Actress Preity Zinta is the latest celeb to join the long list of admirers for Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar. The Kal Ho Naa Ho actress admitted that the Ranveer Singh starrer is one of the best films she has witnessed in a long time. Lauding the impeccable cast of the spy thriller, she penned on her X (Previously known as Twitter), "Today was a fun day. After a long time I saw a movie in a theatre by myself. The afternoon show was Packed & WOW what a ride it was ! It’s probably one of the best films I have seen in a long time. Raw & real, adorned with flawless performances by RanveerOfficial, Akshaye, duttsanjay, ActorMadhavan, rampalarjun, Sara Arjun, bolbedibol, gauravgera and every other actor. (sic)" Today was a fun day. After a long time I saw a movie in a theatre by myself. The afternoon show was Packed & WOW what a ride it was ! It’s probably one of the best films I have seen in a long time. Raw & real, adorned with flawless performances by @RanveerOfficial , Akshaye,… pic.twitter.com/r0AoXKsWBb — Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) December 17, 2025 Preity gave a special shout-out to Dhar for creating a love letter in the form of Dhurandhar to every patriot who went out of their way to protect the country. "Loved the soulful n heart thumping music & most of all LOVED the direction by AdityaDharFilms. So hard and yet, with so much heart. This is not a film. It’s a love letter to every Unknown Man, Woman & Patriot who has stood in harm's way to protect our country," added Preity. The Veer-Zaara actress also expressed her wish to congratulate Dhar on this masterpiece over a call. "3 and a half hours went by in a blink and I’m already ready to see it again. Aditya Dhar I have no words ! When I do I will call you and tell you how I feel & how much I loved this masterpiece." "Till then all I wanna say is Don’t miss it folks ! Go check it out A big shout out to the cast n crew for bringing this masterpiece alive," Preity concluded the post by appreciating the entire cast and crew of Dhurandhar. 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
17 December,2025 01:43 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood actor Dino Morea has lost his father, Ronnie Morea. The actor took to social media to pen a heartfelt and emotional note remembering his late father. While he did not reveal the cause of his father’s demise, Dino shared some of his most cherished memories, expressing how deeply he misses his presence. Dino Morea pens note for late father On Wednesday, Dino shared pictures of his father from his younger days, along with recent moments spent enjoying family time. He also posted a video of his late father working out at their home gym and another clip showing him grooving at what appeared to be a house party. Sharing the pictures and videos featuring his father, Dino wrote, "Live life to the fullest everyday, laugh everyday, be passionate in what you do, exercise, spend time out in Nature, get some Sun, eat well, climb a mountain, swim in the Sea, trek thru a forest, work hard, be nice, be kind and be loving and do all this on your own terms!! This list goes on. One person for me who embodies all this - my mentor, my hero, my father, DAD!! Thank you for the life lessons Dad." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dino Morea (@thedinomorea) The Royals actor added, "We will all miss you. I’m pretty sure you’ve already got the party started somewhere and you have a bunch of souls around you dancing & having a good laugh!! Until we meet again, stay cool !!! Love you." Ronnie Morea was Italian, and Dino spent the first 11 years of his life in Italy before moving to India. Born on December 9, 1975, Dino grew up in a culturally diverse household, with an Italian father and Indian mother. He later completed his schooling in Bengaluru, where he had a shy and reserved childhood. Dino Morea's acting journey Dino made his acting debut with the TV series Captain Vyom before entering Bollywood with Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi (1999). He rose to fame with the 2002 blockbuster Raaz and went on to appear in films like Gunaah, Rakht, and Aksar, showcasing his versatility despite mixed box-office success. He was last seen in the film Housefull 5 alongside actors like Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh. He also played a pivotal role in the Netflix series The Royals which was released earlier this year.
17 December,2025 01:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actor Akshaye Khanna is enjoying a moment of quiet celebration following the success of his latest film Dhurandhar. Instead of public appearances or media interactions, the actor chose a deeply personal and spiritual way to mark the occasion by performing a Vastu Shanti hawan at his serene home in Alibaug. Known for maintaining a low profile, Akshaye has once again stayed true to his nature. While Dhurandhar has generated strong buzz for its gripping narrative and powerful performances, especially Akshaye’s portrayal of Rehman Dakait, the actor has largely remained away from the spotlight. His performance has been widely appreciated by audiences and critics alike, reaffirming his reputation as one of Hindi cinema’s most refined performers. Akshaye Khanna shares a glimpse of the puja A rare glimpse into Akshaye’s personal life surfaced when priest Shivam Mhatre, who conducted the Vastu Shanti puja, shared a video from the ritual. The clip quickly caught attention online, as fans are seldom treated to such moments from the actor’s private space. The ceremony, rooted in ancient Indian traditions, is believed to cleanse a home of negative energies and bring peace, harmony and prosperity. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shivam Guruji (@shivam_mhatre_guruji) In his post, the priest spoke warmly about the actor, praising not only his humility but also his artistic legacy. He described Akshaye Khanna as “the definition of class in acting,” a sentiment echoed by many who admire the actor’s thoughtful choice of roles and understated yet impactful performances. According to him, Akshaye’s calm demeanour and positive energy made the ceremony special and memorable. On the career trajectory of Akshaye Khanna Over the years, Akshaye has carved a niche for himself with performances in films such as Drishyam 2, Chhaava and now Dhurandhar. Rather than chasing constant visibility, he has focused on meaningful cinema, earning respect for his discipline, restraint and depth as an actor. His work often speaks louder than publicity, a rarity in today’s celebrity-driven culture. Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar also stars Ranveer Singh and has emerged as a commercial and critical success. The film’s strong reception has already sparked excitement about a potential sequel, further cementing its impact. While many stars celebrate success with grand parties or interviews, Akshaye Khanna’s choice to turn inward and seek spiritual balance reflects his grounded personality. It is this blend of talent, humility and introspection that continues to set him apart, even as his career enters yet another high point.
17 December,2025 01:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhan Shetty, son of Suniel Shetty, expressed gratitude for his role in the upcoming sequel of Border, calling it an opportunity to carry forward his father's legacy in the movie. He also shared his father's advice ahead of Border 2 shoot. The grand teaser launch of Border 2 was held in Mumbai today and was attended by the lead cast, including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, and others. While addressing the media, Ahan Shetty highlighted the emotional and professional connection between the first and second instalments of Border, describing that the film is not just another project for him but a continuation of his father's cinematic legacy. Suniel Shetty played a prominent role in the first part of Border. When asked about receiving the opportunity to star in Border 2, Ahan Shetty said, " I would like to say that I am grateful for this opportunity. First of all, working with Varun sir. Sunny sir, an absolute legend who did Border 1 with my father (Suniel Shetty). So, I am also carrying that legacy forward." The actor also admitted to feeling the inevitable weight of expectations from the audience after his father, Suneil Shetty, delivered a blockbuster performance in the first part. "There is a certain type of pressure. That pressure will always be there. But as they say, a father is a father. So, if I can even be 10% of what my father was in that film. I think I will be able to do the character justice," said Ahan Shetty. The Tadap actor also shared the advice he recieved from his father to prioritise authenticity over performance pressure, and to stay true to his character in the film. While sharing the advice from his father, Ahan Shetty said, "Just be honest with your role. Be honest with your character and just have fun. I would like to say that the first one or two days, I was petrified on set. I mean, my hands were shaking. Just being part of such a big film. I came to Tadap 4 years ago. I had a long gap. But again, like Papa had said. Just be honest. Just be yourself. Enjoy yourself. Don't think too much about what people have to say. Or, don't compare it to Border 1. That was the most important." Meanwhile, the much-awaited teaser of Sunny Deol's starrer Border 2 was unveiled on the occasion of Vijay Diwas on Tuesday, giving fans a first look at the action-packed war drama. Set against the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the teaser showcases intense battle sequences and the courage of Indian soldiers who fought to defend the nation. It also highlights the emotional journeys of the characters, including moments of love, family bonds, and sacrifice. The teaser opens with a powerful voiceover by Sunny Deol, setting a patriotic tone. Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty are seen in gripping combat sequences, reflecting the bravery and resilience of the Indian armed forces. Fans also get glimpses of the characters' personal struggles and relationships amidst the chaos of war. The film is directed by Anurag Singh and is slated to release on January 23, 2026 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
17 December,2025 01:23 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIOn December 9, a court in Udaipur ordered filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari, to seven days' police prison for an alleged Rs 30 crore fraud case. On Tuesday, the couple's lawyer requested that interim bail be granted for medical reasons. However, the court placed them in judicial custody. According to Advocate Manzoor Hussain, the accused's lawyer filed an application for interim bail, urging that it be granted on medical grounds. If temporary bail is granted before the court session concludes, both individuals may be released for a brief period to undergo medical treatment. Everything depends on the court's decision." Vikram Bhatt and wife sent to judicial custody Later in the day, DSP Suryaveer Singh told the news agency, "The court has ordered that they be kept in judicial custody." They will soon be transferred to the Central Jail in Udaipur." Vikram and his wife were detained in Mumbai on December 7 and transported to Udaipur by police, where they appeared in court the next day. On December 9, they were remanded to seven days in police custody. Vikram, his wife, and six others are accused of robbing Dr. Ajay Murdia, the founder of the Indira Group of Companies in Udaipur, of Rs 30 crore. An official stated to PTI, “Murdia, owner of Indira IVF Hospital, wanted to make a biopic on his late wife. He has alleged that he was promised earnings of Rs 200 crore. But nothing materialised, after which Murdia approached Bhopalpura police station in Udaipur, where an FIR was registered for cheating and other offences.” Earlier, Vikram Bhatt denied the allegations On November 17, an FIR was filed accusing them of defrauding over Rs 30 crore by falsely promising film production and revenues. Police said the scam was accomplished using bogus bills created by the suspects. Earlier, when the FIR was filed, Vikram Bhatt denied the allegations. Responding to the case, he informed NDTV that he learned about the FIR and denied any misconduct. "Yes, I found out today that Ajay Murdia, the founder of Indira IVF, has filed a FIR not just against me but against eight of us," Bhatt told reporters. "I have read the FIR, and I believe it is misleading. The cops were fully misled because the information in the FIR is incorrect." Bhatt further stated that forged documents could have been used against him. "It's apparent that he generated some fake documents."
17 December,2025 01:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood superstar Salman Khan’s sister, Arpita Khan Sharma, recently delighted fans by sharing a rare old photograph featuring Salman Khan, their father and legendary writer Salim Khan, and her actor brother Arbaaz Khan. Salman’s youngest sister posted the picture on her social media, clearly reminiscing about the old days. In the picture, a young Salman Khan, a young Arbaaz Khan, and their father, Salim Khan, are seen posing together. Salim Khan is also seen holding baby Arpita Khan in his arms. The picture radiates warmth and nostalgia, capturing a beautiful family moment from the Khan family’s younger years. Salman and Arbaaz are seen standing on either side of their father, as little Arpita rests comfortably in the arms of her father in the candid click. A few weeks ago, Arbaaz Khan’s son Arhaan Khan had shared a picture on his social media featuring Salman Khan in the picture. The photo shared by Arhaan seemed to be from the younger days of his superstar uncle. The actor looked smart as always and was seen posing with his father and legendary writer Salim Khan. The picture was a sketch of the father-son duo. No sooner had Arhaan uploaded the picture than Salman Khan fans had flooded the comment section in praise of their favourite star for his charm and good looks and also thanked Arhaan for the throwback surprise. On the 18th of November. The Khan family had gathered for a warm and intimate double celebration, marking the wedding anniversaries of Salim Khan and Salma Khan, and Arpita Khan Sharma and husband Aayush Sharma. In the picture shared by Arpita on her social media account, fans could see Salim Khan, Salma Khan, Salman Khan, Sohail Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Arpita Khan, Sharma, Ayush Sharma, Alvira Agnihotri, and others smiling as they posed together. Coincidentally, Salim-Salma and Arpita-Ayush share the same wedding date. While the former completed 61 years of togetherness, the latter marked 11 years. A clip shared by Arpita showed the family surrounding Salma Khan as she leaned forward to cut the cake with her husband, Salim Khan. Ayush Sharma was seen feeding cake to Helen, while others cheered around them. 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
17 December,2025 11:18 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan penned a lengthy note on social media, praising his nephew, Agastya Nanda, for his work in the upcoming film Ikkis, calling it "a huge honour and responsibility". In Ikkis, which is set to release on December 25, Nanda essays the role of Khetarpal, who was martyred at the age of 21 during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. For his courage and sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, making him the youngest recipient of India's highest military honour at the time. ๐๐ฎ๐ณ #Ikkis pic.twitter.com/263l3doBXM — Abhishek ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ก๐๐ง (@juniorbachchan) December 16, 2025 Production banner Maddock Films shared a video on its official X handle on Tuesday, which featured glimpses from the shoot and Nanda's preparation for the role. Bachchan re-posted the video and called Nanda's sincerity and dedication for the role "commendable". "Agastya, this is a huge honour and responsibility!! A huge hero of our nation. I am sure you have given him the respect, valour and dignity he truly deserves. You are an immensely sincere actor and your dedication to portraying Arun ji is so commendable. May God and the audiences bless you. KeepFightingTheGoodFight," he wrote. Also featuring late actor Dharmendra, the film is directed by Sriram Raghavan, who co-wrote it alongside Arijit Biswas and Pooja Ladha Surti. 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
17 December,2025 10:23 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIFilmmaker Karan Johar is over the moon after his movie "Homebound", featuring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor got shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards in the 'Best International Feature Film' category. Thanking director Neeraj Ghaywan for making his dream come true, KJo penned an emotional note on social media saying, "I am not sure I can articulate how proud, elated and over the moon I am with the journey of HOMEBOUND… all of us dharmamovies are privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography … (sic)." Homebound gets shortlisted for Oscars 2026 "Thank you, Neeraj Ghaywan for making so many dreams of ours come true… from Cannes to being on the Oscar shortlist, this has been such an overwhelming journey! Love to the entire cast and crew and teams of this special special film!!!!!!!!! Upwards and onwards…….. HOMEBOUND streaming now on Netflix_in," the 'Dharma' head added. Ghaywan also expressed his gratitude on social media with the following words, "#Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards! The Academy We’re deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we've received from around the world." #Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards! @TheAcademy We’re deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we've received from around the world. pic.twitter.com/2dgXjh57Wx — Neeraj Ghaywan (@ghaywan) December 16, 2025 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlisted names across 12 categories on Tuesday, including 'Animated Short Film', 'Casting', 'Cinematography', 'Documentary Feature Film', 'Documentary Short Film', 'International Feature Film', 'Live Action Short Film', 'Makeup and Hairstyling, Music' (Original Score), 'Music' (Original Song), 'Sound and Visual Effects'. All about Homebound "Homebound" will be competing in the 'Best International Feature Film' category with Argentina’s "Belen", Brazil’s "The Secret Agent", France’s "It Was Just an Accident", Germany’s "Sound of Falling", Iraq’s "The President’s Cake", Japan’s "Kokuho", Jordan’s "All That’s Left of You", Norway’s "Sentimental Value", Palestine’s "Palestine 36", South Korea’s "No Other Choice", Spain’s "Sirat", Switzerland’s "Late Shift", Taiwan’s "Left-Handed Girl", and Tunisia’s "The Voice of Hind Rajab". The final nominees in all these categories are expected to be announced on January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards are slated to take place on March 15, 2026, with comedian Conan O’Brien returning as the host.
17 December,2025 10:19 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThere is a sense of pride in Gitikka Ganju Dhar’s voice when she speaks about Dhurandhar. The actor plays Shabnam Jamali, a Pakistani politician’s wife in the espionage thriller. Stepping onto a set populated by Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal can be both intimidating and inspiring. Yet, she feels differently. “The biggest star for me was the film’s director Aditya Dhar. We are both Kashmiri Pandits, and I keep telling him how proud we all are, as a community, of his craft as a director,” she says. (L-R) Gitikka Ganju Dhar with Rakesh Bedi in the film The director was the reason she said yes to the movie in no time. Remembering the casting call, she says, “The casting team said, ‘Dhurandhar by Aditya Dhar’, and I told them, ‘Don’t even ask me, just say yes!’” Working with Aditya was just as Gitikka had imagined. “Aditya explains thoroughly what one needs to do. After that, you have to deliver it with the energy he is looking for. He is centred and clear about what he wants.” Gitikka’s character Shabnam was envisioned as a brash and overbearing woman. Paired opposite Rakesh Bedi, she says she felt the pressure to up her game. “I knew I had to pack a punch. In an excellent film, every element has to excel for it to truly [work].”
17 December,2025 08:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuPolitician or movie maker Filmmaker Mira Nair has revealed she first wanted her son, US politician, Zohran Mamdani, to star in A Suitable Boy (2020). Speaking to THR India, she said, “I really wanted Zohran in it, as he had all the right qualities” for the role that eventually went to Ishaan Khatter. However, Zohran declined, and Mira explained why. “He said, ‘A lot of people die to be offered these things, but I don’t,’” she recalled, calling him the “most reluctant actor”. However, Mira also revealed that Zohran had assisted her during workshops for Monsoon Wedding (2001). Rewriting history for today Riteish Deshmukh The shooting of Raja Shivaji has been completed, the makers confirmed on Tuesday (December 16). The multilingual historical film is directed by Riteish Deshmukh. Based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the film has been shot over the past year across locations including Wai, Mahabaleshwar, Satara, and Mumbai. Sharing an image from the sets, Riteish shared details about the shoot. He wrote, “The shoot is officially wrapped! For over 100 days, our team poured its heart, soul, and unwavering dedication into this dream. Now, filled with invaluable experiences and true memories, we are ready to unveil a magnificent cinematic tribute to India’s greatest warriors, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!” Raja Shivaji, also starring Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, and Bhagyashree, is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on May 1, 2026.
17 December,2025 08:14 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamA good old family drama was missing from Ayushmann Khurrana’s filmography even as he attempted diverse genres. Now the actor is doing one with the best in business, Sooraj Barjatya. Having recently completed the first schedule of Yeh Prem Mol Liya, he is deeply impressed by the filmmaker’s humility. “Sooraj sir is one of the most successful directors, but he’s simple and hard-working. He works like a nerd, and that inspires me the most,” said the actor. Ayushmann Khurrana Stepping into the role of Prem is a big feat. But to Khurrana, what’s noteworthy is that the role is at odds with the characters he gravitates towards. He explained, “The best part of a Sooraj Barjatya film is that the hero is always a quintessential green flag. I usually love portraying characters who are flawed and have an arc, but here, the entire family is a green flag.” Guneet Monga Kapoor and Karan Johar In 2025, Khurrana had a sole release in Thamma. The actor will open 2026 with Pati Patni Aur Woh Do. He realises that the two offerings are a departure from the out-of-the-box films he has been known for — from Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017) to Andhadhun (2018). “The reason I’m doing films like Thamma and Pati Patni Aur Woh Do for a wider audience is because I also want to do films like Andhadhun and Article 15 [2019]. I believe An Action Hero [2022] could have done better. So, I’m mixing up genres — commercial films with projects that are unique. You have to gain the audience’s faith. That’s what I tried to build with Dream Girl 2 [2023] and Thamma. That will get translated to my other films as well.” Holi 2026 When Ayushmann Khurrana’s ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’, also starring Sara Ali Khan and Wamiqa Gabbi, will release
17 December,2025 07:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuADVERTISEMENT
