Star cricketer Virat Kohli's first post of 2026 sets the internet abuzz, as he shared a stunning picture with his ladylove Anushka Sharma from their New Year celebrations in Dubai, UAE. The couple was dressed to impress as Virat donned a navy blue suit and Anushka sported a gorgeous black dress. Anushka and Virat's New Year On New Year's day, Virat took to his Instagram feed to wish his followers and shared a picture with Anushka from their New Year celebration. Virat and Anushka were joined by their family members for the New Year bash. Virat's brother Vikas Kohli also shared a couple of pictures from last night's party. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Virat Kohli (@virat.kohli) In one of the images, Virat could be seen posing with his father-in-law, brother, and brother-in-law. "The Boys," Vikas captioned the post. In another post, the entire family posed together. Anushka's mother and Virat's sister Bhawna, and sister-in-law Chetna were also present. One can also spot Virat's niece and nephews in this fam-jam picture. VIRAT KOHLI & ANUSHKA SHARMA CELEBRATING NEW YEAR WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS. ♥️- Cutest Picture of the Day. pic.twitter.com/pCmAJN6eBL — Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) January 1, 2026 On New Year's Eve, he uploaded a beautiful picture with Anushka, writing, "Stepping into 2026 with the light of my life, @anushkasharma." The snap captured Virat and Anushka sharing warm smiles, with their faces playfully painted. Half of his face was painted with a Spider-Man design, while a beautiful butterfly was painted around Anushka's eye. Virat Kohli's work front Virat recently scored 208 runs in two matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy so far at an average of 104.00 and a strike rate of 128, including a 101-ball 131 against Andhra Pradesh and a brisk 77 in 61 balls against Gujarat. Virat's return to VHT after 15 years has also witnessed him complete a couple of milestones, reaching the 1,000-run mark in the tournament's history and also becoming the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar and the fastest batter to reach the 16,000-run landmark in List A cricket. Anushka Sharma's work front and upcoming projects The actress was last seen in a cameo in the Triptii Dimri starrer 'Qala'. She has not been seen in a full-fledged role since the 2018 film Zero. She shot for the film Chakda Express based on the biographical account of the Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami a few years back. The release for the Netflix film has been stalled due to certain creative disagreements. The makers are reportedly looking for another platform to release it. (with inputs from ANI)
01 January,2026 06:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe year 2025 began on a high note for young actor Zahan Kapoor. His Netflix series Black Warrant, released in January 2025, marked a significant milestone in his career. Playing a rookie jailer posted at Tihar Jail, Zahan delivered a restrained, understated performance that earned praise from critics and audiences alike, with many calling it one of the year’s most impactful shows. No show for Zahan Kapoor Yet, nearly a year later, the actor has not announced a new film or series. Amid growing curiosity, Zahan has revealed that he is yet to sign his next project. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Zahan reflected on the continued response to Black Warrant. “It’s a gift that keeps on giving. The international recognition is very heart-warming and humbling. These are not things you anticipate, they’re surprises. I’m always pleasantly taken aback when people tell me how the show impacted them. I genuinely don’t know what the future holds,” he said. Addressing why he hasn’t taken on a new project since the show, Zahan offered a candid take on the industry. “There are some interesting things I hope will materialise, but it’s been slow. Even if people love your work, you’re still at the mercy of much bigger forces. Despite many calling Black Warrant the best series of the year, it’s been difficult to make things happen. I want to be busy, I want to work with people I believe in, but I haven’t signed anything yet.” Zahan is not chasing PR and image building More importantly, the actor is clear about what he isn’t chasing- visibility for the sake of relevance. “There are many people who make announcements, but then nothing comes of their films. That’s often about staying in the public eye. I’m not chasing relevance; I’m chasing people and stories,” he said. Zahan added that he has consciously stayed away from manufacturing PR buzz. “Managing my image is not my agenda. I trust that if I show up and serve the story honestly, everything else will follow.” For Zahan, the journey is about long-term impact rather than instant validation. “My aim is to be part of this mad world of media and entertainment in the biggest way possible, but through generosity, not self-indulgence. It took me 10 years to get here—maybe it’ll take another 10. I want to earn my magazine covers and endorsements, not have them as part of a strategy.”
01 January,2026 06:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhile many have praised box office juggernaut Dhurandhar on social media, few have done so as passionately as filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma. The Satya director has shared multiple posts on X applauding the film and director Aditya Dhar’s craft. He is now openly rooting for the sequel, Dhurandhar 2, which is set to release in theatres on March 19, 2026. Ram Gopal Varma roots for Dhurandhar 2 Dhurandhar 2 will clash at the box office with Yash-starrer Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, which also features Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, and Kiara Advani. Ahead of the high-stakes showdown, Varma has clearly picked his side—and there are no surprises. In a recent post, he hinted that Toxic may not stand a chance against Dhurandhar 2 in terms of box office numbers. “DHURANDHAR 2’s BITE will be TOXIC,” Ram Gopal Varma wrote on X, formerly Twitter. This isn’t the first time the filmmaker has taken a swipe at South Indian cinema while praising Dhurandhar. Earlier this week, he posted, “THE FIRE BALL of the SOUTHIES invasion into BOLLYWOOD has been KICKED back by AdityaDharFilms’ left foot, named #Dhurandhar, and now his right foot is getting ready with Dhurandhar 2. From what I saw of the second part, if the first SCARED them, the second will TERRIFY them.” DHURANDHAR 2 ‘ S BITE will be TOXIC — Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 31, 2025 About Dhurandhar Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar is nearing a month since its theatrical release and continues to dominate the box office. The Ranveer Singh-led film has crossed Rs 1,000 crore globally and entered the Rs 700 crore club in India. Inspired by real events, Dhurandhar follows an Indian spy who infiltrates Pakistani gangs to gather intelligence on potential attacks. Despite its successful theatrical run, the film has been banned in several Gulf countries. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have not released Dhurandhar. There were apprehensions that this might happen, as the film is perceived as ‘anti-Pakistan’.” The film also stars Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, and Arjun Rampal in key roles. About Toxic Written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Mohandas, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has been filmed simultaneously in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and several other languages, highlighting its global ambition. The film features a strong technical team, including National Award-winning cinematographer Rajeev Ravi, composer Ravi Basrur, editor Ujwal Kulkarni, and production designer TP Abid. It is slated for a grand theatrical release on March 19, 2026, coinciding with Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa.
01 January,2026 06:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVicky Kaushal recently shared an update on his upcoming film, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus, Love and War. Days after reports of the film being delayed emerged, the actor has confirmed that the team is currently shooting for the film. Vicky Kaushal shares an update on Love and War Speaking to Just Too Filmy, Vicky Kaushal opened up about working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and said, "It's on the bucket list of every actor to be a part of a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. I've admired his films, I've admired him as a filmmaker, and I think he's truly a unique voice from India, someone who has a vision, who tells stories in ways nobody else can." He then went on to share an update on the shoot, saying, "He truly is a master of the craft of filmmaking. I genuinely feel blessed that in just ten years of my career, I'm getting to be a part of his film with two fantastic actors that we all adore, Ranbir and Alia. So yes, we are filming right now. We are having a great time filming it, and we'll see you next year." Notably, earlier, in an interview with ET, Alia Bhatt, who will also be seen in the film revealed, "It's a very special film. We've been shooting it throughout the year, and it never feels like enough. You always want one more day, one more moment, one more scene where you're just jamming the energy." Love and War Delayed A Bollywood Hungama report recently suggested that Love and War will "miss its Eid 2026 deadline" to avoid a box-office clash with Yash's Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups. According to the report, the film is currently "much behind its shooting schedule." A source reportedly told the portal, "It's a blessing in disguise, as it made no sense for two Pan-Indian films to clash on the same date. Love and War is running much behind its shooting schedule and will now release in the second half of 2026. Around 75 days of shoot still remain, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali has requested Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal to allot bulk dates till summer 2026 to wrap up the film." The makers have not officially announced a new release date or confirmed the delay.
01 January,2026 04:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMusical duo Sachet Tandon and Parampara Thakur, better known as Sachet-Parampara, recently performed on New Year’s Eve at a concert in Balurghat, West Bengal. However, after the concert, they faced a scary encounter when people began mobbing their car and broke the windshield. Sachet-Parampara’s car was damaged during mobbing A video of the incident has been going viral on the internet. The video posted by a paparazzo shows Parampara taking a video as she accompanies Sachet in the car. The video starts with Sachet waving at fans who crowded in large numbers near their car. However, when someone tapped loudly on their windshield, he can be seen saying, “Oh sh*t." Parampara then says, “Guys, relax. Happy New Year.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) As the music composer duo keep waving to fans, the windshield behind them is seen breaking, and Sachet looks shaken even as Parampara says, “Gaya, gaya (It broke).” A scuffle then breaks out as security personnel try to control the unruly fans, who are mobbing the car. The fans crowded around the car, trying to take videos. The paparazzo also shared a video taken by Parampara from the concert where they counted down the seconds to the New Year along with the audience. A fan commented on the video saying, “Watched you live today..You both were just fantastic… Love your music always. Happy New Year 2026 to both of you. Har Har Mahadev.” Meanwhile, another wrote, “Both of you made my new year eve best ever.” About Sachet-Parampara Sachet and Parampara are a well-known music composer, vocalist, and lyricist duo, best known for their work in films such as Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), Kabir Singh (2019), Tanhaji (2020), and Jersey (2022). After becoming finalists individually on The Voice India in 2015, the two came together and formed a duo the following year. They tied the knot with each other in 2020. Sachet-Parampara recently lent their voices and composed the song Humsafar in Saiyaara as well as Tu Hai Meri in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. A few days ago they grabbed headlines for slamming singer and Bigg Boss 19 contestant Amaal Mallik for claiming credit for the song Bekhayali from Kabir Singh, which was originally composed by them.
01 January,2026 04:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe OTT release date for Suparn Varma's courtroom drama Haq, which stars Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi, has finally been announced! Haq draws inspiration from the life and legal battle of Shah Bano Begum, whose historic case in 1985 resulted in the Supreme Court granting support rights to divorced Muslim women. The movie will soon be available on Netflix for those who were unable to see it in theaters. Netflix India posted a poster of Haq along with the announcement on their official Instagram account on Wednesday. On January 2, the movie will be available for streaming on the platform. The post's caption said, “Ghar ki chaar deewaron se adalat tak. Yeh safar majboori ka nahi, himmat ka hai (From the walls inside her home to the courtroom. This journey is about courage, not helplessness). Watch Haq, out on 2 January, on Netflix.” The film centers on Shazia (Yami Gautam Dhar), an illiterate, homely lady who marries successful advocate Abbas Khan (Emraan Hashmi). Abbas unexpectedly brings a second wife home one day. Shortly later, he uses triple talaq to dissolve their union. The remainder of the movie centers on Shazia's legal battle for her rights. All about Haq's colour palette Talking about the tone and colour palette of the characters in the film. Stylist Ashley Rebello explained that every costume choice in Haq was designed to reflect the emotional journey of Yami Gautam’s character, using colour and fabric to show life changes like marriage, motherhood and divorce. He deliberately included a handkerchief as a prop because it acted like a “security blanket”, something her character could use to wipe tears and find strength. Rebello said such details give actors “something to do” that helps deepen their performance, making characters feel more authentic and emotionally grounded on screen. Review of Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi starrer An excerpt from the review written by midday read, "One of the strongest aspects of the movie is how it treats its protagonist not as a victim to be pitied, but as a deeply layered individual capable of defiance and dignity. Shazia’s small-town roots, her unfamiliarity with legal jargon, and her struggle with faith and self-worth are all handled with subtlety. The lead actress brings authenticity to the role; her early confusion, heartbreak, and eventual resolve ring true, and she doesn’t rely on melodrama to evoke her pain. Her partner on screen, as her husband-lawyer, is also a surprise: rather than exaggeration or caricature, he is calm, professional, morally ambiguous, and quietly devastating when the betrayal surfaces. Their on-screen chemistry lays the emotional foundation for the rest of the film to build on."
01 January,2026 04:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDharmendra's final film Ikkis is now in theatres. The film comes a little over a month after the demise of the legendary star who spread cheer and warmth with his characters on screen and his charm off-screen. In his final film, directed by Sriram Raghavan, Dharmendra plays Brigadier ML Kheterpal, father of India's youngest Paramvir Chakra recipient Arun Kheterpal. While the film focuses on the bravery of Arun Kheterpal (played by Agastya Nanda), Dharmendra's character serves as the soul of this anti-war drama. Bobby Deol dubs for Dharmendra Sriram Raghavan's directorial swings between 1971 and 2001. Dharmendra's character visits Pakistan for personal reasons and is hosted by Brig Jaan Mohammed Nissar (played by Jaideep Ahlawat). The story unfolds through their lens as they recall the final year of Arun with fondness and pride. Interestingly, in the segment where Dharmendra plays a young father in the 70s, his voice has been dubbed by his son and actor Bobby Deol. The Animal actor is given due credit at the beginning of the film for his contribution. Sunny and Bobby's tribute to Dharmendra A day before Dharmendra's final film, Ikkis, hit theatres, his sons, actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, offered a heartfelt tribute to the late legend. Taking to Instagram, Sunny and Bobby shared a poster of Ikkis, featuring their father. Describing the film as Dharmendra's "salute", they wrote, "Our Papa, the man of the soil, Ikkis is his salute - his gift to the earth he loved and to the fans who always stood by him. For our family, it is a treasure filled with his spirit, courage, and his heart. Today, with love and immense pride, we share it with the world, hoping it lives on the way he does - forever." Earlier this week, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol were present at the special screening of Ikkis, where the visibly emotional actors stood beside Dharmendra's poster. Others to grace the screening were veteran actress Rekha, Ameesha Patel, Salman Khan, and Abhay Deol. About Ikkis Ikkis is directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Sriram Raghavan. It revolves around the inspiring story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. The brave soldier took on the enemy head-on during the Battle of Basantar and destroyed 10 Pakistani tanks before losing his life. The film stars Agastya Nanda in the lead role along with Simar Bhatia, both of whom make their debut with the film. It also features Dharmendra, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, and Deepak Dobriyal in significant roles.
01 January,2026 02:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA day before Dharmendra's final film, Ikkis, hit theatres, his sons, actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, offered a heartfelt tribute to the late legend. Taking to Instagram, Sunny and Bobby shared a poster of Ikkis, featuring their father. Describing the film as Dharmendra's "salute", they wrote, "Our Papa, the man of the soil, Ikkis is his salute - his gift to the earth he loved and to the fans who always stood by him. For our family, it is a treasure filled with his spirit, courage, and his heart. Today, with love and immense pride, we share it with the world, hoping it lives on the way he does - forever." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sunny Deol (@iamsunnydeol) Earlier this week, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol were present at the special screening of Ikkis, where the visibly emotional actors stood beside Dharmendra's poster. Others to grace the screening were veteran actress Rekha, Ameesha Patel, Salman Khan, and Abhay Deol. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkis marks the last onscreen presence of Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24 at the age of 89. Speaking to ANI, Sriram Raghavan opened up about Dharmendra's association with the upcoming war biopic, which features Agastya Nanda in the lead as Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. Recalling that Dharmendra was already unwell during the final dubbing sessions in October, Raghavan shared, "I met him in October. That time he was okay, but he was not too well. He did watch the first half and waited for the second half. I wanted him to see the film in its entirety. Somehow, that couldn't happen. He is not here to enjoy the work he had done, and people appreciate that. That is a regret we have." Ikkis is set to hit theatres on January 1, 2026. 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
01 January,2026 01:09 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIKapil Sharma and his unbeatable humour is back again to entertain you this New Year's as well with the return of family entertainer Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 in theatres on 9th January 2026. The much-awaited sequel opened to positive responses from audiences and critics alike, however, its theatrical run was impacted by limited screen availability due to ongoing multiplex takeovers by other releases. Juggling not only three but four marriages and a web of confusion the makers are back again to keep the audiences glued to the screens and laugh their hearts out yet again. About Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 re-release Kapil Sharma’s Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 proved that sheer entertainment triumphs over numbers, captivating audiences with its trademark humour and infectious energy. Responding to the film’s sustained buzz, producer Mr. Ratan Jain is set to bring the mega family entertainer back in the theatres. Speaking about the same producer Ratan Jain shared, "Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 has always been made with families in mind with pure entertainment meant to be enjoyed together. The love, laughter, and positive word-of-mouth the film received reaffirmed our belief in its universal appeal. With audiences continuing to ask for more, we felt it was the right moment to bring the film back to theatres and give viewers another chance to experience its humour on the big screen. We’re delighted to return with a film that celebrates joy, laughter, and wholesome family entertainment.” Directed by Anukalp Goswami, Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 is produced by Ratan Jain, Ganesh Jain, and Abbas-Mustan under Venus Worldwide Entertainment, in association with Abbas-Mustan Film Production. Film to clash with The RajaSaab and Jana Nayagan The release date set by makers of Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 also coincides with the release of two big South movies. While there is no Hindi film scheduled for release on January 9 apart from Kapil's re-release, the south biggies can have potential impact on its business. The RajaSaab stars Prabhas in the lead with Sanjay Dutt and Boman Irani as primary cast members. Prabhas has a pan-India audience and the upcoming film will see him in the horror-comedy space, a genre which is a first for the actor. On the other hand, Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan also hits the theatres and is expected to take the box office by storm in all of South markets. It will mark Vijay's final film making it all the more special.
01 January,2026 12:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Genelia Deshmukh wrapped up 2025 on a heartfelt note as she reflected on the precious moments she shared with her loved ones throughout the year. Taking to social media, she expressed gratitude for her family, friends, and fans, celebrating the memories that mattered most. Genelia shared that she looks ahead to 2026 with a heart full of joy and optimism. The Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na actress’ on Wednesday’ took to her Instagram handle and posted a video of her cherished moments with her family and friends. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Genelia Deshmukh (@geneliad) In the clip, Genelia is seen enjoying quality time with her husband, actor Riteish Deshmukh, and their children. She is also spotted sharing joyous moments with close friends, including a heartwarming scene of Salman Khan hugging her son. The couple is further seen posing for pictures with their parents and other loved ones. For the caption, the Masti actress wrote, “And just like that 2025 comes to an end as we are gear up to step into 2026 I’m glad I got to make so many precious memories with the ones that matter the most Gratitude to my Insta family for always being there Bring it on 2026 - Time to rock n roll.” Genelia Deshmukh, known for her striking presence on social media, often shares amusing reels with her husband, Riteish Deshmukh. She also gives a glimpse into her happy family moments. Recently, she attended the star-studded birthday bash of Salman Khan on his 60th birthday. Giving a sneak peek of it, the Force 2 actress posted a video of the actor making bhel puri for Riteish. She captioned the clip, “There is no one like beingsalmankhan, he absolutely goes out of his way to make you feel at home, to make you feel special. This time he serves the absolutely delicious. Bhau Chi Bhel. We love you !!!!” 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
01 January,2026 12:10 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSFilmmaker Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar has turned out to be the biggest blockbuster of Hindi cinema in India, leaving behind massive hits like Pathaan, Jawan, Chhaava and several others. While the filmmaking has been appreciated by a large section of the audience, the politics shown in the film remains a topic of concern. Owing to the uproar, viewers will now witness a revised version of the film from New Year. Read on to know why. Ministry of I&B suggests changes in Dhurandhar As per a source mentioned by Bollywood Hungama, “Theatres across the country received an e-mail from the distributors today, December 31, informing them they are replacing the DCP of the film. The reason for the change is that the makers have muted two words and changed a dialogue in the film, as per the directives received from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India.” The source added, “The cinemas were requested to download the new content and play the revised version of the film from January 1, 2026.” An industry insider commented, “One of the words removed from the new version of Dhurandhar is ‘Baloch’.” More about Dhurandhar Filmmaker Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar will soon complete a month since its theatrical release. The film, starring Ranveer Singh in the lead, is still going strong at the box office and has crossed Rs 1,000 crore globally and entered the Rs 700 crore club domestically. Inspired by real events, Dhurandhar follows an Indian spy who infiltrates Pakistani gangs to extract information about potential attacks on India. While the film continues its dream theatrical run, it has been banned across all Gulf countries. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have not released Dhurandhar. There were apprehensions that this would happen, as the film is perceived as an ‘anti-Pakistan film’.” The film stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi and Arjun Rampal in prominent roles. The film has been produced by Dhar and his brother Lokesh Dhar through their banner B62 Studios, alongside Jyoti Deshpande of Jio Studios. Part 2 of the film is set to arrive in March 2026. It will have a box office clash with Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown Ups and Adivi Sesh’s Dacoit.
01 January,2026 11:33 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
