The suspense over the release of PADMAAVAT continued in Indore and Bhopal as the stance of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena is not clear to the cinema hall owners. However, many cinema halls were ready for the release.

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film, which was released worldwide on January 25, was slated to hit the screens in the two cities on Thursday. It was not released in the state earlier due to Karni Sena's protest against the film.

The cinema hall owners were ready to release the film on Thursday after an assurance from the police about security, but they were waiting for the approval from the Karni Sena.

On Wednesday night, the film was screened in Indore for the representatives of the Karni Sena. Raghu Parmar of the Karni Sena said they will decide about the film's release only after meeting all the 24 organisations of the Rajput community.

Five cinema halls were ready for the film's release in Bhopal and they are expecting an evening show on Thursday. The owners were waiting for a nod from the Karni Sena for the film's release in Indore.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Bhopal, Dharmendra Chaudhary told the media here that cinema hall owners should not be scared as the police will provide proper security.

Harinarayanachari Mishra, DIG (Indore), also said that they are providing ample security to the cinema hall owners.

After having faced opposition from a religious group in Rajasthan claiming the misrepresentation of facts of Rani Laxmibai, the writer of MANIKARNIKA: THE QUEEN OF JHANSI, Mr. Vijayendra Prasad has come forward and clarified the same.

In context of the objections and concerns, KV Vijayendra Prasad said, “No need to worry about MANIKARNIKA as I have portrayed her in the most respectable way. She is a warrior who fought against the British. She is my favourite woman leader. I have grown up reading about her. So, I will always portray her in an inspirational way.”

Vijayendra assures that no scene in the film has been written to degrade Rani Laxmibai. He also stated that one would be proud of the iconic leader after watching the role of Rani Laxmibai in the film.

He further added, "The film’s title is MANIKARNIKA, because it is her name! Her parents named her that because she was born in Kasi and the Manikarnika Ghat there is very famous. Even I named my daughter Manikarnika, so you now know how much I respect Rani Lakshmibai."

The producers of the film, Kamal Jain and Zee Studios confirm that the film is showing Rani Laxmibai in the most respectful manner and showcases to the world the bravery, valour and heroism of Rani Laxmi.

Directed by Krish, MANIKARNIKA stars Kangana Ranaut in titular role.

After having faced opposition from a religious group in Rajasthan claiming the misrepresentation of facts of Rani Laxmibai, the writer of MANIKARNIKA: THE QUEEN OF JHANSI, Mr. Vijayendra Prasad has come forward and clarified the same.

In context of the objections and concerns, KV Vijayendra Prasad said, “No need to worry about MANIKARNIKA as I have portrayed her in the most respectable way. She is a warrior who fought against the British. She is my favourite woman leader. I have grown up reading about her. So, I will always portray her in an inspirational way.”

Vijayendra assures that no scene in the film has been written to degrade Rani Laxmibai. He also stated that one would be proud of the iconic leader after watching the role of Rani Laxmibai in the film.

He further added, "The film’s title is MANIKARNIKA, because it is her name! Her parents named her that because she was born in Kasi and the Manikarnika Ghat there is very famous. Even I named my daughter Manikarnika, so you now know how much I respect Rani Lakshmibai."

The producers of the film, Kamal Jain and Zee Studios confirm that the film is showing Rani Laxmibai in the most respectful manner and showcases to the world the bravery, valour and heroism of Rani Laxmi.

Directed by Krish, MANIKARNIKA stars Kangana Ranaut in titular role.

Venturing into the digital world is the current trend in Bollywood and joining the bandwagon of such filmmakers is none other than National Award winner Nagesh Kukunoor.

Sameer Nair’s Applause Entertainment has roped in celebrated director Nagesh Kukunoor for a powerful political drama web series set in the backdrop of modern day Mumbai. Titled, ‘City of Dreams’, the series is a gritty story of power, corruption and deceit.

‘City of Dreams’ will showcase how ‘a single stone thrown in a seemingly placid lake sets off a series of ripples that touch everyone, hurt many.’ The series will tell story of a feud within the Gaikwad family, which erupts after an assassination attempt on a polarizing political figure. Blurring the lines between moral and immoral in a struggle for power forms the core of this transfixing narrative.

“I’ve always been excited about tackling a genre that I haven’t before and with ‘City of Dreams’ I get a chance to explore Mumbai, the city known for its extremes – be it poverty, wealth, corruption, humanity. And a web series format, while really challenging, is a great format to truly explore many characters in depth. Even though I’ve known Sameer from the days of Hyderabad Blues, we are finally collaborating and it’s been fun” shares Nagesh Kukunoor.

Commenting on the show, Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment said “I am a huge fan of big city crime-political dramas. The milieu, the people and the atmospherics lend themselves to gripping and intriguing stories, which in a serialized in multi-season format, are being widely consumed by audiences across the globe. This kind of storytelling is at the center of everything we want to build at Applause. Nagesh is known for creating stories that are avant-garde and it is a delight to have him helm this project.”

Marking the first collaboration between Sameer Nair and Nagesh Kukunoor, ‘City of Dreams’ will showcase the dark underbelly of the political world.

The shoot is scheduled to begin from tomorrow and will be shot extensively across various locations in Mumbai. The series is expected to release in the latter half of 2018.

Venturing into the digital world is the current trend in Bollywood and joining the bandwagon of such filmmakers is none other than National Award winner Nagesh Kukunoor.

Sameer Nair’s Applause Entertainment has roped in celebrated director Nagesh Kukunoor for a powerful political drama web series set in the backdrop of modern day Mumbai. Titled, ‘City of Dreams’, the series is a gritty story of power, corruption and deceit.

‘City of Dreams’ will showcase how ‘a single stone thrown in a seemingly placid lake sets off a series of ripples that touch everyone, hurt many.’ The series will tell story of a feud within the Gaikwad family, which erupts after an assassination attempt on a polarizing political figure. Blurring the lines between moral and immoral in a struggle for power forms the core of this transfixing narrative.

“I’ve always been excited about tackling a genre that I haven’t before and with ‘City of Dreams’ I get a chance to explore Mumbai, the city known for its extremes – be it poverty, wealth, corruption, humanity. And a web series format, while really challenging, is a great format to truly explore many characters in depth. Even though I’ve known Sameer from the days of Hyderabad Blues, we are finally collaborating and it’s been fun” shares Nagesh Kukunoor.

Commenting on the show, Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment said “I am a huge fan of big city crime-political dramas. The milieu, the people and the atmospherics lend themselves to gripping and intriguing stories, which in a serialized in multi-season format, are being widely consumed by audiences across the globe. This kind of storytelling is at the center of everything we want to build at Applause. Nagesh is known for creating stories that are avant-garde and it is a delight to have him helm this project.”

Marking the first collaboration between Sameer Nair and Nagesh Kukunoor, ‘City of Dreams’ will showcase the dark underbelly of the political world.

The shoot is scheduled to begin from tomorrow and will be shot extensively across various locations in Mumbai. The series is expected to release in the latter half of 2018.

When PAD MAN hits the screens on Friday, it will be the first time that actress Radhika Apte won't be present in Mumbai for her film's release. She says the movie is special, but she is busy with the shoot of another project in Delhi.

PAD MAN was earlier due to release last December, but due to PADMAAVAT, it was shifted to February 9. While lead actor Akshay Kumar has been promoting PAD MAN aggressively at live events, Radhika, who plays his on-screen wife, is not being able to join him.

The actress has made a prior commitment and had allotted her dates for the month for February to shoot her upcoming film in Delhi, leaving her with no dates to accommodate and partake in the promotions of Pad Man.

On her helplessness in marking her physical presence for the promotions of the film, Radhika said in a statement: "PAD MAN is a very special film. It is unfortunate that the dates of shooting my other film and promotions of PAD MAN clashed.

"It is for the first time that I have been away before a film release. However, I am trying to do as much as I can to promote the film even in my physical absence."

She was, however, able to make time to join the movie's press conference in Delhi at the last minute.

When PAD MAN hits the screens on Friday, it will be the first time that actress Radhika Apte won't be present in Mumbai for her film's release. She says the movie is special, but she is busy with the shoot of another project in Delhi.

PAD MAN was earlier due to release last December, but due to PADMAAVAT, it was shifted to February 9. While lead actor Akshay Kumar has been promoting PAD MAN aggressively at live events, Radhika, who plays his on-screen wife, is not being able to join him.

The actress has made a prior commitment and had allotted her dates for the month for February to shoot her upcoming film in Delhi, leaving her with no dates to accommodate and partake in the promotions of Pad Man.

On her helplessness in marking her physical presence for the promotions of the film, Radhika said in a statement: "PAD MAN is a very special film. It is unfortunate that the dates of shooting my other film and promotions of PAD MAN clashed.

"It is for the first time that I have been away before a film release. However, I am trying to do as much as I can to promote the film even in my physical absence."

She was, however, able to make time to join the movie's press conference in Delhi at the last minute.

Producer Ritesh Sidhwani, after the success of FUKREY RETURNS, is geared up for his forthcoming film 3 STOREYS. He says movies automatically find their own commerce, platform and people.

Sidhwani, along with actors Renuka Shahane, Pulkit Samrat and Richa Chadha, were present at the trailer launch of 3 STOREYS here on Wednesday.

He was asked why he chose 3 STOREYS after a commercial film like FUKREY RETURNS.

Sidhwani said: "No, this film was done much before FUKREY RETURNS. We were waiting for the right time to release the film.

"I have been getting a lot of questions about the story of this particular movie, which is very different, but I don't know what the definition of commercial cinema is.

"Was FUKREY… commercial and did anyone expect it do that well? I mean no one can say that.

"We did a film in 2006 called HONEYMOON TRAVELS and nobody at that time thought that we were talking about packaged honeymoon and nobody thought that KAHAANI (2012) would be commercial, so I feel it's about the story and the content and I think films automatically find their own commerce, platform and people."

3 STOREYS is produced by Sidhwani, alongside Farhan Akhtar and Priya Sreedharan.

Asked about the film's release date being shifted more than once, Sidhwani said: "This is not the decision we can make alone. We have to take in the factor of other films.

"Because of PADMAAVAT, a lot of films were getting pushed. We moved our film from December 1 to December 15 and then to December 18.

"So, we needed to find the right date for the release, especially for a film which is special."

He said the delay was not due to any post-production issues.

"We thought this is the right window to do it and we are going to release it on March 9. Also, nothing has changed. It's the same movie that we were going to release back then."

The film also features Aisha Ahmed and Masumeh Makhija.

It explores stories of people living on the three different storeys of a chawl, while dealing with love, betrayal and everything in between with its unique narratives.

3 STOREYS is helmed by debutant director Arjun Mukerjee.

Producer Ritesh Sidhwani, after the success of FUKREY RETURNS, is geared up for his forthcoming film 3 STOREYS. He says movies automatically find their own commerce, platform and people.

Sidhwani, along with actors Renuka Shahane, Pulkit Samrat and Richa Chadha, were present at the trailer launch of 3 STOREYS here on Wednesday.

He was asked why he chose 3 STOREYS after a commercial film like FUKREY RETURNS.

Sidhwani said: "No, this film was done much before FUKREY RETURNS. We were waiting for the right time to release the film.

"I have been getting a lot of questions about the story of this particular movie, which is very different, but I don't know what the definition of commercial cinema is.

"Was FUKREY… commercial and did anyone expect it do that well? I mean no one can say that.

"We did a film in 2006 called HONEYMOON TRAVELS and nobody at that time thought that we were talking about packaged honeymoon and nobody thought that KAHAANI (2012) would be commercial, so I feel it's about the story and the content and I think films automatically find their own commerce, platform and people."

3 STOREYS is produced by Sidhwani, alongside Farhan Akhtar and Priya Sreedharan.

Asked about the film's release date being shifted more than once, Sidhwani said: "This is not the decision we can make alone. We have to take in the factor of other films.

"Because of PADMAAVAT, a lot of films were getting pushed. We moved our film from December 1 to December 15 and then to December 18.

"So, we needed to find the right date for the release, especially for a film which is special."

He said the delay was not due to any post-production issues.

"We thought this is the right window to do it and we are going to release it on March 9. Also, nothing has changed. It's the same movie that we were going to release back then."

The film also features Aisha Ahmed and Masumeh Makhija.

It explores stories of people living on the three different storeys of a chawl, while dealing with love, betrayal and everything in between with its unique narratives.

3 STOREYS is helmed by debutant director Arjun Mukerjee.