Sizzling Samachar: Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao starrer 'Mr. and Mrs. Mahi' set for May release; Varun Dhawan's 'Baby John' release postponed to June or July; Kalki 2898 AD may take May 31st slot

Welcome to your daily dose of entertainment news, I'm your host Nikhil, news from Hollywood first.

‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ smashes box office records, surpasses $450M worldwide

Kung Fu Panda 4 breaks box office records, grossing over $450 million globally despite a digital release. The animated sequel, featuring new voices like Awkwafina and Ke Huy Kwan, continues Po's adventures as the Dragon Warrior facing a shape-shifting villain named The Chameleon. Despite mixed reviews, the film retains its popularity, becoming the second-biggest instalment in the franchise's history. With its budget reportedly under $100 million, Kung Fu Panda 4 follows recent trends in feature animation, proving that blockbuster success can still be achieved within reasonable production costs.

Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao starrer 'Mr. and Mrs. Mahi' set for May release

The makers of Mr. and Mrs. Mahi have announced the film's release date, starring Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao in lead roles. Set to hit screens on May 31, the movie is anticipated as a sports drama, marking Janhvi's debut in the genre. Directed by Sharan Sharma, the film is produced by Karan Johar, Zee Studios, Hiroo Yash Johar, and Apoorva Mehta. Janhvi Kapoor's portrayal as a cricketer has been kept under wraps, with reports suggesting she underwent rigorous training for authenticity. This announcement comes amidst anticipation for the duo's on-screen chemistry following their previous collaboration in a horror-comedy.

Baby John film release postponed further due to pending post-production work

Varun Dhawan and Keerthy Suresh fans will have to wait a bit longer for their action-packed thriller Baby John as its release, initially scheduled for May 31st, has been postponed due to ongoing production and post-production work. The decision aims to ensure the film's quality, with the team committed to delivering a polished product. Speculations suggest that the sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD, starring Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan, might fill the vacant release slot. Produced by Atlee and Priya Atlee's A For Apple Studios, along with Murad Khetani's Cine1 Studios and Jyoti Deshpande for Jio Studios, Baby John boasts an ensemble cast, including Wamiqa Gabbi, and Jackie Shroff.

Nayanthara joins Nivin Pauly in New Malayalam Film ‘Dear Students’

Popular South Indian film stars Nayanthara and Nivin Pauly are set to share the screen once again in the upcoming Malayalam film Dear Students. Directed by newcomers Sandeep Kumar and George Philip, the movie will be produced under Pauly Jr Pictures and Rowdy Pictures. Nivin Pauly took to social media to announce Nayanthara's involvement in the project, expressing excitement about their reunion. The film, which marks their second collaboration after the 2019 hit Love Action Drama, is already generating buzz among fans. Nayanthara, who was last seen in the Malayalam film Gold, is known for her versatile performances, while Nivin Pauly's recent release Varshangalkku Shesham received positive reviews.

Dua Lipa to host and perform on Saturday Night Live

Dua Lipa is gearing up for a busy first week of May as she's set to host and perform as the musical guest on the May 4 episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL). The announcement came during the recent episode hosted by Ryan Gosling. This will mark the singer’s third appearance on the show, following her previous stints as a musical guest in 2018 and 2020. The news coincides with the upcoming release of her third studio album titled Radical Optimism, scheduled for May 3. Lipa, who recently starred in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and the spy adventure Argylle, shared insights about her album, emphasizing the importance of optimism in navigating life's challenges. Fans are eagerly anticipating her return to SNL and the release of her new album.

‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ nets ₹55 crore worldwide in two days

Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff's action-packed film, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, is making waves at the box office, crossing the ₹55 crore mark globally within just two days of its release. The movie, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, hit screens on April 11 and has already amassed a gross total of ₹55.14 crore worldwide by its second day. Despite a strong start, trade experts express reservations about the film's performance, noting that it fell short of the anticipated figures on its opening day. With high production costs and a star-studded cast, including Prithviraj Sukumaran, Sonakshi Sinha, Manushi Chhillar, and Alaya F, the film aims to capitalize on the extended weekend for better box office numbers.

Well that's all we have for today, until the next time it's your host Nikhil signing out.

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• Written by Apurva Dutta

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