The biggest Bollywood news is the coming together of two epic filmmakers. Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ketan Mehta are joining hands for Jai Somnath, a film that cinematizes the legend of the famous temple.

Jai Somnath is described as a “seminal tale of Indian civilisation”. The lavish period drama is slated for release in 2027. Mehta is writing and directing the project, which will be produced by Bhansali Productions and Ketan Mehta’s Maya Movies.

Speaking exclusively on the project to this writer, Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, “I’ve always been a huge huge fan of Ketan Mehta’s cinema. His Mirch Masala is one of my 10 most favourite Indian films of all times. We’ve been toying with the idea of working together. This project seems the best way to collaborate on something special.”

The project was announced on Maha Shivratri as it is the cinematic manifestation of one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites located in Gujarat.

Also Read: Karan Johar calls Sanjay Leela Bhansali an “Aesthetic Voice”, praises his film costumes

The recently released film O’Romeo, starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, has had its audience ratings and public reviews disabled on the popular ticketing platform BookMyShow, following a court order. This marks an unusual development for a Hindi film, with official audience feedback blocked shortly after the movie’s theatrical debut on February 13, 2026.

O’Romeo, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and produced under the Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment banner, opened to a mixed response at the box office. According to reports, the film initially displayed an audience rating on BookMyShow — starting around 6.8 and rising to about 7 by the second day — before the reviews and rating section was removed entirely.

On the film’s BookMyShow page, where ratings and comments typically appear, a notice now reads: “Reviews and ratings disabled as per court order.” While neither the platform nor the makers have issued detailed statements explaining the legal reasoning, industry observers note that this appears to be a strategic response amid concerns over organised negative campaigns and “review bombing” that can skew public perception.

O’Romeo features a strong ensemble cast including Vikrant Massey, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal and Nana Patekar, among others. Despite its early debut and attention around its stylistic elements and performances, the film’s reception among audiences has been varied, with some praising its ambition and others critiquing its pacing and narrative cohesion.

Also Read: O’Romeo Box Office: Shahid Kapoor starrer sees good growth on Saturday

Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor has confirmed that the highly anticipated film Love & War has been postponed from its earlier target release date, choosing to avoid a direct box-office clash with the sequels Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic. The update came during an Instagram Live session hosted by Ranbir to mark the anniversary of his lifestyle brand ARKS.

Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and featuring a star-studded cast including Ranbir, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, Love & War was initially slated for a Christmas 2025 release before being shifted to March 20, 2026. Rumours had previously suggested the film might be pushed all the way into early 2027 due to production timelines, but a source close to the project has reiterated that the film is committed to a 2026 release.

During the live interaction, Ranbir confirmed that Love & War will now be released after his other upcoming project, Ramayana Part 1, which is scheduled for an October release. With that shift, Love & War is likely to aim for a late-year window, potentially targeting December 2026 for its theatrical debut, though an official date has not yet been locked.

The decision to move the release comes as a crowded March 19 weekend now features major films Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic head-to-head. By positioning Love & War after Ramayana, the makers hope to give Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s romantic saga room to breathe commercially without contending with the heavyweight releases.

With Ramayana Part 1 set to pave the way, audiences can expect Love & War to arrive later in 2026, well clear of the March summer slate clash.

Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor sweetly reveals he kisses Alia Bhatt every morning; calls his biography “Artist”

Today, global Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh made history, delivering the largest Live Nation North America presale ever for a South Asian artist, moving over 130,000 tickets in just two days. The Aura World Tour North American dates mark a major step forward from Dosanjh’s record-breaking 2024 Dil-Luminati Tour, which became the largest North American tour by a Punjabi artist to date.

Promoted by Live Nation, the 15-date run kicks off Thursday, April 23, with a stadium performance at BC Place in Vancouver, before continuing across North America with stops in Dallas, Toronto, and more. The tour will also include two nights at Madison Square Garden in New York, with the second date added due to overwhelming demand, before concluding with a two-night run at Chase Centre in San Francisco on June 20 and 21.

Diljit’s Aura World Tour officially launched last year with multiple dates in Sydney and Melbourne in November, making history as the first Punjabi artist to headline and sell out stadiums across Australia, collectively drawing more than 90,000 fans.

In 2025, Diljit received an International Emmy Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor for his acclaimed role in the Netflix film Amar Singh Chamkila, marking a significant moment for Indian representation on the global stage. That same year, VOGUEreaders named Diljit Best Dressed at the 2025 Met Gala, where he turned heads in a custom ivory Prabal Gurung sherwani and turban featuring meaningful cultural details. Most recently, J Balvin joined Diljit on a remix of his 2025 track 'Senorita.' DILJIT DOSANJH - AURA WORLD TOUR DATES: Thu, Apr 23 — Vancouver, BC — BC Place Thu, Apr 30 — Calgary, AB — Scotiabank Saddledome Sat, May 2 — Edmonton, AB — Rogers Place Thu, May 7 — Winnipeg, MB — Canada Life Centre Sun, May 10 — Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena Wed, May 13 — Orlando, FL — Kia Center Sat, May 16 — Dallas, TX — American Airlines Center Wed, May 20 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena Fri, May 22 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena Sun, May 24 — New York, NY — Madison Square Garden — SOLD OUT Mon, May 25 — New York, NY — Madison Square Garden — NEW SHOW ADDED Sun, May 31 — Toronto, ON — Rogers Centre — SOLD OUT Thu, Jun 18 — Los Angeles, CA — Crypto.com Arena Sat, Jun 20 — San Francisco, CA — Chase Center — SOLD OUT Sun, Jun 21 — San Francisco, CA — Chase Center — NEW SHOW ADDED

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Bhushan Kumar on backing Diljit Dosanjh in Border 2, “It was Anurag Singh’s call that for Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon’s character, he wanted only Diljit”

PVR INOX, one of India’s leading multiplex chains, has announced its ‘Valentine’s Special Showcase’, a curated re-release of 12 popular romantic films across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. The initiative aims to bring timeless love stories back to the big screen, offering both nostalgia for long-time viewers and discovery for younger audiences.

The line-up features a mix of Hindi blockbusters and regional classics, including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Veer-Zaara, Mohabbatein, Saiyaara, Devdas, Sanam Teri Kasam and Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa.

The Tamil titles include Minnale, Mounam Pesiyadhe, Kadhalar Dhinam and Uyirullavarai Usha, while the Telugu romantic drama Love Story and the Malayalam hit Premam complete the pan-Indian selection. Shah Rukh Khan’s romance returns to theatres Several films in the showcase prominently feature Shah Rukh Khan, whose performances in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Veer-Zaara, Mohabbatein, and Devdas have played a defining role in shaping mainstream Hindi cinema’s portrayal of romance. From Raj and Simran’s cross-cultural love story to the poetic tragedy of Devdas, these films continue to resonate across generations.

While classics like Mohabbatein explored defiant young love and Veer-Zaara bridged borders through emotion, newer entries such as Saiyaara connected with younger audiences through contemporary storytelling and music-driven narratives. A celebration across generations Beyond Hindi cinema, the regional selections add depth to the showcase. Minnale, Mounam Pesiyadhe, and Kadhalar Dhinam are remembered for their music and youthful romance, while Uyirullavarai Usha remains an earlier example of Tamil cinema’s engagement with love stories. Premam brought a layered take on different phases of love, and Love Story struck a chord with its modern romantic arc.

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For millennials, the showcase offers a return to first dates and college memories. For Gen Z viewers, it presents an opportunity to experience these films in theatres, as they were originally intended.

Commenting on the initiative, Niharika Bijli, Lead Strategist, PVR INOX Limited, said, “This Valentine’s Day, we wanted to curate not just a line-up of films, but a spectrum of emotions. From the timeless romance of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to the poetic intensity of Devdas, the tender nostalgia of Premam, and the new-age love stories like Saiyaara, our curation reflects how every generation experiences romance differently, while certain beats remain the same. Whether it’s first love, heartbreak, friendship, or forever, there’s a story for everyone to celebrate at PVR INOX.”

The Valentine’s Special Showcase will be available across select PVR INOX cinemas, inviting audiences to revisit enduring love stories on the big screen.

Also Read: Valentine’s Day 2026: From Kriti Sanon to Shraddha Kapoor, 7 Bollywood divas who are turning up the heat in red

Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan has sold a duplex apartment in Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi area for Rs 14.5 crores, according to property registration documents accessed through Zapkey. The duplex is located on the 40th and 41st floors of Tower 4 (Strata) at Planet Godrej, a premium residential complex in central Mumbai. The transaction was registered on February 12, 2026.

The apartment, with a total carpet area of 2,249 sq ft, was sold at a rate of Rs 64,473 per sq ft. The deal includes three car parking spaces. Documents show that the buyers — Rishi Mandawat, a partner at Bain Capital Private Equity, and Smita Mehta — paid a stamp duty of Rs 89.76 lakhs for the transaction.

Mahalaxmi has emerged as a sought-after micro-market in recent years, witnessing steady activity in the luxury residential segment. Developments such as Planet Godrej have attracted high-net-worth individuals owing to their location and scale.

The sale comes at a time when Bachchan has been expanding his footprint beyond cinema. In January this year, he entered the real estate sector with a project in Gujarat’s GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), a planned global financial and IT services hub located between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. The land for the project was originally acquired years ago by his father, Amitabh Bachchan.

Abhishek Bachchan has entered into a profit-sharing agreement with producer and real estate entrepreneur Anand Pandit, whose firm is expanding into Gujarat for the first time through this collaboration.

Apart from films and real estate, Bachchan also co-owns the Jaipur Pink Panthers, a professional kabaddi team that competes in the Pro Kabaddi League.

On the professional front, the actor was last seen in Housefull 5. He also featured in the OTT release Kaalidhar Laapata on Zee5. He is currently attached to several upcoming projects, including Shah Rukh Khan’s next film King, directed by Siddharth Anand.

Also Read: Abhishek Bachchan fans embrace viral ‘Just a Boy’ AI trend; reimagine his iconic characters in style

Veteran Bollywood actor Aditya Pancholi returned to the spotlight on Thursday as the Bombay High Court took up his petition to quash a 2019 rape FIR lodged against him at the Versova Police Station in Mumbai. The case involves allegations made by a female Bollywood actress.

Pancholi’s legal team, led by advocate Prashant Patil, urged the court to dismiss the FIR on grounds that it was filed many years after the alleged incident, describing the complaint as “malicious” and lacking in timely evidence. The plea cited legal precedent, notably the Supreme Court’s Bhajanlal judgment,  which allows quashing of criminal proceedings under specific circumstances.

During Thursday’s hearing, the defence also presented a recording of a meeting prior to the FIR being filed, which they claim demonstrates “wrongful intention” behind the complaint. The court noted the submission but did not rule on its admissibility, opting instead to focus on procedural matters at this stage. A key point raised in court was the complainant’s absence from the police investigation. The public prosecutor informed the bench that despite 11 notices sent by the investigating agency, the actress did not appear for questioning. In light of this, the Bombay High Court issued a fresh notice directing her to be present at the next hearing scheduled for February 24, 2026.

Pancholi, whose career spans decades with varied roles in Hindi cinema, has previously rejected the allegations, calling them false and asserting his willingness to cooperate with authorities. As the case returns to court next week, all eyes will remain on developments in one of Bollywood’s longest-running legal sagas.

Also Read: Aditya Pancholi claims he lost Tezaab to Anil Kapoor due to industry lobbying in cryptic note: “Politics in the film industry runs deeper”

Balaji Motion Pictures officially unveils Ragini 3, a gripping date-night horror that promises thrills, humour, and edge-of-your-seat entertainment. The film will be headlined by Tamannaah Bhatia, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Shashanka Ghosh, and will feature Junaid Khan opposite Tamannaah.

Marking an exciting new chapter, Ragini 3 brings together a dynamic team, with Shashanka Ghosh stepping in as Director, while Sahir Raza continues to be the creative force on the project. With this association, the scale of the film has risen to new heights, making it one of the most anticipated films in the genre. This project also marks another collaboration between Shashanka Ghosh and Balaji Motion Pictures, following their successful association on films like Veere Di Wedding and Freddy. With Ragini 3, the team aims to deliver a bold, fresh, and stylised Date Night Horror experience.

Tamannaah Bhatia, celebrated for her versatility and commanding screen presence across industries, takes on the lead role, bringing glamour, intensity, and intrigue to the narrative. She was always the one and only choice for the film. Joining her is Junaid Khan, who continues to impress with his unconventional choices and nuanced performances, making this a fresh and exciting new on-screen pairing.

Produced by Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, Ragini 3 is already generating strong buzz. Further details about the project remain under wraps, but anticipation around this Date Night Horror continues to build.

Also Read: Tamannaah Bhatia’s Ragini MMS 3 put on hold as director Sahir Raza exits amid scheduling clash: Report

Swanand Kirkire is set to take on a new role in his career as he makes his debut as a show creator with the upcoming Prime Video series Bandwaale. The series is co-created by Swanand along with Ankur Tewari and will see him stepping into long-form storytelling for the first time. Apart from creating the series, Swanand will also be seen playing the lead role in the show.

Bandwaale is expected to explore themes rooted in music and narrative, bringing together his interest in storytelling and performance. Speaking about his debut as a show creator, Swanand shared, “For a very long time, stories have lived with me, some through music, some through characters, and some quietly in my head.” He added that the format of a series allowed the story to unfold in a more detailed manner. “Bandwaale is a result of those stories finally finding a form that allows them to breathe over time,” he said.

Talking about balancing his responsibilities as both creator and actor, Swanand said, “It’s a different responsibility when you’re shaping an entire world while also living inside it as a character.” He also shared that working on a series format required a more layered approach, where the writing, performances, and overall world-building needed to stay connected throughout. Swanand mentioned that the experience pushed him to collaborate more closely with the team and trust the storytelling process, especially since the narrative unfolds over a longer duration compared to films.

With Bandwaale, Swanand Kirkire marks his first outing as a show creator while also continuing his acting journey. The series is set to stream on Prime Video.

Also Read: Bandwaale: Prime Video drops trailer of musical dramedy starring Zahan Kapoor and Shalini Pandey

After reading about the very talented comic actor Rajpal Yadav’s poignant proclamation in a publication that he has no friends in the film industry, actor Gurmeet Chowdhary has come forward to offer financial aid to the incarcerated actor in the cheque-bounce case.

Said Gurmeet, “It is heart-breaking to see an actor of Rajpal ji’s seniority behind bars for such an offence when white collar criminals get away with siphoning millions. I am going to do all I can to help Rajpal ji financially. I also urge my colleagues in the film industry to come forward to help one of their troubled colleagues. Rajpal ji has given so much to our entertainment industry. He doesn’t deserve this.”

Last week, before surrendering to Tihar Jail in the check-bounce case, Rajpal Yadav told this writer, “Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain (sir, what to do? I don’t have the money to pay back). Aur koi upaay nahin dikhta (can’t see another way out).”

When Yadav was asked whether his rich friends from the industry haven’t come out to help him, he said, “Sir, yahan hum sab akele hain (sir, we are all on our own over here). There are no friends. I have to deal with this crisis on my own.”

After his statement became viral, a number of people from the film industry have come out to help Rajpal Yadav financially. These include, Sonu Sood, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, David Dhawan and others.

Also Read: Rajpal Yadav debt case: Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, David Dhawan, and others extend financial support

Janhvi Kapoor is gradually making inroads into the South. While she is being paid much more in Telugu cinema than what she gets in Bollywood, she is now trying to conquer the Tamil arena as well.

One hears Janhvi has inked a deal for a web series in Tamil with Netflix for an impressive fee (approximately Rs. 20 crores). The series, a female-oriented subject, is being directed by the popular Pa Ranjith, who directed Rajinikanth in the two back-to-back releases Kabali and Kaala.

For her latest Telugu outing Peddi, co-starring Ram Charan, Janhvi has been paid around Rs. 14 crores, which makes her the highest paid Telugu actress of all times.

How did this happen? It started with Devara in 2024 when she was offered the heroine’s part. Initially, Janhvi rejected the offer as she didn’t want to go regional, as it would impact her Hindi career.

It was her father producer Boney Kapoor who insisted she do the film… at an exorbitant price, which, to her surprise, the producers were willing to pay.

Also Read: Janhvi Kapoor reveals her new haircare obsession as Pantene unveils Miracle Rescue Bond Repair Conditioner

Actor Ranveer Singh has received a threat, prompting a police probe and heightened security at his Mumbai residence. According to a report by PTI, the actor was sent a threatening voice message, following which the authorities initiated an investigation.

Police sources confirmed that the Crime Branch is currently examining the voice note and attempting to trace the sender. A search operation has been launched as part of the inquiry.

In the wake of the threat, security arrangements at the residence shared by Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone have reportedly been strengthened. According to a letter circulating online and attributed to the society managing committee of the residential complex, six armed private security guards have been stationed at the premises along with one uniformed police personnel. The letter notes that such deployment was not in place earlier.

The society has raised concerns about the movement of armed guards through common areas, including the lobby, gymnasium and children’s play area. Residents have expressed discomfort and flagged safety concerns over the presence of weapons in shared spaces.

In a letter dated February 10 addressed to Dadar Police, the Society Managing Committee sought clarification on multiple points. These include whether the private security guards are carrying licensed firearms within the residential premises, whether Dadar Police Station has granted permission for such deployment, and details regarding the police personnel stationed at the flat — including the department responsible and the nature of the assignment.

While acknowledging and appreciating the police department’s prompt action in sending an officer to verify the security arrangements, the society has requested official clarification to address concerns among residents. Police officials have not yet disclosed further details about the content of the threatening message. The investigation remains ongoing.

Also Read: “Ranveer Singh is absolutely beautiful to watch on screen,” says ‘Shararat’ song fame Ayesha Khan

Actor Vikrant Massey addressed widespread rumours surrounding his alleged role in Ramayana, a two-part film directed by Nitesh Tiwari, and reports that he was replaced by Raghav Juyal. The speculation began earlier this week, triggering reactions across social media and entertainment outlets.

In a post shared on his Instagram Stories, Massey firmly denied being part of the project. “Ok. To put the rumours to rest. I never was a part of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayan,” he wrote, reflecting on the coverage that suggested he had lost a role in the film. “The many media portals reporting about my supposed ‘replacement’ should’ve done the requisite background check. Disappointing. Nonetheless, wishing everyone a part of the movie all the very best. Love.”

The actor later deleted the post from his Instagram Story, though no explanation was given for its removal.

The controversy stemmed from a report by Variety India mentioning that Raghav Juyal had been cast as Meghanad (also called Indrajit) — the eldest son of Ravana and a key warrior in the Ramayana narrative — for Ramayana: Part 2. The same report indicated that the role was once linked to Massey before the filmmakers made a different casting choice. The publication quoted a source saying, “The role was initially supposed to be played by Vikrant Massey, but things apparently didn't work out. Raghav was subsequently approached, and he immediately came on board.”

Despite the buzz, Massey made it clear he had no official involvement with the project at any stage. The deleted clarification post was his way of countering the growing speculation.

Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana is being produced as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the ancient Indian epic and is expected to be among the biggest live-action films in Indian cinema. Ranbir Kapoor headlines as Lord Ram, while Sai Pallavi plays Goddess Sita. Yash embodies Ravana, with Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. The ensemble cast also includes several other prominent actors in key roles.

The first part of Ramayana is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release, while the second installment is expected around Diwali 2027.

Also Read: Musafir Café on Netflix: Vikrant Massey, Vedika Pinto and Mahima Makwana lead a soulful love story