With the release of Sitaare Zameen Par approaching, anticipation continues to build. Positioned as a spiritual successor to the 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, the trailer offers a glimpse into a heartfelt story filled with warmth and joy. Adding to the buzz, the film’s soulful soundtrack is resonating with audiences and keeping the excitement going ahead of its premiere.

Continuing the spree, yet another song, Shubh Mangalam, from the film is all set to release tomorrow.

The makers took to social media to share the teaser of ‘Shubh Mangalam’. As showcased in the teaser, the song radiates vibrant wedding vibes, featuring Aamir Khan, Genelia Deshmukh, and 10 shining Sitaare dancing and having a great time.

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They captioned the post with, “Alert the Pandit, prep the mandap. #ShubhMangalam arrives TOMORROW! Stay tuned! Watch #SitaareZameenPar 20th June Only in Theatres. Trailer out now.”

Aamir Khan Productions proudly presents 10 rising stars: Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar. Directed by R. S. Prasanna, who previously helmed the barrier-breaking blockbuster Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, now returns with the biggest collaboration with Aamir Khan Production’s Sitaare Zameen Par.

Made under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions, Sitaare Zameen Par stars Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh in lead roles along with the 10 rising stars. The lyrics are penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya and music is composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The screenplay is written By Divy Nidhi Sharma. The film is produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit, with B. Shrinivas Rao and Ravi Bhagchandka as producers. Directed by R. S. Prasanna, the film will be released in theatres only on 20th June, 2025.

Also Read : Sitaare Zameen Par early review: Sudha Murthy calls Aamir Khan starrer “eye-opener”; says, “This movie can bring a lot of change”

India, prepare to be serenaded by the stirring melodies of one of the world’s most beloved indie folk singer-songwriters, Passenger aka Michael Rosenberg. The voice behind the timeless hit ‘Let Her Go’, is all set to bring his 3-city India Tour, produced and promoted by BookMyShow Live, to fans this November as part of his much-anticipated Asia Tour.

The multi-award-winning, multi-platinum-selling artist will perform at DLF CyberHub in Delhi-NCR on November 19, followed by Phoenix Marketcity in Mumbai on November 21 and Phoenix Marketcity in Bengaluru on November 22, marking his first ever performances in India.

Tickets for Passenger’s India Tour go on sale at 10 AM IST on June 17, 2025, exclusively on BookMyShow, India’s leading entertainment destination.

Passenger shot to global fame with ‘Let Her Go’, the breakout single from his 2012 album ‘All The Little Lights’. The track not only climbed to the number one spot in 19 countries but also became the second most searched song of all time on Shazam, with billions of streams worldwide, transforming Rosenberg into an international sensation. Fans can’t get enough of his extended discography - tracks like ‘Simple Song’, ‘Anywhere’, ‘Sword from the Stone’ and ‘Life’s For The Living’ are on constant repeat, echoing through playlists and hearts alike.

Commenting on the tour, Naman Pugalia, Chief Business Officer – Live Events, BookMyShow said, “Passenger’s music holds a rare emotional weight, one that is quiet, introspective and deeply resonant. For many fans in India, his songs have been the soundtrack to personal moments, quietly weaving their way into everyday life. Bringing him to India for the very first time across three cities is incredibly special for us at BookMyShow Live. We’ve always believed in curating experiences that are as meaningful as they are memorable, and this tour is exactly that: intimate, honest and led entirely by the music.”

From stripped-down acoustic sets to soaring anthems delivered with raw vulnerability, his performances are known for their deep emotional resonance and honest simplicity. With a discography of 15 independently released studio albums, Rosenberg has carved a unique space in the global music landscape through his intimate songwriting, emotional storytelling and grassroots approach to touring.

Whether busking on street corners or headlining world-renowned venues, his ability to connect with audiences remains unmatched. Over the past year alone, Passenger has performed at some of the world’s most iconic venues, including Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, The Beacon Theatre in New York City, the Royal Albert Hall in London and two sold-out nights at the prestigious Sydney Opera House, showcasing his enduring global appeal and the magnetic quality of his live shows.

Passenger’s India tour promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans to witness one of the most soulful, passionate voices in contemporary music. With his heartfelt lyrics, minimalist sound and warm stage presence, Rosenberg brings stories of love, loss, hope and humanity to life, transcending borders and reaching millions of fans.

Also Read: Himesh Reshammiya’s Delhi show sells out: “We’re building something truly special for this night”

Popular television couple Kunal Verma and Puja Banerjee recently revealed they were victims of a devastating financial scam. In an emotional interview with ETimes, the duo shared that they were betrayed by someone they considered family—a close friend who left them financially broken.

“These past 2-3 months have been extremely difficult for us, and we have no idea what will happen next. We have been victims of a fraudulent financial scam, and we lost a huge amount. We have to start from zero, and we won't give up. We don't want to give up. We lost all our savings in this fraud... Humein wapis zero pe laake khada kar diya hai,” said Puja, adding that the betrayal has taken a heavy emotional toll on them.

Kunal Verma, echoing her emotions, said, “When you trust someone for the past 3 years... Has been with you, became a part of your home and family...” To this, Puja added, “We are deeply hurt, but we don't want to give up at this point and come out stronger.”

The couple, who welcomed their son Krishiv in October 2020, expressed that it was incredibly painful to disclose this ordeal publicly. “We have cried enough behind it and these past months were extremely shattering. All we want is support. It was impossible for us to share it with our family but now with this video they will come to know. It feels terrible to share such news with them. All our lives we have worked hard and earned.”

In a heartfelt plea to their fans and well-wishers, Puja asked for support and prayers. “We shall keep updating you all but pray that we get the amount that we lost back. We know it’s a long battle but we will fight it together.”

Kunal Verma and Puja Banerjee, who first met on the sets of Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna in 2008, tied the knot in a court ceremony in April 2020 during the pandemic. They later celebrated with a traditional wedding in November 2021, with their son Krishiv also in attendance.

Despite this personal and financial setback, the couple remains determined to rebuild their lives.

Also Read: Kunal Verma and Puja Banerjee donate their wedding expenses for COVID-19 relief

A recent report by Mid-Day created a buzz in Bollywood circles by claiming that Vicky Kaushal is in talks to join Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) celebrated Spy Universe. According to the report, the makers approached Kaushal following his acclaimed performance in Chhaava, where he was hailed for his action chops.

A recent report in the portal quoted a trade source about Vicky Kaushal joining the YRF universe saying, “Conversations have been happening for a while, and Vicky is keen to be part of this ambitious franchise. It’s still in the early stages, but the idea is to introduce a fresh narrative thread within the existing world.”

However, a well-placed industry source has now clarified to Bollywood Hungama that there is no truth to these claims. “It is not true at all. Currently, YRF is completely focusing on War 2. Yes, while they do have big plans for the spy universe, there are no plans about adding any such film to the franchise. As of now, no such film is being made,” the source shared, putting speculation to rest.

The YRF Spy Universe, helmed by producer Aditya Chopra, includes mega blockbusters like Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan, and Tiger 3. The next confirmed film in the pipeline is War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji and starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani which is slated for a global release on August 14, 2025.

Following War 2, the spotlight will shift to Alpha, the first female-led narrative in the spyverse. The film stars Alia Bhatt in the lead, with Sharvari and Anil Kapoor playing pivotal roles. We hear that the team is going to dedicate its complete energy on Alpha after War 2, and the source has asserted that there are no plans as yet for any additional entries.

While fans may love the idea of Vicky Kaushal entering the YRF spy fold, for now, it appears to be nothing more than speculation. As always, the studio is keeping its cards close to the chest—prioritizing confirmed projects over conjecture.

Also Read: Guru Dutt biopic in early talks; Vicky Kaushal considered to play the icon

Applause Entertainment's Criminal Justice: A Family Matter, which is the fourth season of the show, released two weeks ago on JioHotstar, and so far, it has maintained a high graph. For the second week in a row, Criminal Justice has stood as the most-watched show in India. Continuing with its upward trend, the Pankaj Tripathi-starrer show has been ranked #1 among the top 5 most-watched Indian originals for the week of June 2-8 with an impressive viewership of 10.3 million views.

It has stood among the most-watched original shows, including Heartbeat Season 2, The Last of Us Season 2, Hai Junoon: Dream. Dare. Dominate, and Kankhajura. At the time of its release, it registered the strongest opening for any OTT original on pay/freemium platforms in 2025, with and impressive 8.4 million views.

The official page of Applause Entertainment shared this feat on its social media page with a caption that read, “2 Weeks. 1 Verdict. India’s Most-Watched Series. Criminal Justice: A Family Matter now streaming only on @jiohotstar Catch a new episode every Thursday.”

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In Criminal Justice Season 4, Pankaj Tripathi reprises his role as Madhav Mishra and holds the court in a murder case by playing a defence lawyer. Apart from Pankaj Tripathi, the show also stars Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, and Shweta Basu Prasad, who ensure to keep the series engaging. Produced by Applause Entertainment in association with BBC Studios India and directed by Rohan Sippy, Criminal Justice season 4 is now streaming on JioHotstar.

Though the platform has released four episodes in the latest season, the audience can’t wait to watch more episodes soon. Despite the makers unveiling one episode each week, viewers are hooked to its rich narrative.

Also Read: Metro…In Dino trailer launch: Pankaj Tripathi steals the show: “Aaj kal pyaar ke baad social media bhi ek ghante ke liye jaga deta hai! Premika so gayi hai lekin Instagram nahin”

Karan Johar is known for his candour, and in a recent conversation with Bollywood Hungama, the filmmaker once again shared some hard-hitting insights - this time on the current state of storytelling in the Hindi film industry. From genre fatigue to the obsession with cinematic universes, Johar didn’t hold back in expressing his views on why originality should be celebrated, not sidelined.

“I think it's everybody grappling to do what others are doing. I think herd mentality. So, we see Pushpa running and catering so strongly to the tier two and tier three audiences. Suddenly there'll be 20 others wanting to do the same. You see Chhaava working, and everybody will want to make historical dramas! After Stree, everybody wants to make horror comedies. Those worked because they were individually strong, and there was no other option in that genre. And it was a unique thought that made those films work. We all have individual thoughts that are unique to ourselves,” Karan told Bollywood Hungama.

Known for producing a wide range of stories across genres, Johar emphasized that he is not chasing the trend of building a cinematic universe. For him, storytelling is the true universe. KJo shared, “When somebody asked me the other day, you have a universe, I said, as in, so he said, like, you know, like, like, my universe is a comedy genre universe. I said, my universe is cinema itself. My universe is stories. I'm not here to build universes. I'm here to tell stories”.

He went on to continue, “And if there is in that story a universe, then why not? More power (to them)! I love that there is a horror comedy universe that Maddock has so brilliantly created and cultivated. It's fantastic. What Dinesh Vijan has done is outstanding. I have so much regard for Aditya Chopra - as I said, he's my mentor. The Spy universe is fantastic, but if I start emulating them, how am I going to stand out?”

Johar concluded his passionate take with a powerful reminder that originality is key to lasting success. “So my way of doing it is like really telling individual stories. And in that journey, if there is a universe that comes along, then why not? But I think what we are combating, to go back to your question, is herd mentality, and also grappling with what others are doing and trying to achieve the same success, right? Success, success cannot be emulated. You know, it cannot. You can't force a you cannot. You can't, no, you can't emulate success. You can create it with your own individuality, and that's what we should yearn,” he concluded.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Karan Johar shuts down Ranbir Kapoor-Ranveer Singh rivalry rumours; says, “We are all friends above anything else”

Vatsal Sheth and Ishita Dutta have embraced parenthood once again! The much-loved couple, who welcomed their first child—a baby boy named Vayu—in July 2023, have now been blessed with a baby girl. On Monday, June 10, the actors took to Instagram to share the joyful news with fans and friends from the industry.

The couple posted a touching photo featuring the entire family, including their newborn daughter, son Vayu, and Ishita herself, who is still recovering at the hospital. Dressed in a hospital gown, Ishita smiled gently at her family, while holding their newborn daughter whereas Young Vayu, who was held by Vatsal, also posed adorably with his parents and new sibling, making the moment even more special.

The post was captioned with a heartfelt message: “From two to four hearts beating as one. Our family is now complete. Blessed with a baby girl.” The caption reflected the overwhelming joy the couple is experiencing as they step into this new phase of life with two children.

As soon as the announcement went live, wishes poured in from across the entertainment fraternity. Celebrities such as Bobby Deol, Rakul Preet Singh, Seema Sajdeh, Vahbiz Dorabjee, Suniel Shetty, Kishwer Merchantt, Sonnalli Seygall, Ridhima Pandit, Tanvi Thakker, Helly Shah, and many others flooded the comment section with love and blessings for the new parents.

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Vatsal Sheth and Ishita Dutta have both had successful careers across television, Bollywood, and regional cinema. The couple met on the sets of the television show Rishton Ka Saudagar – Baazigar and soon fell in love. They tied the knot on November 28, 2017, in an intimate yet dreamy ceremony attended by close friends and family.

After becoming first-time parents in July 2023, the couple had announced their second pregnancy in a special post on February 14 this year, marking Valentine’s Day with the news of their growing family.

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With the arrival of their daughter, Vatsal and Ishita have now stepped into an exciting new chapter. Fans and well-wishers continue to shower them with blessings as the couple begins life as a family of four.

Also Read: Ajay Devgn announces his AI company Prismix along with Danish Devgn, actor Vatsal Sheth, and Sahil Nayar

Miss World Manushi Chhillar is set to take on a unique role in her upcoming film Maalik, releasing on July 11. The makers have recently unveiled her look from the movie. Wearing simple, traditional Indian attire, Manushi appears natural and elegant alongside her co-star Rajkummar Rao. Her shift from a glamorous image to a more understated look has already caught attention on social media. Directed by Pulkit and produced by Kumar Taurani and Jay Shewakramani, the film presents Manushi in a role that’s different from anything she’s done before.

Manushi sure aimed to impress and surprise us with her look and count us impressed! She makes a subtle departure from her previous on-screen appearances and roles with Maalik, thus signaling her ambition to be taken seriously as a versatile performer in the industry. Introduced as Maalik Ki Dhadkan the poster sees Manushi and Rajkummar looking picture perfect together. Rajkummar Rao, introduced Manushi's character and wrote, “Jinke bina chalti nahi #Maalik ki dhadkan, unse hogi aaj mulaqaat.”

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While the poster showcases nothing but love and chemistry between the leading pair, given that Maalik is an intense gangster drama, there is speculation about how Manushi's character contains more layers than just meets the eye. Maalik also boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring legendary actor Prosenjit Chatterjee, alongside powerful performers like Anshumaan Pushkar, and Swanand Kirkire in pivotal roles.

As per sources, Manushi's character, which was being kept under the wraps, will be seen playing a crucial role and makers want to keep it that way till its D-Day. Comments under the post ranged from netizens praising Manushi's simplicity in the posters for taking up roles that would challenge her comfort zone. After the release of Maalik, Manushi will next be seen in Tehran, where she will be sharing screen space with John Abraham.

Also Read : Rajkummar Rao boards Aditya Nimbalkar’s murder mystery as lead and co-producer: Report

Chhorii 2, the latest installment in the Chhorii franchise, received widespread acclaim and audience love. Built on the success of the original, Chhorii 2 was praised for pushing the boundaries of Indian horror with its gripping storyline, incredible performances, and chilling world, further cementing the Chhorii franchise as a successful standout in the genre.

Building on the momentous success of Chhorii 2 as well as their shared vision for creating genre-defying stories, Abundantia Entertainment’s Vikram Malhotra and director Vishal Furia are set to reunite to develop a fresh slate of projects under Abundantia Entertainment’s horror genre vertical, Psych.

This collaboration marks a significant step forward in Abundantia Entertainment’s commitment to delivering diverse, high-impact genre storytelling for Indian and global audiences. Vishal Furia, known for his unique directorial vision and horror genre expertise, once again brings his creative prowess to Abundantia’s upcoming horror slate.

With Psych, Abundantia aims to create high-quality, engaging narratives that go beyond jump scares and into exploring psychological, supernatural, and culturally rooted horror.

Vikram Malhotra, Founder & CEO, Abundantia Entertainment, said, “This collaboration is not just about creating scary films together—it’s about creating a compelling universe of horror that connects with today’s evolving audience. Vishal’s command over the genre and his distinct storytelling voice have already made the Chhorii franchise one of the country’s disruptive entertainment success stories. Vishal is the perfect creative partner as we scale Psych into a powerhouse destination for horror.”

Vishal Furia, Director of Chhoriiand Chhorii 2, added, “Our journey with the Chhorii franchise has been thrilling and enriching, and this collaboration is the next step in our shared ambition to shape a new wave of horror content in India, I’m excited to continue this creative partnership with Vikram and Abundantia Entertainment and build stories that stay with the audience long after the credits roll.”

The collaboration kicks off with two films that are already under development. The first one is inspired by a shocking and chilling true story set in the contemporary urban landscape, while the second story seeks to delve into Indian cultural mythology and a scary manifestation therein.

As one of the exceptional Indian content producers with a dedicated horror vertical, the partnership underscores Abundantia’s focus on impactful, creator-driven content and its ambition to be at the forefront of genre innovation in India. With Vishal Furia on board, Psych promises to deliver compelling, platform-agnostic stories that will redefine horror for Indian audiences.

Also Read: Madhuri Dixit and Triptii Dimri team up for a mother-daughter adventure with Abundantia Entertainment: Report

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is gearing up with the third installment of their trilogy, The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter, which is now renamed as The Bengal Files: Right to Life. The film will now be released as The Bengal Files: Right to Life, scheduled for theatrical release on September 5, 2025. The makers of the film, Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi, along with Vivek Agnihotri, have finalised the decision.

This film marks the third installment in Agnihotri's "Files" trilogy, following The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022). The upcoming film delves into the communal violence in undivided Bengal during the 1940s, particularly focusing on events like Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots. Agnihotri has described these incidents as a "Hindu genocide" and aims to shed light on this often overlooked chapter of Indian history.

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The film features a stellar cast, including Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher and Pallavi Joshi in pivotal roles. Despite the challenges faced during production, including safety concerns that led to filming in Mumbai instead of Kolkata, Agnihotri and his team have completed the project and are set to share this important story with audiences nationwide.

The makers had released the teaser of the film a few months ago, which featured veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty in a haunting first look, walking through an empty corridor with a rugged appearance and a white beard, reciting the Preamble to the Constitution with a burnt tongue.

The Bengal Files is written by Vivek 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 & I Am Buddha Productions is a part of Vivek’s Files trilogy that includes The Kashmir Files and The Tashkent Files.

Also Read: Vivek Agnihotri praises Anil Kapoor’s unparalleled dedication on the sets of Chocolate; says, “Woh set pe aate hi wahi pe patak se kapde change kar lete hain”

The Padukone School of Badminton (PSB), founded and funded by Deepika Padukone and mentored by former World No. 1 and All England Champion Prakash Padukone, has achieved a significant milestone by establishing over 75 grassroots coaching centres across 18 Indian cities - including Bengaluru, NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Jaipur, Pune, Nashik, Mysuru, Panipat, Dehradun, Udaipur, Coimbatore, Sangli, and Surat - within its first year of operations.

With its “Badminton for All" mission, PSB aims to scale to 100 centres by the end of this year and 250 within the next three years.

Deepika Padukone, Founder of PSB, said: “As someone who grew up playing badminton, I’ve experienced firsthand how much this sport can shape one’s life – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Through PSB, I hope we can bring the joy and discipline of badminton to people from all walks of life, and build a generation that is healthier, more focused, and inspired by sport.”

Prakash Padukone, PSB’s Mentor and Advisor, said: “Sport is an integral part of growing up – it instills discipline, resilience, and a winning mindset that extends well beyond the court. With PSB, our goal is to make quality coaching accessible and affordable, nurture talent from the grassroots, and set a strong foundation for the future of Indian badminton.”

PSB’s vision is to democratize access to quality and affordable badminton coaching, providing opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels. Through its standardized, scalable coaching methodology, developed under the guidance of Prakash Padukone, the organization seeks to introduce a nationwide community of school children and working professionals to the sport. It also aims to empower aspiring coaches with certified training and sustainable career paths.

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PSB partners with schools, institutions, and existing venues to set up grassroots academies that feed into its flagship Training Program at the 3 High-Performance Centres of Excellence in Bengaluru. With over 100 coaches trained under a structured certification program and access to cutting-edge facilities, PSB’s coaching system ensures consistency, quality, and the ability to identify and nurture future champions.

Also Read: Hilton and Deepika Padukone launch It Matters Where You Stay campaign

The comic caper Housefull 5 performed well at the box office over the weekend as it collected more than Rs. 80 crores. It wasn’t just another laugh riot; it is a murder mystery and moreover, two versions of the film were released. Named Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B, it had two different endings, that is, the murderer differed. The strategy caught attention and further added to the chatter around the film. In this special feature, we’ll analyse whether this strategy paid dividends to the makers at the ticket window.

On Wednesday, we reported that the distributors and makers have planned to divide shows equally between the two versions and in single screens, 3 shows of 5A will be played and two shows of 5B will be played. But on the day of release, it became clear that 5A was getting more preference from the viewers. Accordingly, theatres reduced shows of Housefull 5B from Saturday or Sunday.

Bollywood Hungama looked at cinemas across the country to check the showcasing on Sunday and Monday. Many cinemas had reduced the shows of Housefull 5B on Sunday and it further went down on Monday.

Cinepolis Thane played 28 shows of 5A and 10 shows of 5B on Sunday. On Monday, the sprawling multiplex will play 29 shows of 5A and 7 shows of 5B. MovieTime Hub Goregaon has reduced 5B's shows from 5 on Sunday to 3 on Monday.

PVR Lower Parel played 10 shows of both Housefull 5A and 5B on Sunday. An industry insider explained, “Some cinemas had opened bookings until Sunday and patrons must have booked some tickets in every show. Hence, many cinemas didn't change the schedule until Sunday but will make the change from Monday.”

From Monday, PVR Lower Parel will play 6 shows of 5B while 5A will have 13 shows a day. The same applies to MovieMax Sion. From 5 shows to both 5A and 5B on Sunday, the schedule was tweaked from Monday. 5A will have 5 shows while only 3 shows a day have been allotted to 5B.

Outside Mumbai, the difference is even more profound. Cinepolis P&M Mall, Patna, on Sunday, had as many as 12 shows of Housefull 5A on Sunday while Housefull 5B had just 1 show. Connplex Cinemas JD Mall, Patna also allotted just 1 show of Housefull 5B. Entertainment Paradise, Jaipur had 5 shows of 5B on Sunday and on Monday, it'll have just 1 show.

PVR Logix, Noida played 23 shows of 5A on Sunday and 13 shows of 5B. The number went down to 11 for 5B. Inox Nehru Place, Delhi reduced the shows of 5B from 6 shows on Sunday to just 2 on Monday.

PVR Elante Chandigarh, too, will have just 2 shows of 5B from Monday, down from 5 shows on Sunday. In Kolkata, Cinepolis Lake Mall and Cinepolis Acropolis Mall are playing 5B with 1 show a day while 5A has 8 shows.

Some cinemas are an exception. Miraj Wadala, Mumbai had 6 shows of both 5A and 5B on Sunday and kept the same showcasing for Monday. Wide Angle Ahmedabad, meanwhile, has astonished one and all as it played more shows of Housefull 5B than 5A. On Sunday, it allotted 4 shows to 5A and 9 shows to 5B. On Monday, no show of 5A has been scheduled while 5B will continue to have all 9 shows.

On the other hand, some cinemas have done away with Housefull 5B completely. Cinepolis Mohali had 16 shows of Housefull 5A on Sunday and 15 shows on Monday. 5B, meanwhile, had zero shows on both days. The iconic Raj Mandir, Jaipur has 4 shows of Housefull 5, all of which are of 5A.

Even The Friday Cinema in Surat has done the same. Kiritbhai T Vaghasia, the owner of The Friday Cinema, explained, “On Friday, I kept equal shows of both versions. But we realized that moviegoers didn’t know about it and there was confusion. Some assumed that Housefull 5B is a sequel to Housefull 5A! Therefore, they decided to watch 5A first and hoped to watch 5B later in the week or next week.”

He added, “Moreover, on BookMyShow, patrons were invariably selecting 5A while checking the bookings. They would select the show of their choice and book tickets. This affected footfalls of 5B while Housefull 5A got a great response. Very few chose 5B; it was running at 50% occupancy of 5A.”

He continued, “On Saturday, I kept just one show of 5B, early in the morning. The other theatres of Surat have also opted for the same strategy.”

Vishek Chauhan, owner of Roopbani Cinema in Purnia, Bihar, exulted, “Logically, A comes before B. So, people opt for 5A.  I believe that there shouldn’t have been 2 versions. It created confusion. From Week 2, I’d suggest that the makers should play either 5A or 5B. Or ideally, the makers should have released Housefull 5B two weeks later, when Sitaare Zameen Par would arrive in cinemas. They should have announced that they had already shot an alternate ending and that it’s now available in cinemas. That would have made sense and would have enticed people to see it again.”

An exhibitor from North India said, “5B shows have been reduced. This is because when you open the booking websites, 5A is seen first. Hence, the sale of 5A is more. The public is not even looking at Housefull 5B’s page. Hence, to capitalize on 5A’s popularity, 5B’s shows are being reduced and replaced with the former. On Friday, it was 50-50 or 60-40. But when theatres realized what was happening, they immediately changed. Now it’s either 70-30 or 80-20.”

What is heartening is that the film has been accepted. Kiritbhai T Vaghasia said, “The ticket sales were very encouraging on Saturday and Sunday. As for the word of mouth, it is a bit mixed. Those who are watching with their families are getting embarrassed with certain jokes. Yet, it got a great turnout.”

Vishek Chauhan agreed, “Everywhere, the film has performed well. It is a success. In fact, 5B’s suspense has been liked more.”

The industry insider explained, “Producer Sajid Nadiadwala should be lauded for trying something new. No other producer would have dared to think of something like this, forget executing it. Sajid implemented it so neatly and hence, both he and this move would go down in history.”

Also Read: Akshay Kumar surprises fans in disguise outside Bandra theatre for Housefull 5