Actor Sonali Bendre and her husband Goldie Behl have been accused of fraud in connection with a land deal in Maval, Pune. They have also been accused of violating regulations in a case involving approximately 30 guntas of land in the district. Sonali Bendre accused of fraud The complainants - Chandrakant Balu Shinde (50) and his mother Kamalbai (75) - claim that the celebrity couple was using their social influence and taking help of the local police to forcibly take possession of their 30 'guntha' (over 32,000 square feet) of land in Uksan village in Maval taluka of the district. The suit was filed against the celebrity couple and two others through advocate Vanraj Shinde last month before a civil court at Vadgaon Maval. The matter will next be heard on April 24. As per the suit, the Shinde family has been cultivating the land as "protected tenants" since the 1940s. The family alleged that their names were illegally removed from revenue records in the 1980s without a notice. The dispute began when the original owners allegedly sold the land to a local individual in 2012, who subsequently sold a portion of it to Goldie Behl in March 2021. The aggrieved mother-son duo claimed these sales were "illegal and void" because their pre-existing tenancy rights were never legally terminated.The plaintiffs have also made claims of intimidation and police bias. The Shinde family alleged that on December 14, 2025, Sonali Bendre and Goldie Behl arrived at the site with workers and heavy machinery to begin unauthorised construction. When Kamalbai tried to stop the work, she was allegedly met with threats. The police officers at the site also threatened to frame the mother-son duo in false theft cases if they continued to "harass" the celebrity couple, the lawsuit claimed. Sonali Bendre reacts Meanwhile, Sonali Bendre and her legal team have denied the allegations. She stated that her name does not appear in any government documents or land sale-purchase records related to the property. “These allegations are entirely baseless and have been levelled solely with the motive of extorting money,” the actor said. Her lawyer reportedly added that the farmer had previously filed multiple appeals with various government departments, which were dismissed each time. Chandrakant Shinde has named Sonali Bendre, Goldie Behl, and two other individuals as parties in the case. The court has listed April 20 as the next date of hearing. (with inputs from PTI)
02 April,2026 07:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn Thursday, the Delhi High Court passed an order on songs by well-known rappers Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah. They were hearing a matter against songs released by the singers in 2006. Terming the track "vulgar" and "derogatory", the court said that it was in complete disregard of even the minimum standards of civility and directed its removal from online platforms. What the court said about the song Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said the court's conscience was shaken to its "absolute core" and that the dissemination of the song on platforms accessible to minors cannot be countenanced under the guise of artistic freedom and free speech in a society governed by the rule of law. Justice Kaurav said he heard the song in his chamber and thought that it lacked any artistic or social value, and reduced women to objects of ridicule."The title of the song can't be dictated in the order. The same seems to be completely unacceptable. "The court finds that the song is grossly vulgar, obscene and derogatory towards women... Lyrics are not only disrespectful and offensive but also ex facie dehumanising and normalise the treatment of women as objects of ridicule and sexual gratification," said the court. More about the case The court noted that the song, allegedly released in 2006 by the rappers under their collaboration Mafia Mundeer, has been uploaded by various users on social media and has garnered millions of views. The court issued notice to Honey Singh and Badshah on the petition by Hindu Shakti Dal on the issue and directed the rappers as well as any other person claiming rights in the uploaded song or its version to take it down from online platforms. "The court finds that allowing dissemination of the said song on public platforms, which are accessible to minors, cannot be countenanced in the guise of artistic freedom and free speech. The song is in complete disregard of the minimum standard of civility," the court said. The petitioner's counsel said that although both rappers have denied singing the song, Honey Singh sang verses of it at a concert in Delhi, which further sparked the controversy over the song's creation. It listed the case for hearing on May 7. (with inputs from PTI)
02 April,2026 06:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe first teaser of the much-awaited film Ramayana was unveiled in India on Thursday morning. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the makers released a video asset introducing Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. The teaser was unveiled to coincide with Hanuman Jayanti. Error spotted in Ramayana teaser As expected, the teaser of the big-budget film went viral on social media, with many viewers dissecting the two-minute-long video. Some netizens also claimed to have spotted an error, which further fuelled speculation about the use of AI in the film. A screenshot of a moment where Ranbir Kapoor, as Lord Rama, walks through a crowd has gone viral. In the scene, Lord Rama is seen walking through a sea of people as they shower him with flowers and bow to him. The teaser includes two shots of this sequence, a close-up and a wide frame. In the wide shot, a child on the right side appears to be bowing, but not towards Lord Rama; instead, it looks like he is bowing towards the camera. ain't no way this shot isn't AI generated 😭 pic.twitter.com/YXi6Cvtt3a — PrinCe (@Prince8bx) April 2, 2026 In the subsequent close-up shot, Lord Rama is expected to have moved ahead, but he appears to be standing near the same spot as the child, who is now seen throwing flower petals at him. This inconsistency did not go unnoticed by netizens, who pointed it out and criticised it as “weak detailing” by the director. Weak detailing by nitesh tiwari.Whom is this child bowing to? Lord Shri Rama has already moved ahead.😭😭Not expected this from a 4000cr+ budget movie. https://t.co/cV3af7gzDW pic.twitter.com/ZogfaKLMIs — Mogambo (@Netajinonsense1) April 2, 2026 All about Ramayana Ramayana, co-produced by Namit Malhotra, also stars Sai Pallavi, Yash, Ravi Dubey, and Sunny Deol in key roles. Apart from glimpses of Sai Pallavi, Yash, and Dubey, the teaser also features veteran actor Arun Govil, who famously played Lord Ram in Ramayan. In this film, Govil plays Dasharath, Ram’s father. The first part of the film is slated for release this Diwali. Talking about the teaser, Ranbir Kapoor’s first look as Rama presents a hero who puts duty before desire and relinquishes authority when necessary. Even in the face of banishment, grief, and injustice, Rama—revered as Maryada Purushottama, “the highest ideal of human conduct”—embodies dignity, compassion, and moral clarity. Ranbir Kapoor shared his thoughts on playing the role, saying, “I don’t think I’m here to represent Rama. I’m here to learn from him. There is a simplicity and purity to him that is very rare, and trying to understand and imbibe that has been a deeply humbling experience.”
02 April,2026 05:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRanbir Kapoor is all set to return to the big screen in December 2026 with his much-anticipated film Ramayana, where he will step into the role of Lord Rama. Interestingly, this marks a full-circle moment for his family, as 92 years ago, one of his ancestors portrayed the same iconic character on screen. The Kapoor family and Lord Rama connection On the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti 2026 (April 2), the makers are unveiling the teaser of Ramayana, offering audiences their first glimpse of Ranbir as Lord Ram. The teaser, with a runtime of 2 minutes and 38 seconds, has already been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film features a powerful ensemble cast including Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. What makes this even more special is its deep-rooted cinematic history. Back in 1933, the film Seeta, directed by Debaki Bose, brought the story of Ramayana to life on screen. Produced by East India Film Company, it was a landmark Bengali talkie that achieved global recognition. The film earned an honorary diploma at the Venice International Film Festival in 1934, making it the first Indian talkie to be showcased at an international film festival. Notably, the role of Lord Ram in Seeta was played by Prithviraj Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor’s great-grandfather. He starred opposite Durga Khote as Sita, alongside actors like Gul Hamid and Trilok Kapoor. This unique casting across generations brings a sense of legacy and nostalgia, as the Kapoor family once again brings Lord Ram to life on the big screen. Nearly a century after Prithviraj Kapoor’s portrayal, Ranbir Kapoor now takes on the revered role in a grand retelling of the epic. Ramayana Rama teaser Unveiled globally, the Rama teaser marks a significant moment that fans have been eagerly waiting for. The film brings into focus a figure whose story has endured for over 5,000 years. While most Indians have grown up with the story of Ramayana, the film offers a refreshed perspective. Ramayana Rama teaser Unveiled globally, the Rama teaser marks a significant moment that fans have been eagerly waiting for. The film brings into focus a figure whose story has endured for over 5,000 years. While most Indians have grown up with the story of Ramayana, the film offers a refreshed perspective. Ranbir Kapoor talks about playing Rama, "I don’t think I’m here to represent Rama. I’m here to learn from him. There is a simplicity and purity to him that is very rare, and trying to understand and imbibe that has been a deeply humbling experience.”
02 April,2026 04:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs India eagerly awaited Ranbir Kapoor’s first look as Rama from Nitesh Tiwary’s upcoming film Ramayana, the Bollywood star’s absence from the grand media event held on Hanuman Jayanti on Thursday raised several questions. Earlier in the morning, Ranbir’s maiden look as Lord Rama was unveiled. A media event had been scheduled to mark the occasion, attended by director Nitesh Tiwary and producer Namit Malhotra. Despite the presence of cameras, reporters, and flashing lights, all set to capture the actor’s glimpse, Ranbir Kapoor was notably missing from the event. However, in a notable contrast, a special screening was held for select media houses on Wednesday evening, where Ranbir did make an appearance alongside the director and producer. Just a day earlier, he had attended a closed-door special screening with select media, a contrast that left reporters on the ground wondering what had changed between the two appearances. Adding to the intrigue, Ranbir had been actively present elsewhere, like attending the Los Angeles event for the same film earlier. What raised eyebrows further was that this wasn’t just any reveal, but the unveiling of Rama’s look itself, making his no-show at such a key moment hard to miss and even harder to explain. The film also stars Sai Pallavi, Yash, Ravie Dubey, Sunny Deol, Lara Dutta and Amitabh Bachchan in key roles. The Ramayana has been retold in over 300 versions across cultures and regions worldwide. Nitesh Tiwary's Ramayana is a two-part live-action cinematic universe being reimagined on the scale of the biggest tentpoles produced to date. Two music titans, Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman, are joining forces for the film. The film also features Hollywood’s top stunt directors Terry Notary (Avengers, Planet of the Apes) and Guy Norris (Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa), choreographing the epic battles between gods and demons. Ramayana is being filmed for IMAX and will be released worldwide, with Part 1 releasing in Diwali 2026 and Part 2 in Diwali 2027. 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
02 April,2026 04:24 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSPriyadarshan’s Hera Pheri 3 has been in the news for a while now. The film has been embroiled in controversy ever since it was first announced. Fans of the franchise were excited to watch Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal reunite once again. However, legal battles have left its fate in limbo. Writer Rohan Shankar exits Hera Pheri 3 Hera Pheri 3's writer Rohan Shankar, during a conversation with News18, opened up about how director Priyadarshan won’t let the crisis affect his work. Shankar revealed that he wrote Hera Pheri 3’s teaser and was supposed to work on the film, but now he is no longer a part of the project due to legal complications. He said, “I was in talks, and it was supposed to happen, but it didn’t because of legal issues. Hopefully, if Hera Pheri 3 happens and if Priyadarshan sir is there, maybe I will be too." Talking of filmmaker Priyadarshan, he said, “No, Priyan sir, because he is doing a lot of work, we have just shot Bhoot Bangla and Haiwan, and now he has to do another film. After that, he has to do a film with Mohanlal sir, which is his 100th film… He doesn’t stop. Priyan sir works a lot. Priyan sir and Akshay sir are workaholics." Rohan further explained, “He has to do one film, then write another, then shoot it, so he keeps on going. Now, in that structure, when will Hera Pheri happen and when will all of this be solved? If it’s solved quickly, then Priyan sir will do it. I don’t know what is happening there, but Priyan sir won’t stop amid all of this. He might make five films before Hera Pheri even starts." Hera Pheri 3's legal troubles For the unversed, Hera Pheri 3 landed in unexpected legal trouble soon after it was announced. A producer from the South had moved the Madras High Court, questioning if the film could even be made, claiming that the rights to the franchise do not belong to producer Firoz Nadiadwala. According to a Bar and Bench report, Seven Arts International Limited approached the Madras High Court, claiming that Nadiadwala was authorised to make only one Hindi remake of the Malayalam cult classic Ramji Rao Speaking (1989). That one remake was released as Hera Pheri in 2000, directed by Priyadarshan. The production house alleged that Nadiadwala exceeded his rights by making Phir Hera Pheri in 2006 and later even selling the rights for a third film. The issue has now turned into a full-fledged legal dispute, with the court questioning if Hera Pheri 3 is legally viable.
02 April,2026 04:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt would not be a stretch to say that Mona Singh is the actress of the season (or rather, every season). In the first quarter of 2026 alone, she was seen playing a Goan gangster in Happy Patel, a fauji wife in Border 2, a policewoman in Kohhra 2, and in a villainous avatar in Subedar. Now, she is beginning the second quarter of the year with the Amazon Prime Video show Maa Ka Sum. Mona Singh on math In the show, she plays Vinita, a single mother to a teenage son who is also a math genius. The story follows the son as he builds an algorithm using his mathematical skills to create the perfect dating app to find an ideal partner for his mother. Naturally, the show involves a lot of math. Ahead of its April 3 premiere, Mona spoke to Mid-day and shared her relationship with the subject during her school days. “I was terrible in math,” she laughed, adding that her father only asked her to secure passing marks, which she managed to do. She added that the subject gave her nightmares. “Just before examinations, I remember I couldn’t sleep. I used to have nightmares where I would go blank and leave the paper empty. I used to get those dreams.” Mona on playing diverse roles While math troubled her as a student, her career choices are now clearly paying off. Not just 2026, but the past two years have been strong for the actress, who has impressed audiences with diverse roles across films and series. When asked about this surge in opportunities, Mona said it stemmed from her decision to wait rather than chase regular paychecks and visibility. “I never wanted to repeat myself. The architecture was choosing to wait, and I waited happily.” She explained, “When I decided to take a break from TV, that leap was massive. You are still getting offers, the biggest daily soaps, but I didn’t want to box myself into something repetitive. I didn’t want that.” “I think a massive leap happens when you wait patiently and have faith in your journey and yourself. This is what I love to do, and I am getting the opportunities now. The wait paid off with projects like Made in Heaven, Laal Singh Chaddha, Maa Ka Sum, Subedaar, and Happy Patel,” she added. Mona also credited the OTT boom for enabling stronger roles for women. “OTT is the biggest game changer. It has given us more room to be messy, honest, raw, and unfiltered, and that’s what women are. Earlier, you were either positive or negative; there was nothing in between. Now, we are so much more. It’s a lovely change.” With better opportunities and audience response, she has also gained the confidence to say no. “Ninety percent of the time, I’ve said no to things I didn’t want to do. The shift happened when I stepped away from relatable tropes. Otherwise, it was the same setting, same décor, same character, and I didn’t want that.”
02 April,2026 03:52 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya NambiarWith an intriguing teaser and chart-topping songs already creating waves, Bhooth Bangla has successfully sparked curiosity, positioning itself as a fun-filled family entertainer. However, the makers have announced that on account of Dhurandhar 2 emerging as a global box office phenomenon, the film will be released on 17th April, one week later than its original release date of 10th April. Paid preview for the film is all set to begin on 16th April 2026 from 9 PM onwards. Bhooth Bangla's release date shifted to 17th April In an Instagram note, producer Ektaa Kapoor announced, “After an extensive discussion and multiple requests from our distribution partner & exhibitors across key markets, we have decided to postpone the release of Bhooth Bangla by one week. We remain committed to delivering a great cinematic experience and are confident that this decision will benefit audiences and let the film have a powerful run at the cinemas!" "Dhurandhar: The Revenge is currently enjoying an exceptional run at the box office, which is great news for Producers at large. Our exhibitors felt that giving it a clear, uninterrupted window would be in the best interest of the industry ecosystem." "By moving Bhooth Bangla ahead by a week, we are ensuring that both films get the theatrical space, marketing focus, and audience attention they truly deserve! We believe this approach benefits everyone — the filmmakers, the exhibitors, and most importantly, the audiences who get to experience each film without compromise." "We will always prioritise the comfort of theatre going audiences, and strive to entertain them in the best way possible with our films!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by EktaaRkapoor (@ektarkapoor) About Bhooth Bangla Bhooth Bangla marks the much-awaited reunion of Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan. The duo has previously delivered several iconic comedy hits that remain fan favourites, making this collaboration particularly exciting for audiences. Known for their impeccable comic timing and chaotic storytelling, their coming together again has raised expectations for another memorable entertainer. Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with Cape of Good Films, presents Bhooth Bangla starring Akshay Kumar, Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, Jisshu Sengupta, and Mithila Palkar. It is directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Akshay Kumar, Shobha Kapoor, and Ektaa R Kapoor. Advance Paid Previews begin in theatres on 16th April 2026, 9 PM onwards.
02 April,2026 03:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs fans and media finished watching the much-hyped ‘Rama’ glimpse from Ramayana, the captain of the ship, a visibly overwhelmed Nitesh Tiwari addressed the crowd, and opened up about the last seven years that he has spent making the epic. Nitesh Tiwari gets emotional In the morning, the over two-minute long teaser that introduced Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram was screened at a theatre in South Mumbai. The makers not only invited media but also fans, who queued up in large numbers. Reacting to the applause that followed the screening, Tiwari said, “Is moment tak pohochne mei mujhe personally saat saal lag chuke hain. Filmmaking is a very speculative as well as a lonely process. Every moment of these seven years I have imagined this moment as to what the reaction would be when it finally comes out. And today seeing your reaction I feel those seven years were worth it,” he said, even as his voice broke. The director also said, “A lot of hard work of a lot of people has gone for the film to reach here. And I hope we will get your love in the same proportion,” as crowd erupted in another round of applause. All about Ramayana Ramayana, co-produced by Namit Malhotra, also stars Sai Pallavi, Yash, Ravi Dubey and Sunny Deol in the primary roles. Apart from glimpses of Sai Pallavi, Yash and Dubey, the teaser also showed veteran actor Arun Govil, who played Lord Ram in the classic Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana. Govil plays Ram’s father Dasharath in the new Ramayana. The part 1 of the film is slated to release this Diwali. Talking about the trailer, Rama aka Ranbir Kapoor's first look gets unveiled. A hero who puts duty before desires. and abandons authority when it is appropriate to do so. Even in the face of banishment, grief, and injustice, Rama, revered as Maryada Purushottama, "the highest ideal of human conduct," exemplifies dignity, compassion, and moral clarity. Ranbir Kapoor shared his views on playing Lord Rama, "I don’t think I’m here to represent Rama. I’m here to learn from him. There is a simplicity and purity to him that is very rare, and trying to understand and imbibe that has been a deeply humbling experience."
02 April,2026 02:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaActor Prakash Raj recently hit back at criticism on social media over the funeral of his mother according to Christian rituals, despite having previously claimed to be an atheist. His mother, Suvarnalatha, passed away on March 29 at the age of 86 from age-related ailments. Her funeral was held in Bengaluru on March 31 according to Christian rituals. Several emotional photos and videos from the funeral service surfaced online, showing the actor visibly heartbroken. Prakash Raj shuts down trolls However, amid the condolences, a section of users on the social media platform X began trolling the actor. They pulled out an old video in which Prakash Raj, in which he had called himself an atheist, and began questioning why he conducted the funeral following Christian traditions. Prakash Raj responded to the chatter by reposting one such tweet that criticised him. Along with the post he wrote, "Yes. I don’t believe in god .. but my mother believed in her god . Who am i to deny her .. the right to be buried according to her belief. This is the basic respect we give one another. Will you Hate mongering monsters understand this justasking" (sic) Yes. I don’t believe in god .. but my mother believed in her god . Who am i to deny her .. the right to be buried according to her belief. This is the basic respect we give one another. Will you Hate mongering monsters understand this #justasking https://t.co/vD1GhySf3M — Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) April 2, 2026 He stressed that the Christian funeral ceremony was conducted in keeping with his mother's faith and wishes, stating it as an act of respect rather than personal belief. Prakash Raj's mother dies Prakash Raj's mother, Suvarnalatha, passed away on March 29 after prolonged age-related ailments. The actor had earlier spoken about her health challenges, sharing that she was once diagnosed with a brain cyst. She underwent surgery for the same, which reportedly led to severe memory loss. After the procedure, she even struggled to recognise close members of her family. Suvarnalatha was born in Karnataka and reportedly grew up as an orphan. She came from a Christian family background. During her early years, she worked as a nurse at a hospital, where she met her husband. Their friendship developed into a relationship, and the couple eventually got married. They had three children together. Prakash Raj was the eldest, followed by a daughter and a son.
02 April,2026 02:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has been receiving a lot of praise for his portrayal of Pakistani cop Chaudhry Aslam in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge. His performance clearly struck a chord not just with the audiences, but with real-life Chaudhry Aslam’s wife, Naureen Aslam, as well. Naureen has praised his portrayal, admitting that in one particular scene, she felt as though she was watching her husband himself on screen. Chaudhry Aslam's wife on Sanjay Dutt's performance During a podcast with AajTak Radio, Naureen noted that Sanjay Dutt was perfect for the role of her husband. While praising his performance, she added, “When he stands near the car and raises his eyes, for a moment it felt like Aslam himself." She further opened up about how her husband used to say that a film would be made about his life after his death. On the other hand, Naureen also expressed that she felt that the film did not do full justice to his life or the depth of his character. She added, "If they were making a film, they could have at least called me, the police, or journalists to understand both his positive and negative sides. He fulfilled tasks that the rest of the police never could." She mentioned that she had only watched portions of the film through clips. She even joked about the character’s use of foul language, saying that although it might not be appropriate for a family audience, such language is fairly common in police circles and suited the role well. About Dhurandhar Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar includes an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun and Akshaye Khanna. The story revolves around an undercover Indian intelligence agent navigating Karachi’s crime networks and political landscape, while seeking justice linked to the 26/11 attacks. The film performed brilliantly at the box office, emerging as a major commercial success of 2025 with collections crossing Rs 1,300 crore globally. Meanwhile, its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, released on March 19, continued to dominate the box office. The second instalment surpassed the first film’s lifetime earnings within its opening week. It has so far collected over Rs 900 crore domestically and more than Rs 1,400 crore worldwide.
02 April,2026 12:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
