The much-anticipated Diwali releases, Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, are just days away, and the excitement across the trade, industry, and audiences is palpable. As with every major festive clash, the battle for screens has intensified. Bollywood Hungama has learned that the first round of this tussle between the distributors of both films has already begun.

A trade source told Bollywood Hungama, “Thamma, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, is being distributed by PVR Inox Pictures. Its distributor-partner in the Mumbai circuit, August Entertainment, has sent a mail to cinemas in the territory informing them about their screen-sharing requirements. They have asked for all shows in single-screen cinemas and two screen theatres. They have also asked for 12 shows in three-screen multiplexes; it means 100% showcasing in two of the three screens and a show or two in the third screen as well.”

The mail from August Entertainment further states that they want 15 shows of Thamma in four-screen theatres, 18 shows in five-screen cinemas, 21 shows in six-screen multiplexes, 24 shows in seven-screen multiplexes, 27 shows in eight-screen multiplexes, 30 shows in nine-screen plexes and 33 shows in 10-screen theatres.

It’s important to note that this move has come directly from August Entertainment, which is handling the release of Thamma in the Mumbai circuit. How distributors in other regions respond, and whether they follow suit with similar demands, remains to be seen.

Nevertheless, the exhibitors have expressed reservations. An exhibitor told us, “We would definitely want to show Thamma as it looks exciting. But single-screen cinemas should also be given a chance to play Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. In fact, it’s the single-screen theatres where the Harshvardhan Rane-film can score big time. And let’s not forget that the Marathi film Premachi Goshta 2 and the Gujarati film Chaniya Toli are also up for release this Diwali. Some cinemas would want to accommodate it as well. Hence, we hope a solution can be found.”

Another exhibitor remarked, “The mail from August Entertainment mentions that the rule exists only for non-PVR, non-Inox and non-Cinepolis cinemas. We feel it’s not fair and it should be uniform for all cinemas.”

Meanwhile, a trade expert commented, “Just a few weeks ago, we saw what happened during the Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 vs Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari clash. At that time, the makers of the former asked for 100% shows in single-screen, two-screen and three-screen cinemas. Even in theatres with four screens and more, they asked for nearly 80-90% of showcasing. At least, the distributors are reasonable in the case of Thamma.”

Also Read: Ayushmann Khurrana flashes fake vampire teeth as he and Rashmika Mandanna promote Thamma in Delhi

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Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna are leaving no stone unturned as they promote their upcoming horror-comedy Thamma, which marks the next installment in Maddock Films’ expanding Horror Comedy Universe. The film, directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and written by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, and Arun Falara, is set for release on October 21.

The lead pair was recently spotted in Delhi, where they brought their signature charm and humor to the promotional rounds. In a video doing the rounds on social media, Ayushmann and Rashmika can be seen posing for the paparazzi while enjoying a plate of Delhi’s beloved street food — chole-kulche and rajma-chawal. However, what caught everyone’s attention was Ayushmann’s unexpected twist — a pair of fake vampire-like teeth.

As Rashmika, dressed in an elegant festive outfit, playfully offered him a bite, Ayushmann opened his mouth to reveal the quirky accessory, leaving both the photographers and fans amused. The light-hearted moment added a fun, thematic nod to the film’s spooky genre and perfectly captured the actors’ chemistry off-screen.

 

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Thamma holds significance for both stars — it marks Ayushmann Khurrana’s return to the big screen after two years, and Rashmika Mandanna’s first Hindi release after the Sikandar debacle. The film also features Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Paresh Rawal in pivotal roles, further adding weight to its ensemble cast.

Backed by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik under Maddock Films, Thamma promises to blend horror and humour in equal measure. So far, the makers have unveiled a teaser, trailer, and multiple songs — including ‘Dilbar Ki Aankhon Ka,’ featuring the return of Nora Fatehi after ‘Kamariya’.

Also Read: Thamma ‘Poison Baby’ song launch: Rashmika Mandanna reveals that ‘Tum Mere Na Huye’ was shot just after her three-month-long fracture ordeal; adds, “I didn’t know what I was getting into”

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Deepika Padukone has created history by becoming the first Indian to lend her voice to Meta AI, the virtual assistant integrated into Meta’s ecosystem, including the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, joining the list of the global lineup of voices for the AI assistant, including Hollywood celebrities Awkwafina, Judi Dench, etc. The collaboration marks a powerful intersection of technology and culture, positioning Deepika as a bridge between global innovation and Indian identity.

Meta announced that users in India will now be able to interact with Meta AI through Deepika’s voice, available in Indian English. Alongside this, the company introduced full Hindi language support and UPI Lite payments, making the experience more localised and personal. Yet, the biggest talking point remains Deepika’s voice — warm, poised, and unmistakably familiar.

Known for her global influence and grounded presence, Deepika brings authenticity and emotion to a space often dominated by synthetic tones. Her voice adds a human touch to artificial intelligence — turning digital interactions into something relatable and distinctly Indian. For millions of users, hearing Deepika guide them through tasks or respond to questions adds a sense of comfort and connection rarely found in technology.

This partnership also represents India’s growing significance in the global tech landscape. By featuring Deepika, Meta acknowledges India’s cultural power and linguistic diversity. The move goes beyond convenience — it celebrates representation and the inclusion of an Indian identity within a global product.

 

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For Deepika, this step expands her influence beyond cinema into the realm of digital innovation. It’s another milestone in a career defined by versatility, intelligence, and impact. With this collaboration, she becomes not just the voice of Meta AI — but the voice of a new era where technology feels a little more human, and a lot more Indian.

Also Read: Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour work rule sparks debate: Hansal Mehta, Hema Malini, and Sharmila Tagore weigh in

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The fourth episode of Two Much With Kajol And Twinkle featured Govinda and Chunky Panday. Both raised a lot of laughs and at the same time, they also opened up about their hardships and struggles. Chunky’s career got a new lease of life by playing Aakhri Pasta in Housefull’s first part (2010). The character became so iconic and popular that he was repeated in all other films of the series. Chunky revealed on the show that he was not the original choice and that it was going to be played by Sajid Khan, who was also the director of Housefull.

Chunky Panday said, “I believe the second innings of my career happened all thanks to my wife Bhavana Pandey. She brought luck for me after we got married. We got married in the year 1998, when my career was at my lowest phase. I had a career in Bangladesh but even that was about to end. It was a very big thing. But it lasted from 1993 to 1998 aur woh khatam hone aa raha tha. She was the only one who told me to come back to Bollywood.”

He continued, “In fact, the best film that I’ve had recently is the Housefull series. Sajid Khan, Bhavana and I were at a party. Sajid Khan told Bhavana that he was making a film called Housefull. He said, ‘Everyone wants me to play this character of Aakhri Pasta. Lekin main nahin kar paunga because it would be difficult for me to act as well as direct at the same time’. He further said, ‘I am wondering who I should cast’. Bhavana asked him, ‘Why don’t you take Chunky?’. He looked at me and asked, ‘Chunky, will you do it?’. I replied, ‘Haan, main karoonga’. So, I feel that my wife has been very lucky for me.”

Also Read: Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle: Govinda recalls his Rajesh Khanna fan moment; Chunky Panday reveals how he became ‘Bangladesh Bachchan’

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Pranutan Bahl had a memorable debut in the much-loved Notebook (2019), produced by Salman Khan. She was then seen in Helmet (2021) and Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani (2024), both of which were released online. She had confirmed that she had bagged an international film, Coco & Nut. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Pranutan spoke about this upcoming project and more.

Talking about Coco & Nut, Pranutan Bahl said, “We plan to begin principal photography early 2026. However, I have completed two movies this year and I am very excited about them. One is a cop drama and the other is along the lines of a folk thriller. Both have a fantastic star cast. It’s so amazing to work with people who are more experienced than you because you learn so much from them.”

Pranutan has always got a good response for her act in all her films. Hence, many feel that she should be seen more and should get more offers. The actress smiled and replied, “I agree! I wish but what can you do other than the fact that you just look for work? It’s tough getting work, especially after Covid, for the industry as a whole. I would love to work; I am extremely ambitious. Unfortunately, the opportunities are very far and few between. Even I find it weird sometimes because I see love and appreciation for my work. I guess that’s how our business is.”

She added, “Nevertheless, I am extremely grateful so far for all my roles to date; they have been meaty and acting-oriented. Helmet was a 180-degree transformation compared to Notebook as a character. In Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani, my character had a hint of negative shades. My next two films are also different from what I have done before. Moreover, I am very clear that I don’t want to be reduced just as the love interest of a hero.”

Does the latter come inspired by the filmography of her late grandmother, Nutan? Pranutan Bahl answered, “I don’t know if it’s because of her, but I think I value myself. Like, I don’t want to be there just because the girl is required to romance a hero. You need to be an integral part of the story. You don’t want to be cast because you’re a girl and you look nice. I don’t judge anyone who does that. But somewhere, this requirement streamlines you further, as I am not keen to do those kinds of roles.”

Meanwhile, the nepotism debate continues. Many, especially those not connected to the industry, have the impression that star kids have it easy. Pranutan disagrees, “That’s not true at all. I feel weird that I am also put in this bracket of nepotism just because I come from a legacy family. Nobody knows this but Salman Khan sir didn’t even know that I was auditioning for Notebook. The producer saw my picture and he went to the director, Mr Nitin Kakkar, and said that I’ll suit the part. They had already auditioned 80 or 100 girls. Nitin sir was not getting anybody to match what he had in mind for the character. Hence, he agreed to audition me. This is how I was called. I was already in the audition circles by then. It was 2 ½ years after I started doing auditions that I got a call for Notebook. I started auditioning in 2016 and I was called by Nitin sir in 2018. It was a five-hour audition. He asked me to do 3 scenes. The experience was tough. He was not easy on me and was extremely particular about what he wanted.”

Pranutan continued, “Even for Helmet, I auditioned through the casting route. This is the journey a lot of I have had and unfortunately, its washed away by random articles. Everybody from legacy families doesn’t have the advantage of nepotism. We are not given things on a platter.”

She also revealed, “I got Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani after Helmet. We did a reading and only then, I bagged the part. None of my films were funded by my friends or family members, not even from the back end. Let’s be that clear (laughs). So, it’s very sad that we are all painted with the same brush. I do not have the opportunities because I come from Nutan ji’s family, or due to my father (Mohnish Bahl). I am sure that I get a lot of goodwill and I am grateful for it. But I don’t think an opportunity has to come to me because of that.”

She signed off by saying, “I am still auditioning. In fact, I auditioned just three days back.”

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Pranutan Bahl opens up on Filmfare honouring Nutan and hails her choice of films and STARDOM: “She was shooting for Bandini when she was pregnant with my father…filmmakers saw that she could carry films on her shoulders”

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Hrithik Roshan has moved the Delhi High Court by filing a petition seeking safeguards for his name, image, likeness and other aspects of his persona against unauthorised commercial use and misuse. This comes days after veteran playback singer Kumar Sanu sought legal protection for his personality rights, and the matter is expected to be heard on Wednesday, according to a report by Bar and Bench.

With the increasing use of generative AI and deepfake technologies, several Indian celebrities have been turning to the courts to protect their digital and personal identities. Hrithik joins a growing list of public figures — including Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Kumar Sanu, and even the late Ratan Tata — who have sought injunctions to prevent unauthorised exploitation of their name or likeness, often through AI-generated content.

Personality rights, also known as publicity rights, give individuals legal control over how their name, image, voice, and other identifiable traits are used commercially. While India does not yet have a dedicated law governing these rights, courts have upheld them under the right to privacy guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution and through existing principles of common law.

Hrithik Roshan, who was last seen in War 2 which released on August 14, has been in the spotlight not only for his films but also for his new venture as a producer. The actor recently kicked off his debut production Storm in collaboration with Amazon Prime Video under his banner HRX Films. Known for his carefully curated projects and strong public image, Hrithik’s move to secure his personality rights reflects a growing concern among stars about their identity being misused in the age of AI-generated videos, fake endorsements and manipulated content.

As courts continue to issue directions to online platforms for removing infringing material, legal experts believe more celebrities will take similar steps until India establishes a dedicated framework to regulate the commercial use of personal likenesses in the digital era.

Also Read: Hrithik Roshan rings in star-studded celebration with Storm cast; watch

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Kartik Aaryan’s stellar performance as real-life Olympian Murlikant Petkar continues to win him accolades and awards, more than a year after the release of Chandu Champion.

Speaking about Kartik’s impact in the film, director Kabir Khan says, “This is what hard work and dedication of an actor looks like. I always knew it would be extremely challenging for any actor to portray Murlikant Petkar in Chandu Champion. The role could have easily gone to someone far more experienced, and it would still have been tough. But Kartik rose to the occasion and delivered everything I had desired as a filmmaker.”

Kabir describes Kartik’s performance as a complete triumph. “I’m so proud to stand with him and applaud him for winning the Best Actor award. He’s not only a star who delivers commercial blockbusters but also an actor hungry for roles that challenge him — a very rare combination in our industry.”

Recalling why he chose Kartik for Chandu Champion, Kabir explains, “I needed somebody who could look like a boy — someone who was 18 when he made a statement, with that sense of naivety. I also needed someone who could look endearing even when his conduct was questionable. Then, as the character matures, there’s the physical and emotional transformation. Kartik had to live two lives on screen — the chubby, innocent village boy at the start and the disciplined athlete later.”

Kabir reveals that Kartik even underwent a significant physical transformation for the role. “He actually put on all that weight. He had wanted to gain weight for Freddy, but I think he couldn’t stop eating and continued to gain more. When I met him, he was already at that weight. He then went the extra mile for Chandu Champion. Whenever an actor goes that far for authenticity, I truly wish he gets recognized and applauded for it.”

Also Read: Abhishek Bachchan on sharing the Best Actor Filmfare Award with Kartik Aaryan, “He is outstanding in Chandu Champion”

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