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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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Film director Shakeel Noorani, 73, has been arrested in Mumbai following a complaint filed by a 33-year-old actor, who has alleged that she was raped after being called to his residence in Malwani. According to the police complaint, Noorani allegedly invited the actor to his house on the pretext of discussing an upcoming film project. The actor has alleged that after she reached the director's residence, she was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted. The complaint further states that Noorani allegedly threatened her following the incident. Police subsequently registered a case based on the actor's allegations and arrested the filmmaker. Following his arrest, Noorani was produced before the Borivali Holiday Court. The court has reportedly remanded him to police custody until August 12, during which the police are expected to investigate the allegations and gather further evidence in the case. The allegations are currently part of an ongoing investigation, and the charges aga...

On August 5, Bollywood Hungama was the first to report that Ramayana would release worldwide in most international markets on Friday, November 6. And now, producer Namit Malhotra has revealed an unusual release strategy – the film will arrive in international markets two days before its India release. In an interview with NDTV, Namit Malhotra revealed that since Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, audiences in India will get to watch Ramayana on the big screen on the festival day itself. Meanwhile, the film will release overseas two days earlier, on Friday, November 6. When asked about the film’s release date, Namit Malhotra said in the NDTV interview, “It’ll release in India on Diwali.” When specifically asked if that meant Ramayana would arrive in Indian theatres on November 8, he replied in the affirmative. The reporter then pointed out that the recently released English version of the Ramayana trailer mentions November 6 as the release date. Explaining the difference, Namit Malhot...

Bollywood Hungama was the first one to confirm in February 2026 that Malamaal Weekly 2 is in the works. Two months later, in April 2026, we revealed that Amit Joshi of Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (2024) fame has been signed to direct the comic caper. We now bring you another exciting piece of news from this upcoming project. Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that two talented actresses, Raveena Tandon and Parineeti Chopra, have joined the cast of Malamaal Weekly 2. A source told Bollywood Hungama, "Both the actresses are perfect as per the requirement of the script. Hence, the makers were really keen to have them on board. Thankfully, both Raveena Tandon and Parineeti Chopra loved the script and their respective characters. They readily signed the film." The source continued, "Both actresses are talented and have great comic timing. Raveena has proved her worth with the numerous comedies she has starred in during the 1990s and early 2000s, as well as the re...

Yash Raj Films (YRF), one of Bollywood’s most prominent production houses, is all set to explore uncharted territory by venturing into the horror genre for the first time. The studio’s maiden horror feature will be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Abhay Pannu, who earned widespread praise for his critically acclaimed series Rocket Boys. Pannu has also penned the screenplay for the upcoming project, which is expected to commence production later this year and is slated for a theatrical release in 2027.   Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that Varun Dhawan has been roped in to headline the ambitious project, marking another significant collaboration between the actor and the prestigious banner. Confirming the development, a source close to the project told Bollywood Hungama, “Varun has come on board as the lead for YRF’s first horror film. Yash Raj Films (YRF) is entering the horror genre for the first time with a feature film directed by Abhay Pannu, strategically championed...

Priyanka Chopra Jonas has added another major international project to her growing Hollywood slate. The actor is set to share screen space with Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe in the upcoming sci-fi action thriller Bluefly. The film will be directed by Nimród Antal, known for Predators and Stranger Things, while the screenplay has been penned by David Frigerio, William Eubank, and Carlyle Eubank. The announcement follows another significant career update for Priyanka, who was recently confirmed to star opposite Orlando Bloom in the survival thriller Reset. Earlier this year, she headlined Prime Video's The Bluff, which debuted at the top spot globally. She also featured alongside Idris Elba and John Cena in the action-comedy Heads of State, which became Prime Video's fourth most-watched film. The film has since received a nomination for Outstanding Television Movie at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. Priyanka also earned a nomination for Best Actress in an Action Movi...

Netflix has announced a major step towards strengthening India's creative landscape with the launch of the ‘Netflix India Storytelling Initiative’, reaffirming its long-term commitment to the country's growing entertainment industry. The announcement comes after Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos met Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to discuss the increasing global appeal of Indian stories and the company's continued investment in India's creative economy. Having worked with India's creative community for over a decade, Netflix has produced more than 200 Originals and filmed across over 100 locations in the country. Building on this foundation, the newly launched initiative aims to support the next generation of storytellers through a multi-phase investment focused on talent development. The programme will establish strategic collaborations with leading Indian institutions to equip aspiring creators with industry-relevant skills across the Animation, Visual E...

Saiee M Manjrekar has reportedly commenced work on yet another project, adding to her growing slate of films across multiple industries. The actress is currently in Italy, where she has begun shooting for what is being described as a romantic drama, although an official announcement regarding the film is still awaited. According to sources, Saiee has travelled to the picturesque European country to begin the first schedule of the yet-untitled project. The film is said to be helmed by a debutant director and is expected to be extensively shot across scenic locations in Italy, with the story unfolding against a summer backdrop. While the makers have remained tight-lipped about the project, the development has sparked curiosity among fans eager to know more about the actress' next outing. Details regarding the film's cast, title and production banner are currently under wraps, with an official announcement expected in the coming days. A source close to the development shared, ...

With the trailer of Awarapan 2 set to launch on August 6, anticipation around Emraan Hashmi’s much-awaited sequel continues to grow. The film, which arrives in cinemas on August 14 during the Independence Day holiday weekend, will face competition from Sunny Deol’s Batwara 1947. Despite the high-profile box office clash, producer Vishesh Bhatt has expressed confidence and gratitude, saying the release date was chosen with audiences in mind rather than competition. Addressing the much-discussed clash, Vishesh Bhatt said, “We came on the date that seemed best. It's our first release coming into 14th August on a holiday and it's our fortune and luck that we get to share this release date with the legend Sunny Deol and and it's with a lot of humility we would like to bring the film on a holiday so more people can also come and watch this film.” #Awaarapan2 producer Vishesh Bhatt answers the question on the Independence Day clash with #Batwara1947. He says it's THEIR fortun...

Recently, reports claimed that Salman Khan had charged just Rs. 70 crores for Vamshi Paidipally’s upcoming untitled film. It was further alleged that the superstar, whose usual remuneration is said to exceed Rs. 120 crores, had agreed to reduce his fee by nearly 40% for the action entertainer. However, Bollywood Hungama has now received an exclusive statement from the film’s producers, categorically denying these claims. The producers, Sri Venkateswara Creations, have shared the following statement with Bollywood Hungama: “We have come across several reports circulating regarding Salman Khan’s remuneration for SVC63. We would like to categorically state that these reports are completely false and baseless. As producers, we do not comment on or disclose confidential business or financial arrangements related to our projects. The figures currently being circulated, including those relating to the film’s budget, are purely speculative and factually incorrect. We sincerely request members...

After a three-year absence from the big screen, superstar Shah Rukh Khan will return this year with the highly anticipated action entertainer, King. A special announcement promo unveiled in January confirmed that the film would arrive in cinemas on December 24. In recent weeks, however, speculation has been rife that King might miss its scheduled release and be pushed to 2027. Bollywood Hungama has now learnt that there are no plans to postpone the film and that King remains firmly on track to release on December 24, 2026. Significantly, King will arrive amid three major Hollywood releases. December 18 will witness the epic clash between Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three. Avengers: Doomsday is expected to take a thunderous start; in fact, the extraordinary box office performance of Spider-Man: Brand New Day has further underlined the massive demand for Marvel films among Indian moviegoers. In comparison, Dune: Part Three is likely to appeal to a relatively niche audience. Howeve...

The promotional campaign for Batwara 1947 is underway, with the film's cast travelling across multiple cities ahead of its theatrical release on August 14, 2026. Now, a new report suggests that the makers have planned a unique initiative during the city tour, with lead actor Sunny Deol expected to honour individuals who have made noteworthy contributions to society. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions, Batwara 1947 stars Shabana Azmi, Sunny Deol and Preity G Zinta in leading roles. Set against the backdrop of the Partition of India, the film explores the human stories that emerged during one of the most defining moments in the subcontinent's history. According to a source associated with the project, the promotional campaign will go beyond conventional film events by recognising real-life changemakers in every city the team visits. “Makers has planned a very special initiative during the Batwara 1947 promotional city tour. In e...

On the occasion of Friendship Day, actor Varun Sharma has exclusively spoken about his upcoming film, Side Heroes, a promising story celebrating friendship and centred on three friends. He assured audiences that it is not merely a maddening comedy but also explores important aspects of life. He further drew parallels with the iconic friendship film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011). Varun Sharma said, “Side Heroes is not just a hilarious friendship film. It’s like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara – it makes us realize what truly matters in life, success and views happiness with a fresh lens.” Side Heroes is backed by Imtiaz Ali, Mahaveer Jain and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba. Besides Varun Sharma, the film also stars Abhishek Banerjee and Aparshakti Khurana. A few days ago, Bollywood Hungama exclusively revealed that a fresh face has been cast as the female lead in this coming-of-age friendship film. Set in the heartland of India, Side Heroes tells the poignant yet comical story of three childhood fri...