Bollywood Is Rejected Because of Its Arrogance, Says Vivek Agnihotri

BY SACNILK

The horror-comedy genre has become a powerhouse at the box office, with the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise leading the way in India. Following the massive success of the second and third installments, fans have been looking for any confirmation regarding Bhool Bhulaiyaa 4. While the return of Kartik Aaryan as the fan-favorite Rooh Baba seems like a foregone conclusion, director Anees Bazmee has shared some realistic insights into why the project has not officially taken off yet. In a recent conversation with Variety India, Bazmee explained that while there is significant interest in a fourth film, the biggest hurdle is the script. The director admitted that after three successful movies, the creative team has essentially covered every major angle possible within this universe. He noted that they even took the bold step of turning the hero into a Manjulika-like figure in the previous film, which leaves very little room for a fresh surprise. For Bazmee, the priority is to find a story that justifies a return rather than just making another film for the sake of the franchise. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Looking at the track record of the franchise, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 were both major hits, establishing Kartik Aaryan as a reliable star for this specific genre. Bazmee described Aaryan as a hard-working director's actor who excels in comedy, and their rapport is a key reason why another collaboration is inevitable. The director has a history of building long-term working relationships with stars, having done multiple projects with Ajay Devgn, Salman Khan, and Akshay Kumar in the past. It is clear that the team is ready to move forward the moment a compelling narrative is locked in. While the search for a new Bhool Bhulaiyaa story continues, Bazmee is already busy finishing his next big project. This upcoming film is also a comedy and features a reunion with Akshay Kumar, with whom the director has worked on hits like Welcome and Singh Is Kinng. The cast also includes Vidya Balan and Raashii Khanna, making it one of the more anticipated comedies of the coming year. This shows that while the horror-comedy franchise might be on a temporary pause, the director remains focused on delivering high-energy entertainment for the big screen. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Ultimately, the fate of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 4 rests on finding a great story that can live up to the legacy of its predecessors. Given that the previous films set such high benchmarks in terms of both humor and box office numbers, the caution from the makers is logical. Once a unique hook is found that can offer something new to the audience, the director has confirmed he would love to be back at the helm to continue the Rooh Baba saga.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, August 6 - Ramayana: Part 1 is gearing up for a historic theatrical launch across the globe. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi, the Nitesh Tiwari directorial is set to become the widest worldwide release ever for an Indian film. With unprecedented scale and global appeal, the historical epic is expected to redefine the international reach of Indian cinema when it arrives in theatres on November 6, 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The makers have hit the jackpot by bringing Sony Pictures on board for the film's international distribution. According to the latest trade updates, the Hollywood studio is planning a colossal overseas rollout on more than 50,000 screens outside India, making it comfortably the biggest international release ever for an Indian film. Backed by Sony's global distribution network, Ramayana: Part 1 will open across an unprecedented number of territories, giving the film one of the largest global launches ever mounted for a non-Hollywood title. The record-breaking overseas release will be complemented by a massive domestic rollout across India, ensuring that Ramayana: Part 1 secures the biggest worldwide theatrical release in the history of Indian cinema. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The makers have consistently maintained that the film is designed for a global audience, with cutting-edge visual effects, premium format releases, multilingual versions, and AI-powered visual dubbing technology expected to make the epic accessible to audiences across the world. The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. Ramayana boasts music by Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman, while Oscar-winning VFX studio DNEG is handling the visual effects. The recently released trailer has already crossed 1 billion cumulative views across all languages, highlighting the enormous anticipation surrounding the project. With Sony Pictures spearheading its overseas release and a record-breaking worldwide rollout on the cards, Ramayana: Part 1 is shaping up to be one of the biggest cinematic events in the history of Indian cinema. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})

BY SACNILK

Dhamaal 4 is steadily approaching the end of its first month at the box office, continuing to show resilience even as newer releases dominate the screen space. On its twenty-seventh day, which fell on a Wednesday, the film recorded a net collection of 0.55 crore rupees. This reflects a drop of approximately 31.3 percent compared to Tuesday's net of 0.80 crore rupees. While the numbers have naturally tapered off after four weeks, the film managed to sustain these collections across 2,317 shows nationwide. Taking a look at the cumulative performance, the total India net collection now stands at 163 crore rupees, with the domestic gross reaching 194 crore rupees. The international market has also chipped in, with Wednesday adding 5 lakh rupees to the tally. This brings the total overseas gross to 31 crore rupees. When we combine these figures, Dhamaal 4 has achieved a global gross collection of 224 crore rupees. This consistent performance over 188,383 shows globally indicates that the comedy franchise still holds significant appeal for its target audience. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Lets take a look on how much the national chains contributed, Collectively, PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis sold 2,000 tickets, resulting in a total gross of 4.5 lakh rupees and an average occupancy of 3 percent. Breaking this down with rounded figures, PVR contributed 2.2 lakh rupees from 800 tickets across 180 shows. INOX followed with 1.6 lakh rupees from 900 tickets across 180 shows, while Cinepolis added 0.7 lakh rupees from 300 tickets across 100 shows. These numbers match the total national chain gross of 4.5 lakh rupees for the day, showing that footfalls are now concentrated in specific pockets. In terms of audience engagement for the Hindi 2D version, the overall occupancy for the day was 15 percent. Looking at the day's progression, the film started slow with 9 percent occupancy in the morning and nearly 10 percent in the afternoon. However, there was a noticeable uptick as the day progressed, with evening shows hitting 15 percent and night shows peaking at 18 percent. This trend suggests that the film is currently being driven by late-night family outings and casual viewers. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Regionally, the National Capital Region remained the most active hub for the film, hosting 220 shows with an overall occupancy of 12 percent. In this region, the afternoon slots were the busiest at 16 percent. Ahmedabad followed with 210 shows at 7 percent occupancy, while Mumbai saw 115 shows with a 9 percent occupancy rate. In Mumbai, the afternoon screenings were the highlight, reaching 11 percent. Surat recorded a lower engagement with 130 shows at 3 percent occupancy, reflecting the general fatigue that sets in for a film in its fourth week. On the fourth Tuesday, BookMyShow recorded 17k tickets, which settled at 8k tickets on Wednesday. So far, the platform has facilitated the sale of over 28 lakh tickets for the film. As Dhamaal 4 enters its final stretch before the fifth week begins, it has successfully secured its position as a profitable venture, having maintained a steady hold on the box office throughout its month-long theatrical run.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, August 6 - The trailer of director Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1 has scripted history by crossing 1 billion cumulative views across all platforms and languages, becoming the first Indian film trailer to achieve the remarkable milestone. The record underlines the unprecedented anticipation surrounding the historical epic, which is already being hailed as one of the biggest cinematic events in Indian film history. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The achievement comes within days of the trailer's launch, making it one of the fastest and most-watched promotional campaigns ever mounted for an Indian film. The biggest contributor to this historic feat has been the Hindi trailer, which alone has amassed an astonishing 588 million views on the World of Ramayana Instagram account, on which overall viewership across languages is around 750 million. In addition, the trailer has generated hundreds of millions of views across YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and other digital platforms in multiple Indian and international languages. Combined, the cumulative viewership has now comfortably crossed the one-billion mark, setting a new benchmark that no Indian film trailer has achieved before. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part 1 features an ensemble cast led by Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. The trailer has received widespread acclaim for its spectacular visuals, cutting-edge VFX, grand scale, and the powerful musical collaboration between Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman. The makers have also expanded the film's global reach by releasing the trailer in multiple languages, including an English version powered by AI-assisted lip-sync technology. Produced by Namit Malhotra in association with Yash's Monster Mind Creations, Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled to release worldwide on November 6, 2026, during the Diwali festive season. With its trailer now setting an unprecedented digital record of over one billion views, the film has further strengthened its position as one of the most anticipated Indian releases of all time. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, August 6 - Bollywood star Ajay Devgn is reportedly reshuffling his release calendar, setting up one of the biggest box office battles of 2026. Devgn's jungle adventure Ranger has reportedly been postponed to 2027, with Golmaal 5 taking over its December 4, 2026 release date, according to Variety India. If the report proves accurate, the Rohit Shetty directorial will lock horns with Prabhas' Fauzi and Akshay Kumar's untitled comedy entertainer directed by Anees Bazmee. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The reshuffle significantly raises the stakes for the December corridor. While Golmaal 5 and Akshay Kumar's yet-to-be-titled film belong to the comedy genre, Fauzi, directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, is a large-scale period action drama led by Prabhas. The clash would offer audiences two commercial comedies against a pan-India action spectacle, making it one of the most diverse and highly anticipated box office battles in recent years. However, Golmaal 5's arrival (if official) could also trigger another major release change. Akshay Kumar is playing a major role in Rohit Shetty's comedy alongside Ajay Devgn. Releasing two Akshay Kumar-led commercial entertainers on the same day would split both the actor's fanbase and the comedy audience, making it an unlikely scenario. As a result, Anees Bazmee's untitled film is also a strong candidate to move to another release date, although no official decision has been announced yet. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) If that happens, Prabhas' Fauzi could be left facing only Golmaal 5, turning the clash into a battle between one of Indian cinema's biggest comedy franchises and one of the country's biggest pan-India stars. Golmaal 5 boasts an ensemble cast featuring Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Kunal Kemmu and Sharman Joshi, who returns to the franchise after appearing in the original Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006). Meanwhile, Fauzi stars Prabhas alongside Imanvi, Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Bhanu Chander and Jayapradha. The film carries high expectations following director Hanu Raghavapudi's critically acclaimed Sita Ramam and Prabhas' massive pan-India fan base. On the other hand, Akshay Kumar's untitled comedy with Anees Bazmee also stars Vidya Balan and Raashii Khanna. While the release calendar is yet to be officially finalised, the coming weeks are expected to bring clarity on whether Bollywood will witness a three-way blockbuster clash or another round of strategic postponements.

BY SACNILK

While an official announcement from the makers is still awaited, new reports have emerged regarding the specific release date for Namit Malhotra’s highly anticipated adaptation of the Ramayana. Following the significant buzz generated by last week’s trailer, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively shared that the film is expected to arrive in theaters worldwide on Friday, November 6, 2026. This potential window addresses the recent speculation about whether the epic would opt for an early release or wait until the actual Diwali festival day on November 8.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, August 5 - With just days remaining for its theatrical release, Emraan Hashmi's Awarapan 2 has completed its censor formalities. The much-awaited sequel to the 2007 cult classic has been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), clearing the final hurdle before hitting cinemas on August 14. According to the latest certification details, Awarapan 2 has been awarded a U/A 16+ certificate after the CBFC suggested a handful of minor modifications. The board reportedly asked the makers to tone down one violent sequence by 50%, remove three instances of extreme violence, and delete a scene featuring drug consumption. Following these changes, the film received its censor certificate on August 5. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The official runtime of Awarapan 2 has also been locked at 140.20 minutes, which translates to 2 hours, 20 minutes and 20 seconds. The duration suggests that the makers have opted for a fairly expansive narrative, balancing action, romance, and emotional drama. Trade observers believe the runtime is well-suited for the film's musical action-drama format. Directed by Nitin Kakkar, Awarapan 2 stars Emraan Hashmi, Disha Patani, and Shabana Azmi in key roles. The film serves as the long-awaited sequel to the original Awarapan, which has gained cult status over the years thanks to its music, emotional storytelling, and Hashmi's memorable performance as Shivam. The makers are set to unveil the film's theatrical trailer on August 6, further intensifying anticipation ahead of its worldwide release on August 14.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, August 5 - Emraan Hashmi's Awarapan 2 is all set to arrive in cinemas as scheduled, with the makers putting all speculation regarding a possible delay to rest. During a recent live interaction, Emraan Hashmi and producer Vishesh Bhatt confirmed that the much-awaited sequel will release worldwide on August 14, 2026, while its official trailer will be unveiled on August 6, kicking off the film's final promotional campaign. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The announcement comes at a crucial stage for the film, with just over a week remaining before its theatrical release. Speculation started gaining momentum that the movie might be postponed, but the makers have now cleared the air. The trailer is expected to offer audiences their first extensive look at the sequel, which reunites Emraan Hashmi with the Awarapan franchise nearly two decades after the original film earned cult status. The makers have maintained their release strategy despite industry speculation surrounding Independence Day weekend releases. Directed by Nitin Kakkar and produced by Vishesh Films, Awarapan 2 sees Emraan Hashmi reprise his iconic role as Shivam Pandit. The sequel also stars Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi in pivotal roles. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The marketing campaign has already generated considerable excitement with the release of songs including Ve Junoon and Yeh Awarapan, while the nostalgic use of Tera Mera Rishta has struck a chord with fans of the original film. With the trailer arriving on August 6 and the release date firmly locked for August 14, all eyes are now on whether Awarapan 2 can translate its strong pre-release buzz into a successful run at the box office.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, August 4 - Tamil superstar Suriya has revealed his list of the five greatest films of all time, and one name that has caught fans' attention is Dhurandhar. During a recent interaction with THR India, the actor was asked to pick the movies that have left the biggest impact on him, and his selections showcased a blend of timeless classics, modern masterpieces, and one of the biggest Indian blockbusters in recent memory. Suriya's top five includes Lagaan, Eega, Sethu, Kaakha Kaakha, and Dhurandhar. While Lagaan is widely regarded as one of Indian cinema's finest sports dramas, Eega revolutionised commercial filmmaking with SS Rajamouli's imaginative storytelling. Bala's Sethu remains a landmark film in Tamil cinema, whereas Kaakha Kaakha is one of Suriya's own career-defining performances that transformed him into a leading star. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The biggest talking point from the list, however, is the inclusion of Dhurandhar. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy action spectacle has become one of the biggest blockbusters of Indian cinema, winning praise for its gripping narrative, high-octane action, and emotional storytelling. Suriya's admiration for the film is likely to delight its makers and fans alike, further cementing its growing legacy in Indian cinema. Interestingly, Suriya's selections reflect his appreciation for films that have pushed creative boundaries while delivering powerful emotional experiences. From inspiring underdog stories and innovative fantasy adventures to intense character-driven dramas and modern action epics, his list spans multiple genres and generations, offering a glimpse into the cinema that has influenced one of India's most respected actors. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) pic.twitter.com/uKTQt49kkp— Gv (@Gv0825) August 3, 2026

BY SACNILK

A ₹40 crore salary and a share of profits may look easy to compare, but payment timing, contract language, and the risk of a weak theatrical run can change which offer is actually worth more. An actor walks into a negotiation with two offers on the table. One promises ₹20 crore on a fixed schedule. The other offers less cash upfront but a percentage of the film’s profits, carrying the possibility of a much larger payday. The second figure will usually make the louder headline, yet the quieter offer may leave the actor in a stronger financial position. Indian cinema already produces several versions of the fixed-fee-plus-backend model. As we reported, Yash’s reported Toxic deal combined a ₹50 crore fee with 60% of net profits after the makers recovered their initial investment. The reported arrangement is a hybrid deal: guaranteed remuneration protects part of the actor’s earnings, while the profit share preserves the upside if theatrical and ancillary revenue lifts the film into profit. The headline number hides the contract A fixed fee is easier to understand because the contract states how much the actor receives and when the instalments become due. Even then, the full amount may not arrive on signing day. Payments can be tied to the start of filming, the completion of a schedule, dubbing, or delivery, so a quoted ₹20 crore fee may be paid to the actor over many months. Profit participation brings a different set of questions. Does the percentage apply to gross revenue, the producer’s share, or net profit? Which production, marketing, distribution, and financing costs come out first? Can an actor inspect the accounts? A generous percentage attached to a narrow definition of profit can produce a smaller cheque than the headline suggests. Reported remuneration figures also need caution. In our coverage of Akshay Kumar’s Golmaal 5 remuneration rumours, the production house dismissed the circulated numbers as baseless and said the commercial terms were confidential. Film contracts rarely become public in full, which means readers often compare fragments rather than the actual agreements. Cash today and money after release Payment timing changes the comparison even when both figures are accurate. Suppose one offer guarantees ₹20 crore now, while another is expected to pay ₹30 crore three years after release. At an assumed annual return of 8%, that future ₹30 crore has a present value of about ₹23.81 crore. A present value calculator can perform the same comparison for a single expected future payment by using the future amount, the number of periods, and an interest rate that serves as the discount rate.  The ₹23.81 crore estimate still does not make the deferred deal automatically better. The calculation assumes the ₹30 crore arrives as expected. A delayed release, rising costs, a weak theatrical run, or a dispute over the definition of profit can reduce the payment or push it further into the future. Where a contract contains several expected payments on different dates, each cash flow needs separate treatment rather than being folded into a single headline number. What guaranteed money can earn elsewhere Guaranteed money has an opportunity cost as well. An actor who receives a fee earlier can use it for another production, property, debt reduction, or a diversified investment portfolio. SEBI’s investor education material notes that shareholders may receive part of a company’s profit as a dividend, although the company decides whether to distribute that money. For a simple illustration, imagine that ₹20 crore is invested in dividend-paying shares with an assumed 6% annual yield, and all dividends are reinvested. After five years, the model produces about ₹26.76 crore before taxes, fees, and changes in the share price or dividend. A dividend calculator can estimate the yield, final balance, growth, and dividend profit from the share price, annual dividend per share, amount invested, time period, and reinvestment frequency. It is a scenario, not a forecast. The safest-looking contract can still disappoint, and the boldest backend deal can become a career-defining payday. Much depends on the star’s bargaining power, confidence in the film, need for immediate liquidity, and access to reliable accounting. A hybrid agreement often sits between those extremes by putting some money in the bank while leaving a portion of the actor’s earnings tied to the film’s commercial run. By the time the first Friday arrives, the two offers no longer look like ₹20 crore versus ₹30 crore. One has already started working for the actor; the other is still waiting on ticket sales, rights revenue, deductions, and the wording buried in the signed contract.

BY SACNILK

The buzz surrounding Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker's upcoming collaboration, Lalkaara, has taken an interesting turn with a major casting update. As reported by Bollywood Hungama, Farhan Akhtar has officially exited his acting role in the film. While fans were looking forward to seeing him share the screen with Aamir, the makers have quickly moved to fill the void by bringing in Sidhant Gupta. Sidhant has recently gained a lot of acclaim for his performance in Jubilee, and his addition to the cast brings a fresh energy to this ambitious sports drama. The reason for Farhan's exit seems to be a classic case of scheduling conflicts. Farhan is currently preparing for a highly demanding project with director Neeraj Pandey, where he will be portraying the legendary music composer R.D. Burman. Playing such an iconic figure requires extensive physical and musical preparation, which would have clashed with the requirements for Lalkaara. Since Ashutosh Gowariker's film is a sports drama that demands months of rigorous cricket training and a lengthy shooting schedule, Farhan chose to prioritize the biopic. It appears to be an amicable decision, allowing him to focus entirely on bringing the life of Pancham Da to the screen. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Even though Farhan will no longer be acting in the film, he remains a key part of the project behind the scenes. He and Ritesh Sidhwani are producing the film under their Excel Entertainment banner in association with Rajkumar Hirani Films. This ensures that the production quality and creative vision remain intact. The transition has been smooth enough that the production timeline remains unaffected. Sidhant Gupta, who has previously worked in shows like Inside Edge and Freedom at Midnight, will now step into the role of one of Aamir’s friends, keeping the momentum going for the October start. Lalkaara is being described as an ambitious sports saga that takes us back to the historic 1952 India-Pakistan Test series. This was a significant chapter in cricketing history, as it was the first-ever Test series between the two nations following the Partition. The film marks the much-awaited reunion of Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker, who last worked together on the 2001 classic Lagaan. With a script written by Piyush Gupta, known for his work on Dangal and Chhichhore, and Neeraj Singh, the film aims to blend intense sporting rivalry with themes of national pride and friendship. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Aamir Khan is set to take on the role of the cricketing legend Lala Amarnath, who was the first captain of independent India. Amarnath is a towering figure in Indian sports history, and his leadership during the 1952 series is the stuff of legend. The film looks to capture the intensity of that era and the emotional weight of playing against a newly formed neighbor. With shooting scheduled to begin on October 1 in Mumbai, the team is now moving into the final stages of pre-production. The combination of historical significance, the Aamir-Ashutosh reunion, and a talented ensemble cast makes Lalkaara one of the most anticipated films on the horizon.

BY SACNILK

The landscape of Indian film music is set for a major transformation as Excel Entertainment founders Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar have officially announced the launch of their dedicated music label, Excel Music. This move marks a significant expansion for the production house, which has been behind some of the most iconic and trend-setting soundtracks in Bollywood history, from Dil Chahta Hai and Rock On!! to Gully Boy. By launching a dedicated label, Excel is looking to take complete creative control over its musical scores while also creating a platform for other independent filmmakers across India. The development is not just a solo venture; it comes with a heavyweight global backing. Universal Music Group (UMG) has joined as a strategic shareholder in the label. Beyond just being a shareholder, UMG will serve as the marketing and distribution partner for Excel Music, ensuring that the label's content has a massive reach both domestically and on international streaming platforms. This partnership suggests a high level of corporate confidence in Excel’s ability to produce hit music that resonates with a global audience. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In terms of the debut project, the label is starting with a massive brand. The first official release under Excel Music will be the soundtrack album for Mirzapur The Movie. This is a highly anticipated project as the fan-favorite franchise makes its transition from the OTT space to the big screen. The film is currently slated for a theatrical release on September 4, 2026. Given the gritty and intense musical legacy associated with the Mirzapur series, the soundtrack is expected to be a major talking point for the label's launch. Excel Music is designed to be more than just an in-house label for Farhan and Ritesh's own productions. While it will certainly be the home for all original film soundtracks and scores from the Excel Entertainment slate, the founders have clarified that the label will also release music from films produced by other leading filmmakers and production houses across the country. This positioning puts Excel Music in direct competition with established giants like T-Series, Zee Music, and Sony Music India. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) For those who have followed Excel's journey, this move seems like a natural progression. The production house has always prioritized a unique sound, often blending indie sensibilities with commercial appeal. By bringing in Universal Music Group as a stakeholder, they are essentially creating a bridge between Indian cinematic music and global distribution standards. It remains to be seen how this will impact the traditional deal-making process between filmmakers and music labels, but for now, Excel Music has made one of the loudest entries into the market in recent years.