India's official entry to the Oscars 2026, Homebound, has now advanced to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards. The Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa starrer has been chosen among the top 15 films to become eligible for the final nominations. Homebound moves to the voting round The Academy, on Tuesday, announced that the top fifteen films from across the world have advanced to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category. Homebound from India features in the list alongside entries from Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Norway, Palestine, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Tunisia. Fifteen films advanced to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category. Here’s where they land on the map:Argentina, BELÉNBrazil, THE SECRET AGENTFrance, IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENTGermany, SOUND OF FALLINGIndia, HOMEBOUNDIraq, THE PRESIDENT’S CAKE… pic.twitter.com/BayF3hOfeM — The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 5, 2026 The other shortlisted films include Belen (Argentina), The Secret Agent (Brazil), It Was Just an Accident (France), Sound of Falling (Germany), The President's Cake (Iraq), Kokuho (Japan), All That's Left of You (Jordan), Sentimental Value (Norway), Palestine 36 (Palestine), No Other Choice (South Korea), Sirat (Spain), Late Shift (Switzerland), Left-Handed Girl (Taiwan) and The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia). Sharing the update, the official social media handle of The Academy wrote, "Fifteen films advanced to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category. Here's where they land on the map..." The final nomination list for the Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22. About Homebound India's 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 a recent Oscar shortlist, Homebound has now achieved a rare milestone, becoming the fifth film in Indian cinema to be shortlisted for Best International Feature Film in the 98-year history of the Academy Awards. Homebound 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. (With inputs from ANI)
06 January,2026 10:38 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMoviegoers are in for a treat as Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma promise a dose of entertainment in their upcoming film, Rahu Ketu. Speaking with ANI, Pulkit and Varun opened up about what fans can expect from the movie, which is directed by Vipul Vig. "This film captures everything audiences loved about Fukrey. Most importantly, it brings the two of us together again, and we had a fantastic time working on it. That joy and camaraderie truly come through on screen. The film is written by Vipul, who also penned all three Fukrey films," Pulkit shared. "So, there is their uniqueness and their unique characters in this film. There is a strange, fantastical, mythical world in this film. Also, we had the opportunity to work with Piyush Mishra sir for the first time, and he is truly outstanding. Alongside him were Manu Rishi sir, Amit Sial, Shalini, and Chunky Pandey sir. For us, going to the set every day felt like attending an acting workshop," he added. Varun assured that Rahu Ketu will remind fans of Fukrey. "Just like Fukrey 1, 2, and 3, this film offers the same spirit, but in a completely new world, with new characters and a fresh set of actors. Pulkit and I remain the common thread, and together we bring you a highly entertaining and fun way to begin 2026. Comedy is a genre that truly comes alive in theatres...when people sit together, laugh together, and share that joy, the emotion is unmatched. So come experience it on the big screen from 16th January," Varun said. Rahu Ketu is set to be released on January 16. 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
06 January,2026 10:26 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIDeepika Padukone celebrated her 40th birthday on January 5, 2026. Wishes poured in for the actress from who's who across the film fraternity. However, one wish that grabbed eyeballs was Sonam Kapoor's Instagram story wishing the Piku actress. Sonam Kapoor wishes Deepika Padukone On the occasion of Deepika's birthday, Sonam took to Instagram stories to share a throwback picture with Deepika. Along with the photo, she wrote, "Happy Birthday Deepika." The picture was from the Filmfare Glamour and Style Awards 2019, where Sonam wore a black ensemble while Deepika stunned in an orange outift. Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor cold war Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor's alleged cold war dates back to 2008, when they entered the industry at the same time. The fact that their debut movies were released on the same day, they were immediately pitted against one another. To add to it, their shared past with Ranbir Kapoor only further fueled the narrative. The gossip continued to intensify after Deepika reunited with Ranbir for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and also attended his birthday bash, an event to which Sonam was reportedly not invited. The two later appeared on Koffee With Karan Season 3 together, which further made their feud evident. They allegedly took playful digs, especially aimed at Ranbir during the episode. By the next season, things changed. Sonam appeared with her father, Anil Kapoor and made several remarks every time Deepika's name came up. When asked about fashion advice for Deepika, Sonam replied, "Create your own style," followed by comparisons like, "Katrina (Kaif) is herself... Even if Katrina wears jeans and a t-shirt and has her hair in a ponytail... I'd rather have that than someone who is like 'I want to be on the cover of Vogue every three months'." Sonam further described Deepika as a "good girl gone bad" and said that the one thing Deepika had which she did not was "an over enthusiastic PR team." Interestingly, at the time, both actresses were managed by the same agency, according to a report. Later, when Deepika publicly announced her advocacy for mental health awareness, Sonam took a dig, saying that if she ever aligned herself with a cause, she would not showcase it on social media.
06 January,2026 09:36 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Kartik Aaryan recently rang in the New Year with a cosy vacation in Goa. However, the actor has once again found himself at the centre of social media speculation after photos from his vacation began doing the rounds on the internet. Netizens did some digging and are now convinced the actor may not be alone. Many users claim that a mystery girl was also spotted present with him at the same beach location. Is Kartik Aaryan holidaying with a mystery girl? The discussion started after Kartik shared a laid-back picture from Goa, which shows him relaxing by the beach. Soon, Reddit users noted that a woman named Karina Kubiliute, reportedly from Greece, had also shared photos from what appeared to be the exact same spot and location. Several users shared screenshots comparing the images while highlighting similarities in the background, including the beach setup, loungers, and even the same towel placement. Kartik is vacationing in Goa with this girlbyu/LazyLooming inBollyBlindsNGossip Redditors compared the images, noting that the beach beds, angle of the sea, and towel patterns matched exactly in both posts. This sparked speculation that Kartik and the woman might be vacationing together. Some users even claimed that Kartik was following the woman on social media; however, he unfollowed her after the photos started gaining traction online. Although not much is known about the woman, Reddit users claim she is currently studying in the UK. Kartik Aaryan's Goa vacation Meanwhile, other pictures of Kartik's Goa vacation are also surfacing on social media. Fan pages have shared several pictures, which have now gone viral, showing Kartik keeping things low-key and grounded during his vacation. In one of the photos, he is seen standing outside a restaurant and posing with the entire staff. He can be seen dressed in a relaxed white kurta-pyjama with sunglasses. Kartik smiles warmly as the staff gathers around him. Another picture shows Kartik indoors, posing with chefs and hotel staff. This time, he is seen dressed even more casually in a white T-shirt, jeans, and a cap. He folded his arms and smiled for the camera. In a post shared on his official account, he can be seen chilling at a shack surrounded by coconut trees. He shared a video of himself sunkissed, while also showing the surroundings.
06 January,2026 08:43 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentGetting cosy in Mumbai Buzz around Lag Jaa Gale picked up after Janhvi Kapoor and Lakshya were spotted filming at Mumbai’s Marine Drive. mid-day caught a few exclusive glimpses of the actors seated together as cameras rolled, with videos from the shoot going viral. While some fans speculated it could be an advertisement, others linked it to the Raj Mehta-directed action drama backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, which also stars Tiger Shroff. mid-day had earlier reported that the film is being shot on a tight, continuous schedule which started in December 2025. The Mumbai schedule will be wrapped up in March, with the team eyeing a theatrical release in the second half of 2026. Breaking the bro code Rahul Khanna and Akshaye Khanna Actor Rahul Khanna reacted to brother Akshaye Khanna’s viral look from Dhurandhar (2025), admitting he is yet to watch the film. Speaking to mid-day, Rahul said, “I haven’t seen the movie yet, I’m waiting for him to show it to me.” Praising his brother’s style, Rahul added, “Anything he wears looks great. I’m sure he looks fantastic.” Riding happy Manju Warrier; (right) Fans caught a glimpse of the actor riding her bike in Dhanushkodhi, Tamil Nadu Actor Manju Warrier has the internet cheering after a video of her solo bike ride to Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu went viral. Shared on social media, the clip shows Manju enjoying the scenic route on her motorcycle, dressed in her biking gear and soaking in the journey. Fans flooded the comments, calling her “fearless”, “cool” and “a true inspiration”. Many also linked the moment to her packed slate, with one fan noting, “This energy reflects in her choices,” as she gears up for her next film, Mr X. Making the second ghosla (L-R) Anupam Kher, Ranvir Shorey, Tara Sharma, and Parvinn Dabass in Khosla Ka Ghosla. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi, Atul Kamble, Instagram Last year mid-day had reported that Anupam Kher was returning for the sequel to his much-loved 2006 dramedy, Khosla Ka Ghosla (Khosla Ka Ghosla 2 in the works, July 28, 2025). Months later, Khosla Ka Ghosla 2 shoot has officially begun. The veteran actor took to social media to share a video from the set, where he is seen celebrating Khosla Ka Ghosla 2, which marks his 550th film. Also present in the video were Ranvir Shorey, returning from the original where he played Anupam’s son, and Ravi Kishen, who is a new entry to the franchise. The senior actor captioned the video, writing, “It is so amazing and joyous to be on the sets of our cult classic film. Wishing everyone great luck for the part two. Let’s go for it.” Actors Parvinn Dabass and Tara Sharma are also expected to return for the sequel. Dibakar Banerjee, who helmed the original, however, is not directing the second part.
06 January,2026 08:21 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamRemember the scene where Arshad Warsi’s character hangs from a tree after sneaking into Kareena Kapoor Khan’s house with Akshaye Khanna, only to fall into boiling homemade glue and then into a pile of dried leaves? It left audiences in splits. That was Warsi in Priyadarshan’s comedy Hulchul (2004) — a character the audience loved. However, in a recent interview with Lallantop, the actor described his time on the film as a “bad experience”, largely because the role promised to him was allegedly much bigger than the one he eventually played. Priyadarshan While Warsi did not directly blame the filmmaker, his remarks have hurt Priyadarshan, who is currently busy with post-production work on Haiwaan, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. Reacting to Warsi’s claims of being tricked into playing a smaller role in Hulchul, the director says, “I was very upset [when I read what he said]. I could be wrong and maybe it has been misinterpreted, but if he has [complained], I am shocked.” Stating that Warsi’s character, Lucky Bhalla, was loved by both audiences and critics, Priyadarshan says he is surprised the actor never voiced these concerns earlier. Recalling a phone call with Warsi after the film’s release, he says, “After the release, he called and told me, ‘Priyan sir, I never thought that I would get this kind of appreciation.’ Hulchul was a big hit, but Arshad said it was a flop film. That has pained me; why would he say that when it was one of my hit films?” ‘Hulchul’ remains the only project that Priyadarshan and Arshad Warsi (centre) have worked on together to date Noting that viewers continue to rewatch the Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Arbaaz Khan, and Shakti Kapoor-starrer, Priyadarshan adds that while Munna Bhai MBBS (2003) marked a turning point in Warsi’s career, Hulchul strengthened his comic timing. “People loved and appreciated his performance in Hulchul. I am very upset and deeply hurt by these accusations from Arshad. He had no reason to complain.” Rs 31 CRBox-office collection of ‘Hulchul’ What Arshad Warsi said… The actor, who played Lucky Bhalla in ‘Hulchul’, said that when screenplay and dialogue writer Neeraj Vora approached him, he pitched the part as being similar to Akshay Kumar’s role in ‘Hera Pheri’ (2000). However, Warsi claims, he was eventually cast as the lead actor’s friend and was confused about his wardrobe, even joking about being given a strange oversized shirt
06 January,2026 07:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRSanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi’s Munna Bhai MBBS is one of the most loved movies of all time. The film also starred Boman Irani, and his camaraderie with Dutt won hearts. The actors are now reuniting for the Prabhas-starrer RajaSaab. At the song launch event of the film, Irani was asked about his experience of reuniting with Sanjay Dutt and the possibility of Munna Bhai 3. Boman Irani on Munna Bhai 3 Addressing the gathering, Boman Irani revisited his experience of working with Sanjay Dutt and shared, “Working with Sanjay Dutt has always been very special. Munna Bhai wasn’t just a film, it was an emotion. We were like a family, and those moments stay with you for life.” When asked how their bond is right now, the actor shared that it has only “grown stronger over the years." “He brings a unique energy to the set, making the working environment comfortable and creatively stimulating," added Irani. The actor also addressed rumours of Munna Bhai 3 being in the works and said, “I truly believe that when the time is right, and the story is right, Munna Bhai 3 will happen. I have manifested it in my heart, and I’m hopeful that someday it will come together." He further added with a smile, “Ap log bhi Raju (Rajkumar Hirani) par pressure dalo." Earlier, Arshad Warsi, while speaking to SCREEN, had confirmed that Munna Bhai 3 is on the cards and said, “See, with part 3, the thing is that once it was not happening at all, but now Raju (Rajkumar Hirani) is actually working on it. He is seriously working on it, and it seems like it should happen now." About RajaSaab Directed by Maruthi, the film boasts a stellar cast including Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, and Riddhi Kumar. The film is set to release on January 9, 2026. Sharing his experience of working with Prabhas, Boman Irani stated, “He's got this larger-than-life aura. We expect that his behaviour would also be like a superstar. And it's not. There's something very innocent about him. He's enjoying his superstardom, but he's not putting it in your face.” On the work front, the actor has Khosla Ka Ghosla 2 in his kitty. The film reunited him with Anupam Kher and Ranvir Shorey.
05 January,2026 08:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rajat Bedi made his Bollywood comeback with Aryan Khan’s debut series, The Ba***ds Of Bollywood. Following the success of the Netflix show, audiences are excited to see him on screen again. Amid this, rumours were rife that the actor is a part of Hrithik Roshan’s Krrish 4. However, Rakesh Roshan has now reacted to the claims. Rakesh Roshan on Krrish 4 As per reports in HT City, when the portal contacted the filmmaker, he stated, “The news of Rajat Bedi acting in Krrish 4 is all false. There is no truth to any rumours.” Talking about being a part of Krrish 4, Rajat Bedi had earlier said, “If that happens, nothing like it. The audience wants to see me and Hrithik back together. I am just praying that it happens soon. I love and respect Rakeshji and Hrithik a lot.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rajat Bedi (@rajatbedi24) For those unversed, Koi Mil Gaya was the film that changed the course of Rajat Bedi’s career. He played the villain in the film, starring alongside Preity Zinta and Hrithik Roshan. Details on Krrish 4 The project has now been confirmed to be in active development, with pre-production underway and the script locked. The film is slated to begin shooting in early to mid-2026 and is being produced by Yash Raj Films in collaboration with Rakesh Roshan. It marks Hrithik’s debut as director and was announced by Rakeshji. According to recent updates, Krrish 4 is targeting a theatrical release in 2027. The new film will raise the bar for Indian superhero cinema. Rajat Bedi’s upcoming movies While the actor has not announced anything officially, buzz states that he has been approached for Don 3 as the villain. A source stated to Hindustan Times, “Farhan is considering Rajat Bedi to play a pivotal part for which Vikrant was roped in originally. The actor-producer have done an official conversation around it, and the two are planning to meet around mid-January at their Khar office in Mumbai.” Farhan Akhtar and the crew of Don 3 have secured Kriti Sanon as the female lead for the action thriller. Earlier, Ranveer Singh was leading the project. However, he opted out of the actioner due to the changed schedules of Dhurandhar 2 and Pralay.
05 January,2026 07:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA recent disclaimer in the Hindi movie Ikkis has garnered a lot of attention and sparked online discussions regarding how Pakistani people are portrayed in the movie. Ikkis, which debuted on January 1, starring debutants Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia along with the late superstar Dharmendra. The disclaimer notes that the film's sympathetic depiction of a Pakistani brigadier is uncommon and contrasts it with statements about the neighboring nation's general reliability. Here's what the disclaimer mentioned The disclaimer in question states, "The humane behaviour of Pakistani Brigadier KM Nisaar is only an exceptional incident. Otherwise, our neighbouring country is not trustworthy at all. Pakistan's armies, both during war and in times of peace, have behaved very cruelly and inhumanely with our soldiers and citizens." The statement aims to clarify that this is not intended to reflect a broader trend and to provide context for Jaideep Ahlawat's character, who is shown as a compassionate Pakistani. A disclaimer is played at the end of Ikkis. It says, Nisar, the character played by Jaideep Ahlawat, "is an exception; Pakistanis are not to be trusted".byu/Embarrassed_Freak inBollyBlindsNGossip It goes on to say, "They have blatantly and repeatedly violated the Geneva Convention by torturing them. As responsible citizens, we must constantly be vigilant and ready in light of Pakistan's sponsorship of terrorist actions. This note's inclusion has sparked important online conversations about how cross-border ties are portrayed in Indian cinema. By emphasizing a single act of humanity while underlining larger tensions, the film's methodology aims to balance its narrative. Some viewers have seen this as an attempt to make sure viewers comprehend the film's stance and to prevent making generalizations about the entire country based on a single figure. All about the film Ikkis Ikkis debuted in theaters alongside Dhurandhar, which starred Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna. Even though the Aditya Dhar-directed movie has been airing since December 5, parallels between the two movies soon surfaced, particularly as they both deal with nationalistic themes and the Indian Army and the nation's disputes with Pakistan. The films' portrayal of India's history and military conflicts unites them despite their disparate plots. Social media users have debated the movies' themes and the directors' decisions in great detail. Ikkis has made Rs 22.5 crore at the box office in its first four days. The Sriram Raghavan-directed film made Rs 7.28 crore on Thursday, Rs 4.02 crore on Friday, Rs 5.05 crore on Saturday, and Rs 5.70 crore on its debut Sunday, according to the production team. The discussion concerning movies that portray delicate historical and political topics has taken on a new dimension as a result of the attention that the disclaimer and its message have received. The reaction demonstrates how viewers are still interested in both the artistic decisions made by filmmakers and the contemporary problems they depict.
05 January,2026 07:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Kritika Kamra has ushered in 2026 on a cheerful note, sharing a set of happy pictures with beau Gaurav Kapur. The actress gave fans a glimpse of her joyful moments as she welcomed the New Year with Gaurav, friends Anya Singh and others. For the caption, she wrote: “Fell into ‘26 nicely.” It was on December 10 that Kritika went Instagram official with Gaurav. She took to Instagram, where she shared a set of candid pictures from a breakfast date with Gaurav, confirming their romance. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kritika Kamra (@kkamra) The actress kept the caption understated yet playful, as she wrote: “breakfast with…” On the work front, the two starred together in The Great Shamshuddin Family. Set over one day in Delhi, the narrative follows Bani as mothers, aunts, cousins and former romantic interests descend on her apartment, each bringing their own emergencies. As the protagonist navigates interfaith complexities, generational conflicts and family expectations, she faces a choice between pursuing international career opportunities or remaining with her family, reports variety.com. The film features Farida Jalal, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Juhi Babbar Soni and Sheeba Chadha. The Great Shamshuddin Family arrived on JioHotstar on 12th December. Kritika earlier dated her Kitani Mohabbat Hai co-star Karan Kundra. She made her acting debut in 2007 with Yahan Ke Hum Sikandar. In 2009, she played a singer, Arohi, in Kitani Mohabbat Hai opposite Karan. She was then seen in Pyaar Ka Bandhan, Kitani Mohabbat Hai 2, and Kuch Toh Log Kahenge. In 2015, Kritika played a reporter, Ananya Kashyap, opposite Rajeev Khandelwal, in Reporters. She was then seen as Princess Chandrakanta in Prem Ya Paheli – Chandrakanta. She made her film debut in 2018 with Mitron. In 2021, she played a college student, Sana, in the web series Tandav. The actress played a reporter, Vidhi, in the 2023 film Bheed. In the same year, she played Habiba in Bambai Meri Jaan. Her most recent release is Gyaarah Gyaarah. 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 January,2026 06:02 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSAamir Khan Productions has unveiled a new track from their upcoming and much-anticipated film Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos titled Chaanta Tera. Featuring Vir Das and Mithila Palkar, the quirky duet brings a playful, unconventional charm that aligns seamlessly with the film’s tone. Aamir Khan Productions unveils Chaanta Tera Unlike stereotypical Bollywood love songs that rely heavily on grand gestures and dramatic declarations, Chaanta Tera celebrates romance in its most effortless and relatable form. Shot beautifully, the song captures fleeting emotions, light-hearted banter, and understated intimacy, making it both visually pleasing and entertaining. The chemistry between Vir Das and Mithila Palkar feels organic, lending the track a warm, lived-in quality that enhances its appeal. The song is sung by IP Singh and Nupoor Khedkar, whose voices complement each other perfectly. About Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos The trailer of Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos has taken the fun to another level. As both director and actor, Vir Das brings a refreshing brand of quirky comedy that is sure to deliver plenty of laughs. The trailer showcases Vir Das in a never-before-seen avatar as a perfectly imperfect spy on a mission. As the story unfolds, he lands in trouble, leading to a lot of chaos that looks absolutely fun. Mona Singh certainly stuns with her raw avatar, unlike anything she has portrayed on screen before, while Mithila Palkar adds her own distinct charm. Aamir Khan’s completely different avatar brings an extra punch to the narrative. Packed with energy, charm, a youthful vibe, a lot of twists and surprises, the trailer is nothing less than a rollercoaster ride of fun and madness. Produced under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions, Happy Patel is directed by Vir Das, and also stars Mona Singh, Sharib Hashmi and Mithila Palkar in pivotal roles and is slated to release in theatres on 16th January 2026.
05 January,2026 05:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
