EXCLUSIVE: Sumit Arora talks about writing dialogues for 120 Bahadur: "Farhan Akhtar is very thorough professional, sharp, witty"; reacts to Shah Rukh Khan's National Award win for Jawan: "He should have won long back…the National Award deserved him!"

Sumit Arora has carved a niche for himself thanks to his solid writing in shows like The Family Man, Dahaad, Guns & Gulaabs and Citadel: Honey Bunny and in films like Stree (2018), ’83 (2021), Jawan (2023), Chandu Champion (2024) etc. November 21 was a significant day for him this year for he had 2 releases – the season 3 of The Family Man dropped on Amazon Prime Video while the Farhan Akhtar-starrer war drama 120 Bahadur arrived in cinemas. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Sumit Arora spoke about his dialogues in 120 Bahadur and a lot more.

You had 2 releases in a single day. How was the experience and what did you do on November 21? I was at IFFI, Goa as we had screenings of The Family Man as well as 120 Bahadur. I was checking the reactions of both. The Family Man Season 3 was available digitally while 120 Bahadur had released in theatres. So, it was very interesting and also overwhelming to have two releases on two different mediums on the same day. The Family Man has been widely loved and hence, we knew that people have been waiting for it. We were curious as to how they receive the new season. Thankfully, they are finding a lot of joy in watching it.

120 Bahadur, meanwhile, is also a special film as it told an important chapter from history. The love for it is also pouring it and hence, the experience has been satisfying.

You had mentioned to us before that you don’t believe in doing dialoguebaazi for the sake of it. Did you apply the same idea in 120 Bahadur as well? Of course. I apply it in everything that I do (smiles). The film is based on a true story and even the characters were real. So, I had to stay rooted and have the punchiness in the dialogues wherever required. I had to ensure that the punchy dialogues needed to be mouthed for a reason. For example, when Farhan Akhtar tells his soldiers that he ‘Main peeche nahin hatunga’, the dialogue had to be emotionally charged and should express his feelings for the country. He brings up the fact that they are the sons of farmers. So, he says, ‘Zameen ke liye ladna tumhare khoon mein hai. Aur iss baar, baat zameen ki nahin, hamare sarzameen ki hai’. This line came up organically as he’s talking to soldiers who are sons of the soil who are now fighting for their motherland. So, we were not trying to create a punch for the heck of it.

How was it working with Farhan Akhtar? I had worked on Dahaad before, which was produced by him. But this was the first time I interacted with him. He’s a very thorough professional, sharp and witty. He’s also well-respectful and accepting of ideas from everyone around him. So, it was a great experience. I had seen his directorial debut, Dil Chahta Hai (2001), before coming to Mumbai and loved it. Just to see his creative process from up close was very enriching.

 

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You went on the sets of Jawan for 100 days. Did you visit 120 Bahadur’s sets as well? Yes, I did go to Ladakh and I went twice.

Was it challenging to shoot the film in a hostile terrain like Ladakh? Yes. To shoot at such an altitude is always a challenge. The unit members were always falling sick. I, too, fell sick in one of the trips. My condition was similar to Radio Operator Ramchander Yadav (played by Sparsh Walia) in the film as I suffered from altitude sickness. Thankfully, it didn’t last long, and I felt ill for a few hours only. I faced breathing issues because I forgot to take the tablet to acclimatize oneself. Hence, it’s very difficult to shoot there.

Shah Rukh Khan recently won the National Award for Jawan. Did it feel like a personal achievement? More than a personal achievement, it felt like an achievement of a man you have always loved. I felt great that I could be a part of the film that got Shah Rukh sir the National Award. It was an award he should have won long back as he has done such remarkable work over a period of time. So, I feel it was the National Award that deserved him and not the other way round (smiles).

What are your upcoming projects besides Border 2? Are you a part of Dahaad 2? Yes, Dahaad 2 is happening. And I am also working on Kabir Khan’s next film. There are also a couple of more projects which I’ll be able to talk about in the near future.

Also Read: Residential societies join schools in organising theatre visits for 120 Bahadur

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Shubhangi Atre reveals Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai film wrapped in just 20 days

The beloved television comedy Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai! is now making its way to the big screen — and the transition happened faster than anyone expected. According to an exclusive report by HTCity, the show’s long-awaited film adaptation has already been shot, and it was wrapped up in a record-breaking 20 days.

Shubhangi Atre, who plays Angoori Bhabhi, confirmed the astonishing timeline. She said, “Yes, the film has been shot in just 20 days!” and even joked, “We should be in Guinness Record!”

In addition to the core cast Shubhangi Atre, Rohitashv Gour, and Aasif Sheikh the movie will also feature actors Ravi Kishan, Mukesh Tiwari, and Bijendra Kala.

The entire production was completed in the picturesque hill towns of Mussoorie and Dehradun. Speaking of the shoot, Shubhangi said, “Bohot thand mein shooting ki humne, it was very exciting and the shoot was over in March. It's a complete laughter ride!”

About what fans can expect, she hinted at some surprises, “Angoori kuch alag karti hui dikhegi. It is a surprise for the fans. The love they have given to the show, I hope they give to the film also! Bohot dil se banayi hui film hai!”

The announcement and swift production mark an exciting new chapter for the show, promising fans the same humour and charm now on the big screen.

Also Read : Shubhangi Atre reflects on divorce and ex-husband’s death: “Addiction destroyed him”

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SCOOP: Single screens in a fix as Tere Ishk Mein’s 2-week condition risks shrinking Dhurandhar’s show count

Tere Ishk Mein will release in 2 days from now, and it is all set to spring a surprise at the box office, going by the advance booking trends. However, the ticket sales are yet to start in several single screens. Bollywood Hungama has learned that the distributors of the Dhanush-Kriti Sanon starrer have made a certain demand to the single-screen owners, which the latter have not yet agreed upon.

A trade source told Bollywood Hungama, “AA Films, owned by Anil Thadani, has asked the single-screens to sign an agreement stating that they’ll play all shows of Tere Ishk Mein this week. All theatres have agreed to this directive. But the distribution team has further instructed the theatres that they will have to commit 2 shows of Tere Ishk Mein next week. Only when these two conditions are met will they get to release Tere Ishk Mein.”

The source continued, “Dhurandhar releases next Friday, December 5. Hence, if single screen hall owners agree to the demand put forth by AA Films, they’ll have to play the Ranveer Singh-starrer with just 2 shows in order to accommodate Tere Ishk Mein. The theatre owners have reservations with this arrangement as they want to give reasonable showcasing to Dhurandhar as well.”

The source also said, “The single screens are hoping that this deadlock is resolved soon. They are keen to play Tere Ishk Mein, looking at the advance booking. None of the releases this month have scored in their theatres. The last one, which was successful, was Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, which released more than a month ago. Even this mass-friendly film didn’t release in the first week in many single screen properties. As a result, they are very eager to play the massy flick Tere Ishk Mein and also Dhurandhar.”

As of 8:00 am on November 26, booking of Tere Ishk Mein is yet to begin at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir, PVR Le Reve Bandra, Inox Nakshatra Dadar, MovieMax Andheri East, MovieTime Suburbia, Mukta A2 Orion Santacruz, Gold Cinema Dadar, MovieTime Dahisar, New Excelsior, Citylight Mahim, MovieTime Star City Matunga, Plaza Dadar and Chitra Dadar. The advance booking, meanwhile, has begun in Regal, Gold Cinema Thane, Gold Cinema Borivali, Anand Thane, Kasturba Malad and Roxy Charni Road. In the last two cinemas, 4 shows of Tere Ishk Mein will be played, while one show of the Gujarati blockbuster Laalo has been allotted at 7:30 pm.

This has given hopes that a solution will be achieved soon and the bookings of the film will commence across the country in full force.

Also Read: Kriti Sanon says she and Dhanush created ‘magical moments’ in Tere Ishk Mein; says, “He really brings out a lot of layers in his character”

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Celina Jaitly files domestic violence case against husband Peter Haag: Report

Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly has filed a domestic violence complaint against her husband, Austrian hotelier and entrepreneur Peter Haag, as reported by ANI. She approached a Mumbai court under the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, accusing Haag of domestic violence, cruelty, and manipulation. Following her petition, the court issued a formal notice to Haag. Further details regarding the allegations and the next hearings are awaited.

Celina Jaitly and Peter Haag married in 2011 in Austria. The couple welcomed twin sons in March 2012, marking a happy chapter in their marriage. In 2017, they became parents to another set of twin boys, but the family suffered a heartbreaking loss when one of the infants passed away due to a hypoplastic heart condition. Celina, known for films such as No Entry, Golmaal Returns, Thank You, Apna Sapna Money Money, and Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, has mostly stayed away from the public eye in recent years, making headlines only during significant personal moments.

This domestic violence case comes shortly after another legal step taken by the actress. Last month, Celina approached a Delhi court seeking intervention regarding her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Jaitly. She alleged that he had been “illegally abducted and detained” in the United Arab Emirates, where he has lived since 2016.

Vikrant Jaitly was associated with the MATITI Group, a company engaged in consultancy, trading, and risk management services. Celina claimed that the Ministry of External Affairs had been unable to provide basic information about his condition, legal status, or well-being since his reported detention in September 2024. The Delhi court later directed authorities to ensure that the family could contact him and facilitate communication between Vikrant, Celina, and his wife.

These back-to-back legal developments have placed Celina and her family in the spotlight as they navigate ongoing personal and legal challenges.

Also Read: Donal Bisht reacts strongly to reports linking her to Abhishek Bajaj: “STOP dragging my name into unnecessary bullsh*t…”

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Photos: Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor and Kunal Kapoor snapped at Sunny Deol’s house in Juhu

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Rajkumar Hirani brings storytelling wisdom to IFFI, breaking down the art of writing and editing: "Writing imagines emotion, editing experiences it"

Lights dimmed and anticipation filled the air at IFFI as audiences gathered for a masterclass that felt more like an energising creative session than a traditional workshop. When filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani arrived at the Kala Academy Hall, the atmosphere lifted instantly. By the end of the event, writers were jotting down ideas, editors were nodding in recognition, and cinephiles were visibly inspired.

Hirani shared practical insights and clear principles that have shaped his career. “Writing is emotion imagined; editing is emotion experienced. The writer writes the first draft, the editor the last. Theme is the soul of a film, while conflict is its oxygen,” he said, setting the tone for his session titled “Film is Made on Two Tables — Writing and Editing.”

He described writing as a space of creative freedom—where skies are endless, actors are perfect, and no constraints exist. However, he emphasised that once this material reaches the editing table, reality reshapes it. According to him, a story truly begins only when a character wants something deeply, and conflict gives the narrative life.

Rajkumar Hirani encouraged writers to draw from real experiences. “A good writer must pick triggers from life. Real experiences make stories unique and relatable,” he noted. He also reminded the audience that exposition should blend naturally into the drama and that the film’s theme should quietly guide every scene.

Speaking with affection for his first craft—editing—Hirani highlighted the editor’s unseen influence. He explained that while the shot is the basic unit of editing, shifting its context can completely alter meaning. “An editor can flip a story 180 degrees,” he said, adding that their work often remains invisible but is central to holding a film together.

Referencing early cinema, he recalled DW Griffith’s observation that a skilled editor shapes audience emotion. Hirani reinforced this idea with a line that echoed throughout the hall: “The writer writes the first draft. The editor writes the last.”

He also underlined the importance of strong antagonists. “Every character believes they are right,” he said, stressing that the tension between opposing yet valid viewpoints creates the energy that drives a story.

Screenwriter Abhijat Joshi joined the conversation, reflecting on the value of memory in storytelling. He explained that certain real-life moments—funny, painful, or surprising—stay with people for years and often hold more authenticity than purely invented scenes. He shared that many such memories helped shape 3 Idiots, from the electric-shock joke to subtle character traits inspired by people he had observed.

Joshi concluded with essential screenwriting reminders: every character must want something meaningful, conflict fuels cinema, and the strongest drama arises when two genuine truths collide.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Kartik Aaryan, Rajkumar Hirani honoured by Gautam Adani at Subhash Ghai’s Whistling Woods International; Hirani hails Adani’s speech: “I would call it the SHOLAY of speeches!”

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Sharmila Tagore on missing out on Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani with Dharmendra, “I fell ill and couldn’t do the film”

“We shared the same birthday. He was my co-star in seven films. I knew he was not keeping good health. But the news of his passing is still very saddening,” said Sharmila Tagore, who worked in films as far-ranging as Satyakam and Chupke Chupke with Dharmendra.

She reflected on their screen togetherness. “We first worked together in Devar and then during the same year in Anupama. Two very serious subjects, followed by an out-and-out commercial film Mere Humdum Mere Dost. Shooting with him was a breeze. He was as effortless on screen as he was off it. He was never ‘The Star’ on the sets, always his natural self. There was nothing put-on about him.”

Sharmila Tagore recalled her first meeting with Dharmendra. “Before we worked together, we met when I was shooting with Yash Chopra’s Waqt. I don’t know in what context he was there. But I remember he was dressed… how shall I put it… not like a star at all. When someone complimented him, he hugged that person with such sincerity. That genuineness stayed with him.”

Sharmila ji missed the opportunity to work with Dharamji in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. “I fell ill and couldn’t do the film. The last film we did together was Sunny, where he did a small guest appearance for his son Sunny (Deol)’s sake. I had spoken to him about a documentary, which a lady was making on me. She wanted to speak to Dharam ji. He, of course, said very good things about me. I wish we had more opportunities to interact.”

She singled out Chupke Chupke as the highpoint of their collaboration. “Wherever I go, fans mention Chupke Chupke as their favourite. I am sure Dharmendra also got the same reaction from the public. When I was ill, I watched Chupke Chupke and laughed quite a lot. It is a rare comedy that continues to be funny over the years. We don’t make too many genuinely funny comedies.”

Also Read: Throwback: Dharmendra once confessed that he was JEALOUS of Shah Rukh Khan: “Itni khoobsurat ladkiyon ke saath yeh romance kar raha hai! Toh main kyun nahin?”; revealed SRK’s comments on Apne: “He told me I should have promoted it well”

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