Filmmaker Kiran Rao was recently admitted to a hospital for an appendix surgery. On Sunday, Kiran took to Instagram and shared her health update with her fans and followers. She also expressed her gratitude for the medical care she received. However, what caught the eye was the name on her wrist band for the hospital and ward access. Kiran Rao shares health update On Sunday, the filmmaker took to her Instagram, and shared a series of pictures and videos from her treatment at a hospital in the city. In the pictures she can be seen smiling for the camera inside her room. The wrist band on her arm read, “Kiran Aamir Rao Khan”. She also penned a long note in the caption, as she spoke about her stay during the treatment. She wrote, “Here I was, all ready to party my way into 2026, when my appendix sent me a reminder to slow down, breathe deep, and give thanks. Immense gratitude for: modern medicine (still can’t understand how that whole 12mm dia appendix came out through a 10.5mm catheter, thank god I’m not a doctor)." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kiran Rao (@raodyness) Expressing gratitude, she further wrote, "Doctor Kayomarz Kapadia and the whole surgical team, Ira, Popeye and Shefali for tlc and hospital sleepover fun, Hospital’s super care. My friends and family who mostly came around to laugh at my plumped lips, an allergic reaction, sadly they’re back to normal and unglam now. Well, I’ve been discharged and I’m back home, ready to ease myself into the new year”. “2025 has been good to me and mine, and here’s hoping 2026 will be kind, fun, full of love, AND BETTER AQI, for all. PS: the pics are: views from my hosp room, my Kim K lips, (not quite) my name on the hospital ID tag, and me enjoying one of my first meals. Photo courtesy: Shefali”, she added. More about Kiran Rao Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao got married on December 28, 2005, in a quiet ceremony at Aamir’s home in Mumbai. They met on the sets of Lagaan (2001), where Kiran worked as an assistant director, and developed a close professional and personal bond over the years. In July 2021, the couple jointly announced their separation, stating they would continue to co-parent Azad and remain connected through work and friendship. Aamir is currently dating Gauri Spratt.
29 December,2025 08:17 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThis Christmas, romance arrived on the big screen in a quintessential Dharma-esque manner, but audiences have refused to reciprocate love for the story. The Kartik Aaryan-Ananya Panday-starrer Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri collected only Rs 8.46 crore on opening day, with a four-day total of around Rs 28 crore. Bihar-based exhibitor Vishek Chauhan isn’t surprised. He told mid-day, “I don’t think the film had any chance from day one. It looks like a stale product, which people have seen umpteen times throughout the previous decade. It is basically the genre that came into being with Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone-starrer Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (2013). And then Ranbir milked it to great effect with many films. He even managed to get some kind of success with Tu Jhoothi Main Makaar (2023). The audience has seen enough of this genre. Theatrical entertainment works on the basic principle of the ability of the content to create the fear of missing out (FOMO). If your content is not able to do that, the audience will not come to the theatres. If you feel that you will make anything random, then don’t expect numbers.” Ranveer Singh in ‘Dhurandhar’ Chauhan added lessons for Karan Johar, the co-producer of the film: “Two of his productions this year — Tu Meri Main Tera and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari — were stale products. We need intense romantic love stories on the big screen, that’s what people are watching right now. People want dark, intense lovers. No matter how good a film you make, the public will not come to see a romantic comedy. People are saturated with it.” Poster of ‘Avatar: Fire & Ice’ Timing also worked against the release. Rajasthan-based exhibitor Raj Bansal told mid-day, “The film has terribly low collections so far. The opening day (Dec 25) was low. Then a Friday (Dec 26) drop was natural. But Saturday’s (Dec 27) collections showed that it would trend poorly. The movie got sandwiched between Dhurandhar and Avatar: Fire & Ice, which is doing well at my theatre. Its lifetime looks like around R40 crore. What the film lacked was hit music. Had even one or two songs worked, the opening would not have been so bad. The movie’s star cast is also not a big draw.” Opening dayRs 8.46 cr Lifetime estimateRs 40 cr Four-day weekend Rs 28 cr approx
29 December,2025 07:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaNavigating two names and many worlds, Shilpa Rao has existed in a state of contradiction — classically trained yet instinctively contemporary, intensely disciplined yet emotionally fluid, present everywhere in popular memory and almost invisible as a personality. Her voice has travelled further than her face, from the haunting minimalism of Tose Naina in Anwar (2007) to Chaleya from Jawan (2023). Sitting down for mid-day’s The Bombay Film Story, the National Award-winning singer speaks about choosing music as a way of life rather than hobby. Excerpts from the interview. You were born Apeksha Rao. So how did Apeksha become Shilpa?Shilpa Rao: I was actually born Shilpa. That’s what everyone at home always called me. Apeksha came later, when I went to school and had to fill out official forms. So, that became the name on my school records and 10th standard certificate. But when I got my passport made, everything officially became Shilpa Rao again. Apeksha literally means expectation. It felt heavy. I’ve always been someone who prefers being in the background, doing things at my own pace, and not carrying the burden of expectations. Shilpa felt lighter. You hail from Jamshedpur. That city has produced Imtiaz Ali, R Madhavan, Priyanka Chopra, and Abhishek Chaubey. What’s it about that city?Rao: Jamshedpur is a unique place. It’s a Tata township, and most people there are professionals — engineers, doctors, teachers. The only flex parents have is education. That creates an environment where ideas matter. You have XLRI [Xavier School of Management], Loyola School, film clubs, and theatre culture. We grew up watching classical maestros like Parween Sultanaji and Ustad Bismillah Khan sahib. There were no phones, no distractions, just conversations. That’s what shaped us. Was music internal or external to your home?Rao: It was my first education before the alphabet. My brother Anurag is the better musician; he’s a jazz pianist. He knew what he wanted at three years old. I didn’t want to do anything! But music became my safety blanket. My father always said, ‘There are two lives — one with art and music, and one without. Always choose the one with art.’ Even if you don’t make a career out of it, it enriches your life. Music becomes a friend. Your father S Venkat Rao trained you. Was he a taskmaster?Rao: He could be strict. Once he tore down posters of Led Zeppelin and Leonardo DiCaprio in my room because I hadn’t practised for a week. He said, ‘The point is you didn’t even realise you hadn’t practised.’ What truly made him happy wasn’t success or awards, but my desire to learn. He believed music isn’t a hobby. Once I had said music is my hobby, and he was furious. His thinking was that anything that would deter me from pursuing my music should not exist in my life. Your father isn’t a professional musician, yet he trained you deeply.Rao: He is an engineer, he also has an MA in music. He heard Ustad Amir Khan live in 1972, and it transformed him. He believed in being an educated musician. At 13, you met Hariharan. That was your first Bombay film story, wasn’t it?Rao: Yes, we were visiting Mumbai on a holiday. My mother got his landline number through a friend and called him. It was my birthday, and he invited us home. No industry connection — just kindness. I sang a ghazal he had composed in Raag Durga, written by Bashir Badr. He corrected me line by line, teaching me the ebb and flow of the ghazal right there. For a 13-year-old, it was magical. At that time, my stand changed. That meeting made me start taking [my music] seriously.
29 December,2025 07:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Mayank ShekharJanuary Coldplay performed its Music of the Spheres Tour in Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The band added a third show on January 21 in Mumbai due to high demand. February Indian-American musician Chandrika Tandon won the Grammy in the Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album category for her album Triveni. March Yo Yo Honey Singh created a splash in New Delhi with his Millionaire India Tour concert. April Sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma held the Sitar for Mental Health concert in Delhi on April 6, blending music with mindfulness. MayMonths after the Coldplay concert, Mumbai witnessed another legendary band in action — Guns N’ Roses. The city came alive as the band belted out Welcome to the Jungle, and Live and Let Die. June No matter where you went, you heard Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire. The single was released on June 5, and soon it was on everyone’s playlist. After all, who doesn’t love a song that brings Sheeran and Arijit Singh together? July The month of Saiyaara’s domination, in cinemas and on music charts. The album became the year’s top streamed film album in India, according to Spotify. August “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” With those words, Taylor Swift broke the internet as she announced her engagement with Travis Kelce. September Assamese singer Zubeen Garg passed away after drowning in the sea off the coast of St John’s Island in Singapore. He was 52. October October was all about nostalgia as Enrique Iglesias performed in India after 13 years. Millennials flocked to the MMRDA Grounds in Bandra, on October 29 and 30 to relive the aughts as he belted out Bailamos and Hero. November Subjected to racist comments during the Australia and New Zealand leg of Aura 2025 World Tour, Diljit Dosanjh said at his Melbourne concert, “Our people have worked hard here…today all the white folks are working for them!” DecemberDhurandhar arrived in cinemas, and with it came the new viral song, FA9LA, featuring Akshaye Khanna. The number is created by Bahraini artiste Flipperachi.
29 December,2025 07:22 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamAs Diljit Dosanjh’s Punjab ’95 enters its third year without a release or even a confirmed date before the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge and human rights activist Justice Ranjit Singh has made a renewed appeal for the film to be released without any cuts. Singh, recently appointed chairman of the reconstituted Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO), said the movie’s depiction of the custodial killing of Jaswant Singh Khalra is based on documented evidence and judicial findings, and is neither speculative nor exaggerated. Honey Trehan He said, “The film is very close to reality. It depicts a sequence of events that was not merely an allegation, but something that was clearly established through evidence. These are facts that required to be told. I see no objection to any part of the film. What it shows is real and supported by material already on record. In my view, Punjab ’95 must be released without any cuts.” Directed by Honey Trehan, the movie features Diljit Dosanjh as Khalra. Punjab ’95 has remained unreleased in India despite being completed several years ago. The film chronicles Khalra’s investigations into illegal cremations and enforced disappearances during Punjab’s counter-insurgency period of the 1990s. Whether Singh’s appeal will sway the CBFC remains to be seen. mid-day reached out to chairperson Prasoon Joshi, but he was unavailable for comment. The film’s timeline Early 2021: Film goes on floors.Mid 2022: Principal photography wrapped.December 2022: Submitted to the CBFC for certification.2023–24: No certification or release date issued.September 25, 2024: mid-day reports CBFC suggests nearly 127 cuts.January 2025: Overseas release announced, then cancelled days before release.2025: Makers refuse cuts, say they will remove credits if altered.
29 December,2025 07:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuThe ‘Shootout’ franchise is officially stepping out of Mumbai and going international. After earlier plans to shift the narrative to Delhi, the makers have now finalised Dubai as the setting for the third film, titled ‘Shootout in Dubai’. Following ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’ (2007) and ‘Shootout at Wadala’ (2013), which chronicled the rise of Mumbai’s underworld, the new instalment marks the franchise’s first international outing. Harshvardhan Rane is currently the only actor confirmed to headline the film. Ektaa R Kapoor The project has been in development since 2021, with the script going through six major drafts. According to sources, Ektaa R Kapoor and co-creator Sanjay Gupta were unwilling to move forward until the screenplay matched the visceral punch of the earlier films. “There was no pressure to rush this. The makers were very clear that unless the script carried the same aggression and attitude as Lokhandwala and Wadala, they wouldn’t greenlight it. Each draft was about the tone. It seems they finally have something they can bet on and will lock it by March,” a source told mid-day. Unlike the previous films, which drew heavily from real-life gangland encounters, Shootout in Dubai will tell a completely fictional story. “This one is designed to feel swankier. Dubai allows for scale, be it glass buildings, highways, night action, a more international visual grammar. It’s still a Shootout film, but with a fresh skin,” the source concluded.
29 December,2025 07:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuActress Kriti Kharbanda recently shared that she has become the latest victim of identity theft. The actress shared a screenshot on social media showing a person claiming her identity and talking to other people on WhatsApp. She alerted her fans and others that it is not her number and that the imposter is messaging people by using her identity and asking random questions. Kriti Kharbanda exposes imposter Kriti shared a screenshot on her Instagram story, urging people to beware of the person messaging them by using her identity. The screenshot included a WhatsApp chat from a random number pretending to be her. In the note, the Housefull 4 actress wrote, “Not ok. Not cool. Not my number. Pretending to be someone you’re not is a clear case of identity theft. Be warned.” (sic) In the photo, the person allegedly messaged someone by using Kriti's identity. The receiver wrote, “This is not her number", to this the imposter replied, “I messaged from this baba.” On the work front, Kriti Kharbanda was last in the web series, Rana Naidu 2, which also featured Rana Daggubati. Next, she will be seen in the film Risky Romeo. Other celebrities who faced identity theft Identity theft has become very common recently in the showbiz industry. A few days ago, Rakul Preet Singh shared a similar ordeal, exposing an imposter, claiming that she had been a victim of ‘identity theft’. Rakul took to her social media handle and wrote, “Hi guys, it’s come to my notice that someone is impersonating on WhatsApp as me and chatting with people. Plz notice this isn’t my number and do not engage in any random conversations. Kindly block...” (sic) Additionally, Sunny Leone and Abhinav Shukla have also come forward to reveal that their identity was used by impostors to take multiple loans from banks. Abhinav Shukla had said, “Fraudsters are evolving faster than we do; they have a new trick up their sleeve each time. Even though I'm a public figure, I'm an introvert at heart, so I don't end up sharing too much online, but in such cases where people are impersonating you, no matter how careful one is, you end up getting trapped in these scams. All one can do is try to be vigilant and avoid sharing personal information online."
28 December,2025 08:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSalman Khan's 60th birthday celebrations were indeed iconic. The superstar rang in his 60th birthday with his larger-than-life celebrations at his Panvel farmhouse. After a video of him riding a bike with Y+ security went viral, a photograph from the night has surfaced, which is stealing the spotlight. The viral image shows the actor sharing a deep and candid conversation with heavyweights, cricketer MS Dhoni, Telugu cinema icon Ram Charan and actor Bobby Deol. Salman Khan, Ram Charan, MS Dhoni, and Bobby Deol's viral picture The photo, which seems to be taken during a candid moment at the buzzing party, shows Salman standing with MS Dhoni, Ram Charan and Bobby Deol, immersed in an intense yet fun discussion. Four ICONS..!! #RamCharan #MSDhoni #BobbyDeol with #SalmanKhan at #Panvel farmhouse for B'day celebration..!! 🔥🔥#HappyBirthdaySalmanKhan #Bhaikabirthday #SalmanKhanBirthday pic.twitter.com/ej454FQ23D — Salman Khan Fan Club (@BSKFanClub) December 28, 2025 It was the sheer diversity of the group, including Bollywood, Tollywood and Indian cricket together in one frame, that made the picture truly iconic. Fans flooded social media platforms, including X and Instagram, with the picture that celebrates a crossover no one saw coming. One user shared the picture and wrote how it was a meeting of "icons from cinema to cricket". Another fan commented, "It's nothing short of EPIC vibes." Other comments read, "Legendary frame," and "Wow pic." Salman Khan's 60th birthday celebration The gathering was a much larger celebration, with guests list including names like Sanjay Dutt, Karisma Kapoor, AP Dhillon, Genelia Deshmukh, Rakul Preet Singh and singer Mika Singh, among many others, apart from Salman Khan's star-studded family. Another video from his 60th birthday celebrations earlier went viral, showing the actor riding an e-bike around his Panvel farmhouse. Salman was seen enjoying a relaxed ride within the farmhouse premises, while being accompanied by tight Y+ category security. The paps are running behind him to capture the actor. Salman chose a relaxed look for the celebrations, wearing a black T-shirt with blue denim jeans and sporting a clean-shaven look. He also stepped out of the farmhouse to cut his birthday cake with the paparazzi. Adding to the significance of his birthday, the much-awaited teaser of his upcoming film Battle of Galwan was unveiled on Saturday, marking Salman's 60th birthday. The film is directed by Apoorva Lakhia, and is inspired by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
28 December,2025 07:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood star Suniel Shetty is known to be one of the most versatile actors. Besides, he also has a reputation of being one of the most non-controversial men, who stands bt his firm principles. In a recent conversation, the Dhadkan actor revealed that he once turned down a Rs 40 crore offer to endorse a tobacco product, since it went against his principles and he wanted to set a positive example for his kids, Ahan and Athiya. Suniel Shetty on rejecting a tobacco ad Reflecting on his decision to turn down the offer, Suniel shared that his personal beliefs and core values have often influenced his perspective on life and career. During a recent interview with Peeping Moon, Suniel shared that he made a conscious decision to never endorse tobacco products in his career. He actor said, “I have been offered Rs 40 crore for a tobacco ad. I looked at him and said, ‘Do you think I will fall for the money? I won't.' I probably needed that money, but no, I won't do it." He went on to add, "It is something that I don't believe in. I won't do anything that will leave a blemish on Ahan and Athiya. Now nobody even dares to come to me with such offers." Suniel Shetty on his father's death and acting hiatus During the same interview, he further opened about the death of his father, Veerappa Shetty, in 2017. Notably, after his father's passing, he took a hiatus from acting. He revealed, “Before passing away in 2017, dad was unwell from 2014, and I was looking after him. I was not in a state of mind. I had completely quit. And then he passed away." Suniel made his comeback after 6-7 years, which he reveals he found challenging, saying, "The morning of my father's death, I got an offer to do a health show. I saw it as a calling, and then I went back to acting and took up a few South films. When you take a gap of 6-7 years, you think that you don't know your craft, that things have changed, and that nobody knows you, everyone is new, so I was not comfortable." Suniel Shetty also shared details about his post-pandemic transformation. He concluded, “Post-pandemic, I started looking at myself differently. I built myself, I started training, reading and doing so many other things. Then I got so confident about myself that I thought I didn't need validation from anyone."
28 December,2025 04:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood superstar Salman Khan, who currently has Y+ security cover, defied security protocols on his 60th birthday. The actor ringed in his milestone birthday at his Panvel farmhouse surrounded by family and friends. Salman Khan takes bike ride Skipping the usual bulletproof car, he hopped on his motorcycle and enjoyed a free-spirited ride around his Panvel farmhouse. On Saturday, Salman was spotted taking the ride, leaving his fleet of heavily armored vehicles behind. The ‘Sultan’ actor was seen riding with his security team following closely. Along the route, fans and photographers lining the road cheered and waved at him. As he crossed a bridge, Salman rode with remarkable ease and confidence. On his birthday, Khan, usually seen surrounded by tight security, showed a different side of himself. Despite the heightened protection in recent years, he appeared completely at ease and carefree during the bike ride. Not just Khan, but his nephews Arhaan and Nirvaan Khan were also seen riding ATS bikes to the farmhouse. VIDEO | Maharashtra: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan seen biking around his Panvel farmhouse under heavy security on his 60th birthday.(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/EVhj4bvnVu — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 28, 2025 About Salman Khan's security In recent years, Salman Khan has often been seen traveling in bulletproof cars under tight security. The heightened protection comes after several serious incidents. In April 2024, a firing took place outside his Bandra residence, prompting additional safety measures. His security was further reinforced following alleged threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Reports suggest that bulletproof glass was installed at Galaxy Apartments, and high-value bulletproof vehicles were added to his convoy. On his 60th birthday, fans who arrived in Bandra expecting the actor to wave from his window at Galaxy apartments were not allowed to wander in the premises. Many dejected fans were seen returning after the police blocked the entire stretch of Khan's residence and restricted public access for law and order. Meanwhile, the ‘Dabangg’ star rang in his birthday on 27th December at his Panvel farmhouse. The star-studded guest list included celebrities such as MS Dhoni, AP Dhillon, Sanjay Dutt, Orry, Aditya Roy Kapur, Genelia Deshmukh, Sangeeta Bijlani, Huma Qureshi, Rakul Preet Singh, and Mika Singh. Bobby Deol and his family also attended the celebration and it marked the ‘Animal’ actor’s first public appearance following the passing of his father, veteran actor Dharmendra. (with inputs from IANS)
28 December,2025 02:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs 2025 draws to a close, some moments arrive unannounced and yet leave the strongest impression. One such moment unfolded in Delhi when powerhouse performer Sanya Malhotra made a surprise appearance at Sunidhi Chauhan’s concert, instantly turning an already high-energy night into an unforgettable one. Dressed in a blue outfit, the actress performed alongside the singer to their hit track Aankh. Sanya Malhotra joins Sunidhi on stage The audience, gathered to witness Sunidhi Chauhan’s powerhouse live set, but was caught off guard when Sanya Malhotra walked onto the stage. What followed was a spontaneous eruption of cheers as the actor-performer launched into Ankh, bringing her signature confidence, precision, and expressive energy to the live format. The performance was electric, blurring the lines between concert and cinematic spectacle. The impact of Ankh extends well beyond the stage. The music video has crossed an impressive 145 million views, cementing the song’s place as one of the year’s most widely celebrated performance tracks. The synergy between Sunidhi Chauhan’s commanding vocals and Sanya Malhotra’s performance presence elevated the concert into a shared live experience. It was not just a surprise appearance, but a seamless extension of the evening’s musical narrative. As the year winds down, the performance also reflected Sanya Malhotra’s upward trajectory. After winning multiple awards in 2025 for her acclaimed role in Mrs, she now looks ahead to an action-comedy film, signalling yet another shift in genre and scale. With each project and performance, her range continues to expand, and if this surprise appearance was any indication, Sanya Malhotra’s momentum is only moving forward. #SunidhiChauhan & #SanyaMalhotra Performance Together on Concert....🔥#Bollywood pic.twitter.com/fT8czMl1er — Random Cine Mood (@RandomCineMood) December 28, 2025 About Sunidhi's Mumbai concert Singer Sunidhi Chauhan recently delivered a power-packed performance in Mumbai, enthralling the crowd with her blockbuster songs and her electrifying energy. Spotted in the crowd were a multitude of celebrities including Imtiaz Ali, Zakir Khan, Sunil Grover, Wamiqa Gabbi, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Shriya Saran, Awez Darbar, Nagma Mirajkar, Ashnoor Kaur, Mithila Palkar, Nitanshi Goel, Meiyang Chang, Sushant Divgikar, Luv Ranjan, Shubhangi Atre, Hansika Pareek, Avinash Tiwary, Dhvani Bhanushali, Amit Tandon, Sajid Khan, Asees Kaur, Goldie Sohel, Salim Merchant, Abhishek Bajaj, Rohan Joshi and Divya Kumar amongst others. A major highlight of her concert was the surprise appearance of veteran singer Alisha Chinai, whose soulful performance captivated the audience. She delighted the crowd with her iconic tracks, including Tinka Tinka and Aaj Ki Raat.
28 December,2025 02:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
