Actor Jaaved Jaaferi is currently gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Mayasabha. During the promotions of his upcoming film, the actor took time to reflect on the changes in the industry. He shared his take on the changes that he has witnessed in the industry in his four-decade-long career. Notably, Jaaved has worked across different roles in the industry, and he feels that the industry is driven by changes like everything else in this world. Jaaved Jaaferi about AR Rahman's comments While speaking to IANS, Jaaved was asked if he had sensed anything similar to the claims made by the Oscar and Grammy-winning music composer A. R. Rahman about religious discrimination in the industry. The actor drifted the conversation towards larger industry practices, saying, "Industry has changed like the world has changed. Digital. Al. The world is changing. Fashion is changing, food is changing. Values are changing. Obviously, the narrative is changing. I just came to know recently that the attention span of Gen Z or Alpha is 6 seconds". He further added, "Channel heads says that if you cannot capture it in 6 seconds, it's gone. It's how rapidly we are changing. That's it. Fine. There has been some structure. There have been some opportunities. You can narrate a story in long-format, in a film, you get limited time. There are choices but at the same time, there is business. There are numbers. You are making a project. Not a film". AR Rahman's controversial remark Meanwhile, the controversy around AR Rahman erupted after his statement in a recent interview about his experience working in the Hindi film industry. During a recent interaction with BBC Asian Network, Rahman spoke about getting limited work offers in Bollywood. He suggested that over the past eight years, a shift in power dynamics and "communal" factors, meaning issues tied to religion, regional identity, and industry politics, may have influenced the types of opportunities he received in Bollywood. His comments sparked a strong public and media backlash, with many interpreting his words as implying discrimination or bias within the industry. Following the uproar, Rahman issued a video clarification, stressing that his intentions were misunderstood and that he "never meant to hurt anyone". He described India as his inspiration and reaffirmed that his music is rooted in unity and cultural celebration. (With inputs from IANS)
22 January,2026 09:14 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIf the mammoth success of Saiyaara (2025) has taught the Hindi film industry something, it’s that the audience wants to see young love on screen. Not surprisingly then, there’s another in the making. mid-day has exclusively learnt that producers Atul Kasbekar and Tanuj Garg of Neerja (2016) fame are in talks with actors Rohit Saraf, Nitanshi Goel, and Rasha Thadani for an intense love story. Atul Kasbekar and Tanuj Garg An insider shares, “Rohit has a soft, romantic charm, far from the alpha heroes we see on screen today. His popularity has only increased with Mismatched. Nitanshi and Rasha caught the audience’s attention with their respective maiden Bollywood ventures, Laapataa Ladies [2024] and Azaad [2025]. The makers felt it would be interesting to bring the trio together in a space that they haven’t explored before.” While discussions with the actors are said to be progressing swiftly, we’ve heard the makers have yet to zero in on a director. Seen there, done that Rasha Thadani: in ‘Azaad’; Rohit Saraf: in ‘Mismatched’; Nitanshi Goel: in ‘Laapataa Ladies’
22 January,2026 07:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaOver the past few days, rumours have intensified about the teaser of ‘Salaar: Part 2 — Shouryaanga Parvam’ dropping online on January 25, leading social media to go into overdrive about the Prabhas-starrer. However, insiders close to the production have told mid-day that the much-hyped sequel to director Prashanth Neel’s ‘Salaar: Part 1 — Ceasefire’ (2023) is not happening anytime soon. “The sequel hasn’t even entered the discussion stage yet, let alone a shoot timeline,” said a source associated with the action thriller. In fact, Prabhas’s next to go on floors is the period war drama ‘Fauji’, directed by Hanu Raghavapudi. According to insiders, the actor is expected to kick off the project next week in Hyderabad, juggling it with filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Spirit’. The source added, “Prabhas will be managing ‘Fauji’ and ‘Spirit’ together for the foreseeable future. The fate of ‘Salaar 2’ will be decided only after the director wraps his current project with Jr NTR, and Prabhas’s dates free up. That is likely to happen sometime in 2027.” mid-day reached out to Hombale Films, the production house behind ‘Salaar’, which didn’t respond till press time. Prashanth Neel and Jr NTR ‘Salaar’ director Prashanth Neel is currently busy with his pan-India action film, reportedly titled ‘Dragon’. It stars Jr NTR, Tovino Thomas, and Anil Kapoor
22 January,2026 07:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar Basu‘Abuses have poetry’ Actors Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri launched the trailer of O’Romeo in Mumbai on Wednesday (Jan 21). While the trailer drew a largely positive response, a section of viewers questioned its heavy use of expletives and violence. Responding to the criticism, director Vishal Bhardwaj described the film as “a love story with a violent backdrop” and opposed censoring abusive language. Calling cinema “a mirror”, he said such elements reflect society, adding that “abuses have poetry” if used properly, a trait often seen in his films. Age is just a number (L-R) Sara Arjun and Ranveer Singh in ‘Dhurandhar’. Pic/Instagram Actor Sara Arjun has addressed the discussion around the nearly 20-year age gap between her and Ranveer Singh in Dhurandhar (2025), saying she was confident about the casting from the start. Speaking about the reaction, Sara said she “knew it was justified” once she heard the narration and understood the context of the characters. She added that the age difference is integral to the story and not used as a gimmick. Emphasising her trust in the director’s vision, Sara said the narrative demanded such casting choices. She also shared that staying away from social platforms helped her shut out the surrounding “noise” and stay focused.
22 January,2026 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamAfter doing the rounds of international film festivals, director Varun Tandon’s Thursday Special is readying for its date with the Indian audience. That filmmakers Vikramaditya Motwane and Shoojit Sircar have come on board as presenters is presumably an indicator of the short film’s merit. While grateful for their belief in his work, Tandon says that such support is not rare in the industry. “The real challenge for indie filmmakers is the making. At that point, you have to be strong enough to pull through without support and with whatever resources you have. Once the film is made, many people in the industry are helpful and generous. It’s not fair to assume that people don’t support such stories. On a personal level, it feels like a pat on my back to receive support from Shoojit sir and Vikram sir,” he shares. Anubha Fatehpuria in the short film Starring Ramakant Dayama and Anubha Fatehpuria, the short film tells the story of an aged married couple who bond over their love for food and a cherished Thursday ritual. “One of Shoojit sir’s first responses was that it reminded him of his film Shoebite,” says Tandon. That comparison could feel alarming, given that the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer hasn’t released to date, but the director views it differently. “I haven’t been able to watch it since it’s not available anywhere, but just hearing him make that comparison was touching. His Piku [2015] is one of my favourite Hindi movies. Shoebite stars Amitabh Bachchan. So, just being mentioned in the same universe is special for me.” A still from ‘Shoebite’ that remains unreleased due to legal issues Today, Indian cinema is all about scale and spectacle. Does he think an intimate story like Thursday Special will find an audience? The director is hopeful, as he reasons, “The story is about love, ageing, companionship, and what it means to spend so much time with one person. These are universal emotions. As long as humans feel, think, and have a heart, stories like these will resonate. With the film releasing on YouTube, I want as many people as possible to watch it.” Jan 29When ‘Thursday Special’ will be released on YouTube Who is Varun Tandon? . The independent filmmaker previously wrote and directed short films ‘Syaahi’ (2017) and ‘Noor’ (2012). ‘Syaahi’ won the Special Jury Award (Non-Feature Film) at the 63rd National Film Awards
22 January,2026 07:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuLate industrialist Sunjay Kapur’s wife, Priya Kapur, has been fighting a legal battle with his family over the ownership of his Rs 30,000 crore estate. As per the latest development, Rani Kapur has now filed a fresh case in the Delhi High Court against her daughter-in-law Priya Kapur and actress Karisma Kapoor’s children, Samaira and Kiaan. Alleging fraud, forgery, and misuse of her vulnerable condition, she has sought restoration of her assets. Rani Kapur moves Delhi HC Late industrialist Sunjay Kapur's mother has approached the Delhi High Court seeking that their family trust be declared "null and void". In her lawsuit, 80-year-old Rani Kapur said the trust, which was constituted in her name in October 2017, was a product of "forged, fabricated, and fraudulent" documents. She has sought a direction to permanently restrain the defendants—her daughter-in-law Priya Kapur and others, including grandchildren—from utilizing or acting in furtherance of the "RK Family Trust" in any manner whatsoever. Her plea said she was the sole beneficiary of the entire estate of her late husband, Surinder Kapur, who was the promoter of various businesses, including the Sona Group of Companies, and that a "systematic fraud" was committed on her when the assets were transferred to the "RK Family Trust". Till the time of his demise, Sunjay never confirmed to Rani Kapur that she had actually been divested of all her rights, assets, and legacy, and never provided a copy of the purported RK Family Trust to her, the plea claimed. Sunjay Kapur's two children with actor Karisma Kapoor, his second wife, are also parties to the lawsuit. The suit alleges that after suffering a stroke in September 2017, the plaintiff became physically and emotionally dependent on her son Sunjay Kapur and his third wife, Priya Kapur. Taking advantage of her vulnerable medical condition, the defendants are alleged to have acted in concert to secretly divert her assets into the RK Family Trust without her free, informed, or conscious consent. Terming the entire episode as one founded on fraud, forgery, and abuse of trust, Kapur has urged the court to restore her estate and family legacy, contending that the actions complained of amount to a calculated conspiracy to dispossess an elderly widow and super senior citizen of her lifetime assets and inheritance. Priya Kapur files defamation case against Mandhira Amid this, the Patiala Court in Delhi has issued a notice to industrialist Sunjay Kapur’s sister, Mandhira Kapur Smith, based on a defamation suit filed by his wife, Priya Kapur. The complaint alleged that a ‘sustained and coordinated campaign’ of defamatory statements was made by Mandhira in television interviews, podcasts, and digital media platforms. Priya claimed that these were ‘direct imputations’ on her ‘integrity, professional competence, and legitimacy’. About Sunjay’s property dispute Sunjay Kapur passed away on June 12 after collapsing during a polo match in England. He reportedly suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. A plea by Karisma Kapoor's two children challenging the authenticity of the purported will of their late father is also pending in the High Court, with the kids accusing his wife, Priya Kapur, of being "greedy".
21 January,2026 10:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTurkish actor Hande Erçel has firmly denied viral claims suggesting that she referred to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan as “uncle,” putting an end to a wave of online speculation and backlash. The controversy erupted following the Joy Awards held in Riyadh, where both Erçel and Khan were present, and a short video clip featuring the Turkish star filming at the event began circulating widely on social media. Hande reacted to the post Soon after, a screenshot allegedly taken from Hande Erçel’s Instagram story went viral. The image claimed she had written, “Who is this uncle? I was just filming Amina Khalil. I am not his fan. Please stop spreading false information.” The post triggered outrage among Shah Rukh Khan’s fans, with many accusing the actor of being disrespectful toward the global icon. However, Hande Erçel was quick to shut down the rumour. Responding directly to the circulating screenshot, she clarified that the post was not authentic. In a brief but clear statement, the actor stated, “This is fake,” categorically denying that she made any such comment about Shah Rukh Khan. Her response helped curb the growing misinformation and brought clarity to the situation. Sources close to the event revealed that Erçel was, in fact, filming her friend and fellow actor Amina Khalil, who was co hosting the awards ceremony alongside Shah Rukh Khan. The misunderstanding appears to have stemmed from incorrect assumptions made by social media users who believed the camera was pointed at Khan, leading to the false narrative. What had happened? Following her clarification, several fans rallied in support of Hande Erçel, condemning the spread of fake screenshots and misinformation. Many appreciated her decision to address the issue promptly and directly, while others highlighted how easily false content can be manipulated and circulated online. The incident once again underscores the challenges public figures face in the age of viral content, where unverified screenshots and edited posts can spark unnecessary controversy within minutes. With her denial, Hande Erçel has effectively put the matter to rest, reminding audiences of the importance of fact checking before drawing conclusions. As the dust settles, the focus shifts back to celebrating the global appeal of both stars, whose presence at the international awards ceremony had otherwise been a moment of cross cultural admiration rather than conflict.
21 January,2026 09:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj have collaborated for the fourth time for the actioner O’Romeo. The director and star cast were present at the grand trailer launch event. When asked about how Shahid came on board for the project, he revealed that Sajid Nadiadwala called him and not Vishal Bhardwaj. During the interaction, Bhardwaj mentioned Priyanka Chopra’s name, which left everyone amused. Shahid on collaborating with Vishal Bhardwaj At the trailer launch of O’Romeo, Shahid revealed that it was producer Sajid Nadiadwala who called him to offer the part. “I feel fortunate to be a part of his filmography. I’m thankful to him for calling me after seven-eight years of us not working together. But to be honest, I got the call from Sajid bhai and not Vishal sir. He said that this is a film I should have in my filmography. I would like to thank him for offering and bringing it to me,” Shahid said while addressing the media. His remarks drew a sharp response from Vishal, who told him, “Kyunki tumne mere message ke jawaab nahi diye the.” Reacting to him, Shahid quipped, “Sir, aisa ho sakta hai ki maine na diya ho? Rekha [Bhardwaj] ma’am, don’t you feel like your marriage is a simpler relationship than my equation with him? I’m his first wife.” Vishal thereafter played along with Shahid and added, “PeeCee [Priyanka Chopra Jonas] would ask Rekha how she can live with a person like me.” To this, Shahid remarked, “No comment.” About Shahid and Priyanka Shahid’s reaction caught everyone’s attention, as he was rumoured to be dating the actress after they starred in Kaminey. They later shared screen space in Teri Meri Kahani as well. The duo also appeared during an episode of Koffee with Karan with Kareena Kapoor, where she hinted at their equation. As Priyanka feigned ignorance on questions about the actor, Karan asked, “Oh, are we still denying it?” Kareena chimed in, “Well, you can tell us now.” Priyanka’s only answer was, “I’m not denying or accepting.” Shahid had also commented on their relationship in a Rapid Fire round. When Karan Johar asked which relationship’s memories he would like to delete—Priyanka or Kareena—Shahid retorted, “See, my relationship with Kareena was longer and with Priyanka, it was shorter. I think the man that I am today is because of all the experiences that I’ve had. So I wouldn’t want to delete any of the memories. It’s taught me a lot.”
21 January,2026 07:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShahid Kapoor’s O’Romeo is one of the most anticipated films of 2026. The film draws inspiration from the life of dreaded gangster Hussain Ustara. A few days back, reports were rife that his daughter had legally threatened the makers for the wrong portrayal of her father. Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has now addressed the claim and stated why he didn’t take any permission. Vishal Bharadwaj on legal issue He said at the trailer launch, “There is a book called Mafia Queens of Mumbai. Hussain Zaidi has written that story. I took the rights of that story and made a film on it. I didn't think because that story is based on that story. The characters are the same, but there is a lot of fiction in it. Hussain Zaidi must have taken that permission or should have taken it. I didn't think I needed it because it's based on a story which is part of a book. The film didn't happen before, and it's finally happened now." He further spoke about how O’Romeo was a different story with another cast. “Actually, the script was also different. When it was cast, the script was also different. I'm telling you, this story has reached here by being made. Its name is O’Romeo. Otherwise, I would have never thought that the name of this film would be O’Romeo when I read this story for the first time. This script is not mine at all, so it has nothing to do with those previous things.” About O’Romeo controversy Sanober Sheikh, the daughter of Hussain Ustara (whose life has reportedly inspired the film), has slapped the makers of O’Romeo with a legal notice. Sanober claims the film offers a wrong portrayal of her father and has demanded Rs 2 crore in compensation. She denied reports that her family threatened the makers of the upcoming film O’Romeo, saying they have resorted only to legal action and are asking for a pre-release screening to ensure an accurate portrayal of her father’s life. For those unversed, the film also stars Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar, Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia, Farida Jalal, and Disha Patani, with Vikrant Massey in a special appearance. O’Romeo is slated for a theatrical release on 13th February 2026, during Valentine’s Week.
21 January,2026 06:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKnown composer and singer AR Rahman has been grabbing headlines lately. His comments about not getting work, power dynamics, and 'communal' bias in the industry went viral. Amid this controversy, an old video interview of Ram Gopal Varma went viral, in which he claimed that the Oscar-winning song Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire was composed by Sukhwinder Singh and not Rahman. However, the filmmaker, on Wednesday, took to X (Twitter) to reveal that he is being 'misquoted'. RGV claims he was misquoted The controversy resurfaced after a video from an old interview with RGV went viral. Responding to the discussions, Varma posted on X, writing, "To all concerned... I am being misquoted and misread out of context in the matter of the Jai Ho song... In my view @arrahman is the greatest composer and the nicest human being I ever met and he’s the last person to take away anybody’s credit. I hope this puts an end to the negativism surrounding the issue (sic)." To all concerned .. I am being misquoted and misread out of context in the matter of the Jai ho song . .. in my view @arrahman is the greatest composer and the nicest human being I ever met and he’s the last person to take away anybody’s credit ..I hope this puts an end to the… — Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) January 21, 2026 About Ram Gopal Varma’s statements RGV recalled in an interview an incident from the sets of Yuvvraaj involving AR Rahman and Subhash Ghai. He said Rahman, known for delays, arrived from the airport and heard a song composed by Sukhwinder Singh, which he appreciated. When Rahman asked if Ghai liked the track, the filmmaker allegedly got angry and reminded Rahman of his hefty fee. Rahman reportedly responded that Ghai was paying for his name, not just his work. Varma added, "Sukhwinder told me that Rahman later called him and asked him to complete the song and email it to him. That was it. Then, one year later, Rahman's manager sent a cheque for 5 lakhs to Sukhwinder, and he asked why. The manager said, 'You made a song for Rahman and Rahman sold it to a party, and this 5 lakh is your share.' Who did Rahman sell the song to? Slumdog Millionaire. And the song Jai Ho." About communal remark row Talking about Rahman’s controversy, during an interview with BBC Asian Network, he was asked whether he ever felt prejudice in Bollywood as a Tamil composer. He said, “Maybe I never got to know of this, maybe it was concealed by God, but I didn’t feel any of this. The past eight years, maybe, because a power shift has happened, and people who are not creative have the power now. It might be a communal thing also, but it is not in my face.” Several celebs, including Javed Akhtar, Kangana Ranaut, Shaan, Manoj Tiwari, and Paresh Rawal, have reacted to the statement and condemned it.
21 January,2026 05:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood superstar Salman Khan has been issued a notice by the Delhi High Court in a case related to the protection of his personality and publicity rights. The court has directed the actor to file his response within four weeks after a China based artificial intelligence voice generation platform challenged an earlier interim order that was passed in Salman’s favour. The matter is scheduled to be heard next on February 27. Delhi High Court issues notice The case stems from Salman Khan approaching the Delhi High Court seeking protection against the alleged unauthorised use of his name, image, voice and overall persona across digital platforms. The actor had argued that his identity was being misused for commercial gain without his consent, particularly through emerging technologies that can replicate or manipulate voices and likenesses with ease. In December, the court had granted Salman interim relief and restrained several platforms and entities from exploiting his personality traits. The order also directed social media intermediaries to treat the actor’s complaint as a formal grievance under the Information Technology rules and take prompt action to prevent further misuse. The court had observed that personality rights are an essential part of a public figure’s identity and deserve legal protection in the digital age. The China based AI platform has now moved the court seeking to set aside that interim order. According to the petitioner, voice generation and modulation form the core of its business and the restrictions imposed by the court adversely affect its operations. The company has argued that the order should be reconsidered, leading to the issuance of notice to Salman Khan. All about the case Legal experts believe the case reflects growing concerns around the intersection of technology, artificial intelligence and individual rights. With AI tools becoming increasingly advanced, the unauthorised replication of voices and images of celebrities poses serious risks, including misinformation and commercial exploitation. At the same time, courts are being challenged to strike a balance between innovation and personal rights. Salman Khan’s legal team has maintained that the unauthorised use of his persona can mislead the public and damage his reputation and brand value. As the case progresses, it is expected to play a significant role in shaping how personality rights are interpreted and enforced in India, particularly in matters involving artificial intelligence and digital platforms.
21 January,2026 05:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
