In this special in-studio episode of Hot Chai Pod, we’re joined by Shayan Krishna (The Blonde Desi) for a deep dive into Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge — and what the film gets right (and wrong) about Pakistan, Bollywood and much more. Follow/Connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotchaipod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hot.chai.pod

In today’s breaking episode of Hot Chai Pod, we unpack the explosive drama surrounding the shelving of Don 3. After being announced in 2023 with Ranveer Singh as the new Don, the project is reportedly off — and director Farhan Akhtar is demanding ₹40 crore from Ranveer for backing out in pre-production. Is this a case of extortion after the huge Dhurandhar box office hit?We rewind to the Don franchise legacy, from Amitabh Bachchan’s original to Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic reboot, and dig into the fans' reaction to Ranveer’s casting. Then we jump to Baiju Bawra, which is back in the spotlight as Ranveer had been booted for Love & War with Ranbir Kapoor and Alia BhattPlus, we preview the Valentine’s Day box office clash:O’Romeo starring Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, and Avinash Tiwary vs Tu Yaa Main featuring Shanaya Kapoor and Adarsh Gourav. Will the nepo-led rom-com compete with a Vishal Bhardwaj film? We break it all down.

In this episode of Hot Chai Pod, Jazz unpacks the rising anxiety in Bollywood post-Dhurandhar, focusing on the ripple effect it's having across major stars and upcoming releases. From the continued delays and behind-the-scenes tensions of Love & War — involving Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Vicky Kaushal — to the uncertain fate of Alia’s spy thriller Alpha, now rumored to skip theaters entirely, the episode explores how shifting dynamics are reshaping power plays in the industry. We also have a no-spoiler review of Tu Meri Main Tera, discussing the onslaught of negative PR against Kartik Aaryan. Meanwhile, Agastya Nanda’s theatrical debut Ikkis earns a lukewarm reception despite sentimental buzz around Dharmendra’s final role. The episode wraps with Teacup Time, where the audience votet on the year’s best films and performances — offering an unfiltered pulse check on what the teacups are really feeling.Follow @hotchaipod on Instagram for polls and more!

In this episode of Hot Chai Pod, we dive into the latest Bollywood controversies, including the ongoing speculation surrounding Saif Ali Khan's attack, Karan Johar's renewed nepotism with Ibrahim Ali Khan, and Shahid Kapoor's fluctuating career after Deva's box office verdict.We spill on Karan Johar's new dating app with some new faces, the backlash against Shahid's controversial comments about his wife, and a #metoo kiss scandal from Udit Narayan. The episode wraps up with a review of fashion highlights from Sabyasachi's anniversary show.