Ananya Panday is embracing her evolution — both as an actor and as a person. From making her debut at just 18 in Student of the Year 2 to delivering nuanced performances in films like Gehraiyaan, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, and Kesari Chapter 2, the actress believes her journey has unfolded right before the public’s eyes.

In a recent conversation with Variety India, Ananya reflected on how growing up in the spotlight shaped her choices and perspective. When asked whether her recent shift toward more layered roles was intentional, she admitted that it was.

“Yes, it definitely was conscious,” she shared. “I was 18 when I started out… still a teenager when I began working, got my first film and started giving interviews. I feel like I’ve grown up in front of people; they’ve seen my journey.”

She explained that while her growth has been natural — much like any young woman transitioning from 18 to 27 — it has also required greater self-awareness because it played out publicly. “I’ve always been an open book, and I still am,” she said. “But now I know where to say what, which I didn’t earlier. I wouldn’t say I’m filtered, but I’m a little more conscious.”

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Ananya also spoke about how certain films changed the way the industry perceives her. She believes Gehraiyaan was a turning point. “When someone sees you do something unexpected, they say, ‘Oh, she can do this? We never thought she could.’ That’s what happened with Gehraiyaan,” she explained.

The performance caught the attention of filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane, who later cast her in CTRL. “He told me he hadn’t seen that mature side of me before,” she revealed, adding that opportunities often follow when people begin to view you differently. She described it as a domino effect — one role leading to another.

Ananya also expressed gratitude for being part of Kesari Chapter 2, noting that audiences were pleasantly surprised by the film and her role in it. She hopes that the makers envisioning her in such diverse parts will continue to open new doors.

Now, with experience and confidence on her side, Ananya Panday is stepping into a phase where she feels more aware, more prepared, and ready to be seen in a new light.

Border 2, starring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, hit theatres on January 23, 2026, and struck an emotional chord with audiences across the country. Directed by Anurag Singh, the epic war drama managed to carve its own identity despite inevitable comparisons to its iconic predecessor. With strong performances and patriotic fervor, the film enjoyed a successful run at the box office.

To celebrate the film’s success, the team hosted a special media meet-and-greet in Mumbai on February 12. During the interaction, Varun Dhawan, who portrayed Param Vir Chakra recipient Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, opened up about the challenges he faced before the film’s release — and the unexpected support he received from Salman Khan.

Ahead of Border 2’s release, Varun found himself at the center of social media trolling. A brief moment in the trailer, where he was seen smiling, sparked criticism online. Many questioned whether he was suited to play a serious war hero, casting doubts on his casting. However, Varun chose to remain silent and let his performance speak for itself.

Speaking to the media, the Badlapur actor revealed that during the height of the trolling, he received a late-night call from Salman Khan. “When all this was happening, I got a call from Salman bhai at night. He was just laughing and said, ‘Good things are about to come.’ That’s all he told me,” Varun shared. He added that Salman’s belief in him meant a great deal during that difficult phase.

After Border 2 proved its mettle at the box office, Salman called again — this time with words that deeply moved Varun. Recalling the moment, he said, “It was 2 am and after hearing what he said, I literally stood up on my bed. He told me, ‘I am proud of you, beta.’ That was a defining moment for me because he doesn’t praise people easily.”

Varun admitted that Salman’s appreciation gave him immense confidence. “He didn’t need to do that, but his praise meant a lot,” he said, adding that he always believed in the film and left the rest to faith.

Apart from the lead stars, Border 2 also featured Anya Singh, Medha Rana, and Sonam Bajwa, whose performances were equally appreciated by audiences. With its emotional depth and patriotic spirit, the film has now cemented its place as a memorable chapter in modern war cinema.

Baz Luhrmann is set to bring Elvis Presley back to the big screen in a way audiences have never experienced before. Titled EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, the bold new cinematic vision will debut in Indian theatres with a special one-week IMAX engagement beginning February 20, 2026, before expanding to cinemas nationwide on February 27, 2026.

But this is not just another concert film. EPiC is built around a remarkable discovery that reshaped the project entirely.

While working on his 2022 hit Elvis, Luhrmann and his team began searching for rumored lost footage from the legendary 1970s concert documentaries Elvis: That’s the Way It Is and Elvis on Tour. What they uncovered exceeded all expectations: 69 boxes containing 59 hours of unseen film negatives. Alongside this treasure trove came never-before-seen Super 8 footage from the Graceland Archives, unearthed by Angie Marchese, Vice President of Archives and Exhibits and Curator at Graceland.

The material, painstakingly restored over more than two years, now boasts a visual and sonic quality never experienced by audiences. Though fragments had previously circulated in low-quality bootlegs, much of the footage had never been viewed publicly. Rare audio sources were also restored, reviving performances and intimate moments with extraordinary clarity.

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Luhrmann describes the film as something far more immersive than a traditional documentary. “What if Elvis came to you in a dreamscape, almost like a cinematic poem, and sang to you and told you his story in a way in which you haven’t experienced before?” he shared.

Among the most astonishing discoveries were unheard recordings of Elvis speaking candidly about his life and music. These include moments from his 1970 Las Vegas performances, his 1972 tour, and even rare snippets from the iconic 1957 “gold jacket” show in Hawaii. For Luhrmann, these finds made it impossible to ignore the potential of creating an entirely new cinematic experience.

EPiC allows Elvis to guide audiences through his own journey—blending restored classic performances with contemporary visual storytelling. The result promises to be an emotional, immersive tribute that bridges past and present, letting the King of Rock ’n’ Roll be seen and heard anew on the grandest screen possible.

Over the past three years, veteran actor Sunny Deol has been enjoying a remarkable resurgence in his cinematic career. Following the massive success of Gadar 2, which became a blockbuster, and the solid box-office performance of Jaat, Sunny has now returned to the big screen with Border 2, which continues to rake in impressive numbers. On Thursday, during a press conference celebrating the film’s success, Sunny took a moment to express his gratitude to fans for their unwavering love and support, acknowledging the role their encouragement has played in his sustained success.

During the interaction, one reporter playfully referred to him as “Sunny Deol 2.0,” highlighting his resurgence and renewed popularity. Sunny responded with characteristic humility and warmth, saying, “Itne saal pata nahi kahan chupa hua tha (I don’t know where it was hiding all these years). It’s really sweet. I just want to say this to everyone — work hard, love your profession, don’t get disheartened, and time is something you never know when it will come and when it will go, but you should be ready for it.” His words resonated as a reminder that persistence and passion are key, regardless of age or stage in life.

Sunny also credited his late father, iconic actor Dharmendra, and divine grace for his continued success. “Yeh sab mere papa ki blessings and Waheguru di meher hai (These are all because of my papa’s blessing and God’s grace)… The people loved me before as well, and they are loving me even today. Wherever I go, I receive so much love,” he said, reflecting on his long-standing connection with audiences.

Border 2, released in theatres on January 23, 2026, is a war drama inspired by the true events of the 1971 India-Pakistan War. The film highlights the collaborative strength of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, portraying them as a unified force fighting for the nation. Sunny Deol reprises his role in uniform, delivering a performance that has been widely appreciated by both critics and audiences.

According to Sacnilk.com, the film has achieved substantial commercial success. In its first week, Border 2 earned ₹224.25 crore, followed by ₹70.15 crore in the second week. On day 15, the film collected ₹2.85 crore, ₹5.25 crore on day 16, and ₹6.59 crore on day 17. Overall, the film has amassed ₹309.09 crore nett domestically, with a total domestic gross of ₹361.94 crore, running across 84,985 shows. These numbers underscore the film’s widespread appeal and the sustained interest in war dramas that celebrate heroism and national pride.

Alongside Sunny Deol, Border 2 features an ensemble cast, including Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, Pranav Vashisht, and Medha Rana in pivotal roles. Their performances bring depth and emotional resonance to the story, complementing the high-octane action sequences and patriotic narrative.

A sequel to the 1997 blockbuster Border, Border 2 continues to explore the same historical backdrop of the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. While the original film focused on the bravery and sacrifices of soldiers stationed at Longewala, the sequel expands the narrative to show how the three branches of the Indian Armed Forces operate in unison during critical wartime operations.

Produced by T-Series and JP Films, Border 2 has not only captured box-office attention but has also resonated with audiences who appreciate films that blend history, heroism, and cinematic storytelling. With its impressive collections and powerful performances, Sunny Deol’s comeback continues to cement his status as one of Bollywood’s enduring action stars.

The cast and crew of Border 2 came together to celebrate the film’s massive box-office success at a star-studded event on Thursday in Mumbai. The party brought together the principal stars, including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, Pranav Vashisht, and Medha Rana, celebrating a film that has struck a chord with audiences nationwide.

During the celebration, Varun Dhawan opened up about his wife Natasha Dalal’s reaction after watching his performance in the war drama. Sharing her words of encouragement, Varun said, “She was like… she always says, ‘I knew it, you always have it in yourself. You just need to challenge yourself. For now, just don’t post too much, don’t be too visible, don’t talk too much.’ At home, she says, ‘Don’t talk too much,’ and outside too, ‘don’t talk too much.’ Yes, Sunny sir and wife say the same thing.” Her advice reflected both love and a gentle nudge to maintain humility amidst the rising fame that comes with a blockbuster success.

Natasha reaction on border2 #VarunDhawan pic.twitter.com/Zy6IW9sXsL

— EKTA (@vd_ke_varuniacs) February 12, 2026

Varun also reflected on the challenges he faced before the film’s release, especially dealing with criticism and online trolling. He credited fellow actor Salman Khan with giving him crucial moral support during that period. “I also want to say, when these things were happening, I got a call from Salman bhai at night, and he was just laughing. He just told me, ‘good things are about to come’. That’s all he told me. His advice and belief meant a lot to me. Later, when Border 2 was released and did so well, he called me again and said he was so happy for all of us. He said, ‘I am proud of you, beta’. That was a very defining moment for me because he doesn’t praise people easily,” Varun revealed.

The film, a sequel to the 1997 classic Border, is produced jointly by T-Series and JP Films. It draws inspiration from real events during the 1971 India-Pakistan War, focusing on the valor and unity of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Through a gripping narrative and powerful performances, the movie portrays the armed forces as a cohesive unit fighting for the nation, capturing both the intensity of war and the camaraderie among soldiers.

Alongside the principal stars, the supporting cast of Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, Pranav Vashisht, and Medha Rana played key roles, bringing depth and emotion to the story. The film’s realistic depiction of military strategy, combined with personal sacrifices and heroism, has resonated strongly with audiences.

Since its release, Border 2 has earned ₹432 crore worldwide, cementing its position as a commercial and critical success. The celebration in Mumbai highlighted not just the film’s financial achievement but also the camaraderie and collective effort of the cast and crew that brought the sequel to life.

The evening was filled with laughter, stories from the set, and reflections on the journey of making the film. As the team toasted to the success of Border 2, it became evident that the sequel had managed to uphold the legacy of the original while also establishing itself as a standalone hit that continues to captivate audiences.

With the combined star power of Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and the ensemble cast, the film has set a new benchmark for patriotic war dramas in Indian cinema. Fans and critics alike are hailing the movie not only for its thrilling action sequences but also for its heartfelt portrayal of heroism, discipline, and national pride.

After actor Rajpal Yadav’s bail hearing was adjourned to Monday by the Delhi High Court, his lawyer Bhaskar Upadhyay addressed the media outside the court premises, shedding light on the developments in the ongoing cheque-bounce case.

Speaking to reporters, advocate Bhaskar Upadhyay explained that the adjournment was granted because the opposing party had not filed a reply to their bail plea. “The opposing party did not reply to our bail application, which is why we got an adjournment,” he stated. He further added that the defense team had requested permission from the court to meet Rajpal in jail in order to seek further instructions regarding the case strategy.

According to the lawyer, the court appeared firm about the actor’s payment obligations linked to the matter. “The court was adamant about his payment obligations. We want our case to be heard on merits. We have filed our bail application on this basis and are expecting a reply by Monday,” he said. Upadhyay also mentioned that he attempted to speak with Rajpal before the hearing but was unable to do so. In a gesture indicating readiness to resolve the dispute, he revealed that he had brought along a cheque of ₹50 lakh to the hearing.

#WATCH | Delhi: On hearing of Actor Rajpal Yadav’s Case, Counsel, Actor Rajpal Yadav, Bhaskar Upadhyay says, "… Opposite party did not reply to our bail plea. We requested the Court to meet Rajpal Yadav in jail and sought instructions from him. The court was adamant about his… pic.twitter.com/1NkNmxwDZp

— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2026

The case revolves around an alleged financial dispute dating back to a 2012 agreement. As per the advocate’s statement, a financier — Murali Projects Pvt Ltd — had invested ₹5 crore in a film project. A consent decree for the same amount was later passed and subsequently put into execution. However, Upadhyay claimed that Rajpal Yadav had never refused to repay the sum.

“There was a consent decree of ₹5 crore that was later put on execution. The other party refused to receive the money at some point, as mentioned in the order sheet,” the lawyer explained. He alleged that the financier rejected the repayment plea and instead sought imprisonment as the matter continued unresolved. “For the satisfaction of that decree, a punishment of three months’ imprisonment was imposed,” he added.

The matter remains sub judice, with the court expected to hear further arguments once the opposing party submits its reply. Rajpal Yadav recently surrendered at Tihar Jail following legal proceedings in the cheque-bounce case, which intensified public attention around the actor’s situation.

Since the news of his surrender surfaced, several members of the film fraternity have reportedly come forward to extend their support. Actor Sonu Sood was among the first to publicly offer assistance. Rajpal’s wife and manager, Radha Yadav, informed the media that prominent actors including Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn have also offered their help during this challenging time.

Rajpal Yadav, known for his comic timing and memorable performances in numerous Hindi films, has been a familiar face in the industry for decades. The current legal trouble has understandably sparked concern among fans and colleagues alike. While the legal battle continues, his team remains hopeful that the matter will be resolved through due process.

With the next hearing scheduled for Monday, all eyes are now on the Delhi High Court’s proceedings. The defense maintains that it wants the case to be considered on its merits and insists that there was no intent to default on payment. As the legal process unfolds, the coming days are expected to bring more clarity regarding the actor’s bail plea and the future course of action in the case.