Weeks of rest later, work has come calling Shraddha Kapoor again. The actor, who is bringing Tamasha artiste Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar’s story to the screen with Eetha, resumed filming for the biopic on January 4. Before this, director Laxman Utekar had called for a five-week break since the leading lady suffered a toe fracture in November 2025 (Intermission just as the show starts, Nov 22). Sources told mid-day that the unit has now been shooting at Marve Beach near Malad, where the production design team has created a set of a village. “Among the few sets that were built on the site in November, one reflected the interior of a house, and another, a bustling village. Laxman kept the sets standing until Shraddha healed. Now, they have resumed the shoot of a dance number that sees Shraddha’s character performing on a stage in the middle of a mela. Over 800 background artistes, who will be seen as people milling about at the mela, report to the set every day. Vaibhavi Merchant is choreographing the fast-paced number,” revealed a source. Laxman Utekar Playing out between 1940 and 1990, Eetha will spotlight the Pandharpur-born artiste’s unusual rise in the world of Tamasha, her brush with fame, and her eventual financial distress. Currently, they are filming the portions that trace Narayangaonkar in her 40s — a part for which Kapoor has apparently put on weight. We’ve heard that after this leg is wrapped in February, the actor will have a 10-day break. The source added, “Shraddha will use the time to shed weight. Soon after, she will shoot the portions that chronicle the protagonist in her 20s and early 30s. Originally the project was to be wrapped by February, but due to the fracture and the subsequent delay, the director is aiming to reach the finish line by April.”
30 January,2026 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBROff to Dubai In his lifetime, Shah Rukh Khan has received countless awards for his contribution to Hindi cinema. Now, the superstar has jetted off to Dubai to receive the Global Icon Award. He was spotted at the Mumbai airport carrying a Hermès bag and sporting a Dior hooded jacket — because when you’re SRK, even airport looks are a moment. Shah Rukh will be honoured during the inaugural Dubai Mall Festival of Fashion. But before attending the two-day festival, which kicked off on January 29, the actor dropped another big announcement — the release date of his next film, King. He unveiled the teaser on social media and wrote, “King is ready to roar on 24.12.2026 in cinemas (sic).” Making his debut Papon Playback singer Papon, known for Bulleya, Jiyein Kyun, and Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, has now made his debut in Odia music with his new track Kuni Kuni. The romantic melody captures love, longing, and tender emotions. Hailing from Assam, Papon says the experience was both new and enriching. “Singing in Odia was a completely new experience for me. Being from Assam, I was excited to explore a different linguistic and musical space. Once I understood the dialect and its nuances, the song began to flow very naturally. It helped me express romance in a very pure and honest way,” he says. The lyrics are penned by Sunil Parida, with music composed by Bharat-Hitarth. With Kuni Kuni, Papon now adds Odia as his 11th language, having previously sung in Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, Urdu, Mishing, Bodo, Tiwa, and Punjabi. On autopilot Karan Patel After over two decades in the television industry, Karan Patel had hit pause in 2019. Isn’t it with good reason? The actor, who recently returned to screens with reality show The 50, adapted from the popular French series Les Cinquante, opens up about stepping away from the relentless grind of daily television. He says he reached a point where he felt he was “running on autopilot”. While TV has been an integral part of his career, the demanding nature of the medium eventually took its toll. “I love television, but it’s physically and mentally exhausting. I wanted to reconnect with myself, with life outside the set. That pause wasn’t about quitting — it was about recalibrating,” says the actor, who was last seen in the daily soap Yeh Hai Mohabbatein.
30 January,2026 07:50 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamMuch like his punchlines, Vir Das’s directorial debut Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos too arrived quietly but landed with an impact. The spy comedy, which released on January 16, has retained screens despite the presence of tentpole movies like Border 2. Das, who has co-written as well as fronted it, is elated to see that his movie has struck a chord with the multiplex audience. The International Emmy-winning comic said, “We were always aware that this is a small film coming out in a market where spectacle films are currently working at the box office. So to see Happy Patel playing in theatres, despite that kind of competition, is heartening.” It will also face competition from this week’s release, ‘Mardaani 3’ To the actor and director, Happy Patel’s run is a marker of something bigger. He explained, “When a film like this manages to stay on, it tells you there is space for different kinds of stories, even in a crowded theatrical landscape. Within trade circles, the film has increasingly been referred to as the little film that refuses to quit.” Rs 7CRDomestic collection of ‘Happy Patel’ so far
30 January,2026 07:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuEmpathy and authenticity have always driven Onir’s queer-themed stories on screen. The filmmaker’s next, a short film titled Tumhari Khushboo, is laced with the same qualities. What makes its casting notable is that Onir has roped in Shashi Bhushan, a visually impaired actor, to portray a queer and visually impaired character opposite Barun Sobti. “It is an intersectionality that is uncommon. I have several queer-themed films, but this one is special because we rarely see representations of queer characters with disabilities in films,” Onir told mid-day, as he unveiled the film’s poster on January 25. Onir Written by Ravi Asrani, Tumhari Khushboo is set in Mumbai and explores the relationship between Sunil, a visually impaired masseur, and Kamran, a sports instructor and his client. For Onir, authentic representation of Bhushan’s character was critical to the storytelling. The director explained, “Though more vulnerable, Sunil is not seeking sympathy, nor does he play a victim. He is portrayed as someone who is independent and navigating the challenges of life just like anybody else does. Bhushan is a remarkable actor and a gifted musician, and his talent organically became part of the film during our workshops.” The 33-minute film was shot in Mumbai over three months. Onir elaborated, “In Mumbai, we have a massage parlour where the masseurs are visually impaired, so portions of the film are shot there. Then, we shot some parts in Bhushan’s home, a space that he is familiar with. The story reminds us that love, desire, and vulnerability belong to everyone.”
30 January,2026 07:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal AsharSunny Deol’s Border 2 has opened to an overwhelming response, with its first week garnering strong collections. Overwhelmed by the love, actor Sunny Deol has expressed gratitude to fans for showering support on the film. The actor took to social media to share a video message thanking audiences for their warmth and appreciation. Sunny Deol thanks fans for Border 2 love Sharing the video, Sunny Deol wrote, “Meri, aapki, hamari #Border2 ko itna pyaar dene ke liye, aap sab ko bohot.” In the video, Sunny Deol is heard saying, “Aawaz kahan tak gayi? Aapke dilon tak. I am so grateful for the love and warmth you showered on my movie Border. Thank you so much for it all.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sunny Deol (@iamsunnydeol) For the uninitiated, Border 2, directed by Anurag Subha, has opened to a great response. In just six days, the film has earned over Rs 231.83 crore. About Border 2 The movie has been produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J. P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta under T-Series Films and J. P. Films. The ensemble cast includes Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, with additional roles played by Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, and Medha Rana. The story expands beyond the original by depicting combined operations of the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy against the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. The film also touches upon the Battle of Basantar, one of the major campaigns of the 1971 India–Pakistan war. Sunny Deol’s upcoming movies Talking about Sunny Deol, the actor is now set to start shooting for his upcoming film next month. The film is co-produced by A.R. Murugadoss and Farhan Akhtar. The yet-to-be-titled film will be helmed by Balaji Ganesh. On Sunday, the film’s team gathered for a puja and also posed together for pictures. In one of the images, Sunny, Jyotika, Balaji Ganesh, and Riteish Sidhwani were seen sharing smiles. The film is expected to go on floors from February 2026. Apart from the above-mentioned project, Sunny has Rajkumar Santoshi’s Lahore 1947 lined up. The film stars him alongside Preity Zinta and is produced by Aamir Khan. Additionally, he will be seen in the magnum opus Ramayana, helmed by Nitesh Tiwari, where he essays the role of Hanuman alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash.
29 January,2026 06:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor John Abraham has stunned the internet with his new look. Known for keeping a low profile and leading a private life, the actor has undergone a striking transformation, possibly for an upcoming project. Pictures of John recently surfaced on social media, where he was seen happily posing with fans. John Abraham sports new look In the images doing the rounds online, John appeared noticeably leaner than usual and sported a clean-shaven look. The actor, who is rarely seen without a moustache or stubble, also flaunted salt-and-pepper hair, making him look almost unrecognisable. His new appearance has sparked conversations across social media. While some fans praised the refreshed look, others expressed concern about his health due to his visible weight loss. Comments ranged from “What happened to him?” and “Grow that beard back!” to remarks like “He looks ill” and “Is this a real picture?” However, many fans came to his defence, pointing out that he is 54 and that physical changes are natural with age. John Abraham New Look 😍❤️💯💪 @TheJohnAbraham @VenetiaSarll,#JohnAbraham pic.twitter.com/8meO3OHgvH — Asad Jafc (@AsadJafc) January 27, 2026 John Abraham on his low-key life Despite being one of the prominent stars of the film industry, John maintains a private life away from the limelight. He rarely makes public appearances with his wife, investment banker Priya Runchal. John has previously stated that their decision to stay private is a conscious and mutual one, adding that he has always steered clear of controversies throughout his career. In an interaction with India Today, John explained why there is rarely any news about him apart from his films. He said, “That is a very conscious decision, because my films have nothing to do with my personal life. In all these years, I have never had a publicist or an agent. I don’t have someone who is manufacturing stuff for me out there. So the minute my films are over, I become not newsworthy and I go into my shell and come out to speak only when I have something relevant to say.” When he is not promoting or working on a film, John invests time in his hobbies and interests, which include his football academy in Shillong.
29 January,2026 05:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe legal dispute surrounding the estate of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur took a fresh turn after the Delhi High Court refused to pass any immediate order on the contentious family trust and instead issued summons to his daughter in law, Priya Kapur, along with several other parties. Rani Kapur's plea for the trust fund Sunjay Kapur, former chairman of automotive components major Sona Comstar, passed away in June 2025 following a cardiac arrest. His mother, Rani Kapur, has moved the Delhi High Court seeking to declare the Rani Kapur Family Trust null and void, alleging that it was fraudulently created to deprive her of her rightful assets. In her plea, Rani Kapur claimed she was neither informed nor consulted when the trust was set up. She alleged that she was “made to sign documents without being properly informed of their contents or legal implications,” and further stated that “some documents were signed in blank.” According to her, this was “part of a larger design to restructure the family estate through the trust to my detriment.” Rani Kapur also claimed that she only became aware of the trust’s terms after receiving photocopies of the deed. “I discovered that the trust assets were meant to be used exclusively for the benefit of Sunjay Kapur during his lifetime, entirely excluding me,” she said. She further alleged that after his death, “60 per cent of the trust corpus was earmarked for his third wife, Priya Kapur, while the remaining portion was to be utilised for the benefit of his grandchildren.” All about the case During the hearing, the Delhi High Court declined to grant any interim or status quo relief on the trust, stating that the matter required a detailed examination of facts and documents. A bench led by Justice Mini Pushkarna issued summons to Priya Kapur and 22 others, including members of the Kapur family and Sunjay Kapur’s grandchildren, directing them to file their responses. The court made it clear that no immediate orders would be passed until all parties were heard. The matter has now been listed for further hearing before a new bench. With allegations of fraud, exclusion, and misuse of authority at its core, the case is expected to remain under close judicial scrutiny as proceedings continue.
29 January,2026 05:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rani Mukerji has found herself at the centre of an online debate following a recent interview in which she spoke about respect within households and how parental behaviour shapes children. While promoting her upcoming film Mardaani 3, Rani shared her views on family dynamics, a section of which did not go down well with many on social media. Rani Mukerji talks about the influence parents have on their kids Speaking about the influence parents have on young minds, Rani said, “I think respect starts at home. Very easily, when you see your mother being ill treated, it empowers boys to think that if my mother can be treated like this, every other girl can be treated the same way.” She further added, “Fathers need to be responsible for how they treat their wives at home, because that’s what a boy grows up seeing.” However, her next statement sparked criticism online. “Even a small thing like a father raising his voice at the mother shouldn’t happen. The mother should raise her voice at the father, that’s how it should be,” she said, prompting mixed reactions. Rani also made a light hearted remark while recalling her younger days, jokingly bringing her husband Aditya Chopra into the conversation. “Only one boy I slapped, and the rest of the boys were my friends. And just don’t go and ask my husband what happens to him every day at home,” she said with a laugh. Netizens react to Rani Mukerji's statement While some viewers felt her comments were made in jest, others questioned the idea of normalising raised voices in relationships. Several social media users expressed discomfort with the statement, with one comment reading, “Why would anyone raise their voice at anyone? Communication should be about calm conversation, not shouting.” Another wrote, “Normalising shouting in a relationship, regardless of who does it, is problematic.” Despite the backlash, Rani remains focused on her professional commitments and is set to reprise her role as fearless cop Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 3. The actor has consistently used her platform to speak about women’s safety and empowerment, though her latest comments have clearly divided opinion online.
29 January,2026 03:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentGrief swept through Baramati in Pune district on Thursday as Maharashtra bid farewell to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who lost his life in a tragic plane crash. His last rites were performed with full state honours. Riteish attends Ajit Pawar's last rites Several political leaders arrived in Baramati to attend the funeral of the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Actor Riteish Deshmukh, son of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, also arrived in Baramati to pay his last respects. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde were present at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati, the Pawar family’s hometown, located about 100 km from Pune. Thousands of mourners gathered as chants of “Ajit Dada amar rahe” echoed when his mortal remains, draped in the national flag, were brought from his village Katewadi to the venue. #WATCH | Actor Riteish Deshmukh attends the last rites of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, in Baramati pic.twitter.com/rV0Klhfl6v — ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2026 As the funeral pyre was lit by Pawar’s sons, Parth and Jay, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar sat in silence. His younger brother Prataprao Pawar was also present. Several leaders, including Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Naveen Patnaik, Ramdas Athawale, Pramod Sawant, Sushilkumar Shinde, Rahul Narwekar, and Nara Lokesh, paid floral tributes. Ajit Pawar’s younger brother Shriniwas Pawar, his sisters, and other family members also offered their respects. His cousin Supriya Sule, the NCP (SP) Lok Sabha member from Baramati, stood with Sunetra Pawar to console her as she paid tributes to her late husband. Riteish Deshmukh’s tribute to Ajit Pawar Actor Riteish Deshmukh expressed deep grief over the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar. Calling him “one of Maharashtra’s most dynamic leaders,” Riteish praised his work ethic, sharp wit, and straightforward nature. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Riteish wrote that Pawar’s untimely passing has left behind an irreplaceable void. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the Pawar family, loved ones, and supporters. Ajit Pawar passed away in a plane crash near Baramati on Wednesday. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all six passengers on board, along with Pawar, did not survive the crash. The aircraft reportedly went down while landing near Baramati, nearly an hour after taking off from Mumbai.
29 January,2026 03:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker Imtiaz Ali’s next with Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina, Sharvari Wagh, and Naseeruddin Shah has already managed to create some massive buzz among movie buffs. Now, the makers, Applause Entertainment and Window Seat Films, have announced the release date for the yet-untitled drama, which is currently in its post-production phase. Imtiaz Ali's next film gets release date The film will be released in theatres on 12th June. Applause Entertainment took to their social media account and shared a black and white photo of Imitaz Ali, capturing him in the midst of directing. Dressed casually, he gestures towards something behind the camera during the film's shoot. Unveiling the release date, the makers wrote, "Imtiaz Ali’s next, a charming story of love and longing to release in cinemas on 12th June, 2026. Applause Entertainment Presents, A Window Seat Films Production. Starring: Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina, Sharvari, Naseeruddin Shah Directed by Imtiaz Ali Music by A.R. Rahman Lyrics by Irshad Kamil Produced by: Applause Entertainment, Window Seat Films, Mohit Choudhary. (sic)." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Applause Entertainment (@applausesocial) About Imtiaz's next film Backed by Applause Entertainment, Window Seat Films, and Mohit Choudhary, the project enjoys a contemporary and witty narrative that explores the depth of human connection. The film also brings back the legendary trio of A.R. Rahman, Irshad Kamil, and Imtiaz Ali. Previously, Imtiaz, who is both the writer and director of the drama, had shared a statement saying, “‘Tum mere paas hote ho goya, Jab koi doosra nahin hota’ (‘You are with me, however, when there is no one else’) -Momin. Can love really be lost? Can home be taken away from someone’s heart?” Ali had shared that the film “has a big heart.” “It has a large canvas, yet is very personal. It is a story of a boy and a girl, but also a country. Wish us well as we dive into the currents of this dynamic story, we hope to emerge next year with a touching cinematic experience in a theatre near you,” the Rockstar maker added. Other details about the much-discussed drama have been kept under wraps for now. The project will mark Diljit's first on-screen collaboration with Vedang Raina and Sharvari and second collaboration with Imtiaz Ali after the 2024 biopic, Amar Singh Chamkila.
29 January,2026 03:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVarun Dhawan is currently basking in the success of Border 2, in which he plays the role of Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya. Inspired by the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the film features several intense battlefield sequences. During the shoot of one such scene, the actor suffered a serious injury. Varun Dhawan's injury on set On Thursday, Varun Dhawan shared a video from the sets of Border 2. In the clip, he is seen engaging in combat with a co-star playing a Pakistani army soldier. As the scene unfolds, Varun gets pushed towards a cameraman and, in an attempt to avoid colliding with the camera, lands hard on a rock, injuring his tailbone. Sharing the video on Instagram, Varun wrote, “The worst injury I ever got on Border 2. I smashed my tailbone into a rock when I tried to avoid banging into the camera. It was the worst pain I ever felt. Thankful to my team for helping me continue that day. I could barely walk, but I kept going. Grateful for the journey.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by VarunDhawan (@varundvn) Earlier, the actor had also shared a series of photos from the film’s sets, stating that Border 2 pushed him to his physical and emotional limits. He revealed that the making of the film coincided with a challenging phase in his life, marked by injuries and personal changes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by VarunDhawan (@varundvn) Border 2 is presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in association with J.P. Films. Directed by Anurag Singh, the film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta, and is slated for release on January 23. Varun Dhawan's work front Talking about Varun, post Border 2, he will be seen in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The film also stars Pooja Hegde, and Mrunal Thakur. It is all set to hit the screens on June 5. The film was earlier scheduled to release on April 10, 2026. For those who do not know, Hai Jawani Toh Pyaar Hona Hai is a hit song from David Dhawan's film Biwi No 1, featuring Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and Sushmita Sen. The name of the forthcoming drama is believed to have been inspired from this popular track. Touted to be a blend of a lighthearted narrative with romantic elements, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai reportedly shares a tale of a guy who was rejected by several women, but ends up getting help from God.
29 January,2026 01:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
