Thursday, June 18, 2026

Ravi Kishan says Maa Behen freed Triptii Dimri from her Animal image: “Thank God this film came into her life”

Triptii Dimri has been mostly known for one role for almost two years.Ravi Kishan thinks that part of her story is now over.

Ravi Kishan said the film Maa Behen helped Triptii Dimri move away from her image as the character from Animal.
He said, "Thank God this film came into her life."


Ravi Kishan praised Triptii Dimri for her versatility.
The actor, who worked with Triptii in Maa Behen, talked about how the Netflix film changed how people saw her.In an interview with NDTV, he said the project gave viewers a chance to see her acting in a different light, beyond the image created by Animal.

He felt relieved that she finally had a role where she could show a different side of her acting.
"Thank God this film came.Thank God Tripti Dimri’s life got this film, Maa Behen, which took her out of the Animal image," he said, explaining that the film helped her break free from the role that made her famous.

From Animal's Zoya to a new identity  
Triptii’s big break came through Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s 2023 movie Animal, where she played Zoya Riaz, a woman connected with Ranbir Kapoor’s character Ranvijay Singh.
Although she didn’t have a lot of screen time, the character made her a major talking point online, giving her the "national crush" label.

The role also received some criticism for its intimate scenes, which led to discussions about her creative decisions.


Madhuri Dixit's underrated performances, according to Ravi Kishan  
Ravi Kishan also highlighted Madhuri Dixit, saying her acting is often overlooked because of the huge success of her songs.
He mentioned songs like "Dhak Dhak" and "Choli" as examples of hits that overshadowed her more skilled performances.

"Madhuri ma’am’s name is so big.
Songs like 'Dhak Dhak' and 'Choli' became so popular that her best performances got forgotten.Thank God this film came along.It reminded people that she also did romantic films and that she has given so many different kinds of performances.This film has done a great job," he said.

Maa Behen is directed by Suresh Triveni.
It stars Madhuri Dixit, Triptii Dimri, Ravi Kishan, Dharna Durga, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Arunoday Singh and Shardul Bhardwaj.The film premiered on Netflix on June 4, 2026, and keeps getting attention for its performances and character development.

Nag Ashwin BREAKS SILENCE on rumours of Alia Bhatt, Sai Pallavi joining Kalki 2898 AD sequel: “Everything is speculation”

The talk about the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD is getting more and more attention now that Deepika Padukone is no longer part of the project.People on social media and in the film industry are sharing news that Alia Bhatt and Sai Pallavi might be joining the sequel.But now, the director, Nag Ashwin, has spoken out about these rumors.

The confusion started when Vyjayanthi Movies, the production company, said they would not be working with Deepika Padukone for the sequel.
They mentioned that there was a mismatch in their goals and that the film needed someone more committed.

Fans have been wondering what will happen to Sumathi, Deepika's character, since she plays a big part in the story.
They are unsure if the character will come back or if she will be replaced.

During an interview with Great Andhra, Nag Ashwin said that Sumathi will definitely be in the sequel.
However, he also said that there is no official news about who will play the role yet.He clarified that the character is very important and can’t be removed from the story.

This news has led to two main guesses among fans.
One idea is that Alia Bhatt could play a new character, like Goddess Vaishno Devi, who is connected to Kalki’s mythology.Another idea is that both Alia Bhatt and Sai Pallavi might take over the role of Sumathi since she’s the mother of Kalki and a key figure in the story.

But Nag Ashwin has made it clear that these are just theories and there is no confirmation yet.

The original film, Kalki 2898 AD, had Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Disha Patani in major roles.
It became a huge hit and helped build a bigger story for the future.Because of this, every casting update for the sequel is very exciting for fans.

For now, everyone is waiting for an official announcement from Vyjayanthi Movies and Nag Ashwin.
Until then, the actor who will play Sumathi in Kalki 2 is still a big mystery.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Karan Johar announces Dharma Productions’ Malayalam debut with Prithviraj Sukumaran-starrer Odiyan

 Dharma Productions and Prithviraj Productions are joining forces to make a big movie called Odiyan: The Age of Illusion.It is a grand story based on the old tales and traditions of 19th-century Kerala.The movie is being made by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Supriya Menon, and it is directed by Rahul Sadasivan, who has made movies like Bhoothakaalam, Bramayugam, and DiĆ©S Irae.The main actors in the film are Manju Warrier and Prithviraj Sukumaran.This is the first Malayalam movie that Dharma Productions has ever made, which is a big deal for a studio that has been around for a long time.


The movie is about a scary creature from Kerala’s legends that causes trouble for a strong and powerful family.

This leads to a big fight between what is real and what is not, and it is filled with myths, danger, and deep feelings.Rahul Sadasivan, who has made many unique and special films by exploring Kerala’s stories and atmosphere, is taking on one of his biggest projects so far.


Karan Johar, who is one of the producers, said, “I have always admired Malayalam cinema a lot.

I have always wanted to be part of it.The way the filmmakers trust their audiences and tell amazing stories is something I really respect.When this story came to us, with Rahul’s ideas and Prithviraj as the lead, it felt like the perfect time.Odiyan: The Age of Illusion is the kind of film that needs a big stage, and I am happy we can give it that.”


Apoorva Mehta, the CEO of Dharma Productions, said, “Malayalam cinema shows everything we value in storytelling—big ideas, bravery in making films, and deep connections with the culture.

For Dharma, entering Malayalam cinema is a natural and exciting step.The industry has talented people, a great audience, and strong storytelling.Working with Prithviraj Productions and Rahul Sadasivan on Odiyan: The Age of Illusion is a proud moment for us, and it shows where we are going.”


Prithviraj Sukumaran, who is both an actor and producer, said, “Odiyan is not just a story, it is part of Kerala’s identity.

This legend has been around for generations and remains important in our culture.Making this story into a movie that honors its roots and culture is something I have always wanted to do.Working with Dharma Productions gives us a shared vision, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”


Supriya Menon, from Prithviraj Productions, said, “As a company that has always tried to improve Malayalam cinema and focus on storytelling, we are excited to welcome Dharma Productions into this world.

We hope to continue our work with Odiyan to bring high-quality movies to Malayalam audiences and offer them a great viewing experience.”


Rahul Sadasivan, the film director, said, “Folklore has always been powerful because it lives in the space between memories, beliefs, and imagination.

With Odiyan: The Age of Illusion, I wanted to bring back one of Kerala’s most famous stories and tell it through a style that feels magical, mysterious, and emotional.After the support and love from audiences for my previous films, this is a chance to tell a bigger story while staying true to the themes I care about.I’m excited to work with Dharma Productions and Prithviraj Productions to bring this vision to life.”


Odiyan: The Age of Illusion will be coming to cinemas soon.

Cocktail 2 advance booking: 13,000 tickets sold already; Shahid Kapoor-Kriti Sanon-Rashmika Mandanna starrer eyes 30k mark

 The advance bookings for Cocktail 2 are off to a good start.This highly anticipated romantic movie, featuring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna, is gaining momentum at theaters nationwide and is likely to see a big rise in the next two days.

PVRInox has contributed about 11,700 tickets, while Cinepolis has sold nearly 1,300 tickets.

Interestingly, the film has reached the same advance booking level as Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, which had sold about 13,000 tickets on its first day.

With two full days left before the release, Cocktail 2 is well on track to beat that number.

Now, the focus is on a new target.

If the current trend continues for the next 48 hours, the film could reach the 30,000-ticket mark across the country, surpassing the final advance bookings of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.


The next two days are very important because urban theatergoers usually book tickets for romantic movies ahead of time.

Good buzz about the trailer, music, and the new trio of Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna might help sell more tickets by Thursday evening.


Although the movie still has some way to go to join the list of big box office openings, the current pace suggests it will have a solid start.

A sudden increase in last-minute bookings and positive reviews from early viewers could help boost its opening day revenue.

Main Vaapas Aaunga Box Office Collections

Main Vaapas Aaunga Box Office

INDIA BOX OFFICE COLLECTION

Schedule Amount

Opening Day 1.28 cr.

End of Opening Weekend 5.63 cr.

Lifetime Collection 8.38 cr.

DAY WISE BOX OFFICE COLLECTION

Day Date Amount

Day 1 12-Jun-2026 (Fri) ₹1.28 cr. N/A

Day 2 13-Jun-2026 (Sat) ₹1.85 cr. +44.53%

Day 3 14-Jun-2026 (Sun) ₹2.50 cr. +35.14%

Day 4 15-Jun-2026 (Mon) ₹1.15 cr. -54.00%

Day 5 16-Jun-2026 (Tue) ₹1.60 cr. +39.13%

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE COLLECTION

Day Amount

Weekend 1 5.63 cr. N/A

OVERSEAS BOX OFFICE COLLECTION

Schedule Amount (in mil. USD)

Total Overseas Gross 0.652

WORLDWIDE GROSS BOX OFFICE COLLECTION

Schedule Amount

India box office Nett cr. 8.38 cr.

India box office Gross cr. 9.98 cr.

Overseas Gross cr. 6.2 cr.

Worldwide collections Gross cr. 16.18 cr.

AUSTRALIA BOX OFFICE COLLECTION

Date Rank Weekend Amount (in A$) Screens Total Gross (in A$)

12-Jun-2026 15 78,237 64 78,237

GERMANY BOX OFFICE COLLECTION

Date Rank Weekend Amount (in EUR) Screens Total Gross (in EUR)

12-Jun-2026 45 7,018 1 7,018

NEW ZEALAND BOX OFFICE COLLECTION

Date Rank Weekend Amount (in NZD) Screens Total Gross (in NZD)

12-Jun-2026 19 11,014 22 11,014

UNITED KINGDOM BOX OFFICE COLLECTION

Date Rank Weekend Amount (in Pound) Screens Total Gross (in Pound)

12-Jun-2026 14 45,887 86 45,887

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BOX OFFICE COLLECTION

Date Rank Weekend Amount (in USD) Screens Total Gross (in USD)

12-Jun-2026 N.A. 292,396 N.A. 292,396

Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past Box Office: Does well on Monday, marching towards Rs. 20 crores lifetime

 Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past is doing really well.The movie made good money over the weekend, earning around Rs.9.63 crores, with each day bringing in more than the last.After that, everyone was looking forward to how well Monday would go.In fact, it didn't need to be great, just steady.


Monday brought in about Rs.1.72 crores, which was actually stable.Ticket prices are usually lower on Mondays, but with more screens and showtimes, especially at big multiplexes, the number of people going to see the movie went up.


Because of this, the total earnings for four days now stand at Rs.11.35 crores.That's enough to make sure the film does well in its first week.In fact, that amount alone should cover all the costs and even bring in some profit.Whatever comes in during the second week will just be extra.The way things are going, the movie has the potential to make up to Rs.20 crores in total.This will surely lead to the third installment in Vikram Bhatt's Haunted series.

Everyone wants another Lagaan, but nobody wants to take Lagaan-sized risks

Twenty-five years after *Lagaan* first captured people's hearts, one question still lingers in Bollywood: Why hasn't there been another *Lagaan*?


Every few months, someone in the film industry laments the lack of fresh, original movies.
People often look back on the days when Hindi cinema dared to be different.Yet, even with all the praise and nostalgia, Bollywood hasn't really tried to create something like *Lagaan* again.And the reason might be because everyone wants another *Lagaan*, but not many are willing to take the big risks that *Lagaan* needed.

When *Lagaan* was released in 2001, it didn't look like a sure hit.
On paper, it seemed like an impossible sell.It was nearly four hours long, a period drama, focused on cricket, set in colonial India, with unknown international actors, a village-based cast instead of big stars, and songs that fit into a sports story.It was a film that broke every usual rule of the box office.

Today, many filmmakers would probably struggle to get such a project approved.

Ironically, Bollywood has more resources than ever before.
Budgets are bigger, technology is better, visual effects are top-notch, and marketing is more powerful than ever.Yet, truly original mainstream ideas are still rare.Instead, studios often stick to what's safe—old stories, remakes, and franchises that already have a built-in audience.

From a business point of view, that makes sense.
Films are getting more expensive, theaters are harder to sell out, and every decision is under the microscope.Risk management is just as important as storytelling now.

But cinema has always rewarded those who believe in their vision.


*Lagaan* wasn’t remembered because it was a period film or because it was about cricket.
It became unforgettable because it made people care about each character, each match, and every victory.Even people who didn’t know much about cricket found themselves cheering by the end because the emotions were universal.

OPINION: Everyone wants another *Lagaan*, but nobody wants to take *Lagaan*-sized risks

That’s probably the main lesson Bollywood sometimes misses.
Originality isn’t enough.People love stories that make them feel something.

Interestingly, some of the biggest hits in the industry came from films that seemed strange at first.
Many of the greatest films were once doubtful risks that changed how the industry saw things.

Risk doesn’t always mean spending billions.
Sometimes it just means supporting an idea that hasn’t been proven yet.

There’s also a belief that audiences only want big spectacle these days.
But history shows otherwise.Viewers keep supporting films that tell honest stories, have compelling plots, and strong characters.Scale helps, but it can’t replace soul.Veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh said that filmmakers must keep trying to make films that are truly Indian.“Of course, not every film can be *Lagaan*, which can reach Oscar level,” he said.“That kind of success is very rare.But one must keep aspiring.The key to success and breaking into the international market is to make films that reflect our culture, not copy foreign ones.*Lagaan* was very Indian.It was Indian in every way.It didn’t try to copy any international or American film.”

He also explained that box office pressure often stops filmmakers from trying new ideas.
“The box office is playing a huge role these days, and we’ve forgotten how to make these kinds of films.Box office was always big but now it's multiplied by 10 or even 100.That's a big challenge for filmmakers.At some point, everything is focused on the money coming from different areas.It's important to balance art and commerce.Make the kind of films you want to make but also think about the box office and art.By art, I don’t mean arthouse cinema.I mean films that tell a new or different story within commercial limits,” he concluded.

That might be why *Lagaan* is still celebrated after 25 years.
It didn’t follow trends.It created them.

Bollywood often wonders where its next great classic will come from.
The answer might not be in making another *Lagaan*, but in rediscovering the bravery that made *Lagaan* possible in the first place.

Because great films rarely come from playing it safe.