As 2025 draws to a close, film folk recap the year, and tell Subhash K Jha what excites them most about 2026.
Malayalam movie star Dileep's latest film Bha Bha Ba has sparked controversy after a scene was widely criticised for appearing to reference a real-life criminal case linked to the actor. The sequence has drawn strong reactions online, with many viewers calling it insensitive and questioning the ethical responsibility of the filmmakers.
'I honestly am deeply aware of how you've been waiting to meet me over the last few years. Trust me, I've been longing to see you all just as much. I truly wanted to make it happen this year on my birthday, but I am fully immersed in finishing the film to make sure it's ready for you in theaters on March 19th, 2026. Because of this, I won't be able to meet you in person just yet.'
The Delhi High Court has stayed the release of the movie 'Udaipur Files' amid concerns that it could promote communal disharmony. The court has directed petitioners to approach the central government with their grievances, and the stay will remain in effect until the government decides on the matter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the strong connection between India and Malaysia through their shared affection for the Tamil language, noting its vibrant presence in Malaysian education, media, and cultural life.
'The new diet I am following for health reasons is working like magic for me.'
'The Dhamaal director wanted an innocent guy who's still like a child. He hinted that my voice was very strong.' 'I worked it out: I got this dungarees look, made him slouch, got rid of the bass in my voice, and added a lisp to make him cuter.' 'These are things an actor does because you want to bring something to the table.'
'Vishal Bhardwaj gave me Hamlet in Haider, which is one of the most intimidating roles for any actor in the world.' 'I'm grateful that he called me again after seven or eight years of us not working together.'
Aamir is also reuniting with PK Director Rajkumar Hirani for a biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, the Father of Indian Cinema.
Tu Ya Main's Avni 'taught me how to be a complete BADASS.'
War 2 offers you exactly what you'd expect from a mass entertainer: some escapist fun, some truly knockout action scenes, and overall a good time at the movies, observes Mayur Sanap.
It was a pleasure to see Imran Khan return to the spotlight with his cameo in this week's release, Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos.
In 1973, several major leading ladies like Mumtaz, Raakhee, Jaya Bhaduri, Dimple Kapadia, Tanuja, had married and retired from films. Producers wanted a new heroine as a replacement. Many thought Sulakshana was a Mumtaz lookalike and was soon persuaded to sign on multiple films as a leading lady.
Mrunal Thakur teams up with Telugu star Adivi Sesh for the romantic action drama Dacoit.
Sunny Deol. Akshaye Khanna. Anil Kapoor. Madhuri Dixit. Saif Ali Khan. Manoj Bajaypee. Netflix's 2026 slate packs a starry punch.
'Audiences are loyal to good content.'
A video has surfaced showing the moment of the collision in Dwarka that killed a 23-year-old biker. The video, allegedly filmed from inside the SUV driven by a 17-year-old, shows the moments leading up to the crash. The driver was later released on bail.
2025 started with a blockbuster in Chhaava and ended with an even bigger one in Dhurandhar. There have been other Hindi hits too, and we take a look at the Top 10.
'Madhubala in Kala Pani looks divine and yet, she's not just there for glamour.' 'In Do Raaste, the character of Neelambari (played by Bindu) isn't a heroine in the traditional sense but she has such a pivotal role.' 'That Raj Khosla gave a non-heroine such a central role, instead of the heroine, says a lot about how he valued female characters.'
There will be a lot of excitement in the theatres in December but OTT entertainment looks good too.
'Two of the songs haven't been shot by me. When I saw the film, they came as a shock.'
Hyderabad police file charge sheet against 23 individuals, including actor Allu Arjun, in connection with a stampede at the 'Pushpa-2' premiere that resulted in a woman's death.
A R Rahman feels a power shift may have happened in the past eight years, as 'people who are not creative have the power now to decide things.'
Where Dhurandhar leaned into aggressive bloodlust through its acerbic storytelling, Ikkis moves in the opposite direction, asking us to see people beyond uniforms, slogans, or sides, observes Mayur Sanap.
When Dhurandhar released a week ago, it was expected to become a hit, with a lifetime collections of Rs 300 crore (Rs 3 billion) in reach. But no one knew the film to become such a phenomenon.
Fight on toward goals that keep receding, or exit with most objectives unmet. Trump is agitated, his poll numbers falling below the Plimsoll line, his base fractured between those who back the war and those who remember that he campaigned on ending them.
Former Bigg Boss contestant Tehseen Poonawalla has hit back at trolls who have been criticising Salman Khan after the teaser of Battle of Galwan was released on his birthday.
'I don't see myself as a choreographer in Bollywood.' 'I approached this project only because of Vishal Bhardwaj because his vision was so clear.'
Syed Firdaus Ashraf hopes that Nishaanchi will be a blockbuster like its trailer.
Vrusshabha feels like a ChatGPT prompt gone wrong, where the lazy ask for a sure-shot 'Pan Indian' blockbuster formula gives us a flimsy period epic in the guise of an incompetently drawn 'reincarnation drama', observes Arjun Menon.
'As soon as Salman saw me, he immediately left Aamir's side and came towards me. He hugged me.' 'Then he introduced me to Aamir, saying, 'This is J K Bihari who launched me in Biwi Ho Toh Aisi".'
'Karur could still impact Jana Nayagan's box-office success if Vijay and the TVK do not get their act together,' points out N Sathiya Moorthy.
Bhansali Productions will retain creative control, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, founder, Bhansali Productions, said that for him, powerful and meaningful cinema requires time, trust, and a deep respect for the process, which the company was able to align with Saregama India.
In the movie, veteran star Sanjay Dutt portrays Chaudhary Aslam. The police officer was assassinated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban's Mohmand chapter who claimed responsibility for carrying out a bomb attack on his car on the Lyari Expressway on January 9, 2014, in which two other police officers, his driver, and guard were also killed.
Trade analyst Girish Wankhede puts together a curated list of the 25 biggest hits in the first 25 years of the century.
In half a century, actors have aged or passed away, the shape of the city has altered, the film industry has changed beyond recognition, most single screens have made way for multiplexes, audiences tastes have changed, rural life is very different now, and inflation has devalued the rupee. But a great film is forever. Deepa Gahlot salutes Sholay, as it re-releases in theatres.
Despite suffering a personal tragedy weeks ago, when his father -- the legendary actor Dharmendra -- passed away, Sunny Deol stoically returned to work, and put the spotlight on his upcoming film, Border 2 at its teaser launch in Mumbai.
'The satisfaction of making content only comes when it reaches theatres as you are directly connecting to the masses.'
'A huge big round of applause for everyone especially the makeup and prosthetics dept!'
