Category: Entertainment

The makers of director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s immensely popular film “Animal,” featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Bobby Deol in lead roles, have announced that the film will release in Japan on February 13, 2026.

Exciting Announcement

Taking to its X timeline, Bhadrakali Pictures, the production house behind the film, shared: “Kono otoko wa Darenimo Tomerarenai. The most talked-about, debated, and unforgettable cinematic experience is coming to Japan. Animal releases in Japanese theatres on February 13, 2026. #Animal #AnimalinJapan #AnimalTheFilm. Japan Distribution @GEEKPICTURESinc @geekpictures_d @geekpictures_IN @Arjunarcv @mokshamodgill.”

Celebrating Milestones

Earlier this month, Bollywood superstar Anil Kapoor and director Sandeep Reddy Vanga celebrated the second anniversary of “Animal.” The actor marked the occasion with emotional posts and stories on social media, sharing a series of on-set pictures and stating, “Two years of a film that didn’t just release, it erupted #2yearsofAnimal.”

Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga echoed this sentiment, sharing a powerful still of Ranbir Kapoor, captioned “Two years for ‘ANIMAL’.” Anil Kapoor also shared clips from the film, including behind-the-scenes moments that showed his preparation for scenes and interactions with Vanga, creating a collage featuring his character, Balbir Singh.

Another picture shared by Vanga showcased Ranbir Kapoor in an aggressive, action-packed moment.

Commercial Success

“Animal,” directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, released on December 1, 2023, and quickly became one of the year’s biggest commercial successes. The film’s ensemble cast includes Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Triptii Dimri, and Bobby Deol.

Bobby Deol’s portrayal in the film introduced audiences to a new avatar, earning him the nickname ‘Lord Bobby’ from fans. While “Animal” received widespread praise for its stellar cast, exceptional acting, songs, and background score, it also sparked controversy and debate for its intense portrayal of violence.

Actress Sonam Kapoor has crafted a heartfelt wish for her “hero and forever inspiration,” her father Anil Kapoor, as he celebrates his 69th birthday.

A Loving Tribute

In her birthday message, the ‘Neerja’ actress praised her father’s remarkable qualities: “Happy Birthday to my hero and to my forever inspiration ❤️ Your energy, discipline, passion, and love for life amaze me every single day.” She expressed her gratitude as well, stating, “Grateful to be your daughter. Love you endlessly. @anilskapoor…The best dad in the world.”

Cherished Memories

Sonam also shared a collection of photos capturing Anil’s journey, showcasing moments from iconic films like “Mr India” and “Woh Saat Din,” alongside precious family memories. The album highlighted Anil’s role not only as a father to Sonam, Rhea, and Harsh Varrdhan but also as a doting great-grandfather to his grandchild Vayu.

Warm Wishes from Friends

Anil has been showered with love on this special day. Close friend Anupam Kher took to social media to share his heartfelt wishes for the ‘Lamhe’ actor, stating, “My dearest, dearest friend, Anil, a very happy birthday to you. May God give you all the happiness in the world, a long and healthy life, peace, success, more success. You are a great friend and a great person, and a great anchor.”

Kher cherished their quiet mornings together, adding, “We have known each other for many years, and it took us a little time to understand each other fully. But my mornings with you, where you don’t talk much, I don’t talk much, are the richest moments of my life. I used to earlier say, as a joke, that you should put my name in your ration card, but that’s not important now. I am there in your life. Thank you for being the person that you are. Kind, compassionate, concerned as a human being and as an actor, fantastic. Nobody likes you.”

Anil Kapoor’s special day has truly brought out the warmth and love surrounding him from family and friends alike.

Actor and director Vishwak Sen has sharply criticized actor Sivaji for his recent comments suggesting women should wear sarees or dresses that fully cover their bodies, stating that women do not need anyone dictating their attire or judging them based on it.

Vishwak Sen expressed his views on X, stating, “Opinions are common, but some should really stay unspoken. This man needs to stop spreading this nonsense. Women don’t need anyone dictating what they wear or how they should be judged. He does not represent real men.”

He joins a growing list of celebrities condemning Sivaji, whose remarks were made at an event promoting his film ‘Dhandoraa’. In light of the criticism, Sivaji has since issued an apology.

Actor Manchu Manoj, who responded to Sivaji’s comments, emphasized that policing women’s clothing or imposing moral responsibility on them is “outdated and unacceptable.” He shared his thoughts on X, saying, “Came across some deeply disappointing comments last night. A civilised society protects women’s rights instead of policing their choices. #RespectWomen #RespectYourself.”

In his statement, Manchu Manoj remarked, “This kind of statement is deeply disappointing. Policing women’s clothing or placing moral responsibility on them is outdated and unacceptable.” He further asserted that respect and accountability should originate from individual behavior rather than shaming women based on their attire.

He also pointed out that such comments violate Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee fundamental rights. “Comments like these violate the spirit of Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution of India. Equality, dignity, and personal liberty are non-negotiable; women’s clothing is not up for public judgment,” he stated.

Manchu Manoj took it a step further by apologizing on behalf of senior actors whose remarks had “demeaned women and reduced them to objects.” He declared, “I unequivocally apologize on behalf of those senior actors whose derogatory remarks have demeaned women and reduced them to objects. Such words do not represent all men. We cannot, and will not, normalize or ignore this behavior. Women deserve respect, dignity, and equality at all times. Silence is not an option, and accountability is essential.”

Actress-cum-politician Smriti Irani recently embarked on a holy trip to Tirupati Balaji.

In a heartfelt moment, she shared a picture on her social media, showing herself standing before the divine statue in the temple with her hands folded in prayer. She captioned the post, “At the feet of Tirupati Balaji #govindagovinda.” Notably, Smriti was dressed in a traditional Indian red saree during her visit.

On the professional front, Irani has been shining as Tulsi in the reprised version of the iconic 2000 show “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.” The show, which began airing in June, has garnered positive responses from both critics and audiences.

Active on social media, Smriti is known for voicing her opinions on various topics, ranging from films to politics. Recently, she expressed her admiration for director Aditya Dhar’s latest movie, “Dhurandhar.”

Sharing a collage of the lead cast, which includes Sanjay Dutt, Ranveer Singh, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal, she penned a thoughtful note about the essence of the film.

She remarked, “If you have looked into the eyes of the wife of a fallen soldier & walked her to the cremation ground, if you have visited the Jagti camp in Jammu, if you have seen the deserted temple premises of Sharika Devi in Srinagar, if you have met those who were on duty during the Parliament attack or have family that survived the 26/11 Mumbai attack, then nothing in Dhurandhar should lead you to outrage; after all, it’s just a film.”

Smriti further praised Aditya Dhar’s direction, stating, “As a storyteller, @adityadharfilms is a craftsperson par excellence; as a research fiend, even more so. It’s the quiver in the face as he pulls the cover off a dead son that makes Akshaye Khanna’s performance a lesson in craft, and @ranveersingh’s piercing eyes that speak when he doesn’t are a must-watch for those who aspire to be consistent in their pursuit of a legacy, and that @rampal72 can be so menacing is a revelation.”

Commending the film’s music, Irani added, “And the music OMG. When a director’s passion meets the keen eye of a casting director like Mukesh @castingchhabra, you can rest assured the screen will explode.”

She emphasized further, “Dhurandhar isn’t just a film—it’s the echo of lives lived and lost; and if cinema can make you feel that weight, maybe you owe it more than outrage. Those like me who have had the privilege of being in the vicinity of a legend called Ajit Doval may find it a tad bit weird to watch @actormaddy play a cinematic version of him, but then there could have been no better actor who could so calmly hold a storm within.”

In conclusion, the “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi” star expressed gratitude, stating, “To the men and women known and unknown who have died defending us and are still in pursuit of justice for everyday Inddigihunt—Dhanyawad; our nation holds you in high esteem and is forever in your debt #dhurandhar.”

Comedian Bharti Singh has opened up about the emotional journey of the postpartum phase. Navigating through sleepless nights and intense emotions, she expressed how the long wait to finally hold her newborn son deepened the experience.

In a candid vlog on her YouTube channel, Bharti shared that her baby was under observation for a few days due to routine medical checks at the hospital.

“Do din baad Kaju mujhe mil raha hai kiyunki yahan par poora examination karte hai. Toh finally Kaju haath main aa raha hai…” (After two days, I finally get Kaju because they conduct a complete medical examination here in the hospital. So at last, Kaju is coming into my hands after two days.)

Reflecting on her visit to the nursery with her elder son, she revealed that Golla was visibly affected when he saw her holding the baby, whom she affectionately calls Kaju.

“Kaju ko milne gaye jab nursery main… Toh gole ka mooh aesa hogaya… mereko itna hua yaar ki turant hi chor diya usko…” (When we went to see Kaju in the nursery, Golle’s face looked different and I immediately handed Kaju back.)

“But isko pahel di jayegi thode din… Usko kya pata hai ke kya ho raha hai. But isme pooori samajh hai.” (We will give Golle the priority. There is so much understanding in him.)

Bharti also candidly discussed the emotional toll of the postpartum phase.

“Din top mera nikal jaata hai par raat badhi mushkil hoti hai. Postpartum jo effect hota hai woh bahut ho raha hai. Kal mera uth uth ke rona nikle jaaye… Bachcha aata hai fir chala jaata hai… Kabhi uska koi test karne le jaate ho.”

“(The day somehow passes, but nights are very difficult. The postpartum effect is very strong. Yesterday, I kept waking up and bursting into tears. The baby comes and then goes again — sometimes they take him away for some tests.)”

The nurse later brought Kaju to Bharti’s ward, and seeing her newborn son overwhelmed her with emotions.

“Kitna pyaara hai… So finally Kaju mere haath main aa chuka hai aur bahut hi pyaara, sundar aur healthy baby hai bilkul Golle ki tarah.” (He is so adorable. Finally, Kaju is in my arms. He is a very cute, beautiful, and healthy baby, just like Golla.)

Concluding on a joyful note, Bharti promised to introduce Kaju to her fans soon, saying: “Finally mera Kaju mere haath main hai.” (We will show him to you very soon. Finally, my Kaju is in my hands.)

Director Tamizh, who wrote the story for Suresh Rajakumari’s highly appreciated Tamil film ‘Sirai’, revealed that he is the only person to have seen the two individuals who inspired the gripping narrative.

Insight from the Director

At a pre-release event for the film, which stars Vikram Prabhu, L K Akshay Kumar, Anishma, and Ananda, Tamizh shared, “I have been a policeman and have escorted prisoners to courts at least 500 times. I am the only one who has seen the two people on whose lives this story is based. While writing this story, their faces would often keep coming to my mind. However, after watching this film, which has been made realistically, it is only the faces of the actors who have played those roles that come to my mind. The performances of the actors have been so good.”

Anticipation Builds

Scheduled for release on December 25, coinciding with Christmas, the film has already received rave reviews from critics and fellow filmmakers, who attended special screenings prior to its launch. The positive feedback was so overwhelming that the producer gifted a car to the director even before the film’s premiere.

Trailer Highlights

The trailer introduces Vikram Prabhu as a cop whose responsibilities include escorting prisoners to courts and back to prisons. The story kicks off when he is assigned to escort a prisoner named Abdul Rauf, portrayed by debutant L K Akshay, to the Sivagangai court.

The gripping trailer depicts Abdul pleading with Vikram not to handcuff him as they make their way from the bus stand to the court. The police officers stand firm, reminding him that those convicted of murder must be treated accordingly. “You must have thought about all this before committing a murder,” they tell him.

The plot thickens as we learn that Abdul is in this predicament because of issues stemming from his girlfriend’s troubled home life. In a dramatic turn, he escapes from custody, armed with one of the officers’ rifles. This leaves the police with two choices: catch Abdul or face a lifetime in prison.

About the Film

The story, inspired by real-life incidents, is crafted by Tamizh, known for the critically acclaimed film ‘Taanakaran’. It draws on his personal experiences.

The film is directed by Suresh Rajakumari, co-director to the renowned Vetrimaran. In addition to Vikram Prabhu, actress Anantha plays his love interest, while L K Akshay Kumar makes his acting debut. Anishma plays Akshay’s romantic counterpart in the film.

High Production Quality

Sources indicate that producer S S Lalit Kumar has invested heavily in this high-budget film, supported by an exceptional technical team. The movie features impressive music by Justin Prabhakaran and cinematography by Madesh Manickam. Editing is in the hands of renowned editor Philomin Raj, and stunts are choreographed by Prabhu. The executive producers for the film are Arun K and Manikandan.

Filming took place in multiple locations, including Chennai, Sivagangai, and Vellore.

As veteran actor Anil Kapoor celebrated his birthday, Kareena Kapoor took to social media to share a heartfelt wish for him.

Sweet Birthday Wishes

Kareena referred to Anil as the “OG of everything” and extended her wishes on this special occasion from both herself and her husband, Saif Ali Khan. She shared, “Happy Birthday dearest Anil Ji..❤️🌈 You are the OG of everything and both Saifu and me love you lots…(sic).”

In her Instagram Stories, she posted a nostalgic photo of the ‘Mr India’ star from his younger days, adding, “May you always look 30 forever…Big hug ❤️ @anilskapoor.”

Memorable Collaborations

Kareena and Anil have shared screen space in the 2005 musical romantic drama “Bewafaa,” which also featured Akshay Kumar, Manoj Bajpayee, Sushmita Sen, and Shamita Shetty in significant roles.

Celebrity Tributes

As Anil’s special day unfolded, numerous wishes poured in from his colleagues. Director and choreographer Farah Khan celebrated by sharing a throwback photo of herself with Anil, captioning it, “Happy birthday dearest papaji.. @anilskapoor ❤️ #legend U inspire me everyday (sic).”

Sharing a more recent picture, Farah wrote, “Me & benjaminButton.. @anilskapoor happy birthday.”

Filmmaker Milap Zaveri, who has worked with Anil on various projects, expressed his eagerness to collaborate again. He said, “Dear @anilskapoor sir you are a ROCKSTAR! Wish you a very happy birthday! Be it #Musafir #ShootoutAtWadala #24India or touchwood the film that I will hopefully soon direct you in, your passion, support, love has been a huge inspiration to me. You backed me when very few did and never stopped believing in me! Love you always sir! (sic).”

Many other prominent figures in the industry, including Kajol and Anupam Kher, also took to social media to shower love on Anil on his birthday.

Hollywood actor Mads Mikkelsen recently shared his experience working on the 2016 ‘Star Wars’ prequel, ‘Rogue One’. He noted that the script was “surprisingly unfinished” during the filming process.

Mikkelsen explained, “It kept changing. One would think that that was already done. I don’t think they ever locked a draft. I think they kept working on it and improvised and went back and reshot stuff and then came up with a better idea, which is kind of livable for a character like mine. I mean, I had my mission.”

He added, “I knew what it was, but it was obviously tricky for the two young heroes, not knowing exactly what they were carrying into a room of baggage.”

In ‘Rogue One’, Mikkelsen portrayed Galen Erso, starring alongside Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso, Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, Ben Mendelsohn as Orson Krennic, and Donnie Yen as Chirrut Imwe. Directed by Gareth Edwards, the film follows a group of resistance fighters on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star.

Mikkelsen also recalled the challenge of re-shooting the scene where he states, “It must be destroyed” amid heavy rainfall. “That was a brutal day, but it was days, because there were a lot of changes in the story. We went back and forth, and it was raining. When you do artificial rain, it is almost impossible to do that in a long scene without having ice-cold water. So I was lying there, freezing to death, trying to keep my eyes open,” he shared.

Reflecting on other notable roles, Mikkelsen discussed his time on ‘Casino Royale’, revealing that he and co-star Daniel Craig were asked to stop improvising during filming, adding that Craig was the only cast member who didn’t know how to play poker.

Actress Saiee M Manjrekar is all set to celebrate her 24th birthday on set, expressing that being surrounded by her work brings her the most joy. She feels that the best way to mark this occasion is by engaging in what she loves most.

Work Brings Joy

The Dabangg 3 actress will be shooting for her upcoming project and shared her sentiments: “Birthdays are special, but work has always given me a sense of purpose and happiness. I could have taken the day off, but being on set, doing what I love, felt like the best way to bring in my 24th year.”

Saiee further added that every project she undertakes teaches her something valuable.

“I’m grateful to celebrate this milestone surrounded by my team, cameras, and stories. I truly believe that passion and discipline go hand in hand, and this felt like the right choice for me. Celebrations can always happen later, but the joy of being on set is something I deeply cherish,” said Saiee, who is the daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar.

Career Milestones

At just 23 years old, Saiee made her film debut with a brief role as Kushi Damle in the Marathi film Kaksparsh in 2012. Her first leading role came in 2019 with Khushi Chautala in the Hindi action-comedy Dabangg 3 alongside Salman Khan.

In 2020, she appeared in the music video for the song “Manjha,” featuring Aayush Sharma. The following year, she made her Telugu film debut opposite Varun Tej in Ghani, which unfortunately did not perform well at the box office. Saiee continued to build her career with a role in the biographical action film Major, where she played Isha Agarwal, the love interest of Sandeep Unnikrishnan.

She was next seen in Kuch Khattaa Ho Jaay opposite Guru Randhawa. Most recently, Saiee featured in the Telugu action drama Arjun Son Of Vyjayanthi, directed by Pradeep Chilukuri. The film stars Nandamuri Kalyan Ram and Vijayashanti, alongside Saiee, Sohail Khan, Babloo Prithiveeraj, Srikanth, and R. Sarathkumar.

This film is a spiritual sequel to the 1990 movie Karthavyam, with Vijayashanti reprising her role as Kalyan Ram’s mother.

Actor Ali Fazal is gearing up to reprise his popular role as Guddu Bhaiya in the movie adaptation of the “Mirzapur” franchise. He describes this character as someone who carries “a certain weight” and possesses a depth that extends beyond mere dialogue.

Return to Guddu Bhaiya’s World

Sharing his thoughts, Ali expressed, “Stepping back into Guddu Bhaiya’s world is always intense. This character carries a certain weight, a silence that speaks louder than words.”

As he concludes the Rajasthan shooting schedule, the actor highlighted how the sandy landscapes of Jaisalmer enrich the narrative. He remarked, “Filming in Jaisalmer has added a whole new texture to the story, and this is just a small glimpse of the journey we’re on.”

Excitement for Audiences

Ali is thrilled for what’s coming next, stating, “There’s a lot more coming, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it on the big screen.”

He also shared insights from the filming in Rajasthan, captioning, “MIRZAPUR THE FILM. Shooting now. Rajasthan Schedule. Thank you Jaisalmer and Jodhpur for the immense love and hospitality that knows no bounds. Aapne humein apna samjha… To all the hotels that made us feel at home while we were toiling away from our own homes. Khammaghani!! And I have to introduce you to everyone. The entire gang is playing (sic).”

About “Mirzapur”

The series follows Akhandanand “Kaleen” Tripathi, a crime boss and businessman, who rules over the Mirzapur district in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh.

The first season’s main cast includes Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyendu Sharma, Vikrant Massey, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Rasika Dugal, Harshita Gaur, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda.

For the second season, the original cast returns, with the exception of Vikrant and Shriya, alongside new additions like Vijay Varma, Isha Talwar, Lilliput, Anjum Sharma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Anangsha Biswas, and Neha Sargam.

“Mirzapur” has been filmed primarily in Uttar Pradesh, with significant portions shot in Mirzapur and other locations such as Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Lucknow, Raebareli, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi.