Actor Alia Bhatt will present an award at the 79th BAFTA Awards in London. The British Academy confirmed her name in the presenter lineup. The ceremony will take place on February 22 at the Royal Festival Hall. The awards recognise excellence in international cinema. Bhatt shared the update on Instagram by reposting BAFTA’s post. She wrote, “100 points if you can spot me.” She will appear alongside presenters such as Cillian Murphy, Kate Hudson, Bryan Cranston and Alicia Vikander. Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi will also attend, with her film Boong nominated in the children’s and family film category. (PC: NDTV)

Veteran Hollywood actor Robert Duvall has died at the age of 95, his wife Luciana Duvall confirmed. He passed away peacefully at home. She said, “Bob passed away peacefully at home” and called him “one of the greatest actors of our time.” Duvall won an Oscar for Best Actor for Tender Mercies and received six other nominations. He was widely known for playing Tom Hagen in The Godfather and Lt. Col. Kilgore in Apocalypse Now. His career lasted over six decades. He worked in lead and supporting roles and also directed films and television projects. 

Actor-director Farhan Akhtar is set to make his Hollywood acting debut in filmmaker Sam Mendes’ multi-part project on The Beatles. According to Variety, Akhtar will play sitar legend Ravi Shankar, who influenced George Harrison and helped bring Indian classical music into the band’s sound in the 1960s. The four-film series will tell the band’s story from each member’s point of view and is planned for an April 2028 theatrical release. Akhtar earlier appeared in the web series Ms Marvel. The casting news comes as reports continue around creative and financial disagreements linked to his film Don 3 and actor Ranveer Singh. (PC: X)

Pop singer Britney Spears has sold the rights to her full music catalogue to independent publisher Primary Wave for about $200 million, according to media reports. The deal was completed on 30 December, though exact terms were not made public. Spears is known for major hits like “…Baby One More Time,” “Oops!... I Did It Again,” “Toxic,” and “Gimme More.” Primary Wave did not comment on the purchase, and Spears’ representatives also declined to respond. In 2024, Spears said she would “never return to the music industry.” Her last release was a 2022 duet with Elton John. Many top artists have recently sold their catalogues. (PC: BBC)

Several actors and politicians have offered support to Rajpal Yadav after he surrendered in a ₹9 crore cheque bounce case. The actor is currently in Tihar jail. The case is linked to losses from his 2010 film. The Delhi High Court refused to extend his surrender deadline.   Sonu Sood offered him a film and advance payment. Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, David Dhawan and Varun Dhawan also showed support. Singer Guru Randhawa paid an advance for a music video. Tej Pratap Yadav announced ₹11 lakh in aid. Others urged the industry to stand with him. (PC: PTI)

Veteran Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav, currently jailed over a Rs 9-crore cheque‑bounce case, is set for a bail hearing on February 12, his manager confirmed. Major industry figures, including Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Varun Dhawan, and Sonu Sood, have stepped in to provide financial and legal support, bolstering the actor’s chances. Singer Guru Randhawa and the FWICE have also extended aid. The film fraternity’s backing brings hope to Yadav’s family ahead of the crucial hearing. (PC: X)

Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav, who surrendered to Tihar Jail in a long-running ₹9 crore cheque bounce case, has received significant financial backing from music producer Rao Inderjeet Singh Yadav, owner of GemTunes Music, pledging ₹1.11 crore to support him in his legal and financial crisis. Singh praised Yadav’s contribution to Indian cinema and called the gesture about solidarity, not money. Colleagues such as Sonu Sood and Gurmeet Choudhary have also offered assistance, urging the film fraternity to stand together. Politician Tej Pratap Yadav extended additional aid of ₹11 lakh to Yadav’s family. The case stems from dishonoured cheques related to a failed 2010 film loan. (PC: India Today)

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh received an extortion threat via WhatsApp voice note demanding crores of rupees, prompting Mumbai Police to increase security outside his residence and launch an investigation. The sender allegedly claimed association with the Bishnoi gang, claims currently under verification. This follows a recent firing incident at filmmaker Rohit Shetty's Juhu residence, where five people were arrested and Lawrence Bishnoi gang member Shubham Lonkar named as wanted accused. Ranveer Singh recently starred in blockbuster Dhurandhar, which grossed over Rs 1,305 crore worldwide, becoming the first Indian film crossing Rs 1,000 crore domestic collections in Hindi. The sequel releases March 19, 2026. (PC: News18)

Bollywood actor Sonu Sood publicly supported colleague Rajpal Yadav, urging producers and directors to help him with “a small signing amount” as a dignified gesture amid his legal crisis. Yadav surrendered at Tihar Jail following a Delhi High Court order in a long‑running cheque bounce case and financial troubles, where he emotionally stated he had “no friends” to help him. Sood highlighted Yadav’s contributions to cinema and encouraged the industry to show solidarity through work offers, not charity. The plea reflects concern over Yadav’s isolation and career impact during hardship. (PC: X)

Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar has reportedly completed the first draft of the sequel to Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. According to a Mid-Day report, the new story revisits the characters played by Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol many years later. The sequel will focus on mid-life choices, changing friendships, and unfinished goals. An insider said the film is “not a nostalgic rehash” and reflects how time has changed the three men. No official casting announcement has been made yet. Dates are being discussed with the lead actors. The project may begin after work on Dahaad 2 is completed. (PC: India Today)