Category: Films

Films

Aditya Dhar Locks ‘Dhurandhar’ Sequel for March 2026 Release

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Bollywood filmmaker Aditya Dhar has officially confirmed the release date of the much-awaited sequel to his 2024 action-thriller Dhurandhar. The sequel, featuring a powerhouse ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan and Sara Arjun, is slated to hit theatres on March 19, 2026.

The announcement has sparked major excitement in the film industry, particularly given the scale, ambition and star value of the franchise. The first installment of Dhurandhar received widespread appreciation for its gripping storyline, stylised action sequences and high-intensity performances. With the sequel retaining key characters and expanding the narrative universe, expectations are significantly higher this time.

While plot details remain under wraps, industry sources suggest the sequel delves deeper into the world of power, betrayal and moral conflict that defined the original. Aditya Dhar, known for his sharp storytelling and cinematic vision, is reportedly taking the franchise into a more complex and emotionally charged direction.

Ranveer Singh leads the cast once again, with Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal and R. Madhavan bringing depth to the ensemble. Young actor Sara Arjun, praised for her performance in the first film, returns with a more significant arc.

With filming already underway, the production is expected to unveil its first teaser in early 2026, building anticipation toward its grand theatrical release.

The sequel marks one of Bollywood’s biggest franchise offerings of 2026, poised to draw audiences with its strong star cast, intense drama and cinematic scale.

Films

Madhuri Dixit Returns to Thrillers as a Deadly Mastermind in Mrs Deshpande

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Madhuri Dixit is set to make a powerful comeback to the thriller genre with her upcoming series Mrs Deshpande, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor and scheduled for release on December 19, 2025, on JioHotstar. The recently unveiled trailer has generated intense excitement, showcasing Madhuri in a remarkably different and chilling avatar. Known for her grace, charm and iconic on-screen presence, she now steps into the skin of a soft-spoken yet convicted serial killer whose gentle appearance hides a dark and violent past. The teaser opens with Madhuri gently singing Bholi Si Surat, only for the calm to be shattered in an instant as she takes someone’s life. The narrative quickly shifts to her being imprisoned, where she states, “I’m locked up, so someone else must be imitating my methods,” setting the tone for the psychological tension that defines the series.

Within the storyline, Mrs Deshpande is serving a 25-year prison sentence, but the police turn to her for assistance after realizing that a new serial killer is replicating her exact methods. The show, an official remake of the French drama La Mante, weaves together crime, psychology and emotional complexity as Madhuri’s character agrees to help the investigation but only on one condition: she wants to partner with her estranged son, who now serves as a detective. Their reluctant collaboration forces them to confront their intertwined trauma, long-suppressed resentment and secrets buried for decades. This mother–son dynamic becomes central to the show’s emotional depth.

Featuring Madhuri Dixit-Nene in the lead role, the series stars Siddharth Chandekar as her son and Priyanshu Chatterjee in a pivotal supporting role. At the trailer launch, Madhuri shared her excitement about working with the team and praised director Nagesh Kukunoor for guiding her through this intense, layered performance. With its gripping premise and strong cast, Mrs Deshpande promises to deliver a fresh, bold and emotionally charged thriller experience for audiences.

Films

Hema Malini Pens Heartfelt Tribute to Dharmendra: “He Was Everything to Me”

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Mumbai, 27th November 2025: In a deeply emotional moment that resonated across the nation, veteran actress and public figure Hema Malini has shared her first heartfelt message on social media following the demise of legendary actor Dharmendra. Her note, filled with love, memories, and profound grief, offers a rare and intimate glimpse into their decades-long bond — one of Bollywood’s most cherished partnerships on and off the screen.

Hema Malini lovingly addressed him as “Dharam ji ❤️”, before expressing the depth of what he meant to her: a loving husband, a devoted father to their daughters Esha and Ahaana, her friend, guide, philosopher, poet — and truly, “everything” to her.

She recalled how Dharmendra seamlessly embraced her family with warmth and affection, endearing himself to every member with his gentle nature and genuine interest in others. Beyond personal life, she highlighted his unmatched stature as a public personality — a legend whose humility, universal appeal, and towering talent made him a unique icon in Indian cinema.

Reflecting on her loss, Hema Malini wrote of an indescribable void and the lifelong vacuum left behind. After years of togetherness, she now finds solace in revisiting countless cherished moments shared with Dharmendra, who continues to live on in memories, cinema, and the hearts of millions.

Dharmendra, fondly known as the ‘He-Man’ of Indian cinema, passed away earlier this week, leaving the nation mourning the loss of a beloved superstar. Hema Malini’s tribute adds a deeply personal chapter to the collective remembrance of an icon whose legacy will remain eternal.

Films

Disney’s Bold Double Trailer Drop: Devil Wears Prada 2 & Toy Story 5 Smash 24-Hour View Records

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Disney continues to disrupt traditional movie marketing, this time with a bold and unexpected double trailer release that instantly dominated global conversation. The studio dropped the highly anticipated trailers for Devil Wears Prada 2 and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 simultaneously, generating massive first-day viewership and setting the stage for two major summer 2026 theatrical events.

Leading the charge was Devil Wears Prada 2, reuniting Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci under the direction of returning filmmaker David Frankel. The trailer soared to 185 million views in its first 24 hours, ranking as the second most-viewed trailer of the year behind Fantastic Four: First Family. It became the top trailer of 2024 on Instagram with 79 million views and added another 60 million on TikTok. Fan sentiment has been overwhelmingly positive, with early reactions praising the film’s return to the iconic Runway universe and its pitch-perfect tease that gives just enough without revealing too much. The film is set to launch the 2026 summer box office on May 1.

Pixar’s Toy Story 5 delivered its own commanding performance with 142 million views in 24 hours, outpacing many recent animated franchise debuts. Instagram led the platform engagement with 47 million views, followed by TikTok with 37 million. The trailer also generated more than 142,000 social mentions across platforms, pushing the film and its characters into the top trending positions on Twitter/X. Conversation has centered around fans’ excitement for the franchise’s return to theaters, along with enthusiasm for the film’s timely “toys vs tech” storyline, which many find relevant and fresh. With Toy Story 4 holding the franchise’s domestic opening weekend record at $120.9 million and the series already surpassing $3 billion worldwide, the fifth installment is positioned for another major theatrical moment when it arrives Father’s Day weekend, June 19–21, 2026.

Disney’s unexpected trailer strategy proved highly effective, sparking enormous reach, cross-platform momentum, and widespread fan enthusiasm for both films. As anticipation builds, the double drop underscores the studio’s ability to command cultural attention and generate massive engagement long before audiences arrive at theaters.

Films

MERAKI, BY THE SEA gets Official Selection at 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Goa 2025

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Goa, November 2025 — An evocative and deeply human experimental documentary Meraki, by the Sea has been officially selected under the Goan Section at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Goa 2025. The 37-minute English-Konkani docu-montage, directed by acclaimed Goan filmmaker Himanshu Singh and produced by Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas, chronicles the inspiring journey of Festacar Marius Fernandes, fondly known as “The Festival Man of Goa.”

Filmed across Goa’s vibrant villages and coastlines, Meraki, by the Sea captures the essence of Goa’s art, music, and community spirit that defines its cultural identity. The film explores Festacar’s beliefs, philosophy, and the passion that fuels his mission to revive Goan heritage through his unique, people-driven public festivals.

Over the past 25 years, Marius has created and nurtured over 100 community festivals across Goa and three in the UK, each built on inclusion, sustainability, and the power of togetherness. Shot by cinematographer Nehal Chari and sound designed by Pankaj Katware, the film is a visual and emotional tribute to the idea of doing something with meraki — the Greek word for doing things with soul, creativity, and love.

The film is dedicated to the late Senhor Zito de Ornelas Gomes, founder of Goa’s first musical band, “Tuna Los Coimbranos,” established on August 15, 1962. Through this dedication, the film honors his pioneering contribution to Goan music and cultural expression.

Director Himanshu Singh, a Goa State Award-winning filmmaker known for his humanistic and visually immersive storytelling, described the film as a reflection on the spirit of giving and collective joy. “Through Festacar’s journey, I wanted to explore how one man transforms festivals into living acts of connection and creativity. His story reminded me that culture thrives not in museums, but in people — in laughter, food, and shared moments,” he said.

Producer Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas, a Goan academic and cultural advocate, views the film as both a personal and creative tribute to her late father and to Festacar’s mission. “It’s a joy to see Meraki, by the Sea as part of IFFI 2025. The work of Festacar has always inspired me to be culturally rooted. During IFFI 2024, Himanshu and I discussed documenting his story — and here we are, a year later, celebrating its selection,” she shared.

Marius Fernandes’ lifelong commitment to fostering inclusivity and sustainability through festivals has made him an icon of community-led cultural revival. His initiatives have empowered locals, preserved traditions, and given Goans across generations a reason to celebrate their shared identity.

As Meraki, by the Sea premieres at IFFI 2025, it not only stands as a cinematic ode to Goa’s enduring cultural rhythm but also as a reminder of what it means to live and create with soul — with meraki.