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Yash Raj Films appoints Usha Rachael Thomas as Head of Communications Strategy

Yash Raj Films (YRF), India’s premier legacy entertainment company, has appointed Usha Rachael Thomas as Head of Communications Strategy. She will report to Akshaye Widhani, Chief Executive Officer, Yash Raj Films. In her new role, Usha heads YRF and its talent agency’s outward-facing narrative, spanning press, social media strategy, brand voice, talent positioning and image management while strengthening the company’s relationships & footprint with global and local media. Usha will spearhead communication strategies across YRF’s various business ventures. Akshaye Widhani, CEO, Yash Raj Films, said, “As YRF’s businesses continue to grow globally, how we tell our stories to the world matters as much as the stories themselves. Usha brings a combination of adaptive & agile newsroom instinct sharpened across two decades of leading communications for some of India’s biggest media and entertainment giants. Her perspective will be instrumental as we shape communications strategies, b...

EXCLUSIVE: CBFC asks for 20+ cuts in The India Story; 4.27 minutes of footage deleted; ‘Kisaan aatankvadi’, ‘Sarkar deshdrohi’ dialogues modified

The Shreyas Talpade-Kajal Aggarwal starrer The India Story is all set to release tomorrow, July 24. Yet, it got a censor certificate just 48 hours before, on July 22. In this Bollywood Hungama exclusive story, we’ll focus on the cut list of the hard-hitting courtroom drama. The India Story was passed with a U/A 16+ certificate by the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification). However, the CBFC asked for more than 20 cuts, mostly dialogues. To begin with, a detailed disclaimer was added at the beginning and end of the film, which increased the film’s length by 50 seconds. In a dialogue, the percentage of farmers was reduced from 65% to 25%. The ‘offensive words’ used while referring to the farmer community were asked to be modified. Further, ‘inaccurate reference’ about the Endosulfan tragedy in Kerala was asked to be modified. ‘Offensive words’ in a scene in the second half and ‘inappropriate’ references in a courtroom scene at 2 hours were also similarly asked to be modified. The di...

Mouni Roy to star in Suresh Krissna’s new love story produced by Prerna Arora

Filmmaker Suresh Krissna, known for his work across languages and film industries, is set to return to the romance genre with a new love story starring Mouni Roy in the lead role. The film is being produced by Prerna Arora. Producer Prerna Arora said, “Suresh sir has been one of my all-time favourite filmmakers. The moment he narrated the vision, I instantly knew I wanted to back this film. It’s a very young love story with a relatable narrative set in the age of social media, and I truly believe audiences will connect with it.” When it came to casting, both Krissna and Arora felt that the story needed an actress who could lead it with the required depth. Krissna said, “Someone who could carry the emotional weight of the central character with grace, beauty and conviction. We both instinctively felt that Mouni Roy was the ideal choice. She is mesmerising, elegant, and a wonderfully talented performer. She immediately said yes and with Mouni coming on board, the film has acquired an en...

Dhurandhar fame Ayesha Khan detained by Mumbai Police during student protest, shares video asking, “Just a simple why?”

Ayesha Khan, who recently featured in the special song ‘Shararat’ from Dhurandhar, has claimed that she was detained by the Mumbai Police while attempting to participate in a student protest in Dadar on Wednesday. The actor later shared videos and detailed her experience through Instagram, alleging that she and her friends were forcibly taken into police custody despite not having started the protest. According to Ayesha, she reached Dadar around 4 pm to extend her support to the ongoing student protests that have spread to Mumbai. She said that before she could raise any slogans or begin demonstrating, a police officer informed her that protests were not permitted at the location. When she asked, “Bata dijiye dusra aur kya raasta hain,” she claimed the situation escalated quickly. In a video statement shared on Instagram, Ayesha alleged that around 15 police personnel, including both male and female officers, surrounded her group and instructed them to board a police van. She further...

Amaal Mallik claims rival “paid PR” is attacking Awarapan 2 soundtrack: “Save your funds for your next films”

A day after Yeh Awarapan, the title track from Awarapan 2, was released, composer Amaal Mallik alleged that the film and its soundtrack were being targeted by a "paid PR" campaign orchestrated by rival elements in the film industry. Taking to social media on July 22, Amaal thanked listeners for the response to the song and urged audiences to give it time before forming an opinion. "Thank you for such a brilliant response to a melody that's the closest to my heart. Every song needs time to breathe, be taken into the system and then reach and live in the heart of the audience," he wrote. Amaal Mallik alleges campaign against Awarapan 2 In the same note, the composer claimed that rival groups were attempting to damage the film's prospects. "There is a huge paid PR being run by rival elements of the film industry that don't want the film or soundtrack to do well," he alleged. Amaal added that such efforts would not affect the audience's connec...

Armaan Malik postpones birthday song release amid Jantar Mantar protests; says, “Things just don’t feel right now”

Singer Armaan Malik has postponed the release of his upcoming song 'Gaya Kaam Se' in a show of solidarity with the students protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi over the alleged NEET paper leak. The track was originally scheduled to release on July 22, which also marks the singer's birthday. However, citing the prevailing circumstances, Armaan announced that he has decided to delay its launch until he feels the time is right. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Armaan shared a video explaining his decision. He said, “Hey everyone, this next song of mine, ‘Gaya Kaam Se’, I poured my heart into it and it is scheduled to release on 22nd of July which is tomorrow, which is also my birthday. But things just don’t feel right now and I feel like I want to wait a little longer and give it to you when the time feels right and when we’re in better circumstances. So yeah, I hope you understand." pic.twitter.com/6ZSWgbaSfR — Armaan Malik (@ArmaanMalik22) July 21, 2026 The decision co...

Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub clarifies he is not part of Ajay Devgn starrer Chauhaan after teaser voice controversy

Actor Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub has issued a public clarification distancing himself from the upcoming Ajay Devgn-starrer Chauhaan, stating that he has no association with the film despite his voice featuring in its teaser. The actor shared a detailed note on social media, explaining that he had recorded a line for the makers in good faith without being informed about the context in which it would eventually be used. Zeeshan's statement comes around 10 days after reports suggested that his voice had been removed from the Chauhaan teaser. While he did not mention the film by name in his note, it was widely understood that he was referring to Chauhaan, whose teaser had initially opened with a narration in his voice. Sharing his statement, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub wrote, “Few weeks back, a film teaser released with the opening line in my voice. I wish to put on record that I am not part of the film in any capacity. I was asked to dub a line without any reference a few months back. I did t...