The firing incident at Rohit Shetty’s residence in February created a stir. While several accused were presented in the MCOCA court and a shooter was nabbed, the case has gained momentum again as one more criminal has been arrested. A joint team of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and the Mumbai Police Crime Branch on Thursday arrested a wanted criminal allegedly involved in the firing incident. 15th accused arrested in Rohit Shetty’s firing incident The accused, identified as Pradeep Kumar alias Gaath, was apprehended from the Chhadami Mattha area on the Agra-Etah Road under Bah police station limits in Agra at 3:56 pm, an official statement said. According to police, the firing took place on the night of February 1, 2026, at 'Shetty Tower' in Mumbai's Juhu area. The attack was allegedly carried out at the behest of the notorious Shubham Lonkar gang to extort money and instil fear within the film industry and among the public. Investigations revealed that the accused, a resident of Ashok Nagar in Agra, was motivated by the Lonkar gang's presence on Facebook and Instagram. He admitted to participating in the crime along with associates Sunny, Deepu, and Sonu to establish "dominance" in the underworld. “The arrest was the result of technical analysis and intelligence sharing between the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Uttar Pradesh STF,” the statement said. The Mumbai Police had registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act, the Maharashtra Police Act, and the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Pradeep is the latest addition to the list of arrests in this high-profile case. Previously, eight other accused, including Pradeep Sharma alias Golu, Deepak, and Vishnu Kushwaha, were nabbed in joint operations. Following his arrest, the accused was handed over to the Mumbai Police team at the Bah police station. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch will take the accused on transit remand and follow further legal proceedings, the statement added. About the shooting incident at Rohit Shetty’s residence For the uninitiated, five rounds were fired at filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Juhu residence. The investigation by the Mumbai Crime Branch revealed that the vehicle used in the firing was sourced from Pune. After the incident, the probe was underway, and all those linked to Shubham Lonkar are being traced and arrested.
17 April,2026 08:38 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCelebrating a decade Actor Sanya Malhotra, who made her Hindi movie debut with Dangal (2016), says her journey in Hindi cinema has been nothing but surreal and she hopes that her films continue to receive love from the audiences. The actor’s latest release is the OTT comedy film Toaster, opposite Rajkummar Rao. “Ten years, it [feels] surreal. It’s been amazing, quite fulfilling and I am so grateful for the opportunities that I get,” Sanya told PTI in an interview. On the work front, Sanya will next be seen in romantic thriller Sundar Poonam with Aditya Rawal. A mother’s advice Akshay Kumar with his mother Aruna Bhatia Superstar Akshay Kumar recently shared an emotional anecdote about his early struggles and his mother’s lasting influence on his life. Speaking during promotions of his latest release, Priyadarshan’s Bhooth Bangla, he recalled how his mother, Aruna Bhatia, encouraged him to buy a bigger house for himself in Mumbai. “Your first home should be for yourself, and God somehow ensures the money,” he said, echoing his mother’s belief. Her encouragement pushed him to think bigger, eventually aiming for a five-bedroom home. Akshay credited her wisdom for shaping his outlook towards life. Didn’t stop at buying just one flat Akshay Kumar’s real estate portfolio reportedly makes up about 30 per cent of his net worth. It includes a Rs R80 crore+ sea-facing duplex in Juhu, luxury flats in Andheri’s Transcon Triumph, a heritage villa in Goa, and a bungalow in Mauritius, Cape Town, and Canada.
17 April,2026 07:48 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamIn Maamla Legal Hai 2, Dibyendu Bhattacharya did what he has always done — he showed us that an actor can shine irrespective of whether they are leading the offering or not. Having built a career on supporting parts, the actor has consistently been appreciated for his work. But the appreciation has come with a term that he detests. “I feel bad about this funda of ‘character actor’,” he told mid-day. Explaining his stance, Bhattacharya shared, “The industry has gotten slightly better in treating all actors equally. I tell people, ‘If I am a character actor, does it mean your lead is characterless? Have you given the characters to actors like us and not given anything to your lead?’ What does the term even mean?” Anushka Sharma in Chakda Xpress. Pic/Youtube In the coming months, the actor has many projects to look forward to, from Prime Video’s Raakh to Alia Bhatt-led Alpha. But if there’s one film he has eagerly been awaiting, it’s Anushka Sharma’s Chakda Xpress. Director Prosit Roy’s film, reportedly ready since 2023, has yet to see the light of day apparently due to a fallout between Netflix and Clean Slate Filmz. Bhattacharya said, “I often ask Prosit when it will release, and he says, ‘Even I have no idea about it.’ It’s very sad. It was Anushka’s best performance to date.”
17 April,2026 07:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaFollowing up a blockbuster like Dhurandhar: The Revenge is no easy feat. As we wondered what Arjun Rampal, who played the antagonist in Aditya Dhar’s action drama, would do next, the actor announced Amazon MX Player’s Billionaire, in late March. Now, mid-day has dug out more details on the series to be directed by Hansal Mehta and Robbie Grewal. It turns out Rampal will play a powerful business magnate, apparently modelled on the UB Group former head honcho Vijay Mallya, no less. Hansal Mehta and Robbie Grewal. Pics/Instagram Think an ambitious man rising to become a prominent businessman, who redefines power, wealth, and style in India. But the very ambition that boosted his growth leads to his downfall. Billionaire, we’ve heard, explores such a journey. Vijay Mallya. Pic/Getty Images A source revealed, “It’s the first project that Arjun signed after Dhurandhar’s success. It was an immediate yes after he heard the script. While speculation suggests that his character is inspired by multiple personalities, the fictional drama borrows from the life of tycoon Vijay Mallya. Arjun’s character has not been named after any real-life persona, but people will be able to connect the dots after watching the show. The actor will put on weight for the role and sport a beard. A flamboyant and stylish look is what the makers are aiming for.” Aditya Dhar and Arjun Rampal. Pic/Instagram Rampal will begin prepping from May, dedicating three months to it before the directors call action in August. The source added, “The character has grey shades; he rewrites the business rules to suit his requirements. Eventually that leads to his downfall. The actor will undergo workshops before entering the world of business and boardroom conflicts.” Many firsts ‘Billionaire’ marks Arjun Rampal’s first collaboration with Hansal Mehta and Robbie Grewal. This is also the first time the two directors are joining forces Rs 1316crReported domestic collection of ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’
17 April,2026 07:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRUorfi Javed has once again sparked a conversation on social media with her latest revelation. The content creator recently opened up about her experience, revealing that she was asked to pay a hefty price tag to attend the Cannes Film Festival. Her comments have once again reignited the conversation around the participation of influencers at the Cannes. Uorfi Javed on paying Rs 80 Lakh for Cannes Taking to Instagram, Uorfi shared a screenshot of a conversation. In the screenshot, a person allegedly informed her they managed to find a vendor who could arrange her entry to Cannes, but for a price of Rs 80 lakh. The message grabbed eyeballs as it suggested a transactional route to one of the world’s most prestigious red carpets. Reacting to the cost, Uorfi wrote, “80 lakhs for Cannes? Mai India me theek hu! Itna kya desperation badh gaya hai Cannes ka that people are ready to pay 80 lakhs!!!!" Her reaction has once again sparked the ongoing debate around influencer participation at Cannes, especially if some attendees are paying their way to the event. Over the past few years, several influencers have walked the red carpet at Cannes, sparking speculation about how they manage to get access. While many have stated that their presence is tied to brand collaborations and official invites, Uorfi’s recent post has once again raised questions around the possibility of paid entries. Uorfi Javed on her journey Later in a separate Instagram Story, Uorfi reflected on her personal journey, confessing that she still feels like she hasn’t reached her full potential. “I still feel I haven’t reached my full potential. I still keep asking the universe, mera time kab ayega? With every step I took, I just wanted to be accepted by the people, appreciated," she wrote. Opening up about the challenges she has faced, Uorfi added, “I chose a very, very unconventional and difficult way for myself. The world wasn’t kind to me. There was a time I used to cry when someone complimented me cause I was only used to the abuses. I’m still waiting for that one moment, one opportunity." Uorfi Javed is currently seen as a Mischief Maker alongside Nia Sharma in the reality show MTV Splitsvilla X6.
16 April,2026 09:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Daisy Shah, who is popularly known for her role in Salman Khan’s Jai Ho, recently recalled an unpleasant casting experience. She shared that the incident took place during the early days of her career. Daisy made her acting debut in 2014 with Jai Ho. Before that, she was part of the industry as a choreographer in Ganesh Acharya’s team. Daisy Shah recalls inappropriate casting incident Speaking to Free Press Journal, Daisy revealed that she had met a South Indian filmmaker for a casting discussion. She said she felt uneasy due to inappropriate physical contact during the meeting. She shared, “I was inappropriately touched by one of the filmmakers in the South. He had come to Mumbai for casting. There were six to seven girls who went to meet him. He was meeting each of us individually. But I didn’t like it because he touched me and was holding my hand.” Expressing her discomfort, Daisy added, “I’ve always been apprehensive about people touching me. The reason I don’t get massages done is because I don’t like being touched, even by a woman. With a man, it’s a different story altogether. So that just put me off. I told him, ‘I will get back to you,’ but I never did.” Daisy Shah’s work front The actress has recently come on board music composer Palaash Muchhal’s upcoming directorial. The film also stars Shreyas Talpade. The project, set against the backdrop of Mumbai, will reportedly feature Shreyas as a common man. However, details regarding the storyline, supporting cast, and release date are being kept under wraps. The film marks Palaash Muchhal’s next directorial venture after Ardh, starring Rajpal Yadav and Rubina Dilaik, and Kaam Chalu Hai, which featured Rajpal Yadav, Giaa Manek, and Kurangi Nagraj. In an interview with Filmygyan, Daisy said she got to know Palaash through his sister, singer Palak Muchhal, who had sung a song in Jai Ho. Speaking about him, Daisy said, “Palaash is a very good person. In fact, I have met him a couple of times. Palak had done a song for Jai Ho, so I have known her since then. I frequently attend gatherings at Palak’s home for birthdays and Ganpati pooja, and that’s how I met Palaash. That’s how I got to know that he is a music composer and a director.”
16 April,2026 07:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAyushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan will be seen together in the upcoming spy comedy Udta Teer. The official announcement of the film, a joint collaboration between Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment, was made on Thursday, April 16. The makers quietly revealed the film along with its release date. This will mark Ayushmann and Sara’s second collaboration after Pati Patni Aur Woh 2, which is set to release later this year. Ayushmann and Sara's Udta Teer Trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the release date on X. He wrote, “Ayushmann Khurrana - Sara Ali Khan in spy-comedy Udta Teer – 11 Sept 2026 release. Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment reunite for their fourth collaboration- after Kill, Gyaarah Gyaarah, and The Lunchbox—with Udta Teer. A high-energy spy comedy, the film stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan. The makers have also locked the release date: 11 Sept 2026.” The film is positioned as a high-energy caper, with Ayushmann returning to his signature humour-driven space, this time with a twist on the spy genre. Written and directed by Aakash Kaushik, the project marks his directorial debut. Udta Teer is backed by Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment, continuing their collaborative streak after films like Kill, Gyaarah Gyaarah, and The Lunchbox. The production team includes Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Guneet Monga Kapoor, and Achin Jain. The film's update Udta Teer went on floors in mid-2024 but soon hit a rough patch, and the shoot was halted. In January this year, reports suggested that the spy comedy was in limbo after its first schedule wrapped in 2024. However, things picked up in the first quarter of 2026. It has been learnt that the leads shot an extensive schedule in Mumbai in February, including a massive song sequence. Originally, Aakash Kaushik planned to shoot the song, titled Jai Hind, in real locations in Delhi and Mumbai. However, when that didn’t materialise, the makers recreated the setting on a set in Madh Island, Mumbai. A source revealed, “‘Jai Hind’ is set against Independence Day celebrations in Delhi. More than 700 dancers and junior artistes were roped in for the sequence depicting a parade. Karan Johar and Guneet Monga Kapoor felt that a colourful, patriotic song mounted on a grand scale would enhance the film’s appeal. It appears at a critical juncture in the movie. Ayushmann and Sara shot the track over two days.” Meanwhile, Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan will also be seen together in Pati Patni Aur Woh 2, alongside Rakul Preet Singh and Wamiqa Gabbi. The comedy-drama, initially planned for a Holi release, has been pushed to May 15, 2026, to allow for additional post-production work and the filming of a pending song.
16 April,2026 07:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor-politician Kangana Ranaut, who often makes headlines for her outspoken nature, came in support of Deepika Padukone after the actress parted ways with the big-budget movies, allegedly due to a lack of fixed working hours. Last year, Deepika found herself in the middle of a heated debate after her shocking exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit and Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD, over specific working conditions, including a request for an eight-hour working day. The debate continued for months, with several celebrities weighing in on it. Kangana Ranaut shares her take on the 8-hour shift debate In an interview with ANI, Kangana reflected on how work-life balance evolves with time and experience. She recalled the time when she and Deepika pushed themselves through long, demanding shifts, driven by ambition and the desire to succeed. Kangana said, “I don’t think there should be an issue created out of this because if you see where she (Deepika Padukone) is coming from, she has earned that place. She has a daughter, she’s a mother now, and the topmost actress. If today she is keen to work for eight hours, she has earned it." She recalled a conversation she had with Deepika when the latter was working on Imtiaz Ali’s film. “Deepika and I, when we were together, she said that they were working on Imtiaz’s film or something. She said, ‘We have a 12-hour shift.’ In response, I said that I work for only 10 hours. She’s like ‘That’s amazing’. So there was a time when we wouldn’t settle for anything less than 12-14 hours because we were ferocious. We wanted it. We were at it. We were going for it. We wanted to be successful and wanted all these things," she added. Kangana points out the societal pressures faced by mothers Kangana also criticised the societal pressures that require women to balance intense work demands with family responsibilities. "Let me just conclude it with this. You know, when you're new, you're coming up, you are replaceable. Your place is different. She, being where she is, she's a mother. She's got a family to look after. She's also earned that place where people are going to say that, wait a minute, I want her. And it's okay if she comes for eight hours because we'll work around her time. So why not?" "And I think all the talk around fertility rate, and all the talk about marriages collapsing, and all of it. What are we doing? We are putting so much pressure on our women. We are making them work double the amount now with the children."
16 April,2026 05:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has firmly shut down speculation about her romantic relationship with fellow politician and former co-star Chirag Paswan. The rumours about Kangana and Chirag dating had been doing the rounds on social media for a long time, especially after the two were spotted together at public events. Their chemistry and bond sparked curiosity among fans. However, Kangana has now addressed the rumours directly and put an end to the speculation. Kangana Ranaut on rumours of dating Chirag Paswan During a recent interview with ANI, Kangana opened up about her equation with Chirag Paswan and dismissed any possibility of romance. "No, no, Chirag is a friend. When I see him, I think of a friend. There's no romance happening, let me be honest. We know each other for like... He did his film with me 10 years ago. Agar romance hota toh aaj humare bacche hote," Kangana said. She went on to explain that their bond has remained unchanged over the years. "If I wanted to have romance, then it would have happened. It's not happening. You know, like, it's just that... that friendly vibe, you know, which you get from somebody who, who's just kind of your, you know, your type, as in like he, he's from also in a way from the film industry. So I feel very good around him," Kangana added. Kangana Ranaut and Chirag Paswan's collaboration For the unversed, Kangana Ranaut and Chirag Paswan first worked together in the 2011 romantic drama Miley Naa Miley Hum, which was directed by Tanveer Khan. The film marked Chirag's acting debut, while Kangana played the female lead. The film also featured Neeru Bajwa and Sagarika Ghatge. Chirag later quit films to pursue his political career, while Kangana continues to juggle between both. While both Chirag and Kangana have now moved into politics and built distinct public identities, their occasional appearances together at political events continue to draw attention due to their shared cinematic past and their bond. On the professional front, Kangana Ranaut was last seen in Emergency, where she portrayed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She also directed the film.
16 April,2026 05:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPriyanka Chopra Jonas hopped onto a latest Instagram trend through which she reflected on her journey- both personal and professional. The actress shared some of her childhood pictures and compared them with her recent photos and achievements. The trend highlights how people achieve things they might not have imagined as children. Priyanka took to social media to share several “then and now” moments while showcasing her milestones. Priyanka Chopra gives personal spin to Instagram trend The first picture featured Priyanka winning the Miss World title at the age of 18. Alongside a childhood photo of herself in costume, she wrote, “Miss World? Me??” She shared another picture and wrote, “I’m building a career across countries.” The childhood caption read, “Across countries? We travel abroad?” “I get to be the lead actor in movies that I produce,” read another slide, while the contrasting childhood photo said, “What? I act in movies? And help create them?” A further slide read, “I travel across the world so much, I don’t jet lag anymore.” The corresponding childhood memory referenced a trip to Kashmir with her father: “Is it like when Dad took us to Kashmir? I was tired after the drive!” In the following slides, she spoke about becoming an entrepreneur and writing a memoir. The final posts highlighted her role as a mother and her family life with husband Nick Jonas and their daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. Priyanka Chopra on leaving Bollywood Recently, Priyanka was seen with Amanda Hirsch on her Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, where the Citadel actress spoke about her decision to venture into the West. When asked about why she decided to explore the American film industry, Priyanka said, “When I was working back in India, I started feeling limited… I wanted to be able to see what else was out there. Besides Mindy Kaling and Aishwarya Rai, there were very few female or male Indian actors in Hollywood. And I was like why don’t we have that representation. It made me think of myself as that girl who was in the 9th grade in America, where nobody looks like me… I didn’t think about it (much) at that time, but as someone who was starting to seek work in Hollywood, I thought where do I stand? How do I begin?… It came from the need to want and see what the possibilities were there.” During the chat, she was also questioned about “tense relationships with some of the stuff going on in India with the movie scene”. Priyanka responded, “Nothing is an easy ride. We all have battles that we have to handle. I am someone who just doesn’t like staying in the s**t because then you get used to the smell. I am a big believer in pivoting. When life gets tough, we are so resilient as human beings; we have the ability to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, take a minute to feel emotional and feel the pain, and then pivot.” She further admitted that she has done that many times in her career, and that there was no clear path for her when she decided to try her luck in Hollywood. Priyanka added that there wasn’t much of a precedent before her, hence she decided to give it a shot, mentioning that the only thing she knew was that “I’m a hard worker and I know my job. Put me on a set with any filmmaker or co-actor, and I’ll stand toe-to-toe”.
16 April,2026 05:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court, on Thursday, heard the defamation case filed by Aditya Dhar, the writer-director of Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, against writer‑filmmaker Santosh Kumar. The latter had earlier alleged that Dhar had copied the script from his work. The court urged both parties to resolve the matter, noting that it should not be allowed to spiral. Bombay HC tells Aditya and Santosh to resolve the matter Justice Arif Doctor observed, “A matter like this should be resolved. It doesn’t need to escalate into a fight for defamation." The Court also pointed out that if Kumar believed his script had been copied, he was free to pursue the claim through an appropriate civil lawsuit instead of simply airing his claims before the media. “You have a civil claim; make it. They will defend it. In that you may seek a settlement. If there has to be a fight, there will be a fight. But it does not need to escalate to this level," the judge told. Advocate Pravin Faldessai, who appeared for Kumar, clarified that his client’s grievance was restricted to asserting authorship over the story. “I don’t really enjoy fighting a suit before any court. Because my only claim is that the story is written by me, it’s my original work, and somebody has to make that claim,” he said. The Court assured Kumar that nobody can stop him from making that claim, while adding that there was scope to de-escalate the dispute and work out a settlement. Justice Doctor said, “My firm view is that this matter can only be de‑escalated and worked out." Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Birendra Saraf, who appeared for Dhar, submitted that if Kumar wished to continue asserting his claim to the script, he must do so through proper legal proceedings and not keep repeating allegations in the media. Faldessai responded by stating that he would have a word with Kumar on this proposal. The judge went on to say, "(In the next hearing), I will pass an order saying that you (Kumar) will refrain from using such words. And you file your claim, keeping all rights and contentions open, whatever case you have against them. This entire proceeding comes to an end. Otherwise, a defamation suit will lie pending, for what purpose?” before adjourning the case till April 30. About the case For the unversed, Aditya Dhar sued Santosh Kumar for defamation after Kumar publicly claimed Dhar's film, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, was copied from his registered script, D Saheb. Dhar sent a legal notice to Kumar denying plagiarism and cautioning him; however, Kumar did not respond. Dhar then moved the High Court, seeking an injunction and damages. During the earlier hearing on April 8, the High Court restrained Kumar from repeating the defamatory comments about the film's script and Aditya Dhar.
16 April,2026 05:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
