Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff get Maharashtra FDA notice over Vimal Elaichi ad: Report

Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff have received show-cause notices from the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over their association with a 2024 advertisement for Vimal Elaichi. The state food safety authority has alleged that the advertisement could amount to indirect or surrogate promotion of pan masala, which is prohibited in Maharashtra.

The nine-page notice, issued by Maharashtra's food safety chief Tukaram Mundhe, asks the three actors to discontinue their participation in the campaign and remove promotional material related to the advertisement from their official social media accounts. They have also been asked to explain their position within 15 days. Why has the Maharashtra FDA issued the notices? The actors appeared together in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement in 2024. While the campaign promotes elaichi, the FDA has raised concerns over the use of the Vimal brand, which is strongly associated with pan masala.

“Upon examination of the said advertisement, it prima facie appears that the advertisement promotes the VIMAL brand, which is mainly associated with Pan Masala, a product prohibited for manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale in the State of Maharashtra,” the notice stated, according to NDTV.

The authority further said the phrase “VIMAL Elaichi” appears to establish an association with the Vimal pan masala brand. According to the notice, this could mislead consumers and indirectly promote a product that is prohibited in the state.

The FDA also noted that if the use of the Vimal name is intended to maintain or strengthen the brand identity associated with pan masala or tobacco-related products, the advertisement could be viewed as more than a promotion for an independent elaichi product.

The notice reportedly seeks details including copies of the actors' endorsement agreements, campaign briefs, payment arrangements and information on the due diligence carried out before their participation in the campaign. What penalties could the actors face? The FDA has cited consumer protection provisions concerning misleading endorsements. According to the notice, violations can attract penalties, including financial penalties of up to Rs 10 lakh for a first offence, while subsequent violations can carry higher penalties. The actors could also face restrictions on endorsing products for a specified period.

The notices come as Maharashtra's food safety authorities continue their action against banned tobacco products and gutka. The latest development also brings renewed attention to the debate around celebrity endorsements of products that are marketed as alternatives to pan masala. Akshay Kumar had earlier faced backlash over Vimal ad This is not the first time a Bollywood celebrity's association with the Vimal brand has sparked controversy. In 2022, Akshay Kumar faced significant backlash after appearing in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn. Following the criticism, Kumar apologised to his fans and announced that he would step away from the endorsement.

Also Read: Elaichi Universe expands: After Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn for Vimal, Salman Khan comes on board Rajshree

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Ranveer Singh starrer end-of-the-world action thriller Pralay, directed by Jai Mehta, goes on floors in Mumbai

Headlined by Ranveer Singh, Pralay the ambitious new end-of-the-world action thriller, has officially gone on floors in Mumbai, marking the commencement of filming on one of the most keenly-awaited films.

The film marks Ranveer Singh’s next major motion picture release following Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar The Revenge, which emerged as the highest-grossing film of all time. With Pralay, the actor once again ventures into an unexplored cinematic landscape that is new and disruptive. Ranveer not only headlines the film but also serves as a producer, taking on a story that demands both physical intensity and emotional conviction.

For Ananya Birla, Pralay, a Birla Studios production, reflects her ambition to push the landscape of cinema as a creative catalyst who is looking to collaborate with the modern game-changers in India. For Hansal Mehta and Sahil Saigal’s True Story Films, it reflects a belief in creating disruption through content.

Pralay stars Lokah breakout actress Kalyani Priyadarshan in a pivotal role, further bringing together an exciting new generation of talent.

Bringing together an ensemble of creative and technical talent from India and around the world, Pralay is directed by Jai Mehta, whose work on Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, which he co-directed with Hansal Mehta, and Lootere has earned widespread acclaim. The film plunges audiences into a relentless odyssey, unfolding against the terrifying possibility of an end-of-the-world catastrophe.

Set against the unmistakable pulse and landscape of Mumbai, Pralay is an original story that seeks to marry breathtaking spectacle with a deeply human emotional core. At its heart is a journey of survival, courage and the instinct to fight for what matters most when the world as you know it begins to collapse.

The film is being shot at live locations in and around Mumbai, as the makers embrace the physicality and unpredictability of real-world environments. This approach brings heightened scale, texture and realism to a world on the brink of annihilation.

Pralay had been in highly technical and intensive pre-production for several months. It’s unprecedented mounting has already earned it the distinction of being one of the most talked about and highly anticipated projects coming out of Indian cinema in current times.

Also Read: Farhan Akhtar takes a dig at Ranveer Singh over Don 3 exit? says “It was a month away from filming, which seems to be a pattern nowadays”

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Jackky Bhagnani returns to acting after six years with Independence Day anthem 'Tere Rang Mein': "I wanted the street credibility and respect of Gen Z"

Jackky Bhagnani has returned to acting after a six-year gap with the Independence Day anthem 'Tere Rang Mein,' released under his music label Jjust Music. The actor-producer said the song offered him an opportunity to return to the screen with a project that was personally meaningful to him.

Bhagnani described himself as a patriot and said the nature of the song played an important role in his decision to face the camera again. “I am a patriot by heart. It’s been quite some time since I faced the camera. So, I thought the best way to come back is with the right cause,” Bhagnani said.

The actor's return comes after several years of focusing primarily on film production. According to Bhagnani, stepping away from acting was a conscious decision as he worked behind the scenes and became more involved in producing films. Jackky Bhagnani on focusing on film production Bhagnani said his experience as a producer made him rethink the way he wanted to approach his acting career. He explained that producing his own films gave him greater control over the projects he wanted to associate with. “I realised that I should produce my own films because if I do that, no one will question it,” he said.

The actor-producer also spoke about wanting to establish greater credibility among younger audiences. He said that even when some of his films performed well, he felt he had not received the recognition he was looking for as an actor. “I felt that even in the films that were working, I wasn’t getting credibility. I wanted the street credibility and respect of Gen Z, they should see that this is made by me,” Bhagnani shared.

Now that he is returning to acting, Bhagnani said he is not looking to sign projects simply for the sake of being on screen. Instead, he is searching for a role that offers something different.

The actor said he is looking for something “disruptive” for his next acting project, suggesting that his return to films will be guided by the kind of material he finds creatively interesting. Jackky Bhagnani praises wife Rakul Preet Singh Bhagnani also spoke about his wife, actor Rakul Preet Singh, who will soon be seen as Surpanakha in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1. The actor-producer expressed confidence in her performance and said the film could introduce another side of her talent to Hindi-speaking audiences. “Rakul is my superstar. She has seen superstardom in the South. She has so much more to offer to the Hindi audience, and Ramayana will do that for her,” he said.

Bhagnani also acknowledged the challenges involved in portraying a character such as Surpanakha. “Surpanakha can be a tricky character, but she has played it with elegance,” he added.

Rakul will feature alongside Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana in the upcoming epic. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 6, 2026.

Also Read: Rakul Preet Singh joins #WhatsOnYourPlate challenge, nominates Jackky Bhagnani and Tamannaah Bhatia

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Ramayana English trailer: Namit Malhotra DECODES DNEG’s AI-powered lip-sync technology!

The English trailer of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1 has been released by Sony Pictures for audiences worldwide, offering an international preview of the upcoming epic. While the scale and visual effects have drawn attention, one of the key talking points has been the technology used to ensure that the actors’ lip movements match the English dialogue.

Unlike conventional dubbed versions, where a new voice track is placed over the original footage, the English version of Ramayana: Part 1 uses DNEG’s AI-powered technology to digitally adjust the actors’ mouth movements. Producer Namit Malhotra has now explained how the process combines human performances with technology to achieve a more natural result. Namit Malhotra explains how Ramayana’s English lip-sync was created Speaking to ET Now, Malhotra stressed that the process did not begin with AI. According to the producer, the first step involved human voice performances, with members of the principal cast also contributing their own English voices.

“If you've seen that, where we've got tremendous praise, where we've actually brought in human actors, voice actors, who actually come in and performed the voice performances. Some of them actually are done by the actors themselves, who have a good command over the language and are able to emote appropriately in a different language,” he said.

Malhotra explained that this human-led approach was important to preserve the emotional quality of the performances. “So we've done that as a first step to make sure that the rendering of that expression and emotion is authentic, and it's led by humans. There is no AI whatsoever,” he added.

The next stage involved creating the appropriate lip movements for the English dialogue. Malhotra said human artists first established the foundation for how the characters’ lips should move in sync with the new voice performances.

“There is no AI whatsoever. We followed that up with what we're calling, because we are trying to make the lip sync in line with the voice. So we have a next step, which is again done by humans, where you actually have people coming in, what we call a human driver that actually creates this foundation of how the lips actually move and how it syncs itself to the voice itself,” he explained. How AI was used in the final stage According to Malhotra, the challenge was not simply matching a voice to an actor. The team also had to ensure that the voice performance, facial appearance and lip movements worked together convincingly.

“And it looks appropriate because the best voice actor may not have the right face for the actor on screen. So we are making sure that you've got the voice actors, we've got people whose faces and lips match the look of the actors,” Malhotra said.

The final stage involved a technology tool developed specifically for the project. “And then we're using bespoke technology tool that we've created, leveraging AI, to stitch that into the face of the actor so it feels absolutely seamless,” he added.

Malhotra said the objective was to make audiences feel that they were watching the original actors actually perform the English dialogue rather than watching a traditionally dubbed version.

“So when you're now watching it, you feel like you're watching them actually speak with that authenticity and emotion, whilst not being taken away by subtitles and, you know, dubs that never quite deliver what's happening,” he said.

He further explained that the technology was developed with theatrical presentation in mind. “This is sort of how the technology was created, again, to deliver at a cinematic quality and not just as, you know, something you can pull up in front of a phone and speak in multiple languages, that's much easily done. And that's not where you need this level of fidelity,” Malhotra said. Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi lend their voices The English version also features English voice performances from the principal cast. Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram, Yash, who portrays Ravana, and Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita, have dubbed their own voices in English.

The trailer, which runs for just under four minutes, introduces the central conflict of the film. It begins with Ravana's rise before moving into Lord Ram's 14-year exile with Sita and Lakshman, played by Ravie Dubey. It also features Rakul Preet Singh as Shurpanakha, followed by Sita's abduction and Ram's vow to confront Ravana.

The English trailer has also confirmed that Ramayana: Part 1 will have a worldwide theatrical release on November 6, 2026, ahead of the Diwali weekend.

Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana to release in China with a new title

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Lalit Modi DENIES Bigg Boss 20 participation, calls reports “fake news” and issues legal notice

Reports claiming that IPL founder and businessman Lalit Modi will enter the Bigg Boss 20 house have been denied by Modi, who has also issued a legal notice to publications and social media accounts that carried the claim. The clarification came a day after several social media accounts reported his alleged participation in the upcoming season of the Salman Khan-hosted reality show.

Taking to X early on Saturday morning, Modi categorically rejected the reports and said he has neither been approached for the show nor intends to participate in it.

“FAKE NEWS. PERIOD. I have NOT been approached for Bigg Boss 20. I am NOT participating in Bigg Boss 20. And I have NO intention of doing so. Amazing how a completely fabricated story can become ‘news’ without anyone bothering to ask the person concerned,” he wrote.

Modi also shared a legal notice issued by his lawyers, Hirani & Associates, and warned the publications and social media accounts that had carried the reports. “Perhaps next time, verify before you publish,” he added.

According to the legal notice, the reports suggesting that Modi had been signed as a contestant on Bigg Boss 20 are “false, baseless and mischievous.” His lawyers further clarified that Modi had not been approached by the show's producers, broadcasters, channel or any representative associated with the programme.

FAKE NEWS. PERIOD. I have NOT been approached for Bigg Boss 20. I am NOT participating in Bigg Boss 20. And I have NO intention of doing so.

Amazing how a completely fabricated story can become “news” without anyone bothering to ask the person concerned.

My lawyers have issued… pic.twitter.com/DUQZUbqUYn

— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) August 14, 2026

“Our Client hereby clarifies that the said reports are false, baseless and mischievous. Our Client has not been approached by the producers, broadcasters, channel or any representative of the said Programme; no person has been authorised to represent our Client or to hold out on his behalf in respect thereof; and our Client has not consented to, and has no intention of, participating in or being associated with the said Programme in any manner whatsoever,” the notice stated.

The legal notice also pointed out that Modi had not confirmed his alleged participation to any publication. It stated that the reports were published without verification or authorisation and objected to the use of Modi's name, image, photograph, likeness, voice and other personality attributes to suggest an association with Bigg Boss 20.

Meanwhile, anticipation around the 20th season of Bigg Boss continues to build. Salman Khan is returning as the host, with the Hindi edition scheduled to premiere on September 6 on JioHotstar and Colors. The show's first trailer has already teased a new format element, with Salman introducing an additional ‘jeevan daan’, or lifeline, for contestants.

Also Read: Is Elnaaz Norouzi entering Bigg Boss 20? Here’s what we know

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Lakshya to star in Raakh director Prosit Roy’s psychological love story, film to begin shoot in December 2026

Actor Lakshya is set to collaborate with Raakh director Prosit Roy on an upcoming film that combines romance with psychological drama.

The actor has been receiving attention for his performances across a range of roles and is now preparing to step into a new space. Following his work in Kill, Chand Mera Dil and The Ba***ds of Bollywood, Lakshya will take on a more layered and unpredictable character in this yet-to-be-titled project, moving away from the roles he has played so far.

Roy, known for his distinctive storytelling and previously credited with Raakh, is bringing a fresh perspective to the romance genre with a narrative that incorporates psychological elements. The collaboration is expected to offer a departure from conventional love stories, with the film’s emotional core intertwined with a darker, more intriguing layer, blending the two genres in a manner not commonly attempted in mainstream romance narratives.

The project is currently in the development stage and is expected to commence filming in December 2026. The makers are also in the process of finalising the female lead, with the casting set to add another dimension to the film once locked.

The film is being directed by Prosit Roy and stars Lakshya in the lead role. Further details regarding the rest of the cast and crew are yet to be announced by the makers. The project is targeting a 2027 release.

Also Read: Prosit Roy to collaborate with Dharma Productions for a psychological romance after Raakh success: Report

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Rani Mukerji becomes second Indian film personality after Shah Rukh Khan to receive La Trobe Honorary Doctorate

Rani Mukerji has added another prestigious milestone to her illustrious career. The actress has been conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters by La Trobe University, making her the second Indian film personality to receive an honorary doctorate from the Australian university after Shah Rukh Khan.

The recognition comes in honour of Mukerji’s nearly three decades in Indian cinema, as well as her contribution to humanitarian work. Known for taking on characters and stories that have addressed social issues, women’s empowerment and important conversations, the actress has consistently used her platform to highlight narratives that resonate beyond entertainment.

Speaking about the honour, Rani Mukerji said, “Receiving this honorary doctorate from La Trobe University is one of the most humbling moments of my life,” Mukerji said. “For someone who has always believed that films can change hearts before they change minds, this recognition means more than I can possibly express.”

Over the course of her career, Mukerji has featured in films spanning several genres while also choosing projects driven by strong themes and characters. Reflecting on the philosophy behind her choices, she shared, “I have always chosen films that have made an impact in my heart first. A story that needs to be told. A story that would inspire and empower.”

The actress also spoke about the larger responsibility that comes with being an artist, particularly when representing Indian cinema and culture on a global platform. “Every artist carries a responsibility beyond performance. We quietly become ambassadors of our culture,” she added.

 

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Mukerji further reflected on the impact her work can have on audiences and how films can shape perceptions about India and its women. She went on to continue, “If my films have helped even one person understand India and its women a little better… then I feel I have fulfilled a responsibility far greater than simply being an actor.”

The honour also places Rani Mukerji in an exclusive league at La Trobe University. Shah Rukh Khan was conferred an honorary doctorate by the university in 2019, and the institution subsequently announced a PhD scholarship in his name.

With the latest recognition, Mukerji’s contribution to Indian cinema is being acknowledged not only for her performances but also for the cultural and social impact of the stories she has chosen throughout her career.

Also Read: Rani Mukerji honoured at IFFM with special citation for acting excellence: “Success is the love that remains… year after year and only grows with time"

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