Abhishek Bachchan celebrated his 50th birthday on Thursday, February 5. His wife, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, like every year, made sure to wish her husband with an adorable post on social media. The actress penned a heartwarming birthday wish for her dear husband on social media. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wishes Abhishek Bachchan on birthday Aishwarya took to her Instagram handle and posted a cute childhood picture of Junior Bachchan. The black-and-white picture only showed Abhishek's eyes and head. In the caption, she wrote a heartwarming note and fondly called him 'Baby-Pappa', referring to a name she calls him, and 'Pappa' on behalf of their daughter Aaradhya. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AishwaryaRaiBachchan (@aishwaryaraibachchan_arb) She wrote, "Happy HAPPY 50th Birthday dearest Babyyy-Papa (evil eye, cake, hugs and sparkling heart emojis) with lots of love, peace, happiness, contentment and best health God Blesssss (sparkles emoji) Stay Golden… Shine on Love (smiling face with hearts, heart and sparkles emojis). The post soon garnered a lot of likes and comments from fans, many of whom extended thier birthday wishes to Abhishek Bachchan. Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan reportedly fell in love during the filming of thier film Guru. The couple later tied the knot in 2007 in an intimate, star-studded wedding ceremony at the Bachchan residence, Prateeksha, in Mumbai. The couple welcomed a daughter, Aaradhya in 2011. Recently, Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan were spotted together after a very long time at their daughter Aaradhya's annual day function. The couple was accompanied by Aishwarya's mother, Vrinda Rai, as well as Abhishek's father, and legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan at the event. On the work front, Aishwarya was last seen in Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2, where she played the role of Oomai Rani. The film was released back in 2023. Meanwhile, Abhishek was last seen in the multii-starrer Housefull 5 in 2025. Prior to that, he appeared in I Want to Talk (2024), for which he was critically acclaimed and even won a Filmfare Best Actor Award in 2025. Next, he will be seen in King, alongside Shah Rukh Khan in his multi-starrer. He will also be reportedly seen in Riteish Deshmukh's Raja Shivaji.
05 February,2026 09:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rhea Chakraborty is finally ending her hiatus and returning to the screen with the upcoming series, Family Business. The project was recently announced at a Netflix event and has since created buzz around Rhea's return to acting. Following the announcement, she has now shared a video reflecting on her long journey returning to the craft, while also expressing her gratitude. Rhea Chakraborty on making a comeback On Wednesday, Rhea took to Instagram to share a video of herself getting ready. In the video, she expressed joy over her return, recalling how the last time she shot it was in 2019 for Chehre. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rhea Chakraborty (@rhea_chakraborty) Rhea shared, "7 years. It’s actually really bizarre and surreal, almost. I didn’t expect to act ever again. It’s unreal in a way because it’s like a dream, right? This was my dream when I was 17, and then all of that happened, and I stopped getting work, and I had to stop living this dream. And then you are back on it, but you have changed a lot because now you have a different career, and now in many ways it doesn’t mean as much to you, but in many ways it still means more than it ever did (sic)." "7 years have passed since I went to set ..But I’m still the same girl who came to Bombay at 17 with a dream to be an actor. A part of me moved on, but a part of me stayed and waited. And I’m here, once again in my chapter2...It seems 'Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans'," the Jalebi actor added. About Family Business Family Business is created by Niren Bhatt and Hansal Mehta, and stars Vijay Varma, Anil Kapoor, Dhruv Sehgal, Neha Dhupia, Raima Sen, Akash Khurana, Apara Mehta, Nandish Sandhu, Anant Nag, Rohan Vinod Mehra, Tina Desai, Kanwaljit Singh, Madhoo and Inayat Sood along with Rhea in key roles. Rhea was last seen in the film Chehre, which was released in 2021. The mystery thriller film directed and co-written by Rumi Jaffery also starred Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi in lead roles.
05 February,2026 08:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTaha Shah Badussha became a name on everyone's lips after his breakthrough performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi. He once again grabbed headlines recently when his film Paro: The Untold Story of Bride Slavery made it to the contention list for the Oscars 2026. One's film making it to such a stage is no ordinary feat and arguably the dream for many. So was it for Taha, he told us. When mid-day caught up with Taha Shah Badussha, he got candid about Paro, Heeramandi, his career, and more. Taha Shah Badussha on Paro making it to Oscars contention list He recalled the moment he got the news, saying, "To be honest, I was sitting here when they messaged me. So first of all, I was thinking that these people were pulling my leg and were joking. I was told by the producer and actress, Trupti (Bhoir). And I'm like, 'No, no'. She had to really convince me. She said, 'Hey, check the link.' I checked the link. Then I went up and down. I was seeing that these people were not joking around." "When I found out that this was actually happening, I think I went very quiet because I didn't understand that a film made from the heart, but a small film, can reach this level. It was a wish, but I never thought that it would actually reach this level. And then it takes a moment to sink in. I was shocked. After that, it took me half an hour to realise that it is true. Then I called everyone again, and everyone was very happy," he further shared. Talking of releasing in India, Taha added, "Now we're just trying to push it to get the right release." Taha Shah Badussha recalls feeling left out in school When asked why he chose acting as a career, Taha shared, "I think when you are young, you really want respect from your classmates. You want adoration from your classmates. You want people to clap for you or cheer for you. And I feel I didn't get that in my childhood. I always felt that I was left out. Nobody used to cheer for me, even if I did well. So I wanted to make myself so strong. I wanted to make myself so talented." The 38-year-old adds, "It's very funny. When you were young, you wanted it, and you put in all the effort to get that. And when you put all the effort, you realise that you need to be your biggest cheerleader." Recalling his childhood, he shared, "I think since childhood. I have always wanted to be on stage. I like stage shows. I used to watch a lot of plays, and I used to love it. At that time, I didn't know about acting. But when I was about 20 years old, I told my mom, and she put me into the New York Film Academy." Taha Shah Badussha reveals his highest and lowest points When asked about the highest and lowest points in his career, he quips Heeramandi as the undisputed high point. Reflecting on the lowest point, he revealed it was COVID-19. He shared. "The lowest point would be somewhere around 2020 after COVID." Explaining why the time was tough on him, he shared, "I was in the US. So the people here (in Mumbai) forgot me. I was doing something in the US, but then COVID happened." Adding how the situation left him hanging, he said, "So I was not from here nor from there. I was lost. And I believe, to get myself out of that was a hard time. I thought my time would end."
05 February,2026 07:51 PM IST | Mumbai | Amarylisa GonsalvesIt's been almost two months since Dhurandhar released, and fans have not yet got over the hype. The buzz around the film was reignited when the film released on Netflix last week. Fans have since been closely analysing every detail of the film, be it dialogues to background elements and even the end credits and drawing theories on thier observations. Among them, one speculation emerged after a user on social media posted a screenshot from the end credits which mentioned three vanity vans under Ranveer Singh's name Rumours around Ranveer Singh's vanity vans For a long time now, there has been a debate around the entourage of actors. It was earlier reported that Dhurandhar star Ranveer Singh required three vanity vans for films. Although the claim was never confirmed, the recently observed end credits of Dhurandhar on Netflix resurfaced the speculations. . It started after a Reddit user shared a screenshot of the film’s end credits, which mentioned three vans under Ranveer’s character Hamza, namely, Hamza Van, Hamza Staff Van, and Hamza Normal Van. This gave rise to assumptions that the actor had multiple vanity vans on set. Truth behind Ranveer Singh's vanity vans Now, clearing the air, a source close to the production explained that the term 'van' was also used to refer to regular transport vehicles used during the Thailand shooting schedule of the film. “These were Thai vans being referred to in the end credits from Dhurandhar’s Bangkok shoot, which had a long shooting schedule. One vanity and two cars (Thai vans) were deployed for the actor, staff, luggage, etc, to travel around the locations,” the source told Hindustan Times. The source went on to explain that the Bangkok leg of the shoot involved extensive outdoor sequences. “Even now, with the teaser, you see two characters and a drastic transformation of Ranveer. He sometimes shed 15 kgs, gained 25 kgs within months or days and shot for 12–14 hours a day. In general, with actors, sometimes for drastic body transformations, a gym or private chef or both on sets are required for the magic to happen within production timelines,” the source added. Notably, Dhurandhar and its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, were shot together. It was initially conceived as a single film, however, it was later split into two parts due to its length.
05 February,2026 07:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Epstein Files have got everyone talking globally. Multiple high-profile names have surfaced in the files that include documents, pictures and videos detailing the criminal activities of convicted sex offender, late Jeffrey Epstein. Among others, one more name recently surfaced and has allegedly doing the rounds is that of filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. After the news spread, the Gangs of Wasseypur director has now broken his silence on the matter. Anurag Kashyap reacts to his name in Epstein Files The alleged mail refers to Anurag as the ‘Bollywood guy’ and ‘a Famous Bollywood director’, who had reportedly come on board for an event connected to Epstein held in Beijing in 2017. Anurag Kashyap has now reacted to his name being listed in the email. He told Hindustan Times, “I’ve no clue about this. I get invitations as a speaker, about 15 a month. I rarely respond. Also, I have never been to Beijing in my life!” He goes on to add that the nature of the documents itself isn’t convincing, “It’s some random email, that’s self explanatory . The click baits in my name are more popular than my films.” Notably, tycoon Bill Gates' name has also emerged in the Epstein Files. Reacting to it, Bill, during an interview, clarified that he ‘regrets’ all contact he had with him. Anurag Kashyap's name appears in Epstein files According to recent reports, Anurag Kashyap is mentioned as the 'Bollywood guy' in email exchanges between Epstein and individuals such as Giuseppe Bersani, Gino Yu, and Ornella Corazza, in the Epstein Files. The emails allegedly discussed Epstein’s planned trips to Cuba along with other locations, and mentioned Kashyap as one of the expected guests at workshops on Buddhism, technology, and medicine. In one of the messages in the email, Kashyap was also described as 'a famous Bollywood director.' Notably, Kashyap’s name appears along with other famous personalities such as Ben Goertzel, Bruce Damer, and DJ Spooky. Although Kashyap’s name appears in the files, it does not imply that the filmmaker attended any of the events or was involved in Epstein’s criminal activities. There is no evidence about Kashyap and Epstein being present at the same place at the same time. Furthermore, Kashyap's clarification has settled the dust on the speculations doing the rounds about the Dacoit actor.
05 February,2026 06:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent | mid-day online correspondentActor Anil Kapoor recently shared a special post marking 26 years of his 2000 film Pukar, along with his favourite song from the film, Sunta Hai Mera Khuda. However, the nostalgic post soon struck a chord with fans. However, it also sparked a conversation online after a user highlighted that the actor hadn’t tagged the singers of the song. Anil Kapoor reacts after being slammed for not tagging singers A user on X called out Anil Kapoor for not mentioning or tagging Udit Narayan and Kavita Krishnamurthy in his anniversary post, saying, “It’s a shame sir that u have mentioned in your tweet except the singers Feels like 90’s era singers in B’wood are treated like 2nd class citizens (sic).” Interestingly, Kapoor was quick to respond to the criticism and apologise. He replied, “I am sorry will repost it with both their names." His promptness and humility soon won praise from users online. Soon after, he re-shared the post, and this time made sure to tag all the artists associated with the song. He posted a short clip from Sunta Hai Mera Khuda, and wrote, “My favourite song from Pukar Playing it on repeat today!” He further went on to tag composer AR Rahman, singers Udit Narayan and Kavita Krishnamurthy, and lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri. He also tagged his co-stars Madhuri Dixit, Namrata Shirodkar, as well as director Rajkumar Santoshi, cinematographer Santosh Sivan and producer Boney Kapoor in the post. Anil Kapoor's gesture struck a positive note on social media. Several users showered him with messages like “Respect." They praised him for acknowledging the mistake and rectifying it. Some fans also said there was no need for an apology. About Pukar Released in 2000, Pukar is one of Anil Kapoor’s most memorable films. He played the role of Major Jaidev, who saves a politician from the clutches of a dreaded terrorist. However, the terrorist later joins hands with his childhood friend Anjali to seek revenge and ruin his life. The film also stars Madhuri Dixit, Namrata Sirodkar, Danny Denzongpa, and Viju Khote, among others. The songs from the film went on to be great hits, including Sunta Hai Mera Khuda, which continues to be a fan favourite even decades later.
05 February,2026 05:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhile Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor gear up to deliver thrills and chills with their edge-of-the-seat survival thriller Tu Yaa Main, the film’s music has already begun striking the right chords. After winning hearts with the duo’s undeniable chemistry in the romantic track Jee Liya, the makers continue to fuel the excitement by dropping yet another banger today, Naam Karu Bada, a hard-hitting rap that adds a whole new edge to the film’s music album. Adarsh Gourav raps for Tu Yaa Main song Sung by Adarsh Gourav and composed by Sez on the Beat, with rap lyrics by 7 Bantaiz, Naam Karu Bada becomes a powerful extension of Adarsh Gourav’s character, Aala Flowpara. Driven by a raw, street-style sound and an unmistakable underground pulse, the track channels Aala’s voice straight from the gullies to the mic. Through punchy verses that speak of dreaming big, flying high, and pushing oneself to try without fear, the rap captures his hunger to grow and break past his limits. The song reflects the mindset of a young dreamer who has made up his mind, yaa toh karega, yaa phir marega! Naam Karu Bada showcases Adarsh in a never-seen-before avatar, as a rapper, revealing a hidden skill that fans and audiences are seeing for the very first time. The track brings together sharp lyrics, pulsating beats, and Adarsh’s raw, confident vocal delivery, offering a glimpse into his deep engagement with music beyond acting. Beyond acting Adarsh is a trained singer and has previously released many singles including another song for the film, Jee Liya which has has sung with Lothika. Talking about doing a rap for his film, Adarsh Gourav shared “Singing has always been a passion of mine, and with Tu Yaa Main, I’ve gotten the chance to experiment across different genres. Jee Liya was rooted in romance, while Naam Karu Bada is completely Aala Flowpara, it speaks to his mindset, his ambition, and his hunger to grow. I’m really happy to have collaborated with such talented hip-hop and rap artists like 7 Bantaiz and Sez on the Beat. I hope audiences connect with this song as much as they’ve connected with Jee Liya.” More about Tu Yaa Main Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, Tu Yaa Main is produced by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma under the banner of Colour Yellow, along with Vinod Bhanushali and Kamlesh Bhanushali of Bhanushali Studios Limited. The film speaks directly to today’s youth, blending raw emotion with edge-of-the-seat storytelling, and is set for release on 13 February 2026.
05 February,2026 05:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmid the ongoing row surrounding Jana Nayagan, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has informed the Lok Sabha that the average time taken for film certification has been reduced to 18 days. The update comes even as Thalapathy Vijay’s farewell film Jana Nayagan has remained stuck with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for nearly a month, with no decision yet on its certification. Censor certification time reduced During a Lok Sabha session, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs L. Murugan was responding to a question raised by MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. He stated that the CBFC now takes an average of 18 days to certify feature films, a significant reduction from the prescribed limit of 48 working days. He attributed this improvement to the implementation of the Online Certification System. Notably, short films are now being certified within just three days. The Ministry also shared data on films challenged before the Revising Committee (RC) and the High Court (HC). According to the MIB, as many as 55 films were referred to the Revising Committee in 2025. The CBFC functions under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. As per Rule 37, the prescribed time limit for film certification is 48 working days. However, with the introduction of the Online Certification System, the current average certification timeline stands at 18 working days for feature films and three working days for short films. The Ministry further clarified that the time taken to dispose of cases by the Revising Committee remains within the timeframe specified under Rule 37(7) of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. The existing framework under the Cinematograph Act and Rules also provides a multi-level grievance redressal mechanism, allowing applicants to appeal certification decisions before a Revising Committee. Jana Nayagan row Meanwhile, Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan was supposed to be released in theatres on January 9. However, the release is in limbo with the censor board not proceeding with the certification. The film was sent to the Revision committee by the Regional Censor Board. The makers on the other hand approached Madras High Court to grant immediate certification. The case went on, and the makers missed the release date. The makers also went to the Supreme Court. However, the apex court refused to entertain the matter
05 February,2026 05:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actor Govinda's wife Ssunita Ahuja is reportedly all set to make her acting debut. According to reports, she has signed her first film, which will be presented by Balaji Motion Pictures and produced by Ekta Kapoor. Sunita's alleged debut comes at a time when she has constantly been making headlines regarding her divorce rumours with her husband, Govinda. Sunita Ahuja bags a role with Ekta Kapoor According to a report by India Today, Sunita Ahuja has allegedly signed her first film with Balaji Motion Pictures. The film will be produced by Ekta Kapoor. She is believed to shoot for 20 days for the film as she will be seen in a pivotal role. Although not much is known about her alleged acting debut as of now, the reports have set the internet buzzing. Some rumours also suggest that Sunita could be seen joining Ekta Kapoor's reality show, Lock Upp 2, which was announced at the recently unveiled Netflix slate 2026. Sunita confirms son Yashvardhan's film Meanwhile, Sunita, in an interview with Zoom, confirmed her son, Yashvardhan's next film. She said, "Yes, he is doing a film with Sajid Khan, Ektaa Kapoor Production. I love Ekta. I love Sajid. Sajid toh mere chote bhai ki tarah hai. Yes, Nitanshi is there. I have met her. She's a very sweet girl. And I want the picture movie to be a blockbuster, and I know it will be." The star wife added, "Vaise hi mera baccha bhi chooyega aasman. This movie of Yashvardhan, 100 jiska naam hai picture ka, will do more than Rs 200 crore," she expressed. Govinda's wife also expressed her belief in her son, Yashvardhan, that he will do well in Bollywood. When asked if she has emotionally prepared her son for the showbiz, she mentioned, "I have full confidence in my son, Yashvardhan. He is going to do very well because he's got his mother, who's praying for him." On the other hand, Govinda's manager, Shashi Sinha, told ANI, "A number of projects have been aligned, keeping him busy. There was a time when Govinda left projects worth crores in a year. Today, it is fine if he doesn't like a script. That's different. Many producers and even actors have been reaching out to him with offers, even though he has not had a single hit in recent times. He is just waiting for the right offer."
05 February,2026 04:43 PM IST | MumbaiVvan has been one of the most talked-about projects ever since its announcement. With audiences eagerly waiting for more details, the recently released intriguing teaser offered a tantalising peek into its mystical world, one that explores a unique folklore rooted in a rich cultural backdrop. Adding to the growing excitement, a new picture featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia in their first-ever on-screen collaboration has surfaced, teasing a refreshing chemistry fans didn’t know they needed. First look of Vvan A sneak peek of Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia from the sets of Vvan is simply too cute to miss. Their never-seen-before pairing sparkles with warmth and charm. Coming together on screen for the first time, the duo radiates youthful, energetic vibes, instantly winning hearts. This glimpse has only amplified the buzz around the film. The fresh pairing has already sparked massive excitement among fans, who have long been eager to see these two stars share screen space. Their crackling chemistry in this BTS moment has sent social media into a frenzy, building anticipation for what’s to come. Sidharth was last seen in the romantic drama Param Sundari. Tushar Jalota’s directorial venture was a classic story of opposites attract, with Malhotra’s character hailing from north India and Jahnvi Kapoor’s from Kerala. The film chronicled how the two fall in love despite having such contrasting personalities. About Vvan Adding to the film’s scale and intrigue, Vvan marks a landmark collaboration between two powerhouses of the content world - Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms and Arunabh Kumar’s TVF (The Viral Fever). This exciting partnership promises compelling storytelling and top-notch content, while also marking TVF’s first-ever venture into feature films. Set in the folk thriller genre, Vvan emerges as a rare and intriguing offering, further fuelling curiosity about the world it is set to unveil. Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with TVF, an 11.11 Production, present Vvan - Force of the Forest. Vvan is a big-screen folk thriller, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia. Vvan written by Arunabh Kumar, directed by Deepak Mishra and Arunabh Kumar, with DOP and Visual Director Manu Anand; and produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Arunabh Kumar and Niraj Kothari. Releasing in theatres in 2026.
05 February,2026 04:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran actor Naseeruddin Shah recently opened up about a disappointing incident when he was 'disinvited' from a Mumbai University event. The actor claimed that the move was linked to his political views. Naseeruddin Shah shared that he was initially invited to attend Jashn-e-Urdu, an event organised by the Urdu Department of Mumbai University on February 1. However, he was later informed that his participation was no longer required. Naseeruddin Shah claims being 'disinvited' from an event Naseeruddin claimed that the university did not provide any official explanation for withdrawing the invitation. He went on to claim that the organisers publicly informed that he himself had declined to attend the programme, which he disputed. Shah stated that the decision appeared abrupt, leaving him disappointed, especially given the cultural and literary nature of the event. In an Op-Ed of a leading newspaper, he highlighted his 40-year-long association with teaching and mentoring aspiring actors. He also revealed that the university uninvited him on the night of January 31, after informing him that his attendance was not needed the next morning. Linking the incident with his political views, Shah noted that the university has not offered any apology or explanation for uninviting him. The actor also alleged that the senior university official reportedly said that he ‘openly makes statements against the country.' Naseeruddin challenged the official to produce ‘one single statement’ made against the country. Naseeruddin Shah's political stance Elaborating on his political stance being a reason behind this, in the op-ed, the actor made remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and referred to him as the “self-proclaimed Vishwaguru.” He said he has been critical of the Prime Minister’s conduct and leadership style over the years, adding that Modi’s “narcissism” offends him and that he has not been impressed by “a single thing” the PM has done in the last decade. "I have often been critical and continue to be so of many things the ruling dispensation does. I have often lamented the lack of civic sense and consideration for others in our country. I have been vocal about several other issues because these are things that trouble people like me about the direction in which we seem to be headed, where student activists are held for years without trial but convicted rapists/murderers are frequently granted bail, where cow vigilantes have a free hand to maim and kill, where history is being rewritten and the content of textbooks revised, where even science is being fiddled with, where a Chief Minister, no less, talks of harassing the 'Miyas'. Just how long can this hatred be sustained?" he wrote in the op-ed. It further read, "This is not the country I grew up in and was taught to love. The 'thought police' and 'doublespeak' have been deployed in full force, as has surveillance. The 'two minutes of hate' have turned into 24 hours of hate."
05 February,2026 04:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
