Mindy Kaling says Velma is 'an icon for young gay women' as she promotes HBO Max’s Scooby-Doo spin-off series Velma
Meanwhile, the news is coming in that HBO Max is ready to move forward with season two despite the fact that season one has not been met with love by fans.
Scooby-doo fans are disappointed after watching HBO Max’s Velma series. Their major disappointment comes from the fact that the makers did not stick to the precedent of the source material when adapting Scooby-Doo. However, the animated series’ female lead Mindy Kaling has a totally opposite belief. She believes that the makers have honouring the old Hanna-Barbera cartoon through the various changes they made to everything.
The series has been at the center of controversy since the beginning. When it was announced, Scooby-doo fans strongly reacted to the makers’ decision of showing Velma as an Indian.
Kaling recently revealed why she decided to make Velma Indian. “I love this opportunity I have now to be able to have representation of modern Indian American teens. There is not a lot of representation of Indian American girls in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s animation. And so, what I loved about that character is she’s the closest to what I can see. Smart, A-student, thick glasses that are always falling off, and skeptical,” she said.
Kaling continued, “She has a lot of these amazing qualities, so as a kid watching the reruns of the original Scooby-Doo I felt like, ‘Man I really identify with this character.’ I love that she exists. She’s not like traditionally gorgeous or anything, she just helps the gang because she’s so smart.”
She also claimed that Velma is an icon for gay women, “Velma’s self-discovery is a really big part of this series. We don’t want to ignore that she’s an icon for young gay women, and I think that’s really interesting. Her figuring it out is a big part of the show and why it’s really fun to do.”
Meanwhile, the news is coming in that HBO Max is ready to move forward with season two despite the fact that season one has not been met with love by fans.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
Mukerji parts ways with YRF’s Dhoom 4 after reported creative disagreements.
Decision said to be amicable, with Aditya Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor supportive.
Director shifts focus to Brahmastra: Part Two – Dev, expected to begin filming in 2026.
Filmmaker steps away from YRF’s action franchise
Filmmaker Ayan Mukerji has stepped away from Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) highly anticipated action project Dhoom 4, reportedly due to creative differences. According to Bollywood Hungama, Mukerji’s vision for the film did not align with the studio’s direction, prompting him to withdraw from the project.
Mukerji, who was in discussions to direct the next instalment of the hit franchise—expected to star Ranbir Kapoor—was said to have limited control over the script, which was reportedly written by Shridhar Raghavan. The director, best known for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Brahmastra, was keen on shaping the film creatively rather than simply executing an existing plan.
A source quoted in the report said, “Ayan didn’t have much say in the screenplay and didn’t want to embark on another journey of just execution.”
Amicable parting after discussions with Aditya Chopra
Before stepping away, Mukerji is believed to have held several discussions with YRF head Aditya Chopra and actor Ranbir Kapoor. Both reportedly supported his decision, with insiders describing the split as “completely amicable.”
The director’s departure does not mark the end of Dhoom 4, as YRF plans to continue with the project under a new director. The studio may also reconsider casting options, despite earlier reports that Ranbir Kapoor had set aside dates for the film.
Focus returns to the Brahmastra universe
Following his exit from Dhoom 4, Mukerji has shifted attention back to his passion project—the Brahmastra series. The filmmaker is currently developing Brahmastra: Part Two – Dev, the sequel to the 2022 fantasy epic.
The film, initially expected to begin production earlier, is now likely to go on floors in 2026. Sources suggest Mukerji intends to expand the Astraverse with more depth in storytelling, combining elements of mythology, drama, and spectacle.
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