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Rajpal Yadav recalls jail time after interim bail: 'I accepted the routine'

Popular comic actor Rajpal Yadav has been in the news for quite some time for the wrong reasons. The actor was sent to Tihar Jail in a cheque bounce case after he failed to comply with the deadline and repay a loan. He was recently granted interim bail to attend his niece’s wedding in his hometown. After his release, Yadav recalled his time in jail, while his wife, Radha, thanked industry colleagues for their support. Rajpal Yadav on his time in jail In a chat with Hindustan Times, the actor recalled, “The most difficult part was being away from my family. Beyond that, I accepted the routine. I would wake up early and focus on breathing exercises and maintaining mental balance.” He added, “This matter has been ongoing for many years. I believed it was right to handle it legally.” To this, Radha added, “Every possible legal and respectful option was explored. Sometimes resolution is not just about willingness; it also depends on timing.”           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Rajpal Naurang Yadav (@rajpalofficial) Rajpal Yadav also said, “After my release, I went straight to my niece’s wedding in Shahjahanpur and was grateful to be with my family. Being around loved ones in that moment meant a great deal after a difficult phase.” Radha reflected on their current approach to the legal proceedings, noting that the matter is far from resolved. She said they are taking it “one step at a time.” Although the couple did not name the industry colleagues who assisted in settling the loan, they expressed heartfelt gratitude to those who stood by their side during tough times. Rajpal Yadav also opened up about returning to work, saying, “Work schedules may fluctuate temporarily, but I will resume work gradually and responsibly. Acting has been my life for many years, and I remain committed to it.” About the case The actor received interim release to attend his niece's wedding in Shahjahanpur. Rajpal Yadav's lawyer informed the High Court that he has submitted a DD of Rs 1.5 crore after bail. The actor has been ordered to surrender his passport. The next hearing is on March 18. The Delhi High Court had ordered the actor to surrender to the police in connection with a financial irregularity case in which he had taken a loan to make his film Ata Pata Laapata in 2010 but was unable to repay it. In 2018, a magisterial court sentenced the actor and his wife to a six-month jail term. On the work front, he will next be seen in Priyadarshan’s Bhooth Bangla, co-starring Akshay Kumar, Tabu, Paresh Rawal, and many others.

21 February,2026 08:54 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Jaideep Ahlawat and Shefali Shah

Vipul A Shah on heist drama Hisaab: 'Comparisons with Aankhen are unavoidable'

Three blind men rob a bank. That premise led to a gripping heist drama in filmmaker Vipul A Shah’s Aankhen (2002). With his next, Hisaab, the director promises a bank robbery “with a twist”. The cherry on the top is its cast — Jaideep Ahlawat and Shefali Shah. “After Aankhen, I always wanted to make another film on a bank heist, but I was not getting the right idea. Hisaab is as unique a story as Aankhen was — a kind of heist film that India has not seen before. It’s taken us a long time to write it. Comparisons with Aankhen are unavoidable, though there is nothing common between the two films [except] the bank robbery. So, we wanted to make something that had strong content,” shared the director.   Jaideep Ahlawat and Shefali Shah starred in ‘Three of Us’ (2023) An ace up Vipul’s sleeve is the casting, as he has reunited Ahlawat and Shefali after their tender love story, Three of Us (2023). In them, the director found the strong performers he was seeking. “Jaideep and Shefali are two phenomenal actors who can deliver performances with ease and depth. [No matter] whether they have done Three of Us or 30 films together, they will be a pair to watch out for. The scenes light up when they are together, and it’s beautiful for me as a director to watch it happen.”   The poster of ‘Aankhen’ With the shoot complete, Hisaab is being readied for a theatrical release. The director will zero in on a release date after his production, The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond — a film through which he wants “to be the voice of the victims” — arrives in cinemas.  Shefali Shah with Vipul A Shah

21 February,2026 08:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBR
Ben Bernhard

Ben Bernhard says Road to Perdition shaped the visual tone of O’Romeo

Evocative visuals are a staple in Vishal Bhardwaj’s films. The filmmaker’s latest offering, O’Romeo, is no exception. Cinematographer Ben Bernhard shared that he referred to two specific films when designing the visual language of the Shahid Kapoor-led underworld drama, which is set in the 1990s. “We followed world cinema influences like Road to Perdition [2002] and The Grandmaster [2013],” revealed the cinematographer.   Shahid Kapoor (C) in ‘O’Romeo’ With O’Romeo being a love story set against the backdrop of the underworld, Bernhard was also mindful of visually differentiating the softer, romantic scenes from the action sequences. Decoding it further, he said, “We aimed for a soft, naturalistic visual language, rooted in a retro 1990s Bombay underworld aesthetic. For the story scenes, lighting and camera movement are gentle, with period colours supporting an understated realism. In contrast, the action sequences were treated in a more stylised manner using bolder lighting. Each narrative layer had its own distinct visual identity.”

21 February,2026 07:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar Basu
Rahul Bhat in Kennedy

Kennedy movie review: Cannot take your eyes off Rahul Bhat in noir

After a long wait, festival acclaim, and multiple delays, Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy has finally arrived in India. Starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, the noir thriller premiered at international film festivals two years ago to strong critical reception. Following cuts and modifications by the CBFC, the film is now streaming on ZEE5. Kennedy plot Bhat plays the titular Kennedy- a man who wasn’t always Kennedy, a driver for a premier cab service and a contract killer. Once known as Uday Shetty, a cop now presumed dead, he lives in pandemic-stricken Mumbai, operating in isolation as a hired killer for a corrupt police commissioner. He executes assignments without question, driven by the promise of information about Saleem- a gangster he holds a deeply personal vendetta against. The film’s first half immerses us in Kennedy’s stark routine. A man of few words, he lets his gun speak for him. Emotionally vacant and mechanically precise, he is haunted by the voices of those he has murdered, though he never engages with them. Whether these voices are manifestations of guilt or simply fragments of a fractured mind remains deliberately ambiguous. The second half traces his descent or perhaps transformation from Uday Shetty, a notorious cop, into Kennedy, a weapon in a system he once served. This isn’t a tale of a righteous man betrayed by fate. Kennedy’s downfall is self-authored. He has no one to blame but himself, even as revenge consumes him when the consequences of his violence hit close to home. Set across five nights leading up to what is ominously called “The Night,” the film builds tension through fragmentation and restraint. We are not told what the final night entails, only given a confessional monologue delivered in Bhat’s gravelly voice-  a chilling admission of countless murders committed without remorse. There is no guilt, no justification. Just facts. As the narrative unfolds, we too begin to lose count of the bodies. Kennedy eliminates not only his assigned targets but anyone who risks becoming collateral evidence. The violence is blunt, unsentimental, almost procedural. Yet, he spares one person- Charlie, played by Sunny Leone. A neighbour to his first on-screen victim, Charlie drowns her loneliness in alcohol and nervous laughter. In a world defined by corruption and duplicity, their unlikely connection offers the film its only fragile emotional thread apart from a sentimental father-daughter angle. What works in Kennedy and what does not Through Kennedy’s story, Kashyap paints a bleak portrait of systemic rot, a police force compromised by politics and wealth. The film gestures toward commentary on institutional decay but stops short of fully interrogating it. Ironically, a film about corruption found its own release delayed for two years. Where Kennedy truly excels is in atmosphere. Cinematographer Sylvester Fonseca transforms Mumbai into a nocturnal labyrinth-silent, suffocating, and morally vacant. The pandemic backdrop amplifies the isolation, making the city feel like an accomplice to Kennedy’s crimes. If the screenplay occasionally feels sparse, the film compensates through craft. Rahul Bhat delivers a commanding, controlled performance - internal, simmering, and deeply unsettling. His restraint becomes the film’s pulse. The music further strengthens the mood. With contributions from Aamir Aziz and Raghav Bhati, the soundtrack fills the emotional silences Kennedy refuses to articulate. Most notably, Tchaikovsky’s The Sound of Kennedy, performed by City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, becomes the film’s aching backbone- reflecting Kennedy state of mind after every kill. Kennedy may not be Kashyap’s most narratively tight work, but it is one of his most atmospheric. It thrives less on plot and more on presence and Rahul Bhat ensures you cannot look away.

20 February,2026 10:49 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya Nambiar
Do Deewane Seher Mein

Do Deewane Seher Mein movie review: Ever so slightly Basu Chatterjee!

Director: Ravi UdyawarActors: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Mrunal ThakurRating: 3 stars The ‘seher’ is a deliberate typo in this film’s title, Do Deewane Seher Mein (DDSM). It’s how the lead character would say that word. He’s a Bihari in Mumbai, with his father, a reputed builder, back in Patna. Biharis, as you’d know, share a sa-sha issue with pronunciations. This introverted man, with terrible stage-fright, thinks of it as an embarrassing speech-defect, instead. Which, on occasion, threatens to blown up as the whole purpose of this picture. And that seems a stretch, yes. Doesn’t help the guy’s named Shashank Sharma! But then again, this film itself is a soft, simple, sweet romcom, chiefly seeking delight in the mundane. You take it in the mould of, say, a Basu Chatterjee movie from the’70s/’80s, when working couples, à la Amol Palekar, Vidya Sinha, romancing over chicken a’ la pousse at Café Samovar, became a thing of mainstream cool (Chhoti Si Baat, 1976). Bombay song referenced is the monsoon ditty, ‘Rhim jhim gire sawan’, from Basu-da’s Manzil (1979). The young adults here, similarly, have a job, that they simultaneously juggle with finding themselves a life-partner. There’s, of course, no question of literally slipping into the Basu/Hrishi-da era. Nostalgia belongs to cinema alone. Dating apps have sufficiently corporatised romance. Hero swipes away, on way to work, in the metro. Heroine’s mom wants her to download the apps as well. The parents of both send them off to meet prospective partners. This Indian, upper-class, arranged-marriage mart plays out quite differently from the traditional/conservative one, still. In the sense that the choice is the boy’s/girl’s alone. Mummy-papa are already raazi. No other condition applies — down to the girl’s mom (adorable Ayesha Raza Mishra) being okay with a honeymoon of sorts, before wedding; or dating, before marriage. Is this reflective of metropolitan realities? I think so. It’s also the kinda socially-audited update that Sooraj Barjatya (Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!) did while dealing with modern, desi romance in his recent Rajshri series, Bada Naam Karenge (Sony LIV). DDSM is produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, charmingly scripted by Abhiruchi Chand, whose writing credits (in various capacities) include films like Gangubai Kathiawadi, Sanju, October, Kapoor & Sons, etc. The director Ravi Udyawar (Mom) last filmed a mind-numbing actioner, Yudhra (2024), with this picture’s male lead, that could drill a hole in your head! This is an appreciably gentle U-turn for both. That lead being Siddhant Chaturvedi. It’s been fun following Chaturvedi’s career since MC Sher in Gully Boy to a cool cad netting Deepika Padukone, Ananya Panday, at the same time, in Gehraiyaan. There’s a suitably bi-cultural quality within him to pull off both the city slicker, and the seedha-saadha small-town dude. It’s when he plays a role more measured to his age/stage (Kho Gaye Hum Kahan) that he scores best. DDSM is one such. Although the IIT-JEE level test for a romcom is whether you enjoy the hero’s presence, with the heroine, onscreen, first; and always — and if you want them to get together, eventually? You do, whenever he’s around Mrunal Thakur as the uptown girl, with her own insecurities, supposedly hiding her nose behind broad, thick, fake glasses. Thakur’s already delivered a rare hit in the tragically dying, theatrical genre, with Sita Raman (2022), alongside Dulquer Salmaan. The conflict in this romance centres on basic boundary and trust issues. They could equally test your patience, overstaying their welcome, sometimes. And that’s the timbre of a low-key, low-stakes, innocent, realistic, romantic drama, isn’t it? The banter between them feels worth it. It’s great to know that the worst that could happen is a bloody break-up! I understand mass-appeal lies with humans tearing humans apart on the big screen; for whatever happened to love! Is that why I’m at the first day, first show of this film so private that there’s only one other person in the hall — we could’ve split the samosas. Where do young people go on dates, yo? Or do they wait to Netflix and chill; as they will with this one? Sucks. 

20 February,2026 10:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Mayank Shekhar
Akshay Dogra

Akshay Dogra on his dark turn in Vadh 2: 'The only harness is being truthful'

In an exclusive conversation with Midday, Akshay Dogra opened up about stepping into the shoes of an antagonist in Vadh 2, calling it a massive opportunity and a creatively challenging experience. Sharing how the role came to him at an unexpected time, Akshay revealed, “So you know, funny story at the time when I got the film, I was in complete Zen mode, right? I was sort of working on myself, following Buddhist practices and compassion and being kind and all of those things.” He admitted that reading the script felt like a sharp contrast to his mindset then. “I’m reading the scenes and I’m thinking in my head, okay, this is really far from my headspace right now.” Akshay Dogra talks about his role Keshav He recalled sitting down with director Jaspal Singh Sandhu to understand the character better. “Sir, you clearly know this world,” he told him. “We sat down with the scenes, we created backstories, we talked about where he is coming from.” For Akshay, the joy of collaboration lies in discovery. “The whole fun about filmmaking and being part of good projects is that as you go along, you discover things.” Describing the vulnerability of playing dark roles, he said, “I always equated it to being thrown into deep space. The only harness that you have is being truthful to what is being shown and what is being said.” Addressing a particularly disturbing scene, he added candidly, “I’m definitely going to get some calls from my friends who are animal lovers asking how can you do this? It’s like, hey, somebody has to play the bad guy.” On doing something so negative Akshay also spoke about the discipline television instilled in him. “A lot of times people look down upon our television experience. But what television really does for an actor is you tend to know how to switch on and switch off.” He credited Sandhu’s guidance, saying, “When you have somebody at the helm who is really good at their craft, his guidance always helps.” Reflecting on his journey, he admitted, “It’s not been an easy journey.” Taking time off to write and recalibrate helped him grow. “I started writing some scripts, meeting people just to talk about the craft.” Grateful for the opportunity, he concluded, “I just got lucky with this film. I’m absolutely thankful to him.”

20 February,2026 08:40 PM IST | Mumbai | Shruti Sampat
Shahid Kapoor

O'Romeo star Shahid Kapoor reacts to online trolling

Actor Shahid Kapoor, who is currently basking in the success of his recently released film O'Romeo, helmed by Vishal Bhardwaj, shared his opinion on the incessant trolling actors receive nowadays on the internet. He condemned the act with strong words and highlighted the importance of striking a balance between allowing public opinion in one's life and holding oneself up irrespective of what the internet says. Shahid Kapoor opens up about online trolling Appearing on The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra, Season 3, he said, “It’s a difficult journey because you have to open up, but also be mindful of what & how much you allow to sit in your system. Do you want to wake every morning & make everyone happy or yourself happy? You need to reiterate to yourself, Did I have a good time? Did it help me grow? And was it a true representation of my creative energy? Ultimately, it needs to satisfy my hard work & the feeling of achieving something?” He went on to add how anonymity on the internet has made people forget their boundaries, “I say it all the time, no matter what, people can call me old-fashioned, but Aapki bolne ki aukaat honi chahiye, tabhi mooh kholna chaiye, ye mujhe bachpan se sikhaya gya hai, Pehle aap dekho ki aap kitne paani mein ho, phir baat karo. So you have to keep yourself calm amidst all this, of course, be open to constructive criticism, but at the same time fill yourself with positivity and back yourself up,” Shahid shared. Shahid Kapoor work front  On the work front, Shahid is currently gearing up for Farzi 2, the second season of the popular crime thriller created by Raj & DK. The first season of Farzi marked Shahid's OTT debut and starred alongside Vijay Sethupathi, Kay Kay Menon, Raashii Khanna and Bhuvan Arora in pivotal roles. The actor along with the show received a strong response from audience. Talking about Cocktail 2, the movie is a sequel to the 2012 romantic drama Cocktail, which originally featured Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty in lead. Cocktail 2 will star Shahid Kapoor alongside Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna in leading roles. The sequel will be produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films. Shahid, meanwhile has been receiving some great reviews from both audiences and critics alike for his powerpack performance in his recently released movie O Romeo. The movie that also starred Tripti Dimri opposite Shahid was directed by ace filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj. (With inputs from IANS)

20 February,2026 08:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Aamir Dalvi

Exclusive | Aamir Dalvi recalls nervous first day with Anurag Kashyap on Kennedy

Aamir Dalvi is earning praise for his performance as the prime antagonist in Kennedy. In an exclusive conversation with Midday, the actor opened up about the film’s long journey, its festival acclaim, and his experience working with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. Aamir Dalvi reacts to the long wait to premiere Reflecting on the delayed release, Aamir said, “The wait has certainly been long, but like they say in Hindi, sabr ka phal meetha hota hai. It’s worth it, it’s worth all the wait.” Highlighting the film’s prestigious premiere, he added, “We opened at the Cannes Film Festival. What better an opening could an artist and a film ask for? So, that’s where it all started.” After travelling to multiple festivals and receiving recognition, he feels confident about its homecoming. “It’s been a long journey to get here to the audiences, but I’m sure the audience will really appreciate the wait and appreciate the kind of film that has been made.” Speaking about his first collaboration with Kashyap, Aamir admitted to being overwhelmed. “Day one was like how every actor goes through being nervous, working with such a director of that caliber and fame.” He described the adrenaline rush and uncertainty: “You’re nervous, you’re scared, you don’t know what to do, whether you will get scolded.” Recalling a memorable moment after his first shot, he shared, “He literally came limping out and just blew a flying kiss. And he was like, ‘f**k you, turn the scene around.’ So, yeah, that was like the biggest moment for me.” After that, he said, “Everything just changed. I got into my comfort zone.” Aamir Dalvi detailed Kashyap's unconventional methods Aamir praised Kashyap’s unconventional approach. “He doesn’t want you to act. And that’s what I love. He’s like, just be it.” He explained, “The reason he will cast you is because you are somewhere very similar or close to the character.” The director offers freedom within boundaries. “He gives you a lot of liberty,” Aamir said, adding that initially he was confused: “There are no instructions given, nothing being told. I’m just being told, come from there and say your line. I’m like, what do I do?” Kashyap’s spontaneity impressed him. “He doesn’t believe in giving the scripts to the actor. He’d explain a scene and tell you to do it in your own language.” The atmosphere, he said, feels organic. “You don’t come in with a set mindset. He creates that atmosphere which is so beautiful for an actor because he lets you live.” Summing up the experience, Aamir shared, “There’s a different rush. There’s a different freshness and everything happens very spontaneously.”

20 February,2026 07:59 PM IST | Mumbai | Shruti Sampat
Anil Kapoor and Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron calls Anil Kapoor his favourite Bollywood star

Honourable French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent India visit featured several diplomatic highlights, but it was his interaction with cinema icon Anil Kapoor that truly grabbed attention. During a rapid-fire chat with Brut India, the French President was asked about his favourite Bollywood actor. With a smile, Emmanuel Macron replied, “I mean, yesterday I mentioned Jai Ho, so I would say Anil Kapoor.” In that moment, politics briefly gave way to pop culture - and the internet found its headline. When Anil Kapoor met French President Set against the iconic backdrop of the Gateway of India, the French President engaged with prominent voices from India’s arts and entertainment fraternity. At the forefront of this cultural exchange stood Anil Kapoor, representing the global resonance of Indian cinema with effortless gravitas. Sharing a photograph from the meeting, Anil Kapoor wrote, “Spent an inspiring afternoon with President Emmanuel Macron and his gracious better half, Brigitte, exchanging thoughts on cinema, culture, and the powerful bridge between India and France.” The image was more than ceremonial; it reflected Anil Kapoor’s enduring international relevance and the stature Indian cinema commands on the world stage. Spent an inspiring afternoon with President Emmanuel Macron and his gracious better half, Brigitte exchanging thoughts on cinema, culture, and the powerful bridge between India and France.Here’s to India 🇮🇳 x France 🇫🇷And to many more stories waiting to be told.… pic.twitter.com/UkNzhcKxKG — Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) February 17, 2026 As one of Indian cinema’s most recognisable global forces, Anil Kapoor’s professional slate remains equally strong. He will next be seen in Subedaar, directed by Suresh Triveni, releasing on March 5 on Amazon Prime Video, followed by Family Business, part of Netflix’s upcoming slate — proving that while world leaders may name him a favourite, audiences worldwide are eagerly awaiting his next act. Macron's Dhurandhar exit French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron recently wrapped up their diplomatic tour of India, and he dropped a Bollywood style goodby video recalling his visit to the country. In the video, Emmanuel Macron recapped his memorable moments in the country with the beats of Ranveer Singh’s viral Dhurandhar track as the background score. On Friday, Emmanuel Macron took to X and shared the tribute video in which he looked back at the special moments spent in the country from his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a breezy jog on Mumbai’s streets to indulging in Indian cuisine. He shared the video with the caption, “Thank you India!" Thank you India! 🇮🇳🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/vDJ9IH2hZy — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 19, 2026

20 February,2026 07:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone

Amid extortion threat, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone spotted at an event

Amid the security concerns following an extortion threat, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone were recently seen stepping out in the city to extend their support for her father and badminton legend Prakash Padukone. The couple was seen attending an event in Mumbai, which was also attended by Shloka Mehta Ambani and Sonam Kapoor. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone attend an event The couple was joined by Deepika’s mother-in-law, Anju Bhavnani, at the event. Several pictures from the event have now surfaced on social media. In one of the pictures from the event, Ranveer and Deepika are seated in the audience with Anju seated beside Deepika. Ranveer is seen enthusiastically applauding while Deepika flashes a warm smile as an attendee asks a question during the session. In another picture, the trio is seen looking attentively towards an audience member who is asking a question. In a third picture, Deepika is seen proudly posing on stage with her father alongside other guests and attendees present at the session, including Sonam Kapoor, and Shloka Mehta Ambani.  Ranveer Singh received threats In a fresh development in the case, Bollywood star Ranveer Singh reportedly received a threat from the Bishnoi gang, which demanded Rs 10 crore through a voice note sent to his manager from an American number. A senior Mumbai Police official said the crime branch is contacting the concerned agency in the United States through official protocol to obtain details about the number During its probe, the Mumbai crime branch found that one of the Bishnoi gang's close aides, Harry Boxer, reportedly sent the voice note threatening Ranveer Singh and demanding Rs 10 crore as extortion. In the preliminary investigation, the crime branch confirmed that the voice note received on Ranveer Singh's manager's WhatsApp bore Harry Boxer's voice.Officials are currently gathering further evidence in the case. According to the crime branch, the voice note was sent after the firing incident at filmmaker Rohit Shetty's residence. The threat was sent to Ranveer's manager's mobile number following the firing at Rohit Shetty's house. After the threat surfaced, security around Ranveer Singh was tightened. The crime branch has recorded the statement of his manager and is continuing the investigation. Police have not yet registered an FIR in the matter, but have initiated a preliminary inquiry.  (With inputs from IANS)

20 February,2026 06:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty

PMLA court grants bail to Raj Kundra in Rs 150 crore Bitcoin scam: 'All is good'

Shilpa Shetty’s husband, Raj Kundra, has found himself in hot waters again. The actor-cum-businessman appeared at the court for a hearing in the Ponzi Bitcoin scam case. Last month, the special PMLA court had issued summons to Raj Kundra and New Delhi-based businessman Rajesh Satija. Now, the actor has finally got bail in the matter. Raj Kundra gets bail in Bitcoin scam case Raj Kundra has been granted bail by a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai in the Rs 150 crore Bitcoin scam case. The PMLA court has asked Kundra to provide a surety of 1 lakh rupees. The court has further instructed the businessman to take prior permission in case he wishes to travel out of the country. Speaking to reporters after getting bail, he said, “If you have done nothing wrong in life, you are bound to get relief… All is good… Satyamev Jayate…” The special judge for cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, R. B. Rote, had in January issued a summons to Kundra after taking cognizance of a charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate in the case. Kundra appeared before the court and filed a bail plea, which the court allowed. His lawyer, Prashant Patil, submitted that Kundra had cooperated with the ED's investigation since 2021. The court, while taking cognizance of the charge sheet, had said that the statements of witnesses and other evidence "prima facie show" that Kundra and Dubai-based businessman Rajesh Satija were involved in an offence punishable under the PMLA. About the case Kundra allegedly received 285 Bitcoins from the alleged mastermind of the Gain Bitcoin Ponzi scam, Amit Bhardwaj, for setting up a Bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine. As the deal did not materialise, Kundra was still in possession of 285 Bitcoins, presently valued at more than Rs 150 crore, the ED claimed. As per the charge sheet, Kundra claimed to have acted only as a mediator, but did not provide "any underlying documentary evidence to prove the same." An agreement titled "Term Sheet" was signed between him and Amit's father, Mahendra Bhardwaj, and hence, Kundra's claim of being only a mediator was not tenable, the charge sheet said. Despite having multiple opportunities since 2018, Kundra failed to provide the wallet addresses where the 285 Bitcoins were transferred. Kundra was also seen as one of the contestants in Prime Video's reality show The Traitors. However, he was eliminated on Day 2. His most recent release was the Punjabi drama Meher, in which he was seen sharing the screen with Geeta Basra for the first time.

20 February,2026 05:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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