After Parineeti Chopra essayed the role of badminton star Saina Nehwal in her 2021 biopic titled Saina, the duo made headlines suddely recently after netizens noticed that the actress had unfollowed Saina on Instagram. Meanwhile, the latter continues to follow her. Now, Saina has reacted to the ongoing drama. Additionally, when asked, the athlete without a thought picked Shraddha Kapoor to portray her role if her biopic was ever made again. Saina Nehwal picks Shraddha Kapoor for her biopic During a recent interview with journalist Vickey Lalwani, Saina was asked who she would want to cast in her role for a biopic if it were ever made again. The 35-year-old quickly responded with Shraddha’s name. For the unversed, Shraddha was initially cast for the role; however, had to reportedly withdraw due to health issues just before the film went on floors. Saina highlighted that the Stree actress was always her first choice for the role. She shared, “We are still in touch and I’ve met her many times. She’s a very sweet girl. She had agreed to do the film but had to opt out due to dengue.” Nevertheless, Saina appreciated Parineeti’s commitment during training and believes that she did a great job in the film. Talking about Parineeti, Saina said, "Friendship requires spending a lot of time together, but there wasn’t enough time since the film had to be released quickly. We weren’t meeting every day. I helped her with skills, how to serve, movement on court, forehand and backhand. She may have also observed my behaviour and how I speak to portray it on screen. She worked very hard and performed extremely well. I even got emotional watching the film." Saina Nehwal on friendship with Parineeti Chopra Earlier, while speaking to Subhojit Ghosh on his YouTube channel, Saina had addressed the controversy of Parineeti unfollowing her saying she never really noticed the follow-unfollow things, and added that there was no personal issue involved. “Actually, I did not notice this and na kabhi dhyan gaya hain ispe. Kyuki life has been so busy with my training, tournaments and events ki iss cheez pe dhyan nahi gaya. Jitna bhi baatein hui hain humari, it's not like ki friends ban gaye the kuch… in a few sessions, I was also like a professional telling her ki maine life mein kya-kya kiya, maine kuch bola hi nahi ki maine friendship kari thi ya kuch. (Actually, I did not notice this, and it never really caught my attention. Life has been so busy with my training, tournaments and events that I never focused on this. Whatever conversations we had, it is not like we became friends or anything. In a few sessions, I was more like a professional, telling her about what I have done in my life – I never said that we had a friendship or anything like that),” she said.
18 February,2026 10:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMrunal Thakur and Huma Qureshi-starrer Pooja Meri Jaan has been MIA (missing in action) after it was announced three years ago. The film reportedly completed filming in August 2022, and since then has seen no updates regarding its release. Director Navjot Gulati has now opened up about the delay, urging Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films to release the long-delayed film, making serious claims against the production house. Pooja Meri Jaan Director Navjot Gulati slams Maddock Films Navjot Gulati recently told Variety India that it was his father’s last wish to watch his film being released. He added that his father passed away in 2024 after repeatedly asking when Pooja Meri Jaan would finally be released for nearly three months on his deathbed. Gulati added that the film's co-producer, Amar Kaushik, has even stopped responding to his calls and messages. He shared that their last conversation was in October 2025, after which, Kaushik has not replied to any texts or calls. "I'm tired of calling and texting and yet not hearing back. The only reason I'm telling this to the world is because they refuse to have any sort of accountability. The film remains topical and relevant even today, but I fear if I don't do something, the film will never be released because they don't care about it. I don't want it to become Shoojit Sircar's Shoebite, which is only talked about but was never released," Navjot stated. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Navjot Gulati (@navjotgulati) He further noted that Maddock Films is seeking a higher price, which he understands, but the film has already been postponed to 2024, then 2025, and now it is February 2026. He went on to share that a platform is interested in buying Pooja Meri Jaan, however, the price negotiations have dragged on for the past nine months, which he calls an 'unending cycle.' Gulati said that the film was originally commissioned for OTT and was set to stream on JioCinema. However, after JioCinema merged with Disney+ Hotstar, producers were informed that they could sell the film to other platforms. He added, "They will never sell it unless they don't get the price they're looking for. The reality is, they are so consumed by big movies now that they don't care about the small films they have made. Luv Films recently released a film called Vadh 2. It was also an OTT commissioned film, but they released it in theatres. Then why can't Maddock release it in cinemas when they aren't getting the price on OTT?" Other unreleased film of Maddock Films Gulati further claimed that not just Pooja Meri Jaan, Maddock Films has also held the release of two other films, namely, Rumi Ki Sharafat starring Radhika Madan and Sarvgunn Sampanna featuring Vaani Kapoor.
18 February,2026 08:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actor Rajpal Yadav, who was recently released from Tihar Jail on Tuesday, has now opened up about the condition of the prisons. The actor was granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court in an ongoing cheque bounce case. The court has provided him temporary relief till March 18, allowing him to step out of jail. Rajpal Yadav appeals for prison reforms Soon after his release, the actor interacted with the media and used the moment to highlight the need for prison reform in India. During an interaction with PTI, Rajpal requested the authorities to modernise jail facilities and focus more on rehabilitation. Yadav said there should be "designated smoking areas inside jails, similar to facilities at railway stations and airports". He also stressed that prisons should function as reform centres where inmates should be given structured opportunities to change, though the law remained supreme for those unwilling to reform, he added. "It is often difficult to judge from the outside who is a hardened criminal and who made a one-time mistake," he said. “I have an appeal. In our country, we don’t know the difference between a prisoner and a respectable person. But I have noticed that jails need to be upgraded for today’s time,” he added. The actor reflected on the condition of long-term prisoners, highlighting that many of them continue to remain behind bars for years after conviction. “There are prisoners who have already been convicted who don’t need to go to court and have been there for 10 years due to a mistake they made. Their behaviour and conduct have been observed over time,” he noted. Drawing a metaphor from Amitabh Bachchan's popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati, Rajpal said, “At least 10 per cent of them, like how we have lifelines on Kaun Banega Crorepati, these prisoners deserve lifelines. If 10 per cent of them are released and rehabilitated, they could be a strength for our country. And if they don’t change, the law spares nobody.” About Rajpal Yadav's prison sentence Yadav, known for films such as Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Waqt, Phir Hera Pheri, Partner, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Hungama and Chup Chup Ke among others, was sent to jail last week after the high court rejected his plea seeking more time to repay the outstanding amount in a cheque-bouncing case. He is required to pay nearly Rs 9 crore. The Delhi High Court on Monday suspended his sentence till March 18 in the cheque bounce cases and allowed his release from jail. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma passed the order after noting that Yadav had deposited Rs 1.5 crore in the bank account of the complainant, M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd. After he surrendered to Tihar Jail authorities, actors Sonu Sood and Gurmeet Choudhary, along with music composer Rao Inderjit Yadav, offered financial assistance to his family and appealed to others to extend support. (With inputs from PTI)
18 February,2026 08:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s last release was Nishaanchi, which he divided into two parts. While the first part was released in theatres, he later premiered both parts on OTT. The first instalment failed to perform well at the box office. Anurag says Nishaanchi special effects better than Sinners The crime drama follows twin brothers, Babloo and Dabloo (both played by Aaishvary Thackeray), in Kanpur, as their lives become entangled amid family feuds and crime. Recently, the filmmaker spoke about the film’s special effects and compared them to the Hollywood blockbuster Sinners. During an interaction with The Hollywood Reporter India, Anurag said, “Working with other filmmakers, I am seeing this new style of working. It is coming in, and it is everywhere in the South. They shoot and edit simultaneously… They shoot a scene a day; they don’t break it into multiple shots.” He added, “For both parts of Nishaanchi, especially with the special effects and the actor playing a double role — something I am very proud of — what Sylvester and Red Chillies have achieved is remarkable. I can very proudly say it is better than Sinners. They are truly two different people, and we shot them two months apart. It wasn’t just ‘change your shirt and come back.’ It was all real.” Anurag on writing a Malayalam film Kashyap has often praised Malayalam cinema and made his acting debut in the industry last year with The Rifle Club. He has now written a script intended for a Malayalam film. However, he has left the choice of language to the actor. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, he said, “I have written a film I want to make. It can be Hindi, it can be Malayalam. I have asked the actor — the choice is yours. You want to do it in Hindi, Malayalam, or make it bilingual. You decide.” Elaborating further, he added, “It’s a 40-page script. The film I have written for Malayalam won’t be possible in Hindi, neither the economics nor the content of it. It can only be made there.” What is Sinners about? Sinners is an American supernatural horror-action drama set in the Jim Crow-era Mississippi Delta in 1932. Released on April 18, 2025, the film has garnered multiple awards and nominations, including a record 16 Academy Award nominations. The story follows twin brothers, Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan), who return to their hometown after working for the Chicago mafia. They use their illicit earnings to open a juke joint in an old sawmill, hoping to start anew. However, a blues performance by their cousin Sammie (Miles Caton) inadvertently attracts a supernatural evil in the form of vampires, leading to a violent confrontation layered with themes of racism, community, and sin.
18 February,2026 06:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSinger-composer Vishal Dadlani recently reacted strongly to a judgment by the Chhattisgarh High Court in a rape case. The court allegedly modified a rape conviction to attempt to rape in a 2004 sexual assault case. The High Court observed that ejaculation without penetration does not meet the legal definition of rape under Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as it stood before the 2013 amendment. About the case The prosecution claimed that the incident occurred on May 21, 2004, when the accused allegedly dragged the victim to his house, locked her in a room, tied her hands and legs, gagged her, and sexually assaulted her. Following the incident, an FIR was registered, and the Additional Sessions Judge in Dhamtari had convicted the accused under Sections 376(1) and 342 IPC for rape and wrongful confinement. However, when hearing the appeal, the High Court interrogated the inconsistencies in the victim’s testimony and medical findings. During the trial, the victim initially claimed penetration but later said that the accused had kept his private part over her vagina for about 10 minutes without penetration. After assesing the medical reports, the examining doctor could not confirm rape. After analysing the evidence, the Chhattisgarh High Court concluded that the assault was violent and demonstrated clear intent; however, penetration was not conclusively established under the law as it existed before the 2013 amendment. Delivering the verdict on February 16, Justice Narendra Kumar Vyas stated that penetration is the “sine qua non" for the offence of rape. “The sine qua non of the offence of rape is penetration, and not ejaculation," the court stated. “Ejaculation without penetration constitutes an attempt to commit rape and not actual rape," the court observed. Vishal Dadlani reacts The judgment triggered criticism from Vishal Dadlani, who took to Instagram to voice his frustration. Resharing a post about the verdict, he wrote, “Seriously!?? What!!!??? you need to start naming these judges, and posting their pictures online alongside such judgments." He added, “Let their wives, daughters, sisters, mothers see what the ‘man of their house’ thinks. Someone is clearly running a RapistBachaaoAbhiyaan." His reaction quickly gained traction on the internet, sparking debate over the court’s interpretation of the law and the conversation around sexual assault jurisprudence in India.
18 February,2026 06:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs Kennedy finally gears up for its much-awaited OTT release, the makers have dropped a jaw-dropping transformation video of Rahul Bhat, and it’s nothing short of electrifying. The video captures Bhat’s intense physical and emotional preparation for the role, offering a glimpse into the haunting world of Kennedy, a sleepless ex-cop navigating crime, corruption, and inner turmoil. Rahul Bhat's transformation for Kennedy Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the film first premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2023, where it received a roaring seven-minute standing ovation. The response was overwhelming, with international critics praising the film’s neo-noir texture, atmospheric storytelling, and Bhat’s deeply internal, brooding performance. Many called it one of Kashyap’s finest works in recent years, raw, restrained, and globally resonant. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ZEE5 (@zee5) However, despite the critical acclaim, Kennedy faced a long three-year wait before its commercial release. During this time, the film travelled across international festivals, steadily building a reputation as a modern cult classic among cinephiles. At the heart of this growing legend is Rahul Bhat’s career-defining performance. With minimal dialogue and piercing intensity, he embodies a man teetering between violence and vulnerability. The newly released transformation video reinforces what Cannes audiences already knew, that this is a performance forged in complete commitment. Kennedy trailer The trailer gives a gripping glimpse into Anurag Kashyap’s unmistakable noir universe that is categorically dark, moody, and razor-sharp. Rahul Bhat commands the screen with an intense, brooding performance as the titular character, proving why he remains one of the most compelling actors in contemporary cinema. His portrayal is layered, restrained, and deeply unsettling. Adding to the drama is Sunny Leone, who brings a striking charm and quiet strength to the narrative. Together, Rahul, Sunny and Anurag promise a cinematic experience that is raw, fearless, and unapologetically Kashyap. With the trailer setting the tone, Kennedy’s homecoming to the Indian audience feels fitting When Kennedy received a 7-minute-long standing ovation at Cannes Kennedy is a police noir film, which received a 7-minute standing ovation at The Grand Lumiere Theatre, where it was screened under the midnight screening section at 12:15 a.m. on Thursday (France local time), at the prestigious Cannes film Festival. It follows the story of an insomniac cop who dwells in different circumstances while looking for redemption. The filmmaker was seen along with his friend and frequent collaborator Vikramaditya Motwane as well as his actors Rahul Bhat, Sunny Leone, Shariq Patel, Ranjan Singh, Kabir Ahuja, Bhumika Tewari, Neeraj Joshi, and Ashima Awasthi at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. The film is all set to release on Zee5 on February 20, 2026.
18 February,2026 05:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentHere’s an interesting behind-the-scenes nugget about the much-anticipated romantic film Do Deewane Seher Mein, starring Mrunal Thakur and Siddhant Chaturvedi. The much-talked-about track ‘Do Deewane Shaher Mein,’ featured prominently in the film’s teaser and trailer, was not originally conceptualised as part of the project. Do Deewane Shaher Mein music history A source close to the production revealed, “Originally, the iconic song ‘Do Deewane Shaher Mein,’ which is heard in the teaser and trailer of Do Deewane Seher Mein, was not conceptualised for the film. However, Sanjay Leela Bhansali watched the film, recognised it as a gem of a story with strong appeal for the current generation, and decided to incorporate it. He gave full creative freedom to director Ravi Udyawar and guided him throughout the process. The makers felt that the original song was the best choice, and since the vocals were so pure, they retained the original track while slightly reprising it to suit contemporary sensibilities. It is not a remix.” The song entered the narrative much later, after Bhansali watched the completed cut of the film. Deeply moved by the storytelling, he reportedly identified the film as a gem with a strong emotional core and a theme that would resonate with today’s audience. Recognising its potential, he suggested incorporating the iconic track to elevate the film’s romantic and nostalgic tonality. What makes this development even more significant is that Bhansali extended full creative freedom to director Ravi Udyawar while guiding him through the integration process. Mrunal Thakur on her role in Do Deewane Seher Mein Mrunal has shed light on her character, and her thought-process in the film, and how similar some of these things were for her personally. The actress said that she realised during the narration that her character of Roshni in the film, is someone who hides behind the glasses. The actress told IANS, “When Abhiruchi was narrating the story in Ravi sir's other office, I was just sitting there and she said something very beautiful. She said that Roshni always tries to hide behind the glasses. And there were such moments in my life also, maybe there were times where even if I knew the answer, I would just stay quiet. That was something that I resonated the most with Roshni, even Shashank's character in that case, because a lot of people don't have that confidence. What they look like from outside, they are not like that inside”. She further mentioned, “And I just feel like I had to be a part of this movie because there are so many people like Roshni and Shashank who are dealing with their own troubles and their own securities and they're just not able to break those barriers. Because they have the talent, they have the ability, but they have this seed in their mind that they are not good enough or they are not better than their sister or they’re less. So in these comparisons, we always forget ourselves. We don't want to go out there”.
18 February,2026 04:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Harshvardhan Rane on Wednesday shared a video on his social media account where he was seen braving sub-zero temperatures while indulging in wildlife photography. Sharing a video montage on social media, the actor wrote, “Clicking in, minus temperature is tough but beautiful,” along with hashtags Montana Coyote YellowStone. The video shows Harshvardhan standing amid vast and heavily snow-covered mountains, dressed in heavy winter clothing, as he clicked the wildlife. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harshvardhan Rane (@harshvardhanrane) One of the clips captures a lone coyote standing still against the icy backdrop, and another picture clicked by Rane shows the animal walking gracefully across the snow-laden terrain of Yellowstone. Furthermore, surprising fans, Harshvardhan is also seen lying flat on the freezing snow to capture photographs with his camera, showcasing sheer dedication. On the work front, Harshvardhan made his Bollywood debut with the romantic drama Sanam Teri Kasam in 2016. The film, back then, did not emerge as a box office success, but it gradually gained popularity and went on to become a cult favourite, especially among young audiences, for its emotional storyline and music, when aired on television and OTT. It was re-released in 2025 due to fan demand and grossed over INR 40 crores at the box office. Harshvardhan Rane has also featured in films such as Paltan, Taish and Haseen Dillruba. His recent release, Ek Deewana Ek Deewaniyat, co-starring Sonam Bajwa, turned out to be a hit. Ahead of its release, the actor, in a surprising turn of events, was seen stepping out in public and personally appealing to audiences to watch the film in theatres. 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
18 February,2026 04:27 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActress Sunny Leone, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming streaming film Kennedy, has shared that she was in disbelief about being part of the film until the day she walked into the set. The actress shared that despite attending the trials and the workshops for the Anurag Kashyap directorial, she felt that she wasn’t going to be a part of the film. The actress said, “My first reaction was disbelief that I had been offered the role. I didn’t 1,000 percent believe I was part of the film until I actually got on set." "Even though I did the trials and the workshops, and everything happened, we all know entertainment is very volatile and things can change at the drop of a dime. I was so happy when the first shot was taken and we moved on to the next. That’s when I felt, ‘Alright, now they won’t replace me, I think I did a good job'”. When asked about that scene that emotionally stayed with her long after pack-up, Sunny said, “I think the scene that stayed with me is when Charlie is in a hotel room waiting for the officer. She’s scared, upset, and doesn’t want to be there, but she knows what’s going to happen. That transition from her in the bathroom to putting that Charlie smile on her face is something I believe a lot of us can relate to. Sometimes we have to go through situations where we put on a smile just to move on with the day, night, or moment and that’s not always easy”. “I love this type of film. There are so many different layers to it. It makes you think and is provocative in a thoughtful way. It really makes you listen to the words and the dialogues in the film - what people are talking about and how that relates to my world. That’s what’s so amazing about shooting in this noir universe”, she added. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, Kennedy also stars Rahul Bhat. The film is set to stream on ZEE5 from February 20, 2026. 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
18 February,2026 04:14 PM IST | Mumbai | IANST-Series began the year with the successful film Border 2, starring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty in pivotal roles. Now, the production house headed by Bhushan Kumar has teamed up with filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri to bring the story of Operation Sindoor to the big screen. Vivek Agnihotri joins hands with T-Series A source close to the development confirmed, “Bhushan Kumar and Vivek Agnihotri have come together for their next film on ‘Operation Sindoor’. It will be produced under T-Series and I Am Buddha Productions, and the film will be directed by Vivek Agnihotri.” Operation Sindoor refers to a significant military action undertaken by India on May 6, 2025, in response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including one Nepali national. The Indian government attributed the attack to Pakistan-based terrorist organisations. The source further said, “The film is based on the codename of India’s targeted military strikes on terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It draws from the developments that followed the tragic massacre of innocent civilians, most of them tourists, in Pahalgam.” Meanwhile, Vivek Agnihotri’s last release was The Bengal Files, which hit theatres in September last year but failed to make a mark at the box office. The film is based on Direct Action Day and aims to shed light on one of the darkest chapters of modern Indian history. The Bengal Files starred Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, and Darshan Kumar. It was written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and produced by Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi, and Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri. About Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor was a military mission launched by the Indian Armed Forces in response to escalating cross-border tensions and security threats. The operation aimed to neutralise terror infrastructure and dismantle networks operating against India’s national interests. Conducted with strategic precision, it involved coordinated intelligence inputs and targeted strikes to minimise collateral damage. Officials described it as a necessary step to safeguard civilians and maintain regional stability. The mission reinforced India’s commitment to national security and its zero-tolerance stance against terrorism.
18 February,2026 04:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs actor Sharib Hashmi turned a year older on Sunday, actress Divya Dutta wished him with a fun video of the two bringing the house down with their dance moves. Divya and Sharib were seen entertaining everyone with their thumkas during what seemed like the birthday celebration of the Tarla actor. In the caption, Divya wished for the two of them to continue to have fun like this. "Ye mastiyan yun hi chalti rahein..yun hi tum khushiyan bikherte raho aas paas.. happy bday mrfilmistaani .lots of love (sic)," she wrote. Reacting to the post, Sharib Hashmi commented, "Ayyyoooo divyadutta25 bahut bahut shukriyaaaa meri dosst", followed by red heart emojis. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Divya Dutta (@divyadutta25)= For the unaware, Divya and Sharib were seen together in Kangana Ranaut's 2022 action entertainer, Dhaakad. Along with Divya, actor Sunny Hinduja also wished Sharib on his special day. He took to social media and posted a video of some hilarious moments with his The Family Man co-star. Sunny added the Do Mastane Chale Zindagi Banane track from Andaz Apna Apna as the background score. The text overlay on the clip read, "Mera bhai dikhta hain sola (16) Paar aaj ho gaya hain pura pachaas tola". "Happy happy birthday mera bhai. Love you hamesha (red heart emoji) mrfilmistaani", Sunny captioned the post. Sharib expressed his gratitude for all the love in the comment section. He penned, "Arrey Arrey mera bhaiiiiiii hindujasunny thankooo soo much", along with red heart, and kiss emojis. Work-wise, Sharib will next be seen in Ribhu Dasgupta's forthcoming drama Section 84. He will share screen space with Amitabh Bachchan, Riya Vij, Nimrat Kaur, and Abhishek Banerjee in his next. The project shares the tale of a retired politician who is attempting to get back the glory he once enjoyed. The drama has been set against the backdrop of a strategic plot and high-stakes decision-making. Along with directing the film, Ribhu Dasgupta has also worked on the script. 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
18 February,2026 03:17 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
