Actor Alia Bhatt never fails to make her presence felt on global platforms, and she did it yet again when she presented an award at the BAFTA 2026 stage. The actor made her mark by addressing the audience in Hindi, which netizens hailed as an iconic moment. Not only this, she also expressed her love for cinema, calling Raha her source of inspiration and sharing how she dances to her songs. Alia Bhatt greets audience with ‘Namaskar’ at BAFTA 2026 The actor made her first-ever appearance as a BAFTA presenter at the 79th British Academy Film Awards, where she was invited to announce the winner in the "Film Not in the English Language" category. It was a significant milestone in Alia's international journey, and she chose to make it even more special by opening her presentation in Hindi. Before announcing the winner, Alia spoke about how films go beyond words and borders. The actress started her presentation by briefly addressing the audience in Hindi, greeting them with "Namaskar." She said, "Namaskar. Agla award ek aise film ke liye hai, jo Angrezi mein nahi hai. Don't reach for the subtitles just yet. I was only saying in Hindi that the next award is for a film not in the English language. Because while film speaks in countless voices, what we always celebrate is the language of cinema." View this post on Instagram A post shared by BAFTA (@bafta) Soon after she presented the award, videos began going viral on the internet. Fans quickly took to their social media handles to share their reactions, with some even calling her "ICONIC." The category featured a strong lineup of international films, including It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sirat, and The Voice of Hind Rajab. Sentimental Value eventually took home the honor. Alia Bhatt on Raha being her inspiration Speaking to the media on the red carpet, Alia revealed that her biggest "inspiration" right now comes from her little daughter, Raha. Talking about motherhood and the joy it brings, Alia said, “I think I say this all the time, but I think I came out of my mother’s womb on action. I feel most myself in front of the camera. Being in front of the camera is a blessing to me. I feel so grateful. I love my job so deeply. But I have to say that my true source of inspiration and magic right now is my daughter. Looking at her, she just blooms. She's three now and dances to my songs. Sometimes, I'm like, ‘Okay, that is life.’” For the evening, Alia Bhatt stepped out in a custom Gucci silver sequined gown with a high neckline and a fitted silhouette. The shimmering ensemble stood out under the lights, paired elegantly with a soft white fur stole that added a classic touch. She completed the look with sleek hair and nude-toned makeup, keeping things polished and understated. Alia's BAFTA moment adds to her growing list of international appearances, following outings at events such as the Met Gala and the Cannes Film Festival, as she continues to bridge Indian cinema with global platforms.
23 February,2026 08:20 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndian music is poised to make global cultural history as Carnegie Hall announces its first-ever Indian Music Festival, set to launch in 2027. Conceived as an annual three-day event, the festival will embed Hindustani and Carnatic classical traditions alongside film, folk, Sufi, indie and contemporary crossover sounds marking a structural shift in how Indian music is positioned within one of the world’s most influential music institutions. At the heart of the initiative is Indo-American philanthropist, vocalist and composer Ila Paliwal, whose $10 million endowment ensures the festival’s permanence. While Carnegie Hall has hosted Indian legends before from Ravi Shankar to Zakir Hussain and L Subrahmanyam, Paliwal says those appearances, though historic, were fleeting. “I grew up watching Indian maestros walk onto global stages as guests — revered, applauded, and then gone,” she tells midday. “What struck me was not the absence of brilliance, but the absence of continuity. Those were moments. I wanted to build a movement.” For Paliwal, the gap Indian music faced on global platforms was never artistic. She argues that while Indian music has long influenced the world, it has not been structurally embedded into Western institutions. “Music should be universal, and yet Indian music hasn’t had a permanent address. Hopefully, this festival gives it not just a weekend, but a home.” Curation will resist narrow definitions. “Indian music is not a genre, it’s a lineage,” she says. The classical systems of Hindustani and Carnatic music will form the festival’s intellectual core, but India’s evolving musical landscape will be equally present. Film music, folk traditions, Sufi sounds and contemporary expressions all belong, she believes, “as long as they are rooted in craft.” A key concern for Paliwal is avoiding the exoticisation that often accompanies non-Western art in global spaces. The aim, she says, is to present Indian music as a living, sophisticated system of thought. Artists will be positioned as composers and innovators, supported by masterclasses, conversations and integration into Carnegie Hall’s digital education archives. The scale of the endowment, Paliwal explains, is about intent rather than spectacle. “Culture becomes normal through repetition,” she says. “This is not about a beautiful experiment. I wanted Indian music to enter Carnegie Hall’s bloodstream.The artist in me is fiercely protective of nuance of the invisible years of rigour behind every swar,” she says. “The patron in me thinks about legacy and infrastructure. One keeps the other honest.” Looking ahead to 2032, five years after the festival’s launch, her vision of success is deliberately understated. “Success is when this no longer feels groundbreaking,” she says. She imagines a future where an Indian composer premieres work at Carnegie Hall without being labeled “world music,” where collaborations between Indian and Western artists feel natural and where conservatories teach raga with the same seriousness as harmony. “When Ravi Shankar collaborated with Yehudi Menuhin, it was historic,” Paliwal reflects. “I hope that by 2032, that kind of exchange feels completely normal.” Ila Paliwal Festival framework Conceived as an annual three-day event, the festival will embed Hindustani and Carnatic classical traditions alongside film, folk, Sufi, indie, and contemporary crossover sounds — marking a structural shift in how Indian music is positioned within one of the world’s most influential music institutions
23 February,2026 08:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuComedy is my TEA Chaos is back in business as Rohit Shetty is starting shooting for ‘Golmaal 5’ this week at Mumbai’s buzzing Film City. The director has gone big from day one, setting up elaborate outdoor sets and locking in a tight shooting schedule. Insiders tell mid-day the atmosphere on set is full of laughter as Ajay Devgn returns to lead the madness, joined by the familiar ‘Golmaal’ gang. Rohit is clearly gearing up for another laugh riot that aims to top the franchise’s earlier blockbusters. Rohit Shetty, Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar While the makers are tight-lipped about it, we have learnt that Akshay Kumar has joined ‘Golmaal 5’ as an antagonist, and Kareena Kapoor Khan is returning to the franchise after 16 years, and will star opposite Ajay Devgn. Mere bhai ki shaadi hai (L-R) Sneha Reddy, Allu Arjun, Allu Sirish, Nayanika Reddy, Upasana Kamineni Konidela, and Ram Charan Actor Allu Arjun hosted an intimate cocktail party for his brother Allu Sirish and fiancée Nayanika Reddy at his farmhouse on the outskirts of Hyderabad over the weekend. The pre-wedding celebration was attended by close friends and family, including veteran producer Allu Aravind and Ram Charan with wife Upasana. Sirish said, “This night meant so much to both Nayanika and me. Arjun and Sneha went out of their way to create something truly special and personal for us.” The couple is set to tie the knot on March 6. On a tight schedule Prashanth Neel and Jr NTR Superstar Jr NTR has returned to Hyderabad after wrapping up an overseas schedule in Jordan for his action film with director Prashanth Neel. The production, widely rumoured to be titled Dragon, completed its high-octane shoot in Jordan ahead of time, with the team capturing key action sequences before heading back to India. The project continues to generate buzz as one of Tollywood’s biggest upcoming pan-Indian releases. Jr NTR was last seen in War 2 (2025) with Hrithik Roshan. Making a global buzz Mrinmoy Das and Bhuman Bhargav Das in ‘Not a Hero’; (right) Rima Das National Award winning director Rima Das has registered a new feat in her stellar record of international acclaim. Her upcoming feature Not a Hero has won the Crystal Bear Special Mention at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival, where it had its world première. The film that follows the adventures of a boy exiled from city comforts to his ancestral village was selected in the Generation Kplus Competition section, a category that highlights films for children and young audiences. “This recognition is deeply meaningful to me Not a Hero was made by listening closely and trusting children and their right to choose who they want to become,” the director said in a statement.
23 February,2026 07:43 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamIt’s not every day in the industry that a one line idea gets a star to commit to a film. But filmmaker Suresh Triveni tells us that rarity happened when he narrated the idea of Subedaar to Anil Kapoor. “Our man said yes and then asked, ‘Kab banana hai?’” the director recounts the phone call he had with Kapoor. The Prime Video film, also starring Radhika Madan, tells the story of a former army man (Kapoor) coming to terms with the civilian life. For his protagonist, Triveni drew inspiration from Kapoor’s iconic characters of the ‘80s. Madhuri Dixit and Anil Kapoor in ‘Tezaab’; Anil Kapoor and Dilip Kumar in ‘Karma’; Anil Kapoor in ‘Parinda’ “He is one actor, who has over the period of time, adapted himself beautifully in different roles. But we can never forget Munna from Tezaab (1988) or Mr India (1987). He has a presence, which is cinematic. So that inspired me. And I wanted to write a story of a man of the soil. That’s where it started,” he shares. And it’s only been a joy ride for him to direct the star, not only for his dedication towards his craft but his hunger as a performer, despite his four-decade long experience in the industry. Suresh Triveni “Anil sir does not like to be reminded about his past work. He says, ‘Tell me about today and tomorrow. Don’t tell me about yesterday. And I’m not kidding’,” the director says, adding that he has his lead star’s professionalism to thank for being able to wrap up the film in just over 40 days. “He is so particular about the details [of the character]. Like, he’s got a book of records where he has actually noted down that what’s his hair growth and moustache growth like. He maintains a diary. His team knows that. That’s the amount of professionalism he brings to a film. Otherwise, I won’t be able to shoot a film in 44 days. It’s impossible. He is not complacent at all.”
23 February,2026 07:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaThe 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) lit up the Royal Festival Hall in London, gathering celebrities from all around the world. Alan Cumming took on the hosting duties at the prestigious ceremony, which took place on February 22. Indian celebrities Alia Bhatt, Farhan Akhtar, Shibani Dandekar and Ritesh Sidhwani also graced the red carpet, representing Indian cinema. Alia Bhatt at BAFTA 2026 Alia Bhatt made heads turn as she walked the red carpet at the prestigious BAFTA Awards in a custom Gucci sequinned gown. Alia was as one of the presenters for the evening. She brought effortless glamour and global star power to the event. Alia Bhatt sparkles on the #EEBAFTAs red carpet💖 pic.twitter.com/f5YwtvTa5D — BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 22, 2026 Alia wore a shimmering, body-hugging gown by luxury fashion house Gucci, which features intricate sequin detailing. The silhouette was elegant yet contemporary, which perfectly complemented her powerful and elegant red carpet persona. She further added old-school charm to the ensemble with a plush white fur stole draped over her arms, easingthe high-shine effect of the gown She styled the gown with minimal accessories and paired it with soft, dewy makeup. Her statement gown did all the talking. Her sleek hairdo reminded of old-Hollywood charm. On the red carpet, the actress reportedly mentioned that her source of inspiration is Raha Kapoor, her and Ranbir Kapoor's daughter. Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar at BAFTA 2026 Star couple Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar also attended the prestigious event in style, on Sunday evening. The couple, who celebrated their 4th wedding anniversary on Sunday, walked hand-in-hand on the red carpet, as they posed for the shutterbugs. Farhan @FarOutAkhtar and Shibani Akhtar brought effortless glamour to the 2026 BAFTA (@BAFTA) Awards red carpet. #FarhanAkhtar pic.twitter.com/W8CXW5D3bQ — BOLLYUKMEDIA (@bollyukmedia) February 22, 2026 Farhan looked dapper dressed in a classic black tuxedo. On the other hand, Shibani opted for a golden satin gown for the occasion. Notably, Boong, produced by Farhan Akhtar's Excel Entertainment and directed by debutant Lakshmipriya Devi, was competing for an award in the Best Children's & Family Film category at the prestigious BAFTA ceremony.
22 February,2026 11:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood star couple Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar are celebrating four years of their marital bliss. The couple shared heartfelt messages for each other, expressing their love as they marked the special occasion. Farhan Akhtar dropped a series of pictures with his wife and wrote, "To the woman who makes everything feel better.. happy fourth anniversary Shu .. love you @shibaniakhtar." Likewise, Shibani also showered Farhan with much love and warmth as she added, "8 and 4. Happy Anni @faroutakhtar To forever and beyond, Love you endlessly." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shibani Akhtar (@shibaniakhtar) In the picture, the couple could be seen posing for a cute frame, as the actor-filmmaker planted a kiss on Shibani's cheek. While fans extended their best wishes to the couple, Farhan's sister, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar also sent her greetings on their anniversary. Among others were Farah Khan Kunder, Viineet Kumar Singh, and Anusha Dandekar who greeted Farhan and Shibani. Farhan and Shibani, who dated for almost three years, tied the knot at Farhan's family farmhouse in 2022 in the presence of close friends and family members on February 19, 2022. Farhan was previously married to celebrity hairstylist Adhuna Bhabani. The two got married in 2000 and parted ways in 2017. They are parents to two daughters Shakya and Akira. On the work front, Farhan Akhtar is set to play the role of music maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, marking a Hollywood debut. Taking to his Instagram handle, Farhan said, "Honoured and grateful to be part of the ever expanding legacy of the beatles and of Pandit Ravi Shankar ji. Their creative genius is a rite of passage for generation after generation of listeners and I could go on for days about how their music has influenced me and been a companion through the good times and the not so good." The upcoming film series is structured as four interconnected biopics, each narrated from the perspective of a different member of the iconic British band, The Beatles. The project is slated for a global theatrical release in April 2028. 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.
22 February,2026 10:29 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIThe Kerala Story 2, a sequel to the 2019 film, has raked up controversy ever since the trailer of the film was released. The film has left everyone, including politicians, divided by attracting polarising reactions. The film revolves around one of the protagonists being forced to eat beef by a Muslim family. The film is set to release in theatres on February 27. Prakash Raj takes a jibe at The Kerala Story 2 On Sunday, actor Prakash Raj took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to share his take on the row around the film. He shared pictures of pork, beef, fish and sadya delicacies on his X account and wrote, “The real KeralaStory is how pork, beef and fish coexist with vegetarian sadya and all of them live in harmony. Please relish justasking happy Sunday everyone.” The real #KeralaStory is how pork, beef and fish coexist with vegetarian sadya and all of them live in harmony. Please relish 😍😍😍 #justasking happy Sunday everyone ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/Ea2JCPd6n6 — Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) February 22, 2026 Prakash, who is known to be vocal about his opinions, implied how people of all faiths and communities live harmoniously in the state. The Kerala Story 2 controversy Earlier, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap had slammed the film in harsh words saying, "The Kerala Story is a s*** movie. It is bull**** propaganda. Total bull****. Aisa kaun beef khilata hai? Aisa koi khichdi bhi nahi khilata hai (Who feeds someone beef like this? No one is fed even khichdi in this manner). Bakwaas (nonsense) picture. It is called crap.” Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a few days ago, had also issued a statement, condemning the film. “We must collectively reject attempts to portray Kerala, a land of religious harmony that stands at the forefront of sustainable development and is a model in maintaining law and order, as a center of terrorism. It is the responsibility of each of us to ensure that Kerala's secular foundation is not undermined by false propaganda and to reject it by upholding the values of secularism and brotherhood,” Vijayan said. Meanwhile, a petition has been filed in Kerala High Court seeking a halt on the release of The Kerala Story 2. The petitioner has stated, “The teaser shows the story of 3 women from Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan who fall into the trap of terrorists who weaponise romance to convert unmarried girls and change the demography of the country. As the characters speak to the screen in the teaser, they make several statements that have the potential to create a law and order situation in the country." Meanwhile, the film has secured a U/A certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
22 February,2026 09:02 PM IST | MumbaiBollywood actor-producer Arbaaz Khan recently made a real estate investment in Mumbai's Jogeshwari, adding another property to his real estate portfolio. He has reportedly purchased a premium apartment in Jogeshwari's locality for Rs 2.78 crore. Arbaaz Khan purchases new apartment The transaction details, accessed through property registration documents by Zapkey, indicate that the property deal was officially registered earlier this month. According to a Hindustan Times report, the new home is located in Jogeshwari West, which stands at one of Mumbai’s rapidly developing residential areas. The apartment is reportedly a part of the Autograph Residency project located on Link Road and is positioned on the 27th floor of the building. The apartment is believed to be spread across a RERA carpet area of 1,243 square feet, and has been bought at a per square foot price of over Rs 22,000 by the actor-producer. According to reports, the deal also includes two designated parking spaces. As per the registration papers, Arbaaz Khan completed the transaction on February 17, 2026, for which he paid a stamp duty of over Rs 16 lakh along with a registration fee of Rs 30,000 in order to formalise the purchase. The apartment has reportedly been acquired directly from the developer of the project, Mutistar Builders LLP. The residential project is currently under construction, and the possession is expected to be handed over in December 2030. With this acquisition, Arbaaz Khan added another property to his real estate portfolio in Mumbai. This comes amid his father Salim Khan's growing health concerns. The veteran writer was hospitalised on February 17 and was kept on a ventilator. Arbaaz Khan work front On the professional front, Arbaaz Khan was last seen in Kaal Trighori, which also starred Rituparna Sengupta, Mahesh Manjrekar, Aditya Srivastava, Rajesh Sharma and Mughda Godse. Next, the actor is set to appear in upcoming projects including Bihu Attack, Sridevi Bungalow and Kesar Singh. In his personal life, Arbaaz frequently makes headlines for sharing social media moments with his wife, Sshura Khan. The couple tied the knot in December 2023 and welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Sipaara, in November 2025.
22 February,2026 08:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFor years, superstar Amitabh Bachchan has followed a regular Sunday ritual of stepping out of his Mumbai home, Jalsa, to greet a sea of fans who religiously gather just to get a glimpse of him. The weekly tradition has, over the years, become an emotional association between the actor and his fans. BigB often shares pictures and videos from the meet-and-greet on his personal blog. However, the actor skipped his regular tradition this Sunday, February 22. Amitabh Bachchan reveals reason for skipping Sunday meet and greet Breaking from his custom, Amitabh informed fans that he would not be able to meet them outside the gates of Jalsa on Sunday. Taking to his Tumblr blog, the veteran star shared a note revealing the reason for his absence. "The work continues with some vigour ..but .. a but appears .. and the day ends for me .. to take in the break of a Sunday .. Sunday here .. but none at the Jalsa Gate, regrettably .... so save the energy of travel and shall meet up soon ..till then .. thoughts and thinking and even more in the silence of thought," he wrote. Although he did not specify any particular reason for his absence, his note suggested that the actor needed rest after ongoing work commitments. In the note, he also reassured fans that the pause is temporary, just for this weekend. He also encouraged his admirers to conserve their energy, while also promising to meet them again soon. Amitabh Bachchan's Sunday meet and greet Amitabh Bachchan's Sunday appearances outside Jalsa have been going on for decades and are considered one of Bollywood’s most iconic fan traditions, which his fans eagerly look forward to. Irrespective of the weather or his busy schedule, the superstar has, over the years, made it a point to acknowledge the unwavering support of his admirers, who religiously gather outside his house. Meanwhile, on the work front, Amitabh Bachchan was last seen in the film Vettaiyan with Rajinikanth. Next, he will be seen in the sequel of Kalki 2898 AD with Prabhas and Kamal Haasan in the upcoming courtroom drama Section 84. Apart from this, not much has been revealed about the 83-year-old's upcoming projects.
22 February,2026 07:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker Sriram Raghavan’s recently released film Ikkis went on to receive much appreciation from critics and audiences alike. Now, months after the film was released in theatres, Sriram has opened up about a disclaimer in the film that called Pakistan untrustworthy. The director shared that he himself was not happy with the said disclaimer. Sriram Raghavan on Ikkis disclaimer Speaking to The Wire during a recent conversation, Sriram Raghavan said, “A lot of people have asked me about the disclaimer. So, I have decided not to talk about it. There were some givens for me from A, B, C." Raghavan further shared that there are some decisions that are not entirely in his control. He cited the example of Badlapur, saying, “I don’t know whether people who ask me about it have seen another film of mine, Badlapur (2015). There’s a music video in the end, which completely negates what the film is doing. It screwed up the mood of the film! It was inserted at the insistence of my producer (Dinesh Vijan)." “Ikkis is also made by the same producer. He’s a superb guy; he let me make this film and helped me immensely. But the disclaimer was not something I was happy with personally," he added Ikkis disclaimer A disclaimer at the end of Ikkis reads, “The humane treatment of Pakistani Brigadier K.M. Nisar is an exceptional case. Otherwise, our neighbouring country is not at all trustworthy. Pakistani forces have treated our soldiers and civilians with extreme cruelty and inhumanity, both in war and peacetime. They have blatantly violated the Geneva Conventions by torturing them on numerous occasions. Given the terrorist activities sponsored by Pakistan, as concerned citizens, we need to remain vigilant and prepared." For the unversed, Ikkis is produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films and stars the late Dharmendra, Agastya Nanda, Simar Bhatia, Vivaan Shah, Sikandar Kher, and Jaideep Ahlawat in prominent roles. The story of Ikkis revolves around Arun Khetarpal, portrayed by Agastya Nanda. Khetarpal was 21 years old when he was killed in the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, and received the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his remarkable courage and sacrifice. Arun was the youngest recipient of India’s highest military honour at the time.
22 February,2026 05:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actress Kriti Sanon, who has been reportedly dating businessman Kabir Bahia secretly, seems to be ready to make her relationship more public. The alleged couple who has been spotted together on multiple occasions was recently spotted once again in London. Notably, although neither Kriti nor Kabir has officially confirmed or denied the dating buzz, their frequent public appearances and photos have continued to make headlines, fuelling the rumours. Kriti Sanon and Kabir Bahia spotted in London Amid this, a video recently shared on Reddit's BollyBlindsNGossip shows Kriti and Kabir spending quality time in London. In the clip, the rumoured lovebirds are seen walking hand-in-hand on the streets of London. The 26-year-old UK-based businessman is dressed in a blue sweatshirt with matching co-ord pants, while Kriti kept it casual in a brown fitted T-shirt paired with blue baggy denim jeans and a brown puffer jacket. She completed the look with a stunning pair of black boots. Kriti Sanon Spotted with her Boyfriend Kabir in Londonby u/bollyfanboi in BollyBlindsNGossip In the video, Kriti and Kabir are seen strolling together before Kabir notices the camera filming them. However, Kabir did not ask for the recording to be stopped and continued walking as Kriti continued to talk. Regardless, it is unknown if the video is old or recent. Notably, Kriti is seen sporting short hair in the video, while she currently has long, coloured hair. However, it is true that Kriti is presently in London. Kriti Sanon, Kabir Bahia dating rumours The rumours about love blooming between Kriti and Kabir started after the actress celebrated her 34th birthday with him in Greece. Several photos and videos of them getting cosy during the vacation had surfaced online. Although she did not include any pictures with Kabir while sharing photos with her friends, eagle-eyed netizens noticed the similarities in a photo shared by Kabir on Instagram. Additionally, Kabir was also seen actively participating in Kriti's sister, Nupur's, wedding with Stebin Ben recently. Notably, Kriti and Kabir have a nine-year age gap. On the work front, Kriti was last seen in Tere Ishk Mein. Next, she has Cocktail 2 in her pipeline, alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Shahid Kapoor in the lead. The film marks a sequel to the 2012 movie of Cocktal, which starred Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Diana Penty in the lead role.
22 February,2026 04:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
