It was a notable weekend for India at WrestleMania 41, WWE’s biggest annual event, now streaming on Netflix. Rana Daggubati, known for the Netflix series Rana Naidu and a longtime WWE fan, became the first Indian celebrity to be invited to WrestleMania and attend from the front row. He also received a special mention during the live stream watched by WWE fans worldwide. Season 2 of Netflix India’s action drama Rana Naidu is coming soon.

The WWE fandom was front and center on the global stage as well, with the Netflix India and WWE watch party for fans in Mumbai featuring live during the Wrestlemania broadcast on Netflix, this weekend.

 

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Held in the high rollers city of Las Vegas, WrestleMania 41 wasn’t just about the in-ring action, it was a celebration of fandom, community, and global connection. Rana’s presence at the event marked a proud moment for Indian representation at one of the most-watched and beloved sports entertainment events worldwide.

With WWE now streaming on Netflix, and Rana Naidu already a fan-favorite Netflix series with its highly anticipated Season 2 on the horizon, this crossover moment highlights Netflix’s commitment to bringing powerhouse entertainment to fans in India.

Speaking from Las Vegas, Rana Daggubati said, “Being at WrestleMania 41 is a surreal experience—WWE has been a part of all our childhoods. Now, to witness it live and to be able to represent India on a global stage, especially with both WWE and Rana Naidu streaming on Netflix, feels like a full-circle moment.”

Also Read : Siddhant Chaturvedi, Rana Daggubati attend Netflix dinner with WWE Champions Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan

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Aamir Khan, who has a strong fan base in China, recently visited the country to attend the Macau Comedy Festival. During an interaction with one of his Chinese fan clubs, he shared key details about his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par. Aamir revealed that the film is a remake of the Spanish movie Champions, and in it, he portrays a “very rude” basketball coach.

During the interaction, Aamir Khan shared, “Sitaare Zameen Par is almost ready. It’s the sequel to Taare Zameen Par. Thematically, it is going ten steps ahead. It is about people who are differently abled. It is about love, friendship and life. Taare Zameen Par made you cry but this film will make you laugh. It’s a comedy but the theme is the same.”

Revealing more about his role in Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan said, “My character Nikumbh in Taare Zameen Par was a very sensitive person. In this film my character’s name is Gulshan but his personality is exactly opposite to Nikumbh. He is very rude, politically incorrect and he insults everybody. He fights with his wife, mother. He is a basketball coach and he beats up his senior coach. He is a person with a lot of internal problems.”

Aamir Khan further explained, “The story is about how he transforms. The ten individuals—some of whom have Down syndrome, autism, and other different abilities—teach him what it truly means to be a good human being. The original is a Spanish film, and we’ve created an Indian adaptation of it.”

Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par is directed by RS Prasanna and features Genelia Deshmukh in a leading role alongside him.

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

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Yash Raj Films’ Mardaani is the biggest solo female-led franchise in Hindi cinema that has garnered love and acclaim for over 10 years now. The blockbuster franchise has received unanimous love from people and has attained a cult status amongst cine-lovers. Also, the biggest and only female cop franchise of India, Mardaani is now in its third instalment and Mardaani 3 will see Rani Mukerji reprise the role of a daredevil cop, Shivani Shivaji Roy, who selflessly fights for justice.

Today, YRF (Yash Raj Films) announced the release date of Mardaani 3 to be Friday, February 27, 2026, marking the auspicious Holi festival as its release window. Holi, which falls on March 4, symbolises the triumph of good over bad. The makers are pegging this film to be a bloody, violent clash between Shivani’s goodness vs sinister evil forces with its choice of release date.

Moreover, the esteemed studio also released the explosive first look of the highly talented actress from this much-awaited film. Rani Mukerji had revealed that the edge-of-the-seat thriller is ‘dark, deadly and brutal’ and it immediately piqued curiosity amongst netizens, the fans of the star and the franchise.

Mardaani 3 is directed by Abhiraj Minawala and as per reports, the shooting of the film began sometime back. A few days back, it was reported that after shooting at the Golden Tobacco factory in Vile Parle, Mumbai, the makers are now filming portions in Yash Raj Studios, Andheri. The current leg is critical as Rani Mukerji will be shooting action scenes crucial to the narrative.

Mardaani tackled the grim realities of human trafficking, while Mardaani 2 explored the chilling mind of a psychotic serial rapist who dared to challenge the system. Mardaani 3 is expected to delve into another dark, socially relevant theme, continuing the franchise’s legacy of gripping, issue-based storytelling. With the film hitting cinemas in less than a year, anticipation is running high. Interestingly, February 27 has been a lucky date for YRF before—Dum Laga Ke Haisha, the beloved sleeper hit, was released on the same day in 2015. Given the franchise’s popularity, Rani Mukerji’s powerful presence, and the thematic intensity promised, Mardaani 3 is expected to deliver both critical acclaim and box-office success.

Also Read: Mardaani 3 shooting to start in 2025: Rani Mukerji describes film as “Dark, deadly, and brutal”

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You’ve put out a very passionate video in response to Anurag Kashyap’s shocking slur against the Brahmin community?
I feel this man has crossed all limits of decency. Bhai Sahab, this arrogant and ignorant individual, who claims to be a filmmaker and social commentator, is completely out of his mind. He has clearly lost not just his sanity but also his creative spark. His frustration stems from his repeated failures, and he is in desperate need of counselling.

Would he dare make such a comment about any other community?
I challenge him to try. He would be ripped apart and left to rot. Hindus have always been benevolent and tolerant, and that grace has often come at the cost of their dignity. But let’s not forget—Durvasa and Parashuram were Brahmins too. Their rage is legendary.

Do you think Kashyap has serious anger management issues?
Don’t test our patience any further. The consequences won’t be pleasant. This man has long been the flag bearer of cinema laced with vulgarity in every shape, size, and form. After wreaking havoc on Indian cinema, he now seems determined to fracture society as well.

Also Read: Manoj Muntashir on Ranveer Allahbadia controversy, “India’s youth is making India weak, we should ask them to just shut up”

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Rajkummar Rao is currently preparing for his upcoming romantic comedy Bhool Chuk Maaf, co-starring Wamiqa Gabbi, which is set to hit theatres on May 9. Meanwhile, reports suggest that he is in talks to play prominent public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam in an upcoming biopic. This news comes after Aamir Khan reportedly opted out of the lead role.

According to Mid-day, sources revealed, “Dinesh is keen on having Rajkummar play Nikam. He brings the right intensity and range to the role. Preliminary talks have been positive, but Raj is immersed in prep for Vikramaditya Motwane’s next, which is a physically and emotionally demanding script since he plays a sportsman. The dates will need to be worked out.”

The source added, “It was always going to be a compelling courtroom drama with a political undercurrent, but now the team is exploring a grittier and more grounded treatment that fits Raj’s style more, if he comes on board.”

Earlier, Pinkvilla reported that, “Aamir was introduced to the journey of Ujjwal Nikam in the pre-pandemic times and he has been interested in bringing it to the spectacle ever since then. There have been several drafts of scripts written by multiple producer partners, but after all the discussions, Aamir is now on the verge of locking his association with Dinesh Vijan on the Ujjwal Nikam Biopic.” While Aamir was originally set to star in the film, he will now only be involved as a producer.

The source further stated, “The idea is to take it on floors in 2024 and the casting calls are expected to roll out from year-end. While Aamir was definitely considering leading the biopic himself, one can’t say if it’s a film starring Aamir Khan or a production with another actor stepping in to play the lead at this point in time.”

Also Read : Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi bring the feels in Bhool Chuk Maaf’s first song Koi Naa; watch

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In 2024, Lal Salaam, starring Rajinikanth, stirred discussion with its song Thimiri Yezhuda. The buzz centered around music legend A.R. Rahman’s use of Artificial Intelligence to recreate the voices of late singers Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed. While many listeners found the gesture touching, others questioned the ethical implications of using AI to revive voices of the departed.

Sharing his perspective on the rising use of AI in music, A.R. Rahman spoke to PTI about the need for balance. He acknowledged that while AI offers exciting creative possibilities, its application in music should be handled with care, sensitivity, and responsibility.

Rahman stated, “I don’t know what’s going to be, belling the cat. Some of the songs are so filthy, yet they come out with the voices of popular singers. It needs to be controlled because if it’s not, there’ll be chaos.”

He further explained, “There are both good and bad aspects, and the good things should be used to empower people who never had the chance to put their vision into action. But overusing it in a bad way is bad for us. It’s like mixing poison with oxygen and breathing it in. There should be rules, like certain things you can’t do. Like, how they talk about ethics or behaviour in a society, this is also behaviour in the software and digital world.”

The composer had previously addressed concerns regarding the use of AI to revive the voices of the late singers in Lal Salaam, clarifying that their families were consulted, gave their consent, and were compensated for their contributions.

A.R. Rahman also responded to singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s criticism, where Bhattacharya had accused him of contributing to the decline of live music and over-relying on technology in his compositions. Abhijeet argued that Rahman’s dependence on technology disrespects musicians who play traditional instruments and that the shift towards digital music is leaving many instrumentalists without jobs.

In response, Rahman defended his use of technology, emphasizing that it’s not about replacing live musicians, but rather enhancing the music-making process. He added that he fully supports musicians and views technology as a tool to explore new creative possibilities in music.

Rahman told India Today in an interview, “It’s nice to blame me for everything. I still love Abhijeet, and I would send cakes to him. Also, it’s his opinion, and there’s nothing wrong with having one.”

Rahman shared, “I recently set up an orchestra with 60 women in Dubai. They’re employed every month and receive insurance, health benefits, and everything. In every movie I work on, whether it’s Chhaava or Ponniyin Selvan, there are 200-300 musicians involved, and some songs feature over 100 people. I don’t show off or post photos with them, so people don’t always know about it.”

He also clarified that computers are just a tool to design unique harmonies, enabling him to explore new sounds. He explained that hiring musicians for a project only to later reject their work isn’t always practical. Rahman further added that the producers he’s worked with can attest to the numerous musicians he’s collaborated with throughout his career.

On the work front, A.R. Rahman is reuniting with Mani Ratnam for their next major project, Thug Life. Starring Kamal Haasan in the lead, the highly anticipated film is set to release in theatres across India on June 5.

Also Read : A.R. Rahman opens up on working with Kamal Haasan in Thug Life; says, “I feel like from the screen he’s looking at me”

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Anurag Kashyap has found himself at the centre of growing outrage after a controversial social media remark referencing the Brahmin community have gone viral. Despite posting an apology note yesterday – clarifying that he was not apologizing for what he said but rather for how a particular line was taken out of context – the backlash has continued to intensify.

Over the weekend, several Brahmin organizations convened for a joint meeting led by the Sarva Brahmin Mahasabha and Pandit Suresh Mishra, who is also the chief patron of Chanakya Sena. The meeting resulted in a unified call for action against the filmmaker, with six prominent Brahmin groups – including Chanakya Sena, Sarva Brahmin Mahasabha, Brahmin Seva Sangh, Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Mahasabha, Vishwa Brahmin Parishad, and Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Sangh – announcing a reward of Rs. 1 lakh to “whoever blackens Kashyap’s face.”

Pandit Suresh Mishra, speaking to The Indian Express, condemned Kashyap’s statement, calling it an insult to an entire community. “Has the Brahmin community not made sacrifices for this country?” he asked, defending the contributions of Brahmins to India’s unity and heritage.
“Brahmins who talk about the welfare of all and have sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of the country.” Mishra further added, “In such a situation, it is necessary to teach them a lesson. There should be strong opposition to such destructive people in the society who are making nefarious attempts to end aapsi sadachar (mutual respect) in the society.”

For context, the controversy erupted after Anurag Kashyap commented on a post concerning Brahmins, stating he “would urinate on Brahmins.” The statement sparked immediate criticism online and was widely condemned as offensive and inflammatory. In his apology note posted on social media, Kashyap maintained that his words had been taken out of context. However, he also reiterated that he was apologizing “for how the line was taken” and not for his ideological stance.

The demands for action continue to gain traction, with growing pressure on authorities to address the situation. As of now, no legal steps have been confirmed, but the controversy shows no sign of subsiding.

Also Read: Anurag Kashyap says, “This is my apology, not for my post but for that one line taken out of context” after backlash over anti-Brahmin remark

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The Hollywood supernatural film Sinners was released in India and worldwide on April 18. The film has caught the attention of the elite Hollywood crowd and there’s a demand among them to catch the flick on IMAX as a major chunk is shot on the IMAX 65mm camera. Hence, moviegoers were shocked when Sinners was removed from Eros IMAX Cinema in Mumbai and Delhi’s Priya IMAX and Paras IMAX. Interestingly, all three cinemas are standalone IMAX properties and are owned by PVR Inox.

A source explained what went wrong, “No show of Sinners was played here as the theatres replaced the film with the new Hindi film, Kesari Chapter 2, and the holdover Bollywood release, Jaat, though both these films are not shot in IMAX. Warner Bros asked for proper showcasing of Sinners in these three cinemas but since the film is not a front-loaded superhero flick, the three cinemas had reservations about playing it with all shows. A negotiation was not reached and hence, Sinners couldn’t make it in Eros, Priya and Paras.”

The source continued, “These theatres argued that they are single-screen IMAX cinemas. This means that they have no other screens present. The other multiplexes could afford to play Sinners with lower occupancy in IMAX as they can profit with a huge turnout for other films in normal screens. But if they play only Sinners or give most of the shows to the film, it won’t justify their costs as it’s a film meant for a niche audience in India. The Warner team, on the other hand, argued that with Sinners, they should have made an exception as it’s a film meant for IMAX screens. Also, its word of mouth is incredible and has the chance to grow. More than 30% of the business of the film has also happened in IMAX screens on the first day.”

An industry insider commented on this issue, “These cinemas should have at least given a chance to Sinners for the weekend. Then, for the weekdays, they could have negotiated with the studio and demanded the replacement of certain shows, citing profitability. Not allowing an IMAX film in an IMAX theatre from the first day of release was unfair.”

At present, Eros Cinema is playing 5 shows of Kesari Chapter 2. Priya and Paras have given the morning show slot to Jaat and the rest of the shows are allocated to the Akshay Kumar-starrer. This move hasn’t paid much dividends to the theatres. The Saturday night show of Kesari Chapter 2 in Eros was barely full, though it was playing with great occupancy in other cinemas of the city.

The source explained the reason, “With Eros, Priya and Paras, the perception among the audience is that we are supposed to go there to watch an IMAX-worthy film. As a result, for non-IMAX movies, the preference would first be other cinemas in the vicinity. It’s a catch-22 situation for the standalone IMAX theatres. They can’t rely on playing only IMAX films, especially the niche ones like Sinners. But there’s no guarantee they’ll get required footfalls for regular films.”

Also Read: Director Ryan Coogler and Music Composer Ludwig Gorranson talk about their musical journey with Sinners

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Urvashi Rautela has found herself in the spotlight yet again for a comment made during an interview with Siddharth Kanan. In the now-viral clip, the actress was heard speaking about a temple in Uttarakhand, which many interpreted as her claiming it was built in her ‘honour’. The reaction online was swift and largely critical, with social media users accusing her of self-glorification.

In what appears to be an attempt to clear the air, Urvashi and her team have now issued a statement urging people to listen to the full context of her comments before jumping to conclusions. The backlash, they suggest, stems from a misunderstanding of her words.

Addressing the controversy directly, Urvashi said, “There is a temple in my name in Uttarakhand, not Urvashi Rautela’s temple. Now people don’t even listen to things properly; just hearing ‘Urvashi’ or ‘temple,’ they assumed that people worship Urvashi Rautela. Listen to this video properly and then speak. It is essential that before making baseless allegations or derogatory comments against any individual, the facts are thoroughly verified. Everyone in society should treat each other with respect and understanding so that everyone’s rights can be protected.”

The clarification suggests that the actress was referring to the Urvashi Mandir, a site associated with Hindu mythology and not a shrine dedicated to herself. However, the phrasing in the original interview — where she appeared to link the temple with her own identity — triggered a wave of confusion and ridicule.

In the interview, the actress claimed, “There is a temple in my name in Uttarakhand. If one visits Badrinath, there is a ‘Urvashi temple’ right next to it.” When asked if people go there to seek blessings, she replied, “Ab mandir hai toh woh hi toh karenge (It’s a temple, they will do that only).”

While her latest statement calls for respect and fact-checking, it also appears to serve as a form of damage control after the public response took a negative turn. Whether the clarification will help ease the criticism remains to be seen, but for now, the incident stands as another reminder of how easily offhand remarks can spiral in the digital age.

Also Read: Urvashi Rautela faces outrage over claim, “There is a temple in my name in Uttarakhand”

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In a poignant and revealing interview with Filmfare YouTube, Shabana Azmi reflected on her experiences with the enigmatic yet troubled Parveen Babi, one of the most glamorous stars of her time. Azmi, known for her candid insights, recounted moments on film sets where Parveen’s declining mental health became alarmingly visible.

“I saw Parveen Babi going mad in front of my eyes. We were doing a Prakash Mehra film, Jwalamukhi, and we were on the set, and she suddenly looked to the chandelier and started screaming, ‘This chandelier is going to fall on me,’” Azmi recalled. The haunting memory painted a vivid picture of Parveen’s distress. Azmi also mentioned incidents from the sets of Ashanti, where Babi’s eating habits had drastically changed. “She used to eat two grapes and say that I am bursting,” she added, pointing toward possible symptoms of severe anxiety or an eating disorder.

The veteran actress also described a moment involving actress Zeenat Aman that left her with deep concern. “She went and stood behind her and looked at her in a very strange kind of manner,” Azmi said, underlining how erratic behavior had begun to emerge in Parveen’s interactions.

These stories not only highlight the intensity of Parveen Babi’s inner turmoil but also reflect the silence that often surrounded such issues in the film industry during the ’70s and ’80s. “We never talked about this,” Azmi admitted. “She was always speaking about esoteric things, discussing books, and she was a big star, but she never played the star as such, but she was in quest of an intellect that didn’t really come easy to her, but she was struggling with something.”

Parveen Babi’s life continues to evoke conversations around fame, isolation, and mental health. In opening up, Azmi not only paid tribute to a complex co-star but also nudged forward the much-needed discourse on mental health in the entertainment world.

Also Read: Eid 2025: Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar celebrate with Farhan, Zoya and family

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