A successful film encourages a director and an actor to reunite professionally. Add a 33-year friendship to that, and the combination’s gold! Who knows that better than Ahmed Khan? The director revealed to mid-day that boosted by the success of Welcome To The Jungle, he is set to reunite with Akshay Kumar for his next. 

So, is another action comedy in the works? Maybe, maybe not. Khan shared, “With Welcome To The Jungle becoming a success, we had to work together again. I am so happy that the film has done well, and the cast is happy too. Akshay and I are planning something soon. We are in talks regarding two-three different genres — action comedy, romantic action drama, and an out-and-out action movie. Even Akshay has a script that he has told me about. We have to finalize one of our ideas. Once that and the dates are finalised, we’ll announce it.”

Rumours were rife that for his next, Khan would start a zombie comedy with Tiger Shroff and Shanaya Kapoor in the lead. Talks of Welcome 4 also did the rounds.

Denying those reports, the director said, “Rumours abound when movies are a hit, but it’s not true as of now. My next is with Akshay. It’s a joy working with someone as professional as him. I like action and can do it on a bigger scale with Akshay. Dance, action, drama — it all comes out organically with him.”

With Kumar and Khan attached to the project, it won’t be surprising if either Firoz A Nadiadwallah or Sajid Nadiadwala produce it. The director remained tight-lipped, only saying, “Dono se dosti hai. They love Akshay and me.”

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Ahmed Khan’s home production ‘Baap’, starring Mithun Chakraborty, Sunny Deol, Sanjay Dutt, and Jackie Shroff, is gearing up for a release this year. “Zee Studios is finalizing the release date and marketing of the movie. I have completed the movie and handed it to them. It’s their baby now,” said the filmmaker.

It began in 2024 and has continued well into 2026 — Kriti Sanon’s successful run at the movies shows no signs of slowing down. It started with Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, followed by the heist comedy Crew and a darker turn in Do Patti. 2025 brought the intense love story Tere Ishk Mein, and now, the breezy Cocktail 2.

When we point out that she seems content staying out of the rat race and away from social media rivalries, she says she is “actually very competitive”. She says, “When I see someone doing well, I feel like I also want to do well. Competition motivates me to do better. I feel like it also comes at a certain point in your career that you have a sense of security with yourself.” Things changed for the better, especially in 2021, she adds: “The validation that Mimi (2021) gave me, whether from the audience or through the National Award, made me feel like I had finally proved my talent and could now explore more... I am very critical of myself. So, I am always wanting to do better than what I have done before. It’s boring to be in a race with someone else and it just doesn’t give you peace.”

It’s a mix of both. I think any actor craves for that moment and day. Fortunately, this is a role that is very glamorous but also has its layers. I got lucky.

I knew that there would be comparisons, and thankfully, this was not a sequel but a franchise. It’s just the vibe of Cocktail (2012) that was being taken forward in Cocktail 2… and the fact that it was one boy and two girls. Apart from that, there was absolutely no similarity; the story and the conflicts are completely different. I feel like Ally, my character, was not Veronica (Deepika Padukone’s character in Cocktail), and that’s what excited me. If I were doing a remake, then I think the pressure would have been way more.

At the end of it, we all want to be loved, so I feel that’s a similarity. But I also feel even though she is really bindaas and free-spirited, in her heart, she really cares. The empathy part of it was interesting for me, and I connected with it.

There have been so many coming from everywhere. Whether it’s Sajid (Nadiadwala, producer) sir or Sabbir (Khan, director) sir, who have seen me in my debut film Heropanti (2014), and now after this journey of about 12 years, playing a role like this; both sent me long, lovely messages. That was very emotional because when I did Heropanti, I was a baby who knew nothing and just learned everything on the job. The only thing that hasn’t changed is that I used to ask a lot of questions back then. And I am curious even now.

That also happens where sometimes it’s like, ‘Oh now I don’t want to spoil it, it’s a good run going on,’ But when you try different things like when I did Mimi (2021), a lot of people told me ‘Why do you want to play a mother right now’ or ‘Surrogacy is such a serious topic’ or ‘It’s too soon to take something on your shoulders’. The fact that I didn’t listen to it and went with my gut feeling gave me what it did (her first National film award).. So, that made me feel that okay, ‘I need to feel it from inside’. I need to really feel hungry towards doing a certain film. I need to feel challenged by the character and not repeat myself. When Tere Ishq Mein (2025) happened, it was such an intense film; it was emotionally and physically draining. As an actor, by the end of that film, I couldn’t do another intense project immediately. Fortunately, I had Cocktail 2 that came to me, and I was like, ‘This is a breath of fresh air and I would love to do this next.’

Yes. Aapko agar ek hi tarah ka khaana baar-baar denge toh aap bhi bore ho jaoge na? So, as an audience also, you want different kinds of cuisines and different genres of films. I think what we started thinking is ‘Oh, action is working. So, let’s make action films.’ But at the end of it, people want something that is engaging and different for them to not wait for the film to stream on OTT. People should have FOMO, ‘we have to go to a theatre and see it’. That experience needs to happen. Earlier, when OTT was not there, it took six months for a film to come on TV. So, there was a little more urgency to watch it. Now, mediocrity is not going to work.

I am excited to find a script. Genuinely, I have not signed anything, and I am not in a hurry. Right now, quality over quantity for me, for sure.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is coming. I’m excited about that. Dune: Part Three, too. Then there’s Eetha. Laxman Utekar sir is directing, the teaser is fab. It’s Laxman sir in his full element and avatar with Shraddha (Kapoor, actor). It looks very powerful.

That will happen when it happens. I am not in a hurry. I think everything has its own time.

Some professional relationships are less about business, more about bonds. Like the one between producer Sajid Nadiadwala and actor Ahan Shetty, whom he launched in Bollywood with Tadap (2021). The actor, who is set to kick off his next with director Tinu Desai, was keen that his film be named Sanki. There was only one hurdle — the title was owned by Nadiadwala. mid-day has learnt that as soon as Shetty reached out to Nadiadwala and expressed his wish, the producer readily parted with the name.

In 2024, Nadiadwala had announced Sanki as an action romance drama with Shetty and Pooja Hegde. Unfortunately, the film was put on the backburner.

A source revealed, “Ahan’s film with Tinu Desai was being developed under a different working title, but he had his heart set on Sanki. Knowing that Sajid held the title, Ahan reached out to him. The producer had no hesitation in letting go — no negotiations, he simply gifted the title to him. The Nadiadwalas and Shettys have been close for decades, with Sajid having worked with Suniel Shetty. The producer is also fond of Ahan, who, in turn, holds immense gratitude and respect for the man who launched him.”

A new star kid faced the camera on March 23. Producer Sajid Nadiadwala’s son Subhan Nadiadwala’s maiden film, helmed by Shashank Khaitan of Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) fame, went on floors on Monday at an under-construction building near DN Nagar in Andheri. mid-day had earlier reported that the love story has been titled Aisi Deewangi, a nod to the memorable song from Deewana (1992) that starred Sajid’s late wife Divya Bharti (Tera naam rakh diya, June 18).

According to sources, the first day of shooting involved an action sequence that saw the debutant take on nearly 60 trained fighters.

A source close to the production revealed, “Sajid sir wants to introduce Subhan as a full-fledged big-screen hero, who is adept at both action and romance. The director mounted a stylised action block for the opening day. It was a physically demanding shoot for someone who hasn’t done this before, but Subhan had been training for months for this sequence.”

Besides an extensive leg in Mumbai, the film will also be shot in Manali.

This isn’t Shashank Khaitan’s first brush with a newcomer. He previously directed ‘Dhadak’ (2018), which launched Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor in Hindi cinema.

Ever since prominent producers including Karan Johar (Dharma Productions), Sajid Nadiadwala (Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment), Ektaa Kapoor (Balaji Telefilms), Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani (Excel Entertainment), Zoya Akhtar (Tiger Baby Films) among others were seen leaving actor-producer Aamir Khan’s residence in Mumbai on Thursday, the film industry was abuzz with speculation about what might have been the reason behind the same.

While parties involved have remained tight-lipped about the meeting’s agenda, a well-placed source tells HT City that it was to resolve the ongoing issue between an actor and Excel Entertainment.

“Aamir is trying to resolve the rift between Ranveer Singh and Excel Entertainment. The meeting at his place was to address the same,” the source informs.

Excel Entertainment has sought Rs. 40 crore from actor Ranveer Singh after his exit from Don 3 for alleged financial losses.

One Friday can change everything. That’s a reminder Ahan Shetty would hear frequently from actor and his father Suniel Shetty. A week after the release of Border 2, as Ahan got on a call with us, flushed from the war drama’s success, he opened the conversation with, “Last Friday changed everything for me.”

Border 2, also starring Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, and Varun Dhawan, is Ahan’s second feature in a five-year career. He forayed into the movies with Tadap (2021), backed by Sajid Nadiadwala. While the romantic actioner underperformed at the box office, the newcomer hit a low — not so much by the film’s fate, but the events that transpired after the release.

“Tadap made Rs 40 crore at a time when films weren’t crossing Rs 10 crore. People said that the film did horribly in terms of numbers, but we made profit. That said, the film came with expectations. After that, it was difficult. I was very low on confidence during that period. I was tied down to a contract with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. So, I wasn’t allowed to sign any other movie for four years. A lot of offers came my way, but you can’t [breach] a contract,” he recalled. 

Good things come to those who wait. For the actor, it came in the form of producer Nidhi Dutta’s offer. “J P Dutta sir and Nidhi didi were home for dinner. Nidhi didi turned to me and said, ‘How would you like to be a part of Border 2?’ I told her that we’ll talk about it when it happens. She laughed and said, ‘Ahan, it’s happening now.’ For a couple of days, I was skeptical, because I couldn’t believe they wanted me, a newcomer, to be a part of such a big film. I had not been able to do anything for four years and was fighting certain battles in my own head. So, being a part of the film means a lot to me.”

For Kartik Aaryan, 2025 will always remain one of his most special years, with big film announcements one after the other, and of course, his Best Actor wins: IIFA for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Filmfare for Chandu Champion, both 2024 releases. As we catch up with him, the confidence shines through, in both his choices and ambition:

Honestly, I didn’t look at Chandu Champion as an experiment at all. The moment I heard the story of (India’s first paralympic gold medallist) Murlikant Petkar ji, I was surprised and deeply moved. I felt this was a story of incredible resilience, courage, and self belief; one every Indian should know. I could totally relate to his story and considered myself truly blessed to get the opportunity to portray such an inspirational real-life hero on screen. I will always be indebted to Kabir (Khan, director) sir and Sajid (Nadiadwala, producer) sir for trusting me with this incredible story. Winning the Filmfare Best Actor award feels like a huge validation, not just for me but for the kind of cinema that celebrates real stories and the human spirit.

(Laughs) Yes, you can say that! Chatori is actually a gift from my mom, and she’s already become everyone’s favourite at home. Bas Katori thodi si insecure ho gayi hai! Abhi tak donon ki dosti nahin hui hai. But still, Katori is very protective of Chatori like a big sister. The house feels livelier with both of them around.

The love the audience showered on Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 was overwhelming, it felt like a festival inside theatres. The film released alongside another massive franchise, and there was immense anticipation among the audience, trade, and media for both. Together, the two films did a combined business of over Rs. 800 crores worldwide (BB3 – Rs. 423.85 cr, Singham Returns – Rs. 389.64 cr). That year, Diwali genuinely felt like Diwali for the entire industry.

For me, these big box office numbers are very motivating, but more than pressure, I see it as a responsibility, to keep entertaining the audience and living up to their expectations. At the same time, I try not to let the numbers dictate my choices. For me, it’s always about the story and the connection it creates with the audience. If that works, everything else follows.

The film has shaped up beautifully, it’s got that perfect mix of heart, fun, and festive energy. We had a blast shooting it, and that vibe translates on screen. Reuniting with Ananya was like picking up where we left off, she was a total live-wire on set. She’s going to surprise everyone. I’m sure the audience will enjoy our chemistry in this fun, refreshing rom-com as Ray-Rumi and all the masti the film brings.

Rom-coms come to me quite naturally, maybe they’re just in my DNA (laughs). I guess the audience also enjoys seeing me in such roles, which makes it more special. But I never want to be confined to one genre. I love exploring different kinds of stories and characters. At the end of the day, I go by what truly connects with me, a story that moves me and one that will entertain the audience, no matter what the genre is.

I think I’m also a bit of a businessman at heart (smiles). For me, it’s equally important to market a film in the best possible way. Today, storytelling doesn’t end with the shoot, how you present it to the audience matters just as much. So I like being involved in all aspects of film making. Thankfully, my producers have been welcoming and yes, even I have heard about the ‘Kartik Aaryan template’ being discussed at films marketing meetings! Trust me, its really encouraging.

In 2020, filmmaker Satish Kaushik, who passed away in March 2023, floated the idea of revisiting the romantic saga Tere Naam (2003) for a sequel. Five years later, rumours in trade circles suggest that producer Sajid Nadiadwala is in advanced talks to acquire the franchise rights from Sunil Manchanda and Mukesh Talreja, the producers of the original.

Nadiadwala hopes to bring Salman Khan, who starred in the original, back for the second instalment. “Salman has heard about it. But nothing has been officially offered yet; he needs to see a workable script, budget, and the [division] of rights. He is not one to commit before clarity,” informs a source.

Discussions are in full swing. Nadiadwala “wants to own the IP for creative freedom”. The makers plan to position the sequel as a legacy revival, tying nostalgia with contemporary sensibilities.

“We will see a new lead pairing, depending on whether Salman takes on the original role or a newer avatar. Once the legal and financial packaging is done, they’ll lock in Salman and only then announce a director. A tentative script is being worked upon,” adds the source.

All is well that ends well, and the two-month controversy surrounding Paresh Rawal’s exit from Hera Pheri 3 has certainly ended on a happy note. On June 28, the veteran actor revealed that he has returned to the franchise’s third instalment that also stars Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty. So, how did the change of heart happen? Especially when things had turned intense, with Kumar — who also serves as the producer — reportedly suing the senior actor for Rs 25 crore for his “unprofessional conduct”, and the latter returning the signing amount along with interest. Apparently, all it took was an honest chat over a phone call.

An insider reveals that Kumar called the veteran actor on his birthday, on May 30. “Paresh’s stance initially softened when Akshay firmly defended him at the Housefull 5 trailer launch, where a journalist called the senior actor ‘foolish’ for leaving Hera Pheri 3. Then on Paresh’s birthday, Akshay called to wish him. The superstar told him that while movies will come and go, their friendship should withstand the test of time as they go back a long way. After that, the two met along with Suniel,” says the insider.

Fans are naturally cheering Rawal aka Babu Bhaiyya’s return to Hera Pheri 3, as is director Priyadarshan. The filmmaker tells mid-day that he was given the good news by the veteran actor on June 30.

“Both Akshay and Paresh called to say that everything is sorted. I was in shock when Paresh said, ‘Sir, I’m doing the movie’. He added, ‘I have never had anything except a lot of respect for you. I’ve done 26 movies with you, and I’m sorry to have left the film. There were some personal issues.’ He said that Akshay, Suniel, and he met cordially and sorted it out.”

While rumours suggested that filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala and director Ahmed Khan had a role to play in the patch-up, Priyadarshan denies it.

Now, the National Award- winning filmmaker will sit down to pen the script of the laugh riot. “Whatever I do, I cannot surpass Hera Pheri [2000]. The second part [Phir Hera Pheri, 2006] was bad; it was a copy of a Hollywood movie,” he states, adding that while writing, he is certain of one thing. 

“Hera Pheri cannot happen without any of the three lead characters. Recently, on a flight, a diamond merchant and his family came to me and requested me to bring Paresh back. They said they won’t watch the film otherwise.”

In February, mid-day reported that producer Sajid Nadiadwala is readying to launch his son Subhan Nadiadwala’s acting career (Beta, chalo Bollywood, Feb 28). Now, the chatter in the industry is that the star kid’s debut film may borrow its title from Deewana’s (1992) hit track. It has been heard that the movie has been tentatively titled Aisi Deewangi Dekhi Nahin Kahin, after the popular song that featured Shah Rukh Khan and late Divya Bharti.

It could be a beautiful nod to both — Khan, who came into the limelight with the film, and the late actor, who was married to Sajid. The movie, to be helmed by Shashank Khaitan of Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) fame, is expected to roll in November.

A crew member reveals, “The film is an intense love story. Aisi Deewangi Dekhi Nahin Kahin is the tentative name with which we refer to the project; it’s not set in stone. The title is from the hit song of Deewana that kickstarted Shah Rukh’s career.”

Gags, laughter, and a plot that’s almost unbelievable — that’s what the Housefull franchise has been over its past four instalments. But Housefull 5 marries these elements with a murder mystery. That was enough to tempt Tarun Mansukhani to come on board as the director.

“How do you mix the two worlds without making it look like two separate films? These are two different genres. I sunk my teeth into it completely,” he starts, when we get on a call with him. 

Mansukhani returns to direction six years after Drive (2019). Asked what took him so long, he says it took them a year-and-a-half to lock the script. “In our industry, time flies. We don’t even realize how much time has gone by since the last one came out.”

The director is the latest entrant to the franchise that has actors Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, and producer Sajid Nadiadwala as regulars. While he joined Nadiadwala and Farhad Samji in the writers’ room, he also made the upcoming laugh riot his own.

“Since I don’t inherently belong to the franchise, telling it differently came naturally to me. Plus, I always had Sajid sir to keep me rooted in the world of Housefull. It’s the first Bollywood film to reach part five, and has its own fan following.”

Housefull 5 features about 19 stars, including Kumar, Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Nargis Fakhri, Jacqueline Fernandez, Fardeen Khan, and Chitrangda Singh. It was the director’s first brush with ensemble cast, having previously helmed a love triangle in Dostana (2008), and an actioner in Drive. Wasn’t giving everyone enough screen time in a two-hour film next to impossible? That, Mansukhani says, was worked out right at the scripting stage.

Mansukhani says, “If the character has turned out well while writing, then you offer it to a big star. There is no point in roping in a star for one or two scenes. Here, we made the conscious decision that until and unless a character is prominent, we won’t approach a star.”

The bigger challenge, he notes, was filming the comedy on a cruise for 40 days. “The first thing you have to do is memorize the entire ship. You don’t want to go somewhere in the back while the shoot is in the front. Plus, you have to constantly balance yourself and [shoot amid that]. Also, the weather keeps changing every minute,” he shares, recalling how they faced a major storm while shooting last year.

“I remember during the storm, people couldn’t stand, and cameras were about to fly off. On the second day of the storm, the captain told me I had to stop filming due to safety concerns.”

While every actor on set was a star in their own right, Dutt and Shroff surprised the director with their signature brand of comedy. He says, “Having Sanjay and Jackie together is such a riot. I didn’t know they had this mad comic side to them. I was blown away by the kind of energy they brought on set.”

The June 6 release marks the director’s first out-and-out comedy. His approach to ensuring that the jokes landed was simple — make it collaborative. “I was an actor before I became an assistant director. So, often I would perform a scene, and then ask [my actors] to recreate it. Sometimes, you get exactly what you want, and other times, it turns out even better because they bring their own flavour to your imitation. Many times, [we’d] change something because it was not landing. So many times, my spot boy came to me and said, ‘Sir, mazaa nahin aaya’. Then it was up to us to figure out [what was] going wrong and correct it.”

Not too long ago, producer Sajid Nadiadwala had heard Iulia Vantur singing Lata Mangeshkar’s iconic track, Lag Ja Gale. He had told Vantur that he’d have her sing it for a film someday. At the time, she didn’t think much of it. But days before Sikandar’s trailer launch, Vantur was in the studio recording the track, just as Nadiadwala had promised.

“I didn’t have time to think about it. He told me, ‘Just go and record the song.’ The [lack of time] was a [blessing] because otherwise I would’ve been worried about singing the ultimate song,” smiles Vantur. 

The reprised version appears prominently in Sikandar, with Rashmika Mandanna’s character crooning for Salman Khan. Among the compliments Vantur received, Khan’s reaction particularly relieved her. “I was worried [about his response]. If Salman hears me pronouncing something wrong, he will not leave me until I say it right. That he liked it was a big thing for me,” she says. Vantur, who has lent her voice to many songs for Khan’s films, including Race 3 (2018) and Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai (2021), says she has mixed feelings when recording a track for him.

“There is the pressure of giving your best because you want the other person to succeed. You don’t want to spoil it for them. At the same time, it’s a beautiful feeling because you want to work with people you love and respect. I’m grateful to be a part of the incredible legacy he is giving to his audience.”

Was it heartbreaking then to see Sikandar’s underwhelming box office performance? “I think the movie performed extraordinarily well, considering it was leaked before the release. What I also noticed is that his true fans were there for him,” she reflects.

The night before a movie’s release should be all about celebration for the makers and the team. But Sikandar’s leading man Salman Khan and producer Sajid Nadiadwala spent Saturday night and the early hours of March 30 scrambling to contain an online leak of their film. Hours before A R Murugadoss’ directorial venture hit the theatres on March 30 morning, the film’s high-definition (HD) version made its way to X. To combat the leak, Nadiadwala’s production house, Khan’s fan clubs and Mumbai Police’s cyber department worked together and pulled down over 3000 links.

Ravi Desai, who heads the Salman Khan Fan Club on X, reveals that a sign was there in the days leading up to the release. “On March 26, a handle had posted an unseen image from the film and claimed that they will release the film’s prints. Later, that account vanished. On Saturday at 11.30 pm, a print was released from another X handle. It was first available on HDM [a website for torrent downloads], and from there, it came to X. By 12 am, it was everywhere,” he recalls.

Desai and many other fans promptly alerted Salman Khan Films (SKF) at midnight about the development. In the next half-an-hour, SKF, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, and the anti-piracy agency, FX Securities, sprung into action. Desai says together, they worked with the Cyber Wing of Mumbai Police that combed X and Telegram to find the accounts.

“Within hours, we received thousands of reports from fans who helped us track down many accounts. Over 3000 links have been pulled down so far,” says Desai, adding, “We feel the leak happened at the post-production end.”

Piracy has become a rampant issue in the film industry, with many movies, including the recent L2 Empuraan and Game Changer, leaked online. It’s too early to deduce whether the box-office collection of Sikandar—that marks Khan’s return to the big screen over a year after Tiger 3 (2023) and also stars Rashmika Mandanna—has been adversely affected by the leak. Nadiadwala’s production house has reported over 1000 accounts to the authorities.

A source from the production team says, “Salman sir and Sajid sir have been in constant touch with the FX cyber security team, legal advisors, and social media platforms. The original source of the leak remains unidentified. The authorities are tracking the IP addresses linked to the pirated version’s dissemination. There will be consequences for those involved.”

From the look of things, it will be a grand Eid for Salman Khan fans. The advance booking window for Sikandar opened on March 27, and earned over Rs 10 crore on the first day. Despite its strong advance booking figures, buzz in the trade is that Sikandar is unlikely to smash Khan’s highest opener, Tiger 3 (2023), which had raked in Rs 43 crore on its first day.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh notes, “There are lots of factors [going in Sikandar’s favour]—it’s an Eid release, it stars Salman, and A R Murugadoss is the director. The assets may not have tracked as expected, but Sajid Nadiadwala [producer] and Salman know the pulse of the audience. Spot bookings will be the main focus. Since Tiger 3 made Rs 43 crore, Sikandar has the pressure to not settle at a final figure of Rs 25 crore [on Day One]. It has to top Tiger 3, which will be a challenge.”

Like Sikandar, Tiger 3 was not only a festival release but also a Sunday offering. One could argue that the 2023 Diwali offering had the advantage of being part of the YRF Spy Universe. In contrast, Sikandar is a standalone action drama, which may not have the same multiplex appeal. But trade circles are confident that single-screen theatres, in cities as well as in tier-2 and -3 towns, will be the film’s stronghold.

Manoj Desai, executive director of Gaiety-Galaxy, states, “Salman’s films have an unmatched pull in single screens. His fans don’t care about reviews or [box-office] comparisons; they come for the experience. They should increase the number of screens; Bhai’s film on Eid is bound to do well.”

Over the past many months, Ahmed Khan has been neck-deep in the shoot of his directorial venture, Welcome To The Jungle. But when producer Sajid Nadiadwala reached out to him to choreograph Sikandar’s title track, he promptly said yes. Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna’s dance number Sikandar Naache, which dropped online on Tuesday, marks Ahmed’s return to choreography after eight years.

“I’d do anything for them,” he smiles, emphasizing his long-standing collaboration with the superstar-producer duo.

With Salman’s films, one can be assured of hit songs and hook steps that will be imitated by his legion of fans. So, as a choreographer, how did he make sure that the latest number stands out?

Ahmed explains, “We wait for a Salman track because of the swag. He comes up with moves that even a grandfather can do, and sometimes he pulls off moves that even youngsters can’t match up. But whatever I’ve done with him, it has been a pleasure; when you have such a good-looking man in front of the camera, half the job is done. When you show him [a step], sometimes he doesn’t do it exactly how you want, but he does it in his own style and eventually you see your creation take shape.” 

The choreographer’s last hit number with Salman was Jumme Ki Raat from Kick (2014). With Sikandar Naache, the idea was to top it. “Or we had to, at least, try to reach that space,” says Ahmed.

That’s when Nadiadwala suggested incorporating the Levantine folk dance, Dabke, in the track. Excited by the suggestion, Ahmed went ahead to design the number that was shot with about 500 dancers at a massive set in a Mumbai studio last month.

The choreographer adds, “Sajid suggested that we add the Dabke dance style. This has never happened in Hindi movies so far. He went out of his way to fly down Lebanese dancers from Turkey, who could perform Dabke. I loved that we made that addition. Salman has danced his heart out in this song.”

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There is no breather for Salman Khan, who recently completed filming his portions for an international film in Saudi Arabia. We have heard that the superstar returned to the bay on February 24, only to face the camera again yesterday for Sikandar. While A R Murugadoss’ actioner is near the finish line, the makers decided to include a post-credits song at the last minute. The team is currently shooting the foot-tapping number at Royal Gold Studios in Film City, Goregaon.

A source close to the production reveals, “The song was a last-minute addition, but Salman and producer Sajid Nadiadwala felt it would be a great way to catch the audience’s attention. It is being shot on a lavish scale and will be an integral part of the promotional blitzkrieg.”

If things go as planned, the unit will wrap up this track over the next week. With that, Murugadoss will call a wrap on Sikandar—starring Rashmika Mandanna as the leading lady—on March 8, slightly later than the initial plan. While the team was to shoot for two days in Rajkot, those portions have already been canned in Mumbai.

An insider from the film’s crew shares, “Songs have usually played a big role in Salman’s films, be it Jumme Ki Raat or Swag Se Swagat. This track is expected to have a high recall value.”

The action spectacle is being readied to hit the screen around March 28 as an Eid offering.

In the past few weeks, there has been buzz that Salman Khan’s Sikandar might miss its Eid release due to production delays. But those in the know insist that director A R Murugadoss has ensured that the action entertainer remains on track. Sources tell us that the Khan and Rashmika Mandanna-starrer is complete, save for a two-day shoot in Rajkot.

A source close to the project reveals that the penultimate schedule that began in Mumbai in January was wrapped up last week. “Led by Murugadoss sir, the team has been going full throttle on the shoot. Salman finished the Mumbai schedule on February 14 late at night. The unit wrapped up at 6 am. All major portions have been shot and have reached the edit table. Only a two-day shoot with Salman in Rajkot is remaining, which has been lined up for the first week of March,” says the source.

With Sikandar lined up for a March-end release, the filmmaker has doubled efforts to meet the deadline. “The film has high-octane action sequences that require VFX and meticulous post-production work. Murugadoss is overseeing the editing, and producer Sajid Nadiadwala has allotted additional resources to expedite the process,” adds the source.

We’ve heard that the makers are planning to release the trailer in early March. Sikandar is highly anticipated among Khan’s fans as it marks his return to the big screen over a year after his last offering, Tiger 3 (2023).

He was shooting for Housefull 4 in 2018 when sexual harassment allegations by multiple women upturned his life. The storm of accusations — including claims of unwanted advances and harassment — upended his career, with work vanishing overnight. Sajid Khan, 54, became an accused in the #MeToo movement in Bollywood — called out, ridiculed and vilified. For six years, he chose silence. Until now. With trepidation in his voice, he recounts the toll the past years have taken on him, both mentally and physically.

I thought of ending my life many times in the last 6 years. It’s been extremely bad, in the sense that I’ve been out of work. Despite getting a clearance from Indian Film and Television Directors Association (IFTDA). I’m trying to get back on my feet. I had to sell my house and move to a rented flat because of no earnings. I was 14 when I started earning because my dad (actor, producer, and director, Kamran Khan) passed away, leaving me and (my sister) Farah (Khan Kunder, filmmaker and choreographer) with debts. Today, I wish my mum was alive (Menaka Irani died in 2024) to see me try to get back on my feet. More than her son, I was her caretaker. Life has been quite tough.

Looking back, yes. Now everybody does it on YouTube, but early on in my career, I used to say sensational things just to make headlines. When I worked on TV, my job was to entertain people. I used to rub many the wrong way...When I see some of my interviews today, I feel like taking a time machine back and stopping that guy — saying, ‘Idiot, what are you talking about? Why are you so brash?’ Words don’t matter; work does. Because I was so brash, I rubbed people the wrong way. I would apologize whenever I realized it, but when work stops, you start questioning your life. I’ve mellowed down. I just want to work to survive now.

I left Housefull 4 because I didn’t want the dates to get shuffled. The producer, Sajid Nadiadwala, had put up a big set with 10–15 busy actors. Changing dates would’ve disrupted the film for years. Mine was a trial by media, very one-sided. What does a man work for? Respect. When that’s taken away, your self-respect comes into doubt. I was known for my offensive humour — I believed offence was the best defence. But I’ve learned the hard way. I never disrespected women, and I never will. My mother raised me to believe in gender equality. I didn’t realize my words would make me pay such a huge price.

Ten days before it happened, I was shooting in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, and my mum wasn’t well. When I had to leave the film, I was worried she’d have a heart attack if she found out. I told Farah (sister) to hide the newspapers from her. For 10 days, I pretended everything was fine, leaving the house and coming back as if I’d been on set... I’ve never, and will never, say anything against any woman. But yes, the last six years have been a period of self-assessment. Everyone else named in the movement went back to work, but I didn’t. That felt harsh. It made me realize I needed to change not just my life but also the way I spoke to people. I’m much more restrained now.

Meetings went well, but post-Covid, entertainment has changed drastically. Ultimately, it’s about how you present yourself and the strength of your script. Whenever I would approach studios, I was told that even if the script is good, your name is involved in MeToo and we are hesitating to sign you. I have not understood why after so many years when everyone else has moved on, I am not being given that chance. I have a film starting mid-year now, but there’s no guarantee of success. That’s the nature of the industry.

I didn’t want to speak. My mother told me, ‘Silence is golden’. Perception is like mist — it has to be cleared.