BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 4 - Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan made his directorial debut with Netflix's satirical action comedy drama series The Ba***ds of Bollywood. Aryan also created and co-wrote the series, which has been making noise on social media. Despite the huge hype and several cameos of Bollywood superstars and directors, including Shah Rukh Khan, The Ba***ds of Bollywood debuted at number 4 in the non-English category on Netflix. The series scored 2.8 million views in its opening weekend. The show has been trending at number 1 in 9 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Mauritius. The series is 5 hours and 12 minutes long, which helped the streamer score 14.8 million viewing hours. The viewership of the series is decent, but not up to the sky-high expectations, especially considering the top-tier cameos of SRK, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, SS Rajamouli, Emraan Hashmi, Karan Johar, and many others. Produced by Gauri Khan under Red Chillies Entertainment, the series stars Bobby Deol, Lakshya Lalwani, Raghav Juyal, Sahher Bambba, Anya Singh, Manoj Pahwa, Manish Chaudhari, Rajat Bedi, Meherzan Mazda, Divik Sharma, Mona Singh, Gautami Kapoor, Vijayant Kohli, Neville Bharucha, and Armaan Khera, in prominent roles. The series follows actor Aasmaan Singh from Delhi, whose successful debut under producer Freddy Sodawallah leads to a role opposite Karishma Talvar in Karan Johar's film, but he must contend with Freddy's multi-film contract, interference from Karishma's father, Ajay Talvar, emerging romance, and unforeseen complications. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 24 - After the phenomenal success of Saiyaara, which launched Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda, and went on to become a cultural milestone in the romantic-drama space, director Mohit Suri is all set to reunite with Yash Raj Films for yet another love story. It will be produced by Akshaye Widhani. According to the report by Pinkvilla, Mohit Suri was flooded with offers from all across the industry, with producers willing to splurge pay cheques of unheard amounts. However, Mohit and YRF are continuing their creative partnership, capitalising on the success of Saiyaara. While details of the project are not known yet, it is said that the core plot of the film is locked, and Mohit, along with his team of writers, will develop it into a screenplay now. It is another love story which will explore a brand new world in this genre, blending the chartbuster music. With Mohit Suri back in their camp, fans are anticipating another musical gem alongside a heart-touching narrative—something that has often been the hallmark of his cinema. Casting announcements are expected to follow soon, as the makers are aiming to take the film on floors by Mid-2026. For now, all eyes are on this collaboration that promises to rekindle the magic of Saiyaara while offering audiences a brand-new chapter in Bollywood romance. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, September 24 - Power star Pawan Kalyan's gangster action thriller They Call Him OG is set to storm the box office. The film has been receiving an exceptional response in pre-sales, not just in India but also in international markets. Directed by Sujeeth, They Call Him OG still has a few hours left for the release, and even before that, it has become Pawan Kalyan's biggest opener ever. The advance booking of the film is nearing 75 crores worldwide for the opening day, making it the biggest opener for the superstar. The previous biggest opener of PK was Hari Hara Veera Mallu, which scored approximately 67 crores worldwide on its opening day. OG, meanwhile, is heading towards taking a 2x start of HHVM, with trade believes that it might even take the opening of 150+ crores gross globally. It will be quite astonishing if OG manages to take the opening of 150+ crores, as it will be very close to PK's biggest lifetime worldwide grosser Bheemla Nayak (158.50 crores). Irrespective of what the opening will be, one thing is clear that OG will become the actor's biggest grosser within two days, which will probably be a record for a film featuring an A-lister. OG is heading towards scoring 90-100 crores pre-sales for the opening day. So far, it has grossed approximately 45 crores in India and 30 crores overseas, including the premiere shows. The pre-sales momentum has been excellent for OG, which is easily the most hyped film of PK in recent times. Produced by DVV Entertainment, OG stars Pawan Kalyan in the titular role, alongside Emraan Hashmi (in his Telugu film debut), Priyanka Mohan, Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy and Prakash Raj. The film revolves around a gangster named Ojas Gambheera who returns to Mumbai following his ten-year disappearance to kill another crime boss, Omi Bhau. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, September 23 - Pawan Kalyan’s much-awaited action drama They Call Him OG is gearing up for a massive worldwide release, amid massive hype and strong pre-sales. Advance bookings in key territories like North America have been encouraging, with record-breaking ticket pre-sales. However, despite the hype, the film faces some real challenges overseas, which could impact its overall box office numbers. One major concern is the timely delivery of content to cinemas across multiple territories. Reports indicate that digital prints have yet to be fully dispatched in some overseas markets, raising fears of premiere cancellations or delayed screenings. ⚠️ Press Release (Safety)#YorkCinemas #TheyCallHimOG#OGMovie #Update pic.twitter.com/xoLCVV5oEU— York Cinemas (@yorkcinemas) September 22, 2025 Overseas distributors have already issued warnings to the makers regarding the continued delay in the product. Some of the theatre chains have confirmed the inability to screen the movie due to no content, while the North American distributor of the film, Prathyangira Cinemas, has shared that the Tamil version of OG will not be released there due to unavoidable content delays. Since overseas openings rely heavily on early premiere shows, even small disruptions can dent collections in crucial markets like the USA and Canada. Adding to the complication, the film has been certified with an A rating in India for its heavy violence, which could restrict audiences in certain international territories or invite additional censor edits. Due to unavoidable content delays, the Tamil version of #TheyCallHimOG will not be releasing in North America. However, the Telugu and Hindi versions will be screened across the region as planned. We sincerely regret the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding and…— Prathyangira Cinemas (@PrathyangiraUS) September 23, 2025 The financial stakes are equally high. They Call Him OG has already set lofty expectations, with trade estimates projecting over 50 crore from overseas on Day 1 alone. While strong advance sales show promise, the pressure to meet such numbers is immense. A shortfall in overseas earnings could place additional strain on domestic markets to balance the film’s breakeven targets. The issues are created by the makers themselves, as reports say that the post-production work is still going on, with just a day left for the premiere. This is not the first time a Telugu film has faced such issues, as these kinds of problems have arisen in the past as well. But despite the experience, things haven't changed much for the industry. With too much of frustration(Pressnote)#TheyCallHimOG pic.twitter.com/HvApV17N27— 4Seasons Creations AS (@4SeasonCreation) September 23, 2025 Despite these risks, Pawan Kalyan's star power and the film’s high production values ensure that anticipation remains strong. If distribution hurdles are resolved quickly and audience reception is positive, They Call Him OG still has every chance of delivering one of the biggest overseas performances for a Telugu film. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Bengaluru, September 23 - Rishab Shetty's much-awaited prequel to 2022 blockbuster Kantara, titled Kantara Chapter 1, has set the internet buzzing with a thunderous response to its trailer. In the first 24 hours of release, the trailer has amassed more than 107 million views in all languages across social media platforms, becoming one of the most-watched trailers of a Kannada title. On YouTube, the trailer scored 45+ million views with the Hindi version leading the charts with a whopping 25+ million views, reflecting the pan-India reach of the franchise. The Kannada trailer, close to the heart of its native audience, raked in 8 million views, while the Telugu version secured an impressive 7.1+ million views. The Malayalam trailer of the film generated 2.1+ million views, and the Tamil version contributed another 4.5+ million views in the first full day of its release, together highlighting the film's strong presence across every regional market. With such phenomenal digital reception, Kantara Chapter 1 is already being touted as one of the most-awaited cinematic events of the year. The overwhelming response proves that Rishab Shetty's vision has not only resonated with audiences in Karnataka but also struck an emotional chord with viewers nationwide. Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara 2's story delves deeper into the origins of the mythological tradition and ancestral conflict introduced in the first film. Directed by Rishab Shetty, the movie stars Shetty in the lead role alongside Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayram in key roles. The film is scheduled to release on October 2 in multiple Indian languages. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 23 - Junglee Pictures, in association with Insomnia Films and Baweja Studios, has officially released the first teaser of Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi-fronted Haq, a hard-hitting drama inspired by the landmark judgement of the Supreme Court on Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum case. The teaser sets the tone with intense court proceedings and a woman's fight for her rights and justice. Sparking a debate between Personal Law v/s Secular Law, HAQ is directed by Suparn S Varma and features Yami Gautam as Shah Bano and Emraan Hashmi as Mohd. Ahmed Khan, in their most powerful and layered roles yet. Mohd. Ahmad Khan v. Shah Bano Begum, commonly referred to as the Shah Bano case, was a maintenance lawsuit in India, in which the Supreme Court delivered a judgment in favour of providing maintenance to an aggrieved divorced Muslim woman. HAQ is a dramatised version of events stated in the book titled Bano: Bharat ki Beti, written by Jigna Vora, and revisits one of the most controversial cases in India of the 80s. The teaser promises to be an intense and inspiring tale of a woman's fight. The movie has been confirmed to release on November 7, 2026. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, September 23 - Pawan Kalyan's highly awaited gangster action drama They Call Him OG has been locked to score the biggest opening for him after an excellent response in the advance bookings, which are among the best of the year. As per industry trackers, overseas pre-sales of OG have crossed the $3.50 million (31+ crore) mark, while bookings in India are around 60 crore currently. Together, this pushes the global advance collections are around 90+ crores, heading towards the massive 100 crores mark. The craze surrounding OG is being fueled by Pawan Kalyan's larger-than-life persona and the electrifying promos. In North America, where Telugu cinema continues to expand its presence, the film has already shattered multiple records with its advance ticket sales and has crossed 22.50 crores just for the premieres. Back home, tickets are being snapped up at a rapid pace, with shows selling out within minutes of going on sale. The hype has been further boosted by Emraan Hashmi's menacing antagonist role and Sujeeth's stylish direction, which promises a high-voltage gangster saga. With such extraordinary momentum, trade analysts are unanimous that They Call Him OG is heading for a 150 crore+ worldwide opening day, a feat achieved by only a handful of Indian films. If early trends continue, the film could be among the biggest openers ever. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Bengaluru, September 22 - The highly anticipated prequel to Rishab Shetty's Kantara, titled Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, is gearing up for grand worldwide release on October 2nd, and ahead of the release, the makers have reportedly cleared the censor formalities. Produced by Hombale Films, the movie has been certified with U/A by the Central Board of Film Certification with an approved runtime of 169 minutes (2 hours 49 minutes approx.), making it one of the longest mainstream Kannada films in recent times. This extended runtime suggests an elaborate narrative structure, deeply rooted in historical and cultural backdrops, much like its predecessor. According to the censor certificate, the story is set during the reign of the Kadambas, the first dynasty of Karnataka. The plot revolves around Bangra, a fictional feudatory ruled by King Vijayendra. Known for his loyalty to the Kadambas, Vijayendra commanded their sea trade. The summary also highlights his complex persona—celebrated for his valour, yet feared as a leader who promoted slavery and atheism. This layered characterisation hints at a morally intense storyline, exploring themes of power, faith, and societal conflict. With the certification process now complete, the stage is set for Kantara Chapter 1 to make its theatrical debut. Given the massive success of the first film, expectations are sky-high for this ambitious prequel. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 22 - Director Farhan Akhtar roped in Ranveer Singh to play the Don in the reboot of the iconic gangster action drama franchise, headlined by Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan previously. The movie was announced a couple of years back, but the shoot was delayed due to the extensive pre-production and other commitments of the duo. Things are now moving thick and fast, as reports say Farhan Akhtar is gearing up to take the movie on floors by January 2026. Before that, the filmmaker is busy finalising the rest of the main cast, and in this process, he is in talks with Tamil actor Arjun Das to play the main antagonist role. According to the report by Pinkvilla, Das is in talks to make his Hindi debut after playing grey shades in some of the recent blockbusters like Master, Kaithi, Vikram, Good Bad Ugly, and the upcoming OG. Farhan Akhtar and team have loved Arjun's work and are in advanced talks with him for Don 3. The talented actor has shown his interest, too, as the character has multiple arcs and a lot more than just a run-of-the-mill antagonist. It is said that the cat-and-mouse game between Ranveer Singh and Arjun Das will be among the major USP's of Don 3. Ranveer will be undergoing workshops to get the mannerisms of Don right, as he is excited to embark on an action-packed journey with Farhan Akhtar and the team. Produced by Excel Entertainment, Don 2 will be shot in real locations, including the big action sequences, to bring in an element of realism to what is reflected on the screen. The international stunt team are reportedly on board to design the action sequences. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Bengaluru, September 22 - The much-awaited trailer of Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 is all set to be launched today, with some of the biggest names from Indian cinema unveiling it across multiple languages. Hombale Films ensured a truly pan-India celebration, roping in superstar icons from different industries to present the prequel to the 2022 cultural blockbuster Kantara. In Telugu, the trailer has been unveiled by Pan-India superstar Prabhas, while Hrithik Roshan took charge of the Hindi launch. For the Tamil audience, the trailer released by Sivakarthikeyan and Prithviraj Sukumaran did the honours in Malayalam. Staying true to its roots, the Kannada version was launched by the audience and fans themselves, symbolising the deep connection the franchise shares with its home state. The film is carrying good buzz, and the trailer is expected to boost it further, promising a raw, powerful, and visually rich cinematic journey that dives into the origins of the folklore explored in Kantara. With Rishab Shetty returning as writer, director, and lead actor, the film is expected to push boundaries once again, combining divine mysticism with intense human drama. Given the scale of the launch and the star power attached, anticipation for Kantara Chapter 1 is now soaring across all corners of the country. The film is scheduled to release on October 2 in multiple languages, also in IMAX format. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 22 - Rani Mukerji returns as a daredevil cop Shivani Shivaji Roy with Yash Raj Films' upcoming action thriller Mardaani 3. The third part of one of the biggest and most successful female-led franchises in India is scheduled to hit the big screens next year with another gripping chapter. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala in his directorial debut, Mardaani 3 is among the most-awaited films, and to mark the auspicious occasion of Navratri, Yash Raj Films has unveiled the first look poster of the film, and also re-confirmed that it will be hitting theatres globally on February 27, 2026. The poster sets the mood right from the start — it features a close-up of a hand holding a pistol, with a Delhi Police barricade in the background. The imagery immediately signals that Rani Mukerji's character, Shivani Shivaji Roy, is ready to dive back into another intense face-off against crime. Known for its realistic portrayal of dark themes, the Mardaani series has always carried a gritty and uncompromising tone, and the first glimpse of part three suggests that this chapter will be no different. Produced by Aditya Chopra, Mardaani 3 is expected to raise the stakes higher than ever before. While the first film dealt with child trafficking and the second highlighted the menace of cybercrime, the plot of the third instalment is still under wraps. However, fans can expect another socially relevant theme tackled with raw intensity. Rani Mukerji's portrayal of Shivani Shivaji Roy, a fearless and sharp-minded cop, has earned her wide acclaim since the franchise began in 2014 Given the success of the first two films and the strong recall value of the franchise, Mardaani 3 is already being touted as one of the most awaited Bollywood releases of 2026. With YRF backing the project, the scale and storytelling promise to be bigger and bolder. As the countdown begins for its February release, all eyes are now on the makers to drop the teaser or trailer in the coming months. One thing is certain — Rani Mukerji is all set to deliver yet another power-packed performance that will keep audiences hooked. On the auspicious Day 1 of Navratri, here’s to celebrating the victory of good over evil. #RaniMukerji returns as top cop Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 3 to investigate the most challenging case of her career. 🔥#Mardaani3 in cinemas 27th February, 2026. #AbhirajMinawala… pic.twitter.com/oAYO9FGfdJ— Yash Raj Films (@yrf) September 22, 2025 Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 22 - Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi's much-anticipated courtroom comedy drama Jolly LLB 3 has lived up to the buzz, delivering the strongest opening weekend for the popular franchise at the domestic box office. The film, directed by Subhash Kapoor, opened to a good start on Friday with collections of around 12.50 crore net, before showing a significant jump on Saturday with 20 crore. The momentum continued on Sunday as it raked in another 21 crore, taking its opening weekend total to an impressive 53.5 crore. With these figures, Jolly LLB 3 has surpassed the previous opening weekend of 50.46 crores net for Jolly LLB 2. The positive word of mouth, along with the family-friendly appeal of the comedy drama and the award-worthy performances of the cast, have played a key role in its box office momentum. Beyond just franchise comparisons, the film has also secured a strong spot among 2025's Bollywood releases. It stands as the eighth-highest opening weekend earner of the year and ranks among Akshay Kumar’s better post-pandemic performers. Though it doesn't mark his career-best opening, the film's success reaffirms his strong pull with audiences. With positive audience feedback and a good opening weekend trend, Jolly LLB 3 looks set to continue its winning run in the coming days. Stay tuned...