Jitendra Kumar and Pooja Bhatt team up for film set in India’s traditional pigeon-flying culture

Actor Jitendra Kumar is all set to star in a new film alongside Pooja Bhatt. The project delves into the emotionally rich and rarely explored world of kabootar-baazi-India’s age-old pigeon-flying tradition. A Story Rooted in Culture and EmotionJitendra Kumar, widely loved for his performances in Panchayat, Kota Factory, Jaadugar, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, and the recent Bhagwat: Chapter One Raakshas, takes on another unique role in this upcoming film. He will be seen as a passionate kabootarbaaz, bringing depth and realism to a character shaped by this traditional sport and its community. National Award-winning actor Pooja Bhatt will play Jitendra’s on-screen mother. Known for her powerful and layered performances in Zakhm, Tamanna, and Daddy, Pooja returns to a more intimate storytelling space that highlights her emotional strength as a performer. The Team Behind the FilmThe film is produced by Khyati Madaan under her banner Not Out Entertainment and co-produced by Hitesh Kewalya, who is best known for writing Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and both writing and directing Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan. It is written and directed by Bilal Hasan, whose short film Chupchaap earned multiple awards and a Filmfare nomination. This marks Bilal’s debut as a feature film director. Exploring India’s Pigeon-Flying TraditionSet against the backdrop of kabootar-baazi-a practice that involves training and racing homing pigeons from neighborhood rooftops-the film aims to capture a culture that continues to thrive in India’s old mohallas and among pigeon-racing communities around the world. While rooted in this traditional setting, the story is ultimately a human drama that focuses on relationships, legacy, and passion. Filming is expected to begin next year. Not Out Entertainment’s Expanding SlateNot Out Entertainment is steadily building a diverse lineup of films that blend originality with commercial appeal. The banner is currently producing Abhootpurva, a romantic horror comedy set in 1990s Agra, starring Ritwik Bhowmik alongside an ensemble cast of seven acclaimed actors. CLUSIVE: Jitendra Kumar denies being typecast; Arshad Warsi calls his Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas role “a rare find for any actor”.

Aahana S Kumra to star opposite Purab Kohli in the children’s film Putul

After foraying into the reality space with the show Rise And Fall, Aahana S Kumra is set to come back on the big screen with her upcoming film Putul. Also starring Purab Kohli and Rajat Kapoor, Putul is a children’s film that talks about a turbulent marriage through the lens of a child, showing how it impacts their mind. Aahana plays Megha, a six-year-old Putul’s working mother, who is going through a turbulent marriage with Purab Kohli and is looking for a divorce. Sharing her experience of working on the film, the actress said, “I shot for this project about two years ago in Dehradun and had a wonderful time. We shot around the beginning of the year, and the weather was lovely.”Reflecting on her experience takes Aahana down memory lane. “I spent almost a month there and I have travelled a lot to the city since my childhood with my sister. We do an annual trip there. Thus, Dehradun is an integral part of my being,” she says. Directed by Radheshyam Pipalwa, Putul got screened at the Jagran Film Festival and Aahana feels it has been the best platform for the film. “It is one of the biggest film festivals in India and the film got screened in Meerut, which is my mother’s hometown. We had a houseful screening, and the turnout was lovely. I was also pleasantly surprised by how the film turned out.”She elaborated, “Putul talks about turbulent marriages through the lens of children and shows how it impacts them. The film is about relationships, and this film festival serves as the ideal platform for indie films, as it focuses on bringing cinema closer to its audience and connecting the film with the right viewers.”Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Aahana S Kumra’s mom opens up on her Rise and Fall journey; says, “She is playing with dignity”.

Ananya Panday was in talks, but Tanya Maniktala bags Mira Nair’s Amri: Report

Filmmaker Mira Nair is reportedly moving ahead with her long-awaited biopic on the celebrated painter Amrita Sher-Gil, tentatively titled Amri. Though an official announcement is yet to be made, reports suggest that Tanya Maniktala, best known for her performance in Nair’s 2020 BBC series A Suitable Boy, has been chosen to play the Hungarian-Indian artist. Earlier speculation had linked Ananya Panday to the lead part, but a latest report by Mid-Day now indicates that Nair has opted to reunite with Maniktala for the ambitious project. The film, said to be a period drama set across India, Hungary, and France, aims to showcase the life and art of Sher-Gil regarded as one of the most important modernist painters of the early 20th century, whose work bridged European and Indian aesthetics. According to the report, the narrative will explore Amrita’s artistic journey alongside her relationships with key figures in her life, including her father Umrao Singh Sher-Gil Majithia, her husband Viktor Egan, fiancé Yusuf Ali Khan, and close friend Jawaharlal Nehru. In 2023, actors such as Naseeruddin Shah, Vicky Kaushal, and Jim Sarbh were reportedly approached for crucial roles. Nair, who has been developing the project for nearly four years, is said to be planning to begin production by the end of the year if all goes according to schedule. The filmmaker’s vision reportedly extends beyond a conventional biopic; she intends to highlight Sher-Gil’s influence in shaping the narrative of Indian modern art while introducing her legacy to wider international audiences. While official confirmation about the film’s cast and production timeline is awaited, the renewed buzz around Amri signals that Nair’s much-anticipated tribute to one of India’s pioneering women artists may soon be a step closer to reality. Also Read: Ananya Panday curates special Diwali board: “Helped me share traditions I cherish with a fresh twist”.