Hindi
Buzz before the box office IMDb maps India’s most awaited films of 2026
MUMBAI: Anticipation, it seems, has its own opening weekend. Long before the first trailer drops or tickets go on sale, film fans are already voting with their clicks, and IMDb’s newly released list of the Most Anticipated Indian Movies of 2026 shows exactly where the excitement is building.
According to IMDb, the rankings are based on actual page views from more than 250 million monthly users worldwide, offering a rare, data-led snapshot of what audiences are most eager to watch. Topping the list is King, marking Shah Rukh Khan’s return to the big screen after nearly three years and a much-awaited reunion with director Siddharth Anand. Close behind is Ramayana Part 1, followed by Jana Nayagan, underlining how scale, mythology and star power continue to drive early buzz.
The top 20 list reflects India’s increasingly multilingual cinema appetite, spanning five languages. Hindi dominates with 10 titles, while Telugu claims five spots, Tamil three, and Malayalam and Kannada feature one film each. Beyond the top three, titles such as Spirit, Toxic and Battle of Galwan suggest audiences are gravitating towards intense dramas, action-heavy spectacles and real-world inspired narratives.
Star power clearly plays a role in sustaining curiosity. Several actors appear multiple times on the list, including Nayanthara, Yash, Sunny Deol, Prabhas, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Triptii Dimri. Their repeat presence hints at how fan loyalty often follows performers as much as projects.
Sequels and cinematic universes are another clear trend. Dhurandhar 2 and Border 2 tap into nostalgia, while films like Alpha, Benz and Shakti Shalini expand established cinematic universes, signalling that franchise storytelling remains a powerful draw.
While release dates and box-office fortunes will only unfold in time, IMDb’s list shows one thing clearly. In 2026, audience curiosity is already running high, and in an industry where attention is the first currency, these films are winning the race long before the lights dim in theatres.
Hindi
YRF Entertainment appoints Saugata Mukherjee as head of content
Former SonyLIV content head to steer films and series at streaming arm
MUMBAI: YRF Entertainment, the streaming arm of Yash Raj Films, has appointed Saugata Mukherjee as head of content, signalling a strong push to scale its original films and series slate.
Mukherjee joins the company following a successful three-and-a-half-year stint at SonyLIV, where he served as executive vice president and head of content. In his new role, he will report to CEO Akshaye Widhani and lead the creative direction and commissioning strategy for YRF Entertainment’s growing slate.
The appointment comes on the back of YRF Entertainment’s recent global success with titles such as The Romantics, The Railway Men and Mandala Murders, which have helped position the studio as a serious player in the streaming space.
At SonyLIV, Mukherjee played a key role in shaping the platform’s identity as a premium content destination. Under his leadership, the service delivered acclaimed originals across genres, building a reputation for storytelling depth and creative risk-taking. His exit was described as “one of the harder goodbyes”, reflecting both the impact of his tenure and the strength of the team he leaves behind.
Mukherjee brings with him a wide-ranging career that spans publishing, television and streaming. Before SonyLIV, he led content initiatives at HBO Max under Warner Bros. Discovery, where he was instrumental in shaping the platform’s India strategy. His earlier roles include senior leadership positions at Hotstar and Star TV, where he worked on building original content pipelines and collaborating with top creative talent.
With a career that began in publishing at firms like HarperCollins and Pan Macmillan, Mukherjee’s journey reflects a deep-rooted understanding of storytelling across formats and platforms.
His move to YRF Entertainment comes at a time when the battle for streaming audiences is intensifying, with studios doubling down on high-quality originals to stand out in a crowded market.
For YRF, the appointment is more than just a leadership hire. It is a clear signal that the studio is ready to scale its streaming ambitions, with Mukherjee expected to play a central role in shaping its next chapter.
