Bollywood diva Kareena Kapoor Khan has been shooting extensively for her upcoming crime drama Daayra, directed by Meghna Gulzar. A source close to the production revealed, “Kareena has been shooting extensively for Daayra, travelling across interiors with Meghna." On December 4, Kareena posted a photo on social media, saying that Meghna Gulzar has been taking her from Khalapur to Bhiwandi to Virar, and she seemed quite thrilled about the journey. "It’s been a very hectic shoot for the team, moving from one location to another, but the energy on set has been incredible. It takes long hours to travel to far flung places of Mumbai, but Kareena is enjoying every ride as she is getting to see the real Mumbai," the source added. About Daayra Directed by Meghna Gulzar and jointly produced by Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios, the film also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran. Set against the complex world of crime and justice, Daayra positions its lead pair in roles that harness their full dramatic prowess. Prithviraj steps into the shoes of a police inspector, while Kareena embodies a fierce, enigmatic character whose presence adds a striking edge to the narrative. The film is shaping up to be a gripping crime drama thriller, delving into themes of crime, punishment, and justice. With Meghna’s nuanced storytelling and Prithviraj’s strong screen presence, the film promises intense performances and a compelling narrative. The film officially commenced shooting on Thursday, September 25. Kareena speaks about Daayra Earlier this year, Kareena had spoken about the film, saying: “As I celebrate 25 incredible years in Hindi cinema, I'm thrilled to announce my next film, Daayra, with the incredible Meghna Gulzar in the director’s chair. I've long admired her work, from Talvar to Raazi, and to be directed by her is a dream come true.” She added that the opportunity to collaborate with the talented Prithviraj Sukumaran is also a highlight: “And I'm drawn to the film's bold, thought-provoking narrative. Daayra promises to be a cinematic experience that challenges and inspires, and I look forward to working with Meghna, Prithviraj, and the team at Junglee Pictures on this powerful, timely film.” Kareena had first announced Daayra in September 2025, describing her collaboration with Meghna and Prithviraj as a “dream team.”
05 December,2025 05:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRanveer Singh returns to the big screen after over two years with Dhurandhar, playing a spy named Hamza. His character is sent to infiltrate Pakistani gangs, destroy terrorism at its core, and relay intelligence to India about future attacks. Ranveer delivers a nuanced performance, exposing both the strength and vulnerabilities of a spy. Dhurandhar ending With a runtime of 3 hours and 34 minutes, Aditya Dhar’s directorial stumbles with its pace. However, the climax becomes gripping as Ranveer’s character completes his first major mission by eliminating Rahman Dakkait, played by Akshaye Khanna. Operation Dhurandhar is based on Operation Lyari, which was initiated following the Kandahar hijack and the Parliament attack in the early 2000s. Throughout the film, Ranveer as Hamza gains Rahman Dakkait’s trust and eventually becomes his right hand. However, he later collaborates with Sanjay Dutt’s SP Choudhary Aslam and Rakesh Bedi’s Jamil to eliminate Rahman. They corner him in an isolated area outside the city and kill him after an intense action sequence. Ranveer then takes Rahman to the hospital, pretending to attempt to save him in order to gain public sympathy. Before carrying out this plan, he confides in his partner Yaalina (Sara Arjun) about his ambition to rule Karachi, saying that eliminating Rahman is only his first step. After Rahman is declared dead, a bloodstained Hamza returns home to Yaalina and breaks down in front of her. He begs her for food, and she feeds him as he cries inconsolably, reflecting the turmoil within. Later that night, as Yaalina sleeps, Hamza wakes up and opens his secret diary—given to him by another Indian spy, played by Gaurav Gera. He uses invisible ink to reveal hidden text on one of the pages. It reads “Rahman Dakkait.” He strikes out the name, indicating his mission is complete. He then flips to the next page and drops liquid to reveal more text. The page contains several high-profile names, including ISI’s Major Iqbal. It’s hinted that they are his next targets, and he must eliminate them one by one. This narrative will unfold in Part 2, releasing March 19, 2026. Who is Hamza? Hamza is assigned by the Indian government to infiltrate Pakistani terror outfits and uncover their secrets. He is part of a mission called Operation Dhurandhar. The film opens with the conclusion of the Kandahar hijack negotiation. R. Madhavan plays the Intelligence Bureau chief, his look clearly inspired by former National Security Advisor and spymaster Ajit Doval. Disappointed with the negotiation’s outcome, he proposes a long-term plan to prevent such incidents. His suggestion is ignored—until the 2001 Parliament attack forces the government to take action, leading to the inception of Operation Dhurandhar (known as Operation Lyari in real life). Ranveer Singh plays the spy sent to Pakistan. He takes on the identity of Hamza Ali Mazari, though little is revealed about his real past apart from his unwavering dedication to his country. His mission is to infiltrate gangster networks and send intelligence back to India to prevent major attacks. However, he fails to stop 26/11 despite warning India about an attack initially planned for early October 2008. The Mumbai terror attack leaves him traumatized and strengthens his resolve to dismantle terror groups in Pakistan. Madhavan’s character also explains how spies are chosen: they are often individuals serving life sentences, awaiting the death penalty, or people with no purpose left in life. Dhurandhar 2 release date The release date for Dhurandhar 2 has finally been announced. The second instalment of Ranveer Singh’s action thriller will hit theatres on March 19, 2026. Viewers won’t have to wait long to see the story continue, and the makers have already built strong buzz with twists, revelations, and high-tension moments.
05 December,2025 05:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRanveer Singh’s Dhurandhar has finally hit the screens amid a series of controversies. The most talked-about among them was Major Mohit Sharma's parents claiming that the film took inspiration from their son, despite the director Aditya Dhar's denial. The court and CBFC also ruled out the possibility of the film taking inspiration. Amid this, now actor Rakesh Bedi made a fresh statement about its inspiration. Rakesh Bedi says Dhurandhar is inspired by Major Mohit Sharma Speaking to ITV Blink, Rakesh Bedi stated that while the movie is not based on the life of Major Mohit Sharma, it does take inspiration from his journey. Bedi said, “Every film has a mother film. Sholay’s mother film was Seven Samurai… or Five Man Army. Kahin na kahin se toh koi bhi film inspire hoti hai. Har cheez kahin na kahin se inspire hoti hai, lekin uska matlab yeh nahi ki uske upar bani hai yeh film. (Every film is inspired by something or the else. Everything is inspired, but that does not mean it is based on it)" He further said, “I salute Mohit Sharma for what he did, but definitely… it may be inspired from there, but it’s not based on it. Lekin main iss baare mein bolne wala kaun hoon – meri authority nahi hai (But I am no one to speak about it, I don't have the authority). But I know this much: every story is inspired by somewhere. There’s a good saying that nothing is ‘new under the sun’. Nothing is completely new." Talking about his character in the film, Bedi said it is loosely inspired by a real Pakistani politician. He shared, “In fact, the character I play adjusts himself within Pakistan. I’ve seen him in their Senate, their Parliament, when Nawaz Sharif or Bhutto is giving a speech, this man is sitting behind them. I studied his mannerisms on YouTube quite minutely. Even my appearance resembles his a bit. But that doesn’t mean the character is based on him; it may simply be inspired by him." Dhurandhar controversy For the unversed, the parents of the late Major Mohit Sharma, an Ashoka Chakra and Sena Medal awardee, had moved the Delhi High Court seeking an immediate stay on the release of the film. In their petition, the parents alleged that Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar was based on the life, undercover missions, and his martyrdom, without permission from the family or the Indian Army. The family sought protection for their son’s legacy. However, the film’s director clarified that the spy thriller is fictional and not based on the Major’s life. The CBFC also cleared the film, saying it wasn't inspired by Sharma's life.
05 December,2025 05:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDhurandhar makes a smashing entry at the box office today. The film unveils the marvel of numerous TV actors making a strong mark in the film. Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun starrer brings a story from the brutal terror attacks in India in the span of 2000 to 2009. Without further reviewing the film, here's a look at the TV celebs we spotted in the film. Gaurav Gera Gaurav Gera plays an impactful role being an Indian spy who was named Aalam in Pakistan, who blends in with the daily routine of Lyari town. Gaurav becomes the support system for Ranveer Singh in Karachi. Gaurav's role brings a fresh perspective to the spies who devote their whole life to the country, just by living with a different identity. Gaurav not only conceals Ranveer's identity effortlessly but also helps him send intel back to India in the film. The actor has a juice and cold drinks shop which plays the disguise for transferring intel. Rakesh Bedi Rakesh Bedi adds a flair to his character, Jameel Jamali, the crude and corrupt politician who uses his power to change the political dynamics in his favour. The actor brings a humorous touch to his role with his hilarious slang and one-liners. Rakesh plays a pivotal role in setting the strong narrative for Ranveer Singh's character Hamza as he emerges assassin to Rehman Dakait for the throne. Saumya Tandon Saumya Tandon plays the character of Ulfat, Rehman Dakait's wife. The actress makes a strong entry in the film with her dominating presence next to Akshaye Khanna. From a strong wife to a fierce mother, Saumya nails the character; however, the actress has limited screentime to show her acting prowess in the film. Manav Gohil Manav Gohil is set to leave the fans stunned to see him in the film. The actor plays a pivotal role in the film as a strategist in R Madhavan's team. Though the character is small, but adds a lead to the storyline with the information that joins different chains of events throughout the film. Ayesha Khan Ayesha Khan gives a special appearance in the film for the item number Sharaarat, which is shot as a celebration performance in Hamza and Yaalina's wedding. The actress adds an element of glam amid the bloody motive of the grand wedding in the film. Krystle Dsouza Krystle Dsouza drops the glam quotient in the item number of Dhurandhar, Sharaarat. The actress paired with Ayesha Khan leaves the fans dancing to the tunes. Azinkya Mishra Azinkya Mishra plays the character of Faizal Baloch, Rehman Dakait's younger son. The actor manages to add the innocence amid the bloodshed in the film with his presence.
05 December,2025 04:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal have been one of Bollywood's most adored couples, who never miss a chance to woo the audience and fans with their chemistry. Their playful Instagram posts and off-camera bond continue to grow stronger by the day. Although their relationship looks all things rosy on social media, in a recent interaction, Sonakshi revealed that their relationship too faced a turbulent phase, wherein they resorted to couples therapy. Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal took couples therapy During a candid conversation with Soha Ali Khan on her podcast, Sonakshi Sinha opened up about steering through a particularly difficult phase with her now-husband Zaheer, which ultimately led them to couples therapy. Reflecting on their early years of courtship, Sonakshi admitted that their relationship hit a rough patch around the three-year mark. She humorously described this phase as their “three-year itch." “Just when we were three years into the relationship, we had a phase where we just wanted to pull each other’s hair out," she shared. “No matter what we did, we just couldn’t understand each other’s perspective," she shared. Despite the frustration and differences, she said that the couple knew they wanted to fight for the relationship. That’s when Zaheer suggested couples therapy, and Sonakshi embraced the decision instantly. She shared, “I was open to it, and after two sessions, we were back on track. It helped so much to understand what the other person thinks, and that what they say is not necessarily what they mean." Zaheer Iqbal and Sonakshi Sinha During the same podcast, Sonakshi also opened up about how she was the first to say “I love you" within just a week of dating. She added how Zaheer laughed, assuming she was joking or simply moving too fast. For the unversed, the couple had earlier shared that Sonakshi and Zaheer’s first meeting was at a party hosted by Salman Khan. They started interacting casually, which then bloomed into a close friendship and eventually, love. They kept their relationship away from public scrutiny for several years. After about seven years of dating, they finally made it official. They tied the knot in a civil ceremony in Mumbai in June 2024, in the presence of their intimate family and close friends. The private wedding was followed by a star-studded celebration.
05 December,2025 03:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSpy dramas have become a favourite genre in Bollywood, and Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, is the newest addition to a lineup that already includes the YRF spy franchise, The Family Man, and Raazi. However, Dhurandhar brings in a different tonality to the Bollywood spy universe—if we may call it that. Dhurandhar plot The film opens with the conclusion of the Kandhara hijack negotiation. R. Madhavan plays the IB (Intelligence Bureau) chief, with his look clearly inspired by former National Security Advisor and spymaster Ajit Doval. Disappointed with the outcome of the negotiation, his character proposes a long-term plan to prevent such situations in the future. His suggestion goes unheard—until the 2001 Parliament attack. It’s only then that his superiors pay attention, leading to the inception of Operation Dhurandhar (named Operation Lyari in real). Ranveer Singh, obviously, plays the spy sent to Pakistan. He assumes the identity of Hamza Ali Mazari, though not much is revealed about his real background apart from his deep-rooted dedication to his country. His mission is to infiltrate local gangster networks and send intelligence back home to prevent large-scale attacks. However, 26/11 is an event he fails to prevent, despite alerting India about an attack initially planned for the first week of October 2008. The Mumbai terror attack leaves him deeply disturbed and fuels his renewed determination to dismantle the core of Pakistan’s terror infrastructure. Film weighed down by runtime? Now, let’s talk about the length. The film’s runtime was a major talking point even before release. At 3 hours and 34 minutes, Dhurandhar is one of Bollywood’s longest films in 17 years and its story doesn’t even conclude in Part 1. The film is divided into 10 chapters, like a novel, each titled to reflect the mood. Dhurandhar Part 1 focuses on events from 2000 to 2009. The narrative takes its own sweet time to reach its conclusion which is Ranveer taking down his first major target. But the journey often feels taxing because of its excessive length. The first half mostly follows Ranveer as he earns his place in Rahman Dikkait’s (Akshaye Khanna) gang. The audience also gets a deeper understanding of Pakistan’s internal politics, which becomes increasingly important as the film progresses. While world-building is essential, the film could definitely have been trimmed to make the screenplay tighter. Music The Dhurandhar title track was one of its biggest pre-release USPs. The remixed version with HanumanKind’s vocals had created quite a buzz. However, the track is severely underused in the film, even in moments where it could have elevated the narrative. Composer Shashwat Sachdev does a good job reimagining old classics, but the utilisation of the songs is questionable and often hampers a scene instead of enhancing it. Real vs fiction As a spy drama, Dhurandhar attempts to stay raw and grounded, avoiding the glamorous tone of other popular spy universes in Bollywood. However, this realistic approach falters at times especially during a climactic face-off between Akshaye Khanna and Sanjay Dutt, which feels oddly amateur. Credit must be given to director-writer Aditya Dhar for his research and for blending real historic moments with fiction. He doesn’t dilute the challenges and vulnerabilities of a spy. One particularly powerful scene shows Ranveer’s character tearing up while eating a meal on a busy street in Pakistan. In another restrained yet impactful moment, he learns about the Mumbai terror attacks and watches his countrymen suffer while being surrounded by Pakistanis celebrating the news. His later emotional breakdown, consumed by guilt, is one of the film’s strongest sequences. What doesn’t feel realistic, however, is the VFX used in violent scenes. The film relies heavily on violence and gore to evoke emotion, but the poor CGI often ends up unintentionally funny rather than chilling. Performances Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Rakesh Bedi lift the film above its uneven pace with their solid performances. However, even their sincerity and screen presence can’t fully sustain engagement through a 3-hour-and-34-minute runtime. Conclusion It’s too soon to judge Dhurandhar as a good or bad film, simply because the story isn’t complete yet. Part 1 finally picks up pace towards the end, but much of the narrative will only unfold in Part 2, releasing in theatres on March 19, 2026. With the number of bullets fired in this film, if the characters had better aim we might have gotten both parts together with a tighter screenplay. Alas, the film, and this review, will get their true conclusion only in March 2026!
05 December,2025 03:34 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya NambiarActress Krystle D’Souza, who grooves with star Ranveer Singh in the song Shararat from Dhurandhar, has opened up about working with the “powerful performer.” Krystle is stepping into a new creative zone of high-octane dance tracks, and she’s loving every second of the transformation. She calls this shift “exciting and empowering,” adding, “It feels like stepping into a new league.” Krystle stated, “When you share the screen with such powerful performers, you automatically level up. The vibe on set was incredible, and everyone brought something unique. It feels like we’re part of something really grand and entertaining.” The actress revealed that even during the shoot, she felt that the track had “mass connect.” She said, “It has the beats, the hook step, the madness, so why not? Even during the shoot, we felt that this track has that mass connect. I think people will be dancing to this one for a long time.” About Krystle D'Souza Krystle started her acting career in college, and then was cast for Kahe Naa Kahe in 2007. She was then seen in Kya Dill Mein Hai. In 2008, the actress appeared in Kasturi and Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil. In 2010, Krystle appeared in Baat Hamari Pakki Hai. In 2011, she was seen in Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai opposite Karan Tacker. After the show went off air, Krystle was seen in Ekk Nayi Pehchaan. Krystle returned to television in Brahmarakshas. The actress made her debut in films with Chehre, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Emraan Hashmi, Rhea Chakraborty, Siddhanth Kapoor, Annu Kapoor, Alexx O'Nell, Samir Soni, Dhritiman Chatterjee and Raghubir Yadav. All about Dhurandhar Talking about Dhurandhar, the film is directed and co-produced by Aditya Dhar. It stars Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi. As mentioned in the certificate, the plot read: "Set against the backdrop of the IC-814 hijacking in 1999 and the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the film follows India's Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajay Sanyal, who crafts a daring and indomitable mission to infiltrate and dismantle a powerful terrorist network operating out of Pakistan. To execute this high-risk operation, Sanyal recruits an unlikely asset - a 20-year-old boy from Punjab, held captive for committing a revenge-driven crime. Recognising the boy's potential and raw intensity, Sanyal decides to mould him into a weapon capable of penetrating Karachi's ruthless underworld mafia." It is expected to be Ranveer Singh's lengthiest film to date, with a runtime of over three hours. Dhurandhar is currently playing in theatres.
05 December,2025 03:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRanveer Singh’s most-awaited movie, Dhurandhar, has finally hit theatres on Friday, December 5. While fans are eagerly waiting to watch the Aditya Dhar directorial, the first review of the movie is now out, and fans are hailing the actioner. The makers have left no stone unturned to surprise the viewers. While Dhurandhar will enjoy a monstrous run in theatres, it will eventually land on an OTT platform. Wondering where the espionage saga will stream after the theatrical run? Read on to know. Dhurandhar’s OTT release details Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, and Sanjay Dutt’s film will drop on Netflix after its theatrical run ends. The information about Dhurandhar’s official OTT partner is mentioned on the film's poster itself. Having said that, the makers haven't announced the OTT release date for the saga. However, as per the 8-week window rule, it is expected to arrive somewhere around February. While the first instalment will hit the OTT platform, the makers have already confirmed the release of the sequel. It will arrive in theatres on March 19, as hinted in the post-credit scene. To note, the film has a four-minute-long post-credit scene hinting at part 2 and its key details. About Dhurandhar Dhurandhar is a star-studded saga featuring Ranveer SIngh, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal. It is inspired by incredible true events, set in the gritty criminal vein of the underworld, with a backdrop of Indian patriotism, featuring action sequences, Shakespearean betrayals, and the tradecrafts of espionage. The plot is loosely based on Operation Lyari, a government-led crackdown against local gangs and crime syndicates in the Lyari area of Karachi, Pakistan. The film marks Aditya Dhar's return to the directorial chair after six years. His debut venture, URI: The Surgical Strike, got him a National Film Award. Recently, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) granted an ‘Adult Only – A’ certificate to Dhurandhar. The certificate also went viral on social media when netizens noticed that it mentioned the film’s plot. It revealed that the film revolves around the Kandahar Hijack of December 1999. It is touted to be Singh’s lengthiest film, with a runtime of 3 hours and 34 minutes. Ahead of the film’s release, concerns were raised by the parents of Ashoka Chakra and Sena Medal awardee Major Mohit Sharma, seeking a stay on the release, claiming that the film took inspiration from the life of their son without permission. However, it was later reviewed by the CBFC and got a green signal.
05 December,2025 01:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Sudesh Berry recently took a trip down memory lane on the 4th of December and fondly recalled his good time working with the Bollywood star Sunny Deol. Sudesh had worked with Sunny Deol on the 1996 action drama Himmat, and sharing a still from the movie on his social media account, he seemed to have gotten nostalgic. Sudesh, in the picture, can be seen sharing a happy smile, with his body language showing excitement, while Sunny Deol listens on. The actor captioned it as, “Himmat ke set par Sunny Deol ji ke saath guzare hue yeh pal… Ek side unki zabardast energy, doosri side humari on-screen chemistry—Har scene mein ek alag hi spark tha. Cinema ka yeh safar yaadon mein hamesha chamakta rahega.” Talking about the movie, Himmat was released in 1996 and directed by Sunil Sharma. It starred Sunny Deol, Tabu, Sudesh Berry, and Shilpa Shetty. The action thriller revolves around patriotism, crime and duty. While Sunny Deol essayed the lead role, Sudesh Berry played a key supporting role. Talking about Sunny Deol, the actor has been going through an emotionally tough time, as he lost his superstar father, Dharmendra, a week ago. The late superstar Dharmendra passed away on November 24. The news of the superstar's passing sent shockwaves across the entire nation, especially through the Bollywood industry. In the evening of November 25, veteran superstar and Dharmendra’s friend of almost 5 decades, Jeetendra, was seen visiting the grieving family. Superstar Hrithik Roshan and father Rakesh Roshan also visited the Deol family to be with the grieving family in times of distress. For the uninitiated, superstar Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89. He had been put on a ventilator in mid-November, after he faced breathing difficulties. He was soon discharged from the hospital and was brought back home, where his treatments continued. 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
05 December,2025 01:19 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSIt’s a big day for Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh, as Dhurandhar has finally released in theatres. The first reviews of the film are out, and the audience is all praise for it. As reported earlier, the film will have a four-minute post-credit scene that will drop a major hint about part 2 and its release date. Now, the cat is finally out of the bag, with the second instalment hitting the screens in March 2026. Dhurandhar 2 release date The release date of Dhurandhar 2 has finally been unveiled by the makers. The second instalment of Ranveer Singh’s actioner will release in theatres on 19th March. Yes, just four months later, the viewers will get to see the story continue. So far, the makers have left no stone unturned in amping up the buzz around the film with edge-of-the-seat moments and revelations. About Dhurandhar Directed and written by Aditya Dhar, the spy-action thriller features Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal in lead roles. It is produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios. The film was granted an A certification by the CBFC, and as the image was leaked, it mentioned the plot. As mentioned in the certificate, the plot read: “Set against the backdrop of the IC-814 hijacking in 1999 and the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the film follows India’s Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajay Sanyal, who crafts a daring and indomitable mission to infiltrate and dismantle a powerful terrorist network operating out of Pakistan. To execute this high-risk operation, Sanyal recruits an unlikely asset – a 20-year-old boy from Punjab, held captive for committing a revenge-driven crime. Recognising the boy’s potential and raw intensity, Sanyal decides to mould him into a weapon capable of penetrating Karachi’s ruthless underworld mafia." Dhurandhar is expected to be Ranveer Singh’s lengthiest film to date, with a runtime of over three hours. In a recent interview, senior actor Rakesh Bedi, who is part of Dhar’s directorial, confirmed that the sequel has already been shot. He said, “In Dhurandhar Part 1, I will be seen a little less, but I will be seen more in the second part… My character is very endearing and menacing.”
05 December,2025 12:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood veteran superstar Jeetendra recently appeared on the singing reality show Indian Idol season 16 as a part of their Yaadon Ki Baraat series. The veteran actor, in a special segment, shared an unknown story of the late legendary superstars Dharmendra and Manoj Kumar. The veteran actor disclosed that Dharmendra’s best friend from the industry was none other than the Pathhar Ke Sanam star Manoj Kumar. “His closest friend was Manoj Kumar,” revealed Jeetendra. “Dharmendra came from Punjab and Manoj Kumar from Delhi, and I have heard they even lived together in the same room at one point,” added Jeetendra. The veteran star further revealed, “Sometimes, when one of them had to go for a screen test, he would simply wear the other’s shirt and leave. There were times when Manoj Kumar would take Dharmendra’s shirt, and sometimes Dharmendra would take his. They shared so much that during rehearsals, their shirts would often look exactly the same!” Jeetendra, in the special episode, paying tribute to Dharmendra, was seen getting emotional. He also shared some more fun facts about the late superstar. Singer-rapper Badshah, who is also a judge on the show, was seen breaking into tears as Jeetendra spoke about the late superstar. The show celebrated the legacy of Dharmendra, and recently, in an earlier episode, Badshah was seen remembering the superstar with utmost love and respect. He said, “Dharam paaji was the real essence of Punjab, and now it feels as if that beautiful fragrance and essence have been lost from the soil of our own Punjab. He was Dharam Paaji, everybody’s, every fan’s ideal idol…” Badshah further said, “Dharam ji wherever you are, be happy and hopeful and at peace.” The rapper ended his tribute by reciting a shayari by Dharmendra that he would often be heard saying. “Sab kuch paakar bhi, haasil-e-zindagi kuch bhi nahi, Kambakkht jaan kyun jaati hai jaate hue.” Superstar Dharmendra’s demise sent shockwaves across the entire nation, and especially through the Bollywood industry, when he passed away on November 24. For the uninitiated, Jeetendra and Dharmendra have worked together in movies like The Burning Train, Dharam Veer, Dharma Karma, Kinara and many more. Talking about the late superstar Manoj Kumar, the actor passed away in April 2025. Manoj Kumar and Dharmendra had worked together in the 1962 movie Shaadi. 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
05 December,2025 12:29 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
