Actor and filmmaker Sayani Gupta has filed a Rs 9 crores defamation suit before the Mumbai City Civil Court against filmmaker Vinita Negi over allegations surrounding her directorial debut, the short fiction film Aasmani. The case, titled Sayani Gupta v. Vinita Negi & Ors., has also named Meta, Reddit and Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited as defendants.

An application seeking an urgent hearing and interim relief was likely to be listed before additional sessions judge Shudhirkumar Murlidharrao Bukke on September 3.

The dispute began after Negi, an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), accused Gupta of copyright infringement and breach of trust. Negi had alleged that Aasmani drew substantially from her unfinished documentary Prabha, with both projects featuring an elderly woman and a vintage car.

Gupta has now denied the allegations and claimed in her suit that they were false, misleading, unsubstantiated and defamatory. Her plea argued that copyright law protects original expression rather than broad or abstract ideas.

“The mere presence of an elderly woman, a car, a driver or any other generic element in a creative work does not confer upon Negi a monopoly over such ideas or concepts,” the suit stated.

According to Gupta’s plea, Negi approached the Screenwriters Association (SWA) with a complaint in April 2026. While the proceedings were pending, Negi allegedly circulated a “Statement of Support” on WhatsApp and social media seeking backing from members of the film fraternity. The suit claimed that the campaign received more than 250 signatures.

Gupta further alleged that the controversy resulted in professional damage, including the withdrawal of Aasmani from the Indian Film Festival of New Zealand (TIFFNZ).

She has sought Rs 9 crores in damages, along with directions to Meta, Reddit and Deccan Chronicle to remove allegedly defamatory content. She has also sought an unconditional apology and public retraction from Negi.

Also Read : Sayani Gupta’s directorial debut Aasmani pulled from Indian Film Festival of New Zealand amid copyright dispute

The Hindi film industry is known for its interconnected film families, with several prominent surnames sharing both professional and personal ties. From the Kapoors and Bachchans to the Salim Khan, Allu, Konidela, Akkineni and Daggubati families, relationships between members of different film clans have often brought them closer. A similar connection between Amitabh Bachchan and Saif Ali Khan came to light during a recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).

Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar appeared together on the popular quiz show to promote their upcoming crime thriller Haiwaan, directed by Priyadarshan. During the episode, host Amitabh Bachchan revealed a family connection between himself and Saif, leaving both actors surprised.

Amitabh Bachchan explains his connection with Saif Ali Khan

While speaking to Saif, Amitabh Bachchan said, “Many people don’t know this, but he is related to me.” Saif appeared surprised and responded, “Me?” Akshay Kumar was also taken aback by the revelation.

Explaining the connection, Amitabh said, “Raj Kapoor’s daughter Ritu Kapoor’s son, Nikhil Nanda, is married to my daughter, Shweta Bachchan.”

The connection stems from Saif’s marriage to Kareena Kapoor Khan. Kareena is the daughter of Randhir Kapoor and Babita, and Randhir is Raj Kapoor’s son. This makes Kareena and Nikhil Nanda first cousins, linking Saif’s family with the Kapoor family through marriage and, consequently, creating a connection with the Bachchan family.

Amitabh then added a humorous question, saying, “So, now I want to know, how should I address Kareena? What will Kareena call me?” Saif responded with a witty remark: “Thank god that’s not a question (on KBC screen),” leaving Amitabh and Akshay laughing.

Amitabh and Kareena have previously worked together in films including Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Dev (2004) and Satyagraha (2013). He has also shared the screen with Saif in Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007) and Aarakshan (2011).

About Haiwaan

Directed by Priyadarshan, Haiwaan also stars Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Rajpal Yadav, Sharib Hashmi, Rajesh Sharma, Pahal Chaudhary and Manoj Joshi in key roles. The film is a remake of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam film Oppam, which starred Mohanlal in the lead role.

The upcoming crime thriller features music by Pritam, cinematography by Divakar Mani, production design by Sabu Cyril and editing by Aiyappan Nair MS. Haiwaan is scheduled to release worldwide on Friday, September 11.

Also Read : Adnan Sami shares WILD Amitabh Bachchan studio story: “We got bedsheets, kept the speakers on and recorded him live…this was NEVER done before”

Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film King continues to generate considerable buzz, with the Siddharth Anand directorial bringing together an impressive ensemble cast. The action entertainer stars Shah Rukh Khan in the lead and features Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Suhana Khan, Raghav Juyal and Arshad Warsi, among others. In an exclusive conversation with Filmfare, Warsi opened up about his association with the highly anticipated project and revealed details about his role.

According to Warsi, his part in King is relatively small. However, the limited screen time was never a concern for the actor when he was approached for the film. Instead, his fondness for Shah Rukh Khan and his family played a major role in his decision to come on board.

Warsi has already shared a professional connection with the Khan family. He previously worked with Shah Rukh’s son Aryan Khan on his debut show, The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. Recalling how he responded when both Aryan and Shah Rukh approached him for their respective projects, Warsi explained that his affection for the family made the decision easy.

“In King, I have just got a little role. I love the Khan family. When Aryan called me up for The Ba***ds of Bollywood, I did it. When Shah Rukh called me up for King, I did it. It is a small bit that I have done. I just like them. So I did it,” Arshad told Filmfare.

Directed by Siddharth Anand, King is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures. The film is scheduled to hit theatres on December 24, 2026.

Meanwhile, Warsi has several projects in the pipeline. He will next be seen in Jeevan Bheema Yojana, a dark comedy in which he plays a double role. He will also feature in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Ghamasaan, which is set to premiere on ZEE5 on September 11. Additionally, the actor has Golmaal 5 lined up, although its release date is yet to be announced.

Also Read : Jeevan Bheema Yojana Trailer: Arshad Warsi plays a double role as Sanjeeda Shaikh starrer dark comedy promises crime, chaos and suspense

Amazon MGM Studios and Drongo Films are preparing to release the trailer of Kunal Kemmu’s upcoming spy comedy Vibe. The trailer is expected to reveal more about the unusual mission involving two reluctant spies, played by Kunal Kemmu and Sparsh Shrivastava. The trailer arrives a few weeks after the film’s teaser generated interest around its quirky premise.

A special detail that viewers can look forward to is the appearance of Sharmila Tagore, who will reportedly make a cameo in the film. The appearance is particularly notable as Sharmila is Kunal Kemmu’s mother-in-law. Her cameo in Vibe will mark her first Hindi film appearance in three years, following her performance in Rahul V Chittella’s family drama Gulmohar, which premiered directly on JioHotstar.

Sharmila was last seen in Suman Ghosh’s Bengali psychological film Puratawn. With Vibe scheduled to arrive in cinemas on September 18, the film will also mark her first big-screen appearance in a Hindi film in 16 years. Her previous Hindi theatrical release was Danish Aslam’s 2010 romantic comedy Break Ke Baad, in which she played the mother of Deepika Padukone’s character.

The project also marks Sharmila’s first collaboration with son-in-law Kunal Kemmu. Interestingly, she has shared the screen with her daughter Soha Ali Khan only once, in the 2009 English-language family drama Life Goes On. She also appeared alongside son Saif Ali Khan in Eklavya in 2007.

For Kunal, Vibe is another major step behind the camera following the success of his 2024 directorial debut Madgaon Express. Unlike that film, where he only appeared in a cameo, Vibe features him in the lead while also crediting him as its writer and director. The film additionally marks his debut as a producer alongside Chirag Nihalani under their banner Drongo Films.

The teaser introduced Preity Zinta as a government official who kidnaps two clueless friends and recruits them for a mission to save the nation. Kunal’s character, however, is reluctant to become a spy and even takes a humorous dig at Preity’s 1998 action thriller Soldier, starring Bobby Deol.

Also Read : Kangana Ranaut hits back at Sharmila Tagore over ‘Vande Mataram’ remarks: “How can you reduce such a great piece of art to mere religious practice”

Govinda’s wife Sunita Ahuja has expressed concern over the devastating floods in Nepal and urged members of the Bollywood fraternity to come forward and support those affected by the disaster. Although Sunita was born in India, she shares a close connection with Nepal through her family, as her mother and grandmother are from Kathmandu.

Speaking to Bombay Times, Sunita opened up about her emotional ties to the neighbouring country and the impact of the recent flash floods in the Nepal-Tibet region. She also recalled her family’s annual tradition of visiting Nepal during the New Year and seeking blessings at the Pashupatinath Temple.

She said, “It is heartbreaking to see such devastating floods hit Nepal. I wasn’t born there, but my mother and grandmother are from Kathmandu. I visit Nepal every year with my daughter for the New Year. On January 1, we make it a point to visit the Pashupatinath temple and begin the year with his blessings.”

Sunita further revealed that she is trying to find a reliable channel through which her financial contribution can reach people directly affected by the floods. She said, “I am trying to connect with someone who can ensure that my donation reaches the right people. I would like to donate as much as I can because they are very close to me, and Nepal is my matrabhoomi. I request everyone in the industry to come forward and contribute towards helping the people of Nepal.”

Sunita also spoke about actor Manisha Koirala, whom she considers a sister. She expressed confidence that Koirala is also doing her part to help people affected by the devastation.

Meanwhile, Manisha Koirala recently addressed Sadhguru’s ‘In Solidarity with Nepal’ event in Kathmandu. She appealed to the international community to support Nepal by visiting the country and helping revive tourism, which she described as essential for local livelihoods.

According to reports, Nepal’s death toll had risen to at least 904, while more than 4,000 people were still reported missing.

Also Read : Sunita Ahuja withdraws divorce case against Govinda, visits Mumbai family court with son Yashvardhan

Vodafone Idea has announced Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan as its new brand ambassador as the telecom company unveiled a revamped brand identity, including a new logo that changes from “V!” to “Vi”. The company also launched a new campaign titled Vi badal raha hai... tayaar rahiye.

Khan, popularly known as SRK, will endorse the telecom service provider for the duration of the campaign, although the company has not specified how long the association will continue. The announcement comes as Vodafone Idea, backed by the Aditya Birla Group, works to strengthen its position in the competitive telecom market while seeking funding for its planned Rs 45,000 crores capital expenditure over the next three years.

Vodafone Idea CEO Abhijit Kishore said, “This is not simply a logo refresh, it is the first expression of the evolution we are bringing to the Vi Brand. It reflects our ambition for Vi and commitment to shaping what telecom can be – an experience that makes life more rewarding, and full of possibilities for our customers.”

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Kishore further outlined the company's plans for the coming weeks, saying, “Over the coming weeks, this evolution will come alive with strategic launches, new campaigns and a range of experiences that will shape how we engage with our customers. The new identity captures optimism—an optimism for everything that is possible today, more importantly for what we can bring to both; our retail customers and enterprises in the future as a tech co.”

The development comes amid Vodafone Idea's efforts to raise funds for network expansion. Business Standard had reported that the telecom operator was close to securing financing from State Bank of India, with its promoters backing guarantees for the proposed loans. The company raised Rs 6,400 crores through bank-funded and non-funded facilities in the quarter ended June, marking the first tranche of its planned ₹35,000 crore fundraising.

The funds are expected to support its 4G expansion and 5G rollout plans. Vodafone Idea also added 240,114 customers in July, its highest monthly addition in two years. This marked its fourth consecutive quarter of net customer additions since the beginning of FY27 and its sixth consecutive month of gains since February.

Customer additions form one of the three key pillars of Vodafone Idea's Vi 2.0 strategy, alongside double-digit revenue growth and a target to triple cash Ebitda over the next three years.

Aditya Birla Group chairman and Vodafone Idea non-executive chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla has said the company had moved beyond its “most challenging years” with improved financial clarity, continued promoter support and renewed investment capacity following the resolution of the long-pending adjusted gross revenue (AGR) issue.

“FY26 was a year of resolution. FY27 begins a period of execution,” Birla said in his address to shareholders in the annual report for FY26.

“The priorities ahead are clear: Execute the network investment programme, strengthen market competitiveness and translate a stronger balance sheet into sustained growth in customers and earnings," he had specified.

Also Read : King100: Teaser of Nagarjuna starrer unveiled on his birthday; film to clash with Shah Rukh Khan starrer King

Before she became an overnight sensation with Mohit Suri’s romantic blockbuster Saiyaara (2025), actor Aneet Padda had already quietly wrapped another project—the socio-thriller Hunkkaar. Long delayed behind studio doors, the series is now finally gearing up for a high-profile digital release, with its official teaser slated to drop today.

Industry sources reveal that Hunkkaar was shot and completed well before Saiyaara vaulted Padda into mainstream stardom. However, the decision to hold the project was purely strategic. Studios waited until the actor’s box-office clout and market appeal surged, transforming a shelved project into a commercially viable, headline-worthy event release.

Contrary to the perception that Hunkkaar was offered to Padda following her breakout, the project was actually born out of her long-standing professional proximity to directors Nitya Mehra and Karan Kapadia. It was Padda’s deep-rooted creative trust with the duo—combined with her post-Saiyaara box-office heat—that ultimately catalyzed the show’s revival and distribution path.

With the teaser landing today, Hunkkaar represents an intriguing career milestone for Aneet Padda. Besides Aneet, the show will also star Fatima Sana Shaikh, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and Arjun Mathur in the lead.

The socio-thriller brings together a formidable lineup of backing studios: it is produced by Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment, in association with Purple Pebble Pictures, while Mangata Films serves as the primary production house. The highly anticipated series is set to premiere globally on JioHotstar.

Also Read: Aneet Padda approached for crucial role opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Brahmastra 2