BAFTA-nominated actor Adarsh Gourav has taken an immersive approach for his upcoming film Tu Yaa Main, in which he essays the role of Maruti, a local rapper from Nalasopara. Adarsh spent time across Govandi, Nalasopara, Kurla, Dharavi, and Andheri, observing and jamming with artists who have built the city’s independent rap movement from the ground up. Speaking about the process, Adarsh said: “Very early on, I realised that Maruti couldn’t be built in isolation. His voice, his body language, even his silences come from a place that’s deeply tied to where he grew up.” Adarsh said that he felt it was important to step into that world before attempting to portray it on screen. He shared: “I spent time with artists across different parts of the city, Govandi, Nalasopara, Kurla, Dharavi, and Andheri, and what stayed with me was how personal their music is. We spoke about ambition, about being unheard, about using music as a way to claim space.” “Those conversations shaped how I approached the character far more than any written note could.” Reflecting on what the experience gave him as an actor, Adarsh says, “Being around the underground rap community helped me understand where the fire comes from. Their music isn’t performative, it’s lived.” “I wanted Maruti to carry that truth, to feel like someone who belongs to that world rather than someone pretending to. That honesty is what I’ve tried to hold on to while playing him.” Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, Tu Yaa Main is produced by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma under the banner of Colour Yellow, along with Vinod Bhanushali and Kamlesh Bhanushali of Bhanushali Studios Limited. Rooted in today’s creator-driven culture, the film offers a fresh, youthful take on love and survival, and is set for release on 13 February 2026. Talking about Adarsh Gourav, he is known for his work across film, television, and digital platforms. He trained in Hindustani classical music before transitioning fully into acting. He began his career as a child artiste, appearing in films such as My Name Is Khan, where he played a younger version of Shah Rukh Khan’s character. He gained wider recognition for his role in the Prime Video series Made in Heaven, portraying Balram Menon, a layered, contemporary character, showcasing his ability to handle such roles. His international breakthrough came with The White Tiger, in which he played the lead role of Balram Halwai. The performance earned him critical acclaim globally and a nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama at the Golden Globe Awards, making him one of the few Indian actors to receive that recognition. He has also acted in international productions, including ‘Extrapolations’, an Apple TV+ series. Gourav is regarded for his grounded performances and consistent choice of character-driven roles. 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
09 February,2026 11:24 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSVeteran actor Naseeruddin Shah was left livid after his invitation to a college event was withdrawn at the last moment. The actor claimed that the move was linked to his political views. While he had addressed the incident earlier, he was prodded about the same during his appearance at the airport, which left him irked. Netizens expressed disappointment over the way the actor was harassed. Naseeruddin Shah loses cool at reporter At the airport, a journalist questioned Naseeruddin about being disinvited from the university, and he replied, “I do not want to talk about this issue, so please do not harass me.” Still, the questions persisted, and the actor lost his cool, saying, “What kind of people are you? Can't you see that I have just come in from a journey and I have said to you politely that I do not want to talk about this issue? Why are you persisting, why are you harassing me?” Many users expressed anger over this incident. Actor Prakash Raj also reacted strongly, writing on his X account, “Have some shame. This is not confronting but arrogant behaviour while you are engaging with legends who have inspired generations. Disgusting.” Have some shame . @TimesNow .. this is not confronting but arrogant behaviour while you are engaging with legends who have inspired generations.. Disgusting #justasking https://t.co/rgh3csRmZM — Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) February 6, 2026 Talking about the incident, the actor claimed he was disinvited from a Mumbai University event at the last minute, without explanation or apology. In his opinion piece for The Indian Express on Thursday, Naseeruddin called the experience both insulting and disappointing: “The university, after informing me that I needn't attend (on the night of January 31, and giving no reason, forget an apology), obviously considered this not insulting enough. So they decided to rub a little salt in by announcing to the audience that I had refused to be there,” he wrote. The actor alleged the university later told the audience that he had refused to attend. Naseeruddin Shah’s upcoming movies On the work front, the actor will next be seen in Anubhav Sinha’s Assi, which stars Taapsee Pannu in the lead role. While his character details remain under wraps, his appearance is said to add drama and gravitas to the film. Apart from this, the actor will be seen as JRD Tata in the upcoming series Made in India: A Titan’s Story. Directed by Robby Grewal, the series also stars Jim Sarbh as Xerxes Desai, the pioneering founder of Titan Watch Company.
09 February,2026 11:19 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran actress Manisha Koirala paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Nepali and Bollywood actor Sunil Thapa, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 68. In her latest social media post, Manisha pointed out that the depth, truthfulness, and human empathy of his character were clearly visible in his acting. Her emotional post read, "Heartfelt tribute to Sunil Thapa. We have lost a strong, fearless and dedicated artist of Nepali cinema and theater. Depth, truthfulness and human empathy were always reflected in his acting. Whether on screen or in the theatre, his presence weighed the story, soul to the character. (sic)." Offering her condolences to those who had been close to Sunil Thapa, she added, "His contribution to the Nepali art field is priceless and his works will live in memory forever. Deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and well wishers. May peace be upon you." It must be noted that Manisha herself has her roots in Nepal. She is the granddaughter of the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala. Previously, actress Priyanka Chopra also remembered how her late Mary Kom co-star Sunil Thapa helped her through one of the toughest phases of her life after the passing away of her father, Ashok Chopra. "You will always be my Coach Sir. You kept me together when I had just lost my dad. You loved me and helped me through many tough days without even realizing. Your warm hugs and your laugh will always be part of my memories. Gone too young but never forgotten. Thank you for your kindness at a time that I was broken," PeeCee penned. She added, "Rest in peace Sunil Thapa...My condolences and prayers are with the family and loved ones." The officials told the local media that Sunil Thapa was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state on Saturday. He was later declared dead due to suspected cardiac arrest. 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
09 February,2026 10:06 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIArijit Singh’s decision to step back from playback singing sent shockwaves across the music industry. While some called it the end of an era, others expressed excitement about what the singer might explore next. In a moment that left fans stunned, Arijit returned to the stage for the first time since his retirement, joining Anoushka Shankar for a special performance. Arijit Singh’s first live performance after retirement Arijit was present as a guest performer at sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar’s show at Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium. A clip shows the crowd hooting and cheering for Arijit as Anoushka invites him on stage. Coming on stage, Arijit, while interacting with the audience, said, “I am very nervous. Thank you for having me.” Anoushka and Arijit, along with Bickram Ghosh, sang Maya Bhora Raati. The song is a Bengali track originally performed by Lakshmi Shankar, with music composed by the late sitar legend Pandit Ravi Shankar. Following the performance, Arijit also mentioned visiting Anoushka at her home, where they collaborated on composing a song together. Probably the first time that one heard #ArijitSingh after his retirement from bollywood playback !When two legends from Bengal enthralled us in KolkataThe audience was stunned when #anoushkashankar announced her surprise guest the one and only ARIJIT SINGH !! pic.twitter.com/fyFX7CCRRn — Suparna (@shupornaa) February 8, 2026 Videos and photographs from the concert quickly circulated online, drawing widespread attention. “I feel so emotional—happy and heartbroken at the same time,” one fan wrote. Another commented, “It feels like listening to him live after ages.” About Arijit Singh’s retirement On January 27, Arijit Singh shared on his social media handles that he would not take any new assignments as a playback singer. “Hello. Happy New Year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much love all these years as listeners. I am happy to announce that I am not going to take any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it quits. It was a wonderful journey,” he wrote in a note on Instagram. Talking about Arijit Singh, the singer has, over the last decade, gone on to become one of the most influential voices of contemporary Hindi cinema. Over the years, the superstar singer has delivered a string of chart-topping songs across genres, including Channa Mereya, Agar Tum Saath Ho, Gerua, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Kesariya, Phir Le Aaya Dil, Khairiyat and Shayad, among many other hits. Known for keeping a low profile, the singer leads an extremely quiet personal life with his wife, Koel Roy, and their children.
09 February,2026 08:29 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentStop me if you can Sunny Deol and Nikhil Nagesh Bhat Actor Sunny Deol has once again delivered a strong box-office performance with Border 2, which has reportedly collected over R302 crore at the box-office. And wow, we have learnt that he is already working on his next project. The buzz is that Sunny is set to collaborate with Kill (2023) director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat for a “big-scale action film”. The high-octane action thriller, which will see Sunny in a new avatar, is expected to go on floors in the second half of this year. Success has a number Tamannaah Bhatia I am all for numbers, actor Tamannaah Bhatia said, stressing that views, likes, and box-office figures are an indication of how many people have engaged with a film or song. Tamannaah, who shot to renewed fame with Stree 2 (2024) dance number, Aaj ki raat, believes success is measurable. She said, “I believe we should give importance to numbers because from that we can ascertain which film or song has been watched a lot by people. So, numbers and art are not different, rather they are reflections of one another,” she said. Love is in the air (L-R) Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan. PICS/SHADAB KHAN, YOGEN SHAH, INSTAGRAM The OG royal couple of Bollywood, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan, were spotted in Mumbai as the Nawab treated his wife to some jewellery ahead of Valentine’s Day. The stylish outing had fans and onlookers gushing over the duo’s timeless charm and understated elegance.
09 February,2026 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamWhen composer Prateek Rajagopal left India in 2019 to build a career in Hollywood, returning to score a Hindi feature wasn’t exactly part of the plan. But Tu Yaa Main, director Bejoy Nambiar’s survival thriller, came calling. What drew the composer to the project was the sensibility. “I’ve always wanted to work with filmmakers who are thoughtful and experimental. Bejoy was like that,” said the musician. Rajagopal’s transition from Hollywood productions to a Hindi feature revealed glaring differences. He pointed out that a structured ecosystem exists in Hollywood. “There is a dedicated music department of music editors, mixers, and agents. Here, I ended up wearing every hat, from scoring the film to writing music for the trailer and teaser.” Prateek Rajagopal The process of developing the background score for the Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor-led thriller was “intense, but also rewarding” for him. Considering it was a creature thriller that sees the leads battling for survival against a crocodile, the score had to mirror the film’s pulse. “Genre films like this really thrive on score. Think of something like Jaws [1975]; you can’t separate the film from its theme. Creepy string melodies, retro synth ideas, and specific percussive rhythms are all wrapped in a modern electronic production language,” he explained. Developing a score that reflected the leads’ tension and dread became a back-and-forth exchange between Nambiar and him, as they fed off each other. With Tu Yaa Main, Rajagopal consciously wanted to export one facet from Hollywood. “Hollywood films place an emphasis on background score, whereas in Hindi cinema, the focus has traditionally been on songs. I wanted to bring that level of care and intention to the score here.”
09 February,2026 07:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuFor Rakesh Chaurasia, the flute is his best friend, something that keeps him “balanced and alive”. As the globally renowned flautist tours India, he believes live concerts have become something more than an interaction between an artiste and the audience — they remind people of the beauty of authenticity in today’s world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and fabrication. In a chat with mid-day, Chaurasia discusses the changing concert landscape and the perils of AI. Excerpts from the interview. What motivates you to perform live after all these years?Live concerts are a lifesaver for performing artistes. In this world of AI, you never know what you are listening to — whether it is the person actually playing or something fabricated. Live music is still safe. Whatever mistakes happen, they happen in front of people, and you correct them. The energy, positivity, and connection you get from the audience are the biggest motivation. Has AI affected classical musicians like you?I have heard that my uncle Hariji’s [Hariprasad Chaurasia] and my tone have already been taken. If everybody starts sounding like Lataji [Mangeshkar] or Kishore Kumarji, then there is no individuality. Inspiration is different from becoming a carbon copy. We need guidance from legends, but we must polish what is within us and present that. Has the audience changed over the years?In the last few years, I’ve seen more young people attending classical concerts. I was recently in London and was surprised to see so many youngsters in the audience. You had earlier said that you used to think playing a flute was easy, but then your perspective changed.People think it’s just a piece of bamboo. Even I thought playing the flute was easy when I was four, but then I grew up. Now, after so many years, I realise how difficult it is. It needs a lot of breath, lung power, and inner energy. What excites you about stepping outside your comfort zone?I am always searching to learn something new. Collaborations force you to adapt. That curiosity comes from Hariji. He never stopped us from experimenting. Music has only seven notes. Even today, with all the progress, nobody has found an eighth note. It’s something God has kept in his own hands. Your music often leaves listeners feeling calm. Is that intentional?Legends like Hariji and Zakir [Hussain] bhai always said, ‘Play for yourself first. If you enjoy what you are doing, the audience will enjoy it too.’ Earlier, artistes wanted instant applause. With maturity, you realise music should first please your own heart. One lesson you learnt from your uncle, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia: I have never seen him get angry. He believes that anger ruins your performance. I learnt to keep myself calm, avoid arguments, and focus only on what I want to do on stage
09 February,2026 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Komal RJ PanchalWhile trade circles are abuzz with speculation that Battle of Galwan may miss its Eid release, Salman Khan and director Apoorva Lakhia are going full throttle. The team has begun shooting a special dance number from February 6, with Shabina Khan as the choreographer. An insider told us, “It’s a celebratory song. The unit is currently filming in Gorai, after which they will move to a set that has been constructed at Golden Tobacco in Vile Parle.” After the number is wrapped by February 12, only a two-week shoot will remain of the war drama that chronicles the 2020 military clash that took place between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley. About the movie missing its April 17 release date, the insider said, “It’s all speculation stemming from talk that the film may need a clearance from the Ministry of Defence. The makers are aiming for an Eid release. If they are unable to meet it, they’ll line it up for Independence Day.” Salman songs choreographed by Shabina Khan>> ‘Naach Meri Jaan’ (‘Tubelight’)>> ‘Dil De Diya’ (‘Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai’) >> ‘Naiyo Lagda’ (‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’)
09 February,2026 07:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuOver the past few days, Suniel Shetty has been poring over the pages of Black Scorpion: To Hell and Back. And it’s not just for leisure. mid-day has exclusively learnt that the actor is planning to turn the recently published book — which chronicles the life of Shyam Kishore Garikapati, one of the most feared operatives in Mumbai’s underworld in the late 1980s and 1990s — into a web series. (L-R) Vijay Shekhar, Suniel Shetty, Raju Santhanam, and Calvin Joshua. Pics/Instagram, X, Youtube In some ways, Garikapati’s life has all that you need for a true crime thriller. Authored by veteran crime journalists Vijay Shekhar, Raju Santhanam, and Calvin Joshua, Black Scorpion revisits how Garikapati got pulled into gang wars and moved through the inner circles of Dawood Ibrahim, Arun Gawli, and more. A source revealed, “Suniel thinks the story has the potential to be a thrilling web series. He likes such subjects. What makes the story more interesting is how Garikapati — known in the police circles as Black Scorpion — turned his life around after meeting top cop Kiran Bedi in Tihar Jail and eventually became a businessman.” The actor, who is in talks with the authors for adaptation rights, may play the titular role. Co-author Joshua confirmed the development, saying, “When Suniel Anna read the synopsis, he was fascinated by the arc. He decided to not only unveil the book, but also pursue the rights to adapt it into a series.” Shekhar added that the star has been “a mentor” to him since they first met on the sets of Waqt Hamara Hai (1993). Who is Shyam Kishore Garikapati? At 16, Garikapati was on the brink of joining the Indian Air Force. But he got pulled into gang wars and moved through the inner circles of Dawood Ibrahim, Arun Gawli, and more. As a prisoner in Tihar Jail, he met top cop Kiran Bedi. That set him on a path of reform, and he eventually became a businessman.
09 February,2026 07:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRSometimes a good story is not enough. It takes years, and a new identity even, for it to come to life. Who knows this better than Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan as they reunited after 16 years for ‘Bhooth Bangla’? Sources have told mid-day that the upcoming horror comedy was originally planned as the sequel to their hit, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ (2007). The first look of ‘Bhooth Bangla’ Led by Kumar and Vidya Balan, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ was a big hit on its release. Apparently, the superstar and director Priyadarshan were keen to take the franchise forward. A still from ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ A source revealed, “Priyadarshan had written a draft for a sequel. He was certain that if the franchise were to be taken ahead, it would be with Akshay. But things didn’t materialise then. Later, T-Series took the franchise forward with director Anees Bazmee and Kartik Aaryan. When Priyan sir and Akshay decided to reunite, he reworked that draft.” Priyadarshan ‘Bhooth Bangla’ also stars Tabu, Wamiqa Gabbi, and late Asrani. SixMovies Akshay Kumar and filmmaker Priyadarshan have collaborated on
09 February,2026 07:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka Sharma2026 seems to be all about cherishing old memories and keeping up with the trend, actress Mahima Chaudhry decided to recreate a special moment from her memorable hit 'Dhadkan' with co-star Shilpa Shetty. She took to her official Instagram handle and posted a picture twinning with Shilpa in cream attire. While Mahima posed in a beautiful saree, Shilpa opted to accompany her in a salwar kameez Both the ladies were seen smiling at the camera in the picture captioned, "Dhadkan in 2026 (sic)". The musical romantic drama directed by Dharmesh Darshan and produced by Ratan Jain also starred Suniel Shetty as the lead. Recently, during an exclusive conversation with IANS, Suniel revealed how he laid the seeds for the health and wellness industry with "Dhadkan". Speaking during the promotions of 'Bharat Ke Super Founders', he jokingly shared that his character Dev made a huge empire within a year just by walking on foot. Talking about how he managed to build up the empire in a year, Suniel told IANS, "By walking. Fitness is the biggest business. I got that awareness then, that's why today I have such a big business. So, I walked, got tired, fell, got up, walked, got tired. So, what was there in this? There was a lot of knowledge for mindset, mind and fitness". "So, somewhere, somewhere. When I sold it, what was there? At that time, there were a lot of problems with income tax. So, I didn't disclose it. Now everyone knows. Because now INR 500 crores is nothing. It was a lot then. That's why I decided I will talk about it now," he went on to add. Produced by Venus Records & Tapes, the project also featured Sharmila Tagore, Parmeet Sethi, Kiran Kumar, Sushma Seth, and Manjeet Kullar in supporting roles, along with others. 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
08 February,2026 11:02 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
