Veteran filmmaker M M Baig was found dead at his home in Andheri West in Mumbai, confirmed his publicist Hanif Zaveri. His body was found by the local police. He was the father of popular yesteryear child artist Baby Guddu aka Shahinda Baig. The veteran filmmaker was involved with films such as Razia Sultan and directed Chhoti Bahu. He was in his 70s. MM Baig dies The senior filmmaker was unwell for quite sometime and was reportedly living alone. His publicist told PTI that the neighboours raised alarm after a foul smell started coming from his apartment. "He was unwell for quite some time. Since, he didn't come out of the house for four-five days, the neighbours complained to the cops about a foul place coming from his house," Zaveri told PTI. His body was found by the police on February 18 and was taken to a hospital in Bandra for further procedure. His daughter was also informed. "The police opened the door and found Baig sahab's dead body and informed his daughter about it. They later took his body to Cooper Hospital for post-mortem at around 1:30-2:00 am. He was a loving man. I pray for his departed soul," Zaveri said. About MM Baig's career Baig began his career as an assistant to J Om Prakash, Vimal Kumar, and Rakesh Roshan on films like Govinda's Aadmi Khilona Hai, Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharnii, and Karz Chukana Hai, Anil Kapoor-starrer, Kala Bazaar and Kishen Kanhaiya, among others. As an independent director, he directed two films including Naseeruddin Shah's Massom Gawah (1990), which remains unreleased, and "Chhoti Bahu" (1994), starring Shilpa Shirodkar. "Baig sahab shared a warm equation with Rakesh Roshan sahab. He helped Hrithik Roshan with diction, voice modulation, and dialogues since he was well-versed with these things. Baig sahab would help Hrithik with mouthing dialogues, this was much before his debut film, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai happened," Zaveri said. Baig's daughter Baby Guddu, born as Shahinda Baig, was one of the beloved child artists in Hindi cinema during the 1980s. Some of her popular films include Rajesh Khanna and Smita Patil's Aakhir Kyon?, Sridevi-starrer Nagina, Anil Kapoor's Pyar Kiya Hai Pyar Karenge, and Jeetendra and Sridevi's Aulad, among others.
19 February,2026 07:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSinger Jubin Nautiyal recently approached the Delhi High Court on Thursday, where he filed a suit for the protection of his personality rights. However, the Delhi HC, which has seen an influx of celebrities approaching it, why Jubin, who is based in Uttarakhand, did not approach a local high court and instead came to Delhi. Delhi HC blasts Jubin Nautiyal The judge Justice Tushar Rao Gedela questioned Jubin’s lawyer about why the singer did not approach a court in Uttarakhand, and how the Delhi High Court would have jurisdiction to consider Nautiyal's suit. The judge also remarked that the courts in Uttarakhad were not abolished. The counsel argued that the Delhi HC was approached because the controlling authorities, such as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Technology (DoT), were located in the national capital. Nevertheless, the court did not buy the reason. "What is the reason for coming here? Court in Uttarakhand can’t call them [defendants] and pass directions? Are you saying Google is not available in Uttarakhand? You have to tell us this, no? Why Uttarakhand doesn’t have jurisdiction when you yourself are located there? Is it the law that because the ministry is here, whatever will be against them, all jurisdiction, whether from Madras, Calcutta or Bombay will come here?" the Court asked. Further, the counsel also stated that many other celebrities, like Vivek Oberoi, also approached the Delhi High Court for the protection of personality rights. To which the Court noted that those are interim orders and they may not create a precedent. "They are all Order 39, Rules 1 and 2 orders. Will that create a precedent?" Justice Gedela asked. In the end, the judge said that he will pass appropriate orders in the case, saying, "We will pass orders." Jubin Nautiyal's plea Jubin approached the Delhi HC claiming that several entities have been exploiting his name, voice, image, likeness, and other elements of his persona without authorisation, license or permission. The singer claimed that this constitutes an infringement of his personality and publicity rights. It was also a violation of registered trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. However, during the hearing of the case, Justice Gedela noted that Nautiyal is from Uttarakhand and the defendants against whom he was seeking reliefs can be made parties in the Uttarakhand courts as well. Notably, an order has yet to be issued in the case.
19 February,2026 07:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVishal Bhardwaj's directorial O'Romeo was released in theatres on February 13. The film reunited him with Shahid Kapoor. The movie, based on true events, also stars Triptii Dimri and Avinash Tiwary, with special appearances by Tamannaah Bhatia and Vikrant Massey. However, fans who watched the film in theatres were curious about Aamir Khan being thanked in the opening credits of the film. He was, however, not seen in the film. So what was his contribution to O'Romeo? Vishal Bhardwaj has opened up about the same. Aamir Khan's contribution to O'Romeo Talking to Bollywood Hungama, Vishal Bhardwaj said, “Aamir wanted to hear the script of O'Romeo. And when he heard it, he gave me this idea that someone should be killed at a crucial point in the film.” The filmmaker further said, “Killing the lawyer Anjum Ansari (Resh Lamba) in the restaurant was his idea. This is the reason why I thanked him. This suggestion changed many things for me. Because from there, the protagonist, Ustara (Shahid Kapoor), gets attracted towards the girl (Afshan, played by Triptii Dimri). He realizes, ‘Oh my God, she can do anything to exact revenge.’ So, he starts taking her seriously and even nurses her back to health after she gets injured.” Vishal Bhardwaj continued, “So, the whole love story starts from there. That was a big plot point for me. And that's why I wanted to thank Aamir from the bottom of my heart.” Vishal Bhardwaj on O'Romeo box office O'Romeo is also touted to be director Vishal Bhardwaj’s most successful film so far. Sharing his thoughts, Vishal Bhardwaj said, “To evoke a reaction from the audience, one has to reinvent oneself with every story. Creation begins where comfort ends. O’Romeo was born in that space. I believe O’Romeo is going to be my most successful film at the box office.” O'Romeo is an emotionally charged story of love, loss, and consequence. According to the makers, the film revolves around “the irreversible consequences of love denied.” The film draws inspiration from a chapter in Mafia Queens of Mumbai by Hussain Zaidi and is said to be based on the life of gangster Hussain Ustara, played by Shahid Kapoor.
19 February,2026 06:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVishal Bhardwaj's directorial O'Romeo produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, continues to maintain a strong hold at the worldwide gross box office. The film inspired by true events has minted a total of Rs 75.80 cr globally. O'Romeo starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri has won hearts across for its gripping storyline, the layered, flawed characters, the refined music along with adrenaline-gushing action sequences. O'Romeo also has emerged as the first film to bring the Spanish dance form Flamenco into Bollywood. The film stars Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Nana Patekar, Farida Jalal along with Tamannaah Bhatia, Disha Patani, Vikrant Massey in special appearances. O'Romeo box office At the box office, the Vishal Bhardwaj film has grossed Rs 75.8 crore globally. After opening to approximately Rs 8.5 crore on Friday, its release day, the film witnessed noticeable growth on Saturday. As per trade reports, the film's second-day box office collection witnessed close to 45 per cent jump, earning approximately Rs 12.25 crore. In its first week, the film has been collecting steadily in the range of Rs 5-6 crore at the domestic box office. Vishal Bhardwaj on O'Romeo box office O'Romeo is also touted to be director Vishal Bhardwaj's most successful film so far. Sharing his thoughts, Vishal Bhardwaj said, “To evoke a reaction from the audience, one has to reinvent oneself with every story. Creation begins where comfort ends. O’Romeo was born in that space. I believe O’Romeo is going to be my most successful film at the box office.” O Romeo is an emotionally charged story of love, loss and consequence. According to the makers, the film revolves around “the irreversible consequences of love denied.” The film draws inspiration from a chapter in Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai, and is said to be on the life of gangster Hussain Ustara, played by Shahid Kapoor. O’Romeo ratings disabled O’Romeo’s ratings and reviews on BookMyShow have reportedly been removed. The makers reportedly moved court to disable the section. This development has left netizens perplexed, as it has happened for the first time with a Hindi film.The O’Romeo page on BookMyShow no longer shows the audience rating score or any reviews. Below the title and trailer, one can still see how many people are interested in the film (over 100K at the time of writing). Below that, it reads, “Reviews and ratings disabled as per court order.” This marks the first time a Hindi film has moved court to get audience reviews and ratings removed from an online platform. The move comes amid increasing cases of review bombing.
19 February,2026 06:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAnurag Kashyap’s film Kennedy is all set to release in India. The film had a successful international festival run over two years ago. However, its Indian release was delayed due to several reasons. Now, the film will be available for streaming on ZEE5 from February 20. Kennedy CBFC changes Before its streaming release, the film underwent multiple changes mandated by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which passed it with an A certificate. Bollywood Hungama shared the list of changes demanded by the board. The makers were asked to mute an expletive. The name of US President Donald Trump was altered to “Pump Trump.” References — both visual and verbal — to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim were removed and replaced with “Pakistan Don.” A 14-second scene featuring the dialogue “Matunga Matunga… Pungi bajaao” was deleted. Additionally, anti-smoking disclaimers were required during all smoking scenes. After implementing these changes, the film was granted an A certificate on November 23, 2023. The total runtime of the film is 148 minutes and 54 seconds (2 hours, 28 minutes, 54 seconds). What is Kennedy about? Written during the lockdown and shot extensively across the nights of Mumbai over a tight 30-day schedule, Kennedy is a dark, atmospheric thriller that follows an insomniac ex-cop long presumed dead who continues to operate within a corrupt system while secretly searching for redemption. The film’s haunting background score, recorded in Prague with the Prague Philharmonic Choir, further elevates the moody, immersive experience. All set to premiere on Hindi ZEE5, the movie brings Anurag Kashyap back to his gritty storytelling roots. The trailer gives a gripping glimpse into Anurag Kashyap’s unmistakable noir universe that is categorically dark, moody, and razor-sharp. Rahul Bhat commands the screen with an intense, brooding performance as the titular character, proving why he remains one of the most compelling actors in contemporary cinema. His portrayal is layered, restrained, and deeply unsettling. Adding to the drama is Sunny Leone, who brings a striking charm and quiet strength to the narrative. Together, Rahul, Sunny and Anurag promise a cinematic experience that is raw, fearless, and unapologetically Kashyap. With the trailer setting the tone, Kennedy’s homecoming to the Indian audience feels fitting
19 February,2026 06:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rajeev Khandelwal, who is currently seen in Amazon MX Player's courtroom drama series Amar Vishwas, opened up about his long-shelved Chenab Gandhi with one of Bollywood’s biggest filmmakers, Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Khandelwal, who began his career with television and later transitioned to films, shared that working with Bhansali was not an opportunity he could resist, as he was instantly captivated by the script. Rajeev Khandelwal discusses Chenab Gandhi In a discussion with Pinkvilla, Rajeev shared how he got the offer. He said, "Knowing that I’m popular, ek commercial film director came to me, jiske baare mein aap sab ko pata hoga. I was signed by a popular filmmaker from our industry. Unhone mujhe sign kiya aur main do film ke deal par tha, par film kabhi take off nahi hui. Since he was a commercial director, the projects seemed commercial, but the script was one of the very few good scripts that I had ever come across." (Knowing that I am popular, a commercial film director, someone whom you all would know, approached me. He signed me for a two-film deal, but the film never took off) I’m talking about Chenab Gandhi. Woh maine script ki wajah se kiya tha. I remember telling Mr. Bhansali, ‘aap na mujhe pehle test kare. You tell me that you want me. Post that, give me the liberty to ask you for the script, and also the freedom for me to say no. I know you are a senior director, but sir, aap pehle mere screen test aur look test kar lo. Jis din aap bologe, Rajeev, yes… I want you. Uske baad main script padunga, phir main bhi apna ek right rakhunga haan ya naa bolne ka.’” (I agreed to do it because of the script. I remember telling Mr. Bhansali, ‘Please test me first. Tell me that you want me. After that, give me the liberty to ask for the script, and also the freedom to say no. I know you are a senior director, but sir, please conduct my screen test and look test first. The day you tell me, “Rajeev, yes… I want you,” after that I will read the script, and then I will also keep my right to say yes or no.’) “Unhone uss baat ki kadar ki. 15–20 din tak hum milte rahe. Uske baad maine jaakar script padhi. Main script sunkar hil gaya aur maine kaha, ‘I will do it. I wanna do it.’ Not because of the setup, but because of the script.” (He respected that. We kept meeting for 15–20 days. After that, I went and read the script. I was shaken after hearing it and said, ‘I will do it. I want to do it.’ Not because of the setup, but because of the script.) Chenab Gandhi was one of the most anticipated projects of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film was going to be a biopic based on the life of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, the Pashtun freedom fighter also known as Frontier Gandhi. About Amar Vishwas The series begins with the brutal murder of an influential film producer Jessu Momin, a case the media is quick to label as ‘open-and-shut’. Suspicion immediately falls on Bahar Chakravarty, a young woman already convicted by public perception. Stepping into the fray is Amar Vishwas, an unconventional and razor-sharp lawyer who knows that facts alone rarely reveal the full story. As Amar takes on Bahar’s defence, he begins to uncover layers of exploitation, manipulation, and long-buried secrets, revealing a conspiracy that runs deeper and darker than it first appears.
19 February,2026 05:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPriyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas continue to keep fans in awe with their adorable chemistry. The couple has once again grabbed eyeballs, after Nick Jonas surprised fans with a cutesy video on Thursday, promoting his wife Priyanka’s film, The Bluff. However, more than the video itself, it was his mangalsutra bracelet that left the internet gushing. Nick Jonas' mangalsutra bracelet wins hearts In the recently shared video, Nick was seen preparing a cocktail inspired by Priyanka’s character in the film. Meanwhile, he can be heard saying, “Guys it is the premiere of Priyanka’s film The Bluff on Amazon Prime. It is incredible, I have seen it twice. Her character name is Bloody M, so I will make a Bloody Mary." The singer went on to make a Bloody Mary in the video and offered the drink to Priyanka, who clearly loved it and said, “You have the best recipes." Along with the video, he wrote, “Bloody Maria* for Bloody Mary. The Bluff out 2.25 on primevideo." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) However, eagle-eyed fans noticed his mangalsutra bracelet around his wrist. One user commented, “If you notice that mangalsutra Nick Jiju is a green forest." As another user wrote, “Oh he is wearing mangalsutra bracelet yaar." One of the comments also read, “When jiju wears the mangalsutra bracelet." “Is he wearing that necklace in his hand. how sweet is he," another comment read. Meanwhile, Nick and Priyanka recently attended The Bluff’s LA premiere, where they stunned as they posed on the red carpet. When Nick Jonas opened up about embracing Hinduism Earlier, while speaking on the Sach Sang Show, Nick Jonas spoke about dreaming is a big extended family and a partner who shares the same outlook. “It was kind of magic when I went to India for the first time and got the chance to spend time with her family and friends and experience her culture in a more meaningful way. Some of my favourite traditions and holidays are now Indian traditions. Some of my favourite memories in life are either based in India or India-adjacent, and it’s pretty incredible,” he shared. The actor also opened up about learning more about Hinduism and embracing its philosophies. “I have learned a lot about Hinduism as well, which is just amazing. It’s profound and beautiful. The practice of karma doing unto others as you would like to have done to you and good things coming back to you if you do good. Dharma is beautiful, and we are raising our daughter to have real Hindu values and an understanding of them in a meaningful way. I am very blessed to have a multicultural and multi-religious family,” Nick said.
19 February,2026 05:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentEarlier in February, actor Rajpal Yadav surrendered in a cheque-bounce case in Delhi's Tihar jail. After spending nearly 12 days in prison, the actor was granted an interim bail by the court on Monday, and he was subsequently released from jail on Tuesday after the formalities were completed. Days after his release, Yadav was recently seen dancing at his niece's wedding festivities in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Rajpal Yadav dances at niece's mehendi A video from Rajpal's niece's mehendi function has gone viral on social media, in which the Bhool Bhulaiyaa actor is seen dancing his heart as Salman Khan's song Teri Chunnariya Dil Le Gayi plays in the background. Rajpal is seen dressed in a beige-on-beige kurta paired with a lungi outfit. He was joined by other members of his family and his wife, Radha. जेल से छूटते ही डांस करते दिखे राजपाल यादवराजपाल यादव तिहाड़ जेल से रिहा होने के बाद सीधे अपने गांव शाहजहांपुर पहुंचे, जहां वह अपनी भतीजी की मेहंदी फंक्शन में डांस करते नजर आए#RajpalYadav | #ChequeBounceCase pic.twitter.com/HIIAOgMhEk — NDTV India (@ndtvindia) February 19, 2026 Meanwhile, the actor took to Instagram to thank his fans for their love and support in his first social media post after his release. He wrote in Hindi, "Aap sabhi ke pyaar aur saath ke liye dil se dhanyawaad (Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your love and support)." Rajpal Yadav's cheque bounce case Yadav reportedly took a loan of Rs. 5 crore from a Delhi-based company, Murali Projects Pvt. Ltd., back in 2010, to fund his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. The film was released in 2012, but tanked at the box office, due to which the actor couldn't repay the loan. Cheques issued by him bounced, following which the lender moved to court. According to reports, the original loan was of Rs 5 crore, however, the outstanding liability compounded over time to approximately Rs 9 crore. On February 4, 2026, the Delhi High Court refused to grant any further extensions to the actor. Consequently, on February 5, 2026, he surrendered to Tihar Jail authorities as per court orders. The Delhi High Court, on February 16, suspended his sentence till March 18 in the case and allowed his release from jail. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma passed the order after observing that Yadav had deposited Rs 1.5 crore in the bank account of the complainant.
19 February,2026 05:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Kerala High Court has issued a notice to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board of Film Certification, as well as the producer of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond on Thursday. The move comes after a petition was filed seeking a halt on the release of the movie. HC sends notice to The Kerala Story 2 makers The petition was filed by Sreedev Namboodiri, a biologist by profession, alleging that the teaser of the movie “shocked his conscience," as it shows Kerala in a bad light. “The teaser shows the story of 3 women from Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan who fall into the trap of terrorists who weaponise romance to convert unmarried girls and change the demography of the country. As the characters speak to the screen in the teaser, they make several statements that have the potential to create a law and order situation in the country," Sreedev said. The petitioner claimed that although the film’s teaser features stories from other states, the title creates the impression that the events, whether fictional or real, occurred exclusively in Kerala. He stated, “Such a portrayal has the potential to stigmatise an entire regional population, disturb public order, and incite communal and regional disharmony." The petitioner also argued that such a portrayal could create a stigma about the entire regional population, disturb public order, and trigger communal and regional disharmony. Therefore, the petitioner sought a stay on the release and public exhibition of the film The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond, which is scheduled for a February 27 release. Alternatively, the petitioner sought a direction to the Central Government to consider and decide Exhibit P3 revision petition within a time frame set by this Court, and to keep the film’s release on hold until the decision is made. The Kerala Story 2 controversy The Kerala Story 2 has raked up a political storm, leaving politicians divided over the subject of the film. Amid the ongoing controversy, the film secured a U/A certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) earlier today. Reacting to it, producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah said, “I am truly grateful to the Censor Board for granting a UA certificate to our film. It reflects their faith in the intent and integrity with which we have told this story. This decision is especially important because it allows us to reach young girls and families across the country.”
19 February,2026 05:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMrunal Thakur and Huma Qureshi-starrer Pooja Meri Jaan has been MIA (missing in action) after it was announced three years ago. The film reportedly completed filming in August 2022, and since then has seen no updates regarding its release. Director Navjot Gulati has now opened up about the delay, urging Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films to release the long-delayed film, making serious claims against the production house. Pooja Meri Jaan Director Navjot Gulati slams Maddock Films Navjot Gulati recently told Variety India that it was his father’s last wish to watch his film being released. He added that his father passed away in 2024 after repeatedly asking when Pooja Meri Jaan would finally be released for nearly three months on his deathbed. Gulati added that the film's co-producer, Amar Kaushik, has even stopped responding to his calls and messages. He shared that their last conversation was in October 2025, after which, Kaushik has not replied to any texts or calls. "I'm tired of calling and texting and yet not hearing back. The only reason I'm telling this to the world is because they refuse to have any sort of accountability. The film remains topical and relevant even today, but I fear if I don't do something, the film will never be released because they don't care about it. I don't want it to become Shoojit Sircar's Shoebite, which is only talked about but was never released," Navjot stated. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Navjot Gulati (@navjotgulati) He further noted that Maddock Films is seeking a higher price, which he understands, but the film has already been postponed to 2024, then 2025, and now it is February 2026. He went on to share that a platform is interested in buying Pooja Meri Jaan, however, the price negotiations have dragged on for the past nine months, which he calls an 'unending cycle.' Gulati said that the film was originally commissioned for OTT and was set to stream on JioCinema. However, after JioCinema merged with Disney+ Hotstar, producers were informed that they could sell the film to other platforms. He added, "They will never sell it unless they don't get the price they're looking for. The reality is, they are so consumed by big movies now that they don't care about the small films they have made. Then why can't Maddock release it in cinemas when they aren't getting the price on OTT?" Other unreleased film of Maddock Films Gulati further claimed that not just Pooja Meri Jaan, Maddock Films has also held the release of two other films, namely, Rumi Ki Sharafat starring Radhika Madan and Sarvgunn Sampanna featuring Vaani Kapoor.
19 February,2026 04:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe sequel to The Kerala Story has crossed an important hurdle ahead of its release, with the Central Board of Film Certification granting The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond a U/A certificate. This means viewers aged 14 and above can watch the film under parental guidance. The certification is being seen as significant given the sensitive and controversial subject matter explored in the film. CBFC gives a U/A certificate to The Kerala Story 2 Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, the sequel expands the narrative beyond Kerala and focuses on the experiences of young women across different Indian states. The story reportedly draws from court cases and real life incidents, dealing with themes of alleged coercion, manipulation and religious conversion. Like its predecessor, the film is expected to spark strong reactions. Reacting to the U/A certification, Vipul Amrutlal Shah expressed gratitude to the censor board, stating that the decision reflects trust in the film’s intent and message. He said the rating allows the film to reach young girls and families, which aligns with the makers’ objective of spreading awareness. According to Shah, the film aims to inform audiences and encourage vigilance rather than merely provoke controversy. Vipul Amrutlal Shah reacts to it The trailer has already triggered debate on social media and among political leaders. Critics argue that the film’s narrative could contribute to communal tensions and present a one sided portrayal of sensitive issues. Among those who voiced strong opposition is Pinarayi Vijayan, who described the project as divisive and harmful to Kerala’s tradition of social harmony. Despite the criticism, the makers remain confident that audiences will judge the film on its own merit. The first installment generated massive controversy but performed strongly at the box office and went on to receive national recognition. With the sequel now cleared for a wider age group, expectations are high regarding both its commercial performance and the conversations it may ignite. The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is slated for release on February 27, 2026, and is likely to remain at the center of public discourse in the days leading up to its premiere.
19 February,2026 04:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
