Actor Shaad Randhawa has had a busy 2025 with three releases during the year. Two of these, Saiyaara and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, performed strongly at the box office. Building on that momentum, the actor has now signed a new project with a legacy production house.

Shaad Randhawa will next appear in filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya’s upcoming directorial, which features Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead. The project marks his first collaboration with the Barjatya banner, and the actor has already begun shooting for the film.

Shaad informed, “All I can say is that this is a completely different role from anything I’ve portrayed before. This film is extremely special to me, as it has always been a dream to work with Sooraj ji. I am deeply grateful to Sooraj ji and Mukesh Chhabra bhai for giving me this opportunity.”

While details of the film are being kept under wraps, Ayushmann Khurrana has shared that he plays a character named Prem, a role that differs slightly from the traditional family entertainers associated with Sooraj Barjatya. He has described the film as carrying a strong message without being preachy, with its tone and genre sitting somewhere between Barjatya’s filmmaking sensibilities and the kind of films Ayushmann is known for.

Also Read : BH OTT India Fest 2025: Shaad Randhawa on how Harshvardhan Rane won his heart on Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat sets: “He told me, ‘You speak my first 5 lines…RARELY seen an actor do that”

Netflix is set to kick off 2026 with a bang as Neeraj Pandey and Emraan Hashmi join forces for Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, a crime thriller that promises edge-of-your-seat excitement. The show takes viewers behind the scenes of airport customs—a world rarely explored on screen—where every suitcase could hide a secret and every passenger might be a suspect. At the center of this high-pressure environment is Superintendent Arjun Meena, played by Emraan Hashmi, a calm and calculating officer determined to dismantle smuggling networks ranging from luxury goods to international syndicates.

This marks Neeraj Pandey’s fourth collaboration with Netflix and his first with Hashmi, a pairing that promises precision, pace, and globe-trotting thrills. Pandey brings his signature storytelling style—sharp, grounded, and layered with tension—while Hashmi steps into a refreshing new avatar as a leader whose instincts are as lethal as his strategies. Elaborating on this collab, Neeraj Pandey said, “Airports are familiar to all of us, yet what unfolds behind the scenes is rarely seen. The world of customs is not something that has been explored on screen, and that was part of the appeal in our endeavour to introduce our audiences to a new unexplored world which is quiet, disciplined, and high-pressure. With Taskaree, we bring together an ensemble that could reflect the complexity with depth and conviction. And as always Netflix continues to be a strong partner in supporting stories that are rooted, authentic, and built for scale.”

Emraan Hashmi reflected on his role and added, “Taskaree was exciting for me on many levels. It’s my first time working with Neeraj Pandey and stepping into his world. Playing a customs officer is new territory for me, and Arjun Meena isn’t loud or flashy, he’s calm, observant, and always thinking two steps ahead. I enjoyed stepping into that space. I’m really looking forward to audiences seeing me in this new role. Partnering with Netflix and Neeraj sir makes it even more special, it’s makers that encourage stories like this to be told at scale.”

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in)

Adding to the anticipation, Tanya Bami, Series Head at Netflix India, shared, “We are excited to kick off 2026 with a show that introduces audiences to the high-stakes, unseen world of airport customs. With sharp and quirky tones and unpredictable twists Taskaree has everything that makes for a compelling thriller. Filmed across four countries and multiple international airports, the show unpacks an intricate smuggler’s network in classic Neeraj Pandey style. It offers a fresh, immersive perspective that will be relatable for anyone who has ever taken a flight. We’re delighted to have Emraan headline the show, especially after the overwhelming love and fandom he received for his cameo in The Ba***ds of Bollywood.”

Apart from Hashmi, the ensemble cast also includes Sharad Kelkar, Amruta Khanvilkar, Nandish Singh Sandhu, Anurag Sinha, and Zoya Afroz, adding grit and intensity to a narrative where tension never clocks out. Produced by Friday Storytellers and directed by Raghav Jairath, the series premieres globally on January 14, 2026.

Also Read: Emraan Hashmi and Raghav Juyal’s hilarious Spotify wrapped reunion takes internet by storm; watch

Dhurandhar has marked a notable moment for Indian film music, becoming the first Bollywood film to see all tracks from its soundtrack chart simultaneously on the Spotify Global Top 200, along with a full presence on India’s national charts. Composed and produced by Shashwat Sachdev, the album has delivered a rare and wide-ranging chart performance for a Hindi film soundtrack.

On Spotify India, all 11 tracks from the album are currently charting inside the Top 200, making Dhurandhar the first Indian film album to place 11 out of 11 songs on the chart at the same time. The title track stands at #3, with ‘Ishq Jalakar’, ‘Karvaan’ at #5 and ‘Gehra Hua’ at #7, while the remaining tracks continue to hold strong positions across the chart reflecting sustained listener engagement across the full album rather than isolated singles.

The album’s impact extends well beyond India. Dhurandhar debuted at #2 on Spotify’s Global Top Albums chart and at #5 on Spotify’s US Top Albums chart, underscoring the soundtrack’s international reach and its crossover appeal among global listeners. These rankings place Dhurandhar among the highest-debuting Indian film albums on Spotify worldwide.

On Apple Music India, Dhurandhar has secured the #1 album position, with tracks from the soundtrack simultaneously dominating individual song charts. The performance highlights a rare convergence of album listening and song-level discovery across platforms.

With Dhurandhar, Shashwat Sachdev presents a soundtrack that spans multiple styles, from score-driven compositions to contemporary, hip-hop-influenced tracks and emotion-led songs, while remaining cohesive as an album. The breadth of its chart presence reflects both its sonic range and its appeal across a wide audience base.

Reacting to the achievement, the composer, super producer Shashwat Sachdev stated, “I never imagined this album as a chase for numbers. Dhurandhar was made slowly, with trust, friendship, and a lot of love for the music itself. To see all eleven tracks finding a place on the charts and a few of them living at the very top is deeply humbling. This belongs to every artist, musician, engineer, and collaborator who gave a piece of their soul to these songs. I’m grateful beyond words, and I’m just happy the music found its people.”

The achievement follows Sachdev’s recent work on The Ba***ds of Bollywood and further reinforces his standing as one of the few Indian composers whose film music regularly finds global streaming traction. In that context, Dhurandhar stands out as a significant milestone for Bollywood music on the international stage.

Also Read : Akshaye Khanna keeps it low-key after ‘Dhurandhar’ success, performs Vastu Shanti hawan at Alibaug home

Homebound, the critically acclaimed Hindi drama directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, has been officially selected as India’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards and has now been shortlisted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as one of the contenders moving forward in the awards process.

The film starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor was chosen by the Film Federation of India from a competitive list of 24 films submitted this year, cementing its place as the nation’s representative on cinema’s biggest global stage.

In the shortlist announced this week, Homebound is among only 15 international films advancing toward final nominations for the Best International Feature Film Award, marking a significant achievement for Indian cinema ahead of the Oscars scheduled in March 2026.

Homebound tells the poignant journey of two childhood friends striving to become police officers to earn dignity and respect in a system shaped by caste and socioeconomic divides.

Producer Karan Johar reacted emotionally to the film’s Oscars shortlist announcement, taking to social media to share his pride. He wrote, “I am not sure I can articulate how proud, elated and over the moon I am with the journey of #HOMEBOUND… all of us @dharmamovies are privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography … thank you @neeraj.ghaywan for making so many dreams of ours come true… from Cannes to being on the Oscar shortlist this has been such an overwhelming journey! Love to the entire cast and crew and teams of this special special film!!!!!!!!! Upwards and onwards…….. #HOMEBOUND streaming now on @netflix_in.”

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar)

The film has already earned international recognition after its premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it received a nine‑minute standing ovation from audiences. It also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it won the International People’s Choice Award as second runner‑up.

Industry insiders and audiences have celebrated Homebound’s selection, seeing it as a testament to the depth of India’s cinematic storytelling. Key cast and crew members expressed excitement as the film’s Oscar campaign progresses, with many hoping it will secure a nomination when the final list is announced early next year.

Also Read : Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa react to Shah Rukh Khan showering love on Homebound

The biggest Hollywood film of the year, Avatar: Fire And Ash, is all set to release two days from now and the excitement is tremendous. In this exclusive article, Bollywood Hungama will inform readers about the censor process of the James Cameraon directorial.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) passed Avatar: Fire And Ash with a U/A 16+ certificate on December 11, 2025. The past films of this series have consisted of abusive language and disturbing violent scenes. Hence, there was an apprehension that the third part of the blockbuster franchise might also have to suffer cuts.

But thankfully, the Examining Committee of Avatar: Fire And Ash passed the film without a single visual cut. They didn’t even ask for any dialogue or words to be muted, deleted or replaced. It now remains to be seen whether Avatar: Fire And Ash doesn’t have profanities at all or did the studio self-censor the cuss words before applying for a certificate.

The length of the film, as mentioned on the censor certificate, is 197.21 minutes. In other words, Avatar: Fire And Ash is 3 hours, 17 minutes and 21 seconds long. This makes Avatar: Fire And Ash the lengthiest film of the franchise. The first part, Avatar (2009), was 162 minutes long while Avatar: The Way Of Water (2022) had a run time of 192.10 minutes.

In December 2022, Bollywood Hungama had exclusively reported that Avatar: The Way Of Water went through several cuts courtesy the CBFC. As many as 12 cuss words and terms were muted in 18 places in the film. These words and terms are ‘p***s face’, ‘b***h’, ‘a**’, ‘f*****g’, ‘s**t’, ‘b***holes, ‘dips**t’, ‘son of a b***h’, ‘a**-whipping’, ‘bats**t’, ‘a**hole’ and ‘f**k’.

Coming back to Avatar: Fire And Ash, it releases worldwide on December 19, 2025. The first part was the story of a group of humans trying to colonize Pandora, a habitable moon, in order to mine the valuable unobtanium. This activity threatens the existence of a local tribe of Na'vi, a humanoid species indigenous to Pandora. How a human joins the Na'vi tribe and defeats his species formed the crux of the film. In Avatar: The Way Of Water, the human has turned into Na'vi and has started a family. However, he’s compelled to seek refuge with an aquatic clan under renewed human threat.

Also Read: Experience Pandora like never before: Fire and Ash preview plays with Avatar: The way of water

Cornerstone, one of India’s leading brand and talent management companies, and Armour Entertainment, led by Prarthana Ajmani, have announced a strategic partnership, marking a new phase in the long-term plans of both agencies. As part of the alliance, Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff has been signed as the first talent.

The collaboration points to a renewed focus on the evolving entertainment and talent ecosystem at a time of industry change. It reflects a joint effort by Bunty Sajdeh and Prarthana Ajmani to create a streamlined and integrated setup, with an emphasis on structure, long-term growth and consistent talent development across platforms.

Together, Cornerstone and Armour combine their respective strengths. Cornerstone’s experience in developing and positioning talent across sports and entertainment complements Armour Entertainment’s management approach, supported by Prarthana Ajmani’s industry experience and professional network built over years of working with leading actors. The partnership brings together complementary capabilities aimed at creating a cohesive ecosystem focused on credibility, brand development and comprehensive talent management.

Bunty Sajdeh, CEO, Cornerstone, said, “Look at Hollywood and you’ll see how the talent management approach has always worked in the West. There are unique skill sets that are clearly defined strategic, long-term brand and wealth building, alongside specialised talent management that is an industry in itself when done correctly and holistically. Both are equally important and must work hand in hand to ensure maximum output. I’ve known Prarthana for many years and have always admired her professionalism and strategic mindset, so when the opportunity arose to join hands, it was an easy decision.”

Prarthana Ajmani, CEO, Armour, added, “With CXA, we’re building a system that is structured, future-ready and truly talent-first. Partnering with Cornerstone brings together the strengths of two teams driven by excellence. On a personal level, Bunty’s strategic clarity and faith in my abilities have been key driving forces in this collaboration. I’m thrilled to embark on this journey with him."

Also Read : Dharma Productions relaunches talent arm as Dharma Collab Artists Agency after acquiring Cornerstone’s stake

In a landmark move set to redefine Bollywood’s music and film landscape, Saregama India Ltd has announced a strategic partnership with Bhansali Productions Pvt Ltd, helmed by celebrated filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The alliance is anchored by an equity investment from Saregama, signalling a long-term collaboration between two creative powerhouses.

Under the agreement, Bhansali Productions will exclusively sell the music rights of all its future films to Saregama based on a pre-agreed pricing formula. This structure ensures a steady pipeline of premium film music for Saregama while eliminating competitive bidding and controlling acquisition costs.

Bhansali Productions will retain full ownership of its intellectual property and creative control over its films. Meanwhile, Saregama will provide governance oversight and financial discipline within the partnership framework. The deal also aligns with Saregama’s strategy to streamline in-house film production over the next one to two years, focusing instead on strategic collaborations.

The investment is expected to be earnings-per-share accretive by FY27, boosting margins across Saregama’s music and video segments.

Founded in 1996, Bhansali Productions has delivered cinematic gems like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, and Gangubai Kathiawadi, along with Netflix’s acclaimed series Heeramandi. The studio plans to produce over 10 feature films in the next three years, including the highly anticipated Love and War starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, and Do Deewane Seher Mein featuring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur.

For FY25, Bhansali Productions reported Rs. 304 crores in revenue, Rs. 60 crores EBITDA, and Rs. 45 crores profit after tax. Commenting on the partnership, Avarna Jain, Vice Chairperson at Saregama India, said that the collaboration reflects the company’s vision to work with established creative studios and generate long-term shareholder value. Bhansali added that the partnership is rooted in shared values of artistic integrity, music, and storytelling.

Kotak Investment Banking acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Bhansali Productions for this transaction. Saregama, part of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, operates across music, digital content, television, artiste management, and film production.

Also Read: Alia Bhatt opens up on emotional impact of Gangubai Kathiawadi: “I completely surrendered to Sanjay Leela Bhansali”

The inheritance battle over late industrialist Sunjay Kapur’s colossal Rs. 30,000 crores estate has taken a sensational twist. On Tuesday, Priya Sachdev Kapur, Sunjay’s third wife, fiercely opposed any forensic examination of the Will that forms the bedrock of her claim to his personal assets and control over the Sona Comstar Group. The plea for scientific scrutiny—covering handwriting, ink, and paper analysis—was pressed by Sunjay’s children from his previous marriage, Samaira and Kiaan Raj Kapur, who argue that such checks are vital to confirm authenticity.

Legal experts say Priya’s resistance is highly unusual in a probate dispute of this magnitude, as courts routinely rely on forensic tests to settle doubts over testamentary documents. Blocking this process, they warn, could amplify suspicions surrounding a Will that completely excludes Sunjay’s biological children.

Adding fuel to the fire, Shradha Suri Marwah—the Will’s purported executor—has dramatically altered her stance on how she first received the document. Initially claiming Priya handed it over on June 24, Suri later said it came from Dinesh Agarwal on June 14, only to revert to her original version after reviewing Priya’s submissions. These oscillations, coupled with her admission that she was unaware of being named executor and lacked independent legal advice, have raised eyebrows. Her request for indemnity from Priya and reluctance to probate the Will further deepen scepticism.

Senior counsel Mahesh Jethmalani, representing Samaira and Kiaan, argued that under Indian law, an executor cannot be appointed without prior consent. If the Will fails judicial scrutiny, Sunjay’s estate would devolve equally among all Class I heirs—a point even Suri’s counsel conceded.

The Delhi High Court will hear both the forensic inspection plea and Suri’s amendment application on January 20, 2026, a date that could decide whether the Will reflects Sunjay Kapur’s true intentions or collapses under scrutiny.

For the unversed, Sunjay Kapur, Chairman of Sona Comstar, died suddenly on June 12, 2025, during a polo match in Windsor, England. The contested Will, dated March 21, 2025, allegedly leaves his entire personal estate to Priya and their minor son Azarias, excluding his children from his previous marriage to Karisma Kapoor. The dispute has spiralled into one of India’s most high-stakes inheritance battles, with allegations of forgery, concealment, and even conspiracy swirling around the case.

Also Read: Explosion in Rs. 30,000-Crore Sunjay Kapur estate battle: Missing email attachment triggers Will scam suspicion

Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, producer Bhushan Kumar and Nidhi Dutta and director Anurag Singh attended the teaser launch of one of the biggest films of 2026, Border 2. The team of the film talked about several aspects of the film. A conversation about Border is incomplete without the mention of the songs. The first part’s songs are memorable even today. The teaser features a recreated version of ‘Hindustan Hindustan’. At the event, Bhushan Kumar confirmed that a remixed version of ‘Sandese Aate Hai’ is also a part of the Border 2 album. He further revealed that it would be launched in a grand event that too at a town located at the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan.

Bhushan Kumar said, “This time, for ‘Sandese Aate Hai’, we have added other singers also. We are going to launch that song on January 2 at Longewala with the armed forces as it's a very, very special song. We have tried our best to make sure that it has the same feel as the original song and yet, it has the sound of today.” Interestingly, Border (1997) was based on the Battle of Longewala in 1971.

At the start of the event, Bhushan Kumar stated, “The credit for the film goes to J P Dutta sir. Nidhi approached me and expressed the desire to make Border 2. Obviously, the emotion of the whole world is connected with Border. Hence, we collectively decided at our studio that we should make this film.”

He then praised Sunny Deol, “Without Sunny sir, it is impossible to make Border 2. A big thank you to him for working so hard and devoting so much time. I have no words.”

Bhushan continued, “I am getting very nervous right now as the film is very emotional for us. Anurag, Varun, Ahan and everyone else have done a very good job. Whenever I talk to Varun’s father (David Dhawan), I tell him, ‘Varun has done a great job’. He hasn’t given a performance like this ever.”

Lastly, Bhushan Kumar thanked the director of Border 2, “Thank you, Anurag. You have worked extensively. We, at T-Series, are thrilled that we got such a great film.”

Border 2 releases in cinemas on January 23, 2026.

Also Read: Sunny Deol gets emotional at Border 2 teaser launch, marks first public appearance since Dharmendra’s demise

The buzz around O Romeo may be understated at present, but the creative forces behind the film have ensured that it turns out to be a project of considerable interest. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, the film marks his much-anticipated reunion with Shahid Kapoor, an actor who has delivered some of his most acclaimed performances under Bhardwaj’s distinctive and layered direction. They have earlier worked in Kaminey (2009), Haider (2014) and Rangoon (2017). Their collaboration once again sets high expectations for a performance-driven narrative.

The ensemble of O Romeo is further strengthened by the inclusion of Triptii Dimri and the legendary Nana Patekar, whose presence brings both freshness and gravitas to the film. Bollywood Hungama has now learned that O Romeo will also feature an impressive supporting cast, including Vikrant Massey, Tamannaah Bhatia and Disha Patani, among others, positioning it as a true ensemble-led project.

Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, O Romeo is slated for a Valentine’s Day release on February 13, 2026.

In December 2024, Bollywood Hungama had reported that O Romeo went on floors on January 6, 2025. At that time, a source told us, “Mustafa Stationwala, who created the sets of Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), Hindi Medium (2017), Airlift (2016), etc. is the production designer on this film. Sajid Nadiadwala has gone all out, like always, in ensuring that the set is grand but at the same time, authentic to the storyline. He and director Vishal Bhardwaj have also meticulously worked on the scheduling of the film.”

With less than two months left for release, expectations are mounting for O Romeo to blend Vishal Bhardwaj’s signature intrigue with Shahid Kapoor’s intensity, now further elevated by a strong ensemble cast that adds scale, variety, and serious screen presence to the narrative. With Sajid Nadiadwala mounting it on a lavish yet story-rooted canvas, the film is quietly shaping up to be one of the key entertainers of 2026 and among the year’s most interesting big-screen bets.

Also Read: What to watch after Dhurandhar? 6 Indian espionage thrillers worth your time

Actor and real life hero Sonu Sood continues to prove that real change begins with intent, and grows through action. Through the Sood Charity Foundation, he has taken on a mission that goes beyond awareness, focusing on something far more urgent making breast cancer treatment accessible, free, and stigma-free for women across India.

Sharing his vision, Sonu Sood said, “Jab maine Sood Charity Foundation ki shuruaat ki, toh mera mission tha ki is desh ki mahilaon ko breast cancer se mukt karna hai. Bahut sari mahilaen jo is takleef se guzarti hain, kai baar hospital ja hi nahi paati ya bata hi nahi pati.” Recognising the silent suffering of countless women, especially in underserved regions, the foundation launched a nationwide initiative promising free breast cancer surgeries for women, no matter where they live.

That promise has already translated into impact on the ground. He claims, "Aaj, 500 se upar surgeries ho chuki hain, 500 se upar jaane bach chuki hain, aur 500 se zyada parivaaron ko ek naya jeevan mil chuka hai. Mujhe badi khushi hoti hai ki hamari team aur hamare saath jude logon ke karan hum naya jeevan de paaye". For Sonu, these numbers represent stories of courage, resilience, and hope, made possible through collective effort.

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Sonu Sood (@sonu_sood)

Acknowledging the medical professionals who stood firmly behind the mission, Sonu expressed heartfelt gratitude to the doctors involved in this initiative, whose expertise in surgeries and radiation treatment played a critical role in delivering care. He also thanked the countless individuals who identified cases, reached out for help, and ensured that women in need reached the foundation in time.

While the milestone is significant, Sonu remains clear-eyed about the road ahead. “Yeh sirf shuruaat hai,” he said, extending an open appeal to the nation. Anyone, anywhere in India, who knows a woman battling breast cancer is urged to bring her forward. The foundation, he assures, will take full responsibility for her treatment, completely free of cost. In a country where healthcare often feels out of reach, Sonu Sood’s mission stands as a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when empathy meets action.

Also Read: Sonu Sood pledges to fund education of 10-month-old Bihar boy after his mother is killed in poll-related violence in Bihar: “From KG to PG, we’ve got you covered”

Bengaluru police have registered a case against Bastian Garden City, the upscale restaurant co-owned by Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, for operating beyond permitted hours following a viral video of a late-night altercation.

CCTV footage from December 11 around 1:30 am captured a verbal dispute among patrons at Bastian on St. Mark's Road, escalating into heckling before staff intervened. Businessman and former Bigg Boss contestant Satya Naidu was identified in the clip, denying any physical confrontation and claiming he visited only for dinner with friends, with confusion arising during billing.

Cubbon Park police filed the case suo motu under Section 103 of the Karnataka Police Act after reviewing the video, which showed operations past the 1 am closing time for pubs without special permission. Managers and staff have been booked, with investigations ongoing into whether this reflects a pattern of violations amid a pre-New Year crackdown on nightlife spots.

Bastian, partnered by Shilpa Shetty with founder Ranjit Bindra, is a premium brand known for high prices like Rs 920 jasmine tea and Rs 1.59 lakh champagne, reportedly generating Rs 2-3 crores nightly in Mumbai before its Bandra branch closed in October. This comes weeks after Shilpa Shetty and husband Raj Kundra faced a separate Rs 60 crores fraud probe. A similar case was filed against Sourberry Pub on Residency Road.​

Also Read: Democratic Sangha Forum 2025: Regena Cassandrra, Shilpa Shetty, Mamta Mohandas and notable politicians discuss key themes