Music composer and filmmaker Palaash Muchhal has issued a Rs 10 crore legal notice to Marathi actor and producer Vidnyan Mane over what he has termed as “highly defamatory” allegations related to an alleged Rs 40 lakh fraud case in Sangli. Palaash has strongly denied the claims and said the accusations were made with the intention of damaging his reputation. Sharing details on social media, Palaash revealed that the legal notice was sent by his lawyer Shreyansh Mithare. Making his stand clear, he wrote, “A legal notice for defamation of Rs 10 crore has been sent by my lawyer Shreyansh Mithare to Sangli-based Vidnyan Mane for his false, outrageous and highly defamatory accusations made against me.” He further asserted that the allegations were completely untrue and malicious in nature. Palaash also addressed the matter earlier when the accusations first surfaced online. Dismissing Mane’s claims, he stated, “In light of the allegations made by Sangli-based Vidnyan Mane on social media, I wish to state that these claims against me are entirely baseless and factually incorrect.” He added that such statements had caused serious harm to his personal and professional image. According to the allegations made by Mane, he had invested Rs 40 lakh in a film project associated with Palaash, which allegedly never took off. Mane claimed that he was promised returns on the investment but did not receive the money back. However, Palaash has categorically denied any wrongdoing and maintained that he has no involvement in any financial fraud. Reiterating his intent to fight the matter legally, Palaash said he would pursue all necessary legal remedies to protect his reputation. He emphasised that the accusations were not only damaging but also irresponsible. “These statements have been made with the sole intention to malign my image and character,” he stated, adding that the matter would now be handled strictly through legal channels. The controversy has drawn significant attention, especially as it surfaced amid heightened public scrutiny of Palaash’s personal life in recent months. With the defamation notice now served, the outcome will depend on the legal proceedings that follow. Palash has made it clear that he will not stay silent in the face of what he describes as false and damaging allegations.
25 January,2026 11:07 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs Border 2 marches into theatres, its reworked anthem has ignited a familiar Bollywood debate: nostalgia versus originality. The updated version of Sandese Aate Hain, now titled Ghar Kab Aaoge, features new lyrics and is re-recorded by Sonu Nigam. The move comes amid Javed Akhtar’s sharp criticism of remakes as “intellectual and creative bankruptcy”. Responding with restraint and reverence, Sonu said, “If Border is a soldier, Sandese Aate Hain is his uniform. We can’t imagine Border without the song.” He further underlined the emotional weight of the franchise, adding that it tells “true stories of our soldiers and our victory”, making the song inseparable from its soul. Verdict? The melody stays — only the stitching changes. Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty in ‘Border 2’
25 January,2026 09:25 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamEarlier this week, actor Roshan Mathew saw the release of his Malayalam action comedy Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies. Now, he is gearing up for what comes next. Among the projects in his line-up, the actor tells mid-day that the one he is most hopeful about beginning soon is the second season of Kankhajura. The inaugural season of the SonyLIV thriller premièred in May last year. “We are all set for a second season with a story in place. We are super excited to go back because it’s such a lovely collection of actors — [Mohit Raina, Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, and Sarah Jane-Dias]. I have also loved working with the crew,” he shares of the series directed by Chandan Arora. Mathew’s 11-year career is peppered with work across languages. He believes that moving between industries is essential to challenge stereotypes. “It’s a constant choice that you have to keep making,” he notes. Working across industries also exposes him to varied work cultures. If Malayalam film sets are intimate and largely non-hierarchical, Bollywood sets are often marked by large entourages and scale. Having experienced both, he feels comparisons are unfair. (L-R) Mohit Raina and Roshan Mathew in ‘Kankhajura’ “I’ve noticed that the sizes of entourages are bigger in Bollywood. But it’s also unfair to blindly compare the two because the kind of crowd that would gather when a Bollywood star is shooting in an exterior location in Mumbai cannot be compared to a star shooting in a location in Kochi. Crowd management itself requires more resources in [big cities]. Firstly, Kochi is not as crowded. Secondly, people here understand that they need to keep a distance with artistes when they’re working,” he says. While Malayalam cinema has traditionally been “grounded in a way that we can do the best with the resources at our disposal”, Mathew observes a clear budgetary shift. “There’s a gradual shift because the audience is demanding it, as it’s exposed to all kinds of cinema and the industry knows that it cannot retain the audience’s interest by only serving something frugal.” Case in point is director Geetu Mohandas — with whom he collaborated on Moothon (2019) — who is now helming the big-budget period actioner Toxic, starring Yash. When asked about its recent teaser getting mixed reactions with some criticising the director for objectifying women, Mathew says, “I have seen the teaser; it doesn’t reveal anything about the film’s story or the world. So, I can’t judge it. But I am not suprised by the audience’s reaction because Geethu is too brave to repeat herself.” Roshan Mathew’s Bollywood films
25 January,2026 08:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaAfter the critical acclaim of Amaran (2024), director Rajkumar Periasamy was all set to make his much-anticipated Hindi directorial debut. But the project has now hit a temporary roadblock. According to sources close to the development, the pan-India film — slated to roll in 2025 — has been put on hold. Backed by T-Series, the film had Kartik Aaryan and Akshaye Khanna as the frontrunners for the lead roles. However, Aaryan schedule has reportedly led to delays. A source tells mid-day, “Kartik’s dates just don’t align anymore. He’s currently neck-deep in Naagzilla, and then will move straight to Kabir Khan’s next. There’s practically no window for Rajkumar’s film this year.” The yet-untitled film requires “long, uninterrupted schedules”. “With actors unavailable for the foreseeable future, the team felt it was wiser to pause rather than rush or go into a recasting,” adds another source. Kartik Aaryan and Akshaye Khanna With his Hindi debut on hold, Periasamy is now reportedly shifting focus to a different project — a Tamil feature with South star Dhanush — before revisiting his Bollywood plans. “Rajkumar has another strong script ready and is moving ahead with that for now. The Hindi film hasn’t been shelved, it’s just delayed,” the insider tells us.
25 January,2026 08:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuActor Imran Khan, recently made a cameo appearance in the film Happy Patel co-directed by Vir Das and backed by his uncle Aamir Khan. He made a big screen appearance after a decade. Recently, talking to PTI, the actor spoke about his missed opportunities in the film industry. He revealed that before his debut Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na, he had auditioned for Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Delhi 6. However, he was rejected as he was a newcomer. Imran Khan on getting rejected for Delhi 6 The actor shared that back in 2006-2007, he had auditioned for Delhi 6, before his debut in Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Naa. "At various points, there have been various films that have just not come together. With Mehra, it was Delhi 6. At that point, I had not made any films, I tested for the (lead role) film. But at the time, they didn't want to put the money on a new person, on an untested, unproven person," Imran recalled. Delhi 6, which featured Abhishek Bachchan in the lead, revolved around an American boy of Indian origin, who comes to India for his maiden visit to escort his ailing grandmother but gets embroiled in communal tensions. The 2009 film received mixed reviews from critics and was a box office failure. Imran recalled that when he first heard the story of Delhi 6, he was quite excited and resonated with certain aspects of the lead character. "I was born in the States, and I grew up kind of a child of two worlds. So, I related to those things. So, my instinct beforehand, and even after was, 'That would have been a cool film to have been a part of', I would like to have been in that film," he said. "The film has aged quite well. Even back then, I was very excited to have been a part of it; I did want the part very much. I was quite devastated that I did not get the part. But I guess looking at the scale of the film and the budget, they wanted a known person," he added. Imran was dropped from Bhavesh Joshi After making debut in the industry, Vikramaditya Motwane had approached him with the superhero film Bhavesh Joshi. He said that he was on board for the film for a year but was replaced after his 2013 film Gori Tere Pyaar Mein flopped in the theatres. "In the aftermath of Gori Tere Pyaar Mein, I got dropped from the film. So, that was also out of my hands, out of my control. The film turned out well. It's one of those films that is unique and original, somebody has tried to push the boundaries of what we normally get to do and I appreciate that," he said. Imran recalled that Shetty had approached him for his 2013 movie, Chennai Express, shortly after the release of "Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na", but after the initial narration, the director felt he wasn't the right fit for the role. The movie starred Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. "I don't think I was right for it, which is the conversation that we had, and I said, 'Listen, I don't see us syncing'. Shah Rukh Khan was a better choice, I don't think I could top Shah Rukh," Imran said.
24 January,2026 10:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAnurag Singh’s Border 2 released in theatres on Friday, January 23. The film saw a bumper opening at the box office, collecting Rs 32.10 crore in India on Day 1. Fans were seen arriving at theatres in large numbers to watch the Sunny Deol-starrer. Fans take to streets on tractors Several visuals of audiences arriving at cinemas reminded many of the Gadar 2 frenzy. A video that has surfaced on social media shows fans arriving at cinema halls on tractors, and it has since gone viral. The video is believed to be from Najibabad in Uttar Pradesh. In it, fans are seen cheering for Sunny Deol while sitting atop tractors and carrying posters of the actor as they enter the cinema hall’s parking area. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NAJIBABAD OFFICIAL (@najibabad_official_) Border 2 collections The film was expected to collect between Rs 30–40 crore on its opening day, and it lived up to expectations by earning Rs 32.10 crore in India. Worldwide, the film’s collections crossed Rs 40 crore. With this, Border 2 surpassed the opening-day collection of box office juggernaut Dhurandhar, which earned Rs 28.6 crore. While nostalgia and Sunny Deol’s star presence drove the Day 1 numbers, the real test for the film begins after the long Republic Day weekend. The film has performed exceptionally well in the mass belts, with several single screens reporting superb occupancy, while urban centres witnessed stronger footfalls as the day progressed. This momentum is also reflected online, with nearly 10,000 tickets being sold every hour on BookMyShow. Backed by strong word of mouth, business is expected to rise further over Saturday and Sunday, with the extended Republic Day holiday on Monday likely to deliver the biggest numbers of the opening weekend. Meanwhile, early morning shows in Mumbai saw packed theatres, with moviegoers walking out teary-eyed yet smiling. Many have called the film a “must-watch,” praising its blend of action, emotion, and powerful performances. More about Border 2 Border 2 is inspired by the true events of the 1971 India-Pakistan War and shows how the Army, Navy, and Air Force fight together as one force. The film brings Sunny Deol back in uniform once again. Directed by Anurag Singh, the film also stars Mona Singh, Anya Singh, Medha Rana and Sonam Bajwa in key roles. It is produced by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in association with JP Dutta's JP Films.
24 January,2026 07:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor-producer and self-proclaimed critic Kamaal R. Khan has been sent to police custody till January 27 after a case of use of a weapon was registered against him. While producing KRK in the court, the police said that two rounds were fired and one cartridge was found. The motive behind the firing is not yet known. KRK's lawyer said that an unidentified man opened fire at two different flats. He said that the distance between the two buildings is 400 meters and the range of weapons is 20 meters. He shared that he doesn’t know the man. There is no acquaintance, there was no intention to fire. Kamaal R Khan fires shots at a residential building The incident reportedly took place on January 18, when two bullets were fired and later recovered from the Nalanda Society in Oshiwara. While one bullet was found on the second floor of the building, the other was recovered from the fourth floor. According to the police, one of the flats belongs to a writer-director, while the other is occupied by a model. At first, cops were reportedly unable to trace the source of the firing since no clear leads were found in CCTV footage from the area. However, the forensic team helped the police, who later concluded that the bullets may have been fired from KRK’s bungalow located nearby. Consequently, he was detained for questioning. A team of police from the Oshiwara police station, along with multiple crime branch teams, are reportedly involved in the investigation of the matter. Kamaal R Khan's statement to police After initial CCTV footage yielded no leads, forensic analysis suggested the shots may have been fired from KRK’s nearby bungalow. During questioning at the Oshiwara police station, KRK admitted to discharging the firearm, a licensed weapon registered in his name, and said he fired the shots while cleaning and testing the gun, aiming at a nearby mangrove area, but that strong winds caused the bullets to deviate and hit the building. The actor was detained by the police after questioning by a Mumbai Police team, during which he confessed that the firing was done with his licensed gun. The actor informed the police during the questioning that his intention was not to hurt anyone, and that he was just cleaning his gun. He reportedly fired the gun into a large mangrove forest in front of his house to check the functionality of the gun. The actor further told the police that he thought the bullet would get lost in the mangrove forest. However, due to the wind the bullets travelled a bit further and struck a building in Oshiwara when he fired the shot.
24 January,2026 05:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter days of teasing the release date announcement, the team of Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film King has revealed the much-awaited update. The team has blocked Christmas weekend for its release. The timing sets up King as a film that will wrap up this year on a high and start 2027 with a bang. The announcement, made by Shah Rukh Khan and director Siddharth Anand, comes on the eve of the third-year anniversary of Pathaan, adding to the excitement around the reunion of the blockbuster duo. Shah Rukh Khan drops explosive announcement video Along with the release date, the makers have offered fans a deeper look into the world of King that showcases Shah Rukh Khan in a bold, fierce new avatar set against stunning landscapes and striking frames. The powerful imagery and strong visual language have further fuelled fan excitement, as the King is now ready to roar at the end of the year in just 11 months from now. #KING is Ready to ROAR on 24.12.2026 in Cinemas#ItsKingTime#KingDateAnnouncement pic.twitter.com/a60zM0pc1s — Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) January 24, 2026 King teaser and first look The electrifying title reveal, dropped on November 2 to mark Shah Rukh Khan’s birthday, introduced his silver-haired, action-driven look, an SRK-special theme song, and a striking dialogue delivered by SRK “Darr nahi, Dehshat hoon”, setting off a frenzy across media platforms. The teaser ignited the internet as Shah Rukh emerged in a dark, terrifying avatar with grey hair, a bloodied visage, and a trail of destruction in his wake. Holding a King of Hearts card, he flicks it toward the camera and says, " Kitne khoon kiye ye yaad nahi. Ache log they ya bure kabhi pucha nahi. Bas unki aankhon me ehsas dekha, ye unki aakhri saans hai. Aur main uski wajah. Hazaar jurm, 100 deshon me badnam, duniya ne diya, sirf ek hi naam. Darr nahi deh shat hoon. (I don't remember how many people I've killed. Were they nice or bad? I never asked. I just saw feelings in their eyes, as if this was their final breath, and I was the reason. The globe gave only one name to a thousand atrocities that were well-known in a hundred different countries. "I am not fear; I am chaos.)" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Red Chillies Entertainment (@redchilliesent) Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures, KING is shaping up to be the most awaited big-screen spectacle of 2026. Apart from Shah Rukh Khan, the film also stars Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Arshad Warsi, Raghav Juyal, Deepika Padukone and more.
24 January,2026 04:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA case has been registered against producer and director Vikram Bhatt and his daughter Krishna Bhatt, at Versova Police Station, by a businessman who accused them of cheating. The father-daughter duo had allegedly taken money from a businessman and promised good returns on investing it in cinema and other places. Case against Vikram Bhatt The complaint against the duo was filed by a businessman who alleged that Vikram Bhatt and his daughter Krishna Bhatt had defrauded him of Rs 13.5 crore. In this case, the Economic Offenses Wing has registered a case against both Vikram Bhatt and his daughter Krishna Bhatt at Versova Police Station. The Economic Offenses Wing has taken over this case for further investigation. Past case against Vikram Bhatt Earlier, Vikram and his wife Shwetambari were remanded to seven days of police custody by the ACJM court in Udaipur in connection with a separate alleged Rs 30 crore fraud case. The couple was arrested from their Mumbai residence on December 7 and brought to Udaipur. The duo was produced in court. DSP Chhagan Singh Rajpurohit is leading the investigation. Upon arrival in Udaipur, both attempted to avoid media cameras. Vikram Bhatt is still in custody in relation to the Rs 30 crore fraud case. A six-member police team led by DSP Rajpurohit reached Mumbai and arrested Vikram and Shwetambari Bhatt from their Juhu flat. Their security staff initially attempted to block the police, claiming the couple was not home, but both were eventually taken into custody. The case was filed based on an FIR lodged by Dr Ajay Murdia, owner of the Indira Group and Indira IVF. Dr Murdia claimed that he wanted to produce a biopic about his late wife and hence approached Dinesh Kataria for assistance. On the suggestions of Kataria, Dr Murdia visited Vrindavan Studio in Mumbai on April 25, 2024, where Kataria introduced him to Vikram Bhatt. During the meeting, the Raaz filmmaker said he would handle all filmmaking work. He also asked Dr Murdia to send money accordingly. Bhatt also mentioned that his wife and daughter were involved as associates in the project. Notably, Bhatt has registered a firm, VSB LLP, in his wife Shwetambari Bhatt’s name
24 January,2026 04:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentEver since Yash Raj Films unveiled the trailer of Mardaani 3, it has become the biggest talking point in the Hindi film industry. Unanimously positive appreciation has been pouring in from all quarters for Rani Mukerji. The trailer has moved Indian women’s cricket team captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, so much that she called for swift and exemplary punishment for perpetrators of crimes against women. The acclaimed franchise that focuses on crimes against women will now highlight the issue of young girls aged 8-9 years, from low-income groups, who are kidnapped for a specific reason from across our country. She took to her Instagram Stories to reshare the trailer and pen her thoughts on it. She wrote, "Swift and example setting punishment is the need of the hour for crimes against women! Mardaani3 trailer is insane can’t wait to watch the film" Harmanpreet also thanked the police force of the country for constantly trying to protect girls and women of India. She said, “Love our police force who are always there to protect us every day.” About Harmanpreet Kaur Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar is an Indian cricketer who plays as an all-rounder and captains the Indian women's national team. She captained the Indian team that won the 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup, the Women's Asia Cup in 2012, 2016 and 2022, and the gold medal in the 2022 Asian Games. Under her captaincy, the Indian women's team achieved its first bilateral Women's One Day International (WODI) away series win against England since 1999 in 2022, the first-ever Test victory over Australia in 2023, and the first Women's Twenty20 International (WT20I) series win against England in 2025. She was also a member of the Indian team that won the silver medal in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. More about Mardaani 3 Rani Mukerji reprises her widely loved character of Shivani Shivaji Roy, a daredevil cop who risks her life to save 93 young missing girls in a race against time. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra, Mardaani 3 continues the franchise’s tradition of socially relevant cinema. While Mardaani exposed the grim realities of human trafficking and Mardaani 2 explored the disturbing psyche of a serial rapist who challenged the system, Mardaani 3 delves into another dark and brutal reality of our society, further strengthening the franchise’s legacy of impactful, issue-based storytelling. Mardaani is the only hit female-led franchise of India and the only female-led cop franchise of India. Mardaani 3 is scheduled to release in theatres worldwide on January 30, 2026. Rani Mukerji is also celebrating 30 years of her glorious career with Mardaani 3, a milestone moment that has galvanised the entire film industry to come out and celebrate her legacy.
24 January,2026 04:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter unveiling the teaser, the makers of Battle of Galwan have finally dropped the video of Maatrubhumi, the first song from the album, offering audiences an emotionally charged and patriotic glimpse into the musical soul of the much-anticipated war drama. Subtle yet powerful, the song sets the tone for the film’s narrative while building strong anticipation ahead of the film’s release. Chitrangda's first look unveiled Chitrangda Singh’s first look from the much-anticipated film Battle of Galwan has also been unveiled through the newly released patriotic song. The glimpse offers a poignant introduction to her character and sets the narrative's emotional tone, steering clear of spectacle and focusing instead on warmth and emotion. In the visuals, Chitrangda is seen as a simple Indian woman, dressed in modest, traditional attire with minimal makeup, lending her presence a quiet, dignified grace. In the film, she essays the role of a soldier’s wife, the emotional backbone at home, representing countless families who serve the nation silently alongside their loved ones in uniform. Her ethereal look and emotional depth underline her strength as a soldier’s wife making her portrayal deeply relatable. Chitrangda playing the wife emerges as a perfect emotional counterpoint to Salman’s bravery as a soldier, bringing softness, stability, and emotional weight to the narrative, making this the perfect casting coup. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salman Khan Films Music (@salmankhanfilmsmusic) More about Maatrubhumi The song features Salman Khan as an Indian Army officer alongside Chitrangda Singh, with their on-screen pairing appearing refreshingly organic and instantly relatable. Portrayed as a family with two young children, the visuals move seamlessly between moments of warmth within their home and stark, stirring glimpses of the Galwan battlefield. As the family is seen singing Maatrubhumi, these domestic frames are intercut with scenes of duty and conflict, powerfully juxtaposing love, sacrifice, and service to the nation, thereby strengthening the song’s emotional and patriotic impact. Maatrubhumi serves as the emotional and patriotic anchor of Battle of Galwan. The song is composed by Himesh Reshammiya, widely regarded as a master of melodies, who once again delivers a tune that is both soulful and impactful. Speaking about the song, Himesh said, “Composing Maatrubhumi for Battle of Galwan was deeply emotional. Inspired by the rhythm and intensity of army beats, the song found its soul there. Collaborating with Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal was special, and of course reuniting with Salman Khan, also marking the music release from Salman Khan Films Music label makes it truly memorable.” Maatrubhumi is brought to life with lyrics by Sameer Anjaan, while the vocals are rendered by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal, two of the most celebrated voices in Indian music.
24 January,2026 03:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1769250015454_d.png "Harmanpreet Kaur reacts to Mardaani 3 trailer")
