Actress Sara Ali Khan responded to persistent trolls on social media, saying she consciously chooses to ignore such online negativity. When asked by ANI about her reaction to trolls on social media, Sara Ali Khan boldly said, "I don't react to them." Sara Ali Khan, who debuted in Bollywood in 2018 with 'Kedarnath', is now considered a leading actress in the film industry. She has worked in diverse projects, including Atrangi Re, Coolie No 1, Love Aaj Kal, Ae Watan Mere Watan, Metro In Dino and others. The actress described her Bollywood journey as "great and amazing." She called herself "blessed" for the opportunity to work on diverse projects. "My bollywood journey has been great, amazing, blessed and thankful," said Sara Ali Khan. Despite her diverse career, the actress's films have often failed to attract audiences in theatres. 'Ae Watan Mere Watan' was directly streamed on Amazon Prime Video. However, the recent unsuccessful films in her filmography didn't faze the actress's confidence in her skills and passion for cinema. "Everybody is entitled to their opinions. Something is well recieved by you, maybe I didn't receive it well. Something mom like, Ibrahim didn't like. Every project is made with passion and hard work," said Sara Ali Khan. Meanwhile, Sara Ali Khan appeared at the Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) event, which offered a sneak peek into the key insights from its upcoming 'The Elevated Living Edit' report at Godrej Meridian, Gurugram, on Thursday. The fireside chat around the report, held under the auspices of GPL's Shubh Aarambh season, featured actor Sara Ali Khan and Rohit Mohan, Chief Design Officer at Godrej Properties, and was moderated by Kalyani Chawla, Founder of Rezon, Luxury Silverware. Actor Sara Ali Khan shared her point of view and highlighted, "There is something very special about a home handover, and it marks a true Shubh Aarambh. It's the start of memories, routines, and moments that shape everyday life. Luxury today is no longer about excess; it's about awareness of how we live, what we value, and the spaces we choose to grow in. Homes that integrate wellness, thoughtful design, and a sense of balance resonate deeply with the way modern lifestyles are evolving," as quoted in a press note. She further added, "The Elevated Living Edits by Godrej Properties highlights several trends that strongly resonate with me. It explores how modern Indian homebuyers define luxury today, shifting away from excess and towards calm, wellness, privacy, and homes that support everyday living," as quoted in a press note. Sara Ali Khan was last seen in the film 'Metro In Dino', directed by Anurag Basu and starring Aditya Roy Kapur, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Sheikh, Anupam Kher, Konkana Sen, Pankaj Tripathi, and Neena Gupta in lead roles. 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
01 February,2026 01:56 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIActor Mallika Prasad, the fierce antagonist in Rani Mukerji starrer 'Mardaani 3', opened up about the evolving space for female villains in the industry. Highlighting the growing acceptance of women in negative roles, Prasad, in an interview with ANI, said she had wanted to explore that character type for a while. "I wanted to explore what it is like to be a villain. I'm not unfamiliar with playing characters that are not straight or black and white characters, but I'm always keen to see how people receive characters like this in mainstream work. Sometimes, you don't think of a villain necessarily as a woman. I'm of the generation when 'Mogambo' was the iconic villain of all time. I also think about what it would mean to have a woman play an iconic villain like that," she said. Noting that while audiences and filmmakers have always been open to female-centric stories, Mallika Prasad acknowledged a gap that still exists between male and female performers. "The world has been ready for the feminine for a very long time. I come from a training and experience space where we trust the organic intelligence of audiences, and I don't believe diluting content, an idea necessarily serves your own growth as an artist. It is true that we tend to support failure, but I can't be blind to the fact that if it is a male actor, then the sense of support is higher. There are way too many women now on both sides of the script, the camera and the production," the actor continued. Mallika Prasad, who is seen opposite Rani Mukerji's Shivani Shivaji Roy in the latest 'Mardaani' film, also recalled meeting the actor on the film's muhurat puja. Stating that they had a limited period of shoot schedule together, Prasad spoke highly about Rani's powerful presence and her film legacy. "Mostly, we had different schedules or circumstances and had to work separately. So, there wasn't much that of an interaction on the sets. I remember having a brief interaction with her during the puja. All of us were in a room and she told me 'Welcome to the franchise'. For me, it feels nice to work with strong women like her. For a woman to reach where she is now wouldn't have been easy," she shared about Rani Mukerji. Mallika Prasad is seen as the lead antagonist in the third 'Mardaani' film. As the merciless, evil, and powerful 'Amma', she will be shown as responsible for handling a beggar mafia, mostly targeting child victims. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra, 'Mardaani 3' marks the return of Rani Mukerji as Shivani Shivaji Roy. 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
01 February,2026 01:52 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIActress and social media personality Uorfi Javed has finally reacted strongly to news circulating online about her religion and identity, stating that she does not follow any religion. The clarification from Uorfi has come after social media influencer Faizan Ansari claimed that Muslims had decided to remove Uorfi Javed from Islam and changed her name to Geeta Bharadwaj. Responding to these claims in an exclusive conversation with IANS, Uorfi dismissed the reports as baseless and made her stance very clear. She said, “I myself left the religion long ago. Who is making these things up now?” Reacting to news of her name being changed to Geeta Bharadwaj, Uorfi told IANS, “Who said this? There is no such report. They are making it up on their own. I don’t follow any religion. I am an atheist. So where will you get me out of? How would you get somebody out of a place they don't exist in the first place!” Earlier today, social media influencer Faizan Ansari stated has been “expelled” from Islam and will now be called as Geeta Bhardwaj. The influencer made the strong claim through a video shared on his social media, where he alleged that a decision had been taken by ‘Muslims’ to disassociate Javed from the community following her constant insult to your community. In the video, Ansari said, “Hello guys, how are you all? I am Faizan Ansari. There is a girl who is ruining the name of Muslims not only in India but across the world. She herself says that she does not believe in the Quran, she does not believe in Islam, and she does not believe in the Muslim religion. Her name was Muslim till now, Uorfi Javed. She is a very bad girl who has ruined the name of Muslims across the world, and every Muslim abuses her.” He added, “So finally, we Muslims have decided that Uorfi Javed is not a Muslim anymore. For this, I have given a written letter to the Maulana, the head of the All India Muslim community. I have not taken permission, I have informed him that Uorfi Javed is not a Muslim anymore. Uorfi Javed has nothing to do with the Muslim community and her new name is Geeta Bhardwaj.” Announcing his decision on behalf of Muslims, Faizan said, “I am announcing this publicly so everyone should know that Uorfi Javed is not a Muslim anymore. Her name is Geeta Bhardwaj. All of us Muslims have taken this decision. I have given a written letter to the Maulana and I am attaching it with this video. I will tweet this so the message reaches worldwide. Please forward this so people know what happens if someone abuses the name of Muslims. From today, Uorfi Javed’s name is Geeta Bhardwaj. Please do not call her Uorfi Javed. She has no place in the Muslim community or society. For proof, I am attaching the letter. Thank you.” 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
01 February,2026 01:08 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSFilmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife have suffered a major legal setback after the Rajasthan High Court rejected their bail pleas in connection with a ₹30-crore fraud case, ordering that they remain in judicial custody as investigations continue. The decision was delivered after the court heard detailed arguments from both the prosecution and the defence. All about the case The couple was arrested in December last year by Rajasthan Police and brought from Mumbai to Udaipur for questioning. Their arrest followed a complaint alleging financial irregularities related to film production and funding. Along with Vikram Bhatt and his wife, other individuals linked to the case, including close associates and managerial staff, were also taken into custody. During the bail hearing, the prosecution strongly opposed granting relief, stating that the investigation is still at a crucial stage. It was argued that releasing the accused could interfere with the probe and potentially influence witnesses. Considering the seriousness of the allegations and the amount of money involved, the court observed that this was not an appropriate stage to grant bail. The case stems from a complaint filed by entrepreneur Dr Ajay Murdia, who alleged that he was induced to invest approximately ₹30 crore in film projects that were either delayed or never completed as promised. According to the prosecution, the funds were meant for multiple film productions, but only a few projects were completed, while a significant portion of the investment remains unaccounted for. Investigators claim the money was diverted through various transactions that are now under scrutiny. Recent developments on the case The defence, however, has denied all allegations, maintaining that the dispute is purely commercial in nature and does not constitute criminal fraud. The Bhatt camp has argued that the investments were made with full knowledge of the risks involved in film production and that delays or financial losses are common in the industry. Despite these claims, the court found sufficient grounds to continue judicial custody. The case has attracted widespread attention due to Vikram Bhatt’s prominence in the Hindi film industry. As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to file a detailed chargesheet, which will determine the next course of legal action.
01 February,2026 12:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA shocking incident unfolded in Mumbai’s upscale Juhu area after four rounds were fired outside the residence of Bollywood filmmaker Rohit Shetty, triggering concern among residents and the film industry. The firing reportedly took place late at night, sending panic through the neighbourhood. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the director and his family are said to be safe. 4 rounds of firing happened Soon after the shots were heard, local residents alerted the police, prompting an immediate response from the Juhu Police. Senior officials, along with teams from the Mumbai Crime Branch, rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area as a precautionary measure. Security around the filmmaker’s residence was tightened, and additional police personnel were deployed to prevent any further untoward incident. Preliminary investigations confirmed that four bullet shells were recovered from outside the building. Forensic experts were called in to examine the scene and collect evidence. The police are also scanning CCTV footage from nearby buildings and streets to identify the individuals involved and track their movements before and after the firing. Officials stated that all possible angles are being explored, including whether the incident was a targeted threat or a random act. At present, authorities have not confirmed the motive behind the firing, nor have they identified any suspects. It is also unclear whether Rohit Shetty was at home when the shots were fired. Police officials have assured that the investigation is being taken seriously and that no possibility is being ruled out at this stage. All about the incident The incident has once again raised questions about the safety of high-profile individuals in Mumbai, especially those from the film industry. Over the years, several celebrities have been provided enhanced security following threats or suspicious activities near their homes. Officials are now assessing whether additional protection is required in this case as well. Rohit Shetty, one of Hindi cinema’s most successful filmmakers, is best known for directing blockbuster franchises such as Golmaal, Singham, and Sooryavanshi. News of gunfire outside his residence has sent shockwaves through the entertainment community, with many expressing concern and hoping for swift action. Police officials have stated that further details will be shared once the investigation progresses and more clarity emerges regarding the incident.
01 February,2026 09:59 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentGracing the stage of Indian Idol during its special ‘Season of Love’ celebrations, Bollywood diva Neelam Kothari left everyone stunned with her candid confession. The actress disclosed a little-known secret behind Bollywood’s most iconic love story, Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan , revealing how she was the reason behind their romance. As seen in the latest promo, Neelam revealed, “A few months back Shah Rukh was telling me, ‘You know Neelam, one of the reasons Gauri and I got married is because of you.’” King Khan further explained the beautiful backstory to her, “He was telling me that when I was doing films, he was a big fan, and Gauri was also a big fan. So both of them used to watch my films together. So that's how the romance started. They went to watch Neelam's film together, and I did not know that.” She added, “So one of the reasons Shah Rukh and Gauri are together is because of me,” Neelam further smiled and admitted that she had no idea her films played cupid in the most iconic real life love story of Indian cinema. Talking about Neelam, the actress is best known for her roles in romantic and family dramas, particularly her successful on-screen partnership with Govinda in films like Ilzaam (1986), Love 86 (1986), and Hatya (1988). Neelam Kothari was last seen in the OTT web series Bollywood Wives. She will also be seen making a fun appearance on the Akshay Kumar hosted quiz reality show Wheel of Fortune alongside her BFFs Bhavna Panday and Maheep Kapoor. 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
01 February,2026 09:41 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSNayi jodi Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur were spotted at director Ravi Udyawar’s office, drumming up buzz for their upcoming film. While the jury is still out on whether this jodi truly works, we’re quite enjoying their off-screen chemistry for now. Khao, Piyo, majani life! Not every dish can be discovered by scrolling through Instagram reels. Some flavours demand good old-fashioned exploring. Case in point: Deepika Padukone and Fatima Sana Shaikh, who were spotted stepping out of a Khar eatery after what looked like a hearty meal. Just In Shahid Kapoor and Salman Khan Huma Qureshi, Bhumi Pednekar and Ameesha Patel Saina Nehwal with father Harvir Singh Nehwal
01 February,2026 08:42 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamThere can be no music without Arijit Singh," an emotional Mohit Suri told mid-day, reacting to news that sent Indian music lovers into collective shock. On Tuesday night, in an Instagram post, the two-time National Award-winning singer announced his retirement from playback singing. "There is not one reason behind this. I have been trying to do this since a long time. Finally, I have gathered the right courage. One of the reasons were simple, I get bored pretty quick, that’s why I keep changing arrangements of the same songs and perform them on stage," he wrote. The voice that became an era For more than a decade, Arijit was Bollywood's go-to guy for any track in any genre. When a film needed longing, his voice delivered it. When a love story or heartbreak had to feel intimate, his timbre did the work before the lyrics even began. By the mid-2010s, Bollywood leaned heavily on Arijit. Across Hindi and multiple regional industries — including Bengali, Marathi and Telugu — he has recorded over 800 songs, including alternate versions and live-session recordings. Few playback singers in recent decades have occupied that much sonic space. Mohit Suri His dominance carried serious commercial weight. Industry experts estimate his net worth in the range of R414 crore (roughly $50 million), built on recording fees, tours, streaming royalties and brand associations. Annual earnings reportedly touched R70 crore in recent years. Days before announcing his exit, Arijit released Maatrubhumi for Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan. A stunned Himesh Reshammiya, who composed the song, told mid-day, "I have always said that Arijit Singh understands the soul of the music composer and the melody; he is fabulous. I wish he changes his stand on not singing for films, love him both as an artiste and a human being." While he may not take up fresh playback gigs, Arijit still has a few recorded songs lined up for 2026. One of them is Hum Toh Tere Hi Liye The from O’Romeo, composed by Vishal Bhardwaj with lyrics by Gulzar. Another is Sunhari Kirne from Gandhi Talks, composed by AR Rahman. Mahesh Bhatt While he might not be taking up any fresh playback gigs, Singh still has a few recorded songs set to release in 2026. One of them is Hum Toh Tere Hi Liye The from O’Romeo, composed by Vishal Bhardwaj with lyrics by Gulzar, a romantic track filmed on Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri. Another is “Sunhari Kirne” from Gandhi Talks, composed by A.R. Rahman, which is one of the year’s most musically anticipated soundtracks. Industry confronts a void A top suit at Sony Music, tells mid-day, on condition of anonymity, “This changes the ground beneath us more than people realise. For years, when a film album came in and there was one song, the one the trailer would lean on the one streaming platforms would push and the first question in the room was always, ‘Can we get Arijit?’ I speak for producers and insiders when I say there was built-in trust. People outside think this is just about replacing one voice with another. It’s not that simple because that's a once-in-a-generation artist. He became the sound of modern Hindi film. When that disappears, you’re filling a big void. And that’s scary when crores are riding on streaming numbers. There’s also habit to undo. Directors, actors, even lyricists were subconsciously writing for how his voice would feel. Without that anchor, the room will be quieter. Everyone second-guesses more. We’ll discover new singers, of course. But it will be hard to replace that voice.” Himesh Reshammiya Industry veterans understand Singh's decision. Mahesh Bhatt, with whom Singh did a large volume of his early work, told mid-day, "I remember the first time I saw Arijit Singh very clearly. It was at the music launch of Aashiqui 2 at Super Sound in Khar—the old place, full of dust, wires, and hope. His name was announced and he was called to the stage to sing Tum Hi Ho. A shy, self-effacing young man walked up, almost apologetically, with no sense of entitlement. He didn’t claim the song; he offered it. And in that moment, something entered the bloodstream of the nation. That song didn’t just become popular, it became personal. What made Arijit Arijit was never just his voice. It was his refusal to perform himself. His singing carried no ego, no demand to be noticed. He stepped aside and let emotion speak. So when someone asks me if I would miss his voice, life has taught me to answer this way: I have learned to say goodbye to people I love without removing them from my heart. Chaplin once said something to that effect, and it has stayed with me. Even if Arijit chooses silence, his voice will not leave us. And I don’t believe he is turning away from music—only from noise. If he sings only for himself now, that is not withdrawal. That is an artist exercising his deepest privilege. Voices like his don’t vanish. They remain long after the song ends." Inside the mind of a restless artist Aashiqui 2 director Suri, with whose words we started, gave us an insight into his long-time collaborator's psyche. Singh first fame with the film he made and even in his last hit Saiyaara, Singh had a large role to play Suri tells us. "I don't remember a time when he wasn't creating something. Before playback, he was an assistant. In some early music sessions of my career, I remember Arijit clicking pictures of Pritam and me at the studio. He would spend a lot of money buying a expensive camera and then tell us, these pictures are for us to remember history. Of course, I am going to miss him a lot but that said, I also understand his decision. Garima Wahal and Siddharth Singh We all evolve as creative people in our journey and step up to find the next phase of our lives and careers. This isn't a man who will be content with himself. He has the itch of an artist. Anyone who has worked with him tell you he would give different iterations, will sit and understand the story of the film and fit his voice to suit the story. I remember during Humari Adhuri Kahani, we did three versions of the title track. He asked me how does it end and I told him, it ends tragically. He said there needs to be defeat in the voice then. He was such an important collaborator for any director or music composer. But even at that, he was still working on someone else's vision. May be he wants to create his own vision for himself. He is also such an immensely secure artist, pure artist as they say. There have been times he has been called in to sing a song, he has heard the scratch and said, "Please retain what you have, I can't do what they've done." We did Saiyaara's songs across timezones - I was in Japan and he was in Murshidabad. But after the film, his response for the movie was such an honest take. He loved the film more than Aashiqui 2 which gave him his big break. He has evolved into an artist who values the art more than himself. Wherever he goes from here and whatever he does, he will create music because for the close to two decades I have known him, I have never known him without music. That bond will be inseparable." Not an ending, but a reset Of course, rumours are rife that Singh has moved to filmmaking and is currently shooting a movie in Shantiniketan that he and his wife Koel have written. The jungle-adventure project features Shora Siddiqui and Arijit’s son, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Lyricists Siddharth-Garima, who have collaborated with Singh on several hit numbers, are working on his upcoming directorial. Garima tells mid day that they weren’t shocked by Singh’s decision. “We met him multiple times in the last one year. We saw it coming because there is a very different kind of burnout that an artist can suffer from in the Hindi film industry,” Garima says, adding that when an artiste is made to repeat his or her previous work, it takes a toll. “When people repetitively ask you to do the same things or sing similar things, it could get to you. We were seeing that point somewhere. He sings with a lot of sincerity even now. We've seen him record and he would take 100 takes for a line in a song. His process is something else. I'm sure that process tires him out. A burnout is very easy in this industry because you have to work tirelessly and endlessly.” To Garima, there’s also an expectation from the industry that every song should be sung by Singh. He has enjoyed a monopoly of sorts in Bollywood playback singing for over 15 years now. But it’s not something that the sits right with the singer himself/ “When Alia Bhatt just came in, everyone was thinking of scripts in which Alia would play the lead. That's how it is here. Everyone makes songs here, mostly thinking, ‘Arijit gaayega.’ The first time you make a really melodious number, you are already imagining how it would sound in Arijit's voice? But the kind of person that he is, he comes from a very just background. He's not the kind of person who will think, ‘Sirf main hi main hoon.’ He thinks this shouldn’t happen and there should be more people who should get a chance,” Garima says, to which Siddharth adds that Singh is “a very secure artiste”. “People talking about him creating a monopoly has never bothered him. In fact, that is a fuel. He's enabling diversity with this decision. We have that equation with him where we make him listen to every song that we record,” the lyricist says. Singh has lent his voice to several songs written by Siddharth-Garima, including the chartbusters Yeh Laal Ishq (Goliyon Ki Raas Leela: Ram Leela) and Satranga (Animal). Naturally, it’s a huge loss for them as collaborators. “Sanjay Leela Bansali always says that he values a written word and believes a singer's job is to communicate to the listener the voice in those words. that voice. When I say, ‘Yeh laal ishq, yeh malaal ishq,’ how does that line reach you? It's a singer's job entirely. And more often than not, we notice in recording rooms, singers are not really singing, not feeling the line enough. Arijit will take it to that point. That's what his contribution has been. He brings his own imagination to the song.” So, what does Hindi film music look like without his voice, we ask the duo. “The songs that he's already sung are there as his legacy. But the music scene in Bollywood would change. And it would be a huge change. Of course, it comes as a shock to many people. But I feel this is a natural progression. There’s always space for new people. There won’t be another Arijit but there will be more people, who will get a chance. People will start thinking imaginatively,” she says. And this is something even Singh wants from the industry, shares the lyricist. “What really irritates him is the fact that people are not thinking imaginatively enough. They are just relying on a set pattern that if we have Arijit, we will get X number of listeners. I think that has put him off from the entire scenario that oh, you want a guarantee hit song, you want him to sing that song. What about experimenting? What about thinking outside the box? It’s great for an artiste to take a step back and take into account that what’s happening around him is not okay. There was no reason for him to say that I'm not going to sing Bollywood songs anymore, but he's an extremely honest and honest person to have taken that step,” Garima shares. But even as fans express their disappointment over the singer’s decision, Garima is sure Singh will make a comeback sometime in future. “I feel there will at some point be a comeback, like how Sonu (Nigam) ji was ruling the charts in the 90s. And then of course, there was a phase in which he faded out and then now he's back fully. So I feel before that would happen, Arijit has taken the wise call of saying, ‘Okay. Let me not create a monotony with my voice right now.’ Let people yearn for it and then probably he'll make a comeback. I'm hoping he would someday,” she smiles. But there won’t be dearth of Singh’s music, as he is set to launch his own label. “He is going to keep making independent music. So we are going to hear him a lot more on, his own label and all of that. And not many people know but he is a very m good composer. We've written to some of his compositions. You will see him in a different light,” Siddharth says.
01 February,2026 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar Basu | Priyanka SharmaQuality over gimmicks Chasing trends has long been Bollywood’s favourite sport — if something clicks, expect a queue of copycats right behind it. But Shahid Kapoor doesn’t buy the convenient blame game around “distracted audiences” and “short attention spans”. At the teaser launch of Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo, the actor insisted that moviegoers still love the big-screen experience. According to Shahid, the industry needs to look inward before pointing fingers outward. In a chat with Prakhar Gupta on his YouTube channel, the actor, without mincing words, said, “We are not making as many good films as we should.” Shahid added that the trouble begins when marketing and promotions start overshadowing the soul of a project. “If you are seeking something authentic, human, spontaneous, then you should let it happen. Don’t try to control it.” Now that’s a reality check that needs no filter or fluff.
01 February,2026 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamThe much-anticipated noir thriller Kennedy will be available for streaming in February, bringing Anurag Kashyap’s 28th directorial venture to audiences after it made a strong impact on the international film festival circuit. Zee Studios presents a Good Bad Films production, Kennedy stars Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone. Kennedy's global run The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in the Midnight Screenings section and has since been showcased at numerous global festivals — including the Sydney International Film Festival, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (South Korea), Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (Switzerland), MOTELX – Lisbon International Horror Film Festival, Indie Meme Film Festival (Austin, Texas), Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, London Indian Film Festival, Fantastic Fest (USA), the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, and the Kolkata International Film Festival, among others Written during the lockdown and shot extensively across the nights of Mumbai over a tight 30-day schedule, Kennedy is a dark, atmospheric thriller that follows an insomniac ex-cop long presumed dead who continues to operate within a corrupt system while secretly searching for redemption. The film’s haunting background score, recorded in Prague with the Prague Philharmonic Choir, further elevates the moody, immersive experience. All set to premiere on Hindi ZEE5, the movie brings Anurag Kashyap back to his gritty storytelling roots. Kaveri Das, Chief Channel Officer &TV and Business Head Hindi ZEE5, said, “At Hindi ZEE5, we’ve been deliberately moving away from formula-driven narratives and investing in stories that are bolder, distinctive, and creatively disruptive. Kennedy is born from that belief, a film that doesn’t play by familiar rules and trusts its audience to engage with something raw and unconventional. Anurag Kashyap’s voice, the film’s neo-noir sensibility, and its journey across global festivals reflect the kind of storytelling we are proud to put out on the floor in Hindi. With Kennedy, we are excited to continue building a slate that expands what Hindi storytelling can look and feel like, while bringing this distinctive cinematic experience to viewers on ZEE5.” Anurag Kashyap on film reaching home audience Speaking about the film’s digital premiere, Anurag Kashyap said, “Kennedy was born one night when I couldn’t sleep with all that was going around me. I was alone and I was playing Tchaikovsky loud all over my house and there was whisky and empty A4 size sheets and my pilot V 10 that I write with. I didn’t know what I was writing and it all poured out. I have received love and an extraordinary response from across the world for it and now I’m excited that the film will now reach its home audience as well as a much wider one. I believe they will also like the film as much .” Secrets, shadows, and survival—Kennedy premieres on ZEE5 this February.
31 January,2026 08:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA Mumbai court on Friday temporarily barred filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap from making or publishing "derogatory" comments against Salman Khan and family, saying freedom of speech doesn't mean one can use abusive and threatening language against any individual. Judge P G Bhosale passed the ad-interim ex-parte injunction against Kashyap and two others while hearing a defamation lawsuit filed by the actor. The suit, filed in a civil court against Kashyap and several others, has sought a permanent injunction and Rs 9 crore in damages. The legal action was initiated by Khan in the wake of a series of 26 video interviews and podcasts released between September and December 2025. The suit claimed Kashyap made "scandalous, false, and grossly defamatory" statements against Khan and his family in these videos. Besides Kashyap, Khushboo Hazare and major social media platforms have been named in the suit. According to the suit, these videos, broadcast on "Bollywood Thikana" channel, contain derogatory remarks that target Khan's professional integrity and personal character as well as his family members. Some of the statements highlighted in the suit include Kashyap's alleged reference to the Khan family as "convicted criminals" and "jihadi ecosystem" members. It also cited instances where Kashyap used offensive language to describe Khan's appearance, age, and personal life, and allegedly compared him to notorious criminals. Specific derogatory remarks were reportedly made against the actor's father Salim Khan, and siblings Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan, the plea claimed.The lawsuit, filed through advocate Pradeep Gandhi, has sought to permanently restrain the defendants from publishing any further defamatory content or interviews. It also pleaded for directions to the defendants and social media platforms to immediately remove all the contentious contents and tender an unconditional apology. Khan also moved the court for urgent interim relief. The court, after perusal of Kashyap's statements in the interview given on the podcast, found they are "prima facie defamatory, derogatory, abusive and insulting in nature". These statements lower the image of the plaintiff in the eyes of the general public, the court said. It asserted the reputation of the plaintiff (Salman) is harmed by the defendants. Further, the court underscored that "nobody can and nobody should make any defamatory statements against anybody's family". Each individual has his privacy to be protected and image to be protected, the court added. On the contention of freedom of speech and expression, the court clarified "the right to freedom of speech and expression doesn't mean that one can use abusive and threatening language against any individual". It then temporarily restrained Kashyap and others from making, uploading videos, posting, re-posting, giving interviews, corresponding, communicating, uploading, printing, publishing, re-publishing, hosting, circulating or re-circulating any further defamatory/slanderous content. It also barred them from making any further defamatory contents, derogatory remarks, posts, messages, tweets, videos, interviews, communications in relation to the plaintiff or his family on any social media platforms till they appear and file their reply. 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
31 January,2026 08:12 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIADVERTISEMENT
