Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 writer Aakash Kaushik is celebrating the impressive opening of his horror-comedy, starring Kartik Aaryan and Triptii Dimri. In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Aakash discusses the Bhool Bhulaiyaa universe, the supernatural genre, his collaboration with Anees Bazmee, and more. Here are highlights from the interview.

Aakash, who also worked on the screenplay for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, discussed maintaining originality in the sequel's storytelling. He said, “The entire magic lies in the one-liner that you crack, which is the film's basic plot. When I was asked to write the third instalment, I spent the maximum time cracking the plot and one-liner because that is the basic seed from which the entire story grows. If you get that right, everything falls in place because you have a direction to go. So, the main effort was to get that one-liner, which I brainstormed, and then I finally cracked something.”

He further added, “I had worked on a couple of ideas, and this is one idea I believed in. I shared it with Anees Bazmee Sir and Bhushan (Kumar) Sir and eventually the cast, who all loved it. If your base is strong, then the building will also turn out to be strong. Since it is a franchise, you have to keep the essence of Bhool Bhulaiyaa in it. I was vary of that. That is how I went about writing the third part.”

The Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise has always featured Manjulika as the antagonist, but this time, there are two. When asked about the challenges of creating an engaging story in a supernatural universe that feels fresh while maintaining its progression, Aakash explained, “After part 2, it was obvious that part 3 had to be bigger regarding the story, scale, and cast. So, since day 1, we have been keeping that in mind. After that, there is a very thin line between keeping the essence of Bhool Bhulaiyaa and coming up with something new. So we kept Manjulika, but this time there are two of them. So, you have to balance what people enjoy and what you will do differently. Ami Je Tomar has been in all the parts, but we introduced a dance-off this time. How to recreate the same thing with much grandeur by making it a part of the story was the main thing in my mind. We constantly kept this in mind throughout the writing process and even while making the film.”

Hindi cinema took a fresh approach to the supernatural genre in 2024 with films like Munjya and Stree 2. When asked about the importance of storytellers adapting to changing trends in any genre, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 writer Aakash said, “This genre has indeed been the flavour of the year. You will not find the amount of folklore and stories you see in India anywhere else. So, somewhere, we Indians have always been quite intrigued and interested in such stories. It was high time until it started with Bhool Bhulaiyaa, then Stree 2 and the entire Maddock Horror Universe, that people are finally telling such stories on the big screen. The Indian audiences were interested in such stories from the very beginning. But we have not done much about it for a very long time. We still have many more stories to tell now that it's happening. There are many interesting creatures in Indian mythology and folklore and I am very happy that now it is happening.”

When asked if he feels any pressure as a creative person due to changing trends, Aakash responded, As far as the pressure is concerned, if you are confident about your product, then the fear takes a backseat. We only take it in a positive sense to make it bigger. Taking the pressure on the negative side would only hamper the product. So, I was quite conscious of the fact that the pressure should not bow me down.”

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Namit Malhotra’s much-anticipated magnum opus, Ramayana, directed by filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari and starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash, is all set to redefine Indian cinema on an unprecedented scale! This epic adaptation brings to life one of India’s most cherished tales with unmatched scale and visionary storytelling.

As the visionary force behind Prime Focus Studios, Namit Malhotra has been involved in some of Hollywood’s biggest projects, including Dune and Inception, as well as recent hits like The Garfield Movie. He also announced Angry Birds 3. Namit Malhotra’s deep understanding of visual storytelling has made him one of the most important Indians in Hollywood!

Taking to social media, Namit Malhotra unveiled a poster and shared, “More than a decade ago, I embarked on a noble quest to bring this epic that has ruled billions of hearts for over 5000 years to the big screen. And today, I am thrilled to see it taking shape beautifully as our teams work tirelessly with only one purpose: to present the most authentic, sacred, and visually stunning adaptation of our history, our truth, and our culture – our “RAMAYANA”– for people across the world. Join us as we fulfill our dream of bringing our greatest epic to life with pride and reverence...Part 1 in Diwali 2026 and Part 2 in Diwali 2027 From our entire Ramayana Family.”

 

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Diwali 2026 and 2027 set for Ramayana part one and two India’s biggest film, sets out to capture the imagination of audiences worldwide. ALSO READ: Yash confirms portrayal of Ravana in Nitesh Tiwaris Ramayana; says, “I really like the shades and the nuances of particular character”

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Danish Aslam made Break Ke Baad (2010), starring Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone and then went on to make several web series. After nearly 14 years, he’s back with another film, Khwaabon Ka Jhamela, starring Prateik Babbar, Sayani Gupta and Kubbra Sait. The film releases on JioCinema on November 8. Bollywood Hungama spoke exclusively with Danish and also Break Ke Baad.

The romcom didn’t work in cinemas but is memorable today for its subject, performances and music. When asked if he feels that the film got its due after it was out of theatres, Danish said, “Absolutely. Around its release, I used to say, ‘Yeh film logon ko 10 saal baad samaj mein aayegi’! On a serious note, until today, many people come up to me and say, ‘I really liked the film’. I feel like replying, ‘Firstly, thank you. And secondly, aap 2010 mein kahan the? Aur aapne yeh film theatre mein kyun nahin dekhi’! In fact, Imran used to tell me that many who came to interview him in recent times used to reveal that they liked Break Ke Baad a lot. It’s mind-boggling.”

Sadly, we rarely get such films now, which also makes Khwaabon Ka Jhamela refreshing. Danish Aslam explained, “There was a phase when those kinds of films were being made. Many of them, who were in school and college, have grown up now and are wondering ‘Yeh genre gayab kyun ho gaya?’. Globally, there was a shift and those mid-sized films stopped getting made. Either you make a blockbuster costing more than Rs. 100 crores or you make an under Rs. 10 crore festival film. However, the urban romantic films like Hum Tum (2004), Kal Ho Naa Ho(2003), Salaam Namaste (2005) etc. disappeared. We shifted our focus to Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017), Badhaai Ho (2018) etc. which are lovely films but are not that kind of romcoms. They either have a social message or there’s more drama than romance and comedy.”

Danish continued, “Secondly, I feel that romcom is a genre that needs to be reinvented every few years. If you watch an action film made 50 years ago, you may not get the context of the society which existed then but still, you’ll get the beats like revenge, fight etc. But watch a romcom made 20 years ago and you might probably see that a lot of things don’t land and have stuff that is unacceptable now. In the pandemic, my wife (Shruti Seth) started rewatching ‘FRIENDS’. Suddenly, we realized that so many episodes were problematic and we told our daughter not to watch it. So you need to keep updating in this genre as society keeps changing. Such films have been missing but thankfully, there’s an audience that craves for such movies.”

Danish Aslam then added, “Such films are making a comeback globally. Several Hollywood films with ‘You’ in their titles like Anyone But You, Which Brings Me To You, The Idea Of You etc. released and they all worked. A show on Netflix, Nobody Wants This, also has been successful. These films are in sync with the times. That needs to happen in India and I am hoping that Khwaabon Ka Jamela is one of the first films to do so in the market. “

In the era of re-release, what does he have to say about re-releasing Break Ke Baad? Danish smiled and replied, “It’s a brilliant idea. Please tell Reliance to do so.” He also added, “Theatrical is a different beast now. Also, the film is available on OTT. But had it released on OTT now, the reaction would have been very different because I feel there’s a huge market for that cinema.”

The director then looked back fondly at his directorial debut, “Apart from getting to make my first film, the other best thing about Break Ke Baad was that I made a bunch of friends. Imran has been one of my closest friends for 14 years. We were both at each other’s weddings. We have daughters who were born 1 month apart. Even Yudhishtir Urs and Shahana Goswami have been in my life since then.”

Danish Aslam then confessed, “As for Imran and I, we are working on something together. It had come out in the press. Half of it was correct and half of it was not! Very soon, you’ll find out!”

Has Danish Aslam been in touch with Deepika Padukone? Danish stated, “I have been in touch with her on and off as she has had a very busy life since then. Ranveer Singh once told me that according to Rajeev Masand, Break Ke Baad was the first proper performance by Deepika that made him realize that this girl knows how to act. I have always treasured that compliment. I saw something in her and I am glad that the rest of the world also did the same.”

Before signing off, Danish Aslam looks at his journey and how it was great to make a film after directing several web shows, “It’s a lot of fun but making a series is like making 2 ½ films together as you are making 5 hours of content, which is exhausting. I made a film after 12 years and I had a blast. There’s something about the energy on a film set – the way you can focus on your characters, content etc. I love it. I am open to doing series as well as it’s a different form of storytelling. But I feel this made me remember that my first love would always be films. My next with Imran is also a film. That, most likely, will be my next project.”

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Danish Aslam talks about Khwaabon Ka Jhamela and how it breaks taboos: “It’s impossible to tell your parents that you broke up because the guy is bad in bed”; opens up on shooting sex scenes: “Our makers are like ‘Kapde utaro, yeh karo, wahaan mud jaao’”

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The big Diwali release, Singham Again, had a huge weekend and trended well on Monday. The Monday hold was crucial as it marked the end of the holiday period and it proved that the film has been accepted. Directed by Rohit Shetty, Singham Again is his 10th film to enter the Rs. 100 crore club. The other films that crossed the coveted mark are Golmaal 3 (2010), Singham (2011), Bol Bachchan (2012), Chennai Express (2013), Singham Returns (2014), Dilwale (2015), Golmaal Again (2017), Simmba (2018) and Sooryavanshi (2021). Singham Again, however, stands out as it’s the fastest to hit a century, in just 3 days.

What is also commendable about the film is that Rohit Shetty managed the unthinkable – assembling as many as 7 major actors in a film, namely Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Arjun Kapoor. This has happened after years and one doesn’t know when it’ll happen again.

Multi-starrers were in vogue at one point but those days are long gone. In the past few years, some filmmakers managed to get 2 actors together but Rohit Shetty went many steps ahead.

There are several challenges in making multi-starrers in today’s times. There’s always a fear among actors that the director might not be fair with them and that he/she might reduce his/her role and go back to the commitment made before the film goes on floors. Even if the role is not chopped off, there will always be an apprehension that other actors might overpower him/her.

This is where Rohit Shetty has an advantage as he enjoys tremendous goodwill. The actors know that they are in safe hands when they work with him. Ajay and Rohit’s bond is ultimate and doesn’t need any explanation. With Ranveer Singh, he has formed a great bond. Ranveer’s eyes, in fact, light up when he talks about him. Akshay Kumar, too, had a pleasant working experience while working with him on Sooryavanshi (2021) and was too happy to return in Singham Again.

Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor Khan have worked with him in the past and they knew they could trust him. At the trailer launch of Singham Again, Kareena stated, “Ramayan mein Sita na ho aur Rohit Shetty ki film mein Kareena Kapoor na ho, aisa ho nahin sakta!”

Tiger Shroff and Arjun Kapoor worked with him for the first time. Both are mass cinema lovers and were too happy to jump into the Singham bandwagon. And lastly, superstar Salman Khan, too, realized the potential of Rohit Shetty and the Cop Universe and happily agreed to feature in the cameo and hopefully, would be seen in the next film of the franchise in a major role.

Thankfully, Rohit Shetty did justice to these actors and didn’t let them down. Ajay Devgn was portrayed heroically and rightly so as he’s the Bajirao Singham, after all. Ranveer Singh took the cake with his jokes and antics. Arjun Kapoor’s career got a boost as he was effective as the villain. Kareena Kapoor Khan, the only non-cop protagonist, too made her presence felt. One might argue that Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone and Akshay Kumar have less screen time. However, they all got their share of memorable action scenes. Hence, the fans of none of these actors felt shortchanged.

In short, Rohit Shetty deserves kudos for giving moviegoers a chance to see so many actors at the price of one ticket. Only a director of his calibre could have achieved it and hence, Singham Again would be remembered for years for setting a new benchmark in Bollywood.

Also Read: Arjun Kapoor thanks audience for loving his performance in Singham Again: “BOY you fell in love with in Ishaqzaade has grown into the MAN…”

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Kartik Aaryan has typically kept his personal life and relationship status private, rarely discussing it publicly. However, the Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 star recently opened up about his dating life. In an interview with The Mashable, he confirms that he’s been single for the past few years due to his demanding work commitments.

When questioned about his relationship status, Kartik stated, “I am single. I don’t have to send my live location to anyone. I am not even present in any dating applications. Technically, since the time I have been preparing and shooting for Chandu Champion, I didn’t get the time.”

The actor elaborated that he has been going through a demanding regimen that kept him fully occupied. “I was in such a strict regime, in which I had to calculate my gym, eating, and sleeping pattern, just like an athlete. All of that went on for two years. In fact, I was also learning swimming for the very first time. The routine became so hectic. Plus, shooting for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and finishing it in a specific period of time was also a challenge. So, I was completely busy with all that,” he explained.

On the work front, Kartik Aaryan is currently reaping the rewards of his latest film, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. Co-starring Vidya Balan, Triptii Dimri, and Madhuri Dixit, this horror-comedy is a sequel to the previous films. It has performed well at the box office, already grossing over ₹150 crore, despite receiving mixed reviews from both audiences and critics.

Also Read : Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 holds steady on Monday; collects Rs. 16.5 crores on Day 4 to eye entry into Bollywood’s 200 cr. club

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Actress Helena Luke, who was Mithun Chakraborty’s first wife, died on Sunday in the USA. Dancer and actress Kalpana Iyer announced her passing on social media. Helena was best known for her performance in Amitabh Bachchan's 1985 film Mard. She was married to Mithun for four months, but their marriage ended within four months.

Helena's final Facebook post was made at 9:20 am on Sunday, where she expressed, “Feeling weird. Mixed emotions and no clue why, discombobulated.”

In a past interview, Helena referred to her four-month marriage to Mithun as a "hazy dream." She told Stardust Magazine, “I only wish it hadn’t happened; he was the one who brainwashed me into believing he was the man for me, and unfortunately, he succeeded.” Despite rumors of a possible reconciliation with Mithun, Helena stated, “I’ll never go back to him, even if he is the richest guy around. I haven’t even asked for alimony; it was a nightmare, and it’s over.”

Mithun, who had assured Helena’s father that he would treat her like the "ninth wonder of the world,” ended up leaving her feeling abandoned. In the interview, she expressed, “I truly believed him when he said he loved me. But as I got to know him better, I realized he only loved himself. He was extremely immature, and although I was years younger, I felt much older. He was very possessive and accused me of secretly seeing my ex-boyfriend Javed. I would get frustrated trying to convince him that I wasn’t, but I couldn’t change his deeply rooted suspicions. Eventually, I understood that he had a guilt complex; he was cheating on me and assumed I was doing the same.”

According to reports, Helena's final social media post indicated that she was not in good health, and her failure to seek timely medical treatment contributed to her passing.

Also Read : 70th National Film Awards: Mithun Chakraborty honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award, recalls his journey: “I was told ‘film industry meing kaala rang nahin chalega’”

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Bhumi Pednekar, known for her versatile roles and strong screen presence, has been delighting her fans with glimpses of her recent Goa travels. Through her Instagram, she’s been sharing moments that showcase her love for exploration and adventure, whether she’s vacationing internationally or enjoying India’s scenic beaches. Her posts from Goa are filled with picturesque landscapes and her effortless style, capturing the attention of her followers and travel enthusiasts alike.

Bhumi Pednekar is setting Instagram on fire with her recent vacation photos from Goa, where she shows off her toned figure in eye-catching swimwear. The post captioned, “My day today,” the collection of snapshots features Bhumi lounging by the pool and enjoying the sun in a bold, stylish look. The images capture her relaxed mood as she embraces the tropical escape.

 

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In the first photo, Bhumi is seated on a poolside lounge, wearing a black and brown bandeau bikini top with a royal blue sarong wrapped around her waist. Her relaxed expression and distant gaze exude a dreamy, carefree vibe as she holds a glass of juice.

In the second shot, Bhumi steps up the glamour, confidently posing in a bold red bikini that highlights her toned figure. Her sideways stance and a slight smirk add a playful touch to the image. Standing against a rustic wall, the sunlight enhances her natural glow.

In the third photo, Bhumi relaxes with a leisurely dip in the pool, leaning against the edge with a wide smile and wearing trendy sunglasses. She exudes effortless style as she enjoys the water.

Her sister, Samiksha Pednekar, was quick to comment with an “uffff,” capturing what many of Bhumi’s fans were likely thinking as well!

On the work front, Bhumi recently completed filming for her web series Daldal, where she stars as Rita, a determined cop challenging stereotypes in a male-dominated field. She shared her excitement, along with some nerves, noting the shoot was especially tough during the Mumbai monsoon. Directed by Amrit Raj Singh, the series promises a gripping storyline, with Bhumi taking on a fierce, ambitious role.

Her last film, Bhakshak, in which she portrayed a journalist, is currently streaming on Netflix and earned praise for her powerful performance.

Also Read : Bhumi Pednekar channelizes her love for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham as she sings ‘Bole Chudiyaan’ at a Karaoke club in London

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