THE CLIFF NEWS

In a major shift for the beloved Krrish franchise, veteran filmmaker Rakesh Roshan has officially stepped down as the director of Krrish 4. The decision marks the end of an era, as Roshan has helmed every installment of the franchise since its inception. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Roshan explained his decision, stating, “The day has to come when I have to pass on the baton. I should do it when I’m in my senses, so I can oversee the process and ensure it’s being done correctly. Tomorrow, if I’m not in my senses and I have to pass it on, I won’t know what they’re making.” Despite stepping away from the director’s chair, Roshan expressed no regrets, emphasizing that there is no guarantee of success even if he were to direct the film. “That chance we have to take. Also, there’s no guarantee that if Rakesh Roshan directs Krrish 4, it’ll be a blockbuster. It might be the other way round as well,” he added. Krrish 4 Faces Challenges Amid High Budget and Industry Shifts The Krrish franchise, which began with Koi Mil Gaya (2003), followed by Krrish (2006) and Krrish 3 (2013), has been one of Bollywood’s most successful superhero sagas. However, bringing Krrish 4 to life has proven to be a challenge due to rising production costs and evolving audience preferences. Reports suggest that Siddharth Anand, initially attached as a producer, was in talks to secure a studio for Krrish 4, which carries a massive Rs 700 crore budget. However, the long gap since the last installment and concerns about the film’s relevance in a post-Marvel era reportedly led to Anand and director Karan Malhotra exiting the project. With Rakesh Roshan stepping back, speculation is rife about who will take over as director. As the franchise navigates this transition, fans eagerly await further updates on Hrithik Roshan’s return as India’s iconic superhero.

A week after its release on OTT, Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency has claimed the top spot on Netflix. The actor-turned-MP has been actively sharing fresh reactions and reviews for the film on her Instagram, celebrating its success. Among the many positive reviews, one viewer suggested that Emergency should be India’s official entry for the Oscars. However, Kangana dismissed the idea, calling the award “silly” and accusing America of being a bully that “suppresses and arm twists developing nations.” “#EmergencyOnNetflix should go for the Oscars from India. Kangana, what a film,” a social media user wrote. Kangana responded by saying, “But America wouldn’t like to acknowledge its real face, how they bully, suppress, and arm twist developing nations. It’s been exposed in Emergency. They can keep their silly Oscar. We have National Awards.” Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta Praises Emergency Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, known for his crime thrillers, admitted that he had “prejudged” Emergency but was pleasantly surprised by its execution. “Today I watched Emergency by @KanganaTeam. Very frankly, I wasn’t planning to as I had prejudged it. I am so glad that I was wrong. What a fantastic film by Kangana—both performance & direction. Top Notch & World Class,” Gupta wrote. Kangana appreciated the acknowledgment and encouraged the industry to move past its biases. She replied, “Film industry must come out of its hate and prejudices and acknowledge good work. Thanks for breaking that barrier, Sanjay ji. My message to all filmi intellectuals: never keep any notions about me. Mujhe samajhne ki koshish bhi mat karna, main pahunch se bahar hoon (Don’t try to figure me out, I am out of your reach).” Fans Praise Kangana’s Performance A viewer also praised Kangana’s performance in the film, suggesting it might be her best yet. Responding to this, she said, “People are calling my acting in Emergency amazing and my best ever. Could I surpass Queen, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Fashion, and Thalaivi? Watch Emergency and find out.” Emergency Tops Netflix India Since its release on Netflix last Friday, Emergency has dominated the streaming platform. As of Sunday evening, it remains the number one trending movie, surpassing Ajay Devgn’s Azaad and Naga Chaitanya-Sai Pallavi’s Thandel.

Producer Ravi Shankar has officially confirmed that Pushpa 3: The Rampage is in development and will arrive sooner than expected. The much-anticipated sequel, starring Allu Arjun, is slated for release in 2028. Speaking at a media event for his latest film Robinhood, Shankar revealed that the team is determined to bring the film to audiences without significant delays. Allu Arjun is currently occupied with two major projects—one with director Atlee Kumar and another with Trivikram Srinivas. According to Shankar, the superstar will only begin work on Pushpa 3 after completing these two commitments, which are expected to take at least two years. “Pushpa 3 is definitely on! Allu Arjun is presently doing two films with director Atlee and Trivikram Srinivas. He’ll take at least two years to complete them before moving on to Pushpa 3,” the producer stated. He also acknowledged that the second installment, Pushpa 2: The Rule, took longer than expected due to multiple factors. However, he assured fans that such delays would not affect Pushpa 3. “We won’t delay things like it happened earlier. We hope to come back quickly within three years, so the film will arrive somewhere in 2028,” he added. This is the first time the producer has officially spoken about the third part of the franchise. While the announcement for Pushpa 3 was teased in the end credits of Pushpa 2, details about the storyline and production plans remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, Pushpa director Sukumar is currently working on his next project with Telugu superstar Ram Charan. Reports suggest that he will take at least two years to complete this film before shifting his focus back to the Pushpa franchise. After its release in December last year, Pushpa 2: The Rule became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time at the domestic box office. The film, starring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, amassed a staggering ₹1,234.1 crore nett in India and ₹1,742.1 crore worldwide.

Amid escalating tensions over demands to remove the grave of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Khuldabad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district authorities have barred Hindutva leader Milind Ekbote from entering the district from March 16 to April 5. The order, issued on March 15 by the Deputy Resident Collector’s office, cites security concerns and intelligence reports suggesting possible unrest. Authorities believe that Ekbote’s organization, Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj Pratishthan, along with his supporters, may attempt to reach Khuldabad to raze the tomb. “After the release of the film Chhaava, views on Aurangzeb have intensified on social media. Given the rising tensions, we have decided to prohibit Ekbote and his supporters from entering Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar,” the district administration stated. Adding to the controversy, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have announced planned agitations starting March 17, demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb. Ekbote has previously faced allegations of inciting caste-based riots in Bhima Koregaon in 2018 and participated in efforts to demolish Afzal Khan’s tomb in Pratapgad. Political Reactions Deepen the Divide Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve condemned the calls to remove the tomb, calling it a historical landmark. “Aurangzeb’s grave is a reminder that he was defeated and buried here. Removing it is an attempt to erase history. I challenge anyone who has the courage to demolish it,” Danve asserted. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’s Guardian Minister, Sanjay Shirsat, fueled the debate with his remarks. “Maharashtra’s soil has no place for a cruel emperor who executed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. If anyone values Aurangzeb’s grave so much, they should take its remnants home,” he said, further alleging that opposition leaders support Pakistan. As political and communal tensions escalate, the situation remains volatile, with security measures being closely monitored in the region.