Aamir Khan recently suggested that India needs more cinema halls, citing the success of Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar. The actor drew comparisons to China and suggested that when the number of screens are increased, the business expands at the grassroots level. However, his suggestion did not sit well with an exhibitor, who called out Aamir, showing him a picture of the current state of content in the country. Aamir Khan says India needs more theatres During an interview with Variety India, Aamir Khan spoke about the structural limitations of the Indian exhibition sector, claiming that India's screen count is far too small for a country of its size and diversity. He explained, "India's a huge country; it's like a continent, it's massive and each state has its own language, its own culture, its own films. So, I really feel that in a country like India, we need many more cinema halls. More outlets, so that we can reach a lot more people. If you want to compete with China, for example, they have, I think, one lakh screens." "We are at 9,000 screens. What is the comparison? We are one-tenth their size in outlets. Which is why one big film when in China does huge business; it does two billion US dollars. Just in China, not in the rest of the world. Just in China, big films do that kind of business. The big films over there do business worth billions of dollars. I am talking of US dollars. So, when we increase our number of screens, you'll see the business expand at the grassroots level. The base of your pyramid will go wide," he emphasised. Referring to Dhurandhar, which became Bollywood's highest-grossing film, the actor questioned how much bigger the film's collections could have been with a wider release. "Let's take the example of Dhurandhar, which has done around Rs 1,000 crore. Now, imagine if it had been released in not 5,000 screens but in 15,000 screens. Massive! So, this is what I'm trying to say. The real change will come when the number of screens goes up. Because there are so many districts in India right now that don't have a single screen," the Sitaare Zameen Par star said. Exhibitor slams Aamir Khan Aamir's remarks drew sharp response from theatre exhibitors and distributors. Among them, one statement is going viral on social media. Distributor Akkshay Rathie, took to X and posted, "With due respect, which is the last film you made, which warranted a release in each of the 9000 + screens in India? Or even in the 4500 odd screens in the Hindi speaking markets? Happy Patel, Laapata Ladies, Sitaare Zameen Par etc have had very limited metro focussed releases & been completely irrelevant for the long tail of the existent exhibition sector." He added, "Trust me when I say this, sir - Indian business entities are enterprising enough to build the infrastructure you're talking about in record time, but the fuel for it is content that finds appeal with the grassroots of our markets, being made and released with some consistency. You spoke about Dhurandhar and its potential business if it had released in a hypothetical 15000 screens. How many films in an year do the kind of numbers that Dhurandhar did? Or have as wide a geographical impact in terms of footfalls in cities, towns and villages that have a cinema hall today? Can cinemas, which require crores of rupees in capex to be built and have high operating costs be made and maintained for 3-4 such films in an year which create significant impact on the PandL?" "What you've said is cute theoretical jargon, given the kind of content that is being dished out. As an exhibitor, I assure you, my fraternity will leave no stone unturned in building more screens, if content creators like you can start making films that find appeal beyond urban India, which is already super saturated with screens. I promise, I respect you from the bottom of my heart for the amazing films you've made back in the day, many of which continue to be my all time favourites," the exhibitor further noted. Rathi concluded, saying, "However, this statement needed to be called out, because it has been stated and repeated illogically over the years. Yes, we need thousands of more screens, but before that, we need films that can enable them to be built! Hope to see you play your part in it. We'll definitely do our bit. Best wishes for Ek Din, Lahore 1947 andwhatever you choose to make next."
08 February,2026 05:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKritika Kamra and Gaurav Kapur surprised fans by making thier relationship official in December 2025. Ever since then, they have become one of the most talked-about pairs in showbiz. Amid the growing buzz around their relationship, reports now suggest that a wedding may be on the cards for the actress and the anchor-actor couple. Kritika Kamra and Gaurav Kapur to tie the knot? If recent reports are to be believed, the couple could be planning to take their relationship to the next level in 2026. Although neither Kritika nor Gaurav has addressed the rumours, reports suggest that they could be tying the knot as early as the end of March or early April. Reportedly, the preparations have already begun, and the couple is currently working to fix their schedules for their wedding in late March. A source told Hindustan Times, “Kritika and Gaurav are in a happy space together and ready to take their relationship to the next level. They are planning to tie the knot in March end or in the first week of April." The wedding will take place in Mumbai, where all their family and friends are currently located. The source further added, “While they are still finalising the details of the functions, they will definitely host a reception for their industry friends in Mumbai itself." Kritika Kamra and Gaurav Kapur relationship Kritika Kamra posted a series of pictures with Gaurav Kapur, on December 10, 2025, from what looked like thier little breakfast date. Although she didn't reveal much in the caption, except the words “Breakfast with”, which set the internet buzzing. Ever since they made it official, their appearances together have been received by fans and netizens alike. They also welcomed the New Year together by celebrating it in Jaisalmer. The couple shared pictures from the quiet getaway as she captioned it, “Fell into ‘26 nicely.” Both Kritika Kamra and Gaurav Kapur are currently in solid phases in their respective careers. The actress continues to impress audiences with her choices and roles across films and digital platforms. On the other hand, Gaurav is a familiar and loved face as an anchor and actor.
08 February,2026 04:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentGlobal star Priyanka Chopra decided to take back a piece of Hyderabad with her as she was headed back to L.A, after completing the latest schedule of her forthcoming drama, "Varanasi". She took to the Stories section of her official Instagram handle and shared a picture of the famous bun maska from Hyderabad, which PeeCee was carrying with her on the flight. "Taking a piece of Hyderabad with me..see you soon..xx (sic)," she added the text. Prior to this, Priyanka informed through another social media post that it was her last working day in Hyderabad for the month for the S.S Rajamouli's directorial. She added that she will soon be going back to Los Angeles to promote her English action thriller "The Bluff". PeeCee assured that she will be joining the ‘Varanasi’ sets shortly, following the promotions. Priyanka has been roped in as the leading lady, Mandakini, in the much-awaited drama, which will mark her return to the Indian cinema after a long time. The first-look posters from "Varanasi" featured her holding a pistol while wearing a yellow saree. Apart from PeeCee, the project will also see Mahesh Babu playing Rudhra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha. Meanwhile, Mahesh Babu could not help but praise his co-star after witnessing the power-packed trailer of "The Bluff". The Tollywood heartthrob called PeeCee's performance in her next 'uncompromising and formidable'. Re-sharing the trailer on his Instagram Stories, Mahesh Babu penned, "Loved the trailer… @PriyankaChopra is uncompromising and formidable yet again (collision emojis) Wishing the entire team of #TheBluff the very best for Feb 25th…(sic)," followed by hug emojis. Shifting our focus to "The Bluff", the project will have Priyanka in an action-packed avatar as Ercell Bodden, a fierce pirate. Backed by the Russo Brothers under AGBO Studios along with Amazon MGM Studios, "The Bluff" also features Temuera Morrison as Quartermaster Lee, Captain Connor’s gold-hungry consigliere, along with Ismael Cruz Córdova, Safia Oakley-Green, Zach Morris, David Field, and Vedanten Naidoo in key roles. "The Bluff" is expected to reach the audience on February 25. 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
08 February,2026 03:06 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSAce Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra shared some fond memories of his first meeting with actress Kriti Sanon in Delhi back when she used to be a model. In his latest Insta post, Manish revealed that when they first met, she advised Kriti to come to Mumbai and try her hand at acting. Little did he know that it was exactly what Kriti was planning to do. "Gorgeous kritisanon met her for the first time in Delhi . I was giving each model her garment and o looked at her asked her her name and told her you should be a Heroine come to Mumbai and she said to me that how she was coming to mumbai to be in movies (sic)," the designer recalled. Reflecting on their journey together, Manish called Kriti her 'favourite' person. Lauding the 'Tere Ishq Mein' actress, he added, "Many Fashion Shows together including in Dubai as a model to working with her for her songs, appearances and being with her and her lovely family at Nupur and Stebin’s wedding .. Kriti has not only been Gorgeous but a calm , hardworking , focused girl and always remained one of my most favourite person and also lots of loge for her determination and all her Achievements." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manish Malhotra (@manishmalhotra05) It must be noted that Manish designed the clothes for the Hindu ceremony of her sister Nupur Sanon's wedding with singer Stebin Ben. Recently, Kriti penned a special gratitude note for Manish for making the special occasion even more special with his aesthetically pleasing yet comfortable designs. "You customised everyone’s look with so much love, warmth and blessings, making sure everyone was happy and comfortable, from the vision of the bride, to even my parents who were elated to wear a Manish Malhotra outfit for the first time! The happiness on everyone’s faces says it all!", her heartfelt post read. 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
08 February,2026 02:36 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActress Soha Ali Khan has once again used social media to raise concern regarding the horrible conditions of the Mumbai roads. She revealed that as she was on a relaxing evening walk, she came across a broken sidewalk. Pointing out how dangerous this can be if someone ends up falling inside, Soha called it a "death trap". Publishing a video of herself navigating her way through such a sidewalk on her Insta Stories, she wrote, "Just a relaxing evening stroll navigating sidewalks that collapse into death traps (sic)." However, this is not the first time that Soha has highlighted the problem. Prior to this, she shed light on the ‘never ending and risky road construction’ in the Bandra area of Mumbai. The 'Chhorii 2' actress dropped a picture showing the harsh ground reality of the place on social media. The still featured Soha's daughter, Inaaya, watching the unchecked construction of the roads while standing carefully on a muddy, broken road lined with barricades, debris, and other construction material. Meanwhile, Soha recently celebrated 20 years of her iconic movie, "Rang De Basanti", along with Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni, Ronnie Screwvala, Siddharth Roy Kapur, and Ajit Andhare. Soha took to her Instagram and shared a few glimpses from the emotional reunion. A video from the post had the cast and crew of "Rang De Basanti" cutting a cake to mark 2 decades of the film reaching the cinema halls. "20 years later - we showed up! A few were missed but the spirit was still (fire emoji) #rangdebasanti 🇮🇳 #twentyyearsofrangdebasanti #reunion," Soha wrote the caption. The Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's directorial, "Rang De Basanti" shares the tale of a group of young friends who are inspired by our revolutionary freedom fighters and end up taking a stand against the ongoing corruption in modern India. 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
08 February,2026 02:30 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSFor the longest time, actor Vikrant Massey was rumoured to be a part of the upcoming epic Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari. Reports had suggested that he would be seen playing the role of Meghanad in the multi-starrer. However, recent reports claimed that Raghav Juyal had been onboarded for the role and was brought in as a replacement for Massey. Reacting to these reports, Massey clarified that he was never part of the project. He later deleted his Instagram post. Vikrant Massey slams reports of being replaced in Ramayana Vikrant Massey came across multiple reports stating that he had been replaced by Juyal for the role of Meghanad in the upcoming film starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi in the lead. Taking to Instagram Stories, the actor set the record straight. On Saturday, Vikrant shared a story that read, "OK. To put things to rest, I was never a part of this movie. Am not, never was. Such irresponsible media coverage from ‘respectable’ media houses is kinda appalling. Nonetheless, wishing everyone on Ramayana all the very best. Will surely buy a ticket and watch it in cinemas." The actor later deleted the post. Raghav Juyal joins Ramayana cast According to a report in Variety India, “Raghav has joined the cast of Nitesh Tiwari's most-anticipated Ramayana. He has been brought on board to play the role of Meghanad (also referred to as Indrajit), the eldest son of Ravana and the crown prince of Lanka. His character will feature in Ramayana Part 2, which is currently scheduled for a Diwali 2027 release.” The report further stated, “The role was initially supposed to be played by Vikrant Massey, but things apparently didn't work out. Raghav was subsequently approached, and he immediately came on board. He is expected to start filming his portions once he has recovered from his injury. In Ramayana, Meghanad is regarded as one of the greatest warriors and one who played a major role in the epic war between Lord Rama and Ravana.” More about Ramayana Billed as the biggest-ever Indian film, Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, KGF star Yash as Ravana, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman. The ensemble cast also includes Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh, Arun Govil, Indira Krishnan, Sheeba Chaddha, Adinath Kothare, and Kunal Kapoor, among others. A few days ago, mid-day reported that the first character posters of the film will be unveiled at a grand event on Ram Navami. “Major Bollywood names are expected to attend. Ranbir, who plays Lord Ram, has personally invited family and close associates to the ceremony. This will be the first time that the epic’s character universe will be presented.”
08 February,2026 01:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actor Ishaan Khatter, who was last seen in the film Homebound, has invested in a plush property in one of Mumbai’s prime locations. The actor has purchased a luxury apartment in the Pali Hill area, a neighbourhood favoured by several celebrities. Ishaan purchases luxury home in Mumbai According to property registration documents accessed by real estate data analytics firm CRE Matrix, Ishaan bought the luxury home for Rs 29.37 crore. The apartment is located in Navroz Apartments at Navroz Premises Co-operative Housing Society Ltd, Bandra, one of the most sought-after residential pockets in the Pali Hill micro-market. The high-rise apartment has a built-up area of 2,989.05 square feet. Based on the purchase value, the rate per square foot comes to approximately Rs 98,200. As per the documents, Ishaan paid Rs 1.76 crore towards stamp duty and registration charges. The apartment was sold by Kapi M. Mahtani, and the transaction was registered recently. Ishaan Khatter moved 17 houses by age 16 Despite being the half-brother of actor Shahid Kapoor and the son of actors Neelima Azeem and Rajesh Khattar, Ishaan Khatter had a childhood away from the limelight. In an interaction with Mid-day’s Sit With Hitlist, the actor revealed that he grew up living in rented homes and even failed in school. When asked about early failures in life, Ishaan admitted, “I failed in school.” Recalling his school days, he shared, “All my schooling was in Juhu. I was in Jamnabai for 10 years. Then I went to a school called Billabong High. For two years I tried to make sense of life as I was used to my friends. I had studied in one school till 8th grade.” Talking about frequent relocations, Ishaan said, “I always moved homes as we lived in rented houses. It was what people called the Bombay struggling lifestyle. By the time I was 16, I had lived in 17 houses. So I was changing more houses than my age.” In an earlier conversation with journalist Barkha Dutt on Mojo Story, Ishaan reflected on his family’s financial struggles. “My family hit rock bottom financially when I was three or four. I was very young, but that’s where it begins. We were lucky because my mom worked, she did a TV show in Delhi for three months and got us out of that place.” He further said, “I was raised in a middle-class household. We couldn’t afford to study abroad. But we always found a way to move forward.”
08 February,2026 12:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood superstar Salman Khan is gearing up for the release of Battle of Galwan. The makers had earlier locked April 17 as the film’s release date and have been unveiling promotional assets to maintain momentum. However, the latest reports suggest that the film may not meet its scheduled release. Battle of Galwan to reschedule release? According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the makers of Battle of Galwan are considering pushing the release date as the shoot is yet to be completed. Quoting a source, the portal stated, “Battle Of Galwan is scheduled to be released on April 17. But the shoot is not yet over, and the reshoot is taking more time than expected. From Monday, February 9, a one-week schedule will commence at the Golden Tobacco Factory in Mumbai. After this schedule gets over, a few more days of shooting are left, and by February-end, it’ll be a wrap.” Director Apoorva Lakhia is also yet to begin editing the reshot portions. Apart from completing the shoot, the makers are required to screen the film for the Ministry of Defence as per protocol. The source added, “Due to these two reasons, the makers feel they may not be able to meet the April 17 deadline. Salman Khan is clear that such a special, patriotic film needs to be nurtured well. He has told the team not to rush the process and to take their time to ensure the final product looks appealing, compelling, and cinematic.” While Salman Khan and director Apoorva Lakhia are still deliberating a possible delay, the source noted that the actor might still attempt an April 17 release, although the chances appear slim. More about Battle of Galwan Battle of Galwan is inspired by the real-life clash between Indian and Chinese forces in the Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh on the night of June 15–16, 2020. Following the teaser’s release, Chinese media alleged that the film misrepresented facts. Salman Khan and Apoorva Lakhia have not commented on the controversy. The film also stars Chitrangada Singh in a key role, along with Zeyn Shaw, Ankur Bhatia, Abhilash Chaudhary, Vipin Bhardwaj, and Heera Sohal.
08 February,2026 11:16 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDuring the ongoing World Pickleball League (WPBL) 2026, actor Aamir Khan made a special appearance and joined fans for a friendly match in Mumbai on Saturday. Videos of the actor playing alongside fans soon went viral on social media. However, the match briefly had viewers holding their breath when Aamir slipped and fell on the court while attempting a shot. Aamir Khan falls during pickleball On Saturday, Aamir participated in an exhibition game with three fans at Jio World Garden in Mumbai. The actor played two games during the event. In one of the videos doing the rounds online, Aamir is seen charging forward to return a shot when he suddenly loses his balance, stumbles, and rolls on the court. Fortunately, the actor quickly got back on his feet, flashed a reassuring smile, and resumed playing, indicating that he was unharmed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) “We are extremely thankful to Aamir for gracing the WPBL with his electric presence yet again. Right from the beginning of the tournament, there was intense anticipation over whether he would be turning up in the league again. The fact that he chose such an instrumental day of this season to do so must have surely delighted the fans, both in the stadium and those who are following the games from the comfort of their houses, alike. We hope to keep delivering similar spectacles for our fans to relish in the years to come,” said Gaurav Natekar, founder and CEO, of the WPBL. Aamir Khan’s work front Meanwhile, Aamir Khan has started the year on a positive note. His production house has backed the film Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, which hit theatres in January. The film marked the directorial debut of stand-up comedian Vir Das. It also features Imran Khan, who makes his first screen appearance in nearly a decade after teasing a comeback for several years. Speaking about this in an interview, Aamir Khan said, “It is not a proper comeback for Imran. Both Imran and I have cameo roles. I haven’t done too many comedy roles in my career, although people still remember Andaz Apna Apna.” Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos has been granted an A certificate, restricting it to adult audiences. Vir Das shared the censor certificate on Instagram, which revealed that the film has a runtime of 121.42 minutes—just over two hours.
08 February,2026 10:26 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn Saturday, the makers of Akshay Kumar-starrer Bhooth Bangla announced a new release date for the film. The Priyadarshan directorial, which was earlier scheduled to release on May 15, will now hit theatres on April 10. To share the update, the makers dropped an announcement video on social media. However, netizens were disappointed by the apparent use of AI-generated content and took to social media to express their displeasure. Akshay Kumar shared the video on his social media handle, which featured a black cat scratching out May 15 from a calendar before accidentally knocking it down and spilling milk over it. The cat then proceeds to lick the milk, revealing the new release date—April 10. Bhooth Bangla ka countdown rewind! ⏪15 May ❌10 April ✅Milte hain theatres mein 🎬#BhoothBangla pic.twitter.com/HTvrb5dFMa — Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) February 7, 2026 Netizens react to AI-generated video Netizens were quick to claim that the video was AI-generated and criticised the makers for a perceived lack of creativity. A user commented, "Why is Bollywood normalising AI?Have some shame. I'd rather watch poor vfx work done by artists than AI." Another person wrote, "This Announcements itself shows the creative thinking behind the movies that is nothing but ASS.. Pathetic use of AI" “Bollywood so washed. pushing gen AI slop to promote their movies,” wrote a user while retweeting the post. Another comment read, "Mann if you can't be bothered enough to make a promotional video for your own movie, why do you even care about starring in films? I'm sure AI could do the same job". More about Bhooth Bangla Despite the backlash, Bhooth Bangla has been generating steady buzz since its announcement and is expected to showcase Akshay Kumar in a genre-driven entertainer. With the revised release date, the makers aim to tap into a favourable theatrical window while avoiding box-office congestion. In recent years, Akshay Kumar has also ensured that his films receive adequate theatrical runs, allowing audiences time to engage with their box-office journey. Bhooth Bangla is presented by Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with Cape of Good Films. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, Tabu, and Rajpal Yadav. It is directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Akshay Kumar, Shobha Kapoor, and Ektaa R Kapoor. The film is slated for a theatrical release on April 10, 2026.
08 February,2026 09:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Ashwin FerroOne of the most iconic movies in Bollywood, "Rang De Basanti" completed 20 years of release on January 26 this year, and marking the special milestone, the team of this political actioner came together for a fun reunion. The cast and crew of "Rang De Basanti" came together for a special screening of the movie in Mumbai, marking a nostalgic moment for all the movie buffs. Bollywood's Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni, and Soha Ali Khan were seen celebrating the occasion, along with the rest of the team, who contributed towards bringing the drama to life. Makers Ronnie Screwvala, Siddharth Roy Kapur, and Ajit Andhare were also a part of the celebration. Soha took to her official Insta account and posted a couple of snippets from the emotional reunion. The post included a video of the cast and crew of "Rang De Basanti" cutting a cake to commemorate 2 decades since the film reached the audience. In the next slide, we can also see a before-and-after picture of the primary cast of the drama. "20 years later - we showed up! A few were missed but the spirit was still (fire emoji) #rangdebasanti 🇮🇳 #twentyyearsofrangdebasanti #reunion (sic)," Soha captioned the post. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soha (@sakpataudi) Made under the direction of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, "Rang De Basanti" revolves around a group of young friends who get inspired by our revolutionary freedom fighters and decide to take a stand against the ongoing corruption in modern India. Upon its release, the project received a lot of critical acclaim. It bagged the National Award for 'Best Popular Film' and was also nominated for 'Best Foreign Language Film' at the 2007 BAFTA Awards. Additionally, "Rang De Basanti" was also chosen as India's official entry for the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy Awards in the 'Best Foreign Language Film' category. 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
08 February,2026 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
