Applause Entertainment announced the launch of its dedicated kid’s animation channel, ApplaToon, exclusively on YouTube. Created for young minds, ApplaToon kicks off with its first original animated series Kiya & Kayaan, based on popular Amar Chitra Katha Junior Library. The makers released the official trailer today, offering a first glimpse into the magical world of the show. The series premieres on April 25 on the ApplaToon YouTube channel.

Aimed at children aged 4 to 8 years, Kiya & Kayaan follows the adventures of two imaginative siblings who stumble upon VR headsets that whisk them away to Storyland, a spellbinding world built on iconic stories from Indian mythology and folklore. As they journey through fantastical realms, they encounter ancient wisdom, mythical beings, and thrilling quests, all while discovering the values of curiosity, courage, and compassion.

Applause Entertainment, in a landmark partnership with Amar Chitra Katha, has acquired rights to adapt over 400 iconic stories from its celebrated comic book universe.

Sameer Nair, Managing Director, Applause Entertainment, said, “With ApplaToon, we’re venturing into an entirely new creative space: kids animation and it’s both exciting and deeply purposeful. This is not just a new vertical for us; it’s a chance to shape young imaginations through powerful Indian storytelling. With Kiya & Kayaan, based on the timeless Amar Chitra Katha Junior Library, we’re bringing heritage to the here-and-now, combining technology, mythology, and heart. YouTube gives us the perfect playground to do this at scale, taking Indian stories to global audiences.”

Also Read: Sameer Nair at FICCI Frames, “Entertainment industry is too big to fail, we just need right balance between theatrical and streaming”

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Ali Fazal, known for his versatility in Bollywood and his growing presence in international cinema, is gearing up for a unique role in his next project. According to sources, the actor will be portraying a paparazzo, stepping into the fast-paced and often chaotic world of celebrity photography.

The script of the film is now in its final stages of writing with a final draft and Ali is believed to soon even start work on his prep to embody this part. The film is said to be a dark dramedy and is set in the entertainment industry in Mumbai.

A source close to the development shared, “Ali has always chosen unconventional roles, and this one is no different. The film is a very unique and different take to shed light on the behind-the-scenes reality of paparazzi culture. The script is nearly final and the pre production is expected to start in a few months with the project expected to go on floors end of 2025.”

With Ali Fazal’s packed schedule and his knack for effortlessly slipping into diverse roles, this upcoming project has the potential to add yet another standout performance to his ever-expanding repertoire.

Also Read : Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre explore Delhi’s infamous 1978 crime in Prosit Roy’s upcoming series

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Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has issued a fresh apology to the Brahmin community after facing backlash for his controversial remarks in a social media exchange. The Gangs of Wasseypur director, who earlier stirred controversy with his “will urinate on Brahmins” comment while reacting to a user’s post, has now shared a heartfelt apology in Hindi on the X platform, acknowledging his mistake and expressing regret for hurting sentiments.

In his latest post, Kashyap admits to losing his composure while responding to a provocative comment and acknowledges that in his anger, he made an inappropriate generalization about an entire community. He also noted the important role that members of the Brahmin community have played in his personal and professional life, adding that his own family has been hurt by his actions.

Here is the English translation of Kashyap’s new statement – “In anger, I lost my composure while responding to someone and ended up insulting the entire Brahmin community. This is the same community whose many members have been part of my life, and continue to be, and contribute significantly. Today, all of them are hurt by me. My family is hurt. Many intellectuals whom I respect deeply are hurt by my words and tone. I ended up derailing the entire conversation because of my own mistake. I sincerely apologize to the community—I never intended to say what I did, but while replying to a disgusting comment in a fit of rage, I ended up writing that. I apologize to all my friends, colleagues, my family, and the community, for my choice of words and the offensive language used. Going forward, I will work on this. I will work on controlling my anger. If I need to raise a point, I will do so using the right words. I hope you all will forgive me.”

This comes after an earlier note by Kashyap, where he had clarified that he stood by the essence of his statement but regretted how one line was taken out of context. That note had not calmed tempers, as several Brahmin organizations expressed outrage and demanded strict action. One such group even announced a reward of Rs. 1 lakh for anyone who would blacken the filmmaker’s face.

With the backlash intensifying over the past few days, Kashyap’s latest post appears to be an attempt to bring the conversation back to a more respectful tone and take responsibility for his words. The filmmaker also assured that he would make conscious efforts to manage his anger better and express his opinions in a more mindful way moving forward.

Also Read: Manoj Muntashir warns Anurag Kashyap over brahmin comment: “Don’t test our patience”

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Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao has been announced as the new brand ambassador for Sun King, a leading name in solar energy and energy-efficient electrical products. The collaboration marks a step forward for the brand as it aims to make sustainable energy solutions more accessible across India, especially in homes with limited access to reliable power.

Sun King offers a wide range of products, including solar-powered lighting systems, rooftop solar solutions, and energy-efficient appliances like fans and LED bulbs. With millions of users across the country, the brand is known for offering practical alternatives to traditional electricity, often in areas where grid supply is irregular or unaffordable.

The partnership with Rajkummar Rao is part of Sun King’s upcoming nationwide campaign to raise awareness about its clean energy products. Speaking about his association, Rajkummar said, “I’ve always believed in the kind of change that improves people’s everyday lives. Sun King’s solar and electrical products do exactly that — they bring reliability and peace of mind to homes and families who need it most. I’m proud to support a brand that’s helping India shine, sustainably.”

Known for roles in Stree, Newton, Shahid, and the recently released Srikanth, Rajkummar’s film choices have often reflected socially relevant themes. His grounded image and mass appeal make him a fitting choice for Sun King’s goal of promoting energy access without compromising on affordability or environmental responsibility.

“Rajkummar stands for impact and accessibility — values that align with our mission,” said Surabhi Sharma, Head of Marketing – Asia at Sun King. “We’re excited to work with him to reach more households and share stories that show how energy can change lives.”

The announcement coincides with the South Asia Forum for Distributed Energy in New Delhi, where Sun King will unveil new customer-oriented campaigns. These efforts will extend throughout the year and will include a special meet-and-greet event featuring Rajkummar Rao, where the brand’s top distributors and partners will be invited for an exclusive interaction with the actor.

According to Sahil Khanna, General Manager for Asia and Latin America at Sun King, “Bollywood plays a big role in shaping public awareness. Rajkummar’s connection with real-life stories and his credibility makes him the ideal voice for a campaign focused on reliable, clean energy.”

The partnership emphasizes a shared goal: empowering Indian homes with long-lasting, sustainable energy — and doing it with authenticity and purpose.

Also Read: Rajkummar Rao in talks to play Ujjwal Nikam in upcoming biopic after Aamir Khan’s exit

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Deepika Padukone has steadily established herself as a global figure, known not just for her work in film but also for her meaningful initiatives. The Deepika Padukone Closet, she uses her personal sense of style to raise funds and awareness for mental health. Proceeds from the closet go to the Live Love Laugh Foundation, an organization she founded to support mental health education and reduce stigma. With this initiative, Padukone continues to combine her public presence with a commitment to social impact.

As summer is already here, Deepika unveils her latest closet collection, featuring some of her personal favourites. From flowy silhouettes to vibrant tops, her collection is nothing less than a sunshine to this summer heat. Each month, the actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist curates her closet favourites for an online charity sale. This collection is a must-have, offering the perfect opportunity to elevate your fashion game while supporting a meaningful cause.

 

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Deepika captioned, “Breezy, effortless and made for sunshine! The Summer Edit is now live at #TheDeepikaPadukoneCloset – shop my favourites, from flowy silhouettes to vibrant tops, and support a cause close to my heart!”

And in the spirit of giving back through the festivities, this initiative also helps the planet. This latest collection saves over 59 thousand litres of water and over 5 kgs of carbon when purchased preloved over newly manufactured, and proceeds from each sale support mental health through Live Love Laugh Foundation!

Also Read : Deepika Padukone announces Piku re-release to mark 10 years of the film’s legacy

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Kartik Aaryan surprised fans by unveiling a never-before-seen look as an Ichadhaari Naag from his upcoming film Naagzilla. The makers revealed a motion poster titled of the film creating quite a buzz. They also announced that the film is set to hit theatres on August 14, 2026. Kartik will be portraying the character Preyamvadeshwar Pyare Chand, a mystical shape-shifting serpent.

The official account of Dharma Productions took to twitter to unveil the motion poster and wrote, “Insanon wali picharein toh bahut dekh leen, ab dekho naagon wali pichchar! #Naagzilla – Naag lok ka pehla kaand… Funnn phailaane aa raha hai – Preyamvadeshwar Pyare Chand. Naag Panchami par…aapke nazdeeki Sssssinemas mein – 14 August 2026 ko.”

Insanon wali picharein toh bahut dekh leen, ab dekho naagon wali pichchar!#Naagzilla – Naag lok ka pehla kaand…
Funnn phailaane aa raha hai – Preyamvadeshwar Pyare Chand
Naag Panchami par ???? aapke nazdeeki Sssssinemas mein – 14 August 2026 ko pic.twitter.com/zn0VH3PH5b

— Dharma Productions (@DharmaMovies) April 22, 2025

Backed by Karan Johar, Mahaveer Jain, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, and Sujit Jain, the film promises a unique cinematic experience, combining elements of fantasy, folklore, and pure entertainment.

According to an earlier report by Bollywood Hungama, Akshay Kumar was initially approached for the lead role, but he turned it down due to discomfort with the film’s snake-related theme. A source revealed, “Akshay was the first choice for director Mrighdeep Singh Lamba’s project and had been in talks for a while. However, he eventually opted out as he wasn’t convinced by the snake-vs-human storyline and didn’t want to revisit the genre after Jaani Dushman.”

Producers Mahaveer Jain and Karan Johar reportedly held several meetings with Akshay, but after he exited, the team decided to reboot the project with Kartik Aaryan. “Kartik was instantly drawn to the man-versus-snake concept and quickly came on board. He sees it as a potential hit, especially after the success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and 3, given the current audience interest in supernatural themes,” the source added.

Kartik Aaryan is preparing for his next major venture with renowned director Anurag Basu, where he’ll be starring opposite South sensation Sreeleela, who’s set to make her Bollywood debut. Although the film’s title hasn’t been revealed yet, it’s rumoured to be a romantic musical. Fans got a sneak peek on February 15, when the first look was unveiled—showing Kartik as a heartbroken singer and Sreeleela as his enchanting love interest.

Also Read : Kartik Aaryan recalls filming the podium scene in Chandu Champion; says, “Those were genuine tears of victory”

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Saif Ali Khan recently shared that he has purchased a luxurious residence at The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, located at The Pearl in Doha, Qatar. Speaking at a press event organized by Alfardan Group, Saif expressed what attracted him to the property, highlighting Qatar’s safety, scenic beauty, and its convenient proximity to India. He described his experience there as feeling “safe” and like “a home away from home,” making it an ideal retreat for his family.

Saif Ali Khan spoke about his positive experience living in the property, explaining what makes it feel special. He shared, “Think of a holiday home or a second home. There are a few things I think of. One is that it’s not very far away and it’s easily accessible. And then the other thing is, the most important thing is that it’s very safe and it feels very good to be there. And the concept of an island within an island is also very luxurious and beautiful, and it’s just a really lovely place to live. And the feeling you get when you’re there is the important thing, and the views, and the food, and the kind of lifestyle, and the pace of living, and these are a few of the things that led to my decision.”

The actor referred to the property as his “home away from home.” He explained, “I had gone there to do some work, and I was shooting for something, and I stayed at the property, and I thought it was amazing, and there was something about the mixture of privacy and luxury that I really liked. And again, it was things like food and the way the menu was curated and various things like this. I mean, literally in a nutshell, it felt like home away from home, so that made it very easy. The main thing really is that it’s peaceful and secluded if that’s the kind of thing you are looking for.” He also mentioned that he’s looking forward to bringing his family, especially his children, Taimur Ali Khan and Jehangir Ali Khan, to the new property.

In addition to his new property in Doha, Saif Ali Khan owns several other residences. He currently lives with his family, including wife-actor Kareena Kapoor and sons Taimur and Jeh, in their Bandra apartment. Saif also has his ancestral Pataudi Palace. Furthermore, he owns properties in London and Gstaad.

Saif Ali Khan purchased this property just months after a frightening incident in which he was attacked. On January 16, an accused named Shehzad allegedly attempted a robbery by breaking into Saif’s Bandra residence. During the break-in, Saif was stabbed and suffered severe injuries, including damage to his thoracic spine and other parts of his body. He was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he received treatment for five days before being discharged on January 21.

On the work front, Saif Ali Khan will next be seen in Netflix’s highly anticipated film Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins. The film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Kunal Kapoor, and Nikita Dutta in key roles. Directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, Jewel Thief follows the story of a charismatic thief (Saif) and his partner (Jaideep) as they scheme to steal the ultra-rare African Red Sun diamond, all while being pursued by a determined detective (Kunal). Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins will start streaming on Netflix from April 25.

Also Read : Alaya F gets nostalgic as old promo video from Jawaani Jaaneman surfaces, remembers her debut with Saif Ali Khan

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Shah Rukh Khan and Rohit Shetty scored a major hit with Chennai Express, but their follow-up film, Dilwale, didn’t achieve the same box office success. Since then, there have been ongoing rumors about a rift between the two. However, Rohit Shetty has recently dismissed those claims, putting the speculation to rest.

In a candid conversation with Komal Nahta on the Game Changers podcast, Rohit Shetty addressed and dismissed the rumors of a fallout with Shah Rukh Khan. He stated, “Nahi aisa kuch nahi,” making it clear that there’s no animosity between them.

He went on to explain, “Ek respect hai humare beech me aur Dilwale ke baad ye hua ki immediately phir humne humare khud ki production house kholi. Humne decide kiya ki hum khud ki filmein banayenge. Agar loss bhi ho to humara ho, jabki loss nahi hua tha.”

Rohit Shetty clarified that although Dilwale didn’t perform as strongly in the domestic market, it was a significant hit internationally. For context, the film was produced by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan under their production house, Red Chillies Entertainment.

Rohit Shetty also opened up about the meaningful relationships he’s formed in the film industry. He shared that he shares a brotherly bond with Ajay Devgn, whom he sees as an elder brother, and has developed a close friendship with actors like Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone. Speaking highly of Deepika’s commitment, he mentioned that she completed the final schedule of Singham Again while four months pregnant. “Such relationships are rare,” he remarked.

On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan is preparing for his upcoming film King, where he’ll be seen on screen alongside his daughter, Suhana Khan, for the very first time. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film also stars Abhishek Bachchan and Abhay Verma in prominent roles.

On the other hand, Rohit Shetty is busy with Singham Again, the latest chapter in his popular cop universe, featuring a powerhouse ensemble cast.

Also Read : Tamannaah Bhatia reunites with John Abraham for Rohit Shetty’s biographical film on Rakesh Maria’s life

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Yash Raj Films (YRF) is creatively collaborating with a master of the romance genre, Mohit Suri, for a love story that has been titled Saiyaara. This is the first film produced by the company’s CEO Akshaye Widhani.

The much-awaited romantic film, Saiyaara, which introduces two new faces in the Hindi film industry – Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda – is set to release on July 18, 2025, in theatres worldwide.

Presented by Aditya Chopra, directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Akshaye Widhani, Saiyaara is being billed as an intense love story that brings YRF and Mohit Suri, both known for their huge generation-defining successes in the romantic genre, together for the first time!

As per reports, much of the film was shot in 2024 and in February this year, Mohit Suri shot a music festival sequence with 1,000 background artists at Vrundavan Studios in Malad, Mumbai. Reportedly, Ahaan Panday was seen performing on stage and the crowd got mesmerized by his performance. In the middle of his performance, Ahaan also jumps from the stage to further woo the audience. Aneet Padda, who was seen in the OTT show Big Girls Don’t Cry (2024), was also a part of this sequence.

The announcement of Saiyaara is sure to enhance the excitement of this film for various reasons. The title pays homage to a memorable song from YRF’s 2012 blockbuster film Ek Tha Tiger. Also, with action films reaching a saturation point, there’s a demand to see love stories and Saiyaara comes at the right time. Moreover, July 18 is also an empty slot which hasn’t been taken over by any Hindi film or major Hollywood biggie. All eyes are now on Saiyaara’s trailers and songs and if they click with the audience, this film has the potential to emerge as a profitable venture and also carve a special place in the hearts of young romantics.

Also Read: Mohit Suri shoots music festival sequence with 1,000 artistes for Ahaan Panday’s debut film: Report

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Award-winning composer and musician A.R. Rahman is set to launch his biggest production yet in Mumbai. Marking the global premiere of The Wonderment Tour, the maestro will perform at D Y Patil Stadium on May 3.

Adding to the excitement, the organisers have announced that Sukhwinder Singh, Jonita Gandhi, and Neeti Mohan will join A.R. Rahman on stage, with more featured artists to be revealed soon. The concert will also include surprise acts designed to elevate the overall experience.

The much-anticipated event will feature stunning choreography by the dance guru and ace choreographer Shiamak Davar. It is said to be a one of a kind event, with immersive technology, innovative production, and solid soundscapes.

The Wonderment Tour in Mumbai is part of much anticipated Waves Summit, and has been conceived by A. R. Rahman in collaboration with Percept Live and is a co-production between Percept Live, Fairgame Entertainment and Jo Entertainment.

The Concert is not just to entertain, but to transport audiences into a realm of music and visual magic. With a setlist spanning his iconic hits and stellar performances from celebrated musicians. It promises to be a nostalgic yet forward-looking celebration of music that will make this premiere in Mumbai a night to remember.

Also Read : A.R. Rahman urges caution on AI in music; says, “The songs are so filthy, It needs to be controlled”

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