Actress Mouni Roy called Mahek from Madhur Bhandarkar's The Wives one of the craziest characters she ever got a chance to play. Dropping some photos from the shoot diaries on her official Insta handle, Mouni spilled her emotions through the caption. View this post on Instagram A post shared by mon (@imouniroy) "Wrapped this beautiful film thewives and it’s gonna be one of my most favourite ones in my story book of life. (sic)," she shared. Thanking Bhandarkar for trusting her with the role, she wrote, "Grateful to imbhandarkar sir for trusting me with Mahek, one of the craziest characters I have ever played." Lauding her co-stars Sonali Kulkarni, Regina Cassandra, Rahul Bhatt, Saurabh Sachdeva, Arjan Bajwa, and Freddy Daruvala, the Naagin actress added, "Thank you sir, working with you has been on my bucket list. To my wonderful costars. Thank you for being the kindest loveliest most giving costars. Coming soonly in theatres near you. All love. Only love x." Reacting to the post, the Fashion maker commented, "It was fun working with you, imouniroy...Sure, the role of Mehek will be an eye opener for the audiences and your fans. TheWives." As the team recently wrapped up the shoot for The Wives, Bhandarkar penned a note on social media, saying, "Today marks the wrap-up of my 16th film, TheWives, IntheShadowofStardom an original & captivating story set in the glamorous world of star wives that we have delved into. Bringing this project to life is beyond exciting. Your unwavering support means the world as we completed the principal photography of the film. Endless gratitude to the dedicated actors & technicians who poured their hearts day and night into this project. Thanks to the team of Bhandarkar Entertainment & PJ motion pictures." The Wives has been jointly backed by Bhandarkar Entertainment and PJ Motion Pictures. 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
12 February,2026 10:35 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSBhumi Pednekkar has never shied away from speaking her mind, and in a recent conversation, the actress reflected on the evolving culture of film criticism and how audiences today have become far more vocal and judgmental about movies. Sharing her candid thoughts on mid-day’s Sit With Hitlist, Bhumi expressed concern about the growing noise around reviews and the diminishing space for nuanced critique. “I don't know if there's a lot of critical thinking in the movies today. There's been a big shift in the way people speak of films and critique films. I feel like today everybody is a critic,” she said, pointing to the rapid transformation in how films are evaluated. Bhumi Pednekkar questions the credibility of criticism Bhumi questioned whether all opinions are rooted in a deep understanding of cinema. “I'm not sure whether many critics today come from a sound understanding of cinema. Film is a serious study, at Whistling Woods, we were taught film appreciation as a legitimate course. That grounding matters, whether you're a DOP, actor, or editor. Without it, criticism can become voyeuristic and overly personal, and I feel only a few credible voices remain.” Looking back at the early days of her career, the actress admitted that reviews once held special meaning for her. “When I started, I would wait for reviews, it was such a high for me. The reason I went through my Sonchiriya experience was that I had reviewers that I loved and critics that I loved who even loved the film.” However, she believes the industry’s focus has now shifted heavily toward opening day numbers. “Today, a film's success, the majority of it, is dependent on your Friday, and I don't even know how much of that is real anymore. You've already decided the fate of a film by its opening numbers. When did that happen? When did opening numbers matter?” Bhumi Pednekkar sheds light on harsh social media criticism Elaborating further, Bhumi said, "By critics, everybody is a critic today on the internet." She also addressed the influence of social media, noting how extreme opinions tend to dominate online conversations. The actress appeared particularly concerned about the impact this environment has on smaller films. "I think that the mid-sized and small films were always meant to be word-of-mouth films. All the films that I've done are word-of-mouth films. Rajkumar Rao, Ayushmann Khurrana, mine, a lot of our actors, our careers were made because of these word-of-mouth films.” Explaining how the system once worked, she added, “Which means that on a Friday, a film did a smaller number but was accepted. You gave the film an opportunity, and it grows from there. They would stay in theatres for, two weeks or three weeks, and it would do a good number, right, a good number for what that film deserves.” Today, she feels those chances are disappearing. “You don't give a film an opportunity; that's why you have good films. Laapata, for example, that maybe did not get a large number on that Friday, but you've not given that film an opportunity, and that breaks my heart.” Bhumi also spoke about the larger transition the industry is undergoing. “I feel the Hindi film industry is going through a massive transition. If I could make one wish as a member of the fraternity, it would be for us to move away from PR-fuelled narratives. It’s exhausting and often leaves little room for newer voices. Today, there’s this perception that unless a film earns big numbers, it isn’t worth watching. The internet has become the wild, wild west, it’s a crazy space to navigate.”
12 February,2026 10:34 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran actor Anupam Kher bumped into his Special 26 co-star Kajal Aggarwal on a flight as he was on his way to Hyderabad. Elated about meeting the self-assured and real actress, Kher revealed that during the meet, they ended up enjoying a great conversation about some exciting topics such as film, food, spa destinations, and Kashmiri-in-laws, which interest both of them. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher) Taking to his official Instagram handle, Kher uploaded a black and white selfie of the two from the flight, along with a heartfelt note that went, "Met the vivacious and talented Miss. KajalAggarwal on my way to Hyderabad after a long time! We did NeerajPandey’s Special26 together! The conversations in a flight are so much fun. (sic)." "There are no distractions! No mobile phones! No personal staff to distract you. In fact no dark glasses also! She is so sure of herself and so real. Great conversation about films, food, spa destinations, Kashmiri in laws and her beautiful son! Thank you dearest Kajal for all the love, warmth and appreciation! Hamesha Khush raho!" the veteran actor added. Made under the direction of Neeraj Pandey, the 2013 period heist thriller is a cinematic adaptation of the 1987 Opera House heist. The drama revolves around a team of criminals who pose as CBI officers and conduct raids, robbing politicians and businessmen of their black money. However, they have a real CBI officer on their trail as they decide to pull off their biggest heist yet. With Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, and Manoj Bajpayee as the core cast, the project also has Jimmy Sheirgill, Kajal Aggarwal, Rajesh Sharma, Divya Dutta, and Kishor Kadam in supporting roles, along with others. Turning out to be a commercial success at the box office, Special 26 was remade in Tamil as Thaanaa Serndha Koottam, with Suriya playing Akshay Kumar's role. 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
12 February,2026 10:23 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSShe may have no “filmy” background, but Bhumi Pednekkar has carved her own space in the ever-evolving entertainment industry. From Dum Laga Ke Haisha to Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare and Badhaai Do, the actor has showcased both talent and versatility. In a conversation on mid-day's Sit With Hitlist, the actress reveals how Shah Rukh Khan heaped praise on her for her smashing performance in her debut film. Bhumi Pednekar on SRK praising her When asked about when she felt accepted in the industry, she revealed, “My first film was widely watched and adulated, and I saw that the day it was released.” She was appreciated by none other than King Khan for her role. Calling him an individual who is just great, she said, “I met him at YRF, and he appreciated me a lot for my film, and I couldn't believe what was happening. I wasn't prepared to have an SRK experience, and he was shooting for a film there. I met him at the cafe area. He invited me, and it was incredible because of the way he makes you feel. There was a lot of love in that room and a lot of learning.” Bhumi on Shah Rukh Khan’s humble gesture She further added how the superstar woos all with his humble persona and shared, “When you meet people who are at his place, what I am seeking is learning. What impresses you is how humble he is. While he is speaking to you, there could be anybody in his periphery, but he is with you. That's respect; that's character. We have heard stories about how he receives and sees you off, and all of it is true.” Talking about whether she has ever received a letter from Amitabh Bachchan for her work, she averred, “It is a big motivation in my life, and I am waiting for that letter.” Bhumi Pednekar’s upcoming movies She will next be seen in Danish Aslam’s Adhoore Hum Adhoore Tum alongside Imran Khan. The film marks the latter’s comeback on the big screen after a hiatus. Adhoore Hum Adhoore Tum will reportedly arrive on the digital platform this year.
12 February,2026 10:19 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Boman Irani has bid adieu to his furry friend. The actor recently took to social media to share a heartfelt note as he said goodbye to his beloved pet, Lisa. He also penned a note in the caption, as he remembered her not just as a pet, but as family, a royal, noble and gentle soul. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Boman Irani (@boman_irani) He wrote, “You were the most demanding, attention-seeking, pampered, prioritised, and mentioned-per-day dog that ever will be. Why would that be? Simply because you were the most royal, noble, and gentle soul that ever lived. I have seen non-dog lovers melt before you. Dog haters become dog lovers. Then there are dog lovers who gave you the endorsement of the ‘greatest’”. He recalled how her presence could instantly change the mood of a room. Anger faded, sadness lifted, and even arguments would fall silent with one dignified bark as if she simply wanted peace. He further mentioned, “I have seen anger fade to love in the room when you magically demanded it. I have seen sadness evaporate the minute you entered the room and snapped your pawed finger. I have seen arguments silenced by one noble bark (bow), simply because you hated to see people argue. Your energy repelled all that was evil and attracted all that was good. Simple. We will miss you, my darling Lisa”. Earlier, the actor celebrated 1 year of his directorial debut, The Mehta Boys. Reflecting on the milestone, the actor shared that for him, the biggest thing is that the drama didn’t stop with its release. "Films often have a brief moment, but this one seems to have stayed with people in a quieter, lasting way”, he shared. During the last year, discussions around the film have continued both online and offline, with viewers often pointing out how the story mirrored their own family dynamics. The actor also used social media to thank the audience for showering the project with so much love and appreciation. 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
12 February,2026 10:16 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSBefore stepping into the spotlight, Bhumi Pednekkar quietly honed her craft behind the camera as a casting director at Yash Raj Films. Working closely with the studio, she witnessed and evaluated auditions of some of the industry’s biggest stars, which shaped her nuanced approach to acting. In a recent conversation on mid-day's Sit With Hitlist, the actress opened up about Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, and other actors auditioning, describing it as a surreal experience. Bhumi Pednekkar on auditioning Ranveer Singh Recalling her formative years at Yash Raj Films, Bhumi Pednekar opened up about working closely with the casting team and being directly involved in shaping debut performances, including that of Ranveer Singh. She stated, “My experience there was incredible. It was like a corporate job infused with a lot of creativity, and I had an absolute blast. I was an integral part of Ranveer’s casting process. If you see his audition BTS on YouTube, I’m the one cueing him for Band Baaja Baarat—the scene where he and Anushka fight over a colour during the wedding sequence.” Recalling her first impression of Ranveer Singh, Bhumi described his presence as instantly arresting. “I think he was just high on himself,” she said, adding that the energy in the room shifted the moment he walked in. “You’d think—he’s a newcomer coming in for an audition; where does that chutzpah come from?” She remembered him vividly in a white shirt and blue jeans, calling him unique, supremely talented, and unlike anyone she had seen before. Declaring herself a “big Ranveer Singh fan”, Bhumi praised his evolution as an actor, particularly post ’83 and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani. “I thoroughly enjoyed him in Dhurandhar—I was like, this guy can do anything. I loved him in Lootera. He’s as much a chameleon as any actor should be.” Recalling her other finds, the actress shares how she took Pankaj Tripathi, Parineeti Chopra, Vaani Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal’s auditions. Bhumi Pednekkar on Aditya Chopra Reflecting on the most influential mentor of her career, Bhumi Pednekar spoke candidly about Aditya Chopra’s impact on her life and work. “I don't think there has been any other authoritative figure in my life apart from him. He was my first boss, and that eventually turned into a mentorship. He is a genius and a visionary—he was doing shows even before OTT came into the picture. He’s chill, he has clarity, and he’s inclusive. What keeps his genius alive is the fact that he remains disconnected. The entire YRF institution operates from a place of abundance.”
12 February,2026 10:03 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Sanjay Dutt and his wife, Maanayata, continue to set profound relationship goals. On Wednesday, the veteran actor took to Instagram to pen a deeply emotional tribute to Maanayata, marking their 18th wedding anniversary. The Munna Bhai MBBS star shared a heartfelt post, featuring a series of rare, candid photographs and family moments that offer a glimpse into their private world. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanjay Dutt (@duttsanjay) In his caption, Sanjay did not shy away from acknowledging the pivotal role Maanayata has played in his life, particularly during his most challenging phases. "Thank you, Mama, for always being there, for picking me up whenever I fell, and for standing by me through thick and thin. You are the heartbeat of this family," the actor wrote. The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in 2008. Maanayata also celebrated the day with her own nostalgic tribute. She shared a reel highlighting their journey together, specifically mentioning a cherished memory of the duo riding a scooter through the streets of Budapest. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maanayata Dutt (@maanayata) The anniversary celebration also highlighted their life as parents to twins, Shahraan and Iqra. Fans and film industry colleagues, including sisters Priya and Namrata Dutt, flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages, praising the couple's "unbreakable" spirit. From Sanjay's legal battles to his more recent health victory over lung cancer, Maanayata has been consistently credited as the primary pillar of his recovery and career resurgence. On the work front, Sanjay Dutt was last seen in the film The Raja Saab directed and written by Maruthi and was produced by People Media Factory and IVY Entertainment. Apart from Prabhas and Sanjay Dutt, the film also stars Boman Irani, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar in key roles. Sanjay Dutt will also be seen in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, scheduled for release on 19 March 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
12 February,2026 09:54 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIVeteran actor Ratna Pathak Shah has always been candid about her views on the film industry. From criticising new-generation actors to calling out excessive entourage demands, she is known for never mincing her words. Ratna Pathak Shah has been an active part of the industry for over four decades. In a recent interaction, she shared how Alia Bhatt is different from other actors of her generation, even as she criticised young actresses who try to be cute on sets. Ratna Pathak Shah praises Alia Bhatt In a conversation with Pinkvilla, the Dhak Dhak actress praised Alia Bhatt. The two shared screen space in Kapoor & Sons. She revealed how the diva is different from other actresses of her generation. Talking about her on-set experience, Ratna said, “Bahot hi attentive hai wo, tab maine jo note kiya unke baare mein (she was very attentive). She used to be on the monitor all the time — not when she was acting, but when others were working. She observed very carefully.” Ratna noted that many young actresses try to be cute on set, thinking it will help them. She said, “She didn't talk much, which is surprising because young actresses seem to feel the need to be the cute entertainer on the set all the time. They feel that being that cutie person is going to help them. It just makes them bad performers in many cases. Not Alia.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alia Bhatt 💛 (@aliaabhatt) The actor further described Bhatt as gifted and focused, and concluded, “I was very impressed by her. She kept herself very quiet. I don’t think we exchanged more than a few words. We never had any scenes together, unfortunately. But I thought she was extremely gifted and focused. I liked her.” Ratna Pathak Shah’s reflections come amid ongoing discussions about professionalism and generational shifts in Bollywood’s workplace culture. Alia Bhatt’s upcoming movies Talking about Alia Bhatt’s work front, the actress will next be seen in Alpha with Sharvari. Directed by Shiv Rawail, the spy action thriller also features Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor in pivotal roles. She will also reunite with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Love and War. The film also stars Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal and is set to release this year. Meanwhile, she is also co-producing a coming-of-age romantic comedy film, Don’t Be Shy, with her sister Shaheen Bhatt.
12 February,2026 09:35 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are couple goals! The two superstars got married back in 2018, and their union was under scrutiny for several reasons. The actress has opened up about how criticism over their intercultural relationship, age gap, and backgrounds was deeply hurtful. Reflecting on eight years together, the actor shared that instead of focusing on public opinion, they chose to lean on each other. Priyanka Chopra on gossip around wedding with Nick Jonas In a recent interview with Variety, Chopra addressed the gossip surrounding her relationship and said, “We’re eight years in. If people want to keep waiting for it to implode, that’s their choice. I stopped thinking about it. I don’t know what it was about us that rubbed people the wrong way. I think there was the intercultural nature of it — different countries, different religions, age gap. It was very hurtful. And we both, instead of looking out, just sort of looked at each other, and we were like, ‘It doesn’t matter.’ So it’s like water off a duck’s back now.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra) Reflecting on how quickly their relationship progressed, she shared, “We got married really quickly, within six months of meeting. When I first married him, I didn’t know if it was even real — this part of him — because I was like, this is crazy. This is put on. But Nick has this absolute sincerity. It inspires me every day in a profession which requires you to pivot and become whatever you need to put on.” Heaping praise on hubby Nick, she gushed, “He’s constantly sincere. His whole day, whatever the conversation is, he is sincere. He started working when he was really young. His parents are the most wonderful, levelheaded, absolute saints, so I can see where it comes from. But it’s such a disarming quality about him.” Priyanka Chopra’s upcoming movies Workwise, Priyanka will be seen in SS Rajamouli's Varanasi alongside Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Varanasi is set to release on April 7, 2027. This will mark her debut in a Telugu film. She also has the second season of the web series Citadel in the pipeline. Additionally, she will next be seen in The Bluff alongside Karl Urban.
12 February,2026 08:34 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA rising budget After the historic success of Dhurandhar (2025), Ranveer Singh is gearing up for Pralay, a high concept zombie drama set during the COVID-19 pandemic and directed by Jai Mehta. Mounted on an estimated Rs 300 crore budget, it marks his most expensive standalone project. A source told Pinkvilla, “Ranveer has entered into a backend profit sharing deal and is involved in every stage, from script development to VFX planning.” The movie is expected to go on floors in mid-2026. The development comes days after the actor reportedly received a death threat demanding Rs 10 crore, with police tightening security. ‘Absence of work has detrimental feelings’ Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has reflected on the importance of staying busy and committed to work. He shared in his blog, “It is rather early for the blog. But some meetings have been set for an early morning hence this timing.” He added, “Absence of work has detrimental feelings, and so work work work till you can.” The veteran actor, who recently concluded hosting season 17 of his TV quiz reality show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, also recalled working till 5.30 am, saying he never regrets it. On the work front, he was last seen in Telugu sci-fi film Kalki 2898 AD (2024).
12 February,2026 07:34 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamMerely a day after Ranveer Singh received a voice message threatening him on WhatsApp, now actor Aayush Sharma has received a threat email allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. This comes amid a worrying state of targeting Bollywood celebrities. ng. Ayush Sharma receives a threat email Notably, Aayush, who happens to be Salman Khan's brother-in-law after marrying his sister Arpita Khan, reportedly received a threatening email from an individual who claimed to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. According to IANS, the Mumbai Crime Branch said that Aayush received the threat email via Proton Mail from a sender claiming Lawrence Bishnoi gang links on Wednesday, February 11. Aayush’s threat email comes at a time when a similar threat was received by actor Ranveer Singh. Ranveer received a threatening WhatsApp voice note demanding crores of rupees. Police launched an investigation immedaitely, and it was reported that the sender of the voice note, who also claimed to be linked to the Bishnoi gang, used a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to mask their location. Prior to this, there was afiring outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty's home earlier this month. FWICE seeks urgent meeting with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis In the wake of multiple celebrities receiving death threats and security scares, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has written to CM Devendra Fadnavis, seeking an urgent appointment to discuss the matter. In its letter, the body flagged what it described as a growing climate of fear within the industry. “In recent days, several eminent and renowned personalities from the film, television, and digital media industry have reportedly received threats and have been subjected to alarming security scares,” the letter read. “The prevailing environment of fear is beginning to affect shooting schedules, production planning, and overall morale within the industry,” FWICE wrote, mentioning that uncertainty is now hindering routine functioning across sets and studios. It added, “We firmly believe that under your able leadership and guidance, effective measures can be undertaken to address these concerns promptly and decisively,” seeking an opportunity to discuss the matter in detail and urge the government's intervention to safeguard the entertainment fraternity.
11 February,2026 11:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
