Bollywood News

Swanand Kirkire is set to take on a new role in his career as he makes his debut as a show creator with the upcoming Prime Video series Bandwaale. The series is co-created by Swanand along with Ankur Tewari and will see him stepping into long-form storytelling for the first time. Apart from creating the series, Swanand will also be seen playing the lead role in the show. Bandwaale is expected to explore themes rooted in music and narrative, bringing together his interest in storytelling and performance. Speaking about his debut as a show creator, Swanand shared, “For a very long time, stories have lived with me, some through music, some through characters, and some quietly in my head.” He added that the format of a series allowed the story to unfold in a more detailed manner. “Bandwaale is a result of those stories finally finding a form that allows them to breathe over time,” he said. Talking about balancing his responsibilities as both creator and actor, Swanand said, “It’s a diffe...

After reading about the very talented comic actor Rajpal Yadav’s poignant proclamation in a publication that he has no friends in the film industry, actor Gurmeet Chowdhary has come forward to offer financial aid to the incarcerated actor in the cheque-bounce case. Said Gurmeet, “It is heart-breaking to see an actor of Rajpal ji’s seniority behind bars for such an offence when white collar criminals get away with siphoning millions. I am going to do all I can to help Rajpal ji financially. I also urge my colleagues in the film industry to come forward to help one of their troubled colleagues. Rajpal ji has given so much to our entertainment industry. He doesn’t deserve this.” Last week, before surrendering to Tihar Jail in the check-bounce case, Rajpal Yadav told this writer, “Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain (sir, what to do? I don’t have the money to pay back). Aur koi upaay nahin dikhta (can’t see another way out).” When Yadav was asked whether his rich friends from th...

Janhvi Kapoor is gradually making inroads into the South. While she is being paid much more in Telugu cinema than what she gets in Bollywood, she is now trying to conquer the Tamil arena as well. One hears Janhvi has inked a deal for a web series in Tamil with Netflix for an impressive fee (approximately Rs. 20 crores). The series, a female-oriented subject, is being directed by the popular Pa Ranjith, who directed Rajinikanth in the two back-to-back releases Kabali and Kaala. For her latest Telugu outing Peddi, co-starring Ram Charan, Janhvi has been paid around Rs. 14 crores, which makes her the highest paid Telugu actress of all times. How did this happen? It started with Devara in 2024 when she was offered the heroine’s part. Initially, Janhvi rejected the offer as she didn’t want to go regional, as it would impact her Hindi career. It was her father producer Boney Kapoor who insisted she do the film...

A Mumbai court has restrained YouTuber Ajey Nagar, popularly known as CarryMinati, along with talent manager Deepak Char and others, from publishing or circulating any defamatory content against filmmaker Karan Johar on social media platforms. The order was passed on February 9 by Principal Sessions Judge P.G. Bhonsale in the matter titled Karan Johar v. Ajey Nagar & Ors. The plea was filed by Johar through Apoorva Mehta, CEO of Dharma Productions, the banner owned by the filmmaker. Allegations of defamatory and abusive content In his plea, Johar claimed that the social media influencers had made defamatory statements about him in videos uploaded on YouTube. “The statements are so vulgar and abusive that they immediately needs to be taken down,” Johar’s plea stated. Counsel for Nagar argued before the court that the videos in question had already been taken down and that there was no surviving cause for Johar to approach the court. However, Johar countered this submission, stati...

Veteran actor Prakash Raj has officially started shooting for the much-anticipated Hindi thriller Drishyam 3. The actor confirmed his participation through a social media post, while also addressing speculation surrounding the film’s casting after Akshaye Khanna’s reported exit from the project. Taking to X, Prakash Raj shared an update from the sets and wrote: “Started shooting for this engaging franchise #Drishyam3 in Hindi. With a wonderful team and a scintillating role to play. I’m sure you will love it. (And yes, I’m not replacing anyone..)” Started shooting for this engaging franchise #Drishyam3 in hindi. With a wonderful team and a scintillating role to play . Im sure you will love it . ❤️❤️❤️( and yes im not replacing anyone..) 😛😛😛 — Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) February 10, 2026 The post appeared to directly respond to ongoing assumptions that he might be stepping into a role earlier associated with Khanna. His clarification suggests that his character is a new addition ra...

Actor Ranveer Singh has received a threat, prompting a police probe and heightened security at his Mumbai residence. According to a report by PTI, the actor was sent a threatening voice message, following which the authorities initiated an investigation. Police sources confirmed that the Crime Branch is currently examining the voice note and attempting to trace the sender. A search operation has been launched as part of the inquiry. In the wake of the threat, security arrangements at the residence shared by Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone have reportedly been strengthened. According to a letter circulating online and attributed to the society managing committee of the residential complex, six armed private security guards have been stationed at the premises along with one uniformed police personnel. The letter notes that such deployment was not in place earlier. The society has raised concerns about the movement of armed guards through common areas, including the lobby, gymnasium...

Paresh Rawal is one of the most versatile performers in Bollywood, excelling in roles across genres, be it comic, villainous or emotional. His comic timing is impeccable, as proved by his work in several comic capers, some of which are fondly remembered even today. One such film is Bhagam Bhag (2006) and moviegoers were excited to learn that Bhagam Bhag 2 is in the offing. Bollywood Hungama has learned of an exciting development – Paresh Rawal will be seen in a double role in this highly awaited flick. Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke with Paresh Rawal. When asked if he has a double role in Bhagam Bhag 2, he replied, “Yes, I do.” He further said, “I am excited. Maza aayega. Dhamaal hoga!” This is not the first time that Paresh Rawal will play dual roles in a film. His portrayals of the uptight and disciplined Ram Gopal Bajaj and the buffoon antagonist Shyam Gopal Bajaj aka Teja in Andaz Apna Apna (1994) have achieved cult status. Then, in Oye Lucky Lucky Oye (2008), he played not ...

Filmmaker Karan Johar has opened up about a challenging experience early in his career, recalling how legendary choreographer Saroj Khan reacted to his involvement during the making of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Johar described the encounter as frightening and emotionally taxing, even though he ultimately acknowledged Saroj Khan’s talent. Johar began his career in the film industry as a costume assistant on the 1995 romantic drama, working under Aditya Chopra and alongside designer Manish Malhotra. Years later, he reflected on the intensity he experienced on set, particularly during the filming of the song ‘Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna.’ “At that time, the costume dada was my biggest ally… Manish would come in the morning, hand over the clothes, and leave. I was the costume assistant, and Pam aunty was deeply involved in the process,” Johar recalled, referring to Pamela Chopra’s hands-on role with costumes. Trouble emerged when ...

A financial dispute has emerged between Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh and Don 3 producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment following Singh’s reported exit from the much-anticipated action thriller. The production house is seeking compensation of Rs 40 crores for alleged losses incurred after the actor stepped away from the project. The conflict has taken an industry spotlight not over box office performance, but over costs associated with pre-production. Sources cited in a report by Variety India indicate that Excel Entertainment claims it invested heavily in early stages of development — including scheduling, location planning and hiring crew — based on Ranveer Singh’s commitment to play the lead role. Ranveer Singh is said to strongly contest the demand. According to the report, he argues he should not be held financially responsible for leaving the project. “Ranveer claims he left the project because he wasn’t happy with the script. He kept asking for change...

The controversy around the upcoming Netflix film Ghooskhor Pandat, produced by Neeraj Pandey and starring Manoj Bajpayee, grew more intense this week after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) formally objected to its title and urged the makers to withdraw it, warning of significant industry action if the demand is not met. The dispute began soon after the film’s announcement and teaser release, with many viewers and various organisations criticising the title Ghooskhor Pandat as offensive and potentially derogatory toward a specific community. The title combines ghooskhor — a colloquial Hindi term for someone who takes bribes — with Pandat, commonly associated with the Brahmin community. Critics argued that this linkage could perpetuate stereotypes and hurt sentiments. FWICE’s Objection and Warning FWICE, a body representing workers, technicians and artists across more than three dozen affiliated associations, sent a letter to producers’ bodies and major OTT platfor...

Actor Vikrant Massey addressed widespread rumours surrounding his alleged role in Ramayana, a two-part film directed by Nitesh Tiwari, and reports that he was replaced by Raghav Juyal. The speculation began earlier this week, triggering reactions across social media and entertainment outlets. In a post shared on his Instagram Stories, Massey firmly denied being part of the project. “Ok. To put the rumours to rest. I never was a part of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayan,” he wrote, reflecting on the coverage that suggested he had lost a role in the film. “The many media portals reporting about my supposed ‘replacement’ should’ve done the requisite background check. Disappointing. Nonetheless, wishing everyone a part of the movie all the very best. Love.” The actor later deleted the post from his Instagram Story, though no explanation was given for its removal. The controversy stemmed from a report by Variety India mentioning that Raghav Juyal had been cast as Meghanad (also called Indrajit) — ...

Earlier in the day, Bollywood Hungama announced that the much-awaited film, Battle Of Galwan, might not be able to make it on April 17, as scheduled. The news went viral as soon as it went live. We now bring to you another exciting update – the new release date of the Salman Khan-starrer. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Battle Of Galwan has indeed been postponed and it’ll now release on August 14, 2026. Salman Khan and the makers are of the opinion that it would be a better date since India’s Independence Day falls on August 15. The patriotic sentiment will be at an all-time high and Battle Of Galwan would be an ideal flick to watch in this period.” The source further said, “The makers are expected to shortly announce the new release date of Battle Of Galwan officially.” Earlier, Bollywood Hungama, in its article, carried a quote from a source who explained the reason for the delay, “The shoot is not yet over and the reshoot is taking more time than expected. From Monday, February...

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) completed 100 years in 2025. As part of its centenary celebrations, a grand two-day event is being held at a sprawling auditorium in Mumbai. The first day of the event took place on Saturday, February 7, with several prominent personalities from various fields in attendance. The Bollywood film fraternity was not far behind and many celebs attended the first day of the event like superstars Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, filmmakers Mohit Suri, Subhash Ghai, Nitesh Tiwari, Mahaveer Jain, Om Raut, Vikram Malhotra, lyricist Prasoon Joshi and others. The second day of the event was also star-studded. While Ranbir attended the first day of the event, his Love & War co-star Vicky Kaushal made his presence felt on day 2. Karan Johar and Ananya Panday were also present and they were joined by veteran actor Jackie Shroff, the evergreen Raveena Tandon and Shilpa Shetty, music composer Pritam Chakraborty, singer Adnan Sami, television star Rupali Ganguly,...

Bollywood actor Ishaan Khatter has reportedly made a significant real estate investment in Mumbai, purchasing a luxury apartment in the city’s upscale Pali Hill neighbourhood for Rs. 29.37 crore. The transaction details have emerged through property registration documents accessed by real estate data platform CRE Matrix. According to the documents, Ishaan has acquired the apartment at Navroz Apartments, located in Bandra’s Pali Hill, under the Navroze Premises Co-operative Society. The high-end residence boasts a carpet area of 2,989.05 square feet, making it a spacious addition to the actor’s property portfolio. The seller of the apartment has been identified as Kapil M. Mahtani, and the transaction was officially registered on February 5, 2026. The paperwork further reveals that the actor paid approximately Rs. 1.76 crore in stamp duty for the deal. In addition to the apartment, the purchase also includes four dedicated parking spaces, a valuable asset in one of Mumbai’s most sough...

Bollywood Hungama has been at the forefront in providing timely updates about Battle Of Galwan. We are now back with another news, which might disappoint those who have been waiting to catch the Salman Khan-starrer on the big screen. As per latest developments, the superstar and the makers of the film are toying with the idea of delaying the release. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Battle Of Galwan is scheduled to be released on April 17. But the shoot is not yet over and the reshoot is taking more time than expected. From Monday, February 9, a one-week schedule will commence in the Golden Tobacco Factory in Mumbai. After this schedule gets over, a few more days of shooting are left and by February-end, it’ll be a wrap.” The source further said, “Director Apoorva Lakhia will begin editing the reshot portions. And that’s not all. As per the rules, Battle Of Galwan needs to be shown to the Ministry of Defence and this process might also take time. Due to these two reasons, the makers...

A year after Mrs sparked widespread conversation for its sharp social commentary, producer Harman Baweja and director Arati Kadav are set to reunite for a new project. The announcement comes as the film completes one year since its release, reaffirming the creative partnership that delivered one of the most discussed Hindi films of recent times. Marking the milestone, both Harman Baweja and Arati Kadav took to Instagram to share the news of their next collaboration. The timing of the announcement, coinciding with the anniversary of Mrs, has added to the anticipation surrounding their reunion. While details of the new project remain under wraps, the development signals a continuation of the creative synergy that defined their previous collaboration. Mrs, directed by Arati Kadav and headlined by Sanya Malhotra, was a Hindi adaptation of the Malayalam cult classic The Great Indian Kitchen, reimagined through a North Indian cultural lens. By weaving in familiar social rituals and domesti...

The Varanasi team’s widely circulated interview with Screen Rant features a rather awkward moment. When the interviewer asks Priyanka Chopra about her Telugu debut in Varanasi, the actor says she cannot remember when she last did a Telugu film. Mahesh Babu quickly steps in to add, “This is her first Telugu film.” But that is not entirely accurate. Priyanka Chopra had, in fact, featured in the Telugu version of the Amitabh Bachchan classic Zanjeer in 2013. Titled Thoofan, the Ram Charan starrer had Priyanka playing his love interest in what was admittedly a small role. At the time, Chopra had expressed considerable gratitude to the makers of Thoofan, as opportunities in Bollywood were scarce for her then. A senior member of the Thoofan team views her current statement as a case of selective amnesia. “When we signed her for Thoofan, nobody in the Hindi film industry was willing to sign her. We ourselves felt the role was not substantial enough for a future global star like her. But s...

In an interview with BrandEquity, Hrithik Roshan spoke in detail about what it takes for a story to earn a greenlight under HRX Films. He also explained why, for him, the final stamp always comes down to the director’s complete adoption of the script. Talking about his banner, Hrithik Roshan said, “HRX Films is a division of FilmKraft because that is the main school that I learned from. So, HRX Films operates under FilmKraft and it is the sweet spot between the commercial thinking of that school or my dad's school and content that is high on emotions, high on the nuances and HRX Films is about creating that sweet spot that brings both of these together.” He explained, “Some big commercial films I have done are a community experience where you have the entire theatre clapping. But then there are some films that you watch just by yourself, and you feel fulfilled, you cry, and it changes you from the inside. It's cathartic and that catharsis, shall I say, I never get in a highly...

Bhagam Bhag 2, the sequel to one of Bollywood’s enduring comedies, has seen a notable change in its cast as production advances toward a scheduled start. Reports emerging from industry sources indicate that Manoj Bajpayee will join stars Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal for the follow-up, while original cast member Govinda is not expected to return. The original Bhagam Bhag (2006) featured Akshay Kumar, Govinda and Paresh Rawal in memorable comic roles and became a cult favourite over the years. As the sequel moves closer to production, the casting list is shifting. According toa report by Variety India, acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee is set to take on a significant role alongside Kumar and Rawal. Govinda, who played one of the lead comic roles in the first film, is reportedly not part of the new instalment. The report noted that discussions with him did not materialise into a confirmed role for Bhagam Bhag 2, and the casting change marks a departure from early expectations. The sequel...

After the anticipation around Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film King reaches its peak, fresh reports suggest that the actor’s next project could be a sequel to one of his most beloved films, Main Hoon Na. According to an exclusive from Pinkvilla, discussions between Khan and filmmaker Farah Khan are progressing, pointing to Main Hoon Na 2 as a strong contender for his post-King slate. Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan to reunite If realised, this sequel would mark a reunion between Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan after nearly 12 years. Their collaborations in the past — including Om Shanti Om (2007) and Happy New Year (2014) — delivered significant box office results and helped define the commercial cinema of their respective eras. Sources quoted in the report say Farah Khan has devised an “exciting double-role concept” specifically for Khan. “Farah Khan has cracked an exciting double-role concept for Shah Rukh Khan, which has excited the superstar,” one insider told Pinkvilla. “The idea is s...