Kartik Aaryan to team up with Chak De India director Shimit Amin for high-octane air force drama: Report

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Popular star Kartik Aaryan is all set to collaborate with acclaimed director Shimit Amin, best known for the blockbuster sports drama Chak De India. According to a recent Pinkvilla report citing a reliable source, the two have been in discussions for over a year, brainstorming various ideas before locking in on the intriguing story of a script reportedly titled Captain India.

“Kartik Aaryan and Shimit Amin have been in talks for the last year, jamming on multiple subjects to explore a potential collaboration. That’s when Kartik introduced Shimit to the world of Captain India, and the filmmaker found it to be a fascinating story,” the source revealed.

The film will showcase Kartik Aaryan in the role of an air force pilot, marking a fresh and ambitious genre for the actor known for his charismatic and versatile performances. Shimit Amin, renowned for his tight screenplays and gripping storytelling, has reportedly crafted a meticulously detailed script for Captain India and is gearing up to begin filming in the first half of 2026.

“Shimit Amin has worked out a tight screenplay for Captain India and is all set to take it on floors with Kartik Aaryan in the first half of 2026. When the filmmaker narrated the story to Kartik, the actor too was bowled over by the script. The duo is planning to shoot for Captain India in India and Morocco. In-fact, a team has already completed the recce in Morocco,” the insider added.

The production is expected to involve exotic locales, with Morocco doubling as one of the significant shooting destinations, promising stunning visuals alongside the high-octane narrative. The makers are eyeing a release date within the first half of 2027, though the timeline hinges on Kartik Aaryan’s existing commitments.

Currently, Kartik is busy wrapping up Dharma Productions’ Tu Mera Main Teri Main Teri Tu Mera alongside Ananya Panday. He also has the untitled Anurag Basu film featuring Sreeleela in the pipeline, and the fantasy drama Nagzilla, also under the Dharma banner, which is still in its initial stages.

This upcoming collaboration with Shimit Amin is highly anticipated, as fans eagerly await Kartik’s foray into a military-themed role backed by one of Bollywood’s respected filmmakers. With the combination of Kartik’s charm and Shimit’s directorial prowess, Captain India promises to be a captivating cinematic experience.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project as it progresses towards production and eventual release!

Also Read: Kartik Aaryan delivers heartfelt speech after bagging ‘Best Endorser of the Year’ at IAA Awards 2025

Coolie takes a lead of Rs. 70 crores over War 2 at the worldwide box office; Rajinikanth ready to conquer the throne

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Rajinikanth is in a league of his own. As of his Independence Day release, Coolie has taken a lead of Rs. 70 crore over the Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr. led War 2 at the worldwide box office. As the film has a day and a half left for release, Coolie has recorded an extraordinary advance booking of Rs. 85 crores at the worldwide box office and is fast racing towards the Rs. 100 crore mark with advance booking alone.

The film is rewriting all box office records, and creating new ones, that will be undefeated for years to come, also leaving behind the combo of Hrithik and NTR by a big margin. On the other hand, the YRF Spy Universe film War 2 has collected Rs. 15 crores advance at the worldwide box office, trailing Coolie by a margin of Rs. 70 crores.

The advance alone ensures that Coolie will be the winner against War 2 at the worldwide box office, as it is too big a gap to fill for Hrithik and NTR Jr. led action film. The real game begins once both films release on Thursday, as right word of mouth could also help War 2 put up good results at the box office, despite a relatively slow start.

The Hindi advance of War 2 is just about average at the moment, and the hopes are pinned on the Telugu advance to get the cash registers ringing and bring in good news for War 2. The Telugu advance of War 2 opens today!

Also Read: Coolie v/s War 2: Rajinikanth starrer releases on 1200 screens against Hrithik Roshan and NTR’s actioner in Hindi

RAJ MANDIR EXCLUSIVE: Coolie (Hindi) sells 250 tickets in just 1 show, War 2 aggregates 500 tickets in 4 shows!

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The clash between Hrithik Roshan and NTR's War 2 with Rajinikanth's Coolie is turning out to be a lot more intense than expected. While the Lokesh Kanagaraj film is running a one-horse race at the worldwide box office, it has managed to fight against the YRF Spy Universe saga despite a limited release in some centres. Going against the general norm, the iconic single screen of India - Raj Mandir - has allotted 1 show to Coolie and 4 shows to War 2 on Thursday.

And to everyone's surprise, Coolie is scoring better per-show than War 2 at the iconic single screens, despite not getting a single prime time show. As per the data set we analysed early in the morning on BookMyShow, Coolie has sold 250 tickets in Raj Mandir for the 8.45 AM show alone, whereas War 2 has sold overall 500 tickets in all 4 shows put together.

The per-show average of Coolie is 250, and there is a high chance for it to get housefull in advance booking alone. The per-show average of War 2 on the other hand is half of Coolie i.e. 125 tickets per show. A source told Bollywood Hungama on anonymity, "If Coolie had got one more show in Raj Mandir, it could have surpassed the overall sales of War 2. However, the film is still fighting out a 400 crore biggie with just one show. The hype for Coolie is real, but restricted due to fractured showcasing."

At the moment, Raj Mandir is one of the very few cinema halls to share shows of War 2 with Coolie. It would be exciting to see if others follow the same.

Also Read: War 2 GRAND event in Hyderabad: Jr NTR remembers Hrithik Roshan’s “BEAUTIFUL hug” on first day of shoot: “I am extremely PROUD to have danced beside you”; adds, “Ayan Mukerji will be remembered for directing one of the GREATEST films of our time”

Varun Dhawan enjoys “best morning” in Punjab fields ahead of Border 2 teaser launch

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Actor Varun Dhawan seems to be soaking in the simple joys of life in between his busy shooting schedules. Earlier today, August 11, he shared a series of pictures on his social media, capturing a serene morning in the heart of Punjab’s countryside.

In one of the shots, Varun is seen sitting barefoot on a grassy path between lush green fields, wearing a casual orange-checkered shirt and dark trousers, gazing thoughtfully at the rising sun. His caption read, “पंजाब दे खेत Best morning hogaya,” perfectly summing up the calm moment.

 

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This isn’t the first time the actor has shared such glimpses from rural Punjab. On August 1, he had posted photos dressed in a white kurta-pyjama and sporting a neatly groomed moustache, evoking the rustic charm of the region.

 

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Varun recently wrapped up his schedule for Border 2, one of his most anticipated upcoming films. As reported by Bollywood Hungama, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has cleared the date announcement teaser with a U/A 16+ certificate. The teaser is set to drop on August 15, offering audiences their first look at the India vs Pakistan narrative and confirming the film’s Republic Day week release on January 23, 2026.

 

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Beyond Border 2, Varun will also headline Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari alongside Janhvi Kapoor. Scheduled for an October 2, 2025 release, it marks their second collaboration and first theatrical outing together after Bawaal, which premiered directly on OTT.

Also Read: Varun Dhawan wraps Border 2 shoot; visits Golden Temple with team for blessings

8 Years of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha: Prerna Arora wants sequel on Women’s Safety

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This must be the only film in the world with the word ‘toilet’ in its title? Sir, I am very proud of that film, and not the least bit apologetic about the title. The film addressed the crucial issue of sanitation and hygiene for women. Even today, women travelling long distances often have no access to proper washrooms. Men can relieve themselves anywhere, but for women… it’s a very different challenge.

That’s true. Do you think Toilet: Ek Prem Katha brought about a change in the way we look at hygiene for women? I would like to think so. As a woman, I empathised deeply with Bhumi Pednekar’s character. I feel we don’t address women-centric issues often enough.

I agree. But your new film Jatadhara is a masculine action film? Sir, you are mistaken. Jatadhara has a very strong female protagonist, played by Sonakshi Sinha. When you see her in the film, you will be stunned. I promise you.

Waiting to be stunned. What is your most cherished memory of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha? Akshay Sir’s warmth, support, and confidence. It encouraged all of us to do our best. Now, I want to make a sequel to Toilet: Ek Prem Katha that focuses on the safety of women in public spaces.

Would Akshay be a part of it? If he agreed to be part of it, we would be honoured and delighted.

Also Read: Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar – two pillars of purposeful cinema in an era chasing formulas; Sitaare Zameen Par, 3 Idiots, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Pad Man, etc are living proofs

EXCLUSIVE: Sooraj Barjatya calls himself, Aditya Chopra, and Karan Johar “golden spoon people,” admits being conservative in filmmaking; says, “We haven’t seen the ups and downs of life”

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Veteran filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya, known for redefining family entertainment in Indian cinema, recently spoke to Bollywood Hungama about his upcoming television serial Manpasand Ki Shaadi (Colors TV) and his filmmaking philosophy, drawing parallels with contemporaries Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra.

In the candid conversation, Barjatya reflected on how their shared backgrounds shaped their creative approach. “Actually, the three of us are quite in tandem on one point. They are much younger than me, but we are of the same generation, and plus we are golden spoon people. We haven’t seen the ups and downs of life. We have always traveled in cars,” he said.

According to the Hum Aapke Hain Koun…! director, this privileged upbringing influenced the kind of cinema they make. “When our time came, we were passionate about filmmaking. So we showed the world that it was a fairy tale, and that was the era of the 90s, where people wanted to see fairy tales. We are into one particular kind of cinema. But I think both Adi and Karan, and I, we all would like to show dreams. If any of us is asked to go to reality, I think none of us knows that life. To that extent, we are a little spoiled.”

 

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Barjatya also described himself as the most traditional among the trio. “Maybe it has to do with my upbringing. But essentially, we three are on the good side, on the simple side. I am sure if given a choice, even Karan would like to do Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani today. It may be to do with our age, but essentially, we are making family films. Comparatively, I am the most conservative of the three of us—and I think that lies in my strength.”

Also Read: Salman Khan explains why his Atlee film couldn’t materialize: “I believe it was the budget of the film”; CONFIRMS film with Sooraj Barjatya; funnily shares challenges for Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2

Viju Shah on 23 years of his music in Hansal Mehta’s Chhal, “Asha Bhosle ji climbed four floors to record her song”

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Viju Shah is known for giving music mostly in Rajiv Rai’s films. But he also composed music for filmmaker Hansal Mehta when he was just starting out with Chhal. Starring Kay Kay Menon, Prashant Narayan, Jaya Seal and Shri Vallabh Vyas, the underworld drama was acclaimed for its storytelling and music. As Chhal completes 23 years, Viju Shah looked back at the film in an interview with us.

You have been mostly associated with Rajiv Rai’s cinema. But Chhal was an early collaboration with Hansal Mehta

Chhal marked my first time association with producer Nitin Patil, director Hansal Mehta, lyricist Amitabh Varma, recording and mixing engineer Tanay Gajjar (Ava Studio) and of course singer KK… The experience on the whole was very enjoyable.

It was amazing how space was made in Chhal for music and songs

Chhal although not being a musical, had decent music considering the genre of the film. I remember singer KK being excited and thrilled rendering the title track of the film. Other singers being Asha Bhosleji, Alka Yagnik, Sadhana Sargam and Shaan. Javed Ali sang an alaap in one of the songs. I also enjoyed working on the background score of the film. Chhal also happened to be the debut film of actors Kay Kay Menon and Prashant Narayan. I must tell you what happened before the recording of the song ‘Dil Jhanjhanale Jaane Jaana sung’.

Do tell

Ava Studio happened to be on the 4th floor. On the day of Ashaji’s dub, the lift was out of order. Instead of cancelling the dub, Ashaji climbed four floors to dub the song. Such was her commitment and dedication towards her profession. I can never forget this noble gesture.

Also Read: Tridev to Zora: Viju Shah on his unbroken association with Rajiv Rai, “After Vishwatma he was being pressurized to take someone else”