EXCLUSIVE: Sonu Nigam remembers his iconic song ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ as ISAMRA distributes WHOPPING Rs. 100 cr in royalties to 26,000 singers; Anup Jalota gets emotional; Sanjay Tandon recalls journey from Rs. 51,000 to 100 cr

It was a joyous occasion for ISAMRA (Indian Singers And Musicians Rights Association) recently as they announced that they have distributed Rs. 100 crore in royalties to 26,000 singers and musicians. Bollywood Hungama spoke exclusively to the ones who fought bravely for the rights of the singers – the legendary Sonu Nigam and Anup Jalota and ISAMRA founder and MD, Sanjay Tandon.

Sonu Nigam said, “It feels like a quiet victory, not loud, not dramatic, but deeply meaningful. For years, the voice created value but did not always receive its share of that value. Today feels like a moment of correction. Not just for me, but for every singer who has given their soul to a song. It is a sense of dignity returning. The system has finally begun to listen.”

In June 2024, Sanjay Tandon revealed that ISAMRA had distributed its first royalty, Rs. 51,000, for the song ‘Lag Jaa Gale’ (Woh Kaun Thi; 1964). Explaining the journey from Rs. 51,000 to Rs. 100 crores, he replied, “That first royalty of Rs. 51,000 was a beginning, not just financially, but emotionally. It proved that performers’ rights could move from theory to reality. From there to Rs. 100 crore has been a journey of building from scratch. There was no ready data, no structured system, and no precedent. Just belief. Today, when we look back, it is not about the numbers alone. It is about restoring faith among singers and musicians that their contribution has value beyond applause (smiles).”

Anup Jalota, meanwhile, stated, “This is a very emotional moment. For years, singers have been the soul of music in this country, but their contribution was not always recognised in the way it should have been. Today feels like a long-awaited acknowledgement. It is not just financial, it is about respect, about dignity. It feels like a blessing.”

The AI factor  One of the immediate issues to be addressed is AI and how it can produce the voice of any singer. Sonu Nigam admitted, “AI is both exciting and concerning. It can enhance music, but it can also blur the identity of the artist. A voice is deeply personal; it carries emotion, years of training, and lived experience. If that can be replicated without consent, it becomes a serious issue. The way forward is awareness, strong legal frameworks, and organisations like ISAMRA stepping in to protect performers. Consent and compensation must become non-negotiable. Technology should support creativity, not exploit it.”

Sanjay Tandon agreed, “AI introduces both efficiency and risk. The biggest challenge is ownership. If a voice can be cloned or replicated, the question is who owns that usage. ISAMRA is actively working towards frameworks where any such use is governed by clear consent and fair compensation. The principle remains simple. If a voice generates value, the artist must receive that value. Technology cannot override rights.”

The way forward  Some more challenges also remain. Anup Jalota said, “Traditionally, singers have been paid for recording a song, but not for the life of that song. A song continues to live, to be heard, to generate value across platforms and generations. That value must come back to the singer. The way forward is awareness and stronger systems. Singers must understand their rights, and the industry must evolve to make royalties a standard practice. This change has begun, and it must now become the norm.”

Sanjay Tandon observed, “The focus now is on scale and inclusivity. We want every performer, whether a leading voice or a session musician, to be part of this ecosystem. Strengthening international partnerships, building a seamless one-window licensing system, and continuing to educate artists about their rights are key priorities. The journey ahead is about making this system stronger, wider, and more accessible.”

Musical end to the conversation On a lighter note, we asked Sonu Nigam which song he was reminded of on this momentous occasion of ISAMRA. The singer flashed his wonderful smile and said, “’Kal Ho Naa Ho’. There is a feeling in that song about valuing the present, about acknowledging what truly matters. This moment feels like that. Something that always belonged to singers is finally coming back to them. It’s emotional, but also very grounding.”

Also Read: Sonu Nigam, Sukhwinder Singh, Kailash Kher and Salim-Sulaiman to perform at Subhash Ghai’s Cadence Music Festival 2026

Ranveer Singh starrer Pralay is not an adaptation, reveals Hansal Mehta

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta has opened up about his upcoming project Pralay, starring Ranveer Singh. The film, which has been generating considerable curiosity, is set to explore a large-scale post-apocalyptic world—an idea that, according to Mehta, has been in development for quite some time.

Speaking about the origins of the project to The Hollywood Reporter, Mehta revealed that the concept was initially developed by filmmaker Jai Mehta, who had been working on it independently before Ranveer Singh came on board. "Jai had been working on this idea for a long time." He further explained how the collaboration took shape once Ranveer expressed interest in the concept, "When Ranveer saw his work, he reached out to him and then Jai pitched it to him. Once Ranveer said he liked the idea, we invested in developing it-helping Jai create the world he wants to present in the film."

Detailing the scale and ambition of Pralay, Mehta described it as a genre-defining project for Indian cinema. “Its a post-apocalyptic world that hasnt been attempted before at this scale in India. Development is not just about writing. It also includes ideas-how you shape them, how you visualise them, and how you eventually sell them to a third party, to a star or a studio. We've invested in building those ideas,” he further told the portal.

Addressing speculation about the film being inspired by existing literary works, Mehta firmly dismissed such claims, clarifying that the story is entirely original. "It's not an adaptation”, he added and continued, "Jay and Vishal Kapoor have written the original story. Further, I think a book like Blindness is not easily adapted to film. I had seen the 2008 film adaptation (starring Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo) and it wasn't great. Writers like Saramago or Salman Rushdie... I feel they are best experienced on paper. Their books lose all their magic when interpreted for cinema."

He also emphasised that the success of the film will largely depend on how convincingly its world is brought to life on screen. He shared, "The victory of Jai's film will depend on its immersive nature”. "How do you make a post-apocalyptic, dystopian world believable? To that end, we are working with some of the best talent from around the world. And we are trying to achieve it at a fraction of the cost in which Hollywood would have done it."

With its ambitious premise and focus on immersive storytelling, Pralay is shaping up to be a significant addition to the evolving landscape of high-concept cinema in India.

Also Read: Ranveer Singh to lead zombie thriller ‘Pralay’ as Hansal Mehta expands True Story Films slate

SCOOP: Sequel of Kangana Ranaut-starrer Queen likely to be titled Queen Forever

A few days ago, reports came in that the sequel to Kangana Ranaut’s iconic film, Queen (2014), is in the works. According to the article in Mid-Day, the film will be directed by Vikas Bahl, who also helmed the first part, and is set to go on floors in April. Bollywood Hungama has learned that the film won't be called Queen 2 and that the makers have a title in mind.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “The makers had several options for the film’s title and the one that has really caught their eye is Queen Forever. If all goes well, this will be what the film will be called.”

The source continued, “The makers feel Queen Forever is the apt title and that it suits the film’s subject. They are expected to finalize it very soon and make an official announcement, hopefully before the film’s shoot begins.”

Bollywood Hungama has also learned that Amit Chandrra of Trigger Happy Entertainment will be producing Queen Forever. His banner, Trigger Happy Studios, earlier produced the Farhan Akhtar-starrer 120 Bahadur along with Excel Entertainment.

As per the Mid-Day story, in Queen’s sequel, Kangana Ranaut’s character, Rani, will not go to foreign shores. Instead, she’ll travel to different cities across India while also embarking on a journey of self-discovery.

About Queen Besides Kangana Ranaut, Queen also starred Rajkummar Rao, Lisa Haydon, Nayani Dixit and others. It was produced by Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap of Phantom Films, along with Viacom18 Motion Pictures, and told the story of a girl left devastated after her fiancé calls off their wedding at the last minute. Nevertheless, she decides to go on her honeymoon alone. How this trip transforms her life completely formed the rest of the film.

Queen emerged as a pathbreaking film and was loved for its subject, progressive theme, treatment, award-winning performance by Kangana Ranaut and music by Amit Trivedi. The film opened at just Rs. 1.75 crores and then went on to earn Rs. 61 crores in its lifetime through sheer word of mouth. It was also a rare film in the 2010s to collect more in Week 2 than in Week 1.

Also Read: Vicky Kaushal, Kangana Ranaut and others shower love on Dhurandhar franchise; applaud Aditya Dhar and his work

BREAKING: Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D to re-release on April 24

In the pre-Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012) era, it was Dev D (2009) that made Anurag Kashyap a force to reckon with. It attained a cult following and 17 years after its release, it's all set to re-release in cinemas on April 24.

As per an article in Bombay Times, the Abhay Deol-Kalki Koechlin-Mahie Gill starrer will be back on the big screen, but only in select theatres. It also carried quotes of Anurag Kashyap, Abhay Deol, Kalki Koechlin and music director Amit Trivedi. Anurag said, “To see Dev D return to the big screen feels special. It’s a film meant to be experienced collectively with Amit Trivedi’s music and Rajeev Ravi’s cinematography powering the narrative. I am curious to see how the new generation responds to it.”

Kalki Koechlin revealed, “I remember being so nervous about my Hindi lines that every morning on set, I would practise all my vowels and consonants in Devanagari to get the pronunciation right. The best part about shooting the film was not knowing anything about filmmaking, because it meant I didn’t care about the camera angle or how I looked on camera.”

Interestingly, it was lead actor Abhay Deol who suggested the idea of the film to Anurag. He explained, “I remember when I would narrate the idea of Dev D, the most common reaction I got was that it was ‘too arty’ to be made. When I narrated it to Anurag, I didn’t tell him it was a contemporary treatment. I just narrated a love story. He did not guess what I was actually narrating, and when I revealed that it was a contemporary Devdas, he went quiet for 20 minutes, imagining it in his head. He loved the idea of treating it with a musical score that would take the story forward, one song at a time. Although he went with a different ending (my idea remains Dev dying in the end), my thought was to call out Devdas’ misogyny and highlight the women’s resilience. It’s my only idea that got made into a movie.”

Amit Trivedi’s career also got a boost with Dev D. He stated, “Each song was deeply rooted in the narrative, whether it was the wild energy of ‘Emosanal Attyachaar’ or the quiet ache of ‘Nayan Tarse’. When the film was released, something shifted for me and helped me find my voice as a composer.”

About Dev D Dev D was a contemporary reimagining of the classic Bengali novel Devdas by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay and was produced by Ronnie Screwvala. While Abhay Deol played Dev, Mahie Gill essayed the role of Paro. Kalki Koechlin was launched with this film and she played Chanda. Nawazuddin Siddiqui featured in an entertaining cameo as a band singer in the song ‘Emosanal Attyachar’.

Also Read: Tanuja picks ‘director’ Aditya Dhar over Ranveer Singh as the hero of ‘Dhurandhar’; calls it a ‘landmark’ film in fun review with Tanishaa Mukerji

Sunny Leone bags Hollywood series The Giant; set to play Sheriff in major international project

Sunny Leone is continuing her global journey with an exciting new project, as she joins the cast of the upcoming US-based series The Giant. Following the positive response to her performance in Kennedy, the actor is now gearing up to explore a completely different space with this international venture.

Created and written by Kevin B Ploth, the series is backed by ARTIMIS Theatrical Productions LLC, a veteran-run production company known for supporting distinctive storytelling. Sunny Leone will be seen playing the role of Reservation Sheriff Quanah Deerleaf, a character that adds a new dimension to her evolving filmography.

Sharing her excitement about the project, Sunny said, “This is something very different from what I’ve done before, and that’s what really excited me about it. Exploring a new character and stepping into a completely new space is always a thrilling experience for me. I’m looking forward to this journey and giving it my all. I hope my fans enjoy watching it as much as I am enjoying being a part of it, and I truly hope they’re as excited as I am for what’s coming next.”

Over the years, Sunny Leone has consistently experimented with her roles, moving across genres, industries, and formats. From Bollywood films to digital platforms and now international productions, she has steadily built a diverse body of work that reflects her willingness to take on new challenges.

Her role in The Giant is expected to further expand her presence in the global entertainment space. Playing a sheriff in an American series marks a significant shift from her previous roles and signals her intent to explore more character-driven narratives on an international scale.

The series is also supported by notable sponsors including 51Fifty Rifles, Marathon Watch, and PROPPER Uniforms, with the latter providing uniforms and everyday armor for the production. While further details about the storyline and release timeline remain under wraps, the announcement has already sparked curiosity among fans.

With filming set to begin soon, The Giant adds another noteworthy project to Sunny Leone’s growing international portfolio, reinforcing her position as an actor willing to push boundaries and embrace new creative opportunities.

Also Read: Sunny Leone on working with Anurag Kashyap in Kennedy, “I didn’t get to read the whole script but he gave me a basic story of what it is”

SCOOP: Awarapan 2 locks Independence Day 2026 release; Emraan Hashmi returns as Shivam

The Emraan Hashmi and Disha Patani led Awarapan 2 is among the keenly awaited films of 2026. A sequel to Awarapan, the film has been trending on Book My Show and Instagram as the makers had earlier announced an April 3 release. Since the shoot is still pending, we have exclusively learnt that a new release date of Awarapan 2 is locked.

Reliable sources confirm that Awarapan 2 is all set to hit the big screen during the Independence Day 2026 weekend. "Awarapan 2 has shaped up well as a musical intense love story with Emraan Hashmi, and Disha Patani. The makers were considering several release dates, and have finally decided on Independence Day weekend," the source told Bollywood Hungama.

Awarapan 2 is presently on floors, and the shoot is expected to be wrapped up by the end of April. Following two months of post-production, the makers are all set to bring it during the festive period of Independence Day.

For those unaware, Awarapan has gained a cult status over the years, with songs becoming evergreen for the cinema-going audiences. For the sequel too, the makers have recreated two songs from the original album, and they are said to be among the major highlights. Awarapan 2 is directed by Nitin Kakkar.

Also Read: REVEALED: Not Emraan Hashmi or Akshay Kumar, this actor plays Bade Sahab in Dhurandhar The Revenge

Rajpal Yadav faces fresh legal heat: Delhi High Court reserves verdict in Rs. 6 crores cheque bounce dispute

Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav has once again found himself in legal trouble, with the Delhi High Court reserving its verdict in an ongoing cheque bounce case filed by a private company.

The matter was heard on Thursday, where the court appeared visibly dissatisfied with the actor’s changing stance on clearing his dues. The judge indicated that while Yadav claimed he was ready to pay, his legal team’s arguments suggested otherwise, creating confusion around his actual position.

During the proceedings, the court questioned why the case was still being argued if the actor was genuinely willing to settle the amount. The judge also refused to grant additional time when Yadav requested 30 days to arrange Rs. 6 crores, making it clear that no further delays would be entertained.

This case dates back to 2024, when a sessions court had found Yadav guilty in a cheque bounce matter and sentenced him to six months in jail. The High Court had later paused his sentence after he assured that he would resolve the dispute financially, even referring the matter to mediation for a possible settlement.

However, the situation escalated when the court observed that multiple assurances made by the actor were not fulfilled. Despite seeking time on several occasions, Yadav reportedly failed to deposit key amounts he had committed to, including a significant sum he had proposed to pay in instalments.

By early 2026, the court had taken a stricter stance, directing him to surrender due to non-compliance with its orders. His plea for more time was turned down, leading to his surrender in February. He remained in custody until he secured temporary relief after depositing ₹1.5 crore with the complainant.

During the latest hearing, the company’s legal representative argued that completing a jail sentence does not cancel the responsibility to repay the pending amount. It was also pointed out that a large portion of the agreed money still remains unpaid, with dues reportedly standing at around Rs. 7.75 crores, even after earlier payments.

The court explored the possibility of resolving the matter through a one-time settlement and suggested a reduced figure of Rs. 6 crores. The complainant showed openness to this proposal, indicating a willingness to close the case if the amount was paid promptly.

Yadav, who appeared via video conference, stated that he would follow any direction issued by the court regarding payment. At the same time, he claimed to have suffered heavy financial losses, mentioning that he had already paid a much larger amount and even sold multiple properties to manage his obligations.

Despite these claims, the court remained firm on its stance and declined to allow more time for payment. With both sides unable to reach a final agreement during the hearing, the court decided to reserve its judgment, bringing the high-profile case to a crucial turning point.

Also Read: Radha Yadav recalls meeting Rajpal Yadav in Canada: “We didn’t know at that time that we would get married”