shot-button

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap mentioned as 'Bollywood guy' in Epstein Files

Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has reportedly been named in the infamous Epstein Files. The filmmaker’s name surfaced in a recently released set of documents linked to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. On January 30, the US Department of Justice released over three million documents, revealing emails and correspondence involving a wide range of prominent figures worldwide. Bollywood guy Anurag Kashyap mentioned in Epstein Files According to reports, in the Epstein Files, Anurag Kashyap is mentioned as the “Bollywood guy” in email exchanges between Epstein and individuals such as Giuseppe Bersani, Gino Yu, and Ornella Corazza. The emails reportedly discuss Epstein’s planned trips to Cuba and other locations, and mention Kashyap as one of the expected guests at workshops on Buddhism, technology, and medicine. In one of the messages, Kashyap was described as “a famous Bollywood director.” While Kashyap’s name appears in the files, this does not indicate that the filmmaker attended any of the events or was involved in Epstein’s criminal activities. There is currently no evidence to suggest that Kashyap and Epstein were present at the same place at the same time. In the correspondence, Kashyap is listed alongside other notable personalities, including Ben Goertzel, Bruce Damer, and DJ Spooky, often referred to as “cool people” invited to events in locations such as Shanghai. Anurag Kashyap is not the only Indian film personality named in the files. Actress Nandita Das also appears in the documents, listed as a speaker at the 2015 Lake District Festival in the UK, organised by Jem Bendell. The festival reportedly featured activities such as music, kayaking, nature walks, yoga, tai chi, dance lessons, and storytelling workshops held at Brathay Hall. Anurag Kashyap’s work front Kashyap’s last release was his two-part directorial Nishaanchi. While the film did not perform well at the box office, it received critical appreciation and found a wider audience following its OTT release. The filmmaker, who is also an actor, will next be seen playing the antagonist in Adivi Sesh’s Dacoit. The film, which also stars Mrunal Thakur and Prakash Raj, is set to release in Telugu and Hindi on April 10.

04 February,2026 01:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
BTS photo from Maa Vande set

PM Modi biopic Maa Vande wraps first schedule in Hyderabad, makers drop BTS pics

The makers of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi biopic Maa Vande, starring Unni Mukundan, have successfully wrapped the film’s first schedule in Hyderabad. Maa Vande is a biographical drama inspired by the life journey of Narendra Modi, tracing a story rooted in values, purpose, and resilience.  Maa Vande first schedule complete The announcement was made by the team through the release of behind-the-scenes pictures from the sets, offering an early glimpse into the making of the ambitious biographical drama. The Hyderabad schedule began on an auspicious note with a traditional pooja, following which several key portions of the film were filmed. Marking the completion of this phase, the production team is now set to move into the next schedule in Kashmir. The BTS images shared by the makers also featured moments from the sets, including director Kranthi Kumar C.H. alongside Unni Mukundan. About Maa Vande This film is being made to capture the remarkable journey of Shri Narendra Modi. It will be based on true incidents and will reportedly portray his inspiring rise from childhood to becoming the leader of the nation. It will also highlight the bond he shared with his mother, Smt. Heeraben Modi, who stood as an unparalleled source of inspiration throughout his journey.  The project was announced on the Prime Minister’s birthday in September and is being mounted on a grand canvas with international production standards and strong technical values. The film is produced by Veer Reddy M. and written and directed by Kranthi Kumar C.H. Maa Vande brings together an acclaimed technical team comprising action director King Solomon, production designer Sabu Cyril, editor Sreekar Prasad, director of photography K.K. Senthil Kumar, and music composer Ravi Basrur. The collective body of work of the team includes landmark films such as Baahubali, Eega and Salaar, with Basrur’s music having defined the soundscape of KGF. Their association underlines the makers’ intent to deliver the biopic on a large-scale, cinematic platform befitting its subject. About Unni Mukundan Unni Mukundan's Marco turned out to be a commercial success at the box office and emerged as the highest-grossing A-rated Malayalam-language film of all time. It also became the eleventh highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time. Unni Mukundan has recently wrapped Mindiyum Paranjum, directed by Arun Bose and produced by Salim Ahamed under the studio Allens Media. The upcoming film also stars Aparna Balamurali. It has received U Certificate and was premiered at the Indian Film Festival, Alberta. Notably, in the past, Omung Kumar made a biopic titled PM Narendra Modi in 2019, which featured Vivek Oberoi as the Prime Minister.

04 February,2026 01:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shamita Shetty

Shamita Shetty sparks dating rumours with techno artist Deepesh Sharma

Actress Shamita Shetty seems to have found love again. The actress has sparked dating rumours with a techno artist named Deepesh Sharma. He shared a birthday post for the actress, which has the internet convinced about a budding romance. Is Shamita Shetty dating Deepesh Sharma In a birthday post for Shamita, Deepesh Sharma shared a series of pictures from her birthday bash, which also featured Shilpa Shetty. The post was accompanied by a heartfelt note, which has sparked fresh dating rumours. Sharing photos, he wrote, "Happy Birthday to my forever laughter riot. To the one who knows all my stories and still sticks around. Love you, my Shamster."           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Deepesh Sharma (@deepeshsofficial) In response to the post, Shamita commented, "Aww," along with red heart emojis. However, it is not confirmed if Shamita is dating Deepesh or if the two are just good friends. Shamita Shetty's relationship with Raqesh Bapat Notably, the rumours have sparked three years after her breakup with TV actor Raqesh Bapat. The two met and fell in love on Bigg Boss OTT; however, they parted ways in July 2022. Shamita was later seen participating in Bigg Boss 15, while Raqesh joined the show a few weeks after her. On July 26, 2022, Shamita confirmed their breakup on social media through a statement on her Instagram Stories, "I think it's important to make this clear. Raqesh Bapat and I are no longer together and have not been for a while, but this music video is for all the beautiful fans who have given us so much love n support. Do continue to shower us with your love as individuals too. Here's to positivity and newer horizons. A Love and gratitude to you all," she wrote. Shamita had earlier slammed a troll who shamed her for being 'unmarried at 50.' Replying to trolls, she wrote, "I want to take time out to respond to this very kind lady trying to put another woman down for not being married. Kudos to you. Mission successful, FYI, getting married is not my only purpose in life. Being happy and content and independent in life with gratitude in my heart always is. Wishing you a lot of positivity in your life. I hope you never try to pull another woman down again. If you have nothing nice to say to people, best be quiet."

04 February,2026 11:46 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Picture Courtesy/Randeep Hooda's Instagram Account

Randeep Hooda flaunts buff physique for Eetha in new gym selfie

Actor Randeep Hooda has once again set social media buzzing, this time with a striking mirror selfie that showcases his visibly bulked-up physique. The actor who was in the news recently for his new moustached look has now been seen sporting a very visibly bulked-up physique in this new gym selfie. Randeep Hooda flaunts bulked-up physique He took to his Instagram account and dropped a shirtless mirror selfie of himself. Almost instantly, the comment section was flooded with reactions, with fans dropping fire and red heart emojis in large numbers. One admirer wrote, “Weight gain karna or ghatana koi aapse sikhe!” while another simply called him the “hottest,” echoing the general sentiment among his followers. Given Randeep Hooda’s reputation for undergoing drastic physical changes for his roles, many are convinced this new buff look and transformation is for Eetha, his next film being produced by Maddock Films and directed by Laxmikant Utekar. The shoot for Eetha is currently underway in Mumbai. A source close to the project shared, “Randeep has always been extremely committed to his craft, and physical transformation is something he takes very seriously. If a role demands a certain look or body type, he fully immerses himself into achieving it, and with Eetha it’s no different. Right now, he’s focusing on gaining massive strength and bulking up”. What further fuelled the excitement is that this transformation isn’t entirely new to keen-eyed fans. Just days before sharing the photo, Randeep was spotted in Mumbai after a shoot, sporting the same thick moustache and a noticeably bulkier frame. A video from his public appearance quickly went viral, making his new look a major talking point across social media platforms. Shraddha Kapoor resumes Eetha shooting after injury Weeks of rest later, work has come calling Shraddha Kapoor again. The actor, who is bringing Tamasha artiste Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar’s story to the screen with Eetha, resumed filming for the biopic on January 4. Before this, director Laxman Utekar had called for a five-week break since she suffered a toe fracture in November 2025. Sources revealed that the unit has now been shooting at Marve Beach near Malad, where the production design team has created a set of a village. “Among the few sets that were built on the site in November, one reflected the interior of a house, and another, a bustling village. Laxman kept the sets standing until Shraddha healed. Now, they have resumed the shoot of a dance number that sees Shraddha’s character performing on a stage in the middle of a mela. Over 800 background artistes, who will be seen as people milling about at the mela, report to the set every day. Vaibhavi Merchant is choreographing the fast-paced number,” revealed a source.

04 February,2026 11:36 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/Instagram

Arjun Kapoor pens heartfelt note for mother Mona Shourie Kapoor

Actor Arjun Kapoor remembered his late mother, Mona Shourie Kapoor, on her birth anniversary, sharing an emotional note on social media. On Tuesday, Arjun posted a collage of pictures with his mother on Instagram and penned a heartfelt message that read, "Happy birthday Maa, I miss u so much today....Life's been kinda cruel to me lately but it's ok....I've taken the punches before I'll take em again & still rise... Because u taught me how to fight by standing up facing life head on while being graceful & dignified thru it all," he wrote. "We will ride it out together U & I. I'll see u again soon & we will celebrate ur bday together someday...Your loving son, Arjun," the note concluded. Arjun's sister, Anshula Kapoor, also took to Instagram to share a nostalgic post, offering a glimpse into their memories and honouring their mother.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Arjun Kapoor (@arjunkapoor) Calling her mother her "whole entire world," Anshula wrote, "Happy birthday to my whole entire world. You were my home before I even knew what the word meant. I wish missing someone got easier with time. It really really doesn't. There are days I'm strong because of you, and days I ache because I need you." "Everything felt safer when you were here Ma. There's a part of me that will always be looking for you.. in milestones and big moments, in times when the world feels too much, in heartbreak, in jokes I know you would've loved, in moments I wish I could call you about. I don't think I'll ever stop looking for you, even when I know you're not here. Because so much of me still belongs to you. Every time I try to be gentle with myself, I hear your voice more than my own," she added. "I hope wherever you are, you know how deeply loved you are. Miss you in ways I don't know how to articulate. Love you with my whole heart. Rab Raakha Maa," Anshula concluded.Mona Kapoor, the first wife of producer Boney Kapoor, passed away after a battle with cancer on March 25, 2012. Meanwhile, on the work front, Arjun Kapoor was last seen in Mere Husband Ki Biwi, alongside Rakul Preet Singh and Bhumi Pednekar. 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 February,2026 11:11 AM IST | Mumbai | ANI
Kapil Sharma

Kapil Sharma jokes about Lawrence Bishnoi followinhg firing incidents

Comedian Kapil Sharma recently left the audience in splits at Netflix’s What’s Next event in Mumbai held on Tuesday. During the event, he made a remark that many believe was a subtle dig at gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.  Kapil Sharma jokes about Lawrence Bishnoi Netflix India CEO Monika Shergill took the stage at the event to interact with Sharma and praised his long association with the platform. While talking about how Netflix had been keen to collaborate with him for a long time, she quipped, “Hamari nazar, India ki nazar toh bahut time se aap par hai, Kapil. Hopefully 11 mulko ki police ki nazar nahi hone chahiye."           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by TCX.official (@tellychakkar) Kapil, who is best known for his quick wit and humour, immediately replied, “Ek do mulkon ke gangster bhi lage hue hai aaj kal," hinting at the recent incidents surrounding Lawrence Bishnoi and his gang. Realising the sensitivity of the comment, Kapil jokingly urged the media to cut that line from their coverage. However, the situation turned amusing after Sharma realised that the event was being broadcast live. Clips of the same were soon shared on the internet and went viral. Attacks at Kapil Sharma’s cafe Kapil Sharma's cafe in Canada was attacked thrice last year. The first incident happened on July 10, when approximately 10 rounds were fired at the cafe's windows while employees were inside. Harjit Singh Laddi, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) most-wanted operative linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), claimed responsibility for the incident, citing Kapil's 'humorous' remarks about Nihang Sikhs as the motive. The second attack took place in August 2025, when multiple shots were fired. Gangsters Goldy Dhillon and Kuldeep Sidhu, associates of Lawrence Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the attack this time. A video with a warning that the next action would be in Mumbai if Sharma ignored their calls also surfaced after the attack. Later, a third attack happened on October 16, 2025, when a gunman reportedly fired at least 12 rounds from a moving vehicle. This time too, the Bishnoi gang again claimed responsibility for the attack on Kapil's cafe named, Kaps Cafe, located in Surrey in Canada.

04 February,2026 11:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Manoj Bajpayee

Manoj Bajpayee claims he loves playing characters from Delhi

Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming streaming title Ghooskhor Pandat, has said that he loves portraying characters from Delhi. On Tuesday, the actor attended a special event for Netflix in Mumbai and spoke about his affinity to portray characters based in the national capital. He said, “No, this character is not intense but on the wrong side of the law. In the teaser, as I was watching, you get to hear the fundamentals of the character. From the time he joined the service, he is still at the same rank. He is a scorer, an womanizer, he is a married man, but he still loves a girl”. He further mentioned, “This is a story of such a place, where I have spent many years of my life. Where I did theatre, I did graduation in Delhi. So in my life, any film which is set in Delhi, I enjoy it a lot. Because I have seen Delhi first as an outsider when I was 18 years old. And when I left it, I left it for Bandit Queen. I really enjoy playing the characters of the people of Delhi. Especially this character of a police officer. So I enjoyed it. I really thank Ritesh, who is the director here, who really deserved all the praise and all the applause for writing such a magnificent, very interesting, very colorful character for me”. The actor has had a great 2025. He recently headlined Inspector Zende, a Hindi-language action-comedy thriller released on Netflix in September 2025, where he played the quirky yet sharp Inspector Madhukar Zende opposite Jim Sarbh in a cat-and-mouse chase narrative. Another major 2025 release is Jugnuma: The Fable, an ambitious drama directed by Raam Reddy. Praised on the international festival circuit, including at Berlinale and Leeds, and presented by Guneet Monga and Anurag Kashyap, the film showcases Bajpayee in a layered role set against mystical Himalayan landscapes, further confirming his range and choice of unconventional cinema. His popularity on digital platforms also surged with The Family Man season 3, in which he again essays spy-hero Srikant Tiwari in the hit Amazon Prime Video series. He’s attached to several exciting projects, including a Hindi adaptation of Aravind Adiga’s Last Man in Tower produced by Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media. Manoj Bajpayee continues to be one of Indian cinema’s most compelling actors, seamlessly shifting between mainstream and independent projects in 2025. 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 February,2026 10:46 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar 2 teaser: Fans upset as makers recycle end credit scene

The highly anticipated teaser of the 2nd part of Dhurandhar was unveiled on Tuesday. However, the teaser comes as a downer, as the makers have simply used the end credits sequence of the first part and mixed it with music. The teaser dampens the build-up for the 2nd part of the film, which witnessed a historic turnout at the box office. It features sequences carrying extreme violence, gore, explosions and gunshots. Ranveer’s titular character of an Indian spy infiltrating the criminal nexus of ISI and the Pakistani underworld is in his full glory. Dhurandhar 2 will be released in 4 Indian languages and will take off from where the first part ended. The music of Dhurandhar was unanimously lauded across the sections of the society; considering the audio sequence used in the teaser, the audience may very well want to brace themselves for another chartbuster of an album loaded with a soundscape of immeasurable depth. The story follows an Indian undercover agent undertaking deep-cover operations within criminal and political structures in Karachi, Pakistan, touching upon historical incidents in South Asian geopolitics. At 214 minutes, it is one of the longest Indian films ever released. It received an A certificate from the CBFC for strong violence and language. From a cultural standpoint, the film’s significance lies less in narrative impact and more in its industrial context. The film represents Ranveer Singh’s return to a raw, physically demanding action space after a series of stylised or ensemble-driven projects. It also reinforces Bollywood’s ongoing shift toward director-led action cinema, where tone, research, and execution take precedence over formulaic spectacle. The second part of the franchise is set to debut in cinemas on March 19, 2026, where it will clash swords with the Yash-starrer Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. 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 February,2026 10:34 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Vadh 2

Vadh 2 director Jaspal Singh Sandhu talks about making part 3

After grabbing attention with his crime drama Vadh, filmmaker Jaspal Singh Sandhu is returning with another gripping storyline in Vadh 2. The film is dubbed as a spiritual sequel to Vadh. Instead of focusing on a bigger scale or spectacle, Vadh 2 relies on what Sandhu believes truly makes a film engaging: strong writing, layered emotions and powerful performances. Vadh 2 is a complete entertainer rooted in strong characters and performances," Sandhu told ANI, describing the film as a gripping journey that balances darkness with subtle humour. Recently, the trailer for Sanjay Mishra and Neena Gupta's starrer Vadh 2 has finally been unveiled, delving deeper into the mysterious, dark world of criminal conspiracy, murder, justice, and more. Sandhu added, "The trailer may have night-shots, but the film is a complete entertainer," he said, adding, "It's dark at times, it's funny at times, not in-your-face humour, but situational light moments. There are scenes that will make people smile, scenes that will disturb them, and then towards the climax, it will slowly grip you in." Vadh 2 once again reunites veteran actors Neena Gupta and Sanjay Mishra, a casting choice Sandhu admits was driven by both conviction and desire. "It was a selfish motive. I wanted to work with them again," he said with a smile. Describing his approach to directing seasoned actors, Sandhu said trust is everything. "My first priority is always to gain their confidence before the shoot. Once that happens, the shoot becomes a cakewalk. They surrender themselves completely to the director," he said, calling the experience enriching and creatively fulfilling. Joining the cast are Kumud Mishra, Akshay Dogra, Amitt K Singh, Shilpa Shukla and Yogita Bihani. Sandhu explained that the story naturally required more characters, prompting auditions and a meticulously curated casting process. "The casting director played a crucial role," he noted. "Actors like Kumud, Shilpa Shukla, Amitt, Akshay and Yogita added layers and depth to the story. Each character serves a purpose in pushing the mystery forward." Sandhu also clarified that Vadh 2 remains firmly rooted in fiction. On the possibility of expanding the franchise and making Vadh 3, he said, "Even Vadh 2 was not planned," adding, "The itch to write came naturally. Future installments, if any, will depend entirely on whether a story is worth telling." Reflecting on his journey from Punjabi cinema to Hindi films, Sandhu credited his bilingual upbringing for the smooth transition. "My roots are Punjabi, but I was born and brought up in Gwalior, so Hindi comes naturally to me," he said, adding that Punjabi cinema gave him a strong foundation as a filmmaker. Though he is not currently working on a Punjabi project, Sandhu said his connection with the industry remains strong. "Punjabi cinema is evolving beautifully and has immense audience support, both in India and abroad," he said. Vadh 2, according to Sandhu, stands out in a crowded thriller space for its strong writing, well-developed characters, and compelling performances. "A thrilling story woven with great characters is what we have aimed for," he said. The film is slated to hit theatres on February 6, 2026. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

04 February,2026 10:15 AM IST | Mumbai | ANI
Ananya Panday. Pic/Instagram

Ananya Panday visits Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga temple

Actor Ananya Panday on Tuesday visited the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, describing it as her "first Jyotirlinga" and sharing glimpses of the visit with her fans on Instagram. The actor wrote, "Har Har Mahadev... my first Jyotirlinga, the beginning of the best journey." As soon as Ananya shared pictures on Instagram, fans quickly reacted to the post, expressing their love and excitement over her visit. Recently, Ananya had also shared updates about her health, appearing in an arm sling. In the Instagram post, she was seen wearing a cosy oversized grey hoodie with matching bottoms, standing casually in a vanity area. Her sling indicated a possible arm or shoulder injury. Even in pain, her humour shines through, as she cheekily captioned the post, '2026 mein nazar lag gayi."           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Ananya 🌙 (@ananyapanday) Meanwhile, on the professional front, Ananya Panday is gearing up for the second season of her hit series Call Me Bae. The first season, which was released in 2024, revolves around the life of Bella Chowdhary, a.k.a. Bae (Ananya Panday), and chronicles her journey as she goes from being an heiress to a hustler. The series also features Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt, Lisa Mishra, and Mini Mathur in pivotal roles. It is produced by Dharmatic Entertainment, and Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra are executive producers. 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 February,2026 09:34 AM IST | Mumbai | ANI
Celina Jaitly with her brother

Celina Jaitly reacts as Delhi HC orders MEA to appoint lawyer for brother

Celina Jaitly welcomed the Delhi High Court's order that allowed the appointment of a UAE-based legal firm to represent her brother, Major (retd.) Vikrant Jaitly, on Tuesday. Her brother has been detained in Dubai for the past 18 months. The actress called the decision a restoration of his dignity and a major step forward in the long-running legal battle. Celina Jaitly reacts Speaking to ANI, Celina Jaitly https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/celina-jaitly-emotional-note-for-her-brother-after-uae-court-hearing-23601606stated that the Delhi High Court's order has allowed advocates from Almarri Partners in the UAE to represent Major Jaitly. She expressed how this has brought renewed hope to her family after months of uncertainty. "This has been an 18-month-long battle for us. Today, after 18 months, my brother and our country's soldiers finally has his dignity given back to him. The Justice kindly passed the order for Almarri Partners and advocates in the UAE to represent Major Vikrant Kumar Jaitly... We want to bring him back, and I'm sure now things will move in a very positive direction and very fast," she expressed. Her counsel, advocate Raghav Kacker, said that the order as "very positive" and significant for the defence of Major Jaitly. He shared that the Delhi High Court had directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to appoint a lawyer identified by the family in Dubai. He also explained that the appointment letter would allow the legal team to obtain a power of attorney from Major Jaitly and subsequently initiate an appropriate defence. "We have got a really good order from the Delhi High Court. The Justice has agreed to direct the MEA to appoint a lawyer we had found in Dubai. who has agreed to represent Vikrant. This is very important because that appointment letter will now enable them to get a power of attorney from Vikrant and initiate a proper defence for Vikrant, and we are very hopeful, especially after the deal that has happened between India and the UAE, that we will secure a very quick release for our soldier," he said. Delhi HC's order Earlier on Tuesday, the Delhi High Court directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to issue an order to a legal firm, Al Maree Partners, to represent Celina Jaitly's brother, Major (retd.) Vikrant Jaitly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The law firm is ready to handle the matter free of cost. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued the direction on the petition of Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly. The High Court said that if there is an impediment in issuing the order, mention it in an affidavit. The next date is February 10. Her brother has been detained in the UAE for the last 18 months. The name of the firm was suggested by her counsel, Raghav Kacker, with assistance from Advocates Madhav Agrawal and Suradhish Vats. It was submitted that the legal firm is willing to represent Major (Retd.) Vikrant Jaitly is provided free of charge (pro bono). They have obtained the details of the case independently. The submissions were opposed by the counsel for the MEA. It was stated that the firm's name is included in the list of four legal firms suggested by Vikrant Jaitly. It was also stated that Vikrant Jaitly told embassy officials that the decision to engage a legal firm would be made by his wife, Charu Jaitly. Her counsel opposed and argued that the respondents are suppressing the fact that transpired in the email. He doesn't want to talk to his wife, Celina's counsel submitted. (With inputs from ANI)

04 February,2026 09:18 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK