Aamir Khan drops major career update at IFFI 2025: Superstar confirms full-time return to acting after wrapping current films

Aamir Khan brought the final Fireside Chat of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to a roaring conclusion, turning the packed Kala Academy into what felt like an immersive masterclass in cinema. The session, moderated by acclaimed film critic Baradwaj Rangan, was titled ‘The Narrative Architect of Social Transformation and Inclusivity’ and soon turned into a candid, insightful and deeply personal conversation with the superstar.

Aamir began by revisiting the origins of his love for stories, recalling memories of his grandmother’s tales and the magic of Hawa Mahal on the radio—moments he credits for shaping his creative instincts. “I’ve always been drawn to stories. They were a big part of my childhood, and that fascination has guided every choice I’ve made as an actor,” he said.

What emerged through the session was Aamir’s belief in instinct over calculation. “I can’t repeat myself. Once I’ve done a certain kind of film, I want to move on. I look for stories that feel fresh, unique, and creatively exciting,” he explained. Rejecting the idea of trend-driven filmmaking, he added, “I choose films purely based on my emotional excitement for the story, even if it goes completely against the norm.”

He reflected on how some of his biggest hits were once considered risky. “Most of my decisions have been impractical by industry standards. When we made Lagaan, even Javed Saab advised us not to. By all logic, I shouldn’t have become a star—I broke every rule. But somehow, those unconventional choices connected with people and I’m deeply grateful,” he said.

Aamir clarified that his films with social themes happened organically. “I never select a film thinking about which social topic to address next. I only look for scripts that excite me. If a great script carries a social message, that’s a bonus—not the starting point,” he noted, while crediting writers for shaping the worlds of Taare Zameen Par, 3 Idiots, Dangal and Laapataa Ladies.

In one of the evening’s biggest revelations, Aamir confirmed a major professional shift. “Once I complete the current slate of projects I’ve produced—Lahore 1947, Happy Patel, and a few others—the work on all of them will wrap in the next few months. After that, I’m shifting my focus entirely back to acting from production.” He continued, “From here on, any script I hear will be only for me as an actor. It’s a significant shift, but the right time to dedicate myself fully to acting again.”

He also shared that he is currently hearing new scripts. “Several have excited me—two or three in particular—but I’m still in the process of choosing,” he said.

Aamir touched upon his long-standing desire to direct, adding, “Direction is actually my big love. Filmmaking is what I enjoy the most… But the day I consciously decide to take up direction, I’ll probably stop acting, because it will consume me completely. That’s why I’m delaying that decision for now.”

The session closed with Aamir being felicitated by Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Sanjay Jaju, marking a memorable end to IFFI 2025’s final Fireside Chat.

Also Read: Aamir Khan gets emotional remembering Dharmendra; reveals the late legend watched Lahore 1947 before anyone else

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Apne producer Deepak Mukut miffed with Anil Sharma for calling off Apne 2: "He is not authorized to make such a rash statement"

Producer Deepak Mukut is extremely miffed with director Anil Sharma for saying that the sequel to the Deols’ family film Apne cannot be made without the patriarch of the family.

Affirmed Deepak Mukut, “On the contrary, Apne must be made now, more than ever before. We were working on the project with Dharam ji. Now Sunny (Deol) and I are going to work on Apne as a homage to Dharam ji. He will be there in the project in spirit. Apne featured Dharam ji with Sunny and Bobby. Apne 2 will also have Sunny’s son Karan in stellar role. I will be sitting down with Sunny over this as soon as the mourning period finishes.”

Mukut is surprised and annoyed at Anil Sharma’s announcement on Apne 2 being called off after Dharam ji’s death. “He is not authorized to make such a rash statement. I wonder why he said this. He denies having made such a statement. But how can he be quoted on something so sensitive if he didn’t say it? It is not Anil Sharma’s call to go ahead with the project or not. It is up to Sunny and I to take the project ahead and we are going ahead full throttle. We owe it to Dharam ji and his fans all over the world.”

Since Anil Sharma feels the project cannot move ahead without Dharmaji, would Deepak Mukut consider replacing the director in Apne 2?

“It is a possibility. I am not ruling it out. We may have a new director. That is not important. The important thing is, we are going ahead with Apne 2 as a homage to Dharamji with Sunny, Bobby and Karan Deol.”

Also Read: Deepak Mukut sets the record straight, reveals Apne 2 will celebrate Dharmendra’s spirit and the Deol family legacy

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Kapil Sharma to return to Colors after 11 years in Laughter Chefs: Report

Recent reports suggest that Kapil Sharma is all set to make a much-talked-about return to Colors, marking a significant moment for fans who have long associated the channel with some of his earliest television triumphs. While he is not reviving Comedy Nights With Kapil, the iconic skit-based chat show that made him a household name, the comedian, we hear, is gearing up to be a part of an entirely different show— the comedy cooking reality show Laughter Chefs that is expected to mark a return with its new season soon.

For those who came in late, Comedy Nights With Kapil had once been one of the biggest draws on Indian television, welcoming major Bollywood stars and featuring popular comedians like Sunil Grover, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda and many others. The show ended amid reports of a fallout between Kapil and the channel — an incident that unfolded nearly 11 years ago. Despite the long-standing buzz around their differences, the comedian and the network have finally decided to turn the page.

According to industry chatter, Kapil will now be joining Laughter Chefs, a show known for pairing television celebrities in a chaotic, comedy-infused kitchen setting. The new addition is expected to bring a fresh surge of excitement, especially since it will once again see him share screen space with Krushna Abhishek and comedian-host Bharti Singh — a trio the audience has always loved watching together.

For Kapil, this is said to mark a refreshing departure from his usual stage-driven and conversational comedy. The culinary backdrop is expected to be giving him a whole new playground to explore. He will be seen interacting with contestants navigating frantic cooking challenges, last-minute mishaps and kitchen blunders that naturally lead to hilarious outcomes. His spontaneity and quick wit are expected to blend seamlessly with the show’s format, making his presence a major draw for viewers.

Meanwhile, the comedian is juggling an extremely busy schedule. He continues to front multiple seasons of Netflix’s The Great Indian Kapil Show, where he shares screen space with Krushna Abhishek, Sunil Grover, Kiku Sharda, Archana Puran Singh, Navjot Singh Sidhu and others. The series has been performing strongly for the platform and keeps Kapil firmly positioned as one of India’s most bankable entertainers.

Kapil is also gearing up for the theatrical release of his comedy entertainer Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2. The film features an ensemble cast including Hina Warina, Ayesha Khan, Tridha Choudhury, Parul Gulati and Manjot Singh, among others.

With Laughter Chefs, Kapil Sharma’s comeback to Colors marks the beginning of yet another exciting chapter in his television journey — one that brings nostalgia, reunions and brand-new comic chaos.

Also Read: Kapil Sharma, Honey Singh set the stage on fire with ‘Phurr’ from Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2; song out now!

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EXCLUSIVE: Dharmendra’s family to host ‘Celebration Of Life’ memorial; Sonu Nigam to sing his evergreen hits

Legendary actor Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24, 2025, will be remembered in a special way by his family and loved ones. Bollywood Hungama has learned that instead of a conventional prayer meet, the Deols are organising a heartfelt ‘Celebration Of Life’ that mirrors the way the superstar lived – large-hearted, warm and king size.

The remembrance gathering will be held this week at a five-star hotel in Mumbai. The Deol family will be in attendance along with other near and dear ones from their extended family, as well as the film industry.

An insider told Bollywood Hungama, “In a moving gesture, the family has invited Sonu Nigam to perform some of the most memorable songs picturised on Dharmendra over the decades. The singer is expected to render evergreen numbers that defined the star’s on-screen romance and charisma...melodies that generations have grown up with and still hum with affection. The idea is to let music do what Dharmendra’s own films often did: bring smiles, wipe tears and celebrate love, friendship and togetherness.”

Close family members, friends and colleagues from the film fraternity are expected to gather at the venue to remember the “He-Man” of Hindi cinema – the charming hero of Phool Aur Patthar, Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Satyakam, etc, the lovable patriarch of Apne and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and the ever-gracious gentleman off-screen. Instead of a sombre, quiet ceremony, the evening is being envisioned as a warm reunion of people whose lives he touched over a career spanning more than six decades.

With music, memories and anecdotes, Dharmendra’s ‘Celebration Of Life’ aims to capture the spirit of a star who laughed generously, loved deeply and remained forever young in the hearts of his audience.

Also Read: IFFI 2025 to honour Dharmendra at closing ceremony after veteran actor’s demise; 4K Sholay screening cancelled

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Alaya F reveals SIBO diagnosis during 75-Hard; says she’s been on antibiotics for 50 days

Alaya F has always been the one who genuinely pioneers fitness among the Gen-Z, cementing herself as the true fitness icon who's often celebrated for her commitment and dedication. The actress embarked on a 75-Hard for the second time and documented her progress on her social media. Recently, she announced that she has been diagnosed with SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), a day before she concludes her 75-Hard.

In her video, the actor shared, “It's day 74 of my 75-Hard of the year; I'm at the finish line. But today, instead of showing you guys progress photos, I actually have a personal story to tell you. You guys are probably used to seeing my stomach look a little like this (toned), but for most of this 75-Hard, my stomach has actually looked like this (bloated).”

She added, “For almost three months, I had a mystery illness that we just couldn't seem to diagnose. It turned out to be a severe case of something called SIBO, which causes constant bloating, terrible fatigue, inflammation, nutrient malabsorption, slow muscle recovery, low strength and brain fog. Basically, it's the worst thing that can happen to you while you're on a 75-Hard. And I've been on antibiotics for over 50 days now. It's safe to say that this 75-Hard was completely different from the last time I did it.”

She further revealed how this 75-Hard was different. “Last time, my workouts were about pushing myself to my limits. This time, it was just about showing up and getting the bare minimum done. Last time, I watched my body sculpt and transform - this time, I wasn't seeing any progress. I was only seeing symptoms. Last time, I kept adding more habits, more structure, more intensity. But this time, it was just about completing exactly what was required and letting that be enough.”

For Alaya, fitness has always been about consistency. “I realized that it's super easy to feel proud when everything looks great, but it's truly life-changing to feel proud when nothing looks great. So I suppose this 75-Hard taught me the most important lesson of them all. The true discipline is never about intensity; it's always about consistency,” she concluded.

 

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Despite her obstacles, Alaya F always sets an inspirational example for her admirers. And this time too, she’s proven yet again that dedication and consistency go a long way.

Also Read: Alaya F Reveals how Hrithik Roshan starrer Krrish made her fall in love with Bollywood: “It was like a childhood-defining moment for me”

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EXCLUSIVE: Sumit Arora talks about writing dialogues for 120 Bahadur: "Farhan Akhtar is very thorough professional, sharp, witty"; reacts to Shah Rukh Khan's National Award win for Jawan: "He should have won long back…the National Award deserved him!"

Sumit Arora has carved a niche for himself thanks to his solid writing in shows like The Family Man, Dahaad, Guns & Gulaabs and Citadel: Honey Bunny and in films like Stree (2018), ’83 (2021), Jawan (2023), Chandu Champion (2024) etc. November 21 was a significant day for him this year for he had 2 releases – the season 3 of The Family Man dropped on Amazon Prime Video while the Farhan Akhtar-starrer war drama 120 Bahadur arrived in cinemas. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Sumit Arora spoke about his dialogues in 120 Bahadur and a lot more.

You had 2 releases in a single day. How was the experience and what did you do on November 21? I was at IFFI, Goa as we had screenings of The Family Man as well as 120 Bahadur. I was checking the reactions of both. The Family Man Season 3 was available digitally while 120 Bahadur had released in theatres. So, it was very interesting and also overwhelming to have two releases on two different mediums on the same day. The Family Man has been widely loved and hence, we knew that people have been waiting for it. We were curious as to how they receive the new season. Thankfully, they are finding a lot of joy in watching it.

120 Bahadur, meanwhile, is also a special film as it told an important chapter from history. The love for it is also pouring it and hence, the experience has been satisfying.

You had mentioned to us before that you don’t believe in doing dialoguebaazi for the sake of it. Did you apply the same idea in 120 Bahadur as well? Of course. I apply it in everything that I do (smiles). The film is based on a true story and even the characters were real. So, I had to stay rooted and have the punchiness in the dialogues wherever required. I had to ensure that the punchy dialogues needed to be mouthed for a reason. For example, when Farhan Akhtar tells his soldiers that he ‘Main peeche nahin hatunga’, the dialogue had to be emotionally charged and should express his feelings for the country. He brings up the fact that they are the sons of farmers. So, he says, ‘Zameen ke liye ladna tumhare khoon mein hai. Aur iss baar, baat zameen ki nahin, hamare sarzameen ki hai’. This line came up organically as he’s talking to soldiers who are sons of the soil who are now fighting for their motherland. So, we were not trying to create a punch for the heck of it.

How was it working with Farhan Akhtar? I had worked on Dahaad before, which was produced by him. But this was the first time I interacted with him. He’s a very thorough professional, sharp and witty. He’s also well-respectful and accepting of ideas from everyone around him. So, it was a great experience. I had seen his directorial debut, Dil Chahta Hai (2001), before coming to Mumbai and loved it. Just to see his creative process from up close was very enriching.

 

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You went on the sets of Jawan for 100 days. Did you visit 120 Bahadur’s sets as well? Yes, I did go to Ladakh and I went twice.

Was it challenging to shoot the film in a hostile terrain like Ladakh? Yes. To shoot at such an altitude is always a challenge. The unit members were always falling sick. I, too, fell sick in one of the trips. My condition was similar to Radio Operator Ramchander Yadav (played by Sparsh Walia) in the film as I suffered from altitude sickness. Thankfully, it didn’t last long, and I felt ill for a few hours only. I faced breathing issues because I forgot to take the tablet to acclimatize oneself. Hence, it’s very difficult to shoot there.

Shah Rukh Khan recently won the National Award for Jawan. Did it feel like a personal achievement? More than a personal achievement, it felt like an achievement of a man you have always loved. I felt great that I could be a part of the film that got Shah Rukh sir the National Award. It was an award he should have won long back as he has done such remarkable work over a period of time. So, I feel it was the National Award that deserved him and not the other way round (smiles).

What are your upcoming projects besides Border 2? Are you a part of Dahaad 2? Yes, Dahaad 2 is happening. And I am also working on Kabir Khan’s next film. There are also a couple of more projects which I’ll be able to talk about in the near future.

Also Read: Residential societies join schools in organising theatre visits for 120 Bahadur

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Shubhangi Atre reveals Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai film wrapped in just 20 days

The beloved television comedy Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai! is now making its way to the big screen — and the transition happened faster than anyone expected. According to an exclusive report by HTCity, the show’s long-awaited film adaptation has already been shot, and it was wrapped up in a record-breaking 20 days.

Shubhangi Atre, who plays Angoori Bhabhi, confirmed the astonishing timeline. She said, “Yes, the film has been shot in just 20 days!” and even joked, “We should be in Guinness Record!”

In addition to the core cast Shubhangi Atre, Rohitashv Gour, and Aasif Sheikh the movie will also feature actors Ravi Kishan, Mukesh Tiwari, and Bijendra Kala.

The entire production was completed in the picturesque hill towns of Mussoorie and Dehradun. Speaking of the shoot, Shubhangi said, “Bohot thand mein shooting ki humne, it was very exciting and the shoot was over in March. It's a complete laughter ride!”

About what fans can expect, she hinted at some surprises, “Angoori kuch alag karti hui dikhegi. It is a surprise for the fans. The love they have given to the show, I hope they give to the film also! Bohot dil se banayi hui film hai!”

The announcement and swift production mark an exciting new chapter for the show, promising fans the same humour and charm now on the big screen.

Also Read : Shubhangi Atre reflects on divorce and ex-husband’s death: “Addiction destroyed him”

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