If one had to list the most successful director-actor collaborations in Bollywood over the years, Govinda and David Dhawan would be right on top. The actor and director have worked together on numerous films such as Hero No. 1, Coolie No. 1, Raja Babu, Partner and many others. However, the two had a fallout in 2017, after which they didn’t collaborate. Recently, David Dhawan defended Govinda for coming late to sets and praised his ability to perform scenes in one take. David Dhawan on Govinda arriving late on sets While Govinda has been one of the top stars of the ’80s and ’90s, he was also accused by several filmmakers of coming late to sets. During his appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show, Dhawan said, “Here I want to tell you, log bolte hain na late aata hai sets par, aaj kaun nahi late aata hai? Woh aata hai, apna kaam khatam kar ke jaata hai (People say that he comes late to the sets, but tell me who doesn’t arrive late these days? He arrives, completes his work, and then leaves).” He also recalled how the actor shot Partner scenes in one take. “You will not believe it. He would show up and ask for his scene. It would be a four-page scene. He would go through it thoroughly while I was setting up the shot. He said, ‘Don’t set it up yet. Do one thing. Here’s the scene. Watch me perform. I’ll do it in one take.’ This was in Partner. He did all kinds of acrobatics in that scene; you can’t imagine. Then he told me to edit the scene however I wanted. Unbelievable. Govinda is incredible,” he added. Varun Dhawan on David missing Govinda Varun Dhawan shared how David constantly compares his performances with those of other actors. Speaking about his long association with Govinda, David said, “I have done 17 films with Govinda. I believe one of the best actors I have worked with is Govinda.” Varun added, “Now, whatever scene gets written, every time he remembers Govinda. He thinks about how Chichi bhaiyya would do the scene. Then I tell him that I have to perform for my audience too, but I have a very tall order to live up to. He always keeps giving me references of what Salman Khan, Govinda, or Anil Kapoor would do.” David's next directorial, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, features his actor-son Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde in crucial roles. The film is set to release on June 12, 2026.
15 March,2026 05:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood superstar singer Shreya Ghoshal was left emotional when the Indian Idol stage brought her a special surprise during her birthday week. The special episode, celebrating the timeless music of Mohammed Rafi and Mukesh in the presence of legendary composer Pyarelal Sharma, turned even more heartfelt as the show united Shreya with her Guru, who laid the foundation of her impeccable singing. As the episode began, host Aditya Narayan read out a letter that Shreya Ghoshal had written to her first Guru, Mahesh Chandra Sharma, when she was a kid. The letter read, “Namaste, aasha karti hoon ki aap sab wahan kushal hain. Abhi bhi yahan meri shastriya shiksha shuru nahi ho payi hai. Papa abhi achhe guru se sampark karne ki koshish kar rahe hain. Yahan aane ke baad main kuch dino tak Kalyan ji Uncle ke paas sikhne jaa rahi thi, par iss beech mujhe jaundice ho gaya, jis wajah se main dedh mahine unke paas nahi jaa paayi. Aur main roz aapke sikhaye hue ragon ka riyaaz karti hoon. Aap mera bhakti-purn pranam lijiyega. Aapki ashirwadakanshi, Shreya Ghoshal.” Listening to a heartfelt memory from her early musical journey, Shreya Ghoshal replied, "I wrote this letter years ago to my Guruji, Mahesh Chandra Sharma." Just then, a voice from behind surprised everyone on the set. It was Shreya’s beloved Guruji himself. Responding to the letter, Mahesh Chandra Sharma said, “Us waqt toh main is khat ka jawab nahi de paaya, lekin aaj zaroor dena chahta hoon. Log toh Guruji ke naam se shishya ko pehchante hain, lekin mujhe iss baat ka garv hai ki mujhe log Shreya ke naam se pehchante hain.” Overwhelmed with emotion, Shreya came on the stage and touched the feet of her Guruji. The episode also revisited Shreya’s early musical journey. Sharing memories of her childhood training days, she said, “Bohot garmi hoti thi Rajasthan mein. Ek bus hoti thi jismein do-teen ghante ka safar hota tha, aur jungle paar karke aana padta tha.” She added, “Bus station se ek mod aata tha, phir right lena padta tha, phir aapka ghar aata tha. Aur jab woh ghar dikhta tha, tab mujhe lagta tha ki yeh mandir hai.” Adding to the emotional moment, her Guru ji gifted her a diary where he had documented every lesson and composition he had curated over the years by himself. While presenting the diary, he said, "Meri jitni bandishein shuru se lekar aakhri class tak ki hain, main yeh book tumhare liye lekar aaya hoon. Mere toh saare jeevan ki kamai hai yeh.” Receiving the gift, a teary eyed Shreya bowed down to seek her Guruji’s blessings. Moved by the heartfelt gesture, he then requested her to sing the song ‘Bairi Piya’ from the film Devdas. Honouring his request, Shreya delivered a melodious rendition in his presence. 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
15 March,2026 04:54 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Anup Soni and his wife, actress Juhi Babbar Soni marked their wedding anniversary by sharing a series of romantic pictures. Taking to their social media account in a joint post, the couple, who tied the knot in 2011, are celebrating 14 years of togetherness this year. Sharing glimpses from their journey together, the couple captioned the post as, “HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anup Soni (@anupsoni3) The pictures capture several beautiful and memorable moments from their travels and personal life. One picture shows the couple posing casually outdoors with Anu holding an ice cream and Juhi standing besides him. Another picture features them enjoying a cosy dinner together while the other picture shows both of them seen enjoying a gondola ride through scenic waterways. Another picture from indoors shows Anup standing besides Juhi with his arm around her shoulder posing romantically for the camera. The final click features them seated at a table, smiling warmly for a selfie while enjoying drinks. For the uninitiated, Anup Soni and Juhi Babbar got married on the 14th of March 2011 in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family members. On the professional front, Anup Soni has built a long and successful career across television, films and theatre. He has appeared in several projects including Balika Vadhu, Sea Hawks, and films such as Fiza and Raaz. The actor also gained immense popularity as the host of the crime-based television series Crime Patrol. Talking about Juhi Babbar, she is the daughter of veteran actor Raj Babbar and theatre personality Nadira Babbar, is also the sister of actor Arya Babbar. She began her film career with movies such as Kash Aap Hamare Hote and Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar. Apart from films, Juhi has been deeply involved in theatre and has performed in numerous stage productions. 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
15 March,2026 04:52 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood superstar Aamir Khan on Saturday turned 61. Marking his birthday, his fans, friends, family members, and colleagues from the industry flooded social media with adorable wishes. Aamir also received a heartfelt wish from his ex-wife and filmmaker Kiran Rao. She reposted a special reel on her Instagram, originally shared by Aamir Khan Productions, showcasing his iconic on-screen moments. "HBD to my forever Sikander," Kiran wrote. Aamir and Kiran Rao got married in 2005. However, in 2021, the duo announced their separation. They continue to co-parent their son, Azad. Prior to Kiran, Aamir was married to Reena Dutta. From his first marriage to Reena, Aamir has two children, Junaid and Ira. Currently, Aamir is in a relationship with Gauri Spratt. On his 60th birthday last year, Aamir introduced his partner Gauri to the media in Mumbai, and since then, fans have been leaving no chance to get more details about his love life. Meanwhile, on the work front, Aamir recently attended the Red Lorry Film Festival with 'Lagaan' director Ashutosh Gowariker. Speaking at the event, Aamir revealed how he was initially reluctant to work in 'Lagaan'. Aamir shared how Gowariker approached him for the film after working on it for three years. "Suddenly, I stopped and thought, 'Kahin yeh wahi kahaani toh nahi. Cricket...lagaan... ke bare mein. He (Ashutosh Gowariker) said 'Tu sunn toh le' and I was like 'Main nahi sunn raha. Bilkul nahi. Tune 3 mahina waste kiya hai uss kahaani pe. Main 3 ghanta bhi nahi waste kar raha, and I refused to hear it. But then he requested me, and I felt bad. When I heard the script, it just blew my mind," Aamir said at the film festival. During the conversation, Aamir Khan went on to share many more stories from the days of shooting 'Lagaan'. He also spoke about a unique ritual that the entire cast and crew would listen to the Gayatri Mantra every day while travelling to the sets. "Usme ekdin bhi break nahi aaya. That also helped us to remain in a meditative state of mind. When you are going to work, the state of your mind matters a lot," Aamir said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 March,2026 04:49 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIFilmmaker Rohit Shetty has officially begun filming the much-anticipated comedy sequel Golmaal 5, and a fun behind-the-scenes video from the sets has already created a buzz online. The clip features Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn sharing a lighthearted moment, giving fans a glimpse of the lively atmosphere during the film’s shoot. Rohit Shetty begins shooting days after shooting at his residence The video, which surfaced on social media, shows Akshay sporting a completely bald look for the film. The actor appears cheerful and energetic as he interacts with the team and his co-star Ajay Devgn. In one playful moment captured on camera, Akshay is seen planting a friendly kiss on Ajay’s cheek, leaving everyone around them laughing. The candid interaction between the two stars quickly caught fans’ attention and began circulating widely online. The behind-the-scenes clip was shared as filming for the new installment officially began, further increasing excitement around the popular franchise. The announcement confirmed that the latest chapter of the beloved comedy series is now underway, with Akshay Kumar joining the ensemble cast for the upcoming film. The Golmaal film series, which began with Golmaal: Fun Unlimited in 2006, has become one of Bollywood’s most successful comedy franchises over the years. Known for its slapstick humour, chaotic storylines and ensemble cast, the films have consistently entertained audiences. Ajay Devgn has remained the central face of the franchise since the beginning, playing the straight-faced character Gopal amid a group of eccentric friends. With Akshay Kumar now entering the Golmaal universe, fans are eager to see how the actor will fit into the comedy ensemble. His entry is expected to bring a fresh dynamic to the story and add a new comic layer to the film’s narrative. The pairing of Akshay and Ajay on screen has already sparked curiosity among fans, who are looking forward to their humorous interactions. Return of the OGs with Sharman Joshi The film is also expected to bring back several familiar faces from previous installments. Actors like Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade and Kunal Kemmu have long been associated with the franchise, and their quirky characters have played a key role in shaping the chaotic and entertaining tone of the Golmaal films. Sharman Joshi makes return to the franchise with the 5th installment. As shooting continues, the viral BTS clip has already heightened excitement among fans eager to see the beloved comedy franchise return to the big screen. With Rohit Shetty directing and Akshay Kumar joining the star-studded cast alongside Ajay Devgn, Golmaal 5 is expected to deliver another round of high-energy humour, playful moments and entertaining on-screen chemistry.
15 March,2026 04:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe relationship between Bollywood celebrities and paparazzi has always been a tricky one. While some stars happily stop to pose for pictures, others prefer maintaining privacy. Akshay Kumar has shared his candid take on Bollywood’s paparazzi culture. Speaking about the paparazzi ecosystem, he pointed out that photographers earn their livelihood through celebrity pictures, so there is no reason to object. Akshay Kumar on paparazzi In a recent interview with India Today, the actor explained why he does not have an issue with paps clicking him, be it during work or with family. “Ek photographer ko kariban 3.5–4k milte hain. Aur agar usko milte hain, toh mere liye kya problem honi chahiye? Meri sherwani mein kya pareshaani honi chahiye ki main khada ho ke photo le lu? (A photographer earns around Rs 3,500–4,000 for clicking my photo. If they are earning that, why should I have a problem? What’s the issue for me to simply stand there in my sherwani and let them take a picture?)” Akshay continued, “Main photo leke, uss bichare ka ghar chal jayega, woh khush ho jayega, aur saari photo le jayega, toh isme koi burai nahi hai. Privacy kya naam ki? Agar aap bahar nikal gaye ho bacchon aur biwi ke saath, toh kis baat ki privacy?” (There’s nothing wrong in it. If you’ve stepped out in public with your children and your wife, then what privacy is there to worry about?)” During the same conversation, Akshay was asked if he has accepted being clicked as an occupational hazard. Here, the actor noted, “It is not a hazard… Agar koi photo nahi lega toh sabse zyada hazard hoga… Woh problem zyada hai.” Akshay Kumar on insuring stunt performers Akshay Kumar spoke passionately about his bond with stunt performers. Responding to a question about providing insurance support to Bollywood stunt artists, Kumar said the initiative came from personal experience and responsibility. “I know all the stuntmen. I know them by name. I consider myself a stuntman first and then an actor,” he said. Akshay Kumar upcoming movies On the work front, the actor will be seen reuniting with Priyadarshan for Bhooth Bangla. The film also stars Rajpal Yadav, Paresh Rawal, Wamiqa Gabbi, Tabu, and others. Apart from this, he has Welcome To The Jungle in his kitty. He will also be seen in Golmaal 5. The shoot is all set to start soon.
15 March,2026 04:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan recently opened up about a difficult phase in her professional relationship with actor Akshaye Khanna, revealing that there was a time when she deliberately avoided working with him. The director shared the candid recollection while speaking on podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia’s show, where she reflected on her early experiences in the film industry during the 1990s. Farah Khan recalls working with Akshaye Khanna Farah recalled that she had worked with Akshaye on a couple of films during that period, but the experience left her quite shaken. According to her, the actor behaved very differently on set back then, which made the working environment uncomfortable for those around him. The choreographer admitted that after those projects, she made a conscious decision to stay away from films that featured him. “In the ’90s, I did a couple of movies with Akshaye, and after that I was traumatised,” Farah said during the conversation. “Because he used to be a different person. Yes, introverted, but not a nice person on set.” She explained that whenever she learned that Akshaye Khanna was part of a film’s cast, she would often try to avoid the project altogether. “Whenever I heard that Akshaye Khanna was in a film, I used to say, ‘I don’t have the dates’,” she recalled, describing how she politely declined such offers. Farah also shared that the actor often seemed irritated during that time. She suggested that Akshaye may have been going through personal insecurities, particularly related to hair loss, which he had reportedly spoken about publicly. According to her, that period appeared to affect his temperament on set. On their reunion in Tees Maar Khan “I think at that time he himself had said that he was losing his hair. He was constantly irritable. He used to throw things and say, ‘What kind of dialogue is this?’ He used to be that kind of person,” she said. Despite those early experiences, Farah added that her perception of Akshaye changed over the years. The two eventually worked together again on the 2010 film Tees Maar Khan. Over time, she also came to appreciate his talent as an actor. Her comments reflect how professional relationships in the film industry can evolve, with earlier misunderstandings sometimes giving way to renewed respect and collaboration.
15 March,2026 02:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actress Alia Bhatt will be turning a year older on Sunday, and birthday wishes have already started pouring in for the 'Highway' actress. Her sister-in-law, Riddhima Kapoor, took to the Stories section of her Instagram and dropped a photo of herself posing with Alia and her sister, Shaheen Bhatt. With Shaheen sitting in the middle, Riddhima and Alia had their hands on her shoulder. "Happiest bday my Aaloo pie love you @aliabhatt", along with a beating heart emoji. Alia is married to Riddhima's brother and Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor. Talking about their love story, the speculation of Alia and Ranbir being in a relationship started doing rounds when these two came together for Ayan Mukerji's "Brahmastra" back in 2017. As time passed, those rumours gained momentum. However, in 2018, these two made their first appearance as a couple at the wedding reception of Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja. After this, Alia and Ranbir made several such appearances during family weddings and dinner parties. The couple even rang in the 2019 New Year together with Ranbir's family, glimpses of which had gone viral on social media. Alia and Ranbir finally tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at Ranbir’s Bandra residence, Vastu, on April 14, 2022, in the presence of close family and friends. On November 6, 2022, the lovebirds became parents to a baby girl, Raha Kapoor. Shifting to their professional commitments, Alia and Ranbir will be seen sharing screen space in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming love saga “Love & War,” which will also see Vicky Kaushal in a crucial role. If the reports are to be believed, the project is inspired by the Bollywood classic “Sangam”, which featured Ranbir's grandfather Raj Kapoor, along with Vyjayanthimala and Rajendra Kumar. In addition to this, Alia will also be seen leading the latest instalment of the YRF spy universe, "Alpha". Sharvari and Anil Kapoor will also be a part of the spy universe’s first female-led action entertainer. 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
15 March,2026 02:24 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSAs India faces a major LPG shortage due to the present geopolitical tension in the Middle East, actress Sameera Reddy decided to share a hilarious take on the ongoing situation through her latest social media post. The 'De Dana Dan' actress uploaded a clip on her official Instagram handle, where she is seen giving a royal treatment to her LPG cylinder. We could see her welcoming the LPG into her house. The cylinder even has a crown with the title "King Gas" on it. From fanning it with money, to offering it tea, to giving it flowers, to clicking a selfie with it, Sameera left no stone unturned to make sure that her cylinder does not go anywhere. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sameera Reddy (@reddysameera) She captioned the post, "Making sure this guest never leaves (sic)", followed by a crown emoji. As the post was up, many netizens reacted to it by sharing laughing with tears emoji in the comment section. Sameera's feed is full of such entertaining posts. In February, filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan revealed that she was considering Sameera for the role of Miss Chandni, eventually played by Sushmita Sen in her 2004 directorial debut “Main Hoon Na”. Farah recently visited Sameera for her YouTube channel, and during the conversation, the 'Om Shanti Om' maker recalled that she had first noticed Sameera in her popular music video titled "Ahista". "Nobody knows but I had considered you for Main Hoon Na in Sushmita Sen’s role. I had seen your song, ‘Aahista Kijiye Baatein’ and you were dressed in Indian wear,” disclosed Farah. Reacting to this, a visibly surprised Sameera asked, “Oh My God! I want to know why you didn’t take me.” Sharing the reason, Farah said that circumstances had changed. “Because by then you had taken up ‘Maine Dil Tujhko Diya’”. Although thrilled to be considered, Sameera could not hide her disappointment after learning about Farah's revelation. 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
15 March,2026 02:22 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSThe upcoming action film Dhurandhar: The Revenge, starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, has completed its overseas censor process ahead of its theatrical release. New details about the film’s classification and runtime have emerged after it was reviewed by the Irish Film Classification Office. Dhurandhar 2 rated strong for violence According to the board’s listing, the highly anticipated sequel has been rated “strong” for violence. The certification notes mention “strong bloody violence and graphic injury detail,” indicating that the film contains intense action sequences and graphic moments that may be disturbing for some viewers. In addition to violence, the classification also flags strong language and harmful behaviour. Meanwhile, sex and nudity in the film have been marked as “moderate.” The film’s runtime has also drawn attention. The censor board listing shows a duration of 235 minutes, which translates to 3 hours and 55 minutes. This makes the sequel even longer than the first installment in the franchise. The original film Dhurandhar had a runtime of about 214 minutes, or 3 hours and 34 minutes, and was already considered one of the longest Hindi films in recent years. The sequel is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19, with paid preview shows in India expected to begin on the evening of March 18. With its release approaching, the film has generated considerable buzz among fans and trade analysts alike. The franchise built a strong following after the success of the first film, which combined political drama with large scale action. All about the film Industry observers believe the sequel’s length and intense content could become major talking points once it reaches theatres. While long runtimes are not unusual for large scale Indian action dramas, a nearly four hour film remains rare even by Bollywood standards. The original film had also drawn attention for its violent themes and mature tone. It received an adult certificate in India due to its intense action sequences and strong language. Despite the controversy surrounding its content, the film went on to perform strongly at the box office and built a loyal fan base. With the sequel now cleared by overseas censors and its release just days away, expectations are high for Ranveer Singh’s return to the intense action world created by Aditya Dhar.
15 March,2026 12:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood superstar Aamir Khan celebrated his 61st birthday on March 14 with a warm and intimate gathering surrounded by family members and a few close friends. Known for keeping his personal life largely private, the actor chose a low key celebration this year instead of hosting a grand party. Aamir Khan had a lowkey celebration The small celebration took place at his residence, where his children Junaid Khan, Ira Khan and Azad Rao Khan joined him for the special occasion. Also present at the gathering was his girlfriend Gauri Spratt, who was seen standing beside the actor during the celebration. A video from the birthday gathering was shared on social media by former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan, offering fans a glimpse into the intimate celebration. In the clip, Aamir is seen cutting a birthday cake while those around him clap and cheer. The moment captured a relaxed and joyful atmosphere as the actor marked the occasion with his loved ones. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) During the cake cutting, Aamir first fed a piece of cake to his youngest son Azad. He then shared cake with his daughter Ira and girlfriend Gauri, making the moment even more special for the family gathered around him. The short video quickly circulated online and delighted fans who rarely get to see such personal moments from the actor’s life. Aamir Khan is busy with Ek Din Despite the celebrations, Aamir reportedly kept his birthday fairly simple this year because of work commitments. The actor has been busy with the post production of his upcoming production Ek Din, which stars his son Junaid alongside Sai Pallavi. The romantic drama is expected to release in May 2026 and has been keeping the actor deeply involved behind the scenes. Meanwhile, wishes poured in from fans and members of the film industry as the actor turned 61. Over the years, Aamir has earned the title of “Mr Perfectionist” for his dedication to filmmaking and his carefully chosen projects. With a career spanning more than three decades, he continues to remain one of the most influential figures in Hindi cinema. The intimate celebration once again reflected Aamir’s preference for meaningful moments with close family and friends rather than grand public events, making his 61st birthday a simple yet memorable occasion.
15 March,2026 12:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT