Arijit Singh recently left everyone shocked by announcing his retirement from playback singing. Ever since he made the shocking announcement, the internet has been buzzing with speculation regarding the reason for his decision. Now, new reports suggest that the singer has reportedly taken a break from singing to start his political career. Arijit Singh to join politics? A report by NDTV recently claimed that Arijit Singh is considering launching a political party and is also considering contesting elections. A Bengali film industry insider reportedly told the news portal that Arijit could consider fighting the elections at a grassroots level initially, followed by launching his political party. As a result, he will not immediately be a part of the upcoming 2026 Bengal Assembly Elections. Notably, the 38-year-old, who hails from Jiaganj, Murshidabad, in West Bengal, has not yet issued any official statement about his entry into the world of politics. Arijit Singh announces retirement On Tuesday, Singh announced his decision to retire as a playback singer after a 15-year-long career in the music industry. He shared a note on social media stating that he will no longer take up new assignments as a playback vocalist, but will complete his pending commitments. The note read, “Hello, Happy New Year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much love all these years as listeners. I am happy to announce that I am not going to be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey." Later, in a post on his private X (formerly Twitter) account, Arijit explained that he gets “bored” quickly and hence now wishes to explore other forms of music. “There is not one reason behind this, there are several reasons plus I have been trying to do this since a long time. Finally, I have gathered the right courage. One of the reasons were simple, I get bored pretty quick, thats why I keep changing arrangements of the same songs and perform them on stage. So here is the thing, I got bored. I need to do some other music to live,” he said.
30 January,2026 10:34 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSunaina Roshan, sister of Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan, recently shared a video on her social media account where has opened up about her personal battle with addiction and struggle with alcohol, junk food and sweets. She stated how admitting the problem and accepting it became very tough was a life-changing moment. Reflecting on her journey, Sunaina in the video said, “The hardest thing I ever did was admit that I had a problem, but it changed everything.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sunaina Roshan (@roshansunaina) She highlighted how addiction often goes unnoticed, adding, “Addiction can take many forms, food, alcohol, even habits we don’t realise we’re clinging to.” Sharing details of her experience, she revealed that she battled alcoholism along with an unhealthy relationship with sweets and junk food. “I struggled with alcoholism and at one point an unhealthy relationship with sweets and junk food. It wasn’t easy,” admitted Hrithik's sister. However, Sunaina further stressed that the right approach and a solid support system played a crucial role in her recovery. “With the right mindset, support and the courage to talk about it, I was able to pull myself out,” she said. Sunaina further, while emphasising that addiction should not become one’s identity, said, “Addiction does not define you, but it does demand that you face it.” Encouraging others who may be dealing with similar struggles, Sunaina emphasized on the importance of seeking help and being patient with oneself during the tough journey. “You don’t have to do it alone. It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress,” she said. She concluded her message with a note of strength and urged people to take the process smoothly and slowly, with recovery being one step at a time. “Don’t be afraid to reach out for support. You are unbreakable,” she added. To this, Hrithik Roshan, Rakesh Roshan and Pinkie Roshan took to the comments section of the video and commended Sunaina’s strength and spirit. For the uninitiated, Sunaina Roshan, daughter of Bollywood star Rakesh Roshan, has often opened up about her long and difficult health journey over the years. She has previously battled serious medical issues, including cancer and a brain condition, emerging victorious and healthy. 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
30 January,2026 10:11 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActress Rasha Thadani has shared a deeply personal and spiritual note on her social media account, where she has expressed how her devotion to Lord Shiva continues to guide her through life and art. The young actress, in her post, spoke about how “Shiva’s dumroo beats and the rhythm stay forever in her heart,” as she further offered her music and faith to the cosmic dancer, Nataraja. Sharing a series of pictures from her spiritual visit, Rasha wrote, “Shiva has always been so important to me. Chaap Tilak is a song so close to my heart. Offering my art and my tilak to Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. His universe surrounds me always. Shiva’s dumroo beats and the rhythm stay forever in my heart. Grateful. Om namah shivay.” In the pictures, Rasha is seen standing knee-deep in water with folded hands, draped in a saffron shawl, offering prayers to the divine and water. In other pictures, she is seen at a historic temple complex, dressed in a beautiful white ethnic ensemble. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rasha Thadani (@rashathadani) According to Rasha’s post, her sacred trip holds special significance as the actress has made her singing debut with the song Chaap Tilak, which features in her upcoming film Laikey Laika. The song marks her debut in playback singing. For the uninitiated, Rasha Thadani is the daughter of Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon and film distributor Anil Thadani. The young girl is geared up for her upcoming movie Laikey Laika opposite Abhay Verma. She made her Bollywood debut with Azaad, where her dance number Uuyi Amma had taken the internet by storm, and she was appreciated for her dancing skills. A few days ago, the actress was feeling nostalgic as her film Azaad completed one year since its release. Marking the milestone, the actress shared a heartfelt note reflecting on the memories, friendships, and experiences she gained during the film's journey. Rasha took to her social media account to share a series of behind-the-scenes pictures from the sets of Azaad, where she is seen dressed as her character, Janaki. “1 year of Azaad heart so full, memories can never forget, friends made for life pragyakapoor mohitmalik1113. Through the magic and the madness, partner in crime aamandevgan (sic),” she wrote as the caption. The actress added, “Forever grateful for everything and more gattukapoor , you are the coolest person we all know. Thankyou all for the support and kindness. Love, Janaki (sic).” Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, the period drama stars Ajay Devgn and Diana Penty alongside debutants Aaman Devgan and Rasha.
30 January,2026 10:03 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSNewcomer Medha Rana struck a chord with the audience through her performance in Border 2. In a recent interview with ANI, Medha expressed her gratitude to the makers for making her a part of the iconic franchise. Recalling the day when she was informed about her casting, Medha said, "I went through several rounds of auditions, at least two or three in the first phase. After that, I was called in for a meeting with Mukesh Chhabra sir, the renowned casting director, along with Anurag sir, our director. During that meeting, they both congratulated me and told me that I had been selected for the film. I still remember that day so clearly. I could hardly believe it when I went to meet them. I became very emotional and ended up crying in front of them because it felt completely unreal." "I come from an army background. My family has served in the Army for three generations. It is a big thing for our family that I got a chance to play a role in such a project. This movie means a lot to me. It is the greatest honour of my life. Forever grateful," she added. Medha opened up about her experience sharing screen space opposite Varun Dhawan, revealing how the Student of the Year star made her feel comfortable on the sets as she was initially nervous and scared . "It was a very interesting experience with Varun. He has been a very sweet, kind and supportive co-actor. I remember when I went on the set for the first time, I was very nervous and scared. But he made sure that I feel comfortable and at ease. He has a habit that you will never feel that he is a star because he makes everyone around him feel comfortable and normal. It was the same with me," she added. Border 2, which was released in theatres on January 23, is inspired by the true events of the 1971 India-Pakistan War and showcases how the Army, Navy, and Air Force fight together as one force. It brings Sunny Deol back in uniform once again.The film also stars Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh in the lead roles. 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
30 January,2026 09:25 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIRani Mukerji has been celebrated as one of the most powerful actresses in Indian cinema. As the actress gears up for the release of Mardaani 3, she recently opened up about one of the most personal and emotionally challenging phases of her life, the loss of her second child. Rani Mukerji on suffering a miscarriage During an interaction with Pinkvilla, Rani Mukerji was seen revealing her approach to choosing meaningful stories when she spoke candidly about Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. She added that the film came to her at a time of profound personal loss. The Natioanl Award winning actress shared that she suffered a miscarriage with her second child in 2020. Talking about why she chose Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway and how the film resonated with her instantly because of the emotional state she said, "Wo jo kahani thi wo mujhe bhi aise ek mod pe hua tha, matlab wo film mere paas aayi thi, jab maine mera dusra baccha kho diya tha. Toh yeh sense of loss tha mera bohot aur wo kahani sunke mai itna judd gayi aur maine bola ye kahani mujhe batani hai." (That story came to me at a time when I had lost my second child [due to a miscarriage]. So my sense of loss was huge, and hearing that film’s story, I got attached to it and wanted to tell it to people.) For the unversed, the film revolves around a mother separated from her child. Rani reflected how the story mirrored her own grief, making the project deeply personal. Highlighting the emotional impact of forced separation, Rani shared, “Apne bacchon ke bina ek maa ka kya haal hota hai aur aapka baccha aapse leke koi chale jaye aapki aankhon ki saamne toh us maa pe kya gujarti hai, bacchon pe kya gujarti hai [wo dikhana tha]." (I wanted to show what happens to a mother when her child is taken away from her in front of her eyes, and how deeply it affects the children too.) Rani Mukerji kids Rani Mukerji and filmmaker Aditya Chopra tied the knot in 2014. The couple are parents to a daughter, Adira, born in 2015. Rani had earlier spoken about experiencing a miscarriage five months into her pregnancy in 2020.
30 January,2026 09:16 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs Aditya Dhar's espionage thriller continues to run in select theatres, the film has now made its way onto OTT. Dhurandhar’s OTT release comes eight weeks after its release on December 5, 2025, amid much rumour and speculation. However, the OTT version has seemingly upset fans When and where to watch Dhurandhar on OTT? After a successful run in theatres, Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar arrived on Netflix on January 30. Netflix India has confirmed the same by opening a reminder option for the audience. Announcing the same, the streaming platform wrote on social media, "DHURANDHAR Watch the Epic Saga unfold. Now out on Netflix in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu" However, it is uncertain if the film will be released on OTT in the six Gulf countries where its theatrical release was banned. Fans miffed over the censored version Soon after the film began streaming during wee hours on Friday, social media was flooded with complaints from viewers. Fans accused the platform of muting dialogues, censoring abusive language and trimming a total of 10 minutes from the film. Several users questioned the logic of censoring an A-rated adult film on an over-18 platform. One user on social media expressed their disappointment, saying, "You certify the film as A but you have muted/censored words! Like are we bunch of 5y/o or what? Everyone in this app is over 18, there's no meaning in watching a film with lots of cuts and censoring. You're just stealing the natural raw vibe from it." Another added, "Dhurandhar on Netflix with muted dialogues + censored abuses. If OTT isn't giving us the uncut version, who is?" Notably, the muted cuss words and other edited scenes were not the only things that miffed fans. Many even noted that the film's runtime was significantly shorter. Interestingly, Dhurandhar was the longest Hindi film in recent years. Viewers claimed that the OTT version had been trimmed by nearly 10 minutes. Dhurandhar's theatrical runtime was approximately 3 hours and 34 minutes, while the digital version clocked at around 3 hours and 25 minutes. The makers are yet to clarify the reasons for the censored version on OTT.
30 January,2026 08:38 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWeeks 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 correspondentADVERTISEMENT
