Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan recently visited ace singer Arijit Singh at his hometown in Jiaganj, West Bengal. The visit came days after Arijit surprised fans by announcing his retirement from playback singing. On Sunday, Khan arrived at Singh’s residence in Jiaganj, near Kolkata, and was spotted by paparazzi, to whom he smiled and waved. Aamir Khan visits Arijit Singh While Aamir reportedly attempted to keep the visit private, videos and pictures of him at Arijit’s home soon surfaced on social media. On Monday, images of Aamir flying a kite on the rooftop of Arijit’s house began doing the rounds online. Several residents from nearby houses gathered to catch a glimpse of the Bollywood star, who arrived along with his team. Aamir and Arijit reportedly had lunch together and engaged in a discussion, though details of their conversation remain unknown. Arijit Singh on his reason for retiring from playback singing Explaining his decision, Arijit said, “There isn’t just one reason for this; there are multiple factors, and I have been contemplating this for quite some time. Ultimately, I have mustered the necessary courage.” He added that he tends to get bored easily. “One of the reasons is quite straightforward: I lose interest quickly, which is why I frequently change arrangements while performing live. The truth is, I’ve grown weary. I need to explore different music to thrive.” Arijit also cited his desire to make space for new talent in the industry, writing, “Another factor is my eagerness to hear new singers who can genuinely inspire me.” Ending his chain of messages on X, he wrote, “Ab aayega maza.” About Arijit Singh’s retirement announcement Last week, Arijit shared an Instagram post announcing that he would no longer take up new assignments as a playback vocalist. He wrote, “Hello, Happy New Year to all. I want to thank you for giving me so much love over the years as listeners. I am happy to announce that I am not going to be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey.” He also thanked his admirers for their unconditional love and support throughout his career.
03 February,2026 12:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran actor Anil Kapoor has raised the bar once again by showcasing his all-grey look, exuding effortless style and charm. Anil took to Instagram, where he shared a picture of himself. In the image, Anil looks stylish as he flaunts silver-grey hair styled neatly and a matching moustache, giving him a sophisticated and mature appearance. “The day doesn’t know what’s coming,” he wrote as the caption. Anil’s new look caught the eyes of actor Riteish Deshmukh, who took to the comment section and heaped praise on his new look. “Mind blowing!!!! How good are you looking,” Riteish wrote as the caption. View this post on Instagram A post shared by anilskapoor (@anilskapoor) Anil Kapoor did not disclose the reason behind his new look. On the acting front, Anil was last seen in War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji. It is the sixth instalment in the YRF Spy Universe anda sequel to the 2019 film War. The film stars Hrithik Roshan. Jr. NTR and Kiara Advani. It follows Kabir Dhaliwal, a former RAW agent, who, after going rogue, becomes a major threat to national security, and a special units officer, Vikram Chelapathi, is assigned to neutralize him. He will next be seen in Subedaar, which is set in the heartlands of India. Subedaar follows Arjun Singh, a former soldier navigating the complexities of civilian life, haunted by his past and a fractured relationship with his daughter. As he faces personal and societal challenges, he must mend his strained relationship with his daughter, Shyama (played by Radhikka Madan), while battling his inner struggles. The film is set against a backdrop of honour, sacrifice, and resilience. The film promises a stirring portrayal of a man caught between the call of the nation and the pull of his own heart. Anil also has Alpha in his alley, which, again, is part of the YRF spy universe like War 2. In Alpha, he will be seen sharing the screen with Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt and actress Sharvari of Munjya fame. Alpha marks the first female-led action film from the spy universe. 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
03 February,2026 11:46 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActress Soha Ali Khan decided to soak in the various gifts Japan has to offer with husband Kunal Kemmu and daughter Inaaya during their latest family getaway. Soha took to her official Instagram handle and published a couple of snippets from her visit to Japan with her family. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soha (@sakpataudi) The primary pic in the post showed Soha and Kunal posing for a romantic click against a vibrant backdrop. We could also see the two flaunting their dazzling smiles while standing amidst the snow. The post further showed Soha, Kunal, and Inaaya exploring the streets of Japan. In one of the snaps, Kunal is gazing into the camera while enjoying the local delicacies of the place. The captures show the family also embracing the cultural side of Japan, with visits to the temple and little Inaaya posing in traditional attire. "Miso...happy we went to Japan (sic)," Soha captioned the post. Meanwhile, Soha and Kunal completed 11 years of marital bliss on January 25. Wishing her husband on the special day, Soha called marrying Kunal the 'best decision ever'. Her heartfelt anniversary post for Kunal read, "I always knew you were different Kunal and then, eleven years ago, we decided to take the plunge and make it official. Best decision ever (red heart emoji) Happy anniversary kunalkemmu my 11/10." For the unaware, Soha and Kunal first met in 2009 on the set of their movie Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge. However, at the time, they reportedly did not interact much. It was only during the shoot of their second project, 99, that Soha and Kunal grew fond of one another and started dating. After being in a relationship for some time, the lovebirds finally tied the knot on 25 January 2015. Two years later, in 2017, Soha and Kunal became parents to a baby girl, Inaaya Naumi Khemu. 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
03 February,2026 11:37 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSVeteran actress Shabana Azmi has been married to celebrated screenwriter, lyricist, and poet Javed Akhtar for decades now. Shabana stays on top of her social media game and keeps updating netizens with glimpses of her life, which often includes her dear husband. In her latest post as well, she treated her InstaFam with a throwback picture. Both Shabana and Javed Akhtar were seen facing the camera with a smile on their faces. While Shabana looked graceful in a red saree, paired with a traditional Himachali cap, the writer accompanied her in a classic black kurta look. The veteran actress also added the Home In My Heart track by Oliver Max as the background score. For those who do not know, Shabana and Javed Akhtar first met at Shabana's father's, the legendary poet Kaifi Azmi’s residence. When they met, Javed Akhtar was already married to his first wife, Honey Irani, and was also a father to two kids - Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar. Shabana’s family was reportedly initially against their daughter marrying the writer; however, the couple tied the knot in 1984. In December last year, Shabana and Javed Akhtar celebrated 41 years of marital bliss. Commemorating the special occasion, she took to her official Instagram handle and posted a sweet couple pic where she is seen lovingly looking into her husband's eyes as she talked to him. Javed Akhtar, on the other hand, was captured listening to his ladylove with a smile on his face. Shabana noted that looking at your partner with love even after 4 decades of marriage is nothing short of a blessing. "To be able to look at each other with such tenderness after 41 years of marriage says it all. Happy Anniversary Jadu," Shabana captioned the post. Shabana and Javed Akhtar are often seen enjoying a gala time in each other's company, with their friends and family members joining them from time to time. 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
03 February,2026 11:27 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSAs veteran actress Waheeda Rehman turned 88 on Tuesday, actor Jackie Shroff shared a heartfelt birthday note for the legendary star, expressing his warm wishes and admiration. Jackie, an avid social media user, took to Instagram to share a video montage featuring pictures and clips of Waheeda Rehman. The montage included a memorable moment from the iconic song Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai from the 1965 classic Guide, which starred Dev Anand. Picture Courtesy/Jackie Shroff's Instagram account For the caption, he simply wrote: “Warm wishes, WaheedaRehman Happy Birthday.” Talking about Guide, the bilingual romantic drama film directed by Vijay Anand. Based on R. K. Narayan's 1958 novel The Guide, the film narrates the story of Raju, a freelance tour guide and Rosie, the repressed wife of a wealthy archaeologist. Waheeda has appeared in more than 90 feature films in a career spanning over five decades. Her accolades include a National Film Award. She was honoured with India's civilian awards, the Padma Shri in 1972 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011. She made her acting debut with the Telugu film Rojulu Marayi in 1955. Waheeda gained stardom through her collaborations with Hindi filmmaker Guru Dutt in the classic dramas CID, Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Chaudhvin Ka Chand and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. Waheeda shot to fame with Guide, Neel Kamal, Ram Aur Shyam, Khamoshi, Reshma Aur Shera, Kabhie Kabhie, Chandni, Lamhe, Trishul and Mashaal. Her other notable performances during this phase include Namkeen and Namak Halaal. After a brief hiatus, she returned to cinema with select appearances in acclaimed social dramas such as Water, Rang De Basanti and Delhi 6. Waheeda was last seen in the 2021 coming-of-age sports drama film Skater Girl, directed by Manjari Makijany. The cast includes newcomers Rachel Sanchita Gupta and Shafin Patel,and also stars Amrit Maghera, Jonathan Readwin and Waheeda Rehman. 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
03 February,2026 11:19 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood star R. Madhavan, who was seen playing the role of IB director Ajay Sanyal in Dhurandhar, shared an interesting behind-the-scenes moment from the sets of the blockbuster, revealing how nature quietly rewrote the plan for the film’s opening shot. Madhavan revealed that director Aditya had originally envisioned a bright, sunlit day with clear blue skies, a visual contrast meant to mirror the beauty and the beast within the aircraft featured in the scene. Madhavan took to Instagram, where he shared a video of the opening scene. In the clip, the actor is heard saying, “Oh, the beautiful Leh and Ladakh. It was supposed to be a sunny day, but as luck would have it, I bring in the rains wherever I go, apparently.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by R. Madhavan (@actormaddy) “And we're shooting the scene without the sun and in the rain. Hopefully, it will augur as good luck for the film. What a beautiful place, my God!” He added a text overlay, which read: “Dhurandhar. Aditya had always imagined this to be a bright sunny day with blue skies to show the contrast between the beauty and the beast inside the plane. As luck could have it, I brought in the rain....because I was referred to as the RAINMAN on the set.” “Every time I came onto the set...there was torrential rain. But-this grey Skies and look worked out perfectly for us as the first shot...... sometimes it's best to go with what is handed to you, because a bigger design is in place.” Dhurandhar also stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal. Serving as the first instalment of a two-part film series, it centres on a high-stakes covert counter-terrorism operation. The film follows an undercover Indian intelligence agent who infiltrates Karachi's criminal syndicates and political power structures in Pakistan in an effort to dismantle a terror network targeting India. The film's storyline draws loose inspiration from multiple real-life geopolitical events and conflicts in South Asia, including the 1999 IC-814 hijacking, the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and developments linked to Pakistan's Operation Lyari. 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
03 February,2026 10:11 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSThe much-anticipated sequel to Dhurandhar has officially been unveiled, with the makers revealing the first look of the film along with its title, Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The announcement has instantly heightened excitement among fans, signaling a darker, more intense chapter in the high-octane action saga. Ranveer Singh drops the new poster Ranveer Singh returns as the lead, and the newly released first look presents him in a fierce, battle-hardened avatar, hinting at a story driven by vengeance and unresolved conflicts. The title itself suggests that the sequel will delve deeper into the emotional and ideological aftermath of the events of the first film, which ended on a gripping note and left ample room for continuation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ranveer Singh (@ranveersingh) Directed once again by Aditya Dhar, the Dhurandhar franchise is known for blending espionage, action, and political intrigue. The original film featured a powerful ensemble cast that included Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan and Akshaye Khanna, all of whom played pivotal roles in shaping the narrative. With Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the makers are expected to expand the universe further, raising the stakes and intensifying the central conflict. The first look also strongly hints at the return of Akshaye Khanna’s character, whose arc in the previous installment played a crucial role in setting up the sequel. Sanjay Dutt and R. Madhavan are also expected to reprise their roles, promising another face-off filled with layered performances and dramatic tension. Sequel to be titled as Dhurandhar: The Revenge While the plot details remain tightly guarded, industry buzz suggests that the sequel will pick up directly from the consequences of the first film’s climax, focusing on power struggles, betrayals, and a personal vendetta that drives Ranveer Singh’s character forward. The revenge-driven narrative indicates a more emotionally charged and action-packed storyline. Though an official release date has not yet been announced, Dhurandhar: The Revenge is expected to hit theatres in 2026. With its ambitious scale, acclaimed director, and a star-studded cast, the film is already being touted as one of the most awaited Bollywood releases of the year. As fans await the teaser and trailer, the first look has successfully set the tone for a sequel that aims to be bigger, bolder and far more intense than its predecessor.
03 February,2026 10:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentEver since it was announced that actor Ranbir Kapoor will play Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious and high-budget two-part live-action adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana, social media reactions have ranged from excitement to scepticism. However, perceptions appear to have shifted after the teaser’s release last year.Veteran actor Arun Govil, who famously played Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic TV show Ramayan and now portrays King Dasharatha in the new film, has spoken in support of Ranbir. Calling the project “very good”, Arun told PTI, “The main actor Ranbir Kapoor is looking very good as Lord Ram. He is a good actor and a good human being.” He added that playing a deity requires “a good, pure soul.” Ramayana, also starring Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Kannada star Yash as Ravana, and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman will release in cinemas this Diwali. Arun Govil
03 February,2026 08:37 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamLife has a way of coming full circle. Composer AR Rahman was mentored by late Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, and in a happy coincidence, today the musician has collaborated with the Padma Vibhushan awardee’s grandson Faiz Mustafa. The singer, 25, has lent his voice to Zara Zara, a track in Gandhi Talks that stars Vijay Sethupathi and Aditi Rao Hydari. For Mustafa, voicing a Rahman composition is always a matter of pride. He says, “When I first heard the composition, I was thankful to the Almighty that Rahman uncle chose me for it. After the recording, he asked me, ‘Are you the same little boy who sang Aao Balma?’” The singer was only 13 when he joined his grandfather and Rahman as they performed Khan’s composition Aao Balma on the third season of MTV Coke Studio. Since then, Mustafa has often worked with the maestro, regularly performing at Rahman’s concerts. He says, “At 14, I had my first stage performance with him at a Dubai show. Rahman uncle is like a father figure. For me, this feels like a blessing that has come full circle. My grandfather taught Rahman uncle, and today I am learning from him.”
03 February,2026 08:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuWhen Shabana Azmi described the story of her next, USA v Raj, as “fab”, it naturally caught our attention. Directed by famed cinematographer Ravi K Chandran, the Indo-British co-production tells the story of Dr Rajendra Bothra, a celebrated surgeon in the US who was accused of fraud and faced 54 federal charges at age 79, before being cleared by a unanimous jury verdict in June 2022. While Kabir Bedi plays the protagonist, Azmi essays the role of his wife Pammi Bothra, and Emily Shah, their daughter Sonia. “Dr Bothra was advised by all lawyers to plead guilty. His attorneys told him if he didn’t do so, he would die in prison. He said, ‘So be it. It’s the question of my honour, my family’s honour and that of the country I come from.’ The odds of a possible win were only 0.3 per cent, but he fought back. He spent three-and-a-half years in jail! Then he was acquitted on every single charge,” shared Azmi, when we got on a call with her. USA v Raj went on floors in London in October 2025. With a chunk of the legal drama completed, the director is now planning the last leg in India and aiming for a summer 2026 release. The movie chronicles how in 2018, at a time when the US was witnessing a significant increase in opioid use and addiction, the surgeon was accused of further fuelling it. To Azmi, the film depicts not only Bothra’s integrity, but also the determination of Pammi, who didn’t let her health complications shake her as she stood by her husband during the legal battle. “His wife and their daughter Sonia took on the responsibility to set him free,” marvelled the senior actor. She added that during the two-month shoot, the husband-wife duo would be on the set every day. “I got along very well with Pammi.” The actor has a busy line-up in 2026. Besides USA v Raj, she will be seen in Awarapan 2 and more. “I am also doing a film produced by Mukesh Chhabra. There are three more projects in the pipeline.”
03 February,2026 08:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRGoing big appears to be the motto of the makers of Ramayana: Part One, be it in terms of shaping the biggest spectacle in Indian cinema or organising a grand first-look event. The buzz in the industry is that filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra have started sending out invites for a Ram Navami event that they will host on March 27 at Gateway of India in Mumbai. The event will mark the reveal of the principal characters in the Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi-starrer. Namit Malhotra and Nitesh Tiwari Sources indicate that several senior leaders from the state and central government are on the guest list. It also includes stars from the world of entertainment and sports. An insider told mid-day, “Major Bollywood names are expected to attend. Ranbir, who plays Lord Ram, has personally invited family and close associates to the ceremony. This will be the first time that the epic’s character universe will be presented.” While Yash and Pallavi portray Ravana and Sita respectively, Sunny Deol essays the part of Hanuman and Ravi Dubey, of Lakshman. mid-day rea-ched out to Malhotra, who didn’t respond till press time.
03 February,2026 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar Basu | Priyanka SharmaADVERTISEMENT
