An old video of actress Mrunal Thakur from her Kumkum Bhagya days resurfaced online a couple of days ago, sparking controversy and heated discussions across social media. The clip, dating back to her time on the popular Ektaa R. Kapoor show on Zee TV, features Thakur in a light-hearted media interaction with her co-star Arjit Taneja.

In the video, Mrunal is heard asking, “Would you rather marry someone who is more manly with muscles?” When Taneja responds that he would prefer a physically fit partner, she quips, “Go marry Bipasha then. Listen, I am far better than Bipasha.” While seemingly meant as playful banter, the remark did not sit well with fans of Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu, many interpreting it as body-shaming and dismissive.

As the clip gained traction online with fans and followers slamming Thakur for her opinions, Mrunal decided to address the matter head-on by issuing a candid apology on her social media page. “19-year-old me as a teenager said many silly things. I didn’t always understand the weight of my voice or how much words, even in jest, could hurt. But it did, and for that I am deeply sorry. My intent was never to body-shame anyone,” her statement read. She further added, “It was playful banter in an interview that went too far. But I understand how it came across, and I truly wish I had chosen my words differently. With time, I’ve grown to appreciate that beauty comes in every form, and that’s something I truly value now.”

Her clarification has been widely shared, with many appreciating her honesty, growth, and willingness to take accountability. The actress, known for her strong yet empathetic persona, concluded by reiterating her belief that women can be both “soft and strong” — a combination she believes makes them unstoppable.

Also Read: Mrunal Thakur: “If someone hacks my phone they will find…” | Star Tech

In a refreshing blend of music, design, and environmental consciousness, Bollywood star Ranveer Singh takes centre stage in Sansaar by D’Decor’s latest campaign film — a lyrical celebration of mindful living.

The sustainable soft furnishings brand’s new TVC, anchored by an original song, pays tribute to the small, everyday choices that not only create beautiful homes but also contribute to a healthier planet. The visuals follow Ranveer through a home alive with slow mornings, quiet pauses, and spontaneous moments — embodying Sansaar’s philosophy: Live Consciously.

The film also showcases Sansaar’s newest collections, including blackout, sheer, and textured curtains, plush upholsteries in tactile finishes like chenille and bouclé, airy embroideries, subtle prints, and breathable 100% cotton bedding. Every design is crafted with sustainability in mind, featuring durable, easy-to-care-for fabrics and natural, moisture-absorbent fibres for long-lasting comfort and elegance.

“In a world of excess, we chose depth,” said Sarah Arora, Co-founder and Creative Director of Sansaar. “The collections are less about styling a space and more about shaping a state of being. Sustainability is woven not just into the fabric, but into the philosophy of daily life.”

Sanjana Arora, Co-founder and Business Head, echoed the sentiment: “Our aim is long-term value creation. We want customers to see their purchases not as mere products but as investments in a lifestyle. Collaborating with a cultural icon like Ranveer Singh helps amplify that message and moves us closer to reshaping India’s sustainable furnishings industry.”

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The TVC premieres this week across television and digital platforms, followed by a nationwide integrated campaign promoting the collection. With Ranveer’s charismatic presence and a musical narrative at its core, Sansaar is positioning sustainability not just as a design choice, but as a way of life.

Also Read: Shanoo Sharma breaks silence on Ranveer Singh exiting from YRF; says, “There is no bad blood”

December 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most explosive months in recent Bollywood memory — a perfect storm of star power, big budgets, and box office rivalry. The festivities will kick off on December 5 with Dhurandhar, the much-hyped Ranveer Singh starrer that’s expected to dominate screens and headlines right out of the gate. But just when the dust begins to settle, the month will deliver its biggest punch: a Christmas Day clash between two heavyweight releases — the Kartik Aaryan–Sreeleela starrer helmed by Anurag Basu, and Alpha, a high-octane entertainer featuring Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, and Bobby Deol.

For audiences, it’s the kind of year-end treat moviegoers dream about — two distinct films, each backed by marquee names and promising a cinematic experience worthy of the holiday season. Basu’s project, pairing Kartik and Sreeleela for the first time, teases a blend of compelling storytelling, visual flair, and fresh chemistry. In contrast, Alpha arrives with the pulling power of Alia Bhatt’s proven versatility, Sharvari’s rising star appeal, and Bobby Deol’s current wave of fan momentum. The result? A choice so tempting that many might just opt to double-dip at the box office.

But while audiences might rejoice, trade insiders are bracing for an intense battle for eyeballs, showtimes, and ticket sales. Holiday clashes have historically been a double-edged sword — on one hand, they create a buzz that fuels footfalls for both films; on the other, they split the audience and potentially limit each film’s overall earning capacity. And this particular clash comes with an added twist: Dhurandhar, releasing just 20 days earlier, will still be in the thick of its theatrical run, vying for the same premium screens.

The last time Bollywood saw this level of December congestion, the competition pushed films to up their marketing game, leverage fan communities, and offer differentiated experiences to stand out. Expect aggressive promotions, high-decibel social media campaigns, and possibly some tactical screen-sharing negotiations in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

From a business standpoint, the holiday frame is lucrative enough to sustain two big films — but the shadow of Dhurandhar could make this a true test of content over hype. If either (or both) Christmas releases manage strong word-of-mouth, they could turn the three-way December pile-up into a blockbuster bonanza.

One thing’s certain: this December, Bollywood is giving audiences more than just cinema — it’s offering them a front-row seat to a high-stakes, star-studded showdown. And whether you’re a fan, a filmmaker, or a box office analyst, you’ll want to grab your popcorn and watch how this one plays out. And the only competition bigger than the films will be the battle for your ticket.

Also Read: Avinash Tiwary to team up with Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri for Vishal Bhardwaj’s next? Here’s what we know!

In what promises to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year, the upcoming Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela starrer directed by acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Basu has locked its release date — December 25, 2025. The Christmas Day slot, traditionally considered one of the most lucrative and high-profile dates on the Bollywood calendar, sets the stage for a major box office event.

The film backed by Bhushan Kumar led T-Series, brings together a fresh on-screen pairing in Kartik and Sreeleela, whose collaboration with Basu is already creating significant buzz in industry circles. Known for his mastery in blending layered storytelling with vivid characters, Basu’s directorial touch is expected to lend the film both visual richness and emotional depth.

While details of the plot remain tightly under wraps, insiders hint at a narrative that combines strong drama with Basu’s signature blend of whimsy and human connection. The production is already being touted as a large-scale, big-screen experience with music and visuals crafted to match the grandeur of its release window.

Kartik Aaryan, who continues to ride a wave of box office success, will be seen stepping into a role that promises to explore a new facet of his performance range. For Sreeleela, one of the fastest-rising stars in Indian cinema, the project marks her most ambitious Hindi film outing yet — a high-visibility launch into pan-India stardom.

With a stellar team behind the scenes and a release date that aligns with the holiday season, expectations are sky-high. Industry watchers will be keeping a close eye on how the film shapes up in the coming months, but for now, December 25, 2025, is a date firmly circled in the diaries of film lovers.

Also Read: “Kartik’s film will be a rage” – Saiyaara’s success creates buzz for Kartik Aaryan’s next, says trade guru Taran Adarsh

Just a day before the Independence Day, makers Swarnim Global Services Pvt. Ltd and CA Suresh Jha ignited curiosity and conversation by officially announcing The Taj Story. To mark the announcement, the makers unveiled a powerful short teaser that captures the soul and essence of the film, leaving audiences intrigued about its message.

Featuring a powerhouse ensemble led by Paresh Rawal, along with Zakir Hussain, Amruta Khanvilkar, Sneha Wagh, and Namit Das, The Taj Story is positioned as a hard-hitting social drama that fearlessly raises one of the most provocative questions of our times: “Even after 79 years of Independence, are we still slaves of intellectual terrorism?”

After 79 year of Independence are we still a slave of Intellectual Terrorism? The Taj Story in cinemas on 31st October 2025 Producer : CA Suresh Jha Writer & Director : Tushar Amrish Goel Creative Producer: Vikas Radhesham @casureshjha @tusharamrish@vikasradhe @dasnamit… pic.twitter.com/F0J46NzA02 — Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) August 14, 2025

Penned and directed by Tushar Amrish Goel, with Vikas Radhesham as Creative Producer and music being scored by Rohit Sharma, The Taj Story is not just another period or historical film — it’s a cinematic debate. Among its core themes is a question that has sparked discussions for decades: Who really built the Taj Mahal? Was it Shah Jahan, or does history hide another truth? The film dives into this contested narrative, blending social commentary with a re-examination of historical facts.

The Taj Story is set for a grand nationwide theatrical release on October 31, 2025, and it aims to be a conversation starter, urging viewers to question, reflect, and perhaps, reframe the way they see both history and freedom.

Also Read: Akshay Kumar DENIES Hera Pheri 3 rift with Paresh Rawal was “publicity stunt”: “There were some ups and downs. But now everything is solved”

Veteran actor Anupam Kher has announced the launch of the Satish Kaushik Scholarship at his acting institute, Actor Prepares, in memory of his late friend and acclaimed actor-filmmaker Satish Kaushik.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) today, Anupam Kher shared, “SATISH KAUSHIK SCHOLARSHIP: The money I received from #MaharashtaGovernment for my #RajKapoorAward, I am happy to announce and institute the #SatisKaushikScholarship for a deserving poor candidate at my acting school @actorprepares! Also a statue of the smiling #SatishKaushik will be installed in one of studios at the #ActingSchool! We do give scholarships from time to time to students but this is the First Time in 20 Years it is named after an individual. BRILLIANT ACTOR and an AMAZING HUMAN BEING and my BEST FRIEND!! Jai Ho!" Award Money Dedicated to Scholarship Anupam Kher had received the Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award from the Maharashtra Government on August 5, 2025, during the joint celebration of the 60th and 61st Maharashtra State Film Awards. The actor revealed that the prize money from this prestigious honour will fully fund the scholarship for a “deserving poor candidate” at his school. Tribute to Satish Kaushik Satish Kaushik, celebrated for his versatility in acting, writing, and direction, passed away on March 9, 2023. He shared a decades-long friendship with Anupam Kher, often referred to as one of his closest friends in the industry. In addition to the scholarship, Kher announced that a statue of Satish Kaushik, smiling as he was in life, will be installed in one of the studios at Actor Prepares.

Also Read: Satish Kaushik, Raj Babbar, and Anup Soni starrer Mirg releases on JioCinema

People Media Factory’s hugely awaited Mirai, starring Teja Sajja, continues to make headlines for all the right reasons. From its striking posters to its gripping teaser, the 'Vibe Hai Baby' song has every glimpse fueling curiosity and excitement, promising audiences an unforgettable cinematic experience when it hits theaters worldwide on September 5, 2025. After weeks of industry buzz, it is now officially confirmed—Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions will partner with People Media Factory for Mirai in the Hindi-speaking markets.

Confirming the association, Karan Johar said, “From the moment we experienced Mirai’s breathtaking visuals, grand scale, and compelling storytelling, we knew it was a film that deserved the widest possible reach. It’s a rare mix of mass appeal and visual artistry, and we’re proud to partner with People Media Factory and take the film to Hindi-speaking audiences across India.”

Producer T.G. Vishwa Prasad of People Media Factory said, “We’re thrilled to have Dharma Productions join us for Mirai in the Hindi market. Their unmatched legacy and nationwide influence make them the perfect partner for this journey. Mirai is a high-octane cinematic spectacle that fuses action and Indian culture. We’re confident its universal appeal will connect with audiences across the globe.”

Dharma Productions is renowned for its strategic collaborations in monumental blockbusters such as SS Rajamouli-Prabhas’s Baahubali franchise and NTR's Devara. Their entry into Mirai signals a powerful move in the pan-India arena, ensuring the film’s impact extends across the country.

Starring the charismatic Teja Sajja, who delivered the 2024 pan-India blockbuster HanuMan, the film is helmed by visionary director Karthik Gattamneni and produced by TG Vishwa Prasad and Krithi Prasad. Blending high-octane action, mythical storytelling, and cutting-edge visuals, Mirai promises an experience unlike anything Indian cinema has ever seen. The narrative follows a fearless warrior entrusted with the protection of nine sacred scriptures.

Enhancing the spectacle is a stirring score by Gowra Hari, which amplifies both the emotional depth and the grandeur of the storytelling. The film also features impactful performances from Manoj Manchu, Ritika Nayak, Jagapathi Babu, and Shriya Saran, bringing intensity and nuance to this epic saga.

Also Read: 19 Years of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna: Karan Johar remembers “bold, brave” love story in heartfelt tribute note 

By now, Prabhas’ films have acquired a notorious reputation for multiple delays and postponements. The Raja Saab, which has been in the making for two years, shows no clear sign of completion. Directed by Maruthi, the film was initially slated to finally release on April 10, 2025.

However, it failed to meet that deadline due to incomplete post-production work. The film is now scheduled for release on December 5, 2025. But multiple industry sources in the know have confirmed to Subhash K Jha that even this new release date is unlikely to be met.

A source reveals, “The film is far from completion. Prabhas is juggling dates for three or four projects at once. Earlier, he would work on only one project at a time. But that approach resulted in long gaps between his releases, as every film of his from Baahubali onwards has taken a minimum of two years. So, for the first time, Prabhas is working on multiple projects simultaneously.”

On the current shooting status of The Raja Saab, the source adds, “About 20 percent of the shooting still remains. The post-production work is going on in parallel.”

Also Read: Ivy Entertainment drags co-producer of Prabhas-starrer The Raja Saab to Delhi High Court over alleged contractual breaches: Report

On August 13, Sridevi would have turned 62. Without a shadow of a doubt, she would have been as relevant at 70 as she was at 34 when she married Boney Kapoor. Ram Gopal Varma, one of the millions of diehard Sridevi fans, went into mourning after her wedding.

Recalls Ramu, “I was quite heartbroken. I think 75 percent of the male population in India was heartbroken after she got married. Like your favourite Lata Mangeshkar, there will never be another Sridevi. She was perfect in every sense — flawless in her comic timing, incomparable in dramatic scenes, and electric in her dancing. I got to direct her only once, in Kshanam Kshanam. It was more than enough proof of what she could do. For every scene, she had 15–20 interpretations and expressions. Working with her was like staying at a 7-star hotel — you were spoilt for life.”

He also recalls his first meeting with Sridevi. “I had gone to meet her at her residence in Chennai to sign her for a film. I was sitting in the living room with her mother, while Sridevi just flitted in and out of the room, as she was packing to catch a flight. Every time she came into the room, it was like a sudden rush of fresh, invigorating breeze.”

Ramu has one birthday wish. “I want her to come back to earth again. Just once. So that humanity would know she really existed.”

Also Read: Ram Gopal Varma insists that the Deepika Padukone – Sandeep Reddy Vanga row is just ‘blown up in the media’; says, “The whole thing is very exaggerated”

The trailer of Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s highly anticipated historical drama, The Bengal Files, is all set to debut on August 16, 2025, in Kolkata. The teaser of the film is attached to the action thriller War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji, and Rajinikanth's Coolie directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj.

The Bengal Files, the concluding chapter of Agnihotri’s controversial Files trilogy, following The Kashmir Files and The Tashkent Files, explores the traumatic events of Bengal’s Direct Action Day and the 1946 Calcutta killings. The film’s first trailer, which was released in June, created a stir with its haunting imagery and intense tone, including blood-soaked visuals, a Kashmiri Pandit warning that ‘Bengal is becoming another Kashmir,’ and a burning idol of Goddess Durga. The film itself is slated for theatrical release on 5th September, 2025.

Meanwhile, War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, is set to release globally on 14 August 2025, marking the Indian Independence Day weekend along with Coolie directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj starring Superstar Rajinikanth in the lead. Leveraging this festive momentum, Agnihotri’s choice to hitch his teaser to War 2 and Coolie is a savvy move, ensuring maximum visibility ahead of his film’s September release.

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 & 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.

Also Read: Vivek Agnihotri drops promo for The Bengal Files’ Never Again USA tour with premiere dates!

Avinash Tiwary is on a roll! After wrapping up Ginny Wedss Sunny 2, the actor is rumoured to be up for his next! Buzz is rife that the Madgaon Express star has come on board for Vishal Bhardwaj’s next big project, joining hands for the first time with Shahid Kapoor and reuniting with his Laila Majnu co-star Triptii Dimri.

As per a source close to the development, “Whispers in film circles suggest that Avinash Tiwary might be part of Vishal Bhardwaj’s next big project, reportedly being shot in Spain with Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri. While no confirmations have surfaced, sources hint at Avinash stepping into a powerful role with a bold new look. If true, it would reunite him with Triptii Dimri and mark his first collaboration with both Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj, a combination already sparking excitement among fans and industry watchers alike.”

Avinash Tiwary has always experimented and explored himself on screen, breaking barriers and constantly pushing himself as an actor. If rumours of his next big collaboration turn true, his audience can expect a big-screen treat - bringing together Avinash Tiwary, Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri for the first time under the direction of Vishal Bhardwaj!

Also Read: Avinash Tiwary shuts down body-shaming with classy comeback on Instagram

Actors Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, along with director Tushar Jalota, visited the Tirupati temple to seek divine blessings ahead of the release of their upcoming romantic drama Param Sundari. The film, produced by Maddock Films, is slated to hit theatres on August 29, 2025.

The visit to the holy shrine comes just days after the makers unveiled the trailer on August 12, 2025. The film marks the first on-screen collaboration between Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, a pairing that has already generated buzz among fans.

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About the Trailer The 2-minute, 40-second trailer introduces viewers to Param Sundari’s central love story — a romance that transcends geography, language, and cultural boundaries. Sidharth plays Param, a charming Punjabi boy, while Janhvi portrays Sundari, a spirited South Indian girl.

The trailer opens with a light-hearted sequence of Param and Sundari flirting inside a church. Their playful banter is peppered with witty references to both Bollywood and regional cinema. However, the tone shifts when Sundari accuses Param of playing with people’s emotions, setting the stage for a dramatic conflict.

The narrative follows Param’s journey as he attempts to win back Sundari’s trust and prove the sincerity of his love, against the backdrop of familial and societal expectations.

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The Buzz Around Param Sundari Backed by Maddock Films, the project has been touted as a pan-India romantic entertainer that blends humour, drama, and cross-cultural charm. With Sidharth and Janhvi pairing up for the first time, expectations are high for their on-screen chemistry. Param Sundari is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on August 29, 2025.

Also Read: Janhvi Kapoor’s dialect coach Sheba Raju showers praise on her for her accent in Param Sundari: “You sound perfect as a half Malayali, half Tamil ponnu”