Mardaani 3Director: Abhiraj MinawalaActors: Rani Mukerji, Mallika PrasadRating: 3 stars It’s taken me rather long to draw the connection that since Rani (Mukerji) plays the lead in this franchise, Mardaani, the title comes from Subhadra Kumari Chauhan’s poetic tribute to the rani of Jhansi, from 1857 rebellion: ‘Khoob ladi mardaani….’ That said, the film itself is fine counterpoint to macho-man rodeo savage heroes that we are more used to, onscreen, watching their hair fly in the air as they swing on harnesses like circus clowns. While equally feisty, and very much an actioner still, Mardaani adds a suitably feminine energy with a heroine in the same part. The stakes, on the face of it, may not seem as high as hyper-masculine heroes affecting transnational politics, as it were. The lead cop, Shivani Shivaji Roy (mark the middle-name), chiefly specialises in relatively more local crimes against women; trafficking of minors, in this case (and in the previous ones too). But then again, someone only has to mention Epstein files, about powerful paedophiles, for the American President to go around invading another country, as we speak! So, who’s to say female minors, pushed into prostitution, isn’t grave enough to alter the globe? Be that as it may, the plot here, mercifully, gets slightly denser still. In the sense that we know little girls are getting picked up from the boondocks to serve as beggars on streets. But the villains are on the lookout for a particular type of girls, sampling/testing their blood alongside, making you wonder, what’s really at play, beyond the obvious. As an audience, this assists you with staying hooked to what happens next. In addition to what’s going on, of course. The screenplay and dialogues are credited to Aayush Gupta (The Railway Men), with story attributed to Deepak Kingrani (Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai), Baljeet Singh Marwah, along with Aayush. Their script, sufficiently detailed, plays out with a bunch of twists, where it’s hard to tell between the good guys, and the bad guys. Some of it clearly contrived. Yeah, and I do have a few questions in that regard. But they border on spoilers. I do wish for you to watch the film. So, saving that for when/if I meet the abovementioned blokes sometime. While the crimes depicted in the picture, under the larger begging syndicate/mafia, apparently, have been going for a while, Mardaani starts off with the unintended kidnapping of a li’l girl, in Bulandshahar, UP. The action shifts to the nation’s capital, nearby, with chaos/confusion over ransom, swiftly executed in a packed Delhi metro station (by the newish director Abhiraj Minawala; old-time assistant with the producers, Yash Raj). The missing kid happens to be an Indian ambassador’s daughter. Hence, the demand for state intervention through the special cop, Shivani, who’s had a fairly impossible career as a police officer, if you ask me. What with starting out as an inspector in Mumbai’s crime branch (first part) to an SP in Rajasthan (sequel), and then with the CRPF, currently deputed for a special investigation by India’s home secretary. There’s no need to look particularly incredulous. She’s a whiz alright, cracking complicated clues like easy-peasy puzzles in her head. Physically, I don’t think petite Rani ever fit this part. Well, neither did lanky Bachchan, when he pulled off the fight-master ‘angry young man’. What’s undeniable is her connect. I attribute a lot of it to the ’90s. Forget fad diets and longevity science, there’s something the stars from that decade ate, along with butter-chicken or maachh-bhaat, that the longevity of their careers seems infinite. It’d be hard for many 30-year-old actors to match Rani’s vigour and energy. She’s been around in the movies for 30 years! Here’s the thing, though. The first Mardaani came out in 2014, the year India’s politics changed. As did our screen-viewing experience, shortly after — with OTTs streaming content, almost entirely focussed on dark, crime thrillers. Many of them with female cops in the centre. For instance, the Indian series I’m watching now, Daldal, almost right after Delhi Crime 3, and the one I intend to catch next, Kohrra 2, are all police procedurals, with female stars playing cops! What remains Mardaani’s USP then? I suspect the fact that the main-character energies have equally emanated from freshly introduced villains, who scripted decent careers for themselves thereafter: Tahir Raj Bhasin (from one), Vishal Jethwa (two). Not gonna compare here. The main villain in Mardaani 3 is a woman (Mallika Prasad), who could well be a dark alter-ego of Rani herself — same light brown eyes, husky voice, slightly calm demeanour. There’s a scene where this dark, female lord of flesh-trade turns around from a quilt in bed to reveal herself. I felt a slight jolt, as if experiencing Sadashiv Amrapurkar from Sadak, for a sec. I got goosebumps observing her over a couple of scenes after. Yes, this can only happen in a dark hall. Nope, it wouldn’t, on a small screen, at home.
30 January,2026 10:14 PM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharShah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand are all set to join forces for King. The much-awaited actioner is all set to release this year-end. While the announcement was dropped with an explosive video, it promised never-seen-before action sequences. Amid this, reports are rife that the makers are shooting an extensive sequence that cost Rs 50 crore. King makers mount action sequence in Europe As per reports in Bollywood Hungama, reliable sources confirm that Sid has mounted an unimaginable action sequence at real locations in Europe, which has cost the production team Rs 50 crore. A source told the portal, "King is one of the most expensive action films of Indian cinema and is going all out to ensure a theatrical experience for ages. One of the key action moments of the film was shot in Europe, and the team has spent an earth-shattering amount of Rs 50 crore for a 10-day action-packed schedule. It cost them Rs 5 crore per day to shoot this action sequence.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) The report added, "Shah Rukh has also supervised the entire action, as he is very fascinated with the idea of developing something humongous for the big screen. He helped Sid in planning this entire sequence at real locations in Europe, and the execution aspect was also done with perfection." About King After days of teasing, the makers of Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film King have officially announced its release window. The film is set to hit theatres during the Christmas weekend, positioning it as a year-end blockbuster that will carry momentum into 2027. The announcement was made by Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand on the eve of Pathaan’s third anniversary. Apart from Shah Rukh Khan, the film also stars Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Abhay Verma, Rani Mukerji, Saurabh Shukla, Arshad Warsi, Raghav Juyal, Deepika Padukone, and more. Along with the release update, the makers also unveiled striking visuals offering a glimpse into the world of King. Shah Rukh Khan is seen in a bold and fierce new avatar, set against dramatic landscapes, with the powerful imagery heightening anticipation for the film’s release later this year.
30 January,2026 06:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMusic composer and singer Vishal Mishra has released the first song Kya Bataun Tujhe from his debut album, Pagalpan. The album is expansive in sound and rooted in raw human feeling. The composer said that the song finds its roots in a “restless place”. The song that captures restlessness, vulnerability, and the quiet ache of emotions left unsaid. It acts as an emotional entry point into the album, offering listeners a glimpse into the inner landscape that shaped the project. Talking about the song, Vishal Mishra said, "Kya Bataun Tujhe comes from a very restless place. The last two years of my life were filled with unease, loneliness, and a quiet kind of pain, and this song was the first emotion that needed to come out. It felt right for it to lead the way into Pagalpan, because it sets the emotional truth of everything that follows”. He further mentioned, “This album exists because of the blessings of God & my fans. Pagalpan is deeply personal, but it also belongs to people like me, people who feel deeply, who struggle silently, who often don’t find the right words at the right time. This first song is my dedication to everyone who couldn’t express their love or their pain when they needed to. Bhushan ji and I had envisioned Pagalpan a couple of years ago as something truly special, an international album coming from India, bringing together artists, sounds, cultures, and emotions from across the world to create something that belongs to everyone. We are all lonely in our own ways, we are all healing, and I hope this album becomes a companion for those moments”. Pagalpan is positioned as an international album rooted in Indian emotion, bringing together diverse artists, sounds, and cultures. The project reflects Vishal Mishra’s evolution as an artist willing to step beyond familiar territory to tell a more honest, global, and emotionally resonant story. Kya Bataun Tujhe is now available to stream on all platforms. 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 January,2026 06:32 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSTejaswini Kolhapure has carved a niche for herself in the film industry since her debut film, Paanch, in 2005. In the past decade, she has distanced herself from the industry, occasionally appearing in experimental films like Good Morning Sunshine and Zindagi Kashmakash. Now she is all set to foray into the commercial space with her next venture, Dadi Ki Shaadi, a lighthearted family entertainer starring Kapil Sharma and Neetu Kapoor. In an exclusive interview with mid-day, Tejaswini Kolhapure looks back at her career trajectory and explains why her filmography comprises radical and forward films. She also sheds light on why she stepped away from cinema, recalling being typecast and offered bold characters. Tejaswini Kolhapure on being typecast She reflected on how her earlier choices shaped the kind of work she was offered. Despite being the sister of superstar Padmini Kolhapure, Tejaswini's film debut did not come easily. She chose to appear in the TV serial Mujhe Chaand Chahiye, which became a roadblock to entering films. “I didn’t understand the repercussions of what would happen,” she reflected. “After doing television, when I met a lot of commercial directors, they were not very pro-casting me because I had already done TV and I had been exposed. There was no novelty.” Tejaswini eventually made her Bollywood debut with Anurag Kashyap's Paanch (2003). With multiple controversies surrounding its release, Paanch became a barrier preventing her entry into mainstream Bollywood. The film's bold and forward theme led filmmakers to make incorrect assumptions about her willingness to push boundaries, and the subsequent roles offered were crass and vulgar. "My first film, Paanch, was very different, an experimental film, so that went against me. It's such a forward movie, and people's sensibilities were so different. People couldn't understand what Anurag had made. So then the kind of films that came to me were very different. They were not commercial films.” Even when commercial films came her way, she chose not to take them up. “I got a lot of films with scenes I was not okay with. They were very crass, and not the kind of stuff I could handle,” she disclosed. As a result, she chose to step back from the industry and return to theatre. 'My character was taken out of Raavan' When asked about her experience working on Mani Ratnam's Raavan (2010), Kolhapure said, "Raavan was a larger-than-life film. There were so many people involved in that film that you feel really tiny." When asked further about her experience on set, she interjected, “I wouldn’t really want to talk much about Raavan. It was a film which was edited on the table, and all our characters were actually taken out. So there’s nothing to talk about because none of us are really part of the film, although we shot for it.” Getting candid about the huge emotional impact of the outcome, she mentioned, “What was told to you and what eventually happens - that was a big bummer. It set me back. My confidence just kind of went off after that for a bit.” The disappointment was compounded by the nature of the role and the doors it might have opened for her. Tejaswini went on to remark that Raavan could have given her the visibility to break into mainstream Bollywood. “I had a very powerful role,” she revealed. “If it had happened the way it was told to me, then definitely things would have changed.” “For an actor who’s always been doing different cinema, but in a commercial setup, if the scenes that were shot were present, then that would have been looked at very differently,” she said. “That could have been a game changer.” Stressing the power of correct placement, she opines, “I think it comes down to placement. It happens to a lot of actors. If you’re placed correctly in a commercial project and it works, then things just change.”
30 January,2026 06:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Nandini ShahThe Kerala Story 2 is a film from the house of Vipul Amrutlal Shah, who boasts a celebrated filmography featuring impactful films such as Aankhen, Namastey London, Singh Is Kinng, Force, Commando: A One Man Army, Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, and many more. He is a name behind films that have significantly shaped the Indian film industry. The Kerala Story 2 teaser Carrying fear and fury in every frame, the teaser of The Kerala Story 2- Goes Beyond has signalled a stark escalation from the first chapter. Directed by National Award winner Kamakhya Narayan Singh, the film brings to the forefront the harrowing story of three Hindu girls, played by Ulka Gupta, Aishwarya Ojha, and Aditi Bhatia, whose lives take a terrifying turn after they fall in love with three Muslim boys, relationships that gradually reveal a calculated agenda of religious conversion. What begins as trust, affection, and emotional vulnerability soon spirals into manipulation and entrapment. The teaser lays bare the chilling reality of how love is weaponised, identities are stripped away, and belief becomes a battleground. The atmosphere is tense, unsettling, and charged with unease, each visual soaked in dread and suppressed rage. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sunshine Pictures (@sunshinepicturesofficial) Sharing the teaser on their social media handle, the makers wrote, "The teaser focuses on how the girls will not bear the consequences but give it back to them. The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is not just about suffering anymore. This time, the girls do not remain silent victims of circumstance. These women refuse to simply endure the consequences of deception. They rise. They fight back." Echoing through the teaser is the slogan that defines the film’s soul and spirit: “Ab Sahenge Nahi… Ladenge!” Following the massive impact of The Kerala Story, which shook audiences nationwide with its bold narrative, the sequel promises to push boundaries even further, going beyond comfort, beyond silence, and beyond denial. The film is slated to release in cinemas on 27th February, 2026. The Kerala Story controversy The film highlights forced conversions of women in Kerala and how they are recruited by ISIS. The film claims that as many as 32000 women were victims of forced conversion to Islam, and many were taken to ISIS-ruled Syria. The film landed in a legal soup after the release of the trailer. A petition was filed at the Supreme Court seeking a stay on its release on ground of "worst kind of hate speech" and "audio-visual propaganda". However, the Supreme Court refused to take up the matter, saying, "There are varieties of hate speeches. This film has got certification and has been cleared by the board." Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also slammed the makers in a series of tweets, accusing them of making false claims and portraying the state of Kerala in a bad light. Activists and lawyers announced rewards to those who can prove the allegations made in the film. Kerala State Committee of Muslim Youth League has announced a reward of Rs 1 crore for anyone who proves the allegations levelled in the film and said collection centres for providing the proof will be opened in every district, reported ANI. "Prove the allegations that 32,000 Keralites converted and fled to Syria. Take up the challenge and submit the evidence," the poster by the committee read. Directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond is produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, co-produced by Aashin A Shah under the banner Sunshine Pictures. The film is slated to release in cinemas on 27th February, 2026.
30 January,2026 04:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPriyadarshan is an exemplary filmmaker and the man behind films like Hera Pheri, Hungama, Hulchul, and more. While the filmmaker is currently helming Bhooth Bangla and Haiwaan, audiences are excited for him to revive Hera Pheri 3. Amid this, rumours are rife that Priyadarshan is gearing up to direct the sequel to Bhoot Police and will charge a whopping amount. Priyadarshan to direct Bhoot Police 2 As per reports by Pinkvilla, a source told the portal, “The filmmaker is charging a fee of Rs 21 crore for the project. While the sequel retains the core idea of a horror-comedy, the casting will see a complete refresh. Saif Ali Khan and Arjun Kapoor will not be returning for the second instalment. Instead, the makers are planning to introduce a new pairing that can bring fresh energy to the franchise.” The source adds, “The idea is to reinvent the franchise with a new duo. The makers are looking at two actors — one senior and one junior — to create an interesting combo. It’s a proper horror-comedy, staying true to the genre but with more of a theatrical treatment.” Priyadarshan’s upcoming movies Talking about Bhooth Bangla, it has locked its release date. The film, which stars Akshay Kumar in the lead, is set to debut in theatres on May 15, 2026. The film marks the reunion of the king of horror-comedies, director Priyadarshan, and actor Akshay Kumar after 14 years. Bringing the perfect blend of horror and comedy from the masters of the genre, the film is poised to recreate the cinematic magic audiences have been missing for a long time. The film also stars Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Jisshu Sengupta, Asrani, and Wamiqa Gabbi. Meanwhile, Haiwaan is an upcoming Hindi-language thriller featuring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, scheduled for release in 2026. The film is a remake of the 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam. It also stars Shriya Pilgaonkar and Saiyami Kher in pivotal roles. The film went on floors in August this year. Saif and Akshay last worked together in Tashan, which was a commercial and critical disaster. Haiwaan is produced by KVN Productions in association with Thespian Films, and jointly produced by Venkat K Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn.
30 January,2026 03:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRumours of actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda tying the knot in February this year have been doing the rounds on social media for some time. However, the rumoured couple has neither confirmed nor denied the wedding reports. Amid the speculation, Rashmika was recently spotted by paparazzi at the Mumbai airport, where photographers playfully teased her about the alleged wedding, leaving the actress blushing. Rashmika blushes as paparazzi tease her On Friday, Rashmika was seen arriving at the Mumbai airport dressed in a casual white T-shirt and grey denims. She posed for pictures and interacted with the paparazzi while walking towards the airport gate. One photographer was heard jokingly asking, “Invite nahi bheja aapne.” Reacting to this, Rashmika smiled and replied, “Kis cheez ke liye?” before adding that there is still time for her next film’s release. The paparazzo then said he knew exactly which invitation he was referring to, prompting Rashmika to blush and laugh through the interaction. Rashmika Mandanna ❣️🥰🥰#Rashmika #RashmikaMandanna #CineQueensHQ pic.twitter.com/4i2PfCYGXn — CineQueens HQ (@CineQueensHQ) January 30, 2026 Speculation around Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s wedding has been rife for months, especially after reports claimed that the couple got engaged in October 2025. While sources suggest that they plan to marry in February, Rashmika recently addressed the rumours, saying, “It has been four years since these rumours began. I will speak about it when it’s supposed to be spoken about,” making it clear that she would not comment on the matter publicly. Rashmika and Vijay’s wedding date revealed According to recent reports, Rashmika and Vijay are planning a destination wedding in Udaipur, Rajasthan. A viral post by the handle The Cine Gossipies claimed that the couple will get married on February 26, 2026, at a palace in Udaipur. Rajasthan has been a popular wedding destination for celebrities, with stars like Priyanka Chopra, Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, Katrina Kaif, and Vicky Kaushal tying the knot there. Rashmika’s Wikipedia page updated post-engagement While the duo has remained tight-lipped about their wedding, Rashmika’s Wikipedia page now lists Vijay Deverakonda as her partner, with “engaged” mentioned beside his name. Reports claim that the two exchanged rings earlier this month at Vijay’s residence in Hyderabad. Rashmika has also been frequently spotted with Vijay’s family, further fuelling rumours about their relationship. The couple is believed to be planning to make their relationship official only after their wedding.
30 January,2026 01:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRani Mukerji has shared her thoughts on the Hindi film industry and the changing power dynamics, as recently suggested by musician AR Rahman. The Oscar-winning composer sparked a debate after hinting at the presence of communal bias in the industry. However, Rani Mukerji, who has been a part of the film industry for nearly 30 years, strongly disagreed with the claim. Rani Mukerji says Bollywood is secular In a new interview with DD News, the actress, who is currently promoting her film Mardaani 3, said that she has never experienced any form of discrimination. “Bollywood is the most secular place, and I truly believe that. There is no discrimination based on caste or religion. In my 30 years in the industry, I have never experienced anything like this. I love this industry—it made me who I am today,” she said. Rani further stated that the industry functions on merit and remains an inclusive space. “I’m saying this from the bottom of my heart—here, merit matters. Your work speaks for you, and ultimately, the person the audience connects with is the one who survives and succeeds. For me, Bollywood remains the most secular and one of the most amazing places to be,” she added. What did Rahman say? For the uninitiated, during a recent interaction with BBC Asian Network, Rahman had spoken about getting limited work offers in Bollywood. He said, "People who are not creative have the power now to decide things, and this might have been a communal thing also, but not in my face. It comes to me as Chinese whispers that they booked you, but the music company went ahead and hired their five composers. I said, 'Oh, that's great, rest for me, I can chill out with my family." The music composer had faced a lot of backlash for his remark on 'communal' bias in the Hindi film industry. Post criticism, the music composer apologised through a video on his social media account. About Mardaani 3 Talking about her latest release, Mardaani 3 is directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra. While Mardaani exposed the grim realities of human trafficking and Mardaani 2 explored the disturbing psyche of a serial rapist who challenged the system, the third installment delves into another dark and brutal social reality, further strengthening the franchise’s legacy of impactful, issue-driven storytelling. Actress Janaki Bodiwala, known for Shaitaan, joins the Mardaani franchise in a pivotal role. The film has been written by The Railway Men writer Aayush Gupta and is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on January 30. The first Mardaani film was released in 2014 and starred Rani Mukerji alongside Jisshu Sengupta, Tahir Raj Bhasin, and Anant Vidhaat Sharma. The sequel, released in 2019, was directed by Gopi Puthran and featured Vishal Jethwa.
30 January,2026 01:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rani Mukerji has found herself at the centre of an online debate following a recent interview in which she spoke about respect within households and how parental behaviour shapes children. While promoting her upcoming film Mardaani 3, Rani shared her views on family dynamics, a section of which did not go down well with many on social media. Rani Mukerji talks about the influence parents have on their kids Speaking about the influence parents have on young minds, Rani said, “I think respect starts at home. Very easily, when you see your mother being ill treated, it empowers boys to think that if my mother can be treated like this, every other girl can be treated the same way.” She further added, “Fathers need to be responsible for how they treat their wives at home, because that’s what a boy grows up seeing.” However, her next statement sparked criticism online. “Even a small thing like a father raising his voice at the mother shouldn’t happen. The mother should raise her voice at the father, that’s how it should be,” she said, prompting mixed reactions. Rani also made a light hearted remark while recalling her younger days, jokingly bringing her husband Aditya Chopra into the conversation. “Only one boy I slapped, and the rest of the boys were my friends. And just don’t go and ask my husband what happens to him every day at home,” she said with a laugh. Netizens react to Rani Mukerji's statement While some viewers felt her comments were made in jest, others questioned the idea of normalising raised voices in relationships. Several social media users expressed discomfort with the statement, with one comment reading, “Why would anyone raise their voice at anyone? Communication should be about calm conversation, not shouting.” Another wrote, “Normalising shouting in a relationship, regardless of who does it, is problematic.” Despite the backlash, Rani remains focused on her professional commitments and is set to reprise her role as fearless cop Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 3. The actor has consistently used her platform to speak about women’s safety and empowerment, though her latest comments have clearly divided opinion online.
30 January,2026 01:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn 2021, actress Parineeti Chopra received praise for her performance in Saina. The biopic on ace badminton player Saina Nehwal saw Parineeti step into the shoes of the athlete and portray her journey to becoming a world champion. While the film did not perform well at the box office, social media users later noticed that Parineeti did not follow Saina on Instagram. During the making of the film, Parineeti and Saina worked closely so that the actor could understand the athlete’s mannerisms and life better. Saina on bond with Parineeti In a recent conversation with Subhojit Ghosh on his YouTube channel, Saina addressed the Instagram controversy and clarified that their association was purely professional and that they never became friends. Reacting to users noticing that Parineeti does not follow her on social media, Saina Nehwal said, “Actually, I did not notice this and kabhi dhyaan bhi nahi gaya ispe, because life has been so busy with training, tournaments, and events. Jitni bhi baatein hui hain, it’s not like we became friends. In a few sessions, I was like a professional telling her about my life and journey. It was never about forming a friendship.” She further explained that they met only for work-related purposes and did not bond beyond that. “It was completely professional. I was busy with my training, so I couldn’t give much time. We never went out for dinners or lunches. We met for an hour or two once every few weeks, mostly in the presence of the director, and spoke about my journey. We never spent enough time together to become friends or worry about following or unfollowing each other,” she added. Currently, neither Saina Nehwal nor Parineeti Chopra follows the other on social media. About Saina Saina was released in March 2021 and opened to mixed reviews. The film was released amid the COVID-19 pandemic and theatres were not fully functional at that point owing to the virus. It impacted the box office performance of the film. Directed by Amole Gupte, the film traces the personal and professional journey of the badminton champion and is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
30 January,2026 12:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Video announced its upcoming Original movie, Don’t Be Shy, written and directed by Sreeti Mukerji. It is produced by Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt under the banner of Eternal Sunshine Productions and co-produced by Grishma Shah and Vikesh Bhutani. Don’t Be Shy follows the story of Shyamili ‘Shy’ Das, a 20-year-old girl who thinks she has everything figured out until her perfectly planned life takes an unpredictable turn, and things begin to spiral out of her control. Alia Bhatt announces Don't Be Shy In the hilarious video, Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt are seen struggling with the chaos of production. Alia finds out the team has lost an actor, frustratedly exclaiming, 'Actors!' Meanwhile, Shaheen is especially irked by Alia's insistence on including a turtle in the movie, which ends up eating the script. They discuss why they chose this script among the hundreds they read. Alia launches into a long reply, "This story has everything. Romance, heartbreak, girls, boys, teachers, turtle -" only to be cut off by her sister Shaheen, who encapsulates the essence of the script in one phrase, "It's a story you grow up with." View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin) Alia Bhatt on producing Don't Be Shy “At Eternal Sunshine, we’ve always wanted to back stories that feel honest and voices that feel their own,” says Alia Bhatt, co-founder of Eternal Sunshine Productions. “This film immediately spoke to us because of its sincerity and coming-of-age lens, and Sreeti’s passion and energy naturally fed into the spirit of the story. It’s an incredibly special project for me and for Eternal Sunshine," she said. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt on this extremely fun yet warm romantic comedy, with a remarkable character like Shy Das at its heart. Alia’s innate instinct for stories that are emotionally rich, deeply relatable, and immensely entertaining shines through in this young adult story about friendship, love, and growing up,” said Nikhil Madhok, Director & Head of Originals, Prime Video, India. "With a strong female-forward narrative, writing that’s fresh, relatable and humorous, and earnest characters, complemented by infectious music from Ram Sampath, Don’t Be Shy promises to be a delightful experience for audiences around the world," Nikhil concluded.
30 January,2026 12:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
