Category: Entertainment

This Friday, June 27, promises a cinematic showdown with a heartwarming twist as two mythological powerhouses—Ajay Devgn’s Maa and Vishnu Manchu’s Kannappa—gear up for release. But instead of rivalry, what stands out is the mutual admiration and good-natured banter between Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn. In a playful Instagram story, Akshay Kumar, who plays Lord Shiva in Kannappa, extended warm wishes to Ajay and Kajol for Maa, while cheekily requesting the same in return. “Yaar, Ajay, hum dono ki picture aa rahi hai iss Friday. Tu apne fans ki good wishes Kannappa ko bhej de, aur main mere Mahadev ki blessings Maa ko.Kya bolta hai? Good luck to Kajol and you, bhai. May the power be with you.” The message set the tone for a friendly clash—one rooted in mutual respect and celebration of Indian mythology on screen. About Maa Produced by Ajay Devgn, Jyoti Deshpande, and Kumar Mangat Pathak, and directed by Vishal Furia, Maa is a mythological horror drama that explores a mother’s desperate struggle against supernatural forces to save her daughter. Tied to a haunted village and invoking the fierce spirit of Goddess Kali, the film blends horror with spiritual mythos. About Kannappa Kannappa is a mythological fantasy thriller rooted in the legend of Lord Shiva’s devout follower. Starring Vishnu Manchu in the titular role, the film promises grandeur and divine drama with epic cameos by some of Indian cinema’s biggest stars: Friendship over Fierceness The Maa vs Kannappa clash is unique—not just for its mythological backdrop, but for how its stars are treating the box office battle like a festival of shared creativity rather than competition. Akshay Kumar’s shoutout symbolizes a growing trend in Bollywood and regional cinema: collaboration and goodwill over rivalry. With strong narratives, powerful performances, and rich visual storytelling, Maa and Kannappa both aim to captivate audiences across India this weekend. Let the divine drama begin!

Veteran TV actor Ram Kapoor has been removed from all promotional activities for his upcoming JioHotstar series Mistry, following allegations of sexually inappropriate and unprofessional comments during a recent press event. The incident reportedly occurred during a media interaction in Mumbai on June 19, where Kapoor, known for his roles in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain and other popular TV shows, allegedly made sexually suggestive jokes and remarks that made multiple members of the press and the platform’s team uncomfortable. His co-star Mona Singh was also present during the interaction. Alleged Remarks Spark Internal Action Eyewitnesses claimed that Kapoor, while referring to his hectic promotional schedule, said he felt “gang-raped” — a comment made while a female journalist was setting up her microphone. The journalist reportedly confirmed the remark. Later in the day, Kapoor allegedly made inappropriate comments about the attire of a female colleague, saying her clothes were “distracting.” Additional remarks reportedly included jokes about sex positions and a disturbing statement directed at a male colleague, saying his mother “should have faked a headache” to prevent his birth. By June 20, the matter had reached JioHotstar’s senior leadership and HR department. After internal discussions and corroboration from multiple eyewitnesses, the platform took swift action, deciding to exclude Ram Kapoor from all future promotions of the show. “The platform wants to distance itself from any behaviour that normalises workplace misconduct,” a JioHotstar insider told Mid-Day. Mona Singh to Lead Promotions Alone Going forward, Mona Singh will be the sole representative of the show during its promotional run. Kapoor will not appear in any press interactions, interviews, or public events related to Mistry. About Mistry Mistry is the Indian adaptation of the acclaimed American series Monk, which centers on a brilliant but neurotic detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Ram Kapoor plays Armaan Mistry, the titular sleuth, in what was expected to be a major comeback project. The series is scheduled to premiere on JioHotstar this Friday. This development adds a serious layer of controversy to the show’s launch and raises important questions about accountability and professionalism in celebrity media conduct.

The much-awaited Season 4 of Panchayat, which premiered on June 24 on Amazon Prime Video, has drawn mixed to negative reactions from viewers and critics alike. While fans welcomed the return of Jitendra Kumar as Sachiv Ji and enjoyed the familiar village setting of Phulera, many felt that the show lost its signature simplicity, humor, and emotional warmth, especially with the increased focus on local election politics. 📉 Finale Disappointment: IMDb Ratings Compared According to IMDb, the finale episode of Season 4, titled “Dabdaba,” currently holds a rating of 8.4 – the lowest finale rating among all four seasons: Many longtime fans of the series have taken to X (formerly Twitter) and social media platforms to share their disappointment. “Finished watching… Disappointed to the core. Slow, even boring in some parts… Lacked the USP comedy… unexpected downfall,” wrote one user. “Too much bad politics. On top of it, the ending is not good. Why did they ruin a good series?” said another. “Panchayat season 4 felt like attending a wedding you didn’t want to go to, but were forced to sit through,” another disappointed fan quipped. 🧾 About Season 4: A Shift in Tone The fourth season focuses heavily on the panchayat elections in Phulera and the political drama it stirs among villagers. While the core cast — including Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy, and Pankaj Jha — returned, viewers felt that the magic of relatable rural life was overtaken by forced political intrigue and predictable storytelling. A review by Hindustan Times criticized the season for trading freshness for formula: “Panchayat Season 4 sees formula creeping in and an overload of political murkiness over the simplicity of human emotions… The season feels more manufactured, robbing the narrative of the freshness it retained for three seasons.” 🚨 Leaked Hours After Release Adding to the woes, all eight episodes of Season 4 were leaked on piracy websites just hours after its release — a serious blow to the team and Prime Video. 📌 The Verdict While Panchayat Season 4 retains its beloved cast and setting, the departure from its original tone has left many fans underwhelmed. The finale especially has drawn strong criticism, with some hoping that this narrative dip is just a setup for a more redemptive and grounded Season 5.

Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh has finally spoken out about the controversy surrounding his upcoming film ‘Sardaar Ji 3’, which has drawn sharp criticism over the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir. In a recent interview with BBC Asian Network, Diljit clarified that the film was shot in February 2025, well before the Pahalgam terror attack and the escalation in India-Pakistan tensions. “Jab yeh film bani thi tab situation sab theek tha. We shot this in February and then everything was fine,” Diljit said, explaining that the situation drastically changed after the shoot was completed. Following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people lost their lives, Indian film associations announced a blanket ban on collaboration with Pakistani artists. Despite this, the trailer of Sardaar Ji 3, featuring Hania Aamir, was released on June 23, triggering a massive backlash from several industry bodies. In response to the criticism, Diljit emphasized that many things were beyond the team’s control. “Uske baad, bahut saari badi cheezen humare haath mein nahi hai. Toh producers ne decide kiya ki film obviously ab India toh nahi lagegi, toh overseas release karte hain,” he said. “The producers have invested a lot of money, and when this film was being made, none of this was happening.” Diljit also extended full support to the producers’ decision to release the film overseas, saying, “They know there will be a loss because you’re removing an entire territory… Now, the situation is not in our hands. So, if the producers want to release it abroad, I support them.” The controversy has snowballed, with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) demanding a ban on Diljit Dosanjh, along with the film’s producers and director. The association has gone a step further, appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke their passports and cancel their citizenship, calling their actions “anti-national.” Despite the furore, the Sardaar Ji 3 team maintains that the project was completed in good faith before political tensions escalated. The film’s future in Indian cinemas remains uncertain.

Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan recently took to his blog on Tumblr to express heartfelt admiration for his son Abhishek Bachchan, praising him for his courage to embrace unconventional and demanding roles throughout his career. The 82-year-old megastar quoted renowned Hindi poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, writing: “Success comes to those who dare and act… Abhishek has ever done that. He has dared to take on films and characters that challenged him… and he ‘acted’. He dared to act and be recognised.” Clarifying that the word “act” extended beyond performance on stage or screen, Amitabh emphasized the importance of boldness and initiative in life itself. A Father’s Poetic Reflection In a deeply introspective moment, Amitabh also quoted his own father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, saying: “My sons, just because you are my sons shall not be my inheritors… They that shall be my inheritors, shall be my sons.” This powerful line seemed to underscore his belief in merit over lineage, further highlighting his genuine admiration for Abhishek’s choices and growth as an actor. “There is immense admiration for Abhishek,” Amitabh concluded, summing up his pride. Abhishek Bachchan: A Career of Bold Choices Abhishek, now 49, made his debut in 2000 with Refugee, opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan. Over the years, he has become known for his eclectic filmography — ranging from action and comedy to political and offbeat dramas. Notable performances include: Most recently, he starred in Housefull 5, directed by Tarun Mansukhani, alongside Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh. Abhishek is next set to headline Kaalidhar Laapata, a ZEE5 film releasing in theatres on July 4. In a world where star kids are often scrutinized for taking the easy road, Amitabh’s words come as a sincere acknowledgment of Abhishek’s individual journey — one defined by risks, reinvention, and resilience.

Acclaimed actor Jaideep Ahlawat has officially confirmed his role in the much-anticipated action-thriller ‘King’, which stars Shah Rukh Khan and is directed by Siddharth Anand. In a recent interview, Ahlawat revealed that it was SRK himself who made the final call to bring him into the project, despite initial hesitations from the director. “SRK sir had been thinking about this for quite some time… But Khan saab being Khan saab, he said, ‘I’ll talk to him.’ Now who could say no to him?” Ahlawat shared, shedding light on how the superstar personally intervened when Siddharth Anand hesitated, reportedly due to the role being a smaller one following Ahlawat’s powerful turn in Jewel Thief. A Warm Bond with SRK Ahlawat, known for his intense roles and commanding screen presence, also recalled his earlier interactions with Shah Rukh Khan on the sets of Raees: “He’s a wonderful human being… Every time I’ve met him, he’s made me feel important,” the Paatal Lok star said, praising Khan’s humility and warmth. What We Know About King Currently in production, King is one of Bollywood’s most anticipated action films, reuniting Shah Rukh Khan with Pathaan director Siddharth Anand. The film also features SRK’s daughter Suhana Khan, who is set to make her big-screen debut, and Saurabh Shukla in pivotal roles. Though the full ensemble is yet to be officially announced, reports suggest a star-studded cast that includes: Jaideep Ahlawat: Rising Star Ahlawat was most recently seen in Jewel Thief, where he earned widespread praise for his layered villainous role and surprising dance sequences, proving his versatility as a performer. Awaiting the Release While no official release date for King has been confirmed, the film is expected to be a major cinematic event, combining Shah Rukh Khan’s charisma with Siddharth Anand’s action expertise and a power-packed supporting cast.