Allu Arjun’s much-awaited film Raaka shares strong Pushpa connection?

Allu Arjun's much-anticipated film Raaka reportedly carried a deep connection with the blockbuster Pushpa. The success of Pushpa: The Rise comes across as an eye-opener for all filmmakers and trade experts who felt the movie was too regional in flavour to leave an impact on pan-India audience. For the unversed, Pushpa: The Rise emerged as a major commercial hit, and earned over Rs 350 393 crore worldwide. It became the highest Indian grosser post-pandemic upon release.

Selecting Raaka as title a strategic decision?

Going by what reports suggest, Raaka as a title has been a deliberate and strategic decision by the makers. With the star like Allu Arjun headlining the project, title are never picked casually. Raaka sounds both sharp and intense. According to HT's report, a source had mentioned, "The makers of Raaka took a conscious decision to name the film after Allu Arjun's title role, considering the massive success of the Pushpa franchise." The source further added that the makers of Raaka opted for the title after taking into consideration the huge success of the Pushpa franchise. The source further said that the title is "more than just a name" same as Pushpa. "It became a phenomenon that resonated across the country. And now, with Raaka, it is repeating that magic, building an entire film around the power of his character," the source added.

What is the meaning of Raaka?

The word Raaka carries Sanskrit and Tamil origins. Its meaning 'full moon' is linked with the night of Purnima (the brightest lunar phase). The meaning of full moon often refers to completeness, and peak power. This is precisely why many feel the title refers to a character or story that represents full strength or change. Some interpretations also link it with a mythological or divine energy.

Raaka first poster unveiled

On Allu Arjun's 44th birthday, the makers of his much-awaited film with director Atlee unveiled the title and the first poster. The film features Allu Arjun in a striking new and impressive look. Fans are curious about his character as he dons a bald look and claw-like features. The poster was shared with the caption that read, "The wait is over. Gear up for #RAAKA." This announcement confirmed the film's name which was earlier called AA22 X26.

The wait is over.
Gear up for #RAAKA ! pic.twitter.com/yzuovTCEpe

— Allu Arjun (@alluarjun) April 8, 2026

Know more about Raaka

Raaka is a big-budget pan-India film which has been produced by Sun Pictures. It features Allu Arjun as the protagonist along with Deepika Padukone. The film also reportedly features Janhvi Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur, and Tiger Shroff. Rashmika Mandanna reportedly plays the antagonist.

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Dhurandhar The Revenge controversy settles: Santosh Kumar apologises to Aditya Dhar and team, Bombay High Court closes defamation suit

The legal tussle involving Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar The Revenge has, for the time being, reached a resolution after the Bombay High Court disposed of a defamation case. The development came after filmmaker Santosh Kumar formally apologised for his earlier public remarks.

The dispute traces back to March 2026, when Kumar accused Dhar of lifting the storyline for Dhurandhar The Revenge from his own script titled D-Saheb. He claimed that his script had been officially registered with the Screenwriters Association in 2023. These allegations were made during a press conference, following which Dhar approached the High Court, arguing that the statements were defamatory and had harmed his professional reputation.

As reported by Live Law, the matter was heard by a single-judge bench presided over by Justice Arif Doctor, who ultimately closed the case after Kumar issued an unconditional apology in court.

The official order recorded that Kumar’s counsel submitted the apology for statements made during the March 30, 2026 press interaction. Dhar’s legal representative informed the court that, in view of the apology, his client no longer wished to continue pursuing the defamation suit or seek damages. Accepting the apology, Dhar agreed that the matter could be concluded, leading the court to dispose of the case, noting that no further issues remained to be addressed.

While this brings an end to the defamation proceedings, the court clarified that Kumar retains the right to initiate separate legal action regarding his claim over the script. The ruling explicitly stated that any future proceedings on the issue of authorship would be independent and unaffected by the current order.

During earlier hearings, the court had encouraged both parties to settle the matter amicably and refrain from escalating tensions. Although Kumar was initially reluctant to issue a formal apology, he eventually agreed, paving the way for the dispute’s resolution.

For now, the defamation case stands closed, but the larger question surrounding the ownership of the story remains unresolved and could potentially lead to fresh litigation in the future.

Also Read: As Dhurandhar The Revenge becomes UK’s highest grosser, here’s the UNBELIEVABLE Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham record that still refuses to die after more than 24 years

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Raja Shivaji box office collection day 5: Riteish Deshmukh-starrer witnesses dip, still becomes fourth highest-grossing Marathi film

Raja Shivaji Box Office Collection Day 5: Riteish Deshmukh's period drama Raja Shivaji - which had hit theatres on May 1 - has been successful in making a splash at the box office. The film had a strong opening weekend and earned over Rs 33.9 crore net. However, the collection saw a dip in the following days. Monday saw a dip, and the film's collections dropped to Rs 5.6 crore. In Raja Shivaji, Riteish Deshmukh essays the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, while his 10-year-old son Rahyl Deshmukh plays the younger Shivaji. This is precisely why the film becomes even more personal for the Deshmukh family.

How much did Raja Shivaji earn on day 5?

As reported by trade website Sacnilk, Riteish Deshmukh-starrer Raja Shivaji earned Rs 4.90 crore net on its fifth day. When compared to day 4's collection, day 5 witnessed a 12.5 percent drop. By the end of day 5, the total India net collection amounted to Rs 44.40 crore. Raja Shivaji's total gross collections amounted to Rs 52.68 crore. This performance was an outcome of 5,485 shows that were run across India.

Raja Shivaji Marathi version wins?

As reported by Sacnilk, the film's Marathi version emerged as the winner. On Tuesday, it earned Rs 3.35 crore to the total. Marathi version was able to achieve this from 1,851 shows which saw a strong occupancy of 33%. Comparatively, the film's Hindi version was given 3,634 shows. But it could only earn Rs 1.55 crore with an occupancy of 14 percent. This highlights that even though the film enjoyed huge reach in the Hindi belt, its Marathi shows were far more packed and added a larger portion to the total revenue.

How did Raja Shivaji perform in national cinema chains?

As far as the film's performance in national cinema chains including PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis goes, Raja Shivaji performed steadily during the week. Raja Shivaji managed to see about 26,000 tickets across these major chains on day 5. According to Sacnilk, PVR sold 13,000 tickets, INOX sold 9,000 tickets, and Cinepolis contributed 4,000 tickets to the tally. Together, these sales amounted to a gross collection of 57 lakh from 1,800 shows across 490 venues. The overall occupancy in these premium chains was 6.70 %.

Know more about Raja Shivaji

Raja Shivaji features a huge ensemble cast. While Sanjay Dutt plays Afzal Khan, Abhishek Bachchan eessays the role of Sambhaji. The film also features Fardeen Khan as Aurangzeb, and Genelia Deshmukh as Saibai. Bhagyashree plays Jijabai, while Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Jitendra Joshi, and Amole Gupte too are seen in the film. Interestingly, Salman Khan has a cameo in the film. Raja Shivaji was made on an estimated Rs 100 crore budget. This is why it has become the most expensive Marathi film ever.

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The Devil Wears Prada 2 worldwide box office collection: Meryl Streep-Anne Hathaway starrer secures TOP position in UK and Ireland, earns...

The Devil Wears Prada 2 worldwide box office collection: The Devil Wears Prada 2 continues to do extremely well at the box office. And honestly, it's not hard to see why. The much-anticipated sequel brings back the nostalgic vibe viewers adored. To pull in new viewers, the film offers a blend of fresh themes and an equally compelling story. The film isn't just being loved for its iconic characters, but also the way it infuses realism and depicts journalism as a changing and dying profession. Social media discussions, strong word-of-mouth and a flawless opening weekend makes The Devil Wears Prada 2 a clear winner. Interestingly, the film has now topped the UK and Ireland box office too by earning a solid 9.3 million (approximately $12.6 million), as reported by Comscore.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 walks the runway to success

As reported by Comscore, with The Devil Wears Prada 2 topping box office collection in the UK and Ireland, Michael has moved to second position. Jaafar Jackson - during its second weekend - added $9.4 million to the total sum of $31.2 million. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has bagged the third position and earned $48.1 million in totality. Black Bear's horror title Hokum - with total collection amounting to $847,000 - has secured the fourth place. Project Hail Mary stands at fifth position with cumulative earnings of $44.6 million.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 worldwide box office collection update

As reported by Box Office Mojo's updated data, the film successfully earned $76.7 million on its opening weekend at the box office in North America. It emerged as the 6th biggest opening for a female-skewing film post-COVID, and defeated It Ends with Us that earned $50 million in domestic debut. Over the five-day weekend, the film further earned $157 million across 53 international markets.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 to beat first part's global collection?

As reported by Box Office Mojo's report, the sequel is set to defeat the global collection of 2006's The Devil Wears Prada. The first part was directed by David Frankel. It featured top stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci in key roles. It had earned $326.6 million worldwide. The 2026 film has already earned an estimated 72% of the original film's global collection. The sequel will race ahead of the the OG's global collection in its second weekend. The film is expected to cross $500 million with its flawless performance.

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Met Gala 2026 DITCHES red carpet for a dreamy GREEN garden: DYK this stunning makeover has strong Indian connection?

Met Gala 2026 Red Carpet: If you thought the Met Gala 2026 was all about the crazy outfits, the real talking point this year is actually right under everyone's feet. The famous 'red carpet' and guess what, this year it's gone. This time, the entrance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art has been turned into a lush, moss-green landscape that feels more like a living art installation than a regular runway.

What is the Met Gala 2026 theme?

It instantly sets the mood for the 2026 theme: "Costume Art."

The red carpet isn't RED anymore

This isn't just a simple colour change from red to green. It's a proper storytelling move. The whole entrance has been transformed into what looks like an old Italian garden path: soft green moss, textured stone, and that slightly aged, natural feel. Veteran creative director Raul Avila, who's been handling the Met Gala entrances since 2007, teamed up with filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and set designer Derek McLane to create something dreamy and almost surreal, as it stepped out of a Renaissance painting.

Why the Met Gala red carpet turned green this year?

The idea was to make guests feel like they're walking into history rather than just arriving at an event. The surface has been carefully built to give depth, shadows, and that fresh, slightly damp garden look. Above it, soft waves of purple, pink, and white flowers (some real, some cleverly designed) hang around, giving the whole space a romantic, spring-like atmosphere that still works perfectly as a fashion runway.

Met Gala 2026 red carpet have an Indian connection?

But there's more to it than what meets the eye. A big part of the carpet's making comes from Neytt by Extraweave, a company based in Kerala, India. They've quietly worked on the Met Gala carpet for several years now, including 2022, 2023, and 2025. Their team specialises in high-quality custom weaving and durable materials that can handle hundreds of celebrities, flashing cameras, and constant foot traffic without falling apart.

This year, the Met Gala carpet isn't just a runway; it has become part of the story. By changing the classic red for something green, organic, and immersive, the 2026 edition quietly reminds everyone that fashion doesn't happen in a vacuum. It lives inside art, history, and beautiful environments.

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Raja Shivaji Box Office collection day 4: Riteish Deshmukh's historical drama holds STRONG despite Monday dip

Raja Shivaji Box Office Collection Day 4: The historical drama Raja Shivaji which people had been waiting for has now been released to theatres while Riteish Deshmukh leads the cast. The film which premiered on May 1 opened to high expectations and achieved a record-breaking opening day which became the largest opening day in Marathi cinema history. The film has attracted large audiences yet critics have delivered divided opinions because some reviewers appreciate its extensive production and emotional strength while others believe it failed to meet expectations.

Raja Shivaji box office collection day 4

According to the latest Sacnilk update, the movie collected Rs 5.6 crore on its fourth day, which was its first Monday. A drop was expected after the weekend rush, but it still held up decently. The film had kicked off with a bang on Friday, raking in Rs 11.35 crore. It maintained solid momentum through the weekend, earning 10.55 crore on Saturday and a healthy 12 crore on Sunday.

That brings its total India gross to Rs 46.95 crore and the net collection to 39.50 crore so far. Not bad at all, especially considering it clashed with another release, Ek Din starring Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi. Surprisingly, the competition doesn't seem to have hurt Raja Shivaji much. Now the big question is whether it can keep this pace going through the weekdays or if it will slow down as the initial excitement fades.

Raja Shivaji cast

The cast is packed with big names- Abhishek Bachchan, Genelia Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, and Amole Gupte all play important roles. One of the biggest crowd-pleasers has been Salman Khan's special appearance, which is getting loud cheers and whistles in theatres. Adding to the family excitement, Riteish and Genelia's son Rahyl makes his acting debut in the film, marking a sweet new chapter for the couple.

Overall, Raja Shivaji has made a strong start and is clearly connecting with Marathi cinema lovers and mainstream audiences alike. It'll be interesting to see how it performs in the coming days.

Riteish asked viewers not to post spoilers

Following the movie's premiere, Riteish posted a video on Instagram in which he asked people to refrain from posting spoilers and sharing movie videos. He said in Marathi, "Namaskar! We have released the film Raja Shivaji, based on the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. You have watched this film with your own eyes and given such a great response to it. The entire team of Raja Shivaji and I are deeply indebted to you for that."

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Patriot worldwide box office collection day 3: Mohanlal-Mammootty starrer continues to WIN hearts, earns over Rs 38 crore

Patriot worldwide box office collection day 3: Patriot remains special to the viewers for multiple reasons. For the unversed, the film marks a key reunion between Mohanlal and Mammootty. Both superstars had shared screen space in full length feature in Twenty 20 which had released in 2008. Mohanlal had made a short cameo in Mammootty's Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty. However, it is Patriot that brings them together in full-fledged roles after 18 long years. The film has also been winning hearts for the impeccable performance by its powerful ensemble cast featuring Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, and Revathy. The film is helmed by Mahesh Narayanan, who is popular for critically acclaimed films including Take Off, C U Soon, and Malik. Patriot falls into a realistic spy thriller space.

Patriot Day 3 box office collection update

The much-appreciated Mohanlal-Mammootty film witnessed a slight dip on day 3. As per trade site, the film managed to collected about Rs 5.50 crore net in India, which was less compared to its collection made on day 2. According to Sacnilk, the film earned Rs 6.15 crore net in India on its first Saturday. Even though the collections had dipped, the film had a solid weekend. Patriot's net collection stands at Rs 21.65 crore in India. Its gross collection stands at Rs 25.11 crore in India.

How much did Patriot collect worldwide on day 3?

Patriot's worldwide performance continues to impress. On Day 3 alone, the film reportedly managed to earn about Rs 9 crore gross in international markets. With this, the film's total overseas collection amounted to Rs 38.50 crore. As far as the total income from domestic and foreign collection is concerned, the film earned Rs 63.61 crore, which is no mean feat.

Why did Mammootty urge viewers to watch Patriot?

During a promotional event in Dubai, Mammootty spoke to his fans and stressed on the fact that we all are currently living in an era where "privacy is increasingly lost". As he said, the film Patriot addressed this relevant subject. "There will be different views - good, bad, partly good, mostly good. Everyone is free to express their opinion as they feel. Some of you may have heard such opinions before coming here. Whatever it is, you will form your own view, and that is what matters. Films are made with the intention of being enjoyed by all," Mathrubhumi quoted him as saying.

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Janhvi Kapoor receives support from Amaha; company issues strong statement clarifying addiction remarks after podcast clip goes viral

Actor Janhvi Kapoor recently found herself at the centre of online speculation after a segment from her appearance on Raj Shamani’s podcast was circulated out of context. The edited clips led to misleading assumptions that the actress was speaking from personal experience about alcohol addiction.

Addressing the growing confusion, mental health organisation Amaha, in collaboration with Off The Rocks, issued an official clarification regarding Kapoor’s role in the conversation. The statement firmly refuted claims that the actress had any personal history of addiction.

“We at Off The Rocks & Amaha have noticed certain media pages misrepresenting content associated with this initiative and Janhvi Kapoor. This is deeply concerning. We want to be clear, Janhvi Kapoor is part of this conversation as a caregiver and ally, not as someone who has had any personal experience of addiction or alcohol dependence”, the statement read.

It further emphasised the impact of such misinformation, adding, “Such misrepresentation not only diminishes her role, but also undermines and disrespects the real, lived experiences of those battling addiction and those supporting them. Let's not trivialise efforts to lend a healing hand to a critical problem by misleading information for the sake of click bait.”

Calling for accountability, the organisation concluded, “We strongly call upon media outlets, digital platforms, and individuals to report with integrity and ensure conversations around addiction are handled with the sensitivity they deserve. Misinformation in this space is harmful, irresponsible, and disrespectful to the very community this dialogue aims to support. Thank you for standing with us.”

 

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During the podcast, Kapoor had spoken about alcohol addiction in a broader context, while also reiterating that she has not personally struggled with it. She also elaborated on her involvement in initiatives that aim to combat addiction, positioning herself as a caregiver and ally. However, selective edits of her remarks sparked speculation, with some reports highlighting her statement about how she may have turned to alcohol during the COVID-19 period, thus creating the need to issue an official clarification.

On the professional front, Kapoor is gearing up for her upcoming film Peddi, which marks her second Telugu outing after Devara. The film also stars Ram Charan and is slated for release on June 4, adding to the anticipation surrounding her expanding filmography.

Also Read: Janhvi Kapoor opens up on alcohol addiction: “Don’t abuse it – recognise when you’re crossing the line”

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