While Karan Aujla thrilled fans in Delhi during his P-Pop Culture World Tour, his recent show in Mumbai sparked strong reactions online, with many fans expressing their "disappointment" over the event's arrangements. The singer kicked off the India leg with a show in Delhi on 28 February at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Aujla captivated the crowd with some of his most popular songs, including Softly, Tauba Tauba, Gangsta, Boyfriend, and 52 Bars. Fans express disappointment at Karan Aujla's Mumbai concert Karan performed in Mumbai at a Holi-themed daytime concert on March 3. A large number of fans gathered to celebrate Holi and enjoy the music. However, after the show, many fans shared videos online, saying they were left "disappointed" and criticised the singer for poor crowd management. While some fans alleged that sprinklers were only available in the Fan Zone and not in the VIP or General areas, others claimed there were long queues to buy water. A few also said that some fans fainted due to the heat and the crowd. View this post on Instagram A post shared by rem (@remsandhu) In a viral video, a fan complained about spending Rs 6,000 on a ticket just to faint thrice due to the scorching sun and having to drink ORS to recover. In another video, a fan criticised the organisers, claiming she could not even catch a single glimpse of Karan Aujla because there were no large screens, and the stage was too far away, even for those in the VIP section. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chandni Dialani (@chandnidialani) Karan Aujla reacts to the backlash Although Karan has not addressed the complaints directly, he seemed to respond after his Pune concert later that day. On Instagram, he wrote, "Bombay, I think we need to add a night concert. Team Innovation, y'all coming back stronger or what???" However, the singer has not yet announced dates for a second Mumbai concert, though the hint has already generated excitement among fans. After Mumbai and Pune, Karan is set to perform in Chandigarh on 14 March, Indore on 21 March, and Bengaluru on 29 March. The tour will also visit Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Lucknow before ending in Ludhiana on 12 April.
04 March,2026 04:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Kerala Story 2, helmed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, stirred controversy within minutes of its trailer release. While some politicians and filmmakers labelled it propaganda and accused it of disturbing Kerala’s social harmony, others took particular offence to a scene involving forced beef consumption. In an exclusive conversation with mid-day, Ulka Gupta, who plays Surekha in the film, opened up about the backlash, the hate flooding her DMs, and how she reacted to sharp reactions from Anurag Kashyap and Prakash Raj. Ulka Gupta on preparing for her role Calling the film a long-awaited opportunity, Ulka shared that the role felt like something she had manifested for years. She felt deeply connected not just to her character but to the emotional fabric of the story. She also revealed that she admires Adah Sharma’s work, which served as quiet inspiration while shaping her own performance. To prepare, she met real-life victims and studied detailed case material. “Initially, I lost my sleep. I felt second-hand trauma after learning about their experiences,” she admitted. “As actors, you have to live the part to portray it truthfully. I had to tap into the bravest parts within me.” Ulka on receiving hate messages One of the most debated scenes in the film shows her character being forcefully fed beef by her in-laws. Recalling how she received hate messages for the scene, she shared, “After the trailer release, every time I opened my DMs, there were hate messages,” adding, “People would even post beef recipes under my photos. And it was difficult for me to deal with it because, I'm somebody who confronts, but I had to keep myself low-key.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ulka Ganessh (@ulkagupta) Though she describes herself as someone who usually confronts things directly, she consciously decided to stay low-key. “As actors, we don’t want to get into politics. I never got affected because I knew I had signed up for this and that the hate would come." While she refrained from mentioning the exact nature of the messages, Ulka shared that some audiences in Kerala were triggered by a few scenes in the trailer. “I got a lot of criticism from Kerala. They did feel very triggered by a few scenes in the trailer. And I still stand by my perception and the character that I’ve portrayed. If it has triggered anyone in the wrong way, I only request them to kindly watch the movie and understand what the motive is. It is not to bring down any state or culture whatsoever. This movie is not about any religion. It is about the psychological manipulation of girls.” Ulka reacts to stay on film’s release While the cast was on edge when the release was temporarily halted, Ulka believed the film would ultimately find its audience. She added, “The movie will find its audience, and if it is propaganda, it is up to them to decide. I was just sincerely connected with the story. I was also patient about the fact that the film will react the right audience.” Ulka on Prakash Raj and Anurag Kahyap's reaction Reacting to the remarks made by Anurag Kashyap and Prakash Raj, Ulka stated, “If a film doesn’t stir something within you, then what is it really doing? Cinema is meant to provoke thought and spark conversation. Some people will agree, some won’t — and that difference of opinion is the beauty of it.” On a parting note, she expressed hope that the film ultimately receives love and sparks meaningful reflection.
04 March,2026 04:30 PM IST | Mumbai | Aakruti BaglaActor Vijay Crishna, popularly remembered for playing Shah Rukh Khan’s father in Devdas (2002), has passed away at the age of 81. A well-known name in theatre and films, Crishna received tributes from several members of the artistic community. He is survived by his wife, Smita Crishna, a prominent businesswoman, and their daughter, Nyrika Holkar. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Lillete Dubey pays tribute to Vijay Crishna Actress Lillete Dubey took to Instagram to remember Vijay Crishna, sharing a picture from one of their plays. Posting the photo, Dubey wrote, “Heartbroken… our dearest Vijay Crishna… part of our theatre family and ‘Dance Like a Man’ for over 25 years… has passed away. A man of many parts — a brilliant actor, handsome, charming, bright, with his dry tongue-in-cheek trademark humour- he was much loved and cherished by us all. So many memories flood the heart and mind and overwhelm me. RIP my Jairaj… you will never be forgotten. May you entertain the angels as you did us all here. Love and prayers for his lovely wife Smita, girls Nyrika and Freyan, and the whole family.” More about Vijay Crishna He is most well-known for his performance as Shah Rukh Khan's father in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's noted film Devdas. Beyond his acting career, Crishna was also a noted environmentalist and a former executive director within the Godrej family-run businesses. A prominent figure in Indian theatre for over 25 years, he earned widespread acclaim for his performance in the 2004 English-language film Dance Like a Man, adapted from Mahesh Dattani’s celebrated play. The film, which also starred Shobana, Arif Zakaria, and Anoushka Shankar, went on to win a National Film Award. In Hindi cinema, he is best remembered for portraying the father of Shah Rukh Khan’s character in Devdas, sharing screen space with Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit. Outside of films, Crishna played a significant role in the corporate world. He joined the board of Godrej Industries as a non-executive, non-independent director in 1995 and stepped down in 2021 due to age considerations. He was widely admired for his dedication to environmental causes and his patronage of the arts. His wife, Smita Crishna, is a well-known trader with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion. In late 2024, she and Jamshyd Godrej were ranked 22nd on the Forbes list of India’s wealthiest individuals. The family is yet to issue an official statement regarding his passing.
04 March,2026 03:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNational Award-winning actress Konkona Sen Sharma, who is receiving a lot of positive response for her work in the recently released streaming movie Accused, has called sensationalism a very easy reward. Konkona Sen says Accused stays away from sensationalism The actress spoke with IANS during the promotions of the film and said that Accused stays away from sensationalism. Accused follows the story of a woman who has been accused of sexually harassing a victim. It stars Konkona Sen Sharma and Pratibha Ranta in the lead. The actress told IANS, “Sensationalism is a very easy reward. It's a very quick and easy reward and it's a very quick new cycle. And we're not looking at that, actually. We're looking at this as a film with a great deal of nuance and depth and it's staying away from easy answers”. She further mentioned, “So it's really more an exploration of power and exploration of human relationships. What happens to a relationship when it is affected by an accusation like this? How does it unravel? How does it come together? And what were the pre-existing biases that are positive or negative that we have towards a woman in power, towards a queer couple? And how does that affect our judgment of them? So it's actually a completely different ballgame altogether”. Director Anubhuti Kashyap on Accused Earlier, Anubhuti Kashyap, who has helmed the film, had shared the prerequisites that she had in mind to tell the story. Kashyap’s previous works include Doctor G (2022), a movie about a medical student who becomes the only man in the gynecology department of his college She told IANS, “The story, the subject was such that it always needed a certain lens, a certain empathetic approach towards it. It couldn't have been sensationalised, is what we felt. And I didn't see it somehow in that lens at all. So we've kept that conscious choice, the treatment while writing the script also. We wanted to tell incidents in the story, events that make people uncomfortable in parts, not the queer relationship, but a lot of other things that were happening in the core of the story. So that was one of the guidelines”. Another interesting element is the central relationship between the two women. The film puts forward the queer relationship just like any other one, without making a great hoo-ha. “That’s why we based the film in the UK. If we had done it in India, we couldn’t have treated it so casually. We would have had to make a statement about it,” says Kashyap. Accused is available to stream on Netflix.
04 March,2026 03:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Bhumi Pednekar recently spoke about the comments she receives about her body on social media. She recalled being bullied for her body even as a child in school. The actress opened up about navigating body-shaming remarks during her appearance at Women of Impact by Barkha Dutt. Bhumi Pednekar recalls being bullied in school Bhumi Pednekar joined Barkha Dutt for a heart-to-heart conversation, sharing anecdotes from her childhood- from telling her mother about her aspiration to become an actor at the age of 12 or 13 to achieving success in the industry with her powerful on-screen performances. Recalling a disturbing moment from her school days, Bhumi said, “I remember this incident very well. I went back into my class and there was a piece of paper that had ‘BBB’ written on it. I tried to decipher it- it stood for ‘big boobs Bhumi’. When you’re young, these things really impact you.” Speaking about the kind of roles she would refuse to take up, the actress said, “What I would not compromise on is doing a character where there is disrespect toward my gender. I wouldn’t do that. I would rather have less to do than be part of something like that. I’ve worked very, very hard to create a space for myself that is led by performance.” Ayesha Khan on getting sexualised on Instagram Dhurandhar fame Ayesha Khan was also present at Women of Impact in Mumbai, joining Barkha Dutt for a conversation about combating stereotypes, body shaming, and sexual objectification. The actress recalled being rejected from a T-Series song at the last minute due to her “size.” She also spoke about the harassment she faces on Instagram and the constant sexualisation of her posts. “I am almost every day sexualised for my body on Instagram. I wear a normal top, people have a problem. I wear skirts, people have a problem. I have to think before posting. If I have to think before wearing something or posting something just because someone is going to sexualise me, it is, of course, a really sad space to be in,” she said. She further added, “I receive rape threats every day, and it has become so normal. Who is doing what about this? Nothing is being done. This problem has existed for ages, and I really wish that something strict is done about it.”
04 March,2026 02:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress-dancer Nora Fatehi recently assured fans she was safe in India while calling for global unity and expressing concern over the escalating tensions and violent developments across parts of West Asia. However, her remarks attracted criticism from users who trolled her. Now, days later, Nora has shared another video, addressing the trolls after she faced backlash for asking for peace amid the Iran-Israel conflict. Nora Fatehi slams trolls On Wednesday, Nora took to Instagram stories where she wished fans a happy Holi, before addressing trolls. She said, “I think a lot of people have lost touch with the ability to have comprehension skills and listening skills. That’s something we used to learn in school, comprehension skills, critical thinking skills, reading abilities, and being able to just listen. I think a lot of people have skipped that stage in life, especially now with social media and phones… We haven’t been able to push our brains to that level of understanding things. But I do maintain my stance on world peace and unity.” Nora added, “If you don’t think you are a part of that sentence, because every country and every person is part of the world, and if I speak generally about wanting people to live in peace, and if I speak against chaos, and you have a problem with that, then you need to check yourself. Morally, there’s something wrong. After I posted my video about how tired we are as a society with one chaos after another, one major world event after another, I was speaking for everybody. So if it bothers you, irritates you or triggers you, you need to get yourself checked.” Nora concluded, saying, “While I’m reflecting today, I’ve just said my prayers, and I’m about to break my fast, I’m sitting here thinking about how we live in a world where people get upset or angry if you speak about world peace. That’s scary. I will forever advocate for world peace and unity. Nothing can intimidate me.” Nora Fatehi appeals for world peace Earlier, in her video message, Nora assured fans that she is in India and not in Dubai. She began the video saying, "I generally don't share my opinion on such things. But a lot of people are reaching out to me [asking] if I am okay [and] where I am. I am not in Dubai; I am in India right now. [The] visuals have really shaken me up. All we want is peace. "People all over the world want to live lives with civility, and unfortunately, all we are feeling collectively is uncertainty and fear on a constant basis," she added. Sharing her state of anxiety and apprehension, Nora shared, "After seeing the visuals, I feel terrible. We don't want innocent people's lives to be lost. We have had enough of that. We are seeing one chaotic event after another—one war after another, one genocide after another. My advice to everyone is to keep faith in God. I call for unity. Everyone needs to be united. We are going to fight this psychological, spiritual warfare. Before that, we have to be grounded, [and] we need to stay prayed up."
04 March,2026 01:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSudipto Sen is known for choosing subjects that unsettle audiences and spark debate, and with his upcoming film Charak, he dives into one of the most disturbing themes yet, child sacrifice carried out in the name of faith. The filmmaker says the story is rooted in the centuries old Charak festival, observed during Chaitra Mahina between mid March and mid April. He previously directed The Kerala Story. Sudipto Sen details the reason behind his film's title Charak “Charak for us is that festival which happens during Chaitra Mahina, and it has to do with an encircling bar, where people get hanged and rotate around the whole crowd,” Sen explained. “It has been said that whatever you have done, you go to Charak, it will be redeemed, and your unfulfilled wishes will get fulfilled.” He added that this belief system has kept the festival alive for more than a thousand years, tracing its origins back to the period of Buddha. While calling it “a happy time of the year” when agricultural produce is harvested and communities celebrate before summer, Sen stressed that there is another side. “When we say it is very close to heart, it has another aspect also, and that is the aspect of obscurantism or celebration of faith and beliefs,” he said. He spoke about occult practices associated with certain Tantrics and Aghoris. “All these arrangements of occult practices, the human sacrifice, all these things have been parallelly celebrated,” he remarked, adding that such acts challenge “our civilization, our education, our scientific understanding.” Highlighting a recent case, he said, “In the world of AI, when we are celebrating our position through Artificial Intelligence Conference, just 200 km away, a child has been sacrificed.” Calling this contradiction dangerous, Sen stated, “You have to decide in which world you live in. Which world is your comfort zone.” His take on making films that show mirror He believes artists must confront such realities. “If you are disturbed by the news of a child sacrifice, then you are disturbed. And if you are disturbed, there is no shortcut but to challenge that practice,” he said. “It is the responsibility for a filmmaker to tell the story.” Sen is unapologetic about causing discomfort. “I make my film to hurt some people only. I don’t mind if you get hurt because you are on the side of the problem, and I am making the film on the side of the solution,” he asserted. “Some people will get hurt by my film. This is what I want. Then I feel I am successful.”
04 March,2026 12:54 PM IST | Mumbai | Shruti SampatActor Viineet Kumar Singh opened up about the Bollywood scripts being written in Roman nowadays, despite the movies being made in Hindi. During an exclusive conversation with IANS, the Chhaava actor revealed that he asks for his dialogues in the Devanagari script. Vineet Kumar Singh says he asks for scripts in Devanagari He pointed out that while Bollywood makes movies in Hindi, most of the work is carried out in English. Vineet shared that on the personal level, he feels that the script should be written in Devanagari as the dialogues the actors have to speak are in Hindi. Vineet was asked, "Most of the Bollywood scripts are in Roman nowadays, and a lot of actors even use teleprompters. How do you view these changes?" Replying to this, the Gangs of Wasseypur actor told IANS, "I always tell them to give the dialogues to me in the Devanagari script as I am well-versed in it. Since our dialogues are in Hindi, I feel it is better if the work is also done in the same language." "However, it depends on who prefers what. Everyone is free to make their choices. But if you ask me, it happens for sure that we make movies in Hindi, but most of the work is done in English," he further shared. Refreshing your memory, Nawazuddin Siddiqui had also raised his concern on the matter, demanding that Bollywood scripts should be written in Devanagari. He shared that while the directors and producers make the film in Hindi, on the set, they all prefer to communicate with each other in English, leading to confusion amongst them at times. Vineet Kumar Singh wraps up film with Saiyami Kher Vineet Kumar Singh has wrapped shooting on his upcoming project, which also features Saiyami Kher. The film is directed by Vikram Phadnis, a renowned fashion designer, who is also known for his acclaimed Marathi films Smile Please and Hrudayantar. Taking to his Instagram handle, director Vikram Phadnis dropped pictures with the actor, speaking about his experience working together. "And it's a Wrap for this incredible guy vineetksofficial on our film! What an amazing experience to direct you and see your craft!! I can't wait for the world to see u! Onwards & Upwards!" he wrote in the post. In another post, Phadnis added, "My days on set...with this brilliant man .. vineet_ksofficial. A world in black and white, A story shaped by patience and belief ... one I've lived before I tell it. I carry it with me, scene by scene, until the day it finally belongs to the world." Vineet will also be seen in a multi-lingual pan-India film titled SDGM, which will star Sunny Deol in the lead role. The film is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory, and directed by Gopichand Malineni. It is being touted as the "biggest action film of the country."
04 March,2026 12:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMany Indian nationals, including celebrities, are stuck in the UAE amid the US-Iran conflict. Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya recently revealed that his son Jay Bhattacharya is also one of them. The singer took to Instagram to share a note and requested the government to help his son, stranded in Dubai, and get him back to India. Abhijeet Bhattacharya seeks help Taking to Instagram, the singer expressed concern for his son, Jay Bhattacharya, who is currently stranded in Dubai because of the disruptions triggered by the conflict in West Asia. He shared that it was an “incredibly distressing time" for the family, saying: “My son Jay Bhattacharya is currently stuck in Dubai, and as a father, this is an incredibly distressing time for our family." “I sincerely request the Government of India and the Ministry of External Affairs to kindly look into his situation and help ensure his safe return to India at the earliest. We are hoping for your urgent support and intervention. Please help bring him home safely," he wrote, tagging PM Narendra Modi and airlines. About growing tensions in West Asia It was on February 28, that massive explosions rocked Tehran after Israel launched what it described as "preventive" missile strikes against Iran, dramatically escalating tensions in the region. The strikes come amid heightened strain between the United States and Iran over a potential nuclear agreement and growing fears of a wider military confrontation in the Middle East. Several missiles hit areas along University Street and in the Jomhouri district of the Iranian capital. Over 2024 and 2025, a long-standing shadow conflict between Israel and Iran escalated into a series of unprecedented direct military confrontations, including major aerial strikes and reciprocal missile attacks that marked a dangerous shift from indirect hostilities to overt warfare. Earlier this week, Israeli warplanes carried out intensive airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, hours after rockets were fired from Lebanese territory toward Israel, local television channel al-Jadeed reported. Talking about Abhijeet, he has sung 6050 songs in more than 1000 films. Some of his iconic tracks feature in BBC's "Top 40 Bollywood Soundtracks of all time". (With inputs from IANS)
04 March,2026 11:54 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rajpal Yadav has clarified that he never cried in front of the judge and also did not tell the court that he did not have money. Speaking exclusively to IANS, he shared that such claims were completely fabricated on social media. Rajpal Yadav rubbishes claims of crying in court Rajpal stated that people who have no clue about the case ended up misrepresenting facts on the internet. He also said that when one looks at his face, the only emotion they should be able to witness is laughter. He told IANS, "Don't believe the imaginary stories of social media. Whatever is being printed, some of the stuff is being pushed by the well-wishers, while other is being spread by the people who do not know anything about the subject. They are also running their shops like this, and I respect everyone." "If one looks at Rajpal's face, there should be a burst of laughter; do not expect anything more than that." During the conversation, Rajpal also shared that several members from the industry came forward to support him during the difficult period. He mentioned that many people helped him, although their names were not highlighted on social media. The Bhool Bhulaiyaa actor further revealed that he also has a lot of support from his family. Rajpal was recently granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court in the cheque bounce case. The interim bail was granted to him till March 18 to attend his niece's wedding in Shahjahanpur. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled to take place on March 18. Rajpal Yadav says he does not need work When Rajpal Yadav was put behind bars earlier this month in connection with a Rs 9 crore financial case, Sonu Sood urged the industry to support him by signing him for future films and paying him in advance. In a note shared on Instagram Stories, Sonu wrote, "Rajpal Yadav is a gifted actor who has given years of unforgettable work to our industry. Sometimes life turns unfair, not because of talent, but because timing can be brutal. He will be part of my film, and I believe this is the moment for all of us, producers, directors, colleagues, to stand together. A small signing amount, adjustable against future work, is not charity; it's dignity. When one of our own is going through a tough phase, the industry must remind him he's not alone. This is how we show we are more than just an industry." However, in a conversation with SCREEN, Rajpal Yadav dismissed Sonu Sood's public appeal and said he is not short of work. "Please get over the misconception that I need to keep asking for work. And there is no shame in asking for work. I live through my job, cinema is my passion, and I work in such a way that I get four times more work. I work even on vacations. Work doesn't find me; it has lived with me for the last 11 years," he said.
04 March,2026 11:50 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTelevision superstar Ankita Lokhande extended warm wishes to her fans on the occasion of Holi and shared a colourful carousel of pictures celebrating the festival with her loved ones. The actress added the hit song Gulaabi, starring her ex-boyfriend and late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, as the background song for her carousel post. The Manikarnika star took to her social media account and wrote, “Today was all about colours, love, and the people who make my life brighter. This is us — celebrating Holi, celebrating friendship, celebrating togetherness.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ankita Lokhande jain (@lokhandeankita) The photos show Ankita enjoying the festival with her family and friends, with her husband, Vicky Jain, beside her. In one picture, Ankita is seen sitting inside a car wearing sunglasses and with gulal smeared on her cheeks and forehead. She was seen smiling as she showed her colour-filled palm to fans while clicking a selfie. Another image features the couple posing together with bright Holi colours on their faces. A group picture shared by Ankita shows her posing with her family and loved ones. One of the pictures also captures Ankita lovingly holding her nephew in her arms. As the background song for the carousel post, the actress chose the hit song Gulaabi from the movie Shuddh Desi Romance starring late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who was once Ankita's boyfriend. Talking about Ankita and Sushant, the couple were once touted as one of television’s most loved on-screen couples. They had won hearts with their character portrayals as Archana and Manav in the hit show Pavitra Rishta. Their on-screen chemistry soon blossomed into a real-life relationship, and the duo dated for several years. The couple were reportedly all set to tie the knot in December 2017, but in September the same year, they announced their breakup, leaving fans in a state of shock. Ankita has often spoken about how the separation left her emotionally disturbed and how she withdrew into her shell for a long time. Meanwhile, Sushant went on to pursue a flourishing career in Bollywood. Ankita later found love again in Vicky Jain, her now husband, who was reportedly a common friend of the former couple. For the uninitiated, Sushant tragically died by suicide on June 14, 2020. His final film, Dil Bechara, was released posthumously and received immense love from audiences. 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
04 March,2026 11:25 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
