BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 8 - The excitement surrounding Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1 continues to build as the makers gear up to begin the film's full-scale promotional campaign. After creating immense buzz with its introduction glimpse, the epic is now preparing for its biggest marketing milestone ahead of its highly anticipated Diwali 2026 theatrical release. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to a report by Variety India, the official trailer of Ramayana: Part 1 will be unveiled on July 18, 2026, at a grand launch event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event is expected to be attended by director Nitesh Tiwari, producer Namit Malhotra, and several members of the star-studded cast. Reports suggest that Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Ravi Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh, and Kunal Kapoor are likely to be present, while the attendance of Yash and Sunny Deol is yet to be confirmed. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. Backed by Prime Focus Studios and Monster Mind Creations, the ambitious two-part adaptation has been mounted on a massive scale with cutting-edge visual effects and is being positioned as one of the most expensive and visually spectacular films ever produced in Indian cinema. The upcoming trailer is expected to provide audiences with their first detailed look at the film's storytelling, action sequences, and visual grandeur. With anticipation already soaring among moviegoers, the July 18 launch is likely to become one of the biggest promotional events of the year. Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled to arrive in cinemas worldwide during Diwali 2026, while its second instalment is slated for Diwali 2027.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 8 - The first half of 2026 has delivered a few blockbuster successes across the Indian film industry, with Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil cinema all contributing major hits at the global box office. While a handful of films crossed significant milestones worldwide, one title stood far above the rest in the form of Dhurandhar: The Revenge The Ranveer Singh-fronted spy actioner emerged as the undisputed box office champion, becoming the biggest Indian blockbuster of the year so far and one of the biggest of all-time with a phenomenal worldwide gross of over 1800 crore. The film continued to dominate the box office week after week and shattered several records for an Indian film. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Sunny Deol's Border 2 lit up the box office earlier this year, justifying the hype around the film with its superb trending. The war drama secured the second position on the list with an impressive 450 crore worldwide gross, reaffirming the enduring popularity of the border franchise and patriotic action dramas. Tamil superstar Suriya found his lost box office mojo with the Tamil blockbuster Karuppu emerging as one of the biggest Indian blockbusters of the year so far. The action drama continued its remarkable theatrical run for weeks to finish with 310 crore globally, becoming the actor's highest-grossing film by more than 2x margin. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Megastar Chiranjeevi also muscled his star power with the Telugu family entertainer Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, and proved that he can still challange biggest of the stars of Telugu cinema with his unmatched aura and fan following even at the age of 70. The Anil Ravipudi directorial collected over 300 crores worldwide and is among the top 5 highest-grossing Indian films of the year so far. Meanwhile, the Indian box office also delivered rich results, thanks to blockbuster runs of the top 5 movies and beyond. With over 6500+ crores gross so far, it is turning out to be one of the biggest years for Indian cinema. With several big-ticket releases still scheduled for the second half of 2026, the race for the year's highest-grossing Indian film is far from over. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Top 5 Highest-Grossing Indian Films of the First Half of 2026 S. No. Movie Industry Worldwide Gross 1 Dhurandhar: The Revenge Bollywood (Hindi) ₹ 1813.00 Cr 2 Border 2 Bollywood (Hindi) ₹ 450.00 Cr 3 Peddi Tollywood (Telugu) ₹ 340+ Cr 4 Karuppu Kollywood (Tamil) ₹ 310.00 Cr 5 Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu Tollywood (Telugu) ₹ 301.50 Cr

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Shah Rukh Khan is known for pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema, and it looks like his upcoming project, King, is set to take that ambition to a whole new level. As the superstar prepares for a major theatrical return, the scale of this collaboration with director Siddharth Anand has become the talk of the town. According to an exclusive report by Bollywood Hungama, King has officially become the most expensive film of Shah Rukh Khan's career, with a staggering budget of approximately ₹450 crore. To put this figure into perspective, it surpasses the production costs of his previous blockbusters. Jawan was produced on a budget of around ₹400 crore, while Pathaan cost roughly ₹350 crore. This massive investment of ₹450 crore for King is solely dedicated to production, excluding print, publicity, and the acting fees for Shah Rukh Khan himself. This shows a clear intent from the makers to deliver a high-octane cinematic experience that rivals global standards. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in the social drama Dunki, which released on December 21, 2023. This film marked a historic, first-time collaboration between SRK and ace director Rajkumar Hirani, effectively closing out Khan's monumental comeback year following the record-shattering runs of Pathaan and Jawan. Despite facing an explosive theatrical showdown against Prabhas's action epic Salaar, Dunki held its ground strongly, finishing with an India net collection of ₹227 Cr and a worldwide gross of ₹454 Cr. The contrast between that lighthearted social drama and his upcoming project, King, is staggering. While Dunki featured minimal action, King—slated for a grand December 24, 2026 release—is tracking to be an ultra-violent, stylish thriller directed by Siddharth Anand. Having recently broken records as SRK's most expensive film ever with a ₹450 crore production budget, King will feature the superstar in a gritty gangster avatar alongside his daughter, Suhana Khan, and Abhishek Bachchan. The production timeline reflects the sheer magnitude of the project. The shoot began in May 2025 and is expected to wrap up by August 2026. Over the course of nearly fifteen months, the team has shot for more than 150 days across various international locations. What started as a focused action thriller has reportedly evolved into a massive tentpole spectacle. To ensure the action sequences are groundbreaking, the production has employed some of the most renowned stunt teams in the world, aiming to provide something entirely new for the Indian audience. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) VFX is expected to play a central role in the film's visual language. Shah Rukh Khan's own company, Red Chillies Entertainment, is handling the state-of-the-art visual effects. The goal is to ensure that every penny of the budget is visible on the screen through seamless integration of practical stunts and advanced digital work. With about six months left until its scheduled release, the post-production phase is already in full swing to meet the high expectations surrounding this venture. The partnership between Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand has already proven to be a goldmine at the box office with Pathaan. However, with King, the duo seems intent on raising the bar even further. By focusing on an uncompromised product and world-class action design, the film is positioning itself as one of the most anticipated releases of the coming year. As the industry watches closely, the massive budget and extensive production schedule suggest that Shah Rukh Khan is ready to redefine the standards of the action genre once again.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The release of Jana Nayagan, reportedly scheduled for July 23, 2026, is shaping up to be one of the most unique events in the history of Tamil cinema. Directed by H. Vinoth, the film marks the final on-screen appearance of Thalapathy Vijay. However, the context has changed significantly since the project began, as Vijay now serves as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu following his party TVK's victory in the May Assembly elections. This transition has placed the film under intense political and administrative scrutiny, leading to some unprecedented directives from the government. According to reports from industry sources like Valai Pechu, CM Vijay has issued a strict order to ensure that ticket prices remain within the government-mandated cap. Distributors and theatre owners have been instructed not to charge a single rupee above the permitted price, even for high-demand fan shows or early morning screenings. This move is seen as a strategic effort to protect his political reputation and maintain a clean image of governance. With opposition parties reportedly waiting for any signs of price gouging or illegal ticket hoarding to use as political ammunition, the state government has authorized surprise raids. Any theatre found violating these pricing rules could face the immediate cancellation of its operating license. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The Chief Minister is also making a clear effort to separate his cinematic legacy from his current political office. Reports suggest that he specifically requested the production house, KVN Productions, to avoid using any Chief Minister title cards during his introductory scenes. Instead, the film will stick to his long-standing Thalapathy billing. While ticket prices in neighboring regions like Bengaluru have reportedly soared between ₹1,000 and ₹2,000 for early shows, the enforcement in Tamil Nadu is expected to be much more rigid to prevent allegations of corporate favoritism or exploitation. The road to this release has been exceptionally long and difficult. Originally slated for a January 2026 Pongal release, the film was stuck in a legal and censorship deadlock for months. Private complaints regarding the portrayal of the armed forces and religious sentiments led to a dispute that traveled from the Madras High Court all the way to the Supreme Court. The situation was further complicated in April when an unfinished cut of the film leaked online, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of ₹50 crore. However, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has finally cleared the hurdles, granting the film an A (Adults Only) certificate after several required revisions were met. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Suprith Mohan primary spokesperson , also recently addressed some of the misinformation circulating online. A viral image of a censor certificate listing 13 specific cuts was clarified to be a fake document based on the actor's previous film, Leo. As the team finalizes the last bits of paperwork and prepares for the July 23 global release, the focus remains on delivering a smooth theatrical experience. Given the high stakes involving both the box office and the political landscape of the state, the industry is watching closely to see how this final chapter of Vijay's acting career unfolds under such a heavy spotlight.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Rishab Shetty recently shared some key updates regarding his upcoming films, and the biggest news for fans is the official confirmation of Kantara Chapter 2. While the franchise has already seen massive success with its first two installments, Shetty clarified that he is already in the writing stage for this third film. This update comes just as his birthday celebrations concluded, providing a clear roadmap for where the Kantara universe is headed next while he balances a very demanding acting schedule. The progression of this franchise has been nothing short of legendary. To put things into perspective, the original Kantara released in 2022 was an unexpected phenomenon, earning a total India net of ₹309.64 Cr and a worldwide gross of ₹407.82 Cr. However, the 2025 prequel, Kantara: Chapter 1, took things to a completely different level. That film shattered records with an India net of ₹622.48 Cr and a worldwide gross of ₹852.36 Cr, effectively doubling the reach of the franchise and cementing its status as an all-time blockbuster. With such high stakes, Shetty has revealed that he is already working with a dedicated team of writers to ensure the next chapter meets these massive expectations. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Beyond the world of Kantara, Rishab Shetty has a very demanding acting schedule that requires him to be extremely disciplined with his time. He clarified that he will not be multitasking or overlapping his projects because of the drastic physical transformations required for each role. His immediate focus will be on Jai Hanuman, the high-profile superhero film directed by Prashanth Varma. Once that is completed, he will move on to the historical epic, The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Each of these roles requires a distinct look that he needs to maintain, which explains why he is taking a one-film-at-a-time approach. One of the most inspiring parts of his recent statements revolves around his commitment to his roots. While there is often a discussion about building a central film city in Bengaluru, Shetty has taken a different route by creating a cinema village in his hometown, Keradi. This location served as the primary backdrop for the first Kantara and was expanded significantly during the production of Chapter 1. By developing this local infrastructure, he is not just making films but also creating a sustainable ecosystem for storytelling within his own community. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Rishab Shetty admitted that direction provides him with a sense of peace and happiness that he cannot stay away from for long. Even as he prepares for massive acting assignments in 2027 and 2028, his mind remains focused on the creative development of Kantara Chapter 2. Given the franchise's track record of turning local stories into global sensations, the industry is watching closely. With Chapter 1 having already crossed the ₹850 Cr mark worldwide, the next installment will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated Indian films in the coming years.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The streaming numbers for the first half of 2026 are officially in. This year has seen some massive records being shattered, specifically by franchise hits that have managed to translate their big-screen hype into record-breaking viewership velocity on platforms like Netflix and JioHotstar. The standout performer of the year is undoubtedly Dhurandhar on Netflix. Within a 10-week sprint, the film racked up 31.1 million views, setting a new benchmark for Indian cinema in the digital space. This viewership velocity has officially surpassed the numbers generated by RRR (Hindi) within the same 10-week opening window. The franchise's strength is further highlighted by its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which secured the second spot with 18.9 million views on JioHotstar. Together, the two films have accumulated a combined 50 million views, showcasing the incredible pull of the franchise across different streaming platforms. Another interesting case study in the 2026 OTT charts is Prabhas's The Raja Saab. The film unfortunately underperformed during its January theatrical release, but its transition to the digital space on February 6 told a completely different story. Upon its premiere on JioHotstar, the movie immediately climbed to the #1 trending position and has since gathered 10.3 million views. This highlights a growing trend where films that struggle to find a massive footing in theaters are being rediscovered and embraced by home audiences, effectively recovering their reach through streaming platforms. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Looking at the overall distribution of the top 10 most-watched films, Netflix continues to be the dominant player, hosting eight out of the top ten titles. Films like the investigative thriller Accused and the cross-cultural drama Made In Korea have performed exceptionally well, securing 16.6 million and 13.5 million views respectively. Other notable entries include Rani Mukerji's Mardaani 3 and the Akshay Kumar starrer Bhooth Bangla, both of which maintained steady viewership figures above the 10 million mark. The list is rounded off by Tere Ishk Mein, which remains a popular choice for romantic drama enthusiasts with 9.7 million views. Most Watched Indian OTT Films in 2026RANKMOVIE TITLEPLATFORMVIEWERSHIP (MILLIONS)1DhurandharNetflix31.1M2Dhurandhar: The RevengeJioHotstar18.9M3AccusedNetflix16.6M4Made In KoreaNetflix13.5M5Bhooth BanglaNetflix11.9M6HaqNetflix11.3M7Mardaani 3Netflix10.7M8KartavyaNetflix10.3M9The Raja SaabJioHotstar10.3M10Tere Ishk MeinNetflix9.7M