Filmmaker Aditya Dhar's directorial Dhurandhar, headlined by Bollywood star Ranveer Singh, has earned Rs 130.80 crore nett at the domestic box office. The film has surprised all with its box office run right from day 1. The film with a runtime of 3 hours and 34 minutes, has successfully gotten people to the theatres. After four days, the film's collection in India stands at over Rs 130 crore. Dhurandhar day 4 collection The film released in theatres on December 5 and also features Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, R Madhavan and Rakesh Bedi. After opening with Rs 28.60 crore nett at the domestic box office, the film went on to earn Rs 33.10 crore and Rs 44.80 crore in the following days. The film collected Rs 24.30 crore on Monday, according to the makers. Dhurandhar OTT rights sold for a whopping price According to a Bollywood Hungama report, the film has closed a massive deal for its OTT rights. The streaming rights of Dhurandhar have been sold to streaming giant Netflix for a whopping Rs 130 crore for both parts. Sources reportedly told the portal, “Netflix has paid Rs. 130 crores for the streaming rights of Dhurandhar. This includes both parts. Hence, one can say that the rights were sold for around Rs. 65 crores each for Dhurandhar Part 1 and Part 2." Further, the source added, “Nevertheless, this is a huge figure in today’s times when the OTT prices have crashed. Also, it is a significant shot-in-the-arm for Ranveer Singh. This is his biggest OTT deal yet, if we count the amount given to both parts of Dhurandhar." About Dhurandhar Dhurandhar revolves around an Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajay Sanyal, played by R. Madhavan, who leads a high-stakes mission in Pakistan to dismantle a terror network in the enemy nation. Actor Ranveer Singh portrays a Punjabi youth who is recruited from prison and trained to infiltrate Karachi’s criminal underworld. Apart from Ranveer Singh in the lead, Dhurandhar also stars an ensemble cast of Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna and R. Madhavan, who play pivotal roles. With the release of the actioner on December 5, 2025, the makers confirmed that a sequel, Dhurandhar 2, will hit cinemas on March 19, 2026. It is produced by Dhar and his brother Lokesh Dhar through their banner B62 Studios alongside Jyoti Deshpande of Jio Studios.
09 December,2025 06:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRanveer Singh's latest spy thriller, Dhurandhar, sparked a political debate after a top Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) spokesperson accused the film of utilising photos of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto illegally and misrepresenting the party's terrorism policy. Dhurandhar mired in yet another controversy Sumeta Afzal Syed, PPP spokeswoman and member of the Sindh Task Force, addressed the topic in a post on X. She also condemned the movie: "The newly released Indian film Dhurandar has unlawfully used images of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and disgracefully attempted to portray the PPP as sympathetic to terrorists." The newly released Indian film #Dhurandar has unlawfully used images of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and disgracefully attempted to portray the PPP as sympathetic to terrorists.We strongly condemn this malicious distortion and urge the government to take immediate notice of… pic.twitter.com/EMpxLM0UMG — Sumeta Afzal Syed (@SumetaSyed) December 8, 2025 She also stated that Pakistani authorities should take note of what she termed as an attempt to discredit a former Prime Minister and a globally respected democratic leader. "The PPP has been a frontline victim of terrorism and has always stood and will always stand as the strongest force against extremism," Syed wrote in her follow-up. All about the Ranveer Singh starrer Dhurandhar Dhurandhar is an Indian spy thriller directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R Madhavan. The film follows an undercover intelligence operative dispatched into Pakistan to dismantle a terrorist network, and it is set against the backdrop of the IC-814 hijacking and the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament. The picture had mixed critical reviews at first, but it quickly became popular with audiences. The picture has already been the subject of two major controversies. The family of late Army officer Major Mohit Sharma petitioned the Delhi High Court, alleging that promotional material depicted his life and martyrdom without his permission. The court declined to stop the distribution and instead directed the Central Board of Film Certification to investigate the issues. The CBFC later certified the picture as fiction, allowing it to be released. Separately, Dhurandhar has sparked criticism about its political message and representation of Pakistan. While some detractors have called it anti-Pakistan and jingoistic, supporters claim it portrays the realities of cross-border terrorism and intelligence operations. Syed's comments have brought a new cross-border dimension to the continuing discussion about the film. It will be interesting to see how the makers would react to it.
09 December,2025 05:55 PM IST | MumbaiBollywood actor Akshaye Khanna has bowled the nation over with his stellar performances this year. First, it was his stint as the brutal Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Chhaava, and his recent performance as Rehman Dakait in Dhurandhar. Ameesha Patel shares throwback picture Joining the list of people lavishing praise on the actor’s performance is actress Ameesha Patel. On Tuesday, the actress took to her Instagram, and shared a throwback picture with the actor from their film Humraaz. She also penned a long note in the caption, as she heaped praise on the actor for his unassuming demeanour. She wrote, “GREATNESS THEN n EVEN GREATER NOW!! That’s AKSHAY KHANNA ( AKSHU as I fondly call him ) !! Yet most unassuming n ego less !! Throwback in LONDON during HUMRAAZ promotions with at dinner along with my cousins from PARIS !!! I don’t even think AKSHU realises he has BLOWN the NATION with his performances this year !! That’s AKSHU !! Humble n unaffected”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ameesha Patel (@ameeshapatel9) Farah Khan turns meme messenger Currently, Akshaye Khanna is receiving a lot of positive response to his work in the spy-action thriller with his dance on a Balochi number going viral on social media. This marks his second role as an antagonist after Chhaava. While memes and clips from the flip featuring Khanna is going viral some also wondered if it is being seen by the actor. Akshaye Khanna has no social media presence, gives very few interviews, and prefers a quiet, private life. But it turns out the actor is very much aware of the memes- thanks to filmmaker Farah Khan. A meme page posted a video of Akshaye’s look as Rahman Dakhait, looking stylish in a turban and sunglasses. The caption read, “Does Akshaye Khanna know he’s getting all this attention?” The post went viral and was noticed by Farah Khan, who worked with Khanna in Tees Maar Khan. Responding to the post, Farah wrote, “I’m sending him the TMK memes.” Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi and Sara Arjun in key roles. The second part of the film will release on March 19, 2026.
09 December,2025 05:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPriyanka Chopra took to social media to share a rare memory with actress Dia Mirza on her birthday. The desi girl sent Mirza heartfelt wishes on her special day. In her post, Priyanka expressed warmth and affection, wishing Dia “lots of goodness” and celebrating their cherished moments together. Taking to her Instagram stories, the Baywatch actress posted her cherished memory with Dia and wrote, “Happy happy birthday Dia, Wish you an abundant year with lots of goodness.” In the image, Priyanka and Dia can be seen posing together with Malti Marie sitting in a stroller. Both actresses are flaunting their radiant smiles while looking at the camera. Their friendship over the years Notably, the two share a longstanding friendship that dates back to their Miss India pageant days in 2000. Priyanka and Dia first crossed paths as young contestants in the Miss India competition. The Dostana actress had once shared how Dia Mirza guided her with makeup in the bathroom, highlighting their early bond and friendship. In September this year, both actresses stepped out together when they met in New York, USA. Dia took to her Instagram Stories to share a photo of the two, showing them holding water bottles while standing in a park. Dia Mirza tagged Priyanka in the post and wrote, “Love your travellingbottle. Love you more,” adding the hashtag UNGA. Re-sharing it on her Instagram, the Bajirao Mastani actress wrote, “The loveliest day with the loveliest girl. See you soon.” Priyanka and Dia have always showered each other with praise. A few months ago, following the release of Priyanka’s film Heads of State, Mirza had lauded her performance. The Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein actress wrote, “Priiiiiiiii! So damn proud of the strength you embody. A treat to watch you. 'She said she'll take care of it' and she does!!! What a woman priyankachopra Go watch our desi girl pack a punch HeadsOfState.” Priyanka's upcoming projects Priyanka is making her much-awaited return to Indian cinema with SS Rajamouli's next, Varanasi. The film stars Mahesh Babu in the lead as Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra as Mandakini, and Prithviraj as the antagonist Kumbha. The teaser shows Mahesh in a fiery avatar, riding a bull with a trishul in hand through the streets of Varanasi. While the trailer reveals little about the film, it seems to have elements of time travel. Filmmaker SS Rajamouli said that Mahesh would also play Lord Rama in one scene, which required 60 days to shoot. Rajamouli has shared Priyanka's look as Mandakini on Instagram. The poster features Priyanka in a yellow saree, fighting with a gun in her hand, impressing viewers and creating a frenzy among fans.
09 December,2025 05:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIf you still haven’t caught Anurag Kashyap’s globally celebrated neo-noir Kennedy, there is now a way. In a milestone moment for Indian cinema, the film has been selected as the only title from the country to feature in the debut lineup of the Letterboxd Video Store Kennedy to stream on December 10 On December 10, Letterboxd will officially launch its online film-rental platform, Video Store, featuring a curated mix of acclaimed movies, exclusive Academy Award submissions and festival hits unavailable elsewhere. Video Store is billed as the next evolution of the platform's mission of film discovery, with movies available across 23 countries for now. The platform will let its members watch titles on transactional video-on-demand (TVOD) model, free from subscriptions. And nestled among nine hand-picked international films is Kennedy, the thriller that ignited global buzz after its 2023 world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Anurag Kashyap on film getting release Kashyap, who wrote the film during the lockdown, says, “I am happy that finally the film will be available for the general audience to watch in some parts of the world. It’s one of my most personal films and would love to get the audience feedback and reaction, and I am thankful to Letterboxd for putting it on their new platform. And I am, hopeful that we’ll soon be able to release it in India too as the producers are working on it.” Starring Rahul Bhatt and Sunny Leone, Kennedy is produced by Ranjan Singh, Good Bad Films and Zee Studios. Shot largely at night across Mumbai over an intense 30-day schedule, the film follows an insomniac ex-cop, presumed dead, who continues to work for a corrupt system while seeking redemption. Singh calls the inclusion a “momentous milestone” for the team, noting that Kennedy has been on an extraordinary global run, travelling to more than 30 film festivals since its Cannes debut. Says Ranjan, “Yes, it’s a great moment that after traveling to almost 30 festivals across the world, the film will be available to cinephiles in these countries and we are extremely proud as the only Indian film in this line-up. We want to thank Letterboxd for choosing Kennedy and our studio partners Zee Studios for the support that they’ve given to make this possible. We are working together on the India release of the film soon.” Kennedy's international run After it’s outstanding Cannes premiere, the film screened at the Sydney International Film Festival (Australia), Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (South Korea), Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (Switzerland), MOTELX - Lisbon International Horror Film Festival, Indie Meme Film Festival (Austin, Texas), Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (Australia), London Indian Film Festival (UK), Fantastic Fest (USA), Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, and the Kolkata International Film Festival, among others. The countries where Kennedy will be available are United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Switzerland.
09 December,2025 05:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDirector Aditya Dhar’s most recent release, Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt and others, has been making big waves at the box office. The film has managed to enter the Rs 100 crore club within just the first weekend of its theatrical release. Amid its roaring success, details about its OTT rights have emerged. Dhurandhar OTT rights sold for a whopping price According to a Bollywood Hungama report, the film has closed a massive deal for its OTT rights. The streaming rights of Dhurandhar have been sold to streaming giant Netflix for a whopping Rs 130 crore for both parts. Sources reportedly told the portal, “Netflix has paid Rs. 130 crores for the streaming rights of Dhurandhar. This includes both parts. Hence, one can say that the rights were sold for around Rs. 65 crores each for Dhurandhar Part 1 and Part 2." Further, the source added, “Nevertheless, this is a huge figure in today’s times when the OTT prices have crashed. Also, it is a significant shot-in-the-arm for Ranveer Singh. This is his biggest OTT deal yet, if we count the amount given to both parts of Dhurandhar." About Dhurandhar Dhurandhar revolves around an Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajay Sanyal, played by R. Madhavan, who leads a high-stakes mission in Pakistan to dismantle a terror network in the enemy nation. Actor Ranveer Singh portrays a Punjabi youth who is recruited from prison and trained to infiltrate Karachi’s criminal underworld. Apart from Ranveer Singh in the lead, Dhurandhar also stars an ensemble cast of Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna and R. Madhavan, who play pivotal roles. With the release of the actioner on December 5, 2025, the makers confirmed that a sequel, Dhurandhar 2, will hit cinemas on March 19, 2026. According to trade reports, Dhurandhar earned around Rs 23.25 crore on Monday following its opening weekend, taking its total four-day collection to Rs 126.25 crore. The film opened strongly with Rs 28 crore on its opening day. It witnessed an impressive growth over the weekend, rising 14.29 per cent on Saturday and 34.38 per cent on Sunday respectively.
09 December,2025 05:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn the 90th birth anniversary of legendary actor Dharmendra, Bollywood actors and fans are pouring in tributes, remembering the life and legacy of the iconic star. Veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha remembered his "first hero", calling him his "elder brother". "Remembering with immense love & fondness my 'first hero' & 'people's hero' in true sense, like a dear elder brother aapkadharam..You have left behind a huge vacuum no one can ever fill. You are truly irreplaceable. You will live in our hearts forever. Long Live Dharamji! BirthAnniversary," he wrote on X. Remembering with immense love & fondness my 'first hero' & 'people's hero' in true sense, like a dear elder brother @aapkadharam You have left behind a huge vacuum no one can ever fill. You are truly irreplaceable. You will live in our hearts forever. Long Live Dharamji!… pic.twitter.com/4kPKCnke5d — Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) December 8, 2025 Legendary actor Dharmendra carved a place in Indian cinema with his unforgettable performances, charm, and enduring screen presence over six decades. The legendary actor, famously known as Bollywood's 'He-Man,' passed away on November 24, 2025. After his demise, Shatrughan Sinha paid an emotional tribute him. Shatrughan shared nostalgic moments with Dharmendra on X, accompanying them with a heartfelt note, that read, "Heart broken, pained & deeply saddened by the passing away of our dearest family friend, our elder brother, people's hero, aapkadharm.""Most loved, son of the soil, pride of Punjab /Maharashtra a 'Bharat Ratna" in true sense, down to earth, kind & a humble human being. He will be remembered forever for his great contributions to the film industry/ cinema. A personality in totality an era of 'He Man/Star' has gone. My first 'Hero' & People's Hero' in the film industry is no more. It is an irreparable & irreplaceable loss to all of us & the entire film industry. Strength to the family, friends, well wishers & fans in these traumatic times. Om Shanti," he concluded. Earlier, a prayer meet titled 'Celebration of Life' was held by the Deol family on Thursday at Seaside Lawns, Taj Lands End, Bandra, where eminent members of the film fraternity gathered to pay their respects. Among those present were Salman Khan, Madhuri Dixit and her husband, Karan Johar, Rekha, Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, and several other industry figures who joined in remembering the late actor. Now, the family is celebrating his birthday with his fans, honouring his legacy and enduring influence in Hindi cinema. 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
09 December,2025 05:05 PM IST | Mumbai | ANINetflix released the trailer of Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders, a shadow-drenched crime thriller directed by Honey Trehan and written by Smita Singh. The film opens the doors to the Bansal mansion, where a wealthy family is found slaughtered behind locked rooms, and every survivor has something to fear. Raat Akeli Hai 2 trailer Inspector Jatil Yadav, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, walks back into the darkness, older, worn, and even more intuitive than before, and with the same tenacity to get to the core of truth. The trailer revealed Inspector Jatil, called upon to investigate a case that is bigger, grittier, and more complex than ever, surrounded by suspects who smile like friends and lie like professionals. Everyone in this case has something to hide. Witnesses turn into suspects, calm faces mask deeper motives, and every answer leads to another question. Yet the search for truth continues, relentless and uncompromising. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in) Nawazuddin’s Jatil walked through the mansion where every clue was a temptation, every truth a punishment. “Jatil may have evolved in every way, but his resolve is exactly the same. His objectivity, his razor-sharp eye for detail, and his ability to cut through noise remain his greatest weapons. Even when power, influence, and intimidation close in on him, he refuses to let anything derail his search for the truth. Returning to the character felt thrilling, and I want to thank Honey and Netflix for bringing this story back with higher stakes. We are excited to present a new case to the fans in hopes they give us the same, if not more, love this time around as well.” Chitrangda and Radhika on their roles in the film Chitrangada Singh, Radhika Apte, Deepti Naval, Ila Arun Bajpai, Revathy Asha Kelluni, Rajat Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Priyanka Setia, Shridhar Dubey, Akhilendra Mishra make up the powerful ensemble whose glimpses in the trailer are enough to keep the audience at the edge of their seats. Chitrangda Singh appeared poised yet trembling beneath the surface, carrying fear and silence in equal measure, “Meera's character is one of the most interesting and challenging ones I have played- there is a sense of fragility and toughness all at once. This character lives in shadows- emotional, moral, and psychological. There are many layers to Meera, she has a lot to say, there are things she’s at the cusp of revealing but cannot for fear. I am thankful to both Honey and Netflix for giving me the chance to play a complex character like this.” In a world filled with shadows and secrets, Radhika Apte walks in like a breath of fresh air, “It's always a pleasure to return to Netflix! This time around, Radha's role has evolved from a woman once scrutinized and doubted to someone rooted in love, stability, and self-assurance. The character brings emotional continuity to the story, while her quiet strength reveals new layers in Jatil, reminding him of who he was and who he is becoming.” The Bansal mansion emerged in the trailer as a character of its own, with cold corridors, locked rooms, blood splattered walls and the feeling that something unsaid is always watching. Following its massive fandom and world premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the trailer deepened the tension and expanded the scope of this whodunnit franchise, promising a deeper descent into betrayal, greed, blind faith, and power. For fans of Raat Akeli Hai, the first film’s gripping world and unforgettable characters, this return fuels the long-standing anticipation. Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders will be streaming on 19 December, only on Netflix.
09 December,2025 04:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPost Malone, a global music sensation, performed in Guwahati, Assam, on Monday, December 8, and a moving moment from the concert has surfaced online. In a poignant gesture that had the audience cheering, Post paid respect to the late Assamese hero Zubeen Garg, whose death earlier this year devastated the entire area. Post Malone spoke about Zubeen Garg While mingling with the audience, Malone stated, "To be in the home of the great legendary Zubeen tonight, ladies and gentlemen." I just hope everyone has a fantastic day and night. My name is Austin Richard Post, and I'm here to play some street music." The shout-out instantly electrified the audience, with supporters exploding in applause and posting videos on social media. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Assam Unofficial (@assam.unofficial) Zubeen Garg's admirers were genuinely moved by the recognition, describing it as a unique and emotional event. Many people expressed thankfulness that an international musician of Malone's calibre honoured Zubeen on such a huge scale, particularly in the singer's home state. All about Zubeen Garg's death probe Before the concert, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media to welcome Post Malone to the city. "For the first time ever, worldwide music legend and Grammy-nominated singer Post Malone will play in Guwahati, a historic event that solidifies our city's place on the world entertainment map. "Best wishes on this occasion, and I hope everyone enjoys Assam's hospitality," he added. The singer died on September 19, 2025, while swimming in the sea waters off Singapore during a tour for the North East India Festival. Official records state "drowning" as the cause of death. Initially, the Singapore Police Force (SPF), which conducted the first autopsy under Singapore's Coroners Act, stated that it did not suspect foul play. They emphasised that the probe could take many months and shared a copy of the autopsy and preliminary findings with Indian authorities. Simultaneously, the Assam Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) initiated a full-scale investigation. More than 60 FIRs were filed across the state, and the SIT raided various homes, including those of the festival organizer, the singer's manager, and other team members. A second post-mortem examination from Delhi apparently discovered no indications of poison, confirming "drowning" and contradicting prior claims of poisoning. Meanwhile, several people have been arrested, including the festival organiser, manager, two personal security officers, band members, and a close relative (a police officer). Financial irregularities (transactions worth more than Rs 1.1 crore) involving PSOs have also come under examination. The state government, represented by Himanta Biswa Sarma in the Assam Assembly, has officially asserted that the killing was "plain and simple murder," rather than an accident. The SIT has apparently completed the majority of the investigation; a chargesheet is scheduled to be issued by December 12, 2025.
09 December,2025 04:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari, who were arrested last week, have been remanded to seven days of police custody. The order was pronounced by the ACJM court in Udaipur in connection with an alleged Rs 30 crore fraud case. Vikram Bhatt sent to 7-day police custody The couple was taken into custody from their Mumbai residence on Sunday, December 7, following which they were brought to Udaipur late Monday night. The duo was then produced in court on Tuesday afternoon. DSP Chhagan Singh Rajpurohit is currently leading the investigation. Upon arrival in Udaipur, both Vikram and his wife were seen trying to avoid media cameras. Meanwhile, Vikram Bhatt has already challenged the case in the Jodhpur High Court, where the hearing is scheduled. Earlier, the Udaipur Police had also arrested co-producer Mehboob Ansari and vendor Sandeep from Mumbai on November 16, 2025. The court allowed conditional bail to Sandeep on Monday, whereas Ansari's bail plea was rejected. On December 7, a six-member police team led by DSP Rajpurohit reached Mumbai and arrested Vikram along with his Shwetambari Bhatt from their Juhu flat. Their security staff initially tried to block the police, claiming the couple was not home. However, both were eventually taken into custody. About the case The case was filed based on an FIR lodged by Dr Ajay Murdia, owner of the Indira Group and Indira IVF. He alleged that the director and his associates collected funds under the pretext of producing a biopic based on his wife. Dr Murdia claimed he was first introduced to the project by Dinesh Kataria and later met Vikram Bhatt at Vrindavan Studio, Mumbai. Bhatt allegedly assured him that an investment of Rs 7 crore could generate four films with a projected return of Rs 100-200 crore. Following this, multiple transfers were made into accounts of various individuals associated with Bhatt's team, amounting to Rs 2,45,61,400. Additionally, Indira Entertainment allegedly paid Rs 42,70,82,232 - despite a total agreed production cost of Rs 47 crore. According to the complaint, only two films were completed and released. The third film, 'Vishwa Virat', is reportedly only 25 per cent completed, while the fourth, 'Maharana-Ran', has not yet begun. Bhatt is accused of misappropriating Rs 25 crore meant for the fourth film. The FIR names eight individuals, including Vikram Bhatt, Shwetambari Bhatt and others. (With inputs from IANS)
09 December,2025 04:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNeeraj Ghaywan’s directorial Homebound is based on a real-life story centered on two best friends. The deeply moving narrative has resonated with audiences in India and across the world as the film was screened at multiple film festivals before its theatrical release in India. The film is also India’s official entry for the 98th Academy Awards. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Dharma Productions, the film stars Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa. Homebound plot Homebound follows childhood friends Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), whose shared dream of joining the police force shapes their lives, with Janhvi Kapoor adding emotional depth to a story rooted in friendship, duty, and the pressures facing young India. Director Neeraj Ghaywan describes the film as, “Inspired by a true story of friendship, Homebound explores the universal themes of connection and compassion as forms of quiet resistance.” Thank you @madversity ! Happy that the film resonated with you 😊.IRL, crueler things have happened to the actual people. Mohammed Saiyub left for Dubai and did not take up education as shown in the film— again a privilege not many of us recognise. Amrit’s rotting body was… — Neeraj Ghaywan (@ghaywan) December 8, 2025 Now, Neeraj Ghaywan has revealed that he changed the ending of Homebound from what actually happened in real life. Responding to an X user recently, Ghaywan revealed the reason behind the change. He wrote, “IRL, crueler things have happened to the actual people. Mohammed Saiyub left for Dubai and did not take up education as shown in the film — again, a privilege not many of us recognise. Amrit’s rotting body was allowed to travel after 3 days only when the Covid test came negative.” Revealing why he did not stick to the real-life ending, the filmmaker said, “Even I believe in empathy and hope, and that’s why the different ending as opposed to real events. But I couldn’t have strayed far away from their lived reality. It would have been a disservice to hundreds of Saiyubs (Shoaib) and Amrits (Chandan), and to the original story by BasharatPeer. Hope can’t be manufactured to assuage our urban guilt, imho.” About Homebound The film follows the story of two childhood friends from a small village in North India who dream of becoming police officers, hoping the job will bring them the respect they never had. However, as they get closer to their goal, pressures and struggles create cracks in their friendship. The story offers a moving exploration of ambition, caste dynamics, and loyalty. Homebound premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes 2025, where it received a nine-minute standing ovation. At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025, it was named second runner-up for the International People’s Choice Award and received another standing ovation.
09 December,2025 04:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
