No time for rifts and rumours
Actor Kartik Aaryan has reportedly put rumours of a rift with filmmaker Karan Johar to rest following the underperformance of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri (2025). According to trade analyst Sumit Kadel, Kartik waived R15 crore from his fees, a move described as “responsible and rare”. Insiders also dismissed the speculation of a fallout, calling such reports “fake news” and confirming that Kartik has not parted ways with Karan’s talent agency DCAA. We have learnt that the actor previously extended similar support after Shehzada (2023), the Hindi remake of the Telugu hit film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), tanked at the box office. Sources maintain that all is well between Kartik and Johar, with further collaborations being discussed.
The age to fall in love
(L-R) Rasha Thadani and Abhay Verma in ‘Laikey Laikaa’; (right) (L-R) Sai Pallavi and Junaid Khan in ‘Ek Din’
On Thursday (January 15), not one but two highly anticipated films teased audiences with their first-look posters. Superstar Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi headline the romantic drama Ek Din, set for a May 1 release, with a snowy poster captioned, “In the chaos of life, love will find you.” Its teaser, cleared by the CBFC, will premiere with Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos. The rom-com is directed by Sunil Pandey, who was the assistant director on Aamir’s Rang De Basanti (2006) and Laal Singh Chaddha (2022). Meanwhile, Laikey Laikaa, starring Raveena Tandon’s daughter Rasha Thadani and Abhay Verma, unveiled striking posters of the leads with blood-smeared faces, captioned, “Love. Pain. Trust.”
The final word
Rani Mukerji in ‘Mardaani 3’.
Actor Rani Mukerji may have long gaps between instalments of the Mardaani franchise, but she says her cop character, Shivani Shivaji Roy, has stayed with her since 2014. In Mardaani 3, Shivani risks her life to rescue 93 missing girls. Reflecting on the role, Rani told mid-day, “Shivani Shivaji Roy is not a character I switch off. I’ve seen how lonely courage can be.” Calling the film a tribute to the police force, she added that women officers are “judged more, questioned more,” as they continue to fight the deeply entrenched patriarchy while leading with strength, compassion, and integrity.
Shoot movies in Kashmir
Omar Abdullah
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) campus at NFDC, Mumbai, on January 15 to explore collaborations aimed at reviving filmmaking in the region. During the visit, he reviewed IICT’s academic and technology facilities, including immersive AR, VR, and digital twin demonstrations. Reflecting on Kashmir’s cinematic legacy, Abdullah said, “There was a time when a film was incomplete without a song shot in Kashmir.” He added that the government is “consciously working to restore the relationship between cinema and Jammu and Kashmir” by developing local talent and post-production capabilities. IICT CEO Dr Vishwas Deoskar said the institute looked forward to “meaningful collaborations” benefiting youth from the region.
Making a masala mix
(L-R) Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth
Fans of Tamil cinema were delighted after confirmation that Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan will reunite for Thalaivar 173, marking their return together after decades. On Pongal (January 14), Rajinikanth greeted fans outside his residence and teased his next film. He said, “Shooting is to begin in April this year. It will be a proper commercial entertainer.” On the work front, Rajinikanth was last seen in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie (2025), whereas Kamal was seen in Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life (2025). Both the films received lukewarm response at the box office, and are now available to watch on streaming platforms.
