Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is gearing up for the release of Battle of Galwan. The makers had earlier locked April 17 as the film’s release date and have been unveiling promotional assets to maintain momentum. However, the latest reports suggest that the film may not meet its scheduled release. Battle of Galwan to reschedule release? According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the makers of Battle of Galwan are considering pushing the release date as the shoot is yet to be completed. Quoting a source, the portal stated, “Battle Of Galwan is scheduled to be released on April 17. But the shoot is not yet over, and the reshoot is taking more time than expected. From Monday, February 9, a one-week schedule will commence at the Golden Tobacco Factory in Mumbai. After this schedule gets over, a few more days of shooting are left, and by February-end, it’ll be a wrap.” Director Apoorva Lakhia is also yet to begin editing the reshot portions. Apart from completing the shoot, the makers are required to screen the film for the Ministry of Defence as per protocol. The source added, “Due to these two reasons, the makers feel they may not be able to meet the April 17 deadline. Salman Khan is clear that such a special, patriotic film needs to be nurtured well. He has told the team not to rush the process and to take their time to ensure the final product looks appealing, compelling, and cinematic.” While Salman Khan and director Apoorva Lakhia are still deliberating a possible delay, the source noted that the actor might still attempt an April 17 release, although the chances appear slim. More about Battle of Galwan Battle of Galwan is inspired by the real-life clash between Indian and Chinese forces in the Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh on the night of June 15–16, 2020. Following the teaser’s release, Chinese media alleged that the film misrepresented facts. Salman Khan and Apoorva Lakhia have not commented on the controversy. The film also stars Chitrangada Singh in a key role, along with Zeyn Shaw, Ankur Bhatia, Abhilash Chaudhary, Vipin Bhardwaj, and Heera Sohal.
08 February,2026 11:16 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDuring the ongoing World Pickleball League (WPBL) 2026, actor Aamir Khan made a special appearance and joined fans for a friendly match in Mumbai on Saturday. Videos of the actor playing alongside fans soon went viral on social media. However, the match briefly had viewers holding their breath when Aamir slipped and fell on the court while attempting a shot. Aamir Khan falls during pickleball On Saturday, Aamir participated in an exhibition game with three fans at Jio World Garden in Mumbai. The actor played two games during the event. In one of the videos doing the rounds online, Aamir is seen charging forward to return a shot when he suddenly loses his balance, stumbles, and rolls on the court. Fortunately, the actor quickly got back on his feet, flashed a reassuring smile, and resumed playing, indicating that he was unharmed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) “We are extremely thankful to Aamir for gracing the WPBL with his electric presence yet again. Right from the beginning of the tournament, there was intense anticipation over whether he would be turning up in the league again. The fact that he chose such an instrumental day of this season to do so must have surely delighted the fans, both in the stadium and those who are following the games from the comfort of their houses, alike. We hope to keep delivering similar spectacles for our fans to relish in the years to come,” said Gaurav Natekar, founder and CEO, of the WPBL. Aamir Khan’s work front Meanwhile, Aamir Khan has started the year on a positive note. His production house has backed the film Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, which hit theatres in January. The film marked the directorial debut of stand-up comedian Vir Das. It also features Imran Khan, who makes his first screen appearance in nearly a decade after teasing a comeback for several years. Speaking about this in an interview, Aamir Khan said, “It is not a proper comeback for Imran. Both Imran and I have cameo roles. I haven’t done too many comedy roles in my career, although people still remember Andaz Apna Apna.” Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos has been granted an A certificate, restricting it to adult audiences. Vir Das shared the censor certificate on Instagram, which revealed that the film has a runtime of 121.42 minutes—just over two hours.
08 February,2026 10:26 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn Saturday, the makers of Akshay Kumar-starrer Bhooth Bangla announced a new release date for the film. The Priyadarshan directorial, which was earlier scheduled to release on May 15, will now hit theatres on April 10. To share the update, the makers dropped an announcement video on social media. However, netizens were disappointed by the apparent use of AI-generated content and took to social media to express their displeasure. Akshay Kumar shared the video on his social media handle, which featured a black cat scratching out May 15 from a calendar before accidentally knocking it down and spilling milk over it. The cat then proceeds to lick the milk, revealing the new release date—April 10. Bhooth Bangla ka countdown rewind! ⏪15 May ❌10 April ✅Milte hain theatres mein 🎬#BhoothBangla pic.twitter.com/HTvrb5dFMa — Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) February 7, 2026 Netizens react to AI-generated video Netizens were quick to claim that the video was AI-generated and criticised the makers for a perceived lack of creativity. A user commented, "Why is Bollywood normalising AI?Have some shame. I'd rather watch poor vfx work done by artists than AI." Another person wrote, "This Announcements itself shows the creative thinking behind the movies that is nothing but ASS.. Pathetic use of AI" “Bollywood so washed. pushing gen AI slop to promote their movies,” wrote a user while retweeting the post. Another comment read, "Mann if you can't be bothered enough to make a promotional video for your own movie, why do you even care about starring in films? I'm sure AI could do the same job". More about Bhooth Bangla Despite the backlash, Bhooth Bangla has been generating steady buzz since its announcement and is expected to showcase Akshay Kumar in a genre-driven entertainer. With the revised release date, the makers aim to tap into a favourable theatrical window while avoiding box-office congestion. In recent years, Akshay Kumar has also ensured that his films receive adequate theatrical runs, allowing audiences time to engage with their box-office journey. Bhooth Bangla is presented by Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with Cape of Good Films. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, Tabu, and Rajpal Yadav. It is directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Akshay Kumar, Shobha Kapoor, and Ektaa R Kapoor. The film is slated for a theatrical release on April 10, 2026.
08 February,2026 09:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Ashwin FerroOne of the most iconic movies in Bollywood, "Rang De Basanti" completed 20 years of release on January 26 this year, and marking the special milestone, the team of this political actioner came together for a fun reunion. The cast and crew of "Rang De Basanti" came together for a special screening of the movie in Mumbai, marking a nostalgic moment for all the movie buffs. Bollywood's Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni, and Soha Ali Khan were seen celebrating the occasion, along with the rest of the team, who contributed towards bringing the drama to life. Makers Ronnie Screwvala, Siddharth Roy Kapur, and Ajit Andhare were also a part of the celebration. Soha took to her official Insta account and posted a couple of snippets from the emotional reunion. The post included a video of the cast and crew of "Rang De Basanti" cutting a cake to commemorate 2 decades since the film reached the audience. In the next slide, we can also see a before-and-after picture of the primary cast of the drama. "20 years later - we showed up! A few were missed but the spirit was still (fire emoji) #rangdebasanti 🇮🇳 #twentyyearsofrangdebasanti #reunion (sic)," Soha captioned the post. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soha (@sakpataudi) Made under the direction of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, "Rang De Basanti" revolves around a group of young friends who get inspired by our revolutionary freedom fighters and decide to take a stand against the ongoing corruption in modern India. Upon its release, the project received a lot of critical acclaim. It bagged the National Award for 'Best Popular Film' and was also nominated for 'Best Foreign Language Film' at the 2007 BAFTA Awards. Additionally, "Rang De Basanti" was also chosen as India's official entry for the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy Awards in the 'Best Foreign Language Film' category. 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
08 February,2026 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSThe Delhi High Court has granted interim protection to actor and businessman Vivek Anand Oberoi in a commercial suit alleging widespread misuse of his personality and publicity rights through fake social media accounts, unauthorised merchandise, and AI-generated content. The court issued notice in the matter and passed an ex parte ad-interim injunction restraining several entities and unknown persons from exploiting his name, image, voice and other identifiable attributes. The order was passed by Justice Tushar Rao Gedela in a plea, where Oberoi sought protection against what he described as large-scale misappropriation of his identity for commercial and personal gain. The court observed that, prima facie, the actor had established a strong case and that irreparable harm could be caused to his reputation and personality if immediate protection was not granted. After examining the plaint and the documents placed on record, the court noted that Oberoi is an accomplished actor and entrepreneur with a long-standing public reputation and goodwill. It recorded that attributes such as his name, voice, image, likeness, signature and style of dialogue delivery are uniquely associated with him and deserve protection from unauthorised use. The court held that the material placed on record indicated the existence of fake accounts, morphed videos, AI-generated content, and merchandise being circulated without authorisation, falsely suggesting association or endorsement. It further observed that the balance of convenience was in favour of the plaintiff and that the potential damage to his image could not be compensated monetarily. Accordingly, the court restrained defendants and unknown persons from using or exploiting Oberoi's personality traits, including through artificial intelligence, deepfakes, face-morphing, or other technologies across physical and digital platforms. It also prohibited the creation or dissemination of products and content that could dilute or tarnish his persona. The court directed several defendants and online intermediaries to take down infringing links listed in Annexure-A within 72 hours and to provide details such as IP addresses and account information related to the offending content within three weeks. In his plea, Oberoi stated that multiple parties were impersonating him by creating fake accounts and using his photographs, name and likeness to promote content and products. The plaint also alleges that AI tools were used to morph his face onto videos and create misleading material, sometimes with false information. The court noted that defendants included traders selling posters and merchandise, as well as online platforms hosting infringing videos and content. Government departments were made proforma parties to facilitate implementation of court directions. The court issued a summons in the main suit and directed the defendants to file their written statements within 30 days of receipt. The matter has been listed before the Joint Registrar on April 27, 2026 for completion of service and pleadings, and before the court on August 5, 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
08 February,2026 09:07 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIIn a major relief for the makers of Shahid Kapoor starrer “O’ Romeo,” the Bombay City Civil Court has dismissed a legal challenge seeking to restrain the release of the movie. The court's decision came after a high-stakes hearing where the Hon’ble Court weighed claims of personality and privacy rights against the fundamental right to creative expression. Refreshing your memory, the lawsuit was initiated by the daughter of the late Hussain Shaikh. She alleged that the film’s portrayal violated her father’s privacy and reputation. However, during the hearing, it was argued that while the film had been publicly announced in late 2024, the legal challenge was only brought forward at the eleventh hour, just days before the scheduled premiere of the movie. While dismissing the application, the Hon’ble Court also upheld the principle that the right to privacy is personal and expires upon a person’s passing, meaning it cannot be inherited or claimed by family members to prevent the creation of artistic works. The court recognized the movie as a work of fiction, supported by the inclusion of a clear disclaimer stating that the characters are fictional and any resemblance to real people is coincidental. It was further successfully argued that halting a film at the last-minute causes irreparable financial damage to the filmmakers and various third parties behind the film. Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, "O’Romeo" is based on Hussain Zaidi’s novel "Mafia Queens of Mumbai". Set against the backdrop of Mumbai's underworld, the project follows the story of Hussain Ustara, a raw, and emotionally conflicted gangster. With Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar, Avinash Tiwary, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal, and Tamannaah Bhatia in pivotal roles, the project is expected to reach the cinema halls on February 13. 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
08 February,2026 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood superstars Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor attended the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) Mumbai Vyakhyanmala event on Saturday. As the organisation marked its centenary year, RSS organized a two-day lecture series themed '100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons'. Ranbir Kapoor and Nitesh Tiwari attended RSS celebrations event today, looks the #Ramayana event will be happening 👀pic.twitter.com/jm5gAP6We9 — RKᵃ (@seeuatthemovie) February 7, 2026 RSS chief praises Salman's behaviour As Salman arrived at the venue amidst tight security, the enthusiastic crowd reportedly tried to click photos with the Ek Tha Tiger actor. Veteran actresses Hema Malini and Poonam Dhillon also graced the event. Going by the RSS Facebook page, the programme is an attempt to reflect on the organisation’s journey and its role in society. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also talked about Salman's mass appeal. He said that college students copy him, despite not knowing why. “College students copy Salman Khan’s fashion. When asked why, they say they don’t know. Salman is doing it. The context being good values in society should become a fashion," he shared during the event. #WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Actor Salman Khan leaves after attending a program of RSS celebrating its 100 years. pic.twitter.com/qkdDMlzI8C — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2026 Salman Khan's work front The film's teaser was released in December last year and gave a glimpse of Salman's character, who portrays an Indian Army officer. The teaser shows him with a serious and restrained expression. The visuals depict rough terrain, cold weather, and close combat, offering a preview of the challenges soldiers face at high altitudes. Battle of Galwan is based on the Galwan Valley clash between India and China in 2020, in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives and an unspecified number of Chinese soldiers were killed. Actor Chitrangada Singh is also a part of the movie, which will be released on April 17. Ranbir Kapoor's work front The actor has two films slated for release this year. He will be seen playing Lord Ram in the Nitesh Tiwari film Ramayana opposite Sai Pallavi. He also has Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love and War that is slated for a release this year. However, the makers are yet to finalise the release date for the film. The film also stars Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt. Ranbir also has Animal Park (sequel to Animal) in the pipeline. The actor will be seen in a dual role in the Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorial which will go on floors next year.
08 February,2026 08:34 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDebutante Aneet Padda basked in the mammoth success of her musical romance, Saiyaara, all of last year. Now, she is ready to move on to her next project. The climax of the Ayushmann Khurrana-led supernatural romance, Thamma (2025), teased with a glimpse of Shakti Shalini, the next story in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU). Sources tell mid-day that the first schedule of the horror comedy has been chalked out, with the pre-production about to wrap up. “Aneet will begin shooting for the film in March. It’s going to be a marathon schedule. The film was earlier set to start rolling in January, but pre-production needed more time,” informs a source. Kiara Advani Rumours are rife that Homebound (2025) actor Vishal Jethwa is paired opposite Padda in the film. While the makers are mum about the director, mid-day has learnt that Aditya Sarpotdar — who helmed Thamma — has been signed on to captain this ship. Dinesh Vijan “Aditya’s relationship with Maddock Films began with Munjya (2024). He has a flair for combining mythology, horror, and humour. Shakti Shalini is fleshed out slightly different from the other MHCU films. [It will have] far more drama,” says an insider of the Christmas release. Did you know? Producer Dinesh Vijan was initially considering Kiara Advani for the role in ‘Shakti Shalini’ In the pipeline Aneet Padda has a romantic drama with Yash Raj Films, directed by Maneesh Sharma. She has also lent her voice for Adi Shankar’s ‘Devil May Cry 2’
08 February,2026 07:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka Sharma“Ari ari ari, nindiya pyari...” The soft strains of this lullaby take on a sinister edge as the hazel-eyed antagonist, Mallika Prasad Sinha, commands the screen in Mardaani 3. As the formidable Amma, a character she succinctly labels a "queenpin", Mallika delivers a masterclass in vocal versatility, weaponising her voice to transform a few lines into something truly spine-chilling. In an exclusive interaction with mid-day, Mallika takes us through her journey of becoming a villain, which in her words was her tribute to DC’s Joker. View this post on Instagram A post shared by mid-day (@middayindia) Playing a baddie is more fun Mallika is hardly a stranger to the big screen. From her lead role in the 1999 National Award-winning Kanooru Heggadithi to her turn as Zubeida in Netflix’s Killer Soup, her portfolio is extensive. Yet, it is Mardaani 3 that has truly catapulted her into a new league. “Any actor will tell you that playing a baddie is more fun,” she notes with a laugh. “When I was offered the role, it was simply exhilarating. It was also at a time when the character was being shaped.” Using voice as a weapon Mallika, who is also a voice and acting coach, used her craft to the fullest for Amma. Mind you, she doesn’t sound anything like what you’ve heard in Mardaani 3. Ask her what the trick is, and she explains, “It's the organic interaction between you, your material, and how you connect to it. Voice is such a beautiful aspect of performance. It’s what’s inside your imagination, in your emotional world, that enables you to express yourself to other people well.” A tribute to DC’s Joker If you’ve watched the film, Mallika breaks into an unsettling dance while manipulating the girls she has kidnapped. This, she says, was her tribute to DC’s iconic villain Joker. “There was a little bit of that. It's also something that I drew from my mother. So, it was very important for me to make Amma someone who was human. I couldn’t do something pure villainy,” she concludes.
08 February,2026 07:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Oshin FernandesActor Sunil Thapa, who is known for his role in the film Mary Kom and series The Family Man, has passed away at the age of 68. He had an illustrious career in Nepali cinema with over 300 films. As the actor passes away, Priyanka Chopra has penned a heartfelt note remembering how her late Mary Kom co-star helped her through her toughest time after the passing of her father, Ashok Chopra. Priyanka Chopra mourns Sunil Thapa’s demise In the 2014 movie, Priyanka played the boxer Mary Kom, while Sunil Thapa was seen as her coach Narjit Singh. Mourning Sunil Thapa’s demise, she shared a clip and wrote, “You will always be my Coach Sir. You kept me together when I had just lost my dad. You loved me and helped me through many tough days without even realizing. Your warm hugs and your laugh will always be part of my memories. Gone too young but never forgotten." Offering her condolences to the family and loved ones of Sunil Thapa, she added, "Thank you for your kindness at a time that I was broken. Rest in peace, Sunil Thapa. My condolences and prayers are with the family and loved ones." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra) Manoj Bajpayee also took to his Instagram stories and wrote, “It’s so, so sad! God bless your soul, Sir! My 3rd season TFM memories will live forever because of you!" About Sunil Thapa’s death The actor passed away while undergoing treatment at the Norvic Hospital in Kathmandu. As per the hospital, the patient was brought for medical attention in an unconscious state. Following an ECG, the doctors confirmed Thapa's death, suspecting cardiac arrest as the cause. A prominent figure in Nepali cinema, Thapa worked extensively in Nepali, Bollywood, and Bhojpuri films over several decades. The actor was widely known for his iconic role as Rate Kaila in the Nepali action-drama film Chino. In Indian cinema, Thapa earned wider recognition for his supporting role in the biopic Mary Kom, which also starred Priyanka Chopra in the lead role. He was also a part of The Family Man. He had earlier debuted in Bollywood with Ek Duuje Ke Liye and went on to work in several Hindi, Tamil, and Bhojpuri productions.
07 February,2026 09:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAkshay Kumar and Priyadarshan are all set to reunite after 14 years for Bhooth Bangla. While the film is anticipated, makers had earlier revealed that the film has locked May release. Now, there is a change in the release date and the film will now hit the screens in April. With the shift in its release date, the makers aim to tap into a favourable theatrical window while avoiding box office congestion. Bhooth Bangla locks April release The film, which was previously slated to hit the theatres on May 15, 2026, has now been preponed and will arrive in the cinema halls on April 10, 2026. The decision to change the release date has been taken keeping in view Akshay’s packed theatrical lineup and the audience engagement. Bhooth Bangla, which has been generating steady buzz since its announcement, is expected to showcase Akshay Kumar in a genre-driven entertainer. With Akshay and Priyadarshan reuniting, the film is expected to recreate the cinematic magic movie buffs are used to from them. The beloved actor and director duo previously collaborated for memorable hits like Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Garam Masala, and Khatta Meetha. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) More about Bhooth Bangla Aside from Akshay, the film also stars Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Mithila Palkar, Jisshu Sengupta, Asrani, and Wamiqa Gabbi in key roles, along with others. Bhooth Bangla further brings together Akshay and Tabu after 25 years. Prior to this, the duo shared screen space in movies such as Hera Pheri and Tu Chor Main Sipahi. If the reports are to be believed, Bhooth Bangla revolves around a mysterious haunted house and the chaos surrounding it. Certain sections of the movie were shot across Rajasthan, Jaipur, and Hyderabad. Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with Cape of Good Films, presents Bhooth Bangla directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Akshay Kumar, Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor. The story of the forthcoming drama has been penned by Akash A Kaushik, with the screenplay provided by Rohan Shankar, Abilash Nair, and Priyadarshan. Rohan Shankar is credited with the dialogues for Bhooth Bangla. Priyadarshan upcoming movies Additionally, Priyadarshan and Akshay are working together on two more projects, including Haiwaan, co-starring Saif Ali Khan, and Hera Pheri 3, alongside Suniel Shetty.
07 February,2026 08:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
