Be it Highway (2014), Tamasha (2015), or Amar Singh Chamkila (2024), through his movies, Imtiaz Ali has a way of saying something bigger than the story itself. A responsibility that the filmmaker believes is only magnified when the world is in conflict. When mid-day caught up with Ali at the India International Film Tourism Conclave (IIFTC) in Mumbai, he emphasised that amid the conflict in West Asia, sparked by the US and Israel’s war against Iran, it’s all the more important for artistes to show the potential of a better world. Cinema as a cure Imtiaz Ali believes that as much strife as there is in the world, the requirement for entertainment to provide relief and pleasure also increases. He explains, “I know that the world is in a terrible place right now, and I hope that things improve, but if I do get influenced by what's going on in the world, it is not actually to make films about what is happening but somehow to make films about what should happen or what the world is missing right now.” Imtiaz asserts that art can compensate for the absence of a certain condition and draw attention to the real reason why such things happen, aggrieving everybody. “This is the time for all artists to communicate an alternative way of looking, thinking, and feeling to have a better world,” he adds. The ‘unsafe’ illusion Imtiaz has never shied away from taking his craft to high-conflict areas. His films, like Rockstar and Highway, have been shot in parts of Kashmir, which he claims felt safer than any other place. He states, “I have only had extremely cooperative people and peaceful situations. I've had more insecurity in every other place that I've shot. Kashmir has been the easiest place to shoot. Certain narratives get set about the safety and security of certain places. Unfortunately, it takes a lifetime to take that away. People believe that Dharavi is an unsafe place in Mumbai, but there are many more unsafe places.” Imtiaz stresses the fact that although there’s a war looming overhead, one can’t wait for the ideal situation before making a move. He feels it is paramount that we normalise the world as much as we can. Director’s darling Diljit Imtiaz Ali’s next film, Main Vaapas Aaunga, is his second collaboration with Diljit Dosanjh, the lead of his previous hit, Amar Singh Chamkila. Citing how it is rare for him to work again with the same actor consecutively, he says, “This is going to be a Diljit who is very different from the previous film, and this is equally significant to him, maybe more. I’m always very happy to work with great actors, and Diljit is one of them. Personally, I am thrilled to work with him, and I hope to have more chances with him.”
14 March,2026 07:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Oshin FernandesGlobal call Punjabi pop sensation Diljit Dosanjh continues to charm the international circuit. In 2024, he performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In 2025, he made his Met Gala debut. And now, he has teamed up with EDM artiste David Guetta and singer Sia for the global dance anthem Ranjha. In an interview with Billboard Canada, Diljit said, “Ranjha carries that Punjabi heart but opens up to the world in a big way.” Sia and David Guetta On working with Sia again after the song Hass Hass (2023), the singer said it “felt natural”. He added, “David’s energy just took it somewhere new. It’s one of those songs that makes you not only move, but also feel something.” Released on Friday (March 13), the track, he says, proudly retains its Punjabi heritage.
14 March,2026 07:31 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamSome will watch In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones (1989), which made it to theatres on March 13, to see author Arundhati Roy’s brush with acting. Others, to see Shah Rukh Khan in his pre-stardom era, as he appears in a brief role in Pradip Krishen’s directorial feature. While making the film in the late ’80s, had Krishen anticipated that Khan would go on to become a superstar? Pradip Krishen “I didn’t expect Shah Rukh Khan to become as big a star as he did. When you have a bunch of young students working with you, you don’t quite imagine that one of them will become a megastar. I’m happy for him,” shared Krishen. He added that Khan was “unhappy” about not getting a meaty role in the movie. “After he became a star, he said some unkind things about us. He said, ‘Those guys never recognised what a good actor I am.’ I guess that’s true. But he belongs to a genre of acting that didn’t suit the parts we were looking for.” Arundhati Roy in the film Last month, the movie was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival. Lead actor and writer Roy dropped out of the gala, criticising festival jury president Wim Wenders’s statement that filmmakers should stay out of politics. We asked Krishen if he too considered withdrawing from the gala. “I was already in Doha when I learnt that Arundhati wasn’t coming. It was too late for me to bail out. I admire her courage to stand for her principles. The audience clapped when I said she had made this decision on principle.”
14 March,2026 07:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaAditya Dhar’s spy thriller Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, starring Ranveer Singh, is well on its way to being a worthy successor. While the film features an ensemble cast, Anil Kapoor recently revealed that he was offered a cameo in Dhurandhar 2 by filmmaker Aditya Dhar. However, the actor shared that he had to decline the role due to prior commitments to another filmmaker. Anil Kapoor on rejecting Dhurandhar 2 During a conversation at the India Today Conclave, the actor revealed, “Yes, Aditya came to me for Dhurandhar 2. He wanted me to do a small cameo in the film. But the reason I am what I am today is because of my professionalism and my commitment. That’s very important—only talent cannot make you what you are.” He added, “At that time, I had already committed those dates to another filmmaker. I told Aditya, ‘I would have loved to do this cameo, but I’m already committed.’ He is releasing the film now, and it’s a fantastic film. It’s my loss, but it’s okay.” The actor further added, “So yes, he did offer me the role, and hopefully we will work together in the future.” Towards the end, when asked whether he would do Dhurandhar 3, the actor said, “I think I will do something new. Kuch naya karunga (I will do something new).” About Dhurandhar Talking about Dhurandhar, the movie, which released in December 2025, went on to become a blockbuster hit. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar, starred Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan and Akshaye Khanna in pivotal roles. The sequel, titled Dhurandhar 2, is all set to release on March 19, 2026, on the occasion of Gudi Padwa and Ugadi, and ahead of Eid. The trailer of Dhurandhar: The Revenge was unveiled on March 7. Over the three-minute trailer, Ranveer is seen returning with ferocious intensity in dual avatars, Jaskirat and Hamza. The narrative deepens with powerful character arcs. Anil Kapoor’s upcoming movies Anil Kapoor was last seen in an action-packed avatar in Subedaar, directed by Suresh Triveni. He will next be seen in the upcoming Netflix series Family Business, a high-stakes corporate drama directed by Hansal Mehta. The actor will also be a part of the spy-universe film Alpha, co-starring Bobby Deol, Alia Bhatt and Sharvari. He is also a part of King, starring Shah Rukh Khan.
13 March,2026 11:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFatima Sana Shaikh, who made her breakout debut alongside Aamir Khan in the blockbuster film Dangal, has often spoken openly about living with the neurological condition Epilepsy. In a recent conversation with Soha Ali Khan, the actress recalled experiencing seizures during the film’s shoot and how the team rushed to understand and manage the sudden medical emergency. Fatima Sana Shaikh on getting seizures during Dangal During a podcast with Soha Ali Khan, she recalled, “It came, and I was like, ‘Nahi, nahi, kuchh nahi, ho jaayega’. And then badhta gaya, badhta gaya. Jo bhi mere aas-paas tha, maine bola mujhe seizure aane waala hai. Kisi ko pata hi nahi kya hai. Mujhe bhi nahi pata kya hai. And luckily Aamir (Khan) tha aur Sanya Malhotra thi, Kripa Shankar Bishnoi jo humein train kar rahe the, woh the… and fatafat Google kiya, unko answers mile, un logon ne side pe rakha, jo bhi hua. And then eventually, I think as a production house, they took it upon themselves to figure out what this is because a lot was riding on me, the whole film.” Furthermore, Fatima revealed, “They took me to a doctor, they did all the MRIs, they did EEG, sab kuch. They took me to a certain doctor, a neurologist in Bombay at that time. He put me on medication. It was a medication that was just too much for me. Aisa lagta tha that I'm under the influence. So I couldn't walk straight, everything was wonky. I was feeling very depressive and angry. I was all the time very angry and sad. I felt very alienated.” Her Gustaakh Ishq co-star Vijay Varma recently recalled witnessing her seizure on set, saying he felt “helpless” despite her having briefed the team with “guidelines” beforehand. He told Mashable India, “I felt so vulnerable. We cleared a bed, made her lie down, and gave her space.” Fatima’s upcoming projects Fatima was last seen in Gustaakh Ishq alongside Vijay Varma. The film, directed by Vibhu Puri, also starred Naseeruddin Shah and Sharib Hashmi in pivotal roles. Apart from this, she is set to star in the courtroom drama web series Nyaya alongside Aneet Padda and Arjun Mathur, directed by Nitya Mehra.
13 March,2026 08:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt’s been nine years one last saw megastar Amitabh Bachchan be Sarkar. But director Ram Gopal Varma has good news for the fans. The filmmaker announced on Friday that he is set to return to the franchise with its fourth instalment. During a session at the ongoing Red Lorry Film Festival in the city, Varma opened up about his line-up that includes a thriller, Syndicate, besides Sarkar 4. “After a long time I came back to Mumbai recently and I took one decision that enough is enough. It might seem a very high handed statement, but I decided I wanted to make a film wash away all my sins and shock everybody. The film is called Syndicate. I am also making Sarkar 4,” he said as the crowd erupted into an applause. With his signature dry humour, the filmmaker then said, “You also have to know the old English saying, ‘The proof of the pudding is in the eating.’ So whether I do it or not, we will see that at the end of the year,” as the audience laughed. Inspired by the Hollywood classic, The Godfather, Sarkar, starring Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Katrina Kaif and Kay Kay Menon, released in 2005. Its sequel, Sarkar Raj, released in 2008. The third part came nine years later. The filmmaker didn’t divulge details on the fourth part though. During the session, which was held to assist the screening of Varma’s debut film, Shiva (1989), the filmmaker also heaped praise at the recently released Bollywood blockbuster, Dhurandhar. When asked if there were a film he would have liked to direct, he said, “I don’t know about directing but if there’s one film that I have learnt a lot from, it’s Dhurandhar.”
13 March,2026 06:26 PM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaMohit Suri’s Saiyaara wreaked havoc at the box office last year upon its release. The film launched Aneet Padda and Ahaan Panday. After the film released, rumours were rife that it was copied from a Korean movie. Now, actor-singer Amit Jadhav has alleged that the story of Saiyaara is strikingly similar to his short film idea. Claiming he was earlier contacted by Yash Raj Films Talent in 2022, Amit says the situation left him deeply distressed, even pushing him into depression. Amit Jadhav alleges Saiyaara is a copy Amit has been shareing reels of Saiyaara's striking similarities with his short film Khwaabon. Talking to HT City, he shares, “I had tried speaking up last year too. I had actually received a direct message on Instagram from YRF Talent in 2022. They wanted to get in touch with me. I asked them which project they were reaching out to me for, but they didn’t answer. I didn’t know anyone there, neither had I given any audition for them to reach out. A week after Saiyaara’s release, my friends called me and said, ‘Tera toh story same tha.’ I was shocked. I tried reaching out to them, even going to their office, but my friends said they won’t entertain me or reply.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by AJ Amit Jadav (@amitjadhav06) Amit Jadhav on going into depression Amit claims he went into depression because he had been trying to convert his short film into a feature film. “I am a singer, so I kept getting work. I relaxed a bit because of that. But one day I almost committed suicide. I was sloshed, my parents saw me, and that’s how I got saved. I felt like the world doesn’t want me to succeed. I was not called for any auditions,” he says. He added, “I had got producers too. We were going to shoot in 2025. But then Saiyaara happened, and everything got derailed.” Amit alleges that he tried to reach out to YRF again after the film. “I wrote in the mail that I had received a mail from them in 2022 as well, and that Saiyaara’s story is similar to mine—iska clarification dijiye. I mailed twice, but got no answer.” Interestingly, claims about Saiyaara’s plot being inspired had done the rounds last year too. It was in regard to a 2004 Korean film, A Moment to Remember.
13 March,2026 06:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA day ago, Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone questioned the deteriorating air quality in Mumbai. She also tagged Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation authorities and asked what measures were being taken to improve the situation. Now, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has responded to the question during a press conference on Friday. Mumbai mayor responds to Deepika Padukone The newly appointed mayor was asked about the air-quality concerns raised by Deepika Padukone. Responding to the question, Tawde said, “We are listening to all Mumbaikars and not just Deepika Padukone.” She further said that the city’s air quality has worsened over the recent months and added that authorities are already discussing measures to address the issue. She mentioned that meetings were held with departments responsible for infrastructure projects across Mumbai. The mayor said several major projects are underway in the city and that they have contributed to rising dust levels. Infrastructure work related to the Mumbai Metro, railway projects, public works departments and other developments across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has accelerated since 2020. She pointed out that while residents expect improved infrastructure and quicker development, large-scale construction often comes with environmental challenges. Tawde added that the civic body has issued standard operating procedures to agencies and contractors working on these projects and has directed them to strictly implement dust-control measures. Officials have also instructed construction agencies to properly cover materials, transport debris in a controlled manner and ensure regular cleaning of roads near construction sites. Contractors involved in metro and infrastructure projects, along with private builders, have also been asked to keep roads clean and ensure that construction activities do not worsen air pollution. Deepika Padukone questions BMC over air quality Deepika Padukone, who was last seen in Singham Again, recently questioned authorities over rising air pollution in the city. On Thursday, the actress took to Instagram Stories and shared AQI data for Mumbai, which showed the average air quality index hovering around 150. Expressing concern, Deepika wrote that citizens—especially children—are struggling to breathe due to worsening air quality. Her post read, “The citizens of this city and its children are choking! How is this okay!? my_bmc | mybmchealth please help!” Her concern also comes from being a mother to Dua, her daughter with Ranveer Singh, who was born on September 8, 2024.
13 March,2026 05:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker Homi Adajania is all set to bring Cocktail 2 to the big screen. The film, which stars Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles, has been locked for a June release. The makers made the announcement on Friday by sharing individual posters of the three lead actors. The film is a sequel to Cocktail, which starred Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty in the lead. Cocktail 2 release date announced On Friday, the makers of Cocktail 2 announced the film’s release date. Shahid Kapoor took to social media to share posters featuring himself, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna. Along with the release date announcement, the posters revealed that the film’s first look will be unveiled on March 18. Coincidentally, this is the same day Dhurandhar: The Revenge will begin its theatrical run. The first look of Cocktail 2 will be attached to the Ranveer Singh-starrer and will be played along with other previews before the film begins. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rashmika Mandanna (@rashmika_mandanna) Cocktail 2 shoot wrap The shoot for the film was wrapped in January this year. Commemorating the occasion, director Homi Adajania took to his official Instagram handle and dropped a picture of himself celebrating with Shahid, Kriti, and Rashmika. The delightful and vibrant pic of the Cocktail 2 team further included the text, "Love you fools" and "Fun was had!". Announcing the shoot wrap for his next, the filmmaker penned on social media, "Cocktail2 shoot wrapped...I may be biased, but this one feels a tad special...Big love to my fab crew & cast for tolerating the absurdity that I am. Love you guys (red heart emoji) (sic)." Reacting to this, Kriti commented, "Love you Homsterrrr!!" She further re-shared Homi Adajania's post on the Stories section of her Instagram handle and penned, "Love you guys!!", followed by two red heart emojis. Backed by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, the story of Cocktail 2 has been penned by Luv Ranjan. The details regarding the plot of the sequel have been kept under wraps for now. The primary instalment in the franchise, Cocktail, starring Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Diana Penty, which was also helmed by Homi Adajania, reached the cinema halls back in 2012. Adding to the buzz, Homi Adajania, Rashmika, and Kriti keep on providing fun sneak peeks into the behind-the-scenes chaos from the shoot of Cocktail 2.
13 March,2026 05:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Hera Pheri franchise is among the cult comedy films of Priyadarshan in Indian cinema. While the filmmaker has confirmed the third part, it was in the news recently after Paresh Rawal reportedly exited the film. In an earlier interview, Rawal spoke about how the character in the film choked him. Priyadarshan has now reacted to his remark and shared how he was excited to do the role when it was narrated. Priyadarshan on Paresh Rawal’s ‘choked’ remark In a recent chat with Pinkvilla, Priyadarshan reacted to Paresh Rawal’s claims about feeling suffocated by the character. He said, “When I was making the film, I called Paresh, explained the role, and asked if he wanted to do it. He jumped for it then." He said, “I told him clearly that he’s the hero of the film and the other two (Akshay Kumar’s Raju and Suniel Shetty’s Shyam) are the supporting characters. He said, ‘I will put my heart and soul into it.’ He had mostly been playing villain roles till then. So, he did the character and earned it. Now he can decide where to take it." For the unversed, previously, in an interview with The Lallantop, Paresh called the role his “gale ka phanda (a noose around his neck)." “I felt choked. I needed mukti.” Priyadarshan on comedy directors not getting respect Priyadarshan also said he finds it painful that comedy directors are not respected. “I like to shoot serious films. I don’t like to shoot comedy films. I have no option, so I am doing it. But when I shoot a serious film, there’s a big issue. When you make comedy films, you are never respected as a good director. When you make a serious film, there is respect for you in the film fraternity. That is very painful to me. Why is a comedy filmmaker never accepted as a good filmmaker?” he said. “I love making films like Kanchivaram and Kaalapaani because there I will be accepted more as a filmmaker in the film fraternity,” he added. The filmmaker is all set to reunite with Akshay Kumar for Bhooth Bangla. It is set to hit theatres on April 10. It also stars Paresh Rawal, Asrani, Rajpal Yadav, Wamiqa Gabbi, and others. He is also set to direct Haiwaan with Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.
13 March,2026 04:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker Zoya Akhtar believes writing should come from a place of personal conviction rather than market trends. Speaking at a special screenwriting workshop organised by Whistling Woods International in association with the Screenwriters Association of India (SWA), the acclaimed writer-director—known for films like Luck By Chance, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Gully Boy—said she does not try to anticipate industry trends and instead focuses on stories that feel authentic to her. Zoya Akhtar on the future of Indian cinema The workshop, conducted by veteran writer Anjum Rajabali, featured a deep-dive masterclass with Zoya about her career, creative choices and writing process. When asked what the next five years for India might look like and what themes aspiring writers should explore, Zoya said she does not approach writing based on what the industry is currently seeking. However, she added that storytelling trends often move in cycles and suggested that love stories could make a comeback. Her observation reflects a shift already visible in the industry, with romantic films regaining popularity at the box office. Several love stories are also slated for release in 2026, including filmmaker Imtiaz Ali’s next theatrical outing starring Diljit Dosanjh. Zoya's upcoming projects Zoya also revealed that she is currently working on two screenplays. She shared that Dahaad Season 2 is currently being shot by filmmaker Reema Kagti. Apart from that, she is writing two screenplays for herself and developing several scripts with other directors for potential production. When asked about the possibility of a sequel to Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Zoya responded with a smile, saying, “When it happens, I’ll announce it.” The filmmaker also shared an anecdote about her writing process during her debut film Luck By Chance. She revealed that she once expanded a one-line outline directly into a screenplay without editing it first, resulting in a massive 200–300-page draft. According to Zoya, the script was eventually refined with the help of Reema Kagti. At the time, Kagti was working on Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. while Zoya was developing Luck By Chance. After reading the draft, Kagti encouraged her to trim the story, leading them to remove several scenes and characters to shape the final screenplay. Zoya said her process has since evolved. She now writes a one-line outline, edits it thoroughly and only then moves on to the screenplay stage to ensure the story remains concise and focused.
13 March,2026 04:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
