Aditya Chopra

The underperformance of War 2 has undoubtedly shaken YRFs ambitious roadmap to position the YRF Spy Universe as the biggest franchise in Indian cinema. Yet, Aditya Chopra is not letting the setback slow him down. Instead, hes re-strategizing with renewed focus. The next chapter, Alpha led by Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, and also starring Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor, is already shaping up to be crucial in reviving momentum. Sources have confirmed that Hrithik Roshan will make a special appearance as Agent Kabir in the film. EXCLUSIVE: Aditya Chopra dials Shah Rukh Khan for Alpha cameo wants Pathaan to reignite Spy Universe! However, the War 2 debacle has taken a toll on the impact of cameo in Alpha , and hence, sources inform that Aditya Chopra has picked up the call on Shah Rukh Khan, requesting him to make a cameo appearance in Alpha.A source told Bollywood Hugama , "At the moment, Pathaan is the most talked about character of the Spy Universe. Aditya Chopra has picked up the call on Shah Rukh Khan to make a cameo in Alpha.He has designed a special part for him, which leads to Pathaan 2.Shah Rukh Khan has asked for some time to think over the same, as he has allotted bulk dates to King at the moment." Aditya Chopra has requested 3 to 4 shoot days in early November, as Alpha is gearing up for a Christmas 2025 release. "Shah Rukh Khan had blocked the entire November for the shoot of King , but at the request of Adi, he is trying to reschedule the commitment to make his cameo in Alpha a reality. He will confirm his presence in a week to 10 days. If not a proper cameo, he might just shoot for an end-credit sequence of Alpha ." Adi is also trying to crack a cameo for Salman Khan as Tiger in Alpha , but the writing is yet to be completed. "He will approach Salman only when the cameo's impact is as good as the one for Tiger in Pathaan had." Alpha is directed by Shiv Ravail and is set for a Christmas 2025 release.

After the debacle of War 2 , director Ayan Mukerji has decided to take a backseat as the director of Dhoom 4.Sources close to the development confirm that Ayan has backed off from Dhoom 4 and, in a closed-door conversation with Aditya Chopra, conveyed his reservation. "Ayan believes that films like War 2 and Dhoom 4 were never meant for him, and he wants to do something a lot wider with scope for romance, drama with spectacle vibes and storytelling," an insider told .Ayan Mukerji steps back from Dhoom 4; shifts his focus on Brahmastra 2 with Ranbir Kapoor & Alia Bhatt The insider informed , "Ayan was just executing what was written on paper by Shridhar Raghavan, and had little say on the script and screenplay. He does not want to be on another journey of just execution, as he is a passionate filmmaker who prefers to exclusively work on the written material and bring more to the screen than what's written." The source also confirms that the decision to step back from Dhoom 4 has been taken after a series of conversations with Aditya Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor. "Both Chopra and Kapoor understood Ayan's point of view and have parted ways on the right note. Ayan is now working on Brahmastra 2 and will take the film on floors in 2026. The writing work is concluded, and some polishing is going on during his stay in the Himalayas." Aditya Chopra is meanwhile exploring more direction options. "Insiders at YRF have also suggested that the boss direct the new Dhoom film himself, as Ranbir has already allotted his dates for the new Dhoom film." A lot more drama will unfold in the days to come.

Ahaan Pandays debut in Saiyaara introduced him as a promising new talent to watch. Now, he is set to team up with Sharvari for director Ali Abbas Zafars next untitled film. As previously reported, the two actors will lead this upcoming project backed by Aditya Chopra, and the film will begin shooting in the UK. Ahaan Panday, Sharvari to start shooting Ali Abbas Zafars next in UK from March 2026 According to a new report by Pinkvilla, filming is scheduled to start in March 2026. Described as a stylish action-romance with emotional depth, the film is expected to showcase the kind of storytelling Ali Abbas Zafar is known for. The report quoted a source sharing, Ahaan Panday and Sharvari are all set to kick off the shoot in the UK, with detailed planning already underway. From scouting locations to finalizing the music and prepping the scenes, the team is fully geared up for the project. Zafar, known for directing hit films like Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai , is taking a new direction with this fresh on-screen pairing. Ahaan Panday, who made a strong impression in Saiyaara opposite Aneet Padda, has quickly gained attention as a rising actor in the new generation. Sharvari, too, has been steadily building her career with notable performances in Maharaj and Munjya.The upcoming film marks the fifth collaboration between Ali Abbas Zafar and producer Aditya Chopra. Their previous projects together include Mere Brother Ki Dulhan , Gunday , Sultan , and Tiger Zinda Hai.Each film combined mass appeal with compelling storytelling, and expectations are already high for what this next venture will deliver. With a new lead pair, a proven director-producer team, and a genre that blends action and romance, this untitled film is shaping up to be one of the anticipated releases on the horizon.

Ahaan Pandays debut in Saiyaara introduced him as a promising new talent to watch. Now, he is set to team up with Sharvari for director Ali Abbas Zafars next untitled film. As previously reported, the two actors will lead this upcoming project backed by Aditya Chopra, and the film will begin shooting in the UK. Ahaan Panday, Sharvari to start shooting Ali Abbas Zafars next in UK from March 2026: Report According to a source close to the production, filming is scheduled to start in March 2026. Described as a stylish action-romance with emotional depth, the film is expected to showcase the kind of storytelling Ali Abbas Zafar is known for. The source shared, Ahaan Panday and Sharvari are all set to kick off the shoot in the UK, with detailed planning already underway. From scouting locations to finalizing the music and prepping the scenes, the team is fully geared up for the project. Zafar, known for directing hit films like Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai , is taking a new direction with this fresh on-screen pairing. Ahaan Panday, who made a strong impression in Saiyaara opposite Aneet Padda, has quickly gained attention as a rising actor in the new generation. Sharvari, too, has been steadily building her career with notable performances in Maharaj and Munjya.The upcoming film marks the fifth collaboration between Ali Abbas Zafar and producer Aditya Chopra. Their previous projects together include Mere Brother Ki Dulhan , Gunday , Sultan , and Tiger Zinda Hai.Each film combined mass appeal with compelling storytelling, and expectations are already high for what this next venture will deliver. With a new lead pair, a proven director-producer team, and a genre that blends action and romance, this untitled film is shaping up to be one of the anticipated releases on the horizon.

Mohit Suri and producer Akshaye Widhani on day 2 of silver jubilee edition of FICCI Frames 2025 spoke about their surprise blockbuster Saiyaara.BREAKING: Mohit Suri confirms hes in talks with Yash Raj Films for one more film after Saiyaara; also reveals, Aditya Chopra saw rough edit of 3.15 hours; predicted that itll cross Rs. 100 cr Mohit Suri revealed, When Adi sir (Aditya Chopra) and Akshaye saw the rough edit, it was really bad and quite loose (laughs). It was 3 hours and 15 minutes long. This was 2-3 months before the release. I said, 'Let me cut it down'. Yet, Adi sir was really confident and said, 'Even if this film opens to Rs. 4-5 crores, it will still do Rs. 100 crores'. What he meant is that he liked the film so much even in its rough format. Something had worked in the film. He added, The last time I got this kind of love was during Aashiqui 2 (2013). You can never plan this kind of thing. I tried to imitate in Hamari Adhuri Kahaani (2015), it doesn't come across. Mohit Suri then confirmed that he is in talks with Yash Raj Films for one more film, To be honest, we are planning to do a film together again. When I met them again, I said, 'This is a newer set of audience that is coming up to me. I have never had 60-year-old aunties telling me, 'Beta, jeete raho. Bahut acchi picture banayi' (laughs). I only know the guy who comes up and beats his chest. I have done that in my previous films. The only advise I have got from my seniors was that 'You cannot keep trying to put a formula and what worked for the audience. You can only start afresh.

After delivering a record-breaking debut with Saiyaara , Ahaan Panday is set to headline his second big-screen projectand this time, it will be an action-packed romantic drama directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and produced by Aditya Chopra. After record-breaking debut Ahaan Panday to star in Ali Abbas Zafars next action-romance backed by Aditya Chopra Saiyaara , directed by Mohit Suri and presented by Aditya Chopra under the YRF banner, hit theatres on July 18, 2025, and became an instant success. It went on to become the highest-grossing love story in Indian cinema, launching Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda as promising new talents. Since then, fans and the industry alike have been eager to know what Ahaan would do next. Now, Pinkvilla has exclusively learned that Ahaan Panday has signed his second film with YRF, and the project will be helmed by Ali Abbas Zafarthe director known for blockbuster hits like Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai.A source close to the development shared, Ali Abbas Zafar has been working on a new action-romance film in collaboration with Aditya Chopra. He wanted to return to his storytelling rootsthe blend of drama and action that has always resonated with audiences. After watching Saiyaara , Ali was impressed by Ahaans emotional depth and screen presence. The idea to cast Ahaan reportedly came from Aditya Chopra himself. Adi felt that Ahaans relatively low exposure is actually his strength. After the massive success of Saiyaara , theres a natural curiosity about what hell do next. Pairing a fresh face like Ahaan with a high-impact story adds an element of surprise for the audience, the source added. The upcoming film, which is yet to be titled, will showcase Ahaan Panday in a completely new avatar. It is said to feature a strong mix of action, intense romance, and emotionally charged dramasomething both Chopra and Zafar are known to deliver. The script has been locked, and music sittings have already begun. The film is expected to go on floors in the first quarter of 2026. Action workshops and look tests will start soon, as the makers plan to reinvent Ahaans screen presence following his debut. This marks the fifth collaboration between Aditya Chopra and Ali Abbas Zafar after Mere Brother Ki Dulhan , Gunday , Sultan , and Tiger Zinda Hai.The duo has maintained a 100% success rate so far, and expectations are high for this next venture. With a proven filmmaker, a successful producer, and a rising star coming together, this untitled action-romance is already one of the most awaited Gen Z-driven projects in the pipeline.

In recent times, there have been talks that the producers are indulging in self-buying of tickets. It means that they themselves buy tickets to create a perception that their film is doing very well at the box office. The practice has often backfired and led to a lot of criticism. Yet, it continues. In an interview with Komal Nahta, Boney Kapoor opened up on this aspect. #Boney Kapoor Boney Kapoor BREAKS silence on self-buying of tickets by producers: OTT, satellite contracts are responsible for it; makes an appeal to Aditya Chopra: Delay OTT release of Saiyaara He began by saying, This is my opinion and I may be wrong. But I feel that OTT is responsible. Satellite is responsible. In todays times, the contracts related to the sale of OTT and satellite rights are linked to the box office figures. As per the contracts, if a film crosses the Rs. 100 crore mark, the platforms would give an additional Rs. 5 crores to the makers. If the film goes past Rs. 120 crores, Rs. 5 crores more would be given. Boney continued, By the time the OTT platforms realize, picture lag ke hit ho chuki hai books mein! Moreover, there are not many distributors. The studios themselves release the film. The important thing to consider is that the kharcha spent on buying tickets will go under promotional activity! So, it will be taken as an expense. Boney Kapoor feels that this practice will be short-lived, Sooner or later, everybody will get smart. The producers are (indulging in this practice), as their contracts are valid which were signed long back. Ab woh phasenge jinki nayi filmein banegi ; in the sense that reality will strike. He said that the recent trends have given him hope, Aamir Khan has not sold the OTT or satellite rights (of Sitaare Zameen Par ). I hope it makes a lot of money so that people realize that only the theatrical can give you this kind of money. The makers of Saiyaara would probably be releasing the film on OTT in 8 weeks. I hope he (producer Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films) delays the OTT release.

War 2 s failure has rattled YRF to its core, pushing the studio brass back to the drawing board. The film hasnt just faced flak for its weak content; its also tanked theatrically, inflicting heavy financial losses on all stakeholders. And in a dramatic fallout, Aditya Chopra has already pulled the plug on the planned standalone film featuring NTR Jr., aka Agent Vikram. #War 2 SCOOP: YRF puts the standalone NTR Jr. film for Spy Universe on HOLD after the failure of War 2 A source close to the studio discreetly informed , "YRF had ambitious plans to capitalize on the Pan India popularity of NTR Jr. and make a spin-off to the character of Agent Vikram. The creative team at YRF was already developing a standalone film for Agent Vikram, but the failure of War 2 has halted the entire process." In-fact, Aditya Chopra is clear not to proceed on the Agent Vikram spin-off, and will be redesigning the Spy Universe in the future. "Agent Vikram film is not a feasible move anymore, and Adi has conveyed the same to NTR Jr. The Man of Masses also agreed to Adi's point of view and has parted ways with the banner on a very healthy note. He would not longer be a part of the Spy Universe, as the condition to sign on for War 2 was the possibility of a solo Agent Vikram film as a follow-up to War 2 ." The next Chapter of the YRF Spy Universe is Alpha with Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, and the tentative release date is Christmas 2025.

Within a span of 7 days, everything around the YRF Spy Universe has come crashing down. What looked like a franchise that couldnt go wrong - with back-to-back 5 hit films - witnessed the first failure since 2012. After successfully delivering Pathaan and Tiger 3 in 2023, the hopes were high for Aditya Chopra's War 2 with Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr. in the lead. #War 2 War 2 leaves YRF bleeding with losses of approx. Rs. 60 crores; a bigger embarrassment than Thugs of Hindostan To make it a tentpole feature spectacle for the viewers, Aditya Chopra left no stone unturned by mounting it on a historical budget of Rs. 450 crores (All Inclusive). However, the production house's risk has not paid off. Reliable industry sources have confirmed that YRF will be losing big money on War 2."Around Rs. 150 crores have been recovered from the sale of digital, satellite, and music. The theatrical share in the best-case scenario from here will be Rs. 140 crores from the worldwide box office. This means YRF is set to lose approximately. Rs. 60 to 70 crores on War 2 ." The source further confirmed that this is the biggest disaster for YRF in the modern era, along with the Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan film Thugs of Hindostan."The Monday numbers have come down crashing, and it's the death of the franchise at this point in time. In fact, the failure of War 2 has also impacted the future spyverse slate of YRF." The losses to YRF aside, the Telugu distributor of the film, Naga Vamsi, too, will lose 65 percent of his investment. "Naga Vamsi acquired War 2 for Rs. 90 crores, and the Telugu share of War 2 will be less than Rs. 40 crores. He is set to lose over Rs. 50 crores on War 2 ." After back-to-back hits in the form of Ek Tha Tiger , Tiger Zinda Hai , War , Pathaan , and Tiger 3 , War 2 is the first failure from the YRF Spy Universe.

Yash Raj Films War 2 , directed by Ayan Mukerji, is the most awaited film of 2025, and the company announced the start of this massive pan-India action spectacle with India booking by releasing an insane new action promo featuring Hrithik Roshan & NTR as super-spies Kabir and Vikram! War 2 India advance booking opens with explosive Hrithik RoshanNTR action promo, watch Produced by Aditya Chopra, War 2 is the sixth installment from the fabled YRF Spy Universe franchise, which has only delivered blockbusters. War 2 promises to be an adrenaline-pumping spectacle, with jaw-dropping scale and action and an intense, gripping story that will see Hrithik and NTR take on each other for an epic, bloody showdown. The film is scheduled to hit theatres worldwide on August 14, 2025.