Parineeti Chopra is in no rush to lose weight just to basically please people-Harleen Sethi
10:30 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 22, 2026)
Harleen Sethi was recently seen playing a grey shade character Shreya in the web series Shaque: Trust No One, and she admits it was “challenging” to understand the complex relationships her character explored. However, it brought her a different perspective.
“One of the things that acting has brought into my life is a lot more empathy. Shreya definitely was a morally ambiguous character but I took it up as a responsibility to give a voice to a character like this and make people like this in the society feel seen,” she says.
Shreya is shown indulging in infidelity and betraying her friend, played by actor Parineeti Chopra. The actor insists that it is important to demarcate the person and the character, not just as an audience but also as an actor.
“It's very important to keep your own morals aside to be able to humanise these characters. Right and wrong in society is very subjective, and when we see these kinds of characters on screen, there is an understanding that is created,” she says.
Through the shoot of the show, Harleen Sethi got a lifelong friendship with actor Jennifer Winget. And at her wedding recently, she got to be part of the celebrations.
“I was very happy for her and it was very emotional. We shot this show almost a year-and-a-half ago and that's when she shared with me about her love story with Will (William Ishmael). At that time they were dating and over this time period, I saw her go from being a girlfriend to a fiancee, and then being a bride in front of my eyes,” she gushes.
Sethi also got inspired from Parineeti Chopra with the way she handled trolling regarding her weight gain post having her child.
“Parineeti is very comfortable in her own skin and she is a very confident woman. I don't think she is somebody who gets too affected by what people are saying or if they are trolling her. It was a joy to see her promote the show with the confidence that she did. Everyone was asking her about these kinds of questions and the way she was answering it was amazing. She articulated everything so well, which made me realise that she has so much clarity about how she sees her life. She is in no rush to lose weight just to basically please people. She is very clear about the work-life balance. She is very happy in the phase of life that she is in,” she says, adding, “It's always very inspiring to see inspiring women around you, when women speak and carry themselves with so much confidence. It only motivates you and it makes you want to do better.”
Salman Khan's Maatrubhumi awaits NOC from Defence Ministry
10:20 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 24, 2026)
In early October, rumours surfaced that the makers of Salman Khan’s Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace were lining up its screening for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Since then, mid-day did some digging around and found out that the movie — which was originally titled Battle of Galwan and was to chronicle the 2020 India-China clash in the Galwan valley — has yet to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Until the war drama gets a greenlight from the MoD, it cannot approach the CBFC for a certificate.
According to sources, director Apoorva Lakhia’s war drama was screened for the MoD mid-2026. The step applies to movies, documentaries, and web series stories based on the Indian Armed Forces.
A source revealed, “At the first screening, they had a few suggestions for the film that sees Salman as an army officer. The makers reshot parts of the movie as per their recommendations.” Maatrubhumi has reportedly undergone several modifications over the months — from its title to the depiction of the neighbouring country and a tonal shift in the narrative.
The source further added that earlier this month, Khan, Lakhia, and the team sent the movie’s revised cut to the ministry.
The source revealed, “Since then, there has been complete silence from the MoD. As Salman plays a soldier in the Indian Army in the movie, the makers have to follow strict regulations and approval processes before its release. The actor has been following the necessary protocols. The makers were hoping that the matter would be resolved soon, so that they could then apply for the CBFC certificate. They cannot secure a release date even for next year, unless they get the NOC from the MoD.”
Mitakshara Kumar to direct Tanu Weds Manu sequel with a new cast and story
10:17 AM
Mitakshara Kumar confirms she will helm the new instalment of Tanu Weds Manu, which will be a separate story from Kangana Ranaut and R Madhavan’s rom-com
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 23, 2026)
Even as reports linked Mitakshara Kumar to The Royals 2, the director has been quietly working on something else. She is developing the next instalment of the Tanu Weds Manu franchise with Eros, something that she hinted at on Instagram last December. It’s being planned as a fresh chapter rather than a continuation of the original that featured Kangana Ranaut and R Madhavan.
A source close to the development said, “The idea is to retain the irreverence and madness of Tanu Weds Manu, while introducing a new set of characters. The new film will give the makers the opportunity to build a different story in the established world. The team has been writing for the past one year.”
Director Aanand L Rai’s Tanu Weds Manu (2011) followed the romance between Madhavan’s Manu Sharma and Ranaut’s free-spirited Tanuja Trivedi. Its sequel, Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), took their turbulent marriage forward. Both films were box-office successes.
So far, Kumar has primarily worked on period dramas. The new project will give her a chance to explore a modern romantic comedy. The director told mid-day, “We are going with a fresh, young cast but the same madness of the Tanu Weds Manu world.”
Mitakshara Kumar directed ‘The Empire’ and certain episodes of ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’.
Medha Shankr joins Siddhant Chaturvedi in Abhishek Chaubey's series Kaala
10:14 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 22, 2026)
Two years after serving Killer Soup (2024) to the audience, filmmaker Abhishek Chaubey is ready to give shape to his next offering. Mid-Day has learnt that the director will helm a series, tentatively titled Kaala, to be led by Siddhant Chaturvedi. Can we expect another edgy story from the man who gave us Ishqiya (2010) and Udta Punjab (2016)? Well, the ingredients are all there, with sources telling us that Kaala is designed as a period drama focusing on the coal mafia in Jharkhand.
A source revealed, “The series begins sometime around the 1960s and is spread across several decades. Abhishek has envisioned it as an expansive story.”
Earlier this year, Chaturvedi stated in an interview that he was set to collaborate with the filmmaker. At the time, however, it wasn’t certain whether the project would be a film or series.
Now, after months of pre-production, Chaubey is ready to call action on the series, which will be produced by Excel Entertainment. Another insider revealed, “The show will go on floors after Diwali. The first shoot will be conducted in Pune.”
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Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 24, 2026)
Earlier this week, mid-day reported that Siddhant Chaturvedi and filmmaker Abhishek Chaubey were teaming up for Kaala, a series centred on Jharkhand’s coal mafia in the 1970s (Back to black, Oct 22). Now, it appears that the director has also zeroed in on his show’s leading lady. According to sources, Medha Shankr, who rose to fame with the sleeper hit 12th Fail (2023), has bagged the project.
A source told mid-day, “The team did extensive auditions in its hunt for the female lead. Medha was always a frontrunner. She fits the world that Abhishek has created.” This will be her maiden collaboration with both Chaturvedi and Chaubey.
With the two leads in place, the obvious question then is: who will be the baddie? Chaubey, who plans to kick off Kaala in Pune next month, seems to have figured that out.
Another insider revealed, “Ronit Bose Roy has been signed on to play the primary antagonist. His intensity and ability to bring diverse characters on screen with conviction made him the perfect choice.”
Tiger Shroff firing case: Ayesha Shroff steps in to help injured vlogger
10:06 AM
Thirty-five-year-old man’s family expresses gratitude towards benefactors for assuring them of full support during his recovery; surgery to remove bullet from liver performed successfully
Ritika Gondhalekar (MID-DAY; October 22, 2026)
Injured Tiger Shroff fan Umesh Chauhan’s family confirmed to mid-day that the actor's mother, Ayesha Shroff, has handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the fan’s family for medical expenses.
Chauhan’s cousin, Rahul Goud, told mid-day on Wednesday, “Ayesha madam gave me some money yesterday, and some amount was given to me today. She assured me that they will take care of the entire treatment cost and post-surgery medical requirements.”
The development comes after Ayesha Shroff met Chauhan early on Tuesday morning. During the meeting, she also spoke to Goud and assured the family of their full support during this difficult period.
Family thankful
Chauhan’s father expressed his gratitude towards the Shroffs, saying, “We are thankful for the help and feel relieved after his bullet was removed and seeing him respond well to the treatment. We hope he recovers completely now at the earliest so that he can take care of his wife and expected child.”
Medical status
According to a statement released by Dr Harish Manilal Pathak, the dean of KEM Hospital, Chauhan underwent surgical retrieval of the bullet under general anaesthesia in the cardiovascular and thoracic surgery (CVTS) operation theatre at 8 am.
“The procedure was performed by Dr Uday Eknath Jadhav, head of department of CVTS, and Dr Ram Prajapati, head of unit, department of surgery. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was subsequently shifted to the ESR intensive care unit for postoperative observation and monitoring. His vital parameters are currently stable, and he remains under close medical supervision,” the statement read.
The background
On October 18, Chauhan was injured after three bike-borne assailants intercepted actor Tiger Shroff’s BMW and fired seven rounds point-blank at the vehicle around 6.30 pm. Chauhan sustained a chest injury and was brought via a rickshaw to the Cooper Hospital in Juhu around 7.10 pm. After being stabilised at the facility, he was transferred to KEM Hospital in Parel around midnight on October 19.
I’ve asked Aryan for a bigger role in the next season of The Ba***ds Of Bollywood-Shalini Passi
9:55 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; October 23, 2026)
Reality show alum Shalini Passi was recently in Mumbai, a city she has long known but sees differently with every visit. From reality television and her work in the creative space to writing, acting and navigating newfound public attention, Passi’s life has expanded considerably over the last two years. She speaks about Mumbai, the people she has known for years, and how she wants to play herself on screen, if at all she chooses to act.
‘Mumbai is where your dreams come true’
On what keeps bringing her back to Mumbai, Passi says the city’s biggest appeal is its ability to let people be themselves. “Mumbai doesn’t care and I like that. It is very accepting. It’s a place where your dreams come true if you work hard enough,” she says.
‘I want to play me’
While reality television has put her in front of a wider audience, Passi has briefly explored acting. She has auditioned for a couple of projects and will appear in a small part in a Madhur Bhandarkar film but says she is not interested in playing a character simply for the sake of acting. “I’m not an actor. I don’t want to play some other character. I want to play me,” she shares.
‘Shah Rukh loves reading, and he’s a great learner’
Passi has known Shah Rukh Khan for years and the families have been friends. “I only got to know them when I got engaged. He loves his craft and there’s nobody more obsessive about his cinema than him. He loves reading and he’s a great learner. If you tell him something, the next day, he would have learned everything about that topic. He’s a great friend. Anybody who’s worked with him is just in awe of him,” she says.
‘Today, everybody looks the same. I want to look like a better version of myself’
Passi, who is 50, opens up about beauty and ageing. She says she experimented with fillers and Botox during the pandemic but did not like the result. “I tried it during the pandemic, but I found my face looking not like myself. I didn’t like the way it looked. Today, everybody looks the same. I want to look like me. I want to look like a better version of myself. I don’t want to look like somebody or like a person in Dubai,” she explains.
‘Aryan doesn’t want to face the camera’
Passi has also known Aryan Khan since he was a child and worked with him on The Ba***ds Of Bollywood. She recalls that he made her sing Mitwa for the series, though the portion was eventually cut.
She says, “It was wonderful to see him grow up and now on the sets. He’s absolutely obsessive about his work and you know that the way he’s written the show. The show is so him — his kind of humour and the twist. Nobody could have thought of it. He is extremely intelligent. He never wanted to be in front of the camera, but I thought that would change. But even now he doesn’t want to be in front of the camera. Now I’ve asked him for a bigger role in the second season of The Ba***ds Of Bollywood.”
Dipshikkha Nagppal on her daughter Vidhika working with Anup Jalota: "Life has come full circle"
9:53 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; October 23, 2026)
Watching her daughter, Vidhika, prepare to share the stage with Anup Jalota is a special, full-circle moment for Dipshikkha Nagppal. The Bhajan Samrat first worked with Dipshikkha’s mother, Shraddha Panchotia, in a Gujarati film, and later shared screen space with Dipshikkha herself. Now, he is set to work with the third generation of her family. Vidhika will play Tana, one of the twin sisters Tana and Riri, in the upcoming play Tansen, which features Jalota in the titular role.
Recalling how Jalota became a part of her family’s life, Dipshikkha says, “I have known Anup ji since I was a school kid. He acted with my mother, Shraddha Panchotia, in the Gujarati film Vali Bharvadan (1986), directed by my father, Ashvini Kumar. He would always tell my mom to let him adopt me because I was very interested in singing. He treats me like his daughter.”
Years later, Dipshikkha worked with Jalota in Token (2022), in which she played his wife. She is now delighted that her daughter will begin her acting journey alongside someone who has been part of their lives for decades.
She adds, “What more could I have wished for my daughter? She is making her debut with Anup ji, who is like a nanu to her, in a play by Paritosh Painter, whom I have also known for years. It feels like working with family in a happy and secure environment, where she will learn a great deal from renowned people in their respective fields.”
She adds, “Vidhika will play Tana, one half of the Tana-Riri twins, who hail from Vadnagar, Gujarat, which is also my mother’s hometown. We still have a haveli there, making this connection particularly special for me.”
Dipshikkha believes theatre will give Vidhika a valuable opportunity to hone her craft and understand the discipline required for live performances. “Theatre is no-nonsense and all about the work. This is a good break for Vidhika because theatre gives you the opportunity to polish your craft and learn. The longing to learn and perform before a live audience is something only a theatre artiste would know. Every day is a new show, without cuts or retakes. Initially, Vidhika was hesitant about getting into acting, but for the past two years, she has been working hard on herself. She has learnt acting and dancing and has also trained in Kathak. Ek maa ke liye isse badi baat kya ho sakti hai ki aapka bachha mehnat kar raha hai. My advice to her is to have the right attitude and dedication. You must love your work, always be willing to learn and keep polishing your craft. Dil se kaam karna, dimaag se nahi.”
Vidhika on her stage debut and managing the nerves of live performance:
Vidhika views the play as an opportunity to put her training into practice and learn from experienced artistes. She says, “I have been working on the different skills required for acting. I realised that I need to put theory into practice, and this opportunity is a blessing because it allows me to apply what I know. I haven’t had the opportunity to rehearse with Anup ji yet, but I am genuinely looking forward to it. I feel honoured to share the stage with someone who has worked with my nani and my mum.”
As she prepares for her stage debut, Vidhika acknowledges the mix of emotions that comes with performing live, along with the expectations that may accompany being an actress’s daughter. She says, “It’s a mix of emotions, including nervousness, excitement and anxiety. The audience’s reaction is not in my control, but my actions and preparation are. I am trying to focus only on those at the moment.”
Manav Kaul on Emmy nomination: "I just want to get drunk, dance and celebrate"
9:52 AM
Debarati S Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; October 23, 2026)
Actor, writer and theatre director Manav Kaul considers the Emmy-nominated Real Kashmir Football Club one of the finest works of his career. As the series heads to the 54th International Emmy Awards in New York on November 23, Manav reflects on the joy of seeing a story he believed in receive global recognition, the collaborative effort behind the show and why he would rather trust his instincts than chase validation. Excerpts from an exclusive conversation...
The 54th International Emmy Awards will take place in New York next month. What are you looking forward to the most?
Right now, what I really want is to get my US visa as soon as possible so I can go and be with my team at the Emmys. I just want to get drunk, dance and celebrate! I love New York. I have been missing New York for so long, and I want to be there.
What does the Emmy recognition mean to you?
When I read the script and we were shooting Real Kashmir Football Club in Kashmir, I could see that it was a beautiful collaborative effort, with everyone coming together to make the series special. After it released, everyone who watched it seemed to like it a lot. But sometimes, a project doesn’t reach as many people as you had expected. And it’s not about validation; it’s about trusting your instincts. You know this is work you have enjoyed and believed in. Then, suddenly, there is recognition in the form of an Emmy, which is so prestigious. They must have seen something in it and that reassures you about your instincts and the things you believe in. It has global value; it tells you that people have connected with the story. Toh woh bahut accha lagta hai. Ab iss chakkar mein shayad aur log dekhenge iss series ko.
You seem uncomfortable with the attention and praise that come with acting. Why is that?
I believe acting is just a job. I go, perform and come back home. When I return, I am a basic human being, like all of us jo kaam karte hain aur ghar chale jaate hain. I don’t understand why people give you so much attention and congratulate you for things you have done in the past. I always say that it’s a collaborative effort and it’s not me alone. I feel I am getting unnecessary credit for something that wasn’t done by me alone. With my books, however, I understand. I have written everything myself, and people are reading what I have written, liking it and giving me credit for it. But in acting, there is so much more to a film or series than just one person. I am always a little shy, and I am not very good with compliments anyway.
You don’t take up too much of work, is that a conscious choice?
Yes, it kind of is. After every good project, suddenly, people start offering you the same kind of work. And then you have to wait for something exciting to come along. I’m very good at waiting; main lamba wait kar sakta hoon. Ek-do saal main koi acting nahi karta. Actually, I love acting so much that I don’t want to do it too often. Instead, I write, do theatre, direct my plays and travel a lot.
Have you ever felt typecast after a successful project?
Yes. When I did Kai Po Che!, for a year, I got almost identical roles, one after the other, as if I were playing the same character. When I did Ankahi, tab bhi do-teen filmein aisi aayi jismein main deaf and mute hoon.
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"I think this Emmy nomination is good for the series and the people who want to tell different kind of stories. It’s a confidence booster for those who want to create something different, rather than sticking to the so-called, ‘ke yaar, yahi chalta hai’ formula. Instead, hum apni kahaaniyaan banayein"
Box office collections jump 17% as Indian films deliver across genres
9:40 AM
Rising footfalls, which touched 378 m during Jan-June, and Hollywood hits add to stellar collections this year so far: Experts
Rajesh N Naidu (THE TIMES OF INDIA; October 21, 2026)
Mumbai: The performance of Indian films so far in 2026 provides hope of a sustained revival in the industry. Box office collections and footfalls at movie theatres have both posted healthy growth, according to a study by media and entertainment research firm Ormax Media. More importantly, according to film industry experts, movies across sizes, languages and genres have done well, in what a trade analyst termed as “revival of range”.
Footfalls at movie theatres increased 5% from a year earlier to 378 million between January and June this year, show Ormax Media data. Footfalls in the last three years had either fallen or stayed flat. Cumulative box-office collection in the nine months ended September grew 17% to Rs. 11,000 crore from Rs. 9,409 crore a year earlier.
The year is also about the returns that films across languages generated relative to their budgets, said producer Anand Pandit. “Audiences have increasingly accepted stories which feel authentic,” he added.
Malayalam film Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, made on a budget of Rs. 25 crore, collected Rs. 192 crore in India alone. Films across sizes and genres have shown similar success. These include Hanuman Ansh (small-budget, devotional), Awarapan 2 (mid-budget, romance), Mirzapur (OTT, mid-budget), DC (mid-budget, slick action), Irumudi (mid-budget, devotional), Premada Oorali (small-budget, family drama) and Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge (big-budget, franchise value).
Changing audience preferences and tastes are the key reasons behind these successes, said producers. “Theatrical audience is coming in for newer experiences and rejecting ‘sameness’,” said producer Sunir Khetrpal. “Audiences are gradually but definitely becoming agnostic about genres, language or star status.”
Increasingly, regional makers have been focusing on their home territories first. After resonating with their audiences in home states, these films travel to other territories through word-of-mouth recommendations and social media discussions.
These films have demonstrated that theatrical success is more about emotional connection with stories, said producer and film business expert Girish Johar. “Emotional connection with stories is a common aspect in most theatrical successes across languages in 2026,” he said.
A similar story has played out in the India box office performance of Hollywood films as well. Films across scales and genres such as Obsession, Michael and The Odyssey have succeeded in India.
“Social media platforms, especially Instagram, YouTube, shorts and forums such as Reddit, are increasingly building audiences for Hollywood films in India,” said Shaaminder Malik, a distributor and film business expert.
In the remaining period of 2026, Hollywood films such as Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three, and Hindi films such as Ramayana and King are expected to boost collection further, said film trade analysts.
They expect Hollywood’s contribution to India’s box office likely to grow to 20-21% from the historical average of 15%.
| Language Share of India Box Office (%) | |||
| Language | 2026* | 2025 | |
| Hindi | 39 | 38 | |
| Telugu | 18 | 20 | |
| Tamil | 13 | 15 | |
| International | 14 | 12 | |
| Malayalam | 8 | 9 | |
| Kannada | 3 | NA | |
| Others | 5 | 6 | |
| Source: Ormax Media, *data till September | |||
(Crisp) Movie Review: GAJAB RAAT by FENIL SETA
9:36 AM
Gajab Raat, which was released yesterday on Netflix, has a strong ensemble cast and, moreover, it is produced by Neeraj Pandey. As the title suggests, its about the events that unfold over one crazy night. The film begins on a great note and keeps one hooked thanks to the thrilling moments, gripping narrative and realistic yet sharp dialogues. Sadly, things go downhill in the second half. It is difficult to believe that a regular cop is able to take on such powerful figures all alone. In real life, he would have been ruthlessly sidelined, and the powerful people would have gone ahead with what they intended to do. This dents the impact heavily. Manoj Bajpayee rises above the script and delivers a very entertaining performance. Akshay Oberoi keeps his performance restrained yet impactful. Divya Dutta (Suneeta Chaudhary) has limited screen time but makes up for it with her performance and arresting screen presence. Rajiv Gupta (SHO Rana) is memorable and also raises laughs. Aditi Sandhya Sharma (Arya Sahni) has a crucial role and does well. Nushrratt Bharuccha and Shraddha Das are fair, while Saqib Saleem is sadly wasted. Kiku Sharda (Lovely) is dependable. All in all, Gajab Raat is an average flick.
My rating - ** ½ out of 5!
My rating - ** ½ out of 5!
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