On Saturday afternoon, a slab from the under-construction Mumbai Metro Line 4 fell onto a road, killing one person and injuring three others. The concrete slab fell on a passing autorickshaw and a car, which was crushed under its weight. The autorickshaw passenger died on the spot, while two of the injured remain hospitalised. Hrithik Roshan reacts to Mumbai metro accident The tragic incident has once again sparked conversations about safety, especially as much of the city remains under construction. Actor Hrithik Roshan also shared his thoughts on the matter. On Sunday, he took to his Instagram Stories to post a news article about the incident. Along with the article, he wrote: “Heartbreaking and traumatic. My condolences to the family of the deceased and prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured. I commend the swift action taken by the authorities to ensure accountability, but the need for safety checks and prevention of such accidents must be a priority, especially with all the development work going on across Mumbai’s busiest streets.” “Safety of construction workers and the general public is of paramount importance, and I hope strict measures are taken to ensure guidelines and protocols are in place to avoid such incidents in the future,” he added. About Mumbai Metro slab collapse According to the preliminary investigation, the incident occurred due to a lack of concrete stitching or a technical issue with the fastening. Action has been initiated against the contractor, Milan Infra, which has been fined Rs 5 crore. The general consultants monitoring the line, Louis Berger and DB-Hill, have been penalised Rs 1 crore. The deceased’s family and the injured victims have been offered compensation, and their medical expenses will be covered. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has set up an inquiry committee led by Project Director Basavraj MB. Legal action will be initiated against those found guilty. The committee will submit day-wise inspection notes, identify unsafe conditions, outline immediate actions taken, prepare a corridor-wide compliance matrix, and present a consolidated report recommending corrective and preventive measures, along with guidance on whether work should resume. Meanwhile, Hrithik was last seen in War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji. The sixth instalment in the YRF Spy Universe, it also stars N. T. Rama Rao Jr. and Kiara Advani.
16 February,2026 05:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood star Alia Bhatt shared that she’s “obsessed” with reading about motherhood, posting a picture of a book that offers ancient advice for modern parents. Alia took to her Instagram stories, where she shared a glimpse of the book she’s currently “obsessed” with, The Parent’s Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for Modern Parents by William Martin. The actress, who is married to actor Ranbir Kapoor and shares daughter Raha with him, posted a picture of the book and simply wrote, “obsessed.” The Parents Tao Te Ching talks about helping parents to have meaningful conversations and relationships with their children. Alia and Ranbir got married in April 2022. They welcomed their daughter, Raha, in November 2022. On the work front, Alia will be seen in the upcoming spy thriller Alpha. The film also stars Sharvari, Bobby Deol, and Anil Kapoor. The film will now bow in cinemas on April 17, 2026. Yash Raj Films confirmed as they shared that the VFX team of Alpha needs more time to present Alpha in its visually best shape. Alia and Sharvari will go toe to toe against Bobby in this brutal showdown that is a part of the YRF spy universe. She is currently busy shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War. The upcoming epic romantic drama also stars Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal. The film, set in the 1960s against a war backdrop, features an intense love triangle where Ranbir and Vicky play Air Force officers. Alia and her sister, Shaheen Bhatt, are also backing the coming-of-age romantic comedy Don’t Be Shy under their home banner, Eternal Sunshine Productions, in association with Prime Video. “This film immediately spoke to us because of its sincerity and coming-of-age lens and Sreeti’s passion and energy naturally fed into the spirit of the story. It’s an incredibly special project for me and for Eternal Sunshine,” Alia had said. 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
16 February,2026 05:36 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActress Shanaya Kapoor revealed that her latest release, the Bejoy Nambiar-directed survival thriller, Tu Yaa Main, came at a time when she was not really feeling confident about herself. She added that her character Avani ended up teaching her a lot. Taking to her official Instagram handle and shared a series of stills of herself and co-star Adarsh Gourav from the movie. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shanaya 🐊 (@shanayakapoor02) Penning a heartfelt note about the lessons she learnt from the movie, she wrote, "Tu yaa main came into my life at a time when I really didn’t have the most confidence in myself.. and it gave me that.. and everything more. Tu Yaa Main is now in theatres and Avani is out there surviving crocodiles. She taught me so much.. especially taught me how to be a complete BADASS. (still trying.. getting there.. I think) (sic). Shanaya also thanked the audience for showering so much love on her as Avni. She added, "Thank you… thank you not just for letting me play her, but for accepting me as a part of something like this so early on in my career… all the love from the audience.. the reviews.. everything. Overwhelmed." Expressing her gratitude to director Bejoy Nambiar for trusting her, she wrote, "bejoynambiar sir thank you for bringing AVANI to life.. for believing in me and pushing me to be the best version of myself.. I’m forever grateful to have gotten the chance to be directed by YOU! Love u sir!" Shanaya further thanked producer Aanand L Rai, saying, "aanandlrai sir this whole madness exists because you back stories that aren’t the obvious choice. You backed me when you could have taken ANYONE else for this character and they would have happily done and been part of your project.. so thank you for believing in ME and giving me this opportunity. You gave me this chance, a chance on a new actor, that had to fill in shoes of a heavy and layered character. A chance to be part of a wild and super cool story. Thank you for trusting me. You’re the best." For her co-star Adarsh Gourav, she wrote, "gouravadarsh allaflowpara from nalasopara, talent hai bharpur, naa dekhoge dobara.. (Rap is not my thing). thank you for being you and the best partner through this roller coaster of a ride! See you at the next one Bacchi," Shanaya signed off.
16 February,2026 05:26 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSAn India vs Pakistan cricket match is always one of the most anticipated fixtures in any tournament. The two rivals faced off during the ongoing T20 World Cup on Sunday, February 15. Although India is hosting the tournament, the match was held in Colombo due to strained political relations between the two countries. Thousands of cricket enthusiasts arrived at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to witness the high-voltage clash.\ Hanumankind setlist Before the game, Indian rapper Hanumankind, whose real name is Sooraj Cherukat, amped up the atmosphere with a fiery pre-match performance. He performed some of his popular tracks, including Big Dawgs and Run It Up. However, fans noticed that he did not perform his recent hit Dhurandhar, the title track from Aditya Dhar’s blockbuster Dhurandhar. Many took to social media to question why the rapper skipped the track, which has been the talk of the town since its December release. Some speculated that the song may have been intentionally left out due to the film’s themes surrounding India-Pakistan relations. Dhurandhar, released on December 5, stars Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Saumya Tandon and Gaurav Gera in key roles. The first instalment of a two-part series follows an undercover Indian agent infiltrating Karachi’s criminal and political underworld as part of an anti-terror operation. The film was banned in Pakistan and some Gulf countries due to its portrayal of events linked to terrorism and internal conflicts involving Pakistan, including references to Lyari and historical incidents. Despite the ban, it was reportedly downloaded illegally over two million times in Pakistan within 12 days of release. Dhurandhar Trends at No. 1 in Pakistan Despite losing box office revenue in Pakistan and parts of the Middle East due to the ban, Dhurandhar grossed over Rs 33 million overseas and reportedly earned Rs 1,300 crore worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films globally. Screenshots circulating online showed the film ranking No. 1 on Netflix Pakistan, ahead of other Bollywood titles. The film follows an Indian spy infiltrating gangs in Lyari, Karachi, as part of India’s counter-terror efforts.
16 February,2026 05:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rajkummar Rao recently grabbed eyeballs with his appearance. He appeared to have gained alot of weight and even sported a changed hairstyle. Following the trolling and criticism, Rajkummar cleared the air through his latest social media post, on Monday, revealing that his changed look was for his upcoming biopic on the celebrated public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. Rajkummar Rao on his weight gain Rajkummar revealed that in order to achieve the look for is part in the film, he gained around 9 to 10 kilograms and also made his hair look thinner. Taking to social media, he said, "For Nikam I had to gain around 9-10 kgs and I was eating 2 pizzas and lot of sweets and my fav Aloo Parathas, Biryani and to not use anything glam to look like the part. Hopefully when you will see the film which will be releasing soon you will be able to see all that hardwork in the film." Similarly, Rajkummar concluded by sharing an update with his wife, adding that now he is working on shedding all those extra kilos as he will soon start working on his next biopic based on the life of the former captain of the Indian cricket team, Sourav Ganguly. "And now it's the transition phase and time to lose these extra kgs and get ready to slip into Ganguly mode. Our very own Dada. Will always work the hardest to engage you, entertain you through my work. Much Love", he shared. Patralekhaa defends Rajkummar Rao Now, Rajkummar's better half, actress Patralekhaa, has posted a note of appreciation for her husband on her Instagram Stories, noting how people fail to see the hard work that goes into bringing a character to life. She added that Rajkummar gives his all to every role he takes on. "So proud of you, rajkummar_rao. You give it your all for every film project you take on. The world doesn't see the process and hard work that an actor puts into developing a character. The end result always looks easy. Behind all the fame and glamour that meets the eye, and actor's life is filled with blood, sweat, tears, and the sacrifice of personal life," Patralekhaa wrote.
16 February,2026 05:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKarti Chidambaram has addressed online speculation suggesting that a scene in Dhurandhar was inspired by him and his father, former Union minister P. Chidambaram. The controversy revolves around a sequence in the film that depicts a fictional politician and his son allegedly involved in a counterfeit currency racket. Following the film’s release, several social media users began drawing parallels between the storyline and past allegations involving the Chidambaram family. Karti Chidambaram breaks silence on the Dhurandhar controversy Responding to the buzz during a podcast interaction with ANI, Karti clarified that he has not even watched the nearly three hour Hindi film yet. With a touch of humour, he remarked, “No. I have been told that I have a cameo there. But it’s in Hindi... maybe on my multiple flights, I’ll watch it.” He jokingly added that if there truly was a cameo based on him, the makers could at least have consulted him about casting choices. When asked who he would prefer to play him and his father, he quipped that Hollywood actors like Pierce Brosnan and Michael Caine would be suitable picks. On a more serious note, Karti dismissed the speculation as a confusing mix of “fact, fiction and WhatsApp forwards.” He questioned the basis of the assumptions being circulated online, stating that if any such events had actually taken place, there would be official records to substantiate them. He pointed out how social media narratives often blur the lines between verified information and creative storytelling, making it easy for rumours to gain traction. All about the scene In the film, the contentious scene reportedly shows an intelligence officer uncovering a counterfeit currency operation linked to an unnamed Union minister and his son. Although no real individuals are mentioned, the sequence has fuelled debate and discussion across platforms. By responding with a blend of wit and scepticism, Karti Chidambaram sought to distance himself from the fictional narrative and underline the dangers of drawing conclusions based on cinematic storytelling. Starring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, and others, Dhurandhar was released in theaters on December 5 of last year. On March 19, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the sequel, will be shown in theaters.
16 February,2026 04:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rajpal Yadav has been granted interim relief by the Delhi High Court on Monday. The actor is currently undergoing trial in the Rs 9 crore cheque bounce case. He was lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail for over a week after he surrendered and is now expected to walk out of prison later on Monday. Rajpal Yadav gets interim bail On Monday, the Delhi High Court granted interim bail to Rajpal Yadav till March 18, 2026. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who was hearing the case, granted Rajpal interim bail subject to his depositing Rs 1 lakh as bail bond as well as furnishing one surety. Earlier during the hearing, the court had ordered the actor to deposit Rs 1.5 crore by 3 PM for interim bail. After the lawyer of the complainant, M/S Murli Project, confirmed that the actor had deposited the amount in the company’s bank accounts against the bounced cheque amount, the Delhi High Court granted bail to Rajpal. About the case? Back in 2010, Rajpal Yadav had reportedly borrowed Rs 5 crore from Delhi-based Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to fund his directorial debut Ata Pata Laapata. The film failed miserably at the box office, and as a result, the loan remained unpaid. Court records indicate that seven cheques issued later bounced. The dispute took a legal turn, and in April 2018, a Magisterial Court convicted Rajpal Yadav and his wife, Radha. The actor was sentenced to six months of simple imprisonment. The conviction was later upheld by a Sessions Court in early 2019, following which Yadav approached the Delhi High Court in appeal. In 2024, the court directed the actor to show a sincere effortto repay the heavy dues; however, in February 2026, the court ordered the actor to surrender, due to multiple breaches of undertakings to repay the amount. Rajpal spoke to Bollywood Hungama before surrendering and made an emotional remark. Addressing the issue of failing to repay the amount even after years, Rajpal shared, “Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain. Aur koi upaay nahin dikhta (sir, what to do? I don’t have the money to pay back. Can’t see another way out)."
16 February,2026 04:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWith Shanaya Kapoor and Adarsh Gourav’s survival thriller, Tu Yaa Main, hitting the big screens recently, the film has been drawing strong reactions from both audiences and critics for its gripping storyline and compelling suspense. The excitement reached a new high at a special screening held in the South, attended by master filmmaker Mani Ratnam, who also shared his words of appreciation for the film. Mani Ratnam lauds Tu Yaa Main's energy The audience reaction video captures the excitement that followed the special screening of Tu Yaa Main, as they stepped out brimming with praise. While some called it a fantastic film, others described it as a breath of fresh air, applauding its energy, nail-biting moments, and gripping storytelling. Adding to the buzz, legendary filmmaker Mani Ratnam shared his appreciation, saying, “Bejoy Nambiar has brought a kinetic energy to the film that is best seen on the big screen with an audience.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Colour Yellow Media Entertainment (@colouryellowmovies) Packed with pulse-pounding moments and an ever-present sense of danger, Tu Yaa Main is clearly striking a chord and reaffirming its place as a gripping theatrical watch. About Tu Yaa Main The edge-of-the-seat trailer pulls audiences into the world of two content creators until their lives take a terrifying turn when they come face-to-face with a menacing crocodile. The film introduces Shanaya Kapoor as Miss Vanity and Adarsh Gourav as ‘A’, a confident creator from Nalasopara. What starts as fun collabs and daring adventures quickly flips, as the duo end up trapped in a pool in an isolated guest house in Konkan, stained in blood and facing a bloodthirsty crocodile that won’t back down. Survival is the only content that matters now, but will they make it out alive? Blending romance, adrenaline, and danger with fresh, new-age storytelling, the Bejoy Nambiar directorial, starring Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor, promises an experience that will turn an ordinary date into a chilling memory, making it the perfect experience for audiences seeking something beyond the usual Valentine’s watch. It released on 13 February 2026 and is currently playing in theatres.
16 February,2026 03:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAnubhav Sinha’s Assi is a hard-hitting reflection of our times. But before we speak of the film, it is necessary to revisit 2012- the year the world was predicted to end. While memes about apocalypse theories flooded timelines, India was shaken by something far more real- the Nirbhaya case. A young woman was brutally gang-raped and murdered in the national capital. The crime pushed citizens onto the streets and forced the system to respond. The perpetrators were eventually sent to prison. The story was retold on screen many times. But Nirbhaya was not an isolated case. The years that followed saw repeated, equally brutal if not more heinous crimes against women. Over time, the shock faded. It no longer jolted beyond a brief gasp. It became a statistic. Reminder of reality Today, every 20 minutes, a rape is reported somewhere in the country. In its 133-minute runtime, Assi reminds you of this reality every 20 minutes, as it unfolds a case of gang rape. Director Sinha does not soften the blow. He lays bare an uncomfortable truth that women are, by and large, unsafe. Kani Kusruti plays Parima, a Delhi school teacher leading a quiet, happy life with her husband (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) and young son. One night, returning home from a farewell party at 10:30 pm, she is abducted by a group of men, raped repeatedly in a moving car, and later thrown onto a railway track, half-naked and heavily bruised. What follows is not a whodunnit. The facts are laid out early. Instead, the film dissects what comes after - the media frenzy, calls for encounter justice, vigilantism, and the growing erosion of faith in due process. Taapsee Pannu plays a lawyer committed to due process despite fatigue from fighting the same battles repeatedly. Actress Revathy presides as the judge - calm, measured, observant. Revathy conveys more through restraint than rhetoric. Watching her preside reminds one of Saurabh Shukla’s memorable line in Jolly LLB: “Case ki pehli taarikh ko mujhe malum hota hai mujrim kaun hai. Main yaha baitha rehta hu aur evidence ka intezaar karta hu.” Like that judge, she waits even as a flawed investigation unfolds before her. And she isn’t surprised. Performances Sinha assembles a strong ensemble, many of them frequent collaborators. Kumud Mishra plays a grieving man whose loss turns into disillusionment with the system, a path that leads him into dangerous territory. Naseeruddin Shah appears in a brief but effective role as a voice of reason. Zeeshan Ayyub is a quiet presence, supportive without theatrics, delivering a few sharp lines that reflect a shifting societal mindset. Manoj Pahwa stands out as a father torn between shame and instinct, horrified by his son’s alleged crime, yet desperate to save him from the gallows. Assi succeeds in conveying what it sets out to say. It is a stark reminder of everyday violence against women and the fragility of faith in the judiciary. More importantly, it questions the world we are leaving behind. Is it an urgent watch? Yes. Perhaps we, as a country, need to rage more and react more for the right reasons.
16 February,2026 02:10 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya NambiarRajkummar Rao recently made headlines for his latest look. The actor looked visibly different from his regular self, having gained weight and lost some hair on his head. Pictures of the actor soon went viral, with fans expressing concern over his new look. Amid this, Rao took to his social media handle to explain the reason behind his new look. The actor said that the physical change was intentional as he was shooting for a biopic. Rajkummar Rao on his new look In his recent Instagram post, Rajkummar revealed how this latest role turned out to be physically challenging for him. He shared that he had to gain weight and even make his hair look thinner to get the part visually right. However, this is not the first time that Rajkummar has significantly altered his appearance for a role. Before this, he went half bald for the series Bose, and lost a significant amount of weight for Trapped. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RajKummar Rao (@rajkummar_rao) "My being is through my Art. Just finished shooting for my next Biopic NIKAM and yes, it has demanded me to change physically which I love doing. I’m not a believer in prosthetic as long as I can achieve the look through my hardwork which I’ve achieved in Nikam be it gaining weight or looking old (to play a certain age)or to make my hair thin which my hair stylist was very much against but everyone told me to not go half bald for BOSE also and to gain that much weight or to Not stop eating and lose so much weight for TRAPPED or to not behave like a visually impaired person even when cameras weren’t rolling during SRIKANTH. (sic)," Rajkummar wrote on the photo-sharing app. Rajkummar is transforming to his fit self for another biopic "For Nikam I had to gain around 9-10 kgs and I was eating 2 pizzas and lot of sweets and my fav Aloo Parathas, Biryani and to not use anything glam to look like the part. Hopefully when you will see the film which will be releasing soon you will be able to see all that hardwork in the film," he further went on to write. Now, Rajkummar is working hard to shed those extra kilos and get in shape for his next biopic on the former captain of the Indian cricket team, Sourav Ganguly. "And now it’s the transition phase and time to lose these extra kgs and get ready to slip into Ganguly mode. Our very own Dada. Will always work the hardest to engage you, entertain you through my work. Much Love," the post concluded.
16 February,2026 01:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Aamir Dalvi has effectively pushed his boundaries as an actor with Kennedy, where he is seen essaying the role of the prime antagonist, Salim Kattawala. Although Aamir has previously tried his hand at morally complex characters, the project marks his Bollywood debut as an antagonist. Reflecting on exploring the world of Salim, Aamir revealed that the silence in the character is what left him truly scared. He shared, “I’ve played negative characters before, so darkness itself doesn’t scare me. What truly scared me here was the silence. Salim doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. He just walks into a room and something shifts, the air changes. That kind of quiet power stays with you, and it’s deeply unsettling.” Aamir further stated that for him, the real challenge while essaying the character was the restraint. He added that he never saw Salim as a villain but as someone who is convinced that whatever he is doing is absolutely correct. “I never approached him as a villain. I approached him as a man who genuinely believes he’s doing what needs to be done. That belief is terrifying because it comes from conviction. When someone doesn’t think they’re wrong, they stop questioning themselves, and that’s when they become capable of anything," he added. Featuring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone in the lead, Kennedy is a dark noir where morality blurs and survival comes at a cost. It narrates the tale of Kennedy, an insomniac ex-police officer who operates secretly for the corrupt system, lives in different conditions, and goes on a lookout for salvation. Made under the direction of Anurag Kashyap, Kennedy is expected to premiere on ZEE5 on February 20. Meanwhile, Aamir is known for his work in television shows such as Shapath Supercops vs Supervillains, Sanskaar Laxmi, Devanshi, Zindagi’s Bhaage Re Mann, and Aladdin. 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
16 February,2026 01:26 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
