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Rani Mukerji becomes second Indian film personality after Shah Rukh Khan to receive La Trobe Honorary Doctorate

Rani Mukerji has added another prestigious milestone to her illustrious career. The actress has been conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters by La Trobe University, making her the second Indian film personality to receive an honorary doctorate from the Australian university after Shah Rukh Khan. The recognition comes in honour of Mukerji’s nearly three decades in Indian cinema, as well as her contribution to humanitarian work. Known for taking on characters and stories that have addressed social issues, women’s empowerment and important conversations, the actress has consistently used her platform to highlight narratives that resonate beyond entertainment. Speaking about the honour, Rani Mukerji said, “Receiving this honorary doctorate from La Trobe University is one of the most humbling moments of my life,” Mukerji said. “For someone who has always believed that films can change hearts before they change minds, this recognition means more than I can possibly express.” Over the course...

Awarapan 2 sells 6 TIMES more tickets than Batwara 1947, yet gets just 282 more shows; PVR INOX showcasing raises questions

The Friday release battle has once again brought the spotlight on the showcasing power vested with PVRInox’s distribution team. According to independent trade sources, Awarapan 2 has been allotted 9,505 shows nationwide, only marginally ahead of Batwara 1947, which is playing on 9,223 shows. On paper, the two films appear to have received similar showcasing. However, the advance booking numbers paint a dramatically different picture across the board. Across the national multiplex chains, Awarapan 2 has sold approximately 1.25 lakh tickets for Friday, while Batwara 1947 has managed only around 21,000 admissions. Despite commanding nearly six times the advance booking, Awarapan 2 has not been rewarded with a proportionately larger number of shows. Industry observers point out that Awarapan 2 was always planned as a wide commercial release and, based on its demand, should ideally have been playing in the vicinity of 14,000 shows nationwide. Instead, the film has been capped at around 9,5...

EXCLUSIVE: Scam 1992 writer Sumit Purohit to co-direct Scam 2010 with Hansal Mehta; shooting underway

In 2020, Hansal Mehta made his digital debut with Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, a biographical financial thriller that became a groundbreaking success for SonyLIV and one of the most acclaimed Indian web series of its time. Mehta directed the Pratik Gandhi-led show with his filmmaker son Jai Mehta. Three years later, the franchise returned with Scam 2003: The Telgi Story; however, Hansal served only as showrunner, handing over directorial duties to Tushar Hiranandani. As the third season of the franchise, Scam 2010, takes shape, Hansal is set to return to the director’s chair, this time alongside a new co-director. Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that Sumit Purohit will co-direct Scam 2010 with Hansal Mehta. Purohit was among the writers of the first season and is intimately familiar with the franchise’s tone and storytelling approach, making him a natural fit for the job. The screenwriter made his directorial debut with the espionage thriller series Saare Jahan Se Acc...

Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi starrer Prahaar - The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam to release on October 16

The much-awaited film Prahaar – The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam is set to arrive in cinemas on October 16, 2026. Produced by Dinesh Vijan and Maddock Films, the film is directed by Avinash Arun Dhaware and stars Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi in pivotal roles. The announcement has heightened anticipation around the project, which explores the extraordinary journey of one of India’s most prominent public prosecutors. The release date was announced by the official Instagram page of Maddock Films. Sharing the update on social media, the production house wrote, “Ab hoga justice ka PRAHAAR on 16th October #PRAHAAR - The Untold Story of Ujjwal Nikam, in cinemas 16th October 2026.” As suggested by its title, Prahaar will delve into the untold story of Ujjwal Nikam and his role in some of the most high-profile criminal trials in Indian history. The film is expected to revisit the legal battles surrounding major cases, including the 1993 Bombay Blasts and the 2008 Mumbai Train Attacks, while ...

Shilpa Shetty, Arjun Kapoor to join Kiran Bedi, Jai Madaan and others at World Happpiness Summit 2026 in Bengaluru

Shilpa Shetty, Arjun Kapoor, Kiran Bedi, Sonu Sharma, Hema Sardesai, Jai Madaan and Dr Saamdu Chetri, a pioneer of Bhutan’s Gross National Happpiness philosophy, will come together in Bengaluru on September 24 for India’s first World Happpiness Summit. Hosted by Happpy AiR – Atman in Ravi, the Happpiness Ambassador, the summit will bring together voices from entertainment, public life, entrepreneurship, spirituality, wellness and social leadership to discuss a question that is often overlooked amid the pursuit of success: what does it really take to be happy? The summit will be held at New Horizon College of Engineering against the backdrop of Bengaluru, a city known for technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and professional ambition. The conversations will look at happiness beyond achievements, financial milestones and social status, with sessions around purpose, relationships, inner peace, mental well-being, fulfilment and the pressures that accompany modern success. Shilpa Shett...

Malamaal Weekly 2 EXCLUSIVE: Riteish Deshmukh, Elvish Yadav, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav locked in leads, shoot begins in November

In February, Bollywood Hungama exclusively revealed that Priyadarshan’s 2006 comedy Malamaal Weekly is getting a sequel. Since then, we have been regularly updating about the film and we recently also unveiled the leading female cast, which includes Parineeti Chopra, Raveena Tandon and Shilpa Shirodkar. Now, we can reveal the male leads of the project. Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that Riteish Deshmukh, Elvish Yadav, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav have been locked for Malamaal Weekly 2. Though Riteish is leading the film, sources close to the production have said that he is still reading the script and is yet to sign on the dotted line. The sequel is moving ahead with the original trio of Riteish, Paresh and Rajpal returning for the leads, along with Elvish Yadav joining as a new casting addition to the principal cast. Yadav is a popular YouTube content creator and the winner of Big Boss OTT Season 2 (2023), and this film will mark his second Bollywood outing following his...

Shweta Tiwari hospitalised due to dengue ahead of The Traitors Season 2 premiere: Report

Shweta Tiwari has reportedly been diagnosed with dengue and is currently hospitalized for treatment. According to paparazzo Viral Bhayani, the actress is receiving medical care and has begun her recovery. However, there has been no official statement from Shweta Tiwari or her team confirming the diagnosis or hospitalization so far. The news comes at a time when Shweta is once again grabbing attention for her return to the reality series space. Audiences are eagerly awaiting premiere episode of The Traitors Season 2 on August 13, Thursday, where the actress will be seen alongside several prominent names, including Krystle D’Souza, Mallika Sherawat and Shalini Paasi. Shweta Tiwari’s appearance in The Traitors Season 2 has already generated considerable curiosity among viewers. A recently released promo offered a glimpse of the actress in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video reality series, hosted by Karan Johar. In the promo, Shweta appeared to open up about her personal experiences, includi...