BREAKING: Manager CONFIRMS that Allu Arjun to fly to Japan for Pushpa 2 Japanese release in January 2026; Pushpa Kunrin to release with 222-minute EXTENDED cut

2024’s biggest blockbuster, Pushpa 2 – The Rule, opened with superstar Allu Arjun’s character making a dramatic entry at a port in Japan, hidden inside a container. More than a year later, Allu is finally set to head to the Far East country, this time legally, as he will take part in promotions ahead of the film’s Japan release.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Pushpa 2 - The Rule will have a release in Japan on January 16, 2026, under the title of Pushpa Kunrin. Geek Pictures announced that it’ll release the film in the Asian country along with Shochiku. A special, vibrant poster of Pushpa Kunrin was also unveiled, featuring Allu Arjun in his trademark flamboyant avatar, sunglasses on, floral shirts out, and swagger dialled all the way up. The Japanese-version trailer was also dropped on YouTube the same day.

As expected, the fans of Allu Arjun are excited to learn about this special release of Pushpa 2 - The Rule in Japan. A fan happened to wonder on Twitter if the superstar will be heading to Japan for the promotional event before release and also if he can ask Allu’s manager, Sarath Chandra Naidu, about it. Interestingly, Sarath replied, “Yes, he is”. What was significant was that Sarath Chandra Naidu was not even tagged, but somehow stumbled upon this tweet and even answered the fan query.

Yes, he is. — Sarath Chandra Naidu (@imsarathchandra) December 12, 2025

Needless to say, Sarath’s reply was widely shared and retweeted and it added to the excitement. This would probably be the first ever visit for Allu Arjun in Japan.

Another interesting bit is that a 200-minute version of Pushpa 2 - The Rule was released in India and worldwide. A month later, after the film became a certified record grosser, the makers released a 20-minute-extended version. As per the details released by Geek Pictures, it is this extended version, of 222 minutes, which will be released in Japan.

Also Read: Allu Arjun stuns in new BTS of Thums Up commercial: here’s why fans are obsessed

R. Madhavan breaks silence on Dhurandhar backlash: “Don’t take a jibe at the industry like an outsider”

Madhavan has spoken candidly about the reactions surrounding his recently released film Dhurandhar, co-starring Ranveer Singh, directed by Aditya Dhar. In an interaction with Esquire India, Madhavan shared his thoughts on the film’s journey, the criticism it faced, and the resilience of the industry.

“When I heard Dhurandhar and saw the immaculate research that had been done by Aditya Dhar, the fearlessness of the man, the uniqueness of his storytelling—these were the signs I got before the release of my film. I knew that this was going to impact society. There will be people who will first give it very bad ratings, and then there will be people who will suddenly go and wonder, ‘Wow, this happened’,” Madhavan said.

The actor didn’t shy away from addressing the negativity that surfaced even before the film hit theatres. “You are free to express your opinion, but even before the film was released, obituaries had been written, and on its release, you posted a review calling it a disaster. One wonders if there is an agenda,” he remarked.

Madhavan further emphasized the emotional toll such criticism can take on those within the industry. “But as actors, we thrive on this situation. Please don’t forget, irrespective of whatever your opinions and agendas are, we are a very lonely family, and it is our job, no matter how much you like or hate a product or a person. Don’t take a jibe at the industry like an outsider. We have enough of them already,” he added.

Dhurandhar, released on December 5, 2025, is the first installment of a two-part series. Written, directed, and co-produced by Aditya Dhar under the banners of Jio Studios and B62 Studios, the film boasts an ensemble cast featuring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi, among others. Drawing inspiration from real-life geopolitical tensions and covert R&AW operations, the film has been performing well at the box office and is being hailed for its gripping narrative and high-octane action sequences.

With Madhavan’s powerful words echoing the challenges and camaraderie of Bollywood, the film continues to spark conversations—both for its cinematic ambition and the discourse it has ignited.

Also Read: Trade experts comment on Dhurandhar’s 3 hours 34-minute run time: “If the film is engaging, then length is not a problem. Animal and Pushpa 2 proved it and now, Dhurandhar joins the league”

From Saiyaara, War 2 to Mrs: Bollywood dominates India’s trending movies of 2025; but none reach the global top 10

Google Trends’ 2025 ranking of the most-searched movies in India reveals a strong sweep by Hindi cinema. Titles like Saiyaara, War 2, Sanam Teri Kasam, Housefull 5, Mrs, and the animated epic Mahavatar Narsimha led the country’s search charts, signalling the continued influence of Bollywood across digital spaces. Yet despite this dominance at home, not a single Hindi film — or any Indian film — managed to enter Google’s global Top 10 searched movies list for the year.

In India, Hindi films clearly steered search curiosity. Saiyaara stood out as a top romantic musical and one of Mohit Suri’s most-talked-about releases. War 2, powered by Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, held its position as one of the year’s most anticipated action spectacles. Sanam Teri Kasam resurfaced strongly thanks to the nostalgia around the 2016 original and renewed discussion ahead of its 2026 sequel.

Comedy franchise Housefull 5 maintained high online attention because of its ensemble cast and franchise legacy, while Mrs, headlined by Sanya Malhotra, sparked conversations for its layered storytelling and digital premiere. Meanwhile, Mahavatar Narsimha made a major impact as the biggest Indian animated success of the year, further fuelling the Hindi-dominant search landscape.

Even with South Indian juggernauts like Kantara Chapter 1, Coolie, Marco, and Game Changer also appearing in the India region list, Hindi titles emerged as the strongest cluster — but the absence of any Indian movie from the global Top 10 points to a demographic difference in what drives worldwide search trends.

As Indian cinema continues to expand its footprint through star-driven blockbusters and high-engagement OTT titles, the 2025 search data highlights a key contrast: strong national popularity doesn’t always translate into global trending status. With several major Hindi films slated for 2026, the coming year will determine whether any homegrown title can finally break into the worldwide search charts.

Also Read: Sony MAX announces World TV Premiere of Saiyaara on December 20

Diljit Dosanjh confirms second collaboration with Imtiaz Ali after Amar Singh Chamkila

Diljit Dosanjh has officially confirmed his second collaboration with filmmaker Imtiaz Ali through a behind-the-scenes vlog shared from his ongoing shoot in Punjab. Posted on Instagram on Thursday, the video gives fans a rare peek into his daily routine and subtly reveals that he and Imtiaz are reuniting after the massive success of Amar Singh Chamkila.

In the vlog, Diljit is seen beginning his day at 4:30 am, followed by a workout session. He then has breakfast consisting of fruits and protein before heading to the shoot with his team. The video captures him filming in front of a green screen and sharing warm interactions with Imtiaz Ali, confirming that the director is once again helming Diljit’s next, currently untitled, project. After wrapping up the shoot, Diljit returns to a scenic haveli where he is staying during the film’s production. This upcoming film marks the duo’s second association after the critically acclaimed Amar Singh Chamkila, based on the life of the iconic Punjabi musician. Parineeti Chopra starred as Amarjot, Chamkila’s wife. Known as the “Elvis of Punjab,” Chamkila was celebrated for his electrifying performances, bold lyrical style, and cultural impact. His tragic assassination alongside Amarjot in 1988 remains one of Punjabi music’s greatest losses.

 

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Amar Singh Chamkila earned two nominations at the International Emmy Awards Best Actor for Diljit Dosanjh and Best TV Movie/Mini-Series. Despite not winning, the recognition spotlighted Punjabi and Indian storytelling globally and reinforced the enduring influence of Chamkila’s music. Diljit will next be seen in Border 2, the highly awaited sequel to J.P. Dutta’s 1997 classic. Directed by Anurag Singh, the film features Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, and Diljit in key roles, portraying brave soldiers safeguarding the nation. Produced by T-Series and J.P. Films, Border 2 is slated to release on January 23, 2026, promising large-scale action, emotional intensity, and a patriotic storyline for today’s audiences. Also Read : Team Dhurandhar pulls off a masterstroke: Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Ez Ez’ launched with live performance at music launch

Sholay 4K re-release restores original vision and James Bond line

Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay returns in an enhanced 4K version titled Sholay – The Final Cut, releasing on December 12 across more than a thousand theatres in its fully restored form, literally. The controversial replacement in the trailer of “James Bond” with “Tatya Tope” has also been reversed.

Clarifying the issue, Neeraj Joshi, in charge of Marketing & Strategy, says, “It was ‘Tatya Tope’ in the original version, and then ‘James Bond’ came in to give the dialogue a more viewer-friendly thrust. Now in the version being released, it’s ‘James Bond’ again.”

The new edition of this timeless classic, piloted by director Ramesh Sippy’s nephew Shehzad Sippy, retains its legendary stature, with exquisite production values, dialogues that have become an intrinsic part of India’s pop culture, and performances that remain endlessly resplendent.

Three vital sequences have been added in this restored version, viz. a scene where a brave Sachin Pilgaonkar confronts the dreaded Gabbar. (In the original cut, Sachin’s character Ahmed was shown riding through the ravines and later discovered as a corpse on a horse.)  A moment featuring Thakur’s faithful aide Ramlal (Satyen Kappu) hammering nails into the sole of Thakur’s shoe. And, of course, the spectacular finale where Thakur (Sanjeev Kumar) stomps Gabbar with his spiked shoes.

This gruesome yet glorious climax now ends with a deeply emotional moment of shared grief between Thakur and Veeru never seen before.

The restoration took three years to complete, says Shehzad Sippy, “All credit goes to the original cast and crew for the masterpiece they created, as well as the Film Heritage Foundation for the amazing restoration job they’ve done. I am just happy we have been able to put out the makers’ original vision fifty years later and preserve this classic for future generations. I hope everyone gets to see this on the big screen for the first and hopefully not the last time.”

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Team of Sholay – The Final Cut lands in soup over 1,500-screen release claim; STRUGGLES to get 1,000 screens due to long length, HIGH rates & Dhurandhar wave

Explosion in Rs. 30,000-Crore Sunjay Kapur estate battle: Missing email attachment triggers Will scam suspicion

The Kapur family inheritance case—already brimming with allegations, rival claims and power shifts—has now taken an astonishing turn with the mysterious disappearance of a crucial email attachment linked to the late industrialist Sunjay Kapur’s disputed Will. Appearing for Sunjay’s children with Karisma Kapoor, senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani told the Bombay High Court that the Will’s digital trail simply hasn’t been held up. And the biggest red flag? A missing attachment that may determine the fate of the Rs. 30,000-crore estate.

According to court submissions, Priya Kapur’s key witness Dinesh Agarwal sent two emails to executor Shradha Suri Marwah—the first with a Kapur Trust Deed (admittedly deleted), and the second with the scanned Will. And now it has been learnt that while the email exists in full, the Will attachment has inexplicably vanished.

Jethmalani’s assertion shook the courtroom: “You cannot delete the attachment without deleting the email.” This revelation landed a serious blow to the credibility of the Will—especially since Priya’s own filings mysteriously reference the missing document, raising a deeply uncomfortable question for the court: How can a document be cited if it allegedly disappeared?

Suspicion only intensified when viewed against the broader timeline. Agarwal and fellow attesting witness Nitin Sharma both witnessed professional leaps shortly after Sunjay’s death, while Priya reinstated herself as AIPL’s Managing Director within days.

Legal observers see a pattern. Jethmalani argued that “a Will that cannot withstand scrutiny at the most basic level cannot be trusted,” insinuating that rapid promotions, sudden power shifts, and the conveniently missing attachment may not be coincidental.

Legal expert Pratik Thadani noted that the High Court is expected to closely evaluate the entire chain of custody: the emails, Priya’s swift reinstatement, the witnesses’ rise, and the inconsistencies that cloud the Will’s authenticity.

With vanishing files, questionable timelines and a multi-crore empire at stake, the Kapur case now resembles a high-stakes thriller—one where a single missing attachment could decide everything.

Also Read: Priya Kapur’s ‘position swap’ defence faces major setback in Sunjay Kapur Will case: Court flags power grab, missing attachment and “suspicious suppression”

SCOOP: Trailer of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri expected to be launched on December 15 in a GRAND event in the presence of Kartik Aaryan, Ananya Panday

2025 will end on a romantic and fun note thanks to Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. Starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday, the romcom has caught attention thanks to its fresh pairing, vibrant and youthful feel, breathtaking locations and peppy songs. Bollywood Hungama has learned that if all goes well, the trailer of the film will be unveiled early next week.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “The team of the film plans to launch the trailer on Monday, December 15. Mostly, the date is locked, but a final call will be taken today, that is, Thursday, December 11.”

The source further said, “A grand event is being planned in Mumbai. It’ll be attended by lead actors Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday, director Sameer Vidwans and producers Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta and Bhumika Tewari of Dharma Productions and Shareen Mantri Kedia and Kishor Arora of Namah Pictures. One can expect a fun event as the makers are pumped about their product and since it’s a light-hearted entertainer, the team is expected to crack jokes and make merry.”

The source also added, “Until now, the teaser and songs of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri have been out. The trailer is keenly awaited as it’ll help viewers understand the story of the film. Even the trade and industry are keeping an eye on the same, as it is one of the most significant releases of 2025.”

Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri is all set to arrive in cinemas on Christmas, that is, December 25. Earlier, the romcom was scheduled to be released on Valentine’s Day 2026. It was preponed to December 31, 2025. After the Alia Bhatt-Sharvari starrer Alpha moved to April 17, 2026, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri makers took the vacant Christmas slot.

Also Read: Kartik Aaryan praises Ananya Panday in Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri: “She’s talented, she keeps working hard on herself”