Filmmaker Aanand L Rai has reacted to the Rs 84 crore lawsuit filed by Eros International Media Ltd, which accuses him and his production house of misrepresenting Tere Ishk Mein as a “spiritual sequel” to his 2013 film Raanjhanaa. The legal dispute has drawn attention within the industry, given the popularity of the original film and the scale of damages being sought. Anand L Rai breaks his silence on the Rs 84 crore lawsuit Addressing the controversy, Rai maintained a calm and dismissive tone, suggesting that such disputes are part and parcel of working in the film business. He said, "These are part of life. When you step into business, such things keep happening. I don’t even know why, how, or from where this has come. But I think it is a legal matter, so let the legal people handle it. There is a lawyer on their side, and a lawyer from here will respond too." He further added, "I don’t think it has any meaning. Anyone can say anything about anything at any time. So it’s not something to be taken too seriously. It’s more for the lawyers to deal with. Since it’s a legal matter, I won’t speak much about it, but it’s nothing serious." Eros International, in its suit, has claimed that it holds exclusive intellectual property rights over Raanjhanaa, including copyrights, trademarks, characters, dialogues, and any sequel or remake rights associated with the film. The company alleges that Tere Ishk Mein and its promotional material implied a direct creative connection to Raanjhanaa, which could mislead audiences into believing the newer film exists within the same narrative universe. All about the lawsuit The lawsuit reportedly points to similarities in character elements and references used during promotion, arguing that phrases suggesting a continuation or shared world amount to copyright infringement and passing off. Eros has sought substantial damages, stating that its rights were commercially exploited without authorisation. The case has been filed in the Bombay High Court, with multiple parties named, including Rai’s production banner, Colour Yellow Media Entertainment LLP, and others associated with the project. The legal action has added an unexpected layer of controversy to Tere Ishk Mein, which stars Dhanush and Kriti Sanon and has been positioned as an intense, emotionally driven romantic drama. Despite the ongoing legal battle, Rai has chosen not to engage in a war of words. His response reflects a preference to let the judicial process take its course, while he continues focusing on his creative work. As the case unfolds, the outcome could have wider implications for how films are marketed and how loosely or tightly filmmakers can reference past successes.
23 January,2026 01:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood singer Kumar Sanu has received a relief from the Bombay High Court in the Rs 50 crore defamation lawsuit filed by him against his ex-wife Rita Bhattacharya. The court passed an interim order restraining Rita from making defamatory statements or remarks against the playback singer. Bombay High Court restrains Kumar Sanu's ex-wife During the Rs 50 crore defamation suit hearing on Wednesday, Justice Milind Jadhav passed an order in favour of Kumar Sanu, restraining his ex-wife Rita as well as independent media houses from writing, speaking, posting, publishing or disseminating any defamatory, false or slanderous statements about the singer or his family in any form or medium. The Court also stated that the interviews given by Rita in the past went beyond fair comment, and stated that it came with a “personal tirade”. Justice Milind Jadhav noted, “I am of the opinion that at some places in the interviews which have been given by Bhattacharya, there is a clear personal tirade against Sanu which is prima facie qualified by words that are used therein." Advocate Atif Shaikh, who appeared for Bhattacharya, requested that the dispute be referred to mediation, highlighting that the couple's son was recently married. The court recorded Shaikh's request; however, it clarified that Bhattacharya must immediately restrain herself, ensuring no further reputational damage or insinuations against Sanu. About the Rs 50 crore defamation lawsuit Sanu had filed a Rs 50 crore defamation suit against Bhattacharya and some independent media houses for allegedly writing, speaking, posting, publishing and disseminating defamatory, false and slanderous statements about him and his family. Sanu had sued Bhattacharya over her September 2025 interviews on several YouTube channels in which she allegedly made scandalous remarks about his conduct during their marriage. These remarks were widely circulated through clips and reels. The duo is legally separated. The singer, in his plea, said he has suffered immense financial and personal loss and mental agony, leading to the cancellation of his pre-determined shows abroad. Sanu further claimed he had remarried after his separation from Bhattacharya and wanted to protect himself and his family and, hence, was compelled to file the plea. The court has posted the matter for further hearing on January 28. (With inputs from PTI)
23 January,2026 01:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentEven after more than one and a half months since its release, the buzz around Ranveer Singh's blockbuster film Dhurandhar continues. The fans of the Aditya Dhar directorial were looking forward to January 23, 2026, as earlier reports claimed that a teaser of its sequel, Dhurandhar 2, would be attached to Border 2. However, as Border 2 was released today, fans noticed that the much-awaited teaser was missing. Nevertheless, the filmmaker shared an update on his Instagram story, assuring concerned fans about Dhurandhar: The Revenge teaser, sharing that it will release in a few days. Dhurandhar 2 teaser Earlier, a Bollywood Hungama report claimed that Aditya Dhar had re-edited the end-credit sequence of Dhurandhar in the form of a teaser. Additionally, the report also stated that following the teaser, a trailer of Dhurandhar 2 will drop towards the end of February, ahead of its Eid 2026 release. According to the report, “On January 19, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) passed the teaser of Dhurandhar’s sequel. The title of the film, as mentioned on the censor certificate, is Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The duration of the teaser is one minute plus. Interestingly, the teaser of Dhurandhar: The Revenge has been awarded an ‘A’ certificate.” The portal also reported, “According to industry buzz, the teaser for Dhurandhar 2 will play exclusively in theatres with Border 2, which is slated for release on January 23, 2026. The teaser is said to be created using an edited end-credit sequence from the first film, enhanced with new visuals that hint at the expanded scale, intensity, and timeline of the sequel. After its theatrical debut, the teaser is expected to be released digitally to reach a wider audience.” Aditya Dhar shares update on Dhurandhar 2 teaser On Friday morning, when fans expected the teaser to be screened in theatres, but were faced with disappointment, Dhurandhar director Aditya Dhar took to social media to subtly share an update. The filmmaker reacted to a fan’s post who asked him to release the teaser of Dhurandhar 2. The fan shared a meme about the Dhurandhar 2 release date and wrote, “adityadharfilms mazak nhi teaser jaldi!" Aditya reshared the same on his Instagram story and reacted with a laughing emoji. He also shared an update about the Dhurandhar 2 teaser by writing, “Teaser will be out in a few days!" Although the director did not specify a date, it is being speculated that the teaser could be released on January 26, coinciding with the occasion of Republic Day.
23 January,2026 12:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSalman Khan Films has unveiled a powerful teaser of the much-awaited patriotic song Maatrubhumi from the upcoming film Battle of Galwan. Opening with the resonating sound of a military bugle, the teaser instantly evokes a deep sense of patriotism, setting an emotionally charged tone that pays homage to the spirit of the nation. Maatrubhumi teaser The 15-second teaser of the song offers a stirring glimpse into sacrifice, courage, and unwavering love for the motherland. The bugle call fades into intense background music, with the Indian national flag standing tall against adversity. The imagery powerfully reflects the grit, resilience, and indomitable spirit of the Indian soldiers portrayed in the Battle of Galwan. The teaser builds strong anticipation for the full song, which is set to release on 24th January, 2026, ahead of Republic Day celebrations, as a mark of respect and tribute to the motherland and the brave soldiers who safeguard the nation. The song will be released on Salman Khan Films’ Music Channel. Composed by Himesh Reshammiya, the music amplifies the patriotic emotion at the heart of the film. Sameer Anjaan’s heartfelt lyrics, with the soulful voices of Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal, promise a deeply moving and memorable musical experience. Recent controversy around the film On December 27, 2025, Salman Khan's 60th birthday, the Battle of Galwan teaser was published, sparking the debate. The film, which is directed by Apoorva Lakhia, intends to dramatize one of the most severe confrontations in modern India-China relations by depicting the terrifying June 2020 hand-to-hand combat between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Battle of Galwan cannot "rewrite history," according to criticism released by the Chinese government-affiliated Global Times, which also charged that the movie presents a biased account of events. Additionally, it criticized the teaser's alleged factual errors and dismissed the depiction of Indian Army sacrifices as exaggerated or overstated. Battle of Galwan is produced by Salman Khan Films, with Apoorva Lakhia directing. The film also stars Chitrangada Singh in a pivotal role and promises an unflinching portrayal of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience. Salman will be seen in a never-before-seen avatar, portraying a soldier, a role that has already generated strong buzz among fans following the teaser’s release.
23 January,2026 11:55 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBorder 2 has finally hit the screens on January 23, coinciding with the Republic Day weekend. The film starring an ensemble cast of Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty, is a spiritual sequel to the 1997 classic centred on the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Earlier, Sunny had spoken about how he was inspired to do the film because of his late father, the legendary actor Dharmendra, who passed away in November 2025. Now, the actor and proud son has paid an emotional tribute to his father in the film. Sunny Deol pays tribute to Dharmendra in Border 2 credits As the film was released in theatres, early moviegoers noticed a small yet significant detail in the title credits, which left fans emotional. In a heartfelt tribute to his late father, Sunny Deol's name appears as "Sunny Deol (Dharmendra ji ka beta)" on the big screen when the title credits roll. Earlier, at the launch of the song Ghar Kab Aaoge, a remake of Sandese Aate Hai from the 1997 film Border, in Jaisalmer, Sunny made an emotional revelation about how his late father, Dharmendra, inspired him to do the film. The actor shared a childhood memory of Dharmendra's 1964 war classic Haqeeqat, which, interestingly, paved the way for the original Border. At the event, Sunny was heard saying, "Maine Border ki thi kyunki jab maine apne papa ki film Haqeeqat dekhi thi, woh mujhe bahut pyaari lagi thi. Tab main bahut chhota tha. Jab main actor bana, tab maine tay kiya ki main bhi papa jaise ek film karunga. JP Dutta saab ke saath maine baat ki, aur hum dono ne decide kiya ki hum iss subject par ek film banayenge, jo bohot hi pyaara hai aur aap sab ke dilon mein basa hua hai." About Border 2 Similar to the first Border film, Border 2 is also set during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. While Border depicted the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the sequel revolves around the Battle of Basantar. It was one of the vital battles fought as part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in the western sector of India, wherein the Indian troops won a hard-fought battle, securing the area in the Punjab and Jammu sector. Border 2 is expected to witness a massive opening at the box office. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta, the film also stars Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, and Anya Singh in pivotal roles.
23 January,2026 11:48 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSunny Deol's Border 2 is set to hit cinemas on Friday, January 23. However, according to reports, the distributors and exhibitors across the country are on edge as the film’s content was not delivered till January 22 night. This created confusion just hours before the first scheduled shows. With barely 10 to 12 hours left for screenings to begin last night, the situation triggered concern within trade circles over possible delays or cancellations of morning shows. Border 2 early morning shows cancelled? According to a report in Film Information, industry sources, digital delivery platforms, including UFO Moviez, informed territorial distributors and theatre owners that the downloading process may cause further delay. A senior trade source reportedly informed the portal that the final content was supposed to be made available around midnight. “Given the current status of the content, morning shows look extremely difficult,” the source said. The issue is further escalated by the film’s lengthy runtime. Border 2 reportedly runs for approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes, and hence it would require several hours to download even after the content becomes available. Trade insiders estimated that the process could take anywhere between three to four hours per cinema. It highly depends on bandwidth and system readiness. The report further noted that UFO Moviez has also formally communicated the delay to exhibitors through a WhatsApp message. The message indicated that the download could begin only on the morning of the release day. The message read, “Dear all, download of Border 2 will start at 6.30 am tentatively on 23 January, 2026. Please keep the system ON. Thanks. UFO MOVIEZ." All about Border 2 Just like the first Border film, the much-anticipated sequel is also set during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. It stars Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty playing real-life war heroes from the Air Force, Army, and Navy, respectively. Additionally, it also features Sunny Deol in a pivotal role. Border 2 is expected to witness a massive opening at the box office, with figures of Rs 32-35 crore floating around in the trade circles. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta, the film also stars Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, and Anya Singh in pivotal roles.
23 January,2026 11:43 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBorder 2 has finally hit the screens on Friday, January 23, 2026, amid much anticipation and buzz. The film marks a spiritual sequel to the iconic 1997 film Border. So far, the film has been receiving an overwhelming response from early moviegoers. As the film enjoys its run on the big screen, here's what you need to know about its OTT streaming post the theatrical run. Border 2 OTT release After its run in the theatres, Border 2 will be available to stream on the OTT platform Netflix. The makers of the film have reportedly sold the OTT rights of the film to a global streaming platform. Meanwhile, the OTT release date is yet to be revealed by the makers. Given that the film has just released in the theatres, it's too early to speculate on a release date. Based on how the film performs at the box office and the number of weeks it runs in theatres, the film will arrive on OTT at a later date, presumably sometime in March or April. About Border 2 Border 2 is a sequel to JP Dutta's 1997 blockbuster Border, which depicted the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. The sequel has been developed as a large-scale patriotic drama, aiming to revisit the tone and military focus that made the original film a cultural landmark. Border 2 follows the story of the Battle of Basantar. It was one of the vital battles fought as part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in the western sector of India. The Indian troops won a hard-fought battle that secured this area in the Punjab and Jammu sector. The film is directed by Anurag Singh, known for Kesari, suggesting a treatment that combines battlefield realism with character-driven storytelling. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta, the film also stars Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, and Anya Singh in pivotal roles, along with Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, and Diljit Dosanjh headlining the sequel. The film faced a hurdle as the early morning shows were reportedly cancelled due to technical issues. Nevertheless, industry trends and experts suggest that the film is expected to perform well at the box office.
23 January,2026 11:15 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRanbir Kapoor's sister Riddhima Kapoor Sahni has shared a beautiful throwback picture of her parents, Neetu Kapoor and late actor Rishi Kapoor, from their marriage day to mark their wedding anniversary. The picture captures the couple seated together during their marriage ceremony, dressed in traditional bridal and groom attire and adorned with floral garlands. Riddhima shared the beautiful picture on her social media account with emoticons of infinity and heart, further symbolising eternal love. Earlier in the day, Neetu Kapoor had also taken a trip down memory lane as she shared a video from her film Doosra Aadmi, featuring herself alongside her late husband Rishi Kapoor. Neetu shared the video and wrote ‘in remembrance’ of her husband. For the uninitiated, Neetu Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor got married on January 22, 1980, after falling in love while working together in films during the late 1970s. The couple was touted as one of the most adored couples of the 1970s and early 1980s era of Bollywood. The duo starred together in several hit movies like Khel Khel Mein, Rafoo Chakkar, Kabhi Kabhie, and Amar Akbar Anthony. Songs featuring them, such as Ek Main Aur Ek Tu and Parda Hai Parda even today, after four decades, remain evergreen favourites. Following her marriage to Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor stepped away from acting, keeping up with the Kapoor family tradition at that time, and focused on her family life. The couple had two children, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and Ranbir Kapoor. Riddhima is a jewellery designer and has recently ventured into the entertainment space with the OTT show Bollywood Wives. Ranbir Kapoor made his Bollywood debut with Saawariya in 2007 and went on to become one of Hindi cinema’s leading stars. Ranbir Kapoor is married to actress Alia Bhatt, and the couple are parents to a daughter, Raha. Unfortunately, Rishi Kapoor, who passed away in April 2020, could not live to see his granddaughter Raha, but the family makes it a point to talk about him in their interviews or social media posts keeping his legacy alive. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 January,2026 10:51 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSAs Namrata Shirodkar turned 54 on Thursday, her sister Shilpa Shirodkar penned a birthday note for her “chintukli” and said that her life is much brighter having her sibling by her side. Shilpa took to Instagram, where she shared a string of then and now images featuring her with her sister Namrata. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shilpa Shirodkar Ranjit (@shilpashirodkar73) Sharing her love for her ‘chintukli’, Shilpa described Namrata as her constant source of happiness and strength. Shilpa wrote in the caption: “Happiest Birthday to my gorgeous sister, my chintukli namratashirodkar ! Life is so much brighter with you by my side. Here’s to more laughs, more memories, and more endless chats. Love you endlessly!” Talking about Shilpa, she was recently seen in the supernatural thriller Jatadhara. The film, which is directed by Venkat Kalyan, also stars Sudheer Babu, Divya Khossla and Sonakshi Sinha. Set in a world where black magic holds real power, Jatadhara delves into the dark side of the supernatural, where mystical forces become dangerous weapons. The story follows Sonakshi as a pishachini who has been guarding a hidden gold treasure for centuries. Shilpa made her acting debut in 1989 in Ramesh Sippy’s Bhrashtachar, where she shared screen space with Mithun Chakraborty and Rekha. In 1990, she starred opposite Anil Kapoor in Kishen Kanhaiya. She then delivered a string of successful films, including Trinetra, Hum in 1991, Khuda Gawah, Aankhen, Pehchaan, Gopi Kishan, Bewafa Sanam, and Mrityudand. After her marriage, Shilpa decided to step away from films, with her last appearance being in Gaja Gamini in 2000. In 2013, she returned to acting, this time on television, with Ek Mutthi Aasmaan, a drama centred on the lives of domestic helpers. She then appeared in Silsila Pyar Ka and Savitri Devi College & Hospital. Meanwhile, Namrata has worked in films such as Kachche Dhaage, Vaastav: The Reality, Pukar, Astitva, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, LOC Kargil and the British film Bride and Prejudice. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 January,2026 10:37 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSAfter a delay of almost 40 years, the long-awaited multi-starrer Hindi film Hum Mein Shahenshah Kaun is finally set to hit the silver screens across the nation. Produced by Raja Roy, the film features an extraordinary ensemble ad iconic cast of Rajinikanth, Shatrughan Sinha, Hema Malini, Anita Raj, Prem Chopra, Sharat Saxena, Sharad Saxena, the late Amrish Puri, and the late Jagdeep. Hum Mein Shahenshah Kaun to release in theatres Directed by the late Harmesh Malhotra, the film has creative contributions from some of Indian cinema's most celebrated names. The dialogues were penned by Salim-Faiz, music was composed by the legendary duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, and choreography was designed by Saroj Khan. Aslam Mirza and Shabana Mirza were the associate producers. The film was produced under the banner of Raja Roy Films and presented by Rex Music Entertainment. Reacting to the release of the film, producer Raja Roy says, "We never lost hope for this film. It has endured grief, setbacks, and long silence. Today, I feel grateful that it will finally meet its audience. This film has survived against all odds, and its release feels like destiny fulfilled." Aslam Mirza further acknowledged that technology was used with restraint and respect. Additionally, AI tools were applied only for visual smoothening and audio enhancement, ensuring that performances, screenplay, and narrative integrity remained untouched. He noted that the goal was preservation rather than reinvention-an approach fully supported by associate producer Asslam Mirza and Shabana Mirza. Shot on 35 mm Eastman Colour using Eastman Kodak's classic film stock, Hum Mein Shahenshah Kaun carries the visual richness associated with Technicolour-style processing. Despite being fully filmed, the movie was never submitted for certification at the time, leaving the project suspended indefinitely. Its aesthetic, performances, and scale reflect the cinematic ambition of the era in which it was made. Why was Hum Mein Shahenshah Kaun delayed? The prolonged delay was caused by multiple deeply personal tragedies. After the principal photography of the film, producer Raja Roy relocated to London for business, where he suffered the devastating loss of his young son. The emotional setback put a halt on the film's progress. Unfortunately, subsequent years brought further obstacles, such as the untimely demise of director Harmesh Malhotra, which again stalled the project Leveraging modern advancements, the Rajinikanth and Shatrughan Sinha starrer has now undergone AI-assisted restoration, 4K remastering, and 5.1 surround sound mastering to bring it up to contemporary theatrical standards without disturbing its original cinematic soul. The official title, Hum Mein Shahenshah Kaun, will offers audiences a glimpse into a bygone era, revived through perseverance and technology. (With inputs from IANS)
23 January,2026 10:15 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs her film Airlift completed a decade in Hindi cinema on Thursday, actress Nimrat Kaur celebrated the moment and said that it was 10 years ago, “this celluloid magic happened”. Nimrat took to Instagram, where she shared a string of images from the shoot of Airlift along with her co-star Akshay Kumar and the other cast and crew of the film. “10 years ago today, this celluloid magic happened. The music, the moments, the love just keeps growing - as does my gratitude!!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nimrat Kaur (@nimratofficial) Airlift was a political thriller film directed by Raja Krishna Menon starring Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur, which follows Ranjit Katyal, a Kuwait-based businessman, as he carries out the evacuation of Indians based in Kuwait during the Invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein's Iraq, which led to the beginning of the Gulf War. The plot is adapted from the real-life story of Kuwait-based Indian businessmen such as Mathunny Mathews from Kerala and Harbhajan Singh Vedi. The film was a commercial success, and it emerged as a blockbuster at the Indian as well as abroad box office. Nimrat began her career as a print model and went on to act in theatre. She starred in Anurag Kashyap's production Peddlers in 2012. The actress followed it with her breakthrough role in the critically acclaimed drama The Lunchbox in 2014, starring the late Irrfan Khan. In 2015, she played the recurring role of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agent Tasneem Qureishi in the fourth season of the American television series Homeland, and later reprised her role in its eighth season. She then starred in the American mystery series Wayward Pines and the Indian drama series School of Lies. She was most recently seen in the third season of the series The Family Man, created by Raj & DK. It features Manoj Bajpayee as Srikant Tiwari, a middle-class man secretly working as an intelligence officer for the Threat Analysis and Surveillance Cell (TASC), a fictitious branch of the National Investigation Agency. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 January,2026 09:32 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
