EXCLUSIVE: Siddharth Anand shares a special moment with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar; says “White is the story of the GLORY of India”

In a significant meeting on January 20, India’s premier blockbuster filmmaker Siddharth Anand met global spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar along with producer Mahaveer Jain. Both Siddharth Anand and Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar have had several conversations before but this meeting was special. It was held in an atmosphere of deep reflection and vision, centred around the upcoming international thriller White, a project that marks a unique milestone in Indian cinema.

The film, which features National Award winner Vikrant Massey alongside an international cast, is inspired by the incredible true story of the 52-year-long civil conflict in Colombia and its historic resolution through non-violence and peace.

Reflecting on the film’s vision after his meeting with Gurudev, Siddharth Anand shared his excitement for the film, “In many ways, White is the story of the glory of India. At a time when the world is grappling with unprecedented division, this film is truly the need of the hour. It doesn’t just tell the story of one individual; it stands as a testament to the immense strength and weight that Indian values and philosophies carry on the world stage.”

Siddharth Anand further added about the spiritual leader, “Sitting with Gurudev is an incredibly grounding experience. His presence reinforces what we are trying to capture in White – the true power of peace”.

About the Film

The global thriller White boasts a solid international team, including cinematographer Juan Carlos Gil of Narcos fame. Having completed intensive schedules in both Colombia and India, the film is poised to be a landmark flick that showcases India’s philosophical leadership to a global audience.

White is backed by Siddharth Anand and Mahaveer Jain, directed by Montoo Bassi and co-produced by Concious Studios, PeaceCraft Pictures and BroadVision. Jaguar Bite, a leading production house in South America, has also come on board as a co-production partner.

Produced as an English-Spanish bilingual, White is set for a worldwide release across several countries later in 2026.

 

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A meeting to remember

Besides Siddharth Anand, several important personalities of the Indian film industry also met Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on January 20, like producers Mamta Anand and Neetu Jain, Amit Chandra of Trigger Happy Entertainment Network, Prabhat Chaudhary of Spice PR, Jay Mehta, head of India and SAARC, Warner Music, Kamal Gianchandani CEO, PVR Inox Pictures Ltd, Shrenik Gandhi and Mitesh Kothari of White Rivers Media, music supervisor Azeem Dayani, Paras Kanani of reputed Entertainment Publicity studio House of Awe India, Sanjay Chatar of Pen Marudhar and others.

Also Read: SCOOP: Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand LOCK Christmas 2026 release for King; Announcement on the way

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Adil Hussain replaces Milind Soman in Anshuman Jha's Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business

In a significant casting update that reflects the evolving nature of cinematic universes, acclaimed actor Adil Hussain has come on board Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business, replacing Milind Soman in the role of the sensei in the much-anticipated sequel scheduled for a release later this year.

Globally, audiences are accustomed to seeing iconic characters reimagined by different actors—be it James Bond, Superman, or Spider-Man. Indian cinema is now stepping into similar territory, and the Lakadbaggha universe is at the forefront of this shift. Billed as the world’s first animal lover vigilante universe, Lakadbaggha wrapped the shoot of its sequel in June 2025, following an ambitious scale-up after lead actor Anshuman Jha also took charge behind the scenes.

Best known internationally for his work in Life of Pi, Adil Hussain steps into a role that has been significantly expanded in the sequel. Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business promises a sharper, darker, and more action-heavy narrative, with the sensei character playing a pivotal role in the protagonist’s journey.

The film positions itself as a martial arts action spectacle with a formidable international ensemble, featuring martial arts legends Sunny Pang (Headshot, Havoc) and Dan CChupong (OngBak). The Indian cast includes Sarah Jane Dias, Vikram Kochar, and Anshuman Jha, who reprises his role as Arjun Bakshi, the ordinary man turned animal-loving vigilante.

Speaking about the casting, Adil Hussain said, "Watching Lakadbaggha-1 was so inspiring. It felt like someone was finally making a film that stood up for the rights of animals—something we haven’t seen in decades, perhaps since Haathi Mere Saathi in the seventies. I also had the good fortune of working with Anshuman Jha, both under his direction and as a co-actor. The martial arts training and action sequences were challenging, but Anshuman has been incredibly supportive and generous throughout the process. I’m truly grateful to be part of the Lakadbaggha franchise."

Adding another layer to its expanding mythology, the Lakadbaggha comic book universe, launched last year, continues to grow in parallel with the film franchise, further cementing its ambition as a multi-format Indian action universe with a global outlook.

Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business is slated for a mid-2026 release, marking the next chapter in a franchise that blends action, conscience, and animal welfare into a distinctive cinematic identity.

Also Read: Sarah Jane Dias joins the cast of Lakadbaggha 2 – The Monkey Business as Anshuman Jha welcomes her into the expanding animal-lover vigilante universe

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Resul Pookutty refutes AR Rahman's communal remark, "He shouldn't have said that. I have never faced anything like that in my entire career"

Oscar winning sound designer has much common in A R Rahman. They both won Oscars for Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire and they are both Muslim.

So, has Resul also felt the “communal thing” that Rahman says he has experienced?

Said Resul, “He shouldn’t have said that. I have never faced anything like that in my entire career. I think film industry is one sector where such thoughts haven’t gone deep rooted and we see things way beyond sectarian thoughts. I’m very proud of that aspect of my industry.”

Defending Rahman’s remarks Resul Pookutty said, “If you listen to what he said about this is, when he was removed from projects he ‘heard’ whispers from people referring to it as ‘that might be communal’. Now what he said is what people told him. In the same breath he said, people are too mature to not see things beyond all these factors. It seems we are very quick to pin Rahman down. I think he said things with sincerity. Let’s not crucify him for what he felt about the situation at the moment when he was being asked about it.”

Also Read: Oscar award winner Resul Pookutty on crafting longing for Gustaakh Ishq: “These sounds carry memory of people”

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Anees Bazmee CONFIRMS casting of his next film: “It stars Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Raashii Khanna, Vijay Raaz…”; CLARIFIES on Sankranthiki Vasthunam remake rumours

Anees Bazmee is all set to start the shoot of his next film on January 20 in Mumbai. The blockbuster filmmaker opened up about this film, which stars Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan, in an interview to Avanti Films.

Anees Bazmee praised Akshay Kumar, “We have a lot of love for each other. We didn’t work for so many years. However, we continued bumping into each other and our bond remained intact. When I got the story of this film and realized it would be apt for Akshay ji, I approached him. He loved the story. He’s very excited about it. We begin shooting for the film on January 20.”

When asked if he has locked a title for this film, he replied, “No, we haven’t thought of a title yet.”

Next, Anees Bazmee praised producer Dil Raju, “He has been an old friend. We were supposed to do a film with Shahid Kapoor. But it didn’t get made for some reason. Raju bhai is a very nice guy and a reputed producer down South. When our previous project didn’t materialize, I had the wish in my mind that ‘Inke liye ek film toh karni hai’. When he approached me for this film, I told him, ‘Why not?’ and signed the film.”

There have been reports that the film is a remake of Sankranthiki Vasthunam (2025). Anees Bazmee clarified, “Such rumours keep floating in the market. Until now, a lot has been said about me and my films. But I never give clarification, as the truth comes out eventually. The story of our film is close to the premise of (Sankranthiki Vasthunam). Also, Dil Raju bhai is the producer of both the films. All I can say is that hamari film acchi hai. Mehnat poori ki hai humne.”

Anees further said, “The film stars Akshay ji, Vidya ji, Raashii Khanna, Vijay Raaz, Zakir Hussain, Sayaji Shinde and others. Expect a lot of comedy, romance, action, songs, etc.”

Also Read: Anees Bazmee to shoot his next comedy with Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan from January 15

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Randeep Hooda becomes investor for health and wellness brand TeinPro, marks foray into entrepreneurship

Actor Randeep Hooda has taken his first step into entrepreneurship by joining as an investor in TeinPro, an Indian health and nutrition brand focused on clean, everyday protein solutions. The move reflects Hooda’s long-standing interest in disciplined living and mindful health choices, rather than a conventional celebrity business association.

Founded by Chinmay Barik, Raghav Gupta and Kshitij Shokeen, TeinPro positions itself as a wellness brand aimed at addressing everyday nutritional gaps, particularly protein deficiency in Indian diets. The company currently offers protein and energy bars designed for people with active routines, long workdays, or those seeking balanced nutrition without extreme fitness messaging.

Speaking about his association with the venture, Hooda explained that his decision was rooted in personal alignment rather than commercial intent. “I’ve never been someone who believes in attaching my name to things casually. For me, any association off screen has to feel honest and reflective of how I live my life,” he said.

Hooda shared that his interaction with the founding team played a key role in his decision. “When I interacted with the founders, Chinmay, Raghav and Kshitij, I connected with the simplicity of their thinking. They weren’t trying to sell extremes or push a fitness fad,” he noted. According to the actor, what stood out was the brand’s focus on everyday nourishment suited to Indian lifestyles.

Highlighting the relevance of the product in a local context, Hooda added, “The innately Indian diet does not meet the necessary requirement of protein intake that one needs daily. What stood out to me was how the protein and energy bars are positioned, not just for people who train intensely, but also for those who have long workdays, active routines, or simply want to make better food choices.”

He further emphasised the importance of simplicity and balance in nutrition. “The idea of creating something clean, with no added sugar or preservatives, and keeping the emphasis on balance rather than excess, felt very natural to me. Protein doesn’t need to be intimidating or complicated. It can and should be a part of daily life,” Hooda said.

Known for physically demanding and restrained performances in films such as Sarbjit, Highway and Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Hooda’s career has often reflected a focus on discipline and intent—qualities that now extend to his entrepreneurial choices. His role at TeinPro is that of an investor, backing what he describes as a thoughtful and sustainable idea rather than an endorsement-driven partnership.

Also Read: Why Randeep Hooda stepped away from Shahid Kapoor-starrer O’Romeo days before shooting? Here’s what we know!

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SCOOP: Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand LOCK Christmas 2026 release for King; Announcement on the way

After the historic success of Pathaan, Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand are reuniting for the second time on King. The film rides on a stellar star-cast with Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Arshad Warsi, Suhana Khan and Abhay Verma among others. Over the last few days, there has been a historic buzz around the release date of this tentpole actioner.

Bollywood Hungama is bringing to all the readers an exclusive scoop on King. Reliable sources have confirmed that Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand have locked a Christmas 2026 release for King. "The duo of SRK and Sid were brainstorming several options for their release, and the two in the forefront were - December 4 and December 25. After weighing all options, they have locked a Christmas 2026 release for their action packed entertainer."

The source also informed us further that the film is skipping the iconic December 4 window due to Ramayana. "SRK and Sid are clear in maintaining a gap from Ramayana, which could go on to record a historic business. They don't want to come and hurt the business of this divine saga in any way, and hence have locked a Christmas 2026 release. This ensures a gap of 45 days between Ramayana and King, giving both the films the breathing space that they deserve."

With a Christmas release, SRK will be enjoying an open run at the box office, as no Hindi film is slated to arrive in that coveted window. There is Avengers: Doomsday a week before, but Hollywood films are frontloaded and for the Hindi cinema audience, there's nothing that can top the experience of watching a Shah Rukh Khan film on the big screen."

An official announcement for the release date of King is expected to be made in the coming week.

Also Read: “Being part of a Shah Rukh Khan film feels like a dream come true,” says his King-co-star Akshay Oberoi

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Anil Kapoor to duel with Jr NTR in Prashanth Neel’s Dragon

Prashanth Neel’s action drama Dragon just got its North Indian tadka. Anil Kapoor has joined the cast in a prominent role. Anil is apparently playing the antagonist.

To cast a Bollywood actor opposite an A-lister Telugu actor has become quite the thing. It started with Neil Nitin Mukesh, followed by Bobby Deol in several Telugu films.

About Anil Kapoor in Dragon, the film’s team is quite tightlipped about his role. However, a source close to the development revealed that Anil would be making an appearance at a pivotal juncture in the narrative.

“It is a brief but very important character, and Anil has agreed to do it for NTR’s sake,” the source informed.

Also Read: SCOOP: Anil Kapoor buys rights to his cult film Nayak; aspires to make its sequel

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