Filmmaker Shazia Iqbal recently found herself in the centre of controversy after she shared her review for Aditya Dhar’s blockbuster film Dhurandhar. After the Ranveer Singh-starrer released on Netflix, the Dhadak 2 director reviewed the film, calling it ‘sinister’ on her Instagram stories, although she did not name it directly. However, the internet was quick to join the dots and criticised her for her stance. Shazia Iqbal makes Instagram account private following backlash Shazia Iqbal took to Instagram stories to criticise Dhurandhar without naming the film. She wrote, “What a sinister film! It’s not hidden, it’s not unintentional — inciting hate and violence is in the DNA of the film,” before adding, “But it’s a ‘well-made’ film, guys… with some cool BGM. Well done, industry dude bros. Glad that most of y’all don’t care about minorities enough to even hide your blatant apathy.” Screenshots of her reviews soon started circulating on social media. Many Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) users slammed her for her stance. “Did Shazia Iqbal watch her own project 'Sacred Games' for the first time? Or was it “Houseful 2”?” cone user wrote noting how she was the production designer on both projects. Another user wrote, “I Genuinely Think She wants To Be Cool But We All Know What Dhurandhar is.” Amid backlash, Shazia has now reportedly made her previously public Instagram account private. Other celebrities who disagreed with the film Notably, Shazia is not the first Bollywood celebrity to present conflicting views on Dhurandhar’s politics. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap opened up about the film and said, “I liked the film, but I didn't like some of the ideologies. The dialogue about 'This is the new India' and one long political monologue, among a total of three scenes, were unnecessary; even without them, the film's impact would not have diminished.” Hrithik Roshan had also said, “I may disagree with the politics of it, and argue about the responsibilities us filmmakers should bear as citizens of the world. Nevertheless, can't ignore how loved and learnt from this one as a student of cinema. Amazing.” Dhurandhar features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Sara Arjun, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt among others. The film collected over Rs 1328 crore worldwidethrough it theatrical run before its OTT release on Netflix. The sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, will hit screens on March 19.
02 February,2026 04:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentChoreographer and director Farah Khan revealed how actress Malaika Arora came on board the iconic song Chaiyya Chaiyya for Mani Ratnam's Dil Se... When the Om Shanti Om maker appeared on the popular chat show, Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, she shared that they approached a lot of people for the song before Malaika was finalized at the last minute. She added that she knew Malaika way before they shot the track. Farah said, "We actually tried for a lot of people. We had no one even one week before the song was supposed to be shot." The Main Hoon Na maker said that she desperately called Malaika to be a part of the track, despite not knowing if she could dance or not. "I did not even know if she could dance. But I knew that her look was right. She looks beautiful." Farah said that in the last minute, director Mani Ratnam left the decision to her. "Get anybody". At the end, she admitted that Malaika ended up giving a mind-blowing performance in the Chaiyya Chaiyya track. The pop-folk song was a part of the Bollywood film Dil Se... The song has reportedly been adapted from the lyrics of Tere Ishq Nachaya, written by Bulleh Shah. Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman has provided the score, with lyrics penned by Gulzar. The track has been crooned by Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi. The iconic number has been performed on top of a moving train by Malaika and the protagonist Shah Rukh Khan. Choreographed by Farah, the mesmerizing number continues to be one of the most memorable tracks, remembered for its energetic steps and deep lyrics. It still remains an inspiration for several dance enthusiasts across the country. Dil Se.. further featured Manisha Koirala and Preity Zinta (debut movie) in significant roles. The movie is the final installment in Ratnam's trilogy after Roja (1992) and Bombay (1995). 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
02 February,2026 04:21 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActress Shilpa Shetty shared a fun birthday message for her sister, actress Shamita Shetty, whom she lovingly called her ‘A1 from day 1' along with a throwback moment. Shilpa took to Instagram to share a video featuring pictures from Shamita’s childhood. She also posted a series of photographs capturing precious moments she has shared with Shamita and their mother over the years. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shilpa Shetty Kundra (@theshilpashetty) For the caption, Shilpa wrote: “A little throwback because… how could I not it’s your birthdayyyy.” “Happyyy birthdayyy, my Tunkiii My A1 from day 1. May your life always be filled with endless happiness, good health, laughter, and love. Remember, you always have me - today, tomorrow, forever… no matter what Love you to the moon and back shamitashetty_official.” Shamita is the younger sister of actress Shilpa. She made her acting debut with the romantic drama Mohabbatein in 2000. She went on to do films including Bewafaa, Zeher, and Cash. Following a career hiatus and a downturn, Shamita participated in several reality television shows, including Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi, and Bigg Boss. Talking about Shilpa, she was last seen in Sukhee, directed by Sonal Joshi in her directorial debut. It stars Shilpa in the lead role with Amit Sadh, Dilnaz Irani, Kusha Kapila and Pavleen Gujral. The film is about a 38-year-old Punjabi housewife, Sukhpreet "Sukhee" Kalra, who, sick of her routine existence, travels to Delhi to attend her high school reunion. Sukhee relives her teenage years while experiencing a variety of things over just seven days, emerging reignited and reborn, making the hardest shift of her life - from being a wife and mother to being a woman once more. Shilpa will be seen in KD: The Devil directed by Prem. The film stars Dhruva Sarja in the titular role, alongside Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, V. Ravichandran, Ramesh Aravind, Reeshma Nanaiah, Jisshu Sengupta and Nora Fatehi. 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
02 February,2026 04:11 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood actress Huma Qureshi has shared what she calls her “best beauty hack,” and it has nothing to do with makeup or skincare. The actress believes that laughter is the simplest and most effective way to glow from within. Taking to Instagram, Huma shared a string of monochrome pictures of herself, accompanied by the caption, “Laughter is the best beauty hack.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Huma Qureshi (@iamhumaq) The actress is all set to be seen in Yash-starrer Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups. The makers had earlier unveiled the looks of Yash, Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Rukmini Vasanth, and Tara Sutaria of the film. Written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has been simultaneously shot in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and several other languages. Toxic : A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is reportedly a gripping tale of crime and deception set in 1980s Goa, where a powerful drug cartel manipulates lives behind the state's picturesque beaches and vibrant culture. The film features a formidable technical lineup, including National Award-winning cinematographer Rajeev Ravi, music by Ravi Basrur, editing by Ujwal Kulkarni, and production design by TP Abid. The action sequences are mounted on a grand scale, choreographed by Hollywood action director JJ Perry (John Wick), alongside National Award-winning action directors Anbariv and Kecha Khamphakdee. Produced by Venkat K. Under the banners of KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, the film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19, coinciding with Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa. Huma’s latest releases include Maharani 4 and Delhi Crime Season 3. Directed by Puneet Prakash, produced by Kangra Talkies Pvt. Ltd., and created by Subhash Kapoor, Maharani 4, stars Huma, Shweta Basu Prasad, Vipin Sharma, Amit Sial, Vineet Kumar, Shardul Bhardwaj, Kani Kusruti, and Pramod Pathak. She was also seen in the third season of Delhi Crime, which is directed by Tanuj Chopra. Huma stars alongside names such as Shefali Shah, Rasika Dugal, Rajesh Tailang, Jaya Bhattacharya, and Anuraag Arora. The cast also includes Sayani Gupta, Mita Vasisht, Kelly Dorji, and Anshumaan Pushkar. 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
02 February,2026 04:05 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSWife Ayesha Shroff wished husband Jackie Shroff "Happppppiest birthday" with a sweet social media post. She showered praises on the Hero actor, calling him 'the best of the best'. Ayesha said that Jackie puts his all into every role of life - a friend, a father, and an actor. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ayesha Shroff (@ayeshashroff) Wishing him an amazing year ahead, she wrote on the photo-sharing app, "Happppppiest birthday to the BEST of the BEST!!! I really shouldn’t brag, but I will!! Best friend, best dad, best brother, best heart, best actor, best eco warrior, best patriot, so nazar na lage... God bless you Jaggu with the most AMAZING year ahead because you deserve it!!! apnabhidu tigerjackieshroff kishushroff (sic)". Jackie and Ayesha's daughter, Krishna Shroff, also compiled a lovely birthday wish for her father. Dropping a couple of unseen photographs with her dad, she shared, "Happy birthday to my protector forever. I love you with all my... today and always, dad apnabhidu (sic)." In addition to the family members, Jackie's good friend, actor Anil Kapoor, also wished him on his special day, using social media. He published a photo collage of some of his throwback pictures with his Ram Lakhan co-star and penned, "Some bonds go beyond one lifetime….Grateful for you in every janam, Jaggu Da. Happy Birthday, Ram bindasbhidu." For the unaware, Jackie and Ayesha first met back in the early 1980s when Ayesha was just 13 years old. Jackie first laid eyes on Ayesha when she was hanging from a school bus while he was riding a borrowed bike. Jackie was immediately attracted to her and could not help but introduce himself. Coming from very different backgrounds, the two had to overcome several challenges before finally tying the knot in 1987. The couple has been blessed with two kids - their daughter Krishna and, son Tiger. 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
02 February,2026 03:58 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActress Shanaya Kapoor reveals she spent her Saturday night in a mellow, musical mood, soaking in the emotions of the song Jee Liya, which she had on loop as she unwound over the weekend. Shanaya took to Instagram, where she shared a video of herself vibing to the Tu Yaa Main song Jee Liya sung by Adarsh Gourav and Lothika Jha. “Saturday night lights… with jee liya on loop,” Shanaya wrote as the caption. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shanaya đ (@shanayakapoor02) Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, Tu Yaa Main is produced by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma under the banner of Colour Yellow, along with Vinod Bhanushali and Kamlesh Bhanushali of Bhanushali Studios Limited. Rooted in today’s creator-driven culture, the film offers a fresh, youthful take on love and survival, and is set for release on 13 February 2026. Talking about Shanaya, she made her debut with the romantic drama film Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. Adapted from Ruskin Bond's short story The Eyes Have It, the film stars Vikrant Massey as a visually impaired musician and marks the acting debut of Shanaya Kapoor as a theater artist. Meanwhile, Adarsh is known for his work across film, television, and digital platforms. He trained in Hindustani classical music before transitioning fully into acting. He began his career as a child artiste, appearing in films such as My Name Is Khan, where he played a younger version of Shah Rukh Khan’s character. He gained wider recognition with his role in the Prime Video series Made in Heaven, portraying Balram Menon, which showcased his ability to handle layered, contemporary characters. His international breakthrough came with The White Tiger, in which he played the lead role of Balram Halwai. The performance earned him critical acclaim globally and a nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama at the Golden Globe Awards, making him one of the few Indian actors to receive that recognition. He has also acted in international productions, including ‘Extrapolations’, a series. Gourav is regarded for his grounded performances and consistent choice of character-driven roles. 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
02 February,2026 03:49 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan recently hopped onto an adventure, as he took his life’s “leading lady” - his mother Pinkie Roshan on a thrilling jet ski ride in the middle of the vast ocean. The proud mommy Pinkie Roshan took to her social media account to share the fun and adventure that they had. The picture shows Hrithik confidently steering the jet ski while Pinkie sits behind him, holding on to him tightly. Sharing the photograph, Pinkie Roshan penned an emotional note, calling it the best birthday gift she could have imagined. She wrote, “Familiar face right??? Yes it’s hrithikroshan on a jet ski ,,, only difference is the leading lady is pinkieroshan his mommy. Best birthday back present I could ever imagine.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pinkie Roshan (@pinkieroshan) She elaborated, “The ride was an experience in the middle of the vast ocean SURREAL BEST part being I had to hold on to my son really tight he said” Grabbed the opportunity and hugged him soooo tight firstly out of fear and once I got used to it I think I crushed him.” She added, “LOVE YOU MY SON FOR THIS UNFORGETTABLE THRILL AND HAVING TO CLING ON TO YOU WAS A DEEP CONNECTION.” Pinkie Roshan has always expressed her love and pride in her children and even grandchildren. A few weeks ago, at a family function Hrithik along with his two sons was seen dancing their hearts out on the iconic song track “Oh Ho Ho Ho”, that further went viral over social media in no time. The special moment became even more touching with a heartfelt note from Pinkie Roshan, who described watching her son and grandsons dance together as a deeply emotional experience and “jaw-drop shock” seeing them groove together, especially to her favourite Sukhbir song. She wrote, “Dadi Nani (ME) is joyfully sharing her joy n happiness with pride this most precious moment as I was in JawDrop Shock seeing them dance together,,,that too on my favourite track by Sukhbir.” Pinkie added: “Praying to almighty to bless them as I am folding mine in gratitude. Sending love and blessings My brownie points My joy as Dadi Nani and my son @hrithikroshan Love you Sussanne the mother of my grandsons Mothered them with values and love.” 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
02 February,2026 03:33 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSSinger-composer Palash Sen has weighed in on reports of renowned singer Arijit Singh stepping away from film playback, saying he understands the decision only too well, having gone through a similar phase himself early in his career. Reflecting on his own journey, Palash said he “knows why” Arijit has chosen to move on, adding that he had faced comparable experiences in the film industry years ago and eventually decided to carve out his own path beyond films. Taking to Instagram, Palash shared a string of photographs from his 2002 film Filhaal, which marked Meghna Gulzar's debut. The film also stars Sanjay Suri, Tabu and Sushmita Sen. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Palash Sen (@instadhoom) He wrote: “24 years back this day or perhaps on 2nd Feb, my first film as an actor , FILHAAL, was released .. it was a flop .. i was written off badly by most critics and trollled by most filmi people.. there was a particular model /actress, who gave me a lecture on why i shouldn’t act in films, as did so many more (sic).” The Maaeri hitmaker said that he “wasn’t interested in films to begin with.” “I did this one as I just wanted to sing one song written by the greatest poet- writer of all time , Gulzar saab. That the song was to be composed by the legendary Anu ji was my other dream come true. And that was it. I really don’t know why I was perceived as a threat (sic).” He said that he just went to have fun and do his job “to the best of my ability.” “That I got to work with the amazing Sush, Tabu & Sanjay was my reward. Finally to be directed by the awesome Meghna is my cherished experience of a lifetime. I have nothing but beautiful memories and I am so proud of this ahead its time movie. In fact , now that it is such a success on TV, it makes me so happy & grateful (sic),” he said. He then went on to speak about Arijit Singh and his decision to call off playback singing. “The truth is I know why my bro, Arijit is quitting film playback. I was there way back & I chose my own path.. the path, that i know, Arijit will now walk on (sic).” Palash added: “Fun fact: that year I got nominated for all Best newcomer awards .. including Filmfare .. of course I won nothing. Even Euphoria has never won anything. But you know, the people of this country gave me so much love .. way beyond and above any award and that model ?? Hahahaha (sic).” It was on January 27, when Arijit announced that he will no longer take up any new assignments as a playback vocalist. He wrote, “Hello, Happy new year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much of love all these years as listeners. I am happy to announce that I am not gonna be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey (sic).” The singer also thanked his listeners for their unwavering love and support over the years and calling his journey as a playback singer “wonderful”. 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
02 February,2026 03:25 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Veer Pahariya celebrated his birthday on Sunday in the presence of his friends. Orry took to his official Instagram handle and posted a video giving an insight into the fun birthday bash. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Orhan Awatramani (@orry) In the clip, we get a glimpse of all the B-town celebs, who were a part of the celebration. From brother Shikhar Pahariya, to Khushi Kapoor, to Bhumi Pednekkar, to Nysa Devgan, to Badshah, to Rhea Chakraborty, to Arjun Kapoor, the entire gang came together to have a blast on Veer's special day. Orry further added the "Just Keep Watching" song by Canadian singer Tate McRae as the background score. However, what the netizens noticed is that Veer's former lady love, Tara Sutaria, is missing from the reel. The users are taking the post as a confirmation of the alleged breakup between Veer and Tara. Some of the cybercitizens even took to the comment section and asked, "Where is Taraaa??" Another one said, "Why no Tara Sutaria & AP Dhillon in this reel?" The third comment read, "Is one person badly missing in this party." A user shared, "Orry confirming the break up rumours silently". If the reports are to be believed, Tara and Veer have decided to go their separate ways shortly after the controversial incident at an AP Dhillon concert. However, neither Tara nor Veer have made any official confirmation. It is also not clear what made the two take such a step. Refreshing your memory, Tara and Veer reportedly began dating in early 2025 and made their relationship public around mid-2025. In the recent past, the two were often seen together at various events and also shared affectionate posts for one another on social media. Veer was also seen accompanying Tara during her intimate yet exciting birthday bash in November last year. 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
02 February,2026 03:09 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIKashyap calls out cultural hypocrisy Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has defended Yash’s upcoming film ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups’ amid backlash over its teaser, calling the criticism a reflection of “cultural hypocrisy”. Speaking at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival, the director said, “When male actors appear shirtless or display machismo, no one questions it. But when a woman celebrates her sexuality, it becomes hard to accept.” Kashyap further described Geetu Mohandas’s directorial venture as “an extremely courageous attempt”. Unveiled on January 8, the teaser had drawn criticism for an intimate scene featuring a woman, with the Women’s Commission also expressing concerns. Serving nostalgia Stills from ‘Devdas’, ‘Tere Naam’ and ‘Yuva’. Pics/Yogen Shah, Instagram, Youtube, Facebook Three popular Hindi films — Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Devdas (2002), Salman Khan’s Tere Naam (2003), and Kareena Kapoor Khan and Vivek Oberoi’s Yuva (2004) — are set to return to theatres with special re-releases. PVR INOX announced the development through an Instagram post, sharing the re-release dates along with the film titles. According to the announcement, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s romantic drama will hit the big screen again on February 6, followed by Mani Ratnam’s movie on February 20, and Tere Naam on February 27. ‘Undermining Kerala’s secular fabric’ A still from ‘The Kerala Story 2’ teaser; (right) Saji Cherian Kerala Minister Saji Cherian criticised the teaser of The Kerala Story 2, alleging that it was aimed at “communal polarisation and undermining the state’s secular fabric.” In a Facebook post, Cherian said that from the first impression, the film appeared to be yet another product of “the Sangh Parivar’s factory that manufactures lies without any connection to facts.” He alleged that the makers were attempting to portray Kerala, a model of secularism, as a “breeding ground for religious extremism in order to humiliate the state before the world.” Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the film comes almost three years after the first instalment, which was criticised for its ‘love jihad’ story. Despite being panned by critics and certain sections of society, the 2023 movie became a sleeper hit.
02 February,2026 08:23 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamIn an industry that measures success in terms of virality, ghazal singer Vipin Aneja offers a counter-narrative. His song, Jaane Tere Shehar Ka, didn’t explode overnight when it released in 2015, but slowly found listeners who keep returning to it even a decade later. Such is its popularity today that the singer is set to release its reprised version this month. “Many music company heads approach music as a business metric, not as an evolving art form. As a result, ghazals are quickly labelled niche. Ironically, the longevity of songs like Jaane Tere Shehar Ka tells a different story,” argues Aneja. The singer is critical of how platforms use the excuse of “audience preference” to boost one genre over another. According to him, the term is nothing but a shield against artistic courage. “Today’s music platforms and labels often claim they are responding to ‘audience preference,’ but in reality, they are actively shaping taste while using the audience as a convenient alibi to avoid artistic risk. Streaming platforms reward what performs fast, not what lasts. When similar-sounding songs are repeatedly promoted, listeners aren’t choosing them freely. They’re being conditioned through repetition,” he asserts. Ghazals may not lend themselves easily to speed-driven metrics. But pointing to Jaane Tere Sheher Ka’s success, Aneja notes that gems in the genre far outlast overnight chartbusters. As he puts it, “Some songs are like fast food — widely consumed and quickly forgotten. Others are like a slow-cooked meal and they take time to be appreciated. But once they are appreciated, people keep coming back to them for years.” For Aneja, who started his career with the Hindi pop album Teri Payal in 2000, shifting gears to ghazals has been organic. He believes that the genre “nourishes” listeners like few others do. For him, the disappearance of ghazals would mark a deeper cultural loss. “If ghazals disappear, we won’t just lose a genre; we’ll lose the art of feeling deeply without explaining ourselves.”
02 February,2026 08:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuADVERTISEMENT
