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Kangana Ranaut announces Manikarnika Returns: The Legend of Didda

Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut is all set to return with the second installment of the Manikarnika franchise titled as The Manikarnika Returns: The Legend of Didda.

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Kangana Ranaut

Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut is all set to return with the second installment of the Manikarnika franchise titled as The Manikarnika Returns: The Legend of Didda. 

On Thursday, Ranaut announced the film, which is touted to be bigger and better than the earlier film. The film will revolve around the life of Didda, Kashmir’s first woman ruler, who ruled for around five decades in the 10th and 11th centuries.

The actor has joined hands with Kamal Jain, who produced the first installment to take the real life women heroes franchise forward.The franchise is aimed to bring forgotten women heroes who have helped in forming the true identity of the country. The second installment will be mounted on international scale, according to the sources. 

The new script has already been locked in a meeting with Kamal held last week. Ranaut will star in the film in the lead role. She will play the Queen of Kashmir, the greatest warrior who defeated Mehmood Ghaznavi twice in battle despite being suffering from polio in one leg. 

The first part of franchise, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, revolved around the life of Rani Lakshmi Bai. Ranaut played the main character, while Atul Kulkarni, Jisshu Sengupta, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub,  Ankita Lokhande, and Vaibhav Tatwawaadi were part of the supporting cast. The film was jointly directed by Ranaut and Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi.

Released on January 25, 2019, the film opened to positive reviews and had the highest first day collection for any female-centric film. Not only in India, the film performed well internationally. The film was released worldwide in three languages, Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.

Also Read: Badhaai Do: Bhumi Pednekar shares photos of herself and Rajkummar Rao as Sumi and Shardul from film’s set

Meanwhile, Ranaut has planned to complete her ongoing commitments before commencing the shoot of Manikarnika Returns. Her upcoming movies include Dhaakad, Thalaivi and Tejas. She was last seen in Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s Panga, co-starring Richa Chaddha and Jassie Gill. 

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The Family Man 3 first glimpse: Jaideep Ahlawat, Nimrat Kaur join action thriller series

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Streaming platform Prime Video unveiled the first look of the much-anticipated third season of The Family Man on Friday, introducing actors Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur as formidable new adversaries to Manoj Bajpayee’s iconic spy, Srikant Tiwari.

The action-packed thriller, created and directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, will see Bajpayee reprise his role as Tiwari, a middle-class man navigating the high-stakes world of espionage. The new season, penned by Suman Kumar in collaboration with Raj & DK, will also feature returning cast members Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Ashlesha Thakur, and Vedant Sinha.

In a joint statement, Raj & DK expressed their excitement about elevating the series. “Each season, we strive to raise the bar with a more gripping story, grander scale, and sharper performances. We’re thankful for our fans’ patience. Season 3 will push Srikant and his team to their limits, immersing them in a world of intense danger and personal turmoil that tests their bonds. While juggling a new family dynamic, Srikant will face off against powerful new antagonists, brought to life by the incredibly talented Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur. Our collaboration with Prime Video has been instrumental in shaping this season,” they said.

The upcoming season will follow Srikant as he tackles a looming threat to national security while grappling with the challenges of family life, striving to repair his strained relationship with his wife, Suchitra, played by Priyamani. Details about the roles of Ahlawat, known for Paatal Lok, and Kaur, celebrated for The Lunchbox and Airlift, remain undisclosed, adding to the anticipation.

The Family Man debuted to widespread acclaim in 2019, with its second season, featuring Samantha Ruth Prabhu, earning similar praise in 2021. As excitement builds for the third installment, the addition of Ahlawat and Kaur promises to intensify the stakes for Srikant Tiwari’s latest mission.

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Aamir Khan starrer Sitaare Zameen Par crosses Rs 90-crore mark

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Aamir Khan’s latest cinematic offering, Sitaare Zameen Par, has amassed a nett collection of ₹90 crore domestically within its debut week. Directed by R S Prasanna, the film hit cinemas on 20 June 2025, serving as a spiritual successor to the widely acclaimed 2007 release Taare Zameen Par, and has struck a chord with audiences.

According to Sacnilk, the film opened strongly with ₹10.7 crore nett at the domestic box office, setting the stage for a solid run. Touted as a heartfelt exploration of neurodivergence, Sitaare Zameen Par features Aamir as a basketball coach guiding ten differently-abled individuals towards triumph.

The cast includes Genelia D’Souza alongside fresh talents Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar, with the screenplay penned by Divy Nidhi Sharma. The project is a collaborative production by Aamir Khan, Aparna Purohit, and Ravi Bhagchandka under Aamir Khan Productions.

Critics have noted its connection to the 2018 Spanish drama Campeones (remade in English in 2023 with Woody Harrelson), echoing Taare Zameen Par’s mission to raise awareness about neurodiversity. However, some reviews suggest a didactic approach, with one stating, “Every scene is crafted to deliver a lesson, often tipping the balance from entertaining to preachy, which can frustrate viewers despite Aamir’s knack for edifying cinema.”

The film’s narrative, centred on mentorship and inclusion, has resonated emotionally, contributing to its box office success. Its opening figures and positive word of mouth hint at a potential surge over the weekend.

Earlier today, Aamir participated in a virtual fan meet to celebrate the milestone, sharing anecdotes from the set and praising the young cast’s dedication. “Their energy inspired every frame,” he remarked, boosting fan excitement online. The session, joined by enthusiastic supporters, highlighted the film’s impact, with many lauding its uplifting message.

As Sitaare Zameen Par progresses into its second week, its ₹90 crore haul underscores Aamir Khan’s enduring appeal. Whether it maintains this momentum amidst mixed critical reception remains to be seen, but its strong start has certainly reignited interest in his storytelling legacy.

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Rajkumar Hirani, Shoojit Sircar, Anjali Menon and Onir collaborate to direct second part of My Melbourne

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Acclaimed Indian filmmakers Rajkumar Hirani, Shoojit Sircar, Anjali Menon, and Onir are teaming up for the second edition of My Melbourne, an Indo-Australian anthology film project that celebrates cultural diversity and strengthens cinematic ties between India and Australia, according to a press release.

Produced by Mind Blowing Films and presented by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), the anthology builds on the success of its inaugural edition, released in March 2025. The first film featured short stories by directors Rima Das, Imtiaz Ali, Kabir Khan, and Onir, exploring themes of identity, gender, race, sexuality, and disability.

Mitu Bhowmick Lange, CEO of Mind Blowing Films and the project’s creative producer, described the response to the first My Melbourne as “immensely gratifying.” She said, “The film showed that authentic, heartfelt stories can resonate across borders. We’re privileged to have some of India’s most celebrated filmmakers contribute their vision to this second chapter. This initiative continues to champion inclusivity and collaboration, offering a platform for emerging talents from underrepresented communities.”

Rajkumar Hirani, renowned for blockbusters like Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots, PK, Sanju, and Dunki, expressed enthusiasm for the project. “My Melbourne is a unique canvas for crafting stories that are personal yet universal, bridging cultures through cinema,” he said.

Anjali Menon, known for her nuanced storytelling, highlighted the project’s alignment with her creative vision. “The themes of My Melbourne resonate deeply with my approach to storytelling—narratives that foster empathy and connect people across divides. I’m excited to be part of this cross-continental collaboration,” she said.

Shoojit Sircar, whose diverse filmography includes Vicky Donor, Madras Cafe, Piku, October, and Sardar Udham, emphasized the universal appeal of the anthology. “Stories transcend borders. My Melbourne is a powerful reminder that locally rooted narratives can carry global impact,” he said.

Onir, returning for the second edition, described the project as “an evolving journey.” He added, “Working with fresh themes and voices while continuing this meaningful initiative is profoundly fulfilling.”

The second instalment of My Melbourne promises to further the anthology’s mission of weaving diverse narratives, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and spotlighting new voices in cinema.

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