TECH COMPARING

Rumours have been swirling over the past few days that Shah Rukh Khan is set to feature in a cameo in Allu Arjun and Atlee's highly anticipated Raaka, with several reports even claiming that his portions would be shot overseas. However, these reports appear to be nothing more than speculation. Bollywood Hungama can confirm that Raaka does not feature a cameo by Shah Rukh Khan. Sources close to the project have clarified that SRK was never even approached, as there is no such cameo role in the film. "Atlee shares a great rapport with Shah Rukh, and he would certainly love to work with him again, but the reports about his cameo in Raaka are baseless," a source told us. The production of Raaka has been progressing in full swing across multiple short schedules. An action-packed schedule was completed just last week, and the next leg begins tomorrow in Mumbai, where Allu Arjun and Deepika Padukone will film some pivotal sequences. Atlee and the team are reportedly prioritizin...

The paid preview trend has significantly picked up for Bollywood this year. It began with Dhurandhar The Revenge, which did record business in the previews. This was followed by Bhooth Bangla. The other Akshay Kumar release, Welcome To The Jungle, also had paid previews; both films earned well in the pre-release screenings. Last month saw Baby Do Die Do having paid previews on Thursday, July 2, a day before its full-fledged release. And now, the next film to jump into the bandwagon in Ohh My Dog. A trade source told Bollywood Hungama, “The distributors informed the theatres across the country today that they can schedule paid previews of Ohh My Dog on the night of Thursday, August 6, that is, a day before its full-fledged release on Friday, August 7. The cinemas have been asked to make sure that the shows are held between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm. Accordingly, certain cinemas have already commenced the bookings for the previews.” Interestingly, tickets for paid previews are usually on the...

Malaika Arora has expanded her luxury car collection with the addition of a brand-new Mahindra Thar Roxx, a premium SUV priced at nearly Rs. 28 lakhs for its higher variants. A video of the actress taking delivery of the vehicle has surfaced on social media, capturing the special moment as she welcomed the SUV with a traditional puja ceremony outside her Mumbai residence. The clip, which has been widely shared by paparazzi accounts on Instagram, shows the Mahindra Thar Roxx arriving at Malaika's home. Surrounded by a small gathering, the actress is seen performing customary rituals before taking possession of the vehicle. The puja, a common practice followed during the purchase of new vehicles in India, is believed to seek blessings and protect against the evil eye before the vehicle is driven for the first time. The Mahindra Thar Roxx has emerged as one of the most sought-after SUVs in the country since its launch in 2024. Introduced as the five-door version of the iconic Thar, t...

Yash Raj Films (YRF), one of India's leading entertainment studios, today announced the launch of Raah Records, a new music company and incubator created to discover, develop and support original artists while helping them build long-term creative careers beyond film music. For over five decades, YRF has helped shape Indian music through some of cinema's most enduring soundtracks. Raah Records extends that legacy into India's rapidly evolving music ecosystem by bringing together artist development, original music creation and long-term career building under one dedicated platform. Speaking about the launch, Akshaye Widhani, CEO, Yash Raj Films, said: "Raah Records represents an important strategic expansion of Yash Raj Films' music business. For over five decades, we have believed in identifying exceptional talent and creating platforms where creativity can thrive. As India's independent music ecosystem enters a defining phase of growth, we believe great artis...

Optimystix Entertainment is ready to enter a new phase as it is set to come up with its public issue on August 7. For Vipul D Shah, Founder and Chairman, Optimystix Entertainment, this represents both a moment of pride and a much larger responsibility. “Optimystix has been built over more than 25 years, from producing some of India’s most successful television programmes to expanding into Films, OTT, animation and digital content. Personally, it is gratifying to see a company that we started with a strong creative ambition now preparing to enter the public markets. At the same time, a public listing is not a destination; it is the beginning of a new phase. It brings greater accountability, transparency and responsibility towards a much wider group of stakeholders,” he said. Rajesh Bahl, Co-Founder and Group CEO, Optimystix Entertainment, said, “The milestone gives us an opportunity to unlock the capability, credibility and relationships we have built over the last two-and-a-half decad...

Punjabi singer-songwriter Guru Randhawa has contributed Rs 5 lakhs from his personal funds towards emergency relief efforts for flood-affected communities in Upper Assam. The contribution has been channelled through digital creator Dimpu Baruah, who is currently leading on-ground relief operations in some of the state's worst-hit regions. The donation comes as Assam continues to recover from devastating floods. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, the floods had claimed 82 lives as of August 2, 2026, while around 1.78 lakh people remained affected across seven districts. Guru Randhawa appeals for nationwide support for Assam Speaking about the humanitarian crisis, Guru Randhawa urged people across the country to extend support to those impacted by the floods: "The devastation in Assam is heartbreaking, and we cannot let our brothers and sisters fight this crisis alone. While rescue teams and administrative authorities are doing their best, I appeal to e...

The promotional campaign for Batwara 1947 is in full swing, with the cast travelling across multiple cities ahead of the film's theatrical release on August 14, 2026. As part of the ongoing tour, Sunny Deol and his son Karan Deol are scheduled to visit Takht Sri Patna Sahib, one of the holiest Sikh pilgrimage sites, during their stop in Patna. According to the makers, the actors will offer prayers and seek blessings for the success of the film at the revered shrine, which is among the five Takhts—the highest seats of authority in Sikhism. The visit forms part of the film's promotional activities as the team continues to engage with audiences across the country in the lead-up to the release. The Patna leg of the tour has already witnessed enthusiastic participation from fans. During their visit to the city, Sunny Deol and Karan Deol were greeted by large crowds, reflecting the anticipation surrounding the upcoming period drama. The actors are expected to interact with audiences...