If things had gone as planned, Sapna Bhavnani would be unveiling the sixth edition of the Wench Film Festival at Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata today. But events over the past week have compelled the filmmaker to cancel the Kolkata leg of the horror film festival. ‘Fly’, a short film, will be screened at the festival in Mumbai Things came undone a week ago when the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) shared a few updates with her, which included the removal of SRFTI as the venue. “On February 11, SRFTI’s PR manager informed me that they were told to put all festival activities on hold. A day later, my team member got an email from the I&B ministry in which they had mentioned the two films that they didn’t clear for screening. Also, they removed SRFTI as the venue. We never heard directly from the institute,” she shared. With little time to arrange a new venue, Bhavnani had to cancel the screenings. She added, “It was too late for me to even set up a whole screening in Kolkata, in such short notice. Many of the filmmakers, whose films we were to screen, are also alumni of SRFTI, so they were naturally very excited for the festival. When we announced the cancellation, one of them said, '‘We had already bought our tickets and booked a hotel on a non-refundable fee.’ So, I thought we have to clear our name, because we have absolutely nothing to do with this. As a festival, we have done everything we were required to do. We needed an NOC, so we provided that. We were even setting up master classes for the college without budgets. They told us they would give us budgets but you didn’t. But the point being is that there is still radio silence." The cancellation hurt her on many levels, the filmmaker said. “It’s been very sad for us, especially since this is a film school. I don't know what they have given into, what the backstory is, because they have not given us any idea, if it's censorship, or some pressure. Whatever it is, we don't know, but the point is, you're a film school. You should not be able to give into all this. As a film school, you should not even censor anything. Hence, I'm really disappointed at the way the whole thing went down. We have a great audience base in Kolkata that reaches out to us all the time, so a lot of people were very disappointed. I obviously refunded all the money for the passes that we had collected. And obviously, I'm going to cancel our MoU because we've not heard from SRFTI, and we don't want to work with someone who has kind of jeopardised our entire reputation of building such a massive festival.” This is not the only last minute development that the festival director had to deal with, as we learnt that National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) dropped out as the fest's Mumbai venue the same week. While Bhavnani had locked Alliance Francaise de Bombay for the Mumbai leg since the beginning itself, in months leading up to the festival, the filmmaker got to know that NFDC was open to collaborating with festivals for their venue. "When we received that email, I was thrilled. I spoke to people at Alliance Francaise. I told them, 'We'll still be partners. We'll just move the venue there, and it might be really wonderful for our filmmakers to have a bigger theater.' We followed whatever protocol was needed to get a clearance from NFDC. In the meantime, we submitted our final selection of films to the censor and we got an NOC from them. Until then, our venue partners were SRFTI and Alliance Francaise. If we had to proceed ahead with NFDC, we needed a letter from them saying they were okay to screen our films. That letter has to be submitted to the censor. Then they said they were coming on board and we could use their logo. So, we began announcing that on our social media. But we still needed a formal letter of confirmation. That took some time and finally they sent us the letter confirming us as our venue partner. But as we began our promotions on social media, we saw that they weren't accepting our posts. I sent them an email last Thursday asking for clarity. In the evening, we received an email, saying, 'We're very sorry. Because of unforeseen circumstances, we can't be a venue partner.' Of course, the filmmakers were disheartened." Putting this episode behind her, Bhavnani is directing energies towards the upcoming Mumbai leg of the festival, which is slated to take place at Alliance Francaise de Bombay from February 26 to March 1. "We love the vibe of this venue. They were always supposed to be our collaborators," Bhavnani said. The feeling is mutual for Alliance Francaise de Bombay as its executive director Laurent Vergain said, "Our association with the Wench Film Festival over the past year has been a truly rewarding journey. We are excited about the upcoming festival this February, which promises a dynamic line-up of films and conversations. We look forward to welcoming cinephiles for another edition that celebrates imagination, diversity, and the power of cinema to connect communities." The upcoming edition will feature 54 films, with filmmaker Ritesh Gupta's The Red Mask set to open the festival. While Mother of Flies, by Adams Family, will bring the curtains down on the horror/sci-fi/fantasy fest.
20 February,2026 12:51 PM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaBollywood actor Ranveer Singh has reportedly received a serious extortion threat demanding Rs 10 crore, prompting swift action from the Mumbai Police. According to officials, a threatening voice note was sent to the WhatsApp number of the actor’s manager. The message is suspected to be linked to the Bishnoi gang and is believed to have originated from a phone number registered in the United States. Ranveer singh receives a threat call Police sources revealed that the voice note contained a demand for Rs 10 crore along with an explicit warning. An officer involved in the probe said, “We have received information about a threatening voice message demanding money. The matter is being verified and investigated.” Authorities are now working to trace the origin of the number and identify the person behind the call. Preliminary findings suggest that the voice in the message may belong to a known associate of the gang. However, officials have stressed that forensic examination is still underway to confirm the identity. “We are analysing the audio clip and coordinating with concerned agencies to track the source of the number,” a senior officer stated. Investigators are also exploring international channels to gather details linked to the US based contact. Police begin investigation on the case Despite the seriousness of the threat, police clarified that a formal FIR has not yet been registered. Instead, a preliminary enquiry has been initiated to assess the credibility of the message. “Once we establish the authenticity and gather sufficient evidence, appropriate legal action will follow,” an official added. In the meantime, security around Ranveer Singh has been tightened as a precautionary measure. Sources confirmed that additional protection has been arranged at his residence and during public appearances. The actor has not issued any public statement regarding the incident so far. The case has once again highlighted concerns about security for high profile celebrities. Authorities have assured that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure Ranveer’s safety and to identify those responsible for issuing the alleged threat. Earlier, the VPN used for the threat call and message was tracked down and the indication was towards Lawrence Bishnoi's gang.
20 February,2026 12:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood superstar Ajay Devgn took a moment to celebrate his mother on her birthday, calling her the “shakti” behind everything he is yesterday. The actor took to Instagram and shared a picture featuring him alongside his mother Veena and wife Kajol. He also wrote a heartfelt note for his mother. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) Expressing his gratitude and love, Ajay wrote, “The shakti of our lives. Everything we are begins with you. Happy Birthday Maa.” On the acting front, Ajay, who was last seen on screen in De De Pyaar De 2 with Rakul Preet Singh and R Madhavan, currently awaits the release of his upcoming film Dhamaal 4. The film is now set to hit the screens on July 3. This is the second time that the release of the drama has been pushed. Initially, Dhamaal 4 was slated to reach the theatres on March 19. However, in order to avoid a box-office clash with two much-hyped dramas Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar: The Revenge and Yash's Toxic, the makers chose June 12 as the new release date. Made under the direction of Indra Kumar, Dhamaal 4 will retain the core cast of the popular franchise, including Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Sanjay Mishra, and Jaaved Jaaferi. Joining in on the fun, Esha Gupta, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Anjali Anand, Upendra Limaye, Vijay Patkar, and Ravi Kishan will also be a part of the cast this time. Jointly backed by Ajay Devgn, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Ashok Thakeria, Indra Kumar, Anand Pandit, and Kumar Mangat Pathak, Dhamaal 4 is presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in association with Devgn Films, a T-Series Films, Maruti International, and Panorama Studios production. The first instalment in the franchise, Dhamaal, was released back in 2007. The project stars Sanjay Dutt, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Aashish Chaudhary, Javed Jaffrey, Asrani, Sanjay Mishra, Murli Sharma, Vijay Raaz, Manoj Pahwa, Tiku Talsania, and Prem Chopra in key roles. In 2011, came the sequel Double Dhamaal, followed by the third reboot titled Total Dhamaal in 2019. 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
20 February,2026 12:21 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSInterior designer Sussanne Khan took to social media recently to pen a heartfelt birthday note for her boyfriend Arslan Goni’s father, Aslam Goni, calling him a wonderful human being. She also shared a few warm family moments along with her wishes. Sharing a cozy picture featuring herself, Aslam Goni and Arslan Goni, Sussanne wrote, “Happy happy birthday to the most wonderful human being aslamgoni love u toooo much Aslam uncle.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Arslan Goni (@arslangoni) In the photo, the trio can be seen posing with smiles galore. In another picture, Sussanne shared a cheerful image of Aslam Goni with Arslan and her brother and actor Zayed Khan. The three men are seen smiling for the camera. Alongside the image, she wrote, “You have a mountain of humility and wisdom that is so beautiful Aslam uncle.. happpppy happy birthday aslamgoni.” For the uninitiated, Sussanne Khan, also known as Bollywood veteran Sanjay Khan's daughter. A few months ago, post Sussanne’s birthday, she was seen visiting Arsalan’s family at his hometown in Kashmir. She had shared a photo of herself back then, posing with Arsalan Goni and his gang of cousins. Sussanne is often seen partying and chilling with Arsalan’s friends and family. For the uninitiated, Sussanne was earlier married to superstar Hrithik Roshan and also is a mother of two sons. The former couple parted ways officially in 2014 after being married for 13 years. Hrithik and Sussanne co-parent their sons, and despite being divorced, they continue to remain good friends and are often seen at family events or holidaying together with their respective current partners. 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
20 February,2026 12:05 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSKritika Kamra and Gaurav Kapur are set to tie the knot in Mumbai this March. The couple will have an intimate wedding signing on March 11 at Gaurav’s Bandra home, followed by a beautiful sundowner celebration in golden hues. Close family and friends will attend the private ceremony and a grand yet elegant after-party. Kritika, Gaurav to have sundowner wedding after registration Golden hues and a warm sundowner glow will set the stage as Kritika Kamra and Gaurav Kapur host an intimate wedding ceremony in Mumbai this March. Designed as a sundowner affair, the celebration will feature elegant gold-toned décor, creating a refined and festive ambience for the evening gathering, followed by a celebratory party. A source close to the couple told IANS, “The theme is golden hues as it’s a sundowner event. The décor will be in elegant gold tones to go with the celebration. The after-celebrations on the 12th are in South Mumbai. It’s in an old colonial/Victorian-style venue.” The couple will formalise their union on March 11 with a private signing and registration ceremony at Gaurav’s residence in Bandra, attended by close family members and select friends. The source added, “Kritika’s family is flying down to Mumbai in early March. The ceremony on the 11th will be an intimate one where their wedding signing/registration will take place at Gaurav’s house in Bandra, followed by a celebratory party.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kritika Kamra (@kkamra) The couple will exchange vows in the presence of immediate family, followed by a private celebration with close family and friends. Talking about the after-party, the source said, “The 12th party is being planned on a grand scale in Mumbai and beautifully captures their shared love for timeless aesthetics and meaningful gatherings.” More about Gaurav and Kritika It was in December that Kritika made her relationship with Gaurav Kapur Instagram official. The actress took to Instagram, where she shared a set of candid pictures from a breakfast date with Gaurav, confirming their romance. They also spent New Year together in Jaisalmer with close friends. For those unaware, Gaurav Kapur is a renowned television personality, cricket presenter, and content creator. Workwise, Kritika will next be seen in Matka King alongside Vijay Varma. The series, directed by Nagraj Manjule and set in the 1960s, tells the story of a cotton trader in Mumbai who invented a form of gambling called Matka. It will premiere in April 2026.
20 February,2026 10:17 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentEntrepreneur and actor Shahid Kapoor's wife Mira Rajput, seems to be reliving her childhood days through her kids. The actress gave a glimpse of the same on her social media when she revealed that the popular Panchtantra stories had become a part of her night routine these days. Sharing a picture of the Panchatantra book, Mira wrote, ”in other news..Panchatantra has become the bedtime story.” Going by the picture shared by Mira, it seems like the doting mother reads the epic tales to both her kids while putting them to sleep. Meanwhile, talking about Mira Rajput, a few weeks ago, filmmaker Farah Khan was seemingly bowled over by her fitness and good looks. Khan seemed so stunned that she ended up offering a film role to Mira Rajput during a recent vlog shared on her YouTube channel. Farah was visibly impressed by Mira’s casual yet glam appearance the moment she walked into the apartment where the vlog was shot. In the video, Farah is seen warmly welcoming Mira before complimenting her looks. Clearly taken by surprise in a good way, Farah could be heard telling Mira that she looked absolutely stunning and should consider acting in films. Farah, in her quintessential fun style even went on to offer her a role, saying, “Mira, you can become a heroine. Do a role in my film.” The moment left Mira blushing, who further politely declined the offer. On the personal front, Mira is the wife of Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor. The couple got married in July 2015 through an arranged setup introduced by their families. She is the mother of two children, daughter Misha and son Zain. Mira Rajput recently had turned into an entrepreneur successfully taking her business sky high. 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
20 February,2026 10:12 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSVeteran actor, director and television presenter Annu Kapoor marked his 70th birthday on February 20 with gratitude, reflection and a fresh creative announcement. Speaking to ANI, Kapoor thanked his fans for their wishes and revealed details about his upcoming play titled Triple A, while also paying tribute to legendary Hollywood actor Sidney Poitier, with whom he shares his birth date. "Thank you so much for reminding me of the past," Kapoor said, expressing appreciation for the birthday messages he received. Calling himself "a very ordinary, simple man," the actor said he felt honoured to share his birthday with Poitier. "I salute Sir Sidney Poitier. He was an iconic actor of American cinema, a towering performer and a master artist," Kapoor said, recalling that Poitier was among the first Black actors to receive an Academy Award, mentioning the film To Sir, With Love. On his milestone birthday, Kapoor also spoke about his new theatrical venture. Titled Triple A, the play stands for "Art, Artists, and Audience." The play has been written with the support of his creative associates Arunima Misra, Devendra Balsaraf and Sufi Khan. Auditions are currently underway, with two sessions already completed. "We are looking for young boys and girls who can dance as well," he added. Kapoor asserted that originality remains central to his work. "I never imitate anyone... like always this project will also be original, authentic, pure." Reflecting on his journey from humble beginnings to national recognition, Kapoor spoke about growing up in rural India and travelling across villages. He said his life experiences shaped his understanding of society and characters. Despite professional success, he maintained that he had never compromised on his principles or self-respect. Kapoor also recalled that his first opportunity as a director came through Jaya Bachchan, whom he described as an elder sister figure. He directed and produced the film 'Abhay', starring Nana Patekar, and received the National Award and the V. Shantaram Special Contribution Award for the project. Known for films such as Mandi, Mr. India, Tezaab, Ram Lakhan, Ghayal, Hum, Darr, Sardar, Aitraaz and 7 Khoon Maaf, Kapoor has also hosted the popular television show Antakshari and currently presents the radio programme Suhaana Safar With Annu Kapoor. He was recently seen in The Signature. At 70, Kapoor says he now seeks "creative satisfaction" and plans to direct one or two new projects. "Whatever I create will be genuine and pure," he said. 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
20 February,2026 10:04 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSGlobal icon Priyanka Chopra has taken to her social media account to shower praise on former beauty queen and actress Namrata Shirodkar, calling her “a queen” after an old pageant video of Namrata resurfaced online. Priyanka took to her social media account to reshare a throwback clip featuring Namrata from her beauty pageant days. The video shows a young Namrata Shirodkar confidently introducing herself on stage during the Miss Universe 1993 competition, where she represented India and emerged as a top six finalist. Wearing a sash that read “India”, Namrata is seen poised and well articulated during the introduction round. Sharing the clip, Priyanka captioned it, “Once a queen always a queen namratashirodkar urstrulymahesh” The gesture comes across as a warm and loved from one beauty queen to another, considering Priyanka herself went on to win the Miss World 2000 title. On the professional front, Priyanka is all geared up to feature in ace filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli’s highly anticipated film Varanasi alongside Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, who is also known to be Namrata Shirodkar’s husband. During the unveiling of the film’s first look in November, Priyanka had flown down to Hyderabad for the event. She was seen interacting with Mahesh Babu and his wife Namrata Shirodkar and family. Talking about the beauty pageant girls, Priyanka and Namrata, both began their journeys in Bollywood after winning the Miss India titles in 2000 and 1993, respectively. Priyanka continues to pursue a flourishing acting career, and Namrata stepped away from films after marrying Mahesh Babu in 2005. In several old interviews of Mahesh Babu, the actor had been seen quoting how he had made it clear to Namrata during their courtship period that he wanted a partner who would prioritise family life and nurture their children with strong values. Namrata supported this decision further choosing to focus on her family and quit Bollywood at the peak of her career. From movies like Pukar and Vaastav to Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai and others, Namrata was known for her acting abilities. On the personal front, Namrata Shirodkar got married to Mahesh Babu on 10 February 2005 in Mumbai. The couple are blessed with two children: their son Gautam Krishna Ghattamaneni and their daughter Sitara Ghattamaneni. 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
20 February,2026 09:56 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS90s Bollywood divas Bhagyashree and Madhoo recently reunited at a gathering. The two actresses, who were part of the golden era of the 1990s, were seen posing together for a warm picture that quickly grabbed the attention of fans online. In the picture shared by Madhoo on her social media account, Bhagyashree looked graceful in a layered white gown with minimal jewellery and makeup, while Madhoo stunned in a striking red halter-neck jumpsuit. The two actresses were seen standing close and smiling brightly. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Madhoo Shah (@madhoo_rockstar) Sharing the picture on her social media account, Madhoo wrote, “My darling bhagyashree.online in a world that is so busy and breathe and get by, you actually paused to see and hear and understand someone else and showered affection …. Truly gratitude for your generosity of spirit.” Throughout the caption, Madhoo highlighted how Bhagyashree took the time to shower praises on someone else. She applauded Bhagyashree’s generosity of spirit. Talking about Bhagyashree's work front, the actress made her Bollywood debut opposite Salman Khan in the 1989 blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya, which turned her into an overnight sensation. She later appeared in films like Tyagi, Paayal, and Qaid Mein Hai Bulbul. Bhagyashree shocked fans by quitting Bollywood while being at the peak of her career to focus on her marital life and family. Talking about Madhoo, the actress carved a niche for herself with notable performances in the early 90s era of Bollywood and the South film industry. She featured in Hindi films like Phool Aur Kaante, Diljale, and Yeshwant. Madhoo went on to gain immense popularity in South cinema, especially with Mani Ratnam’s iconic film Roja, which brought her pan-India recognition. After working across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema, the star actress eventually took a sabbatical from films to focus on her family. The actress, in recent years, has become active in the industry as well as on social media. 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
20 February,2026 09:49 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSSalim Khan, 90, was admitted to Lilavati Hospital on Tuesday, February 17, after he suffered a minor brain haemorrhage. Doctors later confirmed that his condition is stable and that he is being kept under close watch in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, the press statement issued by the doctors has left the Khan family displeased. Salman Khan and his family have conveyed to the doctors not to divulge any details about Salim Khan’s health. Salman Khan’s family displeased with doctors If a report by Variety India is to be believed, the actor and his family have asked the hospital authorities not to share any information regarding Salim Saab’s health. “Health is a private matter. Ideally, no updates should be shared with the media, and any communication should be left entirely to the family, if and when they choose to address fans and well-wishers,” a source close to the family told the entertainment portal. “Salman and his family were displeased with the doctor’s public statement and have clearly conveyed to the authorities that they do not want any further details disclosed,” the insider added. “It is understandable that there is immense public interest in Salim Saab’s well-being, but medical information is a confidential matter. The family wants to avoid any unnecessary speculation or media scrutiny surrounding Salim Khan’s condition,” the source stated. About Salim Khan’s health The veteran screenwriter was admitted by his family doctor after his BP soared and he suffered a brain haemorrhage. He was also put on a ventilator to ensure his condition does not worsen. Confirming the same, doctors had said, “He was having jerks, and his blood pressure was high. We treated him. We had to put him on a ventilator so that his condition does not worsen. It wasn’t because he was critical. We conducted the required investigations. Today, we performed a small procedure on him. The procedure is called DSA (digital subtraction angiography).” Salim Khan’s family at the hospital As concern over Khan's health mounted, his children, including superstar Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan, daughter Alvira, and sons-in-law Atul Agnihotri and Aayush Sharma, were seen outside the hospital along with other well-wishers. His long-time partner Javed Akhtar and several politicians were also seen visiting the hospital. Recently, Aamir Khan, along with his girlfriend Gauri Spratt, also paid a visit.
20 February,2026 08:40 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentReal locations The biopic based on the life of Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly is set to go on floors in March, with Rajkummar Rao stepping into the former skipper’s shoes. Backed by Vikramaditya Motwane and Luv Ranjan, the film will be shot at Lord’s Cricket Ground in the UK, and Eden Gardens in Kolkata. According to sources, the makers have identified Lord’s and Eden Gardens as key locations to authentically recreate defining chapters from Ganguly’s cricket career. Tapping into trauma Kani Kusruti in ‘Assi’ In the upcoming film Assi, actor Kani Kusruti takes on the role of a rape survivor and she believes it is impossible to comprehend the trauma but she has tried to bring authenticity to it based on the collective reality that women face in India. Talking about her role, Kani told PTI, “I don’t think one can tap into the trauma [of a survivor] exactly. As an actor, we tried to go closest to it and there can be moments you are probably in it because you are almost believing this has happened to you.”
20 February,2026 07:57 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamADVERTISEMENT
