With ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown-ups’ in theatres now, Yash is giving undivided attention to his next ambitious release, ‘Ramayana: Part 1’. While the Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash-starrer has generated enough buzz, we’ve heard that the two male leads plan to take their epic to fans across India through special interactions.

According to an industry insider, Kapoor — who plays Lord Ram — will spearhead a fan meet-up in Delhi on October 31, while the South star will host the Bengaluru leg on November 1.

“The idea is to create a pan-India connect. Ranbir and Yash will lead the interactions in their respective cities,” said a source.

The team is also said to be planning a summit in Hyderabad, potentially a day before the Nitesh Tiwari-directed venture’s India release on November 8. Details of the event are still being worked out.

The source added, “The exact format has yet to be finalized, but over 4000 people are expected to attend. The makers want to ensure the film travels to the South belt. That said, the official première of ‘Ramayana’ will be in Mumbai.”

Actor-producer Yash has clarified the much-discussed Rs. 4,000-crore budget of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, saying the figure covers both parts of the film as well as their release and promotions, and is not the production cost of Ramayana (part one) alone.

Speaking on Aap Ki Adalat, Yash, who plays Ravana and is also co-producing the film with Namit Malhotra, addressed the figure first cited by the producer for the two-part epic. “That is a misconception, so let me clarify it to everyone. Rs. 4000 crore is the budget for the two-part film, including release and promotion. It is the same as Hollywood,” he said.

Explaining the “Hollywood math” behind the figure, he added, “A budget equal to the film, or sometimes more, they spend on promotion because it is global. But the revenue is global too.”

Yash said the scale is part of an attempt to take Indian cinema to a wider global audience. “Cinema is a soft power. All of us have to work really hard towards it... Both Ramayana and Toxic (also starring Yash) are attempts to position Indian cinema as global films,” the actor-producer said.

Directed by Tiwari, Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, and is set to release in November.

With the trailer of director Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana already generating buzz, actor Chetan Hansraj, 54, sees the project as a defining chapter in his career. The actor, who plays Raja Mali, the maternal grandfather of Ravana, says the experience has been unlike any other in his career.

Speaking about his role and working alongside actor Yash (who plays Ravana), he says, “Raja Mali is an important character that went down in history, and my scenes with Yash are pure fire. He is such a delight on screen, and these two characters complement each other wonderfully. It was huge for me.”

The actor also reveals that his association with the film expanded beyond Raja Mali. “After my part was wrapped, I was offered six motion-capture characters, including one of Ravana’s brothers and a demon,” he reveals.

At a time when a large number of audiences prefer to watch films on OTT , the actor says that Ramayana is made for a big-screen experience. “It’s for IMAX, at least the silver screen. Watching it on small screens and mobile phones kills half the effort,” he says.

After the trailer launch, social media erupted into comparisons with previous adaptations of the Hindu epic such as Adipurush (2023) and Ramanand Sagar’s TV series, debating CGI and demon creature designs.

Addressing the debate, Hansraj says, “We have the best action directors from Hollywood and Bollywood, and technicians on board, like Terry Notary... Makers today want to give the best cinematic experience, and that’s a vision we should understand. People who once see it on the right medium will forget all these comparisons, I am sure.”

Wherever Ram goes, Sita follows, but that certainly doesn’t apply to Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. While the film has hosted four major promotional events yet, Pallavi’s absence from the events and social media has sparked speculation, from online criticism to rumours of a fallout with the team.

Sources, however, say it is purely a scheduling issue. Pallavi is currently shooting Mani Ratnam’s next with Vijay Sethupathi in Kolkata. “Sai has a packed and demanding schedule in Kolkata. The team will move to another location immediately after this. She is focused on finishing her commitment first,” says a source.

Those close to the actor also stress that she has never treated social media as part of her publicity strategy. “She has always maintained a low-key online presence. The trailer is on her grid now. While she reposted it a bit late, that’s just how she has functioned throughout her career. She went for the Delhi event and then straight for her shoot,” says an insider, adding that Pallavi was never meant to attend the Ramayana unveiling at the San Diego Comic-Con.

Pallavi is expected to join co-stars Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, who play Ram and Ravana respectively, for the next phase of promotions. “The plan has always been for Sai to join the promotions in the next phase, which starts in September in several international locations.”

Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1 found itself at the centre of two different conversations on July 24. While the epic’s first major showcase at San Diego Comic-Con was met with applause from the international audience, its India trailer launch was called off amid the ongoing student protests.

Minutes before the Comic-Con panel began with actors Ranbir Kapoor and Yash in attendance, producer Namit Malhotra announced that the trailer would no longer be released globally as scheduled. 

A source said, “The makers chose to withhold the online launch, saying it would arrive at a later date. The protests across India had prompted the makers to do a rethink.”

The presentation itself went ahead as scheduled, with the team unveiling exclusive footage of the epic to an enthusiastic response from the nearly 4800 attendees.

“This marked only the second time an Indian film has received such a prominent showcase at San Diego Comic-Con after Kalki 2898 AD,” added the source.

While rumours over the past few days suggested that Ramayana: Part 1 might arrive ahead of schedule, the makers reaffirmed at the event that it will be a Diwali 2026 release.

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A dance performance preceding the ‘Ramayana: Part 1’ panel was widely criticized for being a mish-mash of multiple dance forms

April brought us the first look of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama in Ramayana: Part One. Since then, fans have been waiting eagerly for Yash’s avatar as Ravana in filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari’s magnum opus. On his part, the Kannada star has doubled down on his commitment to what could be one of his most complex roles. We’ve heard that since early April, Yash has been shooting for a performance-heavy stretch of Ramayana: Part Two, focusing on the portions that take us into Ravana’s internal world.

Through these portions, the makers apparently intend to depict Ravana as a fully formed character, not a one-note villain.

A source shared, “These aren’t typical villain scenes. They are written as extended monologues, almost like Ravana is reasoning with himself. The idea is to let the audience understand how he sees the world before they judge his actions.” 

The past three weeks’ shoot at the elaborate set in Film City, Goregaon, has been centred on Yash. He took a brief break in the second week of April to fly to the US for CinemaCon 2026, where he presented glimpses of Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown-ups and Ramayana. Understanding the importance of these sequences, the director has been taking his time with them.

The source added, “If the audience doesn’t connect with Ravana here, the impact of everything that follows gets diluted. The writing doesn’t try to soften him, but it presents his point of view.”

In June, Kapoor and Sunny Deol are expected to join the schedule as the production moves to confrontation sequences.

On Wednesday, Yash announced that his film Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown-ups , which was slated for a June 4 release, has been further delayed. Some weeks ago, to avoid a clash with Toxic, David Dhawan’s next, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, was pushed to June 12.

In an online post, Yash, without revealing his new release date for Toxic , said, “We will release the film at a later, globally aligned date.” With this new turn of events, David Dhawan’s film is back to its original release date, June 5.

Talking about this, Ramesh Taurani, producer of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai , told us, “Yash and Varun are good friends. They got closer when Yash first announced that they have delayed their release to June 4. Their original release date was clashing with Dhurandhar The Revenge. Toxic ’s revised release date was slated a day before our film, so at that point we decided to release our film on June 12.”

Taurani further added, “Yash had told Varun that if there’s any further change, he will let him know. As soon as they decided to push it further, he informed Varun, and we decided to go back to our original release date, June 5. We had chosen this date eight months ago, so we are glad we got it back.”

The teaser of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, released in February, sparked backlash over its bold scenes, but lead actor-producer Yash is standing by director Geetu Mohandas’ vision, calling it a rare “female gaze” in action cinema.

Speaking to American content creator and host Sabeen Faheem at CinemaCon earlier this month, Yash acknowledged that large-scale action films in India have “historically” been led by male directors, adding, “A gangster film with a female gaze is something very new and refreshing.”

He also praised Geetu’s storytelling, saying, “Her thoughts are very clear… The way a woman presents desire, romance or sensuality is entirely different. I’ve realized that in this journey.”

The controversy intensified after the introducing Raya video, especially a graphic scene involving a bomb, car and cemetery, drew criticism and even a complaint from the National Christian Federation.

Responding to the outrage, Geetu addressed it with a cryptic post on her Instagram that read, “Chilling while people figure out female pleasure, consent, women playing systems, etc.”

Toxic is scheduled to hit the theatres on June 4.

Huma Qureshi sports a radiant glow in white ethnic wear as she celebrates Eid with a special shoot for us. For her, it isn’t merely a festival; it’s a feeling, a ritual of togetherness, and a gentle reminder of all that truly matters.

While this year, it’ll be a celebration at home, among her fondest memories is a chaotic, joy-filled Eid from her college days. “I came home late, and 17 of my girlfriends had already landed. The food had gone cold, but no one cared. We just sat and ate thanda khana – biryani, korma – while my mother kept yelling at us,” she recounts.

Talking about what Eid signifies for her, Huma says, “Sharing with friends, family, people around you, your community, and perhaps people who are less privileged than you are. Ramzan is a month when we do a lot of things – whether it’s iftar or just sharing whatever we’re eating and opening our table out to friends and others. I think it’s a very important part of who we are as a family. I have a bunch of friends whom I don’t even need to invite. If it’s Eid, they’ll come home. The relationship is not just with me, but also with my family and mother. They want to have uske haat ka khana.”

For Huma, Ramzan is less about grand gestures and more about mindful pauses. “We often forget to take a moment, pause and be genuinely grateful for what we have in our daily life,” she says.

For Huma, Eid fashion was serious business growing up. “What will I wear? Salwar kameez or lehenga? It was a proper discussion when I was a kid,” she laughs. Then came the real highlight – eidi. “All of us cousins would stand in a line after namaz and collect money from every elder. Then we’d try to sneak back in again. The day would end with counting, comparing and of course, chocolates.”

Eid memories for Huma cannot be complete without her actor-brother, Saqib Saleem. She shares, “I remember stealing his money! We would have lots of fights over chocolates, because he would save them and I would finish mine.” Cooking, she admits candidly, is not her strength. “Unfortunately, I have not learned how to make a good biryani, but I definitely know where to find a good biryani and to appreciate it. That’s also an art,” she says with a grin.

Yash: The film Toxic, I’ve already got my Eidi.

Saqib Saleem: Undivided attention and time

Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Already got my Eidi—we’ve worked together

Farah Khan: I don't want any Eidi from her. She sends me so much food like every week. Maybe she should stop sending me so much food! (Laughs)

Rachit Singh: A free acting workshop. He is the best.

Tara Sutaria: She should just keep smiling all the time. She has a gorgeous smile.

Filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari’s magnum opus Ramayana has sparked casting buzz since its announcement. While actor Bobby Deol was earlier linked to the role of Kumbhakaran, younger brother of Ravan (Yash), that has now been denied.

We have exclusively learnt that Faisal Malik, known for his role in Panchayat and recently seen in Subedaar, will play the mighty warrior. He has already completed the first schedule of the film, slated for release this Diwali.

A source said, “He joined Yash for the introductory Kumbhakaran scene at Prime Focus studio in Mumbai, shot with an international action crew. The sequences are heavy on graphics — similar to Avatar.”

The source added that the major fight sequences, part of the second installment, are yet to be filmed. “His height and heavily built frame perfectly suit the character,” they noted. The Ramayana team has not officially confirmed the cast, and Faisal Malik declined to comment. Meanwhile, actor Raghav Juyal has been linked to the role of Ravan’s son Meghnath, though this remains unconfirmed.

The film’s first look was reportedly slated for Ram Navami (March 27) at the Gateway of India, but the unveiling has been delayed. Besides Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, the cast includes Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, Arun Govil as Dashrath.

Going big appears to be the motto of the makers of Ramayana: Part One, be it in terms of shaping the biggest spectacle in Indian cinema or organising a grand first-look event. The buzz in the industry is that filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra have started sending out invites for a Ram Navami event that they will host on March 27 at Gateway Of India in Mumbai. The event will mark the reveal of the principal characters in the Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi-starrer.

Sources indicate that several senior leaders from the state and central government are on the guest list. It also includes stars from the world of entertainment and sports.

An insider told mid-day, “Major Bollywood names are expected to attend. Ranbir, who plays Lord Ram, has personally invited family and close associates to the ceremony. This will be the first time that the epic’s character universe will be presented.”

While Yash and Pallavi portray Ravana and Sita respectively, Sunny Deol essays the part of Hanuman and Ravi Dubey, of Lakshman.

mid-day reached out to Malhotra, who didn’t respond till press time.

The KGF franchise, with its massive success, is a tough act to follow. But Kannada actor Yash is hoping to up the game with his next, Toxic, which is being designed as an action spectacle. Director Geetu Mohandas kicked off the latest schedule in Mumbai on July 21 with the leading man, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, and Akshay Oberoi. The three-week schedule is focused on a singular aspect — the action sequences.

A source said, “Last Monday, the new schedule kicked off in Film City, Goregaon. It will be largely indoors, where the actors will perform their stunts without the help of body doubles. It includes many sequences that involve hand-to-hand combat.” 

Given the demand of the story, the actors underwent intense training before reporting to the set.

The source added, “A team of 15 experts has been put together for safety and execution. They are helping the actors with close-cut scenes. The action in Toxic is raw, brutal, and grounded. In the hand-to-hand combat sequences, action directors J J Perry and Giorgi Iarajuli have blended elements of Krav Maga, Filipino Kali, and MMA techniques to create a gritty style of action.”

All eyes may be on this Eid release, but Yash has already set his sights on 2026 Eid. That’s when the Kannada star’s period drama, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups, will hit the theatres. With a year to go for the release, the actor and director Geetu Mohandas are already shooting the last leg in Mumbai.

Sources tell us that the unit’s first stop in the city is the Afghan Church in Colaba.

A source reveals, “Over the next three days, the team will film some high-octane action sequences at the location. Only Yash is required for this stint; leading ladies Nayanthara and Kiara Advani finished their portions earlier. With the unit having procured the necessary permission from local authorities, they have blocked the lane in which they are filming to ensure there is no disruption. After the Colaba shoot, they will move to Madh Island to complete the last few scenes. With that, it will be a wrap on the principal photography.”

That will give Mohandas months for Toxic’s post-production. The source adds, “Geetu knows that after the KGF franchise, Yash’s next will arrive amid high expectations. She wants to ensure it is on a par with international action thrillers.”

At a time when the volume of content being churned out by the film industry often leads to a tussle for screens across India, releasing a small-budget offering alongside three big-budget productions may seem like a poorly calculated move. But April 11 is a date of significance for Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, given that it coincides with the 197th birth anniversary of social activist Jyotirao Govindrao Phule, on whom his film, Phule, is based.

Mahadevan acknowledges that releasing the movie merely a day after mammoth productions like Prabhas’s The Raja Saab, Yash’s Toxic, and Akshay Kumar’s Jolly LLB 3 hit the theatres may seem daunting for a filmmaker, but he is certain that the Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa-starrer will catch the attention of the audience he intends to target.

“April 11 is a milestone; a date to celebrate. It is relevant for us to release the film on that day, regardless of which other film is also released. Our date is finalised. In March, we will begin promoting Phule, and ensure that people belonging to each corner of India know what the film is about. I have shot at actual locations, like at a wada [fortress] in Bhor, Kolhapur, and Satara. I did not shoot on a set because my producers, Ritesh and Anuya Kudecha, insisted that the film be made as authentically as possible,” says Mahadevan.

Celebrating the socialists, Phule, and his wife Savitribai (played by Patralekhaa) for their innumerable contributions to society, Mahadevan calls the former the “Abraham Lincoln of India.”

“When Jyotirao learnt that Lincoln abolished slavery in America, he was deeply inspired. He was fighting a battle on two fronts—against the British, and [against society]. The fight was to dispel practices like gender and caste discrimination and promote the education of the girl child. Today if women have an opinion, are educated, and are taken seriously, [it is because of them]. Savitribai and Fatima Sheikh [Indian educator] were the first female teachers in India.”

Ask him if he considered casting Rajkummar Rao as the film’s leading man to have the husband-and-wife duo Rao and Patralekhaa reprise the relationship on screen, and he responds in the negative. “Pratik is an effortless actor,” he backs his leading man.

“He is a chameleon, and we can all just marvel at him. He works hard on each role, but that effort isn’t made obvious on the screen, and that is what acting is all about. Of course, Rajkummar is very accomplished, and I could have approached him via Patralekhaa, but when I saw Pratik and Patralekhaa together, I felt the real characters had come 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.”

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.”