Entertainment Highlights: Salman Khan Buys Bulletproof SUV To Boost Security; Shradda On Stree 2 Controversy

When asked by a reporter, Ananya said, “How are you so sure while asking this question? No, it’s not there.” When the reporter pressed the issue further, she added, “No, it’s 100% wrong, and I’ve never faced it. I can’t deny that it might happen in the industry, but we always tend to look at only the negative. To say no one gives opportunities without commitment is bullsh*t,” apologising for using a cuss word.

Ace director goes gaga over Sai Pallavi and hopes to work with her someday. Mani Ratnam said, “I am a big fan. I hope I get to work with you one day.” To which Sai responded, “Before coming into movies, I didn’t know the names of many directors. But Mani Ratnam is one name I have always known. He is one of the reasons I am choosy about scripts and roles.”

Alia Bhatt and Vedang Raina's film Jigra has faced significant challenges at the box office, struggling to surpass the Rs 25 crore milestone in its first week. After an initial strong performance on its opening day, the film experienced a considerable drop in numbers, a trend that has persisted. According to early estimates from Sacnilk, Jigra collected Rs 1.25 crore on Thursday and Rs 1.15 crore on Friday, bringing its total earnings after eight days to Rs 23.60 crore. On October 18, the film recorded a disappointing occupancy rate of just 9.44%. The occupancy breakdown for Day 8 revealed that morning shows had a mere 5.06% occupancy, afternoon shows reached 9.31%, evening shows climbed to 9.39%, and night shows peaked at 14.01%.

The first song from the highly anticipated Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe film, Singham Again, titled Jai Bajrangbali, has been released! This powerful track, inspired by the Hanuman Chalisa, is perfect soundtrack for the festive season. Singham Again is set to hit theatres on 1st November 2024.

On the occasion of Sunny Deol’s 67th birthday, fans were thrilled with the announcement of his upcoming film, helmed by director Gopichand Malineni. Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, known for blockbusters like Pushpa and Rangasthalam, the project, previously referred to as SDGM, has now been officially titled Jaat. To mark the celebration, the first look of the film was revealed, sparking excitement ahead of its scheduled release during the Republic Day weekend in 2025.

Karan Johar recently responded to a comment on X (formerly Twitter) accusing him of using Ozempic, a drug commonly associated with rapid weight loss. The troll referenced remarks made by Maheep Kapoor on Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, where she criticized individuals for misusing the drug and contributing to shortages for diabetic patients who truly need it. In response, Karan Johar took to his Instagram stories, sharing a screenshot of the post and firmly denying the claim. He clarified that his weight loss was a result of healthy eating habits and tagged Maheep Kapoor, playfully asking if she was referring to him in her comments on the show.

According to a report by TMZ, Liam Payne was allegedly under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs at the time of his death in Argentina on Wednesday, October 16. These substances are notorious for inducing psychotic episodes and hallucinations. Buenos Aires police disclosed to the outlet that the singer had consumed a dangerous drug known as Cristal.

Alia Bhatt's Jigra is not only surrounded by controversy but is also struggling at the box office. In a recent interview, director Vasan Bala spoke candidly about the film's disappointing performance. Vasan referred to the period after Jigra’s release as “challenging” and shared that he is approaching this time “one day at a time” in his conversation with The Hollywood Reporter. He stated, “For me, it has always been a struggle to put the film out. But this time, it was a given that the film was going to be out and in a big way. So this is a first for me, and I don’t even know how to process this. What I do know is there is a certain responsibility in the mainstream to deliver (at the) box office.”

Today, October 20, marks the 67th birthday of actor Sunny Deol, who has made a significant impact in the film industry. Since 1999, Sunny has proven his versatility, excelling as an actor, producer, and director. His dedication and relentless effort have helped him carve a respected name for himself across various aspects of cinema. Here's wishing him a very happy birthday!

Speaking during an Indian Express event, Shraddha Kapoor reflected on the Stree 2 journey and finally shared her views on the post-release credit war. She said, "The kind of love and accolades the first part received were immense. It all started there. Hats off to the director, writer and producer for cracking a sequel. It’s important not to make a sequel just for the sake of it — you need substance to bring people to theatres and earn genuine appreciation. They stayed true to how a sequel should be made and cracked the story of Stree 2. It had all the entertainment factors, brilliant actors and really entertaining dialogues. I believe it was a fabulous team effort. It was pure cinematic joy,” she shared, adding, “And ultimately, the audience decides, right? They leave their homes seeking entertainment and we’re happy we could deliver.”

Salman Khan, facing ongoing threats from Lawrence Bishnoi's gang, has recently enhanced his security by importing a second bulletproof vehicle from Dubai. This new addition is a Nissan Patrol SUV, valued at around Rs 2 crore, a model not available in the Indian market. According to a report by Bollywood Society, the vehicle was brought to Mumbai to further safeguard the actor. Salman’s name has been on Lawrence Bishnoi’s hit list ever since the blackbuck poaching case, as the Bishnoi community holds the species in high regard. The gang has been demanding an apology from the actor, warning of dire consequences if not met. With Bishnoi still imprisoned, Salman continues to live under strict security measures.