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Salman Khan’s much-anticipated Eid release Sikandar is struggling at the box office. Following a strong opening, the film saw a sharp decline in earnings after the Eid holiday. On Wednesday (April 2), the Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna-starrer witnessed a 50% drop, collecting Rs 9.75 crore, according to Sacnilk. Released on March 30, Sikandar earned Rs 26 crore on its opening day. The film saw a boost on Eid, collecting Rs 29 crore, followed by Rs 19.5 crore on Tuesday (April 1). After four days, its total domestic earnings stand at Rs 84.25 crore (net), while the production cost is estimated at Rs 200 crore. The underperformance of big-budget Bollywood films has reignited discussions about the industry's struggles. Sikandar’s box office performance is expected to add to the ongoing debate. In comparison, Pushpa 2, which dominated the box office in December 2024, earned Rs 85 crore (net) in Hindi on its fourth day (December 8). The film also brings the South vs Hindi cinema debate into focus once again. Sikandar marks Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna’s first on-screen collaboration. It also marks the actor’s first project with AR Murugadoss, who previously directed Aamir Khan in the 2008 blockbuster Ghajini. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala’s Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, Sikandar outperformed Salman Khan’s previous Eid release Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, which earned Rs 15 crore on its opening day. However, it fell short of Tiger Zinda Hai, which had a stronger start with Rs 33 crore on its first day. Source: NDTV

Hollywood studio executives are making their case for theatergoing with a little help from John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr — along with the newly announced stars set to play them. Sony Pictures kicked off the annual CinemaCon convention and trade show in Las Vegas on Monday by touting their four upcoming biopics told from the perspective of each member of The Beatles. At their presentation on the main stage at Caesars Palace, the studio confirmed and brought out the long-rumored leads for each film — Paul Mescal as McCartney, Joseph Quinn as Harrison, Barry Keoghan as Starr and Harris Dickinson as Lennon. Director Sam Mendes said all four films will premiere April 2028, calling it the “first binge-able theatrical experience.” “I’ve been trying to make a story about The Beatles for years,” Mendes said. The convention draws thousands of movie theater employees from around the world each year, as the major Hollywood studios make big presentations packed with film clips, trailers and stars to make the case that their upcoming slate will lure audiences to theaters. Ryan Coogler keen to cast Denzel Washington in ‘Black Panther 3’ Sony also brought out Oscar-winning filmmaker Danny Boyle to debut the new trailer for “28 Years Later,” his long-awaited zombie apocalypse sequel to “28 Days Later” hitting theaters in June, as well as the team behind “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” to tease their third film in the Spider-Verse trilogy. Sony CEO Tom Rothman encouraged movie theater owners to get creative with weekday discounts, and Sony executive Adam Bergerman made the case for keeping films in cinemas for longer. The convention comes fresh off an Oscars rallying cry for seeing movies in theaters. Although a fuller release schedule is expected this year compared to 2024’s depleted calendar thanks to dual historic strikes, Hollywood marked the first quarter of 2025 with a sizable box office deficit. Sales are down 11% from the same point in 2024, and nearly 40% from 2019, according to media analytics company Comscore.

To celebrate popular actor Siam Ahmed's birthday, the team of his upcoming Eid-Ul-Fitr film 'Jongli' put up a 60-foot billboard adorned with the movie's poster on Bailey Road in the capital on Saturday. The announcement was made through a video on the official Facebook page of the upcoming movie 'Jongli', where the team referred to the billboard as a "small gift" for the actor on his special day. "Even if it’s not Burj Khalifa, we have our Bailey Road!" — the team announced the place of the poster on their official Facebook post caption while calling the gesture a "small gift" for the actor on his special day. "Happy Birthday, Siam Ahmed," the post read, alongside a thrilling contest for fans. Amused after this gesture, Siam shared the video of the arrangement with the caption: “This is not just a team.... this is family. Thank you, Team Jongli.” Shakib Khan's 'Taandob' announced for Eid-ul-Adha 2025 Fans are encouraged to visit the billboard poster, take selfies in front of it, and upload the photos on their profiles with the hashtag #SelfieWithJongli. Through a random selection process, 10 lucky participants will win tickets to the movie 'Jongli'.  The post further hinted that the winners might also get a chance to meet the cast and crew of the film. 'Jongli' is one of the highly anticipated movies of the year, with Siam Ahmed in the lead role. The billboard initiative and contest have already created a buzz among fans on social media.

Ryan Coogler, director of the ‘Black Panther’ films, has expressed strong interest in working with Hollywood legend Denzel Washington on the highly anticipated third instalment of the Marvel franchise. Speaking on the Nightcap podcast with Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Coogler confirmed he is eager to cast Washington in the upcoming sequel, Variety reports.  “I’ve been wanting to work with Denzel for a long time,” Coogler shared. “I fully intend to make it happen. As long as he’s interested, it’s going to happen. He’s an icon and a mentor to so many of us.”  When asked about the timeline for Black Panther 3, Coogler assured fans it would not be too far off, saying, “Not long.”  Washington had previously mentioned in an interview with Australia’s Today programme that Coogler was writing a role for him in the film. CBFC blocks ‘Santosh’ theatrical release in India, Shahana Goswami disheartened However, Marvel Studios has yet to officially announce the project, with only two Avengers films and Spider-Man 4 confirmed beyond 2025. Given the franchise’s immense success—grossing over $2 billion worldwide—a third instalment is highly likely.  Washington later revealed to Variety that he apologised to Coogler for discussing the film publicly. “I called him to apologise, and his lovely wife was sitting right there. Ryan is still the same—humble and brimming with ideas. Whatever he writes, I’ll read,” he said.  Meanwhile, Coogler’s latest project, Sinners, an R-rated thriller starring Michael B. Jordan, is set for release on April 18.

Shariful Islam Shehzad, who has been in the spotlight since January for allegedly attacking actor Saif Ali Khan during a robbery attempt at his Bandra residence, has applied for bail in the Mumbai Sessions Court. The application, filed by his lawyer Ajay Gawali, argues that Islam is innocent and the charges against him are fabricated. The plea states that the FIR is entirely false, claiming that a baseless case has been lodged against him. It emphasizes that Islam has fully cooperated with the investigation. His lawyer also points out that crucial evidence, such as CCTV footage and call records, has already been gathered by the prosecution, and there is no risk of him tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses. Islam is accused of breaking into Khan's house on January 16, 2024, with the intent to rob, during which he allegedly attacked the actor and his staff member, Gita, with a wooden weapon and a hexa blade. Khan suffered severe injuries, with part of the weapon lodged in his back, requiring multiple surgeries. He was hospitalized for five days before being discharged on January 21. Mumbai Police arrest Saif Ali Khan’s attacker using facial recognition technology The case was filed by Khan's staff member, Elima Philip, and is currently being heard in Bandra Magistrate Court. Once the Bandra Police files the chargesheet, the case will be transferred to the Mumbai Sessions Court for trial. The bail application further argues that continuing Islam's detention serves no purpose other than pre-trial punishment. "The applicant has cooperated with the investigation. Thus, further detention will serve no useful purpose except pre-trial punishment," the plea asserts. The Bandra Police have not yet filed the chargesheet, and the court is expected to hear Islam's bail request soon. Source: India Today

Megastar Shakib Khan's much anticipated next project was finally revealed with the first look poster of 'Taandob', revealed on the birthday of Shakib Khan on Friday (March 28). Set to be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Raihan Rafi as their second collaboration after the record-breaking success of 'Toofan' (2024), the new film is scheduled for release on Eid-ul-Adha 2025, promising an intense cinematic experience for audiences. Shakib himself, alongside production houses Alpha-i and SVF, shared the announcement image on Facebook on Friday night, sparking excitement among fans. This comes at a time when fans are eagerly awaiting his upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 film 'Borbaad'. Both Director Raihan Rafi and Alpha-i Managing Director Shahriar Shakil also shared the poster on Facebook on Friday night, writing: "Happy Birthday to the Megastar Shakib Khan! Hold your breath, Taandob is coming!" Shakib Khan’s ‘Borbaad’ faces objections from Certification Board, putting doubts over Eid release Produced by Alpha-i and SWF, the gripping poster features Shakib Khan in a rugged avatar, showing intensity with a gun in hand, surrounded by flames - symbolizing the fiery narrative that awaits to be showcased on silver screens. The tagline and visual elements suggest a high-octane storyline that aims to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Shakib Khan, often referred to as the 'Megastar' of Bangladeshi cinema, has consistently delivered blockbuster hits, and 'Taandob' is expected to add another feather to his cap. This second collaboration between Shakib, Rafi and the producers has been a talk of the Dhallywood town in recent times. With the release date set for Eid-ul-Adha 2025, the film is poised to be one of the major highlights of the festive season. Further details regarding the plot and supporting cast are yet to be revealed.

Actor Shahana Goswami has expressed deep disappointment over the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) decision to block the theatrical release of Santosh in India. Despite receiving international acclaim and being the UK’s official entry for the 97th Academy Awards, the Sandhya Suri-directed film faces censorship hurdles in its home country.  Goswami finds the decision particularly disheartening as the film’s narrative is deeply rooted in India. “It’s upsetting that audiences here — where the film is set — won’t get to watch it. Given its appreciation at international and Indian film festivals, it is unfortunate that it cannot have a theatrical release,” she said.  The film, which premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in 2024, is already available online for Indian viewers. However, the makers had hoped for a wider theatrical release, which now appears uncertain unless a resolution is reached.  “The censor board has provided a list of changes required for approval, but as a team, we do not agree with the cuts,” Goswami stated.  Will Smith reflects on personal growth through music in 'Based on a True Story' Although she refrained from detailing the CBFC’s objections, reports suggest concerns over the film’s portrayal of Islamophobia, misogyny, and police brutality. With inputs from Indian media

Veteran actor Mohanlal has revealed that Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan and South Indian superstar Rajinikanth were highly impressed by the trailer of his upcoming film, L2: Empuraan. In an interview with News18, he spoke about their reactions and how they genuinely appreciated the film’s scale and production value.  Speaking about their feedback, Mohanlal emphasised that their praise was heartfelt and not driven by competition. “I shared the trailer with Amitabh Bachchan saab, and Rajini sir personally called me. He was astonished and said, ‘What have you done? Oh my god!’ It was genuine appreciation, not a reaction stemming from a need to create something better,” he said.  The ‘Drishyam’ actor further explained that Rajinikanth, who is also a producer, understood the level of effort put into the film. “He could see the investment made in the movie and acknowledged it. His compliment was sincere, coming straight from his heart after watching the trailer. It wasn’t just a casual social media post praising the film,” Mohanlal added.  Directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, L2: Empuraan is one of the most anticipated films of 2025. Serving as a sequel to the 2019 blockbuster Lucifer, the film sees Mohanlal reprising his role as Khureshi-Ab'raam. The trailer hints at an intense socio-political drama with high-stakes action and gripping storytelling.  BJP highlights real story behind John Abraham’s 'The Diplomat' The film also stars Tovino Thomas, Abhimanyu Singh, Indrajith Sukumaran, and Manju Warrier. Produced by Antony Perumbavoor and Gokulam Gopalan under Aashirvad Cinemas and Sree Gokulam Movies, the film will release in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu.  Set to hit cinemas on March 27, L2: Empuraan marks Mohanlal and Prithviraj’s third collaboration after Lucifer and Bro Daddy. With inputs from Indian media

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