Anushka Sharma kisses Virat Kohli on the forehead as RCB clinch second consecutive IPL title

Royal Challengers Bengaluru etched their name deeper into IPL history on Sunday by successfully defending their title and lifting the IPL 2026 trophy. The Bengaluru-based franchise defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in a thrilling final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, becoming only the third team after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings to win consecutive IPL championships.

At the heart of the victory was Virat Kohli, who once again delivered when it mattered the most. The batting star anchored the chase with an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls and sealed the contest in style with a towering six over long-on. His match-winning effort sparked celebrations among teammates, fans and family members present at the stadium.

Among the most emotional moments of the night came from the stands, where actor Anushka Sharma was cheering for her husband. As Kohli struck the winning shot, Anushka erupted with joy, celebrating enthusiastically alongside fellow supporters in the VIP enclosure. Moments later, Kohli looked towards the stands and blew a flying kiss to her, which she warmly returned.

Following the victory, Anushka took to social media to share a heartfelt photograph from the celebrations. In the image, she is seen affectionately kissing Kohli on the forehead while the cricketer holds the IPL trophy. The candid moment captured the emotions of a night that marked another significant milestone in Kohli's illustrious career and RCB's growing legacy.

 

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The photograph quickly gained traction online, with fans praising the couple's bond and celebrating the team's achievement. Social media platforms were flooded with congratulatory messages from cricket enthusiasts and celebrities alike.

Filmmaker Karan Johar was among those who applauded the team's achievement. Taking to Instagram, he wrote, “Congratulations to team @royalchallengers.bengaluru for their second consecutive victory... spectacular win!!!!”

Actor Sonu Sood also joined the celebrations, posting a simple yet enthusiastic message that read, “Congratulations RCB!!!”

RCB's successful title defence has been hailed as one of the franchise's greatest achievements. After years of near misses and heartbreaks, the team has now established itself among the most successful sides in IPL history.

Also Read: Anushka Sharma spotted chanting prayers for Virat Kohli and RCB during IPL match

Bobby Deol REACTS to rumours of clash with Alia Bhatt on Alpha set: “Log itne velle hai ki…”

In recent weeks, social media platforms were flooded with claims that Bobby Deol and Alia Bhatt had a fallout while shooting for the upcoming Yash Raj Films spy thriller Alpha. The rumours quickly gained traction online, prompting fans to speculate about possible tension between the two actors. However, Bobby has now addressed the reports and clarified that there was never any such issue on set.

Speaking to India TV, the actor revealed that even he was surprised when he came across the claims. “Mujhe bhi ek dost ne bheja uss rumour ka snapshot. Main bhi hairaan ho gaya. Log itne velle hai ki kuch bhi likh ke bana dete hai,” Bobby Deol said.

The actor went on to praise Alia Bhatt and highlighted her dedication towards the physically demanding action sequences in the film. “Alia is a very good actress and she is very professional. She works very hard. Alia was also prepared for all the fight sequences that she had to do. Toh mujhe nahi samaj mein aaya kisne kya soch ke ye sab rumours likhe. I can't go around proving the point to anybody. So it is not true. Log Instagram se influenced rehte hai lekin uspe 90 per cent kahaniyaan sahi nahi hoti hai,” he added.

Speaking of the film, it features Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in the lead roles, while Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor play key characters. Details about the storyline have largely been kept under wraps, but the project is expected to expand the spy universe that already includes successful films such as Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan and Tiger 3.

Alpha has witnessed several release date changes since its announcement. The film was initially expected to arrive earlier, but was later scheduled for release on July 10, 2026. More recently, Bollywood Hungama reported that the makers may advance the release by a week to July 3, 2026, following the postponement of Dhamaal 4 to July 17.

Also Read: “Amazing that we are making an action film in India like Alpha featuring two girls!”: Action star Bobby Deol on how much he enjoyed shooting Alpha and going toe to toe with Alia Bhatt

‘Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche’ singer Suman Kalyanpur dies at 89

Veteran playback singer Suman Kalyanpur, whose melodious voice graced several memorable Hindi film songs from the 1960s and 1970s, passed away on Sunday evening at her Mumbai residence. She was 89. The singer, known for evergreen tracks such as ‘Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhin Se,’ ‘Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye,’ and ‘Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche,’ reportedly died due to age-related health issues.

Confirming the news, Mangala Khadilkar, author of the acclaimed Marathi biography Suman Sugandh, shared details about the singer's final moments. “Suman ji passed away at around 8 pm at her residence in Lokhandwala due to old age. She passed away peacefully. For the last few days she was listening to her own songs,” Khadilkar told PTI.

With a career spanning several decades, Kalyanpur carved a distinct identity for herself in the Indian music industry during an era dominated by some of the country's most celebrated playback singers. Her soft, expressive voice won the admiration of music lovers and earned her a special place in Hindi cinema's golden age.

Apart from Hindi cinema, Kalyanpur showcased her versatility by recording songs in several Indian languages, including Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Assamese and Odia. Her repertoire also extended beyond film music to devotional songs, ghazals and thumris, reflecting the depth and range of her musical abilities.

Suman Kalyanpur is survived by her daughter, Charu. According to family sources, her last rites will be performed at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Mumbai on Monday between 11:30 am and 12 noon.

Bollywood Hungama extends its heartfelt condolences to Suman Kalyanpur's family, friends, and countless admirers. May her soul rest in peace, while her timeless melodies continue to live on in the hearts of music lovers.

Also Read: The Trial S2, Scam 1992 actor Ramakant Daayama passes away

Darlings fame Jasmeet K. Reen replaces Nupur Asthana as director of The Royals Season 2: Report

Netflix India’s romantic comedy series The Royals is set to undergo a significant creative shift in its second season. According to an exclusive report by Variety India, filmmaker Jasmeet K. Reen has been brought on board to direct the upcoming season of the Ishaan Khatter-led show.

Reen, who made her directorial debut with the critically acclaimed film Darlings in 2022, will take over directing responsibilities from Nupur Asthana. Asthana, who helmed the first season alongside Priyanka Ghose, is understood to have stepped away from the project due to prior commitments. She is currently working on another Netflix series backed by Ekta Kapoor's production banner. Priyanka Ghose is expected to continue her association with The Royals.

Reportedly, pre-production on the second season is currently underway, with filming likely to begin in July 2026.

The change in direction comes shortly after reports suggested that Bhumi S. Pednekar, who played the female lead opposite Ishaan Khatter in the first season, will not return for the next chapter. It is speculated that her exit has been linked to a broader creative restructuring of the series.

Reen gained recognition with Darlings, starring Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah and Vijay Varma, which received widespread critical appreciation following its release. She is also attached to direct a period drama based on the life of legendary actress Madhubala. The project, backed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, will reportedly feature Dhurandhar actress Sara Arjun in the lead role.

According to reports, Reen is expected to complete filming for The Royals S2 before beginning work on the Madhubala biopic later this year.

Also Read: Bhumi Pednekar reveals The Royals trolling left her “emotionally depleted,” led to nine-month break: “I had lost perspective of who I am”

Hombale Films announces their FIRST Marathi-Hindi film Yeto Ka Naay

Production banner Hombale Films has officially announced its upcoming project, Yeto Ka Naay, a hip-hop musical drama set against the backdrop of Mumbai. Along with the Marathi title, the makers have also revealed the Hindi version of the film, titled YKN-Pehla Vaar.

Known for backing large-scale films across different Indian film industries, Hombale Films stated that the new project will focus on youth culture, music, relationships, and self-discovery through a story rooted in the city’s evolving hip-hop scene.

The film is being produced by Vijay Kiragandur and directed by Sarang Sanjeev Sathaye. The screenplay and writing credits are shared by Sarang Sanjeev Sathaye, Sujay Jadhav, Srushti Tawade, and Shreyas Sagvekar. Cinematography has been handled by Harshvir Oberai, while the music has been composed by AV Prafullachandra.

According to the makers, the story is entirely set in Mumbai and aims to explore themes of friendship, love, identity, and ambition through the lens of underground and contemporary music culture. The production house also shared that the film blends elements of Marathi hip-hop with an emotional coming-of-age narrative.

The shoot for Yeto Ka Naay is currently underway in Mumbai. The makers are planning a theatrical release later this year, although an official release date has not yet been announced.

The announcement of Yeto Ka Naay marks a different creative direction for the studio as it enters the musical drama space with a story centered on urban youth experiences and local music culture. Chaluve Gowda, Co-Founder & Partner, Hombale Films, said, "At Hombale Films, we are constantly looking to tell stories that connect with all generations and reflect the evolving cultural landscape of India. Yeto Ka Naay is a fresh and contemporary narrative that speaks directly to Gen Z through the language of music, friendship, ambition, and self-expression. The world of hip-hop provides a powerful backdrop for a story that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant, and we are excited to bring this unique musical experience to audiences."

Also Read: Ram Charan starrer Peddi gets major boost as Hombale Films enters overseas distribution business

MEGA EXCLUSIVE: Alia Bhatt-Sharvari starrer Alpha preponed; to now release on July 3

Fans of Alia Bhatt and Sharvari are in for a treat as their much-awaited film, Alpha, will now arrive earlier than scheduled. The action entertainer was earlier scheduled to release on July 10. Bollywood Hungama has now exclusively learned that the film will arrive in cinemas a week earlier, on July 3.

A source in a prominent multiplex chain told Bollywood Hungama, “July 3 has emerged as an apt date to bring Alpha to cinemas since Dhamaal 4, which was scheduled to release on the same day, has now been pushed to July 17. With no major release planned for July 3, producer Aditya Chopra felt it was the right date to bring Alpha to theatres.”

A trade expert commented, “Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is also releasing on July 17, along with Dhamaal 4. As a result, Alpha will now get two weeks to make the most of an open run at the box office, especially since no Bollywood film is scheduled to hit theatres on July 10.”

Alpha is the next film from the YRF Spy Universe. Besides Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, the film also stars Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor. It is directed by Shiv Rawail, who previously helmed the globally acclaimed series The Railway Men.

A few days ago, Bollywood Hungama had exclusively reported that Alia Bhatt’s character in Alpha is unlike anything seen before in the YRF Spy Universe. This makes things a lot more interesting because she isn’t playing a spy that YRF has so far given to the audience with every film.

“Alpha is definitely a major turn for the YRF Spy Universe,” said a senior trade source familiar with the developments of the film to Bollywood Hungama. “It presents a lead character who is an assassin, not a spy that we have seen all leads play earlier. For the first time, Aditya Chopra is giving us an origin story that introduces a character that is more grey, more of an anti-hero in tonality. It is refreshing because otherwise it would be extremely boring for us to watch,” said the source.

Also Read: “Amazing that we are making an action film in India like Alpha featuring two girls!”: Action star Bobby Deol on how much he enjoyed shooting Alpha and going toe to toe with Alia Bhatt

Rs. 400 crore SHOCKER! Vashu Bhagnani's Puja Entertainment sues Tips, Tauranis and David Dhawan; seeks Rs. 100 crore more over Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai song row

Bollywood Hungama has been at the forefront in reporting the feud between producer Vashu Bhagnani and the makers of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai over the use of the songs ‘Chunari Chunari’ and ‘Ishq Sona Hai’ from Biwi No 1 (1999). Now, it has come to light that Vashu’s production house, Puja Entertainment (India) Ltd, has filed a whopping Rs. Rs. 400 crore suit before Bombay High Court against Tips Industries Limited, Ramesh Taurani, Kumar S Taurani and filmmaker David Dhawan over the alleged unauthorized use and alleged exploitation of iconic aforementioned songs in the upcoming Varun Dhawan-starrer, slated for a release on June 5.

As per the press statement, the suit, filed through Counsels V K Dubey Associates, seeks urgent and sweeping injunctive relief restraining the release, distribution, exhibition, streaming and further commercial exploitation of the film and its promotional material containing the disputed songs, including 'Chunnari Chunnari' and 'Ishq Sona Hai'. The Court has reportedly permitted the filing of the proceedings and has kept it for hearing soon. As per the press statement, it could be ‘one of the most explosive copyright battles in recent Bollywood history’.

Apart from seeking a complete injunction against the alleged infringing use of the songs, Puja Entertainment has also sought directions for the removal of the songs ‘Chunnari Chunnari’ and ‘Ishq Sona Hai’ from the film and its promotional material, along with a demand for a change of the title, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The production house has further demanded an additional Rs. 100 crores as damages in the event that Tips Industries Limited and David Dhawan fail to comply with the said demands and continue exploiting the disputed works. Puja Entertainment (India) Ltd has further alleged that the defendants have unlawfully exploited valuable intellectual property rights despite allegedly having no authority, assignment or licence to commercially use the original audio-visual works. The production house contended that the alleged infringement strikes at the very foundation of proprietary and commercial rights vested in the original cinematographic works associated with the late 1990s blockbuster banner.

The press statement also said that leading Counsel V K Dubey, representing Puja Entertainment, confirmed that after considering the entire scenario, the Honourable Court has decided to list the matter for hearing shortly, and the matter is presently sub judice.

Also Read: Team Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai BREAKS SILENCE on Vashu Bhagnani row: “This is a smear campaign”