Tag: bollywood

Riteish Deshmukh is riding high on the success of Raid 2, which has surpassed ₹112 crore at the box office, reaffirming his position as one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars. The film, which features Deshmukh alongside Ajay Devgn, has received strong positive feedback from audiences and critics alike, contributing significantly to its commercial triumph. This marks yet another feather in Deshmukh’s cap, following a string of box office hits such as Total Dhamaal, the Housefull series, Grand Masti, and Ek Villain, all of which have crossed the ₹100 crore milestone. His consistent appeal to a broad spectrum of viewers has made him a reliable figure in commercially successful cinema. A notable factor in the film’s success is the enduring on-screen camaraderie between Riteish Deshmukh and Ajay Devgn. Their past collaborations, including Cash and Masti, were both well-received, and their chemistry continues to resonate with audiences, serving as a proven formula for box office success. Beyond acting, Deshmukh has also made a significant mark in Marathi cinema through his production house, Mumbai Film Company. His contribution to regional cinema has been lauded for promoting fresh talent and bringing compelling stories to the forefront. With Raid 2 adding another blockbuster to his repertoire, Riteish Deshmukh’s multi-faceted contributions to Indian cinema continue to flourish, both on and off the screen.

The sudden cancellation of the theatrical release of Bhool Chuk Maaf, starring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi, has sparked a major dispute between PVR INOX and Maddock Films, now playing out in the Bombay High Court. What Happened? Originally scheduled to hit cinemas on May 9, Bhool Chuk Maaf was pulled from its theatrical release just a day after the Pahalgam terror attack, with Maddock Films citing “heightened security drills” as the reason. The family entertainer is now slated to stream directly on Amazon Prime Video from May 16, globally. PVR’s Legal Stand According to a report , a top exhibitor confirmed that PVR has taken legal action, accusing Maddock Films of a breach of contract: “All the contracts were signed, and then suddenly Maddock backed off. Hence, this is a case of breach,” the exhibitor said. Maddock’s Possible Defense An insider speculated that Maddock may invoke the ‘force majeure’ clause—citing unforeseen national events like the terror attack—as a legitimate reason to bypass contractual obligations. However, exhibitors argue that Maddock could have simply delayed the release instead of opting for an OTT premiere, suggesting the real reason may have been poor advance bookings. Industry Impact This legal action may set a precedent. Exhibitors reportedly want to deter other production houses from bypassing theatrical commitments for quick OTT releases, especially at the last minute. Ticket Sales & Expectations Despite Maddock’s reasoning, reports suggest that Bhool Chuk Maaf had already sold over 3,000 tickets at PVR INOX and Cinepolis, and was projected to earn around ₹4 crore on its opening day. Film Details: Bhool Chuk Maaf

Superstar Mohanlal has yet again rewritten box office history with his latest drama thriller Thudarum, which has become the highest-grossing film ever at the Kerala box office. Directed by Tharun Moorthy, the film surpassed the lifetime gross of the 2023 survival thriller 2018 Movie—which previously held the record with ₹88.50 crore—by collecting ₹90.25 crore in just 16 days. The film’s phenomenal run is far from over, as it now aims to enter the rare ₹100 crore club in Kerala, a milestone expected to be crossed later this week. On the global front, Thudarum is also making waves. The film is set to cross ₹200 crore in worldwide gross on its 17th day, having already collected around ₹196 crore in its first 16 days. With this, Thudarum is poised to become only the third Malayalam film to reach this benchmark, following Manjummel Boys (₹241 crore) and Empuraan (₹267 crore). In terms of regional and international distribution: With this success, Thudarum marks a back-to-back ₹200 crore grosser for Mohanlal, following the monumental performance of Empuraan. The consistent box office dominance reaffirms his position as one of Indian cinema’s most bankable superstars.

Actor Harshvardhan Rane has announced that he will not be a part of the Sanam Teri Kasam sequel if Mawra Hocane, his Pakistani co-star from the original film, reprises her role. The actor cited Hocane’s recent social media post condemning India’s Operation Sindoor as the reason for his decision. “After reading the direct comments made about my country, I have made a decision to respectfully decline to be part of Sanam Teri Kasam Part 2 if there is any possibility of the previous cast being repeated,” Rane wrote in an Instagram story on Saturday. He also shared a screenshot of Hocane’s post from X (formerly Twitter), which called India’s May 7 airstrikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan a “cowardly attack.” Hocane’s post read, “Strongly condemn India’s cowardly attack on Pakistan. Innocent civilians have lost their lives… May Allah protect us all… may sense prevail. Ya Allah ho Ya Hafizo.” Reacting to her comments, Rane added, “I respect all artists and humans of this country, that country, Kenya and even Mars, but this kind of derogatory remarks about my country by anyone is unpardonable. Am okay with losing out on followers on Instagram, but won’t allow anyone to walk over the pride and upbringing. Standing by your country is good, but disrespectful, hateful remarks about other country is not.” Sanam Teri Kasam, directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, was released on February 5, 2016, and starred Rane as Inder, a reclusive ex-convict, and Hocane as Saru, a reserved librarian. Their tragic love story struck a chord with audiences during its re-release in February 2025, earning nearly ₹50 crore at the domestic box office despite its original run being commercially underwhelming. With the sequel reportedly in early development, the casting decisions may now take a significant turn given Rane’s firm stance. Meanwhile, Harshvardhan Rane is set to appear next in Milap Zaveri’s musical drama Deewaniyat, expected to release later this year.

Telugu superstar Nandamuri Balakrishna will play a significant guest role in Nelson Dilipkumar’s much-anticipated sequel, Jailer 2, starring Rajinikanth in the lead. According to a report by IndiaGlitz, Balakrishna—often referred to as NBK—has allotted a 20-day schedule for the film and will be paid a staggering ₹50 crore for his appearance. The report adds that Sun Pictures, the film’s producer, agreed to NBK’s fee without hesitation, indicating the weight his presence brings to the project. Balakrishna, known for his mass appeal in Telugu cinema, had reportedly been on Nelson’s wishlist since the original Jailer was in development. A source close to the production told Hindustan Times, “It is true that NBK has said yes to a powerful role in Jailer 2. He loved what Nelson pitched to him and looks forward to shooting for the film soon. He plays more of a guest role in the film than a cameo because he wanted something solid, and Nelson delivered. Fans are going to love it.” Director Nelson had earlier revealed in a 2023 interview with Cinema Vikatan that he originally wanted to cast Balakrishna in Jailer but couldn’t properly integrate his character into the script. With the sequel, Nelson finally fulfills that vision, reportedly crafting a “powerful” role tailor-made for the Tollywood veteran. About Jailer 2 The sequel brings back Rajinikanth as ‘Tiger’ Muthuvel Pandian, the retired jailer, and Ramya Krishnan as his wife Vijaya. Mirnaa Menon plays their daughter-in-law, while Yogi Babu returns as the humorous taxi driver Vimal. Shiva Rajkumar, whose cameo in the first film received massive praise, is also expected to make a return. While fans are eager to see if Mohanlal, who had a special appearance in Jailer (2023), reprises his role, all eyes are now on NBK’s grand entry into the Jailer universe.

South superstar Allu Arjun has sent fans and industry circles into a speculative frenzy after being spotted at Aamir Khan’s Mumbai residence, igniting fresh rumours of a big-ticket pan-India collaboration. The stylish star reportedly managed a low-key visit, but a photo of the two posing together has since surfaced online, stoking excitement and intrigue about what could be brewing between the two cinematic powerhouses. While official details remain under wraps, speculation is rife that this could mark Allu Arjun’s much-anticipated Bollywood debut, potentially under Aamir Khan’s production banner. This unexpected meeting has reignited whispers that first started circulating in 2023, when the duo were seen engaging warmly at a wedding reception, sparking initial chatter of a possible collaboration. Industry insiders are said to be closely tracking the development, though neither Aamir nor Allu has issued any statements confirming a joint project. Currently, Aamir Khan is in the spotlight for his upcoming film Sitare Zameen Par and is reportedly deep in planning for an epic adaptation of the Mahabharat, a dream project he’s been carefully curating for years. Aamir has stated that he is seeking actors who authentically fit their mythological roles, and Allu’s visit has only intensified speculation around that casting search. As for Allu Arjun, he is busy with his high-octane sci-fi film AA22, directed by Atlee, and boasting global appeal with Hollywood VFX experts on board. He also has Pushpa 3 in the pipeline, expected to go on floors after he wraps up his current commitments.