Have you heard? Save the new date

Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Siddharth Anand

Save the new date

About seven months since September 28, 2023, was announced as the release date of Fighter, the Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone starrer has a new date with cinemas. Yesterday, the studio behind Siddharth Anand's directorial venture shared that the film will now open in theatres on January 25, 2024. What makes the new date significant is that it marks India's 75th year as a democratic Republic and Hrithik plays an IAF (Indian Air Force) pilot in the aerial action thriller. Incidentally, that's one entire year after the movie's original release date, January 25, 2023, which was vacated for Siddharth's upcoming offering, Pathaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan. Filming for Fighter is slated to start mid-November and since September 28 is too close a call, the makers opted for the 75th Republic Day as its new release date. The film also sees the two actors reunite with the filmmaker for the second time. While Hrithik previously worked with Siddharth on Bang Bang (2014) and War (2019), Deepika teamed up with the director for Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008).

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Solo show for Salaar

A new release date of Fighter has come as a big relief for the makers of Prabhas's Salaar. Consequently, director Prashanth Neel and producer Vijay Kiragandur's next collaboration after KGF: Chapter 2, has become the solo release of September 28, 2023. The action thriller, which also features Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan and Jagapathi Bapu, has been in the news ever since its announcement as it marks the blockbuster director's maiden collaboration with Prabhas. The film sees the actor play his most violent character, something he hasn't attempted before.

Official now!

It appears that Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram have finally made their relationship official. The actor, who got a break from the shoot of SwatantryaVeer Savarkar, which he is also directing, celebrated Diwali with her at home. Sharing pictures from their celebrations, Randeep wrote, "Love and light to all around the world." While they are said to be dating for over a year, she first appeared on his social media when he wished her on her birthday last December. A model-actor from Imphal, Manipur, Lin has acted in films like Om Shanti Om (2007) and Mary Kom (2014).

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Blame the VFX overload

Earlier this month, Salman Khan shared that Tiger 3, co-starring Katrina Kaif, will release on Diwali 2023, and its Eid weekend will be taken by his production venture, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (KKBKKJ). Now, we hear that Maneesh Sharma's directorial venture requires extensive VFX, courtesy its ambitious action sequences. However, the VFX artists have been overloaded with work in the aftermath of the pandemic. So, producer Aditya Chopra opted to defer the third instalment of the action thriller franchise to Diwali 2023. Moreover, the filmmaker also suggested Salman to not rush his KKBKKJ to theatres on December 30 this year. Instead, Salman should take the Eid 2023 slot for Farhad Samji's directorial venture as the actor is synonymous with the festival. That's how the Dabangg Khan booked Eid and Diwali 2023.

B'day hues

Aditi Rao Hydari, who turned 36 yesterday, celebrated her birthday in Chennai with beau Siddharth. He shared a picture with her on social media, saying, "Happy happy happy birthday, Princess of Heart. I pray all your dreams, the big ones, the small ones, and the ones yet unseen, always come true, always for you. Have the best trip around the sun yet (sic)." He concluded his post saying, "Growing up is for squares. Don't." The two actors reportedly fell in love while collaborating on Maha Samudram (2021) and since then, have been spotted together often.

Jimmy joins Ajay's next thriller

Jimmy Sheirgill has been roped in for a pivotal part in Neeraj Pandey's next. The yet-untitled thriller, starring Ajay Devgn, goes on floors next month. This development sees Jimmy reunite with the filmmaker over nine years since Special 26. Interestingly, the drama thriller, set in the '80s, was to be Ajay and Neeraj's first collaboration. Things didn't materialise then and Akshay Kumar was signed on after another production house came on board. In February 2020, Ajay and Neeraj announced teaming up for Chanakya, but it was put on hold in the wake of the pandemic. Finally, the two are set to work together for the first time. The thriller also sees Ajay and Jimmy share screen space for the second time after De De Pyaar De (2019).

Heroine exits

Nearly two years since she signed Ashutosh Gowariker's Karram Kurram, Kiara Advani has now opted out of the project. According to sources, Kiara feels that the film, helmed by Ashutosh's erstwhile assistants, Glenn Baretto and Ankush Mohla, isn't commercial enough as a follow-up to her recent releases like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Jugjugg Jeeyo. While there's no official word on Kiara exiting the movie, sources say the makers will make an official announcement after they finalise the replacement.