Category: Exclusive

Superstar Rajinikanth is gearing up to dominate the box office once again with Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Slated for a worldwide release on August 14, the high-octane action drama will hit theatres in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. Made on a massive Rs 350 crore budget, Coolie boasts an ensemble cast featuring Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, and Sathyaraj. This marks Lokesh Kanagaraj’s sixth directorial after a stellar run with Maanagaram, Kaithi, Master, Vikram, and Leo. Special Tribute to the Superstar While the film recently received an A-certificate, it was sent back for censoring to add 25 extra seconds of footage. As per reports, Lokesh has included a special title card to celebrate Rajinikanth’s 50th year in cinema, adding another emotional layer for fans. Given how Lokesh’s tribute to Thalapathy Vijay in Leo became iconic, expectations are sky-high for Rajini’s moment. Overseas Bookings on Fire International advance bookings have already shattered records. Tickets for the opening day in the US and UK are sold out, with the UK premiere set for 5 am IST. In India, early morning fan shows are planned—6 am in Kerala and Karnataka, and 9 am in Tamil Nadu, with official booking announcements for the state expected soon. A Cinematic Marathon With a runtime of 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 22 seconds, Coolie promises to be an epic, adrenaline-fueled ride showcasing Rajinikanth’s charisma, action, and screen presence at their peak. With massive hype, record-breaking pre-sales overseas, and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s track record of delivering crowd-pleasing spectacles, Coolie is on course to become one of the biggest cinematic events of 2025.

Actor Huma Qureshi’s cousin, Asif Qureshi (42), was stabbed to death on Thursday night outside his home in southeast Delhi’s Nizamuddin area following a dispute over scooter parking, police said Friday. Asif, who lived on Church Lane in Bhogal, was attacked around 10 pm after asking two men not to park in front of his gate. The accused, identified as brothers Ujjwal (19) and Gautam (18), allegedly assaulted him with a sharp poker, piercing his chest. He died from his injuries. “Asif asked them to park elsewhere, leading to an altercation. They then attacked him, causing his death. We demand strict punishment,” said Huma’s father, Saleem Qureshi. Asif ran a meat supply business and co-owned two hotels in the area. A case has been registered under sections 103(1) (murder) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police noted that killings over parking disputes are not uncommon in Delhi — in March, a similar row in northwest Delhi claimed one life and injured several others.

In what has become the most talked-about moment in Indian cinema this year, Shah Rukh Khan’s long-awaited National Award win for Jawan has ignited a wave of reactions across the industry. While many fans and celebrities celebrated the milestone, others raised eyebrows — including Best Supporting Actress winner Urvashi, who took home the award for Ullozhukku and subtly questioned the jury’s decision to honour Khan. Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, best known for his role as Shaktimaan, came out in strong support of Shah Rukh and the jury’s decision. “People who are saying that Shah Rukh Khan should not have received the award for this film (Jawan) but for Swades — remember, A.R. Rahman received the Oscar for ‘Jai Ho’ and not for the various beautiful songs he created in the past,” Khanna remarked. Defending Shah Rukh’s decades of contribution to cinema, Khanna added, “Shah Rukh has been working hard for the past 40 years now — so what is wrong if he has received a National Award?” Amid the growing online discourse, Shah Rukh Khan broke his silence with a heartfelt video message, thanking his family, fans, and the film fraternity for their unwavering support. “They know my obsession with cinema takes me away from them, but they all bear it with a smile and allow me the time. So thank you very much for that. A National Award is not just about achievement. It’s a reminder that what I do matters.” He continued: “It tells me to keep going, keep working hard, keep creating, and keep serving cinema. In a world full of noise, to be heard — truly heard — is a blessing.” Ending the video with a powerful promise, SRK said: “And I promise to use this recognition not as a finish line but as fuel to continue striving, learning, and giving life. This award is a reminder to me that acting is not just work, it’s a responsibility. It’s a responsibility to show the truth on screen.” Shah Rukh Khan shares the Best Actor National Award with Vikrant Massey this year — marking his first-ever win at the prestigious ceremony, decades into a legendary career that has shaped Indian cinema.

Tollywood actor Vijay Deverakonda appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday in connection with an ongoing investigation into the promotion of illegal betting apps. The actor arrived at the ED’s regional office at Basheerbagh, Hyderabad, around 11 a.m. and is expected to be questioned regarding his contracts, endorsements, and payments received from betting platforms. Deverakonda is the second actor to be questioned by the ED in this case. Actor Prakash Raj had earlier appeared before the agency on July 30 and was questioned for nearly five hours. Prakash Raj clarified to officials that he had not accepted any payment for an endorsement he did back in 2016 for a gaming app. He stated that he later realized he should not have associated with it and acted purely on conscience. The ED has summoned four prominent actors so far — Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi — as part of its investigation. Rana Daggubati, who was originally scheduled to appear on July 23, has been issued a fresh notice and is now expected to appear on August 11. Manchu Lakshmi has been asked to appear on August 13. These celebrities are among the 29 actors, YouTubers, and social media influencers named in the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) filed by the ED on July 10, following allegations of promoting illegal betting platforms in violation of the Public Gambling Act, 1867. The probe, which falls under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), is based on at least five FIRs registered in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, including at police stations in Panjagutta, Miyapur, Cyberabad, Suryapet, and Visakhapatnam. Other notable names booked in the case include Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash, Ananya Nagella, and a host of TV actors and influencers, such as Sreemukhi, Shyamala, Varshini Sounderajan, Shoba Shetty, Amrutha Chowdary, Nayani Pavani, Neha Pathan, Pandu, Padhmavathi, Harsha Sai, and Bayya Sunny Yadav. In March 2025, Deverakonda and Daggubati, among others, were also booked by the Cyberabad Police for allegedly promoting betting apps. However, both actors have maintained that they endorsed only legally permitted online skill-based gaming platforms. The ED is now probing the nature of these contracts and whether any money laundering was involved through these promotional deals.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has reportedly rented four luxury apartments in Mumbai’s upscale Pali Hill area, according to property registration details accessed by Zapkey.com. The apartments are located in the Wilnomona Apartment on Nargis Dutt Road, one of Mumbai’s most sought-after and celebrity-dense neighborhoods. Why the Move? The move is said to be temporary, triggered by the redevelopment of Virgo Cooperative Housing Society (CHS)—Aamir Khan’s long-time residence, where he owns about 12 apartments. The redevelopment is being carried out by Atmosphere Realty, a joint venture involving Wadhwa Group, MICL, and Chandak Group. The new project is expected to feature ultra-luxury, sea-facing homes, with prices crossing ₹1 lakh per sq ft, and some units possibly valued at over ₹100 crore. Key Lease Details: Close to Shah Rukh Khan In a fascinating twist of Bollywood real estate musical chairs, the Wilnomona property is located just 750 metres from Puja Casa, where Shah Rukh Khan is currently staying during the renovation of Mannat, his iconic bungalow. This places two of Indian cinema’s biggest stars in temporary proximity, sparking fan curiosity. No Official Comment Yet As of now, neither Aamir Khan nor the property owner have publicly commented on the lease arrangement. The development has, however, stirred significant buzz in the real estate and entertainment circles.

Popular actress and Bigg Boss 13 alum Shehnaaz Gill has been hospitalised following a sudden health scare, although the exact medical cause has not been officially confirmed. On Monday, Bigg Boss 18 winner and fellow actor Karan Veer Mehra visited Shehnaaz and later shared a reassuring video update on social media. In the clip, Shehnaaz is seen lying on a hospital bed, smiling faintly despite being connected to an IV drip, and wearing a bandage on her hand. “Yeh dekho bechari… what has happened to her?” Karan Veer says, panning the camera toward her. Shehnaaz, maintaining her signature charm, responds, “Hasa rha hai mujhe,” and quips that she plans to “bounce back soon and maybe even party again.” While there’s no official word from her team, reports suggest Shehnaaz is being treated for low blood pressure and is currently on a glucose drip to stabilize her condition. Karan Veer, who is currently working on a pivotal role in Omung Kumar’s next film, ended the video with a heartfelt appeal: “I need you guys to pray really hard that this girl, with full energy, gets back as soon as possible.” Recent Projects Shehnaaz Gill, who won hearts on Bigg Boss 13, made her Bollywood debut opposite Salman Khan in Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. She was recently seen in Thank You For Coming, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). She also featured in the romantic track Sajna Ve Sajna alongside Rajkummar Rao. Fans and well-wishers have flooded social media with messages of love and prayers for her speedy recovery.

Yash Raj Films’ latest blockbuster Saiyaara has made history by becoming the first theatrical release from the prestigious studio to secure a post–box office streaming deal with Netflix. The Netflix logo appears during Saiyaara’s end–credit song, signaling a new partnership between the Bollywood powerhouse and the global streaming giant. Until now, YRF’s theatrical slate—including mega–hits spanning decades—has exclusively premiered on Amazon Prime Video after their cinema runs concluded. Saiyaara’s Netflix debut ushers in a fresh era, aligning with YRF Entertainment’s broader digital ambitions. YRF Entertainment—established as YRF’s digital arm—has previously collaborated with Netflix on several non–theatrical projects. Their Valentine’s Day docu–series The Romantics (2023) celebrated Yash Chopra’s legacy, followed by The Railway Men, a mini–series honoring Bhopal station workers. In 2024, the courtroom drama Maharaj and the sports slice–of–life film Vijay 69 also joined Netflix’s library. Most recently, the mystery series Mandala Murders, starring Vaani Kapoor, premiered on the platform. At a Netflix launch event earlier this year, YRF announced the upcoming series Akka, featuring Keerthy Suresh, Radhika Apte, and Tanvi Azmi. These collaborations underscore YRF’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the digital space. Meanwhile, Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda, continues its unstoppable run in cinemas, on track to surpass ₹300 crore by the end of its third weekend. Given its box office dominance, Netflix’s premiere date for the film remains under wraps—but, as with all major Hindi releases, viewers can expect a significant theatrical window before it lands on the streaming service.

Filmmaker Karan Johar took to Instagram on Saturday to congratulate his longtime friends and collaborators Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji for being honoured at the 71st National Film Awards. Johar described their victories as a “full circle moment,” recalling that his very first National Award was won alongside the two stars for his directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Shah Rukh Khan, celebrated for his role in Atlee Kumar’s blockbuster Jawan, was named Best Actor. Johar praised SRK’s “swag, charm and just… SRK-ness,” noting that this recognition represents 33 years in the making for the superstar. He lauded Khan’s ability to “redefine Indian cinema with every role” and cheered on “picture abhi baaki hai, mere dost.” In the Best Actress category, Rani Mukerji earned the top honour for her powerful performance in Ashima Chibber’s Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. Johar called Mukerji “the queen of every screen,” applauding her gift for making audiences “feel every last feeling” and expressing excitement for her future projects. Johar also acknowledged Emmay Entertainment and producers Madhubhojwani, Nikkhil Advani, and Emma Thapa for backing Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, and sent “the biggest shoutout” to the team behind the film. This year’s edition of the National Awards was particularly special for Johar, as his own film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment—the same category in which Kuch Kuch Hota Hai triumphed in 1998. “If this is not full circle, what is?” he quipped, celebrating a journey that began and now continues with the same two co-stars by his side. Jawan, which crossed the ₹1,000 crore mark at the global box office, sees Shah Rukh in dual roles as Army officer Vikram Rathore and his jailed son Azad, alongside Vijay Sethupathi and Nayanthara. Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway tells the true story of Debika Chatterjee (Mukerji), who battles the Norwegian authorities to retain custody of her children; the film also features Jim Sarbh. Both films have been widely praised for their storytelling and performances, making this year’s National Awards a fitting tribute to two of Bollywood’s most beloved actors.