 went infamously viral. The actor, in an Instagram story, said he has always respected every culture and tradition in the country. "My intention was to highlight Rishabh's incredible performance in the film. Actor to actor, I know how much it would take to perform that particular scene in the way that he did, for which he has my utmost admiration...If I've hurt anyone's sentiments, I sincerely apologise."

The apology comes on the heels of severe backlash for Singh's comments on the film at the closing ceremony of 

, the recently concluded film festival in Goa. Singh, in his attempt to appreciate the movie, erroneously called the daivas, or demigods, depicted in 

, ghosts. “I watched Kantara Chapter 1 in theatres, and Rishab, it was an outstanding performance, especially when the female ghost (Chamundi daiva) enters your body — that shot was amazing.” He further mimicked Rishab Shetty's performance of the daivas, an intrinsic part of the Bhoota Kola tradition from coastal Karnataka, earning ire from a Hindu outfit,

one of which filed a complaint against the actor on grounds of disrespecting the daivas.

Ranveer Singh Apologises For His Comment On 'Kantara: Chapter 1'

(2019), lead actor Asif Ali deflected all his praise by giving “50 per cent” of it to the work Melwy put in to create his costumes. He played a rubber tapper in the film, the kind who’d probably buy just two to three pairs of clothes in a whole year. 

“When you’re trying to create realism through costumes, you need to really understand your character,” Melwy explains. “There’s a lot of research and depth that goes into each decision. In 

… I wanted you to be able to imagine the man’s cupboard and the timeline of the film to understand how many clothes he’s got and how many years he’d been wearing them. A man like him can’t keep changing his shirts, even if he can afford to.” 

From a film like that to working on a project like 

is the other end of the creativity spectrum, the sort of film in which costumes have no limitations. It’s also an entertainer that does not attempt subtlety or realism, adding to the fun Melwy had as he went through the long making process. For one, he wants to thank the production for the way it took him and all other technicians along, right from day one. “As soon as I joined the film, they began by putting out creatives on social media announcing that I would be working on their film. It made me feel I’m joining a place that values my work and what I have to offer. It became 

It’s what he calls “a crazy film” filled with possibilities. As he goes through the process of working on the wrestling costumes — an opportunity he might never get again in Malayalam — he talks about the debates and conversations that brought it all alive. Here are the six main wrestlers and how their costumes came to be, as told by Melwy himself. 

We drew inspiration for his look from Shawn Michaels, the legendary wrestler. Right from his intro shot, in which he swings into the ring using a zipline, that was the persona we wanted to mirror… along the lines of “Malayalifying” Shawn Michaels in a Kochi backdrop. Anend C Chandran [DOP] had decided on a colour palette for him that was based on white-and-gold, and then we got to work. The entry scene for Arjun deserved to be larger than life, like a major festival, and it was Anend who gave me “Thrissur Pooram” as a cue. We based his shoulder puff on the 

 (the fans used by mahouts atop the elephant), and also used stencils of elephants as a design motif on the costume. To maintain the colour pattern, we also drew ideas from Kerala-specific art forms such as 

. The idea of his cape was again given to me by Anend because it reflects light dreamily. Basically, his entry had to have all the grandeur of witnessing the biggest elephant making its entry during Thrissur Pooram…an image no Malayali can resist.

Similarly, the colours that were planned for Roshan were going to be red. I had already worked on a lot of Theyyam designs and research for my work in 

(2024), so it wasn’t particularly hard to reimagine those colours for a wrestling attire. We then brought motifs from Kalaripayattu, the ancient marital art form. Reds and blacks were both abundant in both, and Adhvaith, the film’s director, had already visualised a sequence during Vetri’s entry in which he could pull away a large part of his costume in one dramatic shot. So, what he was wearing inside needed to be given equal importance, almost like two different looks within one. Prints of a theyyam artist, face paints and a few additions were made as variations. The anklets (chilanka) of a theyyam performer were used in place of wrist bands for him too. It’s these sorts of ideas that one gets where there is absolute freedom and encouragement to go anywhere for a vision.

His look was based on a wrestler like Randy Orton. Even though we told Shyam that we'd be showing him in briefs, he was cool with the idea. Because his name was Bhasmasuran, we could experiment with the idea of him being covered with ashes all around. That gave our costume an additional madness, and it also looked fun on camera. What stands out about his character is that he plays a tailor in the film, too, so the idea is that he’s the one making all these cool costumes for the other wrestlers. Even when he was not in the ring, we gave him things like a patch for his pockets and a lot of funky additions, as part of his everyday wear.

She’s the only prominent woman in the lead cast, but we were sure we wanted her to look strong and capable as a wrestler. She works as a delivery person in the film, but we wanted to give her a muscular appeal, as though she could take on any man inside the ring, even if they were twice her size. The film is set in Fort Kochi and Mattanchery, a place that’s not too far away from the shipyard and the docks, so we felt she could easily source the overalls or the jumpsuit that men wear while working. That’s the reference we had, and she was able to pull it off super well.

Now, for Kadal Komban, we could have used ideas from a character like Big Show from WWE. But we thought of it differently. Ronex Xavier, the make-up artist, had already imagined his hairstyle and a certain appearance, and then I wanted to give it my spin. So, for him, we borrowed elements from the Thrissur Pooram to give his costume that festive, loud look. Inspired by the Puli Kali, we had perceived a look that would play up his belly. We created detailed sketches, several trials, and errors to get the final look. We needed to make sure they were able to stay in costume for long stretches. It's also important to note that they come from humble backgrounds; it’s not like they could afford expensive fabric. We then went ahead and made some of their costumes with rexine, knowing very well how hot it can get. But they never complained about it!

Because of his height, we could go all out with his styling. It could be fancy and flashy, and it would look great on him. We had also used colours on him that would pop, like yellows, oranges and bright blues. We wrote his title and got it printed and attached to his clothes, too. It was magical to see his character come alive in his costume.

As his name suggests, he’s not a person who has only lived in Kerala all his life. He hails from Delhi, so we didn't have to force a Malayali angle for his costume. We could go all out and make him look as Western or as different from the others, without any limitations. And as he, too, had worked on his body, we knew we could pull it off when he revealed his six-pack in the film. Jeff Hardy was one of the inspirations for his look!

How To 'Malayalify' Shawn Michaels: 'Chatha Pacha' Costume Designer Melwy F On Bringing His Crazy Wrestling Outfit Ideas To Life 


Actor Margot Robbie wore the Taj Mahal diamond necklace at the Los Angeles premiere of 

 on January 28, 2026. The premiere was held at the TCL Chinese Theatre and marked the start of global promotions for the film, directed by Emerald Fennell.

Robbie, who plays Catherine Earnshaw in the new adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, paired the historic necklace with a Schiaparelli couture gown. The necklace is a heart-shaped, table-cut diamond mounted on a gold-and-ruby Cartier chain.

The Taj Mahal diamond is believed to date back to the Mughal era. Jewellery historians associate the diamond with Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal, for whom the Taj Mahal was built. The diamond bears a Parsi inscription reading “Love is Everlasting” and has long been linked to Mughal royalty. It later entered modern history through French luxury house Cartier.

Cartier acquired the diamond in 1971 and remounted it into its present necklace design. In 1972, the piece was purchased by actor Richard Burton as a gift for Elizabeth Taylor, becoming closely associated with her jewellery collection. The necklace has since been valued at approximately $8 million.

Speaking briefly on the red carpet, Robbie said the necklace carried “a lot of romantic history” and felt appropriate for the occasion. Since the film is based on one of the most popular romance dramas, the connection was obvious. 

The appearance marked one of Robbie’s first major red carpet outings for the film and drew attention due to the historical and cultural significance of the jewellery worn.

 is the latest screen adaptation of Brontë’s only novel, 

initially published in 1847. It tells the tragic, passionate story of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphaned young boy taken in by Catherine's family. The film 

stars Robbie alongside Jacob Elordi. The film is scheduled for theatrical release in India on February 13.

Margot Robbie Wears Taj Mahal Diamond Necklace at 'Wuthering Heights' LA Premiere

An outpouring of support, nuance and good vibes from his musical peers has met 

's recent decision to retire from playback singing. The 38-year-old sensation shocked legions of fans earlier this week when he announced he was calling it quits as a film vocalist. Considered by many as the leading vocalist of his generation, with more than 700 film credits across industries and languages, Arijit, in a frank and forthright social media post, explained his move, citing creative boredom and restlessness as his primary motives. The singer, however, affirmed his intention to continue his creative journey in other forms, perhaps as a composer, music producer, as per industry speculation, a film director. 

There is no clean exit date for an artist as prolific as Singh. As he reiterated in his post, he has several pending engagements to deliver on, so fans will continue to get new release in the weeks and months to come. Singh has voiced 'Matribhumi', a stirring patriotic number in the forthcoming 

 starring Salman Khan. Another track, the soulful, aching 'Hum To Tere Hi Liye The', was recently released, and will feature in Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid Kapoor's action romanc

Even as Singh intends to return to his indie roots, while also immersing himself in Indian classical music, there are other creative avenues opening up. In 2025, Singh was announced as the director for an upcoming adventure film produced by Mahavir Jain. 

According to recent reports, the film, a 'jungle adventure', will star Arijit's own son along with Nawazuddin Siddiqui's daughter Shora Siddiqui, who is 15 and currently studying in London. Arijit's wife, Koel Singh, has co-produced and co-written the film with him. Singh had previously directed the 2018 Bengali film 

, about a young boy's relationship with music and silence. 

Singh stunned the world on January 27 with a social media post revealing that he would no longer accept new assignments as a film playback vocalist, describing his years in the industry as a “wonderful journey” and signalling a shift toward more independent creative pursuits. His Instagram post sparked widespread conversations, with many from the music industry sharing their perspectives on the subject. Several leading musicians shared nuanced and encouraging takes, commending Arijit for his step towards a broader evolution. 

Veteran singer Chinmayi Sripaada responded with deep admiration for Arijit’s artistic integrity. On her X (formerly Twitter) account, she reflected on their early collaborations long before 'Tum Hi Ho' made Arijit a household name and described him as one of her favourite musicians and “one of the finest, spiritually evolved human beings” she has worked with. She suggested that his decision to step away from playback singing flows from a “higher calling” — hinting that his future musical directions may be profoundly personal and not merely career-driven.

Shreya Ghoshal framed Arijit’s retirement from playback not as an 'end of an era' but as the beginning of a new artistic chapter. In a comment responding to his social media post, she praised his creativity and expressed excitement about what he might produce next, noting that an artist of his calibre defies being boxed into traditional formats or formulas. 

Singer-composer Sona Mohapatra offered one of the most extensive reactions among peers, describing Arijit’s choice as “disruptive in the best way" for the industry. In an Instagram note, she positioned the move toward independence as not just brave but generative — freeing him to explore his own music on his own terms and helping to “create space” in a system often dominated by a narrow set of voices. 

"Let's be honest this industry thrives on zero-risk formulas. Producers overuse one voice, don't pay demo singers at all, avoid paying most established ones too with the carrot of 'opportunity' even after two decades of being around, try 10 voices, killing the music director in the exhausting process & then record Arijit and everyone keep an exploitative cycle alive because it's convenient. Not because it's right," Mohapatra wrote, praising Arijit for his bravery and generosity.

Legendary veteran Udit Narayan also welcomed Singh’s decision with warmth and respect, emphasising the vast body of work Arijit has built in a relatively short period. In interviews circulating on social media and in news reports, he noted that although Arijit may be retiring from traditional playback assignments, he is not leaving music — and that his songs will remain “etched in people’s hearts.” 

Composer Toshi Sabri also commented on his retirement, saying that his decision has come as a shock, and is a massive disappointment for composers. "Many composers often create something keeping Arijit’s vocals in their minds," said Sabri. "Some songs are such that they cannot be big without Arijit’s voice." The sibling duo Sharib-Toshi has composed many of Singh's hits, such as 'Bandeya' and 'Saanson Ko'.

Outpouring of Support for Arijit Singh as Singer Retires from Playback Career; Directorial Debut On Cards 

Raj B Shetty is back in the theatres, and this time as a maverick cop with a few tricks up his sleeve in the upcoming Kannada movie 

The film's trailer, which was recently released by the makers, introduces Shetty as a troubled cop who is never seen without his bottle. What happens when he has to solve a knotty murder under the pump? This forms the basis of the Kannada film, which also explores certain supernatural elements. 

Ravi Saranga and also stars Swathishta Krishnan and Archana Kottige. Shetty was last seen in 

, a recently released Kannada film co-starring Vijaya Kumar. Earlier last year, Shetty produced and acted in the blockbuster Kannada comedy 

, the actor-filmmaker spoke about why he could never direct stars. 

“I can’t direct stars because I can’t wait for their dates. It’s such a painful process for me. Cinema has been very personal, but the moment it becomes about waiting for someone, I feel shackled.”

For Shetty, filmmaking has never been about scale or celebrity. “I don’t mind making small films. I don’t mind casting new actors. It’s not about the money. For a middle-class person from Mangalore, even doing films is a luxury.” It’s this mindset that drives his production house, Lighter Buddha Films- a space built on collaboration, experimentation, and a deep belief in storytelling over stardom

 is consciously focused on giving emerging talent the support they need. “Even in lighter films, we want to produce projects for new people. We want to supervise, guide, and ensure the best results. We want young filmmakers to believe that if they make good cinema, audiences will come.”

'Rakkasapuradhol' Trailer: Raj B Shetty Is A Maverick Cop In This Murder Mystery

 is set to return to theatres with a new, as-yet-untitled film exploring themes of love, longing, and emotional belonging. The film, written and directed by Ali, is currently in post-production and is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on June 12, 2026. 

The cast brings together Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina, Sharvari, and veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, spanning generations of performers. 

The film also reunites the legendary trio of composer A.R. Rahman, lyricist Irshad Kamil, and director Imtiaz Ali—who have previously collaborated on acclaimed titles like 

The upcoming film is backed by Applause Entertainment, Window Seat Films, and Mohit Choudhary, marking another collaboration between Ali and producers known for character-driven, mainstream storytelling. While plot details are being kept under wraps, the film is described as a contemporary narrative that examines human connection with wit and emotional depth.

Speaking about the emotional core of the project, Ali had earlier said: "Can love really be lost? Can home be taken away from someone’s heart? This film has a big heart. It has a large canvas yet is very personal. It is a story of a boy and a girl, but also a country.”

This is the first time that Ali is working with Naseeruddin, Vedang (last seen in Alia Bhatt-starrer 

) and Sharvari. He had previously teamed up with Diljit for 

. The 2024 Netflix release was among the most acclaimed Hindi films of that year. 

Apart from this, Ali also serves as the creator, writer, and showrunner of the forthcoming Netflix series 

. Billed as a 'captivating exploration of contemporary human emotions', the romantic series features actors Aditi Rao Hydari, Avinash Tiwary and Arjun Rampal. Filmmaker Arif Ali, who previously directed the Netflix series 

Imtiaz Ali’s Next Starring Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina and Sharvari Gets Release Date 

What—and how much—did India watch in 2025? A lot. India’s streaming market closed the year with scale, clarity, and a clear hierarchy as the top 10 featured a diverse mix of critically acclaimed titles, 

According to Ormax Media’s Top 50 Streaming Originals in India: The 2025 Story, the year’s most-watched streaming originals together amassed over 654 million views, with key insights into what exactly worked and how each streaming giant followed a peculiar story.

That headline number was powered overwhelmingly by familiar IPs. Across platforms, returning seasons dominated the upper end of the charts, while new originals struggled to break through unless backed by strong branding or star value. 

According to the report, the rankings are based on weekly primary audience research conducted across India. 

"Our viewership estimates (reported in millions) are a measure of the number of individuals who watched the property for at least 30 minutes. They do not reflect the number of OTT accounts used, but rather the actual number of viewers. For example, if three family members or two friends watch together on a single account, they are counted as three and two unique viewers, respectively," the report stated.

The top of India’s streaming charts in 2025 was dominated by established franchises and returning seasons. JioHotstar led from the front, claiming the top two positions with 

, which emerged as the year’s most-watched streaming originals. 

topped the list with 29.6 million, followed closely by 

Close behind was Amazon MX Player’s tentpole hit 

, which secured third place with 27.1 million, reaffirming the franchise’s enduring mass appeal. Prime Video followed with a strong showing, placing 

at fifth with 23.8 million, reinforcing the platform's reputation for consistent, franchise-led performance.

Reality content continued to deliver scale, with Salman Khan-hosted 

taking sixth place at 20 million viewers on JioHotstar. Prime Video returned to the list at seventh with the acclaimed 

Netflix’s presence in the Top 10 came via three titles: 

at eighth with 16.7 million viewers, followed by global juggernauts 

a big winner is that the Aryan Khan directorial is the only non-franchise Indian original in the Top 10, sitting comfortably above global hits like 

However, since the last two are international titles, once those heavyweights are removed from the equation, the Top 10 reshuffles slightly but remains firmly franchise-driven. Without 

JioHotstar’s animated mythology series 

enters the list at ninth with 16.2 million, while Netflix’s 

closes out the Top 10 at tenth with 15.5 million.

At the very top end of the 2025 streaming charts, only three titles crossed the 25-million mark: 

Special Ops S2, Criminal Justice: A Family Matter 

All three were returning franchises, and together they formed a clear upper tier that no other title managed to breach.

The next band widens slightly. Six titles managed to hit or cross the 20-million mark, adding 

The Family Man S3, Panchayat S4 and Bigg Boss (Hindi, S19) 

to the three leaders. Notably, this group was also dominated by long-running, culturally entrenched IPs.

The widest cluster emerged at the 15-million threshold, indicating where the real volume of "hits" now sits. Alongside the six above 20 million performers, this group included 

Paatal Lok S2, The Ba***ds of Bollywood, Squid Game S3, Stranger Things S5

Streaming films continued to trail series in overall traction in 2025, but a small clutch of titles still managed to break through. Netflix dominated the streaming films conversation, placing five of the six most-watched titles of the year and occupying the top two positions outright.

(rank 15), which emerged as the most-watched streaming film of 2025 with 13.1 million viewers on Netflix. Close behind was another Netflix release,

(rank 20), which drew 12.1 million viewers, reinforcing the platform’s strong grip over the direct-to-digital film space. 

The only non-Netflix entry in the top three came from JioHotstar, where Ibrahim Ali Khan-led 

(rank 23) secured third place with 11.5 million. 

Netflix then rounded out the list with three mid-tier performers. 

(rank 38) attracted 9.7 million viewers, followed by 

According to the Ormax report, Netflix had 20 titles in the Top 50 list and led in total views when all languages—including English and Korean—were counted, thanks to big global franchises like 

and driven by a long tail of solidly performing Hindi originals.

Including the four international titles (

, rank 47 at 8.7 million), Netflix led with over 236 million in viewership, followed by JioHotstar at over 188 million. 

Prime Video accumulated over 113 million, MX Player 94.7 million, and SonyLIV 20.9 million, taking the combined Top 50 total to over 654 million views.

But when you strip out international content—and look only at Indian-language viewing—JioHotstar narrowly outpaced Netflix, finishing with 188.7 million views against Netflix’s 185.3 million. That makes JioHotstar the most-watched platform for Indian-language content alone.

While Sony LIV had two shows in the Top 50, including Huma Qureshi-led 

(rank 32, 10.3 million), JioHotstar remained top-heavy and brutally efficient with its biggest shows comfortably crossing the 25-million mark.

Prime Video delivered consistency over scale, extracting strong numbers from just eight entries (half on Netflix's 16 Indian titles), while MX Player continued to over-index thanks to mass-leaning drama led by 

Top 50 Streaming Originals: Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar, Amazon MX Player, SonyLIV... Who Won the 2025 OTT Race?

Netflix has released the trailer for the second season of its Punjabi-language crime drama 

, which will premiere on the platform on February 11.

Season 2 introduces a new investigation set in the town of Dalerpura. The story centres on the murder of a woman, played by Pooja Bhamrrah, who is found dead in her brother’s barn. The case brings multiple suspects under scrutiny, including her husband, portrayed by Rannvijay Singha, and members of her immediate family.

Barun Sobti returns as Assistant Sub-Inspector Amarpal Garundi. In the new season, Garundi has been transferred away from Jagrana and is working under a new commanding officer. Mona Singh joins the cast as Sub-Inspector Dhanwant Kaur, who leads the investigation alongside Garundi. The series follows the two officers as they work through the case while dealing with professional and personal challenges.

Speaking about the new season, Sobti said his character is attempting to start afresh but is unable to fully leave his past behind. He added that the new mystery is more layered and that the season required a more introspective approach to the role.

Mona Singh described her character as restrained and resolute, noting that Dhanwant Kaur is a woman of few words who carries significant responsibility. She said the role demanded controlled performances and emotional restraint.

 Season 2 is produced by A Film Squad Production in association with Act Three. The producers include Saurabh Malhotra, Sudip Sharma, Manuj Mittra and Tina Tharwani. The season is directed by Sudip Sharma and Faisal Rahman, marking Sharma’s directorial debut on the series.

The show is created and written by Sudip Sharma, Gunjit Chopra and Diggi Sisodia.

The cast for the new season includes Mona Singh, Barun Sobti, Rannvijay Singha, Pooja Bhamrrah, Anurag Arora and Prayrak Mehta. 

 will stream exclusively on Netflix from February 11.

'Kohrra' Season 2 Trailer: Barun Sobti and Mona Singh Lead Netflix Crime Drama

the biggest and most ambitious project of his career, will go on floors soon, but with a tight budget, according to reports. 

 has reported that a popular production house is ready to back the film. But according to reports, the producers have come in with tight budget limits to make sure the production 

, made on towering budgets, opened to mixed reviews and failed to meet box office expectations. 

Speaking at a public event last year, celebrating the sale of one lakh copies of the historical Tamil novel 

, Shankar shared his vision for the film adaptation and described it as his most ideal movie. “Once, my dream project was 

,” the director said at the event, where superstar Rajinikanth was also present as the chief guest. “As far as I believe, this film could be one of the biggest ventures ever made, owing to the elements of costume, art, and the level of production it will require. However, the scope of technology makes me say that 

would be a global-standard movie, on par with the likes of 

Based on CPI(M) MP Su Venkatesan’s novel, 

 traces the life of the legendary Tamil ruler Vel Paari and his resistance against the Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties. The film is planned as a three-part saga, with script work reportedly completed. Shankar has confirmed that pre-production is underway.

In September 2024, the director had warned of potential legal action after claiming to have seen scenes from 

appear in another film’s trailer. He expressed concern about the unauthorised use of content from the novel and reminded filmmakers to respect creative boundaries.

Shankar To Begin Filming Velpari With Tight Budget Limit: Reports

's upcoming Telugu film, was launched to mark the actress's birthday recently. "

 a very Happy Birthday And Meet a character that stands her ground and owns her space," their post on X read. 

Presented By Geetha Arts and Swapna Cinema, and produced by Sandeep Gunnam and Ramya Gunnam, the film is aiming for a summer 2026 release. The film is directed by Pavan Sadineni and also stars debutant Satvika Veeravalli as the female lead opposite Dulquer. "Shruti Haasan’s character is going to play a decisive role in the film’s narrative arc, with her entry steering the story into a new phase. Her mere appearance positions her as a force who brings sharp dimension and weight to the drama," reads a press note detailing her character.

GV Prakash Kumar will be scoring the music, Sujith Sarang will handle cinematography and Shwetha Sabu Cyril will oversee production design. Currently in its final phase of production, 

 is slated for a Pan-India release in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam.

, the actress recently reflected on her 17-year long career in the arts with 

 in an interview. “I was allowed to be as many things as I needed to be,” she shares, describing her early life among a family of artistes. From a young age, Haasan was given the agency to tap into the various, often contradicting parts of herself — a practice she believes strongly in, even today. She says that she has never been afraid of dichotomy — in herself, or in the people around her — and welcomes the complexities that come with it. “I allow myself the freedom to be all of these very many women at the same time,” she said, talking about pursuing diverse interests over the years.

'Aakasamlo Oka Tara': Shruti Haasan's Look From The Dulquer Salmaan Film Revealed

 reflects on her 17-year long career in the arts with 

, with her eyes set firmly on the future. Although she first emerged in the public eye as the daughter of the 

, she has since paved her own path as an artiste, refusing to be pigeonholed by the media.

“I was allowed to be as many things as I needed to be,” she shares, describing her early life among a family of artistes. From a young age, Haasan was given the agency to tap into the various, often contradicting parts of herself — a practice she believes strongly in, even today. She says that she has never been afraid of dichotomy — in herself, or in the people around her — and welcomes the complexities that come with it. “I allow myself the freedom to be all of these very many women at the same time,” she adds, talking about pursuing diverse interests over the years.

Her primary medium was music, she says, which involved a solitary, insular artistic process. Her naturally introverted, or, as she says, “socially awkward” personality helped her feel at ease as a musician, which involved limited interaction and feedback loops. 

“Music was more comfortable for me,” she says. Despite the ease she found in being a musician, Haasan has never been afraid of diving head-first into something entirely different. Acting, she says, helped her challenge her innate reclusiveness and aversion to being in the public eye. 

“Cinema taught me to be around people,” she says, describing it as “an assault of many energies” that took her a long time to adjust to, although it taught her a lot about who she is, and what she is capable of. “The lessons that cinema has taught me have propelled me as a musician and a human being," she emphasises.

Today, Haasan has established herself as a polymath, deftly balancing careers in music and acting. The artiste also hopes to break into the world of theatre some day, combining her love for both disciplines. 

, she has largely focused on her love for music, amassing 50 unreleased songs. "I've been really excited about everything I'm going to do," she says. In 2026, Haasan adds, she is looking forward to returning to acting on her own terms, hinting at projects yet under wraps. Haasan is set to appear in the Tamil film 

Shruti Haasan on Turning 40, And How Cinema Taught Her To Be Around People

 proves why she continues to stand out in Indian cinema. Approaching her 40th birthday, Haasan reflects on a career that has spanned industries and genres, but more importantly, a life lived entirely on her own terms.

She has long been an outlier in an industry that often demands women be muted and palatable. “A healthy dose of insanity helps you [to survive],” she laughs. Haasan has been known to ruffle feathers with her candour and single-minded dedication to her craft. In the past, she has also faced significant backlash for opening up about undergoing cosmetic procedures, a phenomenon that remains taboo, despite being widespread. 

“I am the most important person to myself,” she says emphatically. In an industry where she is constantly surrounded by noise, Haasan believes in remaining accountable to herself and her principles, above all, no matter how it may impact public perception.

The artiste pointedly notes a double standard in this regard, observing that while men are celebrated as mad geniuses, “in women, it’s called hysteria.” This reflects broader industry dynamics where female artistes who refuse to give in to the status quo are often labelled as difficult. 

“I march to the beat of my own drum,” she adds, while acknowledging that paving her own way can be lonely. Despite this, she admits that the alternative of taking the easy way out felt like a lie. Early in her career, she tried adhering to stereotypes, committing to what was expected of her as an actress — and though it worked commercially, it felt disingenuous to her true self.

At the core of Haasan’s approach is a staunch refusal to adopt a victim mentality, which she views as inherently disempowering. She is consistently looking to dig deeper, in spite of criticism or creative blocks, valuing authenticity over perfection and commercial success. “I love being an artiste, for me, first,” Haasan smiles.

Shruti Haasan on Her Main Character Energy: ‘I March to the Beat of My Own Drum’

has prompted its makers to confirm that a third instalment in the long-running war franchise. Producers Bhushan Kumar and JP Dutta Films have announced plans for 

, continuing their collaboration after the latest film’s robust theatrical response.

 opened to strong box-office numbers following its Republic Day weekend release. Headlined by Sunny Deol, the film has been buoyed by sustained footfalls and positive audience reception, placing it ahead of other recent holiday releases.

 has been greenlit, the producers have been careful to temper expectations around its timeline. Speaking to 

, Bhushan Kumar said that he and director Anurag Singh are currently focused on another joint venture, which predates 

. That project will take precedence before attention turns fully to the third film in the franchise.

“It is such a big franchise,” Kumar said. “If you bring something back after almost 30 years and it receives so much love, it is only natural to want to take it forward. 

When it does move ahead, the film will once again be produced by T-Series in association with JP Dutta Films, headed by Nidhi Dutta. The partnership aims to build on the emotional legacy of the original 

, released in 1997, while updating its storytelling for a new generation of viewers. The franchise has long positioned itself as a tribute to the Indian Armed Forces.

 functions as a spiritual successor to JP Dutta’s earlier film rather than a direct continuation. Alongside Deol, the ensemble cast includes Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty.

The film’s box office performance, which is expected to cross the 

200 crore mark in India, shows the commercial viability of war narratives in Hindi cinema, particularly when released around national holidays.

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Sudhakar Mikkilineni reportedly had a response at a recent event. "We will begin shooting for it in May this year. We plan to release it next year, in 2027. The film will surely be another blockbuster hit," he was quoted as saying by 

The film opened to mixed reviews in 2024, but went on to make a splash at the box office. The film, directed by Koratala Siva and co-starring Saif Ali Khan, Prakash Raj, Janhvi Kapoor, Srikanth, Shine Tom Chacko, Narain, Murali Sharma, and Abhimanyu Singh, had music by Anirudh Ravichander. 

's review of the film reads, "At its most jealous, 

 on the high seas’. A similar generational father-son tale unfolds in an aquatic setting...The film strives to be its own person by slipping in philosophies and subplots about fear, communism and divinity. There is some social commentary: 

, unlike his British-battling ancestors, has to fight internal enemies (and demons) rather than external ones. It’s a mild reflection of a country that’s struggling to find an identity with nobody left to resist. But you can tell that the film doesn’t have much to add beyond that."

The latest chapter in the YRF Spy Universe was released on August 14, clashing with 

. NTR will also next be seen in Prashanth Neel's film. 

, recently announced that the film has begun its next schedule.

confirmed the title of Prashanth Neel’s next film. In an interview, promoting 

 the Malayalam actor reportedly noted that the film will be titled 

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 was recently seen celebrating his Padma Bhushan win and the Best Actor award at the Kerala State Film Awards on the sets of his new film 

. It is also being produced by his banner, Mammootty Kampany. In these pictures that were released online, you can see the star cutting a cake on the sets of the period movie. Its director, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, can be seen in the picture too, apart from the cast and crew of the film.  "

Cherishing happy moments from the sets of 

 achieving the prestigious Padma Bhushan," the caption read.

It is after 32 years that Mammootty and Adoor Gopalakrishnan are collaborating on a new film. Mammootty has collaborated with Adoor on three landmark films:

 (1994). The films are regarded as classics in non-mainstream Indian cinema, with 

 screening at the Venice Film Festival and 

 winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam and the Best Actor Award for Mammootty. 

The title and primary cast of the film were officially announced on January 23, 2026, at a traditional puja ceremony. Grace Antony replaced Nayanthara in the film as the female lead. The principal cast also includes Indrans, Sreeshma Chandran, and Zeenath AP. 

In December last year, Gopalakrishnan had confirmed that his next film would be with the star. He was speaking on the sidelines of a literary event organised in Kerala. He went on to add that he kept thinking of Mammootty as he worked on this script and said he couldn’t picture anyone else in that role. He also said that Mammootty had not only agreed to act in the movie but that he would also produce it under his production company, Mammootty Kampany. Gopalakrishnan’s last feature film release was Dileep-Kavya Madhavan’s 

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