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Veteran actor Mukul Dev dies at 54, Bollywood left in shock

Mukul Dev, a respected name in Indian cinema and television, passed away at 54. His friend Deepshikha Nagpal and the industry express their grief.

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Bollywood actor Mukul Dev, widely recognized for his impactful performances in films like R… Rajkumar, Son of Sardaar, and Jai Ho, passed away on Friday night at the age of 54. The news of his death has sent ripples of grief across the film fraternity. As of now, the exact cause of his sudden demise has not been disclosed, and a formal statement from his family is still awaited.

Deepshikha Nagpal’s emotional farewell: “Still can’t believe it”

Actress Deepshikha Nagpal, a long-time friend and co-star of Mukul Dev, was among the first to confirm the tragic news. Taking to social media, she shared an emotional tribute through an old photograph, captioned simply: “Can’t believe this. RIP.”

Speaking to a media outlet, Deepshikha revealed that she and Mukul shared a close bond that went beyond professional camaraderie. “We had this group. We used to chat often. But this time, there was no sign he was unwell,” she said, visibly shaken. She added that even after hearing the news, she called his number, hoping it was just another rumor. “I still feel it must be fake news,” she said, echoing the disbelief shared by many fans and colleagues.

Deepshikha also clarified that while there were whispers of Mukul being admitted to the ICU, no verified medical details had been confirmed. “Nobody knows the reason behind his sudden death. So no point in spreading rumors. The worst thing is—he’s no more. That’s the biggest loss,” she said.

A career marked by versatility, from cockpit to camera

Born in New Delhi into a Punjabi family, Mukul Dev was the younger brother of actor Rahul Dev. His father, Hari Dev, served as an assistant commissioner of police and introduced young Mukul to Afghan culture—leading to his fluency in Pashto and Persian.

Interestingly, before acting beckoned, Mukul had trained to be a pilot at the prestigious Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi. However, the lure of performance led him to the world of television and cinema.

His first tryst with the stage happened while he was still in school, where he performed a Michael Jackson impersonation in a Doordarshan-sponsored dance show—an act that earned him his first pay cheque and sparked a life-long love for the performing arts.

From TV’s Vijay Pandey to Bollywood’s versatile artist

Mukul began his television journey in 1996 with the serial Mumkin, where he portrayed Vijay Pandey. His charming screen presence quickly made him a household name. He went on to host the Bollywood countdown comedy show Ek Se Badh Kar Ek and fronted the first season of Fear Factor India, showcasing his range beyond acting.

His cinematic debut came with Dastak, where he played ACP Rohit Malhotra—a film that also introduced Miss Universe Sushmita Sen to Bollywood. Over the years, he became known for roles that spanned genres—from comedy to action, thrillers to drama.

Among his notable works were appearances in Son of Sardaar, R… Rajkumar, Jai Ho, and more recently, Anth The End, which marked his final screen outing.

Remembering a life lived with purpose

While Mukul Dev may have kept a relatively low profile in recent years, his contributions to the industry were never forgotten. He was respected not only for his talent but also for his humility and warm personality.

As tributes continue to pour in from industry peers and fans alike, one thing remains clear: the Indian film industry has lost a multifaceted talent far too soon.

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Dhurandhar box office collection crosses Rs 1,000 crore worldwide in 21 days

Dhurandhar has crossed Rs 1,000 crore worldwide within 21 days, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 so far.

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Dhurandhar continues its strong theatrical run, achieving a major milestone at the global box office. The Ranveer Singh-led film has crossed the Rs 1,000 crore mark worldwide within 21 days of its release, reinforcing its position as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 so far.

Released on December 5, the film has shown sustained momentum both in India and overseas, outperforming other major releases of the year and entering the elite Rs 1,000 crore club.

Strong worldwide and domestic performance

According to figures shared by the makers, Dhurandhar has earned Rs 1006.7 crore globally in just three weeks. With this, it has gone past earlier big releases of the year, including Kantara Chapter 1 and Chhaava, to set a new benchmark in worldwide collections.

In the domestic market, the film has posted equally impressive numbers. Over its first 21 days, Dhurandhar collected more than Rs 650 crore in India. The film earned Rs 28.60 crore on Day 21, which coincided with Christmas, further boosting its overall tally.

A closer look at the India collections shows a strong week-wise performance. The film opened with Rs 218 crore in its first week, followed by Rs 261.50 crore in the second week. Between Days 15 and 20, it added Rs 160.70 crore. With the Day 21 earnings included, the total net domestic collection stands at Rs 668.80 crore, placing it among the biggest box office successes of the year and pushing it closer to the Rs 700 crore mark in India.

Entry into top domestic earners list

With its current numbers, Dhurandhar has also secured a spot among the top ten highest-grossing Indian films based on domestic net collections. The film has overtaken Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal to claim the ninth position on the list, underlining its exceptional run in theatres.

Cast, direction and sequel announcement

Headlined by Ranveer Singh, Dhurandhar features an ensemble cast that includes Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi. The film is directed by Aditya Dhar, whose storytelling and the performances of the cast have been key factors behind its box office success.

The makers have already confirmed a sequel, which was hinted at in the post-credit scene. The follow-up film is scheduled to release on March 19, 2026, and will hit theatres in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

With its record-breaking global earnings and continued strong performance in India, Dhurandhar is set to close 2025 as one of the most successful Indian films in recent years.

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Govinda’s Avatar: Fire and Ash cameo clips go viral, truth behind the AI-generated videos

AI-generated videos claiming Govinda’s cameo in Avatar: Fire and Ash have gone viral, but the actor does not appear in the film.

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Govinda’s ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ cameo clips go viral, truth behind the AI-generated videos

Social media users were left amused and confused after several viral clips claimed that Bollywood actor Govinda had made a surprise cameo in Avatar: Fire and Ash. The videos, which surfaced days after the film’s global release, showed Govinda as a blue-skinned Na’vi on Pandora, delivering dialogues in his trademark style or appearing on screen alongside Jake Sully.

The clips spread rapidly across platforms, with many viewers enjoying the humour, while others questioned whether the filmmaker had actually pulled off an unexpected crossover. Comments ranged from jokes asking where the “full movie” could be watched to disbelief over the possibility of such a casting choice.

No real cameo, clips are entirely AI-generated

Despite their convincing visuals, the viral videos are not authentic. Govinda does not appear in Avatar: Fire and Ash in any form. All the circulating clips and images have been created using artificial intelligence and fan edits, meant purely as memes and satire.

The buzz grew partly because of an old interview where Govinda had claimed he was once offered a role in Avatar but declined it. In that interaction, the actor spoke about being approached for a long shooting schedule and even claimed to have suggested the film’s title. However, this account was later questioned by his wife, Sunita Ahuja, who publicly said she was unaware of any such offer and distanced herself from the claim.

How old claims added fuel to the viral joke

Sunita Ahuja, speaking in a recent podcast, said she had no knowledge of the filmmaker visiting or offering Govinda a role, adding that she did not support false narratives. Her remarks resurfaced as the AI-generated clips went viral, reinforcing that the current buzz has no factual basis.

Avatar, directed by James Cameron, released in 2009, followed by The Way of Water in 2022. Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third instalment of the franchise, is currently running in cinemas worldwide, featuring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana in lead roles.

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The Odyssey trailer: Christopher Nolan unveils first look of epic journey led by Matt Damon

Christopher Nolan has released the first trailer of The Odyssey, offering a glimpse into Matt Damon’s epic journey home after the Trojan War.

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Christopher Nolan’s much-awaited film The Odyssey has officially stepped into the spotlight with the release of its first trailer. The ambitious project adapts Homer’s legendary epic and promises a large-scale cinematic experience rooted in myth, war and survival.

A glimpse into Odysseus’ long journey home

The trailer introduces Matt Damon as Odysseus, the Greek hero trying to make his way back home after the Trojan War. The visuals open in the immediate aftermath of the war, showing Odysseus leading his men away from Troy with the hope of returning to their families. However, the journey ahead appears long and dangerous.

Scenes highlight harsh landscapes, turbulent seas and repeated shipwrecks, underlining the physical and emotional toll of the voyage. The focus remains on endurance and survival rather than dialogue, with visuals driving the narrative forward.

One notable sequence shows Odysseus and his soldiers hidden inside the Trojan Horse, confirming that the fall of Troy forms part of the film’s early chapters. Another moment set in a dark cave, with an ominous moving shadow, hints at mythical threats without revealing them fully.

Family ties at the heart of the story

Alongside the action, the trailer places emphasis on family and emotional bonds. Tom Holland appears as Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, while Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, his wife waiting for his return. Their presence adds a personal dimension to the otherwise grand scale of the story.

Ensemble cast and technical scale

The film features an extensive cast that includes Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel and Corey Hawkins, alongside Damon, Hathaway and Holland.

Christopher Nolan has written and directed The Odyssey and is producing it with Emma Thomas. Backed by a major studio, the film has been shot using new IMAX technology and is described as the first feature made entirely using IMAX’s largest film format.

The Odyssey is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 17, 2026.

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