Popular television actress Rupali Ganguly has called out Pakistani actor Fawad Khan for his comment criticizing the Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist camps along the LoC and in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Rupali took to her X (formerly Twitter) handle and shared a snippet of Fawad’s remarks against the Indian Army’s operation, which was carried out in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack. Rupali Ganguly on Fawad Khan's comment While Fawad described the anti-terror strikes as “shameful,” Rupali reacted strongly, writing, “Your working in Indian films was also ‘shameful’ for us.” Check out her post here: You working in Indian films was also 'shameful' for us.#OperationSindoor #IndianArmy #IndianAirForce pic.twitter.com/B7CeuQcb2t — Rupali Ganguly (@TheRupali) May 7, 2025 Fawad Khan’s comment on Operation Sindoor Responding to India’s missile strikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK, Fawad Khan called the act “shameful” and extended condolences to the victims’ families. While his official Instagram account is currently inaccessible in India, a screenshot of his now-viral Instagram story has been circulating online. In the post, he wrote, “My deepest condolences to the families of those injured and killed in this shameful attack. I pray for the souls of the deceased and strength for their loved ones in the days to come.” He further appealed for calm, saying, “A respectful request to all: stop stoking the flames with rabble-rousing words. It is not worth the lives of innocent people. May better sense prevail. InshaAllah. Pakistan Zindabad!” Several other Pakistani celebrities — including Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, and Mawra Hocane — also condemned the missile strikes. About Operation Sindoor The operation was approved following a high-level security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 29. It targeted major strongholds of banned terror outfits. According to PTI, these included Jaish-e-Mohammad’s base in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s headquarters in Muridke, near Lahore. Additional strikes were conducted in PoK, including areas like Kotli and Muzaffarabad, known for housing terror camps and training facilities. In a statement issued at 1:44 a.m. IST, the Indian Ministry of Defence confirmed,“A little while ago, the Indian armed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor,’ hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed.”
08 May,2025 10:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSaif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji's much-loved romantic comedy Hum Tum is all set to return to the big screen with a special theatrical re-release on May 16. Originally released in 2004, the film quickly became a cultural touchstone, often referred to as one of Bollywood’s original modern rom-coms. Directed by Kunal Kohli, Hum Tum beautifully captures the complexities of love and relationships with a fresh, witty, and emotionally resonant narrative. About Hum Tum The film tells the story of Karan Kapoor (Saif Ali Khan), a charming cartoonist, and Rhea Prakash (Rani Mukerji), an independent and strong-minded woman, who first meet on a flight. Though their personalities clash initially and sparks don’t fly right away, fate has other plans. Over the years, their paths keep crossing, eventually leading to a slow-burning romance that audiences found both relatable and heartwarming. Saif and Rani’s chemistry, coupled with heartfelt performances, brought depth to their characters and struck an emotional chord with viewers. One of the standout features of Hum Tum was its innovative use of animation — a rarity in Bollywood at the time. The animated characters "Hum" and "Tum," representing the male and female perspectives, added a whimsical yet meaningful layer to the story. The film also earned Saif Ali Khan his first National Film Award for Best Actor, a significant milestone in his career. The soundtrack, composed by Jatin–Lalit, with chartbusters like “Ladki Kyon” and “Saanson Ko Saanson Mein,” further elevated the film’s emotional appeal and became fan favorites. Re-release saga in Bollywood The re-release is part of a leading theatrical chain’s initiative to celebrate timeless cinema with a curated slate of classics throughout May. Hum Tum is one of the marquee titles in this celebration, offering both long-time fans and new viewers a chance to revisit the magic of a truly iconic rom-com on the silver screen. With its mix of humour, emotion, and nostalgia, Hum Tum promises to warm hearts all over again. Rani and Saif's work front Saif Ali Khan was last seen in the recently released Netflix film 'Jewel Thief'. He has an interesting line up of films among which is a Priyadarshan film. Rani Mukerji is currently working on the third part of the cop drama franchise Mardaani.
08 May,2025 10:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndian singer Arijit Singh has pushed the date of his upcoming live show in Abu Dhabi in light of the tense situation between India and Pakistan. On Thursday, Arijit’s team took to their Instagram, and shared a note in which he spoke about pushing the May 9 show to a later date. Arijit Singh cancels Abu Dhabi concert They wrote, “Dear Fans, due to recent events, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the Arijit Singh live concert in Abu Dhabi, originally scheduled for 9 May 2025, at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island. We deeply appreciate your patience, support and understanding during this time. We are working closely with the venue and the new date will be announced soon”. He further mentioned that the purchased tickets for the show will remain valid for the new date, or attendees can also opt for a full refund. “All purchased tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled date, or you may opt for a full refund within 7 days, starting 12 May 2025 (Monday). Thank you for your continued love and support, we look forward to creating unforgettable memories with you soon. With love, Team Arijit Singh Live”, he added. This comes amid rising tension between India and Pakistan which started with the Pahalgam terror attack last month. On May 7, India launched retaliatory strikes on 9 terror sites in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor. Post the attack on Pakistan and rising tension at border areas, the makers of Rajkummar Rao's upcoming film Bhool Chuk Maaf also called off the film's theatrical release. The film will now be released on OTT on May 16. When Arijit Singh cancelled Chennai concert Last month after the Pahalgam terror attack, Arijit Singh had cancelled his Chennai concert. After the attack as well, Arijit Singh had cancelled his concert in Chennai. The note shared by Arijit Singh read, "In light of the recent and tragic events, the organisers along with the artist have collectively made the decision to cancel the upcoming show scheduled to happen in Chennai this Sunday, April 27”. The singer and the organisers assured the attendees that they are liable to a full refund which will shortly reflect in the original source of their payment.
08 May,2025 07:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe term Operation Sindoor was buzzing everywhere in India on morning of May 7, 2025 after India struck at terrorist camps in Pakistan in retaliation of Pahalgam terror attacks on April 22. Soon after several businesses rushed to trademark the phrase Operation Sindoor. After the news went public, Reliance Industries, on Thursday, said that the conglomerate has no intention of trademarking 'Operation Sindoor'. Reliance Industry's official statement stated that Jio Studios has withdrawn its trademark application. Reliance withdraws trademark application "Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation," Reliance Industries added in the statement. The statement further adds "Reliance Industries and all its stakeholders are incredibly proud of Operation Sindoor, which came about in response to a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Operation Sindoor is the proud achievement of our brave Armed Forces in India's uncompromising fight against the evil of terrorism. Reliance stands fully in support of our Government and Armed Forces in this fight against terrorism. Our commitment to the motto of 'INDIA FIRST' remains unwavering." The race for Operation Sindoor trademark Earlier on May 7 following India's precision attack on terrorist sites in Pakistan named 'Operation Sindoor', several entities, had filed trademark applications. The trade mark filings happened within hours of the military operations by the Indian Army on nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The trademarks are usually filed for potential movie titles in the future. The intellectual property of India application website of the commerce and Industry ministry shows four applications were filed between 10:42 am and 6:27 pm on May 7, 2025, for trademark applications under Class 41 of the Nice Classification, which covers education, entertainment, media, and cultural services. Indian military operations names are not automatically protected as intellectual property by the government, neither the ministry of defence often registers or commercialize these names and they are not secured under any special statutory IP framework. So unless government or ministry of defence intervenes such names remain open for trademark claims by entities or even by private individuals. (with inputs from ANI)
08 May,2025 06:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Bhagyashree believes that being a good mother is not just about protecting your children but making them independent. The 'Maine Pyar Kiya' actress took to her Instagram and dropped a throwback picture with her son Abhimanyu and daughter Avantika. She further penned a heartfelt note ahead of Mother's Day on May 11. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bhagyashree (@bhagyashree.online) Bhagyashree wrote, "Being Mom! A week to Mother's Day. In a program organized for young Moms, I shared a bit of what I learnt through life. My children mean the world to me, and there is nothing I wouldn't do for them, but if I truly did that, I would not be a good mom. Children need to be taught to be independent, to learn through mistakes they make, to rise up when they fall, to grow through adversities and help others who cannot." Emphasizing the need to make your kids self-dependent, the actress went on to share, "We can hold their finger when they learn to walk, but we have to let go so that they can run. Love doesn't come through need, just as caring is never protection enough." "In today's world.... and it is as fierce as the jungle can be, it is survival that counts.... and to be able to do that, your children have to be the Lion King," Bhagyashree concluded. The post also included a video where Bhagyashree reiterated that as a mother, her primary goal is to make her children capable of facing any challenges that life throws at them. "My children are my responsibility. So, I have set them on a path where they are capable of looking after themselves. They don't feel that they need me. Indian parents bring up their children, making them feel very needy. Everything we as parents set up for our children, which I feel is wrong," she was heard saying. After making a spectacular debut in the 1989 blockbuster "Maine Pyar Kiya" alongside Salman Khan, Bhagyashree tied the knot with Himalaya Dassani in 1990. After her marriage, she has been a part of very few projects. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 May,2025 12:40 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSAs part of Operation Sindoor, Indian Forces attacked the Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, leaving 10 members of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar's family dead. Sharing a video of the Masjid post the surgical strike, actor Vijay Varma wrote, "Taste your own medicine." However, it feels like not everyone agreed with Vijay's point of view. Replying to those, the 'Darlings' actor shared a note on his Instagram stories stating that Masood Azhar deserves an even harsher punishment for what he has done. "For those who are triggered by the previous story.. Masood Azhar needs an even harsher punishment if there is. Hardened criminal. F**ker escaped justice back in 1999 with IC814 hijacking," Vijay's note read. According to a statement attributed to Masood Azhar, the ones killed in the attack on Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur included his elder sister and her husband, a nephew and his wife, another niece, and five children from his extended family. The JeM chief also confirmed the demise of one of his close associates, his mother, and two other close companions during the attack by the Indian Armed Forces. It must be noted that Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur served as JeM’s central facility for command. Masood Azhar is believed to be behind several terror attacks, including the Parliament attack, the terror strike at Pathankot airbase, and the 2019 suicide attack that led to the death of 40 CRPF personnel in South Kashmir. He was among the three terrorists released by Indian authorities after the 1999 Kandahar hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane. After being released, Masood Azhar went to Pakistan and came up with a new terrorist organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed. During the wee hours of May 7, the Indian Army attacked several terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir as part of Operation Sindoor. The Indian army's attack was in response to the horrific Pahalgam attack on April 22. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 May,2025 12:29 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Sanjay Kapoor's wife Maheep Kapoor has paid a heartfelt tribute to her mother-in-law Nirmal Kapoor, who passed away on May 2 in Mumbai. On Wednesday, Maheep shared adorable and throwback clicks of Nirmal Kapoor on Instagram and wrote, "Will miss you a lot Mama." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maheep Kapoor (@maheepkapoor) Some pictures are from Maheep's wedding where Nirmal can be seen performing rituals with the bride. One of the pictures also featured Sonam Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor with their late grandmother Nirmal and a new born baby. Zoya Akhtar and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni reacted to the post by dropping heart emojis in the comment section. Nirmal Kapoor, mother of Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor and Boney Kapoor breathed her last on Friday, May 2, following a brief hospitalisation at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. She passed away at 90. Bollywood celebs, including Rani Mukerji, Farhan Akhtar, Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor and Karan Johar, among others, on Saturday(May 3) reached the funeral of Nirmal Kapoor, the mother of veteran actor Anil Kapoor, to pay their last respects in Mumbai. Nirmal's funeral took place at the Vile Parle Crematorium, located on SV Road in Mumbai. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 May,2025 12:25 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIRajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi's much-anticipated film Bhool Chuk Maaf's theatrical release has been cancelled. Yes, it's true—amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan and ongoing security drills in the country, the makers of the film have decided to take the major step of shifting to a direct-to-OTT release. Directed and written by Karan Sharma, Bhool Chuk Maaf pairs Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi for the very first time, bringing together irresistible chemistry, quirky storytelling, and the soul of small-town India. Today, while announcing this major decision, the official page of Maddock revealed the news, saying, "In light of recent events and the heightened security drills across the nation, we at Maddock Films and Amazon MGM Studios have decided to bring our family entertainer, Bhool Chuk Maaf, directly to your homes on May 16—only on Prime Video, worldwide. While we were eagerly looking forward to celebrating this film with you in theatres, the spirit of the nation comes first. JAI HIND." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maddock Films (@maddockfilms) They attached this announcement note with a caption that reads, "The spirit of the nation comes first! 🇮🇳 Watch Bhool Chuk Maaf directly on @primevideoin, May 16." This decision of the makers came a day after Operation Sindoor, which India successfully carried out and destroyed about 9 terrorist camps in Pakistan and POK. To note, Bhool Chuk Maaf was supposed to release in theatres tommorow on May 9. About Bhool Chuk Maaf Set against the colourful backdrop of Varanasi, the film follows Ranjan, a hopeless romantic who manages to land a government job to win over his love, Titli. But just before the wedding, everything goes hilariously wrong. Trapped in a single day that keeps repeating, Ranjan must figure out what went wrong, why Mahadev hit pause on his life, and what it will take to set things right. From the makers of Luka Chuppi and Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, Bhool Chuk Maaf is a delightful blend of humour, heart, and fate’s unexpected twists. About Operation Sindoor The military strikes were conducted under Operation Sindoor two weeks after the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. The nine targets struck under Operation Sindoor—four in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir—were chosen by the IAF after receiving intelligence inputs about terror camps operating under the guise of health centers to evade detection at these sites, officials said on Wednesday.
08 May,2025 11:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Shachi ChaturvediAt a time when most films disappear from theatres within a week, Kesari Chapter 2 has been enjoying a steady run for almost three weeks. When we get on a call with Ananya Panday, she attributes it to the powerful story that is at the centre of Karan Singh Tyagi’s directorial venture. “I had studied about the Jallianwala Bagh [massacre] in school, as did everyone. But I didn’t know the extent of the details I learned while being a part of this film. I wanted to help tell this chapter of history,” she says of the period drama that offers a fictionalised version of C Sankaran Nair’s legal battle against the British Empire after the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. In the Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan-starrer, Panday plays Dilreet Gill, a young lawyer who becomes the protagonist’s aide. Dilreet and she may be a century apart, but the actor says they have a trait in common — steely resolve. “I could connect with Dilreet’s strong resolve. I have a lot of fire in me, but it may not be evident. Dilreet was the same. She had a quiet resolve. She was emotionally charged, but she didn’t shout to prove her point,” she assesses. (From left) Ananya Panday and Akshay Kumar in the film Kesari Chapter 2 has reportedly earned over Rs 80 crore in the domestic market. That’s an encouraging figure when most movies are tanking at the box office. As much as collections matter, Panday notes that in such a movie, the money is a by-product. “Some films are made to generate box-office value; others, because you want to tell a story to people. My priority is the audience’s reaction. [That said], it’s also a business, and you need films to do well. It directly correlates to the number of people who have seen your film. So, we can start looking at it less as ‘money’ and more as the ‘love of the audience’.” It has been a journey of growth for the actor, who debuted with Student of the Year 2 (2019). In the past three years, she has silenced her detractors with her mature performances. What brought on the shift? Gehraiyaan (2022), she says. “With the film, I fell in love with the process of acting. Now, I trust my instincts fully. Earlier, I’d always worry: What are people on set thinking? What will the audience think? I was so caught up in the final product that I wasn’t present in the moment. But working on CTRL and Call Me Bae [2024] changed that. I no longer feel scared on set. The pressure is there, but it doesn’t paralyse me anymore.”
08 May,2025 07:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuConsidering Khelo India Youth Games 2025 is being held in Bihar, it’s fitting that Pankaj Tripathi — who hails from the state — has been chosen as the annual event’s ambassador. The actor considers it an “honour” to be associated with the national event that kicked off on May 4. “To see these games being held in Bihar fills me with immense pride,” he shares, proud that the spotlight is on the state as it hosts athletes from different parts of the country. Over the next week, athletes will participate in different sports — from archery to basketball, from fencing to kabaddi — held in Bihar and New Delhi. Tripathi hopes it will encourage the younger generation to make sports an active part of their lives. The actor believes that such initiatives are significant in driving youngsters to aim higher and represent India on a global platform. He states, “Encouraging our youth to pursue sports is not just about building physical strength; it’s about nurturing discipline, resilience, and self-belief. I hope that my involvement as the face of Bihar will inspire young boys and girls to dream big, stay active, and represent India with passion and pride.” 2018When Khelo India Youth Games was launched
08 May,2025 07:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuNo rest, already on to the next Salman Khan Bollywood superstar Salman Khan will reportedly begin his next within five months, possibly a war drama, said to be directed by Apoorva Lakhia. The film will be based on the 2020 Indo-China Galwan Valley conflict, showcasing the bravery of Indian soldiers (Bhai at the border, May 2). We have learnt that Salman hasn’t officially signed the project, but has given a go-ahead to the filmmaker. Reports suggest that he prioritised this project after a potential collaboration with filmmaker Kabir Khan on Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2 failed to materialise. Earlier, mid-day had reported that veteran writer V Vijayendra Prasad was writing the script of the sequel to the 2015 classic (A scintillating script in the making, April 28), however, the project now seems to be delayed. Looking for musical inspiration Anu Malik Veteran music director Anu Malik is on a quest to revive the magic of Indian music. With his baajaa (harmonium) in hand, he’s searching for work and inspiration in an industry he feels has lost its spark. He told mid-day, “Main baajaa leke bhaagta hoon, log haste bhi hai. They say, ‘arre yaar Anu Malik, itna naam kama liya hai, baaja leke kahaan bhaag raha hai? I do that! It’s time to do something.” Malik believes the new generation of musicians lacks inspiration, despite having talent. He yearns for the golden era of Indian cinema, where great directors and writers collaborated to create timeless music. With a hunger for meaningful music, Malik is ready to create something new, driven by his passion for music as he believes, “The audience loves it, they are ready for that kind of music to come back.” Love in Mussoorie Avinash Tiwary, Aditi Rao Hydari and Imtiaz Ali Imtiaz Ali’s Netflix series O Saathi Re, starring Aditi Rao Hydari and Avinash Tiwary, is nearing completion with the final shooting schedule set to begin in Mussoorie soon. The filmmaker, along with his star cast was recently spotted at Dehradun airport as they were heading to the hill station for the shoot. We have learnt that approximately 80 per cent of the series has been shot, with the Mumbai schedules successfully wrapped up. According to reports, the remaining portions will be filmed in Uttarakhand. Imtiaz is the creator, writer, and showrunner of the series, and it is directed by his brother, filmmaker Arif Ali. Baby steps into acting Iulia Vantur Romanian model and singer Iulia Vantur, who is rumoured to be dating Salman Khan, is stepping into the world with the English short film, Echoes of Us. The movie will be directed by Joe Rajan and produced by Pooja Batra. Speaking about her debut, Iulia said, “I am an artiste who needs to express in various forms… Acting is a beautiful and profound way of expressing through another character’s skin.” Going all-out commercial Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj The buzz is that Shahid Kapoor’s Arjun Ustara is set to be a mass-appealing commercial film. We have learnt that he signed Vishal Bhardwaj’s directorial venture after he was assured by the filmmaker and producer SN that the film would have a mainstream treatment in keeping with the audience’s current taste. mid-day had reported that after wrapping the Indian schedule, the team is gearing up to commence the international leg of the gangster actioner in Georgia, starting mid-May, and wrapping up by the end of June. The film will be ready for a December release (Gangster rules, uninterrupted, May 5). The film, also starring Triptii Dimri, is apparently being designed for the big screen experience.
08 May,2025 07:12 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamADVERTISEMENT
