SCOOP: Ananya Birla's Birla Studios in talks with Anees Bazmee, Shoojit Sircar, Neeraj Pandey

Earlier this month, it was announced that Ananya Birla has established a production house called Birla Studios, which will focus on films which are commercial and also high-concept. Bollywood Hungama has learned that the business tycoon is in talks with several prominent filmmakers for films that would be produced under her banner.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Ananya Birla has initiated talks with Anees Bazmee, Shoojit Sircar, Neeraj Pandey etc., among others. Ananya has been an admirer of the films made by these filmmakers and feels that they could be apt to make content for her newly established production company. Anees, Shoojit and Neeraj have also been impressed with her vision, understanding of filmmaking and passion for cinema.”

The source added, “The talks are going on. If all goes well, Anees Bazmee, Shoojit Sircar and Neeraj Pandey will sign on the dotted line soon.”

As per the press release, “Birla Studios is shaping a multi-language slate that spans stories in Hindi, Gujarati, Malayalam, amongst other regional languages and international English language cinema, reflecting its ambition to engage audiences across borders and culture”. The press release also indicates that the studio plans to reveal its upcoming projects soon through an official announcement.

During the launch of Birla Studios, Ananya Birla said, “We are all stories. Cinema is one of the most powerful mediums through which those stories are told. At its most powerful, cinema creates an immediate connection while leaving a lasting resonance. At Birla Studios, our focus is on curating a slate of films that balance cultural significance with strong entertainment value and a conscious stand to nurture new talent, while exploring genres, amplifying fresh voices and diverse perspectives. As we put this slate together, we’ve been deeply encouraged by the kindness and receptiveness of everyone across the industry. It would be a privilege to play even a small part in taking Indian cinema forward.”

Meanwhile, Anees Bazmee is currently busy filming his next with Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Raashii Khanna and others. Shoojit Sircar’s next is a mytho-horror film starring Manoj Bajpayee, Rajkummar Rao, Viineet Kumar Siingh and Saurabh Shukla. Neeraj Pandey’s next, Ghooskhor Pandat, was recently announced at the ‘Next on Netflix’ event. Starring Manoj Bajpayee and directed by Ritesh Shah, the heist movie got into trouble as a section of society has alleged that its title and promotional material are defamatory and communally offensive. The matter became serious, prompting the makers and Netflix to pull down the promotional material.

Also Read: Ananya Birla launches Birla Studios to back culturally relevant, commercial films

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Rajpal Yadav is still in Tihar jail; wife Radha dismisses release rumours: “We are hopeful that he will be out soon”

Actor Rajpal Yadav continues to remain in custody at Tihar Jail amid his ongoing legal battle in a cheque-bounce case, his wife Radha Yadav has confirmed. In a recent interaction with Bombay Times, Radha addressed growing speculation that the actor had been released. The rumours intensified after an old video resurfaced online showing Rajpal thanking Salman Khan, leading some to assume he had secured relief.

Dismissing the claims, Radha said, “As of now, he is not out of Tihar Jail. The bail hearing is scheduled for Monday (February 16).” When asked about his well-being, she shared a brief but reassuring update. “He is okay, from what I understand,” she added. Family Standing Strong Amid the legal turmoil, Radha emphasised that the family has remained united. “Our whole family is together at this time. We are grateful for the support and love he is receiving from his fans and the film fraternity,” she said, expressing gratitude for the concern shown by colleagues and admirers.

There have also been reports suggesting that actors such as Salman Khan, Sonu Sood, and Ajay Devgn stepped in to help clear Rajpal’s financial dues. However, Radha refrained from confirming any specific details.

“I can't take any specific names right now, but I would just want to say many people from the industry have stepped in to support. I'm not able to divulge names and figures at this stage,” she said cautiously. The Legal Case Rajpal’s legal troubles stem from a Rs 5 crores loan he took in 2010 to finance his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. After the film underperformed at the box office, repayment issues led to a prolonged court battle. Over time, the outstanding amount, including interest, reportedly rose to nearly Rs 9 crores.

While the actor has deposited Rs 75 lakh so far, the court observed that a significant portion remains unpaid, leading to his recent surrender and continued custody. Hope for Resolution Ending on a hopeful note, Radha expressed confidence that the matter would soon be resolved. “We are hopeful that he will be out soon. That's all I can say now. Once Rajpalji is out, he will be able to speak to you and the media and give further clarity on the matter.”

As the bail hearing approaches, the family awaits the court’s decision, while support from fans and industry peers continues to pour in.

Also Read: Priyadarshan arranges higher fee for Rajpal Yadav amid Rs 9 crores cheque bounce case: “Made a blunder because of his poor education”

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First poster of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ketan Mehta’s Jai Somnath unveiled on Maha Shivratri

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ketan Mehta, two of Indian cinema’s most influential creative forces, have come together to tell an important tale from India’s spiritual history. Bhansali has announced an upcoming seminal tale of Indian civilization titled Jai Somnath, in collaboration with acclaimed director Ketan Mehta. This marks an interesting partnership between two of the most powerful creative voices in Indian cinema.

Jai Somnath traces back to 1025–1026 CE, when Mahmud of Ghazni attacked and plundered the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, a defining chapter in Indian history. This year marks 1000 years of the Ghazni attack and the destruction of the temple, and its subsequent resurrection.

Somnath symbolizes the indestructible spirit of India and the glory of Indian civilization. Given the deep emotional and cultural significance of this chapter, the film aims to strike a strong chord with audiences as it revisits an important moment from India’s past.

 

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What makes Jai Somnath even more significant is the collaboration between Sanjay Leela Bhansali an iconic storyteller celebrated for grand world-building and larger-than-life cinema, and Ketan Mehta, a director known for bold storytelling, historical narratives, and socially relevant cinema with international appeal. The film brings together historical depth and cinematic scale. With both filmmakers hailing from Gujarat, the project is also expected to bring authenticity and emotional depth to the narrative.

Jai Somnath will be produced under the banners of Bhansali Productions and Maya Movies, with Ketan Mehta serving as writer and director. The film is slated for release in 2027.

Also Read: Sanjay Leela Bhansali on joining hands with Ketan Mehta for Jai Somnath, “Always been a huge fan of Ketan Mehta’s cinema”

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Sanjay Leela Bhansali on joining hands with Ketan Mehta for Jai Somnath, "Always been a huge fan of Ketan Mehta's cinema"

The biggest Bollywood news is the coming together of two epic filmmakers. Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ketan Mehta are joining hands for Jai Somnath, a film that cinematizes the legend of the famous temple.

Jai Somnath is described as a “seminal tale of Indian civilisation”. The lavish period drama is slated for release in 2027. Mehta is writing and directing the project, which will be produced by Bhansali Productions and Ketan Mehta’s Maya Movies.

Speaking exclusively on the project to this writer, Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, “I’ve always been a huge huge fan of Ketan Mehta’s cinema. His Mirch Masala is one of my 10 most favourite Indian films of all times. We’ve been toying with the idea of working together. This project seems the best way to collaborate on something special.”

The project was announced on Maha Shivratri as it is the cinematic manifestation of one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites located in Gujarat.

Also Read: Karan Johar calls Sanjay Leela Bhansali an “Aesthetic Voice”, praises his film costumes

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O’Romeo ratings and reviews disabled on BookMyShow after court order

The recently released film O’Romeo, starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, has had its audience ratings and public reviews disabled on the popular ticketing platform BookMyShow, following a court order. This marks an unusual development for a Hindi film, with official audience feedback blocked shortly after the movie’s theatrical debut on February 13, 2026.

O’Romeo, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and produced under the Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment banner, opened to a mixed response at the box office. According to reports, the film initially displayed an audience rating on BookMyShow — starting around 6.8 and rising to about 7 by the second day — before the reviews and rating section was removed entirely.

On the film’s BookMyShow page, where ratings and comments typically appear, a notice now reads: “Reviews and ratings disabled as per court order.” While neither the platform nor the makers have issued detailed statements explaining the legal reasoning, industry observers note that this appears to be a strategic response amid concerns over organised negative campaigns and “review bombing” that can skew public perception.

O’Romeo features a strong ensemble cast including Vikrant Massey, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal and Nana Patekar, among others. Despite its early debut and attention around its stylistic elements and performances, the film’s reception among audiences has been varied, with some praising its ambition and others critiquing its pacing and narrative cohesion.

Also Read: O’Romeo Box Office: Shahid Kapoor starrer sees good growth on Saturday

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Ranbir Kapoor CONFIRMS Love & War release postponed; Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial to release after Ramayana Part 1

Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor has confirmed that the highly anticipated film Love & War has been postponed from its earlier target release date, choosing to avoid a direct box-office clash with the sequels Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic. The update came during an Instagram Live session hosted by Ranbir to mark the anniversary of his lifestyle brand ARKS.

Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and featuring a star-studded cast including Ranbir, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, Love & War was initially slated for a Christmas 2025 release before being shifted to March 20, 2026. Rumours had previously suggested the film might be pushed all the way into early 2027 due to production timelines, but a source close to the project has reiterated that the film is committed to a 2026 release.

During the live interaction, Ranbir confirmed that Love & War will now be released after his other upcoming project, Ramayana Part 1, which is scheduled for an October release. With that shift, Love & War is likely to aim for a late-year window, potentially targeting December 2026 for its theatrical debut, though an official date has not yet been locked.

The decision to move the release comes as a crowded March 19 weekend now features major films Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic head-to-head. By positioning Love & War after Ramayana, the makers hope to give Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s romantic saga room to breathe commercially without contending with the heavyweight releases.

With Ramayana Part 1 set to pave the way, audiences can expect Love & War to arrive later in 2026, well clear of the March summer slate clash.

Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor sweetly reveals he kisses Alia Bhatt every morning; calls his biography “Artist”

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Diljit Dosanjh breaks his own record with 15-date Aura World Tour across North America

Today, global Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh made history, delivering the largest Live Nation North America presale ever for a South Asian artist, moving over 130,000 tickets in just two days. The Aura World Tour North American dates mark a major step forward from Dosanjh’s record-breaking 2024 Dil-Luminati Tour, which became the largest North American tour by a Punjabi artist to date.

Promoted by Live Nation, the 15-date run kicks off Thursday, April 23, with a stadium performance at BC Place in Vancouver, before continuing across North America with stops in Dallas, Toronto, and more. The tour will also include two nights at Madison Square Garden in New York, with the second date added due to overwhelming demand, before concluding with a two-night run at Chase Centre in San Francisco on June 20 and 21.

Diljit’s Aura World Tour officially launched last year with multiple dates in Sydney and Melbourne in November, making history as the first Punjabi artist to headline and sell out stadiums across Australia, collectively drawing more than 90,000 fans.

In 2025, Diljit received an International Emmy Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor for his acclaimed role in the Netflix film Amar Singh Chamkila, marking a significant moment for Indian representation on the global stage. That same year, VOGUEreaders named Diljit Best Dressed at the 2025 Met Gala, where he turned heads in a custom ivory Prabal Gurung sherwani and turban featuring meaningful cultural details. Most recently, J Balvin joined Diljit on a remix of his 2025 track 'Senorita.' DILJIT DOSANJH - AURA WORLD TOUR DATES: Thu, Apr 23 — Vancouver, BC — BC Place Thu, Apr 30 — Calgary, AB — Scotiabank Saddledome Sat, May 2 — Edmonton, AB — Rogers Place Thu, May 7 — Winnipeg, MB — Canada Life Centre Sun, May 10 — Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena Wed, May 13 — Orlando, FL — Kia Center Sat, May 16 — Dallas, TX — American Airlines Center Wed, May 20 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena Fri, May 22 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena Sun, May 24 — New York, NY — Madison Square Garden — SOLD OUT Mon, May 25 — New York, NY — Madison Square Garden — NEW SHOW ADDED Sun, May 31 — Toronto, ON — Rogers Centre — SOLD OUT Thu, Jun 18 — Los Angeles, CA — Crypto.com Arena Sat, Jun 20 — San Francisco, CA — Chase Center — SOLD OUT Sun, Jun 21 — San Francisco, CA — Chase Center — NEW SHOW ADDED

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Bhushan Kumar on backing Diljit Dosanjh in Border 2, “It was Anurag Singh’s call that for Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon’s character, he wanted only Diljit”

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