Shah Rukh Khan means big, bigger and biggest. As the superstar gears up to make a comeback to the big screen after 3-long years with the Siddharth Anand directed King, the excitement is sky-rocketing on a day-to-day basis. The film went on floors in May 2025, and the shoot is expected to be wrapped up by August 2026. Through the 1 year and 3 months, the team of King has extensively shot the film all across the world for about 150+ days, with some of the biggest stunt teams of the world.

The action design of the film also requires state-of-art VFX, which is being done by Shah Rukh Khan's own company, Red Chillies Entertainment. With 6 months to go for the release, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learnt that King is set to become the most expensive film of Shah Rukh Khan's career, surpassing his previous best Jawan. "Shah Rukh Khan always believes in delivering an uncompromised product to the audience. King started-off as an action thriller, but the ambition of SRK and Sid have made it a tentpole action thriller, with some of the biggest action sequences that the audience will get to witness on the spectacle," a source told Bollywood Hungama.

The source further informs that the budget of King is around Rs. 450 crore, excluding print and publicity, as well as the acting fees of Shah Rukh Khan. "All the money spent is to ensure an uncompromised cinematic experience to the audience. You will see every penny spent by the makers on the screen, as it's a new Shah Rukh Khan experience," the source tells us further.

For those unaware, the budget of Jawan was also around the Rs. 400 crore mark, surpassing the budget of Pathaan at Rs. 350 crore. With King, the superstar is all set to raise the standards of action in India Cinema further.

Also Read: “Shah Rukh Khan rolled on the floor laughing”: Farah Khan recalls Main Hoon Naa stunt gone wrong!

The makers of Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story have unveiled the first-look poster of the much-awaited biographical drama on the occasion of former India captain Sourav Ganguly's birthday. Along with the poster, the team also confirmed that the film will release in theatres worldwide on May 14, 2027, during an extended holiday weekend.

The first-look poster features Rajkummar Rao recreating one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket history. The actor is seen portraying Ganguly during his iconic jersey-waving celebration from the Lord's balcony after India's memorable NatWest Trophy victory over England in 2002. The moment remains one of the defining images of Ganguly's captaincy and is widely remembered by cricket fans.

The film will trace Ganguly's journey from a promising young cricketer to one of India's most influential captains. It aims to explore key moments from his personal and professional life while highlighting the leadership, determination and resilience that shaped his career and left a lasting impact on Indian cricket.

The makers shared the first-look poster on social media, giving fans a glimpse of Rajkummar Rao's transformation into the former cricketer. The announcement has generated excitement among both cinema lovers and cricket enthusiasts, especially as it coincides with Ganguly's birthday.

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Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane and produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg under the banner of Luv Films. The project is presented by Gulshan Kumar, Bhushan Kumar, T-Series and DBL.

Rajkummar Rao, known for portraying real-life personalities on screen, takes on the role of Ganguly in what is expected to be one of his biggest films to date. The first-look poster suggests the film will revisit several landmark moments from the former Indian captain's career, beginning with one of his most celebrated on-field celebrations.

With filming progressing and the release date now locked, Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story is set to arrive in cinemas worldwide on May 14, 2027, bringing the story of one of Indian cricket's most successful captains to the big screen.

Also Read: Akash Makhija recalls Rajkummar Rao’s call after watching Raakh: “You guys have no idea what you’ve done”

The Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash and Sunny Deol led Ramayana produced by Namit Malhotra is among the most anticipated releases of the years. Mounted on a budget of Rs. 1500 crores, the first part of the epic saga directed by Nitesh Tiwari is all set for a theatrical release this Diwali. But obviously, everyone is making an attempt to grab the headlines with all possible updates on the film.

Earlier in the day, it was revealed that the all-India distribution rights of Namit Malhotra produced-Ramayana have been acquired by Dharma Productions for a sum of Rs. 250 crores. Turns out the amount is a lot higher. Reliable sources confirmed that the Hindi distribution rights of Namit Malhotra's Ramayana have been acquired by Karan Johar for a sum of Rs. 350 crores. "It's the biggest theatrical distribution deal of all time. The Rs. 350 crores fetched by Namit Malhotra's Ramayana is higher than the previous best, King, by a margin of Rs. 100 crores. The expectations are sky high, and the entire film fraternity is bullish on the prospects of Ramayana produced by Namit Malhotra," a source told Bollywood Hungama.

The source also confirmed that Dharma Production will be going all out to ensure the widest release for this epic tale celebrating triumph of good over evil. "Big plans are already underway for the theatrical release of Ramayana. It's undoubtedly the most awaited film of India with the biggest ever star-cast led by Ranbir Kapoor and Yash with Sai Pallavi and Sunny Deol. There are enquiries from all across the country, and the film is destined to rewrite box-office in India. Namit Malhotra has personally sat on the post-production of the film to ensure that the visuals represent India at a global level. He has created something special, and everyone is blown away with the epic vision."

The work on the theatrical trailer is going on in full swing. Ramayana is slated for a global release on October 30, 2026.

Also Read: Ramayana: Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions comes on board to distribute Ranbir Kapoor starrer in India, says report

When Satluj quietly appeared on ZEE5 late on Friday night, it felt to co-writer Niren Bhatt like the end of a three-year fight. By Sunday evening, that relief had vanished, with ZEE5 abruptly pulling the biographical drama from its platform in India.

A miraculous release, then silence

Originally titled Panjab 95, the film had spent three years mired in controversy, facing an unprecedented 127 cuts demanded by the CBFC. In an interview with Variety India, Bhatt recalled that the digital release came as a complete surprise. “Honestly, we only found out on Friday evening when we got a message saying it was live,” he said. “No one had a clue. We had completely given up hope that it would ever release. Honey (Trehan) was in talks with RSVP, but even he did not believe it would actually happen until it dropped. For the last four years, we have lived with these endless cycles of conversations, so when it finally went live, I genuinely believed it was safe.”

Comparisons to other controversial films

Bhatt pushed back against suggestions that Satluj could be exploited by “anti-India forces,” pointing to precedents in Hindi cinema. “That argument simply does not hold,” he said. “If The Kashmir Files can exist, if The Kerala Story can exist, why can they exist without being labeled tools for international forces? Why is our film the chosen one that will suddenly be misused by extreme elements? You cannot jump to far-fetched, paranoid conclusions just to suppress a straightforward biography. It makes absolutely no sense.”

He noted that the suppression had already backfired, with international curiosity fuelling a wave of piracy since the film remains accessible to audiences abroad. “Banning or restricting content is a false move because it only triggers immense curiosity,” Bhatt explained. “People loved the film. There are thousands of videos and tweets from viewers saying they broke down or were left speechless. When a movie evokes such a profound emotional reaction, word of mouth travels fast. If people cannot find it on an official platform, they will inevitably look elsewhere. It is deeply frustrating because this film belonged in theaters. They stopped our premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, they blocked the international theatrical release and now they are pausing it on OTT.”

Reflecting on the emotional cost of the fight, Bhatt admitted uncertainty over what it means for the future of courageous storytelling in the country. “The world needs stories like this,” he said, “but after watching what we went through, who will ever dare to attempt a movie like this again?”

Satluj remains unavailable for streaming in India, with no update on when it may return to ZEE5. Bhatt said the makers plan to challenge the decision in court, while the reasons behind the film's removal have not been officially disclosed.

Also Read: Satluj leaked online after abrupt Zee5 removal; social media rallies behind Diljit Dosanjh starrer

Corporate (2006) completed 20 years on July 7 and it’s a film that Madhur Bhandarkar considers his favourite. Starring Bipasha Basu, Kay Kay Menon, Raj Babbar and Rajat Kapoor, the film was loved for its subject, shocking climax, performances, music, etc. Despite dealing with the complex worlds of corporate business and the stock market, the narrative was easy to understand, an aspect that was widely praised by audiences and critics alike. On Corporate’s 20th anniversary, Madhur Bhandarkar went down memory lane and shared fascinating trivia.

You had made Page 3 (2005) and it was a sleeper-hit. What made you make a film on the corporate world at that stage?

Corporate was a film which was ahead of its time. It was a very different world for me. I didn’t have a story. The title fascinated me and I decided to make Corporate, obviously based on the corporate world. I collaborated with writer Manoj Tyagi, who had written Satta (2003) and Page 3 with me. He was an MBA guy and had a lot of knowledge, unlike me, about the corporate world.

After Page 3, I received a lot of backlash from the corporate people and socialites. A lot of people believed that we had exposed the underbelly of the high-end rich people. Hence, many were reluctant to give us access to their boardrooms (laughs)! They feared I’d expose them as well.

Nevertheless, I managed to do my research and met a lot of people in Mumbai and Delhi. We zeroed in on the rivalry between two soft drink giants as the crux of the story. We also focused on the nitty-gritties of these people and their superstitions. For instance, we showed Raj Babbar’s character wearing a ring according to the day of the week. The film was 70% inspired by real life. We took real incidents that happened at that time.

I met people not just from the corporate world but also the financial side. Several finance journalists also shared interesting inputs. I believe it was a well-scripted film and slickly cut.

Was Bipasha Basu the first choice?

She came to my mind instantly when I was wondering whom to cast for the role. At that time, she had an overtly glamorous image. Jism (2003) had released two years before. In Corporate, I was going to make her fully clothed from head to toe, that too in a suit-boot! Hence, many were apprehensive, but I was adamant about casting her. To be honest, I had not seen Jism; I still haven’t seen it. The only film of her that I had seen until then was Ajnabee (2001). I liked her in that film.

A lot of people remarked that my films are performance-heavy and wondered if she could pull it off. I was confident that I’d extract a fine performance from her. To date, Corporate is a landmark film in Bipasha Basu’s career. Now, it’s the era of OTT. At that time, she told me that she used to hand over the DVDs of Corporate to filmmakers who wanted to see her performance. It was like a showreel for her. So, I feel very happy for her.

How was the feedback to the film post-release?

Corporate was a big multiplex hit and was quite appreciated. There were organizations that alleged that I had painted everyone in the corporate world with the same brush. They were of the opinion that every character in the film was immoral. Hence, they feared that people would be discouraged from taking up an MBA after watching the film!

However, people from the corporate field appreciated the film a lot. Some of the biggest businessmen of the country sent me bouquets and shared their positive feedback. I don’t want to name them. They took the pains of finding my number and told me, ‘You got the nuances and jargon right’. One business personality remarked, ‘I felt as if you have put a camera in my office and shot the film. It is so real’! The stock market people were amazed by the research and nitty-gritties. Those were the biggest compliments I got.

In some offices, a half-day was declared and employees were encouraged to watch Corporate. Groups of 30, 40 and even 50 people used to watch the film. We can say that corporate booking, in a good way, started in 2006 with the movie Corporate (laughs)!

So, yes, the response was great. I used to get SMSes non-stop on my Nokia phone. Bipasha Basu was flooded with bouquets and positive feedback. Sahara and Percept threw a success party at Taj Lands End. They even gifted me a Pajero car. I was very overwhelmed.

Do you ever plan to make Corporate 2?

A lot of people have been asking me this since the release of Corporate, and even today, I continue to receive that feedback. The corporate world has completely changed since then, and I also believe that Corporate has immense potential for a sequel. So, never say never. However, if I do make it, it will be set in a different context, offer a different perspective and explore an entirely different corporate world.

Corporate is a case study in IIM Ahmedabad…

(Smiles) Indeed. I had the fortune of addressing the MBA students there. It was great to interact with them and they noticed something which I myself never detected in my own film! I asked the students about their takeaway. They unanimously told me, ‘Corporate world mein logon ko dimaag se kaam karna chahiye, dil se nahin’! I was amazed. I asked them the reason. They reasoned that Bipasha’s character made a big sacrifice because she was in love. Ultimately, her emotional decision led her to jail. Hence, they concluded that one needs to be very practical in this field.

It reminded me of what a lot of bar girls told me after watching Chandni Bar (2001). They noted, ‘Your film teaches us how important it is to be financially strong in life. Life mein kabhi bhi kuch bhi ho sakta hai aur bure din bolke nahin aate’.

The film seems to be inspired by the Coca-Cola and Pepsi rivalry. The pesticide angle also seems to be taken from real life…

Yes, a lot of people drew parallels. So many people told me that they had stopped consuming soft drinks after watching Corporate! I was flooded with such interesting feedback. Many who protested against the film before release invited me to their events after watching the film. I never kept any grudges and accepted such invitations.

In short, it’s been a great journey for me and even after 20 years, people connect with the film.

Also Read: Madhur Bhandarkar THUNDERS: “Producers complain that actors ask for 12-13 vanity vans. But if a prominent actor signs his film, same producer would have no qualms in arranging for 14 vans!”

Actor Neha Dhupia is all set to mark a major milestone in her career as her first international feature film, 52 Blue, gears up to open the prestigious London Indian Film Festival with its European premiere at BFI Southbank on July 9.

The film has received an overwhelmingly positive response for Neha’s striking transformation and powerful performance. Audiences and critics alike have praised the emotional depth of the film, making 52 Blue one of the most anticipated showcases at the festival this year.

Adding to the excitement, globally celebrated football icon Lionel Messi is also associated with the film, further amplifying international attention around the project. The film’s global appeal, coupled with its emotionally rich storytelling, has made it a standout title on the festival circuit. Neha Dhupia will be attending the grand premiere in London alongside acclaimed actor Adil Hussain and the ensemble cast of the film. The premiere is expected to draw international cinema lovers, industry veterans, and members of the South Asian film community from across the globe.

Speaking about this special moment, Neha Dhupia shared, “52 Blue will always be an incredibly special film for me because it marks my first international project, and to see it opening a festival as prestigious as the London Indian Film Festival feels surreal. As actors, we constantly seek stories that move us, challenge us, and stay with us long after the camera stops rolling, and this film did exactly that for me. The response to the trailer has been deeply encouraging, especially the love coming in for my character and performance. It reassures you that audiences are connecting with the emotional world of the film.”

She further added, “To have our European premiere at the iconic BFI Southbank is a huge honour for the entire team. Sharing this moment with such talented co-actors like Adil Hussain and the rest of the cast makes it even more memorable. The association of someone as globally admired as Lionel Messi with the film has also brought an incredible spotlight to the project internationally. I genuinely cannot wait to experience the audience reaction in London and celebrate this journey with everyone who has been part of bringing 52 Blue to life.”

With international attention building steadily around the film, 52 Blue is poised to make a strong impact at the London Indian Film Festival, setting the stage for an exciting global journey ahead.

Also Read: 52 Blue first look out: Neha Dhupia steps into raw, deglam avatar in debut international film

Actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh has reacted for the first time after his latest film Satluj, originally titled Punjab 95, was removed from ZEE5 in India just two days after its release. While the actor did not directly address the controversy, he shared a powerful social media post to comment on the film's sudden disappearance from the streaming platform.

Directed by Honey Trehan, Satluj premiered on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026, in its original and unaltered form, bypassing a theatrical release. However, on the evening of July 5, the platform announced that the film would no longer be available for streaming in India, citing "current developments." Diljit Dosanjh shares first reaction Taking to Instagram, Diljit first shared a still from Satluj along with a cryptic yet powerful caption. "I challenge the darkness," he wrote. He also added a message in Punjabi that drew a direct comparison between the film's fate and the life of the man whose story inspired it. "The same thing that happened to Satluj also happened to Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra."

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  A post shared by DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh)

Soon after, during a live interaction with fans, Diljit spoke candidly about the events surrounding the film's removal from ZEE5. According to the actor, he had anticipated such a development even before it happened. "My love and respect to all of you. What I had already expected is exactly what happened. I thought the film might get banned when offices will open on Monday, but I didn't know it would happen as early as Sunday evening," he said.

Diljit also revealed that the uncertainty surrounding the film's future influenced the team's promotional strategy. He explained that they consciously chose not to mount an extensive marketing campaign because they feared it could have jeopardised the film's release altogether. Despite the film being removed from streaming in India, the actor expressed satisfaction that audiences had at least managed to watch it during the short window it was available.

"But now I have the satisfaction that at least our work has reached people the way we wanted it to. People have already downloaded it. One thing that made me especially happy was seeing that they're even screening the movie with a projector at Gurudwara Sahib. It brought me immense joy to see that," the Amar Singh Chamkila actor shared.

Reflecting on the digital age, Diljit added, "Once something is on the internet, I don't think it can ever truly be deleted."

The actor also spoke about the years of effort that went into bringing Satluj to audiences. Calling it a long and emotionally demanding journey, he revealed that the team had spent nearly six to seven years working on the project and had faced several obstacles along the way.

"We've been fighting for four years. Who knows, maybe it'll come back again if we get another chance to continue the fight. But I'm content that the movie is finally out," he said.

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ZEE5 explains why Satluj was removed Announcing the decision, ZEE5 released a statement confirming that Satluj had been withdrawn from its Indian library until further notice.

"In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity," the streaming platform said.

The platform also thanked audiences for their overwhelming response to the film during the brief period it was available.

"We are deeply grateful to every viewer who chose to subscribe, watch, and champion the film. Your love and support have meant a great deal to us and to everyone who brought this story to life. At ZEE5, we stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe powerful storytelling has the ability to inspire, endure, and leave a lasting impact," the statement added. The controversy surrounding Satluj Satluj is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed the alleged extrajudicial killings and illegal mass cremations of thousands of unidentified Sikh youths during Punjab's militancy era in the 1990s. Khalra later disappeared in 1995 under mysterious circumstances.

Before its release, the film had remained embroiled in controversy for years. Reports suggested that the Central Board of Film Certification had sought more than 120 cuts, including the removal of references to Punjab and the Punjab Police, as well as changes to the identity of the real-life protagonist.

Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun Rampal starrer Satluj begins streaming on ZEE5; Honey Trehan directorial inspired by the life of Jaswant Singh