Posts

Showing posts from August, 2026

Taapsee Pannu starrer Gandhari to premiere on September 3

Netflix is set to release Gandhari, an action thriller starring Taapsee Pannu, on September 3. Written and produced by Kanika Dhillon and directed by Devashish Makhija, the film follows a mother’s determined search for her daughter and the challenges she faces along the way. Set in the fictional town of Joypurra, Gandhari centres on Bani, a mother whose search for her daughter takes her through a series of dangerous situations. The story explores themes of resilience, determination and a mother’s devotion while combining emotional drama with action. Taapsee Pannu plays the central role of Bani, in what is described as one of her more physically demanding performances. The film also features Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Jatin Sarna in key roles. As Bani moves closer to finding her daughter, she encounters new threats and obstacles, with each situation adding to the tension surrounding her search. The film brings together action sequences and the emo...

Rajkumar Santoshi questions audience hesitation over Sunny Deol playing a Muslim in Batwara 1947; asks, “If Spiderman’s name was Aslam Sheikh, would they reject him?”

Rajkumar Santoshi directorial Batwara 1947, starring Sunny Deol in a Muslim character for the first time, has been receiving positive feedback from audiences who have watched the film. However, director Rajkumar Santoshi says he is surprised that the appreciation has not translated into stronger box office numbers. The filmmaker has now urged audiences to come to theatres, watch the film and then form their own opinion. Speaking to a portal/publication, Santoshi said, “It is important that people come out and watch the film.” He went on to highlight the response from those who have already seen the Partition drama. “The people who have seen the film Batwara are liking it a lot.” According to Santoshi, the film has also prompted viewers to reach out to the team. “They are appreciating it a lot. They are sending so many fan mails. They are getting so many bookings.” The filmmaker further described the emotional response from audiences emerging from theatres. “People are calling and appr...

Spirit Controversy: Pranay Reddy Vanga claims Deepika Padukone made ‘unreasonable’ demands; says, “She demanded 10 percent from the film’s profit”

The controversy surrounding Deepika Padukone’s exit from Spirit has resurfaced after Pranay Reddy Vanga, brother of filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, made fresh claims about the disagreements that led to the actress’ departure from the Prabhas-starrer. While reports about Deepika’s demand for an eight-hour workday had earlier become a major talking point, Pranay has now alleged that remuneration and profit-sharing were also part of the discussions. In a recent interview with NTV, Pranay spoke about the circumstances surrounding Deepika’s exit. He said the discussions involved her remuneration, working hours and other aspects of the project. “The reason is the same as what was already mentioned. One was remuneration, the second was timing. Apart from that, there are some other reasons too,” he said. According to Pranay, Sandeep had been in talks with Deepika for around one-and-a-half years and was keen to have her on board. He also suggested that her recent box-office success gave her gre...

Batwara 1947 vs Awarapan 2 screen-sharing fight Round 2 begins: Distributor of Sunny Deol starrer asks for one show in single screens; Toxic’s Wednesday release complicates matters

Bollywood Hungama had reported last week about the screen-sharing issues faced during the release of Batwara 1947 and Awarapan 2. The issue has cropped up in the second week of these films as well. A trade source told Bollywood Hungama, “PVR Inox Pictures, the distributors of Batwara 1947, have asked several single-screen cinemas to play one show of their film from tomorrow, August 21. However, the single-screen exhibitors are bewildered by this demand. Batwara 1947 has underperformed, more so at single screens. Moreover, Awarapan 2 continues to do huge business. The single screens wish to play all shows of Awarapan 2 to meet the demand. However, they won’t be able to cater to that demand fully due to the directive to allot shows to Batwara 1947.” The source also said, “On the other hand, Awarapan 2’s distributor has put forth two conditions. One is that they want all shows in single screens. The theatres have no problem with this demand. However, they have also asked for all shows of...

Sonu Nigam reacts to impersonator case settlement; says, “Saste mein chhoot gaya bahut”

Sonu Nigam has opened up about his legal battle with Bihar-based criminal lawyer Sonu Nigam Singh, whose social media account was allegedly mistaken for that of the singer. The dispute, which involved alleged misuse of the singer’s identity and personality rights, has now been settled following an amicable agreement between the two parties. The Bombay High Court recently disposed of the commercial intellectual property suit after the singer and the lawyer reached a settlement. However, Sonu Nigam has said that he is not completely satisfied with the outcome and believes that cases involving digital impersonation and identity rights require stricter legal action. Speaking about the issue, the singer said, “I quit X in 2017 but this person kept impersonating me. If I met President Droupadi Murmu, he would post a photo as if I am posting it. It is cruel to put someone’s name, reputation and life at risk.” Nigam further claimed that the alleged impersonation had consequences for him and h...

EXCLUSIVE: Namit Malhotra on taking Ramayana to ScreenX and 4DX, “Our collaboration with CJ 4DPLEX enables us to bring this iconic film in innovative formats that match its scope and vision”

Prime Focus Studios founder and DNEG Global CEO Namit Malhotra is taking his ambitious two-part cinematic retelling of the Ramayana into a new dimension with a global partnership with CJ 4DPLEX. While Bollywood Hungama has already reported that Ramayana Part 1 will become the first Indian film to release in SCREENX worldwide, the latest development comes with exclusive comments from the key executives behind the collaboration. Speaking on the decision to take Ramayana into premium immersive formats, Malhotra said the film was conceived from the very beginning as a global theatrical experience. “From the outset, Ramayana was designed as a global cinematic experience,” said Malhotra. “Our collaboration with CJ 4DPLEX enables us to bring this iconic film in innovative formats that match its scope and vision. SCREENX and 4DX invite audiences to engage with the story in a powerful new way.” The collaboration will see Ramayana Part 1, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Yash as Ravana and Sai Pa...

Kangana Ranaut backs Isha Koppikar after the latter calls herself an ‘andhbhakt’: “I love my country I love my people”

Isha Koppikar recently addressed the label of ‘andhbhakt’ while speaking about her love for India and her belief in contributing towards the country’s progress. The actress made it clear that her devotion is not towards any political party but towards her nation. Her remarks have now received support from actress turned politician Kangana Ranaut, who responded to Isha’s video on social media. Isha shared the video on her Instagram handle on Tuesday, explaining why she does not shy away from calling herself a ‘bhakt’ or an ‘andhbhakt’ when it comes to her country. Kangana reacted to the post and highlighted instances from her own life where she says she stood up against injustice and violence. “Wow well explained for me as- in high school protested against a teacher who used to hit children in head with stick during assembly, protested against 26/11 violence. Protested against Nirbhaya brutality. Never blamed parents for any limitation that may have come my way. Instead uplifted whole ...

Kartik Aaryan to undergo knee surgery after injury on Kabir Khan’s film set

Kartik Aaryan has suffered a serious knee injury while shooting an intense action sequence for his upcoming untitled film with filmmaker Kabir Khan. The actor reportedly sustained the injury during the final phase of the shoot, which was scheduled to wrap after two more days of filming. According to India Today, Kartik had been undergoing rigorous training with action coaches ahead of the demanding sequences. During one of the action scenes, he injured his knee and was subsequently rushed to a hospital in the town for medical attention. A source close to the production told India Today, “Kartik has now been admitted to Fortis Raheja Hospital and is under medical care. The doctors will perform his knee surgery in a day, after which he will have to rest for a few days. He should then be able to resume his work commitments.” Following the surgery, Kartik is expected to take a short break to recover. He will reportedly resume work on Anurag Basu’s untitled project once he is fit to return...

Awarapan 2 Box Office: Emraan Hashmi starrer emerges as 4th highest first Monday grosser of 2026

Awarapan 2 has continued its strong run at the box office after its opening weekend, with the Emraan Hashmi starrer recording Rs. 8.89 crore on its first Monday. The film has consequently emerged as the fourth-highest first Monday grosser of 2026, putting it ahead of several major Hindi releases of the year. The Monday hold is particularly encouraging because it indicates that the film's strong weekend business has translated into weekday footfalls. Awarapan 2 has collected Rs. 8.89 crore, edging past Welcome To The Jungle, which recorded Rs. 8.24 crore, and Dhamaal 4, which earned Rs. 8.18 crore on their respective first Mondays. The Emraan Hashmi starrer is therefore ahead of the two films by 7.9% and 8.7%, respectively. At the top of the chart, Border 2 remains the year's biggest first Monday grosser with a massive Rs. 63.59 crore, followed by Dhurandhar: The Revenge at Rs. 59 crore. Spider-Man: Brand New Day occupies the third spot with Rs. 23.30 crore, meaning Awarapan 2 ...

Prime Video announces September 11 premiere for Nikkhil Advani’s The Revolutionaries

Prime Video has announced September 11, 2026, as the worldwide premiere date for its upcoming Hindi Original series, The Revolutionaries. Directed and created by filmmaker Nikkhil Advani, the period drama is inspired by true events and explores the lesser-known stories of four revolutionaries who played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle. Produced by Madhu Bhojwani and Monisha Advani under Emmay Entertainment, the series is based on Sanjeev Sanyal’s bestselling book Revolutionaries: The Other Story Of How India Won Its Freedom. The writing team includes Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh, Akshita Wadhwana, Shobhit Narang and Rutvi Mehta.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin)   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin) The series features Bhuvan Bam, Rohit Saraf, Pratibha Ranta and Gurfateh Pirzada in the lead roles. Bam portrays Rash Behari Bose, Saraf plays Sachindra Nath Sanyal, R...

Zoya Akhtar confirms Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara sequel is in works

Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar has confirmed that work on a sequel to the 2011 hit Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is underway. The update comes as the film marks 15 years since its release and follows renewed excitement among fans after Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol and Farhan Akhtar reunited for a 2025 advertisement for Yas Island. The trio’s reunion in the campaign brought back memories of their much-loved characters Arjun, Kabir and Imran. The commercial sparked speculation that the actors could be returning for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2, with several fans even assuming that the advertisement was connected to an upcoming sequel. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the Monsoon Film Festival, Zoya addressed the possibility of revisiting the characters and confirmed that discussions are taking place. “We are on it,” she said. However, the filmmaker made it clear that the project is still being developed and that there is no certainty about what shape it will eventually take. “We don’t know what will...

EXCLUSIVE: Kartik Aaryan joined by Qarib Qarib Single actress Parvathy Thiruvothu in Captain India; shooting begins next month

Kartik Aaryan's aviation thriller Captain India has further strengthened its principal cast with an exciting addition. Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that South Indian actress Parvathy Thiruvothu has been roped in to play a pivotal role in the Shimit Amin-directed film. Although details about her character are being kept under wraps, sources say she will play an integral part in the narrative, which is inspired by one of the biggest humanitarian operations ever undertaken. Parvathy is known for her powerful and nuanced performances in films such as Take Off, Koode, Uyare and Bangalore Days. Hindi audiences primarily recognise her for starring opposite the late Irrfan Khan in the 2017 romantic comedy Qarib Qarib Single. Parvathy has since featured in two more Hindi films, Pankaj Tripathi's 2023 psychological thriller Kadak Singh and Bejoy Nambiar's survival thriller Tu Yaa Main, in which she made a cameo appearance. She will next be seen in Hrithik Roshan's m...

EXCLUSIVE: Industry veterans join hands for Malamaal Weekly 2; Subhash Kale, Chandraprakash Jain announce MEGA collaboration

Bollywood Hungama was the first to confirm that work on the much-anticipated sequel to the iconic comedy Malamaal Weekly is in the works, with Amit Joshi of Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (2024) fame signed as the director. In recent weeks, we have also made several exclusive reveals regarding the ensemble cast, confirming that Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Parineeti Chopra, Shilpa Shirodkar, Fardeen Khan, Mahesh Manjrekar and Elvish Yadav have come on board for this comic caper. Now, we bring you another massive trade scoop straight from the production desk. Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that producer Subhash Kale, Founder of Camera Take Films and Vikrant Studio, has forged a strategic mega-association with veteran film financier and producer S Chandraprakash Jain of Sri Mishri Productions to mount Malamaal Weekly 2 on an unprecedented scale. A source close to the development informed Bollywood Hungama, "Malamaal Weekly 2 is being mounted on a significantly larger ...

UNBELIEVABLE! Awarapan 2 crosses Emraan Hashmi’s 20-year career peak in a SINGLE weekend; becomes his BIGGEST grosser EVER in just 3 DAYS!

Emraan Hashmi has achieved a career-defining box office milestone with Awarapan 2. Just three days after its release, the action entertainer has emerged as the highest-grossing film of Hashmi's career, surpassing the lifetime collections of The Dirty Picture. Awarapan 2 has collected Rs. 82.09 crore in its opening weekend, taking it past The Dirty Picture, which ended its theatrical run at Rs. 80 crore. The film has therefore rewritten Hashmi's career-best benchmark within just three days, an impressive turnaround for an actor whose biggest theatrical successes came largely during the 2000s and early 2010s. The scale of the achievement becomes more striking when viewed against Hashmi's other major performers. Baadshaho stands at Rs. 78.10 crore, followed by Raaz 3 at Rs. 70.07 crore and Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai at Rs. 55.47 crore. Murder 2 collected Rs. 47.90 crore, while Jannat 2 finished at Rs. 42.50 crore. What makes Awarapan 2's run particularly significant is t...

EXCLUSIVE: Salman Khan, Sunny Deol, Anil Kapoor and many other prominent celebs attend David Dhawan's grand 75th birthday bash

One of the most successful directors of Bollywood, David Dhawan, celebrated his 75th birthday on the night of August 15 with lot of pomp. Interestingly, as many as 30 to 35 celebrities graced the special occasion, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned. The director turned 75 on August 16. A source told Bollywood Hungama, "The party was held at his house. David Dhawan doesn't really throw bashes but this time, he did so, probably as it's a milestone birthday, and also presumably at the insistence of his family members who dote on him." The source continued, "Besides son Varun Dhawan and others, the guests included Rajkumar Santoshi, Sunny Deol, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Pradeep (Tutu) Sharma, Padmini Kolhapure Sharma, Dinesh Vijan, Sajid Nadiadwala, Rumi Jafry, and a few others. A total of around 30-35 guests attended the bash." Bollywood Hungama also stumbled upon an exclusive picture from the birthday party of David Dhawan. The birthday boy can be seen...

Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff get Maharashtra FDA notice over Vimal Elaichi ad: Report

Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff have received show-cause notices from the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over their association with a 2024 advertisement for Vimal Elaichi. The state food safety authority has alleged that the advertisement could amount to indirect or surrogate promotion of pan masala, which is prohibited in Maharashtra. The nine-page notice, issued by Maharashtra's food safety chief Tukaram Mundhe, asks the three actors to discontinue their participation in the campaign and remove promotional material related to the advertisement from their official social media accounts. They have also been asked to explain their position within 15 days. Why has the Maharashtra FDA issued the notices? The actors appeared together in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement in 2024. While the campaign promotes elaichi, the FDA has raised concerns over the use of the Vimal brand, which is strongly associated with pan masala. “Upon examination of the said advertisem...

Ranveer Singh starrer end-of-the-world action thriller Pralay, directed by Jai Mehta, goes on floors in Mumbai

Headlined by Ranveer Singh, Pralay the ambitious new end-of-the-world action thriller, has officially gone on floors in Mumbai, marking the commencement of filming on one of the most keenly-awaited films. The film marks Ranveer Singh’s next major motion picture release following Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar The Revenge, which emerged as the highest-grossing film of all time. With Pralay, the actor once again ventures into an unexplored cinematic landscape that is new and disruptive. Ranveer not only headlines the film but also serves as a producer, taking on a story that demands both physical intensity and emotional conviction. For Ananya Birla, Pralay, a Birla Studios production, reflects her ambition to push the landscape of cinema as a creative catalyst who is looking to collaborate with the modern game-changers in India. For Hansal Mehta and Sahil Saigal’s True Story Films, it reflects a belief in creating disruption through content. Pralay stars Lokah breakout actress Kalyani Priyad...

Jackky Bhagnani returns to acting after six years with Independence Day anthem 'Tere Rang Mein': "I wanted the street credibility and respect of Gen Z"

Jackky Bhagnani has returned to acting after a six-year gap with the Independence Day anthem 'Tere Rang Mein,' released under his music label Jjust Music. The actor-producer said the song offered him an opportunity to return to the screen with a project that was personally meaningful to him. Bhagnani described himself as a patriot and said the nature of the song played an important role in his decision to face the camera again. “I am a patriot by heart. It’s been quite some time since I faced the camera. So, I thought the best way to come back is with the right cause,” Bhagnani said. The actor's return comes after several years of focusing primarily on film production. According to Bhagnani, stepping away from acting was a conscious decision as he worked behind the scenes and became more involved in producing films. Jackky Bhagnani on focusing on film production Bhagnani said his experience as a producer made him rethink the way he wanted to approach his acting career. He ...

Ramayana English trailer: Namit Malhotra DECODES DNEG’s AI-powered lip-sync technology!

The English trailer of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1 has been released by Sony Pictures for audiences worldwide, offering an international preview of the upcoming epic. While the scale and visual effects have drawn attention, one of the key talking points has been the technology used to ensure that the actors’ lip movements match the English dialogue. Unlike conventional dubbed versions, where a new voice track is placed over the original footage, the English version of Ramayana: Part 1 uses DNEG’s AI-powered technology to digitally adjust the actors’ mouth movements. Producer Namit Malhotra has now explained how the process combines human performances with technology to achieve a more natural result. Namit Malhotra explains how Ramayana’s English lip-sync was created Speaking to ET Now, Malhotra stressed that the process did not begin with AI. According to the producer, the first step involved human voice performances, with members of the principal cast also contributing their own...

Lalit Modi DENIES Bigg Boss 20 participation, calls reports “fake news” and issues legal notice

Reports claiming that IPL founder and businessman Lalit Modi will enter the Bigg Boss 20 house have been denied by Modi, who has also issued a legal notice to publications and social media accounts that carried the claim. The clarification came a day after several social media accounts reported his alleged participation in the upcoming season of the Salman Khan-hosted reality show. Taking to X early on Saturday morning, Modi categorically rejected the reports and said he has neither been approached for the show nor intends to participate in it. “FAKE NEWS. PERIOD. I have NOT been approached for Bigg Boss 20. I am NOT participating in Bigg Boss 20. And I have NO intention of doing so. Amazing how a completely fabricated story can become ‘news’ without anyone bothering to ask the person concerned,” he wrote. Modi also shared a legal notice issued by his lawyers, Hirani & Associates, and warned the publications and social media accounts that had carried the reports. “Perhaps next tim...

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...

BREAKING: Chetan Hansraj plays SEVEN characters in Ramayana, including Ravana’s maternal grandfather

The trailer of Ramayana was released on July 30 and continues to dominate conversations nearly two weeks later. The film boasts a sprawling star cast, but one actor whose contribution promises to be particularly fascinating is Chetan Hansraj. Interestingly, the actor will be seen playing not one or two, but as many as seven characters in the epic saga! In an interview with Hindustan Times, the 54-year-old actor confirmed that in Ramayana, he plays the role of Raja Mali, the maternal grandfather of Ravana (Yash). Chetan Hansraj told Hindustan Times, “Raja Mali is an important character that went down in history, and my scenes with Yash are pure fire. He is such a delight on screen, and these two characters complement each other wonderfully. It was huge for me.” He then revealed, “After my part was wrapped, I was offered six motion-capture characters, including one of Ravana’s brothers and a demon.” Chetan Hansraj also opened up on the criticism of the film and comparisons with Ramanand...

Awarapan 2 races ahead of Batwara 1947 in advance bookings; Emraan Hashmi-starrer sells 68,000 tickets vs Sunny Deol film’s 37,600

The much-awaited Awarapan 2 has registered impressive advance sales, bringing cheer to the trade and industry. Its predecessor, Awarapan (2007), underperformed during its theatrical run, but over the years, it attained cult status, thanks to its emotional and mass-appealing moments, memorable music and Emraan Hashmi’s much-loved performance. The promotional assets of the sequel have also struck a chord with audiences, resulting in encouraging advance bookings. As per data accessed by Bollywood Hungama, as of 9:00 pm on August 11, Awarapan 2 had sold nearly 68,000 tickets, with gross ticket sales amounting to approximately Rs. 2.20 crores. What’s noteworthy is the pace at which bookings picked up through the day. On the morning of August 11, around 18,000 tickets had been sold, meaning the tally increased by nearly 50,000 tickets in a matter of hours. With two days remaining for release, the film is expected to cross the 1 lakh-ticket mark soon if the momentum continues. Meanwhile, Bat...

Batwara 1947's distributor softens stand, agrees to 50-50 shows with Awarapan 2; Spider-Man’s ‘MINIMUM 2 shows in single-screens’ demand leaves exhibitors worried

On August 10, Bollywood Hungama reported that PVR Inox Pictures, the distributors of Batwara 1947, have demanded all the shows in single-screen cinemas. This added to the exhibitors' woes, as Awarapan 2 also releases this Friday, August 14. On top of it, the Batwara 1947 distributors asked for seven shows a day in two-screen theatres, 10 shows in three-screen multiplexes, 12 shows a day in four-screen cinemas and 15 shows a day in five-screen multiplexes. However, as per the latest reports from exhibitors, the demand has now undergone a change. An exhibition source told Bollywood Hungama, “Earlier, their requirement was that 60% to 70% of the shows should be allotted to Batwara 1947. However, they have now taken note of the exhibitors’ concerns. As a result, they have agreed to a 50-50 showcasing arrangement for both films.” As per some exhibitors, the 50-50 arrangement will also apply to single-screen cinemas. However, most single-screen theatres across the country are yet to ope...

EXCLUSIVE: Wamiqa Gabbi joins Rishab Shetty in Prasanth Varma’s Jai Hanuman

2026 is turning out to be a great year for Wamiqa Gabbi. The Jubilee actress kicked off the year with the box-office success of Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan’s Bhooth Bangla, followed it up with Pati, Patni Aur Woh Do, and is now earning acclaim for her performance as Chandra in her recently released Tamil film, DC: The Bloody Valentine. Her “acche din” are set to continue, as she has now bagged possibly the biggest film of her career. Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that Wamiqa Gabbi has been signed on for Rishab Shetty’s upcoming pan-India mythological epic, Jai Hanuman. She will play a prominent and powerful character in the Prasanth Varma directorial, though details about her role are being kept under wraps. The actress is said to be excited about stepping into the immersive world of mythology, action and devotion, and will soon join the film’s Hyderabad schedule. Jai Hanuman is the much-awaited sequel to Prasanth Varma’s 2024 blockbuster Hanu-Man, which starred Teja Saj...

EXCLUSIVE: The Odyssey’s historic IMAX run faces first major change; The End Of Oak Street gets 2 prime slots; Nolan film gets discounted IMAX pricing for FIRST time; Spider-Man joins Rs. 149 Tuesday offer

Yesterday, Bollywood Hungama reported that The Odyssey continues to remain rock-solid at the box office despite the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The Christopher Nolan-directed film has collected Rs. 166.89 crores in 24 days, of which a huge Rs. 74.21 crores has come from IMAX screens. The film, which released on July 17, has enjoyed exclusive access to IMAX shows ever since, thanks to its historic response. However, from Friday, August 14, The Odyssey will begin sharing IMAX shows with the Anne Hathaway-starrer, The End Of Oak Street. A trade source told Bollywood Hungama, “The End Of Oak Street is a big-scale film and also features dinosaurs. Hence, it’ll make for a great watch in IMAX. It is being released by Warner Bros, which also distributed Universal Pictures’ The Odyssey in India. Since the same team is handling both films, it has become easier to divide the shows between the two.” The source continued, “Warner Bros has asked IMAX theatres to play The End Of Oak Street...

BREAKING: EXCLUSIVE footage of Ramayana to be screened at Big Cine Expo 2026, Chennai; Rakesh Roshan to receive Special Achievement Award

An exhibition called Big Cine Expo is held every year where theatre owners, design consultants, equipment manufacturers, system integrators, project management professionals, and industry stakeholders come together to celebrate cinema and the exhibition sector. One major highlight of the expo is the presentation of exclusive footage from an upcoming film. And at this year’s edition of Big Cine Expo, attendees will get a chance to watch exclusive glimpses of arguably the most awaited film of the year – Ramayana! The period epic stars Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sunny Deol, Sai Pallavi, Ravie Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta and others. The Big Cine Expo 2026 will be held on August 18 and 19 in Chennai, and the Ramayana glimpse preview will take place on the first day. Attendees will be strictly prohibited from using their mobile phones or recording any part of the presentation. This is because the team will showcase visuals from the film that have not yet been revealed to the public. Memb...

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Box Office: Film surpasses Avatar: The Way of Water to become highest-grossing Hollywood film in India, enters Rs. 400 crore club

The web-slinger has rewritten history at the Indian box office. Spider-Man: Brand New Day has emerged as the highest-grossing Hollywood film of all time in India, surpassing the lifetime business of James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water. The superhero entertainer achieved the milestone during its second weekend, adding a strong Rs. 83.80 crores in its second weekend alone. The film collected Rs. 14.60 crores on Friday, followed by a major jump on Saturday with Rs. 34.20 crores. It continued its impressive run on Sunday, collecting Rs. 35 crores. With this, Spider-Man: Brand New Day has taken its overall India nett collection to Rs. 419.80 crores, officially moving past Avatar: The Way of Water and claiming the top spot among Hollywood releases in the country. The film had already enjoyed a phenomenal first week, collecting Rs. 336 crores in eight days after releasing on Thursday. Its second-weekend performance has now pushed the film into an entirely new league, with the total stan...