A.R. Murugadoss director of Sikandar starring Salman Khan. Released as a pan-India project, the film failed to meet expectations from both fans and critics. Speaking for the first time about its underwhelming performance, Murugadoss reflected on the experience, noting that the sense of satisfaction and emotional connection one feels when creating a film in their mother tongue is often missing when working in other languages.

In an interview with Cinema Vikatan, AR Murugadoss explained, “Only when a film is made in one's mother language can the behaviour, culture, and what the audience wants of that community be understood. Accordingly, trends can be incorporated into the film. That will create a strong connection. But this is not possible when doing films in other languages. You just have to trust the script.”

AR Murugadoss also shared the challenges he faces while directing films in Hindi, particularly in grasping the language and its cultural nuances. “The dialogue we write is translated in several stages. The question arises as to what that original idea is. As a director, only if you understand the language well can you infuse the full emotion into the film. That is why my full potential can only be revealed in mother language films,” said Murugadoss with conviction.

AR Murugadoss’s statement surprised many, especially since Sikandar wasn’t his first venture into Hindi cinema. Previously, he had directed Ghajini, a remake of his own Tamil film, and Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty starring Akshay Kumar, which was also adapted from a Tamil original. While both films were well-received—Holiday in particular garnered positive reviews and was commercially successful—Sikandar marked a departure as it was an original script rather than a remake, setting it apart from his earlier Hindi directorials.

Also Read : 50 days to go! Countdown to the release of AR Murugadoss’s keenly-awaited Dil Madharaasi starring Sivakarthikeyan begins

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Mrunal Thakur isn't following trends; she's blazing her own trail. With each traditional look, she is defining what it means to be a fashion-forward stunner. It is not unknown that she serves statements in the western fashion space, and she also does not fail to hit the ball out of the park with her traditional spark. Here's looking at five times the birthday girl knew how to serve traditional fashion moments and leave her fans breathless during the process.

Lavender charm: Mrunal Thakur radiated traditional elegance in a lavender anarkali, loaded with intricate embellishments all over. Keeping the whole appearance simple yet elegant, Mrunal accessorised her look with diamond jewellery, making a case for traditional elegance.

 

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Purple bliss: Mrunal Thakur channeled her inner queen in a purple Banarasi saree with golden prints. The actress radiated traditional elegance by accessorising her look with fresh gajras, heavy jhumkas and chunky handpieces.

 

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Ivory grace: Mrunal Thakur looked as radiant as ever in an ivory anarkali, featuring a detailed border and striking motifs all across the outfit. She styled her hair in voluminous waves and accessorised her look with chandbalis.

 

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Pastel love: Mrunal Thakur stunned in a pastel outfit featuring rich embroidery across the upper half and full-fledged flair at the bottom. Letting the outfit speak for itself, Mrunal styled her hair in a sleek bun and simply accessorised her ensemble with heavy earrings.

 

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Yellow elegance: Mrunal Thakur looked as fresh as a daisy in a bright yellow lehenga and paired it with a mirror-worked blouse. She completed her look with a vibrant dupatta featuring a cutout border, providing an extra edge to the outfit's appeal. Mrunal layered her ensemble with heavy jewellery and dished out ultimate traditional fashion goals.

 

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When it comes to traditional fashion, Mrunal Thakur's selective choices prove that she's a standout in every sense!

Also Read: Mrunal Thakur trained for 3 months to play the Dhol in Son of Sardaar 2; her viral BTS video will leave you cheering

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The Saiyaara craze has taken the country by storm, catapulting Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda to instant fame. During a recent conversation with Komal Nahta, director Mohit Suri shared that Ahaan was initially supposed to debut in a grand YRF project, but it was ultimately scrapped. He also mentioned spending four months working closely with Ahaan to help him look more mature on screen.

Mohit Suri revealed that Ahaan and Aneet each had distinct paths leading up to their debut. He said, “Ahaan has been doing acting workshops with YRF for the last seven years. Before COVID, Ahaan and YRF were planning a grand, larger-than-life film. But post-COVID, cinema changed, and the project was dropped. The same guy who was telling everyone about his big launch—his pride and confidence were completely shattered.”

He went on to say, “People began asking him, ‘Weren’t you supposed to be launched by YRF? What happened now?’ I just know that Aditya Chopra called him after COVID and told him, ‘My faith in you hasn't diminished, but I won’t mind if you start your career elsewhere.’ But Ahaan responded, ‘No, I’ll be launched by YRF only.’ Vo bach gaya. kyunki agar pehle launch hota toh bhut chota lagta. I spent four months with him to make him appear more mature.”

The romantic musical drama follows the journey of Krrish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), a struggling musician in pursuit of fame and success. Along the way, he meets Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), an aspiring journalist who later becomes his lyricist. As their relationship blossoms into love, they face several hurdles that put their connection and strength to the test. The film resonated deeply with audiences and has gone on to become the highest-grossing love story in Indian cinema.

Also Read : Saiyaara Box Office: Mohit Suri directorial surpasses Pathaan, Kabir Singh, Sanju and Bajrangi Bhaijaan; breaks into Top 15 All-Time Highest Second Monday grossers

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The much-awaited action-comedy Son of Sardaar 2 is all set to storm cinemas this Friday, August 1, 2025. Headlined by Ajay Devgn and backed by Jio Studios, the film’s advance bookings are now officially open — and to sweeten the deal for fans, the makers have announced a special Buy One Get One Free (BOGO) ticket offer, applicable only for first day shows across select theatres.

The promotional offer is a strategic push to boost footfalls on opening day and create early buzz for the sequel, which follows up on the 2012 hit Son of Sardaar. The film promises to retain the franchise’s signature mix of slapstick humour, over-the-top action, and Punjabi family drama — all centred around Devgn’s larger-than-life persona.

'SON OF SARDAAR 2' ADVANCE BOOKINGS OPEN – BOGO OFFER ANNOUNCED... #SonOfSardaar2 advance bookings are now LIVE.#AjayDevgn and #JioStudios have announced a special BOGO [Buy One Get One] free ticket offer – valid only for *first day shows*. Releasing in cinemas THIS FRIDAY [1… pic.twitter.com/YfIMIsGuMf

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 30, 2025

However, despite the fanfare, Son of Sardaar 2 faces an uphill battle at the box office. The film’s release is wedged between two high-profile titles — Saiyaara, which continues to dominate screens since its release last Friday, and the much-hyped War 2, slated to release just a week later on August 8. Both films have strong brand pull and big stars, creating stiff competition and potentially dividing audience attention and screen space.

Additionally, while the BOGO offer may help drive higher occupancy on Day 1, it could also impact the film’s opening day revenue. With one free ticket given for every purchase, net collections for Friday could take a hit, particularly in urban centres where the offer is expected to see significant uptake. While this may work to Son of Sardaar 2’s advantage in terms of packed houses and social media chatter, it could dampen the immediate financial return — a factor that holds weight in today’s aggressively competitive box office landscape.

Nevertheless, the film benefits from Ajay Devgn’s mass appeal and the nostalgia attached to the first installment. If early audience reactions are positive, the film could find its footing through strong word-of-mouth, especially in single screens and smaller centres where Devgn continues to draw a loyal base.

As Friday approaches, all eyes will be on how Son of Sardaar 2 navigates the crowd and the commerce — and whether this gamble of timing and ticketing will pay off.

Also Read: Son of Sardaar 2 – Five challenges that lie ahead for the movie at the box office

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Tanishaa Mukerji has come out strongly in defence of the recently released romantic musical Saiyaara, after a podcast speaker accused the film’s team of paying Gen-Z audiences to create emotional scenes in theatres for promotional purposes.

The controversial statement was made during The Asymmetric Crew podcast, which featured the creator of The Barber Shop with Shantanu. A speaker, during a candid segment, alleged that the emotional reactions seen in theatres post-Saiyaara screenings were not genuine. “What's happening with this ridiculous Saiyaara movie. The producer of this movie, in my view, has paid ₹500 in dehadi to lots of these Gen-Z young folks to go into these theatres and put on emotional performances of crying… This is how the movie is getting promoted by the way. The whole world has now become a bunch of performers,” the speaker claimed, sparking outrage online.

In a sharp rebuttal, actress and producer Tanishaa Mukerji dismissed the criticism, calling it baseless and regressive. “Completely disagree. Times are changing and these people are stuck in the past. Love and appreciate the new. And honestly, what rubbish is this man saying? Does he know anything for a fact. He is using the phenomenon of Saiyaara to get views by talking negatively. If people are reacting to a film what is so wrong about that. Just because he cannot relate doesn’t mean the younger generation doesn’t either. Every generation is different. This is India. We react. Go watch the film see how the audiences are moved. Then talk. This is just Bollywood bashing! Brands just have to find new ways to connect to their audiences!” Tanisha said in a strongly worded statement.

Saiyaara has become somewhat of a cultural moment ever since its release, especially among younger audiences. The film marks the Bollywood debut of Ahaan Panday, nephew of veteran actor Chunky Panday, alongside newcomer Aneet Padda. Directed by Mohit Suri and produced under the Yash Raj Films banner, the film blends soulful music with an intense love story.

While the debate rages on about modern film marketing and audience behavior, Tanishaa’s statement has sparked an important conversation on generational shifts and how emotion-driven content connects with evolving viewers.

Also Read: Saiyaara Box Office: Mohit Suri directorial surpasses Pathaan, Kabir Singh, Sanju and Bajrangi Bhaijaan; breaks into Top 15 All-Time Highest Second Monday grossers

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Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, featuring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, brings back the charm of old-school romantic storytelling in Hindi cinema with its captivating visuals and soulful music. One such track is ‘Tum Ho Toh’, composed by Vishal Mishra, sung by Vishal Mishra and Hansika Pareek, with lyrics penned by Raj Shekhar. In a recent YRF video, the team behind the song shared insights into its creation.

Talking about the creation of ‘Tum Ho Toh’, Mohit Suri said, “Vishal and me go a long way, and while everyone is going to him with the very serious, somber, angsty songs, I said, there’s a happy side to you, Vishal. There’s a fun side to you, and let’s make a song on that side. But still in the romantic thing, which is not emotionless. And that’s how ‘Tum Ho Toh’ came.”

Singer Vishal Mishra shared his experience working with Mohit Suri, saying, “He believes that I should make more fun songs. And he said, I want you to make a song that is fun yet soulful, yet romantic, and yet very exuberant of young love. It was beautiful. So we had to make a very fresh song. And Raj Shekhar was there and he came up with my most favorite line of the song. That if you are around me, everything is just beautiful.”

Raj Shekhar said, “Mohit sir’s brief was to create a song that carries the energy of youth but also has a certain stillness to it. Like one of the lines says, ‘Even recklessness with you feels like peace.’ I had written the initial part of the song first, and Vishal composed it based on that. From there, the song started to take shape.”

Talking about working with Vishal Mishra, Mohit Suri said, “Vishal hears a brief of the whole film and the story and he says what is the thought you know it just comes to him it’s like ‘I’m feeling this, I’m feeling that’. You know what I like about Vishal is he can work with you for the whole day and then turn around and tell you we need to make something better.”

Describing the emotion behind the song, Raj Shekhar said, “It’s about two people coming together and trying to find eternity in a single moment. I feel that when two beautiful hearts meet, that one moment becomes something that lasts forever.”

Vishal added, “It comes from a beautiful place, a Sufi space. So it’s special for me, very, very special to Raj ji, and to Mohit as well. I want you to go and give it all your love—make it your own song. You’ll find a part of yourself in it, some vulnerable, scattered piece of your soul.”

Also Read: Making of Saiyaara song ‘Humsafar’: Singer duo Sachet-Parampara say, “In this song, you’ll notice the dynamic between the male and female energies”

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In a strategic move to modernize its heritage brand, Vasmol has officially signed acclaimed actress Vidya Balan as the brand ambassador for its newly launched Vasmol Henna Crème Hair Colour and Shampoo Hair Colour lines. This launch marks a shift to a newer format—amenity‑based, ammonia‑free crème products—blending traditional henna benefits with modern convenience.

Vasmol’s CEO, Dheeraj Arora, highlighted the brand’s legacy, “For over six decades, Vasmol has been an integral part of Indian homes, cherished not just in daily rituals but also deeply within our hearts. Our newest offering, Vasmol Henna Crème Hair Colour, signifies another meaningful step forward, where tradition meets modern convenience. Vidya Balan is the perfect embodiment of Vasmol's core values, rooted in tradition yet modern in her choices. Her authentic persona resonates deeply with Indian women who value genuine, enduring beauty.”

Priyanka Puri, Senior VP–Marketing at Vasmol’s parent company HRIPL, reinforced this alignment, “The launch of Vasmol Henna Crème Hair Colour marks a pivotal moment in our brand journey, where tradition meets modern science. It’s more than just a product; it’s a promise of safe, ammonia-free grey coverage rooted in the timeless power of henna and enriched with the convenience of a crème format for today’s discerning woman. We are excited to have Vidya Balan. Her elegance, authenticity, and strong voice for self-expression perfectly mirror our brand’s ethos. She embodies the modern Indian woman who embraces her roots while moving forward with confidence. With Vidya as our ambassador, we aim to deepen consumer trust and strengthen Vasmol’s legacy across generations. Together, we proudly say— ‘Surakshit rahe mere baal, Vasmol Henna Crème Hair Colour ka kamaal.”

Vidya Balan herself expressed excitement for the partnership, “Every woman wants to look and feel her best without compromising on care. Henna has always been a special part of our culture. Vasmol Henna Crème Hair Colour brings that familiar goodness in a modern, no-ammonia format that women can trust. It’s safe, rooted, and beautiful, everything I believe in. I’m excited to be back with the brand that celebrates natural beauty and the joy of being yourself.”

The new product range is available in budget‑friendly pack sizes, starting from 25 ml, and is accessible across leading retail outlets nationwide. This campaign launch comes amidst a broader trend of major Indian brands onboarding well-respected female celebrities—such as Triptii Dimri, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Jasprit Bumrah, and Sachin Tendulkar—to strengthen emotional connect and brand narrative across Bharat.

Also Read : Vidya Balan shuts down body image critics; says, “I actually believe there is nothing wrong with me”

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