Earlier this week, Karan Johar announced that his banner Dharma Productions had acquired Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment’s stake in Dharma Cornerstone Agency (DCA), which used to be a joint venture between the filmmaker and talent manager Bunty Sajdeh. This marked the professional separation between the duo after a five-year run. Soon, Sajdeh’s Cornerstone partnered with Armour Entertainment to form CXA, a talent management agency. Meanwhile, Johar — in whose banner pharma tycoon Adar Poonawalla acquired a 50 per cent stake, in October 2024 — rebranded his talent agency as Dharma Collab Artists Agency (DCAA). Talking to mid-day, Sajdeh said that the split with Johar was amicable. “It was a circumstantial decision made in lieu of a large investment made in Dharma Productions last year that needed their ancillary businesses to be integrated with the parent company. So, Karan and I decided to part ways since Cornerstone is an independent entity. I prefer it to remain just that. We will now coexist in the industry as separate entities,” said Sajdeh, who has over two decades of expertise in celebrity management, and had Virat Kohli and KL Rahul among his clients. Tiger Shroff will be repped by Sajdeh’s newly formed talent agency, CXA When announcing the split, Johar penned a note on Instagram explaining his decision. He wrote, “Dharma took a major step by selling stake and creating a large entertainment conglomerate. That move needed us to integrate all our verticals under one large umbrella. Bunty and I mutually agreed to part ways and yet keep our strong friendship and equation exactly the way it’s always been.” When Sajdeh and Johar formed DCA in 2020, the talent agency became one of the leading players in the film business. Sharing that collaborating with the multi-hyphenate influenced him deeply, Sajdeh said, “I have learned so much from Karan professionally — people skills for one. Time management is another art I need to master from him. He will continue to be my close friend, and I know he will be there for me.” DCA used to rep: (L-R) Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapur and Sara Ali Khan Now Sajdeh’s focus is on building CXA with Prarthana Ajmani. “Since DCA has been acquired by Dharma, they get complete ownership of all assets. CXA will provide a 360 degree approach to acquisition and servicing of films, brands, and events.”
19 December,2025 07:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRUnstoppable action is what we got in the first look of King, which was unveiled on Shah Rukh Khan’s birthday on November 2. And there is more action coming. mid-day has learnt that the superstar, who briefly shot for Siddharth Anand’s directorial venture in early November, will resume filming on December 20, kicking off what will be the movie’s most action-driven and technically demanding portions. A source revealed that Anand, along with international stunt directors, has chalked out several set-pieces for the leg that will be primarily conducted in Film City, Goregaon. Suhana Khan, who shares screen space with her father for the first time, will be part of this stint. “Shah Rukh has been prepping extensively for this schedule. Stylised action blocks, intense close-combat sequences, and dramatic confrontations will be filmed,” revealed the source close to the production. ‘King’ also stars (L-R) Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, and Abhishek Bachchan Technical teams are already working round the clock to ensure that the set-pieces are shot without hiccups. “This schedule requires tight choreography and advanced camera movement. Every action beat is being rehearsed to perfection,” added the source. King also stars Rani Mukerji, Deepika Padukone, and Abhishek Bachchan.
19 December,2025 07:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuActor Shilpa Shetty Kundra's house was reportedly raided by income tax officials on Thursday on suspicion of tax evasion. This comes a day after the income tax officials searched her restaurant, Bastian, in Bengaluru, in connection with an FIR filed for violation of rules. Shilpa Shetty's lawyer issue statement Shilpa Shetty's lawyer, Advocate Prashant Patil, issued a statement saying, "On behalf of my client, Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra, I can confirm that there is no Income Tax 'Raid' of whatsoever nature against my client. There is a routine verification by the income tax officials pertaining to follow up with my client, Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra. Threatening legal action, he said, "Whomsoever has mischievously claimed in the public domain that these developments have anything to do with the alleged Economic Offence Wing case shall face legal consequences before the appropriate court of law. At the cost of repetition, my client, Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundr, states that there is no income tax 'RAID ' at her place." Income tax raid at Shilpa Shetty's Mumbai home According to reports, the income tax department searched Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra's home in Mumbai on Thursday, a day after a raid at the Bastian Bengaluru outlet. The raid comes at a time when Shilpa Shetty is facing two legal troubles. The first was a complaint earlier filed against the Bengaluru outlet of her high-end restaurant, Bastian. for operating past the legal closing hours. Secondly, Shilpa and her Raj are also facing cheating charges in a Rs 60 crore fraud case. A FIR has been registered against Bastion, located in Bengaluru's St Marks, after the restaurant was allegedly found operating beyond the stipulated hours, hosting late-night parties and violating rules on December 11. According to the FIR, the police officer, on special patrol duty within the police station limits, followed a tip-off from an informant, which led him to inspect the restaurant. "At around 1.30 am, when the complainant visited the restaurant, it was found that the manager was operating it unauthorisedly beyond the timings fixed by the government," the FIR stated. On the other hand, the actor and her husband are also fighting accusations of cheating a businessman out of Rs 60 crore in an investment deal. The Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing earlier today charged the couple with cheating. The Rs 60 crore cheating case was filed by the police after receiving a complaint from Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari. He claimed that between 2015 and 2023, he invested around Rs 60 crore in Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd, a company linked to the couple, on the basis of assurances of returns and repayment. Shilpa Shetty earlier clarified the issue Notably, amid the ongoing legal troubles, Shilpa Shetty had taken to Instagram to share a post on Wednesday. In her long note, she denied the allegations, saying, "We categorically deny the baseless and motivated allegations being circulated. The issues sought to be raised are being given a criminal colour without any lawful basis. A quashing petition has already been filed before the high court and is pending adjudication. Having fully cooperated with the investigation, we are sanguine that justice will prevail and have complete faith in the law enforcement authorities and the judicial system of our country. We respectfully urge the media to exercise restraint as the matter is subjudice."
18 December,2025 10:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSunita Ahuja recently came out in support of veteran actress Jaya Bachchan after the latter faced backlash over her remarks on paparazzi culture. Sharing her perspective, the star wife stated that constant media attention can often become overwhelming, especially for public figures who are followed relentlessly. Sunita justified Jaya Bachchan's reaction, saying it likely stemmed from irritation rather than ill intent. Sunita Ahuja defends Jaya Bachchan During a question-and-answer session in her latest vlog, Sunita was seen responding to several questions from her fans. One fan questioned Sunita about why she always has fun with the paparazzi and the media and even gives them sweets, while Jaya Bachchan has often insulted them. Responding to the question, Sunita Ahuja said, "Look, everyone has their own thoughts and thinking. Jaya ma'am must be getting irritated. I can't say anything about her. She is very big. She must not like it. So, if she doesn't like it, then paps shouldn't do it." Sharing her personal perspective, she added, "Look, I have a lot of fun with everyone. I feel like I should get up in the morning and start having fun because there is nothing in life. There is only one life. It is very difficult to get a human life. You should live your life with a smile. There is no point in fighting. In the end, we all have to go up. So, live your life with a smile. If Jaya ji doesn't like it, then I can't say anything about her. I love Jaya ji a lot, and I will always love her." Jaya Bachchan's controversial remarks For the uninitiated, at a recent event, Jaya Bachchan stated that she has no association with the paparazzi. She also raised questions about their credentials and conduct, while taking a dig at what she described as their growing intrusion into personal spaces. The veteran actress said, "Yeh jo bahar gande, tight pant pehnke, haath mein mobile leke... they think just because they have a mobile, they can take your picture and say what they want. And the kind of comments they pass - what kind of people are these people? Kahan se aate hain? Kis tarah ka education hai? Kya background hai?" Jaya Bachchan's comments on the paparazzi raised eyebrows and triggered mixed reactions online. (With inputs from IANS)
18 December,2025 06:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran lyricist Javed Akhtar took to X to share his stance on the controversial act by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, which is being widely debated on social media. The CM recently, while honouring a young woman for her work, forcefully pulled down her hijab. The act led to massive outrage on social media. What Javed Akhtar said about Nitish Kumar's hijab row Javed Akhtar wrote on X, "Every one who knows me even in the most cursory manner knows how much I am against the traditional concept of Parda but it doesn’t mean that by any stretch of imagination I can accept what Mr Nitish Kumar has done to a Muslim lady doctor. I condemn it in very strong words. Mr Nitish Kumar owes an unconditional apology to the lady." Every one who knows me even in the most cursory manner knows how much I am against the traditional concept of Parda but it doesn’t mean that by any stretch of imagination I can accept what Mr Nitish Kumar has done to a Muslim lady doctor . I condemn it in very strong words . Mr… — Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) December 18, 2025 Akhtar hits back at trolls Akhtar also took to the comment section of his post and hit back at people questioning his opinion on the matter. Commenting on his post, a user wrote, "Says a man who wrote some of Bollywood’s most regressive, objectifying scripts, now suddenly discovering moral outrage. To find offence everywhere, you first need the intent to find wrong. This isn’t about dignity. It’s about selective outrage — and Javed Akhtar proves it once again." Reacting to the user, Akhtar hit back- "How dare you accuse me of selective outrage. If you don’t know how strongly I oppose the right wingers and regressives of my own community you are an imbecile. So just shut up . Before shutting your dirty mouth can you name the film in which I have shown a female character in a poor light. Actually your frustration is that you are a nobody and die as a nobody." Another person commented, "How convenient. You oppose the parda of tradition but wear the parda of selective outrage. Condemn Kumar's vulgar act, yes. But spare us the sermon; your principled stand seems tailored to fit only political opponents, not a consistent philosophy." To which, Akhtar wrote back, "I am against smoking tobacco, does it give me the to right snatch a cigarette from your mouth?" Javed Akhtar: You spineless creature "Nitish Kumar did nothing wrong.. Wo buss security check kar rahe the," wrote another person under his post. To this, the snir lyricist and screenwriter said, "Nitish maen dum hai ke eik ghoonghat palat ke security check kar sakay". When another user questioned his values as an atheist, Akhtar wrote, "I don’t have to learn secularism and progressive values from a creep like you. You spineless creature have you ever raised your voice against the fanatics of your own community. So get lost".
18 December,2025 05:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming epic Love & War stands among the most-awaited films, uniting Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and Alia Bhatt for the first time in a cinematic collaboration that promises to be truly extraordinary. While SLB, as a director, always brings out the best in his actors, Vicky Kaushal, who is working with him on Love & War, expressed that the freedom of collaborating with a director who is completely in command of his craft and characters is unparalleled. Vicky Kaushal calls Sanjay Leela Bhansali a master During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Vicky Kaushal said, "I’m getting to learn so much". He added further, “I just feel like I go in so much more relaxed. I don’t feel the need to cement my thought process on the character so much". The actor is clear that preparation comes first, but he leaves space for discovery. “Of course, I know the character. But how to enter a scene, how to approach it, how to commit to it emotionally, that’s where he’s such a master,” he says. “He’s a master of exploring the possibilities of what this character, or these two characters, or these three characters, could do in a given circumstance. There’s so much joy and so much adrenaline in exploring, and he really makes you do that as an actor,” he says about Love & War. Vicky further highlighted a sense of creative fulfilment that stays with him long after the shoot day ends. That high, however, doesn’t come without discomfort. He admitted that the process can be unsettling at first. “It’s very nerve-racking in the beginning,” he said, especially when the actor hasn’t yet committed to a single emotional choice. “Some of those possibilities are not coming naturally, but you’re reaching for them, going there,” he added. When will Love and War be released The anticipation builds for SLB's next Love & War. It's thrilling to look forward to the monumental collaboration of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the talented trio of Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal on the big screen in the film. The film's release has currently been scheduled for March 20, 2026.
18 December,2025 05:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran lyricist Javed Akhtar took to X to share his stance on the controversial act by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, which is being widely debated on social media. The CM recently, while honouring a young woman for her work, forcefully pulled down her hijab. The act left people divided, with some expressing anger over touching a woman without her consent, while others came in support of the CM. Javed Akhtar condemns Nitish Kumar's act On Thursday, Javed Akhtar said that Kumar owes an apology to the woman. He wrote, "Every one who knows me even in the most cursory manner knows how much I am against the traditional concept of Parda but it doesn’t mean that by any stretch of imagination I can accept what Mr Nitish Kumar has done to a Muslim lady doctor. I condemn it in very strong words. Mr Nitish Kumar owes an unconditional apology to the lady." Every one who knows me even in the most cursory manner knows how much I am against the traditional concept of Parda but it doesn’t mean that by any stretch of imagination I can accept what Mr Nitish Kumar has done to a Muslim lady doctor . I condemn it in very strong words . Mr… — Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) December 18, 2025 Former actress Zaira Wasim, known for Dangal, also reacted to the video. Penning a note, she wrote, "A woman’s dignity and modesty are not props to toy with. Least of all on a public stage." She further stated that the Bihar CM owes the woman doctor an “unconditional apology.” She stated, "As a Muslim woman, watching another woman’s niqab being pulled at so casually, accompanied by that nonchalant smile, was so infuriating. Power does not grant permission to violate boundaries. NitishKumar owes that woman an unconditional apology." For the unversed, Zaira quit the Hindi film industry in 2019, citing conflicts between her work and her faith. However, she has often spoken about issues related to dignity, religion, and personal choice. About the viral controversy The controversy arose during an official event where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar distributed appointment letters to 1,283 AYUSH doctors (Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, and Unani) at Samvad Hall in the Chief Minister's Secretariat. Following the event, Nitish Kumar posted on his official X account, saying, "Today, I participated in the appointment letter distribution ceremony for 1,283 AYUSH doctors at Samvad Hall. This step will provide opportunities to new talent in the healthcare sector and further strengthen traditional medicine systems. My heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the newly appointed AYUSH doctors." As of now, there has been no official response from the Chief Minister or the Bihar government addressing the allegations raised by the Opposition.
18 December,2025 04:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAditya Dhar's Dhurandhar continues to dominate the box office, not only domestically but also globally. Starring Ranveer Singh, the film has grossed over Rs 650 crore worldwide in just 13 days. Interestingly, these numbers exclude Pakistan and six Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which stalled the film because of its 'anti-Pakistan' stance. Now, according to recent reports, despite the ban, Dhurandhar has reportedly become the 'most pirated' film in Pakistan. Dhurandhar becomes Pakistan's most pirated film According to an IANS report, Dhurandhar recorded at least 2 million illegal downloads within just two weeks since its ban, surpassing the piracy numbers of Shah Rukh Khan's Raees and Rajinikanth's 2.0. For the unversed, Dhurandhar depicts major historical events, including the 1999 Kandahar hijack, Mumbai's 26/11 attacks, and the Lyari gang wars. The portrayal of Lyari in the film had reportedly upset Pakistani audiences, which led to the government announcing a counter-film titled Mera Lyari, which is set to present an alternative narrative. In addition to this, the Pakistan Peoples Party has also filed an FIR against the cast and crew of Dhurandhar in a Karachi court, objecting the depiction of images of the late Benazir Bhutto in the film. However, all the controversies surrounding it have fueled the interest of Pakistanis in the film, leading to the growing illegal downloads. Dhurandhar song played at a Pakistani politician's party Amid the ban and the illegal downloads, a new video from across the border is now going viral on the internet, showing a song from Dhurandhar being played at a party attended by a Pakistani politician. The clip shows the song being played at a party where Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto is also present. A song from #Dhurandhar was played during the entry of Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto — and that alone says a lot.On one hand, cases are being filed against this film in Pakistani courts.On the other hand, they’re openly playing its songs at public events. 😭From films… pic.twitter.com/0iKROdlsL6 — CineAlpha (@CineAlpha1) December 17, 2025 The clip was shared on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption: “A song from Dhurandhar was played during the entry of Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto, and that alone says a lot. On one hand, cases are being filed against this film in Pakistani courts. On the other hand, they’re openly playing their songs at public events. From films to music, Pakistan seems completely obsessed with Dhurandhar right now." In the video, Bhutto is seen sitting on stage with two other men at the party while the song FA9LA, by Bahraini rapper Flipperachi from Dhurandhar, plays in the background. The song is linked to one of the film’s most discussed characters, Rehman Dakait, played by Akshaye Khanna. In the movie, Akshaye’s electric entry on this track has instantly left a mark on the audience.
18 December,2025 03:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmid much speculation, Karan Johar has cleared the air about changing the release date of his upcoming rom-com starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. The film, which releases on December 25, will be competing at the box office with Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar, which is going strong since its release on December 5, as well as James Cameron's Avatar: Fire and Ash. After Ikkis makers announced the postponement of its release date from December 24, chatter began that Karan Johar too might back off from the race. Karan Johar on box office clash with Dhurandhar and Avatar: Fire and Ash Sharing his thoughts on the box office clash of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, Karan said,” I’m incredibly proud of the success of Dhurandhar. My congratulations to the entire team, it’s an incredible film. I’ve heard some great things about Avatar, but I have also heard amazing things about our film. I know it’s a festive release Talking of Ikkis, Karan added, “I want to take this opportunity to say how I am looking forward to watching Ikkis, it’s such a special film for all of us. For m,e for personal reasons, we have such great respect, regard and reverence for Dharam ji, and it’s been a tremendous loss for all of us watching him for one last time will mean the world to all of us as his fans” “And of course, Agastya’s first film, I have known Agastya like I have known Ananya, Dinu is a great friend, so I think all of us will do exceedingly well with our films,” he added. Karan concluded, saying, “The whole power should be with the box office of Indian cinema because when we prosper, you prosper and when you prosper, we prosper.” Dominance of Dhurandhar and the box office race As Dhurandhar’s record-breaking streak continues at the box office, its success seems to be intimidating other films lined up for release in the coming weeks. For the unversed, the film has been recording great numbers even in its second week. In fact, in a rare case, the Aditya Dhar directorial created history by becoming the first Hindi film to earn Rs 200 crore in its second week If the Ranveer Singh starrer wasn’t enough, James Cameron’s much-awaited film Avatar: Fire and Ash is also set to release this weekend. Looking at the fierce competition at the box office, Agastya Nanda-starrer Ikkis recently announced that they have decided to push the release date by a week. Interestingly, it marks Dharmendra’s last film, which will be released posthumously after the veteran actor passed away on November 24.
18 December,2025 03:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker Karan Johar is over the moon after his movie Homebound, featuring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, got shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards in the 'Best International Feature Film' category. The film has moved one step closer to an Oscar nomination by getting into the shortlist of 15 International movies. On Thursday, the filmmaker said that Homebound making it to the top 15 shortlist in the Best International Feature category is an achievement in itself, and now the team hopes that the film makes India proud by earning an Oscar nomination. Karan Johar seeks the nation's prayers for Oscar nomination Reflecting on the phenomenal journey the film has had across film festivals, Karan Johar said, "We've come a long way with Homebound. When we started the film, we prayed that we would get it to Cannes. Then we prayed that we would get it to Toronto. Then we prayed that our film would be the official selection for the Academy Awards. Then we had to pray that from 92 countries, which became 86 finally, we would come down to the top 15. " Stressing the magnitutde of the achievement, he added, "There are only 5 feature films in the history of the Academy Awards from India that have reached this position. There's Salaam Bombay, Lagaan, Chello Show, Mother India, and there is now going to be Homebound. We have reached that juncture where we are very close to the final five. Whether we make it or not, I seek your blessings." Karan ended his speech by thanking the media and audience for their support. Full of gratitude, he said, "I seek your blessings. Thank you very much. In terms of the media, movies, you have been so incredibly supportive to us all. Till the 22nd of January, when the final five come out, we seek your support, because without you, we won't get there," he concluded. About the 2026 Oscar Nominations The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlisted names across 12 categories on 16 December, including 'Animated Short Film', 'Casting', 'Cinematography', 'Documentary Feature Film', 'Documentary Short Film', 'International Feature Film', 'Live Action Short Film', 'Makeup and Hairstyling, Music' (Original Score), 'Music' (Original Song), 'Sound and Visual Effects'. Homebound will be competing in the 'Best International Feature Film' category with Argentina’s Belen, Brazil’s The Secret Agent, France’s It Was Just an Accident, Germany’s Sound of Falling, Iraq’s The President’s Cake, Japan’s Kokuho, Jordan’s All That’s Left of You, Norway’s Sentimental Value, Palestine’s Palestine 36, South Korea’s No Other Choice, Spain’s Sirat, Switzerland’s Late Shift, Taiwan’s Left-Handed Girl, and Tunisia’s The Voice of Hind Rajab. The final nominees in all these categories are expected to be announced on January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards are slated to take place on March 15, 2026, with comedian Conan O’Brien returning as the host.
18 December,2025 02:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe trailer of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday, has been unveiled. The film marks Kartik’s second collaboration with director Sameer Vidhwans after Satyaprem Ki Katha. The trailer comes a week before the theatrical release of the film. Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri trailer Just like the title of the film is long, the protagonists also go through a long journey before they fall in love. It is not clear what the core messaging of the film is, but at one point, Kartik delivers a monologue about girls leaving their families behind and embracing a new family post marriage. By the tone of it, it seems that Kartik’s character, Ray, does not approve of the age-old tradition. The trailer opens with Kartik introducing himself as Ray and Ananya as Rumi. Ray does not believe in wallowing in the past or worrying about the future. He is all about living in the moment. Money does not seem to be much of a concern for either of the protagonists. While Ananya plays a published author, Kartik’s profession is not quite clear. The trailer shows the two landing at the same vacation spot and ending up sharing the same yacht for their stay. Ray comes across as a carefree man and keeps expressing his love for Rumi, who does not reciprocate the same feelings. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dharma Productions (@dharmamovies) The tone changes as we see the couple attending a close person’s wedding, after which they begin facing hardships in their own relationship. If Sameer Vidwans’ previous film Satyaprem Ki Katha is anything to go by, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri will also address a social issue that will form the core of the film. When will Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri release? Besides Kartik and Ananya, the film also features Jackie Shroff and Neena Gupta. It will hit theatres on December 25. Earlier, the film was set to clash with Agastya Nanda and Dharmendra-starrer Ikkis, but the makers of the war drama pushed its release by a week.
18 December,2025 02:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
