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.

Taran Adarsh compares Dhurandhar’s craze to Sholay; calls it “pathbreaking film that opens new doors”

Veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh has commented on the big buzz around Dhurandhar The Revenge, saying the film's audience reaction is something he's seen only once in his life, during the release of Sholay. In a special chat with a source, he mentioned that the excitement around this movie reminds him of rare cinematic moments that happen very rarely, maybe once in a few decades.

He said, "I think this is a film that comes after a long time.

 Very few such films are made. And when they are made, we should celebrate them."  

Thinking back to his childhood memories of watching Sholay, Adarsh talked about seeing a similar audience frenzy again in 2026. "

I am very thankful to God that I have seen this phase once again with another film. I’m talking about 1975 when Sholay was released. I was 10 years old then. My father’s office was at Grant Road, and the Minerva Theatre was right where the film was shown and ran for five years on a 70 mm screen. I watched the film many times. The craze I saw then, I’m seeing again in 2026."  

Adarsh said he feels lucky to have witnessed two such legendary theater moments in his lifetime. "

That is why I am very thankful that I have seen two such films in my lifetime. I wasn’t born when Mughal-e-Azam was made, so I can’t talk about that, but that film also had a lot of hype. My point is that a film like Dhurandhar should be celebrated."  

He believes the film is a major moment for the Indian film industry and shows new creative opportunities for filmmakers. "

It’s a groundbreaking film. It opens new doors for filmmakers and for everyone. We can make such films and audiences will come to watch them, provided we make good films."  

Adarsh also said he sees the film as a success not just for Hindi cinema but for the Indian film industry as a whole. "

I think Dhurandhar is one of the best films to come out of the Indian film industry. I am not saying Bollywood. I am saying the Indian film industry because all industries come under one umbrella."  

He also pointed out the film’s performance outside India as another sign of its impact. "

When you look at the collections in international markets, you will see that this film is truly making a mark there."  

The film is still creating strong reactions from audiences and industry people.

 People are talking about praise for Ranveer Singh’s acting and discussions about Aditya Dhar’s story choices. Amid all these responses, Adarsh’s comparison with Sholay puts Dhurandhar The Revenge in a rare category of events that go beyond regular box office success.

Manasi Parekh on World Theatre Day: “Theatre has shaped me in ways I can’t quantify”

On the occasion of World Theatre Day, actor Manasi Parekh reflected on the lasting impact of theatre on her craft and personal growth, describing it as a formative space that continues to shape her artistic journey.

Known for her work across films, OTT and stage, Parekh highlighted how live performance remains central to her evolution as an actor.

 One of the key milestones in her theatre career has been performing her Gujarati musical Maro Piyu Gayo Rangoon in London, an experience she credits for connecting her with international audiences and reinforcing the universality of storytelling.

Speaking about the influence of theatre, Parekh said, "As a person, theatre has shaped me in more ways than I can even quantify."

 She elaborated on the hands-on nature of the medium, adding, "It teaches you to be self-reliant. It teaches you to believe in less is more because you travel with a small group of people and you literally have to be involved in every aspect of the production, from figuring out clothes for everybody to helping set up the props and making sure your cues are in place."

She also emphasised the collaborative spirit of theatre. "

You know, so you're always a part of a community. You're helping each other. Nobody really is just there only for themselves. They're there for the love of theatre," she said.

Highlighting the unpredictability of live performances, Parekh noted, "So, it always teaches you to think on your feet.

 If there are some errors that some member does, some actor does on stage, how to figure that out spontaneously. So, it teaches you to think very quickly and to always have a solution for any problem that comes up."

Parekh has featured in projects such as URI: The Surgical Strike, Kutch Express and the series Maharani, and is next set to appear in Chumbak on Netflix.

Deepak Tijori criticises CBFC over inconsistent censorship in Dhurandhar 2

Actor-director Deepak Tijori has expressed his concerns about the way censorship is handled in the theatrical release of Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge.

 He is questioning what he sees as inconsistencies in how abusive language is treated across different platforms.  

In a recent statement, Tijori criticized the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for “half-muting” cuss words in the film’s theatrical version.

 He said he couldn’t understand the reason behind muting only some of the expletives instead of either muting them all or leaving them as they are. “I don’t really get why only some of the abuses are muted and others are left,” he said, calling the approach arbitrary.

The filmmaker also pointed out that the film already has an adults-only certification.

 He questioned the point of partial censorship. “Who are we really trying to protect here, and from what, just half a word?” he asked, highlighting his belief that the guidelines are unclear.

Tijori also pointed out what he called a “double standard” in how censorship is applied between theatrical and digital platforms.

 He observed that while the cinema version has muted language, the same movie is released on OTT platforms without any such changes. “The same film releases on OTT in its full, uncut form,” he said, suggesting that this breaks the logic behind theatrical cuts.

According to him, this difference might allow younger audiences to see unfiltered content at home, even though cinemas have stricter controls.

 He argued that the current system raises bigger questions about how effective and consistent content regulation is across different platforms.

Drishyam 2 set for theatrical release on April 10 ahead of Drishyam 3 release in May

In an interesting development for fans of the Drishyam franchise, the makers have announced a revised release strategy for the much-anticipated third instalment.

 Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Drishyam 3, starring Mohanlal, will hit theatres on May 21, 2026. Now, adding to the excitement, the team has decided to bring Drishyam 2 back to the big screen with a theatrical release scheduled for April 10, 2026.

The sequel, which originally premiered directly on OTT due to the pandemic, will finally get its theatrical moment years after its initial release.

 Announcing the update on social media, Aashirvad Cinemas wrote, “Drishyam 2, returns to where it truly belongs. In theatres from April 10th, 2026. #Drishyam2 @Mohanlal @jeethu4ever @antonypbvr.” The decision is seen as a strategic move to reconnect audiences with the story before the release of its concluding chapter.

Directed by Jeethu Joseph, Drishyam 2 originally released in February 2021 on Amazon Prime Video.

 The film continued the story of Georgekutty and his family, picking up years after the events of the first film. It delves deeper into the consequences of the crime that forms the core of the narrative, as the past resurfaces and threatens to unravel the carefully constructed cover-up.

The sequel received widespread appreciation for its gripping screenplay and layered storytelling, with Mohanlal’s performance once again earning praise.

 Over time, it has built a strong recall value among audiences, making its theatrical release a noteworthy move ahead of the franchise finale.

Meanwhile, Drishyam 3 was initially expected to arrive in April.

 However, the makers are said to have opted for a deliberate postponement in light of the ongoing crisis situation in regions like the UAE and Dubai, which host a significant Malayali population. The revised date aims to ensure wider audience participation across key markets.

The decision to release the film on May 21 also carries symbolic significance, as it coincides with Mohanlal’s 66th birthday.

 With Drishyam 3 set to mark the final chapter of the acclaimed mystery thriller series, the makers appear keen on delivering a grand theatrical experience.

With the return of Drishyam 2 to cinemas and the countdown to Drishyam 3 underway, the franchise is gearing up for a full-circle moment on the big screen.

Aditya Dhar leads with two films: Directors shaping the Rs. 500 crore box office club

Behind every movie that makes over 500 crore rupees is a director who combines big ideas, strong stories, and a clear vision. The latest data shows that both experienced directors and fresh talents are leading this top group.

Aditya Dhar is at the top of the list.

 He's the only director with two movies in the 500 crore club, and his highest-grossing film made over 895 crore rupees. His Dhurandhar movies have really connected with people across the country.

S. S. Rajamouli is a legend, and his movie Baahubali 2: The Conclusion made over 510 crore rupees.

 It set the standard for big, ambitious Indian blockbusters. Anil Sharma's Gadar 2, which made over 525 crore rupees, shows how old stories can still work in today's movies.

Siddharth Anand's Pathaan made over 543 crore rupees, and Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal made over 556 crore.

 These two show different styles—smooth action and deep drama—both of which are very popular.

Laxman Utekar's Chhaava made over 600 crore, and Amar Kaushik's Stree 2 made over 627 crore.

 These directors show that storytelling is becoming more important in big, commercial movies.

On the national level, Atlee Kumar's Jawan made over 643 crore, and Sukumar's Pushpa 2: The Rule made over 830 crore.

 They help bring regional stories to a wider audience.

The main point is that the 500 crore club isn't following just one pattern anymore.

 Whether it's big entertainment, deep dramas, or big franchise movies, directors are pushing the limits of Indian cinema.

As the movie industry changes, these filmmakers are not just making big hits—they're also setting the direction for how movies are made in India.