Indus Chronicles

The torrential rains that engulfed Mumbai on Wednesday, September 25, brought the city to a near standstill, disrupting various aspects of life, including film productions. Salman Khan's upcoming action film, Sikandar, under the direction of AR Murugadoss, was one of the projects affected by the inclement weather.

According to a report in Mid-day, the film crew had been diligently working at the SRPF Ground in Goregaon since the end of August, preparing for an elaborate action sequence. However, the heavy rainfall forced a change of plans. The lighting setup required for the scene posed a significant risk of electrical short circuits, prompting the production team to prioritize safety and temporarily halt the shoot.

Salman Khan arrived at the set at 5 pm, prepared for an overnight shoot. A source close to the production revealed, "The shoot was to start at 7 pm, and the crew was on the set by 3 pm. But given the incessant rains, the direction team decided to call off the shoot for the day. The IMD had issued a red alert by then, and there was no way the team could have pulled off a night shoot in that weather."

Despite the setback, the production team remains optimistic about resuming filming on Friday, weather permitting. The source assured, "The two-day delay is not expected to affect the project’s overall schedule." Sikandar, which also features Rashmika Mandanna and Sathyaraj, is being crafted as an action-packed film and is slated for an Eid 2025 release. ALSO READ: Salman Khan's dedication shines in new workout pic for Sikandar ahead of Eid 2025

Audiences were quite excited to see the return of the romantic comedy De De Pyaar De as the makers have kicked off the shoot of its sequel. Adding to their anticipation, reports announced that R Madhavan, who recently collaborated with Ajay Devgn for the horror film Shaitaan will be reuniting with the actor again for De De Pyaar De 2. In fact, reports even suggested that the makers have already started shooting for the project but the recent update is that the shooting had to be paused due to filmmaker Anshul Sharma.

The shooting of De De Pyaar De 2 kicked off in Patiala, Punjab but it has now been paused because director Anshul Sharma was diagnosed with dengue. The cast and crew had completed around 7-8 days of filming and were expected to continue until mid-October. However, due to the director's illness, the team has returned to Mumbai. A source said, "Once Anshul recovers, the team will plan a Mumbai shoot and resume the Patiala schedule at the earliest based on the actors' availability."

Speaking of the film, De De Pyaar De 2 will take forward the story of Ashish and Ayesha, wherein after receiving best wishes from Ashish’s family, the couple will now take another step in their relationship by meeting Ayesha’s side of the family. Buzz is that R Madhavan will be essaying the role of the suave young father of Ayesha aka Rakul Preet Singh who will not convinced with Ashish as his son-in-law which will lead to a series of several fun events.

With Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh reprising their roles as Ashish and Ayesha, a few other members of the star cast from the prequel are also expected to be a part of this romantic comedy. The film, produced by T-Series and Luv Films, is set for a May 1, 2025 release.

Also Read: Ajay Devgn, Rakul Preet, and R Madhavan to begin Punjab shoot for De De Pyaar De 2 in September: Report

Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar has reportedly decided to end her eight-year marriage with businessman-model Mohsin Akhtar Mir. According to legal sources, the 50-year-old actress has initiated divorce proceedings in a Mumbai court. While the specific reasons behind the separation remain undisclosed, it is understood that the decision was not mutual.

As per a report in Hindustan Times, a source said, “After careful consideration, Urmila has decided to call it quits on her marriage with Mohsin. She has already filed for divorce in court. While the reason behind the separation is still not known, the divorce isn’t happening on mutual terms.”

Urmila Matondkar and Mohsin Akhtar Mir tied the knot in a private ceremony at her Mumbai residence in 2016. Their union, marked by a 10-year age difference, garnered significant attention in the entertainment industry. The couple's wedding was a low-key affair, attended by a select group of close friends and family, including fashion designer Manish Malhotra.

In 2019, she ventured into politics, joining the Indian National Congress. Subsequently, in 2020, she shifted her allegiance to the Shiv Sena. Her last on-screen appearance was in the 2018 film Blackmail, where she featured in the song ‘Bewafa Beauty’. She also took on the role of a judge on a children's dance reality show. ALSO READ: Shabana Azmi turns 74: Urmila Matondkar calls her “The Maa that CineMa gave me” in heartfelt post

Parvin Dabas has been hospitalized following a car accident in Mumbai. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, leaving the actor with serious injuries. His wife, Preeti Jhangiani, has spoken out about the ordeal, sharing details of the accident and her husband's condition.

"It's been a shock for all of us," Jhangiani revealed to Hindustan Times. "Parvin is usually so full of life, always talking about work. To see him lying there, quiet and inactive, is incredibly distressing."

The accident occurred when Dabas was driving home after a late-night work session. A sudden flash of headlights caused him to lose control of his vehicle, resulting in a collision with a divider. Fortunately, he was close to a hospital, and two passersby rushed to his aid and brought him in.

Dabas is currently being treated for a concussion, which has left him with symptoms such as dizziness, double vision, drowsiness, and nausea. "He hasn't been able to talk much," Jhangiani explained. "Thankfully, his medical tests, including an MRI and CT scan, have come back clear. We expect him to be out of the ICU soon and will continue to monitor his progress."

Jhangiani has confirmed that Dabas was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. "He's always been very strict about driving safely and never drinks and drives," she stated.

The Pro Panja League, an organization co-founded by Dabas, released a statement expressing their concern and support for the actor. It read, “We regret to inform that Parvin Dabas, co-founder of the Pro Panja League, has been hospitalized and is in the ICU at Holy Family Hospital in Bandra following an unfortunate car accident in the early hours of Saturday morning. Details of the incident are still emerging, but we can confirm that Mr. Dabas is currently receiving medical attention. Our thoughts are with Parvin and his family during this challenging time. The Pro Panja League management is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as appropriate. We kindly request privacy for Mr. Dabas and his loved ones. We wish Parvin a swift and complete recovery.”

Parvin Dabas has worked in several films such as Khosla Ka Ghosla, My Name is Khan, and Ragini MMS 2. He has also been seen in the popular web series Made In Heaven. ALSO READ: My Name Is Khan actor Parvin Dabas in ICU after car accident; wife Preeti Jhangiani by his side in hospital: Reports

The highly anticipated third installment of Ajay Devgn's Singham franchise, Singham Again, is set to hit theatres this Diwali. As excitement builds, rumours have been swirling about a potential cameo by Salman Khan, reprising his role of Chulbul Pandey from the Dabangg series. However, these speculations have been firmly squashed.

According to the source, “All the stories surrounding Chulbul Pandey being a part of Singham are fake and baseless rumours. No such announcement has been made by any production house regarding the same, nor has megastar Salman Khan shot for any such cameo.”

The source further added that there has been no official announcement from the makers of the production house producing the film. The news has gone viral, as fans have long wanted to see Salman Khan in this cinematic universe since Rohit Shetty revealed his desire to include him. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait some more time to see this union happen.

However, while Salman Khan may not be part of Singham Again, the actor will be making special cameo in other upcoming project. Khan will be seen in Varun Dhawan's Baby John, scheduled for release this Christmas.

Singham Again boasts a star-studded cast, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Arjun Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Tiger Shroff. This action-packed film is the fifth installment in Rohit Shetty's cop universe, which began with Singham in 2011, followed by Singham Returns in 2014. Other notable additions to this cinematic universe include Ranveer Singh's Simmba, Akshay Kumar's Sooryavanshi, and Sidharth Malhotra's web series Indian Police Force.

Meanwhile, Salman Khan is currently shooting Sikandar, a high-octane action thriller directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. The film also features Rashmika Mandanna, Sathyaraj, Prateik Babbar, and Kajal Aggarwal.  It will release on Eid next year. ALSO READ: Salman Khan demands apology from news agency ANI over allegations of underworld ties in new legal notice

The anticipation surrounding the upcoming Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 has been steadily growing. While the iconic track ‘Ami Je Tomar’ from the previous installment remains etched in our memories, the makers are treating us to a brand-new romantic number. Kartik Aaryan and Triptii Dimri are currently immersed in filming a captivating love song amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Leh. Director Anees Bazmee has commenced this Ladakh shoot this week.

As per a report in Mid-day, composer duo Sachet-Parampara have crafted this enchanting melody, joining the ranks of Pritam, Amaal Mallik, and Tanishk Bagchi who are contributing to the film's diverse musical soundtrack. Dispelling rumours of a recreated version of ‘Labon Ko Labon Pe’, the source confirms that this newly composed song is being brought to life through the choreography of Vijay Ganguly.

The picturesque mountains and serene lakes of Leh provide the perfect backdrop for this romantic ballad. Kartik Aaryan exudes charm in a black vest, leather jacket, and brown trousers, while Triptii Dimri radiates elegance in flowing chiffon sarees. The song's visual aesthetic is reminiscent of the Yash Chopra films, evoking a sense of nostalgia and romance. As the shoot progresses, the director is set to film another song before wrapping up this phase of production.

Speaking to the publication, producer Bhushan Kumar expressed his enthusiasm for shooting in Leh, highlighting the region's pristine beauty and its untapped potential for cinematic storytelling. He emphasized that the location perfectly complements the grandeur of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, offering a visually stunning backdrop for the film. He said, “Leh and Ladakh offer a pristine landscape that hasn’t been explored much for songs in Indian cinema. For Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, we wanted a location that would match the grandeur of the film, and these breathtaking locations provide the perfect backdrop.”

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 also stars Madhuri Dixit and Vidya Balan. The film will release on Diwali 2024. ALSO READ: Kartik Aaryan and Triptii Dimri to kick off the shoot of their untitled film in Mumbai in September

The recent announcement of the fourth film in the Race franchise has got fans excited. What added on to the anticipation is the return of Saif Ali Khan to the franchise. The actor was the main lead in the first two films but was replaced by Salman Khan in Race 3.

The writer of Race 4, Shiraz Ahmed, who also penned the first three films of the franchise, shared details about the fourth film in an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama. “Race 4 will go on floors in January (2025),” he said. “The script is almost completed and so is the casting. Saif Ali Khan and Sidharth Malhotra’s casting is already out in the media. The rest of the cast will be revealed by the producers Tips Films at the right time in a proper announcement.”

Ahmed also revealed the story pattern for Race 4. “For Race 4, we have continued the story and characters from Race 1 and 2. We have gone back to the same world of the first two films,” he said.

Race 3 did earn money at the box office, but the film faced its share of criticisms. Reflecting on this, Ahmed said, “In Race 3, we shifted a bit from the Race franchise in terms of characters. If you remove the title ‘Race’ from the film, you will enjoy it. People went to see Race, but they got to see something else. We had Salman Khan in the film. So, you need to keep certain things in mind. He doesn’t play negative roles. Mainly, his fans would never like to see him in a negative role. So certain boundaries came about. Still, we tried to do whatever we could.”

Produced by Tips Films, the first two films in the Race franchise were directed by the duo Abbas-Mustan. The third film was helmed by Remo D’Souza. The director for Race 4 is not finalized yet.

Also Read: 15 years of Wanted EXCLUSIVE: Source of ‘commitment’ dialogue uttered by Salman Khan honestly disclosed by writer Shiraz Ahmed