Hindi
Salim & Javed bless Zanjeer maker, greenlight remake
MUMBAI: The remake of the Amitabh Bachchan starrer Zanjeer has recently been in the news regarding the issues of copyright and royalty. Both the writers of the 1973 original film Salim and Javed had expressed displeasure over the remake; they had also demanded a loyalty for the remake.
But not anymore. It is said that producer Amit Mehra has secured the blessings from the film‘s writers and has their permission to re-make the film now. Said Mehra, “We have bought the rights of Zanjeer from my father‘s production company, Prakash Mehra Films. I have met both (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar) of them to take their blessings. “
Meanwhile, the maker has gone ahead and formalised the cast of the new Zanjeer. Telugu actor Ram Charan, son of Chiranjeevi, has been finalised to essay the role of inspector Vijay Khanna, while Priyanka Chopra is being considered to reprise the role of Jaya Bachchan. The film also stars Arjun Rampal, Prakash Raj and Mahie Gill in pivotal roles.
It is said that Amitabh Bachchan may do a cameo in the remake. The remake version of the film, to be directed by Apoorva Lakhia, would go on floors this month.
Hindi
UFO Cine Media Network unveils ‘India’s biggest cinema moment ever’
Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic tipped to deliver rare pan-India scale for brands
MUMBAI: UFO Cine Media Network is pitching an upcoming dual-film release weekend as what it calls the largest advertising opportunity cinema has offered in India, banking on an estimated 100 million cumulative footfalls nationwide.
The initiative, branded “India’s Biggest Cinema Moment Ever”, is anchored around the simultaneous release of Dhurandhar 2 – The Revenge and Toxic, two high-profile action films expected to dominate screens across regions and languages. Trade projections, supported by cinema measurement tool Procat, suggest the combined lifetime theatrical run could deliver one of the widest audience concentrations seen in recent years.
Dhurandhar 2 – The Revenge, an India–Pakistan spy thriller, is set to release in five languages, broadening its appeal across northern and southern markets. The franchise has already built a sizable multilingual following through theatrical runs and streaming platforms. Toxic, fronted by pan-India star Yash, is expected to draw heavy footfalls across southern circuits and beyond, buoyed by the actor’s proven box-office pull.
UFO, which operates an in-cinema advertising network spanning more than 4,100 theatres, is positioning the release window as a rare moment of synchronised national attention. Its footprint covers multiplexes and single screens across over 1,500 towns and cities, allowing advertisers to deploy campaigns at scale during a single weekend.
Executives at the company argue that cinema’s value lies not just in reach but in attention. Unlike digital or television, audiences are captive, emotionally engaged and free from distraction, they say, translating into stronger recall and measurable returns for brands. With advertisers increasingly focused on performance-led media planning, UFO is framing the dual release as comparable in scale to India’s largest broadcast and sporting properties.
Industry observers note that as theatrical exhibition expands deeper into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, such tentpole weekends are becoming anchor moments for annual media strategies. If Dhurandhar 2 – The Revenge and Toxic deliver as expected, the weekend could set new benchmarks not only for box office numbers, but also for cinema’s evolving role as a high-attention advertising medium.
