The growing India-Pakistan tension has left the entire country worried. Yesterday was a tough day, with Pakistan firing multiple drone and missile attacks. All eyes were on the news channels, giving constant updates on the blackout, suspended services, and important information. With a tense situation in the country, especially in the bordering states, united in spirit and standing strong with the Indian Armed Forces, Anil Kapoor to Aly Goni, several celebs shared strong messages in these testing times. Celebs hail the Indian Armed Forces While taking to his social media, Anil Kapoor wrote, "All my gratitude and prayers for the brave women and men defending us. You are our heroes." Anupam Kher took to his X and shared a conversation with his cousin in Jammu. He said, "My cousin brother #SunilKher sent this video from his home in Jammu. I called immediately and asked him if he and his family are okay. He laughed a little proudly and said, 'Bhaiya! Hum Bharat mein hain! Hum Hindustani hain. Hamari suraksha Bharatiya Sena aur Mata Vaishno Devi kar rahi hain. Aap tension mat lo. Waise bhi koi bhi missile hum zameen par nahi lagne de rahe.' Jai Mata Ki! Bharat Mata Ki Jai!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Varinder Chawla (@varindertchawla) Kangana Ranaut took to social media to applaud India’s landmark 2018 S-400 air defence agreement with Russia. On Thursday, the ‘Queen’ actress took to her Instagram story and shared a note that read, “Our Sudarshan Chakra—the S-400 Air Defence System—demolished the Pakistani air attack! Among the world’s most powerful defence technologies, the S-400 deal was signed by PM Narendra Modi’s government with Russia in 2018. #OperationSindoor.” "Proud of our protectors. Jai Hind," wrote Shraddha Kapoor. “Numb Pray for Jammu pray for our families,” wrote Aly Goni Manushi Chhillar, while taking to her social media, shared, "As a daughter of a doctor who spent 3 decades in the Ministry of Defence, and a niece to an army officer, I only have utmost respect and admiration for what our armed forces sacrifice to serve the nation. Thank you for always protecting us." Mouni Roy, Raveena Tandon, Angad Bedi, Sonal Chauhan, and others also hailed the Indian Armed Forces. India-Pakistan tension intensified According to defence sources on Thursday, Pakistan fired eight missiles targeting Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia. All were intercepted and blocked by Indian air defence units. The missile interception took place just a day after India began Operation Sindoor, a major counter-terror operation launched in response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 Indian nationals dead.
09 May,2025 08:52 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA lot has changed in Vikrant Massey’s life between his 2018 web series, Broken…But Beautiful, and the upcoming Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. But one thing has remained unchanged, says Santosh Singh, who helmed both offerings. He points out that after Broken…But Beautiful, the actor hasn’t featured in a tender, aching love story. That was one of the reasons Massey signed Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan opposite Shanaya Kapoor. Santosh Singh “Broken… was the first love story we did together, and now we are back with another. Vikrant once told me that most [filmmakers] cast him in hard-hitting movies like 12th Fail [2023] or negative roles like Sector 36 [2024], but only I see him as a romantic hero,” says Singh, who is readying the film for a July 11 release. Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan looks at the love that blossoms between Massey’s musician and Kapoor’s theatre actor. It also marks the latter’s Bollywood debut. Singh recalls, “The film had its own journey of finding the heroine. We [initially] had Tara Sutaria and Pratibha Ranta for the role, but their dates didn’t work out. We tested Shanaya and she passed with flying colours. We did four months of workshops with her; she also worked with an acting coach. By the time we started shooting, she knew the script by heart.”
09 May,2025 08:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRScroll through some of the leading Bollywood actors’ Instagram accounts, and eagle-eyed fans will notice a change. In a strange turn of events, by Thursday morning, many of the actors experienced a drop in their follower count. Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Kartik Aaryan, Sara Ali Khan, and Janhvi Kapoor reportedly lost thousands of followers between May 7 and 8. Digital experts suggest that a section of the South Asian diaspora has unfollowed certain celebrities after Operation Sindoor. According to social media analytics, Bhatt and Aaryan saw a dip of nearly one lakh followers from their respective 8.62 crore and 4.50 crore followers. Khan’s followers dropped by approximately 60,000, and Kapoor’s, by 30,000. Meanwhile, Devgn’s 1.2 crore count saw a reduction of roughly 20,000. A digital media strategist, on condition of anonymity, linked the recent activity to two episodes. “Last week, top Pakistani artistes’ social media accounts were blocked in India. That was seen as a gesture of rising intolerance. After Operation Sindoor, many Bollywood celebrities took a stand, which did not go down well with certain sections of the South Asian diaspora in the US and UK. Unfollowing these stars is their way of expressing protest against aggressive tactics, and larger political narratives,” said the strategist. Digital media expert Murtuza Rampurawala said the numbers directly reflect public sentiment. “When a lot of people unfollow at once, it’s a clear sign that public opinion is shifting. Brands pay close attention to this because they want to work with celebrities who reflect what their audience believes in,” he shared.mid-day reached out to Meta India, which did not respond to our queries regarding the recent drop in follower count. 20KAjay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Kartik Aaryan, Sara Ali Khan 60KFollowers lost by Sara Ali Khan
09 May,2025 07:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuThe race to make a movie on Operation Sindoor hots up Just hours after India executed precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, several leading Bollywood production houses reportedly rushed to register titles inspired by Operation Sindoor Sources say at least 15 filmmakers and studios have applied for title registration with the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association. Meanwhile, legal platform Bar and Bench reported that Reliance Industries Limited was the first to file a trademark application for the title. However, the company has since withdrawn it, stating, “Reliance Industries has no intention of trademarking Operation Sindoor, a phrase which is now a part of the national consciousness as an evocative symbol of Indian bravery.” Insiders tell mid-day that producers are considering variations such as Mission Sindoor, Badla Sindoor, and others, with patriotic prefixes or suffixes like Desh Ki Shaan or Humara Jawab to avoid similarities. Top contenders include Mahaveer Jain, John Abraham, and Aditya Dhar. In solidarity Shah Rukh Khan and Arijit Singh A bronze statue of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) was set to be unveiled at London’s Leicester Square later this week, but the event has been postponed indefinitely due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, following Operation Sindoor. SRK, who was already in London, apparently decided to delay the ceremony out of respect for the ongoing situation. The actor returned to Mumbai late Thursday evening. Singer Arijit Singh too cancelled his upcoming concert in Abu Dhabi. It was supposed to take place today. Tickets bought by concert-goers will remain valid for the rescheduled date or they can opt for a full refund.
09 May,2025 07:20 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamCalling off a film’s theatrical outing a day before its release is almost unheard of. But then, unusual circumstances demand unusual decisions. Producer Dinesh Vijan understands this perfectly. That’s why in light of the escalating tension between India and Pakistan, the producer, on Thursday, May 8, announced that the Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi-starrer, Bhool Chuk Maaf, was bypassing its theatrical release and would instead directly arrive on Amazon Prime Video a week later. The statement issued by the makers read, “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.” Dinesh Vijan Such a decision not only involves last-minute changes, but also poses the risk of adversely affecting the film. When mid-day reached out to Vijan to understand how they took the call, he said that they were led purely by the need of the hour. He said, “In light of recent events, we felt a strong responsibility to prioritise the collective sentiment of the nation. Today, what matters more is standing together as a nation when it counts. Of course, there were last-minute changes, and it’s natural to wonder how this will impact the film.” He added that despite the challenging turn of events, he was confident that the Karan Sharma-directed comedy would find its way into the audience’s hearts. “If there is one thing we’ve learned, it’s that a good story always finds its audience. We hope Bhool Chuk Maaf brings warmth and laughter when we all need it most.” The comedy about a couple stuck in a time loop marks Maddock Films’ second release of the year after its blockbuster Chhaava. With only a day to go for its release, the feel-good movie’s advance booking had naturally begun. We learnt that ticket holders across the country will be issued refunds. A trade source said, “In such cases, exhibitors refund the money. So whatever tickets have been bought in the pre-sales of Bhool Chuk Maaf, the exhibitors will return the money.”
09 May,2025 07:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Komal RJ Panchal | Priyanka SharmaPopular 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 | IANSADVERTISEMENT
