Nayi jodi Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur were spotted at director Ravi Udyawar’s office, drumming up buzz for their upcoming film. While the jury is still out on whether this jodi truly works, we’re quite enjoying their off-screen chemistry for now. Khao, Piyo, majani life! Not every dish can be discovered by scrolling through Instagram reels. Some flavours demand good old-fashioned exploring. Case in point: Deepika Padukone and Fatima Sana Shaikh, who were spotted stepping out of a Khar eatery after what looked like a hearty meal. Just In Shahid Kapoor and Salman Khan Huma Qureshi, Bhumi Pednekar and Ameesha Patel Saina Nehwal with father Harvir Singh Nehwal
01 February,2026 08:42 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamThere can be no music without Arijit Singh," an emotional Mohit Suri told mid-day, reacting to news that sent Indian music lovers into collective shock. On Tuesday night, in an Instagram post, the two-time National Award-winning singer announced his retirement from playback singing. "There is not one reason behind this. I have been trying to do this since a long time. Finally, I have gathered the right courage. One of the reasons were simple, I get bored pretty quick, that’s why I keep changing arrangements of the same songs and perform them on stage," he wrote. The voice that became an era For more than a decade, Arijit was Bollywood's go-to guy for any track in any genre. When a film needed longing, his voice delivered it. When a love story or heartbreak had to feel intimate, his timbre did the work before the lyrics even began. By the mid-2010s, Bollywood leaned heavily on Arijit. Across Hindi and multiple regional industries — including Bengali, Marathi and Telugu — he has recorded over 800 songs, including alternate versions and live-session recordings. Few playback singers in recent decades have occupied that much sonic space. Mohit Suri His dominance carried serious commercial weight. Industry experts estimate his net worth in the range of R414 crore (roughly $50 million), built on recording fees, tours, streaming royalties and brand associations. Annual earnings reportedly touched R70 crore in recent years. Days before announcing his exit, Arijit released Maatrubhumi for Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan. A stunned Himesh Reshammiya, who composed the song, told mid-day, "I have always said that Arijit Singh understands the soul of the music composer and the melody; he is fabulous. I wish he changes his stand on not singing for films, love him both as an artiste and a human being." While he may not take up fresh playback gigs, Arijit still has a few recorded songs lined up for 2026. One of them is Hum Toh Tere Hi Liye The from O’Romeo, composed by Vishal Bhardwaj with lyrics by Gulzar. Another is Sunhari Kirne from Gandhi Talks, composed by AR Rahman. Mahesh Bhatt While he might not be taking up any fresh playback gigs, Singh still has a few recorded songs set to release in 2026. One of them is Hum Toh Tere Hi Liye The from O’Romeo, composed by Vishal Bhardwaj with lyrics by Gulzar, a romantic track filmed on Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri. Another is “Sunhari Kirne” from Gandhi Talks, composed by A.R. Rahman, which is one of the year’s most musically anticipated soundtracks. Industry confronts a void A top suit at Sony Music, tells mid-day, on condition of anonymity, “This changes the ground beneath us more than people realise. For years, when a film album came in and there was one song, the one the trailer would lean on the one streaming platforms would push and the first question in the room was always, ‘Can we get Arijit?’ I speak for producers and insiders when I say there was built-in trust. People outside think this is just about replacing one voice with another. It’s not that simple because that's a once-in-a-generation artist. He became the sound of modern Hindi film. When that disappears, you’re filling a big void. And that’s scary when crores are riding on streaming numbers. There’s also habit to undo. Directors, actors, even lyricists were subconsciously writing for how his voice would feel. Without that anchor, the room will be quieter. Everyone second-guesses more. We’ll discover new singers, of course. But it will be hard to replace that voice.” Himesh Reshammiya Industry veterans understand Singh's decision. Mahesh Bhatt, with whom Singh did a large volume of his early work, told mid-day, "I remember the first time I saw Arijit Singh very clearly. It was at the music launch of Aashiqui 2 at Super Sound in Khar—the old place, full of dust, wires, and hope. His name was announced and he was called to the stage to sing Tum Hi Ho. A shy, self-effacing young man walked up, almost apologetically, with no sense of entitlement. He didn’t claim the song; he offered it. And in that moment, something entered the bloodstream of the nation. That song didn’t just become popular, it became personal. What made Arijit Arijit was never just his voice. It was his refusal to perform himself. His singing carried no ego, no demand to be noticed. He stepped aside and let emotion speak. So when someone asks me if I would miss his voice, life has taught me to answer this way: I have learned to say goodbye to people I love without removing them from my heart. Chaplin once said something to that effect, and it has stayed with me. Even if Arijit chooses silence, his voice will not leave us. And I don’t believe he is turning away from music—only from noise. If he sings only for himself now, that is not withdrawal. That is an artist exercising his deepest privilege. Voices like his don’t vanish. They remain long after the song ends." Inside the mind of a restless artist Aashiqui 2 director Suri, with whose words we started, gave us an insight into his long-time collaborator's psyche. Singh first fame with the film he made and even in his last hit Saiyaara, Singh had a large role to play Suri tells us. "I don't remember a time when he wasn't creating something. Before playback, he was an assistant. In some early music sessions of my career, I remember Arijit clicking pictures of Pritam and me at the studio. He would spend a lot of money buying a expensive camera and then tell us, these pictures are for us to remember history. Of course, I am going to miss him a lot but that said, I also understand his decision. Garima Wahal and Siddharth Singh We all evolve as creative people in our journey and step up to find the next phase of our lives and careers. This isn't a man who will be content with himself. He has the itch of an artist. Anyone who has worked with him tell you he would give different iterations, will sit and understand the story of the film and fit his voice to suit the story. I remember during Humari Adhuri Kahani, we did three versions of the title track. He asked me how does it end and I told him, it ends tragically. He said there needs to be defeat in the voice then. He was such an important collaborator for any director or music composer. But even at that, he was still working on someone else's vision. May be he wants to create his own vision for himself. He is also such an immensely secure artist, pure artist as they say. There have been times he has been called in to sing a song, he has heard the scratch and said, "Please retain what you have, I can't do what they've done." We did Saiyaara's songs across timezones - I was in Japan and he was in Murshidabad. But after the film, his response for the movie was such an honest take. He loved the film more than Aashiqui 2 which gave him his big break. He has evolved into an artist who values the art more than himself. Wherever he goes from here and whatever he does, he will create music because for the close to two decades I have known him, I have never known him without music. That bond will be inseparable." Not an ending, but a reset Of course, rumours are rife that Singh has moved to filmmaking and is currently shooting a movie in Shantiniketan that he and his wife Koel have written. The jungle-adventure project features Shora Siddiqui and Arijit’s son, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Lyricists Siddharth-Garima, who have collaborated with Singh on several hit numbers, are working on his upcoming directorial. Garima tells mid day that they weren’t shocked by Singh’s decision. “We met him multiple times in the last one year. We saw it coming because there is a very different kind of burnout that an artist can suffer from in the Hindi film industry,” Garima says, adding that when an artiste is made to repeat his or her previous work, it takes a toll. “When people repetitively ask you to do the same things or sing similar things, it could get to you. We were seeing that point somewhere. He sings with a lot of sincerity even now. We've seen him record and he would take 100 takes for a line in a song. His process is something else. I'm sure that process tires him out. A burnout is very easy in this industry because you have to work tirelessly and endlessly.” To Garima, there’s also an expectation from the industry that every song should be sung by Singh. He has enjoyed a monopoly of sorts in Bollywood playback singing for over 15 years now. But it’s not something that the sits right with the singer himself/ “When Alia Bhatt just came in, everyone was thinking of scripts in which Alia would play the lead. That's how it is here. Everyone makes songs here, mostly thinking, ‘Arijit gaayega.’ The first time you make a really melodious number, you are already imagining how it would sound in Arijit's voice? But the kind of person that he is, he comes from a very just background. He's not the kind of person who will think, ‘Sirf main hi main hoon.’ He thinks this shouldn’t happen and there should be more people who should get a chance,” Garima says, to which Siddharth adds that Singh is “a very secure artiste”. “People talking about him creating a monopoly has never bothered him. In fact, that is a fuel. He's enabling diversity with this decision. We have that equation with him where we make him listen to every song that we record,” the lyricist says. Singh has lent his voice to several songs written by Siddharth-Garima, including the chartbusters Yeh Laal Ishq (Goliyon Ki Raas Leela: Ram Leela) and Satranga (Animal). Naturally, it’s a huge loss for them as collaborators. “Sanjay Leela Bansali always says that he values a written word and believes a singer's job is to communicate to the listener the voice in those words. that voice. When I say, ‘Yeh laal ishq, yeh malaal ishq,’ how does that line reach you? It's a singer's job entirely. And more often than not, we notice in recording rooms, singers are not really singing, not feeling the line enough. Arijit will take it to that point. That's what his contribution has been. He brings his own imagination to the song.” So, what does Hindi film music look like without his voice, we ask the duo. “The songs that he's already sung are there as his legacy. But the music scene in Bollywood would change. And it would be a huge change. Of course, it comes as a shock to many people. But I feel this is a natural progression. There’s always space for new people. There won’t be another Arijit but there will be more people, who will get a chance. People will start thinking imaginatively,” she says. And this is something even Singh wants from the industry, shares the lyricist. “What really irritates him is the fact that people are not thinking imaginatively enough. They are just relying on a set pattern that if we have Arijit, we will get X number of listeners. I think that has put him off from the entire scenario that oh, you want a guarantee hit song, you want him to sing that song. What about experimenting? What about thinking outside the box? It’s great for an artiste to take a step back and take into account that what’s happening around him is not okay. There was no reason for him to say that I'm not going to sing Bollywood songs anymore, but he's an extremely honest and honest person to have taken that step,” Garima shares. But even as fans express their disappointment over the singer’s decision, Garima is sure Singh will make a comeback sometime in future. “I feel there will at some point be a comeback, like how Sonu (Nigam) ji was ruling the charts in the 90s. And then of course, there was a phase in which he faded out and then now he's back fully. So I feel before that would happen, Arijit has taken the wise call of saying, ‘Okay. Let me not create a monotony with my voice right now.’ Let people yearn for it and then probably he'll make a comeback. I'm hoping he would someday,” she smiles. But there won’t be dearth of Singh’s music, as he is set to launch his own label. “He is going to keep making independent music. So we are going to hear him a lot more on, his own label and all of that. And not many people know but he is a very m good composer. We've written to some of his compositions. You will see him in a different light,” Siddharth says.
01 February,2026 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar Basu | Priyanka SharmaQuality over gimmicks Chasing trends has long been Bollywood’s favourite sport — if something clicks, expect a queue of copycats right behind it. But Shahid Kapoor doesn’t buy the convenient blame game around “distracted audiences” and “short attention spans”. At the teaser launch of Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo, the actor insisted that moviegoers still love the big-screen experience. According to Shahid, the industry needs to look inward before pointing fingers outward. In a chat with Prakhar Gupta on his YouTube channel, the actor, without mincing words, said, “We are not making as many good films as we should.” Shahid added that the trouble begins when marketing and promotions start overshadowing the soul of a project. “If you are seeking something authentic, human, spontaneous, then you should let it happen. Don’t try to control it.” Now that’s a reality check that needs no filter or fluff.
01 February,2026 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamThe much-anticipated noir thriller Kennedy will be available for streaming in February, bringing Anurag Kashyap’s 28th directorial venture to audiences after it made a strong impact on the international film festival circuit. Zee Studios presents a Good Bad Films production, Kennedy stars Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone. Kennedy's global run The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in the Midnight Screenings section and has since been showcased at numerous global festivals — including the Sydney International Film Festival, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (South Korea), Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (Switzerland), MOTELX – Lisbon International Horror Film Festival, Indie Meme Film Festival (Austin, Texas), Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, London Indian Film Festival, Fantastic Fest (USA), the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, and the Kolkata International Film Festival, among others Written during the lockdown and shot extensively across the nights of Mumbai over a tight 30-day schedule, Kennedy is a dark, atmospheric thriller that follows an insomniac ex-cop long presumed dead who continues to operate within a corrupt system while secretly searching for redemption. The film’s haunting background score, recorded in Prague with the Prague Philharmonic Choir, further elevates the moody, immersive experience. All set to premiere on Hindi ZEE5, the movie brings Anurag Kashyap back to his gritty storytelling roots. Kaveri Das, Chief Channel Officer &TV and Business Head Hindi ZEE5, said, “At Hindi ZEE5, we’ve been deliberately moving away from formula-driven narratives and investing in stories that are bolder, distinctive, and creatively disruptive. Kennedy is born from that belief, a film that doesn’t play by familiar rules and trusts its audience to engage with something raw and unconventional. Anurag Kashyap’s voice, the film’s neo-noir sensibility, and its journey across global festivals reflect the kind of storytelling we are proud to put out on the floor in Hindi. With Kennedy, we are excited to continue building a slate that expands what Hindi storytelling can look and feel like, while bringing this distinctive cinematic experience to viewers on ZEE5.” Anurag Kashyap on film reaching home audience Speaking about the film’s digital premiere, Anurag Kashyap said, “Kennedy was born one night when I couldn’t sleep with all that was going around me. I was alone and I was playing Tchaikovsky loud all over my house and there was whisky and empty A4 size sheets and my pilot V 10 that I write with. I didn’t know what I was writing and it all poured out. I have received love and an extraordinary response from across the world for it and now I’m excited that the film will now reach its home audience as well as a much wider one. I believe they will also like the film as much .” Secrets, shadows, and survival—Kennedy premieres on ZEE5 this February.
31 January,2026 08:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA Mumbai court on Friday temporarily barred filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap from making or publishing "derogatory" comments against Salman Khan and family, saying freedom of speech doesn't mean one can use abusive and threatening language against any individual. Judge P G Bhosale passed the ad-interim ex-parte injunction against Kashyap and two others while hearing a defamation lawsuit filed by the actor. The suit, filed in a civil court against Kashyap and several others, has sought a permanent injunction and Rs 9 crore in damages. The legal action was initiated by Khan in the wake of a series of 26 video interviews and podcasts released between September and December 2025. The suit claimed Kashyap made "scandalous, false, and grossly defamatory" statements against Khan and his family in these videos. Besides Kashyap, Khushboo Hazare and major social media platforms have been named in the suit. According to the suit, these videos, broadcast on "Bollywood Thikana" channel, contain derogatory remarks that target Khan's professional integrity and personal character as well as his family members. Some of the statements highlighted in the suit include Kashyap's alleged reference to the Khan family as "convicted criminals" and "jihadi ecosystem" members. It also cited instances where Kashyap used offensive language to describe Khan's appearance, age, and personal life, and allegedly compared him to notorious criminals. Specific derogatory remarks were reportedly made against the actor's father Salim Khan, and siblings Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan, the plea claimed.The lawsuit, filed through advocate Pradeep Gandhi, has sought to permanently restrain the defendants from publishing any further defamatory content or interviews. It also pleaded for directions to the defendants and social media platforms to immediately remove all the contentious contents and tender an unconditional apology. Khan also moved the court for urgent interim relief. The court, after perusal of Kashyap's statements in the interview given on the podcast, found they are "prima facie defamatory, derogatory, abusive and insulting in nature". These statements lower the image of the plaintiff in the eyes of the general public, the court said. It asserted the reputation of the plaintiff (Salman) is harmed by the defendants. Further, the court underscored that "nobody can and nobody should make any defamatory statements against anybody's family". Each individual has his privacy to be protected and image to be protected, the court added. On the contention of freedom of speech and expression, the court clarified "the right to freedom of speech and expression doesn't mean that one can use abusive and threatening language against any individual". It then temporarily restrained Kashyap and others from making, uploading videos, posting, re-posting, giving interviews, corresponding, communicating, uploading, printing, publishing, re-publishing, hosting, circulating or re-circulating any further defamatory/slanderous content. It also barred them from making any further defamatory contents, derogatory remarks, posts, messages, tweets, videos, interviews, communications in relation to the plaintiff or his family on any social media platforms till they appear and file their reply. 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
31 January,2026 08:12 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIActress Rani Mukerji returned to the big screen with the third installment of her popular Mardaani franchise. The cop drama was released in theatres on January 30. Despite strong competition from Sunny Deol’s Border 2, which has been enjoying a successful run at the box office, Mardaani 3 managed to make a solid impact on its opening day. Mardaani 3 box office Mardaani 3 earned Rs 4 crore on its opening day, according to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, who shared the figures on X. The film recorded the highest opening-day collection of the franchise. Earlier, Mardaani (2014) opened at Rs 3.46 crore, while Mardaani 2 (2019) collected Rs 3.8 crore on Day 1. Rani on wearing the uniform again Rani Mukerji said that wearing the police uniform for the third time feels like both a privilege and an honour. Expressing her excitement about returning to the character of Shivani Shivaji Roy, the actress said portraying a woman in uniform carries immense responsibility. Speaking to IANS, Rani said, “I think it’s a huge privilege and a huge honour for me to be playing a woman in uniform. Their life struggles, the challenges they face every day, and the kind of crimes they solve make them extraordinary.” She further highlighted the sacrifices and resilience of Indian female police officers, adding, “Through Shivani Shivaji Roy’s character, I can show the world what Indian female officers do day in and day out.” About Mardaani 3 Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra, Mardaani 3 continues the franchise’s tradition of socially relevant storytelling. While the first film tackled human trafficking and Mardaani 2 explored the psyche of a serial rapist, the third installment delves into another dark and brutal social reality. Actress Janaki Bodiwala, known for Shaitaan, joins the franchise in a pivotal role. The film is written by The Railway Men writer Aayush Gupta and was released worldwide on January 30. The original Mardaani was released in 2014 and featured Rani Mukerji alongside Jisshu Sengupta, Tahir Raj Bhasin, and Anant Vidhaat Sharma. The sequel, released in 2019, was directed by Gopi Puthran and starred Vishal Jethwa.
31 January,2026 05:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAanand L Rai and Colour Yellow have dropped the second song from their highly anticipated survival romance thriller Tu Yaa Main, and it arrives as the perfect showcase of the production house's commitment to fresh, contemporary storytelling. The track, titled Jee Liya, beautifully captures the essence of modern romance with its Gen Z sensibilities and atmospheric production, in a move that is quintessentially Colour Yellow, a production house that has built its reputation on encouraging diverse narratives and providing a platform for stories that resonate with today's audiences. Jee Liya out The song's visuals beautifully trace the budding romance between Adarsh Gourav's character, a rapper from Nalasopara, and Shanaya Kapoor's Avani Shah, a well-known influencer, as the duo navigate and blend into each other's diverse and starkly opposite lifestyles. It's a celebration of how love can bridge worlds that seem incompatible on the surface. Featuring vocals by Adarsh Gourav and Lothika Jha, Jee Liya delivers an atmospheric pop vibe with an irresistible earworm quality that perfectly captures Gen Z's musical sensibilities. It’s a track complete with catchy hooks, contemporary production, and an emotional core that feels both current and meaningful. Both Adarsh and Shanaya inhabit their characters convincingly, paying homage to the trailer's opening sequence where the duo talk about their respective neighbourhoods, Virar and Churchgate, that connect their contrasting realities. The romance number shows both characters blending into one another's worlds effectively and beautifully. Jee Liya serves as the perfect emotional companion piece to the film's first track Fame Us, which has already garnered over 25 million views and set social media ablaze. The production house's approach showcases an understanding that compelling romance thrillers require both high-stakes tension and authentic emotional investment, supported by a soundtrack that elevates the narrative at every turn. About Tu Yaa Main The edge-of-the-seat trailer pulls audiences into the world of two content creators until their lives take a terrifying turn when they come face-to-face with a menacing crocodile. It takes audiences into the world of two content creators from completely different backgrounds who come together for a collaboration driven by curiosity, clout and chemistry. Shanaya plays an influencer known as Miss Vanity with 2.3 million followers, while Adarsh Gourav essays the role of singer Aalaa Flowpura from Nalasopara, having 6k followers. The two grow close and eventually begin dating. What starts off as a fun, high-energy adventure quickly takes a dark turn, turning into a pulse-pounding fight for survival as they come face to face with a menacing crocodile. Will they manage to escape, or will the croc turn their collaboration into a nightmare? As Tu Yaa Main builds momentum ahead of its February 13 release under Bejoy Nambiar’s direction, Jee Liya sets the tone for the season of love.
31 January,2026 04:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTumbbad director Rahi Anil Barve has returned with his second feature film, Mayasabha. The film, starring Jaaved Jaaferi in the lead, was released in theatres on January 30. While it has opened to mixed reviews, Barve has been actively promoting the film on social media, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from its making. Following the release, the filmmaker revealed that work on Mayasabha began in 2018 with no money and that the film was made by just 23 people. The team behind Mayasabha Sharing a picture of the crew that made the film possible, Barve wrote, “2018 end. 23 crew men. 4 mad actors. Day and night in one old theatre. 21 days. 90-pager script written by hand. 0 fees (paid my own bike petrol money). Javedji’s asthma in dust and fog. Our exhaustion.” He further added, “Girishbhai and Ankur—just two men acting as line producers, EPs, producers, and financers, while the whole industry smirked. One day Raj-DK arrived to say hi. Later, I learned that before greenlighting my mega-budget Gulkanda Tales with Prime, they had come to judge my on-set capacities. What they saw was this team.” Mayasabha budget Barve also said that he is proud of the film and stressed that ratings are not what matter the most. “We 23 guys made Mayasabha on a 7-figure budget. Me, Kuldeep (DOP), Girishbhai, and Ankur. I’m proud of us. We are filmmakers. Money, fame, names—all aside—first, we make films we love. If that doesn’t matter, nothing does. Anyone who says ‘I alone made this film’ is lying—to the world or to himself. Enjoy creating. Don’t fear 2-3-5-star ratings. Just make sure the people who trusted you and invested in you get their money back,” he wrote. Mayasabha was made on a small budget by a small team, but with big ambitions. Concluding his note, Barve said, “Kuldeep. Girishbhai. Rahi. Ankur. Four broke guys made Mayasabha in 2018 with 19 young teammates, on a budget hardly anyone will believe. Almost zero-budget filmmaking, without losing production values and without any industry support, is possible. You may like or dislike Mayasabha, but it proves one thing—it’s possible. I’m proud of us. We did it. You can too.”
31 January,2026 04:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe recent batch of Epstein files released by the Department of Justice has disclosed an email that names filmmaker Mira Nair in connection with a high-profile afterparty held in 2009. Along with the mother of democratic socialist politician Zohran Mamdani, other high-profile names like Bill Clinton and Jeff Bezos were also mentioned in the file. Mira Nair named in Epstein Files According to the newly revealed documents, the email was reportedly sent by publicist Peggy Siegal to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein on October 21, 2009. The message mentioned an afterparty hosted at the New York townhouse of Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted of sex trafficking-related crimes. The event took place after a screening of the film Amelia, a biographical drama directed by Nair. In her email, Siegal wrote, “Just left Ghislaine’s townhouse…after party for film." Further listing several prominent figures present at the party, she said, "Bill Clinton and Jeff Bezos were there…Jean Pigozzi, director Mira Nair…etc. Film received tepid reaction though women like it much more…Hillary Swank and [Richard] Gere are at stupid party in Bloomingdales cheap sportswear department…very weird." Siegal also shared her personal review of the film’s response at the time. “Film received tepid reaction though women like it much more," she wrote in the email giving a brief commentary on audience feedback. The message further mentioned other celebrity appearances at a separate promotional event, which she described in dismissive terms. “Hillary Swank and [Richard] Gere are at stupid party in Bloomingdales cheap sportswear department…very weird," the email read. She added details about the promotional strategy, saying, “Studio went for free party from store and windows for a month… Going to be in Wall Street 2 tomorrow ….more to come. xoxo Peg." About the case Notably, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is facing imprisonment for sex trafficking, is currently serving a 20–year sentence in connection with the deceased financier, convicted sex offender and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The recently released documents highlight what the government knew about the millionaire financier's sexual abuse of young girls. Notably, these files were withheld from an initial release in December. Subsequently, they were finally disclosed on January 30, under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The latest files include correspondence with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Britain’s Prince Andrew, along with some other Epstein's friends.
31 January,2026 01:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRani Mukerji’s Mardaani 3’s hard-hitting message about saving the girl child of our country has deeply connected with top cinestars from the Indian film fraternity as well as the country’s female sporting icons like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandanna, PV Sindhu, Manu Bhaker, Deepti Sharma, to name a few. Rani has now joined hands with the Delhi Police to raise awareness on how to protect girls and women in the national capital. Rani has lent her support to a bunch of causes focussed at protecting girls, and she lauds the efforts of the Delhi Police for their vigilance day in and day out. Rani Mukerji praises Delhi Police for keeping women safe Rani says, “Safety is not a privilege. It is a right, and no girl in this country should grow up learning fear before freedom. A society is judged by how it protects its women, and the police stand on the front line of that promise. Every uniform carries responsibility, courage, and compassion. When a woman steps out of her home, she should feel confident, not concerned, and the Delhi police force is always vigilant to take care of every girl.” She adds, “The law stands with you steadfastly. The uniform stands with you like a protective cloak around you. A nation cannot move forward while its women look over their shoulders, and I salute Delhi Police for their dedication and resilience to keep girls and women safe across the national capital.” The only female-led hit franchise of India and also the only female-led cop franchise of the country, Mardaani has always been lauded for bringing to light several atrocities faced by girls and women. About Mardaani 3 Ever since Yash Raj Films unveiled the trailer of Mardaani 3, it has become the biggest talking point in the Hindi film industry. Unanimously positive appreciation has been pouring in from all quarters for Rani Mukerji, who returns to reprise her widely loved character of Shivani Shivaji Roy, a daredevil cop who risks her life to save 93 young missing girls in a race against time. This time, Rani Mukerji’s Mardaani 3 focuses on a new issue of how young girls aged 8-9 years, from low-income groups, are kidnapped for a specific reason across our country. The makers have hidden the plot thus far brilliantly. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra, Mardaani 3 released yesterday in theatres. Rani Mukerji is also celebrating 30 years of her glorious career with Mardaani 3, a milestone moment that has galvanised the entire film industry to come out and celebrate her legacy.
31 January,2026 01:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFrom portraying a rape survivor in her debut film Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat to playing a resilient woman battling social injustice in Mehendi, a teacher living with Tourette syndrome in Hichki, a fearless police officer in Mardaani, and a mother who takes on an entire nation for her children in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, Rani Mukerji has consistently brought stories of strength and courage to the screen. The Bollywood star says she makes a conscious effort to present Indian women in the best possible light through her choice of roles. “Since the time I started working in this industry, I have always tried to portray Indian women in the best possible light. Whether they are journalists, police officers, teachers or housewives, for me, they are the real heroes, the real Mardaanis. I want to show the entire global audience how special Indian women are, how strong and empowered they are,” Rani told IANS. According to her, the empowerment of women is directly linked to the strength of the nation, which is why her film choices have always aligned with this belief. “And when Indian women are empowered, only then can our country truly become strong. That is why my choices have always reflected this belief,” she added. Rani emphasised that every Indian woman carries a unique strength within her. "I want to always show Indian women in the best light. I want to show how special Indian women are, because each one of them has a superpower within her, whether she is a housewife, a teacher, a journalist, or a police officer.” “I believe they perform their duties beautifully, balance their family lives with grace, and that is the most inspiring aspect of women in uniform and women in positions of power,” said the actress. She further spoke about women who navigate everyday life with resilience, continuing to move forward despite the challenges they face. “These are women who go about their daily lives carrying immense strength within them, powering through despite all the challenges thrown their way,” said the National Award-winner. As an Indian woman herself, Rani said it is important for her to portray what real Mardaanis and real heroes truly represent. "For me, as an Indian woman, it is very important to show what real Mardaanis and real heroes are like, because I am deeply inspired by all of them. I am inspired by every character I have played." Talking about her characters, the actress said she draws inspiration from every role she has played. She cited Debika from Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway as one such character, who fights an entire nation to bring her children back. “These are powerful women, strong women, and they inspire future generations. As an artist, my role is simply to bring them to life so that millions of people across the globe can see what they do,” concluded Rani. 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
31 January,2026 12:21 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
-1769855575289_d.png "Still from Jee Liya")
-1769844197923_d.png "Rani Mukerji with Delhi Police")
