Bollywood star Salman Khan made a heartfelt gesture at the trailer launch of his upcoming film, Sikandar, by bringing along his 89-year-old father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan. The event, held in Mumbai on Sunday evening, saw Salman assisting his father as they arrived at the venue. In a touching moment, Salman was seen walking closely beside Salim, offering support as they climbed the stairs. Surrounded by paparazzi, the actor ensured his father’s comfort and safety. Dressed elegantly in a blue blazer over a deep blue shirt with matching trousers, Salman looked dapper as he attended the launch. He was joined on stage by his co-stars Rashmika Mandanna and Kajal Aggarwal, along with director AR Murugadoss. The actor engaged with the media and even delighted the audience by singing Lag Ja Gale on popular request. A portion of the song, featuring Salman and Rashmika, is included in the film’s soundtrack. The trailer presents Salman in a larger-than-life action role, portraying a character on a mission to dismantle a crime syndicate in Mumbai. Rashmika plays his love interest in the film, which is set for a theatrical release on March 30. BJP highlights real story behind John Abraham’s 'The Diplomat' Meanwhile, Salim Khan, an iconic figure in Indian cinema, is best known for his work with Javed Akhtar as part of the legendary screenwriting duo Salim-Javed. Their journey was chronicled in the docuseries Angry Young Men, released last year on Prime Video. With inputs from Indian media

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has shared its appreciation for John Abraham’s latest film, The Diplomat, which portrays a real-life diplomatic mission led by India. Abraham plays the role of JP Singh, an Indian diplomat who played a pivotal role in rescuing an Indian woman, Uzma Ahmed, from Pakistan. The BJP’s official Twitter handle has now shared a detailed thread explaining the real incident behind the film. The party highlighted how India’s diplomatic strength was demonstrated in May 2017 under the Narendra Modi-led government when Uzma Ahmed was rescued from a forced marriage in Pakistan. The operation was led by the late External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj and diplomat JP Singh. “This real-life operation showcased swift governance, ensuring Uzma’s safe return,” the BJP stated. Yash’s ‘Toxic’ to release on March 2026, set for box office clash with ‘Love & War’ Uzma Ahmed’s ordeal began when she was deceived by a Pakistani man in Malaysia, who lured her to Pakistan under false pretences. Once there, she was drugged, forcibly married at gunpoint, and held captive in Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Recounting her experience upon her return to India, Uzma described Pakistan as a “well of death” and warned, “It is easy to enter Pakistan, but difficult to return.” Trapped in Pakistan, Uzma found a way to trick her captor, Ali, by convincing him to take her to the Indian High Commission under the pretext of collecting dowry. Once inside, she confided in Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh, who took immediate action. He informed EAM Sushma Swaraj, who confirmed Uzma’s Indian citizenship and firmly declared, “Even if we have to keep her at the High Commission for a year or two, we will.” Despite facing legal hurdles, JP Singh played a crucial role in navigating Pakistan’s legal system, which required a husband’s permission for a woman to leave the country. The Islamabad High Court ruled in Uzma’s favour on May 24, 2017. The following day, she crossed the Wagah Border, finally ending her three-week ordeal and marking a significant diplomatic success for India. The BJP underscored that Uzma’s rescue demonstrated the Modi government’s commitment to safeguarding Indian citizens abroad, regardless of their background. Sushma Swaraj’s decisive diplomacy and JP Singh’s swift intervention ensured Uzma’s safe return. Upon reaching India, a relieved Uzma stated, “I am proud to be Indian. Sushma madam saved me; they could have sold me!” The BJP’s Twitter thread concluded by highlighting India’s unwavering commitment to its citizens, citing past evacuations such as Ukraine and reiterating Sushma Swaraj’s famous words: “Even if you are stuck on Mars, the Indian Embassy will help you.” Released on March 14, The Diplomat has received positive reviews from both critics and audiences, earning Rs 4.03 crore on its opening day at the domestic box office. With inputs from Indian media

Kannada superstar Yash has finally unveiled the release date for his much-anticipated action film, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. The film is set to hit cinemas on March 19, 2026, setting up a major box office clash with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal.  Yash announced the release date via Instagram on Saturday, sharing a striking new poster. The image features him in an all-black outfit, wielding a gun while striding through a rain-soaked battlefield engulfed in flames. Priyanka Chopra becomes India’s highest-paid actress with Rs30cr fee Interestingly, Toxic will see Yash face off at the box office against his Ramayana co-star Ranbir Kapoor. Love & War, scheduled for release on March 20, 2026, remains shrouded in secrecy regarding its plot.  About the Project  Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic is being filmed in both Kannada and English to appeal to a wider global audience. It will also be dubbed in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and several other languages. The film is jointly produced by Venkat K Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations.  The film also marks Kiara Advani’s Kannada debut, with a stellar ensemble cast including Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, Achyut Kumar, and Akshay Oberoi. With inputs from Indian media

Abhishek Bachchan recently won the Best Actor award for his role in I Want to Talk at a News18 event, but it was his humorous interaction with Arjun Kapoor that stole the show. After receiving the award, Abhishek thanked director Shoojit Sircar and his co-stars. He expressed, "This is my first-ever Best Actor Award. I'd like to thank the esteemed jury - it's an honour that you find me worthy of this award. But the credit for this performance has to go entirely to Shoojit (Sircar) da. He's made such a wonderful film. I'd like to share this with my wonderful daughters in the film, Ahilya and Pearl, who were just absolutely brilliant. They made me look good in the film. To my fellow actors and makers in this room: Your work inspires me, and I am in awe of all of you. Please continue doing what you do. You inspire me to wake up every morning and try to be the best version of myself." Hollywood director arrested for swindling Netflix out of $11 million The mood lightened when Arjun Kapoor jokingly asked, "Kaun hai woh insaan jo jab kehte hain, 'Abhishek, I want to talk,' toh aap stress mein aa jate hain?" implying that someone’s “I want to talk” call makes Abhishek nervous. Abhishek, with his usual wit, responded, "Tumhari shaadi nahi hui hai na abhi tak... jab ho jaayegi, you'll have an answer for that," which had the audience laughing. He then added humorously, "When you get a call from the missus and she says, 'I want to talk,' you know you're in trouble, yeah." Rumours about Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s potential divorce have been circulating for some time, fueled by their separate arrivals at a high-profile wedding in July and a social media post where Abhishek liked a discussion on “grey divorces.” However, the couple has not confirmed or denied these speculations. Abhishek and Aishwarya, who have been married since April 2007 and share a daughter, Aaradhya, continue to keep their personal life private. Professionally, the couple has starred together in several films, including Dhai Akshar Prem Ke (2000), Kuch Naa Kaho (2003), Dhoom 2 (2006), Umrao Jaan (2006), Guru (2007), Sarkar Raj (2008), and Raavan (2010). Source: NDTV

In a case that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and the global entertainment industry, director Carl Erik Rinsch has been arrested on charges of swindling Netflix out of $11 million (approximately Tk 121 crore) for a sci-fi series that never aired. Rinsch, who is best known for directing the 2013 film 47 Ronin, is facing charges of wire fraud and money laundering after allegedly misusing the funds meant for his unfinished show White Horse. The Allegations According to U.S. federal prosecutors, Netflix had initially paid around $44 million (Tk 484 crore) for the project. However, Rinsch later requested an additional $11 million (Tk 121 crore), claiming he needed the funds to complete the series. Instead of using the money for production, prosecutors allege that Rinsch diverted the funds into high-risk investments and luxury spending. Court documents reveal that Rinsch transferred a significant portion of the money into a personal brokerage account, where he made a series of unsuccessful investments, losing about half of the funds within two months. He then shifted the remaining amount into cryptocurrency investments, which turned out to be lucrative. However, rather than reinvesting in the production, Rinsch allegedly transferred the earnings into a personal bank account and embarked on an extravagant spending spree. Lavish Spending Spree The indictment details Rinsch’s alleged misuse of funds, including: ·         Tk 19.8 crore ($1.8 million) in credit card payments, ·         Tk 11 crore ($1 million) on legal fees to sue Netflix for more money, ·         Tk 40.7 crore ($3.7 million) on luxury furniture and antiques, ·         Tk 26.4 crore ($2.4 million) on a fleet of Rolls-Royces and a Ferrari, ·         Tk 7.2 crore ($652,000) on designer watches and clothing. Authorities arrested the 47-year-old filmmaker in West Hollywood on Tuesday. He is expected to appear in a federal court in California, while his indictment was filed in New York. Netflix’s Response Netflix has declined to comment on the allegations. However, the case has raised concerns over financial oversight and due diligence in Hollywood’s high-stakes entertainment industry.  

Warner Bros has revised its film release schedule, shifting the launch dates of several highly anticipated titles, including Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest project starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Now officially titled One Battle After Another, Anderson’s American crime thriller has been moved from August 8 to September 26. Insiders say the adjustment allows time for US cinemas to install VistaVision projection systems to match the director’s vision, according to Variety. Additionally, the new date positions the film closer to the awards season, a strategy that has benefited previous auteur-driven releases such as Gravity and A Star is Born. ‘Mickey 17’ targets $18M-$20M US debut, earns B CinemaScore The film stars DiCaprio alongside Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor. Additionally, Warner Bros Animation’s The Cat in the Hat, featuring Bill Hader and Quinta Brunson, will now arrive on February 27 next year, two weeks ahead of schedule.

The High Court on Wednesday directed the issuance of a certification for the film, The Remand, which is based on the anti-discrimination student movement. A HC bench of Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja passed the order and issued a rule following a preliminary hearing of a writ petition. Lawyer Md Gias Uddin Chowdhury represented the petitioner in the court. Lawyer Gias Uddin said that the high court ordered the issuance of the certification certificate within three days. Earlier, the film's producer and director, Syed Belayet Hossain Belal, had filed a writ petition. The writ named the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Vice Chairman, and the Deputy Director of the Bangladesh Film Certification Board as defendants. Directed by Ashrafur Rahman, The Remand features actors Zakia Bari Mamo, Parvez Abir Chowdhury, Salha Khanam Nadia, Lutfur Rahman George, and others. After completing production, the film was submitted to the Bangladesh Film Certification Board and previewed on December 30. However, the authorities have not granted permission for its screening, and despite sending two legal notices, no response has been received. Consequently, the petitioner filed the writ seeking a court order to release the film within three days. Producer Belal said that the film is a historical document that aims to preserve the memory of the heroic sacrifices made by students and the public during the July uprising. He explained that after the film's screening process was completed on December 30, the law mandates that any anti-state content must be notified within seven days. Since no letter or notification has been issued by the authorities and no discussions have taken place, he urged that the certification be granted immediately so the film can be released by the Film Certification Board.  

Following riots in Nagpur after protests against Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's tomb, a curfew was imposed in the city. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured the public that authorities were managing the situation and noted that the recent Bollywood blockbuster Chhaava had stirred emotions against the Mughal ruler. This led to widespread criticism of the film and its team on social media, with many accusing director Laxman Utekar and lead actor Vicky Kaushal of inciting hatred against Aurangzeb and, by extension, minority communities.  On Twitter (now X), several users blamed Vicky for allegedly promoting ‘majoritarian hatred’ through the film. However, his fans quickly came to his defence, arguing that he was being unfairly targeted.  Supporters of the actor dismissed the criticism, asserting that an actor should not be held accountable for a film’s tone. “The outrage over Chhaava is misplaced! Vicky Kaushal’s brilliant portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is a tribute to art. As liberals, we shouldn’t scapegoat actors for doing their jobs. Let’s celebrate cinema instead of blaming it,” one user wrote.  Aamir Khan steps out with girlfriend Gauri in first public appearance post relationship confirmation Another remarked, “The violence in Nagpur is deeply unfortunate, but blaming Vicky Kaushal for it is completely unfair. He is an actor playing a historical character in a film that went through multiple approvals before release. If the movie has triggered strong reactions, discussions should focus on historical interpretation and governance, not an individual performer.”  Some also pointed out that the film did not demonise Aurangzeb. “Chhaava actually portrays Sambhaji as being betrayed by his own people, not the Mughals,” a tweet noted.  Directed by Laxman Utekar, Chhaava is a historical biopic of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who resisted Mughal rule in the 17th century. Vicky Kaushal stars as the Maratha warrior, while Akshaye Khanna plays Aurangzeb. April 2025 Hindi Films Lineup: Top 10 Most Hyped Bollywood Releases The film, which also features Rashmika Mandanna, Divya Dutta, Ashutosh Rana, and Vineet Kumar Singh, received mixed to positive reviews but emerged as a box office success, earning Rs 764 crore worldwide, including Rs 565 crore in India.With inputs from Indian media

Bollywood remains a captivating force, mesmerising audiences with its ever-evolving storytelling and cinematic artistry. The Hindi film slate for April 2025 offers a thrilling blend of drama, horror, thriller, and sci-fi, promising diverse experiences. Newcomers and rising stars share the screen with industry favourites making this month's releases even more anticipated. Let’s explore the top 10 Bollywood films hitting theatres this April. Top 10 Most Anticipated Hindi Movies Releasing this April . Jaat / Action Thriller / April 10, 2025 Under the joint production of Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory, this action movie stars Sunny Deol and Randeep Hooda in lead roles. Besides crafting the story, the Tamil director Gopichand Malineni marks his Bollywood debut with this film. He also contributed to its screenplay alongside Srinivas Gavireddy. Dialogues are shaped by Sai Madhav Burra and Saurabh Gupta. The supporting cast includes Vineet Kumar Singh, Upendra Limaye, Prashant Bajaj, Regina Cassandra, and Saiyami Kher. Read more: Vicky Kaushal fans defend him as twitter blames Chhaava for Nagpur violence  While plot details remain undisclosed, Jaat is poised to follow Hussain (Deol) and Dev Khan (Randeep). They navigate brotherhood, loyalty, and adversity in a turbulent world. Taking charge of the musical score are Thaman S and Amrit Maan. Bhool Chuk Maaf / Sci-fi Comedy / April 10, 2025 Bankrolled by Dinesh Vijan on behalf of Maddock Films, this sci-fi movie excels with Karan Sharma as its writer and director. This sci-fi tale follows a groom-to-be whose wedding is just a day away, only for the Haldi ceremony to reset in an endless time loop. It traps him in a cycle of anticipation, confusion, and dread. Read more: Aamir Khan steps out with girlfriend Gauri in first public appearance post relationship confirmation Led by Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi, the talented ensemble includes Kumud Mishra, Sadia Khateeb, Revathi, and Sharib Hashmi. Phule / Biography / April 11, 2025 In an era when child marriage was prevalent and girls were denied education, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule defied norms by taking a big step. He educates his wife, Savitribai Phule, and together they fight for the underprivileged. With this plot, ‘Phule’ boasts Ananth Mahadevan as the director and writer  Pratik Gandhi plays Jyotirao, and Patralekhaa Paul portrays the role of Savitribai. The other key cast members include Darsheel Safary, Vinay Pathak, Joy Sengupta, Alexx O'Nell, Jeet Raidutt, and Sushil Pandey. Read more: Hollywood director arrested for allegedly swindling $11M from Netflix Credit for producing the biography goes to Dancing Shiva Productions and Kingsmen Productions. Raibaar / Family Drama / April 11, 2025 Featuring Shishir Uniyal in a pivotal role, this drama thrives under his direction and writing. The writing team also includes Dinesh Bijalwan and Bhagat Singh. Set in Uttarakhand, this story follows Pushkar, a mid-30s postman who stumbles upon an undelivered letter from seven years ago. Determined to find its rightful recipient, he embarks on a personal journey in search of long-buried answers. Sunil Singh, Shrish Dobhal, Suman Gaur, Mohit Ghildiyal, Rajesh Naugain, Rakesh Arya, Subhash Chamoli, Sushil Purohit, and Anju Purohit portray the key characters. Read more: April 2025 South Indian Film Slate: 12 most hyped releases Rajendra Chauhan’s compositions set the tone for this family drama, backed by Bhagat Singh under Kinoscope Films. Tum / Drama / April 14, 2025 This movie explores the lives of two strangers, each awaiting a significant encounter, only to realize that meeting each other is the turning point they never anticipated. As their interactions unfold, so do the hidden stories within them. Torn between self-doubt and acceptance, they navigate life’s complexities with an unexpected sense of ease. Meenakshi Vinay Rai directs and writes this drama while also producing it under MVR Cinema and composing its music alongside Shruti Rai. The main cast comprises Vinay Rai, Shruti Rai, and Meenakshi Rai. Read more: Amazon Prime Video Original Lineup for April 2025: Most Hyped Web Series and Films

South Indian cinema is poised for a spectacular April 2025, where Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada industries converge in a cinematic symphony. This month’s premieres are a bold mix of crime, action, fantasy, and laugh riots. These films are powered by stellar casts, igniting fan fervor. Let’s unravel the 12 must-watch titles ready to make waves across audiences. 12 Most Anticipated South Indian Movies Debuting this April . Ghaati / Telugu Crime / April 18, 2025 Starring Anushka Shetty and Vikram Prabhu, this crime drama excels with Krish Jagarlamudi as director and Chintakindi Srinivas Rao as writer. A victim-turned-criminal rises to legendary status in this gripping tale of survival. An empowered woman, driven by circumstance, finds herself entangled in the perilous world of the weed trade. The background score and songs come from Nagavelli Vidya Sagar. Read more: Polish PM offers Jesse Eisenberg military training for James Bond role Credit for producing the action movie goes to Yeduguru Rajeev Reddy and Saibabu Jagarlamudi under First Frame Entertainments. The Telugu film is gearing up for a grand theatrical debut, accompanied by dubbed versions in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. Chaurya Paatam / Telugu Crime / April 18, 2025 Helmed by Nikhil Gollamari, this heist movie thrives under the creative writing of Karthik Gattamneni, who also oversees its cinematography. The storyline follows four reckless men who set their sights on looting Dhanapaali, India's most peaceful, crime-free village. But as their heist unravels, they stumble upon the village’s hidden dark side. Read more: Rakesh Roshan steps down as director of Krrish 4, hints at new leadership Indhra Ram embodies the lead roles, while Payal Radhakrishna, Rajeev Kanakala, Mast Ali, Anji Valguman, Supriya Aysola, and Edward Stevenson Pereji portray the other characters. Featuring music composed by Davzand, the comedy movie boasts V Chudamani and NVSS Suresh as co-producers and Trinadha Rao Nakkina as the producer. Kannappa / Telugu Historical Drama / April 25, 2025 Bankrolled by Mohan Babu, the action movie Kannappa is shaped by the direction of Mukesh Kumar Singh. Besides scripting for the film, Vishnu Manchu crafts its screenplay while also starring in the titular role. This fantasy epic brings to life the legend of Kannappa, the devoted follower of Shiva, rooted in Hindu mythology. Read more: David Warner set for Telugu film debut with cameo in ‘Robinhood’ Mohan Babu, Arpit Ranka, R. Sarathkumar, Kaushal Manda, Devaraj, Rahul Madhav, Brahmanandam, Mukesh Rishi, Raghu Babu, Madhoo, and Preity Mukhundhan headline the supporting cast. Akshay Kumar (his Telugu film debut), Kajal Aggarwal, Prabhas, and Mohanlal appear in important cameo roles. With Stephen Devassy composing the music, this historical epic is brought to life by AVA Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory. Apart from the Telugu version, the film will also be available in English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam dubs. Test / Tamil Sports / April 4, 2025 During a historic international cricket test match in Chennai, the lives of three individuals intersect. It forces them into a web of choices that will alter their fates forever. Read more: Now Streaming: ‘Moana 2,’ John Mulaney’s Show, ‘Confessions of Octomom,’ Amanda Seyfried’s ‘Long Bright River,’ & ‘Dope Thief’ With this plot, ‘Test’ stars Nayanthara, R. Madhavan, Meera Jasmine, and Siddharth, along with Nassar and Kaali Venkat. It marks Jasmine's return to Tamil cinema after a 10-year hiatus. In this sports drama, S. Sashikanth makes his directorial debut, while co-writing the script with Suman Kumar. Shakthisree Gopalan takes charge of the musical score.  The production credit goes to Sashikanth and Chakravarthy Ramachandra under YNOT Studios. The Tamil movie is slated for Netflix with dubbed versions in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada. Read more: Second season of ‘Myself Allen Swapan’ to premiere on Chorki this Eid Good Bad Ugly / Tamil Thriller / April 10, 2025 Scored by G. V. Prakash Kumar, the action film Good Bad Ugly thrives with the director Adhik Ravichandran, who also wrote it with Ravi Kandasamy and Harish Manikandan. The narrative follows a feared don who seeks to leave behind his violent past for a peaceful life with his family. However, the shadows of his ruthless history refuse to let go, pulling him back into the world he longs to escape. Ajith Kumar assumes the protagonist’s role, while Prabhu, Trisha Krishnan, Prasanna, Sunil, Arjun Das, Rahul Dev, Shine Tom Chacko, and Yogi Babu play the supporting roles. Marked as the first Tamil-language production of Mythri and T-Series, this comedy film is slated for a theatrical rollout in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Read more: Amazon Prime Video Original Lineup for April 2025: Most Hyped Web Series and Films Idly Kadai / Tamil Drama / April 10, 2025 The writer, director, and producer of the drama film Idly Kadai is none other than Dhanush, who also plays the central character. Nithya Menen stars as the female lead with the additional cast of Arun Vijay, Rajkiran, Prakash Raj, and Shalini Pandey. The story follows a man from a catering background who unexpectedly gets the opportunity to coach a boxer. As he navigates this new path, he shapes the journey in his own unique way. The film is produced by Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films and co-produced by Aakash Baskaran’s Dawn Pictures. It is enriched by the music of G. V. Prakash Kumar. Read more: Top 10 Netflix English Originals to Watch in April 2025: Movies, Series, and Shows