Stargazer: Dharna Durga, Jasmeet K Reen and Deepali Sahay

Reels to Roles

Dharna Durga is a social media creator with 1.9 million followers on Instagram. Her com­edy sketch and dance video reels had gone viral during Covid-19, but as Sushma, the younger daughter of the luscious Madhuri Dixit in Netflix’s Maa Behen, she is exceptional. Sushma happens to be a social media creator just like Dharna, whose avatars range from controlling moms to interfering aunties, with an extra dose of pizzazz. Dharna’s portrayal matches the vim and vigour of Dixit and Triptii Dimri, who plays Sushma’s sister.

Calling the Shots

Filmmaker Jasmeet K Reen found fame directing the dark comedy Darlings for Netflix in 2022. Now, comes the announcement that Reen will be directing the new season of Netflix’s The Royals. The show has seen the exit of Bhumi Pednekar on a bitter note and will shift the focus away from the love story between Pednekar’s character and Ishaan Khatter’s Fizzy. The story will turn to the royal family instead. Reen, a former ad filmmaker, will then go on to direct the much-awaited biopic of legendary actor Madhubala.

Melodic Rise

One of 12 new voices on AR Rahman’s soundtrack for Main Vaapas Aaunga, Deepali Sahay has gained recognition for her sweet rendition of Tere Paas Main in the film. An Indian Idol Season 3 finalist, Sahay has sung in Bhojpuri films and played host in shows like Bharat Ki Shaan: Singing Star, and Indian Idol Season 4 with Meiyang Chang.