The climax of Bigg Boss 18 is set for an explosive finish with the finale airing live on January 19. Fans of the show are eager to see which among the top 5 contestants will clinch the title in what promises to be a dramatic conclusion to the season. Hosted by Bollywood icon Salman Khan, the finale will be available for streaming on Colors TV and Jio Cinema starting at 9:30 PM, expected to last for an exhilarating three hours.

This season’s top finalists are Rajat Dalal, Vivian Dsena, Karanveer Mehra, Chum Darang, and Avinash Mishra. With a unique blend of talents and personalities, these finalists have captivated the audience, each bringing something special to the competition.

The build-up to the finale has seen a flurry of activity, with fans ardently supporting their favorite contestants. Voting trends currently show Rajat Dalal leading with a significant margin, holding 41% of the votes, closely followed by Vivian Dsena with 29%. The voting lines remain open on the JioCinema platform until noon on the day of the finale, allowing fans to make their final push for their preferred contestant.

The anticipation for this finale is heightened by the exclusive insights from Google Gemini AI, which predicts Rajat Dalal as the likely winner, given his strong viewer engagement and popularity throughout the season.

As the final moments draw near, the excitement and tension are palpable, promising to make this finale a memorable event in the history of Bigg Boss. Don’t miss the chance to witness the end of an era live, as the contestants face off one last time to win the prestigious title and close out yet another thrilling chapter of this beloved reality series.

Kangana Ranaut’s new film, Emergency, which explores the tumultuous period of 1975-1977 during former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s Emergency rule, has opened to disappointing box office figures.

According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the political drama garnered just Rs 2.35 crore (nett) in India on its opening day.

The film recorded a total Hindi occupancy rate of 19.26%, with the highest attendance during evening shows. Emergency premiered alongside Azaad, a film featuring Ajay Devgn’s nephew Amaan Devgan and Raveena Tandon’s daughter Rasha Thadani, and it was screened in approximately 2,500 shows nationwide.

While the opening numbers for Emergency surpassed those of Kangana’s previous films—her 2023 release Tejas made Rs 1.20 crore, and Dhaakad (2022) earned Rs 55 lakh on its first day—it still ranks among her lowest openings. Her most successful debut remains Tanu Weds Manu Returns, released in 2015, which earned Rs 8.85 crore.

This film is Kangana’s first attempt at solo directing, although she later remarked that it was a “wrong decision.” The cast includes Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, and Mahima Chaudhary in significant roles, and the film has elicited a mixed reaction from audiences and critics alike.

Sana Farzeen from India Today rated Emergency 2.5 stars, noting in her review that the pacing can be frustrating and that viewers might find themselves searching online for clarification on historical events depicted in the film.

She criticised the songs as unnecessary distractions, with some being presented in a way that unintentionally adds humour. Conversely, she pointed out that the violence depicted is graphic, with an emphasis on close-ups.

On a positive note, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised the Emergency as “an important documentation of a time in Indian history” and commended Kangana for her portrayal of Indira Gandhi.

Kangana Ranaut’s highly anticipated film, “Emergency,” has finally graced cinemas after numerous delays, opening on Friday to notable acclaim and box office success. This film, marking Kangana’s directorial debut, represents her most successful opening in the last five years, collecting Rs 2.35 crore on its first day, as reported by Sacnilk.

This figure surpasses the initial earnings of her recent films, including the 2023 aerial action drama “Tejas,” which opened to Rs 1.25 crore, and the 2022 action thriller “Dhaakad,” which started with Rs 1.20 crore. Even “Thalaivii,” the 2021 biopic on the life of J Jayalalithaa, only garnered Rs 1.46 crore across three languages on its debut.

Before “Emergency,” Kangana’s largest opening was with the January 2020 sports drama “Panga,” directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, which earned Rs 2.70 crore on its opening day. With “Emergency,” Kangana has evidently seen a significant comeback in terms of box office appeal, possibly aided by the historical significance and compelling narrative of the film.

Set against the dramatic period of India’s 1975 to 1977 Emergency, the film explores a time when civil liberties, including press freedom, were heavily curtailed. The cast includes notables like Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhary, Anupam Kher, and the late Satish Kaushik, among others, with a screenplay penned by Ritesh Shah.

On its debut day, “Emergency” achieved a Hindi cinema occupancy of 19.26%, with the highest turnout observed in Chennai at 25% occupancy, closely followed by Mumbai with 23.75%. The film showed particularly strong performance during night shows, which saw a 36.25% occupancy rate. Morning shows drew a modest 5.98%, while afternoon and evening shows attracted 13.95% and 20.86% of the audience, respectively.

“Emergency” not only reflects a significant moment in Indian history but also marks a pivotal milestone in Kangana Ranaut’s cinematic journey as she takes on the dual role of lead actor and director. The film promises to be a significant contender in the cinematic landscape, drawing attention to both its artistic merit and historical significance.