RIP: Sharman Joshi’s father and Gujarati actor Arvind Joshi passes away

Arvind Joshi, who happened to be a coveted actor of his time, has breathed his last today morning. After making a prominent presence in both Bollywood and Gujarati cinema and theatre, Arvind Joshi has been one of the most looked-up-to actors of his time. Survived by two kids and a wife, Arvind Joshi is the father of Sharman Joshi and Mansi Joshi Roy.

While the reason for his death has not been revealed yet, the news about the last rites is yet to be announced. Arvind Joshi was most known for his work in Gujarati theatre than in the movies while for Bollywood, he has acted in movies like Ittefaq, Apmaan Ki Aag, and Sholay. As per the reports, he passed away early morning today at Nanavati Hospital.

His kids, Sharman and Mansi are married to Prem Chopra’s daughter Prerana and Rohit Roy, respectively. Arvind Joshi was also related to actress Ketki Dave and Sarita Joshi. Bollywood Hungama sends across heartfelt condolences to the family.

Hrithik Roshan – Deepika Padukone front runners to play Ram and Sita in Madhu Mantena’s Rs. 300 crore project Ramayan

There have been a number of screen adaptations of the Ramayan. But none to match the scale, expanse and expense of producer Madhu Mantena’s interpretation of the epic which is all set to start filming shortly.

Mantena who recently bought over the shares of Phantom Films from his partners Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Vikas Bahl is all set to fly solo, and his dream project Ramayan would be his auspicious flag-bearing project.

According to sources, Mantena’s big-screen Ramayan would be in 3D and budgeted at Rs 300 crores. Nitesh Tiwari, who directed Aamir Khan in Dangal, will hold the directorial reins. The film would be of inordinate length, as no aspect of the Holy Scripture would be left undermined or left out. Or, Mantena may release the grand epic as two full-length feature films.

Informs the informed source, “These are sensitive times. And the last thing the Ramayan needs is an underwhelming treatment or a revisionist screenplay. Mantena has deployed several researchers to project absolute accuracy and preserve complete sanctity in his film version of the venerated epic.”

The cast of A-listers is now being finalized. But we can tell you Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone are front-runners for Ram and Sita. Ravi Udyawar who directed Sridevi’s last film Mom will also be associated with what promises to be an epic in every sense.

Also Read: Hrithik Roshan shares a glimpse from his trekking trip with his sons

Tandav controversy: Saif Ali Khan's mother Sharmila Tagore says she's worried; here's why

The escalating situation regarding the legal issues faced by the Tandav team has seriously stressed out Saif Ali Khan’s family, especially his mom. The 76-year old icon Sharmila Tagore is worried about which way the legal processes against Tandav will go, now that the honourable court has denied anticipatory bail to all concerned.

Sources say Sharmilaji’s health has suffered since the Tandav controversies broke out.

“Saif and Kareena are expecting a baby in February. The last thing they need at this time is such a terrible crisis. Sharmilaji is deeply concerned at the way the whole episode has panned out. She has often told Saif to be discreet with his public statements and cautious about the projects he takes on,” says a source very close to the family.

Apparently, after the Tandav experience Saif has decided to run all the scripts offered to him through his vastly experienced mother (who knows her Satyajit Ray as well as her Manmohan Desai) before saying yes or no.

In a recent interview with me, Sharmilaji while speaking on Saif’s choice of roles had said, “He isn’t afraid to take risks as an actor. He has always been unconventional in selecting parts. That could get tricky at times.”

Also Read: Tandav controversy: Supreme Court refuses to grant protection from arrest to makers; says freedom of speech is not absolute

Kabir Singh writer duo Siddharth and Garima make their directorial debut with Sony Pictures India's Saale Aashiq

Siddharth and Garima, writer and lyricist duo of Goliyon Ki Raasleela - Raam Leela and Kabir Singh, are set to make their directorial debut with Sony Pictures India's upcoming film Saale Aashiq. The project is currently in the final stage of scripting.

According to the reports, the makers plan to take the film on floors in 2021 once the casting is finalised. It is a gritty youth-based story.

The duo is elated to be taking up a directorial venture after working as writers for years. It is a story that will resonate with the youth of today. The casting of the film will be announced soon before the project goes on floors.

ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: “Creative freedom exists only in high society ‘off the record’ discussions”- Screenwriter duo Siddharth-Garima

Aamir Khan in talks to work with Shubh Mangal Saavdhan director RS Prasanna on a sports film

Aamir Khan is currently busy with the song shoot of actor-friend Amin Hajee's directorial debut. The actor was shooting for Laal Singh Chaddha when he halted the shoot in order to do a cameo in his friend's project. He is currently on a 4-day Jaipur trip. Meanwhile, it seems like he is already in discussions for his next film with filmmaker RS Prasanna.

According to the reports, Aamir Khan plans to begin work on Mogul, Gulshan Kumar biopic once he wraps up Laal Singh Chaddha along with the post-production work. During this time, he is reportedly in advanced talks with Shubh Mangal Saavdhan director RS Prasanna with a focus on a sports film. It falls under Aamir's brand of films that have elements of humour, emotions. It ain't a quintessential sports film but set against the backdrop of it. Aamir Khan and RS Prasanna have had 5-6 meetings for the same and the actor seems to be keenly interested. More details are awaited.

Aamir Khan's next project is Mogul, Gulshan Kumar biopic. Meanwhile, Laal Singh Chaddha starring Kareena Kapoor Khan is slated for Christmas 2021 release.

ALSO READ: Aamir Khan pauses Laal Singh Chaddha schedule to shoot for dance number in Amin Hajee’s directorial debut

War director Siddharth Anand in talks with Prabhas for an action thriller

After the super success of War, director Siddharth Anand is currently shooting for Shah Rukh Khan's comeback film Pathan which also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham. The shoot of the film is expected to be completed by June. After the post production of the film, Anand will start with Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone starrer Fighter which was announced earlier this month.

Now, reports state that Siddharth Anand is planning his third film and plans on making it a pan-India film. Reportedly, Anand approached Prabhas for the film which is touted to be the biggest film of his career. The director has had multiple meetings with the Pan-India star in Hyderabad last year. It is being reported that Prabhas has liked the idea and Siddharth's vision but will take a final call after looking at the bound script. Reports state that the meetings so far have gone well.

Siddharth Anand plans on taking the film on floors in December 2022 after the release of Fighter. By then, Prabhas who has a tight schedule will have wrapped Prashant Neel's Salaar, Om Raut's Adipurush and Nag Ashwin's upcoming sci-fi film.

Prabhas who earned the title of Pan-India star after the success of Baahubali has multiple offers from the South Indian film industries as well. However, he has shown interest in Anand's action film

At the moment, Prabhas is shooting for Salaar in Hyderabad. The film directed by Prashant Neel has Shruti Haasan as the female lead.

ALSO READ: Prabhas welcomes Shruti Haasan as the leading lady of Salaar, announcement made on her birthday

SCOOP: Ranveer Singh hikes his fees; charges Rs. 50 crores for Rohit Shetty’s Cirkus

Bollywood Hungama has been the first to break the news about Ranveer Singh and Rohit Shetty collaborating on another film after Simmba, this time around a comedy. Right after that, we revealed that the film, Cirkus, will be on the lines of Angoor and will feature Ranveer Singh in a double role. Some days later, it was again Bollywood Hungama who revealed that Jacqueline Fernandez, Pooja Hegde and Varun Sharma have come on board the film and now, we are again the first to inform you about the remuneration structure of Ranveer Singh for the film.

“Ranveer Singh has become one of the most bankable names in today’s time and his market value is on the rise with every passing film. For Cirkus, he has charged an acting fee of Rs. 50 crores, and he is expected to hike his fees with the success of every passing film,” a trade source told Bollywood Hungama.

That’s not all, the actor has also been vocal about his stance for theatrical releases, and the reason for this hike in fees is because he is amongst the rare actors who can assure a certain amount of returns even in these uncertain times, given the rising popularity. “The film is being shot at a brisk pace in Mumbai and is being readied for a Winter 2021 opening. The idea is to wrap up the entire film by March and then move on to the post production, since it’s a period film set in the 60s and almost the entire film is being shot in studio,” the source further shared.

Charging Rs. 50 crores for the film, Ranveer would have shot for approximately 75 days, which means, his per day acting fees stands at approximately Rs. 66 Lakhs, making him one of the highest paid actors in today’s time. The actor is at present awaiting the release of 83 and Jayeshbhai Jordaar, which are locked and awaiting a proper theatrical window.

Also Read: Ranveer Singh shares goofy photo with Rohit Shetty from the sets of Cirkus on Simmba’s 2nd anniversary

Clash of the Dawoods: Farhan Akhtar versus Ram Gopal Varma

Two leading filmmakers are rushing to the streaming platform with bio-series on Dawood Ibrahim. While Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's Excel Entertainment’s series is based on investigative journalist author Hussain’s Dongri To Dubai, Ram Gopal’s Varma’s D Company is based entirely on his own research.

Apparently, Excel’s excursion to Dawood’s territory began shooting before the pandemic. No information is available on its progress. I asked the author Hussain Zaidi and he said he had no idea of the progress on the project.

Says Ram Gopal Varma, “I honestly don’t know what they are making. I read Dongri To Dubai which is very anecdotal in nature, like piecing together a number of crime columns published in newspapers. Also the subject matter of my series D Company is in the public domain. It’s the understanding and interpretation which will differ. Anyway may the best man win.”

Incidentally these are not the only cinematic efforts on Dawood. Nikhil Advani made D Day where Rishi Kapoor played the dreaded gangster.

Also Read: Farhan Akhtar’s trainer gives a glimpse into the actor’s training for Toofan

“I’m hoping this will be the year of big-screen entertainers”, says Vaani Kapoor

Vaani Kapoor has three massive films lined up for release this year. She is eagerly waiting for the release of Shamshera, in which she has been paired opposite Ranbir Kapoor, BellBottom will see her opposite Akshay Kumar and in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, she is Ayushmann Khurrana’s love interest. The versatile actress hopes that her big films contribute to bringing people back to the theatres.

“I’m hoping this will be the year of big-screen entertainers! People are waiting for the virus to be under control and with the vaccines, the confidence of the people will slowly build. They would want to go back to doing the things that they used to. People are missing many experiences that made them happy and we are a society that thrives on community hangouts,” says Vaani.

She adds, “Community celebrations will come back in a big way and for Indians going to a theatre to watch a movie with friends and family is a huge thing. That’s going to make a big comeback. They would want to come back to soak in an experience.”

Vaani is certain that new, disruptive content will play an important role in bringing people back to the theatres as she expects the taste of the audience to have changed during the pandemic. She says, “They (audience) would want to watch films that are new, fresh and clutter-breaking. The taste and preference of the audience must have changed because of the coronavirus and they would only want to come to theatres to watch something that tells them a grand, new, compelling story! So, I’m really confident that the films that are lined up for release will do that.”

Also Read: “Shamshera, Bellbottom and Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui will hopefully allow me to showcase variant aspects as an actor” – says Vaani Kapoor

Hammer falls on Ali Fazal's big Hollywood film

The sex text scandal that has gripped Hollywood superstar Armie Hammer’s career has caught the big-budgeted Agatha Christie adaptation Death On The Nile, in its web. We hear that this star-studded whodunit helmed by Disney and featuring some of Hollywood’s top line stars Kenneth Branagh, Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, and Letitia Wright, may be postponed indefinitely post Armie Hammer’s sex texting which contains lurid cannibalistic fantasies.

In Death On The Nile Armie plays Wonder Woman Gal Gadot’s husband. They apparently share many steamy moments in the film. They will just have to wait. The film which was postponed from last year (due to Covid) was re-scheduled for September 2021.

It may now be postponed indefinitely after Hammer’s exposed messages.

A blow for Ali Fazal who was hoping to consolidate his global positioning with Death On The Nile. Moral Of the Story: do not participate in films which have ‘death’ in their title.

Also Read: Ali Fazal says people initially dissuaded him from taking up web series and to focus on films

Armie Hammer's ex Paige Lorenze claims he left her with bruises, carved an 'A' on her body amid cannibalism controversy

Actor Armie Hammer is in the midst of a major cannibalism and abuse controversy. It all began with an Instagram user who revealed some alleged sexually explicit chats exchanged between the actor and a woman. The alleged chats included conversations about sex fantasies, cannibalism. The screenshots blew up and soon the actor began to receive backlash.

Soon, he exited from the film Shotgun Wedding amid the controversy. "I’m not responding to these bullshit claims but in light of the vicious and spurious online attacks against me, I cannot in good conscience now leave my children for 4 months to shoot a film in the Dominican Republic," Armie Hammer responded in a statement to Variety. "Lionsgate is supporting me in this and I’m grateful to them for that."

While many chats have come out, the actor's ex-girlfriend model Paige Lorenze has made some shocking claims. Speaking to Daily Mail, she said that Armie Hammer would indulge in knife play, and “he would cut off underwear or bras and use the knife and put it all over my body.” She even went onto claim that he had carved an 'A' on her body.

“I kind of sat back and let it happen,” she revealed to Daily Mail. “I didn’t really know what to do or say … As sad as that is, I wanted him to like me and feel like I was down for what he wanted.”

“He wanted me to show them off and be proud of them. I said, ‘How am I supposed to see other people when I have bruises?’ He said, ‘That’s the point.’ I think it was a part of marking and branding," she further revealed about her bruises and that she plans to remove her scar. “He would always tell me when he got back from the gym that he was bragging to his friends about carving an ‘A’ into me,” she said.

“I have gotten a DM saying Armie had sent me photos of me tied up that I didn’t know about. I didn’t even know the photos existed or what they look like. I don’t know if I was blindfolded," she made a shocking revelation alleging her photos were sent to other people.

“There were red flags throughout the relationship. I guess I just put them to the side and he made me feel so confident at times," Paige said further adding that “he would talk about it like a traditional BDSM relationship, but it wasn’t. This was way outside and beyond that.” She says she thinks that Hammer “enjoyed hurting women, but used BDSM as a mask for this.”

A few days ago, Paige shared series of pictures on Instagram talking about fantasies after she spoke about her relationship with Armie Hammer.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by P (@paigelorenze)

Armie Hammer is currently in the midst of a divorce from Elizabeth Chambers. She filed for divorce in July 2020 while seeking primary custody of their kids and joint custody.

ALSO READ: Armie Hammer exits Shotgun Wedding starring Jennifer Lopez amid the social media controversy over alleged private messages

Purplle signs Sara Ali Khan as its first brand ambassador; launches the #GoPurplle Campaign

Purplle.com, India’s leading online beauty destination, has signed Sara Ali Khan as its brand ambassador. Purplle denotes Royalty in Beauty, with products made from imported ingredients, yet affordable and accessible to every woman. With a mission to democratize beauty, Purplle and Sara have come together to empower women to look inside out beautiful.

The brand’s newly launched campaign #GoPurplle featuring Sara Ali Khan is based on the same core tenet of ‘Beauty for All’. It highlights its authentic product ranges from 6000 makeup products to its 5000 natural product offerings with exotic ingredients; all under Rs. 400. Sara shares their 2-day-no-questions-asked Return Policy and free delivery for anyone’s first order on Purplle. She also reveals how the brand rolls out 300 new beauty products every month.

On being their first brand ambassador, Actress Sara Ali Khan, shared “Purplle stands for the beauty that is inclusive and accessible to all. It enables women to fulfill their aspirations and even envision bigger dreams, as they look and feel their gorgeous best. I am extremely excited to embark on this journey with Purplle. It is a privilege for me to be the first face; proud to go Purplle!”

On the announcement Manish Taneja, Co-founder & CEO, Purplle.com said, “We are delighted to have Sara as the face of Purplle. She exemplifies the confidence and determination of a strong new-age woman. She is expressive, authentic, and extremely comfortable in her skin, making her a powerful role model for young girls. Sara will lend her voice to inspire consumers to embrace their own unique journey; to make beauty reach the comfort of every home. This association is a step towards further strengthening the connection with our consumers. We look forward to an exciting partnership together.”

Also Read: Sara Ali Khan nails her aerial yoga session to perfection in the Maldives

GOT7's Jinyoung officially signs with BH Entertainment

Popular South Korean group GOT7's singer-songwriter Jinyoung has officially signed an exclusive contract with BH Entertainment after his contract ended with JYP Entertainment. As members of GOT7 would like to continue as solo artists and as a group, they have moved on to different companies to kick off the new phase in their careers before coming back together as a group. According to the reports, the company plans to provide physical and emotional support to Jinyoung for his career as a musician and as an actor.

Sharing the official news on BH Entertainment's Instagram page, the agency welcomed him on board and urged everyone to support him.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by BH Entertainment (@bhent_official)

BH Entertainment is home to well-known South Korean actors including Lee Byung Hun, Kim Go Eun, Park Bo Young, Park Hae Soo, Ahn So Hee among others.

Apart from a thriving career as a singer in K-pop group GOT7, Jinyoung is a quite popular South Korean actor. He made his acting debut in the 2012 drama Dream High 2. Since then he starred in many projects including My Love Eun Dong, The Legend of the Blue Sea, Melting Me Softly among others. He bagged his first lead role in the psychological thriller He is Psychometric and then in 2020, he was a parallel lead in When My Love Blooms.

ALSO READ: GOT7’s Jackson Wang’s Team Wang label to work on global business with Sublime Artist Agency

Aamir Khan pauses Laal Singh Chaddha schedule to shoot for dance number in Amin Hajee's directorial debut

Actor Aamir Khan has been busy with the shooting schedule of Laal Singh Chaddha. The film shooting began in December 2019 but due to the pandemic, the shooting came to a halt in March 2020. The filming only resumed later in the year as Aamir continued to shoot in various parts of the country. Now, he has halted the schedule in order to fly to Jaipur to shoot a dance number in actor-friend Amin Hajee’s directorial debut.

According to the reports, Aamir Khan will be paired opposite Elli AvRram in the song. When Amin told him about his psychological thriller, Aamir was thrilled about it. He agreed to do a cameo in the film in a heartbeat. He will be in Jaipur for the next five days to shoot the song. A huge set has been created. The song has been composed by Tanishk Bagchi and written by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The number will be choreographed by duo Bosco and Caesar.

Amin Hajee’s directorial debut stars Amyra Dastur and Kunal Kapoor. Amin and Aamir Khan have been friends for over 20 years. He played the role of speech impaired drummer Bagha in Lagaan. He also starred as Vir Singh in Mangal Pandey: The Rising.

ALSO READ: Republic Day 2021: Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Sara Ali Khan among others celebrate the spirit of India

After wrapping Rashmi Rocket, Taapsee Pannu begins cricket training for Mithali Raj biopic Shabaash Mithu

A powerhouse of talent and the face of the modern Indian woman, Taapsee Pannu today gave her fans a glimpse of her on-the-field cricket training for her upcoming film Shabaash Mithu. For her role as ace Indian Cricketer Mithali Raj in the biopic, Taapsee will be training with coach Nooshin Al khadeer. Being the dedicated method actor that she is, Taapsee will be training to perfect her every action and stance to play a professional cricketer on screen.

Speaking about her training regimen, Taapsee said, “I’ve never played the game before, have just been a spectator and a hyperventilating fan of the game. Being on the other side is going to be a huge challenge I’ve thrown at myself. But I feel pressure brings out the best in me. This is probably that one common trait I can identify between me and Mithali.”

Produced by Viacom18 Studios, Directed by Rahul Dholakia, and written by Priya Aven, Shabaash Mithu is the inspiring tale of the captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team, Mithali Raj. An inspiration to billions of young girls in the country, her life is now all set to be documented on the silver screen in this biopic.

ALSO READ: Taapsee Pannu wraps up Rashmi Rocket, says ‘this rocket has left us sky bound’

Kerala High Court issues notice to Virat Kohli and Tamannaah Bhatia on plea seeking ban on online gaming

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli, actors Tamannaah Bhatia and Aju Varghese and the state government in a plea seeking ban on online gambling in the state.

All three celebrities are brand ambassadors of the online rummy games. Pauly Vadakkan, who filed the petition in the court alleged that online gambling is now a growing menace in the state and the primary targets will be middle to low income group people who will be enticed to make easy money. He said that people who fall for these "fraud platforms" often use all of their life savings.

These platforms endorsed by celebrities, including Kohli, Bhatia and Varghese, attract their audience with fake promises while in reality the probability of such winnings are slim to none, thus making a fool of unsuspecting people, the plea said.

The petitioner highlighted that the Kerala Gaming Act 1960, does not bring within its purview any online gambling, wagering or betting activities. The plea seeks a ban or to regulate and monitor online gambling games by framing laws that include within its purview games that are conducted online by using electronic gadgets including mobile phone, computers, laptops and other communication devices.

ALSO READ: Tamannaah Bhatia to endorse Velnik India’s brand Kaveri Mehndi Cone

MHA permits cinema halls to increase seating capacity from the existing 50% from February 1

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued fresh COVID-19 guidelines which will come into effect from February 1 and will remain in force till February 28. In the new guidelines, the Centre also allowed higher seating capacity in cinema halls.

At present, the cinema halls across India are being operated at 50% capacity. The cinema halls were permitted to reopen in mid-October last year. While the Home Ministry has allowed an increased seating capacity, it is not clear by how much it will be increased.

“Cinema halls and theatres have already been permitted upto 50% of seating capacity. Now they will be permitted to operate at higher seating capacity, for which a revised SOP will be issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in consultation with MHA,” the release by the MHA read.

These new set of guidelines will bring in relief for theatre owners and exhibitors and filmmakers who have been long awaiting to release their films in the theatres. Earlier this month, Tamil movie Master became the first major Indian film to hit the theatres. Despite the 50% capacity in theatres, the film did exceptionally well at the box office.

In Bollywood, films like Sooryavanshi, '83, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai are some of the major films that are awaiting release in theatres this year.

EXCLUSIVE: Is Vidyut Jammwal starrer Sanak a remake of Denzel Washington's John Q? Here's the truth

Vipul Amrutlal Shah with his home production Sunshine Pictures has been presenting films to the audiences for over a decade. This time, an all new film Sanak, recently announced by the makers is doing rounds among the audiences.

Being the talk of the town, there is a speculation that Sanak is a remake of Denzel Washington's John Q, in response to that the source from the production house says, "Sanak is an original story and not an adaptation of any other film. It should not be compared with any other movie, in any manner, as we have worked really hard for Sanak.”

Starring Vidyut Jammwal, Rukmini Maitra, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Neha Dhupia in pivotal roles. Presented by Zee Studios in association with Sunshine Pictures, Sanak is a Vipul Amrutlal Shah production, Directed by Kanishk Varma.

The poster of Sanak looks intense, with Vidyut on gun point of the goons, the teaser poster gave a similar hint with a isolated hospital bed with blood stains and a gun. This seems to be an intense watch, an emotional action film.

ALSO READ: Vidyut Jammwal gears up for action packed Sanak in new posters 

Tandav controversy: Supreme Court refuses to grant protection from arrest to makers; says freedom of speech is not absolute

On Wednesday while hearing pleas seeking stay on FIRs against actors and producers of the web series Tandav, the Supreme Court said that freedom of speech is not absolute. A bench headed by Ashok Bhushan said that the petitioners should go to the high courts to seek quashing of these cases. The court also refused to grant protection from arrest to the makers of Tandav against whom FIRs have been filed.

The case was heard by a bench of justices Ashok Bhushan, RS Reddy and MR Shah. Senior advocates Fali S Nariman, Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Luthra cited the recent judgement of the top court in Arnab Goswami's case during the hearing. "Is this way liberty should be protected in the country and FIRs are being filed across the country," Luthra said adding that the director of the web series, Ali Abbas Zafar, is being harassed.

"Your right to freedom of speech is not absolute. You cannot play the role of character that hurts the sentiments of a community," the bench said.

Nariman pointed out that the apologies have been made and still several FIRs have been filed in six states. He also said that the objectionable content has also been removed from the series. Responding to it, Justice Bhushan said , "You want the FIRs to be quashed, then why can't you approach the High Courts?" The bench said that the police can file closure reports too if apologies have been made.

Rohatgi cited Arnab Goswami case to move the top court after a violation of Article 19(1)(a). He added people get offended with anything and everything these days. "Please protect us with no coercive steps. We deleted content without any protest. Scenes have been deleted. It's a political satire," argued Rohatgi. The bench while passing the judgement refused to grant protection from arrest to the makers who have been named in the FIRs.

The web series is facing criminal cases for hurting religious sentiments and insulting religion punishable under Sections 153A and 295 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

ALSO READ: Tandav controversy: Maharashtra Govt to take action as per law; says it supports OTT censorship

Netflix acquires Chaitanya Tamhane's Marathi film The Disciple

The Disciple is a Marathi drama film written, directed, and edited by Chaitanya Tamhane and executive produced by Oscar winning director, Alfonso Cuarón. The film was awarded the FIPRESCI International Critics Prize (FIPRESCI, short for Federation Internationale de la Presse Cinematographique) and the Best Screenplay award at the 77th Venice International Film Festival. It was also screened at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was named a winner of the Amplify Voices Award.

Earlier this week, the film was nominated at the Film Independent Spirit Awards under the Best International Feature category. The Disciple will soon release exclusively on Netflix and stars Aditya Modak, Arun Dravid, Sumitra Bhave, Deepika Bhide Bhagwat, and Kiran Yadnyopavit in pivotal roles.

The Disciple is the story of Sharad Nerulkar, who devoted his life to becoming an Indian classical music vocalist, diligently following the traditions and discipline of the old masters, his guru, and his father. But as the years go by, Sharad starts to wonder whether it’s really possible to achieve the excellence he’s striving for. This is a journey of devotion, passion, and searching for the absolute in contemporary Mumbai.

Speaking about his film, director Chaitanya Tamhane said, “The story of The Disciple came from my own search for excellence and direction. It’s about how many of us follow all the rules and yet, sometimes, find that something is missing. I was honoured to get the opportunity to work with a creative genius (and my mentor) like Alfonso Cuarón - who directed Roma and Gravity. And now, not only has Netflix acquired it to stream to a discerning global audience. I’m truly grateful and humbled that global industry stalwarts have found this film worthy. A great deal of research goes into making a film and my aim as a filmmaker has always been to tell my story authentically within a dramatic framework. One also needs to afford the audience intelligence and intuition to be able to invest in your story, no matter what the cultural context may be. I’m glad this approach worked out well for The Disciple.”

Executive Producer Alfonso Cuarón said, “I believe Chaitanya is one of the most important new voices of contemporary cinema and I’m thrilled The Disciple will be able to be enjoyed by audiences all around the world.”

Pratiksha Rao, Director, Content Acquisition, Netflix India said, “We want to be the home for India’s finest films and filmmakers. As we expand our film slate and tell more diverse stories from across the country, we are thrilled to be the home for Chaitanya Tamhane's, The Disciple. The film is a beautiful story of aspiration, struggle, and self-doubt, and celebrates the magic of visual storytelling in the backdrop of Indian classical music, that we can’t wait to share with the world.”

ALSO READ: The White Tiger actor Adarsh Gourav, Chaitanya Tamhane's The Disciple bag nominations at Independent Spirit Awards