Actor Akshay Kumar visited the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on April 1 along with his mother-in-law and veteran actor Dimple Kapadia. The visit comes days ahead of the release of his upcoming film Bhooth Bangla.

After offering prayers at the temple, Akshay spoke about the significance of the visit and shared that he prayed not only for his family but also for the country. He said, “It was really good...I prayed for the entire country and my family. I prayed that may our country always excel and progress.”

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: Actor Akshay Kumar, along with his mother-in-law and veteran actor Dimple Kapadia, visited Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain and offered prayers today. pic.twitter.com/Q21mMHWmZy — ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2026

#WATCH | Ujjain, MP: After the prayers, actor Akshay Kumar says, "It was really good...I prayed for the entire country and my family. I prayed that may our country always excel and progress." https://t.co/xUwoYsIfWl pic.twitter.com/rpZMgroK1E — ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2026

Visit comes ahead of Bhooth Bangla release Akshay’s visit to the Mahakaleshwar Temple takes place shortly before the theatrical release of Bhooth Bangla, which marks his reunion with director Priyadarshan after several successful collaborations in the past.

The film is scheduled to release on April 17 after its earlier release date of April 10 was revised. The change in schedule came amid strong theatrical buzz surrounding Dhurandhar The Revenge, prompting the makers to push the release slightly.

Apart from Akshay Kumar, the film also stars Wamiqa Gabbi, Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, Paresh Rawal and late actor Asrani in key roles. Akshay Kumar’s long-standing devotion to Lord Shiva Akshay Kumar has often spoken publicly about his devotion to Lord Shiva. In February last year, he released the devotional track ‘Mahakal Chalo,’ which reflected his spiritual connection with Mahakal. The actor has also portrayed Lord Shiva on screen in films such as Oh My God 2 and Kannappa, further highlighting his association with the deity in his cinematic work as well.

Also Read: Ahmed Khan reveals ambitious new plan for Akshay Kumar starrer Welcome To The Jungle; shift grand sets to Mumbai

There may soon be a new creative force emerging from the illustrious Roshan family. Hrithik Roshan’s younger son, Hridaan Roshan, has taken his first step toward a career in cinema by enrolling in a filmmaking course in the United States.

The 17-year-old will be studying film and television production at the prestigious University of Southern California, a globally renowned institution known for shaping some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. The news was shared by his alma mater, the American School of Bombay, on Instagram.

Sharing a picture of Hridaan alongside the USC logo, the school wrote, “It’s no surprise to us that we’ll C Hridaan at USC studying film and TV production! Congratulations Hridaan, we are so proud.” The announcement was met with an outpouring of love from friends and family, including cousin Fizaa Ali, who cheered him on in the comments.

Hridaan is the younger son of Hrithik Roshan and his former wife Sussanne Khan. He comes from a lineage deeply rooted in the film industry—his grandfather Rakesh Roshan is a celebrated actor-filmmaker, while his maternal grandfather Sanjay Khan is also a prominent name in Indian cinema.

Interestingly, Hrithik himself is set to step behind the camera soon, with plans to direct the next installment of the popular Krrish franchise. With Hridaan now formally training in filmmaking, speculation is already rife about whether he will carry forward the family’s cinematic legacy.

While it remains to be seen what path Hridaan ultimately chooses, his decision to study filmmaking at such a reputed institution certainly signals a strong inclination toward storytelling and cinema—perhaps hinting that the Roshan legacy is set to continue into the next generation.

Also Read: Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan come together for family picture to celebrate Hridaan’s 14th birthday

Bollywood Hungama was among the first to inform readers that the Akshay Kumar-starrer Bhooth Bangla, scheduled to release on April 10, might be delayed and arrive in cinemas on April 17. The suspense over its release date continues, as the makers have yet to make an official announcement. Moreover, the trailer, which was initially expected on March 27 and later rescheduled for March 30, has not been unveiled. This has only further fuelled speculation that the horror-comedy has indeed been pushed ahead. Meanwhile, Bollywood Hungama has now learned about the film’s run time.

A trade source told Bollywood Hungama, “Bhooth Bangla is around 2 hours and 50 minutes long. After the censor process, the run time may reduce or increase by a few minutes. The exact duration will be known closer to the release date, but as of now, it is said to be around 170 minutes.”

If Bhooth Bangla indeed ends up with a run time of 2 hours and 50 minutes, it will be among Akshay Kumar’s longest films in the last 12 years. In this period, most of his films have had shorter durations, usually under 150 minutes. The last Akshay Kumar starrer with a similar run time was Holiday – A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014), which was also 2 hours and 50 minutes long.

After the A R Murugadoss-directed action entertainer, only 11 Akshay Kumar films have had run times of 2 hours and 30 minutes or more – Baby (2015; 2 hours and 39 minutes), Brothers (2015; 2 hours and 38 minutes), Rustom (2016; 2 hours and 30 minutes), Toilet - Ek Prem Katha (2017; 2 hours and 41 minutes), Gold (2018; 2 hours and 33 minutes), Kesari (2019; 2 hours and 30 minutes), OMG 2 (2023; 2 hours and 36 minutes), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2014; 2 hours and 38 minutes), Sarfira (2024; 2 hours and 35 minutes), Housefull 5 (2025; 2 hours and 45 minutes) and Jolly LLB 3 (2025; 2 hours and 37 minutes).

Last year, Akshay Kumar was also seen in Kannappa (2025), which was 3 hours and 3 minutes long. However, it hasn’t been added to the aforementioned list as it was a Telugu film and featured Akshay in a special appearance.

Also Read: Was Bhooth Bangla originally planned as Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2? Priyadarshan BREAKS SILENCE

Composer-singer Vishal Dadlani is being hounded for no reason except that he spoke to a Pakistani journalist. A recent controversial video shows Dadlani interacting with Pakistani journalist Safina Khan in London.

Safina Khan is notorious for openly expressing anti-India views.

Enraged netizens are demanding that Dadlani be removed from the panel of judges on the popular music content show Indian Idol. Dadlani has served as judge on Indian Idol for years now.

Whether the parent channel Sony TV will succumb to overzealous nationalistic pressures, or wait for the storm to pass, remains to be seen.

Also Read: Vishal Dadlani takes indirect dig at Dhurandhar The Revenge over demonetisation portrayal: “A film is just entertainment. Facts are facts”

With audiences at live concerts in Delhi for musicians like Badshah and Yo Yo Honey Singh turning increasingly unruly, the musical malaise has now moved South to Hyderabad.

At a concert in Hyderabad at Kingdome Klub & Kitchen on Saturday March 28, singer-performer Arpit Bala, who gained some popularity with his song ‘Bargad’ in 2025, was targeted during his performance with an empty bottle by an unruly member of the audience.

Bala hit right back.

He angrily asked who threw the bottle After identifying the culprit, Bala spat at the fan as the crowd cheered loudly. Arpit Bala spitting on crowd by u/Potential_Let226 in IndianHipHopHeads

Warning the audience not to repeat such acts, he added, “Mujhe farak nahi padega ki tumne kitne paise diye hain... (I don’t care how much you spent),” and continued his performance.

The incident highlights the growing uneasy equation between performers and the audience at live concerts in India. They are no longer safe or even enjoyable for family audiences as stampedes and spats break out routinely at these concerts.

In February 2024, it was announced that Drishyam is all set to have remakes in foreign languages. This huge development was confirmed by Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak, who acquired the international remake rights to Drishyam 1 and 2 from the original producers, Aashirvad Cinemas. At the time, it was revealed that remakes in the USA and Korea were already in the works, while the deal for the Spanish version was being finalized. Almost two years later, it has now come to light that the Spanish remake of Drishyam is all set to go on floors in a few months from now.

As per a report in Bombay Times, Rodrigo Espinel, who will produce Drishyam’s Spanish remake, confirmed at the ongoing International Film Festival of Delhi that the shoot of the film will commence in June. He said, “It’s an interesting story because my partner is a Mexican producer who bought the IP rights, and he called us because Spain has wonderful tax incentives. The concept can be adapted perfectly to Spanish culture. So, we have now started working on it, and we are going to start shooting next June. It has a Spanish director and a top Spanish cast.”

Rodrigo Espinel was asked why he feels that Drishyam’s remake would work for the Spanish audience. He explained, “In the end, it is the story of a father who tries to protect his daughter, and a mother who tries to find where her son is, so it becomes easy to adapt. I think as a producer, if you try to adapt a very local movie, it’s difficult. Even if we adapt the story, the soul of the film is lost. In this case, even though it is a very Indian movie, it’s easy to adapt and connect with our audience.”

About Drishyam

Drishyam (2015) was the official remake of the 2013 Mohanlal-starrer of the same name and stars Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta and others. Directed by Nishikant Kamat, it was the story of an illiterate father who goes to insane lengths to protect his wife and daughter after they mistakenly kill a sexual predator. The deceased was the son of a menacing police officer, which further complicated the matter.

Drishyam was a success and its sequel, Drishyam 2 (2022), was a surprise blockbuster. The original cast returned for the sequel and they were joined by Akshaye Khanna. The second part was directed by Abhishek Pathak, who has also directed Drishyam 3, which will release this year on October 2. While Akshaye Khanna won’t be seen in Drishyam 3, Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj have come on board this time.

Meanwhile, the original Malayalam version’s second part, Drishyam 2, was released in 2021. The third part will arrive in cinemas this year, on May 21.

Also Read: Drishyam 2 set for theatrical release on April 10 ahead of Drishyam 3 release in May

Actor Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and her husband Anand Ahuja have welcomed their second child, a baby boy, on March 29, 2026. The couple took to Instagram on Sunday to share the happy news with their followers and well-wishers.

The heartfelt message read, “With immense gratitude and hearts full of love, we are delighted to announce the arrival of our baby boy today, 29th of March 2026. Our family has grown, and with his arrival, our hearts have expanded in the most beautiful way. Vayu is overjoyed to welcome his little brother, and we feel deeply blessed by this precious new life who has filled our home with happiness and grace. We are grateful to begin this beautiful new chapter as a family of four”. They signed off by saying, “With love, Sonam, Anand & Vayu”.

Soon after the announcement, several members of the film industry flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kajol, Bipasha Basu, Dia Mirza, Parineeti Chopra, Zoya Akhtar, Kajal Aggarwal, Huma Qureshi, Vaani Kapoor, and Richa Chadha, among others.

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For the unversed, Sonam and Anand’s relationship dates back to 2015, when they first connected through common friends. What began as a long-distance romance between Mumbai and London soon evolved into a strong partnership, culminating in their marriage on May 8, 2018, in a traditional Sikh ceremony in Mumbai, followed by a grand reception. The couple embraced parenthood for the first time in August 2022 with the birth of their son, Vayu Kapoor Ahuja.

On the work front, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja was last seen in Blind (2023), a remake of a 2011 Korean film of the same name. While she continues to make a strong presence on the fashion circuit, the actress is yet to announce her upcoming film projects.

Also Read: Sonam Kapoor drops posts about her baby shower: From her ethereal look to sacred and traditional ceremony, it was a celebration wrapped in love

Ever since the makers of Dacoit announced ‘Touch Buddy’, a song featuring Pawan Singh, Adivi Sesh and Jonita Gandhi, fans knew they were in for a power-packed musical treat. The recently released teaser only amplified the buzz, adding a whole new level of hype to the high-energy track. Finally, the makers have dropped this banger, with Pawan Singh and Jonita lending their vocals to the much-awaited song. The song was shot in Telugu as well as Hindi.

Sung by the powerful duo Pawan Singh and Jonita Gandhi, the fiery lyrics are penned by Vayu Shrivastava, with music composed by Bheems Ceciroleo. Adding a touch of his own signature swag. Adivi Sesh will be seen shaking a leg alongside Pawan Singh and Jonita Gandhi, with the trio lighting up the screen with their moves, making ‘Touch Buddy’ the dance number of the season.

Speaking about the song, Bhojpuri King Pawan Singh shared, “I love experimenting with my music, and when Adivi Sesh came to me with the idea, I instantly knew the kind of energy I wanted to bring to this intense and action-packed film. I’m really excited to collaborate with such incredible talents like Sesh and Jonita Gandhi. We thoroughly enjoyed shooting for the song, and I’m sure the audience will feel that same energy.”

Jonita shared, “Recording ‘Touch Buddy’ in both Telugu and Hindi was a really enjoyable experience. It was exciting to collaborate with someone as iconic as Pawan Singh, and working with Adivi Sesh and the team made the entire process super special. I’m grateful to the whole team for making me feel so comfortable throughout. Stepping in front of the camera and dancing for the song - that’s a first for me for any film so far. I hope the audience enjoys the song as much as we enjoyed creating it.”

Marking Shaneil Deo’s directorial debut, this ambitious project, which is shot in Hindi as well Telugu, is produced by Supriya Yarlagadda, co-produced by Suniel Narang, and presented by Annapurna Studios. Shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu, the film’s story and screenplay have been jointly crafted by Adivi Sesh and Shaneil Deo. Dacoit is gearing up for a grand Pan-India theatrical release for April 10, 2026.

Also Read: Adivi Sesh meets Japanese fan who flew to Hyderabad dressed like him to wish him for Dacoit

Prime Video, one of India’s most loved entertainment destination, today, celebrated Vijay Varma’s birthday by announcing April 17 as the worldwide premiere date of his upcoming Prime Original drama Matka King. Created and written by Abhay Koranne and created and directed by Nagraj Popatrao Manjule, the series is set in the fast-changing Bombay of the 1960s and traces the fictional journey of an enterprising cotton trader who creates a new gambling system, dubbed ‘Matka’, turning an elite pastime into a nationwide phenomenon.

The series is produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur, Nagraj Popatrao Manjule, Gargi Kulkarni, Ashwini Sidwani, and Ashish Aryan, under the banners of Roy Kapur Films, Aatpat, and SMR Productions. Matka King features Vijay Varma, Kritika Kamra, Sai Tamhankar, Siddharth Jadhav, Bhupendra Jadawat, and Gulshan Grover in lead roles along with Vineet Kumar Singh, Bharat Jadhav, Girish Kulkarni, Jamie Lever, Kishor Kadam, Cyrus Sahukar, Arpita Sethia, Sambhaji Tangade, Ishtiyak Khan, Sanjivv Jotangia, and Simran Ashwini in pivotal roles. The series is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video, in India and across 240 countries and territories worldwide on April 17.

Matka King follows Brij Bhatti, a sharp-minded and enterprising cotton trader, played by Vijay Varma, who navigates the fast-changing landscape of 1960s Bombay in pursuit of legitimacy and respect. Set against a world of bustling markets, crowded chawls, and shifting power dynamics, what begins as an ambitious idea soon takes on a life of its own, drawing in people across social strata. As aspirations grow and stakes rise, the series unfolds into a gripping narrative shaped by ambition, power, and belonging.

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“Matka King is a gripping story of one man’s journey to succeed against all odds in a changing world, told in a way that will surprise audiences,” said Nikhil Madhok, director & head of Originals, Prime Video, India. “The tale of Brij Bhatti’s rise as the Mata King is equal parts fascinating and cautionary. We are thrilled to have partnered with Roy Kapur Films, Aatpat, and SMR Productions to bring this bold story to viewers worldwide on April 17.”

Siddharth Roy Kapur, co-producer for Matka King, shared, “What drew us to Matka King was the scale and uniqueness of the world it is set in, and the story of an individual navigating ambition, identity, and the pursuit of respect in a rapidly evolving society. It is a narrative rooted in a specific time and place, yet universally relatable in its exploration of human aspirations and choices. Combining forces with Nagraj Popatrao Manjule, whose extraordinary work I have always admired has been extremely rewarding. And the talented Abhay Koranne, who we have successfully collaborated with before, has brought a distinct creative vision and authenticity to the storytelling. With a stellar ensemble led by Vijay Varma, Kritika Kamra, and Gulshan Grover, the series is brought to life with remarkable depth and nuance. We are delighted to deepen our collaboration with Prime Video on this ambitious project and look forward to bringing Matka King to audiences starting April 17, only on Prime Video.”

Also Read: Sunny Deol and Vijay Varma likely to team up for high-intensity action drama

Akshaye Khanna is being very selective after Dhurandhar, as he used to be even before his resurrection. In his next release Mahakali, Akshaye Khanna plays Shukracharya, a manipulative sage, marking his entry into Tollywood.

The film, part of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU), is directed by Puja Aparna Kolluru.

Said producer Prashanth Varma, “We had signed Akshaye Sir much before Dhurandhar. He is the highlight of Mahakali.”

Varma intends to highlight Akshay Khanna’s presence in the North Hindi speaking belt. Earlier, the plan was to release Mahakali in Telugu only. But now after Dhurandhar, there will be a Hindi version highlighting Akshaye Khanna in the marketing.

Also Read: Feroz Abbas Khan on birthday boy Akshaye Khanna’s performance in Gandhi My Father, “His emotional investment to play the part was palpable, he has made Harilal memorable in cinema”

National Geographic India has announced a new two-episode travel series titled Postcards from Hong Kong, featuring Ridhi Dogra exploring a different perspective of Hong Kong beyond its familiar skyline and urban image. The series premieres on March 28 at 8 PM on National Geographic Channel and will also stream on JioHotstar.

Produced by National Geographic Creative Works, the show follows Ridhi as she travels through both well-known landmarks and lesser-seen locations across the city. The series highlights coastal landscapes, hiking trails and cultural experiences while also presenting everyday local life through interactions with guides and influencers.

In the first episode, Ridhi explores quieter and nature-focused destinations such as Sai Kung, Big Wave Bay, Dragon’s Back, Tai O, Ngong Ping, Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha. The journey reflects a slower and more reflective side of the city while also documenting her personal experience of travel and discovery.

The second episode shifts focus to the energetic side of Hong Kong. With 72 hours remaining in the city, Ridhi visits Causeway Bay, Happy Valley Racecourse and Michelin-recognised dining destinations, along with luxury shopping at Landmark. The episode captures the fast-paced character often associated with Hong Kong’s global identity.

Speaking about the experience, Ridhi Dogra said, “Being part of Postcards from Hong Kong with Nat Geo was a deeply enriching experience. What I love about this journey is that it goes beyond the obvious; it’s not just about the skyline or the speed of the city but about the stories that live in its quieter corners. From hiking through misty trails to understanding local traditions, I found myself connecting with Hong Kong in a way that felt real, immersive and meaningful.”

A spokesperson from National Geographic India said, “With Postcards from Hong Kong, we set out to go beyond the familiar and explore the city through a more intimate, human lens. At National Geographic, storytelling is rooted in depth and discovery, and our collaboration with Hong Kong Tourism Board reflects that ethos—bringing together local insights and global storytelling to showcase this exciting city in a whole new light. The series presents Hong Kong as a layered, living narrative, rich in culture, tradition, and unexpected experiences.”

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Hong Kong Tourism Board Director for South Asia Puneet Kumar added, “Postcards from Hong Kong is a reflection of meaningful storytelling that brings the city to life in an immersive way. We are delighted to see Hong Kong portrayed through such a fresh and nuanced lens. Through this collaboration with National Geographic, the series showcases a side of the city that many travellers are yet to discover—from scenic trails and coastal escapes to rich cultural traditions and vibrant local communities. It beautifully captures the diversity and spirit that define Hong Kong.”

The series also features experiences such as watching the Symphony of Lights aboard Aqua Luna, alongside explorations of local cuisine and neighbourhood spaces, presenting Hong Kong through a mix of travel, culture and personal storytelling

Also Read: Ridhi Dogra reflects on a tough decision in The 50 : “The guilt of not voting for your friends is too much”

On the occasion of Ram Charan’s birthday, the makers of his upcoming film, Peddi, unveiled a fascinating ‘Peddi Pehelwan’ teaser. An earlier asset, which was released in 2025, showed Ram Charan as a village cricketer. Meanwhile, the newly released content focuses on wrestling and presents Ram Charan in a physically demanding role. What also stood out in the teaser was the mention of Jio Studios in the end slate.

According to reports and trade sources, Jio Studios has come on board to distribute Peddi in North India. This marks a significant move for the studio, as it will be the first time Jio releases a Pan-India film in the Hindi-speaking markets.

Besides Ram Charan, Peddi also stars Janhvi Kapoor, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu and Divyenndu. It is presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings of Pushpa fame, produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru's Vriddhi Cinemas and directed by Buchi Babu Sana. The music is composed by A R Rahman.

Peddi releases on April 30. Interestingly, Raja Shivaji, produced by Jio Studios, releases a day later, on May 1. It is based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, with Riteish Deshmukh playing the titular role. Riteish is also the film’s director and it also stars Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Vidya Balan, Genelia Deshmukh, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Amole Gupte and others. Salman Khan also features in the film in a cameo. Besides Jyoti Deshpande of Jio Studios, the historical is also produced by Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh’s Mumbai Film Company.

A trade source told Bollywood Hungama, “Two big films are releasing in the same week. But since Jio has backed both films, it will ensure that screen-sharing happens meticulously and that justice is done to both. It gives a déjà vu of the Oppenheimer-Barbie clash in July 2023. Warner Bros produced Barbie and also distributed Oppenheimer, which was backed by Universal Pictures. The way the showcasing was allocated was praiseworthy, and a similar scenario is expected to unfold in May.”

Also Read: Ram Charan drops new ‘Peddi Pehelwan’ look unveiled; makers unveil this wrestler transformation

Actor-director Deepak Tijori has raised concerns over censorship practices in the theatrical release of Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, questioning what he describes as inconsistencies in how abusive language is handled across platforms.

In a recent statement, Tijori criticised the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for “half-muting” cuss words in the film’s theatrical version. He said he was unable to understand the rationale behind partially censoring expletives instead of either muting them completely or leaving them intact. “I genuinely don’t understand this, why mute half the abuses and let the other half stay?” he remarked, adding that the approach appears arbitrary.

The filmmaker also pointed out that the film has already been granted an adults-only certification, questioning the purpose of such partial censorship. “Who exactly are we protecting here? And from what, half a word?” he said, highlighting what he views as a lack of clarity in the guidelines.

Tijori further flagged what he termed a “double standard” in censorship between theatrical and digital releases. He noted that while the cinema version features muted language, the same film is later released on OTT platforms without such alterations. “The same film releases on OTT completely unmuted, exactly as it was meant to be,” he said, suggesting that this undermines the logic of theatrical cuts.

According to him, this discrepancy may inadvertently expose younger audiences to unfiltered content at home, despite stricter controls in cinemas. He argued that the current system raises broader questions about the effectiveness and consistency of content regulation across viewing platforms.

Also Read: Deepak Tijori alleges he was cheated of Rs 2.5 lakhs in false funding promise, case registered: Reports

A legal dispute has been brewing between the makers of the Hindi remake Bholaa starring Ajay Devgn and Tabu and the Tamil production house Dream Warrior Pictures who produced Karthi starrer Kaithi. The latter has approached the Bombay High Court, alleging infringement of copyright and remake rights linked to its original film Kaithi.

The matter was heard by a single-judge bench led by Justice Sharmila Deshmukh, who has currently reserved her decision on a preliminary issue—whether the Bombay High Court has the authority to hear the case. The producers of Bholaa have challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the dispute should be addressed elsewhere.

According to Dream Warrior Pictures, it produced and released Kaithi in October 2019 and retains complete ownership over the film’s intellectual property, including remake rights. The company stated that it later entered into multiple agreements regarding the Hindi adaptation, beginning with a collaboration involving a Reliance Group entity in early 2020.

A key agreement was signed on March 29, 2023, between Dream Warrior and Reliance Entertainment Studios, granting rights for the Hindi remake titled Bholaa. Under this deal, Dream Warrior claims it was to receive a fixed fee in instalments, along with additional earnings tied to the film’s performance. However, it alleges that only an initial payment of Rs.1 crore plus GST was made in April 2022.

The Hindi remake, starring Ajay Devgn, was released globally on March 30, 2023. Shortly after, on April 1, 2023, a second agreement was executed between Dream Warrior, Reliance, and Ajay Devgn Ffilms LLP. This arrangement reportedly granted all three parties joint ownership of remake rights, while leaving exploitation rights with Reliance.

Dream Warrior has claimed that subsequent payments due in April and May 2023 were never cleared. After repeated follow-ups over the next two years allegedly went unanswered, the company issued a legal notice in October 2024 demanding Rs. 4 crore along with interest. It also warned that failure to pay within 30 days would lead to termination of the agreement and restoration of all rights.

Following the lapse of this deadline in November 2024, Dream Warrior maintains that the agreement stood cancelled and that all rights related to Bholaa reverted to it.

In parallel, the production house had earlier approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Mumbai, seeking insolvency proceedings against Reliance Entertainment over unpaid dues. However, the tribunal dismissed the plea in August 2025, stating that the dispute did not qualify as an operational debt matter and should instead be resolved through civil proceedings.

Subsequently, Dream Warrior filed the present commercial intellectual property suit on March 22, 2026. It has sought a court order to restrain Reliance and Ajay Devgn Ffilms from distributing, streaming, or monetising Bholaa. The plea also seeks a formal declaration that the agreements stand terminated, along with compensation based on revenues earned from the film and its associated content.

The case also names several downstream platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, and T-Series, alleging that any streaming of the film after November 27, 2024 is unauthorised and amounts to wrongful gain.

During the hearing, the defendants argued that the primary agreement between the parties clearly specifies that courts in Chennai alone would have jurisdiction. They contended that the case cannot be brought before the Bombay High Court based on a secondary agreement.

After considering submissions from both sides, the court has reserved its order on the question of jurisdiction.

Also Read: Ajay Devgn starrer Bholaa gets its world television premiere on Zee Cinema

The upcoming cinematic adaptation of the Ramayana continues to build momentum as producer Namit Malhotra confirmed a major update regarding the film’s promotional rollout. The first glimpse titled ‘Rama’ is set to be unveiled on April 2, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, and will be marked by a grand global reveal for fans.

The announcement came as Malhotra shared a note on social media on the occasion of Ram Navami, on Friday, March 27, offering insight into the vision and effort behind the ambitious project. In his message, he wished everyone and said, “Shubh Rama Navami. This is a story that belongs to all of us, and every step we take has been guided by a deep sense of responsibility, devotion, and care to bring our very own Ramayana to life in its truest spirit and scale with utmost sincerity. we look forward to sharing the next glimpse, ‘Rama’ On 2nd April, On the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, as we begin to showcase all these years of our effort through a grand world reveal with fans, celebrating this moment across the world. Thank you for your love, faith, and patience. Namit Malhotra”.

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Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is envisioned as a large-scale, two-part cinematic spectacle mounted with global collaboration. Set about 5000 years ago, the project aims to blend advanced technology with immersive storytelling, positioning itself as a visually grand yet emotionally resonant retelling of the ancient epic.

The film has already generated significant buzz following its initial reveal, which included a multi-city launch in India and a prominent showcase at Times Square. With the upcoming ‘Rama’ glimpse, the makers are expanding the scale further by turning the reveal into a worldwide fan-driven celebration.

Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman.

Backed by Prime Focus Studios in association with the eight-time Oscar-winning DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, the film is slated for a worldwide IMAX release. The first part is scheduled to arrive during Diwali 2026, followed by the second instalment in Diwali 2027.

Also Read: Dinesh Vijan says “Mahavatar is SIX times the size of Chhaava”; also reveals, “I told Namit Malhotra, ‘If Ramayana runs, Mahavatar is all set'”