From Oscars’ In Memoriam update to Salman Khan’s film title change: 5 big Bollywood news stories today 

Industry updates and fan discussions on social media have made for a busy day in Bollywood – new movie development, surprising box office milestones – fan reactions from some of Hindi film industry’s most buzzworthy voices make up the headlines on March 16, 2026. 

Check out these five biggest Bollywood headlines from the latest update on Academy Award tribute lists to new developments involving Salman Khan, Shreya Ghoshal, and Sidharth Malhotra. 

Dharmendra and Manoj Kumar added to Oscars In Memoriam list after broadcast snub 

Veteran actors Dharmendra and Manoj Kumar were at the centre of conversation after their names were missing from the In Memoriam tribute during the televised ceremony of the Academy Awards. This left many Indian cinema fans feeling disappointed as they were hoping to see both actors recognised for their legendary work on a world stage. However, after updating the In Memoriam tribute on the Academy’s official website to include both actors digitally, there is a formal acknowledgment of both actors’ contributions to the film industry. Fans and filmmakers took to social media prior to the update, highlighting the absence of these two legends, stating that more recognition should be given to film icons from other parts of the world. 

Salman Khan’s ‘Battle Of Galwan’ gets a new title: Maatrubhumi 

There have been lots of reports that Salman Khan is currently in the process of making a major new film based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The movie was originally named Battle of Galwan; however, it has been renamed Maatrubhumi, which better reflects the emotional and patriotic elements that the filmmakers are trying to convey. This new title takes the story from being directly about the historic battle to being about the themes of sacrifice, duty, and love for the nation. The film is generating interest amongst the fans simply because of the subject matter and the fact that Salman Khan is involved with a true-life story. 

Dhurandhar 2 crosses ₹100 crore in advance sales before release 

Reports suggest that the advanced sales for “Dhurandhar 2” have passed ₹100 Crores before the film officially hits theaters. Such a rapid pace of sales indicates that moviegoers are very excited about the movie; if the film continues to build on this success after its release, there is little doubt that it will achieve blockbuster status upon opening. Factors such as the successful marketing efforts of both the franchise and cast, the overall level of interest shown by fans, and the hype surrounding this sequel have all played a role in producing impressive pre-release ticket sales. As a result of reaching these types of milestones prior to being released, this film is considered by many to be one of the most discussed films of the entire year. 

Shreya Ghoshal reacts to Arijit Singh’s break from playback singing 

Arijit Singh has taken time off from playback singing due to being overwhelmed. Shreya Ghoshal shared her own experiences as well, saying that she, too, sometimes feels she needs to take a break from the demands of constant recording and performing. This comment not only humanizes the experience of being an artist behind-the-scenes but also provides context for how difficult the pressure is on artists. Given the number of projects an artist may have at once and the short deadlines that come with them in Bollywood playback singing, it can be very taxing for an artist, regardless of how long they have been doing it. While Arijit’s decision has gotten fans talking about what this means for the future of Bollywood music, Shreya’s comments added a more human element to this discussion, suggesting that even the biggest stars in the industry need to allow themselves to pause and recharge at times. 

Sidharth Malhotra to reunite with Karan Johar for new Dharma project 

Reports indicate that actor Sidharth Malhotra may team up with director Karan Johar again on a new film to be produced by Dharma Productions. The fact that this would be the first time that Sidharth would work with Karan again since he was introduced to Bollywood through Student Of The Year under the direction of Karan makes this reunion very intriguing. Sidharth has been able to establish a strong foothold in the industry with both commercial films and performance-oriented roles since that movie. There are still a lot of details to be kept secret regarding this new project; however, the excitement level among fans of both Sidharth and Karan is very high because they are both very interested to see what type of film these two create together this time.