Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has been receiving a lot of praise for his portrayal of Pakistani cop Chaudhry Aslam in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge. His performance clearly struck a chord not just with the audiences, but with real-life Chaudhry Aslam’s wife, Naureen Aslam, as well. Naureen has praised his portrayal, admitting that in one particular scene, she felt as though she was watching her husband himself on screen. Chaudhry Aslam's wife on Sanjay Dutt's performance During a podcast with AajTak Radio, Naureen noted that Sanjay Dutt was perfect for the role of her husband. While praising his performance, she added, “When he stands near the car and raises his eyes, for a moment it felt like Aslam himself." She further opened up about how her husband used to say that a film would be made about his life after his death. On the other hand, Naureen also expressed that she felt that the film did not do full justice to his life or the depth of his character. She added, "If they were making a film, they could have at least called me, the police, or journalists to understand both his positive and negative sides. He fulfilled tasks that the rest of the police never could." She mentioned that she had only watched portions of the film through clips. She even joked about the character’s use of foul language, saying that although it might not be appropriate for a family audience, such language is fairly common in police circles and suited the role well. About Dhurandhar Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar includes an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun and Akshaye Khanna. The story revolves around an undercover Indian intelligence agent navigating Karachi’s crime networks and political landscape, while seeking justice linked to the 26/11 attacks. The film performed brilliantly at the box office, emerging as a major commercial success of 2025 with collections crossing Rs 1,300 crore globally. Meanwhile, its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, released on March 19, continued to dominate the box office. The second instalment surpassed the first film’s lifetime earnings within its opening week. It has so far collected over Rs 900 crore domestically and more than Rs 1,400 crore worldwide.
02 April,2026 12:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFollowing his maiden directorial debut, Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, actor-comedian-filmmaker Vir Das is set to explore a new creative space with his next project. The filmmaker has announced his first-ever found footage horror film, marking a significant genre shift in his directorial journey. Vir Das to direct horror story Baara Number The upcoming project Baara Number will see Vir Das collaborating once again with Kavi Shastri, with the duo co-directing the film. Known for their distinct storytelling approach and collaborative synergy, the pair is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the horror genre, focusing on a more layered and immersive narrative style. The movie Baara Number is scheduled to go on floors in June, with its initial shooting schedule planned in Mumbai. Continuing his inclination towards ensemble storytelling, Vir Das will also feature as part of a multi-character cast in the film. Positioned as a found footage horror narrative, the project aims to move beyond conventional tropes, blending psychological depth with atmospheric storytelling. The film has reportedly been in development for some time and is expected to offer a nuanced take on fear, exploring both external tension and internal human emotions. With this announcement, Vir Das further expands his creative repertoire, transitioning from comedy to horror while maintaining a strong focus on narrative innovation. The project is already generating industry interest as it gears up for production, emerging as one of the more intriguing upcoming ventures in the genre. Vir Das had a no-phone policy on Happy Patel's set Vir Das told mid-day that the film's making goes against the grain of the Hindi film industry. Producers have lately raised concerns over soaring entourage costs. So, the rules on the Happy Patel set — no mobile phones, no entourage, and one common hair and make-up crew for all — come as a surprise. For Das, the maths was simple. To finish the film on a tight budget and within a short schedule, he needed to do the opposite of what the industry considers normal. "It is a tiny film, shot in 31 days. So, it was crucial to do this. We had six action sequences and 14 original pieces of music. We also had cameos from Aamir [Khan] and Imran [Khan]. We had to keep our costs down,” Das explains, adding that he is thrilled to have set a new culture on a movie set. “The no-cell phone policy benefited us. We sped up shooting by one and a half times."
02 April,2026 12:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPriyadarshan’s Hera Pheri 3 has been in the news for a while now. The film has been embroiled in controversy ever since it was first announced. Fans of the franchise were excited to watch Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal reunite once again. However, legal battles have left its fate in limbo. Writer Rohan Shankar exits Hera Pheri 3 Hera Pheri 3's writer Rohan Shankar, during a conversation with News18, opened up about how director Priyadarshan won’t let the crisis affect his work. Shankar revealed that he wrote Hera Pheri 3’s teaser and was supposed to work on the film, but now he is no longer a part of the project due to legal complications. He said, “I was in talks, and it was supposed to happen, but it didn’t because of legal issues. Hopefully, if Hera Pheri 3 happens and if Priyadarshan sir is there, maybe I will be too." Talking of filmmaker Priyadarshan, he said, “No, Priyan sir, because he is doing a lot of work, we have just shot Bhoot Bangla and Haiwan, and now he has to do another film. After that, he has to do a film with Mohanlal sir, which is his 100th film… He doesn’t stop. Priyan sir works a lot. Priyan sir and Akshay sir are workaholics." Rohan further explained, “He has to do one film, then write another, then shoot it, so he keeps on going. Now, in that structure, when will Hera Pheri happen and when will all of this be solved? If it’s solved quickly, then Priyan sir will do it. I don’t know what is happening there, but Priyan sir won’t stop amid all of this. He might make five films before Hera Pheri even starts." Hera Pheri 3's legal troubles For the unversed, Hera Pheri 3 landed in unexpected legal trouble soon after it was announced. A producer from the South had moved the Madras High Court, questioning if the film could even be made, claiming that the rights to the franchise do not belong to producer Firoz Nadiadwala. According to a Bar and Bench report, Seven Arts International Limited approached the Madras High Court, claiming that Nadiadwala was authorised to make only one Hindi remake of the Malayalam cult classic Ramji Rao Speaking (1989). That one remake was released as Hera Pheri in 2000, directed by Priyadarshan. The production house alleged that Nadiadwala exceeded his rights by making Phir Hera Pheri in 2006 and later even selling the rights for a third film. The issue has now turned into a full-fledged legal dispute, with the court questioning if Hera Pheri 3 is legally viable.
02 April,2026 12:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentStarring Sanjay Dutt and a stellar supporting cast comprising Amit Sadh, Namashi Chakravarthy, Sameera Reddy, Neetu Chandra and Tridha Chudhury, Aakhri Sawaal is among the most anticipated films that audiences are eagerly awaiting. After creating a stir with its announcement, the makers unveiled the teaser on the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Ji Janmotsav (April 2 at 11:11 AM), and it has already begun generating strong discussions. Aakhri Sawaal teaser The much-awaited teaser offers a powerful glimpse into the film’s subject, aiming to uncover layers of a hidden story that the nation needs to witness. Fearless, direct, and conversational, it ignites an intense debate that is expected to create a stir upon the film’s release. The story follows Vicky, a brilliant yet volatile scholar and an aspiring youth of progressive India, who accuses his mentor, Professor Gopal Nadkarni, of bias after his thesis is rejected. What begins as a private academic dispute escalates into a nationally televised debate. The film explores the burning questions in the minds of India’s youth — their aspirations, doubts, and search for truth through historical events and facts. At its core lies a powerful Guru–Shishya confrontation, where Vicky’s relentless questioning reveals a deeper personal motive. In the end, his Aakhri Sawaal (Final Question) uncovers a century-old secret that could either redeem the Professor or destroy them both. More about Aakhri Sawaal Produced under the banner of Nikhil Nanda Motion Pictures, which has executed multiple projects for JioHotstar and other platforms, the film is presented by Nikhil Nanda. Aakhri Sawaal is produced by Nikhil Nanda and Sanjay Dutt, and co-produced by Puneet Nanda, Dr. Deepak Singh, Gaurav Dubey, and Ujjwal Anand. Abhijeet Mohan Warang, who made his directorial debut with the Marathi-language drama Picasso (2021), received a Special Mention at the 67th National Film Awards and has consistently delivered impactful films in both Marathi and Hindi cinema. His notable works include Deja Vu, Prem Pratha Dhumshan, Piccolo, and the short film Virtual Reality. The story, screenplay, and dialogue are written by Utkarsh Naithani. The music is composed by Monty Sharma, with lyrics by Kumar Vishwas. Aakhri Sawaal is set to release in cinemas on 8th May 2026.
02 April,2026 12:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter the roaring success of his concert in Delhi, rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh brought his landmark My Story tour to Mumbai, turning the city into a setting for his life's most defining chapters through music. Singh traced his journey through rise, fame, setbacks, and resurgence, with music, visuals and immersive storytelling as fans grooved to his hits such as Millionaire, Desi Kalakar, Mafia Mundeer and Dope Shope. In one of the most striking moments of the night, Honey Singh made a dramatic entry on stage in a Rolls-Royce, an image that instantly defined the scale and energy of the evening on March 28. Singh kicked off My Story - the India chapter, curated by NDTV Good Times, with a performance in Delhi on March 14 at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.The Mumbai concert also delivered unforgettable moments of fan engagement. Winners of the Golden Ticket Contest received jewellery and one lucky fan rode home on a brand-new bike. The musician also recorded a live music video on stage, giving the fan a unique experience, just like he did in Delhi. For the thousands present in Mumbai, it was deeply personal - a reminder that music at its most powerful, touches hearts. As My Story World Tour with Honey Singh travels across India, every city will have something special waiting for its fans, be it the energy, unpredictability, or the sheer scale. 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 April,2026 11:22 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIGaurav Gera's moment under the sun for his performance in Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar feels like a personal victory for Mona Singh, his co-star and friend from the days of hit daily soap Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin. Singh and Gera featured as best friends Jassi and Nandu in the popular TV show that ran from 2003 to 2006, and have remained close friends and each other's biggest cheerleaders off-screen ever since. In Dhurandhar, a two-part spy saga, Gera played Mohammad Aalam, an Indian spy working undercover as a juice vendor in the Lyari area of Pakistan's Karachi, secretly assisting Ranveer Singh's Hamza Ali Mazari to infiltrate the gang of Akshaye Khanna's Rehman Dakait. "Of course, it does (feel like personal victory). I feel so proud of him. He's worked very hard and he deserves all the appreciation and accolades coming his way. He's always been there when my shows are released, giving his inputs, telling me what he liked, what he didn't like," Singh told PTI in an interview. "So, I'm the same for him. We're both celebrating each other's success," added the actor. Interestingly, Singh and Gera met in Amritsar while they were filming for their respective projects Kohrra 2 and Dhurandhar. An excited Gera began showing her behind-the-scenes glimpses of his physical transformation -- a salt-white beard, textured ageing and cropped hair. Singh said she immediately cautioned him against it, drawing from her own experience of strict NDAs. " When you're so passionate about something that you do, you definitely don't want to spoil that, you respect your craft, NDA, you respect all that. A lot of detailing, a lot of time goes into creating a character, a story so when Gaurav was showing me all the pictures, I was like, don't do this. "I didn't do this during my Jassi time. I didn't show my pictures to people that this is how I look, but this is what I play, there were strict NDAs and you need to follow that. So, I told him, 'Mat kar', don't show this to people, don't talk about your craft." She added that Gera was bursting with excitement but understood the importance of not spilling details about the film and his character before it hits the screen. "He was like, 'You're so right, I'm just excited.' He was excited because he was doing something so big after such a long time, so he wanted to share it with his friends. But I was careful, I'm pretty vigilant when it comes to that. I make sure that nothing goes out of the set," Singh added. Dhurandhar released in 2025, followed by the release of the second part on March 19, both were directed by Aditya Dhar. The first part of the action spy thriller amassed Rs 1000 crore globally and the latest film, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, has earned over Rs 1300 crore at the global box office.
02 April,2026 11:21 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIRanbir Kapoor’s upcoming film Ramayana has kept fans on the edge of thier seats. The buzz surrounding the film heightened when the makers, last week, announced the launch of the Rama teaser on April 2. However, many were left disappointed after the teaser was unveiled in Los Angeles on March 31, ahead of its India release. The decision led to backlash online, with many questioning why an Indian film was first showcased overseas. Fans upset over Ramayana Rama teaser launch in LA The teaser, which was scheduled to drop in India on April 2, was premiered earlier in LA, triggering backlash across social media. Fans claimed that prioritising an international region and audience for the first glimpse of a film that's culturally rooted in India was misplaced. Some even accused the makers of sidelining domestic viewers. Soon after the visuals from the LA unveiling surfaced, users expressed their frustration on X (formerly Twitter), questioning why the teaser was not released in India first, given its roots in Indian mythology. Several posts online suggested the move was driven by commercial considerations, with claims that the makers were focusing on overseas markets, particularly NRIs. Meanwhile, others called the move “disrespectful”, asserting that audiences in India should have been prioritised for the initial reveal. About Ramayana Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema. Ranbir Kapoor will portray Lord Ram, while Sai Pallavi stars as Goddess Sita. The film also features Yash as Ravana, alongside Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. Supporting roles include Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Arun Govil, and Kunal Kapoor, among others. Ramayana is planned as a two-part epic, with the first instalment slated for a theatrical release on Diwali 2026, followed by the second chapter expected to arrive on Diwali 2027. Nevertheless, the teaser controversy has added to the anticipation surrounding Ramayana. The teaser was officially launched in India on Friday, April 2, and has been receiving an overwhelming response. The Rama teaser introduces Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, who looks regal in his king avatar, fierce as a warrior, and righteous in the exile avatar.
02 April,2026 11:04 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt may have looked effortless on screen, but for Zeenat Aman, filming one of the most memorable scenes from the 1978 film Don came with its own set of challenges. The diva recalled how pushing megastar Amitabh Bachchan in a wheelchair during a crucial sequence wasn’t quite as smooth behind the scenes. Zeenat took to Instagram, where she shared a scene from the action thriller film, which was directed by Chandra Barot. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zeenat Aman (@thezeenataman) Recalling the sequence where her character Roma cleverly outwits the police and escapes with an unconscious Don from a hospital, Zeenat revealed that while the scene looked smooth on screen, filming it was anything but easy. “I presume there’s such a thing as vintage video Wednesday? Yes, this is THAT scene from (the original 1978) Don - Roma, ever enterprising and daring, dupes the police and escapes with an unconscious Don from a hospital room,” Zeenat wrote in the caption section. Zeenat shared that she was completely at ease working on the film, having previously collaborated with much of the cast and crew. “Now I had already worked with many of the cast and crew in previous productions, so I was at complete ease through the making of the film.” She also expressed her fondness for her character Roma, describing the character as smart, daring, and effortlessly stylish. “I also relished Roma’s character. She was smart, daring, and smooth. Who wouldn’t want to embody such a woman!” However, the challenge came during the execution of the scene. “Unfortunately being smooth on set that day wasn’t easy! Why, you ask.” Calling the wheelchair a “relic,” Zeenat noted that keeping a poker face while struggling behind the scenes made the experience particularly memorable. The actress added: “Because that relic of a wheelchair, with Mr. Bachchan’s dead weight to boot, was awfully difficult to manoeuvre. I had to keep my poker face for the part, while actually pushing with all my might!” She also expressed interest in seeing another reboot of Don. “I would be quite keen to watch another reboot of Don, as I very much enjoyed the last one too. What do you think?,” she concluded the post. Don stars Amitabh Bachchan in dual role, alongside Zeenat Aman, Pran, Iftekhar, Om Shivpuri and Satyen Kappu in supporting roles. It was the third highest-grossing Indian film of 1978 and was classified a golden jubilee by Box Office India. The film spawned the Don franchise with Farhan Akhtar creating a remake Don: The Chase Begins Again and its sequel Don 2, both starring Shah Rukh Khan. 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 April,2026 10:55 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSFormer actress and author Twinkle Khanna recalled the moment when her husband and Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar dropped her beloved hat into the Maldivian sea during their last trip to Maldives. The actress, through her social media post, shared a humorous glimpse from their previous vacation. The actor-turned-author took to her social media account to post a throwback video montage from their Maldives trip, where she described the incident as part of the “chaos” created by her superstar husband. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Twinkle Khanna (@twinklerkhanna) Sharing the video clip, she wrote, “Throwback to our last trip with stunning views, incredible food, and thanks to Mr. K, some chaos. I tried slowing down and delegated the underwater to him, and this is the ‘masterpiece’ we got. He also dropped my beloved hat into the sea. Couldn’t pull rabbits out of a wet hat, but I did manage a few dolphins.” The video montage captures a mix of serene and playful moments from their holiday. It begins with Twinkle’s little dance as she enjoys a relaxed breakfast, followed by visuals of Akshay standing by the crystal-clear waters. In another clip, the couple is seen walking together at the property. The video also features glimpses of their underwater adventures, including marine life exploration, and candid moments from their sunset dinner. A playful segment shows Twinkle pranking Akshay. Twinkle concluded her note by asking, “What is that one holiday task you should never assign your partner?” and added, “Who knew vacations came with built-in pranks? Happy April Fool’s Day.” Talking about Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar, the couple got married in January 2001. For the uninitiated, Twinkle is the daughter of late superstar Rajesh Khanna and actor Dimple Kapadia. Akshay and Twinkle are parents to two children, Aarav and Nitara. 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 April,2026 10:23 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood star Anil Kapoor shared a glimpse of his intense workout routine on Wednesday, further emphasising the importance of consistency as the key to success. Taking to his social media account, the actor dropped a video of himself working out in the gym, performing high-intensity exercises with complete focus. The video clip captures him pushing his limits, and reflecting on his disciplined fitness regime. He captioned the post as, ‘Show up. Put in the work. Repeat.’ In the video, Anil also delivered a powerful monologue on consistency. View this post on Instagram A post shared by anilskapoor (@anilskapoor) He said, ‘One of the most powerful forces in life is consistency, being able to do something, in moderation, over and over and over again. That’s how you start big movements, that’s how you get big results, that’s how you build a body, that’s how you build a business. Consistency is small wins every single day.’ The video further highlights the actor's belief that steady effort and repetition are crucial to achieving long-term success in any personal or professional domain. Known for his remarkable fitness even at the age of 69, Anil Kapoor continues to inspire fans with his disciplined and monitored lifestyle. The actor follows a strict fitness routine along with a balanced and clean diet. On the personal front, Anil Kapoor is currently elated and beaming with joy as he has embraced grandfatherhood for the second time. His daughter, Sonam Kapoor, welcomed her second baby boy with husband Anand Ahuja on March 29. 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 April,2026 10:14 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSAmid much anticipation and buzz, the makers of Ramayana have finally introduced Rama, one of the most enduring figures in storytelling, through a dedicated teaser. The teaser offers audiences their first look at Ranbir Kapoor as Rama. Ramayana Rama teaser Unveiled globally, the Rama teaser marks a significant moment that fans have been eagerly waiting for. The film brings into focus a figure whose story has endured for over 5,000 years. While most Indians have grown up with the story of Ramayana, the film offers a refreshed perspective. Ranbir Kapoor as Rama represents the kind of hero the world rarely sees in today's world. A hero who chooses duty over desire. and walks away from power when it is right to do so. Revered as Maryada Purushottama, ‘the highest ideal of human conduct’, Rama embodies dignity, compassion, and moral clarity, even in the face of exile, loss, and injustice. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Namit Malhotra (@iamnamitmalhotra) Nitesh Tiwari, Director of Ramayana, says, “Ramayana’s greatness lies in its emotional richness. At its heart, it is not just about good and evil, but about choices, consequences, and the weight of doing what is right. Rama’s journey is deeply human and that is what we have tried to stay true to." Ranbir Kapoor talks about playing Rama, saying, "I don’t think I’m here to represent Rama. I’m here to learn from him. There is a simplicity and purity to him that is very rare, and trying to understand and imbibe that has been a deeply humbling experience.” Meanwhile, Namit Malhotra, producer, filmmaker, and creative architect of Ramayana, says, “The power of Rama’s story is not in what he conquers, but in what he lets go of. He represents a standard that is not easy, not convenient, but necessary. He chooses duty over desire, truth over comfort, and sacrifice over self. That is why his story has endured for thousands of years, and why it continues to matter today.” About Ramayana Ramayana is set to be a two-part cinematic film inspired by one of the world’s most enduring epics. Being one of the most ambitious films in the history of Indian cinema, it brings together some of the biggest names. Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, two of Indian cinema’s most influential stars, are coming together in opposing roles as Rama and Ravana, respectively. The movie also stars India’s A-list acting talent including, Sai Pallavi (Sita), Sunny Deol (Monkey God Hanuman), and Ravie Dubey (Lakshamana).
02 April,2026 10:11 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
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