Zoya Akhtar confirms Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara sequel is in works

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Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar has confirmed that work on a sequel to the 2011 hit Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is underway. The update comes as the film marks 15 years since its release and follows renewed excitement among fans after Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol and Farhan Akhtar reunited for a 2025 advertisement for Yas Island.

The trio’s reunion in the campaign brought back memories of their much-loved characters Arjun, Kabir and Imran. The commercial sparked speculation that the actors could be returning for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2, with several fans even assuming that the advertisement was connected to an upcoming sequel.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the Monsoon Film Festival, Zoya addressed the possibility of revisiting the characters and confirmed that discussions are taking place. “We are on it,” she said. However, the filmmaker made it clear that the project is still being developed and that there is no certainty about what shape it will eventually take.

“We don’t know what will happen and what won’t… if we will get to a place where it feels correct, in catching up with these characters today. But it will be nice,” Zoya added.

She also recalled the strong reaction to the 2025 advertisement featuring Hrithik, Abhay and Farhan. “People thought it was a trailer,” she said. According to Zoya, fans initially celebrated the reunion, only to express their disappointment when they realised it was not a film teaser. “First, they were like, ‘YEAH!’ But then I got abused in my DMs saying, ‘This was not funny.'”

Zoya also responded to criticism that her films often focus on the “angst of posh people.” She said the criticism does not bother her and maintained that filmmakers should be able to tell stories about different kinds of people.

“It still comes up, but it does not bother me now,” she said. “These are stories and, as a filmmaker, I get to tell stories of all kinds of people.”

Released in 2011, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara starred Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah. Shot across Spain, India and the United Kingdom, the film was reportedly made on a budget of Rs 45 crores and earned around Rs 153 crores worldwide.

Also Read : Zoya Akhtar’s Turtle Walker to release on Animal Planet as part of India: Epic Wild Stories documentary anthology

Alia Bhatt gives a glimpse of her ‘good old days’ with Ranbir Kapoor and Raha; see pics

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Alia Bhatt recently treated fans to a glimpse of some previously unseen moments from a family vacation with her husband Ranbir Kapoor and their daughter Raha. The actor shared a series of pictures on Instagram on Monday, offering followers a look at their private family time as well as a few candid moments of herself.

Along with the eight-picture carousel, Alia kept her caption short and wrote, "good old days, cuddles and all". Her post featured a mix of family photographs, holiday snapshots and solo pictures from what appears to be a vacation taken some time ago.

The first picture shows Alia, Ranbir and Raha together on a boat as they take in the sea view. The family is photographed from behind, with Raha sitting between her parents. Ranbir can be seen wearing a cap, with one arm stretched behind Alia as they enjoy the moment together.

 

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Another picture captures a sweet mother-daughter moment. Alia is seen cuddling Raha with her eyes closed, while the little girl's hand is visible near her mother's face. The intimate photograph offers a glimpse into the actor's time with her daughter away from the public eye.

The carousel also features several solo pictures of Alia. In one mirror selfie, she is seen wearing a white bikini top paired with a lace cover-up, with her hair tied back. Another photograph shows her posing in oversized black sunglasses with her hair left open. In the final frame, Alia appears to be enjoying some food while continuing to wear the statement sunglasses.

Alia did not disclose the location of the holiday or specify when the photographs were taken. However, her caption referring to the "good old days" indicates that the pictures are from an earlier trip and had remained in her camera roll.

Alia and Ranbir tied the knot in April 2022 after dating for several years. The couple welcomed their daughter Raha in November 2022.

Also Read : Alia Bhatt reveals her go-to room dining orders: “I really like hotel sandwiches. They come with French fries…”

Emraan Hashmi’s wife Parveen Hashmi celebrates Awarapan 2 success: “Akha Bollywood ek taraf aur Emraan Hashmi ek taraf”

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Emraan Hashmi’s latest release, Awarapan 2, has achieved a major milestone at the box office, crossing the Rs 100 crores mark in its opening weekend. The success has also prompted a heartfelt message from the actor’s wife, Parveen Hashmi, who reflected on his 23-year journey in the film industry and the dedication that has kept him going through highs and lows.

Taking to Instagram, Parveen described the achievement as the result of years of patience, hard work and faith. She wrote, “It has taken Emi 23 years to get here today... 23 years of patience, dedication, faith, surrender, countless blessings and prayers!!” She recalled how Emraan experienced both successful and disappointing Fridays during his career but never allowed setbacks to stop him from moving ahead.

Parveen also spoke about the actor’s commitment to his work and his ability to remain grounded despite the success. She wrote, “I have watched him put his heart and soul into all his projects.” Referring to the popular line, “Akha Bollywood ek taraf aur Emraan Hashmi ek taraf (reference to The Bads of Bollywood)”, she said the statement resonates with the actor’s fans and people in the industry.

 

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Sharing a glimpse into Emraan’s routine, Parveen revealed that his preparation involved studying scripts, learning dialogues, including some in Telugu, rehearsing scenes, maintaining his diet and exercising regularly. She said, “I’ve seen what goes on behind the scenes every single day...” According to her, nothing could disrupt his routine, “not even on holidays!!”

Parveen, who described herself as one of Emraan’s biggest critics, said she felt particularly proud of him following the response to Awarapan 2. She concluded her note by encouraging people to stay focused, disciplined and committed to their dreams.

The sequel’s success is significant considering the performance of the 2007 original. Awarapan earned around Rs 13 crores during its theatrical run but later developed a loyal following and became a cult favourite. Awarapan 2 surpassed the original film’s lifetime collection on its first day itself.

Produced by Vishesh Bhatt and directed by Nitin Kakkar, Awarapan 2 brings Emraan back as Shivam Pandit, alongside Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi. The cast also includes Puran Gabbi, Anirudh Rawal, Surendar Vicky, Vijayant Kohli and Atul Kumar.

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas shares hilarious birthday wish for brother-in-law Joe Jonas

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas had a playful way of wishing her brother-in-law Joe Jonas on his birthday. The actor shared a candid picture with the singer and actor on her Instagram Stories, turning the family celebration into a light-hearted social media moment.

In the photograph, Priyanka appeared to be in the middle of a conversation with Joe, while he could be seen laughing. Adding to the humour of the candid moment, Priyanka wrote, “FYI, it was not supposed to be funny, joejonas. Happiest birthday bro.” Her caption suggested that the conversation captured in the picture was not intended to be amusing, making the photograph even more entertaining.

Joe's brothers also shared glimpses of his birthday celebrations. Nick Jonas posted a series of quirky pictures from the Pokémon-themed party. The celebrations featured the Jonas Brothers, Priyanka and other family members posing and enjoying themselves amid Poké Ball balloons and Pokémon cards. A specially designed Pokémon card featuring Joe was also part of the decorations.

Nick wished his brother with a Pokémon-inspired message, writing, “Gotta catch 'em all. We love you joejonas happy birthday brother.”

Kevin Jonas also joined the celebrations online, sharing moments from the birthday bash. Alongside the pictures, he wrote, “Epic celebration for an epic brother. We love you joejonas”, followed by a red heart emoji.

Priyanka and Nick tied the knot in December 2018 at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur in ceremonies that followed Hindu and Christian traditions. The couple later welcomed their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, through surrogacy on January 15, 2022.

On the work front, Priyanka is set to star in S.S. Rajamouli's Varanasi, alongside Mahesh Babu. She will portray Mandakini, a fierce historian who joins Mahesh Babu's character Rudhra on a global mission to save the holy city of Varanasi from an asteroid named Shambhavi.

Also Read : Priyanka Chopra Jonas unveils Sridevi’s biography ‘Empress’ on late actress’ birth anniversary

Mithun Chakraborty reacts to Kolkata Film Festival snub with a sarcastic remark: "Main bahut chota artiste hoon, shayad isliye nahi bulaya"

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Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty has reacted to being left out of this year’s Kolkata Film Festival, taking a sarcastic dig at the organisers while comparing the situation with the invitation he received from the Moscow Film Festival. The actor’s comments came during his recent visit to Kolkata for a meeting related to the birth centenary celebrations of Bengali cinema icon Uttam Kumar.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Mithun confirmed that he was not invited to the Kolkata Film Festival. “I wasn't invited to the film festival,” he said. The actor then pointed out that he had received an invitation from the Moscow Film Festival and was preparing to attend the event there.

“I am going to Moscow now; perhaps they will invite me. They are inviting me to the Moscow Film Festival. Yet, here in Bengal, I wasn't invited,” Mithun said.

Mithun appeared to take the situation in a lighter but pointed manner, suggesting that his comparatively limited number of Bengali film appearances might have been a reason for his exclusion. He said, “Main bahut chota artiste hoon, shayad isliye nahi bulaya (I am a very minor artiste. Maybe that's why they didn't invite me).”

The actor’s remarks come at a time when Bengal is observing the centenary of Uttam Kumar, one of the most recognised figures in Bengali cinema. Born Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Uttam Kumar made his mark in Bengali films and also worked as an actor, director and producer in Hindi cinema. His career gained momentum after early setbacks, with films such as Basu Paribar and Sharey Chuattor helping establish him as a major star. His pairing with Suchitra Sen remains one of the most remembered screen partnerships in Bengali cinema.

Meanwhile, Mithun continues to remain active across film industries. He is set to make a cameo in Rajinikanth-led Jailer 2, which is scheduled for release in 2027. His latest comments have once again brought attention to his absence from the Kolkata Film Festival and his contrasting invitation from Moscow.

Also Read : Dev Adhikari visits Mithun Chakraborty in hospital after the latter’s surgery: “You have always been like a father figure to me”

Kareena Kapoor Khan wishes Saif Ali Khan on 56th birthday: "My forever ride or die"

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Saif Ali Khan celebrates his 56th birthday today, and his wife, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, took to her social media account to pen a sweet birthday note for him. The actress shared a series of pictures of him, along with a tongue-in-cheek reveal that all the photos were approved by him.

"Happy Birthday to my forever ride or die. How boring would life be without you… This Insta post pictures are all approved by him… loves it when I post his pictures," her post read.

 

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On the work front, Saif Ali Khan will be seen in Haiwaan. Set to release on 11th September, the film is directed by Priyadarshan, marking Saif's first movie with the filmmaker, and also stars Akshay Kumar.

Also Read: Priyadarshan reveals his experience of working with Saif Ali Khan on Haiwaan, calls him, “Too committed”

Ranveer Singh starrer end-of-the-world action thriller Pralay, directed by Jai Mehta, goes on floors in Mumbai

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Headlined by Ranveer Singh, Pralay the ambitious new end-of-the-world action thriller, has officially gone on floors in Mumbai, marking the commencement of filming on one of the most keenly-awaited films.

The film marks Ranveer Singh’s next major motion picture release following Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar The Revenge, which emerged as the highest-grossing film of all time. With Pralay, the actor once again ventures into an unexplored cinematic landscape that is new and disruptive. Ranveer not only headlines the film but also serves as a producer, taking on a story that demands both physical intensity and emotional conviction.

For Ananya Birla, Pralay, a Birla Studios production, reflects her ambition to push the landscape of cinema as a creative catalyst who is looking to collaborate with the modern game-changers in India. For Hansal Mehta and Sahil Saigal’s True Story Films, it reflects a belief in creating disruption through content.

Pralay stars Lokah breakout actress Kalyani Priyadarshan in a pivotal role, further bringing together an exciting new generation of talent.

Bringing together an ensemble of creative and technical talent from India and around the world, Pralay is directed by Jai Mehta, whose work on Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, which he co-directed with Hansal Mehta, and Lootere has earned widespread acclaim. The film plunges audiences into a relentless odyssey, unfolding against the terrifying possibility of an end-of-the-world catastrophe.

Set against the unmistakable pulse and landscape of Mumbai, Pralay is an original story that seeks to marry breathtaking spectacle with a deeply human emotional core. At its heart is a journey of survival, courage and the instinct to fight for what matters most when the world as you know it begins to collapse.

The film is being shot at live locations in and around Mumbai, as the makers embrace the physicality and unpredictability of real-world environments. This approach brings heightened scale, texture and realism to a world on the brink of annihilation.

Pralay had been in highly technical and intensive pre-production for several months. It’s unprecedented mounting has already earned it the distinction of being one of the most talked about and highly anticipated projects coming out of Indian cinema in current times.

Also Read: Farhan Akhtar takes a dig at Ranveer Singh over Don 3 exit? says “It was a month away from filming, which seems to be a pattern nowadays”