Hindi
‘Mary Kom’ declared tax-free in Maharashtra
MUMBAI: National Award winning actress Priyanka Chopra’s much-awaited movie Mary Kom has been declared tax free in Maharashtra a week before its scheduled release date.
“Yay! #MaryKom declared tax free in Maharashtra a week before release! Amazing!! #Sept5,” Priyanka posted on Twitter.
The movie is a biopic on the five-time World Champion boxer Mary Kom and is slated to release on Teacher’s Day 5 September. It has been produced by filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and directed by Omung Kumar.
The biopic on Mary Kom has been in the limelight ever since the first look was launched. The trailer received an overwhelming response and has recently received ‘U’ certificate from the censor board.
The biopic narrates the journey of Mary Kom who gave up her sporting career when it was at its peak to enjoy the pleasures of motherhood. But after giving birth to two children, she made her comeback in the ring and went on to make history.
Feeling ecstatic about the news, Chopra said, “It is wonderful news. We have a compelling story to tell of a strong, determined woman who has made the nation proud. It is our tribute to all the unsung sports people who give so much to see the Indian flag flying high. If this can act as a catalyst of hope for them, then it’s something we can all be proud of.”
“We are grateful to Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat and government of Maharashtra for lending their support to the film. This exemption right from release day will allow large segments of society to experience the spirit of magnificent Mary,” said Viacom18 Motion Pictures COO Ajit Andhare.
While Bhansali’s spokesperson said that the tax free status will encourage audience to recognise and support the spirit of the film.
Recently, various state governments granted tax exemption to Rani Mukherji starrer Mardaani based on the issue of child trafficking in India.
Hindi
Jio Studios, Sanjay Dutt team up to revive Khal Nayak
Rights acquired for new version, format under wraps as remake plans take shape.
MUMBAI: The villain is back and this time, he’s rewriting his own script. Jio Studios has partnered with Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Aspect Entertainment to revive the 1993 cult classic Khal Nayak, marking a fresh chapter for one of Bollywood’s most iconic anti-hero stories. The original film, directed by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts, was a commercial and cultural milestone, with Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ballu becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most memorable performances.
Dutt, along with Aksha Kamboj, has now acquired the rights from the original creators, bringing on board Jio Studios and its President Jyoti Deshpande to steer the project creatively.
While the exact format whether remake, sequel, prequel, or a completely new narrative remains undisclosed, the collaboration aims to reinterpret the story for contemporary audiences while retaining the essence that made the original a defining film of the 1990s.
The move taps into a broader industry trend of reviving legacy intellectual property, particularly characters with strong recall value. “Khal Nayak” was notable for pushing mainstream Hindi cinema into morally grey territory at a time when heroes were largely one-dimensional, making Ballu’s character a standout.
The project also marks the film production debut of Aspect Entertainment, signalling a push towards more technology-led storytelling frameworks. Meanwhile, Jio Studios continues to expand its slate, having built a library of over 200 films and series, with more than 60 titles collectively winning 500-plus awards.
For Dutt, the revival is as much personal as it is strategic, a return to a role that reshaped his career. For the industry, it is another sign that nostalgia, when paired with scale, remains a powerful box-office proposition.
Because in Bollywood, some villains never fade, they just wait for the perfect comeback.
