Connect with us
Saturday,31-October-2026
Breaking News

Entertainment

Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan to host IIFA Awards 2027 in Abu Dhabi

Published

on

Mumbai, Sep 18: The upcoming edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) is set to be hosted by 2 sets of hosts. IIFA Digital Awards 2027 will be hosted by Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal, the IIFA Awards 2027 will be hosted by Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan.

The IIFA Awards 2027 will also see powerhouse performances by Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is set to take centre stage at IIFA 2027, adding his unparalleled star power to the celebrations.

Talking about his return to the IIFA stage, he said, “IIFA and I go back a long, long way. I have been part of this journey since its early years, and every time IIFA calls, there is a special feeling because it is not just an awards show, it is a celebration of our films, our people and the audiences who have given us so much love. I have performed at IIFA across the years, but coming back to Abu Dhabi always feels different. I have a deep connection with this city, and some very special memories here”.

He further mentioned, “Yas Island has become a beautiful home for IIFA, and the energy that the audiences bring is something you can feel the moment you step onto that stage. After everything we have created together over the years, I am looking forward to coming back, performing, having some fun and celebrating Indian cinema with everyone. IIFA 2027 is going to be another big one, and I am happy to be a part of it”.

The awards will be held at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on January 22 and January 23, and promise star power, music and entertainment, bringing together leading talent and Indian cinema enthusiasts from across the world.

Actor Pankaj Tripathi, who is making his IIFA Digital Awards hosting debut, said in a statement, “For an actor, there are certain moments that come with a little extra nervousness and a lot of excitement and hosting the IIFA Digital Awards for the first time is definitely one of them. I have spent much of my journey standing in front of the camera and telling stories through characters, so stepping onto the IIFA stage in a completely different role is both exciting and humbling. In fact, this will be my first experience of hosting an awards show, which makes the moment even more special for me”.

“The digital world has transformed the way stories are created, discovered and loved, and IIFA recognising this new generation of storytelling feels very meaningful. To be part of that celebration alongside so many talented artists and creators is an honour. IIFA has always taken Indian cinema to audiences across the world, and I am looking forward to bringing that same spirit, warmth and, hopefully, a little bit of humour to the IIFA Digital Awards stage. I cannot wait to experience the magic of IIFA from the other side of the stage and I hope I can do justice to it”, he added.

Bollywood

Sanjay Gupta passes away: Family discovered late filmmaker in the morning after incident

Published

on

According to the Mumbai Police, the family members of filmmaker Sanjay Gupta discovered him the following morning and alerted the police after he passed away aged 59 by falling in the bathroom on October 30.

The Versova Police are investigating the matter. Sanjay Gupta fell in the bathroom of his house on October 30, following which he died.

A Mumbai Police official said that other people were present at the house at the time of the incident. However, as the incident took place late at night, the family members could not immediately become aware of it.

The family members spotted him the following morning and immediately informed the police. The police also received information about the incident only in the morning. According to the police, the family has not expressed any suspicion so far. The necessary procedures in the case are currently being carried out.

The forensics team has also reached the late filmmaker’s residence in Mumbai.

Sanjay Gupta was best known for directing films such as ‘Kaante’, ‘Kaabil’ and ‘Shootout at Wadala ’ along with producing movies such as Shootout at Lokhandwala, Jazbaa and Acid Factory.

He passed away at the age of 59. As per sources closes to media, the filmmaker passed away on October 30 after slipping in the bathroom at night and injuring his head.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit confirmed Sanjay Gupta’s death and wrote on Instagram: “It’s really shocking and sad. Just got the news that our dear friend an ace director @_sanjaygupta is no more. He passed due to a head injury at home.”

Sanjay Gupta stepped into the world of cinema in 1994 with Aatish: Feel the Fire starring Aditya Pancholi and Sanjay Dutt.

He then went on to direct, produce and write movies such as Ram Shastra, Khauff, Jung, Kaante, Musafir, Zinda and Shootout at Lokhandwala among others.

His last work includes The Miranda Brothers, which was released in 2025. Sanjay Gupta directed and produced the film starring Harshvardhan Rane and Meezaan Jafri.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Yash on his son’s reaction to his role as Ravana: Why are you playing the bad guy?

Published

on

Rocking Star Yash, who essays the role of Ravana in director Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’, has now opened up about one of the most unexpected conversations he had while preparing for the film – explaining to his young son why his father was playing the antagonist and not Lord Rama.

Sharing how his son reacted after learning about the epic, Yash revealed that the little one was initially shocked to discover that his father would be portraying Ravana.

He recalled, “My son knows who his father is, but now that he knows the story of the Ramayana, he was shocked. He said, ‘No, you’re the bad guy! How can you do that?’ I explained to him that we have to depict the full story for people to truly understand it.”

Talking about the dilemma of helping his children understand the distinction between the actor and the character, Yash shared how he had to explain the larger significance of the story and why Lord Rama remains the ideal to look up to.

He said, “I had to sit my son down and tell him: in this story, the central figure you must look up to is Lord Rama. Everyone should walk Rama’s path. Ravana may appear grand, powerful, and imposing, but true, lasting victory in life only comes when you embody Rama’s righteousness. I told him, ‘You can cheer for me as an actor in the theatre, but do not mistake the character for the ideal.’”

The conversation took another turn when his son asked him whether Ravana eventually loses and dies in the story. Recalling the moment, Yash said, “Then he asked, ‘Do you die in the end? Do you lose?’ That was hard. When I signed the project, I was thinking about giving my audience a compelling performance, but I hadn’t anticipated my son’s questions. Teaching him the distinction between an actor and a dramatic role was quite an experience.”

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. The first instalment of the two-part epic is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026.

Continue Reading

Crime

Tiger Shroff firing case: Bishnoi gang seeking to challenge Dawood’s dominance in Mumbai, say cops

Published

on

The Mumbai Crime Branch, investigating the attack on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, has reportedly uncovered details suggesting that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was attempting to establish its dominance in Mumbai by challenging the long-standing influence and fear associated with Dawood Ibrahim and the D-Company.

According to the Mumbai Police’s investigation, the gang’s alleged objective behind its continued activities in Mumbai was to establish a one-sided dominance in the city. Police sources said the gang was seeking to create an atmosphere of fear reminiscent of the underworld’s influence in Mumbai during the 1990s.

A senior Mumbai Police official said the gang intended to recreate the kind of terror once associated with the underworld, when a single phone call could send businessmen, builders and film personalities into a state of panic.

The Crime Branch believes that establishing such dominance could enable the gang to expand its alleged extortion network and demand large sums of money from builders and members of the Bollywood industry.

Police have so far arrested 12 people in connection with the firing at Tiger Shroff’s car. During the investigation, the Crime Branch reportedly recovered several sensitive audio clips in which alleged underworld figures are mentioned.

The audio recordings are currently undergoing forensic examination as investigators attempt to establish the extent of the gang’s network and identify those allegedly involved in planning and executing criminal activities.

Investigating agencies believe that the Bishnoi gang was attempting to gain greater control over Mumbai’s criminal network by directly challenging the city’s traditional underworld syndicates.

The police have launched a crackdown as part of efforts to dismantle the alleged network and prevent further criminal activities. Investigators are also examining the recovered evidence to determine whether the firing incident was part of a broader strategy to spread fear and establish the gang’s presence in Mumbai.

Further investigation into the case is underway.

Continue Reading

Trending