Swara Bhaskar, who is known to speak her heart out, recently reposted a tweet that has garnered massive attention. Not too long ago, Alia Bhatt had opened up about following Bigg Boss OTT Season 2, which featured her sister Pooja Bhatt, and during the same, she had expressed her admiration for influencer and contestant Elvish Yadav. A rather upset user on social media decided to showcase the demeaning tweets written by the influencer when he had an argument with Swara on the platform.

A user posted a series of some age-old tweets wherein Swara Bhaskar and Elvish Yadav were seen arguing over a political matter regarding GST related to religious shrines. During the argument after Swara shared evidence proving Elvish wrong, she sarcastically commented, “Liar Liar! Chaddhi on Fire”. Elvish decided to respond to it by further sharing a demeaning tweet adding, “Excessive m@sturb@tion makes you blind was a myth but swara didi isko sahi prove karri hai. GST word use kiya mene swara? (Swara sister is proving it to be right. I had used the word GST?).

The upset user, who seemed unhappy about Alia Bhatt supporting Elvish Yadav, also went on to caption the post expressing the disappointment saying, “Hello @aliaa08 This is Elvish Yadav, the person you're showering praise upon. Take a good look at his utterly reprehensible attitude towards women, how he is shamelessly engages in $'exual h@rassm€nt directed at @ReallySwara. What a downgrade for an actress like you.”

Hello @aliaa08,This is Elvish Yadav, the person you're showering praise upon. Take a good look at his utterly reprehensible attitude towards women, how he is shamelessly engages in $'exual h@rassm€nt directed at @ReallySwara. What a downgrade for an actress like you. pic.twitter.com/Sz97JI6Bsr

— RheA (@rheahhh_) August 16, 2023

For the unversed, in the past, Alia Bhatt had showcased her love for Elvish Yadav while talking about Bigg Boss OTT Season 2 wherein she had compared him with ‘Rocky’ from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani as she had said, ““I find Elvish quite like Rocky. The way he speaks, his personality and andaaz is very much like Rocky. The way he says ‘systumm’ and all, it’s very entertaining. He really wears his heart on his sleeves and is very funny. I really like him, so Elvish can be Rocky.” She further went on to appreciate his chemistry with Manisha Rani, and had also maintained that the latter could be the perfect ‘Rani’ for this ‘Rocky’.

Also Read: Bigg Boss OTT Season 2: Elvish Yadav walks away with the trophy; defeats Abhishek Malhan

Just yesterday, we had reported that the Netflix original film Do Patti produced by Kanika Dhillon under her banner Kathha Pictures would be helmed by Shashanka Chaturvedi. Now we hear that the film starring Kajol and Kriti Sanon will in fact, mark the first venture of a three-film deal between Dhillon and Chaturvedi.

Revealing details, a well-placed industry source reveals that while Do Patti will be a Netflix Original Film, the other two ventures are yet to be announced, “Do Patti is a suspense-thriller and will mark the start of a three-film collaboration between Kanika Dhillon and Shashanka Chaturvedi. While the film went into production yesterday, the other two ventures are yet to be announced. An official announcement of the deal will be made soon, wherein the other two projects will be revealed”.

For the uninitiated, Shashanka Chaturvedi aka BOB has done some remarkable work over two decades and has made a significate impact in filmmaking in India. Co-founder of Good Morning Films, BOB gained international; recognition in 2009 by securing the first two Gold Lions for India at the Cannes Film Festival. His expertise has earned him numerous awards, including D&AD, Grand Prix in Spikes Asia, One Show, Kyoorius, and Campaign India Awards, among others. He has also worked with renowned brands and directed over 100 commercials in India.

In a past report, speaking about her collaboration with BOB Kanika had said, “As I step into the shoes of the producer, having a credible director like BOB on board is the beginning of this exciting journey for Kathha Pictures.” Further talking about their maiden production venture, Do Patti Kanika added, “The film not only has celebrated actors like Kajol and Kriti Sanon, but also a trustworthy and reliable director like BOB. Cannot wait for everyone to see the magic he creates on this film!”

Similarly, BOB had nothing but praise for Kanika saying, “Kanika’s stories have always made me want to think and wonder if I can be a part of her vision, so this is going to be a special collaboration with her and Kathha pictures. I feel both humbled and excited to be one of the first collaborators with Kathha Pictures, and Netflix alongside the Industry’s best of the best talent- the legendary Kajol and the fabulous Kriti Sanon.”

As for their maiden production, Do Patti is a suspense-thriller produced by Kanika Dhillon and Kriti Sanon, starring Kajol and Kriti Sanon. The film will release on streaming giant Netflix.

Also Read: REVEALED: Here’s why Rohit Shetty and Kanika Dhillon have been thanked in Ek Villain Returns

Iconic multi-genre music festival Lollapalooza is all set to make a splashing comeback in the country, bringing with it, an assortment of unique, diverse and exciting flavours from the world of music and culture. With the massive success of the Asia-first edition earlier this year, Lollapalooza India is now gearing up for an even more exciting second edition that will not only be twice as epic but will also carry forward the legacy of the most diverse music festival to enter India and the Asian sub-continent.

Scheduled on January 27-28, 2024, Lollapalooza India will once again transform the iconic Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai into a captivating haven for all music enthusiasts, showcasing an eclectic line-up of renowned artists from around the globe and India across a two-day extravaganza. Building upon the immense support and appreciation received during its debut, Lollapalooza India 2024 promises to deliver an unparalleled celebration of music, art, food, activities and culture. Featuring four stages with piping energy and over 20 hours of live music performed by some of the biggest names globally and locally, the festival is truly an experience of a lifetime with innovative culinary selections, art, fashion and much more.

Ticket sales for Lollapalooza India 2024 will open with a limited exclusive Pre-Sale for RuPay credit card holders on August 23. Lollapalooza India would have never been the mammoth success it was if it weren’t for consumers who rallied behind the festival in its first year. As a show of gratitude to patrons, Lollapalooza India is also offering a special Pre-Sale on tickets to the OG #LollaSquad and BookMyShow Superstars from August 25th. Through this initiative, the festival welcomes the #LollaSquad back for a significantly more spectacular edition of the trailblazing music festival in India. The General On-Sale of tickets for Lollapalooza India 2024 will be live for everyone starting August 27th, 2023.

With community at its core, Lollapalooza India will continue its efforts for sustainability, inclusivity and accessibility under #LollaForChange and focus strongly on creating impact through entertainment, led by BookASmile, the charity initiative of BookMyShow. Lollapalooza, the world over, has been a festival with a heart and India has been no different. Community-driven and entertainment-for-impact initiative

under #LollaForChange driven by BookASmile led several impactful measures at scale. Keeping sustainability, inclusivity and accessibility at its fore, the festival was wheelchair-friendly, featured sign language interpreters for select headlining performances, provided reusable glasses and was gender inclusive. Almost 22,500 kgs of waste were segregated and sent for recycling, composting, re-use and co-processing as per fitment. This included 1,890 kgs of food that was donated through waste management measures executed at the festival.

Lollapalooza India co-produced by BookMyShow Live has ushered in an era of thriving live music created by some of the most head-turning global and home-grown artists. Connecting with 60,000 fans over two days through high-impact energetic performances, cutting-edge stage production and immersive festival experiences, the festival has been a melting pot of musical genres, featuring everything from pop, rock, hip-hop, indie, Electronic Dance Music (EDM), techno and a host of new Indian sounds that were discovered by thousands of music lovers in its debut edition.

The festival also saw several indie artists perform during the specially curated #RoadToLolla pre-festive and after-parties that travelled across Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Hyderabad. Lollapalooza India’s first edition put India on the global festival circuit map and boosted the international artist roster flowing into the country, setting new benchmarks and raising the bar for the Indian music festival and entertainment ecosystem.

Lollapalooza India has not just been the hotbed of live music culture but also opened up a never-seen-before, magnanimous Lolla Food Park, several experiential zones such as festival-look glam stations and customized tailor shops & art installations for infinite flex-worthy grabs! The festival is home to several out-of-the-box creative spaces set up by leading Indian and global consumer brand partners who look to engage with a young, dynamic fan base who are potential early adopters and trendsetters.

Also Read: TXT gear up to headline Lollapalooza 2023 in Chicago

OMG 2, although has been receiving rave reviews from many quarters, the box office earnings of the film is yet to achieve the standard Rs. 100 crores. Furthermore, there are several reports about the film going over budget because of the high fees of Akshay Kumar. However, clarifying on the same, the COO of producers Viacom 18, Ajit Andhare maintained that Akshay never charged any fees for his role in the movie.

For the unversed, Akshay Kumar is seen in an extended cameo of that of Lord Shiva’s messenger and the actor’s new look too has received a lot of love from his fans. Clarifying on the reports claiming that the film was made on a high budget because of the added remuneration of Kumar, Ajit Andhare told Pinkvilla, “The reports of the budget of OMG 2 are grossly exaggerated. On the contrary, Akshay didn't charge a rupee in fee and in fact, walked alongside us in both the financial and creative risk involved in such a courageous film.”

Furthermore, in the same report, Ajit also opened up about how their previous collaborations have always been smooth ones, adding that he is also grateful for the superstar for his extensive involvement in the film in every way. He continued, “We share a long history and understanding with him as a studio since OMG, Special 26, and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. I have been totally in lockstep with him in taking up scripts that are unconventional but stand for something larger and meaningful.” It is being said in these reports, that the film may not have exceeded the budget of Rs. 50 crores but there is no confirmation about the same.

Speaking of OMG 2, the film is directed by Amit Rai and it revolves around the subject of importance of sex education. The film features Pankaj Tripathi in the lead role along with Yami Gautam as a lawyer, and it released on August 11.

Also Read: Akshay Kumar thanks audience for loving OMG 2 and Gadar 2; calls it “Greatest week in Indian Film History”

Former Indian cricket team captain, Virat Kohli delighted his followers on Friday by sharing a heartwarming photograph on Instagram featuring himself and his beloved wife, Anushka Sharma. The power couple graced the frame as they posed cheerfully outside a cafe in Barbados.

Virat Kohli's post unveiled a cherished moment from their Barbados holiday. The snapshot showcased a casually attired Virat in a black T-shirt paired with floral-printed shorts. Meanwhile, Anushka exuded comfort in an oversized shirt and white slippers. Her radiant smile illuminated the scene as the couple stood before a cafe's extensive menu board. In his caption, Kohli not only shared the snapshot but also warmly recommended the cafe to his online family. He wrote in caption, “Must visit in Barbados @cafealamer18 some of the best food we ever ate.”

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As soon as he shared the post, fans poured their love in the comments section. A user wrote, “KinG & QueeN,” while a fan commented, “The most perfect celeb couple.”

For the unversed, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli tied the knot in a private ceremony held in Italy on December 11, 2017. The couple's wedding became the talk of the town, with fans and media alike eagerly following their journey into marital bliss. Adding to their joyous journey, Anushka and Virat welcomed their first child together, a baby girl named Vamika, in January 2021.

On the work front, Anushka Sharma surprised her fans with cameo in Qala. The actress is now gearing up for the release of Chakda Xpress. The film will see her play the lead role of former Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami. It will release on Netflix in 2023. Backed by her brother Karnesh Sharma's production house Clean Slate Filmz, the film also stars Tripti Dimri, Swastika Mukherjee and Babil Khan.

Also Read: Anushka Sharma shares joyful moments from London getaway with Virat Kohli and Vamika; see video

Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor showcased his delightful weekend escapades through a series of captivating pictures shared on his Instagram account. The star's latest social media post provides a glimpse into his leisure-filled weekend routine, leaving fans longing for their own rejuvenating breaks.

Dropping the curtain on his undisclosed holiday destination, Arjun Kapoor treated his followers to snapshots that undoubtedly set the perfect weekend mood. The first image in the sequence captured Arjun engrossed in a laptop, cradling a bowl in his hands. Amidst the collection of images, one transported us to a serene swimming pool scene, where Arjun joyously immersed himself in relaxation. In the final glimpse, Arjun could be seen tackling a rigorous workout session within an indoor gym-like setting, showcasing his commitment to staying fit. The actor's candid caption perfectly echoed the sentiment many share, as he wrote, “Life is short, make your weekends long...#longweekend #mood #photodump.”

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As soon as he shared the post, fans and industry friends showered their love in the comments section. Rhea Kapoor, Arjun's cousin, conveyed her affection through a heart emoji, while fellow actor Dino Morea commented, “Okay.” Reacting to the pictures, a fan commented, “This smile is all I need to be happy,” while another user wrote, “Nice caption.”

Talking about the professional realm, Arjun Kapoor's recent cinematic venture was Kuttey, directed by Aasmaan Bhardwaj. Despite boasting an impressive ensemble cast featuring talents like Tabu, Kumud Mishra, and Naseeruddin Shah, the action-drama, released in January of this year, failed to leave a mark at the box office. Nonetheless, Arjun Kapoor's upcoming projects present an intriguing array of opportunities. Among these, the actor is set to grace the screen in a film titled The Ladykiller, in collaboration with Bhumi Pednekar.

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

Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone starrer Fighter unfurled its wings with the unveiling of its maiden motion poster, aptly titled 'Spirit of Fighter’ on Independence Day, two days ago. Along with the lead pair, Anil Kapoor’s first look was also unveiled. Helmed by Siddharth Anand, the film’s first resonated with the fervour of patriotism. As the team received congratulatory messages from all across for the first look, Shah Rukh Khan also sent his best wishes to the team.

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday night, Shah Rukh Khan retweeted Hrithik Roshan’s tweet and wrote, “Wow this Threesome of @iHrithik @deepikapadukone @AnilKapoor  is looking Awesome. All the best Duggu and Sid. Keep winning the fights, both of u….with love.”

Wow this Threesome of @iHrithik @deepikapadukone @AnilKapoor is looking Awesome. All the best Duggu and Sid. Keep winning the fights, both of u….with love. https://t.co/kwT5fjBac8 — Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 16, 2023

Shah Rukh Khan recently worked with Deepika Padukone on Siddharth Anand’s Pathaan which obliterated box office numbers. She will also make a cameo in his next movie, Jawan. Hrithik and SRK have worked on Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

 Presented by Viacom18 Studios in association with Marflix Pictures, Fighter is directed by Siddharth Anand and will star Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, and Anil Kapoor. The film is set to release across cinemas on 25th January 2024. ALSO READ: Shah Rukh Khan praises Gauri Khan for raising Aryan, Suhana and AbRam well: “You’ve done so well with the three of them”

In a relief, actress Jacqueline Fernandez received an order from the Delhi court wherein she can now travel abroad without prior permission from the court. The actress has been in the headlines due to her alleged link to the conman Sukesh Chandreshekhar who is in jail for the Rs. 200 crore money laundering case.

A bail condition, which was imposed in November 2022 and required her to take prior permission from the court to travel abroad, was modified by Delhi's Patiala House Court. The modification application was approved by Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Shailender Malik after several facts and circumstances consideration.

As per NDTV, the prior order by ASJ read, “In the present case, I find considering the fact that the accused being an actor in the Indian film industry has to travel abroad frequently and in certain situations, in order to grab professional opportunities, she requires to leave the country with short notice.”

The court further said, "In such a situation condition of taking prior permission before leaving the country, becomes cumbersome and may be a reason for losing livelihood."

The actress is now required to inform the court atleast three days prior to leaving the country instead of prior permission. In her application, she would be required to provide the itinerary including the country/places she would be travelling to, stay and contact details. As per the report in NDTV, the court asked the applicant for “travelling abroad passport of the accused would be released immediately subject to depositing of FDR in the sum of Rs. 50 lakhs and she would deposit the passport again in the court and after coming back from abroad, FDR would be released.” ALSO READ: After Jacqueline Fernandez helps women in slums, NGO shares heartfelt birthday wish for the actress

The legacy will continue! Actor-filmmaker Satish Kaushik's last film, Kaagaz 2, a sequel to his widely loved 2021 directorial starring Pankaj Tripathi, is in the works. The second instalment of Kaagaz is directed by VK Prakash and features a fresh cast of Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumaar, Smriti Kalra, Anang Desai and Neena Gupta along with Satish Kaushik in a dynamic role. Bollywood Hungama has learnt that Kaagaz 2's shoot was wrapped up in January this year, a few months before Satish Kaushik's unfortunate demise.

According to sources, the makers have ensured that Kaagaz 2 lives up to Kaushik's "original vision" and pays tribute to his creative legacy. The film centres on the struggles of a common man whose right to life is infringed upon by protests and rallies.

When Bollywood Hungama reached out to producer Ratan Jain of Venus Films, he confirmed the development and said, "Yes it’s true that the post-production of Kaagaz 2 is almost finished. It’s an important project for me as Kaagaz was appreciated a lot by the audience. Satish Ji was a dear friend and this film was immensely close to his heart. When I saw the film, I realised the outcome is excellent and will impress and move audiences much like the first installment."

Kaagaz 2 is produced by Venus Records & Tapes LLP & Satish Kaushik Entertainment. ALSO READ: Anupam Kher pays a heartfelt tribute on Friendship Day; remembers late Satish Kaushik with a special photo

Prime Video pulled out all the stops for a screening of the Amazon Original docuseries, AP Dhillon: First of a Kind, which premieres worldwide on the streaming service on 18th August. This docuseries takes viewers inside the world of the man behind everyone’s favourite music and chronicles the rise of AP Dhillon from a young dreamer to a global musical phenomenon. In this 4-part series, AP Dhillon, who is renowned for creating euphonic tracks with the ability to get everyone on the dance floor, graciously shares exclusive behind-the-scenes access to his creative process and journey from Gurdaspur to Canada.

The glitz and glamour of the carpet was witnessed by the man of the hour, AP Dhillon along with Shinda Kahlon, series director Jay Ahmed, the executive producers of PASSION Pictures, Amy Foster and Erik Barmack of Wild Sheep Content. The screening was also graced by Nikhil Madhok, Head of Hindi Originals, Prime Video India. AP went on to share with the audience that he would like the series to serve not as a blue, but a ‘brown’ print for aspiring musicians.

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Superstar Ranveer Singh made it really special as he walked in with a boom-box grooving on AP's songs and brought his infectious energy to the blue carpet. The cherry on the cake was when none other than Salman Khan dropped in to show his love to AP and Shinda. Salman stopped midway in the massive crowd on Wednesday to hug Ranveer as they posed for pictures with AP Dhillon.

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Celebrities and members from the industry like Badshah, Hardy Sandhu , King, Mrunal Thakur, Maanvi Gagroo, Barkha Singh, Sukriti & Prakriti Kakkar, Orry, Guneet Monga, JD Majethia, Aatish Kapadia, MC Stan, Malika Dua, Mukul Chhabra, Srishti Dixit among others also graced the blue carpet. The heartfelt testimonials from B-Town celebs further cemented the love they have for AP Dhillon's music. AP Dhillon: First of a Kind garnered much love from the attendees who applauded the docu-series for its genuine portrayal of the artist's passion. ALSO READ: AP Dhillon and Shinda Kahlon, 'Brown Munde' duo, enthrall the crowd at a college in Mumbai, see photos

Back in 2021, Priyanka Chopra announced that she now has her own restaurant in New York in partnership with Maneesh K. Goyal. The restaurant exclusively offers Indian cuisine. However, after two years, the actress has now stepped away from the partnership and will no longer be involved with Sona restaurant.

“Priyanka has stepped away from her partnership at Sona,” a representative said in a statement to PEOPLE publication. “Bringing Sona to life will invariably be a proud and significant moment in her career. Priyanka has always endeavored to bring Indian culture to the fore through storytelling, whether that’s via engaging content for film and TV, or a beautifully plated dish that embodies the haute cuisine of India.”

But, the actress will mostly be involved food scene and hospitality. “Stepping away from Sona allows her to broaden these ambitions on a more global scale, and she’s excited about the possibilities that await,” the spokesperson added.

Maneesh K. Goyal, co-founder of Sona and Priyanka’s former business partner, said, “We're grateful for her partnership and support. While she will no longer be involved as a creative partner moving forward, she remains in the Sona family and we are excited for our respective new chapters ahead.”

Back in 2021, Priyanka took to her social media handle to make the announcement of her new restaurant along with pictures. “I’m thrilled to present to you SONA, a new restaurant in NYC that I poured my love for Indian food into. SONA is the very embodiment of timeless India and the flavours I grew up with. The kitchen is helmed by the incredible Chef #HariNayak, a masterful talent, who has created the most delicious and innovative menu, taking you on a food journey through my amazing country. SONA is opening later this month, and I can’t wait to see you there!” Priyanka had tweeted.

“This endeavour would not have been possible without the leadership of my friends @mkgoyal and #DavidRabin. Thank you to our designer #MelissaBowers and the rest of the team for realizing this vision so clearly. The second and third photos were taken in September 2019 when we performed a small intimate Puja (prayer ceremony) to bless the space that would soon become #sonanewyork Godspeed,” she had written.'

The kitchen is helmed by the incredible Chef #HariNayak, a masterful talent, who has created the most delicious and innovative menu, taking you on a food journey through my amazing country. SONA is opening later this month, and I can’t wait to see you there! (2/4) — PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) March 6, 2021

The second and third photos were taken in September 2019 when we performed a small intimate Puja (prayer ceremony) to bless the space that would soon become #sonanewyork Godspeed! (4/4) — PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) March 6, 2021

On work front, Priyanka was last seen in Russo Brothers’ Citadel which has been renewed for season 2 and a romantic comedy film, Love Again. The actress was recently in London shooting for Heads of State which also stars John Cena. The actress has Ending Things with Anthony Mackie and Jee Le Zaraa with Farhan Akhtar. ALSO READ: Priyanka Chopra cheers on husband Nick Jonas as Jonas Brothers’ tour kicks off in NYC; visits him at Yankee Stadium with Malti Marie: ‘So Proud’

Suhana Khan attended the event for Koel Purie Rinchet’s debut novel launch to discuss the book. Along with Suhana, Gauri Khan joined the launch and many other friends of Koel joined for the big launch of “Clearly Invisible In Paris”. While discussing the book, Khan junior spoke about moving out of her house at 15 to study abroad and how it was a culture shock for her.

Speaking of the book and resonating with the character, Suhana said at the event, “I have studied in the UK and New York and I feel like it was the people and the friendships that I made that made it home rather than the place.”

When asked if she had her own immigrant story, she added, “I wouldn’t call myself an immigrant and all. I went there to study. I left home when I was 15 for boarding school, so I think that was scary because it was definitely a culture shock and I think it took me a while to feel at home and when I did it was because of the people there and how their friendship, their love made me feel seen when I felt invisible.”

Meanwhile, Suhana Khan will be launched in Bollywood with Zoya Akhtar's The Archies. The film will introduce five other actors including debutants Khushi Kapoor and Agastya Nanda. ALSO READ: Suhana Khan attends Koel Purie Rinchet’s book launch; says, “There is a line in the book which says ‘biryani brings people together’ and I love biryani”

India celebrated its 77th Independence Day on August 15, 2023. Bollywood celebrities took to social media to extend their wishes and tribute to the country in several ways. Shah Rukh Khan ensured that the tradition that his son AbRam Khan started at home continues. The superstar shared a family photo from the terrace of his Mumbai residence Mannat with his staff members as they hoisted the Indian flag.

In a caption shared on social media, Shah Rukh Khan wrote, “Now the little one has made it a tradition. Hoisting of our beloved Tricolour and wishing everyone Happy Independence Day. Love to all and may our country, India prosper and all of us with it.” His team and his family were saluting looking at the flag as Swades theme played in the background.

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On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan is gearing up for his next release, Jawan, which is scheduled to hit the theatres on September 7. Directed by Atlee, the film also stars Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Sanya Malhotra, Priyamani, and Riddhi Dogra among others. As per the prevue, Deepika Padukone will make a special appearance in the movie. The music is given by Anirudh Ravichander. ALSO READ: Independence Day 2023: Sara Ali Khan, Kartik Aaryan, Shraddha Kapoor, Kiara Advani and more extend wishes on social media

In a heartwarming turn of events, Manipur is witnessing the resurgence of cinema culture as it welcomes Hindi films back into its fold. The long-anticipated reopening of the silver screen commenced with a special screening of the acclaimed Bollywood film, Uri: The Surgical Strike, featuring Vicky Kaushal. The event, held in Churachandpur, has ignited a renewed enthusiasm among the locals.

The curtain was raised on this cinematic celebration thanks to the initiative of the Hmar Students Association (HSA), an organization that staunchly opposes the over two-decade-long ban on Hindi movies. The ban, instituted in September 2000 by the 'Revolutionary People’s Front,' the political arm of the proscribed People’s Liberation Army, a Meitei terror group, has held sway over the region for years.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum, which represents the voice of the Kuki tribes, voiced their stance in favour of the event. Prior to the movie screening, the air was charged with patriotism as the national anthem resounded through the open-air theatre, located 63 km away from the capital city.

It's notable that the last Hindi film publicly screened in Manipur was Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998. The ban, which began in 2000, saw the rebels burn thousands of Hindi video and audio cassettes and CDs in response to perceived threats to the state's language and culture due to Bollywood's influence.

This ban, stemming from concerns about perceived anti-national sentiments, has transformed into an act of solidarity and support for the nation. The screening of Uri: The Surgical Strike holds a special significance as it aligns with the spirit of Independence Day and symbolizes the resilience of Manipur's people in the face of adversity.

Meanwhile, Vicky Kaushal was last seen in 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. Vicky is now gearing up for Meghna Gulzar's Sam Bahadur. He also has a film with Triptii Dimri, directed by Anand Tiwari. He is also gearing up for Yash Raj Films The Great Indian Family (TGIF), featuring Vicky Kaushal and Manushi Chhillar. Directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, this family-oriented venture is all set to grace the theatres on September 22.

Also Read: YRF’s The Great Indian Family starring Vicky Kaushal and Manushi Chhillar to release theatrically on THIS date

The third installment of Welcome has been in the work for a while. It was recently announced that Welcome 3, titled Welcome to the Jungle, will star Akshay Kumar in the lead role with Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi joining the cast in pivotal roles along with Paresh Rawal. Earlier, it was reported that Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor are now no longer part of the project. Now, the makers have locked Christmas 2024 as the release date for the third installment.

Just like the first Welcome which released on Christmas of 2007, producer Firoz A Nadiadwala has decided to bring this family entertainer in Christmas 2024. The film is expected to go on floors next year after Akshay Kumar wraps Jolly LLB 3 and Housefull 5.

Recently, Warsi confirmed the project by saying, “The scale of Welcome 3: the cost, the climax, is unreal. It is an insanely larger-than-life theatrical film which I will be a part of. It has me, Akshay Kumar, Sanju (Sanjay Dutt), Paresh Rawal and lots of other people.”

With this announcement, Akshay Kumar has now locked Eid 2024 for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Diwali 2024 for Housefull 5 and Christmas 2024 for Welcome 3. ALSO READ: Arshad Warsi spills the beans: Welcome 3 gets the go-ahead; says, “It has me, Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Paresh Rawal”

Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh, who recently co-starred in Ved, took to social media to share a heartfelt post commemorating the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh. On his 11th death anniversary on August 14, his son Riteish and daughter-in-law Genelia decided to share an emotional post in memory of him. The two actors have often spoken about missing him in their interviews and in the recent post too expressed their love for him.

Riteish Deshmukh took to Instagram to share a photo of him where he is seen offering his prayers and paying respect to his father Vilasrao Deshmukh and along with that he captioned it saying, “Miss you pappa”. He also added a folded hands emoji in the note.

On the other hand, Genelia Deshmukh too shared a throwback photo of Vilasrao Deshmukh standing next to her on the day of her wedding with Riteish. She penned a heartfelt poem for her father-in-law as she added, “Dearest Pappa, I just want you to know You are so wonderful to think of But so so so hard to live without <3 I’m sure wherever you are, it must be the most special place because you have that ability to bring a smile to everyone’s faces We miss you Pappa <3 Until we meet again…<3”

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The couple’s friends from the industry like Pulkit Samrat, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Mushtaq Sheikh, among others dropped comments along with a few fans who also remembered the Chief Minister fondly.

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Genelia Deshmukh and Riteish Deshmukh tied the knot in February 2012 and later in the same year, former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh breathed his last on August 14.

Also Read: Riteish Deshmukh pens a heartfelt note for wife Genelia D’Souza on her birthday; says, “To my best friend”

Akshay Kumar, who is known for doing some of the most patriotic films like Airlift, Rustom, among others, has decided to renounce his Canadian citizenship. The actor, who was often trolled for holding the citizenship of a different country, has decided to choose his nation India over others as he has officially been declared as the citizen of this country and the actor took to social media on the occasion of India’s 77th Independence Day to make this announcement.

A few moments ago, Akshay Kumar took to Twitter to share a photo of a legal document later adding in the caption that he has renounced his Canadian citizenship and become the citizen of India. He penned a note in Hindi along with the photo on social media saying, “Dil aur citizenship, dono Hindustani (Heart and Citizenship are both Indian). Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind!”

Dil aur citizenship, dono Hindustani. Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind! ???????? pic.twitter.com/DLH0DtbGxk — Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) August 15, 2023

Followed by his post, many fans shared their congratulatory messages to the actor whereas they also posted ‘RIP’ messages to haters and trollers. Readers would recall that many of the actor’s releases were bashed by netizens who called out the star of making films on patriotic values but not opting for the citizenship of his own country.

On the other hand, for the past few years, Akshay has opened up about his keen interest of switching his citizenship to India on many occasions and the actor was often seen confessing about kick starting the process. And it seems that the actor found the perfect date to declare the status of his Indian citizenship on August 15.

On the work front, Akshay Kumar recently featured in a distinct but pivotal role in OMG 2 in which he essays the role of Lord Shiva’s messenger. The film released on August 11 and also features Pankaj Tripathi and Yami Gautam in lead roles.

Also Read: Akshay Kumar says, “Bharat hi mera sab kuchh hai”; expresses desire to take up Indian citizenship again

Bigg Boss OTT 2, which kept audiences entertained with its high voltage drama and controversies, came to an end on August 14. After getting a six-week extension owing to its popularity, Salman Khan yesterday announced the winner of the reality show, and it is none other than social media influencer Elvish Yadav. The influencer bagged the trophy after defeating Abhishek Malhan who was the runner up of the show.

Audiences would be aware that the grand finale kicked off with the top five contestants fighting for the trophy which included actresses Pooja Bhatt and Bebika Dhurve along with social media influencers, Elvish Yadav, Abhishek Malhan, and Manisha Rani. While Pooja was the first to get eliminated, Bebika found a position in top four but was later evicted leaving Manisha, Abhishek, and Elvish as the top three contenders. With Manisha too bidding adieu to the trophy later in the show, the tough competition between Abhishek and Elvish, who are both known for their massive fan following as well as their crazy and fun social media posts, came to an end with host Salman Khan announcing Yadav as the clear winner.

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For the unversed, Elvish Yadav entered Bigg Boss OTT Season 2, weeks after it started since he was a wild card contestant along with television actress Aashika Bhatia, who got eliminated a couple of weeks ago. It seems that the social media influencer quickly won hearts inside and outside the house and his fan following couldn’t stop expressing joy over his win.

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Bigg Boss OTT Season 2 started off with 13 contestants which included television personalities like Avinash Sachdev, Jiya Shankar, Falaq Naaz, Palak Purswani, Cyrus Broacha. Along with the five finalists, the show also had other popular personalities like Puneet Superstar, Aaliya Siddiqui aka Aaliya, Jad Hadid, and Akanksha Puri.

Also Read: Bigg Boss OTT 2: Abhishek Malhan hospitalized ahead of finale? Sister Prerna Malhan shares health update

Rarely do we get an entertainer that enlightens viewers without making it seem like a documentary or a boring lecture in school. OMG 2 is one such progressive film that talks about sex education, masturbation, and many other taboo topics in a bold, powerful, and sensitive manner. In this Bollywood Hungama special feature, we bring to you 5 lessons that the Akshay Kumar-Pankaj Tripath-Yami Gautam Dhar starrer taught us.

1. OMG 2makes it very clear that our education system indeed needs an overhaul and that sex education needs to be compulsorily taught in school. Interestingly, sex education has been given to students in schools for more than two decades. This writer was lucky to have attended such a session in his alma mater, way back in 2005. But this doesn’t happen in all schools. Also, the decision to have a sex education class was more to do with school management than an order from the education system. Ideally, the government itself should make it mandatory for all schools.

OMG 2 also breaks the myth that sex education is just about sex. It educates about a lot of aspects like ‘good touch bad touch’. Hence, it makes kids aware of how they might be getting violated, without their knowledge. A memorable scene in this regard is the priest’s (Govind Namdev) granddaughter confiding that she was molested after learning about it through Kanti Mudgal’s (Pankaj Tripathi) speech on ‘good touch bad touch’.

2. Before we reform our education system, we need reforms in the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on an urgent basis. The Examining Committee and Revising Committee both failed to understand the concept, the objective, and even the audience for whom the film was targeted. The film was a must for those under 18. But sadly, they can’t view the film as it’s got an ‘A’ certificate.

OMG 2 was also quite recklessly cut and it proved yet again why the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) was so important. It was abolished in 2021. It used to take a liberal approach and pass films with minimal cuts. Had the Tribunal been around, OMG 2 wouldn’t have faced 27 cuts and it would have definitely been passed with a U/A certificate.

3. OMG 2is an eye-opener for parents as well as their kids. It shows that it’s important that parents, too, try to talk to their children about sex so that the latter don’t end up consuming incorrect information on the internet. A child is never perfect, but it is important for parents to realize that - To Err is Human. It is also important for children to realise that all that parents want is the happiness of their children and they can go to any extent to have it.

4. With OMG 2, Akshay Kumar continues to highlight social issues in the mainstream domain. There have been instances where his nationality has been questioned time and again. Nationality is not the sole definition of a true Indian, only karmdefines it and Akshay scores 10 on 10 on this aspect.

5. In fact, it won’t be wrong to say that Akshay Kumar is the new Aamir Khan. Aamir, too, highlighted social issues through ‘Satyamev Jayate’. He also focused on ‘good touch bad touch’ in a memorable episode of his show. Akshay Kumar is doing the same but in films, that too in an entertaining manner. He educated us about the importance of toilets in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha(2017), the importance of sanitary pads in Pad Man(2018) and now he enlightened us about the importance of sex education with OMG 2.

Also Read: BREAKING: Gadar 2-OMG 2-Rocky Aur Rani-Jailer effect: PVR-Inox creates HISTORY; achieves ALL-TIME high footfalls of 12.80 lakh patrons and earns Rs. 39.50 crores gross on August 13

Even as Gadar 2 continues to create havoc at the box office, director Anil Sharma has moved on to his next. And no, it is not Gadar 3. Not yet.

Before the third part of Indian cinema’s most successful franchise (with due respects to Golmaal) materializes, Anil Sharma, known in the past before Gadar: Ek Prem Katha in 2001 for his Dharmendra-helmed action hits Hukumat and Elan-e-Jung, is all set to direct an emotional family drama featuring Nana Patekar and Anil Sharma’s talented son Utkarsh, who is currently basking in the success of Gadar 2.

Nana, incidentally, has provided a voiceover in Gadar 2.

Apparently, the Nana-Utkarsh drama, to be launched in October, belongs to the family genre of cinema. “It will take Anil Sharma (back) to his roots. It has the emotional heft of Sharma’s first two directorials Shradhanjali (1981) and Bandhan Kuchchey Dhaagon Ka (1983),” a source revealed.

This will be the fourth film for Utkarsh Sharma. Incidentally, all his previous films – Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Genius, Gadar 2 – have been directed by father Anil Sharma. The aforementioned family drama will be the fourth one where he will team up with his father.

Also Read: Sunny Deol is overwhelmed by massive response to Gadar 2: “We need some hits to keep the film industry on its feet”

Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan are two legendary stars who rightly define different generations of Hindi cinema. The Mughal-e-Azam star passed in July 2021. Saira Banu, his wife and former actress, often remembers him and shares anecdotes from his life, fondly. Ever since she joined Instagram a few months ago, she has been sharing some beautiful memories of Kumar with industry colleagues and close friends. In her latest post, Saira Banu recalled the fond memories of the friendship between Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan.

By sharing a few photos of Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan, Saira Banu wrote, “Sahib got to hear of Amitabh Bachchan from his friend, actor Om Prakash Ji- "Oh! Yousuf Jaan, I am so amazed to find a young man, an actor for the first time in my career who has the same intense, piercing look in his eyes as YOU! There began a mutual admiration between Sahib and Amit Ji. Amit Ji said that Sahib is an exceptionally good human being. He always plays the father figure for anybody seeking his guidance. One day, late at night, the writer-duo Salim-Javed egged Amit Ji to visit Sahib's house without a prior appointment. Amit Ji was reluctant, as it had never been his habit to take such liberties, especially with elders. They said it was alright, drove over to Sahib's bungalow and learnt from the watchman that Sahib had retired for the day and was in his bedroom. Amit Ji told Salim-Javed that they should leave, but they asked the watchman to inform Sahib that his friends were over to see him.”

She added, “The very next moment, the lights were switched on in the living room and his personal valet ushered them inside. Sahib came downstairs from his bedroom, all smiles. He was hospitable even at that unearthly hour, regaled them with old anecdotes until 4:00 in the morning and the trio reluctantly took leave of Sahib. Such was his care and warmth. Amit Ji once said, “The history of Indian Cinema shall be ‘before Dilip Sahib’ and ‘after Dilip Sahib’, because of his impeccable presence. When you measure a journey, you never change the milestone. Dilip Sahib is that milestone in our film industry”.”

She continued, “Sahib has lauded Amitabh’s work personally and publicly. At the premiere of BLACK, he waited outside the theatre until Amit Ji emerged, and then walked upto him, held his hands warmly and looked into his eyes for what seemed an eternity. Amitabh says, “I did not speak a word, but his eyes spoke the most eloquent words that anyone ever spoke to me”. Later, whenever Sahib got hospitalised at ‘Lilavati Hospital’, it was so kind of Amit Ji that after his shooting, he would pay a surprise visit to Sahib in the evening. Sahib definitely felt better in his company and got home soon. This was always a memorable happening.”

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Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan shared screen space together in 1982 movie Shakti. ALSO READ: Saira Banu shares untold story of Dharmendra and Dilip Kumar’s friendship; treats fans with throwback pics

The exhibition sector suffered the maximum during the pandemic. Many producers opted for a direct digital release and this affected the theatres which had to stay shut for most of 2020 and 2021. Last year, theatres were running with full force but several films flopped big time. The scenario has improved drastically in 2023. The weekend gone by has been historic as Gadar 2 emerged as a blockbuster. OMG 2, despite the adult theme, also did well and so did Rajinikanth’s Jailer. Bollywood Hungama yesterday had reported that even the holdover releases like Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Meg 2: The Trench, Oppenheimer, Barbie, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part One etc were running house full.

It has now come to light that PVR Inox has set a record. On August 13, it entertained as many as 12.80 lakh patrons. This is the highest number of footfalls seen by the multiplex chain in its history. In all, it earned Rs. 39.50 crores gross. Between August 11 and August 13, it served 33.60 lakh patrons and earned a gross revenue of more than Rs. 100 crores.

A statement from the company read, “PVR Inox, the largest and the most premium cinema exhibitor in India has achieved the feat of highest ever admissions and box office in a single day across our circuit on August 13, 2023. We entertained 12.8 lakh guests and earned Gross box office revenue of Rs. 39.50 crores. The weekend of 11-13th August 2023, was also the biggest weekend ever in Company's history. We welcomed 33.6 lakh guests at our cinemas and earned Gross box office revenue of Rs. 100+ crores during the weekend.”

The statement further said, “These feats were achieved on the back of solid box office performances from the stellar content released last week including Gadar 2 (Hindi), Jailer (Tamil) and OMG 2 (Hindi) and continued success of content released in earlier weeks including Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani (Hindi) and Oppenheimer (English) which continued their steady performance. This record-setting result validates that consumer enthusiasm for experiencing films in an immersive, larger than life, cinematic environment is as strong as ever.”

Also Read: BREAKING: Gadar 2 sets a record; several theatres in small towns to play post-midnight and early morning shows for the FIRST TIME ever; Inox Raj Imperial, Surat to screen 13 shows between 12 AM and 6 AM

The box office right now is on fire thanks to the insane response to the Sunny Deol-starrer Gadar 2. OMG 2, meanwhile, too has managed to put up impressive numbers. Meanwhile, many moviegoers and trade have set their eyes on September 7 already, the day Jawan will release in cinemas worldwide. A few days ago, during the ‘Ask SRK’ session, superstar Shah Rukh Khan revealed that Jawan will have a release in the IMAX 3D version as well.

Bollywood Hungama, however, has learned from the exhibition sources that Jawan will have a release in 2D version only in overseas territories, in IMAX and normal screens. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “There’s no 3D version of the film, at least outside India. However, across the world, viewers can enjoy Jawan in the IMAX and 4DX screens.”

Some days back, the advance booking of Jawan opened in countries like the USA, Germany and the Netherlands. As of now, there’s no confirmation on when the bookings will start in India.

What has been heartening is that the bookings in Germany and the Netherlands have been very encouraging. The show at UCI LUXE Mercedes IMAX, Berlin, Germany is fast filling and is priced at €25. Two cinemas of Pathé in the Netherlands have commenced advance booking - Pathé Spuimarkt IMAX and Pathé Ypenburg - both of which are located in The Hague. These shows are publicized on Pathé’s website as ‘festive public premieres’. Moviegoers are encouraged to come 30 minutes early to enjoy a dance show and an award ceremony before the film’s screening. The ticket is priced at €17.50 and it is also inclusive of a snack and drink.

Jawan is Shah Rukh Khan’s second film to release in IMAX. The first one was Pathaan which was released earlier this year.

Also Read: Jawan: Shah Rukh Khan and Nayanthara give breezy romantic vibes in ‘Chaleya’, SRK shares teasers in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, watch

Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel starrer Gadar 2 released in theatres on August 11, 2023. The film also stars Utkarsh Sharma as their son. While the movie has opened to mixed reviews, the audiences are enjoying the nostalgia so much so that the film has collected Rs. 83.18 crore in the first two days at the box office. And Deol is over the moon with its success as the movie is all set to surpass Rs. 100 crore mark when Sunday collections come in.

Following the release of the movie, Sunny Deol spoke with Times Now about the film's massive response to the film and its success at the box office. He said, “I am indeed very happy. When we did the second part of Gadar, we never knew it would be so loved by the audience. Two whole generations have gone by since we did the first Gadar. And still, people are as excited as they were the first time. I am amazed and very very happy. We need some hits to keep the film industry on its feet.”

When asked about the longevity in the industry, Sunny said, “I don't know! I don't think about how old I am. I've never done that. I've always done my work to the best of my abilities regardless of my age.”

Helmed by director-producer Anil Sharma, and produced by Zee Studios, the movie sees Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel and Utkarsh Sharma reprise their roles as Tara Singh, Sakeena and Jeete. The film is about the next challenge the family faces from across the border. ALSO READ: This is a RARE weekend when you might not get ticket for ANY film; Not just Gadar 2, OMG 2 and Rocky Aur Rani, but even Jailer (Hindi) and holdover releases like Barbie, Oppenheimer, Meg 2 are running HOUSE FULL

Shraddha Kapoor recently spoke at CNN News18's Rising India-She Shakti summit in New Delhi, where she praised female-centric films and stated, "It's a great time for women to be in cinemas right now." Shraddha doesn't hesitate to laud the films of other actresses, and being the most secure actress in the industry, Shraddha praised Alia Bhatt's Gangubai Kathiawadi and Kangana Ranaut's Thalaivii.

The actress added, "With films like Gangubai [Kathiawadi], Raazi, Neerja, and Manikarnika, some of them are blockbusters, some of them are not. There’s again Haseena Parkar, Thalaivii. So I feel that people are on the lookout for strong female characters and strong stories. Frankly, I feel that because we are in a good space right now, I would be open to any interesting stories."

She further added, “There is this ongoing conversation about whether a film is a representation of society or vice versa. And frankly, I feel, it’s a conversation I don’t think we can ever land up with a conclusion. I do feel that even before the entire OTT wave came on, we had films like Neerja, and we had film releases where women have become the central character. So a lot of time, when people say, with OTT people can experiment, I don’t entirely agree with that. I feel we have seen some massive theatrical releases. I feel that, it’s also about the market in some way. I also feel that has a role”

During the event, Shraddha was also questioned if she had ever walked away from a film part because it wasn't good enough, to which she replied, "Absolutely. And I feel it is my job to do so because I believe that the audience I have developed for myself would not want to see me in parts where there isn't a solid layer to that part. So, in some ways, I am also responsible to them. I've been uttering quite a few NOs."

On the work front, the actress will be next seen in the much-awaited Stree 2.

Also Read: Shraddha Kapoor: “I feel very fortunate for the kind of relationship that I have developed with my well-wishers and fans”

Vicky Kaushal is currently riding high on the success of his romantic drama Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, which starred Sara Ali Khan opposite him. One of his upcoming films is the keenly-awaited biopic on Field Marshal Sam Makehshaw, who was the Chief of the Army Staff during India’s war with Pakistan in 1971, titled Sam Bahadur.

Vicky paid a visit to the iconic Durand Cup 2023 derby match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal FC in Kolkata and was seen having a gala time. East Bengal won the match for the first time in four years. The tournament is the biggest Derby in India and the oldest football tournament in Aisa. It is organized by the Indian Army.

Co-incidentally, Sam Manekshaw had also once visited the Durand Cup decades ago. Bollywood Hungama has got hold of exclusive pictures of him visiting the tournament. The black and white pictures show Manekshaw taking a walk around the ground with the organizers and later posing with the players after the completion of the match.

Coming back to Sam Bahadur, the film also stars Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh in pivotal roles.

Vicky completed shooting for the film in March this year. To mark the occasion and to highlight the importance of the film, he had written on social media, “Gratitude gratitude and only gratitude... to be a part of this process to depict the life of a true legend, to be a part of this team which truly gave it their all. So much I got to live, so much I got to learn... so much there is to bring to you all. To Meghna, Ronnie, my brilliant co-actors, the incredible Team... to the Manekshaw Family, to the Indian Army and to the man, FM Sam H. F. J. Manekshaw, himself... Thank You! It's A FILM WRAP ON #SAMadly !!! See you all in cinemas on 1st Dec 2023.”

Also Read: Fatima Sana Shaikh pens a heartfelt note as she wraps up Vicky Kaushal starrer Sam Bahadur

The craze of Jawan is continuously surging with every other asset, be it the action-packed prevue, character posters to its hit track 'Zinda Banda'. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Vijay Sethupathi and Nayanthara, the film promises an action-packed extravaganza to the fans this September. ‘Chaleya’ featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Nayanthara is a soulful romantic number that is all set to drop tomorrow. The two actors will be seen paired together for the first time and their easy romantic camaraderie lights up the screen.

After teasing fans with a short motion poster yesterday, the makers of Jawan gave the audiences a glimpse into the romantic number with a teaser today, revealing an extended glimpse of the song that gives out a little bit more about the track. This vibe of SRK in a romantic track will be experienced by audiences after a long time! And fans can’t keep calm as the KING of romance is back with a full-fledged romantic song sung by Arijit Singh and Shilpa Rao. The track will release in two more languages, Tamil and Telugu.

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Directed by Atlee, produced by Gauri Khan, and co-produced by Gaurav Verma. The film is set to release worldwide in theatres on September 7th, 2023, in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu languages. ALSO READ: Shah Rukh Khan drops teaser of romantic track ‘Chaleya’ from Jawan; song to release on August 14, watch

Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi and Yami Gautam starrer OMG 2 has released in theatres. The film revolves around a common man, played by Pankaj Tripathi, who essays the role of a father seeking justice for his son. Akshay Kumar’s character of messenger of God guides him through difficult times, playing a pivotal role in the film as his mentor. However, the film received an ‘A’ certificate from CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) which disappointed the cast, including Akshay, who is also the film's producer.

Following the film's release, Akshay Kumar visited one of the theatres in Mumbai to surprise the audience who were there to watch OMG 2. A video went viral on Reddit in which he also expressed his disappointment over the ‘A’ certificate by CBFC. While interacting with the audience, he said, “Kamaal ki baat bataun, pehli adult film hai joh teenagers ke liye bani hai (The funny thing is that this is the first adult film which is made for teenagers).”

OMG 2 is the sequel to Umesh Shukla-directed hit film OMG! Oh My God, which had released in 2012. The film hit the screens on August 11 and it also features Yami Gautam, Pankaj Tripathi, Pavan Raj Malhotra, Govind Namdev, Aarush Varma, Arun Govil, and Brijendra Kala in pivotal roles. ALSO READ: Pankaj Tripathi expresses disappointment as OMG 2 gets ‘A’ certificate from CBFC: “The target age group of 12-17 years old won’t be able to see the film”

President of India Droupadi Murmu felicitated veteran singer Asha Bhosle at News18’s She Shakti conclave. It was followed by a request from the President to the legendary singer to sing a few lines from one of her songs.

Asha Bhosle sang some of her popular songs and created a musical moment on the stage. She sang 'Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko' from Yaadon Ki Baaraat for President of India Droupadi Murmu.

She Shakti conclave honours the accomplishments of women from diverse backgrounds and serves as a platform to showcase their achievements, share stories, and inspire a new generation of leaders. ALSO READ: Bharti Singh gets a compliment from Asha Bhosle on the sets of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs

Actor-director Konkona Sen Sharma, who recently directed the short film The Mirror in the anthology Lust Stories 2, was really appreciated for her work. While OTT has given a platform to many, the filmmaker-actress says that the content creators on the digital platforms are chasing stars.

In a chat with Film Companion, Konkona said, “More than talent, people who are putting in money, want stars. I can understand they are putting in money and they want to cover the bases, many stars are talented and perhaps some aren’t that much. Even for OTT, there is a move towards stars.”

Konkana agreed that now even the star system is taking place in the OTT space and added, “There is a lot of pressure to take stars. From my own part I can say, as an actor and also as a director, there is a lot of pressure to cast big stars.” The actress said that being a star won’t help on the platform if you don’t have the talent.

In the same conversation, she said that in her formative years, her mother Aparna Sen kept her away from watching anything mainstream from Hindi and Bengali cinemas. She wasn’t allowed to watch shows like The Bold and the Beautiful or Santa Barbara or Indian epics like Ramayan and Mahabharat. “Of course, a few slipped by, and I watched a few here and there, like Mr India and Masoom. Moreover, I wasn’t allowed to watch American soap operas like The Bold and the Beautiful or Santa Barbara, either.”

But, there was a reason to it. “I wasn’t allowed to watch Ramayan and Mahabharat either. She insisted that I read the epics first (before delving into the serialised versions). She said that the first exposure to these epics should not be someone else’s imagination; it should be a product of your own imagination. As a substitute, we explored a lot of global and regional cinema. Even when it came to books, during a phase of my childhood when I was exclusively reading Indian literature, she eventually stopped me and asked me to move on. And I was an obedient child,” Konkona added.

Meanwhile, Konkona Sen Sharma directed Lust Stories 2’s short film The Mirror which arrived on Netflix. On the other hand, her mother Aparna Sen’s recent directorial venture, The Rapist, which was headlined by her, premiered at the 26th Busan International Film Festival.

Over the years, Pankaj Tripathi has garnered critical acclaim in the film industry through his performances. From his comic roles to emotional performances, he has come a long way. However, he says that his father isn’t fully aware of what he does or knows about his achievements. The OMG 2 actor recently said that even his mother doesn’t care much about his acting.

In an interview with Mashable, Tripathi revealed that his father visited Mumbai once for the housewarming ceremony of his first house. He said, “He is not attached to beautiful houses.”

He added, “He is not too proud of my achievements. My father does not even know what and how I do in cinema. To date, he has not seen how a movie theatre looks from the inside. He sees my work if someone shows him on their computer or on the television, which was recently installed at my house.”

Furthermore, talking about his mother, he added, “My mother watches me on TV and says ‘Call him and tell he has become very thin, he is not eating and sleeping properly.’ She does not focus on my acting.”

Meanwhile, Pankaj Tripathi is currently starring in OMG 2 alongside Akshay Kumar and Yami Gautam. It released on August 11, 2023. The film earned Rs. 10.26 crores on the opening day. ALSO READ: Pankaj Tripathi says OMG 2 is a film that “matches his sensibilities”; reveals he turned down Akshay Kumar starrer initially

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) Awards once again took center stage, honouring the finest cinematic gems from the Indian film industry. The awards ceremony, held at the iconic Hamer Hall in Melbourne, creating an unforgettable night to celebrate cinematic brilliance. Rani Mukerji for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway and Mohit Agarwal took home the top acting honours while Sita Ramam was announced the Best Film, Agra the Best Indie Film, Kannada Filmmaker Prithvi Konanur Best Director.

Here is the complete list of winners:

JURY AWARDS

BEST DOCUMENTARY To Kill A Tiger

BEST INDIE FILM Agra

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A FILM (MALE) Mohit Agarwal for Agra

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A FILM (FEMALE) Rani Mukerji for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway

BEST DIRECTOR Prithvi Konanur - Hadinelentu (Seventeeners)

BEST FILM Sita Ramam

BEST PERFORMANCE (MALE) IN A SERIES Vijay Varma for Dahaad

BEST PERFORMANCE (FEMALE) IN A SERIES Rajshri Deshpande for Trial By Fire

BEST SERIES Jubilee

BEST SHORT FILM - PEOPLE'S CHOICE Connection Kya Hain by Nilesh Naik

BEST SHORT FILM - AUSTRALIA Home by Mark Russel Bernard

HONORARY AWARDS

EQUALITY IN CINEMA Darlings

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD Pathaan

RISING GLOBAL SUPERSTAR OF INDIAN CINEMA Kartik Aaryan

DIVERSITY IN CINEMA Mrunal Thakur

DISRUPTOR Bhumi Pednekar

RAINBOW STORIES AWARD Onir for Pine Cone ALSO READ: Pathaan, Sita Ramam, Darlings, Jubilee win at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2023

The dynamic team behind the sensational hit Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai is all set to captivate audiences once again with a new film - Bhaiyaaji. Acclaimed for his versatile performances, Manoj Bajpayee will be headlining the film packed with intense action, gripping revenge drama and heartfelt emotions of family bonding. Manoj Bajpayee, who portrays a character of a rugged, strong-headed man who is idolized by many, will also be stepping into the shoes of a producer with Bhaiyaaji promising to deliver unparalleled entertainment to his fans.

After Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, director Apoorv Singh Karki will direct Bhaiyaaji which will explore emotions like standing for your family & vengeance for the wrongs done towards your own. The captivating narrative and the grungy world in this film is penned by Deepak Kingrani, who will also bring back the dialoguebaazi of 70s and 80s Hindi Cinema. The film is all set to commence its shoot in mid-September, embarking on a 45-day shooting schedule across Uttar Pradesh.

Bhaiyaaji is set to seek his revenge! Shoot begins this September in UP! ????#Bhaiyaaji #ComingSoon @apoorvkarki88 @vinodbhanu #KamleshBhanushali @iamsameksha @OswalShael @VikramKhakhar @DeepakKingrani @BSL_Films #SSOProductions #AuregaStudios @HitzMusicoff pic.twitter.com/kJqU1s71NR — manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) August 12, 2023

Manoj Bajpayee, who will be actor-producer on Bhaiyaaji says, “I am thrilled to step into the world of Bhaiyaaji. It will be a raw and intense character that I am excited to bring to life. A thorough mainstream entertainer that Bhaiyaaji is, made me decide to collaborate with Apoorv Singh Karki who directed Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai and become the producer for this one along with the lovely team."

"With Bhaiyaaji, we are embarking on a journey to portray the raw and unfiltered essence of the characters against the backdrop of intense revenge drama and showcase the strength & emotions of family bonds. After a hard-hitting subject of Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, I wanted to explore a completely different style of cinema and Bhaiyaaji was the apt film," says director Apoorv Singh Karki.

Producer Vinod Bhanushali says, "Every element of Bhaiyaaji has been meticulously crafted to take audiences back to the mainstream entertainers of the 70s - 80s. Working with Manoj ji again was an easy decision. Seeing his dedication towards the art and his active contribution to the development of the film makes him not just a director's actor but also a producer's actor."

Producer Samiksha Oswal adds, “A true entertainer with emotions, mainstream narrative, action and drama is what the audience will get in Bhaiyaaji. We are already in our pre-production stage and excited to begin shoot of the film.”

Manoj Bajpayee, Bhanushali Studios Limited and SSO Production LLP in association with Aurega Studios present, Bhaiyaaji, will be produced by Vinod Bhanushali, Kamlesh Bhanushali, Samiksha Oswal, Shael Oswal, Shabana Raza Bajpayee, and Vikram Khakhar. ALSO READ: Manoj Bajpayee returns as ACP Avinash Verma in Silence 2, filming begins

With her show On the Couch with Koel, Koel Purie Rinchet has become a household name, captivating audiences through her insightful interviews with A-listers and even Presidents. Now, she steps into the world of literature, making her authorial debut with "Clearly Invisible In Paris". The much-anticipated book launch in Mumbai yesterday celebrated this exciting new chapter in Koel's multi-faceted career. Suhana Khan attended the event for Koel Purie's debut novel launch to discuss the book. Along with Suhana, Gauri Khan joined the launch and many other friends of Koel joined for the big launch.

In a candid conversation, Suhana revealed her favourite part of the book. “There is a line in the book which says 'Biryani brings people together' and I love Biryani,” she said. She said that she loved the line so much that she wants it printed on a T-shirt.

"Clearly Invisible In Paris" is published by the house of best sellers, Rupa Publications. The Novel takes us into the lives of four women sharing an apartment block in the city of Paris. As their stories unfold, the book beautifully illustrates how their friendship becomes a pillar of support in challenging moments. It's a heartening tale that showcases the strength of connections during tough times, making it a relatable read for those who have ever felt like a stranger in a busy cityscape.

Meanwhile, Suhana Khan will be launched in Bollywood with Zoya Akhtar's The Archies. The film will introduce five other actors including debutants Khushi Kapoor and Agastya Nanda. ALSO READ: Suhana Khan’s fashionable Goa vacation: Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter shares serene snaps

Pakistani singer Ali Sethi, who garnered global popularity with his song ‘Pasoori’, made headlines in the last couple of days over his rumoured marriage to Pakistani-American painter Salman Toor. Social media was abuzz that the singer got married in an intimate ceremony to the artist in New York in the presence of close people. However, Sethi has now rubbished those reports and claimed that he has no idea who started the rumours.

On Saturday morning, Sethi took to his Instagram stories and clarified that he is not married. “I am not married, I don’t know who started the rumour," he wrote. For years, Sethi has been linked to Toor but they have never confirmed their relationship.

Earlier in 2023, when Ali Sethi performed at Coachella, the singer was labelled as queer by the publication. In that interview, he said, “I think what I’ve always been trying to do is find this place of reconciliation. Because growing up I was told ‘You’re either this or that.’ I just rejected that.”

Reportedly, Sethi and Toor met in an art class at Aitchison College in Lahore and have remained friends for several years. “He (Salman Toor) was the most vulnerable one, because he didn’t have any defense mechanisms. I was the tallest person in the class, I was a teacher-pleaser, but Salman was guileless. When boys made fun of him, he couldn’t fight back,” Sethi told The New Yorker in 2022.

On the work front, Ali Sethi, back in June 2023, gave the rights of his song ‘Pasoori’ to the makers of Satyaprem Ki Katha for the recreation ‘Pasoori Nu’. The Pakistani Punjabi song was crooned by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill for Coke Studio Pakistan. The new version has been sung by Arijit Singh and Tulsi Kumar. The music is by Rochak Kohli and Ali Sethi. The lyrics of the song are by Gurpreet Saini and Ali Sethi.

Ali Sethi had a tremendous 2022 following ‘Pasoori’ with Shae Gill, which led them to unprecedented stardom. The song was the most searched song of 2022 on Google. He has several hits under his belt including ‘Ranjish Hi Sahi’, ‘Chan Kithan’, ‘Ishq’, ‘Chandni Raat’ among others. He recently released his new EP ‘Paniya’. ALSO READ: Pakistani singer Ali Sethi calls Arijit Singh ‘No. 1’ after ‘Pasoori Nu’ remake: “Main unke gaane sunta hoon”

Veteran actress and former Member of Parliament Jaya Prada has been sentenced to six months in prison and has been fined Rs. 5000 in the ESI funds case by a Chennai court. The actress was reportedly found guilty of failing to pay Employees' State Insurance funds for theatrical business in Chennai’s commercial hub. Reports further reveal that her colleagues Ram Kumar and Raja Babu were also found guilty in the same case.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, Jaya Prada owned a theatre in Chennai which eventually was shut down. The workers at the theatre had reported that the actress had not paid ESI funds to the workers and it was deducted from the salaries of the employees. It was alleged by them that the funds were not paid to the Government Insurance Corporation.

Then, a complaint was filed by the Labour Government Insurance Corporation against Jaya Prada and her associates at the Egmore Magistrate Court in Chennai. Though Jaya Prada promised to clear the pending dues and wanted the dismissal of the case, the court did not adhere to the request.

Jaya Prada remained one of the top actresses in the country and was at her peak in the 70s, 80s and early 90s. Upon quitting the industry, she became a Rajya Sabha MP and a Lok Sabha MP. In 2019, she joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). ALSO READ: Veteran film star Jaya Prada all set to grace the show Sasural Simar Ka 2 in a special sequence

Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel starrer Gadar 2 released in theatres on August 11, 2023. The film also stars Utkarsh Sharma as their son. While the movie has opened to mixed reviews, the audiences are enjoying the nostalgia. So much so that the film reportedly will open at Rs. 40 crore at the box office. And congratulating him on this massive feat is none other than Salman Khan.

 Taking to Instagram, Salman Khan congratulated Sunny Deol and wrote, “Dhai kilo ka haath equals chalis cr ki opening. Sunny paaji is killing it. Congrats to the entire team of Gadar 2.” He also shared the poster of movie.

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Helmed by director-producer Anil Sharma, and produced by Zee Studios, the movie sees Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel and Utkarsh Sharma reprise their roles as Tara Singh, Sakeena and Jeete. The film is about the next challenge the family faces from across the border.

Meanwhile, Salman Khan will next star in Maneesh Sharma’s Tiger 3. Set for Diwali 2023 release, the film reunites Khan with Katrina Kaif. Emraan Hashmi will play the antagonist in the action thriller. ALSO READ: Gadar 2 Box Office Estimate Day 1: A record opening in clash scenario on non-holiday; collects Rs. 41 crores

The craze for Gadar 2 has taken the trade and industry by surprise. The sequel was expected to take a huge opening. But no one expected that it will have chances of opening at Rs. 35 crores or even Rs. 40 crores. The demand for the film is tremendous; not just the aam junta but even the first citizen of India desires to watch Gadar 2.

Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learnt that the Honorable President of India, Droupadi Murmu, has expressed her wish to watch Gadar 2. The screening will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi on Sunday, August 13. The lead actors of the film, Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel and Utkarsh Sharma along with director Anil Sharma and Zee Studios team are expected to be present at this coveted screening.

Gadar 2 is the sequel to Gadar – Ek Prem Katha (2001). It also starred Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel and Utkarsh Sharma along with Amrish Puri. The action entertainer cum musical emerged as the biggest hit of Indian cinema and broke several records.

Two months ago, Zee Studios re-released Gadar – Ek Prem Katha in cinemas and it got a decent response, which had made it clear that the sequel will be huge. The trailer of Gadar 2, meanwhile, met expectations and the shot of Tara Singh (Sunny Deol) setting his sights on the hand pump was loved by the viewers. It is said that this single shot enhanced the hype for the film by many notches.

Gadar 2 has released in cinemas today.

Also Read: Gadar 2 sets record; manages to sell 20,00,000 tickets in advance

Actor Sanjay Dutt wished his eldest daughter Trishala Dutt on her birthday recently by penning a sweet note. The actor called her ‘shining star’ and shared a slew of photos with her.

Sanjay Dutt took to his Instagram handle to share a video which had an array of images of them. He wrote in the caption, "Happy birthday Princess! May God bless you with joy and success. Watching you grow fills my heart with pride. You are the shining star in my life, and I'm grateful for every moment we share. Happy birthday once again, my Princess. Always remember how deeply you are loved. @trishaladutt"

Trishala Dutt responded in the comment section by saying, “I love you daddy thank you.”

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Trishala is the daughter of Sanjay and late actor Richa Sharma, who passed in 1998 following her battle with brain tumour. Their daughter was raised by her maternal grandparents in the US. In 2008, the actor married Maanayata and the couple are parents to twins, Shahraan and Iqra.

On the work front, Sanjay Dutt has an array of line-up including his Tamil debut with Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Leo alongside Thalapathy Vijay. He will foray into Punjabi industry with Gippy Grewal's film Sheran Di Kaum Punjabi. He will also star in Double iSmart and Ghudchadi. ALSO READ: Ahmed Khan to direct Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, and Arshad Warsi in Welcome 3

Actor Imran Khan, who made his debut with Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, has confirmed that he's working on his comeback in Bollywood. This comes days after he had asked if people wanted to see him back on the screen. The actor stepped away from films after the 2015 movie Katti Batti.

In a rare Instagram post, he wrote on Threads, “To whom it may concern; I hear you. And I'm working on it. Thank you for being so patient with me.”

Previously, a fan commented on Zeenat Aman's Instagram post on her new brand commercial. The comment read, “Zeenat ji ne bhi comeback karlia, patani mera @imrankhan kab karega.” Imran responded to the comment  by saying, “Chalo Aditi, let's leave this to the internet… 1M likes, and I'll make it happen (shake hands emoji).”

Imran Khan, who is Aamir Khan's nephew, made his debut in the 2008 movie Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na alongside Genelia D'Souza. He went on to star in I Hate Luv Storys with Sonam Kapoor, Break Ke Baad opposite Deepika Padukone, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan opposite Katrina Kaif and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola opposite Anushka Sharma, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara! opposite Sonakshi Sinha, Delhi Belly and Katti Batti opposite Kangana Ranaut. ALSO READ: Imran Khan leaves a comment about his ‘comeback’ on social media; post sparks massive social media discussion

A day ago, Farhan Akhtar announced that Ranveer Singh is ready to step into the new interpretation of this larger-than-life character, Don, one of the most awaited action franchises of 2025. Announcing Don 3, which is touted to be a reboot, fans have been divided about not having Shah Rukh Khan in the third installment. The original character was played by Amitabh Bachchan in the 80s followed by SRK in the 2000s in Don and Don 2. Taking that legacy forward is Singh who is known for his magnetic presence, undeniable talent, and a penchant for delivering memorable performances. However, the actor is well aware of the responsibility that comes along with the role and he hopes that he can deliver a memorable performance if given a chance by the audience.

On Thursday, the actor shared a few of his adorable childhood pictures that prove he was a bundle of energy, a cool attitude and swag even back then! In the pictures, the cute toddler is seen going all guns and glory as he sports glares and holds a gun showcasing some attitude and swag! Taking to social media, he shared "Gosh! I’ve been dreaming about doing this for a very, very long time! As a child, I fell in love with the movies, and like the rest of us, watching and worshipping Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan - the two G.O.A.Ts of Hindi Cinema. I dreamed of growing up to be like them. They are the very reason I wanted to become an actor and a ‘hindi film hero’. Their impact and influence on my life cannot be overstated. They’ve shaped the person and actor that I am. Taking their legacy forward is a manifestation of my childhood dream."

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He added, "I understand what a great responsibility it is to be a part of the ‘Don’ dynasty. I hope the audience gives me a chance and showers me with love, the way they have for numerous characters over the past so many years.  Thank you Farhan and Ritesh for entrusting me with this honourable mantle and believing in me. I hope I can deliver on your faith and conviction. My two supernovas, The Big B and SRK, I hope I can make you proud. And my beloved audience, as always, I promise you…that I will do my very best to entertain you...in and as...’Don’. Thank you for your love."

Riding high on the success of his latest release Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, the powerhouse performer is certainly on a roll.

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Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar of Excel Entertainment, the film is scheduled to release in 2025. ALSO READ: Don 3 First Look: Farhan Akhtar introduces Ranveer Singh as the new generation Don, watch

It’s happening! Following much discussions around Alia Bhatt’s Rani Chatterjee’s sarees in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and her promotional looks, Manish Malhotra and Alia Bhatt are joining hands to launch the special collection on August 11. The actress will be launching it on Manish Malhotra’s website and via MiSu, her closet sharing initiative for charity and the proceeds will go to Sneha organization, which works towards the healthcare and welfare of vulnerable women and children.

In a note on Thursday, Alia Bhatt said, “MiSu, my wardrobe-sharing initiative, focused on recycling and keeping clothes from landfills is launching its 13th edition - which is really special to me. There's been so much love for my sarees in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani that Manish and I have been working closely together to ensure that all the sarees that I have worn while promoting the film, reach you, my dear Ranis. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these sarees will go towards preventive and promotive healthcare of vulnerable women and children through SNEHA. The collection will be available on manishmalhotra.in so go pick your favourite one. Or two. Or three! All for a good cause :) Alia Bhatt & Manish Malhotra.”

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

Alia Bhatt is getting rave reviews for her performance in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Helmed by Karan Johar, the film also stars Ranveer Singh and it has collected Rs. 113.68 cr at the box office so far.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Alia Bhatt is gearing up for Hollywood debut with Heart of Stone which releases on Netflix on August 11, 2023. She also has YRF’s untitled spy movie. ALSO READ: Alia Bhatt teaches Telugu to Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan; watch

Bollywood Hungama has been the sole source of exclusive information about the Rohit Shetty directed Singham Again starring Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, and Akshay Kumar in the lead. We informed our readers before anyone else that Vicky Kaushal has decided to step out of Singham Again due to date conflicts with the Laxman Uttekar directed Chhava. And now, we are bringing to you another exclusive piece of news on Singham Again.

According to our highly placed sources, Deepika Padukone will be seen playing a key role in Singham Again. "Deepika Padukone is all excited for Rohit Shetty's Singham Again. She will be playing the first female cop of the Rohit Shetty Universe and has already started prep work for this action-packed part. Deepika's character is more along the lines of a Lady Singham and has the arc of being Ajay Devgn's sister in the film," a source told Bollywood Hungama.

The source further added that the female cop in Rohit's universe belongs to Singham's family, as he wants to establish Singham and the people around him as the most patriotic, and willing to serve the nation. "It's a well-written role and more than just a cameo. It's more like a proper extended appearance for Deepika in Singham and she will be shooting for around 35 to 40 days," the source further told us.

Singham Again will also star Tiger Shroff making a cameo. With Singham, he will be making an entry into Rohit Shetty's Cop Universe and the film will lead eventually to a solo cop film with him. Singham Again goes on floors in September and is slated to hit the big screen in August 2024.

Also Read: Singham Again: Rohit Shetty Picturez sets the record straight on star cast rumours; says, “We will be making an official star cast announcement soon”

While fans of Atlee are eagerly anticipating the release of the much talked about Jawan, starring megastar Shah Rukh Khan along with Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi, director of the film Atlee is expected to have moved on to his next project, featuring Varun Dhawan. After exploring the South space and working with superstars like Thalapathy Vijay, Atlee has currently turned his attention towards Bollywood. In fact, we hear that the filmmaker has already started work on his next, which will be directed by South filmmaker Kalees.

In a video, which has been doing the rounds on social media after a paparazzo account posted the same, Varun Dhawan was seen warmly greeting several people as he arrived on the sets, which are said to be mounted for Varun’s upcoming venture. Not too long ago it was reported that the film will also feature Mahanati fame South actress Keerthy Suresh and Wamiqa Gabbi in lead roles. While the film is yet to be titled, it is currently being referred to as VD18.

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In an earlier report by Pinkvilla, a source was quoted about the film going on floors, wherein it was said, “Varun will be shooting for the film’s promo in Mumbai and will be combining the schedule with a few important sequence shoots as well. The preparation is going on in full swing, while the makers are also simultaneously working on the plan to officially announce the movie with the promo. It will be an entertaining promo packed with action and drama and will feature VD in a never seen before avatar.”

Produced by Murad Khetani & Priya Atlee and presented by Atlee, VD18 is said to be action entertainer that is slated for release worldwide on May 31, 2024.

Also Read: Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon starrer Bhediya to howl on COLORS Cineplex this Independence Day!

Less than 24 hours are remaining for the release of Gadar 2 and OMG 2 and shockingly, the show-sharing issues are yet to be resolved fully. Usually, such fights have taken place even in the past. But this time, an unusual scenario has emerged as in different circuits, the distributors of each film are different.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “To begin with, it’s a three-way clash of sorts as Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is also doing well in urban areas and in Bengal. It’s a film by Viacom18 who has also backed OMG 2.”

The source added, “In circuits like Rajasthan, CP, CI, Delhi and Bengal, where Viacom18 don’t have their own office, they have asked PVR Pictures to distribute OMG 2. It is said that this decision was taken so that their film can get more shows in front of a tsunami like Gadar 2. However, what they didn’t anticipate is that Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani will remain strong in certain pockets for so long.”

The source revealed, “In West Bengal, Karan Johar’s romantic drama is doing very well due to the Bengali flavour. Sharing shows among these films has proved to be a nightmare. And that’s not all. 2 big Bengali films, Byomkesh O Durgo Rahosyo and Cheeni 2, are up for release on August 11, along with Gadar 2 and OMG 2. One of these films is being distributed by none other than PVR!”

Another source informed us, “In Rajasthan, a different problem has emerged as PEN Marudhar is the distributor for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani as well as Gadar 2. OMG 2, meanwhile, is being released by PVR. The issue here is rather limited as Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has underperformed in this territory.”

In Bihar, Prakash Films is the distributor for all three movies. The source said, “And yet, the show-sharing issue has cropped up as the respective studios are trying their best to reserve maximum shows for their movies.”

The source then said, “Due to these factors, the advance booking has still not opened in several single screens across the country. Certain multiplexes, too, have allotted one screen each to Gadar 2 and OMG 2 while waiting for the issue to get resolved soon.”

A single screen exhibitor complained, on condition of anonymity, “Yeh hamesha ka problem hai hamare liye. Though we are used to it, we wish these issues don’t stretch till Thursday. I am dying to open bookings, especially for Gadar 2.”

Also Read: Battle intensifies for showcasing distribution between Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Gadar 2, and OMG 2; Karan Johar steps in to retain the screens