After months of speculation, the makers of Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups have finally locked a new release date. Headlined by Yash, also starring Kiara Advani, and directed by Geetu Mohandas, the pan-India action spectacle will now hit theatres worldwide on August 26.

While Toxic arrives on a Wednesday, coinciding with Onam and giving it a two-day head start before the weekend, it will still face competition at the box office. On August 28, three other films — Khosla Ka Ghosla 2, Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha and Sidharth Malhotra’s Vvan — are currently slated to release, setting up one of the busiest weekends on the 2026 release calendar. Interestingly, if the films release as planned, real-life couple Sidharth and Kiara will see their films clash at the box office.

Toxic was originally slated for an earlier release before undergoing several date changes. Industry buzz linked one of the shifts to a crowded release calendar and a clash with Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar The Revenge, which eventually secured the March 19 release slot. Toxic was later set for a June 4 release, but Yash confirmed in April that the team needed more time to align its global distribution strategy and international partnerships ahead of its worldwide rollout.

Akkshay Rathie, Director, Ashirwad Theatres Pvt Ltd, believes the situation remains fluid and that producers may still rethink their release strategies. “Two films with the ability to create a significant impact across the length and breadth of India ideally shouldn’t arrive together because every stakeholder wants to optimize revenues. Toxic is undoubtedly the bigger pan-India film in terms of geographical reach. Eetha may have stronger relevance in Maharashtra and certain markets, but Toxic has the potential to perform across urban as well as rural India,” he says.

Rathie adds that the announcement has caught the industry off guard and could trigger further movement on the release calendar. “This announcement has come completely out of the blue. There is still time and everyone will do whatever it takes to protect the best interests of their respective films,” he explains.

Kamal Gianchandani, CEO, PVR, believes that even if the clash is not averted, four films can be accommodated. He shares, “Cinemas have enough and more capacity to accommodate three or more films, especially when the movies are varied in sizes. We’ll see what decision other producers take on their release dates, because they often go back to the drawing board and rethink their dates.”

Sameer Munshi, VP, Miraj Entertainment Ltd, adds, “From an exhibitor’s perspective, this is a good clash to have. A packed release calendar indicates confidence in the theatrical business and gives audiences more choice. If the content works, all films can find an audience, even though Toxic is likely to be the clear opening-weekend leader.”

Deepak Mishra, director of Vvan, confirms that the movie is set to release on August 28, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. On the clash, he says, “We are the same industry. As artistes, we all want to showcase our work well. Eventually, the audience is the king. My best wishes to the Toxic team.”

When asked if there is a possibility that Vvan could be pushed to another date, Mishra says, “That will be a call that the makers will take. I am only focused on my work.”

Kiara Advani didn’t witness stardom overnight, but when success finally found her, it arrived loud, big and impossible to ignore. The actress, who will be seen next in Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown-Ups, seems more grounded and emotionally evolved than ever in this phase of her life. On the Rustomjee presents Bombay Times Lounge, Kiara spoke with striking honesty about the challenges, breakthroughs and defining moments of her journey, but it was her thoughts on motherhood and postpartum life that truly stayed with us. From the emotional chaos new mothers experience to the pressure on women to “bounce back,” Kiara’s words were raw, warm and deeply relatable. The episode is now live on the Bombay Times YouTube channel.

I think there are times in life when you think you know where you’re going, and then life just takes you somewhere else. When I entered the industry with my first film, I thought, okay, I got this. But I soon realized that every Friday has a new outcome. Whether you’re on top of your game or you’re starting out, it’s the same situation – either there are too many choices, so you don’t know what to choose from, or there is a lack of choice. Like you said, for me, it was a slow start. I didn’t see overnight success or quick fame, but now I feel grateful for that, because the experiences in those initial years really grounded me and helped me hold my feet to the ground through every up and down.

Yes, but I feel like that jittery feeling is still there. Even when you have the biggest films or a dream role, you get jitters because at the end of the day, you’re making movies for a wide audience. As much as actors say that we’re not always seeking validation, we are. I’m not making movies just for me to sit at home and watch. I want the audience to watch it and love it. So, validation does matter, and that’s where the jitters come in. But for most part, it’s always Friday jitters. When you’re making the film, the confidence level is high, and the excitement is high, because you know you’re making a good movie, you wouldn’t be a part of a movie that’s not good, right? And then comes Friday, and with it, the jitters.

I don’t think people really prepare you for that. Now that I have been through postpartum for so many months, I can probably make light of it. I tell all my friends who have already had babies that you all didn’t prepare me for this, though I know that this is such an individual journey. No one talks about the guilt you feel, the chaos outside you and inside you. Initially, it’s the chaos inside you because biologically, there are so many changes that you go through, your hormones are crashing and your mental space is somewhere else. It’s simply life-changing. I don’t think life-changing has a more apt example than this – the transition into motherhood. That’s the way nature has made this – no matter how much change it brings to a father’s life, for the woman it’s that much more because she is the nutrition of the baby, the one carrying the baby, delivering the baby and then feeding the baby. So, there’s no denying what a mother’s role is in a child’s life, and the fact is that the chaos is also very real. The best way to get through it is by supporting women around you. I feel the most successful women today are those who are supported by other women.

The experience is so enriching in every way; I feel directors who will work with me now, will get the best version of me. This journey (of motherhood) has opened a new side to me, to my life and to my understanding of the world. The earlier part of your question when you spoke about conversations about women getting back to work – it’s true. And what is interesting is that – when you’re pregnant, everyone goes like, ‘Oh my God, you’re glowing, this, that.’ And the minute you’ve had a baby, it changes to, ‘Abhi moti lag rahi hai, thodi yeh lag rahi hain, thodi woh lag rahi hain.’ When you are pregnant, you are this devi and the minute you deliver the baby, they expect you to be back in shape and back on track. But the hardest part for the woman is after. That is the part where she needs support. They say it takes a village to raise a baby. It takes a village to raise a mother. That is the time you need to nurture this woman who is now adapting to a whole new role in her life and figuring out how she’s going to balance her identity and play the role of a mother, daughter, wife. I must thank all the women before me who’ve done this and made it look easy and the ones who have laid the foundation for us. I think each one of us will now make it easier for the next one to come.

Oh yes! It is Saraayah’s house and Sidharth and I live in it. Basically, her toys and playmats are everywhere, and we are living around it.

Having worked with stars like Ram Charan, Mahesh Babu and now Yash in the upcoming film Toxic, when asked how different the working culture in the South industry is compared to Bollywood, Kiara said, “There may be slight cultural differences, but at the core, we’re all Indians, so there’s a similarity. Sometimes when we are working with bigger stars in the South, we have a six o’clock pack up, which is great (laughs). That apart, I feel that I’ve had a fairly similar experience with working in Hindi and Telugu films. Toxic (Kannada) has been challenging because for the first time we shot in both English and Kannada. I would literally mug up my dialogues the previous night of the shoot. All the ratta maroing (mugging up) I did back in school, came to good use.

Iconic — the adjective doesn’t just describe the body of work, but the man behind it as well. Filmmaker-host-actor Karan Johar, in a candid chat on The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra, talks about everything under the sun — his upcoming films and the underworld threat looming large over the film industry to the rumours around a possible comeback of a much-loved film. Excerpts

There is no Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham 2 (K3G2), and there is no derivative of Takht being made. I’d never make a K3G2. I’m not saying K3G was the best film ever made, not at all. Every film has its flaws, but what K3G has in abundance is nostalgia. Generations have grown up watching that film — for what they’ve loved, what they haven’t, what they’ve cried about and laughed with. They love the movie, and I’m very grateful to the universe that I got to create a film that still lives on. I would never mess with that nostalgia or the love the film has, because you’re setting yourself up for disaster when you make a film like K3G2. So yes, the absolute truth is there is no K3G2.

He put India on the global map with his beautiful creations. But beyond the genius, he’s only human. He carries a heart that misses his near and dear ones, especially the actor who had the biggest influence on him. Designer Manish Malhotra reflects on his bond with late actor Sridevi, which continues through her daughter, actor Janhvi Kapoor. Excerpts from The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra:

Late photographer Rakesh Shrestha liked my sketches and introduced me to actors for styling them. I went to meet Sridevi for the first time at Mehboob Studio in 1991 and I was a big fan even before I met her. She was in a red outfit and was just going to the set. She was quiet. Then she called me to do a sweater, which was a continuity sweater for Khuda Gawaah (1992). I went to meet her, and somehow we connected.

Then, in 1996, we were in Las Vegas and she told me she was leaving films. She said she worked from the age of four and she wanted her life to carry on. I remember getting a little lump in my throat. I was so attached to her. And in the 15 years when she didn’t work and gave birth to Janhvi and Khushi, I was the one person who was always in touch with her. And I still called her ma’am. I continued my respect and friendship because I think she really contributed to my career. Her death was a big loss to the film industry.

I’m very fond of South Indian food and ma’am would get it to my house. That’s something that Janhvi sweetly does now, which is so nice of her. Every month, she makes it a point to come over, spend time, and get food from her house.

I was there at Rani Mukerji’s first shot for Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1997), Kareena Kapoor Khan for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000; she was the original heroine), Deepika Padukone in Om Shanti Om (2007), Alia Bhatt for Student Of The Year (2012), and Ananya Panday for Student Of The Year 2 (2019). So, I would say I’m the lucky mascot here. I’ve seen them grow and evolve.

In fact, with Kriti Sanon, Bipasha Basu and Lara Dutta, I worked with them before they became actresses, as models. I’ve seen their journeys from being newcomers to being established actors, with some even getting married and becoming mothers! Now we are working with the newer generation.

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra’s because the entire wedding was done by us. There were discussions about the décor, the surprises entry dance by Kiara, or the Reel that Sidharth did. And I forced them to put it up, saying, ‘Please put up this Reel!’ I am grateful to them for their love and respect. So happy! So I think that is one of my most cherished weddings.

As more women take on roles as producers and directors, the conversation around the female gaze in storytelling has grown louder. While this shift has opened up more authentic narratives, actor-producer Chitrangda Singh believes that compelling cinema goes beyond gender.

"Women understand women's emotions really well. Having said that, I’m not stuck on that idea. For me, more than being a man or a woman, it has to be a good mind. Sometimes, a man’s perspective on a woman can be more interesting," says the actress, who produced Soorma starring Taapsee Pannu and Diljit Dosanjh.

When asked whether she’d be keen to direct a female-led film featuring a strong ensemble cast, Chitrangda said, “Why not? I love Kareena Kapoor — she’s brilliant as an actor. I think Kiara Advani is lovely, and of course, Alia Bhatt. And maybe I’d like to be the fourth girl.”

Pitching a quirky storyline, she shared, “The story should be about us being con women, stuck in LA. We've run out of money and are trying to hustle our way back home. So, we decide to split up for five days, each of us responsible for making a certain amount of money. What happens to each of us in those five days — that’s the story. And the title? I think it should be Last Four Shots."

There’s a buzz doing the rounds that actress Kiara Advani has been approached to portray the iconic Meena Kumari in an upcoming biopic. Reports claimed that director Siddharth P Malhotra saw Kiara as the perfect choice for the role of the legendary actress, and had already narrated the script to her. According to sources, Kiara who is currently pregnant and recently made waves with her debut at the Met Gala, is said to have loved the story and may soon give it a green light.

However, when we reached out to Malhotra, he clarified the rumours, and said, “This is all a hypothesis. I am in New York now and I will be back in Mumbai by the end of July, and only then will I start with my narration. I am going to lock Kamal Amrohi’s casting first. Until then, I won’t move on to casting for Meena Kumari ji’s role.”

Director Siddharth P Malhotra, known for films like Hichki and Maharaj, acknowledged that rumours around the biopic’s casting continue to circulate. “Every now & then, rumours surface of a certain Bollywood actress being approached for the biopic. I don’t think before September we can officially announce Kamal Amrohi & Meena ji’s casting,” he said.

When asked if Kiara had been in discussions with him for the role at any point, Malhotra said, “We have had conversations about possibly doing it. She is pregnant & will deliver in some time. Now in the last few months before delivery, it is unrealistic to discuss this.”

Malhotra has officially secured the rights for the film, which aims to bring to life the epic real-life love story between celebrated actress Meena Kumari & legendary director-screenwriter Kamal Amrohi.

After two years of delays at the negotiation table, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari has finally kicked off her courtroom drama. The Amazon Prime Video film, originally set to star Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kiara Advani, will now be headlined by Sonakshi Sinha and Jyotika. While the team had planned to start the shoot in March, it only began last week in Malvani, Madh Island, and Vile Parle, where courtroom interiors have been recreated.

An insider revealed that the original plan with Kapoor and Advani didn’t materialise “because it didn’t align with [our] timelines and creative direction.”

“Early this year, after shelving the initial version, a fresh draft was locked. Sonakshi came on board after extensive look tests and readings. She brings a grounded intensity to the role that impressed the creative team.”

Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment and Harman Baweja’s Baweja Studios, the yet-untitled film revolves around a legal battle rooted in social justice and personal trauma. The source further informed that Sinha plays a fierce lawyer.

“The script is gritty and is not your typical courtroom drama. The legal arguments have emotional backstories, and both female leads have equal weight. Jyotika starts filming by mid-June, and their courtroom scenes are expected to be the highlight of the film.”

The film is expected to wrap up principal photography by year-end.

In an exclusive conversation with Bombay Times, Sidharth Malhotra talks about the kind of energy the festival of colours brings, his childhood memories of Holi and how it’s even more special now with wife, Kiara Advani.

“Holi has always been a grand celebration for me,” Sidharth says, adding, “Growing up in Delhi, my cousins and I would wake up early, load up on water balloons, and make sure we had the coolest water guns in the colony. It was all about colours, laughter, and endless fun. You’d step out knowing you wouldn’t return home looking the same.”

Talking about how important it is to make time for family and celebrations during festivals, Sidharth says, “Festivals like Holi are a reminder to pause and reconnect with family, friends, and even yourself. No matter how packed my schedule gets, I try to be home for Holi. Unlike my childhood days, when Holi was more about playing with colours and water till afternoon, running around with friends and eating all you can, now, the festival is more about the energy, the happiness it brings and just being in the moment.”

This is the third year Sidharth and Kiara are celebrating Holi together, and what makes it more special is that now the couple is all set to welcome their baby. He says, “With Kiara, Holi has been just as fun — colours, music and the whole vibe. We enjoy keeping things simple, yet festive — like playing with colours, spending time with loved ones, and of course, indulging in special Holi treats.”

Meena Kumari’s life story will finally find its place on the silver screen. It may be recalled that earlier, couturier-turned-producer Manish Malhotra had planned to back and direct a biopic on the late actor, but he shelved the Kriti Sanon-starrer last year (‘I am not doing Meena Kumari’s biopic’, Nov 26). Now, director Siddharth P Malhotra has set the wheels in motion for Kamal Aur Meena, which chronicles the stormy relationship between Kumari and her filmmaker-husband Kamal Amrohi.

Rumours are rife that Sanon is a strong contender for this ambitious project as well, while some sources suggest that Kiara Advani is the first choice.

The film is in its early stages of pre-production, with lyricist-writer Kausar Munir expected to deliver the screenplay and the final dialogue draft by February-end. A source reveals, “Kamal Aur Meena is an emotionally charged story. Casting will be locked in March. It’s not just about looking the part; the lead actor needs to portray Meena’s poetry, pain, and resilience. The film will roll only by summer because it will take time to create the on-screen world and costumes required for the period drama.”

It remains to be seen who between Sanon and Advani bags the Bilal Amrohi production that will play out over two decades, with the focus on how the actor-filmmaker duo made Pakeezah (1972). When mid-day reached out to Malhotra, he said, “We have not met any actors, male or female, so far.”

For fans of action movies, the climax is the true payoff. Director Ayan Mukerji knows this all too well, which is why he has saved the best for the last in the shoot of War 2. Over the past few months, he has shot several action sequences—from one set inside an aircraft (This flight’s ready to take off, April 12) to another playing out against a Japanese monastery (The samurai spy, March 19)—with leading man Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, who plays the antagonist. Now, we’ve learnt that from mid-December, the two actors will film the climax in Mumbai over a 15-day schedule.

Where is the clash of the titans taking place? We’re told it starts against the backdrop of a hangar, which then moves on to the villain’s hideout.

A source reveals, “From the second week of December, Jr NTR and Hrithik will shoot the final face-off at Film City in Goregaon and YRF Studios in Andheri. A massive set representing Jr NTR’s hideout is being built at Film City, while the stint at YRF Studios will include more of close-up and VFX-heavy shots. The late Rajat Poddar had designed most sets; only the backdrop for the climax was remaining. Producer Aditya Chopra, along with Ayan, is looking into the design and execution of the set as well as the action involved.”

It is already known that the producer-director duo roped in 11 stunt coordinators, including Steve Brown of Wonder Woman (2017) fame, Miguel Juzgado, who worked in Warrior Nun (2020), and Franz Spilhaus, for the espionage thriller. For this set-piece, they have zeroed in on three action directors.

The source elaborates, “Adi sir selected American stunt coordinator Spiro Razatos, who previously worked on Venom [2018] and The Fate Of The Furious [2017], and Se-yeong Oh of Avengers: Age Of Ultron [2015] and Snowpiercer [2013] fame. From home turf, he has brought Sunil Rodrigues on board, after being impressed by his work in Jawan [2023] and Pathaan [2023]. The three have banded together to design a stylized fight sequence that includes fierce hand-to-hand combat. The December leg will be the final schedule of War 2’s talkie portions.”

There’s more, of course, when accomplished dancers like Roshan and Jr NTR are involved. The makers are lining up a dance-off between the duo.

The insider adds, “Adi and Ayan are working with choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant on a dance-off. For January, the team has also lined up the shoot of a song featuring Hrithik and leading lady Kiara Advani.”

As the air is still filled with the sweet scent of fireworks and the warmth of loved ones, actor Sidharth Malhotra celebrated Diwali with his family in Delhi. In an intimate conversation, Sidharth lets us dive into his festive tradition - from childhood celebrations in Delhi to his modern-day rituals with actress-wife Kiara Advani.

“Being a Delhi boy at heart, Diwali for me means heading back to celebrate with my family at home,” Sidharth shares, adding, “Most years, I try to make it at home, and other times, Kiara and I keep it close-knit, celebrating with pujas, great food, and just enjoying each other’s company. There’s something deeply fulfilling about being surrounded by loved ones and honoring traditions together—it’s what Diwali is all about for me: family, togetherness, and those memories that stay with you forever.”

As he talks about the festival, Sidharth's favorite Diwali memories date back to his childhood. “Diwali has always been a special time for me, going back to my childhood days in Delhi. Growing up, it was my grandmom who would bring everyone together for the Diwali puja, making sure the whole house was ready and that we were all dressed in our best Indian festive clothes for the evening. My favorite part of the puja was always the prasad—especially the besan laddoos, which I still associate with Diwali to this day. That tradition of dressing up and celebrating as a family is something I carry with me even now. My Indian festive wardrobe is special to me as it reminds me of all the amazing celebrations,” Sidharth reminisces.

He adds, "Growing up we’d have amazing Punjabi food, play rounds of cards, and just enjoy being together. Those moments are what make Diwali so special, and that’s why it’s still such an important festival for me today."

A peek at Sidharth's Instagram feed and one can get a glimpse of his Diwali wardrobe, which easily cements him as a fashion role model for many seeking inspiration during the festive season. “To keep my Diwali style always rooted in traditions, I focus on picking unique and personal designs each year. Men's fashion has come a long way, especially in ethnic wear, and Diwali is the perfect time to embrace that. Today, there are so many designers creating exceptional options for men’s festive wear. Each one brings something unique to the table, and they’re doing incredible work with colors, patterns, and textures,” the Shershaah actor divulges.

He also states how 'Diwali is the time to go bold with color and style'. "Indian fashion has such a beautiful range of choices for men, whether it’s a dhoti, kurta, bandhgala, or sherwani. The beauty of Indian wear is that each region offers its twist, so there’s always something new to explore. Today, there’s truly no limit to expressing personal style while celebrating tradition," he adds.

With this being their second Diwali as husband and wife, we query Sidharth: Have he and Kiara established any heartfelt Diwali traditions?

He replies, “Kiara and I have started a simple but meaningful Diwali ritual of doing a small puja together and lighting a diya at home. This Diwali, we celebrated in Delhi with family, but no matter where we are, we make it a point to say a prayer and light a diya to keep the spirit of the festival alive.”

Right after the Diwali festivities, it will be work calling Yash. The Kannada superstar, along with co-actor Nayanthara, will dive into the next leg of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups. The buzz is that director Geetu Mohandas will lead an extensive Mumbai schedule from November 6. While Film City will serve as the primary venue for the shoot, an additional set is being built at Madh Island.

Right after the Diwali festivities, it will be work calling Yash. The Kannada superstar, along with co-actor Nayanthara, will dive into the next leg of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups. The buzz is that director Geetu Mohandas will lead an extensive Mumbai schedule from November 6. While Film City will serve as the primary venue for the shoot, an additional set is being built at Madh Island. 

While Nayanthara plays Yash’s on-screen sister in the actioner revolving around the drug mafia, Kiara Advani portrays his love interest. In this leg, the KGF superstar and Nayanthara will wrap up most of their combination scenes. Some critical action sequences are also on the cards.

The source added, “The action will be raw and gritty, with an emphasis on physicality. Fifty stunt experts have been roped in for these scenes. Kiara and Akshay Oberoi will also be a part of this schedule.”

When it comes to War 2, the audiences can expect action and then some more. In April, mid-day reported that leading man Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, who plays the antagonist, shot a face-off sequence set inside an aircraft (This flight’s ready to take off, April 12). Now, one hears that the Telugu star is set to film a major action set-piece, starting today. Insiders suggest that it will be one of the key moments in the spy thriller that will establish Jr NTR’s villain as a formidable force.

The elaborate sequence for Ayan Mukerji’s directorial venture will be shot at Yash Raj Studios in Andheri. 

A source tells us, “Ayan wanted Jr NTR’s solo scene to be designed in a way that it highlights the character’s raw power. With that brief, the action choreographer envisioned a fight that sees him take on a gang of 40. The team started shooting early at the set inside the studio, and will be shooting here for the next three days.”

Apparently, Roshan will join the unit later this week as Mukerji will can another action sequence featuring the two stars.

The sequel to the blockbuster War (2019) stars Kiara Advani as the leading lady. Last month, the actor and Roshan wrapped up an Italy schedule where they filmed some romantic numbers (Say sì to Italy, Sep 10).

Last month, mid-day reported that Yash was shooting the first schedule of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups on the outskirts of Bengaluru (Going big, Sep 4). Now that the month-long schedule in Karnataka is over, sources tell us that the superstar and Kiara Advani will kick off the next stint in Mumbai by the month-end, around Diwali. From what we’ve heard, director Geetu Mohandas has charted out a 45-day schedule in the Maximum City.

A source says, “The first schedule was heavily focused on action sequences. In the upcoming leg, Geetu wants to film most of the romantic scenes between Yash and Kiara. The production design team has constructed sets at studios in suburban Mumbai for the purpose. The shooting will begin before or after Diwali, depending on the rains, as this leg includes some outdoor scenes as well.”

Toxic promises to be an action-packed entertainer set against the backdrop of the drug mafia, with the story travelling from Karnataka to Goa and Mumbai. While Advani plays Yash’s love interest and Nayanthara, his sister, Huma Qureshi has been roped in as the antagonist. Shruti Haasan and Tara Sutaria too feature in the pan-India offering, which is touted to be Yash’s most expensive film to date. 

The source adds, “The makers are being hush-hush about the Mumbai locations and dates as Yash’s fans may try to throng the sets.”

Action has been the keyword ever since War 2 went on floors in October 2023. While Hrithik Roshan kicked off the shoot in March with an action-packed scene, Jr NTR joined the unit in April and the duo filmed a face-off sequence set in an aircraft (This flight’s ready to take off, April 12). Now, director Ayan Mukerji is shifting gears. mid-day has learnt that the unit will head to Italy, where they will shoot a romantic song featuring the leading man and Kiara Advani from September 18.

Keen-eyed fans would remember that War’s chartbuster Ghungroo was shot on the beaches of Positano in Italy’s Amalfi Coast. This time, even as Mukerji and producer Aditya Chopra have zeroed in on the usual haunts like Venice and Lake Como, they have discovered untapped locations in these places that they plan to bring to the screen.

A source tells us, “The Italy schedule will begin from September 18 and go on for about 15 days. Ayan has allotted the first six days for the song shoot. Considering Hrithik and Kiara are two of the hottest actors in Bollywood today, the director wants the video to do justice to their glamour. The romantic track, composed by Pritam, is being mounted on a lavish scale, and will be shot in exotic locales of Venice, Tuscany, Lake Como, Naples, Amalfi Coast, and Sorrento Peninsula. After the number, the unit will can a high-octane action sequence and some dramatic scenes before flying back to India by early October.”

Roshan and Advani’s fresh pairing is one of the highlights of War 2. The source adds that the makers have, so far, ensured that their images are not leaked in the media— something that they will keep an eye out for during the international schedule too.

“An army of local Italian security has been hired to comb these locations prior to the team’s arrival. They will also be part of the shoot to ensure that no images make their way online,” says the insider.

The sequel, slated to release on August 14 next year, will take the narrative of Roshan’s Kabir Dhaliwal, an R&AW agent gone rogue, forward. After the September stint, the director is expected to conduct two more schedules, an international one and another in Mumbai, before calling it a wrap early next year.

On August 8, Yash marked the beginning of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups’ shoot by sharing a picture of the producer and himself. In no time, the picture raked up countless likes, a clear signal of how eagerly his fans are awaiting the action drama. It looks like director Geetu Mohandas’ period drama is becoming every inch the biggie that the Kannada superstar’s fans expect it to be. Sources tell mid-day that the team is shooting on the outskirts of Bengaluru where a 20-acre set has been built.

“The production design team has created a world authentic to the 1940s. The team has been working at a breakneck pace. While Geetu has shot many crucial portions featuring Yash, she has also canned some scenes with Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria and Huma Qureshi,” says a source.

According to reports, Nayanthara plays the leading man’s on-screen sister while Advani essays the role of his love interest.

The lavishness of the production isn’t limited to the primary cast. An insider reveals that Toxic is being shot with a 1000-member crew.

Another source says, “Geetu has roped in 450 actors, who are shooting intermittently in this schedule. About 300 foreign support actors have been called in for a crucial sequence. A part of the shoot was being done outdoors, and due to heavy rain, filming had to be halted many times. But the cast and crew are fully committed and have been putting in multiple all-night shoots.”

Having accompanied a friend who was serving as an assistant director on Student Of The Year 2 (2019) to the set, Akshay Arora recalls having witnessed the manner in which food was being served to the cast and crew. “I saw that it was not an enjoyable situation,” recalls the chef, who subsequently arrived at the idea of creating vanity kitchens for those on set.

“Having been an athlete, I had a sense of nutrition, so we thought [of serving healthy meals on set].”

While several meal subscription plans have made their way to the market, Arora says his company is distinguished in the fact that the quality of ingredients they serve is superior. “I knew that the food that I would provide would be of the same quality that I would use to put something into my system. We set a benchmark in that aspect, and also spent a lot of time, effort, and money into research and development so that we could create healthy food that was also tasty,” says the chef, who was admitted to an international university for a course on real estate development, but began to also accompany his friend to culinary classes during his time spent there.

“We use different culinary techniques to make food more appetizing, and our passion kept pushing us to do better.”

A bevy of stars, including Sidharth Malhotra, Vicky Kaushal, Kartik Aaryan, Karan Johar, Kiara Advani, Rohit Saraf, Arjun Kapoor, Vaani Kapoor, Sobhita Dhulipala, Mahesh Babu, and Ram Charan, among others, have availed of his services. After having bagged his first client in Malhotra, he recalls having been approached by Kaushal’s team as the actor was “transforming [his physique] for several projects at the time”.

Arora often finds himself aboard such projects that require actors to undergo a physical transformation. “We need to subsequently be in touch with their coaches and nutritionists to help them meet the purpose of making [the actors] ready for the film.”

Unlike the standard meals provided to the cast and crew on set, Arora creates custom-made meals for each actor. “Because it is tailor-made, we need to understand everyone’s nutritional requirement. During the filming of Student Of The Year 2, Tiger Shroff was on a really strict diet, and we created dishes around his requirements. We have a nutrition department, where nutritionists understand the actor’s goals, and current lifestyle. We also have a culinary department that caters to an actor’s culinary palette, and focuses on creativity. Each one reacts to food in a different way. Nutrition, for the human body is like astrology—it depends on each person’s individual problem. After we understand what works for people, we then inquire about their preferences. For example, some clients may like street foods like wada pav, and we need to [cater to those needs]. We also have to keep track of their lifestyle, sleeping patterns, hormones, and age. Many of them get only three to four hours of sleep due to their erratic schedules.”

Ask him if catering to celeb clients who are vegetarian is as difficult as it is perpetuated, and he responds in the affirmative. “It gets difficult when the calorie allowance is set, which it usually is. So, if someone can only eat about 1,000 calories, it becomes difficult to add enough proteins because a majority of the vegan proteins have high amounts of carbs and fats [which increase the number of calories consumed]. But if you’ve got enough macros to play with, you can easily get a good amount of protein through a vegan diet.” 

A defining aspect of his job is ensuring his team meets the demands of his clients, who are “high-achievers”. “Every minute of their life is dedicated towards being productive in the space that they’re working in, so our life has to match that. If our client has a 4 am call time, our team has to wake up an hour earlier, and sleep an hour after the client sleeps, to ensure they are [served each meal]. Usually, the team dedicated to the client has to be on the same schedule that the client is on.”

Recent viral videos of bodyguards of actors Dhanush and Akkineni Nagarjuna pushing fans sparked widespread criticism online. In a clip from Juhu Beach in Mumbai, the former’s security team was seen clearing a path as fans tried to capture glimpses of the actor. Nagarjuna faced scrutiny after an incident at Mumbai Airport where his bodyguard pushed a specially abled fan who had approached the actor for a selfie. Later, the actor took to social media to apologize.

Earlier, in similar incidents involving Malaika Arora and Shilpa Shetty Kundra, the actors’ security personnel came under fire for mistreating fans. Yusuf Ibrahim (actor Alia Bhatt’s security), says, “Fans ko celebs ko touch karna ya bahut paas aana avoid karna chahiye. Jab aisa hota hai, we’re forced to act.”

Jishan Qureshi, who handles actor-couple Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani’s security, concurs: “When fans slip in from the side, celeb chaunk jaata hai aur issi dauran haath idhar udhar ho jaata hai. Request yahi hai ki pyaar se aaiye [to meet actors]!”

Often, in the 10-second clips that do rounds of social media, only the negative parts of celeb-fan interactions are included, points out paparazzo Manav Manglani. “Most actors are happy to pose for selfies and often instruct bodyguards to be sweet to fans. Many pap pages make it clickbait-y to sell it online,” he says.

Sameer Khan, Delhi POC for A-listers such as Hrithik Roshan and Salman Khan, says it is a complicated debate. “Artistes never tell us in advance that they don’t want to get clicked and we would never want to push fans away. Agar koi fan zid par aa jaye ki hum photo click karwa ke hi jayenge, tab dikkat wali baat ho jaati hai. But humein artiste ko bhi save karna hota hai,” he explains.

Main 75% cases mein bodyguards ko hi galat maanunga. Not just fans, even paps get pushed by them in many situations. They lose their temper very easily. 

- YOGEN SHAH

Nagarjuna waale scene mein woh fan achaanak se aaya tha, and bodyguards have to be very reactive in such situations. Can’t say the bodyguard was at fault.

MANAV MANGLANI

- Don’t be very touchy unless the star initiates

- Try not to get overwhelmed or nervous since security is reactive to that the most

- Be quick with getting clicked as the celeb is often running late

Jalal (Deepika Padukone)

Yusuf Ibrahim (Alia Bhatt)

Yuvraj Ghorpade (Aamir Khan)

Sandeep (Ranbir Kapoor)

Janhvi Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan’s bodyguards