The buzz around Bhooth Bangla continues to soar as the film reunites the OG Bollywood duo of Akshay Kumar and filmmaker Priyadarshan after a hiatus of about 14 years. Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures, the upcoming film has already created immense anticipation among audiences who grew up on the duo’s iconic comedy entertainers. Ram Ji Aake Bhala Karenge from Bhooth Bangla out Fueling the excitement further, the makers, on Thursday, unveiled the film’s first song, titled Ram Ji Aake Bhala Karenge, a high-spirited track that has Akshay Kumar in peak entertainer mode. Akshay Kumar brings madness, nostalgia, and his trademark comic energy to the song, which offers a vibrant glimpse into the film’s fun-filled universe. Ram Ji Aake Bhala Karenge is a spirited, peppy track bursting with comic energy that perfectly captures the film’s essence. It features infectious high-octane beats and playful visuals that set the mood for a laughter-filled ride. The song further establishes Bhooth Bangla as a full-throttle entertainer. The song is composed by Pritam, with lyrics penned by Kumaar. It is sung by Armaan Malik and Aarvan (Dev Arijit), along with a rap segment written and performed by Mellow D, adding a contemporary touch to its lively beats. About Bhooth Bangla Recently, speaking at a media interaction during the preview of the 'Bhoot Bangla' song, producer Ektaa Kapoor revealed that when they went to Akshay with the script of Bhooth Bangla, he immediately decided to come on board without wasting much time. Ektaa also stated that when they expressed their desire to get director Priyadarshan on board as the director, Akshay became extremely happy. Ekta further shared that when her team took the script of Bhoot Bangla to Priyadarshan, he appreciated it but also expressed his wish to make a few changes, which Ekta and her team agreed to. Ektaa also stated that once the agreement was sealed, everyone came on board within three days. Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with Cape of Good Films, Bhooth Bangla stars Akshay Kumar, Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, Tabu, Mithila Palkar and Rajpal Yadav. Directed by Priyadarshan and Produced by Akshay Kumar, Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor. The movie is all set to release in theatres on 10th April 2026. (With inputs from IANS)
26 February,2026 05:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPVR INOX is set to bring back the much-loved romantic comedy Hasee Toh Phasee in association with Dharma Productions on March 6. Directed by Vinil Mathew and produced by Karan Johar, Vikas Bahl, Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap, the 2014 film is a refreshingly unconventional love story that beautifully balances quirk, chaos, and heartfelt emotion. Starring Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra, Hasee Toh Phasee follows the unlikely romance between a confused groom-to-be and a brilliantly eccentric scientist, unfolding over a whirlwind week leading up to a wedding. With its sharp writing, viral dialogues, memorable music, and endearing performances, the film has earned a special place in the hearts of audiences, making its theatrical re-release a nostalgic treat for fans and a delightful discovery for a new generation. Karan Johar on film's re-release Talking about the re-release, the producer of the film, Karan Johar, said, "Hasee Toh Phasee has a very special and warm place in my heart. It wasn’t a conventional love story; it was awkward, unpredictable, and beautifully flawed, much like love itself. A love story of misfits, as I fondly call it, the film celebrates the idea that you don’t fall in love with perfection; you fall in love with chaos, with individuality, with someone who turns your world delightfully upside down. Watching audiences rediscover that magic in cinemas again is exciting, and I am looking forward to its re-release at PVR INOX Limited.” Niharika Bijli, Lead Strategist, PVR INOX Limited, said, "It's always wonderful to collaborate with the Dharma team, and we are excited to bring back Hasee Toh Phasee. The film beautifully captured the quirks, vulnerabilities, and authenticity of modern relationships, making it a story that continues to resonate with audiences. At PVR INOX, we believe in celebrating films that leave a lasting emotional imprint, and with the film's dialogues going viral in recent times and its music still a favourite at every party, we are excited to see how audiences respond to it once again on the big screen." Hasee Toh Phasee on film's re-release Speaking about the re-release of the film, the director, Vinil Matthew, said, "When we made Hasee Toh Phasee, we wanted to tell a love story about two people who don’t quite fit in – who are emotionally messy but deeply sincere. It was never meant to be a conventional romantic comedy; it was about embracing imperfections and finding connection in the most unexpected places. The film explored a range of themes, from dysfunctional families and the weight of their expectations to self-worth. From the loneliness of urban life to ultimately choosing love. Over the years, I’ve been overwhelmed by how audiences have continued to discover the film and relate to its themes. The re-release of the film is incredibly special; there’s something magical about experiencing these characters and their journey on the big screen- the humour, the silences, and the emotion all land differently. I am grateful the film gets to be rediscovered in theatres at PVR INOX.”
26 February,2026 04:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rahul Bhat is being praised for his performance in the film Kennedy. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the film was recently released on ZEE5 marking its India release. Ever since the release, Bhat has been receiving heavy praises for his performance as a contract killer. Rahul Bhat on working with Anurag Kashyap Talking about working with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, Rahul Bhat recalled the shoot of the climax scene. “The last scene is very characteristic of Anurag,” the actor recalled. “The character is completely alone, and I was emotionally drained while performing it. It was a very difficult and vulnerable space to be in.” What happened next stayed with him long after the cameras stopped rolling. During an intense close-up, he noticed that Anurag had stepped away from the monitor. Instead, he was sitting right beside him. “He was holding my right hand while I was crying and performing the shot,” the actor shares. “He was right there with me in that moment.” “He truly understands his actors,” he says. “It’s always a pleasure working with him.” The scene that made him nervous When asked if there was a scene that made him nervous, the actor shared, “It’s not really about being nervous. Actors do feel nervous at times, and that can actually be interesting.” For him, the greater challenge wasn’t stepping into the character, it was stepping out of it. “Getting out of the character doesn’t happen immediately,” he explained. The emotional residue lingers. The most demanding scenes, he says, were the silent ones. “There’s nowhere to hide,” he said. “Even behind a mask, you can’t conceal anything. Your eyes have to communicate everything.” With no spoken words to lean on, the actor is left alone with the truth of the moment. “It’s just you,” he adds. “So I wouldn’t call it nervousness but those scenes definitely required extra focus.” When Rahul could not stop crying If there was one moment that caught even him off guard, it was again in the climax. A surge of emotion surfaced unexpectedly during a take. “There was a moment where his vulnerability came out in a way I hadn’t planned,” he admits. “I wasn’t supposed to be crying that much but it just happened.” That, he believes, is the magic of complete surrender. When preparation dissolves and instinct takes over, something honest emerges. “That’s the beauty of surrendering to the character,” he says. “It simply took me to that place.”
26 February,2026 03:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Kerala High Court on Thursday granted an interim stay against the release of the film The Kerala Story 2-Goes Beyond, saying that prima facie there is non-application of mind by the censor board while certifying the movie. The film features a new lead cast, including Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha. The Kerala Story 2 film release stalled On Thursday, Kerala HC's Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the order on two pleas challenging the release of the film directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh. The film was scheduled to be released on February 27. The court in its order also said that the guidelines for ensuring a film does not disrupt social harmony appear not to have been adhered to by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The film's release has been stayed for 15 days. The Kerala Story 2 controversy The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond is a sequel to the controversial Hindi film, The Kerala Story (2019), which showed the alleged recruitment of women from Kerala into the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The ongoing petitions came amid continuing controversy surrounding the sequel. All three petitions filed before the Court have challenged the certification granted to The Kerala Story 2 on the ground that it shows Kerala in a communal light and that it could disturb the law and order situation. The petitioners have argued that the film's title and promotional materials unfairly stigmatise the State. One of the petitions was filed by Kannur native Sreedev Namboodiri, who alleged that the movie's promotional content contained themes and dialogues that could possibly incite violence. Similarly, another petition filed by Freddie V Francis seeks a ban on the film's release and challenges the use of the name Kerala in the title. The third petition, by Advocate Atul Roy, also challenged the certification granted by CBFC and sought to rename the film to remove Kerala from the title. The Kerala Story (2023) was also criticised by the Kerala government. The film was accused of misrepresenting facts and maligning the reputation of the Southern state. Back then, when questioned about the figures of conversions, the makers lost the battle in court and had to bring down the number of reported cases from 32,000 as mentioned in the trailer of the film. They then changed it to 'thousands of women'.
26 February,2026 03:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Shalini Pandey made an impressive debut with Arjun Reddy and went on to establish herself as one of the most promising actresses in the industry. In recent times, she has been part of projects like Dabba Cartel, Rahu Ketu, Bandwaale, and several others. The actress resonated deeply with her character in Bandwaale, as she too had to fight her way into the industry. In a candid chat with mid-day, she reflected on the success of Arjun Reddy, her bond with Vijay Deverakonda, sexism in the industry, and much more. Shalini Pandey on leaving home to pursue acting The Maharaja actress hails from Jabalpur and had to fight against all odds to pursue her dream of acting. However, she has always believed in taking risks rather than being complacent. “I've always believed in taking risks. I do not like to be very comfortable, as I feel I don't grow,” shares the actress. She further adds that she does not dwell on suffering but chooses to embrace whatever comes her way. “I'm also so rebellious that I don't care about what people are saying. For me, if I could shut out the noise from my father, then no one else matters. You struggle at every point. I don’t dwell on suffering or over-romanticise it.” Shalini Pandey on Arjun Reddy’s success When Arjun Reddy released in 2017, it didn’t just become a blockbuster — it turned into a cultural phenomenon that reshaped contemporary Telugu cinema. Reflecting on her decision to debut with the film, Shalini says, “We were very excited about the project we were making. I was genuinely very happy to be on that set and act. I was so immersed in it that I never thought about what it would become. So yes, it was extremely overwhelming. I did not know what to do with that love.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vijay Deverakonda (@thedeverakonda) She adds, “We were all new, so we were just trying to make a good film and be as honest as we could with ourselves, putting our best foot forward. I don't think we were looking at it with a very big lens at that time. We were simply trying to put our heads down and do our work.” The film, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, also starred Vijay Deverakonda in the lead role. Recalling her time on set, Shalini says, “The three of us would be very excited about the scenes. We would discuss them a lot beforehand. I think there was good camaraderie between all of us, and that shows in the film.”Speaking about whether she is still in touch with the actor and filmmaker, she says, “We'll always be each other's well-wishers, I'm assuming — from my side and from theirs as well. Are we best friends? No. We all move on in life. I'm in a different phase of my life, and they must be in a different phase of theirs.” Shalini Pandey on discrimination in the industry After Arjun Reddy, Shalini says she was sometimes excluded from discussions on set and even typecast. When asked if sexism still exists, she replies, “That's always going to be there. It has existed forever. I make it a point to fight my own battles. I don't lower my opinions for anyone. There are certain things I don’t agree with, and I try to express them in a way that the other person understands where I'm coming from. But again, it's not my responsibility to make someone understand.” Opening up about negativity and competitive mindsets, she reflects on how attempts to pull others down aren’t limited to the film industry but are a part of life itself. “If you're growing, anyone will try to pull you down. This has always been the way life is. It's not fair, but can you keep complaining about it?” She emphasises that such behaviour often stems from personal insecurity rather than circumstances. “I feel that if you accept that this is how life is, you deal with it better. Anyone who tries to pull someone down is coming from their own insecurity. If you're not secure within yourself, that's when you do these things,” she concludes.
26 February,2026 02:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rohit Roy is walking down memory lane. The actor took to his Instagram on Wednesday and shared a throwback picture with Sudhanshu Pandey. He also penned a note in the caption, as he wrote, “God alone knows what the hell we were celebrating or why I was on his lap but must have been momentous. Ahhhh the innocence of youth! Enjoy it while you can OR better still, remain a kid for ever”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rohit Roy (@rohitboseroy) Last year, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared a series of pictures featuring himself and his bike, a bobber. The actor revealed that he is selling off his first bike from a certain brand. He also penned a long note in the caption, as he wrote, “So the next beauty up for grabs is the iconic #indianscout from indianmotorcycle. This was my first Indian motorcycle and it was love at first sight! I’ve had several super bikes over the years but not ONE came close to the gorgeous Scout Bobber”. The actor further mentioned that the riding comfort of the bike is unparalleled. He expressed his happiness on his FTR1200 to an avid biker who had a poster of the bike on his wall with a dream to own one someday. The Indian Scout is a motorcycle built by the Indian Motorcycle Company. The bike comes with a 1133 cc engine mounted on a BS4 platform, and has a liquid cooled cooling system. It has a maximum Torque 97 Nm at 5600 rpm with 6 Speed Manual transmission. He shared, “I’m happy I was able to make his dream come true! Whoever has ever drooled over the Scout, this is your chance! Make and registration 2019, pristine condition, 9 lacs NON NEGOTIABLE! Contact Amit on WhatsApp to get your hands on this Icon! Or connect with my team on mail (rohitroyproductionsgmail.com). An entire film, The Fastest Indian, was made on the Scout! Own a part of history! Happy riding”. Earlier, the actor narrated an interesting incident from the shooting of Mumbai Saga, and also shared a great dieting advice from actor John Abraham. 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
26 February,2026 01:40 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Karan Deol, on Wednesday, has penned a heartfelt birthday wish for his ‘greatest blessing’ Drisha Acharya, and also shared a loved-up monochrome picture of the two on his social media account. Karan wrote, “Happy Birthday, my love. You are my happiness, my peace, and my greatest blessing.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karan Deol (@imkarandeol) The picture shared by Karan, shows the couple posing together against a backdrop of twinkling fairy lights. The young actor looks dapper in a suit paired with a crisp shirt, while Drisha stuns in an elegant strapless outfit with a shawl draped around her shoulders, and holding a clutch. For the uninitiated, Karan Deol tied the knot with Drisha Acharya in June 2023 in a grand ceremony. The wedding was attended by family and close friends from the film fraternity. Junior Deol had earlier shared their official wedding pictures on social media along with a romantic note. Announcing his new journey of togetherness, Karan had written, “You are my today and all of my tomorrows. The beginning of a beautiful journey in our lives. We are overwhelmingly thankful for the abundant blessings and well wishes that surround us!” Talking about Karan, the actor is the son of Bollywood star Sunny Deol and the grandson of late superstar Dharmendra. The wedding that took place in 2023, had a lot of festivities and saw the Deol family come together in celebration. Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol made headlines when they were seen dancing at the baraat. Actor Abhay Deol and several other family members also marked their presence at the occasion. For the uninitiated, Drisha Acharya is fashion designer by profession, and is reportedly the granddaughter of filmmaker Bimal Roy’s daughter Rinki Bhattacharya. On the professional front, Karan made his Bollywood debut with his father Sunny Deol’s directorial venture “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” in 2019. 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
26 February,2026 01:35 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSFormer actress Somy Ali revealed the three most naturally beautiful actresses from the 90’s, who also happened to be her close friends. These stunning and talented ladies are Tabu, Manisha Koirala, and Raveena Tandon. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Somy Ali (@realsomyali) Lauding the three for their flawless beauty and talent, Somy shared an appreciation post on her official Insta account, saying, "Given I was in the Hindi cinema in the 90's for nine years, these three teenage actors were my close friends. This gives me the right to tell you that never have I seen anyone so stunningly and breathtakingly beautiful WITHOUT makeup than these three young ladies. (sic)" "Their talent is a whole different story as one can write actual books about Tabu’s craft, Manisha and Raveena’s. However, when it comes to seeing a person without a speck of makeup two feet away from you and your mind wandering how literally flawless they are it is necessary to make that known. Because what else is sisterhood really about otherwise? It’s never ever too late to uplift anyone who is deserving of it," she went on to add. In another update, Somy expressed concern regarding veteran screenwriter and Bollywood hunk Salman Khan's father, Salim Khan's health, after he was hospitalised recently. She shared that the news made her “heart sink.” "To the world, he is a legendary writer who helped shape icons like Amitabh Bachchan and co-created masterpieces like Sholay. To me, he was a father figure," Somy wrote on the photo-sharing app. Revealing what it was like living with the Khans, she added, "Living in his home, I was treated like a daughter, included at the table, engaged in deep conversations about faith, where all religions were respected and celebrated. He taught me that God is bigger than doctrine, and that storytelling must always carry truth beneath the drama. His brilliance built cinematic history. His humanity built people." Somy concluded the post by praying for the recovery of the celebrated screenwriter. 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
26 February,2026 01:19 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSEntrepreneur Mira Kapoor penned a heartfelt birthday wish for ‘the love of her life’, actor Shahid Kapoor, on February 25, and shared pictures where she was seen kissing him. Taking to her social media account, Mira shared a series of romantic pictures and wrote, “Simply the best.. Happy Birthday love of my life.” The pictures shared by Mira capture the couple in a moment of subtle PDA as they are seen enjoying a serene sunset at a beachside. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mira Rajput Kapoor (@mira.kapoor) In one picture, Shahid, dressed in a black T-shirt and sunglasses, is seen wrapping his arms around Mira as they look at the sea. Another picture shows the two laughing candidly, with Mira leaning back into Shahid’s arms. In an intimate frame, Mira is seen planting a gentle kiss on Shahid’s forehead while he smiles at the camera. The final picture features the actor lifting Mira playfully as she hugs him tightly. Talking about Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput, the two tied the knot on July 7, 2015, in an intimate ceremony in Delhi. Their marriage was an arranged alliance facilitated through family and spiritual guidance. The couple has now been married for over a decade and are parents to two children, daughter Misha, born in 2016, and son Zain, born in 2018. On the professional front, Mira has carved her own path by stepping into entrepreneurship and is actively building her presence in the wellness and lifestyle space. Shahid Kapoor, meanwhile, is busy as a bee with his movie and shooting commitments. He was last seen in the recently released O Romeo, and has Cocktail 2 and Farzi 2 in the pipeline. For the uninitiated, Shahid Kapoor is the son of veteran actors Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azeem. Actor Ishaan Khatter is his half-brother. 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
26 February,2026 01:10 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSFormer actress Mamta Kulkarni took a moment to remember late star Divya Bharti on her 52nd birth anniversary on Wednesday, sharing a heartfelt wish in her memory. Mamta took to Instagram, where she shared a throwback picture of herself along with Divya, who passed away aged 19 in 1993. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mamta_Kulkarni (@mamtakulkarniofficial____) She posted a warm message saying, “Wish you Happy Birthday Divya Bharti,” accompanied by celebratory emojis, as she fondly recalled the actress who left an indelible mark on Hindi cinema despite her short-lived career. Divya Bharti was known for her acting, vivacity and beauty, she was among the highest-paid actresses of her time. She began her career as a teenager while working as a pin-up model. Divya made her acting debut with the Telugu film Bobbili Raja in 1990, which was a blockbuster at the box office. She subsequently starred in successful Telugu films such as Assembly Rowdy and Rowdy Alludu, establishing herself as a leading actress in the industry. She transitioned to Hindi cinema with the action thriller Vishwatma in 1992. She was then seen in Shola Aur Shabnam. The actress featured in films such as Jaan Se Pyaara, Deewana, Balwaan, Dil Hi To Hai, Dushman Zamana, Geet, Dil Aashna Hai, Kshatriya and Rang. Her last release was the 1993 film Shatranj, starring Mithun Chakraborty, Jackie Shroff, and Juhi Chawla. In 1993, Bharti died at the age of 19 after falling from the balcony of her fifth-floor apartment in Bombay. The circumstances of her death led to various conspiracy theories, but it was officially ruled as an accidental fall. Talking about Mamta, she featured in films such as Waqt Hamara Hai, Krantiveer, Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Andolan, Baazi, China Gate and Chhupa Rustam: A Musical Thriller. She quit the film industry after her appearance in the film Kabhie Tum Kabhie Hum. 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
26 February,2026 12:58 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSFitness enthusiast and actor-model Milind Soman, along with his wife Ankita Konwar and a few friends, recently cycled 55 kilometres uphill to an ‘elevation of 3,000 feet’ at Panhalad in Kolhapur. The Four More Shots Please star took to his social media account in sharing the details of their adventure and also shared a few pictures from their stint. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Milind Usha Soman (@milindrunning) Sharing glimpses from the ride, Milind captioned the post as, “Today ankita_earthy , our friends and I rode 55km with a climb of 3000ft in Kolhapur around the hills of Jyotiba temple and the fort of Panhala :) paid respects to one of the brave Generals of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Baji Prabhu Deshpande .. I ride only 10-15 times in a year, so every opportunity is welcome.” In the pictures, Milind is seen cycling on an open road during sunrise. Dressed in a navy athletic T-shirt, cycling shorts, helmet and gloves, he appears completely focused and engrossed as he pedals uphill. Another picture shows the group posing together with their bicycles in front of the iconic statue of warrior Baji Prabhu Deshpande at the entrance of Panhalad, a hill station in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra state. In another separate picture, Milind is seen lifting his red bicycle high above his head, standing proudly before the statue. Ankita and Milind have been giving major fitness goals for years now. From running marathons to regular exercise, the power couple shares photos and videos from their disciplined lifestyle, inspiring their fans. Recently, Milind and Ankita Konwar welcomed 2026 by giving major fitness goals to their fans. Ankita, in a social media post, revealed how they ran through 3 countries in just two days. Sharing an umpteen number of pictures from their visit to Budapest, Hungary, Ankita wrote, “Wish you all a very happy new year from Budapest! Spent the 30th and 31st of December the best way we know how to.” She added, “Ran through 3 countries in 2 days. Met some lovely kind people along the way! Ran through ice puddles and snow with ice-cold wind on our faces but came out of it a little bit stronger.” 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
26 February,2026 12:52 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
