 has been released, offering the first look at Nikhil Siddhartha in a warrior role. Directed by Bharat Krishnamachari, the Telugu-language historical action film places the actor at the centre of a story built around the Sengol, a sceptre associated with royal authority and justice.

The teaser was screened in 3D for a limited audience before its digital launch. It introduces Nikhil as a battle-hardened guardian tasked with protecting the Sengol. The narrative sets up a conflict between rival kingdoms seeking control of the sacred emblem. When the Sengol is seized by enemies, large-scale war follows.

'Swayambhu' Teaser Unveils Nikhil Siddhartha as Warrior Guardian in Telugu Historical Epic

, Anurag Kashyap reveals that the lukewarm reception to some of his recent work — particularly his action-drama 

 — led him into a period of self-reflection. While the two-part film drew mixed reviews from critics, many associated the film with Kashyap’s 

, although he has been clear that the film was meant to break that cycle rather than repeat it.

In a moment of vulnerability, he shares, “I spoke to my partner. I said, ‘Am I becoming irrelevant and I'm not realizing it?

 You know, because my voice can't carry.” 

For Kashyap, part of that gut-check came from seeing people still frame everything he does in relation to a film he made over a decade ago. “I said, ‘Why do people think it's 

, it's a family story’,” he says, pushing back on comparisons being made by audiences and critics alike. “You have all these questions in your head. And you try to figure out the answers.” As he reflected, he realised how long “the shadow” of 

That weight of expectation, shaped by the film’s cult status, has followed Kashyap into every new project, framing audience perception long before its release. 

However, instead of chasing box-office metrics or repeating past formulas, Kashyap stresses he wants creative freedom. “If you ask me what stage I’m at, I only want to make what I want to make. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll find alternatives.” 

He rejects the idea of competing for commercial accolades: “I did not come to make films to compete in this market of ‘who’s the most successful filmmaker’. I came here to make films, and I’ll make films.” And he’s ready to make sacrifices, as long as he can create on his own terms. “I’m ready to face the consequences… I’ll go back to my indie days,” he asserts.

a neo-noir crime-thriller starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, is set to release on ZEE5 on February 20, 2026.

Watch the full conversation with the filmmaker-actor on The Hollywood Reporter India's YouTube channel, dropping later today

Exclusive | Anurag Kashyap on On Doubting His Voice After ‘Nishaanchi’: ‘Am I Becoming Irrelevant?’


Telugu star Allu Arjun recently dismissed the claims made by a brand manager in a recent podcast as baseless. In a podcast, brand manager Kaveri Baruah explained the many rules one has to follow to meet the actor. The video has since gone viral. In a statement, Allu Arjun's team dismissed Baruah's comments as baseless. In the video, she added that there were about 42 rules to meet the star, including "

don’t look into sir’s eyes," and "don’t shake his hands."

“Certain recent comments made about Mr. Allu Arjun are completely baseless and untrue. He has always conducted himself with the utmost dignity and honour. We take these false allegations seriously. Our legal team is initiating defamation proceedings against those responsible. We request everyone to refrain from spreading unverified information," a statement from Allu Arjun's team read. 

, will be seen in a bunch of interesting projects in the next few years. 

In a fabulous collision of worlds, Tamil filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj will direct the Telugu star's next film. The announcement was made on January 14, marking the occasion of Pongal. "SAY 23 Goin on a spree  Low-Key G Locked in mentally That’s a guarantee ! Excited about the new journey with the Maverick

  garu," wrote Allu Arjun on X, along with a small announcement video.

The video, which features a brief animated sequence of lions and wolves, lets us know of the key crew behind the film. The upcoming movie will start shooting this year, and will have music by Lokesh Kanagaraj's frequent collaborator Anirudh Ravichander. The film will be produced by Naveen Yerneni and V Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers. The actor is also working with Tamil filmmaker Atlee. Touted to be a sci-fi actioner, the film also co-stars Deepika Padukone. 

Allu Arjun Dismisses The Viral '42 Rules' List As Baseless; Begins Legal Action

Netflix India has informed the Delhi High Court that it will change the title of its upcoming Manoj Bajpayee-starrer 

, following a petition seeking a stay on the film’s release over its allegedly “offensive” and “defamatory” title.

The development comes days after the teaser of the Neeraj Pandey-backed thriller was unveiled at a Netflix event, triggering backlash from a section of viewers who claimed the title was derogatory to the Brahmin community. A Mumbai-based lawyer subsequently issued a legal notice to the makers and the streamer, while a separate petition was filed before the Delhi High Court.

“The producer has taken a conscious decision in light of the concern that has arisen to change the title of the film from ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ to an alternate title which more accurately reflects the film’s narrative and intent,” the court recorded in the order, according to a news report in 

Netflix’s senior counsel told the court that the project, currently in the editing stage, is a fictional police drama and that the original title had led to “unintended interruptions” that did not align with the film’s content. The streamer also informed the bench that all promotional material bearing the earlier title had been taken down.

In view of the submission, the court closed the proceedings, observing that “nothing more was required to be adjudicated.”

The petitioner had sought a stay on the release and streaming of the film and requested directions to the Centre to initiate action against the OTT platform.

Billed as a gritty thriller, the film also stars Nushrat Bharuccha, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi, Divya Dutta and Shraddha Das. Ghooskhor Pandat is directed by Ritesh Shah, who has also written it with Pandey.

In a statement issued amid the controversy, Pandey had said that the film is a fictional cop drama and that “Pandat” was used as a colloquial name for a character, not as a reference to any caste, religion or community. “The story focuses on an individual’s actions and choices and does not comment on or represent any caste, religion, or community,” he had said, adding that the film was made with “sincere intent” and a sense of responsibility.

‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ Row: Netflix to Change Title of Manoj Bajpayee Film

Even before its trailer has been released, 

has become one of the most aggressively positioned Indian films in the international market. The Yash-led project has now secured a record overseas distribution deal, with Phars Film acquiring the international rights to the film’s Indian-language versions for an advance of ₹105 crore, sources close to the development confirm.

’s Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam versions. Notably, the English-language version of the film is excluded from the deal, underlining the scale of overseas demand for the film’s Indian-language releases alone.

Phars Film, one of the most dominant distributors in overseas territories, will handle the film’s release across major international markets. The deal is being described as one of the highest-ever overseas acquisitions for an Indian film on a commission basis, reflecting strong confidence from exhibitors and distributors despite the film still being in early promotional stages.

The overseas agreement follows another significant pre-release milestone for 

. Earlier this year, the film became the first non-Telugu production to secure a ₹120 crore distribution deal in the Andhra Pradesh–Telangana market, acquired by Sri Venkateswara Creations. That deal marked a rare crossover for a Kannada-led project in one of India’s most competitive theatrical territories.

Industry observers point to Yash’s track record as a key factor driving distributor confidence. His previous release, 

, delivered historic box office results globally, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film in the GCC region and performing strongly across North America, Australia and Europe.

 is being positioned for one of the widest international rollouts ever planned for an Indian film, with releases scheduled across most global territories, excluding Nepal, Japan and China. The film is written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Mohandas, and has been shot simultaneously in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in multiple Indian languages.

 features cinematography by Rajeev Ravi, music by Ravi Basrur and editing by Ujwal Kulkarni. 

Venkat K Narayana of KVN Productions said 

was conceived with a global audience in mind and needed a distribution partner with proven international strength. “Toxic has been envisioned as a film that speaks a universal cinematic language, and for a vision of this scale, we needed a partner with extraordinary global strength and credibility,” he said. “Phars Films has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled ability to position Indian cinema across international markets, and we are proud to join hands with them for what is truly a landmark overseas distribution deal. With their expansive reach and strategic expertise, we are confident the film will open worldwide with the scale, impact, and momentum it deserves, setting new benchmarks for global releases from Indian cinema,” he added.

The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 19 March 2026, coinciding with Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa and clashing with the marquee Hindi release 

Exclusive | Yash's 'Toxic' Locks Record-Breaking ₹105 Crore Overseas Deal with Phars Film

The Producers Guild of India has held two closed-door meetings in the wake of Excel Entertainment approaching the body, claiming that actor Ranveer Singh's last-minute exit from 

resulted in losses of approximately ₹40 crore. The film was being directed by Farhan Akhtar, who was also producing it with Ritesh Sidhwani.

, the first meeting was held to understand the issue and what happens to a producer when a film in which investments have gone and pre-production is underway, doesn't materialise. Sajid Nadiadwala, among senior producers, was present during the discussion.

On February 7, a detailed meeting was held where Aamir Khan, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Ramesh Taurani and Kumar Taurani, among other key industry stakeholders, were present. 

has independently verified that a meeting of such nature did take place.

According to the report, Singh blamed Excel Entertainment for "unprofessionalism" and not being serious about taking 

on floors as Akhtar focused on other commitments, including acting. 

The actor claimed that Akhtar neither had a bound script nor was open to feedback. The report further claimed that Singh alleged the makers of exploring the possibility of getting Hrithik Roshan on board and only "re-approached him after the success of 

Akhtar, then, also reportedly presented documentation to counter claims about script dissatisfaction, stating that Singh "never flagged any script issues" and was not only eager to be the third generation of 

after Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan but was also approving the script at regular intervals.

"Excel Entertainment informed the Guild that Ranveer’s exit resulted in losses of approximately Rs. 40 crore, despite the producers agreeing to several of his demands. Farhan and Ritesh are now firm on seeking reimbursement and have urged producers’ bodies to frame resolutions against what they describe as unreasonable star demands," the report claimed.

'Don 3' Fallout: Producers Guild of India Holds Meeting After Farhan Akhtar-Ritesh Sidhwani Lock Horns With Ranveer Singh Over Losses

Ahead of the release of his upcoming film, 

 to speak about what lies ahead for him, both professionally and personally. The filmmaker, who has spent the last few years juggling multiple roles, says he is in need of a break—although he continues to write, hinting at projects in the pipeline for 2026.

For starters, Kashyap has been busy in front of the camera. “Right now I’ve finished acting in three films,” he says, adding that while one Hindi project is already wrapped, he still needs to complete work on a Tamil film. For the moment, acting has taken precedence, although his directorial plans remain in development.

Once this phase wraps up, however, Kashyap says his focus will shift inward. “Once the first phase of acting is over, then the first priority is [my] health,” he says. After years of relentless output, the filmmaker admits to needing a proper reset. He explains that he intends to step away from active work for some time, to take a pause. “I need to take time off to fully reset myself, physically and mentally, and read books and spend time with myself to figure out what I want to do.”

Despite this planned break, Kashyap continues to write. He says he has completed several scripts and does not intend to stop working on new material. "I have two scripts written," he shares, adding that the projects are ready to move forward, though the next step involves locking dates with the talent. Kashyap hints that these projects will involve collaborations with actors who are currently busy with various commitments.

If dates fall into place, the filmmaker says both projects could move into production soon. He is “hopefully” aiming to take both films on floors this year, with the intention of shooting them within this year itself.

is a neo-noir crime-thriller starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone. The film premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, and is set to release on ZEE5 on 20 February 2026.

Exclusive | Anurag Kashyap Has 'Two Scripts Ready' After 'Kennedy' Release, Hopes To Shoot Both in 2026

Ending a month-long legal stalemate, the makers of Vijay’s 

 have withdrawn their petition before the Madras High Court challenging the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) decision to refer the film to a revising committee. 

The withdrawal clears the way for the CBFC’s revising committee to examine the film and determine whether it will be granted an Adult (A), Unrestricted Public Exhibition (U), or Unrestricted Exhibition with Parental Guidance (U/A) certificate. On February 10, Justice PT Asha of the Madras High Court heard the case and permitted the withdrawal of the petition, Bar and Bench reported. A February release of the film can thus be foreseen following the dissolution of the legal deadlock. 

The development follows an earlier ruling by a Division Bench of the Madras High Court that set aside a single-judge order directing the CBFC to immediately grant censor clearance to the film. 

 became embroiled in a legal dispute after the CBFC delayed issuing a certificate, with the film missing its Pongal release date. The producers claimed that the examining committee had indicated the film would receive a U/A certificate subject to certain modifications. However, the certificate was not issued, and the film was instead referred to a revising committee, prompting the producers to approach the court.

The CBFC informed the High Court that the decision to send the film for revision was taken following a complaint from a single member of the examining committee. The complaint alleged that some objections had been ignored and that certain scenes in the film could potentially hurt religious sentiments and misrepresent the armed forces.

Prior to the High Court proceedings, the makers of Jana Nayagan had approached the Supreme Court seeking urgent intervention. The apex court declined to grant an expedited hearing and advised the producers to pursue the matter before the Madras High Court.

 in Hindi—is positioned as Vijay’s final film before his transition into full-time politics. The big-budget political thriller also features Bobby Deol, Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju and Priyamani, and is among the most anticipated releases of 2026.

‘Jana Nayagan’ Row: Makers Withdraw Petition Against CBFC, Revising Committee to Certify Vijay-Starrer 

Actor Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, known for roles in 

, will be seen in a special appearance in 

 in the lead roles. The upcoming film is directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra. Dia Mirza and Tillotama Shome round out the cast.

centres on a celebrated, reputedly incorruptible lawyer who is compelled to defend a murder accused — the same individual whose career he had earlier helped dismantle. “The brief is not just professionally humiliating but existentially dangerous: if he loses, he risks forfeiting everything he holds dear,” a synopsis reads. The narrative revolves around legal dilemmas, power dynamics and personal upheavals.

, has built a short but varied body of work. Speaking about joining the cast of 

, she said, “I was already shooting for another project when Siddharth P. Malhotra came and narrated the story to me, and I was instantly hooked. I personally love thrillers; it’s a genre I genuinely enjoy watching so being a part of something like this really excited me.”

On collaborating with Malhotra, who last helmed the period legal drama 

(2024), she shared, “Siddharth’s vision and the way he narrated the script made it even more exciting; he was extremely clear about the world he wanted to create, and that clarity really stayed with me. On top of that, having my name associated with such a powerful cast felt absolutely perfect; it’s the kind of opportunity you don’t overthink. The plot is under wraps right now, so I can’t reveal much, but I can say that while it’s a small role, it is definitely central to the storyline. That made it even more exciting for me to be a part of the film.”

Kapoor is also awaiting the streaming release of 

Exclusive | Akansha Ranjan Kapoor To Feature in Sunny Deol, Akshaye Khanna-led Legal Drama ‘Ikka’

, have alleged non-payment of dues running into the high tens of lakhs since 2023, 

has learnt. The film was directed by the filmmaker's daughter, Krishna Bhatt, and written by Mahesh Bhatt, with Avika Gor and Rahul Dev leading the cast.

include the film’s casting director, Parag Chadha; the parent of child actor Ketaki Kulkarni; and other crew members, all of whom allege prolonged delays, incomplete payments, and a lack of response from the production despite repeated follow-ups. 

Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari, were allegedly involved in a ₹30 crore fraud case and were arrested in Mumbai in December last year.  

Casting Director Alleges Full Non-Payment

Casting director Parag Chadha, who handled casting for the entire film, alleges that 100 percent of his fees remain unpaid, despite his work being completed by the end of 2022.

"As an independent professional, I was hesitant to go public because it directly affects your livelihood. But after waiting patiently for over three years and receiving repeated assurances that were not honoured, I felt people needed to know," Chadha told 

days after he posted about the nonpayment on Instagram.

According to Chadha, the film was released theatrically on June 23, 2023, following which he continued to follow up with the production. He claims he was repeatedly redirected to different representatives handling finances, given payment dates that were not met, and eventually received no response at all.

reached out to Krishna Bhatt for comment, but received no response at the time of filing.

“I have email confirmations acknowledging my dues,” he added. “Despite that, no payment was made. I’ve written this money off as bad debt. Speaking out is not about recovering it, it’s about awareness," the casting director said.

Chadha further alleged that payment-related issues were not limited to his role alone. “There were actors in this film earning as little as ₹6,000 a day. Some of them did not receive their full dues. I was contacted by multiple actors who said they were still waiting to be paid, either in part or in full.”

Vishwas Kulkarni, whose daughter acted in the film, also alleged partial payment and prolonged uncertainty. “The total amount due was ₹2.6 lakh,” Kulkarni said. “Only ₹1.5 lakh was paid after repeated reminders.”

According to Kulkarni, his daughter Ketaki Kulkarni, who was 16–17 years old at the time, worked on the film for 26 days at an agreed rate of ₹10,000 per day.

“Initially, ₹50,000 was paid. After a lot of struggle, another ₹1 lakh was paid after the shoot was completed. The remaining amount was promised but never paid,” he claimed.

Kulkarni added that the family was repeatedly told the balance would be cleared after the film’s release or after another project under the same banner was completed. “Eventually, even those replies stopped. Now there is no response at all,” he said.

Kulkarni said they considered approaching CINTAA (Cine and TV Artistes Association) but decided against it due to fear of repercussions. “My daughter was at the very beginning of her career. She felt that complaining against a big name could lead to her being blacklisted,” he said. 

“Her performance was praised by Vikram Bhatt, Krishna Bhatt and Mahesh Bhatt. But the payment issue was never resolved. This was her first film experience, and it turned out to be extremely distressing," Kulkarni added.

Vendors Also Awaiting Payments, Sources Claim

According to additional sources familiar with the production, vendors associated with the film are also allegedly awaiting payments. A crew member 

spoke to alleged that payments to several individuals on the film—including members of the production and direction teams as well as vendors—were delayed for months. 

According to the source, some crew members were eventually able to recover their pending dues by approaching industry associations through personal networks.

“I worked on the project for a few months but was not paid for the last month,” the crew member said. “We were told the payment would be cleared after the OTT release, but later informed that there was no cash flow. I needed the money during Deepavali, but nothing came my way.”

The source further alleged that when additional patchwork was shot several months later, some members of the original team were not contacted, possibly to avoid renewed discussions around pending payments. 

“There is no hope now,” the crew member added.

 allege that incomplete payments were widespread. “From what we understand, not many have received their full amount,” Kulkarni said. “This was not a case of the film not earning money. It did some ₹17 to 18 crore at the box office and then it was released on OTT. Payments should have been cleared from that.”

Chadha echoed similar concerns, adding that prolonged silence and lack of closure were as damaging as the financial loss itself. “As freelancers, we don’t have institutional safeguards,” he said. “Eventually, people either give up or stay silent out of fear."

Exclusive | Actors, Crew Allege Unpaid Dues on Vikram Bhatt’s '1920: Horrors of the Heart' Since 2023: 'No Hope Now'

will be re-released on February 13 to mark Valentine's Day. The 2002 film, directed by Ameer, marked the starring debut of Trisha. Ahead of the re-release, Suriya recreated an iconic dialogue from the film in a video message for fans on social media.

"I've seen these dialogues be recreated in several reels, WhatsApp status and shorts. A lot of people still call this 20-year-old film their favourite. This was director Ameer's first film, and I'd call it one of my best ones. We had Trisha, Laila, and Neha as the heroines, but it was a love story with not even a single hug. Yuvan Shankar Raja's album is one of my favourites. A whole generation might not have seen this film, so when we release it after 23 years, I'm looking forward to seeing you all. I want to watch at least one show with you all. I'm sure it will be a nice, sweet watch. See you soon in theatres," Suriya said in the video. 

, theatres will also welcome the re-release of Madhavan and Reema Sen's hit romance 

 (2001). Directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, the film also co-starred Abbas and was remade in Hindi with Dia Mirza as the popular 

 (2001). The Tamil film also marked its 25th anniversary earlier this month, also marking Menon's 25th year in cinema. 

It is being shot by GK Vishnu, who was the cinematographer behind films such as 

 is written by Ashwin Ravichandran, Rahul Raj, T. S. Gopi Krishnan and Karan Aravind Kumar and produced by Dream Warrior Pictures. Apart from Suriya and Trisha Krishnan, the film features actors Swasika, Indrans, Yogi Babu, Sshivada, Natty Subramaniam and Supreeth Reddy.

'Mounam Pesiyadhey' To Be Re-Released On February 13; Suriya Recreates Dialogue From The film

 and Aamir Khan is finally gearing up for a theatrical outing. Period drama 

headlined by Deol, has locked August 13 as its release date, landing squarely in the Independence Day weekend, a strategic window given the film’s Partition-era backdrop.

Backed by Aamir Khan Productions, the film is directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, who has previously helmed blockbusters with Deol with films like 

(1996). The film also marks Santoshi's reunion with Khan after their cult comedy 

features an ensemble cast including Shabana Azmi, Preity G. Zinta, Abhimanyu Singh, Karan Deol and Ali Fazal. The film's music is by AR Rahman with lyrics by Javed Akhtar. The technical team is equally formidable with Santosh Sivan ( cinematography) and Resul Pookutty (sound design) on board.

The film went on floors in 2024, with its timeline seeing multiple scheduling recalibrations before finally settling on a 2026 release. 

was initially targeting a January 26, 2025 release but was pushed due to post=production work.

 arrives amid a renewed career high. His 2023 blockbuster 

crossed the ₹500 crore mark and stamped his historic comeback. He followed it up with the actioner 

Directed by Anurag Singh and also starring  Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, the film opened to generally favorable reviews and had an impressive box-office performance, netting over ₹300 crore so far. Deol will also be seen this year in the Netflix film 

The legal thriller also stars Akshaye Khanna. While a release date for the film hasn't been revealed yet, 

 follows a celebrated, incorruptible lawyer who is coerced into defending a murder accused—the very man whose career he once destroyed.

Sunny Deol's 'Lahore 1947', Backed by Aamir Khan, Sets Independence Day Weekend Release

Before Karan Johar became a household name, he was a young assistant director finding his footing on Hindi film sets—learning the ins and outs of cinema, constantly problem-solving. It’s those formative years that have made him the filmmaker he is today. In conversation with 

, Johar shares an anecdote from the sets of 

, where a last-minute costume crisis during the filming of 

 led him straight into the wrath of the legendary choreographer, Saroj Khan.

The crisis began with a demand for scarves for background dancers, at the eleventh hour. “Red cloth... they wanted that. This was a demand given at the last minute,” he explains. “Now, we only had so much cloth that I found,” he adds. With more dancers than fabric, Johar attempted what he describes as a “clever” fix. “I, to save the situation, went to Jojo, Saroj ji’s assistant, and very cleverly said, you know, Jojo, I think 

unko bolo, apna ek haath pocket mein rakho

 (tell them to keep one hand in their pockets), stylish 

 (it will look cool, it will look stylish). Because I didn’t have any more cloth,” he laughs.

For a brief moment, his “solution’ worked—until Khan arrived.

The choreographer was quick to notice that something was amiss. Once she clued into who was responsible, she reprimanded Johar in front of everyone on-set. “She literally pushed me,” he recalls, in equal parts fear and admiration. “She said, 

‘Tu jahaan jaana chaahe, ja, Goregaon ja, laal kapda la, warna main shoot nahi karungi 

(go wherever you need to go, go to Goregaon, bring the red cloth, otherwise I will not shoot)’.”

What ensued after, he says, is pure chaos. “I still remember the visual of us running on the streets of Goregaon saying, ‘

 (Red cloth! Red cloth!)’” Panic set in. “I was scared for my life,” he laughs. “I was traumatised, traumatised, you know, and she was really scary. Like, she was the best,” he continues, candidly, “She somehow did not like me. She never liked me."

Johar adds that despite being new to sets, he was prone to giving his two cents on costume design, even in the presence of veterans on-set, much to their annoyance. However, he says, this was often a result of his love for fashion, and his pulse on trends. It is no wonder, then, that style is now such an inextricable part of his filmography. As he puts it himself: “Can you imagine, I’m a filmmaker, and I have so many costume stories?”

When Karan Johar Faced Saroj Khan's Fury On 'DDLJ' Sets: 'I Was Scared For My Life'

For Karan Johar, costume is never an afterthought. Often, it is instinct—a fully formed idea, long before the script has taken shape. To him, how a character dresses themselves is integral to who they are, and that vision has produced some of Hindi cinema’s most memorable fashion moments. In a conversation with 

, the filmmaker shares the idea behind some of his most memorable looks.

. Long before the script was finalised, Johar knew exactly how Rani would dress. “It’s just a feeling I had,” he says, tracing the character’s look to real-life journalist Poonam Saxena, who co-wrote Johar’s biography, 

. “I used to see that she was hip, and stylish, but always in a saree. She was my inspiration,” says Johar. “I thought [someone like] Rani Chatterjee would only wear sarees,” he adds. Once the film released, Rani’s wardrobe—conceptualised by Manish Malhotra—became a cultural moment, with her sarees taking the country by storm. When the film’s costumes were later auctioned, they sold out almost immediately, proof of how deeply her looks resonated with audiences.

Sometimes, Johar says, “You see the character in your head.” This was true for yet another one of his most iconic films, 

, for which his costume designer, Malhotra, travelled across the country.

“I always wanted the Raichands to look regal and rich,” Johar recalls. “The Jamawar shawls were something that was intrinsically a part of the writing as well,” he says, referring to the rich, heavy shawls worn by Amitabh Bacchan’s character, Yashvardhan Raichand. 

The idea for the Jamawar shawls, now synonymous with the character, were a crucial detail, signifying generational wealth. There were no compromises on the look; the shawls had to be authentic. So, Malhotra, the costume designer for the film, scoured the country to realise the filmmaker’s vision. “Manish went all out, he really went all over the country [for those shawls],” says Johar. With a smile, he adds: “I always imagined that Yashvardhan Raichand would look like this.”

From ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ to ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’: The Costumes That Define Karan Johar’s Characters

This week's slate has range: from the blistering world of Vishal Bhardwaj to the intense yearning of 

, we have thrillers, family-entertainers, and everything in between. Vishal Bhardwaj marks his fourth union with Shahid Kapoor in the intense romance, 

,  while Bejoy Nambiar brings us an Indian take on the 'creature-feature' in 

. If you're spending Valentine's weekend at home, tune in to Netflix for season 2 of 

which is sure to have you on the edge of your seat.

Here's what to watch in theatres and on OTT this week.

 follows a Mumbai gangster, played by Shahid Kapoor, as he falls deeply in love with a mysterious woman, played by Triptii Dimri, who hires him to take down a big-shot gangster. This power-packed film also includes Avinash Tiwary, Nana Patekar, Farida Jalal, Tamannah Bhatia, Disha Patani, as well as Vikrant Massey in a special appearance. The film marks a fourth collaboration between Kapoor and Bhardwaj, following 

An official adaptation of the 2018 Thai film, 

, this ‘creature-feature’ seamlessly blends the romance and thriller genres. The story follows the meeting of two influencers—Miss Vanity, played by Shanaya Kapoor, and Maruti, played by Adarsh Gourav—who find themselves in the midst of treacherous waters, fighting to escape the jaws of a crocodile.

 is set to be a romantic entertainer. The film stars Vishwak Sen, who plays a naive, aspiring filmmaker, and Kayadu Lohar, who steps in as a producer to help make his dreams come true. The leading pair’s chemistry, along with the filmmaker’s signature humour, makes the film a light-hearted Valentine’s Day watch.

This satirical social drama, directed by Raju Murugan, starring Sasikumar and Chaithra J Achar, follows a man whose identity has been erased from all public records. Following Sasikumar’s success in the 2025 film 

, expectations are high for his performance in 

, which marks Rajesh Madhavan’s directorial debut, premiered at the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) to positive reception. With equal parts humour and compassion, the film follows the story of three villagers pushed to the margins, who fight to take back control of their lives.

Director Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel, 

is one of Hollywood's most anticipated releases this year. Starring Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw, and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliffe, this gothic romance follows their ill-fated love story, marked by supernatural undertones, and set to a distinct soundtrack by Charli XCX.

Following a hard-hitting first season, the Punjabi noir is back with its second. This time, Amarpal Garundi (played by Barun Sobti), is transferred from his hometown to Dalerpura, where he butts heads with Dhanwant Kaur, played by Mona Singh, as they investigate a murder. As the story unravels, Garundi is forced to contend with the darkness within.

What to Watch This Week: ‘O’Romeo’, ‘Tu Yaa Main’, and ‘Kohrra’

A case filed against Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and producer 

Perumbavoor has been quashed by the Kozhikode Additional Fifth Sessions Court. A report in 

 states that the court dismissed a criminal revision petition filed by K A Devarajan, who had accused the two of cheating in connection with a proposed film titled 

Perumbavoor had taken ₹30 lakh from him in 2007 towards the making of the film, which eventually never materialised. Devarajan was also expected to direct the project. The court ruled that the petition did not hold merit and quashed the case. Although Devarajan passed away early last year, the proceedings continued until the court’s final decision. Neither Mohanlal nor 

Perumbavoor has commented publicly on the case.

Meanwhile, attention has also turned to Mohanlal’s upcoming film 

, which has reportedly been sold for a “shocking price.” Director Jeethu Joseph made the revelation on the sidelines of promotional activities for his recent release 

. He stated that Panorama Pictures, which holds the Hindi remake rights, has now acquired the Malayalam version of 

“Instead of just the remake rights, they decided to buy the entire Malayalam film outright. When they contacted us, they first spoke to 

Perumbavoor (of Aashirwad Cinemas). He later told me that Panorama had come forward with a price that was truly shocking,” Jeethu Joseph said.

Reports suggest that the acquisition ranks among the highest deals in the Malayalam film industry. The film completed shooting in Kerala on December 2. Producer M Ranjith, who backed Mohanlal’s earlier hit 

, stated at a public event that the pre-sale figures for 

 have reportedly closed at around ₹350 crore.

 wrapped filming last month and is currently in post-production.

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