BY CHRISTA LINCY

The verse of versatility just got bigger! If you thought the casting coups of 2025 couldn't get any more exciting, think again. Fresh off the massive praise for his role in Kantara: Chapter 1, the incredible Gulshan Devaiah is reportedly making his big Telugu debut. And the project? It is the much-anticipated Maa Inti Bangaram, produced by and starring the powerhouse Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Gulshan Devaiah has always been a chameleon on screen, be it the eccentric Atmaram in Guns & Gulaabs or his intense roles in Badhaai Do and Dahaad. Now, he is expanding his horizons. According to the latest buzz from the South industry, Gulshan has been roped in for a pivotal role in Maa Inti Bangaram. Reports mention that the role is demanding & personal, hinting that we might see him in a character with significant emotional depth or perhaps a grey shade, something he masters effortlessly. Fans are already thrilled, especially noting that he is coming off high praise for his performance in Kantara: Chapter 1, proving that he is currently in the best phase of his career. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) For the unversed, Maa Inti Bangaram is a special project for Samantha Ruth Prabhu.She announced the film on her birthday under her own production banner, Tralala Moving Pictures. The movie marks a reunion for Samantha with director Nandini Reddy, who previously delivered the Super Hit Oh! Baby. While the plot is under wraps, verified reports confirm that the film also stars Diganth, Gautami, and Manjusha in key roles. The first look poster featured a fierce Samantha in a saree, wielding a gun, with the intriguing tagline: Not everything has to glitter to be golden, promising a hard-hitting thriller with strong emotional beats. The combination of Samantha's star power and Gulshan's acting prowess is a recipe for magic. While Samantha is known for carrying films on her shoulders like Yashoda and The Family Man 2, adding a performer like Gulshan to the mix elevates the project's potential instantly. Will he play the antagonist or a strong ally? The quiet but genuine buzz suggests his role will be a major talking point once the film releases. It is raining debuts and massive collaborations in the South, and we are here for it.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 8 - The mystery around superstar Aamir Khan as well as director Lokesh Kanagaraj's next ventures continues to deepen. The duo has been working on locking their next projects since their respective last films. In between, news of their possible collaboration has resurfaced amid continued rumours. Earlier in the year, Aamir Khan officially confirmed to the media that he would be teaming up with director Lokesh for a superhero film. However, after the underperformance of the director's Coolie, in which Aamir played a cameo, the rumours started gaining momentum that the superhero project was shelved. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The rumours only gained further momentum after it was reported that Lokesh has been in talks with Telugu superstar Allu Arjun for his next. But now, another twist in the tale has emerged as Aamir Khan reportedly confirmed that his movie with the Tamil director is still on, and narration will take place soon. According to the latest reports, Aamir Khan said that he is supposed to meet Lokesh soon for the script narration. He further said that the Leo director called him last month and he will meet him soon, so yes, the project is not shelved and is still on. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) If it comes true, it will be a powerful collaboration as Lokesh has made his mark with back-to-back big successes in Tamil cinema, despite Coolie not living up to the expectations. The filmmaker has proved that his style of filmmaking has connected with the audience, who have embraced his films with open arms. It needs to be seen what the future has in store regarding his collaboration with Mr. perfectionist. Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The verdict is out, and the internet has officially found its new obsession! When Aditya Dhar's spy-thriller Dhurandhar hit the screens, all eyes were initially on the explosive combination of the director and Ranveer Singh. However, the narrative has shifted dramatically since the first show. Social media is currently buzzing with praise, not just for the lead, but for the man who reportedly owned every single frame—Akshaye Khanna. From being hailed as the soul of the movie to earning the title of the New Lord after Bobby Deol, Akshaye's portrayal of the antagonist has left the audience stunned. Netizens are flooding social media platforms claiming that Akshaye's performance is nothing short of legendary, with one viral review perfectly summing up the sentiment: Ladies and gentlemen, we were not ready for this. After Lord Bobby, we have a new Lord in town... Lord Akshaye Khanna. Viewers are calling his portrayal of Rahman Dakait terrific, noting that he plays the role with chilling precision. His screen presence is described as electrifying, with fans stating that he is nothing short of phenomenal. As one enthusiastic user put it, the man is simply aura farming in each scene, commanding respect and attention without even trying. The craze is so real that social media timelines are flooded with tributes to his character. One user shared a clip with a caption that echoes the sentiments of thousands: Had Gone To Theatre as Dhurandhar Fan And Came Out As Akshaye Khanna's Fan. The Absolute Goat. The demand for more of his character reached such a fever pitch that even the production house couldn't ignore it! Acknowledging the internet's obsession, Jio Studios officially dropped a special glimpse of Akshaye Khanna as Sher-E-Baloch, captioning it, You made it viral! So now it’s here. You made it viral! So now it’s here, Sher-E-Baloch's absolute 'Bang-er'! 🔥Book your tickets. 🔗 - https://t.co/cXj3M5DFbc#Dhurandhar Blazing In Cinemas Now!@RanveerOfficial #AkshayeKhanna @duttsanjay @ActorMadhavan @rampalarjun #SaraArjun @bolbedibol @AdityaDharFilms… pic.twitter.com/TFzUJeLYBi— Jio Studios (@jiostudios) December 7, 2025 While Ranveer Singh is receiving love for his high-octane climax sequences, a significant portion of the audience feels that Akshaye dominates the rest of the runtime. Verified reviews suggest that Akshaye's performance is so commanding that he often makes other heavyweights look like side actors. One user wrote that while Ranveer delivers his beast mode performance only in the climax, Akshaye Khanna dominates the screen throughout. Some were even more critical of the film's structure, stating that the spotlight feels forced onto Ranveer Singh for no solid reason, implying that Akshaye was the natural scene-stealer who deserved the center stage. It is not just about screen time; it is about the craft. Fans are calling his acting a Masterclass in subtlety and intensity. One review hilariously noted that Akshaye Khanna as Rahman Dakait wasn't acting; rather, Rahman Dakait's aatma (soul) decided to enter Akshaye when the word Action was shouted. Whether he smiles, speaks, or simply reacts, viewers feel he lifts the film to another level. Many believe that the entire film survives solely on his shoulders, with one user claiming that Akshaye turns in such a magnetic performance that every flaw in the film fades into the background. Whether you liked the movie or found the director over-hyped, the consensus is that you simply cannot ignore Akshaye Khanna. He has delivered a performance that fans are demanding awards for, with some even wishing this story was an 8-episode series just to see more of him. It looks like the 90s heartthrob has officially entered his Villain Era supremacy.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

If there is one project that has the entire nation holding its breath, it is undoubtedly SS Rajamouli's next global adventure which has been officially titled Varanasi. While the excitement is already through the roof after the massive title launch, a reported update about Mahesh Babu's remuneration for the film is now breaking the internet. According to the latest exclusive buzz, the Superstar has opted for a unique salary model for this magnum opus that sets a new benchmark in the industry. We all know Mahesh Babu is one of the highest-paid actors in the country who usually charges around Rs 70 to 80 crores per film. However, given the massive scale of Varanasi which demands a long-term commitment, the actor has reportedly changed his strategy. Reports state that Mahesh Babu is working on a yearly basis for this project. The buzz claims he is charging Rs 50 crores per year as his remuneration. Since the film requires him to dedicate roughly three years of his time from preparation to release, his total take-home package is expected to cross a staggering Rs 150 Crores. This fee reportedly includes the timeline from the day he started his rigorous preparation for the character. For those who missed the madness, the makers recently held a grand Globetrotter Event at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad where the suspense finally ended. The event was nothing short of a spectacle, unveiling the title Varanasi alongside a concept video that introduced Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, a fierce explorer. The visual of him wielding a Trishul while riding a massive bull has already attained cult status among fans. As confirmed by the writers, the movie is a Globetrotting Action-Adventure that blends mythology with history, serving as a time-trotting saga that will see the superstar traveling across different eras and global locations The verified cast list is just as massive as the budget. Alongside Mahesh Babu's Rudhra, global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas has been officially confirmed to play the female lead named Mandakini, while the versatile Prithviraj Sukumaran is set to essay the role of the antagonist, Kumbha. Directed by the maverick SS Rajamouli with music by the Oscar-winning MM Keeravani, Varanasi is currently in production. With a reported budget exceeding Rs 1000 Crores and a release target of Summer 2027, this collaboration is shaping up to be the biggest Indian film ever made.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 8 - Director Aditya Dhar's spy action thriller Dhurandhar stormed the box office with one of the biggest opening weekends of 2025 for an Indian title. Indian cinema in 2025 has seen some major releases opening to extraordinary numbers, and now, the Ranveer Singh-starrer joins the elite league. Released amid big expectations, Dhurandhar opened to better-than-expected box office numbers, before seeing a major surge on Saturday, followed by an explosive Sunday. Overall, the movie made a mark at the box office, collecting approximately 123.50 crores gross domestically and a strong 34.50 crores overseas for the worldwide opening weekend of 158 crores. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Singh's high-octane A-rated actioner clocked the 5th biggest Indian film and third biggest Bollywood opening weekends of 2025. It also marked the biggest debut for Ranveer Singh and director Aditya Dhar, whose Dhurandhar is the second directorial venture after URI: The Surgical Strike (2019). Among the biggest opening weekends, Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 is certain the finish the year as the number 1; however, superstar Rajinikanth's Coolie dominated the chart in terms of extended weekend with nearly 400 crores worldwide. Top Worldwide Opening Weekend of 2025 Rank Film Opening Weekend (Fri-Sun) Extended Weekend 1 Kantara Chapter 1 ₹ 238.25 crores ₹ 326.00 crore 2 Coolie ₹ 231.50 crores ₹ 385.00 crore 3 War 2 ₹ 185.00 crores ₹ 269.75 crores 4 Chhaava ₹ 164.75 crores — 5 Dhurandhar ₹ 158.00 crores —

BY SACNILK TEAM

Salman Khan is all set to storm the box office with a massive line-up. From the patriotic Battle of Galwan to a confirmed Kick 2, and a buzzing collaboration with Aryan Khan, here is everything you need to know. The excitement around Salman Khan is at an all-time high! If the latest reports are to be believed, Bhai fans are in for a treat that extends well beyond just one movie. We have been hearing some exclusive whispers about his upcoming slate. Let’s break down the verified news and the sizzling rumors making waves in the industry. First things first, let's talk about the project that has everyone talking—Battle of Galwan. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, this war drama is reportedly based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. According to the latest buzz, the makers are planning to drop the teaser on December 27th, just in time to build hype for the new year. Reports suggest that filming has recently wrapped up, with Salman portraying a high-ranking army officer. The film also stars Chitrangda Singh in a pivotal role. The subject matter is intense, patriotic, and perfect for a superstar of Salman's stature. If the teaser indeed drops this month, it will be the perfect year-end gift for fans! For those who were waiting for an official word on Kick 2, the wait is over. It has been confirmed that Salman Khan and producer Sajid Nadiadwala are reuniting for the sequel to their 2014 blockbuster. Salman himself has given the nod, and pre-production is in full swing.While the release date isn't locked, the confirmation alone is enough to get us excited about seeing Devil back in action. The movie is expected to go on floors after Salman wraps up his current commitments, with the makers promising an actioner that's bigger and better than the first. Now, coming to the biggest rumour that has set the internet on fire. We all saw the magic when Salman made a cameo in Aryan Khan's directorial debut series, The Ba*ds of Bollywood, earlier this year.But it seems that was just the beginning. A massive exclusive report claims that Aryan Khan has pitched a script to Salman Khan, and the superstar has shown keen interest. Unlike the web series, this is rumoured to be a full-fledged feature film in the Action-Thriller zone. But wait, there's more! The script reportedly demands a young actor alongside Salman. Speculations are rife that names like Ranveer Singh or Varun Dhawan are being considered for this parallel lead role. Imagine Salman Khan and Ranveer/Varun in an action thriller directed by Aryan Khan – this could be the casting coup of the decade.It looks like the Sultan of Bollywood is gearing up to rule the box office for the next few years.

BY SACNILK TEAM

From the bloody battlegrounds of Animal to the gritty spy world of Dhurandhar, Bollywood is witnessing a clash of titans. The box office has turned into a battlefield, and we are absolutely living for it! With Ranveer Singh's latest spy-thriller Dhurandhar hitting the screens, comparisons with Ranbir Kapoor's 2023 monster hit Animal were inevitable. Both films are A-rated, violent, have lengthy runtimes crossing the 3.5-hour mark, and feature our favorite superstars in their most intense avatars yet. But who won the numbers game, and what is the secret sequel news that has left the industry shook? Let's dive into the verified figures. Let's talk straight facts regarding the box office performance. While Ranveer Singh has roared back to form, Ranbir Kapoor's Animal still holds the crown for the biggest Adults Only opening weekend. The Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorial was a tsunami at the box office back in 2023, raking in a massive Rs 201.53 Crore (India Net) in its opening weekend. It set a benchmark for A-rated cinema that is proving hard to beat. On the other hand, Aditya Dhar's spy-universe saga has posted a solid total of Rs 103 Crore (India Net) in its first 3 days. While Dhurandhar has crossed the coveted Rs 100 Cr mark in record time for Ranveer, it trails behind the beastly performance of Animal by roughly 50%. However, trade experts are noting that for a spy-thriller genre without the mass masala hype of Animal, these numbers are still fantastic. For those who don't know, Animal didn't just start big; it finished as a box office juggernaut. The film went on to collect a staggering India Net Collection of Rs 553.87 Cr, with the India Gross Collection standing at Rs 660 Cr. The craze wasn't just limited to India; the movie raked in Rs 255 Cr from overseas markets, pushing its total Worldwide Collection to a colossal Rs 915 Cr. These are the mammoth benchmarks that Dhurandhar will be aiming to chase in the long run. It is worth noting that while Animal rode on Ranbir Kapoor's solo alpha energy, Dhurandhar brings a massive ensemble to the table. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film stars heavyweights like Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal, making it a collective powerhouse of acting. Despite the difference in opening numbers, both films share a similar DNA of testing the audience's endurance with raw, unfiltered violence and long storytelling formats. As widely speculated before the release, the film's end-credits officially confirmed that the story is far from over. Validating the pre-release buzz about a two-part saga, the makers announced that the sequel, titled Dhurandhar 2: Revenge, is all set to release on March 19, 2026. This confirms that director Aditya Dhar shot both installments back-to-back, allowing for an exceptionally short waiting period between chapters. With the sequel arriving just four months after the first part, it is clear that this spy universe was designed as a rapid-fire franchise from day one. We are undoubtedly in a golden era of action cinema where superstars are pushing boundaries like never before. While Ranbir Kapoor redefined the crime-drama genre with his raw intensity, Ranveer Singh is now carving his own niche with a calculated, high-stakes spy universe. With a confirmed sequel around the corner for the latter and a massive universe building up for the former, the stage is set for a long-term battle for supremacy.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 7 - Director Aditya Dhar returned with a bang after 6 years with Dhurandhar, which has exploded at the global box office, delivering one of the most impressive opening weekends of the year. The spy-action thriller has not only exceeded trade expectations but also delivered a career best worldwide launch for actor Ranveer Singh. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Inspired by the incredible true events, Dhurandhar hugely benefited from all the chatter around it, as it off to over 150 crores worldwide opening weekend. In India, the film has demonstrated extraordinary pull, minting 123+ crore gross, driven by packed shows in major metros and strong turnout in Tier-2 and Tier-3 circuits. With word-of-mouth remaining solid and action entertainers traditionally showing good legs, the domestic performance is expected to maintain momentum through the week. Overseas as well, the performance has been solid. The film has collected an estimated 34.50 crore gross, with North America leading the charge with an estimated $2+ million debut. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The opening also makes this the biggest debut of Ranveer Singh's career, surpassing the numbers of Padmaavat and Simmba. For director Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar stands tall as a monumental achievement with record opening. It is his only second directorial, including URI: Surgical Strike (2019), which was a big blockbuster. With early trends extremely positive, Dhurandhar is poised to continue its blockbuster run in the coming days, raising anticipation about how high the film can soar in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 7 - Disney's buddy cop comedy Zootopia 2 continues its phenomenal run in China, grossing huge $116 million in the second weekend and becomes only the second Hollywood film ever to cross $400 million in the market and is now behind only Avengers: Endgame ($632 million) to become the number 1 non-Chinese title. The animated sequel has surpassed the lifetime grosses of The Fate of the Furious ($393 million) on Saturday itself to become the second biggest Hollywood movie in China. Through the second Sunday, it has already grossed $431 million in 12 days. Trade is projecting it to reach $500 million by next weekend, reducing the gap to Engame. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film's extraordinary reception, driven by strong nostalgia and family appeal, has pushed it into the record books. It entered its second week with remarkable momentum, displaying minimal drops across weekdays. It has resonated strongly with audiences of all ages, giving it one of the best word-of-mouth trajectories for an animated release in the region. As the film continues to hold strongly, it is being projected that Zootopia 2 may add several more millions to its already staggering total. While crossing Endgame appears to be a wait-and-watch situation, the sequel's astonishing performance has already set new benchmarks for animated films. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 7 - National award-winning actor Dhanush finally has his first 100 crores net grosser at the domestic box office as his romantic drama Tere Ishk Mein, co-starring Kriti Sanon, has breached this major milestone on its second Sunday. Directed by Anand L Rai, the intense love story is looking to score around 6.75-7 crores net on its 10th day, which takes its total domestic haul to 100 crores net collection. The Hindi version has scored an estimated 95 crores net, while the Tamil version has minted 5 crores through the second Sunday. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Tere Ishk Mein has done well in the second weekend despite the arrival of Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar, which has clearly dominated the weekend with over 75% market share. The positive word of mouth for Rai's directorial ensured the movie stayed afloat and unlocked a major box-office milestone. As said, TIK is the first 100 crores net grosser for Dhanush, whose previous record holder was A-rated action thriller Raayan, which managed to hit around 95 crores net across languages. Interestingly, the actor delivered his career-best grosser in a Hindi film, which is not his regular or primary language. TIK is only his third Bollywood theatrical movie after Raanjhanaa (2013) and Shamitabh (2015). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Tere Ishk Mein is being hailed for its intense narrative, chartbuster music and Dhanush's performance, which continues to receive widespread praise, while Kriti Sanon's role has been highlighted as one of her best, and their chemistry is being highlighted as one of the major factors behind the film's big success. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 6 - One of the highest-grossing films of all-time, Marvel Studios Avengers: Endgame is making its return to the big screen, ahead of Avengers: Doomsday release on December 18 next year. Originally released in 2019, the beloved Marvel epic will be re-released in theatres on September 25, 2026. The studio, however, didn't confirm whether it will be a worldwide or just a domestic (North America) re-launch, or how long the window will be. Directed by the Russo Brothers, who are also directing Doomsday, Endgame was a global phenomenon back in 2019. It stormed the box office everywhere it got released and eventually became the highest-grossing movie ever with $2.79 billion for some time before James Cameron's Avatar ($2.92 billion) reclaimed its spot. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Avengers: Endgame was the culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 3, and it proved to be the most emotional outing for Marvel fans for many reasons. The film bid goodbye to Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man, as well as Chris Evans' Captain America, and Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow, who later featured in the character's spin-off in 2021's Black Widow. The trio has been one of the major reasons behind the MCU's global success. Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr. has returned to the MCU with Doomsday, but not as Iron Man, but as Doctor Doom, who is the main villain of the next saga. Currently in production, Doomsday will feature many notable MCU stars, including Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Letitia Wright as Black Panther, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, and Tom Hiddleston as Loki, among many others. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 6 - Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar is showing excellent momentum at the box office, continuing the strong pre-release buzz. The spy actioner opened to a superb response, collecting approximately 27 crore net on opening day, marking one of the biggest starts for a Bollywood film in 2025. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The opening day collection reaffirmed audience curiosity for high-octane action cinema and signalled a promising weekend ahead. On Saturday, positive word of mouth came into play, which quickly translated into sharp growth. While morning shows began on a steady note, occupancies picked up rapidly from noon onward, with several centres registering impressive jumps. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Multiplexes and single screens both saw superb growth, showcasing the film's broad appeal among urban and mass audiences alike. As per early estimates, Dhurandhar has scored an excellent 30–32 crore net on Day 2, delivering a fantastic Saturday performance. The strong hold and upward trend suggest that viewers are resonating with the film's scale, action sequences, and Ranveer Singh's high-energy portrayal. This kind of second-day growth is often a key indicator of strong acceptance among the audiences. With two days bringing in around 57–59 crore net, Dhurandhar is now on track for a solid 90 crores net (+/-) opening weekend. If the current trajectory continues on weekdays, the spy thriller could emerge as one of Ranveer Singh's biggest commercial successes to date. Stay tuned...