Mumbai, March 22: Bollywood star Akshay Kumar on Saturday announced his upcoming film “Kesari Chapter 2”, which also stars Ananya Panday and R. Madhavan, is locked for April 18 release worldwide.

Akshay took to his Instagram, where he shared a motion poster of the upcoming film and mentioned that the teaser will release on March 24.

The motion poster features a bloodied brick wall with bullet marks. It had: “A revolution painted in courage… Kesari Chapter 2” as gunshots could be heard.

“Kuch ladaaiyan hathiyaaron se nahi ladi jaati. #KesariChapter2 teaser out on 24th March. In cinemas 18th April, worldwide. @actormaddy @ananyapanday @karanstyagi @karanjohar @adarpoonawalla @apoorva1972 @bindraamritpal @anandntiwari @marijkedesouza @somenmishra @vbfilmwala @sumit.saxena.35912 @azeemdayani @dharmamovies #CapeOfGoodFilms,” he wrote as the caption.

On Friday, Akshay celebrated six years of ‘Kesari’ which was released in 2019.

Akshay took to his Instagram, where he shared some stills from “Kesari”, which had an overlay text reading: “6 years ago… A story of courage shook the nation.”

It went on to say: “21 Sikhs against thousands of Afghans. Outnumbered. Surrounded. But never defeated.They fought like lions, they became legends.”

“History wrote one chapter… Now, we tell the next. The saffron rises again. New battle, same fire. Tomorrow.

For the caption, he wrote: “Celebrating 6 years of Kesari. Celebrating the spirit of Kesari. Celebrating a new chapter that begins…soon!”

Kesari followed the events leading to the Battle of Saragarhi, a battle between 21 Sikh soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment of the British Indian Army and 10,000 Afridi and Orakzai Pashtun tribesmen in 1897.

Going by the motion poster of ‘Kesari Chapter 2’, it is reportedly based around the untold story of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

On March 20, Karan revealed that he is introducing a new filmmaker through the upcoming film. He shared a long note in which he shared that the director in question dedicated 4-5 years of their time to the project, and battled the delays induced by the pandemic.

During a conclave, Jaya Bachchan took a dig at Akshay Kumar starrer Toilet Ek Prem Katha. She mocked the title of the film, and called it a ‘flop’. Now, the co-producer of Toilet Ek Prem Katha, Prerna Arora, has reacted to Bachchan’s statement. She stated that she is a huge fan of the veteran actress and that’s why her statement has hurt her. Arora also told Bachchan to check the box office numbers of the film.

According to Bollywood Hungama, while talking about Jaya’s statement, Arora said, “Let me first state that I am a huge, HUGE fan of Jayaji. For me, she is the ultimate. I can watch Guddi, Uphaar, Abhimaan, and Mili anytime, anywhere, and feel happy about life. It is, therefore, very hurtful to hear her say that our film Toilet Ek Prem Katha was a flop. Ma’am should check the box office figures. Our film earned a very handsome profit. It was one of the five biggest hits of 2017.”

While talking about the title of the film, Arora revealed that even they weren’t sure about it initially as it seemed risky to have the word ‘toilet’ in the title. However, later they agreed to it.

Arora, who has produced multiple Hindi films, said that as a producer she has taken risks. She also pointed out that even Jaya Bachchan took risks in her career. The producer said, “Jaya Ma’am took risks with her role choices all the time. She did Doosri Sita, where she played a woman who murders her abusive husband.”

She concluded by stating that she is very proud of Toilet Ek Prem Katha, and would love to show it to Jaya Bachchan if the veteran actress permits.

During India TV’s She conclave, Jaya Bachchan was asked about movies that promote government’s social issues and campaigns, and when she was given an example of Toilet Ek Prem Katha, the veteran actress said, “Abhi aap naam bhi dekhiye, main aisi picture khud kabhi naa dekhne jao. Toilet Ek Prem Katha, yeh koi naam hai? Yeh koi title hai? (Look at the name of the film, I would never go to watch such movies. Toilet Ek Prem Katha, is this even a title?).”

She then asked the audience whether they will go and watch a movie which has a title like this. When only a few people raised their hands, Bachchan said, “Itne log mein chaar log haath utha rahe hai, very sad. Picture flop hai. (In so many people, only four have raised their hands, very sad. Movie is a flop).”

Hyderabad, March 21: Hours after Cyberabad police registered a FIR against them for allegedly promoting betting apps, Tollywood actors Rana Daggubati, Vijay Devarakonda and Prakash Raj on Thursday clarified that they are not promoting any illegal app.

While Rana Daggubati and Vijay Devarakonda stated that they endorsed only legally permitted online skill-based games, Prakash Raj said he did not renew a contract to promote an app in 2017 after realising that he should not have done it.

Rana and Vijay Devarakonda issued separate statements through their media teams while Prakash Raj posted a video on his ‘X’ handle to give his clarification.

According to a statement issued on behalf of Rana Daggubati, he entered into a contract with a company to act as a brand ambassador for skill-based games, which expired in 2017.

“His endorsement was strictly limited to regions where online skill-based games were legally permitted. Rana Daggubati’s legal team thoroughly reviews all partnerships before any agreements are made. After a careful legal review, he agreed to endorse the platform, ensuring full compliance with the law,” reads the statement.

It further clarified that Rana Daggubati’s endorsement of a legal and skill-based gaming platform was fully compliant with the law. “It is essential to highlight these online games, have been recognized by the Supreme Court of India as distinct from gambling. The Court has ruled that these games are based on skill, not chance, and are therefore legally allowed,” it added.

Earlier, Vijay Devarakaonda’s team also issued a clarification.

The actor had officially entered into a contract with a company solely for the limited purpose of serving as a brand ambassador for skill-based games.

“His endorsement was strictly confined to regions and territories where online skill-based games are legally permitted. It is important to clarify that skill-based games, including online games such as rummy, have been repeatedly recognised by the Supreme Court of India as distinct from gambling or gaming. The court has upheld that such games involve skill rather than chance, making them legally permissible,” reads the statement.

“Mr. Vijay Deverakonda’s legal team and agencies carefully review all associations before entering into any agreements. After a thorough legal review, he had agreed to endorse the skill-based gaming platform A23, ensuring that his association aligned with the law standards. However, his endorsement term ended in 2023, and he is no longer associated with the brand. This press release is being issued to eliminate any misconceptions / misinformation and to emphasize that Mr. Vijay Deverakonda’s past endorsement of a legally recognized skill-based gaming company was completely lawful.”

Prakash Raj, in his video statement, said in June 2016 he did an advertisement for a gaming app. “But within a few months I realised it may be legal but it was not right. I couldn’t have done anything because I have done it. I let it go. It was a year’s contract and when they wanted to renew it I said no. My conscience does not accept and I don’t want to continue. It happened 8-9 years ago. Since then I have not done any ads which promote online gambling,” he said.

The actor said in 2021 when the company which might have been sold to someone else had put some snippets on social media he sent them a notice saying they can’t illegally use them. He appealed to youngsters not to be victims of gambling because it ruins life.

Prakash Raj said that he has not received any notice from the police and if he receives anything he will reply.

Earlier, Cyberabad police registered a case against Rana Daggubati, Vijaya Devarakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, Nidhi Agarwal and others.

A case against six actors and 19 social media influencers has been registered at Miyapur Police Station of Cyberabad Commissionerate.

The First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under sections 318 (4), 112 r/w 49 of Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 3, 3 (A) and 4 of Telangana Gaming Act and 66D of Information Technology Act 2008.

The police registered a case on a complaint by one Phanidra Sharma, a resident of Miyapur, who stated that he found several celebrities and social media influencers actively promoting illegal betting apps, websites and other platforms. The complainant said promotion of betting apps was causing harm to individuals and society by encouraging this addictive short-term risky money-making behaviour leading to financial distress.