Tag: bollywood

Akshay Kumar has decided to take legal action against his co-star Paresh Rawal, seeking damages of Rs 25 crore after Rawal exited the much-anticipated Hera Pheri 3, reportedly causing disruptions to the film’s shoot, according to a report by Hindustan Times. This move comes just two days after Paresh Rawal publicly confirmed his departure from the project via a post on X. On May 18, Paresh Rawal addressed the rumors surrounding his exit, firmly stating that he left the film not due to creative differences or financial disputes. He emphasized his respect and faith in the director Priyadarshan, saying, “I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences. I REITERATE THAT THERE ARE NO CREATIVE DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE FILM MAKER. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan the film director.” Reports have also revealed that Paresh Rawal was paid three times his usual fee for this film, highlighting the scale of investment in the project. The shoot for Hera Pheri 3 began in April under the veteran director Priyadarshan, with Akshay Kumar not only starring but also producing the film after acquiring the rights from producer Feroz Nadiadwala. Earlier in January, Paresh Rawal had announced his involvement in the film, and he participated actively in pre-production and even shot a day’s work, including a teaser promo. A source close to the production told Hindustan Times, “Paresh himself announced doing the film on his X handle in January, he participated in all pre-production planning, shot for a day (including the teaser promo) willingly. When he never expressed dissatisfaction at any point, for him to now suddenly play with the emotions of the fans of this franchise and inflict losses on the producer is clearly in bad faith.” The source further added, “Paresh displayed a blatant disregard for professional integrity or commercial morality. If he wanted to not do the film, he should have said so before signing the legal contract, accepting the signing amount and making the producer spend so much money on the shoot.” This incident is being seen as a turning point for Bollywood, with the source noting, “It is high time Bollywood actors realise that like Hollywood, producers here too will no longer give in to the whims of an actor walking in and out of a film as he pleases.” Hera Pheri 3 is the sequel to the hugely popular Hera Pheri (2000), with the second installment released in 2006. Fans had been eagerly awaiting the third film before this controversy emerged.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is set to play Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu MVC, the Indian Army officer who heroically laid down his life during the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, in an upcoming biopic directed by Apoorva Lakhia (Shootout at Lokhandwala, Mission Istaanbul). The film, based on the first chapter of the book India’s Most Fearless 3 by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh, will begin filming in July 2025. The screenplay has been penned by Suresh Nair, with Chintan Gandhi and Chintan Shah (dialogue) contributing. Salman, who has already begun physical training at his Panvel farmhouse, will start prepping for the emotionally intense role by late May. The production will feature a 70-day schedule, including 20 days in high-altitude Ladakh and 50 days in Mumbai. This marks Salman’s first collaboration with Apoorva Lakhia. The film aims to be a gripping tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Colonel Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment, who was the first Indian Army officer to be KIA against the PLA since 1967. The untitled film is slated for release in the first half of 2026.

Hera Pheri 3, one of Bollywood’s most eagerly awaited sequels, has faced a major setback as Paresh Rawal, who famously portrayed Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, announced he will not be part of the film. The actor made the revelation via a tweet on May 18, denying rumors that his exit was due to creative differences. Paresh Rawal expressed his continued respect and faith in the film’s director, Priyadarshan, emphasizing that his decision was personal. Rawal opened up in an earlier interview about how the character of Baburao has become a double-edged sword for him. He explained that the role, while beloved, feels like a “noose” around his neck, limiting his opportunities to explore varied characters. He shared how, even after the success of Hera Pheri 2 in 2006, he sought help from directors like Vishal Bhardwaj and R. Balki to portray different roles—even within the same iconic getup—but found himself typecast and unable to break free from the Hera Pheri image. “I’m an actor, and I don’t want to be stuck in that rut,” he stated, acknowledging the joy the character brings but expressing a strong desire for creative freedom. Suniel Shetty, Rawal’s co-star in the franchise, recently emphasized in an interview that the magic of Hera Pheri lies in the chemistry between the legendary trio of Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, and himself. He said, “If it was Hera Pheri, if it wasn’t Babu Bhai (Paresh Rawal) and Raju (Akshay Kumar), Shyam (Suniel Shetty) wouldn’t exist… you take any one of them out, and the film doesn’t work.” Fans of the franchise are now left wondering how Hera Pheri 3 will shape up without one of its most beloved actors, as the film continues to navigate this unexpected challenge.

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.