Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 930
5:06 PM
WILL BHOOTH BANGLA EMERGE AS A SUCCESS FOR AKSHAY KUMAR?
7 months after his last release, Jolly LLB 3, Akshay Kumar will be back on the big screen tonight with Bhooth Bangla. The film reunites him with Priyadarshan and hence, the excitement is tremendous.
Bhooth Bangla is a horror comedy and also stars Wamiqa Gabbi, Tabu, Mithila Palkar, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, Manoj Joshi and others. The trailer seems entertaining and it indicates that Akshay and Priyadarshan are trying to back the glorious era of comedy. Moreover, horror is the flavour of the season. Hence, this aspect has further appealed to the audience.
However, the songs have failed to become chartbusters. While many appreciated the use of jokes from old films to create a nostalgic appeal, a section of the audience had reservations about it. Thankfully, the film's timing is correct. Usually nowadays, viewers prefer to wait for reviews before booking tickets. But in the case of Bhooth Bangla, the advance ticket sales are healthy, possibly as there hasn't been any film since Dhurandhar The Revenge, which released a month ago.
Bhooth Bangla will have a full-fledged release on April 17, with paid previews starting at 9:00 pm on April 16. The film is expected to collect Rs. 2-3 crores in paid previews. On Friday, the film should collect Rs. 12-13 crores with an outside chance of crossing the Rs. 15 crore mark.
At one point, Akshay Kumar was having a dream run, but post pandemic, his track record suffered. Sooryavanshi was his best opener at Rs. 26.11 crores, followed by Housefull 5 (Rs. 22 crores), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (Rs. 15 crores), Ram Setu (Rs. 15 crores), Sky Force (Rs. 13.50 crores), Jolly LLB 3 (Rs. 12.50 crores), Bachchhan Paanday (Rs. 12.18 crores) and Samrat Prithviraj (Rs. 10.58 crores). The rest of his films have opened at single digits. The aim for Bhooth Bangla should be to go past the Rs. 15 crore mark so that it could be his third biggest opener in the post-pandemic era.
Meanwhile, Lee Cronin's The Mummy also releases tomorrow, and its advance is decent. It should open at around Rs. 1 crore plus.
7 months after his last release, Jolly LLB 3, Akshay Kumar will be back on the big screen tonight with Bhooth Bangla. The film reunites him with Priyadarshan and hence, the excitement is tremendous.
Bhooth Bangla is a horror comedy and also stars Wamiqa Gabbi, Tabu, Mithila Palkar, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, Manoj Joshi and others. The trailer seems entertaining and it indicates that Akshay and Priyadarshan are trying to back the glorious era of comedy. Moreover, horror is the flavour of the season. Hence, this aspect has further appealed to the audience.
However, the songs have failed to become chartbusters. While many appreciated the use of jokes from old films to create a nostalgic appeal, a section of the audience had reservations about it. Thankfully, the film's timing is correct. Usually nowadays, viewers prefer to wait for reviews before booking tickets. But in the case of Bhooth Bangla, the advance ticket sales are healthy, possibly as there hasn't been any film since Dhurandhar The Revenge, which released a month ago.
Bhooth Bangla will have a full-fledged release on April 17, with paid previews starting at 9:00 pm on April 16. The film is expected to collect Rs. 2-3 crores in paid previews. On Friday, the film should collect Rs. 12-13 crores with an outside chance of crossing the Rs. 15 crore mark.
At one point, Akshay Kumar was having a dream run, but post pandemic, his track record suffered. Sooryavanshi was his best opener at Rs. 26.11 crores, followed by Housefull 5 (Rs. 22 crores), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (Rs. 15 crores), Ram Setu (Rs. 15 crores), Sky Force (Rs. 13.50 crores), Jolly LLB 3 (Rs. 12.50 crores), Bachchhan Paanday (Rs. 12.18 crores) and Samrat Prithviraj (Rs. 10.58 crores). The rest of his films have opened at single digits. The aim for Bhooth Bangla should be to go past the Rs. 15 crore mark so that it could be his third biggest opener in the post-pandemic era.
Meanwhile, Lee Cronin's The Mummy also releases tomorrow, and its advance is decent. It should open at around Rs. 1 crore plus.
(Crisp) Movie Review: TOASTER by FENIL SETA
10:42 PM
Toaster, which released today on Netflix, is the story of a miser who goes to insane lengths. The subject is very amusing and hatke and it's commendable how the writers and director Vivek Daschaudary manage to pull it off. There are several moments in the first half that will surely raise laughs. The track of the politician also adds to the fun. However, the film loses some grip in the second half as a particular character becomes central to the narrative. The climax is decent at best, not great. This film could have gone the Lootcase way in the finale, but sadly that doesn't happen. Rajkummar Rao, as expected, is terrific and his comic timing is spot-on. Sanya Malhotra gets to play an interesting character and is very impressive. Abhishek Banerjee and Upendra Limaye are superb and their performances enhance several scenes. Jitendra Joshi is aptly cast. Archana Puran Singh (Pherwani aunty) is unrecognizable at first and is the surprise of the film. However, the writing lets her down a bit. Seema Pahwa and others are fine. All in all, Toaster is a decent timepass flick.
My rating - *** out of 5!
My rating - *** out of 5!
With Arijit Singh, it’s only about the art, not about the clothes you wear-Nikhita Gandhi
10:16 AM
Torna Chakraborty (BOMBAY TIMES; April 11, 2026)
Nikhita Gandhi, who recently enjoyed an afternoon hike around Rabindra Sarobar with us over a chilled bhaanr of lassi, also wanted to spend some time with the friendly strays in the lake’s vicinity. But every single one of them seemed to be cooling off in some shaded corner, away from the scorching sun. We too settled down in a cool, breezy spot to have a candid chat about her three dogs and the unconditional love they offer every day, and why she feels that adopting Indies is important.
‘Please rescue and adopt, preferably Indies’
Nikhita revealed that her journey as a pet parent began with a rescue dog, who she co-parented with friends in Mumbai. For someone constantly on the move, the Qafirana singer admits that being a pet parent comes with its own challenges.
“It’s a huge responsibility. I practically live in airports, but I make sure there are people to take care of them at home. We make sure that they’re never alone,” she says, adding, “Spending time with them feels therapeutic, especially when you have a bad day. They can sense it. There’s so much love in the house because of them.”
A strong advocate for adoption, she hates the bias against Indies. “All three of my dogs are Indies. Please rescue and adopt them. I believe in giving them a home. They bring immense love, comfort, and healing that changes your life,” she adds.
‘Kolkata will always mould me as an artist’
Nikhita calls herself a Benjabi (Bengali + Punjabi) and swears by how the city continues to play an important role in her journey.
“Kolkata is an artistic city. There’s an ease here, a cultural acceptance of the arts that allows you to dream freely. That will always mould the artist I continuously evolve into,” she said.
From learning Odissi as a child to training in Hindustani classical music, her foundation is unmistakably rooted in the city. The singer never misses her bhar-er chaa, even though she is a coffee person, the city somehow manages to break that habit. Growing up in Lake Gardens, her ritual was to take a stroll by the lake. She also acknowledged the strong presence of Bengalis in the music industry and said she never felt disconnected from the city.
“I have bumped into so many Bengalis in the music industry. We have been singing and dancing since childhood. So it’s a very natural course to enter the arts and to enter the music industry.”
‘With Arijit, it’s always about the art’
Nikhita’s latest track with Arijit Singh is trending, and that too after he decided to step away from playback singing.
Speaking about her association with the singer, she says, “My first song with Arijit was Raabta from Agent Vinod, and since then, we’ve been part of so many popular tracks such as Ullu Ka Pattha from Jagga Jasoos, Aavan Jaavan from War 2, and more. With him, it’s only about the art – not about the clothes you wear, or your branding – just the art. It’s a very beautiful thing for me – that I get to be a part of his legacy, and that he’s such an important part of mine.”
----------------------------------------------
I feel the bias against Indie dogs is akin to racism. It’s like you’re discriminating against our own breed of dogs
Star power is not the problem, dependence on it is-Mahesh Manjrekar
9:37 AM
Debarati S Sen (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 11, 2026)
Actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar believes Hindi cinema is in the middle of a reset, driven by audiences who now expect more than surface-level spectacle. Drawing from a career that spans films like Vaastav and extensive work in regional cinema, he says the shift was bound to happen.
Content over spectacle
“Cinema is in a phase of correction. For years, scale was mistaken for substance,” he observes. Today’s viewers, he adds, are no longer satisfied with visual grandeur alone. “They want emotion with spectacle, not spectacle without emotion. A film must have a heartbeat before it has fireworks,” he adds.
Referring to Vaastav, he points out that what endures is sincerity. “Truth travels. Even today, the films that stay are the ones rooted in human conflict,” he says.
The star system debate
Manjrekar does not dismiss the importance of stars but questions the industry’s reliance on them. “Star power is not the problem. Dependence on it is,” he says, noting that memorable stars emerge from well-written characters. When writing falters, audiences turn to familiar faces for assurance. He contrasts this with regional cinema, where storytelling often takes precedence. “The industry doesn’t limit diverse narratives, fear does,” he remarks.
Theatre vs screen
On whether theatre-trained actors get their due, he admits a gap still exists. “Cinema today often casts for visibility before ability. However, with the rise of digital platforms, performance-driven casting is gaining ground. Respect for craft always returns. It may take time, but authenticity cannot be sidelined forever,” he says.
The only reason I got my first film was my surname-Prithviraj Sukumaran
9:35 AM
The actor opens up on how a surname may open doors in the entertainment industry, but talent sustains a career
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; April 9, 2026)
At a time when star kids continue to enter Bollywood, South star Prithviraj Sukumaran reflects on a similar trend in Malayalam cinema. The son of late actor Sukumaran, he candidly admits his surname opened doors, but sustaining a career takes far more.
“You are very privileged and fortunate. The only reason I got my first film was because of my surname. I didn’t even have to audition. The director just chose me. But your surname will only get you your first film. From there on, it’s all up to you. Come Friday, you are going to be judged by a very just, judicious, merciless jury called the audience,” he says.
Despite his success, the actor, who made his Hindi film debut opposite Rani Mukerji in Aiyyaa, remains grounded about his journey.
“I am truly aware that this life and these opportunities are not coming my way because I’m the most deserving. There are hundreds of people more talented and deserving than me. But now that I have this, it’s up to me to value it and make the most of it,” he says.
Offering perspective to newcomers, including his Sarzameen co-actor, Ibrahim Ali Khan, he shares, “Some of the biggest stars have not been able to make their sons or daughters big stars. Why? Because at the box office, you will be judged regardless of who you are. The interest might begin because of your surname, but it won’t sustain you. The interest in Ibrahim might have started because he is Saif’s son, but eventually, what would matter is his talent and skills.”
Shibani Akhtar on four years of marriage with Farhan Akhtar: "My wedding ring is probably the biggest flex"
9:32 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 9, 2026)
Four years after their wedding in 2022, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and actor-singer Shibani Akhtar continue to keep their personal life largely private, occasionally offering glimpses into their relationship through interviews and public appearances. In a recent interaction, Shibani spoke about her evolving relationship with jewellery, linking it closely to personal milestones, memories and the emotional value attached to certain pieces—particularly those associated with her marriage.
On the one piece that defines it all, Shibani doesn’t hesitate to call her wedding ring her ultimate statement. “My wedding ring is probably the biggest flex. I also think that when you buy, collect or gift jewelry, there is so much story to it… so much sentimental value, so much feeling attached. Whether you are making a purchase yourself or it has been gifted—my wedding ring, it doesn’t get more special than that. So it is definitely one of the most sacred pieces in my collection,” she shares.
When it comes to meaningful gifts, it’s the thought and uniqueness behind them that truly stand out for her. “Farhan actually bought me a really beautiful watch—a vintage watch. It is a piece of jewelry in itself and that I absolutely love. I think it is special because it is so unique and out of the box in terms of the kind of gift that he hunted for it. So that’s special.”
Shibani said this as she arrived for the launch of Irasva's lab-grown diamond collection Issho. She said, “We’ve managed to create a collection that’s so wearable—you don’t need to save it for a special occasion. And that’s really the call right now: to be able to enjoy your jewellery every day. I think most of us have so much jewellery that we reserve for weddings or big occasions, but to have pieces you can just pick up and wear—whether it’s for work or dinner—that’s really special.
I feel the entire lab-grown diamond industry has paved the way in every possible sense. It’s about opening doors for people who may not know much about it but are curious and want to explore. At the end of the day, it’s simply about enjoying your jewellery—whether it’s mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, or precious stones. It’s all about wearing and celebrating what you love.”
I lost my voice completely for six months; it was traumatic-Lisa Mishra
9:30 AM
Neha Maheshwri (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 3, 2026)
Singer and actor Lisa Mishra recently share a deeply personal chapter of her life, one that many may not associate with a successful, constantly touring artist. The singer revealed that in 2022, she completely lost her voice for nearly six months from developing vocal nodules, callous- like growths on the vocal cords that occur from overuse and strain. She calls the phase one of the most difficult periods of her career.
For a full-time singer, the voice is not just an instrument but an identity, a livelihood, and an emotional anchor. Losing it can be both professionally crippling and mentally overwhelming. Lisa spoke about how traumatic the experience was, admitting that the silence forced her to confront fear, self-doubt, and uncertainty about her future as a performer.
Fast forward to now, Lisa is experiencing a moment she calls nothing short of miraculous. The singer recently back-to-back shows for four consecutive days without losing her voice or missing a note. For her, this isn’t just another successful run of concerts, but a powerful reminder of how far she has come medically since that phase.
Sharing her journey, Lisa said, “In 2022, I lost my voice completely for six months because of vocal strain, and I can’t even begin to explain how traumatic that was for me. As a singer, your voice is everything: your confidence, your career, your sense of self. There were days when I genuinely wondered if I’d ever sing the same way again. When I would attempt to sing a note, for months, only raspy air would come out. Cut to now, I’ve done back-to-back shows for several days, and my voice held up beautifully. In fact, after changing my technique, I feel this is the most vocally perfect my voice has ever sounded.
This phase taught me patience, discipline, and respect for my craft like nothing else ever could. Unlike other instruments, we use our voice for daily speaking and communication. When the vocal cords experience strain, recovery means a complete stop of normal activities like talking, whispering, humming. It was a humbling and transformative experience.”
Lisa also highlighted how the experience reshaped her understanding of what it means to be a full-time singer. Beyond the glamour of the stage and applause lies relentless practice, vocal care, physical discipline, and emotional resilience. She credits proper training, rest, and listening to her body for helping her rebuild not just her voice, but her confidence.
Her story has struck a chord with fans and fellow musicians alike, resonating as a reminder that behind every flawless performance is a journey filled with struggle, setbacks, and perseverance.
Pune farmer moves court against Sonali Bendre, Goldie Behl alleges land grab
9:26 AM
THE TIMES OF INDIA (April 3, 2026)
Mumbai: A farmer from Pune district has filed a civil lawsuit against Bollywood actor Sonali Bendre and her filmmaker husband Goldie Behl, accusing them of encroaching on their land and indulging in "mafia-style" intimidation.
Bendre, however, denied the allegation, saying it was an attempt to extort money as her name was not mentioned on any of the land purchase documents.
The complainants - Chandrakant Balu Shinde (50) and his mother Kamalbai (75) - claim that the celebrity couple was using their social influence and taking help of the local police to forcibly take possession of their 30 'guntha' (over 32,000 square feet) of land in Uksan village in Maval taluka of the district.
The suit was filed against the celebrity couple and two others through advocate Vanraj Shinde last month before a civil court at Vadgaon Maval. The matter will next be heard on April 24.
As per the suit, the Shinde family has been cultivating the land as "protected tenants" since the 1940s.
The family alleged that their names were illegally removed from revenue records in the 1980s without a notice.
The dispute began when the original owners allegedly sold the land to a local individual in 2012, who subsequently sold a portion of it to Goldie Behl in March 2021.
The aggrieved mother-son duo claimed these sales were "illegal and void" because their pre-existing tenancy rights were never legally terminated.
The plaintiffs have also made claims of intimidation and police bias. The Shinde family alleged that on December 14, 2025, Sonali Bendre and Goldie Behl arrived at the site with workers and heavy machinery to begin unauthorized construction.
When Kamalbai tried to stop the work, she was allegedly met with threats. The police officers at the site also threatened to frame the mother-son duo in false theft cases if they continued to "harass" the celebrity couple, the lawsuit claimed.
Bendre, however, said her name is not there on any documents related to the Maval land purchase.
This is a false case orchestrated solely to extort money, her lawyer Raju Shinde said.
Artistes have finally moved from being remembered to being rewarded-Sonu Nigam
9:25 AM
Debarati S Sen (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 2, 2026)
In a landmark moment for India’s music industry, ISAMRA distributed Rs. 100 crore in royalties to 26,000 singers and musicians, marking what its leadership calls a long-overdue “correction of history.” We spoke to veteran singers Anup Jalota, Sonu Nigam and Founder, MD of ISAMRA, Sanjay Tandon.
Tandon described the payout as more than a financial milestone, calling it “justice for performers” whose voices have shaped the nation’s musical legacy while remaining excluded from its economic rewards.
He said, “With over 4 lakh tracks played upwards of 4.5 crore times across platforms, the move underscores the growing importance of structured systems, as ISAMRA’s metadata backbone ensures accurate tracking and monetisation across radio, television, digital and public platforms.”
VOICES FINALLY HONOURED
Anup Jalota called the moment “deeply emotional and historic,” adding, “For years, singers gave their voices to immortality, but did not always receive their due. Today, with this distribution, that voice is not just heard, it is honoured. It reinforces that royalties are a right, not a privilege.”
Sonu Nigam echoed the sentiment, saying, “Our decades-long battle pays off. Artistes have finally moved from being remembered to being rewarded. This goes beyond applause. It gives performers a financial identity and dignity, and acknowledges that the voice is not just emotion, it is value.”
A SHIFT ACROSS GENERATIONS
For veteran artistes, many of whom never expected to receive royalties within their lifetime, the payout signals delayed justice, while for younger performers it offers long-term assurance. Jalota noted, “It brings peace to legends and confidence to the young. When an artiste knows their work will continue to earn for them, it brings dignity and security.”
Nigam added, “For years, recognition came in the form of love and applause, but not proportionate reward. This shift changes that narrative. It tells every young artiste that their art will not just be celebrated, it will be protected and valued.”
WHY SYSTEMS MATTER
The scale of music consumption today makes transparency critical. “Today music travels everywhere. Without structure and transparency, it is impossible to track it,” said Jalota, crediting ISAMRA with bringing “discipline and accountability” to an unorganized space.
Nigam emphasized, “Transparency is everything. If you cannot track usage, you cannot value it. Systems like ISAMRA ensure that every play, every performance translates into rightful earnings with clarity and credibility.”
THE ROAD AHEAD
Looking forward, the focus is on expanding awareness, strengthening enforcement and building global integration. Tandon stressed the need to bring more artistes into the royalty framework, ensuring no voice is left behind. Jalota underlined the importance of parity, saying, “We must ensure that Indian artistes receive global respect and parity. As our music travels across borders, our rights must travel with it.” Nigam added a note of caution in an evolving landscape: “The industry is evolving rapidly with digital platforms and AI. But the core must remain human. Technology should empower artistes, not dilute their rights. We need ethical frameworks that protect the voice behind the music.”
I miss Rajesh Khanna so much-Farida Jalal
9:22 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 2, 2026)
Veteran actress Farida Jalal turned back the clock recently as she lit up the stage of Indian Idol, recreating one of Bollywood’s most cherished moments from Aradhana. Seated gracefully on a swing alongside host Aditya Narayan, the actor brought alive the iconic track Baghon Mein Bahar Hain, originally picturised on her and Rajesh Khanna.
“It was very nostalgic,” Farida told us, her voice tinged with emotion. “I enjoy watching song and dance-based reality shows. I enjoy singing, so it was fun being on Indian Idol. Recreating the whole scene took me back in time.” The production team left no stone unturned. “They had put up a swing just like it was in the original song. I remember Kaka (Rajesh Khanna) and I going around it and ultimately sitting on it. I miss him so much.”
Opening up about her memories with Rajesh Khanna, she added, “In the beginning, I felt it was hard to get along with him. But later on, I realised he was the warmest person on set. We became very friendly by the time we finished the film.”
The bond only grew stronger post-release. “We began meeting often during the film’s success celebrations — from silver jubilee to diamond jubilee. Aradhana was such a hit film,” she said.
The actress shared a health update after she was recently seen attending an event with support. “I have a slip disc, so I’m not walking properly. I have to hold on to my son’s hand.”
However, she remains optimistic about her recovery. “The doctor has said that in a couple of months I will be fine and I will be able to walk again. Once I’m good, I will be back on sets. I am definitely going to do films.”
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)