Yash Raj Films unveiled the trailer of Mardaani 3 a couple of days back, and it has become the biggest talking point in the Hindi film industry. Unanimously positive appreciation has been pouring in from all quarters for Rani Mukerji, who returns to reprise her widely loved character of Shivani Shivaji Roy, a daredevil cop who risks her life to save 93 missing girls in a race against time. Rani Mukerji thanks audience Rani thanks people by saying, “Shivani Shivaji Roy is not a character I switch off when the camera cuts. I carry her with me. Because through her, I’ve seen what it really means to serve. I’ve seen how lonely courage can be. I have immense respect for the cops of our country who show up every day, quietly, without complaints, without medals, serving our country and protecting us silently. Mardaani franchise is my salute to them, and I feel so happy and proud to see the people of my country pour so much love for the police force.” She dedicates this moment to the Indian police force by saying, “To my brothers and sisters in the police force, especially the women, who are judged more, questioned more, and still stand taller than fear, this film exists because of you. This film is my way of celebrating the entire police force, especially the women officers who lead with strength, compassion, and fierce integrity.” Rani says this fiery response to the trailer is a testament that, as a country, we are always ready to raise our voice against social crimes. She says, “Your incredible response and love for Mardaani 3 trailer tells me that we, as a country, have a strong conscience. That we still feel anger when something is wrong and pride when someone stands up to protect the helpless. Thank you for holding Mardaani 3 so close to your hearts.” She adds, “Mardaani is not just a franchise for me. Shivani Shivaji Roy lives in my heart. Through her, I’ve witnessed courage that doesn’t shout, strength that doesn’t seek applause, and bravery that comes at a very personal cost, and I’m inspired by her. Mardaani has never just been a film for me, it’s a feeling, a responsibility. It is deeply humbling to experience so much love for a film and a franchise that is part of my existence and has defined my career in cinema." Mardaani 3 trailer The trailer shows ACP Shivani Shivaji Roy is in a race against time to rescue scores of young, unaccounted for missing girls of India and protect them from trafficking. This time, Shivani will take on a merciless, evil, and powerful woman as the antagonist in a violent and brutal fight for justice for innocent lives. The role is being played by the supremely acclaimed actor Mallika Prasad. Janaki Bodiwala of Shaitaan fame also enters the Mardaani franchise to play in a pivotal role. Mardaani 3 has been written by Aayush Gupta of The Railway Men fame. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra, Mardaani 3 continues the franchise’s tradition of socially relevant cinema, delving into another dark and brutal reality of our society, further strengthening the franchise’s legacy of impactful, issue-based storytelling. Mardaani is the only hit female-led franchise of India and the only female-led cop franchise of India. Mardaani 3 is scheduled to release in theatres worldwide on January 30, 2026.
16 January,2026 06:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood’s handsome hunk Sidharth Malhotra turned a year older today. On the special occasion, Kiara Advani made his day extra special with a heartfelt Instagram post, adorable pictures, and a loving video. Calling him her favourite human, Kiara expressed how both she and their little one continue to crush on him. Kiara’s birthday wish for Sidharth Kiara uploaded a handsome picture of the Shershaah actor in a blue shirt and orange shorts. This was followed by a snap of Sidharth's birthday cake, which had “Saraayah’s papa” and “Daddy cool” written on it. Kiara further uploaded an adorable video of herself singing “Baar Baar Din Ye Aaye, baar baar dil ye gaaye” for her husband. We could also see filmmaker Karan Johar and designer Manish Malhotra joining the celebration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KIARA (@kiaraaliaadvani) Admitting that she is still crushing on her husband Sid, along with their little one, Kiara wrote on Insta, “Saraayah’s favourite human and the most beautiful one—inside out. Still crushing on you. Now so is our little one. Happy Birthday, husband.” More about Sid and Kiara The rumours of Kiara and Sidharth being in a relationship started doing the rounds during the shoot of their movie Shershaah. While the two were often seen together, they remained tight-lipped about their relationship. However, putting the rumour mills to rest, Kiara and Sidharth tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in February 2023. In March 2025, Kiara and Sidharth announced that they were expecting their first child together. On July 16, 2025, the new parents announced the arrival of their baby girl on social media. They later revealed her name, Saraayah, and even shared its meaning with an adorable post. Sidharth and Kiara’s upcoming movies Workwise, the actor will next be seen in the folk thriller VVAN – Force of the Forrest. The film also stars Tamannaah Bhatia in a pivotal role. He was last seen in Param Sundari with Janhvi Kapoor. Meanwhile, Kiara Advani is all set to star in Geetu Mohandas’ Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups. Her first look as Nadia has been unveiled by the makers. The film stars KGF star Yash in the lead role, along with Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, and Nayanthara.
16 January,2026 05:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWith his directorial debut, Vir Das rewrites the rules of the Bollywood spy genre, turning it into a laugh-riot. Bollywood spies, whether it's Salman Khan in all 3 Tiger movies or Shah Rukh Khan in Pathan, are macho, hyper-masculine men with toned six-pack abs, a perspicacious intellect and a larger-than-life, melodramatic love story. But then, in enters Happy Paisley-Smith (Vir Das), the adopted son of two of Britain's greatest spies, who is, with his bumbling, blundering ways, to put it mildly, an utter failure at being a spy. Happy is fond of cooking and ballet, and dances to 'I am an Alpha Male' while making his signature recipes, inverting every archetype of a Bollywood spy. Not only has he failed the MI-6 test 7 times, but he also doesn't realise he's Indian until he accidentally overhears his dads. The movie opens with a flashback sequence in Panjore, Goa. Jimmy (Aamir Khan), the Don of Goa, chases British spies (named Agents Tea and Crumpets - yes, seriously) on a mission, screaming for the British to get out of India. A gunfight ensues, with a bullet hitting Aamir as well as a maid, Sakhubai (Sumukhi Suresh), in the crossfire. A dying Aamir's daughter (Mona Singh) vows to continue his legacy and become the next Don, while the spies take in the maid's infant son (Vir Das) and raise him in London. The story begins when Happy, discovering his Indian roots, volunteers for a dangerous, high-profile rescue mission in Goa to return to his homeland. As his mission unfolds, you quickly realise that this is a film in which anything goes. The narrative constantly switches between playing out as a gangster actioner, a romantic comedy, and an emotional tale of an NRI finding his roots. Vir Das fits right into this absurd world. His Happy is 'Khatarank' only in name, indiscreet and easy to distract, but wins you over with his earnestness. He speaks British-accented English and Hindi with finesse, mispronouncing the correct word to elicit titters. Mona Singh, as the lady Don, Mama, who itches for Happy's blood, is criminally underutlised, but delivers the required ruthlessness when shooting bullets, slicing fingers and serving poisoned cutlets. Mithila Palkar, as the dancer Rupa, also makes the most of her unimpactful role. Her romance with Vir Das is playful and breezy, and it injects energy into the film. Rapper Srushti Tawade is delightful in her debut role as 16-year-old tech expert Roxy, who gets to have the funniest reactions to Happy's addlepated statements. Imran Khan plays International supermodel Milind Morea (a cheeky portmanteau of Milind Soman and Dino Morea). His cameo is a highlight, peppered with meta-references. An action sequence, when Imran and Vir fly past each other, lead to thunderous laughter from the audience. However, the comedy does not always land, especially faltering in the second half. A lot of Happy's comedic dialogues hinge on puns; courtesy of his broken Hindi, he often ends up using double-entendres. His parody of DDLJ's Shah Rukh Khan begins to grate on the nerves after a while. Setting-wise, it conflates Mumbai and Goa to be the same, and Mona Singh, as the stereotypical Goan, must end each sentence with 'Man'. Three stern Marathi policewomen who high-five after each dialogue are also plain unfunny. There is a paper-thin pretense of calling out fairness creams. Nevertheless, the film makes it clear that it is only a comedy and must be enjoyed that way; there is no depth to any of it. It is fast-paced, loping along, gag after gag, which culminate in an extremely goofy and unexpected climax, replete with more cameos and spoofs. Though nowhere close to Delhi Belly's experimental and audacious comedy, Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos is quirky and amusing enough to entertain.
16 January,2026 04:02 PM IST | Mumbai | Nandini ShahCelebrity couple Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have made yet another real estate purchase in Alibaug. The couple, who already own a home in the destination close to Mumbai, have now purchased a massive five-acre land parcel in the vicinity. Reportedly, the property has been valued at Rs 37.86 crore. Details about Virushka's new property This marks their second land purchase in the same area in the last four years. According to property registration documents accessed by CRE Matrix, the latest acquisition involves two land parcels measuring 1.474 hectares and 0.627 hectares. The land is located in Zirad village near Awas Beach in Alibaug, Raigad district. The cumulative value of the two land parcels comes to Rs 37.86 crore, and the deal was registered on January 13, 2026. The couple paid a stamp duty of Rs 2.27 crore for registering the transaction, along with a registration fee of Rs 30,000, as per the documents. One of the plots measures 14,740 square metres, while the second parcel spans 6,270 square metres. Together, the total land area comes to 21,010 square metres. The seller in the transaction is Sonali Amit Rajput, while Samira Land Assets Private Limited is listed as the confirming party, according to the documents. Virushka's earlier purchase in Alibaug Back in 2022, Anushka Sharma and her cricketer husband Virat Kohli had acquired an expansive land parcel in a nearby village. Reportedly, the couple—popularly known as Virushka—purchased two adjacent plots, one measuring approximately 2.54 acres and the other about 4.91 acres, collectively spanning 7.45 acres. They reportedly paid around Rs 19.24 crore for the land and Rs 1.15 crore as stamp duty. The couple later built a spacious and luxurious bungalow on the property, featuring amenities such as a temperature-controlled pool, a bespoke kitchen, four bathrooms, a jacuzzi, a sprawling garden, covered parking, and staff quarters. Anushka Sharma's work front and upcoming projects The actress was last seen in a cameo in the Triptii Dimri starrer Qala. She has not been seen in a full-fledged role since the 2018 film Zero. She shot for the film Chakda Express based on the biographical account of the Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami a few years back. The release for the Netflix film has been stalled due to certain creative disagreements. The makers are reportedly looking for another platform to release it.
16 January,2026 02:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRanveer and Deepika’s New Year celebration has been a joyride as we caught glimpses from their New Year travels in New York. With his all-time box office blockbuster Dhurandhar rewriting the rules of the box office and emerging as the biggest Bollywood release of all time, Ranveer has not just delivered a blockbuster - he has defined a moment. As the industry celebrates the film’s historic run, anticipation has quietly shifted to what lies ahead. Dhurandhar 2 is already being spoken of as the real deal - a deeper, more emotionally charged chapter that will place Hamza and Jaskirat at its core. If the first film was about impact and dominance, the sequel promises layered storytelling, higher emotional stakes and characters that will leave a lasting imprint. Ranveer Singh rings in new year with family Away from the arc lights, Ranveer ushered in the New Year in New York with Deepika Padukone, and the glimpses that surfaced were nothing short of beautiful and heart-warming. There was an unmistakable glow, Deepika and Ranveer beaming with joy, basking not just in professional triumph but also in a deeply fulfilling personal phase, celebrating the success of the biggest Bollywood release of all time with their families by their side and especially, their daughter Dua. An industry source shares, “New Year's was a special time as it is every year, but this year is even more special. Earlier, Ranveer was very busy with Dhurandhar. He made sure he was a doting father and husband, travelling back home even if it was for a few hours in between shoots and after Dhurandhar’s massive success, he is spending all his time with Dua. Beti ke aane se naseeb badal jaata hai, and Dua has brought good luck to him, his lakshmi and he is making the most of his time before Dhurandhar 2 with her. A daughter can truly be a blessing, and this is a beautiful example for us”. As Ranveer gears up for Dhurandhar 2, his personal joy makes the journey ahead even more powerful - both on screen and off it. Dhurandhar box-office records Collecting approximately Rs 840.85 crore nett in 36 days, Dhurandhar became the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time in India, surpassing Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan (Rs 640.25 crore nett) to claim the top spot. On the global stage, Dhurandhar has become the fifth highest-grossing Indian film, trailing behind Dangal, Pushpa 2, Baahubali 2, and RRR. With more than Rs 1,200 crore already, it is set to surpass RRR soon. Dhurandhar is currently the fourth-highest-grossing Indian film ever domestically, closing in on KGF: Chapter 2 (Rs 859 crore nett), which it is expected to overtake soon. Only Pushpa 2 (Rs 1,234.1 crore nett) and Baahubali 2 (Rs 1,030.42 crore nett) remain ahead of it.
16 January,2026 01:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIf it's about love, everything turns magical. Bringing an absolutely magical, gentle, and classic love story, the teaser of Aamir Khan Productions’ Ek Din has finally been revealed, featuring the cute, lovable, and fresh pairing of Sai Pallavi and Junaid Khan. While the poster had already kept us hooked and eager to witness more glimpses of this beautiful tale of love, the teaser is indeed an absolute treat. Ek Din teaser Beautifully coloured with the snowy canvas of winter, the teaser of Ek Din opens with a heartwarming dialogue and captivates the fervour of love with its soothing and melodious tune. Showcasing the enchanting chemistry of the fresh on-screen pair, Sai and Junaid, the teaser fills the soul with love and affection. It promises a love story that is rarely made in Bollywood today and beautifully brings back the charm of romance that has been missing from the big screen. South cinema queen, Sai Pallavi, who is making her much-anticipated Hindi film debut, brings her trademark grace, depth, and simplicity. This is also the first time we hear her deliver dialogues in Hindi. Opposite him, Junaid Khan is effortlessly endearing, stepping into a new emotional space with confidence and charm. There is a gentle innocence to his performance that lends the romance a rare authenticity, making their on-screen pairing instantly feel fresh and enchanting. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aamir Khan Productions (@aamirkhanproductions) Team of Ek Din Ek Din marks Aamir Khan’s reunion with director-producer Mansoor Khan after a long gap. The iconic duo has previously delivered memorable films such as Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Akele Hum Akele Tum, and Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na. With Ek Din, they come together once again for a romantic love story, making it a film truly worth watching. This reunion further heightens the anticipation to witness more glimpses of the film. Produced under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions, Ek Din stars Sai Pallavi and Junaid Khan. The film is directed by Sunil Pandey and produced by Aamir Khan, Mansoor Khan, and Aparna Purohit. The film is set to release in theaters on 1st May 2026.
16 January,2026 01:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActors Dhanush and Mrunal Thakur have sparked dating rumours for quite some time now. The latest reports suggest that the duo may be ready to take their relationship to the next level by tying the knot. According to reports, the couple is aiming for a February wedding. Mrunal and Dhanush to marry? As per a report by Free Press Journal, Dhanush and Mrunal are planning a close-knit wedding, which will be attended only by family members and close friends. While rumours of the two tying the knot have been doing the rounds, neither of the actors has confirmed or denied their relationship so far. Timeline of Mrunal and Dhanush's relationship Speculation about Mrunal and Dhanush dating gained momentum after they were spotted together at the screening of Son of Sardaar 2. Following the screening, the actors were also seen at Mrunal’s birthday bash, where a viral video showed them holding hands and smiling while chatting. Prior to this, Mrunal’s presence at the wrap party of Dhanush’s film Tere Ishk Mein had raised eyebrows. Interestingly, reports suggest that Dhanush has even introduced Mrunal to his family, as the actress was seen with his sisters amid the ongoing rumours. According to a News18 report, Dhanush and Mrunal met during an event in Hyderabad. Given that Mrunal actively works in the South film industry alongside Bollywood, their interaction soon turned into friendship, and eventually, love blossomed between the two. A source told the portal, “Yes, it’s true that they are dating. But it’s too new, and they have no plans of making their relationship official before the public or the media. At the same time, they’re unfazed about being spotted together.” Sources further added, “Friends are truly rooting for them as they’re quite similar and compatible when it comes to their values, choices, and thoughts.” For those unaware, Dhanush was previously married to Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth for 18 years. The former couple, who share two sons, Yatra and Linga, announced their separation in 2022 and officially divorced in 2024. Work front Meanwhile, Mrunal is currently focused on her upcoming film Dacoit which has been shot in Telugu and Hindi. The film also stars Adivi Sesh and Anurag Kashyap. The film will clash in theatres with Toxic and Dhurandhar 2 on March 19, 2026.
16 January,2026 12:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentGlobal head-turner Priyanka Chopra Jonas and her American pop star husband, Nick Jonas, marked a special milestone as their daughter, Malti Marie, turned four. Priyanka took to her Instagram Stories to share a glimpse from Malti’s birthday party. Going by the image, it appeared that Malti had a The Little Mermaid-themed celebration, complete with a cake featuring Ariel and Sebastian, the beloved Jamaican-accented crustacean. The party also included mermaid-shaped cookies, while the decor was inspired by the seafloor, with conch shells adding to the undersea theme. Priyanka wrote as the caption: “She’s 4.” Nick shared a stunning picture of Malti but covered her face with a birthday cake emoji. “I can’t believe it. Our little angel is four.” Joining in the celebrations, Priyanka’s mother, Madhu Chopra, also penned a loving message for her granddaughter. He wrote: “You made me a grandmom and filled my life with magic. Happy fourth birthday, my angel.” Priyanka and Nick welcomed their daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas in January 2022 via surrogacy. The couple had later revealed how Malti Marie was born prematurely and spent over 100 days in the NICU before coming home. The couple had met for the first time at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty, where he expressed his feelings for the Indian actress. At the Met Gala, the two made their primary public appearance as a couple, and in 2018, reports of Priyanka and Nick being romantically involved started surfacing on the internet. Nick finally proposed to Priyanka for marriage on her birthday in July 2018, in London, and the actress immediately said yes. It was in December 2018, the couple married at Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur in traditional Hindu and Christian ceremonies. Talking about her film work, Priyanka is currently in Hyderabad for the shoot of her upcoming movie starring South star Mahesh Babu, helmed by SS Rajamouli. Priyanka, who has been feted with two National Film Awards and a Padma Shri, will next be seen sharing screen space with Mahesh Babu for the first time in her next film, Varanasi. In addition to this, she has also been roped in for the latest instalment in the popular franchise Krrish 4, marking Hrithik Roshan’s debut as a director. The 42-year-old actress, who is the winner of the Miss World 2000 pageant, will also be seen as a 19th-century Caribbean pirate in the forthcoming swashbuckler action drama, The Bluff. She was last seen in Heads Of State, directed by Ilya Naishuller. It stars Idris Elba and John Cena as the UK Prime Minister and US President, respectively. 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
16 January,2026 12:41 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood actress Ameesha Patel has taken to her social media account to laud her Gadar co-star and Bollywood star Sunny Deol, following the release of the trailer of Border 2. Sharing her excitement on social media, Ameesha referred to Sunny’s much-loved character Tara Singh from Gadar, and wrote, “Kya baat hain TARA iamsunnydeol no wonder SAKINA ki JAAN n HINDUSTAN ki SHAAN hain AAP – BORDER 2 Trailer is,” adding fire emoticons. For the uninitiated, Ameesha Patel and Sunny Deol were a part of the blockbuster movie Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, which was released in 2001 and went on to become one of the biggest hits of that year. Directed by Anil Sharma, the period romantic action drama was set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition. Sunny Deol starred as Tara Singh, won hearts as a fierce yet emotional Sikh truck driver, and Ameesha Patel played Sakina, a Muslim educated woman torn between her love for her husband and the pressure of her father's patriotism. The film also featured the late veteran star Amrish Puri in a memorable antagonist role, and also actress Lillete Dubey, among others. After two decades of the movie's release, Ameesha and Sunny reunited for the sequel to the movie, titled Gadar 2, which was released in August 2023. The movie, again directed by Anil Sharma, revisited the story of Tara and Sakina amid rising India–Pakistan tensions of the 1970s. Talking about Border 2, the movie is a sequel to the 1997 war classic Border. The upcoming film is backed by JP Dutta and produced by Bhushan Kumar along with Nidhi Dutta under the banners of T-Series and JP Films. Border 2 is directed by Anurag Singh and stars Sunny Deol along with Varun Dhawan and Ahan Shetty. 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
16 January,2026 12:39 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActress Shraddha Kapoor feels that there’s something truly special about exploring one’s own city after dark and said that nothing compares to the comfort of late-night drives through familiar streets. Shraddha took to her Instagram Stories to share a video of herself inside a car during the wee hours, with the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus glowing beautifully in the background. She added the A.R. Rahman track Rehna Tu from the 2009 film Delhi-6. For the caption, the daughter of veteran actor Shakti Kapoor wrote: “Nothing better than night drives in your own city (sic).” Shraddha, who is the most-followed Indian woman on Instagram, began her acting career with a brief role in the 2010 heist film Teen Patti. She bagged her first major role in the teen drama Luv Ka The End in 2011. However, her fandom skyrocketed with her work in Mohit Suri's romantic musical Aashiqui 2 in 2013. She also featured in Vishal Bhardwaj's acclaimed drama Haider, Ek Villain, ABCD 2, Baaghi, Chhichhore, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, Saaho, and the Stree franchise. Shraddha is set to return with Stree 3. The third instalment in the popular franchise is scheduled to reach the audience by August 2027. She has also been roped in for a biopic based on the legendary Marathi folk performer Vithabai Narayangaonkar, and the forthcoming drama has been named Eetha. The project will chronicle the journey of dancer Vithabai Narayangaonkar, who was one of Maharashtra’s most prominent Tamasha performers of her time. The actress will also be seen in the upcoming movie Nagin, produced by Nikhil Dwivedi. On January 9, the actress shared sun-kissed pictures of herself on her social media. She looked radiant in the pictures and flaunted her no-makeup look. Shraddha wrote, “Kis kisko dhoop nahi pasand??? Aapko abhi block karti hoon.” 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
16 January,2026 12:20 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSIndian film producer Karan Johar has purchased an apartment in Khar West, Mumbai, for Rs. 8.05 crore, according to property registration documents reviewed by Square Yards on the website of Inspector General of Registration (IGR). The transaction was registered in November 2025. Khar West enjoys excellent connectivity to Mumbai’s key business districts and lifestyle destinations, with seamless access via Linking Road, SV Road and the Western Express Highway, along with Khar Road Railway Station on the Western Line, ensuring efficient suburban rail connectivity. Details about Karan's new apartment According to the IGR property registration documents reviewed by Square Yards, the property is located in Pali Vintage, Khar West. The purchased apartment features a carpet area of 1060.13 sq. ft. (98.49 sq. m.). It comes with a total of two car parking spaces. The transaction incurred a stamp duty payment of Rs. 48 lakh and registration charges of Rs. 30,000. Karan Johar is an Indian filmmaker, producer and television personality, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the Hindi film industry. He is the founder of Dharma Productions and made his directorial debut with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), followed by iconic films such as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), My Name Is Khan (2010) and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016). Known for shaping modern Bollywood cinema, Karan has played a significant role in launching and mentoring new talent, while also maintaining a strong presence as a television host through Koffee with Karan and as a prominent voice in fashion and popular culture. Karan Johar on Homebound's Oscar campaign The filmmaker is currently busy with the Oscar campaign for his production Homebound. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film has made it to the shortlist in the Best International Feature Film category. In a chat with PeepingMoon and the Telly MEK podcast, Karan Johar spoke about Homebound making it to the Oscars shortlist. He revealed that his business partner, Adar Poonawalla, spared no expense while launching the Oscar campaign for the film, which stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. “We were doing Homebound. I told him that doing an Oscar campaign will cost money and sometimes it is a bottomless pit, because you don’t know what the end result will be, and whether you will even make it to the shortlist of 15 and then five. It is an uphill task,” Karan said. Karan added that Adar did not view it as a financial risk, but as a valuable opportunity for a deserving film.
16 January,2026 12:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT