CBI closes Sushant Singh Rajput death case, clears Rhea Chakraborty
8:09 AM
Raj Shekhar Jha (THE TIMES OF INDIA; March 23, 2025)
New Delhi/Mumbai: Four-and-a half years after it began probing the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the CBI is learned to have closed the case and given a clean chit to actor Rhea Chakraborty, bringing curtains on a case that had gripped the country, reports Rajshekhar Jha. Rajput was found dead at his Bandra flat on June 14, 2020.
The probe agency is learned to have filed a closure report in two of the cases it was investigating, sources said. While one case was filed in Aug 2021 in Patna by Rajput's father against Rhea, her kin and others, the other was filed in Sept by Rhea against Rajput's sister and doctor.
CBI closure reports in 2 cases tied to Rajput death filed in Patna, Mumbai
The closure report in both was filed in a special Mumbai court, sources said. Rhea's lawyer Satish Maneshinde said, "Rhea Chakraborty had to undergo untold miseries and was behind bars for 27 days for no fault of hers until Justice Sarang V Kotwal released her on bail. I salute her and her family for having kept silent and yet suffered the inhuman treatment they were meted out. Innocent people were hounded and paraded before the media and investigative authorities. I hope this does not repeat in any case."
Rajput was found dead at his Bandra apartment on June 14, 2020, six days after his PR manager Disha Salian died. Mumbai police, which first probed the case, termed it as a case of suspected suicide, although no suicide note had been found. The provisional post-mortem suggested the cause of death was asphyxia due to hanging.
Coincidentally, on Wednesday, Disha's father Satish Salian alleged his daughter was gangraped and murdered. He has filed a plea demanding a CBI probe into her death, alleging that Rajput was visibly frightened and repeatedly expressed fear that "those people" responsible for her death would not spare him and that he would be killed. He has said both deaths are interconnected and part of a larger conspiracy.
The CBI FIR in Rajput's case named Rhea and her kin Indrajit Chakraborty, Sandhya and Showik apart from her associates Samuel Miranda and Shruti Modi.
The FIR, initially filed by Bihar police, had sections of IPC related to criminal conspiracy, abetment of suicide, wrongful restraint, wrongful confinement, theft, criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal intimidation.
After Rajput's cremation at Vile Parle's Pawan Hans crematorium, Mumbai police began their investigation, recording statements from film and casting director Mukesh Chhabra, Rajput's girlfriend Rhea, and his managerial staff. In July that year, producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali was questioned, stating he had offered Rajput four films, but eventually featured in none.
Rhea, who confirmed being in a relationship with Rajput on Twitter (now X), demanded a CBI inquiry. Mumbai police also recorded statements of filmmaker Aditya Chopra and three psychiatrists. Meanwhile, an FIR was registered against Rhea in Patna on July 28, and a team of Bihar police reached Mumbai to probe the case.
The Enforcement Directorate inquired about the money laundering angle in the case and questioned Rhea but they found no substance against her. Subsequently, the NCB initiated a probe against her along with others on allegations of procurement of drugs for Rajput which led to her arrest. In Aug 2021, the CBI filed an FIR against Rhea and others, and the ED too summoned her for questioning.
An AIIMS forensic team was roped in by the CBI on August 22, and the ED unearthed a drug angle in the case, involving the Narcotics Control Bureau.
In September 2021, Rhea filed an FIR against Rajput's sisters and doctor, which was transferred to the CBI as well.
This is the second case which has been closed as well, sources said. In October, reports emerged that the AIIMS panel had dismissed the murder theory, although the CBI stated they were probing all angles.
Eight projects of mine went down the drain and I was depressed for a long time-Gurfateh Singh Pirzada
8:06 AM
Actor Gurfateh Singh Pirzada opens up about a particularly tough period in his career and feeling more settled in the industry now
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 23, 2025)
Gurfateh Singh Pirzada recently moved into the first house he bought himself and the actor is over the moon. “More than owning real estate, it’s about just being at peace. It feels good, although meri jaan nikal gayi hai ghar banate banate,” he tells us about his new Mumbai residence.
Does he now feel a sense of accomplishment? “I don’t know about achievement, but it’s more about pride,” replies the 28-year-old, adding that it took 11 years in the industry to reach this milestone.
Reflecting on the journey, he says, “It’s been difficult, but also great. I am more settled now; I had to say no to a couple of projects because the dates were clashing. My manager said it’s a good problem to have.”
But Gurfateh, who is set to star in a web series with actor Raveena Tandon, admits that this comes after a tough spell where over half a dozen of his projects got shelved. “Those days were very difficult; seven to eight projects of mine went down the drain and I was depressed for a long time,” he shares, adding, “But bade bade actors ki filmein shelve ho rahi thi toh main kaun hi tha.”
Ask if there was a specific project that turned things around and he says, “Class (web series, 2023) gave me a new lease on life and right after that, Call Me Bae happened. It gave me a glimmer of hope. But there’s still the question ‘Is he a viable actor?’ Woh jung main abhi bhi ladd raha hoon.”
You won’t understand in-depth acting today as it’s lost in event films-Nawazuddin Siddiqui
8:05 AM
Nawazuddin Siddiqui on reuniting with director Honey Trehan for Raat Akeli Hai 2
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; March 23, 2025)
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is currently consumed by the world created by filmmaker Honey Trehan. Five years after their maiden collaboration, Raat Akeli Hai, the duo is reuniting for the sequel of the thriller drama. The actor, who plays a cop in the film, informs us, “We have been shooting for it over the last two months. We have five more days of shoot left.”
Taking a day out from the shoot to attend the second edition of the Cinevesture International Film Festival, Siddiqui shares the challenges of being part of Trehan’s film.
“You can’t enjoy [yourself] in a Honey Trehan film,” he quips, adding, “He sets up difficult tasks for you. However, if you are able to do it, you leave the audience mighty impressed. Honey deliberately adds new dimensions to the characters in the script without telling you. That’s his process. It is such a wonderful discovery for an actor,” Siddiqui smiles.
While he is thrilled with the opportunities of diverse characters coming his way, he laments at the current state of Hindi cinema. The actor has realized that post the pandemic, the audience’s taste in movies has completely changed.
“It saddens me. It feels like we have regressed. Before the pandemic, small and medium-budget films were at least releasing in theatres and people were stepping out to watch them. Now, only lavishly-mounted films have space on the big screen. It’s a big loss for medium-budget films,” he says, adding that the box office collection has become a huge pull for the audience to give a film a chance. He recounts that this was not a practice before. “If someone said, ‘That actor gave a terrific performance,’ we all would be compelled to go and watch the film because we were curious about performances,” he explains.
Siddiqui, who has grown up watching films, including Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1990), Sparsh (1980) and Ardh Satya (1983), feels that ever since people have begun consuming content on mobile screens, the impact an in-depth performance brings is lost. “I might be wrong but I believe you won’t understand [in-depth] acting today even on the big screen because it’s lost in event films,” he expresses.
Juggling films
Besides Raat Akeli Hai, Nawazuddin Siddiqui is also shooting for Costao, based on the life of customs officer Costao Fernandez, produced by Bhanushali Studios. “It’s the story of a customs officer and what all he goes through. It’s a human drama,” he shares.
Every medium has its share of adulteration and OTT, too, is facing the heat-Jameel Khan
8:02 AM
S Farah Rizvi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 23, 2025)
Actor Jameel Khan feels the phase he is in at this point of his career came after much effort. The Gullak actor, who played a progressive dad in Sooraj Barjatya’s web show Bada Naam Karenge recently, says, “The way things are in the industry is surely challenging, jo mil raha uss mein se best I am picking up. Everybody wants to make the best for themselves, the only thing I have in mind is to work with good makers.”
Jameel, who will be seen next in crime thriller series Mandala Murders, where he will shed his paternal image completely, feels that OTT platforms are facing “adulteration” just like films did: “No doubt every medium has its share of adulteration and OTT, too, is facing the heat, be it budget cut or dearth of stories, something similar that films have been going through. I, too, like many actors have been facing unprecedented requests to adjust but that’s not always possible. Andhadun paisa diya gaya logon ko when OTT took off, but if we work like machines the quality will suffer. Still, I feel OTT will pass the test as you don’t need to draw and earn unfathomable numbers at the box-office,” he says.
Jameel is happy to have finally got a chance to explore more roles. He adds, “Abhi tak jo bhi kaam ho raha tha, happened because of its own reasons. Bada Naam Karenge gave me the chance to play a father that had no similarities with Santosh Mishra (from Gullak). I would like to mention that it was never a conscious decision to think on the lines of image change as character roles are surely getting a lease of life on OTT.”
Being Govinda’s daughter led to assumptions, not film offers-Tina Ahuja
8:01 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; March 22, 2025)
ver the past few years, Govinda’s daughter Tina Ahuja has learnt the ropes behind the camera by assisting her father with his events, appearances, and photoshoots.
She shares, “Everywhere I went, people would say, ‘Aapke ghar mein hi ek superstar hain, why not learn from him?’ Toh maine socha wohi kar loon. Things took a positive turn after my music video was released in 2021. People began recognizing me for my identity beyond just being Govinda’s daughter. Eventually, I joined my dad and started managing his work, dates and accompanying him to his shoots. Working alongside him has been a turning point. The pressure of living up to his legacy began to fade, and I started enjoying the journey. My dad is an institution of acting, and what he taught me in a short span would’ve otherwise taken me a decade to learn. Now, you switch the camera on and watch me perform (smiles).”
‘I found myself in the papers after accompanying Salman Khan to an event’
Tina made her acting debut with Second Hand Husband (2015) alongside Gippy Grewal. Ask her about being labelled as an overlooked star kid, who didn’t get the quintessential dream launch, and she replies, “I have never been bothered by these tags or the ‘what if’ scenarios. Mujhe jaise kaam mila main karte gayi. Also, what’s the guarantee that a film backed by a top filmmaker and featuring a top star will succeed at the box office?”
There were rumours of Salman Khan launching her, which she dispels. She says, “The rumours started when I accompanied my father to an event. He had to go ahead and I was by myself on the green carpet. Salman ji noticed and told me to go with him. We were clicked together, and I was in the papers the next day. It became a talking point.”
‘I didn’t get as many opportunities because my parents did not belong to any group’
Being Govinda’s daughter didn’t automatically translate into substantial acting projects for Tina. She shares, “I didn’t get as many opportunities, probably because my parents did not belong to any group. Ek hota hai na ki apni beti ko promote karne ke liye thodi chamchagiri karni padti hai, woh sab main kabhi nahi chaahti nahi ki mere parents mere liye karein. I didn’t want to use my dad’s influence; it would have felt like added pressure. My father is used to receiving calls from people seeking favours for their children, and I wouldn’t like him to be on the other side.”
‘The perception that as a star kid, I wouldn’t audition cost me opportunities’
Addressing misconceptions around her career, she recalls, “A big director once wanted to cast me, but his team wondered if I’d be open to auditioning. There was a perception that as a star kid, I wouldn’t audition, which ended up costing me opportunities. Some filmmakers were wary of casting me, assuming my father would accompany me to shoots. Why would he interfere? He has never visited my sets. These baseless assumptions were frustrating. Being Govinda’s daughter led to assumptions, not film offers.”
‘Bas achha manch mile jahaan par main apna talent dikha paaun’
While she enjoys assisting her father behind the camera, Tina hasn’t ruled out a return to acting. In fact, she has bagged a Punjabi film.
She shares, “I am open to facing the camera again, but I am not desperate. Itna bhi make-up lagaane ka shauq nahi hai mujhe (laughs!). I want to do meaningful work, whether in films, web shows, or behind the camera. Bas achha manch mile jahaan par main apna talent dikha paaun.”
Chhaava collects 532.32 cr in 36 days
3:32 PM
Box Office India Trade Network
CHHAAVA had a record fifth week as it collected over 30.50 crore nett plus. The film smashed the records of STREE 2, PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE and URI. This is the first time that the 30 crore nett barrier has been crossed in week five. The only film to over 20 crore nett before this was STREE 2 and then there are only another four films to go over 10 crore nett.
The only three original Hindi films to get over 10 crore nett in week five are URI, STREE 2 and now CHHAAVA which puts this 30 crore nett into perspective. Basically two films are of Vicky Kaushal and two of Maddock Films. The three others to get over 10 crore nett are South dubbed films (BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONLCUSION, PUSHPA 2 - THE RULE and KGF - CHAPTER 2).
The drop in week five is also very limited with collections going down 25% only. This would be down to Holi which pushed the collections of higher over the weekend. The film has now collected 530 crore nett in five weeks and is heading for a 550 crore nett finish assuming the collections today are pretty much similar to Thursday. The film should continue to do well till the release of SIKANDAR and even after that, it can still get some collections
The Telugu version did well in week one with 12 crore nett but fell in second week with only 2.50 crore nett for a two week total of 14.50 crore nett. It had a shot of 20 crore nett after 4-5 days but collections came down thereafter.
The collections of CHHAAVA till date are as follows.
Week One - 2,08,89,00,000
Week Two - 1,71,76,00,000
Week Three - 79,87,00,000
Week Four - 39,45,00,000
Friday - 6,50,00,000 apprx
Saturday - 7,50,00,000 apprx
Sunday - 7,50,00,000 apprx
Monday - 2,25,00,000 apprx
Tuesday - 2,35,00,000 apprx
Wednesday - 2,25,00,000 apprx
Thursday - 2,00,00,000 apprx
Fifth Week - 30,60,00,000 apprx
TOTAL - 5,30,32,00,000 apprx
-------------------------------------
CHHAAVA recorded extraordinary numbers on its Friday as it picked up almost 2 crore nett showing a minimal drop from the previous day. It is the biggest sixth Friday ever if we discount STREE 2 which had National Cinema Day on its sixth Friday. This now takes CHHAAVA to around over 532 crore nett and and its heading towards that 550 crore nett plus mark.
The industry, which has been pretty much dead, for the last few weeks should perk up a little as trailers of films like JAAT and SIKANDAR come this weekend. There has been no release of note since CHHAAVA which is in its sixth week but the next few weeks will see SIKANDAR, JAAT and KESARI CHAPTER 2 hit screens. Hopefully something will be liked as today only being liked can get you somewhere at the box office.
The Diplomat collects 20.30 cr in 8 days
3:26 PM
Box Office India Trade Network
THE DIPLOMAT collected 19 crore nett over its first week with collections holding well over the weekdays at a similar level though they remained at a low level. Now if the film can hold on Thursday to the same level as Friday, then it will have a shot to get the 30 crore nett plus. A better hold on Monday towards the 2 crore nett would have given it a shot at 40 core nett. The film still has a shot at getting similar numbers to films like DEVA and BABY JOHN which was not expected before release.
There can be case for this film that more awareness and promotion push could have pushed the opening collections which may have enabled the film to have some chance of success. The failing of the film looks to be the initial as though a 4 crore nett number looks pretty good on paper, it came because of Holi and fair value was probably 2.25-2.50 crore nett.
The collections of THE DIPLOMAT till date are as follows.
Friday - 4,00,00,000 apprx
Saturday - 4,50,00,000 apprx
Sunday - 4,65,00,000 apprx
Monday - 1,50,00,000 apprx
Tuesday - 1,50,00,000 apprx
Wednesday - 1,40,00,000 apprx
Thursday - 1,50,00,000 apprx
TOTAL - 19,05,00,000 apprx
----------------------------------------------------------
THE DIPLOMAT collected around 1.25 crore nett on its second Friday which is a drop of 10% from the previous day which takes the film to a little over 20 crore nett. The film is probably targeting a 30 crore nett finish but with no major release it could have done better. There is always a possibility of a jump on a Friday when no releases but with this genre its probably tougher.
The collections of THE DIPLOMAT till date are as follows.
Friday - 4,00,00,000 apprx
Saturday - 4,50,00,000 apprx
Sunday - 4,65,00,000 apprx
Monday - 1,50,00,000 apprx
Tuesday - 1,50,00,000 apprx
Wednesday - 1,40,00,000 apprx
Thursday - 1,50,00,000 apprx
Week One - 19,05,00,000 apprx
Friday - 1,25,00,000 apprx
TOTAL - 20,30,00,000 apprx
Gauri Spratt bahut achchi insaan hain, says Aamir Khan’s sister Nikhat Hegde
3:18 PM
Actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan’s sister Nikhat Hegde says that the family is very happy that he has found joy with his new girlfriend Gauri Spratt
HINDUSTAN TIMES (March 22, 2025)
Days after actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan introduced the media to his girlfriend Gauri Spratt, his sister, Nikhat Hegde, has opened up about the family’s reaction.
“Hum log bahut khush hain Aamir ke liye aur Gauri ke liye bhi, kyunki woh bahut hi achchi insaan hain, aur hum bahut chahte hain ki yeh log dono khush rahein hamesha,” she told Times Applaud Trends on Thursday during the trailer launch of her Malayalam film L2: Empuraan in Mumbai.
Aamir introduced Gauri to media persons during a meet-and-greet ahead of his 60th birthday on March 14.
He also revealed that they have been dating for 18 months and are currently living together in Mumbai. Gauri, who hails from Bengaluru, confirmed that she works at his production house.
Amaal Mallik cuts ties with his family, blames parents for strained relationship with brother Armaan
3:14 PM
Composer Amaal Mallik cuts ties with his family, blames parents for strained relationship with brother Armaan
BOMBAY TIMES (March 21, 2025)
Composer-singer Amaal Mallik shared a post on Instagram announcing his separation from his family yesterday. In his note, he also blamed his parents, Jyothi and Daboo Malik, for his strained relationship with his brother, Armaan Malik.
Amaal wrote, “I’ve reached a point where I can no longer keep silent about the pain I’ve endured. For years, I’ve been made to feel like I am less in spite of spending days and nights toiling away to make a safe life for people. Cancelled every dream of mine to only find myself to be spoken down to and question what I’ve ever done. I have spent my blood, sweat and tears to create each of the 126 melodies that have released over the last decade (sic).”
‘WE AS BROTHERS HAVE GONE TOO FAR FROM ONE ANOTHER’
Amaal further wrote, “I made every dream on earth within an arm’s reach for them, so that they can stand tall in front of the world and keep their head held high. I, along with my brother’s vocal prowess, have changed the narrative of being called XYZ’s nephew or son to whoever we are today! The journey has been terrific for the both of us, but the actions of my parents have been the reason we as brothers have gone too far from one another and all of this has made me step in for myself as it has left a very deep scar left across my heart.”
“Through the last many years they have left no opportunity to disturb my well-being & belittle all my friendships, my relationships, my mindset, my self confidence. But I just kept marching on because I know I can and I believe I’m unshakable. Everything that we stand on today has come from one mind, mine and from the blessings of the almighty,” he continued.
‘I AM CLINICALLY DEPRESSED BECAUSE OF THESE HAPPENINGS’
Stating that he has clinical depression, the composer-singer wrote, “But today I stand at a point where I have been robbed of my peace, drained emotionally & maybe financially too, but that’s the least of my concerns. What really matters is that I am clinically depressed because of these happenings. Yes, I have only myself to blame for my actions, but my self-worth has been diminished countless times by actions of near and dear ones that stole pieces of my soul.”
‘I AM COMMITTED TO REBUILDING MY LIFE’
“Today, with a heavy heart, I announce that I am stepping away from these personal ties. From now on, my interactions with my family will be strictly professional. This isn’t a decision made in anger, but one born from the necessity to heal and reclaim my life. I refuse to let the past rob me of my future any longer. I am committed to rebuilding my life, piece by piece, with honesty and strength,” he signed off.
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Amaal deletes emotional post; asks people not to harass his family
BOMBAY TIMES (March 22, 2025)
On Thursday, singer composer Amaal Mallik put out a post on social media where he spoke about his strained relationship with his brother, singer Armaan, and pointed out that his parents were responsible for the situation. He even mentioned his battle with clinical depression and shared that it was triggered by “actions of near and dear ones.”
On the same day, hours later, Amaal followed it up with a second statement addressing the public reaction to his emotional post. Soon after, he deleted his first post which created a stir on social media.
In his new statement shared on Instagram, Amaal asked media outlets to refrain from harassing his family or sensationalizing his personal revelation.
He wrote, “Thank you for the love and support, it truly means a lot, but I would request the media portals not to harass my family. Please don’t sensationalize and give negative headlines to my vulnerability...It’s a request. It’s taken a lot for me to open up & it is a very tough time for me... I will always love my family, but for now, from afar. Nothing changes between us brothers, Armaan and I are one, and nothing can come between us. Love & Peace.”
Manoj Bajpayee to front American director Ben Rekhi’s upcoming movie; backed by Rana Daggubati
3:10 PM
Sources say Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee has fronted American director Ben Rekhi’s yet-untitled Hindi social drama, backed by south superstar Rana Daggubati
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 21, 2025)
After Pinjar’s (2003) release, Manoj Bajpayee was set to star in an international film with actor Frank Langella, but the project didn’t materialize. Over two decades on, Bajpayee has added an Indo-American movie to his filmography. mid-day has learnt that the actor has fronted a yet-untitled Hindi social drama, directed by American filmmaker Ben Rekhi, who previously helmed The Ashram (2018) and Watch List (2019). Interestingly, the film is produced by Rana Daggubati, marking his first collaboration with Bajpayee.
Daggubati, through his production house Spirit Media, has been throwing his might behind promising movies, Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light (2024) being one example. When he crossed paths with Bajpayee in recent years, thanks to their involvement in Discovery+ shows, the actor-producer felt the latter would be the right fit for a social drama he was developing.
A source reveals, “Ben has written the story. Manoj plays a common man whose family lands in trouble, leading him to fight for a cause. Through the family’s journey, the story highlights a social issue. The actor is known to be selective about his scripts. When Rana and Ben narrated the story to him, he said yes immediately.”
The film was shot in Mumbai last year. “Some theatre actors from Mumbai are part of the cast. It’s a collaboration between Rana’s banner and a Los Angeles-based production house. The makers are keeping it under wraps until they finalise the release plans,” adds the source.
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