Roping in an international crew Farhan Akhtar in the poster of 120 Bahadur The upcoming war drama 120 Bahadur, starring Farhan Akhtar, aims to spotlight the heroic Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 India-China War. To ensure authenticity on a grand scale, the makers have reportedly brought in Snow Business, the world-renowned artificial snow company behind major Hollywood productions like the Harry Potter films, Gladiator movies, and House of the Dragon. The film tells the story of 120 soldiers from the Indian Army’s 13 Kumaon Regiment who bravely defended Rezang La against 3000 Chinese troops. Though shooting at the real location — 16,000 feet up in Ladakh — was not possible, the terrain will be recreated with lifelike detail. Directed by Razneesh Ghai and produced by Excel Entertainment and Trigger Happy Studios, 120 Bahadur hits theatres on November 21, with its teaser arriving in early August. All ears for good roles Nandita Das Actor Nandita Das has expressed a strong desire to return to acting, making it clear that she hasn’t left the craft behind. In a candid Instagram post, she wrote, “I keep getting asked — ‘Do you still act?’ So let me say it loud and clear — yes, I do!” Nandita, celebrated for her performances in films like Fire (1996), Earth (1998), and Bawandar (2000) shared that directing doesn’t mean she is done with acting. “I think I can act,” she wrote. She reflected on the current landscape, noting that visibility often trumps talent and that she has become a recluse but is “all ears” for good roles. When is the next Bajrangi Bhaijaan coming? (From left) Kabir Khan and Harshali Malhotra As Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) completes a decade, director Kabir Khan marked the occasion by sharing nostalgic behind-the-scenes photos from the film’s shoot. In a heartfelt post, he wrote that even 10 years on, the story of love and hope continues to resonate deeply with audiences. “It’s incredible how the film still moves people to both tears and laughter — it has clearly left a lasting emotional impact,” he reflected. Fans flooded the post with love, pleading for a sequel. Responding to the excitement, Kabir, in a recent media interaction, shared that talks are indeed on and that he is approaching the idea with great care as it’s not just about riding on the success of Bajrangi Bhaijaan. He said that he wants to preserve the soul of the film.
18 July,2025 08:09 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamGuru Dutt’s granddaughter has the same grievance that cinephiles around the country do — that the filmmaker left us too soon. He might have been only 39 when he breathed his last, but in his two-decade career, the actor and filmmaker gave Hindi cinema some of its best works. To mark his birth centenary, Ultra Media is hosting a nationwide retrospective of his classics from August 8 to 10. His granddaughter Gouri says she is thrilled at the idea of the retrospective. “It gives old fans a chance to reconnect and discover his films again,” she shares. Gouri Dutt Screenings of classics — from Pyaasa (1957) to Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), from Mr & Mrs 55 (1955) to Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) — will be hosted across Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and other cities. That the filmmaker’s movies are relevant even today is the biggest sign of how foresighted he was, notes Gouri. “The way my grandfather perceived the world, they were original to who he was and that made his movies unique. Today, young filmmakers are pressured to make formula films, but his films stand out as they were original even then.” While much has been known of Dutt, the filmmaker, Gouri gives us a peek into the man behind the movies, as she says, “I wish we got to spend some time with him. We’ve heard that grandfather was a very strict parent, and my dad [Arun Dutt] used to be scared of him. But at the same time, he was generous with his time and care. He loved animals. What I find inspiring about him is regardless of success or failure, he kept working hard.” Guru Dutt in Pyaasa Rajat Agrawal, COO, Ultra, reveals that the three-day festival will kick off with a grand event on August 6 in Mumbai. He explains, “We’ll have a round-table discussion with prominent figures from the film industry. This will be followed by a screening of Pyaasa in the restored 4K version. The festival will run in 25 cities and 250-300 screens across the country.” 25Cities where the screenings will be held Aug 8-10When the nationwide retrospective will be held The restoration of Pyaasa and other films was undertaken by NFDC’s National Film Archive of India.
18 July,2025 07:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRAt 59, Salman Khan is not shying away from action. His last three films — Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023), Tiger 3 (2023), and the recent Sikandar — have been actioners, and his next, Battle of Galwan, will be a test of his physical prowess. As he sits down for his first interview with mid-day since Sikandar’s release, the superstar admits that training for the film has been taxing. “It’s physically intense. With each passing year, month, and day, it becomes more challenging. I have to invest a lot more time now. Earlier, I could get into shape in just a week or two, but this time I’m running, kicking, punching — doing it all. This film is on another level physically, especially with the shoot [slated to] happen in Ladakh, at high altitudes and in freezing water,” he begins. Chitrangda Singh plays the female lead in Battle of Galwan For decades, the superstar has been the poster boy of fitness for his male fans. But as he trains for director Apoorva Lakhia’s war drama — which is based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops that saw them employing hand-to-hand combat, and using sticks, stones, and clubs to fight — he says that maintaining peak fitness is not easy. “One cannot be that ripped all the time, 24x7. When there’s a role, you adjust your fitness accordingly. But every day, you have to eat right and work out. The older you grow, the harder you need to work because it’s not as easy to do this anymore. There are no shortcuts.” In the past month, Khan has focused on the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL). While the actor was the brand ambassador last season, this time, he has stepped up as an investor. The decision stems from his desire to make off-road motorcycle racing popular, with an emphasis on safety. “In every small town, every village, there are kids attempting supercross on streets, which is dangerous not only for them, but also for the people around. We didn’t have any infrastructure where they could compete. In this sport, you’re going to fall, but be as safe as possible. Wear your padded gear,” he says. There’s another reason he wanted to back the sport. “Everything here is cricket, cricket, cricket! There’s nobody in this field, so I thought I should get into this.” Kiren Rijiju Bonding over fitness In March, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju praised Salman Khan for going to Arunachal Pradesh in 2019 to promote adventure sports as part of the Fit India Movement. Mention Rijiju to him, and the actor says, “He is like a brother to me. He wanted me to go there to encourage the youth. Also, the family of Matin [Rey Tangu], who featured in Tubelight [2017], is close to Kiren. That’s how I got into it.”
18 July,2025 07:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuThe Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is at it again. This time, it has pulled out its scissors for Murderbaad, a thriller starring Sharib Hashmi and Manish Chaudhari. Despite the film being given an ‘A’ certificate, director Arnab Chatterjee was instructed to remove the words ‘pradhan mantri’ and ‘chaiwala’ from a dialogue. In the scene, Hashmi’s character jokingly tells a tea vendor that he will buy his shop off, to which the latter retorts that the day such an incident takes place, he shall be the prime minister. A source reveals, “It was deemed offensive by many people in the viewing committee. Since it wasn’t an important plot point, everyone felt it would be safer to do away with it. The film was given an ‘A’ certificate.” Chatterjee confirms the development and adds that the lines were imagined as harmless banter between the two characters. He says, “The dialogues are written by me. According to me, it was an absolutely benign joke, rather aspirational for the lower-middle class of our country, and far away from any political stance. We’ve made the changes as we respect the standpoint of the committee.”
18 July,2025 07:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuPriyanka Chopra, who made headlines earlier on Thursday after a video of her making some food choices went viral on the internet. Desi netizens slammed the 'desi' girl for choosing Western food items over Indian delicacies. And now, PeeCee has fired back in style at the trolls who have been criticising her for her food preferences. She reacted to the mixed response to the viral video, sarcastically saying she did not know one has to follow some ‘syllabus’ for being desi. Priyanka Chopra's viral video During an interaction at the red carpet premiere of her latest release, Heads of State, Priyanka was asked some questions as part of a fun rapid fire. She was asked to pick between two dishes, out of which was an Indian food item and the other was international cuisine. When asked to choose between empanadas and samosas, she hesitated for a while before playing it safe by saying, “Depends on the mood.” She was then asked to pick between enchiladas and chicken tikka masala. She calls it a tough one before eventually saying, “both.” However, when asked to choose between vada pav and hot dogs, she immediately picks the second option without giving it a second thought. She said, “I love a vada pav, but hot dog is my weakness." Her answer did not sit well with desi netizens as they began commenting on the video. An influencer known for mocking American TikTokers who try Indian food jumped on and posted a reaction video. Soon, the internet erupted with comments, with many calling her choices “absolutely blasphemous.” Priyanka Chopra responds to the backlash Priyanka Chopra took to her Instagram Stories on Thursday to slam the trolls. The actress shared the influencer's video, questioning why she took so much time to choose between Indian food items and other items. In the caption, Priyanka wrote, “Wow bro! Didn't know there was a syllabus for being desi. Its not that serious (laughing face emoticons).” Priyanka was recently seen in Heads of State, alongside Idris Elba and John Cena in the comedy action thriller. Additionally, she is also set to make her comeback to Indian cinema with SS Rajamouli’s SSMB 29.
17 July,2025 10:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPriyanka Chopra's baby brother Siddharth Chopra turned 36 years old on Saturday and the 'Barfi' actress wished him on his special day with a perfect family photo. Taking to the stories section of her Instagram handle, Priyanka posted a lovely image from what seemed to be a family vacation. The pic featured PeeCee, along with her singer husband Nick Jonas, mother Madhu Chopra, brother Siddharth, and sister-in-law Neelam Upadhyaya. The still was accompanied by a sweet birthday wish that read, "Happy birthday @siddharthchopra89. Here's to celebrating you every day. We love you," along with red heart, heart eyes, and party popper emojis." Priyanka's mother and sister-in-law re-shared the photo on their respective Instagram stories. In another post, PeeCee also wished her mother-in-law, Denise Jonas on her birthday, who shares it with Siddharth. She shared a photo on her IG where Denise was seen with her arms wrapped around Siddharth. “Two of my most special people were born today (heart hand emoji). Always love you, Glammy & Mama, Happy birthday @mamadjonas @siddharthchopra89," Priyanka captioned the post. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra) For the unversed, this happens to be Siddharth's first birthday after his wedding to Neelam in February this year. Both Priyanka and Nick made a lot of headlines for their adorable moments from the lavish wedding. The couple was seen performing their duties as the Didi and Jiju of the groom, with the singer being adored for embracing Indian traditions with utmost grace. Little Malti Marie Chopra also left everyone awestruck at her Mammu's wedding. Work-wise, after Heads of State, Priyanka will soon be seen in the much-awaited second season of the web series "Citadel". Initially slated to reach the audience this year, the project has been delayed to spring 2026. Additionally, PeeCee has also been roped in as the leading lady for SS Rajamouli's next named SSMB29 for now. She will be seen sharing screen space with Tollywood heartthrob Mahesh Babu for the first time in this yet-to-be-titled drama. 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
17 July,2025 10:51 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSGlobal star Priyanka Chopra Jonas and her American popstar husband Nick Jonas redefined relationship goals during their romantic holiday at the beach. Nick took to Instagram, where he shared a video from the beach. Nick made a reel on Jonas Brothers new song titled “I Can't Lose”. It started with Nick standing at the beach by himself dressed in a sleeveless shirt paired with shorts and a baseball cap. It had the text overlay that read: “Without her” along with a sad face emoji. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) As soon as the music paces, Priyanka ran to Nick and leaped on him. The two then shared a passionate kiss. The text overlay then changed to read, "With her!" with heart eyes and happy emoji. The singer captioned the post: “I can't lose." Talking about the couple, they started dating in May 2018. The two got engaged in August, the same year. It was in December 2018, when Priyanka and Nick got married at the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur in traditional Hindu and Christian ceremonies. The couple welcomed their first born, a daughter named Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, via surrogacy in 2022. On the acting front, Priyanka’s latest work includes “Head Of States”, directed by Ilya Naishuller, an action-comedy film. The film also stars Idris Elba, John Cena, Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid and Sarah Niles. Priyanka plays Noel Bisset, an MI6 agent who joins forces with John Cena and Idris Elba’s characters to navigate a high-stakes situation after their diplomatic mission is disrupted in the comedy-actioner. The 42-year-old actress also has Krrish 4, which marks actor Hrithik Roshan’s directorial debut. She is all set to portray a 19th-century Caribbean pirate in “The Bluff”, which is a swashbuckler drama film co-written by Frank E. Flowers and Joe Ballarini, with Flowers also directing. The film stars Karl Urban, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Safia Oakley-Green, and Vedanten Naidoo. Set in the Caribbean islands during the 19th century, the film features Priyanka as a former female pirate who must protect her family when her past catches up to her. Adding to the line-up, Priyanka’s upcoming projects also include 'SSMB 29', a film directed by SS Rajamouli. This project marks her first collaboration with the acclaimed director and stars Mahesh Babu alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran. 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
17 July,2025 10:50 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSSreeleela is undoubtedly one of the biggest sensations and most promising faces in today’s time. Her electrifying screen presence, captivating expressions, and flawless dance moves have taken the nation by storm. She is now all set to step into Bollywood alongside two bankable stars. While Aashiqui 3 with Kartik Aaryan is announced, her next big project is with Ranveer Singh which also stars Bobby Deol. Sreeleela in Ranveer Singh movie After delivering a streak of hits and going viral with the chartbuster Kissik from Pushpa 2: The Rule, she has become a top choice for filmmakers and fan favorite across the country. With a devoted fanbase eagerly awaiting her next move, Sreeleela is now set to make her much-anticipated Bollywood debut with Aashiqui 3 this year. Amid the growing buzz, an industry source has revealed that the actress has already bagged another mega project, this time alongside two powerhouses, Ranveer Singh and Bobby Deol. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SREELEELA (@sreeleela14) “Sreeleela joins Ranveer Singh and Bobby Deol for a mega project, all three actors are deeply invested in reshaping themselves for their roles. The project demands a level of intensity and evolution never seen before from them,” revealed the source. This has just amped up the excitement even more! Despite being a young newcomer in Bollywood, Sreeleela has already bagged a mega project alongside two of the industry's biggest and most acclaimed actors. With her magnetic screen presence and impressive acting chops, she's all set to shine and leave a mark in this project as well. Sreeleela upcoming movie On the other hand, Sreeleela is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Aashiqui 3. Starring opposite Kartik Aaryan in this much-awaited romantic drama, their fresh pairing has already created a buzz, with fans already loving their chemistry. The film is slated for a grand theatrical release later this year. For those unversed, Sreeleela is an American-born Indian actress primarily working in Telugu and Kannada films. She began her journey in cinema as a child artist in the 2017 Kannada film Chitrangada. By 2019, she made her debut as a leading actress in Kannada films like Kiss and Bharaate. Her cameo in Pushpa 2 recently made her a sensation.
17 July,2025 10:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFans are eagerly awaiting to see Ranveer Singh take the Don franchise forward after Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since its announcement, the film has been in hot waters for several reasons. It was earlier announced that Kiara Advani would star alongside the actor. However, she backed out after announcing her pregnancy. Rumours were rife that Kriti would now be the leading lady in Don 3. The makers have now officially confirmed the news. Kriti Sanon in Don 3 In a press release, they said, “Farhan Akhtar is also preparing for his next directorial venture, Don 3, which is expected to go on floors in January 2026. The film will feature Ranveer Singh and Kriti Sanon in leading roles.” They, however, added, “Casting for the film is underway, with the makers reportedly in talks with a top A-list actor to take on the intense antagonist role.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kriti Sanon 🦋 (@kritisanon) This news comes days after Kiara announced the arrival of her baby girl. Sharing a joint note, she and Sidharth posted, “Our hearts are full and our world forever changed. We are blessed with a baby girl." About Kriti in Don 3 After Kiara’s exit rumours, the Crew actress was spotted several times outside the Excel Entertainment office. Recently, she posted a birthday note for Ranveer Singh on Instagram and mentioned towards the end, “P.S. Looking forward to working with you soon!” Amid this, Vikrant Massey also backed out of the film, revealing he was not satisfied with the character. He was supposed to essay the antagonist in the film. The role later went to Vijay Deverakonda, who also rejected it. The production house is yet to address rumours about Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra making cameos in the film. Farhan Akhtar's Upcoming Film On the work front, Farhan is gearing up for 120 Bahadur. The war drama attempts to bring to life one of the lesser-known chapters of Indian military history — the legendary Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 India-China War. It is set to release in theatres on 21 November this year. The film's teaser will be out in the first week of August.
17 July,2025 07:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a powerful and proactive move that underscores his longstanding respect for the action community, Akshay Kumar has personally insured the lives of 650 stuntmen and stuntwomen across India, shining a much-needed spotlight on this overlooked community of the film industry. His initiative comes at a time when safety concerns in the entertainment world are once again in focus, following the unfortunate death of stuntman Raju on the set of Pa Ranjith and actor Arya’s upcoming Tamil film. Details on insurance provided by Akshay Kumar For years, stunt performers have put their lives on the line to create high-risk action scenes, often without proper safety equipment or medical support. Most of them have little to no insurance, which means even a minor injury can lead to huge medical bills and loss of income. Their families live in constant worry, knowing that one accident could change their lives forever. Akshay Kumar is giving them more than just insurance; he’s making them feel seen, valued, and a little more secure about their future. Vikram Singh Dahiya, a seasoned stunt professional who has worked on films like Dhadak 2, Jigra, Gunjan Saxena, Antim, and OMG 2, expressed his gratitude towards Akshay Kumar for the initiative. “Thanks to Akshay sir, around 650 to 700 stuntmen and action crew members in Bollywood are now covered under insurance,” he shared. “The policy includes both health and accident coverage. If a stunt performer is injured, whether on or off set, they can avail of cashless medical treatment up to Rs 5 to Rs 5.5 lakh.” This makes the total sum insurance come up to Rs 35 crore and more. His efforts have not only been deeply appreciated by the stunt community but are also being viewed as a benchmark for how individuals in positions of power can bring about real, lasting change. SM Raju's death This move comes after the tragic demise of stuntman S M Raju on the sets of Pa Ranjith's film. The 52-year-old stuntman, whose real name was Mohan Raj, was driving an SUV in a high-octane stunt scene for the film in Nagapattinam on July 13 when he suddenly collapsed. His colleagues pulled him out of the vehicle and rushed him to a hospital where he was declared brought dead.
17 July,2025 07:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani handed out sweet boxes to the paparazzi assembled outside the hospital where their baby girl was born. The box came with a sweet request to all the photographers assembled at the hospital. The couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on July 16. Sidharth and Kiara celebrate with paparazzi The couple shared their happiness with paparazzi. The couple sent out sweet boxes for paparazzi stationed at the hospital gate. The box came with a request to all the paparazzi. The message read, "Our Baby girl is here! Just a little someting sweet to celebrate this special moment." "No pictures please, only blessings," the message further read. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Sidharth and Kiara announce the birth of their baby girl On Wednesday, July 16, the couple shared a joint post on Instagram, which read, “Our hearts are full and our world forever changed. We are blessed with a baby girl.” In the caption, they shared a folded hand, a heart and an evil eye emoji. The announcement picture was splashed with hues of pink, decorated with hearts and stars all over it. The note signed off in the end with “Kiara and Sidharth”. Wishes pour in Several celebrities poured in their wishes and love to the new parents and the little girl. YRF casting director Shanoo Sharma, casting director Mukesh Chhabra, actor Athiya Shetty, Sunil Grover, Huma Qureshi, designer Manish Malhotra and Neena Gupta were among the first to comment and send love and prayers to the new parents. Actor Raashii Khanna wrote, "Congratulations you guys", followed by two heart emojis. Karan Johar commented on the post, "Love you and badhai ho" He also reshared the post on his Instagram stories and wrote, "Congratulations and love you both so much !!!! Best feeling ever, and you both will make the best parents to your beautiful baby girl." Comedian Sunil Grover commented, "Bestttttt!!!!!!! Badhai ho mummy daddy ko! Congratulations", followed by a string of balloon emojis. Bhumi Pednekar also commented, "Congratulations" Content creator Anisha Dixit wrote, "Congratulations, Welcome on being Parents ". Meanwhile, Neena Gupta also penned a heartfelt message that read, "Big big big congratulations, so many girls now, even Masaba has a girl, lovely." Maddock Films, which is producing Sidharth's upcoming movie Paran Sundari, has a quirky and adorable wish for the couple as they wrote, "It’s a Sundari!!! Many many congratulations, Pa-Param!" Rakul Preet Singh also posted a picture of the couple from their baby shower and wrote, "Heartiest congratulations @kiaraaliaadvani & @sidmalhotra on the arrival of your baby girl! Wishing you endless love, laughter, and cuddles in this new journey."
17 July,2025 07:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
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