Film Industry

Quick Facts: Born 7 April 1962 (age 64) · Hyderabad · Filmmaker · Known for Satya, Company, Rangeela · Pioneer of Indian gangster cinema.

Ram Gopal Varma has teased a collaboration with Saiyaara director Mohit Suri through a cryptic social media post. On Sunday, Varma posted a selfie he took with Mohit on his X account. “Me and #Saiyaara‘s @mohit11481 for his NEXT film, are COOKING together a LOVE DISH full of GANGSTER CURRY. Details to be SERVED VERY VERY SOON,” he wrote. The post prompted various reactions from social media users, with many speculating on the nature of the project and its potential tone.

Varma’s upcoming projects include the horror film Police Station Mein Bhoot starring Manoj Bajpayee, the multi-starrer Police Company featuring Harshvardhan Rane, Fardeen Khan and Paresh Rawal, and a film titled Syndicate. Varma is also set to step in front of the camera as a lead actor in a movie called Showman. Praising Saiyaara’s success, Varma had earlier told PTI: “We don‘t make the film, sometimes the film makes us. They have a life of their own, we are just part of them”.

Mohit Suri has previously acknowledged the influence of Varma’s perspective on filmmaking. In an interview with PTI last August, Suri referenced a statement made by Varma during the re-release of the classic film Satya, noting that he shares the belief that films possess a life of their own and that directors are merely contributors to that process.

Quick Facts: Born 1995 (age 31) · England · UFC middleweight · 15-3 MMA record · 8-3 UFC.

Christian Leroy Duncan competed in his first UFC main event against Brendan Allen at UFC Fight Night 290 on Saturday, 10 October 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. Duncan was elated when the update came — he wouldn‘t be fighting Allen on the UFC 332 main card in Salt Lake City; instead, his face would be prominently featured on the poster with a UFC Fight Night 290 main event booking.

“To compete against Allen, it’s a big opportunity,” Duncan told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “I think he main evented one of the cards here in the APEX when I first come here to the UFC. To now be able to main event against him is an amazing opportunity”.

Duncan, 31, has been recognized as one of the middleweight division‘s top rising stars since his emergence as a contender for leading European regional promotion Cage Warriors. In July 2024, Duncan lost a unanimous decision to Gregory Rodrigues, a fighter who has emerged as a top contender in recent performances. It was a necessary growing pain, according to Duncan, who had won five fights in a row heading into the Allen fight. “I’m glad that happened early in my career,” Duncan said. “You can iron out those things that you need to put me on this momentum I‘m riding right now”.

However, Duncan’s first main event ended in defeat. Although he had some solid moments against Allen, he ultimately succumbed to a rear-naked choke in the fifth round. Despite the loss, Duncan remains in the top 15 at 185 pounds, and a matchup with Roman Kopylov seems inevitable in the division.

Quick Facts: Bengali actor, producer, director · Known as “Dev” · DeSu7 marks directorial debut.

Dev, one of Bengali cinema‘s biggest stars, is entering a new phase of his career with DeSu7, a film in which he takes on the responsibility of directing while also leading the cast. A live session on social media for DeSu7 turned into a candid conversation about much more than the film, with Dev, Subhashree Ganguly, Rajatava Dutta and Partha Sarathi coming together.

Rajatava Dutta, who has known Dev through his years in the industry, offered an interesting perspective on the actor-turned-filmmaker. Rather than looking only at Dev’s present position, he spoke about the journey that preceded it — the struggles, setbacks and experiences that have shaped the person audiences see today. Dev spoke about the atmosphere surrounding the film during its making, and his comments suggested that the team was conscious of the uncertainties even while the film was being put together. He also spoke about having alternative plans in place should circumstances affect the shoot, to ensure that the production could keep moving rather than allowing unexpected hurdles to bring the project to a halt.

DeSu7 also marks a reunion for Dev and Subhashree Ganguly, whose pairing remains a familiar part of Bengali popular cinema. Subhashree spoke warmly about Dev’s growth, saying she had watched him evolve and develop an impressive understanding of filmmaking, including its technical and musical aspects. The actors also urged the industry and audiences to stand behind all the Puja releases rather than turning the festive season into a competition, emphasizing that solidarity matters more than ever before.

Quick Facts: Kannada actress · Bigg Boss Kannada 13 contestant (2026) · Married to Sudarshan Rangaprasad · 1.7 lakh Instagram followers.

Sangeetha Bhat joined Bigg Boss Kannada 13 in September 2026, bringing nearly two decades of experience from television and film. During the grand premiere, she made an emotional revelation about her difficult childhood. She revealed that she grew up with an abusive father and witnessed domestic violence at home. “Never felt safe around men,” she said, recalling the impact those experiences had on her.

She also spoke about writing a #MeToo post with the intention of protecting other women from going through similar experiences. However, the post received backlash and took a severe toll on her. “It affected me so much that I had to get a surgery because of stress,” she revealed. The emotional turmoil eventually led Sangeetha to leave not just Karnataka but India, and she and her family settled in Germany for four years.

Explaining why she chose to enter Bigg Boss Kannada 13, Sangeetha said people often perceive her as “problematic or mysterious.” She added that she wants to use the show as a platform to reveal her real personality and allow audiences to know the person behind that perception.

Her early career was defined by her presence on the small screen, where she appeared in popular television serials such as Panjaradha Gili, Bhagyavantharu, and Chandrachakori. Her filmography includes titles such as Preethi Geethi Ityaadi, Mamu Tea Angadi, Eradane Sala, Dayavittu Gamanisi, Kismath, Anuktha, Alidu Ulidavaru, and Aadyaa. Outside of her professional endeavors, Bhat is married to Sudarshan Rangaprasad.

Quick Facts: Born 28 October 1986 (age 39) · Hyderabad · Actress · Known for Padmaavat, Hey Sinamika · Married to Siddharth.

Aditi Rao Hydari has been making waves on the international fashion stage. In July 2026, she and her real-life husband Siddharth closed designer Jayanti Reddy‘s showcase The Gilded Era at India Couture Week 2026. Presented on July 28 at Taj Palace, New Delhi, the collection featured 60 couture looks, including 50 womenswear and 10 menswear ensembles. Aditi walked the runway in a gold and beige couture ensemble built around a structured strapless peplum bodice with a plunging neckline.

In May 2026, Aditi attended the Cannes Film Festival, sharing glimpses from the French Riviera ahead of her red carpet appearance. She posted moments from her preparations with the caption: “The calm before we Cannes”. The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival featured multiple appearances from Indian actresses including Alia Bhatt, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Huma Qureshi.

On the work front, Aditi was last seen in Gandhi Talks, which was noted for choosing restraint, emotion, and stillness to communicate its message. Her marriage to Siddharth has made them one of South India’s most popular celebrity couples, frequently appearing together at public events and on the runway.

Quick Facts: Actress, politician, producer · President of STEPS (Small Screen Television Producers‘ Association of South India) · National Commission for Women member.

Khushbu Sundar has been actively addressing the financial challenges faced by television producers through her role as STEPS President. Identifying rising production costs and stagnant remuneration from television channels as major concerns, Khushbu stressed the need for better financial support and practical measures to safeguard producers’ interests. She revealed that the association had sought financial assistance and dedicated premises from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, expressing gratitude for the positive assurances received. She also announced plans for a fundraising event in Malaysia in April next year, with actor Silambarasan TR extending his support as a special guest.

Addressing infrastructure-related concerns, Khushbu stated that the association‘s request for a streamlined online system to secure filming permissions within three days had received approval. She also voiced strong concerns over the misuse of artificial intelligence to create fabricated videos targeting individuals, particularly women.

In September 2026, Khushbu reacted strongly to a new arrest in the granite baron R Veeramani POCSO case, writing: “A child’s pain cannot be bought. Her voice cannot be silenced. Justice cannot be negotiated”. She added: “There is nothing more monstrous, more cowardly or more unforgivable than the sexual abuse of a child”. Earlier in 2026, she defended her family against trolls after backlash over the timing of her daughter Avantika’s wedding, stating: “These morons will walk over us”. She also opened up about Sundar C‘s exit from Rajinikanth’s Dharman.

Quick Facts: Born 15 August 1972 (age 54) · Berkeley, California · Actor, director, producer, screenwriter · Academy Award winner.

Ben Affleck has revealed he still wants to reunite with Jennifer Garner on screen despite deciding casting his ex-wife as his troubled spouse in his new thriller Animals risked bringing too much real-life “baggage” into the film. The 54-year-old actor and director originally envisaged Jennifer, also 54, and his longtime friend Matt Damon, 55, in leading roles in the Netflix political thriller, which arrives in selected cinemas and on the streaming service on Friday, 9 October 2026. But Matt‘s commitment to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey led to Ben taking the starring role himself, while Kerry Washington, 49, was eventually cast as his wife.

Affleck stars in, directs and co-writes Animals, a crime thriller about a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped, forcing him and his wife into a desperate attempt to secure the ransom. The film was originally set to reunite Affleck and Damon on screen, with Damon attached to star alongside Jennifer Garner. However, Damon ultimately left the project to work on Christopher Nolan‘s The Odyssey, with Affleck later taking on the leading role himself. Damon remains involved as a producer.

Affleck said he understood why Damon chose The Odyssey, describing Nolan’s film as the kind of large-scale production that has become increasingly rare. For Animals, Affleck eventually reunited professionally with Damon behind the scenes through Artists Equity, the production company they founded together. The film also became an opportunity for Affleck to explore themes that had become increasingly important to him, particularly morality, marriage and the choices people make when their carefully constructed lives fall apart. Affleck also revealed that he pretended to campaign for LA mayor while filming, telling people he was running as his character, Mark Kimball. Animals arrived on Netflix and select theaters on 9 October 2026.