Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has been married to celebrated screenwriter, lyricist, and poet Javed Akhtar for decades now. Shabana stays on top of her social media game and keeps updating netizens with glimpses of her life, which often includes her dear husband. In her latest post as well, she treated her InstaFam with a throwback picture. Both Shabana and Javed Akhtar were seen facing the camera with a smile on their faces. While Shabana looked graceful in a red saree, paired with a traditional Himachali cap, the writer accompanied her in a classic black kurta look. The veteran actress also added the Home In My Heart track by Oliver Max as the background score. For those who do not know, Shabana and Javed Akhtar first met at Shabana's father's, the legendary poet Kaifi Azmi’s residence. When they met, Javed Akhtar was already married to his first wife, Honey Irani, and was also a father to two kids - Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar. Shabana’s family was reportedly initially against their daughter marrying the writer; however, the couple tied the knot in 1984. In December last year, Shabana and Javed Akhtar celebrated 41 years of marital bliss. Commemorating the special occasion, she took to her official Instagram handle and posted a sweet couple pic where she is seen lovingly looking into her husband's eyes as she talked to him. Javed Akhtar, on the other hand, was captured listening to his ladylove with a smile on his face. Shabana noted that looking at your partner with love even after 4 decades of marriage is nothing short of a blessing. "To be able to look at each other with such tenderness after 41 years of marriage says it all. Happy Anniversary Jadu," Shabana captioned the post. Shabana and Javed Akhtar are often seen enjoying a gala time in each other's company, with their friends and family members joining them from time to time. 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
03 February,2026 11:27 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSAs veteran actress Waheeda Rehman turned 88 on Tuesday, actor Jackie Shroff shared a heartfelt birthday note for the legendary star, expressing his warm wishes and admiration. Jackie, an avid social media user, took to Instagram to share a video montage featuring pictures and clips of Waheeda Rehman. The montage included a memorable moment from the iconic song Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai from the 1965 classic Guide, which starred Dev Anand. Picture Courtesy/Jackie Shroff's Instagram account For the caption, he simply wrote: “Warm wishes, WaheedaRehman Happy Birthday.” Talking about Guide, the bilingual romantic drama film directed by Vijay Anand. Based on R. K. Narayan's 1958 novel The Guide, the film narrates the story of Raju, a freelance tour guide and Rosie, the repressed wife of a wealthy archaeologist. Waheeda has appeared in more than 90 feature films in a career spanning over five decades. Her accolades include a National Film Award. She was honoured with India's civilian awards, the Padma Shri in 1972 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011. She made her acting debut with the Telugu film Rojulu Marayi in 1955. Waheeda gained stardom through her collaborations with Hindi filmmaker Guru Dutt in the classic dramas CID, Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Chaudhvin Ka Chand and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. Waheeda shot to fame with Guide, Neel Kamal, Ram Aur Shyam, Khamoshi, Reshma Aur Shera, Kabhie Kabhie, Chandni, Lamhe, Trishul and Mashaal. Her other notable performances during this phase include Namkeen and Namak Halaal. After a brief hiatus, she returned to cinema with select appearances in acclaimed social dramas such as Water, Rang De Basanti and Delhi 6. Waheeda was last seen in the 2021 coming-of-age sports drama film Skater Girl, directed by Manjari Makijany. The cast includes newcomers Rachel Sanchita Gupta and Shafin Patel,and also stars Amrit Maghera, Jonathan Readwin and Waheeda Rehman. 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
03 February,2026 11:19 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood star R. Madhavan, who was seen playing the role of IB director Ajay Sanyal in Dhurandhar, shared an interesting behind-the-scenes moment from the sets of the blockbuster, revealing how nature quietly rewrote the plan for the film’s opening shot. Madhavan revealed that director Aditya had originally envisioned a bright, sunlit day with clear blue skies, a visual contrast meant to mirror the beauty and the beast within the aircraft featured in the scene. Madhavan took to Instagram, where he shared a video of the opening scene. In the clip, the actor is heard saying, “Oh, the beautiful Leh and Ladakh. It was supposed to be a sunny day, but as luck would have it, I bring in the rains wherever I go, apparently.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by R. Madhavan (@actormaddy) “And we're shooting the scene without the sun and in the rain. Hopefully, it will augur as good luck for the film. What a beautiful place, my God!” He added a text overlay, which read: “Dhurandhar. Aditya had always imagined this to be a bright sunny day with blue skies to show the contrast between the beauty and the beast inside the plane. As luck could have it, I brought in the rain....because I was referred to as the RAINMAN on the set.” “Every time I came onto the set...there was torrential rain. But-this grey Skies and look worked out perfectly for us as the first shot...... sometimes it's best to go with what is handed to you, because a bigger design is in place.” Dhurandhar also stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal. Serving as the first instalment of a two-part film series, it centres on a high-stakes covert counter-terrorism operation. The film follows an undercover Indian intelligence agent who infiltrates Karachi's criminal syndicates and political power structures in Pakistan in an effort to dismantle a terror network targeting India. The film's storyline draws loose inspiration from multiple real-life geopolitical events and conflicts in South Asia, including the 1999 IC-814 hijacking, the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and developments linked to Pakistan's Operation Lyari. 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
03 February,2026 10:11 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSThe much-anticipated sequel to Dhurandhar has officially been unveiled, with the makers revealing the first look of the film along with its title, Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The announcement has instantly heightened excitement among fans, signaling a darker, more intense chapter in the high-octane action saga. Ranveer Singh drops the new poster Ranveer Singh returns as the lead, and the newly released first look presents him in a fierce, battle-hardened avatar, hinting at a story driven by vengeance and unresolved conflicts. The title itself suggests that the sequel will delve deeper into the emotional and ideological aftermath of the events of the first film, which ended on a gripping note and left ample room for continuation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ranveer Singh (@ranveersingh) Directed once again by Aditya Dhar, the Dhurandhar franchise is known for blending espionage, action, and political intrigue. The original film featured a powerful ensemble cast that included Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan and Akshaye Khanna, all of whom played pivotal roles in shaping the narrative. With Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the makers are expected to expand the universe further, raising the stakes and intensifying the central conflict. The first look also strongly hints at the return of Akshaye Khanna’s character, whose arc in the previous installment played a crucial role in setting up the sequel. Sanjay Dutt and R. Madhavan are also expected to reprise their roles, promising another face-off filled with layered performances and dramatic tension. Sequel to be titled as Dhurandhar: The Revenge While the plot details remain tightly guarded, industry buzz suggests that the sequel will pick up directly from the consequences of the first film’s climax, focusing on power struggles, betrayals, and a personal vendetta that drives Ranveer Singh’s character forward. The revenge-driven narrative indicates a more emotionally charged and action-packed storyline. Though an official release date has not yet been announced, Dhurandhar: The Revenge is expected to hit theatres in 2026. With its ambitious scale, acclaimed director, and a star-studded cast, the film is already being touted as one of the most awaited Bollywood releases of the year. As fans await the teaser and trailer, the first look has successfully set the tone for a sequel that aims to be bigger, bolder and far more intense than its predecessor.
03 February,2026 10:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentEver since it was announced that actor Ranbir Kapoor will play Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious and high-budget two-part live-action adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana, social media reactions have ranged from excitement to scepticism. However, perceptions appear to have shifted after the teaser’s release last year.Veteran actor Arun Govil, who famously played Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic TV show Ramayan and now portrays King Dasharatha in the new film, has spoken in support of Ranbir. Calling the project “very good”, Arun told PTI, “The main actor Ranbir Kapoor is looking very good as Lord Ram. He is a good actor and a good human being.” He added that playing a deity requires “a good, pure soul.” Ramayana, also starring Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Kannada star Yash as Ravana, and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman will release in cinemas this Diwali. Arun Govil
03 February,2026 08:37 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamLife has a way of coming full circle. Composer AR Rahman was mentored by late Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, and in a happy coincidence, today the musician has collaborated with the Padma Vibhushan awardee’s grandson Faiz Mustafa. The singer, 25, has lent his voice to Zara Zara, a track in Gandhi Talks that stars Vijay Sethupathi and Aditi Rao Hydari. For Mustafa, voicing a Rahman composition is always a matter of pride. He says, “When I first heard the composition, I was thankful to the Almighty that Rahman uncle chose me for it. After the recording, he asked me, ‘Are you the same little boy who sang Aao Balma?’” The singer was only 13 when he joined his grandfather and Rahman as they performed Khan’s composition Aao Balma on the third season of MTV Coke Studio. Since then, Mustafa has often worked with the maestro, regularly performing at Rahman’s concerts. He says, “At 14, I had my first stage performance with him at a Dubai show. Rahman uncle is like a father figure. For me, this feels like a blessing that has come full circle. My grandfather taught Rahman uncle, and today I am learning from him.”
03 February,2026 08:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuWhen Shabana Azmi described the story of her next, USA v Raj, as “fab”, it naturally caught our attention. Directed by famed cinematographer Ravi K Chandran, the Indo-British co-production tells the story of Dr Rajendra Bothra, a celebrated surgeon in the US who was accused of fraud and faced 54 federal charges at age 79, before being cleared by a unanimous jury verdict in June 2022. While Kabir Bedi plays the protagonist, Azmi essays the role of his wife Pammi Bothra, and Emily Shah, their daughter Sonia. “Dr Bothra was advised by all lawyers to plead guilty. His attorneys told him if he didn’t do so, he would die in prison. He said, ‘So be it. It’s the question of my honour, my family’s honour and that of the country I come from.’ The odds of a possible win were only 0.3 per cent, but he fought back. He spent three-and-a-half years in jail! Then he was acquitted on every single charge,” shared Azmi, when we got on a call with her. USA v Raj went on floors in London in October 2025. With a chunk of the legal drama completed, the director is now planning the last leg in India and aiming for a summer 2026 release. The movie chronicles how in 2018, at a time when the US was witnessing a significant increase in opioid use and addiction, the surgeon was accused of further fuelling it. To Azmi, the film depicts not only Bothra’s integrity, but also the determination of Pammi, who didn’t let her health complications shake her as she stood by her husband during the legal battle. “His wife and their daughter Sonia took on the responsibility to set him free,” marvelled the senior actor. She added that during the two-month shoot, the husband-wife duo would be on the set every day. “I got along very well with Pammi.” The actor has a busy line-up in 2026. Besides USA v Raj, she will be seen in Awarapan 2 and more. “I am also doing a film produced by Mukesh Chhabra. There are three more projects in the pipeline.”
03 February,2026 08:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRGoing big appears to be the motto of the makers of Ramayana: Part One, be it in terms of shaping the biggest spectacle in Indian cinema or organising a grand first-look event. The buzz in the industry is that filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra have started sending out invites for a Ram Navami event that they will host on March 27 at Gateway of India in Mumbai. The event will mark the reveal of the principal characters in the Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi-starrer. Namit Malhotra and Nitesh Tiwari Sources indicate that several senior leaders from the state and central government are on the guest list. It also includes stars from the world of entertainment and sports. An insider told mid-day, “Major Bollywood names are expected to attend. Ranbir, who plays Lord Ram, has personally invited family and close associates to the ceremony. This will be the first time that the epic’s character universe will be presented.” While Yash and Pallavi portray Ravana and Sita respectively, Sunny Deol essays the part of Hanuman and Ravi Dubey, of Lakshman. mid-day rea-ched out to Malhotra, who didn’t respond till press time.
03 February,2026 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar Basu | Priyanka SharmaDaughter of gangster Hussain Ustara, Sanober Shaikh, on Monday sought a permanent injunction against the release of the upcoming Hindi film O' Romeo from a Mumbai civil court. She claimed that the movie was an unauthorised biopic of her late father and that it portrays his life falsely. Hussain Ustara's daughter files suit against O'Romeo Sanober Shaikh, the daughter of Hussain Shaikh (popularly known as Hussain Ustara), recently filed a civil suit against the producer of the film, Sajid Nadiadwala, its director, Vishal Bhardwaj and journalist-author Hussain Zaidi before the civil court. The court is expected to hear the matter on February 6. The lawsuit claimed that Nadiadwala and Bhardwaj are "involved in the production and direction of a film based on the biography of her late father". "The film O' Romeo was being produced with the intent of commercial and monetary gain and no prior consent had been obtained from the plaintiff (Sanober Shaikh)," the lawsuit, filed through advocate D V Saroj, claimed. Sanober further emphasised that the movie's theme is entirely based on her father, who has been 'portrayed as a gangster." She stated that she "feared" that the movie's release would not only cause "irreparable injury" to her "but also to my children, who have every right to live in the world in peace and in a good atmosphere". "The release of the movie containing false portrayal would have a serious implication on the plaintiffs' family members," the suit argued. Sanober Shaikh insisted her father contributed to preventing crimes across India, particularly in Mumbai, and helped police and intelligence sleuths in tackling criminals. She alleged that the "defendants are exploiting a human tragedy for commercial gain". The movie "contains wrongful appropriation" of Hussain Shaikh for "private gain" and its release would "besmirch the character of the dead person" and destroy a reputation built over decades, the lawsuit stated. Earlier notices sent to O'Romeo team Notably, she had earlier sent notices to the makers. In thier replies to legal notices leading up to the suit, defendants Bhardwaj and Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment vehemently denied her claims, stating, "O' Romeo is purely a work of fiction". However, the plaintiff (Sanober Shaikh) has submitted several materials with her suit to support her claim of a direct link between the film and her father. It includes link of a podcast interview where a former police officer reportedly connects the film's narrative with Ustara. She has urged the court to grant a permanent order of injunction restraining the defendants (filmmakers) from releasing the movie in theatres, television channels, any OTT platforms on February 13 or any day thereafter in the "interest of justice". The film, starring Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor in the role of Ustara, is based on Zaidi's book "Mafia Queens of Mumbai". The action thriller is slated to hit theatres on February 13. (With inputs from PTI)
02 February,2026 09:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter an unstoppable run at the box office, Ranveer Singh's spy thriller, Dhurandhar, has now taken over the OTT too after it released on Netflix on January 30. Following its phenomenal theatrical run, fans are eagerly waiting for the second part of the movie to release, as promised on March 19, 2026. Amid much speculation regarding the Dhurandhar 2 teaser date, Ranveer and filmmaker Aditya Dhar have now dropped a big hint. Dhurandhar 2 teaser release date Taking to Instagram stories, Aditya and Ranveer shared identical posts which read, "Tomorrow 12:12," teasing fans for a major update. Although they did not directly mention anything about Dhurandhar 2 or its teaser, the font, colour and timing implied that it was about their upcoming release. The mystery surrounding Bade Sahab in Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has kept fans on their toes. Meanwhile, fans are revisiting the events of Dhurandhar with its Netflix premiere before the second part in theatres. Pictures from the set of Dhurandhar 2 have also gone viral on social media. Aditya Dhar reportedly shot it as one film, but the makers opted to split the movie into two after an internal creative call. While major portions were filmed earlier, some additional scenes will be added. About Dhurandhar Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar was released on December 5, 2025. Within just three weeks of its release, the actioner crossed the Rs 500 crore mark. The film also features an ensemble cast of Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Aditya, and Arjun Rampal. The Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna starrer has registered an extraordinary run, emerging as one of the biggest blockbusters in recent years. The film has shattered records and successfully crossed the Rs 1,100 crore mark globally. It has outperformed major hits such as Pathaan, Jawan, and Chhaava in the process. Audiences have mostly hailed the film for its gripping narrative, high-octane action, and Ranveer Singh’s intense portrayal of an Indian spy. The sequel to the film, titled Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, will hit cinemas on March 19, 2026. Interestingly, it will lock horns with Yash' Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups at the box office.
02 February,2026 07:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter enjoying a blockbuster run at the box office, Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, starring Ranveer Singh, has quickly become a phenomenon online as soon as it was released on OTT. But not just India, the film has been making waves in the neighbouring country too, where its theatrical release was banned. The film was released digitally on Friday, January 30, on Netflix. Now, a few screenshots on social media claim that it is trending on Netflix Pakistan. Dhurandhar trends at No 1 in Pakistan The film’s popularity in Pakistan comes after it lost significant box office revenue in the Middle East and Pakistan due to the ban, despite grossing over Rs 33 million overseas. Notably, it became the second-highest-grossing Bollywood film worldwide with Rs 1,300 crore. Screenshots surfacing on social media confirmed Dhurandhar's number one ranking on Netflix Pakistan, taking the lead over other Bollywood releases such as Tere Ishk Mein, Haq, and The Big Fake. A Hindustan Times report claims that the film has maintained its top spot since at least Saturday. Interestingly, the film had also become the most pirated film in Pakistan upon its release after being banned in the country. Dhurandhar follows the story of an Indian spy who infiltrates gangs in Lyari, Karachi, as part of India’s efforts against terror. Pakistanis review Dhurandhar Similarly, online forums and social media platforms have been witnessing positive responses from Pakistani viewers. One review on Reddit read, “As a Pakistani, it's the best ever Bollywood movie I ever watched. First time I saw a film where actual research has been done and there's no use of 'adaab' 'janaab' surma kajal topi and vest to show Pakistanis. And thank you for showing a political party linked to crimes (I won't take the name you guys will get it as it's mentioned in movie) and exposing them. I have high expectations from part 2 BUT PLEASE PLEASE LET CHAUDHARY ASLAM BE A POSITIVE CHARACTER IT'S MY REQUEST HE WAS NOT A NEGATIVE CHARACTER. Fantastic movie, casting, shooting, story everything's on point.” Another Pakistani commented, "I'm Pakistani and I love Dhurandhar. Yall gotta stop creating this narrative that we hate you guys and vice versa. It’s all love from my side. Don’t be rude." Several other Pakistani viewers also expressed their wish to watch the movie multiple times. One user even wrote, "The movie actually portrayed Pakistan well (the weapon gangs and politics) and sprinkled opinion politics on India. There's nothing against Pakistan people in the movie. But so much against Indian people lol. Excellent movie. Share the same opinion as Kashyap on the movie."
02 February,2026 06:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1770049055578_d.png "Still from O'Romeo")
-1770039200094_d.png "Dhurandhar")
