Actor and writer Gopal Datt joins Cine5 for a celebration of memorable firsts.
The conversation begins with Gopal’s own new beginning hosting his first-ever podcast, Pehla Pehla With Gopal Datt before turning into a freewheeling countdown of unforgettable acting debuts and Bollywood launches.

The gang revisits the frenzy around Hrithik Roshan in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, Amjad Khan’s Gabbar in Sholay, Ranveer Singh in Band Baaja Baaraat, Deepika Padukone in Om Shanti Om, Vidya Balan in Parineeta, Preity Zinta in Dil Se.., Vivek Oberoi in Company and more.

They also debate the difference between a genuine debut and a star “launch”, why some actors feel completely formed from their first major film, and why a spectacular beginning doesn’t always guarantee a spectacular career. Plus: A.R. Rahman, Irrfan Khan, Imran Khan, Rahul Roy, Kumar Gaurav and a very special Himesh Reshammiya mention. Catch Cine5 and Pehla Pehla With Gopal Datt on IVM Pop.

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Ahsaas’ journey in the industry is a singular one. Her firsts, her Pehlas are often people’s lives after 30 years of experience. From acting as a boy for years in films, to making the adjustment to the changing landscape with TVF and becoming one of its consistent leads - her journey is one that needs to be told

Through this podcast Gopal and Ahsaas tread through her incredible unbeaten path as she recounts stories to document one of the most unique stories in the industry

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Zakir Khan’s story is one that we all know - from Indore to Madison Square Garden, it’s an aspirational journey that many look up to. But with Pehla Pehla we dive deeper into things that lie underneath the achievements - a myriad of firsts that go beyond that

In this episode Zakir talks about his connection to his childhood home, his relationship with music and what it was like growing up surrounded by it, the first brushes with comedy and failure, the low points that informed the successes, his evolution as a comedian. We even get to delve into the AIB connection he had with Gopal Datt and the unique equation that they share - having been good friends and constant collaborators on lauded projects.

Zakir’s penchant for storytelling isn’t limited to the stage as he captures our attention with his trademark humour and knack for painting a picture - all the while dropping little nuggets of wisdom. With Pehla Pehla we get to dive into these talented brilliant people and the firsts in their journey so far - and starting the show with Zakir a pioneer of firsts, felt like the best way to kick things off

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Were Bollywood’s villains actually wrong or were we simply watching the story from the hero’s perspective?

In Episode 14 of Cine5, Karan Mirchandani and Shreemi Verma defend some of Hindi cinema’s most misunderstood characters. They revisit Fida, Kaun?, Baghban, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Hera Pheri, Yaadein, 8 x 10 Tasveer, Biwi No. 1 and Jaani Dushman to ask who the real villains were.

Along the way, they unpack stalking disguised as romance, parental guilt, relationship gaslighting, suspicious fisheries, abandoned twins and why Sushmita Sen deserved far better.

A spoiler-heavy, deeply unserious examination of Bollywood morality, featuring strong opinions, chaotic theories and several fictional crimes that the hosts do not legally endorse.

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Some Bollywood classics are sacred. This episode is not.

Karan Mirchandani & Shreemi Verma put nostalgia on trial and ask the question nobody wants in the family group chat: are these movies genuinely timeless or have TV reruns, memes and childhood memories done the heavy lifting?

From Three Idiots, Welcome and Andaz Apna Apna to 12th Fail, Sanju, Bajirao Mastani, Maine Pyar Kiya, Trishul and Animal, the panel debates what still works, what aged badly and which films accidentally inspired years of weaker copies.

Expect spicy takes on Rajkumar Hirani’s emotional formula, Welcome’s meme-powered legacy, exam-struggle cinema, Sanju’s biopic whitewashing, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s visual grandeur, Sooraj Barjatya’s wedding universe and Animal’s influence on modern Bollywood.

Now it’s your turn: comment one movie you would defend with your life and one “classic” you think is fully mid.

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Some Bollywood movies deserved to flop. Their albums absolutely didn't.

In this episode of Cine5, we count down our Top 5 Bad Bollywood Movies with Great Albums—films that may have disappointed at the box office but gifted us unforgettable music.

From Salaam-e-Ishq, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Kabir Singh, Tashan, Neal 'n' Nikki, Kismat Konnection, Fitoor, Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi, and plenty of wild honourable mentions, we're celebrating the composers who delivered masterpieces even when the films couldn't.

Expect passionate debates, hilarious tangents, nostalgic 9XM memories, questionable filmmaking decisions, Bollywood trivia, and lots of singing along to songs that deserved far better movies.

🎵 Which Bollywood soundtrack do you think was wasted on a bad film? Drop your picks in the comments!

Don't forget to Like, Comment & Subscribe for more weekly Bollywood rankings, movie debates, nostalgia trips and unapologetically filmy conversations.

#Bollywood #Cine5 #HindiSongs #BollywoodMusic #MoviePodcast #ARRahman #ShankarEhsaanLoy #Pritam #AnuMalik #BollywoodAlbums

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For the first time ever on Cine5, Karan Mirchandani and Shreemi Verma are joined by guests — and somehow the episode becomes even less controlled.

Joining them are Shantanu Anam and Akanksha Pandey, hosts of Popcorn Hour, for a gloriously unhinged conversation about Bollywood's greatest side characters. But very quickly, the discussion spirals into everything from Dil Chahta Hai's Subodh and Monsoon Wedding's Vijay Raaz to Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, Hum Tum, Gully Boy, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Gupt, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and a surprising amount of Akshay Khanna discourse.

Expect passionate defenses of forgotten characters, heated disagreements over who qualifies as a "side character," unexpected smash-or-pass debates, Hrithik Roshan arguments, Johnny Lever appreciation, and Karan's very public admiration for Suman Ranganathan.

More than anything, this feels like four friends hanging out after a movie marathon and refusing to stay on topic.

Who is Bollywood's greatest side character? Did we miss your favourite? Let us know in the comments.

Hosts:
Karan Mirchandani
Shreemi Verma

Guests:
Shantanu Anam & Akanksha Pandey (Popcorn Hour)

#Bollywood #SideCharacters #CineFive #PopcornHour #DilChahtaHai #MonsoonWedding #VijayRaaz #AkshayKhanna #GullyBoy #HumTum #KalHoNaaHo

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Some Bollywood love stories are iconic. Some are romantic. And some should have ended after the interval.

In this episode of Cine5, Karan Mir and Shreemi Verma commit the ultimate Bollywood crime: questioning beloved movie couples and asking a very simple question -

"Why are these two even together?"

From dream romances and fan-favourite pairings to relationships that somehow survived despite every red flag imaginable, the duo revisit some of Hindi cinema's biggest love stories and argue why they may have been doomed from the start.

Expect controversial takes, relationship autopsies, unexpected sympathy for side characters, and enough hot takes to upset at least three fandoms before the episode ends.

Agree? Disagree? Furious already?

Drop your picks for the Bollywood couples that never should have gotten their happy ending.

Follow:
Shreemi Verma → https://www.instagram.com/shreemiverma/
Karan Mirchandani → https://www.instagram.com/karan_mir/
IVM Pop → https://www.instagram.com/ivmpop/
IVM Podcasts → https://www.instagram.com/ivmpodcasts/

🎬 Follow IVM Pop for more movie debates, rankings, hot takes and Bollywood chaos every week.

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