In a landmark decision, the Bombay High Court has rejected the hotel associations’ appeal on December 12,2024, reaffirming that a NOVEX NOC is compulsory for playing music at events.

This verdict upholds the original judgment passed by Justice R.I. Chagla in favor of Novex in November, dealing a significant setback to hotel associations. The earlier judgement was reported by Bollywood Hungama last month.

The key implications of this ruling include Novex’s authority to issue licenses for all event categories, ensuring fair compensation for music rights holders. Its right to seek relief against venues that repeatedly infringe on their rights, protecting music creators and owners.

This decision is consistent with the Bombay High Court’s earlier ruling, recognizing Novex as a copyright owner. Consequently, Novex can issue music licenses without being registered as a copyright society.

Event organizers and venues must now obtain a NOVEX NOC to play copyrighted music legally, lest they face significant legal repercussions.

Please put the $272,000 wine tasting and dinner in France aside for me.

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Pushpa 2 – The Rule continues to do blockbuster business and the way it has performed in the second week, it is clear that it’ll have another huge weekend. However, moviegoers are surprised that the advance booking of Pushpa 2 – The Rule hasn’t opened in many theatres for the coming weekend. Bollywood Hungama has learned the reason behind it and it has to do with the deadlock between distributors of the Allu Arjun-starrer and that of Baby John, which releases on December 25.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Baby John releases on a Wednesday to take advantage of the big Christmas holiday. However, Anil Thadani, distributor of Pushpa 2 – The Rule, has instructed all the exhibitors that they’ll have to play an equal number of shows from Friday, December 20 to Thursday, December 26. This means that they cannot reduce their showcasing of Pushpa 2 from Wednesday, December 25, to accommodate Baby John.”

The source further added, “Anil Thadani has asked all exhibitors to give in writing that this condition has to be met. If they don’t do so, the RO, that is the release order, to play Pushpa 2 – The Rule for the weekend, will not be given. If the RO doesn’t come through, theatres will not be able to play Pushpa 2 – The Rule over this weekend.”

An exhibitor pointed out, “Baby John is being distributed by PVR Inox Pictures. They also distributed Singham Again on Diwali, which clashed with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which was distributed by Anil Thadani’s AA Films. He faced many issues in show sharing due to PVR Inox and this move is seen as his way of getting back at them.”

An industry insider commented, “All parties are working hard to find a solution to it. If they accept Thadani ji’s demands, they’ll have to play reduced shows of Pushpa 2 – The Rule until December 24 so that the same number of showcasing can be continued when Baby John releases. Or else, they’ll play Pushpa 2 – The Rule with maximum showcasing, to keep up with the demand, until December 26. In such a scenario, Baby John will get very few shows for two days and will get a full-fledged release only from Friday, December 27.”

Meanwhile, some cinemas have started bookings of Pushpa 2 – The Rule in only limited screens for tomorrow. If the consensus ends with a win-win situation, these theatres will commence advance for the rest of the shows. PVR, Inox, Cinepolis, Mukta, Miraj and other multiplex chains, on the other hand, are waiting for a solution to this conflict before starting bookings for Pushpa 2.

Also Read: Baby John press conference: Varun Dhawan flawlessly imitates Salman Khan; reveals, “He told me, ‘Bada ho gaya hai baby’”

“There have definitely been conversations about me getting this role as a ‘woke hire.'”

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Diane Kruger said, “It kind of sucked. He’s dead, so I can say that. But he wasn’t the most pleasant person.”

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Tom also said that being in a relationship with a fellow actor is a “saving grace” and the “best thing that’s ever happened” to him.

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After a power packed 2024 with films and series like Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, Amar Singh Chamkila, The Great Indian Kapil Show, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack and CTRL, Netflix India is firing 2025 off with the announcement of India’s first-of-its-kind prison drama, Black Warrant. Launching on January 10, the series offers a thrilling exploration of the morally charged world of Asia’s largest prison, Tihar, through the eyes of rookie jailer Sunil Kumar Gupta as he takes on some of India’s most notorious offenders.

Created and show run by Vikramaditya Motwane and Satyanshu Singh, who also serve as co-directors alongside Ambiecka Pandit, Arkesh Ajay and Rohin Raveendran Nair, the series follows a newly appointed jailer, Sunil and his colleagues as they navigate a system that challenges everything they believe. As Sunil grapples with moral dilemmas and power struggles, the drama reveals the raw and unfiltered reality of prison life. Zahan Kapoor makes his series debut as Sunil Kumar Gupta, joined by an ensemble including Rahul Bhat, Paramvir Singh Cheema, Anurag Thakur and Sidhant Gupta, each playing pivotal roles in this gripping and gritty tale.

The series is a dramatized adaptation of the author and former superintendent at Tihar Jail, Sunil Gupta and journalist-author Sunetra Choudhury’s book, ‘Black Warrant: Confessions Of A Tihar Jailer’ and marks Vikramaditya Motwane’s return to long-form storytelling on Netflix, kicking off India’s 2025 slate. Speaking about adapting the book into the series, Vikramaditya Motwane had earlier said, “Black Warrant is a book that is raw, intense, and authentic and immediately demands to be brought to life. Collaborating with Netflix, Applause Entertainment, and Confluence has been incredible, and I’m grateful to have had partners who have supported me and the team in telling this story the way it deserves to be told.”

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Presented by Applause Entertainment, an Andolan Production in collaboration with Confluence Media, the series is inspired by true events and is set in the 1980s. Watch Black Warrant on January 10, only on Netflix.

Also Read: Netflix announces Black Warrant: Prison drama by Sacred Games’ creator Vikramaditya Motwane

While fans are excited to see Manoj Bajpayee as the RAW agent, leading a dual life in The Family Man S3, the actor is all set to take on a role of a cop– this time for Netflix! Reports suggest that the streaming platform is keen on making a film titled Inspector Zende and will see Bajpayee as the leading man along with popular actor Jim Sarbh joining the cast too. While details remain under wraps and an official announcement too is yet to be made, sources have suggested that the actor has signed the project and will kick off work on it next year.

In a report published by Peeping Moon, it is being said that Manoj Bajpayee, who is wrapped between multiple schedules of films and web-series, will be staring work on the Netflix drama from next month, that is January onwards. The report suggested that the team of the film has already commenced work on the movie, which is said to be shot in a single schedule in Mumbai and is expected to continue on till February. According to the reports, Sarbh and others have already joined the shoot whereas Bajpayee, considering his schedule, will join them on January 5.

As for the project, the report suggested that the Netflix original will not only feature Bajpayee in the titular role, but it will be an action comedy that will blend in action, humour, and suspense together. While details of the rest of the cast too remains unrevealed, we hear that it will mark the directorial debut of popular Marathi actor Chinmay Mandlekar, best known for films like Fatteshikast, Hindi movie The Kashmir Files, among others. Furthermore, it is being said that the film will be produced by Jay Shewakramani who has produced films like Freddy starring Kartik Aaryan and Jaane Jaan starring Kareena Kapoor Khan. Joining him will also be director Om Raut, who will be co-producing the action comedy under his banner Retrophiles Pvt. Ltd.

Also Read: Manoj Bajpayee opens up on skipping Bollywood parties and Red Carpets: “I am always looking forward to my early mornings”

After creating critically acclaimed films like 83 and Chandu Champion, Kabir Khan is returning to the commercial cinema space with his next feature film for the big screen. According to sources close to the development, Kabir Khan has signed on with Karan Johar’s banner, Dharma Productions for an action-packed thriller, which is presently in the pre-production stage. 

A source tells us that Kabir Khan is looking to return to deliver a blockbuster again, after Bajrangi Bhaijaan. “Kabir Khan is developing a commercial action film in association with Karan Johar’s Dharma Production. The casting of Kabir Khan’s next warrants the presence of a macho superstar and the director is looking at either Salman Khan or Vicky Kaushal for the part.”

A little birdie also informs us that Kabir and Karan have already initiated conversations with both heroes to figure out the dates. “Salman Khan and Vicky Kaushal are both showing interest but waiting to hear the final draft,” the source told Bollywood Hungama further.

The Kabir Khan film is expected to go on floors at the end of 2025 and the makers are confident to get either Salman or Vicky on board the action thriller.
Also Read: Kabir Khan receives Best Director award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024 for Chandu Champion

The excitement for Salman Khan starrer Sikandar is quite palpable as the teaser for the film is expected to be released on the superstar’s birthday on December 27. As the prep for the same has started in full swing, we hear that the makers are planning a massive entry sequence of Khan in the teaser as it will be a treat for his fans who are eagerly anticipating the release of this massive entertainer. While it already has many reasons to look forward to, the teaser too is expected to add to the momentum surrounding this massy movie.

It has been reported that a special set is being erected in Filmistan, Andheri where an extensive sequence for the teaser will be shot. The reason this has been created is for a masked sequence which will also be an introductory scene of Salman Khan in the upcoming teaser. Sources were reportedly quoted in a Mid-Day report, wherein it was said, “They have a standing set in Filmistan, where stuntmen will shoot an action set-piece over the next two days. Earlier this week, Salman canned his portions for the teaser. His character is introduced in a hyper-stylised way, as he, wearing a mask, enters the frame and the camera focuses on his eyes. Five other masked men join him in the frame. The sequence is being edited, and the team will fine-tune the teaser this week.”

The source also went on to add, “This is one of the biggest films Salman has worked on in recent years. The team is pulling out all stops to ensure the teaser lives up to the excitement.”

Interestingly, the film marks the first collaboration between Salman Khan and AR Murugadoss. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the movie will also feature an ensemble cast including Rashmika Mandanna as the leading lady, along with Kajal Aggarwal and Prateik Patil Babbar in key roles. The action entertainer is expected to release in Eid 2025.

Also Read: Sikandar teaser to release on Salman Khan’s birthday, confirms Sajid Nadiadwala