Kiran Shantaram backs Siddhant Chaturvedi for V Shantaram biopic; hopes for November 18, 2026 release

A significant moment celebrating cinema heritage unfolded recently when veteran film personality Kiran Shantaram spoke about the upcoming biopic on legendary filmmaker V. Shantaram while presenting an award to actor Siddhant Chaturvedi at a public event.

Addressing the audience, Kiran Shantaram shared that the film is being developed as a tribute to his father’s towering legacy in Indian cinema. He revealed that the project holds special significance as it coincides with the 125th birth anniversary of V. Shantaram, one of the pioneers who helped shape Indian filmmaking across eras — from silent cinema to the arrival of sound and colour.

Speaking about the film’s intent, Shantaram said the biopic is being mounted to honour the life and contributions of the iconic filmmaker and that the team hopes to release it on November 18, 2026, marking the historic milestone year.

At the same event, Shantaram also expressed confidence in Siddhant Chaturvedi, who will portray the celebrated filmmaker on screen. The actor has been chosen to step into the role of V. Shantaram in the upcoming biographical drama that will explore the filmmaker’s artistic journey and revolutionary impact on Indian cinema.

The film will chronicle the extraordinary life of the visionary director who created classics such as Do Aankhen Barah Haath, Navrang and Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje, films that combined social themes with cinematic experimentation and left a lasting imprint on Indian storytelling.

For Siddhant Chaturvedi, portraying V. Shantaram is being described as one of the most defining roles of his career. The actor, who first gained recognition with his breakthrough performance in Gully Boy, has expressed deep admiration for the legendary filmmaker’s courage and creative spirit.

The biopic aims to introduce the story of V. Shantaram to a new generation of audiences while revisiting the legacy of a filmmaker who believed cinema could be a powerful instrument for social change.

With the project being developed by members of the Shantaram family and industry collaborators, the film is positioned as both a cinematic tribute and a cultural milestone celebrating one of India’s most influential storytellers.

Also Read: Siddhant Chaturvedi teams up with Ishqiya fame Abhishek Chaubey for Ballia-based story

INSANE response for Dhurandhar 2: Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore start facing capacity issues; demand for more shows skyrocket

Dhurandhar 2 is turning out to be an unstoppable tsunami at the box office as the tickets are selling at unheard levels. With 5 days to go for the paid previews, the movie is already facing capacity issues at multiple centres, as most of the tickets have already been sold. On-ground analysts confirm that cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore have pent-up demands for tickets, and the showcasing is not able to match the demand from the audience.

While Mumbai has already sold 50 per cent of the tickets, Hyderabad and Bangalore stand taller with 75 per cent pre-sales and 60 percent pre-sales respectively. The audiences are putting pressure on exhibitors to open advances for the rest of the weekend, as they are eager to block their seats in advance. The mayhem of Dhurandhar has not been witnessed by a feature film in years, and one has to go back to Baahubali 2 to explain this phenomenon. This is the hottest feature film of Indian Cinema since the release of Baahubali 2 in 2017.

The advance for the rest of the weekend is expected to open tomorrow morning, as the Paid Previews are suffering from limited supplies. Talking of numbers, Dhurandhar 2 has sold tickets worth Rs. 27 crore already for the paid previews, and this alone could go towards the Rs. 35 crore mark by the day of release. The paid previews of Dhurandhar 2 are expected to be around the Rs 40 crore, which is highest of all time by a historic margin of Rs. 30 crore, as the previous best was held by Stree 2 around the Rs. 10 crore mark.

In term of national multiplex chains, Dhurandhar 2 has sold 2.60 lakh tickets across the top 3 multiplexes for the paid previews and is looking to clock historic results of 3.50 lakh tickets, which could be a record to stand tall for years to come by. All eyes now on the pre-sales it records for the full fledged opening day and weekend starting from tomorrow.

After King, Abhishek Bachchan and Siddharth Anand join hands for horror thriller: Report

Even as the shooting for King is underway, filmmaker Siddharth Anand and actor Abhishek Bachchan are expanding their professional partnership. According to a report by Variety India, the two are set to collaborate on a new horror film.

The project will be produced by Siddharth Anand under his banner Marflix Pictures, while one of his close associates is expected to direct the yet-untitled film. The report describes the project as a folklore-based horror thriller centred on an emotional father-daughter relationship.

Envisioned as a large-scale production with extensive visual effects, the film aims to offer a theatrical experience that stands apart from most horror titles made in India.

For Abhishek Bachchan, the project will mark his first venture into the horror genre. The actor is expected to take on a character-driven role that demands a raw and emotionally intense performance. The report further suggests that Siddharth Anand intends to position the film in a mainstream commercial space, bringing renewed focus to theatrical horror storytelling. In recent years, the genre in Hindi cinema has largely leaned towards horror-comedy.

The film is reportedly scheduled to go on floors in September 2026.

Siddharth Anand and Abhishek Bachchan share a long-standing association. Bachchan had appeared in a cameo in Anand’s directorial debut Salaam Namaste, and their rapport is believed to have strengthened further while working together on King.

Speaking of King, the film features a large ensemble cast including Deepika Padukone, Suhana Khan, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Jaideep Ahlawat, Raghav Juyal and Abhay Verma, among others. It is scheduled to release in cinemas during the Christmas 2026 weekend.

Also Read: Saurabh Shukla opens up about working with Shah Rukh Khan, calls him “An Amazing and Charismatic Man”

CBFC makes subtitles mandatory for all Indian films from March 15

In a move aimed at making the movie-going experience more inclusive, the Central Board of Film Certification has made subtitles mandatory for films across languages. The CBFC’s directive will come into effect from March 15, 2026. Henceforth, all Indian films will be required to include subtitles, along with audio descriptions wherever applicable.

The move is intended to improve accessibility for audiences who are hearing or visually impaired, allowing them to experience films more fully regardless of language or physical limitations.

However, not all netizens are happy with the CBFC’s decision to make subtitles mandatory. Many have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction, arguing that subtitles can be distracting and interfere with the immersive movie-viewing experience.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: CBFC asks for 15 cuts and modifications in The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond; reduces kiss and rape visuals by 50%

Khosla Ka Ghosla 2 release date announced; sequel arrives in cinemas on August 28, 2026

The makers of Khosla Ka Ghosla 2 have officially announced the film’s theatrical release date. The sequel to the cult comedy Khosla Ka Ghosla will arrive in cinemas on August 28, 2026. The announcement was made with the unveiling of the film’s poster, confirming the next chapter of the beloved franchise nearly two decades after the original became a favourite among audiences.

The sequel is directed by Prashant Bhagia and produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar under T-Series in association with Tandav Films. The project is also produced by Savita Raj Hiremath and Raj Hiremath.

While plot details have been kept under wraps, the sequel will see the original cast members reprising their roles, bringing back the characters that made the first film a cult favourite. Actor Ravi Kishan has also joined the film in an important role.

The project was first announced earlier this year in January. Veteran actor Anupam Kher marked a major milestone in his career on January 3, 2026, when he began work on the film, which also happens to be his 550th project. Sharing the moment with his followers on social media, Kher reflected on his long journey in Indian cinema.

In a note posted online, the actor recalled an interaction with an international filmmaker at the Cannes Film Festival, who had once referred to him as the “Marathon Man of Indian Cinema” after learning about the sheer number of films he had worked in. As he began filming the sequel in Delhi, Kher wrote, “So today as I start my 550th film #KhoslaKaGhosla2 my heart is filled with GRATITUDE and THANKFULNESS!”

The original Khosla Ka Ghosla earned widespread appreciation for its satirical take on middle-class aspirations, family dynamics, and the chaotic realities of property disputes in urban India. Over the years, the film has developed a strong cult following, with audiences continuing to celebrate its humour and relatable storytelling.

Also Read: Boman Irani joins Khosla Ka Ghosla 2 shoot in Delhi; quips “Aap party hai ya broker”

Amazon MX Player unveils 150+ shows for 2026 slate including Rise & Fall Season 2, Battleground Season 2, and more! Deets inside

Amazon MX Player, India’s leading free streaming service, today announced its most expansive content slate to date, unveiling 150+ new and returning shows for 2026. Spanning genres, formats, and storytelling styles, the line-up reinforces the platform’s mission to democratize premium entertainment by making these diverse stories accessible to audiences across the country - completely free.

Among the marquee titles leading the slate is Made In India: The Titan Story, starring Naseeruddin Shah and Jim Sarbh, an inspiring drama centred on ambition and building a legacy. This is complemented by Sankalp, starring Nana Patekar, Sanjay Kapoor, Neeraj Kabi, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, a gripping socio-political thriller that explores the layered world of power and leadership.

Themes of justice, retribution and thriller further intensify the slate with Ab Hoga Hisaab, featuring Shaheer Sheikh, Mouni Roy, and Sanjay Kapoor, alongside administrative dramas such as The Bureaucrat, starring Amol Parashar. Expanding the spectrum further are high-octane action entertainers like Kaptaan headlined by Saqib Saleem, high-stakes survival thriller Vimal Khanna starring Sunny Hindhuja, cop drama Waiting Hai starring Divyenndu Sharma and Bhuvan Arora, and crime drama Clean Up Crew, starring Ravi Kishan, Amey Wagh and Vishal Jethwa. Together, these titles reflect the scale and evolving creative vision of Amazon MX Player as it continues to bring premium storytelling to audiences.

The upcoming slate also builds on the strong momentum created by recent releases such as Amar Vishwas, starring Rajeev Khandelwal, Aamir Ali, Ravi Behl, and Barkha Bisht, a legal courtroom drama that resonated with viewers through its layered storytelling. This momentum was further amplified by Psycho Saiyaan, starring Tejasswi Prakash and Ravi Kishan, a romantic thriller that generated strong audience engagement with its intense narrative.

Amazon MX Player will also expand several of its successful franchises with new seasons of audience favourites including Raktanchal Season 3, youth-driven titles such as Campus Beats Season 6, Campus Diaries Season 2, Heartbeats Season 2, and Who’s Your Gynac Season 2. These returning titles continue to strengthen the service’s connection with audiences across drama, youth culture, and relationship-driven storytelling.

In the unscripted space, Amazon MX Player will bring back its flagship reality show Rise & Fall Season 2,(licensed through All3Media International and was originally created by Studio Lambert in the UK.), which emerged as one of the service’s most talked about shows in its debut season. The slate further expands with Battleground Season 2 India’s first and only fitness reality series with Shikhar Dhawan as its lead mentor. The service recently also concluded Bharat Ke Super Founders, headlined by Suniel Shetty, which saw deserving startups receive ₹100 crore in funding, reinforcing Amazon MX Player’s growing presence in impactful, large-scale unscripted programming.

A key pillar of Amazon MX Player’s 2026 content strategy is the continued expansion of MX Fatafat, its pioneering micro-drama format that offers mobile-first, snackable storytelling. The service is also further strengthening MX Vdesi, bringing India’s largest library of localized international content from Korea, China and Turkey, alongside a curated slate of Anime shows available in Japanese and Hindi.

Girish Prabhu, Head of Amazon Ads India, said, “With our 2026 content slate and a reach of over 250 million users, Amazon MX Player creates a powerful opportunity for brands to engage audiences at scale. By making premium storytelling freely accessible, we bring together deeply engaged viewers and advertisers in one place. This enables brands to move beyond fleeting attention and connect with audiences through immersive content experiences—powered by shopping and streaming signals—that drive brand discovery and measurable outcomes.”

Karan Bedi, Head of Amazon MX Player, said, “Amazon MX Player is seeing strong momentum as more audiences embrace free, premium streaming. With our growing premium content slate and scale, we are uniquely positioned to drive the shift from linear television to streaming for millions of viewers across India.”

Amogh Dusad, Head of Content, Amazon MX Player, added, “At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on building a diverse and inclusive content ecosystem that reflects the many voices, cultures, and experiences of audiences across the country. From scripted series and micro-dramas to unscripted formats, we are committed to bringing stories that feel distinctive, authentic, and deeply rooted in contemporary India. By offering this wide spectrum of premium storytelling, we aim to ensure that compelling entertainment remains accessible to viewers everywhere, completely free.”

Aruna Daryanani, Head of Product, Tech & Marketing, Amazon MX Player, said, “Amazon MX Player’s rapid audience growth is driving strong advertiser adoption, creating a powerful flywheel between compelling content, viewer engagement, and brand partnerships.”

As the 2026 slate rolls out, audiences across India can stream all shows for free on Amazon MX Player, available on mobile, Connected TVs, the Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, Jio TV and Airtel Xtreme.

Also Read: Psycho Saiyaan trailer out: Ravi Kishan, Tejasswi Prakash and Anud Singh Dhaka star in Amazon MX Player’s dark romance thriller

Tiger Shroff-owned Prowl secures Rs 4 crores funding to expand men’s grooming portfolio

Actor Tiger Shroff’s active-lifestyle brand Prowl has raised Rs 4 crores in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Resolute Ventures. The investment comes months after the brand’s relaunch in June 2025 and follows its expansion into the men’s grooming segment.

Since pivoting to grooming products six months ago, Prowl has expanded its presence across major e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Myntra and Flipkart, as well as quick-commerce platforms. The brand currently offers products such as face wash, sunscreen, lip balm, body lotion, body wash and roll-ons, and has reported strong repeat purchase rates among its target audience.

According to the company, the newly raised capital will be used to expand Prowl’s product portfolio and strengthen distribution. The brand plans to introduce new science-backed formulations, starting with three serums expected to launch soon, while also building a wider range of everyday grooming products for men.

The funds will also support the brand’s efforts to deepen its reach in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and improve delivery timelines through same-day and next-day fulfilment options.

Speaking about the development, Shroff said, “Prowl is more than just a brand; it’s a reflection of my personal philosophy of discipline and simplicity. I’ve been deeply involved in the formulation and strategy because I wanted products that actually work for the Indian skin type without a 10-step routine. This investment from Resolute Ventures validates our vision of making effective grooming accessible to every man, from the metros to the heartlands of India.”

Shriyhas Jichkar, CEO of Prowl, said the first few months helped the company test its product-market fit. “The first six months were a litmus test for our product-market fit. The data shows that the Indian man wants a routine that is easy to understand and execute. With this capital infusion, we are ready to accelerate our innovation pipeline,” he said.

The brand’s growth strategy is also supported by Lap Ventures, which manages Prowl’s marketing, communications and distribution partnerships as it continues to scale in the Indian grooming market.

Also Read: MEGA EXCLUSIVE: Tiger Shroff’s grand-scale spiritual action film with Neerja director Ram Madhvani and Mahaveer Jain gets a title – Vajra