Mumbai Comic Con 2026 kicked off on May 9 with packed halls, long queues, cosplay everywhere and fans moving from one booth to another. From comics and gaming to superhero installations and film promotions, day 1 had something happening at almost every corner.

One of the biggest crowd-pullers at the venue was the Masters of the Universe booth. The setup featured massive 9-foot figurines of He-Man and Skeletor that instantly became one of the most photographed attractions at the event. Fans stopped to click pictures, stare at the detailing and most importantly, lift the Sword of Power.

Fans could step in, lift He-Man’s iconic sword and recreate the famous transformation moment. The sword itself was heavy, but the experience became even more dramatic once the effects kicked in. The second the sword was lifted, thunder effects played in the background while sparks and fiery visuals lit up the screen behind.

Another crowd favourite was the Spider-Man: Brand New Day booth. Designed like a slice of New York City, the setup featured an elevated photo spot where visitors could pose like Peter Parker. There was also an Ultimate Spider-Man quiz for fans, while performers dressed as Spider-Man entertained the crowd by showing off moves and interacting with visitors. The booth stayed packed through the day, especially with younger fans and Marvel lovers waiting for their turn to take pictures.

And it wasn’t just the booths bringing comic book worlds alive. Cosplayers kept the energy alive throughout the venue. From Doctor Doom and Batman to Joker, Monkey D Luffy, Spider-Man and Shikari Shambu, the convention floor often felt like a multiverse of madness. DC fans had their own moment, too, with the Supergirl 2026 film booth. The space featured character cutouts of Supergirl, Krem of the Yellow Hills and Krypto.

Alongside the photo opportunities, there were interactive games, including a challenge that tested whether visitors were strong enough by hanging from a rod for as long as possible. Beyond the film booths, Day 1 also featured stalls from major names, including Raj Comics, Champak and Amar Chitra Katha, giving comic lovers plenty to browse through.

On the special occasion of Vijay Deverakonda’s 37th birthday, his brother Anand Deverakonda recently took to his social media, sharing a series of special family moments featuring Vijay, Rashmika Mandanna, and their family members. Marking Vijay Deverakonda’s first birthday after his wedding with Rashmika Mandanna, Anand shared that this year, his brother is feeling more complete, more confident, and more courageous than ever.

Following this, Anand Deverakonda recently took to his Instagram handle and shared a series of unseen pictures of Vijay and Rashmika’s wedding festivities. In the first picture, we can see that Satyanarayana Puja is taking place at their new home in Thummanapeta, showing newlyweds Rashmika and Vijay posing happily, while Anand clicks their photo.

Another picture shows Anand and Vijay having a candid moment during the latter’s wedding ceremony. Anand also shared pictures of their parents, Govardhan Rao and Madhavi, participating in the festivities. To caption his Instagram post, he wrote, “This year you celebrate your birthday feeling more complete, with more confidence and courage than ever. Happy birthday bigggg brother!!!” wrote Anand Deverakonda.

Actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna officially married on February 26, 2026, in an intimate, traditional destination wedding in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The couple celebrated with both Telugu and Kodava ceremonies, following an engagement in October 2025 and a reported seven-year relationship.

Meanwhile, Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna are set to star together in the upcoming pan-Indian period action drama Ranabaali. Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, this film is set to release on September 11, 2026.

Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and T-Series, this film is set against the backdrop of 19th-century colonial India, showing Vijay Deverakonda in a fierce new look, riding a horse with all his fury. While Rashmika Mandanna plays the female lead. This film also stars Arnold Vosloo, which gives it a global appeal. Additionally, this film also marks their third collaboration.

 

Filmfare’s Editor-in-Chief Jitesh Pillaai writes about Punjab ’95, a hard-hitting and deeply haunting film that shines a light on one of Punjab’s darkest chapters, powered by a stirring performance by Diljit Dosanjh and Honey Trehan’s fearless storytelling.

In his words: 

Last night, a little something in me died. And a little something awoke. That you have to fight the good fight. And there will be collateral damage. That’s what happened to banker-turned-human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. Director Honey Trehan’s still stuck with censors, Punjab ’95 is not just hard-hitting and edgy, it’s also a well-made and terrific film.

Ever since 1984, Punjab has faced insurgency, and the centre had given the then law enforcers to weed out terrorism. In this proxy war, several innocents were killed, too. And thereby hangs a tale.

A terrific Diljit Dosanjh, who plays bank officer Jaswant, discovers the rot in the system when his friend and his mother disappear. The friend’s mother mysteriously makes it to a morgue and goes unidentified. Jaswant gets to the root of the problem and discovers through municipality records and other sources that several unclaimed bodies lie in the Tarn Taran cemetery. 

The body count piles up, and Jaswant seeks international help in getting justice in the courts of Canada. Undeterred by the death threats, he goes on a mission. He estimates that at least 25000 youth have gone missing, no thanks to extrajudicial killings and other forms of torture.

Kanwaljit Singh plays the cold, ruthless DG of police, reportedly modelled on KPS Gill, who weeded out insurgency in Punjab. 

Terrific as the man with ice in his veins is, once again, Vicky Suvinder, who aces the film with his mean act. Especially chilling is his scene with Saurav Sachdeva and his family, the saag scene. That particular sequence, shot by the superb lens of KU Mohanan, and the harrowing torture sequences with Dosanjh, will haunt you forever.

 
Jaswant is abducted in broad daylight, and pressure mounts on the government bodies to find him. Enter Arjun Rampal, who plays a CBI officer in charge of investigating Jaswant’s disappearance. Which set of a chain of events led to the suspension and imprisonment of several police officers? Rampal is suitably restrained and shorn of any filmi affectations or machismo. 

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Last I heard, this film is still out in the cold with the censors recommending 127 cuts, which the director had rejected. Punjab ’95 is not an easy watch. The brilliant opening sequence with the drunk policemen talking about their junior’s impending wedding is shot expertly, pointing out the excesses wreaked by the Punjab police in the turbulent insurgency years. The scene ends dramatically and foreshadows the unfair shape of things to come.
 

While Suvinder Vicky steals the show effortlessly, for me it’s Diljit Dosanjh who, as the voice of conscience, lights a small lamp in the sea of darkness. As Jaswant, who brought about a sea change with his struggle for human rights, his performance is both ennobling and note-perfect. 

Take a bow, Honey Trehan. I hope your film, despite all the ups and downs, will finally see the light. Just as Jaswant Singh Khalra would have wanted. In a world of commerce and full-blown entertainment, it’s seldom that you see a film with a bleeding heart and a conscience. Go burn!

Also Read: Editor’s Take: Michael, A Legend Too Complex for a Soap Opera