‘Ghajini’ with Salman in lead Aamir Khan in ‘Ghajini’; (right) Salman Khan in ‘Tere Naam’ Producer Boney Kapoor has revealed that he once planned to make Ghajini (2008) with Salman Khan in the lead after watching the original Tamil film starring Suriya. Speaking to Rediff, Boney said Salman’s look in Tere Naam (2003) convinced him he was ideal for the role. “With his chiselled physique and his hair pruned, he would be a perfect fit for Suriya’s role,” he said. Recalling how the project slipped away, he added, “For almost six months, Madhu Mantena kept assuring me, ‘Ho jayega.’ When Aamir finally consented, they decided to produce the film themselves, and I lost out.” Cocktail on the house Rashmika Mandanna, Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon The 2025 shooting schedule of Cocktail 2 has officially wrapped, with filmmaker Abhishek Kapur confirming the update via an Instagram Story. He shared a picture of the film’s slate that read, “Final slate for the film this year. Schedule 2025 wrapped,” instantly setting social media abuzz. The story was later reshared by director Homi Adajania. Adding a light-hearted touch, the slate also featured a playful note saying, “Homi ki fauj ne kalir mauj.” The wrap comes after delays during the Delhi schedule due to security concerns and rising pollution levels (Cocktail 2 shoot postponed, December 11). Along with Shahid Kapoor, the film also stars Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna. It is scheduled to arrive in cinemas in the second half of 2026. ‘Cocktail 2’ wrap-up clapboard Focussing on work-life balance Anil Kapoor Bollywood icon Anil Kapoor recently spoke about the need for work-life balance, urging people to move away from the culture of constant hustle. Reflecting on modern work habits, the actor said, “What’s the point of working 24×7? We have forgotten how to chill.” He noted that while people are constantly grinding, they often overlook the importance of rest and downtime. Anil added, “Many people have achieved thousands of times more than we have. These successful people not only work hard, but also make time to relax, take holidays, and enjoy their lives.” On the work front, Anil was last seen in War 2. He’ll next be seen in King, and Alpha. Netizens not impressed Ananya Panday; (right) Kartik Aaryan in ‘Saat Samundar’ song Actors Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, releasing on Christmas, has run into controversy following the recreated version of the iconic Saat Samundar Paar song. Notably, mid-day had earlier reported that filmmaker Rajiv Rai had warned the film’s team of legal action over the use of the song’s beats (‘The label can’t put my music in a film without my consent’, December 4). Rai had expressed disappointment that the banner and music label used the track without his consent, saying, “While some rights rest with Saregama, my agreement didn’t allow the song to be used in other films.” The new version has also drawn sharp criticism online, with fans calling it an unnecessary remake of a ’90s classic.
24 December,2025 07:38 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamEver since Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced Love & War in January 2024, fans have been eager to get a peek into the world of the Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal-starrer. Well, that may happen sooner than later. Sources have told mid-day that Bhansali is likely to share the first glimpse of the romantic saga in January 2026. “The idea always was that the team will put out an asset in January to tease the audience about the world they have in store. It could be an official poster or images from the set, which Bhansali has meticulously created. The audience has already seen the actors’ avatars through leaked pictures. But now, the director wants people to see his vision of Love & War,” said a source. Even though the first promotional asset will be unveiled in January 2026, there is no word on when the film will arrive in cinemas, after its March 19 release was postponed. Meanwhile, we’ve heard the shoot is nearing completion. Another source shared, “A few days ago, Alia shot for a wedding sequence with Ranbir in Mumbai. Now, she has only the climax left to shoot with the leads, after which it will be a wrap for her. The male leads, however, will continue to shoot for another six weeks.” New release date? The buzz is that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is keen on releasing ‘Love & War’ on August 14, even as Ranbir Kapoor feels a June release would be better as it offers a sufficient gap between the romantic saga and ‘Ramayan Part 1’
24 December,2025 07:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaIn November, filmmaker Farhan Akhtar revealed that Don 3, which was announced in August 2023, would finally roll in 2026. But things seem to have changed dramatically in the past fortnight. Sources from Excel Entertainment have revealed to mid-day that Ranveer Singh has exited the action thriller, which would’ve marked his foray into the celebrated franchise. What caused the volte-face? A bunch of factors, we’re told, ranging from date issues to the actor’s commitment to Dhurandhar 2. A source informed mid-day that the primary hurdle was Dhurandhar 2. “Given Dhurandhar’s wild success, filmmaker Aditya Dhar and everyone involved want to make the second part grander. For this, Ranveer will be required to shoot some additional portions in early 2026. After that is wrapped, the actor wants to turn his attention to Pralay, his zombie thriller with director Jai Mehta, as that remains a largely untapped genre in Hindi cinema. Talks about Don 3’s dates were going on for months. At some point, both the actor and the filmmaker needed clarity. The actor also indicated a hike in his remuneration after Dhurandhar’s success, which did not align with Don 3’s budget. The parting of ways was amicable, albeit inevitable,” said the source. Farhan Akhtar; (right) Kriti Sanon was reportedly cast as the female lead Talks of an exit apparently began early last week when Singh first met Akhtar. According to an internal communication shared with the team working on the film, which is in mid-day’s possession, this was followed by a formal meeting on December 19 that was attended by the actor, his management team, Akhtar, and producer Ritesh Sidhwani. “Following the meeting, by Saturday, December 20, it was clear that the collaboration would not move forward. On December 22, Ritesh called for a meeting with all the department heads who were deep in pre-production. They were informed of Singh’s exit, and that the February shooting schedule was officially pushed.” Now, the makers are looking for a male lead who can take the franchise, made popular over the decades by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, ahead. Kriti Sanon and Vikrant Massey had reportedly been signed on for the upcoming instalment. mid-day contacted Excel Entertainment and Singh. Both didn’t respond till press time. Farhan Akhtar and Ranveer Singh ‘Don 3’ was to mark Ranveer Singh’s first collaboration with Farhan Akhtar as a director. The two previously shared screen space in ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ (2015) Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan Aug 2023When Ranveer Singh was announced as the new Don, after Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan
24 December,2025 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuNeerja Ghaywan's Homebound, which has received massive acclaim on the global stage, has now landed in a legal soup. Journalist and author Puja Changoiwala has reportedly initiated legal proceedings against Dharma Productions and Netflix India, claiming that thefilm infringes upon her copyright. This comes at a time when the Neeraj Ghaywan-directed starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, has been shortlisted for the Oscars. Homebound sued by author Puja Changoiwala is allegedly set to move the Bombay High Court, accusing the makers of unlawfully borrowing from her 2021 novel Homebound. In an email to Hindustan Times, the author confirmed that her lawyer had issued a legal notice to the production house before they initiated formal court proceedings. Changoiwala has also disputed this claim, noting that the similarities between her book and the film go well beyond a shared backdrop. In her email, she stated that “the subject of both (her novel and the film) is the COVID-19 migrant exodus of 2020." She additionally alleged, “Upon watching the film, I discovered that the producers have not only misappropriated the title of my book, but have also blatantly reproduced substantial portions of my novel in the second half of the film—including its scenes, dialogue, narrative structure, sequence of events, and other creative expressions." Puja revealed that a legal notice was served to Dharma Productions on October 15 after she watched the film. She said that the notice included “providing a detailed, scene-by-scene account of their infringement of (her) rights." She went on to claim that the producers “refused to acknowledge the violation" in their replies. Consequently, Changoiwala has filed an application before the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015. The application is part of the mandatory pre-institution mediation process needed before filing a commercial suit in the Bombay High Court. The author also alleged that the production house's misrepresentation, claiming that Dharma Productions “committed a flagrant act of passing off" by naming the film after her novel, adding that it “cannot be a coincidence." She also pointed out that the film’s script was developed in 2022, which is a year after her book was published. The author revealed that she would seek multiple legal remedies, including a permanent injunction on the film’s distribution, removal of the allegedly infringing material, a change in the film’s title, as well as monetary damages. She stated, “I know I’m challenging powerful entities by taking this step, but I believe it’s important for writers to defend their work when it’s misappropriated and exploited without their consent." Dharma Productions has declined to comment on the matter. The production house reportedly replied to Hindustan Times via text message saying, “We are responding to the claim legally and cannot comment on anything right now." About Homebound Homebound was released in theatres on September 26 after it premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in May. The makers have communicated that the narrative is inspired by a 2020 New York Times article by journalist Basharat Peer titled A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway. The story revolves around two childhood friends going through challenges of clearing the national police examination during the COVID-19 pandemic. Homebound has been shortlisted as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
23 December,2025 08:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court refused to grant urgent ad-interim relief to Trimurti Films on Tuesday in a high-stakes copyright battle. The production house had sued Dharma Productions, Saregama India, and rapper Badshah over the alleged unauthorised use of the iconic 1992 song Saat Samundar Paar in the upcoming film Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. The film starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday is scheduled for release on December 25. Plea against use of Saat Samundar Paar in TMMTMTTM In the case involving ownership and synchronisation rights, Trimurti Films, the original producer of the 1992 film Vishwatma, had filed a lawsuit claiming it is the first owner of the copyright for the song, including its lyrics, tune, and musical composition. Trimurti argued in court that a 1990 agreement with Saregama's predecessor only granted limited "mechanical rights" for making records and cassettes. Trimurti alleged that this agreement did not include rights to synchronise the song with new cinematograph films, adapt, remix, or modify the original recording. It claimed that the right to include the works in new independent copyrighted material without explicit authorisation was also not included in the agreement. On the contrary, Dharma Productions argued that the song was used in the film as per the existing licensing terms. They also highlighted past instances where the song was licensed to third parties for movies like Kick in 2014, as well as various advertisements. Bombay HC dismisses stay plea After hearing both sides, Justice Sharmila U Deshmukh rejected the plea to stop the song from being used or to halt the promotions of the film. The court noted that the film involved heavy financial investment and also acknowledged that there was no clear evidence that removing the song would not affect the story. In addition to this, the court also highlighted that a teaser featuring the tune had been released as early as December 2024, while questioning the urgency of Trimurti's claim. The court is scheduled for a further hearing on the issue on January 9, 2026. Trimurti Films is seeking Rs 10 crore in damages and a permanent stop to the track's exploitation through the lawsuit.
23 December,2025 07:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt's a special birthday for actor Ahaan Panday. Not only did he mark his acting debut this year, but his film Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri, created history at the box office. Headlined by newcomers Ahaan and Aneet, the romantic musical received immense love from the audience, making them two of the most loved actors of the country especially among the younger generation. As Ahaan celebrated his birthday on December 23, he was flooded with gifts from well wishers. Ahaan Panday thanks fans on birthday On Tuesday evening, Ahaan dropped a picture of himself surrounded by the love he received from his admirers. He posted a picture of himself sitting in the center if a room filled with gifts, balloons and flowers. Sharing the picture, Ahaan wrote, " Thank you for all the wishes, (And thank you to all the people who made this year what it was) All love here always". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ahaan Panday (@ahaanpandayy) Ananya Panday's birthday wish for Ahaan Wishing her younger brother on his special day, actress Ananya Panday compiled an adorable birthday wish on social media. The Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri actress took to the Stories section of her Instagram handle and dropped a sweet video with Ahaan from their childhood. Calling Ahaan the light of her life, Ananya wrote on the photo-sharing app, "Happy birthday the light of my life my heart literally bursts with how proud I am of you... you deserve the world I love you forever my star ahaanpandayy." Aneet Padda showers birthday love on Ahaan Aneet starred opposite Ahaan in Saiyaara and was among the first to pen a heartfelt note for him on his birthday. She wrote, "I’ve seen the future. I’ve seen passersby smile when you laugh out loud, they can’t help it. I’ve seen colours change in the world around, when your eyes are lost in thought admiring an old woman, watering her plants, unaware. I’ve seen the scribbles in your notepad, holding the musings of an unusual mind, rare and magical. The change of your camera lens, stubborn in its search for beauty in the mundane. I’ve seen you be so selfless (sic)." Aneet also shared how her parents, Ahaan's mother Deanne Pandey, and all his other close ones are extremely proud of the person he has turned out to be. "Happy birthday ahaana, i will always be proud of the person you are. Thank you for giving the world the gift of you", her special birthday wish concluded. Overwhelmed by these lovely words from Aneet, Ahaan commented, "No words do justice to what I felt after reading this". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aneet Padda (@aneetpadda_)
23 December,2025 06:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA video of actress Jacqueline Fernandez is going viral on social media. An Instagram user, Rishabh Sethia, recently shared a clip in which she is seen enjoying lunch at a Delhi restaurant. The actress noticed the video and reacted to it, leaving everyone impressed. Jacqueline Fernandez reacts to her secretly recorded video On Monday evening, the Rishab shared the video, with the text "I think she is Jacqueline Fernandez" on it. In the caption, he asked his followers, "What do you think?" He also added her hit song Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan from her 2015 film Roy. Interestingly, the actress was spotted with a mystery man in the video as the two were seen engaged in a deep conversation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rishabh (@ca.rishabh.sethia) The video soon went viral on the internet and caught Jacqueline's attention. She gracefully reacted to it, by commenting, "Yup that's me," adding a laughing emoji. Jacqueline Fernandez work front On the work front, Jacqueline was most recently seen in Housefull 5, directed by Tarun Mansukhani. The film includes a star-studded cast of Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Nana Patekar, Jackie Shroff, Dino Morea, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangada Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Soundarya Sharma, Chunky Pandey, Nikitin Dheer, and Johnny Lever, among others. She was expected to star in Kick 2, a sequel to her 2014 movie with Salman Khan. However, reports recently stated that Kriti Sanon will be seen replacing Jacqueline Fernandez in the second instalment. However, a report in Pinkvilla refuted such rumors s a source told them, "All reports doing the rounds about Kick 2, including speculation around casting changes, are completely false and baseless. No official details have been planned, and the makers will share information only when the time is right." Meanwhile, the actress will also be seen in Welcome to the Jungle, which also stars an ensemble cast of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Arshad Warsi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon, and Lara Dutta. Also touted as Welcome 3, the action comedy is directed by Ahmed Khan and is scheduled for release in mid-2026. It features a massive cast of over 30 actors.
23 December,2025 05:38 PM IST | MumbaiWith Christmas around the corner, people are gearing up for the festive season. Actor siblings Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor put up a massive Christmas tree at their Mumbai home and decorated it with the help of their friends. The towering tree stood tall in their living room and featured a mix of traditional and quirky decorative elements. Their friend and socialite Orry shared a video on Instagram, giving a closer look at the Christmas tree and its unique ornaments. Janhvi Kapoor’s Christmas tree The large tree featured glittery decorations ranging from caricature statues of family members to ornaments shaped like food items. It also included decor pieces featuring trendy words and phrases such as “Happy Pill,” “Chill Pill,” “Botox,” “Matcha,” and more. The tree had a miniature decoration of their late mother, actress Sridevi, alongside a statue of their father, Boney Kapoor. It also featured a miniature of Janhvi Kapoor’s boyfriend, Shikhar Pahariya, dressed in a mundu. Sharing the video, Orry wrote, “And the best Christmas tree winner is”. Janhvi and Khushi were seen wearing comfortable clothes as they decorated the tree along with a few friends. Janhvi reacted to the post by commenting, “I’m so proud of my tree,” to which Orry replied, “us all :’)”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Orhan Awatramani (@orry) When Janhvi opened up on plastic surgery Janhvi and her sister Khushi have never shied away from admitting to undergoing cosmetic procedures, as they often face comments about Botox on social media. During her appearance on Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle, Janhvi said, “I don’t believe in gatekeeping. I was one of the young girls who was very impressionable with the onset of social media and seeing everyone being judged and looking a certain way. And I don’t want to perpetuate to young girls this idea of perfection. I’m a big believer of ‘you do you,’ do whatever makes you happy. I would be very happy to be a completely open book about things.” She added, “I think I have been very intelligent, conservative, and proper about what I have done. Of course, I had the guidance of my mom, and I’d like to share that. Also, as a cautionary tale, because if a young girl sees a video like this and decides mujhe bhi ye buffalo-plasty karna hai, and if something goes wrong, that would be the worst thing ever. I think transparency is important.”
23 December,2025 05:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actor Anil Kapoor marked 100 years of his father Surinder Kapoor on Tuesday. Celebrating the milestone birth anniversary of his father, Kapoor also revealed how he shaped films like Woh 7 Din and Mr India. He said that these films would not have seen the light of day without his father's guidance. Anil Kapoor pays tribute to father Surinder Kapoor The actor paid a heartfelt tribute to the man who played a pivotal role in shaping his iconic films Mr. India and Woh 7 din. Reflecting on his father’s guidance and influence, Anil credited him for the success and vision behind one of Bollywood’s most beloved movies. The Welcome actor also highlighted the lasting impact of his father’s support on his career. Taking to his Instagram handle, Anil Kapoor posted a series of unseen black-and-white images, celebrating his father’s legacy. For the caption, he wrote, “Celebrating 100 years of my father today. He was the reason I first dreamed of becoming a leading man, simply hoping he would one day see me as a star, a successful actor making films under his banner.” “Woh 7 din and MR India wouldn’t have seen the light of the day without his good will and guidance, His simplicity, honesty, and quiet belief shaped every step of my journey. I feel his absense deeply, but his dreams and lessons live on with me every day... Happy Birthday Papa! You were, are and always will be my guiding star...” (sic) View this post on Instagram A post shared by anilskapoor (@anilskapoor) The throwback images capture cherished moments of Anil Kapoor’s father, Surinder Kapoor, in the film industry. The late producer could be seen posing with his son, as well as with iconic stars like Sridevi, Parveen Babi, Shashi Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, and several other legends of Bollywood. When Anil Kapoor spoke about father not helping him in early days of career In an earlier interview with mid-day, Anil Kapoor remembered his late father, saying, "He was very honest, decent, and kind of an introvert. He was a good man, not pushy, filmy, or aggressive – a gentleman." The actor recalled, “He clearly told me, ‘I cannot do anything for you,’ and I never expected him to. So, I instinctively felt, 'It’s time for me to get out, go to the battlefield, and fight it out.’ Anil Kapoor elaborated on how this struggle affected his work, expressing, “It was exhausting, tiring, and frustrating. I looked worse, felt worse. I used to sit with my friends and have rum. I was a bitter person,” revealing, “I channeled it into my work - Awaragi, Mashaal. You see that anger, that bitterness. Awaragi came much later, but Mashaal, yes.” Who is Surinder Kapoor? Father to Anil, Boney and Sanjay Kapoor, Surinder Kapoor was a renowned Indian film producer known for his contributions to the Hindi film industry. In addition to producing numerous films, he also served as the President of the Film & Television Producers Guild of India from 1995 to 2001. He passed away on 24 September 2011 due to a heart attack. (with inputs from IANS)
23 December,2025 05:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Kiara Advani welcomed her baby girl in July 2025 with her husband, actor Sidharth Malhotra. In her first interview after becoming a mother to her daughter, Saraayaah, Kiara spoke about how motherhood has changed her perspective on life and her body. Kiara Advani on War 2 bikini scene Despite her pregnancy, Kiara had two theatrical releases this year and remained actively involved in films. In a conversation with Vogue India, the actress revealed that she continued shooting until the seventh month of her pregnancy, during which she also made a sparkling debut at the Met Gala. She shared that only her producer and director were aware of her pregnancy at the time. Recalling emotional scenes during shoots, Kiara revealed that she would retreat to her vanity van bathroom and speak to her baby, reassuring them that everything was fine. She would caress her belly and say, “Mama is only acting, okay? This isn’t real.” During the same conversation, Kiara also spoke about the “immense discipline” it took to get in shape for her viral bikini scene in War 2. The actress rocked a golden-yellow bikini in the film, which released after she had given birth. Watching herself on screen, she admitted that her body at the time was very different from what audiences saw. “After delivery, a part of me thought, ‘I’ve done this before, I’ll do it again.’ Then I realised it’s not about having the best body.” She added that motherhood has taught her to honour her body and that losing a kilo now feels irrelevant compared to creating a life. “When I look at my body, I think, ‘Wow, you created a human.’ Nothing compares. Now, whatever shape or size I am in, I will always respect my body. You have to respect what your body can do for you.” Kiara's work front The actress is now gearing up for the release of her film Toxic directed by Geetu Mohandas. Her first look as Nadia was released a few days back through social media. While the poster initially places her in a glamorous spotlight against a vibrant circus backdrop, a closer inspection reveals a character defined by profound emotional layers. Beneath the spectacle lies a sense of grief and melancholy, signaling a shift toward a performance-driven narrative. This complex depiction hints that Nadia is far more than a conventional role, suggesting a transformative turn that could be a career-defining milestone for the actress.
23 December,2025 04:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday are set to end the year with their romantic comedy Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. The film, directed by Sameer Vidwans, will be released in theatres on December 25, marking the final Hindi release of the year. Ahead of the release, reports about the cast fees have surfaced online. According to a report by FilmiBeat, the film has been made on a budget of Rs 150 crore. Kartik Aaryan reportedly charged Rs 50 crore for the film, while Ananya Panday, who stars opposite him, received Rs 5 crore , nearly ten times less than her co-star. Veteran actor Jackie Shroff, who plays Ananya Panday’s father in the film, has reportedly been paid Rs 1.7 crore, while Neena Gupta charged Rs 1 crore. Tiku Talsania also features in a supporting role. CBFC suggested changes for TMMTMTTM As per reports in Bollywood Hungama, the film was granted a U/A 16 plus certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The Examining Committee suggested three changes. The makers were asked to reduce a sexually suggestive scene in the first half, leading to 15 seconds being censored. Additionally, the CBFC instructed the team to mute and remove obscene words from both the dialogue and subtitles. Lastly, abbreviations of obscene expressions in a scene in the second half were also muted and removed. The final runtime of the film, as mentioned on the censor certificate, is 145.41 minutes. About Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri The film is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Shareen Mantri Kedia, Kishor Arora, and Bhumika Tewari, and is set to release on December 25, coinciding with Christmas. The trailer introduces Kartik Aaryan as Ray and Ananya Panday as Rumi. The trailer opens with Kartik introducing himself as Ray and Ananya as Rumi. Ray does not believe in wallowing in the past or worrying about the future. He is all about living in the moment. Money does not seem to be much of a concern for either of the protagonists. While Ananya plays a published author, Kartik’s profession is not quite clear. The trailer shows the two landing at the same vacation spot and ending up sharing the same yacht for their stay. Ray comes across as a carefree man and keeps expressing his love for Rumi, who does not reciprocate the same feelings.
23 December,2025 03:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
