Indus Chronicles

After impressing audiences in Tu Yaa Main (2026), Shanaya Kapoor will next be seen in Student Of The Year 3. Bollywood Hungama has now learned some interesting details about the upcoming venture, backed by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “To begin with, while Student Of The Year (2012) and Student Of The Year 2 (2019) were films, the third installment of Student Of The Year will be a web series. Secondly, the first two parts were candyfloss and light-hearted entertainers. Student Of The Year 3, meanwhile, is in an altogether different space.”

The source explained, “Student Of The Year 3 is darker, edgier and far more intense than the previous two instalments. Tonally, it is being envisioned as a Class-meets-Euphoria kind of show — blending the privileged, high-pressure world of young students, complicated friendships and relationships seen in Netflix’s Indian series Class with the bold, provocative and emotionally turbulent treatment associated with the globally popular Euphoria. Viewers will be pleasantly surprised by the conflicts, relationships and overall genre of the third part. Moreover, this kind of youth-driven, edgy content has an audience across markets, which could further widen its appeal and viewership.”

The source also stated, “Student Of The Year 3 is expected to release this year, on JioHotstar.” There were also reports that Student Of The Year 3 will be called Student Of The Year 3 – After The Dark but the source said that it may or may not be the final title. The official announcement will give a clearer idea about the same.

Student Of The Year 3 is directed by Reema Maya. As per reports, Shanaya Kapoor will be seen in a double role. The first part marked the debut of Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra, and was directed by Karan Johar. Student Of The Year 2, on the other hand, starred Tiger Shroff and launched Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria. It was helmed by Punit Malhotra. Alia appeared in a song in the second part.

Also Read: Shanaya Kapoor to make Telugu debut with Zombie Reddy 2 opposite Teja Sajja; Suparn Varma directs franchise sequel: Report

Boxing champion Mary Kom has entered the Bigg Boss 20 house, and she received a special message from Priyanka Chopra ahead of her new reality show journey. Priyanka, who portrayed the boxing legend in the 2014 biographical film Mary Kom, wished her luck while also giving the other contestants a playful warning.

In a video message, Priyanka spoke about Mary’s discipline and competitive spirit before addressing the contestants. “Inka knock out na bhot bhari padta hai,” she said, reminding them that the boxing champion is not someone to be taken lightly.

Priyanka then addressed Mary directly and encouraged her to stay true to herself during her time on the show. “Mary bas aap jaisi hain waisi rahiye, khule dil se kheliye. I am so looking forward to your journey.”

The actress also sent Mary lots of love and said she was looking forward to seeing how her journey unfolds inside the Bigg Boss house. Priyanka Chopra and Mary Kom’s connection Priyanka and Mary share a connection that dates back to the making of Mary Kom. Directed by Omung Kumar, the 2014 film was based on the life of the six-time world champion boxer, with Priyanka taking on the lead role.

While preparing for the part, Priyanka met Mary and spent time with her family in Manipur. She also underwent extensive boxing training and worked on understanding Mary’s mannerisms and personality. Mary’s involvement in helping Priyanka understand her life added a personal dimension to their association.

More than a decade after the film's release, Priyanka’s message for Mary marks another public moment between the actor and the sportsperson, this time as Mary begins a very different kind of challenge on Indian television.

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Mary Kom joins Bigg Boss 20 Mary is among the contestants participating in the ongoing season of Bigg Boss 20. The season features a mix of actors, television personalities, digital creators and other public figures.

The current line-up includes Mahhi Vij, Kanika Mann, Amrapali Dubey, Aasif Khan, Qazi Touqeer, Kushal Tanwar, Arishfa Khan, Isha Rikhi, Rhiti Tiwari, Yung Dsa (Yeda Yung), Aman Gandhi, Uditi Singh, Rohed Khan and Love Gill.

Bigg Boss 20 airs on Jio Hotstar at 9 pm, while the television broadcast is available on Colors TV at 10.30 pm.

Also Read: Bigg Boss to premiere across six languages on the SAME NIGHT as franchise marks 20 years

Masaba Gupta has praised Bipasha Basu after the actress featured as Elle India’s Digital Cover Star, calling her one of the last original stars of her generation. However, a portion of Masaba’s post has caught the attention of social media users, with several interpreting her comments about Bipasha’s muscular physique as an indirect response to remarks previously made by Mrunal Thakur.

Re-sharing a post featuring Bipasha, Masaba wrote, “I am very happy to see Bipasha on a cover. You see, she is the last of the OGs.” She went on to praise the actress for standing apart from what she described as increasingly similar beauty and fashion standards.

“There won't be another Bipasha because everything is a cookie cutter template today,” Masaba wrote. She also compared Bipasha with actresses from the current generation, describing some of them as “boring and dull” and saying that the present generation “does not inspire one bit of confidence.” Masaba Gupta’s comment about Bipasha’s physique goes viral Masaba’s remarks about Bipasha’s fitness, however, became the most discussed part of her post. Praising the actress for her athletic build, she wrote, “And @bipashabasu- I love your athletic build. I love the muscle- and I want more thanks to the standard of fitness you set.”

She added, “Too bad if someone doesn't see that as feminine.”

While Masaba did not mention Mrunal Thakur by name in the post, her reference to Bipasha’s muscular physique led some social media users to connect the remarks with an old interview featuring Mrunal. Why are netizens linking Masaba’s post to Mrunal Thakur? The conversation stems from a throwback interview from Mrunal’s television days, when she appeared alongside her Kumkum Bhagya co-star Arjit Taneja. During a discussion about fitness and the kind of physique one might prefer in a partner, Mrunal referred to Bipasha and said, “Do you want to marry a girl who is manly with muscles? Go marry Bipasha. Listen, I am far better than Bipasha, ok.”

The clip resurfaced online in 2025 and drew criticism, with several social media users accusing Mrunal of body-shaming Bipasha. Later, Mrunal issued an apology for body-shaming Bipasha.

Also Read: Mrunal Thakur issues heartfelt apology over resurfaced Bipasha Basu comment: “I truly wish I had chosen my words differently”

Komal Nahta had a conversation with Adnan Sami, in which he gave a detailed answer about plagiarism in music. He began by saying, “I am against plagiarism in any form. But I feel bad for the composers who emerged in this millennium; they have been unfairly targeted. If you are only criticizing them for copying and forgiving the rest, that is unfair. In the last 20 years, there has been a lot of access to information thanks to the internet. So, if a composer gets ‘inspired’ and composes a tune, he gets immediately caught.”

Adnan continued, “Some people tend to hail our yesteryear musicians. They’d say ‘Woh toh kaafi genius log the’. And there’s no doubt that they were indeed geniuses. I am their biggest fan. But what happens is that a child may think that his father is a superhero. When the child grows up, he realizes that mera baap jo hai, aakhir woh insaan hai. You still respect him because he’s your father. Hence, you can’t single out new composers and assume that the rest were doodh ke dhoole hue.”

Adnan confessed, “Whether it's Shankar-Jaikishan, Naushad, S D Burman, R D Burman or Bappi Lahiri, I am their biggest fan and have learned a lot from them. But each one of them lifted songs. Yet, I still love and respect them as they made a beautiful version of that song.”

Adnan Sami remarked that the composers should have given due credit, “Dean Martin’s famous song ‘Sway’ was inspired by an Italian song. But he gave credit to the original composer. Our problem is that our composers did not. They just gave their own name to the track, without acknowledging the original creator. Aap kahin se chhote nahin ho jaate by acknowledging.”

Adann continued, “Even today, I enjoy the song ‘Mehbooba’ from Sholay (1975). But it's not R D Burman’s original composition. It was inspired by Demis Roussos’ song ‘Say You Love Me’. Agar aap Demis Roussos ka naam daal dete, toh aapke shaan mein koi kami nahin aati (smiles). People would have respected you more if you gave due credit. Later, the same happened with them as well and they felt about it.”

He added, “This happened even with films. Kaala Patthar (1979) is a great film, but it was originally Gold (1974), featuring Roger Moore (smiles).”

Also Read: Adnan Sami opens up about reinventing in music: “It’s always important to keep changing and evolving”

There is something entirely royal about hand chains, those that are making a strong comeback now. Whether in western or traditional outfits, hand chains are becoming a staple accessory, adding a statement touch to both basic outfits or elevated ones. And Bollywood is defining this comeback trend once again! Take a look:

Diana Penty: Diana Penty elevates a ribbed saree with contemporary, minimal jewellery, where the dainty golden hand chain with minimal charms places itself as a scene-stealer.

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Sonam Kapoor: Sonam Kapoor brings a royal touch to her ensemble by donning an embellished, encrusted hand chain with multi-coloured gems and floral patterns, leaning heavily to the ethnic side.

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Shanaya Kapoor: Shanaya Kapoor makes her ethnic ensemble even more dazzling by donning a silver hand chain with beaded patterns that make it a standout.

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Rashmika Mandanna: Rashmika Mandanna brings golden power to her ensemble by donning a golden hand chain with stacked beaded patterns, bringing contrasting styles to the accessory and her ensemble.

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Manushi Chhillar: Manushi Chhillar taps into golden aesthetics by donning a dramatic hand chain that aligns with the mood of her overall jewellery.

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Handchains are making a comeback, and these actresses are leading the trend.

Also Read: Kroll Celebrity Brand Valuation 2025: Nearly half of the Top 25 are actresses; no South male star in rankings

Endemol Shine India, part of Banijay Entertainment, has established itself as one of India’s leading entertainment production houses, consistently delivering blockbuster scripted and non-scripted content across television and digital platforms. Further strengthening its legacy in the reality entertainment space, the production house is all set to bring back one of India’s biggest and most iconic reality franchises, Bigg Boss, this time with a historic twist that promises to redefine the show yet again. The show will be launched simultaneously in six different languages across India, making it the first-of-its-kind reality show to do so.

As Bigg Boss completes 20 glorious years, Endemol Shine India has achieved something truly extraordinary and historic. The production house has made it possible to launch the audience’s favourite reality show across six different languages on the same night. Bigg Boss is already a renowned reality show with editions in multiple languages, each enjoying a massive and loyal fan base.

For the first time, India will watch Bigg Boss together in their own languages, with their favourite hosts appearing on screens simultaneously. Never before in the history of reality television has a single format been launched across multiple languages on the same evening. Moreover, for the first time, all the hosts from the different language editions will appear on screen alongside the Bigg Boss of their respective languages at the same time, creating a truly unprecedented television moment.

While Bigg Boss Hindi is hosted by Salman Khan, Bigg Boss Bangla is hosted by Sourav Ganguly, Bigg Boss Kannada is hosted by Kichcha Sudeep, Bigg Boss Telugu is hosted by Nagarjuna Akkineni, Bigg Boss Tamil is hosted by Vijay Sethupathi and Bigg Boss Malayalam is hosted by Mohanlal.

As Bigg Boss enters its milestone 20th season, Salman Khan returns not only as the host but also as the mentor who will once again take charge during the much-awaited Weekend Ka Vaar episodes. The new season promises fresh contestants, intense rivalries, and entertainment on an even grander scale.

Produced by Endemol Shine India, Bigg Boss Season 20 premieres on September 6, 2026, airing every day at 9:00 PM on JioHotstar and at 10:30 PM on Colors TV, promising viewers a season packed with drama, strategy, emotion, and blockbuster entertainment.

Also Read: Endemol Shine India’s Khatron Ke Khiladi: Darr Ka Naya Daur becomes no. 1 non-fiction launch of 2026

Kartik Aaryan has begun shooting for Shimit Amin’s Captain India in London. The actor recently shared a glimpse of his journey on social media, giving fans an update on the upcoming film.

Kartik posted a travel picture in which he was seen holding the shooting draft of Captain India. The cover also features the name of director Shimit Amin. Alongside the picture, the actor wrote, “VABB to EGLL ✈️ #CaptainIndia 🇮🇳”, seemingly referring to his journey from Mumbai to London as he starts work on the film.

The post also offered a glimpse of Kartik’s injured foot. The actor had recently undergone knee surgery after sustaining an injury while performing an action sequence for his upcoming sports drama with director Kabir Khan. He was subsequently advised to take time to recover.

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With Captain India, Kartik will be seen playing a pilot in a story inspired by a historic evacuation mission. The film marks his collaboration with Shimit Amin, known for films such as Chak De! India and Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year.

Captain India is being produced by T-Series, Baweja Studios and Dopamine Studios. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on August 13, 2027.

Also Read: Captain India: Bhushan Kumar film starring Kartik Aaryan to go on floors in London on September 1

Priyanka Chopra Jonas celebrated emerging fashion talent following the 2026 LVMH Prize ceremony in Paris. The actor, who presented the Karl Lagerfeld Prize at the event, shared a note on social media reflecting on the importance of giving young designers a platform to develop their work.

Sharing pictures from the event, Priyanka wrote, “There’s something really special about watching young designers bring their ideas to life and seeing those ideas find a bigger stage.”

She went on to highlight the role of the LVMH Prize in supporting new talent, adding, “The @lvmhprize has been doing this for years, giving new talent the opportunity, support and recognition to take their work further.”

Priyanka concluded her post by congratulating this year’s winners, writing, “So happy to celebrate this year’s winners. 🤍” Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ look for the LVMH Prize For the Paris event, Priyanka opted for a striking black ensemble featuring a sleeveless, pleated silhouette. The outfit was detailed with contrasting black-and-white floral elements and long fabric panels around the skirt, giving the otherwise minimal look a sculptural finish. She paired it with a sheer black drape, black footwear and a structured black handbag.

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas presents the Karl Lagerfeld Prize The LVMH Prize ceremony took place at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris on September 4. Priyanka presented the Karl Lagerfeld Prize, while Jennifer Lawrence presented the main LVMH Prize and Urassaya ‘Yaya’ Sperbund presented the Savoir-Faire Prize.

Belgian designer Julie Kegels won the 2026 LVMH Prize, while Zane Li of Lii received the Karl Lagerfeld Prize. Anil Padia of Yoshita 1967 won the Savoir-Faire Prize.

The 2026 edition featured nine finalists from countries including Belgium, the United States, France, Georgia, China, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Spain and Kenya. The LVMH Prize winner receives a €400,000 grant and a year of tailored mentorship, while the Karl Lagerfeld Prize and Savoir-Faire Prize each come with a €200,000 grant and mentorship.

Priyanka’s post comes after an evening that brought together established names from entertainment and fashion while keeping the spotlight on the next generation of designers.

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra Jonas to present Karl Lagerfeld Prize at LVMH Prize Ceremony in Paris

Making Operation Safed Sagar was not simply a matter of recreating the 1999 Kargil War on a large scale. For director Oni Sen, the challenge was to make the audience believe what they are watching might have actually happened. And that meant pushing the production far beyond conventional filmmaking.

So how did they achieve it? By simply keeping it real, says Sen. “We wanted the audience to feel the grit, the danger, and the raw physics of combat. Every visual choice had to be rooted in ground truth,” the director says to Bollywood Hungama. “So, when it came to conceptualizing and executing our sequence architecture, whether complex aerial action scenes or high-stakes ground engagements, my discussion with our cinematographer, Setu (Satyajit Pande) and the entire VFX team was simple: 'Let's keep it real.’”

That philosophy shaped everything from the way aircraft were filmed to the texture of a cockpit and even the movement of sunlight at 30,000 feet. “Setu and our visual effects team executed it with extraordinary craft. They seamlessly blended practical footage with visual effects, creating a unified visual language where, while we stayed 'real,' we managed to make our viewers 'feel,'" Sen adds.

The ‘make it real’ rule was approached even to bring the aerial action to the screen, which is inherently difficult to dramatize because much of it happens at enormous distances and incredible speeds. Every ground scene involving jets, including actual taxiing, takeoffs, and landings, featured real aircraft on real airfields. For the high-octane flying sequences, the makers developed exhaustive animated previsualisation scenes that were reviewed and approved by aviation experts.

“To capture the raw physical intensity inside the cockpit, our production design team built a photorealistic MiG-21 cockpit,” reveals the director. “We mounted this cockpit onto a high-grade motion base, custom-programmed to mimic the exact motion of the aircraft based on our previous sequences. We synchronized this with programmable lighting rigs that dynamically simulated shifting sunlight as the jet maneuvered through the sky.”

Actors also underwent rigorous training under the guidance of active fighter pilots. They learned the physical strain of flying, breathing techniques, and operational controls to make their performance convincing. Preparing the cast was an extensive journey in itself. Several of them had the profound privilege of meeting directly with the actual individuals or their families, while for characters based on political figures or Pakistani leadership, where direct access wasn't possible, the makers established an exhaustive archive of archival video footage, news broadcasts, and historical records.

“Historical research was only the foundation. I worked closely with each actor to map out their character’s emotional graph across the entire series, carefully calibrating their psychological trajectory from scene to scene,” adds the filmmaker.

Operation Safed Sagar was an exceptionally ambitious production from its inception. Long before Oni Sen came on board as a director, its showrunner Abhijeet Singh Parmar and his dedicated research and writing team had spent a few years laying a rock-solid foundation. They didn't just study the details of the IAF’s role in the Kargil war; they absorbed the lived reality of IAF pilots — their interpersonal dynamics, their subtle behavioural traits, their daily routines, and the intricate science of combat flying. Every page of the script was meticulously examined by Air Force consultants, including decorated veterans who had personally flown missions during the actual operation.

Every single day on set meant coordinating with actual fighter jets, transport aircrafts, attack helicopters, ordnance, and complex radar systems. To ensure absolute precision, the makers worked hand-in-hand with IAF technical experts and consultants who guided every move on the tarmac.

“From day one, our team carried a deep sense of responsibility to respect the history we were bringing to life. We were exceptionally fortunate that the Indian Air Force placed their trust in us, graciously opening their doors and granting us unprecedented permission to film within real and active Air Force installations,” Sen signs off.

Created by Abhijit Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava, and starring Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Abhay Varma, Dia Mirza, Mihir Ahuja, Adil Hussain and Prajakta Koli, Operation Safed Sagar is streaming on Netflix India.

Also Read: The Making of Operation Safed Sagar: How director Oni Sen turned a war epic into an intimate human story

A new star kid is ready to enter the Bollywood fold. Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora’s son Arhaan Khan is set to make his big-screen debut with an action love story, and Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that Salman Khan also features in a cameo role in this film.

Details of the plot are kept closely guarded, but sources reveal that Salman will play a small but crucial role in the narrative, supporting his nephew’s first film to get more visibility with his star power. Salman is expected to shoot for 10 days for his extended cameo appearance.

The yet-untitled film will be directed by Anirudh Iyer, who previously helmed Ayushmann Khurrana and Jaideep Ahlawat-starrer An Action Hero (2022). Ashwin Varde, whose previous producing credits include Kabir Singh, OMG 2, Khel Khel Mein and The Diplomat, will produce this project.

Arhaan has been preparing for his film debut for several years now. He studied filmmaking in the United States and later worked with Vikram Phadnis and also assisted Karan Johar on Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani. He currently hosts a podcast on his YouTube channel, Dumb Biryani. “Arhaan has been preparing himself for cinema for a while. When Ashwin Varde approached Arbaaz with this project to launch Arhaan on the big screen, it felt like the right film at the right time. Arhaan is happy to have found the kind of debut he was looking for and is excited to face the camera as a leading man,” a source close to the development told us.

The makers are currently casting for the female lead and are said to be looking for a fresh face to complement Arhaan and bring a sense of freshness to the young romantic drama. Shooting is being planned for early next year, though the exact shooting timelines will be locked only after the remaining logistical details are sorted.

The project will mark Anirudh Iyer’s second directorial project following An Action Hero. Although he was also supposed to helm Lakshya and Rasha Thadani in an action romance last year, the film was shelved for reasons unknown. He has since been developing multiple projects and is finally set to return to the director’s chair with this new-age love story. As for Ashwin Varde, his next production is an untitled Johnny Lever film directed by Farhad Samji.

Also Read: Before Karna with Salman Khan, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra to direct Vikrant Massey in a Love Story

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is set to take on a presenter role at this year’s LVMH Prize ceremony in Paris. The actor will present the Karl Lagerfeld Prize at the event, joining Hollywood actor Jennifer Lawrence and Thai actor Urassaya ‘Yaya’ Sperbund in the presenter line-up.

The ceremony will take place at the Fondation Louis Vuitton and will recognise emerging talent in the fashion industry. Nine designers have been shortlisted for three prizes at this year’s event. Priyanka Chopra Jonas to present Karl Lagerfeld Prize Priyanka will present the Karl Lagerfeld Prize, which includes a €200,000 grant along with a year of mentorship. The programme covers areas including sustainability, communication, marketing, manufacturing and financial management.

Jennifer Lawrence will present the €400,000 Grand Prize, while Yaya Sperbund will present the Savoir Faire Prize.

Priyanka's role at the ceremony comes as she continues her association with the international fashion and luxury industry. The actor has represented Dior as an ambassador and has regularly appeared at major fashion events in Paris and other global fashion capitals.

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Nine designers compete for LVMH Prize honours The finalists for this year's LVMH Prize include Julie Kegels, Petra Fagerström, De Pino, Ponte, The Vxlley, Institution, Lii, Colleen Allen and Yoshita 1967.

The winners will be selected by a jury comprising prominent figures from the international fashion industry. The jury includes Celine’s Michael Rider, Loewe’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, Pucci’s Camille Miceli, and Pietro Beccari, chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton and LVMH Fashion Group.

With Priyanka, Jennifer and Yaya presenting the three awards, the ceremony will bring together established names from entertainment and fashion while putting the focus on the next generation of designers.

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra Jonas sends Rakhi from LA to Parineeti Chopra for the latter’s son Neer on behalf of daughter Malti

Jeevan Ya Bheema Con, featuring Arshad Warsi in a double role, releases in cinemas today, that is, September 4. Interestingly, the film was earlier titled Jeevan Bheema Yojana. The name was changed just three days before the film was released. It has now come to light that the film had to undergo a title change due to a directive from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The CBFC passed Jeevan Ya Bheema Con with a U/A 16+ certificate. However, the film had to undergo certain changes. To begin with, 'inappropriate' references were suitably modified in four places. An 'obscene' hand gesture and visual were asked to be replaced in two places. One more 'obscene' visual was asked to be suitably modified in the second half. Similarly, an 'obscene dialogue' was suitably modified, again in the film's post-interval portion.

Lastly, the CBFC's Examining Committee instructed the makers to replace the film's title from Jeevan Bheema Yojana to Jeevan Ya Bheema Con.

According to trade sources and an article in News9Live, the makers were asked to alter the title to eliminate its phonetic similarity to the government-backed life insurance scheme, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.

Once the changes were made, the CBFC passed Jeevan Ya Bheema Con on September 1. The length of the film, as mentioned on the censor certificate, is 119.56 minutes. In other words, the quirky comic caper is 1 hours, 59 minutes and 56 minutes long. Besides Arshad Warsi, Jeevan Ya Bheema Con stars Sanjeeda Shaikh, Vijay Raaz, Brijendra Kala, Pooja Chopra, Madhu Anand Chandhock, Atul Parchure, Jaywant Wadkar and Dimple Srivastava. It is directed by Abhishek Dogra of Dolly Ki Doli (2015) fame.

Also Read: Arshad Warsi’s Jeevan Bheema Yojana gets a twist as its official title is revealed as Jeevan Ya Bheema Con?

Actor and filmmaker Sayani Gupta has filed a Rs 9 crores defamation suit before the Mumbai City Civil Court against filmmaker Vinita Negi over allegations surrounding her directorial debut, the short fiction film Aasmani. The case, titled Sayani Gupta v. Vinita Negi & Ors., has also named Meta, Reddit and Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited as defendants.

An application seeking an urgent hearing and interim relief was likely to be listed before additional sessions judge Shudhirkumar Murlidharrao Bukke on September 3.

The dispute began after Negi, an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), accused Gupta of copyright infringement and breach of trust. Negi had alleged that Aasmani drew substantially from her unfinished documentary Prabha, with both projects featuring an elderly woman and a vintage car.

Gupta has now denied the allegations and claimed in her suit that they were false, misleading, unsubstantiated and defamatory. Her plea argued that copyright law protects original expression rather than broad or abstract ideas.

“The mere presence of an elderly woman, a car, a driver or any other generic element in a creative work does not confer upon Negi a monopoly over such ideas or concepts,” the suit stated.

According to Gupta’s plea, Negi approached the Screenwriters Association (SWA) with a complaint in April 2026. While the proceedings were pending, Negi allegedly circulated a “Statement of Support” on WhatsApp and social media seeking backing from members of the film fraternity. The suit claimed that the campaign received more than 250 signatures.

Gupta further alleged that the controversy resulted in professional damage, including the withdrawal of Aasmani from the Indian Film Festival of New Zealand (TIFFNZ).

She has sought Rs 9 crores in damages, along with directions to Meta, Reddit and Deccan Chronicle to remove allegedly defamatory content. She has also sought an unconditional apology and public retraction from Negi.

Also Read : Sayani Gupta’s directorial debut Aasmani pulled from Indian Film Festival of New Zealand amid copyright dispute

The Hindi film industry is known for its interconnected film families, with several prominent surnames sharing both professional and personal ties. From the Kapoors and Bachchans to the Salim Khan, Allu, Konidela, Akkineni and Daggubati families, relationships between members of different film clans have often brought them closer. A similar connection between Amitabh Bachchan and Saif Ali Khan came to light during a recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).

Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar appeared together on the popular quiz show to promote their upcoming crime thriller Haiwaan, directed by Priyadarshan. During the episode, host Amitabh Bachchan revealed a family connection between himself and Saif, leaving both actors surprised.

Amitabh Bachchan explains his connection with Saif Ali Khan

While speaking to Saif, Amitabh Bachchan said, “Many people don’t know this, but he is related to me.” Saif appeared surprised and responded, “Me?” Akshay Kumar was also taken aback by the revelation.

Explaining the connection, Amitabh said, “Raj Kapoor’s daughter Ritu Kapoor’s son, Nikhil Nanda, is married to my daughter, Shweta Bachchan.”

The connection stems from Saif’s marriage to Kareena Kapoor Khan. Kareena is the daughter of Randhir Kapoor and Babita, and Randhir is Raj Kapoor’s son. This makes Kareena and Nikhil Nanda first cousins, linking Saif’s family with the Kapoor family through marriage and, consequently, creating a connection with the Bachchan family.

Amitabh then added a humorous question, saying, “So, now I want to know, how should I address Kareena? What will Kareena call me?” Saif responded with a witty remark: “Thank god that’s not a question (on KBC screen),” leaving Amitabh and Akshay laughing.

Amitabh and Kareena have previously worked together in films including Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Dev (2004) and Satyagraha (2013). He has also shared the screen with Saif in Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007) and Aarakshan (2011).

About Haiwaan

Directed by Priyadarshan, Haiwaan also stars Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Rajpal Yadav, Sharib Hashmi, Rajesh Sharma, Pahal Chaudhary and Manoj Joshi in key roles. The film is a remake of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam film Oppam, which starred Mohanlal in the lead role.

The upcoming crime thriller features music by Pritam, cinematography by Divakar Mani, production design by Sabu Cyril and editing by Aiyappan Nair MS. Haiwaan is scheduled to release worldwide on Friday, September 11.

Also Read : Adnan Sami shares WILD Amitabh Bachchan studio story: “We got bedsheets, kept the speakers on and recorded him live…this was NEVER done before”

Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film King continues to generate considerable buzz, with the Siddharth Anand directorial bringing together an impressive ensemble cast. The action entertainer stars Shah Rukh Khan in the lead and features Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Suhana Khan, Raghav Juyal and Arshad Warsi, among others. In an exclusive conversation with Filmfare, Warsi opened up about his association with the highly anticipated project and revealed details about his role.

According to Warsi, his part in King is relatively small. However, the limited screen time was never a concern for the actor when he was approached for the film. Instead, his fondness for Shah Rukh Khan and his family played a major role in his decision to come on board.

Warsi has already shared a professional connection with the Khan family. He previously worked with Shah Rukh’s son Aryan Khan on his debut show, The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. Recalling how he responded when both Aryan and Shah Rukh approached him for their respective projects, Warsi explained that his affection for the family made the decision easy.

“In King, I have just got a little role. I love the Khan family. When Aryan called me up for The Ba***ds of Bollywood, I did it. When Shah Rukh called me up for King, I did it. It is a small bit that I have done. I just like them. So I did it,” Arshad told Filmfare.

Directed by Siddharth Anand, King is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures. The film is scheduled to hit theatres on December 24, 2026.

Meanwhile, Warsi has several projects in the pipeline. He will next be seen in Jeevan Bheema Yojana, a dark comedy in which he plays a double role. He will also feature in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Ghamasaan, which is set to premiere on ZEE5 on September 11. Additionally, the actor has Golmaal 5 lined up, although its release date is yet to be announced.

Also Read : Jeevan Bheema Yojana Trailer: Arshad Warsi plays a double role as Sanjeeda Shaikh starrer dark comedy promises crime, chaos and suspense

Amazon MGM Studios and Drongo Films are preparing to release the trailer of Kunal Kemmu’s upcoming spy comedy Vibe. The trailer is expected to reveal more about the unusual mission involving two reluctant spies, played by Kunal Kemmu and Sparsh Shrivastava. The trailer arrives a few weeks after the film’s teaser generated interest around its quirky premise.

A special detail that viewers can look forward to is the appearance of Sharmila Tagore, who will reportedly make a cameo in the film. The appearance is particularly notable as Sharmila is Kunal Kemmu’s mother-in-law. Her cameo in Vibe will mark her first Hindi film appearance in three years, following her performance in Rahul V Chittella’s family drama Gulmohar, which premiered directly on JioHotstar.

Sharmila was last seen in Suman Ghosh’s Bengali psychological film Puratawn. With Vibe scheduled to arrive in cinemas on September 18, the film will also mark her first big-screen appearance in a Hindi film in 16 years. Her previous Hindi theatrical release was Danish Aslam’s 2010 romantic comedy Break Ke Baad, in which she played the mother of Deepika Padukone’s character.

The project also marks Sharmila’s first collaboration with son-in-law Kunal Kemmu. Interestingly, she has shared the screen with her daughter Soha Ali Khan only once, in the 2009 English-language family drama Life Goes On. She also appeared alongside son Saif Ali Khan in Eklavya in 2007.

For Kunal, Vibe is another major step behind the camera following the success of his 2024 directorial debut Madgaon Express. Unlike that film, where he only appeared in a cameo, Vibe features him in the lead while also crediting him as its writer and director. The film additionally marks his debut as a producer alongside Chirag Nihalani under their banner Drongo Films.

The teaser introduced Preity Zinta as a government official who kidnaps two clueless friends and recruits them for a mission to save the nation. Kunal’s character, however, is reluctant to become a spy and even takes a humorous dig at Preity’s 1998 action thriller Soldier, starring Bobby Deol.

Also Read : Kangana Ranaut hits back at Sharmila Tagore over ‘Vande Mataram’ remarks: “How can you reduce such a great piece of art to mere religious practice”

Govinda’s wife Sunita Ahuja has expressed concern over the devastating floods in Nepal and urged members of the Bollywood fraternity to come forward and support those affected by the disaster. Although Sunita was born in India, she shares a close connection with Nepal through her family, as her mother and grandmother are from Kathmandu.

Speaking to Bombay Times, Sunita opened up about her emotional ties to the neighbouring country and the impact of the recent flash floods in the Nepal-Tibet region. She also recalled her family’s annual tradition of visiting Nepal during the New Year and seeking blessings at the Pashupatinath Temple.

She said, “It is heartbreaking to see such devastating floods hit Nepal. I wasn’t born there, but my mother and grandmother are from Kathmandu. I visit Nepal every year with my daughter for the New Year. On January 1, we make it a point to visit the Pashupatinath temple and begin the year with his blessings.”

Sunita further revealed that she is trying to find a reliable channel through which her financial contribution can reach people directly affected by the floods. She said, “I am trying to connect with someone who can ensure that my donation reaches the right people. I would like to donate as much as I can because they are very close to me, and Nepal is my matrabhoomi. I request everyone in the industry to come forward and contribute towards helping the people of Nepal.”

Sunita also spoke about actor Manisha Koirala, whom she considers a sister. She expressed confidence that Koirala is also doing her part to help people affected by the devastation.

Meanwhile, Manisha Koirala recently addressed Sadhguru’s ‘In Solidarity with Nepal’ event in Kathmandu. She appealed to the international community to support Nepal by visiting the country and helping revive tourism, which she described as essential for local livelihoods.

According to reports, Nepal’s death toll had risen to at least 904, while more than 4,000 people were still reported missing.

Also Read : Sunita Ahuja withdraws divorce case against Govinda, visits Mumbai family court with son Yashvardhan

Vodafone Idea has announced Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan as its new brand ambassador as the telecom company unveiled a revamped brand identity, including a new logo that changes from “V!” to “Vi”. The company also launched a new campaign titled Vi badal raha hai... tayaar rahiye.

Khan, popularly known as SRK, will endorse the telecom service provider for the duration of the campaign, although the company has not specified how long the association will continue. The announcement comes as Vodafone Idea, backed by the Aditya Birla Group, works to strengthen its position in the competitive telecom market while seeking funding for its planned Rs 45,000 crores capital expenditure over the next three years.

Vodafone Idea CEO Abhijit Kishore said, “This is not simply a logo refresh, it is the first expression of the evolution we are bringing to the Vi Brand. It reflects our ambition for Vi and commitment to shaping what telecom can be – an experience that makes life more rewarding, and full of possibilities for our customers.”

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Kishore further outlined the company's plans for the coming weeks, saying, “Over the coming weeks, this evolution will come alive with strategic launches, new campaigns and a range of experiences that will shape how we engage with our customers. The new identity captures optimism—an optimism for everything that is possible today, more importantly for what we can bring to both; our retail customers and enterprises in the future as a tech co.”

The development comes amid Vodafone Idea's efforts to raise funds for network expansion. Business Standard had reported that the telecom operator was close to securing financing from State Bank of India, with its promoters backing guarantees for the proposed loans. The company raised Rs 6,400 crores through bank-funded and non-funded facilities in the quarter ended June, marking the first tranche of its planned ₹35,000 crore fundraising.

The funds are expected to support its 4G expansion and 5G rollout plans. Vodafone Idea also added 240,114 customers in July, its highest monthly addition in two years. This marked its fourth consecutive quarter of net customer additions since the beginning of FY27 and its sixth consecutive month of gains since February.

Customer additions form one of the three key pillars of Vodafone Idea's Vi 2.0 strategy, alongside double-digit revenue growth and a target to triple cash Ebitda over the next three years.

Aditya Birla Group chairman and Vodafone Idea non-executive chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla has said the company had moved beyond its “most challenging years” with improved financial clarity, continued promoter support and renewed investment capacity following the resolution of the long-pending adjusted gross revenue (AGR) issue.

“FY26 was a year of resolution. FY27 begins a period of execution,” Birla said in his address to shareholders in the annual report for FY26.

“The priorities ahead are clear: Execute the network investment programme, strengthen market competitiveness and translate a stronger balance sheet into sustained growth in customers and earnings," he had specified.

Also Read : King100: Teaser of Nagarjuna starrer unveiled on his birthday; film to clash with Shah Rukh Khan starrer King

Before she became an overnight sensation with Mohit Suri’s romantic blockbuster Saiyaara (2025), actor Aneet Padda had already quietly wrapped another project—the socio-thriller Hunkkaar. Long delayed behind studio doors, the series is now finally gearing up for a high-profile digital release, with its official teaser slated to drop today.

Industry sources reveal that Hunkkaar was shot and completed well before Saiyaara vaulted Padda into mainstream stardom. However, the decision to hold the project was purely strategic. Studios waited until the actor’s box-office clout and market appeal surged, transforming a shelved project into a commercially viable, headline-worthy event release.

Contrary to the perception that Hunkkaar was offered to Padda following her breakout, the project was actually born out of her long-standing professional proximity to directors Nitya Mehra and Karan Kapadia. It was Padda’s deep-rooted creative trust with the duo—combined with her post-Saiyaara box-office heat—that ultimately catalyzed the show’s revival and distribution path.

With the teaser landing today, Hunkkaar represents an intriguing career milestone for Aneet Padda. Besides Aneet, the show will also star Fatima Sana Shaikh, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and Arjun Mathur in the lead.

The socio-thriller brings together a formidable lineup of backing studios: it is produced by Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment, in association with Purple Pebble Pictures, while Mangata Films serves as the primary production house. The highly anticipated series is set to premiere globally on JioHotstar.

Also Read: Aneet Padda approached for crucial role opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Brahmastra 2

After keeping audiences hooked with its mystery, folklore and larger-than-life fantasy world, The Vvaan gears up to reveal the side of its story that fans have been waiting to see — romance. The excitement is rife for the film’s first upcoming song, ‘Samjho Na’, which is set to bring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia’s fresh pairing into the spotlight, with a special launch that brings together Tamannaah Bhatia and Jubin Nautiyal ahead of the song’s release.

If the teaser had audiences wondering what lies inside The Vvaan, ‘Samjho Na’ promises to give them something emotional and romantic to latch on to. The first song will open the door to the film’s romantic world, giving audiences their first full glimpse of Sidharth and Tamannaah sharing screen space and bringing their never-seen-before chemistry to the centre of the story.

The lead pair are sharing screen space for the first time, making ‘Samjho Na’ the first showcase of a pairing audiences have never seen together before. Given the teaser's reveal of what happens to the couple in the film, the first upcoming song is the much-needed emotional grounding of the story.

The upcoming launch itself is being positioned as a lively event for fans, with Tamannaah and Jubin Nautiyal set to make an appearance at a mall on Wednesday, September 2, at 7:30 pm. With the singer performing and Tamannaah joining him, the evening is expected to bring the song's romantic energy straight to the audience.

Musically, ‘Samjho Na’ brings together a strong team, with Tanishk Bagchi as composer and music producer, Jubin Nautiyal and Suvarna Tiwari on vocals and Manoj Muntashir on lyrics. Krishna Kishor has handled additional live production, while Eric Pillai has mixed and mastered the track, with Michael Edwin Pillai as assistant mix engineer.

For The Vvaan, this is an important shift from “What is happening inside that forest?” to “What is happening between these two?” And with Sidharth and Tamannaah coming together on screen for the first time, ‘Samjho Na’ is set to bring all the ingredients of a launch that the audience will be watching with bated breath.

Backed by some of the country's most distinctive storytellers, The Vvaan brings together TVF’s Arunabh Kumar, director Deepak Mishra and Ektaa Kapoor for a commercial film that attempts to take Indian folklore into a new cinematic space. While its world is rooted in folklore and fantasy, the film brings together adventure, mystery and humour to shape itself as a complete family entertainer. The ambition extends beyond the film, with The Legend Of Vvaan comic book already introducing audiences to the larger folklore surrounding its universe.

Presented by Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with TVF and 11.11 Production, The Vvaan stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia. Written by Arunabh Kumar and directed by Deepak Mishra, with Manu Anand as DOP and Visual Director, the film is produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Arunabh Kumar and Niraj Kothari.

The Vvaan arrives in cinemas on September 25, 2026, promising a big-screen fantasy folklore experience where the visuals, music, mystery and scale come together to create a world audiences will want to step into.

Also Read: Sidharth Malhotra says physical preparation for The Vvaan went beyond fitness: “Training has to support all of that”