Actress Mrunal Thakur channeled her inner singer in her latest social media post. She was seen humming the tunes of the Rubaroo track from her eagerly awaited drama, Dacoit, co-starring Adivi Sesh. Mrunal Thakur turns to singing Posing in a beautiful orange saree with a golden border, she completed her simple yet beautiful look with a golden necklace and matching jhumkas. She kept her makeup on the lighter side with a pink-toned lip color, some eyeliner, and complementary eye shadow. Mrunal further added a gajra to her half-tied hair. Taking to the Stories section of her official Instagram account, Mrunal added the text, "Not a singer, just emotionally sponsored by this song". She further included the hashtags #grammyloading and #inmydreams. Sharing the promo of the 'Rubaroo' track with the netizens, Mrunal wrote on social media, "When love felt invincible and forever #Rubaroo promo from #Dacoit out now. Full song on 27th February (sic)." The music lovers will be able to enjoy the complete track on Friday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mrunal Thakur (@mrunalthakur) About Dacoit Apart from Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur, the film also stars director and actor Anurag Kashyap in a powerful role. It will also feature Prakash Raj, Sunil, Atul Kulkarni, Zayn Marie Khan, and Kamakshi Bhaskarla, among others. The film has been produced by Supriya Yarlagadda, and Sunil Narang has taken on the responsibility of being its co-producer with Annapurna Studios presenting it. Danush Bhaskar is the cinematographer for the film, which has music by Bheems Ceciroleo and editing by Kodati Pavan Kalyan. Marking Shaneil Deo’s directorial debut, the film has been shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu. Its story and screenplay have been jointly crafted by Adivi Sesh and Shaneil Deo. Notably, the film was earlier scheduled to release in March 2026, however, it was postponed. It will now release in April 2026. Mrunal's latest release Meanwhile, Mrunal was recently seen as the leading lady opposite Siddhant Chaturvedi in Do Deewane Seher Mein, which reached the audience on February 20. Jointly produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Prerna Singh, Umesh Kumar Bansal, and Bharat Kumar Ranga under the Zee Studios, Rancorp Media, and Bhansali Productions banner, the romantic entertainer has been helmed by Ravi Udyawar.
25 February,2026 11:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Sharib Hashmi recently opened up about missing out on key roles in two major Bollywood films. He added that the rejections and disappointments continue to remain as lingering regrets in his career. Sharib is best known for the role of JK Talpade in the highly acclaimed web series The Family Man, headlined by Manoj Bajpayee. Sharib Hashmi recalls being rejected for Sanju, Bajrangi Bhaijaan During a recent interview, Sharib revealed that he had auditioned multiple times for the role of Kamli in Sanju, a biopic on Sanjay Dutt helmed by Rajkumar Hirani. However, the part eventually went to Vicky Kaushal and went on to become one of the film’s most loved performances. Opening up about the opportunities, Sharib told Filmigyan, “Mujhe Sanju ka ek bada afsos hai, jo role kiya tha Kamli ka, uske liye mein kaafi shortlist hua tha, kaafi time tak chal raha tha. To vo ek afsos hai. Fir Bajrangi Bhaijaan me jo Nawazuddin Siddiqui ne kiya tha, uske liye bhi mene audition diya tha aur shortlist hua tha, kuch rounds of audition hue the mere, but vo naseeb ki baat hai. (One big regret I have is Sanju. For the role of Kamli, I was shortlisted, and the process lasted quite some time. So that remains a regret. Then, for Bajrangi Bhaijaan, the role that Nawazuddin Siddiqui played, I had auditioned for that as well and was shortlisted. I went through a few rounds of auditions, but that’s a matter of destiny).” Sanju, which was released in 2018, starred Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role as Sanjay Dutt. Vicky Kaushal’s portrayal of Kamli, a fictionalised version of Sanjay’s close friend Paresh Ghelani, was highly appreciated for its emotional depth and loyal arc. On the other hand, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, directed by Kabir Khan, was headlined by Salman Khan. Nawazuddin Siddiqui played Chand Nawab in the film, a quirky Pakistani TV journalist who helps Bajrangi in reuniting a mute Indian girl with her family across the border. About Sharib Hashmi Sharib Hashmi shot to fame for his portrayal of JK, a close friend to Manoj Bajpayee's Srikant Tiwari in The Family Man series. Most recently, he was seen in Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, a spy comedy film backed by Aamir Khan and directed by Vir Das. He was also seen in Gustaakh Ishq, a romantic drama produced by Manish Malhotra, alongside Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh. Beyond films, Sharib has also returned to writing with a recent stage play in collaboration with Tannishtha Chatterjee, marking a significant creative milestone in his theatre journey. Next, he will also be seen in Welcome To Jungle, which stars an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Raveena Tandon, among others.
25 February,2026 09:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn an exclusive chat, actor Ali Hassan, who plays the prime antagonist in Border 2, opened up about sharing screen space with Sunny Deol and why the experience meant so much to him. Calling the film “all about Sunny Deol,” Ali said, “Of course it was an ensemble cast and I won’t deny they were amazing too. But if it wasn’t for Sunny Deol, Border wouldn’t have been a franchise.” He added, “I was very fortunate that I got to be a part of this amazing project, Border 2.” Ali Hassan on working with Sunny Deol While he did not share scenes with Varun Dhawan or Ahaan Shetty, Ali cherished the opportunity to work closely with Deol. “I got to work with Sunny Sir. What an amazing person he is. The energy he carries at the age he is… I used to keep looking at him. I used to forget what I had to do in the scene and just admire him while we performed together,” he admitted. Having grown up watching the veteran star, Ali described the moment as surreal. “I’ve grown up watching him and his films. To just be in the same frame as him wasn’t easy. And then again, to be cast opposite him as an antagonist, which makes me the main antagonist of Border 2, was like a dream come true. I don’t think many people can say that, although I’ve done two movies before.” The role, he shared, was physically demanding. “The role was very hectic. But it was great. Let me tell you, all the action that you see in the film, everything, I did not use a stunt double. It was done all by me. And the experience has been beyond words for me.” Ali Hassan shares a heartfelt anecdote Ali also spoke about his initial doubts. “I’m open about the fact that I have only been in television. I’ve not even approached much on the movie side. So when they thought of me, I was thrilled and excited. But frankly speaking, I was very sceptical.” He recalled being told, “Ali, you’re the central antagonist.” Laughing, he said, “I said, okay, I’ll take your word for it.” When Border 2 released, the response overwhelmed him. “The kind of reaction I got from people, the kind of love messages I got… I was like, ‘Whoa. This is something else. This is unreal.’ I was shivering for two days.” Reflecting on destiny, he shared a throwback memory. “Twelve years back, Sunny paaji had come on CID for promotion, and guess who was the villain in that particular episode? It was me.” Smiling at the full circle moment, he said, “It was not the first time that I met him. I worked with him then also. And ten years later I am working with him in the biggest war franchise ever.” Recalling Deol’s reaction, Ali revealed, “When I showed it to him, he was like, ‘How many years have passed? Twelve years have passed. When are you coming back?’ He was a gem of a person back then and now too.”
25 February,2026 08:03 PM IST | Mumbai | Shruti SampatVeteran writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar has shared his thoughts on Anubhav Sinha’s latest release Assi. The film was released in theatres on February 20 and stars Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti in the lead roles. According to a report in India Today, the 80-year-old lauded the film, saying that it compels viewers to think. Javed Akhtar reviews Assi Javed Akhtar reportedly said, “Some pictures touch your heart. Some films operate on an intellectual level- they engage your mind. But very few films manage to touch both your heart and your mind at the same time. I believe Assi is one such film.” The lyricist added that the film will leave a strong impact on audiences and raise important questions before society. “On one level, it is a deeply emotional story that will resonate with ordinary people. But on another level, it leaves behind some very serious questions. It does not hand out easy answers. Instead, it places those questions before society,” he said. Akhtar further stated that the film has been made in a graceful manner and will make viewers reflect on their surroundings. “Anyone who thinks deeply, who pays attention to what is happening around us, will walk away from this film reflecting on it. It has been narrated in a very graceful and compelling manner. Ultimately, the film leaves you with both answers and questions,” he concluded. About Assi Based on harrowing everyday news, Anubhav Sinha’s Assi is a film that makes audiences confront uncomfortable truths often ignored. Alongside Taapsee and Kani, the film features Revathy, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, with special appearances by Naseeruddin Shah, Supriya Pathak, and Seema Pahwa. In an earlier statement, Anubhav Sinha said, “For me, my film has to hit the core of the story. With Assi, it felt like a loud thud exactly where it should. That impact compelled me to make this film. The story draws from everyday news- realities we often choose to ignore. To tell a story like this, Taapsee is a natural; you just take her there and she delivers her best. And with Bhushan Kumar backing a film like Assi, we know we’re striking the nail in the right place.”
25 February,2026 07:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Daisy Shah is currently working on a film being directed by singer-turned-filmmaker Palaash Muchhal. Palaash was in the news last year for his wedding with Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana, which was eventually called off. The two were set to tie the knot in November but reportedly called it off on the day of the wedding. Amid the controversies surrounding him, Daisy has described Palaash as a “good person.” Daisy Shah calls Palaash Muchhal a good person In an interview with Filmygyan, Daisy said she came in contact with Palash through his sister, singer Palak Muchhal, who had sung a song in her film Jai Ho. Speaking about Palaash, Daisy said, “Palaash is very good as a person. In fact, I have met him a couple of times. Palak had done a song for Jai Ho, so I have known her since then. I frequently attend parties at Palak’s home for birthdays and Ganpati pooja, and that’s how I met Palash. That’s how I got to know that he is a music composer and a director.” Further talking about the Muchhal family, Daisy added, “I met his family — a beautiful family. They are very grounded and believe in God. I think that is the good part about them. Those who believe in God are positive people.” About Palaash and Smriti Mandhana Palash Muchhal and Smriti Mandhana were set to tie the knot on November 23, 2025, after dating for several years. However, the wedding was later called off, which Mandhana confirmed through a social media post. After the wedding was called off, the internet was abuzz with speculative theories, with many assuming that Palash was found cheating on Smriti during the wedding festivities. Weeks later, Smriti issued an official statement regarding the matter. “Over the past few weeks, there has been plenty of speculation around my life, and I feel it is important for me to speak out at this time. I am a very private person and would like to keep it that way, but I need to clarify that the wedding has been called off. I would like to close this matter here and implore all of you to do the same. I request you to please respect the privacy of both families at this time and allow us the space to process and move on at our own pace,” her post read.
25 February,2026 07:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Urvashi Rautela is known for leading an extravagant lifestyle. She has often flaunted expensive jewellery, accessories, outfits and outings. The actress turned 32 on February 25 and celebrated her birthday with an extravagant cake. Urvashi's expensive birthday cake Urvashi reportedly celebrated her birthday with a massive seven-tier cake studded with diamonds. The diamonds allegedly took the total value of the cake to Rs 16 crore. The actress took to her social media handle to give a look at the massive cake that stood tall in her apartment as she got ready for her birthday celebration. The cake was black in colour with gold-plated designs over it. In between the cake tiers were large diamonds. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Urvashi Rautela (@urvashirautela) Urvashi Rautela’s luxury lifestyle Her lavish birthday cake does not come as a surprise, as the actress frequently makes headlines for her ultra-luxurious lifestyle. Last year, she became the owner of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan worth Rs 12 crore. She also added a green Mercedes G-Wagon, reportedly worth Rs 5 crore, to her collection. Urvashi's kind act on her birthday Along with her grand celebration, Urvashi marked her birthday with a meaningful gesture. She supported the marriage of 251 underprivileged girls at Bageshwar Dham, helping families facing financial difficulties. She attended the ceremony, interacted with the brides, offered blessings, and provided financial and material support. The initiative brought joy and relief to hundreds of families. Urvashi Rautela's work front Urvashi Rautela enjoyed a busy 2025 with notable releases such as the Telugu action drama Daaku Maharaaj co-starring Nandamuri Balakrishna. The film which earned significant box-office attention also got Rautela in the news for her performance in the song 'Dabidi Dibidi. Later in the year, she also appeared in Ghuspaithiya, a Hindi crime drama, and continued her high-visibility presence at global events like Cannes. Looking ahead, Urvashi has a packed slate of projects including high-profile films like Indian 3 with Kamal Haasan, Kasoor 2, and Welcome 3 with Akshay Kumar. She is also lined up for roles in Baap and Inspector Avinash 2, an international music video, and a biopic portraying legendary actress Parveen Babi.
25 February,2026 06:54 PM IST | MumbaiThe Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered the producers of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond to halt the release the film until the petitions challenging the release are finally heard and cleared. The film was initially planned to release on February 27, 2026. However, now the release date remains uncertain. High Court stalls the release of The Kerala Story 2 Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, who was hearing the suit, ordered the release to be stalled while considering three petitions which sought the cancellation of the certificate granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on the ground that the movie misrepresents the state of Kerala and might provoke communal disharmony in the region. As the Court's sitting hours ended for the day, Senior Advocate S Sreekumar informed the Court that the movie is slated for release this Friday, February 27 and that the overseas rights have already been sold for distribution. The judge stated that he will hear all parties before passing the order. He added that the film's release may be put on hold till the hearing is complete. "Then you can stall it right now. If you are putting the Court into a corner then I will state until we complete the hearing...I will give you enough and more time, you can argue but don't release it till the arguments are over...I will take up the matter tomorrow but I don't want them (petitioners) to come back tomorrow and say that you have already given the rights….without concluding the arguments; I can’t. Don’t make the entire issue infructuous…let them not give out the right or anything before the Court takes decision. The apprehension expressed by the petitioners is probably genuine, so once they release the rights tomorrow, then what is the point?" Justice Thomas remarked. The Kerala Story 2 controversy The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond is a sequel to the controversial Hindi film, The Kerala Story (2019), which showed the alleged recruitment of women from Kerala into the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The ongoing petitions came amid continuing controversy surrounding the sequel. All three petitions filed before the Court have challenged the certification granted to The Kerala Story 2 on the ground that it shows Kerala in a communal light and that it could disturb the law and order situation. The petitioners have argued that the film's title and promotional materials unfairly stigmatise the State. One of the petitions was filed by Kannur native Sreedev Namboodiri, who alleged that the movie's promotional content contained themes and dialogues that could possibly incite violence. Similarly, another petition filed by Freddie V Francis seeks a ban on the film's release and challenges the use of the name Kerala in the title. The third petition, by Advocate Atul Roy, also challenged the certification granted by CBFC and sought to rename the film to remove Kerala from the title.
25 February,2026 06:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPriyanka Chopra is currently filming for S. S. Rajamouli’s Varanasi, which will mark her return to Indian cinema after a long time. During the promotions of her recently released film The Bluff, Priyanka shared what audiences can expect from Varanasi and how long the shoot will last. Priyanka Chopra on Varanasi shoot update In an interview during the promotions of The Bluff, Priyanka was asked about Varanasi, a much-awaited film. S. S. Rajamouli is one of India’s biggest filmmakers and has represented the country globally with films like RRR and Baahubali. Talking about Varanasi, Priyanka said, “This movie is going to be one of India’s biggest ambitions. It’s positioned in an incredible way — we travel through time, we travel the world. It is an adventure; it is really cool. I am very excited for the world to see it. We have shot for over 14 months now, and there are six more months to go intermittently. He takes his time. From whatever little I am allowed to see, I think it is going to be very cool and defining for Indian cinema.” Priyanka Chopra calls Varanasi ‘career-defining’ project Earlier, speaking with AP, the actor said she believes Varanasi will be “really career-defining” for her. She added, “The filmmaker’s name is S. S. Rajamouli, sir, and he is one of the best that we have in India. His movie is going to be really career-defining for me, I think. I am very excited about it.” A few days earlier, she had said that the film is “unlike anything” she has ever done. She also revealed one condition she put forward to Rajamouli: “I was like, ‘Listen, I’m coming back to Indian movies. I have to do a dance song. You have to make me dance.’” More about Varanasi Priyanka has been roped in as the leading lady, Mandakini, in the much-awaited drama. The first-look poster featured her holding a pistol while wearing a yellow saree. Apart from her, the project will also see Mahesh Babu playing Rudhra and Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha. The S. S. Rajamouli directorial is slated to release on April 7, 2027.
25 February,2026 05:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Priyanka Chopra Jonas is currently busy promoting her film, The Bluff, which also stars Karl Urban. The film began streaming on Prime Video on February 25. On the eve of the film's release, Priyanka surprised her fans by arriving unannounced at a theatre in New York City, where the film was being screened. The moment was undoubtedly turned unforgettable for the fans as stunned moviegoers captured the moment and sent social media into a frenzy. Priyanka Chopra surprised fans at The Bluff screening Several videos and pictures of Priyanka and Karl from the press shows of the film have been doing the rounds on the internet. However, on February 24, Priyanka decided to walk into a fully-packed theatre at the screening of The Bluff and personally meet the audience watching her film. In no time, the visuals of her visit went viral on the internet. In the videos, she can be seen interacting with the fans and thanking them for their support. This week might be one of the busiest I've had this month, but hey, Priyanka Chopra-Jones showed up at our screening of THE BLUFF! (and that's why I was wondering why it took 40 minutes to start 😅) pic.twitter.com/VEfJagnTve — Christopher Gallardo (@chrisagwrites) February 25, 2026 One of the fans present in the theatre shared the video of her visit on social media and wrote, “This week might be one of the busiest I’ve had this month, but hey, Priyanka Chopra-Jones showed up at our screening of THE BLUFF! (and that’s why I was wondering why it took 40 minutes to start.)" Those present at the screening described the atmosphere as electric. Chopra was seen exchanging heartfelt words and taking time to acknowledge the audience. About The Bluff The Bluff stars Chopra in a gritty, action-driven role as a former pirate who will go to any lengths to protect her daughter. The film’s trailer starts on a deceptively calm evening at a remote home. Intruders disrupt the peace, and in a tense turn of events, Chopra’s character hides her daughter in the basement as she confronts the attackers head-on. The film is produced by AGBO Studios in association with Amazon MGM Studios, marking another association between the studios and Chopra after Citadel. Apart from The Bluff, Priyanka will be making her comeback to Indian movies with SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus Varanasi. She will be seen sharing screen with Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the film, which will hit theatres on April 7, 2027.
25 February,2026 05:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Sandeepa Dhar opened up about the unrealistic beauty standards for females in the entertainment industry and whether they push actresses toward cosmetic procedures. Sandeepa Dhar on the pressure to undergo cosmetic procedures Sandeepa stated that these cosmetic procedures are now not only limited to actresses, but common women who are not public figures are also undergoing the knife to feel more confident about their appearance. Sandeepa was asked, "Do you feel actresses face additional pressure to appear flawless? And do beauty standards sometimes push them toward cosmetic procedures?" Answering the question, she told IANS, " It is not limited to actresses anymore. Many young women who are not in the public eye are opting for cosmetic procedures. Earlier, people assumed only film stars did it, but today it has become common." She added that these days every woman wishes to feel like the heroine of her own story. However, Sandeepa warned that it is a dangerous path if it stems from feeling inadequate. "We are creating unrealistic beauty standards that make people believe they are not enough. This needs to change, and it will only change when our immediate circles—friends and family—encourage us to embrace ourselves as we are," she went on to explain. Sandeepa concluded, pointing out that comparison truly is the thief of joy. "You can never be happy if you constantly measure your life against someone else’s", she shared. Sandeepa Dhar on Do Deewane Seher Mein Work-wise, Sandeepa recently graced the screen with Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur's Do Deewane Seher Mein. Revealing why she decided to be a part of the movie, Sandeepa said, "There were a few reasons why I decided to be part of the film. The first, of course, was the story. After a long time, someone was making a sweet love story that is not typical. It is about two flawed individuals and how they gradually embrace their imperfections and learn to accept each other. That felt refreshing to me. There are very few stories where the hero and heroine are aware of their flaws and still choose acceptance." "The second reason was my character, Naina. On the surface, she appears perfect, and her life seems flawless. But internally, she is lonely and emotionally broken. The film explores her journey in depth. Portraying that dichotomy—looking perfect on the outside while carrying turmoil within—was both challenging and exciting for me as an actor", she added.
25 February,2026 04:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRecently, at the trailer launch of Subedaar, actor Anil Kapoor spoke about how his family- including his wife Sunita and their three children- keeps him grounded. He revealed that no one treats him like a celebrity at home and even shared that he occasionally asks his wife for pocket money before heading to a shoot. Anil Kapoor on family keeping him grounded Talking about how his family keeps him grounded, Kapoor said, “No one is my fan at home. As I was leaving today for the trailer launch, I told my wife I was heading out. She asked, ‘Which film?’ She has no idea what’s happening in my professional life- and that’s the kind of family I come from. They treat me exactly the same. Sometimes I even ask for Rs 10,000–15,000 in cash before going for a shoot.” Kapoor has often spoken highly of his wife Sunita, crediting her for playing a significant role in his journey as an actor. He has previously shared that during their dating years, Sunita supported him financially while he was struggling to establish himself in the industry. About Subedaar The trailer of Subedaar plunges into India’s rugged heartland, where illegal sand mining fuels a land ruled by fear and silence. Retired Subedaar Arjun Maurya returns -disciplined, battle-scarred, and grieving- until his path collides with Prince (Aditya Rawal). Kapoor anchors the film with simmering intensity, delivering the powerful line, “Fauji hai, seene mein goli jhel sakte hai, beizzati nahi.” What follows is a tense and brutal face-off, while his strained relationship with his daughter Shyama (Radhikka Madan) deepens the emotional stakes. Gritty yet deeply human, the film promises a searing clash of ego, pain, and survival. Speaking about the role, Kapoor said, “Playing Subedaar Arjun Maurya has been one of the most powerful and emotionally demanding experiences of my career. The character is defined by discipline, sacrifice, and deep personal loss. It also marks my first collaboration with Suresh Triveni, Vikram Malhotra and Prime Video. Their commitment to scale and authenticity gave us the freedom to tell this story with the intensity it deserves.”
25 February,2026 03:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
