Vir Das faced a major controversy in 2021 when his video, ‘I Come From Two Indias,’ received a lot of hate from a section of netizens. During an interesting conversation with Mayank Shekhar of Mid-Day, the actor-comedian opened up like never before on shocking changes in his life after this episode.

Vir explained why he shifted to Goa and why he decided to return to Mumbai, “You can’t write stand-up in Goa. For that, you need to know the pulse of the audience. In Goa, it seems like the day is 37 hours long! Time slows down. What I like about Goans is that everybody, who shows up from the outside, is running from something (smiles). They are trying to deal with something in life and hence, they have come and settled in Goa. Goans are non-judgmental about it. They have seen people in all sorts of tragedies. But then I realized it was time to stop running and come back.”

When asked what he was running away from, Vir replied, “Dude, I had no work for a year and a half after the ‘Two Indias’ controversy. My phone wasn’t ringing. I thought I’d rather be in Goa, work on myself and write.”

Vir Das explained, “There were zero phone calls. If it did ring, it wasn’t a happy phone call (laughing). It would be like someone shouting, ‘Kahan hai tu? Tujhe dhund lunga main’. After that, my phone was off for four months. There was no work. Then, I worked on Vir Das: Landing. It jumpstarted everything.” The Netflix special won the Emmy Awards and gave a huge boost to Vir Das’ career.

Vir Das then shared another horrifying story which happened after the ‘Two Indias’ controversy, “I woke up on a flight that I thought was from Singapore to Mumbai, but it was London-bound. I had put up a last-minute show in London; we had sold a thousand tickets. I myself changed the flight, bought my ticket and checked myself in. And then I woke up on the flight and for two hours, I had no idea how I got on that flight. It was my 186th show that year.”

Vir added, “I was told that the flight was heading to London. I yelled, ‘No, this flight is to Mumbai’. When a brown man with a beard starts yelling about a new destination for the plane, everybody knows that the situation needs to be handled (laughs)! But for the life of me, I couldn’t figure it out for two hours. And you can’t feel bad for being disoriented in the first class (laughs).”

He further said, “I had to go to my therapist and explained her that I have blocked out 72 hours. She told me, ‘You’ve been on the road for way too long’. This was in the post ‘Two Indias’ phase where (performing in) India wasn’t an option. That’s how I ended up doing 186 shows abroad.”

Also Read: Vir Das shares hilarious in-flight encounter with Rishi Kapoor after the latter had a fight with Neetu Kapoor

One of Zee TV’s most popular shows, Kumkum Bhagya, is reportedly set to go off air after an incredible 11-year run. The romantic drama, which began with the beloved pairing of Shabir Ahluwalia and Sriti Jha, has been a staple of Indian television since its launch and is currently tracing the fourth generation of its storyline.

As per a source close to the development who spoke to IWMBUZZ, “Kumkum Bhagya, which presently has Pranali Rathod, Namik Paul, and Akshay Bindra as the fourth-generation leads in the show, will soon go off air. The decision, apparently, has been made to end the long-running show. The show has been struggling with a drop in TRPs for some time now."

Currently, the series stars Pranali Rathod as Prarthana, Namik Paul as Shivansh, and Akshay Bindra as Raunak, focusing on a new-age romance while still holding onto its family drama roots. Despite these changes, the show has been unable to maintain its earlier TRP highs, prompting the makers to call time on its journey.

Launched in 2014, Kumkum Bhagya started off as a love story between rockstar Abhi (Shabir Ahluwalia) and the strong-willed Pragya (Sriti Jha). Their chemistry quickly made the show a household favourite, drawing in massive ratings and winning multiple awards. Over the years, the storyline underwent several leaps, introducing new generations and fresh love angles to keep the narrative engaging.

After Shabir and Sriti’s exit, the next chapter focused on Mughda Chaphekar and Krishna Kaul, who also garnered a loyal fan following. Later, Rachi Sharma and Abrar Qazi stepped in, receiving appreciation for their portrayals before the show moved into its current fourth-generation track.

However, despite these casting changes and storyline shifts, the show’s TRPs have been on a downward slide in recent months. With competition from newer shows and changing audience preferences, the decision to wrap up Kumkum Bhagya marks the end of an era for Zee TV.

Fans have already begun expressing nostalgia on social media, recalling their favourite moments from the show’s decade-long journey. While an official announcement from the channel is awaited, industry insiders believe the final episodes will air in the coming months.

For viewers who have followed the series from the Abhi-Pragya days to the present, the end of Kumkum Bhagya will be an emotional farewell to a show that defined prime-time television for over a decade.

Also Read: Namik Paul reacts to turning anti-hero for the first time for Kumkum Bhagya; says, “It’s both exciting and challenging to tap into the character of Shivansh Randhawa”

In a surprising turn of events, the Rajinikanth-led Coolie has taken a massive lead over the Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr. led War 2 in the advance bookings at the US box office. With 9 days to go for release, the 6th chapter of Spy Universe has sold tickets worth USD 205K (Hindi + Telugu) in North America, as compared to Lokesh Kanagaraj's film, which has clocked a phenomenal advance booking of USD 1.2 million.

One must note that the North American market is dominated by the Telugu audience, and yet, a Tamil film has taken a big lead in the booking. The scenario is uniform at every place where the pre-sales have opened, with Coolie taking a big lead over War 2, which includes Australia and New Zealand too.

This trend has come across as a surprise as War 2 is a much bigger film than Coolie on the budget front, as also it comes from an already established franchise. More centers are expected to open soon for both films, but the initial lead in this overseas battle is currently inclined towards Rajinikanth, as Coolie is leading the show by a huge margin. What comes across as a shocker is the fact that the Telugu dubbed version of Coolie (USD 200K) is leading over the Telugu version of War 2 (USD 155K) in the US.

While the sales of the Hindi version of War 2 (USD 50K) are negligible, trailing behind Pathaan, Dunki, Jawan, Tiger 3, and Animal, the Telugu version too is trailing behind films like Game Changer in the US. The next 9 days are crucial as War 2 needs to begin to gain momentum to leave a mark in the international markets.

Also Read: War 2: Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR indulge in off-screen banter; sets internet on fire ahead of epic showdown

A couple of months back, Namit Malhotra made an announcement about using AI to lip sync all his characters from Ramayana in multiple languages all across the world. The producer also promised this to be a one-of-its-kind in-built technology for the cinema-goers. In the midst of him making these announcements, producer Aditya Chopra was silently working on incorporating the similar technology for War 2.

Reliable trade sources confirmed to Bollywood Hungama, "To provide an immersive experience to the cinema-goers, Yash Raj Films are treating War 2 as a true-blue multilingual with lip sync in Telugu and Hindi. While NTR Jr. has dubbed for both the languages by himself, team YRF has used modern-day AI on dubbing artist to match Hrithik Roshan's voice in Telugu and also lip-sync in as many moments as possible."

The source tells us further, "NTR Jr. has been creatively involved in writing the Telugu dialogues of War 2. In-fact, he got his own team of writers to write the dialogues, and enhanced them at as many moments as possible. He knows the Telugu audience, and worked closely to deliver a product that excites them to perfection."

Interestingly, even in the teaser, the AI tech was used for better impact in Telugu, and the same has met with overwhelming positive reaction from the audience in Telugu. "The dialogues in the Telugu were conceptualized by NTR Jr. in consultation with Aditya Chopra."

War 2 releases on August 14, 2025! Also Read: War 2: Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR indulge in off-screen banter; sets internet on fire ahead of epic showdown

Bollywood actress Madhurima Tuli is all set to make a powerful on-screen return, this time alongside action star John Abraham in the much-anticipated film Tehran. In what promises to be a pivotal role, Madhurima steps into the shoes of John’s wife—a character layered with strength, sensitivity, and grace.

Speaking about her role, Madhurima shared, “I’m playing John’s wife in the film, where I bring calmness into his chaotic life. It’s a strong, independent woman’s role—something I really connected with.”

Known for her versatility and commanding presence, Madhurima is expected to bring a refreshing emotional depth to the narrative. While Tehran is pegged as a high-octane thriller with geopolitical undertones, her character seems to ground the story in emotion, offering balance to the intensity John Abraham brings to the screen.

This pairing of John and Madhurima is already generating buzz, not just for the film’s gripping premise but also for the unexpected yet compelling chemistry the two actors promise to deliver.

With Tehran shaping up to be both a thrilling ride and a heartfelt story, Madhurima’s fans have every reason to be excited.

Also Read: Exclusive: John Abraham opens up about the ‘heartbreaking’ decision of skipping theatrical release of Tehran; says, “Because of the controversies around, theatres were a little wary”

A day after unveiling a powerful new poster that left fans buzzing, the makers of 120 Bahadur have now dropped the much-awaited teaser — and it roars with scale, soul, and searing patriotism. Featuring Farhan Akhtar in a fierce avatar as Major Shaitan Singh Bhati (PVC), the first glimpse promises a cinematic war epic rooted in courage and sacrifice.

Inspired by the real-life heroism of the Battle of Rezang La (1962), the teaser offers a pulse-pounding look at the bravery of 120 Indian soldiers who stood their ground against thousands. At its heart is the thunderous declaration: “Hum Peechhe Nahin Hatenge!” — a line that echoes throughout the visuals and sets the emotional core of the film.

Makers, taking to their official handle, posted the teaser along with the caption: "Yeh wardi sirf himmat nahin, balidaan bhi maangti hai! Based on the incredible true story is a war forged in snow and sealed with sacrifice. 120 Bahadur, teaser out now. Releasing in cinemas near you on 21st Nov, 2025. #120Bahadur #EkSauBeesBahadur #DadaKishanKiJai "

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Marking Farhan Akhtar’s powerful return to the big screen, the teaser showcases him in a transformative role — intense, restrained, and deeply stirring. His portrayal of Major Shaitan Singh is already drawing acclaim for its authenticity and quiet command.

Shot across Ladakh, Rajasthan, and Mumbai, and mounted on a never-before scale, 120 Bahadur recreates the war front with an unflinching eye. From frozen terrains to battlefield silence, every frame carries weight.

Directed by Razneesh “Razy” Ghai and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani & Farhan Akhtar (Excel Entertainment) and Amit Chandrra (Trigger Happy Studios), 120 Bahadur releases in cinemas on 21st November 2025.

Also Read: Hrithik Roshan, Dia Mirza, and others applaud new poster of 120 Bahadur starring Farhan Akhtar

Vineet Kumar Singh show Rangeen recently released on Amazon Prime. He stars alongside Rajshri Deshpande, Taaruk Raina, Sheeba Chaddha and Meghna Malik. Viineet spoke about the show, his character and more in an interview with us.

Your new series Rangeen has shocked everyone by addressing the topic of female sexuality There have been few films or serials about female orgasm. In general, if a survey is done, then I feel that many people will not be able to understand what is being said. But it is okay. Due to this series Rangeen, there is a discussion going on somewhere. There are some talks going on. And it is good to have a discussion. When there is a discussion, there is an understanding of taboo subjects.

From the place that you are in now, what are you looking for in your roles and films? The place where I am right now, I am mostly looking for variety. The shades of the characters should be different. The temperament of the character should be different. There should be something new in the character. And at the same time, I have to explore a new space.

And that is? That is comedy. Because it is my gut feeling that I will be able to do it very well. So, that is the space that I have to explore. I have got a chance in dark comedy. And I am really happy about that. I want to do out and out comedy. Let's see when I get that chance. Along with that, from the essays that I have written in my childhood in school it is embedded in my mind that cinema is the mirror of society. So somewhere, this thing has been imprinted in my mind. So, my effort is that with all kinds of films. I should do some such films. I should do some such characters through which I can contribute something as an actor in society. So that is also an effort. Some message should be given. Even if it is a small message. But along with entertaining, a message should be given. I also want to explore some historical things. Like I got a chance in Chhaava. So let's see. It is not in my hands. But yes, this is the thought.

And action? Yes! I want to do all these things. I want to do an out and out action film like Taken. I like Taken very much. The entire franchise of Taken looks very good. So, that is what I want to do. And there are lots of things. Let's see where life takes us. I don't plan much now. What happens in front of me, I want to live it well by putting my heart in it. I want to do it well. It has been released. And the things that are going to come after this.

What next? I have done a show with TVF. It is a very good show. I won't be able to say much about it now. But it is a film with Anurag Kashyap. And there is a film of mine that is made. Waiting for its release. Aadhaar, which is a very good film. And I am waiting when it will be (released). Apart from that, I have done something with Anand L. Rai. When I did Mukkabaaz earlier, he was the producer. This time he is the director. So, I have done a very special work with Anand sir. And apart from this, there are two more things that I won't be able to talk about now. Because it will be too early. So these are the things that are going to come. And there are so many other things where I am in talk. So that is also exciting news. When the right time comes, I will share everything.

Would you say Chhaava was a game-changer for you? When Chhaava came, I never expected this impact. So I did the historical character of Kavi Kalash in Chhaava. I have never done anything like this in my career. But when I did it, the love I am getting, I have no words to describe it. Again after that, when I did Jaat, a negative character, I have never done such an out and out, negative, hero-and-villain film. When I did that, I got a lot of love from people. So whenever there is such an opportunity in front of me, where there is a chance to do something new, then I want to grab it, I want to do it. So this is a good thing. If there are many possibilities left in me.

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Many feel you should have played the main lead in Chhaava It means that somewhere people have faith in my talent. That I will walk a long way now. And I just want to bow my head and do my work. And I will do my work quietly and humbly. My character in Rangeen attracted me a lot. And there were so many things that pulled me towards it. In this show, to do this. And for preparation, I read the script many times. Then I talked to the writers a lot. How they are looking at the character. How they are looking at his journey. How they are looking at his transformation. How they are looking at the very sensitive scenes. And then I make my boxes.

How much preparation went into Rangeen? What is the physicality of my journalist character who is lost in his world? The external preparation starts first. What will be his physicality? What are his habits? And then I stick all those boxes. And then I somehow figured out about his inner things, which is very helpful from the script, which is very helpful from the writer. What kind of a person is he? How does he react? How does he think? What are his relationships? How does he function professionally? How does he respond in his personal life? I somehow figure out all those things.

He is a common man. So it is very easy to relate with that character. I am really thankful to all my co-stars. They are wonderful actors. Be it Rajshri. Be it Taruk. Be it Sheeba Chaddha. Be it Meghna Malik. And the other actors. Because when a co-actor understands the depth of the scene then there is a lot of possibility that something amazing happens. So, when I work with better actors. Then somewhere those actors help me to excel as an actor. So I am really thankful. And now I am very happy. People are talking about Rangeen. And it's trending on number 1 on Amazon. I am very happy. I am getting very good feedback.

Also Read: Viineet Kumar Singh gets real about modern relationships in Prime Video’s Rangeen; says, “The show is about two of life’s most important pillars: knowing and accepting”

The announcement of the 71st National Film Awards on August 1 brought celebration for Shah Rukh Khan fans as the Bollywood superstar clinched his first-ever National Award for Best Actor for his performance in Jawan, marking a historic moment in his 33-year-long career. However, not everyone appears to be in favor of the jury’s decision.

Veteran Malayalam actress Urvashi, who won Best Supporting Actress for Ullozhukku (shared with Gujarati actress Janki Bodiwala for Vash), has expressed her disappointment over the category placement of fellow actor Vijayaraghavan, raising questions about the criteria used to distinguish between main and supporting roles. Urvashi Speaks Out on Jury Fairness In a conversation with Asianet News, Urvashi strongly voiced her opinion that Vijayaraghavan’s performance in the Malayalam film Pookkaalam deserved greater recognition than Best Supporting Actor.

“Vijayaraghavan is such a great actor. What exactly did the jury consider to distinguish between Vijayaraghavan's and Shah Rukh Khan's performances? How did one become a supporting actor and the other the best actor? On what criteria?” she questioned.

She emphasized that both actors bring decades of experience to the screen and that such decisions should not be influenced by budget or production scale. “We should raise such questions, as we too are taxpaying citizens,” Urvashi added, referring to the need for transparency and fairness in the jury process. Vijayaraghavan’s Dedication Highlighted Urvashi went on to praise Vijayaraghavan’s dedication and transformation in Pookkaalam, where he portrayed a 100-year-old man. She revealed that she was initially approached to play his on-screen partner in the same film but turned down the offer due to the extensive makeup requirements. “Even if you pay me crores, I wouldn't do it. But he, at his age, endured all of that and performed. That alone deserves at least a Special Mention,” she said.

At the awards, Shah Rukh Khan shared the Best Actor title with Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail. Meanwhile, Vijayaraghavan received the Best Supporting Actor honour for his role in Pookkaalam, opposite veteran actress K. P. A. C. Leela.

Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan replies to Shashi Tharoor’s “simple praise” with classic wit after National Award win

A new twist to the plot — vastly different from what Aanand L Rai originally shot with Dhanush in their acclaimed film Raanjhanaa twelve years ago — has angered fans of the film, the director, and the actor alike.

The producers of Raanjhanaa, Eros International, have reportedly altered the ending of the film using artificial intelligence to create a new “happy” conclusion. While Aanand L Rai had already voiced his opposition to this AI-generated desecration, Dhanush has now joined the battle, publicly taking a stand against the modification.

Aanand Rai confirms that he and Dhanush are “brothers from different mothers,” and are currently exploring various legal avenues to counter what he describes as “a very dangerous precedent.”

“I am very worried about my other films. So is Dhanush. We are actively looking at judicial remedies to restore and preserve our creative content from such extraneous interventions,” says Aanand.

Apart from Raanjhanaa, the filmmaker and actor have previously collaborated on Atrangi Re and are already planning a third project together. “But before we move forward, we are committed to tackling the current crisis,” Aanand Rai asserts.

Also Read: Raanjhanaa AI-ending row: Eros International counters criticism from Dhanush and Aanand L. Rai, reaffirms ownership of 2013 film

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has leased four upscale apartments in Mumbai’s Bandra West, specifically in the posh Pali Hill area, for a monthly rent of Rs 24.5 lakhs. The move comes as a temporary relocation, prompted by the redevelopment of the Virgo Cooperative Housing Society, where the actor currently owns multiple residential units.

According to property documents accessed by Zapkey.com and a report by Hindustan Times, Aamir Khan is vacating the Virgo society, where he reportedly owns around 12 apartments, due to an extensive redevelopment project that will replace the current structure with ultra-luxurious, sea-facing residences. Details of the New Lease The new apartments leased by Aamir are located in Wilnomona, a premium residential building just 750 metres away from Puja Casa—the temporary home of fellow superstar Shah Rukh Khan, whose bungalow Mannat is undergoing renovation.

The lease agreement, which spans five years from May 2025 to May 2030, includes a 45-month lock-in period. The lease was officially registered on May 20, 2025, with a stamp duty of over Rs 4 lakhs and a registration fee of Rs 2,000. The agreement also includes a security deposit of over Rs 1.46 crore, and the rent is set to increase by 5% annually. Redevelopment of Virgo Cooperative Housing Society The Virgo society, where Aamir owns a significant number of units, is currently undergoing redevelopment to construct ultra-luxury apartments in the high-end real estate segment. Prices in the revamped project are expected to exceed Rs 1 lakh per sq. ft, with some apartments possibly valued at over Rs 100 crore.

Aamir Khan was last seen in the film Sitaare Zameen Par, directed by RS Prasanna. The film, which also featured Genelia Deshmukh, marked Aamir’s return to the big screen after a nearly three-year hiatus and grossed over Rs 165 crores at the Indian box office.

Also Read: Mahavatar Narsimha Box Office: Film enters top 10 list of most successful movies by Aamir Khan’s ‘Weekend to Lifetime’ formula

Eros International Media Limited has officially responded to criticism regarding the re-release of its 2013 romantic drama Raanjhanaa—now featuring an AI-assisted alternate ending. The re-release, also launched in Tamil as Ambikapathy, has sparked a public backlash from the film’s director Aanand L. Rai and lead actor Dhanush, who expressed disapproval over what they view as a tampering of their original vision.

In an official statement, Eros clarified that the AI-altered version is legally compliant, creatively supervised, and specifically intended for Tamil-speaking audiences. The company emphasized that the original version of Raanjhanaa remains untouched and widely available across all platforms.

“It does not replace or alter the original Raanjhanaa, which remains widely accessible. This alternate edition follows a longstanding cinematic tradition of offering creative adaptations and anniversary re-releases,” the statement read. Ownership and Intellectual Property Rights The production house asserted its legal standing as the sole financier, producer, and rights holder of Raanjhanaa, affirming complete control over the film’s intellectual property, moral rights, and derivative content under Indian copyright law. The statement also addressed Dhanush’s recent remarks, implying that Aanand L. Rai had personally invested in securing his casting in the film.

“While such comments may reflect personal admiration, they are factually inaccurate and legally inconsequential. No private or independent financial investment by Mr. Rai exists within the production, financing, or IP structures of Raanjhanaa,” said Eros, adding that the company undertook full financial risk for the project and retains 100% ownership. Objection to ‘Tere Ishk Mein’ Association With Raanjhanaa Eros has also taken issue with promotional material for Aanand L. Rai’s upcoming film Tere Ishk Mein, which reportedly attempts to position itself as being part of the Raanjhanaa universe. The company called this an “illegal and misleading attempt” and stated that no legal rights, approvals, or IP ownership have been granted for such positioning.

A cease and desist notice, dated July 25, 2025, has been issued to all parties involved in the marketing and creative direction of Tere Ishk Mein. Eros has also notified leading OTT and streaming platforms to prevent any further misrepresentation. “This act represents a clear violation of Eros’s exclusive copyright and intellectual property,” the statement read.

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Creative Direction of AI-Assisted Ending

Addressing criticisms over the use of AI in the alternate ending of Ambikapathy, Eros emphasized that the project was guided by a human creative team, with AI used only as an assistive tool, not as an autonomous content generator.

“Mr. Rai’s dissociation from the Tamil alternate version is his personal choice, but his claim to ownership or moral authority over the work is neither contractually supported nor legally enforceable,” Eros clarified. Clarification on Legal Proceedings Responding to accusations that the re-release is a diversionary tactic amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny, Eros stated that the NCLT proceedings involving Colour Yellow Productions pertain to corporate governance matters, not artistic rights.

“We categorically reject the suggestion that this creative initiative is a ‘strategic distraction’ from unrelated regulatory matters... Conversely, we urge the public and industry stakeholders to see through the coordinated and deliberately timed campaign of misinformation,” the company said.

Also Read: Dhanush slams AI-edited Raanjhanaa re-release: “This isn’t the film I made”

Shah Rukh Khan, who recently bagged the prestigious Best Actor award at the 71st National Film Awards for his blockbuster performance in Jawan, indulged in a fun banter with Mukesh Chhabra in casting him in the role. SRK thanked the casting director for casting him in the role, twice - the response.

Shah Rukh Khan and Mukesh Chhabra had a hilarious banter on Twitter (now X). When SRK shared the video clip of him winning the award for Jawan, Renowned casting director Mukesh Chhabra, who was behind the ensemble cast of Jawan, shared SRK’s award acceptance clip on X (formerly Twitter) with a heartfelt “Love you," with a lovestruck, evil eye and red heart emoji.

Reading that, SRK commented, "Thank you very much for casting me in the film... twice." A nod to his iconic double role in the film, the comment set the internet abuzz with laughter.

This playful banter adds another charming chapter to Jawan's incredible journey from breaking box office records to now sweeping awards and sparking online camaraderie. As SRK fans continue to celebrate his well-deserved win, this moment serves as a reminder of the superstar’s humility, humor, and heart.

Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan replies to Shashi Tharoor’s “simple praise” with classic wit after National Award win