Indus Chronicles

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta’s web series Gandhi was recently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to a standing ovation. The show, which is produced by Applause Entertainment, sees Pratik Gandhi play Mahatma Gandhi. The actor spoke about the experience in an interview with us.

Your series Gandhi was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival to a standing ovation which is not a common occurrence at this festival Well it’s a lifetime experience for me. My heart is full of gratitude and satisfaction. It’s the biggest project of my career till now. Lots of firsts attached to this one. My wife Bhamini and I are working on screen together for the first time. That’s a long awaited dream come true for us.

It is also the first series to be shown at the TIFF. Normally they screen feature films It is a first ever made in India, made by Indians on Gandhi. I am sure the world has not seen this Gandhi ever before. It’s about Mohan we don’t know much about. We screened only the first two episodes at TIFF. We got a standing ovation and that was extremely overwhelming. I am happy that the world will explore Bhamini’s talent through her impactful and compelling performance as Kasturba. Can’t wait to show the series to my audience in India.

Do you see this as your international launch? Yes, I would like to believe so. Going by the response we have got in Toronto, I can only see the impact of the series spreading.

Also Read: “Historic and Humbling”: Hansal Mehta reacts to Gandhi becoming first Indian series at TIFF primetime

Komal Nahta is back with a new season of his podcast, Game Changers: The Producer Series. This edition will feature producers sharing insights about their journeys.

The next guest on the series is actor Aamir Khan. In his conversation with Komal Nahta, he shared that he never planned on becoming a producer, as his father’s struggles in the field had once discouraged him from pursuing it.

Aamir revealed how he was happy being an actor and never wanted to become a producer, “Mujhe lagta hai jab maine apne father ka career dekha first-hand jab main chhota tha, toh mujhe realise hua mujhe producer kabhi nahi banna hai. Kyunki sabse zyada mehnat aapki hoti hai, risk aap le rahe ho, paise aap laga rahe ho aur sirf aap gaaliyaan kha rahe ho. Plus, a lot of times aapke saath team kabhi cooperate nahi karti, toh meri father ki film 8 saal lagi thi locket banane mein. Toh yeh sab dekhke mujhe laga yaar hum ab actor ban gaye hai, gaadi bhi chal gayi hai, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak hit hogyi hai. Mujhe producer banne ki kya zaroorat hai. Mein jab film karunga mujhe paise mil jaayenge, I'll be happy. Aur mein apne producer ko tang bhi nahi karta hoon, toh I am happy.”

He further added, “Aur maine interviews bhi diye, agar aap mere early interviews padhenge, toh log mujhe puchte the, ki aap kabhi produce karenge toh mein kehta tha kabhi nahi, aur kuch bhi kar lunga, mein direct toh definitely karunga, act toh kar hi raha hoon par produce mein kabhi life mein nahi karunga. Yeh, mere categorical statements hai, aise categorical statements kabhi nahi karne chahiye.”

With Game Changers Podcast: The Producer Series, Komal Nahta brings insightful conversations with some of Indian cinema’s most notable producers. Episodes are available on the YouTube channel, Game Changer: The Series.

Also Read : 30 years of Rangeela: Ram Gopal Varma on not working with AR Rahman after Rangeela and Daud, “You need a lot of patience to work with him”

Prajakta Koli is deeply affected by the growing violence and unrest in Nepal, with the disturbing visuals and reports leaving her saddened. She has chosen to cancel her planned trip to the country and expressed solidarity with those suffering from the crisis.

On Tuesday, Prajakta shared her concern and sorrow over the ongoing unrest in Nepal through an Instagram Story. In her note, she conveyed her thoughts and extended solidarity with those impacted by the situation.

Prajakta wrote, “What happened in Nepal yesterday is truly heartbreaking. Any form of celebration at such a time feels inappropriate. My heart goes out to the families of those who have suffered. I was really looking forward to being there and meeting everyone, but now isn’t the right time. Hopefully, I’ll get to see you all very soon.”

The upheaval in Nepal stems from protests led by Generation Z sparked by the government’s decision to shut down popular social media platforms for failing to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. This move ignited widespread anger rooted in long-standing issues of corruption, nepotism, and economic marginalization of youth.

Despite the government's efforts to reverse the social media ban, protestors remain undeterred. Several sites of authority including Parliament, the President’s Office, the Prime Minister’s residence, Supreme Court, and party headquarters have been set ablaze. A particularly tragic incident led to the death of Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal. In the midst of the crisis, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned, and the Nepali Army has assumed control of security operations.

In solidarity with those affected, Prajakta’s decision underscores the gravity of the situation on the ground. Her message stands as a poignant expression of empathy and restraint during a time when “any form of celebration feels inappropriate.”

Also Read : Prajakta Koli becomes the ONLY Indian creator on 2025 TIME100 Creators List

AR Rahman created the soundtrack for the Oscar-winning 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire. Its iconic song ‘Jai Ho’ brought him two Academy Awards—for Best Original Score and Best Original Song—along with several other accolades. Surprisingly, Rahman nearly turned down the project after his agent advised against it. In a recent interview, the composer shared that his then-manager worried he might lose his job, as director Danny Boyle was known for rejecting people’s work. Despite the concern, Rahman chose to follow his instincts, and the songs ultimately gained global recognition and acclaim.

Speaking with Suchitra Tyagi at TIFF 2025, Rahman shared that his agent feared he might be fired due to director Danny Boyle’s reputation for discarding contributors. “Actually, what happened was my agent at that time said, ‘Don’t do this because you might get fired’. I said, ‘Okay, nobody will know that I got fired if I don’t tell it out’. So, I scored the movie and Danny was amazing. You have all the system around which confuses you. So, I went ahead with it and the result was great. It was actually a leap of faith and courage. Sometimes, people confuse you but you have to think what you have to do, what is right.’”

In a move that highlights both caution and creativity, the composer kept his work under wraps from his own team. “I did it in secret. The team thought it was a documentary or something like that.” Rahman said, noting how the project ultimately catapulted him onto the international stage. “It brought in a bigger international audience for me. In life, you get certain projects which are very blessed.”

When asked if he is difficult to satisfy, the music composer responded, “To please myself? Yes. I torture myself. I am not seeking validation. My validation which I seek is within myself. If I do something under my level, I feel guilty. I don’t sleep for many nights.”

He added, “Sometimes, I have sleepless nights for a month, thinking about why I did something and how I should have done better. Even with mixing or anything else. I have trained a lot of people now, so that even if I miss anything, they do the last checkup. The problem with life is that the more you evolve, the more guilty you feel, the more you want to go deep in within your work.”

Slumdog Millionaire went on to become a defining milestone in Rahman’s career, with its iconic track ‘Jai Ho’ earning him Academy Awards for both Best Original Score and Best Original Song. The episode stands as a powerful testament to the importance of trusting one’s creative judgment, even in the face of doubt.

Also Read : Nora Fatehi sizzles in ‘Tamancha’; A.R. Rahman and Sunidhi Chauhan drop explosive track from Ufff Yeh Siyapaa

You were so much fun to watch in Ram Gopal Varma’s Darling. It’s one of the films where I had the most fun playing a negative role — especially taking revenge, but in a slightly humorous way.

How did you and Ramu get together? Working with Ram Gopal Varmaji back then was an absolute treat. He observed me very closely in our first meeting and, surprisingly, picked up on certain mannerisms of mine. He then made me use those in the character. He let me be, and that helped bring out a powerful performance. I remember one particularly tough monologue — it just flowed naturally, without feeling forced.

It couldn’t be easy playing a ghost. Ramuji allowed me to be completely free in front of the camera — no body language coaching, no workshops, just pure spontaneity. That’s exactly how I like to work. Thank God there were no workshops back then, because for some of us, they can kill that spark of spontaneity.

How did Fardeen Khan and you get along? (Laughs) Poor Fardeen got a lot of whacks from me in this film! I remember apologising to him after every shot because my character had to be so mean to him. In reality, though, he’s one of my closest buddies. We had a great time shooting together. And I loved the song Tadap Tadap. Though Isha [Koppikar] and I had very little screen time together, she was an absolute sweetheart on set. Honestly, I just had a blast doing such a role. I also remember your review from back then, where you praised me a lot — it’s still special.

Do you believe in ghosts? Hahaha… I believe in angels!

This September, Star Gold will present the World TV Premiere of Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh on Saturday, September 13, at 8 PM. Inspired by true events and based on the book The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, the film revisits a pivotal yet lesser-known chapter of India’s freedom movement. It highlights the courtroom battle led by barrister C. Sankaran Nair, who boldly challenged the British Crown to reveal the truth behind the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Directed by debutant Karan Singh Tyagi, who himself has been a lawyer by profession and produced by Dharma Productions, the film combines gripping drama with historical depth. Akshay Kumar leads the cast as C. Sankaran Nair, a man whose moral reckoning led him to challenge the might of the British Empire. He is joined by R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday in pivotal roles that add intensity and emotional depth to this courtroom battle.

Commenting on the World TV Premiere, a JioStar Spokesperson said, “Star Gold has consistently been at the forefront of bringing landmark premieres to TV, and Kesari Chapter 2 is another proud addition to this slate. With stirring performances and a gripping narrative, this premiere is a doorway to an extraordinary tale of courage and sacrifice, inspired by the events of Jallianwala Bagh.”

Talking about the premiere Akshay Kumar shared, “Playing C. Sankaran Nair has been one of the most fulfilling roles of my career. His story is a testament to the fact that courage isn't just on the battlefield it's also found in the fight for truth and justice. I'm very happy that this Untold story of Jallianwala Bagh will now reach homes across the country and millions of people will know the truth behind the massacre when Kesari Chapter 2 premieres on Star Gold on 13th September at 8 PM.”

Madhavan commented, “Neville McKinley was a complex and challenging character to portray. His story is one of internal conflict, and it was a privilege to be a part of this powerful narrative. I’m excited for audience across the country to witness this courtroom battle and to know the truth of Jallianwala Bagh that most of us were unaware of. Watch it all unfold in the World TV Premiere of Kesari Chapter 2 on September 13, at 8 PM, only on Star Gold.”

Ananya Panday expressed, “Playing Dilreet Gill has been an absolute honour for me. She represents the fearless youth who believed in truth above all else. Being part of a film that captures such an important moment in our country’s history has been truly special, and I hope viewers, especially the youth, feel the same pride and inspiration I did while bringing Dilreet’s character to life. I’m really looking forward to audiences across the country joining us for the World TV Premiere on Star Gold on September 13 at 8 PM.”

Karan Johar stated, “Producing Kesari Chapter 2 has been a journey of immense pride for Dharma Productions. The story of C. Sankaran Nair is a powerful testament to the fight for truth, and we were committed to bringing this pivotal moment in our history to the screen with the grandeur and authenticity it deserves. We can't wait for everyone across the country to watch the World TV Premiere on Star Gold on September 13, at 8 PM.”

Director Karan Singh Tyagi added, “Reading about C. Sankaran Nair's unwavering fight to expose the truth of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre deeply moved me as a filmmaker. This wasn't just a historical event; it was a pivotal, yet largely untold, chapter of our nation's past that fuelled our fight for freedom and justice. My purpose with this film was to illuminate the incredible courage of a man who, armed with nothing but his convictions and the law, challenged the might of the British Empire. I'm truly eager for audiences to witness his story in Kesari Chapter 2, premiering on Star Gold on September 13 at 8 PM.”

Also Read : Akshay Kumar joins Ganesh Visarjan beach cleanliness drive with CM Devendra Fadnavis – fans call him the ‘real hero’

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt is in mourning following the passing of his mother, Varsha Bhatt, who passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the age of 74. She had been battling a prolonged illness and “was in pain for the last few months,” as Vikram stated in an emotional Instagram post.

In his heartfelt note, Vikram began, “My mother Varsha Bhatt, passed away on the morning of 6th September 2025. She was in pain for the last few months and I am certain she is in a better place now.”

He elaborated on his emotional journey, writing: “Grief is cyclic in nature. At first it is so continuous that it almost seems like a never ending sob that is stuck in your chest – unwilling to let go of it's grasp on you. And then slowly a break in the sob – a moment of respite as the drudgery of life takes over, only to return more fiercely than before. I know, the time between grief and drudgery will increase, and as they say – time will heal all wounds – but that time is not here for me as yet. I wonder if it will come at all.”

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  A post shared by Vikram Bhatt (@thevikrambhatt)

He also took a moment to express gratitude and share a prayer: “My gratitude to all who shared the pain with me. And here is my prayer for her as she finds a place with the source. त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव,/त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव।/त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणं त्वमेव,/त्वमेव सर्वं मम देव देव॥ If you chance upon this post. Do say a prayer for her because this is her prayer meeting. Om Shanti.”

Varsha Bhatt was married to renowned cinematographer Pravin Bhatt. Their son Vikram began his career as an assistant to director Mukul Anand on Kanoon Kya Karega, eventually rising to prominence with notable films such as Ghulam, Raaz, 1920, and Haunted – 3D.

Also Read : Vikram Bhatt returns to horror as Haunted 3D teaser unveils a chilling new chapter

Tyaani Jewellery by Karan Johar has debuted its latest marketing initiative, named Forces of Tyaani, marking a strategic expansion into the men’s jewellery domain. The campaign enlists acclaimed actor Jim Sarbh as the campaign’s face, underlining the brand’s renewed focus on men’s fine jewellery offerings.

Historically, Tyaani has concentrated primarily on women’s jewellery. However, with this campaign, the brand seeks to reposition jewellery as a staple of everyday menswear—moving beyond traditional male accessories like belts, watches, and cufflinks. While the brand has previously offered a limited selection of men’s pieces, Forces of Tyaani marks a deliberate, elevated push to make jewellery a routine styling choice for male customers.

The campaign’s visual narrative features Jim Sarbh adorned with a long necklace and cocktail rings crafted in 18kt yellow gold, adorned with both uncut and cut diamonds and colored stones. These items blend modern and traditional design sensibilities through innovative setting techniques.

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  A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar)

Karan Johar, the brand’s founder, commented, “Style, for me, is about self-expression—and jewellery is one of the most personal and powerful ways to define it. With this campaign, we are amplifying our men’s fine jewellery offering, making it a bold and natural part of modern style. Jim embodies that spirit perfectly—effortless, authentic, and unafraid to experiment. He makes jewellery his own, which is exactly what Tyaani stands for.”

Jim Sarbh, as the brand ambassador, shared, “I’ve always believed style should have an element of surprise, something that feels truly your own. Jewellery, for me, brings that unexpected edge—it’s bold yet effortless, personal yet versatile. What I love about Tyaani’s pieces is how naturally they slip into everyday style, while still making a statement. This campaign is about embracing that twist, that individuality, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Currently, the campaign is live across Tyaani’s digital platforms, ushering in a fresh narrative for what men’s styling can embrace.

Also Read : Mirai Mumbai press meet: Karan Johar hails Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda’s Saiyaara: “Woh superstars nahin the; ab superstars ban gaye hain”

Ananya Panday revealed that choosing celebrated designer Gauri Khan to style her new Mumbai home was driven by heartfelt sentiment. In an interview with NIF Global, recalling their long-standing bond, Ananya described Gauri as “almost been a second mother to me,” explaining, “Honestly, for me, it was a sentimental decision to have Gauri Khan do my house because I have grown up around her and she has almost been a second mother to me. She knew me, really me. She was like, if I was doing this for Suhana [Khan, her daughter], then I would have done something very similar.”

She further emphasized how Gauri balanced familiarity with respect. “What I liked about Gauri ma'am was that even though she had known me since I was a kid, she still took me seriously. She saw that this is my first house and I would want to do it in a way… so she never put too many of her opinions or decisions… she left it open to me. Everything was like a question or conversation… ‘Is this something you would like?’ ‘Do you want to try this?’  Interior design is such a personal thing... it is also someone's home where they will be spending every single day. So understanding the person's personality is very important.”

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  A post shared by Ananya ???? (@ananyapanday)

Expressing gratitude on Instagram, Ananya wrote: “My first home... my dream home…thank you @gaurikhan... no one could have understood exactly what I wanted better than you... and made it so so so special for me... you’re the best, love you!!!”

On the work front, Ananya will be seen in Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri, co-starring Kartik Aaryan and produced by Dharma Productions, is scheduled to hit theatres on February 13, 2026.

Also Read : Ananya Panday opens up on body positivity; says, “Being kind to your body is most important”

The anime market in India is niche but also significant and this has been proved yet again by the bookings of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle. It is all set to release on Friday, September 13 and many shows are already sold out or about to get house full, astonishing the trade and industry.

The advance booking opened on Friday, September 5 and in no time, the tickets started getting sold like hot cakes. The demand is especially high for the Japanese 2D IMAX version. Looking at the response, shows as early as 5 am have been added. In the IMAX screen at Cinepolis Seawoods, Navi Mumbai, a 5:20 am show of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle will be played on the release day. Such early morning shows have become common in the post-pandemic for biggies, but this is the first time that a Japanese film has achieved this feat in India.

The IMAX at PVR Vegas Dwarka and Inox Vishal Mall in Delhi will each have a 6:40 am show while PVR Ambience Gurugram and PVR Select City Walk will play shows at 7:30 am. In Bengaluru, 6:30 am shows have been incorporated in the IMAX screens at PVR Nexus, Inox Mantri Square and Inox Galleria Mall. The earliest show in India, as of now, is at Inox Megaplex, Pune. It'll play the 5:15 am show, that is, 5 minutes before the show at Cinepolis Seawoods. With demand for tickets increasing with each passing day, many more such early morning shows are expected to be added not just in IMAX properties but also in non-IMAX theatres.

As for Friday night, PVR sold 25,000 tickets of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle, while Cinepolis had a sale of 6,000 tickets. However, in the last 24 hours, more than 65,000 tickets have been sold on the ticketing app BookMyShow. Hence, expect the Japanese anime film to take a surprising start on September 12.

Boney Kapoor’s much-awaited film Maidaan (2024), starring Ajay Devgn, was finally released after years of delay due to Covid-19. Despite getting unanimous acclaim, it failed to work at the box office. Boney Kapoor, in an interview to Komal Nahta, said that he has paid money to all the vendors, though he suffered a huge loss.

Boney said, “If the film didn’t work, how are the vendors to blame? They patiently waited. For instance, a vendor charged Rs. 100 for his services. I paid him Rs. 60 while the film was in production. I owed him Rs. 40. For those Rs. 40, he waited for 4 years. Will it be fair after I tell such vendors after all these years, ‘My film has flopped and hence, I can’t pay’? I borrowed money to pay them.”

He continued, “A few of them met me with their father. This is because their father had also worked with me earlier. They got mithai ka dabba aur woh mujhe aashirwad deke gaye hai. Then there were some who voluntarily cut down on 10-15% of the amount that I owed them. They would tell me, ‘Pados ke office ki film super-hit hui hai. Uske paise aaj tak nahin mile hai’, ‘yeh producer ke itne paise balance hai’. I would tell them, ‘Mujhe kuch nahin sunna hai. What I owe you (I’ll pay you)’.”

Boney Kapoor further stated, “This has happened even before the release of No Entry. If I assure someone that they’ll be paid in a month and before he would call me, I would phone him and tell him, ‘Yaar, 15 din aur late ho jaayenge’. Also, I never changed my number. Isse yeh hota hai ki jisko paise lene hai, uska hausla rehta hai. Iske liye himmat chahiye. I could look into the eyes of every person I owe money because I know I’ll pay him back. I believe this goodwill has kept me relevant even today (smiles).”

Boney Kapoor then opened up on the difficulties he faced in making Maidaan, “I suffered losses as the film was stranded for 4-4 ½ years because of Covid. 70% of the shoot was completed in January 2020. We were all set to shoot the matches from March 22. 250 actors playing foreign team players had arrived in Mumbai. Who had imagined that it would go on for so long? I kept the unit here until the last flight of the actors' origin country. This happened many times. Moreover, my set got washed out during the cyclone.”

Boney was asked about the rising cost and he confessed, “The original budget was Rs. 120 crores. But due to delays and Covid, the cost went up to Rs. 210 crores.”

He also said, “We had a unit of 600-800 people during the shoot of the matches. Because of Covid, there were restrictions. I used to order food from Taj Flight Kitchens. There were 4 ambulances. No one was allowed to eat together. They were given food packets and if they needed a refill of the meal, tents were set up for it. We didn’t give them local water. We signed a deal with a particular brand to supply water. Uska accha khaasa bill tha. We had to give the foreign actors the assurance that the water is safe for them to consume. All this added to the cost, more so when you did it over a period of 3 years.”

He revealed, “During the shoot of match scenes, there were hardly any foreigners in Mumbai. Even if we had to do multiplication during VFX, we needed 1000-2000 junior artists to show a crowd of 40,000 people. Hence, we had to fly to Bangkok for those sequences. For the stadium exterior, we shot outside different universities in Bangkok.”

Also Read: Boney Kapoor reveals why Sridevi charged Rs. 70 lakhs lesser for Mom: “She told me, ‘Mujhe mat dena par A R Rahman ko le lo’”; also talked about her not-so-known talents: “She did 90% of her makeup; would sketch the outfits…”

7 ½ years ago, Boney Kapoor’s wife Sridevi passed away suddenly, shocking the industry and fans at large. In an interview with Komal Nahta, Boney Kapoor opened up about her not-so-known talents.

He began by saying, “She had a lot of understanding about filmmaking. She used to realize that the lighting was not perfect. 90% of the makeup, she used to do on her own. She would decide what kind of hair would suit the costume. She would sketch the outfits she felt would be appropriate. For the costumes of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993), Leena Daru was sent to Kashmir to where Sri was shooting, as she was not happy with the clothes sent to her for trial. She gave the costume idea and colour scheme. Consequently, I had to change the colour scheme of the set to match the costume!”

Boney continued, “So, she used to sketch everything. You can check with Manish Malhotra and Neeta Lulla how much she has contributed to their growth.”

Boney Kapoor revealed, “Initially, her 4-5 Hindi films were dubbed. She felt her performance was compromised. So, she learned Hindi. She would have a Hindi teacher in the dubbing studio. That’s how she started dubbing on her own. For Mom (2017), she dubbed for the Tamil and Telugu version. For the Malayalam version, there was a dubbing artist. Yet, she sat with her to see that the dubbing was in sync with the performance. Very few artists have such dedication.”

He also said, “For Mom, we wanted to hire A R Rahman. But he was expensive and we couldn’t afford him. We had allotted money for Sri’s fees as well. She told me, ‘I don’t want the balance money’. It was a good, substantial amount of Rs. 50-70 lakhs. She told me, ‘Mujhe mat dena par Rahman ko le lo’!”

Also Read: Boney Kapoor CONFESSES: “I paid Rs. 3.5 cr for the remake rights of Comali; have now given Hindi rights to Luv Ranjan”; also confirms that he’s planning a film with Shraddha Kapoor

Rakesh Roshan turned 76 on September 6 and on this joyous occasion, the legendary filmmaker spoke exclusively with Bollywood Hungama about his birthday plans and his recent health scare. He also opened up for the first time about surprising netizens by posting a dance reel exactly a month ago.

Happy Birthday to you, sir! I believe this is your 76th birthday… Thank you. And yes, it is indeed my 76th birthday. Every year, my birthday comes. If my birthday fell in a leap year on February 29, it would have been better (laughs)! But that hasn’t happened, and it comes every year. Nevertheless, birthdays make you feel more energetic and show you a new path. You must work according to this new path and agenda.

What are your plans this year for your birthday? This time, we’ll again celebrate with my family in Khandala. A close friend of mine is also throwing a party for us friends. It’ll be in Mumbai and will be held once I return.

In July, you informed everyone through a post on Instagram that you had to be hospitalized as both carotid arteries to the brain had more than 75% blockage. How are you doing now and how many days were you hospitalized for? I was in the hospital for around 2-3 days, after which I was absolutely fine. I was very lucky that it was diagnosed on its own. I had no symptoms. I happened to go for a check-up and found out that I had this problem. Actually, it was not a big problem, but I decided to resolve it.

In your post, you raised a valid point that carotid brain artery sonography, often ignored completely, is a must for everyone who is above 45-50 years old... Yes, I wrote that as most people are not aware of it.

Two weeks after this post, you dropped a video of you dancing to the War 2 song ‘Aavan Jaavan’. I think it’s the first time you posted such a reel. What made you do so? (Laughs) I love that song very much, including the dance steps. There’s a dance studio in the same building as my office. So, I just went there. The boys and girls were practicing a dance. I asked them whether we could dance on ‘Aavan Jaavan’. They agreed and taught me the steps in 30 minutes. Then we shot the video. It was done just for the fun of it.

Was there a thought behind the red shirt? No. I have worn that shirt so many times. I just expressed the desire to wear a hat. A dancer boy in the dance studio had a hat. I wore it and tied a handkerchief around my neck. It was all spontaneous. It wasn’t planned.

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  A post shared by Hrithik Roshan (@hrithikroshan)

Did Hrithik Roshan know about your plan to dance on ‘Aavan Jaavan’? How did he react to it? No, he didn’t. Once the video was shot, I uploaded it. He found it when he saw the video on Instagram! As for his reaction, it was the same as what he wrote on Instagram (smiles).

Also Read: Inside Rakesh Roshan’s Khandala Mansion: A 22,400 sq. ft. hillside paradise worth Rs 120 crores

Bandish Bandits star Ritwik Bhowmik is all set to make his theatrical debut with Abhootpurva (meaning Unprecedented). Bhowmik, who commands a huge online following, has become one of the breakout stars of his generation. The film, described as a unique Rom-Hor-Com, a blend of romance, horror, and comedy, brings together Bhowmik with seven acclaimed actors and a female lead, whose names will be revealed in a full cast announcement next month.

Set against the backdrop of Agra in the 90s, Abhootpurva is pitched as a heartwarming and fun theatrical experience. The film blends the innocence of first love, the quirks of small-town life, and an unexpected supernatural twist. Music, too, is central to the film, underlining the nostalgia of the decade.

In an exclusive quote to Bollywood Hungama, Ritwik Bhowmik shared: “This script felt incredibly special from the very first narration. It has stayed with me ever since; it lingers like a beautiful dream. It’s exactly the kind of storytelling I have always wanted to be a part of. It continues to live in my head and heart every day. It is heartwarming in the truest sense, a story about love, innocence, and moments that linger long after.”

Producer Khyati Madaan added, “Abhootpurva is a film very close to my heart. It’s set in 90s Agra, where love felt pure, simple, and yet larger than life. With romance, humor, nostalgia, and a touch of the supernatural, this film is designed as a true big-screen experience. Having Ritwik make his theatrical debut with us makes it even more special, and the ensemble we’re about to announce will surprise everyone.”

To introduce the essence of the film, the makers have shared a heartwarming note, which is brought to you exclusively by Bollywood Hungama.

The film is produced by Khyati Madaan under her banner Not Out Entertainment, and Sumit Kumar Mishra. Cameras are scheduled to roll in November 2025.

This marks Not Out Entertainment’s second major announcement this year, after the reveal of Ahan Shetty’s upcoming film, positioned as India’s first horror feature inspired by a national tragedy. Madaan, who previously spearheaded campaigns at major Indian studios such as Red Chillies Entertainment, Disney India, and Maddock Films, recently unveiled a diverse production slate that includes a slice-of-life drama directed by Habib Faisal (Do Dooni Chaar, Ishaqzaade) alongside these genre-bending projects.

Bhowmik rose to fame as the male lead in Bandish Bandits and has since appeared in a range of OTT projects, including The Whistleblower, Modern Love Mumbai, and Maja Ma. Abhootpurva marks his transition to the big screen with a story positioned as both unconventional and theatrical in scope.

Also Read: Ritwik Bhowmik on playing a gangster in Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, “My constant need to offer something new has driven me to go from Radhe in Bandish Bandits to Sagor in Khakee”

The Bigg Boss 19 house, known for its constant dose of high-voltage drama, witnessed a surprising conflict during mealtime when Kunickaa Sadanand stirred controversy by removing puris from the plates of Zeishan Quadri, Gaurav Khanna, Ashnoor Kaur, and Abhishek Bajaj. While most contestants brushed off the act, Zeishan was visibly offended and refused to eat, sparking a heated argument that soon divided the house.

“Removing food from someone’s plate is unfair. Once food is served, it’s theirs — no one has the right to take it away,” Zeishan declared, firmly pushing his plate aside. His reaction surprised several contestants, but he stood by his principles, insisting that it was against his ethics to eat after someone had interfered with his plate.

Baseer Ali quickly backed Zeishan, confronting Kunickaa directly. “You can’t just take food off someone’s plate; that’s wrong,” he argued, setting the stage for an intense showdown. Tanya and Neelam echoed his sentiment, siding with Zeishan and pointing out that respect for personal space extended even to something as simple as a meal.

However, not everyone agreed. Farrhana Bhat suggested that Quadri should have spoken up in the moment rather than silently tolerating it before refusing to eat. Her stance sparked further debate, with some housemates questioning whether Zeishan Quadri had blown the issue out of proportion.

The disagreement escalated into a full-blown argument between Kunickaa Sadanand and Baseer, with raised voices echoing through the house. The incident left contestants split into camps — some siding with Zeishan’s insistence on respect and fairness, while others felt Kunickaa’s action was a minor slip that didn’t warrant such outrage.

As always, Bigg Boss fans are eagerly watching to see how this conflict plays out in upcoming episodes. Will the house manage to restore peace, or will this food fight spark deeper rivalries?

Catch all the drama of Bigg Boss 19 streaming 24x7 on JioHotstar, with daily episodes airing at 9:00 PM on JioHotstar and 10:30 PM on COLORS.

Also Read: Bigg Boss 19: Baseer Ali calls Farrhana Bhatt his ‘Pehla Pyaar’; sparks love-hate frenzy in the house

Shahid Kapoor has long been admired not just for his acting chops but also for his sharp style and enviable fitness levels. Recently, the actor caught up with Esquire India at the launch of Athletifreaks’ new store in Delhi, where he serves as a strategic partner and ambassador. In the interaction, Shahid offered glimpses into his philosophy of balancing discipline with recovery, while also revealing some personal quirks.

A peek into Shahid Kapoor’s Sundays!

For someone known to hit the gym with consistency, Shahid admits that Sundays are his time to slow down. “On Sundays, I do nothing. I just lie around. I faff. I spend time with the fam. I go out for a bike ride. I enjoy the view from my house,” he said, adding that downtime helps him recharge before the week ahead.

Shahid Kapoor REVEALS his comfort food

Even disciplined stars have their guilty pleasures. For Shahid, that indulgence is all about Indian sweets. “It’s usually something meetha. I have a big thing for Indian meetha. It could be Gulab Jamun, it could be Kada Prasad. I like Kada Prasad—it’s like my comfort food,” he shared. After a long day of shoot, Shahid admits that Kada Prasad is his go-to, even if it makes him feel “like a bus has hit you.” The sweet treat helps him unwind before heading back to the gym the next morning with renewed energy.

Inside Shahid’s Gym Bag

Asked about something unexpected in his gym bag, Shahid revealed that he carries dry chalk to improve grip during workouts. It may not surprise fitness enthusiasts, but it certainly reflects the actor’s attention to detail in his training routine.

Shahid Kapoor’s Quirks

When it comes to habits that invite gentle ribbing from friends, Shahid admitted he often gets lost in his thoughts. “I am in my head a lot. Sometimes they call me out on the fact that I am not in the room even though I am in the room,” he said with a laugh, suggesting his wife Mira might have more stories to tell.

Shahid Kapoor speaks about his grooming essentials

Shahid’s style is incomplete without his signature stubble, and he takes pride in maintaining it himself. “I am a little particular about how I like my stubble to be. So I like to do it myself most of the time,” he noted.

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Speaking of the professional front, Shahid has recently wrapped shooting for his next with Vishal Bhardwaj. The upcoming actioner will also star Triptii Dimri as the female lead.

Also Read: Shahid Kapoor sets the internet on fire with stunning new look; see pics

Amitabh Bachchan, like every year, expressed his devotion to Lord Ganesha by contributing to Mumbai’s most popular Ganpati pandal, Lalbaugcha Raja. The veteran actor, who is a regular visitor to the shrine along with his family, made a generous offering of Rs 11 lakh this year.

A video shared by celebrity photographer Viral Bhayani showed Lalbaugcha Raja secretary Sudhir Salvi holding a cheque worth Rs 11 lakh near the grand idol of Lord Ganesha. The caption accompanying the video read, “Amitabh Bachchan Ji generously donated Rs 11 lakh to Lalbaugcha Raja, received by Secretary Sudhir Salvi ji!”

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While many acknowledged the gesture as a mark of faith, a section of social media users voiced disapproval. Several netizens argued that the donation could have been directed towards relief efforts for states grappling with severe floods, including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu.

One user commented, “Punjab ke liye karte to zyada khushi milti.” Another wrote, “Kya faida idhar karne ka? Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir are suffering the worst time with floods… He should donate there. Yeh sab chairman khaate hai paise.”

A different comment read, “Ye paise waha donate karo jaha sabse zyada zaroorat hai. Itni baadh aayi hai jaha-jaha bhi vaha sabse zyada zaroorat hai. Bhagwan ke paas to sab kuch hai.” Echoing similar sentiments, another user added, “Ameer ameer ho rahe hain, gareeb aur gareeb ho rahe hain.”

Speaking of the professional front, the 82-year-old is currently seen hosting his popular show, Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan sends heartfelt wishes to Anurag Kashyap’s Nishaanchi trailer; fans go wild

Tiger Shroff has been known to do films targeted at the audiences of all ages. But with Baaghi 4, he has made an exception. It is his first ‘A’ rated film due to excessive violence and bloodshed. Sadly, despite giving the film an adult-only rating, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) asked for several cuts, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned.

Baaghi 4 was certified on August 26, in time for its release worldwide on September 5. However, the Examining Committee (EC) enforced 23 visual as well as audio cuts. The scene of the hero standing on a coffin was deleted. In a scene, a character lights a cigarette from a ‘niranjan diya’ and the EC asked the makers to delete the one-second shot. Then, a scene of rubbing the hand on the hip of a girl was replaced. There's a frontal nude scene in the film, which was 'hidden' by the CBFC.

Another scene of lighting a cigarette, this time from an amputated hand, was deleted. This particular shot was 13 seconds long. A shot where a knife is thrown towards the statue of Jesus Christ was deleted. The CBFC also asked the makers to remove the 'scene of hit of fist and the leaning of the statue of Jesus'.

Apart from these visual cuts, the CBFC used its scissors in several violent scenes. At three places, the EC deleted scenes of throats being cut. The EC also axed shots of hands being cut and two shots of goons being cut and killed by swords. In a particular sequence, the scene of excessive violence, totaling 11 seconds, was deleted. Lastly, a scene of killing by inserting a sword in someone's skull was deleted.

Coming to the audio cuts, the words 'bhang b*****a' were replaced while the words 'b****e' and 'fingering' used by cops were replaced with appropriate terms. In the dialogue 'Bhai tujhe condom mein hi rehna chahiye tha', the word 'condom' was muted. Meanwhile, in the dialogue 'Tera wajood hi mit jaayega God' was replaced with 'Sab dekhte reh jayenge'. Finally, the dialogue 'Woh bhi darta hai mujhse' was deleted while 'Don khoke, ekdum ok' was muted.

Once these changes were made, Baaghi 4 was passed with an ‘A’ certificate. The length of the film, as mentioned on the censor certificate, is 163.50 minutes. In other words, Baaghi 4 is 2 hours, 43 minutes and 50 seconds long.

3 days later, on August 29, the makers of Baaghi 4 approached the CBFC once again as they decided to further cut down the film’s length. They shortened the duration of as many as 19 scenes and removed 6 minutes and 45 seconds of the film. The final run time of the film is 157.05 minutes, that is, 2 hours, 37 minutes and 5 seconds. This is the third film in recent times to go for voluntary cuts after receiving certification, the other two being War 2 and The Bengal Files.

Also Read: Harnaaz Sandhu sets screens ablaze in ‘Yeh Mera Husn’ from Baaghi 4 starring Tiger Shroff, Sanjay Dutt

Our film industry is largely male dominated. Has it been a challenge to find your voice in this masculine cacophony? This is a tough question to answer. But I think we’ve all just been waiting for the right stories and the right storytellers—and more importantly, for people like Dulquer Salmaan to back those stories so they can reach their full potential. For a long time, there’s been hesitation to take risks with women-led films, but this one feels like it’s opening new doors. What’s been most moving is the kind of support it’s received—not just from women, but from men as well. So many men, both within the industry and the audience, have made it their mission to celebrate this film and say, “See what women can do.” That really goes to show how much we sometimes underestimate our audiences. They’re capable of so much love and support, as long as the content is strong.

Your journey as an actor has been swift yet steady. How did you make it happen? It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how I’ve reached here, but I know I’ve been blessed in many ways. I’ve had the chance to work with some of the best people in the industry, and I was born into a family that gave me both inspiration and opportunities. More than anything, I’ve had the privilege of choice—to wait for stories that truly speak to me, rather than taking up every opportunity that comes my way. Not everyone has that luxury, and I try to use it responsibly by picking projects that challenge me and mean something to the audience. At the heart of it, I think it’s a mix of hard work, patience, and whatever God has blessed me with. Mostly, I just feel grateful.

Your father, filmmaker Priyadarshan, says he still can’t believe you’ve reached here without his help. I don’t think that’s a fair statement for him to make. It’s very sweet, because he knows how hard I work for the opportunities I get, but honestly so much of why I’m even here has to do with him. All through my childhood, he passionately spoke about cinema and made sure my priorities were about the craft, not the fame. So, if anything, I owe a big part of this journey to him.

How did Lokah happen? That’s best answered by screenwriter Dominic Arun, because long before I came on board, he had been working on this story with cinematographer Nimish Ravi for about two or three years. Interestingly, it was originally meant to be a very small, standalone film. But once Dulquer Salmaan came in, he saw something much bigger in it. He’s someone who always has a larger vision and ambition for the kinds of stories we can tell, and he encouraged them to expand it into a bigger universe. He told them not to think of it as just a female-centric film, but as something with far more potential—and he backed that vision completely. Honestly, it’s the three of them who made my character Chandra’s story much larger than it was initially meant to be.

What was your first reaction when you were offered the film? Challenged, intrigued, enthused? I very clearly remember the day Dominic narrated Lokah to me. The moment he left, I thought, “Wow, this is incredible… but also so ambitious.” I had two doubts: one, whether I was the right person for it, and two, whether Dominic—someone I didn’t know personally—could actually pull it off. Within minutes of him leaving, I called everyone I knew who knew him. I told them I’d heard a script I loved but needed to know one thing: Can this guy really pull off something so big?

And what did they say? The response was unanimous. Every single person I trusted said the same thing—Dominic is incredibly talented. One person, who usually never has anything nice to say about anyone, was full of praise for his technical brilliance. Another actor told me Dominic was one of the very few people he trusted and would give dates to, anytime, no questions asked. A third person—who was originally approached for a role—said, “I don’t have the dates because I’m in the middle of my biggest film, but if I did, I’d do this film in a heartbeat. And you absolutely should too.” And they were right.

Funnily enough, after we started shooting and became friends, Dominic laughed and said, “You know all my friends called me right after the narration to tell me you were checking up on me!” I told him they were traitors—but at least they gave me the right advice! That’s how I found the confidence in him.

How were you sure you could pull it off? Honestly, the confidence in myself—I’m still not sure it was fully there. But I knew I couldn’t say no to something this special. I was insecure, thinking maybe there were better people than me out there for this role. But I saw it as something that came to me for a reason, and I wasn’t going to question what God was offering me. I promised myself one thing: I would give it everything I had. And that’s what I did.

Tell me about the shooting process. Were the stunts tough to do? I had the best time shooting this film, even though it was one of the most challenging experiences I’ve had. Most of it was shot through the night for months on end, but I honestly have no complaints because those were some of the best months of my life—and that’s entirely thanks to the team around me. We had Yannick Ben on board because we had big ambitions for this project and wanted the best of the best. But since we were already on an overstretched budget, we had to plan carefully. All the action had to be shot in one go. Flying Yannick’s team back and forth wasn’t possible, so for three weeks straight, we shot non-stop action. I was in the middle of stunts, fights, and training every single day. It was intense, but when you’re working toward a shared vision, you discover an energy you didn’t even know you had.

How intense was your preparation? My training began much earlier, from the day I got the role. Action and stunts were completely new territory for me, especially on this scale. To be honest, I wouldn’t have even called myself an athletic person growing up. But training for this film changed that—it pushed me in ways I didn’t expect and made me discover a strength I didn’t know I had. Looking back, as tough as it was, those weeks of action are some of the best memories I’ll carry with me.

Which among your films so far were stepping stones? And tell me about your forthcoming projects. So far, every film has been a stepping stone—some pushed me forward in big ways, others made me pause and reassess my craft, but each one has taught me something valuable. I’m very grateful for that journey. Up next, I have Genie with Ravi Mohan Sir, which is ready for release, and Marshall with Karthi Sir, a rural gangster drama. Both are very different from what I’ve done before, and I’m really excited for audiences to see them.

Also Read: Sharvari showers love on Kalyani Priyadarshan starrer Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra: “One of the coolest movies I watched this year”

Acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali is facing a legal controversy after an FIR was filed against him and two members of his team in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The complaint, lodged on Monday, September 1, by line producer Prateek Taj Mathur, alleges fraud, misbehaviour, and breach of trust.

According to Circle Officer Vishal Jangid, Mathur claimed that he was hired as a line producer for Bhansali’s upcoming film Love & War, but his contract was later abruptly cancelled, revealed a PTI report. He alleged that Bhansali, along with producers Arvind Gill and Utkarsh Bali, removed him from the project without paying him, despite his taking on multiple responsibilities during production.

Mathur stated in the FIR that he had arranged all necessary resources for the shoot and coordinated with government departments as required. However, when he attempted to meet Bhansali’s team at a hotel, he was allegedly met with misbehaviour and disrespect. The FIR has been registered under charges of fraud, criminal conspiracy, and criminal intimidation, and Bichhwal SHO Govind Singh Charan is currently investigating the matter.

The FIR raises serious questions about the internal handling of production responsibilities and the professional conduct of those involved in the project. As of now, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and his team have not issued a response regarding the allegations.

Love & War, directed by Bhansali, is an epic saga starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal in lead roles. The film reportedly features Ranbir and Vicky as Indian Air Force pilots. Several portions of the movie were recently shot in Rajasthan. As per the latest reports, it has been learnt that a visual from the film is expected to be unveiled on Ranbir Kapoor’s birthday, September 28, although it remains unconfirmed whether this will be a first look poster or a teaser featuring all three actors. The movie is scheduled for a theatrical release in March 2026.

With the FIR now registered and the investigation underway, the legal dispute has cast a shadow over the production of what is expected to be one of the most anticipated films of 2026.

Also Read: REVEALED: Sanjay Leela Bhansali goes global; Love & War to be his first overseas shoot in 26 years after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam