Priyanka Chopra turned the red carpet into her runway at the world premiere of The Bluff in Los Angeles on February 17. The actress turned heads in a dramatic brown gown with a corset-style bodice. After years of balancing global projects and Hollywood ventures, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is gearing up for a powerful return to Indian cinema with Varanasi, which she believes will be a career-defining project. Priyanka Chopra calls Varanasi ‘career-defining’ project Speaking with AP, the actor said that she thinks Varanasi will be “really career-defining” for her. The actor said, “The filmmaker’s name is SS Rajamouli, sir, and he is one of the best that we have in India. His movie is going to be really career-defining for me, I think. I am very excited about it.” A few days back, she had said that the film is “unlike anything” she has ever done. She also revealed one condition she put forward in front of SS Rajamouli. “I was like, ‘Listen, I’m coming back to Indian movies. I have to do a dance song. Like, you have to make me dance.’” More about Varanasi Priyanka has been roped in as the leading lady, Mandakini, in the much-awaited drama, which will mark her return to Indian cinema after a long time. The first-look poster featured her holding a pistol while wearing a yellow saree. Apart from PeeCee, the project will also see Mahesh Babu playing Rudhra and Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha. The SS Rajamouli film will release on April 7, 2027. About The Bluff Talking about her recent project, The Bluff, the film will have Priyanka in an action-packed avatar as Ercell Bodden, a fierce pirate. Backed by the Russo Brothers under AGBO Studios along with Amazon MGM Studios, The Bluff also features Temuera Morrison as Quartermaster Lee, Captain Connor’s gold-hungry consigliere, along with Ismael Cruz Cordova, Safia Oakley-Green, Zach Morris, David Field, and Vedanten Naidoo in key roles. The Bluff is expected to reach audiences on February 25. The trailer of the film was released in January this year, and Priyanka was seen as a wounded yet resilient woman who battles all odds to protect her child, braving injuries and danger with grit and gumption.
19 February,2026 09:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFrench President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron met some of India’s top filmmakers and actors in Mumbai. The French President was on a three-day official visit to India, and the meeting discussed an exchange of ideas regarding cinema. However, Richa Chadha's presence at the meeting sparked criticism on social media, with some users targeting her over her political views and outspoken opinions. She has now given a befitting reply to them. Richa Chadha slams trolls Among those present were Anil Kapoor, Zoya Akhtar, and Manoj Bajpayee, along with other members of the film fraternity. However, Richa's presence sparked criticism. Amid the backlash, the actress took to social media to address the trolls with an indirect yet sharp message. It read, “If someone being invited to meet someone else is giving you loose motions out of envy, please remember that jealousy is the first sign of stagnation. Do better. Focus on your own growth, and you'll see how others don't matter, including some opinionated movie star.” During an interaction with Hindustan Times, Richa revealed that her interaction during the recent Indo-French meeting revolved around expanding opportunities for collaborative cinema between the two nations. For those unversed, Neeraj Ghaywan’s Masaan (2015) and Richa Chadha’s Girls Will Be Girls (2024) are among the notable Indo-French co-productions. Manoj Bajpayee on meeting French President Meanwhile, Bajpayee was also invited by the Consulate General of France in Mumbai to be part of the interaction. He walked away touched by the French President’s keen interest in the arts. He shared with mid-day, “We talked about the crisis that independent cinema is facing in our country, and how the collaboration can help its growth. France is known for pursuing storytelling in its purest form. When you have a country like this, you know every suggestion is being paid heed to.” Richa Chadha upcoming movies On the work front, the actress was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi. She also dabbled in production with her venture Girls Will Be Girls, which was screened at international festivals. While she has not signed many projects after embracing motherhood, one of her yet-to-be-released projects includes Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai.
19 February,2026 08:32 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPeeCee for world peace Hollywood star Vin Diesel showered praise on Priyanka Chopra at the Los Angeles première of The Bluff, calling her “such an incredible talent”. Speaking to the press, Vin said, “She is so amazing in this movie, and she was so nice to my kids in Europe when they had a screening.” He added, “The only other person I want you to think about is the late Nelson Mandela. We are all trying to make this world a better place.” Engage in both the industries Mrunal Thakur Following her success in Telugu cinema with Sita Ramam (2022) and Hi Nanna (2023), actor Mrunal Thakur says she has made a conscious choice to engage with both Bollywood and south cinema. Born to a Marathi-speaking family in Maharashtra’s Dhule city, Mrunal garnered acclaim for her performance in her debut in Telugu films in the 2022 period romance drama opposite Dulquer Salmaan, and followed it with yet another romantic-drama with Nani. “When I started my career, there were so many things on the planner, I needed to do this or that, but the time was not correct then. Now when the time is right, I want to make sure that I give my all, and balance both industries,” the actor told PTI in an interview. AI will make filmmaking cheaper Shekhar Kapur Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur on Tuesday (February 17) said artificial intelligence (AI) will dramatically lower the cost of filmmaking and open doors for a new generation of storytellers. The director, known for critical and commercial hits such as Masoom (1983), Mr India (1987), and Bandit Queen (1994), said he has already begun using AI in his own work. “In filmmaking, it will bring a lot of new filmmakers in because the cost of filmmaking is going to come crashing down with AI. That’s what’s going to happen,” the director told PTI on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in Mumbai.
19 February,2026 07:39 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamCurrently on a three-day visit to India, French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron spent the afternoon of February 17 with artistes of the Hindi film industry. The luncheon was attended by actors Manoj Bajpayee, Anil Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Richa Chadha, filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, and Neeraj Ghaywan, among others. Bajpayee, who was invited by the Consulate General of France in Mumbai to be part of the interaction, has walked away touched by the French President’s keen interest in the arts. Neeraj Ghaywan’s ‘Masaan’ (2015) and Richa Chadha’s ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ (2024) are among the notable Indo-French co-productions Talking to mid-day, he shared, “The French President believes in the soft power of art. He wanted to meet the representatives of this film industry, mainly those who belong to the middle-of-the-road and independent cinema. President Macron is most graceful, and informal in his conversation. He gave complete attention to everyone who had a suggestion about the exchanges that can take place [between France and India].” Sudhir Mishra France, over the decades, has had a rich movie culture where independent cinema thrives. In contrast, indie films in India struggle to co-exist alongside the big-budget mainstream entertainers. That, Bajpayee revealed, was a key point of discussion as they spoke about cinema bridging the two countries. “We talked about the crisis that independent cinema is facing in our country, and how the collaboration can help its growth. France is known for pursuing storytelling in its purest form. When you have a country like this, you know every suggestion is being paid heed to.”
19 February,2026 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRIf things had gone as planned, Sapna Bhavnani would be unveiling the sixth edition of the Wench Film Festival at Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata today. But events over the past week have compelled the filmmaker to cancel the Kolkata leg of the horror film festival. ‘Fly’, a short film, will be screened at the festival in Mumbai Things came undone a week ago when the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) shared a few updates with her, which included the removal of SRFTI as the venue. “On February 11, SRFTI’s PR manager informed me that they were told to put all festival activities on hold. A day later, my team member got an email from the I&B ministry in which they had mentioned the two films that they didn’t clear for screening. Also, they removed SRFTI as the venue. We never heard directly from the institute,” she shared. With little time to arrange a new venue, Bhavnani had to cancel the screenings. She added, “We did everything as per protocol. It’s sad, especially since it’s a film school. I don’t know what pressure they have given in to.”
19 February,2026 07:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaEarlier this week, mid-day reported that leading film industry bodies held a meeting to decide their course of action, in the wake of the firing incident outside Rohit Shetty’s residence and extortion threat to Ranveer Singh (Call for protection, Feb 16). In the latest development, the bodies have sent a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, requesting a meeting with him. In the meeting, they wish to discuss the threats and understand the steps taken by the government to address the situation. Six organisations have signed the February 16 letter, a copy of which is in mid-day’s possession. According to Ashoke Pandit, President, Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association, a meeting with the CM is necessary at this stage as a wave of fear has gripped the film industry. He said, “The film industry has been in shock. All the film bodies discussed the issue and concluded that we should express our concern to the Chief Minister. We are hopeful that the government will successfully handle this situation.” Ratan Jain, President, Indian Film and Television Producers Council, said that such attack attempts and threats are reminiscent of the 1990s, when the film industry was a soft target. “This had happened in 1992 earlier, and many people [in the industry] paid money [when faced with extortion calls],” he recalled. Ashok Dubey, General Secretary, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), added, “Earlier, the FWICE had written a letter to the government requesting a meeting, but there was no response. Then the producers’ bodies got together and sent the letter as we don’t want the 1990s to happen again. We want the government to support us.” Feb 1When multiple gunshots were fired outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s house Feb 10When reports about actor Ranveer Singh receiving an extortion threat emerged The letter has been signed by: . Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association . Producers Guild of India. Indian Film and Television Producers Council. Western India Film Producers’ Association . Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association . Federation of Western India Cine Employees
19 February,2026 07:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRAfter Parineeti Chopra essayed the role of badminton star Saina Nehwal in her 2021 biopic titled Saina, the duo made headlines suddely recently after netizens noticed that the actress had unfollowed Saina on Instagram. Meanwhile, the latter continues to follow her. Now, Saina has reacted to the ongoing drama. Additionally, when asked, the athlete without a thought picked Shraddha Kapoor to portray her role if her biopic was ever made again. Saina Nehwal picks Shraddha Kapoor for her biopic During a recent interview with journalist Vickey Lalwani, Saina was asked who she would want to cast in her role for a biopic if it were ever made again. The 35-year-old quickly responded with Shraddha’s name. For the unversed, Shraddha was initially cast for the role; however, had to reportedly withdraw due to health issues just before the film went on floors. Saina highlighted that the Stree actress was always her first choice for the role. She shared, “We are still in touch and I’ve met her many times. She’s a very sweet girl. She had agreed to do the film but had to opt out due to dengue.” Nevertheless, Saina appreciated Parineeti’s commitment during training and believes that she did a great job in the film. Talking about Parineeti, Saina said, "Friendship requires spending a lot of time together, but there wasn’t enough time since the film had to be released quickly. We weren’t meeting every day. I helped her with skills, how to serve, movement on court, forehand and backhand. She may have also observed my behaviour and how I speak to portray it on screen. She worked very hard and performed extremely well. I even got emotional watching the film." Saina Nehwal on friendship with Parineeti Chopra Earlier, while speaking to Subhojit Ghosh on his YouTube channel, Saina had addressed the controversy of Parineeti unfollowing her saying she never really noticed the follow-unfollow things, and added that there was no personal issue involved. “Actually, I did not notice this and na kabhi dhyan gaya hain ispe. Kyuki life has been so busy with my training, tournaments and events ki iss cheez pe dhyan nahi gaya. Jitna bhi baatein hui hain humari, it's not like ki friends ban gaye the kuch… in a few sessions, I was also like a professional telling her ki maine life mein kya-kya kiya, maine kuch bola hi nahi ki maine friendship kari thi ya kuch. (Actually, I did not notice this, and it never really caught my attention. Life has been so busy with my training, tournaments and events that I never focused on this. Whatever conversations we had, it is not like we became friends or anything. In a few sessions, I was more like a professional, telling her about what I have done in my life – I never said that we had a friendship or anything like that),” she said.
18 February,2026 10:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMrunal Thakur and Huma Qureshi-starrer Pooja Meri Jaan has been MIA (missing in action) after it was announced three years ago. The film reportedly completed filming in August 2022, and since then has seen no updates regarding its release. Director Navjot Gulati has now opened up about the delay, urging Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films to release the long-delayed film, making serious claims against the production house. Pooja Meri Jaan Director Navjot Gulati slams Maddock Films Navjot Gulati recently told Variety India that it was his father’s last wish to watch his film being released. He added that his father passed away in 2024 after repeatedly asking when Pooja Meri Jaan would finally be released for nearly three months on his deathbed. Gulati added that the film's co-producer, Amar Kaushik, has even stopped responding to his calls and messages. He shared that their last conversation was in October 2025, after which, Kaushik has not replied to any texts or calls. "I'm tired of calling and texting and yet not hearing back. The only reason I'm telling this to the world is because they refuse to have any sort of accountability. The film remains topical and relevant even today, but I fear if I don't do something, the film will never be released because they don't care about it. I don't want it to become Shoojit Sircar's Shoebite, which is only talked about but was never released," Navjot stated. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Navjot Gulati (@navjotgulati) He further noted that Maddock Films is seeking a higher price, which he understands, but the film has already been postponed to 2024, then 2025, and now it is February 2026. He went on to share that a platform is interested in buying Pooja Meri Jaan, however, the price negotiations have dragged on for the past nine months, which he calls an 'unending cycle.' Gulati said that the film was originally commissioned for OTT and was set to stream on JioCinema. However, after JioCinema merged with Disney+ Hotstar, producers were informed that they could sell the film to other platforms. He added, "They will never sell it unless they don't get the price they're looking for. The reality is, they are so consumed by big movies now that they don't care about the small films they have made. Luv Films recently released a film called Vadh 2. It was also an OTT commissioned film, but they released it in theatres. Then why can't Maddock release it in cinemas when they aren't getting the price on OTT?" Other unreleased film of Maddock Films Gulati further claimed that not just Pooja Meri Jaan, Maddock Films has also held the release of two other films, namely, Rumi Ki Sharafat starring Radhika Madan and Sarvgunn Sampanna featuring Vaani Kapoor.
18 February,2026 08:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actor Rajpal Yadav, who was recently released from Tihar Jail on Tuesday, has now opened up about the condition of the prisons. The actor was granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court in an ongoing cheque bounce case. The court has provided him temporary relief till March 18, allowing him to step out of jail. Rajpal Yadav appeals for prison reforms Soon after his release, the actor interacted with the media and used the moment to highlight the need for prison reform in India. During an interaction with PTI, Rajpal requested the authorities to modernise jail facilities and focus more on rehabilitation. Yadav said there should be "designated smoking areas inside jails, similar to facilities at railway stations and airports". He also stressed that prisons should function as reform centres where inmates should be given structured opportunities to change, though the law remained supreme for those unwilling to reform, he added. "It is often difficult to judge from the outside who is a hardened criminal and who made a one-time mistake," he said. “I have an appeal. In our country, we don’t know the difference between a prisoner and a respectable person. But I have noticed that jails need to be upgraded for today’s time,” he added. The actor reflected on the condition of long-term prisoners, highlighting that many of them continue to remain behind bars for years after conviction. “There are prisoners who have already been convicted who don’t need to go to court and have been there for 10 years due to a mistake they made. Their behaviour and conduct have been observed over time,” he noted. Drawing a metaphor from Amitabh Bachchan's popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati, Rajpal said, “At least 10 per cent of them, like how we have lifelines on Kaun Banega Crorepati, these prisoners deserve lifelines. If 10 per cent of them are released and rehabilitated, they could be a strength for our country. And if they don’t change, the law spares nobody.” About Rajpal Yadav's prison sentence Yadav, known for films such as Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Waqt, Phir Hera Pheri, Partner, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Hungama and Chup Chup Ke among others, was sent to jail last week after the high court rejected his plea seeking more time to repay the outstanding amount in a cheque-bouncing case. He is required to pay nearly Rs 9 crore. The Delhi High Court on Monday suspended his sentence till March 18 in the cheque bounce cases and allowed his release from jail. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma passed the order after noting that Yadav had deposited Rs 1.5 crore in the bank account of the complainant, M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd. After he surrendered to Tihar Jail authorities, actors Sonu Sood and Gurmeet Choudhary, along with music composer Rao Inderjit Yadav, offered financial assistance to his family and appealed to others to extend support. (With inputs from PTI)
18 February,2026 08:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s last release was Nishaanchi, which he divided into two parts. While the first part was released in theatres, he later premiered both parts on OTT. The first instalment failed to perform well at the box office. Anurag says Nishaanchi special effects better than Sinners The crime drama follows twin brothers, Babloo and Dabloo (both played by Aaishvary Thackeray), in Kanpur, as their lives become entangled amid family feuds and crime. Recently, the filmmaker spoke about the film’s special effects and compared them to the Hollywood blockbuster Sinners. During an interaction with The Hollywood Reporter India, Anurag said, “Working with other filmmakers, I am seeing this new style of working. It is coming in, and it is everywhere in the South. They shoot and edit simultaneously… They shoot a scene a day; they don’t break it into multiple shots.” He added, “For both parts of Nishaanchi, especially with the special effects and the actor playing a double role — something I am very proud of — what Sylvester and Red Chillies have achieved is remarkable. I can very proudly say it is better than Sinners. They are truly two different people, and we shot them two months apart. It wasn’t just ‘change your shirt and come back.’ It was all real.” Anurag on writing a Malayalam film Kashyap has often praised Malayalam cinema and made his acting debut in the industry last year with The Rifle Club. He has now written a script intended for a Malayalam film. However, he has left the choice of language to the actor. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, he said, “I have written a film I want to make. It can be Hindi, it can be Malayalam. I have asked the actor — the choice is yours. You want to do it in Hindi, Malayalam, or make it bilingual. You decide.” Elaborating further, he added, “It’s a 40-page script. The film I have written for Malayalam won’t be possible in Hindi, neither the economics nor the content of it. It can only be made there.” What is Sinners about? Sinners is an American supernatural horror-action drama set in the Jim Crow-era Mississippi Delta in 1932. Released on April 18, 2025, the film has garnered multiple awards and nominations, including a record 16 Academy Award nominations. The story follows twin brothers, Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan), who return to their hometown after working for the Chicago mafia. They use their illicit earnings to open a juke joint in an old sawmill, hoping to start anew. However, a blues performance by their cousin Sammie (Miles Caton) inadvertently attracts a supernatural evil in the form of vampires, leading to a violent confrontation layered with themes of racism, community, and sin.
18 February,2026 06:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSinger-composer Vishal Dadlani recently reacted strongly to a judgment by the Chhattisgarh High Court in a rape case. The court allegedly modified a rape conviction to attempt to rape in a 2004 sexual assault case. The High Court observed that ejaculation without penetration does not meet the legal definition of rape under Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as it stood before the 2013 amendment. About the case The prosecution claimed that the incident occurred on May 21, 2004, when the accused allegedly dragged the victim to his house, locked her in a room, tied her hands and legs, gagged her, and sexually assaulted her. Following the incident, an FIR was registered, and the Additional Sessions Judge in Dhamtari had convicted the accused under Sections 376(1) and 342 IPC for rape and wrongful confinement. However, when hearing the appeal, the High Court interrogated the inconsistencies in the victim’s testimony and medical findings. During the trial, the victim initially claimed penetration but later said that the accused had kept his private part over her vagina for about 10 minutes without penetration. After assesing the medical reports, the examining doctor could not confirm rape. After analysing the evidence, the Chhattisgarh High Court concluded that the assault was violent and demonstrated clear intent; however, penetration was not conclusively established under the law as it existed before the 2013 amendment. Delivering the verdict on February 16, Justice Narendra Kumar Vyas stated that penetration is the “sine qua non" for the offence of rape. “The sine qua non of the offence of rape is penetration, and not ejaculation," the court stated. “Ejaculation without penetration constitutes an attempt to commit rape and not actual rape," the court observed. Vishal Dadlani reacts The judgment triggered criticism from Vishal Dadlani, who took to Instagram to voice his frustration. Resharing a post about the verdict, he wrote, “Seriously!?? What!!!??? you need to start naming these judges, and posting their pictures online alongside such judgments." He added, “Let their wives, daughters, sisters, mothers see what the ‘man of their house’ thinks. Someone is clearly running a RapistBachaaoAbhiyaan." His reaction quickly gained traction on the internet, sparking debate over the court’s interpretation of the law and the conversation around sexual assault jurisprudence in India.
18 February,2026 06:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
