BY CHRISTA LINCY

Bhooth Bangla, featuring Akshay Kumar, saw an improvement in its collections on the second Tuesday. The film earned 4.35 crore net on its twelfth day, reflecting a 24 per cent increase from the 3.50 crore reported on the second Monday. This mid-week uptick is largely due to the implementation of a Buy 1 Get 1 ticket offer across booking platforms. The incentive helped the film stay steady during the working week, preventing the typical Tuesday drop and pushing the daily total slightly higher than the previous day. The collection of 4.35 crore on the second Tuesday stands as one of the better mid-week holds for the actor in recent years. Below is how the film compares to other major Day 12 (2nd Tuesday) collections of Akshay Kumar in the post-pandemic era: Bhooth Bangla: 4.35 Cr Housefull 5: 4.25 Cr Sooryavanshi: 3.92 Cr Jolly LLB 3: 3.75 Cr OMG 2: 3.25 Cr The total domestic performance now stands at a solid 121.25 crore in net collections, while the India gross has reached 144.10 crore. Despite being in its second week, the film maintained a strong footprint with 9,117 shows running across the country. The trend suggests that the audience interest remains high, particularly in the family segment, which was the target demographic for the promotional offer. The film has now effectively built a platform to cross the 125 crore net mark before the conclusion of its second week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) A closer look at the theatrical occupancy reveals a strong upward trajectory as the day progressed. The morning shows started on a quiet note with 6 per cent occupancy, but the numbers saw a steady climb during the afternoon and evening, hovering around 14 per cent. However, the night shows saw the biggest jump, reaching nearly 19 per cent occupancy. This pattern indicates that the BOGO offer effectively pushed working professionals and families toward the later screenings, ensuring a high closing for the day. The performance in national cinema chains was instrumental in driving the Day 12 numbers. PVR led the charts with 17,800 tickets sold, followed by INOX with 9,800 and Cinepolis with 4,800. In total, the national chains accounted for approximately 32,450 ticket sales, generating a combined gross of over 53 lakh from these specific venues alone. The National Capital Region (NCR) remains a primary stronghold for the film, maintaining 1,010 shows and recording consistent footfalls that outpaced many other major territories. Digital ticket sales on BookMyShow also mirrored this positive sentiment. The platform recorded a total of 80,000 ticket sales for the second Tuesday, a massive leap from the previous day's momentum. Between 8 am and 10 pm, the film sold over 60,000 tickets compared to 46,500 during the same period yesterday. Even the late-night hourly trend showed growth, with 3,820 tickets sold in the 9-10 pm window compared to 3,430 on Monday night, proving that the film's momentum is gathering pace rather than slowing down. On the global front, Bhooth Bangla added 1.50 crore from overseas markets on its twelfth day, taking its total international gross to 51 crore. When combined with the domestic gross, the film's worldwide total has reached 195+ crore. With this current trajectory, the film is officially on the countdown to join the 200 crore club, a milestone it is expected to surpass by the end of today. Achieving this feat within twelve days marks a significant victory for the Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan duo, reaffirming their box office pull in the horror-comedy genre.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Advance bookings for Mohanlal's Drishyam 3 are set to open in the UK today, marking an early start four weeks before the film's official theatrical release. Industry tracker AB George reported that RFT Films and the Cineworld chain are initiating this window, which is an unusually long lead time for an Indian film in the international market. Adding to the momentum, Mohanlal has officially announced that the first teaser of the film will be released tomorrow, April 29, 2026, at 5 PM IST. The UK market has played a pivotal role in the global journey of this franchise, dating back to 2013 when the first Drishyam became the first Malayalam film to gross over ₹1 crore in the territory. While the 2021 sequel opted for a direct-to-digital release during the pandemic, Drishyam 3 marks the first major theatrical return for the series in over a decade. The landscape for Malayalam cinema in the UK has evolved significantly during this gap, with recent hits like Vaazha 2 and L2: Empuraan expanding the reach of regional content. Due to strong brand loyalty, the franchise is often viewed as a family event in the region, successfully drawing in non-Malayali audiences through subtitled screenings. With an expanded theater network now available, the third installment is positioned to potentially become the highest-grossing Malayalam thriller in the history of the UK box office. This high-stakes global rollout is supported by a significant financial partnership established earlier this year. PEN Studios has committed an investment of ₹100 crore into Aashirvad Cinemas through Panorama Studios specifically for the production of the Malayalam original. This strategic collaboration between the major production houses ensures that the third installment is mounted on a massive scale, matching the worldwide demand and brand value that the Drishyam franchise has built over the years. The project was initially scheduled for an April 2 release but was postponed due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. As the GCC market is a vital territory for Malayalam cinema, the makers opted for a strategic delay to ensure an optimal release window. It is now confirmed that the Malayalam version will arrive in theaters first, dismissing earlier reports of a simultaneous rollout with other versions to safeguard the film's narrative twists. Furthermore, the Hindi remake featuring Ajay Devgn is already set for an October 2, 2026, release, aligning with the Gandhi Jayanti holiday. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The decision by UK distributors to open bookings a month in advance highlights the massive brand equity of the Drishyam franchise. By providing a longer booking window, the team intends to capitalize on the popularity of the Georgekutty character to secure a strong opening weekend in Europe. While the original version leads the way, the Hindi remake featuring Ajay Devgn is already locked for a Gandhi Jayanti release on October 2, 2026, ensuring the franchise remains a topic of discussion throughout the year. The speed at which a film reaches the ₹1 Crore pre-sales milestone has become a major benchmark for tracking superstar-led projects in Kerala. Currently, Empuraan holds the record for the fastest film to hit this mark, followed by Leo and the multi-starrer BhaBhaBa. The Mammootty-Mohanlal starrer Patriot also features prominently in this list of top openers, alongside the highly anticipated Coolie. With Drishyam 3 preparing for its domestic rollout, industry eyes are on whether the Mohanlal-Jeethu Joseph collaboration can challenge the top spot currently occupied by Empuraan and set a new standard for pre-release momentum in the state. Drishyam 3 is positioned as a prestigious project intended to conclude the legendary thriller saga. The early booking rollout in the UK serves as a strategic move to establish a record-breaking global footprint, with similar early windows expected in North America and the Gulf. As one of the most anticipated sequels in Indian cinema, the film is expected to be a major high-priority title for the Mollywood box office, aiming to set new benchmarks for regional cinema on the international stage.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, April 28 - After the massive success of the Dhurandhar franchise, director Aditya Dhar is gearing up for his next ambitious project. The filmmaker is planning to take his next film on the floors in March 2027, and the script work has already begun. According to the report by Pinkvilla, Dhar has cracked a fresh idea and is currently developing the script, aiming to deliver yet another large-scale cinematic experience. While the genre and storyline are being kept tightly under wraps, the project is expected to match the scale and intensity of his previous successes. Recently, it was reported that Dhar was working on a mythological and a sports film as his next, and his next could be one of these two. Ranveer Singh is the frontrunner to headline the film, and the conversation with him has already commenced. The paperwork, however, is yet to be done. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The actor-director duo has just delivered massive box office hits with the Dhurandhar series, making their potential reunion one of the most exciting prospects in Bollywood right now. The final decision will reportedly be taken once the script is fully ready, and discussions are expected to move forward in the coming months. Aditya Dhar's recent work has set a new benchmark at the box office, with Dhurandhar and its sequel emerging among the biggest Hindi film successes of all time. This has naturally raised expectations for his next venture, which is already being seen as one of the most anticipated films of the coming years. If the reunion with Ranveer Singh materialises, the project could turn into another high-octane spectacle, continuing their successful collaboration streak.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Nine years ago, on April 28, 2017, S.S. Rajamouli's Baahubali 2: The Conclusion hit the screens, fundamentally altering the trajectory of the Indian film industry. Beyond the staggering monetary figures, the film is often described as the Avatar of Indian Cinema due to its unprecedented reach. While modern blockbusters like the 2026 hit Dhurandhar 2 and Pushpa 2: The Rule have surpassed it in nominal collection figures, Baahubali 2 remains the undisputed champion of audience engagement. With over 10.8 crore tickets sold, it is the only Indian film of the 21st century to achieve such a feat. To match this level of admissions at today’s tripled ticket prices, a film would need to earn over ₹3,000 crore in the domestic market alone. The film's legacy is built on a foundation of firsts that many high-budget productions still struggle to replicate. From its opening day, where it maintained a near-impossible 95% occupancy across India, to its final theatrical run, the film dominated every circuit. It was the first Indian production to earn over ₹1,000 crore net in the domestic market and the first to gross ₹1,000 crore worldwide, achieving the latter in just ten days. Its regional dominance was so absolute that it became the highest-grossing film in nearly every Indian state, and it remains the only movie in history where all four primary languages (Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam) collected over ₹50 crore net each. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the records established by Baahubali 2: The Conclusion: Domestic Benchmarks: It set the record for the biggest opening day with ₹121 crore and the biggest first Monday with over ₹80 crore net across all languages. The ₹1000 Crore Pioneer: It is the first and only film to surpass ₹1,000 crore net domestically and served as the creator of the ₹400 crore through ₹1000 crore NBOC clubs. Unrivaled Footfalls: The film recorded over 1.05 crore admissions on its first day alone and finished its run with an estimated 10.8 crore ticket sales, the highest this century. Kerala Box Office: It was the first film to open at ₹5 crore in Kerala and became the first non-Malayalam film to cross ₹50 crore in the state, eventually finishing at over ₹75 crore. After 9 years, no non-Malayalam film has surpassed this collection. Global Release Scale: It premiered on over 9,000 screens worldwide (6,500 in India), setting a record for the widest release at the time. North American Dominance: It was the first Indian film to cross the $20 million mark in the USA, a record that stood for eight years, and earned a massive $10.43 million in its opening weekend. China & Japan Market: It holds the 5th highest collection for an Indian film in China and saw the 3rd highest opening there behind Secret Superstar and Hindi Medium. In Japan, it remained the 3rd highest Indian grosser for years. Guinness World Record: To promote the franchise, a massive poster covering 51,598.21 square feet (the size of 18 tennis courts) was unveiled in Kochi, officially becoming the world’s largest poster. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Nepal Dominance :It still holds the record for the highest-grossing Indian film in Nepal. Non-Hindi Mastery: It was the first South Indian film to collect over ₹500 crore net in North India Middle East Milestones: In the UAE, it sold over 100,000 tickets in advance, beating Fast and Furious. It was also the first Indian film to receive a standing ovation from the UAE censor board. IMAX & Prestigious Screenings: It recorded the biggest IMAX launch for an Indian film ($1.8 million) and became the first non-English film since 1871 to be screened at the Royal Albert Hall with a live orchestral score. Pre-Release & Digital: It was the first film to earn over ₹500 crore from satellite, theatrical, and digital rights before release. Netflix acquired the streaming rights for a then-record ₹25.5 crore. Television Records: Its Hindi premiere on Sony MAX garnered 2.6 crore impressions, outperforming its closest competitor by 500%. The Telugu premiere delivered a historic 22.7 TRP. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion is effectively the architect of the modern Pan-India concept. Its ability to maintain a second-highest worldwide grosser position and a 7th highest overseas grosser rank for nearly a decade speaks to its enduring appeal. While inflation may allow newer films to touch higher revenue milestones, the 10-crore-plus footfall record stands as a near-impossible mountain to climb. Nine years later, the saga of Mahendra Baahubali remains the gold standard for cinematic scale and commercial success in Indian history.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Marathi cinema traditionally relies on post-release word-of-mouth for growth, but Raja Shivaji is currently breaking that trend with significant pre-release urgency. The advance booking for its opening day on May 1, 2026, indicates high ground-level interest, which is a rare phenomenon for the regional industry. This early traction suggests that the film is positioned to challenge previous records for a Marathi release. As of the latest reports, Raja Shivaji has recorded an All-India advance booking gross of ₹62.86 Lac (excluding block seats). When factoring in block seats, the figure reaches ₹1.1 Crore. The film has sold a total of 23,566 tickets across 943 shows nationwide. The primary driver is the Marathi 2D version, which alone has contributed ₹62.05 Lac from 874 shows with 23,242 tickets sold. The Hindi version is currently playing on a limited scale with 69 shows across the country. Raja Shivaji has already carved its name in the record books by shattering the all-time advance booking records for Marathi cinema. With an ongoing gross of ₹1.07 crore, it has comfortably surpassed the previous record held by Riteish Deshmukh's own directorial debut, Ved, which stood at approximately ₹35.50 lakh. Other notable performers in this category, such as Navra Maza Navsacha 2, follow with a gross of ₹28.40 lakh. This significant leap—more than triple the previous record—highlights the strong pre-release demand and the potential for a historic theatrical run in the Marathi market. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In its home territory of Maharashtra, the film is maintaining a real occupancy of 11% across 919 shows. The Mumbai circuit is leading with 327 shows and 13% occupancy, while Pune follows with 177 shows at a higher occupancy of 17%. Currently, 49 shows are reported as almost full and 42 shows are filling fast, indicating that the momentum is picking up as the release date approaches. Other regions like Nashik and Aurangabad are also contributing to the steady buildup. The film's performance across national cinema chains is particularly noteworthy for a regional production, showing strong pre-release momentum. Current ticket sales for Day 1 indicate that INOX is leading the surge with 6,500 tickets, while PVR and Cinépolis have recorded sales of 5,000 and 4,000 tickets, respectively. This collective interest across major chains suggests a broad appeal that complements the traditional strongholds of Marathi cinema. Raja Shivaji is now in direct competition with the highest-grossing Marathi openers of all time. Given the current pace, the film is expected to comfortably enter the top tier of regional openings. For context, the leading opening day collections for Marathi films in the state are: Sairat: ₹3.6 Crore Timepass 2: ₹3.00 Crore Ved: ₹2.25 Crore (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) While the film aims to set a new benchmark for Marathi cinema, the overall record for highest Indian movie openers in the state of Maharashtra remains dominated by large-scale pan-India productions. For reference, the top three all-time openers in the state (approximate figures) are: Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge (2026): ₹22.00 Crore (Approx.) Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024): ₹18.00 Crore (Approx.) Chhaava (2025): ₹17.00 Crore (Approx.) The strategic release on May 1, coinciding with Maharashtra Day, is playing a major role in these numbers. With strong technical backing and a high-profile directorial vision from Riteish Deshmukh, Raja Shivaji is trending toward a historic start for a regional language film, with the potential to surpass the first-day figures of all previous Marathi blockbusters.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, April 28 - It has been quite an explosive year for Bollywood at the box office despite only a few successful films. It was the month of March which witnessed one of the biggest months for Indian cinema, thanks to Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge and April has continued the unstoppable momentum with one more major success in Bhooth Bangla, joining the Ranveer Singh starrer. April 2026 turned out to be a power-packed month, particularly for Bollywood, driven largely by the blockbuster run of Bhooth Bangla and Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge. Both films not only sustained strong theatrical momentum but also collectively pushed April month's box office well past the 500 crore mark, signalling a robust phase for Hindi cinema. Dhurandhar 2 and Bhooth Bangla Dominate With 550 Crore Combined Gross (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar 2 remained the top-performing film throughout April after the earth-shattering 1400+ crores gross in March. Even in its later weeks, the action entertainer continued to attract significant footfall, benefiting from strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewership. While the film had already amassed a massive total in March, its April run added an estimated 280 crore gross in India, and around 350 crores worldwide, with steady weekday holds and notable weekend spikes. The film's global total surged further during the month and currently stands at around 1780 crores gross in 40 days. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Akshay Kumar's Bhooth Bangla delivered an impressive performance as a horror-comedy entertainer. The film crossed the 100 crore mark within the first week and is maintaining a good pace in the second week. In 11 days so far, Priyadarshan's directorial has grossed around 190 crores and is set to enter the 200 crores club in the next few days. The trade was worried about Bhooth Bangla's box office prospects, because of the strong momentum of Dhurandhar 2. But due to star power and genre appeal, the movie responded solidly to all the doubts with a strong box office performance. It is now heading towards emerging as Akshay Kumar's second biggest grosser in the post-pandemic era. Together, both Dhurandhar 2 and Bhooth Bangla have added around 550 crores worldwide, including around 425 crores gross at the domestic box office alone. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Bollywood Box Office Highlight of April Month - Dhurandhar 2 remains the top grosser in India and worldwide. - Dhurandhar 2 emerged as the third biggest Indian grosser, beating Pushpa 2. - Dhurandhar 2 emerged as the biggest Indian grosser worldwide (without China) - Bhooth Bangla continued Akshay Kumar's winning momentum. - Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 flops at the box office. - Bollywood box office tops 550+ crores gross in April.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Rajinikanth's upcoming project, Thalaivar 173, is currently generating significant buzz due to a series of casting hints and directorial shifts. According to a report by Cinema Express, Malayalam actor Basil Joseph recently hinted at his involvement in a major film during an event for the YouTube channel Behindwoods. While he did not explicitly name the project, trade circles suggest he has been roped in to play a crucial role, potentially as Rajinikanth's son. Basil mentioned that he is part of a very big film but cannot disclose further details at this stage, leading to speculation that the casting for the project is finalizing. The actor also shared updates regarding his Tamil cinema debut, Raawadi, which is scheduled for release in either May or June. While he clarified that he is not playing the lead in Raawadi, he described his role as very crucial to the narrative. His hint about the big film comes at a time when the directorial seat for Thalaivar 173 has seen multiple changes. The production, headed by Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI), has undergone a musical chairs game with its directors over the past few months, creating a wave of speculation in the industry. To put the directorial timeline in perspective, Sundar C was the first official director announced for the project in November 2025. Pitching it as a vintage Rajini comedy, the collaboration was short-lived as Sundar C stepped down just days later, citing unforeseen circumstances and creative differences. In early January 2026, Cibi Chakravarthy, known for the hit film Don, was brought on board as the official replacement. However, current reports suggest that Cibi has also exited the project, with director Ashwath Marimuthu now being the leading choice to take over the directorial responsibilities. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Ashwath Marimuthu, who gained acclaim for Oh My Kadavule and Dragon, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the commercial entertainer. Despite the changes in the directorial department, Rajinikanth has previously confirmed that the film will be a high-quality commercial venture designed to entertain the masses. The project remains a high-profile one for RKFI, with composer Anirudh Ravichander already confirmed to handle the musical score. The potential inclusion of Basil Joseph suggests that while the director may have changed, certain core casting elements from previous drafts might still be intact. As the production team works toward stabilizing the creative leadership, the focus remains on delivering a pan-India spectacle. With Ashwath Marimuthu reportedly entering the fray and Basil Joseph hinting at a massive outing, Thalaivar 173 continues to be one of the most talked-about upcoming releases in South Indian cinema.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Akshay Kumar's horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla has completed its eleventh day at the box office, finishing its second Monday with a steady hold. Following a high-growth second weekend, the film earned ₹3.65 crore net in India on Monday. This brings the total 11-day India net collection to ₹117.05 crore, while the India gross stands at ₹139.25 crore. The Monday collection saw a 70.8% drop compared to the previous day’s ₹12.50 crore, which is a standard weekday trend for a film entering its second week. The film was screened across 8,755 shows in the domestic market. In terms of national cinema chains, Bhooth Bangla sold approximately 5.5K tickets at PVR, 4.5K at INOX, and 1.5K at Cinepolis. On the digital front, the film continued to see interest with 64K tickets sold on BookMyShow throughout the day. The occupancy for the Hindi 2D version remained consistent across different time slots, averaging a total of 9.88%. While morning shows started with a 5.95% occupancy, the footfalls saw a jump as the day progressed. Afternoon shows recorded 11.13%, followed by 11.05% in the evening and a peak of 11.38% for the night screenings. This trend indicates that the film is still finding traction with urban audiences during the later hours of the day. The early tracking for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, indicates that the horror-comedy is not just holding steady but showing an upward trend compared to its Monday performance. As of the 2 PM tracking window, the 1 PM to 2 PM slot recorded 5,340 tickets sold on BookMyShow, an increase over the 4,330 tickets sold during the same period on Monday. Furthermore, the total tickets sold between 8 AM and 2 PM reached 24,130, significantly surpassing Monday's tally of 18,290 for the same window. This mid-week growth in daytime slots suggests strong word-of-mouth driving an increase in spot bookings. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) This trend is further supported by the afternoon data across national chains. As of 2 PM update, Bhooth Bangla had already sold approximately 33,000 tickets for Tuesday's screenings, contributing a gross of ₹54L. With an initial occupancy of 7.41% across 4,236 shows in the early tracking phase, the film is maintaining a consistent footprint in the market. The ability to outperform Monday's hourly sales during the second week highlights the film's stability as it heads toward the ₹200 crore global milestone. Internationally, Bhooth Bangla is maintaining a healthy pace, adding ₹1.50 crore on its second Monday. The total overseas gross has now reached ₹49.50 crore. North America remains the strongest international territory, contributing nearly 37% of the total overseas revenue with a total of $1.9 million in ten days. The Gulf market follows with $1.4 million, showing the film's appeal within the UAE-GCC family audience where the horror-comedy genre traditionally performs well. With the worldwide gross collection now reaching ₹188.75 crore, the film is steadily approaching the ₹200 crore global milestone. The consistent weekday holds in the North American belt, combined with premium show footfalls in the domestic market, have ensured a stable run for the project. As it moves toward the end of its second week, the focus remains on the film's ability to sustain these levels before the new releases hit the theaters.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, April 28 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar's Marathi film debut Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat is back on track amid continued delay. The film was officially announced in November 2022, with Akshay Kumar in the extended role as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It was initially planned for the Diwali 2023 release, but the movie faced major production hurdles, which pushed the timeline indefinitely. Now, according to the latest report by Bollywood Hungama, the shoot of Veer Daudle Saat has been completed. After facing multiple delays and production hurdles over the past few years, the historical epic is now moving steadily into post-production, with the team eyeing a grand theatrical release on January 1, 2027. Akshay Kumar's Marathi Debut (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, the film marks Akshay Kumar's Marathi cinema debut, where he essays the role of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film revolves around the bravery of seven Maratha warriors and their contribution to the vision of Swarajya, making it a large-scale period drama rooted in history and valour. The project had earlier been stuck due to financial constraints and scheduling issues, which led to significant delays and uncertainty around its completion. However, with the shoot now wrapped, the makers have resumed momentum and are focusing on extensive post-production work, including VFX and scale enhancements required for a film of this magnitude. The ensemble cast features actors like Pravin Tarde, Vishal Nikam, Jay Dudhane, and Utkarsha Shinde in key roles, portraying the valiant warriors at the heart of the story. The film is being planned as a pan-India release, with versions in multiple languages to reach a wider audience.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has signed Tamil superstar Dhanush for a large-scale mythological jungle drama, according to an exclusive report by Variety. The film will be produced under the Bhansali Productions banner with P.S. Mithran set to direct. Mithran, who is known for helming Tamil hits like Sardar and Irumbu Thirai, will make his Hindi cinema debut with this project. This collaboration brings together the cinematic scale of Bhansali with the performance caliber of Dhanush for an ambitious saga rooted in mythology. The project originated after initial plans for a Rowdy Rathore sequel between Mithran and Bhansali Productions did not materialize. Following several months of script refinement, the team settled on a mythological narrative set against a jungle backdrop. While Telugu star Ram Charan was reportedly in initial discussions for the lead role, the collaboration eventually moved toward Dhanush. For the actor, this marks his most expansive Bollywood venture following his successful track record with films like Raanjhanaa and Tere Ishk Mein. The filming for this untitled saga is scheduled to commence in early 2027. This timeline allows Dhanush to complete his extensive commitments in the South, which include Rajkumar Periyasamy's D55, a project with Mari Selvaraj, and the highly anticipated Vada Chennai 2. Meanwhile, the actor is also preparing for the immediate release of his period action thriller, Kara, which hits theaters this Friday. While there were earlier discussions regarding a biopic of APJ Abdul Kalam, the status of that production remains uncertain at this stage. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Sanjay Leela Bhansali is currently in the final stages of his most anticipated contemporary project, Love & War, which is officially set for a worldwide release on January 21, 2027. Positioned for the lucrative Republic Day holiday weekend, the film marks a massive reunion, bringing together Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. This project is a significant milestone as it reunites Ranbir with Bhansali eighteen years after his debut in Saawariya and follows Alia's successful stint in Gangubai Kathiawadi. Departing from his signature period epics, Bhansali has described this triangular love story as a contemporary film with no pillars, period costumes, or horses. Instead, the narrative reportedly features Ranbir and Vicky as Air Force officers caught in a conflict of love and duty. While trade speculation initially suggested it might be a remake of the 1964 classic Sangam, the filmmaker has clarified it is an original story that serves as an homage to that era of storytelling. The production of Love & War is nearing completion, with over 90% of the principal photography already finished as of April 2026. Alia Bhatt has reportedly wrapped her portions, while the leading men have undergone intense physical transformations; Ranbir shed 12 kgs and Vicky dropped 15 kgs to portray disciplined military officers. Despite its modern setting, the film remains a magnum opus featuring high-end VFX for its aerial and war sequences. The movie is planned for a pan-India release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, ensuring a massive footprint across the domestic box office. With Bhansali completing this schedule by mid-2026, the stage is set for him to transition into his mythological jungle drama with Dhanush by early 2027. Bhansali Productions is currently expanding its portfolio with several high-budget projects, including the Madhubala biopic starring Sara Arjun and the historical drama Jai Somnath, which is set against the events of 1025-1026 CE. The newly announced mythological drama with Dhanush adds another major prospect to the studio's 2027 calendar. This partnership aims to leverage Bhansali's production scale with Dhanush’s appeal across markets, making it a key theatrical title for the pan-India box office.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, April 28 - The sequel to director Rajkumar Hirani's iconic blockbuster 3 Idiots, starring Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, and Kareena Kapoor, has long been in discussion among the fans and industry people alike. Recently, it was reported that the filmmaker was working on the idea of a sequel, and now, superstar Aamir Khan has confirmed that same. Aamir Khan Confirms 3 Idiots Sequel In a major and exciting update for Bollywood fans, Aamir Khan has officially confirmed that a sequel to his iconic film 3 Idiots is in the works. The project will reunite him with acclaimed filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, who is currently developing the script. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The actor revealed that Hirani has already narrated the story to him, and he was thoroughly impressed by the concept. While the screenplay is still under development, Aamir described the idea as "wonderful," hinting that the sequel is being crafted with the same care and depth that made the original film a cultural phenomenon. The sequel will be set 10 years after the events of the first film, revisiting the lives of Rancho, Farhan, and Raju. The time jump is expected to explore how their journeys have evolved beyond college, while maintaining the emotional core and relatable storytelling that resonated with audiences back in 2009. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Aamir also hinted that while the sequel will retain the humour and heart of the original, it will feature a fresh and "unusual" storyline. This suggests that Hirani is aiming to avoid a conventional follow-up and instead bring a new perspective, much like he did with the first film's take on India's education system. Released in 2009, 3 Idiots went on to become one of the most successful and influential films in Indian cinema, praised for its message on pursuing passion over societal pressure. With a sequel now officially in development, expectations are naturally sky-high, and if executed well, the film could mark one of the biggest nostalgic returns on the big screen.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The final week of April and the beginning of May 2026 are shaping up to be one of the most significant periods for the Indian box office this year. With the Maharashtra Day and May Day holidays providing a lucrative window, several high-profile films across Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Marathi, and Hindi are slated for release. The lineup features a mix of massive superstar reunions, highly anticipated debuts, and historical magnums opuses that have already begun showing decent momentum in pre-sales and audience interest. Leading the charge in terms of sheer scale and nostalgia is the Malayalam spy thriller Patriot, which brings together legends Mammootty and Mohanlal. Simultaneously, the Tamil and Kannada markets are bracing for intense action dramas like Kara and KD: The Devil. In the North and Maharashtra circuits, the focus remains on the historical scale of Raja Shivaji and the debut of Junaid Khan in Ek Din. This multi-lingual explosion ensures that every major film circuit will have a high-stakes release to drive footfalls over the long weekend. Below is the detailed breakdown of the major releases scheduled for this week: Movie Name: KD: The Devil Release Date: April 30, 2026 Language: Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam Director: Prem Set in 1970s Bangalore and based on real-life underworld events, this period actioner marks a grand return for Dhruva Sarja. The production scale is heavily bolstered by the presence of Sanjay Dutt as the antagonist Dhak Deva and Shilpa Shetty's return to Kannada cinema. The film has already recorded 13.12K tickets sold on BookMyShow within a 24-hour window, benefiting from its wide multi-lingual release and a star-studded ensemble that includes Nora Fatehi making her Kannada debut. Movie Name: Kara Release Date: April 30, 2026 Language: Tamil, Telugu Director: Vignesh Raja This gritty thriller is set in 1991 Ramanathapuram, unfolding over 16 days against the backdrop of the Gulf War fuel crisis. Dhanush plays Karasamy, a man returning to protect his ancestral land, supported by Mamitha Baiju and Suraj Venjaramoodu. With a meaty runtime of 2 hours 41 minutes and a UA 16+ certificate, the film has seen 5.41K tickets sold on BookMyShow in 24 hours, with Netflix already bagging the digital rights for a significant price. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Movie Name: Raja Shivaji Release Date: May 1, 2026 Language: Marathi, Hindi Director: Riteish Deshmukh Mounted as the most expensive Marathi film to date with a budget of ₹100–200 crore, this is a decade-long dream project for Riteish Deshmukh. Featuring the technical pedigree of cinematographer Santosh Sivan and the music duo Ajay-Atul, the film is witnessing high ground-level excitement. Early trends show 22.41K tickets sold in a 24-hour period, with an additional 5,000 new users marking their interest daily on BookMyShow as it heads into a major Maharashtra Day release. Movie Name: Ek Din Release Date: May 1, 2026 Language: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu Director: Sunil Pandey This Aamir Khan production marks the official Bollywood debut of Junaid Khan and South star Sai Pallavi. An official remake of the Thai film One Day, the narrative follows a socially awkward man who gets to live his dream with his colleague for just one day in Sapporo, Japan. The film is generating steady interest through its emotional soundtrack by Ram Sampath and strong early praise from Aamir Khan regarding the lead pair's performances. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Movie Name: Patriot Release Date: May 1, 2026 Language: Malayalam Director: Mahesh Narayanan This high-stakes spy thriller is breaking pre-sale records by reuniting industry titans Mammootty and Mohanlal after 13 years. Shot on a massive ₹140 crore budget across international locations, the film recorded an unprecedented 10.62K tickets booked in just one hour. Despite overseas pre-sales crossing $200,000, Mammootty has explicitly stated that the project is designed to set a new standard for Malayali cinema rather than simply chasing pan-India trends. Movie Name:Nooru Saamy Release Date: May 1, 2026 Language: Tamil Director: Sasi Reuniting actor-producer Vijay Antony with director Sasi nearly a decade after their hit Pichaikkaran, this film is described as a family biopic based on true events. The story explores a mother's unfulfilled desires and the bond with her son, aiming to capture the emotional audience segment. While the title draws inspiration from their previous collaboration, the director has clarified that this is a standalone story focused on grounded realism. Movie Name: Varavu Release Date: May 1, 2026 Language: Malayalam Director: Shaji Kailas This action-survival thriller marks the first collaboration between veteran director Shaji Kailas and Joju George. Set in the rugged hilly regions of Kerala, Joju plays a man on a quest for revenge against a power-ruled town. The film has gathered strong momentum online, with over 39,000 users marking themselves as interested on BookMyShow, signaling strong potential for a mass opening in the Kerala circuit.