Armaan shares his dream come-true moment
Singer Armaan Malik has called his association with Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana a dream come true, describing the experience of singing Mangala Sangama, the Kannada version of a song from the film, as particularly meaningful. Composed by AR Rahman, the track also allows Armaan to connect with his Kannada-speaking listeners.
“Being a part of a vision like Ramayana is honestly a dream come true,” Armaan said, adding that singing in Kannada made the experience even closer to his heart because of the love he receives from his Kannadiga listeners. He also expressed admiration for Rahman, describing working with the composer as a joy beyond words.
The project holds another special significance for Armaan, as it reunites him with actor Ranbir Kapoor and director Nitesh Tiwari after their collaboration on Chillar Party in 2011. The singer was a teenager when he worked on the film’s soundtrack.
“It is also incredibly special to sing for Ranbir Kapoor and be associated with such an insane cast and technical crew,” he said, describing the reunion as a full-circle moment.
For Armaan, Mangala Sangama brings together his love for music, his connection with Kannada listeners and the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s prominent names.
Rashmika sets boundaries
Actress Rashmika Mandanna has opened up about setting personal boundaries while working on commercial films, admitting that she is uncomfortable with excessive skin show and prefers collaborating with directors who respect her choices.
During her appearance with husband Vijay Deverakonda on Koffee With Karan Season 9, the actress discussed the challenges performers face when speaking up about costumes or scenes that make them uncomfortable.
The conversation came amid the online debate surrounding Janhvi Kapoor’s portrayal in Ram Charan-starrer Peddi. Responding to host Karan Johar’s question about whether she consciously sets boundaries for her onscreen representation, Rashmika said she was not comfortable with every kind of costume, even when a character demanded a particular look.
“There are some things that I am not okay with. I know some characters sort of need something like a bikini or something like that, but even in that, I would say I am not very comfortable with exposing or skin show,” she said. Rashmika added that she prefers working with directors who respect the limits she establishes.
Vijay, meanwhile, highlighted how actors can feel pressured to agree to scenes after signing a film, stressing the importance of having a support system that encourages them to speak up. The couple emphasised that performers should be able to express discomfort without fearing that their professionalism will be questioned.
Taapsee’s quest for star power
For Taapsee Pannu, building a career in the film industry has been about more than landing significant roles or delivering successful performances. It has been about reaching a position where her presence alone can inspire confidence in a film’s commercial prospects. Reflecting on her journey since Pink, the actress has spoken about her determination to move beyond luck and the dependence on male costars that often shapes opportunities for women in cinema.
Taapsee believes that an actor’s career cannot remain at the mercy of circumstances or someone else’s willingness to share the screen. Her experience with Pink, the 2016 courtroom drama, gave her an early glimpse of the possibilities of leading a film and becoming the centre of a compelling narrative. That experience, she says, clarified her ambition to build lasting credibility as a leading actor.
“It’s been relentless work being put in it to reach this stage, because for how long you want to be at the mercy of luck only?” she said, explaining her pursuit of greater professional independence. Her latest release, Gandhari, which topped Netflix’s non-English film charts in 17 countries, has renewed attention on her work in female-led stories. For Taapsee, however, the larger goal remains establishing a position where producers believe investing in a film led by her is a worthwhile decision.
Vedika’s perspective
Actress Vedika Pinto believes that a compelling story matters more than the platform on which it is told. While she initially aspired to work exclusively in films, the recognition she has received through the streaming series Musafir Cafe has broadened her perspective, making her more open to exploring different formats and narratives.
Vedika, who played a lead role in Anurag Kashyap’s Nishaanchi, says her experience in the streaming space has opened new avenues for her career. The success of Musafir Cafe, based on Divya Prakash Dubey’s novel of the same name, has brought her the recognition she had long hoped for.
Reflecting on her career choices, the actress admits that her early ambitions were shaped by her love for cinema. “You grow up watching movies on the big screen, and that’s where the dream of becoming an actor really begins,” she says.
However, her recent experience has reinforced her belief that storytelling should take precedence over the medium. “I still dream of doing films, but I don’t think the platform itself matters as much as the story being told,” she adds.For Vedika, the focus now is on embracing opportunities across formats and allowing the stories she encounters to shape her journey. As new doors open after Musafir Cafe, she remains eager to experiment, evolve and discover where her work takes her next.