Bhooth Bangla expected to be approx. 2 hours 50 minutes long; among Akshay Kumar’s longest films since Holiday – A Soldier Is Never Off Duty

It was one of the first to let readers know that the Akshay Kumar film Bhooth Bangla, which was planned to come out on April 10, might be delayed and instead hit theaters on April 17. The release date is still not officially confirmed, and the makers haven't made any official statement about it. Also, the trailer, which was first set for March 27 and then moved to March 30, hasn't been released yet. This has led to more questions and rumors that the film might have been pushed back even more.

Recently, it found out about the film’s runtime.

 A trade source told them, “Bhooth Bangla is about 2 hours and 50 minutes long. After the censorship process, the length might change by a few minutes. The exact time will be known closer to the release, but right now, it's said to be around 170 minutes.”

If Bhooth Bangla ends up with a runtime of 2 hours and 50 minutes, it will be one of Akshay Kumar’s longest films in the past 12 years.

 In that time, most of his films were shorter, usually under 150 minutes. The last time he had a film that long was with Holiday – A Soldier Is Never Off Duty in 2014, which was also 2 hours and 50 minutes.

After the A R Murugadoss film, only 11 of Akshay Kumar’s movies have been 2 hours and 30 minutes or longer.

 These include 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 also appeared in the film Kannappa (2025), which was 3 hours and 3 minutes long.

 But it hasn't been added to the list because it was a Telugu film and he only had a special appearance in it.

Kubbra Sait kicked off the year on a high note thanks to the success of her recently launched web series, Sankalp. In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, she shared her thoughts about the show and also revealed details about her upcoming project, "Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai," which stars Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, and Pooja Hegde.

Speaking about the project, Kubbra said, "I did this because of love.

 I've been a huge Bollywood fan all my life, and my dream of being on a film set came from watching David Dhawan's movies. The atmosphere on set was fun and playful, which is one of the reasons I chose this film. I'm really happy that I could work with the legend himself. It was incredible. I'm very proud of my decision."

She also reunited with her co-star from Son Of Sardaar 2, Mrunal Thakur, in this film. "

Yes, it was like bringing the fun of Son Of Sardaar 2 into a new environment. Varun has been my acting classmate at Barry John's. I learned a bit of acting there, and that's how I know him. He's the hardest working classmate I've ever had. I don't think I even did half the hard work he did. I was so happy to share screen space with him. I'm very proud of everything he's doing. And he's proud of me too, which is amazing!"

Kubbra has been a part of several light-hearted films in the past, including Son Of Sardaar 2.

 She had a crucial role in Jawaani Jaaneman (2020) and an interesting appearance in Ready (2011). When it was mentioned that the Salman Khan-starrer Ready would complete 15 years on June 3 this year, Kubbra was stunned. She said, "My god. Is it completing 15 years? Can you imagine? Oh my god, thank you for reminding me."

She continued, "Imagine I came to Mumbai with no idea what I was going to do.

 And then my first film became a Rs. 100 crore grosser. At that time, for a film to earn Rs. 125 crores was a very big deal. So, I was part of a super-hit film. I've been a part of some very epic projects, if you think about it. I'm so grateful for that."

Many people didn't realize that Kubbra had appeared in Ready.

 But after the release of her landmark show, Sacred Games, and other projects, fans were surprised to see her in the Anees Bazmee film.

Kubbra admitted that even today, she meets people who express how amazed they were to see her in Ready.

 "People say, 'Aap woh maid thi na Ready mein? Aap ne Hayabusa chalaya na? Humne woh scene bahut accha laga!' It's insane!"

Salman Khan teams up with National-Award winning director Vamshi Paidipally, Dil Raju; shooting from April 2026

Actor Salman Khan is going to work with National Award-winning director Vamshi Paidipally and producer Dil Raju on a high-energy action drama. The movie doesn’t have an official title yet, and this is the first time these three are teaming up. Filming is planned to start in April 2026.

Earlier this month, source first shared the news.

 A source said they were discussing schedules to aim for an Eid 2027 release. The producer and director were looking at timelines and planning to share a clear plan to make the festival release work.

The same source said the film is going to be exciting and full of action, but it also has deep emotions.

 It’s meant to be a big, commercial movie that shows Salman Khan in the kind of role his fans love. Pre-production is already in full motion, and they’re getting ready to start filming in April.

The movie will be shot in several places across India and will use a lot of visual effects.

 The team is finalizing many technical and logistical details before making an official announcement with more information.

Although the plan is to start filming in April 2026, the team wants to release the film in the first half of 2027.

 The producer has confirmed this timeline to Salman Khan as the project moves forward.

Right now, Salman Khan is busy promoting his upcoming film, Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace, which was previously called Battle of Galwan.

 Directed by Apoorva Lakia and starring Chitrangda Singh, the film is set for an August 14, 2026 release. It was originally planned for April 17, 2026, but was postponed due to editing and reshoots.

Dhurandhar The Revenge Box Office: Scores a RECORD BREAKING second Saturday, is BIGGER THAN SECOND SUNDAY of Pushpa 2 (Hindi) and Jawan

On its second Saturday, Dhurandhar made a huge jump with earnings of Rs. 53.70 crores, which set a new all-time high. This was better than Pushpa 2 (Hindi), which just barely missed the half-century mark, stopping at Rs. 46.50 crores. Now, in just a few months, Dhurandhar - The Revenge has broken the record for the second Saturday. It has made as much as Rs. 57 crores, a number that no film has ever reached before.

#Dhurandhar The Revenge Dhurandhar The Revenge Box Office: Breaking records on second Saturday, bigger than second Sunday of Pushpa 2 (Hindi) and Jawan

Even more impressive is that this number is higher than the second Sunday collections of Pushpa 2 (Hindi), which were Rs. 54 crores.

 This is an incredible achievement because the big Sunday is still ahead for Dhurandhar The Revenge, and whatever it earns today could set a new all-time record for the second Sunday in any language.

In the process, the Aditya Dhar film has now joined the Rs. 700 Crore Club in just 10 days.

 In fact, it is getting very close to the Rs. 750 crore mark, with its current collections at Rs. 747.50 crores. Today, the film is expected to cross into the Rs. 800 Crore Club, and if things go as well as expected, it could even reach the Rs. 900 Crore Club by the end of the second week.

ALL TIME MEGA BLOCKBUSTER.

Prasanth Varma’s Mahakali to also release in Hindi following Akshaye Khanna’s popularity after Dhurandhar

Akshaye Khanna is being very careful with his choices now, just like he was before his recent comeback.

 In his upcoming movie Mahakali, he plays Shukracharya, a tricky and clever sage, which marks his entry into Tollywood.

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

Producer Prashanth Varma said, “We had signed Akshaye Sir long before Dhurandhar.

 He is the main attraction of Mahakali.”

Varma wants to make sure Akshay Khanna’s role is noticed in the Hindi-speaking regions.

 Initially, the plan was to show Mahakali only in Telugu. However, after the success of Dhurandhar, they are making a Hindi version to highlight Akshaye Khanna in the marketing.

Aejaz Gulab reveals why Maatrubhumi had an additional shoot: “Makers wanted to film introduction scenes of some characters”; adds, “It was Apoorva Lakhia’s DREAM to work with Salman Khan; he was trying for it for a long time”

Action director Aejaz Gulab has garnered significant recognition for his work in *Dhurandhar The Revenge*. He started his career assisting action directors in 1989 and became a full-fledged action director in 2007 with *Shootout At Lokhandwala*, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, who is now preparing for his next project, *Maatrubhumi*, starring Salman Khan. Aejaz is also part of an upcoming war drama and shared insights in an exclusive interview with *source*.

Aejaz Gulab said, "Apoorva and I assisted in *Lagaan* (2001).

 I worked on his films like *Ek Ajnabee* (2005), *Shootout At Lokhandwala* (2007) and *Haseena Parkar* (2017). The kind of rapport I have with Mohit Suri, I also have with Apoorva. I was very happy when he told me that 'Salman ke saath apne ko film karni hai'. It was his dream to work with Salman Khan. He had been trying to make it happen for a long time, but it wasn’t falling into place. With *Maatrubhumi*, however, things finally worked out. Bahut dil laga ke kaam kiya hai humne iss film pe."

Aejaz Gulab worked with Salman multiple times in the beginning of his career, "I have done several of his films like *Veergati* (1995), *Judwaa* (1997), *Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega* (2000), *God Tussi Great Ho* (2008), etc.

 I have been Salman’s body double several times."

He confessed that he worked with Salman after a long time, "He was specializing in the South Indian action zone.

 I can also attempt that, but if you have seen my work, you’ll realize that I indulge in real action. I also began the trend of one-shot takes. That was in *Ek Villain* (2014), featuring Sidharth Malhotra in a boat. Raj-DK asked me if we could have a long action scene without cuts in Season 1 of *The Family Man*. We tried and it was a success. Since then, whenever someone wanted to do a single-shot action scene, I would get a call (laughs)! I also attempted it in a Bengali film and it was quite loved."

There are reports that *Maatrubhumi*’s additional shoot is taking place.

 Aejaz confessed, "The makers wanted to add some songs. Hence, they shot those songs. Also, they filmed introduction scenes of some characters."

Another exciting upcoming film for Aejaz Gulab is *Awarapan 2*.

 He said, "The action would be in the realistic zone, just like the first part. Emraan is a very fine performer. He does action and everything else with panache."

Kartik Aaryan is currently learning how to fly a plane for Captain India

Kartik Aaryan is flying high, in more ways than one.

 For his upcoming aerial action movie Captain India, which begins filming in July, Kartik is learning to fly a plane: a skill very different from the guitar or breakdance he learned for previous roles.

The film will be directed by Shimit Amin.

 The talented Shimit Amin, who directed Shah Rukh Khan in the iconic Chak De! India in 2007 and has only directed one other film since then in 2009, has been persuaded to come out of retirement by Kartik Aaryan for a real-life airborne story.

A source close to the project said, "It is a real-life mid-air survival story.

 Director Shimit Amin is known for favoring authenticity. He really can’t have Kartik fake the piloting. Kartik is actually learning how to fly a plane so he is fully prepared for the role."

Captain India is based on the true story of a commercial pilot who risked his life to save hundreds of passengers.

 The film is inspired by India's major humanitarian evacuation efforts. It will be shot in Morocco and India.