Ab ki baar phir se ‘Sarkar’
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan turned 83 on October 11, and celebrations came with major news for his fans — the actor is reportedly set to return as the formidable Subhash Nagre in ‘Sarkar 4’. The fourth instalment of Ram Gopal Varma’s acclaimed political thriller franchise will also reportedly mark Abhishek Bachchan’s comeback as Shankar Nagre, despite his character’s death in ‘Sarkar Raj’ (2008). The buzz is that both Amitabh and Abhishek have heard the concept and given their consent to proceed. RGV, who had earlier been reluctant to extend the franchise, is said to have agreed to direct. The script is currently being developed, with production expected to begin in the first half of 2026. The film promises a fresh, high-stakes twist to the ‘Sarkar’ saga.
Scholarships se stardom tak
(L-R) Khushi Kapoor and Boney Kapoor
A recent revelation by Boney Kapoor about his daughter Khushi Kapoor earning a scholarship at the New York Film Academy has stirred debate online. “You send your audition to decide whether you can be admitted or not. And she was offered a scholarship,” he explained. Khushi, who was seen in two movies this year, Loveyaapa alongside Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan, and in Nadaaniyaan with Saif Ali Khan’s son Ibrahim Ali Khan, has received praise and criticism from netizens. While some lauded her talent, others questioned nepotism in the industry. Speaking about her training, Khushi had earlier said, “It helped me open up a lot as an actor, improv was my favourite class.” She added it also taught her “how to edit, hold a camera, and make short films,” helping her understand filmmaking holistically.
Title trouble halts Marathi film screening
Mrunmayee Deshpande
Actor and director Mrunmayee Deshpande has voiced disappointment after screenings of her Marathi film Manache Shlok were disrupted in Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and other parts of Maharashtra. According to a PTI report, several videos that surfaced on social media, showed people wearing saffron stoles halting shows, claiming the film’s title — derived from saint-poet Samarth Ramdas Swami’s revered verses — disrespects Hindu culture. “It’s saddening that our film’s screening was stalled,” Mrunmayee wrote, confirming that the film has been withdrawn and will re-release on October 16 with a new title. Condemning the protests, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, “If they had truly read Manache Shlok, they wouldn’t have acted this way.” He criticised the state government for “failing to protect artistic freedom” and “encouraging intolerance and regressive politics.”
Reigning at the box-office
Rishab Shetty in ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’
Kannada superhit Kantara: Chapter 1 explores themes of faith and spirituality rooted in the rich folklore of coastal Karnataka, and actor-director Rishab Shetty says his intention was not to create a film tied to any specific ideology but to share a compelling story that resonates with universal human experiences. The film set in pre-colonial Karnataka depicts the conflict between the tribals of the Kantara forest and a tyrannical king. It released in cinemas on October 2 and according to Sacnilk, it has has crossed the Rs 400 crore mark in India, and earned approximately Rs 600 crore at the global box-office.
