‘Vvan’ on Raksha Bandhan The makers of Vvan, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, have officially announced a new theatrical release date. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared that the folklore-driven thriller will arrive in cinemas on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. Sidharth had earlier spoken about the film, where he had said, “I have never had a producer narrate a film so passionately,” while Tamannaah called it a “dream collaboration” as she is joining forces with Sidharth, and producer Ektaa R Kapoor for the first time. Is it a love story? Zoya Akhtar Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar has teased a new project, titled A Perfect Match, as she shared a glimpse of the script on her social media. Zoya uploaded a post on her Instagram handle on Wednesday (March 25), which featured the script’s first page. The upcoming project will be directed by Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023) director Arjun Varain Singh and is created by Zoya. The picture of the draft also had ‘Pilot’ and ‘Writer’s draft’ written over it. “Kabir and Navya. Stay tuned,” read the caption. On the work front, Zoya has reportedly completed the first draft of the sequel to Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011). An undying friendship Veteran actor Shabana Azmi penned a heartfelt birthday tribute to her college friend, late Farooque Shaikh on March 25. Recalling decades of friendship, in a social media post, she wrote, “My college mate, co-founder of Hindi Natya Manch at St Xaviers, thank you for seeing me through so many exams, filling my pens with ink so I don’t run out during writing, ever present when I was unwell but teasing me endlessly and never saying a kind word.” The two actors had co-starred in the popular play Tumhari Amrita, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan. It is a Hindi adaptation of AR Gurney’s play Love Letters.
26 March,2026 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamWhen Akshay Kumar and Rajpal Yadav first shared screen space in David Dhawan’s Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2003), little did they know that they would go on to work together in many popular comedies. The upcoming episode of Wheel of Fortune India, which is hosted by Kumar, served as a platform for the duo to reminisce about their on-screen chemistry and off-screen friendship. On February 27, the superstar shot the episode with his Bhooth Bangla producer Ektaa R Kapoor, co-actors Yadav and Wamiqa Gabbi. According to sources, Kumar introduced Yadav as the undisputed comedy king of the Hindi film industry. A source revealed, “Akshay delivered a touching tribute to his co-star. On the show, he attributed his comic timing to Rajpal. Akshay told the audience, ‘Sach bolu toh, inki badolat se meri comedy chalti hai’.” Yadav returned the compliment by admiring the superstar’s love for fitness as he said, “I’ve known him for so many years. Inki fitness kamaal ki hai, aur khaane mein bhi inka bohot achchha control hai.” Films that the duo has teamed up for: A still from ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ . ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’. ‘Garam Masala’ . ‘Phir Hera Pheri’. ‘Bhagam Bhag’ . ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ . ‘De Dana Dan’ . ‘Khatta Meetha’
26 March,2026 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRSalman Khan’s ‘Maatrubhumi’ may be going through changes, making it difficult to lock its release date (Hindi-Chini bhai bhai, Bhaijaan giving that a try? March 17). But things appear to be moving fast on the superstar’s next with producer Dil Raju and director Vamshi Paidipally. Industry insiders have told mid-day that the actor is expected to kick off the actioner around April 14. Dil Raju. Pic/Instagram Naturally, preparations are underway in full swing in Mumbai. We’ve heard that a massive set is being constructed at the SRPF Ground in Goregaon. A source close to the production shared, “This isn’t a regular set, it’s practically a mini-city. The set has been designed to resemble a dense urban area, which will be shown as a high-conflict zone where a large-scale action sequence plays out. Think of it almost like an industrial township.” The decision to build such an elaborate set-up stems from the film’s action-heavy narrative. A new song of ‘Maatrubhumi’ was recently released. Pic/Youtube While casting for the yet-untitled movie is being finalised, the production team is racing against time to have everything ready by mid-April. The source added, “Many elements are being pieced together simultaneously — set design, action choreography, and final casting. The goal is to hit the ground running.”
26 March,2026 07:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuAditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge is on a spree to shatter records. It was one of the most awaited films of 2026, and its unprecedented footfalls speak volumes about the audience’s love for the film. Following the juggernaut success of Dhurandhar 2, starring Ranveer Singh, the film continues to spark buzz across borders. Taking fandom to another level, a viewer reportedly travelled all the way to California just to watch its uncensored version. Fan travels to California to see Dhurandhar 2 A user named Manali Dey recently took to her Instagram handle and dropped a brief video of the “uncensored version” of Dhurandhar 2, claiming she watched it in California. She wrote on the video that she took a 20-hour flight and waited four days just to watch the uncensored version, which features an additional six minutes of runtime. She also captioned the post saying that there are indeed benefits, adding a spoiler alert and mentioning that the full version can only be watched outside the country. She further urged viewers to share it with friends who have watched Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The user humorously added that jet lag and common sense were out, but the six extra minutes of Dhurandhar 2 made it all worth it, proving her priorities were never in question. More about Dhurandhar 2 Headlined by Ranveer Singh, the film has already emerged as a major commercial success, crossing Rs 700 crore worldwide since its release. Produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, the project features a multi-starrer cast including Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi and Arjun Rampal. The sequel charts the rise of Singh’s character, Hamza Ali Mazari, in the Karachi underworld while also delving into his origins as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, tracing the journey of a young man who eventually transforms into a covert operative. The storyline draws loosely on real-life geopolitical events and conflicts in South Asia, including Operation Lyari, the 2014 Indian general election, the 2016 Indian banknote demonetisation, and other incidents. Due to its political themes, the film also faced criticism from several religious leaders for allegedly inciting communal divide. However, the makers have dismissed these claims, denying any propaganda angle.
25 March,2026 09:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRanveer Singh-led Dhurandhar 2 continues its mad ride in theatres, shattering records. In a rare move, a Canadian theatre, Cineplex, introduced an interval during a screening of Dhurandhar 2, surprising audiences. The mid-film break, uncommon in international cinemas, was reportedly added after repeated viewer requests due to the film’s long runtime. Canada theatre adds interval during Dhurandhar 2 show The rare break was documented by a fan, who shared a video from a Cineplex screening on Instagram. “Unlike theatres in India, Cineplex doesn’t usually have an intermission. But Dhurandhar 2 changed that (sic),” she wrote, adding that the 15-minute pause came midway through the film’s lengthy runtime. According to the post, the decision followed multiple requests from viewers who wanted a breather during the nearly four-hour film. “We couldn’t believe it. I’ve never seen this happen in my 20+ years of living in Canada. We were all cheering (sic),” she shared. The post quickly gained traction online, with viewers sharing mixed but largely excited reactions. While some said they didn’t get an interval at their screenings, others pointed out that long Indian films, especially recent South hits, have occasionally prompted similar breaks in international markets. However, a few days back, screenings of the film in Montreal, Canada, were disrupted after incidents of sabotage were reported in two cinema halls. According to viral reports on social media, miscreants were seen slashing the theatre screen mid-show, causing interruptions during screenings. More about Dhurandhar 2 Dhurandhar 2 has taken the box office by storm within days of its release. Starting with its paid previews on March 18, the Ranveer Singh-starrer has been smashing records and drawing packed audiences ever since. The film, which hit theatres on March 19, has already crossed Rs 700 crore worldwide. Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar: The Revenge is a sequel to Dhurandhar (2025), which was the highest-grossing Hindi film of that year. The sequel charts the rise of Singh's character, Hamza Ali Mazari, in the Karachi underworld while also delving into his origins as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, tracing the journey of the young man who eventually transforms into the covert operative. Produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, the project features a multi-starrer cast including Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, and Arjun Rampal.
25 March,2026 06:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAbhay Arora is known for his intense role as Yasir in Dhurandhar 2, but the actor insists the character is far removed from who he is in real life. In an exclusive interaction, he opened up about portraying brutality on screen, sustaining an injury during filming, and fulfilling a dream of working with stars like Ranveer Singh. Abhay Arora on bagging the role of Yasir Reflecting on his character, Abhay admitted, “It’s very unlike my personality. They call me a gentle giant, but as an actor it was lovely.” He added that the role gave him a chance to explore a darker side. “As much opportunity I had to express the brutality of this character, I did. As you could see in some of the scenes, it’s evident in the eyes. It was quite nice to be like that.” Despite playing an intense role, the actor shared that he maintains a clear boundary between work and personal life. “As a professional, it doesn’t really go back with you to home… but you know what audience would feel when they see it. That is something which comes to your mind,” he explained, emphasising how audience perception plays a crucial role in his performance choices. Talking about the action sequences, Abhay revealed a painful incident on set. “We had the best action team… but there was this sharp edge of the equipment which I was getting pulled off and it went in my ankle. It just kept going in,” he recalled. Describing the moment, he said it felt like a real-life version of what is often portrayed on screen. “Like how we see in action sequences… a sharp edge going in, cutting further and further. I felt that was happening.” On sustaining a serious injury What stood out was his determination to complete the shot despite the injury. “The director said cut and we were like, oh, it’s bleeding… but the shot was ready. It was just the last bit,” he shared. Remembering a famous line, he added, “I remember someone from the industry said that the show must go on and that’s Raj Kapoor. So I was like, this can be fixed after, the shot is more important.” Only after finishing did he receive first aid. Abhay also spoke about sharing screen space with industry veterans. “It’s like a dream come true to share a screen with people you have grown up seeing… they are just phenomenal,” he said, adding that beyond their talent, their humility left a lasting impression on him. Looking ahead, the actor expressed excitement for future opportunities. “I’m ready for whatever challenging character comes my way… I feel more evolved and more accepted by the industry,” he said, hoping his work and range continue to be recognised.
25 March,2026 06:15 PM IST | Mumbai | Shruti SampatThe trend of older actors being paired opposite younger actresses is not new. It has existed for decades. While some actors have addressed it, others have slammed it, demanding age-appropriate roles. Akshay Kumar has been one such actor who has been in the spotlight for romancing young actresses. He will next be paired alongside Wamiqa Gabbi in Bhooth Bangla, who is 26 years younger than him. Akshay Kumar on age gap with Wamiqa Gabbi In a conversation with News18, Akshay, 58, reacted to backlash for romancing 32-year-old Wamiqa Gabbi. He said, “Toh kya hai? Humne pehle dekha nahi hai kya kabhi? (So what? Haven’t we seen this before?) It happens in Hollywood as well. Sometimes, it’s the requirement of the script. (In real life too), so many people get married to partners older or younger than them.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wamiqa Gabbi (@wamiqagabbi) Director Priyadarshan also addressed the matter, emphasising that he sees no issue with it. He said, “There’s something that people like MGR and NTR used to say… that there’s a big difference between chronological age and screen age. An actor’s screen age may not be his real age. But people accept you for your screen age too. I don’t see any issue there… When I shoot, I may look at a pair and feel like it isn’t the right pair (and that may have nothing to do with their age gap).” He added, “When I shoot with Akshay or Tabu, I never feel there is an issue when looking at them. And once audiences watch the film, I notice that they don’t feel that issue either. That’s because of their characters and their screen age.” This is not the first time Akshay has been under scrutiny for his age gap. He has earlier shared screen space with young actresses like Sara Ali Khan in Atrangi Re, Radhikka Madan in Sarfira and Manushi Chhillar in Prithviraj. More about Bhooth Bangla Made under the direction of Priyadarshan and jointly backed by Akshay Kumar, Shobha Kapoor, and Ektaa R Kapoor, the project is expected to be released in cinemas on April 10 this year. Along with Akshay and Wamiqa, Bhooth Bangla features a stellar cast, including Paresh Rawal, Asrani, and Rajpal Yadav in pivotal roles, among others. The project marks the return of Akshay and Priyadarshan after a long gap of 14 years. However, according to a report, the makers of the horror-comedy are planning to postpone the release date by a week due to Dhurandhar 2, which is wreaking havoc at the box office.
25 March,2026 05:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAnanya Panday and Lakshya's upcoming romantic film Chand Mera Dil has a new release date. Backed by Dharma Productions, the film was earlier scheduled to be released in theatres on April 10. However, now the makers have decided to release the film in May. Chand Mera Dil gets new release date On Wednesday, the makers of Chand Mera Dil took to social media to announce the new release date of the film. The film will now hit the big screens on May 22. The film has been directed by Vivek Soni who has previously made films like Aap Jaisa Koi and Meenakshi Sundareshwar. The film also marks a fresh pairing of Ananya Panday and Lakshya. Chand Mera Dil will mark Lakshya's second theatrical outing after the critically acclaimed film Kill co-starring Raghav Juyal. Last year, he also made the right noise with his performance in Aryan Khan's debut directorial series Bads of Bollywood. Ananya Panday, on the other hand, was last seen in the romantic film Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri co-starring Kartik Aaryan. The film failed to perform both critically and commercially. When Ananya and Lakshya were spotted shooting Hyderabad In a video that went viral in 2025, Ananya Panday was seen sitting behind Lakshya on a bike and hugging him from behind. They are seen seemingly wearing wedding outfits and riding around Hyderabad’s famous landmark, Charminar. Ananya is seen donning a red saree, while Lakshya sports a red kurta pyjama paired with a golden jacket. As the video went viral on the internet, netizens have not stopped gushing over their looks and chemistry. Karan Johar announced Chand Mera Dil after he halted the shoot of Dostana 2 with Lakshya. Following the exit of Kartik Aaryan from Dostana 2, the Kill actor was roped in for the film. Now, it will be interesting to see him paired opposite Ananya Panday. In 2024, Karan Johar shared four posters from the movie in an Instagram post and wrote, “We have two chands ready to bring an intense & passionate love story like no other!!! Pyaar mein thoda paagal hona hi padta hai...Chand Mera Dil, starring Ananya Panday & Lakshya. Directed by Vivek Soni. ” The posters show Ananya and Lakshya sharing romantic moment under the moonlight.
25 March,2026 05:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAn extremely successful debut, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008), made Imran Khan, in today’s parlance, a ‘national crush’. However, he stepped away from showbiz after Katti Batti in 2015. He has been vocal about his personal struggles, the flipside of fame, and his battle with depression. He recently engaged in an interactive session on Reddit, where a netizen called him ‘berozgaar’. Look at what the actor had to say. Imran Khan reacts to netizen calling him jobless A Redditor asked Imran Khan, “Kya bhai, kya chal raha? Sab thik thak? Koi berozgaar wala tana to nahi marta naa? Or marta bhi hai to deflect kaise karte?" Imran Khan replied, “Sab theek bhai! Aise logon se kya kaha jaa sakta hai?" He also added a GIF that read, “Yeah, well, that’s just, like, your opinion, man." A fan asked, “How do you earn money other than from movies?" The actor replied, “I invest wisely and live simply." He was also asked, “You kind of disappeared at your peak. What made you step away from films, and do you ever regret it?" He responded, “I had started to lose sense of who I was outside of my public identity." Responding to a similar question, Imran wrote, “I’ve enjoyed my time out of the public eye. It gave me the chance to really process and adjust my relationship with the nature of fame. It’s a strange beast and can easily get the better of you if you don’t deal with it consciously." More about Imran Khan Talking about Imran Khan, the actor made his Bollywood debut with Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na in 2008, where his portrayal of Jai became one of the most loved and relatable characters among audiences. The film also starred Genelia D’Souza and Prateik Babbar, among others. He went on to feature in films like I Hate Luv Storys, Delhi Belly, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu. Imran, who is also the nephew of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, was last seen in Katti Batti (2015). Since then, the actor has stayed away from films for nearly a decade. The actor made a brief cameo appearance in Vir Das's Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos earlier this year. He is now all set to make his comeback with his upcoming project Adhure Hum Adhure Tum, co-starring Bhumi Pednekkar. Apart from this, he was seen with Parineeti Chopra on the sets of a project.
25 March,2026 04:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPriya Kapur, who has long been embroiled in an inheritance dispute involving the late Sunjay Kapur’s second wife, actor Karisma Kapoor, and their children, is now facing yet another legal battle with Rani Kapur over control of RK Trust assets. The dispute surrounding the RK Family Trust has escalated after Priya issued a notice seeking the removal of Rani Kapur as trustee. Priya Kapur seeks removal of Rani Kapur as trustee As per the latest update from news agency ANI, Priya, who is a trustee and beneficiary of the RK Family Trust, has issued a notice removing Sunjay's mother, Rani Kapur, as a trustee with effect from March 25, 2026. "Your conduct is contrary to the terms of the trust deed and to your fiduciary duties as a trustee. As stated, you have sought a judicial declaration to dissolve the RK Family Trust, aiming to divest the trust of its entire corpus and revert all settled assets to yourself, while seeking to void all prior trust actions. Such an attempt to extinguish the trust for your personal gain is a complete breach of your fiduciary duties as a trustee," Priya Kapur said in a notice to her mother-in-law. The move comes days after Rani Kapur issued a notice to remove Priya from the RK Family Trust. According to an earlier notice, Priya Kapur is stated to have been appointed as a trustee following a meeting allegedly held on June 25, 2025, after the demise of Sunjay Kapur. However, the existence and validity of the RK Family Trust, as well as the settlement of assets into it, are presently under challenge before the Delhi High Court. About Rani Kapur allegations Rani Kapur is the elderly mother of the late Sona Comstar Chairman, Sunjay Kapur. Recently, in 2026, she moved the Delhi High Court, alleging that her daughter-in-law, Priya Kapur, used a "fraudulent" family trust to unlawfully divest her of her estate following her son's death in June 2025. She has sought cancellation of the trust and protection of the family legacy. Apart from Rani Kapur, Priya is also in a legal feud with Mandhira Kapur. She filed a defamation case against Mandhira, accusing her of circulating videos on social media containing “false allegations” against her, allegedly aimed at “causing social ostracism.” She is also in a tiff with Karisma Kapoor’s children over asset division.
25 March,2026 04:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWith the upcoming bilingual film Dacoit already riding a strong wave of buzz and anticipation building by the day, the makers are all set to dial up the excitement with a grand on-ground spectacle. Pawan Singh, Adivi Sesh, and Jonita Gandhi will come together for the electrifying launch of their much-anticipated track Touchbuddy. Touchbuddy song to be launched in Gorakhpur Blending the high-octane energy of Bhojpuri beats with an unmistakable dose of South swag, Touchbuddy promises to be a fun, peppy, cross-cultural musical extravaganza. Positioned as a potential chart-topper of the summer, the track is expected to resonate with audiences far and wide. The song will be unveiled at a grand launch event on March 28 at Mahant Digvijaynath Park in Gorakhpur from 6 PM onwards, setting the stage for a power-packed evening brimming with music, star presence, and palpable fan frenzy. Adivi Sesh about Dacoit Actor-writer-director Adivi Sesh has said that his character in the film is the most vivid he has played so far on screen. Talking to IANS, he said that Dacoit is the most character-driven film in his filmography. “It's definitely my most vivid character. I wouldn't say it's completely character-driven, like say an Arjun Reddy. But it's a lot more character-driven than my previous films. I've always come off a filmography where I loved my twists. And there's always this first time I'm in love with the emotions of the film”. He further mentioned, “So, who murdered whom is not a big question of this film. It's not who has done it. It's about emotions and the journey between two ex-lovers after 13 years. And we, for us, it was very exciting to set it in a violent time in the sense that that journey for them together is not just two people getting to know each other again. It's two people in the middle of a robbery setup, in the middle of guns, bullets, fire, rain, heat and desert.” The story combines elements of crime, action, and romance. Production is backed by Supriya Yarlagadda. The film marks a shift for Sesh toward a more commercial format compared to his earlier investigative thrillers. The film is set to arrive in cinemas on April 10, 2026. Marking Shaneil Deo’s directorial debut, this ambitious venture is produced by Supriya Yarlagadda, co-produced by Suniel Narang, and presented by Annapurna Studios. Shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu, the film’s story and screenplay have been jointly crafted by Adivi Sesh and Shaneil Deo. Dacoit is gearing up for a grand pan-India theatrical release on April 10, 2026.
25 March,2026 03:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
