Sunny Deol's Batwara 1947 Gets Rare A Rating: Aamir Khan & Rajkumar Santoshi's Partition Saga Runtime Revealed

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Jana Nayagan released in theatres today, July 23, 2026, opening as one of the most anticipated action dramas of the year. The film has generated massive buzz across the country, particularly in the Southern circuits, following a record-breaking pre-sales campaign. Ahead of its first show, the film had already cemented its status as a blockbuster-in-waiting, with worldwide opening day pre-sales touching a staggering ₹47.55 crore gross (including block seats). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film's pre-release performance was nothing short of historic, crossing the 1 million ticket milestone in India alone before the release day. On BookMyShow, Jana Nayagan concluded its final pre-sales with 11.82 lakh tickets, placing it among the top 5 highest Tamil pre-sellers of all time, alongside hits like Leo and Jailer. This immense ground-level demand translated into an international opening day advance of $2 million (approx. ₹19.3 crore), signaling a global takeover. Initial morning reports suggest a complete dominance in Tamil Nadu, where the film is playing to packed houses. With over 11,900 shows scheduled for the day, the industry is closely watching to see if Jana Nayagan can shatter opening day records. The following hours will be crucial as spot bookings and afternoon show occupancies begin to reflect in the live tracking data. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) LIVE BLOG 09:30 PM (IST) 23 JUL 2026 Live Update: Jana Nayagan Roars Past ₹28 Crore Net; National Chains Hit ₹7.4 Crore Gross Jana Nayagan is showing no signs of slowing down as the night shows reach peak occupancy across the country. As of 09:30 PM, the film has amassed a staggering ₹28.71 crore net across 12,258 tracked shows. The total India gross collection has now climbed to ₹33.88 crore. The performance in national multiplex chains has been nothing short of phenomenal. PVR alone has crossed the ₹4 crore mark, sitting at ₹4.20 crore with 1.5 lakh tickets sold. INOX followed with ₹2.20 crore (76,500 tickets), while Cinepolis contributed ₹1.00 crore (26,500 tickets). Combined, these three major chains have yielded a massive ₹7.40 crore gross for Day 1 so far. The momentum on BookMyShow has officially breached the 4-lakh milestone. Between 8 PM and 9 PM alone, the film sold 36,470 tickets, bringing the total tickets sold on the platform since 6 AM today to an incredible 4,16,320. 08:15 PM (IST) 23 JUL 2026 Live Update: Jana Nayagan Smashes ₹30 Crore Gross Milestone; Tamil Version Dominates Jana Nayagan is having a historic opening day at the Indian box office. As of 8:15 PM, the film has officially crossed the ₹30 crore gross mark, currently standing at ₹30.67 crore gross. The total net collection in India has reached ₹25.99 crore across 11,233 tracked shows. The language-wise breakdown highlights the absolute dominance of the Tamil version, which alone has minted ₹23.40 crore net with an impressive evening occupancy of 63.62%. The Telugu version has added ₹1.38 crore, while the Hindi version is showing growth in the evening, currently standing at ₹1.21 crore net. The momentum on BookMyShow is showing no signs of slowing down as night shows commence. Between 7 PM and 8 PM alone, the film sold a massive 34,810 tickets. This takes the total tickets sold on the platform since 6 AM today to an incredible 3,79,850 07:15 PM (IST) 23 JUL 2026 Live Update: Jana Nayagan Surpasses ₹22 Crore Net; Nearing 3.5 Lakh Tickets on BMS Jana Nayagan is witnessing an explosive trend as night approaches across India. As of 7:15 PM, the film has officially crossed the ₹22 crore net mark, currently standing at ₹22.84 crore net across a massive 9,713 tracked shows. This brings the total India gross collection to a staggering ₹26.95 crore so far. The momentum on BookMyShow is reaching its daily peak, with 31,540 tickets sold between 6 PM and 7 PM alone. This takes the total tickets sold on the platform since 6 AM this morning to an incredible 3,45,040—essentially knocking on the door of the 350K milestone. The evening shows are reporting heavy Housefull' boards across multiplexes and single screens in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. With the night shows expected to see the highest occupancy of the day, Jana Nayagan is set for a historic finish for its opening day. 03:45 PM (IST) 23 JUL 2026 Live Update: Director Anil Ravipudi Hails Vijay's Remarkable Journey; Wishes Jana Nayagan Team As Jana Nayagan continues its record-breaking rampage at the box office, support from the film fraternity has started pouring in. Noted director Anil Ravipudi took to social media to share a heartfelt message for Thalapathy Vijay, referring to him as the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and acknowledging his transition from a screen icon to a leader. Ravipudi noted that Vijay has truly lived up to the title Jana Nayakudu (People's Leader) and expressed confidence that the film will become another cherished milestone in his career. He also extended his best wishes to director H. Vinoth and the team at KVN Productions. This high-profile industry support from the Telugu film circuit further underscores the massive pan-Indian expectations riding on this historic release. You've given audiences countless memorable moments over the years, @actorvijay sir, and I'm sure #Jananayagan will become another cherished milestone in your remarkable journey. 🤗From Thalapathy to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, you've truly lived up to the name… pic.twitter.com/aJbicrCftN— Anil Ravipudi (@AnilRavipudi) July 22, 2026 03:15 PM (IST) 23 JUL 2026 Live Update: Jana Nayagan Smashes ₹17 Crore Net; National Chains Gross ₹4 Crore The box office rampage for Jana Nayagan is intensifying as the film heads into the evening shows. As of 3:15 PM, the film has officially crossed the ₹17 crore net mark, collecting ₹17.00 crore net across 7,176 tracked shows. The total India gross collection has now surpassed the ₹20 crore milestone, currently standing at ₹20.06 crore. The performance in national cinema chains (PIC) is exceptionally strong. PVR leads the charge with a gross of ₹2.25 crore from 86,000 tickets, followed by INOX at ₹1.20 crore (43,000 tickets) and Cinepolis at ₹55 lakh (13,000 tickets). Combined, the national chains have already contributed ₹4.00 crore to the opening day gross. On BookMyShow, the momentum remains in top gear. Between 2 PM and 3 PM alone, the film sold 32,150 tickets, bringing the total tickets sold on the platform since 6 AM this morning to an incredible 2,34,510. 02:10 PM (IST) 23 JUL 2026 Live Update: Jana Nayagan Smashes 200K Tickets on BMS; Net Collections Reach ₹13.33 Crore Jana Nayagan continues its unstoppable rampage at the box office as it enters the peak afternoon shows. As of 2:10 PM, the film has minted ₹13.33 crore net across 5,477 tracked shows in India. This brings the total India gross collections to an impressive ₹15.73 crore so far. The momentum on BookMyShow has just hit a major milestone, officially crossing the 2 lakh tickets mark for the day. Between 1 PM and 2 PM alone, the film sold 30,480 tickets, taking the total count since 6 AM this morning to a massive 2,02,360 tickets. 12:15 PM (IST) 23 JUL 2026 Live Update: Jana Nayagan Hits Double Digits; Morning Occupancy Peaks at 73.85% Jana Nayagan is witnessing an unprecedented surge as it transitions into the matinee shows. As of 12:15 PM, the film has officially entered the double-digit club, collecting ₹11.37 crore net across 4,616 tracked shows. This brings the total India gross collection to ₹13.42 crore so far. The morning occupancy for the Tamil (2D) version has been extraordinary, recording an overall 73.85% across India. Major hubs in Tamil Nadu are effectively running housefull, with Salem at 99%, Chennai at 98%, and Coimbatore at 97%. Even in markets like Bengaluru and Kochi, the occupancy is holding strong at 55%. On BookMyShow, the momentum is reaching a fever pitch. Between 11 AM and 12 PM alone, the film sold 34,200 tickets, bringing the total tickets sold on the platform since 6 AM this morning to a staggering 1,42,120. With early word-of-mouth being highly positive, the afternoon shows are expected to witness heavy capacity across multiplexes and single screens alike. 11:50 AM (IST) 23 JUL 2026 Live Update: Festive Atmosphere Across Tamil Nadu; Fans Celebrate 'Chief Minister' Vijay The release of Jana Nayagan has turned Tamil Nadu into a massive festival ground. Fans have taken to the streets to celebrate Thalapathy Vijay's latest release with unprecedented energy. At the iconic Rohini Silver Screens in Chennai, the FDFS (First Day First Show) atmosphere was electric, with fans hailing the actor as Chief Minister Vijay. In Arcot, festive events were organized by TVK (Thamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam) workers, featuring music and large-scale gatherings. Similar scenes were witnessed in Thanjavur, where fans performed traditional milk abhishekam on giant cutouts of the star and danced to drum beats. As many fans are noting on social media, it's truly a festival whenever a Thalapathy Vijay film releases, regardless of the season. These massive celebrations are expected to drive heavy spot bookings for the matinee and evening shows. No Pongal release for Jana Nayagan? So what!It's truly a festival whenever a Thalapathy Vijay film releases🔥 pic.twitter.com/sru5z2ydny— George 🍿🎥 (@georgeviews) July 22, 2026 Rohini Silver Screens Jana Nayagan FDFS!!🥳🔥🔥🔥 மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் தளபதி ச.ஜோசப் விஜய்!!😭🙏🏻#JanaNayaganFromToday #titlecard #Thalapathyvijay pic.twitter.com/6sswce7WPn— Kishore (@TVKVettriNewsof) July 23, 2026 Arcot, Tamil Nadu: Fans celebrated the release of Chief Minister Vijay's film Jana Nayagan in Arcot. The celebrations were organised by TVK workers with festive events across the town pic.twitter.com/jIwqMR9xu7— IANS (@ians_india) July 23, 2026 TN : Vijay fans celebrate release of 'Jana Nayagan' movie with dance, milk abhishekam in Thanjavur. pic.twitter.com/5qkF9SVL2B— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) July 23, 2026 One Last Dance 💃🕺 Jana nayagan Katcheri🔥#Jananayagan #Vijay pic.twitter.com/SNYiOOC4fm— Reshma 💗 (@its_Moonveil) July 23, 2026 11:45 AM (IST) 23 JUL 2026 Live Update: Jana Nayagan Crosses ₹5 Crore Net; Hits 100K Tickets Milestone on BMS Jana Nayagan is off to a flying start across the country. As of 11:45 AM, the film has officially crossed the ₹5 crore net mark, collecting ₹5.12 crore net across 4,175 tracked shows. This brings the total India gross collection to ₹6.04 crore so far, with a strong overall occupancy of 39.1%. The Tamil version is leading the charge with a massive 55.0% occupancy, contributing ₹5.05 crore to the total net. The Telugu and Hindi versions have recorded occupancies of 22.0% and 7.0% respectively in the early shows. The momentum on BookMyShow is currently in hyper-mode. Between 10 AM and 11 AM alone, the film sold a staggering 35,290 tickets. This takes the total tickets sold on the platform since 6 AM this morning to an incredible 1,07,920, officially crossing the 100K mark in just five hours of live tracking. With the matinee and evening shows showing heavy 'Filling Fast' trends, the film is set for a massive Day 1 finish. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) @keyframes pulse { 0% { opacity: 1; } 50% { opacity: 0.2; } 100% { opacity: 1; } } .blinking-dot { height: 10px; width: 10px; background-color: white; border-radius: 50%; display: inline-block; animation: pulse 1.2s infinite ease-in-out; } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "LiveBlogPosting", "headline": "Jana Nayagan Box Office Collection Day 1 Live Update", "description": "Live tracking and updates for Jana Nayagan Day 1 box office performance and ticket sales.", "liveBlogUpdate": [ { "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "Jana Nayagan Crosses 5 Crore Net Early Tracking", "datePublished": "2026-07-23T11:45:00+05:30", "articleBody": "Jana Nayagan collects 5.12 Cr net in early morning shows with over 107K tickets sold on BMS since 6 AM." } ] }

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 23 - Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has appealed to students protesting over the NEET paper leak to end their demonstrations and return home after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured strict action against those responsible. The actor, who had earlier voiced support for the students' demand for justice, said he believes the government's assurance should ease their concerns. Sharing a note on social media, Salman wrote, "The students are at top priority, educationally and security-wise, so they need not worry and have their parents worried for them. The Honourable Prime Minister has tweeted, and I am sure that he will take strict action against all those people who are responsible for this leak. So students, plz go back to your parents and homes". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Addressing activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been supporting the student movement, Salman added, "Sonam, it's done, bro. Don't extend this. Keep the spirit for another day if there be a need, which I doubt, and eat something. If u want, will send u food from home." His message suggested that the students' concerns had reached the highest level and that there was now confidence the matter would be addressed. Salman's appeal has sparked widespread discussion on social media. While many users appreciated his concern for the students' safety and his call for a peaceful conclusion to the protests, others continued to stress the need for a thorough investigation and accountability in the paper leak case. The actor had previously backed the students' movement, calling the paper leak a serious issue and urging that education should remain above politics. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The students are at top priority, educationally n security-wise, so they need not worry and have their parents worried for them. The Honorable Prime Minister has tweeted, and I am sure that he will take strict action against all those people who are responsible for this leak. So… pic.twitter.com/89Ykfs5r4k— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) July 23, 2026

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The highly anticipated Sunny Deol-starrer Batwara 1947 has officially cleared the censorship process. In a move that has caught many by surprise, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has granted the film an Adults-only (A) rating. As reported by Bollywood Hungama, the makers secured the certification on July 23, well ahead of the usual timeline where films often get certified just a few days before their theatrical release. According to the official details on the CBFC website, Batwara 1947 has a total runtime of 145.34 minutes. This means the film will span 2 hours, 25 minutes, and 34 seconds. While Sunny Deol is known for high-octane action and intense dialogue, an A rating is quite a rare occurrence for the veteran actor. Traditionally, his films are designed for a broader family audience, even when they feature significant violence. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) To give some context to this trend, Sunny Deol has only had a handful of films rated A since the year 2000. These include Champion, Farz, Karz: The Burden Of Truth, Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani, Mohalla Assi, and Chup. Interestingly, there was a massive 16-year gap between 2002 and 2018 during which none of his releases were restricted to adult audiences. This suggests that the content in Batwara 1947 might be particularly raw or intense compared to his standard commercial fare. The film carries immense weight because it marks the reunion of Sunny Deol and director Rajkumar Santoshi, a duo responsible for some of the biggest cult classics in Indian cinema. Adding to the buzz is the fact that the project is produced by Aamir Khan, who is also rumored to be appearing in a supporting role. The cast features a strong ensemble including Shabana Azmi, Preity Zinta, Ali Fazal, and Karan Deol. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The story itself is rooted in literature, being an adaptation of the acclaimed play Jis Lahore Nai Dekhya by Syed Asghar Wajahat. Set during the Partition era, the plot follows a Muslim family moving from Lucknow to a haveli in Lahore. They find an elderly Hindu matriarch who refuses to leave her ancestral home, leading to a complex and emotional bond between the immigrants and the original resident. Given the sensitive and volatile historical backdrop, the A rating likely points toward a gritty and uncompromising portrayal of that period.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Highest-Grossing $1 Billion Movies Worldwide Rank Movie Release Year Worldwide Gross 1Avatar2009$2.923 Billion 2Avengers: Endgame2019$2.799 Billion 3Avatar: The Way of Water2022$2.334 Billion 4Titanic1997$2.264 Billion 5Ne Zha 22025$2.260 Billion 6Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens2015$2.071 Billion 7Avengers: Infinity War2018$2.052 Billion 8Spider-Man: No Way Home2021$1.921 Billion 9Zootopia 22025$1.866 Billion 10Inside Out 22024$1.698 Billion 11Jurassic World2015$1.671 Billion 12The Lion King (2019 Remake)2019$1.662 Billion 13The Avengers2012$1.520 Billion 14Furious 72015$1.515 Billion 15Top Gun: Maverick2022$1.503 Billion 16Avatar: Fire and Ash2025$1.480 Billion 17Frozen II2019$1.453 Billion 18Barbie2023$1.445 Billion 19The Super Mario Bros. Movie2023$1.361 Billion 20Black Panther2018$1.349 Billion 21Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 22011$1.342 Billion 22Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi2017$1.334 Billion 23Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom2018$1.310 Billion 24Deadpool & Wolverine2024$1.300 Billion 25Frozen2013$1.285 Billion 26Beauty and the Beast (Live Action)2017$1.266 Billion 27Incredibles 22018$1.243 Billion 28The Fate of the Furious2017$1.236 Billion 29Iron Man 32013$1.214 Billion 30Minions2015$1.159 Billion 31Captain America: Civil War2016$1.155 Billion 32Aquaman2018$1.152 Billion 33Moana 22025$1.150+ Billion 34The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King2003$1.147 Billion 35Spider-Man: Far From Home2019$1.131 Billion 36Captain Marvel2019$1.131 Billion 37Transformers: Dark of the Moon2011$1.123 Billion 38Skyfall2012$1.108 Billion 39Transformers: Age of Extinction2014$1.104 Billion 40Jurassic Park1993$1.104 Billion 41The Dark Knight Rises2012$1.084 Billion 42Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker2019$1.077 Billion 43Joker2019$1.074 Billion 44Toy Story 42019$1.073 Billion 45Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest2006$1.066 Billion 46Toy Story 32010$1.066 Billion 47Rogue One: A Star Wars Story2016$1.058 Billion 48Aladdin (Live Action)2019$1.054 Billion 49Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides2011$1.046 Billion 50Despicable Me 32017$1.034 Billion 51The Lion King: Mufasa2025$1.050+ Billion 52Finding Dory2016$1.028 Billion 53Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace1999$1.027 Billion 54Alice in Wonderland (Live Action)2010$1.025 Billion 55Zootopia2016$1.025 Billion 56The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey2012$1.017 Billion 57The Dark Knight2008$1.006 Billion 58Jurassic World Dominion2022$1.001 Billion 59Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone2001$1.001 Billion 60Lilo & Stitch (Live Action)2025$1.001 Billion 61The Super Mario Galaxy Movie2026$1.009 Billion 62Michael2026$1.01 Billion Data as of July 13, 2026 (Data courtesy - Deadline and Box Office Mojo)

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 23 - Ajay Devgn's Dhamaal 4 has emerged as one of the biggest Bollywood comedy successes of 2026. Despite facing stiff competition from Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey during its second week, the Indra Kumar directorial has continued to attract family audiences and maintain a steady run at the box office. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) After 13 days in theatres, the film has grossed approximately 182.50 crore worldwide, putting it firmly on course to cross the 200 crore worldwide milestone. At the Indian box office, the comedy entertainer has collected around 134.50 crore net (160 crore gross), while overseas, the film has contributed an estimated 22.50 crore, taking its worldwide total to 182.50 crore. Although weekday collections have slowed compared to its opening weekend, the film has remained remarkably stable for the genre and continues to benefit from positive word of mouth among family audiences. Interestingly, Dhamaal 4 is now set to achieve a milestone that another major Bollywood comedy of the year could not. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Akshay Kumar's Welcome To The Jungle, which released two weeks before Dhamaal 4, was widely expected to finish with over 200 crore worldwide gross after its strong opening. However, the film lost momentum during its theatrical run due to increasing competition and eventually fell short of the landmark. In contrast, Dhamaal 4 has shown stronger legs at the box office and is now expected to comfortably enter the 200 crore worldwide club. The success of Dhamaal 4 is another major commercial win for Ajay Devgn, whose recent theatrical releases have consistently performed well at the box office. While The Odyssey has taken away premium screens and urban audiences since its release, Dhamaal 4 has managed to hold its own by appealing to its core mass and family demographic.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Kevin Feige just dropped a bombshell that has the entire entertainment industry talking. During a recent stop in Shanghai for the Marvel Studios press tour, the mastermind behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) revealed that the studio has officially mapped out a roadmap for content stretching all the way to 2042. That is a staggering 16-year planning horizon, suggesting that even as some fans worry about superhero fatigue, Marvel is doubling down on the next two decades of storytelling. Feige was remarkably candid during the interview with the Chinese outlet Watching Hollywood. He admitted that while the plans exist on paper, they are not set in stone. He noted that while they have ideas for movies nearly twenty years out, the real question is whether the studio and the audience can hold on that long. This level of forward planning is unprecedented in Hollywood, but it follows a recent internal retreat where Marvel leadership gathered to figure out the future of the franchise after a mixed reception to Phase 4 and Phase 5. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The core of this new roadmap seems to center around a massive pivot following the release of Avengers: Secret Wars, currently slated for late 2027. Feige described this upcoming milestone as a new beginning for the MCU. The buzz suggests that Secret Wars will act as a soft reboot, allowing Marvel to streamline its timeline and bring disparate characters into a single, unified universe. This strategy is likely a response to the complex multiverse storylines that have confused some casual viewers in recent years. Perhaps the most exciting part of this long-term vision is the focus on the X-Men. Feige confirmed that the Mutant Saga will be the backbone of the MCU moving forward. While we do not have a confirmed cast for the standalone X-Men reboot yet, the success of Deadpool and Wolverine has proven that there is a massive appetite for these characters. Industry insiders expect the X-Men to lead the franchise for at least the next ten years, filling the void left by the original Avengers lineup. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Another major highlight of the roadmap is the official confirmation of a live-action Miles Morales. Feige mentioned that while the character is currently thriving in the animated Spider-Verse trilogy produced by Sony, Marvel Studios has plans to bring him into the live-action MCU once the animated story concludes. This news has already ignited the internet with casting rumors, though Marvel is keeping specific details under wraps for now. The goal is to integrate Miles into a universe where Peter Parker can serve as a mentor, creating a multi-generational Spider-Man dynamic that has never been seen before in live-action. Looking at the current performance and buzz, the MCU is in a state of recovery. Projects like The Marvels and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania struggled at the box office, leading to a shift in strategy. Marvel is now moving away from the quantity over quality approach that defined their early Disney+ era. They are reducing the number of annual theatrical releases to three and limited series to two. This is reflected in the viewership numbers for recent series like Echo and Agatha All Along, which, while successful, showed that audiences prefer tighter, more character-driven narratives over world-ending stakes every week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The business side of this 2042 plan is equally ambitious. With Avengers: Secret Wars expected to challenge the 2 billion dollar mark at the global box office, Marvel is banking on the return of legacy stars—including Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom—to reignite the massive theatrical hauls seen during the Infinity Saga. The digital viewership for MCU content on Disney+ remains a top priority, but the focus has clearly shifted back to making every release feel like a cultural event. Whether this 20-year plan is a cinematic masterpiece in the making or total madness remains to be seen. However, Feige's ability to plan this far ahead shows why Marvel remains the most powerful brand in Hollywood. By moving toward a streamlined universe, embracing the X-Men, and finally bringing Miles Morales to life, the studio is betting that the best days of the MCU are still decades away.