Bollywood actress Bhagyashree, on Tuesday, took to her social media to express gratitude for her “Banaras trip” and also share her experience. Sharing a beautiful picture of herself from the trip, Bhagyashree wrote, ““Banaras was an experience that was so fulfilling. The darshan, the boat ride on the Ganges, the overwhelming peace within.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bhagyashree (@bhagyashree.online) The image shared by Bhagyashree featured the actress standing by the ghats of Banaras, captured from behind in a serene moment. In the background, the sacred Ganges can be seen flowing, with boats, steps of the ghats, and temples also visible under the sky. On Monday, Bhagyshree had taken to her social media to give her fans a sneak peek into the local delicacies and indulgence. Bhagyashree highlighted that any visit to Banaras is incomplete without sampling malaiyo and called it a must-try delicacy. Her husband, Himalaya Dasani, was also seen accompanying her. Sharing her photos on her social media account, she wrote, “Benaras street food! Malaiyo nahi khaya toh kya khaya! Tandoori chai kullad mein aur chaat ka maaza galliyon mein. Benarasi paan ka photo le nahi payi Lekin ab sochkar uski yaad zaruri aayi. #streetfood #varanasi #benaras #malaiyo #foodstagram.” (sic) Earlier, Bhagyashree had also shared glimpses of herself seated on a boat, sailing along the river Ganga, and also introduced the oarsman who made her boat ride at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Kashi a memorable experience. 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
24 December,2025 11:55 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActress Deepika Padukone was in the news this year after her exit from Spirit due to her demand for an eight-hour workday. This move sparked a huge debate, with several filmmakers and actors sharing their opinions on work-life balance. Joining the bandwagon is new mom Kiara Advani, who swears by three mantras in her life. Kiara Advani on eight-hour workday In an interview with Vogue, Kiara opened up about the ongoing debate surrounding the idea of an eight-hour workday in the film industry. When asked about it, she opined, “Burnout helps no one in any industry.” She also spoke about the ‘three-word mantra’ that she uses at work and at home with those she works with: “Dignity. Balance. Respect.” When asked about her cure for mental exhaustion, Kiara shared that it was the “sound of Saraayah giggling in her sleep.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by KIARA (@kiaraaliaadvani) Kiara Advani on motherhood Revealing how motherhood has made her more focused and ambitious, Kiara said, “I’ve never been more ambitious. Motherhood expands you. The fire within you becomes more focused.” For Kiara, moments with Saraayah have become her priority. “When I’m with Saraayah, I’m really with her. When I bathe her, I notice everything—her eyelashes, her tiny fingers, her giggles. These micro-moments feel so precious,” she shared. Kiara also said, “After delivery, a part of me thought, ‘I’ve done this before, I’ll do it again.’ Then I realised it’s not about having the best body. Now, whatever shape or size I am in, I will always respect my body. You have to respect what your body can do for you.” On July 15, Kiara Advani announced the arrival of her first child. She welcomed a baby girl with her husband, Sidharth Malhotra. Sharing the joyous news, the couple posted a note that read, “Our hearts are full and our world forever changed. We are blessed with a baby girl.” They later revealed that they named their daughter Saraayah. Kiara Advani upcoming movies Kiara’s first film after embracing motherhood will be Toxic. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film also stars Yash. Her first look was unveiled by the makers this week. It captures Kiara Advani in a moment of striking complexity. While the poster initially places her in a glamorous spotlight against a vibrant circus backdrop, a closer inspection reveals a character defined by profound emotional layers.
24 December,2025 11:36 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs Dhurandhar's exceptional run continues at the box office, the actors are also at the forefront, basking in the success and all the praise coming their way. Just like Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, many are in awe of Arjun Rampal's portrayal of the brutal and ruthless character in the multi-starrer film, which has emerged as one of the biggest action blockbusters of the year. Arjun Rampal on his character in Dhurandhar Arjun Rampal plays the role Major Iqbal, a calculating ISI mastermind. His cold character has drawn widespread praise for its intensity and brutality. During a recent interview with Grazia India, the actor spoke about the emotional toll of playing the character and his longing to detach from the role after the filming wrapped. He shared, “I wanted to get out of the character as soon as I could. One of the important reasons to do it was that it is an important film to do. To see the event is one thing; what happened behind the scenes to see those events taking place is something that would excite me as an audience. I felt horrible when you’re doing it because you love your country so much, but I guess that’s what an actor’s job is and you just dive into it." About Dhurandhar Dhurandhar is helmed by Aditya Dhar and produced under the banners of Jio Studios and B62 Studios. The large-scale action entertainer that shows the bravery of India’s special agents operating in Pakistan. The actioner features a powerhouse ensemble cast of Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, and Sara Arjun. Interestingly, the film is inspired by real-life events linked to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, wherein Ranveer Singh plays a fearless undercover spy. Released on December 5, 2025, the film has been on a record-setting spree at the box office. Riding high on its success, a sequel slated for release in March 2026 has already been announced by the makers. As of day 20 since its release, Dhurandhar's total box office collection is nearing Rs 900 crore, cementing it's position as the highest-grossing hits of 2025.
24 December,2025 11:34 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Ameesha Patel recently spoke about her film Humraaz 2 and shared her confidence in the upcoming sequel. Speaking exclusively to IANS, the Gadar actress highlighted how the strong recall value of the original film has created curiosity and excitement among audiences. Ameesha expressed that the popularity of Humraaz continues to work in the sequel’s favour, giving Humraaz 2 a solid foundation and strong box office potential. The actress shared, “I think, more than me, more than Bobby, and more than Akshaye, of course, this film has been worked upon. And the sequel is already a drastic mark, so the sequel will do good business, because the audience already loves it, and they are excited for it. But I think more than us, the producers, you know, they are excited about it. Because their film is the most popular for another franchise, so that's great.” Humraaz, which was directed by the duo Abbas–Mustan, starred Bobby Deol, Akshaye Khanna, and Ameesha Patel in the lead roles. The romantic thriller marked the third collaboration between Deol and the director duo. The film was loosely inspired by the 1998 American thriller A Perfect Murder, which itself was a remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder (1954), based on Frederick Knott’s 1952 stage play. Humraaz was later remade in Tamil as Girivalam. The film’s soundtrack, composed by Himesh Reshammiya, emerged as one of the highest-selling Bollywood albums of the year. Humraaz was released on 5 July 2002. Back in July, fans expressed their excitement for Humraaz 2 after Ameesha Patel revisited fond memories from the past. She posted a throwback photograph from over two decades ago, clicked during the promotions of her 2002 film. The throwback picture also featured her co-stars Bobby Deol and Akshaye Khanna. The post sparked nostalgia and renewed buzz around a possible sequel. 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
24 December,2025 11:34 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSMegastar Amitabh Bachchan got emotional after watching his grandson, actor Agastya Nanda's performance in Ikkis. Big B, who recently attended a screening of the upcoming war biopic, took to his blog and penned a heartfelt note. Revisiting some rare memories from the time when Agastya was born to watching him on the big screen, Amitabh Bachchan wrote, "Emotions flow.. As do they tonight when you witness the grandson excel in IKKIS .. the time when his Mother, Shweta is being rushed to Breach Candy Hospital as she encounters final labour pains .. his birth .. holding him barely a few hours later, and discussing whether his eyes were blue .. to the time when he grew a bit and holding him in my arms, and he fiddles with my beard .. to his growth .. to the final personal decision of his to be an actor, and tonight to see him in frame, unable to take my eyes off each time he fills the frames of the film." Hailing Agastya's performance in the film, Big B described how he showcased an "unfiltered honesty" while portraying Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. "When he is in the frame you only watch him .. and this is not a grandfather speaking, this is a hardened viewer of cinema.. And the film flawless in its presentation.. its writing.. its Direction..And when it ends .. the eyes filled with tears of joy and pride.. unable to speak out.. In silence. The silence that belongs to me.. my understanding.. no other," he concluded. On Monday, Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan attended the special screening of Ikkis in Mumbai. Agastya's sister, Navya Naveli Nanda, was also present. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis is a war biopic based on Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. The film also stars the late Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Suhasini Mulay, Sikander Kher and Rahul Dev. It will be released on January 1, 2026. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 December,2025 11:16 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIAkshaye Khanna is currently basking in the success of his recent release Dhurandhar. His role as Rehman Dakait has wooed audiences and even got them grooving to Flipperachi’s FA9LA. The actor has several projects in his kitty, including Drishyam 3. However, reports are rife that he has walked out of Ajay Devgn’s thriller over creative and remuneration differences. Akshaye Khanna quits Drishyam 3? According to a report by Bollywood Machine, the actor has walked out of the much-anticipated sequel due to a combination of monetary and creative differences with the makers. Akshaye demanded a substantial hike in his remuneration following the phenomenal box-office performance of Dhurandhar. In addition to the financial aspect, the actor also allegedly sought significant changes to his on-screen look for Drishyam 3. These demands are said to have led to disagreements, eventually prompting him to step away from the project. These reports come days after makers officially announced Drishyam 3, sharing that the film is all set to release on October 2. The original ensemble star cast, including Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, and other celebrated actors, returns for this edge-of-the-seat edition. As per reports, makers are planning to release the Malayalam version and Hindi film simultaneously to avoid spoilers. About Dhurandhar Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal. The spy action thriller continues its stellar run at the box office, having already crossed the Rs 800 crore mark globally. The film sheds light on Operation Lyari and events behind the Mumbai attacks. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar’s second part will be released in theatres on March 19, 2026. The first part of the film was 3 hours and 35 minutes long. Akshaye Khanna’s upcoming movies Akshaye Khanna is set to play Asuraguru Shukracharya in HanuMan fame Prasanth Varma's upcoming superhero film, Mahakali. Directed by Puja Kolluru and produced by RKD Studios, Mahakali will mark Khanna's debut in Telugu cinema. Akshaye Khanna is also starring in a film headlined by Sunny Deol. Said to be an intense action thriller, the movie is reportedly titled Ikka. It is currently in production. Maharaj fame Siddharth P. Malhotra is helming the project.
24 December,2025 09:23 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt’s a happy occasion for the Roshan family as Rajesh Roshan’s son, Eshaan Roshan, tied the knot with his fiancée, Aishwarya Singh, on 23rd December. The wedding was attended by the entire Roshan family, including his cousin Hrithik Roshan. In a video surfacing on the internet, the War 2 actor is seen dancing his heart out at his cousin’s wedding. Joining him were his sons, Hrehaan and Hridhaan. Hrithik Roshan dances with sons In a video, which has now emerged on social media platforms, Hrithik is seen dancing with Hrehaan, Hridhaan, and Saba. They were joined on the dance floor by his niece, Suranika Soni, and cousin, Pashmina Roshan. They danced to Sukhbir's 1999 song Ishq Tera Tadpave. Ahead of this, Hrithik was also seen grooving to dhol beats in the baarat. The actor looked dapper in an all-black kurta with subtle detailing, while Saba stunned in green lehenga. Reacting to the video, a fan said, "Hrithik Roshan's kids have inherited all the right things." A comment read, "The Roshan brothers don’t just dance, they set the stage on fire! Absolute showstoppers at Eshaan’s wedding!" The Roshan boys rock the dance floor at Eshaan’s wedding. #HrithikRoshan #HrehaanRoshan #HridaanRoshan pic.twitter.com/xMwcG8c2jD — HrithikRules.com (@HrithikRules) December 23, 2025 The celebrations were also joined by Hrithik’s girlfriend, Saba Azad, who looked pretty in ethnic wear as she posed with Hrithik. Hrithik and Saba were earlier seen attending the Mehendi ceremony in coordinated traditional outfits. Apart from this, Hrithik’s ex-wife, Sussanne Khan, also attended the soiree with beau Arslan Goni. On Tuesday, Hrithik's father, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, shared a family picture on Instagram. He wrote, "Eshaan Roshan weds Aishwariya, blessings & God bless!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rakesh Roshan (@rakesh_roshan9) Hrithik Roshan’s upcoming movies The actor was last seen in Ayan Mukerji's War 2, which also starred Jr NTR and Kiara Advani. The YRF film received a lukewarm response at the box office. He is also set to appear in Alpha, the first female-led YRF Spy Universe film. He will soon don the director’s hat as he is all set to helm Krrish 4. The update was announced by his father, Rakesh Roshan. He is set to foray into OTT debut as a producer with a new thriller series, Storm. It boasts a cast led by Parvathy Thiruvothu, Alaya F, Srishti Shrivastava, Rama Sharma, and Saba Azad. With production scheduled to begin soon, Storm is touted to be a high-stakes thriller drama set against the backdrop of Mumbai.
24 December,2025 08:42 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent‘Ghajini’ with Salman in lead Aamir Khan in ‘Ghajini’; (right) Salman Khan in ‘Tere Naam’ Producer Boney Kapoor has revealed that he once planned to make Ghajini (2008) with Salman Khan in the lead after watching the original Tamil film starring Suriya. Speaking to Rediff, Boney said Salman’s look in Tere Naam (2003) convinced him he was ideal for the role. “With his chiselled physique and his hair pruned, he would be a perfect fit for Suriya’s role,” he said. Recalling how the project slipped away, he added, “For almost six months, Madhu Mantena kept assuring me, ‘Ho jayega.’ When Aamir finally consented, they decided to produce the film themselves, and I lost out.” Cocktail on the house Rashmika Mandanna, Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon The 2025 shooting schedule of Cocktail 2 has officially wrapped, with filmmaker Abhishek Kapur confirming the update via an Instagram Story. He shared a picture of the film’s slate that read, “Final slate for the film this year. Schedule 2025 wrapped,” instantly setting social media abuzz. The story was later reshared by director Homi Adajania. Adding a light-hearted touch, the slate also featured a playful note saying, “Homi ki fauj ne kalir mauj.” The wrap comes after delays during the Delhi schedule due to security concerns and rising pollution levels (Cocktail 2 shoot postponed, December 11). Along with Shahid Kapoor, the film also stars Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna. It is scheduled to arrive in cinemas in the second half of 2026. ‘Cocktail 2’ wrap-up clapboard Focussing on work-life balance Anil Kapoor Bollywood icon Anil Kapoor recently spoke about the need for work-life balance, urging people to move away from the culture of constant hustle. Reflecting on modern work habits, the actor said, “What’s the point of working 24×7? We have forgotten how to chill.” He noted that while people are constantly grinding, they often overlook the importance of rest and downtime. Anil added, “Many people have achieved thousands of times more than we have. These successful people not only work hard, but also make time to relax, take holidays, and enjoy their lives.” On the work front, Anil was last seen in War 2. He’ll next be seen in King, and Alpha. Netizens not impressed Ananya Panday; (right) Kartik Aaryan in ‘Saat Samundar’ song Actors Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, releasing on Christmas, has run into controversy following the recreated version of the iconic Saat Samundar Paar song. Notably, mid-day had earlier reported that filmmaker Rajiv Rai had warned the film’s team of legal action over the use of the song’s beats (‘The label can’t put my music in a film without my consent’, December 4). Rai had expressed disappointment that the banner and music label used the track without his consent, saying, “While some rights rest with Saregama, my agreement didn’t allow the song to be used in other films.” The new version has also drawn sharp criticism online, with fans calling it an unnecessary remake of a ’90s classic.
24 December,2025 07:38 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamEver since Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced Love & War in January 2024, fans have been eager to get a peek into the world of the Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal-starrer. Well, that may happen sooner than later. Sources have told mid-day that Bhansali is likely to share the first glimpse of the romantic saga in January 2026. “The idea always was that the team will put out an asset in January to tease the audience about the world they have in store. It could be an official poster or images from the set, which Bhansali has meticulously created. The audience has already seen the actors’ avatars through leaked pictures. But now, the director wants people to see his vision of Love & War,” said a source. Even though the first promotional asset will be unveiled in January 2026, there is no word on when the film will arrive in cinemas, after its March 19 release was postponed. Meanwhile, we’ve heard the shoot is nearing completion. Another source shared, “A few days ago, Alia shot for a wedding sequence with Ranbir in Mumbai. Now, she has only the climax left to shoot with the leads, after which it will be a wrap for her. The male leads, however, will continue to shoot for another six weeks.” New release date? The buzz is that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is keen on releasing ‘Love & War’ on August 14, even as Ranbir Kapoor feels a June release would be better as it offers a sufficient gap between the romantic saga and ‘Ramayan Part 1’
24 December,2025 07:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaIn November, filmmaker Farhan Akhtar revealed that Don 3, which was announced in August 2023, would finally roll in 2026. But things seem to have changed dramatically in the past fortnight. Sources from Excel Entertainment have revealed to mid-day that Ranveer Singh has exited the action thriller, which would’ve marked his foray into the celebrated franchise. What caused the volte-face? A bunch of factors, we’re told, ranging from date issues to the actor’s commitment to Dhurandhar 2. A source informed mid-day that the primary hurdle was Dhurandhar 2. “Given Dhurandhar’s wild success, filmmaker Aditya Dhar and everyone involved want to make the second part grander. For this, Ranveer will be required to shoot some additional portions in early 2026. After that is wrapped, the actor wants to turn his attention to Pralay, his zombie thriller with director Jai Mehta, as that remains a largely untapped genre in Hindi cinema. Talks about Don 3’s dates were going on for months. At some point, both the actor and the filmmaker needed clarity. The actor also indicated a hike in his remuneration after Dhurandhar’s success, which did not align with Don 3’s budget. The parting of ways was amicable, albeit inevitable,” said the source. Farhan Akhtar; (right) Kriti Sanon was reportedly cast as the female lead Talks of an exit apparently began early last week when Singh first met Akhtar. According to an internal communication shared with the team working on the film, which is in mid-day’s possession, this was followed by a formal meeting on December 19 that was attended by the actor, his management team, Akhtar, and producer Ritesh Sidhwani. “Following the meeting, by Saturday, December 20, it was clear that the collaboration would not move forward. On December 22, Ritesh called for a meeting with all the department heads who were deep in pre-production. They were informed of Singh’s exit, and that the February shooting schedule was officially pushed.” Now, the makers are looking for a male lead who can take the franchise, made popular over the decades by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, ahead. Kriti Sanon and Vikrant Massey had reportedly been signed on for the upcoming instalment. mid-day contacted Excel Entertainment and Singh. Both didn’t respond till press time. Farhan Akhtar and Ranveer Singh ‘Don 3’ was to mark Ranveer Singh’s first collaboration with Farhan Akhtar as a director. The two previously shared screen space in ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ (2015) Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan Aug 2023When Ranveer Singh was announced as the new Don, after Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan
24 December,2025 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuNeerja Ghaywan's Homebound, which has received massive acclaim on the global stage, has now landed in a legal soup. Journalist and author Puja Changoiwala has reportedly initiated legal proceedings against Dharma Productions and Netflix India, claiming that thefilm infringes upon her copyright. This comes at a time when the Neeraj Ghaywan-directed starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, has been shortlisted for the Oscars. Homebound sued by author Puja Changoiwala is allegedly set to move the Bombay High Court, accusing the makers of unlawfully borrowing from her 2021 novel Homebound. In an email to Hindustan Times, the author confirmed that her lawyer had issued a legal notice to the production house before they initiated formal court proceedings. Changoiwala has also disputed this claim, noting that the similarities between her book and the film go well beyond a shared backdrop. In her email, she stated that “the subject of both (her novel and the film) is the COVID-19 migrant exodus of 2020." She additionally alleged, “Upon watching the film, I discovered that the producers have not only misappropriated the title of my book, but have also blatantly reproduced substantial portions of my novel in the second half of the film—including its scenes, dialogue, narrative structure, sequence of events, and other creative expressions." Puja revealed that a legal notice was served to Dharma Productions on October 15 after she watched the film. She said that the notice included “providing a detailed, scene-by-scene account of their infringement of (her) rights." She went on to claim that the producers “refused to acknowledge the violation" in their replies. Consequently, Changoiwala has filed an application before the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015. The application is part of the mandatory pre-institution mediation process needed before filing a commercial suit in the Bombay High Court. The author also alleged that the production house's misrepresentation, claiming that Dharma Productions “committed a flagrant act of passing off" by naming the film after her novel, adding that it “cannot be a coincidence." She also pointed out that the film’s script was developed in 2022, which is a year after her book was published. The author revealed that she would seek multiple legal remedies, including a permanent injunction on the film’s distribution, removal of the allegedly infringing material, a change in the film’s title, as well as monetary damages. She stated, “I know I’m challenging powerful entities by taking this step, but I believe it’s important for writers to defend their work when it’s misappropriated and exploited without their consent." Dharma Productions has declined to comment on the matter. The production house reportedly replied to Hindustan Times via text message saying, “We are responding to the claim legally and cannot comment on anything right now." About Homebound Homebound was released in theatres on September 26 after it premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in May. The makers have communicated that the narrative is inspired by a 2020 New York Times article by journalist Basharat Peer titled A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway. The story revolves around two childhood friends going through challenges of clearing the national police examination during the COVID-19 pandemic. Homebound has been shortlisted as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
23 December,2025 08:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
