Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan to star in Ritesh Batra’s Long Years Ago, filming begins

Filmmaker Ritesh Batra, best known for directing The Lunchbox, is bringing together Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan and French actor Mlanie Laurent for his upcoming film, Long Years Ago. Set in 1991, the film is a family comedy-drama that will be shot largely in Mumbai.
The project will be backed by Jio Studios, led by Jyoti Deshpande, who was also associated with the production of Dhurandhar. According to Deadline, Long Years Ago centres on a family that has spent years avoiding important conversations. The story explores what happens when its members are finally forced to express feelings they have kept to themselves.
Speaking about the project, Batra said he was delighted to work with the three actors and see them bring his characters to life. “I am tremendously honored to be working with Saif, Vidya and Melanie, and to see these great actors bring characters that are so close to my heart to life,” the filmmaker said. Saif Ali Khan also expressed his excitement about the film, saying he connected with its story from the beginning.
“Collaborating with Melanie, Vidya, and this exceptional team is exciting, and I can’t wait for audiences around the world to experience this deeply moving story,” the actor said in a statement. Vidya Balan revealed that she had wanted to work with Batra ever since watching his critically acclaimed 2013 film The Lunchbox, which starred Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur. The casting of Laurent adds an international dimension to the project. The French actor said she had known Batra for nearly 15 years, having first met him at the Marrakech Film Festival. The two had discussed the possibility of working together in Mumbai during their first meeting.

Entertainment, Hollywood
The Pitt star Noah Wyle named 2026’s Sexiest Man Alive
Actor Noah Wyle, the Emmy-winning star of the TV medical drama The Pitt, was named this year’s “sexiest man alive” by People magazine.
The 55-year-old said it “sounded like a prank” when he heard the news, adding: “Not in a million years did I think that this would be an honor bestowed on me.”
“I hope this changes everything. I hope it’s just wine and roses, milk and honey from here on out,” he told People magazine with a laugh. “No, I don’t, but I am going to take a lot of ribbing from friends and family for sure.”
Wyle has won two Emmys for best actor in drama for his portrayal of Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch in HBO’s The Pitt, the story of life in a Pittsburgh trauma center. He also starred as Dr John Carter in the long-running medical drama ER, which debuted in 1994. His ER co-star George Clooney has received People’s honor twice.
Other actors who have received the title from People magazine include Michael B Jordan, Idris Elba, John Krasinski, and Paul Rudd.