No role is too small. Who knows that better than Triptii Dimri, her brief part in Animal (2023) having changed her career overnight? The blockbuster’s success brought her many things, including a wider audience and the ‘national crush’ label. Last month, Karan Johar announced his next production, Bad Newz, starring Vicky Kaushal, Dimri and Ammy Virk. While the posters released in March showed Dimri sporting a baby bump, mid-day has now learnt that director Anand Tiwari’s comedy revolves around the rare medical condition, heteropaternal superfecundation.

A source tells us that like director Raj Mehta’s Good Newwz (2019), its spiritual sequel too has pregnancy as the central conflict. “While Good Newwz was about accidental sperm swap, Bad Newz is based on a medical condition called heteropaternal superfecundation, where a woman gets pregnant with twins from different men. The film is based on a true incident,” the source says.

In the comedy, the actor will be seen romancing both Kaushal and Virk. More importantly, her character marks a stark departure from her submissive role in Animal. It’s also her first light-hearted part after back-to-back intense portrayals of an ill-fated lover in Laila Majnu (2018), a woman seeking revenge in Bulbbul (2020), and a singer battling depression in Qala (2022).

“Triptii will be seen as a mainstream leading lady for the first time. Like Dharma heroines, she plays today’s woman, an ambitious chef, who can go to any lengths to further her career,” adds the source. 

It’s evident that Dimri is consciously steering towards mainstream cinema this year. The actor has the horror comedy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 with Kartik Aaryan, and Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video opposite Rajkummar Rao in the pipeline. That, however, doesn’t mean she has bid adieu to intense stories. The actor, along with Siddhant Chaturvedi, will front Johar’s yet-untitled romantic drama, helmed by Shazia Iqbal. From what we hear, it’s a profound love story set against the backdrop of the caste system.

“The film is a remake of the Tamil hit, Pariyerum Perumal [2018]. It is currently in post-production. The makers are contemplating titling it Dhadak 2, as a spiritual sequel to Janhvi Kapoor-Ishaan Khatter’s Dhadak [2018], which explored class difference.”

Ever since Samantha Ruth Prabhu shared her struggle with autoimmune condition myositis in 2022, she has been open about her spiritual and holistic healing. From encouraging her fans to focus on their physical health to starting a podcast, Take 20, on mental well-being, the actor, who turns 37 tomorrow, admits that she finds it difficult to get through to her fans in matters other than entertainment.

“I have a fan base that is more interested in entertainment, fashion and make-up. So, to make that transition into health and advocating mental health is not easy. I have to change perceptions and that takes time,” says the Kushi (2023) actor.

But Prabhu is committed to the cause: “It’s closest to my heart. If I can bring about some change even with a handful of people, I’ll be happy, as I believe this is my calling.”

The actor, who will next be seen in Citadel - Honey Bunny, is often subjected to social media trolling. She says, “I’ve reached a place where I can filter out the crap from the good. So, it’s not as hard as it used to be.”

Samantha gave her wedding gown a facelift and turned it into a bodycon for an event. She said in a statement, “Originally crafted by my good friend Kresha Bajaj, wearing it re-imagined this way, evokes a range of emotions. This dress has always been special, but now it symbolizes much more. We often tend to assign specific ideas or notions to our cherished possessions, rather than recognizing their true value.”

She married actor Naga Chaitanya in 2017 and they parted ways in 2021.

It was one happy moment for bride Arti Singh when she saw her mama Govinda walk into her wedding to bless her. Arti tied the knot with businessman Dipak Chauhan on Thursday and not many were expecting Govinda to be present, given the ongoing feud between mama and bhanja (Arti’s brother Krushna Abhishek).

Over the past few years, Govinda and Krushna have had a strained relationship. In an interview with us last year, the Partner actor had said, “Sometimes when you say a few things, it comes out in the press and becomes a story. But sometimes, we do cross the line, and there, I’m a little strict with the whole family. If you cross the line, then I will keep my distance and it is not due to enmity. It is just for my peace of mind and to keep a safe environment around me. So, it is not that I have anything against Krushna.”

In 2018, Govinda’s wife, Sunita Ahuja, was upset with a tweet by Krushna’s wife, Kashmera Shah, about “people who dance for money.” She believed Kashmera took a jibe at Govinda.

Krushna later clarified that the tweet was about his sister Arti, but that didn’t help mend relations between them. So, did the mama-bhanja reconcile at Arti’s wedding? Talking to the media about Govinda’s presence at the wedding, Krushna said, “Hum sab bahut khush hai.”

Kashmera added, “He has always been very sweet. Unhone mere dono bachchon ko bless kiya, aashirvaad diya. I’m very happy.” Govinda attended the wedding with his son Yashvardhan.

So did Govinda and Krushna really hug and make up at the wedding, or was the former present there just for his niece? That still remains unanswered.

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Putting all talk around a rift with nephew Krushna Abhishek and his wife Kashmera Shah, to rest, actor Govinda attended niece, Arti Singh’s wedding with Dipak Chauhan on Thursday.

And Kashmera couldn’t have been happier. “Of course it was Arti’s big day toh woh sabse bada highlight tha. And then, the most special moment was that mere beton ko Chi Chi maama ka aashirwaad mila. They met him for the first time,” shares the actor, whose twin sons Krishaang and Rayaan were born in 2018.

Glad that this occasion marks fresh beginnings for the family, Kashmera adds, “Chi Chi maama blessing my kids without any malice marks a new beginning of our relationship with him. Woh mere maama-sasur hain, and now, my sons will also be able to know their granddad. I can now proudly sit and show them all his movies and songs!”

Just as happy and satisfied was Krushna, shares the Bigg Boss 16 participant. “Krushna slept with a smile on his face. He was standing next to Arti as her father and not her brother. I was the host for the evening, toh sab kuch bahut jaldi mein hua, we couldn’t have a proper conversation,” she says, adding that when she bent to touch his feet for his blessings, he didn’t let her.

“He was so warm to me, I am touched. Even Yash (Govinda’s son Yashvardhan) came. After meeting Arti, Yash wanted to meet my kids. They all met their cousins for the first time. I had promised my sons that Yashvardhan is coming so they were waiting, ki bhaiya kab aayenge!”

The feud happened between the two families in 2016 when some of Krushna’s jokes and Kashmera’s comments online didn’t go down well with Govinda’s wife Sunita Ahuja, in response to which Govinda and family, began giving the cold shoulder to the couple.

Shruti Haasan’s personal life has come under the radar as the actor-singer and her boyfriend, doodle artist and illustrator Santanu Hazarika, have unfollowed each other on Instagram, sparking break-up rumours.

Confirming the news, a source tells us, “They broke up last month. Since there were personal wavelength issues, they decided to part ways amicably.”

When we reached out to Haasan, she refused to comment and requested for privacy.

Haasan has deleted all the photos with her now ex-boyfriend from her Instagram. She also took a break from social media recently and marked her return with a cryptic post that read: “It’s been a crazy ride, learning so much about myself and about people. We should never be sorry for all the things we can be or need to be (sic).”

BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN had very poor collection in the second week with only 7.50 crore nett coming which takes the film to 53.75 crore nett in two weeks. The film has around 50 lakhs nett also from regional versions which is also practically next to nothing.

Despite the film being an action entertainer, the collections from mass circuits make no better reading as the central belt will stay below CREW and a single screen dominated circuit like Bihar may not reach the numbers of a film like TERI BAATON MEIN AISA ULJHA JIYA.

The collections in the two big circuits Mumbai and Delhi/UP will not reach 20 crore nett in either while lifetime may have to settle for less than 60 crore nett.

The collections of BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN are as follows.  

Friday - 1,15,00,000 apprx

Saturday - 1,60,00,000 apprx

Sunday - 2,00,00,000 apprx

Monday - 70,00,000 apprx

Tuesday - 70,00,000 apprx

Wednesday - 65,00,000 apprx

Thursday - 65,00,000 apprx

SHAITAAN continues to run at the box office and could hang around for a more weeks yet with low collections. The total collections of the film were 146 crore nett after six weeks. The film will probably fall short of 150 crore nett but should beat the business of films like OMG 2 and ROCKY AUR RANI KII PREM KAHAANI which were in the range of 147-148 crore nett.

The film has surpassed the numbers of FIGHTER in CP Berar and CI with CP Berar also beating the numbers of DUNKI and this is when SHAITAAN is pretty much devoid of music and is a far smaller film than both. Yet these core mass circuits show better numbers probably as the film is more story driven which becomes crucial in the mass circuits today.

SHAITAAN is the only film of 2024 to have worked all over. Gujarat is indeed less but that can probably be put down to the fact that it is a remake of a Gujarati film which has meant very average collections in this circuit. The film has also collected around $4.5 million overseas and is heading for a worldwide total of around 215 crore.

The collections of SHAITAAN till date are as follows

Week One - 80,18,00,000 

Week Two - 35,07,00,000

Week Three - 18,77,00,000

Week Four - 6,59,00,000

Week Five - 3,62,00,000

Week Six - 1,35,00,000

The last week has been the worst week ever for the film industry with two huge disasters BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN and MAIDAAN hitting cinemas on Eid. The lowest point ever before that was Independence Day week of 2022 when LAAL SINGH CHADDHA and RAKSHA BANDHAN came together. Still those were dark days with heavy post Covid hangover which served as some sort of excuse.

Gradually, the box office started recovering but now Eid 2024 sees the lowest of lows. Not much was really expected from either film but the hope was BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN can get some sort of opening and MAIDAAN would pick up due to the zone it is in. Neither happened. BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN was dead on arrival with no interest while MAIDAAN was never going to open but it also refused to pick up.

The losses are huge for both films as MAIDAAN is a 240 crore film and recovery from all revenue will be around 160 crore. BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN will recover around 185 crore on a 365 crore budget. There is a caveat on BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN as there will be rebate from United Kingdom which brings the budget down. The number filed for a UK rebate will actually bring the budget down heavily if this rebate comes but we will go by fair value which makes it comes down to 290 crore. In other words, its a 200 crore fair value loss this Eid between the two films. 

Internally, it gets worse for the industry with films being shelved across the board. The scenario is such today that by the time news of a film happening breaks into the public domain, it is probably actually shelved. The announcements are many but many of these will not get made. This is not the doing of Eid releases as was there before but the results of the Eid films just shakes up the industry more.

The first quarter has done okay and only SHAITAAN has done well all over. It is that real HIT film in the first quarter. More than that, the first quarter had almost every other film giving incentives and there was smatterings of feeding as well. So irrespective of where the numbers land, when these things are happening, it signals things are NOT right. A positive picture may well be painted with perception through the media for films but within the industry, everyone knows its in shambles at present and no one really knows when it will get better.

The second quarter will be worse than the first quarter due to lack of films and all hope is pinned on the second half of the year which should bring some relief though only if the films have merits. There are original Hindi films like SINGHAM AGAIN, BHOOL BHULAIYAA 3 and STREE 2, which on paper look like those desi entertainers, and can maybe unlock the business in the Hindi speaking states. This is the key going forward as once the films start scoring in these belts, it will lift the gloomy clouds as these limited footfalls in the big states in the first quarter just cannot take the industry anywhere.

 

Priyadarshan is gearing up for his next cinematic venture, which will mark his long-awaited reunion with actor Akshay Kumar after 14 years. The director-actor duo is popular for delivering cult classics such as Hera Pheri (2000) and Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), among several other movies.

Speaking about the upcoming project, Priyadarshan reveals, “After completing my docu-series on Ram Mandir’s history, I am now focusing on my most significant film — a horror fantasy with a touch of humour, starring Akshay, and produced by Ekta Kapoor.”

Addressing comparisons to Bhool Bhulaiyaa, the 67-year-old clarifies, “While it was a psychological thriller, this new venture will delve into the realm of fantasy, exploring black magic. Working with Akshay has always been a pleasure; he brings depth to his characters effortlessly. I’ve been awaiting the right project to collaborate with him again, and I believe this is it.”

When we remark that Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa are both getting third sequels, Priyadarshan shares, “The first one is always the best, like Hera Pheri. The original will always be good, even if you make second or third parts. People will always say they liked the original. In sequels, makers exploit the success of that market. There’s nothing wrong in doing that. As for remakes (he remade the 1989 Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking into Hera Pheri), I’m more open to them, provided they serve a purpose and resonate with audiences.”

Reflecting on his diverse filmography, Priyadarshan says, “Whether it’s horror, comedy or romance, I strive to create films that appeal to viewers of all ages without resorting to vulgarity or innuendo.”

The culture of the paparazzi is growing more and more prevalent every day. Stars are always popping up on our Insta feeds, wherever they go — from airports to gyms, courtesy popular pap pages. However, when female stars’ “zoomed-in” body parts appear on pap pages, these so-called “spotted images” become the target of criticism from both celebs and fans. Currently, a number of stars are refusing to be photographed, especially from behind, worrying about being “zoomed-in pictures”. We spoke with paps to learn the reality.

No one wants to zoom in on the body parts. Nora continuously gives a back pose, then turns and waves. As for what Mrunal Thakur and Palak Tiwari said, the new trend of ‘Guess who?’ is on the rise. If they are at an event where cameras are placed, they will invariably end up shooting them from both the front and the back.

Actor Avinash Tiwary is very content with his career trajectory. Recently seen in the sleeper hit film Madgaon Express, the actor asserts that he isn’t insecure of competition or the fact that he is an outsider.

“Mujhe apne career ko dekh ke khud se jalan ho jaati hai. In the last three years, I don’t think any of my contemporaries have worked in such varied projects, with the country’s top producers, like I have,” the 38-year-old says.

“Laila Majnu (2018) is a popular romantic film, while Bulbbul (2020) is liked in the fantasy genre. Bambai Meri Jaan is one of the finest shows in its genre. Why wouldn’t I be envious of the career I am making?” the actor quips.

Point out that he takes up less work and Tiwary explains, “Bambai took four years of my life, then came Khakee: The Bihar Chapter. A web show is like three films. With the work I did, it felt like nine films in a year. I get very selective; there are only few things that excite me.”

Does he feel at home in the industry now? “When people see your work and admire it, they give love and respect. People respect (my work), so I feel a part of this industry a little more. It makes you feel you are one of them,” he says.