Aanand L Rai and Dhanush, the dynamic duo behind the 2013 romantic drama Raanjhanaa, are reuniting for another cinematic masterpiece, Tere Ishk Mein. This highly anticipated film promises a captivating journey into the depths of love, loss, and sacrifice, building upon the emotional resonance of their previous collaboration. The recent release of Kriti Sanon’s first-look video has sent ripples of excitement through the film industry and ignited fervent anticipation among fans.

The video opens with a scene of intense chaos, a whirlwind of war and destruction. Amidst this turmoil, Kriti Sanon’s character emerges, her face etched with a profound sadness, her eyes reflecting the weight of untold burdens. The visual narrative masterfully depicts her descent into despair, culminating in a heart-wrenching moment where she prepares to set herself ablaze. The clip abruptly ends, leaving viewers breathless, desperate to unravel the mysteries that lie ahead.

Adding to the intrigue, a previous teaser featured a powerful voiceover by an unnamed actress, raising poignant questions about the dynamics of love and sacrifice. The line, “Shankar, only boys die in love? Don’t some girls have the courage to sacrifice their lives?”, serves as a compelling prelude to the narrative’s exploration of complex emotional landscapes.

Kriti Sanon’s involvement in the project was previously reported, with insiders revealing her deep admiration for the storyline and the profound depth of her character’s arc. Her portrayal promises a compelling exploration of female resilience and the extraordinary lengths one might go to in the name of love.

Tere Ishk Mein boasts a stellar team behind the scenes. Produced by Aanand L Rai, Himanshu Sharma, Bhushan Kumar, and Krishan Kumar, the film features the iconic A.R. Rahman’s musical score and Irshad Kamil’s soulful lyrics. The screenplay, penned by Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav, aims to capture the fiery passion and intensity that defined Raanjhanaa, while venturing into uncharted narrative territory.

Following delays due to Dhanush’s prior commitments, principal photography is scheduled to commence in October 2024, with a theatrical release planned for 2025. Presented by T-Series and Colour Yellow Productions, Tere Ishk Mein is poised to be a cinematic triumph, marking another significant collaboration between Rai and Rahman, two titans of the Indian film industry. This promises a powerful and emotionally resonant cinematic experience that will undoubtedly leave audiences spellbound.

Sonu Nigam, a recipient of the Padma Shri award, has publicly voiced his disappointment with the selection process for the prestigious Padma Awards, specifically criticizing the omission of several highly acclaimed singers like Kishore Kumar, Alka Yagnik and Shreya Ghosal among others.

His recent Instagram video directly challenges the 2025 Padma Awards jury, questioning their criteria and highlighting the glaring absence of legendary figures like Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar.

While the awards ceremony, held on Republic Day, saw 139 individuals honoured—including seven Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri recipients—Nigam argues that the selection process overlooks significant contributions from the Indian music industry.

The video’s central argument revolves around the perceived injustice towards iconic singers. Nigam points out the incongruity of posthumously awarding the Padma Vibhushan to Sharda Sinha while neglecting living legends. He specifically laments that Mohammed Rafi, a towering figure in Indian music, received only the Padma Shri, a lower award, and that Kishore Kumar, another titan, received no Padma award at all. This, he suggests, is a profound oversight considering their immeasurable impact on Indian and global music.

Nigam extends his critique to include contemporary singers, highlighting the significant careers of Alka Yagnik, Shreya Ghoshal, and Sunidhi Chauhan. He argues that these artists, each with a lengthy career marked by both critical and popular success, have earned national recognition through their immense talent and contribution to Indian music. Their omission, he suggests, casts doubt on the fairness and comprehensiveness of the selection process. He emphasizes their lasting influence, noting how they have inspired generations of singers.

The video concludes with an appeal to his followers, urging them to identify other deserving artists who have yet to receive Padma awards. The accompanying caption reads, “India and its pending Padma Awardees,” a statement reflecting a widespread sentiment among many who feel the awards don’t always reflect the true breadth of talent in India. The response to Nigam’s post has been significant, with comments echoing his sentiments. Shraddha Pandit, for instance, commented “Gospel truth spoken,” indicating a shared feeling of disappointment and injustice.

Nigam’s own experience adds weight to his argument. Despite receiving the Padma Shri in 2022, he expressed dissatisfaction at the time, feeling the award was bestowed too late in his illustrious career. This personal experience underscores his critique, lending authenticity to his concerns about the timing and selection process of the Padma Awards.

His vast repertoire—over 10,000 songs in various Indian languages—further emphasizes his own position as a significant contributor to Indian music and his understanding of the landscape. The controversy ignited by Nigam’s video serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate surrounding the Padma Awards and the ongoing search for a more comprehensive and equitable system of recognizing national contributions.

Kiran Rao’s directorial debut, Laapataa Ladies, may have missed out on an Oscar nomination, but its journey continues with a prestigious nomination for the Japan Academy Film Prize 2024. The film, which enjoyed a successful 100-day theatrical run in Japan following its October release, has earned a nomination in the Best International Film category.

This significant recognition places Laapataa Ladies alongside cinematic heavyweights like Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things, Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, and Alex Garland’s Civil War, highlighting its international appeal and critical acclaim. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on March 14th.

Laapataa Ladies, a captivating story of two brides accidentally swapped on a train journey, showcases the talents of Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan. Produced by the collaborative efforts of Kiran Rao, Aamir Khan, and Jyoti Deshpande, the film received positive reviews upon its Indian theatrical release in March of the previous year and is now available for streaming on Netflix.

While the film’s exclusion from the Oscars’ Best International Feature shortlist was met with disappointment by the production team – Aamir Khan Productions, Jio Studios, and Kindling Productions – the nomination for the Japan Academy Film Prize represents a significant achievement, underscoring the film’s international resonance.

The team expressed gratitude for the support received throughout the film’s journey, acknowledging the recognition from both the Academy members and the FFI jury. The Japan Academy Film Prize nomination serves as a testament to the film’s artistic merit and its ability to connect with audiences worldwide, demonstrating that its narrative power transcends geographical boundaries.

The nomination is a validation of the hard work and dedication invested in bringing this unique and compelling story to the global stage.