Vicky Kaushal to dedicate over a year to Amar Kaushik’s Mahavatar, reveals report

A recent report by Pinkvilla has sparked buzz around Vicky Kaushal and his potential association with filmmaker Amar Kaushik for the ambitious project Mahavatar. According to the report, the actor is expected to dedicate over a year exclusively to the film, indicating the scale and intensity of the project.

“Vicky has committed to a rigorous six-month training program that includes physical transformation, bulking up, and a series of acting workshops tailored specifically for the film. Amar has designed a very detailed prep module for Vicky. It’s not just about the physicality, but also about getting into the psychological and emotional graph of the character”, a source told the portal.

If the timelines hold, Mahavatar is likely to go on floors in January 2027, around the time of the release of Love & War. Reports further suggest that the shoot schedule could extend throughout the year, continuing until December 2027. During this period, Kaushal is said to be focusing solely on this project to maintain continuity in performance and appearance. The source went on to add, “Vicky is treating Mahavatar as a once-in-a-lifetime project. He wants to be fully invested, which is why he has consciously decided not to take up any other assignments during the shoot”.

There are also indications that the actor may take on a smaller project before beginning work on Mahavatar, considering the long commitment the film demands. However, it is important to note that neither Vicky Kaushal nor his team has officially confirmed his involvement in the film or any related schedule.

At present, the actor is occupied with Love & War, where he reunites with his Sanju co-star Ranbir Kapoor and Raazi co-star Alia Bhatt. The film also marks his first collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and is slated for a January 21, 2027 release.

While Mahavatar remains unconfirmed, the reported scale of preparation and commitment has already piqued curiosity, making it one of the most talked-about potential projects in the coming years.

Also Read: Shraddha Kapoor in talks for Vicky Kaushal’s Mahavatar: Report

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Rahul Roy hits back at trolls with powerful note after viral videos spark concern: “You cannot break me”

Rahul Roy has strongly reacted to online trolling after certain videos of him went viral on social media, drawing mixed reactions from fans. The actor, who has largely stayed away from the limelight in recent years, took to Instagram to share a firm message addressing criticism around his recent appearances.

In his note, Rahul Roy wrote, “I do my work with honesty and modesty. I have some legal matters to pay for, and these are not from today—they are from before the brain stroke happened. If you mock my simplicity or make fun of my struggles, it says less about me and more about you”.

 

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  A post shared by Rahul Roy (@officialrahulroy)

He further added, “If you are truly so concerned, then help me find some genuine and decent work so I can pay for these cases. At least I am earning through hard work, not by mocking others. And after the brain stroke, it is important for me to stay active. I want to work for as long as I am alive. It keeps my mind active and gives me the sense of purpose and responsibility that I am still working today. Yes, it may hurt a little sometimes, but you cannot break me”.

The reaction comes after a social media page named Dr Vanita Ghadhage Desai shared videos featuring the actor, which quickly circulated online. In these clips, Rahul Roy is seen performing alongside an unidentified woman, with several users labelling the content as ‘cringe’ and questioning his participation. The videos left a section of his followers concerned, while others criticised the nature of the content.

 

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  A post shared by Dr.Vanita Ghadhage.D (@dr_vanita_ghadhage_desai)

Rahul Roy rose to prominence with the blockbuster Aashiqui, which made him a household name in the early 1990s. Over the years, he worked with several prominent names in the industry and built a steady fan base. He also went on to win the first season of the reality show Bigg Boss, further cementing his popularity among audiences.

However, despite his early success, the actor has not been very active in films or web series in recent years. His latest statement highlights both his personal challenges and his determination to continue working, even as he navigates health issues and financial responsibilities.

Also Read: Mahesh Bhatt defends Rahul Roy lip-syncing at a Bihar wedding: “If today’s stars dance at weddings for millions, why can’t Rahul stand for a moment the nation still remembers?”

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Several cinemas yet to open May 1 bookings; exhibitors face ‘agni pariksha’ as they struggle to accommodate Raja Shivaji, Ek Din, The Devil Wears Prada 2, Patriot, KD - The Devil and holdover releases

Issues over screen-sharing have become extremely common now, and this week, the situation has intensified significantly. This is because several major films in different languages are releasing simultaneously, leaving programmers at their wits’ end while allocating the desired number of shows to each of them.

As expected, with less than 24 hours to go for the releases, the issues are yet to be sorted. In Mumbai, theatres like Regal, MovieTime Suburbia, PVR Le Reve, Roxy, Eros IMAX, Kasturba and Nazrana hadn’t opened bookings for May 1, as of 8:00 am on April 30. Surprisingly, even a three-screen multiplex like Sterling hadn’t opened plans for the coming week. Meanwhile, advance booking is yet to open in a full-fledged manner in cinemas like Devgn CineX Mulund, Devgn CineX Thane, Topiwala, MovieTime Malad, Tilak and Rajhans Ghatkopar.

An exhibition source told Bollywood Hungama, “This is like agni pariksha for us. We need to allot shows to Raja Shivaji (releasing in Hindi and Marathi), Ek Din (Hindi), The Devil Wears Prada 2 (English), Patriot (Malayalam), Kara (Tamil), Dhabkaaro (Gujarati), KD - The Devil (Kannada) etc. In a city like Mumbai, where there’s an audience for films in various languages, the programming team is working dedicatedly and in constant touch with distributors to ensure that the films get sufficient showcasing.”

Meanwhile, the holdover releases like Michael and Bhooth Bangla continue to do well and also need to be accommodated. As per sources, Patriot and KD - The Devil will also have Hindi dubbed release, but as of now, its booking hasn’t opened anywhere in the country, probably due to show sharing challenges.

Raja Shivaji’s show requirements

The biggest release of the week in the Hindi-speaking market is Raja Shivaji, and its distributors, Jio Studios, have gone all out to ensure that it gets a wide release. As per the requirement list sent by the studio, exhibitors have been asked to allot all shows to the film in single-screen cinemas. In 2-screen theatres, they have asked for 7 shows, while 10 shows need to be played in 3-screen multiplexes. In cinema halls with 4 screens, 14 shows of Raja Shivaji need to be played. As for cinemas with 5 screens and above, 16 shows of the film will be held daily. This number includes both the Hindi and Marathi versions.

Also, the theatres have been asked to play Raja Shivaji in 4DX and EPIQ premium formats.

Bountiful weekend loading

The challenges notwithstanding, exhibitors are thrilled as most films are expected to pull in considerable number of audiences. The Devil Wears Prada 2 can emerge as the surprise of the week as the advances are much better than expected. Patriot, Kara and KD - The Devil will open with a bang in their respective markets, while Raja Shivaji is all set to open very well in Maharashtra.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Raja Shivaji to release with different runtimes in Hindi and Marathi; Hindi version shorter by 8 minutes

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Varun Dhawan’s Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai will now release on June 5, 2026

Fans of the classic David Dhawan brand of cinema will have to wait just a little longer. The much-anticipated romantic comedy, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, has officially shifted its theatrical release. Originally slated for May 22, 2026, the film is now set to premiere on June 5, 2026.

A Strategic Shift The rescheduling comes amidst a significant shake-up in the Indian film calendar. The move follows the recent announcement from the makers of the Yash-starrer Toxic, who confirmed that their high-octane actioner would no longer be releasing on its June 4 slot. This vacancy in the first week of June provided a prime window for Tips Films to position their family entertainer for a solo-led weekend.

Produced by Ramesh Taurani under the Tips Films banner (in association with Maximilian Films UK), the movie marks another collaboration between the father-son duo of director David Dhawan and star Varun Dhawan.

The newly released poster showcases a vibrant, chaotic energy synonymous with David Dhawan’s style. It features Varun Dhawan in a quirky pose atop twin baby strollers, flanked by leading ladies Pooja Hegde and Mrunal Thakur. The poster also gives a glimpse of a stellar supporting cast, including Maniesh Paul, Mouni Roy, and veteran actors like Jimmy Sheirgill and Rakesh Bedi, hinting at a comedy of errors. What to Expect Positioned as a "vibrant rom-com," Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is expected to be a high-energy entertainer featuring remixed 90s hits and the signature slapstick humor that defined the David Dhawan era.

With the massive success of their previous collaborations like Main Tera Hero and Coolie No. 1, trade analysts expect this June release to be a major draw for family audiences looking for light-hearted summer entertainment.

Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai arrives in cinemas worldwide on June 5, 2026.

Also Read: Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Cocktail 2: Bollywood brings back the ‘one hero, many heroines’ formula

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Raja Shivaji sells 40,000 tickets in advance booking; Pune goes on overdrive as 7:00 am shows open due to huge demand

Two days ago, Bollywood Hungama reported that the ticket sales of The Devil Wears Prada 2 were very encouraging. Raja Shivaji releases on the same day as the Hollywood comedy drama and this film, too, seems all set for a flying start, especially in its Marathi version.

According to data accessed by Bollywood Hungama, Raja Shivaji had sold more than 40,000 tickets as of 8:00 am on April 29. By 4:30 pm on April 28, PVR Inox sold 9,800 tickets for the historical entertainer’s Marathi version. Cinepolis sold 3,000 tickets, MovieMax saw sales of 2,400, while Miraj Cinemas sold more than 4,100 tickets.

The Marathi version has far more appeal due to its local flavour, ensemble cast, and the correct release period. Raja Shivaji releases on May 1, which is Maharashtra Day. Hence, the film will enjoy a three-day weekend in the state. Several films have been made on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Marathi, but Raja Shivaji seems like the grandest of them all. This has further encouraged audiences to buy tickets.

A look at the ticketing websites indicates that several shows in Maharashtra are fast-filling. Mumbai is performing very well, but the surprise is Pune, where Raja Shivaji is on an overdrive. Several theatres in this city will play the film from 7:00 am, looking at the demand. Some Mumbai cinemas have also followed suit, although they are yet to catch up like their Pune counterparts.

In short, at present, Pune is the highest performing centre in India and is even giving a tough competition to Mumbai, which is a rare phenomenon. City Pride, which has 7 cinemas in Pune and E-Square, which has 3 properties in Pune and 1 in Solapur, will emerge among the top chains in terms of ticket sales for Raja Shivaji. Both chains are expected to sell more than 20,000 tickets by April 30. The advance booking in Maharashtra towns like Nashik, Latur, Solapur, Kolhapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar etc. is also encouraging.

With such ticket sales, a healthy first-day collection is guaranteed. However, as aforementioned, a bulk of the advance sales have come for the Marathi version. Bookings for the Hindi version have yet to begin in a full-fledged manner across the country and it remains to be seen if it receives the same response as the Marathi version.

Raja Shivaji stars Riteish Deshmukh in the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and he's joined by Genelia Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Fardeen Khan, Bhagyashree, Sachin Khedekar, Amole Gupte, Jitendra Joshi and others. It is produced by Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh’s Mumbai Film Company and Jyoti Deshpande’s Jio Studios.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Raja Shivaji is 3 hours 15 minutes long; joins elite club of Animal, Pushpa 2, Dhurandhar, Border 2; CBFC replaces child violence visual in Riteish Deshmukh-starrer

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Aamir Khan CONFIRMS 3 Idiots sequel is in the works, reveals film is set 10 years later: “It’s a beautiful story”

Actor Aamir Khan has shared a major update that is likely to excite fans of one of Hindi cinema’s most loved films. During a recent conversation with Amar Ujala, the actor confirmed that a sequel to 3 Idiots is currently in development, with filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani and writer Abhijat Joshi working on the project. Aamir, who is presently occupied with promotions for Ek Din, the upcoming film produced under his banner and starring his son Junaid Khan alongside Sai Pallavi in her Hindi film debut, spoke about the long-awaited sequel while discussing future projects.

He first addressed another script based on the life of Dadasaheb Phalke and explained that the project has been paused for now. “The story of Dadasaheb Phalke is a very inspirational one, and Raju was working on it. He made three drafts, but he is still not happy with the script. So, it has been put on the back burner for now. Maybe they will revisit it later.”

Aamir then revealed that Rajkumar Hirani is currently focusing on 3 Idiots 2. “At this moment, I think he is working on 3 Idiots 2. Yes. I have heard the story, and it has turned out very well.”

The actor praised the writing and said the sequel retains the charm of the original while offering something fresh. “The script is still being worked on, but it is a very good story. It has the same kind of humour and is also a very unusual story.”

He further shared that the sequel will revisit the beloved characters from the 2009 blockbuster, but in a new phase of life. “It is the story of the same characters you saw in 3 Idiots, but 10 years later. This is also a film that I will do in the coming days.”

Aamir also expressed excitement about returning to his memorable role of Phunsukh Wangdu. “It’s a beautiful story, and I think Abhijat and Raju have written and conceived it very well. I am also waiting to do that. Once again, I will have to step into the character of Phunsukh Wangdu.”

Released in 2009, 3 Idiots became a landmark success and remains one of the most iconic films in Indian cinema. News of a sequel is expected to generate massive anticipation among audiences.

Also Read: Aamir Khan and R Madhavan deny being approached for 3 Idiots sequel: “It also sounds far-fetched”

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Veteran actor Bharat Kapoor dies at 80 in Mumbai; family performs last rites

Bharat Kapoor, known for his extensive work in Hindi cinema across several decades, passed away in Mumbai on Monday at the age of 80. The veteran actor reportedly breathed his last at Sion Hospital in the afternoon after facing health complications in recent days.

Reportedly, Bharat Kapoor had been unwell for the last few days and was undergoing treatment. His condition worsened due to multiple organ-related complications. His last rites were held later in the evening in the presence of family members, friends, and members of the film fraternity.

Actor Avtar Gill confirmed the news and shared details about Kapoor’s final hours. Speaking about the loss, he told India Today, “I just came from the cremation, it was done at 6:30 pm. He died at 3pm today in Sion Hospital, Mumbai. He was not feeling well from last three days. From last three days his multiple organs started failing.”

Bharat Kapoor was a recognizable presence in Hindi films, particularly through the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. While he may not always have played central roles, he built a respected career with memorable supporting performances. He was often cast in authoritative characters such as police officers, lawyers, businessmen, and antagonists, bringing a distinct screen presence to each role.

Over the years, he appeared in several notable films that remain popular with audiences. His filmography includes Noorie, Ram Balram, Love Story, Bazaar, Ghulami, Aakhree Raasta, Satyamev Jayate, Swarg, Khuda Gawah and Rang.

Also Read: Asha Bhosle dies at 92; last rites to be held tomorrow

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