the industry is a very insecure place. You could be performing well, winning awards, and doing your job as an actor, but at the same time, you can get no work for other reasons. After 2007 when I did Shootout At Lokhandwala, the Ganpat song went viral, I won awards, so I expected a lot of offers, but I didn’t get any. I sat at home for 14 to 15 months after the success of the film. It was only around the 2009 mark when I decided I didn’t want to be completely dependent on this but build my economic independence. I didn’t want to be in a situation where a lobby could decide your future. Somebody could bully you into doing something because they controlled things.”
Vivek Oberoi further revealed that doing business was always his plan B and how it gave him financial independence. He said, “Business was always a Plan B, and I decided cinema will be my passion. My livelihood should be my business, which helped me earn my independence and get out of that whole trap of lobbies, or having to sell your soul or suck up to somebody that is no great way to live at least for me. Some people make a living out of it but for me, that’s not the case.” Source: HT -
Priyanka Chopra hints at Bollywood comeback next year – could it be for Jee Le Zaraa?
While Priyanka Chopra Jonas is currently juggling two major projects — the American action-comedy Heads of State, where she shares the screen with Idris Elba and John Cena, and the action drama The Bluff — it appears that the global star is finally set to return to her home turf after a six-year hiatus. In a significant update, Priyanka recently revealed that she is close to zeroing in on a new Hindi project.
“Not joking, I meet many filmmakers here, read scripts. I have actively been looking for something I want to do in Hindi. This year was really busy for me. But I have something up my sleeve, I will leave it at that,” Priyanka said during a chat with HT City. Naturally, the next question was whether she was referring to the Farhan Akhtar directorial Jee Le Zaraa. “You will need to speak to Excel (Entertainment, Farhan Akhtar’s production house) about that,” she said, offering no further details.
Touted as a road movie, Jee Le Zaraa has been generating significant buzz since its announcement in 2021, since it features Priyanka, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhat in the lead roles. Co-written by Zoya Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar and Reema Kagti, with Farhan himself at the helm, the film has faced delays due to difficulties in coordinating the schedules of the three lead actors and the director. Zoya, during an appearance on The Indian Express’ Expresso show earlier this year, confirmed that the film remains in the works and that the delays were due to scheduling conflicts.
Though her home ground misses her, Priyanka remains at the top of her game globally. She recently wrapped up filming for the second season of her Amazon Prime Video spy series Citadel. Reflecting on her ability to navigate different cultures, she credited her teenage years in the United States with making the transition smoother.
“The industry in itself… the process of filmmaking is same everywhere. It’s the cultural differences which make them different industries, else the cameras, the shots, everything is the same. I can’t be rigid in India, expecting it to be Hollywood-like in Bollywood, or vice versa. Be like water, and not rigid. I have always been like that my whole life… keep quiet, listen and find your place. I was thrown into it to figure it out,” she told HT City.
“I have been a public person more than half my life, for 25 years now. I am extremely private. So, the hard part is really to be able to manage expectations or public pressures. I have changed a lot. Being a professional, being able to deal with failure and change… that’s the hardest part. I am not someone who talks about my vulnerabilities or hardships very much. There are some people who do, and I find it very… inspiring. I was raised to be tough and hold yourself together,” she added. Her last Bollywood film was The Sky Is Pink (2019). -
Vikrant Massey returns to work after announcing ‘long break’
Actor Vikrant Massey recently shocked his fans when he announced plans to take a long break from acting, with many wondering if he was considering retirement. However, Vikrant has resumed work and is currently shooting for his next film in Dehradun.
Vikrant was recently spotted in Dehradun, where he is currently shooting for his upcoming film, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan alongside Shanaya Kapoor. The appearance comes after Vikrant’s announcement about taking a break from acting, which sparked a frenzy among his fans. As the team started the shoot in Dehradun, Vikrant was seen wearing a black puffer jacket. A video of him meeting Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has surfaced on social media where he was seen greeting the politician. They were seen shaking hands and chatting. Meanwhile, Shanaya was spotted wearing a sweater with a denim pant. Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan will explore a contemporary take on romance and ghosting. The plot of the project remains under wraps at the moment. As per reports, the film is directed by Santosh Singh and is being produced by Mansi and Varun Bagla. It has been written by Niranjan Iyengar and Mansi Bagla. -
Aishwarya Rai drops ‘Bachchan’ surname at Dubai event amid divorce rumors
Aishwarya Rai recently attended the Dubai for the Global Women’s Forum event in the UAE. While her compassionate speech about women’s empowerment made headlines worldwide, what caught the attention of many fans was that she was introduced simply as Aishwarya Rai at the event. There was no Bachchan, even in the graphic on stage, to denote her as the speaker. Given the rumours about her separation from Abhishek Bachchan, this has led to a lot of gossip on social media forums.
A screengrab of Aishwarya’s speech at the Dubai event was shared on Reddit on Thursday, November 28. It showed her standing before a giant graphic denoting her as ‘Aishwarya Rai – International Star’. The post’s caption read, “Aishwarya Has Removed Bachchan from her official name?”
Many were convinced that it was indeed the case, and it confirmed the separation rumours. “She kind of looks happy here and it’s almost like so much weight has been removed from her heart and own self,” read one comment. Others supported her for the step. One wrote, “She was always THE Aishwarya Rai to me. Bachchan who? She looked absolutely stunning at the event BTW – perfect hair and makeup. This is what happens when you get rid of a disrespectful daddy boy.”
However, many debated against jumping to conclusions, arguing that it could be just a goof-up on the part of the event organisers. “Meanwhile the intern who skipped her surname cause there wasn’t enough space is shi**ing bricks right now,” quipped one Redditor. Another added, “It’s still there on her IG (Instagram)? I think it would really set things straight once she removes it from IG.” Aishwarya still goes by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on her Instagram.
Rumors of a fallout or separation between Aishwarya and Abhishek began when she and daughter Aaradhya arrived separately at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding earlier this year. The rest of the Bachchan family arrived later, even though everyone was seated together. When the Bachchans did not wish Aishwarya on her birthday – November 1 – on social media, it added more fuel to the rumours. The entire Bachchan clan, including Aishwarya, has maintained a stoic silence on the rumours.
Aishwarya was seen in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan films, released in 2022 and 2023. Abhishek’s most recent film – I Want To Talk – was released last Friday in theatres.
Talks about street harassment
Aishwarya Rai has spoken up about street harassment and how to tackle it. Taking to Instagram, Aishwarya posted a video as part of L’Ore´al Paris’ new campaign. She is the brand ambassador of the beauty product.
In the video, Aishwarya said, “Street harassment. How do you deal with it? Avoid eye contact? No. Look the problem directly in the eyes. Hold your head high. Feminine and feminist. My body, my worth. Never compromise your worth. Do not doubt yourself. Stand up for your worth. Don’t blame your dress or your lipstick. Street harassment is never your fault.”
She captioned the post, “On this International Day for the elimination of violence against women, join @lorealparis’s Stand Up against street harassment training program. We’re all worth it. @lorealparis.” She also added the hashtag–We Stand Up.
Reacting to the post, a fan said, “Wow, Aishwarya, you are the most inspirational and powerful woman.” A comment read, “The icon of Beauty with Brain.” An Instagram user said, “Thank you, queen, we needed this.” A person said, “Well said. Proud of you fighting for a cause which has been of grave concern for women and the society.” -
Shahid Kapoor’s Deva to arrive early in January 2025
The treat for action-lovers is far from getting over. As audiences welcome 2025, they would have the option to enjoy yet another actioner in the theatres. We are talking about Shahid Kapoor-starrer Deva, which the audiences will now be able to watch earlier than expected.
Zee Studios and Roy Kapur Films gear up to unleash their highly-anticipated action thriller, Deva on January 31. The film was earlier scheduled to release during Dusshera 2024, and was then moved to Valentine’s Day, February 14. It has now been preponed.
Helmed by the renowned Malayalam filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews, Deva promises a nail-biting storyline combined with stellar performances. The makers shared the announcement with the caption, “Sit tight, ‘cause the wait just got shorter! Deva is coming your way sooner than you think—January 31st, 2025! The hype is real, the energy is through the roof, and we’re beyond excited to bring you this action-packed thriller earlier than expected! Mark your calendars and get ready for a heart-pumping experience that you won’t forget (sic)!” -
Jimmy Shergill consciously ditched chocolate boy image
For someone who began as the quintessential chocolate boy next door, Jimmy Shergill has come a long way. He has transformed his on-screen image to that a tough guy. In his next film, Sikandar Ka Muqaddar, he plays a tough-as-nails, no-nonsense cop. Ahead of the film’s release, the actor sits down with HT to talk about the film, his intuition in selecting projects, and changing his image.
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar sees Jimmy as Inspector Jasvinder Singh, a cop obsessed with a crime he couldn’t solve years ago. The actor says the character is quite different from him. “I have learnt in life to let go. But when things are positive, when things are good and you feel you can be obsessed with them, I do that,” he says.
The film also stars Avinash Tiwary and Tamannaah Bhatia and has been directed by Neeraj Pandey. The trailer, which is out, has been praised for this fresh team-up. One particular line of dialogue from Jimmy – where his character talks about people’s moolvriti (intuition) – has gone viral. Talking about his own intuition, Jimmy says that there have been times when he chose the wrong film. “I have done over 150 films and this has happened so many times that I cannot even count,” he says.
The actor says in a bid to support new directors, there were times when he bit more than he could chew. “I had always tried to support new people. If the script is interesting and it is a bound work, I try to give newer directors a chance. If you see they are new people with limited budget and means, you try and accommodate your dates. You can’t do everything for money, so some you just do to have fun,” says Jimmy, adding, “But several times it happens that once you begin filming, they compromise on everything. The story is based in UP but you are shooting amid coconut trees in Naigaon, and stuff like that. But then you decide that you can’t let the whole film and crew suffer because of one or two idiots.” Source: HT -
Robert Pattinson joins cast of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film
Hollywood star Robert Pattinson is set to reunite with director Christopher Nolan for the filmmaker’s upcoming feature film. The untitled project is Christopher Nolan’s next film following the success of the multiple award-winning Oppenheimer, which earned him his first Academy Award for Best Director.
Robert Pattinson, who played one of the lead roles in Christopher Nolan’s 2020 sci-fi action thriller Tenet, will star alongside Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, and Lupita Nyong’o in Nolan’s upcoming film.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, plot details for the untitled film are being kept under wraps, but sources suggest that the setting is not contemporary. It is also unclear whether the movie will take place in the past or the future.
Christopher Nolan wrote the script and is directing the film, which will be distributed by Universal Pictures.
The filmmaker is also backing the project alongside producing partner and wife, Emma Thomas, for their Syncopy banner. Universal Pictures has set a release date of July 17, 2026, for the movie. -
Kangana’s Emergency finally gets theatrical release date
After much anticipation, Kangana Ranaut’s political drama Emergency has received censor clearance and is now scheduled for a theatrical release on January 17, 2025. The film, set during the 1970s when the Emergency was declared, promises to offer a gripping exploration of one of the most pivotal and most spoken about chapters in Indian democracy.
Written, directed, and headlined by Kangana Ranaut, Emergency portrays the life and times of India’s first female Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. Sharing the update with fans on social media, Kangana wrote, “17th January 2025 – The epic saga of the nation’s most powerful woman and the moment that altered India’s destiny. #Emergency – Unveils Only in cinemas on 17.01.2025 (sic)!”
The film was initially scheduled for release on September 6 this year. However, it ran into controversy after multiple complaints by several Sikh groups were made alleging that the film showed the Sikh community in a bad light. The censor board reviewed the film again and issued around 13 cuts and changes to the film, passing the content with a U/A certificate. The revising committee told the makers to comply with the changes and obtain the certificate for its release in theatres. The list of cuts included removal of a few violent scenes, and a reference to Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as ‘saint or sant’ in a dialogue.
It features a powerful ensemble cast, including Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, and the late Satish Kaushik. Produced by Zee Studios, Manikarnika Films and Renu Pitti, Emergency boasts a musical score by Sanchit Balhara and G.V. Prakash Kumar, with dialogues and screenplay crafted by the acclaimed Ritesh Shah. -
Big B calls out ‘speculations’ about his family amid divorce rumors of Abhishek-Aishwarya
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan’s divorce rumors are all around the internet. A lot has been said about their marriage. The Bachchan family is always in the news but recently, we have heard a lot of negative stories around them. It has been said that Aishwarya does not get along with the family and the couple has been living separately. Abhishek and Aishwarya were not spotted for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding as well. This made people believe that they are not together. Even during birthdays, the couple have not wished each other on social media.
We also heard of rumours that said Abhishek Bachchan’s Dasvi costar Nimrat Kaur is the reason for this. However, now, Amitabh Bachchan has finally reacted to these rumours. He took to his blog on Tumblr and opened up about the speculations about his family.
He wrote, “It takes immense courage conviction and a sincerity to be different and believe in its presence in life .. I rarely say much about family, because that is my domain and its privacy is maintained by me ..Speculations are speculations .. they are speculated untruths, without verifications .. Verifications are sought by the seekers to authenticate their business and commercials of the profession they be in .. I shall not challenge their desire to be in the profession of their choice .. and I shall appreciate their effort in serving society ..”
He went on to indirectly slam people for using question marks and sharing unverified things as news. He shared how these questions and unverified informations can be harmful.
He shared, “But untruths .. or selected question marked information can be a legal safeguard for them that inform .. but the seed of suspected belief is sown with this most used emblem .. the question mark .. ? write express whatever you like .. but when you follow it up with a question mark, you are not only saying that the write may be questionable .. but also quite surreptitiously wanting the reader to believe and expand on it, so that your write gets valued repeats ..”
He spoke about being credible while writing about a particular thing and shared the disregard of how what’s written may affect the individual. He concluded saying, “I have question marked it .. SO THERE .., !!!! move on to the next .. EaCH PROFESSION CAN HAVE THESE QUALITIES .. and this is my safeguard in the write ..” -
Shraddha Kapoor to join Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR for special song in War 2: Report
Shraddha Kapoor, after winning hearts with her performance in Stree 2, is now reportedly in talks to join Hrithik Roshan for War 2. Latest reports suggest that she could be joining Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR for a special song in the film. Although Shraddha won’t be the female lead in this high-octane thriller, her possible collaboration with the two stars has generated significant excitement. But there is no official confirmation yet.
This news comes after Shraddha was reportedly replaced in Pushpa 2: The Rule, where she was initially considered for a special song opposite Allu Arjun. However, negotiations fell through, and Sreeleela was later confirmed for the track, as seen in Pushpa 2 trailer. Despite missing out on this project, Shraddha’s potential involvement in War 2 has sparked a fresh wave of enthusiasm among her fans.
Directed by Ayan Mukerji, War 2 is set to release on August 14 next year and is part of the YRF Spy Universe. Kiara Advani is set to star opposite Hrithik Roshan, while Jr NTR will play the antagonist. Jr NTR was recently seen at Hyderabad airport, reportedly on his way to Mumbai for the shoot of War 2. The franchise has been making headlines since Hrithik’s cameo in Tiger 3, which was widely celebrated by audiences.