Veteran actor Prakash Raj is mourning a personal loss after his mother, Swarnalatha, passed away at the age of 86 due to age-related ailments in Bengaluru. The news has cast a shadow of grief over the actor’s family as well as the film fraternity, with many expressing their condolences. Prakash Raj's mother passes away Swarnalatha reportedly breathed her last on Sunday morning at her residence after battling health issues associated with old age. She had been unwell for some time, and her condition had gradually deteriorated. Family members confirmed that her last rites will be held in Bengaluru later in the day, with close relatives, friends, and members of the film industry expected to attend. Known for being a strong pillar in Prakash Raj’s life, Swarnalatha played a significant role in shaping the actor’s journey. Over the years, the acclaimed performer has often spoken fondly of his mother, crediting her for her unwavering support, sacrifices, and encouragement that helped him navigate the highs and lows of his career. Her influence remained deeply rooted in both his personal and professional life. The loss comes as a deeply emotional moment for Prakash Raj, who has faced personal tragedies in the past as well. Despite his demanding schedule and commitments across multiple film industries, the actor maintained a close bond with his mother and frequently made time to be with her. Her passing has left a void that will be difficult to fill. Following the news, several celebrities, political figures, and fans took to social media to offer their heartfelt condolences. Many remembered Swarnalatha as a resilient and inspiring woman whose life was defined by strength and quiet sacrifice. On the work front Prakash Raj, known for his impactful performances across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema, has earned immense respect in the industry over the decades. In this difficult time, messages of support continue to pour in, reflecting the deep admiration people have not just for the actor, but also for the values instilled in him by his mother. As the family prepares to bid their final farewell, Swarnalatha’s legacy lives on through the lives she touched and the son she helped shape into one of Indian cinema’s most respected actors.
30 March,2026 03:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSalman Khan is set to headline an ambitious new action drama, which marks the coming together of the superstar with acclaimed filmmaker Vamshi Paidipally and celebrated producer Dil Raju. The collaboration has already sparked significant excitement among audiences. The three powerhouses took to their social media platforms to unveil this highly anticipated partnership, instantly positioning the film as a major cinematic event of 2027 and setting the stage for a large-scale theatrical spectacle. Filming for the project is scheduled to commence in the month of April. Salman Khan joins forces with Dil Raju and Vamshi Paidipally At the helm of the film is acclaimed filmmaker Vamshi Paidipally, one of contemporary Indian cinema’s most successful directors, known for crafting large-scale entertainers with strong emotional resonance. Vamshi made his directorial debut with the Prabhas-starrer Munna and soon established himself as a filmmaker adept at mounting star-driven spectacles. He went on to direct Brindavanam with Jr. NTR, the action entertainer Yevadu featuring Ram Charan and Allu Arjun playing cameo, and the widely celebrated Maharshi, which even won him the National Film Award. Expanding his reach across industries, Vamshi also directed Tamil superstar Vijay in the blockbuster Varisu. With a filmography defined by scale, emotion and mass appeal, his collaboration with Salman Khan marks a natural and exciting next step bringing together a filmmaker known for crafting grand entertainers with one of India’s biggest superstars for a theatrical spectacle. The film will be produced by Dil Raju under the banner Sri Venkateswara Creations. Known for mounting blockbuster entertainers, Dil Raju has produced over 60 films that seamlessly blend scale, emotion and compelling storytelling. Producer Dil Raju has won two National Film Awards for producing acclaimed Telugu films, specifically for Maharshi and Shatamanam Bhavati. All about the collaboration The celebrated filmmaker–producer duo join hands with Salman Khan for the very first time, Over the years, Salman Khan has entertained the audience with large-scale actiactioners ranging from Dabangg, Bodyguard, Kick and Ready to Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Sultan and the Tiger franchise. With a 30 year plus of legacy in cinema, his newest collaboration with Vamshi Paidipally Dil Raju promises to be a new cinematic experience for the audience, as the script explores his new side as an actor. Director Vamshi Paidipally and Dil Raju have previously collaborated on five successful films together, all of which went on to become major blockbusters. With Salman Khan’s larger-than-life screen presence, Vamshi Paidipally’s signature storytelling and Dil Raju’s expertise in mounting grand cinematic spectacles, the film promises to be a powerful theatrical entertainer designed for the big screen. With production set to begin next month, more details about the film will be unveiled soon.
30 March,2026 02:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs Aditya Dhar is basking in the record-breaking success of Dhurandhar 2, the film has been receiving overwhelming praise from fans, critics and industry alike. Joining the suit is director Vivek Agnihotri, who has now praised the film and also offered some 'unsolicited' but important advice to the director. Vivek Agnihotri praises Dhurandhar: The Revenge Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Vivek Agnihotri shared a note applauding Dhurandhar: The Revenge and its team. He shared that he made a special trip from California to Los Angeles just to watch the film, highlighting how highly he regarded the project. He called the film “brilliant once again,” however, he avoided overanalysing it on social media, saying he would rather call' Dhar. "I was in the countryside of California, and finally made a trip to LA just to watch Dhurandhar. Shabash. Bravo. Brilliant once again, AdityaDharFilms. I genuinely don’t know what to say… anything I add may only become noise over something that already speaks for itself. I’d rather call you." Dhurandhar: The RevengeI was in the countryside of California, finally made a trip to LA just to watch Dhurandhar.Shabash. Bravo. Brilliant once again, @AdityaDharFilms. I genuinely don’t know what to say… anything I add may only become noise over something that already… — Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) March 30, 2026 The filmmaker further went beyond general praise and brought spotlight on two often underappreciated aspects of filmmaking. He wrote, "Everyone has done exceptional work. But I want to specifically acknowledge two less celebrated crafts that elevate this film into something far greater: Vikash Nowlakha’s world-class cinematography, and sainisjohray’s exceptional production design." "In cinema, the camera and production design are married to each other. Unless both are in complete harmony, a film cannot rise to the level of a masterpiece. In Dhurandhar, what we witness is pure synergy. Both Vikash and Saini Johray have done groundbreaking work… work that will stand as a benchmark for a long time. My heartfelt best to both of you. And a special salute," he added. Vivek Agnihotri's advice for Aditya Dhar However, his closing remark to Aditya Dhar was what caught everyone's attention. He offered advice from personal experience, saying, “You are sharp, and you know your path. Just stay mindful of the ecosystem, it can be as vicious as it is seductive.” He concluded his note by praising Team Dhurandhar, saying, "And everyone else in TeamDhurandhar, you rock."
30 March,2026 11:59 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe IPL 2026 clash between the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium was not only intense but also a star-studded affair, with several Bollywood celebrities lighting up the stands with their presence. From Sara Arjun to Suhana Khan, many celebrities attended the clash as the Mumbai Indians clinched a thrilling win. Sara Arjun supports the Mumbai Indians According to videos and pictures shared on social media, Dhurandhar star Sara Arjun was seen attending the match alongside her father and mother. She cheered for the home team from the stands, sporting a jersey of the team. Her appearance caught the attention of fans, especially given the ground-breaking success of her recent film Dhurandhar: The Revenge. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pallav Paliwal (@pallav_paliwal) Videos of Sara leaving the stadium showed Sara being mobbed by a sea of fans as she exited after the Mumbai Indians’ win. Many fans tried to click selfies with her as her protective father quickly stepped in and escorted her out of the frenzy. Meanwhile, Sara was also spotted with Ishaan Khatter arriving in the same car and then interacting as they left the venue. Ananya Panday, Suhana Khan cheer for KKR from the stands Similarly, Shah Rukh Khan's kids AbRam and Suhana Khan also arrived at the Wankhede Stadium along with Ananya Panday. Their glamorous presence made up for the absence of SRK, the co-owner of the Kolkata team, during the high-intensity clash. The stars were seen enjoying the game and enjoying the match from the stands. Premium energy from the best seats in the house 💜 pic.twitter.com/lpoWAnoTEt — KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 29, 2026 Kolkata Knight Riders shared a video of Suhana, AbRam and Ananya on its official social media account on X (formerly Twitter) along with the caption, "Premium energy from the best seats in the house." Other celebs at MI vs KKR clash Actor Shahid Kapoor was also seen enjoying the action. Meanwhile, ex-couple Konkona Sen Sharma and Ranvir Shorey also attended the match together. Sharing a moment from the matchday on Instagram, Shorey wrote, "So happy we were there to see mumbaiindians win today! (sic)." Other including Sonal Chauhan, Manushi Chhillar among others also marked their presence. On the field, the Mumbai Indians chased down a formidable target of 221 to secure a six-wicket victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The victory marked their first opening-game triumph in any IPL season since 2012.
30 March,2026 11:36 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran actor Anil Kapoor seems on cloud nine as he has become a grandfather for the second time, after his daughter Sonam Kapoor and son-in-law Anand Ahuja were blessed with their second child. The couple, who have a son named Vayu, welcomed a son on March 29. Anil Kapoor pens heartfelt note Anil Kapoor took to social media to express his joy on becoming nana once again. Taking to Instagram, the Subedaar actor penned a heartfelt note. View this post on Instagram A post shared by anilskapoor (@anilskapoor) Sharing the announcement post, "And just like that... my heart has grown even bigger. Welcome to the world, my little one, you are already so deeply loved.Vayu, you're a big brother now... and I know you'll be amazing. Thank you, Sonam and Anand...Nana's heart is full. Welcome to the madness, my baby-welcome to a lifetime of love," Anil Kapoor wrote. Sonam and Anand welcome second child On Sunday, Sonam and Anand announced the arrival of their second child. The Instagram post shared on their Instagram handles features a digital illustration that conveys both warmth and serenity. The artwork depicts a woman, seated in a meditative or maternal pose amid a vibrant natural setting. Surrounding her are elements of flora and fauna, including a deer, a peacock, and several birds, creating a tranquil, celestial atmosphere.The accompanying caption mirrors the text in the image, signed off collectively by Sonam, Anand, and their elder son, Vayu. "With immense gratitude and hearts full of love, we are delighted to announce the arrival of our baby boy today, 29th of March 2026. Our family has grown, and with his arrival, our hearts have expanded in the most beautiful way. Vayu is overjoyed to welcome his little brother, and we feel deeply blessed by this precious new life who has filled our home with happiness and grace. We are grateful to begin this beautiful new chapter as a family of four. With love, Sonam, Anand and Vayu," the post read.Sonam and Anand married in 2018 and welcomed their first child, Vayu, in 2022. The actress had announced her second pregnancy in November 2025 with a stylish social media post, which garnered widespread attention online. In February, the couple also held their second baby shower, an intimate yet star-studded godh bharai ceremony. (With inputs from ANI)
30 March,2026 11:32 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActors Ranvir Shorey and Konkona Sen Sharma, who were previously married to each other, were spotted together at an IPL match on the 29th of March. Cheering for their favourite team alongside their son Haroon, the former couple looked happy and were seen smiling throughout. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ranvir Shorey (@ranvirshorey) The reunion, captured in a cheerful selfie clicked by Ranvir from the stands, shows the happy three enjoying the electrifying stadium atmosphere with the March on-going in the background. Their teenage son Haroon, was seen seated right next to his parents along with another boy who seemed to be his friend. Ranvir who shared the picture on his social media account, captioned it as, “So happy we were there to see mumbaiindians win today!” Talking about Ranvir and Konkona’s relationship, it dates back to the late 2000s. The two got married in 2010 in a private ceremony, after dating for a few years, but parted ways in 2015. Their divorce was finalised in 2020. Despite the separation, the two have continued to maintain a cordial relationship and continue to co-parent their son Haroon who was born in 2011. On the work front, Ranvir Shorey has been a part of movies like Khosla Ka Ghosla, Bheja Fry, Mithya, Sonchiriya and others, proving his acting prowess. Talking about Konkona Sen Sharma, the actress has carved a niche for herself with impactful roles in movies Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, Page 3, Wake Up Sid, Lipstick Under My Burkha, A Death in the Gunj and others. The duo has shared screen space in films such as Mixed Doubles, Traffic Signal, and Aaja Nachle. For the uninitiated, Konkona is the daughter of veteran filmmaker Aparna Sen and has been part of the industry for over two decades. Ranvir has had a career in the Bollywood industry for more than 20 years. The couple, earlier too, had reunited to celebrate their son's birthday as he entered the teenage years of his life. 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
30 March,2026 10:53 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActress Ameesha Patel treated her Instagram Family with some lovely throwback pictures from her fun birthday celebration in Los Angeles with Salman Khan. The birthday celebration, which took place during a world tour, included a sweet cake-cutting ceremony. The first pic from the post showed Salman and Ameesha standing next to each other. While Ameesha is all smiles, Salman has a goofy expression on his face. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ameesha Patel (@ameeshapatel9) These two are also surrounded by some others who joined the Gadar actress for the cute cake-cutting ceremony. In the second image, Salman seems to be saying something into Ameesha's ear. She captioned the post, "Throwback to my Birthday celebrations in Los Angeles, USA— whilst on our world tour !! Sweetest bday cake cutting with beingsalmankhan being his cutest self as always (sic)", followed by red heart emojis. Ameesha keeps on sharing constant updates from her life on social media. Recently, Ameesha got stuck in the New York snowstorm, but she decided to make the most of the unfortunate situation. She gave an insight into her snowy escapade by uploading a video on social media with the caption, “NEW YORK - stuck in the blizzard n flights can’t take off — so might as well make the most of the SNOWFALL kuunalgoomer shabspatel100." The video featured the 'Humraaz' actress walking through knee-deep snow on the streets of New York, dressed in warm winter wear. We can also see her making snowballs and playfully enjoying the snowfall with her friends. Ameesha carefully strolls through thick layers of snow, laughing and soaking in the freezing atmosphere. Work-wise, Ameesha made her Bollywood debut in 2000 opposite Hrithik Roshan in Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. After a blockbuster debut, she further cemented her position in the industry with films such as Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Humraaz, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Race 2. Ameesha was last seen on screen in Gadar 2, in which she reprised her popular role as Sakeena. 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
30 March,2026 10:52 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Priyanka Chopra has once again delighted fans with a slice of her India trip, this time spotlighting the rich culinary heritage of Punjab through a vibrant Instagram story from Amritsar. The actor shared a visually indulgent post featuring a traditional North Indian thali, captioned "Just Amritsar things..." alongside a face-savoring-food emoji. The image captures a quintessential Punjabi meal, offering a glimpse into the region's celebrated food culture. At the centre of the platter are two golden-brown Amritsari kulchas, likely stuffed with spiced potatoes or paneer and baked in a tandoor. Accompanying them are small bowls of dal makhani and chole, staples of Punjabi cuisine, along with sides of yogurt, butter, pickled onions with green chilies. Adding to the cultural mood, the story is set to the song Sohni Lagdi by Diljit Dosanjh. The food post comes amid The Bluff actor ongoing visit to India, which has already sparked curiosity among fans. On March 26, she documented her journey from New Delhi to Amritsar via a digital flight map shared on Instagram Stories. She also posted short clips of Punjab's lush green farmlands, filmed from her window seat. Before heading to Amritsar, the actor was spotted at the Delhi airport interacting with fans and posing for photograph. This India visit follows her recent work on the film The Bluff and comes ahead of her much-anticipated collaboration with filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli for the upcoming project 'Varanasi', which is expected to release in 2027. 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
30 March,2026 10:16 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIFor long, the question was: who will be the lead in Shakti Shalini, the latest instalment in Maddock Films’ horror comedy universe? That was settled when the banner announced that Aneet Padda will front the film. Now, many have been wondering who plays the antagonist in Aditya Sarpotdar’s directorial venture, and we’ve got the answer. Viineet Kumar Siingh’s team has confirmed to mid-day that he has been roped in as the horror comedy’s villain. Siingh, who starred in Mukkabaaz (2018) and Superboys of Malegaon (2025), has joined the shoot in Mumbai. The actor’s team revealed, “This will be a departure from anything that Viineet has played before. He essays a darker antagonist here.” A week-long shoot in Mumbai is on the cards, after which Siingh will take a break to shoot for Dahaad 2. The unit will then move to Madhya Pradesh. Siingh will resume shooting for the film in May. A source shared, “Shakti Shalini has high-octane drama, and the makers believe that an ensemble cast of Aneet, Viineet, and Vishal Jethwa will bring the gravitas that it needs.”
30 March,2026 10:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaFormer actor and Sanjay Khan's wife, Zarine Khan, passed away at her Mumbai residence in 2025. Her last rites were widely covered by the media and were attended by several celebrities. However, what sparked discussion on the internet was her son Zayed Khan performing her last rites as per Hindu rituals. Now, Zayed has addressed the backlash, revealing that it was his mother’s final wish for her ashes to be immersed in a river. Zayed Khan addressed mother’s funeral During a recent interview with Zoom, Zayed got emotional recalling his mother Zarine Khan’s final wish. The actor also addressed the questions raised over her Hindu funeral rites, despite her being married into a Muslim family and having Parsi roots. Zayed said that ‘insaaniyat’ (humanity) is the foremost religion in his home. The Main Hoon Na actor also revealed that his staff come from diverse backgrounds, and beyond taking care of their accommodation, food, and expenses, the Khan family also ensures their children have access to the opportunities they need. Zayed shared, “We as a family find religion to be something very personal to you, and how you want to approach it, and not something which is better and which is worse. These are not things that are good to say. We define ourselves by being a very secular family, and we don't need to say why." Revealing his mother’s last wish he recollected the day she was sitting by a ‘lovely river’, and “the thought just passed her head, saying that if I ever go, I want my ashes to flow in this river. I want to be free,” he says. Zayed further added, “Whatever your mother's last wishes, it will be done. It doesn't matter what other people say. It doesn't matter how hateful they can be. I don't blame them, halat aise hai (situation is such), unfortunately. Unn halaton ko badalne mein waqt lagega (It will take time to change those circumstances).” When his sister spoke abour Zarine's Khan's funeral Shortly after Zarine’s death, Zayed’s elder sister Farah, had issued a statement clarifying the reason behind performing the last rites as per Hindu customs. She wrote, “My mother Zarine Khan was a very special woman. Her philosophy of life was to 'Forgive and Forget.' She was kind-hearted, loved by all her friends and family and cared deeply for one and all. She was the bond that kept our family together. Born a Parsi, married as a Muslim and cremated according to Hindu rites. She epitomised Humanity and is someone whose legacy we hope to live (sic).”
30 March,2026 10:04 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar The Revenge, starring Ranveer Singh, continues to dominate theatres and the box office even weeks after its March 19 release. The spy-thriller has now toppled a nine-year North American box office record that was previously held by Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, starring Prabhas and directed by SS Rajamouli. The makers of Baahubali 2 did not hold back from extending their congratulations to the film for achieving the milestone. Baahubali makers congratulate Dhurandhar 2 Baahubali 2 held the record of the highest-grossing Indian film in North America, raking in over USD 20 million at the box office. Now, the 9-year-old record has been shattered by Aditya Dhar’s high-octane thriller. According to reports, Dhurandhar 2 raked in over USD 22 million in North America to date. The makers of Baahubali took to the film’s official page on X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate Dhurandhar 2's new milestone. Congratulating the team, they wrote, "Congratulations to AdityaDharFilms and the entire team of Dhurandhar2TheRevenge on breaking the 9-year-old records of Baahubali2 and setting new box office benchmarks in India, USA and worldwide.” The message was in response to a tweet shared by Shobu Yarlagadda, producer of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. In the tweet Shobu praised Dhurandhar 2 and celebrated its new box office milestone. Shobu Yarlagadda reacted to a post by a page named Venky Box Office that stated that Dhurandhar 2 holds the "new all-time North America gross" record, claiming that Baahubali 2’s record has already been broken. Shibu wrote, “Yesterday I watched Dhurandhar2TheRevenge and needless to say I loved it and thoroughly enjoyed the film! Happy to see it breaking all the records and setting new box office benchmarks in India and worldwide! Congratulations to the entire team! (claps emojis)”. About Dhurandhar 2 Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar: The Revenge features Ranveer Singh in the lead role. The film traces his journey as Indian spy Jaskirat Singh Rangi, where he transforms into Hamza Ali Mazari. The film also reveals how Hamza rises through the ranks of Lyari’s political and underworld structure while on his mission to dismantle a terror network in Pakistan. The film also stars Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi and Sara Arjun in key roles. So far, it has grossed over Rs 1,250 crore worldwide and more than Rs 840 crore net in India.
30 March,2026 08:54 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
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