Mrs makers Harman Baweja and Arati Kadav reunite for a new film after one year

A year after Mrs sparked widespread conversation for its sharp social commentary, producer Harman Baweja and director Arati Kadav are set to reunite for a new project. The announcement comes as the film completes one year since its release, reaffirming the creative partnership that delivered one of the most discussed Hindi films of recent times.

Marking the milestone, both Harman Baweja and Arati Kadav took to Instagram to share the news of their next collaboration. The timing of the announcement, coinciding with the anniversary of Mrs, has added to the anticipation surrounding their reunion. While details of the new project remain under wraps, the development signals a continuation of the creative synergy that defined their previous collaboration.

Mrs, directed by Arati Kadav and headlined by Sanya Malhotra, was a Hindi adaptation of the Malayalam cult classic The Great Indian Kitchen, reimagined through a North Indian cultural lens. By weaving in familiar social rituals and domestic dynamics, the film examined gender roles and the gradual erosion of a woman’s individuality within marriage. Its restrained narrative approach and refusal to rely on sensationalism were widely appreciated by critics and audiences alike.

The film also marked a significant chapter for Baweja Studios. Beyond producing the project, Harman Baweja was closely involved in shaping its creative vision and co-writing the film. Mrs went on to earn critical acclaim, with Sanya Malhotra’s performance receiving multiple awards and recognition across platforms.

Speaking about the reunion, Harman Baweja said, “Mrs. was one of those rare films that stays with you long after it’s made not just because of the response it received, but because of the honesty with which it was created. Working with Arati reminded me how powerful cinema can be when everyone involved is aligned in intent and sensitivity. Over the last year, as the film found its audience and its recognition, it only strengthened my belief that this is the kind of storytelling I want to keep backing. Coming together again feels less like a reunion and more like a natural next step in a creative journey we deeply trust, This next project is born from that very faith, and I’m looking forward to once again push boundaries together.”

Echoing similar thoughts, Arati Kadav shared, “Making Mrs. was an emotionally demanding but deeply fulfilling experience, and a lot of that credit goes to the space Harman and Baweja Studios created for me as a filmmaker. There was complete faith, patience, and a willingness to listen qualities that are rare and invaluable. Over time, that trust has only grown stronger. Returning to collaborate again doesn’t feel like starting something new; it feels like continuing a conversation that began with honesty, care, and a shared belief in telling stories that matter.”

The reunion also comes at a strong phase for Baweja Studios. Harman Baweja’s recent project Haq has been gaining attention, while the studio has a packed slate ahead that includes Dil Ka Darwaza Kholo Na Darling, Captain India, Boy From Andaman, and several other upcoming titles.

As anticipation builds around their next collaboration, industry watchers will be keen to see how Harman Baweja and Arati Kadav build on the creative foundation established with Mrs.

Also Read: Photos: Anupam Kher, Raju Singh, Karan Razdan, Harman Baweja and others grace the Rajni 2.0 press conference

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Priyanka Chopra, Varanasi and the question of a Telugu debut; was the Ram Charan starrer Thoofan forgotten?

The Varanasi team’s widely circulated interview with Screen Rant features a rather awkward moment. When the interviewer asks Priyanka Chopra about her Telugu debut in Varanasi, the actor says she cannot remember when she last did a Telugu film.

Mahesh Babu quickly steps in to add, “This is her first Telugu film.”

But that is not entirely accurate. Priyanka Chopra had, in fact, featured in the Telugu version of the Amitabh Bachchan classic Zanjeer in 2013. Titled Thoofan, the Ram Charan starrer had Priyanka playing his love interest in what was admittedly a small role.

At the time, Chopra had expressed considerable gratitude to the makers of Thoofan, as opportunities in Bollywood were scarce for her then.

A senior member of the Thoofan team views her current statement as a case of selective amnesia. “When we signed her for Thoofan, nobody in the Hindi film industry was willing to sign her. We ourselves felt the role was not substantial enough for a future global star like her. But she was eager and did the role happily. Now she seems to have forgotten her Telugu debut altogether,” the team member says.

Sources suggest that the Varanasi team is keen to position the film as Priyanka Chopra’s Telugu debut. But should that come at the cost of factual accuracy?

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra Jonas reveals her ONLY request for Varanasi was to dance: “Poor Mahesh Babu had to do it too”

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Hrithik Roshan lays down HRX Films rulebook: "You are a FOOL if you bypass the director!"; points out secret ingredient behind global success of RRR and Aamir Khan's films in China: "Integrity, conviction, unadulterated vision"

In an interview with BrandEquity, Hrithik Roshan spoke in detail about what it takes for a story to earn a greenlight under HRX Films. He also explained why, for him, the final stamp always comes down to the director’s complete adoption of the script.

Talking about his banner, Hrithik Roshan said, “HRX Films is a division of FilmKraft because that is the main school that I learned from. So, HRX Films operates under FilmKraft and it is the sweet spot between the commercial thinking of that school or my dad's school and content that is high on emotions, high on the nuances and HRX Films is about creating that sweet spot that brings both of these together.”

He explained, “Some big commercial films I have done are a community experience where you have the entire theatre clapping. But then there are some films that you watch just by yourself, and you feel fulfilled, you cry, and it changes you from the inside. It's cathartic and that catharsis, shall I say, I never get in a highly commercial banger of a film. That cathartic journey is always missed. So, HRX Films is an attempt to bring these two together and try to see if we can hit that sweet spot.”

Hrithik credited his cousin brother Eshaan, who identifies “the names, the scripts, the directors” and puts them through an in-office filtration, before it reaches Hrithik Roshan. He revealed, “There are times when I don't like the script, but he likes it a lot. So, he waits 6-8 months and brings it back to me. By that time, I have changed a little bit in my life and I am in a better position to actually recognize the beauty of the script.”

Hrithik then opened up about producing Storm and praised director Ajitpal Singh of Tabbar fame, “When I met Ajit, I just fell in love with him and his creative mind. I, honestly, told him, 'Whatever you will make I am with you'”.

On the question of creative control, Hrithik’s stance is blunt: “You are a fool if you think that you can inject your genius ideas without the acceptance of the director into his film…If you try to push something, bypassing him or forcing him to accept something that he doesn't feel fits into his film, you are being a fool. You are being unintelligent and you are self-sabotaging yourself because only the director will know what the entire painting is going to look like and whether that colour or that stroke is correct or wrong.”

Finally, Hrithik argued that Indian content is increasingly global, from the reach of Raj Kapoor and Mithun Chakraborty in Russia to the performance of Aamir Khan’s films in China, and the worldwide ripple of RRR. He pointed out the common ingredient in all these films – “There is an ingredient of integrity, conviction and a vision that is unadulterated. They are very truthful to the vision of that one director.”

Also Read: Hrithik Roshan vs Jr NTR comes home this Republic Day; War 2 gets its world TV premiere on Star Gold

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Ghooskhor Pandat director Neeraj Pandey BREAKS SILENCE after petition filed against Manoj Bajpayee starrer: “We have decided to take down all promotional materials…”

Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey has issued an official clarification following the filing of a writ petition in the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the release and streaming of the upcoming Netflix film Ghooskhor Pandat. The petition alleges that the film’s title and promotional material are offensive and defamatory to the Brahmin community.

In a statement shared publicly, Pandey asserted that Ghooskhor Pandat is a fictional cop drama and that the term “Pandat” refers only to a colloquial nickname of a fictional character, not to any caste, religion or community.

“Our film is a fictional cop drama, and the term ‘Pandat’ is used simply as a colloquial name for a fictional character. The story focuses on an individual’s actions and choices and does not comment on or represent any caste, religion, or community,” Pandey said.

The director further emphasised his responsibility as a storyteller and stated that the film was created with sincere intent and purely for entertainment. “As a filmmaker, I approach my work with a deep sense of responsibility – to tell stories that are thoughtful and respectful. This film, like my earlier work, has been created with sincere intent and solely to entertain audiences,” he added.

Acknowledging the concerns raised by a section of viewers, Pandey said the team understands that the title has caused hurt and confirmed that all promotional material has been taken down temporarily.

“We understand that the title of the film has caused hurt to some viewers, and we genuinely acknowledge those feelings. In light of these concerns, we have decided to take down all promotional materials for the time being, as we believe the film should be experienced in its entirety and understood in the context of the story we intended to tell, rather than judged on partial glimpses,” the statement read.

The legal challenge, filed on February 5, 2026, by Mahender Chaturvedi, seeks a stay on the film’s release and streaming, arguing that the title Ghooskhor Pandat associates a term traditionally linked with scholarship and spirituality with corruption, thereby harming the dignity of the Brahmin community. The plea also raises concerns about collective defamation and communal harmony.

 

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Ghooskhor Pandat, which features Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role as a police officer nicknamed “Pandat,” was announced as part of Netflix’s 2026 content slate. Netflix India and the streaming platform have not issued a separate response to the petition so far. “I look forward to sharing the film with audiences soon,” Pandey concluded.

 Also Read: Petition filed in Delhi HC to stay Manoj Bajpayee starrer Ghooskhor Pandat over offensive title claim

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Farah Khan develops double-role concept for Shah Rukh Khan in Main Hoon Na 2: Report

After the anticipation around Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film King reaches its peak, fresh reports suggest that the actor’s next project could be a sequel to one of his most beloved films, Main Hoon Na. According to an exclusive from Pinkvilla, discussions between Khan and filmmaker Farah Khan are progressing, pointing to Main Hoon Na 2 as a strong contender for his post-King slate.

Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan to reunite If realised, this sequel would mark a reunion between Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan after nearly 12 years. Their collaborations in the past — including Om Shanti Om (2007) and Happy New Year (2014) — delivered significant box office results and helped define the commercial cinema of their respective eras.

Sources quoted in the report say Farah Khan has devised an “exciting double-role concept” specifically for Khan. “Farah Khan has cracked an exciting double-role concept for Shah Rukh Khan, which has excited the superstar,” one insider told Pinkvilla. “The idea is said to elevate the emotion and entertainment quotient of the sequel, while SRK will explore two contrasting characters.” Main Hoon Na original cast to return for sequel According to the report, the sequel will retain the emotional core of the original while expanding its scope. The central narrative is expected to revolve around a new threat to India, blending elements of patriotism with action and comedy — a combination that helped make the 2004 original memorable. “The film will be a patriotism galore, with the original cast returning,” the source added.

The screenplay is being shaped under writer Aakash Kaushik, with the core story reportedly coming from Shah Rukh Khan himself. In addition to the return of some original cast members, the production team is also considering introducing new faces, preserving nostalgia while broadening the film’s appeal.

Production timelines are yet to be confirmed. Insiders indicate that Shah Rukh Khan is expected to hear the complete narration after he finishes shooting King, which is scheduled to wrap around May 2026. After the narration, Khan will make a final decision on whether to green-light Main Hoon Na 2.

This cautious approach reflects the gravity of attempting a sequel to a film that holds a special place for fans of Hindi cinema. The original Main Hoon Na blended action, drama, and light-hearted moments to become a cultural touchstone, and expectations around its follow-up are similarly high.

While Main Hoon Na 2 remains in an advanced development phase rather than actively in production, industry watchers see the reports as a strong indicator of where Shah Rukh Khan’s career may head after King.

Also Read: Next On Netflix 2026: 23 years after Kal Ho Naa Ho, Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan reunite for Kartavya; Mismatched: Season 4 helmed by Jayeshbhai Jordaar director Divyang Thakkar

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BALD and bold: Anil Kapoor to transform like never before in King; Shah Rukh Khan-starrer to release on evergreen actor’s birthday; his fifth Christmas release after Welcome, AK vs AK…

The evergreen actor Anil Kapoor has been consistently giving fine performances and this year will be no different. However, in 2026, we’ll see him experimenting with his looks like never before. On January 3, his web series, Family Business, was launched at the ‘Next On Netflix 2026’ event, in which he can be seen sporting silver hair. Meanwhile, in the much-awaited film King, the actor will be going bald, as per reports.

According to an article in Box Office Worldwide, Anil Kapoor, who’s known for his youthful appearance and hairstyle, will be sporting a bald look in the action entertainer. This is something he has never done before in his four decades of acting career. The article also carried a quote from a source who said that going bald is essential for his character in King.

King is led by Shah Rukh Khan and besides the superstar and Anil Kapoor, it also stars some of the most significant names of the industry like Deepika Padukone, Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Jaideep Ahlawat, Abhay Verma, Arshad Warsi, Raghav Juyal, Akshay Oberoi, Jackie Shroff, Karanvir Malhotra and others. It is directed by Siddharth Anand of Pathaan (2023) and War (2019) fame. Interestingly, Anil also featured in an important role in Siddharth’s last film, Fighter (2024).

King releases on December 24, 2026. Hence, this is the fifth film of Anil Kapoor that releases in the Christmas week. His first release on the festival was Mr Azaad, which was released on December 23, 1994. Trimurti, which incidentally also starred Shah Rukh Khan, arrived in cinemas on December 22, 1995. Then, the comedy classic Welcome was a Christmas release, as it was released in theatres on December 21, 2007. Lastly, the unique black comedy AK vs AK was also released on December 24, but it premiered directly on Netflix.

Meanwhile, December 24 holds added significance for the evergreen actor, as it’s also his birthday. Now, with King locked for a December 24 release, it remains to be seen whether the date proves lucky for Anil at the box office.

Also Read: Netflix unveils Family Business: Anil Kapoor and Vijay Varma face off in Hansal Mehta’s corporate power drama

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Mirzapur: The Movie to hit theaters on September 4; Amazon MGM Studios and Excel Entertainment unveil release date

One of India’s most iconic OTT franchises makes its long-awaited leap to cinemas. The makers announced September 4 as the theatrical release date of Mirzapur: The Movie, promising audiences a larger-than-life cinematic experience rooted in the gritty world they love. The film brings back iconic characters of Mirzapur — Kaleen Bhaiya (Pankaj Tripathi), Guddu Pandit (Ali Fazal), and marks the much-anticipated comeback of Munna Bhaiya (Divyenndu), one of the franchise’s most loved characters. Now, for the first time ever, the cult saga of Mirzapur steps into cinemas, transforming its beloved world into an epic big-screen experience.

The ensemble cast also includes Jitendra Kumar, Ravi Kishan, Abhishek Banerjee, Rasika Duggal, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Harshita Gaur, Sushant Singh, Mohit Malik, Sheeba Chadha, Rajesh Tailang, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Sonal Chauhan, Pramod Pathak and Anangsha Biswas.

 

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Amazon MGM Studios, and Excel Entertainment present an Excel Entertainment Production, directed by Gurmmeet Singh and written by Puneet Krishna. The film releases in cinemas on September 4, 2026.

Also Read: Ali Fazal announces wrap of Mirzapur: The Film final schedule: “We brought our A game when the camera rolled up”

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