Several cinemas yet to open May 1 bookings; exhibitors face ‘agni pariksha’ as they struggle to accommodate Raja Shivaji, Ek Din, The Devil Wears Prada 2, Patriot, KD – The Devil and holdover releases

Issues with screen-sharing have become very common now, and this week, the situation has gotten much worse. This is because several big movies in different languages are coming out at the same time, and it's really hard for programmers to decide how many showings to give each film.

As expected, with less than 24 hours left before the releases, the problems are still not solved.

 In Mumbai, theatres like Regal, MovieTime Suburbia, PVR Le Reve, Roxy, Eros IMAX, Kasturba, and Nazrana hadn't opened bookings for May 1 by 8:00 am on April 30. Surprisingly, even a three-screen multiplex like Sterling hadn't made plans for the coming week. Advance booking is also not fully open in places like Devgn CineX Mulund, Devgn CineX Thane, Topiwala, MovieTime Malad, Tilak, and Rajhans Ghatkopar.

A source from the exhibition industry told Bollywood Hungama, "This is like a test of fire for us.

 We need to allocate shows to Raja Shivaji (in Hindi and Marathi), Ek Din (Hindi), The Devil Wears Prada 2 (English), Patriot (Malayalam), Kara (Tamil), Dhabkaaro (Gujarati), KD - The Devil (Kannada), and other holdover releases. In a city like Mumbai, where there are audiences for many languages, our programming team is working hard and in constant touch with distributors to make sure all films get enough showings."

Meanwhile, holdover releases like Michael and Bhooth Bangla are doing well and also need to be considered.

 According to sources, Patriot and KD - The Devil will also be released in Hindi dubbed versions, but bookings haven't opened anywhere in the country yet, probably because of the challenges in sharing showings.

Several cinemas yet to open May 1 bookings; exhibitors face ‘agni pariksha’ as they struggle to accommodate Raja Shivaji, Ek Din, The Devil Wears Prada 2, Patriot, KD - The Devil and holdover releases.

Raja Shivaji's show requirements

The biggest release of the week in the Hindi-speaking market is Raja Shivaji, and its distributors, Jio Studios, are doing everything to make sure it gets a wide release.

 According to the list the studio has sent, exhibitors have been asked to allocate all shows to the film in single-screen cinemas. In 2-screen theatres, they have asked for 7 shows, and in 3-screen multiplexes, 10 shows. In 4-screen theatres, 14 shows of Raja Shivaji are needed. For cinemas with 5 screens or more, 16 shows of the film are required daily. This includes both the Hindi and Marathi versions.

Also, the theatres have been asked to play Raja Shivaji in 4DX and EPIQ premium formats.

Despite these challenges, exhibitors are optimistic because most films are expected to draw a lot of audiences.

 The Devil Wears Prada 2 could be a big surprise as advance bookings are better than expected. Patriot, Kara, and KD - The Devil are expected to make a strong start in their local markets, while Raja Shivaji is all set for a big opening in Maharashtra.

Firoz A. Nadiadwallah registers FIR over Hera Pheri franchise rights dispute

In February 2026, G P Vijayakumar, the Managing Director of Seven Arts International, filed a case with the Madras High Court against Firoz A. Nadiadwallah, a well-known film producer, for his plan to make Hera Pheri 3. Vijayakumar argued that the filmmaker does not have the rights to the franchise and that he is the actual owner. He also raised concerns about whether the sequel can be made without his approval. The situation has taken a big turn recently. Bollywood Hungama has learned from a reliable source that a cheating and copyright infringement case has been filed at Amboli Police Station in Mumbai on April 27, 2026, following a complaint by Firoz A. Nadiadwallah.

According to our source, the FIR is based on sections 318(4), 356 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

 The police have named Gopala Pillai Vijayakumar and M Paul Michael, also known as Lal, as the accused in this case.

Our source also said that in his complaint, Firoz A. Nadiadwallah claimed his claims are supported by a solid documentary evidence, including assignment agreements, financial documents, and records related to the copyright and other rights of the Hera Pheri franchise.

 The source added that the documents in Firoz A. Nadiadwallah's possession show he is the sole and permanent owner of all the copyright and related rights of the Hera Pheri franchise.

Legal experts say that with the FIR being registered, the investigation will look into the chain of ownership, contracts, previous settlements, and financial transactions to find out how serious the alleged wrongdoing is.

About Hera Pheri series  

The first film was released in 2000 and became a cult favorite because of its theme, fresh approach, funny scenes, and performances.

 The sequel, Phir Hera Pheri (2006), became a bigger hit and is now a famous film in the world of memes. While Hera Pheri was directed by Priyadarshan, the late Neeraj Vora directed Phir Hera Pheri. Neeraj Vora also worked on the first film as a writer.

Ballu is back! Sanjay Dutt announces Khalnayak Returns; teaser gets massive response at launch event

Actor-producer Sanjay Dutt's Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Aksha Kamboj, who is the Executive Chairperson of Aspect Global (Aspect Entertainment), invited the media to a special event to announce their first joint venture. The project had been kept secret until now, and during the event, it was finally revealed as the sequel to one of Dutt's most popular films, Khalnayak (1993), which is now called KhalNayak Returns.

The event started with Aksha Kamboj talking about her production company and its connection with Sanjay Dutt.

 She then asked the audience to focus on the screen.

A few minutes later, the intro teaser for KhalNayak Returns was shown.

 The journalists responded with a lot of enthusiasm and applause. Sanjay Dutt looked very stylish, and the use of the famous Khalnayak music added to the excitement.

PVR INOX Executive Director Sanjeev Kumar Bijli reveals plans for Cannes 2026, Hollywood slate and why India is now too big to ignore; opens up on Dhurandhar The Revenge hitting Rs. 100 cr mark in a single day: “It was a pleasant surprise…”

The last quarter of the previous financial year ended on a positive note for the exhibition industry, thanks to the success of films like Border 2 and Dhurandhar The Revenge. The first quarter of this financial year has also started well. As India's largest multiplex chain, PVR INOX Ltd is leading this positive phase. Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, the company's Executive Director, is feeling hopeful. The company is not just showing films but also distributing many local and Hollywood movies through PVR INOX Pictures. The financial year started with the release of The Drama, an acclaimed film starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya.

The company has an exciting list of films coming up, like Hokum (May 8 or May 15), Tuner (May 29), Furious (June 12), The Invite (June 26), I Want Your Sex (July 31), Mutiny (August 21), Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping (November 26), Wife And Dog (date not yet finalized), Musk (date not yet finalized), and the Japanese anime ChaO (date not yet finalized).

 The Hindi films being distributed include Ek Din (May 1), Aakhri Sawal (May 8), Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai (May 22; certain territories), Raftaar (July 24), and Gabru (date not yet finalized). In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Sanjeev Kumar Bijli talked about current trends in the exhibition industry, upcoming films, and more.

How has the current quarter been so far, and what are your expectations for the films coming to cinemas in the next two months?

The first quarter started on a very positive note.

 The release of Dhurandhar The Revenge in April was a boost. Bhooth Bangla did decent business, grossing over 100 crores at the box office in India. We released The Drama, which made about 5 crores GBOC all India. It's a small number but big for an independent film, which is what PVR INOX Pictures does. Michael also did well, and Project Hail Mary performed exceptionally well worldwide and in India as well.

According to our targets, we may not have a blockbuster April, but it will be a good one.

 However, May has a big lineup. Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, looks funny. Varun Dhawan's Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is also promising. The film everyone is talking about in the office is Raja Shivaji, which releases on May 1, along with The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Ek Din. We also have many regional films coming out. Patriot is a big one, which also comes out on May 1.

June looks great with a great lineup of films.

 Toxic is something to watch out for. We have Chand Mera Dil, Cocktail 2, Main Vaapas Aunga, Disclosure Day, etc., in this quarter that should bring audiences to cinemas.

PVR INOX released Dhurandhar The Revenge in certain circuits, and the film has become an all-time grosser.

 It also collected more than 100 crores in a single day, a feat it managed on two consecutive days. Did this come as a surprise, or was it expected?

It is hard to say.

 The buzz was always there, as the first part had done very well and created a lot of conversation. That is what makes a movie popular. So, it was a pleasant surprise that it performed the way it did. We knew it would do well, but we didn't know it would beat the first part. I am glad it did.

You recently attended the 76th Berlin International Film Festival and will also be attending the 79th Cannes Film Festival in May 2026.

 What motivates you to attend these festivals?

We have been doing this for 20 years now.

 We have been visiting not just Berlin and Cannes, but also AFM, the American Film Market in Los Angeles, where we buy international independent films. About 20 years ago, we noticed a gap—several independent studios like Miramax, New Line Cinema, and others didn't release their films in India. That's when we started PVR INOX Pictures and decided to acquire the rights to such films and distribute them in India. This has been going on for two decades now.

At these markets, we also get to watch films that we eventually buy.

 I watched The Drama in Berlin, along with other films. I also saw Hokum, which we bought from Neon and will release in May. We also have the rights to release The Invite, directed by Olivia Wilde. It has a great cast, including Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton. It will come out on June 26.

In short, film festivals are where we meet many independent film companies, nearly 40 of them.

 We also meet Japanese companies because we distribute a lot of anime films. We are also interested in releasing films in French, Spanish, and other European languages because the world is now language-agnostic. We value good cinema, regardless of its language. We bought some great films in Berlin and look forward to watching and acquiring a lot of exciting films in Cannes as well, like we do every year.

Toxic BTS goes viral: Hollywood action director JJ Perry calls working with Yash and Geetu Mohandas an ‘honor’

The buzz around *Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups* keeps growing, thanks to Hollywood action director JJ Perry who shared behind-the-scenes moments from the film featuring lead star Yash and director Geetu Mohandas. His post has given fans a closer look at how the movie is being made.

Perry posted photos from the set and shared his heartfelt thoughts about working with the cast and crew.

 He wrote, “What an honor it was to work with the whole cast and crew on *Toxic*… Gotta send a big thanks to @thenameisyash, an incredibly talented actor with the best beard in the business! And a kind, generous person who I’m proud to call a friend. And of course the amazing Director @geetu_mohandas I had so much fun working with her and her team. Shout out to her Director of Photography, Rajeev Ravi!! I can’t wait for this one to come out!!! Fasten your seatbelts!!!”

Director Geetu Mohandas also responded to the post, hinting at the film’s scale and intensity.

 She wrote, “The pleasure is all mine JJ.. The kind of collaboration that leaves dents in the frame and smoke in the air. Can't wait for the world to get hit by what we made.”

Earlier, Yash had spoken about the film’s action design during CinemaCon 2026.

 He discussed the creative vision behind the sequences and said, “Action today—you’ve seen all sorts of action. What I believe is, with the scale and intensity, there should be something unique about each sequence… a different style, a different form. Action should be visceral—you should feel the pain,” suggesting that the film aims to deliver a more immersive action experience.

Directed by Geetu Mohandas, *Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups* is backed by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations.

 The film features an ensemble cast including Yash, Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth and Tara Sutaria. It is set for a worldwide theatrical release on June 4, 2026.

Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 Movie Review: GINNY WEDSS SUNNY 2 suffers due to an insipid script

Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 Review {1.5/5} & Review Rating  

Star Cast: Avinash Tiwary, Medha Shankr  

Director: Prasshant Jha  

Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 Movie Review Synopsis:  

GINNY WEDSS SUNNY 2 is the story of a couple in distress.

 Shivansh Chaturvedi, also known as Sunny, lives in Rishikesh with his father Ram Sevak, his brother Parshuram or Pintu, his sister-in-law Sarika, and his tenant and friend Rudranarayan D'Costa. Sunny is uneducated and was framed in a fake case, which makes it hard for him to find a girlfriend in Rishikesh. Meanwhile, Geetanjali Goenka, also known as Ginny, lives in Delhi with her mother Neelu. She was engaged to a man named Vikram, but the engagement broke off. She is still dealing with the heartbreak and is meeting potential grooms, but hasn't found the right one. Sunny publishes an ad in a newspaper's matrimonial section, which catches Ginny and her mother's attention. They visit Sunny's family, and everything seems to work out. Sunny and Ginny get married, but both have lied to each other and their families. The rest of the story follows what happens after that.

Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 Movie Story Review:  

Prasshant Jha's story is weak, but it could have been a decent entertainer.

 However, his screenplay doesn't help hide the weaknesses in the story. It feels like a mix of TANU WEDS MANU [2011] and BADRINATH KI DULHANIA [2017]. The dialogues are okay, but some one-liners seem outdated and might not appeal to today's audience.

Prasshant Jha's direction isn't great.

 On the plus side, he has made the film in a commercial way and shot it in the beautiful locations of Uttarakhand. Some scenes are nice, like when Ginny and Sunny first meet, when Ginny is impressed that Sunny didn't ask her awkward questions, or when Ram Sevak and Pintu call Sunny at night.

On the downside, most of the jokes don't land.

 The scene where chaos breaks out in the Chaturvedi household when Neelu calls is embarrassing. Several developments feel forced to move the story forward and don't work well. Ginny is portrayed as a modern girl, but she meets Sunny once and agrees to marry him. The way the makers show misunderstandings between the couple through a song at the start of the second half is childish. It's also funny that Sunny didn't know a certain video of his was deleted from YouTube a long time ago. Anyone who went through that kind of trauma would have wanted to know if the video was still online. In a pre-climax scene, Ginny and Sunny get on the wrong bus and end up stuck in Haridwar. Their destination is Rishikesh, which is just a 40-45 minute drive away. Sunny could have called his family and they would have picked him up. Instead, they look for hotels to stay the night. While the makers wanted to show Ginny and Sunny spending time together and getting closer, they should have made them get stuck in a place like Meerut instead of Haridwar. These kinds of details make the movie less enjoyable.

Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 Movie Review Performances:  

Avinash Tiwary gives a sincere performance and acts as per the script.

 Medha Shankr is attractive and gives another solid performance after her role in 12TH FAIL [2023]. Sudhir Pande, Vishwanath Chatterjee, and Nayani Dixit all support the film well. Rohit Chaudhary is entertaining and adds some laughs, though his character's ending is silly. Lillete Dubey is dependable as always. Gopi Bhalla, who plays Sugriv Uncle, overacts. Govind Namdeo, who plays Ayodhya Prakash, is okay. The actor who plays the heartbroken tea seller, Smriti Ka Piyush Chaiwala, is funny. In a better film, this character might have had a bigger impact.

Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 movie music and other technical aspects:  

The music is okay.

 â€˜Chhaap Tilak’ is the best song of the album. ‘Bad Luck Kharab’ and other songs don't make much impact. Amar Mohile's background score is functional.

Archit Patel's cinematography is appealing, and Sachin Khate's production design is attractive.

 Nidhi Yasha's costumes are realistic for the supporting characters and stylish for Avinash Tiwary and Medha Shankr. Bunty Nagi's editing is fine.

Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 Movie Review Conclusion:  

Overall, GINNY WEDSS SUNNY 2 suffers due to an insipid script, forced developments, and silly goings-on.

 The film was released with minimal awareness and will face a tough time at the box office.

Pati Patni Aur Woh Do worldwide distribution rights sold to Zee Studios for Rs. 35 crores

Ayushmann Khurrana is collaborating with Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet Singh, and Wamiqa Gabbi in the comedy heist film Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, directed by Mudassar Aziz. The teaser for the movie was released earlier in the week, followed by the song, which has already created a lot of excitement among moviegoers. The film is set to release on May 15, 2026. Bollywood Hungama has some exclusive and exciting information about the film's distribution deal.

According to reliable sources, T Series Production is handling the global release through Zee Studios.

 "Zee Studios has acquired the worldwide distribution rights of Pati Patni Aur Woh Do for a sum of Rs. 35 crores. While the all India rights have been valued at Rs. 27 crores, the overseas rights have been sold for Rs. 8 crores," a trade source shared with Bollywood Hungama.

It is understood that Zee Studios is planning a wide global release for the film, and discussions regarding the screening are already underway.

 "It's a solo release and a family entertainer. The exhibitors are also excited to show the film in their theaters. The deal is fair, and the distributors will break even on a business of Rs. 65 crores in India," the source added.