Aditya Pancholi is one of the popular actors of the ’90s, predominantly known for playing grey characters. While his career boasts an impressive filmography, the actor has found himself in hot water over controversies for several reasons. In 2019, a popular actress accused Aditya Pancholi of rape. The actor has now filed a plea in the Bombay High Court to quash the FIR filed against him. Aditya Pancholi’s plea to quash FIR The Bombay High Court, on Thursday, heard a petition filed by Bollywood actor Aditya Pancholi, seeking to quash a rape FIR (including IPC Section 376 and other sections) filed against him in 2019 at Mumbai's Versova Police Station. Appearing for the actor, advocate Prashant Patil reiterated the plea to set aside the FIR. While Pancholi has been named as an accused in the matter, the complainant is a female Bollywood actress. Advocate Prashant Patil revealed that the public prosecutor, appearing for the police, stated that despite 11 notices sent by the police, the victim did not appear for the investigation. Following this, the Bombay High Court issued a fresh notice on Thursday, directing her to appear on the next date, scheduled for February 24. The FIR registered against Aditya Pancholi on June 27, 2019, continues to stir controversy. The accused claimed that the complaint was filed nearly 15 years after the alleged incident, describing it as “malicious.” Citing the Supreme Court’s ‘Bhajan Lal’ judgment, the petition argues that the case falls within the parameters where criminal proceedings can be set aside. Aditya Pancholi on recording presented to court Prashant Patil shared that an individual met Aditya Pancholi before the incident, and a recording of the meeting remains with them. The recording has been presented in court, alleging wrongful intention behind registering the complaint again. The case currently remains pending before the court, with the next hearing set for February 24, 2026. About charges against Aditya Pancholi In 2019, the Mumbai Police filed an FIR under charges of alleged rape against Pancholi based on a complaint by a Bollywood actress. In the complaint filed at Versova Police Station, Pancholi was charged under Sections 376 (rape), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison), 384 (extortion), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Soon after the FIR was filed, the actor asserted that he was “falsely implicated in this case.”
13 February,2026 08:11 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIf reviving STARDOM had a face At the success meet of ‘Border 2’, the film’s star cast came together in Mumbai on Thursday, February 12, to celebrate its box-office triumph. Speaking at the event, Sunny Deol opened up about his upcoming film ‘Lahore 1947’. He described the movie as “a very beautiful and independent film. He also revealed that he is doing a Malayalam film, and referred to a Kerala project titled ‘Dabrood’. “Maybe it won’t release on a very large number of screens. But that doesn’t matter to me because I love that film. It is a very emotional film, and I am personally promoting it,” he said, adding that it would be his next release after ‘Lahore 1947’. Varun Dhawan, meanwhile, addressed online trolling and shared that Salman Khan called him and said,,“I am proud of you, son,” as the superstar supported the film. The newcomer’s luck Shanaya Kapoor Actor Shanaya Kapoor says destiny brought her to her second Hindi film, survival thriller Tu Yaa Main with Adarsh Gourav, which features her in the role of a social media influencer. Shanaya, who is the daughter of actor Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor made her Hindi film debut opposite Vikrant Massey in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan (2025). She credited casting director Mukesh Chhabra for the role in Tu Yaa Main. “When I read the scenes, I found them super fun, I was like, it’s destiny that allowed me to be there at the right time, right moment and Mukesh sir for thinking of me in the first place that I got the chance to audition. I’m just starting out, so I’m just like an open book, I want to explore everything. I need to figure out which direction I want to go in,” she told PTI. The film released today. Meri aawaaz suno Ameen Sayani On World Radio Day (February 13), Mobius Films announced Behno Aur Bhaiyo, a docu-biopic on radio legend Ameen Sayani. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Brahmanand S Singh and filmmaker Tanvi Jain, the film traces the journey of the broadcaster whose voice shaped India’s radio culture for decades. The project draws on family archives, exclusive audio recordings, and inputs from Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Asha Bhosale, Amit Kumar, and others to document Sayani’s life and career. “Ameen Sayani is a national memory. The film is a journey through memory, melody and magic — our love letter to the man whose voice united India week after week,” the directors said in a statement. Bollywood stands together (L-R) Radha and Rajpal Yadav Actor Rajpal Yadav has received widespread support from the film fraternity after surrendering to Tihar Jail in a cheque-bounce case. His wife, Radha Yadav, told PTI, “Everybody has stood by him. The industry has been supportive, a big thank you to everyone who is coming out to help.”
13 February,2026 07:40 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamGive him characters that bruise, that unravel, and that reside in the grey area. Those are the parts Shahid Kapoor looks for. The actor often finds them in Vishal Bhardwaj’s movies, as he has in O’Romeo. Talking to mid-day, ahead of the film’s release, Kapoor said, “Our sensibilities and the way we look at characters [are similar]. Working with Vishal sir four times is like returning to a space that pushes you to think differently every time. Both of us have evolved, and that growth reflects in how we approach a character. I’ve always gravitated towards the grey, and with O’Romeo, I didn’t feel the need to soften anything.” Vishal Bhardwaj From Haider (2014) to Kabir Singh (2019), Kapoor has played men who cross moral lines. With O’Romeo’s trailer depicting him as a violent man, there could have been a worry that the audience may not root for Ustara, his character. Doesn’t playing unlikeable people contradict an actor’s innate need to be liked? “If you start worrying about being liked, you will begin adjusting things,” he smiled, before adding, “Once you commit to the character, that stops mattering. Ustara is written a certain way, and my job is to serve that honestly. I hope people see the honesty with which he has been played.” O’Romeo, also starring Triptii Dimri, has been discussed for its excessive violence. When asked if artistes feel damaged by such violent roles, he reflected, “The physical aspect is demanding. But the bigger challenge is understanding the character’s emotional journey that leads him to those moments. You try to approach that with sensitivity and responsibility.” Four films with Vishal Bhardwaj ‘Kaminey’ 2009; ‘Haider’ 2014; ‘Rangoon’ 2017; ‘O’Romeo’ 2026
13 February,2026 07:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuWhat if we told you that Rani Mukerji isn’t the only member of her family to feature in Mardaani 3? Few know that the actor’s niece, Myiesha Mukerji, served as the second assistant director on the cop actioner, which released on January 30. It turns out when Abhiraj Minawala’s directorial venture was being set up, Myiesha, 19, expressed her desire to work on the project. Happy to see her niece taking baby steps in the film industry, Rani told mid-day, “Myiesha [worked] with the director on Mardaani 3. She is like my baby, and was the first baby of the house. Most pictures on the internet that people assume are Adira’s [her daughter], are in fact Myiesha’s. For her, working on the third part was a full journey as she also starred in Mardaani [2014] with me.” The shoot was a novel experience for Myiesha. Not only did she learn the nitty-gritty of filming, but also saw Rani as a professional on set, far removed from the doting aunt that she is at home. Recalling the shoot, Rani said, “Myiesha has seen her Pipi [Pishi, as an aunt is addressed in Bengali] at home, and it was a different experience for her to watch me perform on set. She saw me in a different light. It is also important for the young generation to understand the hard work that goes into making a movie.” We are family Rani Mukerji’s sister-in-law, Jyoti Mukerji, has a blink-and-miss role as a forensic pathologist in ‘Mardaani 3’
13 February,2026 07:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRVishal Bhardwaj's O’Romeo , starring Shahid Kapoor, is all set to hit the screens amid much anticipation on February 13. On the eve of its release, the filmmaker took to social media to share a deeply emotional and touching note about the film. In his note, he expressed immense pride in the journey before the critics speak and the box office numbers arrive. He also touched on the use of excessive violence in the film. Vishal Bhardwaj on O'Romeo Vishal Bhardwad, in his post, thanked his entire team, calling them his “real heroes." Sharing his thoughts, Vishal Bhardwaj wrote: “Before the critics speak and before the box office delivers its verdict, I feel compelled to share how deeply proud I am of this film. Before the accolades or the criticism arrive, I must thank, from the deepest part of my being, all my HODs who gave far more than was ever asked of them – their vision, their integrity, their sweat, their blood, and their unconditional commitment to my vision." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vishal Bhardwaj (@vishalrbhardwaj) Thanking his team, he wrote, “My real heroes: Mustafa Stationwala, Faramarz Wankadia, Ben Bernhard, Meghdeep Bose, Aarif Sheikh, Maxima Basu, Dani Del Rosario, Vikram Dahiya, Ankur Chaudhary, Yash Darji, Shantanu Yennemadi, Krutika Jain, Mukesh Chhabra, Makarand Surte, Justin Jose, Samir Zaidi, Konstantin Minnich, Saurabh Goswami and ‘Anl’ Arasu. Also, my most loving associate, Abhay Datt Sharma – who shared my love, pain, frustration, and both my reasonable and unreasonable whims – and my creative producer, Priti Shahani. I will not make another film without her." Breaking his silence on the violence in Shahid Kapoor-starrer, he stated, “Through this film, I have realized the immense capacity I hold for love and for violence – together. Looking back at my body of work, l see a recurring theme I wasn’t even conscious of: revenge. And at sixty, I am only now beginning to understand it." “There is so much hatred, violence, and injustice in society — and I often feel powerless against it. It wounds me deeply. This pent-up anguish needed release. In O’Romeo, through my protagonist, I slash throats, split skulls, and blow the brains of the monsters I cannot confront in real life," he added. Further delving into the theme of love and violence in his film, he said, “Opposite this violence stands an equally intense force — love. A love born from a lifetime of encounters with beautiful, sensitive souls who have shaped me. A love that did not let me drown. A love that pulled me out of the pool of blood. I am in love with this specie called human — forever torn between two extreme emotions. O’Romeo is the manifestation of these polarities." About O'Romeo O'Romeo is produced by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. It is a Mumbai-based gangster drama based on Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. The film also stars Triptii Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Vikrant Massey, Nana Patekar, Farida Jalal Tamannaah Bhatia, and Disha Patani in pivotal roles.
12 February,2026 10:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentReports of Mrunal Thakur’s closeness with actor Dhanush have been doing the rounds since late last year. It was also rumoured that Mrunal and Dhanush would be tying the knot on February 14. Several details about the so-called wedding began circulating on social media. While Mrunal has denied the reports and reportedly addressed Dhanush like a brother, she has now called out the baseless rumours. Mrunal Thakur denies wedding with Dhanush In an interview with Galatta Plus, she was asked if she had any plans to get married soon. The actress took the hint and addressed the ongoing rumours about her alleged wedding with Dhanush. “Me? No. I think 14th February is going to be like 1st April — April Fools' Day. Because I don’t know who started this… First of all, I’ve been quoted, but I never said anything. And they just said, ‘Mrunal said so.’ I was like, wow, how beautiful. It’s scary,” she said. Earlier this month, while promoting her upcoming film Do Deewane Seher Main, when Mrunal and Siddhant were promoting their film, a reporter asked, “Voh Chennai waale kuch sawaal pooch rahe the aapse (They were asking some Chennai-related questions to you).” Siddhant pointed at Mrunal and said, “Inse tha voh Chennai waala yaa mujhse tha? (Was that Chennai question for her or me?)” Mrunal clarified that the question was for him, as he burst into laughter. He continued teasing her about the Chennai reference until a reporter said, “Hum samajh rahe hain (We understand).” Rumours about Dhanush and Mrunal The rumours about Dhanush and Mrunal’s close bond began circulating after the two were seen holding hands at a party in Mumbai. In a video shared on social media, the actress was also seen whispering something in the Raanjhanaa star’s ear, which made him smile. The 42-year-old actor also reportedly flew from Chennai to Mumbai to attend the screening of Mrunal’s film Son of Sardaar 2. It grabbed attention as he is known to rarely make public appearances. Meanwhile, Mrunal Thakur will next be seen in the film Do Deewane Seher Main co-starring Siddhant Chaturvedi. The film will be released in theatres on February 20. She also has Dacoit with Adivi Sesh in the pipeline.
12 February,2026 07:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhile Shahid Kapoor’s latest film O'Romeo gears up for release, the film has cleared the censorship process with an ‘A’ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Helmed by Vishal Bhardwaj, it marks Shahid's fourth collaboration with the filmmaker. The film cleared certification on February 11, only after the mandated changes and reductions were made. O'Romeo changes According to a Bollywood Hungama report, the censor board asked the film’s makers to modify several dialogues and scenes before approving the film. The word ‘item’ was allegedly replaced with ‘kumari’. In some of the other scenes, a word was reportedly muted while an ‘inappropriate’ term was deleted. These changes were implemented to follow the certification guidelines. Notably, CBFC did not ask for any cuts to the romantic or intimate scenes in the film. Additionally, the film’s violent content was given special attention. One close-up shot showing throat-cutting visuals was reportedly reduced by 20 per cent, which was around three seconds of footage being chopped. Besides, the board also asked for additional cuts, including two seconds each from a bloodshed scene involving a 'bloodshed head hitting' and a close-up shot showing blood squirting onto a woman’s face. In addition to this, other edits, according to reports, included a reduction in the duration of a scene which shows a woman being slapped. Besides, anti-tobacco and anti-smoking tickers were also added to the film, with the duration of disclaimers and voice-over increased by nearly two minutes. O'Romeo runtime After these changes suggested by the CBFC, O Romeo was officially certified with a runtime of 178.41 minutes, which translates to about two hours and 58 minutes. The certificate was granted on February 11, clearing the way for the film just in time ahead of scheduled theatrical release on February 12, 2027, coinciding with the Valentine's Day weekend. The film stars Shahid Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal, Vikrant Massey, and Triptii Dimri in pivotal roles, and is roughly based on the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai by Hussain Zaidi. It is believed to revolve around the gangster Hussain Ustara.
12 February,2026 07:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAnurag Singh’s Border 2, which released in theatres on January 23, has emerged as one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. Bringing back Sunny Deol to the battlefield, the war drama opened to a terrific weekend and has since crossed the Rs 400 crore mark at the box office. But for producer and writer Nidhi Dutta, who is carrying forward the cinematic legacy of her father J.P. Dutta, numbers were never the driving force behind the film. “I have never spoken numbers. I have never said, ‘Oh, this is where I think we should do it — itna karegi, utna karegi,’” she says while talking to mid-day nearly two weeks after the film's release. “I’ve never learned that. My father’s never taught me that.” She recalls how her father J.P. Dutta once made the four-hour-long LOC Kargil, despite knowing its length would cost it shows in theatres. “That’s never been our focus,” she indicates, underscoring that storytelling has always taken precedence over commercial calculations. On the VFX Debate While Border 2 has largely been appreciated post-release, the film faced chatter around its heavy use of VFX even before it hit screens. Addressing the criticism, Dutta says the comparison with the 1997 classic is misplaced. “Everybody has been saying, ‘Border didn’t have VFX and this has too much VFX.’ But Border didn’t have the Navy. It’s not possible to go and blow up a ship in real time. So I could not have done that. I am thankful that we have VFX.” The sequel expands the war canvas to include naval operations, something she says would have been impossible to execute authentically without modern technology. “I would not have even been able to imagine the Navy as part of this if it wasn’t for the technology that I have today to create that. For me, the VFX has been a plus point. It’s been able to bring the dream to reality,” she explains. “Otherwise, how do I tell you what happened in the middle of the ocean? To my sailors, to my captain, to that ship? How do I bring that emotion to the public if I can’t create it?” Why Varun Dhawan’s character doesn’t wear a helmet All characters in Border 2 are inspired by real-life heroes. Varun Dhawan essays the role of Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, who played a pivotal role in the 1971 war. One detail that stood out to many viewers was that Varun’s character is often seen without a helmet during combat sequences. “If you see, in most of the action, Varun isn’t wearing a helmet. This is something we did knowingly because Hoshiar Singh refused to wear a helmet. His son - who is also a colonel in the army- told us this,” Dutta reveals. “It’s a huge thing. The guy was standing in front of bullets and all the action taking place, and he didn’t wear a helmet. These details matter.” On Varun Dhawan’s casting and ‘being chosen’ Before the film’s release, Varun Dhawan’s casting had drawn scepticism in certain quarters. But Dutta stands firmly by the choice. “I was in awe when I saw Varun perform. I was like, ‘Oh my God, he just stepped into the character like crazy.’” She reveals that on the first day of shoot, her father wrote a letter to the actors- Varun, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty. “He always says one thing, ‘You think you’re choosing, you think you’re casting, but you’re not. The heroes sitting up in heaven choose who gets into their footsteps, who’s going to be wearing their shoes and walking that path.’” “So I think they were chosen,” she added. “When I saw Varun perform the way he did, I just knew there was nobody else. Even Diljit, even Ahan, they embodied those characters.” Interestingly, when writing the script, she instinctively felt Ahan was meant to play a naval officer. “When I wrote the story, I never thought of him in an army character. Somehow I knew the Navy had to be Ahan. There’s a certain body language naval officers have. If an army, navy and air force officer walk into a room, you’ll know where they are from, they’re completely different.”
12 February,2026 07:28 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya NambiarGet ready to experience a mismatched romantic comedy and a family entertainer filled with unlimited chaos, confusion and madness, leading to a soulful journey of unexpected love with Ginny Wedss Sunny 2. From the makers of Tanu Weds Manu, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, Ginny Weds Sunny comes another light-hearted romantic comedy all set to spread love. The makers have dropped a quirky poster starring Avinash Tiwary and Medha Shankr teasing unlimited fun, set against the contrasting worlds of a tough wrestler and a free-spirited girl, and the chaos and charm that unfold when their lives collide. Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 locks release date Bringing together an eclectic supporting starcast like Lillete Dubey, Sudhir Pandey, Govind Namdev, Gopi Bhalla, Nayani Dixit, Vishwanath Chatterjee, Rohit Chaudhary, Ginny Wedss Sunny promises a fun-filled joyous ride. Earlier, the makers had announced the schedule wrap of the film with fun filled BTS video giving a glimpse into this sunny world. The film will be released in theatres on April 24. Presented by Zee Studios and Soundrya Production, Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 is produced by Vinod Bachchan & Umesh Kumar Bansal. Written and directed by Prasshant Jha the film is set to release in theatres on 24th April 2026. Avinash Tiwary's work front The actor is starting the year with his Valentine's Day release O'Romeo directed by Vishal Bharadwaj. The film also stars Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri. Talking about O Romeo, Avinash said that he had to surrender completely to the story. “Vishal Bhardwaj builds these dark, immersive worlds that romanticise Shakespearean drama in a way only he can, and O Romeo required me to step into that intensity with total surrender. Vishal Bhardwaj’s O Romeo arrives in theatres on February 13. Branded as an action thriller, the film will have Avinash playing a pivotal role in the intense, layered universe. Switching gears entirely, the actor will next be seen charming audiences in Ginny Weds Sunny 2, the announced sequel to the 2020 Netflix hit. “Prasshant Jha brings an instinctive understanding of small-town stories, where warmth, comic timing, and everyday emotion from characters drive the narrative, and that wholesome energy defines Ginny Weds Sunny 2,” he told IANS. The film introduces a brand-new lead pair Avinash Tiwary and Medha Shankr. Produced by Vinod Bachchan, it promises a contemporary, light-hearted take on love, misunderstandings, and modern relationships.
12 February,2026 06:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Delhi High Court, on Thursday, was hearing the matter of Rajpal Yadav’s bail in the cheque bounce case. During the hearing, the court noted that the actor is in Tihar Jail today for failing to honour his commitment. Rajpal Yadav's counsel informed the court that he was unable to get in touch with him during lunch. Subsequently, the matter was adjourned to Monday, February 16. Rajpal Yadav's bail hearing in Delhi High Court Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, during the hearing, remarked, "You did not go to jail because the Court passed an order. You have gone to jail because you have failed to comply with your own commitments to the Court. You were not giving the money because the Court asked you to, you were giving the money because you entered into a settlement." The judge observed as Yadav's lawyer said that his client was misguided about the proceedings. Justice Sharma also refuted the submission, mentioning that Yadav or his lawyers appeared before the Court over two dozen times and that he made the commitment that the money would be paid, hwoever, the statement was not honoured. "25 to 30 times you appeared in this Court, and you were assisted by a senior counsel. Your senior counsel made the statements on your behalf. Mr Yadav appeared through VC before me at least five times and said I will honour the statement made by my counsel, and if I go abroad, I will earn some money and make the payment. You are not misguided," the Court remarked. The Bench added that counsel appearing for Yadav had made contradicting statements about depositing money in the Court or giving it to the complainant. Court adjourns the case to Monday The Court then stated that it will hear the case at 2:30 PM post lunch, and in the meantime, Yadav's lawyer was asked to seek clear instructions from him. When the case was taken up once again in the afternoon session, the lawyer informed the judge that he was not able to get in touch with Yadav. The Court then adjourned the case to Monday, February 16, as per the request of Rajpal Yadav's counsel. The bench also sought the complainant's reply to the actor's bail application. The bail plea will now be heard on February 16.
12 February,2026 06:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSinger AP Dhillon recently appeared on The Great Indian Kapil Show alongside comedian and actor Anubhav Singh Bassi. Dhillon, who enjoys a massive fan following for his music, was asked to sing a portion of one of his popular tracks. However, the clip went viral for all the wrong reasons. The performance left the audience unimpressed, with many claiming that he lip-synced without much enthusiasm. AP Dhillon criticised for lip-syncing During the show, Kapil Sharma requested AP Dhillon to sing a few lines from his song With You. While artists are known to perform live on the show, several Reddit users slammed the singer for allegedly lip-syncing. Not just that, many netizens criticised him for not even putting effort into the lip-sync. One user wrote, “Lmfao, Kapil looking at him like ‘bro at least pretend to move your lips.’” Another commented, “Dhillon is staring straight into Kapil's soul while singing; couldn’t even lip-sync properly. Poor Kapil is horrified!” AP Dhillon debuts his new track AP Dhillon also decided to debut his latest track, Thinking of You, on The Great Indian Kapil Show. He delivered the first-ever performance of the brand-new song on the popular show, turning the studio into a concert zone. The episode was filled with fun moments. Host Kapil Sharma hilariously pointed out that expensive mobile phones and wallets were stolen during AP Dhillon's Delhi concert in December last year. “AP stage pe apna talent dikha rahe the… aur log audience mein apna talent,” Kapil joked. Replying with a witty one-liner, the rapper said, “Jisne 6 lakh diye hain, poora toh karna hai” (Whoever paid that much has to recover it somehow). For the unversed, after AP Dhillon's One of One India Tour concert in Delhi last December, several attendees complained about stolen electronic gadgets. According to reports, the crime branch caught four offenders and recovered around 40 smartphones worth several lakhs of rupees. Adding to the fun, Anubhav Singh Bassi delivered a deadpan zinger: “Dosti hui bhi nahi hai,” revealing that he had DM’d AP Dhillon on Instagram just a day before the shoot and received no reply. This sparked a hilarious bromance roast session that left the audience in splits.
12 February,2026 06:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1770914828419_d.png "Vishal Bhardwaj; a still from O'Romeo")
-1770904091893_d.png "O'Romeo")
