Have you heard? No clash, please!

Ayushmann Khurrana; (right) Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani in Satyaprem Ki Katha

No clash, please!

Even as the coming weeks are set to witness a couple of big films vying for the box-office pie, some other filmmakers are opting to avoid a clash at the ticket windows. Barely two months after announcing June 29, 2023, as the release date of Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Panday's Dream Girl 2, the makers yesterday advanced its date with cinemas. Director Raaj Shaandilyaa's sequel to his successful 2019 comic caper will now open a week before, on June 23. Reason: to avoid a clash with Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani's Satyaprem Ki Katha, which had booked the June 29 slot earlier. Can't blame them as Ayushmann is having a rough run at the box office. Despite well-meaning subjects, his last three offerings like Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021, Anek and Doctor G haven't exactly set the cash registers ringing. Moreover, Satyaprem Ki Katha marks the reunion of Kartik and Kiara, who are riding high on the success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, also one of the biggest hits of the year so far. So while, Kartik is at an advantage currently, how he compares with Ayushmann will be re-evaluated after the release of Shehzada on February 10.

Also Read: The party doesn't stop in B-Town

Party tonight!

The festive celebrations continue in tinsel town. Bhumi Pednekar, who is back in town after a few months shooting across India and overseas, is hosting a big party at her Andheri home tonight. She is said to be pulling all stops as she plans to let her hair down with friends and family. Co-actors and filmmakers Bhumi has worked with, since her debut Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015), have been invited. The actor is ensuring eco-friendly celebrations where the focus will also be on re-connecting with friends, besides of course the festival specialties on the menu. Looks like Bhumi, who has over half-a-dozen films lined up ahead, is all set to have a cracker of a Diwali this time around.

Bridging the gulf

Mohanlal's Monster, which releases today, might take a little longer to open in cinemas in the UAE. Owing to its LGBTQiA+ references, the Vysakh-directed film has failed to get a clearance from the Censor Board. Since UAE is an important market for Malayalam films, we hear the makers will edit certain portions of the crime thriller before submitting it again. Interestingly, the film was cleared for release in Bahrain after 13 cuts.

Celebrating with friends

Kriti Sanon hosted her first big party in Mumbai on Wednesday night. It has been a good year for her as she bagged two Best Actor (Female) trophies for her performance in Mimi (2021). Kriti's friends like Varun Dhawan, Rakul Preet Singh, Vaani Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Patralekhaa, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kemmu, Ayushmann Khurrana, Tahira Kashyap, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor, Nitesh and Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, among others joined in the Diwali revelry. While music, dance and games ensured everyone had a gala time, the highlight of the evening was the delicious dessert spread, which included rabri and jalebi.

Ananya, Aditya: what's cooking?

Ever since Karan Johar's 50th birthday bash in May, it appears that Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur have become close friends. While KJo spoke on his chat show about how the two actors were busy chatting in a corner at his party, there has been some more development of late. Interestingly, Ananya and Aditya were apparently by each other's side for most part of Kriti Sanon's party. In a picture shared by Angad Bedi and Neha Dhupia with Kriti, Ananya and Aditya can be seen chatting away in the backdrop. Sources say that the two left within minutes of each other to avoid getting papped together after the party.

Also Read: My journey in cinema would have been incomplete: Parineeti Chopra

On a hat-trick of action

It appears that 2023 will be a year of action for Tiger Shroff. Even as his Ganapath is being readied for release, the actor will kickstart the New Year filming director Ali Abbas Zafar's Bade Miyan Chote Miyan with Akshay Kumar. Later, in June, Tiger is scheduled to begin filming for Attack director Lakshya Raj Anand's next. Over five years since the announcement, his desi and contemporary verison of Sylvester Stallone's Rambo with director Rohit Dhawan will also finally go on floors in the coming year. If that's not enough, the young action hero is also reportedly collaborating with producer Harman Baweja. Though their discussions have started only recently, sources claim the actor and the producer are likely to finalise their subject in the coming months.

Training days' friendship

For a long time now, a lot has been written about Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan having cameos in each other's films, Pathaan and Tiger 3, respectively. Now, we have learnt the connection between their characters. Talk in the trade is that SRK's Pathaan and Salman's Tiger are shown as batch-mates during their training days in the intelligence agency. Not surprisingly, both characters play pivotal parts in the other's action thriller. First up, Tiger will be seen coming to help Pathaan when he's cornered in a critical mission. While Salman shot his cameo months ago, SRK will film his part soon. The actor is currently also working on Atlee's Jawan and Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki. After a long time, SRK will have three releases in one calendar year.