Category: Entertainment

Telugu superstar Jr NTR is gearing up for his highly anticipated Hindi film debut in War 2, and insiders reveal that his character will play a much bigger role than just a cameo. According to sources quoted by ETimes, Jr NTR’s role has been crafted as a central figure within the YRF Spy Universe, with plans for standalone films, spin-offs, and major crossover appearances beyond the upcoming movie. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, War 2 features Hrithik Roshan reprising his role as RAW agent Kabir, while Jr NTR takes on the role of a formidable antagonist. The film is slated for a theatrical release on August 14, 2025, and promises one of the most intense cinematic face-offs in Indian action cinema. The YRF Spy Universe began with Salman Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger (2012) and has since expanded with titles like Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan, and Tiger 3. This universe is known for its high-octane action sequences, globe-trotting espionage missions, and interconnected storylines. Notably, Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan and Salman Khan’s Tiger characters have already shared screen space in Tiger 3, with sequels like Pathaan 2 and a rumored Tiger vs Pathaan film in development. Additionally, Alia Bhatt’s upcoming Alpha and Sharvari’s key role in the same project are set to further expand this cinematic world. Jr NTR’s inclusion marks the YRF Spy Universe’s first major South Indian star, reflecting a strategic effort to broaden the franchise’s Pan-India appeal. This move aligns with producer Aditya Chopra’s vision of creating a Marvel-style interconnected spy saga rooted in Indian cinema, where characters crossover across films and timelines. According to insiders, Jr NTR’s character is designed to be layered and morally complex, straddling the line between heroism and shades of grey. With this development, War 2 is poised not only to deliver a blockbuster action spectacle but also to lay the foundation for a sprawling cinematic ecosystem featuring Jr NTR as a pivotal figure.

Ajay Devgn has scored yet another box office success with Raid 2, which has now officially overtaken Shaitaan to become the sixth highest-grossing Hindi film of his career. The film, a sequel to the 2018 hit Raid, was released on a Thursday and opened to an impressive ₹19.25 crore. It sustained well in the following days, showing strong weekend growth and consistent collections throughout its theatrical run. Directed by R. Ajay Kumar Gupta, Raid 2 features Devgn reprising his role as the honest and determined Income Tax officer Amay Patnaik. The film also stars Riteish Deshmukh and Vaani Kapoor. With positive word-of-mouth and Ajay’s massive fan following, the movie collected ₹95.75 crore in its first week alone. While weekday collections witnessed expected dips, weekends brought significant boosts. The second weekend brought in another ₹25 crore, and by the end of its third Sunday, the film’s total collection had reached ₹149 crore. With this, Raid 2 edged past Shaitaan, which had ended its run with ₹148.21 crore. Notably, Shaitaan, a supernatural thriller released last year, had also performed very well but fell just short of Raid 2’s final tally. Here’s a look at Ajay Devgn’s top Hindi net grossers to date: What makes Raid 2’s performance particularly commendable is its resilience at the box office despite facing competition from new releases and the IPL season. The film performed strongly in both mass circuits and urban centers, underlining its broad appeal.

One of Bollywood’s most ambitious upcoming films, Ramayana: Part 1, continues to make waves as more casting updates emerge. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, the mythological epic stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, and is slated for a grand theatrical release on Diwali 2026. Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari The latest buzz confirms that Kajal Aggarwal has joined the ensemble cast as Mandodari, the wife of Ravana, who is being portrayed by Yash. Although earlier reports had hinted at Sakshi Tanwar being considered for the role, a source told ETimes that Kajal completed her look test last week and has already started shooting for her portions. The film is currently in production for Ravana’s Lanka sequences. “Kajal just did her look test last week and will be playing the character of Mandodari opposite Yash. She has started shooting for the bit recently. The makers are currently shooting Ravana’s Lanka bits,” the source revealed. This marks Kajal’s return to a big-budget Hindi film and her first collaboration with Tiwari and Yash. Ravie Dubey is Lord Lakshman Adding to the excitement, actor Ravie Dubey has officially confirmed that he will portray Lakshman, Lord Ram’s devoted brother. In an interview with Connect Cine, Ravie shared: “I am playing Lakshman in the film. I finally have the permission from the makers to reveal this. I didn’t talk about it all this while because I didn’t want to give irresponsible statements and spoil Namit and Nitesh sir’s plans to reveal the cast.” Ravie’s casting is being praised as a fresh and impactful choice, with fans appreciating the actor’s dedication and humility. What’s Known So Far: Star Cast and Structure The Ramayana saga will be released in two parts, with Part 2 also scheduled for Diwali 2027, exactly a year after the first installment. The film is expected to blend VFX-heavy world-building with emotionally grounded storytelling, and it will be one of the most expensive and technically ambitious films in Indian cinema history.

Singer‑actor Diljit Dosanjh has stepped away from Anees Bazmee’s comedy sequel No Entry 2 after failing to see eye to eye with the creative team, Filmfare has reported. A source told the magazine that Dosanjh had initially been “very excited” to share the screen with Varun Dhawan and Arjun Kapoor, but recent discussions left him unable to “align with the film’s creative ideas,” prompting his departure. No Entry 2 is being directed by Bazmee—who also helmed the 2005 original—and produced by Boney Kapoor. When approached for comment, Bazmee said only that he was “not able to speak about the matter right now” and suggested contacting Kapoor, who has yet to respond publicly. The sequel is expected to feature Varun Dhawan and Arjun Kapoor in the lead roles, while Tamannaah Bhatia is reportedly in talks for a part echoing Bipasha Basu’s cameo from the first film. None of these casting details have been officially confirmed. Released in 2005, the original No Entry starred Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor and Fardeen Khan as married men whose lives spiral into comic chaos after a friend introduces them to a seductive stranger. The ensemble also included Lara Dutta, Esha Deol, Celina Jaitly and Bipasha Basu. No Entry 2 had initially been eyed for a 2025 release, but with cast changes now under way, an updated production schedule and release date remain to be announced.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan is set to reunite with acclaimed filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani for a biopic based on the life of Dadasaheb Phalke, widely revered as the Father of Indian Cinema. This marks their third collaboration after the iconic hits 3 Idiots (2009) and PK (2014), and promises a cinematic tribute to one of India’s most influential cultural pioneers. Interestingly, the announcement comes just a day after media reports revealed that Jr NTR may also be stepping into Phalke’s shoes in a separate biopic directed by SS Rajamouli. According to those reports, Jr NTR is expected to undergo a “major transformation” for the role, indicating a potentially large-scale project in the making. As for the Aamir Khan–Rajkumar Hirani film, a press release confirmed that filming will begin in October 2025. Aamir will start preparations for the role after the release of his upcoming movie Sitaare Zameen Par, scheduled to hit theatres on June 20. The film will portray Phalke’s extraordinary journey set against the backdrop of India’s freedom struggle, chronicling how he overcame immense odds to lay the foundation of the world’s largest indigenous film industry. The script has reportedly been in development for the past four years, with Hirani, his longtime collaborator Abhijat Joshi, and writers Hindukush Bharadwaj and Avishkar Bharadwaj working on the screenplay. Phalke’s grandson, Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar, has extended his full support to the project, contributing valuable anecdotes from his grandfather’s life. The film’s period look and setting have already been conceptualized through AI-powered designs by a Los Angeles-based VFX studio, ensuring visual authenticity. Dadasaheb Phalke, born Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, was a visionary who established Phalke Films Company in 1912. His seminal work, Raja Harishchandra (1913), is recognized as India’s first feature-length silent film. Over a filmmaking career spanning nearly two decades, Phalke directed more than 90 feature films and 27 short films. Some of his other significant works include Lanka Dahan, Shri Krishna Janma, and Kaliya Mardan. His wife Saraswati Phalke also played a vital role, assisting in costume design and on-set catering. With two major biopics in the works, Dadasaheb Phalke’s legacy is set to be rediscovered by a new generation of filmgoers through the lenses of two of India’s biggest film industries — Bollywood and South Indian cinema. 4o