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20 ENTERTAINMENT February 20, 2026 www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know Arundhati Roy Pulls Out Of Berlin Film Festival Over Jury Comments On Political Films I ndian novelist Arundhati Roy an- nounced on Friday she was pulling out of the Berlin Film Festival after the head of the festival jury said filmmak- ers should avoid overtly political films. Roy, winner of the Booker Prize in 1997 for her novel “The God of Small Things”, said in a statement she was “shocked and disgusted” by the comments from jury members including German directorWim Wenders. Asked on Thursday (February 13) for his view on the German government’s position on Gaza, Wenders, who is head of this year’s seven-member international jury, said: “We have to stay out of poli- tics because if we made movies that are dedicatedly political, we enter the field of politics, but we are the counterweight to politics.” “We have to do the work of people and not the work of politicians,” he said. Polish film producer Ewa Puszczynska, another jury member, said it was “not fair” to ask the judges, as a body, about govern- ment positions on the Gaza war. Roy described the comments as “un- conscionable”. “To hear them say that art should not be political is jaw-dropping,” she said in a statement published in the Indian journal TheWire. “It is a way of shutting down a conver- sation about a crime against humanity even as it unfolds before us in real time – when artists, writers and filmmakers should be doing everything in their power to stop it,” she said. “The Berlinale respects this decision. We regret that we will not welcome her as her presence would have enriched the festival discourse,” the festival’s organizers said in an emailed statement. Roy had been due to present “InWhich Annie Gives It Those Ones”, a 1989 film which she wrote, in the Berlinale’s Classics section. She said in her statement she would not be attending. Roy’s withdrawal from the festival is the latest mark of the bitter rifts across the world caused by the Gaza war. Considered more politically minded than its counterparts in Venice and Cannes, the festival has been repeatedly criticized by pro-Palestinian activists for not taking an overt stance on Gaza, in contrast to the war in Ukraine and the situation in Iran, where thousands of anti-government protesters have been reported killed by security forces. Hamas carried out a cross-border raid into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering a devastating Israeli campaign in the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in the October 7 attack, according to Israeli tallies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netan- yahu and senior Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri have both been issued arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court on charges including crimes against humanity, which Israel denies. -Reuters PHOTO:REUTERS/STRINGER/FILE PHOTO PHOTO:COURTESY ANI Arundhati Roy, India’s Booker Prize-winning novelist, addresses a news conference in Istanbul, June 27, 2005. Daisy Shah Joins Shreyas Talpade In Palaash Muchhal’s Next Untitled Thriller Sanjay Leela Bhansali Announces ‘Jai Somnath’ With Ketan Mehta, Locks 2027 Worldwide Release M usic composer Palaash Muchhal is gearing up for his next directorial project, starring Shreyas Talpade and Daisy Shah. However, the title of the film is not revealed The announcement was made by trade analyst Taran Adarsh on social media on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. Sharing the update, he revealed that Daisy will star opposite Shreyas in the Mumbai-set thriller, which is expected to go on floors soon. Taking to his Instagram handle, Taran wrote, “DAISY SHAH JOINS SHREYAS TALPADE IN PALASHMUCH- HAL’S NEXT FILM…On the auspicious occasion of #MahaShivratri, director #PalaashMuchhal has signed #DaisyShah as the female lead opposite #ShreyasTalpade for his upcoming, as-yet-untitled thriller. Set against the backdrop of #Mumbai, the filming is expected to com- mence shortly.” The film, set against the backdrop of Mumbai, will reportedly feature Shreyas in the role of a common man. However, details regarding the storyline, supporting cast and release date have been kept under wraps. The project marks Palaash Muchhal’s next directorial venture after ‘Ardh’, starring Rajpal Yadav and Rubina Di- laik, and ‘Kaam Chalu Hai’, which featured Rajpal Yadav, Giaa Manek and Kurangi Nagraj. Meanwhile, Palaash Muchhal and India cricketer Smriti Mandhana were set to tie the knot on November 23, 2025, after dating for several years. However, the wed- ding was later called off, confirmed by Mandhana in her social media post. “Over the past few weeks, there has been plenty of speculation around my life and I feel it is important for me to speak out at this time. I am a very private person and I would like to keep it that wa,y but I need to clarify that the wedding is called off. I would like to close this matter here and implore all of you to do the same. I re- quest you to please respect the privacy of both families at this time and allow us the space to process and move on at our own pace,” Mandhana’s post read. -ANI F ilmmakers Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ketan Mehta have teamed up for the historical drama ‘Jai Somnath’, which traces back to 1025-1026 CE, when Mahmud of Ghazni attacked and plundered the Somnath Temple in Gujarat. This year marks 1000 years of the Ghazni attack and the destruction of the temple, and its subsequent resurrection. Somnath symbolizes the indestructible spirit of India and the glory of Indian civilization. Marking 1000 years of the historic episode, the film aims to bring to screen, a story that symbolises resilience, faith and the indestructible spirit of India. Taking to Instagram handle, Bhansali productions shared the update with the caption, “A temple can be broken, not the faith. Sanjay Leela Bhansali presents – “JAI SOMNATH”. Directed by Ketan Mehta In cinemas worldwide, 2027.” The history of Somnath narrates the victory of creation over destruction. From Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni’s attack in 1026 to centuries of foreign invasions, there were repeated attempts to destroy this centre of faith. Yet, each time, the heroes of India defended this land with their blood. ‘Jai Somnath’ will be produced under the banners of Bhansali Productions and Maya Movies, with Ketan Mehta serving as writer and director. The film is slated for release in 2027. -ANI PHOTO:COURTESY ANI