BY CHRISTA LINCY

The wait for Ananya Panday and Lakshya's intense romantic drama, Chand Mera Dil, to arrive on digital platforms is finally coming to an end. After making its theatrical debut on May 22, 2026, the film is transitioning to the streaming space where it is expected to find a new audience. Despite the high-profile casting and a modern take on romance, the film had a challenging run at the box office, and its upcoming digital premiere is being viewed as its second life on the small screen. Where and when to stream Chand Mera Dil on OTT? Makers have stuck to a standard eight-week exclusive theatrical window before bringing the film to digital viewers. Chand Mera Dil is officially scheduled to stream on JioHotstar starting July 17, 2026. This digital premiere comes exactly 56 days after its theatrical release. Interestingly, the partnership with JioHotstar was teased right from the opening credits during its cinema run, making it an anticipated arrival for subscribers of the platform. One notable aspect of the OTT version is the age rating and censorship. While the theatrical version had its own set of guidelines, the streaming version carries a U/A 16+ rating. To secure this, the Central Board of Film Certification ordered significant changes, including the complete removal of a prominent 1-minute and 36-second lip-lock scene and the trimming of another 10-second kissing sequence. This edited version is what will be available for viewers on the platform from July 17. What is the story of Chand Mera Dil? The narrative of the film explores the darker, more turbulent side of modern relationships. The plot follows Ronit, played by Lakshya, and Tara, played by Ananya Panday, who experience a whirlwind romance after their paths cross. What starts as a passionate and deep connection soon takes a turn as Ronit’s love begins to transform into an extreme and suffocating obsession. The story focuses on the thin line between passion and toxicity, delving into the emotional fallout of a relationship that becomes increasingly volatile. Financially, the film struggled to find its footing during its stay in theaters. Produced on an estimated budget of 40 crore, the movie ended its theatrical run as a flop venture. While it managed to garner some attention in urban centers, it could not generate the mass momentum required to recover its costs. By the end of its run, the film secured a worldwide gross of 38.11 crore, failing to cross its production budget in terms of raw earnings. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Chand Mera Dil: Lifetime Total Box Office Collection CATEGORY COLLECTION (INR) India Net Collection ₹ 29.09 Cr India Gross Collection ₹ 34.26 Cr Overseas Collection ₹ 3.85 Cr Worldwide Total ₹ 38.11 Cr Chand Mera Dil: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is Chand Mera Dil a hit or a flop? Chand Mera Dil is a Box Office Flop. Against a budget of 40 crore, the film grossed 38.11 crore worldwide, which was insufficient to cover its production and distribution costs. Where to stream Chand Mera Dil on OTT? The film will be available for streaming exclusively on JioHotstar starting July 17, 2026. What is the age rating for the OTT version of Chand Mera Dil? The digital version of the film has been given a U/A 16+ rating after certain romantic sequences were trimmed or removed by the censor board. Who are the lead actors in Chand Mera Dil? The film features Ananya Panday and Lakshya in the lead roles, portraying a couple caught in a turbulent romance.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The anticipation for Awarapan 2 has been building steadily, with fans eager to see the return of one of the most iconic characters in Hindi cinema. The original Awarapan, released in 2007, was directed by Mohit Suri and featured a stellar ensemble including Emraan Hashmi, Shriya Saran, Ashutosh Rana, and Ashish Vidyarthi. While the film did not set the box office on fire during its initial run, it eventually transformed into a massive cult classic. Its legacy was cemented through years of television broadcasts and the timeless appeal of its musical score, which remains a favorite for many to this day. According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the makers are now looking to capitalize on this long-standing craze by re-releasing the first part of Awarapan in cinemas on July 31. This strategic move aims to refresh the audience's memory and build a massive momentum exactly two weeks before the sequel hits the theaters. Sources suggest that the films strong recall value, driven by its emotional depth and massy moments, makes it a perfect candidate for a theatrical revival for a generation that might have missed it on the big screen nearly two decades ago. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) This re-release sets up an interesting battle at the box office, as it is scheduled to clash with the major Hollywood blockbuster, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which arrives in India on July 30. While the superhero flick is expected to take a gargantuan start, industry insiders believe that Awarapan still holds enough emotional weight to attract significant footfalls. The nostalgia factor is a powerful tool in the current market, and the trade expects the film to find its own dedicated audience despite the heavy international competition. We have seen a growing trend where films that underperformed during their original runs, such as Tumbbad, Sanam Teri Kasam, and Laila Majnu, emerged as huge hits upon their re-release. Many fans feel a sense of regret for not supporting these films in theaters originally, and that sentiment is expected to play a major role here. Awarapan fits this mold perfectly, having grown in stature over the years through home video and digital platforms, and the July 31 release is seen as a way to correct its previous box office record. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Transitioning to the sequel, Awarapan 2 is being handled by director Nitin Kakkar, known for his work on Filmistaan. The new installment features Emraan Hashmi returning to his iconic role as Shivam Pandit, joined by Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi. The story reportedly picks up from where the 2007 film left off, suggesting that Shivam survived the intense events of the original climax. This return to a brooding, tragic hitman persona is being viewed as the ideal comeback vehicle for Hashmi, tapping into the soulful romantic-action genre that defined a specific era of his career. With the sequel set to release on August 14, the industry is hopeful that Awarapan 2 will deliver a major hit for Emraan Hashmi. The romantic musical genre is currently seeing a resurgence, and given that the sequel aims to replicate the emotional core of the first part, the trade expects a solid opening. By bringing the original film back to theaters first, the makers are ensuring that the hype for Shivam Pandits new mission reaches a fever pitch by the time the second part officially arrives.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Gatta Kusthi 2 has emerged as a significant player in the sports-comedy genre, riding high on the success of its predecessor. Directed by Chella Ayyavu and featuring the popular duo of Vishnu Vishal and Aishwarya Lekshmi, the film has sustained a lot of buzz due to its blend of high-stakes wrestling and relatable family dynamics. The sequel was met with high expectations, and it seems the audience is still showing up to support the film well into its second week of release. When we look at the financial health of the movie, the numbers tell a story of steady progress. Gatta Kusthi 2 has now reached a total worldwide gross collection of 47.42 crore. To break that down for you, 39.22 crore has come from the domestic Indian market, while 8.20 crore was earned from overseas territories. In terms of net earnings, the film has managed to secure 34.18 crore so far. This has been achieved across a very wide release totaling 24,908 shows. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) On Day 13, the India gross was 1.05 crore, which is a manageable drop from the 1.17 crore it grossed on Day 12. If we talk about the net figures, the Day 13 collection of 0.93 crore represents an 8.8 percent decline compared to the previous day's net of 1.02 crore. This kind of trend is quite logical for a film in this stage of its theatrical journey, as it stabilizes after the initial rush. The state-wise gross report further illustrates the film's regional dominance. On Day 13, Tamil Nadu led the way with 1.00 crore in gross earnings. Karnataka and Kerala followed with 0.03 crore and 0.02 crore respectively. Looking at the cumulative totals, Tamil Nadu is the clear engine of growth with 35.45 crore grossed to date. Karnataka has contributed 2.22 crore, Kerala has added 1.21 crore, while the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regions have brought in 0.15 crore. Other parts of India have contributed a combined 0.19 crore to the total gross. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In the national multiplex chains, the film is maintaining a presence showing a consistent performance. For Day 13, the combined gross from PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis was approximately 4 lakh. This came from a total of 3,800 tickets sold across 200 shows at 65 venues. Breaking this down, PVR led the segment with 2,300 tickets resulting in a 2.5 lakh gross. INOX followed with 1,200 tickets and a 1.2 lakh gross, while Cinepolis rounded out the total with 300 tickets and a 0.3 lakh gross. The average occupancy for these national chains was about 8 percent. The general occupancy across all theaters for Day 13 was 16.53 percent. What is interesting is how the interest built up throughout the day. Starting with 14.55 percent in the morning, the numbers moved up to 15.91 percent in the afternoon and 16.36 percent in the evening, before peaking at 17.91 percent for the night shows. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Regionally, Chennai remains the most active market for Gatta Kusthi 2. The city recorded an occupancy of 20.8 percent across its 260 shows. Coimbatore also saw a fair amount of traffic with 12.3 percent occupancy from 100 shows, while Bengaluru recorded 9.8 percent occupancy across 62 shows. These figures highlight that the film is maintaining a consistent grip on its core urban markets. Finally, the digital engagement continues to reflect a healthy appetite for the film. In the last 24 hours alone, 10,690 tickets were sold on BookMyShow, bringing the total tickets sold on the platform to 719,300. As the film approaches the 50 crore worldwide gross milestone, it is clear that the wrestling-based drama is finding a way to keep the audience engaged even after nearly two weeks in the theaters.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 16 - The Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise is gearing up for another spooky adventure. After the commercial success of the previous instalments, work has reportedly begun on Bhool Bhulaiyaa 4, with reports suggesting that the film is currently in development. Kartik Aaryan is expected to reprise his popular role as Rooh Baba, continuing the character's journey in the horror-comedy universe. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to the latest report by Pinkvilla, the script for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 4 is presently being written, with the makers taking their time to craft a fresh story for the next chapter. Production is reportedly being planned for 2027, although the project is still in its early stages. The remaining cast and crew, including the film's director, are yet to be officially finalised. Director Anees Bazmee had previously confirmed that the fourth instalment was in the works and stated that Kartik Aaryan's return was the only casting decision locked at the time. There is no clarity if Bazmee will return to direct the upcoming comedy entertainer, as the conversations are progressing internally on who will helm the project. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise has evolved into one of Bollywood's most successful horror-comedy series. Following the success of the original film starring Akshay Kumar, the franchise found renewed momentum with Kartik Aaryan leading Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. With a fourth instalment now in development, fans can expect another blend of supernatural thrills, comedy, and mystery as Rooh Baba prepares to return to the big screen.

BY SACNILK TEAM

Virgin Music Group ("VMG"), the world's leading partner to independent artists, labels and entrepreneurs, today announces a global distribution partnership with acclaimed artist Rajesh Ahir. The agreement spans Rajesh Ahir's future work as well as his complete existing catalogue. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Rajesh Ahir's musical journey and underscores his commitment to delivering exceptional music across generations and geographies. Rajesh Ahir shared his excitement about the partnership, saying: "Music has always been my way of connecting with people and sharing stories that come from the heart. Working with Virgin Music Group is the start of an exciting new chapter in my journey. Their global infrastructure makes them the ideal partner to help take my music to audiences far and wide, and I look forward to creating songs that continue to inspire, entertain, and leave a lasting impact." Rajesh Ahir is a renowned Gujarati folk singer, musician, and performing artist from Dhaneti village in Kutch, Gujarat. Rajesh is recognised for his contributions to Gujarati folk and devotional music and has gained popularity through songs such as "Maan Na Mohanji," "Dwarika Ni Sheriye," "Kana Ne Makhan Bhave," "Aavje Mogal," and "Mava Tari Murti." Known for his ability to blend his traditional Kutch and Gujarati folk heritage with a contemporary music influence, Rajesh strives to keep the region's rich cultural legacy alive while connecting with a younger generation of listeners. Amol Suryavanshi, Label Manager at Virgin Music Group, said: "Rajesh Ahir is a remarkable artist whose authenticity, creativity, and connection with his audience make him truly special. We’re excited to work closely with Rajesh and help him take Gujarati music to listeners across India and around the world."

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, July 16 - The first week of December 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest box office battlegrounds in recent memory. Three major Hindi and pan-India releases are set to arrive within two days of each other, setting the stage for an intense clash before Hollywood giants Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three, and Shah Rukh Khan's King dominate cinemas later in the month. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Prabhas' much-awaited period action drama Fauzi has officially locked December 3, 2026, as its theatrical release date. Directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, the film has generated significant buzz ever since its announcement and is expected to be one of the biggest pan-India releases of the year. With Prabhas returning in a larger-than-life role, the film is expected to command a massive release across multiple languages. Just a day later, on December 4, Ajay Devgn's much-awaited Ranger is scheduled to hit theatres. Sharing the same release date is Akshay Kumar's untitled collaboration with director Anees Bazmee, setting up a direct three-way contest among some of Indian cinema's biggest stars. While all three films cater to different audiences, they will inevitably compete for premium screens, show timings, and opening weekend collections. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The timing makes the clash even more significant. The three Indian releases will have barely two weeks to maximise their theatrical business before Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three, along with King, arrive later in December, films that are expected to occupy a substantial share of IMAX and premium large-format screens worldwide. As a result, the opening weekend and first fortnight will be crucial for Fauzi, Ranger, and Akshay Kumar's upcoming entertainer. With Prabhas, Ajay Devgn, and Akshay Kumar all eyeing the lucrative year-end holiday season, the first week of December 2026 is set to become one of the most closely watched box office clashes in recent years. Whether all three films stick to their announced dates or one eventually opts to avoid the crowded window remains to be seen, but as of now, audiences are in for a blockbuster showdown.