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The producer also remarked, “After Sholay, I can’t recall another film that has achieved this level of success.” Starring Ranveer Singh in the lead, Dhurandhar released in theatres on December 5, 2025, and went on to dominate the box office, shattering several records. The film’s producer, Jyoti Deshpande, has now shared her thoughts on its extraordinary performance. What the Dhurandhar producer said In an interview with Fortune India, Jyoti Deshpande said, “This isn’t just a victory for the makers; it equally belongs to the audience. It has been many decades since a film has captured the collective imagination of moviegoers like this. People turned it into a blockbuster by watching it repeatedly and spreading the word. The film has been running in theatres for over 60 days.” Drawing parallels with the legendary Sholay, she added, “After Sholay, I can’t think of any film that has been this successful. As filmmakers, there is no greater recognition than this. It’s not something you can plan or buy with marketing budgets—money alone can’t create this kind of impact.” Talking about Dhurandhar 2, scheduled for a March 19 theatrical release, she said, “If the first part hadn’t worked, the sequel would have remained shelved. But we were confident the first film would succeed, and we put that belief out into the world. We’re thrilled that audiences embraced it.” She further shared, “We truly believe Dhurandhar 2 will surpass the first film. It will be released in five languages.” Music rights of "Dhurandhar 2" shift from Saregama to T-Series Reflecting on the film’s unprecedented reach, Jyoti noted, “The success of Dhurandhar 1 in just one language has been extraordinary. It has outperformed South Indian films, and even for the Hindi version, the contribution from southern states is three times higher than that of another successful Hindi film. It is also the most-watched film in Pakistan. Several respected industry figures have told me that there’s a ‘before Dhurandhar’ and an ‘after Dhurandhar’—that we’ve changed the grammar of storytelling.” Meanwhile, the recently released teaser of Dhurandhar 2 has sparked massive excitement among cinema audiences. NDTV source

Martin Scorsese’s legendary New York thriller ‘Taxi Driver’ turns 50 this week, yet its most powerful moment may not be the one everyone remembers. The film, released in US cinemas on February 8, 1976, is widely known for Robert De Niro’s famous line, “Are you talking to me?” as he stares into a mirror. De Niro plays Travis Bickle, an ex-marine turned cab-driver slowly unraveling in the gritty, chaotic streets of 1970s New York. But behind the iconic mirror scene lies another quieter, more heartbreaking moment that truly defines the film’s emotional core. This key scene comes early in the film when Travis calls Betsy from a payphone after upsetting her with a disastrous date. He pleads for a second chance, but she refuses. Instead of focusing on his heartbreak in a typical dramatic way, Scorsese’s camera slowly pulls away, leaving Travis behind in a grim, empty corridor that opens onto the dark, bustling city. The shot captures the raw loneliness and rejection Travis experiences, letting audiences feel his isolation without needing words. Screenwriter Paul Schrader recalls how Scorsese improvised this approach on set. “It was so painful to watch him that Marty decided the camera should just move away,” Schrader told the BBC. “It lets Travis keep a bit of dignity, something the world rarely gives him.” Scorsese later told Stephen Colbert that this corridor scene shaped the entire visual style of ‘Taxi Driver’. Its European-inspired approach  reminiscent of Jean-Luc Godard and Agnès Varda contrasts with the film’s later violent bravado, offering a tender look at Travis’s vulnerability. Dilwale Dulhania at 30: Mandir’s timeless romance with SRK-Kajol classic Film historian Mark Cousins explains, “That tracking shot isn’t just about Travis’s loneliness, it’s about ours. In that moment, he’s not threatening but achingly human, and the camera’s refusal to intrude lets us share that pain.” While the mirror scene may be more famous, the corridor sequence quietly captures the universal feeling of isolation at the heart of ‘Taxi Driver’. Half a century later, Scorsese’s masterpiece remains both a cultural icon and a deeply human story of loneliness, rejection, and longing in a city that never sleeps.   With inputs from BBC

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has announced that his upcoming horror-comedy film Bhooth Bangla will now be released in theatres on April 10, 2026, advancing its earlier release date. Akshay shared the update on Instagram on Saturday, posting a short announcement teaser and confirming the new release date. The film was earlier scheduled to hit cinemas on May 15. Bhooth Bangla marks the reunion of Akshay Kumar with filmmaker Priyadarshan after 14 years. The duo last worked together in Khatta Meetha in 2010 and have previously delivered several popular comedies, including Hera Pheri, Garam Masala, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Bhagam Bhag. Besides Akshay Kumar, the film stars Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, Tabu and Rajpal Yadav. The cast also includes veteran actor Asrani, who passed away recently. The film is presented by Balaji Motion Pictures, a unit of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with Cape of Good Films. It is produced by Akshay Kumar along with Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor. Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan are also set to collaborate on two more projects, including Haiwaan, which will feature Saif Ali Khan, and the third instalment of the Hera Pheri franchise.   With inputs from NDTV

Sunny Deol’s Border 2, released on the eve of India’s Republic Day, has witnessed a slowdown in earnings during its second week at the domestic box office, with total collections reaching Rs 294.25 crore. The film recorded its first single-digit earning day on Monday, February 2, and revenues gradually declined throughout the week. According to Sacnilk, the film earned Rs 3.35 crore on Thursday. Border 2 had a strong opening week, collecting Rs 224.25 crore, largely driven by the extended Republic Day weekend. The second weekend also saw a spike in collections, with Friday contributing Rs 10.75 crore, Saturday Rs 17.75 crore, and Sunday Rs 22.5 crore. Monday, coinciding with Republic Day, marked the highest single-day collection of Rs 59 crore, the biggest haul for the film to date. Border 2 has already outperformed the opening weekend of Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar. According to film trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the movie has amassed approximately Rs 300 crore at the domestic box office after its second weekend. Abhijeet Sawant raises exploitation concerns after Arijit quits playback In a review for NDTV, film critic Saibal Chatterjee noted, “Border 2 effectively highlights the exceptional bravery of the soldiers it portrays while briefly exploring the vulnerabilities and emotional struggles that make them human. The narrative captures separations, losses, hopes, fears, and uncertainties alongside acts of heroism.” Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 stars Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahaan Shetty. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, JP Dutta, Nidhi Dutta, and Krishan Kumar, the film is a sequel to JP Dutta’s 1997 blockbuster Border.

February 2026 brings a mix of thrillers, dramas, comedies, and animated films for movie lovers worldwide. From Hollywood blockbusters to independent films, several new releases are drawing attention this month. Among the highlights is “Wuthering Heights”, directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. The film presents a fresh take on the classic Brontë novel, exploring teenage passion and rivalry. It will be released internationally on February 11–13. Another notable release is “Scream 7”, returning Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott. Set in a quiet small town, the slasher thriller promises suspense and horror, hitting cinemas on February 27 in the US, UK, and Canada. Animated film fans can enjoy “GOAT”, about a young goat pursuing a professional roarball career in a world of talking animals. Co-produced by NBA star Stephen Curry, it releases on February 11–13 globally. Other major releases include “Cold Storage”, a horror comedy about a mutant fungus outbreak; “The President’s Cake”, a story of a child in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq; and “Pillion”, a romantic drama exploring unconventional love. Films like “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die”, “How to Make a Killing”, “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert”, and “Dreams” also debut this month, offering a mix of genres and experiences for audiences worldwide. Film experts say February’s lineup highlights both mainstream and independent storytelling, giving viewers opportunities to explore thrilling narratives, emotional journeys, and innovative animation.   With inputs from BBC

Rani Mukerji’s crime thriller’ Mardaani 3 ‘continues to perform steadily at the Indian box office, with its total earnings nearing the Rs 25 crore mark within five days of release. The film, which hit theatres on January 30, collected Rs 2.50 crore on its fifth day, slightly higher than its Monday earnings, according to trade website Sacnilk. With this, the movie’s total box office collection stands at Rs 22.25 crore so far. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, the third installment of the popular’ Mardaani ‘franchise recorded an overall Hindi occupancy of 20.72% on Tuesday. Night shows drew the highest audience turnout at around 33.62%, followed by evening shows at 21.45%. Afternoon and morning shows saw lower attendance, largely due to regular working days. Among cities, Jaipur reported the highest occupancy at 33.75%. It was followed by the National Capital Region (29.50%), Mumbai (26.25%), Lucknow (22.50%) and Pune (21.25%). Trade analyst Taran Adarsh praised the film’s opening performance, saying it posted a “healthy” collection during its first weekend. He noted that while competition from ‘Border 2’ affected business in some mass-market areas, major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru showed encouraging audience response. He added that holding steady weekday collections will be crucial for the film’s continued success. Music rights of "Dhurandhar 2" shift from Saregama to T-Series ‘Mardaani 3’ also features Janki Bodiwala and Mallika Prasad in key roles. Produced by Yash Raj Films, the movie marks another strong outing for Mukerji in a female-led action franchise. With steady earnings and positive word of mouth, the film is expected to cross the Rs 25 crore milestone soon. With inputs from NDTV

Music rights for Dhurandhar: The Revenge, the upcoming sequel starring Ranveer Singh, have been acquired by T-Series, marking a shift from Saregama, which handled the soundtrack of the first film. Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar 2 is scheduled for theatrical release on March 19, 2026. The makers on Tuesday unveiled the film’s first poster, confirming T-Series as the official music label for the sequel. Industry insiders say the soundtrack is expected to be a major commercial success. “It’s a massive, chart-topping album, and the response from those who have heard it so far has been extremely positive,” a source close to the project told The Hollywood Reporter India. Another source added that the album will once again feature a wide range of songs, maintaining the genre diversity of the first film while expanding its overall scale. “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” team wanted Arijit not Sonu Nigam": Mallik In addition to the music deal, JioHotstar has secured the digital streaming rights for the film, reportedly outbidding Netflix. According to sources quoted by India Today, the sequel has generated strong pre-release buzz and has already been labelled a potential blockbuster by trade analysts. The film sees Ranveer Singh in the role of Hamza Ali Mazhari, an Indian intelligence operative who has entrenched himself in Pakistan’s underworld after eliminating dreaded gangster Rehman Dakait. However, his rise draws the attention of Major Iqbal, a shrewd and ruthless ISI strategist known as Bade Sahab, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation. Dhurandhar 2 features an ensemble cast including R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and Sara Arjun. It is the second installment in a planned two-part franchise centred on espionage, terrorism and intense action. #With inputs from NDTV

Composer Amaal Mallik opened up about the hurdles he faced to bring Sonu Nigam on board for the reprised song “Mere Dholna 3.0” from Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, citing restrictive practices in the Hindi music industry. In a conversation with Pinkvilla, Amaal said composers often lack freedom to choose singers and may be replaced if their choices conflict with production or label decisions. He recalled how Sonu Nigam, despite being a legendary singer, had to “prove” himself before being confirmed for the track. “They weren’t sure about someone like Sonu Nigam. Yet he finished the toughest song I’ve recomposed in just 45 minutes,” Amaal said, adding that the final sargam at the song’s end is extremely challenging. Grammys fuel celebrity pushback against Trump’s immigration drive Amaal also highlighted the industry’s arbitrary decisions, noting that teams frequently suggest popular singers like Arijit Singh or Vishal Mishra over classical talents. He said Sonu Nigam was the only singer capable of delivering the classical depth he wanted. The composer further revealed the financial imbalance in the industry, citing his party hit “Sooraj Dooba Hain,” which earned Rs 60–70 crore for the label, while he only received minimal publishing rights.  #With inputs from NDTV

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has stirred controversy online by criticising acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan amid casting debates for his upcoming epic film The Odyssey. Musk responded on X (formerly Twitter) to a post questioning reports that Lupita Nyong’o might portray Helen of Troy in the movie. The post argued that casting Nyong’o could be "an insult" to the ancient Greek poet Homer, who described Helen as fair-skinned and blonde in The Odyssey, famously dubbing her “the face that launched a thousand ships.” Reacting to the post, Musk tweeted, “Chris Nolan has lost his integrity.” Nyong’o’s potential involvement was first reported by Variety in November 2024, with the film’s title officially revealed in December. Her role in the production remains unconfirmed. The Odyssey features a star-studded ensemble including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, and Elliot Page. Rapper Travis Scott, a ten-time Grammy nominee, has also joined the cast, appearing in a promotional TV spot aired during Fox’s broadcast of the NFL AFC Championship game. The film is being hailed as a technical milestone, marking the first narrative feature to be shot entirely on IMAX cameras. Nolan revealed that a new “blimp” casing system now allows intimate scenes to capture usable sound despite IMAX cameras’ previously loud operation. Details regarding Nyong’o’s character and the official release date for The Odyssey have yet to be announced.   With inputs from NDTV

Rasha Thadani has shared the first glimpse of her character Manga from her Telugu debut film Srinivasa Mangapuram, following the positive response to the previously released Laikey Laikaa first look. The film is directed by Ajay Bhupathi and features Rasha opposite Jaya Krishna Ghattamaneni, nephew of superstar Mahesh Babu. Rasha Thadani’s Announcement Rasha took to Instagram to announce the project, expressing gratitude as she steps into Telugu cinema. In her post, she introduced Manga and spoke about beginning her journey in an industry that celebrates rooted storytelling. She described the experience as one that has instilled humility, patience and faith, while thanking the team for trusting her with her debut. She also highlighted that the film is directed by Ajay Bhupathi and features music composed by GV Prakash Kumar. In a follow-up post, Rasha elaborated on her character, calling Manga the emotional anchor of Srinu’s life—his comfort, pain and peace. She described the debut as a moment she will always cherish and thanked director Ajay Bhupathi for his guidance and belief in her. She also appreciated her co-star Jaya Krishna Ghattamaneni for being supportive, adding that this marks just the beginning of an exciting journey ahead.   Source: NDTV