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31 years later, English, August heads to Venice in restored 4K avatar; details inside!

The Venice International Film Festival has officially announced that the newly restored 4K version of Dev Benegal’s landmark, award-winning film English, August (1994) will celebrate its World Premiere in the prestigious Venice Classics Competition at the upcoming 83rd edition of the festival. This selection marks the third consecutive year that Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), the not-for-profit organisation responsible for the restoration, has been invited to showcase a world premiere of its cinematic restorations on the global stage in Venice, following Girish Kasaravalli’s Ghatashraddha in 2024 and Bimal Roy’s Do Bigha Zamin in 2025. Based on Upamanyu Chatterjee’s bestselling 1988 novel, English, August is an irreverent, darkly comic exploration of post-colonial identity. It follows a young man from an elite, Westernized background cast adrift in the alien, bureaucratic landscape of small-town India. The landmark film will be presented at Venice by director Dev Benegal, lead actor ...
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EXCLUSIVE: Priyanka Chopra's ex-manager Prakash Jaju takes legal action against Rajpal Yadav, Bhaiaji Superhit producer Mahendra Dhariwal, Dhaakad producer Sohel Maklai over unpaid loans

Rajpal Yadav had a shaky start to the year after spending a few weeks in jail in connection with multiple cheque bounce cases. Bollywood Hungama has now learned that the actor’s legal troubles are far from over. Film producer Prakash Jaju, who is also the former manager of Priyanka Chopra, has filed a cheque bounce case against the actor. Summons have also been issued to Bhaiaji Superhit (2018) producer Mahendra Dhariwal and Cash (2007), Knock Out (2010) and Dhaakad (2022) producer Sohel Maklai. Bollywood Hungama has accessed a copy of the summons issued to Rajpal Yadav by Farhan M Qureshi, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Dr Ambedkar Nagar district (formerly known as Mhow), Madhya Pradesh. The summons states that a complaint has been filed against the actor under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. According to the complaint, a cheque of Rs. 5 lakhs allegedly issued by Rajpal Yadav was dishonoured when it was presented for payment. The actor has been directed to appear bef...
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Vithabai Narayangaonkar's daughter clarifies family's stand on Shraddha Kapoor's Eetha after title row: “We have no objection”

The debate surrounding the title of Shraddha Kapoor's upcoming film Eetha has taken a fresh turn after Vithabai Narayangaonkar's eldest daughter, Mangala Bansode Karavadikar, publicly expressed her support for the title. Mangala's clarification follows objections reportedly raised by Vithabai's sons, Kailash and Rajesh Narayangaonkar, along with her grandson Mohit Narayangaonkar, who were said to have questioned the makers' choice of title. However, Mangala has now stated that the family has no objection and explained the significance of the name. Speaking to The Times of India, the 75-year-old Tamasha artiste and President's Award recipient said, "We have no objection to the film's title. I have spoken with Mohit and have requested him to not give out any further statements on the same. The title is appropriate because in those days, people from the villages where my mother performed would often call her Eetha." She further revealed that she had ...
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Priyadarshan says “Hera Pheri 3 will be dead" days after exiting Akshay Kumar-starrer; alleges repeated insults by Firoz Nadiadwala

After confirming that he is no longer associated with Hera Pheri 3, filmmaker Priyadarshan has now shared fresh details about his decision to walk away from the much-awaited comedy franchise. The director has alleged that repeated insults from producer Firoz Nadiadwala, along with a long-running copyright dispute surrounding the franchise, convinced him that the film may never be made. The development comes shortly after Nadiadwala revealed that Priyadarshan was no longer directing Hera Pheri 3. The filmmaker later confirmed the news, telling Hindustan Times, "To the best of my knowledge, Hera Pheri 3 will never hit the screen due to lots of legal issues and personal conflicts. Whether I am involved or not is unimportant." Now, in an exclusive conversation with Mid-Day, Priyadarshan elaborated on what led to his exit and spoke candidly about his differences with the producer. Recalling his conversations with Akshay Kumar, the director said, "Firoz told Akshay, 'You ...
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SCOOP: After Lagaan, Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowarikar's next is titled Lalkaar

25 years after Lagaan, Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowarikar are reuniting on another sports drama, which is scheduled to go on floors in October 2026. The film is based on the life of Lala Amarnath, and set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition between India and Pakistan. While the prep work is going on in full swing, Bollywood Hungama has learnt from industry sources that the reunion of Aamir and Ashu has got a title, and it's sure to blow away the minds of audiences. According to reliable sources, the duo have decided to call their film Lalkaar. "After Lagaan, it's time for Lalkaar. The title instils instant recall to their cult, and also promises something new. Much like Lagaan, this one too is a strong emotional saga set against the backdrop of cricket," a source told Bollywood Hungama. Apart from Aamir, the makers are on the lookout to cast another actor as the second lead, and the announcement of the same will be made soon. The film is written by Rajkumar Hir...
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SCOOP: YRF secures a wide release for Alia Bhatt and Sharvari's Alpha; 9000 shows across 2600 screens

Distribution is among the most important wings in film trade, and Yash Raj Films remains as the one with the top most distribution network. As Alpha releases this week, Yash Raj Films has secured a wide release for this Spy Thriller led by Alia Bhatt and Sharvari. As per latest set of data received by Bollywood Hungama, Alpha is set to release on 2600 screens all across the country, which is among the widest releases of all time for a female led film in India. That's not all, the Shiv Rawail directorial is releasing on over 9000 shows in India, which is better than several bigger films which have released in the last one year. YRF has given the film a release that it deserves, and there are enough screens for it to show a big surge in the business over the weekend if reports land in its favour. "In times when most films are struggling for a proper release in a crowded window, YRF has secured a solid release for Alpha, which speaks volumes about their goodwill and muscle power...
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Almighty Motion Picture reaffirms exclusive trademark rights to ‘Meena Kumari’

Almighty Motion Picture has issued a formal clarification reiterating its exclusive trademark ownership of the name ‘Meena Kumari’ for all cinematic and audio-visual purposes, following the completion of the screenplay for its upcoming feature of the same title. The studio stated that any feature film, web series, television production, documentary, or other audio-visual project using the name without its authorization is unauthorized and will invite legal action. The clarification follows the studio’s recent releases, the supernatural thriller Bhay: The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery and the biographical drama Made in India: A Titan Story. The studio said it has already published public notices across trade magazines, publications, and national media to establish its legal position and safeguard its trademark. The screenplay for Meena Kumari biopic is the result of nearly four years of research, writing, and development, and has now been officially locked, with the studio moving toward produc...
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