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Rani Mukerji’s crime thriller’ Mardaani 3 ‘continues to perform steadily at the Indian box office, with its total earnings nearing the Rs 25 crore mark within five days of release. The film, which hit theatres on January 30, collected Rs 2.50 crore on its fifth day, slightly higher than its Monday earnings, according to trade website Sacnilk. With this, the movie’s total box office collection stands at Rs 22.25 crore so far. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, the third installment of the popular’ Mardaani ‘franchise recorded an overall Hindi occupancy of 20.72% on Tuesday. Night shows drew the highest audience turnout at around 33.62%, followed by evening shows at 21.45%. Afternoon and morning shows saw lower attendance, largely due to regular working days. Among cities, Jaipur reported the highest occupancy at 33.75%. It was followed by the National Capital Region (29.50%), Mumbai (26.25%), Lucknow (22.50%) and Pune (21.25%). Trade analyst Taran Adarsh praised the film’s opening performance, saying it posted a “healthy” collection during its first weekend. He noted that while competition from ‘Border 2’ affected business in some mass-market areas, major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru showed encouraging audience response. He added that holding steady weekday collections will be crucial for the film’s continued success. Music rights of "Dhurandhar 2" shift from Saregama to T-Series ‘Mardaani 3’ also features Janki Bodiwala and Mallika Prasad in key roles. Produced by Yash Raj Films, the movie marks another strong outing for Mukerji in a female-led action franchise. With steady earnings and positive word of mouth, the film is expected to cross the Rs 25 crore milestone soon. With inputs from NDTV

Bollywood producer Shailendra Singh has praised Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra, calling them “like-minded personalities” with similar approaches to their careers. Shailendra said many fans wished the two stars had appeared together more on screen. He added that despite taking different career paths, they share a focused and professional attitude. Speaking about Priyanka Chopra, Shailendra said the industry did not value her properly. “Priyanka should have been the voice of Bollywood, but we treated her so badly that she left the country. She could have carried Bollywood’s reputation globally,” he said. Priyanka later moved to the United States and built a successful career in Hollywood. Shailendra also highlighted Shah Rukh Khan’s understanding of cinema and business. “He is a thorough professional, knows his work, and never puts anyone down. Both Priyanka and Shah Rukh should be ambassadors of our industry,” he said. The producer said the two stars have a no-nonsense attitude and are very similar in the way they handle their careers. He described them as supremely talented and focused on their work. Shailendra’s remarks come amid ongoing fan interest in collaborations between Bollywood’s top stars and recognition of Priyanka Chopra’s international success.   With inputs from NDTV

Indian music fans are in shock and paying tribute after beloved singer Arijit Singh announced he is stepping away from Bollywood playback singing, ending an era that defined contemporary Indian cinema music. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday,Arijit Singh said, “I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey.” Social media quickly flooded with heartfelt posts praising his voice, described by many as “the soundtrack of our joys and heartbreaks” and “a part of every moment in our lives.” Playback singing, where singers record songs that actors lip-sync on screen, has been central to Bollywood storytelling. Singh’s voice became inseparable from this tradition, lending depth to romantic ballads and hit soundtracks for over a decade. He has also worked with global stars like Ed Sheeran and performed to sold-out crowds at venues including London’s Wembley Arena. While he did not reveal his reasons for quitting, reports suggest Singh will complete ongoing projects and continue creating music independently, exploring personal and experimental ventures outside commercial films. Known for his soft-spoken personality, Singh has long avoided the spotlight, rarely giving interviews and keeping public appearances low-key. Born in 1987 in Jiaganj, West Bengal, he grew up surrounded by classical music, training in vocals and tabla from an early age. His first national recognition came in 2005 on the reality show Fame Gurukul, though he did not win. His breakthrough arrived in 2013 with Tum hi ho song from Aashiqui 2, a song that redefined romantic music in Bollywood with its raw, intimate emotion. Singh’s career flourished afterward, recording in multiple languages and collaborating with top composers like AR Rahman, Pritam, and Vishal–Shekhar. Despite fame, he preferred a simple life in his hometown, often spotted riding his scooter or meeting friends, rather than embracing city glamour. Read More: Arijit Singh announces retirement from playback singing Fans now speculate what the future holds for the singer, interpreting his decision as a personal move away from commercial pressures or a new creative chapter. Whatever path he chooses, Arijit Singh’s voice will remain a defining presence in India’s music scene. With inputs from BBC  

Filmmaker Karan Johar on Sunday declared that Bollywood has made a strong comeback, citing the back-to-back box office success of Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar and the war drama Border 2. Sharing his reaction on Instagram, Johar said the recent commercial performance of the two films had reaffirmed the long-term strength of the Hindi film industry, dismissing critics who had questioned its future. Referring to the strong audience response, Johar said emotionally driven films were once again connecting with cinema-goers, adding that such successes proved Bollywood’s resilience and relevance. His remarks came as Border 2 recorded one of the biggest openings in recent years and moved steadily towards the Rs 100 crore mark at the domestic box office. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh said the film earned Rs 32.10 crore net in India on its opening day, performing strongly in mass belts and single-screen theatres, while urban centres saw improved turnout later in the day. Although heavy rainfall affected collections in parts of north India, industry observers expect strong word of mouth and the Republic Day holiday to further boost earnings. Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 was released on January 23 and features Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty in lead roles. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, recently completed 50 days in theatres. Despite stiff competition from new releases, the Aditya Dhar-directed film emerged as the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time, surpassing Pushpa 2: The Rule. The film is planned as a two-part franchise, with its sequel scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.   With inputs from NDTV

Actor Suniel Shetty has said he does not believe nepotism exists in Bollywood and argued that family support is a normal part of life. Speaking on a podcast, Shetty said people may call his son Ahan a “nepo kid”, but every father wants his child to do well. He added that being privileged can bring opportunities, but success depends on how a person uses them. Shetty also praised Ahan’s co-stars in Border 2, including Diljit Dosanjh and Varun Dhawan. He said Varun often talks more about Ahan’s role than his own, and called it a sign that the common idea of “spoiled star kids” is not always true. He said Varun has been speaking highly about Ahan in many places. Border 2, featuring Ahan Shetty, was released in cinemas on Friday. On the release day, Suniel Shetty shared an emotional note for his son on Instagram. He said the Border film franchise is not just about war or glory, but about discipline, sacrifice, courage and the value of peace. Suniel Shetty acted in the original Border, released in 1997.   With inputs from NDTV

Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has said he would not choose to remake Amitabh Bachchan’s classic film Don, arguing he has no creative regret about the script, and therefore sees no reason to rewrite it. The comments resurfaced as Akhtar recently disclosed that he was approached by the makers of Border 2 to rewrite songs from the 1997 blockbuster Border, but he declined, calling the idea a sign of “creative bankruptcy” and saying he did not want to create nostalgia. In an earlier interview, Akhtar said if he were to remake any of his own films, he would prefer one where he felt he had made mistakes and could improve it on a second attempt. Since he felt satisfied with Don, he said he would not remake it. Akhtar’s son and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar had earlier explained that he picked Don for a remake because he believed the film’s storytelling style and language were modern for its time and could fit easily in a contemporary setting. Javed Akhtar also said he would rather revisit other films where he felt the second half could have been stronger, naming Kaala Patthar, Mashaal and Arjun. Farhan Akhtar remade Don in 2006 with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead, with Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor also featuring in the film.   With inputs from NDTV

A security vehicle escorting Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar was involved in a road accident in Mumbai on Monday evening (January 19, 2026) while the actor and his wife Twinkle Khanna were returning home from the airport. According to preliminary information, a car hit an auto-rickshaw from behind, causing the three-wheeler to overturn and crash into Akshay Kumar’s escort vehicle. The impact led to the security car toppling onto its right side on the road. Read more: Race 4 casting update: Akshaye Khanna not part of new film Police and emergency officials reached the spot shortly after the incident and brought the situation under control. No serious injuries were reported. Videos circulating on social media showed the escort vehicle lying on its side, while the auto-rickshaw appeared badly damaged. Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna were travelling back to their Juhu residence after returning from abroad, where they had marked a personal milestone. The couple recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Further details about the accident were awaited. Read more: James Cameron shuts down Titanic raft debate, says Jack could not have survived With inputs from NDTV

Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar continues its record-breaking run at the Indian box office, surpassing ₹871.9 crore in domestic earnings 43 days after its release. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy action thriller opened on December 5, 2025, and has been steadily raking in collections. On Day 43 alone, the film earned ₹2.1 crore, following a cumulative ₹869.8 crore over the previous 42 days, according to Jio Studios. Read more: The Raja Saab Box Office Day 8: Prabhas’ film earns Rs 3.50 crore The film’s weekly domestic breakdown shows strong sustained performance: ₹218 crore in Week 1, ₹261.5 crore in Week 2, ₹189.3 crore in Week 3, ₹115.7 crore in Week 4, ₹56.35 crore in Week 5, and ₹28.95 crore in Week 6. Bollywood veteran Suniel Shetty praised the performances, particularly highlighting Ranveer Singh’s nuanced portrayal. “Ranveer Singh is 100 out of 10… showing patriotism while restrained in another country is very difficult, and the audience believes it,” Shetty said. He also commended Akshaye Khanna, describing him as “10 out of 10.” Dhurandhar draws inspiration from major real-life events, including the 1999 IC-814 hijacking, the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and Operation Lyari. Fans can look forward to Dhurandhar 2, scheduled for release on March 19, 2026, promising another chapter in the blockbuster spy thriller franchise. Source: NDTV Read more: Matthew McConaughey trademarks voice and image to block AI misuse

Aamir Khan and Gauri Spratt, along with Imran Khan and Lekha Washington, were spotted arriving hand-in-hand at the screening of Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, which releases in theatres on January 16. Ahead of the film’s release, a grand premiere was held in Mumbai on Wednesday evening. Aamir Khan drew attention as he arrived with his girlfriend Gauri Spratt, the two posing together for photographers while twinning in coordinated outfits. The evening was also special as Aamir’s cousin Imran Khan marked his return to films after a decade. He attended the screening accompanied by his partner, Lekha Washington. Several members of Aamir’s family and close associates were present, including his daughter Ira Khan with husband Nupur Shikhare, his son Junaid Khan, and filmmaker Kiran Rao, who came to support Aamir despite their divorce. Arhaan Khan, son of Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora, was also among the guests. In the lead-up to the release, the makers unveiled a humorous promotional video featuring a comic face-off between Aamir Khan and Sunil Grover. The clip shows Aamir being escorted out of his office after security staff mistakenly identify Sunil Grover as the real Aamir Khan. The video follows Aamir Khan’s public praise of Sunil Grover’s spot-on impersonation of him. Sunil’s mimicry was recently featured on The Great Indian Kapil Show episode starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday. Reacting to the performance, Aamir told Bollywood Hungama that it went beyond mimicry, saying it felt so real that he thought he was watching himself. He added that the clip left him laughing uncontrollably and appreciated that it was done without any malice. Dhurandhar’s unprecedented 40-Day Box Office rampage Directed by Vir Das, Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos releases this Friday, January 16. The film stars Vir Das, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Sanjay Dutt, Sharib Hashmi, and Imran Khan, with Aamir Khan appearing in a cameo and also serving as the producer. Source: NDTV        

Kiara Advani has delighted her fans by sharing the first glimpse of her five-month-old daughter, Saraayah. The actor posted a short video on her Instagram Stories on Monday evening, January 5, offering a sweet peek into a quiet moment with her baby. In the clip, Kiara is heard affectionately talking to Saraayah while leafing through a magazine that features her own photographs. “Do you want to read mama’s magazine? Okay, let’s see where mama is,” she says as she turns the pages. When her photo appears, Saraayah’s tiny fingers briefly come into view. Kiara captioned the video, “Me and my mini enjoying our Monday magazine read.” Leonardo DiCaprio on the importance of creating cinema over content at Palm Springs Film Festival Kiara and her husband, actor Sidharth Malhotra, welcomed their daughter on July 15, 2025, at Reliance Hospital in Mumbai. The couple publicly announced their baby’s name in November through a joint Instagram post. Kiara Advani’s upcoming projects On the work front, Kiara is gearing up for the release of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, directed by Geetu Mohandas and starring Kannada actor Yash in the lead role. The film is slated for theatrical release on March 19, 2026. Shot in both Kannada and English, Toxic will also be dubbed into multiple Indian languages. Kiara essays the role of Nadia, while the film also stars Nayanthara as Ganga and Huma Qureshi as Elizabeth. The ensemble cast includes Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, Akshay Oberoi and Sudev Nair. Kiara was last seen on screen in War 2, where she appeared alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. Source NDTV