Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, the new Malayalam romantic comedy starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju, has drawn praise from critics for its restrained performances and subtle storytelling.

Directed by Girish A.D. and produced by Bhavana Studios, the film follows Ashley, played by Mamitha Baiju, a college-bound young woman who forms an unlikely bond with her much older neighbour Justin, played by Nivin Pauly, after he recognises a band on her phone wallpaper.

The story, which explores themes of music, family dysfunction and emotional maturity, navigates the couple’s romance despite their significant age gap.

In his review, critic Vishal Menon praised the director’s approach of showing rather than telling, pointing to a scene involving Ashley’s old house as an example of communicating character depth without exposition.

Both lead performances were singled out for praise, with Mamitha Baiju showing more restraint than in previous roles and Nivin Pauly delivering what the review called a minimal performance that amplifies the film’s emotional impact.

The film was officially announced in July 2025, with principal photography beginning in January 2026 in Kochi; some reviewers noted it meanders slightly toward the end, though the overall reception has been largely positive.

The technical crew includes cinematographer Ajmal Sabu, editor Akash Joseph Varghese, and composer Vishnu Vijay, whose work on the soundtrack has also drawn attention alongside the film’s central performances.

Girish A.D. has built a reputation in Malayalam cinema for character-driven, gently paced storytelling in his earlier films, a style that critics say carries through into this latest release.

At just over two and a half hours long, the film has been positioned as a slower, more observational entry in the romantic comedy genre compared to more plot-heavy contemporaries.

The film is produced by Bhavana Studios, which has backed a number of recent Malayalam releases as the industry continues to see strong theatrical turnout for character-driven dramas.

Reviewers have generally agreed that the film’s success rests heavily on the chemistry between its two leads, with the age-gap premise handled with more sensitivity than some earlier attempts at similar storylines in Indian cinema.

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Rapper Santy Sharma, whose real name is Ganesh Sharma, is among the names rumoured to be entering Bigg Boss 20, though neither the makers nor the rapper have officially confirmed his participation.

Sharma, widely recognised as an early hip-hop artist from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, began his YouTube journey in 2016 and built a large following through music and motivational content over the following decade.

He said his YouTube channel was permanently removed following remarks he made about the Cockroach Janata Party, a political trend that had gained attention online.

In an Instagram story, Sharma said the channel represented 11 years of work and creativity, and that its removal felt deeply personal, though he did not receive an official explanation from YouTube linking the takedown directly to his comments.

Sharma had described the CJP trend as “just internet drama” and raised questions about alleged foreign engagement with pages associated with it, as well as the past political associations of its founder, Abhijeet Dipke.

Bigg Boss 20 is expected to premiere on September 21 on Colors TV and JioHotstar, with the makers yet to release an official contestant list.

Sharma is widely regarded as one of the earliest hip-hop artists to emerge from Madhya Pradesh, having released tracks including Udaan, Koshish Meri, and his solo album Reborn over the course of his career.

He recently made his Bollywood debut with a role in Akshay Kumar’s film Housefull 5, marking an expansion beyond his independent music career.

Speculation around his participation in Bigg Boss 20 has placed him alongside several other rumoured names, including social media personality Uorfi Javed, as the show’s makers continue to build anticipation ahead of the season’s launch.

Sharma addressed the controversy directly with his followers through an Instagram story rather than issuing a separate press statement.

The Cockroach Janata Party trend that Sharma commented on had itself been circulating widely online in the weeks before his channel was taken down.

Photo by Bollywood Hungama, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 (representative Bigg Boss show image)

Khosla Ka Ghosla 2, the sequel to the beloved 2006 comedy-drama, is set to release in theatres on August 28, 2026.

The film reunites original cast members Anupam Kher and Boman Irani, alongside Ranvir Shorey, Parvin Dabas and Ravi Kishan in lead roles.

The sequel is directed by Prashant Bhagia, taking over from Dibakar Banerjee, who helmed the original film.

The supporting cast includes Harsh Chhaya, Divya Khossla, Mikail Gandhi, Danish Iqbal, Kiran Juneja, Brijendra Kala, Anusha Lal, Tanya Maniktala, Mrityunjay Pandey and Rajesh Sharma, among others.

The sequel is produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar under T-Series, in association with Tandav Films.

The original 2006 film, directed by Dibakar Banerjee, followed a middle-class Delhi family’s fight to reclaim their plot of land from a property dealer, and went on to become a cult favourite for its sharp writing and ensemble cast.

The film falls under the comedy-drama genre, continuing the franchise’s blend of family dynamics and social satire that defined the original.

Details of the sequel’s plot have largely been kept under wraps ahead of release, with the makers gradually revealing cast and crew details in the lead-up to the theatrical debut.

The supporting cast includes Harsh Chhaya, Divya Khossla, Mikail Gandhi, Danish Iqbal, Kiran Juneja, Brijendra Kala, Anusha Lal, Tanya Maniktala, Mrityunjay Pandey and Rajesh Sharma, among others.

The sequel is produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar under T-Series, in association with Tandav Films.

The original 2006 film, directed by Dibakar Banerjee, followed a middle-class Delhi family’s fight to reclaim their plot of land from a property dealer, and went on to become a cult favourite for its sharp writing and ensemble cast.

Anupam Kher’s portrayal of patriarch K.K. Khosla in the original film remains one of the most fondly remembered performances of his career, and his return to the role is a key draw for the sequel.

Photo by Bollywood Hungama, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0