Here's how Rashmika Mandanna's silk saree revived Mysore silk looms

When Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda tied the knot, their celebration quickly became one of the most talked-about weddings in recent times. The couple’s wedding music video went viral across social media, becoming the most-liked video globally, even surpassing engagement numbers of posts featuring football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But beyond the internet-breaking moment, it was Rashmika’s elegant reception look that sparked an unexpected cultural wave that many are now calling - "The Rashmika Effect."

At a time when most celebrity wedding wardrobes lean heavily toward couture gowns or elaborate designer ensembles, Rashmika made a conscious decision to honour her roots. Styled by celebrity stylist Ami Patel, the actor chose a rich red Mysore Crepe Silk saree with a striking black border, creating a look that blended traditional elegance with understated grandeur.

Since images from the reception began circulating online, demand for Mysore Silk sarees has skyrocketed. Reports suggest that the surge has been so intense that state-run silk bodies had to temporarily pause online sales to keep up with the overwhelming response. In many places, buyers have reportedly been queuing up as early as 4 AM just to secure the coveted weave.

The renewed interest in Mysore Silk has brought fresh momentum to the weaving community, with 16 looms running at full capacity to meet the sudden demand. For many master weavers, this surge has translated into renewed stability and pride in their craft. Rashmika’s reception look has therefore gone far beyond bridal fashion. By choosing a handloom deeply rooted in regional heritage, the actor has helped bring Mysore Silk back into the spotlight, reminding people of the beauty and legacy of India’s traditional textiles.

 

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In the process, Rashmika Mandanna hasn’t just set a bridal trend — she has reignited a conversation around culture, craftsmanship and the enduring appeal of handloom fashion.

Also Read: Rashmika Mandanna reacts to viral audio clip controversy, calls it an “invasion of privacy”; warns of legal action

Anil Kapoor reveals he turned down cameo in Dhurandhar: The Revenge: “It’s my loss, but…”

Veteran actor Anil Kapoor recently revealed that he was approached for a cameo in Dhurandhar: The Revenge but had to decline the offer due to prior professional commitments.

The film is the sequel to Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, which released on December 5, 2025 and went on to emerge as a major box office success. The scale of the first installment and its ensemble cast have contributed significantly to the anticipation surrounding the sequel.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Kapoor shared that Dhar had approached him for a small role in the upcoming film. However, the actor said he had already committed his dates to another filmmaker.

“Yes, Aditya came to me for Dhurandhar 2. He wanted me to do a small cameo in the film. But the reason I am what I am today is because of my professionalism and my commitment. That’s very important—only talent cannot make you what you are,” Kapoor said.

Explaining why he declined the role, the 69-year-old actor added, “At that time, I had already committed those dates to another filmmaker. I told Aditya, ‘I would have loved to do this cameo, but I’m already committed.’ He is releasing the film now, and it’s a fantastic film. It’s my loss, but it’s okay. So yes, he did offer me the role, and hopefully we will work together in the future.”

Following his revelation, social media users began speculating whether Kapoor had been approached to play the mysterious character ‘Bade Sahab’, whose identity is expected to be revealed in the sequel. There have also been rumours about Emraan Hashmi being linked to the role, though the makers have not confirmed any details.

Dhurandhar: The Revenge features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Akshaye Khanna. The film is scheduled to hit theatres on March 19, 2026.

Also Read: Harish Salve praises Anil Kapoor’s Subedaar, calls it “a reality that deserves to be exposed”

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”