SCOOP: Mohit Suri and Yash Raj Film partner on a multi-film production deal After the historic success of Saiyaara, Aditya Chopra and Akshaye Widhani are in no mood to part ways with Mohit Suri. While the next directorial of Mohit Suri repeats the pairing of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learnt that there is a long-term association in the offing for the trio. Reliable sources confirm that Mohit Suri has signed a multi-film contract with YRF, facilitated by the CEO, Akshaye Widhani. "Saiyaara was a project set up by Akshaye Widhani for YRF, and it has been a bond of brotherhood between Mohit and Widhani since then. After setting up two directorials with YRF, Mohit is all set to take the producer route and curate multiple romantic films for the banner," a source shared with Bollywood Hungama. At least two romantic films are in the development stage at YRF, which will be co-produced by Mohit Suri. The move comes as YRF undertakes a broader recalibration of its theatrical strategy and leadership structure. Post Saiyaara, Saugata Mukherjee and Sumana Ghosh will oversee creative development across the studio’s slate of films and series, signalling a stronger emphasis on curated, script-led storytelling. Suri, known for crafting emotionally driven commercial cinema, is expected to develop projects aligned with evolving audience tastes while leveraging YRF’s scale and distribution strength. The partnership positions him centrally within the stu... #Aditya_Chopra #Bollywood_Hungama #Yash_Raj #Mohit_Suri #Mohit #historic_success #Suri #Raj_Film #Akshaye_Widhani #production_deal
SCOOP: YRF to invest Rs 150 crores in micro-dramas; Akshaye Widhani to lead new vertical for Aditya Chopra Yash Raj Films (YRF) plans to enter the fast-growing micro-drama space, alongside the development of a proprietary direct-to-consumer app aimed at bringing its content directly to audiences. This seems to be a revolutionary move by the production house, which has willingly contributed to strengthen the theatrical medium of Indian Cinema over the last 50 years. Reliable sources confirm that Yash Raj Films is investing Rs 150 crores in creation of micro-dramas over the next few years. The amount will be put into creation of content, as also building a direct to consumer application to host the content. The new vertical will be led by YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani, who produced Saiyaara, which emerged as the most profitable film in the studio’s history. Widhani has also brought on board Saugata Mukherjee, formerly of SonyLIV, to lead creative development across streaming shows, films and microdramas, and develop the new slate. Micro-drama storytelling has seen significant success in markets such as China, where the segment is estimated to be valued at RMB 35–40 billion ($5–6 billion USD), with projections of RMB 50–70 billion ($7–10 billion USD) over the next two years. The format is driven by mobile-first consumption, short-duration episodes, and scalable micropayment models, with a user base of 400–600 million viewers. YRF’s planned entry into this space reflects its contin... #Aditya_Chopra #SCOOP #Indian_Cinema #Yash_Raj #Raj_Films #Akshaye_Widhani #Chopra_Yash #app_aimed #billion_USD #content_directly
SCOOP: Abhay Pannu signed to direct the FIRST HORROR film in the history of Yash Raj Films India's leading production house Yash Raj Films (YRF) has signed filmmaker Abhay Pannu to direct a horror film for the studio. Pannu, best known for creating the critically acclaimed series Rocket Boys, has also developed the script for the project, which is scheduled to go on floors later in 2026. The yet untitled project will mark the first-ever horror film to be produced by Yash Raj Films in the last 50 years. "Yash Raj Films have made films all across the genres except for horror. Come 2027, and the banner will step into the horror space with a feature film directed by Abhay Pannu. YRF CEO, Akshaye Widhani, facilitated this conversation and the collaboration, as he gave the confidence to Aditya Chopra to explore the uncharted domain of horror for the first time in the ever-so-evolving world of cinema," a source shared with Bollywood Hungama. Post the success of Saiyaara, YRF, under the leadership of CEO Akshaye Widhani, has been actively engaging with a new generation of storytellers, including Mohit Suri, Sameer Saxena, and Abhay Pannu, with the objective of expanding the studio’s storytelling canvas across genres and formatsAs part of this strategic direction, YRF is strengthening its internal creative framework to support a dual development model. A slate of films creatively developed and produced by Aditya Chopra and a parallel slate led by Akshaye Widhani and his team, foc... #Yash_Raj #Raj_Films #Akshaye_Widhani #Abhay_Pannu #India_leading #Films_India #HORROR_film #Pannu_signed #signed_filmmaker #house_Yash
Saiyaara Team Reunites: Mohit Suri, Akshaye Widhani, Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda return for an intense romance laced with heart-tugging music Earlier in the day, Bollywood Hungama broke the news about director Mohit Suri, actor Ahaan Panday and producers Yash Raj Films reuniting for another romance. The news is now confirmed by the banner. After the phenomenal success of Saiyaara that became the all-time highest grossing love story in the history of Indian cinema, the celebrated team of Mohit Suri, producer Akshaye Widhani (CEO of Yash Raj Films) and breakout Gen Z stars Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda are set to reunite for an intense romance. The yet-untitled film promises a cinematic experience that blends heartfelt storytelling with unforgettable melodies. Released to unprecedented acclaim and audience love, YRF’s Saiyaara emerged as one of the defining musical blockbusters of its time. It collected a staggering close to Rs. 338 crores nett in India and about Rs. 580 crores gross worldwide — an extraordinary achievement for a romantic musical with absolute newcomers. Its soul-stirring soundtrack dominated streaming charts for months, even after its release, further reinforcing the film’s pop cultural impact in India and worldwide, especially amongst the youth of today. Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the Saiyaara pair became sweethearts of Gen Z. Ahneet, as their fans lovingly call them, are set to return with this film, bringing with them the infectious charm, authen... #Aneet_Padda #Bollywood_Hungama #Yash_Raj #Mohit_Suri #Raj_Films #Ahaan_Panday #Akshaye_Widhani #music_Earlier #Hungama_broke #director_Mohit
