With only two days left for the release of the movie on the big screen, Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel are busy with the promotions of Gadar 2 in full swing. The actors have been in New Delhi for promotions. A special screening was hosted on Tuesday for the Indian Army and a unanimous response came front them.

As per a source close to the film, "The top brass of the Indian Army watched Gadar 2 last night with their respective families. The makers of the movie were elated to see the response from them as tears and claps ensued at the screening. Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, and Utkarsh Sharma's performances were appreciated by them. The first screening of the movie received a thunderous response from them, and even better than Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. As they left the screening, they chanted 'Hindustan Zindabad' on their way out last night. The response from the th crowd was super energetic and positive."

Helmed by Director-Producer Anil Sharma, and produced by Zee Studios, the movie stars Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel in lead roles. The movie is scheduled to release in cinemas on 11th August 2023. ALSO READ: Kangana Ranaut says Gadar 2 will be “the biggest opener of the year” amid reports of having differences with Sunny Deol

Ranveer Singh, who has portrayed a diverse array of characters in his career, continues to prove himself as a true chameleon on the silver screen. Whether it's adapting the physicality, voice and body language of his characters or delving deep into the subtleties that define them, Singh's meticulous approach towards each of his characters shines through in the portrayal. With Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Singh stepped into the shoes of Rocky Randhawa, offering a fresh and captivating portrayal of a West Delhi man.

Talking about what drives him to perform so well, Ranveer Singh said, “I have always aspired to be recognized as a versatile performer. I have always wanted to test myself and my potential across different genres. I am very blessed that my work is being appreciated. I have worked with filmmakers that are vastly different from each other, so polar opposite, it's like they are at the opposite end of the spectrum and yet my work has been lauded and appreciated in all of those divergent films/genres. I feel very blessed to be an actor, and I’m often overwhelmed by the love and acclaim that is showered upon me. My heart beams with gratitude every day!”

Singh's commitment to his craft remains his driving force. Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh is yet to announce his following projects after Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Still, he is reportedly starring in the third instalment of the Don franchise, which will be a reboot. The announcement of Don 3, helmed by Farhan Akhtar, will be made later this week. He has also signed Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Baiju Bawra alongside Alia Bhatt. ALSO READ: Ranveer Singh learnt nuances of Kathak in a month; says it was difficult to imbibe the grace as he was packing in ‘muscle mass’ for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

With Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Ranveer Singh steps into the shoes of Rocky Randhawa, offering a fresh and captivating portrayal of a Delhi boy. This isn't the first time Singh has tackled the role of a West Delhi man, but his ability to breathe new life into the character speaks volumes about his artistic prowess. The actor is not only being applauded for his performance but also for learning Kathak for two song sequences in the movie – ‘Dola Re Dola’ and ‘Dhindhora Baje Re’. The actor said that it was quite challenging to learn the dance form.

In a recent ‘Ask Me Anything’ session on Instagram. Ranveer answered some fan questions. He revealed that he trained for a month to learn Kathak. A fan asked Ranveer, “Your Kathak in the film was surprising, how much time did you take to learn? To this, he replied, “It took about a month. It was difficult to imbibe the essential grace in the dance form, given all the muscle mass that I was packing at the time!”

Another fan asked, “Be it Bittoo, be it Rocky, How do you always get that accent right?!!” Ranveer replied, “I love playing with language and adding cultural texture to the characters variations dhoondne mein mazza aata hai! (I enjoy finding variations in characters).”

Ranveer also shared that he is receiving long letters of appreciation for Rocky Randhawa. He shared, “There has been such an immense outpouring of love for Rocky. I’m overwhelmed…lambe lambe love letters mil rahe hain..I’m so grateful.”

Here are some of his responses:

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani had collected Rs. 105.39 crores at the box office till Sunday, August 6. ALSO READ: Don 3: Ranveer Singh to take on the role in Farhan Akhtar directorial; announcement to drop this week: Report

After having announced his biggest world tour to date, Vir Das is all set to be seen on a brand new OTT series by Dharma Productions’ digital banner Dharmatics, Call Me Bae. The series, a slice-of-life comedy, is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video India. Call Me Bae is a story of a billionaire fashionista who is shunned away by her wealthy family due to a lewd controversy. In Call Me Bae, Vir Das will share the screen with Ananya Panday and Gurfateh Pirzada.

The director and creative minds behind the series have ensured that Call Me Bae captures the essence of contemporary relationships while presenting a relatable and entertaining narrative.

The shooting for Call Me Bae has already been concluded and the series is expected to stream by the end of this year. The series has been created by Ishita Moitra with Samina Motlekar and Rohit Nair having contributed as writers on the series with Collin D’Cunha helming the show as the director. ALSO READ: Suhana Khan’s Instagram warms up with Goa photos and Ananya Panday’s witty remark; see pictures

As Akshay Kumar gears up for the release of his film OMG 2 this week, he hosted a special screening for Sadhguru. Sadhguru revealed that Akshay visited the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore to screen the movie and get feedback. He shared his thoughts on the film and Akshay, in response, was grateful for the valuable feedback.

"Namaskaram @akshaykumar. Wonderful having you here at the Isha Yoga Center & learning about ‘Oh My God -2’. Educating young people on how to handle their bodily needs is most essential if we want to cultivate a society that is sensitive to the safety & dignity of its women. It is time our education system focuses on equipping our youth to handle their body, mind & emotions rather than being purely information oriented. -Sg #OMG2," Sadhguru tweeted.

“Namaskaram @SadhguruJV???? Was an absolute honour to visit the Isha Yoga Center. I had one of the best experiences ever. Thank you for watching OMG 2 and for your insightful, kind feedback. Means so much to me and my entire team that you liked and blessed our effort," Akshay responded to the tweet.

Namaskaram @SadhguruJV???? Was an absolute honour to visit the Isha Yoga Center. I had one of the best experiences ever. Thank you for watching OMG 2 and for your insightful, kind feedback. Means so much to me and my entire team that you liked and blessed our effort. https://t.co/du99U8ybK9 — Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) August 7, 2023

OMG 2 is a sequel to Akshay Kumar's 2012 movie OMG Oh My God! The film also stars Pankaj Tripathi and Yami Gautam. It releases on August 11, 2023. ALSO READ: OMG 2: Did you know Akshay Kumar finalized the script from the hospital bed while battling COVID-19?

Some films in Bollywood's wide canon manage to stand out from the crowd, winning audiences over and leaving a lasting impression on culture. Unquestionably, Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is one of these works of art, a team effort directed by the visionary director Karan Johar and spearheaded by the dynamic duo of Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. It is abundantly evident that this movie is nothing less than a victorious celebration of love, life, and art as acclaim pours in and crowds chant its praises. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has been raking in the moolah at the box office and in addition to its upbeat music and impressive cast, Alia Bhatt's propensity for wearing stunning chiffon sarees has kept the film in the spotlight. However, the recently released single 'Kudmayi' gave fans a new look at their chemistry and ultra-stylish attire following the movie.

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was released over a week ago, and now the makers have released 'Kudmayi', the wedding song of the year. Alia Bhatt is shown as the ideal bride, thanks to Manish Malhotra. The actress wore a mustard lehenga ensemble with embellishments from the designer's elaborate bridal couture line, and she looked ethereal. The lovely flowing lehenga included in the attire was embellished with silver scallop sequin work. She wore the majestic lehenga with a short-sleeved blouse that was just as heavy. Its sleeve's gotta patti embroidery complemented the design on her transparent dupatta, which served as her train. She held a different dupatta that covered her head and had contrasting fuchsia tassels. Alia Bhatt's real-life bridal attire was complemented by heavy traditional understated kundan jewellery. It had a delicate nose pin, matching stud earrings with a large maang tika fastened to the matha patti, and a choker-style necklace. Not to mention her matching kundan kadas, which were adorned with several bangles and ring bracelets. Rani's distinctive kohl-rimmed eyes, mascara-coated lashes, bushy pointed brows, and crimson bindi helped her carry off her bare makeup look.

Ranveer Singh as Rocky complemented his Rani by slipping into Manish Malhotra's embellished sherwani. Exaggerated wire embellishments in copper colour complemented the sage green tint of the outfit. He was dressed in a sherwani over a plain kurta and pyjamas that matched. He completed his ensemble with a turban embellished with pearl, kundan, and beaded serpech. With the addition of a multi-layered necklace made of mint green beaded and diamond studs, Ranveer's regal appearance was enhanced.

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Alia Bhatt ???? (@aliaabhatt)

Also Read: Amul pays tribute to the grand success of Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt starrer Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

Wamiqa Gabbi has confirmed her association with renowned filmmaker Atlee's highly-anticipated next Hindi production. She is all set to be part of the dream cast alongside Varun Dhawan. The untitled film, which has been generating immense buzz across social media platforms, is popularly referred to as #VD18 and is slated for release on 31st May 2024.

Written by the screenwriter Kalees, the movie promises to deliver an enthralling cinematic experience. With such a power-packed combination of directorial brilliance, a stellar cast, and a compelling storyline, #VD18 is expected to be one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year 2024.

Wamiqa Gabbi expressed her excitement about the project, stating, "I am thrilled and grateful to be a part of this project. The opportunity to work alongside Varun Dhawan and Keerthy Suresh is definitely something I’m looking forward to. I have been looking and waiting to do a full commercial Hindi project and this is just it. And I’m really excited to be working and collaborating with Murad sir and Atlee”.

Having proved her mettle in the industry with some remarkable performances in Grahan, Mai and recently released Jubilee, Wamiqa Gabbi is all geared up to make her presence felt once again with this much-talked-about project. With her unmatched talent and dedication, Wamiqa is poised to captivate the hearts of audiences in this Atlee production.

Apart from this, Wamiqa is currently busy shooting for next in Budapest, and she awaits the release of Vishal Bhardwaj’s maiden OTT series - Charlie Chopra and The Mystery of Solang Valley and a film directed by Vishal Bharadwaj with Netflix titled Khufiya co-starring Tabu. ALSO READ: Wamiqa Gabbi shares her experience working with Ishaan Khatter; says, “His dancing skills are something which I would like to imbibe and learn for myself”

Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif recently took to her Instagram Stories to give her fans a glimpse of her cozy Sunday spent with husband Vicky Kaushal at their sea-facing apartment in Mumbai.

The gorgeous actress shared three heartwarming photos that melted the hearts of her fans. The first photo shared by Katrina Kaif featured the mesmerizing view from their balcony. Katrina captioned it with a simple yet heartfelt word, “home.” In the second photo, Vicky Kaushal is captured standing in the balcony, gazing at the breathtaking view of the sea, and he looked absolutely dashing in a black sleeveless T-shirt and a matching cap. In the third photo, Katrina and Vicky are seen enjoying a tender moment together on the balcony. Katrina added a heart emoji to this picture.

For the unversed, Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal tied knot in December 2021 after dating for 2 years. It was a grand wedding in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. It was a private wedding in the presence of family members with limited friends from the film industry.

On the work front, Vicky Kaushal is currently basking in the success of Zara Hatke Zara Bachke. Co-starring Sara Ali Khan, the film featured them as a married couple from a middle-class household living in a joint family who come up with a unique solution to resolve their issues. Directed by Laxman Utekar, the film released on June 2.

On the other hand, Katrina’s last film was Phone Bhoot, which was a theatrical release. Both these actors have a bunch of projects in their pipeline. Katrina will be next seen in Tiger 3 and Vijay Sethupathi starrer Merry Christmas. Whereas Vicky has Meghna Gulzar's Sam Bahadur.

Also Read: Vicky Kaushal opens up about the profound impact of marrying Katrina Kaif; says, “I couldn’t have asked for a better companion than Katrina to live this journey”

Months after The Elephant Whisperers won Oscar at the 2023 Academy Awards, the mahout couple Bomman and Bellie, whose lives were shown in the documentary about their unique bond with elephants and conservation, have alleged financial exploitation and neglect against the makers of the documentary. The couple has alleged that they spent a large sum during the making of the docu-film but the makers failed to remunerate. They also alleged that the makers have ignored their calls ever after Oscar win. Now, the couple is seeking Rs. 2 crore as a goodwill gesture from the makers.

A copy of the legal notice was obtained by PTI which stated that the couple was allegedly promised “a house, an all-terrain multi-purpose vehicle, and a lump sum one-time payment as financial support based on the income generated by the project.”

Chennai-based social activist Pravin Raj, a lawyer by profession, said, “Both Bomman and Bellie are disappointed with Gonsalves, who had promised them monetary help as well as help with the education of Bellie’s granddaughter while making the film. But she now refuses to give even a fraction of the enormous profits made by the film.” He also said that the couple followed the filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves around during promotions in the hope that if the project does well, all of them will do well together. However, Raj said, “Instead, Gonsalves is not even picking up the phone when Bomman calls.”

Advocate Mohammed Mansoor is handling the case on behalf of Bomman and Bellie and said that they received a response from Sikhya Entertainment Pvt Ltd, on behalf of Gonsalves. “In that, she has flatly refused any more help stating that she has already given money to the couple. I will be sending her a rejoinder in a couple of days after consulting with my clients,” said Mansoor.

Sikhya Entertainment Pvt Ltd issued a statement to PTI which read, “The goal in creating ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ has always been to highlight elephant conservation, the tremendous efforts of the forest department and its mahouts Bomman and Bellie. Since its launch, the documentary has raised awareness of the cause and had a real impact on the mahouts and cavadis community. Chief minister of Tamil Nadu M K Stalin has made donations towards assisting the 91 mahouts and cavadis who look after the state’s elephants, constructing eco-friendly houses for the caretakers and developing an elephant camp in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve. The documentary has been celebrated by heads of state across India, and the Academy Award is a moment of national pride that has brought widespread recognition for the work of mahouts like Bomman and Bellie. All claims made are untrue. We have deep respect for all of the contributors of this story, and remain driven by the desire to create positive change.”

The Elephant Whisperers is a heartwarming story of an indigenous couple who have been given an orphaned elephant, Raghu to look after. The story follows the couple's journey as they relentlessly work to ensure Raghu’s recovery and survival. The short documentary beautifully stitches the tale of how the couple falls in love with the majestic creature over the course of time. Set against the background of life in the wild spaces of South India The Elephant Whisperers highlights the beauty of exotic wildlife, unforgettable wild spaces, and the people and animals who share this space. ALSO READ: The Elephant Whisperers’ Guneet Monga and Kartiki Gonsalves celebrate their Oscar win with Bomman and Bellie, see photos and video

The world was celebrating Friendship Day on August 6 and sharing moments with their loved ones. Just like them, Deepika Padukone too celebrated the day by sharing a quote dedicated to Ranveer Singh. She talked about marrying one’s best friend and shared a lovely quote tagging the Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani actor.

Taking to her Instagram stories on Sunday, Deepika Padukone shared a quote that read, “Marry your best friend. I do not say that lightly. Really, truly find the strongest, happiest friendship in the person you fall in love with. Someone who speaks highly of you. Someone you can laugh with. The kind of laughs that make your belly ache, and your nose snort. The embarrassing, earnest, healing kind of laughs. Wit is important. Life is too short not to love someone who lets you be a fool with them. Make sure they are somebody who lets you cry, too. Despair will come. Find someone that you want to be there with you through those times. Most importantly, marry the one that makes passion, love, and madness combine and course through you. A love that will never dilute - even when the waters get deep, and dark.” Ranveer Singh was at a loss for words as he left a comment with emojis of an evil eye, a heart and an infinity.

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by दीपिका पादुकोण (@deepikapadukone)

 Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh is yet to announce his following projects after Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Still, he is reportedly starring in the third instalment of the Don franchise, which will be a reboot. He has also signed Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Baiju Bawra alongside Alia Bhatt. Both projects are yet to be announced.

On the other hand, Deepika Padukone will next star in Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD with Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan, a project with Rohit Shetty and Fighter with Hrithik Roshan. ALSO READ: Deepika Padukone grooves to ‘What Jhumka’ after watching Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, recites Ranveer Singh’s Rocky Randhawa dialogues

Basking the success of his last release, Satyaprem Ki Katha that crossed over Rs 100 crore at the box office so far, Kartik Aaryan is currently shooting in London for his next, Chandu Champion being helmed by Kabir Khan.

Spilling the beans on Chandu Champion and his character, Kartik had mentioned in a recent interview, “There’s a lot of weight transformation you’ll see throughout the film, so there will be a gap of like 2 months for me to again bulk up. And Kabir (Khan) sir is super – the way he’s shooting it and the way he’s looking into the other details. We were shooting at the Olympian centre in London and it was really hectic because I had 102 fever and had to go in the water which was cold. Every day, I would just have 3-4 pills before going into the water then again, my viral would come back then again it would subside and then come back because I performed water scenes.”

On the work front, the last three years have been refreshing for Kartik, though, he informed, “I’ve gotten a lot of perspective, personally. There was a lot of time which I was investing in my work, which I already do right now as well, but there was no balance in personal and professional life. I figured that during covid time because I was with my family, like literally I was staying with them and I started enjoying time with them more. It was a good time that I spent with my family after so many years. After that, I’ve been really trying to balance my life. I was literally like a robot. I was not thinking about taking a holiday. Maybe, I should experience some place. I took a lot of trips with my friends, college friends, team, solo trips… I went to Paris on a solo trip as well.”

Talking about the success of Satyaprem Ki Katha, Kartik added, “I love to make people cry more than laugh…  in a movie! I think Satyaprem Ki Katha proved a lot of things. I had done these dramatic scenes before they were usually in a comedy film. For example, when you see Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, the first 30-40 mins of the film is pure drama… it’s pure emotions between friends and there is dialogue baazi and there are scenes which make you cry for friendship, but it’s primarily a comedy film so you notice the comedy of it. You don’t notice the emotions or drama of the film as much as the comedy. Be it like Luka Chupi which had emotional scenes but comedy took over but with Satya Prem Ki Katha, the film had a lot of sensitivity again and emotional drama.”

Kartik will be honoured at the prestigious 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) with the Rising Global Superstar of Indian Cinema award this month. “It’s a huge deal for me,” informed Kartik, elaborating, “I think I’m going to Australia for the first time but the biggest deal for me is the award/ reward they’re giving me over there. It’s something I never expected so early on in my career and somewhere down the line I realise this on my visit to London as well and the solo trip that I had mentioned.”

On the work front, apart from Kabir Khan’s Chandu Champion, Kartik’s line up is as interesting as it can get. He will be next seen in Aashiqui 3 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 among a few other unannounced ones.

Also Read: Chandu Champion first look out: Kartik Aaryan sports a blazer with a crest of India; says, “Proud to be playing a Real Hero”

Movie buffs are super excited to see three stalwarts from three different South industries, namely, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, and Shiva Rajkumar coming together for the ambitious entertainer Jailer, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. Adding to the anticipation and after dropping the trailer of the film, now the makers have unveiled a new poster of the film bringing together Mohanlal and Rajinikanth.

Although fans of the Malayalam superstar couldn’t catch a glimpse of him in the trailer, in the recently released poster, Mohanlal is seen having an intense discussion with Rajinikanth. Adding to the intrigue is his fashion and style that seems to be inspired from a bygone era of the 70s as Mohanlal is seen donning an animal print shirt. On August 5, the producers of Jailer, Sun Pictures took to the social media platform to unveil this poster as a treat to fans who are eager to see their beloved Lalettan in the movie.

Superstar - Lalettan ???? Yarellam indha combo paaka waiting? 5 days to go for #Jailer storm in theatres! #JailerFromAug10 @rajinikanth @Mohanlal @Nelsondilpkumar @anirudhofficial @NimmaShivanna @bindasbhidu @tamannaahspeaks @meramyakrishnan @suneeltollywood @iYogiBabu… pic.twitter.com/nuDxhjv8qP

— Sun Pictures (@sunpictures) August 5, 2023

From what we hear, Mohanlal’s character was purposely kept out of the trailer to build excitement about his role. Although the actor has time and again maintained that his role will be small but pivotal one, he has maintained silence when it comes divulging details about his character. As for the trailer, it featured Rajinikanth essaying the role of Muthuvel Pandian, who on the surface, seems to be like a simple family man, but soon he is seen unleashing wrath when he senses trouble for himself and his family.

Apart from these two stars, Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar is expected to essay the role of the lead antagonist. Furthermore, Jailer also boasts of an ensemble supporting cast which includes Jackie Shroff, Tamannaah Bhatia, Ramya Krishnan, among others in pivotal roles. With Anirudh Ravichander composing the music and Vijay Kartik Kannan handling the cinematography of the movie, it is slated for a grand release on August 10 in multiple languages.

Also Read: Jailer Showcase: Rajinikanth takes down villains in action-packed trailer, watch video

Known for films like Student Of The Year 2 and Ek Villain Returns, Tara Sutaria has also garnered love for her fashion and style in addition to her films. And currently, the actress received the honor of being invited to Bhutan by the Majesty, the queen mother of Bhutan to attend their annual international literary festival Drukyul, an initiative of Bhutan Echoes.

A source close to the actress confirmed the same, saying, “Tara Sutaria has been a youth icon and an inspiration to many girls of the current generation. She has set an example through her appearance, and now she has been invited by the queen mother of Bhutan to discuss her journey and the importance of arts along with celebrating music, dance and film at Bhutan Echoes. Tara feels truly humbled and honoured to accept the invitation by the Royal family of Bhutan and was also excited about representing her country.”

Speaking about Bhutan Echoes, it is a not-for-profit organization that coordinates and produces events to promote literature, culture, and art in Bhutan and culminating in the Drukyul’s Literature Festival, an annual international literary festival held in Bhutan. Her Majesty the Queen Mother of Bhutan, Gyalyum Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck is the Chief Patron of Bhutan Echoes: Drukyul’s Literature Festival.

Meanwhile coming to Tara’s upcoming projects, she will next be seen in Apurva, and the actress is looking forward to the film as she believes that the story of a survival thriller is one of the most interesting subjects that challenge her as a performer, and she has never played a character like it before.

Also Read: 1 Year of Ek Villain Returns: Arjun Kapoor and Tara Sutaria delight fans with BTS pics and videos

Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover were enthralled to announce the arrival of their first child, a baby girl, whom they named Devi. However, in a recent interaction with actress-host Neha Dhupia, Bipasha revealed that their situation was quite different from other parents because their daughter was born with two holes in their heart. The actress went on to share about the way they battled the life-threatening ailment, and she ended up breaking down while talking about her struggles.

In a video posted by Bipasha Basu of her interaction with Neha Dhupia, she had opened up about her daughter Devi being diagnosed with VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect), three days after she was born. “Our journey has been very different from any normal mother-father, it has been a lot tougher than the smile that I have on my face right now. I would not wish this to happen to any mother. For a new mother, when you get to know that... I got to know on the third day of me having a baby that our baby is born with two holes in her heart. I thought I'll not share this, but I'm sharing this because I feel that there are a lot of mothers, who helped me in this journey, and it was very difficult to find those mothers...,” revealed Basu.

She went on to add, “We didn't even understand what a VSD is. It is ventricular septal defect... We went through a crazy period. We didn't discuss this with our family, we both were in a little bit of a blur. We wanted to celebrate but we were a little numb, me and Karan. The first five months have been very difficult for us. But Devi has been fabulous from day one. We were told that every month, we have to do a scan to know if it's healing on its own. But the kind of large hole that she had, we were told that it was doubtful, you will have to go through surgery. And the surgery is best done, when the child is three-months-old.”

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Bipasha Basu (@bipashabasu)

Further speaking about the decision of going ahead with the surgery, Bipasha got emotional. Wiping her tears, the actress continued, “You feel so sad, so burdened and so conflicted, because how can you put a child in open heart surgery? Something natural will happen, and people like us who are believers, we try to manifest it with our thoughts that it will start healing on itself. In the first month, it didn't happen, in the second month, didn't happen. And I remember the third month, when we went for the scan, I pretty much did all the research, met surgeons, had been to hospitals, spoken to doctors, and I was kind of ready, Karan was not ready. I knew that she had to be okay and I knew that she will be okay. And she is okay now. But the tough decision was to get your child operated at the right place and at the right time."

Also Read: Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover share fun-filled memories with baby Devi on Goa vacation; watch video

The action entertainer, Khalnayak (1993), completes 30 years today. Bollywood Hungama had a brief exclusive interaction with Subhash Ghai about the Sanjay Dutt-Madhuri Dixit-Jackie Shroff starrer and his fond memories.

Was it tough to convince Mr Sanjay Dutt to wear a choli in the male version of 'Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai'? Yes. The whole concept was funny. My situation demanded that Khalnayak’s gang harass Madhuri Dixit’s character by exposing her own tricks. But I told Sanju on the set and played a re-recorded version of ‘Choli Ke Peeche’. Suddenly, Sanju started laughing. Then I revealed that he needs to wear a choli. But he enjoyed it thoroughly!

What made you have as many as 11 premieres for Khalnayak? How was the response? I was sure after watching the first edit that we have a great film in hand and that we must celebrate it in the biggest way possible. We decided to have premieres at 10 to 12 theatres in three cities, that is, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, with the top ten directors of the industry headed by Shekhar Kapur and Ramesh Sippy. And they all came to Delhi to surprise the audience and spoke about Khalnayak. There were more than 10,000 fans outside each theatre and the response was like never before! We Mumbai directors were united and would participate in each other’s celebrations. That made a lot of difference.

Have you ever visited cinema halls? Do you recall the moments when there were maximum seetis and taalis? I always visited theatres to watch the reactions to my film scenes and songs. It was so satisfying to watch the audience clapping on songs and crying during the emotional scenes. That’s the best award we directors can receive from the audience.

In an interview in 2016, you revealed that you had initially conceived Khalnayak as a Hollywood film. You had titled it Negatives, which you planned to make in association with Ashok Amritraj. This report states Audie Murphy was to play the notorious criminal (essayed by Sanjay Dutt in Khalnayak) and Omar Sharif the cop (ultimately played by Jackie Shroff). You ultimately didn’t go for it as you felt that you won’t enjoy the autonomous power in Hollywood which you did in India. Nevertheless, had you signed Audie Murphy and Omar Sharif? No, we did not sign them but we did send our synopsis to their agents and got a positive response from them. It was a different narrative with the same plot as Khalnayak.

Also Read: Sanjay Dutt celebrates 30 years of Khalnayak, Subhash Ghai corrects him; promises fans to drop “surprise” on August 6

Ileana D’Cruz surprised her fans by announcing her pregnancy a few months ago on social media and now the actress has taken to social media to reveal the good news about her becoming a mother. Ileana welcomed her first child, a baby boy in heartfelt post on social media, wherein she also shared a glimpse of the newborn as well as revealed his name. After revealing his surname to be Dolan, reports are also doing the rounds about the actress tying the knot in a hush hush ceremony with beau Michael Dolan.

Ileana D’Cruz took to Instagram on August 5 to share a cute monochrome photo of her newborn son and in the photo, it was written, ‘Introducing Koa Phoenix Dolan’ Born on August 1, 2023. Furthermore, in the caption, the actress has poured her feelings of becoming a parent as she added, “No words could explain how happy we are to welcome our darling boy to the world <3 Hearts beyond full”.

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Ileana D'Cruz (@ileana_official)

Followed by her post, many of her colleagues from the industry shared their best wishes, which included her Main Tera Hero co-star Nargis Fakhri, and Mubarakan co-star Arjun Kapoor as well as Athiya Shetty. Besides them, industry insiders like producer Ashi Dua, photographer Dabboo Ratnani, Maria Goretti, actor Sendhil Ramamurthy, producer Tanuj Garg, designer Tanya Ghavri, actor Karanvir Sharma, among others were also seen sharing their best wishes.

On the work front, Ileana D’Cruz was last seen in The Big Bull alongside Abhishek Bachchan. The actress is expected to feature in couple of upcoming projects but as of now, Ileana has taken off on a maternity break.

Also Read: Ileana D’Cruz confesses pregnancy challenges, reveals her boyfriend’s support; says, “I’m a roly poly ball and my man has to give me a push to help me climb into bed”

Actress Adah Sharma, known for her stellar performance in The Kerala Story, recently shared a health update with her fans after being hospitalized for a food allergy and diarrhoea. The actress, who is currently busy promoting her upcoming project Commando, took to her social media to reveal that she had hives, further updating her well-wishers about her condition.

Adah Sharma shared the pictures of her rashes on the skin due to hives and penned a heartfelt note to express her gratitude to her fans for their concern and messages of support. Sharing the post, she wrote in caption, “Thank u sabko...Kahan Kahan se I got messages and kuch log Jo itne saal se I haven't met also , also adah fan clubs. Disclaimer :DO NOT SWIPE IF YOU ARE SCARED OF RASH ON SKIN IMAGES ,thode daravne photos hai but i thought sirf Sundar pics share nahi karne chahiye on instagram na.”

She further added, “I've been bimaar kuch din se. Hives aa gaye. Hives yeh horrible rash hai. Toh full sleeves pehen ke hide kar rahi thi..chehere pe aa gaye. Stress se ! So then I took dawai and turns out main allergic hu to the dawai so lots and lots of ulti ho gayi . Toh now ek doosri dawai aur injection leke , full sleeves aur pairon ko cover karke i will do promotions today.

“Iske baad I promised my Amma I will take care of health. Toh kal,I'm leaving for a few days. Amma ne kaha hai radio trails, zoom interviews , promo shoot sab ho gaya ab health pe dhyaan do. I'm going to do an ayurvedic treatment. I will be back soon. Tab Tak insta pe update karti rahoongi behind the scenes Commando ke . Bhavana Reddy ko Reddy hona next project yehich mahina start horaaah.woh Kya bolthe finger cross ...apna lao continue karke dena,” the actress concluded.

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Adah Sharma (@adah_ki_adah)

As per reports, Adah's health condition deteriorated considerably, leading to her hospitalization on Wednesday morning. She reportedly started experiencing severe vomiting and was later diagnosed with both food allergy and diarrhoea. A source close to the actor revealed that she had also developed stress hives due to the ordeal.

Currently, Adah is under observation and receiving medical care. Despite the health setback, she remains resilient and optimistic about her upcoming project Commando, where she will reprise her role as Bhavana Reddy. Fans eagerly await the release of the series on August 11, where they will witness her remarkable talent once again.

Also Read: Adah Sharma lands exciting role as female superhero in International film; says, “I can’t wait to share more stuff about it soon”

Actress Sushmita Sen takes immense pride in being a dedicated single mother to her daughters, Renee and Alisah. Over the years, she has been an inspiration to many, setting remarkable parenting standards. In a recent interview, Sushmita courageously addressed and debunked various misconceptions surrounding single parenting. One of the key misconceptions that Sushmita busted was the idea that the absence of a father figure might lead to incompleteness or imbalance in her daughters' lives. She revealed that she has been successful in creating a loving and nurturing environment for her children, and their lives are filled with happiness, growth, and fulfilment.

During her conversation with Etimes, Sushmita was prompted to discuss a misconception associated with single mothers, to which she responded, “That..there is an imbalance if they grow up without a father. Fathers are important but like everything else in life, you don’t miss what you never had. So, the concept is different.”

For the unversed, Sushmita Sen is the mother of Renee Sen and Alisah. Renee is Sushmita's elder daughter, whom she adopted in 2000. Sushmita has been a proud and loving mother to Renee and her younger daughter Alisah, whom she adopted in 2010. Throughout the years, Sushmita has openly expressed her affection for her daughters and has embraced her role as a single mother with great devotion and joy.

On the professional front, was last seen in the second instalment of Disney+Hotstar’s popular web series Aarya. The actress has already begun working on the third season. Besides this web show, she has another web series in her kitty, titled Taali. Sen will be seen essaying the transgender activist Gauri Sawant in an upcoming show. The actress made the official announcement of the same in October last year. The biopic will be created by Arjun Singgh Baran and Kartk D Nishandar, helmed by National award-winning director Ravi Jadhav, and produced by Arjun Singgh Baran, Kartk D Nishandar & Afeefa Nadiadwala.

Also Read: Sushmita Sen’s daughter Renee shares heartwarming throwback with mom expressing love and gratitude; says, “So proud of all that you do Ma”

Former “Poo” of Bollywood's iconic film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Malvika Raaj, is all set to embark on a new chapter in her life as she announced her engagement to entrepreneur Pranav Bagga. The delightful news came accompanied by a series of enchanting pictures capturing their dreamy proposal in Cappadocia, Turkey.

In a heartwarming Instagram post, Malvika shared glimpses of the magical moment that unfolded in the picturesque landscape of Cappadocia. The breathtaking photographs showcased the actress wearing an ethereal white gown, adorned with minimal accessories and makeup that perfectly highlighted her radiant smile. Her open hair cascaded gracefully, and the million-dollar glow on her face spoke volumes about her joy and excitement. In the first picture, Pranav tenderly planted a kiss on Malvika's forehead, radiating pure love and affection. The second image captured the enchanting sight of Pranav getting down on one knee to propose to his dream girl, a moment that must have melted hearts all around. The couple looked stunning together, twinning in white outfits that symbolized the purity of their bond. The subsequent pictures showcased the couple savouring their special moment against the backdrop of a serene landscape dotted with vibrant hot air balloons that added an element of romance and wonder to the scene. The beautiful decor further accentuated the magic of the proposal, making it an occasion they will cherish for a lifetime. Sharing the post, Malvika wrote in caption, “Here we are, we've just begun And after all this time, our time has come Here we are, still goin' strong Right here in the place where we belong #IvBeenWaitingForYou #ILoveYou.”

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Malvika Raaj (@malvikaraaj)

Friends, fans, and well-wishers flooded the comment section with congratulatory messages and heartfelt wishes for the couple. Sooraj Pancholi, Bhagyashree, Shirley Setia extended their wishes.

While Malvika and Pranav have kept their love story mostly private, the announcement of their engagement has brought it to the forefront, leaving fans eager to know more about the couple's plans for the future.

Also Read: Rinzing Denzongpa and Malvika Raaj’s debut film Squad to release on ZEE5 on November 12, 2021

During a recent interview, Chunky referred to the reports as an inevitable consequence of being part of the entertainment industry, labelling them as “collateral damage.” Although he didn't explicitly confirm or deny the reports, the actor acknowledged that such occurrences are likely to take place in his line of work.

Chunky told Bollywood Bubble, “Woh toh hone wala hai (this is bound to happen). They say you live by the soul, you die by the soul. We are in the glamour profession, ye sab hone wala hai (and all this is bound to happen). This is collateral damage, hone wala hai (will be there). You can’t prevent it,” the actor told Bollywood Bubble.

When questioned about his daughter's ideal match, he responded, “I think right from Tiger Shroff starting off, even with Kartik Aaryan in Pati Patni Aur Woh. They were superb so she has always complimented the heroes and it’s been a great journey for her. She’s lucky.” Although he has various concerns, the actor still has one specific requirement when it comes to his daughter dating someone. He stated, “Maine bola hai ki joh bhi hoga he has to be better than me bas phir usko boyfriend banana, warna usse kam ka chance hi nahi hai (I have told her that whoever it is has to be better than me, only then make him of your boyfriend. There is no chance of anything less than that).”

Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday have never addressed these rumours. Interestingly, the couple have also never featured on the big screen together.

On the professional front, Ananya Panday was last seen in Liger, opposite South sensation Vijay Deverakonda. The actress has wrapped the shoot for her next film, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. She will soon share the screen space with Ayushmann Khurrana in the sequel of Dream Girl. She also has a project titled, Call Me Bae that is slated to release on Amazon Prime Video.

On the other hand, Aditya Roy Kapur has been making waves in the entertainment industry with his recent appearances. He recently appeared in the crime thriller film Gumraah and has been enjoying the success of his debut web show, The Night Manager. The second part of the show was recently released on Disney+ Hotstar. Aditya will also be seen in Anurag Basu's upcoming film Metro... In Dino.

Also Read: Viral Video: Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur spotted on a movie date watching Barbie

Suhana Khan, the daughter of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan, has been receiving love from fans, even before her film debut. This year, the young actress is all set to make her acting debut in Zoya Akhtar's upcoming film, The Archies. As she gears up for this much-awaited milestone, Suhana continues to captivate everyone with her impeccable fashion sense. Currently, she is enjoying a delightful holiday in Goa with her friends and family, treating her followers with some stunning snapshots from her vacation.

Suahana took to her Instagram on Friday and shared glimpses from her trip. The initial picture captured a spontaneous moment of Suhana, exuding a summer-ready vibe with her attire – a grey tank top, jeans, and stylish sunglasses. This was succeeded by a stunning selfie of Suhana taken at a cafe, alongside snippets of her table and a group photo with her friends. Suhana effortlessly summed up her experiences with a single word in the captions – “Goa.”

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Suhana Khan (@suhanakhan2)

As soon as she shared the pictures, several fans an industry friends showered their love in the comments section. Bollywood actress and Suhana’s best friend Ananya Panday commented, “How did u think of this caption super creative,” to which Suhana replied, “@ananyapanday It came to me in a dream.” Reacting to the post, a user wrote, “Lookin so cute,” while a fan commented, ” Suhanaaaaaa!!! WOW.”

The Archies is the film adaptation of Archie Comics and has the iconic gang — Archie, Betty, Dilton, Ether, Jughead, Reggie and Veronica — at the centre of it. Zoya has directed the film with a script she wrote with Reema Kagti and Ayesha Devitre. The film has Mihir Ahuja, Dot, Khushi Kapoor, Suhana Khan, Yuvraj Menda, Agastya Nanda and Vedang Raina playing pivotal roles.

Also Read: Suhana Khan adds her touch of glam in blue saree by Arpita Mehta for Aaliyah Kashyap’s engagement

The Ajay Devgn-starrer Maidaan has been one of the most awaited films for several moviegoers. The film’s release has been pushed several times and yet, the hype for the period sports drama is intact. The teaser of the film was released on March 30 this year and after that, there has been no major update about the film. Now, it has come to light that Boney Kapoor, one of the producers of Maidaan, is all set to share a sneak peek of the film next week.

An exhibition called Big Cine Expo is held every year where theatre owners, design consultants, equipment manufacturers, system integrators, project management professionals, industry stakeholders etc come together. This year, the sixth edition of the Big Cine Expo will be held at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai on August 8 and August 9, 2023. The inaugural ceremony will be held at 10:00 am where Alok Tandon, Co-CEO, PVR INOX, will deliver the keynote address. The guests of honour at this ceremony are producers Boney Kapoor and Mukesh Bhatt, Raghavendra T, Director, Big Cine Expo and Editor-Publisher, TheatreWorld and Yusuf Galabhaiwala, Partner, GTC Industries.

Then between 10:40 am and 11:05 am, Boney Kapoor will present never-before-seen footage of Maidaan for the first time. As per sources, the veteran producer is expected to screen not just the film's trailer but also a few scenes from the film. To avoid the footage from getting leaked, attendees will be requested to deposit their cell phones outside the screening area.

Last year, the 5th Big Cine Expo was also held in Chennai where the attendees got a chance to see exclusive footage of the Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt starrer Brahmastra (2022). The sneak peek was shown almost a month before the release of the Ayan Mukerji directorial.

Besides Ajay Devgn, Maidaan also stars Priyamani and Gajraj Rao. It is directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma and produced by Boney Kapoor, Akash Chawla, Arunava Joy Sengupta and Zee Studios. The film’s release date is expected to be announced soon.

Also Read: BREAKING: Ajay Devgn-starrer Maidaan postponed yet again; won’t release on June 23

After seven years, Karan Johar is back as a director. Starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in his directorial Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, the film is creating the right kind of noise and receiving positive word of mouth from critics and audiences. The film marks his 25th year in the film industry as a filmmaker. With the film collecting Rs. 67.12 crore in the first week of its release, the makers hosted a success press conference on Thursday. At the media meet, Ranveer Singh requested Karan Johar to include all the deleted scenes and truncated songs in the streaming release on Prime Video.

The movie was 3 hours and 10 minutes long, which Karan Johar cut to 2 hours and 48 minutes with editor Nitin Baid. Ranveer Singh’s character Rocky Randhawa’s introduction scene was truncated, the songs were shortened, Alia Bhatt’s Rani Chatterjee’s theme song was deleted, Rocky and Rani’s fight after Vicky’s sangeet ceremony was deleted and so was ‘Love Hai Toh Sab Hai’ dialogue ahead of ‘Ve Kamleya’ song was deleted. The wedding song ‘Kudmayi’ was added with the end credits in a box to fit the duration of the movie in the theatres. Though songs have been released on YouTube, fans have been eagerly wanting to watch them in full-fledged way in the movie as well.

Speaking at the press conference on Thursday, Ranveer said, “Log demand kar rahe hai ke Rani ka joh theme song tha, and the deleted scenes woh dekhein (People are demanding that they want to see Rani’s theme songs and all deleted scenes).” To this, Karan Johar replied, “We’ll see.”

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is currently running in theatres. It also stars Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Tota Roy Chowdhury and Churni Ganguly. It was released in theatres on July 28, 2023. ALSO READ: Ranveer Singh on facing a slump at box office as Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani emerges victorious for him: “You learn more from your failures than your successes”

Neha Dhupia is set to make an impact with her inspiring initiative, Freedom To Feed. With a dedication to raising awareness about breastfeeding and breaking the stigma surrounding it, Neha is gearing up to lead a powerful conversation on this vital topic. In honour of Breastfeeding Awareness Week (1st Week of August) and Breastfeeding Awareness Month (August), Neha Dhupia is spearheading a series of initiatives under "Freedom To Feed" to promote education, support, and empowerment for mothers. The initiative which started as an idea to normalise breastfeeding has turned into a strong community of over 55000 mothers, parents, and experts.

As a mother to two wonderful kids, Guriq and Mehr, Neha Dhupia intimately understands the challenges and joys of motherhood. Through the power of social media, Neha will be hosting live sessions with prominent celebrity mothers, including Bipasha Basu, Gauhar Khan, Masoom Minawala, and Dia Mirza. These live discussions will shed light on their personal breastfeeding journeys, sharing insights, and addressing common misconceptions related to nursing. In the past people like Kalki Koechlin, Kajal Aggarwal, Surveen Chawla, Neeti Mohan and others.

Says Neha, “As a mother of two wonderful kids, Guriq and Mehr, I have personally experienced the challenges and joys of breastfeeding. It's an incredibly empowering journey, but it's also essential to recognize that every mother's journey is unique and should be celebrated without judgment or shame. Through my initiative, 'Freedom To Feed,' I aim to shed light on this crucial aspect of motherhood and break the barriers that prevent mothers from openly embracing this natural process. This cause is incredibly close to my heart, and I am determined to educate, dispelling the myths, and foster a more supportive and inclusive environment for all mothers”. ALSO READ: Neha Dhupia reviews Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani; praises Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt: “Absolutely stellar”

On the occasion of 20 years of Koi...Mil Gaya, the film is set to re-release in PVR INOX cinemas across 30 cities in India. Rakesh Roshan's Koi...Mil Gaya, released in 2003, is India's first Sci-fi film featuring an alien. The Sci-fi musical and India's first superhero film Krrish franchise also stands to be the first multi-genre story franchise that carries forward characters and storyline from its preceding parts. The film and its installments received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. Hrithik Roshan, who starred in the movie, is pumped about the re-release.

Taking to his social media on Thursday, the actor said in a video, “Koi… Mil Gaya is re-releasing in theatres on August 4. I am so excited for the film, I gave so much to, is releasing again in theatres. Wow, it sounds absolutely crazy to me. I didn’t even know it was possible but I knew it was possible. But, now that it is happening, it feels like a release of a new film. This is going to be a lot of fun.”

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Hrithik Roshan (@hrithikroshan)

He added, “Please go to the theatres with your family and friends to enjoy this film. I hope you enjoy. I feel that it has aged pretty well although every time I think of this film, I feel I could have done much better. It’s still a very dear film.”

Directed by Rakesh Roshan, Koi... Mil Gaya is produced by Rakesh Roshan's FilmKraft Production. The film stars Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Rekha alongside Johny Lever, Rajat Bedi, Prem Chopra and child artists Hansika Motwani, Anuj Pandit Sharma in pivotal roles. ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Rakesh Roshan was extremely worried about Koi Mil Gaya as Hrithik Roshan’s movies had tanked prior to it: “All his films didn’t do well’

Mrunal Thakur is set to be honoured with Diversity in Cinema Award at the upcoming Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. This award, a testament to her exceptional talent and remarkable contributions, is in recognition of her outstanding performances across diverse roles and languages in the world of Indian cinema. Having completed a remarkable year in the South film industry, Mrunal Thakur has swiftly risen to become one of the most sought-after names in contemporary cinema.

The Diversity in Cinema Award is set to be conferred upon Mrunal Thakur during the festival's highly anticipated annual gala award night scheduled for August 11. This recognition comes as she marks a pivotal milestone in her career – one year of a successful foray into the world of South Indian cinema.

Speaking in this, Mrunal said, “I am truly honoured and humbled to receive the Diversity in Cinema Award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. This recognition reaffirms my belief in the power of storytelling that transcends languages and cultures. As an artist, I've always aimed to explore a wide spectrum of characters, and this award motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and taking up roles that challenge and inspire me. I am grateful for the opportunities I've had and excited for what the future holds in this incredible journey of cinema”.

Mrunal Thakur's rise in the southern film industry has seen her share screen space with some of the biggest superstars, including Dulquer Salmaan and soon with Nani and Vijay Deverakonda. ALSO READ: Mrunal Thakur to celebrate birthday on the sets of her film with Vijay Deverakonda

After seven years, Karan Johar is back as a director. Starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in his directorial Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, the film is creating the right kind of noise and receiving positive word of mouth from critics and audiences. The film marks his 25th year in the film industry as a filmmaker. With the film has collected Rs. 67.12 crore in the first week of its release, the makers hosted a success press conference on Thursday. At the media meet, Karan Johar talked about his last work with Ranbir Kapoor and working with Ranveer Singh in his latest directorial.

Sharing his views on the same, the director said, “There is nobody who kind of brings that energy on the film’s set that Ranveer gets. Prior to this, I worked with Ranbir Kapoor in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, who is actually calm and composed, someone who gets his own energy on the set. And now, working with Ranveer, he gave me a cultural shock. Then I realized that all the hard work that he does and the enthusiasm that he gets is just to enhance his performance. I have not seen this kind of energy. But, I knew one thing he was the most indispensable character in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. There could not have been Rocky Randhawa if it would not have been Ranveer Singh.”

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is currently running in theatres. It also stars Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Tota Roy Chowdhury and Churni Ganguly. It was released in theatres on July 28, 2023. ALSO READ: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani press conference: Karan Johar reveals why Jaya Bachchan was absent in Ranveer Singh-Alia Bhatt marriage sequence: “Asli zindagi mein har ek ka turnaround nahin hota”

The controversies surrounding the biopic Swantantrya Veer Savarkar don't seem to end. After the teaser was slammed by a section of society over its comments on Mahatma Gandhi, the film is now back in the news due to the feud between actor-director Randeep Hooda and producers Anand Pandit of Anand Pandit Motion Pictures and Sandeep Singh of Legend Studio.

Today, Randeep Hooda put up a notice on a trade website whereby he claimed that his banner Randeep Hooda Films is the sole owner of all the intellectual property rights to the film. As per sources, he sent a legal notice to Anand Pandit and Sandeep Singh as well.

When we reached out to Randeep Hooda, his legal consultant Karan Halai of M/s Halai and Co shared a statement that said, “Randeep Hooda under his banner Randeep Hooda Films has successfully written, produced, directed and completed the film based on Veer Savarkar despite all odds by facing various challenges coming his way including financial, mental and physical. He, with his utmost dedication (and) perseverance and aim of paying respect to the real hero i.e. the main character of the film, has thwarted obstructions created by other entities bent upon disrupting the making of the film, also attempting to infringe on his legal rights. He has faced grave agony and losses including risk to his life as one would be able to see the unprecedented weight loss he undertook and consequent risk of life so as to get in and fit appropriately in the main character of the film i.e. Veer Savarkar and attempt to do complete justice to the role he played. He is the sole owner of all the intellectual property rights of the said film and legally speaking, on a strong footing with all his legal options, open to ensure the timely release of the film which we are sure would be awaited keenly by public to get the real feel of one of our freedom struggle’s biggest hero of the times."

The legal consultants of Anand Pandit and Sandeep Singh, advocate Ravi Suryawanshi, Managing Partner of “Bar & Brief Attorneys”, said, “Our Client M/s Legend Studios Private Limited, alongwith M/s Anand Pandit Motion Pictures LLP. are the exclusive joint producers and owners of the entire 100% Intellectual Property Rights and exploitation rights of the film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. Our client is utterly shocked and surprised by the false and baseless claims made by Mr. Randeep Hooda about the ownership of the Intellectual Property Rights of the said Film. The producers M/s Legend Studios Private Limited, alongwith M/s Anand Pandit Motion Pictures LLP. have signed Mr. Randeep Hooda as an actor of the said Film. Therefore, the claim made by him has come as a shock to them and the producers are in the process of taking appropriate legal action (both civil and criminal) against Mr Randeep Hooda.”

A report in The Times of India yesterday stated that Anand Pandit and Sandeep Singh have alleged that Randeep Hooda took away the film’s footage from them without permission. They also claimed that despite multiple attempts, he hasn’t returned the footage.

Meanwhile, according to an article in Mid-Day, the producers claim that they had set two conditions, that Randeep Hooda would be paid nominally for his directorial duties and that he should complete the film in the stipulated budget of Rs. 20 crores. However, Randeep went over-budget.

Moreover, the report also stated that Randeep Hooda had sent four notices to Anand Pandit and Sandeep Singh, on November 3, 2022, December 8, 2022, June 7, 2023 and June 26, 2023.

Also Read: Randeep Hooda wraps up Swatantra Veer Savarkar; says, “I have been to death and back for this film”

Gadar 2 is set to release in theatres on August 11. Starring Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel, the sequel promises a lot of fun, action and nostalgia. The actor has begun promotions for the film by visiting Border Security Forces (BSF), in Longewala in Rajasthan.

In a series of photos and videos shared on his Instagram on Wednesday, Sunny Deol was seen spending quality time with the jawans. One of the soldiers was singing the song 'Udd Jaa Kaale Kaava' from the movie, which was released last month. He wrote, "Started the Promotion of #Gadar2 with my friends at Border Security Forces, Longewala Rajasthan. Remembering Brigadier Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri and all the brave martyrs who fought the Battle of Longewala and wrote History. It’s always an overwhelming feeling to be at such a historic place with our bravehearts and share the love. Thank You @bsf_india. Jai Hind!"

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Sunny Deol (@iamsunnydeol)

The film is directed by Anil Sharma and produced by Zee Studios, Anil Sharma Productions and MM Moviez. It will release in theatres on August 11, 2023. ALSO READ: BREAKING: Gadar 2 gets 10 cuts from CBFC; religious reference in the riot scene removed; ‘Bas***d’ replaced with ‘Idiot’; ‘Tiranga’ replaced with ‘Jhande’

The initial postmortem report of the acclaimed art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai, who tragically died by suicide on August 2, has been released by the Raigad Police. According to a report by ANI, the cause of death has been determined as hanging, as per preliminary findings from the examination conducted by a team of four doctors on the same day as his demise.

For the unversed, the 58-year-old artist was found deceased at his ND Studio in Karjat, near Mumbai, which is located approximately 80 km outside the city. Upon the discovery of his body, authorities promptly conducted a postmortem examination at JJ Hospital, Mumbai, to ascertain the cause of his untimely demise.

Nitin Desai, a celebrated figure in the film industry, was renowned for his artistic contributions to several beloved projects, including iconic films such as Devdas and Lagaan. His impeccable art direction in movies like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Jodha Akbar earned him numerous accolades, including four National Awards.

While the film fraternity and fans are still grappling with the shock of losing such a talented individual, statements made by Maharashtra MLA Mahesh Baldi have shed some light on a possible underlying reason behind the tragic event. It was revealed that Nitin Desai was facing financial strain, which might have contributed to his emotional distress.

In light of this revelation, the police are delving deeper into the circumstances surrounding the art director's death. Raigad Superintendent of Police (SP) Somnath Gharge informed the media that investigations are ongoing. As part of the process, authorities have seized various devices, including mobile phones and electronic gadgets, found at the location, and are examining them to gain further insights into the situation.

Also Read: Nitin Desai’s last rites to be held at ND Studios after his family arrives from the US

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) is thrilled to announce that the immensely talented and celebrated actor, Rani Mukerji, will be conducting an exclusive masterclass on her illustrious journey in the world of cinema. The special event will take place a day ahead of the 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, on August 10th, 2023.

Over the years, Rani Mukerji has made an incredible impact on the Indian film industry and has emerged as one of the most revered and beloved actors of modern-day cinema. From her debut in the late 90s to her recent works, Rani has consistently amazed audiences with her impeccable performances and path-breaking roles. The masterclass promises to be an enthralling and engaging session, where Rani Mukerji will be in conversation with a live audience comprising of fans and cinephiles. This intimate discussion will delve into some of her most iconic roles and films, providing attendees with valuable insights into her craft and experiences as an actor.

From her early breakthroughs in acclaimed films like Raja Ke Aayegi Baraat and Kuch Kuch Hota Hain to her captivating performances in Saathiya, Yuva, Hum Tum, Black, No One Killed Jessica, Mardaani, and Hichki, Rani Mukerji's career boasts a plethora of remarkable cinematic achievements. The masterclass will be held at the prestigious Immigration Museum in Melbourne, selected as a fitting tribute to Rani's latest film Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway. In the film, she brilliantly portrayed the character of an Indian immigrant mother, challenging the Norwegian foster care system and legal machinery after losing custody of her children. This poignant film has not only resonated with audiences but also earned Rani a Best Actress nomination for the prestigious awards at IFFM 2023, scheduled for August 11th.

Rani Mukerji said in a statement, “I’m honoured to have been invited to the 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. As an actor, I have been fortunate enough to receive incredible love from people in Australia and I’m looking forward to sharing my journey in Indian cinema through a masterclass that I have been invited to conduct.”

She adds, “I think it will be a beautiful experience to connect with my fans and cinephiles during this event. I'm ready to delve into some of the most memorable characters from my filmography and try to peel off layers of emotions and nostalgia attached to those characters and scenes. I’m humbled that the film festival feels such roles and films have had an everlasting impact in the history of Indian cinema and that they should be discussed with audiences, fans and media in Australia.”

The 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, a significant cultural event celebrating Indian cinema, is set to captivate audiences with a diverse range of films and events, including the highly anticipated masterclass by Rani Mukerji. ALSO READ: Rani Mukerji: “I love to be a part of stories where the woman shatters the glass ceiling!”

Art director Nitin Desai passed away on Wednesday, August 2 morning. It was reported that he died by suicide at his ND Studios in Karjat. Condolence messages and tributes have been pouring in from all corners for the late art director who was a vital part in creating some of the most memorable set designs in the biggest productions. His last rites will be held at his studio after his family arrives from the US.

As per a report in News18, Somnath Gharge, SP, Raigad said on Wednesday, “Today morning, Shri Nitin Desai’s body was found hanging in ND Studios. We are investigating all angles.” It is being claimed that the art director had financial distress.

As per Etimes, Desai’s close associate Nitin Kulkarni said, “We are taking him for post-mortem to JJ hospital, but his last rites will be performed after his children who live in America. It will be on Friday.”

The 74-year-old artist had been facing financial woes, struggling to repay a staggering Rs 252-crore loan, leading to a bankruptcy court admitting an insolvency petition against his company, ND's Art World Pvt Ltd, according to a report by PTI.

Nitin Desai had won four National Awards for Best Art Direction. He had worked with several filmmakers including Rajkummar Hirani, Ashutosh Gowariker, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Vidhu Vinod Chopra among others. It was in 2005 when he opened the ND Studio in Karjat which eventually became a hub for shoot locations.

Nitin Desai had made his debut as an art director in 1989 with Parinda. He went onto work in several projects including 1942: A Love Story (1993), Khamoshi: The Musical (1995), Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), Mission Kashmir (2000), Devdas (2002), Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003), Dostana (2008), and Once Upon a Time in Mumbai (2010). The last film that Nitin Desai worked on as the art director was the 2019 period drama Panipat, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. ALSO READ: Late art director Nitin Desai defaulted on Rs 252 crore loan: Report

Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi recorded her statement on July 31 in a defamation case filed by her against actress Jacqueline Fernandez at Delhi's Patiala High Court. The actress claims she is being made a scapegoat in the Rs. 200 crore money laundering case linked to conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. Fernandez has allegedly been accused in the case and has been questioned by Enforcement Directorate (ED).

“They have called me a gold digger and accused me of having a relationship with a con artist (Sukesh Chandrasekhar) and included my name in an ongoing criminal case to divert attention away from them," Nora said, as reported by News18.

Following Fatehi's statement recording, Jacqueline Fernandez' lawyer released a statement which read, “We have not received any official communication from Honourable Courts so we cannot confirm any such developments. It is a matter of admitted fact that Jacqueline has never ever made any statement against anyone for that matter before any electronic , print or social media. Jacqueline has always maintained a dignified and graceful silence about the case as the matter is sub-judice and pending before Honourable Courts for adjudication. However, that does not mean that she can be dragged into certain unwarranted legal proceedings for no fault of hers. Whenever legal Arguments are advanced or written notes filed before Judicial Forums for the purpose of adjudication. Such arguments cannot be discussed like this before the public domain. That itself is an act of civil and criminal Contempt of the respective legal proceedings. The Judicial proceedings have certain sanctity which has to be respected. However, if Jacqueline is compelled into an unwarranted litigation or dragged into a fake litigation against her Will, She shall approach the Honourable Delhi High Court for her rightful legal remedy for protecting and safeguarding her Fundamental Right as Guaranteed by the Constitution of India. Separate Legal Action for contempt of Courts can be considered if the records of Court are leaked and used to initiate legal proceedings wherein certain people are not even party to that proceedings. My client reserves the right to sue for malicious prosecution in criminal courts against the people responsible for such illegal and malicious Act which kindly note."

Nora Fatehi had filed a case of defamation against Jacqueline Fernandez for allegedly making “defamatory imputations against her due to malicious reasons.” Besides that, the actress and reality show judge also sued at least 15 media organizations for making defamatory comments against her. ALSO READ: Jacqueline Fernandez goes street style chic in Rs.65K Prada Denim Bralette and red trousers

Ever since Farhan Akhtar’s Jee Le Zaraa was announced with Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt, fans have been eagerly waiting for an update. However, in recent times, it was reported that Chopra had exited the project as she is going to begin shooting Citadel season 2. Following that rumours were rife that Katrina Kaif was also parting ways. Though none of this is confirmed, Zoya Akhtar, whose production house Tiger Baby is producing it, has addressed the delay.

In a conversation with India Today at the trailer launch of Made In Heaven 2, she said, “We are just waiting for the dates.” The filmmaker did not mention if the project will move forward with the same cast or not.

Back in 2021, Akhtar had stated that Jee Le Zaraa, is his attempt to see the world through the gaze of women. He said, “Whether it’s a drama, comedy or thriller, there should be films made about women. That balance is healthy for the creative world. Where you have the male point of view, you also have the female point of view on things. Emotionally, the construct of the two is similar on a certain plane yet different. To see the world through women’s eyes is important in popular culture. The more we embrace it, the healthier it will be for society.”

Written by Zoya Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar, and Reema Kagti; produced by Reema Kagti, Zoya Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani & Farhan Akhtar, the film was supposed to go on floors in 2023. ALSO READ: Anushka Sharma refuses to be a replacement for Priyanka Chopra in Jee Le Zara; says no to Farhan Akhtar

Bollywood stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Panday are joining forces for the first time for their upcoming collaboration in Dream Girl 2. On Tuesday, the duo unveiled the official trailer of the film. At the trailer launch of the highly anticipated film, Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana surprised everyone with a bold yet hilarious statement. The talented actor expressed his ambitious desire to win the Best Actress award for his portrayal in the upcoming comedy flick.

Dream Girl 2 is a project driven by prolific duo Ektaa R. Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, renowned for their exceptional contributions to the entertainment industry. Aysuhmann said, “Aur iss baar main chahta hu ki mujhe Best Actress ka nomination mile. Ye bhi mera ek ander se inspiration hai.”

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Bollywood Hungama???? (@realbollywoodhungama)

Under the directorial brilliance of Raaj Shaandilyaa, who previously helmed the original Dream Girl, the sequel promises to recreate the same magic that left audiences laughing in the aisles. With a perfect blend of humour, wit, and engaging storytelling, Dream Girl 2 is poised to create an unforgettable laughter riot on the silver screen. Ayushmann Khurrana's portrayal in the first installment of Dream Girl received widespread acclaim for its flawless execution and impeccable comic timing. Playing the role of a man adept at mimicking female voices to earn a living as a telecaller, Ayushmann's performance was lauded as one of his finest.

As the countdown to the film's release begins, Dream Girl 2 continues to generate buzz for its comedic brilliance and Ayushmann Khurrana's audacious aspiration, keeping the audience eagerly anticipating the laughter and magic that awaits them on the big screen. Marking August 25, 2023, on their calendars, cinephiles eagerly await the release of Dream Girl 2, anticipating an uproarious and captivating cinematic experience.

Also Read: Ayushmann Khurrana unveils Dream Girl 2 poster; trailer out today!

The much-awaited trailer of Dream Girl 2 was released today in a fun-filled event. The event started more than two hours late, raising the tempers of the media persons. However, the team of the film entertained the press with their replies and one-liners, which made the affair worth it. Moreover, the trailer was also quite loved. It shows Ayushmann Khurrana’s character masquerading as a woman, Pooja, after he faces a crisis in life.

The first question asked to Ayushmann Khurrana was his views on the ‘Dola Re Dola’ scene in the recently released film, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Directed by Karan Johar, it shows Ranveer Singh and Tota Roy Chowdhury gracefully performing a Kathak dance on the popular Devdas (2002) dance number. With Ayushmann playing a woman, the actor was asked to react to this said sequence, which has been lauded by one and all.

Ayuhsmann Khurrana said, “Since the very start, I have made a satirical statement on toxic masculinity. I am glad Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is doing well. The film has set the ground (with its comment on) toxic masculinity. Our film will take it to the next level, on August 25. It’s good to see people accepting these kind of films which touches upon social causes or certain stereotypes prevalent in society. It’s not just a message-oriented film. It's meant to be a (fun entertainer). Yahan comedy zyada hai.”

Ayushmann Khurrana continued, “As actors, hamesha inspiration milti hai humein, like Kamal Haasan sir from Chachi 420 (1997) and Govinda ji in Aunty No 1 (1998). Even Kishore da (Kishore Kumar) attempted it. Samay samay par har ek yug mein aise roles karne ke mauke mile hai actors ko. I am glad I got this opportunity. There's a lot the film says also but it’s all done in a light-hearted fun way.”

Apart from Ayushmann Khurrana, Dream Girl 2, which releases on August 25, also stars Ananya Panday, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Annu Kapoor and Abhishek Banerjee.

Also Read: Ayushmann Khurrana says “Pooja in Dream Girl 2 is an ode” to Kamal Haasan, Aamir Khan and Govinda for playing female characters on screen

Bollywood Hungama was one of the first ones to report that OMG Oh My God 2 has been finally passed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with an adult-only certificate. Bollywood Hungama has now stumbled upon the cut list, which mentions that as many as 27 cuts have been ordered by the CBFC.

To begin with, the modification at the beginning of the film was modified as per the CBFC's instructions and it will be played with a voiceover as well. Secondly, Akshay Kumar, who was to play Lord Shiva, now plays the Messenger of God. A dialogue 'Nandi mere bhakt...jo agya prabhu' was also added. The visuals of frontal nudity were removed and replaced with suitable visuals of Naga Sadhus.

Then an audio cut was done in a dialogue of an announcement being made at a temple referring to women that said 'Mahilayein nahin dekh sakti'. It was replaced by 'O lal shirt waale bhaiya, baba ka dhyan karte rahe'. The name of the school was changed to 'Savoday'. Then the 'Wahan madira chade hai' dialogue was modified and the references to alcohol were axed. A dialogue pertaining to the High Court was removed as it was deemed vulgar and defamatory. The visuals were also removed in this dialogue.

Then, the poster of Mood X condom from a billboard was removed. The word 'rat' was removed from the label of the bottle containing rat poison. Moreover, in an important dialogue, references to Shivling, Shri Bhagavad Gita, Upanishad, Atharvaved, Draupadi, Pandav, Krishna, Gopiyan and Raasleela were removed. In a dialogue of 'Taang kyun adhaaon?' mouthed by Akshay Kumar, certain modifications were done. The scene of Akshay Kumar's character meditating and bathing, presumably also shown in the promo, was also replaced. There are also scenes of his character being drunk and those scenes were also suitably modified.

Many more dialogues like 'Bade baal dekh kar', 'satya shivam sundaram', 'hamara desh...peeche nahin hai', 'stree ki yoni...' were also similarly modified. For the 'stree ki yoni...' scene, there were certain vulgar gestures which were also censored.

In the scene where Kanti (Pankaj Tripathi) questions a sex worker about unnatural sex, not just dialogues but even visuals were modified. Similarly, a character, Dr Prakah Kothari, talking about masturbation was also suitably modified, both visuals and dialogues. Then in a dialogue about masturbation, 'Haram' was replaced with 'Paap'.

Some more visual cuts were ordered in the scene where the judge was seen clicking a selfie on the court premises. This scene was modified suitably. The mention of 'ling' was also similarly modified in certain dialogues. The visuals of the boy in a sexual act in the viral video were quite toned down as per the guidelines of NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights). Interestingly, the film, which was originally based in Ujjain, is now set in a fictional place. The CBFC also asked the makers to remove all visuals, verbal references etc to certain people in positions of authority like Mahant. Lastly, the makers were asked to submit documentary evidence for the facts and stats mentioned in the film with regard to the sexual acts.

In all, 13 minutes of the film were censored. After these cuts were accepted, the censor certificate was granted to the makers. The length of OMG Oh My God 2 as mentioned on the certificate is 156 minutes. In other words, the Akshay Kumar-Pankaj Tripathi-Yami Gautam starrer is 2 hours and 36 minutes long. It releases in cinemas on August 11.

Also Read: BREAKING: OMG Oh My God 2 is Akshay Kumar’s FIRST film in 12 years to get an ‘A’ certificate from the CBFC

Since her spectacular Bollywood debut, Deepika Padukone has been experimenting with bold styles on the red carpets of film festivals and movie premieres. The Pathaan actor's varied vanity, which is all about experimenting, is a great option for every unique beautiful lady. Deepika Padukone always astounds us with her impeccable elegance everywhere she goes. This time, we're swooning with her selection of swimwear rather than her customary shirt-trouser ensembles with her tiny stilettos or her collection of statement avant-garde gowns. That is extremely apparent in her most recent post, when we saw her displaying her passion for stylish swimwear. The latter's chic bookmark-worthy bikini made its way to her photo shoot as well.

Assuming that most of us were having a dull Monday, Deepika Padukone decided to brighten things up with her most recent Instagram post. The celebrity used the site to post a photo of herself seeming to participate in a swimsuit trial. In the photo, Padukone is seen adjusting the bottom piece of her swimsuit while sporting a black and white patterned bikini top. It has the identical black and white pattern and sits low on her waist with a high split up the leg. The focal point of the image—Deepika's abs—couldn't be missed at all. You'd believe a sculptor worked on her since she was so meticulously chiselled. Along with a top knot in her hair, her dark Smokey eyes, which highlight her eyes, are also clearly seen. She wrote "Once upon a time...Not so long ago" as the caption.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika will be next seen in Fighter opposite Hrithik Roshan. Fighter is an upcoming Indian Hindi-language action film directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Viacom18 Studios and Marflix Pictures. The film stars Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan and Anil Kapoor, and serves as the first film in a planned aerial action franchise and is set to release on 25th Jan 2024. She also has Project K with Prabhas in pipeline.

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by दीपिका पादुकोण (@deepikapadukone)

Also Read: Deepika Padukone raises the temperature with her enviable abs in monochrome bikini; Ranveer Singh reacts

Filmmaker Karan Johar has opened up about being called names for his effeminate body language in college. Johar, who made his directorial comeback with the recent release Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, said that the experience stayed in his heart and continues to do so.

In an interview with Film Companion, Johar said that he was "very effeminate" as a child and used to dance in his own room to Hindi songs. He said that his father, Yash Johar, thought it was "great" and would often watch him dance and clap.

However, things changed when he went to college. He asserted, “No one told me there was anything wrong at that time. So I grew up thinking (that) this is fine. Much later when you go to college you realise when you carry that through and do those moves, and people look at you and laugh.”

KJo further added, “You're called all kinds of things. There are terms used and it's still in my heart because I grew up with that feeling that I was laughed at for my body language or way of being. Somewhere Tota's character is borrowed from my childhood. When he says ‘Hunar ka koi gender nahi hota (talent has no gender)’, I believe that.”

Karan continued and stated that he didn't consider it a traumatic experience, but He wondered why others couldn't accept him for who he was when his own father did.

For the unversed, Tota Roy Chowdhury plays the role of Rani's father, a Kathak dancer who is humiliated for his art form being associated with femininity. Ranveer (Rocky) eventually joins him and learns Kathak, giving a befitting reply to the people who humiliated him. Tota and Ranveer deliver a strong performance on ‘Dola Re Dola.’

Also Read: Kangana Ranaut CONTINUES slamming Karan Johar, compares him with “Raavan”; accuses him of manipulating perception through “paid PR”; drags Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

On July 27, 2023, the Rajya Sabha took a significant step in the battle against film piracy and introduced reforms in movie certification with the passage of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The amended bill aims to curb the unauthorised recording and exhibition of films, which have been causing substantial losses to the film industry.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the crackdown on film piracy. Those involved in making pirated copies of movies could now face severe penalties, including a three-year jail term and a fine of up to 5% of the movie's production cost. This stern measure is expected to serve as a deterrent against the illegal reproduction and distribution of copyrighted content.

The bill also brings notable changes in how movies are certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). It introduces three certifications under the 'UA' category: UA 7+, UA 13+, and UA 16+. This means that movies with such certifications can be viewed by children below the given age limits with parental guidance, offering a more nuanced approach to content regulation.

Moreover, the CBFC has been empowered to issue separate certificates for a film's exhibition on television or other media platforms. This provision aims to streamline the process of licensing films for public exhibition while ensuring that content is appropriately classified based on the platform of distribution.

The amendment to the Cinematograph Act, of 1952 was necessitated by the need to align the law with various executive orders, Supreme Court judgments, and other legislations. It also addresses the film industry's long-standing demand to tackle piracy effectively and protect their creative works from unauthorised exploitation.

The journey of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill started with the introduction of the 2019 version, which primarily focused on film piracy issues. After recommendations from the Standing Committee on Information Technology, the revised Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was introduced, seeking public feedback. In 2022, consultations with industry stakeholders were conducted to refine the bill further, leading to the formulation of the 2023 version.

An interesting aspect of the 2023 Bill is the omission of the special reference to Jammu & Kashmir in the Act. With the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, of 2019, all special provisions in central laws related to the erstwhile state have become redundant.

The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, of 1995 stipulates that only UA-category films can be shown on TV. The new Bill allows for a change of category of a film from A (adult) or S (specialised groups) to UA, after making suitable alterations. The certificate issued by the CBFC will now be valid perpetually. Recording or helping a person record any film that is being exhibited at a cinema theatre using audio-visual devices has been prohibited under the Bill.

Also Read: Anurag Thakur upset with CBFC over Oppenheimer scenes, asks for removal: Report

Bollywood Hungama was one of the first ones to report that OMG Oh My God 2, has faced issues at the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The Examining Committee (EC), after watching the film, referred the Akshay Kumar starrer to the Revising Committee (RC) since the film had a religious angle and the former didn’t want to take any chances. On July 17, CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi saw the film after which a screening was held for the RC. The RC, too, developed cold feet on seeing the film. Though they agreed that the issue of sex education in the film is sensitively tackled, they were apprehensive more so after the Adipurush episode. Also, the brouhaha over Oppenheimer’s Bhagavad Gita scene further added to their fears. In both instances, questions were raised as to how the CBFC passed the scenes that have hurt religious sentiments.

Bollywood Hungama, however, has learnt that the censor troubles for OMG Oh My God 2 are over. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “The film has been passed by the CBFC but with an ‘A’ certificate. The makers tried their best to get a U/A certificate as they believe that the under-18 crowd should watch their film for its message. However, that would have meant accepting several cuts.” As per reports, OMG Oh My God 2 has been granted ‘A’ certificate with some audio cuts. There has been no visual cut if the reports are to be believed.

After the cuts were accepted, OMG Oh My God 2 was granted a censor certificate yesterday, on July 31. The length of the film, as mentioned on the certificate, is 2 hours and 36 minutes.

OMG Oh My God 2, interestingly, will be Akshay Kumar’s first film in 12 years to get an adults-only certificate. The last ‘A’ flick by Akshay was Desi Boyz (2011).

The promotional campaign for the film is now expected to start immediately. The source signed off by saying, “There was a possibility of the release getting postponed had the CBFC not cleared the film on time. Now that it’s done, it’ll be out on August 11 as scheduled.”

Apart from Akshay Kumar, OMG Oh My God 2 also stars Pankaj Tripathi and Yami Gautam.

Also Read: Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi and Yami Gautam starrer OMG 2’s now song ‘Har Har Mahadev’ to be out tomorrow