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Excitement is building around Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Jailer 2, with the full version of its song “Ala Bolelo” receiving a strong response from fans online. The sequel to the 2023 blockbuster Jailer is scheduled to hit cinemas on October 15, 2026. A 32-second promo of “Ala Bolelo” was released earlier and drew criticism from some social media users over the pronunciation of Malayalam words in the song. However, the full track, released on Friday, has received considerable attention from fans. One user reacted to the song on social media, saying, “Theatre gonna be blast,” comparing its energy to “Kaavaalaa,” “Tiger” and “Muthuvel Pandian Investigation.” Song sparks Malayalam pronunciation debate The promo featured Rajinikanth and Shamna Kasim, with Kasim dancing in a traditional kasavu saree. The clip ended with a brief appearance by Rajinikanth. The song contains several Malayalam words, but some Malayalam-speaking users objected to their pronunciation. One social media user urged the filmmakers to avoid using Malayalam in songs or dialogues unless it is pronounced correctly, saying that incorrect pronunciation could feel disrespectful to the language. Another user suggested hiring a lyricist and singer familiar with Malayalam. Despite the criticism, the song’s promo also received plenty of positive reactions from audiences. The music for Jailer 2 has been composed by Anirudh Ravichander. Arunraja Kamaraj wrote the lyrics along with Niranjana Raman, Aparna Harikumar and Deepthi Suresh. The film has been written and directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Kalanithi Maran under the banner of Sun Pictures. Jailer 2 is set to release in theatres on October 15, 2026. Source: NDTV

Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi has entered the coveted Rs 100 crore club with his latest film Awarapan 2, which has emerged as a major box-office success within just five days of its release. The sequel to the 2007 film Awarapan has maintained a strong run since its release, earning Rs 100.75 crore net in India by Tuesday, according to Sacnilk. The film’s performance has further strengthened Hashmi’s position at the box office following the success of Dhurandhar. On its fifth day, Awarapan 2 collected Rs 9.75 crore net in India from 11,060 shows. Its India gross collection has reached Rs 120.33 crore. The film also earned Rs 2 crore in overseas markets on Day 5, taking its total overseas gross to Rs 23.80 crore. Its worldwide gross collection now stands at Rs 144.13 crore. Awarapan 2 opened with Rs 22 crore on its first day from 9,033 shows. It recorded a significant jump on Saturday, collecting Rs 33.75 crore from 10,496 shows, followed by Rs 26 crore on Sunday from 9,403 shows. The film remained steady on Monday, earning Rs 9.25 crore, before adding another Rs 9.75 crore on its fifth day. The film was also the biggest performer in the Independence Day box-office race, collecting Rs 40.50 crore. Tamil Vishwanath & Sons earned Rs 26 crore, Batwara 1947 collected Rs 16.20 crore, Spider-Man: Brand New Day made Rs 12 crore, while the DC film earned Rs 6.30 crore. Awarapan 2 surpassed the lifetime India collection of the original Awarapan on its opening day. The 2007 film had earned Rs 7.75 crore net during its entire theatrical run. By Saturday, the sequel had also overtaken the lifetime collections of several of Hashmi’s successful films, including Haq (Rs 20 crore), Raaz 2 (Rs 25.50 crore), Ek Thi Daayan (Rs 26 crore) and Jannat (Rs 30 crore). The strong performance of Awarapan 2 has marked a significant box-office comeback for Hashmi, with the film benefiting from nostalgia surrounding the original and strong audience interest in its sequel.

Adam Driver is set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the supervillain Mister Sinister, while rising star Inde Navarette will portray Rogue in Marvel’s upcoming “X-Men” reboot. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige announced the new cast members Friday night at Disney’s D23 convention in Anaheim, California. Driver’s former “Girls” co-star Christopher Abbott will play Professor Charles Xavier, while Maya Boyd has been cast as Storm. The film, directed by Jake Schreier, is scheduled to hit theaters in May 2028. “Beef” creator Lee Sung Jin and “The Bear” co-showrunner Joanna Calo are writing the screenplay. Driver’s involvement in the “X-Men” project had been widely rumored for years, with speculation often suggesting he might portray Magneto. During the D23 presentation, Driver appeared on a large screen while the rest of the newly announced cast members appeared on stage. “Kevin and I had been talking for years about my joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I think we finally found the perfect film,” Driver said. He jokingly announced that he would play Magneto before correcting himself and revealing that he would instead portray Nathaniel Essex, the character better known as Mister Sinister. Navarette, who has quickly gained attention following her performance in the horror film “Obsession,” was also the subject of considerable casting speculation before her role as Rogue was confirmed. Previously announced cast members at the event included Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Kit Connor as Scott “Cyclops” Summers and Sadie Sink as Jean Grey. Sink’s role was revealed through her appearance in this summer’s Marvel hit “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” Feige noted that many of the actors had only met one another backstage shortly before appearing before the audience. Marvel’s incorporation of the “X-Men” into the MCU became possible after Disney acquired 21st Century Fox’s film assets in 2019. The D23 presentation also featured updates on Disney’s upcoming “Star Wars” projects. Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy promoted “Star Wars: Starfighter,” which is scheduled for release in May 2027. Gosling will play Kade Auberon, a character described as a man from the less privileged side of the galaxy whose fate becomes connected with a powerful starfighter. Gosling said his early association with Disney played an important role in his career and described his return to the company decades later as life-changing. The event also featured appearances by “Star Wars: Ahsoka” star Rosario Dawson and Hayden Christensen, who will return as Anakin Skywalker in the second season of the Disney+ series. Marvel veterans Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell also appeared to promote “Avengers: Doomsday,” scheduled for release on Dec. 18. Downey, now playing Doctor Doom, is shown battling Thor, while Evans returns as Captain America. The trailer also features Ian McKellen as Magneto. Hugh Jackman appeared in a video message and suggested he may return as Wolverine, though Marvel has not definitively confirmed his participation. Disney also offered a preview of the upcoming Disney+ series “Visionquest,” starring Paul Bettany as Vision and James Spader as Ultron. The evening included a presentation for “Frozen 3,” with Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel performing for fans despite technical problems involving audio, video and stage doors. Josh Gad also performed a song as Olaf, while the cast of “The Greatest Showman” presented musical numbers from the stage adaptation of the 2017 film.

Yash-starrer action thriller Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is set to arrive in cinemas on August 26, with the film securing an 'A' certificate from India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film was certified by the CBFC’s Bengaluru regional office on August 13, 2026. According to the certification details, Toxic is in Kannada and has a certified length of 194.12 metres. The official synopsis describes the film as the story of a gangster grappling with loyalty, morality and the search for redemption in post-independence Goa, where violence and jealousy dominate. Set against a dark and atmospheric backdrop, the film features intense action and morally conflicted characters while exploring the sacrifices involved in love and the pursuit of redemption. Toxic is produced by Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, with Geetu Mohandas directing. The film has been written and filmed in Kannada and English and will also be released in dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. The movie features an ensemble cast led by Yash and including Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth. #Source: NDTV

Emraan Hashmi-starrer Awarapan 2 appears to have gained an early advantage over Sunny Deol’s Batwara 1947 ahead of their box-office clash on Aug. 14. The two films are set to release on the eve of India’s Independence Day. Early booking trends show Awarapan 2 leading the race, helped by nostalgia surrounding Hashmi’s popular 2007 film Awarapan and his strong fan following. Meanwhile, Batwara 1947 is relying on Sunny Deol’s established appeal among mass and family audiences. Trade analyst Ramesh Bala told NDTV that Awarapan 2 currently has the upper hand in the opening-day battle. “Awarapan 2 has the edge in the opening battle, thanks to strong nostalgia and Emraan Hashmi’s cult following. But Batwara 1947 could score big with the mass and family audience. Ultimately, word of mouth will decide the Independence Day winner,” Bala said. He said the sequel has nostalgia and a loyal fan base working in its favour, while Batwara 1947 benefits from Deol’s strong mass appeal. According to early advance-booking figures, Awarapan 2 has sold nearly 68,000 tickets and generated about ₹2.20 crore in advance sales, compared with around 37,600 tickets for Batwara 1947. Bala said the difference represents an 81% lead in ticket sales for Awarapan 2, reflecting the anticipation surrounding the film. “The first round of the Independence Day clash clearly belongs to Awarapan 2,” he said, adding that the stronger advance booking gives the Hashmi-starrer a better platform heading into its opening day. He said Awarapan 2 is setting the pace before release, with advance ticket sales almost twice those of Batwara 1947. Sunny Deol’s film, however, could narrow the gap through stronger walk-in audiences. Trade analyst Sumit Kadel also expects Awarapan 2 to lead the opening battle. He told NDTV that the Emraan Hashmi film could earn nearly twice as much as Batwara 1947 on its opening day and over the weekend. However, the final winner of the Independence Day box-office clash is expected to depend largely on audience response and word of mouth.

Twenty-five years after its release, Farhan Akhtar’s Dil Chahta Hai continues to attract attention for its fresh take on friendship, relationships and the challenges of growing up. The 2001 film, which marked Akhtar’s debut as a filmmaker, is remembered for its portrayal of close friendship, road trips, changing relationships and the uncertainties of young adulthood. But one of its most notable themes was the unconventional romance between Siddharth, played by Akshaye Khanna, and Tara Jaiswal, portrayed by Dimple Kapadia. Siddharth is shown as a quiet, thoughtful painter who develops feelings for Tara, a divorced, middle-aged interior designer who lives alone. Their relationship challenged the usual idea of what an acceptable romantic pairing should look like in mainstream Hindi cinema. Rather than focusing on a conventional love story, the film explored how emotional connection can develop between two people from different generations. Siddharth’s relationship with Tara grows through their conversations about art, books and life. His approach to love is also different from that of his two close friends, Akash, played by Aamir Khan, and Sameer, played by Saif Ali Khan. When Siddharth’s mother and friends object to his feelings for Tara, he refuses to hide them or apologize for falling in love. His relationship with Akash becomes strained after Akash makes fun of his feelings. His mother also questions his decision, reflecting the social pressure surrounding relationships that do not fit traditional expectations. Tara herself initially rejects Siddharth’s feelings. She tells him that his emotions are unrealistic and insists that she never encouraged him or gave him false hope. Her reaction reflects the same social concerns that trouble those around Siddharth. But Siddharth remains firm about his feelings. For him, love is not something that can always be explained through age, social expectations or conventional ideas. The film therefore raises a broader question about why people fall in love and whether love can always be judged through logic. The story also follows the friendship of Siddharth, Akash and Sameer as they navigate personal changes, relationships and self-discovery. Set partly against the scenic backdrop of Goa, the film combines humour and friendship with more serious questions about love and life. Tara’s struggle with alcohol eventually leads to her death, marking a major turning point for Siddharth. Her death leaves him with a deeper understanding of life and forces him to move forward while holding on to the feelings he had for her. The film’s treatment of Siddharth and Tara’s relationship was considered unusual for mainstream Hindi cinema at the time. Instead of presenting their age difference as the sole focus, Akhtar placed greater emphasis on their emotional connection. That approach helped Dil Chahta Hai challenge some traditional ideas about romance and relationships. The film’s music also played an important role in expressing Siddharth’s feelings. The song Kaisi Hai Yeh Rut, composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, captured the quiet and unspoken side of his affection for Tara. Twenty-five years later, Dil Chahta Hai remains relevant not only for its memorable friendship and youthful energy but also for the way it explored relationships that did not fit conventional expectations. Its enduring appeal may lie in that very imperfection — characters who make mistakes, relationships that do not always work out and emotions that cannot always be explained logically. Source: NDTV

Music fans in India and around the world had recently assumed that Arijit Singh had stepped away from playback singing and was unlikely to return anytime soon. But his involvement in Awarapan 2 has changed that perception. Music composer Amaal Mallik has now explained how Arijit became part of the project, stressing that the singer's return was not driven by pressure from anyone. Amaal said the song Yeh Awarapan was not an old track that had been recorded earlier and was simply waiting for release. Instead, he had been singing the song himself for nearly a year before Arijit heard it. Speaking with Pinkvilla, Amaal said there was no pressure on Arijit and that the singer had made his own decision about returning to playback singing. He explained that he and Arijit often share music with each other. Amaal said he usually sends Arijit five or six songs, and if the singer likes one, they work on it together for a film. According to Amaal, Arijit was initially not convinced that he should record Yeh Awarapan. The singer felt that Amaal had already sung the song well and questioned why he needed to record his own version. However, Amaal told him that he specifically wanted Arijit to sing the song. Arijit eventually agreed and recorded it a few months ago. Amaal said Arijit made a genuine effort while recording the song. He described the singer as a rare talent because of his ability, dedication and willingness to step away from film music when he chooses to. Amaal also said Arijit's return should not be viewed as a final appearance in playback singing. If Arijit likes another song in the future, he may decide to sing it, and Amaal said he would be happy to work with him again. He also noted that Arijit has not completely withdrawn from film music. Awarapan 2, starring Emraan Hashmi, Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi, is scheduled to release on August 14.  #From NDTV

Tom Holland-starrer Spider-Man: Brand New Day has crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office just six days after its theatrical release, becoming the second-fastest film in history to reach the milestone. Sony Pictures said on Aug 4 that the latest instalment in the Spider-Man franchise had earned about $1.05 billion worldwide in its first six days. The film trails only Avengers: Endgame, which earned around $1.2 billion during its opening weekend in 2019. Strong opening weekendThe film has also set several box-office records. According to Sony, Spider-Man: Brand New Day earned $360 million domestically during its opening weekend, surpassing Avengers: Endgame’s $357.1 million to claim the biggest domestic opening weekend ever. Endgame still holds the record for the biggest global opening weekend, with $1.2 billion. The new Spider-Man film also recorded the biggest Thursday preview, the highest Friday opening and the largest launch in Sony Pictures’ history. Fourth billion-dollar film of 2026Produced by Marvel Studios and Amy Pascal with a reported budget of $225 million, the film is the fourth movie released in 2026 to cross $1 billion worldwide. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Michael and Toy Story 5 have also reached the milestone this year. Meanwhile, The Odyssey has crossed $900 million globally and is closing in on the billion-dollar mark. IMAX changes screening plansFollowing the film’s strong performance, IMAX has adjusted its screening plans and will share screens between Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey. The decision comes as the superhero film enters its second weekend, with Sony expecting it to maintain strong business despite competition from new releases including One Night Only, Super Troopers 3 and Ice Cream Man. About the filmSpider-Man: Brand New Day, the fourth instalment in Sony and Marvel’s Spider-Man series, hit theatres on July 30. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, the film stars Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Robert Downey Jr. returns to the Marvel universe as Doctor Doom. The cast also includes Zendaya, Jon Bernthal, Jacob Batalon, Michael Mando and Mark Ruffalo. New additions to the franchise include Sadie Sink, Tramell Tillman, Liza Colón-Zayas and Marvin Jones II.

Priyanka Chopra is set to share the screen with Hollywood star Russell Crowe in Bluefly, an upcoming military science-fiction thriller directed by Nimród Antal, known for Predators. The film centres on a secret mission in the Congo, where a team is sent into dangerous territory to recover a crashed aircraft that is not supposed to exist. The screenplay has been written by David Frigerio, William Eubank and Carlyle Eubank. Production is expected to begin in the coming months on Australia's Gold Coast. Antal described Bluefly as an intense, character-driven thriller built around a bold science-fiction concept. He said the project would combine a grounded and fast-paced story with a strong sense of suspense. Chopra announced the film on Instagram with the caption, “Onto the next.” Her husband, singer Nick Jonas, showed his support in the comments with fire emojis. According to the film's official synopsis, a grieving UN translator is recruited for a covert operation to retrieve a mysterious aircraft that has crashed deep in the Congo. As a Special Operations team travels upriver through territory controlled by militias, the mission takes an unexpected turn. The closer they get to the aircraft, the more they realise they were never supposed to bring it back. The filmmakers have yet to disclose the roles Chopra and Crowe will play. No other cast members have been announced so far. Crowe has several projects in the pipeline, including Netflix's Unabomber, The Weight, Billion Dollar Spy and a reboot of Highlander. Chopra recently appeared alongside Idris Elba and John Cena in The Bluff. She is also set to star in SS Rajamouli's Varanasi and Reset, opposite Orlando Bloom. Source: NDTV

Spider-Man: Brand New Day brought in $927m (£687m) of global ticket sales to make it the second-biggest opening weekend ever as it shot past its estimated $225m production budget. The superhero movie - starring real-life husband and wife Tom Holland and Zendaya - is only behind Avengers: Endgame, which took in more than $1.2bn in its opening weekend in 2019. Brand New Day also set a second-best North American record, with box office takings of $335m. The film's strong performance gives a much-needed boost for Marvel Studios ahead of the highly-anticipated December release of Avengers: Doomsday, after a string of Marvel movies under-performed in recent years. Brand New Day, which opened in cinemas last week, picks up a few years after 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home as Peter Parker continues to fight crime in a world that has forgotten he is the masked superhero. The latest instalment of the hugely popular franchise received largely positive reviews, with some calling it Holland's best Spider-Man performance yet. Brand New Day made $572m from more than 73,000 screens outside the US, including $121m from China, distributor Sony Pictures said. That included $49m in UK ticket sales over the weekend. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said the opening of Brand New Day was "truly phenomenal", adding that he was grateful to audiences for "coming out and experiencing our film the way it was meant to be seen." The film is Marvel's last big-screen outing before Doomsday, the long-awaited culmination of multiple superhero story arcs after Avengers: Endgame. Marvel films released since Endgame have struggled to attract the same broad audiences as they did at their peak. Big budget films like The Marvels and Thunderbolts recouped their production costs but were among the studio's lowest-grossing films. Spider-Man remains one of Marvel's most lucrative franchises, with No Way Home making nearly $2bn in ticket sales. Cinema attendance has slowed since the Covid-19 pandemic, which accelerated the shift to home-streaming options like Netflix. But the big screen has staged something of a comeback this year, with the North American box office takings on track to pass $10bn for the first time since 2019. That was helped by blockbuster hits by including Toy Story 5, Michael, and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie - which have made more than $1bn each. July releases Brand New Day and The Odyssey - director Christopher Nolan's take on the epic Greek poem - are also on track to top the $1bn mark. Source: BBC