Bollywood News

Kartik Aaryan’s long-awaited Captain India has officially locked its theatrical release date. The aviation-themed drama, which marks the actor’s first collaboration with filmmaker Shimit Amin, is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on August 13, 2027, strategically timed for the Independence Day weekend.Presented by T-Series and Baweja Studios in association with Midnight Chai Films Ltd., Captain India has been one of the more closely followed projects in Kartik Aaryan’s upcoming slate. The film had originally been announced in 2021, but there were multiple ups and downs the film underwent.The project carries added interest because it marks the return of director Shimit Amin after a 17-year gap from feature filmmaking. Amin’s filmography may be compact, but it has earned a loyal following over the years. He made his directorial debut with the gritty crime drama Ab Tak Chhappan (2004), followed it up with the widely loved sports drama Chak De! India (2007), and later directed Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009), which went on to gain a strong cult following over time.#BreakingNews… KARTIK AARYAN – SHIMIT AMIN FILM ‘CAPTAIN INDIA’ LOCKS RELEASE DATE… #CaptainIndia – which marks the first collaboration of #KartikAaryan and director #ShimitAmin – will release on 13 August 2027 [#IndependenceDay, weekend].#CaptainIndia is presented by… pic.twitter.com/iKdvs9P3n4 — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) April 23, 2026According to industry reports, Captain India has completed location recce and is expected to go on floors in the second quarter of 2026. The film is reportedly planned to be shot across India and Morocco, indicating a large-scale production design suited to its action-thriller setup.The film is written and produced by Harman Baweja. While plot details remain under wraps, previous reports have suggested that the story is inspired by true events and revolves around a major rescue mission, with Kartik Aaryan reportedly playing a pilot.Interestingly, when Captain India was first announced in 2021, filmmaker Hansal Mehta had been attached to direct the project. With Shimit Amin now helming the film, the project has undergone a significant creative shift since its original launch.For Kartik Aaryan, Captain India adds another major title to an increasingly packed lineup. The actor is also associated with an untitled musical saga directed by Anurag Basu, expected in the second half of 2026, while he is currently working on Naagzilla, directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba.The Independence Day weekend release slot has traditionally been a lucrative period for Hindi cinema, and Captain India now positions itself as a potentially big-ticket patriotic entertainer in 2027. The title itself, combined with the aviation backdrop and real-event inspiration, suggests that the film may aim for a mix of action, emotion and large-scale spectacle.For audiences, however, one of the biggest draws will likely be the pairing of Kartik Aaryan with Shimit Amin. With production expected to begin next year and a prime festive-weekend release now secured, Captain India has officially moved from speculation to active countdown mode.Also Read: Vijay Varma names Kartik Aaryan ‘King of PR’ during rapid-fire segment

Aamir Khan Productions’ upcoming film Ek Din has been generating interest ahead of its theatrical release, with its recently unveiled trailer and songs drawing attention for both their emotional tone and visually striking backdrop. The romantic drama, starring Sai Pallavi and Junaid Khan, has been shot extensively in Japan, and new details suggest that the decision to film there came from Aamir Khan himself.According to an independent industry source, “While Ek Din has been extensively shot in Japan, it was mainly Aamir Khan’s idea to film it amidst the country’s scenic beauty. Having had an amazing experience with Japan through his films 3 Idiots and Dangal, which were released there, he wanted this time to capture the nation’s mesmerising landscapes and natural beauty.”The Japanese locations have already become a talking point among viewers, with the trailer showcasing serene cityscapes, scenic countryside visuals and a softer aesthetic that complements the film’s romantic narrative. The songs released so far have also highlighted the film’s picturesque setting, adding to audience curiosity about the story.Ek Din also marks the reunion of Aamir Khan with filmmaker Mansoor Khan after a long gap, reviving one of Hindi cinema’s most noted creative collaborations. The duo has previously been associated with films such as Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Akele Hum Akele Tum and Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na. Their coming together again for a romantic project has naturally drawn attention from fans of their earlier work.While Sunil Pandey directs the film, the association of Aamir Khan and Mansoor Khan has added another layer of anticipation around the project. Many industry watchers are keen to see whether Ek Din captures the same emotional connect that audiences have associated with their earlier collaborations.Produced under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions, the film stars Sai Pallavi alongside Junaid Khan in the lead roles. It is produced by Aamir Khan, Mansoor Khan and Aparna Purohit.With its overseas setting, fresh pairing and renewed collaboration between familiar names, Ek Din is shaping up to be one of the notable romantic releases on the upcoming calendar. The film is slated to release in theatres on May 1, 2026.Also Read: Shraddha Kapoor joins Aamir Khan in Rahul Mody’s Ashneer Grover biopic: Report

Yesterday, Bollywood Hungama reported that the much-awaited Hollywood musical, Michael, had sold 78,000 tickets for the opening weekend and paid previews, indicating a promising start for the film in India. In less than 24 hours, the momentum has grown even stronger.Bollywood Hungama has now learned that Michael has crossed the significant 1 lakh ticket sales mark for the weekend and paid previews, underlining the tremendous excitement surrounding the Michael Jackson biopic. As per the latest trends, the film has sold around 28,500 tickets for the paid previews alone, with the gross collection for these shows standing at an impressive Rs. 97 lakhs gross. As a result, the paid preview collections are now expected to go past the Rs. 1 crore nett mark since spot booking will also take place today for the paid previews.Meanwhile, the total ticket sales for the weekend and paid previews have reached 1.13 lakh tickets, amounting to a strong Rs. 4.30 crore gross and counting. One of the biggest highlights of the advance booking is the phenomenal response in Hyderabad. The iconic Prasads multiplex alone has sold 7,300 tickets for the weekend, which is an extraordinary number for just one cinema. Adding to the surprise, Allu Arjun’s standalone property, ALLU Cinemas, has sold 6,500 tickets, a figure that is higher than the combined advances in properties run by exhibition chains such as MovieTime, Asian Cinemas and MovieMax.The only factor that could have played spoilsport was the impact of the negative reviews from the West. However, that hasn’t dampened the excitement one bit, as tickets continue to be sold with each passing hour. The special screening of Michael, held yesterday in Mumbai’s IMAX Wadala, received a tremendous response. In fact, the most common question asked by those stepping out of the screening was how the reviews in the West could be so harsh. Word about the overwhelmingly positive reaction at the screening has spread quickly, and the initial reviews emerging locally have further indicated that the aam junta is likely to embrace the film with open arms once it releases.Also Read: BREAKING: Michael ends on a surprising note; Michael Jackson biopic hints at Part 2

The blockbuster success of Dhurandhar (2025) and Dhurandhar The Revenge (2026) has benefitted everyone associated with the franchise. Veteran actor Rakesh Bedi is no exception. Long admired for his impeccable comic timing and remarkable body of work, the actor has scaled new heights of popularity with the Dhurandhar series. Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that the producers of the Ranveer Singh-starrer were so overwhelmed by his performance and the love his character received that they rewarded him with a massive amount over and above his agreed-upon fee.A source told Bollywood Hungama, “As Jameel Jamali, Rakesh Bedi impressed, entertained and completely won over the audience. His dialogues have become immortal in the meme world, while the twist surrounding his character in the sequel further amplified his impact. The producers were deeply touched by the hard work he put into making the character so memorable. As a token of gratitude, they decided to pay him additional remuneration.”The source further revealed, “Rakesh Bedi was paid Rs. 50 lakhs for Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar The Revenge. After the release of the second part and its historic success, Aditya Dhar, who directed the films and is also one of the producers, along with his brother and partner Lokesh Dhar, handed him a cheque of Rs. 1 crore. In short, it was double the fee he had charged for the franchise.”The source added, “With the Dhurandhar series and Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), Aditya Dhar has already proved that he is a one-of-a-kind filmmaker. With this gesture, he has also shown that he is a one-of-a-kind human being. It is rare for any producer to make such a generous move.”Apart from Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar’s B62 Studios, Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar The Revenge are also produced by Jyoti Deshpande’s Jio Studios. The franchise stars Ranveer Singh along with Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun and others. The first part told the story of a spy infiltrating Pakistan’s mafia and political system and creating havoc from within. The sequel carried the story forward as he continued to serve his country selflessly. Rakesh Bedi played the role of Jameel Jamali, a shrewd politician from Pakistan’s Awami Party and a Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan.Also Read: Dhurandhar actress Sara Arjun praises Ranveer Singh: “Nobody will ever top Ranveer as a co-actor”

Actor Akshay Kumar has begun the next schedule of his upcoming film with filmmaker Anees Bazmee, marking a significant step forward in their much-awaited reunion after nearly 15 years. The actor recently shared that he is heading to Kerala for a scenic outdoor shoot along with co-star Vidya Balan.Taking to social media, Akshay posted a video from his journey and wrote, “Next stop: God’s own country, the magical Keralam. Anees Bazmi’s next is my fourth film with the ever fabulous Vidya Balan and I hope the good luck charm of our jodi continues.”The project marks Akshay Kumar’s reunion with Anees Bazmee after their 2011 collaboration Thank You. It also brings him back on screen with Vidya Balan for the fourth time, following their earlier successful pairings.Next stop: God’s own country, the magical Keralam 🌴✈️ Anees Bazmi’s next is my fourth film with the ever fabulous @vidya_balan and I hope the good luck charm of our jodi continues 🤞🏻 pic.twitter.com/HHdK5MeIIk — Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 23, 2026 Earlier, Bollywood Hungama had reported that the upcoming film is being developed as a Hindi adaptation inspired by the core premise of the Telugu hit Sankranthiki Vasthunam. A source told us, “Anees and Akshay loved the plot of the lead character stuck between his wife and ex-girlfriend that Sankranthiki Vasthunam rides on. However, the original had a lot of Telugu flavour. To make the film palatable for the Hindi audience, Anees Bazmee is reimagining the film, keeping the core plot intact.”The Kerala schedule is expected to feature key outdoor sequences as part of the film’s narrative progression. The project has already generated interest due to the creative reunion between Akshay Kumar and Anees Bazmee, whose earlier collaboration had been well received.Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar is currently seen in Bhooth Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan and co-starring Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Wamiqa Gabbi, Jisshu Sengupta, Mithila Palkar and Tabu. Released on April 16, the film recorded a strong opening weekend collection of ₹65.25 crore and has continued to benefit from positive word of mouth.Also Read: Anees Bazmee CONFIRMS casting of his next film: “It stars Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Raashii Khanna, Vijay Raaz…”; CLARIFIES on Sankranthiki Vasthunam remake rumours