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Showing posts from January, 2026

EXCLUSIVE: Border 2 goes the Dhurandhar way; won’t have a release in Gulf countries

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The first biggie of 2026, Border 2 , is all set to release tomorrow, and there’s tremendous excitement for it, as evident by the ticket sales. Not just in India, but it is poised for a healthy opening overseas as well. But those waiting to see the film in Gulf countries or the UAE/GCC belt would be disheartened to know that it would not get a release in the region. A source told Bollywood Hungama , “Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE will not be releasing Border 2 . By now, it’s given that films which are perceived as having ‘anti-Pakistan’ content don’t get a release in this belt. Yet, the team of Border 2 did make an attempt and sadly, their attempts proved futile. One day is left for release and the hope is still there that they pass the film, though the possibility seems remote.” The source continued, “Recently, even Dhurandhar was not allowed a release in the same region. However, the makers of Border 2 are not losing sleep over it as they are aware that...

Rasha Thadani makes her singing debut with ‘Chaap Tilak’ from Laikey Laikaa

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Rasha Thadani has taken a step into music with her singing debut in ‘ Chaap Tilak ’, the first song released from the upcoming film Laikey Laikaa . Known primarily for her on-screen work so far, this marks her first outing as a vocalist, adding another element to her growing body of work. The song has been composed by indie-folk band Faridkot, whose music often draws from traditional influences while presenting them in a contemporary framework. In ‘ Chaap Tilak ’, the composition leans towards a rooted, earthy sound, with Rasha’s vocals fitting into the overall texture of the track rather than standing apart from it. The approach moves away from a conventional Bollywood launch song, opting instead for a more understated, narrative-driven style. Directed by Saurabh Gupta, Laikey Laikaa is positioned as a young love story that explores relationships through themes of passion, vulnerability, and conflict. The film’s first look, which has circulated widely online, suggests a tone that ...

Trade experts open up on Border 2’s advance booking: “There’s no ‘Aman Ki Asha’ factor here; When Sunny Deol screams ‘Awaaz kahan tak jaani chahiye?’ and when the jawans reply ‘Lahore tak’, you are directly naming the enemy”

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Border 2 is all set to release this Friday and the advance booking trends have been very encouraging. We spoke to trade experts to understand the hype surrounding the war film and more. Trade veteran Taran Adarsh said, “The advance is good and the momentum has begun. Border 2 is riding very highly on the star cast. There’s a lot of emotion attached because of the recall value of the first part, though it was released almost three decades ago. Additionally, today’s generation is largely unaware of the 1971 war. So, they are curious about what happened at that time.” He added, “The star cast is huge. Sunny Deol is the poster boy; the film is riding on his shoulders, though the film also stars Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty. The music is a plus point. The makers have repeated the hit songs; it’s a great idea as those tracks are fresh even today.” Girish Johar, producer and film business analyst, agreed, “The advance figures were satisfactory. The awareness level is hig...

Photos: Shanaya Kapoor, Avneet Kaur, Tamannaah Bhatia and others grace the Elle List 2026

The post Photos: Shanaya Kapoor, Avneet Kaur, Tamannaah Bhatia and others grace the Elle List 2026 appeared first on Bollywood Hungama . from Bollywood Hungama https://ift.tt/DsIOl9p

Vijay Varma revisits 2016 with throwback photos featuring Amitabh Bachchan’s “golden toilet”, Irrfan Khan and more; calls it a milestone year

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As the 2016 trend makes its way across social media, Vijay Varma joined in by revisiting a year that played a defining role in his journey. Sharing a series of throwback memories, the actor reflected on how 2016 turned out to be a milestone phase for him, both personally and professionally. Calling it a special chapter, Vijay wrote, “2016 was sort of a milestone year for me.. I got to work with Big B and Shoojit da on movie Pink with the lovely cast and crew. Met god @sachintendulkar. Took selfie with a golden toilet at Bachchan’s / Made gym buddies @sanyamalhotra_ and @fatimasanashaikh / Met my hero @irrfan / Worked on Yaara with @tigmanshudhulia sir with @mevidyutjammwal and @theamitsadh / Music video Naina Bawre with my friend @reemsen and overall goofed around with my new found mini fame.” In essence, 2016 marked a year in which Vijay Varma found himself stepping into spaces he had once only dreamed of. From working alongside stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan under Shoojit Sircar’...

Randeep Hooda becomes investor for health and wellness brand TeinPro, marks foray into entrepreneurship

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Actor Randeep Hooda has taken his first step into entrepreneurship by joining as an investor in TeinPro, an Indian health and nutrition brand focused on clean, everyday protein solutions. The move reflects Hooda’s long-standing interest in disciplined living and mindful health choices, rather than a conventional celebrity business association. Founded by Chinmay Barik, Raghav Gupta and Kshitij Shokeen, TeinPro positions itself as a wellness brand aimed at addressing everyday nutritional gaps, particularly protein deficiency in Indian diets. The company currently offers protein and energy bars designed for people with active routines, long workdays, or those seeking balanced nutrition without extreme fitness messaging. Speaking about his association with the venture, Hooda explained that his decision was rooted in personal alignment rather than commercial intent. “I’ve never been someone who believes in attaching my name to things casually. For me, any association off screen has to f...

Meerra Chopraa comes out in support of AR Rahman: “‘Trolling him is disgraceful”

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Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman recently found himself at the centre of a heated controversy following comments he made about a decline in work opportunities from Hindi cinema over the past eight years. Speaking in an interview with BBC Asian Network, Rahman suggested that while multiple factors could be responsible, there may also be a “communal angle” involved, remarks that triggered sharp criticism from sections of the film industry and sparked a polarised public debate. Amid the backlash, Rahman has received support from several voices within the entertainment fraternity. The latest to publicly stand by the composer is actor-turned-producer Meerra Chopraa. Addressing the controversy, Meerra issued a strong statement in Rahman’s defence, calling out the trolling directed at the composer. She wrote, “Only two Indians have truly taken India to the global stage in a way the whole world recognises — Priyanka Chopra and AR Rahman. Trolling him for something he didn’t even mean is not...

25 years of Zubeidaa EXCLUSIVE: Khalid Mohamed, writer and son of Zubeida Begum, shares, “Not many theatres wanted to risk showing a ‘woman-centric’ film”; also reveals the film’s sequel based on his slain half-brother Rao Raja Hukam Singh never found takers

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In the filmography of the late celebrated filmmaker Shyam Benegal, Mammo (1994), Sardari Begum (1996) and Zubeidaa (2001) stand out for they are a part of a trilogy on three Muslim women. The common factor among all three movies is that the titular character in each was inspired from three women related to veteran journalist Khalid Mohamed. While Mammo and Sardari Begum were inspired from his two grandaunts Mehmooda Begum and Bugam Akhtar, Zubeidaa was inspired from his mother Zubeida Begum, who was an actress. Mohamed served as a writer on all three films. Zubeidaa saw Karisma Kapoor essay the titular character while it also starred Manoj Bajpayee, Rekha, Rajit Kapur and Surekha Sikri. As the film completed 25 years today, Khalid Mohamed opened up about various aspects related to it in an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama . Even after 25 years, Zubeidaa continues to be appreciated. In all these years, what has been the most memorable reaction for this film that you...

EXCLUSIVE: Zoya Afroz on cloud nine with response to Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web: “Trying to respond to every message from viewers”; opens up on romancing Emraan Hashmi: “There was NEVER a kiss written…restraint says more than consummation”

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The recently released web series, Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, has been loved for its subject, treatment, humorous and dramatic moments and the casting. Zoya Afroz left a mark as Priya Khubchandani, the mole in the smuggler’s (Sharad Kelkar) core team. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama , Zoya spoke about the response to the Netflix web series and a lot more. How has been the response to Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web? The response has been reassuring in the best way. People are discussing the characters, not just the twists, which tells me the writing and performances have truly landed. I’ve also been receiving a lot of thoughtful messages from viewers who’ve reached out specifically about my performance, and I’ve been trying to respond to each one as personally as I can. That kind of engagement is deeply encouraging. How did you bag the role? Did the role in Sikandar Ka Muqaddar (2024) help you? I’ve often heard people say that if Neeraj Pandey sir believes in your...

Amaal Mallik on completing 12 years as an influential music voice, “The best melodies are yet to come”

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Celebrated music composer and singer Amaal Mallik celebrates 12 remarkable years in the Indian entertainment industry, marking a journey defined by soulful melodies, chart-topping hits, and an unwavering commitment to artistic integrity. Since his debut in 2014 with compositions for Salman Khan’s Jai Ho , Amaal has established himself as one of Bollywood’s most dynamic music talents. Over the past decade plus, he has composed and produced music for widely loved films including Kabir Singh , Airlift , De De Pyaar De , and many more, earning both critical acclaim and fan adoration. Despite coming from a musically renowned family, Amaal’s rise wasn’t without its challenges. In candid conversations and reality television appearances, he’s openly discussed facing industry obstacles and perceptions of “reverse nepotism,” insisting that his success has been hard-earned and deeply personal. Over the years, Mallik’s career has extended beyond cinema — as a solo performer, collaborator, and ...

Photos: Aamir Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Raashii Khanna and others snapped at Tips event and Ramesh Taurani’s birthday

The post Photos: Aamir Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Raashii Khanna and others snapped at Tips event and Ramesh Taurani’s birthday appeared first on Bollywood Hungama . from Bollywood Hungama https://ift.tt/fw2yXEJ

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, starring Prabhas and Triptii Dimri, to release on March 5, 2027

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Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga has officially announced the theatrical release date of his much-anticipated project Spirit , starring Prabhas and Triptii Dimri. The film is slated to reach cinemas worldwide on March 5, 2027, bringing an end to months of speculation about its launch window. Vanga shared the news alongside a new poster on social media, confirming the release with a post by lead actor Prabhas, who wrote on his Instagram handle, “#Spirit is set for a World release on March 5, 2027 .”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Prabhas (@actorprabhas) The official first look was unveiled at midnight on New Year’s Day, generating a strong buzz online. The poster showcases a rugged, battle-scarred Prabhas alongside Triptii Dimri in an atmospheric frame, reinforcing the film’s intense and raw visual tone.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Prabhas (@actorprab...

Yellamma first look out: Rockstar DSP makes acting debut in Pan-India film

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The first look of Yellamma , marking the acting debut of music composer Devi Sri Prasad, popularly known as Rockstar DSP, was unveiled recently, immediately drawing attention across social media. Known for shaping some of Indian cinema’s most popular soundtracks, DSP now steps into a new creative phase as a lead actor. The announcement of DSP’s Pan-India acting debut had earlier generated considerable interest, and the newly released glimpse adds to that anticipation. In the first-look video, DSP appears as Parshi, seen seated in meditation on the banks of a river while a storm brews around him—an image that hints at an introspective and layered character. The visual treatment suggests a grounded narrative with emotional undertones. Yellamma is directed by Venu Yeldandi, best known for Balagam , a film widely appreciated for its rooted storytelling and emotional depth. The project is produced by Dil Raju under the Sri Venkateswara Creations (SVC) banner. The film is described as a ...

Smriti Irani to attend World Economic Forum at Davos 2026: “As Chairperson of the Alliance for Global Good, I look forward to engaging with global leaders”

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Smriti Irani is set to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, where she will engage with global leaders through the WE Lead Lounge, scheduled from 20 to 22 January during WEF week. The platform will focus on advancing cross-sector collaboration with an emphasis on translating dialogue into long-term action. Irani’s presence at Davos comes at a time when she continues to operate across multiple spheres, public policy, popular culture, and global advocacy. Following her return to television with Kyunkii 2.0 and appearances at international platforms such as TIME100 New York, she will now take part in discussions centred on economic resilience, workforce preparedness, and inclusive growth. At Davos 2026, Irani also marks three years of the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality, which she founded to move gender equity from advocacy to implementation by embedding it within economic and institutional frameworks. The WE Lead Lounge serve...

Kabir Bedi, who celebrates his 80th birthday, looks back at working with iconic filmmakers: “What you take from them is much greater than what one can assimilate from any acting academy”

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On January 16, Kabir Bedi turns 80. Remove twenty years from that figure and you get how he looks today! Terming a healthy outlook and lifestyle, light exercise and careful diet as his secret armamentarium in looking three-quarters his age, Kabir notes that he is as busy an actor as ever. Among the films he is doing or are on release are a biopic, USA vs. Raj , the quirky Detective Shantaram , the Italian production, Questione di Stoffa , his Kannada debut, Koragajja and a spy drama on the web— Teen Kawwe , produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur. His international fame began in the mid-1970s with Sandokan , the Italian series about a Malaysian pirate, and went on to do multiple movies and shows including the Bond thriller, Octopussy , and The Bold And The Beautiful —interestingly the perfect term for his colorful life and career too! Kabir’s Hindi highs include Kucche Dhaage, Nagin, Khoon Bhari Maang, Main Hoon Na and Dilwale. In 2025, he featured in Achaari Baa and the Telugu film, Ha...

EXCLUSIVE: CBFC springs a pleasant surprise; allows majority of abuses and cuss words in Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos; deletes ‘brown’ visual

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The crazy comic caper, Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos , is all set to release tomorrow, January 16 and it has caught attention due to its quirky trailer, casting and association of Aamir Khan as a producer and also in a special appearance. A few days ago, its director, Vir Das, revealed that the film has been passed with an ‘A’ certificate. In this article, Bollywood Hungama will exclusively focus on the cut list. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) passed Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos with an ‘A’ certificate. However, they asked for a few changes. At four places, dialogues were replaced with appropriate one-liners. However, the cut list doesn’t mention any details about these dialogues. Secondly, a visual with the word ‘brown’ was asked to be deleted. It lasted 43 seconds and was replaced with an approved visual of 21 seconds. Lastly, the makers were asked to increase the font size of all the anti-alcohol, smoking and tobacco disclaimers. The good news is that Happy Patel...

Photos: Junaid Khan, Ira Khan, Kiran Rao and others snapped outside voting booth in Bandra

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Aamir Khan sheds 18 kilos for his cameo in Happy Patel: “New diet is working like magic for me”

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Aamir Khan, who will next be seen in a comic avatar in  Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos , has lost oodles of weight. “Eighteen kilos, actually,” Aamir laughed as this writer gasped. “It happened by default. The new diet I am following for health reasons is working like magic for me.” Aamir’s dietary regimen eventuated after he started getting recurring migraine headaches. “I undertook the diet for the migraines. It is an anti-inflammatory diet. I not only lost eighteen kgs, my migraines have also reduced considerably.” Aamir is all set to be seen this Friday with his nephew Imran Khan in  Happy Patel , which is a comeback of sorts for Imran. “It is not a proper comeback for Imran. Both Imran and I have cameo roles. I haven’t done too many comedy roles in my career, although people still remember Andaz Apna Apna ,” he said. Also Read: 25 Years of Mela: Aamir Khan admits he did Mela only to launch brother Faisal The post Aamir Khan sheds 18 kilos for his cameo...

Photos: Salman Khan, Kriti Sanon, Disha Patani, Mouni Roy and others attend Nupur Sanon & Stebin Ben’s wedding reception

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Border 2’s ‘Jaate Hue Lamhon’ song launch: Suniel Shetty, Roop Kumar Rathod get teary-eyed over Ahan’s grand re-launch: “Everyone feels, ‘Suniel Shetty ka beta hai. Kaam toh bahut milta hai’. However, he went through a lot in life”

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The song ‘Jaate Hue Lamhon’ from Border 2 was launched in the presence of Ahan Shetty, Anyaa Singh, Bhushan Kumar, Nidhi Dutta, Vishal Mishra and Roop Kumar Rathod at a club in a defence area in Mumbai. The highlight was the presence of none other than Suniel Shetty, who featured in Border (1997). Interestingly, the sequel stars his son, Ahan. What also made the event memorable is that the artists got teary-eyed more than once. Suniel Shetty struggled to hold his tears as he said, “For Ahan, to bag a huge film like Border 2 , is a feat. It’s also a responsibility. When Ahan was filming, I told him, ‘This is not just a uniform.’ Our country is not only known for its progress but also for its courage. These officers (pointing at the audience) are the ones who gave us courage. Hence, I’ll always be indebted. I use the word ‘indebted’. Nidhi wrote the film and thought of Ahan while Bhushan cast him in such a big film. It means a lot to a father.” Remembering Ahan’s debut film Tadap ...

REVEALED: Land bought by Amitabh Bachchan for Rs 7 cr in 2007 near GIFT City, Gujarat now valued at WHOPPING Rs 210 cr; Abhishek to build massive project on the same land

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On January 10, it emerged that Abhishek Bachchan is set to enter the real estate space with a project in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. He has entered into a profit-sharing agreement with producer and real estate mogul Anand Pandit for the development, which aims to create luxury residential, office and retail spaces spanning over one million sq ft of built-up area. Interestingly, reports also stated that the complex will come up on land purchased by Amitabh Bachchan over a decade ago, when he was Gujarat’s brand ambassador. Anand Pandit told Mid-Day that Amitabh has gifted the land to Abhishek. Meanwhile, further reports have surfaced about the land’s valuation then, and what it is estimated to be worth today. As per an article in Bhaskar, Amitabh Bachchan bought the land parcel for Rs. 7 crores from Virambhai Rudabhai Gamara of Chandlodiya, Ahmedabad. It is located at Shahpur village, very close to GIFT City. The deal was carried out by Rajesh Rishikesh Yadav, Managing Director ...