entertainment
Akshay Kumar ends his box office dry spell with ‘Housefull 5’
After a string of underwhelming films and nearly four years in a slump, Akshay Kumar is finally back in form — thanks to the roaring success of Housefull 5. The comedy franchise’s latest installment has crossed the ₹100 crore milestone at the domestic box office since its release on June 6, offering a much-needed boost not only for the actor but also for the struggling Hindi film industry.
Kumar, who had earlier admitted to facing a period of “16 consecutive flops,” stayed committed to working hard despite the setbacks. At the trailer launch of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, he had remarked, “I stood there and kept on doing work. I'll still do that.”
That perseverance seems to have paid off. Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, Housefull 5 — made on an estimated ₹300 crore budget — has drawn audiences with its star-studded cast and dual endings (Housefull 5A and 5B). It features actors such as Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, and Sanjay Dutt, among others.
Promotional strategies played a key role in the film's reach. Media professionals were given BookMyShow coupons to attend the release day screening, while multiplexes like PVR INOX offered discounted tickets to lure audiences. In addition, fans could access the second version of the film at half price if they had already seen one.
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This marks Akshay Kumar’s third release of the year, following Kesari Chapter 2 and Sky Force — both of which fell short of turning a profit despite strong opening numbers. While Sky Force almost broke even with ₹149 crore earnings on a ₹150 crore budget, Kesari Chapter 2 collected around ₹120 crore.
Housefull 5 comes as a ray of hope for Kumar, whose recent outings like Samrat Prithviraj, Ram Setu, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan failed to impress at the box office. His appearances in films like OMG 2, Stree 2, and Singham Again were limited to cameos, while titles such as Atrangi Re and Cuttputlli were released directly on OTT platforms.
Speaking at the Sky Force trailer launch, Kumar reflected on his journey, acknowledging the tough phase but reaffirming his commitment to hard work. “People suggest I do one or two films a year, but if I can work, why not? That’s what my career has been built on,” he said.
If the current momentum holds, Housefull 5 may well mark a turning point for the actor — and reestablish his box office dominance.
Source: With inputs fron NDTV
6 months ago
Pritom Hasan embarks on major North America tour with 25 shows scheduled
Popular Bangladeshi singer, composer and music artist Pritom Hasan has embarked on an extensive North American tour, performing in 25 consecutive concerts across the United States and Canada over the next three months — marking the longest international concert series of his career.
The tour officially began on May 31 in Dallas, Texas. His second performance is scheduled for June 15 at the LaGuardia College Performing Arts Center in New York.
Titled ‘Pritom Hasan Live in New York Powered by River’, the show is being jointly organised by Deshi Music and Entertainment, Priyojon Films, and Toaster Production.
The final concert of the tour will be held in Buffalo on August 31, wrapping up a three-month musical journey. During this period, Pritom is set to perform in major cities including New Jersey, Los Angeles, Austin, Houston, Miami, Boston, Washington DC, Michigan, Atlanta, Seattle, San Jose, Portland, Toronto, Montreal, and Calgary, among others—focusing especially on cities with large Bangladeshi communities.
Adding to the excitement, his elder brother and fellow singer Protic Hasan will also join him on stage for select shows throughout the tour.
While Pritom is making waves abroad, back home his songs continue to dominate digital platforms and social circles. His latest track ‘Lichur Bagane’ from this Eid's most-anticipated film 'Taandob' is currently the most trending film song in the nation.
His other fan-favourite tracks are ‘Laage Ura Dhura’, ‘Chand Mama’, ‘Dewra’, ‘Ma Lo Ma’, ‘Local Bus’, ‘Beainshab', 'Shoroter Shesh Theke' and more.
The singer expressed hope that this tour will not only entertain Bangladeshi expatriates but also serve as a memorable milestone in his musical journey.
6 months ago
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Written Update for June 10: Abhira and Armaan Are Brought Together by Maira's Startling Absence
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai is one of Indian TV’s longest‑running family dramas, airing since 2009 on Star Plus and available on Disney and Hotstar. Created by Rajan Shahi under Director’s Kut, it's known for its evolving generational narrative. In the June 10 episode of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, a dramatic turn of events unfolds as Maira goes missing, leading to unexpected reunions and revelations.
The Fair Turns Chaotic
The episode begins at a bustling local fair where tensions rise among the characters. Krish's arrogance comes to the forefront as he mocks Kaveri by throwing money at her, earning a public scolding from Anshuman. This incident highlights the class divide and Krish's unchecked ego, drawing viewer empathy towards Kaveri and her dignified response.
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Maira's Shocking Disappearance
Amidst the festivities, Maira goes missing, causing panic among her family members. Armaan and Geetanjali frantically search for her, with tensions escalating between them. Geetanjali questions Armaan's ability to handle the situation, leading to a strained atmosphere. Meanwhile, Abhira, who is at the fair, becomes involved in the search efforts.
6 months ago
Ashfaque Nipun slams inaction against mob attacks as ‘Taandob’ screening suspended in Tangail
The screening of Raihan Rafi’s much-hyped Eid release ‘Taandob' was suspended in Kalihati upazila of Tangail following protests by local religious groups and growing security concerns. Expressing frustration on social media, prominent filmmaker Ashfaque Nipun condemned the incident and criticised the interim government’s failure to tackle mob-led disruptions.
“Recently, the screening of ‘Taandob' in Kalihati was halted due to threats from so-called ‘Touhidi Janata’, tourist centres in Sylhet were closed, yet the Chief Adviser of the interim government remains focused on the Chattogram Port,” Nipun recently wrote in a Facebook post.
“You respond swiftly to any threat to the port—when will we see such resolve against mob behaviour? Immediately reinstate ‘Taandob' screenings in Kalihati, make public places safe, and above all, stop the rise of mob dominance. As this couldn’t be done over the past 10 months, your primary responsibility over the next 10 months should be to ensure it,” Nipun wrote in the post.
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The film was being screened at the Zilla Parishad’s Community Centre-cum-Multipurpose Hall in the Auliabad area of Kalihati since Eid day. Local cultural organisers Kamruzzaman Saiful and Saju Mehdi arranged the screening by renting the venue for Tk 10,000 per day with official approval, paying in advance for five days.
The initiative faced resistance from a section of locals, and on Friday, a protest rally was held under the banner of the Parki Union Olama Parishad, where demonstrators demanded the screening be stopped, claiming it could disrupt nearby mosques, madrasas, and educational institutions.
Protesters also warned of potential “unsocial activities” centring the film’s screening, and they informed local media that they had submitted a written appeal to the administration requesting the film’s screening be halted.
Explaining the critical situation, one of the organisers of the screening Kamruzzaman Saiful told local media, “We were getting a good response from viewers, but started receiving threats from various sources. Due to increasing safety concerns, we had no choice but to suspend the screenings from Tuesday evening.”
Shakib Khan's 'Taandob' announced for Eid-ul-Adha 2025
The other organizer Saju Mehdi said, “We invested heavily on paying rent, repairing the AC, printing tickets, and appointing volunteers. Unfortunately from the beginning, a certain group opposed the initiative and even prevented us from putting up posters and obstructed our promotional work.”
Despite several mishaps and mob attacks in various screening places across the country since the Eid day, ‘Taandob’ has been dominating the screens as expected, courtesy of its strong storyline and Dhallywood megastar Shakib Khan’s majestic performances.
6 months ago
Aamir Khan recalls his height insecurity early in career
Bollywood star Aamir Khan is preparing for the release of his new film “Sitaare Zameen Par”, which will hit cinemas on June 20.
The trailer has drawn attention for a scene in which Aamir’s on-screen mother calls him a “tingu”, referencing his short height.
In a recent interview with Just Too Filmy, Aamir opened up about his insecurities early in his career, admitting he was once nervous about his stature.
“At the beginning of my career, I was very afraid. Amit ji was number one, and he was over six feet tall. Vinod ji, Shatrughan Sinha—all were very tall. So I was nervous, thinking choti height ke actor ki kuch daal galegi ki nahi galegi (whether a short actor like me would even stand a chance). I was very concerned about that. But as it turned out, it was fine,” he shared.
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When asked whether he is now more comfortable making light of himself—especially with the “tingu” remark in the film—Aamir responded, “Actually, Javed saab once said something about humour that I really agree with. He said a good sense of humour is not just for fun and games, but it actually comes in handy when you're going through difficulties in life.”
“So if you have a good sense of humour at that time, it's like a shock absorber. I think I’ve always had that ability, and it’s a very important part of the film."
Directed by RS Prasanna, “Sitaare Zameen Par” is a remake of the Spanish film “Campeones”. Aamir plays a basketball coach tasked with training a group of neurodivergent children as punishment.
The film features ten debutant actors, including Aroush Datta and Simran Mangeshkar.
6 months ago
Housefull 5 Box Office Day 4: Akshay Kumar’s comedy maintains momentum, crosses Rs 111 crore mark
Akshay Kumar’s latest release Housefull 5 continues its successful run at the box office. Released on June 6 and directed by Tarun Mansukhani, the comedy film has shown consistent performance, earning Rs 111.25 crore by its fourth day.
According to data from industry tracker Sacnilk, the film collected an additional Rs 10.75 crore on its fifth day (May 10), bringing its total to Rs 111.25 crore. It achieved the Rs 100 crore milestone within just four days of release.
On its first Tuesday, the movie recorded an overall Hindi occupancy rate of 20.66%. Night shows attracted the most viewers, with a 30.14% occupancy rate, followed by evening screenings at 22.65%, afternoon shows at 20.50%, and morning shows seeing the lowest turnout at 9.34%.
Star Cast
In addition to Akshay Kumar, Housefull 5 features an ensemble cast that includes Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Sonam Bajwa, and Soundarya Sharma.
Supporting roles are filled by several Bollywood veterans and familiar faces such as Chunky Panday, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Sanjay Dutt, Chitrangada Singh, Dino Morea, Shreyas Talpade, Johnny Lever, Fardeen Khan, Nikitin Dheer, and Ranjeet.
Plot Summary
The film follows a comedic murder mystery set aboard a yacht. The story kicks off with the killing of a 100-year-old billionaire, portrayed by Ranjeet, just before he is set to reveal his will. The plot thickens when three men, all named Jolly — Jalabuddin (Riteish Deshmukh), Julius (Akshay Kumar), and Jalbhushan (Abhishek Bachchan) — claim to be the rightful heir, each becoming a suspect.
Housefull 5 marks the fifth entry in the popular Housefull franchise, which began in 2010. The movie is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Warda Nadiadwala, and Firuzi Khan under the Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment banner.
Source NDTV
6 months ago
Housefull 5 Review: Akshay Kumar’s Comedy Thriller Hits Box Office Milestone
Amidst a season brimming with high-profile releases, ‘Housefull 5’ arrives as a fresh entry that promises laughter with a twist. Released on June 6, 2025, this Akshay Kumar-starring comedy thriller adds a new flavour to the well-known franchise. As audiences and critics turn their attention to its performance and reception, all eyes are on its impact. Let’s explore how the movie measures up in both entertainment and box office numbers.
A Premise with Two Different Prints
Set on a lavish cruise, the story kicks off with the mysterious murder of billionaire Ranjeet Dobriyal at the hands of a masked assailant. Chaos follows, staying true to the franchise’s signature blend of slapstick humour and comic confusion.
Police officers Bhidu and Baba dive into the investigation, while Julius joins forces with other passengers to uncover the truth. The suspense deepens with a twist- two alternate versions of the film, ‘Housefull 5A’ and ‘Housefull 5B’. Collectively, the story offers different killer reveals, leaving viewers guessing until the final frame.
Neat Humour but Slow-Paced Storyline
The movie kicks off with promise, striking a lively balance between comedy and suspense. In the first half, Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh shine through. Their timing, expressions, and witty one-liners carry the narrative with ease. Nostalgia is woven cleverly, recalling iconic bits like ‘Prada ka beta Gucci’ and even reviving the monkey from earlier instalments, much to fans’ delight.
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Adult humour finds its place too, handled with restraint and smart writing. The early segments remain crisp and engaging. But as the interval approaches, things begin to slip. The plot feels stretched. After the break, the grip loosens. Momentum fades as the screenplay struggles to manage the massive cast. The attempt to give each character a share of the spotlight leads to bloat, pushing the runtime to 165 minutes.
Despite all the effort, several characters end up feeling like fillers, appearing briefly with minimal impact. Just before the twist, the pace picks up again. The twist lands well, and Bobby Deol’s late appearance injects some freshness. A smart reveal involving Abhishek Bachchan adds to the intrigue.
The climax manages to be both unexpected and amusing. The franchise’s usual tone, fun beyond logic, remains intact, though this time a touch of logic joins the party. Still, the overstuffed cast and excessive length dilute the overall experience. If the pre-climax stretch had been tighter, the film could have truly lived up to the makers’ tall claims.
A Huge Star-Studded Cast in the Lead
With a staggering ensemble of 17 lead actors, ‘Housefull 5’ carries a weighty cast. Yet, it is Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff who leave the strongest impression. Both are offered well-crafted scenes and deliver them with seasoned flair. Akshay maintains his dominance with effortless humour, driven largely by his eccentric expressions. Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan also make their presence felt through sharp comic timing.
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The female leads – Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, and Jacqueline Fernandez – serve primarily as visual highlights. While they contribute a few amusing moments in the first half, their roles gradually fade as the narrative progresses. Their impact remains confined to their glamour appeal.
Among the supporting cast, Johnny Lever stands out as the sole performer with well-written scenes and effective punchlines. Others, including Fardeen Khan, Dino Morea, Shreyas Talpade, Nikitin Dheer, Chitrangada Singh, and Chunky Pandey, are largely under-utilised. Shreyas Talpade is nearly invisible. Fardeen Khan manages a few decent moments, though without lasting effect.
Nana Patekar’s cameo is a clear standout. His entry is impactful, commanding attention despite limited screen time. Even in a serious tone, he introduces a fresh layer of humour. Bobby Deol, appearing towards the end, adds an unexpected twist to close the character lineup.
Music, Screenplay, and Direction
Sajid Nadiadwala handles the story and screenplay, while Tarun Mansukhani takes charge of direction. Their collaboration shows strength in the first half, maintaining a light, engaging rhythm. However, the second half struggles with consistency.
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Balancing a murder mystery within a comic framework proves challenging. The narrative loses its grip as it tries to manage both genres.
Music, a trademark of the ‘Housefull’ series, falls short this time. Unlike past chart-toppers like ‘Aapka Kya Hoga (Dhanno)’ or, ‘Anarkali Disco Chali’ only ‘Laal Pari’ leaves a lasting impression. The remaining tracks are enjoyable but forgettable.
Box Office Earnings: Akshay’s Historical Achievement
Backed by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, ‘Housefull 5’ was made on a budget of Rs 225 crore. It opened with a robust global earning of Rs 37.25 crore, securing the third-highest opening for a Bollywood film in 2025. Over the first weekend, the film collected between Rs 130.50 crore and Rs 131.50 crore worldwide. The figure surpasses ‘Sooryavanshi’ (Rs 118 crore) to mark Akshay Kumar’s biggest weekend yet.
Within four days, the comedy thriller entered the Rs 100 crore club domestically. After drawing Rs 32.5 crore on Sunday, it maintained momentum with Rs 13.5 crore on Monday, taking the total India box office tally to Rs 101 crore.
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On the international front, the Indian film crossed the USD 1 million mark at the North American box office. This milestone marks Akshay’s 28th film to do so, further strengthening his overseas track record.
According to trade analyst Nishit Shaw, Akshay stands just behind Shah Rukh Khan in the million-dollar club rankings. While Shah Rukh leads with 32 films, Akshay holds second with 28, edging past Salman Khan, who has 25 films on the list.
Verdict
Akshay Kumar starrer ‘Housefull 5’ features two alternate versions, subtitled 5A and 5B. Though the film delivers neat humour, it suffers from a sluggish story pace. The amazing blend of comedy and thriller boasts a massive star-studded ensemble in this film. However, not all are meaningfully utilised. Despite narrative flaws, the Nadiadwala production has struck gold at the box office, crossing INR 100 crore domestically and USD 1 million in North America. Marking Akshay’s 28th entry in the million-dollar club, the movie stands as both a significant highlight in his career and a gem for Indian cinema.
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6 months ago
Amitabh Bachchan replies to troll who warned him about sleep
Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, known for his active presence on social media, continues to connect with fans by sharing thoughts on life, cinema, and more. Affectionately referring to his followers as his “extended family” (EF), the actor frequently posts reflections on X (formerly Twitter) and his personal blog.
On Monday, he tweeted:“T 5405 - Gadgets break .. Longevity lasts!!!”
While many appreciated the message, one user took a dig at the 82-year-old’s age, commenting:"Samay se so jaaya karo, varna lambi umar bhi nahi tikegi."(“Try to sleep on time, or even a long life won't last.”)
Responding with his trademark dignity and sharp wit, Bachchan replied:“Mere maran ki baat karne ke liye dhanyawad; Ishwar ki kripa.”(“Thank you for speaking of my death; God bless you!”)
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In another interaction referencing his iconic 1988 film Shahenshah, a fan joked:“Andheri raaton mein Shahenshah kyu jaag rahe ho... So jayiye ab, umar ho gayi aapko.”(“Why is Shahenshah awake in the dark of night? You should sleep, you're old now.”)
Bachchan responded, “Ek din tumhari bhi umr ho jayegi.. Ishwar ne chaha.”(“One day, you too will grow old… God willing.”)However, this tweet was later deleted, according to Times of India.
Just last month, the legendary actor expressed frustration over constant nitpicking of his online presence. In a blog post, he wrote:
“They tell me to change my signature, to not use dots, not draw curves... to wear this, not wear that... not go here or there... to not speak — and when I do, they ask why I did... When I don’t, they ask why I didn’t.”He concluded with a philosophical note, crediting his father, the late poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, for teaching him to live with quiet strength, like the sea:
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“I have learnt how to live life, from the seas and oceans; to flow quietly and to exist in your own ardor…”On the professional front, Amitabh Bachchan was last seen in Vettaiyan alongside Rajinikanth. He will next appear in the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, featuring Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Kamal Haasan.
6 months ago
New ‘Wonder Woman’ film in development, confirms DC’s James Gunn
A new Wonder Woman film is currently in the works, DC Studios co-chief James Gunn has confirmed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
“Being written right now,” Gunn said when asked about the iconic character’s return to the big screen.
The upcoming movie will mark a fresh start for the character, following Gal Gadot’s previous portrayals in Wonder Woman (2017), Justice League (2017), Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021), and a brief appearance in The Flash (2023).
However, with Gunn and co-chief Peter Safran overseeing a full reboot of the DC Universe, Gadot will not reprise the role.
According to Variety, alongside the film, an HBO Max series exploring Wonder Woman’s mythological homeland of Themyscira is also in development. “It’s slow moving, but it’s moving,” Gunn said of the series.
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The prospective Wonder Woman film is part of a broader slate of DC projects currently in development. The first film in the new DC Universe, Superman, written and directed by Gunn and starring David Corenswet, is set to premiere in July.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, is scheduled for release in June 2026 with Milly Alcock in the lead role.
Gunn also hinted at another Superman film. “But is it a straight-up Superman sequel?” he said. “I would not say necessarily.”
When asked about the possibility of a new Justice League, Gunn gave a brief but suggestive answer, “Sure.”
6 months ago
Judge dismisses Justin Baldoni's $400m lawsuit against 'It Ends With Us'
A judge on Monday dismissed the lawsuit that actor and director Justin Baldoni filed against his “It Ends With Us” costar Blake Lively after she sued him last year for sexual harassment and retaliation.
US District Court Judge Lewis Liman's decision is the latest development in the bitter legal battle surrounding the dark romantic film, reports AP.
Baldoni and production company Wayfarer Studios countersued in January for $400 million, accusing Lively and her husband, “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds, of defamation and extortion.
The New York judge ruled that Baldoni can’t sue Lively for defamation over claims she made in her legal claim, because allegations made in a lawsuit are exempt from libel claims. Liman also ruled that Baldoni's claims that Lively stole creative control of the film didn't count as extortion under California law.
The judge, however, said Baldoni could revise the lawsuit if he wanted to pursue different claims related to whether Lively breached or interfered with a contract. His legal team indicated it planned to do so.
“Ms Lively and her team’s predictable declaration of victory is false,” one of Baldoni's lawyers, Bryan Freedman, said in a statement.
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He said that Lively's claims that she was sexually harassed on the film set, and then subjected to a secret smear campaign intended to taint her reputation, were “no truer today than they were yesterday.”
“It Ends With Us,” an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2016 novel that begins as a romance but takes a dark turn into domestic violence, was released in August, exceeding box office expectations with a $50 million debut. But the movie’s release was shrouded by speculation over discord between Lively and Baldoni.
The judge also dismissed Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, which had reported on Lively's sexual harassment allegations.
“Today’s opinion is a total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit, including Ryan Reynolds, (publicist) Leslie Sloane and The New York Times," Lively's attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, said in a prepared statement.
The lawyers said they “look forward to the next round” of seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages.
6 months ago