BY CHRISTA LINCY

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 JITU JANGIR

The 83 Weeks co-host didn't hold back after Reigns' SummerSlam win over Seth Rollins, comparing the Head of the Table to a wrestling version of a music industry plant. Conrad Thompson on Eric Bischoff's 83 Weeks podcast, took a scathing take on Roman Reigns, arguing that the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion doesn't deserve the reputation he's built over the past several years. Discussing Reigns' recent victory over Seth Rollins at SummerSlam 2026, Thompson didn't mince words, telling Bischoff he considers Reigns to be the most overrated main event star in company history. Borrowing a term from the music world, Thompson labeled Reigns an "industry plant" — someone elevated by the machine behind him rather than by genuine talent or fan demand. His core argument: WWE's business wouldn't skip a beat if Reigns vanished from television tomorrow. "I think Roman Reigns is probably the most overrated main eventer in WWE history. I know this isn't a wrestling term, it’s a music term, but Roman Reigns is what music would call an industry plant. I don’t think if Roman Reigns disappears tomorrow WWE’s fortune changes at all. Thompson leaned on a phrase Triple H has used to explain why the company holds back stars like Bron Breakker — that pushing someone too aggressively risks shoving them "down our throats." Thompson's contention is that this is exactly what happened with Reigns, who he says has been force-fed to the audience for years. He acknowledged The Bloodline storyline had real strengths, but suggested the faction has overstayed its welcome, comparing its current state to the "black and silver era" of the nWo — a once-groundbreaking angle that lingered long past its creative peak. Perhaps the sharpest part of Thompson's critique centered on legacy. He argued that unlike CM Punk or Cody Rhodes, Reigns has never been booked in a way that lets fans form an organic emotional connection to him — audiences have simply been trained to accept his spot at the top rather than earning it. Thompson challenged listeners to name a favorite Roman Reigns match or promo, suggesting few could. He also pointed out that Reigns doesn't carry the promotional workload that stars like Cody Rhodes or John Cena have shouldered, doing minimal press and media rounds compared to his peers. Thompson's most memorable line described Reigns' in-ring routine as formulaic: a long entrance, a slow-paced, similar-feeling match every time, and a win to close the show. He summed it up by comparing Reigns to Goldberg — but a version of Goldberg capable of working matches longer than ten minutes.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The Ranveer Singh starrer spy thriller Dhurandhar has officially become the most-watched non-English movie on Netflix in 2026. This was confirmed by Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who highlighted the films strong performance during a recent update on the platforms viewership trends. According to the streaming service, the movie has managed to top the non-English charts and even outpace many English language titles in terms of global reach. The numbers backing this success are quite impressive. During the January to June 2026 period, Dhurandhar recorded 37 million views worldwide. This figure places it at the top of the global charts for international content. The scale of its success is evident as it currently trails only the United States and the United Kingdom in terms of total hours watched on the platform. This level of engagement suggests that the appetite for high-budget Indian action-thrillers is no longer limited to the domestic audience but has found a massive following in Europe, Latin America, and other global markets. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Ted Sarandos also shared some broader insights into how Indian content is performing on a global scale. He mentioned that since 2024, there has been at least one Indian title in the global top 10 list of Netflix every single week. This consistent presence is the result of a refined discovery algorithm that helps international viewers find localized content more easily. The growth is reflected in the total consumption data, which shows that users around the world have watched approximately 3.5 billion hours of Indian movies and series on Netflix this year alone. Dhurandhar follows the trend of Indian films finding a second life on streaming platforms after their theatrical runs. As a spy thriller, the film's high production values and fast-paced narrative have made it an easy choice for global subscribers. This trend has been building over the last couple of years, with major Indian releases consistently cracking the top tiers of streaming charts, but Dhurandhar is the first to maintain such a dominant position over a six-month window.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The highly anticipated teaser for The Paradise has finally arrived, marking the return of the powerhouse trio that delivered the 2023 blockbuster Dasara. Natural Star Nani, director Srikanth Odela, and producer Sudhakar Cherukuri have reunited under the SLV Cinemas banner for what is being described as a bloody epic. The Hindi teaser, shared by industry tracker Taran Adarsh, has immediately set social media on fire with its tagline Jadal Zamana, signaling the beginning of a new, darker era in Nanis filmography. This project is significantly more ambitious in its scale than their previous collaboration. The Paradise is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on September 24, 2026, and is targeting a massive global footprint. In a rare move for a South Indian production, the film will be released in eight different languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Bengali, along with international versions in English and Spanish. This multi-language strategy highlights the confidence the producers have in the universal appeal of Srikanth Odelas storytelling. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The actor is coming off a successful streak at the box office, most recently with HIT: The Third Case. His portrayal of Arjun Sarkaar in that film earned positive reviews and helped the project become a super hit. This followed other well-received movies like the action thriller Saripodhaa Sanivaaram and the family drama Hi Nanna. These back-to-back successes have established a solid foundation for him as he transitions into the darker and more violent world of this new project. Industry reviewers and fans are already praising the films distinct visual identity. Cinematographer CH Sai has opted for a dark, smoky visual palette that relies heavily on moody imagery and deep shadows. The aesthetic has drawn favorable comparisons to high-end Hollywood comic book adaptations, moving away from the traditional bright colors often seen in commercial cinema. This gritty atmosphere serves as the perfect backdrop for the raw action sequences showcased in the teaser, which critics are labeling as mental mass. The core of the teaser is the shocking metamorphosis of Nani into the character of Jadal. Known for his relatable and grounded performances, the actor has undergone an extreme physical transformation for this role. His screen presence here is feral and unhinged, representing a total departure from his established Natural Star image. Critics have noted his terrifying dedication to the part, with many pointing out that this could be the most aggressive performance of his career so far. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Action lovers have been particularly impressed by the violence depicted in the brief footage. The teaser highlights a sequence of intense sword duels, heavy axe fights, and explosive riots that suggest a massive scale for the films conflict. The stunt choreography appears to be grounded yet incredibly brutal, fitting the moody and raw tone established by the cinematography. With music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, the auditory experience is expected to match the high-octane visuals, further elevating the intensity of these battle sequences. Watch the Teaser here

BY SUNIT JANGIR

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 CHRISTA LINCY

The official trailer release date for Suriya's upcoming film, Vishwanath and Sons, has been confirmed by the makers. Fans of the actor have been eagerly waiting for a glimpse into this family drama, and the makers have now confirmed that the trailer will arrive on August 7, 2026. This serves as the final promotional push before the film makes its grand debut in cinemas on August 14, 2026, coinciding with the Independence Day weekend. Directed by Venky Atluri, who recently delivered the successful Lucky Baskhar, this project is being positioned as a wholesome family entertainer with a strong emotional core. The production is a collaborative effort between Sithara Entertainments, Fortune Four Cinemas, and Srikara Studios, along with Think Studios and Primark Productions. The film features an impressive ensemble cast, including Mamitha Baiju as the female lead, alongside veteran actors like Raveena Tandon and Radikaa Sarathkumar in pivotal roles. The technical crew is equally strong, with Nimish Ravi handling the cinematography, Navin Nooli on editing, and the versatile G.V. Prakash Kumar composing the music. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The buzz for Vishwanath and Sons is particularly high because it follows the massive success of Karuppu, which released earlier this year. Karuppu was a significant milestone for Suriya, marking a triumphant return to big-screen dominance after a long interval. With worldwide collections crossing the 310 crore mark, it proved that the actor's box office pull remains as strong as ever when paired with the right content. While Karuppu was a gritty action-heavy film, Vishwanath and Sons appears to be a shift toward a more grounded and relatable genre, showcasing Suriya’s range as a performer. Adding to the current momentum is the ongoing talk about the lead actor's future lineup, specifically Suriya 47. directed by Jithu Madhavan, this project is one of the most anticipated films in the industry. There is significant speculation that if the post-production for Suriya 47 moves as planned, it might target a late 2026 release. If this happens, it would mean Suriya will have three major theatrical releases in a single calendar year—Karuppu, Vishwanath and Sons, and Suriya 47—a rare feat for a top-tier star in today’s cinema landscape. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The collaboration between Venky Atluri and Suriya is seen as a strategic move to tap into both the Tamil and Telugu markets, given the director’s proven track record with bilingual hits. The posters released so far hint at a story that revolves around family heritage and emotional bonds, a theme that has historically performed well during holiday windows. The expectations are that Vishwanath and Sons will maintain the winning streak started by Karuppu and further solidify Suriya's position as a dominant force at the 2026 box office.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Jana Nayagan continues its impressive theatrical run, officially crossing the significant 300 crore milestone at the global box office in exactly two weeks. The film has managed to sustain a steady interest among the audience, particularly in its home territory. On its fourteenth day, which was a second Wednesday, the movie recorded a gross collection of 2.07 crore rupees in India. This brought the total India gross collections to 213.81 crore rupees, while the total India net currently stands at 183.35 crore rupees. When we look at the day-to-day trend, the net collection of 1.80 crore rupees represents a manageable 14.3 percent drop from the previous days 2.10 crore rupees. The film is seeing a very interesting rivalry with the years other big release, Karuppu. To claim the title of the highest-grossing film of 2026, Jana Nayagan needs to bridge a gap of approximately 15.16 crore rupees in domestic gross collection to overtake Karuppus 228.97 crore rupees. However, on the global stage, the gap is much narrower. With a current worldwide gross of 306.31 crore rupees, it needs only about 3.81 crore rupees more to surpass Karuppus worldwide total of 310.12 crore rupees. Given the current trajectory, it is highly likely that this record will be broken before the third weekend concludes. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The 2D Tamil version remains the primary driver of these numbers, recording an overall occupancy of 17.13 percent on Wednesday. Chennai led the regional demand with 368 shows and a solid 28 percent occupancy, while Coimbatore followed with 144 shows at 17.3 percent occupancy. In other southern hubs, Madurai saw 13.8 percent occupancy and Bengaluru recorded 11 percent across 179 shows. The Hindi version also contributed with an overall occupancy of 11.13 percent. Interestingly, the National Capital Region showed the highest engagement for the Hindi screenings, hitting 15.8 percent occupancy across 56 shows, with the night slots performing exceptionally well at 26 percent. A state-wise look at the Day 14 gross collection shows that Tamil Nadu remains the stronghold, contributing 1.60 crore rupees. Other states provided essential support, with the Rest of India markets adding 0.20 crore rupees, Kerala bringing in 0.14 crore rupees, and Karnataka adding 0.10 crore rupees. The Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regions contributed a modest 0.03 crore rupees for the day. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Internationally, Jana Nayagan is setting new benchmarks. In Malaysia, it has officially become the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2026, earning 10.75 million Malaysian Ringgit in just 11 days and surpassing the previous record held by Karuppu. The Middle East has also been a massive market, with 134,327 admits across the UAE and GCC over 11 days, resulting in a gross of 1.45 million dollars or roughly 13.8 crore rupees. According to data from Venky Box Office, the film earned 8,000 dollars in North America on Tuesday, taking its total there to 1.56 million dollars. On Day 14, the overseas market added 0.50 crore rupees to the tally, bringing the total international gross to 92.50 crore rupees. Looking at the performance in national cinema chains, Jana Nayagan has established itself as the highest-selling regional film if we set aside massive pan-India releases like The Odyssey and Spider-Man. On Wednesday, the trio of PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis contributed a combined 9.3 lakh rupees to the gross collection. Breaking this down, PVR led with 6.1 lakh rupees from 4,500 tickets across 190 shows. INOX followed with 2.6 lakh rupees from 2,100 tickets across 95 shows, and Cinepolis added 0.6 lakh rupees from 400 tickets across 50 shows. In total, 7,000 tickets were sold across these chains, maintaining an average occupancy of over 9 percent. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Digital interest remains high as the film enters its third week. On the second Tuesday, 32.42k tickets were booked on BookMyShow, followed by 23.96k tickets on Wednesday. This brings the cumulative ticket sales on the platform to a staggering 41.71 lakh tickets. As the second full week concludes, Jana Nayagan has proven its mettle by maintaining double-digit show counts and consistent footfalls.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

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 SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 5 - Spider-Man: Brand New Day has added yet another historic milestone to its phenomenal box office run. The Marvel and Sony blockbuster has become the highest-grossing film of 2026 after only seven days in cinemas, surpassing Toy Story 5 to claim the year's top spot (so far). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Powered by unprecedented demand across North America and overseas markets, the Tom Holland-led superhero spectacle continues to deliver one record-breaking day after another. The film has grossed an outstanding $1.155 billion worldwide, with $449 million coming from the domestic (North America) market and $706.3 million from international territories. Those numbers have pushed Spidey ahead of Toy Story 5, which currently stands at $1.067 billion globally, making Brand New Day the biggest worldwide hit released in 2026. Its weekday performance has been just as remarkable as its opening weekend. The film collected $47 million on Monday, the highest Monday gross in North American box office history, before following it up with a record $42 million on Tuesday, surpassing the previous benchmark set by Spider-Man: No Way Home. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) It also became the fastest movie ever to reach $400 million in North America, accomplishing the feat in only four days. The list of achievements keeps growing. Brand New Day raced past the $1 billion worldwide milestone in just six days, making it the second-fastest film in history to do so, behind only Avengers: Endgame. The film had already rewritten the record books with the largest domestic opening weekend ever at $360 million and the second-biggest global opening of all time with $941+ million. Given its extraordinary momentum and overwhelmingly positive audience response, the superhero blockbuster looks well positioned to continue dominating the global box office for weeks and could emerge as one of the highest-grossing films ever released.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 6 - Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is on the verge of creating box office history as it closes in on the coveted $1 billion milestone worldwide. Following a sensational theatrical run across international markets, the epic is expected to become only the third R-rated (similar to A-rating in India) film to enter the billion-dollar club this coming weekend, joining Marvel Studios' Deadpool & Wolverine and Warner Bros.' Joker. If it achieves the feat, The Odyssey will also surpass Oppenheimer to become the third-highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, further strengthening Nolan's remarkable box office legacy. R-rated films have traditionally faced an uphill battle at the global box office due to restricted audiences, making blockbuster success far more difficult than PG-13 releases. However, the landscape has evolved significantly over the past decade, with mature-themed films proving they can attract mainstream audiences worldwide. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Joker became the first R-rated movie to cross the $1 billion mark in 2019, while Deadpool & Wolverine shattered every previous record in 2024 by becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film ever with over $1.33 billion worldwide. Oppenheimer also came close to the milestone, finishing its theatrical run with an extraordinary $976.9 million globally. Christopher Nolan will become the only director to have two films among the five highest-grossing R-rated releases in history. It would also mark another major milestone for adult-oriented cinema, proving that compelling storytelling and premium theatrical experiences can overcome the limitations of an R rating. With exceptional word of mouth and sustained box office momentum, The Odyssey is now just one step away from joining one of the most exclusive clubs in cinema history. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Highest-Grossing R-Rated Films Worldwide S. No. Movie Worldwide Gross 1 Deadpool & Wolverine $1.338 Billion 2 Joker $1.079 Billion 3 Oppenheimer $976.97 Million 4 The Odyssey $930+ Million 5 Deadpool 2 $785.90 Million 6 Deadpool $782.61 Million 7 Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle $781.37 Million 8 The Matrix Reloaded $741.85 Million 9 It $704.24 Million 10 Detective Chinatown 3 $686.26 Million Data courtesy of Box Office Mojo. (as of August 5, 2026).

BY SUNIT JANGIR

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 SUNIT JANGIR

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.