Priyadarshan-directed Bhooth Bangla, starring Akshay Kumar, opened in Indian cinemas on April 17, 2026, marking the actor-director's reunion and featuring the late Asrani in his final screen role. Trade tracker Sacnilk reported ₹3.50 crore from paid previews and an India net opening-day collection of about ₹12.25 crore, taking India net including previews to roughly ₹15.75 crore and an estimated worldwide gross near ₹23.90 crore. Early-day occupancy was low (morning ~10.8%) but improved through afternoon and evening (overall ~21%). Market commentary and trade outlets give mixed early reviews and note stiff competition from Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2, which remains a dominant earner. Industry estimates put Bhooth Bangla’s production budget near ₹120–130 crore; trade analysts say India net collections of roughly ₹125–150 crore would be needed for a clear ‘hit’ status. Paid previews, evening footfalls and social media buzz could shape the opening weekend; streaming rights are reportedly already sold to Netflix for post-theatrical release.

Actor Mindy Cohn announced on April 19, 2026, that she has been undergoing cancer treatment and is now recovering after a recent hospital stay. In an Instagram post the 59-year-old, best known for her role as Natalie Green on The Facts of Life and more recently for Apple TV+’s Palm Royale, said she had been “off social media for awhile ‘cuz I had to go kick cancer’s ass.” Cohn thanked Providence Saint John’s Hospital staff in Santa Monica, naming nurses and oncology surgeon Dr. Anton Bilchik, and praised family and friends who supported her. She did not disclose the type of cancer or details of treatment, saying she will be “recouping for another couple of weeks” before returning to work. Cohn previously disclosed a years-long breast cancer battle that began with a 2012 diagnosis and culminated in remission by 2017 after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The post drew messages of support from fellow actors and public figures.

The Strokes ended their Coachella Weekend 2 set on April 18-19, 2026 by performing “Oblivius” alongside a high-impact video montage that condemned U.S. foreign intervention and recent bombings in Iran and Gaza. Projected on the main stage LED screens, the montage named leaders whose removal or deaths have been linked to alleged CIA involvement — including Mohammad Mossadegh, Patrice Lumumba, Jacobo Árbenz and Salvador Allende — and referenced contested claims about Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination citing a 1999 civil trial verdict. The visuals closed with footage captioned “Over 30 universities destroyed in Iran” and an image of a Gaza university being demolished. Clips from the performance circulated widely on social platforms, garnering millions of views on X before some were removed; Coachella organisers had not issued a public statement at time of reporting. The set — which differed markedly from the band’s Weekend 1 show — coincides with renewed public debate over artists using festival stages for political protest. The Strokes are due to release a new album in June and begin a world tour in June 2026.

Patrick Muldoon, the American actor and producer known for his roles on Days of Our Lives, Melrose Place and Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers, died on April 19 at the age of 57 following a reported heart attack, according to Deadline and family statements. Born in San Pedro, California, Muldoon graduated from the University of Southern California, where he played football for the Trojans, and began acting while still a student. He originated the role of Austin Reed on the daytime drama Days of Our Lives (1992–95; 2011–12) and was widely recognised for playing Richard Hart on Melrose Place and Zander Barcalow in Starship Troopers. Muldoon also worked as a producer on several films and was attached to the in-production Kockroach; his most recent film, Dirty Hands, is due later in 2026. A musician as well as an actor, he fronted the band The Sleeping Masses. Friends and colleagues have posted tributes; he is survived by his partner Miriam Rothbart, his parents and sister Shana Zappa and her family. The death is being treated as sudden and coverage is developing.

Eddie Murphy received the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award at a star-studded ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 18–19, 2026. The 65-year-old comedian and actor accepted the 51st AFI honor amid tributes from a Hollywood roster that included Spike Lee, who presented the award, Dave Chappelle, Martin Lawrence, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Bill Burr, Arsenio Hall and Kenan Thompson. Jennifer Hudson performed a Dreamgirls medley; cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw was presented the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal. Mike Myers made a highly visible tribute in full Shrek makeup to praise Murphy’s Donkey performance. Murphy, who joked about the trophy’s size and reflected on family and gratitude, has a career spanning stand-up, Saturday Night Live and films such as Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, The Nutty Professor and the Shrek franchise. The gala raised more than $2.5 million for AFI educational programs and the tribute will be released as a Netflix special on May 31, 2026.

Taylor Frankie Paul, star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and a once-scheduled Bachelorette lead, said this week she is ‘‘forever freed’’ after the Salt Lake County District Attorney declined to file new domestic violence charges. Paul posted about the “ugly parts” of healing on Instagram on April 19–20, describing ongoing PTSD/c-PTSD treatment and plans to share her recovery. The DA’s office, after reviews of investigations by Draper City and West Jordan police, said some alleged incidents were outside the statute of limitations and others lacked sufficient evidence to meet the criminal standard. The developments follow a 2023 arrest, the circulation of a video showing a 2023 incident, ABC’s decision to pull her Bachelorette season and a pause in production on Mormon Wives. Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen, have filed mutual restraining orders; a judge awarded Mortensen custody of their toddler son with limited, supervised visitation for Paul pending a protective hearing scheduled for April 30. Paul remains on probation from earlier proceedings and says she is focusing on basic self-care and nervous-system retraining as she rebuilds.