Amidst the shoot of their upcoming film "Bhooth Bangla", Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal soaked in some winter sun in Jaipur. Paresh Rawal took to his official X (formerly known as Twitter) handle and treated the fans with a behind-the-scene picture from the shoot. The still has Akshay basking in the winter sun shirtless, while Paresh accompanies him. The veteran actor captioned the post, "A Shining star enjoying Winter Sun at Jaipur with Mr FIT @akshaykumar on the shoot of BHOOT BANGLA !". A Shining star enjoying Winter Sun at Jaipur with Mr FIT @akshaykumar on the shoot of BHOOT BANGLA ! pic.twitter.com/4ALvW0a9xC — Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) January 6, 2025 Reacting to this, Akshay, re-shared Paresh's post saying: "It is an amazing day on set…good weather and great company!" It is an amazing day on set…good weather and great company! https://t.co/vY4XUeswdr — Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 6, 2025 Netizens flooded the comment section of the post with enthusiastic remarks such as "We are eagerly waiting for it sir! I have really great hope from you this time", "Sir, I truly admire your dedication to your work and your health. Your focus and discipline are qualities that I aspire to emulate in my own life", and "Can't wait to see Booth of you together in bhooth bangla". Before heading to the Pink City, Akshay and Paresh completed the Mumbai schedule of the shoot. Aside from these two, the project will also star Wamiqa Gabbi, Rajpal Yadav, and Govardhan Asrani in crucial roles. Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor have bankrolled the drama under the banner of Balaji Telefilms, along with Akshay Kumar's banner, Cape of Good Films. While Akash A Kaushik has penned the story for "Bhoot Bangla", the screenplay has been provided by Rohan Shankar, Abilash Nair, and Priyadarshan. The highly-anticipated movie will be released in the theaters on 2nd April 2, 2026. Additionally, Akshay will have multiple releases this year including "Sky Force", "Jolly LLB 3", "Welcome to the Jungle", "Housefull 5," and "Hera Pheri 3". Apart from "Bhoot Bangla", Akshay and Paresh will also be seen together in "Hera Pheri 3". 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
06 January,2025 05:22 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSThe much-awaited trailer of Azaad, Abhishek Kapoor’s action-packed big-screen adventure, has finally dropped, marking the start of an exciting new year for moviegoers. The film introduces debutants Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani, who received an overwhelming response from audiences after the teaser release. Now, with the highly anticipated trailer out, fans are eagerly awaiting to see the duo on the big screen. Ajay Devgn leads the pack in this action drama Apart from the fresh faces, Azaad also features superstar Ajay Devgn in a gripping, powerful role, alongside the talented Diana Penty and Mohit Malik. This action-packed adventure promises to immerse audiences in a completely new cinematic world, blending high-octane action, drama, and suspense in Abhishek Kapoor’s unique style. Abhishek Kapoor, known for his ability to bring fresh faces to the screen and direct blockbuster films like Kai Po Che, Kedarnath, Rock On, and Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, continues to create unforgettable experiences with his latest film, Azaad. Abhishek Kapoor on bringing Azaad to the big screen Abhishek Kapoor expressing about the film said, “Azaad is a long-held vision that has finally come to life, and I'm thrilled to share it with the world. This film is a testament to the transformative power of human-animal connections, and I firmly believe its universal themes will strike a chord with audiences of all ages. Our talented cast, led by the incomparable Ajay Devgn, has poured their hearts and souls into their performances, and the fresh perspectives brought by Aaman and Rasha have infused the story with a vibrant energy. Azaad is a cinematic dream born from passion, dedication, and a clear vision. I'm eager for audiences to experience the magic of this film on the big screen and be inspired by its timeless message.” Rasha Thadani and Aaman Devgan express excitement Rasha Thadani added, “Azaad is very special to me as it's my first project. I can't be more grateful to Abhishek sir for giving me this opportunity and believing in me. This has been a beautiful and incredibly special journey altogether. I am really excited for the audience to see this!” Further Aaman Devgan added, “I’m truly honored to be a part of Azaad. A big thank you to Abhishek sir for trusting me with this role. It’s a dream come true, and I’m excited for everyone to experience the film.” Produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Pragya Kapoor, the film promises an emotional tale about the unbreakable bond between humans and animals, showcasing an intense journey of love, loyalty, and courage. The film is all set to race in cinemas from 17th January 2025.
06 January,2025 02:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMakers of the period political drama Emergency released the second trailer two weeks before the film's release. Kangana Ranaut not only stars in but also directs this retelling of one of the most controversial periods in Indian politics. 2025 marks 50 years since the 1975 Emergency. Kangana Ranaut is portraying former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the film. Second trailer of Kangana Ranaut's Emergency released The second trailer of the film captures the tumultuous days of the Emergency and the period of turmoil and uncertainty from 1975 to 1977 and Gandhi’s infamous declaration, "Indira is India." The film brings to life the political chessboard of the time, from Jayaprakash Narayan (Anupam Kher)'s fiery protests to young Atal Bihari Vajpayee's oratorical brilliance (Shreyas Talpade). Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Pupul Jayakar, and Jagjivan Ram are also pivotal parts of the gripping drama. Producer Umesh KR Bansal says, "As we mark 50 years since the 1975 Emergency, this film isn’t just a historical retelling - it’s a reflection on the resilience of democracy and a tribute to those who fought to protect it. Emergency is a cinematic milestone that challenges audiences to question, engage, and remember the cost of freedom.” Kangana Ranaut glad Emergency is finally releasing Earlier, the film was slated to release on September 6, 2024, but the film failed to receive certification from the Central Board of Film Certification. Ahead of the film's release, Kangana Ranaut says, "After a long journey filled with challenges, I'm glad that our film Emergency will finally hit the big screen on 17th January. This story isn't just about a controversial leader; it delves into themes that remain profoundly relevant today, making the journey both difficult and significant. Releasing just a week before Republic Day, it's the perfect time to reflect on the resilience of our Constitution and experience the film with your loved ones." Apart from writing and acting, the film is helmed by Kangana herself. This is Kangana's second attempt at direction. Before this, the Panga actress co-directed her period drama film Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi based on the life of brave warrior Rani Lakshmi Bai. Emergency also features a stellar cast, including Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, and the late Satish Kaushik in his final performance. Produced by Zee Studios, Manikarnika Films, and Renu Pitti, with music by Sanchit Balhara and G.V. Prakash Kumar. The political drama film is set to hit theaters on 17th January 2025.
06 January,2025 01:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDiljit Dosanjh left everyone grooving to his beats with his Dil-Luminati India Tour'. During his India tour, he made several headlines, but the top topic was tweaking the lyrics of his songs. After Diljit received several notices during multiple concerts to not sing songs that promote alcohol, he left the world in awe by replacing objectionable words with something or the other. As Diljit Dosanjh celebrates his birthday on January 6, here is a quick recap of the top 5 songs by Dosanjh whose lyrics he changed during his performances, leaving everyone jumping in excitement. How Diljit tweaked songs lyrics Diljit's popular tracks, whose lyrics he tweaked, included songs like Lemonade, 5 Taara, Patiala Peg, and more. Here are the 5 songs and their changed lyrics by none other than the Punjabi sensation Diljit Dosanjh: Lemonade: He changed the line "daaru 'ch lemonade" to "Coke 'ch lemonade." 5 Taara: He changed the line "5 taara theke" to "5 taara hotel." Pehle Lalkare: He changed the line "Dooja kamm bottlaan de datt pattne" to "Dooja kamm Coke de datt pattne." In Patiala Peg, he replaced "Patiala peg" with "Patiala geda." "mitra te case chalda" to "mitra da face chalda." "botlan de datt patne" to "Coke de datt patne." Dil-Luminati Tour 2024 In 2024, Diljit Dosanjh made history with the Dil-Luminati Tour, which started in North America and then expanded to Australia and New Zealand before heading to Europe in September 2024. Dosanjh started his India tour on October 26, with the first city being Delhi. Diljit returned to India for a 12-city tour – Delhi, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Pune, Kolkata, Bangalore, Indore, Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Guwahati. Ludhiana, the 13th city, was later added. Diljit Dosanjh’s Upcoming Projects Diljit Dosanjh has officially joined the cast of Border 2. Varun Dhawan was also recently announced as a lead in the film, which also stars Sunny Deol. The sequel, set against the backdrop of the Battle of Longewala, is slated to begin shooting in October this year. The film is being produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta and will be directed by Anurag Singh. Border 2 is scheduled for a grand release on January 23, 2026.
06 January,2025 12:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPunjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh shares his birthday with music maestro AR Rahman on January 6. The two collaborated on Imtiaz Ali’s Amar Singh Chamkila, which was one of the best films in 2024. On this special day, we look back at the emotional moment when Diljit touched Rahman’s feet out of respect at the trailer launch and teared up after receiving praise from Ali. Diljit Dosanjh touches AR Rahman’s feet Oscar and Grammy-winning music composer AR Rahman, who gave the music for Amar Singh Chamkila joined the team at its trailer launch in March last year. As he arrived on stage, Diljit went ahead and touched the music maverick’s feet. The event was held at Mehboob Studios in Mumbai's Bandra area. Diljit was accompanied by Parineeti Chopra and Imtiaz Ali. Watch the video below. #DiljitDosanjh Touches #ARRahman's Feet on Stage at #Chamkila event 🙏 #MovieTalkies pic.twitter.com/gxCVYsQqlu — $@M (@SAMTHEBESTEST_) March 28, 2024 Diljit Dosanjh tears up after Imtiaz Ali praises him At the same event, Imtiaz Ali said that Diljit Dosanjh might have conquered the world with his stint at the Coachella music festival but it's just the start of world domination for the phenomenon that Diljit is. Hearing this Diljit teared up on stage, at one moment he seemed inconsolable as he became too overwhelmed hearing such heartwarming words from his director. On Mid-day’s Sit With Hitlist, Imtiaz Ali revealed how he had signed Diljit Dosanjh for the titular role even before he became a global sensation. Imtiaz said, “When we started out, Diljit was not a big star. He had not done Coachella when we signed with him. It kind of happened simultaneously. At the end of the film, which is always what it is, an actor, whatever his so-called market value is, can be different by the time your film releases. So you also have to factor that. He became a very big star.” About Amar Singh Chamkila Helmed by Imtiaz Ali, Amar Singh Chamkila presents the untold true story of Punjab's original rockstar of the masses, who emerged from the shadows of poverty and rose to the heights of popularity in the 80s due to the sheer power of his music, angering many along the way, which finally led to his assassination at the young age of 27. It was released on Netflix.
06 January,2025 12:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAn old video featuring Amitabh Bachchan has resurfaced on social media, where the actor humorously made a playful remark about actress Bipasha Basu. The behind-the-scenes footage is from Simi Garewal’s renowned chat show, “Rendezvous with Simi Garewal,” and shows Bachchan alongside his family members—son Abhishek, daughter Shweta, and wife Jaya Bachchan. This particular segment dates back to the filming of the 2004 thriller “Aetbaar,” in which Amitabh starred alongside John Abraham and Bipasha Basu. At the time, John and Bipasha were reportedly in a relationship, and Big B played the role of Bipasha's father in the movie. In the viral footage, the ‘Sholay’ actor humorously recounted an incident from the set when John had contracted conjunctivitis. While sharing this story with Simi, she teasingly warned the team to avoid touching anything Amitabh had touched, fearing they might catch the infection. Without missing a beat, Bachchan responded, saying, "Maine toh kiya hi nahi kuch" ("I didn’t do anything"). He then added with a playful smile, "Sari touching toh Bipasha karti hai, main thode na karta hun” ("It’s Bipasha who does all the touching, not me"). Last year, Simi Garewal shared this throwback video on her Instagram handle with the caption, "What's a little gossip among friends?! Rendezvous gems." Meanwhile, on the professional front, Amitabh was most recently seen in the film “Vettaiyan,” where he shared the screen with Rajinikanth, Fahadh Faasil, and Rana Daggubati. Directed by T. J. Gnanavel and produced by Subaskaran Allirajah's Lyca Productions, the action thriller centers around Rajinikanth as Athiyan, a seasoned police officer who unintentionally shoots and kills an innocent person during an encounter. The ‘Piku’ actor will next be seen in Deepika Padukone’s upcoming film “The Intern” and also has the second part of “Kalki 2898 AD” in the lineup. 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
06 January,2025 11:51 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan recently took to social media to announce that his son Aryan Khan's fashion label, D'YAVOL, will be dropping its new X-3 collection on January 12. Sharing this exciting update, the actor posted a video on his X handle promoting his son's brand and wrote, “A new masterpiece. X3. Dropping on 12th January only on http://dyavolx.com.” Founded by Aryan Khan, Bunty Singh, and Leti Blagoeva, the high-end streetwear brand D'YAVOL made its global debut at New York Fashion Week in September 2024. The event, held at The Pierre Hotel in New York, offered attendees a sneak peek at the brand's upcoming X-3 capsule collection. Speaking about the collection, Aryan Khan explained that it embodies the essence of experimentation, while remaining true to the brand's commitment to excellence in materials and tailoring. Interestingly, Shah Rukh Khan, a proud father, has been actively supporting Aryan in his entrepreneurial journey by promoting the D’YAVOL brand. Meanwhile, the ‘Raees’ actor made headlines recently after jetting off to an undisclosed location to celebrate the New Year, following his return to Mumbai with his family after ringing in the holiday in Alibaug. On the professional front, Shah Rukh Khan was most recently seen in Rajkumar Hirani's “Dunki,” a comedy-drama inspired by the controversial illegal immigration method known as "donkey flight." The film also features Taapsee Pannu, Boman Irani, and Vicky Kaushal. The ‘Dilwale’ actor will next be seen in King alongside his daughter, Suhana Khan. The highly anticipated action thriller will be directed by Sujoy Ghosh. King will mark Suhana Khan’s theatrical debut, following her role in Zoya Akhtar's coming-of-age period drama The Archies, which premiered on Netflix in 2023. Additionally, this project reunites Abhishek Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Sujoy Ghosh, who previously collaborated on the 2021 thriller “Bob Biswas.” 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
06 January,2025 11:37 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood actress Ridhi Dogra who starred in the movie 'The Sabarmati Report' recalled her experience of attending the film's screening with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Calling the experience "emotional", Dogra said that Prime Minister Modi interacted with the actors and she got to realise that his "love for India is too deep." "I got very emotional when I attended the screening of my film with PM Modi and other cabinet ministers. We all thought that it was the most powerful auditorium right now. PM Narendra Modi interacted with us and gave us time. After talking to him, I realised that his love for India is too deep. He carries India in his heart. It was a wonderful and memorable experience," she told ANI. A screening of the 'Sabarmati Report' was held in the Parliament last year. It was attended by Prime Minister Modi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other MPs were also present at the screening. The cast of the film joined them as well. Ridhi Dogra felt overwhelmed during the screening of 'The Sabarmati Report' in Parliament. "When it was shown in parliament, I started crying in the beginning during the national anthem. It was an unbelievable experience. I don't have words to express that moment to you all. Some once said 'Now I have checked my bucket list after watching the film with PM Modi'. I was like how can this be on my bucket list? Who thinks to watch the film with the Prime Minster? It was an impossible dream, like when will he have time to watch a movie. It was an unbelievable blessing. Very unexpected and big thing that's why it got more appreciation." said Ridhi Dogra. 'The Sabarmati Report' starring Vikrant Massey, is based on the tragic burning of the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express near Godhra station in Gujarat on February 27, 2002. The film brings attention to the 2002 Godhra incident, was declared tax-free in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Haryana, Gujarat and Rajasthan. It has also garnered praise from various political leaders, including BJP MP and actress Hema Malini. Earlier, actor Vikrant Massey described attending the screening of The Sabarmati Report with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "highest point" of his career. 'The Sabarmati Report' was released in theatres on November 15, 2024. 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
06 January,2025 11:05 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIIndian filmmaker Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light lost the Golden Globe Award in the Best Motion Picture Non-English Language category to France's Emilia Perez. Kapadia, who was also nominated in the Best Director category at the awards lost again to Brady Corbet for The Brutalist. Held at the iconic Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, the Golden Globe Awards brought together a dazzling array of stars from both film and television. Payal Kapadia at the Golden Globes On the red carpet, Payal Kapadia looked radiant in a customized black dress, her hair tied in a messy bun. The filmmaker posed with pride as she represented India on one of Hollywood's biggest stages. She earlier told Mid-day, "Many people worked so hard on this film and it’s because of a collective effort that it has reached here. I’m very thankful to them." The Golden Globe Awards are live in India on Monday on Lionsgate Play. Payal Kapadia: The FTII Rebel For those unversed, Payal Kapadia was branded an anti-national for leading the protest against Gajendra Chauhan's appointment as FTII head back in 2015 when she was a student at the institute. She was at the forefront of the four-month protest with other fellow students of the prestigious institute who boycotted classes while questioning Chauhan's capabilities to hold the office of the chairperson. Chauhan is a former television actor known for his work on Indian television, especially his portrayal of Yudhishthira in the historical television series Mahabharat (1988–90). He has also had significant roles in a few B-rated movies, and a large number of cameo appearances in other films. During the protest, Pune Police filed an FIR against Kapadia and 34 other students for holding then FTII director Prashant Pathrabe captive over his decision to consider their incomplete assignments for grading. Her scholarship grant had been slashed too. About All We Imagine As Light Starring Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam, the film is an official Indo-French co-production between Petit Chaos from France and Chalk & Cheese and Another Birth from India. The film follows Prabha, a troubled nurse who receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband, and Anu, her young roommate seeking intimacy with her boyfriend. A trip to a beach town allows them to confront their desires. In 2024, the film won the prestigious Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. It recently won the Best International at the New York Film Critics Circle, as well as the Best International Feature trophy at the reputed Gotham Awards 2024.
06 January,2025 09:03 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWith the final leg of his long-in-the-making film Sikandar kicking off later this week, Salman Khan is set to race to the finishing line. A source tells mid-day, “The last schedule will start on January 10 in Mumbai. Salman and Rashmika Mandanna will be back on set. Even though the film is due for release in March, the team is confident of comfortably completing it in time.” In a bid to keep its date with the audience, we’re told that director AR Murugadoss is overlooking post-production work and filming new portions simultaneously. Soon after the teaser was released on Khan’s birthday last month, fans were quick to also heap praise on score composer Santhosh Narayanan, the ace Tamil musician who makes his Bollywood debut with this venture. As is usually the case with most films fronted by Khan, this one too, we’re told, is expected to feature music that befits the visual spectacle it promises to be. “Of course, the film features high-octane action scenes, but the audience will also be surprised by the background score that will strike an emotional chord. The music album by Pritam is vibrant and celebratory,” says the insider. Khan, in the titular role, plays a ruthless businessman who has a change of heart when he sees the rampant corruption in the country. The film also stars Sathyaraj and Kajal Aggarwal.
06 January,2025 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaIn an era when a film’s production budget may only be rivalled by its marketing expenditure, it’s arguably rare for a small-budget offering to become the money-spinner of the year. Stree 2 (2024) actor Abhishek Banerjee will agree, considering the fact that the horror comedy was touted to have been made on a budget of around Rs 60 crore and grossed over Rs 880 crore worldwide. “It was a medium-budget film that was a clutter-breaker. The three boys [lead characters], and the legend that the film is based on are characteristic [features] of India. It’s not a borrowed script. I hope this opens doors for many new filmmakers and writers. This move is growing in Malayalam cinema,” says the actor, who calls 2025 the year that he has been working for. Being part of one of the highest-grossing films of the year may place an actor among the top brass of the industry. But Banerjee celebrates his wins in smaller ways. “I feel that what the film’s success does for an actor like me is that it gives me the confidence to be in this city. It tells me that I [am capable of] entertaining the audience,” he says. In a world where every other artiste may have a roaring audience on social media, Banerjee believes people’s interest in a theatrical release is the real litmus test for an actor. “This year, there’s a sense of satisfaction. I am on the radar of production houses and directors. They want to make something with me, even though many want me to play the same character that I’ve already played. When big directors, actors, and production houses are involved, it’s difficult to say no. But then, it’s important to do so as well. Sure, acting is a career, and you have to earn money. But it’s also a form of art. I want my performance to matter.” At a time when the spotlight is on him, we suggest it may be apt to release his offering, Stolen, for Indian viewers. Prod him on the reason behind the delay of the India release of the 2023 film that made waves at the Venice Film Festival, and he says, “We are speaking to a few studios and takers, and might have somebody on board by this year. I’m waiting for it to be released. It has done well globally, and won awards. It’s a proper edge-of-the-seat commercial thriller. On a podcast, Kiran Rao [filmmaker] said she loved the film. That made me so happy. It’s a contemporary, edgy thriller, and sheds light on the [existence] of two Indias—one of privilege and one without it.” Guneet Monga Kapoor had previously told this reporter that a big studio can give wings to a smaller film. We ask him if the commercial success of Stree has benefited Stolen, and he says, “This has been happening for years. Chillar Party [2011] had no takers until Salman Khan came on board. This should be the norm—industry seniors should support the younger generation so that there are more films being created. You need collaborators. We need to take risks and [make films], not just [commercial] projects. Sure, we must make money out of projects, but we must also make films after that. If we are constantly making projects to safeguard our recovery, the cinema culture will not grow. That’s a change I want to see in 2025.”
06 January,2025 07:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuADVERTISEMENT
