As Dhurandhar revives Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's magic, here's how his ICONIC creation featured in Sunny Deol and Shah Rukh Khan-starrers just 9 months apart

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Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is back in sharp focus for Hindi film audiences, thanks to Dhurandhar The Revenge. The recently released film has revived not one but two compositions associated with the legendary singer – ‘Jaan Se Guzarte Hain’ and ‘Man Atkeya Beparwah De Naal’, making Nusrat saab’s timeless sound a talking point all over again. It has once again reminded audiences of the emotional power and spiritual pull that only Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s music could carry.

Interestingly, this renewed fascination also takes one back to an important chapter in Bollywood’s long relationship with Nusrat saab’s music. On April 18, 2026, Koyla completes 29 years, having originally been released on April 18, 1997. The Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit starrer featured the unforgettable ‘Saanson Ki Mala’, a film adaptation that brought Nusrat saab’s immortal composition into a dramatic mainstream Bollywood setting. Even today, the song remains one of the most haunting and distinctive musical moments in the film’s album.

What makes this even more fascinating is that Koyla wasn’t the first major Hindi film to tap into the magic of ‘Saanson Ki Mala’. 9 months earlier, the same composition had also been used in Jeet (1996), the Sunny Deol-Karisma Kapoor-Salman Khan starrer. In other words, before Shah Rukh Khan’s Koyla turned it into a widely remembered cinematic moment for an entire generation, the song had already made its way into a major Bollywood film vehicle led by Sunny Deol.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan already had a fan base in India and it became bigger with the song 'Afreen Afreen' from the album Sangam in 1996. He composed songs for two films – Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997) and Kachchhe Dhaage (1999), while also singing the cult track 'Dulhe Ka Sehra' from Dhadkan (2000).

As was the trend at that time, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was never credited for the recreations in Jeet or Koyla. Interestingly, ‘Saanson Ki Mala’ was recreated for the third time, in Yaariyan 2 (2023). This time, the legendary musician was duly credited.

Also Read: Bombay High Court urges amicable settlement in Aditya Dhar-Santosh Kumar dispute over Dhurandhar The Revenge script

EXCLUSIVE: Sunny Deol-starrer Gabru postponed; won’t release on May 8

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Sunny Deol's stardom went on another level with the blockbuster success of Gadar 2 (2023). His next, Jaat (2025), also had a decent trend at the box office, proving that the success of Gadar 2 was not a fluke. The veteran star began 2026 on a rocking note with the Rs. 300 crore plus grosser, Border 2. As a result, expectations are tremendous for his next film, Gabru. The film was scheduled for release on May 8 and fans will have to wait a little more to experience the emotional drama as it has been pushed further ahead.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Gabru has been postponed and won’t arrive in cinemas on May 8. The makers plan to lock the new release date in a few days, after which they’ll make an official announcement.”

Earlier, Gabru was supposed to release on March 13 and was postponed to May 8, possibly because the holy month of Ramzan was going on and moreover, the much-awaited film, Dhurandhar The Revenge, was to arrive in cinemas 6 days later, on March 19.

Gabru is directed by Shashank Udapurkar and produced by Vishal Rana. In November 2025, Bollywood Hungama was the first one to break the news that Salman Khan has an entertaining and extended cameo. At that time, a source told us, “There was a requirement of a star and the makers knew that Salman Khan fit the bill completely. Salman was approached and he loved the part and its contribution to the film. He quietly shot the film more than a year ago and it has shaped up well. His cameo in Gabru is all heart. It is adorable and also highly entertaining. He has 3 scenes in total and hence, it’s an extended special appearance.”

Meanwhile, the May 8 slot is taken up by Aakhri Sawal and Dadi Ki Shaadi. The former stars Sanjay Dutt, Neetu Chandra, Namashi Chakraborty, Amit Sadh, Sameera Reddy and Tridha Choudhury while the former features Kapil Sharma, Neetu Kapoor and Sadia Khateeb.

It now remains to be seen when Gabru arrives in cinemas, as several significant mid-sized and big films are up for release from June to August. August will also see the release of Sunny Deol’s another much-awaited film, Lahore 1947. It is produced by Aamir Khan and is directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. Sunny’s other confirmed release in 2026 is Ramayana. It’ll release on Diwali and will present the actor as Lord Hanuman.

Also Read: Sunny Deol starrer GABRU teaser coming soon; actor shares update on social media

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War set for January 21, 2027 release worldwide

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Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming romantic drama Love & War will release worldwide on January 21, 2027. The film will arrive during the Republic Day weekend and is expected to be one of the major theatrical releases of the year.

The project stars Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt in lead roles. The casting has already generated strong interest among audiences, as the trio come together for the first time in a film directed by Bhansali.

The announcement comes after Ranbir Kapoor recently confirmed that the film had been postponed from its earlier planned release window. The actor shared the update during an Instagram Live session marking the anniversary of his lifestyle brand ARKS. The film was earlier expected to release in June 2026.

According to reports, the makers decided to shift the release date to avoid a direct box office clash with Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic.

Mounted on a large scale, Love & War is described as a romantic drama with a strong emotional core. The film is expected to reflect Bhansali’s signature storytelling style and visual approach. It is also being positioned as one of his most ambitious romantic projects so far.

The film will release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, indicating a wide theatrical rollout across multiple markets in India and overseas.

Also Read: Love & War: No Phones, No Leaks – Sanjay Leela Bhansali enforces strict security on sets of the Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal starrer

Kartik Aaryan to team up with Reema Kagti for new Namah Pictures project? Here’s what we know!

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Kartik Aaryan is in early discussions to collaborate with Reema Kagti on a new film backed by Namah Pictures. The project is currently at a very initial stage of development. Other details about the film are being kept under wraps. A report by Variety speculates that Kartik has not yet given his final approval. However, he remains the leading contender for the role at this stage.

The possible collaboration stands out because of the different creative spaces associated with the actor and the filmmaker. Reema Kagti is known for directing projects such as Talaash, Gold, Dahaad and Superboys of Malegaon.

The report further suggests that Kartik is exploring roles that expand his screen image and allow him to take on different kinds of characters. The proposed film with Kagti could become a distinctive addition to his lineup if confirmed.

Namah Pictures developing multiple projects

The Reema Kagti project is one of three films currently being developed by Namah Pictures for the coming year. The banner, led by Shareen Mantri Kedia and Kishor Arora, has also signed directors Vishal Devrukhkar and Dnyanesh Zoting for two separate projects. Namah Pictures has earlier produced films such as Beyond the Clouds, Anandi Gopal, Lost and Satyaprem Ki Katha.

The production house is also preparing for the release of its upcoming web series Phoolan, based on the life of Phoolan Devi. The series will premiere on Prime Video later this year.

The story focuses on a key chapter in Phoolan Devi’s life during a prolonged armed siege and explores her resistance within a deeply unequal social structure.

Kartik Aaryan’s upcoming film lineup

Kartik Aaryan currently has several projects in different stages of development. He is set to appear next in a musical romance directed by Anurag Basu alongside Sreeleela. He also has Naagzilla, directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, scheduled for release around Valentine’s Day weekend next year.

His lineup also includes a sports drama directed by Kabir Khan and the action thriller Captain India directed by Shimit Amin. Apart from these, he is also reported to be in talks for upcoming films with Luv Ranjan and Aanand L. Rai. Another installment of the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise is also in development, with Anees Bazmee expected to return as director, with production planned for mid-2027.

Also Read: Kartik Aaryan starrer Naagzilla to release during Valentine’s Day weekend 2027

Samantha lights up Thassadiya as Maa Inti Bangaaram gears up for release

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The makers of Maa Inti Bangaaram have unveiled the film’s first single, “Thassadiya,” offering a vibrant glimpse into the much-anticipated action-comedy family drama led by Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Backed by Tralala Moving Pictures, the film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on May 15, 2026.

Composed by Santhosh Narayanan, “Thassadiya” is a high-energy wedding track that blends festive beats with a contemporary groove. Penned by Rehman and sung by Chinmayi Sripada and Punya Selva, the song captures the spirit of celebration, love, and togetherness. Samantha commands the screen with dynamic choreography and a striking presence, setting the tone for the film’s lively narrative.

Sharing her excitement, Samantha said, “‘Thassadiya’ is pure celebration. It’s the kind of song that instantly lifts your mood, and shooting it was an absolute blast. We wanted it to reflect the warmth and chaos of a big family wedding.” Composer Santhosh Narayanan added, “We aimed to create something rooted in tradition yet sonically fresh. ‘Thassadiya’ is just the beginning of a very exciting album.”

Created by Raj Nidimoru and directed by Nandini Reddy, the film marks Nandini’s reunion with Samantha after their successful collaboration on Oh! Baby. The cast also includes Diganth and Gulshan Devaiah in key roles, alongside an ensemble supporting cast.

Positioned as a blend of action, emotion, and humor, Maa Inti Bangaaram showcases Samantha in a physically demanding role, balancing intense sequences with heartfelt family moments. Following a well-received teaser, the release of “Thassadiya” has further heightened expectations. With its summer release strategy, the film is shaping up to be one of the season’s major entertainers.

Also Read: Maa Inti Bangaaram teaser packs emotion, action and heart as Samantha Ruth Prabhu unveils her next production

Bombay High Court urges amicable settlement in Aditya Dhar-Santosh Kumar dispute over Dhurandhar The Revenge script

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The Bombay High Court on Thursday indicated that the defamation suit filed by writer-director Aditya Dhar against Santosh Kumar over plagiarism allegations related to Dhurandhar 2 – The Revenge should not escalate further. Justice Arif Doctor suggested that both sides try to resolve the matter amicably.

The court observed that disputes of this nature can often be resolved without escalating into extended defamation litigation. Court advises restraint in public allegations The case began after Santosh Kumar publicly claimed that the script of the sequel was copied from his earlier work. Aditya Dhar denied the allegation and called the claims defamatory. He then approached the High Court seeking relief.

During the hearing, Justice Doctor said that if Kumar believes his intellectual property was copied, he is free to pursue civil remedies through proper legal channels. However, the court made it clear that such concerns should not be raised through public statements in the media.

The court also noted that disagreements over authorship can be addressed through structured legal procedures rather than public exchanges. Counsel clarifies position on authorship claim Kumar’s advocate told the court that his client’s grievance was limited to asserting authorship of the story. The court acknowledged that Kumar is entitled to make such a claim. At the same time, it stressed that any such assertion must be pursued legally.

Senior Advocate Birendra Saraf, appearing for Dhar, argued that allegations of plagiarism should not be repeated publicly and must be handled through the appropriate legal process. Kumar’s counsel informed the court that he would seek instructions from his client regarding the suggestion to restrict the matter to legal remedies.

Earlier, on April 8, the High Court had restrained Santosh Kumar from repeating the allegedly defamatory statements about the script. Dhar had moved the court seeking an injunction and damages after Kumar allegedly failed to respond to a legal notice that rejected the plagiarism claims.

Also Read: Several single-screen cinemas yet to open bookings for Bhooth Bangla from April 17 due to show-sharing dispute with Dhurandhar The Revenge

Bombay High Court urges amicable settlement in Aditya Dhar-Santosh Kumar dispute over Dhurandhar The Revenge script

Krushna Abhishek, Kashmera Shah, Sunita Ahuja reunite on sets of comedy cooking reality show signalling end of family rift

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In a heartwarming turn of events, Krushna Abhishek and his wife Kashmera Shah have officially ended their long-standing feud with his uncle Govinda and aunt Sunita Ahuja. The reconciliation came as a pleasant surprise when Sunita Ahuja made an appearance on the reality comedy-cooking show Laughter Chefs, marking the first public reunion of the family in years.

Speaking to the paparazzi after the shoot, Krushna expressed his happiness over the unexpected development and acknowledged how significant the moment was for him and Kashmera. He said, “Mami coming was a very big surprise. Both of us had no idea. Thanks to her for agreeing. All the spice that the media has created over the last 10–12 years—we set it on fire and ended it by coming together today.”

Sunita Ahuja, in an emotional and candid statement, reflected on letting go of past grievances and embracing family bonds. She shared, “How long can I stay upset… after all, he is my son and she is my daughter-in-law… now they even have children. What’s the point now? We will enjoy life. And time is unpredictable. Nobody knowns what may happen tomorrow. We don’t even know if we will wake up the next morning. Now that we have met, we will celebrate and have fun together.”

Adding her own trademark flair, Kashmera Shah made a sharp and unapologetic remark, saying, “To all the haters—shame on you.” Her statement quickly grabbed attention online, reflecting the couple’s confidence as they move past the controversy.

 

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Krushna also praised Sunita’s presence on the show, calling her the “best guest” and revealing that she playfully roasted everyone on set, including him. He added that he thoroughly enjoyed shooting the episode, making it a memorable experience both personally and professionally.

For the uninitiated, the rift reportedly began around 2016 when Govinda and Sunita appeared on a comedy show hosted by Kapil Sharma, which also featured Krushna. A joke made during the episode allegedly did not go down well with the couple, sparking tensions that escalated over the years with indirect remarks and public disagreements.

However, this recent reunion signals a clear closure to the chapter, with both sides choosing forgiveness over conflict. The family’s appearance together not only delighted fans but also underscored a simple message—time, indeed, can heal even the deepest wounds.

Also Read: Tina Ahuja on Govinda-Sunita Ahuja divorce rumours: “Two years have not been great, there has been turbulence”