BY CHRISTA LINCY

The road to the big screen for Spider-Man: Brand New Day has officially cleared its final regulatory hurdle in India. The Central Board of Film Certification, or the CBFC, has granted the film a U/A 13 certificate after a detailed review. This age-based classification, which falls under the updated Cinematograph Rules, means the movie is deemed suitable for viewers above 13 years of age with parental guidance. While the core of the story remains intact, the Indian theatrical version will feature a few specific edits to align with the board's standards for this category. According to the official censor report, the visual modifications were relatively minor but targeted. The primary change involved the complete removal of kissing scenes at two different points in the film. These romantic moments, which totaled about 8 seconds in duration, were deleted to maintain the family-friendly nature of the rating. Beyond these visual trims, the board also required thorough sanitization of the audio and subtitle tracks. Various strong words and cuss words have been muted in the English soundtrack, with corresponding removals in the subtitles to ensure the language remains appropriate for a teenage audience. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In addition to the content edits, the CBFC has mandated the inclusion of a static health warning. Indian regulations are quite strict regarding the depiction of alcohol and tobacco on screen. Consequently, a warning message about the harmful effects of liquor will be superimposed on the frame during any scene that shows characters consuming alcohol. This is a standard procedure for most Hollywood and Indian films released in the country and is a key requirement for securing a final certificate. The overall impact on the film's runtime is negligible, as the deletions only account for a few seconds. For Marvel fans, this means the high-flying action and emotional depth of Tom Holland's latest outing will be delivered almost entirely as intended. The U/A 13 rating is a strategic move for the distributors, as it opens up the widest possible market by allowing young fans to experience the film in theaters without the stringent restrictions of an Adult-only certificate. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) With the legal clearance now in place, the film is set to dominate screens across English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu versions starting July 30. As advance bookings continue to trend at record-breaking levels, it is clear that these minor adjustments have done nothing to dampen the massive anticipation for what is being touted as one of the biggest superhero events of the year.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

In a cinematic era dominated by massive opening days, Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga has proven that word-of-mouth still holds incredible power. The film started as a quiet release but quickly transformed into a certified sleeper hit, showing endurance that is rare in today's market. After a successful 45-day theatrical run where it consistently surprised analysts, the film is now gearing up for its highly anticipated digital premiere on one of the world's largest streaming platforms. Where and when to stream Main Vaapas Aaunga on OTT? According to the Free Press Journal, Main Vaapas Aaunga is reportedly scheduled to premiere on Netflix on August 7, 2026. While official confirmation is still pending, the digital rights were acquired for a reported 30 Crore. This partnership has been a key factor in the film's financial recovery. The global release will allow audiences to access Imtiaz Ali's latest project just a few weeks after its steady theatrical run. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The Incredible Sleeper Trend: Surpassing Classics The box office journey of Main Vaapas Aaunga is a case study in audience growth. The film opened with a modest 12.25 Cr in its first week, but the second week saw a phenomenal surge, almost doubling its collections to reach 22.55 Cr. This momentum stayed strong into the third week, which at 17.45 Cr, was still significantly higher than its opening week numbers. This consistent hold allowed the film to surpass the lifetime collections of the 2007 classic, Jab We Met. This feat has cemented Main Vaapas Aaunga as one of the top five highest-grossing films of Imtiaz Ali's storied career. Following its steady performance at the box office, here is where the film currently stands among the top five highest-grossing films directed by Imtiaz Ali in terms of total worldwide collections. Tamasha: ₹136.60 Cr Jab Harry Met Sejal: ₹111.04 Cr Rockstar: ₹108.71 Cr Main Vaapas Aaunga: ₹98.86 Cr Love Aaj Kal 2020: ₹56.90 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film's endurance didn't just stop at personal milestones; it also secured a spot as the 8th highest-grossing Hindi film of 2026. In doing so, it surpassed other notable high-profile releases like Alpha, The Kerala Story 2, and Chand Mera Dil. Here is how the weekly net collections progressed through its theatrical run: Week 1: ₹12.25 Cr Week 2: ₹22.55 Cr Week 3: ₹17.45 Cr Week 4: ₹7.85 Cr Week 5: ₹3.02 Cr Week 6: ₹1.32 Cr Day 43 to Day 45 (7th Weekend): ₹0.39 Cr On the international front, the film found a strong audience, particularly in North America where it earned 1.48 million dollars, securing a hit status in the region. By the end of its 45-day theatrical run, Main Vaapas Aaunga amassed a total worldwide gross of 98.86 Cr. Main Vaapas Aaunga: Box Office Collection Summary(As of 45 Days) CATEGORY COLLECTION (INR) India Net Collection ₹ 64.83 Cr India Gross Collection ₹ 77.03 Cr Overseas Gross Collection ₹ 21.83 Cr Worldwide Total Gross ₹ 98.86 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Main Vaapas Aaunga: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is Main Vaapas Aaunga a hit or a flop? Main Vaapas Aaunga is a Clean Success. While it had a slow start, its massive growth in the second and third weeks, combined with a strong OTT deal from Netflix, ensured it fully recovered its 70 Crore budget. Where can I stream Main Vaapas Aaunga on OTT? The film is reportedly heading to Netflix, following the platform’s acquisition of the digital rights for a reported 30+ Crore. How did the film perform compared to Jab We Met? On its 17th day of release, Main Vaapas Aaunga surpassed the lifetime worldwide collections of the 2007 film Jab We Met, making it one of Imtiaz Ali’s most successful films to date. What is the Main Vaapas Aaunga OTT release date? As per reports from the Free Press Journal, the movie is expected to start streaming on August 7, 2026.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 27 - The excitement surrounding director Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1 continues to grow as fresh details about the film's ending and its long-awaited trailer have surfaced. During the film's panel at San Diego Comic-Con, the filmmaker confirmed that the first instalment will conclude on a major cliffhanger, setting the stage for the second chapter. While it may not be a shocking part for Indian audiences, it may definitely lead to massive excitement among international audiences. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Comparing the narrative structure to epic two-part sagas, Tiwari explained that the story naturally demanded a split, allowing the first film to build towards an emotionally charged ending rather than rushing through the entire epic. The update comes just days after the film's trailer was unexpectedly postponed from its originally planned global launch. Producer Namit Malhotra had announced that the trailer would be delayed, citing unforeseen circumstances, despite it being scheduled to debut at Comic-Con before releasing online worldwide. According to the latest reports, the trailer is now expected to be dropped online on July 29 and will be attached to Spider-Man: Brand New Day print in cinemas from July 30, giving audiences their first full look at the ambitious mythological epic on the big screen. As already made official, Ramayana will be distributed by Sony Pictures, the studio behind Brand New Day, internationally. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The two-part format will allow the makers to explore the Ramayana with greater depth, while the cliffhanger ending is expected to leave audiences eagerly awaiting the conclusion. Ranbir Kapoor, who portrays Lord Ram, recently revealed that some of the film's biggest moments, including the face-off between Lord Ram and Yash's Ravana, have not yet been filmed, underscoring the massive scale and ongoing production of the duology. Yash, meanwhile, has described portraying Ravana as one of the most challenging roles of his career, promising a fresh interpretation of the iconic antagonist. Produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash, Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol, and Ravi Dubey in key roles. The first film is slated for a Diwali 2026 release, with Part 2 scheduled to arrive during Diwali 2027, making it one of the most ambitious Indian film franchises ever mounted.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Tom Holland has undergone one of the most successful transformations in Hollywood history, evolving from a child actor in emotional dramas to the face of the most popular superhero franchise on the planet. As the world waits for Spider-Man: Brand New Day to hit theaters on July 30, there is a lot of debate about where this film will land in his career rankings. Holland has proven his mettle not just as Peter Parker, but as a bankable lead in high-octane action films like Uncharted. To give you a perspective of the mountain this new release has to climb, let's look at his current standing as a solo lead. Tom Holland's Top 5 Solo Lead Movies (Worldwide Gross) MOVIE NAME WORLDWIDE COLLECTION Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) $1.922 Billion (₹15,700 Cr) Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) $1.132 Billion (₹9,280 Cr) Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) $880 Million (₹7,210 Cr) Uncharted (2022) $407 Million (₹3,335 Cr) The Impossible (2012) $198 Million (₹1,620 Cr) (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) While the global numbers are staggering, the Indian market has shown some interesting trends with Holland's work. Uncharted, for instance, was a certified global hit with a worldwide gross of ₹1,100 Cr, yet it strangely underperformed in India, ending its run as a flop with a net collection of just ₹8.42 Cr. On the flip side, the Spider-Man brand is a different beast altogether. No Way Home became a cultural phenomenon in India, amassing a massive ₹271 Cr gross and ₹217.10 Cr net. Brand New Day is currently aiming to tap into that same fervor, and the early signs are nothing short of monstrous. The advance booking data for the July 30 premiere shows that the Indian audience is ready for more web-slinging action. In the national chains including PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, the film has already sold approximately 3.19 Lakh tickets, resulting in a total advance gross of ₹16 Cr. When we break these down, PVR is leading with 1.57 Lakh tickets sold for ₹8.35 Cr. INOX follows with 1.02 Lakh tickets at ₹4.70 Cr, and Cinepolis has added 0.60 Lakh tickets worth ₹2.95 Cr. With an overall advance occupancy of nearly 36 percent across more than 4,000 shows, the film is pacing like a massive summer tentpole. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The digital momentum on BookMyShow is equally impressive. The film has already crossed the 800K ticket mark in pre-sales, officially securing the record for the best BookMyShow pre-sales for a Hollywood movie since August 2023. By surpassing the final pre-sale numbers of Deadpool and Wolverine, it has clearly established itself as a massive event film. What is truly fascinating is the acceleration of interest; while the early booking days were steady, the period from July 17 to July 26 saw a massive surge where daily sales skyrocketed from 43K to a peak of 141K tickets. To challenge the top spot on Holland's list, Brand New Day is chasing ambitious daily net targets across different versions. The English version is the primary driver, aiming for a daily net of ₹152.69 Cr. The Hindi version is targeting ₹52.52 Cr, while the Tamil and Telugu dubs are looking at ₹9.61 Cr and ₹2.28 Cr respectively. These targets are designed to push the film toward the ₹217.10 Cr net benchmark set by its predecessor. While No Way Home relied heavily on the nostalgia of returning characters, Brand New Day is being marketed as a fresh, grounded start for the character. This shift in tone appears to be working, as the massive advance numbers indicate that Tom Holland's solo star power is more than enough to drive another potential billion-dollar success story.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

After winning hearts on the big screen with its hilarious take on marriage and wrestling, Vishnu Vishal's Gatta Kusthi 2 is now creating buzz for its upcoming OTT debut. The sequel, which brought back the fan-favorite pair of Veera and Keerthi, managed to keep the audience entertained with its fresh role-reversal plot and quirky humor. While the movie has had a steady run in theaters since its release on July 3, reports are now surfacing about its shift to digital platforms, sparking plenty of excitement among those waiting to watch it at home. Where and when to stream Gatta Kusthi 2 on OTT? While an official announcement is still pending from the makers, industry trends suggest that Gatta Kusthi 2 is expected to release on Netflix around July 30 or July 31, 2026. This follows the standard four-week theatrical window common for mid-budget Tamil hits. Netflix has officially acquired the post-theatrical digital rights globally. In a move to capture the pan-India audience, the platform is expected to stream the film in its original Tamil version, along with dubbed versions in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) What is the story of Gatta Kusthi 2? The sequel fast-forwards six years after the events of the first film. Veera (Vishnu Vishal) has fully embraced his role as a dedicated stay-at-home househusband, cheerfully handling cooking, cleaning, and neighborhood gossip while looking after their six-year-old daughter. Meanwhile, Keerthi (Aishwarya Lekshmi) is the primary breadwinner, balancing her government job with the Indian Railways while pursuing her dreams as a national wrestling champion. The narrative explores how their domestic peace is tested by societal judgments and a professional conspiracy, forcing the couple to fight for their family both inside and outside the wrestling ring. The film performed admirably at the box office, proving that high-concept comedies still have a strong market. In India, the film netted over ₹40 crore, with Tamil Nadu predictably acting as the primary contributor. Over its three-week run, the film showed steady footfalls, particularly during the weekends. Here is a look at how the net collections progressed week by week: Week 1 Net Collection: ₹22.10 Cr Week 2 Net Collection: ₹12.86 Cr Week 3 Net Collection: ₹5.45 Cr Day 22 (4th Friday): ₹0.09 Cr Day 23 (4th Saturday): ₹0.19 Cr Day 24 (4th Sunday): ₹0.23 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) With over 800,000 tickets sold on BookMyShow and more than 3.1 million footfalls recorded in the Tamil market, the film has clearly resonated with its core audience. While Tamil Nadu was the primary driver with a dominant 42.20 Cr gross, the movie also found support in neighboring states. Karnataka contributed 2.47 Cr and Kerala added 1.30 Cr to the total. Smaller but steady numbers also came from the APTG region at 0.17 Cr and the Rest of India at 0.19 Cr. This regional spread brought the total India gross to 46.33 Cr, providing enough momentum to push the worldwide collection past the 55 Cr milestone. Gatta Kusthi 2: Box Office Collection Summary(As of 24 Days) CATEGORY COLLECTION (INR) India Net Collection ₹ 40.92 Cr India Gross Collection ₹ 46.90 Cr Overseas Gross Collection ₹ 8.30 Cr Worldwide Total Gross ₹ 55.20 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Gatta Kusthi 2: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is Gatta Kusthi 2 a hit or a flop? Gatta Kusthi 2 is a Box Office Success. The film has grossed over ₹55.20 Cr worldwide against its budget, performing strongly in urban centers and across Tamil Nadu. Where can I stream Gatta Kusthi 2 on OTT? The film will be available for streaming exclusively on Netflix in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada versions. Who are the lead actors in Gatta Kusthi 2? The film features Vishnu Vishal and Aishwarya Lekshmi reprising their roles as Veera and Keerthi, alongside Yogi Babu and Ramya Krishnan. When is the Gatta Kusthi 2 OTT release date? While not yet officially confirmed by Netflix, the film is expected to premiere on July 30 or July 31, 2026, coinciding with the end of its theatrical run.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 27 - The Independence Day weekend is set to witness an exciting clash at the Hindi box office as Emraan Hashmi's Awarapan 2 takes on Sunny Deol's Batwara 1947 on August 14, 2026. While both films belong to different genres and are targeting different audiences, the early trade buzz suggests that Awarapan 2 has gained a clear advantage ahead of the release. Though the situation could change once bookings begin and marketing campaigns reach their peak, the sequel is currently leading the race. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to early trade projections, Awarapan 2 is expected to open in the 15 crore net range at the Indian box office. The sequel has generated strong excitement thanks to the cult status of the 2007 original, which found a massive fan following after its theatrical release. Its teaser, music, and nostalgia factor have resonated well with audiences, making it the favourite to secure the biggest opening of Emraan Hashmi's career. On the other hand, Batwara 1947 is currently tracking for an opening day collection in the 5-7 crore net range. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and backed by Aamir Khan, the period drama stars Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Karan Deol, and Shabana Azmi. While the film has the advantage of releasing during the Independence Day holiday and could benefit from positive word of mouth, its pre-release buzz is presently behind that of Awarapan 2, resulting in a comparatively modest opening-day projection. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) It is important to note that these are early trade estimates, and the box office scenario can change significantly closer to release depending on trailer response, promotional campaigns, advance bookings, and audience sentiment. However, based on the current momentum, Emraan Hashmi's romantic action sequel is clearly winning the opening-day battle, with Batwara 1947 likely relying on strong reviews and positive audience reception to bridge the gap over the extended weekend.