Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 939
4:11 PM
WILL COCKTAIL 2 MANAGE TO OPEN BETTER THAN COCKTAIL?
After two weeks of multiple releases, the next two weeks will see just one major Hindi film trying its luck at the box office – Cocktail 2. Like any other Maddock production, the romcom has been extensively marketed and is constantly in the news.
Cocktail 2 stars Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna and is directed by Homi Adajania. The songs are peppy while the film’s promos promise a vibrant, youthful entertainer. For many months, there were murmurs that Kriti and Rashmika play lesbian lovers. However, they recently clarified at an event that it's not true. One song from the film, ‘Mashooka’, has especially worked well and is big on Instagram Reels.
However, the film faces some roadblocks. While there’s excitement for the film, a section of the audience will prefer to wait-and-watch, that is, go through the response and then book tickets. The film’s ‘A’ certification has raised eyebrows. It won’t affect business, as proven by Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar The Revenge that adult rating is no more a roadblock. However, viewers are curious why such a rating has been given to a film that doesn't seem really adult.
Cocktail 2’s advance booking is decent and is expected to have a double digit opening if collections jump as intended in the evening and night shows. The first part, Cocktail (2012), starring Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty, opened at Rs. 10.47 crores. The aim of Cocktail 2 would be to go past this figure. With limited competition from holdover releases, the film should then aim for a Rs. 45-50 crore weekend.
Meanwhile, Haunted – Echoes Of The Past emerged as a surprise last week. An opening of Rs. 1.50 crores was considered the best-case scenario pre-release. But it went on to collect Rs. 2.25 crores and is the best-performing film of the week. The weekday trend is weak. But the job is done and it’ll the end Week 1 with earnings totaling Rs. 14 crores.
On the other hand, Main Vaapas Aaunga was expected to take a Rs. 2-3 crore start. Sadly, it opened at just Rs. 1.10 crores. One expected the collections to double on Saturday and Sunday. That didn’t happen and the film collected Rs. 1.85 crores and Rs. 2.50 crores respectively.
Thankfully, the Monday hold was strong, when the film collected as much as on Friday. On Tuesday, due to the discounted rates, collections jumped to Rs. 1.50 crores. On Wednesday, the earnings should have come down. Instead, the film collected Rs. 1.75 crores. The film is expected to collect around Rs. 11.50 crores in Week 1. It needs to earn as much or more than Week 1 to come out with some sort of respectable collections.
After two weeks of multiple releases, the next two weeks will see just one major Hindi film trying its luck at the box office – Cocktail 2. Like any other Maddock production, the romcom has been extensively marketed and is constantly in the news.
Cocktail 2 stars Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna and is directed by Homi Adajania. The songs are peppy while the film’s promos promise a vibrant, youthful entertainer. For many months, there were murmurs that Kriti and Rashmika play lesbian lovers. However, they recently clarified at an event that it's not true. One song from the film, ‘Mashooka’, has especially worked well and is big on Instagram Reels.
However, the film faces some roadblocks. While there’s excitement for the film, a section of the audience will prefer to wait-and-watch, that is, go through the response and then book tickets. The film’s ‘A’ certification has raised eyebrows. It won’t affect business, as proven by Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar The Revenge that adult rating is no more a roadblock. However, viewers are curious why such a rating has been given to a film that doesn't seem really adult.
Cocktail 2’s advance booking is decent and is expected to have a double digit opening if collections jump as intended in the evening and night shows. The first part, Cocktail (2012), starring Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty, opened at Rs. 10.47 crores. The aim of Cocktail 2 would be to go past this figure. With limited competition from holdover releases, the film should then aim for a Rs. 45-50 crore weekend.
Meanwhile, Haunted – Echoes Of The Past emerged as a surprise last week. An opening of Rs. 1.50 crores was considered the best-case scenario pre-release. But it went on to collect Rs. 2.25 crores and is the best-performing film of the week. The weekday trend is weak. But the job is done and it’ll the end Week 1 with earnings totaling Rs. 14 crores.
On the other hand, Main Vaapas Aaunga was expected to take a Rs. 2-3 crore start. Sadly, it opened at just Rs. 1.10 crores. One expected the collections to double on Saturday and Sunday. That didn’t happen and the film collected Rs. 1.85 crores and Rs. 2.50 crores respectively.
Thankfully, the Monday hold was strong, when the film collected as much as on Friday. On Tuesday, due to the discounted rates, collections jumped to Rs. 1.50 crores. On Wednesday, the earnings should have come down. Instead, the film collected Rs. 1.75 crores. The film is expected to collect around Rs. 11.50 crores in Week 1. It needs to earn as much or more than Week 1 to come out with some sort of respectable collections.
Ram Gopal Varma eyes gritty biopic on encounter specialist Daya Nayak
10:49 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 18, 2026)
It’s going to get dark, gritty, and bloody when Ram Gopal Varma dives into the underbelly of Mumbai’s crime world, where the line between law and outlaw is razor-thin. Industry sources tell mid-day that early discussions are underway for the filmmaker to direct a biopic on celebrated Mumbai encounter specialist Daya Nayak. Multiple insiders indicate that the project will be backed by a big studio.
“The idea has been around for a while, but in recent months there has been renewed movement on it. Right now, the priority is getting the screenplay right and deciding the lens through which Daya Nayak’s story should be told,” says a source familiar with the development.
The film could potentially be positioned as a revival of the ‘Company’ franchise. Varma had once planned to make ‘Company 2’, centred on encounter specialists, with Nayak reportedly serving as a consultant, says another insider.
“In 2010, there were conversations around fitting it organically into the larger world of ‘Company’. While nothing has been decided yet, it has come up during discussions.”
Moushumi Chatterjee writes to PM Narendra Modi; raises alarm over environmental damage
10:47 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 18, 2026)
The heat is relentless, the rains are erratic, and concrete seems to be winning over little green cover. Disturbed by what she sees as a worsening ecological crisis, veteran actor Moushumi Chatterjee has written to the country’s top political leaders, urging them to protect nature before development comes at an irreversible cost.
The actor addressed her letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, expressing her grievances. She says, “The rise in temperature is causing heat waves. The rains have been absconding. This is proof in itself of where we are heading whilst tampering with Mother Nature. After cutting trees at Aarey, they want to cut mangroves in Mumbai, our first line of defense against coastal erosion.”
She questions the government’s plans for the livelihoods of the fishermen who depend on the ecosystem. While crediting authorities for building parks, sanctuaries, reserves, and eco-homestays, she says, “it’s not the same”.
“The ecological balance is disrupted, and the consequences are far-reaching. The Maharashtra State Wildlife Board approved a mining project in a crucial Tiger corridor despite a wildlife committee’s objection, which involves cutting over 18,000 trees across 35.95 hectares. For the upcoming Andaman and Nicobar Project, several animal and plant species and tribal families in the area will be affected. Is progress necessary to destroy our air, water, and food? I’m sure the authorities are aware of the bigger picture, and will consider the long-term implications of their decisions,” she hopes.
On stray dogs
Chatterjee is also appalled by the court’s order to relocate stray dogs. She questions Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Pankaja Gopinath Munde on how she “plans to help financially struggling shelters”.
“Compassionate citizens who feed them are being harassed. Community dogs are being killed for no reason. Progress, development, and providing protection is not a legal reason to harm an animal and plant species,” she argues.
Gippy Grewal reveals he cleaned toilets in Canada: "Had to struggle until my second album"
10:45 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 18, 2026)
Actor-singer Gippy Grewal who is gearing up for the release of Carry on Jatta 4, recently opened up about his journey towards success, including the struggles he faced in Canada in his early years.
During a conversation with comedian Bharti Siingh and husband Harssh Limbachiyaa, Gippy shared that although his debut song Chakk Ley was a hit, he had to juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet until his second album’s release.
“I used to do 3-4 jobs. By the time I returned home, it would be 4 o’clock in the morning. Then, I would pick up my wife (Ravneet Grewal) and the two of us would distribute newspapers. She also worked at Subway from 6 am to 4 pm and then worked as a security guard,” revealed the Angreji Beat singer.
The 43-year-old added that he and his wife even took on a cleaning contract at a mall to support themselves. “In the evening, we would work for 2-3 hours. Picking trays from the food court was her work and I did the cleaning. I had to clean the toilets as well. In other jobs, I would make 8 dollars, but in the mall cleaning job, I would get almost $13 (around Rs. 900).”
Despite the hardships, he and his wife always supported each other. Recalling the newspaper job, he shared, “My wife and I would think that this is our time together. So we would keep talking the whole time and get done with that job in two hours.”
Gippy married Ravneet in 2007. They are parents to three kids: Ekom Grewal, Shinda Grewal and Gurbaaz Grewal.
"May God give me strength": Sonu Nigam opens up about painful nerve condition
10:44 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 18, 2026)
Singer Sonu Nigam, 52, has revealed that he is battling a painful nerve condition that has kept him under medical supervision over the past week, requiring multiple MRI and CT scans, medications and physiotherapy sessions.
In a video shared on Instagram on Tuesday, the singer, while showing a patch on his shoulder and neck, said, “My nerves are pinched. I have been taking MRI and CT scans for a week. I have been taking a lot of medicines.”
The singer added, “Physiotherapy was very painful. I am taking painkillers now. Due to that, my throat is also a little heavy.”
Sonu explained that the muscle-relaxant medication prescribed as part of his treatment has also “affected his throat”, a concern for a singer preparing for live performances.
Despite the discomfort, Sonu said he is committed to going ahead with his upcoming concerts. “May God give me strength,” he said, admitting that he is feeling nervous ahead of the performances.
The singer is scheduled to perform on June 27 in Mumbai, followed by concerts in Delhi on July 25 and Abu Dhabi on August 21.
In Hollywood, auditions come before agencies-Ali Fazal
10:43 AM
Mahima Pandey (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 18, 2026)
Actor Ali Fazal has stepped into a police uniform for the first time in filmmaker Prosit Roy’s latest crime thriller Raakh, inspired by the infamous 1978 Ranga-Billa case. The actor says playing Sub-Inspector Jayprakash Jatav was a gradual process that took time to find its rhythm.
“It’s a cop role, vardi hai, which was a great lead-up because I kept asking, ‘Costume trial kab hoga?’ Then the first day arrived and I realised, ‘Fit nahin aa raha… Maybe Prosit won’t like this’. It’s been a slow and steady puzzle arriving at it,” Fazal tells us during a visit to Delhi.
While Raakh sees him explore new territory, Fazal’s next outing will bring him back to familiar ground as he reprises his fan-favourite role of Guddu Pandit in Mirzapur: The Movie. Asked to compare the two characters, he says, “Guddu has a very flamboyant world. Everybody’s right in their own story. I just finished the Mirzapur film, and it’s another kind of a thrill.”
Fazal is also among the few Indian actors who have successfully built an international portfolio, with projects such as Victoria & Abdul (2017), Death on the Nile (2022) and Kandahar (2023) to his credit.
Asked for advice for actors hoping to break into Hollywood, he says, “It works differently from India. Don’t be shy of giving auditions. It’s one of the most humbling experiences. A lot of actors have this misconception that they’ll go there, find an agency and life will start. It’s actually the other way around. You have to get through auditions, land one part and then the agencies come to you.”
Sanchita Ugale's kin seek probe over messages with ex
10:39 AM
After chats and financial transactions between late actress Sanchita Ugale and a fellow actor surface online, her family allege mental harassment and demand an investigation
Apoorva Agashe (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 18, 2026)
Days after television actress Sanchita Ugale was found dead at her residence in Nallasopara East, her family has demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death after screenshots of chats and financial transactions between the actress and a fellow actor surfaced on social media.
Ugale, known for her role in Kumkum Bhagya and for appearing in Vicky Kaushal-starrer Chhaava, was found at her residence earlier this week. While police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR), her family believes the contents of the viral screenshots warrant a deeper probe.
Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, her father, Machindra Ugale, said the family came across the screenshots only after the incident.
“We do not know what exactly happened that pushed our daughter to take such an extreme step. After her death, social media was flooded with screenshots showing chats and monetary transactions between her and an actor she knew. We have many questions and want a fair investigation into the matter,” he said.
According to the family, Ugale and the actor had previously worked together in a television serial and had been in a relationship. The screenshots purportedly show financial transactions between the two, which, according to the family, had led to frequent disputes.
The family has also alleged that the chats contain derogatory remarks directed at the actress.
“The chats clearly show objectionable language being used. She was mentally harassed, and we suspect that this may have contributed to her taking such an extreme step. We want the police to investigate all aspects of the matter,” her father alleged.
One of the screenshots circulating on social media reportedly shows a Google Pay transaction of Rs 3,000 accompanied by messages in which the actress was allegedly called “chapri” and told that she needed to learn how to act.
“She was an established actress. If someone constantly speaks to her in such a manner, it can affect a person mentally. That is why we believe every angle must be examined,” her father said.
The family said Ugale was alone at home when the incident took place. She was rushed to hospital but was declared dead.
Achole police said an ADR has been registered and that inquiries are underway.
“As of now, an ADR has been registered in the matter. We are probing the case from all angles. Her family has sought a fair investigation and we are conducting the inquiry accordingly,” a police officer said.
Dhurandhar and then what? Bollywood's box office blues return after one big hit
10:38 AM
Outdated story formulas, fading star power bring string of failures soon after the success of Dhurandhar 2
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; June 18, 2026)
Mumbai: After the blockbuster success of Dhurandhar The Revenge, Hindi cinema has slipped back into a slump, with at least seven consecutive box-office failures following the moderate performance of Bhooth Bangla, trade data showed.
Films such as Chand Mera Dil, Ek Din, Daadi Ki Shaadi, Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai and Bandar, despite featuring well-known casts and filmmakers, have failed to draw audiences.
Industry experts told ET that Bollywood's continued dependence on outdated storytelling formulas, fading star power, inability to adapt to evolving audience preferences, weak marketing campaigns and the failure to turn films into social media-driven cultural events have all contributed to the poor performance.
Producers and exhibitors said the industry has struggled to organically build audiences around films before their releases, a strategy increasingly crucial for box-office success.
Also, increasingly, makers in the Hindi film industry have a huge disconnect with audiences' tastes, said exhibitors.
"These films are rejected. Audiences want to come to theatres. The successes of Tamil film Karuppu or even the small-budget experimental horror film Obsession prove it. One needs to bring the right product at the right time. This is how the business works. Smart producers adjust to genres and not make what they think audiences will like," explained Vishek Chauhan, CEO of Roopbani Cinema, a single-screen theatre in Bihar.
"Earlier, big directors would constantly communicate with well-penetrated distributors to understand audiences' preferences and tastes. This is how they made films. This is not the case today," he added.
Apart from animation, horror genre has emerged as a favourite among audiences in India and abroad. Recently, a small-budget franchise Hindi film Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past, which was released without marketing, collected Rs. 13.5 crore in the first six days of its release.
Another reason may have been dated stories and style. "These recent films are made in the old mould. You cannot make a Hindi film with the 1990s story and expect it to click with audiences. Today, audiences reward 'unique' writing. It is not about stars or a film's budget. Given the high costs that are involved in a theatre visit, these films made in the old mould do not provide a strong reason for audiences to come to theatres," said producer Rajesh R Nair.
"It is about intent. After the pandemic, I have not seen a major film launched which has matched up to the evolved taste of audiences. The intent is totally missing. If one starts a film then one must sense the audience's tastes 18 months in advance to be relevant," explained Girish Johar, producer and film business expert.
OTT bhi barbaad ho gaya, and there’s barely any freedom there-Shekhar Suman
5:00 PM
Veteran actor Shekhar Suman refuses to label facing the camera after 14 years a ‘comeback’; says he likes to surrender as an actor, even if the director is his son, Adhyayan Suman
Soumya Vajpayee (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 31, 2026)
For years, Shekhar Suman (63) ruled the late-night airwaves as a pioneer of Indian television satire with Movers & Shakers (1997). Yet, when he consciously stepped away, a vacuum remained. For the veteran, returning after a 14-year hiatus did not feel like a comeback.
Rejecting the word as a “stereotype”, he explains: “Agar main doctor hoon, aur kuch din mareez nahin dekh raha hoon, iska matlab yeh nahin hai ki main doctor nahin hoon. Kuch aise halaat hote hain jiski wajah se ek gap aa jaata hai. (If I am a doctor and I haven’t seen patients for a few days, that doesn’t mean I stop being a doctor. Sometimes circumstances create a gap.) So I never believe in comeback. I was always there and now, I just decided to be in front of the camera.”
The transition back to the studio floor for his new show Shekhar Tonite felt seamless: “The day I faced the camera for the show, mujhe laga main to kal hi chorr ke gaya tha. (I felt like I had left only yesterday.) It didn’t feel like a 14-year-gap.”
Leaving at the peak
He walked away from Movers & Shakers at the height of its success. “I was getting complacent,” he admits. “As an actor, I wanted to explore characters and not do just one thing. I wanted to write poetry, direct a film, travel, do gardening, explore my culinary talent.”
However, persistent public yearning eventually shifted his perspective. “Movers & Shakers kabhi khatam hi nahin hua. (Movers & Shakers never really ended.) So this show is an extension, because Movers & Shakers rules people’s minds and hearts even today.” My son (Adhyayan Suman; actor-director) said, ‘If people love it and want it so much, why don’t you give it to them? It’s your responsibility.’ That became a catalyst.”
Why YouTube made sense
To launch the new property on YouTube, Shekhar backed a complete departure from traditional television networks — a landscape he feels has devolved significantly. “TV mein do hi kism ke log hain — moorkh aur maha moorkh (There are only two kinds of people in television — fools and bigger fools), so why listen to them or take diktat from them?”
Shekhar says bluntly, adding, “OTT bhi barbaad ho gaya (OTT has also gone to ruin), and there’s barely any freedom there. To thrive in a creative field, you need absolute freedom, and YouTube offers you that. Yahan, aap apni saltanat ke badshah hain. Here, you are the king of your own kingdom. It feels liberating.”
This philosophy carries over into his treatment of high-profile guests. Utilising lifelong industry relationships, a single phone call is usually enough to book distinguished figures, though Shekhar maintains a strict code of hospitality.
“Aap kisi bhi mehmaan ko apne ghar bulaate hain, toh ek maryaada zaruri hai. When you invite a guest into your home, a certain decorum is necessary. I will never ask them questions to embarrass them. I know where to draw a line.”
On stage, the script remains a fluid canvas for his signature wit: “Since I make the script myself, I manage to improvise it. While talking, a lot of things come to my head, and I paraphrase. So, there’s a lot of spontaneity.”
Speaking to Gen Z without performing for them
Navigating the modern digital landscape also meant adapting to Gen Z without artificially catering to them.
“You don’t have to make an effort to cater. Let them understand. This generation is very smart. And things like bhajan clubbing indicate that they are going back to where they belong,” Shekhar observes. The entire production crew behind Shekhar Tonite consists of Gen Z individuals. “They didn’t know anything about Movers & Shakers. But when they did their homework and researched about it, they are all so happy now and are enjoying every bit of the political satire.” Surviving the era of cancel culture and internet trolls requires a thick skin. Shekhar views trolling as an unfortunate byproduct of digital access.
“Thanks to easy access because of Instagram and YouTube, etc people enjoy being trolls and they have a sadistic streak. So resilience is key. The best thing is to not pay attention to fools.”
He remains unfazed by industry jealousy or coordinated campaigns: “Whenever someone excels, there will be a group of people who will try to pull you down, especially if you are talented. When you do good work, the mediocrity around you gets exposed. And those people try to pull you down. But that doesn’t bother me.”
The most beautiful collaboration
Shekhar attributes the reality of this revival to his son’s execution: “If Adhyayan wasn’t there, I wouldn’t have done it. I’m grateful to him, because he is the boss now. He has taken over everything, including my Instagram (laughs). But I’m fine with it. Waqt ke sath chalna bahut zaruri hai. It is very important to move with the times.”
As the driving force behind the camera, Adhyayan (38) spent years watching his father’s legacy sit on the shelf. “As a creator and an artiste myself, I realised I needed to step up and bring the show back to make sure this man took his throne. He was an undisputed pioneer of the format,” he says.
The road to bringing Shekhar Tonite to life was paved with closed doors, including four years spent chasing traditional TV executives.
“The last phone call of a studio head said, ‘Huge SS (Shekhar Suman) fan, bro. I grew up watching him’. But the undertone was that he wasn’t sure if Shekhar ji was relevant anymore,” Adhyayan recalls.
Bypassing television entirely, he self-funded the show with zero advertisers: “I thought of YouTube because I was tired of knocking on doors. It gets frustrating as a creator to just keep begging.”
Who’s the boss on set?
On set, their dynamic shifts into a space of intense professional focus. “I’m the only person who can go to dad and tell him: ‘I don’t like this, or let’s cut this take out and do another one’. When we work together, it’s serious business,” Adhyayan notes. It is a collaboration that Shekhar fully embraces: “Adhyayan is my biggest strength. This is the most fruitful and beautiful collaboration that I’ve ever had in my life. I love the fact that he’s calling the shots on the sets. And as an actor, I surrender. I can’t be like, ‘Tum humein bataoge humein kaise dekhna hai?’ You’re going to tell me how I should look? (laughs) I just follow his instructions and things are so smooth working with him.” Having never had an industry Godfather, Adhyayan dismisses mainstream nepotism debates as irrelevant to his reality.
“I find the conversation about nepotism irrelevant, because I had to build everything on my own from scratch. It took me 17 years to find the door to start the journey.”
Talking about the projects in the pipeline, Adhyayan shares: “I plan to make Dekh Bhai Dekh next and I am already in talks with [director] Anand Mahendroo ji for the same. There’s also a reality show I am working on. As an actor, I have two releases this year. I’m also debuting as a director this year with a film called Main Na Raha Mera. I have four music albums releasing this year and I also have a clothing brand called Dutchess Kumari, which is eight months old. I am building my own world.”
Throwback: The collections of Gadar and Lagaan in major cities on the day of their release
3:31 PM
Box Office India Trade Network
GADAR - EK PREM KATHA and LAGAAN released twenty years back and below are the opening day collections from some centres. Obviously they do not compare much with the collections seen today but both films opened to more or less full occupancy depending on the centre and could not do much more.
LAGAAN did manage to compete in Mumbai city and even lead in Pune city and South but it was GADAR all the way in the rest of India. The gaps were huge in the Hindi circuits and this was despite the fact that in some places, GADAR played in the weaker cinema. But that did not matter as the audience was not coming for the cinema but for the film.
Both films had a rural setting though that setting was presented more for the classes in LAGAAN. Today the industry has a huge problem as it is unable to make big films with a rural setting and tend to go the Hollywood way for action depending on high scale action and money shots. History says the bigger HITS are always likely to have a rural setting.
The collections of GADAR - EK PREM KATHA and LAGAAN on day one at some centres are below. The number of cinemas is in brackets.
Mumbai
Gadar - 18,51,000 (26)
Lagaan - 16,13,000 (21)
Ahmedabad
Gadar - 4,50,000 (8)
Lagaan - 3,95,000 (5)
Delhi
Gadar - 16,25,000 (16)
Lagaan - 14,00,000 (16)
Kanpur
Gadar - 1,32,000 (2)
Lagaan - 75,000 (3)
Lucknow
Gadar - 71,000 (1)
Lagaan - 58,000 (1)
Agra
Gadar - 80,000 (1)
Lagaan - 64,000 (1)
Jalandhar
Gadar - 1,02,000 (1)
Lagaan - 65,000 (1)
Nagpur
Gadar - 1,88,000 (4)
Lagaan - 1,32,000 (4)
Jaipur
Gadar - 2,50,000 (3)
Lagaan - 1,45,000 (3)
Hyderabad
Gadar - 4,50,000 (10)
Lagaan - 5.80,000 (13)
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