STREE 2 has emerged the second biggest grosser ever in CI and the third film to cross the 20 crore nett mark after BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONLCUSION and GADAR 2. The circuit is a mass barometer and figures never lie. With the three films on top and the gap to the rest, it pretty much shows which films have had biggest mass penetration in the last ten years or so.

The word mass is used a lot today with all these South films being called MASS films but you do not become a mass just because the hero is beating 50 goons or what down south they call elevation scenes with the entry of the hero. Films like THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME and DEVARA are called MASS films due to the elements but they hardly get reach outside their own states. A mass film is always about REACH and in India if you cant reach the heavy populated areas, you are NOT a mass film as you not reaching the masses.

STREE 2 may not have the elements of what is seen as a mass film but the fact is the film is a bigger mass film than even the likes of ANIMAL, JAWAN and PATHAAN as it has easily smashed the numbers of these films in the heavy populated states which indicates better satellite than these films in the long run also. BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONLCUSION remains the biggest film in CI but GADAR 2 would have comfortably beaten it if it had better ticket pricing and that is not taking the clash into as consideration as OMG 2 would not be a much of a factor here. 

Taking GADAR 2 comfortably crossing 25 crore nett with better pricing means that PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE can actually target the 30 crore nett mark in this circuit if the film is as good as the trailer. This figures is almost double of ANIMAL and more than double of PATHAAN and JAWAN. The numbers can get higher and higher in this circuit when films have real reach.

The top ten grossers in CI of all time are as follows.

1. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion - 24,51,00,000

3. Gadar 2 - 22,62,00,000

4. Animal - 17,98,50,000

5. KGF - Chapter 2 - 16,08,50,000

6. Jawan - 14,84,50,000

7. Pathaan - 14,19,50,000

8. Dangal - 14,18,00,000

9. Tiger Zinda Hai - 12,83,50,000

10. PK - 12,59,00,000

While Shah Rukh Khan is one of the biggest superstars of Indian cinema, the actor has witnessed his fair share of failures. After a lull of four years post poor box-office (BO) performance of Zero (2018), Khan made a comeback last year with three releases — Pathaan, Jawan and Dunki — and they worked wonders at the BO.

In hindsight, he admitted that he has come to see failure in a different light. At Dubai’s Global Freight Summit, when asked whether he has ever been critical of his career, Khan said, “I am. And I hate feeling it and then I cry a lot in the bathroom. I don’t show it to anyone. Because I think you can wallow in self-pity for [only] about that much time. [But] you have to believe that the world is not against you or conspiring to destroy your work. No — You have to believe that you made it [the project] badly, and then you have to move on. There are moments of despair, but there are moments where you say, ‘Shut up, get up and get on with it’.”

The 59-year-old went on to add, “Imagine yourself as an ant; me a very good-looking ant (smiles) but nevertheless an ant! Sometimes the wind takes you away... [but] the wind is not working against you. It is just doing what it does. Life does what it does. You can’t start blaming life for the failure. You have to remember that it must be something that I did wrong or the business did wrong, or the strategy and marketing went wrong... and I need to figure it out (sic).”

Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan’s joint appearances are often marked by their witty banter. Things, however, took an emotional turn as the duo shot for an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16, which will be aired tonight. As part of the promotions for I Want to Talk, Abhishek appeared on the quiz show along with director Shoojit Sircar and author Arjun Sen, on whose experiences the film is based. In the episode, Abhishek recounted how Sircar pitched the film to him.

“Shoojit-da didn’t tell me the entire story. He only spoke about Arjun-da’s journey, and that alone left a lasting impression on me,” said the actor.

I Want to Talk tells the story of a man whose medical diagnosis alters his life journey, following which he reaches out to his estranged daughter. With the movie offering a retelling of Sen’s personal experiences, the author recalled his battle with cancer and how his daughter Raka became his motivation to emerge triumphant.

“My three-year-old daughter, Raka, asked me three questions, ‘What is dying? Are you dying? Will you dance at my wedding?’ I reflexively told her that I’d dance at her wedding. Seeing her eyes light up, it became my life’s mission to be there for her,” recounted Sen on the show.

Abhishek then revealed that the movie’s profound exploration of the father-daughter relationship was the primary reason he agreed to front it. He reflected, “Aaradhya is my daughter, and Shoojit-da has two daughters. We are all dads to girls, and truly understand that emotion. What resonated with me the most was Arjun’s promise to his daughter. That unwavering commitment as a father is beyond words.”

Riddhima Kapoor Sahni recently made her debut with the reality TV series Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives. Her entry into the world of entertainment feels almost inevitable, given that she’s the daughter of late actor Rishi Kapoor and actor Neetu Kapoor.

“Everybody knew this (stepping into the spotlight) would happen at some point. But they didn’t know when,” Sahni shares, adding, “The decision was made organically when an opportunity [from filmmaker Karan Johar] arose.”

Does she feel any pressure to live up to the Kapoor family legacy? “I’m doing my own thing. I’m living a beautiful life with my family in Delhi. People talk so much about privilege. My privilege is living with my family. I get to spend so much time with them, both in Mumbai and Delhi, and I express gratitude for that every single day. So legacy for me means… I’ll try and prove myself every single day to whatever ability I can and take it from there,” the 44-year-old says.

Naturally, her first sounding board was her mum, Neetu. “My mum was all for it. She told me, ‘You’ve been a fan of the series, and you could have a good time filming it. This is a shot. Go for it’,” Sahni recalls, adding that her brother, actor Ranbir Kapoor was also supportive, “Ranbir never says anything (objects). He told me, ‘You want to do it, do it. We are with you’.”

When asked if she was nervous about how the audience would perceive her, Sahni admits she doesn’t dwell on online reactions. “People will say good and bad things. I never cared about the trolls because unka kaam hai bolna, humara kaam hai ignore karna. The reality is I also got a lot of love online, and I’m grateful for it,” she says, adding, “I do what I want to do, whatever makes me happy. I’m not looking for validation.”

There is a new romance brewing in the city, albeit for the cameras. Only last month, it was reported that R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh were set to team up for a love story. Now, mid-day has learnt that the project has gone on floors. So, what is the actors’ maiden collaboration all about? From what we’ve heard, it’s a May-December romance of sorts, with Madhavan’s character coming across a younger woman on a dating app. Sources tell us that it is tentatively titled Tharki.

Director Vivek Soni, who previously helmed Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dassani-starrer Meenakshi Sundareshwar (2021), is offering a light-hearted take on the unusual love story.

An insider reveals, “Madhavan plays a virgin, who is in his mid-40s. He comes across Fatima’s character, a woman in her early 30s, on a dating app, and how the two fall in love forms the crux of the story. It’s a quirky and contemporary take on the relationship.”

The cast includes Namit Das, who plays the protagonist’s close friend, and Karan Wahi in a special appearance. While the film rolled in Mumbai in early November, the unit’s next stop will be Kolkata in December. The OTT film, produced by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment, will find a home on Netflix. 

Tharki marks Madhavan’s return to the rom-com genre almost a decade after Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015). “Madhavan’s fans in the Hindi audience have always enjoyed his romantic comedies, be it the Tanu Weds Manu franchise or Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein [2001] that found a wide fan base over the decades. Tharki will be the perfect payoff for them, after his intense portrayals in Shaitaan and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect [2022]. In fact, he will also be seen in another romantic comedy, De De Pyaar De 2, but the love story won’t be centred on his character,” adds the source.

Shaikh, meanwhile, also has Anurag Basu’s Metro...In Dino in the pipeline.

Filmmaker Onir’s latest outing, We Are Faheem & Karun, recently premiered at the Dharamshala International Film Festival. The queer love story set in Jammu and Kashmir is presented by filmmaker Deepa Mehta. While Onir hopes for a theatrical release, he expresses concerns about the creeping threat of silent censorship, particularly on OTT platforms, which are generally perceived as more liberal with content.

Notably, the Supreme Court last month dismissed a plea seeking a direction to the Centre for setting up of an autonomous body to monitor and filter content and regulate videos on OTT and other platforms.

When asked if digital platforms provide a better space for his brand of cinema, which often explores queer love stories, Onir muses, “Yes and no,” acknowledging the shifting dynamics in the digital space. He elaborates, “With the recent attacks on OTT platforms, now very often, the platforms want your films to go through the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) before it comes to the platform.”

The 55-year-old says that OTT platforms, in an effort to avoid any controversy, often require a CBFC certificate for films that are not their own originals. “Especially, they would want that from a film like ours... which is perceived as controversial,” he adds.

Having helmed films such as My Brother...Nikhil (2005), I AM (2010) and Shab (2017), Onir is no stranger to the perceptions and challenges surrounding the themes that his cinema revolves around. He, however, insists, “I am not doing a film to create controversy, even though it is perceived like that. But when people watch it, they realize that it is a simple story of love.”

Vijay Deverakonda recently suffered an injury on the sets of his upcoming film VD12. However, the actor continued to shoot for the film.

During his recent visit to Mumbai, the Liger actor told us, “It is a part of the job. Every actor faces injury at some point in their life. It is not major, but it restricts me from quite a few things. I knew that the shoulder injury would be fixed, but I was in a lot of pain for a few nights and was not able to sleep.”

The actor adds, “I don’t like to stop. Since I was a kid, I was into sports, so I do not know how to take breaks. Just the thought of taking a break makes me sad and scares me, so I figure out ways to deal with it and go about doing things that I need to do.”

In a surprising twist, Vijay took a tumble down the stairs while promoting his latest song "Sahiba" shortly after this interview. Fortunately, the actor is doing well and he showed his sense of humor by releasing a lighthearted video poking fun at the incident and himself.

In an interview with us, Vijay spoke about the song. “As soon as I heard it, I knew it was a song that will be a hit. So, I told her (Jasleen Royal) it’s a hit song. I personally do not like doing music videos, but Jasleen is one little stubborn, persistent girl. This happened purely because of her. She made it happen. I tried not to do this song for a long time. I kept pushing Jasleen, saying, I don’t have dates. I tried everything I could to not do the song. After telling her that the song is a hit. She just didn't give up. And at some point, I gave in and I said, ‘Let's do it’. Maybe it was meant to be.”

A R Rahman and wife Saira Banu are separating after 29 years of marriage, their lawyer said on Tuesday. “After many years of marriage, Saira and her husband A R Rahman have made the difficult decision to separate from each other. This decision comes after significant emotional strain in their relationship. Despite their deep love for each other, the couple has found that the tensions and difficulties have created an insurmountable gap between them, one that neither party feels able to bridge at this time,” read the joint statement, emphasizing that, “they have taken this decision out of pain and agony.”

In a post on X, Rahman wrote, “We had hoped to reach the grand thirty, but all things, it seems, carry an unseen end. Even the throne of God might tremble at the weight of broken hearts. Yet, in this shattering, we seek meaning, though the pieces may not find their place again. To our friends, thank you for your kindness and for respecting our privacy as we walk through this fragile chapter. #arrsairaabreakup.”

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“We kindly request everyone to respect our privacy during this time. Thank you for your understanding” - A R Ameen, son

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“I would greatly appreciate it if this matter could be treated with the utmost privacy and respect. Thank you for your consideration” - Khatija, daughter

Starting out in the field of acting with inter-collegiate competitions, Sai Tamhankar had no idea about how far this journey would take her. Back then, it was just about a young girl earning decent money from acting but not knowing what to do with it. Then came a turning point in her life. In a heartfelt chat with us over cups of freshly-brewed black coffee by her, Sai talks about this change that eventually paved the way for her passion towards work, how she’s at a stage where she wants to strike a work-life balance, why counselling should be a must for everyone, and more. Excerpts:

Back when she started doing films, work ethic wasn’t really a focal point. But a gradual transformation resulted in a changed approach. “I wasn’t as punctual as I am today. I have consciously changed that. Today, I am a very hygienic actor. If I have an 8 am shift the next day, I will ensure to sleep early and reach the set on time. This change happened organically, definitely not overnight. I think acknowledging that you want to change is the biggest step in the direction,” she says, adding, “I have learned to channelize my energy well. Learning from mistakes has been the biggest takeaway for me in this journey.”

The Bhakshak actress acknowledged the importance of taking time off work, but it isn’t something she has fully made peace with yet.

“As a person I have understood and acknowledged myself beautifully. That said, I do feel sometimes that I don’t reward myself as much as I should, especially in terms of time,” she tells us.

Essentially, that translates to not taking time out for herself. She adds, “I have this approach that my professional life needs to be top-class. Other things can take a backseat. This is exactly what I want to change. Work will continue to be the focus but after all these years of slogging, somewhere I am feeling burned out. Not creatively, but by constantly thinking of work.”

Ask her if she sees herself doing nothing but chilling, and she replies, “I would be lying if I said yes. Without working for a week, I will be like a fish out of water. I like being a workaholic, but I think work and life can be better balanced. I have started doing it. If I am shooting a long schedule, I make sure to have at least two days to myself. I will use them for doing laundry, cleaning my house or just relaxing. I haven’t achieved that balance completely, but I am slowly getting there. Your brain needs rest. I am realizing this a little late, but I am glad that I am.”

Mental sanity is of utmost importance for everyone today, feels the Mimi actress. “Being neutral, calm and present is like having a fertile piece of land. Whatever comes out of it is bound to be good. I feel counselling should be mandatory for everyone at least once a month. We do physical cleaning or workouts to stay physically fit. Counselling can help you cleanse your mind,” she says. She also shares that one shouldn’t shy away from seeking help. It is something that she doesn’t just preach but practices as well.

Opening up about her experience with therapy, Sai adds, “I have taken therapy too. It started after my divorce, but it’s a continued process for many reasons. Therapy has helped so much and opened a whole new world to me. You do minor things daily that entangle your life. When you speak to a professional, you understand it’s not necessary and that’s when change begins. Once you open up to someone, you feel light. It’s amazing."

Sai has an interesting slate of projects to look forward to, including Agni, where she teams up with Pratik Gandhi and Matka King, through which she ticks off a name from her directors’ wish list – Nagraj Manjule. The actress confesses that it took some time for her to understand the seriousness of her profession, but since she did, there has been no looking back.

“I was always interested in acting but as a youngster, I wasn’t that serious about it from a professional standpoint,” she says.

Things changed after a phone call from her father, who Sai lost at a young age. “I was probably 20 when I got a call from my father. After that call, I had a gut feeling that from here on I was going to be responsible for my mother. My mother is my weak point. That call was a turning point in my life and from then, I never looked back,” she shares, adding that it’s only now that she has reached a stage where she thinks she can relax and sit back for a while.

A few months ago, the Justice Hema Committee report created ripples in the south-Indian film industry with its findings about the discrimination and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry. 

Ask Sai how a #MeToo movement or the Hema Committee report has changed things on ground, and she shares, “I think it’s a process. Things aren’t going to change overnight. I think these developments have been successful in helping lay a foundation for rules and guidelines. Most importantly, they have created widespread awareness. There may be more such revelations in the future but ultimately the common goal should be to reach a point where all this stops. It needs time and patience because uniting people to do something together is not easy. But it will happen. Harvey Weinstein is the biggest example of how wrongs don’t stay hidden. You can’t suppress them. They find a way to come forward.” 

The actress further adds, “Of course I can tell women to take no nonsense today from the position that I am in. But it’s easier said than done. I think recognizing the problems and giving it back to perpetrators in whatever way you feel is right is an individual’s decision."

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Speaking my mind has landed me in trouble in the past. But I have realized that my words mean something and are looked up to by many people. So that responsibility give me a self-check now