Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 946
5:07 PM
WILL SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY CROSS THE RS. 500 CRORE MARK?
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is on a dream run at present and its weekend performance was beyond anyone’s expectations. The industry was hoping it could break the long-standing record of Avengers: Endgame. That film opened at Rs. 53.50 crores and was the highest opener for Hollywood in India. Meanwhile, Spider-Man: Brand New Day went way ahead and collected a huge Rs. 60 crores on Thursday, July 30, the day of release.
On the second day, Friday, the film had a normal drop and yet collected Rs. 48 crores. The collections jumped to Rs. 68 crores on Saturday. Usually, Hollywood films drop on Sunday or remain at the same level as Saturday. But Spider-Man: Brand New Day earned Rs. 76 crores, shocking the trade and industry.
On Monday, Spider-Man: Brand New Day dropped more than 50%, earning Rs. 23 crores. But this was fine as it was coming off a historic weekend. After collecting Rs. 21 crores on Tuesday, the superhero film had another drop on Wednesday when it collected Rs. 15 crores. This drop is slightly alarming.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has earned Rs. 311 crores until Wednesday and its first week collections would be around Rs. 323-324 crores. Looking at the weekend performance, it was expected that the film had a chance of crossing the Rs. 500 crore mark. But now, with the drop, that seems unlikely. However, all hope is not lost. If it sees another dramatic jump in the second week and then holds during the weekdays, it can still have a chance of entering the coveted Rs. 500 crore club.
Nevertheless, the job is done. In the second week, it’ll cross the approx. Rs. 380 crore figure of Avatar: The Way Of Water and emerge as the highest Hollywood-grossing film of all time in India.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is on a dream run at present and its weekend performance was beyond anyone’s expectations. The industry was hoping it could break the long-standing record of Avengers: Endgame. That film opened at Rs. 53.50 crores and was the highest opener for Hollywood in India. Meanwhile, Spider-Man: Brand New Day went way ahead and collected a huge Rs. 60 crores on Thursday, July 30, the day of release.
On the second day, Friday, the film had a normal drop and yet collected Rs. 48 crores. The collections jumped to Rs. 68 crores on Saturday. Usually, Hollywood films drop on Sunday or remain at the same level as Saturday. But Spider-Man: Brand New Day earned Rs. 76 crores, shocking the trade and industry.
On Monday, Spider-Man: Brand New Day dropped more than 50%, earning Rs. 23 crores. But this was fine as it was coming off a historic weekend. After collecting Rs. 21 crores on Tuesday, the superhero film had another drop on Wednesday when it collected Rs. 15 crores. This drop is slightly alarming.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has earned Rs. 311 crores until Wednesday and its first week collections would be around Rs. 323-324 crores. Looking at the weekend performance, it was expected that the film had a chance of crossing the Rs. 500 crore mark. But now, with the drop, that seems unlikely. However, all hope is not lost. If it sees another dramatic jump in the second week and then holds during the weekdays, it can still have a chance of entering the coveted Rs. 500 crore club.
Nevertheless, the job is done. In the second week, it’ll cross the approx. Rs. 380 crore figure of Avatar: The Way Of Water and emerge as the highest Hollywood-grossing film of all time in India.
I think the idea of a film like Alpha was absolutely fantastic-Kajol
3:02 PM
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 5, 2026)
As conversations around Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh-starrer Alpha continue to divide opinions, actor Kajol has come out in support of the film. "You have a film like Alpha that's come out, which is an action film. I think the idea of it was absolutely fantastic," she says, adding that the portrayal of women on screen has changed drastically over her three decades in the industry.
Kajol, who turns 52 today, has headlined women-centric projects including the web series The Trial and films Do Patti (2024) and Maa (2025). The actor believes Hindi cinema is finally moving towards giving female characters the space they deserve.
"We're definitely moving in the right direction when it comes to women-led stories. I don't know whether it's a better light or not, but it's definitely more of a spotlight," she says, adding, "They're writing better characters for women. They are giving women more of a chance to be more than just a side plot, which I feel is a good trend that we're going towards."
Kajol, who turns 52 today, says the philosophy behind choosing her films has remained the same, even as she continues to evolve as an actor. "I've always selected projects that appealed to me, characters that made me feel I could do something with them. That hasn't changed. But yes, I want to experiment. I want to try new things and do things that I probably haven't done before."
For the actor, instinct continues to be the deciding factor while signing a project. "If I'm not convinced by a character in the beginning, I don't do the film. If you can't convince me, then I won't be doing it."
Reflecting on how life has changed over the years, both professionally and personally, Kajol says, "I'm a kinder person today than I was. Not because I wasn't kind back then, but maybe I didn't show it as much."
Speaking about her birthday, the actor says the occasion has never been about lavish parties or extravagant gifts. Instead, she prefers keeping it intimate. "There are no specific birthday plans. I usually just have really close friends and family over. Spending time with my family and friends really makes my day, honestly. I don't get to meet everybody throughout the year, so my birthday is when I see all of them," she shares.
Kajol adds that the best part about her birthday is that, wherever her family is, they always make it a point to be with her. "Both of them make it a point to be there for my birthday, come hell or high water. My daughter, Nysa Devgn, is an adult now. She studies abroad, but everybody in my family makes it a point to keep that day free, regardless of whether it's the middle of the week or not. I really appreciate that."
Laughing about how seriously she takes her birthday, she says, "I've always been super excited about it. I make sure everybody remembers my birthday at least a month in advance. Nobody can forget it because I've put it on everybody's calendars."
Ramlila Sangh demands advanced screening of Ramayana, warns of protests
2:59 PM
Henna Rakheja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 4, 2026)
Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana has landed in controversy days after its trailer release. Arjun Kumar, president of Shri Ramlila Mahasangh and Lav Kush Ramlila, Old Delhi, has asked the makers for an advanced screening of the film to ensure that no religious sentiments are hurt.
Questioning the portrayal of Ram in the trailer, Kumar tells us, “How can Shri Ram, who lived with dignity, be shown taking a pledge and getting angry to kill someone? Also, (actor) Ranbir Kapoor is promoting sale of land in Ayodhya in an ad, and here he is playing Shri Ram. Will Ram ever sell Ayodhya’s land?”
He also believes that things like the costumes “could be rejected by the viewers” after the release.
Kumar clarifies that they don’t want the film to flop as “if films made on a great book like Ramayana flop, a negative message goes to society”. He also insists that they are not giving any certificate to the film, but will ask for scenes to be removed if “any of these hurt the sentiments” of Hindus.
Kumar warned that if the screening isn’t arranged, Shri Ramlila Mahasangh, along with various Hindu organizations, will stage demonstrations across Delhi and other states.
We reached out to the team of Ramayana, but they refused to comment on the matter.
Deepika Padukone to wrap up the first part of Raaka before going on maternity break in September
2:54 PM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 5, 2026)
It’s a race against time for Deepika Padukone, who is on her final schedule for the first part of ‘Raaka’. mid-day has learnt that the actor, currently filming in Mumbai, intends to complete her portions of the Allu Arjun-starrer by early September before she begins her maternity leave.
A source close to the development told us that filmmaker Atlee planned the schedules such that Padukone could be among the first ones to honour her commitment to the film.
“The idea was always to finish Deepika’s work before she took her maternity break. The mom-to-be will be off the film until her birthday in January 2027. Then she will return to the set to shoot any pending promotional material and the second part of ‘Raaka’,” said the source.
After Padukone bows out in September, Arjun and the remaining cast — including Rashmika Mandanna, Janhvi Kapoor, and Mrunal Thakur — will continue filming the sci-fi action epic. Atlee is expected to call it a wrap on the first part by November.
The source added, “A call on the second instalment’s schedule will be taken after the first is complete. Both parts will release in 2027.”
mid-day reached out to the film’s production team, which didn’t respond till press time.
A foreign family from South America recognized me on a New York street-Pankaj Tripathi
2:53 PM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 5, 2026)
When Pankaj Tripathi travels to Australia this month to receive his first international honour as "Artist of Distinction" honour at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026. He will attend the festival in Victoria, Australia, to accept the award in person at Melbourne's Palais Theatre on August 13, 2026. It will mark another milestone in a career that has rewritten the rules of stardom. For the actor, however, the recognition isn't just personal. He regards it as an indication that tales born on Indian soil can travel continents.
Reflecting on the journey, Tripathi says he often marvels at where life has taken him. "I feel good. Life is such an interesting journey. I was born in a place where there was no electricity. From there, to travel across the seven seas... the biggest contribution in this journey is not mine, but my art form. I've been practicing this art for over 20 years. God gave me that opportunity, directors and producers trusted me, and I became part of stories that travelled from India to the world. People watched them there, recognized them and appreciated them. It is an honour. I feel very proud."
The actor has experienced that international reach first-hand. What surprised him most wasn't the growing South Asian diaspora embracing his work, but viewers with no cultural connection to India responding to the nuances of his performances.
"Two reviewers in the US, Nick and Corwin, used to discuss my performances in such detail. They even interviewed me. I kept wondering how these small Indian nuances were reaching them. Then I realized that performing art goes beyond language. Cinema is a visual medium. You may not understand every word, but you understand the mannerisms, the posture and the internal effort of an actor."
He recalls another moment that reaffirmed the universality of storytelling. "Last year I was walking on a street in New York and thought very few people would recognise me here. A foreign family, I think from South America, came up to me. They recognized me. We often believe our global audience is only of Indian or Asian origin, but I realised it has gone much beyond that. Our films are dubbed and subtitled in different languages, and people everywhere are watching them."
Back home, Tripathi is equally hopeful about the future of acting as a profession. With the National School of Drama set to open a Mumbai campus, he hopes formal training will continue to matter in an industry increasingly obsessed with social media metrics.
"Learning the craft of acting is important. Influencers create content from their own minds and many of them do it very well. But acting is different. The content isn't yours. Someone else writes it and you have to become another person. Content creators usually play versions of themselves, so there can be limitations. That's why learning the craft, whether at NSD or anywhere else, is important."
He also dismisses the perception that follower counts dictate casting decisions. "I once asked one of the heads of Amazon whether followers really mattered. He told me that isn't true. What matters is whether the actor is right for the role. Marketing teams may think about followers because it helps with reach, but art and follower counts have nothing to do with each other. I don't see that connection."
Salman Khan to kick off 6-week schedule including three action scenes for Vamshi Paidipally's next in Mumbai
2:50 PM
Sources say Salman Khan to kick off a six-week schedule of his next with director Vamshi Paidipally on August 6 in Mumbai; three action set-pieces and several crowd sequences to be filmed
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 4, 2026)
In the past few days, Salman Khan’s next action entertainer — the working title of which is SVC63 — has hit headlines over reports of the actor’s remuneration.
Away from the noise, the superstar is readying to kick off the next schedule on August 6. mid-day has learnt that director Vamshi Paidipally will begin a six-week schedule in Goregaon, aiming to shoot three action set-pieces and several crowd sequences.
A source said, “The makers had initially planned to conduct the schedule in Hyderabad, but it was moved to Mumbai. This leg is heavily dependent on crowd work, with scenes involving hundreds of junior artistes. The action team has planned large-scale sequences, and the crowd movement in them is as important as Salman’s stunts. Nayanthara is expected to join the unit in a few weeks.”
Actor Rahul Dev has come on board as one of the film’s antagonists. He will join Khan in the upcoming leg.
Vedika Pinto reveals she called her Nishaanchi director Anurag Kashyap before signing Musafir Cafe
2:49 PM
Winning praise for her turn in Musafir Café, Vedika Pinto recalls how her Nishaanchi director Anurag Kashyap advised her to join the show. She added that Anurag's Nishaanchi opened many doors for her
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; August 5, 2026)
Sometimes, one decision and 10 months is all it takes for life to change. As it did in the case of Vedika Pinto. Today, almost everyone recognises her as the feisty Sudha of Musafir Cafe. That’s a marked difference from last September when she earned positive reviews for her performance in Anurag Kashyap’s Nishaanchi (2025), but the two-part film went unnoticed by the audience. Even then, when the Netflix series came her way, she knew that the perfect sounding board would be her last director.
Talking to mid-day, Pinto recalled, “Before I signed Musafir Cafe, I called AK to tell him about it. In typical AK style, he asked, ‘Story kya hai? What’s your role? Who is directing it?’ Five questions later, he asked about my co-star and the platform. Then he said that I must do it. That’s the beautiful thing about him — even if his own taste is different, he supported me so much [with this show].”
Today, she couldn’t be happier about leading Musafir Cafe along with Vikrant Massey and Mahima Makwana. It has given her something that her last movie couldn’t.
“Nishaanchi opened many doors for me because the industry believes that if you’ve worked in an Anurag Kashyap film, you must be a good actor. But I didn’t get the audience’s appreciation. With Musafir Cafe, we’re getting so much love. So, I have one project that backs me as an actor and another that has the audience’s love,” she smiled.
The kind of work calls that Pinto is receiving has also changed after Ruchir Arun’s series. “After Nishaanchi, directors mentioned that they’d like to collaborate with me, but it was open ended. Now, those conversations have changed because there is proof of concept that viewers like this [actor].”
Vedika Pinto was nervous about working with Vikrant Massey. “He is a National Award winner after all,” she exclaimed, before calling him “a generous actor”. “We formed a beautiful working relationship. We had this ritual — whenever we felt stuck with a scene, we’d say, ‘Let’s play!’ Whenever we did it, something wonderful came out,” she said.
Many viewers felt Vedika Pinto reminded them of Parineeti Chopra, owing to similarities in their effervescent personalities, dialogue delivery, and on-screen presence.
Ravi Kishan finally breaks silence on the ongoing meme fest: "Tareef aur trolling, dono temporary hain"
2:45 PM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; August 5, 2026)
From his animated dance at the launch of his show, Mamla Legal Hai 2, to his impromptu singing clips, every other reel on social media is about Ravi Kishan. Over the past few weeks, creators across Instagram have been recreating his expressions, dialogues and mannerisms, while many online have even cheekily dubbed him "India's Henry Cavill." While many celebrities struggle to keep up with the internet's relentless meme culture, Kishan appears to be embracing the meme fest with ease.
Speaking to Bombay Times, Ravi Kishan says, "If you lose the ability to laugh at yourself, you lose a part of your freedom. People are having fun, and as long as it's in good spirit, why should I be offended? So, I smile, I move on, and I focus on doing good work. The internet will always find something new tomorrow."
Was any of it a conscious decision? He retorts, "Absolutely not. If you start planning viral moments, they stop being real. The audiences of today are incredibly smart; they are hyper aware of authentic and organic moments. I've never chased virality. I just try to stay authentic. I've never sat down thinking, 'This line will trend,' or 'This will become a reel.'"
Despite enjoying cult status online, Kishan who was trolled for going on National Duty after exiting from a reality show, admits "it is certainly a daunting balance". "My primary focus has always been to serve my constituents with honesty and commitment, because public service is not just a position it's a duty. I believe both roles can complement each other rather than compete," he adds.
Reflecting on why Gen-Z audiences have embraced him decades after he first entered the industry, he says, "I think what Gen-Z connects with is authenticity. They have an incredible ability to recognize what is real and what is manufactured. Throughout my career, I have never tried to imitate anyone else. I also believe that entertainment has no expiry date. If my work can entertain a young person today just as it entertained someone twenty years ago, that is the greatest compliment an artist can receive."
While a few are in good faith, a few are criticising and have a trolling innuendo. While it doesn't bother Ravi, he adds, "My rule is very simple being focused on my work. When you're completely invested in your responsibilities, whether as an actor or as a public representative, you don't have the time or the energy to be distracted by every opinion on social media. In today's world, you don't need to say much to become a meme. Sometimes it's just an expression, an airport walk, or a single sentence. That's the nature of the times, and I've learned not to take it personally. I've always believed that if you start changing yourself to avoid trolling, you slowly lose the person you truly are. I would rather remain authentic than become overly cautious. The people who genuinely appreciate you connect with your honesty, not with a carefully manufactured image. Tareef aur trolling, dono temporary hain."
‘Ghajini’ actor Pradeep Rawat dies at 74 after cancer battle
2:44 PM
THE TIMES OF INDIA (August 5, 2026)
Mumbai: Veteran actor Pradeep Rawat, best known for his performance as the lead antagonist Ghajini Dharmatma in Aamir Khan-starrer 'Ghajini', passed away on Tuesday evening at a hospital in Mumbai after a battle with cancer. He was 74.
The actor's manager Siddharth R Tiwari said that Rawat had been admitted to Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital for the past month. He was recently shifted to a cancer hospital in Bhiwandi.
He is survived by his wife, Kalyani Rawat, and their son, Vikramaditya Rawat. As soon as the news came out, condolences from members of the film fraternity and fans poured in as they mourn the loss of the veteran actor.
Pradeep Rawat's 'Lagaan' co-star and old friend Yashpal Sharma mourned the demise. "Pradeep Rawat, Our Ghajini Deva of Lagaan. RIP," he wrote.
Actor Gajendra Chauhan also paid his tributes. "Om Shanti Om Shanti Our friend and a colleague Pradeep Rawat, who played Ashwathama in Mahabharat, passed away."
A prominent face in the Indian film industry, actor Pradeep Rawat was known for his performances in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil cinema. His work in films like 'Sarfarosh', 'Lagaan', 'Sye' (Telugu), 'Naayak' (Telugu), and 'Ghajini' is remembered by the audience. The late actor's recent work was Vicky Kaushal-starrer 'Chhaava', where he portrayed the character of Yesaji Kank.
You can’t recreate Kishore Kumar, only celebrate him, say Amit Kumar and Sumeet Kumar
2:41 PM
Debarati S Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; August 4, 2026)
As music lovers celebrate Kishore Kumar’s 97th birth anniversary today, his sons Amit Kumar and Sumeet Kumar reflect on the singer’s enduring legacy after recently paying tribute to him through a special charity concert for cancer patients. In a conversation with Bombay Times, the two speak about the timeless appeal of Kishore Kumar’s songs, and why staying true to his individuality matters more than trying to imitate him. Excerpts...
Your father continues to inspire generations of singers and music lovers’ decades after his passing. What do you think is the secret behind Kishore Kumar's timeless appeal, especially among today's younger audiences?
Amit Kumar: I believe the timeless appeal of my father, Kishore Kumar, lies in the honesty and emotional depth with which he approached his music. He never restricted himself to a particular style or generation. Whether it was romance, joy, heartbreak, or humour, he sang every emotion with remarkable authenticity. His voice had a unique ability to connect directly with the listener's heart. I think today's younger generation continues to relate to his songs because emotions are universal and timeless. His music remains as fresh and relevant today as it was decades ago.
You've spent your life both as Kishore Kumar's son and as an accomplished singer in your own right. When you perform his songs at tribute concerts like this, do you approach them as a son reliving memories or as an artist interpreting a musical classic?
Amit Kumar: It is always a deeply emotional experience for me. I approach his songs both as a son carrying precious memories of my father and as a singer who has immense respect for the artist he was. Every time I sing his songs, I feel a sense of nostalgia, but at the same time, I understand the responsibility of presenting them with sincerity and respect. I do not try to imitate him; instead, I try to preserve the spirit and emotion of his music while allowing my own voice and interpretation to come through. For me, performing his songs is a beautiful way of keeping his memory and musical legacy alive.
Audiences often remember Kishore Kumar for his playful personality and effortless singing. What is one lesser-known quality about him that you wish more people knew?
Amit Kumar: Beyond his extraordinary talent and his well-known sense of humour, my father was a deeply sensitive and emotional person. He had a very strong sense of individuality and was someone who valued simplicity and authenticity. He was also extremely passionate about creativity and believed in doing things in his own unique way. People often remember his laughter and playful nature, but there was a very thoughtful and sensitive side to him as well. I feel that this depth of emotion is one of the reasons why his voice continues to touch people's hearts even today.
If Kishore Kumar were watching today's music industry with streaming platforms, AI-generated music, and changing listening habits how do you think he would have responded to this new era?
Sumeet Kumar: My father was always a very curious and creative person who embraced new ideas in his own unique way. I believe he would have been fascinated by the technological advancements taking place in music today. At the same time, he would have strongly believed that technology can support creativity, but it can never replace genuine emotion and human expression. He would probably have explored these new platforms with his characteristic originality and sense of humour, while continuing to believe that music must come from the heart and connect with the soul of the listener.
As someone carrying forward your father's musical legacy, how do you balance preserving his iconic style while creating your own identity as a performer?
Sumeet Kumar: Carrying forward my father's legacy is both an honour and a great responsibility. I believe that preserving his legacy does not mean simply imitating him; it means respecting the values, emotions, and musical spirit that made his work timeless. I try to present his songs with the same sincerity and love while bringing my own personality and interpretation to every performance. My father has been my greatest inspiration, but I also believe that every artist must find their own voice. My endeavour is to celebrate his timeless music while continuing to grow and establish my own identity as a performer.
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