Hungama OTT, one of India’s leading digital entertainment platforms, launched its riveting new original series, Badass Begum, on 26th June 2025. Anchored in a world of power, deception, and dangerous ambition, this crime drama offers an unflinching look at a woman who defied her origins to become a force within Mumbai’s underworld. The series boasts a compelling cast featuring Divyaa Agarwal, Ankit Gera, and Akkshay Dogra in pivotal roles.

Set in the backdrop of Mumbai’s criminal underbelly, Badass Begum unravels the layered and often conflicting legacy of Urvashi Raje—a woman whose name still stirs admiration, fear, and curiosity. Was she pushed into a life of crime by circumstances and the lure of comfort? Or did she rise through the ranks with calculated intent, turning every challenge into a stepping stone? More than just a gangster, she ruled her world like a queen amidst chaos, leaving behind a story that’s as haunting as it is unforgettable.

Speaking about the launch, Siddhartha Roy, CEO of Hungama Digital Media, said, “We’re committed to bringing stories that feel real, rooted and relevant. Badass Begum is a bold crime drama set in the 1980s — driven by strong characters and an authentic narrative. It’s part of a larger effort to offer diverse storytelling that connects with viewers across generations.”

Divyaa Agarwal, who takes on the role of Urvashi Raje, shared, “Urvashi Raje is unlike any character I’ve played before. She’s unapologetic, vulnerable, and relentlessly driven. She is not your typical gangster, and that’s what makes her incredibly fascinating. Badass Begum challenged me emotionally and creatively, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience her journey.”

Reflecting on his role, Akkshay Dogra added, “What drew me to the project was its refusal to stick to one side of the story. It’s not just about crime, it’s about the people behind those choices. Portraying this character has been a creatively fulfilling experience. He reminded me of the iconic anti-heroes we grew up watching — unapologetically stylish, intense, and magnetic. I’m excited for the audience to step into this world and experience the story in all its layers and complexity.”

Speaking about the series and his role, Ankit Gera said, “The world of Badass Begum is gritty, raw, and incredibly real. Every character has a backstory, and every decision has weight. My character operates in that grey space, caught between loyalty, ambition, and personal survival. The writing pulls you in, and being a part of this project gave me the chance to explore complex dynamics and intense emotions.”

With its powerful performances, layered storytelling, and a fearless female lead at its core, the show promises to be a gripping addition to Hungama OTT’s growing slate of original content. Witness the making of a legend who challenged every rule—on her own terms as Badass Begum is available exclusively on Hungama OTT and across partner platforms including Tata Play Binge, Watcho, BSNL, PlayboxTV, RailWire Broadband, Airtel Xstream Play, and Dor TV.

Also Read: Hungama OTT marks new chapter with rebranding and unveiling of 24-show slate at exclusive success party

Riteish Deshmukh’s portrayal of Sania in Apna Sapna Money Money, where he cross-dressed and adopted the persona of a woman, remains one of his most iconic comic roles. And now, it seems the actor is all set to revisit this memorable character in an upcoming film backed by veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai.

On June 30, Ghai took to his social media handle to share a still of Riteish in his female avatar from the 2006 comedy. Alongside the image, he wrote, “She is our next heroine in our forthcoming film under Mukta Arts.” He further described him as “a classic beauty.” While the filmmaker has not disclosed additional details about the project, the post has already generated excitement among fans.

It’s worth noting that Apna Sapna Money Money isn’t the only film in which Riteish has played a female character. He also took on similar disguises in Humshakals, a Sajid Khan directorial co-starring Saif Ali Khan and Ram Kapoor.

SHE IS OUR NEXT HEROINE IN OUR FORTHCOMING FILM UNDER MUKTA ARTS ???? A Classic beauty ???? Can u guess the name of this BEAUTIFUL GIRL ? Please do write ????@muktaartsltd @muktaa2cinemas @whistling_woods pic.twitter.com/atNHlJSxJD — Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) June 30, 2025

For now, fans will have to wait for more updates, but the prospect of seeing Riteish return to his beloved comic timing and cross-dressing antics has certainly created a buzz.

On the professional front, Riteish was last seen in Raid 2, where he played the antagonist opposite Ajay Devgn. He also appeared in the fifth installment of the Housefull franchise. His upcoming slate includes several exciting projects, including Masti 4.

Additionally, Riteish is gearing up to direct his second film, Raja Shivaji, produced by Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company. The historical action drama is slated for release on May 1, 2026, and will be released in six languages: Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Also Read: Ajay Devgn and Riteish Deshmukh starrer Raid 2 to premiere on Netflix on June 26

Despite their debut projects receiving lukewarm responses, star kids Rasha Thadani and Ibrahim Ali Khan continue to enjoy significant popularity on social media. Now, there’s an exciting update for their fans—if reports are to be believed, the two are all set to share screen space for the first time in an upcoming film.

According to a report by Mid-Day, a source close to the production revealed, “Ibrahim and Rasha have been doing reading sessions and workshops. The makers were clear that they didn’t want just a glamorous pair, but two actors who could tap into the awkward, exhilarating energy of first love. Rasha and Ibrahim clicked from their very first meeting.” The source further added, “While he debuted with a rom-com, Ibrahim will be seen in intense roles in Sarzameen and Diler, the latter featuring him as a marathoner. After those two outings, this film—with its coming-of-age arc—will showcase a softer and more relatable side of him.”

If confirmed, this project would mark Ibrahim’s second foray into the romantic genre. His debut film Naadanaiyaan, which was released directly on Netflix, was a romantic comedy. However, his performance received mixed to negative feedback, with critics pointing out issues with his expressions, dialogue delivery, and dubbing.

On the other hand, Rasha made her debut in the theatrical release Azaad, which also introduced Ajay Devgn’s nephew, Aaman Devgn. While the film didn’t fare well at the box office, Rasha’s performance was appreciated by audiences.

It will certainly be interesting to see Rasha and Ibrahim come together for a romantic drama. As of now, there has been no official confirmation or denial from the actors or the makers. Fans will have to wait for an official announcement.

Also Read: Ibrahim Ali Khan misses Sara Ali Khan in London, pens adorable poem in response to her post; watch

Paresh Rawal has been in the news ever since Bollywood Hungama broke the year’s viral story on May 16 that he has quit Hera Pheri 3. Consequently, Akshay Kumar sent a legal notice to the veteran actor seeking damages. But now, it has come to light that the issues have been resolved. Moreover, it has come straight from the horse’s mouth.

In a podcast with Himanshu Mehta, Paresh Rawal was asked about the Hera Pheri 3 controversy. He began by saying, “There’s no controversy. I believe that when people have loved something so much, then you have to be extra careful. It is our responsibility toward the audience. The audience has given you so much adulation. You can’t take things for granted. Mehnat karke unko (film) do.”

He added, “So, I was of the opinion that sab saath mein aaye, mehnat karein. Aur kuch nahin. It is all resolved now.”

When the host re-confirmed whether all was well now, Paresh Rawal replied in the affirmative and further said, “Pehle bhi aane hi waali thi but it’s just that we had to fine-tune ourselves (laughs). After all, all of them are creative, be it Priyadarshan, Akshay or Suniel. They are friends for many, many, many years.”

How it began

On May 16, when Bollywood Hungama exclusively asked Paresh Rawal if he had quit Hera Pheri 3, he said, “Yes, it’s a fact.” As a result, Akshay Kumar’s Cape of Good Films, the producer of Hera Pheri 3, sued Paresh Rawal for Rs. 25 crores. The legal team of Akshay Kumar also gave out a statement, explaining their woes. Bollywood Hungama then revealed in another viral story that Paresh Rawal returned the signing amount of Rs 11 lakhs with 15% p.a. interest and also a little more money for stepping away from the series.

A source had told us then, “Paresh Rawal was paid Rs. 11 lakhs as a signing amount as per the term sheet. His total fees were locked at Rs. 15 crores. The term sheet mentioned that Paresh Rawal would receive the balance amount – Rs. 14.89 crores – only one month after the release of the film. The senior actor had reservations about this clause. Also, the film’s principal shoot was to commence sometime next year. This means that Hera Pheri 3 was unlikely to be released before late 2026 or in the year 2027. In short, Paresh would have had to wait for nearly two years to get the rest of his acting fees.”

Later, at Housefull 5 trailer launch, Akshay Kumar revealed, “I don't think this is a place where I am going to talk about it because...it's a very serious matter. It is a matter which is going to be handled by the courts. Hence, I don’t think I am going to speak about it here.”

Akshay won hearts when a journalist happened to mention that a lot of fans felt that Paresh Rawal was foolish to leave the project. On this, Akshay Kumar said, “Firstly, I'd like to tell you that using such kind of word for my co-star, ‘foolish’, is something I'd not appreciate. That's not right. I have been working with him for the last 32 years. We are very good friends. He's a great actor. I really admire him.”

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Akshay Kumar says he’s “keeping fingers crossed” for Hera Pheri 3 after Paresh Rawal’s abrupt exit

Following the sudden demise of actress and television personality Shefali Jariwala, several celebrities and fans have expressed their grief and condolences. Among them, actor Varun Dhawan took to social media not only to mourn her loss but also to raise concerns over the way media outlets have been covering the incident.

In a strongly worded Instagram story, Varun questioned the ethics of reporting on someone’s final journey. “Again, one more passing of a soul being insensitively covered by the media,” he wrote. “I just don’t understand—why do you have to cover someone’s grief? Everyone looks so uncomfortable with this. How is this benefitting anyone?” He concluded his note with a heartfelt plea: “My request to my friends in the media—this isn’t the way someone would want their final journey covered.”

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The actor’s remarks come amid widespread coverage of Shefali’s death, including videos of her cremation rituals. Earlier, Shefali’s husband and actor Parag Tyagi also pleaded with paparazzi stationed outside Cooper Hospital in Bandra to stop recording. Visibly disturbed, Parag requested the media with folded hands, saying, “Please, mat karo.”

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Shefali Jariwala passed away on June 27. According to reports, she suffered a cardiac arrest at her Andheri residence and was declared dead on arrival. It is being speculated that the actress had taken her monthly anti-aging injection that day, despite fasting for a religious ritual at home. Her health reportedly deteriorated later that night. Anti-aging injections are now under scrutiny as a potential trigger for the cardiac arrest.

Also Read: Shefali Jariwala took anti-aging injection hours before death: Reports

The sudden demise of actress and television personality Shefali Jariwala has once again brought celebrity health into sharp focus. Following the announcement of her death, the internet was flooded with condolences. However, the conversation has now since shifted to a pressing concern: how, despite seemingly healthy lifestyles, several celebrities are increasingly falling victim to cardiac issues such as heart attacks and cardiac arrests.

Amid this ongoing discussion, reports have emerged suggesting that the use of anti-aging injections may have played a role in triggering Shefali’s cardiac arrest.

According to a report by IANS, the Kaanta Laga star had received her monthly anti-aging injection on June 27, despite observing a religious fast that day. Reportedly, later that evening—between 10 and 11 p.m.—her health deteriorated rapidly. She began trembling and lost consciousness. She was immediately rushed to the hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival.

At the time of the incident, Shefali was at home with her husband Parag Tyagi, her mother, and a few others. Investigators have since seized a number of medications from the residence, including anti-aging vials, vitamin supplements, and pills related to gastric care. So far, eight statements have been recorded from family members, domestic staff, and medical professionals.

On the other hand, preliminary investigations have revealed no signs of dispute or foul play. Authorities are currently awaiting post-mortem results and lab analysis of the seized medications to determine the exact cause of death.

Also Read: Shefali Jariwala passes away: Himanshi Khurana calls Bigg Boss “cursed” in her tribute post for ‘Kaanta Laga’ star

On June 28, reports surfaced claiming that director Deepak Kumar Mishra had been ousted from Vvan due to creative differences with Sidharth Malhotra. However, those reports turned out to be unfounded. In a conversation with Mumbai Mirror, the director set the record straight, confirming that he remains very much a part of the project.

For those unfamiliar, Vvan marks The Viral Fever’s (TVF) first big-screen venture and is being jointly produced by Balaji Telefilms. The film also stars Tamannaah Bhatia in a leading role.

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Addressing the rumours, Deepak told the publication, “I don’t have any such information. Nothing has happened. This is out of the blue. I just want to state that nothing has happened. Sidharth and I are very strong. We are jamming so well and working hard on the film. It is 100% false.”

The speculation originated from a report by PeepingMoon, which claimed that Deepak and Sidharth were at odds over the film’s creative direction, leading to mounting tensions during pre-production. The report went on to suggest that the production house had brought in a new director. However, after Deepak publicly denied the claims, the publication deleted the article.

With the first schedule completed in June and the second slated to begin in August, preparations for Vvan are progressing smoothly. This update has only added to the growing excitement around the film’s release.

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While Deepak recently earned acclaim for the fourth season of Amazon Prime Video’s popular series Panchayat, Sidharth has just wrapped filming for Param Sundari, a Maddock Films-backed romantic comedy co-starring Janhvi Kapoor.

Also Read: Kriti Sanon cheers on the teaser of Param Sundari starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor

The latest release, Maa, has managed to put up impressive numbers in its first two days, thanks to the casting of Kajol, the horror genre, and positive word of mouth. However, the makers are unhappy with the release strategy and distribution of the film.

A source close to the film told Bollywood Hungama, “Maa has released in around 1500 screens and ideally, a film like this should have got a screen count of around 2000. After all, it has the association of Ajay Devgn and Kajol and moreover, it is a horror film, which is the flavour of the season. Sadly, that didn’t happen and also it was noticed by the makers that the shows weren’t properly allotted across cinemas. Though it’s a horror film, it also appeals to the family as evident by its title and the U/A rating. Hence, it should have got prominent showcasing in the afternoon and evening and also overall more shows but in many places, that hasn’t happened.”

The source continued, “As a result, the makers are displeased with the arrangement. They believe that if the showcasing was fair, the collections of Maa could have been higher.”

Bollywood Hungama learned that the 4:15 pm show at PVR Sangam, Andheri, Mumbai, which recorded huge occupancy on Saturday, was discontinued on Sunday in favour of Sitaare Zameen Par. Incidentally, like Maa, Sitaare Zamaeen Par is also distributed by PVR.

An exhibition source explained, “In the Dadar-Matunga-Mahim belt, which has no multiplex and consists of single screens, all cinemas either have an afternoon show of 1:00 pm and an evening show of 7:00 pm. Ideally, the showcasing should be such that a couple of cinemas should have a show at around 4:00 pm as well because a section of the moviegoing audience might prefer to watch Maa at that time. But with the strategy in place, they don’t have that choice.”

A trade expert commented on condition of anonymity, “This week is crowded as Sitaare Zameen Par has held up well. Maa has managed to perform while F1: The Movie is also recording terrific occupancy. In such instances, show-sharing issues are bound to happen. The problem becomes manifold when the distributor overcommits and then falls short of expectations and doesn’t plan the showcasing well. In this case, PVR Inox also had to accommodate their other film, Sitaare Zameen Par. Nevertheless, the makers are bound to feel shortchanged when they don’t get the desired number of shows.”

Past instances

This isn’t the first time that PVR Inox’s distribution has come under the scanner. A few days back, Bollywood Hungama reported on how Warner Bros was also upset with the multiplex chain for not giving a reasonable number of shows to F1: The Movie. A week before, we revealed that PVR Inox backed off after assuring B and C centre theatres that they would be given Sitaare Zamaeen Par. The theatres even got the publicity material from the distribution team and at the last minute, the film wasn’t given to them, leaving them in a tough spot.

In December 2024, Baby John’s advance booking was also affected as PVR Inox Pictures had asked for 60% of showcasing for the Varun Dhawan-starrer while they asked exhibitors to allot the balance 40% of the shows to Pushpa 2 – The Rule. To the single screens, they insisted that there should be 3 shows of their film and 1 show of Pushpa 2 – The Rule. The theatres didn’t agree to this demand as the Allu Arjun-starrer was doing historic business.

The acclaimed filmmaker Ritesh Batra’s is set to return to the director’s chair, six years after his last release, Photograph (2019), which starred Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sanya Malhotra. As per a report in Mid-Day, Batra is gearing up to begin production on a new romantic drama—staying true to the gentle, emotional storytelling that has become his hallmark over the past 12 years. The project is expected to go on floors in September.

“Ritesh spent a considerable time writing this big romance. The film is in final prep mode,” an insider revealed to the publication. Known for delivering heartfelt Indian romantic dramas like The Lunchbox (2013) and Photograph (2019), as well as international narratives such as Our Souls at Night (2017) and The Sense of an Ending (2017), Batra is now set to bring a cross-cultural love story to life.

“It’s a mature romance between an Indian man and a foreigner. It’s the kind of sensitive drama about love and loss that Ritesh has come to be known for,” a source shared with Mid-Day. The cast for the project has already been finalized.

The project will mark Ritesh Batra’s reunion with Guneet Monga Kapoor, who was one of the producers of The Lunchbox. She returns as one of the producers on this international co-production.

The box office performance of Hollywood films has been encouraging this year, more so in the second quarter. The trade and moviegoers are looking forward to three significant releases in three consecutive weeks. F1: The Movie was released on June 27. Superman will arrive in cinemas on July 11. In between, on July 4, Jurassic World Rebirth will be released worldwide. The series has had an incredible following across the country since the first part. Hence, the team at Universal Studios has decided to go all out for the premiere of the dinosaur saga.

Bollywood Hungama has learned that Jurassic World Rebirth will have its premiere in Raj Mandir Cinema, Jaipur. And that’s not all. The team of the film will be playing the dubbed Hindi version and not the original English version at the premiere. This is a unique move as normally, the premieres of Hollywood films in India are held in an elite multiplex in Mumbai.

The strategy is well thought out and also has a nostalgic factor attached to it. The first part of the series, Jurassic Park (1994), was also the first ever Hollywood film to be dubbed in India. The experiment worked and how. It attracted a sizeable number of audiences from the B and C centres, who otherwise stayed away from English films. This helped Jurassic Park become the first blockbuster Hollywood film in India, collecting almost Rs. 7.50 crores, a huge figure back then. It also opened up the market for dubbed Hollywood films.

Since then, the films of Jurassic series have always succeeded in dubbed format. Hence, to honour the mass audience for their patronage of the franchise, the Universal team decided to hold the premiere in the hinterland. A source said, “And what better place than Raj Mandir, the iconic single-screen cinema hall of Jaipur? What also works in their favour is that Raj Mandir is used to hosting big-ticket events. The management of the cinema hall is extremely excited to host the first-ever Hollywood premiere in its 50 years of existence.”

Guests will step into an immersive dinosaur-era world, complete with themed installations and interactive photo zones. The premiere will be hosted by digital star Nagma Mirajkar, will have Ashish Chanchlani in attendance with more leading influencers and celebrities. The idea is to have a full-scale cinematic experience with over 1000 attendees, including fans, press, and top digital creators.

Celebrating the legacy of the 1994 classic original Hindi dub, the event will also spotlight the legendary dubbing director Ashim Samanta, who has been overlooking the dubbing of the movies in this franchise and also the Hindi adaptation of Jurassic World Rebirth, bringing nostalgic authenticity and timeless continuity to a new generation of fans.

Denzil Dias, VP and Managing Director, India, Warner Bros. Pictures said, “We’re thrilled to bring this landmark event to Jaipur. Jurassic World Rebirth in Hindi isn’t just a premiere — it’s a tribute to the legacy of Jurassic Park and a celebration of how far Hindi-dubbed Hollywood has come.”

The premiere of Jurassic World Rebirth at Raj Mandir will be held on Thursday, July 3.

A few days ago, actor Randeep Hooda made headlines with his mysterious bald look, sparking curiosity across the internet. Now, he’s once again in the spotlight—this time, for his latest real estate investment. While the secret behind his look remains under wraps, property documents reviewed by Square Yards reveal that the actor has purchased a luxurious apartment in Versova for Rs 5.63 crores.

According to the documents, the apartment is located on the 8th floor of a building named Bianca CHS. It has a built-up area of 1,530 sq. ft. The transaction was officially registered on June 10, 2025, with a stamp duty payment of Rs 33.78 lakhs and a registration fee of Rs 30,000. As of now, Randeep has neither confirmed nor denied the news of the purchase. Taking Time Off to Give Back to Nature On the professional front, the 48-year-old actor was last seen playing the antagonist in Sunny Deol’s Jaat. While he hasn’t officially announced any upcoming projects, it seems Randeep is currently on a short break, focusing on environmental initiatives.

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Earlier this month, on the occasion of World Environment Day, he and his wife, Lin Laishram, planted over 500 trees near Kanha. Sharing the experience on Instagram, the actor wrote: “Forests are the lungs of our planet. They don’t just shelter wildlife, they sustain us all. Every time I walk through Kanha’s wild trails, I’m reminded that nature doesn’t need us — we need nature. Planting a tree may seem like a small act, but it’s a powerful one. It’s a step toward balance, toward giving back to the Earth that gives us everything.”

Also Read: Randeep Hooda opens up on his long association with Raid 2 actor Amit Sial: “We were roommates and cabbies in Australia”; reveals why he THREW him out of his Mumbai house at 2:00 am: “He was upset with me for MANY years”

The unprecedented success of Stree, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, laid the foundation for Maddock Films to build its own horror-comedy universe. This cinematic world already features popular names like Pankaj Tripathi, Akshay Kumar, Rashmika Mandanna, and Ayushmann Khurrana. Now, the latest buzz suggests that Ranveer Singh may also be joining this growing universe.

According to a report by Mid-Day, a source close to the production revealed, “Ranveer has been in conversations with Dinesh for a while. He was at the Maddock office last week. The makers wanted a fresh energy to drive the next chapter, and Ranveer is keen to explore the genre. The paperwork is likely to be completed soon.” The source further added, “The idea is to create an Avengers-style culmination down the road. They are discussing dates, as Ranveer will soon wrap up Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar. He has also allotted dates for Don 3. This project is expected to go on floors in early 2026.”

As of now, neither Ranveer Singh nor Maddock Films has officially confirmed or denied the report. However, the possibility of seeing Ranveer enter the horror-comedy space is exciting, especially since this would mark his first project in the genre. Additionally, it has been a while since fans have seen him in a full-fledged role, with his last release being Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023.

Speaking of his current projects, Ranveer is presently shooting for Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar. The film boasts a strong ensemble cast including Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Akshaye Khanna. Beyond that, he also has Don 3 lined up in his upcoming slate.

Also Read: Basil Joseph shuts down casting rumours: “Shaktimaan is ONLY Ranveer Singh!”