Sacred Games actress and model Elnaaz Nourozi returned to her roots as the showstopper at Runway Raaga, where celebrity fashion designer Ken Ferns unveiled his latest collection. Having begun her modelling career in Germany at the age of 14, Elnaaz spoke about how the runway remains one of the most special spaces for her, even after expanding into acting and music. For me, there is no real difference,” she declared, speaking about the transition from photoshoots and advertisements to being a showstopper. “Before I did anything else, I was walking the ramp". While she has explored many creative avenues since, she feels nothing compares to the excitement of being on the runway. Backstage, Elnaaz found herself completely immersed in Ken Ferns' collection. Sharing her first impression of the designs, she said, “The outfits blew me away. I almost forgot I was about to walk next because I was so taken by the designs. I kept saying, 'I want this outfit, I want to wear that outfit over there,'" the Mastiii 4 actress laughed. Elnaaz Nourozi on choosing projects with a social impact The show opened with a powerful sequence curated by Chopsy Oberoi, featuring models with vitiligo, a moment which deeply resonated with Elnaaz. Having recently walked as a showstopper for a Cancer Awareness Charity Gala, Elnaaz reaffirmed her commitment to championing social causes. "Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that’s rarely spoken about,” she said. “It’s also something that really takes a toll on people mentally, especially in an industry where your appearance is constantly under scrutiny. Even actors, we're all conscious, and everybody consciously wants to look perfect." Elnaaz highlighted how the industry pressures models and actors to look flawless, making the inclusion of models with vitiligo on the runway even more impactful. Reflecting on representation in fashion, she remarked, “Seeing that there are models who are actually being taken for jobs like what we do, where your face is visible, where your body is visible, and then seeing designers giving these people a chance is beautiful. I love it. It shows how powerful the runway can be as a platform for representation and change." Ken Ferns' Show Runway Raaga - Curtain Raiser set The Mills, Pune, conceptualised by Shruti Bengre, Founder & Owner of Merakianz Media House (MMH), was an elegant celebration of luxury, inclusivity, and elevated fashion storytelling. Ken Ferns presented Silverblood - The Alchemy of Element 80, a collection inspired by Mercury, the only metal that exists in a fluid state. Translating scientific inspiration into couture, the collection explored transformation and movement through modern, sculptural design. Fluid silhouettes flowed across the runway, complemented by metallic finishes and intricate hand embroidery inspired by molecular structures and atomic motion. A dramatic palette of gunmetal, chrome, icy silver, oxidised blues, and deep crimson reflected the shifting moods of the element, positioning Silverblood as a statement of contemporary couture - dynamic, expressive, and visually commanding. Ferns emphasised staying true to one’s craft.“I don't believe in sales. I'm an artist. It's my showcase. It's my art. People just need to trust their craft,” Ferns said, calling it both “one of the most beautiful” and “risky” things as an artist.
22 January,2026 08:56 PM IST | Mumbai | Nandini ShahThe nominations for the upcoming 98th Academy Awards were announced on January 22. In unfortunate news for Indian cinema lovers, Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound has not secured a nomination in the Best International Feature Film category. The film, which starred Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa in pivotal roles, was critically acclaimed at several international film festivals. Homebound out of Oscars 2026 nominations India's official Oscar entry Homebound has failed to secure a nomination at the 98th Academy Awards, bringing a silent end to its campaign. The film, which had been considered a strong contender amid early buzz and critical acclaim, was absent from the final list of nominees announced on Thursday. Earlier, Homebound was shortlisted under the International Feature Film category at the upcoming Oscars alongside entries from Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Norway, Palestine, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Tunisia. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ishaan (@ishaankhatter) Homebound has received significant global acclaim, including premieres at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, and the Melbourne International Film Festival. With its Oscar shortlist, Homebound also reached a rare milestone, becoming the fifth Indian film to be shortlisted for Best International Feature Film in the Academy Awards’ 98-year history. About Homebound’s plot Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa-starrer Homebound was among the 15 films that became eligible for the final nominations. The film follows childhood friends Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), whose shared dream of joining the police force shapes their lives, with Janhvi Kapoor adding emotional depth to a story grounded in friendship, duty, and the pressures facing young India. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, and Apoorva Mehta, and co-produced by Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier, with Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar serving as executive producers. About Oscars 2026 nominations Ryan Coogler’s blues-steeped vampire epic Sinners led all films with 16 nominations at the 98th Academy Awards on Thursday, setting a record for the most Oscar nominations in history. Ten films were nominated for Best Picture, as announced by presenters Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman: Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, and Train Dreams.
22 January,2026 08:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAudiences are locked into Like. Share. Survive. with Shanaya Kapoor and Adarsh Gourav as they battle a deadly crocodile in Tu Yaa Main. With the teaser already creating major buzz, the makers today unveiled the trailer. Setting the stage for a gripping survival thriller, Shanaya Kapoor and Adarsh Gourav left no crumbs with the trailer. About Tu Yaa Main trailer 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. Kicking off with a playful Khoon Bhari Maang nod, the trailer 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, 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? This Valentine’s Day, love will definitely bite back. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shanaya 🐊 (@shanayakapoor02) More about the film 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 #DateFright experience for audiences seeking something beyond the usual Valentine’s watch. Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, Tu Yaa Main is produced by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma under the banner of Colour Yellow, along with Vinod Bhanushali and Kamlesh Bhanushali of Bhanushali Studios Limited. Rooted in today’s creator-driven culture, the film offers a fresh, youthful take on love and survival and is set for release on 13 February 2026. Notably, the film will lock horns with Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri’s O’Romeo at the box office. About Adarsh and Shanaya After the shelving of Bedhadak, Shanaya made her Bollywood debut with Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan alongside Vikrant Massey. The film tanked at the box office. She was also supposed to star in Mohanlal’s Vrusshabha; however, she parted ways with the film. Meanwhile, Adarsh Gourav made his mark with an impressive performance in Superboys of Malegaon. He also starred in Alien: Earth, an upcoming American science fiction horror television series created by Noah Hawley, based on the Alien franchise.
22 January,2026 07:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentComedian and actor Krushna Abhishek has responded to his uncle Govinda’s recent statement in which the veteran star claimed that Krushna is sometimes “forced to insult him on television.” Addressing the issue with calm and respect, Krushna made it clear that there is no bitterness in his heart and that the matter is largely about perception. Krushna Abhishek reacts to Govinda's recent claims Speaking to HT City, Krushna said he holds Govinda in the highest regard and dismissed any suggestion of intentional disrespect. “I love Govinda mama and I respect him a lot. He is a legend,” Krushna said, adding that his uncle’s way of thinking is on a completely different level. “He has next-level thoughts. He sees things differently.” Govinda had earlier remarked that certain jokes or lines on television come across as insulting to him, even if they are written by others. Reacting to this, Krushna explained that comedy is subjective and often open to interpretation. “The same statement can look positive to one person and sarcastic to another,” he said. “I always take it in a positive way.” Krushna Abhishek reacts to the controversy Krushna also stressed that he has never deliberately crossed a line or intended to hurt his uncle’s feelings. According to him, humour on television is part of a larger script and performance, and personal emotions are not always involved. “I don’t think anyone forces anyone to insult anybody. It’s just how someone perceives it,” he explained. Choosing not to escalate the issue, Krushna maintained a dignified tone throughout, emphasising family over controversy. “At the end of the day, he is my mama. I have grown up watching his films and admiring his work,” he said, reiterating his affection and respect for Govinda. The strained relationship between the two has been a topic of discussion for years, often surfacing through interviews and public statements. However, Krushna’s latest response suggests a desire to move forward rather than dwell on misunderstandings. By acknowledging differences in perspective instead of assigning blame, Krushna signalled that he values peace and family bonds over public disagreements. His response reflects maturity and restraint, showing that despite occasional differences, his admiration for Govinda remains unchanged.
22 January,2026 07:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Sayani Gupta looks back at her early days at FTII, recalling the tough decision to quit a high-paying corporate job at just 21 to pursue acting. She opens up about facing strong resistance from her mother, who disapproved of the profession. She revealed how her mother threatened to slit her wrist and even equated actors with “prostitutes.” Sayani Gupta on mom’s opposition In a chat on Cyrus Says, she shares, “My mom said, ‘I am going to slit my wrist if you go,’ and she couldn’t believe it. I was bored out of my skull those one and a half years. I made a lot of money because I was a workaholic, but this is not what I saw for myself… all my life, growing up, she didn't let me go for theatre rehearsals and locked me in my room, saying actors are prostitutes. That was the idea of actors that she had.” Sayani said that while her father was supportive, he was more of a friendly figure in her life, with her mother being the decision-maker. So much so that her mother did not speak to her for a month after she got into FTII. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sayani G (@sayanigupta) The actress shared how an interesting shift occurred when her mother was offered roles in student diploma films on campus itself. She accepted three out of the five offers and told Sayani, “Maybe if you have to do this for the next two years, it’s not so bad also.” Sayani Gupta’s recent releases Sayani’s latest include the ultimate season of Four More Shots Please! and Delhi Crime Season 3. Four More Shots Please! follows the story of four unapologetically flawed women (two in their 30s and two in their early 20s) as they live, love, make mistakes, and discover what really makes them tick through friendship and shots of tequila in millennial Mumbai. It also stars Bani J, Kirti Kulhari, and Maanvi Gagroo. Meanwhile, Delhi Crime stars Shefali Shah as Vartika Chaturvedi, a sharp police officer who leads her team through intense investigations under immense public and political pressure. Sayani was seen playing a female member of Huma’s team, helping her in her vicious plans. Sayani was also seen in films such as Jolly LLB 2, Pagglait, Article 15, and Axone, among many others.
22 January,2026 06:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rani Mukerji and producer Aditya Chopra, who tied the knot in 2014, have always kept their relationship private. The couple got married in 2014 in Italy in a private ceremony and never shared their wedding photos. As Rani clocks 30 years in the industry, Karan reveals in a freewheeling chat how he was warned by Aditya Chopra not to leak their wedding information. Karan Johar on Rani-Aditya’s secret wedding To mark Rani’s 30 years in cinema, the actor interacted with friend and filmmaker Karan Johar about her journey and love life. Karan Johar reveals being threatened by Aditya Chopra during his wedding to not leak the news to the media. Recalling the stressful moment, he said, “Remember when you guys were getting married and I was there at the wedding? And he turned around and told me that if the wedding information leaks, it will be only because of you.” He continued, “You are the only person with access to the outside world. Remember, if any information leaks, it will be your fault. And I will never forget how stressed I was because I was having 2 States releasing, and I had to tell everyone I am leaving to go out. Everybody felt I was being insane. Why am I going on the release date of a film that is so close to my heart, a film that is Dharma Productions’?” He adds, “I was lying to my team, to everybody. I was lying that I am going to Manchester. The first thing I bumped into Dabu uncle, Chintu, Chimpu Kapoor at the lounge. They said, ‘Kahan jaa raha hai?’ I said I am going to Manchester.” Rani Mukerji on parents wanting her to marry at a young age During the chat, Rani also opened up about growing up in a financially restrained household, where her mother struggled to make ends meet. When she was offered Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, her mom encouraged her to take the film out of necessity, and not ambition. She added, “That was one movie where I didn't know what I was doing. I was following my mum's instructions. My mom wanted me to do it. Whatever best I could do, I did." She added bluntly, "My parents wanted to marry me off. I started working because I had to support my family. There was no plan to be an actor, no blueprint for stardom. I was a child. I didn't know how the industry worked. I didn't know how tough it could be." On the work front, she will be seen in Mardaani 3. The film focuses on Shivani Shivaji Roy, a daredevil cop who risks her life to save 93 young missing girls in a race against time.
22 January,2026 06:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Hrithik Roshan has extended his praise to comedian-actor Vir Das for his directorial debut, Happy Patel, applauding the film for its inventive take on the spy comedy genre. The film has been co-directed by Kavi Shastri and backed by Aamir Khan Productions. Hrithik Roshan praises Happy Patel Hrithik Roshan, who himself has famously portrayed a spy in previous projects, took to social media to share his appreciation for the caper comedy, giving Vir Das a resounding vote of confidence as a filmmaker. Sharing his reaction, Hrithik wrote on his Instagram, “Very very entertained by Happy Patel. Congrats Vir. The ingenuity of mixing incredible silliness with a relentless screenplay was so much fun to watch!” Hrithik’s endorsement adds to the growing buzz around Happy Patel, which marks Vir Das’ first outing as a director and showcases a playful blend of absurd humour and fast-paced storytelling. Vir Das took to his Instagram feed to thank Roshan for showering the film with love. Sharing the screenshot of Roshan's review, Vir wrote, "Hrithik (red heart emoji) May every comedy lover and first time Filmaker find a star like you. You are magic on screen and it falls on all of us smaller sillier spies too! Thank you". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vir Das (@virdas) How Aamir Khan came on board Happy Patel Vir Das recently opened up about how he managed to convince Aamir Khan to produce Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos. He revealed details about his meeting with Aamir Khan for his upcoming directorial debut film. He shared how a superstar backs a project when he truly believes in it. Recalling the moment, Vir revealed that Aamir had been placed on such a high pedestal that approaching him felt slightly daunting. Vir said, “He is on such a high pedestal that you don’t really communicate much with him. I hadn’t spoken to Aamir sir for almost 10 years. Then I messaged him saying, ‘Aamir sir, can I call you?’ He replied, ‘Yes, call now.’ And when he picked up, it felt like we speak every week.” Vir went on to reveal how candidly he pitched his film to Aamir Khan, “So I told him, ‘Sir, I have a film with me and I want you to make it. If you don’t make it, no one else will.’ He said, ‘Okay, come next week and give me the narration.’ I have never seen a superstar who is so accessible and gives you a meeting so quickly. I gave him the narration, and after that, there were nine more narrations. His main concern is always the script. After nine narrations, he said, ‘Take some money and shoot five scenes.’ I did the test shoot, and then he said, ‘Go on floors.”
22 January,2026 05:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAditya Dhar's directorial Dhurandhar was released in theatres on December 5, 2025. The film starring Ranveer Singh was an instant hit and achieve nearly all box office milestone sitting comfortably in the 1000 crore club. The film continues to run in the theatres even after a month of its release. The sequel to Dhurandhar is among the much awaited film of the year. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar is all set to release on streaming later this month. Dhurandhar OTT release Reportedly, Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar is all set to drop on Netflix from January 30, 2026. According to a report by Sacnilk, the film’s OTT rights were sold to Netflix even before its theatrical release for a massive amount. As per a Bollywood Hungama report, Dhurandhar has closed a huge OTT deal. The streaming rights for both parts of the franchise have reportedly been sold to Netflix for a whopping Rs 130 crore. Sources told the portal, “Netflix has paid Rs 130 crore for the streaming rights of Dhurandhar. This includes both parts. Hence, one can say that the rights were sold for around Rs 65 crore each for Dhurandhar Part 1 and Part 2.” The source further added, “This is a huge figure in today’s times when OTT prices have crashed and is a significant boost for Ranveer Singh. This is his biggest OTT deal yet if we count the amount for both parts.” Dhurandhar 2 title and teaser details The first glimpse into Dhurandhar 2 will be unveiled with its teaser release in theatres from January 23. It will be attached with the print of Border 2. According to Bollywood Hungama, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) passed the teaser of the sequel on January 19. The title, as mentioned on the censor certificate, is Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The teaser runs for a little over a minute and has been awarded an ‘A’ certificate. About Dhurandhar Dhurandhar revolves around Intelligence Bureau chief Ajay Sanyal, played by R Madhavan, who leads a high-stakes mission in Pakistan to dismantle a terror network. Ranveer Singh essays the role of a Punjabi youth recruited from prison and trained to infiltrate Karachi’s criminal underworld. Apart from Ranveer Singh, the film also stars Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna and R Madhavan in pivotal roles.
22 January,2026 05:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rani Mukerji recently attended a special event celebrating her three-decade-long journey in the film industry. She was in conversation with her friend and filmmaker Karan Johar at the event. During the interaction, Johar surprised Rani and the audience by reading out a letter penned by the actress’s 10-year-old daughter, Adira. Rani Mukerji's daughter pens a letter The letter, addressed to Rani, highlighted the similarities the mother-daughter duo share and the qualities Adira admires in her mother. She wrote, “Hello Mumma, first of all, I just want to say how much I love you. You’re the best mother in the world! We have shared countless memories together, joyful, tearful, and of course, funny.” Adira also spoke about the qualities she both likes and dislikes in her mother. “There are some qualities I like about you, some qualities I don’t, and some qualities I’ve inherited from you. Some qualities I’ve got from you are my acting, dancing, and painting skills. One quality I don’t like about you, but have got from you, is your short temper. We might be a bit different like how you like bold colours and I like pastels but at the same time, we are quite similar in many ways, like our looks, traits, habits, and skills. There are also some qualities that I have but you don’t have, like my school math skills.” She added, “When I grow up, I hope to be kind, confident, loving, intelligent, and stylish just like you. Setting everything aside, we are of the same blood; we are mother and daughter and will have an everlasting bond forever. I love you so much, Mumma!” When Rani spoke about her parenting approach Rani recently shared insights into her parenting style, especially since her daughter belongs to Generation Alpha. The Mardaani actress revealed how her relationship with Adira differs from her own childhood experiences. Speaking to Zoom, Rani said, “She also fires me. She is Gen Alpha, so she fires me and I have to listen to her because every generation changes. I used to get slaps from my mom. I can’t expect to do that with her because she would slap me back.” She added, “She was jumping in the house while the National Awards were happening. It’s very sweet, but because she is an Alpha kid, I am very scared of her.” Rani Mukerji will next be seen in the film Mardaani 3 which will be released in theatres on January 30, 2026.
22 January,2026 05:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSunny Deol-starrer Border 2 is all set to hit the big screens on January 23, 2026, just in time for the Republic Day weekend. Directed by Anurag Singh, the film is a sequel to the 1997 blockbuster Border and also stars Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty in pivotal roles. The film is all set for a grand opening, with theatres gearing up for massive footfalls. Screens for Border 2 On Thursday, trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to social media to reveal the film’s massive screen count. He stated that Border 2 has been allotted around 4,800 screens, translating to approximately 17,000 shows per day. Advance booking for Border 2 opened earlier this week and has received a strong response. According to Sacnilk, the film’s day one advance booking gross is nearing Rs 5.75 crore as of 9 am on Thursday. The Anurag Singh directorial is selling close to 4,000 tickets per hour on BookMyShow on Thursday morning, marking a 100 percent jump since Tuesday. The film’s opening day collection is expected to surpass the first-day numbers of the 2026 box office hit Dhurandhar. While Dhurandhar earned Rs 28 crore on its opening day, Border 2 is expected to collect between Rs 35–40 crore. Sunny Deol’s Gadar 2 had opened to a record Rs 40.1 crore in 2023, and some optimistic analysts believe Border 2 could even break that record. Border 2 banned in Gulf countries As the buzz around Border 2 continues to grow, the film is reportedly facing a setback in overseas markets. Reports suggest that, like Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, Border 2 will not be released in Gulf countries. According to a Bollywood Hungama report, countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will not screen the film, as movies perceived to have “anti-Pakistan” content are often denied release in the region. A source added that despite efforts by the makers, clearance seems unlikely at this stage. However, the team remains unfazed, believing that strong domestic performance can compensate for overseas losses. The source noted that Dhurandhar performed exceptionally well at the box office despite a Gulf ban, and the makers hope Border 2 will follow a similar trajectory.
22 January,2026 04:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has collaborated with acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali to present a special tableau celebrating Indian cinema at the Republic Day Parade this year. The tableau will be showcased on January 26 at Kartavya Path, marking a historic moment as, for the first time ever, an Indian film director will represent Indian cinema at the nation’s most prestigious ceremonial event. The initiative highlights the cultural richness, creative excellence, and global influence of Indian cinema, an art form that has long served as one of India’s strongest cultural ambassadors across the world. Speaking about the association, a source said “For the first time ever, a true flag-bearer of Indian cinema, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, will represent Indian cinema at the Republic Day Parade. This historic honour marks a defining chapter for Indian cinema and is set to create strong national momentum. There could be no better representative for this moment than Sanjay Leela Bhansali.” Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love and War postponed to 2027? A recent report in Pinkvilla claimed that a sizeable portion of the film’s shoot is still pending, due to which the makers are currently reassessing and reworking the project’s schedule. The report suggested that the makers plan to complete principal photography by June 2026, after which the film is expected to move into an extensive post-production phase. The report suggests that Love and War's post-production is expected to extend well into the latter part of the year. As a result, the report claims that Love And War is expected to eye an early 2027 release window. However, sources close to the development of the film have not quashed the PinkVilla report. The sources shared an update on the filming of the movie while confirming a 2026 release. Hence, Love and War has not been postponed to 2027. Sanja Leela Bhansali's filmography Over the decades, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has carved a singular space for himself in Indian cinema through his deeply rooted storytelling, rich aesthetics, and powerful use of music and emotion. From Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas to Black, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, and Gangubai Kathiawadi, his films have consistently blended tradition with scale, placing Indian narratives on a global stage. With his work travelling across international festivals and resonating with audiences worldwide, Bhansali represents the grandeur, discipline, and emotional depth of Indian cinema.
22 January,2026 04:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
