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Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bollywood's Jam-Packed July: A Month of Overlapping Releases, Big Stars, and Last-Minute Shifts
Bollywood is bracing for an exceptionally crowded July 2025, with numerous high-profile films vying for screen space. The month features a diverse lineup, including action flicks, romantic dramas, and Hollywood blockbusters, leading to intense competition among releases. This congestion creates logistical challenges for exhibitors and distributors, potentially overshadowing mid-budget films and intensifying the pressure for immediate box office success. The month of July 2025 is turning out to be one of the most overcrowded and competitive periods in recent Bollywood memory. What was already a crammed calendar of high-profile releases has now become even more congested with the last-minute inclusion of Nikita Roy, a thriller drama that was originally slated to release on 27th June but has been pushed to a later July date due to lack of screen availability. The film's sudden shift just a day before its intended release reflects the intense tussle for theatre space this month. Exclusive | Kajol CANDID On Horror Fears and Son Yug's Voice Debut In 'Karate Kids: Legends' A Traffic Jam of Releases July kicks off with a clash that already had audiences divided and exhibitors anxious. On July 4, two very different films hit the screens — Akshardham, starring Akshaye Khanna, and Metro ... In Dino, directed by the ever-reliable Anurag Basu. Akshardham is based on Operation Vajra that took place when terrorists had taken control of a section of Akshardham temple in Ahmedabad -Gujarat back in 2202. Metro... In Dino marks Basu's return to the ensemble relationship-drama genre, with an all-star cast of Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Sheikh, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkana Sen Sharma, Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta and soulful soundtrack. Just a week later, on July 11, audiences will be met with another double feature: Maalik, featuring Rajkummar Rao in an out n out commercial action film and Aankhon Ki Gusthakiyaan, a romantic musical starring Vikrant Massey and debutant Shanaya Kapoor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Doutor: Manter a massa muscular após os 50 anos depende deste hábito noturno Revista do Homem Saiba Mais Undo Both films cater to a very different set of viewers — one at youth and romance-loving audiences — but together they compound the already thin screen allocation. Mid-Month Madness: The Real Crunch The most loaded Friday of the month, however, appears to be July 18. The YRF-backed Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and starring debutant Ahaan Pandey alongside Aneet Padda, is one of the studio's big bets for the year. Combining romance, music, and Suri's signature emotionally intense storytelling, the film was always expected to grab a large number of screens. However, with the newly rescheduled Nikita Roy starring Sonakshi Sinha and directed by her brother Kussh S Sinha also arriving on the same day, things have gotten even tighter. Its addition to the July 18 roster only deepens the mid-month congestion. Also releasing on the same day is Smurfs, an animated Hollywood feature that is expected to pull family and kids' audiences to the theatres, further splitting the box office pie. 'Zaheer & I Are...' Sonakshi Gets REAL About Married Life | Special Bond Behind 'Nikita Roy' Film A Blockbuster Finale: July 25 As if the rest of July wasn't packed enough, the final weekend of the month — July 25 — is poised to be a box office battlefield. Three massive films, all with significant star power and commercial appeal, are scheduled for release on this date. Leading the Hollywood front is Fantastic Four: First Steps, which features Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby in pivotal roles. The superhero reboot is already tracking well globally, and its performance in Indian metros is expected to be strong. Going head-to-head with it is Son of Sardaar 2, starring Ajay Devgn and Mrunal Thakur. The sequel to the 2012 hit is expected to draw in the masses, especially in North India, where the original enjoyed immense popularity. Joining the fray is Param Sundari, a vibrant romantic-comedy backed by Dinesh Vijan and featuring the fresh pairing of Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor. Targeting younger audiences and families, this film will be fighting not only for footfalls but also for space in multiplexes dominated by big-ticket action and superhero fare. A Screen War in the Making The decision to push Nikita Roy to July 18 underscores a much larger issue that's becoming increasingly common in the post-pandemic Bollywood landscape — the lack of breathing room between big releases. With producers eager to capitalize on the school holiday window and pre-Independence Day weekends, July has become the default dumping ground for every film that couldn't find a release date earlier. This traffic jam has created logistical nightmares for exhibitors and distributors. Theatre owners are struggling to allocate screens fairly, and many films — especially mid-budget titles without major studio backing — are at risk of getting overshadowed. August: No Respite in Sight And just when one hopes for some calm after July's chaos, August promises to keep the momentum (and stress) going. Two of the year's most anticipated mega-releases — War 2, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr. NTR, and Coolie, a multilingual action extravaganza starring Rajinikanth and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj — are releasing on the same day 14th August. . Coolie, which also stars Nagarjuna, Upendra, and has a special appearance by Aamir Khan, is generating massive pre-release buzz across South India and Hindi-speaking markets alike. On the other hand, War 2, a sequel to the 2019 blockbuster, is expected to be YRF's biggest release of the year, with high-octane action, a global backdrop, and cross-industry appeal. With such big titles queued up in August, the pressure on July releases to perform quickly — often within just the first weekend — is enormous. Any film that doesn't hit the ground running risks being wiped out before it has a chance to build word-of-mouth. The Takeaway July 2025 is shaping up to be a case study in what happens when too many films chase too little space. While the abundance of releases reflects a revived and vibrant film industry, it also highlights the urgent need for better planning, smarter release calendars, and perhaps even strategic collaborations between studios to avoid unnecessary clashes. For audiences, the month is a treat — an endless buffet of genres, stars, and stories. But for the trade, it's a test of agility, marketing muscle, and luck. With films like Akshardham, Metro... In Dino, Saiyaara, Param Sundari, and Fantastic Four all jostling for attention, only the strongest will survive the July juggernaut. And as the domino effect of delayed releases continues, July may only be the beginning of a bigger reshuffle looming across the industry.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ground Zero OTT release date: When and where to watch Emraan Hashmi's war film based on a true story
Ground Zero OTT release date: If you didn't catch Emraan Hashmi's intense war drama Ground Zero in cinemas, here's your chance, it's all set for its OTT release. Helmed by Tejas Deoskar, the film presents a compelling tale of a BSF officer navigating a high-stakes mission in Kashmir. With its digital premiere approaching, audiences can soon stream this gripping narrative at home. Ground Zero OTT release date Ground Zero will be released on 20th June on Zee5. Ground Zero plot The action-packed thriller, starring Emraan Hashmi as the Deputy Commandant of the BSF, was released in theatres on April 25, 2025. Inspired by real events, the film recounts a daring Border Security Force mission in Kashmir that resulted in the takedown of Ghazi Baba, the key figure behind the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2002 Akshardham assault. It delves into the emotional journey of officer Dubey, highlighting his internal struggles, personal sacrifices, and the immense challenges faced by security personnel. Ground Zero cast and crew Ground Zero stars Emraan Hashmi in the lead role, alongside Sai Tamhankar as Jaya Dubey, Zoya Hussain as Aadila, and Deepak Paramesh as Binu Ramchandra. The ensemble cast also includes Mukesh Tiwari as Sanjiv Sharma, Rockey Raina as Ghazi Baba, Lalit Prabhakar as Praveen, Rahul Vohra as Dhyaan, and Ekluvya as Chand Khan, among others. Directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, the screenplay is written by Priyadarshee Srivastava and Sanchit Gupta. The film is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Arhan Bagati, Sundeep C. Sidhwani, Vishal Ramchandani, Kassim Jagmagia, and Nishikant Roy under the banners of Excel Entertainment, Talisman Films, and Dreamzkrraft Entertainment.
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Daily Mail
It looks like India but is just 40 minutes from NYC... the mini kingdom where you take off your shoes to enter
A New Jersey Hindu temple transports visitors to India as it houses the second largest temple in the world, and it's conveniently located only 40 minutes outside of New York City. The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham sits on 183 acres in Robbinsville and is the biggest Hindu temple in the United States. But visitors walking along the grounds could be fooled into thinking they took an international trip to India. 'It is genuine, built just like temples in India,' Darshan Patel told NJ Monthly. The temple took 12 years to build from 2011 to 2023 and it is designed according to ancient Hindu scriptures, the temple said. It features 10,000 statues and statuettes and has carvings of Indian musical instruments and dance forms. And like tradition, those inside the temple will have to remove their footwear. It also houses the largest elliptical dome of traditional stone architecture that's ever been made and the stone found throughout the grounds were sourced from Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, India, and China. When one enters the grounds, they're met with a 49-foot statue of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, an Indian yogi who founded a major branch of Hinduism. The statue has him in a yoga pose where he's in deep prayer to symbolize discipline and empathy The Brahma Kund, a stepwell, also contains water from more than 300 bodies of water around the world, including from 108 holy rivers in India and all 50 US states, the temple said. When one enters the grounds, they're met with a 49-foot statue of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, an Indian yogi who founded a major branch of Hinduism. The statue has him in a yoga pose where he's in deep prayer to symbolize discipline and empathy. The temple also has a café that is filled with greenery, ornate tiles, and full of natural light that makes the place feel serene and calm. Visitors can get a taste of vegetarian Indian and Western cuisines that helps promote the religion's call for non-violence. The temple will also be adding a Hindu Learning Center to help visitors understand the religion and learn about it. New Jersey is home to the largest Hindu population in the United States, followed by California. And the US has the seventh largest Hindu population outside of India. BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham gathers more than just Hindus looking to worship, but many visitors fascinated by the breathtaking architecture right off Route 130. The temple gets tens of thousands of visitors a day. They get so many visitors, the temple now has timed entry and visitors have to book their free ticket in advance. 'The campus is meant to bring all people together from all backgrounds. That's how the temple was built, how it operates,' Patel told NJ Monthly. 'We did expect this. 'The ancient idea is that, when you build a temple, it will last for at least a thousand years.' Debbie Stetzer heard about the temple from her Indian friend and brought her daughter, she told NJ Monthly. 'It's awesome, it's totally amazing,' she told the publication. When she sent a photo to her friend, she asked if she was on vacation as the place looked like anything but the Garden State. The campus does have a dress code, which includes no sleeveless or low-cut tops, shorts, skirts, or dresses above knee length; and no clothing featuring offensive language or imagery, its website read.
Business Mayor
07-05-2025
- Business Mayor
Roll out a hundred Jagannath Dhams
First, it was the Great Rasagola-Roshogolla Spat. Now it's the 'Goddamn, there's another Jagannath Dham !' tussle. The two sparring parties are the same – Odisha and West Bengal. As is wont with legacy institutions not taking kindly to upstart crows, this time, too, Odisha, where the Jagannath Temple has been standing in the coastal town of Puri since the 12th c., is miffed after Bengal's new Jagannath Temple has come up at the seaside resort of Digha since April 30, 2025. One would have thought that Odisha would have been chuffed that Bengal turned to Puri for inspiration to spread the lord's word. But it turns out now that quite like rasagola-roshogolla, the epithet of 'dham' (abode) can be applied only to four sacred places: Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameswaram and Puri. Somehow, Delhi's Akshardham missed the memo. The quarrel, of course, is over more mortal things: religious tourists. It's as if when a Wendy's outlet opens in the 'hood, legacy McDonald's is supposed to get riled up. But guys, guys, guys. Places of worship are also part of competitive capitalism. One more branch of Jagannath Dham® should be good news, no? After all, if Big J is, as divinity, omnipresent, it should stand to reason that he has many dhams. In fact, setting up a Jagannath St-Tropez and a Jagannath KwaZulu-Natal should be the next logical step in J-walking.
Economic Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Roll out a hundred Jagannath Dhams
First, it was the Great Rasagola-Roshogolla Spat. Now it's the 'Goddamn, there's another Jagannath Dham !' tussle. The two sparring parties are the same - Odisha and West Bengal. As is wont with legacy institutions not taking kindly to upstart crows, this time, too, Odisha, where the Jagannath Temple has been standing in the coastal town of Puri since the 12th c., is miffed after Bengal's new Jagannath Temple has come up at the seaside resort of Digha since April 30, 2025. One would have thought that Odisha would have been chuffed that Bengal turned to Puri for inspiration to spread the lord's word. But it turns out now that quite like rasagola-roshogolla, the epithet of 'dham' (abode) can be applied only to four sacred places: Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameswaram and Puri. Somehow, Delhi's Akshardham missed the quarrel, of course, is over more mortal things: religious tourists. It's as if when a Wendy's outlet opens in the 'hood, legacy McDonald's is supposed to get riled up. But guys, guys, guys. Places of worship are also part of competitive capitalism. One more branch of Jagannath Dham® should be good news, no? After all, if Big J is, as divinity, omnipresent, it should stand to reason that he has many dhams. In fact, setting up a Jagannath St-Tropez and a Jagannath KwaZulu-Natal should be the next logical step in J-walking.
