BY CHRISTA LINCY

Cocktail 2 has reached a significant milestone in its theatrical run as it enters its third week. The film has officially surpassed the lifetime worldwide collection of Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, which stood at 139 crore. With this achievement, Cocktail 2 has secured a spot in the top five highest-grossing romantic comedies in Indian cinema since 2012. This steady performance highlights the sustained interest in the genre when backed by a strong franchise name. On its twentieth day, which was a Wednesday, the film collected a net of 0.45 crore across India. When compared to the previous day’s net of 0.50 crore, this represents a 10 percent drop, which is a standard trend for a film at this stage. The movie maintained a presence across 1,172 shows during the day. Taking a closer look at the cumulative figures, the total India net collection now stands at 93.90 crore, while the total India gross has reached 111.93 crore. Globally, the film is performing well, with a worldwide gross collection of 142.33 crore achieved across more than 1,04,000 shows so far. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The international market continues to be a steady contributor to the film's success. On Day 20, the overseas collection was 0.10 crore, taking the total overseas gross to 30.40 crore. According to data tracked by Venky Box Office, the film earned 13,000 dollars in North America on Tuesday, bringing its total in that region to 1.45 million dollars. As the film's pace begins to slow down, it remains to be seen if it can cross the 1.5 million dollar mark by the end of its theatrical run. If it manages to reach this figure, it will be Shahid Kapoor's second film as a solo lead to hit the 1.5 million dollar milestone in North America, following Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, which finished with approximately 2.50 million dollars. In terms of audience engagement on digital platforms, BookMyShow recorded 6,520 tickets booked on Wednesday, following 11,530 tickets on Tuesday. This brings the total tickets sold on the platform to approximately 16,34,640. Looking at the performance in national cinema chains for Wednesday, PVR led the way with roughly 1,460 tickets sold for a gross of 4.75 lakh. INOX followed with approximately 840 tickets and a gross of 1.90 lakh, while Cinepolis contributed about 520 tickets with a gross of 1.17 lakh. In total, these major chains accounted for roughly 2,820 tickets and a combined gross of 7.80 lakh for the day. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The overall occupancy for the Hindi 2D version stood at 13.99 percent on Wednesday. Similar to previous days, the night shows saw the highest footfalls at 17.15 percent, while morning shows started at around 6.6 percent. Regionally, Mumbai led the occupancy charts among major hubs with 13 percent across 99 shows. The National Capital Region followed with 11.8 percent across 167 shows, while Ahmedabad and Bengaluru both recorded an occupancy of 10.3 percent. These numbers indicate that the film is still holding a decent grip in metropolitan areas even as new releases arrive. Top 5 Rom-Coms Since 2012 - Worldwide GrossMOVIE NAMEWORLDWIDE GROSSYeh Jawaani Hai Deewani₹ 318.00 CrTanu Weds Manu Returns₹ 258.00 CrTu Jhoothi Main Makkaar₹ 223.00 Cr2 States₹ 173.10 CrCocktail 2₹ 142.33 Cr

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Samantha Ruth Prabhu made a highly anticipated return to the big screen with the action-drama Maa Inti Bangaaram, marking her first release after a three-year hiatus following Kushi. While the film was produced on a controlled budget estimated between 20 crore and 30 crore, it managed to recover its entire investment through pre-release business alone. This high demand allowed the movie to enter a pure profit zone from its very first day. Currently, its global performance is nearly three to four times its initial production cost, making it a significant commercial success. Looking at the Day 20 performance, which fell on its third Wednesday, the film earned an India gross of 0.46 crore. This shows a slight uptick from the previous day gross of 0.45 crore. In terms of net earnings, the movie collected 0.40 crore on Wednesday, representing a 2.6 percent growth compared to Tuesday. This steady momentum across 1,016 shows is noteworthy for a film entering its fourth week in theaters. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The cumulative totals for Maa Inti Bangaaram highlight its strong theatrical run. The total India gross now stands at 68.64 crore, while the total India net collection has reached 59.29 crore. On the international front, the film has grossed 26.60 crore overseas. According to data tracked by Venky Box Office, the movie earned 15,000 dollars (approx. 12.5 lakh) in North America on Tuesday, taking its total in that region to a significant 2.04 million dollars (approx. 17.10 crore). When we combine these figures, the total worldwide gross collection currently stands at approximately 95.24 crore. This milestone has been achieved across a total of 42,106 shows since its release. A regional breakdown of the collections shows that the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (APTG) market remains the strongest contributor, with a cumulative gross of 51.24 crore. On Day 20 specifically, this region added 0.37 crore to the gross. Karnataka has also been a major territory, contributing a total gross of 10.77 crore so far. Interestingly, the film is now just 72 lakh behind the Karnataka box office collection of HIT: The Third Case. With this performance, Samantha has surpassed the career-best Karnataka collections of stars like Nani, Balakrishna, and Naga Chaitanya. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In other states, Tamil Nadu has contributed a total gross of 5.31 crore, while Kerala and the rest of India have added 0.23 crore and 1.09 crore respectively. For the Telugu version on Day 20, the overall occupancy was 11.12 percent. Hyderabad led the major regions with 13.5 percent occupancy across 208 shows, followed by Vizag at 12.5 percent and Bengaluru at 12.3 percent. These consistent occupancy rates across the third week suggest that the film is still finding an audience in urban centers. The audience engagement is also visible on digital platforms. On BookMyShow, the film saw 6,310 tickets booked on Wednesday, following 8,240 tickets on Tuesday. This brings the total number of tickets sold on the platform to approximately 15.41 lakh. This level of sustained interest on a booking platform is a good indicator of the film’s long-tail potential in theaters. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Looking at the national cinema chains for Wednesday, PVR recorded approximately 470 tickets sold for a gross of 1 lakh. INOX and Cinepolis followed with roughly 230 and 390 tickets respectively, contributing a combined gross of about 1.30 lakh. In total, these major chains accounted for approximately 1,090 tickets and a combined gross of 2.35 lakh for the day. While these are smaller numbers compared to the opening week, they reflect the typical tapering off seen in a movie’s third week of release. With its worldwide gross now approaching the 100 crore mark, Maa Inti Bangaaram has solidified its position as a profitable venture for its producers and distributors. For Samantha, this successful comeback confirms her drawing power at the box office, particularly in the southern markets.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The Golmaal franchise has been a cornerstone of Indian comedy for nearly two decades. Since its debut in 2006, Rohit Shetty has managed to turn this ensemble caper into one of the most successful film series in the country. As the team works on the fifth installment, officially titled Golmaal FIVE, new details are emerging about the cast and characters that indicate a shift from the typical formula of the series. According to an exclusive report by Variety India, the National Award-winning actress Priyamani has joined the cast in a significant role. Interestingly, she is set to portray a negative character, which is a departure from the usual casting choices in this franchise. Priyamani is no stranger to working with this team; she previously collaborated with Rohit Shetty on the popular dance number 1 2 3 4 Get on the Dance Floor in Chennai Express and shared the screen with Ajay Devgn in the biographical sports drama Maidaan. Seeing her in a villainous arc within a comic setting will be an interesting addition to the film's entertainment quotient. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The production, which officially went on floors in February 2026, has already made headlines for its massive casting choices. The biggest surprise was the addition of Akshay Kumar, marking a major casting coup for the franchise. Trade buzz suggests that Akshay might also be taking on a negative comedic role, adding a fresh layer of conflict to the story. Alongside him, the original gang is back in full force, featuring Ajay Devgn as Gopal, Arshad Warsi as Madhav, Tusshar Kapoor as Lucky, Shreyas Talpade as Laxman, and Kunal Kemmu as the second Laxman. Notably, Sharman Joshi is making a return to the franchise for the first time since the original 2006 film. Beyond the primary cast, franchise favorites like Johny Lever, Sanjay Mishra, Mukesh Tiwari, and Ashwini Kalsekar are all confirmed to return. However, there is a notable twist in the storytelling this time. Reports suggest that Golmaal FIVE will move away from traditional romantic subplots. There will reportedly be no primary heroine or romantic track for Ajay Devgn's character, shifting the entire focus toward the ensemble group madness and the chaotic dynamics between the characters. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Looking back at the box office history of this franchise, the trajectory has been one of steady growth. The journey began with Golmaal: Fun Unlimited in 2006, which earned approximately 47 crore worldwide and was a Superhit. Its sequel, Golmaal Returns in 2008, saw an increase in collections, grossing about 82 crore globally. The franchise hit a new peak with Golmaal 3 in 2010, which became a Blockbuster with a worldwide gross of 162 crore. The most recent entry, Golmaal Again in 2017, remains the highest earner of the series, grossing roughly 309 crore worldwide. With a combined total of over 600 crore from four films, the expectations for the fifth part are naturally quite high. The makers are currently aiming for a massive theatrical release in early 2027. This timing is intentional, as it will mark the 20th anniversary of the franchise that started it all. With the inclusion of stars like Akshay Kumar and Priyamani alongside the veteran cast, Rohit Shetty seems to be scaling up the production to ensure the milestone year is met with a significant commercial impact.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The Yash Raj Films Spy Universe has come a long way since its inception in 2012 with Ek Tha Tiger. Over the last decade, we have seen this franchise evolve from standalone actioners into a massive interconnected cinematic world featuring some of the biggest stars in Indian cinema. While the universe has largely been dominated by male leads like Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and Shah Rukh Khan, Alpha marks a significant pivot as the first female-led installment. Starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, this film carries the weight of expanding the lore while maintaining the high-octane momentum established by predecessors like Pathaan and Tiger 3. On its sixth day, which was a Wednesday, Alpha earned a net collection of 2.85 crore across India. When we look at this in comparison to the previous day, it represents a 32.9 percent drop from Tuesday's net of 4.25 crore. However, it is important to note that Tuesday's numbers were slightly inflated due to it being a discounted ticket day, which is a common trend in the current exhibition landscape. The film maintained its presence across 7,321 shows on Wednesday, which indicates that exhibitors are still giving it a fair amount of breathing room despite the usual mid-week slump. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Taking a closer look at the cumulative totals, Alpha has reached a total India net collection of 44.95 crore, with the total India gross standing at 53.59 crore. While these figures represent the current standing after six days, they reflect a clear underperformance when considering the massive scale and franchise value of the Spy Universe. For a brand that usually commands much higher footfalls, these numbers indicate that the film is finding it difficult to live up to the high commercial benchmarks set by its predecessors. The audience engagement remains visible on digital platforms as well. On BookMyShow, the film saw 37,390 tickets booked on Wednesday, following a high of 82,920 tickets on Tuesday. This brings the total tickets sold on the platform to approximately 8,02,360 so far. If we break down the performance in national cinema chains like PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, the numbers give us a clearer picture of urban audience interest. For the selected day, PVR led the way with roughly 5,000 tickets sold, amounting to a gross of 15 lakh. INOX followed closely with approximately 4,400 tickets and a gross of 10.5 lakh, while Cinepolis contributed about 1,850 tickets with a gross of 4 lakh. In total, these major chains accounted for roughly 11,250 tickets and a combined gross of over 29 lakh. The overall occupancy for the Hindi 2D version stood at 9.79 percent, starting with a lower morning opening of 6 percent and peaking during the night shows at about 12.5 percent. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Regionally, the National Capital Region and Mumbai continue to be the primary drivers for the film. NCR recorded an occupancy of 10.3 percent across 743 shows, while Mumbai followed with 9.5 percent across 549 shows. Other cities like Pune and Ahmedabad also hovered around the 9 percent mark, showing a fairly uniform interest across major metropolitan hubs. This consistency is vital for the film as it heads into its second weekend, where it will need to see a jump in footfalls to sustain its long-term theatrical run. On the global front, the early estimates for the overseas collection stand at 1.50 crore for Day 6, taking the total overseas gross to 21.30 crore. According to data tracked by Venky Box Office, the film earned 119,000 dollars (approx. 1 crore) in North America on Tuesday, bringing its total in that region to 750,000 dollars (approx. 6.25 crore). When we combine the domestic gross of 53.59 crore with the overseas estimates, the total worldwide gross collection for Alpha is approximately 74.89 crore so far. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) To give you some context on these numbers, Alpha has already managed to surpass the lifetime worldwide collection of Alia Bhatt's previous solo-led film, Jigra, within its first six days. For comparison, Jigra ended its run with a worldwide gross of 56.93 crore and an India net of 31.98 crore. By crossing these milestones in less than a week, Alpha has demonstrated the added pull of the Spy Universe brand. The logical next step for the film will be to target the 100 crore worldwide mark as it enters its second week of release.

BY SACNILK TEAM

Here is the Malayalam movie I, Nobody box office collection which is a Action Crime Thriller film. This film is directed by Nisam Basheer and produced by ,Supriya Menon. ## I, Nobody stars , Prithviraj Sukumaran, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Vijayaraghavan, Ashokan, Nandhu, Suraj Venjaramoodu in key roles. ## I, Nobody Review ## I, Nobody Review: What Public Has To Say About This Movie ## I, Nobody Box Office Collection Day Wise | All Language DayIndia Net Collection Day 1 [1st Thursday] ₹ - Cr * may earn Total ₹ - Cr ## India Net Collection ₹ - Cr ## Worldwide Collection ₹ - Cr ## Overseas Collection ₹ - Cr ## India Gross Collection ₹ - Cr ## I, Nobody Budget: ₹ 1 Cr * Approx ## I, Nobody Verdict: Coming Soon ## I, Nobody Screen count ## India: - * expected ## Overseas: - * expected ## Worldwide total: - ## Release Date: 9th July 2026 ## For more and the latest news about Mollywood Box Office Collection, Stay tuned to us.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, July 9 - Thalapathy Vijay's much-awaited political action drama Jana Nayagan is set to arrive in cinemas on July 24. According to industry sources, exhibitors across key territories have now been informed about the film's release plan, indicating that the makers are moving ahead with the date after weeks of speculation. The confirmation comes after uncertainty surrounding the film's release schedule and CBFC certification. With exhibitors now notified, theatre chains are expected to begin planning show allocations and advance-booking strategies in the coming days. At the same time, the film's promotional campaign is also likely to gather momentum. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions, Jana Nayagan stars Thalapathy Vijay, now the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, in what is widely expected to be his final film. The ensemble cast includes Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Priyamani, Prakash Raj, Narain, Mamitha Baiju, and Gautham Vasudev Menon, with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander. With the release date now locked, Jana Nayagan is gearing up for one of the biggest theatrical launches of the year. Trade expects the Vijay starrer to dominate screens across Tamil Nadu and overseas markets, with advance bookings likely to open once the remaining formalities are completed.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 8 - The excitement surrounding Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1 continues to build as the makers gear up to begin the film's full-scale promotional campaign. After creating immense buzz with its introduction glimpse, the epic is now preparing for its biggest marketing milestone ahead of its highly anticipated Diwali 2026 theatrical release. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to a report by Variety India, the official trailer of Ramayana: Part 1 will be unveiled on July 18, 2026, at a grand launch event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event is expected to be attended by director Nitesh Tiwari, producer Namit Malhotra, and several members of the star-studded cast. Reports suggest that Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Ravi Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh, and Kunal Kapoor are likely to be present, while the attendance of Yash and Sunny Deol is yet to be confirmed. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. Backed by Prime Focus Studios and Monster Mind Creations, the ambitious two-part adaptation has been mounted on a massive scale with cutting-edge visual effects and is being positioned as one of the most expensive and visually spectacular films ever produced in Indian cinema. The upcoming trailer is expected to provide audiences with their first detailed look at the film's storytelling, action sequences, and visual grandeur. With anticipation already soaring among moviegoers, the July 18 launch is likely to become one of the biggest promotional events of the year. Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled to arrive in cinemas worldwide during Diwali 2026, while its second instalment is slated for Diwali 2027.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 8 - The first half of 2026 has delivered a few blockbuster successes across the Indian film industry, with Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil cinema all contributing major hits at the global box office. While a handful of films crossed significant milestones worldwide, one title stood far above the rest in the form of Dhurandhar: The Revenge The Ranveer Singh-fronted spy actioner emerged as the undisputed box office champion, becoming the biggest Indian blockbuster of the year so far and one of the biggest of all-time with a phenomenal worldwide gross of over 1800 crore. The film continued to dominate the box office week after week and shattered several records for an Indian film. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Sunny Deol's Border 2 lit up the box office earlier this year, justifying the hype around the film with its superb trending. The war drama secured the second position on the list with an impressive 450 crore worldwide gross, reaffirming the enduring popularity of the border franchise and patriotic action dramas. Tamil superstar Suriya found his lost box office mojo with the Tamil blockbuster Karuppu emerging as one of the biggest Indian blockbusters of the year so far. The action drama continued its remarkable theatrical run for weeks to finish with 310 crore globally, becoming the actor's highest-grossing film by more than 2x margin. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Megastar Chiranjeevi also muscled his star power with the Telugu family entertainer Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, and proved that he can still challange biggest of the stars of Telugu cinema with his unmatched aura and fan following even at the age of 70. The Anil Ravipudi directorial collected over 300 crores worldwide and is among the top 5 highest-grossing Indian films of the year so far. Meanwhile, the Indian box office also delivered rich results, thanks to blockbuster runs of the top 5 movies and beyond. With over 6500+ crores gross so far, it is turning out to be one of the biggest years for Indian cinema. With several big-ticket releases still scheduled for the second half of 2026, the race for the year's highest-grossing Indian film is far from over. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Top 5 Highest-Grossing Indian Films of the First Half of 2026 S. No. Movie Industry Worldwide Gross 1 Dhurandhar: The Revenge Bollywood (Hindi) ₹ 1813.00 Cr 2 Border 2 Bollywood (Hindi) ₹ 450.00 Cr 3 Peddi Tollywood (Telugu) ₹ 340+ Cr 4 Karuppu Kollywood (Tamil) ₹ 310.00 Cr 5 Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu Tollywood (Telugu) ₹ 301.50 Cr

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Shah Rukh Khan is known for pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema, and it looks like his upcoming project, King, is set to take that ambition to a whole new level. As the superstar prepares for a major theatrical return, the scale of this collaboration with director Siddharth Anand has become the talk of the town. According to an exclusive report by Bollywood Hungama, King has officially become the most expensive film of Shah Rukh Khan's career, with a staggering budget of approximately ₹450 crore. To put this figure into perspective, it surpasses the production costs of his previous blockbusters. Jawan was produced on a budget of around ₹400 crore, while Pathaan cost roughly ₹350 crore. This massive investment of ₹450 crore for King is solely dedicated to production, excluding print, publicity, and the acting fees for Shah Rukh Khan himself. This shows a clear intent from the makers to deliver a high-octane cinematic experience that rivals global standards. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in the social drama Dunki, which released on December 21, 2023. This film marked a historic, first-time collaboration between SRK and ace director Rajkumar Hirani, effectively closing out Khan's monumental comeback year following the record-shattering runs of Pathaan and Jawan. Despite facing an explosive theatrical showdown against Prabhas's action epic Salaar, Dunki held its ground strongly, finishing with an India net collection of ₹227 Cr and a worldwide gross of ₹454 Cr. The contrast between that lighthearted social drama and his upcoming project, King, is staggering. While Dunki featured minimal action, King—slated for a grand December 24, 2026 release—is tracking to be an ultra-violent, stylish thriller directed by Siddharth Anand. Having recently broken records as SRK's most expensive film ever with a ₹450 crore production budget, King will feature the superstar in a gritty gangster avatar alongside his daughter, Suhana Khan, and Abhishek Bachchan. The production timeline reflects the sheer magnitude of the project. The shoot began in May 2025 and is expected to wrap up by August 2026. Over the course of nearly fifteen months, the team has shot for more than 150 days across various international locations. What started as a focused action thriller has reportedly evolved into a massive tentpole spectacle. To ensure the action sequences are groundbreaking, the production has employed some of the most renowned stunt teams in the world, aiming to provide something entirely new for the Indian audience. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) VFX is expected to play a central role in the film's visual language. Shah Rukh Khan's own company, Red Chillies Entertainment, is handling the state-of-the-art visual effects. The goal is to ensure that every penny of the budget is visible on the screen through seamless integration of practical stunts and advanced digital work. With about six months left until its scheduled release, the post-production phase is already in full swing to meet the high expectations surrounding this venture. The partnership between Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand has already proven to be a goldmine at the box office with Pathaan. However, with King, the duo seems intent on raising the bar even further. By focusing on an uncompromised product and world-class action design, the film is positioning itself as one of the most anticipated releases of the coming year. As the industry watches closely, the massive budget and extensive production schedule suggest that Shah Rukh Khan is ready to redefine the standards of the action genre once again.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The release of Jana Nayagan, reportedly scheduled for July 23, 2026, is shaping up to be one of the most unique events in the history of Tamil cinema. Directed by H. Vinoth, the film marks the final on-screen appearance of Thalapathy Vijay. However, the context has changed significantly since the project began, as Vijay now serves as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu following his party TVK's victory in the May Assembly elections. This transition has placed the film under intense political and administrative scrutiny, leading to some unprecedented directives from the government. According to reports from industry sources like Valai Pechu, CM Vijay has issued a strict order to ensure that ticket prices remain within the government-mandated cap. Distributors and theatre owners have been instructed not to charge a single rupee above the permitted price, even for high-demand fan shows or early morning screenings. This move is seen as a strategic effort to protect his political reputation and maintain a clean image of governance. With opposition parties reportedly waiting for any signs of price gouging or illegal ticket hoarding to use as political ammunition, the state government has authorized surprise raids. Any theatre found violating these pricing rules could face the immediate cancellation of its operating license. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The Chief Minister is also making a clear effort to separate his cinematic legacy from his current political office. Reports suggest that he specifically requested the production house, KVN Productions, to avoid using any Chief Minister title cards during his introductory scenes. Instead, the film will stick to his long-standing Thalapathy billing. While ticket prices in neighboring regions like Bengaluru have reportedly soared between ₹1,000 and ₹2,000 for early shows, the enforcement in Tamil Nadu is expected to be much more rigid to prevent allegations of corporate favoritism or exploitation. The road to this release has been exceptionally long and difficult. Originally slated for a January 2026 Pongal release, the film was stuck in a legal and censorship deadlock for months. Private complaints regarding the portrayal of the armed forces and religious sentiments led to a dispute that traveled from the Madras High Court all the way to the Supreme Court. The situation was further complicated in April when an unfinished cut of the film leaked online, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of ₹50 crore. However, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has finally cleared the hurdles, granting the film an A (Adults Only) certificate after several required revisions were met. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Suprith Mohan primary spokesperson , also recently addressed some of the misinformation circulating online. A viral image of a censor certificate listing 13 specific cuts was clarified to be a fake document based on the actor's previous film, Leo. As the team finalizes the last bits of paperwork and prepares for the July 23 global release, the focus remains on delivering a smooth theatrical experience. Given the high stakes involving both the box office and the political landscape of the state, the industry is watching closely to see how this final chapter of Vijay's acting career unfolds under such a heavy spotlight.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Rishab Shetty recently shared some key updates regarding his upcoming films, and the biggest news for fans is the official confirmation of Kantara Chapter 2. While the franchise has already seen massive success with its first two installments, Shetty clarified that he is already in the writing stage for this third film. This update comes just as his birthday celebrations concluded, providing a clear roadmap for where the Kantara universe is headed next while he balances a very demanding acting schedule. The progression of this franchise has been nothing short of legendary. To put things into perspective, the original Kantara released in 2022 was an unexpected phenomenon, earning a total India net of ₹309.64 Cr and a worldwide gross of ₹407.82 Cr. However, the 2025 prequel, Kantara: Chapter 1, took things to a completely different level. That film shattered records with an India net of ₹622.48 Cr and a worldwide gross of ₹852.36 Cr, effectively doubling the reach of the franchise and cementing its status as an all-time blockbuster. With such high stakes, Shetty has revealed that he is already working with a dedicated team of writers to ensure the next chapter meets these massive expectations. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Beyond the world of Kantara, Rishab Shetty has a very demanding acting schedule that requires him to be extremely disciplined with his time. He clarified that he will not be multitasking or overlapping his projects because of the drastic physical transformations required for each role. His immediate focus will be on Jai Hanuman, the high-profile superhero film directed by Prashanth Varma. Once that is completed, he will move on to the historical epic, The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Each of these roles requires a distinct look that he needs to maintain, which explains why he is taking a one-film-at-a-time approach. One of the most inspiring parts of his recent statements revolves around his commitment to his roots. While there is often a discussion about building a central film city in Bengaluru, Shetty has taken a different route by creating a cinema village in his hometown, Keradi. This location served as the primary backdrop for the first Kantara and was expanded significantly during the production of Chapter 1. By developing this local infrastructure, he is not just making films but also creating a sustainable ecosystem for storytelling within his own community. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Rishab Shetty admitted that direction provides him with a sense of peace and happiness that he cannot stay away from for long. Even as he prepares for massive acting assignments in 2027 and 2028, his mind remains focused on the creative development of Kantara Chapter 2. Given the franchise's track record of turning local stories into global sensations, the industry is watching closely. With Chapter 1 having already crossed the ₹850 Cr mark worldwide, the next installment will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated Indian films in the coming years.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The streaming numbers for the first half of 2026 are officially in. This year has seen some massive records being shattered, specifically by franchise hits that have managed to translate their big-screen hype into record-breaking viewership velocity on platforms like Netflix and JioHotstar. The standout performer of the year is undoubtedly Dhurandhar on Netflix. Within a 10-week sprint, the film racked up 31.1 million views, setting a new benchmark for Indian cinema in the digital space. This viewership velocity has officially surpassed the numbers generated by RRR (Hindi) within the same 10-week opening window. The franchise's strength is further highlighted by its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which secured the second spot with 18.9 million views on JioHotstar. Together, the two films have accumulated a combined 50 million views, showcasing the incredible pull of the franchise across different streaming platforms. Another interesting case study in the 2026 OTT charts is Prabhas's The Raja Saab. The film unfortunately underperformed during its January theatrical release, but its transition to the digital space on February 6 told a completely different story. Upon its premiere on JioHotstar, the movie immediately climbed to the #1 trending position and has since gathered 10.3 million views. This highlights a growing trend where films that struggle to find a massive footing in theaters are being rediscovered and embraced by home audiences, effectively recovering their reach through streaming platforms. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Looking at the overall distribution of the top 10 most-watched films, Netflix continues to be the dominant player, hosting eight out of the top ten titles. Films like the investigative thriller Accused and the cross-cultural drama Made In Korea have performed exceptionally well, securing 16.6 million and 13.5 million views respectively. Other notable entries include Rani Mukerji's Mardaani 3 and the Akshay Kumar starrer Bhooth Bangla, both of which maintained steady viewership figures above the 10 million mark. The list is rounded off by Tere Ishk Mein, which remains a popular choice for romantic drama enthusiasts with 9.7 million views. Most Watched Indian OTT Films in 2026RANKMOVIE TITLEPLATFORMVIEWERSHIP (MILLIONS)1DhurandharNetflix31.1M2Dhurandhar: The RevengeJioHotstar18.9M3AccusedNetflix16.6M4Made In KoreaNetflix13.5M5Bhooth BanglaNetflix11.9M6HaqNetflix11.3M7Mardaani 3Netflix10.7M8KartavyaNetflix10.3M9The Raja SaabJioHotstar10.3M10Tere Ishk MeinNetflix9.7M