Thalapathy Vijay's upcoming film Jana Nayagan has received certification from the UK's British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) with a '15' rating, while still awaiting clearance from India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The UK certificate restricts the film to viewers aged 15 and above due to strong language, frequent violence, sexual activity, and drug misuse. With the film scheduled for theatrical release on January 9, 2026, the makers have filed a petition at Madras High Court seeking CBFC certification. The UK clearance allows the film's release in British markets, but the ongoing battle with India's censor board continues just days before the planned premiere. (PC: Times Now)

Marathi film Dashavatar, directed by Subodh Khanolkar, has entered the Oscar 2026 contention list. The director confirmed the development on Monday. The film is among a limited number of titles selected from thousands of global entries. This marks a major moment for Marathi and regional Indian cinema. Zee Studios and the film’s producers called it a historic achievement. Dashavatar tells the story of a folk artist from Konkan who performs the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. The film released in theatres in September 2025. Final Oscar nominations will be announced later this month.

Netflix released the final episode of Stranger Things at 01:00 GMT on Thursday, ending the show’s 10-year run. The two-hour finale caused heavy traffic and briefly slowed Netflix servers for some users. Fans also watched the episode at special cinema events held in several US and Canadian cities, where cast members made appearances. The series, set in the town of Hawkins, began in 2016 and starred Millie Bobby Brown, Winona Ryder and David Harbour. The final chapter showed the last fight against Vecna and the Mind Flayer and included an epilogue set 18 months later, offering closure to most main characters. (PC: BBC)

India on Tuesday said filmmakers have artistic freedom after Chinese media criticised the film Battle of Galwan. The Salman Khan movie is based on the 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh. Khan plays Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu of the 16 Bihar Regiment, who died in the incident. Government sources said India allows freedom of expression and the government has no role in the film. They said anyone with concerns can approach the defence ministry for details. China’s state-run Global Times claimed the film distorts facts and placed blame on Indian troops for the clash. India has said 20 soldiers were killed in the fighting. (PC: NDTV)

China's state-run newspaper Global Times has strongly criticized Salman Khan's upcoming film Battle of Galwan following its December 27 teaser release. Based on the deadly 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops, the film stars Salman Khan as Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu and is scheduled for April 2026 release. Chinese military experts accused Bollywood of distorting historical facts and presenting one-sided narratives, claiming the films prioritize emotional storytelling over historical accuracy. Chinese netizens on Weibo harshly criticized the film's visuals, costumes, and historical portrayal, with one user mockingly saying "When history falls short, Bollywood steps in." Military experts warned the narrative could heighten ongoing diplomatic tensions despite recent improvements. (PC: News 18)

Bollywood spy thriller Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, continued its strong box office run on Day 25, earning over ₹10 crore on its fourth Monday and crossing the ₹700 crore mark in India. Despite a dip in weekday collections, the film’s total national net now stands at about ₹701.25 crore, according to Sacnilk box office estimates. Released in theatres on December 5, Dhurandhar has sustained audience interest well beyond its opening weeks, solidifying its place among the year’s biggest Bollywood hits. (PC: X)

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan marked his 60th birthday on December 27 with a blend of intimate and public moments at his Panvel farmhouse near Mumbai. As midnight struck, Salman stepped out to greet paparazzi and media, cutting a red-and-white cake with them in a casual black T-shirt and denim setting. Close family members, including his parents and siblings, joined the festivities, alongside industry friends and celebrities. Clips of warm interactions and heartfelt moments with his father went viral on social media. The celebration also highlighted Mumbai’s tribute with Bandra-Worli Sea Link lighting up for the star. 

Aditya Dhar’s spy-action thriller Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, has crossed ₹1,000 crore worldwide within just 21 days of its December 5 release, making it the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025. The global tally stands at around ₹1,006.7 crore, with ₹668.80 crore nett earned in India so far, boosted by strong third-week footfalls and Christmas ticket sales. Despite an “Adults Only” rating and limited Gulf release, the film performed exceptionally overseas, contributing significantly to its box office run and overtaking big 2025 hits like Kantara: Chapter 1. Dhurandhar has revitalized year-end Bollywood business and paves the way for its Part 2 in March 2026. 

Ranveer Singh’s spy thriller Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, continued its blockbuster run into its third weekend, posting another strong performance on Day 16. The film’s worldwide gross has reached about ₹785 crore, propelled by a significant jump in domestic collections and sustained overseas earnings despite competition from Hollywood releases. Domestically, it has crossed the ₹500-crore net mark, making it one of the fastest Hindi films to hit the milestone. With positive word of mouth and strong audience support, Dhurandhar is poised to challenge year’s top grossers and could become the biggest Indian film of 2025. 

Pakistani politician Nabil Gabol criticized his portrayal in Ranveer Singh's blockbuster Dhurandhar, where Rakesh Bedi plays character Jameel Jamali based on him. The former Member of National Assembly and Minister of State for Ports and Shipping told media his role wasn't depicted accurately, stating his real persona was "very audacious" unlike the film's portrayal. Gabol disputed the film's depiction of his hometown Lyari as a terrorist hub, asserting "if their agent had been there, he would not have gone back alive from Lyari." The spy thriller, directed by Aditya Dhar, features Ranveer as an Indian spy infiltrating Lyari's criminal networks. The film has earned over ₹700 crore worldwide despite criticism in Pakistan for tarnishing the country's image.