DRISHYAM THE CONCLUSION had another huge day on Sunday as it collected almost 60 crore nett. The film did not reach the first day figure as the bigger centres were less. The film has collected an extraordinary 172.50 crore nett in its first weekend and will cover the total business of DRISHYAM 2 in another 2-3 days.

The franchise has spread it is wings as this one has done much all round business as compared to the first part which was very Mumbai circuit dominated. North India is the surprise as its doing as well as Mumbai. The Hindi mass circuits are a little less but that is expected for a film like this devoid of action and songs and we take that into account, then the likes of Bihar and CI are actually phenomenal.

There is no doubt that the film will emerge a BLOCKBUSTER with a strong run till Diwali. There will be a drop on Monday as compared to the first day as day one was a huge national holiday as fair value for the first day was probably around 37-38 crore nett. So, anything above 20 crore nett on Monday is very good hold.

The sequel factor is getting bigger and bigger as its these films that are dominating the box office but the industry needs a few new titles to do well to get things going as there is a limit to how many films can become franchises. Also by new titles its not the likes of RAMAYANA. If DRISHYAM THE CONCLUSION has the franchise factor, then RAMAYANA is a multi crore budget venture which gives scale and these also will be very limited.

The collections of DRISHYAM THE CONCLUSION till date are as follows.

Friday - 62,50,00,000 apprx

Saturday - 51,00,00,000 apprx

Sunday - 59,00,00,000 apprx

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DRISHYAM THE CONCLUSION has emerged as the fourth highest weekend of all time but it will be number three on fair value as the film is clean in terms of feeding while JAWAN is not. So, in real value, its actually number three while on paper it becomes number four. The film missed the 175 crore nett mark by a small margin as it collected 172.50 crore nett.

The biggest achievement for the film is that its up there with the all the big budget films and the only films on the list below with a lower budget would be GADAR 2 and STREE 2 but the former had action and the latter had music/horror. Meanwhile, DRISHYAM THE CONCLUSION has no such commercial ingredients. Also the reason why the budget of DRISHYAM THE CONCLUSION goes higher than these two is you have to factor in the remuneration of Ajay Devgn. On production costs alone, it would be similar to GADAR 2 and less than STREE 2.

DHURANDHAR THE REVENGE leads the charts with a phenomenal 245 crore nett and will take some beating. The next biggie RAMAYANA is a pre Diwali release. So, it makes it tough for that as it is likely to do better business when festivities are over. Unless it takes you back to older times like MARD in 1985 when pre Diwali is 100% and post Diwali is also 100% but cinema had a different level of craze in those days.

The top ten opening weekends for Hindi films in history are as follows.

1. Dhurandhar The Revenge - 245 crore

2. Pushpa 2 - The Rule - 181 crore

3. Jawan - 175 crore

5. Animal - 168 crore

6. Pathaan - 160 crore

7. KGF - Chapter 2 - 140 crore

8. Tiger 3 - 138 crore

9. Gadar 2 - 132 crore

10. Stree 2 - 128 crore

The industry is abuzz with chatter that Salman Khan’s ‘Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace’ will be viewed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) this week. Amid this development, mid-day has learnt that director Apoorva Lakhia and the writers have made significant changes to the war drama’s climax.

Changes have been a constant feature in the Khan-starrer, which was originally titled ‘Battle Of Galwan’ and was to chronicle the 2020 India-China clash in the Galwan valley, with the superstar playing Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu. However, as India-China relations improved in the past few years, concerns emerged over the film’s depiction of the neighbouring country, leading to the project being reworked and reshot. With the movie being rechristened ‘Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace’, the change in the film’s tonality is evident.

Naturally, modifications have extended to the film’s ending. A source revealed, “The climax and Salman’s character arc have been reworked. The makers have been careful about how the India-China conflict is positioned, and now, the end message is in keeping with the movie’s call for peace.”

Last week, the film’s revised version reportedly received a No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The source added, “It has been submitted to the CBFC and a screening date will be obtained.”

mid-day reached out to the film’s production team, which didn’t respond till press time.

Songs are an integral part of Sooraj Barjatya’s storytelling. “Sooraj ji creates a song only if it takes the story forward,” said Shabina Khan, who has choreographed the tracks of Yeh Prem Mol Liya. Picking a favourite from the album of the Ayushmann Khurrana and Sharvari-starrer would be tough for Khan, but she holds Tum Jeene Ki Wajah Ho close to her heart. According to her, the track, set in a local train, will resonate with Mumbaikars.

“Mumbaikars will love watching the train song as it’s set inside local trains. It takes the story of Sharvari and Ayushmann’s characters forward after their first meeting as they are seen romancing on trains. We shot the song at Parel station and made a train’s set on Madh Island,” Khan told mid-day.

Last week, the makers released Jai Ambe Bol, a traditional garba song. Khan said she roped in almost 200 background dancers for the number.

“I had called all the older dancers who were part of Saroj Khan and Ganesh Acharya’s troupes as we wanted a particular age group. They had not danced for over two decades.”

Collaborating with filmmaker Barjatya is less about work and more like a celebration for the choreographer. She said, “Sooraj ji has spoiled me. Working with him is like therapy for all of us. He is so calm, positive, and smiling; there are no politics or hierarchies on his sets. No matter what the situation is, he will always say, ‘Sab ho jayega’.”

On Monday, videos circulating online showed a massive fire at Film City in Mumbai, prompting concerns about the safety of those shooting at the location. Now, HT City has learnt that the fire broke out outside the sets of Pati Patni Aur Panga and MTV Hustle 5. While both teams have confirmed the incident to us, they have also clarified that there are no casualties and everyone is safe.

A source from the set confirms that the mishap did happen outside the sets. “Yes, there was a fire outside the sets. There is no casualty. Nobody was shooting at the set of Pati Patni Aur Panga. There was no shoot happening,” a source tells us.

Meanwhile, another source from the Hustle 5 set confirms to us that the grand finale shoot was underway when the fire broke out, with all the artists present on the sets. Badshah, EPR, MC Square, Paradox and Agsy are among the artists associated with the season. “All the artists were there. The fire happened suddenly. As of now, there are no casualties and everyone is safe,” the source tells us.

Adding, that the incident happened while singer Nikita Gandhi’s paparazzi spotting was taking place at the location. “Nikita Gandhi’s papping spotting was happening when this unfortunate incident happened,” the source adds.

The cause of the fire has not yet been identified. The Hustle 5 team further tells us that everyone has left the sets for now. “As soon as this happened, everybody left the sets for now. We also don’t know as of yet what was the cause behind the fire, but good thing, that everyone is safe.”

Actor Janhvi Kapoor has condemned the morphed video featuring her and Jr NTR’s song Chuttamalle from their 2024 film Devara. The sexually explicit, AI-generated video has also sparked debate online over the misuse of AI.

Janhvi addressed it with a note on Instagram Stories on Sunday, calling “the criminal misuse of technology to objectify women and circulate fictionalized content without consent deeply violating, bordering on sexual assault”.

Janhvi emphasized that the issue goes beyond this specific video: “It is about the larger reality of being a woman, the gaze, the judgement, the constant negotiation for safety, and the feeling that our boundaries somehow remain open to interpretation. That threat has now expanded into the digital sphere, when we have not even adequately addressed the very real, physical fear that continues to disrupt the lives of women every day.”

The actor also thanked fraternity members Jr NTR, Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda, and Khushbu Sundar for coming out in her support. Earlier, Jr NTR had called the morphed video “shameful beyond words”, writing, “To the scumbags behind this morphed Chuttamalle video, I will not spare any of you. I will take every possible legal action against those who created it and those who are spreading it.”

Actor Sanjay Dutt has drawn criticism for saying he “can’t feel peace in India” during a recent talk show appearance. On Sunday evening, he issued a clarification on X.

Dutt made the remark on the Gandhi Jayanti special episode of Shekhar Suman’s Shekhar Tonite. “The people of this country are so lovely. There should be peace here. I can’t feel that peace in our country anymore. We Indians are large-hearted people, and we are hospitable... I pray to Shiv ji that those days come back soon,” he said.

In his statement, Dutt wrote: “My remarks were made in the context of a scripted conversation intended to be light-hearted and humorous. The spirit behind them was similar to the humour and satire seen in films like Munna Bhai, particularly the concept of ‘Gandhigiri’, which was intended to convey a message of love, warmth, togetherness, and goodwill. Unfortunately, my words were interpreted outside of that intended context.”

In another segment, Dutt was asked to imagine himself as Prime Minister for five minutes. He addressed the country in the style of his character Munna Bhai from 2006 film Lage Raho Munna Bhai, which coined the term ‘Gandhigiri’.

Actor Rakul Preet Singh has responded to reports linking her to Income Tax searches over alleged financial irregularities. In an Instagram statement on Monday, she called the reports “false, malicious and speculative” and wrote, “The search was not pertaining to me.”

A part of her statement reads, “Let it be known that I am from the Armed Forces background and had no Godfather in the industry... I would also add here that I do not hold any benami property on behalf of anyone anywhere in the country or abroad. Neither has anyone ever gifted me any property at any time, nor do I accept such expensive gifts as a principle.”

The 35-year-old also asked for the reports to be retracted and facts to be clarified.

This comes after reports of the I-T Department conducting searches at 12 locations linked to Rakul and her father-in-law, producer Vashu Bhagnani, on September 28, over suspected fund irregularities. They were said to be investigating funds that are allegedly being routed abroad under the guise of financing film projects. Bhagnani has not responded to queries about the searches.

Elli AvrRam is at a stage in life where personal growth and emotional well-being are influencing the choices she makes, both on and off screen. As she navigates a difficult personal phase, the actress says she is learning to embrace what life brings while being mindful of the work she takes on. During a recent visit to Goa, she spoke to us about healing, finding calm here and choosing roles that feel right.

Elli is currently healing from a painful heartbreak, an experience that she feels has also brought personal growth. “I’m currently healing from a painful heartbreak. I guess I prayed for growth, so God did what He had to do, because we always grow from what breaks us. At least, that has been my experience in life,” she says.

For her, moving forward means consciously choosing growth rather than remaining in a victim mindset. “It’s important that we choose to push through and aim for victory over a victim mindset. It’s a journey of one step at a time,” she adds.

Marriage, however, remains something she continues to believe in. “Marriage is definitely something I’ve always wanted and still believe in. Now, if it’s in my kismat or not, only time will tell,” she says.

However, she is clear that loneliness will not be a reason for her to settle. “I’ve always been clear that I will not compromise on it just because I’m lonely, because that would be like signing up for a funeral,” she says.

Elli’s favourite Goa memory dates back to 2020, when she spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve in the state. “It was so beautiful to experience the celebrations here. On January 1, I woke up and went to the church first thing in the morning and truly enjoyed the blissful moment,” she recalls.

She says Goa’s slower pace also helps her unwind. “I love the escape from hustle culture, and the locals are very kind. There’s also another kind of stillness in the air. Spending time in Goa helps me calm my nervous system, and nature charges me up,” she says.

At this stage of her career, Elli says she is drawn to roles and scripts that align with where she is emotionally and personally.

“My role as Alicia in Chumbak came to me while I was going through a tough time personally, and it brought so much joy to me while reading about the character. It felt right to do it,” she shares.

The actress also stresses on the importance of looking after one’s mental and physical well-being while taking on demanding roles. “It can be extremely draining when you portray something serious on screen while you’re going through a lot of stress in your life off screen simultaneously. So, one has to take care of oneself and not get burned out physically and mentally,” she says.

Salman Khan’s next, the war drama Maatrubhumi, which has been in the news over its title change and delayed release, may finally have a release date soon. Sources close to the film say the Apoorva Lakhia directorial, also starring Chitrangda Singh, is expected to hit screens this year, with Diwali or Christmas being considered as possible options.

“The film is in the process of being viewed by the CBFC this week. There have been no other changes. Salman Khan’s films have traditionally been family entertainers, so there is little reason to anticipate major objections from the censor board. Once passed, the team is looking at a Diwali or Christmas release,” the source shares.

Maatrubhumi, earlier titled Battle Of Galwan, reportedly underwent reshoots following objections to its initial anti-China stance. While recent reports claimed the I&B Ministry had cleared the revised version, the source says the government never halted the film: “Maatrubhumi has never been halted by the government, and reports suggesting otherwise are mere speculation."

Will Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Alia Bhatt unite for a third time after ‘Love & War’? That’s the buzz in the industry circles. Rumours are rife that the filmmaker-actor duo has begun conversations to revisit their long-stalled project, ‘Inshallah’. Originally announced in 2019 with Salman Khan as the male lead, the movie was shelved following creative differences between the superstar and Bhansali.

With ‘Inshallah’ said to be back on the table, sources indicate that it will undergo substantial writing changes as Bhansali and Bhatt are discussing a reimagined version of the love story.

“It’s not being looked at as the same film that was announced years ago. The core story remains the same, but the material will be reworked and given a fresh spin,” a source told mid-day.

Earlier this year, there was also chatter that Shah Rukh Khan was being considered to lead the movie. However, our source stated that the filmmaker is clear about finalising the material before taking any casting decisions.

The source added, “No casting gets locked on a Bhansali film without the script being finalized. Salman is occupied with Raj-DK’s film while Shah Rukh hasn’t decided his next after ‘King’. It’s also possible that the story will seek a younger actor.”