Indus Chronicles

An exhibition called Big Cine Expo is held every year where theatre owners, design consultants, equipment manufacturers, system integrators, project management professionals, industry stakeholders etc. come together to celebrate cinema and the exhibition sector. The expo has often been in the news and this edition seems to be no exception. Bollywood Hungama has learned that at the 7th Big Cine Expo this year, 2024’s most successful producer Dinesh Vijan will be felicitated.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “All the theatrical films of Dinesh Vijan this year – Teri Baaton Main Aisa Uljha Jiya, Munjya and above all, Stree 2 – have been huge hits. Stree 2 especially has gone on to become a blockbuster of epic proportions. Even the other two films did more than what was accepted and these movies gave oxygen to the exhibition sector. Last year, too, he delivered a sleeper hit in the form of Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023).”

The source continued, “In short, woh cheez ko haath lagate hai, woh sona ban jaati hai. As a result, it is only fitting that he should be felicitated for his services to the exhibitors, industry and the audience at large.”

The felicitation will take place on the first day of the Big Cine Expo, that is, September 30. And that’s not all. The IMAX Big Cine Awards 2024 will be held the same day where Ramesh Sippy will be given a Special Achievement Award on the occasion of 50 years of his legendary classic, Sholay (1975). The next day, October 1, he’ll also have a fireside chat about the film.

Last year, the Big Cine Expo took place in Chennai while this year it’ll be held in Mumbai. In 2023, Bollywood Hungama was the first to break the news that Boney Kapoor would screen exclusive, never-before-seen footage of his acclaimed film Maidaan (2024), starring Ajay Devgn. A year before that, the 5th Big Cine Expo was also held in Chennai where the attendees got a chance to see exclusive footage of the Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt starrer Brahmastra (2022).

The Big Cine Expo was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions. The expo in 2019 was also held in Mumbai where Farah Khan was felicitated.

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan says he has “never watched a film on mobile” after Sholay’s special screening: “Old was gold or the gold became old”

Actor Ram Kapoor rose to fame with his role in the television series Bade Acche Lagte Hain alongside Sakshi Tanwar. In a recent interview, Ram expressed his view that gender equality is not essential in the entertainment industry because it is driven by audience preferences. He pointed out that while Bollywood heroes might overshadow heroines, the dynamic is different on television, where actresses often take center stage, and this disparity is rarely questioned.

Ram Kapoor told E Times, “I don’t think gender equality needs to really happen in the entertainment industry… Because every industry has a certain dynamic, and that dynamic has been chosen by the audience.”

He added, “For 15 years, I was part of the television industry where the female lead is much bigger than the male lead. On the small screen, it is all about Tulsi and Parvati. The male lead is the second fiddle to the female. But in those entire 15 years, I never cared about male gender economy there.”

“I have been a part of an industry where the females have dominated and I’ve been totally okay with that. You know why? Because it is the audience who wanted that. Whether it’s Bollywood, where males are doing better, or television where the females are doing better, it doesn’t matter to me.” He mentioned, “When I was part of a scenario where the women were always overshadowing the men, I didn’t care then either. So why should I care now? This gender equality thing… some people make too much out of it,” Ram stated.

He continued, “People say that men are kept as the priority whether it’s Bollywood or Hollywood, and that may be true. But there are enough industries where it is the opposite and where nobody makes a big deal out of it.”

He added, “In the world of modelling, the male models cannot even come close to the female models worldwide. Everybody knows about Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford. Does anyone remember a single male model of that time? There nobody talks about gender equality.”

“There are enough industries where women rule. Nobody makes a big deal. But what’s happened is that the feminine movement has made too big a deal about women coming. I don’t dwell on this because no matter what feminism might want to produce, it’s always the audience who will decide on what’s going to happen. Every industry has a place, and there is a reason for that. It has been there because that’s the structure that the society wanted. So why try to fight it,” he concluded.

Following a successful television career, Ram Kapoor has appeared in films such as Karthik Calling Karthik, Agent Vinod, Student of the Year, and Udaan. He is set to star in the upcoming action film Yudhra, which is scheduled to be released later this month.

Also Read : Ram Kapoor rules out TV comeback: “If you want to have a successful TV show…”

Actor Shekhar Suman has once again added to his impressive collection of high-end vehicles. The actor recently took delivery of a brand-new Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet. The stylish convertible, priced at a whopping Rs. 1.1 crore, joins Suman's growing fleet of luxury cars.

The CLE Cabriolet, a two-door convertible powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine, offers a thrilling driving experience. Its impressive acceleration, capable of reaching 100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds, is sure to satisfy even the most discerning automotive enthusiast.

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Photos of Shekhar Suman, Adhyayan Suman and his family standing beside their new acquisition have been circulating online. The actor appears to have had the convertible delivered to his Mumbai residence. The CLE Cabriolet, unveiled globally in July and launched in India earlier this month, is currently only available in convertible form.

This latest addition to his collection joins a lineup that already includes several other luxury vehicles. Last year, on his wedding anniversary, Suman surprised his wife with a brand-new BMW i7, a luxurious electric sedan. Just a few months earlier, he had gifted his actor son, Adhyayan Suman, a brand-new Audi Q8 e-tron electric SUV.

On the work front, Shekhar Suman was recently seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's web series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. ALSO READ: Shekhar Suman reveals, “Kangana Ranaut and Adhyayan Suman were happy when they were together” after lashing out at the actress seven years ago

After a nearly decade-long hiatus, Imran Khan will grace the screen again. Khan has been searching for the perfect project to mark his return, and it seems he's found it in a light-hearted romantic comedy for Netflix. Khan will collaborate with his uncle, Aamir Khan, for this comeback project. Under the leadership of its newly appointed CEO Aparna Purohit, Aamir Khan Productions will produce the film. Interestingly, this marks the production company's first foray into the OTT platform and the first project greenlit under Purohit's leadership.

According to a report in Peeping Moon, the untitled rom-com will be helmed by Danish Aslam, who previously directed Khan and Deepika Padukone in the 2010 comedy Break Ke Baad.  Aamir Khan, who launched his nephew's acting career in the 1988 film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and later as the lead in the 2008 rom-com Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, will once again be instrumental in his return. Their collaboration further strengthened with the critically acclaimed black comedy Delhi Belly in 2011.

Imran Khan previously opted out of a web series with director Abbas Tyrewala, citing a character that relied heavily on violence. He was also rumoured to be working on a project named Happy Patel, produced by Aamir Khan and directed by Vir Das.

Aamir Khan Productions boasts a diverse lineup featuring established directors and rising talents. Upcoming releases include Sitaare Zameen Par directed by RS Prasanna and starring Aamir Khan alongside Genelia Deshmukh. Rajkumar Santoshi's historical drama Lahore 1947 features Sunny Deol, while Sunil Pandey's Pritam Pyare brings together Sanjay Mishra and Neeraj Sood. Additionally, the production house is backing Junaid Khan's remake of One Day starring Sai Pallavi, and Vir Das's comedy Happy Patel which will see a special appearance by Aamir Khan himself. ALSO READ: Imran Khan to make comeback after 9 years with Aamir Khan-produced Happy Patel; Vir Das to direct first feature film: Report

The highly anticipated collaboration between Salman Khan and AR Murugadoss has been making waves in the film industry. While the duo has primarily focused on intense action sequences for their upcoming film, Sikandar, they are now taking a break to add a touch of festivity to the project.

A recent report in Mid-day suggests that Salman and his co-star, Rashmika Mandanna, are currently shooting a vibrant dance number composed by Pritam. The song is set against the backdrop of a recreated Dharavi slum, creating a unique and energetic atmosphere.

The dance number features a massive ensemble of 200 background dancers, immersing viewers in the vibrant spirit of a festival celebration. Salman Khan is seen sporting a stylish look with a customized silver chain, earrings, and a black vest, while Rashmika Mandanna exudes traditional elegance in a salwar kameez.

AR Murugadoss, the film's director, is nearing completion of the song shoot and plans to resume action sequences by the weekend. The Mumbai schedule is expected to continue until October, followed by a trip to Europe for filming two romantic tracks.

In Sikandar, which also stars Sathyaraj and Kajal Aggarwal, Salman Khan portrays a ruthless businessman who undergoes a transformation after witnessing widespread corruption in the country. The film is set for Eid 2025 release. ALSO READ: Kajal Aggarwal joins the cast of Salman Khan, Rashmika Mandanna starrer Sikandar: Report

Amidst the ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi festivities in Bollywood, Sidharth Malhotra was spotted making a special visit to Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai with his mother. While many stars, including Sidharth, have been visiting Lalbaugcha Raja, the actor chose to offer his prayers at the famous Prabhadevi temple.

Dressed in a traditional red kurta and white pyjama, Sidharth was warmly greeted by a large crowd of fans. Despite the chaos, the actor was seen carefully protecting his mother as they made their way through the mob to enter the temple. The video, shared by paparazzi, shows the actor’s calm demeanour as he ensured his mother’s safety amidst the crowd. Interestingly, his wife, Kiara Advani, was not seen with him during this visit.

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Ganesh Chaturthi festivities continue Sidharth has been actively participating in the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Just a few days ago, he was spotted at the Ambani residence, Antilia, where he visited with Kiara Advani to offer prayers to the Ganesh idol at the house.

Upcoming projects for Sidharth On the professional front, Sidharth Malhotra was last seen in Yodha, a high-octane aerial action drama. Fans can look forward to more exciting projects, as the actor is reportedly in talks to star in Race 4 alongside Saif Ali Khan. According to our earlier reports, Sidharth will be teaming up with Kriti Sanon for a romantic film produced by Maddock Films. He has also signed a mass action entertainer with producer Murad Khetani, adding to his list of promising future projects.

Also Read: Sidharth Malhotra honors real-life Shershaah Captain Vikram Batra on his 50th birth anniversary

Bollywood model-actress Malaika Arora has expressed her deep sorrow over the tragic loss of her stepfather, Anil Mehta, who passed away under mysterious circumstances on Wednesday morning. The incident, reported to have occurred in his Bandra residence, is currently under investigation by Mumbai police. While authorities are leaning towards the possibility of suicide, a thorough probe into all aspects of the case is underway.

In a statement shared on social media, Malaika conveyed the profound shock and grief that has enveloped her family. She requested privacy during this difficult time, allowing them to mourn their loss in peace. Malaika wrote, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear father, Anil Mehta. He was a gentle soul, a devoted grandfather, a loving husband, and our best friend. Our family is in deep shock by this loss, and we kindly request privacy from the media and well-wishers during this difficult time. We appreciate your understanding, support, and respect. With gratitude, Joyce, Malaika, Amrita, Shakeel, Arhaan, Azaan, Rayyan, Casper, Axl, Duffy & Buddy. Anil Kuldeep Mehta 22/02/1962 - 11/09/2024.”

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The news of Mehta's passing has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with numerous celebrities offering their condolences and support to Malaika and her family. Among those who visited the Arora residence were Salim and Salma Khan, Malaika's former in-laws; her ex-husband Arbaaz Khan; her former boyfriend Arjun Kapoor; as well as other prominent figures such as Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Kajol, Ananya Panday, and more.

Anil Mehta was married to Malaika's mother, Joyce Polycarp. Although the couple divorced when Malaika was just eleven years old, they had recently reconciled and were living together. Joyce's statement to the police revealed that Mehta was a regular reader of newspapers and often spent time in the balcony of their residence. However, on Wednesday, she discovered his slippers in the living room and, upon searching for him, witnessed the tragic scene unfold.

While Joyce mentioned that Mehta had been experiencing some knee pain and had recently retired from the Merchant Navy, there were no apparent indications of any underlying mental health issues. As the investigation continues, authorities are exploring various possibilities to understand the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise. ALSO READ: BREAKING! Malaika Arora’s father Anil Arora dies by suicide; Arbaaz Khan reaches her residence

In 2015, the city of Las Vegas in the United States bestowed a remarkable honour on veteran actor Anupam Kher by declaring September 10 as 'Anupam Kher Day' in recognition of his significant contributions to art and cinema on a global scale. To commemorate nine years of this iconic achievement, Anupam Kher took to social media to celebrate the moment.

Celebrating on Social Media

Kher shared a nostalgic clip that featured a news snippet about the day being named after him. The clip was set to the tune of Kishore Kumar's classic song Saala Main To Sahab Ban Gaya, capturing the spirit of his unexpected achievement. Along with the video, he wrote, “This happened nine years back today, on 10th Sept, 2015. Kuch bhi ho sakta hai! Jai Ho!!”

The post received an outpouring of love from his fans and well-wishers, with many congratulating him on his success. Among them was fellow actor Ronit Bose Roy, who also took to the comments section to send his best wishes.

A journey spanning 40 years of global success

Anupam Kher, who celebrated 40 years in the industry in 2024, has had an illustrious journey both in India and internationally. In recent years, he has delivered impactful performances in films like The Kashmir Files, Uunchai, and Karthikeya 2 in India. On the international stage, he has been part of acclaimed projects like Silver Linings Playbook, The Big Sick, and Bend It Like Beckham. He also starred in TV shows such as New Amsterdam and Mrs. Wilson.

Looking ahead, Kher is set to appear in the upcoming sports drama Vijay 69 and The Signature, while also working on his second directorial venture, Tanvi The Great.

Also Read: Anupam Kher lovingly hands Rs. 300 to Mahesh Bhatt as guru dakshina at Indira Entertainment’s launch event; says “If a biopic is made on my life, Bhatt saab would have a very important role”

Kapil Sharma and the gang are back with the S2 of The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix! This time around, they promise to make it so hilarious that every Shanivaar (Saturday) will turn into a Funnyvaar (A funny Saturday). What an idea! Starting 21 September, buckle up for a laughter ride with all new episodes featuring some of the biggest celebrities.

The previous season saw 13 weeks of hilarity featuring several bigwigs and this time around S2 will unfold even more laughs, more madness, and way more fun with Kapil, Sunil Grover, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Archana Puran Singh and Rajiv Thakur in action!

Fun se aapke Shanivaar ko Funnyvaar banane hum aa rahe hai 21st Feptember se???????????? Get ready to watch The Great Indian Kapil Show har Shanivaar Funnyvaar sirf Netflix par!#TheGreatIndianKapilShowOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/XvHddGbZPr — Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) September 11, 2024

The teaser is simply the tip of the iceberg! Kapil and gang are all set to bring the house down once again, every Saturday, starting 21 September. ALSO READ: Kapil Sharma set for his big screen comeback with Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2; Reports

Ishaan Khatter, currently in the spotlight for his role in the Netflix series The Perfect Couple, shared insights into his housing journey and his newfound appreciation for personal space. In an interview with The Dirty Magazine, Ishaan revealed that he spent a decade living with his mother, Neliima Azeem, in an apartment purchased by his brother, Shahid Kapoor.

Living in Shahid Kapoor's apartment for 10 years Recalling his living situation, Ishaan explained, “I’ve moved 17 times; this is the 18th house I’ve lived in. But it’s my first time alone.” He shared that at the age of 16, he and his mother moved into Cozy Apartments on Yari Road, thanks to Shahid Kapoor’s support. The two stayed there for 10 years. “The lockdowns happened in that house, and it was a small place, like apartments in Bombay are. It was my mom, me, two other senior people, and two cats in there. It had started feeling like a cage to me,” Ishaan recalled, explaining how the confined space affected him over time.

Finding solitude and personal space Ishaan revealed that moving into his new home, which overlooks the sea, was a liberating experience. “Maybe that's why when I came here and saw the sea, I was like, this is all I need,” he said. While he admitted that the small apartment wasn’t a miserable experience, he hinted at the contrast between people’s perceptions of his lifestyle and his reality. “Abundance was not a thing I saw until very recently, contrary to what people might imagine,” he added.

Adjusting to living alone Ishaan also touched upon the solitude that comes with living alone for the first time. “Yeah, I mean, I miss company sometimes, but this is the first time in my life that I have liked being at home,” he said. Despite the challenges of adapting to life alone, the actor finds comfort in the newfound space and tranquility.

On the work front, Ishaan Khatter played the role of Shooter Dival in The Perfect Couple, starring alongside Nicole Kidman, Dakota Fanning, and Eve Hewson. Up next, he will be seen in The Royals, continuing to expand his filmography while embracing his evolving personal journey.

Also Read: Ishaan Khatter opens up on bonding with co-stars in Hollywood debut The Perfect Couple: “I think it helps a lot to have a feeling of camaraderie”

The anticipation for IIFA 2024 is building up as the star-studded event approaches. At a recent press conference in Mumbai, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan entertained the audience with his signature humour. Joining him on stage was Karan Johar, who served as co-host for the event.

Abhishek Banerjee, who will be sharing the stage with Siddhant Chaturvedi at IIFA Rocks, was visibly starstruck by Shah Rukh's presence. As the Jawan actor took the stage, Abhishek expressed his admiration for his recent performance in Stree 2, prompting Shah Rukh to playfully tease him. “Abhishek, it is so wonderful to see you after seeing your wonderful film (Stree 2). I have been wanting to call you.”

Shah Rukh also light-heartedly commented on his long-awaited return to IIFA after a decade. "They have called me just once before. Now they invited me after a decade. I would have always loved to come, but unfortunately, IIFA was hosted at the times when I was shooting."

Turning his attention to Karan Johar, Shah Rukh playfully prodded him to be more involved in the rehearsals. "Please come for the rehearsals, Karan. He has told me he will not rehearse. He wants to do it on Zoom. Make some movies also, brother, how much will you host."

While Shah Rukh and Karan Johar will be hosting the main IIFA Awards, this year's event will also feature IIFA Utsavam, a celebration of South Indian cinema. Rana Daggubati will be the host for Utsavam. He reminisced about a memorable after-party hosted by Shah Rukh, which brought together the entire industry.

Adding to the excitement, Rekha will grace the IIFA stage this year, while Shahid Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Janhvi Kapoor, and Kriti Sanon are set to deliver electrifying performances. IIFA 2024 will take place in Abu Dhabi from September 27 to 29. ALSO READ: IIFA Awards 2024 press conference: Rana Daggubati touches Shah Rukh Khan’s feet; SRK roasts Karan Johar: “Picturein bhi bana, mere bhai. Kitna host karega”

Bobby Deol made a strong impression with his performance in Animal, but recently opened up about his struggles with alcohol addiction. In an interview with Humans of Bombay, Bobby reflected on the importance of not fixating on past mistakes, as they offer valuable lessons. He stressed that personal change must come from within.

Discussing his challenges, Bobby said, “You can sit back and regret on everything you have done wrong. But how do you learn from your mistakes? It’s just that you had to go through all those things, and you had to come out of it. You can do it. No one can hold your hand. I can’t tell my fans who are going through that phase how to get out of it because they all know how to get out of it. Everybody knows how to get out of that phase. It is just that you have to believe in yourself.”

Bobby Deol described his struggles as feeling like drowning. He explained, “Everybody feels weak, everybody feels they can’t… it is so difficult… that you can’t come out. It’s like you are drowning and people let themselves drown. I think everybody can swim out of it. I think there are small things here and there… suddenly there will be a switch turned out and you are like, ‘I can do it!’ For me it was everybody around me in my house who were so worried about me. They would keep encouraging me. But they were so sad in their eyes looking at me while I was torturing myself. They could not help me beyond comforting me with their words.”

Bobby's portrayal of Abrar Haque in Animal marked a significant career comeback. Despite limited screen time, his performance as the menacing antagonist received praise from fans and critics alike, with his ability to convey intensity with few words being a highlight.

During the same interview, Bobby said that filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga offered him the part.

Bobby said, “I got a message from him. He introduced himself and told me he wanted to meet me for a film. I thought, ‘Is it really him?’ I called and arranged the meeting. He showed me a photo of myself from when I participated in the Celebrity Cricket League and said, ‘I want to cast you because I love this expression of yours.”

Also Read : EXCLUSIVE: Bobby Deol on starring in Telugu film NBK 109: “Balakrishna is a sweetheart. He is young at heart and is full of energy”

Diwali is less than 8 weeks away and the trade, industry and fans are already excited. This is because the multi-starrer entertainer Singham Again will clash with the horror comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. Both belong to extremely popular franchises. Singham Again stars not just Ajay Devgn but also Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Tiger Shroff. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, meanwhile, is led by Kartik Aaryan along with Tripti Dimrii, Madhuri Dixit and Vidya Balan.

Stree 2, produced by Jio Studios and Maddock Films, was released on August 15 alongside Khel Khel Mein and Vedaa. The former won hands down and how in this clash. Jio is also associated with Singham Again and hence, the banner is now gearing up for its second major clash of the year.

There have been requests from trade analysts and single-screen exhibitors that the clash should be averted on the Festival of Lights. Bollywood Hungama spoke exclusively with Jyoti Deshpande – President – Media Business, RIL and we asked her to comment on this aspect.

Jyoti Deshpande said, “These are business decisions. It’s not about ego or power. Singham Again is a tailor-made film for Diwali. After the film releases, you’ll understand why we wanted to come on Diwali. As a general rule, if two films clash, they cannibalize each other but the market is there (for two films to co-exist). Gadar 2 was released with OMG 2 (and both did well).”

She added, “Yes, the clash will dent some business. But everybody (has done their) calculations. I can speak for myself that our film is the Avengers of the Rohit Shetty cop universe where Singham will be joined by Simmba, Sooryavanshi, Lady Singham and much more. It is thematically tailormade for Diwali and promises to entertain big. Everybody plays to win and we’ll follow suit. The audience is smart. They know from a trailer or teaser (which film they want to watch). They may even watch both films. We wish them the very best. Sabki picture chalein par hamari thodi zyada chalein (smiles).”

When asked when the teaser of Singham Again will be out, Jyoti Deshpande replied, “We’ll start marketing the film in October. We’ll need a high-power campaign which will sustain for 4 to 5 weeks leading to the film’s release.”

Singham Again releases in cinemas on November 1.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Jyoti Deshpande of Jio Studios says “Baby John is going to blow people’s minds because it has a NEVER-before-seen performance by Varun Dhawan”; also reveals that its new promo will be attached with Singham Again

Ananya Panday recently appeared in a food vlog hosted by choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan on her YouTube channel. The actor attempted to cook chicken fried rice for her family, with Farah guiding her through the process using a home recipe. The light-hearted vlog, which featured Ananya struggling with tasks like chopping vegetables and operating the stove, quickly turned into an entertaining experience for both the audience and her family.

Chunky Pandey’s amusing request and Ananya’s response

As the Panday family, including Chunky Pandey, Bhavana Pandey, and Ananya's grandmother, gathered to taste the dish, Chunky humorously asked Ananya to cook for them every day. To this, the Call Me Bae actor cheekily responded, "I will cook, if you pay me for it. Let’s discuss the pagaar (salary) first.” Her witty reply left everyone in splits, showing her fun dynamic with her family.

Ananya’s recent projects and OTT debut

Ananya Panday has been making waves in Bollywood since her debut in Student of the Year 2. She has worked in films such as Khaali Peeli, Gehraiyaan, Dream Girl 2, and Kho Gaye Hum Kahaan. The actor also ventured into the OTT space with her debut show Call Me Bae, currently streaming on Prime Video. The comedy-drama, directed by Colin D'Cunha and co-produced by Karan Johar.

What’s Next for Ananya Panday?

Ananya Panday is all set to appear in Vikramaditya Motwane’s thriller CTRL. The film, which stars Devika Vatsa, Kamakshi Bhat, Aparshakti Khurana, and others, is highly anticipated and is set for release on Netflix on October 4, 2024.

Also Read: Ananya Panday’s Call Me Bae honours Sidharth Malhotra-Kiara Advani wedding; pokes fun at ‘exploding drones’ at Katrina Kaif’s wedding; recreates Ambani wink video

The film industry is abuzz with excitement as the pairing of Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar reunite after a fourteen-year hiatus. Known for their comedic brilliance and box-office success, this duo is set to bring back the magic of horror-comedy with their upcoming film, Bhooth Bangla. A day ago, Bollywood Hungama reported the title of the film, On Akshay's 57th birthday today, the makers officially announced the film along with the first look poster.

Akshay Kumar shared the announcement and wrote, 'Thank you for your love on my birthday, year after year! Celebrating this year with the first look of ‘Bhooth Bangla'! I’m beyond excited to join forces with Priyadarshan again after 14 years. This dream collaboration has been a long time coming… can’t wait to share this incredible journey with you all. Stay tuned for the magic!"

Thank you for your love on my birthday, year after year! Celebrating this year with the first look of ‘Bhooth Bangla'! I’m beyond excited to join forces with Priyadarshan again after 14 years. This dream collaboration has been a long time coming… can’t wait to share this… pic.twitter.com/2Wnim0mWBu — Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) September 9, 2024

A source informed us that the film is not just an out-and-out comic caper but also has a lot of horror, fantasy, and supernatural elements. "It's the most ambitious film from the combo of Akshay and Priyadarshan. Ekta Kapoor is going all out to give it the required scale and budget," the source told us further.

In another report, Bollywood Hungama reported that the film will go on floors by December with a start to finish schedule. "It's a comic caper like never before, as Priyadarshan is exploring an altogether new world of horror and comedy with this film. The title is also as catchy as it gets."

Bhooth Bangla is a horror comedy expected to be released in 2025, with shooting set to begin soon. The film is produced by Ektaa R Kapoor under the banner of Balaji Telefilms Ltd. ALSO READ: BREAKING NEWS: Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan’s spooky comedy titled Bhoot Bangla

The festive spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi was in full swing as Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and his extended family joined the millions of devotees in celebrating the auspicious occasion. The Khan clan came together to immerse the Ganesha idol.

Salman's sister, Arpita Khan Sharma, and her husband, Aayush Sharma, hosted the festivities at their residence. The vibrant atmosphere was filled with joy, music, and traditional rituals. The actor participated in the 'aarti' with his niece, Ayat, and later joined the lively dance procession.

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The family gathering brought together several members of the Khan clan, including Salman's father, Salim Khan, his brothers Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan, and their respective children. The festivities were also graced by the presence of guests, such as actor Varun Sharma, socialite Orry, and Salman's rumored girlfriend, Iulia Vantur.

Just a day prior, Salman had attended the grand Ganesh Utsav celebrations at the residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani.

Amidst the festive cheer, there were also reports of Salman Khan sustaining a rib injury while filming his upcoming project, Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss.  The film is currently on floors and is set for Eid 2025 release In the coming months, he is set to collaborate with Atlee for an action-packed film that is expected to go on floors in January 2025. ALSO READ: Salman Khan to take on the system as the ‘New Angry Young Man’ in Sikandar

Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have welcomed a new addition to their family. The couple have become proud parents to a baby girl. The news, announced on September 8, 2024, has sent waves of joy and excitement through the entertainment industry and among their countless fans.

The arrival of their first child marks a significant milestone in Deepika and Ranveer's journey together. The couple, who have been married since 2018, have often expressed their desire to start a family. Their love for each other has been evident on and off the screen, and their fans have eagerly awaited this joyous occasion.

The news of the baby's birth has been met with an outpouring of love and support from colleagues and well-wishers. Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, Ananya Panday, Sara Ali Khan, Arjun Kapoor and many other prominent figures in the industry have extended their heartfelt congratulations to the couple.

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, who have been married since 2018, have long expressed their desire to start a family. In an interview with Vogue Singapore earlier this year, Deepika spoke candidly about her anticipation for motherhood. She shared, "Ranveer and I adore children. We eagerly await the day when we can build our own family... My family has been a constant source of grounding for me, and Ranveer and I hope to instill those same values in our children."

Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika Padukone was most recently seen in Kalki 2898 AD. She will next star in Singham Again, Draupadi and The Intern remake. For Ranveer Singh, he has Singham Again, Don 3 and Dhurandhar. ALSO READ: BREAKING! Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome their first baby, become parents to a baby girl

Bollywood Hungama was the first to inform that Akshay Kumar is set to make a special announcement on his birthday about his reunion with Priyadarshan on a horror comedy. We also informed our readers that the film is being produced by Ekta Kapoor and will go on floors in December 2024.

And now we have another big scoop on this reunion of Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan. According to our highly placed sources, their next is titled Bhoot Bangla. "It’s a spooky comedy and the duo of Akshay and Priyan feel that there is no better title than Bhoot Bangla. The title also has a recall value with their cult classic, Bhool Bhulaiyaa," a source told Bollywood Hungama.

The source further informed us that the film is not just an out-and-out comic caper but also has a lot of horror, fantasy, and supernatural elements. "It's the most ambitious film from the combo of Akshay and Priyadarshan. Ekta Kapoor is going all out to give it the required scale and budget," the source told us further.

An official announcement will be made tomorrow with a special announcement video.

Also Read: SCOOP: Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan join forces for a 2025 horror comedy after Bhool Bhulaiyaa legacy; official announcement on Monday

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, a Bollywood actor, arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday afternoon to attend the premiere of Shambhala, a Nepali film selected for the Berlin Film Festival. When Siddiqui arrived at the airport, he was greeted by a crowd of ecstatic supporters. Siddiqui told ANI, “I am here for the celebration of our movie called Shambhala. I am here for maybe two or three days.”

The film Shambhala directed by Min Bahadur Bham, is set to premiere this Sunday. It has already made history as the first Nepali film selected for the Berlin Film Festival. Lead actress Thinley Lhamo has received significant recognition, winning the Boccalino d'Oro Prize at the Locarno Film Festival. The movie is slated for a public release in Nepal on September 13, 2024.

In addition to the premiere, actor Siddiqui plans to tour Kathmandu. He told ANI, “Yes, of course, Nepal is a beautiful country. Since I am here in Kathmandu, I will see all the sights.” Siddiqui had previously shown interest in watching the film during his encounter with Bham at the film festival and expressed enthusiasm about potentially collaborating with the director in the future.

Bham was at the airport to greet Siddiqui and his team upon their arrival from Mumbai. As Siddiqui was escorted from the terminal, he was swarmed by fans seeking photos and autographs. One fan, Deepika Thapa, who gifted Siddiqui a red rose, shared her excitement: “It was such a blessing. My friends and I had been waiting since morning. Meeting him was a 'wow' feeling. It was indeed a grand welcome.”

At 50, Siddiqui has made a mark in Bollywood with significant roles in films like Black Friday, New York, Peepli Live, Kahani, and The Gangs of Wasseypur. He is notably the only actor with eight films officially selected and screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Siddiqui also stars in two Emmy-nominated series, "Sacred Games" (2019) and "McMafia," directed by James Watkins.

Shambhala follows an expectant mother from the highlands who embarks on a journey with her husband's younger brother to locate her missing spouse. The film was shot at elevations between 4,200 and 6,000 meters in Dolpa, Karnali.

Also Read : Nawazuddin Siddiqui encourages children to pursue excellence and art; says, “ I used to put hardcore pressure on them to decide what they wanted to see”

The veteran actor Pankaj Kapur spoke exclusively to Bollywood Hungama about his film Binny And Family and why he gave his instant nod to this family entertainer. He also spoke about his son Shahid Kapoor and his directorial venture, Mausam (2011).

You are simultaneously promoting your Netflix show IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack as well as Binny And Family. How do you feel and do you enjoy the experience? To be honest, I don’t greatly enjoy it. But I accept it as a part of my job. It’s not like we were not doing promotions for projects earlier. But then, it was very minimal. It wasn’t at such a large scale. A lot of your energy and time now gets consumed by promotions and understandably so. From the youngsters, I understand that there are so many channels and portals. Everybody has their own favourites and it’s important to reach out to all is what I have been told and that this is an essential part of film promotions. I have accepted it with a pinch of salt. If times are changing, you have to adapt yourself.

Anubhav Sinha, the director of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, said that you have a habit of declining a project as soon as you are given an offer. Did you do the same for Binny And Family as well? (Smiles) No. I accept or decline a project only after going through the script. I loved the story and concept the moment I read it. It’s been ages since anyone has made a film on this topic. With changing times and technology coming head-on, people are becoming less attentive towards family values. I felt this film was important as it talks about the values of togetherness and communicating with each other which will last a lifetime.

When I read the script the first time, the major emphasis was on the grandfather and the granddaughter. This was 4-5 years ago and later, director Ssanjay Tripaathy came to me with the changed script. The concept was the same, which I always liked. I immediately came on board and told the director that I had given my nod the day he narrated the script to me.

How was it working with a newcomer, Anjini Dhawan? Was it overwhelming for her to work with such veteran actors? She comes from a film family and she was aware of what films are and what filmmaking is. It’s not as if it’s completely new for her. She was very confident from day 1. She knew a lot more than most youngsters of her age would. Hence, it wasn’t uncomfortable for her and I gathered that the moment I met her.

As you just said, such films are rarely made. Why is it so, especially when there’s an audience and market for such films? Beta, iska jawab dete dete meri umar ho gayi hai! It’s not like earlier people used to not make films in this genre. Hrisha da (Hrishikesh Mukherjee) and Basu Chatterjee made many slice-of-life films with a focus on family values. Some of them were extremely successful as well. Hence, there’s no reason why (we stopped making such movies). I guess it’s all about perception. Directors and producers assume that such a subject is apt for a direct release on OTT. They don’t realize that if such films are released in cinemas and if they succeed, the impact would be something else. Jo himmat karte hai, woh aisi film bana dete hai. Those who chicken out end up making films which they think would work though they know deep down that a film like this will have acceptance among the audience. They should learn good storytelling. If you have a good story and know how to tell it, the product will reach the audience, especially when you are aided by the marketing teams, who have become quite sharp in today’s times. I just wish that all kinds of cinema were made. This film brings a nice welcome change and we are hoping that the audience will enjoy it in cinemas with their family.

What do you do on the day of your film’s release? Do you check for reviews or its box office collections? Not at all. I leave it to the film’s team simply because it’s not in my hands. My job is only as long as the camera is switched on. Then, it’s for the other people (to take over). These people are not concerned when I am acting on the sets. Similarly, once the film is getting released, it’s their headache that it reaches out to the people. Obviously, it’s a matter of pleasure for the actor to know that his film is drawing an audience. But since these things are not in your control, you can only fret, in case it’s not doing well, or feel happy if it gets accepted.

You play a grandfather in Binny And Family. In real life, too, you are a grandpa. Are there any qualities similar in you and the character in this film? It’s difficult to relate because the character is different from what you are. But some general qualities like adoring your grandchildren, trying to create a bond with them etc. come quite naturally. I won’t say that my personal life as a grandfather is exactly like the one shown in the film.

How is Shahid Kapoor as a father? I think he’s great. He really adores his children. He even adjusts his schedules for them. If he’s shooting in Mumbai, he spends time with them on a daily basis. It’s a wonderful way of bonding with him.

You directed Shahid Kapoor in Mausam. The film didn’t work though it had its share of plusses. Would you like to direct again? I still love the work that I did though I have a lot to learn from the experience. If there’s an opportunity, I’d do it. I have scripts with me but I can’t be struggling and going from one producer’s office to another. This might be an exaggerated view in my head. And I guess I am also a bit lazy (smiles). All my life, I have been used to scripts coming to me and having the freedom to select. Having said that, if there’s an opportunity, I’d love to direct as I love direction.

One of the greatest films in your filmography, Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986), is all set to get its remake. Your thoughts? If a film is remade and turns out to be better than the original, that’s wonderful. A good subject is a good subject. Period. Shakespeare wrote plays 500 years ago and even today, people are adapting them. The audience also comes to see it as they are curious to see what the inspiration is this time from a particular actor or director. Having said that, if you have a child at your home and you tell the same story to him again and again, he’ll ask, ‘Can you tell me some other story?’. Similarly, one needs to be aware of the repeat value of the subject. Also, we always have had great writers in our country. Why not read some literature or write stories about people and the society of today? Why not make a contemporary film with fresh thoughts so that they lap it up? The audience will be happy to see it.

Also Read: Pankaj Kapoor on bridging generation gaps; says, “Today’s generation is advanced in many ways from other generations as they have more information”