‘Saiyaara’ ka sequel?
After weeks of chatter that a sequel to Saiyaara is being planned, director Mohit Suri has poured cold water on the rumour. The romantic drama, starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, shattered records with over R500 crore in global box office earnings, becoming the highest-grossing Indian romantic film ever. In an interview with Faridoon Shahryar, Mohit said, “It is the producer’s call. I’ve had my fair share of sequels. I wish them all the best,” adding, “I think Adi [Aditya Chopra] believes if a film becomes a classic, let us not ruin the magic by creating a sequel.” Produced by Yash Raj Films, Saiyaara became a breakout hit of the year thanks to its emotional depth, chart-topping music and organic buzz — without traditional marketing.
Friends that never let go
Anupam Kher (R) with the bust of late actor Satish Kaushik (L)
Some friendships outlive even the brightest spotlight. Anupam Kher has announced the Satish Kaushik Scholarship to honour his late friend. “I have decided that the Rs 10 lakh I am receiving with the Raj Kapoor Award will be used to establish a scholarship in the name of Satish Kaushik,” Anupam said in an Instagram video. Offered through his acting school, Actor Prepares, it will support a talented student from an underprivileged background in completing a three-month diploma in acting.
50, not out
Fans across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka marked the release of Coolie with grand celebrations as the film coincided with superstar Rajinikanth’s 50 years in cinema. Theatres turned into festive grounds with firecrackers, confetti, milk offerings, drum beats, and colourful dances. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the action drama features Rajinikanth as a dockworker who takes on a corrupt syndicate, with Nagarjuna as an antagonist and Aamir Khan in a special appearance. Chief Minister M K Stalin, Dhanush, and Sivakarthikeyan attended early screenings, while filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj called it “a pleasure to watch Rajini sir on screen.” Coolie marks Rajinikanth’s 171st film, releasing exactly 50 years after his debut in Apoorva Raagangal (1975).
Chale Mirzapur?
Shweta Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Rasika Dugal
The much-loved Mirzapur franchise is heading to the big screen with Mirzapur: The Film announced last year by producer Farhan Akhtar. A muhurat puja recently brought together Ali Fazal, Rasika Dugal, Shweta Tripathi, Pankaj Tripathi, Divvyendu, Shriya Pilgaonkar and other familiar faces from the hit crime drama. All the actors were spotted entering Excel office for the puja on Wednesday (August 13), however pictures surfaced on social media on Thursday (August 14). Reports suggest that the film will see the return of iconic characters like Munna Bhaiya, Guddu, Bablu, and Kaleen Bhaiya, Beena Tripathi, with possible new additions, including Jitendra Kumar of Panchayat fame. Filming will take place in Mumbai and Banaras to retain the series’ gritty realism, with the original creative team returning to helm the project. While the release date is yet to be confirmed, early buzz hints at a mid-2026 premiere, followed by Mirzapur Season 4 later that year.
Democracy to rule in ‘Bigg Boss’ house this season
Salman Khan in the poster of ‘Bigg Boss 19’
Superstar Salman Khan will unveil the first-ever fan-selected contestant for Bigg Boss 19 during its Grand première on August 24. In line with the show’s democracy-inspired theme, viewers are being asked to choose between Shehbaz Badesha, known for his appearances alongside sister and former contestant Shehnaaz Gill, and YouTuber Mridul Tiwari, whose comedy channel The MriDul has over 18 million subscribers. The initiative, titled Fans Ka Faisla, allows audiences to vote on the JioHotstar app until 11:59 pm on August 21. Shehbaz said he is ready to bring “unfiltered, unapologetic Punjabi energy” to the season, while Mriul described Bigg Boss as “a proving ground” where he intends to compete “with power” and “without sugar-coating”. The winner will make what producers call a “never-before-seen” entry, aimed at shaking up the Bigg Boss house dynamics from day one.
