Vidya Balan joins Rajinikanth starrer Jailer 2, makers eye Independence Day 2026 release: Report

https://ift.tt/lNmJX0Q

Vidya Balan has joined the cast of Jailer 2, adding a significant new dimension to the much-anticipated sequel to Rajinikanth’s 2023 blockbuster. Directed once again by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Sun Pictures, the film is shaping up to be a larger and more narratively driven follow-up to one of Kollywood’s biggest recent successes.

According to a source close to the production quoted by Pinkvilla, Vidya Balan was approached with the script and was immediately drawn to both the story and the depth of her character. The source revealed that the actor was impressed by the complexity of the role, which is said to be central to the plot and responsible for a major turning point in the film. Described as a strong, layered character, her part is expected to bring emotional weight and narrative depth to the sequel, marking her return to a high-profile commercial entertainer.

Vidya Balan’s inclusion is being seen as a move that pushes Jailer 2 beyond scale and spectacle, strengthening its storytelling ambitions. While the first film leaned heavily on Rajinikanth’s screen presence and mass moments, the sequel appears to be expanding its emotional and dramatic scope with carefully written supporting characters.

Rajinikanth will reprise his role as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian, a character that struck a chord across age groups in the original film. This time, the sequel promises higher stakes, with Muthuvel facing more dangerous adversaries and navigating bloodier, more intense conflicts. Nelson Dilipkumar returns to the director’s chair, aiming to raise the bar further while retaining the core elements that made Jailer a phenomenon.

On the release front, reports suggest that the makers are eyeing August 14, 2026, for the theatrical release of Jailer 2. The date would align the film with a long Independence Day weekend, a strategy similar to the August release window of the first part. Interestingly, it also mirrors the timing of Rajinikanth’s Coolie, which was released over the same holiday weekend earlier this year. While discussions around the final release date are still ongoing, the intention is clearly to position the sequel as a major festival release with Pan-India appeal.

Also Read: Rajinikanth’s 75th birthday becomes a star-studded celebration as Dhanush and Kamal Haasan honour him on his journey

EXCLUSIVE: As a tribute to Dharmendra, Yamla Pagla Deewana expected to re-release in cinemas on January 1, 2026

https://ift.tt/unjCEzD

Last month, the industry and moviegoers were in mourning as Dharmendra passed away on November 24 at the age of 89. More than a month after he left for the heavenly abode, his much-loved film Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011) is expected to be re-released in cinemas.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “The re-release of Yamla Pagla Deewana will serve as a tribute to the man who was unanimously loved and who left an indelible mark in the world of cinema. The film seems apt for a re-run as it’s not very old, still looks fresh and entertaining and also stars Dharmendra along with his two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol.”

The source continued, “Earlier, the plan was to re-release Yamla Pagla Deewana this Friday, December 19. But due to the Dhurandhar wave, NH Studioz, which holds the rights to the film, has decided to change the plan. Yamla Pagla Deewana is now expected to arrive in cinemas on January 1, 2026. A final decision will be taken in a few days from now.”

Yamla Pagla Deewana was directed by Samir Karnik and its title was inspired by the song ‘Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana’ from the 1975 film, Pratigya, also starring Dharmendra. A remixed version of the title track was a part of the film and added to its popularity. Yamla Pagla Deewana told the story of an Indian based in Canada who travels to Banaras to locate his estranged brother and father. Trouble arises when the trio travel to Punjab to help the younger brother win the love of his life while dealing with her crazy family.

Yamla Pagla Deewana opened at Rs. 7.95 crores, which was a healthy number then, and collected Rs. 55.28 crores in its lifetime. The film was loved for its comedy and mass appeal, and also because Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol all had strong roles with ample screen time. Its success led the makers to come up with Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 (2013) and Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se (2018). However, both these films failed to work at the box office.

Also Read: Esha Deol pays moving tribute to Dharmendra, sharing touching montage of personal and film memories

EXCLUSIVE: Salman Khan, Tiger Shroff and others attend wedding reception of the son of popular ex-cop, Daya Nayak

https://ift.tt/OFaeAr8

Prominent Bollywood celebrities made their way to a five-star hotel in Mumbai on the evening of Saturday, December 13, to attend the wedding reception of the son of a popular ex-police officer. Since no paparazzi were informed, no usual celeb sightings happened for this high-profile wedding.

The wedding in question was that of Chaitanya Nayak, son of Dayanand Nayak aka Daya Nayak. The biggest celebrity that graced the happy occasion was none other than superstar Salman Khan. A few fan clubs of the actor have uploaded videos of Salman entering the venue.

Megastar #SalmanKhan Seen At Daya Nayak Sons Wedding Reception 🔥 pic.twitter.com/W3Pk3rP9OS — Filmy_Duniya (@FMovie82325) December 13, 2025

However, Bollywood Hungama has learned that besides Salman Khan, many more prominent celebrities attended the reception of Chaitanya Nayak like young actor Tiger Shroff, veteran performer Ashutosh Rana, this year's biggest comeback actor Rajat Bedi, unanimously loved celeb Manoj Bajpayee, Jayantilal Gada of PEN India Limited, Pravin Shah of Time Media And Entertainment, etc.

Daya Nayak joined the Mumbai Police department in 1985, and rose to fame as an encounter specialist in the late 1990s, as a member of the Detection Unit. In May 2025, he was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of the Police. He retired on July 31, 2025.

The 2004 Nana Patekar film, Ab Tak Chhappan, directed by Shimit Amin and produced by Ram Gopal Varma, is said to be inspired by the life of Daya Nayak.

Also Read: SCOOP: Salman Khan considering reclaiming his traditional Eid slot with Battle Of Galwan; might clash with Toxic and Dhamaal 4

Border 2 teaser launch on Vijay Diwas to turn into a grand tribute to Indian soldiers, deets inside

https://ift.tt/1WBwaNE

The makers of Border 2 are planning an unprecedented teaser launch event on Vijay Diwas on December 16, turning the occasion into a powerful blend of cinema, patriotism, and fan celebration. Timed with the historic day that commemorates India’s victory in the 1971 war, the teaser launch is being positioned as more than just a promotional activity it is envisioned as a nationwide tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers. With large-scale planning underway, the event promises to be one of the most ambitious teaser unveilings in recent times.

At the heart of the celebration will be Mumbai, where fans will be the first to witness the Border 2 teaser on the big screen. The city will host a grand event featuring meticulously recreated battlefield sets inspired by war-zone conditions seen in the film. From trenches and bunkers to military-style layouts, the venue will offer an immersive experience, allowing attendees to step into the world of Border 2 even before the teaser rolls.

Adding to the spectacle, the makers are creating a live museum-style installation showcasing actual props used in the film. Costumes, military gear, and other authentic elements from the shoot will be displayed, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the scale, realism, and craftsmanship involved in bringing the war drama to life.

The event will also mark a significant milestone as the Border 2 cast will be seen together publicly for the first time. Their joint appearance is expected to generate massive excitement, making the teaser launch a landmark moment in the film’s promotional journey.

Extending the celebration beyond Mumbai, the teaser will be screened simultaneously across multiple cities, ensuring fans nationwide experience the reveal at the same time. Adding an emotional layer to the evening, school children will present a special patriotic performance at the Mumbai event, reinforcing the spirit of Vijay Diwas and underlining the film’s tribute to the nation’s heroes.

Also Read : Border 2 teaser to be attached with Avatar: Fire and Ash in cinemas

BREAKING! Post-midnight shows of Dhurandhar added in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad due to unprecedented demand

https://ift.tt/2tKULCk

The buzz around Dhurandhar has been translating into packed theatres, with post-midnight shows being introduced across Maharashtra due to overwhelming public demand. In Mumbai, cinemas have begun screening the film from as late as 12:45 am onwards, marking a rare but telling response to the unstoppable excitement surrounding the release.

The decision to add post-midnight shows was taken after advance bookings surged across multiplexes and single screens alike. The move underlines the strong word-of-mouth and pre-release anticipation that Dhurandhar has managed to generate. The trend is not limited to Mumbai alone. Pune has also joined the celebration, with post-midnight shows commencing from 12:20 am onwards starting today due to similar reasons—heavy booking and consistent inquiries from moviegoers keen to catch the film at the earliest possible hour. Similarly, the trend of post-midnight shows is also seen in Ahmedabad. But this is not the first time that Dhurandhar’s post-midnight shows have been added. The same happened last weekend as well (which was the film’s first weekend) and Bollywood Hungama was the first one to report on the same. Midnight and post-midnight shows are usually reserved for films that demonstrate exceptional demand, often driven by mass appeal and fan-driven momentum. The fact that Dhurandhar has achieved this across multiple cities reflects its strong pull among audiences and its ability to cut across age groups and demographics. Directed and written by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar has an ensemble cast of Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi. The film is produced under the banners of Jio Studios and B62 Studios.

Also Read: Rajkummar Rao and Zoya Akhtar praise Ranveer Singh’s performance in Dhurandhar

BREAKING: Manager CONFIRMS that Allu Arjun to fly to Japan for Pushpa 2 Japanese release in January 2026; Pushpa Kunrin to release with 222-minute EXTENDED cut

https://ift.tt/7c2Ren6

2024’s biggest blockbuster, Pushpa 2 – The Rule, opened with superstar Allu Arjun’s character making a dramatic entry at a port in Japan, hidden inside a container. More than a year later, Allu is finally set to head to the Far East country, this time legally, as he will take part in promotions ahead of the film’s Japan release.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Pushpa 2 - The Rule will have a release in Japan on January 16, 2026, under the title of Pushpa Kunrin. Geek Pictures announced that it’ll release the film in the Asian country along with Shochiku. A special, vibrant poster of Pushpa Kunrin was also unveiled, featuring Allu Arjun in his trademark flamboyant avatar, sunglasses on, floral shirts out, and swagger dialled all the way up. The Japanese-version trailer was also dropped on YouTube the same day.

As expected, the fans of Allu Arjun are excited to learn about this special release of Pushpa 2 - The Rule in Japan. A fan happened to wonder on Twitter if the superstar will be heading to Japan for the promotional event before release and also if he can ask Allu’s manager, Sarath Chandra Naidu, about it. Interestingly, Sarath replied, “Yes, he is”. What was significant was that Sarath Chandra Naidu was not even tagged, but somehow stumbled upon this tweet and even answered the fan query.

Yes, he is. — Sarath Chandra Naidu (@imsarathchandra) December 12, 2025

Needless to say, Sarath’s reply was widely shared and retweeted and it added to the excitement. This would probably be the first ever visit for Allu Arjun in Japan.

Another interesting bit is that a 200-minute version of Pushpa 2 - The Rule was released in India and worldwide. A month later, after the film became a certified record grosser, the makers released a 20-minute-extended version. As per the details released by Geek Pictures, it is this extended version, of 222 minutes, which will be released in Japan.

Also Read: Allu Arjun stuns in new BTS of Thums Up commercial: here’s why fans are obsessed

Lauren Gottlieb performs Grah Pooja as she moves into her new Mumbai home, calls it an invitation for “peace and gratitude”

https://ift.tt/by2EBaj

Actress and global dance sensation Lauren Gottlieb has stepped into a new phase of her life, and she’s done it in the most heartfelt way. Moving into her new home in Mumbai, Lauren chose to mark this joyous milestone by performing a traditional Grah Pooja, grounding the moment in positivity, blessings, and spiritual grace.

Lauren’s relationship with India has always been special, a bond that goes far beyond her successful career in the entertainment industry. Over the years, she has embraced Indian values, traditions, and spirituality as her own. She was once given the loving nickname Foreign Ki Lauren, but India has claimed her and she has happily claimed India right back. Her commitment to honoring Indian culture isn’t symbolic, it’s deeply personal, lived, and celebrated through moments like these over a span of 13 beautiful years.

“I’ve built a life here in India, made memories, and now I’m building a home here once again. Performing a Grah Pooja was my way of inviting peace, gratitude, abundance, and good energy into my new home in Mumbai from day one. India has given me so much love, purpose, and belonging over the years, and incorporating these traditions into my life feels incredibly natural now. In this moment, I just feel incredibly grateful for my journey, for the beautiful people in India who have embraced me like family, and for building a home rooted in positivity and culture. I’m excited for everything this new beginning brings," shares Lauren.

 

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Lauren Gottlieb (@laurengottlieb)

From her unforgettable performances in ABCD and ABCD 2, to going from contestant to judge on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, and countless hit music videos to proudly representing Indian cinema at global events, Lauren has consistently been a cultural bridge between India and the world at large. Her electrifying performance of 'Naatu Naatu' on the prestigious Oscars stage, merging both her roots in Bollywood and Hollywood, remains a moment of national pride, showcasing her love and dedication to India on one of the biggest stages ever.

This marks one of the most anticipated comebacks in recent memory. Our beloved dancing diva stepping back into her power, ready to take the world stage by storm once again.

Also Read: ‘Sajri’ girl Lauren Gottlieb feels India is home: “When I stepped foot in India, I went, ‘I’m home!’, I just connect with the people in India”