The Times of India News
Bollywood / The Times of India
The Cure guitarist and keyboard player Perry Bamonte has died aged 65, the legendary British dark rock band announced on Friday. The band later had hits with much cheerier material, including Friday I'm in Love.
Bollywood icon Salman Khan celebrated his 60th birthday with a lavish party at his Panvel farmhouse. A touching moment saw the star, clean-shaven and casually dressed, cutting his cake alongside his father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, with brother Sohail Khan offering support. Family members, including his mother Salma and siblings, joined the heartfelt celebration, creating a memorable milestone.
Nandamuri Balakrishna's 'Akhanda 2 Thaandavam' is experiencing a slowdown at the box office, with collections dipping significantly in its third week. Day 15 saw earnings of around Rs 45 lakhs, bringing the total to approximately Rs 89.5 crore. Theatre occupancy across Telugu states remains low, indicating a decline in audience footfalls despite a strong opening.
'Avatar: Fire and Ash' saw a dip in its second week, collecting Rs 7.50 crore on its eighth day, its lowest single-day total. Despite this, the film's India net total reached Rs 117 crore. English screenings led collections, with Hindi and regional dubbed versions contributing significantly.
Upendra's latest film '45' has kicked off its box office run with a solid opening, earning approximately Rs 5.50 crore on its first day and an additional Rs 2.00 crore on the second, totaling Rs 7.50 crore. Despite a slight dip on Friday, the film is steadily gaining traction, particularly in the Kannada market.
Dileep's film 'Bha. Bha. Ba.' is experiencing a significant box office slowdown, with Day 9 collections dropping sharply to around Rs 50 lakhs. Despite a decent opening week, theatre occupancy remains low, indicating waning audience interest. The film's mixed reviews highlight a confused storyline and making, despite its star-studded cast.
Nivin Pauly's 'Sarvam Maya' is making waves at the box office, showing a strong grip on its second day. The film garnered approximately 3.35 crore on its opening day and an estimated 3.85 crore on Friday, totaling 7.20 crore in two days. High occupancy rates, especially in evening and night shows, indicate growing audience appreciation for the film.
The much-anticipated pan-Indian film 'Vrusshabha,' featuring the legendary Mohanlal, is facing a rocky start at the box office, as it saw a sharp decline in earnings on its second day.
Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar' has shattered box office records, crossing Rs 1000 crore worldwide in just 22 days. The film's impressive run, bolstered by strong overseas collections, makes it the ninth Indian film to achieve this feat and the first of 2025. Despite an 'A' rating, its success is a significant achievement.
Filmmaker Tyler Perry faces a second sexual assault lawsuit, this time from actor Mario Rodriguez, who claims repeated unwanted advances and battery over several years, including at Perry's home. Rodriguez is seeking USD77 million and has also sued Lionsgate. Perry's lawyer denies the allegations, which mirror those made by another actor, Derek Dixon.
Aditya Dhars spy action thriller Dhurandhar has created history at the box office by storming past the Rs 1000 crore mark worldwide. Led by Ranveer Singh, the film has become the 9th Indian film ever and the first release of 2025 to enter the prestigious Rs 1000 crore club, firmly cementing its status as a modern blockbuster.
As Dhurandhar continues its dream run at the box office, one of its actors, Naveen Kaushik, has shared an emotional note that has struck a chord across the industry. The actor, who plays Donga in Aditya Dhars blockbuster, opened up about self-doubt, repeated rejections and a moment when he was on the verge of quitting the film industry altogether.
A consumer court in Rajasthans Kota on Friday ordered Bollywood actor Salman Khan to appear in person in connection with a complaint alleging a misleading pan masala advertisement. The court also directed a forensic examination of the signature on the power of attorney submitted on the actors behalf.
Salman Khan will celebrate his 60th birthday on December 27 with a close-knit gathering at his Panvel farmhouse. Staying true to his long-standing tradition, the actor has consistently chosen to mark his birthday in a private setting, either at his Galaxy Apartments home in Mumbai or at his Panvel property. As the clock ticked closer to midnight, several guests were seen arriving at the farmhouse to be part of the celebrations.
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, has frequently drawn attention online, especially after a clip of her adorably attempting Hindi words caught the internets eye last year. Growing up in the US after being born in 2022, Maltis rare desi moments continue to delight fans. Recently, Priyankas cousin and actor-model Mannara Chopra opened up about her close equation with the global icon and also spoke about Malti Marie.
Bollywood's Dec 23 buzz: Kriti Sanon wrapped fun Cocktail 2 shoot with Shahid Kapoor, craving light rom-com after intense roles. Samantha shared rare wedding pic with Raj Nidimoru. Akshaye Khanna quit 'Drishyam 3' over pay, wig demands. HC slammed Shilpa Shetty AI deepfakes as extremely disturbing. Jugal Hansraj recalled shelved films.
Jugal Hansraj recalls child stardom in 'Masoom', adult role droughts post-'Aa Gale Lag Jaa', and shelved films that broke his heart. Family and friends buoyed him through rejections. Breakthrough hit 'Mohabbatein' led to 'KKKG', 'Salaam Namaste', and National Award-winning 'Roadside Romeo', which he directed.
Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar' tackles Hindi cinema's budget and moral debates through gritty realism. Danish Pandor praises Ranveer Singh's warmth from day one: We'll kill it. Their trust-fueled chemistry shines in adrenaline scenes. Star cast: Ranveer as Hamza, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal.
South Indian cinema saw major buzz as Thalapathy Vijay arrived in Malaysia for the 'Jana Nayagan' audio launch. Mammootty remembered MT Vasudevan Nair, while Anasuya Bharadwaj responded to trolls. Ram Charan's rugged 'Peddi' BTS photos emerged, and Rashmika Mandanna's twinning with Vijay Deverakonda sparked vacation rumors.
The Bombay High Court on Friday came down heavily on AI-generated and morphed images of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, terming the content extremely disturbing and shocking and directing social media platforms to forthwith delete and remove all such links and websites.
Thalapathy Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan' audio launch in Malaysia on December 27 promises a grand farewell. Expect a 3-4 hour musical tribute to Vijay's hits, electrifying performances by Prabhudeva and Simran, and a live concert by Anirudh. Directors Nelson and Lokesh Kanagaraj will attend, with surprise guests adding to the excitement. Fans anticipate an emotional goodbye and Vijay's heartfelt final message.
Thalapathy Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan' audio launch in Malaysia on December 27 promises a grand farewell. Expect a 3-4 hour musical tribute to Vijay's hits, electrifying performances by Prabhudeva and Simran, and a live concert by Anirudh. Directors Nelson and Lokesh Kanagaraj will attend, with surprise guests adding to the excitement. Fans anticipate an emotional goodbye and Vijay's heartfelt final message.
Post-Dhurandhar's Rs 800cr worldwide smash, Ranveer Singh's old 'Bijlee Bijlee' dance clip goes viralwith smiling Deepika watching. The couple, parents to Dua (born Sept), wed in 2018. Ranveer's at a peak; Deepika eyes King with SRK and Allu Arjun's 'AA22xA6', skips 'Kalki 2898 AD' sequel.
'Drishyam 3' hits theaters October 2, 2026, with Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, and Rajat Kapoor. Fans stunned by Akshaye's absence after his chilling 'Drishyam 2' role. Post-Dhurandhar and 'Chhaava' success, he demanded Rs 21 crore and a wigclashing with budget and continuity.
In 2025, Hollywood was the epicenter of pop culture phenomena, with jaw-dropping headlines lighting up our feeds. The engagement of Taylor Swift to Travis Kelce set tongues wagging, while Coldplay became the talk of the town for a comedic kiss-cam incident at a concert.
Cricketer Hardik Pandya and girlfriend Mahieka twinned in maroon at a Mumbai bash, escaping paparazzi. The day prior, a fan yelled Bhaad mein jao! outside a restaurantHardik stayed cool. He credits her for T20I success post-Natasa divorce; they co-parent son Agastya.
Actress Go Joon Hee bravely shared a taxing experience from the filming of her latest project, where a fellow actor continuously pointed fingers her way when things went wrong. Attempting to clarify the situation proved futile, as the cast member persisted in evading responsibility, ultimately affecting the morale and confidence of everyone involved.
Sunidhi Chauhan lit up Mumbai with hits, 60 dancers, lasers, and fireworks. Stars like Imtiaz Ali, Zakir Khan flocked in. Alisha Chinai's surprise Tinka Tinka and Aaj Ki Raat stole the show. Her thrilled IG post: Powerhouse sunidhichauhan5 rocked! Tour hits Delhi, Bengaluru next.
Tamil music composer GV Prakash Kumar fell victim to an online scam on X, losing Rs. 20,000. A scammer used a fake emotional plea about a deceased mother, accompanied by an old, unrelated photo. Fans exposed the fraud, highlighting the risks of well-intentioned online aid and urging users to verify requests before sending money.
Kichcha Sudeep's action thriller 'Mark,' released on Christmas, is slated for an OTT debut by January-end 2026, potentially on JioHotstar. The film, directed by Vijay Kartikeyaa, delves into a dark investigation of missing children, featuring a strong ensemble cast. This marks the second Kannada film to receive a digital launch, building anticipation among audiences.
2026 is poised to be a landmark year for Hindi cinema, featuring a diverse slate of ambitious films. From war epics like 'Ikkis' and 'Battle of Galwan' to mythological spectacles such as 'Ramayan' and franchise continuations like 'Border 2' and 'Mardaani 3', audiences can anticipate a blend of legacy, reinvention, and star-driven tentpoles.
Recently, Kim Jong Kook, the charismatic entertainer, shed light on his blissful married existence. He expressed deep appreciation for his wife's uniqueness, sharing that their life feels complete without children at the moment. He humorously connected with a listener's dilemma of having a miserly spouse, admitting to his own tight-fisted ways.
As 'Stranger Things 5' drops new episodes, reactions are as varied as the show's dimensions! Enthusiastic fans revel in the unfolding tale, while others express frustration over familiar plot twists. Yet, there's a universal appreciation for the powerful portrayals of Karen Wheeler and Steve Harrington, whose heartfelt exchanges resonate deeply, proving that even amidst mixed reviews, genuine talent shines bright.
Kiara Advani delighted fans with a rare glimpse of her daughter Saraayah's first Christmas. The adorable photos featured the baby in a festive red outfit, captioned My first Christmas. Advani also shared images of a decorated tree with personalized baubles. This comes after the couple introduced Saraayah Malhotra to the world last month, born in July 2025.
Fans are buzzing about the new 'Anaconda' film, which features a surprise cameo from Jennifer Lopez, reprising her role from the original. Her brief appearance hints at a potential sequel, with her character expressing interest in a new 'Anaconda' movie directed by Doug. The plot follows two struggling filmmakers who attempt to recreate the original's success.
Kaley Cuoco's daughter, 2-year-old Matilda, has a unique Christmas preference: she's scared of Santa Claus and instead believes the Grinch and Jack Skellington deliver her presents. The actress shared her daughter's fascination with these characters, even revealing they've watched 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' hundreds of times this season, making it a budding family tradition.
Rashmika Mandanna's intense first look in 'Mysaa' has garnered significant praise, even drawing a humorous compliment from director Homi Adajania. The actress is set to portray a fierce character from the Gond community. Meanwhile, she is also gearing up for her Hindi film 'Cocktail 2' alongside Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon.
Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, ushers in a whirlwind of emotions for Eleven and Hopper, whose bond faces unprecedented challenges. Hopper's hidden 'failsafe' pulls them apart, compelling a confrontation with their trust dilemmas. The creators illuminate this season with a profound exploration of adolescent growth within the confines of a parent-child bond, underscored by the weight of grief.
Gujarati film 'Laalo' continues its impressive theatrical run, reaching its 77th day with Rs 15 lakh in collections. The film has achieved a remarkable worldwide total of approximately Rs 119.88 crore, with Rs 94.95 crore net in India. Makers expressed gratitude to the audience for their overwhelming love and support.
In light of the recent loss of her father, Dharmendra, Esha Deol took to social media to share a heartfelt Christmas promotion for a brand. Acknowledging the delicate timing, she chose to disable comments to navigate the complexities of public sentiment while she honors her professional commitments.
Kapil Sharma's 'Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2' experienced a significant drop in box office collections, hitting a low of Rs 4 lakhs on its 14th day. The film struggled against strong competition from 'Dhurandhar' and the new release 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri', ultimately amassing Rs 12.31 crore.
Rapper Cardi B recently shared heartwarming glimpses of her family's first Christmas as parents to four children. Her social media showcased elaborate decorations, including four white Christmas trees, and candid moments of her kids enjoying the festive spirit. Fans flooded her post with adoration, praising the eautiful family and the chaos and fun captured in the holiday snapshots.
Former Nickelodeon star Tylor Chase was seen back on the streets after a former co-star provided him holiday shelter. Despite efforts by friends and former castmates to secure him treatment for addiction and mental health issues, Chase reportedly refused help. His co-star expressed frustration with the system's inability to assist those in crisis.
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar shares his top cinematic picks for 2025. Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar' starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna leads the list. Bhandarkar praises Dhar's directorial vision and the performances of Singh and Khanna. 'Saiyaara' and 'Kantara: Chapter 1' also feature among his favorites for the year.
Kumail Nanjiani, promoting his special 'Night Thoughts', declared Shah Rukh Khan a 'God' and not just a movie star during a chat with Hasan Minhaj. Nanjiani highlighted Khan's mastery of Urdu, humility, and versatility in playing complex roles, contrasting him with Hollywood's 'movie star' persona. He emphasized the profound cultural significance of cinema in India, a reverence America lacks.
Nandamuri Balakrishna's 'Akhanda 2: Thaandavam' enjoyed a strong Christmas day, collecting approximately Rs 1.65 crore on its fourteenth day. The holiday surge pushed the film's total earnings to around Rs 89.25 crore. The movie maintained a steady performance throughout its second week, with occupancy remaining decent on the festive occasion.
In a thrilling cinematic showdown, James Cameron's 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' has soared past Rs 100 crore at the Indian box office, despite tough competition from 'Dhurandhar'. The films release coincided with the Christmas festivities, which undoubtedly fueled its remarkable performance. With a global haul of USD 483 million.
Following actor Sivaji's controversial remarks on actresses' attire, Anasuya Bharadwaj faced online backlash and age-shaming. She defended herself, highlighting the double standard in addressing her and Sivaji, and asserted her commitment to speaking for the marginalized. Despite the negativity, she concluded with a positive message of love and resilience.
A massive fire erupted in a Mumbai residential tower, prompting the rescue of nearly 40 individuals. The blaze, which started on the 10th floor of Sorrento Tower, spread through the electrical shaft, gutting multiple floors. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as residents were safely evacuated. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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