After facing criticism over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3, actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh found himself at the centre of a controversy, with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) initially demanding a ban on him. However, the situation now appears to be de-escalating, as the federation has reportedly lifted the ban, allowing him to resume work on his upcoming film Border 2.

According to a report in India Today, FWICE President B.N. Tiwari confirmed that the decision came after Border 2 producer Bhushan Kumar personally appealed to the federation.

Ashoke Pandit, also commenting on the matter, told the outlet, “Bhushan ji and his team were quite keen on taking a decision that is pro-country. But he also explained that the film is already 80–85% complete, and most of the work involving Diljit is already done. He requested the federation to allow him to complete this film, and assured us that Diljit will not be cast in future projects. He has agreed to issue a written statement to that effect.”

However, Pandit also clarified that the non-cooperation directive against Diljit will remain in effect for upcoming projects. “The non-cooperation against Diljit continues. Anyone who chooses to cast him in the future should be prepared for the consequences. The federation will not be held responsible for any financial losses that may occur,” he stated.

For context, the controversy began after the trailer for Sardaar Ji 3 confirmed the casting of Hania Aamir, a Pakistani actress. Following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, public sentiment was further inflamed by the inclusion of Hania, who was among the Pakistani celebrities who had openly criticised India’s Operation Sindoor — the counter-offensive launched in response.

As for Border 2, the film is currently being shot in Pune. Directed by Anurag Singh, the movie features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Ahan Shetty, and Varun Dhawan.

Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh silences rumours with explosive BTS video from Border 2 set

iHeartMedia and Mammoth Media Asia have announced The Pooja Bhatt Show as the first podcast under their new partnership to co-develop a slate of multi-language podcasts featuring talent from across the Asia-Pacific region. Hosted by Pooja Bhatt, the iHeartPodcast will release new episodes weekly starting late September.

Pooja Bhatt has worked in the Indian film industry for over three decades. She began her career at the age of 17 in 1989 with the TV film Daddy, directed by her father Mahesh Bhatt. Over the years, she has taken on various roles as an actor, director, and producer, often engaging with topics that are less commonly explored in mainstream cinema.

As Indian music, fashion, and cinema gain wider global visibility, Pooja Bhatt will “lift the hood,” exploring various aspects of the Indian film industry and its people. The Pooja Bhatt Show will feature conversations with a range of individuals, from directors and actors to spot boys and background dancers, offering insight into the evolving entertainment landscape in India.

“I’m thrilled to partner with iHeartMedia to launch The Pooja Bhatt Show. There are so many inspirational stories in the Indian film industry. I want to shine a spotlight on the amazing people helping push our culture forward. From actors to directors to musicians to producers to stylists...I can’t wait to share the highs and lows of my journey, and share the riveting stories of the people who have inspired and shaped me,” said Pooja Bhatt.

Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts added, “We are so excited to launch our first podcast in this new Asian slate with Pooja. A true legend in the Indian creative scene, we know she’ll bring an exciting and entertaining perspective to the lineup.”

Jonathan Serbin and Jay Faires of Mammoth Media Asia stated, “The influence of Indian movies, music, and culture has been growing rapidly around the world. Pooja’s unique experience at the pinnacle of the industry for decades will be a treat to both Bollywood fans and those that wish to learn more about Indian cinema and creative culture, across the board. We are thrilled to partner with Pooja for this exciting program.”

The Pooja Bhatt Show will be produced by Epilogue, distributed by iHeartPodcasts, and available on the iHeartRadio app and other major platforms. iHeartPodcasts is the world’s largest podcast publisher, covering categories from business and sports to entertainment and true crime, according to Podtrac.

Also Read: Pooja Bhatt comes in defence of Saif Ali Khan after the latter gets attacked by trolls after his recovery

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is one of the most courageous and daring filmmakers in Indian cinema. Known for his bold storytelling and fearless pursuit of truth, he has consistently brought to light stories that challenge the narrative and uncover buried realities. After delivering two hard-hitting films, The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files, Agnihotri is now gearing up for the final and most explosive chapter of his ‘truth trilogy’ with The Bengal Files.

As the film inches closer to its release, the makers have announced that The Bengal Files will have international premieres ahead of its grand India release, beginning with a massive tour in the USA. Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri recently shared a powerful promotional video for the 'Never Again' Tour, featuring glimpses from the trailers of The Tashkent Files, The Kashmir Files, and The Bengal Files. The video also unveiled the premiere dates and cities across the USA.

The Never Again Tour will feature 10 grand premieres across the U.S., starting July 19 in New Jersey and concluding August 10 in Houston. Key cities include Chicago, Atlanta, DC, Raleigh, Tampa, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area. With soaring overseas demand, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has been approached for multiple international premieres. Known for his fearless storytelling, Agnihotri is set to present The Bengal Files in his signature unflinching style, uncovering another buried truth of Indian history.

The Bengal Files is written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Pallavi Joshi. It stars Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Anupam Kher, and Darshan Kumar. The film, presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal and I Am Buddha, is a part of Vivek’s Files trilogy that includes The Kashmir Files and The Tashkent Files. The film will arrive in theatres on September 5, 2025.

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Also Read: Vivek Agnihotri shares BTS from the sets of The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter: “Bengal must never become another Kashmir” 

In a groundbreaking move for global cinema, Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par has become the first movie in the world to feature all major accessibility features—closed captions, audio description, and Indian Sign Language—ensuring that audiences with visual, hearing, or speech impairments can enjoy the film with dignity and independence.

Released on June 20, the film marks a historic moment not just for Indian cinema, but for the global film industry at large. While several international films have offered individual accessibility tools in the past, Sitaare Zameen Par is the first to integrate all three features simultaneously for a theatrical release. The inclusion of Indian Sign Language has been made possible through the XL Cinema app, which allows users to access a real-time ISL interpreter on their mobile devices. By syncing with the film’s audio in theatres, the app ensures a smooth, immersive experience for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. Closed captions provide on-screen dialogue and sound descriptions, enabling people with hearing impairments to follow both the story and background audio cues. The audio description feature adds a voiceover that narrates visual elements, such as expressions, movements, and settings, thereby making the film accessible to those who are blind or have low vision.

"Global first from India! ????????#AamirKhan's #SitaareZameenPar becomes the first film in the world to offer all three accessibility features. This is not just a film release - it's a revolution in inclusive entertainment. A proud moment for India on the global accessibility stage!" pic.twitter.com/4Rl6BmneV3 — Kate Wordy (@KateWordy) July 3, 2025

Aamir Khan Productions, in collaboration with disability advocates and the team at XL Cinema, has taken a bold step in setting new industry standards for inclusive entertainment. The effort is being hailed as a model for filmmakers worldwide to embrace accessibility as a default rather than an exception. Directed by RS Prasanna, Sitaare Zameen Par also stars Genelia Deshmukh in a pivotal role along with 10 specially abled youngsters, which include Ashish Pendse, Simran Mangeshkar, Aayush Bhansali, Naman Misra, Gopikrishnan K Verma, Rishi Shahani, Aroush Datta, Rishabh Jain, Samvit Desai and Vedant Sharma. Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Sitaare Zameen Par actor Gurpal Singh on 10 special kids in real life, “They don’t differentiate and provide unconditional love to everyone, they don’t carry the baggage that we do”

Ranbir Kapoor and Yash's epic face off in Ramayana is all set to take the centre stage all across the world from Diwali 2026. While the makers have showcased the announcement video, which has won appreciation and spiking even more excitement for the project, we have exclusively learnt that the Nitesh Tiwari directorial is the most expensive film of Indian Cinema

Reliable sources close to the producer, Namit Malhotra, have confirmed that Ramayana Franchise is being designed on a budget of Rs. 1600 crores, excluding print and publicity. "While Ramayana 1 is being made on a budget of Rs. 900 crore, the second part of Ramayana has a cost of Rs. 700 crore. The reason for the reduction is budget for part two is a result of a large investment in asset and world creation for part one, leaving just the action sequences for the second installment. The characters built and designed alongside the set pieces will continue to be a part of the second installment," a source shared with Bollywood Hungama.

The source further informed that Namit is not splitting the cost on parts one and two, but is treating it as an investment of Rs. 1600 crore on the Ramayana franchise. "Ramayana is the most ambitious film for the Malhotra Family, and they are treating it as a project of pride. The entire team is confident of recovering the investment and even making profits as the idea is to tap into the world audience, and to do so, it's important to deliver a global project, with spectacular visuals," the source told us further.

Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor and Yash with Sai Pallavi and Sunny Deol. It is slated to release on Diwali 2026 and Diwali 2027. Also Read: Alia Bhatt reacts to Ranbir Kapoor’s Lord Ram look in Ramayana: “This feels like the start of something unforgettable”

Adivi Sesh’s Telugu and Hindi bilingual romantic action drama Dacoit: A Love Story is all set to release on Christmas this year. The makers announced the film’s release date through an interesting first glimpse video at the end of May. The response to it turned out to be positive as it made Adivi’s fans more curious about the film.

But the makers of Dacoit choosing December 25 as the release date also means that the film will be clashing at the box office with Yash Raj Films’ Alpha, which is a part of the YRF Spy Universe. The action drama stars Alia Bhatt, Sharvari and Bobby Deol.

In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Adivi Sesh was asked about his thoughts on the clash. He said, “I’ve never been one to be too shy when it comes to a clash. My debut Hindi film, Major was released against Akshay Kumar’s Samrat Prithviraj and Kamal (Haasan) sir’s Vikram.” Interestingly, Samrat Prithviraj was also produced by YRF.

Pointing out how clashes are inevitable, Adivi added, “I don’t think anyone intends to clash against a film on purpose. So many permutations and combinations come into play when deciding on a release date. I’ve got to keep my South Indian base in mind for Dacoit as well because it’s being shot both in Hindi and Telugu. At the end of the day, a good film will hopefully find its audience if you make it well and promote it right.”

Theatrical business hasn’t been great since last year. It is believed that too much penetration of OTT platforms is one of the reasons behind this. Sharing his thoughts on the same, Adivi said, “My greatest theatrical successes have come in the midst of the OTT boom. So what does that tell you? It is ultimately what you believe in. Do you have a story worth telling for the big screen? Then tell it.”

Directed by Shaneil Deo, Dacoit also stars Mrunal Thakur, Anurag Kashyap, Prakash Raj and Atul Kulkarni.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Adivi Sesh on 3-year gap before the release of Dacoit, “I’d rather be seen in something good than something that just fills the time”

Aparshakti Khurana is set to make his debut in Tamil cinema with the sci-fi crime thriller ROOT – Running Out of Time. Known for his work as an actor, singer, and host, Aparshakti recently received appreciation for his role in Stree 2. His upcoming venture marks his entry into South Indian films, drawing attention from both audiences and the industry.

In 'ROOT – Running Out of Time', Aparshakti Khurana will be seen sharing the screen with Gautham Karthik, an actor renowned for his choice of unique, performance-driven roles in films like Devarattam and Vai Raja Vai. The film is being shot in Chennai.

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Speaking about his Tamil debut, Aparshakti Khurana expressed his excitement, “I am absolutely thrilled to be making my debut in Tamil cinema with 'ROOT – Running Out of Time'. It's a challenging and unique script, and I'm excited to explore this new territory. The opportunity to work with such a talented team and to connect with a new audience is something I'm truly looking forward to.”

The film is backed by Verus Productions and directed by Sooriyaprathap S, who earlier worked on Naalaiya Iyakkunar – Season 1 and served as Associate Director on the Rajinikanth-starrer Kochadaiiyaan. ROOT aims to combine elements of science fiction, crime, and emotional storytelling in a new cinematic format.

Also Read : Aparshakti Khurana drops soulful new single ‘Lafzaan’, a year after ‘Zaroor’

On July 3, Mumbai-based listed real estate firm Arkade Developers Limited announced that it has signed a binding agreement to acquire 100% stake in Filmistan Pvt Ltd for Rs. 183 crore. The developer intends to launch a luxury apartment project on the site, with a projected gross development value of Rs. 3,000 crores.

The company stated that this acquisition will allow Arkade Developers to develop the iconic 4-acre land parcel located on SV Road in Goregaon West, widely recognized as ‘Filmistan Studios.’

The company mentioned that the project is tentatively planned to launch in 2026 and will be an ultra-luxury residential development. It will offer spacious 3, 4, and 5 BHK apartments, along with exclusive penthouses, spread across two impressive high-rise towers of 50 storeys each. With an estimated Gross Development Value (GDV) of Rs. 3,000 crores, the project is set to become a landmark in premium housing in Western Mumbai.

Mumbai-based listed developer Arkade Developers Ltd announced on July 3 that it has signed a binding agreement to acquire 100% stake in Filmistan Pvt Ltd for Rs. 183 crores. This acquisition will allow Arkade to develop the iconic 4-acre land on SV Road, Goregaon West, commonly known as Filmistan Studios.

The developer intends to launch an ultra-luxury residential project on the site in 2026, offering spacious 3, 4, and 5 BHK apartments along with exclusive penthouses spread across two 50-storey towers. With an expected Gross Development Value (GDV) of Rs. 3,000 crores, the project is poised to become a premium housing landmark in Western Mumbai.

According to the company, Goregaon has quickly evolved into one of Mumbai’s most promising and strategically located residential areas. Thanks to its excellent connectivity—with close access to the Western Express Highway, metro lines, and major arterial roads—the suburb provides easy access to key commercial centres like Mindspace, BKC, Goregaon, Andheri, and more.

Beyond its connectivity, Goregaon offers a strong social infrastructure that includes well-known schools, hospitals, shopping centres, malls, entertainment venues, and large green spaces such as Aarey Forest.

Local brokers noted that the average price per square foot for an apartment in Goregaon West ranges from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000, varying based on several factors.

After ‘raiding’ at the box office with Raid 2, Ajay Devgn is now gearing up for his next release, Son Of Sardaar 2. Bollywood Hungama was the first one to inform you that its teaser will be attached with the prints of Kajol’s mythological horror, Maa. And now we bring to you details on when the much-awaited trailer of the comic caper will be out.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Son Of Sardaar 2’s trailer will be unveiled next week, that is, Friday, July 11. The makers have planned a grand event for this joyous occasion in Mumbai. The entire cast will be present at the trailer launch event.”

Besides Ajay Devgn, Son Of Sardaar 2 features Mrunal Thakur, Ravi Kishan, Neeru Bajwa, Vindu Dara Singh, Ashwini Kalsekar, Deepak Dobriyal, Kubbra Sait, Chunky Panday, Sharat Saxena and many others. The source added, “All of them will be attending the launch. They share a great camaraderie with each other and had a blast working on the film. The same will be reflected at the trailer event. The makers are confident that it’ll be something to watch out for besides the trailer.”

The source also said, “Son Of Sardaar 2 releases in cinemas on July 25. Hence, the trailer releases exactly two weeks before, as per the norm nowadays. The teaser gave an idea of the world of the film and its characters. The trailer will touch upon the plot, grandeur, comic moments and also action. It’ll indicate to the audience that it’s a big-scale family entertainer and thus, further enhance its hype.”

Son Of Sardaar 2 is also the last film of actor Mukul Dev, who passed away recently. It is backed by Devgn Films, Jio Studios and YRV Studios, produced by Ajay Devgn, Jyoti Deshpande, N R Pachisia and Pravin Talreja, and directed by Vijay Kumar Arora.

Also Read: Son of Sardaar 2 teaser video drops: Ajay Devgn returns with double the comedy, chaos, and Punjabi swagger

In a recent development in the Jacqueline Fernandez–Sukesh Chandrasekhar case, the Delhi High Court has dismissed the actress’ plea seeking to quash the First Information Report (FIR) and the second supplementary chargesheet filed against her in connection with a Rs 200 crore money laundering case. The case involves alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, who reportedly showered the actress with luxury gifts.

On Thursday, Justice Anish Dayal rejected the Bollywood actor's request, which also aimed to halt the proceedings currently pending before a Delhi trial court. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating the case, opposed Fernandez's petition, arguing that the plea was not maintainable. The ED’s counsel pointed out that a special court had already taken cognisance of the chargesheet and had prima facie found a case against Fernandez. They also noted that the cognisance order itself had not been challenged by the actress.

The case has remained in the public eye since Jacqueline Fernandez’s name surfaced during the ED’s investigation. According to the agency, Fernandez allegedly received expensive gifts from Sukesh Chandrasekhar, which were financed through money extorted from Aditi Singh, the wife of a prominent businessman.

In her defence, Fernandez has maintained that she was unaware of the illegal sources of the gifts provided to her. During an earlier hearing in November, her counsel argued that Fernandez had no knowledge that the luxury items were funded through proceeds of crime. Her legal team further stated that while Fernandez came across media reports in 2019 linking Chandrasekhar to illicit activities, she did not verify the information and there is no legal foundation to claim that she knowingly accepted money or assets obtained through criminal means.

Her lawyers have insisted that the alleged lapse was an oversight rather than an intentional act and that the absence of criminal intent should exempt her from the charges under money laundering laws.

With the Delhi High Court’s decision to dismiss the plea, the case against Jacqueline Fernandez will now proceed in the trial court. Further developments in the matter are awaited as the investigation and legal proceedings continue.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Jacqueliene Fernandez to be honored at Italian Global Series Festival with Italian Audiovisual Industry Ambassador Excellence Award

In a significant development for fans of the Hera Pheri franchise, Paresh Rawal has officially confirmed his return to Hera Pheri 3, putting an end to weeks of speculation and disappointment. Director Priyadarshan, who is helming the much-anticipated film, shared the inside story behind Paresh Rawal’s surprising comeback in a recent interview with Mid-day.

“Both Akshay and Paresh called to say everything is sorted. I was in shock when Paresh said, ‘Sir, I’m doing the movie.’ He added, ‘I’ve never had anything but respect for you. I’ve done 26 films with you, and I’m sorry for leaving. There were some personal issues.’ He told me that he, Akshay, and Suniel met and cleared the air,” the director revealed.

For the past few weeks, fans were left disappointed when Paresh Rawal had earlier revealed that he had quit the film. The news caused widespread backlash, as audiences were particularly eager to see the iconic trio of Baburao Apte, Raju, and Shyam, played by Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, and Suniel Shetty respectively, reunite on screen. The situation even escalated to the point of legal discussions involving Akshay’s production house.

Fortunately, earlier this week, Paresh Rawal announced his decision to return, thrilling fans who had been waiting for the original cast to come back together.

Priyadarshan further reflected on the emotional connection audiences have with the franchise. "Whatever I do, I cannot surpass Hera Pheri. The second part was bad—it was a copy of a Hollywood film. But Hera Pheri can’t happen without all three. In fact, a diamond merchant once approached me on a flight and said, ‘Please bring back Paresh Rawal. We won’t watch it otherwise,’" he shared.

The director’s candid admission highlights the cultural impact of the original film and the irreplaceable chemistry of its lead actors. With the air now cleared between the actors and the team back on track, Hera Pheri 3 is officially moving forward with its beloved trio.

Fans can now look forward to another hilarious ride with the original cast, as the legacy of Hera Pheri continues to capture hearts across generations.

Also Read: Firoz Nadiadwala opens up about the return of Paresh Rawal to Hera Pheri 3, credits Sajid Nadiadwala; says, “The family is now together”

Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar are all set to reunite on the big screen for an intense thriller after 17 years, and the film now has an official title. The much-anticipated collaboration between the two Bollywood stars and acclaimed director Priyadarshan has been named Haiwaan, which translates to ‘beast’ in English.

The announcement of the film’s title has already sparked excitement among fans eagerly waiting to see Saif and Akshay together again after their last outing in the 2008 film Tashan. Their on-screen chemistry, combined with Priyadarshan’s expert handling of thrillers, is expected to bring a high-octane cinematic experience. According to a source from a leading news portal, "The team felt this describes their subject the best, and conveys exactly how Priyadarshan sees it - as an edge-of-the-seat thriller. There were other titles in contention, but this one clicked unanimously, given the characters the lead actors play."

Haiwaan is slated to go on floors in August, with the makers reportedly aiming for a grand release in 2026. While further details about the film’s plot are being kept under wraps, the title itself suggests a gritty, intense narrative that promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Fans are particularly excited about the energy Saif and Akshay are expected to bring to the film. Known for their distinct styles, both actors have carved successful careers in the thriller and action genres. Their return as co-stars, under Priyadarshan’s direction, has set the stage for what could be one of the most awaited releases in the coming years.

Saif Ali Khan was last seen in the heist thriller Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins, while Akshay Kumar recently wrapped Bhooth Bangla, also directed by Priyadarshan. With both actors stepping into another thrilling project, Haiwaan has quickly become a film to watch out for.

As shooting is expected to begin soon, more updates on casting, story details, and first-look teasers are likely to follow in the coming months. Until then, fans can look forward to this power-packed reunion that promises a blockbuster in the making.

Also Read: Ibrahim Ali Khan recalls thinking of “worst-case scenario” after Saif Ali Khan’s hospitalization in stabbing incident: “I wish I had been there”