Headlined by Ranveer Singh, Pralay the ambitious new end-of-the-world action thriller, has officially gone on floors in Mumbai, marking the commencement of filming on one of the most keenly-awaited films.

The film marks Ranveer Singh’s next major motion picture release following Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar The Revenge, which emerged as the highest-grossing film of all time. With Pralay, the actor once again ventures into an unexplored cinematic landscape that is new and disruptive. Ranveer not only headlines the film but also serves as a producer, taking on a story that demands both physical intensity and emotional conviction.

For Ananya Birla, Pralay, a Birla Studios production, reflects her ambition to push the landscape of cinema as a creative catalyst who is looking to collaborate with the modern game-changers in India. For Hansal Mehta and Sahil Saigal’s True Story Films, it reflects a belief in creating disruption through content.

Pralay stars Lokah breakout actress Kalyani Priyadarshan in a pivotal role, further bringing together an exciting new generation of talent.

Bringing together an ensemble of creative and technical talent from India and around the world, Pralay is directed by Jai Mehta, whose work on Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, which he co-directed with Hansal Mehta, and Lootere has earned widespread acclaim. The film plunges audiences into a relentless odyssey, unfolding against the terrifying possibility of an end-of-the-world catastrophe.

Set against the unmistakable pulse and landscape of Mumbai, Pralay is an original story that seeks to marry breathtaking spectacle with a deeply human emotional core. At its heart is a journey of survival, courage and the instinct to fight for what matters most when the world as you know it begins to collapse.

The film is being shot at live locations in and around Mumbai, as the makers embrace the physicality and unpredictability of real-world environments. This approach brings heightened scale, texture and realism to a world on the brink of annihilation.

Pralay had been in highly technical and intensive pre-production for several months. It’s unprecedented mounting has already earned it the distinction of being one of the most talked about and highly anticipated projects coming out of Indian cinema in current times.

Also Read: Farhan Akhtar takes a dig at Ranveer Singh over Don 3 exit? says “It was a month away from filming, which seems to be a pattern nowadays”

Shaan had a conversation with Komal Nahta about playback singing, his beginnings and a lot more. Shaan began his career as an indipop singer and then graduated to playback singing for movies. Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi (1999) was his first film followed by Dillagi (1999). A year later, he sang 'Tune Mujhe Pehchana Nahin' for Raju Chacha (2000). Shaan opened up about his experience while recording the number.

Shaan began by saying, "Singers at that time were divided into two - those who were influenced by Mohammed Rafi and those who were influenced by Kishore Kumar. When I came, there was no precedent of a pop singer, at least for male singers. In female singers, Alisha Chinai and Nazia Hasan had made a mark and had introduced new style of singing."

He added, "There was an advantage as I had a unique take because of my indipop singing. But very early, I learned an important lesson about playback singing. I realized that playback singing for films is different."

He revealed, "I had bagged a song in a big film, Raju Chacha. It was written by Anand Bakshi sahab and he came for auditions. He asked me to sing one line. I sang 'Deewana Hoon Main, Deewana Nahin'. He asked me the meaning of the line. I said, 'It means that I am mad for you but mentally I am not crazy'. He liked my answer and replied, ‘Haan, samaj ke gaoge toh maza aayega’!."

Shaan then said, "I thought I had to sing in pop style. So, I started singing that way. This is when Lalit Pandit saab asked me, 'Kya kar rahe ho tum?'. He explained to me, 'You are not singing for yourself. You won't be there in the video. Video mein Ajay Devgn hai. Woh koi pop singer nahin hai ki woh aise gaayega. Seedhe seedhe notes ko gaao mehsoos karke'!"

Also Read: Sonakshi Sinha talks about working with her brother Kussh S Sinha in Nikita Roy: “His biggest strength is his clarity, his vision”

The much-awaited Batwara 1947 was finally released in cinemas yesterday, August 14. The Sunny Deol-starrer is adapted from the acclaimed and long-running play Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya. While the core plot of the film remains faithful to the play, the makers have introduced several changes and additions to make the narrative more cinematic and elaborate. In this special Bollywood Hungama feature, we take a look at 10 key differences between Batwara 1947 and Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya. Warning: The following article contains spoilers and reveals important plot points from Batwara 1947.

1. To begin with, Sikandar Mirza (Sunny Deol) and his family migrate to Lahore from Lucknow in Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya. In Batwara 1947, the family is settled in Meerut before the Partition riots force them to leave their home overnight and flee to Pakistan.

2. In the play, Sikandar, his wife Hamida, son Javed and daughter Tanno manage to escape from Lucknow together and reach Lahore safely. The film adds a major dramatic track wherein Javed (Karan Deol) gets separated from Sikandar, Hamida (Preity G Zinta) and Tanno (Khhushi Hajare) amid the chaos, at Meerut railway station. He is finally reunited with his family several months later.

3. In Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya, the Mirza family is allotted the haveli, seemingly without much difficulty, after spending months in a refugee camp. Batwara 1947, however, goes into considerable detail about how Sikandar manages to secure the house.

He repeatedly visits the custodian's office seeking accommodation and is approached by a tout, who tells him that he will have to bribe the concerned officer if he wants a house quickly. An enraged Sikandar confronts the officer for exploiting refugees at such a vulnerable time. Habib Anwar (Ali Fazal), who happens to be present at the office, is moved by Sikandar’s plight and transfers the haveli allotted to him to Sikandar and his family.

The sequence is an effective addition as it explains how Sikandar and his family end up getting a sprawling 22-room haveli at a time when lakhs of displaced families are struggling for shelter.

4. Habib Anwar is a shayar who works at a radio station, and the film also explores his love life. In the play, however, the poet is named Nasir Fazli and neither has a romantic interest nor a stable job.

5. Javed’s character is also considerably expanded in the film. In the play, he has a lovely relationship with his father. In Batwara 1947, apart from being separated from Sikandar during the riots, Javed falls in love with Nishat (Kanikka Kapur), who happens to be the sister of antagonist Yakub (Abhimanyu Singh).

6. In Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya, Yakub is essentially a local ruffian who intimidates the Mirza family. Batwara 1947 turns him into a much more menacing antagonist. He wields greater influence and also harbours political ambitions.

7. The play largely restricts Yakub’s hostility towards Sikandar to threats and intimidation. In the film, his actions are far more aggressive. He threatens landlords against renting premises to Sikandar for his factory and even takes the dispute to local religious leaders. This eventually results in Sikandar and Yakub being summoned to the Town Hall, adding another layer to their confrontation.

8. One of the most significant sequences in Batwara 1947 is when Yakub’s men storm the haveli, forcibly throw Mai (Shabana Azmi) out and assault her. Simultaneously, they set Sikandar’s factory on fire.

Sikandar is initially occupied with trying to douse the blaze. The moment he learns that Mai has been attacked, he abandons everything and rushes to save her. The entire sequence is not present in the play at all.

9. In both versions, Mai refuses to leave the haveli because she continues to wait for her son Ratan to return. Ratan, his wife and daughter have been missing ever since the riots began. Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya never conclusively reveals whether the three are alive or dead. Batwara 1947, on the other hand, provides closure to this track through an important sequence which reveals that Ratan (Khaled Siddiqui), his wife (Rukhsar Rehman) and their daughter were killed by rioters.

10. Sikandar and his family gradually develop a deep bond with Mai in both the play and the film. However, the play does not have the Mirza family preparing meals for her, as Mai takes care of her own food.

Batwara 1947 adds a touching scene in which Hamida, having grown extremely fond of Mai, offers to cook for her. Mai initially hesitates because of their different food habits. Hamida assures her that she will prepare vegetarian food separately for Mai, using different utensils. She even promises to cook Mai’s food first before preparing meals for the rest of the family.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Kanikka Kapur recalls Aamir Khan’s reaction during Batwara 1947 audition: “Who’s this girl? She’s good, she’s good!”; reveals, “My grandfather still gets nightmares about Partition”

Amitabh Bachchan recently revisited a warm memory of his late friend and longtime co-star Dharmendra while hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati 18. Remembering the veteran actor’s generosity and grounded nature, Bachchan shared how Dharmendra’s home was always open to people, including those who travelled from his village in Punjab.

According to Bachchan, Dharmendra’s hospitality was so unrestricted that people would often enter his house freely and make themselves comfortable. The anecdote offered a glimpse into the actor’s personality away from the spotlight, particularly his connection to his roots and his willingness to welcome people with warmth.

Recalling one such incident, Bachchan said, “Let me tell you another thing about his house. Their home was a ‘free for all’ whoever came, it was like their own house! I remember one day Dharam ji came home and saw 4-5 men walking up the stairs. So he asked them, ‘Who are you? What are you doing here?’ They said they had come from the village.”

Bachchan explained that Dharmendra initially assumed that his wife had invited the visitors. However, the actor himself apparently had no idea how many people would arrive at his home. “Dharmendra assumed that his wife had probably invited them! He himself didn’t even know how many people were coming and going in his house and always welcomed everybody with love and warmth. He had such a massive heart,” Bachchan recalled. Amitabh Bachchan remembered Dharmendra’s simplicity After Dharmendra’s death, Bachchan had written an emotional note remembering his friend not only for his screen presence but also for his simplicity and warmth. He described him as “the epitome of greatness” and praised the “largeness of his heart” that remained a defining part of his personality.

Bachchan also recalled how Dharmendra remained connected to his Punjabi roots despite spending decades in the Hindi film industry. “He brought with him the earthiness of the village in Punjab he came from, and remained true to its temperament, unsoiled throughout his glorious career, in a fraternity that witnessed changes every decade. The fraternity underwent changes, not him,” he had written.

He further remembered Dharmendra’s “smile,” “charm” and “warmth”, describing the way he extended that affection to everyone around him as “a rarity in the profession.”

Bachchan concluded the tribute with the words, “The air about us swings vacant, a vacuum that shall ever remain vacuus.”

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan offers a poignant tribute to Dharmendra: “He brought with him the earthiness of the village in Punjab he came from”

Reports claiming that IPL founder and businessman Lalit Modi will enter the Bigg Boss 20 house have been denied by Modi, who has also issued a legal notice to publications and social media accounts that carried the claim. The clarification came a day after several social media accounts reported his alleged participation in the upcoming season of the Salman Khan-hosted reality show.

Taking to X early on Saturday morning, Modi categorically rejected the reports and said he has neither been approached for the show nor intends to participate in it.

“FAKE NEWS. PERIOD. I have NOT been approached for Bigg Boss 20. I am NOT participating in Bigg Boss 20. And I have NO intention of doing so. Amazing how a completely fabricated story can become ‘news’ without anyone bothering to ask the person concerned,” he wrote.

Modi also shared a legal notice issued by his lawyers, Hirani & Associates, and warned the publications and social media accounts that had carried the reports. “Perhaps next time, verify before you publish,” he added.

According to the legal notice, the reports suggesting that Modi had been signed as a contestant on Bigg Boss 20 are “false, baseless and mischievous.” His lawyers further clarified that Modi had not been approached by the show's producers, broadcasters, channel or any representative associated with the programme.

FAKE NEWS. PERIOD. I have NOT been approached for Bigg Boss 20. I am NOT participating in Bigg Boss 20. And I have NO intention of doing so.

Amazing how a completely fabricated story can become “news” without anyone bothering to ask the person concerned.

My lawyers have issued… pic.twitter.com/DUQZUbqUYn

— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) August 14, 2026

“Our Client hereby clarifies that the said reports are false, baseless and mischievous. Our Client has not been approached by the producers, broadcasters, channel or any representative of the said Programme; no person has been authorised to represent our Client or to hold out on his behalf in respect thereof; and our Client has not consented to, and has no intention of, participating in or being associated with the said Programme in any manner whatsoever,” the notice stated.

The legal notice also pointed out that Modi had not confirmed his alleged participation to any publication. It stated that the reports were published without verification or authorisation and objected to the use of Modi's name, image, photograph, likeness, voice and other personality attributes to suggest an association with Bigg Boss 20.

Meanwhile, anticipation around the 20th season of Bigg Boss continues to build. Salman Khan is returning as the host, with the Hindi edition scheduled to premiere on September 6 on JioHotstar and Colors. The show's first trailer has already teased a new format element, with Salman introducing an additional ‘jeevan daan’, or lifeline, for contestants.

Also Read: Is Elnaaz Norouzi entering Bigg Boss 20? Here’s what we know

The 17th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026 has unveiled its winners, recognising a wide range of films, filmmakers, actors and storytellers from India and across the subcontinent. The awards celebrated diverse cinematic voices, notable performances and stories reflecting the changing landscape of Indian cinema.

Among the leading names honoured this year were Rishab Shetty, Dulquer Salmaan, Kirti Kulhari, Vijay Varma and Rasika Dugal.

Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra won Best Film, while The Great Shamshuddin Family received a Special Mention in the category. Rima Das’ Not a Hero was named Best Indie Film, with Kikkran De Phull (Flowers of Acacia) receiving a Special Mention in the Indie Film category.

Rishab Shetty emerged as one of the evening’s major winners. He received the Best Director award for Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 and was also honoured with the Leadership in Cinema award for his contribution to contemporary Indian filmmaking and storytelling rooted in cultural identity.

Dulquer Salmaan won Best Actor for Kaantha, while Kirti Kulhari received Best Actress for Full Plate. Shahrbanoo Sadat’s No Good Men was named Best Film from the Subcontinent, and Madhushree Dutta’s Flying Tigers won Best Documentary Film.

The People’s Choice Award went to Saiyaara, while Sitaare Zameen Par received the Equality in Cinema Award, presented by La Trobe. Simran Mangeshkar received a Special Mention for her work on the film.

The festival also recognised diverse storytelling through the Rainbow Storyteller Award, presented to Lala and Poppy. In the Short Film Competitions, The Weight of Soil won in Australia, while Jo’s Turn emerged as the Indian winner.

The streaming categories saw Vijay Varma win Best Actor (Series) for Matka King, while Rasika Dugal was named Best Actress (Series) for Delhi Crime 3. Freedom At Midnight, Season 2 won Best Series.

Beyond the competitive categories, Pankaj Tripathi received the Artist of Distinction honour. IFFM also marked Rani Mukerji’s 30 years in cinema with a special recognition. Veteran actor Rekha was presented with the Excellence in Cinema award for her decades-long contribution to Indian cinema.

The 2026 edition once again highlighted the range of Indian storytelling, bringing together mainstream films, independent cinema, documentaries, short films and streaming projects. Through its focus on cinema, diversity, equality and cultural exchange, IFFM continues to offer an international platform for filmmakers and artists from India and the subcontinent.

IFFM 2026 Winners

- Best Film: Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra

- Best Film – Special Mention: The Great Shamshuddin Family

- Best Indie Film: Not a Hero – Rima Das

- Special Mention – Indie Film: Kikkran De Phull (Flowers of Acacia)

- Best Director: Rishab Shetty – Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1

- Best Actor: Dulquer Salmaan – Kaantha

- Best Actress: Kirti Kulhari – Full Plate

- Best Film from the Subcontinent: No Good Men – Shahrbanoo Sadat

- Best Documentary Film: Flying Tigers – Madhushree Dutta

- People’s Choice Award: Saiyaara

- Equality in Cinema Award, presented by La Trobe: Sitaare Zameen Par

- Special Mention – Equality in Cinema: Simran Mangeshkar – Sitaare Zameen Par

- Rainbow Storyteller Award: Lala and Poppy

- Short Film Competition (Australia): The Weight of Soil

- Short Film Competition (India): Jo’s Turn

- Best Actor (Series): Vijay Varma – Matka King

- Best Actress (Series): Rasika Dugal – Delhi Crime 3

- Best Series: Freedom At Midnight, Season 2

- Artist of Distinction: Pankaj Tripathi

- Special Recognition: 30 Years of Rani Mukerji

- Leadership in Cinema: Rishab Shetty

- Excellence in Cinema: Rekha

Rani Mukerji was honoured at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) with a special citation recognising her excellence in acting. The honour marks her three-decade journey in Indian cinema and acknowledges the lasting connection she has built with audiences in India and around the world.

Mukerji became emotional while reflecting on her 30 years in the film industry and the affection she has continued to receive from audiences. Speaking at the festival, she described the journey as one filled with memories, dreams, achievements, setbacks and, above all, love.

“Thirty years! When I say those words out loud, they don’t feel like a number. They feel like a lifetime of memories… of dreams, of victories, of people, of failures and above all, of love,” she said.

The actress also spoke about how she defines success, stressing that for her, it is not simply about professional achievements but the love that remains with an artist over the years. “Success is the love that remains… year after year and only grows with time … that’s the only kind of success I have strived for,” Mukerji said.

Reflecting on her international journey, she recalled how she never imagined that the characters she portrayed early in her career would eventually connect with audiences beyond India. She acknowledged the warmth she has received from audiences in Australia and spoke about the reach of Indian cinema across borders.

“When I entered the Indian film industry as a young girl, I never imagined that one day my films and the characters that I have been fortunate enough to play, would take me across oceans … and that people in a beautiful country like Australia would embrace me with so much warmth,” she added.

Rani further highlighted the importance of audiences in completing an actor’s work. “As actors, we perform in front of a camera. But the real story begins only when that performance reaches someone’s heart,” she said.

The IFFM citation recognises Mukerji’s three-decade career, marked by successful films and memorable characters that continue to find new audiences across generations and countries.

Also Read : EXCLUSIVE: Adnan Sami reveals Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, Rani Mukerji, Raveena Tandon and others featured in his music videos for FREE: “Not one of them charged a penny”

In 2020, Hansal Mehta made his digital debut with Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, a biographical financial thriller that became a groundbreaking success for SonyLIV and one of the most acclaimed Indian web series of its time. Mehta directed the Pratik Gandhi-led show with his filmmaker son Jai Mehta. Three years later, the franchise returned with Scam 2003: The Telgi Story; however, Hansal served only as showrunner, handing over directorial duties to Tushar Hiranandani. As the third season of the franchise, Scam 2010, takes shape, Hansal is set to return to the director’s chair, this time alongside a new co-director.

Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that Sumit Purohit will co-direct Scam 2010 with Hansal Mehta. Purohit was among the writers of the first season and is intimately familiar with the franchise’s tone and storytelling approach, making him a natural fit for the job. The screenwriter made his directorial debut with the espionage thriller series Saare Jahan Se Accha and has also directed the satirical comedy-drama Baaghi Bechare, starring Pratik Gandhi, Abhishek Banerjee and Faisal Malik, which is yet to be released. Scam 2010 will mark a significant step forward for Purohit as he transitions from writer on the first season to co-director of the third instalment.

Scam 2010 delves into the financial scandals surrounding maverick businessman Subrata Roy of Sahara India Pariwar. Marathi actor Siddharth Bodke (Devmanus, Drishyam 2) essays the role of Roy, while Kritika Singh (Rangbaaz), Moon Banerjee and CID fame Aditya Srivastava round out the principal cast. The show went on floors in late May and has since been shot across multiple locations, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Delhi, Mumbai and Dehradun. The series is expected to wrap production by mid-September, with a global premiere on SonyLIV targeted for early 2027.

Produced by Applause Entertainment and Birla Studios, Scam 2010 will chronicle the meteoric rise of Roy’s vast business empire and the prolonged legal battles that followed. Based on Tamal Bandyopadhyay’s 2014 book Sahara: The Untold Story, the new season will explore the contradictions in Roy’s public image while examining the complex intersections of markets, governance and accountability in modern Indian finance.

Also Read: Scam 2010 begins production: Hansal Mehta to direct Siddharth Bodke in new chapter

The second season of The Traitors has started with high drama, unexpected eliminations and accusations among the contestants. Hosted by Karan Johar, the reality show returned with its first three episodes, introducing viewers to a game filled with suspicion and betrayal. Comedian Munawar Faruqui became one of the biggest talking points after he was eliminated during the first Circle of Shaq.

During the first round, Munawar openly accused Mallika Sherawat of being a traitor. However, his strategy raised suspicions among several contestants, who felt that he was behaving like a traitor himself. As the voting began, Munawar received the highest number of votes and was eliminated from the game.

The actual traitors at that point were Kullu, Krystle D’Souza and Harman Singha, while Shahneel Gill was later recruited as the fourth traitor in the second episode.

After his elimination, Munawar addressed the contestants and said that he had expected to be targeted. He said, “I had expected this to happen to me. I knew I would have to face it. This often happens to me. It is not the first time. This is not the first time that I have been targeted.”

He further accused the contestants of acting out of insecurity, adding, “Call me a soft target or someone too good to be there. I can clearly see through the insecurities of other people, and you will see how end up looking. Because your insecurities will be visible.”

When Karan Johar asked Munawar to reveal whether he was a traitor or an innocent, the comedian appeared emotional and strongly reacted. “F*** off, guys! I was playing the game! I wanted to play it well! I am an innocent! F*** off, insecure bunch of people. They thought I would eat them up here. They are all scared. Now recognise who is the one amongst you,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dalip Tahil became the first contestant to leave the game after receiving the least number of gold coins, while Karan Singh Magic became the first contestant to be murdered by the traitors. The Traitors Season 2 is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Also Read : Samay Raina roasts Munawar Faruqui’s second marriage by comparing him with Aamir Khan: “Aamir sir jaise game toh Munawar ne khela hai”

For newcomer Nitish Sharma, his journey to Nitesh Tiwari’s much-awaited Ramayana took an unexpected turn. After facing several rejections and being replaced in a major film, Sharma auditioned for the role of Lakshman. Although he did not eventually get the part, his performance impressed the filmmaker, who offered him the role of Shatrughn in the epic.

In an exclusive conversation with Mid-Day, Nitish opened up about his journey, working with Ranbir Kapoor and the criticism surrounding the film’s casting. Recalling the difficult phase that eventually led him to Ramayana, Nitish said that he had gone through hundreds of auditions before finally landing a major role in a big film in 2023. However, he was later replaced by a senior actor. The setback left him disappointed, but he found comfort in reading the Ramcharitmanas.

“I was trying to find peace by reading the sacred book. When I was reading the Bharat Milap scene, I received a call from Mukesh Chhabra's office saying that Nitesh Tiwari was making a pilot film of Ramayana and they wanted to test me for Lakshman. So I did,” he recalled.

During the audition, Nitish was asked to perform scenes as Lakshman before Nitesh Tiwari asked him to play Ram. His performance impressed the director, who assured him that he would be part of the main film. Nitish was eventually cast as Shatrughn, while Lakshman is being played by Ravie Dubey.

Explaining why he was not selected as Lakshman, Nitish said, “For the actual film, it was clear that in every character there would be big stars. And in such a big-scale movie, there are many things involved. But I have zero complaints about it.”

Nitish also spoke about his experience of working with Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram. He praised the actor’s humility and professionalism, particularly the way he continued giving cues to co-stars even after finishing his own scenes.

“Whenever we were shooting together, the way he gave all the cues to me, even when his scene was over, was amazing. He always gives his cues by himself to every actor, no matter if it is 10 times, 12 times or 15 times. He treats everyone with humility,” he said.

Addressing criticism of Ranbir’s casting, Nitish said, “It is actually very sad that people judge someone by just one look. Ranbir is the greatest actor we have in this industry right now. After watching the movie, I am telling you, they will praise Ranbir as Ram. No one could have done it better than RK.”

He also defended Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita, amid criticism of her appearance and casting. “Sai, she looks divine in real life. She is the best casting for Sita. There are many trolls about her as well. But that is how a 99 per cent Indian beauty looks like,” he said.

Nitish remains confident that Ramayana will connect strongly with audiences. “I am very sure that Ramayana will create magic once again, just like it did in 1987 with Ramanand Sagar,” he concluded.

Also Read : BREAKING: EXCLUSIVE footage of Ramayana to be screened at Big Cine Expo 2026, Chennai; Rakesh Roshan to receive Special Achievement Award

In February, Bollywood Hungama exclusively revealed that Priyadarshan’s 2006 comedy Malamaal Weekly is getting a sequel. Since then, we have been regularly updating about the film and we recently also unveiled the leading female cast, which includes Parineeti Chopra, Raveena Tandon and Shilpa Shirodkar. Now, we can reveal the male leads of the project.

Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that Riteish Deshmukh, Elvish Yadav, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav have been locked for Malamaal Weekly 2. Though Riteish is leading the film, sources close to the production have said that he is still reading the script and is yet to sign on the dotted line. The sequel is moving ahead with the original trio of Riteish, Paresh and Rajpal returning for the leads, along with Elvish Yadav joining as a new casting addition to the principal cast. Yadav is a popular YouTube content creator and the winner of Big Boss OTT Season 2 (2023), and this film will mark his second Bollywood outing following his debut with Tiger Shroff and Remo D'Souza's upcoming action drama. All the actors have verbally been confirmed, with the formal paperwork currently underway.

Malamaal Weekly 2 will feature a completely new storyline. However, it will retain the core thematic flavour of the original — a group of ordinary people in a small town, driven by poverty, greed and the prospect of sudden wealth, finding themselves caught in an increasingly chaotic situation. Amit Joshi, who co-directed Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon's robotic rom-com Teri Baton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, has been brought on board to helm this film. He's currently fine-tuning the script, with plans to take it into production by November 2026.

Released in 2006, Malamaal Weekly was a box office success and was remade in three Southern languages, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, with Priyadarshan himself directing the Malayalam adaptation. The comedy revolved around Lilaram, a lottery ticket seller and the only literate villager. After one of his customers dies from the shock of winning a lottery, he hatches a plan to have that money all for himself. However, others from the village have also got their eyes on the money, leading to chaotic greed and comedic rivalry among the villagers. Malamaal Weekly 2 is expected to retain the comic spirit of the original while delivering a full-fledged comedy of errors for audiences.

Also Read: MEGA EXCLUSIVE: Raveena Tandon and Parineeti Chopra join the cast of Malamaal Weekly 2

As Sara Ali Khan celebrates her birthday, it is the perfect moment to revisit the sartorial choices that continue to define her fashion identity. She carries a poise, a refined synthesis of classic lineage and a sharp contemporary focus. In her recent style choices, Khan moves beyond traditional fashion tropes, embracing structural silhouettes, precise proportions and an intentional balance between restraint and high-octane glamour. Across five defining looks, her wardrobe emerges as a masterclass in modern sartorial authority, seamlessly transitioning from cool architectural minimalism to fiery, tailored statements.

Diana’s Revenge Dress Constructed with an off-the-shoulder, structured boat neckline, this architectural gown features short capped sleeves resting just below the collarbone, revealing an exposed neck and shoulder line. The fitted bodice extends past the hip into a draped peplum accent before falling into an asymmetrical high-low hemline that flows into a subtle rear train, all rendered in an ink-black satin weave. The strength lies in the interplay between structured weight and liquid movement; by pairing the heavy satin frame with a statement diamond-and-sapphire choker, pointed black pumps, and a sleek low-slung chignon, the ensemble creates a strong vertical line that echoes classic European high-fashion codes.

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Sculpted Monochromatic Layering A three-piece tailored study in warm ivory, cream, and champagne nude accents, featuring a high, mandarin-collar jacket worn open over a textured high-neck top constructed with horizontal sheer and pearl-beaded striping. The sleeveless inner turtleneck offers coverage up to the chin, counterbalanced by a fitted, high-waisted mini skirt and long, slim-cut sleeves on the outerwear to complete the clean geometric lines. Monochrome works best when textures collide, and here, the soft weave of the outer jacket plays against the linear, pearl-encrusted inner mesh, while pointed embellished heels and a high ponytail elongate the frame for an effortless, sharp aesthetic.

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Modern Noir & Drapery A floor-length column gown defined by a draped cowl high neckline and sheer mesh short sleeves, finished in a matte black canvas with pops of silver and a muted blue watch strap. The top bodice combines delicate, semi-transparent paneling with draped jersey fabric that gathers tightly around the waist, falling into a straight, fluid floor-length skirt. The contrast between sheer technical mesh and soft, heavy draping creates an intriguing tactile balance, while keeping the neckline high and the silhouette extended down to the floor allows the texture play on the torso to take center stage alongside an undone updo and subtle drop earrings.

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Striated Crimson Tailoring A strapless, wide-leg jumpsuit engineered with a structured sweetheart neckline and built-in boning through the bodice, set in a deep crimson red with fine vertical white pinstripes. The sleeveless cut leaves the shoulders bare, balancing the dramatic volume of the relaxed, wide-leg trousers that sweep down over strappy sandals. Pinstripes are traditionally anchored in menswear, but applying them to a strapless, sweetheart-neck jumpsuit reclaims the motif with a feminine edge, where vertical lines elongate the body while a bold red backdrop matched with classic red lip and gold statement wristwear injects high-energy confidence into a precision-tailored silhouette.

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The Imperial Power Suit A tailored suit crafted in crisp polar white accented with polished gold hardware, featuring wide, sharp peak lapels and a deep V-neckline. The structural blazer showcases structured shoulders and full-length fitted sleeves anchored by six gold crest buttons, paired alongside mid-rise, wide-leg trousers tailored with a sharp center crease and a substantial hem fold. Tailoring in all-white demands precise execution, and this suit delivers as the fitted cut draws inward at the waist to emphasize structure while the flared trousers balance the broadness of the shoulder pads, elevated by gold buttons and matching metallic heels for effortless red-carpet presence.

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Sara Ali Khan’s wardrobe demonstrates high fashion impact. Whether adapting classic floor-length gowns or sharply cut power suits, her wardrobe proves that true sartorial authority doesn't require over-styling just impeccably tailored lines, confident proportions, and a clear understanding of personal presence.

Also Read: Sara Ali Khan continues her Delhi tradition with visit to Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

The trailer of Ramayana was released on July 30 and continues to dominate conversations nearly two weeks later. The film boasts a sprawling star cast, but one actor whose contribution promises to be particularly fascinating is Chetan Hansraj. Interestingly, the actor will be seen playing not one or two, but as many as seven characters in the epic saga!

In an interview with Hindustan Times, the 54-year-old actor confirmed that in Ramayana, he plays the role of Raja Mali, the maternal grandfather of Ravana (Yash). Chetan Hansraj told Hindustan Times, “Raja Mali is an important character that went down in history, and my scenes with Yash are pure fire. He is such a delight on screen, and these two characters complement each other wonderfully. It was huge for me.”

He then revealed, “After my part was wrapped, I was offered six motion-capture characters, including one of Ravana’s brothers and a demon.”

Chetan Hansraj also opened up on the criticism of the film and comparisons with Ramanand Sagar’s iconic TV series, Ramayan. He said, “We have the best action directors from Hollywood and Bollywood, and technicians on board, like Terry Notary... Makers today want to give the best cinematic experience, and that’s a vision we should understand. People who once see it on the right medium will forget all these comparisons, I am sure.”

Besides Chetan Hansraj, Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. It is directed by Nitesh Tiwari of Dangal (2016) fame and produced by Namit Malhotra. The music is composed by A R Rahman and Hans Zimmer. It's a two-part saga with the first part releasing on Diwali 2026. As for the second part, it'll arrive on the big screen on Diwali 2027. Interestingly, while the first part will release in India on November 8, it will arrive in international markets two days earlier, on November 6.

Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor hits back at Ramayan VFX critics; says, “There’s countless hours of work where artists are working for years”

On August 10, Bollywood Hungama reported that PVR Inox Pictures, the distributors of Batwara 1947, have demanded all the shows in single-screen cinemas. This added to the exhibitors' woes, as Awarapan 2 also releases this Friday, August 14. On top of it, the Batwara 1947 distributors asked for seven shows a day in two-screen theatres, 10 shows in three-screen multiplexes, 12 shows a day in four-screen cinemas and 15 shows a day in five-screen multiplexes. However, as per the latest reports from exhibitors, the demand has now undergone a change.

An exhibition source told Bollywood Hungama, “Earlier, their requirement was that 60% to 70% of the shows should be allotted to Batwara 1947. However, they have now taken note of the exhibitors’ concerns. As a result, they have agreed to a 50-50 showcasing arrangement for both films.”

As per some exhibitors, the 50-50 arrangement will also apply to single-screen cinemas. However, most single-screen theatres across the country are yet to open bookings. One of the rare exceptions is the iconic Raj Mandir Cinema in Jaipur, which has allotted two shows each to Awarapan 2 and Batwara 1947.

Spider-Man adds to exhibitors’ woes

But even as one issue appears to have been resolved, exhibitors are now faced with another challenge. On Tuesday, the distributors of Spider-Man: Brand New Day sent an email to cinemas, asking them to continue playing the film with a substantial number of shows.

A trade source revealed, “In single-screen cinemas, they have asked for a minimum of two shows a day, while in two-screen theatres, the requirement is at least three shows daily. In three-screen cinemas, they have asked exhibitors to allot one full screen, comprising five shows a day, to Spider-Man: Brand New Day. In four-screen properties, the demand is for seven to eight shows, including at least one evening and one night show. In five-screen cinemas, they have asked for nine shows, while properties with six screens or more have been asked to allot 11 to 12 shows. They have also specified that at least two screens should be allotted to the film in six-screen plexes.”

The source further said, “Sony’s directive has once again left exhibitors anxious as they are unsure how to divide the shows between the three films. Of course, Sony feels justified in making these demands as Spider-Man: Brand New Day continues to remain rock-solid at the box office. It collected around Rs. 9 crores on Tuesday, and it is clear that the film will continue to perform strongly over the Independence Day weekend. But for exhibitors, the challenge will be to divide the available shows in a way that satisfies all three distributors.”

An exhibitor from Nawalgarh, Rajasthan, speaking on the condition of anonymity, sighed, “We always face this problem of doing ‘batwara’ of shows while making sure that none of the distributors is upset with us. We just wonder when this ‘awarapan’ will end.”

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Batwara 1947 vs Awarapan 2 show-sharing TUSSLE begins; distributor of Sunny Deol-starrer asks for ALL shows in single-screens; Spider-Man’s rock-steady run complicates the battle

Priyanka Chopra is currently in India with her daughter Malti Marie as she spends time with her family. During her stay in Mumbai, the actor visited the city's famous Siddhivinayak Temple to seek blessings. She was accompanied by her sister Mannara Chopra, while Malti did not join them for the temple visit.

Priyanka was spotted outside the Siddhivinayak Temple dressed in a traditional pink salwar suit with a blue dupatta. Keeping her look simple, the actor made her way through the premises amid tight security. A number of fans had gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the actor. Before leaving, Priyanka waved to the crowd and then got into her car.

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The actor has frequently visited religious places during her trips to India. On one of her recent visits, she was seen at a Durga Puja pandal. During an earlier trip, Priyanka made headlines after performing seva and washing utensils at the Golden Temple. She also visited the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya with husband Nick Jonas and daughter Malti, where the family sought blessings.

Priyanka's latest India visit also comes at a time when there is considerable anticipation around her upcoming projects. She will next be seen in SS Rajamouli's much-awaited film Varanasi, which also stars Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The makers recently unveiled Priyanka's look as Mandakini along with a behind-the-scenes glimpse on the occasion of her 44th birthday. Mahesh Babu's character Rudhra was also introduced on his birthday. Varanasi is scheduled to release on April 7, 2027.

Meanwhile, Priyanka has also joined Oscar winner Russell Crowe for the sci-fi action thriller Bluefly. Directed by Nimrod Antal, the film revolves around a covert mission in the Congo following the discovery of a mysterious crashed aircraft. Priyanka announced her association with the project on Instagram on Thursday with a brief message: “On to the next.”

Also Read : Mahesh Babu thanks fans on birthday; says Varanasi is ‘very close to his heart’

An exhibition called Big Cine Expo is held every year where theatre owners, design consultants, equipment manufacturers, system integrators, project management professionals, and industry stakeholders come together to celebrate cinema and the exhibition sector. One major highlight of the expo is the presentation of exclusive footage from an upcoming film. And at this year’s edition of Big Cine Expo, attendees will get a chance to watch exclusive glimpses of arguably the most awaited film of the year – Ramayana! The period epic stars Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sunny Deol, Sai Pallavi, Ravie Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta and others.

The Big Cine Expo 2026 will be held on August 18 and 19 in Chennai, and the Ramayana glimpse preview will take place on the first day. Attendees will be strictly prohibited from using their mobile phones or recording any part of the presentation. This is because the team will showcase visuals from the film that have not yet been revealed to the public. Members of the organizing team will also be stationed inside the screening area to ensure that no one records the footage or clicks any pictures or videos during the presentation.

However, the film’s actors, director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra, will not be present at the Big Cine Expo. Instead, Parminder Chadda, Technical Head at Prime Focus, will present the exclusive Ramayana footage.

In the 2024 edition of Big Cine Expo, Atlee shared exclusive glimpses of the Varun Dhawan-starrer Baby John (2024). A year before that, Boney Kapoor showed some scenes from his acclaimed film Maidaan (2024), while in 2022, exciting scenes from the Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt starrer Brahmastra (2022) were shown to the attendees.

Big honours at IMAX Big Cine Awards

On the same day, August 18, the IMAX Big Cine Awards 2026 will also take place. Blockbuster filmmaker Rakesh Roshan will be felicitated with the Special Achievement Award. Meanwhile, Roopbani Cinema in Purnia, Bihar, run by Vishek Chauhan, will be honoured with the Best Single-Screen Theatre of the Year Award. Vishek Chauhan is well-known in industry circles for his no-holds-barred and headline-grabbing views on cinema exhibition and the box office, and has also recently turned author.

Roopbani Cinema will share the honour with Mukta A2 Bharatmata in Lalbaug, Mumbai. The heritage single-screen theatre, which has been an important destination for Marathi and regional cinema since 1941, remained shut for a few years before reopening earlier this year on March 24. The revamped theatre now boasts Dolby Surround Sound, 2K laser projection and upgraded seating options, including recliners and sofas.

AMB Cinemas, City Pride, Roongta Cinemas, Rajhans Cinemas, Connplex Cinemas, Starline Cinemas and several other cinemas and exhibition chains will also be honoured across various categories at the awards.

Also Read: Nagarjuna praises Ramayana: Part 1 trailer; says, “I really liked Yash and Ranbir Kapoor”

The Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) is facing an internal dispute after eight elected members of its Executive Committee resigned from their respective offices and the Executive Committee with immediate effect. The members cited a loss of confidence in the present manner of functioning and called for fresh elections. They also alleged that the association’s functioning had increasingly become concentrated around CINTAA President Poonam Dhillon, Senior Vice President Padmini Kolhapure and a section of other Executive Committee members.

Responding to Hindustan Times, Poonam Dhillon has defended her and Padmini’s work for the organisation. Speaking to us, Poonam says, “Padmini and I are working hard to bring goodwill to CINTAA by using our resources and contacts; it is not for personal gain. No one else was taking initiatives to do anything for members of the organisation, so I’m shocked by their allegations.”

Poonam also addressed the controversy surrounding CAWT (Cine Artistes’ Welfare Trust), which was formed by senior actors including late Dilip Kumar, Amrish Puri and Amjad Khan. She claimed that the trust had not fulfilled its responsibility of providing medical facilities to members and said that no one from the current committee had raised funds for CAWT in the past few decades.

She pointed to a recent fundraising event, where artistes including Kavita Krishnamurthy, Madhushree and Nitin Mukesh performed without charging CINTAA. Gifts were presented to the artistes following their performances. “We raised 1 crore through these performances, so how is it a problem if we spend 1 lakh on gifts for them?” Poonam questions.

The actor further alleged that some of the members who resigned had been promised positions if a new committee came to power. Referring to Puneet Issar, she says, “Puneet (Issar) has barely attended two meetings in two years, but the day they wanted to dissolve the committee, they were beckoned just to vote us out.” She also alleged that certain members were pressured into resigning. “We still have the majority and the committee still stands," says Poonam.

Addressing General Secretary Upasana Singh’s claim that the EGM called by Poonam and her team was illegal, the actor explained her position on the process. “The resignation of former members was received by the General Secretary and not accepted by EC (Executive Committee). Meanwhile we held an EGM with a member who had withdrawn her resignation and inducted in seven new members on top of the elected list. Only after that resignations were accepted. So the EC stands. This process was vetted by our legal team.”

Poonam also said that she and Padmini have been paying some CINTAA expenses from their own pockets. She added that they have been conducting regular checks on television sets and educating members about labour codes. According to Poonam, several more initiatives are planned for the organisation as the dispute over its functioning continues.

Also Read : Rajeev Khandelwal recalls college romance on Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar; reveals the Poonam Dhillon song he played on loop

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is having an unstoppable run at the box office. Yet the other Hollywood film, The Odyssey, remains rock-solid at the box office. It's currently in its fourth week and in 24 days, it has collected Rs. 166.89 crores. If we count all languages, the total collections amount to Rs. 178.31 crores.

The Odyssey opened at Rs. 16.08 crores and went on to record an opening weekend of Rs. 56.85 crores. After collecting Rs. 85.65 crores in its first week, it added another Rs. 45.67 crores in Week 2. Spider-Man: Brand New Day was released on Thursday, July 30, the 14th day of The Odyssey’s run, and its arrival did impact the Christopher Nolan-directed film. A day earlier, The Odyssey had collected Rs. 4.46 crores, but on July 30, its collections dropped to Rs. 2.79 crores.

But The Odyssey picked up on Friday, July 31, when it collected Rs. 3.41 crores. On August 1 and 2, it earned Rs. 5.66 crores and Rs. 5.72 crores respectively and remained rock-steady in the weekdays. This way, it earned Rs. 24.15 crores in Week 3.

What is interesting to note is that the collections fell by 46.68% in Week 2 compared to Week 1. In the subsequent week, earnings dropped by just 47.12%, despite the Spider-Man mania.

While The Odyssey collected Rs. 2.23 crores on Thursday, August 6, the earnings increased on Friday, August 7, when the period epic collected Rs. 2.54 crores. The collections on August 8 and August 9 were Rs. 4.49 crores and Rs. 4.39 crores respectively. Hence, the film has collected Rs. 11.42 crores in its fourth weekend and will end the week with Rs. 15-16 crores.

The crazy IMAX performance

Meanwhile, the IMAX format has played a major role in the collections of The Odyssey. This is the first film to be completely filmed in IMAX and hence, there’s a tremendous demand to catch the film in the premium format. As a result, the footfalls in the IMAX version are very strong. Bollywood Hungama had earlier reported that in 13 days, the share of IMAX collections are a huge Rs. 48.25 crores. This is when the film had earned Rs. 132.65 crores.

To date, the IMAX format of The Odyssey has collected Rs. 74.21 crores (Rs. 73.77 crores from English and Rs. 44 lakhs from Hindi), accounting for nearly 41.62% of the film’s total collections. Interestingly, the contribution from IMAX has increased significantly as the film’s run has progressed. In Week 3, when The Odyssey collected Rs. 25.30 crores across all languages, IMAX screens contributed Rs. 16.10 crores. In other words, IMAX alone accounted for a massive 63.64% of the film’s Week 3 collections.

However, in the fourth weekend, the IMAX share jumped further to 67.14%. Of the film’s total collections of Rs. 11.44 crores across all languages, IMAX screens alone contributed Rs. 7.68 crores. If all premium formats (IMAX, HDR By Barco, 4DX, MX4D, EPIQ and Dolby) are taken into account, they contributed a staggering 71.15% of The Odyssey’s total fourth-weekend collections.

Even after completing 24 days, the demand for The Odyssey in IMAX remains rock-steady. For instance, as of 8:45 am on August 10, the 9:45 am show at the IMAX screen of PVR Phoenix Lower Parel, Mumbai, had already sold around 80 tickets. The figure is likely to touch 100 tickets by the time the show begins, which is remarkable for a Monday morning, especially for a film in its fourth week. Moreover, tickets for these premium-format shows are priced considerably higher than those for regular 2D shows, which has played a major role in driving the film’s collections. At this rate, The Odyssey has a shot at a lifetime collection of Rs. 180 crores from its English version alone.

The 24-day collections of The Odyssey Week 1 - Rs. 85.65 cr Week 2 - Rs. 45.67 cr Week 3 - Rs. 24.15 cr Week 4 [3 days] - Rs. 11.42 cr

The 24-day collections of The Odyssey in the IMAX format Week 1 - Rs. 27.97 cr Week 2 - Rs. 22.45 cr Week 3 - Rs. 16.10 cr Week 4 [3 days] - Rs. 7.68 cr

Also Read: Exhibitors hail Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey for becoming highest-grossing IMAX release in India: “Moviegoers embraced it not merely as a film to watch, but as a cinematic experience to revisit”

Film director Shakeel Noorani, 73, has been arrested in Mumbai following a complaint filed by a 33-year-old actor, who has alleged that she was raped after being called to his residence in Malwani. According to the police complaint, Noorani allegedly invited the actor to his house on the pretext of discussing an upcoming film project.

The actor has alleged that after she reached the director's residence, she was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted. The complaint further states that Noorani allegedly threatened her following the incident. Police subsequently registered a case based on the actor's allegations and arrested the filmmaker.

Following his arrest, Noorani was produced before the Borivali Holiday Court. The court has reportedly remanded him to police custody until August 12, during which the police are expected to investigate the allegations and gather further evidence in the case.

The allegations are currently part of an ongoing investigation, and the charges against Noorani have not been established in court.

Shakeel Noorani has been associated with Hindi cinema as a writer, producer and director. He is known for films including Bade Dilwala, released in 1999, and Joru Ka Ghulam, which came out in 2000.

The latest case has brought the veteran filmmaker into the spotlight as Mumbai Police continue their investigation into the actor's allegations. Further details regarding the case are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses and the police record statements and examine other evidence connected to the complaint.

Noorani's police custody is scheduled to continue until August 12, following which he is expected to be produced before the court again. The investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the allegations and the events that allegedly took place at his Malwani residence.

The much awaited trailer of filmmaker Geetu Mohandas’ Toxic released yesterday and, ever since, it has become the talk of the town. The striking visuals, action and production design has ensured that the chatter around the film hasn’t stopped on social media. Along with that, Tara Sutaria’s presence in it has also been noticed and appreciated.

During the trailer launch of the film in Bengaluru, when asked on having a Disney princess image about her and what was it like to go from fairy tales to fairy tales for grown-ups, Tara responded saying, “There's a very popular phrase from an old Disney fairy tale, which I think it goes something like, ‘A dream is a wish your heart makes.’ And it feels so fitting to Toxic and to this fairy tale that we've all created. Because I think it's a dream and a wish that all of us have had, I think collectively as a team, to be a part of something and a fairy tale of sorts that is really outstanding, exceptional, and something very, very special to all of us in many different ways. And I think I'm just, like I said, overwhelmed and humbled and blessed to be with all of you and to be a part of this incredible story.”

Tara’s words reflected not only her excitement but also the emotional connection she shares with Toxic. Her belief in the film has only heightened the anticipation surrounding Toxic. With her appearance as Rebecca already earning praise for her captivating screen presence, audiences are now eagerly looking forward to watching Tara on the big screen.

Also Read: Toxic trailer launch: Yash praises his co-stars: “All these lovely talented people have kept their EGOS aside to put an Indian film on a GLOBAL platform”; HITS back at those who doubt him: “I see it as their STUPIDITY”

On the occasion of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu’s birthday, team Varanasi unveiled two stills from the highly anticipated epic, offering the world its first glimpse of Rudhra in his element.

The first still captures Rudhra at rest on a bamboo raft, surrounded by a dense jungle, effortlessly cool, magnetic and carrying the quiet intensity that defines his character. The second transports us to the sweeping plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, where Rudhra stands amidst giraffes and wildebeest looking back with an unmistakable sense of command.

Together, the two stills offer a glimpse into the soul of Varanasi, a globe-trotting, century-spanning epic where one man’s extraordinary journey takes him from the sacred waters of India to the wildest corners of the earth.

Director SS Rajamouli said, “Rudhra was born to fulfil a purpose much larger than himself. He carries a destiny he did not ask for. He is witty, he is vulnerable, and he is fierce. That is what Mahesh brought to him. Anyone can play fierce. Very few can play fierce and fragile in the same breath. These frames are from our Africa schedule, and the land gave us something no set could. Shooting around Kilimanjaro and in the Maasai Mara, I was stunned. There were mornings when I felt even the 1.43:1 IMAX frame could not hold what was in front of us.”

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Directed by SS Rajamouli, with music by MM Keeravani, Varanasi is produced by Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business and is set to release worldwide on April 7, 2027, in IMAX.

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra gets birthday surprise as new Varanasi photos unveil fresh look from SS Rajamouli film

In the last 10 days, Ravi Kishan has achieved cult status on the world of internet memes. A months-old video of the actor went viral, in which he can be seen passionately singing the devotional song ‘Har Har Bhole Namah Shivaya’. The clip opened the floodgates, triggering what can only be described as a Ravi Kishan special week on the internet. Netizens began unearthing and sharing several priceless gems – from Ravi Kishan and Manoj Tiwari posing like cool dudes and hilariously arguing in English to Ravi dancing without a care at promotional events.

We have now stumbled upon an interesting coincidence that connects Ravi Kishan with the recently-released blockbuster, The Odyssey, directed by legendary filmmaker Christopher Nolan.

The Odyssey was released in India and most major markets across the world on July 17. Interestingly, Ravi Kishan’s birthday falls on the very same date! Did Ravi Kishan’s charm rub off on The Odyssey, or was it the other way around? Well, that’s difficult to say!

Ravi Kishan breaks silence

Meanwhile, Ravi Kishan spoke to Bombay Times about his viral memes. He said, “If you lose the ability to laugh at yourself, you lose a part of your freedom. People are having fun, and as long as it's in good spirit, why should I be offended? So, I smile, I move on, and I focus on doing good work. The internet will always find something new tomorrow.”

He also said, “If you start planning viral moments, they stop being real. The audiences of today are incredibly smart; they are hyper aware of authentic and organic moments…I've always believed that if you start changing yourself to avoid trolling, you slowly lose the person you truly are. I would rather remain authentic than become overly cautious. The people who genuinely appreciate you connect with your honesty, not with a carefully manufactured image. Tareef aur trolling, dono temporary hain.”

Also Read: Ravi Kishan’s viral ‘Headquarters’ meme reaches Europe as Juventus and Borussia Dortmund join the trend

On August 5, Bollywood Hungama was the first to report that Ramayana would release worldwide in most international markets on Friday, November 6. And now, producer Namit Malhotra has revealed an unusual release strategy – the film will arrive in international markets two days before its India release.

In an interview with NDTV, Namit Malhotra revealed that since Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, audiences in India will get to watch Ramayana on the big screen on the festival day itself. Meanwhile, the film will release overseas two days earlier, on Friday, November 6.

When asked about the film’s release date, Namit Malhotra said in the NDTV interview, “It’ll release in India on Diwali.” When specifically asked if that meant Ramayana would arrive in Indian theatres on November 8, he replied in the affirmative.

The reporter then pointed out that the recently released English version of the Ramayana trailer mentions November 6 as the release date. Explaining the difference, Namit Malhotra said, “So, we are releasing internationally (on November 6). The international distribution works from a Friday standpoint. So, that is on the 6th of November. But India currently we are targeting a release on Diwali.”

While Dharma Productions will distribute Ramayana in India, Sony Pictures has picked up the overseas distribution rights. Last week, Bollywood Hungama broke the news that T-Series has bagged the music rights to both parts of Ramayana for Rs. 75 crores in an advance deal.

Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. It is directed by Nitesh Tiwari of Dangal (2016) fame and produced by Namit Malhotra. The music is composed by A R Rahman and Hans Zimmer. It's a two-part saga with the first part releasing on Diwali 2026. As for the second part, it'll arrive on the big screen on Diwali 2027.

Also Read: CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurates Namit Malhotra’s Prime One; says, “I will be disappointed if Academy Award doesn’t come to Ramayana”

Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal are all set to make a special appearance in the India chapter of the highly anticipated third season of Conan O’Brien Must Go, the internationally acclaimed travel-comedy series hosted by Emmy-winning television personality Conan O’Brien. The makers recently unveiled the trailer for the upcoming season, offering audiences a glimpse of the comedian’s latest global adventures.

During Conan’s visit to India, Richa and Ali join the celebrated host for an engaging and entertaining conversation packed with humour, candid moments and cultural insights. The segment captures the trio sharing spontaneous banter and light-hearted exchanges, while Conan’s signature comedic style blends effortlessly with the couple’s natural chemistry. Their interaction is expected to present viewers with a fun and refreshing perspective on India through the comedian’s distinctive lens.

The appearance also marks an exciting collaboration between two of India’s acclaimed actors and one of the most recognised comedy figures in the world. Known for taking on unconventional projects and pushing creative boundaries, Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s participation adds a unique global crossover to the upcoming season.

Speaking about the experience, Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal jointly shared, “Conan O’Brien is quite simply a legend. We’ve admired his unique brand of humour for years, so getting to sit across from him and be a part of his India journey was surreal in the best way. The conversation was completely unfiltered, spontaneous and filled with the kind of humour that only Conan can bring out. We had an absolute blast filming it and can’t wait for audiences around the world to see this wonderfully chaotic exchange.”

The third season of Conan O’Brien Must Go will once again follow Conan O’Brien as he travels across different parts of the world, meeting fascinating people and immersing himself in local traditions. Combining curiosity, self-deprecating humour and his trademark irreverent style, the new season promises another entertaining journey filled with memorable encounters, cultural discoveries and engaging conversations with people from diverse backgrounds.

Also Read : Richa Chadha on uncovering Mumbai in her non-fiction series Musafiri, “It is my love letter to the city”

Yash Raj Films (YRF), one of Bollywood’s most prominent production houses, is all set to explore uncharted territory by venturing into the horror genre for the first time. The studio’s maiden horror feature will be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Abhay Pannu, who earned widespread praise for his critically acclaimed series Rocket Boys. Pannu has also penned the screenplay for the upcoming project, which is expected to commence production later this year and is slated for a theatrical release in 2027.

Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that Varun Dhawan has been roped in to headline the ambitious project, marking another significant collaboration between the actor and the prestigious banner.

Confirming the development, a source close to the project told Bollywood Hungama, “Varun has come on board as the lead for YRF’s first horror film. Yash Raj Films (YRF) is entering the horror genre for the first time with a feature film directed by Abhay Pannu, strategically championed by Akshaye Widhani, and now headlined by Varun Dhawan as the lead. YRF have made films across almost every genre except horror. Come 2027, and the banner will finally step into this genre.”

The project will also mark Abhay Pannu’s theatrical directorial debut after receiving widespread acclaim for Rocket Boys. His association with YRF further underlines the production house’s continued focus on nurturing fresh and distinctive filmmaking talent. Under the leadership of Aditya Chopra, the studio has increasingly backed filmmakers with unique creative voices, including Mohit Suri, Sameer Saxena, and now Abhay Pannu. This approach has gained momentum following the remarkable success of Saiyaara, reaffirming YRF’s commitment to diverse storytelling and innovative cinematic ventures.

For Varun Dhawan, the upcoming film will mark his second collaboration with Yash Raj Films after the success of Sui Dhaaga. With the actor now set to front YRF’s maiden horror venture, anticipation surrounding the project is expected to grow as the studio prepares to expand its genre portfolio with a theatrical release planned for 2027.

Also Read : 10 years of Dishoom: Varun Dhawan recalls filming Rs. 3 crore helicopter stunt, says, “There’s nothing like hanging off a chopper”

Sunaina Roshan has never hesitated to speak openly about the personal struggles that have defined different phases of her life. From battling alcoholism and cancer to dealing with health complications and body shaming, she has consistently shared her experiences with the hope that they may encourage others facing similar challenges. In the latest episode of her Instagram series, Dad & I Unfiltered, Sunaina had an emotional conversation with her father, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, as the two reflected on the difficult times their family endured together.

During the heartfelt discussion, Sunaina asked her father a question she admitted she had never asked him before. Looking back at the period when her health was at its lowest, she said, “I don’t think I have ever asked you this before. When my health was at its worst, what was going through your mind as a father?”

Rakesh responded by revealing how emotionally difficult it had been to watch his daughter go through repeated health crises. He admitted that there were several moments when he felt powerless despite wanting to do everything possible for her. “It’s not been once, it has been many times. I used to pray silently. I did have tears in my eyes sometimes, but then I had a different front when I used to come to you to meet you. I used to be smiling always and giving you courage,” he said.

Hearing her father's words, Sunaina shared that it was his strength and positive outlook that inspired her own approach to adversity. She recalled that when Rakesh Roshan was diagnosed with cancer, she intentionally concealed her fears and emotions so she could remain a pillar of support for him. “I think I have got that strong mindset from you, how to fight everything. And I think I did the same thing when you had cancer. I was very courageous, smiling in front of you. But in my room, I used to sob and sob. I remember there were days, I would actually go to the mirror, start laughing by myself and in that way come and face you. I think I never told you this before. It’s the first time I’m telling you that,” she revealed.

Deeply moved by his daughter's confession, Rakesh emphasized the importance of staying hopeful when a loved one is battling illness. According to him, maintaining a positive attitude and offering emotional support can have a meaningful impact on the person's recovery. “Good, that’s the way because you do feel sorry when some family member, their children or any member in the family who are very close to you is not doing well health wise. But then by keeping a positive attitude, by smiling in front of them, giving them more strength at that time always has a good result,” he said.

Concluding the conversation, Sunaina highlighted that while support from family is invaluable, true determination has to come from within. She stressed the importance of believing in one's ability to overcome challenges, saying, “But that strength actually has to come from within yourself. Yes, I am going to fight it. Yes, I’m going to overcome this.”

The candid father-daughter conversation offered a rare glimpse into the emotional resilience that helped both Sunaina and Rakesh Roshan navigate some of the most challenging moments in their lives, underscoring the power of hope, family support and inner strength.

Also Read : Rakesh Roshan shuts down reports of Hrithik Roshan-YRF budget clash over Krrish 4: “There are no issues”

Priyanka Chopra Jonas has added another major international project to her growing Hollywood slate. The actor is set to share screen space with Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe in the upcoming sci-fi action thriller Bluefly. The film will be directed by Nimród Antal, known for Predators and Stranger Things, while the screenplay has been penned by David Frigerio, William Eubank, and Carlyle Eubank.

The announcement follows another significant career update for Priyanka, who was recently confirmed to star opposite Orlando Bloom in the survival thriller Reset. Earlier this year, she headlined Prime Video's The Bluff, which debuted at the top spot globally. She also featured alongside Idris Elba and John Cena in the action-comedy Heads of State, which became Prime Video's fourth most-watched film. The film has since received a nomination for Outstanding Television Movie at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. Priyanka also earned a nomination for Best Actress in an Action Movie at the 2026 Critics Choice Super Awards for her performance as Ercell Bodden in The Bluff. She will next appear in S.S. Rajamouli's action-adventure film Varanasi, scheduled to release on April 7, 2027.

Bluefly is being produced by Michael Jefferson for Polite Society, David Frigerio for Broken Open Pictures, Deborah Glover for G2 Dispatch, Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier for Highland Film Group, along with Vanessa Yao Guo. Executive producers include Lia Buman, Guy Davies, RuthAnne Frigerio, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Jason Kringstein, Katie Leary, and Scott Levenson.

Highland Film Group will oversee worldwide rights for the project and will launch international sales at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Filming is expected to begin later this year on Australia's Gold Coast.

The story is set in the Congo and follows a grieving United Nations translator who becomes involved in a covert mission to retrieve a mysterious aircraft that officially does not exist. Accompanied by a Special Operations team travelling through militia-controlled territory, the mission gradually turns into a dangerous journey where the truth behind the aircraft reveals that it was never meant to be recovered.

Speaking about the project, Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser said, "We have a stellar cast led by Russell Crowe and Priyanka Chopra Jonas who will ignite the screen in this high-stakes, sci-fi thrill ride with layers of depth, akin to Denis Villeneuve's Arrival." She further added, "Bluefly is heart-pounding entertainment with a complex story full of unexpected twists. With Nimród Antal at the helm and our wonderful cast, we cannot wait to introduce this fantastic project to our global buyers."

Director Nimród Antal also shared his excitement about the film, saying, "Bluefly is an intense, character-driven thriller wrapped inside a bold science-fiction premise. It's the kind of film I live to make — grounded, propulsive, and full of dread — and I couldn't ask for a better cast or team to bring it to the screen."

Russell Crowe, an Academy Award winner for Gladiator, continues to expand his filmography with projects including Unabomber, The Weight, Billion Dollar Spy, and Amazon MGM's Highlander. Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra Jonas remains one of the most prominent Indian actors on the global stage, balancing acting, production, and international projects, with Bluefly marking yet another significant addition to her Hollywood journey.

Also Read : Priyanka Chopra Jonas shows her ‘mama’ and ‘mamacita’ sides in adorable video; watch

Netflix has announced a major step towards strengthening India's creative landscape with the launch of the ‘Netflix India Storytelling Initiative’, reaffirming its long-term commitment to the country's growing entertainment industry. The announcement comes after Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos met Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to discuss the increasing global appeal of Indian stories and the company's continued investment in India's creative economy.

Having worked with India's creative community for over a decade, Netflix has produced more than 200 Originals and filmed across over 100 locations in the country. Building on this foundation, the newly launched initiative aims to support the next generation of storytellers through a multi-phase investment focused on talent development. The programme will establish strategic collaborations with leading Indian institutions to equip aspiring creators with industry-relevant skills across the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) ecosystem, an important contributor to India's growing Orange Economy.

The initiative is also aligned with the Government of India's vision for Viksit Bharat @ 2047 by promoting stronger ties between education and industry while nurturing creative talent capable of competing on a global stage. Through these efforts, Netflix hopes to further position India as an international hub for storytelling and entertainment production.

Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO, Netflix, said, "India has always been one of the world's greatest storytelling nations. Over the past decade, we've had the privilege of seeing Indian stories connect with audiences not just across India, but around the world. As we begin our next decade here, we believe our greatest investment is in the people who will tell India's next generation of stories. The Netflix India Storytelling Initiative reflects our long-term commitment to strengthening India's creative ecosystem by creating more opportunities for emerging creators, because investing in creators is investing in India's creative future."

The first phase of the initiative will focus on youth skilling through two key partnerships. Netflix has joined hands with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) to develop an industry-focused curriculum in Visual Effects Mastery and Media Technology Workflows. The company will also provide 100 scholarships for students enrolling in in-person courses covering Interactive Comics and Sequential Art, Virtual Art Department Content Creation, Art of Character Animation, E-Sports and Gaming Management, along with other emerging creative fields.

Additionally, Netflix has partnered with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) to develop a skilled workforce for new roles created under the Prime Minister's accessibility agenda. The collaboration will train audio description writers and voice professionals to make films and series more accessible for audiences with visual and hearing impairments. The programme will follow international standards while incorporating local storytelling traditions, supporting the shared vision of Netflix and the Government of India to promote inclusive storytelling.

Through these initiatives, Netflix aims to create more opportunities for emerging creators, strengthen India's entertainment production capabilities, and further expand the global reach of Indian stories. The company stated that as it enters its second decade in India, it remains committed to investing in creative talent, enhancing industry partnerships, and supporting Indian storytellers in reaching audiences across the world.

Also Read: Netflix drops announcement video of Musafir Cafe for Season 2: Vikrant Massey, Vedika Pinto and Mahima Makwana to return

Anil Kapoor has reached Hyderabad to kick off filming for the highly anticipated Pan-India film Dragon, directed by Prashanth Neel. Featuring Jr NTR in the lead role, the film is already generating significant excitement and is expected to be one of the biggest theatrical releases of 2027. The first installment of the ambitious project is slated to arrive in cinemas on June 11, 2027.

Before beginning work on the film, Anil shared a nostalgic moment with fans on social media. On August 5, which marks actress Kajol's birthday, the actor posted a heartfelt Instagram Story remembering their time together while shooting Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain (1999) at Ramoji Film City.

Recalling a memorable conversation from those days, Anil revealed that Kajol had once playfully told him that even years later, after getting married and raising a family, he would still be shooting at the same location. Her light-hearted prediction unexpectedly came true as he returned to Ramoji Film City on her birthday, this time for Dragon. Describing the coincidence as a "true blessing," Anil also expressed his wish to reunite with Kajol on screen in the near future.

The film also marks a major milestone in Anil Kapoor's career, as it brings him back to Telugu cinema after a gap of 46 years. He made his Telugu debut with Bapu's Vamsa Vruksham in 1980, a film that also introduced him as a leading actor. During the promotions of Animal in Hyderabad in 2023, Anil had fondly spoken about working on the film, sharing that the experience taught him discipline. He recalled waking up at 4 a.m. every day to prepare for the demanding schedule, an experience that left a lasting impact on him.

In Dragon, Anil Kapoor takes on the role of Raghuveer Rathod, the Chief of India's Narcotics Bureau. Set in the backdrop of the opium trade during the 1960s, the story revolves around Jr NTR's character, Luger, the ruthless assassin-in-chief of the Afghan Trading Company.

As the narrative unfolds, Rathod becomes the biggest obstacle standing in Luger's path and his expanding criminal network. The confrontation between the Narcotics Bureau and the powerful trading syndicate forms the core of the story. According to industry buzz, Anil's character is expected to be a commanding authority figure whose unwavering pursuit of justice will lead to one of the film's most intense and significant face-offs. With its powerful cast, high-stakes narrative, and Prashanth Neel's direction, Dragon is shaping up to be one of the most eagerly awaited releases in Indian cinema.

Also Read: Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala and Jackie Shroff celebrate 32 years of 1942: A Love Story as restored version heads to cinemas

After wowing audiences with the quirky yet progressive ‘Lipstick’, Adnan Sami is back with the intense dance number ‘Ishq Tamasha’. The track combines the emotional depth of a romantic ballad with contemporary pop-rock production and expressive visual storytelling. The strikingly mounted video also evokes memories of Adnan Sami’s creatively filmed music videos from the early 2000s. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, the legendary singer-composer spoke about ‘Ishq Tamasha’, his evolving musical sensibilities and a lot more.

‘Ishq Tamasha’ is quite intense and impactful and also completely different from ‘Lipstick’… I have a whole host of songs that are in the pipeline. We started off with ‘Lipstick’ and it had a completely different vibe from whatever I have done in the past. ‘Ishq Tamasha’ is a completely different song from that. They don’t have any connection whatsoever, as you can tell. This is a very intense romantic song. In the past, I have done a lot of songs from very different types of genres – songs like ‘Kabhi To Nazar Milao’, ‘Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein’ and ‘Tera Chehra’ on one hand and also ‘Lift Kara De’, ‘Gela Gela’, ‘Aye Udi Udi’ and ‘Kiss Me Baby’ on the other. I have also done qawwali. So, I have these different genres that are in me, and they reflect a lot of who I am as a musician and as a person. They also reflect my upbringing. You are what you listen to and what you are influenced by. Since I have lived all over the world throughout my life, obviously there’s so much of influence that I have picked up wherever I lived.

In the forthcoming future, I am going to be sharing all of that. The forthcoming songs would also stand out in terms of their arrangements, themes, texture, etc. It is exciting for me as a musician. I finally got into a zone where I decided that I want to bare all (smiles). I don’t want to get stuck into any particular genre.

Why do you think this is the right time for you to bare all? Because even the listener has evolved. In the past, the listener was prepared to listen to very limited music. There was film music, which had its own texture and genre. Then there was a little bit of experimentation on the independent side. So, you needed to work around that perimeter of music. Now, formats have changed and streaming has come in.

Earlier, a listener would buy cassettes. You had a certain amount of money and you would walk into the music store. Most of the people could buy just 1 or 2 cassettes based on their budget. As a result, the listener would buy only that album that he had heard on radio or seen its music video and was comfortable with it. Accordingly, the person would buy those two cassettes and listen to their songs to death (laughs). There were a hundred other cassettes of other films and albums. But the listener would not buy them, citing ‘Maine inke gaane nahin sune aur mere paas paise nahin hai udaane ke liye’. And it was fair; even I used to do the same as a student.

Consequently, everyone was roaming around that perimeter of music. But with streaming coming in, things have improved. Let’s say that you have paid Rs. 100 to access a subscription of a music app. By paying just Rs. 100, you could listen to the songs from the entire world. Now, because you have the facility, you will listen to different sounds. You’ll say ‘Hey, I like that’. Suddenly, your mind opens up. You are far more receptive towards all kind of music as you have got the exposure.

And that’s not all. Today, we have international acts coming to India of all kinds of genres that one didn’t expect that people would like. Yet, they are filling up stadiums. This makes me very happy. I grew up with so many different genres and compositions of all kinds. But I was not able to present them to the listener as I knew that he or she was not possibly accustomed and tuned to take it in. Hence, I stuck to a particular format. Now that the listener has become attentive and receptive to such genres, I am really enjoying this as now, I can go anywhere. So, now I have decided to do just that (smiles). It allows me to open up my creative banks.

‘Ishq Tamasha’ is an intense romantic song about a man who is so madly in love that he worries he may be making a fool of himself and become an object of ridicule. How did the idea for the song come about? We, as a society in India and elsewhere, have this tendency. When we read about Romeo And Juliet, Heer Ranjha, Laila Majnu or watch Devdas, we glorify them and say ‘Waah…romance ho toh aisa ho’! But when we see somebody doing the same in real life, we mock them. Why this hypocrisy? We say ‘Majnu ban gaya hai, pagal ban gaya hai, Devdas ki aulad’. They’ll also say all kinds of nonsense like ‘Kya hua agar woh chali gayi? There are many fish in the ocean’! Your parents may tell you, ‘You’d look back at this and you’ll laugh at yourself’. When you’re going through it, you feel small and dejected. You wonder, ‘Why are you making fun of me? I am just in love with somebody’. You also feel ‘Main nahin, yeh log pagal ho gaye hai’!

‘Ishq Tamasha’ is about this hypocrisy. By and large, most people go through it.

Also Read: Adnan Sami releases new single ‘Ishq Tamasha’ with Zee Music Company; explores love through music and dance

Bhagyashree recently treated her fans to a nostalgic moment by sharing a video of herself dancing to Lata Mangeshkar’s evergreen classic, ‘Gum Hai Kisi Ke Pyar Mein’, The performance beautifully celebrated the timeless appeal of the iconic melody, reminding viewers of the simplicity and elegance that defined the golden era of Hindi film music.

In the video, Bhagyashree is seen gracefully performing to the beloved track while also singing along to the lyrics. Dressed in a stylish Anarkali suit paired with matching jewellery, the actress effortlessly complemented the mood of the classic song with her elegant expressions and dance moves.

Sharing the video on social media, Bhagyashree reflected on how romance was once expressed through subtle emotions rather than grand gestures. She captioned the post, “#myfavsongsbyb Do you remember when love had a different language? A little shy, a little hesitant, a little longing, a little anticipation..... when words were fewer and a look said it all. Have you ever felt love like that? #musicforever #1900s.”

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  A post shared by Bhagyashree (@bhagyashree.online)

The actress has often expressed her fondness for evergreen Bollywood music by recreating iconic songs through dance videos. Her latest post is another example of her appreciation for timeless melodies that continue to resonate with audiences across generations.

A few days earlier, Bhagyashree had also given fans a glimpse of her getaway to Udaipur with her husband, Himalaya Dassani. Sharing pictures from the trip, she offered snapshots of the couple enjoying special moments together during a birthday celebration. Alongside the photos, she wrote, “Wild, wild west! What a weekend... Witty's birthday celebration!.”

On the work front, Bhagyashree married Himalaya Dassani in 1989, and the couple has two children, Abhimanyu Dassani and Avantika Dassani. Abhimanyu made his Bollywood debut with Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota in 2019, while Avantika entered the entertainment industry with the web series Mithya.

Professionally, Bhagyashree was last seen in the 2023 thriller Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video. She later made a special appearance in the comedy-drama streaming series Life Hill Gayi, continuing to stay connected with audiences through selective projects while also sharing glimpses of her personal life and love for classic Bollywood music on social media.

Also Read : Bhagyashree hits back at trolls over ‘fake lassi promotion’ claims; says, “Kya aap the wahan par?”

With the trailer of Awarapan 2 set to launch on August 6, anticipation around Emraan Hashmi’s much-awaited sequel continues to grow. The film, which arrives in cinemas on August 14 during the Independence Day holiday weekend, will face competition from Sunny Deol’s Batwara 1947. Despite the high-profile box office clash, producer Vishesh Bhatt has expressed confidence and gratitude, saying the release date was chosen with audiences in mind rather than competition.

Addressing the much-discussed clash, Vishesh Bhatt said, “We came on the date that seemed best. It's our first release coming into 14th August on a holiday and it's our fortune and luck that we get to share this release date with the legend Sunny Deol and and it's with a lot of humility we would like to bring the film on a holiday so more people can also come and watch this film.”

#Awaarapan2 producer Vishesh Bhatt answers the question on the Independence Day clash with #Batwara1947.

He says it's THEIR fortune to share this release date with the LEGEND SUNNY DEOL ♥️

ALL the best to them as well!!

Healthy clash ho jaye....!! #SunnyDeol pic.twitter.com/8R3R3bhzki — Deva Ki Adaalat (@SunnyDeolFanHu) August 4, 2026

His remarks reflect the makers’ positive outlook towards the festive release window, which traditionally draws large crowds to theatres. Instead of viewing the simultaneous release as a rivalry, Bhatt emphasized that the holiday period offers moviegoers an opportunity to enjoy multiple films on the big screen.

Awarapan 2 marks the return of Emraan Hashmi as Shivam Pandit nearly two decades after the original Awarapan earned cult status among fans. The sequel also stars Disha Patani, Shabana Azmi, Suvinder Vicky and Vijayant Kohli, promising a blend of action, romance and emotional drama while carrying forward the legacy of the 2007 film.

Music has always been one of the biggest strengths of the Awarapan franchise. Songs like ‘Tera Mera Rishta,’ ‘Toh Phir Aao,’ and ‘Maula Maula’ continue to enjoy immense popularity years after the original film's release. Keeping that legacy alive, the makers have already hinted that Awarapan 2 will feature a fresh soundtrack while retaining the soulful musical identity that made the first film memorable. The music is expected to play a key role in connecting both old fans and a new generation of audiences.

With nostalgia, music, and Emraan Hashmi reprising one of his most loved characters, Awarapan 2 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of the Independence Day weekend.

Also Read : Awarapan 2 trailer to release on 6th August, Emraan Hashmi and Vishesh Bhatt