The actress said, “What is nice about Mrs Shirani is that on one level you would think she is the stereotypical Asian mother, but you, in fact, discover she is not so. She has a personality which is very much her own and is a very important figure in the house. The first time we see her is a million-dollar scene. The lift door opens and she sat on the floor of the elevator. Which is an amazing visual to begin with. I’ve never been trapped in a lift for real, but if I am ever, it will not be such a terrifying experience. She grumbles, disapproves and has her family favourites, but she really is the person who pulls the family together. She is a believer. She says her prayers. And yet she is far removed from this crazy world of fundamentalism.”

Talking about what Next Of Kin is about, actress Archie Panjabi added, “For me, the centre of the drama is about this very close-knit modern-day British family. They’re very happy, living a normal life and content with it. Then the news turns each one of their lives upside down, and one of the youngest members of the family, Danny, is suspected of being radicalised. The story follows Mona’s fight to prove her nephew’s innocence, whilst at the same time trying to keep the family unit intact because those relationships come under immense strain. It’s probably the most emotionally challenging moment of Mona’s life, having to deal with it all. One of the great themes of the story is family, love and loyalty. It asks the question, ‘How far would you go to protect the ones you love?’ People watching will ask themselves, ‘What would I do in that situation? What decisions would you make?’ The dilemma Mona is faced with involves heartbreakingly difficult decisions along the way. Each of those choices and decisions she makes has an impact on a member of her family, including her relationship with her husband, Guy.”

Besides Shabana Azmi and Archie Panjabi, the show also stars Jack Davenport, Navin Chowdhry, Farzana Dua Elahe and more. The British thriller was created and written by Paul Rutman and directed by Justin Chadwick. It originally premiered in the UK and is now set to stream on Lionsgate Play.

Also Read: Shabana Azmi Says Item Songs Make Her Uncomfortable

Akshay Kumar’s upcoming horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla is already generating curiosity, and a new update about its runtime has only added to the intrigue. According to reports, the film is expected to have a runtime of approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, placing it among the actor’s lengthiest films in over a decade.

If accurate, this would make Bhooth Bangla one of Kumar’s longest projects since Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014), which also featured a notably extended duration. Over the years, the actor has largely been associated with tightly edited, fast-paced films, often keeping runtimes relatively crisp to align with evolving audience preferences and theatrical trends.

This move toward a longer format suggests that Bhooth Bangla could be aiming for a more immersive and layered narrative. The film is said to blend elements of horror and comedy, a genre that has seen a strong resurgence in Bollywood. Recent successes have shown that audiences are open to stories that balance humour with atmospheric tension, often supported by richer character arcs and detailed storytelling.

A longer runtime could allow the makers to fully explore the film’s setting, build suspense gradually, and give its comedic beats more room to land effectively. It also raises expectations around scale, whether in terms of production design, narrative complexity or ensemble performances.

While the makers have yet to officially confirm the runtime, the reported duration has already sparked conversation among fans and industry watchers. Some view it as a sign of a content-driven film that prioritises storytelling, while others remain cautious given the growing preference for shorter, sharper theatrical experiences.

Bhooth Bangla marks another intriguing addition to Akshay Kumar’s filmography, reflecting his continued willingness to experiment with genres. Whether its extended runtime enhances the experience will ultimately depend on how effectively the story holds audience attention from start to finish.