Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Disney+ Hotstar unveils a slate of seven Bollywood movies for direct-to-digital release

After much suspense, Disney+ Hotstar has lifted the curtain on its upcoming slate of Bollywood films which will be releasing on the platform as part of “Disney+ Hotstar Multiplex” initiative.

Akshay Kumar’s Laxmmi Bomb, Ajay Devgn’s Bhuj: The Pride of India and Alia Bhatt’s Sadak 2 are among seven Bollywood movies which are getting a direct-to-digital release on Disney+ Hotstar as theatres across India remain shut due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The first film to premiere on the platform as “Disney+ Hotstar Multiplex” will be Sushant Singh Rajput and Sanjana Sanghi’s Dil Bechara. Helmed by casting-director turned filmmaker Mukesh Chhabra, the romantic drama is scheduled to premiere on July 24. In a bid to honour the legacy of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the streaming platform has decided to make his final film available to even the non-subscribers.

Other titles set to release on the platform between July and October include Abhishek Bachchan’s The Big Bull, Vidyut Jammwal’s Khuda Haafiz and Kunal Kemmu’s Lootcase. While Dil Bechara will be available to everyone for free, other six films will be limited to subscribers of Disney+ Hotstar VIP. The subscription costs ₹399 a year.

Akshay Kumar, who is looking forward to the release of his much-awaited Laxmmi Bomb on Disney+ Hotstar VIP, said in a statement, “The movie is extremely dear to me as it is something unique I have attempted for the first time! It is an entertaining melange of horror and humour and it has a strong social message attached to it! I am certain that this movie will bring joy and hope for everyone in these trying times.”

“The Corona pandemic threw all our comfort worlds into a tizzy. And, at the same time, the OTT medium that was a fairly new phenomenon gained a huge significance as far as consuming entertainment is concerned. In the future, theatres and OTT will move in parallel. Bhuj: The Pride of India on Disney+ Hotstar VIP — a platform that will showcase our film across the length and breadth of the country,” said Ajay Devgn.

More For You

stacey dooley

The BBC presenter investigates how justice fails survivors of sexual violence.

Getty Images

‘I wouldn’t go to police if I was raped’: Stacey Dooley exposes broken system in viral BBC documentary

Stacey Dooley has said something that’s hard to hear but important to talk about: if she were raped, she doesn’t think she’d go to the police. After spending three years listening to women’s stories for her latest BBC documentary Rape on Trial, Dooley says her trust in the system is shaken.

The 38-year-old presenter told Radio Times that what she’s seen while making the series left her feeling doubtful. “If somebody raped me, I don’t think I would go to the police,” she said. “It’s such a bleak and disappointing realisation. But based on what I’ve witnessed, I wouldn’t feel confident.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Nileeka Bose

Inside 'Picture This': Meet the Sri Lankan choreographer

Nileeka Bose: Sri Lankan choreographer brings Bollywood swagger to British screens

She’s the woman behind the moves in Picture This—the Amazon Prime rom-com where British banter meets Bollywood beats. And in this Eastern Eye exclusive, Nileeka Bose, founder of The Bollywood Co. takes us behind the scenes of a film that’s putting Brit-Desi stories (and dance floors) on the map.

Some people dance to impress. Others dance to express. But for the founder of The Bollywood Co., dance has always been about something deeper: connection. Bridging cultures, generations, and entire continents, one foot tap, shoulder shimmy, and joyful spin at a time.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shreya Ghoshal birthday special: 10 reasons why singer rules hearts

Shreya Ghoshal

Shreya Ghoshal birthday special: 10 reasons why singer rules hearts

SUPREMELY talented singer Shreya Ghoshal has remained an unshakable force in Indian music for the past 23 years.

She has consistently delivered hit songs, enthralled audiences with stunning live performances, and set new standards with her extraordinary vocal range. From classical-based melodies and soulful ballads to high-energy dance tracks, the shining star has formed a deep emotional connection with different generations and become the undisputed queen of Indian film music.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shah Rukh Khan

Mannat, a Grade III heritage structure, has been Shah Rukh Khan’s residence since 2001

iStock

Shah Rukh Khan's £1.7m Mumbai home renovation halted by green tribunal

Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic Bandra bungalow, Mannat, is under scrutiny after an environmental activist alleged violations of coastal and heritage regulations during its ongoing renovation. India’s environmental watchdog, known as the National Green Tribunal (NGT), has stepped in to investigate the claims, highlighting the tension between urban development and environmental conservation.
Mannat, a Grade III heritage structure, has been Shah Rukh Khan’s residence since 2001. The bungalow, estimated to be worth around £1.7m (200 crore), is undergoing significant renovations, including the addition of floors to the annexe, expanding its built-up area by 616.02 square metres. However, activist Santosh Daundkar has raised concerns over alleged violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, which are designed to protect Mumbai’s ecologically sensitive coastal areas.


Daundkar’s complaint to the NGT accuses Khan of demolishing two heritage structures without obtaining the necessary environmental clearance. He also alleges the illegal construction of a basement six metres below ground level, involving the extraction of groundwater and minor minerals, both prohibited under CRZ rules. Additionally, Daundkar claims that Khan constructed 12 one-bedroom-hall-kitchen flats under the guise of mass housing and later combined them into a luxury single-family residence, violating India’s Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976.

Keep ReadingShow less
Samantha Ruth Prabhu breaks gender barriers with equal pay policy in debut production 'Bangaram'

Samantha Ruth Prabhu announces equal pay policy for her debut production Bangaram, setting a new benchmark for inclusivity in South Indian cinema

Instagram/SamanthaRuthPrabhu

Samantha Ruth Prabhu breaks gender barriers with equal pay policy in debut production 'Bangaram'

Samantha Ruth Prabhu is rewriting the rules in South Indian cinema, and this time, it’s not just with her acting. With her first production venture, Bangaram, she’s made headlines for setting a new standard: equal pay for everyone on set, regardless of gender. That’s something rarely seen in an industry where pay gaps are the norm.

When Samantha launched her production house, Tralala Moving Pictures, in December 2023, her vision was clear: tell stories that matter and create an inclusive space for talent. Bangaram, directed by Nandini Reddy, is the company’s debut film, and it’s already turning heads. While the first-look poster generated plenty of buzz, what really caught people’s attention was Samantha’s insistence on fair wages for all cast members, regardless of gender.

Keep ReadingShow less