SCREEN Launch Highlights: Shraddha Kapoor unveils iconic film magazine’s digital cover; Vijay Varma, Rajkumar Hirani talks cinema, life and more

The candid chat session between Rajkumar Hirani, Vijay Varma and Shubra Gupta comes to an end.

At the SCREEN launch, Rajkumar Hirani chose not to weigh in on the authenticity of box office figures. Instead, he expressed, “It’s disheartening to judge cinema solely by its earnings. Filmmaking is a collaborative effort that takes years of hard work, and reducing it to just numbers is unfortunate.” He added, “And yes, it does affect us.”

“I remember watching the SCREEN Awards diligently. It looked like merit-oriented awards. They were actually giving awards to people who actually deserve stuff,” actor Vijay Varma said.

At SCREEN’s Creator x Creator session, Rajkumar Hirani remarked, “It’s not the scale of a film that captivates the audience—what truly matters is that the film is good.”

During SCREEN’s Creator x Creator session, director Rajkumar Hirani shared that he has many half-written scripts of Munna Bhai 3. “I have an idea that I think is unique, so let’s see how that progresses,” the director said. “I have to make the third installment or else Sanju (Sanjay Dutt) might come some day and…” shared Hirani.

Director Rajkumar Hirani recalls his earliest memory of Screen magazine. “When I was a kid, we were asked to keep away from film magazines but my father used to allow me for reading Screen as it came in a newspaper format.”

Rajkumar Hirani and Vijay Varma have entered the hall and are all set to engage into ‘Creator X Creator’ chat.

Shraddha Kapoor on one advice to influencers: “I feel like people out there (on social media) want to see who you are. Be yourself. Don’t change yourself to garner eyeballs. That can affect your mental health. Be authentic.”

Talking about her Instagram account, Shraddha said that she love her interactions with fans on the social media platform. Kapoor, who is the third most-followed Indian on Instagram, shared, “I love to engage with my fans on social media. I love the comments and I really have a good time. I handle my own social media and I have a lot of fun.”

When asked is she has commitment issues like that in her film Half Girlfriend, Shraddha said, “I’m a girl who believes in fairy tale love so there is no ‘Half-Girlfriend’ business for me at all.”

In a candid conversation with Indian Express Online Entertainment Editor Jyoti Sharma Bawa, Shraddha Kapoor answers what is lonely – “success or failures”. “Failure is supremely essential,” says Shraddha Kapoor. “And it is very important to have a strong support system; my family is that support system.”

Legend Amitabh Bachchan had a special message for the launch of Screen. He congratulated the team at Express Group on the re-launch and appreciated how the film magazine has always stood out since beginning.

While talking about how film-making has changed with time, the actor shared an anecdote about how things were on the film sets back in the time. “There was a time when common workers on the film set used to work in dangerous conditions but now I see it has changed. I see workers coming well-dressed on the film sets and are communicating with other people on the set via walkie-talkies. This makes me feel good about how things have changed for good,” Bachchan said.

“Good film journalism doesn’t want to become friends with stars but to unpack the process that goes behind the art of cinema,” Anant Goenka said.

“In the mega world of film, good jounalism is just as important as it is in economy, industry, defence sections etc,” says Executive Director of The Indian Express Group Anant Goenka.

Shraddha Kapoor is in the house and the filmy re-launch of SCREEN begins now.

The re-launching ceremony of the weekly film magazine SCREEN will begin shortly. The stars in attendance will be Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkumar Hirani and Vijay Varma.

Following the launch event, we’ll debut our groundbreaking ‘Creator x Creator’ session, held live for the first time in front of an audience. This highly anticipated segment will feature a fascinating conversation between acclaimed director Rajkumar Hirani and actor Vijay Varma. Together, they will delve into their creative journeys, philosophies, artistic processes, and careers. Hosting the session will be Shubhra Gupta, renowned film critic and senior columnist at The Indian Express.

Launched in 1951, SCREEN quickly became India’s most cherished film magazine, offering a vibrant lens into the world of cinema. Its innovative and honest coverage went beyond the surface, fostering a new generation of cinephiles who dissected films with depth and insight. SCREEN didn’t just celebrate the glitz and glamour—it shaped a more thoughtful, nuanced approach to movie-watching that resonated with readers for decades.

When we bid farewell to SCREEN in 2015, it wasn’t just difficult—it was heartbreaking. We know how much it meant to our loyal readers, and believe us, it was just as hard for us to let go. But that chapter is behind us. Now, after nearly a decade, the story comes full circle. This Friday, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Worli, Mumbai, SCREEN makes its long-awaited return, ready to reignite its legacy and reclaim its place in the hearts of cinema lovers.

The iconic SCREEN magazine will be officially reintroduced at a grand gala on Friday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Worli, Mumbai. Leading the celebration will be Stree 2 star Shraddha Kapoor, who will unveil SCREEN 2.0 and grace its first-ever digital cover.

Adding to the excitement, the event will feature a live edition of our signature ‘Creator x Creator’ session. In this special conversation, acclaimed filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani—director of hits like Munnabhai MBBS, 3 Idiots, and the upcoming Dunki—will sit down with the talented Vijay Varma, fresh off his Netflix success IC 814. Together, they will dive deep into their craft, sharing insights on their art, creative process, and the journeys that have shaped their careers.

Greetings, film enthusiasts! Look who’s back — SCREEN by The Indian Express! That’s right, the beloved film magazine you’ve known and adored since 1951 is making its much-awaited return, and it’s bolder, brighter, and better than ever.

As SCREEN steps into its new era, blending contemporary trends with its timeless charm, it’s ready to reclaim its spot as your go-to source for all things cinema. With the launch event just hours away, here’s a little heads-up: fasten your seatbelts! We’re about to take you on an exhilarating journey through the entertainment universe, packed with glamour, stories, and surprises you won’t want to miss.