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

Janhvi Kapoor has spoken out against the circulation of a morphed AI-generated video featuring her from the Devara Part 1 song ‘Chuttumalle’. The incident has sparked widespread concern on social media, with the actress once again becoming a victim of digital manipulation. Janhvi, who has previously spoken about being targeted by deepfake technology, took to Instagram to condemn the misuse of technology and the violation of women’s consent.

In a detailed note, Janhvi highlighted how the objectification of women through manipulated digital content has become an increasingly serious concern. She wrote, “The criminal misuse of technology to objectify women and circulate fictionalised content without consent is deeply violating, bordering on sexual assault. Almost every woman in my industry has faced some version of this, and women everywhere are increasingly being subjected to it,” her note read and continued, “Consent, choice and respect for a woman's body should be among the most basic notions of humanity. Yet somehow, they continue to be treated as complicated. They are not.”

Janhvi further explained that consent cannot be assumed or taken for granted under any circumstances. Drawing an analogy, she wrote, “It is surprising that it still seems too nuanced for some people to understand that even if a woman says yes five days in a row and no on the sixth, that no must be respected. If she happens to wear a miniskirt, it does not give anyone permission to put a camera up her skirt, capture violating angles or visually exploit her body. What a woman is comfortable with, where she draws the line and what she chooses to do with her body are decisions that belong exclusively to her. This is basic.”

The actress also placed the incident within the larger conversation around women’s safety, saying that the threat of violation has now extended into the digital space. “This goes far beyond the ai videos I have dealt with over the last few days, or anything I have personally experienced throughout my career. It is about the larger reality of being a woman, the gaze, the judgement, the constant negotiation for safety, and the feeling that our boundaries somehow remain open to interpretation. That threat has now expanded into the digital sphere, when we have not even adequately addressed the very real, physical fear that continues to disrupt the lives of women every day,” she said.

Janhvi also stressed that the responsibility cannot solely be placed on women to protect themselves - “The answer cannot simply be to "protect your daughter." we also need to undo the conditioning that makes people believe they are entitled to violate somebody else's boundaries in the first place. And part of that change will come from exemplary men with the moral compass and the spine to say clearly what is right and what is wrong.”

The actress thanked her Devara co-star NTR Jr., along with Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda and Khushbu Sundar, for speaking up against the incident and supporting her. She expressed, “I am deeply touched by NTR sir for taking such a strong stand and condemning this violation. Thank you, sir. When someone whom millions look up to speaks up about something that may not directly concern him, it makes a difference to every woman who has experienced some degree of this behaviour.” “Thank you also to Chiranjeevi sir, Vijay and Khushbu ma'am for amplifying that sentiment and calling for action against this mentality and these immoral practices,” she added.

She concluded by urging people to reconsider the attitude towards women’s boundaries and choice, “I hope everything unfolding around us right now forces those who participate in any form of harassment to introspect. Is it really too much for a woman to ask to simply be treated and seen as a human being? Her body. Her image. Her boundaries. Her choice.”

Also Read: All about this effortless beauty avatar of Janhvi Kapoor: Actress keeps it understated with concealer, pink blush and nude lips

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

R Madhavan, Disha Patani and Shriya Saran have joined the cast of Akshay Kumar and Sajid Khan’s upcoming untitled comedy. Produced by Ektaa R Kapoor, the film is being planned as an out-and-out comedy and will bring together a fresh ensemble led by Kumar, Madhavan, Patani and Saran.

Madhavan will reunite with Akshay after their appearance in Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh (2025). The two actors played rivals in the courtroom drama, whereas their upcoming collaboration will see them explore the comedy genre together. Their pairing is expected to be one of the key elements of the film. Disha Patani and Shriya Saran have also come on board the project and will play the romantic leads. The film is said to revolve around middle-aged men and will follow a comedy-of-errors format. It is also being mounted on a large scale, with the makers planning an extensive production schedule. The film is expected to go on floors in London by the end of 2026 or early 2027. The London schedule is likely to form an important part of the production as the makers prepare to mount the comedy on a larger scale. Akshay Kumar is expected to begin work on the project after wrapping up Samuk, Kanishk Varma’s alien survival thriller. The comedy is planned to be shot in a start-to-finish schedule. The project marks another collaboration between Akshay Kumar and Sajid Khan, who have previously worked together on Heyy Babyy, Housefull and Housefull 2. While their reunion forms the core of the project, the addition of R Madhavan, Disha Patani and Shriya Saran adds to the film’s ensemble cast. Meanwhile, Sajid Khan will first complete Hero Ki Horrorine, starring Yashvardhan Ahuja and Nitanshi Goel, before moving on to the untitled comedy. With R Madhavan, Disha Patani and Shriya Saran joining Akshay Kumar, the project now brings together a multi-starrer ensemble for Sajid Khan’s next comedy. Also Read : Sajid Khan set to reunite with Akshay Kumar for new film: REPORT

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EXCLUSIVE: Siddharth P Malhotra reveals Ikka sequel and Shaque Season 2 are in the works; also shares happiness at the response to Parineeti Chopra starrer show: “Haven’t got so many calls for a series before”

Filmmaker and producer Siddharth P Malhotra has had a good 2026. His Netflix film Ikka, starring Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna, grabbed a lot of eyeballs earlier this year. Now, his web show Shaque: Trust No One on the same platform has been doing well too.

In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, Malhotra revealed that both the projects will have a second part. “Ikka has broken records. There is Ikka 2 being worked on. Shaque has now broken records and Shaque Season 2 is being done. It has been a great year. Shaque Season 2 won’t continue the same story. It will be a new story. But a season 2 is in the works. We are writing it,” he said.

Malhotra also shared that director Rensil D’Silva had earlier envisioned Shaque as a movie when he came up with the idea years ago. “It was a story Rensil had cracked about 8-9 years ago,” he said. “Initially, it was a feature film. Then we worked on it and we said that let’s see if we can make it into series. After writing it as a series, we realized that it has legs and potential. Then I sold it to Netflix. They liked the idea.”

Malhotra is happy with the response the show has generated in little over a week. “We have been getting a lot of feedback. It’s done really well. Even after one week, it’s at number one. In my whole career, I haven’t got so many calls for a series. Even people from South Bombay are calling and saying that they binged and enjoyed it. It’s a good feeling. Netflix is very happy. It’s done very well for them. It’s in the top 10 in 20-30 countries. When you go into a party or function, people are willingly saying that they found it very good. They will say it saamne se only when they actually liked it. If they didn’t, they would say that they haven’t watched it yet,” he said.

Shaque is a whodunit where the identity of the culprit is revealed at the end. In today’s times of social media, there is every chance of someone or the other revealing the climax. Malhotra said that one can’t control that. “Social media is good and bad. If somebody wants to reveal the climax, you can’t stop that person. As far as people are talking and commenting about the show, we are very happy. Now, even after revealing the climax, if people are still watching the show, it’s the writing team’s victory,” he said.

During the trailer launch of Shaque, lead actor Parineeti Chopra shared that she came to know after starting the shoot that she is pregnant. Hence, the makers ensured that she stayed at the same place where they were shooting, so that she doesn’t have to travel. Malhotra said that this wasn’t challenging for them. “It is the responsibility between Sapna (Malhotra) and me to take care of her. She could have said that she is pregnant and she won’t be able to shoot. But she is continued the shoot. So, we should take care of her, respect her and do the best we can,” he said.

As a director, Siddharth P Malhotra has made films on varied subjects like We Are Family (2010), Hichki (2018), Tribhanga (2021), Maharaj (2024) and Ikka (2026). When asked whether it has always been a conscious decision for him not to repeat genres, he said, “It’s not a conscious effort to not repeat a genre. It’s actually an effort to try and find a story I can resonate to. Actually, for me the genre is the same as they are all (stories of) human relationships. The worlds might be different but the stories are of human relations and complex situations.”

Malhotra has had a successful and long collaboration with Netflix with a series of projects like Tribhanga, Maharaj, Ikka and now Shaque. “I have known Monika (Shergill, Vice President, Content) from the time I did Sanjivani (TV show) and before that. Their team is very co-operative and collaborative. All the success of any show or film of Netflix is a collaborative effort. Their names don’t appear but they put in a lot of hard work. No single person can take credit of a success. It’s always a team work. Netflix has been a great collaborator and we are collaborating a lot now,” he said.

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

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