EXCLUSIVE: Legendary cinematographer Ashok Mehta’s life and legacy to be chronicled in Amit Ashar’s coffee table book

Ace still photographer Amit Ashar is working on a book on the life and legacy of legendary cinematographer Ashok Mehta, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned. The coffee table book traces Mehta’s filmmaking journey and his phenomenal career through a remarkable collection of photographs captured by Ashar over the span of more than three decades.

Set to release in late 2026, the book features exclusive, unseen photographs, complemented by personal write-ups from some of Indian cinema's most respected filmmakers and celebrities Mehta has closely worked with. Together, the visuals and words aim to celebrate Mehta’s enduring influence on Indian cinematography and the legacy he has left along.

Mehta started off as a runway hooker and ended up as a National Award-winning cinematographer. He was one of the highest-paid technicians of his generation and worked with both art-house and mainstream commercial filmmakers, leaving a distinct visual signature on every project he touched. His most-acclaimed work credit includes Aparna Sen’s 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981), Shyam Benegal’s Mandi (1983), Gulzar’s Ijaazat (1987), Girish Karnad’s Utsav (1984), Subhash Ghai’s Ram Lakhan (1989), and Shekhar Kapur’s Bandit Queen (1994), among others.

Amit Ashar has been developing this book for a year now. He considers it a deeply personal tribute, as Mehta has been his mentor, leading light, and close friend. Over a span of 30 years, he captured rare, intimate, and behind-the-scenes photographs of the cinematographer working on various film sets. His forthcoming book is being defined as an extensive archive that brings together both iconic and lesser-seen moments from his journey.

Also Read: Divyenndu reveals his Instagram and Twitter accounts were created by Shraddha Kapoor and Anupam Kher

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BREAKING: Daayra marks Kareena Kapoor Khan’s TENTH film to receive ‘A’ rating from CBFC; Kunal Kemmu’s Vibe also gets adult certificate

It’s the year of adult films, it seems. After Dhurandhar The Revenge, Mirzapur, Cocktail 2, Batwara 1947, O'Romeo, Assi, Bandar etc. the two big Hindi releases next week have also received an ‘A’ rating from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Daayra, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, was passed today, that is, September 11, by the CBFC, with an ‘A’ rating. The length of the film, as per the censor certificate, is 143,16 minutes. In other words, Daayra is 2 hours, 23 minutes and 16 seconds long. The investigative thriller is directed by Meghna Gulzar.

Daayra marks Kareena Kapoor Khan's tenth film that will be for adults only. The other 9 films were Ajnabee (2001), Chameli (2003), Dev (2004), Omkara (2006), Kurbaan (2009), Heroine (2012), Udta Punjab (2016), Veere Di Wedding (2018) and The Buckingham Murders (2024).

Meanwhile, Vibe was also passed by the CBFC today. The comic caper also received an ‘adults only’ rating from the Censor Board. According to the CBFC website, Vibe's length is 145.55 minutes, or 2 hours, 25 minutes and 55 seconds.

Vibe stars Kunal Kemmu, who is also the film’s director. Besides Kunal, the film stars Preity G Zinta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Vanshika Dhir, Dinesh Lal Yadav aka Nirahua and Yashpal Sharma. Vibe is the second film of Preity G Zinta after her comeback. Her previous film, Batwara 1947, was released last month and also received an ‘A’ rating.

An industry insider commented, “Daayra’s ‘A’ rating is understandable as the film deals with a theme that is suitable for adult and mature audiences. However, Vibe looks like a fun entertainer that can be enjoyed by adults as well as kids and teens. It seems to be in the zone of Kunal Kemmu’s previous directorial, Madgaon Express (2024), which had received a U/A rating. Hence, its adult certification will come as a surprise for many.”

Both Daayra and Vibe will release in cinemas on September 18.

Also Read: Preity Zinta reveals why she avoids watching her own films; says, “I feel very awkward”

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Ameesha Patel’s parents’ Mumbai home robbed, jewellery worth Rs 5 lakh reportedly stolen

Ameesha Patel’s parents’ residence in Mumbai’s Churchgate area was allegedly targeted in a jewellery theft, with valuables worth around Rs 5 lakh reported missing. Mumbai Police have arrested a 40-year-old domestic worker in connection with the case following a complaint filed by the actress’s mother, Asha Patel.

According to IANS, the accused has been identified as 40-year-old Seema Ghate, a resident of Palghar. Ghate had reportedly been working as a domestic helper at the residence of Ameesha’s mother, Asha Patel, for around one and a half years.

The alleged theft came to light after Asha Patel approached the Marine Drive police and filed a complaint. According to the police, a bangle was allegedly stolen from the residence in January 2026. Asha reportedly suspected Ghate of being involved in the incident and had allegedly been asking her for around five to six months to admit to the crime and return the jewellery.

However, the bangle was allegedly not returned, following which Asha Patel decided to approach the police. The Marine Drive police initially registered a case against an unidentified woman under Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

As part of the investigation, a crime detection team worked on the case and traced the accused to Virar. Ghate was subsequently detained and arrested by the police. She was produced before a court and has been remanded to police custody until September 15.

The investigation into the alleged theft is currently underway. Police are attempting to recover the missing jewellery, while the bangle reportedly remains unrecovered. Authorities are also checking whether Ghate has any previous criminal record.

Meanwhile, Ameesha Patel has been associated with Bollywood for more than two decades. She made her acting debut in 2000 with Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, which went on to become a commercial success. She later appeared in films including Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Humraaz, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd., Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Race 2.

In 2023, Ameesha reprised her role in Gadar 2, which became her highest-grossing release. She was last seen in Tauba Tera Jalwa, directed by Akashaditya Lama, which released in 2024.

Also Read : Ameesha Patel shuts down Hardik Pandya romance speculation with sarcastic reply to X user: ” I don’t know u but surely u don’t have a girl even as a friend”

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Triptii Dimri joins Peep Beauty as investor and co-creator

Triptii Dimri has joined D2C eye-focused beauty brand Peep Beauty as an investor and co-creator. The startup is looking to build a beauty category centred on coloured contact lenses and eye makeup.

According to a statement shared by the company, Dimri has been associated with Peep Beauty from its early stages. As part of her role, she has contributed to the brand’s creative direction, product discussions and storytelling. Her involvement extends beyond her investment, with the actor also participating in conversations around the brand’s overall vision and positioning.

Dimri’s investment comes as part of Peep Beauty’s pre-seed funding round of Rs. 12 crores ($1.2 million). The round was led by Sadev Ventures, with participation from iSeed, ISV and TDV.

The partnership is also built around the idea of creating a beauty brand that places greater focus on the Indian eye. Peep Beauty aims to position coloured contact lenses as part of the broader beauty and self-expression space rather than limiting them to a functional or medical category.

Talking about her association with the brand, Triptii Dimri, Investor & Co-Creator, Peep Beauty, said, “The first thing that struck me about Peep Beauty was that it wasn’t just creating a product; it was creating an entirely new way of thinking about beauty. The eye is one of the most expressive parts of who we are, yet coloured lenses have always been spoken about as a functional or medical category. Peep Beauty changes that conversation. Being part of building a brand from the ground up, contributing creatively, and helping shape its vision made this partnership incredibly exciting for me.”

With Dimri coming on board as an investor and co-creator, Peep Beauty is set to develop its presence in the eye-focused beauty segment while working on products and storytelling aimed at Indian consumers.

Also Read : Triptii Dimri plays ‘Sexy Or Skip It’ for Victoria’s Secret; actress reveals what she finds ‘definitely sexy’

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Bipasha Basu seeks Tukaram Mundhe’s help after she finds worms in protein powder: “You are our only hope”

Actor Bipasha Basu has raised concerns about an alleged contamination issue involving a jar of Isopure protein powder. On Thursday, the actor took to Instagram Stories to share a video in which she claimed to have found tiny worms inside a freshly opened jar of the product.

In the video, Bipasha showed what appeared to be a small worm on her finger and claimed that there were several others inside the container. “This Isopure is full of small worms. Tiny, tiny worms. The new dabba that we’ve opened,” she said while showing the contents. “These are the worms inside it, full of it,” Bipasha further alleged.

The actor also tagged Tukaram Mundhe, Commissioner of Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seeking his intervention over the alleged issue. In her Instagram Story, she wrote, “@tukaram ias You are our only hope .. So we don't get spoilt or adulterated stuff in everything we purchase.”

Bipasha's post comes amid increased attention around food safety and hygiene concerns involving products and establishments in Maharashtra. However, the actor's allegation regarding the protein powder has not been independently verified.

The incident also comes shortly after Bipasha made headlines for her digital cover appearance for Elle, where she spoke about her work, motherhood and making bold choices despite being advised against them. Her latest Instagram post, however, focused on a consumer concern rather than her professional projects. Tukaram Mundhe's Food Safety Crackdown Bipasha's decision to tag Tukaram Mundhe comes against the backdrop of the FDA official's reputation for strict enforcement of food safety and hygiene standards in Maharashtra. Mundhe has recently been associated with inspections and action concerning food safety and hygiene across restaurants and cafes in the state. His no-nonsense approach has also led to him being described as a "real-life Singham" on social media.

Recently, Salman Khan also made a playful reference to the FDA commissioner while sharing a video from a friend's newly opened Bandra cafe, The Tuck Shop at Savio's. Sharing the video, Salman wrote, “Refill my coffee ya please. Price mat badhana, quality maintain karna. Hygiene maintained, or I will send HIM and it's done, sis.”

While Salman did not explicitly name Mundhe, his reference to sending “HIM” was widely understood as a nod to the commissioner and his reputation for strict action over food safety and hygiene.

Bipasha's latest post now puts the spotlight on an alleged contamination issue involving a packaged protein product. Any official response or action from the Maharashtra FDA regarding her complaint remains awaited.

Also Read: Bipasha Basu recalls being different in Bollywood: “Women with more muscle tone were not very acceptable, I started the trend”

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BREAKING: Avengers Endgame: Encore advance booking opens; PVR Sangam Chakala among India’s first Infinity Vision screens

Two weeks are left for the release of Avengers Endgame: Encore and the excitement is high despite it being a re-release. One reason is the recent blockbuster success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which has once again boosted interest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Moreover, Avengers Endgame: Encore will include new material along with an exclusive look at the next Marvel film, Avengers: Doomsday. Earlier this year, Disney launched Infinity Vision, a new certification for Premium Large Format (PLF) cinemas. The certification is given to auditoriums that meet certain standards related to screen size, projection quality, brightness and sound. Avengers Endgame: Encore will be one of the first films to play on Infinity Vision-certified screens, ahead of Avengers: Doomsday in December.

Earlier today, September 11, the advance booking of Avengers Endgame: Encore commenced in India and with it, the first set of Infinity Vision-certified screens in the country has also emerged. PVR C&B Square, also known as PVR Sangam, located in Chakala, Andheri East, Mumbai, is one of the cinemas to have received the Infinity Vision certification. The superhero flick will have two shows there, at 7:15 pm and 11:00 pm.

In Delhi, PVR Promenade, Vasant Kunj, will have shows at the same timings. Meanwhile, Cinepolis Lake Mall, Kolkata, will have three shows of Avengers Endgame: Encore – at 9:00 am, 4:20 pm and 11:50 pm. These cinemas are also Infinity Vision-certified. As per trade sources, more cinemas are expected to come under the certification not just in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata but also in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Pune, Chennai, Coimbatore and others.

The occupancy in IMAX and Infinity Vision screens is expected to be healthy. This is because while the regular screens will include new footage and a unique opening, they will not feature the new post-credits scene directly linked to Avengers: Doomsday. That scene will be exclusive to IMAX and Infinity Vision-certified screens.

The prices are also kept a bit higher as Avengers Endgame: Encore is expected to perform well at the box office.

Also Read: Avengers Endgame: Encore – Why Marvel fans should assemble again

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Are Saif Ali Khan and Triptii Dimri in talks for Kamal Aur Meena? Director Siddharth P. Malhotra CLARIFIES: “Stop the speculation”

Filmmaker Siddharth P. Malhotra’s upcoming Meena Kumari biopic Kamal Aur Meena has once again drawn attention amid reports about its casting. Saif Ali Khan and Triptii Dimri are reportedly in advanced discussions to play filmmaker Kamal Amrohi and legendary actress Meena Kumari, respectively. However, Malhotra has clarified that the casting details should not be considered official at this stage.

Reacting to the reports, the filmmaker acknowledged the interest surrounding the project but asked the media and audiences to wait for a formal announcement. He said the team is currently working on finalising the cast and other aspects of the film.

“Absolutely touched and delighted by the love and interest around Kamal Aur Meena. But a humble request to the media: please stop the speculation and unconfirmed reports,” Malhotra said.

The director further explained that the team will announce the cast, studio and other details once the necessary agreements have been completed. He also stressed that reports based on incomplete information could affect the film and those involved with it. “Unnecessary conjecture doesn't help the film, the actors or the studios involved,” he added.

Saif Ali Khan and Triptii Dimri reportedly in talks for Kamal Aur Meena? According to the latest reports, Saif Ali Khan and Triptii Dimri are being considered for the central roles of Kamal Amrohi and Meena Kumari. The reported pairing has generated considerable interest given the stature of the real-life personalities at the centre of the story.

Kamal Aur Meena is based on the relationship between Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi, who were married and worked together professionally. The project has been in development amid considerable curiosity over who will take on the roles of the celebrated actress and filmmaker.

Before the latest reports surrounding Triptii Dimri, Kiara Advani had also been linked to the project. Reports had suggested that she was being considered for the role of Meena Kumari.

Also Read: Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi’s love story to be adapted into film titled Kamal Aur Meena

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