Amid the massive success of Dhurandhar 2, Arjun Rampal was seen attending an event. However, his “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” remark concluding the speech sparked criticism from noted author Shobhaa De. Amid the backlash, his girlfriend Gabriella Demetriades came out strongly in his support, calling the criticism outrageous. Several social media users also supported him. Gabriella Demetriades supports Arjun Rampal A couple of days ago, at an award function, he received an award and, at the end of his speech, said, "Bharat Mata Ki Jai." This didn’t go down well with writer Shobhaa De, who wrote an article criticising the actor. The article grabbed the attention of Arjun’s girlfriend, Gabriella Demetriades, who slammed it. On the Instagram post of the article, Gabriella commented, "This is outrageous (sic)." View this post on Instagram A post shared by ThePrint (@theprintindia) An Instagram user also supported Rampal and wrote, "Wow, how does someone saying 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' become problematic to you guys? This is literally nationalism, irrespective of any religious agenda. How does being patriotic to the country one resides in become a point of contention for a select few? This is seriously mind-boggling (sic)." About Dhurandhar Talking about Dhurandhar, Arjun Rampal plays Major Iqbal, a ruthless and chillingly calm ISI operative. Inspired by terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri, his character is a mastermind behind the 26/11 attacks. Dhurandhar: The Revenge released on March 19 and has already crossed the mark of Rs 900 crore at the global box office, according to industry tracking site Sacnilk. Featuring Ranveer in the lead role, the film sequel charts the rise of Singh's character, Hamza Ali Mazari, in the Karachi underworld while also delving into his origins as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, tracing the journey of the young man who eventually transforms into the covert operative. Directed by Aditya Dhar and produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, the project features a multi-starrer cast including Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, Sara Arjun, and Danish Pandor. Arjun Rampal upcoming movies After delivering a memorable performance in Dhurandhar, Arjun Rampal is all set to grace the screen yet again with Amazon MX Player’s next project. He will be seen headlining the OTT platform’s forthcoming series Billionaire, which is helmed by Hansal Mehta. The series chronicles the rise of a powerful business magnate against the backdrop of a changing India. He is known to rewrite the rules to build an empire of influence. However, what happens when the very force that drives his success starts consuming everything around him?
26 March,2026 03:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDiljit Dosanjh’s film Punjab 95 has been stuck with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for three years now. There is currently no update on the film’s release status. The film, directed by Honey Trehan, is based on the life of human rights defender Jaswant Singh Khalra. Amid this, Diljit Dosanjh on Wednesday shared an article that spoke about Sikh representation in movies while discussing Dhurandhar 2 and Punjab 95. Diljit Dosanjh shares article about Punjab 95 Diljit shared the social media post of the article. He highlighted the part which read, “Diljit Dosanjh is celebrated when he does a patriotic film like Dhurandhar 2. But his biopic on human rights defender Jaswant Singh Khalra has been stuck with the CBFC for three years.” The actor-singer simply shared the post without any comments. What is Punjab 95 about? Directed by Honey Trehan, the movie features Diljit Dosanjh as Khalra. Punjab ’95 has remained unreleased in India despite being completed several years ago. The film chronicles Khalra’s investigations into illegal cremations and enforced disappearances during Punjab’s counter-insurgency period of the 1990s. The CBFC has been demanding extreme cuts in the film, which the makers feel will hamper the movie's plot. In December last year, retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge and human rights activist Ranjit Singh made a renewed appeal for the film to be released without any cuts. Singh, recently appointed chairman of the reconstituted Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO), said the movie’s depiction of the custodial killing of Jaswant Singh Khalra is based on documented evidence and judicial findings, and is neither speculative nor exaggerated. He said, “The film is very close to reality. It depicts a sequence of events that was not merely an allegation, but something that was clearly established through evidence. These are facts that need to be told. I see no objection to any part of the film. What it shows is real and supported by material already on record. In my view, Punjab ’95 must be released without any cuts.” The film’s timelineEarly 2021: Film goes on floors.Mid 2022: Principal photography wrapped.December 2022: Submitted to the CBFC for certification.2023–24: No certification or release date issued.September 25, 2024: Mid-day reports CBFC suggests nearly 127 cuts.January 2025: Overseas release announced, then cancelled days before release.2025: Makers refuse cuts, say they will remove credits if altered..
26 March,2026 03:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAction director Aejaz Gulab recently opened up about the action sequences in Dhurandhar: The Revenge amid the backlash and criticism over gory scenes. He shared that the scenes were grounded in emotion and realism. Gulab also revealed that director Aditya Dhar gave him complete creative freedom to work on the film's intense action scenes. Aejaz Gulab on directing action in Dhurandhar 2 Gulab, who has an elaborate filmography spanning over 500 projects, including Shootout at Lokhandwala, Ek Villain, and series like The Family Man and Rana Naidu, saus Dhurandhar has finally brought him long-overdue recognition. Gulab also called Dhurandhar a “career-defining milestone.” While speaking to PTI, Gulab shared, “People used to praise action in South films. It feels good that action in Hindi films is finally being appreciated." The action director added that nearly 135 days were spent filming action sequences in the film, after around 70 days of rigorous preparation. Unlike many Bollywood productions wherein the action is often curbed by time and budgets, Gulab revealed that Aditya Dhar allowed him the space to plan extensively. “The action is part fiction, part reality. Aditya sir gave me a free hand to do whatever I wanted,” Gulab said, adding he crafted every sequence keeping the story, characters, and their emotional intensity in mind before being refined with the director’s inputs. For the film, the action director led a large team comprising seven assistants, 12 stuntwomen, and close to 300 stunt performers. In order to achieve a global scale, he even collaborated with international stunt directors, Yannick Ben and Sea-Young Oh, both of whom are known for their work across Hollywood and major Indian films. Aejaz Gulab reacts to criticism In the interview, Gulab further addressed criticism over the film’s brutality, saying that the tone was dictated by the narrative. “The script demanded that we design action sequences in a brutal way. The film is about the underworld and gangsters, and these people are known for their ruthless acts. It’s not mindless action; the action is backed by emotion," he said He further pointed out that certain scenes were drawn from real-life incidents and hence designed to maintain authenticity. “If we did it differently, it would look fake because the audience has seen the news footage,” he noted. Despite its scale, the action director said the team exercised moderation. “We could have done much more terrifying things, but we did only 60 per cent of it, keeping the censor board and public sensitivity in mind,” he said.
26 March,2026 02:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAamir Khan Productions' upcoming film Ek Din has been eagerly awaited by the audience. Bringing a gentle love story to the screen, the film has kept viewers hooked with its trailer and captivating songs. Continuing the spree, the song Khwaab Dekhoon from the film is now out, taking us deeper into the magical world of romance between Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi, as their love story gradually begins to take shape. Khwaab Dekhoon out Khwaab Dekhoon is truly a blissful listen. Set against beautiful snowy landscapes, the song portrays the evolving love story of Sai and Junaid. We see a shy and gentle Junaid falling in love with the enchanting and lively Sai, and together, they exude a kind of pure romance that is rare to witness today. The song stays true to its soothing and romantic vibe. Sung in the magical voices of Arijit Singh and Tarannum Malik Jain, Khwaab Dekhoon is composed by Ram Sampath, with lyrics by Irshad Kamil. Arijit’s soulful voice touches hearts and evokes the true essence of love, making it a beautiful composition that further amplifies the excitement to watch this magical love story. About Ek Din The trailer shows Junaid Khan explaining a fortune bell that grants a wish for true love when the bell is rung. As he speaks, he looks at Sai Pallavi’s character, Meera, and quietly wishes that she could be his. He says he wants his wish to come true even if it's for one day. The trailer offers a sweet glimpse into the charming chemistry between Junaid and Sai, hinting at a warm and heartfelt love story. Ek Din reunites Aamir Khan with filmmaker Mansoor Khan after a significant hiatus, reviving one of Hindi cinema’s most cherished creative partnerships. Together, they have gifted audiences unforgettable films like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Akele Hum Akele Tum, and Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. With Ek Din, the duo returns to the romance genre, sparking fresh excitement among fans. Their coming together once again has heightened curiosity, with audiences keen to witness the charm they recreate on screen. The film is set to release in theatres on 1st May 2026.
26 March,2026 02:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker Vivek Agnihotri on Thursday announced his next project, Operation Sindoor, a film inspired by Lt Gen K. J. S. Dhillon’s book that delves into India’s covert military operations across the border. Vivek Agnihotri announces film Operation Sindoor Vivek took to Instagram, where he shared that he has joined hands with T-Series’ head honcho Bhushan Kumar to make a movie based on the book Operation Sindoor: The Untold Story of India’s Deep Strikes Inside Pakistan. The director shared that the film aims to bring to the screen a narrative rooted in real incidents that reshaped the security landscape of the subcontinent. He wrote: “Bhushan Kumar and I have joined forces for OperationSindoor— a story that redefined security in the subcontinent and exposed Pakistan’s nuclear bluff. The film is based on Lt Gen K.J.S. ‘Tiny’ Dhillon’s book Operation Sindoor: The Untold Story of India’s Deep Strikes Inside Pakistan,” Vivek added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) According to the filmmaker, the story is set against the backdrop of the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. It explores strategic military responses, backed by extensive on-ground research and inputs from multiple wings of the Indian Armed Forces. “Rooted in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and backed by extensive, ground-level research in collaboration with multiple wings of the Indian Armed Forces, this is a story drawn from reality... not to create noise, but to confront it: with facts, with clarity, and the magic of cinema.” Bhushan Kumar said in a statement: "Some stories are not chosen, they choose you. Operation Sindoor is one such story—one that demands to be told with honesty, courage, and responsibility. This is not just a film. It is a revelation. When a nation goes through events of such magnitude, it becomes important to document them truthfully.” About Operation Sindoor An armed conflict between India and Pakistan began in May 2025, after India launched missile strikes on Pakistan, in a military campaign codenamed Operation Sindoor. India said that the operation was in response to the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in April 2025, in which 26 civilians were killed. On 7 May, India launched Operation Sindoor with missile strikes on terrorism-related infrastructure facilities of Pakistan-based militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and POK.
26 March,2026 01:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhen the first glimpse of Sanjay Dutt-starrer Aakhri Sawal was released, it certainly created a stir, showcasing hidden truths from the pre-Independence era for the first time. Amid the rising curiosity, a new impactful poster has been unveiled, speaking volumes with its striking visuals and revealing the release date, 15th May 2026. Aakhri Sawal's new poster out The poster of Aakhri Sawal is indeed a true reflection of the intensity and the subject the film explores. With Sanjay Dutt’s intense face placed within a huge question mark, the poster leaves behind an intrigue to look forward to. What makes it even more compelling is the tagline, “The Question India Never Stopped Asking.” This, in itself, suggests that the film is set to address a subject that India has long grappled with. The poster also clearly reveals the release date, 15th May 2026. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nikhil Nanda Motion Pictures (@nikhilnanda_motionpictures) Aakhri Sawal is set to bring to the audience a true story of the 100-year journey of one of India’s oldest unified organizations, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. The audience will get to witness a pivotal meeting that altered the future of India, transcending conventional historical narratives and going beyond what textbooks reveal. It sheds light on the core philosophy of selfless service to the nation and promises to introduce audiences to truths that have remained unseen and unheard. The youth of India have many questions and a deep sense of intrigue about an organization that seems closed to most, as it does not believe in propagating itself or holding press conferences. More about Aakhri Sawaal The film features a stellar cast including Sanjay Dutt, Amit Sadh, Namashi Chakraborty, Sameera Reddy, Tridha Choudhury and Neetu Chandra. With such an experienced and talented ensemble, it is poised to be a film that leaves a lasting impact on audiences. Abhijeet Mohan Warang, who made his directorial debut with the Marathi-language drama Picasso in 2021, won a Special Mention at the 67th National Film Awards. He has consistently delivered remarkable films in both Marathi and Hindi. Some of his works include Deja Vu, Prem Pratha Dhumshan, Piccolo, and the short film Virtual Reality. Aakhri Sawal is presented by Nikhil Nanda and Dhanraj Nathwani. The film is produced by Nikhil Nanda and Sanjay Dutt, and co-produced by Puneet Nanda, Dr. Deepak Singh, Gaurav Dubey, and Ujjwal Anand. The story, screenplay, and dialogue are written by Utkarsh Naithani. The film is set to release in cinemas on 15th May 2026.
26 March,2026 01:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMost wedding gifts are given, exchanged with a smile, and eventually forgotten. But what happens when the wedding gets called off after the gift exchange — and someone simply refuses to forget their gift? That’s where the madness of Netflix’s upcoming entertainer, Toaster, begins. Premiering on April 15, this dark comedy takes an everyday object and turns it into the centre of an increasingly ridiculous chain of events. What starts as a petty fixation quickly spirals into a situation far bigger than anyone expected. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in) About Toaster Directed by Vivek Das Chaudhary and produced by Patralekhaa, Toaster marks an exciting new chapter for the actor as she steps into production, bringing together Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra alongside a vibrant ensemble including Archana Puran Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, Farah Khan, Upendra Limaye, Vinod Rawat, Jitendra Joshi and Seema Pahwa. The film also sees Rao returning to comedy, which audiences have long loved him in, bringing his signature comic timing to a story filled with escalating chaos. With its eccentric characters, madcap twists, and a premise that turns something ordinary into complete mayhem, Toaster promises an entertaining ride that’s as chaotic as it is hilarious. Patralekhaa talks about turning producer for Toaster On wearing a producer hat for the film Patralekhaa, Producer, Kampa Film, shares, “Stepping into production with Kampa Film has been an incredibly meaningful milestone for us, and beginning this journey with Netflix — who have consistently championed distinctive and unconventional stories — makes it even more special. Toaster immediately stood out because it finds humour in the most unexpected places, and the moment we read it, we knew it was a story we wanted to bring to life. Being our very first film makes the experience even more personal for us. Having such a wonderful ensemble come together for this journey has been truly exciting, and we can’t wait for audiences to dive into this entertaining and unpredictable ride.” Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Director of Original Films, Netflix India, shares, “Toaster is a quirky dark comedy that begins with a simple miser whose life spirals into complete mayhem in pursuit of getting back his toaster. With Vivek Das Chaudhary making his directorial debut and Patralekhaa & Raj stepping into the producer’s role for the first time with Kampa Film, the project reflects our continued focus on championing emerging talent behind the camera. All of this comes alive with two phenomenal and much-loved actors, Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra, headlining this family entertainer, alongside a vibrant ensemble. Toaster is an entertaining comedy that builds on relatable situations, dark humour and delightfully escalating chaos.” Catch Toaster on Netflix on April 15, 2026.
26 March,2026 12:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor-director Boman Irani recently shared his hilarious reaction to Donald Trump's comment amid the ongoing war in West Asia. The actor shared a video of himself talking to the camera, in which he expressed his willingness to talk to the US President Donald Trump with regard to solving the conflict, citing his Iranian roots. Boman Irani takes a jibe at Donald Trump's comment Boman Irani took to social media to share the video, saying, “So, as you may know, it’s going viral that Mr Donald Trump wants to speak to the Iranis, and three people have been beckoned to speak, Smriti Irani, Aruna Irani, and me". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Boman Irani (@boman_irani) He further added, “So, I am ready. I am ready. We can do anything for peace. My only problem is that I won’t go to Washington. Let their delegation come here to the Dadar Parsi Colony. We will treat them with whatever they like, we’ll feed them dhansak and custard. We will bring a gas cylinder. I think it will make life very, very smooth for all of us". Boman's reaction came after Iran firmly denied reports of ongoing negotiations with the United States. Spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, reportedly took a jab at Trump, saying, "Has the level of your inner struggle reached the stage of you negotiating with yourself?" He further mocked the situation, adding, "Don’t call your failure an agreement." His remarks follow Donald Trump's continued insistence that talks are underway. Speaking to reporters, Trump said the US is engaging with the "right people" in Iran and that Tehran wants a deal "so badly," despite repeated denials. Mandana Karimi slams Boman Irani While many laughed at his reaction, including celebrities, the video did not go well with Iran-based actress Mandana Karimi. Taking to the comments section, she wrote, "Boman Irani sir… suddenly you have a lot to say about Iran.Interesting timing. For years, Iranians have been getting arrested, executed, and silenced. Thousands killed. Families torn apart. And people like me we’ve lived it. We’ve spoken about it. But now… there’s a video. Now there’s concern. Now there’s humour about gas, about Trump, about 'come to my house.' Sir, with all respect you and the Parsi community come from Iran. You carry that history. That fire. So where was this voice when Iranians were dying? And now suddenly because it affects gas, politics, global talks there’s commentary? I mean… slow clap, really. From silence to satire — that was fast. Anyway… just an observation."(sic)
26 March,2026 11:35 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSinger Sunidhi Chauhan was back with a bang on Wednesday evening after a minor medical hiccup during her tour. The singer, who has been putting up energetic concerts in different parts of India, had earlier postponed her Kolkata show owing to a severe throat infection. The concert, which was initially scheduled for March 14, was held on March 25 in the West Bengal city. Sunidhi faces technical snag during Kolkata concert Clips from Sunidhi’s high-energy concert are now doing the rounds on social media. The singer was seen dressed in a red shimmery outfit for the evening. In one of the clips doing the rounds, Sunidhi is seen facing a technical snag. She informs the audience that her mic is not functioning. She then switches to a handheld mic and sings the first few lines of her song Parda from the 2010 film Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai. She then pauses to fix her collar mic. During this time, the audience starts singing the rest of the lines in unison, taking the show forward. Sunidhi is visibly overwhelmed and surprised at the turn of events as she watches the audience sing along. A staff member soon comes on stage to help fix the collar mic, and the show resumes. However, this little moment, where the audience didn’t let the glitch disrupt the concert, is being widely loved by netizens. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyadarshini Sarkar (@priyadarshinisarkar_) Why Sunidhi Chauhan rescheduled Kolkata concert Earlier in March, Sunidhi revealed that she was suffering from a throat infection and was not fit to perform. The singer also updated ticket holders on the rescheduling. She wrote on Instagram, “Dear Kolkata, as some of you may be aware via clips from my last show in Lucknow, I am regretfully suffering from a severe throat infection and, on my doctor’s advice of complete vocal rest, I have had to take the difficult decision of rescheduling the March 14 ‘I AM HOME’ concert to March 25 to allow full recovery and give you all the performance you deserve.” She added that the tour has been receiving immense love across the country and assured fans that existing tickets would remain valid for the new date.
26 March,2026 10:48 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentGlobal head-turner Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who is currently in India, is going on “another adventure” in Amritsar, Punjab. Priyanka took to her Instagram stories, where she shared a picture of a digital map while she was on board a flight. The map showed the aircraft, which took off from New Delhi, landing in Amritsar. “Chalo! Another adventure,” she wrote as the caption, without divulging any details of what the “adventure” is about. Talking about work, the actress is gearing up for her much-awaited return to Indian cinema with the upcoming film, Varanasi, directed by S.S. Rajamouli and starring Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The big-budget project, which is expected to be released in 2027. Last week, Priyanka had shared a glimpse of her romance-filled time with husband Nick Jonas as the couple enjoyed some time together away from their busy schedules. In a video shared by Priyanka, the actress was seen chilling and travelling with Nick as he drove their car on a sunny day. In the video clip, Priyanka appeared relaxed and stylish in a white zip-up outfit paired with smart sunglasses and a straw hat. Nick could be seen driving a vintage-style car, wearing a navy-blue T-shirt. She captioned the video, “Mommy daddy days are my favorite nickjonas.” Priyanka, who was recently seen in the movie The Bluff, and her American popstar husband first met at the 2017 at an after-party of an event and soon struck up a close friendship that blossomed into romance. After dating for a few months, the couple married in December 2018 in a grand ceremony at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Udaipur. Their wedding blended Christian and Hindu traditions, celebrating both cultures. The couple later welcomed their daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas in January 2022 via surrogacy. 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
26 March,2026 10:45 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood actress Preity Zinta reunited with her friend and actor Bobby Deol over a fun outing on Wednesday evening, further sharing glimpses from the reunion on her social media account. Taking to social media, Preity posted a series of pictures from their fun get-together and captioned it, “Last night was so much fun ! Great food, fun conversation and the best company ! Friendships that ripen with time are priceless Ting” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Preity G Zinta (@realpz) In the pictures, Preity is seen posing with Bobby Deol, his wife Tanya Deol, and with other close friends. The group seems to have had a blast together as they appear to be enjoying and smiling. Preity is seen posing with Tanya and Bobby, in another picture. Talking about Preity and Bobby, the two share a long-standing bond of friendship spanning over three decades. They have also shared screen space in the 1998 film Soldier, which marked one of the early successes in their careers. The film, directed by Abbas-Mustan, also starred veteran actress Raakhee and Johnny Lever, and went on to become a hit. The songs of the movie like Soldier Soldier and Tera Rang Balle Balle remain popular even after three decades of its release. Bobby and Preity’s friendship reportedly dates back to before the latter made her Bollywood debut. She also had a cameo appearance in Bobby Deol and Sunny Deol's Dillagi, released in 1999, which also featured Urmila Matondkar. Talking about Preity Zinta, the actress made her Bollywood debut with Dil Se.. in 1998 and quickly rose to fame with films like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Koi… Mil Gaya and Veer-Zaara, further becoming one of the leading actresses of her time. 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
26 March,2026 10:38 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
-1774515512137_d.png "Dhurandhar 2")
