When Dominic Arun’s superhero film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra was released in theatres last year, the Kalyani Priyadarshan, Naslen and Sandy-starrer surprised many. The film also performed well commercially and saw Dulquer Salmaan, who produced it, use his father, Mammootty’s, voice for the role of Moothon. In an interview with THR India, the Malayalam star laughed when asked about the sequel.
Mammootty’s voice was used for Moothon in Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Lokah.
Mammootty was ‘cheated’ to play role in Lokah
Mammootty was asked about voicing the superhero leader Moothon in Lokah and her said, “They didn’t tell me that I’m there. Initially, he (Dulquer) did not come. His manager, his friend, he asked me to give a voice. Venda, no, that is the only thing I did. The hand used in the film is not mine. When the film came only, they said it’s you and your hand. Now it has become a responsibility of me to act. Actually, they cheated me and mediated. That’s the story behind it.”
When it was mentioned that Dulquer had once said that Mammootty would need convincing to shoot for the sequel, he humorously replied, “I told them not only I’m if at all convinced, I have to convince you about my fees. That they have to get convinced.” However, the actor seemed to change his mind later in the interview when he asked if the interviewer ever thought of him playing a vampire. After getting a positive response, he joked that it was ‘suspense’ and even said ‘Inshallah’ to it.
Mammootty’s role in Lokah
For the unversed, Kalyani plays the titular role of Chandra, alias Kalliyankattu Neeli, a yakshi (vampire-like creature) in the first Lokah film. Naslen plays a human who falls for her named Sunny, while Sandy plays the antagonist, Inspector Nachiyappa Gowda, who later turns into a yaksha (male version of the being). The film introduces several supernatural characters as it progresses.
One of them is Moothon, who isn’t seen on screen but was voiced by Mammootty. Tovino Thomas, who will play the lead in Lokah Chapter 2 was introduced as a chathan (goblin-like creature) named Michael. He is revealed to have 389 siblings who look exactly like him. Dulquer played an odiyan (half-man half-beast ninja) named Charlie. The film ends by teasing the return of all these characters. However, after Lokah collected ₹300 crore worldwide, the sequel is yet to go on floors.
Mammootty will soon star in Patriot with Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, and others. The film will hit screens on May 1.
MUMBAI: With the US-Iran ceasefire in West Asia looking fragile, sensex gave up part of Wednesday’s gains to close 931 points lower at 76,632 points on Thursday as foreign funds continued to lead the selloff. Investors around the world were skeptical about the continuation of the truce that was announced on Tuesday as Israel, a US ally, continued to pound Lebanon. In Japan, Nikkei closed 0.7% lower while in late trades in the UK, FTSE was down 0.3%. Across the Atlantic, in the US, the three major indices-Dow Jones, Nasdaq Composite and S&-were all flat in mid-session after opening marginally in the red. In late evening trades Brent was hovering near the psychologically important $100/barrel mark. Selling by foreign funds and the fear of rising crude prices affected investor sentiment in India. The rupee weakened, closing at 92.66/$ as against 92.58 on Wednesday. Gold in Mumbai’s spot market closed at Rs 1.5 lakh/10 gram, down by Rs 600 from its previous close. Silver closed at Rs 2.37 lakh/kg compared to Rs 2.46 lakh on Wednesday.
Yet another final-ball thriller, yet another defeat. Kolkata Knight Riders remained winless in the Indian Premier League 2026 after losing to Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday, April 9, as Mukul Choudhary snatched two points right from under the nose of Ajinkya Rahane and his men at Eden Gardens.
Defending 181, Kolkata looked on course for their first win of the season. A spin choke in the middle overs, led by Sunil Narine and Anukul Roy, had kept KKR ahead of the game. But the hosts were blown away in the final two overs by a whirlwind knock from the 21-year-old Mukul, who simply refused to give up on the day.
Born in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, a small town nearly 200 kilometres north-west of Jaipur, Mukul has already been touted as the next big finisher in the IPL. LSG head coach, Justin Langer had spoken highly of him at the start of the season, and the youngster lived up to that praise, as the league unearthed yet another potential star on Thursday night.
Mukul Choudhary after winning the game vs KKR. (Reuters Photo)
Chasing 182, Mukul walked in at a precarious moment. As mentioned before, KKR were dominating the second innings after the opening powerplay. The hosts got the wickets of Markram and Marsh, were able to dismiss Rishabh Pant in the 9th, and then hit back with the wickets of Nicholas Pooran and Abdul Samad right after the drinks break.
Sunil Narine was operating at his very best with the pacers on the other side mixing up slower balls and bouncers to eke out wickets.
Things turned worse for the visiting side when in the 13th over, they also lost a set Ayush Badoni, who had made 54 off 34 and looked set to take the game deep.
With hopes fading, Mukul had little option but to counterattack. But he was forced to bide his time against Narine and Roy, who were bowling the final overs of their spell. Mukul dug deep and waited until the 17th over to launch his assault.
With Avesh Khan at the other end, it was clear that it had to be Mukul or nothing for LSG.
He began with a four and a six off Vaibhav Arora in the 17th, followed by two sixes off Kartik Tyagi in the 18th. The momentum swung decisively in the 19th, when Mukul smashed Cameron Green for two sixes and a four, before taking on Vaibhav again in the final over with two more sixes.
Even then, the drama was far from over. Mukul missed two consecutive yorkers, leaving LSG needing seven off two balls. He responded with a fierce slash over point for six, bringing the equation down to one off the final ball.
Mukul swung hard, missed, and sprinted for the single. Wicketkeeper Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s throw struck him on the body, but by then, KKR already knew the result. Heads dropped, shoulders slumped, as the game slipped away at Eden Gardens.
“God has given me this opportunity, there can be pressure but it is also an opportunity to make a name for myself. My aim was to bat till the last and see what happens. In my mind I knew one out of the four balls will be in the slot and I was just waiting for it,” Mukul told the broadcaster after the game.
The match brought back memories of 2024, when a struggling Rajasthan Royals chased down 224 runs in the final ball of the game. Jos Buttler, stuttering for rhythm for the majority of his innings, went on an exceptional counter-attack in the last five overs of the game.
Buttler, who was 42 off 33 in the 14th over, finished with 107* off 60 balls, helping Rajasthan successfully chase down that target.
DIGVESH RATHI DECISION COSTS KKR
In a match of such low margins, KKR must be unhappy with the dismissal of Finn Allen, who fell was given out by the third umpire in the second over of the game today. Allen, who has a century in the T20 World Cup at the same venue, was caught at the boundary rope by Digvesh Rathi, who definitely stepped on the rope while completing the catch.
The third umpire behaved hastily and adjudged Allen out, robbing KKR of a six and a wicket in the first innings of the game.
ARE KKR OUTDATED?
182 is not a daunting chase at Eden Gardens. At least, it hasn’t been since the introduction of the Impact Player rule. Punjab Kings have chased down 262 at this venue, while Rajasthan Royals, as mentioned earlier, have also hunted down a target of 224.
One could argue that Rishabh Pant’s Lucknow Super Giants made an absolute meal of what should have been a straightforward chase, something they ideally should have wrapped up inside 18 overs.
On Thursday, Aiden Markram fell to a bouncer, Mitchell Marsh fell to a bouncer, and so did Pant and Nicholas Pooran. It is not often that four top-tier batters fall to the same plan on the same day.
That, in turn, puts Kolkata Knight Riders’ total of 181 for 4 under scrutiny.
KKR’s batting order is deep. It may be slightly unbalanced, but it has depth. On the day, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, and Sunil Narine did not face a single delivery.
In fact, KKR were 98 for 1 in the 10th over and looked set for a total well beyond 200. But inexplicably, Cameron Green, who faced 24 balls, struggled to shift gears early, stalling KKR’s acceleration phase after the halfway mark.
Cameron Green misses a slower bouncer in KKR vs LSG. (PTI Photo)
On an ideal day, KKR would risk losing 7 or 8 wickets to push their total into the 200–220 range, giving their injury-hit bowling attack more margin to defend.
Questions need to be asked of Andre Russell and the work being done with the finishers, as well as the team management’s reluctance to fully utilise the batting depth, especially when the bowling unit has not been at par with other teams this season.
MUKUL CHOUDHARY’S NIGHT
But the many flaws in the game should not take the spotlight away from the incredible knock by Mukul Choudhary on Thursday. The 21-year-old, who has been working closely with Justin Langer, showed exactly why the former Australia great had singled him out as one of the brightest talents this season.
In Jhunjhunu, where many youngsters grow up dreaming of joining the army, Mukul brought that same sense of resolve to the field. It may not have been a battlefield, but under pressure, with the game slipping away, he stood tall and dragged Lucknow Super Giants back from the brink at Eden Gardens.
The remarkable success of ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ inspired a savvy delay for the Indian release of ‘Project Hail Mary’. Producer Aditya Sood saw this as a golden opportunity to stoke the flames of curiosity among Indian viewers, allowing global conversations to permeate the local market. Read the full article to know more in detail.
‘Project Hail Mary’ producer Aditya Sood has revealed how the massive success of ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ led to a strategic shift in the Hollywood film’s India release and why, looking back, it may have been the smartest move the team made. Let’s take a look at what he has to say.
‘Project Hail Mary’ producer on shifting the release date in India
While ‘Project Hail Mary’ opened globally on March 19, its India release was pushed back as theaters prioritized Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’, directed by Aditya Dhar, which had generated immense anticipation. The Hollywood movie, starring Ryan Gosling, eventually opened in India on March 26. The Dhurandhar sequel’s dominant presence also led to schedule shifts for several other films, including Yash’s ‘Toxic’.Speaking about the decision, Aditya Sood told the Hindustan Times, “We have an amazing team here in India who knows the local market. That’s why you’re not making the decisions in Los Angeles. Obviously, we knew what a big deal ‘Dhurandhar 2’ was going to be.”
Producer shares how the delay worked in the film’s favor
Rather than hurting the film, Aditya Sood believes the extra week may have actually worked in its favor. With global audiences already talking about the film online, curiosity among Indian viewers only grew. “I don’t think it’s the worst thing in the world when you see the enthusiasm that the rest of the world has,” he said.Sood also drew a thoughtful parallel between the global response and the film’s central theme. He expressed, “It’s funny because it reflects what’s in the story: the whole world is experiencing it; it’s a moment where all of us can do something together. And I think that’s really powerful.”
More about ‘Project Hail Mary’
‘Project Hail Mary’ initially secured very limited IMAX screens in India, as exhibitors continued to prioritize ‘Dhurandhar 2’s record-breaking run. However, a wave of fan-driven demand online led to a sharp increase in IMAX showings, with tickets selling out quickly once more screens were listed.As per the reports, internationally, the film earned close to USD 500 million within three weeks of release. In India, it collected around Rs 50 crore in two weeks, a strong figure for a non-franchise Hollywood film.
More about ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’
Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ became the first Hindi film to cross the Rs 1,000 crore mark in India, making it clear why it commanded such a dominant release window. The film is inching towards Rs 1700 crore global box office collection.
Yo Yo Honey Singh’s Mumbai concert recently grabbed headlines after a viral video sparked controversy, with a woman now coming forward to clarify what really happened during the incident.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, showed a chaotic moment at the venue, drawing mixed reactions from viewers. Many initially believed that the clip captured inappropriate behaviour during the high-energy show, leading to widespread speculation and criticism online.
The viral girl issues a clarification
However, the woman seen in the viral clip has now issued a clarification, stating that the situation was misunderstood. Addressing the controversy, she explained, “My private body was unintentionally exposed,” adding that the moment was accidental and not deliberate. Her statement aimed to clear the air around the incident, which had quickly escalated into a topic of online debate.
The concert, held in Mumbai as part of Honey Singh’s ongoing tour, had already seen massive crowds and intense fan enthusiasm. Reports suggest that the event witnessed chaotic scenes outside as well, with issues related to crowd control and entry management.
Amid the frenzy, videos from the concert began surfacing online, with the particular clip gaining traction due to its controversial nature. Social media users were quick to react, with some criticising the situation while others questioned the context behind the visuals.
In her clarification, the woman emphasised that the incident should not be misinterpreted, urging people to refrain from drawing conclusions without understanding the full context. Her statement has since shifted the narrative, with many acknowledging that the situation may have been blown out of proportion.
All about the controversy
Meanwhile, Honey Singh has not directly commented on this specific controversy. The rapper, known for his energetic performances and massive fan following, continues to tour across cities as part of his ongoing concert series.
The episode once again highlights how quickly moments captured at live events can go viral and be misconstrued online. In today’s digital age, brief clips often lack context, leading to assumptions that may not reflect the reality of the situation.
As discussions around the video continue, the woman’s clarification serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying facts before forming opinions. While the concert itself remained a high-energy affair for fans, the controversy surrounding the viral clip has added an unexpected layer of attention to the event.
Ultimately, the incident underscores the challenges artists and audiences face in an era where every moment can be recorded, shared, and scrutinised within seconds.
The story of Lalit Modi, Yuvraj Singh, and the infamous Porsche 911 is one of modern Indian cricket’s most well-known folktales. The story goes that IPL founder Modi promised a car to any Indian batter going to the inaugural 2007 World T20 that could hammer six sixes in a single over – a statistical improbability, but something famously accomplished by Yuvraj as he took a liking to Stuart Broad in Durban.
Yuvraj Singh reflected on his historic bet with Lalit Modi. (REUTERS)
It remains a story which has some allure as an indication of what T20 would go on to become – the glitzy, glamorous, supercar-driving cousin of the traditional game, the brainchild of Modi and the IPL. But what was the truth of this tall tale?
As per Yuvraj, reflecting on the conversation on the Overlap Cricket podcast with Michael Vaughan, explained how he had even greater ambitions than the Porsche he had been promised.
“I keep on hearing this story on social media. He said to me if someone hits six sixes… he promised a Porsche 911, so I asked where was my Porsche,” explained Yuvraj – before realising he could potentially negotiate his way into an upgrade.
Yuvraj reaches a businessman-like deal
“He said I’ll get my car, but then I said what if I win the next game for India? Do I get an upgrade to a Ferrari? He said no no no no no, you’ll only get a Porsche,” laughed Yuvi, reflecting on the incident.
Ultimately, it was a compromise settled on by the two men, each of whom has such a substantial role in the modern history of Indian cricket. Yuvi didn’t quite get his Ferrari, but he was allowed his pick of cars – and chose one as per his own liking.
“I changed it to another car but I got a car, I got a BMW M5 in India, and he did deliver, he was a man of his word,” concluded Yuvraj.
The star Indian batter’s shower of sixes enroute to a 12-ball half-century agaisnt a young Stuart Broad and England remains the highlight of his career, a milestone moment enroute to India’s success in the tournament that year. Between that and his 2011 all-round showcase, this was a man for the big moment – is it any surprise that he rose to meet Lalit Modi’s bet?
After breaking records at the domestic box office, Aditya Dhar’s spy drama Dhurandhar: The Revenge is now making a mark globally as well. The film’s unprecedented run in India and North America has put it in the top 10 highest-grossing films of the year worldwide, ahead of some major names.
Dhurandhar 2’s worldwide box office collection has crossed $175 million.
Dhurandhar 2 is among the world’s highest-grossing films
As it nears the end of its third week in theatres, Dhurandhar 2 has amassed over ₹1000 crore net ( ₹1246 crore gross) in India. It is a record collection for a Hindi film in the domestic market. Overseas, Dhurandhar 2 has been just as big a smash hit despite not releasing in the Gulf countries. It has minted $26 million in North America and over $15 million in other territories. As of Thursday, its worldwide gross stands at $178 million, according to trade sources. Box Office Mojo puts the figure at $151 million while the producers say it is over $180 million.
Regardless, any of the figures would be enough to make it the 10th-highest-grossing film in the world this year, putting the Ranveer Singh-starrer on a list that includes Project Hail Mary, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and Wuthering Heights, among others. Over the last week, Dhurandhar 2 surpassed the box-office collection of the Chinese animated film Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector ($139 million) to enter this elite list.
Dhurandhar 2 beat films starring Chris Hemsworth, Zendaya
As of Wednesday, Dhurandhar 2 has earned ₹1656 crore ($178 million) worldwide. This is more than what Chris Hemsworth’s latest film – Crime 101 – earned when it released in February. The crime thriller made $72 million. The Ranveer Singh film has also beaten the likes of Rachel McAdams’ Send Help ($94 million) and Riz Ahmed’s Hamlet ($78 million). Dhurandhar 2 earned over $80 million in its opening weekend alone, thrice what Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s The Drama ($26 million) had made since its release last week. In fact, Dhurandhar 2’s $15-million opening week haul in North America is greater than what The Drama has earned there in the same time period.
All about Dhurandhar 2
Directed by Aditya Dhar and backed by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, Dhurandhar 2 is the sequel to the 2025 blockbuster Dhurandhar, which was also a box-office success. The first part earned just under $150 million worldwide. Apart from Ranveer Singh, the two films also star Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun.
NEW DELHI: Brazil’s Laura Cardoso, aged 21, made history with an extraordinary bowling performance, becoming the first player in men’s or women’s T20I cricket to take nine wickets in a single innings. Playing against Lesotho, she produced a stunning spell of 9/4 in just three overs, completely dismantling the opposition and setting a new world record in the format.
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A historic bowling performance
Cardoso’s achievement broke long-standing records in T20I cricket. She went past Sonam Yeshey, who had taken eight wickets in a men’s T20I, and also bettered Rohmalia Rohmalia’s seven-wicket haul in women’s T20Is. Her spell began dramatically when she picked up a hat-trick early in the innings, immediately putting Lesotho under pressure. She then struck again in her next over, grabbing four more wickets to take her tally to seven. Maintaining her rhythm and control, Cardoso added two more wickets in her final over, reaching an incredible nine wickets, an achievement never seen before in T20I cricket.
Brazil’s all-round dominance
Before Cardoso’s heroics, Brazil had already set the tone with the bat, posting a strong total of 202 runs. Key contributions came from Roberta Avery, who scored 48, and Monnike Machado, who remained unbeaten on 69.Their efforts ensured Brazil had a commanding position going into the second innings.However, it was Cardoso’s bowling that completely sealed the match. Lesotho’s batting lineup had no answer to her pace and accuracy, collapsing for just 13 runs in 6.2 overs. The final wicket was taken by Marianne Artur, confirming a massive 189-run victory.
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Cardoso’s once-in-a-lifetime spell not only secured a dominant win for Brazil but also etched her name permanently in cricket history.
Bollywood actor Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan is all set to star in the romantic drama Ek Din alongside Sai Pallavi. In a recent conversation with Variety India, Aamir Khan’s cousin and filmmaker Mansoor Khan revealed that Aamir had reservations about the film’s climax, which eventually led to him rewriting it.
Aamir Khan changed the climax of Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s Ek Din.
Mansoor Khan reveals Aamir Khan rewrote the climax of Ek Din
When asked whether he had any difference of opinion with Aamir over Ek Din, Mansoor said, “Today, I’m not that clued in, as I don’t watch films. But I still have my sensibilities intact. I believe in dealing with certain scenes with restraint rather than going over the top. I have a fairly good sense of story. I told them: I have come to help you. What I feel strongly about, I will tell you.”
He further added, “Like we shot a song towards the end of Ek Din in Japan. Aamir saw the rushes and said that the girl was crying in the earlier song and in the last one as well. He said he wanted a song about her falling in love with the boy all over again. But I knew what Sunil had in mind and backed him instead. Aamir jokingly said, ‘If you guys make a mistake, I’ll send you back to Japan.’ But when he saw the song, he agreed with us. Similarly, Aamir had reservations about the climax scene. He rewrote it. We agreed he was right. That’s the collaborative spirit we share.”
Mansoor Khan has previously directed Aamir in films such as Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, both of which went on to become major hits. Before Ek Din, Mansoor had also produced Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na with Aamir, which marked Imran Khan’s Bollywood debut and emerged as a box office success.
About Ek Din
Helmed by Sunil Pandey, Ek Din is a romantic drama backed by Mansoor Khan, Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions. The film stars Sai Pallavi and Junaid Khan in the lead roles.
The film is a remake of the 2016 Thai film One Day, which follows a young man who falls in love with his colleague but lacks the courage to confess his feelings. He wishes to be with her for just one day, and to his astonishment, the wish comes true.
Ek Din marks Junaid’s third major project as a lead actor and Sai Pallavi’s Bollywood debut. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on 1 May 2026.
