Bollywood Hungama report and fan power IMPACT: Project Hail Mary secures shows in ALL 34 IMAX screens in India; Mumbai’s Eros Cinema to play 3:45 am show over the weekend

Yesterday morning, Bollywood Hungama informed readers that, despite tough negotiations by the Sony Pictures team, Project Hail Mary was able to secure shows in only 6 out of 34 IMAX screens in India on its release day. The shocking news was widely circulated in the industry and among exhibitors as well as fans, as it highlighted the struggles faced by the Hollywood studio in securing adequate showcasing for its IMAX film in IMAX properties. Thanks to the impact of the Bollywood Hungama story, relentless efforts by Sony Pictures team and sustained pressure from the fans, the exhibitors finally relented. From Friday, March 27, Project Hail Mary is being screened in all 34 IMAX properties of the country.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Project Hail Mary is not the only film that would be screened in IMAX. It’ll have to share shows with Dhurandhar The Revenge, which has been remastered in IMAX. Sony never asked for all shows and was okay with show-sharing. Hence, they finally got what they asked for from the very start.”

On the morning of Thursday, March 26, that is, the day of Project Hail Mary’s release, the film managed to get one show each in the 6 IMAX theatres. As the day progressed, the number of shows increased to 13. On Friday, Project Hail Mary has got as many as 65 shows, nearly five times more than the previous day. All theatres are playing two shows of Project Hail Mary today. PVR Logix Noida and Inox Phoenix Pallasio Mall are the only two IMAX properties that have scheduled only one show of the acclaimed Hollywood film, in the evening slot.

Meanwhile, encouraged by Thursday’s occupancy and the insane demand for Project Hail Mary, Eros has decided to schedule a show at 3:45 am on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29. It now remains to be seen whether more IMAX cinemas join the bandwagon. From Friday, several cinemas such as Mumbai’s Cinepolis Thane, Maison Inox BKC, Inox Malad and Eros, Delhi’s PVR Vegas Dwarka, Inox Rajouri Garden, PVR Priya and Inox Paras, and Kolkata’s Inox South City will play the film at 7:00 am or 7:30 am. Bengaluru has gone a step further, with PVR Vega City and PVR VR Whitefield Road scheduling shows at 6:30 am. Coimbatore’s Broadway has two shows of Project Hail Mary on Friday, at 2:00 pm and 10:50 pm; from Saturday, it will also screen the film at 7:00 am. Including this and Eros’ 3:45 am show, the number of IMAX shows on Saturday and Sunday rises to 67.

The demand is expected to increase in the non-IMAX theatres as well. PVR Icon Versova took the initiative by having a show at 7:15 am on Friday. Many more regular cinemas will also start playing the film from today.

Despite limited showcasing and delayed opening of advance in IMAX, Project Hail Mary managed to collect approx. Rs. 2 crores on Thursday, as per trade sources. The figure is expected to jump significantly in the Fri-Sun period.

Also Read: SHOCKING: Despite tough negotiations, Project Hail Mary secures shows in ONLY 6 out of 34 IMAX screens in India; efforts underway to increase showcasing

Ramayana Update: Namit Malhotra announces ‘Rama’ glimpse release date on Hanuman Jayanti; global fan reveal planned

The upcoming cinematic adaptation of the Ramayana continues to build momentum as producer Namit Malhotra confirmed a major update regarding the film’s promotional rollout. The first glimpse titled ‘Rama’ is set to be unveiled on April 2, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, and will be marked by a grand global reveal for fans.

The announcement came as Malhotra shared a note on social media on the occasion of Ram Navami, on Thursday, March 26, offering insight into the vision and effort behind the ambitious project. In his message, he wished everyone and said, “Shubh Rama Navami. This is a story that belongs to all of us, and every step we take has been guided by a deep sense of responsibility, devotion, and care to bring our very own Ramayana to life in its truest spirit and scale with utmost sincerity. we look forward to sharing the next glimpse, ‘Rama’ On 2nd April, On the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, as we begin to showcase all these years of our effort through a grand world reveal with fans, celebrating this moment across the world. Thank you for your love, faith, and patience. Namit Malhotra”.

 

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Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is envisioned as a large-scale, two-part cinematic spectacle mounted with global collaboration. Set about 5000 years ago, the project aims to blend advanced technology with immersive storytelling, positioning itself as a visually grand yet emotionally resonant retelling of the ancient epic.

The film has already generated significant buzz following its initial reveal, which included a multi-city launch in India and a prominent showcase at Times Square. With the upcoming ‘Rama’ glimpse, the makers are expanding the scale further by turning the reveal into a worldwide fan-driven celebration.

Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman.

Backed by Prime Focus Studios in association with the eight-time Oscar-winning DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, the film is slated for a worldwide IMAX release. The first part is scheduled to arrive during Diwali 2026, followed by the second instalment in Diwali 2027.

Also Read: Dinesh Vijan says “Mahavatar is SIX times the size of Chhaava”; also reveals, “I told Namit Malhotra, ‘If Ramayana runs, Mahavatar is all set'”

Mandana Karimi calls out Boman Irani over his recently posted viral video on Donald Trump; questions ‘timing’ in pointed note

Actor Mandana Karimi has reacted strongly to a recent viral video shared by Boman Irani, sparking a conversation online. While several celebrities responded to the video with humour, Mandana took a critical stance, questioning the timing and context of the commentary.

Boman Irani’s video, which has been widely circulated on social media, offered a satirical take on the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States. In the clip, the actor humorously suggested that former US President Donald Trump should visit Mumbai’s Dadar Parsi Colony for peace talks, adding a comedic twist by mentioning food and LPG concerns. Captioning the video, he wrote, “The Iranis are ready for peace talks with Mr. Donald Trump...”, followed by a light-hearted monologue that leaned into wordplay and satire.

 

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While the video drew laughter from several members of the film fraternity, including Jaaved Jaaferi, Farhan Akhtar, Tabu, Siddharth, Sameera Reddy and Farah Khan Ali, Mandana Karimi shared a contrasting perspective in the comments section.

“Boman Irani sir… suddenly you have a lot to say about Iran. Interesting timing. For years, Iranians have been getting arrested, executed, silenced. Thousands killed. Families torn apart. And people like me we’ve lived it. We’ve spoken about it. But now… there’s a video. Now there’s concern. Now there’s humor about gas, about Trump, about ‘come to my house’. Sir, with all respect you and the Parsi community come from Iran. You carry that history. That fire. So where was this voice when Iranians were dying? And now suddenly because it affects gas, politics, global talks there’s commentary? I mean… slow clap Really. From silence to satire — that was fast. Anyway… just an observation.”

Her comment has since drawn attention on social media, adding a serious dimension to what was otherwise being perceived as a light-hearted post. The differing reactions highlight how public figures and audiences continue to engage with sensitive global issues in varied ways, especially when humour intersects with real-world crises.

As the video continues to circulate online, the exchange has sparked broader discussions around satire, timing, and responsibility in public discourse.

Also Read: Mandana Karimi slams ‘one-sided’ Iran coverage, urges Indian media to lend a platform to Reza Pahlavi – EXCLUSIVE

SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi to release in 2 parts

The upheavals post-Dhurandhar continue to be felt in the Telugu film industry. And not all of them are deleterious. Rajamouli’s Varanasi, which is expected to be the most expensive Indian film ever made, has decided to go for a two-part format.

The purported epic has a sprawling format.

“3 hours-plus would not be enough for Varanasi. They are looking at extending it into a two-part format. This format has worked wonderfully for Dhurandhar. Rajamouli and his team feel this extended format would afford them the liberty to tell a more expanded story without looking anxiously at the clock,” a source close to the development reveals.

This, however, is not going to be sequel. Just one film split into two.

Also Read: SS Rajamouli recreates Varanasi in Hyderabad for Mahesh Babu’s next epic film, see pics

Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra starrer Toaster gets release date; Netflix to drop quirky dark comedy on April 15

Netflix has announced its upcoming dark comedy Toaster, a film that turns an everyday object into the centre of an increasingly chaotic chain of events. Set to premiere on April 15, 2026, the film promises a quirky and unpredictable narrative that begins with a seemingly trivial situation—a wedding gift that refuses to be forgotten after the wedding itself is called off.

Directed by Vivek Das Chaudhary, Toaster marks a significant milestone for Patralekhaa, who steps into production with her banner Kampa Film. The project brings together Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra in leading roles, supported by a vibrant ensemble that includes Archana Puran Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, Farah Khan, Upendra Limaye, Vinod Rawat, Jitendra Joshi and Seema Pahwa.

The film also sees Rajkummar Rao returning to the comedy genre, a space where he has previously earned audience appreciation for his comic timing. With Toaster, he is set to headline a story that blends relatable situations with escalating absurdity and dark humour.

Speaking about stepping into production, Patralekhaa said, “Stepping into production with Kampa Film has been an incredibly meaningful milestone for us, and beginning this journey with Netflix — who have consistently championed distinctive and unconventional stories — makes it even more special. Toaster immediately stood out because it finds humour in the most unexpected places, and the moment we read it, we knew it was a story we wanted to bring to life. Being our very first film makes the experience even more personal for us. Having such a wonderful ensemble come together for this journey has been truly exciting, and we can’t wait for audiences to dive into this entertaining and unpredictable ride.”

 

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Sharing insights into the film, Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Director of Original Films at Netflix India, added, “Toaster is a quirky dark comedy that begins with a simple miser whose life spirals into complete mayhem in pursuit of getting back his toaster. It’s the kind of inventive storytelling we love to champion at Netflix. With Vivek Das Chaudhary making his directorial debut and Patralekhaa & Raj stepping into the producer’s role for the first time with Kampa Film, the project reflects our continued focus on championing emerging talent behind the camera while bringing an exciting burst of fresh creative energy. All of this comes alive with two phenomenal and much-loved actors, Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra, headlining this family entertainer, alongside a vibrant ensemble. Toaster adds a wonderfully fun note to the diverse mix of stories we’re bringing to audiences this year- an entertaining comedy that builds on relatable situations, dark humour and delightfully escalating chaos.”

Backed by a strong creative team, the film’s story and screenplay are written by Parveez Shaikh, with additional screenplay credits going to Akshat Ghildial and Anagh Mukerjee. The dialogues have been penned by Akshat Ghildial, while Tarun Bali serves as the executive producer.

With its eccentric characters, madcap twists and an unusual premise, Toaster aims to deliver a chaotic yet engaging viewing experience when it premieres exclusively on Netflix on April 15, 2026.

Also Read: TOASTER: Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra reunite for a dark comedy where a wedding gift sparks murder

SHOCKING: Despite tough negotiations, Project Hail Mary secures shows in ONLY 6 out of 34 IMAX screens in India; efforts underway to increase showcasing

Yesterday morning, Bollywood Hungama reported that Project Hail Mary is struggling to secure screens in IMAX properties in India. Dhurandhar The Revenge was released in an IMAX version on Thursday, March 19, in the country, and due to its historic performance, it was expected that both films would share shows in IMAX. In a shocking turn of events, that hasn’t happened in most IMAX screens. As of 8:00 am on March 26, only six out of 34 IMAX theatres in the country are playing Project Hail Mary. The anger among the fans of the Hollywood film is quite visible on social media.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Project Hail Mary is filmed for IMAX and hence for many moviegoers, it is a must-watch in the IMAX theatres. Issues over screen-sharing are very common and it was expected that they would get resolved on the night of Wednesday, March 25. Sadly, that didn’t happen as the studio backing Dhurandhar The Revenge refused to let go of the shows in IMAX. Finally, late at night, Sony Pictures managed to secure 6 shows in 6 different screens in the country.”

An industry insider, on condition of anonymity, told us, “I was checking the booking app every 15 minutes as I was desperate to book tickets in IMAX and I knew that the moment the bookings would commence, all the best seats would be grabbed by other enthusiastic fans. However, this is not how it should be – there should be some clarity and some confirmation in advance, especially for a film shot in IMAX.”

At present, the six IMAX theatres in India that are playing Project Hail Mary are Maison Inox BKC in Mumbai, Cinepolis Seawoods in Navi Mumbai, Inox Megaplex Wakad and Cinepolis Nexus in Pune, Inox South City in Kolkata and Broadway Cinemas in Coimbatore. No show has been allotted yet in the 7 screens in Delhi-NCR.

Meanwhile, there’s hope that Project Hail Mary’s shows will increase as theatres like Cinepolis Centre Square in Kochi, Cinepolis Thane, PVR Nexus, Cinepolis Nexus Shantiniketan and Inox Mantri Square in Bengaluru, PVR Palladium Mall in Ahmedabad, Cinepolis Nexus in Pune, PVR Palazzo and Inox Phoenix Market City in Chennai, Rajhans Precia in Surat and PVR Lulu in Trivandrum have kept one slot vacant. In Delhi-NCR, PVR Vegas, PVR Superplex Noida, PVR Ambience Gurugram, Inox Vishal Mall Rajouri Garden, PVR Select City Walk and PVR Superplex Logix Noida have programmed only the morning shows of Dhurandhar The Revenge and haven’t yet declared which film they’ll play later in the day. Lucknow’s Inox Megaplex Phoenix Pallasio Mall is yet to open booking for any film in the IMAX screen for the day. This has further raised expectations that the acclaimed Hollywood film will make it to these cinemas.

On the other hand, the IMAX cinemas that won’t play Project Hail Mary today are PVR Lower Parel, Inox R City Ghatkopar, Inox Malad, Inox Sky City Mall Borivali, Eros and Miraj Wadala in Mumbai, PVR Priya and Inox Paras in Delhi and PVR Vega City, PVR VR Whitefield Road and Inox Galleria Mall in Bengaluru. These cinemas will continue to showcase Dhurandhar The Revenge.

A trade source told us, “This is a developing situation. Sony is trying its best to increase the number of shows in IMAX for today. Also, none of the IMAX theatres has commenced bookings for the weekend. Hence, there’s a possibility that Project Hail Mary will have more shows in more screens from Friday, March 27. Sony is trying its best to push for at least one show of their film in all the IMAX centres in India. The healthy advance bookings have given them all the more reason to persuade theatres to give them shows.”

Also Read: Project Hail Mary struggles to get screens in India despite healthy advance sales; expected to share shows with Dhurandhar The Revenge in IMAX properties

Chand Mera Dil postponed, now set for May 22 theatrical release

Chand Mera Dil, starring Ananya Panday and Lakshya, has received a revised theatrical release date. Backed by Dharma Productions, the romantic drama will now arrive in cinemas on May 22 instead of its earlier announced April 10 release. The makers confirmed the update through social media on Wednesday, announcing the shift in schedule while reiterating anticipation around the film’s fresh pairing and emotional storyline.

Fresh pairing under Vivek Soni’s direction The film is directed by Vivek Soni, known for projects such as Meenakshi Sundareshwar and Aap Jaisa Koi. Chand Mera Dil brings together Ananya Panday and Lakshya on screen for the first time, positioning the film as a youthful romantic story centred on an intense relationship.

Earlier, in 2024, Karan Johar had shared first-look posters from the film and wrote, “We have two chands ready to bring an intense & passionate love story like no other!!! Pyaar mein thoda paagal hona hi padta hai...Chand Mera Dil, starring Ananya Panday & Lakshya. Directed by Vivek Soni.” The posters featured the lead pair in romantic moments set against a moonlit backdrop.

The film marks Lakshya’s second theatrical release following Kill, in which he starred alongside Raghav Juyal. The actor also attracted attention last year for his performance in The Ba***ds of Bollywood, the debut directorial series of Aryan Khan.

For Ananya Panday, the project follows her appearance in Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri opposite Kartik Aaryan. With Chand Mera Dil now set for a late May release, the film becomes her next major romantic outing on the big screen.

Also Read: Chand Mera Dil set PHOTOS LEAKED: Lakshya rides into romance with Ananya Panday in traditional attire