Months after Sikandar became one of last year’s most discussed box-office disappointments, Rashmika Mandanna has finally opened up about what she believes went wrong. Instead of blaming release timing, marketing, or audience taste, the actress pointed to a more fundamental issue — the story of the film changed drastically during its making.

Rashmika played the wife of Salman Khan’s character in Sikandar. However, her role ended early in the narrative, after which the film shifted into a full-fledged revenge drama, with Salman’s character targeting the antagonist played by Sathyaraj. This abrupt tonal shift drew mixed reactions from viewers, many of whom felt the film lost emotional depth midway.

In a recent conversation with Telugu journalist Premaa, Rashmika revealed that the script she agreed to was significantly different from what audiences ultimately saw in theatres. “When I heard the script, it was quite a different story,” she said. “But that generally happens with films. When you listen to something, it’s one story. But over the making of the film, things change according to performances, edits, and even release timing. That’s very common. And that’s what happened with Sikandar.”

Despite a prime Eid release and backing from Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, Sikandar struggled to perform at the domestic box office. The film reportedly earned around ₹110 crore in India against an estimated budget of ₹200 crore, placing it among the year’s biggest underperformers.

Earlier, director A.R. Murugadoss had addressed the setback by blaming systemic challenges in Hindi filmmaking. He suggested that directing in a language different from his own weakened creative control, claiming that scripts often change during translation. He also spoke about difficulties in working with major stars, stating that shoots frequently got delayed because of late arrivals on set.

However, Salman Khan later refuted Murugadoss’ claims. During an appearance on Bigg Boss 18, Salman clarified that his delayed shoot timings were due to a broken rib sustained during action sequences. He further pointed out that Murugadoss’ Telugu film Madhraasi also performed poorly at the box office, despite smooth production schedules. Salman added that Sikandar was primarily a Murugadoss and Sajid Nadiadwala project, subtly indicating that both the director and producer distanced themselves after the film failed.

With Rashmika now confirming that the script underwent major changes, the picture behind Sikandar’s downfall seems clearer — a film that started as one story but ended up as something entirely different.

Bollywood’s action icon Suniel Shetty is wearing his heart on his sleeve as his son Ahan Shetty gears up for the biggest release of his career so far — Border 2. The highly anticipated war drama, starring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, is set to hit theatres on January 23. And as the release date approaches, Suniel admits he’s feeling deeply emotional watching his son step into the spotlight once again.

In a recent interview, Suniel opened up about Ahan’s journey, revealing how difficult the last few years have been for his son following his debut film Tadap. He shared that seeing the love and support Ahan is now receiving for Border 2 feels nothing short of a blessing. Suniel said he encouraged his son to give his all to the role, believe completely in the character, and most importantly, remain kind to people. He reflected that while success and failure are unpredictable, building genuine relationships and living with dignity are what truly matter — values he learned from his own father.

The veteran actor also admitted that he often becomes emotional reading positive messages about Ahan online. He revealed that kind words about his son still bring tears to his eyes, reminding him that beyond fame and money, a parent’s greatest purpose is to protect their children and guide them toward living life the right way.

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Ahan Shetty, too, has previously spoken honestly about the struggles he faced after Tadap. In an earlier interview, he revealed that the film released during a difficult time for cinemas, with pandemic restrictions heavily affecting theatre occupancy. With films not performing well and audiences hesitant to return to theatres, Ahan confessed that self-doubt slowly began creeping in. He also shared that he lost a few friendships during that phase, learning hard lessons about who truly stands by you during both highs and lows.

Now, Border 2 marks a fresh chapter for Ahan — one filled with hope, renewed confidence, and a chance to prove himself once again on the big screen. The film boasts an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Sonam Bajwa, Mona Singh, Medha Rana, Anya Singh, and Ahan Shetty. Directed by Anurag Singh, the movie promises high-octane action, emotion, and patriotism, carrying forward the legacy of the iconic original.

As father and son prepare for this crucial milestone, Suniel Shetty’s emotional words reveal a proud parent’s faith — and a family’s journey shaped by resilience, belief, and love.

Popular singer Neha Kakkar has once again left fans concerned after announcing a sudden break from both her personal and professional life. The singer took to social media to share an emotional message revealing that she is stepping away from all responsibilities, relationships, and work — a move that has sparked widespread worry among her followers and the entertainment fraternity.

In a now-deleted Instagram story, Neha wrote a heartfelt note explaining her decision. She stated that it was time for her to take a break from everything she could think of at the moment. She also admitted uncertainty about whether she would return, a line that deeply alarmed fans. Alongside this, Neha made a sincere appeal to the paparazzi and her admirers, requesting them not to photograph or film her during this period. She asked for privacy, calling it the least people could offer for her peace of mind.

Notably, Neha did not reveal the reason behind this sudden announcement. The lack of clarity has only heightened concern, with fans speculating about her emotional and mental well-being. Social media has since been filled with messages of love, support, and prayers for the singer.

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This is not the first time Neha has taken a step back from the spotlight. Over the years, she has openly spoken about dealing with emotional stress, negativity, and the pressures of being in the public eye. In 2020, she briefly quit social media amid harsh online criticism and debates surrounding nepotism in the industry. She has consistently advocated for mental health awareness and has admitted that constant public scrutiny has taken a toll on her well-being.

In recent months, Neha has also found herself surrounded by family-related controversy. In April 2025, her elder sister Sonu Kakkar shocked fans by announcing on social media that she was cutting ties with Neha and their brother Tony Kakkar. Sonu described herself as “devastated” and hinted at deep emotional pain behind the decision. Although the post was later deleted, it left fans disturbed and raised questions about tensions within the Kakkar family.

Neha, Tony, and Sonu Kakkar have long been known as one of Bollywood’s most recognized musical sibling trios. Neha began singing at religious gatherings as a child before stepping into mainstream entertainment. She rose to fame after participating in Indian Idol Season 2 in 2005 and later made her Bollywood debut as a chorus singer.

Over the years, she delivered multiple chart-topping hits including Second Hand Jawaani, Sunny Sunny, and London Thumakda, becoming a staple voice of party anthems. Her recent track Lollipop, featuring Tony Kakkar, received mixed reactions from audiences.

As fans await clarity on her sudden break, one thing remains certain — Neha Kakkar’s emotional note has left many hoping she finds the peace and healing she seeks.

Filmmaker Rahi Anil Barve, best known for his 2018 debut Tumbbad, is set to return with his second feature film, Mayasabha. The film revisits thematic concerns that marked Barve’s earlier work, particularly the idea of obsession with gold, though this time within a different narrative and visual context.

While Tumbbad examined greed through a mythological lens, Mayasabha places the pursuit of gold at the centre of a new dramatic framework, introducing a distinct set of characters and conflicts. The film is positioned as a standalone story rather than a continuation, expanding on themes of ambition and desire that recur in Barve’s filmmaking.

Mayasabha features an ensemble cast led by Jaaved Jaaferi, with Mohammad Asad, who previously appeared in Tumbbad, also playing a key role. The cast includes Veena Jamkar and Deepak Damle.

The film, titled Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion, is produced by Girish Patel and Ankoor J Singh under the banner of Zirkon Films, with Pickle Entertainment presenting. Sameer Dixit and Hrishikesh Bhirangi serve as presenters, while Shamrao Bhagwan Yadav, Chanda Yadav, Keval Handa, and Manish Handa are credited as co-producers.

Mayasabha is scheduled for a theatrical release on 30th January 2026, across India and will be distributed by Pickle Entertainment in association with UFO Moviez.