Ranveer Singh has spoken candidly about fate, patience and trusting the timing of life, as his latest film Dhurandhar continues its extraordinary run at the box office, marking a powerful comeback after a period of professional uncertainty.
The actor, who faced a series of underperforming releases including 83, Jayeshbhai Jordaar and Cirkus, has now reclaimed box-office dominance with the Aditya Dhar-directed spy thriller, which is racing towards becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the year.
Taking to Instagram Stories, Ranveer shared a reflective note that struck a chord with fans, hinting at the emotional toll of waiting for the right moment after a career lull following Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023.
“Kismat ki ek bohut khoobsurat aadat hai, ki woh waqt aane par badalti hai… Lekin filhal… nazar aur sabr,” he wrote, speaking of destiny’s ability to turn in one’s favour, but only with patience and perseverance.
The words arrive at a time when Dhurandhar is rewriting box-office records. The film delivered a historic second weekend, collecting more than ₹100 crore in just two days (around £1million), and has so far amassed approximately ₹351 crore worldwide (approximately £34million), according to reports.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar features an ensemble cast including Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt and Sara Arjun, alongside Ranveer Singh. The film is the first instalment in a two-part franchise.
Set across a decade, the story follows a covert Indian intelligence mission as an undercover agent infiltrates Karachi’s criminal and political underworld to dismantle cross-border terror networks. The narrative draws inspiration from real-life events, including the 1999 Indian plane hijacking, the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks and operations linked to India’s R&AW.
With its sustained momentum, Dhurandhar is currently on course to become the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 and the fourth highest-grossing Indian film overall this year.
A sequel, Dhurandhar: Part 2 – Revenge, is already scheduled for release in 2026, cementing the film’s success and signalling that for Ranveer Singh, patience has finally paid off.
Netflix’s new release Homebound tells the deeply moving true story of two hardworking and ambitious young Indian men whose lives were shattered during the 2020 Covid lockdown.
The film follows their journey back to their home village during the nationwide shutdown, where they are left stranded, a tragedy that ultimately leads to one of the friends dying from heatstroke.
Homebound has struck a powerful chord with audiences across India, receiving a nine-minute standing ovation at its debut screening. It has also been selected as India’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
Inspired by an acclaimed New York Times article by journalist Basharat Peer, originally titled Taking Amrit Home, later renamed A Friendship, a Pandemic, and a Death Beside the Highway, the film adaptation has already made a significant impact and is now set to reach a global audience through Netflix.
Asian Standard met with director Neeraj Ghaywan and the film’s two stars — Ishaan Khatter, who plays Mohammad Shoaib Ali, and Vishal Jethwa, who portrays Chandan Kumar — at an exclusive London venue to discuss this poignant story of friendship, hardship and survival.
A Moral Responsibility to Be Seen
Speaking about the film’s purpose, director Neeraj Ghaywan said it was vital to bring the stories of ordinary people to the screen.
“There is a moral responsibility to represent people from around the world who do not have a voice, to make their voices heard, to validate their existence, to make them visible,” he said.
Expanding on the themes explored in the film, Neeraj added:
“What makes people leave their homes?
It’s not just jobs; it’s not just money. It’s more complex.”
He explained that Homebound focuses on the struggles of migration, but also on the camaraderie between two men from marginalised communities.
“The battles that they went through — the camaraderie between two people who come from marginalised communities,” he said.
Crucially, the film does not portray the men solely as victims. Instead, it takes time to explore their family lives, dreams of joining the police force, and even their love lives.
“To see them as humans — to see their love, their joy, their love for biryani and cricket — not just as victims of the state,” Neeraj explained.
Stories of Dignity and Humanity
Scene stealers Ishaan and Vishal in Homebound Image: Dharma Productions
Both actors spoke about their pride in being part of the film and what drew them to their roles.
Ishaan Khatter reflected on the deeper meaning behind his character:
“The fight to live a dignified life. It’s so unfortunate to bear witness to the fact that society has different standards for people who come from where these men come from.
“It’s a hidden truth of society that is brushed under the carpet — something we don’t speak of.”
He also shared how immediately connected he felt to the script:
“What was really powerful for me was that it didn’t feel like a political argument — it felt like a conversation, a call for empathy.
“The scenes in this film are scenes from our daily lives that we might overlook — the microaggressions and coded discrimination we see all the time.”
Vishal Jethwa echoed those sentiments, speaking about the exhaustion faced by people constantly having to justify their existence.
“To have to prove your humanity every day — it’s exhausting,” he said.
The actors also reflected on the wider migrant experience portrayed in the film, as the two friends travel vast distances across India in search of education and work opportunities.
“All of that resonated when we read the script — the struggle, the strife, but also the humanity and the joy,” Vishal said.
Friendship On and Off Screen
The emotional weight of the story also strengthened bonds between the cast and crew. Neeraj explained how that chemistry translated on screen.
“We developed a chemistry — we spent time together and grew close. That core of affection is what you see reflected on screen,” he said.
“We created a safe space where we could be ourselves without fear of judgement. Despite
Friends on and off screen Image: Dharma Productions
different viewpoints and beliefs, we learned to respect one another.”
Vishal added:
“We even had disagreements — like any friends would. Conflict is part of true friendship.”
Scenes That Stay With You
The film moves between lighter moments — such as the characters yearning for the simple pleasure of biryani — and devastating scenes of loss.
Asked which moment affected him most, Neeraj pointed to the closing sequence.
“Definitely the scene towards the end on the bridge. I was petrified of that scene — and so was Vishal,” he said.
“In the desert, with the sun coming up, he nearly passed out for real.”
Reflecting on filming the tragic final moments, Neeraj described it as a deeply personal experience.
“To portray that struggle — to hold on to a friend — that was a spiritual experience.”
The film closes with the surviving friend sitting near the bridge where the two once shared dreams of the future, accompanied by a dove — symbolising loss, resilience and hope.
From conversations with the cast and director, it is clear why Homebound has resonated so widely. Now reaching global audiences through Netflix, the film offers a powerful portrayal of struggle, dignity and friendship — a story that echoes the experiences of migrants everywhere.
Actress Richa Chadha has spoken candidly about the emotional, physical and professional challenges she faced while returning to work nearly two years after embracing motherhood, revealing experiences of deep betrayal during one of the most vulnerable phases of her life.
In a heartfelt social media post, the Fukrey star shared that although she had hoped to resume work sooner, her body and mind were not ready. Beyond the personal recovery, she said she was confronted with difficult professional realities.
“On Sunday, I went back to work after nearly two years. As much as I would have liked to get back sooner, my body, my mind wasn’t ready at all. But other than these tangible issues, I have had to deal with deep professional betrayals from close quarters,” she wrote.
Reflecting on those experiences, Richa criticised the lack of ethics within the industry, describing a culture driven by insecurity and scarcity.
“I have learnt that in the industry, a rare few have ethics and courage. Most people operate from such deep-seated inferiority complexes and a scarcity mentality. They never mean what they say. They’re never happy… those who displayed unwarranted, one-sided cruelty towards me during my most vulnerable phase perhaps never received adequate love in their own lives,” she added.
The actress also highlighted the importance of a strong support system for new mothers navigating identity and mental recovery after childbirth.
“If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes amazing support to help the mom… because mommy doesn’t remember who she was before the baby was born. The mental recovery took longer than I hoped,” she shared.
Richa went on to criticise the pressure placed on public figures, particularly new mothers, to constantly produce “content” on social media, questioning the commodification of vulnerability and the way personal struggles are often repackaged for public consumption.
Concluding her post, the Heeramandi actress expressed a longing for a simpler time, when sharing personal experiences did not require branding or performance, but could exist with honesty and privacy.
The debate around Dhurandhar shows no sign of slowing. Days after popular film critic Anupama Chopra’s review was taken down following backlash online, a wave of Bollywood heavyweights has stepped in to share their own verdicts, with Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan leading the charge.
Akshay Kumar praised the film outright on his social platforms, stating: “Watched Dhurandhar and I’m blown away. What a gripping tale and you’ve simply nailed it @AdityaDharFilms We need our stories to be told in a hard-hitting way and I’m so glad the audiences are giving the film all the love it deserves.”
While Hrithik Roshan offered a more nuanced analysis. The Kaho Na… Pyaar Hai star lauded the film’s cinematic craft but openly stated, “I disagree with the politics.”
Sharing his thoughts via Instagram Stories, Roshan reflected on the film’s intensity and storytelling style. “I love cinema, I love people who climb into a vortex and let the story take control… Dhurandhar is an example of that. Loved the storytelling. It’s cinema,” he wrote.
In a candid addition, he addressed his reservations: “I may disagree with the politics of it, and argue about the responsibilities us filmmakers should bear as citizens of the world. Nevertheless, can’t ignore how I loved and learnt from one as a student of cinema. Amazing.”
Roshan followed up with a post expressing his anticipation for the sequel, saying: “Still can’t get DHURANDHAR out of my mind. @AdityaDharFilms you are an incredible maker man.”
He went on to applaud the cast: “@RanveerOfficial — the silent to the fierce, what a journey. #AkshayeKhanna has always been my fav and this film is proof why. @ActorMadhavan — bloody mad grace, strength and dignity! But man @rakeshbedi, what you did was phenomenal… what an ACT, brilliant!! A huge big round of applause for everyone, especially the makeup and prosthetics dept! I can’t wait for part 2!!!”
Hrithik’s comments add to a growing list of industry endorsements. Earlier, Akshay Kumar hailed the film’s “hard-hitting story,” while Rakul Preet Singh, Smriti Irani, Anupam Kher and Deepika Padukone have all publicly supported Ranveer Singh’s latest outing.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar charts the story of Hamza, an Indian spy who infiltrates Pakistan to penetrate Rehman Dakait’s gang. Inspired by real events from the 2001 Parliament attack to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks the film explores the long-standing India–Pakistan conflict through a high-stakes narrative.
Alongside Singh, the ensemble includes Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt and Sara Arjun.
According to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, Dhurandhar is already recording strong box-office returns, signalling that despite divided critical commentary, audience momentum remains firmly in the film’s favour.
Actress-politician Hema Malini shared heartfelt throwback photos of late actor and husband Dharmendra, offering a rare glimpse into her personal memories, which also featured her daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.
Taking to her Instagram handle, Hema Malini shared a series of photos while remembering the actor and her precious “family moments” with him.
The series of images featured photos of Dharmendra and Hema Malini. It also included candid snaps of Esha Deol and Ahana Deol with their father.
While sharing the photos, the actress wrote, “Some lovely family moments… simply treasured photos. I know it is a surfeit of photos but these have not been published and my emotions are unfolding as I see these,” wrote Hema Malini.
Bollywood legend Dharmendra, fondly known as the industry’s ‘He-Man’, passed away on 24 November, 2025, leaving a void in Hindi cinema.
Known for his gentle smile, charismatic screen presence, and six-decade-long career, Dharmendra remained a beloved figure on and off screen.
To honour his life and legacy, the Deol family organised a prayer meet, titled ‘Celebration of Life’, at Seaside Lawns, Taj Lands End in Bandra, Mumbai, on Thursday.
In an emotional moment, the entire Deol family, including Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and Karan Deol, expressed their gratitude to the attendees, with the family members folding their hands in appreciation for the outpouring of support.
A heartfelt musical tribute was also performed, honouring the late actor’s enduring legacy.
From superstar Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit with her husband, ace filmmaker Karan Johar, to veteran actor Rekha, Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, several Bollywood celebrities marked their presence at the prayer meet.
The much-awaited title track of ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’ is finally out, offering a glimpse of Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s sizzling chemistry.
The title track of ‘Tu Meri Mai Tera Mai Tera Tu Meri’ features Kartik Aaryan’s eye-catching dance moves. The music of the song and the vocals are given by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani, while the lyrics have been penned by Anvitaa Dutt.
The three-minute and eleven-second song showcased Kartik and Ananya’s sizzling chemistry on a boat party. Kartik pulls off another viral hook step after his impressive dance stint in ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’.
The sizzling chemistry between Kartik and Ananya is one of the major highlights of the song. Their screen presence, coupled with the music’s catchy rhythm, has fans hooked already.
Sa Re Ga Ma has released the song on their Instagram handle.
Directed by Sameer Vidwans, ‘Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri’ is presented by Dharma Productions and Namah Pictures, and produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Shareen Mantri Kedia, and Kishor Arora.
Besides Kartik and Ananya, the film also features Jackie Shroff and Neena Gupta. It will hit the cinemas on 25 December.
Kartik and Ananya were last seen togather in the film ‘Pati Patni Aur Voh.’
The makers of Dharmendra’s last film, “Ikkis” have unveiled the final poem penned by the veteran actor.
The clip features a special Punjabi poem written and recited by Dharmendra in the upcoming movie. Titled “Aj bhi ji karda hai, pind apne nu jaanwa,” the poem beautifully reflects his longing and romantic nostalgia for his beloved pind (village). Sharing the emotional poem on Instagram, the makers wrote, “Aj bhi ji karda hai, Pind apne nu jaanwa.” Dharamji was the true son of the soil, and his words carry the essence of that soil. This poem by him is like a yearning; a tribute from one legend to another. Ikkis – produced by Dinesh Vijan and Maddock Films, and directed by National Award-winner Sriram Raghavan — the true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. Releasing in cinemas on 25th December. #Ikkis #IkkisOn25th.”
The clip serves as a heartfelt tribute to the late veteran actor, who passed away on 24 November. In the film, Dharmendra plays the father of 21-year-old Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. Agastya Nanda takes on the role of Arun Khetarpal, the heroic soldier martyred at 21 during the 1971 Battle of Basantar in the Indo-Pak war.
For his exceptional bravery, Khetarpal was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, becoming the youngest recipient of India’s highest military honor at the time. The film also features Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikander Kher. “Ikkis” marks Dharmendra’s last cinematic appearance on the big screen. The legendary actor passed away on the same day the makers unveiled his character poster.
The poster was captioned, “Fathers raise sons. Legends raise nations. Dharmendra ji, an emotional powerhouse as the father of a 21-year-old immortal soldier. One timeless legend brings us the story of another. #IkkisTrailerOutNow Ikkis in cinemas worldwide on 25th December 2025.”
Farhan Akhtar’s war drama “120 Bahadur, ” which pays tribute to the bravehearts of the Charlie Company of the Kumaon Regiment, has been declared tax-free in Delhi by the Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, as a mark of respect for the valiant soldiers.
Congratulating the makers for a film that highlights the inspiring leadership of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati (Played by Farhan Akhtar), the CM penned on her official X (previously known as Twitter) handle, “#120Bahadur, a historical war film, pays tribute to the extraordinary courage, leadership, and sacrifice of the 120 soldiers of Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, who fought valiantly in the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The film highlights the inspiring leadership of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, whose actions and sacrifice remain a defining symbol of courage in India’s military history. (sic).”
“As a special mark of respect to the valiant soldiers, the Delhi Government has decided to grant tax-free status to the film in Delhi from 28th Nov. Congratulations to the creators of the film!”, she added.
The tax exemption is expected to boost the footfall, encouraging movie buffs of all ages to witness the heroic retelling of the Battle of Rezang La on the big screen.
Protagonist Farhan Akhtar has been receiving a lot of praise for his portrayal of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati in the drama.
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi lauded Farhan Akhtar’s performance in “120 Bahadur”, saying that it is hard for her to believe the actor playing Shaitan Singh is the same person who once portrayed Imran in “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”.
She wrote, “So so proud of you @faroutakhtar. I loved #120Bahadur and your performance is sincere ,heartfelt and subtle. Cant believe that the actor who plays #Shaitan Singh is the same actor who played Imran in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.Congratulations to you and #RiteshSidhwani and the entire team (sic).”
Made under the direction of Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai, and backed by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, and Amit Chandrra, “120 Bahadur” released in the cinema halls on 21 November.
Bollywood couple Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani have revealed the name of their newborn daughter.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Kiara and Sidharth announced their baby girl’s name as Saraayah Malhotra while sharing a photograph of their daughter.
The couple shared a picture of them holding the baby’s tiny feet and wrote, “From our prayers, to our arms. Our divine blessing, our princess, Saraayah Malhotra.”
Earlier, on 16 July, Sidharth and Kiara announced the birth of their daughter with a heartwarming message.
The couple tied the knot in an intimate yet grand ceremony in Rajasthan in February 2023. Their love story blossomed on the sets of the war drama ‘Shershaah’.
On the work front, Siddharth Malhotra was last seen in the film ‘Param Sundari’ alongside Janhvi Kapoor in the lead role. It was directed by Tushar Jalota and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films.
Whereas, for Kiara Advani, the actress was last seen in ‘War 2.’ It was directed by Ayan Mukerji.
The movie is the sequel to the blockbuster movie ‘War’, which starred Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff in the lead roles.
Hrithik reprised his role of Kabir in the sequel. The film featured the clash between Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan as they both try to serve the nation by following their respective ideologies.
War 2 clashed at the box office with Rajinikanth’s ‘Coolie’, which also stars Nagarjuna in the lead role.
After reports of the film ‘Apne 2’ getting shelved emerged, and left the fans of the late actor Dharmendra with a broken heart, the producer of the film, Deepak Mukut has confirmed that the film is happening, and will be a tribute to the legend.
‘Apne’ featured the Deol family including Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and has been the subject of speculation ever since Dharmendra’s demise. The film was very close to the late actor’s heart
Talking about the sequel, Deepak Mukut said in a statement, “People need to stop spreading unverified rumours. ‘Apne 2’ is NOT shelved. This film is happening, and it is happening with full conviction. We have been working quietly but consistently, and there has never been a question of dropping the project. ‘Apne 2’ is not only on track but remains one of the most emotionally significant projects undertaken by our banner”.
He further mentioned, “‘Apne’ belonged to Dharamji. His presence, his warmth, his soul everything he stood for made that film what it became. ‘Apne 2’ is extremely close to my heart. In many ways, the film will be a shradhanjali, a heartfelt homage to Dharamji. We want the sequel to celebrate him, his values, and the emotional world he created with the Deol family on screen”.
The sequel, which was earlier announced with Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol and Karan Deol, has been undergoing creative restructuring, but the core intention remains unchanged: to carry forward the emotional legacy of one of Hindi cinema’s most beloved family dramas.
For fans of the Deol family and admirers of Dharmendra’s timeless charm, the reassurance of the film’s release comes as a delight. ‘Apne 2’ is not just alive, it is being shaped as a tribute worthy of the legend who defined the franchise.
