SCOOP: Nikita Dutta, Aakanksha Singh, Paresh Pahuja and Taaha Shah Badusha to lead Dharmatic’s Ruchir Arun directorial Nazdeekiyan

Netflix India's Musafir Cafe, starring Vikrant Massey, Vedika Pinto and Mahima Makwana, has emerged as one of the year's most successful streaming shows. The eight-episode romantic drama, based on Divya Prakash Dubey's best-selling novel of the same name, has resonated with audiences for its sensitive portrayal of modern relationships and the compromises that often come with adulthood.

While Netflix has already renewed Musafir Cafe for a second season, director Ruchir Arun is not immediately returning to the hills to continue the story of Chander, Sudha and Preeti. Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that the National Award-winning filmmaker is instead turning his attention to Nazdeekiyan, an Amazon Prime Video series produced by Karan Johar's Dharmatic Entertainment, the digital content division of Dharma Productions.

Nazdeekiyan stars Nikita Dutta, Aakanksha Singh, Paresh Pahuja and Taaha Shah Badusha in the lead roles.

Nikita Dutta is best known for her work in television and has also appeared in films including Lekar Hum Deewana Dil. She was recently seen alongside Saif Ali Khan in Jewel Thief. Aakanksha Singh, who has also worked extensively in television, has featured in shows such as Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha and films including Badrinath Ki Dulhania and Runway 34. Paresh Pahuja has previously starred in Bandish Bandits and Chand Mera Dil, while Taaha Shah Badusha rose to prominence with his portrayal of Nawab Tajdar Baloch in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi.

Set against a contemporary backdrop and exploring a similar emotional terrain to Karan Johar's 2006 film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Nazdeekiyan follows two couples whose lives are thrown into upheaval when their respective spouses are drawn into an all-consuming relationship.

Caught between duty and desire, the characters must confront a difficult question: is true happiness worth the heartbreak it may cause to the people they love?

The series is written by Priyanka Bannerjee, Prateek Payodi, Abhinandan Sridhar and Heem Verma, with dialogues by Preeti Mamgain.

Bollywood Hungama has further learned that Nazdeekiyan is currently in the final stages of scripting, with pre-production expected to begin within the next two months. The series is likely to go on floors towards the end of 2026 and is eyeing a 2027 premiere on Prime Video.

The project marks an interesting next step for Arun, who has built a reputation for sensitive portrayals of contemporary relationships and emotionally layered storytelling through projects such as Little Things, Feels Like Ishq and Unpaused. Following the success of Musafir Cafe, Nazdeekiyan sees the filmmaker once again explore the complexities of love and relationships, this time through a more mature and complicated emotional landscape.

With Dharmatic backing the project and an ensemble led by Nikita Dutta, Aakanksha Singh, Paresh Pahuja and Taaha Shah Badusha, Nazdeekiyan is shaping up as one of Prime Video's relationship dramas to watch out for in 2027.

Also Read: Marathi Zee 5 unveils new content slate with Hey Kay Navin Season 2, Devkhel Season 2 and more

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Prime Video announces September 11 premiere for Nikkhil Advani’s The Revolutionaries

Prime Video has announced September 11, 2026, as the worldwide premiere date for its upcoming Hindi Original series, The Revolutionaries. Directed and created by filmmaker Nikkhil Advani, the period drama is inspired by true events and explores the lesser-known stories of four revolutionaries who played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle.

Produced by Madhu Bhojwani and Monisha Advani under Emmay Entertainment, the series is based on Sanjeev Sanyal’s bestselling book Revolutionaries: The Other Story Of How India Won Its Freedom. The writing team includes Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh, Akshita Wadhwana, Shobhit Narang and Rutvi Mehta.

 

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The series features Bhuvan Bam, Rohit Saraf, Pratibha Ranta and Gurfateh Pirzada in the lead roles. Bam portrays Rash Behari Bose, Saraf plays Sachindra Nath Sanyal, Ranta essays Pratibha Lahiri, while Pirzada steps into the role of Bagha Jatin. Jason Shah, Paoli Dam and Tota Roy Chowdhury are also part of the cast in key roles.

 

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Set during the freedom movement, The Revolutionaries follows four young revolutionaries who challenge the British Empire and choose the path of armed resistance. Their journey explores themes of friendship, betrayal, sacrifice and the difficult choices made in the pursuit of justice, liberty and freedom.

Nikhil Madhok, Director and Head of SVOD Originals, Prime Video India, said, “India's freedom struggle remains one of the most extraordinary chapters in human history, filled with stories of courage and sacrifice that continue to resonate across generations.” He added that the series focuses on “four brave hearts” and their efforts to mobilize armed resistance against the British Empire.

Nikkhil Advani said, “What excited me most about The Revolutionaries was the opportunity to shine a light on the lesser-known heroes of pre-independence India.” He described the project as a character-driven action drama exploring rebellion, sacrifice, friendship and freedom.

Producers Madhu Bhojwani and Monisha Advani called the project “more than a series” and described it as a labour of love. The series will premiere in Hindi with dubs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Bengali, along with English and other international-language subtitles. It will be available across India and more than 240 countries and territories on September 11.

Also Read : Nikkhil Advani praises the dedication of Bhuvan Bam; compares him to Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Akshay Kumar

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Zoya Akhtar confirms Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara sequel is in works

Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar has confirmed that work on a sequel to the 2011 hit Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is underway. The update comes as the film marks 15 years since its release and follows renewed excitement among fans after Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol and Farhan Akhtar reunited for a 2025 advertisement for Yas Island.

The trio’s reunion in the campaign brought back memories of their much-loved characters Arjun, Kabir and Imran. The commercial sparked speculation that the actors could be returning for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2, with several fans even assuming that the advertisement was connected to an upcoming sequel.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the Monsoon Film Festival, Zoya addressed the possibility of revisiting the characters and confirmed that discussions are taking place. “We are on it,” she said. However, the filmmaker made it clear that the project is still being developed and that there is no certainty about what shape it will eventually take.

“We don’t know what will happen and what won’t… if we will get to a place where it feels correct, in catching up with these characters today. But it will be nice,” Zoya added.

She also recalled the strong reaction to the 2025 advertisement featuring Hrithik, Abhay and Farhan. “People thought it was a trailer,” she said. According to Zoya, fans initially celebrated the reunion, only to express their disappointment when they realised it was not a film teaser. “First, they were like, ‘YEAH!’ But then I got abused in my DMs saying, ‘This was not funny.'”

Zoya also responded to criticism that her films often focus on the “angst of posh people.” She said the criticism does not bother her and maintained that filmmakers should be able to tell stories about different kinds of people.

“It still comes up, but it does not bother me now,” she said. “These are stories and, as a filmmaker, I get to tell stories of all kinds of people.”

Released in 2011, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara starred Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah. Shot across Spain, India and the United Kingdom, the film was reportedly made on a budget of Rs 45 crores and earned around Rs 153 crores worldwide.

Also Read : Zoya Akhtar’s Turtle Walker to release on Animal Planet as part of India: Epic Wild Stories documentary anthology

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Deepak Mukut's Emraan Hashmi, Genelia Deshmukh and Aparshakti Khurana starrer Gunmaaster G9 to release on November 27, 2026

The much-awaited action romance Gunmaaster G9, starring Emraan Hashmi, Genelia Deshmukh and Aparshakti Khurana, has locked its worldwide theatrical release date. The film, produced by Deepak Mukut, Hunar Mukut and Sangeeta Ahir, will arrive in cinemas on November 27, 2026. Directed by Aditya Datt, the film is presented by Soham Rockstar Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and is expected to bring together action, romance and music in an entertaining cinematic package.

The announcement also marks the reunion of Emraan Hashmi, Himesh Reshammiya and Aditya Datt, who previously collaborated on projects that became part of their respective journeys in the Hindi film industry. Their coming together for Gunmaaster G9 marks a reunion nearly two decades after their earlier collaborations, adding to the anticipation surrounding the project.

Producer Deepak Mukut said, “We were keen to bring Emraan Hashmi, Aditya Datt and Himesh Reshammiya together once again, and Gunmaaster G9 has given us the opportunity to do just that. Romance, action and music form a heady cocktail in the film, and it has come together beautifully.”

The film also marks another collaboration between Soham Rockstar Entertainment and music composer-singer Himesh Reshammiya. The production house and Reshammiya have previously worked together on musical successes including Sanam Teri Kasam and Genius.

#GunmaasterG9 is locked, loaded and ready to fire up the big screen on 27th November. And this time, it’s not just bullets firing. It’s romance, music and action coming to steal your heart.#G9 #Gunmaaster Produced by @DeepakMukut #HunarMukut @sangeetaahir

Presented by… pic.twitter.com/PDS3of8H6Z

— Emraan Hashmi (@emraanhashmi) August 17, 2026

Director Aditya Datt said, “Gunmaaster G9 has been one of the most demanding yet exhilarating films of my career. Our endeavour was to ensure that every action sequence, every emotion and every frame carries a sense of impact. Reuniting with Emraan and Himesh after all these years has been an extraordinary experience, and I am excited for audiences to see what we have created.”

With Emraan Hashmi, Genelia Deshmukh and Aparshakti Khurana coming together for the first time, Gunmaaster G9 aims to blend romance and action with a strong musical component. The film is a production of SRE Studio LLP and will have a worldwide theatrical release on November 27, 2026.

Also Read: Aparshakti Khurana reveals BTS moments with Emraan Hashmi after wrapping Gunmaaster G9 schedule; watch

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EXCLUSIVE: Industry veterans join hands for Malamaal Weekly 2; Subhash Kale, Chandraprakash Jain announce MEGA collaboration

Bollywood Hungama was the first to confirm that work on the much-anticipated sequel to the iconic comedy Malamaal Weekly is in the works, with Amit Joshi of Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (2024) fame signed as the director. In recent weeks, we have also made several exclusive reveals regarding the ensemble cast, confirming that Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Parineeti Chopra, Shilpa Shirodkar, Fardeen Khan, Mahesh Manjrekar and Elvish Yadav have come on board for this comic caper. Now, we bring you another massive trade scoop straight from the production desk.

Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that producer Subhash Kale, Founder of Camera Take Films and Vikrant Studio, has forged a strategic mega-association with veteran film financier and producer S Chandraprakash Jain of Sri Mishri Productions to mount Malamaal Weekly 2 on an unprecedented scale.

A source close to the development informed Bollywood Hungama, "Malamaal Weekly 2 is being mounted on a significantly larger and grander canvas compared to the original. The makers wanted a rock-solid production and financial backbone behind a project of this magnitude. Subhash Kale, who has proven his technical prowess on mega-blockbusters like Padmaavat (2018) and Stree (2018), has joined hands with trade titan S Chandraprakash Jain. Their coming together makes this one of the biggest commercial comedy setups in recent times."

S Chandraprakash Jain is a legendary name in the film trade, having financed over 1,800 feature films across South Indian and Hindi cinema, besides producing blockbusters like Thalapathy Vijay’s Thalaivaa (2013). On the other hand, Subhash Kale’s outfits – Camera Take Films and Vikrant Studio – have served as an integral pillar for high-end post-production, line production, and camera services across blockbuster hits like Padmaavat, Kedarnath (2018), Stree, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022), and recent prominent films such as Shaitaan (2024) and Khel Khel Mein (2024).

The source added, "This association is unmatched in every sense. On one side, Subhash Kale brings advanced AI workflows, VFX, and top-tier post and line-production capabilities to the table; on the other hand, S Chandraprakash Jain brings decades of trade experience and a deep distribution network. The team is aiming for a spectacular theatrical release with high-grade production values."

Besides Malamaal Weekly 2, Subhash Kale’s banner is currently managing an impressive slate of high-profile projects, including The Confession (starring Nana Patekar), Bhagam Bhag 2 (starring Akshay Kumar), and the biopic of V Shantaram (starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Tamannaah Bhatia).

With a power-packed ensemble cast featuring Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Parineeti Chopra, Shilpa Shirodkar, and Elvish Yadav, combined with this formidable partnership between Camera Take Films and Sri Mishri Productions, Malamaal Weekly 2 has firmly positioned itself as one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year.

Also Read: Malamaal Weekly 2 EXCLUSIVE: Riteish Deshmukh, Elvish Yadav, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav locked in leads, shoot begins in November

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EXCLUSIVE: Salman Khan, Sunny Deol, Anil Kapoor and many other prominent celebs attend David Dhawan's grand 75th birthday bash

One of the most successful directors of Bollywood, David Dhawan, celebrated his 75th birthday on the night of August 15 with lot of pomp. Interestingly, as many as 30 to 35 celebrities graced the special occasion, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned. The director turned 75 on August 16.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, "The party was held at his house. David Dhawan doesn't really throw bashes but this time, he did so, probably as it's a milestone birthday, and also presumably at the insistence of his family members who dote on him."

The source continued, "Besides son Varun Dhawan and others, the guests included Rajkumar Santoshi, Sunny Deol, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Pradeep (Tutu) Sharma, Padmini Kolhapure Sharma, Dinesh Vijan, Sajid Nadiadwala, Rumi Jafry, and a few others. A total of around 30-35 guests attended the bash."

Bollywood Hungama also stumbled upon an exclusive picture from the birthday party of David Dhawan. The birthday boy can be seen posing with Varun Dhawan, Tutu Sharma and Padmini Kolhapure. Meanwhile, Rajkumar Santoshi is visible in the foreground.

David Dhawan began his career as a director with Taaqatwar (1989). In these 37 years, he went on to direct 45 films, including super hits like Aankhen (1993), Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Judwaa (1997), Hero No 1 (1997), Deewana Mastana (1997), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Biwi No 1 (1999), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Partner (2007), etc.

David Dhawan's 45th film, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, incidentally released just two months ago. It starred Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde.

Also Read: Govinda urges Sunita Ahuja to “stay within her limits” after she calls him co-star Komal Rani’s “sugar daddy”

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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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