Known for creating his own successful space in the family comedy genre with films like Badhaai Ho, Dream Girl, Bala and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Ayushmann says some of his biggest inspirations in situational comedy have always been Aamir Khan’s cult entertainers.

Speaking about his love for this genre and the accidental yet special Aamir Khan connection in the film, Ayushmann shares, “I’m a big fan of Aamir Khan, and I particularly love his comedies and the way he dabbles in this genre of situational comedy! I feel Aamir is a true master of the genre, along with everything that he does on screen. So, I love that there is an Aamir Khan connection in my film PPAWD! It happened by chance, and I’m glad it did.”

He adds, “When we were making Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, we wanted a song that fit seamlessly into the hilarious world and theme of the film. We found ‘Aaj Na Chhodunga Tujhe Dum Duma Dum’ from Aamir sir’s film Dil and it just felt perfect for the situation my character goes through in the movie. PPAWD is a situational comedy much like Aamir’s films Andaz Apna Apna, Ishq, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke to name a few. These are films I loved watching growing up and honestly, I can still watch them any number of times even today!”

“I love that I get to do a film that is essentially a hat-tip to the iconic comedies that we have all grown up watching. I hope PPAWD entertains everyone with its clean, brilliant comedy that every family can come and enjoy together in theatres”, he shares.

Directed by Mudassar Aziz, Pati Patni Aur Woh Do aims to bring back the charm of wholesome laughter for audiences of all ages, PPAWD aims to bring back the joy of classic family entertainers to the big screen once again.

Speaking after her appearance before the commission, Nora told ANI, “It was just a situation that I was put in, and there was no intention to offend anybody, but of course I have to be responsible as an artist. I definitely apologise, we have done everything in writing. They have been so kind and helpful. It’s really important for us to give back to society. So, I decided that we should sponsor a few orphan girls, their education, so that is the goal after this matter.”

The controversy dates back to March 2026 when the NCW had taken suo motu cognizance of media reports alleging obscenity and vulgarity in the song ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’. The commission had then shared an official statement on social media expressing concern over the content of the track.

The statement read, “The National Commission for Women, in exercise of its powers under the NCW Act, 1990, has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports alleging obscenity and vulgarity in the song “Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke.” Observing that the content prima facie appears to be sexually suggestive, objectionable, and violative of provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, IT Act, and POCSO Act, the Commission has taken serious note of the matter. Summons have been issued to Actress Nora Fatehi, Raqueeb Alam, Actor Sanjay Dutt, Venkat K. Narayana (Producer, KVN Group), and Kiran Kumar (Director) directing them to appear before the Commission.”

The summons asking Nora to appear before the commission was issued on May 6. And, the actress eventually appeared on May 7 to clarify her stance and respond to the concerns raised by the statutory body.

The development has once again brought discussions around creative freedom, censorship, and accountability in entertainment content into focus. Meanwhile, KD – The Devil continues to remain one of the talked-about upcoming projects owing to its ensemble cast and ongoing controversies surrounding the film’s promotional material.

Everyone’s favorite cops are back with the third installment of the cult comedy classic from the Broken Lizard crew: Super Troopers 3. When Farva’s wildly over-the-top Indian engagement to Thorny’s sister spirals into chaos, the Super Troopers must navigate Thorny’s schemes to break up the relationship, while trying to crack a pernicious new drug ring — all to save the day and maybe the wedding itself.

Watch the outrageous new trailer for SUPER TROOPERS 3 (viewer discretion is advised):

However, sources close to the production have firmly dismissed these claims. According to an insider, the reports are “completely baseless” and that Ranveer Singh remains fully committed to the project.

Pralay is currently deep in its pre-production phase. The screenplay was developed over several months by Jai Mehta and his co-writer Vishal Kapoor. After Ranveer agreed to the project, it underwent further rounds of development, concept-proofing, and pre-visualization.

“Reports suggesting any uncertainty around Pralay are completely baseless,” a source told Republic World. “Ranveer and Jai have been in continuous discussions and have firmly locked the script.”

The film, backed by acclaimed filmmaker Hansal Mehta (father of director Jai Mehta), is set to be a massive spectacle of Indian cinema. “When Ranveer saw his directorial work, he was impressed. Then Jai pitched the idea to him. Once Ranveer said he liked the idea, we invested in developing it—helping Jai create the world he wants to present in the film. Ranveer’s conviction and commitment towards both the script and Jai has enabled Pralay,” Hansal Mehta told The Hollywood Reporter.

Pralay is on track to go on floors by August 2026, with the team actively gearing up for production.

The news came on Wednesday, just about an hour after Yash confirmed that his film Toxic had been pushed from its June 4 slot. The KGF and Salaar star shared the update on social media, stating that the film needed more time and that some stories require patience.

With the major June clash now off the calendar, the makers of Varun Dhawan’s film have decided to go back to their initial release plan. The David Dhawan-directed romantic comedy, which also stars Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, had previously been moved from June 5 to June 12 to avoid clashing with Toxic, and was then brought forward to May 22. Now, with the latest adjustment, it has come full circle to its original June 5 date.

This makes Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai the first major Bollywood release after the IPL season concludes, giving it a relatively clear window at the box office.

Varun Dhawan took to social media to share the update, expressing his gratitude towards Yash and producer Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films for their cooperation in adjusting the release calendar. In his post, Varun wrote that he is thankful to both Yash and the production house for helping reset the schedule, allowing his film to release on its original date as the first Bollywood film post-IPL.

The announcement has been welcomed by fans and trade analysts alike, who believe that the June 5 slot will provide the film with a much-needed clear run at the box office. The romantic comedy genre has been relatively quiet in recent months, and the timing could work in the film’s favour.

Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, directed by Prashanth Varma, stars Yash in a role that marks his first foray into a dark comedy-drama. The film was earlier scheduled to release on June 4 but has now been postponed indefinitely, with the makers citing the need for additional time to polish the final product.

Fans of both films will now have to wait a little longer, but the reshuffle could mean bigger box office numbers for both movies when they eventually hit the theatres.

According to reports, Neetu decided to teach Ranbir the hook step of her upcoming film’s song ‘Senti’. The mother-son duo performed the steps together as the paparazzi cheered them on. The video, shared by @viralbhayani, quickly went viral across social media platforms.

Ranbir, dressed in a casual lime green shirt paired with blue denims, danced alongside his mother, who wore a blue polka dot shirt, blue denims, and a brown blazer. After the dance, Neetu was seen pulling Ranbir into a warm hug and planting a sweet kiss on his cheek, a gesture that perfectly captures their close bond.

Fans flooded the comments section with messages such as “Sweet mommy and son” and “Ranbir is so mumma’s boy,” praising the beautiful relationship between the two. Many called them one of Bollywood’s most loved mother-son pairs, noting how their candid, affectionate moments never fail to melt hearts.

Neetu Kapoor’s upcoming film, Daadi Ki Shaadi, is directed by Ashish R. Mohan and stars Kapil Sharma, Sadia Khateeb, and marks the acting debut of Riddhima Kapoor Sahni. The film is set to release on May 8.

Meanwhile, Ranbir Kapoor continues to be one of the most in-demand actors in the industry, with multiple high-profile projects in his pipeline. This heartwarming video serves as yet another reminder of why audiences adore the Kapoors and their genuine, unfiltered family moments.

First released theatrically on March 16, 2001, American Desi emerged as a groundbreaking independent film created by the community, for the community. The anniversary screening served as both a retrospective and a forward-looking industry moment, bringing together creatives and collaborators who continue to influence the evolving South Asian media landscape.

Notable attendees reuniting included Piyush Dinker Pandya (writer/director/producer), Gitesh Pandya (producer), and Deep Katdare (actor, producer), along with cast members Kal Penn, Rizwan Manji, Purva Bedi, Sunita Param, Sanjit De Silva, Ronobir Lahiri and Alaudin Ullah also in attendance. Their participation highlighted the film’s continued relevance and its influence across film, television, and digital media. The post-screening talkback saw the American Desi team reminisce on the production of the film and discuss its impact in the years since.

This year’s celebration was made possible through the generous support of Zoya Ayan from Walmart Create Sparks, powered by Culture House, along with South Asian House, Epicenter, South Asians in Entertainment and Kalakars. Their partnership underscored a shared commitment to amplifying diverse voices and fostering cross-industry collaboration.

The event’s digital coverage was led by the social media team of Jaanan Mirza Pandya, Maiya Mirza Pandya, and Juhi Pandya, the NextGen American Desis. Following the screening, invited guests attended a private afterparty at MadamJi, presented with media partners AVS TV and DissDash. 

The 25th anniversary reunion of American Desi reaffirmed the film’s enduring legacy as an independent project that helped pave the way for South Asian storytelling in mainstream entertainment, a reminder that the film’s original mission, built by the community for the community, continues to resonate across generations.

Celebs shower love on the couple

The announcement soon went viral, drawing heartfelt reactions from across the industry. Celebrities like Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Kiara Advani, Ananya Panday were amongst the first to send their wishes for the couple. Samantha Ruth Prabhu also joined in with warm wishes for the growing family. The comment section soon transformed into a celebration filled with love, emojis, and affectionate messages.

Bollywood joins the celebration

As the news spread, more wishes poured in from across Bollywood. Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, and Neil Nitin Mukesh were among those who shared their excitement. Messages ranged from heartfelt notes to strings of celebratory emojis, reflecting genuine happiness for the couple.

Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh’s growing family

Padukone and Singh first stepped into parenthood on September 8, 2024, when they welcomed their daughter, Dua. Married in 2018 in Italy, they later revealed her name during Diwali, sharing that “Dua,” meaning prayer, held deep emotional significance. Now, with a second child on the way, they are preparing to embrace another beautiful chapter in their family life.

Padukone-Singh’s work front

Deepika Padukone has King alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Suhana Khan. In addition, she is part of Raaka, featuring Allu Arjun and directed by Atlee. Ranveer Singh is enjoying a remarkable phase with the success of Dhurandhar: The Revenge. Next, he is set to appear in Pralay, directed by Jay Mehta.

By stripping away the excess and transplanting the Danish royal court into the heart of a wealthy British South Asian family in contemporary London, this Hamlet transforms from a sweeping epic into a breathless, culturally vibrant psychological thriller.

The Storyline: A Lean, Mean Revenge Thriller

Screenwriter Michael Lesslie makes the controversial but ultimately brilliant choice to carve away much of the play’s periphery. You won’t find Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, or even Horatio here. Instead, the narrative zeroes in with laser focus on Hamlet’s deeply personal spiral into grief and depression.

The story opens with a haunting Hindu funeral, complete with the Gayatri Mantra and cremation imagery—instantly grounding the film in its unique cultural setting. The “kingdom” is now a powerful family business, Elsinore Construction, rocked by the sudden death of its patriarch. When Hamlet returns to London, he is blindsided by the lavish, glittering wedding of his mother, Gertrude, to his calculating uncle, Claudius. The ensuing narrative trades castle ramparts for neon-streaked London streets, blingy nightclubs, and high-rise construction cranes, making the Prince’s descent into madness feel urgently, dangerously modern.

Riz Ahmed’s Towering Performance

To put it simply, Riz Ahmed is magnificent. In a role that demands everything, he leaves it all on the screen.

Ahmed approaches the Prince of Denmark not as a theatrical caricature feigning madness, but as an intensely wounded, traumatized man fundamentally broken by grief. When he delivers the iconic soliloquies, he does so with a raw, hushed desperation that forces the audience to lean in. We see his unravelling in real-time whether he is navigating a drug-fueled haze in an East London club or confronting the ghost of his father. He commands the screen entirely, injecting the film with a kinetic, unpredictable energy that makes the centuries-old dialogue feel like it was written yesterday.

The Supporting Cast

While the film is undeniably “The Riz Ahmed Show,” the supporting cast anchors his volatile performance with superb, lived-in authenticity:

• Sheeba Chaddha (Gertrude): Chaddha delivers a quietly powerful performance as Hamlet’s mother, capturing the complex, uneasy guilt of a woman trying to hold her fracturing family together.
• Art Malik (Claudius): Malik is a menacing presence. He plays the usurping uncle not with mustache-twirling villainy, but with the cold, calculated pragmatism of a ruthless modern CEO.
• Avijit Dutt (The Ghost): In a masterful stroke of cultural integration, the ghost of Hamlet’s father speaks to him from the shadows in subtitled Hindi, adding an eerie, deeply personal layer to the haunting.
• Morfydd Clark (Ophelia) & Joe Alwyn (Laertes): While their roles are slightly pared back to make room for Hamlet’s overwhelming POV, Clark and Alwyn deliver compelling, subdued performances that highlight the collateral damage of the central family’s toxic power struggle.
• Timothy Spall (Polonius): Spall brings a dark, enforcer-like edge to the role of the traditionally verbose advisor.

The Verdict

Karia and Ahmed who previously collaborated on the Oscar-winning short The Long Goodbye have crafted a Hamlet that is more interested in the visceral reality of human emotion than in preserving theatrical traditions. Cinematographer Stuart Bentley captures the tension beautifully with handheld, gritty camerawork, while the use of traditional South Asian elements (like a show-stopping play-within-a-play choreographed by Akram Khan) ensures the film has an identity entirely its own.

It is a powerful, burningly emotional film that proves Shakespeare’s masterwork is boundless. If you are looking for a traditional, four-hour Elizabethan stage play, look elsewhere. But if you want to see a mesmerizing, unapologetic actor rip the beating heart out of a classic, Riz Ahmed’s Hamlet is a must-watch.

Watch Riz Ahmed’s new video here: