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Showing posts from April, 2025

Trump’s foreign film tariffs could ‘wipe out’ UK movie industry, ministers told

Union warns that 100% levy could be ‘knockout blow’ and urges government to defend sector and those who work in it US politics live – latest updates Donald Trump’s threat to impose 100% tariffs on movies made outside the US could wipe out the UK film industry, ministers have been warned, as they came under immediate pressure to prioritise the issue in trade talks with the White House. UK government officials and senior figures from Britain’s multibillion-pound production industry are to meet imminently to discuss Trump’s threat, which he made after months of promising to restore Hollywood to its “golden age”. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/5ZJaT1X via IFTTT

Tinā review – a feelgood choir drama that follows a winning formula

A huge hit in Aotearoa New Zealand, this film follows a teacher who transforms an elite private school with music, played beautifully by Anapela Polataivao Ah yes: the inspirational high school movie! This formula is an oldie but a goodie: a thinking-outside-the-box teacher profoundly inspires their students while restoring something broken inside themselves. Such narratives view education as a “school of life” in which everybody – irrespective of age and circumstance – is always in a state of learning and growing. The teacher’s unconventional methods are inevitably questioned; various triumphs and tragedies ensue. And in musically themed productions such as the Aotearoa New Zealand drama Tinā, momentum builds towards a rousing final performance. Tonally, Miki Magasiva’s film is less School of Rock than Mr Holland’s Opus: middle-of-the-road stylistically and not so much tugging the heartstrings as giving them a right royal yank. There’s no ambiguity in his script, which puts its emot...

Crocs welcomes Rashmika Mandanna as India ambassador

Crocs has officially announced the onboarding of popular Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna as its brand ambassador for India. This collaboration marks a significant step for Crocs in strengthening its connection with the Indian market. The ambassadorship kicks off with the launch of the "Your Crocs. Your Story. Your World." campaign. Rashmika Mandanna will be the face of the Indian edition of this global campaign, embodying the essence of expressing personal stories through unique style. “Crocs has always been a brand I’ve felt connected to — I love the fun colors, quirky silhouettes, and the unapologetic individuality they stand for.” said Rashmika Mandanna. “If you know me, you know I never shy away from expressing myself. Whether it’s my love for K-pop, Korean snacks, or sunflowers — I wear my heart on my sleeve. With Crocs and Jibbitz™, I get to bring that side of me to life and create something that’s completely my own. I’m so excited for my fans across India to experien...

Mumbai Court warns Malaika Arora of non-bailable warrant in Saif Ali Khan 2012 Hotel Brawl case

A court in Mumbai has granted actor Malaika Arora a last chance to appear as a witness in the 2012 hotel brawl case involving actor Saif Ali Khan. The court warned that a non-bailable warrant will be issued against her if she fails to appear on the next hearing date, July 9. The warning comes after Arora failed to comply with summons and skipped the hearing on April 29, despite a bailable warrant already being issued against her. Chief Judicial Magistrate K S Zanwar observed that Arora was “intentionally” avoiding legal proceedings, noting that while her lawyer was present in court, she chose not to appear. The incident in question took place on February 22, 2012, at a five-star hotel in South Mumbai. Saif Ali Khan and two others—Shakeel Ladak and Bilal Amrohi—were arrested following a complaint by NRI businessman Iqbal Mir Sharma. The complainant alleged that Khan punched him, causing a nasal fracture, after he objected to the loud behavior of Khan and his companions. According to ...

Slade in Flame review – Midlands glam rockers offer A Hard Day’s Night meets Get Carter

The 1975 musical satire is a curious amalgam of madcap comedy and Brit realism as the band ride the giddy highs and brutal lows of the 70s music industry Here is Slade’s movie musical satire from 1975, a film with all the pungent historical presence of a pub ashtray, about an imaginary band called Flame which looked and sounded a lot like Slade, fronted by Stoker, played by Noddy Holder. It came out a year after the film’s soundtrack album was released, and now gets a rerelease for its 50-year anniversary. Slade in Flame – which is to say, Flame, starring Slade – is regarded by fans and non-fans alike with enormous affection and regard , and it certainly has a weird, goofy energy: the audio mix sometimes surreally privileging ambient sounds such as doors closing and glasses chinking, with the dialogue way in the background. It’s about an innocent working-class Midlands band getting taken up by creepy adman-type smoothie Robert Seymour, played by Tom Conti, who exploits their raw tale...

Housefull 5 Teaser out now: Akshay Kumar and team promise full-on chaos and comedy

Bollywood’s most iconic comedy franchise is back — and this time, it's sailing into cinemas with more madness than ever before. On the momentous occasion of Housefull completing 15 years since the release of its first film in 2010, producer Sajid Nadiadwala has officially unveiled the much-anticipated teaser of Housefull 5. The teaser drop, released on April 30, celebrates the journey of the franchise while offering a glimpse into what promises to be the most uproarious installment yet. Releasing on June 6, 2025, Housefull 5 is being billed as a ‘killer comedy’ — a phrase that sets the tone for the over-the-top hilarity fans can expect. Directed by Dostana fame Tarun Mansukhani, this fifth outing takes the ensemble cast aboard a luxurious cruise, setting the stage for a whirlwind of chaos, comedy, and chartbuster music. The teaser features an epic line-up of Bollywood stars, headlined by franchise mainstay Akshay Kumar, alongside Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fe...

Sabyasachi Mukherjee reveals Rani Mukerji’s ‘mad’ wedding with Aditya Chopra: “She was very chilled out”

Actor Rani Mukerji and filmmaker Aditya Chopra’s wedding in Italy has remained a well-kept secret, with no photos from the ceremony ever making their way to social media. However, designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, who designed Rani’s bridal outfit, has now shared some insights into the intimate celebration. He revealed that Rani gave him just a week’s deadline to create her wedding attire. During a session for the YouTube channel Fashionably Pernia, Sabyasachi was asked about the most fun Bollywood wedding. The designer replied, “You know who was fun to work with? It was actually Rani Mukerji. She never released the photos. But, the fact is that it was a mad wedding which was done between her, Adi (Aditya Chopra), Karan (Johar), and me. She was very chilled out.” Sabyasachi also shared how last-minute the entire wedding was, revealing that he had just one week to create the bridal lehenga. He said, “She came over for lunch one day and said that she is getting married. I asked her how mu...

Aamir Khan postpones Sitaare Zameen Par trailer launch out of respect for Pahalgam terror attack victims

Aamir Khan has decided to postpone the trailer launch of his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par following the recent tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The attack, which claimed the lives of several Indian tourists, has deeply affected the nation. On April 22, a brutal terror attack left 26 people dead and many others injured when gunmen opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam. This incident stands as one of the most heartbreaking attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. The trailer, which was originally set to be released this week as part of the film's promotional campaign, has been postponed. In light of the tragic attack, Aamir Khan and his team made the decision to delay the launch as a gesture of respect for the victims and their families. A source close to the film's development told Hindustan Times, “Aamir Khan and his team felt it would be inappropriate to proceed with the launch at this time. A new release date for the trailer will be announced later.” The terro...

Hania Aamir exits Diljit Dosanjh’s Sardaar Ji 3 following Pahalgam attack

In October 2023, fans were ecstatic when Pakistani actress Hania Aamir made a surprise appearance alongside Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh at his London concert. Diljit dedicated his popular song Lover to Hania, making it a memorable experience for both the audience and the actress. Earlier this month, buzz grew around the possibility of a collaboration between the two, with many speculating it was for Sardaar Ji 3. However, new reports suggest that Hania may no longer be part of the film due to recent developments. On April 22, a devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, South Kashmir, claimed the lives of 26 tourists, further straining the already tense relations between India and Pakistan. In the aftermath, Fawad Khan’s anticipated Bollywood return with Abir Gulaal reportedly saw its India release plans put on hold. Meanwhile, speculation is growing that Hania Aamir, who was set to debut in Indian cinema alongside Diljit Dosanjh and Neeru Bajwa in Sardaar Ji 3, might be dr...

EXCLUSIVE: PVR Inox Pictures to distribute Sitaare Zameen Par; Aamir Khan-starrer’s trailer expected to play in their cinemas from May 1

After more than 2 ½ years, Aamir Khan will be finally seen in cinemas this year with Sitaare Zameen Par. The film has been in the news constantly over its various speculations about its release date, trailer launch etc. Bollywood Hungama has now learned that Aamir already has a distributor on board - PVR Inox Pictures. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Aamir has a very long association with PVR Inox team. On the occasion of his 60th birthday on March 14, the exhibition arm of PVR Inox held a film festival across their properties in the country and showcased some of his finest films. A week before this celebration, Aamir Khan had an interesting conversation with Javed Akhtar. This event was held in PVR Juhu, Mumbai. And that’s not all. Sitaare Zameen Par is a spiritual sequel to Taare Zameen Par (2007), which also had a PVR connection. It was backed by the then PVR Pictures and co-produced by Sanjeev Kumar Bijli and Ajay Bijli along with Aamir Khan Productions. Hence, it’s a case o...

Miami Vice: new movie on the way from Top Gun: Maverick director

Detectives Crockett and Tubbs are set to return in a new big screen take on the 80s cop show from Joseph Kosinski Detectives Crockett and Tubbs are in line for a new look with the 80s cop show Miami Vice set to make a big-screen comeback. The Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski has been set as director of a new take on the NBC series which followed two undercover cops trying to dismantle the world of illegal drugs in Miami. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/FiR3Tfr via IFTTT

Going for Goldblum: fans flock to Jurassic Park star Jeff in London

Hollywood actor and jazz musician, in UK to launch fourth album and play concerts, arrives in King’s Cross In what was once a red-light district, between a furniture shop and a recruitment agency, Jeff Goldblum is selling T-shirts. And not only T-shirts, the Hollywood A-lister is also selling his own jazz albums, while meeting fans and signing their merchandise. He has not had to work too hard to sell himself to the crowds of people waiting to meet him on a sunny Monday afternoon in London – the queues stretched more than 50 yards. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/adcMPht via IFTTT

Atul Kulkarni visits Pahalgam after terror attack, urges Indians not to cancel Kashmir trips; says, “Humara Kashmir hai, hum yaha ayenge”

Actor Atul Kulkarni visited Pahalgam shortly after a terrorist attack took place there. In an interview with BBC News Hindi during his journey, he mentioned that the attack was intended as a warning from terrorists to discourage people from visiting Kashmir. However, he emphasized that Indians will continue to travel there, asserting “Kashmir is ours.” He also urged the public not to cancel their trips to the region. Atul expressed his sorrow over the tragic incident on April 22 and reflected on how he could respond through meaningful action. He said, “What happened on the 22nd was a very tragic incident; this should not have happened. When I read about it, I thought that every time something like this happened, what would we do? We post on social media, we talk to friends, we write something, but then I thought, what can I actually do in real action? I read that 90% of the bookings here had been cancelled, even though it’s peak season. We need to support Kashmiriyat and the Kashmiri ...

Mouni Roy shares gravity-defying BTS moments from The Bhootnii: “Hung out in trees for 45 nights”; watch

Mouni Roy is preparing for the release of her upcoming horror-comedy The Bhootnii, which also stars Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Singh, and others. As the release date approaches, the cast has been actively promoting the film. Mouni recently posted behind-the-scenes photos and videos on Instagram, sharing that she spent 45 nights performing “gravity-defying” dances while suspended in a harness for 10 to 11 hours each night. Although she initially found it challenging, she said things eventually became more manageable and fell into place. Mouni Roy, who portrays a ghost named ‘Mohabbat’ in The Bhootnii, recently shared behind-the-scenes photos and videos from the set, showing her suspended mid-air. One clip captures her floating gracefully, while another image reveals an intense aerial stunt where she’s mid-fight with Sanjay Dutt’s character. In a playful caption she wrote, “For 45 nights, I danced with gravity, 10/11 hours at a time- me and my harness, reluctant partners at first. But somewhere...

‘I stopped talking to my parents – and life opened up’: Heather Graham on family, ageing and ‘creepy’ film-makers

The actor has seen the best and worst of Hollywood, from directors like Paul Thomas Anderson to the notorious Harvey Weinstein. She talks about her #MeToo moment, her difficult childhood and her new movie, Chosen Family For almost all her life, Heather Graham says, she was a “people pleaser”. It was encouraged in childhood, she says, this obligation to put others’ needs above her own, and it endured even after the 1997 film Boogie Nights had made her a star and she had severed all contact with her “judgmental, authoritarian” parents. Now 55, Graham was in her 40s before she recognised her self-sabotaging tendencies, and tried to correct course. “I realised, no, actually I can just ask myself, ‘What do I want?’ and make myself happy,” she says over Zoom from her home in Los Angeles. “I wish I could have had this when I was 20 or 15. If I wasn’t trying to please other people, what would I have done?” It affected her romantic life and sometimes her work. “There were moments where I feel...

SCOOP: Varun Dhawan’s Bhediya 2 won’t release on August 14, 2026; Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt-Vicky Kaushal’s Love & War expected to clash with Kartik Aaryan’s Naagzilla on Independence Day week

Bollywood Hungama was the first to inform our esteemed readers that Sanjay Leela Bhansali has delayed Love & War from the March 2026 slot due to a delay in shooting. 2 days ago, we revealed that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is looking at releasing the Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt-Vicky Kaushal starrer on August 14, 2026. Incidentally, a week ago, Kartik Aaryan’s newly launched project Naagzilla was announced for a release on the same day. And that’s not all. At the beginning of the year, Maddock Films had made an announcement that Bhediya 2, starring Varun Dhawan, would arrive in the same week. However, it seems like Bhediya 2 won’t be able to make it in the said week as scheduled. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Bhediya 2 is getting delayed. The makers, that is, the team of Dinesh Vijan at Maddock Films, are already looking at other dates.” The source continued, “Three big films coming on the same day would have caused a lot of issues in screen...

Akshay Kumar channels Kesari Chapter 2 spirit while condemning Pahalgam terror attack

Akshay Kumar, who is currently promoting his latest film Kesari: Chapter 2, addressed the heartbreaking Pahalgam terror attack during a recent event. His words reflected the anger and sorrow that many Indians are feeling after the tragedy that struck on April 22, 2025. “Unfortunately aaj bhi humare sab ke dil mein woh gussa phir se jaga hain. Aap sab log achchi tarah se jaante he main kis cheez ki baat kar raha hoon. Aaj bhi hum un terrorists o ko ek hi baat kehna chahenge. Jo maine iss film mein kahi he, ‘Kya tum samjhte ho ke ek Hindustani ki himmat ko kuch goliyan daba degi? Galat fehmi mein ho tum (Do you think a few bullets can crush the courage of an Indian? You are mistaken)’,” Akshay said, seamlessly blending his emotions with a line from Kesari: Chapter 2. The Pahalgam terror attack targeted a group of civilians, most of them non-Islamic tourists, who were traveling in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. The assailants ambushed a bus, opening fire on unarmed travelle...

How did Hitler’s film-maker hide her complicity from the world?

A new documentary delves into controversial German film-maker Leni Riefenstahl’s private archive to uncover a director who spent a lifetime covering up her central role in the Nazi propaganda machine Leni Riefenstahl had several successes at the Venice film festival. In 1932, the festival’s inaugural year, the German film-maker’s mystical mountain drama The Blue Light made the official selection. In 1934, she picked up a gold medal for Triumph of the Will, her chronicle of the Nazi party congress in Nuremberg. In 1938, 10 weeks before Kristallnacht, she won best foreign film with Olympia, a two-part documentary of the summer Olympics in Berlin that was commissioned and financed by the Nazi government , overseen by the Reich ministry of propaganda and enlightenment, and released on Adolf Hitler’s birthday. After the war, and until the day she died, aged 101, in 2003, Riefenstahl insisted that her films were only ever about award-winning art. Through the postwar decades, and over t...

CBFC mutes 'prick', 'a**hole, 'd***ks' 'b***h' in Thunderbolts; enforces EXCESSIVE cuts in HIT: The Third Case

The month of May will begin with a bang with exciting releases in different languages. In this article, Bollywood Hungama will focus on the cut list of two of the releases – the Hollywood superhero entertainer Thunderbolts and the Telugu action entertainer, HIT: The Third Case. The Central Board of Film Certificate (CBFC) thankfully hasn't asked for any visual cuts in Thunderbolts. Hence, all the action scenes remain unscathed. However, they asked the studio to mute five abusive words. These five words are ‘a**’, ‘a**hole’, ‘d**ks’, ‘b***h’ and ‘prick’. The last word is not considered as an objectionable cuss term and hence, the muting of ‘prick’ is sure to raise eyebrows. After these cuts were made, the studio was handed over the censor certificate on April 23. The length of Thunderbolts as mentioned on the censor certificate is 127 minutes, that is, 2 hours and 7 minutes. The film was passed with a U/A 13+ rating. HIT: The Third Case, like...

Martin Scorsese joins Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound as executive producer ahead of Cannes 2025 premiere

In a notable collaboration, legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese has come on board as executive producer for Homebound, the upcoming feature from National Award-winning director Neeraj Ghaywan. The film, starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, is set to have its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, which runs from May 14 to 25. Homebound marks Ghaywan’s return to the big screen and to Cannes, nearly a decade after his acclaimed debut Masaan premiered at the festival and received two awards. Over the years, Masaan has continued to find resonance with audiences worldwide, heightening expectations for Ghaywan’s latest. Speaking about his involvement, Martin Scorsese said, “I have seen Neeraj’s first film Masaan in 2015 and I loved it, so when Mélita Toscan du Plantier sent me the project of his second film, I was curious. I loved the story, the culture and was willing to help. Neeraj has made a beautifully crafted film that’...

Will the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana be launched at WAVES Summit 2025?

One of the most awaited films of Indian Cinema, Ramayana, will be released next year, on Diwali 2026. The excitement for it has been sky high due to its solid casting and association of Nitesh Tiwari, of Dangal (2016) and Chhichhore (2019) fame, as director. Last year, the makers released a teaser poster in November and made it clear that while the first part will be out next year, the second part will be released on Diwali 2027. And if sources are to be believed, a new announcement about the film will be out as early as next week. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (aka WAVES Summit) will be held from May 1-4, 2025 and the organizers are clear that they want it to be one of the biggest talking points of the year. Accordingly, they have invited some of the biggest names from different film industries in India. To add to the excitement, the team of Ramayana is looking to share an update during this star-studded event. It will be a ...

Delhi HC orders AR Rahman to deposit Rs 2 crores in copyright case over Ponniyin Selvan 2 song 

The Delhi High Court has directed renowned music composer AR Rahman and production company Madras Talkies to deposit Rs 2 crores with the court registry in a copyright infringement case. The ruling, delivered on 25 April, also directed them to pay Rs. 2 lakh costs to Dagar. The case centres on the song ‘Veera Raja Veera’ from the 2023 film Ponniyin Selvan 2, which has been accused of copying an earlier composition. The lawsuit was filed by Indian classical vocalist and Padma Shri awardee Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar in 2023. Dagar alleged that ‘Veera Raja Veera’ infringed on Shiva Stuti, a composition by his father, Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar, and uncle, Zahiruddin Dagar, known collectively as the Junior Dagar Brothers. He sought a permanent injunction to prevent the song’s use, along with damages and recognition of moral rights. Justice Prathiba M Singh, presiding over the case, observed that Shiva Stuti did not merely inspire ‘Veera Raja Veera’ but was “identical” to it, despite minor chan...

Conclave viewership rose 283% on day of Pope Francis’s death

Ralph Fiennes was Oscar-nominated for his role in the thriller which follows cardinals wrangling to replace a fictional pontiff after his death The death of Pope Francis on 21 April led to an abrupt uptick in viewership of Conclave, Edward Berger’s thriller which depicts the events following the death of a fictional pope, and the cardinals wrangling to replace him. The film, which won best picture at the Baftas earlier this year and was nominated for eight Oscars, is available on assorted streaming platforms worldwide. According to Luminate, which tracks streaming viewership, Conclave was viewed for about 1.8m minutes on 20 April, and 6.9m minutes the next day – an increase of 283%. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/0Mo5Gbw via IFTTT

Adarsh Gourav starrer Superboys of Malegaon premieres on Prime Video worldwide

Prime Video, has announced the exclusive global streaming premiere of highly acclaimed movie, Superboys of Malegaon. An Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby production, the Amazon MGM Studios’ Original movie is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti, and directed by Reema Kagti and written by Varun Grover. It features a highly talented ensemble cast, including Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Shashank Arora in the lead roles. The film is now streaming exclusively on Prime Video in 240 countries and territories worldwide. Superboys of Malegaon is a film based on the life of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker from the town of Malegaon. The residents of the town look to Bollywood cinema for a much-needed escape from daily drudgery. Nasir gets inspired to make a film for the people of Malegaon, by the people of Malegaon. He bands together his ragtag group of friends to bring his vision to life, thereby bringing a fresh lease of life into the town. The...

Shah Rukh Khan reveals why his father’s words kept him away from Kashmir; says, “My father told me Kashmir mere bina mat dekhna”

Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan has long captivated audiences not only with his films but also with the personal stories that offer glimpses into his life beyond the screen. One such emotional moment unfolded during his appearance on Amitabh Bachchan’s widely watched quiz show, Kaun Banega Crorepati. There, Shah Rukh shared a heartfelt reason for never having visited Kashmir — a childhood promise he made to his late father. Shah Rukh revealed that his paternal grandmother was from Kashmir, which gave his bond with the region a deeper, personal significance. Reflecting on an emotional conversation with his father, he recalled, “My father’s mother was Kashmiri. To unhone mujhe zindagi mein bola tha teen jagah zaroor dekhna life mein, ‘main rahun ya naa rahun. Ek Istanbul zaroor dekhna, ek Italy main Rome zaroor dekhna aur ek Kashmir hai zaroor dekhna. Lekin baaki do mere bina bhi dekh lena par Kashmir mere bina mat dekhna.’” This touching memory remained with Shah Rukh long after his fat...

Havoc review – Tom Hardy’s gonzo gun mayhem misses the point

Disillusioned cop Hardy must rescue a corrupt politician’s son from triads and police but potential for drama goes down in a hail of bullets The title is appropriate. Welsh director Gareth Evans is the action maestro who rocked our world with his superb skull-rattling thrillers The Raid and The Raid 2 ; this new one for Netflix certainly has its fair share of OTT gonzo mayhem. Shootouts in cramped interiors and in the open air sometimes seem to go on so long that the gunfire feels like an extended drumroll. Dozens of people get riddled with bullets from automatic weaponry; they all go into that shoulder-rolling, arm-waving, blood-spurting choreography. At one stage, a comatose and heavily bandaged person in a hospital bed gets the same machine gun treatment, and even this poor guy has to jitterbug, infinitesimally and horizontally, in his hospital pyjamas as he gets filled full of lead. But frankly the action and the violence is too chaotic and almost meaningless and the CGI-Gotham-...

Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal may be delayed amid controversy following Pahalgam terror attack

The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has once again stirred tensions and renewed demands to boycott Pakistani artists and films. At the center of the controversy is Abir Gulaal, the highly anticipated film marking Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s return to Indian cinema, now facing growing backlash amid the charged political climate. Abir Gulaal, co-starring Vaani Kapoor, was originally slated for release on May 9. However, industry insiders now indicate that the release may be postponed, as theatre owners and distributors express growing concerns over the film’s reception in light of the current tensions. What was intended to be a celebratory comeback for Fawad Khan in the Hindi film industry is now overshadowed by the unrest and political sensitivity following the recent terror attack, potentially causing unforeseen delays for the project. Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, public sentiment against Pakistan has intensified, casting a shadow over the rel...

Dia Mirza welcomes Fawad Khan’s return to Bollywood; says, “Art should never be mixed with hate”

Fawad Khan is preparing for his Bollywood comeback with the film Abir Gulaal, where he stars alongside Vaani Kapoor. The movie has been creating a stir—not just for bringing Fawad back in a romantic lead, but also for stirring online controversy. While many fans are excited about his return, others have expressed disapproval, claiming that Pakistani actors shouldn't be given opportunities in India. In an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Dia Mirza shared her thoughts on the matter, voicing her support for Fawad Khan’s return to Bollywood. She emphasized that art should not be associated with hatred and expressed her desire to see more collaborations with Pakistani artists moving forward. Dia said, “It is a political question. If the circumstances to seek a ban on artists were completely…I’ve always believed that art is and should always be the medium of peace and harmony. We should never, ever allow art and sport to be tangled or mixed with hate. It’s just good that Fawad ...

BREAKING: What to expect at WAVES Summit 2025 - Shah Rukh Khan to open up on his ‘outsider to ruler’ journey, Indian Cinema’s BIGGEST reunion featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Mithun Chakraborty, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, Chiranjeevi, Akshay Kumar; Kareena Kapoor-Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to make a RARE joint appearance

Last week, Bollywood Hungama reported that some of the biggest celebrities will be attending the first ever World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (aka WAVES Summit) which will be held in Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai between May 1-4, 2025. The organizers of the much-awaited summit have put up the schedule and it makes it clear the first edition of WAVES will be one of the biggest events of the year. In this article, Bollywood Hungama will inform readers on some of the most exciting panels of the summit. May 1 The summit will begin with a bang with the panel 'Legends & Legacies: The Stories That Shaped India’s Soul'. It'll be moderated by Akshay Kumar and will feature Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Mithun Chakraborty, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal and Chiranjeevi! This will arguably be the most star-studded panel discussion ever. Karan Johar will then moderate the 'The New Mainstream: Breaking Borders, Building Legends' session. It will be attended by S ...

An Army of Women review – shocking story of sex-assault survivors’ fight for justice

Julie Lunde Lillesæter’s timely documentary tells the story of the courageous women whose cases of sexual assault and rape have gone unheard by the US judicial system In 2018, a historic lawsuit was brought against the US city of Austin, Travis County, the Austin Police Department, and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. The plaintiffs were survivors of sexual assault, whose cases had gone unheard by the judicial system. Gripping and timely, Julie Lunde Lillesæter’s riveting documentary follows these courageous women as they fight for justice. The film lays bare the shocking details concerning how sex crimes were treated in the county. In one year, between July 2016 and June 2017, of more than 220 cases presented for prosecution, only one went to trial – and the victim in this instance was male. Testimony from the survivors reveal the harrowing extent to which officials turned a blind eye; even with scientific evidence such as DNA matches, the majority of criminal filings w...

Emraan Hashmi plays Yami Gautam's husband in the film based on Shah Bano case, first schedule wrapped up

On the 40th Anniversary of the landmark Shah Bano vs Ahmed Khan case (Supreme Court 1985), Yami Gautam stars in a compelling drama inspired by the life of Shah Bano. This case remains a significant moment in the struggle for Muslim women’s rights in India and their challenge to established personal laws. Starring Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi, the film is a gripping drama set against the backdrop of a case that reshaped India's constitutional history and deeply impacted the dynamics of a democratic society—highlighting the role of the state in issues of religion, individual rights, and women's rights. Emraan Hashmi plays Yami's husband, a character inspired by Shah Bano's husband, Ahmed Khan. Audiences can look forward to powerful performances from the talented cast of this project. A classic David Vs Goliath story, it saw a resilient Shah Bano with no financial resources and support from society take on the establishment of organised religion and fight the misog...

Tiger Shroff Death Threat: Mumbai Police crack down on fake assassination, man arrested in Punjab

In a startling incident, Mumbai police received a phone call on Tuesday alleging a plot to assassinate actor Tiger Shroff. According to reports, the caller informed the authorities that a security agency owner had hired him to kill the actor. He further claimed he had been provided with a revolver and Rs.2 lakh in cash to execute the plan. Following the phone call, Mumbai police intensified their investigation. Authorities promptly registered an FIR, and the accused was subsequently arrested in Kapurthala, Punjab. As more information is awaited, Lokmat Times has revealed that the accused is a 35-year-old man named Manish Kumar Sujinder Singh. According to the police, Singh was driven by anger and a desire for revenge after facing salary deductions due to frequent absences from work. In an effort to frame his superiors and tarnish the company's reputation, he allegedly fabricated the entire story. Meanwhile, Khar Police have booked Manish Kumar Singh under IPC Sections 353(2), 21...

Pink smoke, pigs and Pixar: a dozen movie Easter eggs to feast on

Hidden references and in-jokes in cinema can be an acquired taste, but here’s a festive selection of the best arch nods for aficionados to enjoy One of Hollywood’s most durable Easter eggs debuted in Howard Hawks’s His Girl Friday (1940) when Cary Grant’s character says: “The last man who said that to me was Archie Leach just a week before he cut his throat!” And in Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) his character sits pensively in a cemetery where Archie Leach’s gravestone is to be seen. In Charles Crichton’s A Fish Called Wanda (1988), John Cleese’s character is called Archie Leach. Leach is, of course, the real name of Cary Grant – a very goofy and unglamorous sounding name compared with the sonorous “Cary Grant” – and a rare example of Hollywood alluding to the open secret of rebranding its stars and effacing the bland ordinariness of their origins. Peter Bradshaw Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/ubNDLiM via IFTTT

Saif Ali Khan expands property portfolio with new home in Qatar; says, “It’s very safe and it feels very good to be there”

Saif Ali Khan recently shared that he has purchased a luxurious residence at The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, located at The Pearl in Doha, Qatar. Speaking at a press event organized by Alfardan Group, Saif expressed what attracted him to the property, highlighting Qatar's safety, scenic beauty, and its convenient proximity to India. He described his experience there as feeling “safe” and like “a home away from home,” making it an ideal retreat for his family. Saif Ali Khan spoke about his positive experience living in the property, explaining what makes it feel special. He shared, “Think of a holiday home or a second home. There are a few things I think of. One is that it’s not very far away and it’s easily accessible. And then the other thing is, the most important thing is that it’s very safe and it feels very good to be there. And the concept of an island within an island is also very luxurious and beautiful, and it’s just a really lovely place to live. And the feeling you g...

MEGA EXCLUSIVE: Yash Raj Films and Mohit Suri’s intense love story titled Saiyaara; releases on July 18, 2025 in theatres worldwide

Yash Raj Films (YRF) is creatively collaborating with a master of the romance genre, Mohit Suri, for a love story that has been titled Saiyaara. This is the first film produced by the company’s CEO Akshaye Widhani. The much-awaited romantic film, Saiyaara, which introduces two new faces in the Hindi film industry - Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda - is set to release on July 18, 2025, in theatres worldwide. Presented by Aditya Chopra, directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Akshaye Widhani, Saiyaara is being billed as an intense love story that brings YRF and Mohit Suri, both known for their huge generation-defining successes in the romantic genre, together for the first time! As per reports, much of the film was shot in 2024 and in February this year, Mohit Suri shot a music festival sequence with 1,000 background artists at Vrundavan Studios in Malad, Mumbai. Reportedly, Ahaan Panday was seen performing on stage and the crowd got mesmerized by his performance. In the...

EXCLUSIVE: Mardaani 3 to release on February 27, 2026 in the Holi week; makers release EXPLOSIVE first look of Rani Mukerji

Yash Raj Films’ Mardaani is the biggest solo female-led franchise in Hindi cinema that has garnered love and acclaim for over 10 years now. The blockbuster franchise has received unanimous love from people and has attained a cult status amongst cine-lovers. Also, the biggest and only female cop franchise of India, Mardaani is now in its third instalment and Mardaani 3 will see Rani Mukerji reprise the role of a daredevil cop, Shivani Shivaji Roy, who selflessly fights for justice. Today, YRF (Yash Raj Films) announced the release date of Mardaani 3 to be Friday, February 27, 2026, marking the auspicious Holi festival as its release window. Holi, which falls on March 4, symbolises the triumph of good over bad. The makers are pegging this film to be a bloody, violent clash between Shivani’s goodness vs sinister evil forces with its choice of release date. Moreover, the esteemed studio also released the explosive first look of the highly talen...

Neirud review – a mysterious family relationship that unravels Brazil’s complex social fabric

Film-maker Fernanda Faya weaves together a loving homage to her circus performer grandmother and her elusive companion Buried secrets bubble to the surface in Brazilian film-maker Fernanda Faya’s tender and searching documentary, which seeks to disentangle the hidden knots of her fascinating family tree. The film opens with lovingly recorded home videos of various gatherings, including her childhood birthday celebrations, the only time of the year when her paternal grandmother, Nelly, would visit. A formidable woman of Roma ancestry, Nelly came from a long line of skilled circus performers, an illustrious ancestry that ended when Faya’s father did not join the family business. One particular aspect long eluded Faya: Nelly was always seen with woman called Neirud, whom Faya called aunt, but their actual relationship was a mystery; when Neirud died, her house was emptied of all personal photos and keepsakes. Through meticulous research, Faya gradually uncovered Neirud’s story. A Black ...

Manoj Muntashir warns Anurag Kashyap over brahmin comment: “Don’t test our patience”

You’ve put out a very passionate video in response to Anurag Kashyap’s shocking slur against the Brahmin community? I feel this man has crossed all limits of decency. Bhai Sahab, this arrogant and ignorant individual, who claims to be a filmmaker and social commentator, is completely out of his mind. He has clearly lost not just his sanity but also his creative spark. His frustration stems from his repeated failures, and he is in desperate need of counselling. Would he dare make such a comment about any other community? I challenge him to try. He would be ripped apart and left to rot. Hindus have always been benevolent and tolerant, and that grace has often come at the cost of their dignity. But let’s not forget—Durvasa and Parashuram were Brahmins too. Their rage is legendary. Do you think Kashyap has serious anger management issues? Don’t test our patience any further. The consequences won’t be pleasant. This man has long been the flag bearer of cinema laced with vulgarity in every...

Warfare review – nerve-shredding real-time Iraq war film drags you into visceral frontline combat

Co-directors Alex Garland and former US Navy Seal Ray Mendoza recreate a 2006 battle with almost unbearable intensity – and a dazzling ensemble cast It’s up there with the first 23 bruising minutes of Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan or Elem Klimov’s harrowing and relentless Come and See . This is film-making that doesn’t just show you the horrors of war; it forces you to taste the dust and the choking panic, smell the fear and the cordite and the tinny metallic tang of spilled blood. Warfare , by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, is the most forceful and unflinching depiction of combat since Edward Berger’s 2023 Oscar-winning All Quiet on the Western Front . It’s also one of the boldest and most formally daring. There are certain conventions at play in most war movies. Among them is the unwritten rule that however blisteringly hellish the depiction of combat, there’s a mitigating audience sop in the form of a flag-waving message about the nobility of the cause. Or, at the very le...

Urvashi Rautela breaks silence on temple remark after online outrage; team issues clarification

Urvashi Rautela has found herself in the spotlight yet again for a comment made during an interview with Siddharth Kanan. In the now-viral clip, the actress was heard speaking about a temple in Uttarakhand, which many interpreted as her claiming it was built in her ‘honour’. The reaction online was swift and largely critical, with social media users accusing her of self-glorification. In what appears to be an attempt to clear the air, Urvashi and her team have now issued a statement urging people to listen to the full context of her comments before jumping to conclusions. The backlash, they suggest, stems from a misunderstanding of her words. Addressing the controversy directly, Urvashi said, “There is a temple in my name in Uttarakhand, not Urvashi Rautela’s temple. Now people don’t even listen to things properly; just hearing ‘Urvashi’ or ‘temple,’ they assumed that people worship Urvashi Rautela. Listen to this video properly and then speak. It is essential that before making base...

Shabana Azmi recalls disturbing incidents with Parveen Babi on film sets; says, “She used to eat two grapes and say that I am bursting”

In a poignant and revealing interview with Filmfare YouTube, Shabana Azmi reflected on her experiences with the enigmatic yet troubled Parveen Babi, one of the most glamorous stars of her time. Azmi, known for her candid insights, recounted moments on film sets where Parveen’s declining mental health became alarmingly visible. “I saw Parveen Babi going mad in front of my eyes. We were doing a Prakash Mehra film, Jwalamukhi, and we were on the set, and she suddenly looked to the chandelier and started screaming, ‘This chandelier is going to fall on me,’” Azmi recalled. The haunting memory painted a vivid picture of Parveen's distress. Azmi also mentioned incidents from the sets of Ashanti, where Babi's eating habits had drastically changed. “She used to eat two grapes and say that I am bursting,” she added, pointing toward possible symptoms of severe anxiety or an eating disorder. The veteran actress also described a moment involving actress Zeenat Aman that left her with deep...

Kesari Chapter 2 falls victim to online piracy on the same day of release

In a disheartening turn of events, Kesari Chapter 2, the much-anticipated spiritual sequel to the 2019 patriotic action-drama Kesari, has fallen prey to online piracy just a day after its release on April 18. The film, which stars Akshay Kumar in the lead and is based on the aftermath of the India’s most infamous genocide – the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, was leaked across several piracy websites including Filmyzilla, Movierulez, Tamilrockerz, and even platforms like Telegram. What’s more troubling is the widespread availability of the pirated film in multiple video formats, ranging from 1080p and HD versions to lower-quality formats like 240p. Keywords such as “Kesari 2 Download” and “Kesari 2 Movie HD Download” have reportedly been trending across these sites, driving traffic to the illegal uploads and potentially hurting the film’s box office performance. While the makers have yet to issue an official statement regarding the leak, Akshay Kumar had made a heartfelt appeal to audienc...

Saif Ali Khan to star as a blind man in Priyadarshan's upcoming thriller

In a significant first for the versatile Saif Ali Khan, the actor is set to play a blind character in acclaimed filmmaker Priyadarshan’s next project — marking not only his first time portraying a visually impaired character but also his first collaboration with the veteran director. Confirming the development, Saif said, “Yes, I am doing a film with Priyadarshan next. I play a blind guy. Very exciting.” Despite both being prominent figures in the Indian film industry for over 25 years, Saif and Priyadarshan have never previously worked together. That changes now, as the two have finally locked in a script that excites them both. Interestingly, the film will not be a comedy — a genre Priyadarshan is famously associated with — but a thriller. Priyadarshan shared, “I’ve always liked Saif’s screen presence. I was waiting for something suitable to do with him.” Meanwhile, Saif will next be seen in Netflix’s Jewel Thief, a high-stakes heist drama in which he stars alongside Jaideep Ahlawa...

‘It feels deeply human’: Andor’s Genevieve O’Reilly on turning a tiny Star Wars role into one of its biggest

In 2005, O’Reilly joined the Star Wars galaxy as the younger version of Rebel leader Mon Mothma. Now in Andor, the Irish-Australian actor gets her turn in the spotlight “I swear I got the job because I was the palest person in Sydney,” Genevieve O’Reilly says of the fateful day, more than 20 years ago, when she took a meeting with a casting agent for Star Wars. At the turn of the millennium, the newly opened Fox Studios was luring major productions to Australia; from Moulin Rouge to the Matrix trilogy, it wasn’t unusual to see a recent Nida graduate or sun-kissed soap star filling out a scene behind a Hollywood A-lister. O’Reilly, who was born in Dublin, but grew up in Adelaide then moved to Sydney to study acting, was one among many. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/C9IYcDr via IFTTT

Seth Rogen attack on Trump edited out of science awards show coverage

Presenting an award at the Breakthrough prize ceremony, the actor and writer allegedly accused the president of destroying American science A pointed criticism of President Trump’s policies on science by Seth Rogen was edited out of the filmed coverage of an annual science awards show, it has emerged. According to the Hollywood Reporter , which was one of the sponsors of the event, Rogen was one of the presenters at this month’s Breakthrough prize ceremony, a high profile and lavishly funded awards programme recognising “outstanding scientific achievements” co-founded by, among others, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and which describes itself as “the Oscars of science”. Continue reading... from Film | The Guardian https://ift.tt/TJKE0w6 via IFTTT

JP Infra appoints Kareena Kapoor Khan as Brand Ambassador to elevate Luxury living experience

JP Infra, a leading real estate developer renowned for its innovative residential projects, has announced Bollywood icon Kareena Kapoor Khan as its new brand ambassador. This strategic partnership aims to enhance the brand's image and connect with a broader audience seeking premium living experiences.​ Kareena Kapoor Khan, celebrated for her elegance and versatility, embodies the sophistication and modernity that JP Infra represents. Her association with the brand is expected to resonate with aspiring homeowners who value both luxury and functionality in their living spaces.​ A press release stated, “The collaboration has led to a high-impact campaign that redefines how real estate connects with Mumbai's aspirational audiences. This association goes beyond celebrity endorsement-it's a thoughtfully curated brand journey that celebrates grace, authenticity, and the emotional significance of home.” The campaign showcases Kareena Kapoor as the voice of today’s discerning hom...