Bollywood News

In a major development surrounding one of the year’s most talked-about films, Sanjay Dutt starrer Aakhri Sawal is set to hold a special screening at Rashtrapati Bhavan today, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned. The screening comes amid mounting controversy around the film. Over the past few days, Aakhri Sawal has been making headlines after reports surfaced of the film being banned in the UAE, while a PIL was also reportedly filed against the project in India. Despite the storm surrounding the film, the makers appear unfazed and are moving ahead with an aggressive rollout strategy. Sources close to the development reveal that preparations for the Rashtrapati Bhavan screening have been underway quietly over the last few days, though details regarding the guest list and attendees remain under wraps. Directed as a hard-hitting social drama, Aakhri Sawal features an ensemble cast led by Sanjay Dutt, the film has already generated substantial curiosity because of its subject matter ...

Something big is brewing at T-Series. Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that the Bhushan Kumar-led powerhouse is preparing to announce a brand-new film titled Satranga, described by insiders as a large-scale musical drama mounted on an ambitious cinematic canvas. While an official announcement is expected soon, the project has already begun generating strong buzz within industry circles. Sources close to the development reveal that Satranga is being envisioned as more than just a conventional musical romance. The film is said to be a sweeping emotional spectacle where music forms the very backbone of the storytelling. According to sources, the script is nearly locked, indicating that the creative groundwork is firmly in place. The makers are now focused on assembling the cast, which has not yet been finalized. Given the scale of the project and T-Series’ long-standing relationships with Bollywood’s biggest stars, expectations around the eventual casting are already high. Known...

Alia Bhatt is touted to be one of the most talented actresses of Indian Cinema. While her next for the big screen is the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed Love and War, we have exclusively learnt that Alia has silently started shooting for another film. Reliable sources confirm that Alia Bhatt is shooting for a 15-day cameo in the Sohum Shah led Tumbbad 2, which is presently on floors. "Alia is doing a 15-day extended cameo in Tumbbad 2, and it's a character that is integral to the overall narrative of the film. That's not all, her character will carry forward in the third part, which is the finale of the Tummbad trilogy. Tumbbad 2 will introduce Alia Bhatt as the central character of Tumbbad 3, alongside Sohum Shah," a source close to the development told Bollywood Hungama on condition of confidentiality. Alia is expected to wrap up shooting for Tummbad 2 by the end of May, and then move on to the last leg of Love and War. "Love and War restarts from June and will...

May is a significant month for Anupria Goenka. Her film, IIZ: Indian Institute Of Zombies, was released on May 15, marking her first theatrical outing after four years. She’ll end the month on a celebratory note as she rings in her birthday on May 29. That’s not all. She has another reason to celebrate this month – the talented and gorgeous actress will make her debut at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Anupria Goenka exclusively told Bollywood Hungama, “I am going to Cannes for the premiere of the film called Bombay Stories. It’s being screened at the market section; it’s not in the official selection. Nevertheless, this will be my first visit to Cannes.” She continued, “After that, I plan to travel around. I haven’t explored Europe much; I have only been to the United Kingdom. So, this birthday, I want to break my pattern and visit other countries (smiles).” She also revealed, “I am leaving for Cannes on May 18, after IIZ: Indian Institute Of Zombies releases on May 15. Wish me l...

Next Friday, May 22, will see the release of Chand Mera Dil, starring Lakshya and Ananya Panday. The film has caught attention due to its youthful flavour, casting, music and also because it belongs to the intense romance genre, which is working big time right now. Bollywood Hungama has learned that the love story might open better than expected due to an aggressive pricing strategy adopted by the makers. A trade source told Bollywood Hungama, “Chand Mera Dil is produced by Dharma Productions, and they are also distributing the film. They have informed cinemas that the tickets need to be sold at a very affordable price. Accordingly, tickets for all shows before 5:00 pm on Friday, May 22, will be available for just Rs. 149. After 5:00 pm, the tickets will be sold for Rs. 199.” The source added, “This offer will be valid only on the day of release. On Saturday and Sunday, theatres have been instructed to go for regular weekend rates. Also, tickets priced at Rs. 149 and Rs. 199 will be a...

Actor Sonu Sood has come out in support of Alia Bhatt after the actress faced heavy trolling on social media over her recent appearance at the Cannes Film Festival 2026. While Alia attended the prestigious event as the global ambassador for L'Oréal Paris, sections of the internet criticised her red carpet looks and public appearances, leading to widespread online discussions. Amid the criticism, Sonu Sood took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a strongly worded message encouraging positivity and support instead of negativity. Without directly addressing the trolls, the actor highlighted the importance of celebrating Indian artists representing the country on international platforms. “When one of our own walks onto an international stage, it should be a moment of pride, not a reason to search for flaws. Not every achievement needs validation from cameras, headlines, or strangers to be meaningful. The courage to stand there, represent your craft, and carry your journey with grace is ...

What are the vital ingredients an aspiring filmmaker needs when they have a story to tell but no outlet? Beyond a script, they need financial stability, production expertise, and industry access. Addressing this gap, Humans of Cinema and Safarnaama Pictures have launched a landmark feature film co-production fund of Rs 40,00,000 designed to back an emerging filmmaker with a distinct voice and a clear vision. In a significant boost to the independent ecosystem, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Shaunak Sen (All That Breathes) and globally acclaimed auteur Vishal Bhardwaj have joined the initiative as mentors. Sen is also attached to the selected project as an Executive Producer. The high-profile jury for the fund includes actor Imran Khan, filmmaker Arati Kadav (Cargo, Mrs), producer Aman Mann (All That Breathes), and renowned author and festival director Aseem Chhabra. Harshit Bansal, Founder of Humans of Cinema, shared that the idea took shape when Nazim Momin of Safarnaama Pictures—...

Mohan Kapur made India proud as he appeared in crucial roles in three Marvel titles – Ms Marvel (2022), The Marvels (2023) and Daredevil: Born Again (2025). Yet, he decided to pause his Hollywood career. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Mohan Kapur explained the reason. Mohan Kapur explained, “The industry is going through a little bit of turmoil over there. Plus, with chacha Trump (President Donald Trump) behaving the way he is (the situation is quite uncertain). In November 2025, my work visa expired. I am not renewing it just now. I fear that if I renew it and head to the States, I may have to return dejected. The makers may reason, ‘Why do we need actors from outside? Aren’t there Asians living in the States? Why don’t we cast them’? I don’t want that situation. Hence, I said, ‘Isko (Trump) jaane de. Once he leaves, I’ll return’.” Mohan explained why this has not affected him, “I am an actor. You put me anywhere. I’ll do my job. My attitude is ‘Raat gayi baat gayi...

Tips Music Limited has responded to the allegations made by Vashu Bhagnani’s Puja Entertainment in an ongoing legal dispute over music and intellectual property rights. Recently, Puja Entertainment approached a Bihar court claiming that its films, songs, and other copyrighted content were allegedly being used and commercially exploited without proper permission by Tips. The court granted interim protection and directed the parties involved to maintain status quo in the matter. Reacting to the allegations, Tips issued an official statement denying the claims and asserting that it is the lawful owner of the music rights involved in the dispute. The statement said, “While formal copies of the order are awaited, Tips clarifies that it is the rightful owner of the music rights in question, supported by valid and binding agreements between the parties. Tips has openly and legitimately exploited these rights for nearly three decades in full compliance with the applicable laws.” The statement...

Parineeti Chopra has added yet another meaningful association to her journey as she has been announced as the new face of Johnson’s Baby. The actress attended a special event in Mumbai on May 12 to launch Johnson’s Baby’s new nourishment range, comprising milk and rice, and built around the concept of “Poshan Ka Pehla Sparsh” and the idea of “Food for Skin.” Over the years, Parineeti has emerged as one of the most admired names among the youth. From her film choices to her candid personality and relatable public image, she has always struck a chord with young India. Now, as a new mother herself, her association with Johnson’s Baby feels both timely and organic. Her personal journey into motherhood gives the campaign a layer of authenticity, making her an ideal brand ambassador for a name that has been synonymous with baby care for generations. Speaking about the association, Parineeti Chopra said, "Motherhood is truly a blessing, and I feel incredibly grateful to be experiencing ...

Thanks to affordable internet and the surge of social media, information travels faster than ever. The flip side, however, is that fake news and disinformation also have the potential to spread like wildfire. Prominent actress Anupria Goenka experienced this last week when an Instagram handle called ‘Sarcastic Tube’ put up a post attributing a quote to her. The alleged quote claimed that an actor lost control and crossed all limits while shooting an intimate scene with her. The post further claimed that Anupria couldn’t understand what was happening during the scene. The shocking part is that Anupria never made any such statement. She immediately called out the mischief-monger page on her Instagram story and slammed them for their behaviour. It’s been seven days since the controversial post was uploaded, and it continues to remain on the page. At the time of publishing this article, the post could still be seen on the Instagram handle and had not been deleted despite the actress taggi...

Huma Qureshi is all set to return to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, adding another milestone to her steadily growing international journey. Over the years, the actor has built a strong reputation for balancing mainstream cinema with content-driven performances, and her Cannes 2026 appearance further highlights her expanding global footprint. Having attended Cannes previously as well, Huma has consistently represented Indian cinema on international platforms through her unconventional film choices and impactful performances. Whether it was her breakthrough role in Gangs of Wasseypur or critically appreciated performances in projects like Maharani, Monica O My Darling, Tarla and Leila, the actor has continuously backed stories that stand apart. She also expanded her global reach with Army of the Dead, directed by Zack Snyder. Last year proved to be particularly significant for Huma on the international front. The actor attended both the Toronto International Film Festival and the...

Shahid Kapoor is among the most celebrated actors of Hindi Cinema, who is gearing up for the release of Cocktail 2. Known for his phenomenal acting talent, the actor was in talks with Anees Bazmee for a comic caper titled Ram Aur Shyam. But the film didn't materialise due to reasons best known to the stakeholders. But the latest we hear is that the combo might team up for the first time soon. According to reliable sources, Anees Bazmee is in talks with Shahid Kapoor to come on board the sequel to his 2005 cult comedy, No Entry. "While Varun Dhawan is locked to play one of the three leads, the makers have initiated a conversation with Shahid Kapoor. The actor has heard the basic idea and will soon take the complete narration," a source informed Bollywood Hungama. The source further informs that if Shahid agrees, this could mark the first ever collaboration of two of the most talented actors of the last 2 decades - Shahid Kapoor and Varun Dhawan. The dynamic shared by the ...

After the success of the Dhurandhar franchise, Ranveer Singh has become the new King of the Indian Film Industry. With back-to-back all-time grossers under his kitty, the young actor has officially secured the tag of a superstar, and all eyes are now on his next move. While several speculations on the financials of Pralay continue to grab chatters in the industry circles, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learnt that Ranveer Singh has quietly acquired the rights for The Immortals of Meluha.  "Ranveer Singh was to lead Immortals of Meluha for Sanjay Leela Bhansali. However, the project never materialised. But the actor was always fascinated by the world, and had the dream of playing Lord Shiva in the spectacle. The minute rights of Immortal of Meluha expired on Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ranveer went ahead and procured it under his own banner - Maa Kasam Films," a source told Bollywood Hungama. The source also informs that the sum splurged by Ranveer Singh to bag the rights is ...

Amish Tripathi’s bestselling novel The Immortals of Meluha has remained one of the most sought-after Indian mythology adaptations for years, with several filmmakers reportedly expressing interest in bringing the epic saga to the big screen. Now, the project appears to have finally found its leading man and production backing. As per recent reports, Ranveer Singh has shown keen interest in adapting the fantasy novel under his production banner Maa Kasam Films. The actor has reportedly joined hands with Ananya Birla’s Birla Studios to develop the ambitious trilogy, which will include The Immortals of Meluha, The Secret of the Nagas, and The Oath of the Vayuputras. According to sources close to the development, the adaptation is currently in its early stages, with the team focusing heavily on writing and world-building. “Ranveer has been passionate about bringing Meluha to the big screen for a long time now. The acquisition happened recently, and the project is now officially under devel...

Krishna Bhatt, the daughter of Vikram Bhatt, was blessed with a baby boy on Monday, May 11. The same day, Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to the director about how he feels about being a nana. Vikram Bhatt joked, “Yes, I am a nana now. Ab main dadagiri kar sakta hoon!” On a serious note, he said, “I am very tired. We didn’t sleep all night and we’ve been working all day. It hasn’t sunk in yet.” Krishna Bhatt is married to businessman Vedant Sarda. The couple tied the knot on June 11, 2023. When asked how the mother and son are doing, Vikram Bhatt replied, “Krishna and the baby both are fine. She insisted on working on Haunted – Echoes Of The Past even while going into the OT (Operation theatre). I call her ‘QC’ (Quality Check)! She always insists, ‘I want to see all the shots. Don’t okay anything without QC’.” Vikram continued, “I am happy for her. It wasn’t easy for a girl who spent her pregnancy running around. She was mentioned in the FIR, but thankfully, the chargesheet didn’t...

On the occasion of Mother’s Day, Shilpa Shetty announced her upcoming Zee5 reality show Maa Hai Na. The actress also revealed that the shoot for the show has already commenced, marking her latest venture into the non-fiction entertainment space. Known for her association with wellness, fitness and food-related content, Shilpa appears set to headline a cooking-based reality format that aligns closely with her public image. Over the years, the actress has built a strong digital presence through her popular Sunday Binge videos and YouTube content centred around recipes and healthy eating. According to reports surrounding the show, Maa Hai Na will feature a combination of celebrity contestants and social media personalities competing in various culinary challenges, games and entertainment segments. Shilpa Shetty will serve as the host of the series. Among the names associated with the show are Ssunita Ahuja and Tina Ahuja, who are expected to participate as a mother-daughter duo. The pair...

Babil Khan is set to embark on an exciting new chapter in his acting journey as he will be making his Malayalam cinema debut with filmmaker Babu Janardhanan’s upcoming directorial titled Gandhi Bazar Sunday Market. The project will Babil step into the rich and nuanced world of Malayalam storytelling, an industry celebrated for its depth and authenticity. Having steadily carved a space for himself through emotionally resonant performances and unconventional choices, Babil’s foray into Malayalam cinema underscores his commitment to pushing creative boundaries and embracing stories across languages. The film will feature Babil alongside an accomplished ensemble cast including Aparna Balamurali, Deepak Parambol, Nikhil Nair, Johny Antony, Jagadish, Sudheer Karamana, Unni Raja, Athmiya, and Jayashankar. As per sources, “Babil has always been drawn to stories that challenge him and allow him to grow as an artist. Stepping into Malayalam cinema with a project of this scale and creative depth...

There was a time when cinemas would screen just four shows a day, usually beginning around 11:30 am or 12 noon. But with the advent of multiplexes, the system changed. Exhibitors began experimenting with 9:00 am and 10:00 am shows, and the strategy worked. For high-profile releases, cinemas even started organizing shows earlier than that, at 8:00 am, 7:00 am and, in some cases, even at 5:00 am or 6:00 am. However, Tamil Nadu stands out as the only state where early-morning shows are tightly regulated. Here, the first regular show generally begins around 10:30 am or 11:00 am. For big-ticket releases, producers and distributors seek special permission from the state government, after which theatres are usually allowed to start shows from 9:00 am. However, shows at 4:00 am or even earlier have not been permitted in Tamil Nadu in recent times. The last major instance took place during the Pongal 2023 clash between Ajith Kumar’s Thunivu and Vijay’s Varisu. While Thunivu had shows beginning...

A public notice issued by CA Bharati Manoj Daga, Resolution Professional of Hare Krishna Media Tech Pvt. Ltd., in the May 9, 2026 issue of Atul Mohan’s Complete Cinema magazine, cautioned the Indian film trade and industry against proceeding with the release, distribution, exhibition, streaming, promotion or commercial exploitation of the upcoming film Haunted – Echoes Of The Past, which is scheduled for a release on June 12, 2026. Directed by Vikram Bhatt, the horror film stars Mimoh Chakraborty in the lead. As per Zauba Corp, Vikram Bhatt and his daughter Krishna Bhatt are the directors of Hare Krishna Media Tech Pvt Ltd while the former's wife Shwetambari Bhatt is mentioned as an additional director in the company. The notice, issued regarding proceedings before the Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai Bench, refers to the matter involving CA Bharati Daga, Resolution Professional of Hare Krishna Media Tech Pvt. Ltd., versus Vikram Bhatt and others. According to ...