After receiving positive reviews for her performance in Kennedy, Sunny Leone is now all set to take on an exciting new Hollywood project. The actor has joined the cast of the US-based series The Giant, created and written by Kevin B Ploth, and will soon begin shooting for the same. The series is backed by ARTIMIS Theatrical Productions LLC, a vetted veteran-run production company. In the show, Sunny will be essaying the role of Reservation Sheriff Quanah Deerleaf, marking yet another interesting addition to her evolving and diverse body of work. Sunny Leone shares excitement for The Giant Sharing her enthusiasm, Sunny said, “This is something very different from what I’ve done before, and that’s what really excited me about it. Exploring a new character and stepping into a completely new space is always a thrilling experience for me. I’m looking forward to this journey and giving it my all. I hope my fans enjoy watching it as much as I am enjoying being a part of it, and I truly hope they’re as excited as I am for what’s coming next.” Known for constantly evolving and experimenting with her choices, Sunny Leone continues to reinvent herself with every project she takes on. Whether it’s films, digital content, or international collaborations, she brings a fresh perspective each time, keeping her audience engaged and curious. This new role once again highlights her willingness to explore uncharted territories—something her fans have come to appreciate and celebrate over the years. The series is supported by three powerful sponsors—51Fifty Rifles, Marathon Watch, and PROPPER Uniforms—with uniforms by PROPPER and Everyday Armor. Sunny Leone couldn't believe she was cast in Kennedy The actress shared that despite attending the trials and the workshops for the Anurag Kashyap directorial, she felt that she wasn’t going to be a part of the film. She said, “My first reaction was disbelief that I had been offered the role. I didn’t 1,000 percent believe I was part of the film until I actually got on "Even though I did the trials and the workshops, and everything happened, we all know entertainment is very volatile and things can change at the drop of a dime. I was so happy when the first shot was taken and we moved on to the next. That’s when I felt, ‘Alright, now they won’t replace me, I think I did a good job'”.
03 April,2026 04:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNaila Grrewal is back as Ananya Shroff in Maamla Legal Hai Season 2, and she is overwhelmed with the love the show is already receiving. The actress, who began her career with a brief stint in Tamasha, believes that every yes has shaped her identity as an actor. In an exclusive chat with mid-day, Naila opens up about the second season, recalls working with Ranbir Kapoor, and seemingly speaks about the inherent sexism existing in the industry. Naila on Maamla Legal Hai Season 2 The actress asserts she is excited for Season 2 as it breaks from the clutter of psychological thrillers and actioners ruling OTT and big screens. “This is that one show that you can sit with your family. You can easily watch it while having a meal or just, like, wanting to watch something light and exciting and fun and relevant.” She has been among those actors who choose quality work rather than quantity. Revealing the real reason behind it, Naila avers, “I've realized that every yes shapes your identity as an actor. While I feel like when you come from the outside, it's not like you have a hundred options to choose from. Every day is a challenge.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in) Naila on working with Ranbir Kapoor in Tamasha Naila Grewal has reflected on her experience working on Imtiaz Ali’s Tamasha, calling it one of the most eye-opening moments of her early journey in films. Working alongside Ranbir, she realized how an actor needs to be self-aware, as every expression is captured on set. “The shock that I got was just the lack of awareness that I had as a person. You know, I realized over time as an actor, especially for films, because every little twitch of your face, every impression is captured on that camera. You have to be very self-aware.” Recalling her experience opposite Ranbir Kapoor, Naila admitted she was struck by his immense talent and effortless command over his craft. She praised his ability to seamlessly get in and out of character. She added, “Ranbir Kapoor was and still is my favorite. It was a very starry feeling for me to be seeing him live in front of me, and the fact that I could actually talk to him was quite a surreal feeling. Like there's another level of honesty in his eyes when he performs. It's just the kind of intensity in his eyes that has stayed with me till this day. I feel like that's something that I've really learned from him.” The film also starred Deepika Padukone. While the Ishq Vishk Rebound actress didn’t interact with her much, she admires her quality of being able to be so individualistic and not losing her voice. She also seemingly highlighted the sexism existing in the industry, noting how Anubhav Sinha’s Thappad was a set where she felt heard. “That was the first time where I felt like, as an actor, I was also allowed to voice my opinion in terms of the character I was playing. Before that, it was always that, Naila, this is your job, you have to do this. But Thappad was the first film where Anubhav Sinha was giving the women who were in his film the kind of space to explore as a woman.” Naila on self-doubt Naila Grewal opened up about dealing with self-doubt as she navigates her journey in the film industry, sharing how external pressures and negativity can often make artists question themselves. “I also have faced a lot of that. I feel the only thing that has really helped me, personally, is the fact that my family has been very supportive. Because a lot of times you can feel very kind of alone, that no one understands what you're going through.” Naila on losing 12th Fail The actor also reflected on missing out on a casting opportunity for 12th Fail, admitting she regretted not responding to the casting call. “It was such a good film. So I did really beat myself up for not responding to that casting inquiry repeatedly that I received as well. I was doing something else and I don't know, I just missed out. But the thing is that I also started believing big time in destiny. So definitely it was the perfect casting, ultimately.”
03 April,2026 04:27 PM IST | Mumbai | Aakruti BaglaAAP leader and MP Raghav Chadha has often been in the news for the issues he has raised in the Rajya Sabha. However, in a surprising turn of events, the Aam Aadmi Party replaced him as deputy leader on Thursday, sending a letter to the Parliament secretariat to reflect the change. The letter also stated that Chadha should not be allotted time to speak in the House. Raghav Chadha highlights issues spoken in RS house Following the development, Chadha posted a reel highlighting the issues he has spoken about in Parliament during his tenure. His wife, actor Parineeti Chopra, also came out in his support. In the video shared by Chadha, he highlighted topics such as the tax burden on the middle class, data expiry issues, paternity leave, minimum balance penalties in banks, food adulteration, incoming call charges, recharge scams, excess baggage charges by airlines, exam paper leaks, air pollution, removal of GST on health insurance, expensive airport food, gig worker exploitation, delays in health insurance claims, toll plaza overcharging, data privacy breaches, and more. At the end of the video, Chadha is seen walking out of Parliament. He did not add a caption and only used an evil eye emoji. Parineeti reshared the post on her Instagram Stories, showing her support for him. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Raghav Chadha (@raghavchadha88) Parineeti on Raghav talking about paternity leave One of the recent issues raised by Chadha was the need for paternity leave, emphasising that parenting responsibilities should be shared equally and not fall solely on mothers. Reacting to his speech in Parliament, Parineeti, who welcomed her first child with Chadha last year, wrote, “My dearest husband, you spoke today not just as an MP but as the dad I see every single day. We have discussed this so many times, how our baby deserves both parents to be present to the best of their ability. So when you spoke today, it wasn’t just policy. It was built from the way you parent our child, the way you show up without being asked, the way you understand that parenting is shared, not assigned.” About Raghav Chadha Raghav Chadha has been a Member of Parliament since April 2022 and has made headlines on several occasions for raising public issues. Last month, he highlighted the issue of “sarpanch pati,” where women elected to reserved Panchayat seats are often reduced to figureheads while male relatives exercise real power. He urged the government to ensure that women representatives can function independently, as intended under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. He has also spoken about menstrual hygiene in Parliament, calling it a matter of health, education, and equality affecting over 35 crore women and girls in India. Chadha stated that if a girl misses school due to lack of sanitary products, water, or privacy, it reflects a collective societal failure rather than an individual issue. Earlier this year, amid gig workers’ protests, Chadha spent a day working as a delivery partner to better understand the challenges faced by workers in the sector.
03 April,2026 04:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRappers Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah are currently facing both legal trouble and fan backlash, as controversies surrounding their music and live performances unfold simultaneously. Honey Singh and Badshah get legal notice The duo has been issued notices by the Delhi High Court in connection with their controversial track Volume 1, after a petition challenged the song’s lyrics as offensive and derogatory towards women. The court took serious note of the content and ordered the immediate removal of the track from digital platforms, calling it “grossly vulgar” and unacceptable in a civilised society. According to legal representatives associated with the case, the petition was filed not only to target a single song but also to highlight broader concerns about explicit and objectionable content in the music industry. The court emphasized that freedom of expression cannot be used as a shield for material that violates basic standards of decency, especially when it is widely accessible online. Amid this legal controversy, Honey Singh has also found himself at the centre of another issue involving his live performances. His much-anticipated concert in Pune, which was part of his ongoing tour and reportedly sold out, has now been postponed. The announcement came shortly before the scheduled date, leaving fans frustrated and confused. Pune concert gets postponed Honey Singh shared the update on social media, informing fans that the show had been pushed to a later date. While a new date has been promised, many fans expressed their disappointment online, with several calling the last-minute postponement “not acceptable” and questioning the lack of prior communication. Adding to the tension, authorities had earlier issued a notice ahead of the Pune event, directing that no songs promoting vulgarity, violence, or drug culture be performed during the concert. This directive followed complaints regarding the potential impact of such content on younger audiences. The overlap of legal scrutiny and concert-related issues has intensified the spotlight on the rapper, raising questions about accountability and content regulation in the entertainment industry. While the court proceedings are ongoing, both artists are expected to respond formally to the notice in the coming weeks. As debates around censorship, artistic freedom, and responsibility continue, the outcome of the case could have wider implications for the music industry. Meanwhile, disappointed fans now await clarity on the rescheduled Pune concert, hoping for a smoother experience when it finally takes place.
03 April,2026 04:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran actor Dipika Chikhlia, best known for portraying Sita in Ramayan, has revised her opinion about Ranbir Kapoor’s upcoming film Ramayana after watching its teaser. Months after expressing reservations about modern adaptations of the epic, the actor now appears impressed by the scale and presentation of the new project. Dipika Chikhlia reacts to the teaser The teaser of the ambitious film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, recently dropped and quickly sparked widespread discussion online. While reactions have been mixed among audiences, Dipika’s response signals a notable shift from her earlier skepticism. Speaking about the teaser, Dipika praised its visual richness and grand execution. She said, “I watched the teaser and it's very grand. Bahut rich lag raha hai. Unhone bahut achhe se banaya hai.” Her remarks reflect admiration for the film’s scale and the effort that has gone into crafting the cinematic retelling of the epic. She further added that the visuals left a strong impression on her, noting that the film “is looking very beautiful, there's no doubt about it.” The actor also expressed eagerness to see the final product on the big screen, indicating that the teaser has successfully raised her expectations. Dipika’s reaction is particularly significant given her earlier comments about contemporary interpretations of mythological stories. Having been closely associated with one of the most beloved versions of the Ramayana, her views often carry weight among fans of the original series. Her change in stance suggests that the teaser may have addressed some of the concerns she previously had. All about Ramayana The film itself is being mounted on a massive scale and features a star-studded cast, with Ranbir Kapoor playing Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash portraying Ravana. The teaser offers glimpses of the film’s grand visuals and mythological world, hinting at an epic cinematic experience. With anticipation continuing to build, Dipika’s positive reaction adds to the growing buzz around the film. While audiences remain divided, her endorsement could help strengthen confidence among viewers who hold the original Ramayana close to their hearts. As the film gears up for release, all eyes are now on how this modern retelling will balance spectacle with the emotional and spiritual depth of the timeless epic.
03 April,2026 01:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentJio Studios & B62 Studios’ Aditya Dhar directorial Dhurandhar: The Revenge continues its historic box-office domination, now just inches away from the coveted Rs 1,000 Crore nett milestone in India, earning a phenomenal Rs 961 Crores nett by the end of Week 2, a feat never achieved at this pace before. After a thunderous opening and a record second weekend, the film has held exceptionally strong through the weekdays of Week 2 (Monday to Thursday), delivering remarkable collections and maintaining its dominance across India and key international markets. Globally, the film continues to soar with a staggering Rs 1,501 Crores worldwide gross, underlining its extraordinary international dominance as well. Dhurandhar 2's box office break up BREAK-UP (INDIA) WEEK 1 TOTAL (8 DAYS) – Rs 690.00 Cr (nett)Second Weekend Total – Rs 177.00 Cr WEEK 2 WEEKDAYS Day 12 – Monday – Rs 26 CrDay 13 – Tuesday – Rs 28 CrDay 14 – Wednesday – Rs 21 CrDay 15 – Thursday – Rs 19 Cr Week 2 Total – Rs 271 Cr India NBOC – Rs 961.00 Cr India GBOC – Rs 1,134 Cr OVERSEASWeek 1 + Week 2 – Rs 367 Cr GROSS BOX OFFICE WORLDWIDE Rs 1,501 CRORES Dhurandhar 2's box office records • Biggest Hindi opener of all time• Highest paid previews ever• Biggest opening weekend worldwide• Highest first week collections• Highest second week collections• Fastest film to cross Rs 1000 Crores globally• Fastest 100 cr, 200 cr, 300 cr, 400 cr, 500 cr, 600 cr, 700 cr, 800 cr & 900 cr• Biggest Indian film ever in overseas markets (within Week 1)• Highest-grossing Indian film in North America• Surpassed Dhurandhar Part 1 overseas lifetime collection in just 10 days
03 April,2026 01:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja welcomed their second child, a baby boy, on March 29, 2026, and congratulations have been pouring in ever since. Ecstatic maasi Rhea Kapoor shared the first picture with the newborn after his arrival. Now, mommy Sonam has offered a heartfelt glimpse into her motherhood journey as she shared the first picture with her newborn baby boy from the hospital. Sonam Kapoor shares first glimpse of second baby boy Bollywood actress and new mom Sonam Kapoor shared a deeply personal moment on her social media account on Friday, posting her first picture holding her newborn baby close to her chest straight from the hospital. Sonam is seen lying on a hospital bed, gently cradling her newborn, with her eyes closed and a faint smile of fulfilment on her face. The baby, wrapped in a white cloth, rests peacefully in her arms. The actress refrained from revealing the face of her newborn. The second picture shows Sonam seated beside a hospital tray, dressed in comfortable black loungewear. She is seen having a meal, and the picture appears to be a candid click. The actress simply captioned the post, “Grateful beyond words.” In the caption, she expressed heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, staff, and hospital team for taking care of her. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonam A Kapoor (@sonamkapoor) Sonam Kapoor announces arrival of second baby For the uninitiated, Sonam Kapoor welcomed her second baby, a boy, on March 29 this year. Sharing the exciting news on social media, Sonam expressed her joy. She wrote, "With immense gratitude and hearts full of love, we are delighted to announce the arrival of our baby boy on March 29, 2026. Our family has grown, and with his arrival, our hearts have expanded in the most beautiful way. (sic)" The Raanjhanaa actress further revealed that son Vayu is extremely thrilled to be an elder brother. "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. Sonam and Anand are grateful to begin this beautiful new chapter as a family of four," the post concluded. More about Sonam Kapoor Sonam is the daughter of Anil Kapoor and Sunita Kapoor. She made her debut with Saawariya and went on to be a part of several popular movies. After her last stint, Blind, she took a sabbatical from acting and focused on raising her child, Vayu. For the uninitiated, Sonam tied the knot with businessman Anand Ahuja in a grand wedding ceremony in May 2018. The couple had been in a relationship for several years before taking the plunge. They welcomed their first child, a baby boy, Vayu, in August 2022.
03 April,2026 12:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar recently took to social media to share an exciting first glimpse from his upcoming untitled YRF project, starring Ahaan Panday. Ahaan Panday's first glimpse from YRF project The image Ali shared offers audiences a peek at Ahaan Panday's smouldering intensity. It captures Ahaan's piercing eyes paired with a classic clapboard, teasing his romantic leading man charm ahead of high-stakes action sequences. Ali captioned the post: "And it BEGINS (fire emoji)". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ali Abbas Zafar (@aliabbaszafar) Many celebrities reacted to the post and sent their good wishes. Arjun Kapoor hyped him up, writing, "Mass (fire emoji)". TV actor Hiten Tejwani commented, "Congratulations Ali sir." Reality TV star Rajat Bedi wrote, "Congratulations Ali bhai & god bless." The YRF project has already started generating buzz with a stellar star cast including Sharvari, Aaishvary Thackeray and Bobby Deol. Known for delivering stylish, large-scale entertainers, Ali Abbas Zafar is expected to bring his signature flair to this ambitious venture, positioning it as a compelling addition to the action romance genre. While details about the storyline remain tightly under wraps, this early preview has successfully heightened anticipation. Ali Abbas Zafar praises Ahaan's performance Ali feels Ahaan has an old-school romantic hero charm that no one else has from his generation of actors. He says, “What I love about Ahaan is his sincerity. In today’s time, when everything can feel performative and an act, he brings a kind of old-school honesty to his performances, like the romantic heroes we have grown up watching and loving. The camera picks up on that. You can’t act vulnerable on screen, it doesn’t land, and he isn’t afraid to be vulnerable, which is incredible." Ali adds, “Audiences have connected with Ahaan because he’s not trying to impress them. He’s simply present in the moment. There’s a softness to him but also strength. That balance is what makes people root for him, especially in love stories. I genuinely believe he has the potential to become one of those rare romantic heroes who make you feel something long after the film ends.” The Saiyaara star began shooting for Ali’s film on March 30th in Mumbai and will later head to the UK to shoot for about 60 days.
03 April,2026 12:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Veer Pahariya took a nostalgic trip down memory lane on the 3rd of April, as he wished his brother Shikhar Pahariya on his birthday, followed by a series of adorable childhood pictures on his social media account. Sharing the unseen throwback moments, Veer posted a heartwarming picture from their early years that shows the two brothers at a birthday celebration, dressed in bright red dungarees. The post was accompanied by a simple “Happy” sticker. In another picture, the siblings are seen as babies in a close-up frame, and was captioned as ‘birthday.’ One of the standout pictures shared by Veer also featured veteran politician Sushil Kumar Shinde. In the photograph, Sushil Kumar Shinde is seen warmly holding the hands of the two young boys. For the picture, Veer wrote, “To You.’ For the uninitiated, both Veer and Shikhar are grandchildren of Sushil Kumar Shinde. Their mother is the daughter of the former minister. Earlier in the day, actress Khushi Kapoor also shared a picture on her social media account to wish Shikhar on his birthday. Khushi wrote, “Happy birthday to my favourite person shikharpahariya.” The picture featured a Polaroid-style photograph of Shikhar hugging Khushi warmly. Talking about Veer, on the professional front, has been trained in acting and made his much-anticipated Bollywood debut with Sky Force released in 2024 alongside Akshay Kumar and Sara Ali Khan. Talking about Shikhar Pahariya, as per reports, has been dating actress Janhvi Kapoor for quite a few years now. Though neither Janhvi nor Shikhar has publicly confirmed their relationship, but their frequent public appearances, social media posts for one another, and affectionate gestures speak volumes of their close bond. 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 April,2026 10:21 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Mrunal Thakur is currently juggling a packed schedule, balancing promotional activities for Dacoit while simultaneously working on dubbing for Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. On Thursday, Mrunal shared that she has finished dubbing for Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, which also stars Varun Dhawan and Pooja Hegde in key roles. Mrunal took to her Instagram stories to announce the dubbing wrap from the studio, with a capture featuring a mic. She accompanied the picture with a caption that simply stated, "It's a dub wrap on HJTIHH." The film will hit the theatres on June 12. Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai was previously scheduled to release on June 5, and was originally slated for April 10, before being rescheduled earlier this year. The makers confirmed the latest change through an official statement shared on Instagram. In the statement, the team clarified that the decision was made after reviewing recent developments and the broader industry situation. "We would like to clarify that our film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai was originally scheduled for release on 5th June, a date we had announced several months ago. However, after recent developments and considering the prevailing situation, we felt it would be more appropriate to shift our release," the statement read. The producers further emphasised the importance of cooperation within the film industry. "We strongly believe that it is always healthier for the industry when filmmakers support one another rather than compete unnecessarily on the same date. In that spirit of solidarity, we have decided to move the release of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai to 12th June and bring our film to the audiences a week later," the note read. Produced by Ramesh Taurani and directed by veteran filmmaker David Dhawan, the upcoming entertainer promises a lively blend of romance and comedy. 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 April,2026 09:41 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIDirector Sanjay Gupta is not really happy with the first look of Lord Ram from the upcoming Indian epic Ramayana. On Thursday, the director took to his X, formerly Twitter, and wrote, “Obvious observation. VfX companies don’t win oscars. The technicians do (sic)”. The director referred to the VFX giant DNEG, which boasts an Oscar for Best Visual Effects for Dune: Part Two at the 97th Academy Awards. DNEG is looking after the VFX of Ramayana, and has done a good job so far considering the assets from the film. Ramayana is directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, with Sai Pallavi cast as Sita and Yash reported to play Ravana. Sunny Deol is associated with the role of Hanuman, while Ravi Dubey has been linked to Lakshman. The project is mounted on a large scale and is planned as a multi-part cinematic adaptation of the epic. The music is being composed by A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, marking a cross-industry collaboration. The film’s visual effects are being handled by international VFX studios, including DNEG, known for work on major Hollywood productions. Production involves extensive use of green screen, motion capture, and large-scale set design to recreate mythological settings. The film is backed by major production houses and is positioned as a high-budget project aimed at both domestic and global audiences, with emphasis on technical scale, casting, and visual presentation. Earlier in January, Sanjay Gupta reflected on how electricity and power are integral parts of modern life. The director shared how just one hour of power outage almost brought the financial capital of the country to a standstill. He said that residents of Mumbai are truly blessed to get unlimited power supply unlike small towns and cities of India. He wrote, “One hour power cut ne aukaad bata di. Imagine where this happens normally in major cities. Small towns ki toh baat hi chhod do. We Mumbaikars are truly blessed”. In January, a power outage disrupted electricity supply in the Andheri West area of Mumbai. The blackout affected homes, shops, and businesses, causing inconvenience to residents and traders. 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 April,2026 09:21 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
-1774495575054_d-1775203636047_d.png "Still from Dhurandhar 2")
-1775199803131_d.png "Picture Courtesy/Ali Abbas Zafar's Instagram account")
