A deeply disturbing incident from Delhi has shaken the nation. A six-year-old girl was gangraped by three boys and the probe is now underway. Amid this, actress Bhumi Pednekkar has took to her social media and strongly reacted to the incident. She questioned the kind of environment we are growing in and also shared how we are punishing the voiceless in our country. Bhumi Pednekkar on gang rape incident Talking to her Instagram stories, Bhumi shared a pic of news and wrote, "What is going on. We clearly are failing cause we haven't till now been unable to instill fear into these monsters who think the can get away with sexual violence. Breaks my heart to see under age boys go through with something so heinous. Imagine the environments they are growing up in. We are punishing the voiceless in our country, and have sensationalised dogs being a threat! What about the fact, that a 6-year-old isn't safe on our streets and actually no child is, cause in this case the perpetrators are also the victims. Wake up India.” For those unversed, a six-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three boys, aged 10, 13, and 14, in northeast Delhi’s Bhajanpura on January 18. Two of the accused have been apprehended, while the third boy and his family are missing. The victim, who lives with her parents and three siblings, is now stable and recovering at home. Bhumi Pednekkar’s upcoming movies On the professional front, Bhumi is all set to play DCP Rita Ferreira in Daldal. She embarks on a dangerous investigation to track down a cold-blooded serial killer. Talking about the series, Bhumi Satish Pednekkar said, "Playing Rita Ferreira has been one of the most intense and creatively fulfilling experiences of my career. She is a woman forged by ambition, haunted by doubt, and burdened by the weight of her past, a character who demanded that I explore the delicate balance between vulnerability and strength in ways I had never done before. Stepping into her world was both challenging and deeply rewarding, as Rita's journey mirrors the complexities we all face when confronting our own demons." Apart from this, she is also doing a romantic drama with Imran Khan which also marks his comeback project.
28 January,2026 08:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAditi Rao Hydari has never been that girl. She has built a career doing the opposite. Long before “pan-India”, “content cinema” or “strong female roles” became the industry's most popular buzzwords, Aditi was already pushing the narrative towards films where craft mattered more than noise. Aditi Rao ditches dialogue in Gandhi Talks Gandhi Talks, a silent film in 2026, isn’t a sudden act of bravery on her part but the most natural extension of a pattern she’s followed. This is an actor who has moved between the worlds of Mani Ratnam and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, among others and worked with filmmakers who demand diametrically different kinds of process and performances from her. Aditi has survived, thrived and stood out in all her work. While many of her contemporaries carefully orbit commercial formulas, Aditi repeatedly steps into films where merit, credibility, craft and longevity take priority. Period dramas, intimate romances, socially relevant dramas, thrillers - her filmography has something for everyone. Her newest offering, Gandhi Talks, takes that instinct and chases glory with it. By design, a silent film leaves an actor nowhere to hide. No punchy lines to manufacture impact. You are left with the face, the eyes, breath, stillness - tools Aditi has always thrived on, and been celebrated for. The film's newly dropped trailer makes the vision of every artist on it clear. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the deft Vijay Sethupathi, Aditi soars to match him. Their chemistry feels palpable. What makes this powerful isn’t merely that it is “different.” It’s that it’s consistent with who she has always been as an artist, someone more interested in experience than in the safety of a formula. In an era dominated by spectacle and scale, Aditi choosing a form that relies purely on presence feels almost subversive. With A.R. Rahman’s music becoming the film’s emotional voice and Kishor Pandurang Belekar directing, Gandhi Talks may be an experiment. But for Aditi Rao Hydari, it feels like a homecoming to the kind of fearless performance space she’s been working towards all along! The film will release worldwide on January 30, 2026. Aditi and the cast speak about Gandhi Talks The film is headlined by Vijay Sethupathi, Arvind Swami, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Siddharth Jadhav. Sharing his experience, Vijay Sethupathi says, “Gandhi Talks challenged me to express emotion without words. It’s a rare film where silence becomes the strongest dialogue.” Echoing this sentiment, Arvind Swami adds, “In a world drowning in noise, Gandhi Talks reminds us that silence can still shake a conscience. This is a film where words step aside and truth walks in quietly. Rahman’s genius music becomes its language.” Aditi Rao Hydari reflects on the film’s emotional core, saying, “What moved me most was how emotions are felt rather than spoken. The film allows vulnerability and silence to coexist beautifully.”
28 January,2026 07:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe buzz around Tu Yaa Main has been steadily growing louder, with its intriguing theme of romance, thrill, and boldness. The gripping survival thriller has already sparked anticipation ahead of its release, and adding to the excitement is Adarsh Gourav, whose character has become one of the most talked-about aspects of the film. Known for his intense performances and versatility, Adarsh is set to surprise audiences yet again. Along with his much-awaited on-screen pairing with Shanaya Kapoor, which has already received love for its chemistry and freshness, the actor's creative musical talent will also be seen in the film. Adarsh Gourav lends his voice for Tu Yaa Main Adarsh has lent his voice to not one, but three songs in the film, marking a significant step in his journey. One of these tracks, which is also co-composed by Adarsh, is all set to drop tomorrow, further amping up the excitement and giving audiences a glimpse into Adarsh coming into his own as an artist. Talking about the same, the actor shared, “It was an amazing experience to sing for Tu Yaa Main. I’ve sung before and have also enjoyed doing singles and covers, but this film feels very different for me creatively. I’ve sung three songs for the film and also co-composed the one releasing tomorrow, which makes it even more special. Each of the songs are very different in terms of their vibe, and together they show a side of my journey that people haven’t seen yet. I’m really excited for audiences to hear the first song tomorrow.” About Tu Yaa Main trailer The edge-of-the-seat trailer pulls audiences into the world of two content creators until their lives take a terrifying turn when they come face-to-face with a menacing crocodile. Kicking off with a playful Khoon Bhari Maang nod, the trailer introduces Shanaya Kapoor as Miss Vanity and Adarsh Gourav as ‘A’, a confident creator from Nalasopara. What starts as fun collabs and daring adventures quickly flips, as the duo end up trapped in a pool, stained in blood and facing a bloodthirsty crocodile that won’t back down. Survival is the only content that matters now, but will they make it out alive? This Valentine’s Day, love will definitely bite back. 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.
28 January,2026 05:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentZEE5 on Tuesday unveiled the trailer of its upcoming Hindi Original series Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz, a poignant six-episode drama that explores the fragile emotional terrain of a father–son relationship, generational expectations, and the courage it takes to forge one’s own identity. Produced by Rusk Media and directed by Ameet Guptha, the series stars Mihir Ahuja and Suvinder Vicky in lead roles and will premiere exclusively on ZEE5 on February 6. Shabad- Reet Aur Riwaaz trailer Set against the evocative backdrop of Punjab, Shabad follows the journey of Ghuppi Singh, a 16-year-old boy living with a chronic stammer, who harbours dreams that sharply contrast with his family’s deeply rooted legacy. His father, Harminder Singh, a respected Ragi singer who also navigates the corporate world, expects Ghuppi to carry forward the sacred tradition of devotional music. However, Ghuppi finds his true sense of freedom and self-expression not in hymns, but on the football field. As generational tensions rise and emotional fault lines deepen, Shabad sensitively explores the conflict between legacy and aspiration, inheritance and individuality. The series poses a compelling question: Is legacy something we inherit, or something we choose for ourselves? As faith, fear, love and ambition intersect, both father and son are forced to confront their deepest vulnerabilities—learning that coexistence is born not from authority, but from empathy and understanding. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ZEE5 (@zee5) Mihir and Suvinder on their characters Speaking about his character, Mihir Ahuja said, “Ghuppi is one of the most vulnerable and honest characters I’ve played. His stammer isn’t just a speech condition—it reflects everything he struggles to express: fear, desire, ambition, and the need to be accepted. Shabad captures that pivotal moment in every young person’s life when you’re torn between being a good child and being true to yourself.” Suvinder Vicky added, “Harminder is a father shaped by faith, discipline and the fear of losing legacy. He truly believes he’s doing what’s best for his son, even when his love turns into pressure. What moved me about Shabad is that it doesn’t villainise parents—it shows how unspoken emotions and unrealised dreams influence our actions.” Director Ameet Guptha remarked, “Shabad is a story about listening—to children, to parents, and to the silence between them. It explores how love, when intertwined with expectation, can become pressure, and how empathy can heal what authority cannot.” With its authentic Punjabi milieu, emotionally layered performances and a deeply moving narrative, Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz promises a heartfelt and immersive viewing experience. Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz premieres exclusively on ZEE5 on February 6.
28 January,2026 05:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCelebrated actor Boman Irani revealed that he has been with his better half, Zenobia Irani, long enough to 'confuse historians'. As the couple celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on Wednesday, Boman shared a video compilation of the various photographs of the couple over the last 4 decades. The text overlay on the post read, "How many years have you been together?" Followed by"Year?" Next came an album of pics of Boman and Zenobia, starting from the present time, all the way to the cave ages. Boman further joked in the caption that he has been with his wife long enough to confuse the historians. "Long enough to confuse historians…(laughing emoji) 41 years of us," he penned on the photo-sharing app. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Boman Irani (@boman_irani) Wishing the two on their wedding anniversary, Anupam Kher commented, "Happy Anniversary my dearest bestest couple! Love and prayers always." Dia Mirza wrote, "Love you both so much". Others, such as Neil Nitin Mukesh and Avinash Tiwari, also reacted to the post with red heart emojis. Boman and Zenobia first met when Zenobia walked into Boman's Wafer Shop. Soon, the two grew fond of each other and ended up tying the knot on January 28, 1985, in a traditional Parsi ceremony. On the professional front, Boman is all set to return in his beloved avatar as Khurana in the highly anticipated sequel, Khosla Ka Ghosla 2. Recently, he teased the netizens with the initial glimpse of his character. Boman uploaded a clip of himself dressed as Khurana in a vibrant, multicoloured shirt paired with black trousers. In the video, he delivered his famous "Uncle Ji", followed by a devilish laugh. "KHURANA IS BACK….AND HOW Iconic KhuranaSaab has landed back in the lives of Khoslas with his trademark UncleJi menacing sneer!! Jai Ho! KhoslaKaGhosla2.", Boman wrote in the caption. 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
28 January,2026 04:41 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSThe entire music industry is in a state of shock ever since Arijit Singh announced his retirement from playback singing. However, singer and composer Sona Mohapatra called Arijit's decision to step away from playback 'brave', 'generous', and 'disruptive in the best way'. She shared a long note on her Instagram handle with the caption, "To arijitsingh & India with Love, I’ve walked the path of putting music out of my own year after year & it’s a very fulfilling & incomparable road. Exhausting also but exhilarating for sure (sic)." Her note went like this, "Stepping away from playback singing feels less like an exit and more like an arrival into freedom, authorship and possibility." Sona pointed out that while she does not know the exact reason behind Arijit's decision, she is sure that this will allow him to get the freedom that is the essence of art. "Not speculating on why. I'm sure the reasons are deeply personal and entirely valid. What matters is the choice. None of his predecessors even imagined this path: stepping aside to make space. For himself first, to explore, to create, to sing his own songs on his own terms," she added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝓢𝓸𝓷𝓪 𝓜𝓸𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓪𝓽𝓻𝓪 (@sonamohapatra) She said that this decision will also end up making space for fresh voices, who have been suffering in the name of 'zero-risk formulas', practised by the industry. Sona went on to explain, "Producers overuse one voice and don't pay demo singers at all, avoid paying most established ones too with the carrot of 'opportunity' even after two decades of being around", try 10 voices, killing the music director in the exhausting process and then record Arijit and everyone keep an exploitative cycle alive because it's convenient." She further showed excitement for the artist Arijit is set to become with all the original music coming his way. "Here's to artists choosing freedom over fear. That's how new eras begin. Here's to the artist that Arijit is and will become in the coming years. Here's to original music which is not a subset of a film ecosystem but exists and thrives on its own," she concluded. 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
28 January,2026 04:21 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood actress Sara Ali Khan and social media influencer Orry’s fallout has been creating a buzz across social media platforms and Bollywood fan communities. While Sara has maintained a dignified silence on the issue, Orry has openly expressed his feelings. Now, on a podcast with Elvish Yadav, Orry called Ibrahim Ali Khan the “most besharam” person in the industry. Orry mocks Ibrahim Ali Khan A promo from the podcast has surfaced on social media. Host Elvish Yadav is seen asking Orry, “Industry main besharam kaun hai? (Who is shameless in the industry?)” To this, Orry responded, “Ibrahim Ali Khan.” When Elvish asked him to explain, Orry smiled and said, “Call him to your podcast.” Orry on how he became friends with Sara Ali Khan On the podcast, Orry also recalled how his friendship with Sara began. “There was an app called AskFM where people used to ask me a lot of questions about Sara. One day, I messaged her on Facebook saying people were asking so much about her and that I was even answering them. AskFM became very popular at the time,” he said. He added that he hadn’t met Sara back then. “We first met in New York. A friend had arranged a dinner but fell asleep. Sara still came, and we went out to dinner. We kept meeting again and again, and eventually became good friends.” Orry on reason for feud with Sara Ali Khan The two, who were once close friends, have now unfollowed each other on social media. Orry revealed that his equation with Sara and Ibrahim Ali Khan’s mother, Amrita Singh, is the reason behind the fallout. Speaking to Hindustan Times about unfollowing Sara, Orry said, “I unfollowed Sara a while ago, and I haven’t followed Ibrahim in years.” He added, “Pretending to be friends with Sara means pretending to be okay with the trauma her mother put me through, and I don’t think I can do that anymore.” “If Amrita Singh were to apologise, I could maybe see myself letting it go in the future,” Orry further said. On the work front, Sara Ali Khan was last seen in the film Metro....In Dino.
28 January,2026 03:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBringing a gut-wrenching and brutal reality straight to the forefront with The Kerala Story, Vipul Amrutlal Shah is now gearing up to go even further with The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond. The motion poster has been released, and it is spine-chilling, terrifying, and charged with rage in every frame. The Kerala Story 2 motion poster The motion poster of Vipul Amrutlal Shah’s much-awaited The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond has finally been unveiled. This time, the makers promise to bring into focus realities that go beyond deception, humanity, and hatred. While the motion poster showcases the faces of women filled with tears, fear and rage, it strongly indicates that the sequel will push boundaries far beyond what audiences witnessed in The Kerala Story. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sunshine Pictures Ltd (@sunshinepicturesofficial) This is undoubtedly one of the most treacherous motion posters to behold and clearly guarantees petrifying realities that will unfold in the film. Fearless in its approach, the motion poster stands as a powerful statement on cinema’s purpose: to present harsh realities to audiences without mercy. It also reveals the teaser release date, which is set to drop on 30th January. The Kerala Story was one of the biggest blockbusters that left the nation shocked with its bold and fearless narrative on love jihad and conversion. The film went on to become a 'Black Swan event,' and also won the National Award in two categories. About The Kerala Story 2 This time, the sequel deals with true stories from across India. The storytelling returns to the rawness of real life, bringing forth voices of real victims, truths hidden in plain sight, and stories unfolding in our own neighbourhoods. Introducing fresh talent as the leading ladies, the film embraces performances that feel organic, authentic, and deeply rooted in reality from the corners of India. Produced under the banner of Sunshine Pictures, The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is directed by National Award winner Kamakhya Narayan Singh and written by Amarnath Jha and Vipul Amrutlal Shah. The film is co-produced by Aashin A. Shah. The music is given by Mannan Shaah, with lyrics penned by Manoj Muntashir. The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is slated for a theatrical release on 27th February 2026.
28 January,2026 03:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentArijit Singh will no longer be doing playback singing. The singer made the announcement through his private X handle on Tuesday evening. While he clarified that he will not take up any new singing assignments, Arijit added that he will continue to create his own music. Arijit Singh's FAQ for fans Arijit further stated that he will complete all his already committed projects but will not accept any new playback singing assignments. His announcement left fans disappointed, sad and confused, with reactions ranging widely across social media. After making the announcement, Arijit also responded to several fan comments on X- in his trademark humorous style. One user asked him, “You don’t care about your fans?” To this, Arijit replied, “For me, my fans never existed- you are all my listeners. You are always my extended family.” Another fan questioned, “Please justify your inappropriate decision.”To this, the singer laughed and responded, “Justify my inappropriate decision?” The user replied, “You are laughing, which means you are not serious. You are just kidding and watching fans’ responses—not done.” Arijit responded, “Not at all. I would never want to play with anyone’s emotions.” 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". In response, a fan commented, “Getting bored is literally not a good reason.” To this, Arijit replied simply, “It is.” About Arijit Singh’s retirement announcement On Tuesday, Arijit shared an Instagram post announcing that he will 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.
28 January,2026 02:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhenever Salman Khan & Arijit Singh team up, the song usually finds its way straight into people’s playlists. Over the years, the duo has delivered everything from upbeat dance numbers to heartfelt romantic tracks - and now a stirring patriotic song. Top 4 Salman Khan - Arijit Singh songs One of their biggest recent hits was Tiger 3’s Leke Prabhu Ka Naam, an energetic dance number that showcased Salman Khan in a charming, stylish avatar. With its catchy beats and lively vibe, the song quickly became a favourite among fans. The same film also featured Ruaan, a soft and emotional romantic track that beautifully captured love and longing. Arijit Singh’s soulful vocals added depth, making it one of the most touching songs from the soundtrack. Adding a new dimension to their collaboration is Maatrubhumi from the upcoming film Battle of Galwan. The patriotic number stands out for its emotional impact and tribute to the nation. Composed by Himesh Reshammiya and sung by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal, the song blends powerful music with striking visuals of Salman Khan, creating a moving experience. Its amazing response has also sparked hope among fans for more musical moments featuring the duo in the film. Completing the list is Hum Aapke Bina from Sikandar, a romantic track filled with emotion and longing, once again highlighting the magic of Salman Khan and Arijit Singh’s pairing. Together, these four songs showcase the versatility of their collaboration from foot-tapping numbers to soulful romance and patriotic emotion, leaving audiences eagerly looking forward to more in the future. Arijit Singh retires as playback singer On 27th January, the singer dropped a shocking news for fans, revealing that he is calling it off as a playback vocalist after 15 years in showbiz. In a long post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Arijit Singh shared the news about retiring as a playback vocalist. He said, "Hello, Happy new year to all. I want to thank you 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." He got candid about continuing music as an artist, "God has been really kind to me. I am fan of good music and in future will be learning more and do more on my own as a small little artist. Thanks again for all your support." While fans wonder whether Salman Khan's Matrubhumi from Battle of Galwan was his last song, Arijit Singh shared that there are still a few unfinished projects left for the year that shall be released soon. "I still have to finish some pending commitments, will finish them. So you might get some releases this year. Just to be clear that I won't stop making music."
28 January,2026 02:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSunny Deol-starrer Border 2 raked in Rs 23.31 crore on day five, pushing its net domestic box office collection past the Rs 200-crore mark, the makers said on Wednesday. The film directed by Anurag Singh also stars Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty in pivotal roles. Border 2 box office A sequel to Deol's 1997 blockbuster Border, the movie was released in theatres on January 23. It is backed by T-Series and J P Films. In a press note, the makers said the film has so far grossed Rs 216.79 crore at the box office. "'Border 2' has achieved a sensational new milestone, breaching the coveted Rs 200 plus crore mark at the Indian box office in just five days of release. According to the makers, Border 2 collected Rs 32.10 crore on its opening day, followed by Rs 40.59 crore on day two, Rs 57.20 crore on day three and Rs 63.59 crore on day four. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to his X handle to share the impressive run of the film in theatres. The Tuesday performance of the film was crucial and would be the true test of the film's theatrical run. He wrote, "After posting an extraordinary total in its 4-day *extended* weekend, #Border2 smashed it out of the stadium on the all-important Tuesday – a regular working day. Like Dhurandhar, Border2 did NOT opt for discounted ticket rates on Tuesday, yet delivered massive collections, firmly cementing its BLOCKBUSTER status." "The film continues its unstoppable rampage in Tier-2 and Tier-3 centres, where footfalls remain rock-solid and word-of-mouth is outstanding. Looking at the current trends, Border2 shows NO signs of slowing down anytime soon," he further wrote. About Border 2 While the 1997 film was based on the events of the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, Border 2 is also set against the backdrop of the same conflict. The movie reportedly didn't find a release in six Gulf nations -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) -- due its alleged anti-Pakistan narrative. A response from the makers is awaited. It is the second Indian film in recent times to be denied clearance for theatrical release in the Gulf countries after director Aditya Dhar's spy action movie Dhurandhar. Border 2 is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Dutta and Nidhi Dutta. It also features Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, and Medha Rana in pivotal roles
28 January,2026 01:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
