Bollywood News

Fashion designer Manish Malhotra will unveil the first glimpse of Gustaakh Ishq on Monday. Marking his debut as a film producer under Stage 5 Production, he announced the update on social media and also confirmed that the film will release in November. A part of his note read, “Since childhood, I’ve lived with a deep Ishq for cinema. The magic of the stories, the glow of the big screen and the emotions that stay long after the credits roll.” He added, “That love has shaped who I am, and today, it gives me the greatest joy to share a dream come true. This November, 2025, my first film as a producer, Gustaakh Ishq - Kuch Pehle Jaisa will release in theatres. A film born out of passion, poetry and a celebration of love in all it’s forms.”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Manish Malhotra (@manishmalhotra05) Another part of it read, “This Monday, I will be sharing with you, the very first glimpse into the poetic world of Gustaakh Ishq. This journey is special,...

Regena Cassandrra, the leading lady of Madhur Bhandarkar’s upcoming mystery thriller The Wives, has successfully wrapped the first schedule of the film’s shoot in Mumbai. The actress recently hinted at the schedule wrap on social media, sharing a candid behind-the-scenes picture from the set, dressed in a sleek black outfit while holding a clapperboard that read ‘The Wives'. The Wives aims to dive deep into the glamorous yet turbulent world of Bollywood star wives, peeling back the curtain on their hidden realities, high-profile scandals, and the extravagant lifestyles they lead. Joining Regena in this intriguing ensemble cast are Mouni Roy, Sonali Kulkarni, and other notable names, making the project one of the most anticipated in Bhandarkar’s filmography. Known for his sharp and concept-driven storytelling, Madhur Bhandarkar once again is expected to bring his signature touch to The Wives, blending drama, suspense, and realism into a compelling narrative. With the first schedul...

Bollywood heavyweights Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan have officially begun filming for their much-anticipated collaboration with veteran director Priyadarshan, marking a reunion after nearly two decades. Production for the Hindi thriller Haiwaan officially kicked off today in Kochi, Kerala. Akshay Kumar shared a behind-the-scenes video from the set, teasing his co-star and director and capturing fans’ attention with a playful exchange. In the video, Akshay is seen holding a clapperboard while wearing a T-shirt inscribed “Saint.” Priyadarshan jokingly insists he should instead wear “Haiwaan.” Akshay responds, “For all you know, he (Saif) must be the devil. This devil you know about and this devil you don’t know about.”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Jolly Mishra - Asli Jolly from Kanpur (@akshaykumar) Accompanying the clip, Akshay wrote, “Hum sab hi hain thode se shaitaan… Koi upar se Saint, koi andar se Haiwaan. Starting the shoot for #Haiwaan today wit...

The Indian Express Group is proud to unveil a bold reimagining of Screen Awards 2025 on YouTube, one of India’s most iconic celebrations, of cinema and storytelling. The Screen Awards 2025 is more than just an awards show. Combining editorial credibility, cultural legacy, and digital reach, it reflects the Indian Express Group’s journalism-first ethos. Winners are selected by the Screen Academy, an independent, not-for-profit body of respected filmmakers, artists, and cultural voices dedicated to honouring true excellence. Anant Goenka, Executive Director of the Indian Express Group said, “Indian cinema deserves a stage that celebrates creativity beyond collections. Our storytellers carry 1.4 billion dreams — rooted in tradition and racing toward an exciting future. This award will honour that spirit and spotlight India’s boldest, most original voices. We’re thrilled YouTube shares our enthusiasm for this endeavour." Taking a digital-first approach to content and format, the Sc...

Sriram Raghavan is one of the most celebrated filmmakers of our industry. Hence, his next film Ikkis is much awaited. It stars Agastya Nanda and this will be his first theatrical film and second film as an actor after the 2023 Netflix original, The Archies. It is scheduled to be released on October 2 and Bollywood Hungama has learned that the film has been postponed. A source told Bollywood Hungama, "Ikkis will now release on November 7. The decision was taken by producer Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films who felt that the first week of November and post-Diwali time will be ideal for their movie." An industry insider commented, "This is a good move as two major films are scheduled for a release on October 2 - Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari and Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1. November 7 is a better date in that regard." Ikkis also stars Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat. It is against the backdrop of the 1971 war and follows the life of second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal. A...

The much-anticipated action thriller Romeo, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and headlined by Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, is nearing the end of its shoot, with principal photography set to conclude by August 25. According to Mid-Day, the final schedule is currently underway in Malaga, Spain. Over the next ten days, the team will complete both a high-octane action sequence and an exuberant dance number before wrapping up filming. Once filming wraps on August 25, Bhardwaj will move swiftly into post-production. Initial VFX and editing processes have already begun in Mumbai, keeping the film on track for its scheduled theatrical release on December 5, 2025. Adding to the excitement, this project marks the fourth time Shahid Kapoor has collaborated with Vishal Bhardwaj, following Kaminey (2009), Haider (2014), and Rangoon (2017). The combination of high-octane thrills, melodic storytelling, and creative synergy continues to raise fans’ expectations. The star-studded cast includes Tript...

Victor Banerjee has started a petition campaign for the smooth release of Vivek Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files in West Bengal. Said Vivek, “As you may already know, the film The Bengal Files is scheduled for screening on September 5, 2025. This film represents a courageous first attempt to bring to light a dark and painful chapter in the history of Bengal and India. However, in a deeply concerning development, the trailer of the film was illegally and forcibly stopped during its launch event in Kolkata.” Victor reiterated his misgivings regarding the controversial film’s release in his home territory. “We have every reason to believe that the upcoming screening of the film in West Bengal may also face deliberate obstruction or suppression. Such actions not only violate the freedom of artistic expression but also deny citizens their constitutional right to truth and free thought. We are therefore making an urgent appeal to the Honorable President of Bharat to ensure that the screening i...

A big fear that plagues scriptwriters in our industry is that someone might plagiarize their script. Believe it or not, Imran Khan also went through a similar turmoil way back in 2005. The actor spoke about it in detail in an interview with Planet Bollywood. Imran Khan began by saying, “The incident about me taking a script to a channel and it getting stolen happened in early 2005. In the aftermath of that, I found I was completely powerless and could not catch hold of the guys who did this to me. I had gone into this meeting. It had been set up through contacts. These people had no context of my family relationships or background. To them, I was just a kid off the street. That is why they felt comfortable enough to lift my script. I was helpless and could not hold them accountable. I was very upset about it. If I had some name or recognition of my own, they might not have done this. To what extent that is true is a debatable point. I was 22 at that point.” Imran Khan further said, “...

‘Rowdy Rathore 2’ seems not to be happening anymore. Industry sources have exclusively informed us that producers Shabinaa Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have scrapped the much-awaited sequel after three years of persistent but fruitless efforts to develop it. And the script intended for the sequel will now be used to make a standalone original film. Disney India, which owns the intellectual property rights to the original Rowdy Rathore (2012) along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali after its acquisition of Ronnie Screwvala’s UTV Motion Pictures, has reportedly been hesitant to greenlight the sequel despite initial discussions. “With Disney unwilling to commit, Shabinaa Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have decided to scrap the idea of Rowdy Rathore 2 altogether and repurpose the script into a standalone commercial entertainer, free from the Rowdy Rathore tag,” a source exclusively told Bollywood Hungama. The script, penned by veteran screenplay writer V. Vijayendra Prasad, is now undergoing ...

Alia Bhatt recently appeared in a campaign video released by the Chandigarh division of the Narcotics Control Bureau. What was meant to be a strong awareness message soon turned into controversy online, drawing sharp reactions from many users. The criticism eventually forced the agency to turn off comments on the post, but the video still remained the talk of social media, with many continuing to share and react to it in different ways. The clip was shared on NCB’s official X account, where Alia urged people to stand against drugs and support the bureau’s mission. Within hours of being posted, the video gained traction and went viral, crossing 1.1 million views and being shared more than 680 times. The caption on the post read, "Alia Bhatt joins hands with NCB to spread the message of a #DrugsFreeBharat #NashaMuktBharat #azadifromdrugs". In the video, Alia addressed the issue of drug addiction, calling it a growing threat to individuals, society, and the nation. She asked p...

Veteran actor Neena Gupta, celebrated for her candid demeanour and bold fashion choices, recently responded with grace and wit to a troll’s body-shaming comment after she posted a video from the airport. In the clip, Gupta shared how she carries homemade snacks during long airport waits—specifically, roti rolls packed in a tiffin filled with potatoes, chillies, paneer, onions, and other ingredients—with the caption: “Shorts wali desi girl.” The video, featuring the actor dressed in a casual black outfit and shorts and speaking directly to the camera in the airport lounge, earned a mixed reaction from viewers. One commenter wrote, “Very good ...only request dont show your legs ,they are not well toned ...we have never seen dadi mummy showing their legs this way ...ageing gracefully is excellent.”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Neena Gupta (@neena_gupta) Unfazed by the criticism, Gupta fired back with characteristic confidence and candor, “Don’t worry. The...

Several crew members on the sets of Dhurandhar, the highly anticipated Ranveer Singh-starrer, recently fell ill during filming in Leh, prompting immediate medical attention. Initial reports speculated that poor food quality or cost-cutting measures on set might have caused the incident, but local authorities have now clarified that the matter was part of a wider chicken contamination issue reported across Leh, unrelated to the facilities or food provided by the film’s production. A source associated with the project stressed, "This is one of the biggest films in production right now. Why would there be any need for cost cutting at all? Leh is an incredibly difficult terrain to shoot. This is a unit of over 300 people. There was a local contamination issue which led to this. It is horrible that such ridiculous rumours are floating." Insiders also highlighted that the safety and well-being of the crew have always been a top priority. “Health, hygiene, and crew safety have con...

On Tuesday, Abundantia Entertainment and Collective Media Network announced a new film on Lord Hanuman that is reportedly being made entirely with Artificial Intelligence (AI). The announcement quickly stirred up heated debates within the Indian film fraternity, with many filmmakers and artists voicing concerns over the lack of a humane touch in creativity. Among those who expressed strong displeasure was filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, known for his unfiltered opinions and acclaimed works like Gangs of Wasseypur. Taking to Instagram, Kashyap shared a long note sharply criticizing the production houses for this move and questioned the role of artist representation agencies in enabling such projects. Kashyap’s post read, “Congratulations @vijaysubramaniam84 . Here is the man heading the @lifeatcollectiveartistsnetwork that represents artists, writer, directors , now producing a film made by AI . So much for looking after and representing the interests of creators. End of the day , all these...

Mahesh Manjrekar and Sanjay Dutt once made for an envious director-actor jodi. Both collaborated for the first time on Vaastav (1999). The film turned out to be a cult and is considered to be one of the most accomplished performances of the actor. Later, Mahesh Manjrekar directed Sanjay Dutt in Kurukshetra (2000), Hathyar (2002), Pitaah (2002), Rakht (2004), Viruddh (2005) and Vaah Life Ho Toh Aisi (2005). If all goes well, both might join hands once again, after nearly two decades, for the remake of the acclaimed 2024 Marathi film, Juna Furniture. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Mahesh Manjrekar directed Juna Furniture and he played the main lead. The film got a lot of critical acclaim for its message, subject and performances. Mahesh realized that it has the potential to touch the Hindi-speaking audiences as well. Hence, he has begun work on the scripting of the Hindi remake.” The source further said, “He has approached Sanjay Dutt as he feels that the veteran actor will do compl...

Veteran actor Achyut Potdar, best known for his memorable role as a college professor in the iconic film 3 Idiots, passed away on Monday in Thane, Maharashtra, at the age of 91. As per reports, the actor was admitted to Jupiter Hospital in Thane due to health complications. The exact cause of his death has not been revealed, but reports suggest he had been recently hospitalised due to age-related health issues. Before his acting career, Potdar had a distinguished journey in public service. He served as a captain in the Indian Army, later worked as a professor, and then took up a corporate role with Indian Oil Corporation, where he spent nearly 25 years before retiring in 1992. Remarkably, he entered Bollywood at the age of 44, where he went on to become one of the most recognizable character actors in Indian cinema. Over his career, Potdar appeared in more than 125 films and nearly 100 television serials. His dignified presence and versatile portrayals—often as professors, doctors, j...

2026 is going to be exciting as some of the biggest films, featuring popular names, are scheduled for release. One of the highly awaited ones is Love & War. It is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and features an envious star cast comprising Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. Another factor that is enticing about this film is that its Bhansali’s first film in 26 years, which will be shot abroad. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for making grand and visually spectacular films. Yet, he hasn’t gone abroad for the same for his films like Devdas (2002), Black (2005), Saawariya (2007), Guzaarish (2010), Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela (2013), Bajirao Mastani (2015), Padmaavat (2018) and Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022). Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1998) was the last film for which he travelled abroad, to Hungary (depicted in the film as Italy), to shoot a crucial sequence of the second half.” The source continued, “But for Love & War, there’s a requir...

At least 120 crew members working on Ranveer Singh’s forthcoming film Dhurandhar have fallen ill due to suspected food poisoning during the shoot in Leh district of Ladakh, forcing the production to pause. The incident occurred on August 17 while filming at Pathar Sahib. “Over 100 workers of a Bollywood film crew were hospitalised in Leh after a suspected case of food poisoning late Sunday evening,” officials told Mid-Day. The affected individuals experienced severe symptoms such as intense abdominal pain, vomiting, and headaches soon after eating, prompting immediate medical attention at the Sajal Narbbu Memorial Hospital. Around 600 people were served the food that day, out of whom 120 fell ill and required hospitalization. There are rumours suggesting that a few individuals also suffered cardiac-related complications.” Food samples have been collected and sent for further analysis to pinpoint the root cause of the contamination. Meanwhile, the team has suspended shooting temporari...

Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has warned that he will pursue legal recourse if the release of his film The Bengal Files is prohibited in West Bengal. This statement came during a press conference following the disruption of the film’s trailer launch in Kolkata. Scheduled to hit theatres on September 5, The Bengal Files delves into the Calcutta riots of August 16, 1946, triggered by the All-India Muslim League’s call for “Direct Action Day” . Vivek Agnihotri recounted the series of setbacks faced during the trailer launch: it was initially cancelled by a multiplex, then shifted to a hotel where the power suddenly went out, and police eventually intervened to inquire whether proper permissions had been obtained . “We will go by the Constitution. We will go legally. If they stop us, we will take the legal course. What can we do? We are common citizens like you… We will pray that sanity prevails and the state government does not do it,” said the director, directly challenging the Mam...

Despite a sharper-than-expected decline in moviegoers during FY25, PVR Inox — India’s largest multiplex chain — managed to keep revenues afloat by leaning into its Food & Beverage (F&B) offerings, according to company filings and annual reports. The cinemas business faced headwinds from a fallout of the 2023 Hollywood strikes and a softer line-up of mainstream Indian films. Footfalls dropped significantly — ticket sales earnings plunged from Rs. 3,258 crore in FY24 to approximately Rs. 2,942 crore last year, accounting for a Rs. 316 crore fall. Admissions fell nearly 10%, shrinking from 15.14 crore to 13.69 crore overall. Yet the silver lining came from concessions. Not only did the average ticket price remain stable at Rs. 259, but the average spend per customer on F&B rose 1.5% — from Rs. 132 to Rs. 134. This helped F&B income decline at a lower rate of around Rs. 153 crore, compared to the sharper drop in ticketing revenue. Overall, cinema food revenues dropped from...

Filmmaker and producer Karan Johar recently shared an introspective note with fans, teasing his upcoming projects and giving a glimpse into his mindset ahead of 2026. The director, known for shaping some of Bollywood’s most iconic dramas, reflected on the past year, describing it as one of “internal revaluations, revelations and resolutions.” In his candid social media post, Johar wrote, “The Sun … the Sea…. The Clarity … The last year has been a year of internal revaluations, revelations and resolutions…. It almost feels like the onset of the 2.0 version of my life… where you value what you truly have and feel for and the rest you slowly dissolve into emotional oblivion… 2026 is the year I will be back on set.. a promise I have made to myself… because that is not only my happy space and place but also my only calling in life… to tell stories with all the prerequisites of good old fashioned Hindi cinema… it’s in my DNA so why run away from it …( or try to please a bunch of people I do...