Mexican actor Darío Yazbek Bernal, known widely for his role in Netflix’s The House of Flowers, recently wrapped up the shoot of White in India. With Vikrant Massey stepping into the role of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Montoo Bassi’s directorial venture will chronicle the spiritual leader’s involvement in Colombia’s peace process. “At its core, the film is driven by a sincere emotion. It simply says: this is what happened, and this is how forgiveness becomes possible,” explains the actor over a phone call. He believes that in a world marked by polarisation, White arrives at a crucial moment. “The film is saying something that we’ve forgotten how to do: listen.” (L) Vikrant Massey plays (R) Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in the thriller That it also brought Bernal to India is another incentive. The film had its second schedule in Bengaluru through November and early December. Having spent eight weeks in India, Bernal reflects, “It’s not just Eat Pray Love! It’s complex, welcoming, overwhelming, and deeply fascinating.” The actor is equally pleased to work with co-star Massey, someone who surrendered to the story as much as he did. He says, “It fascinates me when actors from different cultures come together. Actors share a universal language. We’re driven by curiosity about people, places, and cultures. I learned a lot from him.” Did you know? Darío Yazbek Bernal is the half-brother of acclaimed actor Gael García Bernal of ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ fame
22 December,2025 08:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuNo funding for ‘Stree’ Dinesh Vijan Producer Dinesh Vijan has revealed that Shraddha Kapoor’s Stree (2018) was made without external backing as financiers were unwilling to support the project. Speaking to PTI, he shared, “When we made Stree, no one was funding me, so I had to make it on my own,” adding that several felt the film’s title “would not work”. The horror-comedy movie went on to become a sleeper hit, later spawning a sequel in 2024. Reflecting on the journey, Vijan noted that the experience has made him more confident about backing unique and unconventional ideas. Calling a spade a spade Mohit Suri Filmmaker Mohit Suri recently called out fellow directors for complaining about dwindling theatrical audiences while rarely visiting cinemas themselves. In an interaction with THR India, Mohit, whose Saiyaara was one of the most successful films this year, reacted when Cactus Pears director Rohan Kanawade admitted he had not watched many recent releases in theatres. Shaking his head, Mohit said, “We all cry about theatres, but you all don’t go to theatres. All of you are crying that no one goes to the theatres. I go every weekend for whichever film releases.” PM on the roll (L-R) Unni Mukundan and Kranthi Kumar CH on the set of ‘Maa Vande’; (right) the film’s poster The makers of Maa Vande, a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi starring Unni Mukundan, commenced filming with a traditional pooja on the first day of the shoot in Mumbai, on December 21. Sharing visuals from the ceremony on social media, the team marked the beginning of the project, which was announced on Modi’s birthday in September. Described as a biographical drama, the movie aims to chronicle the leader’s formative journey. The film, directed by Kranthi Kumar CH, is set for a 2026 release.
22 December,2025 08:16 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamTo an entire generation, if not more, Sonu Nigam has been the voice of Bollywood. They grew up on the singer’s different numbers and moods — as he serenaded them with Suraj Hua Maddham, made them dance with Bijuriya, or reflected their heartbreak in Tanhayee. Now, the lucky ones are reliving their favourite singer’s magic, as Nigam is on a seven-city tour with Satrangi Re. mid-day caught up with the artiste days before his Ahmedabad show on December 21, as he opened up on how such concerts are demanding as well as gratifying. Excerpts from the interview. In the Satrangi Re concert series, you’re performing for three hours at a stretch. Is this the first time you’re fronting a show without additional performers? It’s the first time that I have sung non-stop for three hours without any added singer or a break. Earlier, I did private concerts that lasted as long, but they were unplanned and happened because of people’s requests. What made you extend your Hyderabad show by 30 minutes?We had planned to extend the show because when we did the two-and-a-half hour show in Mumbai, we realised I didn’t have time to sing eight popular songs. I wanted to include them in the Hyderabad concert. While it’s not possible to include all the beautiful songs of my career, it’s my duty to incorporate at least some of the best. Considering you had sprained your back earlier this year, how demanding are such concerts physically?I sprained my back in February, and am fine now — no spasm or sprain. My job is musical, but also athletic. I have to take care of my fitness level. Sometimes I catch infections because of the weather or pollution, like I have right now, but I keep a check on my health and vocal prowess. What do you do before stepping onto the stage for a show?On the day of the shows, I don’t meet people or go out, however beautiful the place may be. For people, the show starts at 7 pm, but for me, it starts when I wake up. I start getting ready mentally, practice on my tanpura, and work out for an hour at the gym. Before the concert, I hold hands with my entire team, thank God and the audience as they are the reason that I am here. In my mind, it is a huge circle of people holding hands. I’m a little mad like that (laughs). Mohammed Rafi On December 27, Sonu Nigam will pay tribute to the legend, Mohammed Rafi, with a unique concert, ‘Sonu Nigam: Sau Saal Pehle – Rafi Sonu Ek Saath’, in Dubai. The singer shares, “It’s a different concept, which I need to do in India too [at some point].”
22 December,2025 08:09 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRVirality is unpredictable. Earlier this month, Flipperachi became the toast of Bollywood when his song, FA9LA, was used for Akshaye Khanna’s entry scene in Dhurandhar. Within days, it was everywhere on the internet. Had the Bahraini rapper anticipated this? “When Ranveer Singh posted the song [on Instagram], I knew it was about to blow up,” the rapper told mid-day. It’s hard to decode a song’s success, but Flipperachi believes everything came together to make FA9LA wildly popular in director Aditya Dhar’s espionage thriller. He reflected, “It’s a combination of everything — the scene, Akshaye Khanna’s return, the Arabic lyrics, and the vibe. I saw it before the movie came out, and knew this was going to do something big. The production reached out to my team a while back, and the paperwork was sorted between them.”The Khaleeji song was originally released in 2024. The rapper did not fear that it might be interpreted differently in Bollywood. “People often love vibing to our songs because of the fusion element. We’ve done the same with other genres like Brazilian funk and Afrobeat. Often, language isn’t a barrier as long as the music and vibe grab attention,” reasoned Flipperachi, who has hits Samboosa and EeLa behind him. Akshaye Khanna in the ‘Dhurandhar’ song According to him, Arabic hip-hop is on the edge of a global breakout. He hopes to be one of the artistes putting Bahrain on the map when it comes to music. “With the success of this song, we’re a lot closer. The Arabic hip-hop scene has to push as a collective to make this happen, but I’m glad to be the one to open that door!” The rapper is now working on his next single. When asked if the pressure has risen after delivering a viral number, he said, “There’s definitely a lot of pressure, but I’ve been doing music for a long time and have been ready. People used to think that hip-hop had to be aggressive and vulgar. I’m glad to change that perception, especially in the Arab region, and show them how you can create hip-hop music that is clean, fun, and can transcend borders.” Did you know? When ‘FA9LA’ was released in 2024, it had gained immense popularity in Sri Lanka. Flipperachi said, “I’m happy to see it going viral again in South Asia now.”
22 December,2025 08:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuIf JP Dutta’s Border (1997) chronicled the Battle of Longewala of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, its upcoming sequel Border 2 will focus on several chapters of the same war. Its subject aside, another element binds the two movies. mid-day has exclusively learnt that director Anurag Singh’s drama — led by Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty — will have appearances by Akshaye Khanna, Suniel Shetty, and Sudesh Berry, who played significant roles in the original. Khanna played Second Lieutenant Dharamvir Singh Bhakhri, Suniel, Assistant Commandant Bhairon Singh Rathore, and Berry was Naib Subedar Mathura Das. In the narrative, all three characters were killed in action. A source revealed, “Since Border 2 is also set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the characters from the original film will serve as their peers. Anurag and producer-writer Nidhi Dutta felt bringing the heroic characters from the 1997 war drama would make it a memorable experience. So, they incorporated this segment. The characters from the old and new films will cross paths at an event before the 1971 war begins. It’s a great idea as it not only brings the father-son duo of Suniel and Ahan on screen, but also harks back to the much loved movie.” (From left) Varun Dhawan, Sunny Deol, and Ahan Shetty at the teaser launch of ‘Border 2’. Apparently, the original plan was to shoot the sequence earlier this year in Pune. However, things did not work out due to the unavailability of combination dates of the concerned actors, and other logistics. The source added, “In November, Akshaye and Sudesh filmed their portions in Mumbai. Suniel has been shooting for a new project in which he sports a distinct look. So, his parts were shot against a green screen, and will require special effects. All three actors will be de-aged in keeping with their Border avatars.” mid-day reached out to producer Bhushan Kumar, who remained unavailable for comment.
22 December,2025 07:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRAs per original plans, pre-production of ‘Luka Chuppi 2’ was to begin in early 2026. But the buzz in the industry is that the Varun Dhawan and Sharvari-starrer has now been pushed by nearly six to eight months. Reason? From what we’re told, it’s director Laxman Utekar’s packed slate. A still from ‘Luka Chuppi’ Utekar, who had helmed Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon-led ‘Luka Chuppi’ in 2019, is currently neck-deep in the shoot of ‘Eetha’, his biopic on Tamasha artiste Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar. A source told mid-day, “Laxman is completely tied up with the Shraddha Kapoor film right now. ‘Eetha’ is demanding his full attention, and he doesn’t want ‘Luka Chuppi 2’ to feel rushed or compromised. After he wraps up ‘Eetha’ by mid-2026, he will train his focus on the rom-com’s sequel.” Laxman Utekar The lead actors too have a busy date diary. While Dhawan is expected to begin work on ‘Bhediya 2’, Sharvari is currently filming for Sooraj Barjatya’s ‘Yeh Prem Mol Liya’. The source added, “A final call on the story and timeline will be taken in late 2026.”
22 December,2025 07:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuActress Nora Fatehi recently met with a car accident after a drunk driver slammed into her car on Saturday. However, she has now broken her silence on the accident, assuring all her well-wishers that she is alive and well, although he has suffered some minor injuries. Nora Fatehi breaks the silence on her car accident Nora has now shared a video on her Instagram stories, wherein she is seen saying, "Hey guys, I'm just coming here to tell you that I am okay. Yes, I was in a really serious car accident. A drunk person who was driving under the influence smashed my car, and unfortunately, the impact was quite severe, and it flung me across the car. I bashed my head on the window." She further expressed her strong disapproval of driving while being under the influence, adding, "I'm alive, and I'm well. Except for some minor injuries, swelling, and a slight concussion, I'm okay. I'm grateful for that. That could have ended terribly, but I came to say this to say that this is why you should not drink and drive." Nora Fatehi went on to reveal that she is not someone who promotes or enjoys substance abuse while shedding light on the negative impact on others. "I hate alcohol to begin with. In fact, I am not someone who has ever liked the idea of alcohol or anything like that, such as drugs, weed, anything that puts you in a different state of mind... It is not something I promote or even enjoy being around...", she said. Urging people to be mindful, she added, "You should not drink and drive. It's 2025. I cannot believe that this is even a conversation. I can't believe that this is even a scenario that has to happen. At 3 p.m. in the afternoon, I could never imagine someone would be driving under the influence and putting people in harm's way. Having said that, I just want to let everyone know I'm okay. I'm going to be suffering from pain for some time, but, thank God I am alive." Drunk Driver slammed into Nora Fatehi’s car According to sources, "Nora Fatehi was involved in an unfortunate car accident, while on her way to the Sunburn Festival for her scheduled appearance with David Guetta, as a drunk driver rammed into her car. Her team immediately rushed her to the nearest hospital, where the doctors conducted a CT scan to rule out hemorrhagic injury or internal bleeding. Doctors confirmed Nora has sustained a slight concussion from the impact. Despite medical advice to rest, Nora insisted on returning to work and fulfilling her professional commitments, and will make her scheduled appearance at Sunburn 2025 tonight."
21 December,2025 06:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSinger Kumar Sanu recently filed a defamation lawsuit against his former wife, Rita Bhattacharya. She has now publicly reacted to the legal notice sent to her by the legend. In the suit, Kumar alleged that Rita defamed him in earlier interviews in which Bhattacharya alleged mistreatment by him during their marriage. The petition has been filed in the Bombay High Court through advocate Sana Raees Khan, seeking Rs 30 lakh in damages. It also sought the removal of Bhattacharya’s interviews from entertainment platforms. Kumar Sanu's ex-wife reacts to defamation suit Bhattacharya spoke about the lawsuit to ETimes, wherein she claimed that the notice she received demanded a higher amount than what has been reported. “The paper he has sent me, he is asking for 50 crores. I don’t know how Sanu is dreaming that I have so much money. It is really sad. I’m shocked. He is filing a case against the mother of his three grown-up sons," she said. The dispute emerged after actor Kunickaa Sadanand spoke about a past relationship with a married man, hinting at Sanu, on Bigg Boss 19. Bhattacharya reacted to those remarks on social media, and her son Jaan Sanu, while criticising Sadanand. She questioned, “He is attacking me without attacking any other person. He is filing a case against me, not about the other people who are talking and inciting things." During her interview, Bhattacharya added, “I never got a chance to talk to him. Neither my children ever got a chance to talk to him because he has always blocked us. I tried to call Sanu, but he never took our calls. We are blocked on his number." “I contacted his secretary and requested him to please stop this. It is a very big insult. My son was getting married, and the in-laws were asking questions. I requested many times. I have all the messages and recordings on my phone," she revealed. Bhattacharya added that the legal battle made her recall her painful history. “I am 63 years old, and again I have to fight in court. The first time he took me to court, I was pregnant with Jaan. Now again, at this age, I have to go through this. I will meet Sanu in the court after 31 years. This is very insulting. My children are not kids. They are grown-up men. My elder son will be 37, my second son will be 34, and Jaan is already 31. I don’t think it is their crime that they are answering people. They did nothing." She also indicated she may pursue a counter-case, saying, “I will see him in court. And I will request Sanu with folded hands — just try to be a good human being and be the father of my three children. If you can’t love us, at least don’t disturb us and don’t harass us anymore." Kumar Sanu and Rita Bhattacharya's divorce Kumar Sanu and Rita Bhattacharya parted ways back in 2001. The petition notes that both had agreed not make allegations against each other in the divorce agreement signed in the Bandra Family Court. The current action claimed that Bhattacharya violated that consent by making the allegations, including that the singer starved her, denied medical access, and locked her in the kitchen. She made the allegations during interviews that went viral in September 2025.
21 December,2025 04:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Emraan Hashmi recently suffered an injury on set while filming a high-octane action sequence for his upcoming film, Awarapan 2. However, the actor soon returned to the sets to fulfil his work commitments despite the intense injury. Emraan Hashmi suffers an injury on the sets A photo recently went viral on social media, which shows Emraan Hashmi with a bandage on his abdomen. The photo appears to be from a hospital. Sources reveal that the actor was filming a high-octane action sequence on the sets of Awarapan 2, when he suffered a serious abdominal tissue tear that required immediate medical attention and surgery. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) Emraan was taken under medical care immediately. However, he chose to return to the set far sooner than expected. Source further revealed that currently, shooting is taking place in Rajasthan. Emraan is back on location with controlled action movements and is on a carefully monitored schedule to ensure he balances health with work responsibility. Meanwhile, to support the lead actor's recovery, the Awarapan 2 team has reportedly revised the shooting plan to ensure that the filming continues smoothly without compromising the actor’s health. The adjustments include shorter work hours for Emraan and reduced physical strain. This will allow Emraan to balance his recovery with his professional responsibilities. Fans and followers have praised his commitment to work while praying for his speedy and complete recovery. Emraan Hashmiupcoming projects Emraan was last seen in the film Haq with Yami Gautam. He played the role of an advocate in the film. The actor has interesting projects lined up for release. His web series Taskaree will be released on Netflix on January 14, 2026. Created by Neeraj Pandey and directed by Raghav Jairath, the show also features Sharad Kelkar, Amruta Khanvilkar, Nandish Singh Sandhu, Anurag Sinha and Zoya Afroz. Emraan was last seen in the film Haq with Yami Gautam. He played the role of an advocate in the film. The actor has interesting projects lined up for release. His web series Taskaree will be released on Netflix on January 14, 2026. Created by Neeraj Pandey and directed by Raghav Jairath, the show also features Sharad Kelkar, Amruta Khanvilkar, Nandish Singh Sandhu, Anurag Sinha and Zoya Afroz. (With inputs from IANS)
21 December,2025 04:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Nora Fatehi met with a car accident on Saturday afternoon while she was headed to David Guetta’s concert in Mumbai. The actor suffered minor injuries and received first aid. Despite being advised medical rest, Fatehi chose to honour her professional commitment and attended the concert. Nora Fatehi says she is alive and well After the concert, Nora took to Instagram Stories to share multiple videos detailing the incident, claiming that a drunk driver rammed his car into hers. “Hey guys, I’m just here to tell you that I am okay. Yes, I was in a really serious car accident this afternoon. A drunk person driving under the influence smashed into my car. The impact was quite severe and flung me across the car. I bashed my head against the window,” she said. She added, “I’m alive and well. Except for some minor injuries, swelling, and a slight concussion, I’m okay. I’m grateful because this could have ended terribly. Please don’t drink and drive.” Nora also expressed disbelief that such incidents still occur. “I can’t believe that this is even a scenario that has to happen at 3 p.m. in the afternoon. I could never imagine someone would be driving under the influence and putting people in harm's way. Having said that, I just want to let everyone know I'm okay. I'm going to be suffering from pain for some time, but, thank God I am alive.” Calling the incident traumatic, Fatehi admitted it had left her shaken. “That was a terrifying moment. I’m still slightly traumatised,” she said. Nora on attending David Guetta's concert after accident Opening up about attending the concert soon after the accident, she explained, “I don't let anything get in the way of my work, my ambition, and any opportunities that I get. So, no drunk driver was going to get in that kind of opportunity. I worked way too hard to reach these milestones and moments. That might look crazy to you, but long story short, don't drink and drive”. Nora concluded by thanking fans and well-wishers for their concern, reiterating her message against drinking and driving. "I want to say thank you to everyone who's been reaching out to see if I'm okay. I really appreciate that. It does mean a lot to me and thank you to my fans who have been messaging, I know everyone's so concerned. But again, I have to reiterate, don't drink and drive,” she said.
21 December,2025 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCleared with conditions (L-R) Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday. Pics/Instagram, X Christmas releases always come with excitement, and occasionally a little censorship drama. The upcoming romcom Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday, gears up for its Christmas Day theatrical release after facing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)’s scissors. According to reports, the film received a U/A 16+ certificate after “three cuts”, which include removing a “sexually suggestive” scene, muting and deleting “obscene dialogue” from subtitles, and trimming portions of the second half to eliminate abbreviated obscene expressions. After all the tweaking, the final runtime now stands at 145 minutes and 41 seconds. Certified drama, coming soon! Finding inspiration at home A still from ‘Ikkis’ Agastya Nanda admits he doesn’t have to look too far for cinematic inspiration, because home offers plenty of it. Preparing to play Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal in Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan, the actor says he immersed himself in iconic war and patriotic films — including his grandfather Amitabh Bachchan’s Major Saab (1998). Agastya Nanda “We took a lot of inspiration and have seen a lot of lovely films like uncle Abhishek Bachchan’s Refugee (2000), Major Saab, and Border (1997), and these were classic Indian films. I would watch them for my own study,” he shares at a recent media interaction. Clearly, filmi blood runs deep in this family. Not three, four idiots arriving (L-R) Sharman Joshi, R Madhavan, and Aamir Khan in ‘3 Idiots’ mid-day recently reported that a sequel to Aamir Khan’s blockbuster 3 Idiots (2009) is in development (The idiots are calling, December 9). Now, rumours suggest that the film is taking shape under the tentative title 4 Idiots, with the makers planning to introduce a brand-new central character alongside the OG trio. Aamir, R Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi are expected to reprise their roles as the story continues from where the original film left off. Insiders claim that the script is currently being polished, with the team eyeing a “major star” to join the franchise.
21 December,2025 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamADVERTISEMENT
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