In 2018, we first heard Baarishein. Since then, we have spent many nights listening to Anuv Jain’s renditions on repeat, getting lost in his melodies and the emotions he carves out through his singles. Each song rekindles feelings of love and heartbreak. His newest single, Inaam, released late last year, turns inward — speaking about growing up, emotional evolution, and what happens when the chase slows down. When asked whether the song was written for a version of himself that existed before the echoes of the audience, Jain refuses to choose a single timeline. The song, he explains, holds multiple emotional states at once. “I think Inaam is all of these things because it is a thank you to my audience, family, friends, and the universe for making all of it possible,” he explains. The gratitude he expresses in Inaam also carries a confession that few artistes are comfortable articulating. He agrees that it is a confessional song, saying, “People get to see a part of my life that I haven’t really spoken about — the emptiness you feel when you’re constantly chasing [something] or not taking a moment to realise what you’ve achieved,” he tells mid-day. The reward of success, Jain suggests, does not hold meaning on its own; it only acquires value when you choose to acknowledge it. “Fulfilment comes because you assign some value to it. You start caring about what you’re doing and you start being happy with these little wins in life. We chase many things with passion, but when we finally get it, that passion or the value of that fizzles out,” he reflects. The realisation that achievement does not automatically translate into contentment did not arrive all at once. For Jain, it “started happening a year and a half ago”. Those around him noticed the shift before he fully articulated it himself. “Even though I wasn’t really ungrateful for what was going on, the people around me could sense that I was not happy,” Jain recalls. “Somebody very close to me [reminded] me that what I have now is something that I wanted so badly.” The reminder was simple but necessary, he says, “So at least enjoy it while you have it.” Anuv Jain’s hits >> 2018: ‘Baarishein’>> 2018: ‘Alag Aasmaan’>> 2019: ‘Gul’>> 2019: ‘Ocean’>> 2020: ‘Riha’>> 2021: ‘Maula’>> 2021: ‘Meri Baaton Mein Tu’ >> 2023: ‘Husn’
04 January,2026 07:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuThe collaboration between director Raaj Shaandilyaa, of Dream Girl franchise fame, and Nana Patekar dates back to Welcome Back (2015). So, when ASP Rahul Srivastava of the Uttar Pradesh Cyber Crime unit approached the filmmaker-actor duo to create a short film on cyber security and digital arrest scams, the decision was a no-brainer. “The ad is about an elderly couple, who is asked to pay up by a fraudster threatening to implicate him in a money-laundering case. However, Nana turns the tables on him,” explains Shaandilyaa. He adds that the video aims to educate the public about cybercrime and digital arrest scams, which are rampant these days. Raaj Shaandilyaa The five-minute and 30-second ad was shot in November last year at an Andheri East studio. While the duo has worked together before, it did not eliminate the nervousness the director felt. “We shot in just four hours as he had other commitments. Nana is a fantastic actor, just like a coconut — hard on the outside and soft inside. He has his own andaaz. Unke saath darr ka mahaul toh rehta hai as he is very particular about what he wants, but it was never so with me. You just need to make him comfortable in his space. If he likes someone, he will go all out for them,” smiles the director. Shaandilyaa adds that the two have also discussed collaborating on a feature film together, “maybe within a year.” Latest cybercrimes £ Digital arrest scams£ Malicious download scams£ Fraudulent gaming and money-making apps£ AI-driven voice/identity cloning£ Sim-related fraud£ Cloning official website/data harvesting
04 January,2026 07:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRTwo films, one hero — and the release plan is set. Homi Adajania is eyeing a September release for Cocktail 2, a date that ensures a clear six-month gap after Shahid Kapoor’s earlier outing, Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’ Romeo, which hits theatres in February. Vishal Bhardwaj with Shahid Kapoor on the set of ‘O’ Romeo’ “The gap was very consciously planned. O’ Romeo and Cocktail 2 are very different films, and no one wanted them stepping on each other’s toes. Six months gives Shahid the space to arrive with a new energy and image. From a trade point of view, it makes sense. Audiences need time to move on from one character before embracing the next. September gives Cocktail 2 its own identity,” informs our source. The Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna-starrer is nearing completion, with the film firmly in its final stages. Sources close to the project tell mid-day that the edit is largely in place, and the makers are now concentrating on perfecting the soundtrack. “The film is more or less ready in terms of its narrative cut,” says an insider. “Right now, the maximum attention is on the songs — their sound mix, final arrangements, and how they flow within the film. Music is central to Cocktail 2, and the team wants to get it absolutely right.”
04 January,2026 07:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuAyaan Agnihotri, the nephew of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, has announced his engagement to Tina Rijhwani, sharing the happy news with fans on social media. Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Ayaan posted a series of pictures capturing intimate and celebratory moments from the special occasion. Ayaan Agnihotri shares pictures of his engagement The photos show Ayaan and Tina embracing each other warmly as they mark their engagement. In one of the images, Tina proudly flaunts her engagement ring in a solo pose, while another picture captures Ayaan planting a sweet kiss on her as the couple stands outdoors with firecrackers lighting up the background. The set also includes a serene photograph of the two praying together, along with an old, nostalgic picture from their earlier days as a couple, making the post a mix of emotions and memories. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Agni (@ayaanagnihotri) Sharing the pictures, Ayaan captioned the post with a playful yet heartfelt line: “Leaving my girlfriend behind in 2025.” The announcement quickly drew reactions from friends and family in the film industry. Malaika Arora commented enthusiastically, “Yaaaaaaaniiiiiiii, tinaaaaa,” while Sonakshi Sinha expressed her excitement with, “Omg omg omg omg I cannnnnt!!!!!” Zaheer Iqbal also joined in, writing, “Broooooooo, congratulations, guys, so so happy for u both.” All about Ayaan Agnihotri Ayaan Agnihotri is the son of Salman Khan’s sister Alvira Khan Agnihotri and actor-producer Atul Agnihotri. He also has a younger sister, Alizeh Agnihotri, who recently made her acting debut with Farrey and earned praise for her performance. Unlike his sister, Ayaan chose a different creative path and ventured into music. Earlier, Ayaan got candid about his journey with music, “I began exploring poetry and the spoken word in the 10th grade, and then transitioned to [writing] rap. Subsequently, I began writing songs, including chorus sections, and also began to compose them. While I didn’t think I wanted to pursue [music] as a profession, I wanted to start putting some stuff out there,” says Ayaan, adding that his early influences include Thomas Hardy, whose works he appreciated for their ability to showcase “life from a different lens”. For those unfamiliar, Salman Khan previously collaborated with Ayaan on the song You Are Mine, which was composed by Vishal Mishra. While Salman featured in the track, the rap portions were performed by Ayaan, highlighting his musical talent. The young artist has since released his single Universal Laws and is currently working on his own EP, steadily carving a niche for himself in the music industry alongside celebrating a new personal milestone.
03 January,2026 11:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Karan Johar's most recent film, did fairly well at the box office. However, everyone enjoyed the film, which also took home the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Everyone has been anticipating Karan's next film after RARKPK. As per the report in Pinkvilla claims that the director intends to helm a family drama that could be called Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham 2. A source close to the portal told, "After hitting the bullseye with a romantic family comedy in the form of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Karan is returning to the family drama space with his next. Buzz is, it would be his biggest scale film till date, and Karan has brought in the New Year by locking the script of his next." According to reports, pre-production will begin in the middle of 2026 and the movie will begin production by the end of 2026. The source went on to say that the film will be an intense drama with romance and a strong emotional component. The source revealed to the portal that the casting process for Karan's upcoming movie would begin shortly and will have two male and two female roles. The outlet was also informed by another source that the movie may be titled Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham 2 (K3G2). However, discussing the title at this time is premature. "However, it's surely in the space of the 2001 blockbuster led by Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hritik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, and Jaya Bachchan," said a source. However, the news didn't go well with the fans. Netizens quickly responded to the claims once they appeared online, with many expressing dissatisfaction and wondering why Johar is "ruining his own legacy." Some even went so far as to call the movie a "flop," even though an official announcement is still pending. "Get ready to see another classic getting ruined," a Reddit user wrote. Why do I feel like they're going to remake Bole Chudiyan soon? Another said, "Way to ruin your own legacy." "If he’s going to cast nepolianss, then it will be a MASSIVE flop," said another. We wonder which actors will be cast in the movie if this story is accurate. Let's observe and wait!
03 January,2026 08:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran actor Ashish Vidyarthi and his second wife Rupali Barua were injured in a road accident in Guwahati on the night of Friday, December 2, 2026. The incident occurred when the couple was crossing a street and was hit by a speeding motorcycle. The accident led to immediate concern among fans after reports surfaced online, prompting the actor to personally address the situation through social media. Ashish Vidyarthi and wife meet with an accident According to reports, personnel from the Geetanagar police station rushed to the spot soon after the accident. Ashish Vidyarthi and Rupali Barua were given medical attention, while the injured bike rider was shifted to Gauhati Medical College Hospital for treatment. The situation was brought under control quickly, and all those involved received timely care. A day after the incident, Ashish Vidyarthi shared a video message on social media to reassure his followers and clear the air amid what he described as exaggerated reporting. In the video, the actor calmly explained that both he and his wife were safe and recovering well. He also shared that he had asked the police for an update on the biker and was informed that the rider had regained consciousness. Ashish Vidyarthi gives an update Addressing the incident, Vidyarthi said, “Just to let you all know, because I’m seeing all kinds of things being reported on many news channels. Rupali and I were crossing a street yesterday when a bike hit us. We are both fine. Rupali is under observation, and everything is okay. I’m good too. I’ve had a small injury, but that’s it. I’m absolutely fine. I am walking, talking, standing, everything is normal.” The 63 year old actor expressed gratitude to everyone who checked in on them and urged people not to sensationalize the incident. He added that they were surrounded by loved ones and receiving excellent care from the Apollo emergency team. “Please let people know that we are doing great by sharing this video. We appreciate your kind wishes,” he said, thanking fans for their concern. On the professional front, Ashish Vidyarthi was last seen in The Traitors, a reality show hosted by Karan Johar. The show featured several prominent names including Karan Kundrra, Raftaar, Uorfi Javed, Apoorva Mukhija, Purav Jha, and Elnaaz Norouzi. Despite the unfortunate accident, the actor’s reassuring message has brought relief to his fans, who continue to send wishes for his and Rupali’s speedy recovery.
03 January,2026 06:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMore than two decades after its release, Nayak is no longer just a film from megastar Anil Kapoor’s filmography; it is fast becoming part of his future endeavours. The 2001 political drama, which went on to achieve cult status, is now at the centre of fresh buzz. As per the source of Bollywood Hungama, Anil Kapoor has reportedly acquired the rights to Nayak, a move that could pave the way for a long-anticipated sequel. Anil Kapoor to make Nayak 2? Originally produced by A S Rathnam, the rights to Nayak were later held by producer Deepak Mukut of Sanam Teri Kasam fame. A source close to the development revealed, “Producer Deepak Mukut held the rights to Nayak. It is said that Anil Kapoor has bought the rights from him. He plans to hold the rights as it’s a film close to his heart. Also, he aspires to make a sequel to it. He is fully aware of the love he has garnered for the film over the years and believes that the subject of Nayak has tremendous potential for a second part.” In an era where political narratives dominate public discourse and cinema increasingly mirrors real-world complexities, a sequel to Nayak could feel more timely and more explosive than ever before. For now, the idea remains aspirational. But if Nayak does return, it won’t be driven by nostalgia alone; it will be shaped by relevance, timing and a political reality that feels more urgent today than it did back then. The film featured an ensemble cast including Rani Mukerji, the late Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal, Saurabh Shukla, Johny Lever, Shivaji Satam and Neena Kulkarni. Pooja Batra appeared in a cameo, while Sushmita Sen made a special appearance in a song. While there has been no official confirmation of Nayak 2, the reported rights acquisition has reignited excitement among fans who have long championed the film. Anil Kapoor celebrates quiet birthday with Anupam Kher Anil Kapoor marked his birthday with an intimate celebration this year, made even more special with the presence of his longtime friend Anupam Kher. Taking to his Instagram handle, Anupam Kher shared a video from the celebrations where he joined Kapoor and his wife, Sunita Kapoor, for a delightful evening. In the clip, Anil Kapoor could be seen cutting his birthday cake with much joy, while others, including Kher and Sunita, clapped and sang a birthday song for him. A few other guests also appeared to be present at the bash.
03 January,2026 06:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan is receiving a lot of criticism from politicians and religious authorities for having Mustafizur Rahman, a Bangladeshi player, on his Kolkata Knight Riders IPL squad. A video of BJP MLA Nand Kishor Gurjar criticizing SRK and advising people not to watch his films has surfaced on social media. Additionally, he referred to the celebrity as a "jihadi suvar." Nand Kishor Gurjar made shocking remarks "Things are not good, be careful," Gurjar advised. He went on to say, "Haalat achche nahi hai, dhyaan rakhna. Ek Shah Rukh Khan naam ka raakhshas hai, uski film mat dekhna. Kabhi film mat dekhna Shah Rukh Khan ki film, bata rahe hai aapko. Pakka jihadi suvar hai, uski film mat dekhna; pratigya karna " (Avoid watching Shah Rukh Khan's movies because he is a monster. I'm telling you not to watch any of Shah Rukh Khan's movies. Don't watch his movies.) Gurjar added that he has learned that SRK paid Rs. 9.20 crore for a jihadi. If there are no players in India, the BJP MLA asked. Additionally, he said that people should switch the channel if SRK appears on television. They can express their affection for the nation in this way. Gurjar went on to blame Shah Rukh Khan for all the ruckus in the country right now, "Shah Rukh Khan jo kiya hai, aaj pura desh mein bawaal ho raha hai. Isliye uska bahishkar hona chahiye aur hame ummeed hai sarkar karwaayi karegi. Agar uski thodi bahot sharam hai toh Bangladesh bhaag jana chahiye apne phufa ke paas (What Shah Rukh Khan has done has caused uproar in the entire country. Therefore, he should be boycotted, and we hope the government will take action. If he has even a little shame, he should flee to Bangladesh to his uncle)." The player has been removed from the team Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya has also discussed the matter. "Shah Rukh Khan kab desh ka samarthak raha hai?" he asked the journalists. Uski patni keh rahi thi yaha ghutan hoti hai. Woh hamara adarsh nahi hai (When was Shah Rukh Khan a patriot? It feels stuffy here, according to his wife. He is not an inspiration to us. "Poorna bahishkar karna chahiye (There should be a complete boycott)" was his response when asked if Sanatanis should boycott SRK. However, Shah Rukh Khan or KKR haven't issued any statement about the controversy yet. As per reports, the matter has been resolved as KKR removed the player from the team.
03 January,2026 04:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor and writer Twinkle Khanna turned a year older on December 29, and she decided to spend her birthday doing a lot of sniffing around with her loved ones. On her birthday, the Mela actress visited the Musee du Parfum in Paris with her actor husband, Akshay Kumar. Twinkle revealed that during their visit, they ended up encountering around 50 bottles of fragrances such as vetiver, caramel, and ember. Not just that, they even got a chance to create their own fragrance. Twinkle named her perfume "Birthday Note". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Twinkle Khanna (@twinklerkhanna) Dropping an overview of their visit on her Instagram, Twinkle wrote, "This year instead of blowing out candles, my birthday celebration entailed a lot of sniffing around. The family took me to the Musée du Parfum. (sic)" "We encountered over 50 glass bottles of fragrances like vetiver, caramel, oud and amber. Then we each blended a unique perfume from the essences we loved. Mine was called Birthday Note. Scents carry memories, and this one will follow me to airports, old sweaters, and days when I want to remember my birthday in Marakesh", she added. Wishing his better half on her birthday, Akshay posted a fun picture on social media where Twinkle was seen with a serious expression, aiming her leg at Akshay as she pulled off a stunt. Holding her foot, Akshay was seen laughing as he twinned with his wife in black. "Behind every action hero is a wife who can knock him out with one look, or one kick ;) Mrs Funnybones, you still hit me harder than any stunt ever did. Happy Birthday, love you," Akshay's birthday note for Twinkle read. Twinkle's Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle co-host Kajol also penned a lovely wish for her. Wishing her “partner in crime,” Kajol posted an image of the two smiling at the camera together, reflecting their close bond. 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
03 January,2026 03:55 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSDirector: Sriram RaghavanCast: Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra. Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar BhatiaRating: 4 stars I COULD watch Ikkis twice. The second time on to notice more. The first time, of course, was to simply feel, and observe. Foremost, Dharmendra; 1 have to say. As if it was a demise foretold, this is the most fitting tribute to a lead actor, who served his audiences for multiple generations and for multiple reasons, without quite acquiring the same aura/acclaim as some superstars of his vintage did, perhaps. Somehow, I assumed, he'd have an extended cameo in the film. It's a full-fledged part, worthy of second billing. Wherein Dharmendra, also a retired Brigadier/Army man, plays the father of late, 1971 Indo-Pak war-hero, 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal. Khetarpal was 21. So is the war-film on him. In what can also be seen as a road movie, for a trip down memory lane, Brigadier Khetarpal visits Pakistan to attend the centenary celebration of his alma mater, Le. Government College, Lahore the alumni of which, you can see in portraits, include the likes of Balraj Sahni, Dev Anand, BR Chopra. Technically, if it wasn't for the beloved nostalgia that viscerally looms over you as an audience, one could deem Dharmendra's casting as an inspired, but poor choice, too. Consider scenes from the early 1970s in the film, when he was easily the handsomest young Indian onscreen he appears unflatteringly old in these sequences as well. VFX/Al can only fix that much. A tightly woven Ikkis, smartly scripted by Arijit Biswas, Pooja Ladha Surti, and director, Sriram Raghavan, simultaneously flits between three timelines. As in, 1970, 1971, and 2001. The latter portions involve Brig Khetarpal fondly recalling even his childhood crush in Lahore a girl named Husna that, in turn, reminds you of Piyush Mishra's Coke Studio song by the same name, that's a letter to a beloved, in what is today Pakistan. The other thing you observe in Ikkis decidedly a war film; make no mistake-is the immersive, claustrophobic insides of a bloody battle-tank as the Indian Army advances across the border! Khetarpal's formation enters Pakistan through the western front; most likely, headed toward Lahore. As against the cavalry in Raja Menon's recent, Pippa (2023), where the armoured regiment charges through the eastern side, namely East Pakistan (or what's now Bangladesh), during the same war. I felt Pippa, starring Ishaan Khatter, for its stunning war sequences, with the tank regiment wading through water/marshy lands, was a fairly underrated film that, sadly, went straight to OTT (Prime Video). What connects it to Ikkis is, likewise, a fairly green officer, going from training, straight to war (Captain Balram Singh Mehta, in that case). What separates the two films is, chiefly, the writer-director. I mean Raghavan (Andhad hun). He layers this war drama enough to even shine a light on a lot of his muses. One of which is the city of Pune. Raghavan, if I'm not mistaken, read film direction at FTII, Pune. 2nd Lt Khetarpal, of course, went to National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, that's technically Pune-recreated here from 1970.That is, 20-year-old cadet going on dates at the local cinema, watching Billy Wilder's romcom, Irma la Douce (1963), John Guillermin's war-film, The Bridge at Ramagen (1969), picking up a copy of Ernest Hemingway's war-novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940) from Manneys bookstore, the rock-and-roll song at the ballroom is Jaan peh-chaan ho from Gumnaam (1965) that became a huge hit outside India, after the film Ghost World (2001)! The humanising of the characters is complete. The young boy is in love with the niece (Simar Bhatia) of the academy's adjutant. These portions somehow brought to memory my favourite Indian military movie, growing up the equally sobering, Govind Nihalani's Vijeta (1982), also set in the 71 war. Furthermore, on the film's flip side is a gentle Pakistani Brigadier (Jaideep Ahlawat), hosting Dharmendra, as in Khetarpal Sr; picking him from the plane to Pakistan, driving him around...Decades ago, he's the guy on the tank, who took on young Khetarpal. It was December 16, 1971. Which I thought was the day the war ended. TIL: The ceasefire was declared on De-cember 17. Be that as it may, the so-called enemy in this rare war-pic has a human face, and an empathetic brain. By all accounts, Ikkis is a true story. It feels unusually intimate. Sure, wars are political. But deaths and lives remain personal, still. This is to take away nothing from the crackerjack battle scenes starring, among others, Vivaan Shah, Sikandar Kher. The exhilaration is undeniable. As is the subversion. The Dop (Anil Mehta) is dope. At the centre of Ikkis is, of course, young Agastya Nanda (The Archies), playing the similarly young, dauntless Arun Khetarpal, India's youngest the Param Vir Chakra. Such a daringly devoted kid although, as his boss (Rahul Dev) on the battlefield tells him, only 'Jung' decides the distinction between bravery, and stupidity. This character's maternal grandfather also served the Army. The same can be said for the actor's nana (Amitabh Bachchan), who is indeed In-dia's greatest superstar. Still, acting is so much about range that only gets proven over time, isn't it? That said, simply as a casting choice it's hard to imagine anyone better for this part. There's such an unvarnished innocence about Nanda's sincere screen presence that no extra drama could so viscerally drive home the film's point. You say yes to the boy. You say no to war.
03 January,2026 02:59 PM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharActress Bhumi Pednekkar welcomed 2026 on a warm and celebratory note, spending the special moment with people closest to her, along with plenty of hope and good food. Taking to Instagram, Bhumi shared a series of pictures from her New Year celebration, giving a glimpse into her festive mood. In one of the slides, the actress was seen following a popular New Year ritual involving grapes, playfully captioning it, “Instagram made me do it.” Other images included the actress having a great time with her family and friends. She wrote as the caption: “Instagram made me do it Slide 3 please. Happy 2026. Bought in the new year with people I love, tons of hope and food.(sic).” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bhumi Satish Pednekkar (@bhumisatishpednekkar) Bhumi made her film debut as an overweight bride in the romantic comedy Dum Laga Ke Haisha in 2015 after working as an assistant casting director at Yash Raj Films for six years. She rose to prominence starring in the commercially successful films Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Bala and Pati Patni Aur Woh. The actress was also seen as the septuagenarian sharpshooter Chandro Tomar in Saand Ki Aankh and a closeted lesbian in Badhaai Do. Bhumi has since starred in the social dramas Bheed, Afwaah and Bhakshak. On the big screen, she was last seen in the movie Mere Husband Ki Biwi with Arjun Kapoor and Rakul Preet Singh. On the OTT front, she was seen in the romantic comedy drama series The Royals, starring Ishaan Khatter, Zeenat Aman, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Vihaan Samat, Dino Morea, and Milind Soman. The narrative follows a financially struggling royal family in modern-day India whose fortunes take an unexpected turn when the heir teams up with a hospitality entrepreneur to revive their ancestral palace as a luxury resort. 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
03 January,2026 02:43 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
