BY CHRISTA LINCY

Following a highly successful theatrical run that dominated the Sankranthi 2026 box office, Megastar Chiranjeevi's latest cinematic outing, Manashankara Vara Prasad, is now officially heading for its digital premiere. Known for his unmatched screen presence, Chiranjeevi returned to his roots with a powerful family drama that managed to pull massive crowds back to the theaters, making it one of the most successful films of the season. Where and when to stream Mana ShankaraVaraPrasad Garu on OTT? After a standard four-week theatrical window, the makers have finalized the digital premiere. Manashankara Vara Prasad is scheduled to stream on OTT starting February 11, 2026. The digital streaming rights were acquired by Zee5 for a record price. The platform will premiere the film in its original Telugu version, along with dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada. This move to OTT on February 11 allows fans who missed the theatrical experience to catch the Megastar's performance from the comfort of their homes. What is the story of Mana ShankaraVaraPrasad Garu? The film is a heart-touching family entertainer with high-octane mass elements, perfectly tailored for the Megastar. The narrative revolves around the life of a righteous man (Chiranjeevi) who stands as a pillar of support for his family and village. However, dark shadows from his past resurface, threatening the peace of his loved ones. The story focuses on how he navigates these emotional and physical challenges while upholding his values. The film was praised for its balance of emotional depth and trademark Chiranjeevi action sequences. Unlike the recent trend of big-budget films struggling to break even, Manashankara Vara Prasad showed incredible legs at the box office. By the end of its 21-day run, the film comfortably crossed the ₹280 crore mark worldwide. Strong performance in the Telugu states and a steady hold in overseas markets have ensured a highly profitable venture for the producers and distributors alike. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   Manashankara Vara Prasad: 21 Days Total Box Office Collection CATEGORY COLLECTION (INR) India Net Collection ₹ 207.49 Cr India Gross Collection ₹ 242.55 Cr Overseas Collection ₹ 42.20 Cr Worldwide Total ₹ 284.75 Cr Manashankara Vara Prasad: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is Manashankara Vara Prasad a hit or a flop? Manashankara Vara Prasad is a Box Office Super Hit. As of Day 21, the film has grossed over ₹284.75 Cr worldwide, comfortably recovering its costs and yielding high profits for its buyers. Where to stream Manashankara Vara Prasad on OTT? The film will be available for streaming exclusively on Zee5 in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada versions. Who is the director of Manashankara Vara Prasad? The film is directed by the hit-maker Anil Ravipudi, who is credited with bringing back the Vintage Chiranjeevi avatar that resonated with both mass and family audiences. What is the OTT release date for Manashankara Vara Prasad? The confirmed OTT release date is February 11, 2026, exactly four weeks after its grand theatrical release on the occasion of Sankranthi.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The digital pulse of the Indian film industry has shifted toward the massive 2026 slate, with BookMyShow interest data emerging as the primary indicator of theatrical potential. Leading the charts with a dominant presence is Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar 2, which has recorded a massive weekly increment to reach 92.1K total interests. Close behind is Nitesh Tiwari's high-budget epic Ramayana, signaling a year where high-concept storytelling and major franchise expansions will define the box office narrative. The anticipation for Dhurandhar 2 is driven by the monumental legacy of the first installment, which famously sold over 1.41 Crore tickets on BookMyShow. This sequel reunites the powerhouse combination of director Aditya Dhar and lead Ranveer Singh, positioning it as a major espionage thriller for the summer season. The film is currently tracking with a weekly interest increment of 13.7K, suggesting that the marketing campaign is successfully building on the gritty realism and geopolitical tension established in its predecessor. Slated for a release around March 19, 2026, Dhurandhar 2 will see Ranveer Singh reprising his role alongside an ensemble cast featuring Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan. The narrative is expected to delve deeper into a global underworld infiltration plot, keeping the audience engaged with high-stakes action. Given that the first part achieved an all-time blockbuster status with a massive India net collection, the industry is closely monitoring this interest spike as a sign of another potential record-breaker. Standing strong at 67.6K interests, Ramayana is poised to be the most expensive Indian film ever produced. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for delivering the all-time blockbuster Dangal, this live-action adaptation features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Yash as Ravana. The film's steady digital growth reflects the immense trust the audience has in Tiwari's vision, especially as the project aims to set new benchmarks in Indian VFX and storytelling authenticity for its Diwali 2026 release window. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   The BookMyShow charts also highlight the massive pull of iconic actor-director pairings. Akshay Kumar's Bhooth Bangla has successfully crossed the 51.9K mark, fueled by his reunion with director Priyadarshan after a 14-year hiatus. Their previous collaborations, such as Bhool Bhulaiyaa, have left a lasting impact on the horror-comedy genre, and the steady interest increment suggests that fans are eager for their signature brand of slapstick humor mixed with suspense. Shah Rukh Khan’s King stands at a solid 49.8K interests, marking his return to the gritty action-thriller genre following the historic success of Pathaan and Jawan. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film is generating significant buzz due to the lead-director combo and the theatrical debut of Suhana Khan. Positioned for a Christmas 2026 release, the film is expected to leverage Khan's global popularity to drive record-breaking advance bookings. The latest digital interest report shared by popular handle @filmy_view on X provides a detailed look at these shifting audience preferences. BookMyShow Trending Analysis: Top 10 Movies by Interest Increment (Data via @filmy_view) MOVIE NAME INTERESTS (31/1/'26) INTERESTS (24/1/'26) WEEKLY INCREMENT (+) O Romeo 32.9 K 17.1 K 15.8 K Dhurandhar 2 92.1 K 78.4 K 13.7 K King 49.8 K 46.8 K 3.0 K Battle Of Galwan 26.1 K 24.9 K 1.2 K Bhooth Bangla 51.9 K 50.9 K 1.0 K Drishyam 3 8.1 K 7.1 K 1.0 K Awarapan 2 24.5 K 23.6 K 0.9 K Ramayana 67.6 K 66.9 K 0.7 K Welcome 3 46.8 K 46.3 K 0.5 K Love & War 17.6 K 17.2 K 0.4 K (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   While the top-tier blockbusters maintain their lead, O Romeo has registered the highest weekly interest increment on BookMyShow, jumping by 15.8K to reach a total of 32.9K. This sudden surge is linked to the buzz surrounding the Shahid Kapoor and Tripti Dimri pairing under the direction of Vishal Bhardwaj. The film, a gritty underworld drama, is currently slated for a February 13, 2026 release, and its rapid growth signals a strong appetite for content-driven cinema alongside mass entertainers. The sustainability of the Bollywood box office in 2026 will also rely on established sequels like Drishyam 3 and Welcome To The Jungle. Ajay Devgn's Vijay Salgaonkar returns for the third chapter on October 2, 2026, with interest levels currently at 8.1K and climbing. Simultaneously, the multi-starrer comedy Welcome 3 continues to hold its ground with 46.8K interests, relying on an ensemble cast that includes Akshay Kumar and Sanjay Dutt to deliver a massive summer opening in June 2026. As 2026 approaches, the conversion of these BookMyShow interests into actual ticket sales will be the ultimate test for the industry.With a lineup that balances mythological epics, intense spy thrillers, and nostalgic horror-comedies, the upcoming year is poised to redefine the commercial limits of Indian cinema.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The Digital Ticket Battle: Border 2 vs Dhurandhar Momentum The box office is currently witnessing a clash of titans—not just in terms of collections, but in the sheer volume of audience engagement on digital platforms. Sunny Deol's Border 2 has been making waves since its release, recently crossing the 4.6 million tickets sold mark on BookMyShow (BMS). However, to understand the magnitude of this feat, one must look back at Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar, which released on December 5, 2025, and set a gold standard for theatrical longevity and digital ticket sales. Dhurandhar's Path to 14 Million Tickets: A Box Office Phenomenon Dhurandhar didn't just open big; it stayed big. Starting with a pre-sale of 224K tickets, the film crossed the 1 million mark within its first three days. By the end of its first week, it had already moved 3.31 million tickets. What made Dhurandhar a monstrous hit was its performance in the second and third weeks. It became only the 7th Bollywood movie since August 2023 to cross the 5 million tickets milestone on BMS. Its momentum was so fierce that by the end of its 9th weekend, the total ticket sales stood at a staggering 1,41,92,340 (1.41 Crore+ tickets). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   Comparing the initial trajectory, Border 2 actually started on a stronger note than Dhurandhar in terms of immediate demand. Its pre-sales stood at 404K, nearly double that of Dhurandhar. In its first week alone, Border 2 sold 3.48 million tickets, slightly outpacing Dhurandhar's 3.31 million. As of its second Sunday, Border 2's total ticket sales on BMS stand at 46,48,520. While the initial velocity is higher for the Sunny Deol starrer, the real challenge lies in matching the legendary 9-week legroom that Dhurandhar enjoyed. BookMyShow Ticket Sales Comparison: Initial Run MILESTONE / TIMING DHURANDHAR (2025) BORDER 2 (2026) Pre-Sales 224K 404K 1st Week Total 3.09M 3.48M Status at 2nd Sunday ~5.8M (Growth Phase) 4.64M Lifetime BMS Tickets 1.41 Crore (14.19M) TBD Bollywood Blockbusters Comparison: Jawan, Animal, Stree 2 & Chhaava Records Joining this elite league of seven films was a massive milestone, as the giants Border 2 is now chasing have consistently redefined theatrical success over the last two years. The BookMyShow records have been shattered repeatedly, starting with Jawan, which set a massive benchmark with an opening day of 1.14 million tickets and a 7.65 million first week, eventually settling at 12.4 million. Animal followed closely with a 6.43 million first week and a lifetime of 9.91 million. Stree 2 and Chhaava: Redefining Box Office Longevity While Stree 2 showed incredible legs with 11.26 million tickets over 55 days, it was Chhaava that recently became the first solo Hindi film to breach the 12 million mark (ending at 12.58 million). Even Gadar 2, which brought Sunny Deol back to the forefront, sits in this elite club with 9.80 million tickets. While Pushpa 2: The Rule remains the undisputed king across all languages with over 20 million bookings, Dhurandhar's 1.41 crore (14.19M) finish remains the singular mountain that no other Hindi-origin film has been able to climb. Dhurandhar's second week was actually significantly bigger than its first (4.73M vs 3.09M), an incredibly rare theatrical trend that propelled it toward its final record-breaking numbers. For Border 2, chasing the 14-million lifetime record appears to be a steep uphill task; despite its strong start, the film would need to replicate that same unprecedented growth-over-time momentum to bridge the massive gap. While the Sunny Deol starrer is performing steadily with 4.6M tickets so far, whether it can sustain the same 9-week endurance as Dhurandhar remains a wait and watch scenario that depends entirely on its mid-week holds. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   Dhurandhar: The All-Time Hindi Record Holder on BookMyShow 1. The 1M Lightning Start: Achieved within just 3 days (Dec 7, 2025), matching the pace of legends like Jawan (1.14M on Opening Day). 2. Joining the Elite 5M Club: By Day 9, it became the 7th film since Aug '23 to cross 5M tickets, joining a prestigious list that includes Gadar 2 (9.8M) and Animal (9.91M). 3. Overtaking the Titans: With 11.04M tickets by late December, it surged past Stree 2 (11.16M) and eventually Jawan (12.4M) to become the most-watched solo Hindi film on the app. 4. The 1.41 Crore Historic Peak: Concluding its 9-week run with 1,41,92,340 tickets, it shattered Chhaava's record (12.58M) to become the #1 ticket-seller for a Hindi film in BookMyShow history. While Border 2 is currently the dominant force at the ticket windows, the Dhurandhar storm of late 2025 serves as a reminder of how much ground is left to cover for this patriotic sequel to become an all-time record-breaker.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, February 2 – Director Anurag Singh's war drama Border 2 again crossed the 20 crore net mark on its second Sunday, helping the film register a good second weekend of over 50 crores net at the domestic box office. The film recorded a drop of around 55% from its opening frame, which is considered a good hold for a big-ticket sequel. The Sunny Deol-led blockbuster has now accumulated approximately 275 crores net in 10 days, with the second weekend contributing around 51 crores net. The film is expected to breach the 300 crores net milestone by the end of its second week, making it the first Indian film of 2026 to achieve the feat. At the worldwide box office, Border 2 has grossed around 375 crores in its first 10 days. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The sequel has already emerged as the second-highest-grossing film of Sunny Deol's career. However, it is unlikely to replicate the historic run of Gadar 2, which turned into a massive all-time blockbuster in 2023. Despite high expectations, the film's relatively weak promotional campaign limited its reach beyond the core audience, as word of mouth remained decent but not extraordinary. Produced by T-Series and JP Films, Border 2 will be eyeing a domestic gross of over 400 crores and a worldwide finish in the range of 500 crores. While these numbers may appear slightly underwhelming considering the franchise value and pre-release expectations, the final outcome will still be solid, especially in the current scenario of sequel fatigue and muted promotions. Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Rani Mukerji has returned to the big screen as the fierce Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani 3, and the box office response indicates that the audience's love for this franchise remains intact. Released on January 30, 2026, the film has completed its first three days, showing a steady upward trend typical of content-driven thrillers. Following the franchise's tradition of Friday releases, Mardaani 3 saw a positive growth trajectory from its opening day through the weekend, fueled by strong word-of-mouth and Rani Mukerji's power-packed performance. The film started its box office journey with a decent ₹ 4 Cr on Friday. Given the gritty nature of the film, it relied heavily on evening shows and multiplex growth. On Saturday, the film witnessed a jump of over 55%, collecting ₹ 6.25 Cr. The momentum peaked on Sunday with an estimated ₹ 7.25 Cr*, taking the total India Net collection for the opening weekend to ₹ 17.5 Cr. Globally, the film has also made its presence felt, crossing the 25-crore mark with a Worldwide Gross of ₹ 25.1 Cr in just three days. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   When we look at the franchise history, all three films have followed a similar release pattern, arriving on a Friday. While Mardaani 2 still holds the record for the highest opening weekend for the series, Mardaani 3 has comfortably surpassed the opening weekend of the first installment. Mardaani Franchise: Opening Weekend India Net Comparison MOVIE NAME RELEASE DATE OPENING WEEKEND (3 DAYS) Mardaani 2 13 December 2019 ₹ 18.15 Cr Mardaani 3 30 January 2026 ₹ 17.50 Cr Mardaani 22 August 2014 ₹ 14.38 Cr While Mardaani 2 had a slightly more aggressive jump on its first Sunday back in 2019, Mardaani 3 has shown remarkable consistency, especially considering the current theatrical dynamics. Mardaani Franchise: Box Office Track Record (India Net) 1. Mardaani (2014): Hit (Started with ₹ 3.40 Cr; achieved steady long-term growth) 1. Mardaani 2 (2019): Franchise Record (Recorded the highest Day 3 of the series with ₹ 7.80 Cr, a sharp 19.08% jump from Saturday) 3. Mardaani 3 (2026): Trending Positive (Recorded a solid ₹ 17.50 Cr weekend despite modern competition) With an India Gross of ₹ 20.7 Cr and Overseas earnings of ₹ 4.4 Cr, the film stands at a healthy ₹ 25.1 Cr Worldwide. As is the case with all Rani Mukerji starrers in this genre, the real test begins on Monday. If the film manages to hold steady with a collection in the range of ₹ 2 - 2.5 Cr on its first weekday, it is well on its way to becoming another successful addition to the Yash Raj Films' gritty cop universe.

BY SACNILK TEAM

Mumbai, February 1 - The much-anticipated Mirzapur: The Film has wrapped up its shooting, marking a major milestone for the popular crime franchise as it prepares for a grand theatrical release in 2026. The makers announced the wrap through social media, sharing behind-the-scenes moments from the sets and confirming the completion of principal photography. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by Gurmmeet Singh and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under Excel Entertainment, the film is a cinematic extension of the hugely successful Amazon Prime Video series Mirzapur. The big-screen adaptation promises to retain the gritty tone, intense power struggles, and raw violence that made the web series a cult favourite, while scaling up the narrative for a theatrical experience. The film features a strong ensemble cast led by Pankaj Tripathi as Kaleen Bhaiya, Ali Fazal as Guddu Pandit, and Shweta Tripathi as Golu Gupta. Familiar faces like Divyenndu, Abhishek Banerjee, and Vijay Varma are also expected to reprise key roles, while a few new characters are set to add fresh layers to the story of Mirzapur's lawless world. With shooting now complete, Mirzapur: The Film makers are planning a theatrical release later this year. Given the massive fan following of the series, the film is already among the most-awaited Hindi crime action releases of 2026. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, February 1 - Ranveer Singh's spy actioner Dhurandhar continues to defy box office norms, showing remarkable staying power even in its 9th weekend, despite being available on Netflix for subscribers at no additional cost. The film is once again showing its sustainability with its steady collections, underlining its historic theatrical run. On the 9th Friday, the Aditya Dhar-directed blockbuster collected approximately 25 lakh net, followed by an impressive jump on Saturday with around 40 lakh net. These figures are considered exceptional for a film that has already completed two months in cinemas and is simultaneously streaming on a major OTT platform. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The 9th weekend net collection is expected to be around 1.25 crore, a sensational result under normal circumstances and even more remarkable considering the free digital access available to Netflix subscribers. The continued footfalls indicate that a section of the audience is still opting for the big-screen experience. The film's sustained performance further cements Dhurandhar as one of the most extraordinary box office runs in Indian cinema. So far, the film has scored 836+ crore net in 58 days, and with strong word of mouth, repeat audiences, and mass appeal, the spy actioner has successfully broken the conventional post-OTT release slowdown, adding yet another milestone to its already historic theatrical journey. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK TEAM

The resurgence of the Indian war epic is officially here. Border 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 1997 cult classic, has shown extraordinary strength at the box office during its second weekend. On its Day 8 (2nd Friday), the film collected a solid ₹10.75 Crore, bringing its total India Net collection to ₹235.00 Crore. With a massive Saturday growth expected, the film is on track to cross the prestigious ₹250 Crore mark on its Day 9, effectively entering the elite list of the fastest Indian films to reach this milestone. By hitting the ₹250 Crore mark on Day 9, Border 2 will officially outperform Aamir Khan's Dangal, which took 10 days to reach the same figure. It also matches the pace of recent blockbusters like Dhurandhar and Chhaava, which both achieved the feat in 9 days. This trajectory confirms that the film isn't just relying on nostalgia but is being driven by strong word-of-mouth and a massive repeat audience across both urban centers and mass belts. Globally, the film's performance is equally dominant. As of the end of its 8th day, Border 2 has amassed a Worldwide Collection of ₹323.00 Crore. The overseas market has contributed a steady ₹41.75 Crore, while the total India Gross collection stands at ₹281.25 Crore. Despite facing competition from long-running hits like Dhurandhar, the Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan starrer has maintained a high screen count, proving that the patriotic genre remains the biggest draw for the Indian audience. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   Strategically, the film's ability to hold double-digit numbers on its second Friday is a clear indicator of a Super Hit or Blockbuster status in the making.If the current momentum continues through the second Sunday, Border 2 will likely eye the ₹400 Crore club within its third week, challenging the lifetime collections of several top-tier Bollywood films. Below is the updated ranking of the fastest Indian films to reach the ₹250 Crore India Net milestone, showcasing where Border 2 stands in the history of Indian cinema: Fastest Movies to Reach ₹250 Crore (India Net)SNMOVIE NAMEDAYS TAKEN1Pushpa: The Rule - Part 24 Days2Jawan4 Days3Pathaan5 Days4Animal5 Days5Gadar 26 Days6Stree 26 Days7KGF Chapter 27 Days8Baahubali 2 The Conclusion8 Days9Border 29 Days*10Dhurandhar9 Days11Dangal10 Days The Sunny Deol Wave shows no signs of receding. With no major releases scheduled for the next week, Border 2 has a clear runway to maximize its theatrical earnings. The film's success further solidifies the trend of Mass Cinema dominating the 2026 box office, following the path set by Dhurandhar

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, January 31 - The third instalment of Rani Mukerji-fronted cop action thriller franchise Mardaani has taken a better-than-expected start at the box office despite limited buzz and strong competition. The actress has once again proven her box office pull with Mardaani 3, which collected 4 crore net on its opening day, marking the biggest opening in the Mardaani franchise so far. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Despite facing stiff competition at the box office with Border 2, the film managed to attract audiences with its intense theme and franchise goodwill. With this opening, Mardaani 3 has surpassed its predecessors. Mardaani 2, which was a major success upon release, had opened at 3.80 crore net, while the original Mardaani had collected 3.40 crore net on Day 1. Though not extraordinary, the third instalment's improved numbers reflect growing audience interest in the franchise and Rani Mukerji's powerful screen presence as Shivani Shivaji Roy. The good start is a positive sign for the film's theatrical run, especially given the franchise's reputation for steady word-of-mouth growth. If the film holds well over the weekend, Mardaani 3 could be headed for a healthy lifetime total. All eyes are now on the weekend trend, which will determine whether Mardaani 3 can build on its record-breaking opening and replicate the long-run success achieved by Mardaani 2 at the box office. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK TEAM

Mumbai, January 31 - Superstar Salman Khan's iconic romantic drama Tere Naam is all set to return to the big screen. The 2003 cult classic will be re-released in cinemas on February 27, with leading multiplex chains PVR and INOX locking the film for a special theatrical run. The move comes amid a growing trend of re-releasing beloved Hindi films that enjoy strong nostalgia value and repeat-watch appeal. Directed by Satish Kaushik, Tere Naam holds a special place in Salman Khan's filmography, largely due to his intense portrayal of Radhe Mohan and the film's tragic love story. Over the years, the film has achieved cult status, especially among fans who continue to associate its music, dialogues, and Salman's distinctive look with an entire era of Bollywood romance. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The decision to re-release Tere Naam was driven by consistent audience demand and the recent success of classic films returning to theatres. With younger audiences eager to experience such films on the big screen and longtime fans looking to relive the emotion, exhibitors are optimistic about the film finding decent traction despite its age. While the re-release has reignited conversations around the film, reports suggest that there are no plans regarding a sequel or remake at this point, as has been reported earlier. For now, fans can look forward to revisiting Tere Naam in theatres and experiencing the heartbreak, music, and nostalgia once again on the big screen. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK TEAM

Hyderabad, January 31 - SS Rajamouli's much-anticipated collaboration with Mahesh Babu, titled Varanasi, is shaping up to be a high-concept action-adventure that blends science fiction and large-scale spectacle. Also starring Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film has been announced for global release on April 7, 2027. As the anticipation around the film continues to grow, the plot has reportedly been revealed, which offers what the movie is about. According to the core plot, mentioned in Letterboxd, Varanasi revolves around a catastrophic event, when an asteroid strikes the ancient city of Vāranāsi in India, triggering a chain of events that could potentially alter the fate of the entire world. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The asteroid impact is not just a moment of destruction but the starting point of a far bigger mystery. As chaos unfolds, questions arise about whether this incident marks the beginning of the end for humanity. Is Earth heading towards inevitable doom, or is there still a chance to change destiny? The film reportedly explores how this single event becomes a turning point in the history of the planet. "When an asteroid hits the city of Vāranāsi in India, what are the events that it leads to? Is the world about to be doomed? Does it need a saviour who has to traverse across the continents and timelines to influence the most crucial moment in the history of Earth?" says the plot. At the centre of this, Mahesh Babu as Rudra embarks on a globe-spanning and time-bending journey, influencing key moments in Earth's history to ensure survival. This unique blend of time travel and global adventure makes Varanasi one of Rajamouli's most ambitious concepts to date. The film also takes inspiration from one of the key episodes of Ramayana, which is said to be the highlight of the movie. By linking the spiritual significance of Vāranāsi with a global, timeline-altering crisis, the film is expected to deliver a visually spectacular and emotionally charged experience, redefining the scope of Indian cinema on the world stage. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Los Angeles, January 31 - The long-running Fast & Furious franchise has just been revived for possibly one last time. Universal Pictures and franchise star Vin Diesel announced that the next film in the franchise is titled Fast Forever and is scheduled to hit theatres on March 17, 2028. The announcement was shared by Diesel on social media, where he reflected on the emotional journey of the saga and its enduring legacy. Vin Diesel, who is also the producer of the franchise, shared the news about Fast Forver on Instagram, posting a photo of himself with the late Paul Walker from the original film, 2001's The Fast and the Furious. Diesel captioned the post, "No one said the road would be easy... but it's ours. One that has defined us and become our legacy... And a legacy... lasts forever". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Fast Forever marks nearly three decades of high-octane action since the original The Fast and the Furious debuted in 2001. The film follows Fast X (2023), which ended on an explosive note, and will continue to explore the world of Dominic Toretto and his crew. The post-credit scenes of Fast X teased the returns of Dwayne Johnson’s Hobbs and Gal Gadot's Gisele in the upcoming film, which will be directed by Louis Leterrier. Over the past 25 years, the Fast & Furious movies have grossed a total of $7.3 billion, making it Universal Pictures' most profitable and longest-running franchise. The high-octane blockbusters have also expanded into a multitude of other offerings, including an animated series and the spinoff film Hobbs & Shaw. Stay tuned...