It looks like 2026 is bringing a reunion of Sidharth Malhotra and his mentor Karan Johar. Two years after their last collaboration ‘Yodha’ (2024), the actor is in advanced discussions to front Dharma Productions’ new project. Sources have told mid-day that the film — an emotionally charged drama that focuses on complex relationships — will be directed by Sharan Sharma, who previously helmed ‘Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl’ (2020) and ‘Mr & Mrs Mahi’ (2024). A source said, “The studio is keen to collaborate with Sidharth again and feels that the subject suits his persona. He had liked the idea when it was shared with him last year. He gave a verbal go-ahead at the time, and wanted to read the script before committing formally. Now, it’s in the last stages of conversation.” If all goes as planned, the film could go on floors by summer 2026 and will be shot in Mumbai. Sidharth Malhotra’s films with Karan Johar’s banner ‘Shershaah’; ‘Student of the Year’ and ‘Kapoor & Sons’
16 March,2026 08:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuWhen Rohan Utpat and Vinayak Salvi, better known as Rohan-Vinayak, were composing Lalla, they were striving to make a song that was authentic to the gritty world of Subedaar. Now that the number has started climbing the charts, following the Anil Kapoor-starrer’s release, the composer duo isn’t exactly surprised. What about the song has appealed to listeners? “It’s difficult to pinpoint one thing,” says Rohan. Vishal Dadlani If he had to break it down, the composer would peg it to three aspects. “The first is the word Lalla itself,” Rohan reflects, before adding, “Then there’s the string-section melody that comes in between the song, and finally, Vishal Dadlani’s powerful vocals under the fast-beat drums. Those three things together have stayed with listeners. We deliberately didn’t load the lyrics with a lot of melodic movement. Rishi Upadhyay’s [lyricist] song was meant to feel almost like a narrative. Holding back the melody and then releasing it at the right moment helped keep the song effective.” Anil Kapoor in the film Subedaar’s background score works on the opposite principle. It knows exactly when to step forward. Rohan recalls that as director Suresh Triveni narrated the story, which is centred on a retired Army officer who has to fight again, the musicians understood that the score would require restraint in places and eruption in others. He explains, “For a large part of the movie, the hero avoids fights. So, the music had to build tension. But when he hits someone for the first time, we kept pure fight sound effects.” With the track gaining attention, the question arises: can a song become bigger than the movie it belongs to? Vinayak says, “Sometimes a song begins its own journey. If people connect with it independently, there’s nothing wrong with that. Ultimately the effort is to create strong audio-visual storytelling.” Films that Rohan-Vinayak previously composed for: ‘Nil Battey Sannata’; ‘102 Not Out’ and ‘Lootcase’
16 March,2026 08:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuGive comedy its due Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar credited filmmakers Priyadarshan, Rajkumar Santoshi, and late Neeraj Vora for making him understand comedy, the genre he thinks still hasn’t got its due in the film industry. Sharing his learning from some of the greatest filmmakers he has collaborated with, Akshay said, “I have worked on around 150 films, and I have worked with around 70 directors. But there is a tuning with Priyadarshan; it’s fun to work with him. I have learnt a lot of comedy from him. Rajkumar Santoshi is also one of the directors from whom I have learnt a lot. There was another late director and writer, Neeraj Vora. These are the three people, if I got to know even the ‘C’ of comedy, it’s because of them,” the actor said. Akshay’s best comedies Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, and Suniel Shetty in ‘Hera Pheri’; Priyanka Chopra, Akshay Kumar, and Salman Khan in ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’; Rajpal Yadav and Akshay Kumar in ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’; Katrina Kaif and Akshay Kumar in ‘Welcome’ Stop the ‘fake film’ factory Nawazuddin Siddiqui Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has criticised the kind of films being produced in Hindi cinema today, saying many lack honesty. Speaking at a recent event, the actor stressed that filmmakers must avoid misleading audiences and remain truthful in their storytelling. “Samaaj ko galat disha mein le jaane ki zarurat nahi hai. Sacchai bahut important hai, aur sacchai har insaan aaj ki date mein jaanta hai,” Nawazuddin said. He added that viewers are aware of the narratives being pushed in cinema today. “Nahi, jhoothi filmein ban rahi hain hamare yahan. Fake filmein ban rahi hain. Duniya mein kya ho raha hai, sab jaante hain.” Devnagri boliye Sachin Pilgaonkar Veteran actor Sachin Pilgaonkar believes the contemporary culture of film industry excludes the use of Hindi in conversations and writing, leading to actors not knowing how to speak in the language. Sachin, during a session at the Red Lorry Film Festival, rued that filmmakers and writers “think and write in English”. “The director is explaining to them [actors] in English, they think in English, they write in English. Devanagari mein koi nahi likhta, sab English mein likhtein hain aur uske baad Roman mein dialogue likhe jaate hain. We should know how to read Devanagari. We should know how to read and write Hindi or Hindustani for that matter,” he said. Movie business and global tension Raashii Khanna Raashii Khanna has expressed concern about how escalating global conflicts could impact the film industry. While promoting Ustaad Bhagat Singh, Raashii said rising geopolitical tensions may eventually affect audiences’ spending on entertainment. “I was talking to a friend recently about the future of films. A war has begun, and I don’t know how people are realising that we’re going to face inflation in the future. Films are like a luxury. When there’s no money, films will not be our first priority.” Cinema for the public Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari Filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari voiced her concern over the diminishing state of “middle-of-the-road” cinema, saying audience support and dedicated screen space will ensure its survival. She said that she aim to continue making the kind of unique films that she is making. “We have the power in our hands to encourage cinema that makes us like us. So, if any of our cinema is coming out, it needs word of mouth as that is such an integral part; no amount of marketing can beat that.”
16 March,2026 08:21 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamImagine visiting Harvard University to participate in the 26th edition of the Women in Power Conference (WIPC). That’s the kind of thing Sanjana Sanghi’s younger studious self would be proud of. Naturally, it’s a moment of pride for the actor, who is set to headline an Arts and Advocacy panel as well as lead a ‘Lunch and Learn’ session at the Harvard Kennedy School, a part of the university, on April 18. At the event, Sanghi — who featured in Rockstar (2011), Dil Bechara (2020), and Kadak Singh (2023) — will highlight how culture and creativity can play a role in education equity and youth empowerment. Her work as a UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) India Youth Champion, and her journey that bridges films and youth leadership have been cited as the reason she was chosen for the edition. Excited about being the only Indian actor at this year’s conference, Sanghi told mid-day, “Harvard University, in my mind, has been the pinnacle of greatness, one I’ve always revered.” Karisma Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra were previously invited to speak at the India Conference at Harvard Business School Acknowledging that she has reached here on the shoulders of women who strived before her, she said, “As a young girl growing up in India, ‘you can’t’ was a more frequently [heard] phrase than anything else. Turning that ‘you can’t’ into ‘I will’ is a strength and conviction I only got thanks to the powerful women in my life. I see many such women on WIPC’s speaker line-up.”
16 March,2026 08:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaNitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor, is one of the most-anticipated films of the year. While the makers unveiled a motion poster which gave a glimpse of Kapoor’s character, details about the rest of the cast are kept under wraps. Amid this, it was recently reported that Raghav Juyal has joined the cast. Now, the cast gets bigger as Panchayat fame Faisal Malik is also a part of Ramayana. Faisal Malik joins the cast of Ramayana Now, according to a report in Hindustan Times, Faisal Malik has been roped in as Kumbhakarna in Ramayana. Earlier, Bobby Deol’s name had emerged for the role. A source said to the portal, “He joined Yash for the introductory Kumbhakaran scene at Prime Focus studio in Mumbai, shot with an international action crew. The sequences are heavy on graphics — similar to Avatar.” The source added that the major fight sequences, part of the second installment, are yet to be filmed. “His height and heavily built frame perfectly suit the character,” they noted. Faisal Malik is most popularly known for playing the role of Prahladcha (or chacha) ‘Prahlad’ Pandey in the Amazon Prime Video series Panchayat, and was recently seen in Anil Kapoor-starrer Subedaar. He was also a part of Maddock’s horror-comedy universe as he starred in Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna’s Thamma. More about Ramayana Billed as the biggest-ever Indian film, Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, KGF star Yash as Ravana, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman. The ensemble cast also includes Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh, Arun Govil, Indira Krishnan, Sheeba Chaddha, Adinath Kothare, and Kunal Kapoor, among others. A few days back, Mid-Day reported that the first character posters of the film will be unveiled at a grand event on Ram Navami. However, the plans have been postponed due to West Asia tensions. A source told Mid-Day, “The showcase, organised at Gateway of India, was set to unveil the look of the leading cast. However, the makers have opted to defer the unveiling in light of the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict that has triggered global tensions. They now plan to roll out promotional activities closer to May.”
15 March,2026 09:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIf one had to list the most successful director-actor collaborations in Bollywood over the years, Govinda and David Dhawan would be right on top. The actor and director have worked together on numerous films such as Hero No. 1, Coolie No. 1, Raja Babu, Partner and many others. However, the two had a fallout in 2017, after which they didn’t collaborate. Recently, David Dhawan defended Govinda for coming late to sets and praised his ability to perform scenes in one take. David Dhawan on Govinda arriving late on sets While Govinda has been one of the top stars of the ’80s and ’90s, he was also accused by several filmmakers of coming late to sets. During his appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show, Dhawan said, “Here I want to tell you, log bolte hain na late aata hai sets par, aaj kaun nahi late aata hai? Woh aata hai, apna kaam khatam kar ke jaata hai (People say that he comes late to the sets, but tell me who doesn’t arrive late these days? He arrives, completes his work, and then leaves).” He also recalled how the actor shot Partner scenes in one take. “You will not believe it. He would show up and ask for his scene. It would be a four-page scene. He would go through it thoroughly while I was setting up the shot. He said, ‘Don’t set it up yet. Do one thing. Here’s the scene. Watch me perform. I’ll do it in one take.’ This was in Partner. He did all kinds of acrobatics in that scene; you can’t imagine. Then he told me to edit the scene however I wanted. Unbelievable. Govinda is incredible,” he added. Varun Dhawan on David missing Govinda Varun Dhawan shared how David constantly compares his performances with those of other actors. Speaking about his long association with Govinda, David said, “I have done 17 films with Govinda. I believe one of the best actors I have worked with is Govinda.” Varun added, “Now, whatever scene gets written, every time he remembers Govinda. He thinks about how Chichi bhaiyya would do the scene. Then I tell him that I have to perform for my audience too, but I have a very tall order to live up to. He always keeps giving me references of what Salman Khan, Govinda, or Anil Kapoor would do.” David's next directorial, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, features his actor-son Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde in crucial roles. The film is set to release on June 12, 2026.
15 March,2026 05:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood superstar singer Shreya Ghoshal was left emotional when the Indian Idol stage brought her a special surprise during her birthday week. The special episode, celebrating the timeless music of Mohammed Rafi and Mukesh in the presence of legendary composer Pyarelal Sharma, turned even more heartfelt as the show united Shreya with her Guru, who laid the foundation of her impeccable singing. As the episode began, host Aditya Narayan read out a letter that Shreya Ghoshal had written to her first Guru, Mahesh Chandra Sharma, when she was a kid. The letter read, “Namaste, aasha karti hoon ki aap sab wahan kushal hain. Abhi bhi yahan meri shastriya shiksha shuru nahi ho payi hai. Papa abhi achhe guru se sampark karne ki koshish kar rahe hain. Yahan aane ke baad main kuch dino tak Kalyan ji Uncle ke paas sikhne jaa rahi thi, par iss beech mujhe jaundice ho gaya, jis wajah se main dedh mahine unke paas nahi jaa paayi. Aur main roz aapke sikhaye hue ragon ka riyaaz karti hoon. Aap mera bhakti-purn pranam lijiyega. Aapki ashirwadakanshi, Shreya Ghoshal.” Listening to a heartfelt memory from her early musical journey, Shreya Ghoshal replied, "I wrote this letter years ago to my Guruji, Mahesh Chandra Sharma." Just then, a voice from behind surprised everyone on the set. It was Shreya’s beloved Guruji himself. Responding to the letter, Mahesh Chandra Sharma said, “Us waqt toh main is khat ka jawab nahi de paaya, lekin aaj zaroor dena chahta hoon. Log toh Guruji ke naam se shishya ko pehchante hain, lekin mujhe iss baat ka garv hai ki mujhe log Shreya ke naam se pehchante hain.” Overwhelmed with emotion, Shreya came on the stage and touched the feet of her Guruji. The episode also revisited Shreya’s early musical journey. Sharing memories of her childhood training days, she said, “Bohot garmi hoti thi Rajasthan mein. Ek bus hoti thi jismein do-teen ghante ka safar hota tha, aur jungle paar karke aana padta tha.” She added, “Bus station se ek mod aata tha, phir right lena padta tha, phir aapka ghar aata tha. Aur jab woh ghar dikhta tha, tab mujhe lagta tha ki yeh mandir hai.” Adding to the emotional moment, her Guru ji gifted her a diary where he had documented every lesson and composition he had curated over the years by himself. While presenting the diary, he said, "Meri jitni bandishein shuru se lekar aakhri class tak ki hain, main yeh book tumhare liye lekar aaya hoon. Mere toh saare jeevan ki kamai hai yeh.” Receiving the gift, a teary eyed Shreya bowed down to seek her Guruji’s blessings. Moved by the heartfelt gesture, he then requested her to sing the song ‘Bairi Piya’ from the film Devdas. Honouring his request, Shreya delivered a melodious rendition in his presence. 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
15 March,2026 04:54 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Anup Soni and his wife, actress Juhi Babbar Soni marked their wedding anniversary by sharing a series of romantic pictures. Taking to their social media account in a joint post, the couple, who tied the knot in 2011, are celebrating 14 years of togetherness this year. Sharing glimpses from their journey together, the couple captioned the post as, “HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anup Soni (@anupsoni3) The pictures capture several beautiful and memorable moments from their travels and personal life. One picture shows the couple posing casually outdoors with Anu holding an ice cream and Juhi standing besides him. Another picture features them enjoying a cosy dinner together while the other picture shows both of them seen enjoying a gondola ride through scenic waterways. Another picture from indoors shows Anup standing besides Juhi with his arm around her shoulder posing romantically for the camera. The final click features them seated at a table, smiling warmly for a selfie while enjoying drinks. For the uninitiated, Anup Soni and Juhi Babbar got married on the 14th of March 2011 in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family members. On the professional front, Anup Soni has built a long and successful career across television, films and theatre. He has appeared in several projects including Balika Vadhu, Sea Hawks, and films such as Fiza and Raaz. The actor also gained immense popularity as the host of the crime-based television series Crime Patrol. Talking about Juhi Babbar, she is the daughter of veteran actor Raj Babbar and theatre personality Nadira Babbar, is also the sister of actor Arya Babbar. She began her film career with movies such as Kash Aap Hamare Hote and Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar. Apart from films, Juhi has been deeply involved in theatre and has performed in numerous stage productions. 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
15 March,2026 04:52 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood superstar Aamir Khan on Saturday turned 61. Marking his birthday, his fans, friends, family members, and colleagues from the industry flooded social media with adorable wishes. Aamir also received a heartfelt wish from his ex-wife and filmmaker Kiran Rao. She reposted a special reel on her Instagram, originally shared by Aamir Khan Productions, showcasing his iconic on-screen moments. "HBD to my forever Sikander," Kiran wrote. Aamir and Kiran Rao got married in 2005. However, in 2021, the duo announced their separation. They continue to co-parent their son, Azad. Prior to Kiran, Aamir was married to Reena Dutta. From his first marriage to Reena, Aamir has two children, Junaid and Ira. Currently, Aamir is in a relationship with Gauri Spratt. On his 60th birthday last year, Aamir introduced his partner Gauri to the media in Mumbai, and since then, fans have been leaving no chance to get more details about his love life. Meanwhile, on the work front, Aamir recently attended the Red Lorry Film Festival with 'Lagaan' director Ashutosh Gowariker. Speaking at the event, Aamir revealed how he was initially reluctant to work in 'Lagaan'. Aamir shared how Gowariker approached him for the film after working on it for three years. "Suddenly, I stopped and thought, 'Kahin yeh wahi kahaani toh nahi. Cricket...lagaan... ke bare mein. He (Ashutosh Gowariker) said 'Tu sunn toh le' and I was like 'Main nahi sunn raha. Bilkul nahi. Tune 3 mahina waste kiya hai uss kahaani pe. Main 3 ghanta bhi nahi waste kar raha, and I refused to hear it. But then he requested me, and I felt bad. When I heard the script, it just blew my mind," Aamir said at the film festival. During the conversation, Aamir Khan went on to share many more stories from the days of shooting 'Lagaan'. He also spoke about a unique ritual that the entire cast and crew would listen to the Gayatri Mantra every day while travelling to the sets. "Usme ekdin bhi break nahi aaya. That also helped us to remain in a meditative state of mind. When you are going to work, the state of your mind matters a lot," Aamir said. 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
15 March,2026 04:49 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIFilmmaker Rohit Shetty has officially begun filming the much-anticipated comedy sequel Golmaal 5, and a fun behind-the-scenes video from the sets has already created a buzz online. The clip features Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn sharing a lighthearted moment, giving fans a glimpse of the lively atmosphere during the film’s shoot. Rohit Shetty begins shooting days after shooting at his residence The video, which surfaced on social media, shows Akshay sporting a completely bald look for the film. The actor appears cheerful and energetic as he interacts with the team and his co-star Ajay Devgn. In one playful moment captured on camera, Akshay is seen planting a friendly kiss on Ajay’s cheek, leaving everyone around them laughing. The candid interaction between the two stars quickly caught fans’ attention and began circulating widely online. The behind-the-scenes clip was shared as filming for the new installment officially began, further increasing excitement around the popular franchise. The announcement confirmed that the latest chapter of the beloved comedy series is now underway, with Akshay Kumar joining the ensemble cast for the upcoming film. The Golmaal film series, which began with Golmaal: Fun Unlimited in 2006, has become one of Bollywood’s most successful comedy franchises over the years. Known for its slapstick humour, chaotic storylines and ensemble cast, the films have consistently entertained audiences. Ajay Devgn has remained the central face of the franchise since the beginning, playing the straight-faced character Gopal amid a group of eccentric friends. With Akshay Kumar now entering the Golmaal universe, fans are eager to see how the actor will fit into the comedy ensemble. His entry is expected to bring a fresh dynamic to the story and add a new comic layer to the film’s narrative. The pairing of Akshay and Ajay on screen has already sparked curiosity among fans, who are looking forward to their humorous interactions. Return of the OGs with Sharman Joshi The film is also expected to bring back several familiar faces from previous installments. Actors like Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade and Kunal Kemmu have long been associated with the franchise, and their quirky characters have played a key role in shaping the chaotic and entertaining tone of the Golmaal films. Sharman Joshi makes return to the franchise with the 5th installment. As shooting continues, the viral BTS clip has already heightened excitement among fans eager to see the beloved comedy franchise return to the big screen. With Rohit Shetty directing and Akshay Kumar joining the star-studded cast alongside Ajay Devgn, Golmaal 5 is expected to deliver another round of high-energy humour, playful moments and entertaining on-screen chemistry.
15 March,2026 04:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe relationship between Bollywood celebrities and paparazzi has always been a tricky one. While some stars happily stop to pose for pictures, others prefer maintaining privacy. Akshay Kumar has shared his candid take on Bollywood’s paparazzi culture. Speaking about the paparazzi ecosystem, he pointed out that photographers earn their livelihood through celebrity pictures, so there is no reason to object. Akshay Kumar on paparazzi In a recent interview with India Today, the actor explained why he does not have an issue with paps clicking him, be it during work or with family. “Ek photographer ko kariban 3.5–4k milte hain. Aur agar usko milte hain, toh mere liye kya problem honi chahiye? Meri sherwani mein kya pareshaani honi chahiye ki main khada ho ke photo le lu? (A photographer earns around Rs 3,500–4,000 for clicking my photo. If they are earning that, why should I have a problem? What’s the issue for me to simply stand there in my sherwani and let them take a picture?)” Akshay continued, “Main photo leke, uss bichare ka ghar chal jayega, woh khush ho jayega, aur saari photo le jayega, toh isme koi burai nahi hai. Privacy kya naam ki? Agar aap bahar nikal gaye ho bacchon aur biwi ke saath, toh kis baat ki privacy?” (There’s nothing wrong in it. If you’ve stepped out in public with your children and your wife, then what privacy is there to worry about?)” During the same conversation, Akshay was asked if he has accepted being clicked as an occupational hazard. Here, the actor noted, “It is not a hazard… Agar koi photo nahi lega toh sabse zyada hazard hoga… Woh problem zyada hai.” Akshay Kumar on insuring stunt performers Akshay Kumar spoke passionately about his bond with stunt performers. Responding to a question about providing insurance support to Bollywood stunt artists, Kumar said the initiative came from personal experience and responsibility. “I know all the stuntmen. I know them by name. I consider myself a stuntman first and then an actor,” he said. Akshay Kumar upcoming movies On the work front, the actor will be seen reuniting with Priyadarshan for Bhooth Bangla. The film also stars Rajpal Yadav, Paresh Rawal, Wamiqa Gabbi, Tabu, and others. Apart from this, he has Welcome To The Jungle in his kitty. He will also be seen in Golmaal 5. The shoot is all set to start soon.
15 March,2026 04:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
