After Singham Again (2024), blockbuster filmmaker Rohit Shetty began working on a gritty action entertainer based on the life of decorated police officer Rakesh Maria. In January this year, Bollywood Hungama was the first one to reveal that the film has been titled Maria IPS. Now we bring to you another interesting piece of information about this film.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “John Abraham will be seen in a never-before-seen avatar in the film. Maria IPS spans nearly 40 years in the life of Rakesh Maria, tracing his journey from his 20s to his 60s. For the portions featuring Maria in his 20s and 30s, John bulked up and put on muscle to look the part. For the scenes where the character is in his late 50s and 60s, the actor underwent another physical transformation, losing weight to sport a leaner and fitter look.”

The source further said, “John Abraham has never undergone this kind of physical transformation for a film before. Audiences will get to see him across different stages of Rakesh Maria’s life, and his transformation is sure to take them by surprise.”

The shoot of Maria IPS began in July 2025, with the first schedule taking place at Ellora Studios near Mumbai, where a police station set was erected. During the two-week schedule, John Abraham and Rohit Shetty filmed several dramatic police station scenes and high-intensity interrogation sequences.

In February, we reported that portions of Maria IPS were also shot at various Western Railway premises. Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway (WR), exclusively told Bollywood Hungama, “John Abraham shot at the WR Headquarters in Churchgate, Lower Parel railway station and Mumbai Central railway station for Maria IPS.”

Also Read: SCOOP: John Abraham reunites with The Diplomat director Shivam Nair for two-hero action thriller

Filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi has spoken about his shelved film based on the Battle of Saragarhi and alleged that Karan Johar and Akshay Kumar’s Kesari affected the prospects of his project. Santoshi claimed that his film, which featured Randeep Hooda in the lead, was already being made when Kesari was announced and eventually released on the same historical subject.

Talking about his vision for the project, Santoshi said he wanted to make an authentic and realistic film. “We wanted to make an honest and real film. We had an audition, real Sardars. The people who had not touched the blood had auditioned them. We had them ready. We had a shoot in the 20 days, in Ganga Nagar, in Rajasthan.”

Santoshi also praised Randeep Hooda for his dedication to the role and his transformation for the film. He said, “Randeep Hooda is a great actor, a great man. He had completely become a Sardar after growing a beard.”

The filmmaker then addressed the making of Kesari, which starred Akshay Kumar and was produced by Karan Johar. Santoshi said he felt the makers should have approached him before making a film on the same subject, especially since his project was already in production.

He said, “In the industry, they have made Kesari. Karan Johar and Akshay Kumar made it. At least, they should have asked us. The industry is one family.”

Santoshi further claimed that the release of Kesari affected his film’s prospects with OTT and satellite platforms. According to him, people from these platforms who had been discussing his project backed out because they preferred to work with a major producer and a major star.

He explained, “When they made Kesari, the OTT and satellite and digital people, whom we were talking to, backed out. Because Akshay Kumar is a very big star and Karan Johar is a very big producer. They knew that they would make a film quickly and release it, so our business would not work.”

Santoshi alleged that this eventually left his project stuck despite having already completed 20 days of shooting. “So, my picture, it got stuck. After 20 days of shooting, the picture was shut down,” he said.

His remarks shed light on the challenges faced by filmmakers when two projects based on the same historical event are developed simultaneously, particularly when one involves a major Bollywood star and a leading production house.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Sunny Deol and Rajkumar Santoshi set to reunite after Batwara 1947, exploring Ghatak sequel

Aditya Seal and his wife, actor Anushka Ranjan, have stepped into parenthood with double the joy. The couple has welcomed twin baby girls and shared the news with their fans on social media. Along with announcing the arrival of their daughters, Anushka and Aditya also revealed their names, making the occasion even more special for their followers.

The twins were born on August 23, 2026. The couple introduced their daughters as Vira Ranjan Seal and Mahi Ranjan Seal through an adorable announcement card featuring illustrations of two little girls. Aditya also shared a heartfelt note on Instagram, expressing his happiness and gratitude as the family begins this new chapter. "My sunshines are here to brighten our lives. Our hearts are full of love and gratitude. Vira ♾️ Mahi #TeamGirl."

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The couple had announced Anushka’s pregnancy earlier this year through a series of maternity photographs. In May 2026, Anushka spoke to HT City about sharing the news and explained why they had waited before making the announcement. She said, “We are a little late in sharing the news as the baby is set to arrive in September. We wanted to give ourselves some time, hence the delay. Also, it has been an overwhelming moment for us to share the news with all. I was more nervous than ever, even announcing my wedding was easier than this, but now I am at peace and relaxed, as people’s response and the way our friends reacted is so emotional for us.”

Anushka and Aditya first met on June 26, 2017, at an event organized by Anushka’s NGO, Beti. Their friendship eventually developed into a relationship, and after dating for a few years, the couple got married in Mumbai in November 2021. Nearly five years into their marriage, they have now welcomed their twin daughters, Vira and Mahi.

Aditya Seal and his wife, actor Anushka Ranjan, have stepped into parenthood with double the joy. The couple has welcomed twin baby girls and shared the news with their fans on social media. Along with announcing the arrival of their daughters, Anushka and Aditya also revealed their names, making the occasion even more special for their followers.

The twins were born on August 23, 2026. The couple introduced their daughters as Vira Ranjan Seal and Mahi Ranjan Seal through an adorable announcement card featuring illustrations of two little girls. Aditya also shared a heartfelt note on Instagram, expressing his happiness and gratitude as the family begins this new chapter. "My sunshines are here to brighten our lives. Our hearts are full of love and gratitude. Vira ♾️ Mahi #TeamGirl."

View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Aditya Seal (@adityaseal)

The couple had announced Anushka’s pregnancy earlier this year through a series of maternity photographs. In May 2026, Anushka spoke to HT City about sharing the news and explained why they had waited before making the announcement. She said, “We are a little late in sharing the news as the baby is set to arrive in September. We wanted to give ourselves some time, hence the delay. Also, it has been an overwhelming moment for us to share the news with all. I was more nervous than ever, even announcing my wedding was easier than this, but now I am at peace and relaxed, as people’s response and the way our friends reacted is so emotional for us.”

Anushka and Aditya first met on June 26, 2017, at an event organized by Anushka’s NGO, Beti. Their friendship eventually developed into a relationship, and after dating for a few years, the couple got married in Mumbai in November 2021. Nearly five years into their marriage, they have now welcomed their twin daughters, Vira and Mahi.

Arijit Singh’s decision to step away from film playback singing has been one of the biggest developments of 2026. In a conversation with Komal Nahta, Shaan opened up about Arijit’s decision and revealed that he, too, had once contemplated quitting playback singing.

When asked about the decision of Arijit Singh, Shaan said, “It's not like he's hung his boots. He's singing and I think he's doing a lot of playback (singing). Aisi baat nahin hai.”

Why did he quit singing then? Shaan thought for a few seconds and then replied, “Only he can answer that question (laughs). However, he has recorded many songs that are yet to be released. So, in the next two years, you'll get to hear a lot of Arijit Singh.”

He also added, “You never know, he can change his mind. Pathar ki lakeer pe thodi kisi ne likh diya hai.”

Shaan then confessed that even he went through a similar dilemma, “I was about 33-34. It was a time when I had sung all kinds of songs. I had also won 2-3 big awards. Also, I am quite inclined towards social work. Ab aaye hai toh society ke liye kuch karna chahiye. However, because of my work, I didn't have time for it. And I used to feel that you are just rolling from one thing to another.”

Shaan continued, “Arijit at least did selective work. He reached the peak quickly and then he would work only for the top songs. As for me, I used to leave my house in the morning and I used to sing for all kinds of films – A-grade, B-grade and C-grade! My contemporaries like K K and Sonu Nigam used to tell me, 'Don't sing all kinds of songs. Keep your standard, bro'. But my point was that koi pyaar se bulata tha toh main naa kaise karoon? Moreover, my father (Manas Mukherjee) was also from this industry. So, his colleagues and the children of those colleagues used to request me to do playback singing. Turning them down was difficult. So, I would do those songs. I got a lot of blessings from them.”

He then stated, “When I used to return home, my wife would ask, 'Sunao aaj kya gaaya?'. I would say, 'Yaad nahin aa raha hai'. Usko shaque hone lagta tha! So that was the time when I would wonder what I was doing.”

Also Read: Shaan reveals wife Radhika told him to NEVER act again: "Give it to me in writing; you're a very bad actor… dal roti ke vaande ho jaayenge"

The teaser of Gunmaaster G9, starring Emraan Hashmi, Genelia Deshmukh and Aparshakti Khurana, is set to premiere theatrically ahead of the screening of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups, offering audiences an early glimpse of the much-awaited action-romance.

While Gunmaaster G9 is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on November 27, 2026, the makers are kickstarting the film’s promotional campaign well in advance with a dedicated theatrical teaser premiere.

Rather than being attached to the print of Toxic, the teaser will be screened separately ahead of the film, giving Gunmaaster G9 a distinct theatrical showcase. With Toxic expected to draw substantial audiences, the move is poised to give the teaser an expansive reach while creating early curiosity around Emraan Hashmi’s next.

The film also marks a notable creative reunion. Soham Rockstar Entertainment and Deepak Mukut bring together Emraan Hashmi, Himesh Reshammiya and director Aditya Datt once again, following their collaboration on the 2005 musical blockbuster. Mukut is also reuniting with Himesh Reshammiya following the success of Sanam Teri Kasam.

Positioned as an action-romance, Gunmaaster G9 arrives at an interesting juncture in Emraan Hashmi’s career, following the strong response to Awarapan 2. The announcement of its release date had already generated considerable interest among the actor’s fans, and the theatrical unveiling of the teaser is expected to build further momentum around the film.

Starring Emraan Hashmi, Genelia Deshmukh, Aparshakti Khurana and introducing Abhishek Singh, Gunmaaster G9 is produced by Deepak Mukut, Hunar Mukut and Sangeeta Ahir and presented by Soham Rockstar Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. Directed by Aditya Datt, the film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on November 27, 2026.

Gunmaaster G9 is a SRE Studio LLP production.

Also Read: Gunmaaster G9 director Aditya Datt reveals Aparshakti Khurana was his first choice to play the villain; says, “He has never played an out-and-out commercial and crazy-ass villain”

Shaan began his career with Indipop songs and also appeared in their music videos before making a successful transition to playback singing in films. However, not many are aware that the singer has also acted in a few films and a web series. In a conversation with Komal Nahta, Shaan opened up about his acting career and raised laughs.

Shaan said, “Only I think I am a good actor! The one person whose opinion matters to me the most is my wife (Radhika Mukherjee). And she feels that I am a very terrible actor. And I’ll tell you a story. When she was my fiancée, I had acted in a film called Daman (2001). I had gone for its dubbing. I returned and I thought that she’ll have newfound respect for me. I thought that she’ll think ‘Yeh singer toh hai hi. Ab hero bhi banne waala hai’!”

Shaan continued, “However, she told me that to give it to her in writing that I should never act again in my life! I told her, ‘Don’t be so insecure. It’s not like I’ll have an affair with someone once I turn an actor’. She replied, ‘You’re going too far. You sing and people have accepted you for it. But if you act, then sab khatam. Dal roti ke vaande ho jaayenge. You’re a very bad actor’ (laughs).”

Shaan then stated, “Since then, I decided to quit acting. Uske baad bhi maine yeh galti ki hai ek-aadh baar. But now I feel that I should revive my acting career (smiles).”

Daman also starred Raveena Tandon, Raima Sen, Sanjay Suri and Sayaji Shinde and it was directed by the late Kalpana Lajmi.

Later, Shaan also worked in Balwinder Singh Famous Ho Gaya (2014), co-starring Mika Singh. He was recently seen in a special appearance in the Karisma Kapoor-fronted web series, Brown.

Also Read: Shaan buys Rs 48 crores Palmera home, highlights Mumbai’s luxury housing boom