Television actor Lalit Manchanda, known for his roles in popular shows such as Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, India’s Most Wanted, Crime Patrol, Maryada, Jhansi Ki Rani, and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, has tragically died by suicide in Meerut. Reports indicate that he took this drastic step due to severe financial difficulties.According to a report by Amar Ujala, Lalit Manchanda had been living in Mumbai for the past 12 years, taking up small roles in various television shows to make a living. However, facing financial hardship, he returned to Meerut about six months ago to stay with his brother at his home in Prahlad Nagar, located in the Lisadi Gate area. Lalit was accompanied by his wife, Taru Manchanda, and their two children — 18-year-old son Ujjwal and daughter Shreya.On Sunday night, Lalit Manchanda chose to sleep in a separate room. The next morning, when his family went to wake him up for tea, they discovered his body. They immediately informed the police, who arrived at the scene and have since launched an investigation into the incident. Lalit’s body was sent for a postmortem and was later handed over to the family. He was cremated on Monday evening.Back in 2020, Abhishek Makwana, one of the writers of the popular sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, was found dead at his residence in Mumbai. A suicide note was recovered from the scene, in which Abhishek cited financial difficulties as the reason for taking his own life, according to Mumbai Mirror. His brother, Jenis, later revealed, “I checked my brother’s mail because ever since he passed away, I got multiple phone calls from different numbers demanding repayment of loans he supposedly owed. One of the calls came from a number registered in Bangladesh, another from Myanmar, and the rest from various states across India.”Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is one of India’s longest-running sitcoms, having first aired in 2008.

Following the much-anticipated and internet-breaking announcement of Naagzilla starring Kartik Aaryan, Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Mahaveer Jain’s Mahaveer Jain Films (with Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and Sujit Jain as partners) are delighted to officially unveil a broader creative alliance, one that marks the beginning of a powerful, multi-film association.With a shared vision of pushing boundaries and crafting genre-defying cinema, Dharma Productions and Mahaveer Jain Films are joining forces to produce a slate of ambitious, entertaining, and culturally resonant stories. From high-concept fantasies to contemporary dramas and compelling narratives rooted in Indian ethos, this collaboration promises a fresh wave of cinematic experiences for audiences across the country and beyond.Mahaveer Jain and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba spoke excitedly about this collaboration saying, “We’ve been inspired and entertained by films made by Karan since our growing up days and it was our deepest desire to be associated with Dharma productions in this journey of entertaining audiences. It’s a privilege to collaborate with Karan, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta and Team Dharma; we hope to inspire and entertain audiences, just as we’ve aspired to.”Besides Naagzilla, Dharma and Mahaveer Jain Films have also begun work on other projects. A source told us, “Naagzilla, featuring Kartik Aaryan as a shape-shifting naag in a fantasy comedy directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, is just the beginning. Several exciting projects will be periodically announced. In fact, two of these projects are already in advanced stages. The casting is also locked and the announcement is expected to happen soon.”With this collaboration, Dharma Productions and Mahaveer Jain Films are all set to create waves and redefine what mainstream Indian cinema can aspire to be.Speaking of Naagzilla, it is directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and is all set to release in cinemas on August 14, 2026.Also Read: Dharma Productions reveals motion poster of Naagzilla starring Kartik Aaryan as mystical naag; film to release on August 14, 2026

Following the critical and commercial success of OMG 2, acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi and writer-director Amit Rai are reuniting to create a deeply emotional and socially relevant human drama. The upcoming untitled film has just begun shooting, with a 35-day schedule aimed at capturing the essence, culture, and untold stories of the state like never before.Joining Pankaj Tripathi in the lead are esteemed actors Pawan Malhotra, Geeta Agarwal, Rajesh Kumar, along with several talented artists from the local Bhojpuri film industry. This blend of national and regional talent promises to bring a unique and authentic flavor to the film.Speaking about his return to work with director Amit Rai, Pankaj Tripathi shared, “OMG 2 was a very special film for me—not just because it marked my first solo more than 180-crore box office success, but because it connected with people on a human and emotional level. Working with Amit again feels like a natural progression. His storytelling has depth, honesty, and a sense of purpose that I deeply relate to. This story is rooted in the soil of Bihar—my home, my identity. As an actor, there’s nothing more fulfilling than being part of a story that is both entertaining and socially meaningful.”Director Amit Rai, known for his sensitive and thought-provoking storytelling, also expressed his excitement about the project, “Collaborating with Pankaj Tripathi again is like returning to a creative space where truth and performance meet seamlessly. This film is a heartfelt exploration of human relationships, resilience, and the social fabric that binds us. The support from Bihar Film Nigam has been invaluable, and we are committed to not only telling a powerful story but also celebrating local talent, landscapes, and life. This is more than just a film—it’s a reflection of lives lived and lessons learned.”With its compelling narrative, rooted setting, and powerhouse cast, this collaboration between Pankaj Tripathi and Amit Rai is poised to touch hearts and spark conversations once again.Also Read : World Theatre Day: Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, and other Bollywood actors recall their first stage performance

On the 40th Anniversary of the landmark Shah Bano vs Ahmed Khan case (Supreme Court 1985), Yami Gautam stars in a compelling drama inspired by the life of Shah Bano. This case remains a significant moment in the struggle for Muslim women’s rights in India and their challenge to established personal laws.Starring Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi, the film is a gripping drama set against the backdrop of a case that reshaped India’s constitutional history and deeply impacted the dynamics of a democratic society—highlighting the role of the state in issues of religion, individual rights, and women’s rights. Emraan Hashmi plays Yami’s husband, a character inspired by Shah Bano’s husband, Ahmed Khan. Audiences can look forward to powerful performances from the talented cast of this project.A classic David Vs Goliath story, it saw a resilient Shah Bano with no financial resources and support from society take on the establishment of organised religion and fight the misogynistic practices carried out under the garb of organised religion.The genesis of a subsequent legal framework that back in the 1970s, did not even merit a conversation, this story is a gripping tale of how a woman with nothing except courage and truth took on her husband who was himself a well to do lawyer, the mighty Waqf board, and went all the way to the Supreme Court and defeated all of them single handedly. The case laid the ground for innumerous women to make legitimate claims which they were not allowed before.The case made global headlines and has also been listed as one of the Top 10 events that shaped Indian democracy and judiciary. It is still taught in law schools across the country and the citation has helped women of all faiths, religions or caste and different socio-economic strata to get their rightful due when a marriage goes bust owing to misogynistic laws.This story also led to the genesis of what is now heading to a One Nation One Law under the proposed Uniform Civil Code.The film is expected to have a massive theatrical release in cinemas across India and globally and is expected to release sometime in October/November 2025. The film has been shot in multiple locations across Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh and its first schedule recently got wrapped.Yami Gautam Dhar is riding high on the success of Article 370 and this is her next theatrical release. Emraan Hashmi next release is the war film Ground Zero and was seen recently in Tiger Zinda Hai amongst others.This is the next in the courtroom trilogy announced by director Suparn S Verma who is the creator of the multi-award winning critical and commercial success Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hain starring Manoj Bajpayee.Also Read : Emraan Hashmi, Yami Gautam headline film on Shah Bano verdict 40 years later

Aamir Khan has frequently shared his ambition to bring the Indian epic, Mahabharat, to the big screen. In a recent interview, it appears that the actor-producer is getting closer to making this dream a reality. He revealed that he plans to begin working on the project this year.In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Aamir shared his intention to begin working on the Mahabharat this year. The actor also mentioned that he would be producing the film under his own production banner. When asked about the project, Aamir expressed, “I’m hoping to start work on it this year.”Aamir also mentioned that the film will be divided into multiple parts, similar to the Lord of the Rings franchise. However, he emphasized that the writing process alone would take several years. “It will take a while because the writing process will take a few years,” he clarified.Aamir also revealed that he hasn’t yet decided whether he will star in the film. The casting decisions will be made based on who is best suited for each role. “We’ll see who we should cast based on who’s appropriate for which part,” he stated.Aamir expressed, “I don’t think you can tell Mahabharat in one film, so it will be multiple films. I am looking at a large scale. It’s too early to say, but we may need multiple directors,” acknowledging the immense scale of the Mahabharat project.Aamir Khan was last seen in Laal Singh Chaddha, a remake of the Hollywood classic Forrest Gump, which hit theatres in 2022. After the film didn’t perform well at the box office, Aamir took a short break before starting work on his upcoming project, Sitaare Zameen Par.Sitaare Zameen Par is a thematic sequel to Aamir Khan’s 2007 hit film Taare Zameen Par. Directed by RS Prasanna, the film features Genelia Deshmukh alongside Aamir Khan. Produced by Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, it is set to release in theatres on June 20.Also Read : Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Aamir Khan, John Abraham, Saif Ali Khan, and now Vijay Deverakonda: Actors who set the trend with buzz cut looks