Is the story strong?

Raid 2 has once again brought the story of honest IRS officer Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgan). This time, his 75th transfer takes place in Bhoj city- an area where Union Minister and public leader Dada Manohar Bhai (Ritesh Deshmukh) dominates. The public worships him like a god. When Amay and his officers raid Dada’s hideouts, initially, they don’t get anything. This is where a mind game begins, where law and power face to face.

The story has thrill, tension and a purpose. The screenplay is tight and some moments are really edge-of-the-seat. However, some scenes seem overly stretched and the climax seems relatively predictable.

Whose acting magic worked?

Ajay Devgan is once again great in the part of Amay Patnaik: serious, tough, and effective.  But the real surprise is Ritesh Deshmukh, who has created a new image for himself in the negative role. His calm but impressive style adds weight to the story. Amit Sial is the show stealer- his acting is natural and powerful. Vaani Kapoor, Yashpal Sharma, and Supriya Pathak have also shown complete honesty with their characters.

How was the direction?

Rajkumar Gupta has made a bold attempt to give a new direction to the Raid franchise. The new background of Bhoj, presenting a versatile actor like Ritesh Deshmukh as the antagonist, and adapting the battle of political power versus system in the thriller genre, all this is praiseworthy.

Pros:

New setting and freshness in characters

Riteish Deshmukh’s strong negative role

Tight screenplay and strong acting

Shortcomings:

Excessive cinematic liberty in some scenes

Some scenes seem unnecessary

The end is predictable and relatively weak

Music and technical aspects

Amit Trivedi’s background score helps to sustain the story’s tight atmosphere. Songs like ‘Tumhe Dillagi’ are already familiar and bring emotional depth, but there is no special newness felt. Dance numbers are average. Cinematography is impressive in some scenes, and editing is successful in maintaining the pace of the film.

Overall:

If you liked ‘Raid’, then ‘Raid 2’ will also not disappoint. It is an engaging crime-thriller that strikes a balance between strong performances, the battle of politics vs honesty, and an entertaining screenplay. There are some weaknesses, but the film is worth watching.

Watch or skip?

Watch—The clash between Ajay Devgan and Riteish Deshmukh makes this ‘Raid-2’ special.

In an electrifying surprise, Alia Bhatt joined DJ Alan Walker on stage during his concert in Bengaluru on October 4, creating a magical moment for fans. Not only did Alia promote her upcoming film Jigra, but she also treated the audience to a live rendition of the track ‘Chal Kudiye’ with a special remix by Alan Walker. This unexpected collaboration quickly became the talk of social media, with photos and videos going viral. Interestingly, Pinkvilla had earlier hinted at Alia’s surprise appearance at the concert.

Alia, who will be starring in Vasan Bala’s thriller Jigra, made her presence felt by grooving to the beats of ‘Chal Kudiye’ alongside Alan Walker, who gave the track an electronic twist. Fans couldn’t have asked for a better combination, with the fusion of Bollywood and EDM creating the perfect vibe. Clips of Alia’s interaction with the excited crowd, and her heartfelt hug with Alan on stage, have flooded social media ever since.

“Namaskara (Hello) Bengaluru,” Alia shouts to the crowd as she takes the stage to wild applause in one particular video. Whoa, whoa, what a shock!” With a contagious smile on her face, she waved to the crowd while the song Jigra played in the background. Her warm embrace with Alan Walker was the highlight of the night.

For the concert, Alia dazzled in a gorgeous blue off-shoulder bodycon dress, matched with elegant heels. Meanwhile, Alan opted for a casual look, donning a grey hoodie and black pants, with his signature mask.

A source close to the production had earlier shared with Pinkvilla, “This performance is a true blend of cultures. Alan Walker is a big fan of Indian cinema and music, and this fusion of Bollywood and electronic music on stage is going to leave a lasting impression.”

Meanwhile, Vedang Raina, who plays Alia Bhatt’s brother, will appear with her in the next Jigra movie directed by Vasan Bala. The film tells the intense story of a sister’s fierce determination to protect her sibling amidst a dangerous prison break. Alia’s character, Satya, embodies a fearless sister committed to saving her brother, Ankur. Jigra, which is being presented by Viacom18 Studios and Eternal Sunshine Productions and produced by Dharma Productions, will be released on October 11.

Alia is now filming Jigra in addition to Alpha, a YRF spy thriller helmed by Shiv Rawail in which she co-stars alongside Sharvari Wagh. After completing a filming schedule in Kashmir, Alia has been teasing fans with behind-the-scenes glimpses on her Instagram.

In addition, Alia will feature in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama Love and War, which also stars Vicky Kaushal and her husband Ranbir Kapoor.While filming for the project will begin with Ranbir and Vicky in October, Alia is expected to join the cast in December.

Also Read: Alpha: Alia Bhatt and Sharvari’s YRF Spy Universe Film Slated for Christmas 2025 Release

Her retro-inspired look was nothing short of a dreamy throwback. Let’s break down her stunning ensemble that evoked a sense of nostalgia for the golden days of Bollywood.

Triptii embraced retro chic with a gorgeous aqua-green saree adorned with bold orange floral prints, evoking the timeless charm of classic Bollywood. The vibrant hues of the saree complemented each other beautifully, creating a striking visual that was both elegant and captivating. The entire look felt like a nod to vintage cinema, transporting us to an era of ethereal beauty and bold fashion statements.

But the saree was only part of her ensemble. Triptii modernized her look with a strappy orange and green blouse that matched perfectly with the saree. The playful design added a contemporary twist to her otherwise retro appearance, blending old-school charm with a modern aesthetic. It was the perfect way to update a classic look while maintaining its nostalgic appeal.

To elevate her outfit even further, Triptii added a chic scarf around her neck, featuring the same floral print as her saree. This retro accessory brought a touch of drama and elegance, tying the entire outfit together with a flair that felt both daring and stylish. The scarf gave off serious vintage vibes, reminiscent of the glamorous divas of the past.

Her accessories were the icing on the cake. She rocked a pair of oversized, tinted square sunglasses, taking her retro look to the next level. Combined with delicate pearl earrings and red bangles, Triptii flawlessly channeled the spirit of 70s Bollywood with a modern edge.

In terms of makeup, Triptii kept it simple yet striking. She opted for nude lips to balance out the bold colors of her saree, while her blushed cheeks added a healthy glow to her face. Her lashes, coated in mascara, added just the right amount of drama to her eyes without going overboard. The final touch was her half-up, half-down hairstyle, with soft strands framing her face for a playful, flirty finish.

Triptii Dimri’s retro-inspired floral saree and accessories brought serious vintage energy to the event, and we’re absolutely here for it! From her oversized sunglasses to her chic floral scarf, she transported us back to the glamorous days of old Bollywood, all while putting her own modern spin on the look.

Also Read: Triptii Dimri Modernizes Her White Lehenga Look with a Chic Belt and Pumps – The Ultimate Fashion Twist!

Jr NTR is gearing up for an exciting phase in his career, and a recent photo with the directors of his upcoming films has sparked major excitement among fans. With a stacked lineup that includes Devara Part 1, War 2, and NTR31, Jr NTR is set to work with some of the biggest names in Indian cinema.

The actor shared a candid picture on his Instagram Stories, capturing a memorable evening spent with directors Ayan Mukerji, Koratala Siva, and Prashanth Neel. Standing shoulder to shoulder with these powerhouse filmmakers, Jr NTR’s relaxed yet confident smile has fans buzzing with anticipation for his upcoming projects.

For those unaware, Jr NTR is currently engaged in promotional activities for Devara Part 1, helmed by Koratala Siva. The film, set to release on September 27, 2024, marks the South cinema debut of Bollywood actors Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan, both playing pivotal roles in this highly anticipated project.  

Even more anticipation surrounds Jr. NTR’s impending Bollywood debut in Ayan Mukerji’s War 2. In this action-packed film, he will share the screen with Hrithik Roshan, and it’s rumored that Jr NTR will portray the antagonist. Filming has already started, and fans are eagerly awaiting the high-octane action sequences that the actor will showcase in the movie.

As if that weren’t enough, Jr NTR’s collaboration with Prashanth Neel, tentatively titled NTR31, has been a long time coming, given their close off-screen camaraderie. While the official title is still under wraps, a pooja ceremony was held recently to kick off the project. The movie is scheduled to be released on January 9, 2026, and looks to be a huge hit.

With all these exciting projects lined up, Jr NTR’s fans are thrilled to witness his cinematic journey continue to soar.

Also Read: Tamannaah Bhatia Shares Her Perspective on What Sets South Films Apart from Bollywood: ‘They Focus on Core Human Emotions’

In 2023, Shah Rukh Khan held the title of India’s highest-paid actor, reportedly pocketing Rs 100 crore for both Pathaan and Jawan and an additional 60% of Jawan’s revenue, given his role as co-producer. This information comes from multiple sources and other publicly accessible data.

However, in 2024, a South Indian superstar has surpassed SRK as the highest-paid actor in India, marking a significant milestone in the entertainment industry. This actor, who isn’t Prabhas, Allu Arjun, Rajinikanth, or Kamal Haasan, has seen his last seven films gross over Rs 200 crore each at the box office. Wondering who it is? Scroll down to find out.

Thalapathy Vijay Sets a New Benchmark, Charging Rs 200 Crore for a Film

Thalapathy Vijay has become the first actor in India to charge a staggering Rs 200 crore for his role in The Greatest of All Time (also known as GOAT). Initial reports suggested that Vijay was set to receive Rs 150 crore for this sci-fi action film, but Archana Kalpathi, CEO of AGS Entertainment and producer of GOAT, confirmed in an interview with Galatta that Vijay’s fee was bumped up to Rs 200 crore.

Kalpathi attributed Vijay’s unprecedented paycheque to his remarkable box office appeal and increasing market value in recent years. His previous film Leo was a blockbuster, grossing Rs 623 crore worldwide, according to news sources.

Interestingly, Vijay’s remuneration for GOAT exceeds the entire production budget of his 2019 hit Bigil, which was also backed by AGS Entertainment and cost Rs 180 crore to make. For GOAT, the total production budget is Rs 340 crore, with Vijay’s salary constituting the largest expense. Archana Kalpathi further revealed that the film has already turned a profit through pre-release sales, recovering its costs via satellite, digital, music, and theatrical rights, as reported by DNA.

Star-Studded Cast and Innovative Use of Technology in GOAT

The Greatest of All Time (also known as Thalapathy 68) features a star-studded ensemble, including Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Ajmal Ameer, Mohan, Jayaram, Sneha, Laila, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Vaibhav, Yogi Babu, Premgi Amaren, and Yugendran. The film will also incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) for a special scene featuring the late Vijayakanth.

Directed by Venkat Prabhu, GOAT is set for a September 5, 2024, release. In the movie, Vijay will portray Gandhi, a former leader of the SATS (Special Anti-Terrorist Squad), who reunites with his team members to confront new challenges that have emerged from their past actions. Additionally, Vijay will play a double role, with his character’s son Jeevan assisting in the dangerous mission.

With GOAT, Vijay not only cements his position as a powerhouse in Indian cinema but also sets a new precedent for actor salaries in the industry.

Also Read: ‘GOAT’ Day 1 Box Office Prediction: Vijay’s Film Set for Massive Global Opening