Income Tax searches at Ramayana producer Prime Focus’ Mumbai offices; shares FALL 8%

Just days after reports emerged of Income Tax Department searches at premises linked to producers Vashu Bhagnani and Kumar Mangat Pathak, it has now come to light that the tax authorities have conducted searches at the Mumbai offices of Prime Focus Ltd as well. The development comes at a crucial time for the company, with its much-awaited magnum opus Ramayana gearing up for release on Diwali, barely a month from now.

According to an exclusive report by CNBC-TV18, the Income Tax Department launched searches at Prime Focus' Mumbai offices on Wednesday morning, October 7. The report further stated that searches were also being carried out at the premises of certain individuals associated with the company.

Sources told CNBC-TV18 that the searches are in connection with foreign remittances. However, further details regarding the transactions being scrutinised or the exact nature of the investigation were not immediately available.

The news had an impact on the stock market as shares of Prime Focus fell sharply, by 8% as per CNBC-TV 18, after reports of the Income Tax action surfaced on Wednesday morning.

Prime Focus, headed by Namit Malhotra, is one of India's leading media and entertainment services companies, with operations spanning visual effects, animation, post-production and content production. The company also has a significant international presence.

The timing of the development is particularly noteworthy as Prime Focus Studios is behind Nitesh Tiwari's hugely anticipated Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol and Ravie Dubey. The film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas this Diwali.

As of now, neither Prime Focus nor the Income Tax Department has issued a detailed statement regarding Wednesday's searches. More details are awaited.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Cinepolis India’s Ashish Misra predicts HISTORIC Rs. 15,000 cr India box office in 2026; says, “Ramayana can be the BIGGEST film Indian cinema has ever seen”

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Salman Khan vs Kala Hiran: Delhi High Court seeks reply from actor on Amit Jani’s plea seeking stay on proceedings

The Delhi High Court has sought a response from Salman Khan in connection with an application filed by filmmaker Amit Jani, who has sought a stay on proceedings in the actor’s civil suit concerning the proposed film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy. The matter was heard before Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, with Jani’s counsel arguing that the reliefs sought by Khan in the present proceedings substantially overlap with those in an earlier suit that is already pending adjudication before the High Court.

During the hearing, Jani’s legal team contended that Khan has effectively initiated parallel litigation concerning the same subject matter. On that basis, counsel argued that proceedings in the subsequent suit should remain stayed until the earlier matter is finally decided. Representing Salman Khan, Senior Advocate Ravi Prakash undertook to place the actor’s formal counter-affidavit on record in response to the application. The court also sought clarity on the precise basis of the relief being pursued by Khan. Explaining the background, Prakash submitted that the actor had initially approached the court seeking protection of his personality and publicity rights. The proceedings resulted in interim protection being granted to Khan in December 2025. According to Khan’s counsel, following the interim order, the filmmakers released promotional material and gave interviews to the media that allegedly drew direct parallels between the film and aspects of the actor’s life, including the widely known 1998 blackbuck poaching case in Rajasthan. Khan’s legal team argued that the alleged depiction was sufficiently identifiable with the actor’s persona and could cause significant reputational harm. The actor subsequently sought the court’s intervention to prevent the circulation of promotional and publicity material connected to the film and to restrain its proposed release. The dispute escalated further in July 2026, when the Delhi High Court directed the removal of the film’s initial digital teaser and certain promotional posts from social media. The court also directed the filmmakers not to use Salman Khan’s name, likeness or identifiable characteristics without his consent. The proceedings later turned towards the question of the film’s proposed distribution and release. During those hearings, Jani’s side submitted that Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy was neither complete nor submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for theatrical certification at that stage. The filmmaker’s side also maintained that an official trailer for the film had not yet been released or circulated. The possibility of a direct-to-digital release also came into consideration during the proceedings. While the film’s theatrical status and certification position were raised before the court, the bench also considered Khan’s apprehensions regarding the possibility of the film or related promotional material being disseminated directly through digital platforms, including an OTT release. Amit Jani’s side has continued to oppose the reliefs sought by Salman Khan, maintaining its position against the actor’s requests for injunctions. The latest hearing, therefore, focused on the procedural objection raised by the filmmaker regarding the overlap between the present proceedings and the earlier matter pending before the High Court. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani has now directed Salman Khan’s counsel to place the actor’s detailed response on record. The matter has been listed for a further comprehensive hearing on December 16, 2026. The proceedings concern the competing legal claims surrounding Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy, with the court yet to adjudicate the substantive issues raised in the latest application. Also Read: Bigg Boss 20: Salman Khan urges censorship on social media, raises concern over AI deepfakes; says, “I am going to take this up very seriously”

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Kriti Sanon recalls GIVA ad controversy on the Kareena Kapoor Khan show: “My choli had become like a six-person panel discussion on prime-time news”

Kriti Sanon has revisited the controversy surrounding her GIVA jewellery advertisement, recalling how the campaign’s fashion choices became the subject of intense television debates. During her appearance on Season 6 of Kareena Kapoor Khan’s What Women Want, the actress reflected on the scrutiny female celebrities often face over their clothing and admitted that she was surprised by the scale of the discussion around her outfit.

The conversation touched upon moral policing and the disproportionate attention often directed towards women in the public eye. Recalling the aftermath of the GIVA campaign, Sanon said, “I couldn’t believe… when my choli had become like a six-person panel discussion on prime-time news.” Kareena immediately acknowledged her sentiment, responding, “I know.”

The controversy dates back to GIVA’s Raksha Bandhan campaign featuring Sanon. The actress was seen in a contemporary Indo-western ensemble comprising a white bralette-style choli, a sheer cape and an embroidered skirt. The campaign featured festive celebrations, including Sanon tying a rakhi on a pet dog, but the styling became a talking point on social media.

The advertisement faced criticism from sections of social media, with the outfit being questioned in the context of a festive family setting. The controversy subsequently found its way into television discussions, with the debate extending beyond the advertisement to questions around clothing, culture and representation.

Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut also reacted to the campaign at the time, criticising Sanon’s outfit and comparing the top to a “bikini”. Following the backlash, GIVA issued a public apology and withdrew the campaign from its television and digital platforms.

Sanon had responded to the criticism at the time, questioning the focus on women’s clothing and arguing that fashion and cultural identity should not be reduced to what a woman wears. She wrote, “Also, when will we stop telling women what to wear?? Ethnic fashion has evolved over the years, but still a woman's respect for her culture is measured with just her clothes!! Culture & Traditions are in her heart, not in her neckline!”

The actress’ latest comments on What Women Want bring the episode back into focus, particularly the extent to which a fashion choice can become a larger public debate when a celebrity is at the centre of it. Her recollection also underlines the scrutiny that female actors can face over their appearance, even when the conversation begins with a commercial campaign.

Also Read: Kriti Sanon says, “I also want to play a superwoman”; reveals she wants to explore female superhero roles

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Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha producer Prakash Mahobiya alleges ‘negative marketing’; hints at big-budget Ramayana saying, “We never got a chance to reach our audience”

Producer Prakash Mahobiya has opened up about the theatrical performance of Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha, alleging that the mythological drama faced negative marketing and online campaigns that affected its reach. In an interview with India Today, Mahobiya claimed that the film did not get an adequate opportunity to reach audiences and suggested that an upcoming big-budget film based on the same epic may have influenced the online narrative. However, he stopped short of naming any project or filmmaker and said he could not confirm the information.

Speaking about the film’s reception, Mahobiya said, “It was negative marketing throughout. We never got a chance to reach our audience. The ones who watched our film really enjoyed it. But if they never got to see it, how will they even have an opinion?”

The producer further claimed that he had been told about efforts involving digital creators to discourage audiences from watching the film. He said, “From what we have been told, there are other movies on the same subject coming in, the big-budget film. As far as we know, a lot of negative marketing opportunities have been given to YouTubers, influencers and other people. They are spreading wrong information and asking people not to watch our film,” before adding, “I don’t know for sure, but that’s what we are being told.”

His comments come amid considerable attention around Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, the upcoming two-part adaptation produced by Namit Malhotra. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Raavan and is among the most closely watched upcoming Indian film projects. Mahobiya’s remarks, however, do not establish any connection between Ramayana and the alleged online campaigns against his film.

Mahobiya also admitted that marketing a film was a learning experience for him as a first-time producer. He said, “I have made a film for the first time, and I am new to this industry. I have no idea how to market a film after making it. We are not afraid of the loss, but we are disappointed that not many people managed to watch it. And hence, we want to release the film again.”

Maintaining that Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha offers a distinct interpretation, he added, “There is a lot of difference between your film and the other film that will arrive soon. But we are confident that, given a chance, people would have liked our film too.”

Directed by Abhishek Singh, Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha released in cinemas on September 25, 2026. The film stars Dev Sharma as Lord Ram, Anjali Arora as Goddess Sita, Sheel Verma as Laxman and Rajniesh Duggall in a pivotal role.

Following its theatrical run, the makers are now exploring the possibility of re-releasing the film in cinemas to give it another opportunity to reach audiences.

Also Read: Anjali Arora gives her take on the ongoing Ranbir Kapoor – prasad controversy; says, “Prasad is God’s blessing, it doesn’t increase weight”

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Ram Gopal Varma reacts to Janhvi Kapoor ‘Chuttamalle’ song deepfake row: “The smart thing would have been to concentrate on catching the perpetrator”

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has weighed in on the deepfake controversy involving Janhvi Kapoor and the song ‘Chuttamalle’, and the celebrity reaction that followed. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he shared his views on how the matter has been handled.

Varma wrote, "The only thing all the celebrities succeeded in, is to publicise and thereby make crores and crores of people see the objectionable link.. The smart thing would have been to concentrate on catching the perpetrator and publicise that.. Instead what they did is to tweet and bring enormous attention to the victim's identity and the offensive content which is also a crime."

The only thing all the celebrities succeeded in , is to publicise and thereby make crores and crores of people see the objectionable link ..The smart thing would have been to concentrate on catching the perpetrator and publicise that ..Instead what they did is to tweet and bring enormous attention to the victim’s identity and the offensive content which is also a crime — Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) October 4, 2026

In another tweet, he added, "When you can't WIN , you should JOIN …. . If you fight A I , it will ERASE you out of EXISTENCE." In essence, Varma's view is that a call for action against those spreading the AI-generated version would have been a better approach than a wave of public condemnation.

When you can’t WIN , you should JOIN …. . If you fight A I , it will ERASE you out of EXISTENCE 😔 — Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) October 5, 2026

For the past few days, Janhvi has been at the centre of a social media storm after a deepfake AI video depicting the actress in an inappropriate manner, made from the ‘Chuttamalle’ song, began circulating on the platform. The actress penned a long note on Monday, 5 October, condemning the act and expressing her disappointment over such cybercrimes.

Janhvi has received strong support from her fans and followers. Her Devara co-star Jr NTR, with whom she featured in the ‘Chuttamalle’ song, also took to the platform to post a scathing message. He was followed by several big names from the South industry, including megastar Chiranjeevi.

The episode has brought two approaches into focus. One, reflected in the reaction of Janhvi and her supporters, is to publicly condemn deepfake abuse and stand with the victim. The other, voiced by Varma, is to prioritise tracking down and acting against the perpetrator while avoiding further spread of the content. Both positions come from the shared concern that AI misuse is a serious problem, though they differ on how best to respond.

Also Read: Janhvi Kapoor condemns morphed AI video from Devara Part 1 song ‘Chuttamalle’: “Consent, choice and respect for a woman’s body should be basic”

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R. Madhavan set to host Game Changers featuring startup founders and global investors; details inside!

Optimystix Entertainment India Limited has announced Game Changers, a new original business reality format that will be hosted by actor and filmmaker R. Madhavan. The show will be produced in Dubai for the Middle East market, with plans to explore its expansion to other territories.

Game Changers will bring together startup founders from different parts of the world, giving them an opportunity to pitch their businesses before an international panel of investors. The investor panel will feature representatives from Dubai, London, Russia and the United States.

Production on the show is scheduled to begin shortly. The format will focus on entrepreneurship, business decisions and the personal journeys behind companies as founders attempt to secure investment and scale their ventures.

Vipul D Shah, Founder and Chairman of Optimystix, said the company sees the project as more than a standalone television show. “Game Changers is being developed as a future-facing global entertainment franchise for Optimystix. It is more than a new show. It is an owned IP with the potential to travel across markets, attract marquee brand partnerships and create multiple monetisation streams over time,” he said.

He added, “We are combining our proven expertise in creating mass-audience entertainment with a format that speaks directly to the global energy around entrepreneurship, innovation and investment.”

According to Rajesh Bahl, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Optimystix, the format will also explore the people and decisions behind the businesses being presented. “The format goes beyond a conventional pitch show. It spotlights the ambition, resilience, strategy and personal conviction behind promising businesses while giving audiences an inside view of what it takes to build, fund and scale a company in today’s competitive global economy,” he said.

Dubai has been chosen as the production base for the first edition. The city’s position as an international business hub is expected to provide the show with access to founders, investors and businesses from different markets. The UAE edition could also pave the way for regional versions and adaptations of the format in the future.

With R. Madhavan as host, the show will combine the business-focused format with a mainstream entertainment element. His role is expected to involve engaging with the participating founders and taking audiences through their journeys as they pitch their ventures to the investor panel.

For Optimystix, Game Changers marks a move towards developing and owning original formats alongside its existing work across television, films, OTT and digital content. The company has produced more than 160 television shows over the past two decades, including Comedy Circus, Crime Patrol, Baalveer, Rising Star and Laughter Chefs. Its film credits include OMG 2, Khel Khel Mein and The Diplomat.

With Game Changers, the production house is looking to build an original format around the growing interest in startups, entrepreneurship and investment, while using Dubai as the starting point for its international ambitions.

Also Read: R Madhavan, Disha Patani and Shriya Saran join Akshay Kumar-Sajid Khan’s next comedy

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EXCLUSIVE: Shreyaa Chaudhry of Bandish Bandits fame to star opposite Ayushmann Khurrana in YRF and Posham Pa Pictures’ Mupapa

The leading heroine in Ayushmann Khurrana’s Mupapa has been revealed. Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that Shreyaa Chaudhry, who has steadily established herself as one of the most promising actors of her generation through acclaimed performances in Prime Video’s Bandish Bandits and The Mehta Boys, is paired opposite Khurrana in Yash Raj Films and Posham Pa Pictures’ upcoming genre-bending thriller.

Known for her natural performances and ability to bring depth and emotion to her characters, Shreyaa has built a strong connection with audiences through a diverse body of work. Her performances across both seasons of Bandish Bandits were appreciated for their natural and relatable portrayal, while The Mehta Boys further showcased her versatility and ability to take on layered characters. With Mupapa, Shreyaa takes another significant step forward in her career.

Directed by Kaala Paani fame Sameer Saxena, Mupapa is produced by Akshaye Widhani (CEO, Yash Raj Films) and Posham Pa Pictures, the banner Sameer co-founded with Biswapati Sarkar, Saurabh Khanna and Amit Golani. The film marks the first theatrical collaboration between the studio and the production house. Although the plot details of the project are strictly kept under wraps, it's expected to deliver an incredibly new visual experience for people in theaters, while promising to keep the audience at the edge of their seats from the word go. The film is presently in the post-production stage and is slated for a release in cinemas on February 19, 2027.

In another significant career development, Shreyaa Chaudhry has also been signed for exclusive management by YRF Talent, marking a new chapter in her professional journey. She now joins the talent management arm of Yash Raj Films, which represents an impressive roster of established stars and some of the most promising names from the new generation, including Rani Mukerji, Ayushmann Khurrana, Sonam Kapoor, Vaani Kapoor, Sharvari, Ahaan Panday, Aneet Padda, among others.

Also Read: Yash Raj Films and Posham Pa Pictures’ first theatrical collaboration starring Ayushmann Khurrana is titled Mupapa, set to release on Feb 19, 2027

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