Deepika Padukone turned 40 on Monday, January 5. She hosted a pre-birthday celebration with her fans, which included a cake-cutting ceremony and a meet-and-greet event where she answered fan questions. At the event, fans expressed interest in seeing her in a romantic comedy. Deepika said that while she and her team are scouting for scripts in the genre, not many producers are currently backing rom-coms. Deepika on rom-coms In a video from the fan meet, Deepika was asked when she would be seen in a rom-com. Responding to the question, the actress said, “I really hope very, very soon. As you all know, it is one of my most favourite genres as an audience member and as an actor. I just feel that the climate right now, or the environment, is such that audiences are seeking something else. But if so many of you want a rom-com, I’m sure a large part of the public also wants that.” Fans also shouted the names of actors they would like her to share screen space with in a rom-com, including Hrithik Roshan and Shah Rukh Khan. However, the loudest cheer was for her pairing with husband and actor Ranveer Singh. She added that while she and her team are constantly looking for strong rom-com scripts, very few producers are backing the genre. “Honestly, this is something my team and I keep looking out for. We are constantly searching for drama, love stories, and rom-coms, but there are very few producers backing that kind of content, or very few writers working on it right now. If you come across an interesting book or material, I’m always happy to look at it,” she said. Deepika Padukone launches the OnSet Program Continuing her commitment to nurturing authentic storytelling and fresh talent, Deepika announced the launch of The OnSet Program, the next chapter of her Create With Me platform. The initiative aims to empower aspiring creative artists seeking careers in the Indian film, television, and advertising industries, offering them a platform to be “seen, heard, and experienced.” While the program will provide training opportunities to promising talent, it will also serve as a launchpad for individuals with the expertise and experience to lead their own projects. Writing, direction, camera, lighting, editing, sound design, art direction, costume designing, hair styling, make-up artistry, and production are among the departments included in the program’s first phase.
06 January,2026 02:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVir Das, who is all set to make his directorial debut with Aamir Khan Productions’ upcoming film Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, recently shared an interesting behind-the-scenes anecdote from the film, revealing how actor Imran Khan came on board most unexpectedly. How Imran Khan joined Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos Speaking about the collaboration, Vir Das opened up about how a simple message turned into an exciting creative opportunity that eventually shaped a key character in the film. Recalling the moment, Vir said, “One day, I got a text from Imran. He doesn’t even use WhatsApp,” he revealed. “The message said, ‘Hey, I hear the movie is shaping up nicely. Can I come and do something fun in the film?’” The message, according to Vir, came as a pleasant surprise, especially considering Imran’s selective approach to projects and his general distance from the spotlight in recent years. What followed was a collaborative process driven by instinct and trust. Vir shared that once Imran expressed interest, he felt compelled to do justice to the actor’s willingness to step back into a film set. “After he reached out to me, I went back and incorporated him into the script of Happy Patel,” Vir explained. “I was like, yes, definitely, but then give me some time. I’ll craft a character for you that is entertaining and wild, and we need to do something you’ve never attempted before.” About the film The trailer of Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos has taken the fun to another level. With its high humour quotient, the trailer features several entertaining and quirky moments, promising a thoroughly entertaining film. As both director and actor, Vir Das brings a refreshing brand of quirky comedy that is sure to deliver plenty of laughs. Produced under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions, Happy Patel is slated to release in theatres on 16th January 2026.
06 January,2026 02:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Parul Gulati is brimming with gratitude and excitement as Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 gears up for a rare and special re-release in theatres, just a month after its initial run. The re-release marks a unique milestone, making the film one of the few to return to the big screen so soon, and for Parul, it couldn’t be more special, as it is her first theatrical film. She sees this re-release as a blessing and a perfect way to kickstart the New Year on a high note. Parul Gulati celebrates Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 re-release Calling it a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Parul shared how surreal it feels to see her debut theatrical project being celebrated not once, but twice in cinemas. Sharing her emotions, Parul Gulati said, “This honestly feels like a double bonus and the most beautiful New Year gift I could have asked for. Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 is my first theatrical film, and the fact that it has released not once but twice in theatres within such a short span is truly overwhelming. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience, and I feel incredibly blessed and grateful for all the love the film has received.” She further added that opportunities like these reaffirm her faith in the journey and motivate her to keep pushing boundaries as an actor.“ As an artiste, moments like these remind you why you do what you do. I don’t take this lightly at all. It’s a huge opportunity, and I’m thankful to the audience and the entire team for making this possible.” With the re-release, Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 continues its celebratory run, giving audiences another chance to enjoy the film on the big screen, while marking a memorable chapter in Parul Gulati’s career as she begins the year feeling thankful, hopeful, and inspired. Film to clash with The RajaSaab and Jana Nayagan The release date set by the makers of Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 also coincides with the release of two big South movies. While there is no Hindi film scheduled for release on January 9 apart from Kapil's re-release, the south biggies can have a potential impact on its business. The RajaSaab stars Prabhas in the lead with Sanjay Dutt and Boman Irani as primary cast members. Prabhas has a pan-India audience, and the upcoming film will see him in the horror-comedy space, a genre which is a first for the actor. On the other hand, Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan also hits the theatres and is expected to take the box office by storm in all of the South markets. It will mark Vijay's final film, making it all the more special.
06 January,2026 01:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPunjabi sensation Diljit Dosanjh turned 42 on Tuesday, January 6, 2025. The singer and actor celebrated his birthday on a high note with a special surprise for his fans. He dropped the teaser of his upcoming song Senorita, which marks a global collaboration with Colombian superstar J Balvin. Diljit Dosanjh shares teaser of collaboration with J Balvin Diljit took to Instagram to share a glimpse of his upcoming music video of the song Senorita and wrote: "Birthday Surprise with The Pride of Colombia Big Brother jbalvin X 2026 rajranjodhofficial mixsingh sharicsequeira Hello Balvinistas." View this post on Instagram A post shared by DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) The teaser boasts of a vibrant energy with slick visuals, undeniable confidence, and a glimpse of what's to come as Punjabi rhythms blend seamlessly with Latin beats. While the clip teases fans with something interesting while keeping a few surprises under wraps. It promises to be a global party anthem that's here to dominate playlists and inspire dance trends. The teaser of the song has sent the fans buzzing, with many calling it the "collab of the year." Fans have been flooding social media platforms with praise, expressing their excitement for the song's full release. About J Balvin J Balvin is a Colombian singer. He has won eleven Billboard Latin Music Awards, six Latin Grammy Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards and seven Latin American Music Awards and received four Grammy Award nominations. He became the first Latino to headline world-musical events such as Coachella, Tomorrowland, and Lollapalooza. He is also recognised as a "leader of a second-generation reggaeton revolution" by the Guinness World Records. Balvin's breakthrough came in 2014 with the single 6 AM, featuring Puerto Rican singer Farruko. Later in 2016, he released Energia, which included the hit singles Bobo, Safari, and Sigo Extrananote. In June 2017, Balvin released the single Mi Gente with Willy William, which became a global hit. In January 2018, he released the hit single Machika with Jeon and Anitta. He later also collaborated with Cardi B and Bad Bunny on the US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single I Like It. Meanwhile, Diljit will be seen in Border 2. Directed by Anurag Singh, the film brings a powerful ensemble led by Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, Mona Singh, Medha Rana, Sonam Bajwa, and Anya Singh. The upcoming film is presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series, in association with J.P. Dutta's J.P. Films. Backed by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta, Border 2 is slated to hit theatres on January 23rd 2026. (With inputs from IANS)
06 January,2026 01:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMayasabha, the much-anticipated Hindi feature film directed by Rahi Anil Barve and produced by Zirkon Films, is all set for its nationwide theatrical release on 30th January 2026. Starring an accomplished ensemble cast of Jaaved Jaaferi, Mohammad Samad, Veena Jamkar, and Deepak Damle, the film offers a gripping and introspective exploration of human relationships and the illusions that shape human lives. Mayasabha's journey at film festivals Ahead of its theatrical debut, Mayasabha has built strong momentum on the festival circuit. The film will be specially screened at the Third Asian Film Festival (9th–15th January 2026), with a showcase scheduled for 11th January at 11:30 AM. This will be followed by its official selection under Indian Cinema at the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) 2026, organized by the Government of Maharashtra, where the film will screen on 17th January at 7:00 PM. Sharing his thoughts, director Rahi Anil Barve said, “The audience response so far has been extremely encouraging. Festivals like the Third Asian Film Festival and PIFF provide an ideal platform for a film like Mayasabha to connect with discerning viewers. With the theatrical release on 30th January, we are excited to take the film to a much wider audience.” Adding to the film’s growing buzz, Mayasabha recently received an enthusiastic response as the Opening Film at the Annabhau Sathe Film Festival in Pune, earning strong appreciation and positive word of mouth. The film also remained in the spotlight during the closing phase of the Jagran Film Festival 2025 in Mumbai, further strengthening anticipation ahead of its theatrical release. More about Mayasabha In Mayasabha, the audience and the four characters begin the journey together — the treasure hunt starts at the same moment for both. But as the film moves forward, the revelations experienced by the characters and the revelations experienced by the audience begin to diverge. The shocks that hit the characters come from what they discover within the story, while the audience is struck by truths the characters themselves cannot see. Yet the film never alienates its viewers; it ensures that the audience remains emotionally aligned with the characters. And perhaps the most unique — and even risky — choice lies in the climax, where Barve breaks almost every well-accepted rule associated with traditional mystery thrillers, choosing a path that is completely unheard of. Produced by Zirkon Films, Mayasabha is backed by producers Girish Patel and Ankoor J Singh, with co-producers Shamrao Bhagwan Yadav, Chanda Yadav, Kewal Handa, and Manish Handa. The film is presented and distributed by Pickle Entertainment, led by Sameer Dixit and Rishikesh Bhiringi, with creative consultation by Ashish Ningurkar.
06 January,2026 01:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKangana Ranaut is not putting her acting career on hold despite her numerous political obligations. The actor-turned-politician is back on the set of her next movie, Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata. Kangana updated her fans on Instagram on Monday by sharing a video that was first published by Manikarnika Films Production, her production company. In the video, the actor is seen arriving on set and collaborating closely with director Manoj Tapadia. Prior to the shoot, the two are seen going over the screenplay and talking about the set. Kangana Ranaut starts shooting for Bharat Bhagya Viddhaata "Nice to be back on film set," Kangana remarked after reposting the footage on her Instagram Stories. In the footage, Kangana is seen conversing with the director while wearing a light-colored suit and carrying a few papers. As of right now, very little is known about the movie's narrative; specifics are being kept under wraps. Kangana will play "the central role in the film which will showcase the remarkable stories of ordinary people and their extraordinary achievements," according to the 2024 movie announcement. Kangana last appeared in the movie Emergency, which she co-produced and directed. Kangana portrays former prime minister Indira Gandhi in the political drama. It centers on the 21-month emergency that occurred between 1975 and 1977. The movie didn't do well at the box office. Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, and Anupam Kher were also featured. Kangana Ranaut's plans to relocate Kangana is also planning to relocate to Hollywood. The Queen actress has committed to a Western horror film. Variety reports that Blessed Be the Evil, a horror film, will mark Kangana's Hollywood debut. Kangana will co-star with Tyler Posey and Scarlet Rose Stallone in the Lions Movies production. Anurag Rudra, who co-wrote the screenplay with Gatha Tiwary, will direct the movie. The movie, according to the synopsis, centers on a Christian couple who buy an abandoned farm with a troubled past after suffering a terrible miscarriage. A sinister presence soon puts their love and trust to the test. The project will be showcased at the next Cannes Film Market to buyers from around the world.
06 January,2026 12:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Tara Sharma is back on the set, and this time for the shoot of the sequel to her beloved laughter ride, Khosla Ka Ghosla. As she reunited with some old buddies from the original drama, such as Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Parvin Dabas, and Kiran Juneja, Tara felt both nostalgic and adventurous on the first day of the shoot for Khosla Ka Ghosla 2. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tara Sharma Saluja (@tarasharmasaluja) Spilling her emotions, Tara took to her Instagram handle and posted a fun selfie with co-stars Anupam Kher, Parvin Dabas, and Kiran Juneja. Her post also included a nostalgic note, celebrating a new journey with some old co-passengers. Tara wrote, "And it begins (red heart emoji) khoslakaghosla 2…shooting with many from our KKG 1 fam and some new. Nostalgia and new adventures. Great to reunite with many, missing those not here and looking forward to the acting and the rest joining and us all hopefully creating another film you all love, safely, smoothly and successfully touch wood. (sic)" She revealed that her first day of the shoot turned out to be extremely fun. Tara went on to write, "Not revealing anything but my first day on this set so a Woh Yah Hooo post with some from the OG squad seemed right! Will post more as and when able to and nearer release! Have a super day all." Meanwhile, as Ravi Kishan joins the cast of Khosla Ka Ghosla 2, Kher uploaded a video on social media, expressing his excitement to work with him. "A BRILLIANT ACTOR AND A GREAT HUMAN BEING: Extremely Happy, Delighted and Joyous to have a very dear friend ravikishann join the cast of KhoslaKaGhosla2. We worked together long time back. But this is going to be super special. I admire Ravi as an excellent actor, a hardworking parliamentarian and above all as the PERSON that he is!! Calm, Humble, Compassionate, Helpful, Sincere and someone who LOVES Bharat passionately! Looking forward to our scenes together! Har Har MAHADEV! Actor KKG2.", Kher captioned the post. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 January,2026 12:42 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActress Neha Dhupia is welcoming 2026 on a positive and mindful note, saying she feels “renewed, recharged and ready” for the year ahead. Neha took to Instagram, where she shared a string of images from her beach holiday with her husband Angad Bedi, children, family and friends. In the images, the actress has also given a glimpse into what all she gorged on her getaway. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Neha Dhupia (@nehadhupia) Neha shared a fresh picture of herself along with a reflective caption that summed up her current state of mind. “Refreshed… renewed… recharged… n ready for you 2026,” she wrote, adding the hashtag #BeKind (sic).” Before going on her New Year holiday, Neha on December 28 shared that she got a chance to get back on the stage after almost 8 years. She loved returning to dancing for the first time after becoming a mother to two kids. She wrote: "One off the check list in 2025 after almost 8 long years … danced my heart out , performed on stage , back to the naach gaana with my favourite set of dancers … first time after becoming a mama twice …. Uff the joys and perks of being in the entertainment industry … just when you think it’s all over , that’s when that phone rings all over again!!! (sic)" On the work front, she was recently seen in the series Single Papa on Netflix. The show also stars Manoj Pahwa, Kunal Kemmu, Dayanand Shetty, Prajakta Koli, Neha Dhupia and Ayesha Raza Mishra. The series follows Gaurav Gehlot, a lovable man-child whose emotional age can best be described as “work in progress.” His sudden decision to adopt a baby right after his divorce leaves his family so shocked that they briefly consider rebooting him. What follows is unprecedented kalesh as the Gehlots scramble to understand how a man who still misplaces his socks plans to raise a whole human. She was also seen in the show The Perfect Family. The series highlights the mental health stigma prevailing in almost every Indian household. The show has been lauded for its sensitive storytelling and powerful performances. The Perfect Family, along with Gulshan Devaiah, also stars Seema Pahwa, Manoj Pahwa, Neha Dhupia, and Girija Oak and has been produced by Pankaj Tripathi and Ajay Rai and directed by Sachin Pathak. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 January,2026 12:28 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, who is currently facing legal trouble and is in prison with his wife. The two have been accused of cheating. On Monday, the Rajasthan High Court, rejected their petition seeking quashing of the FIR registered against him and his associates in Udaipur. The court also refused their bail plea. About the fraud case against Vikram Bhatt Ajay Murdia, a resident of Udaipur, had filed a complaint of cheating and criminal breach of trust against Vikram Bhatt, Shwetambari Bhatt and others, alleging that funds taken in the name of a film project were misappropriated. Bhatt had moved the High Court seeking quashing of the FIR, contending that the matter was of a civil nature, not criminal. The counsel for the petitioner argued in the court that the dispute is essentially one of breach of contract between two parties, which is civil in nature, and that under their agreement, the jurisdiction for resolving disputes should have been Mumbai and not Udaipur. Describing Bhatt as a reputed filmmaker, the counsel also submitted in the court that an agreement was entered into with the complainant for making four films with an investment of Rs. 40 crore, followed later by an additional Rs. 7 crore. The counsel submitted that out of four films, one has been completed, but the complainant stopped further financing. The counsel for the respondent informed the court that the police had conducted a preliminary inquiry before registering the FIR, during which the allegation of misappropriation of funds "was found to be substantiated". They also brought to the court's notice that the money given for film production was transferred to vendors and individuals who had no connection with the film. Vikram Bhatt's bail plea rejected Justice Sameer Jain of Rajastha High Court refused to interfere and observed that the matter does not appear to be merely a breach of contract, but prima facie involves deliberate diversion and misappropriation of funds. As a result, the police investigation will continue. The High Court, in its order, refused to provide any relief to Bhatt and others, stating, "The allegations are not confined merely to non-performance of a contract; they involve deliberate diversion of funds, lack of transparency, and elements of dishonesty. The preliminary inquiry has revealed evidence of fake invoices and the circulation of funds." The court also noted that the Bombay High Court had previously rejected the anticipatory bail plea and stated that when a cognisable offence is made out prima facie in a case, the high court should not interfere with the investigation. (With inputs from PTI)
06 January,2026 12:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKiara's recent Instagram Story clearly shows how much she is enjoying her motherhood phase. A while ago, she dropped a video in which she can be seen reading a magazine with her daughter, Saraayah. The brief glimpse of Saraayah's tiny hands is adorable. "Me and my mini enjoying our Monday magazine read," she captioned the post. In July 2025, Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, one of the most loved jodis of Bollywood, became three from two as they were blessed with a baby girl. Announcing the birth of their daughter, the couple, via a joint post on Instagram, posted, "Our hearts are full and our world forever changed. We are blessed with a Baby Girl. KIARA & SIDHARTH." On the work front, Kiara Advani will next be seen in Yash's upcoming film Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups. She will be playing a character named Nadia in the film. The first look of Kiara from the movie was released in December last year. The film stars Yash in the lead role and is written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas. It is directed by Geetu Mohandas and has been shot in both English and Kannada, with dubbed versions planned in several Indian languages. The film is set to release in theatres on March 19. Sidharth Malhotra, on the other hand, will be seen next in VVAN: Force of the Forrest, where he stars opposite Tamannaah Bhatia. The film is directed by Deepak Mishra and Arunabh Kumar and is produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, and Arunabh Kumar. The story is set in the forest regions of Central India and is based on Indian folklore. VVAN is scheduled to hit theatres on May 15. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 January,2026 11:57 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIAgastya Nanda called playing Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, in his debut movie Ikkis, his most special character. As Agastya himself is not on social media, his sister, Navya Nanda, dropped a short and sweet gratitude note on his behalf on her Instagram saying, "This was, is, and always will be the most special character I got to play. Thank you Arun Khetarpal....Love, Agastya. (sic)" Previously, Agastya shared that music played a crucial role in helping him understand his character in Ikkis. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Navya Naveli Nanda (@navyananda) The grandson of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan shared a statement that read, "Music played a huge role in helping me understand my character and its emotional journey. Listening to the complete album now feels like revisiting those moments on set which were honest, emotional, and very close to my heart.” Recently, Agastya's co-star Simar Bhatia thanked him for sharing this journey with her. A section of her heartfelt post on social media read, "Aggy, I have grown so fond of you. You are truly incredible in this film. I can’t wait for the world to witness the greatness of 2/Lt Arun Khetrapal through you. Thank you for making this journey feel shared, never lonely." Agastya was also applauded by Big B for his performance in his debut movie. Calling his performance “perfection in every shot”, Amitabh Bachchan recalled the day Agastya’s mother, Shweta, was rushed to the hospital during her final labour pains. The Bollywood stalwart wrote, “Emotions flow .. As do they tonight when you witness the grandson excel in IKKIS .. the time when his Mother , Shweta is being rushed to Breach Candy Hospital as she encounters final labour pains .. his birth .. holding him barely a few hours later, and discussing whether his eyes were blue..". “To the time when he grew a bit and holding him in my arms, and he fiddles with my beard .. to his growth .. to the final personal decision of his to be an actor. And tonight to see him in frame, unable to take my eyes off each time he fills the frames of the film ..", he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 January,2026 11:42 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
