Entertainment

The Oscar 2026 nominations will be announced on 22 January, drawing the world’s attention to cinema’s most prestigious awards. Indian audiences are particularly eager to see how ‘Homebound’ fares, along with other entries like ‘Kantara’ and ‘Sister Midnight’. The 98th Academy Awards, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), will take place on 15 March 2026, but the nominations reveal happens earlier. Indian viewers can catch the live announcement at 7 PM IST via the official Academy websites, oscar.com and oscar.org. The livestream will also be available on the Academy’s official Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube channels. International audiences can watch the live announcement on ABC’s Good Morning America, as well as via Hulu, Disney+, and ABC Ne...

It’s been 18 years since ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ took the world by storm. The film, directed by Danny Boyle, cast three young actors from Mumbai’s slums: Ayush Mahesh Khedekar (young Jamal), Rubina Ali (young Latika), and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail (young Salim). While the film brought fame, the actors’ journeys after the spotlight have been vastly different. Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, now 25, continues to pursue acting. He has been in the industry since age four and keeps a low profile, with his Instagram account set to private. Rubina Ali, who played young Latika, now lives in Mumbai and works as a makeup artist. After completing a fashion design course in 2020, she opened her own salon in 2022 and got married in 2023. Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, who portrayed young Salim, faced chall...

Veteran actress Farida Jalal, known for her memorable roles alongside Shah Rukh Khan in films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, recently shared her thoughts on Aryan Khan’s directorial debut web series, The Bads of Bollywood. At 77, Jalal remains active in the film industry and will next be seen in ‘O Romeo’, starring Shahid Kapoor and Tripti Dimri, set to release on 13 February 2026. In an interview with Zoom, Jalal praised Aryan for his effort and welcomed him into the world of cinema, saying, “Welcome to the family. This is your space, and there’s nowhere else to go.” However, she offered measured criticism of his show: “I watched it. It was okay, decent. He could have made it better, but it was good.” The Bads of Bollywood premiered on Netflix on 1...

A short video of Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam has gone viral, in which he makes a surprising claim about Sufi music, calling it “just a thought” rather than a musical tradition. Nigam states that Sufi music only emerged after 2000 and dismisses its existence prior to that period. His comments, however, have drawn widespread criticism for overlooking centuries of history. Sufi music has deep roots in South Asia, dating back to the 13th century Delhi Sultanate. Pioneers like Amir Khusro and Bulleh Shah shaped the genre, with devotional qawwali blending Persian and Indian musical traditions. Legendary artists such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen later popularized Sufi music internationally, influencing modern Bollywood soundtracks and fusion genres like Sufi rock. Sufi music c...

In a surprising revelation, veteran actor Anupam Kher disclosed that he was originally cast as the iconic villain ‘Mogambo’ in the 1987 cult classic Mr. India. Kher reportedly shot several scenes for the role, only to be replaced by Amrish Puri later—a decision in which his friend Anil Kapoor was allegedly involved. Directed by Shekhar Kapoor and starring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi, Mr. India remains one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated films, with Amrish Puri’s “Mogambo” still considered legendary. In a video shared by Kher’s stepson Sikandar Kher, Anupam revealed that he had been the final choice for Mogambo, but the filmmakers changed their mind without informing him. While initially disappointed, Kher admitted that Amrish Puri’s performance was unparalleled, making the casting deci...

The release of Thalapathy Vijay’s latest film Jana Nayakan continues to be mired in controversy—not just in theaters, but now on OTT platforms as well. The film’s makers have informed the Madras High Court that Amazon Prime Video has issued a legal notice over uncertainties regarding the streaming release. Originally scheduled for a January 9 theatrical release, the film was delayed due to certification issues with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). After submitting the edited version post-review, the makers claimed that the CBFC initially suggested a U/A certificate but then refused to grant certification, creating a legal deadlock. KVN Productions, representing the film, told the court that communication gaps with the CBFC from December 25 to January 5 left them unable...

Border 2, starring Sunny Deol, is all set to hit theaters on Friday, January 23, 2026, ahead of Republic Day. However, the film may face hurdles overseas, as reports suggest it could be banned in Gulf countries, similar to what happened with Ranveer Singh’s blockbuster Dhurandhar. According to Bollywood Hungama, Border 2 has not yet received clearance for release in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE due to allegedly Pakistan-sensitive content. Filmmakers reportedly tried to secure permission, but with the release imminent, approval in time seems unlikely. Despite potential bans, the film is expected to perform well in India. Advance bookings indicate an estimated ₹10.21 crore, signaling a strong double-digit opening. The makers have also strategically chosen the...

Ekta Kapoor’s latest show Naagin 7, starring Priyanka Chahar Choudhary in the lead, is creating waves both on-screen and off. Reports now reveal that Kapoor has introduced a strict “no mobile phone” policy on the set, preventing cast and crew from using phones during shooting. The move is reportedly aimed at curbing leaks of photos and videos, especially as AI-generated visuals are increasingly being incorporated into the show. While Naagin 7 has climbed to second place in the TRP charts, viewers have been critical of the growing use of AI for creating scenes, such as the recent dragon vs. Naagin fight, calling it excessive or “childish,” with some likening it to a cheap copy of Game of Thrones. Social media reactions to the phone ban have been mixed. Some fans feel the policy is too...

Suniel Shetty’s show Bharat Ke Super Founders has been showcasing innovative business ideas, but the latest episode left everyone astonished. Eleven-year-old Athvik Amit Kumar stunned the panel when he pitched his business idea and asked for ₹2 crore in investment. Athvik introduced his company, Jojo Connect, which creates eco-friendly NFC business cards. His vision is to build a sustainable alternative to traditional business cards while offering advanced features through a subscription-based model. The young prodigy’s presentation impressed not only Shetty but also the other judges, earning him praise from viewers and netizens alike. The panel of judges, known as the “tycoons,” included Dr. A. Velumani, Nitish Mittersen, Dr. Aarti Gupta, Aditya Singh, and Ankur Mittal. Athvik share...

The sequel to the 1997 cult classic, Border 2, is creating a frenzy in advance bookings. Within just 48 hours of the pre-sale launch, over 1 lakh tickets have already been sold, with another 48 hours of booking yet to go. Distributors have also issued strict guidelines to theaters and multiplexes, ensuring that the film dominates daily show counts. Set to release on January 23, 2026, the war drama starring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty is aiming to capture screens across the country. According to reports, distributors have instructed theaters to screen Border 2 for at least two weeks. Single-screen cinemas are required to dedicate all shows to the film, while multiplexes must schedule 10–11 shows per day for the movie. This aggressive strategy may impact othe...