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Saiyaara on track to become highest-grossing debut film; Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda share emotional notes

As Saiyaara races ahead to become the highest-grossing debut film in the history of Hindi cinema, its young leads Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda took a moment to share warm, heartfelt notes for each other on social media. Their mutual admiration and chemistry—on and off-screen—have created internet frenzy from the initial reactions across the country. With record-breaking bookings and strong word of mouth, Saiyaara is not just a film—it’s a generational love story rewriting the rules of stardom. Ahaan, on July 18, took to his social media handle and shared a photo of his co-star Aneet standing in front of one of the billboards featuring Saiyaara's poster. The caption of his post read, "To the girl in the yellow dress with the universe in her eyes… we have a new star up there now, you’ve made mumma and papa Padda so proud, and you did it all by yourself."   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Ahaan Panday (@ahaanpandayy) Meanwhile, Aneet also shared a photo o...

Alia Bhatt, Kiara Advani, Katrina Kaif and more: How these 6 actresses are making structured fashion look effortless

Bollywood actresses take fashion & serving statements as a daily ritual, not just experiments. From wearing structured outfits to going bold with patterns and silhouettes, these actresses consistently raise the bar for expressive fashion and prove to be the ultimate fashion inspirations. Triptii Dimri Triptii Dimri keeps it soft yet bold in a full white coat paired with a pleated voluminous skirt. At times when many would think twice before pairing a skirt and a coat, Triptii wore it, slayed, and served a look from which one cannot take their eyes off!   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Triptii Dimri (@tripti_dimri) Alia Bhatt Alia Bhatt chose unconventionality with a black mini dress, featuring off-shoulders and a striking drip effect just below the neck, offering structure to the outfit's overall appeal. She simply accessorised the look with chunky jewellery and styled her hair in waves.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Ali...

Tillotama Shome starrer Baksho Bondi – Shadowbox to open the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025

Following its world premiere at the 2025 Berlin Film Festival in the Perspective section, the Bengali film Baksho Bondi – Shadowbox, starring Tillotama Shome and produced by Shome and Jim Sarbh, will open the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025 as the Opening Night Film, marking its Australian premiere. Co-directed by Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi in their directorial debut, Baksho Bondi features Tillotama Shome as Maya, set against the backdrop of a dusty Kolkata suburb, weaving a powerful narrative of love, resilience, and the quiet strength of a working woman navigating her everyday life. The Opening Night screening is scheduled for August 14th in Melbourne, setting the tone for the festival’s celebration of bold, layered, and deeply human stories from India. Tillotama Shome, reflecting on the film’s journey, shared, “Baksho Bondi is incredibly close to my heart. Playing Maya was a lesson in listening to silences, in discovering strength in small acts, and in under...

EXCLUSIVE: UPI changed to OBI in Special Ops 2

It's common for Indian moviegoers to be subjected to cuts and modifications of scenes and dialogues courtesy the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Such kind of censoring also exists for the web series as evident by the latest release, Special Ops 2. The action thriller show is based on cyber terrorism with Tahir Raj Bhasin's character playing a villain. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “He plays a cyber criminal who wants to access the data of the UPI (United Payments Interface) users for malicious intent. A scene where he mentions the same was also included in the trailer of the show.” The source continued, “However, the word 'UPI' has been changed to 'OBI' in the show. The old trailer has also been removed and a new promo has been added. It mentions the new release date and also 'OBI'.” An industry insider added, “Since it's a sensitive topic, the makers must have got a directive not to mention UPI. This could also be the reason why th...

Akshay Kumar takes heroism off-screen; insures 650+ stuntmen across India in landmark move

Known as Bollywood’s original Khiladi, Akshay Kumar has now proven he’s a real-life hero too. In a groundbreaking move, the superstar has personally insured the lives of over 650 stuntmen and stuntwomen across India — offering them critical health and accident coverage many never had before. This life-changing initiative arrives at a time when conversations around safety in the entertainment industry have gained urgency, especially in the wake of the tragic death of a stuntman named Raju on the set of an upcoming Tamil film by Pa Ranjith and Arya. For decades, stunt professionals have risked life and limb to deliver thrilling cinematic moments — often working with minimal safety gear and zero medical backup. A single injury can result in financial ruin, as the majority of these behind-the-scenes heroes lack basic health insurance. Akshay Kumar’s initiative not only offers them tangible protection but also a sense of visibility and value long overdue. Speaking on behalf of the stunt c...

Nidhi Dutta and Binoy Gandhi embrace parenthood; pen a sweet note for their daughter ‘Sitara’

It's a moment of joy and celebration for Border 2 producer Nidhi Dutta and director Binoy Gandhi, as the couple welcomed their first child — a beautiful baby girl named Sitara Dutta Gandhi. The birth of their daughter marks a heartwarming new chapter in their lives, made even more meaningful by the long and emotional journey that led to this moment. In a sweet post, the couple announced the arrival of their daughter and also revealed her name saying, “She's Here! Ecstatic & Overjoyed Parents Nidhi & Binoy”, and added in the caption, “Sitara Dutta Gandhi. 7.7.2025”.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Nidhi Dutta (@nidhiduttaofficial) Earlier, Nidhi had bravely shared her pregnancy journey on Instagram, opening up about her emotional struggles with infertility and the challenges of TTC (Trying to Conceive). In a heartfelt post that resonated with thousands, she wrote: “This picture in any other country but India would have been tagged on Instagram as ‘...

Saiyaara vs Ye Re Ye Re Paisa 3: Yash Raj Films and Dharma Productions CLASH for the first time ever; limited shows of Mohit Suri-directorial in Gaiety-Galaxy raises eyebrows

Aditya Chopra’s Yash Raj Films (YRF) and Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions have been two of the most respected production houses of Indian Cinema and have always been each other’s support. Karan Johar started his career with Aditya Chopra; for a long time, YRF distributed films of Dharma and hence, their bond goes back a long way. Hence, both banners have never released their film on the same day. As a result, July 18, 2025, is a landmark date for films backed by these banners, which will be clashing in cinemas for the first time ever. Saiyaara, produced by Yash Raj Films, will be released on July 18. Meanwhile, the Marathi comic caper, Ye Re Ye Re Paisa 3, also arrives in theatres on the same day. The film is presented by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla and Apoorva Mehta of Dharma Productions and is also distributing it worldwide. In fact, the Marathi film has given a tough fight to the Mohit Suri-directorial in some areas, though Saiyaara has an upper hand in terms of the advance booki...

Taran Adarsh and Suneel Darshan react on Ramayana being the most expensive Indian film at a budget of Rs. 4000 crores

In their bid to amplify and augment their product to the extreme, the makers of the new version of the Ramayana featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, and Sunny Deol have turned the product into the most expensive entertainment content of all times. Trade guru Taran Adarsh had this to say: “It’s a bit too early to comment on the final budget of Ramayana. Frankly, that’s a question best answered by the producer himself, especially when it comes to how he plans to recover the massive costs involved. That said, I genuinely believe Ramayana is an ambitious project, envisioned for a global audience. Based on a seven-minute clip I had the opportunity to watch, I must say I’m extremely impressed. The first part is currently in post-production, with its release slated for Diwali 2026. However, the release strategy remains under wraps. Whether it will open across the globe like a major Hollywood film remains to be seen. As I said – let’s wait and watch. We’ll know a lot...

EXCLUSIVE: After Superman, CBFC now censors Saiyaara’s intimate scenes; 10 seconds of ‘sensual, body exposure visuals’ deleted

Mohit Suri’s romantic flick Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, is all set to release this Friday, July 18. The excitement for it is tremendous due to the enticing trailer, hit soundtrack and the association of Mohit Suri and Yash Raj Films. The censor process has been completed and, in this Bollywood Hungama exclusive feature, we’ll focus on the cuts given to the film. Saiyaara has been passed with a U/A 16+ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). However, the makers were asked to make certain changes. At four places, ‘objectionable’ words were censored and replaced with ‘appropriate’ words. The cut list doesn’t specify the cuss words and the replaced terms. Secondly, the makers were instructed to delete and replace 10 seconds of ‘sensual, intimacy, body exposure visuals’. Lastly, they were told to add a static disclaimer on helmet safety in scenes involving two-wheeler vehicles. Once these changes were made, the censor certificate was ha...

SCOOP: No Eid release for Battle Of Galwan; Salman Khan-starrer to probably release in January or June 2026

After Sikandar (2025), Salman Khan is now geared up to bring his next film, Battle Of Galwan, to cinemas. The first look of the film has been appreciated as it showcased Salman Khan in a never-before-seen avatar. As the war film is all set to go on floors, the trade, industry, and fans are asking when Battle Of Galwan will be released. As is widely known, Salman’s films are typically released on Eid. Hence, can the superstar’s war drama be expected to arrive next year on the festival? A source told Bollywood Hungama, “The makers are not looking at releasing the film on Eid. This is because three films are already scheduled for release on March 19, 2026 – Yash-starer Toxic, the comic caper Dhamaal 4 and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s intense romantic drama Love & War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. Love & War might not make it on Eid and even if we take this film out, two other movies have already taken the slot. Salman is fair in such matters and hence, doesn’t...

Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani blessed with a baby girl: Reports

Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani have reportedly welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on Tuesday evening at HN Reliance (Reliance Foundation) Hospital in Girgaon. According to reports, both mother and newborn are doing well following a normal delivery. Although the couple has yet to officially announce the birth, family and close friends are said to be overjoyed. Several relatives, including Sidharth’s mother, Rimma Malhotra, and Kiara’s parents, Genevieve and Jagdeep Advani, were spotted arriving in Mumbai to greet the little one. The news holds special significance for fans who have watched the couple’s journey unfold from co‑stars in the 2021 hit Shershaah, where they played Captain Vikram Batra and Dimple Cheema, to romantically involved in real life, and finally tying the knot in February 2023 in a royal Rajasthan ceremony.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Bollywood Hungama???? (@realbollywoodhungama) Their pregnancy was publicly revealed in Fe...

Vidyut Jammwal to make Hollywood debut as Dhalsim in Street Fighter live-action film

Actor Vidyut Jammwal is officially headed to Hollywood. The Commando actor has been cast as Dhalsim in Legendary Entertainment’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Street Fighter, based on the iconic Capcom video game franchise. The news, first reported by Deadline, marks a major milestone in Jammwal’s career as he makes his long-anticipated Hollywood debut. The film will be directed by Bad Trip helmer Kitao Sakurai, with plot details currently under wraps. However, the ensemble cast is already turning heads, with Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken, Callina Liang as Chun-Li, and Jason Momoa taking on the role of Blanka. Jammwal joins this high-octane lineup as Dhalsim, the peaceful yet powerful fire-breathing yogi who has been a staple of the Street Fighter universe since his debut in Street Fighter II in 1991. A master of martial arts both on and off screen, Jammwal is known for performing his own stunts and has carved a niche in Indian cinema through action-packed roles in th...

Veteran actor-producer Dheeraj Kumar, best known for Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, passes away at 80

The Indian film and television industry has been reeling under a series of losses in recent days, with the passing of several celebrated figures. After mourning the deaths of TV personality Shefali Jariwala, veteran actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, and iconic actress B. Saroja Devi, the fraternity is now grieving the demise of actor-producer Dheeraj Kumar. He was 80. According to reports, Dheeraj Kumar passed away in Mumbai after battling acute pneumonia. His family had earlier stated his critical health condition, requesting prayers and privacy. Sadly, despite receiving intensive care, the veteran could not recover. Dheeraj Kumar’s journey in the entertainment industry began in 1965 when he participated in a talent contest alongside Rajesh Khanna and Subhash Ghai. Though Rajesh Khanna won, Dheeraj stood out as one of the finalists and carved a niche for himself in the decades that followed. He appeared in several Hindi and Punjabi films through the 1970s and 80s, including Roti Kapda Aur ...

Shweta Tripathi’s first film as producer titled Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan, to star herself and Tillotama Shome

Earlier this year, actress Shweta Tripathi announced that she would be turning producer with a queer drama. News is now out that her maiden production is titled Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan and it will star herself along with her friend and acclaimed actress Tillotama Shome, who will play a pivotal role in the movie. The film is a queer love story that aims to break stereotypes and spark meaningful conversations. It will be directed by Sanjoy Nag and is slated to go on floors by the end of 2025. Earlier this year, Shweta had shared that her debut production would be centred around a queer narrative, and now with Tillotama on board, the project takes on a new emotional depth and resonance. The duo will be seen working together for the first time in this unique film. This cinematic venture comes on the heels of the success of Shweta’s previous queer-themed production Cock, a play that has received widespread praise for its unflinching portrayal of identity and love. Encouraged by the o...

EXCLUSIVE: Yash Raj Films’ release strategy for Saiyaara REVEALED – no show before 9:30 am, only 6 shows on release day, discounted ticket price for 9:30 am show to attract college students

Mohit Suri’s intense romantic drama Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, will release this Friday, July 18, and trade expects it to have a surprise opening. The producers, Yash Raj Films (YRF), are also distributing the film and they informed all cinemas about the release strategy yesterday. An exhibition source told Bollywood Hungama, “YRF has asked all the cinemas that the shows of Saiyaara should start from 9:30 am onwards. This means that theatres can’t play shows very early in the morning. Secondly, theatres have been instructed that they can’t play more than 6 shows on July 18. This particular directive, however, is applicable only for the day of release. From Saturday, July 19, theatres can play as many shows as they wish to.” The source continued, “To attract the youth, YRF has come up with two special initiatives. One is widely known, that is, if one uses the code ‘SAIYAARA’ on BookMyShow, the patron can get a discount of 50%. This is valid on ...

SCOOP: Tehran expected to release on Zee5 in August; first direct OTT release for John Abraham

Since the last two days, there have been reports that the John Abraham-Manushi Chhillar starrer Tehran will have a direct release on OTT. The action thriller is backed by Maddock Films, headed by the blockbuster producer Dinesh Vijan. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “In all probability, the film is expected to premiere on Zee5. A clearer picture on this front will emerge in a week’s time or 10 days. Also, reports claim that it’ll have a release on OTT on August 15. The date is still not locked. Again, this decision will be taken soon after which the makers will make an official announcement.” Explaining the reason for releasing it directly on a streaming giant, an industry insider revealed, “Tehran is a no-nonsense geopolitical thriller and made on the lines of an international film. It has a run time of less than two hours and moreover, it's not just a Hindi language film. To maintain authenticity, certain dialogues are also in Farsi and English. Hence, the maker...

Ram Gopal Varma insists that the Deepika Padukone - Sandeep Reddy Vanga row is just ‘blown up in the media’; says, “The whole thing is very exaggerated”

Veteran filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has weighed in on the ongoing Deepika Padukone-Sandeep Reddy Vanga controversy, offering a candid take that adds a fresh layer to the highly publicized debate on flexible working hours in the film industry. Speaking to Hindustan Times, the Satya director called the entire issue “exaggerated,” while emphasizing that both directors and actors have the freedom to agree or walk away from work terms. Ram Gopal Varma, never one to mince words, stated: “When it comes to having fixed shift timings for actors, I really think that it is an agreement between two people. Each of them has a right to say what they want, and the other one has a right to refuse.” He further added, “The whole thing was a very exaggerated thing in my opinion. Because I can say, I want to work for 23 hours, and the actor can say I want to work only for one hour. That's their call. But how can one human being force another human being to do something? And they can agree to work or no...

Prime Video unveils first look of The Revolutionaries, starring Bhuvan Bam, Rohit Saraf, Pratibha Ranta, Gurfateh Pirzada, and Jason Shah

On the occasion of Prime Day, July 14, Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, today unveiled the official first look for its upcoming period-drama, The Revolutionaries. Created for streaming and directed by Nikkhil Advani, the series, currently in production, boasts a power-packed cast led by Bhuvan Bam, Rohit Saraf, Pratibha Ranta, Gurfateh Pirzada, and Jason Shah, all under the banner of Emmay Entertainment, and produced by Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani. The first-look asset offers a glimpse into the upcoming series adapted from Sanjeev Sanyal’s celebrated and widely acclaimed book, Revolutionaries: The Other Story Of How India Won Its Freedom. It tells the powerful story of brave young Indian freedom fighters who believed that armed resistance was not just vital but indispensable to ending the British Raj. The Revolutionaries is a stirring tribute to their extraordinary lives, sacrifices, and their unwavering, undying love for their country. Currently on flo...

Manoj Bajpayee confirms The Family Man 3 will stream this October or November

The question every fan of the Family Man franchise is asking: when is The Family Man 3 streaming? Manoj Bajpayee has now confirmed that the much-awaited third season of the massively popular Amazon Prime series will begin streaming in the last week of October or the first week of November. “The shooting is complete,” Bajpayee shared. “When we started, we had no idea The Family Man would go this far. Is it the most popular work I’ve done? I would say, most definitely, yes. Although I’ve done some other excellent series on OTT, like Abhishek Chaubey’s Killer Soup, the reach of The Family Man has gone beyond anything I’ve experienced.” The actor is confident that Season 3 will match — if not exceed — expectations. “All I can say at this moment is that those who loved Seasons 1 and 2 won’t be disappointed. If the highlight of Season 2 was Samantha, then Season 3 belongs to Jaideep Ahlawat. What a fine actor! I love working with actors who are as dedicated to getting it right as I am.” A...

Veteran actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passes away at 83 in Hyderabad

Renowned Telugu actor and former MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away on Sunday at the age of 83. He breathed his last at his residence in Hyderabad, leaving behind a legacy spanning over four decades in Indian cinema. Known for his impeccable performances across genres, Rao had acted in more than 750 films in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam. His versatility allowed him to portray a wide range of roles—from iconic villains to memorable character roles. Films like Pratighatana, Aha Naa Pellanta, Shiva, and Mahatma cemented his reputation as one of Telugu cinema’s finest actors. Born in Vijayawada, Kota Srinivasa Rao began his professional life as a banker and theatre artist before entering films in the late 1970s. Over the years, he became a beloved figure in the industry, earning accolades including the Padma Shri in 2015 for his contribution to the arts.5 Apart from acting, Rao was active in politics and served as an MLA from the Vijayawada East constituency from 1999 to...