Waheeda Rehman to attend inaugural Indian Film Festival of New Zealand; Teesri Kasam to open, Pakeezah to close the fest

New Zealand, where almost 5 per cent of its population is of Indian origin, will finally get its own Indian film festival. Spread across 3 days and 3 cities, the Indian Film Festival of New Zealand promises 30 film screenings, industry panels, Q&A post-screenings, networking events, and an awards evening. The first edition will showcase 10 features, 16 shorts, and 4 special screenings. With 11 languages, including Gujarati, Bengali, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, French, Japanese, Hindi, English, Nepali, Kashmiri, Punjabi, and Kumaoni, and even a silent film, the festival is celebrating languages and storytelling from across India.

The highlight for the year is celebrating films that have been restored by Film Heritage Foundation and NFAI-NFDC. The opening film is Teesri Kasam, which was recently restored by NFAI-NFDC and has legendary actress Waheeda Rehman and Raj Kapoor in lead roles. The first edition will have legendary actress Waheeda Rehman attend the opening night screening on Oct 22, as the festival honors her contribution to Indian cinema.

Waheeda Rehman QUOTE, "Cinema has always had the power to bring people and cultures closer. I am delighted to see TIFFNZ celebrating the richness and diversity of Indian cinema in New Zealand. Teesri Kasam is a film very close to my heart, and I am especially pleased that it will open the festival, allowing a new generation of audiences to discover its timeless story and poetry."

Festival director Petrina D’Rozario said, "For the closing, Pakeezah, which was restored by the Film Heritage Foundation and founder director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, has kindly given us the film for the NZ audience. Our festival would be the second festival in the world to have screened the film after it’s been restored. We are excited to be one of the first audiences to watch this iconic film from 1972. Many of whom may have never seen these films before."

Petrina D’Rozario further adds, "TIFFNZ is more than a celebration of Indian cinema; it’s a bridge between India and NZ! Through the festival we want the NZ audience to discover India, and our extraordinary stories to travel to the furthest part of the world. At its heart, TIFFNZ is about bringing people, stories, cultures, languages together through cinema."

The festival will be a one-of-a-kind annual event for discussions that bridge the screen industries and geographies, fostering collaboration and driving more screen opportunities and cultural exchange between New Zealand and India.

Over the coming weeks, stay tuned as we unveil the list of directors, actors, and movies that will be present at the festival.

Also Read: Sayani Gupta’s directorial debut Aasmani pulled from Indian Film Festival of New Zealand amid copyright dispute

Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia suffers deadlift injury; says, “I will bounce back, but I also want to bounce back the right way”

Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia has opened up about a recent injury she suffered during a workout session. The actor reportedly injured herself while performing a deadlift and was subsequently required to take complete bed rest. Sharing an update on social media, Nimrit spoke about the experience and emphasised the need to prioritise recovery while training.

For Nimrit, who maintains an active fitness routine, the injury has meant temporarily stepping away from her regular workouts. However, the actor said she is viewing the break as an opportunity to allow her body to recover rather than treating it as a setback. She said, “This has honestly been one of the most painful experiences for me, and it has made me realise once again that no matter how strong or experienced you think you are, you can never take your body or a workout movement lightly. I injured myself while doing a deadlift, and it was serious enough that I had to take complete bed rest. For someone who loves being active and enjoys training, being forced to pause is not easy, but I have realised that sometimes you have to stop, rest and allow your body to recover. I don’t mind pausing right now because I know I am preparing myself for the battle that comes ahead. I will bounce back, but I also want to bounce back the right way.”

Nimrit also used the experience to underline the importance of paying attention to physical fatigue, sleep and nutrition while exercising. She urged those who train regularly to give recovery the same importance as their workouts. “I would genuinely urge everyone to be mindful whilst training & listening to your body. If your body feels fatigued, if you are under slept, if your nutrition isn’t proper; take active measures to fix it. Recovery is as important as training. And we often miss out on balancing between the two. I have had to acknowledge & learn this the hard way, you shouldn’t have to,” Nimrit added.

The actor is currently focusing on rest and recuperation as she works towards returning to her fitness routine. Rather than rushing her comeback, Nimrit has indicated that she intends to give herself the time required to recover properly.

Her latest update also highlights a more measured approach to fitness, with the actor acknowledging that pushing physical limits needs to be balanced with adequate rest and recovery. For now, Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia is taking a pause before preparing to resume her training and other professional commitments.

Also Read: Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia recalls shooting Ab Hoga Hisaab in Punjab: “It truly felt like a homecoming”

Harshvardhan Rane reveals he is doing two films with Partner producer Parag Sanghvi

Actor Harshvardhan Rane has revealed that he is set to collaborate with producer Parag Sanghvi on two films. The actor, who is currently receiving attention for his performance in Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, shared the update on social media.

Rane posted a picture with Sanghvi and announced their upcoming collaboration. “Finally doing two films together with my close friend Parag Sanghvi,” the actor wrote.

 

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Harshvardhan Rane (@harshvardhanrane)

Harshvardhan Rane and Parag Sanghvi to collaborate on two films While Rane has not revealed details about the titles, genres or characters he will play in the two projects, his announcement confirms that the actor and Sanghvi are working together on multiple films.

Sanghvi has previously backed several notable Hindi films, including Partner. The producer's association with Rane now marks a new collaboration as the actor continues to expand his upcoming slate.

The announcement comes at a significant point in Rane's career following Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. The actor has also been linked to several projects in recent months, including Police Company, which is being directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Harshvardhan Rane To Play Daya Nayak In Police Company As previously reported by Bollywood Hungama, Rane is set to portray Mumbai Police encounter specialist Daya Nayak in Police Company. The period crime thriller is being produced by T-Series and also features Fardeen Khan, Saurabh Shukla, Paresh Rawal and Makarand Deshpande in pivotal roles.

The film is being made as a two-part feature, with both instalments scheduled to be shot back-to-back. The story is set against the backdrop of Mumbai in the late 1990s and early 2000s and revolves around the city's police force and its fight against organised crime.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Ram Gopal Varma to direct Harshvardhan Rane in Police Company, based on Daya Nayak’s life

The Vvaan teaser out: Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia lead a visually stunning fantasy folklore spectacle

The teaser of the large-screen fantasy folklore spectacle The Vvaan lets you into the larger-than-life entertainer that takes Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia into a mystical folklore world.

Presented by Balaji Motion Pictures, the teaser of The Vvaan opens doors to a world rarely seen in the mainstream Hindi commercial space, a visually stunning fantasy folklore spectacle rooted in mystery, ancient beliefs and the supernatural. Starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia in their fresh on-screen pairing, the teaser offers an exciting peek into a world that immediately leaves you wanting to know more. A forbidden forest governed by a chilling rule: “Suryast ke baad, Vvaan mein pravesh karna varjit hai.”

What immediately stands out is the grand visual scale of The Vvaan. The upcoming film takes on fantasy folklore on a scale not often seen in Bollywood’s commercial space, creating a universe made for a big-screen watch! This combination of captivating imagery, immersive visuals and a compelling soundscape transports the audience out of the everyday and into another world. One of the most important elements in creating that experience is music. The outstanding music is a standout that creates a world of its own, transporting audiences into this unfamiliar world while retaining a rooted, almost devotional quality that gives the spectacle a distinctly Indian soul.

Sidharth and Tamannaah make a dreamy pair on screen, their fresh pairing adding an emotional layer to the larger-than-life spectacle at the heart of this world. Their chemistry and screen presence offer a striking contrast to the mysterious world around them, making audiences curious about the relationship between their characters and what awaits them inside the genre-breaker, The Vvaan.

Backed by some of the country's most distinctive storytellers, The Vvaan brings together TVF’s Arunabh Kumar, director Deepak Mishra and Ektaa Kapoor for a commercial film that attempts to take Indian folklore into a new cinematic space. While its world is rooted in folklore and fantasy, the film brings together adventure, mystery and humour to shape itself as a complete family entertainer. The ambition extends beyond the film, with The Legend of Vvaan comic book already introducing audiences to the larger folklore surrounding its universe.

Presented by Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with TVF and 11.11 Production, The Vvaan stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia. Written by Arunabh Kumar and directed by Deepak Mishra, with Manu Anand as DOP and Visual Director, the film is produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Arunabh Kumar and Niraj Kothari.

The Vvaan arrives in cinemas on September 25, 2026, promising a big-screen fantasy folklore experience where the visuals, music, mystery and scale come together to create a world audiences will want to step into.

Also Read: Three Big Hindi Films, One Big Day: Gunmaaster G9, The Vvaan and Haiwaan trailers/teasers arrive tomorrow

Sajid Khan set to reunite with Akshay Kumar for new film: REPORT

Filmmaker Sajid Khan is reportedly set to collaborate with Akshay Kumar once again, marking a reunion between the director and actor more than a decade after their last film together. According to Filmfare, the duo is preparing to work on a new project that has already received the green light from the production house.

A source close to the development revealed, “Sajid Khan will direct Akshay Kumar again. Their new film has been green lit by the production house. Sajid is currently working on Yashvardhan Ahuja's film with Nitanshi Goel. Once that's wrapped up, Sajid and Akshay will shoot their film in London.”

Sajid Khan and Akshay Kumar previously worked together on Heyy Babyy, Housefull and Housefull 2, establishing a successful director-actor combination. Their collaboration, however, came to a halt in 2018 when Sajid stepped down as director of Housefull 4 after facing multiple sexual harassment allegations during the #MeToo movement.

At the time, Akshay had indicated that he would be willing to work with Sajid again if the filmmaker was acquitted. The reported reunion comes as Sajid is gradually returning to direction with Hero Ki Horrorine, a horror-comedy that marks the Bollywood debut of Yashvardhan Ahuja, son of actor Govinda. Nitanshi Goel, who gained recognition with Laapataa Ladies, is paired opposite him in the film.

Hero Ki Horrorine is backed by Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms, along with producer Amar Butala. The same production house is reportedly associated with Sajid and Akshay's upcoming project.

After completing Hero Ki Horrorine, Sajid is expected to head to London with Akshay to begin shooting the new film. However, details regarding the project's title, genre and additional cast members have not been revealed yet. The reported collaboration could mark a new chapter for the filmmaker-actor duo, whose previous films together were among their notable commercial outings.

Also Read : Ektaa R Kapoor joins hands with Amar Butala for Sajid Khan’s horror-comedy Hero Ki Horrorine

Aneet Padda approached for crucial role opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Brahmastra 2

Fans have been eagerly awaiting updates on Brahmastra 2 ever since Brahmastra Part One: Shiva arrived in theatres in 2022. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the first installment featured Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in the lead, alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Nagarjuna and Mouni Roy in pivotal roles. The film introduced audiences to the Astraverse and ended with several questions surrounding the characters and the larger story.

Speculation about the sequel has continued, particularly following the post-credit sequence of the first film. The scene appeared to tease Deepika Padukone’s character, although her face was blurred. She was shown holding a child, prompting several theories about how her character could fit into the next chapter. Deepika was subsequently expected to play a significant role in Brahmastra 2.

Amid the continued buzz around the much-awaited sequel, we hear that actress Aneet Padda has also been approached for a role in the film. The actress, who gained wider attention following Saiyaara last year, has emerged as one of the young actors attracting interest in the industry.

Aneet is currently working on Shakti Shalini. According to sources, she has been approached for a crucial role opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Brahmastra 2. However, discussions are still underway and her casting has not been officially confirmed.

A source tells us, “Aneet has been approached for an important role in Brahmastra 2. The conversations are currently underway, but nothing has been finalised yet. It is a very different space from what audiences have seen her do so far, which makes the possibility of her joining the franchise interesting.”

If Aneet eventually comes on board, her inclusion could bring another new dimension to the ensemble of Brahmastra 2. Her potential pairing with Ranbir would also mark an interesting addition to the franchise.

Meanwhile, there is also a development concerning Deepika Padukone. According to the latest information, Deepika’s team has denied reports of her involvement in the sequel and stated that the actress is not a part of Brahmastra 2. This adds another layer of uncertainty around the film’s casting as fans continue to wait for official announcements.

Also Read : Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda reflect on the first anniversary of Saiyaara: “We never knew Saiyaara would reach so many people”

EMOMEE launches first show on Netflix, marks global streaming debut 15 months after launch

EMOMEE, the fast-growing children's entertainment brand helping children build life skills through its beloved characters, E, Mo & Mee, has officially launched its first show on Netflix.

Just 15 months after launch, EMOMEE has grown into one of India's fastest-rising preschool IPs, reaching families in over 100 countries, crossing more than a billion views, building a community of over 2.5 million subscribers, and earning national recognition on Shark Tank India, where the founders received offers from all five Sharks.

The Netflix launch marks EMOMEE’s global streaming debut and an important milestone in its ambition to build a world-class children’s entertainment franchise from India.

The first series, EMOMEE: Big Skills for Little Ones, Minis, features 20 curated 11-minute episodes that bring together the brand's most-loved stories around core life skills such as confidence, kindness, curiosity, emotional intelligence and problem-solving. Designed for preschoolers and their families, the series transforms everyday moments into engaging adventures that make learning life skills genuinely fun.

"This launch represents much more than a new distribution platform. It is another milestone in building EMOMEE into a global entertainment company. Every step we've taken - from growing a loyal audience to expanding onto streaming platforms - is helping us build a long-term franchise that will extend beyond content into consumer products, licensing and live experiences," said Pooja Jauhari, Founder & CEO of EMOMEE.

Built on the belief that entertainment can prepare children for the future, EMOMEE creates stories that help young audiences develop the life skills they'll need in an increasingly complex world. Every episode is designed around meaningful themes including resilience, communication, empathy, confidence and curiosity, wrapped in playful adventures that children love.

The Netflix launch is the latest step in EMOMEE's broader growth strategy as the company continues expanding its global footprint across streaming, live experiences, consumer products and licensing. Later this year, EMOMEE will showcase its growing slate and franchise ambitions at MIPCOM as it builds new international distribution and licensing partnerships.

Also Read: Netflix announces biggest South Indian slate of 2026, plans new Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films every week