Author: Ankita Singh

Stating her desire to go beyond just “coming on screen, dancing, romancing, and vanishing,” actress Siddhi Idnani, who stars alongside Arun Vijay in director Krish Thirukumaran’s much-anticipated action entertainer, ‘Retta Thala,’ emphasized her intention to showcase the strength of female characters and their significance in films.

Strong Character Presentation

During the recent trailer launch event for ‘Retta Thala,’ Siddhi revealed that she portrays a powerful character named Andre.

“Andre is a strong character. She has a purpose and is, in a way, the driving force of the film. It is both an honor and a pleasure to play such important roles because, as an actress, I do not want to simply come on screen, dance, romance and vanish. That’s not what I want. I want to be in cinema, and I want to show that even women characters have a driving force and bring value to the films,” she expressed, extending her gratitude to director Krish Thirukumaran for the role.

Lessons from Andre

Siddhi continued, “She is a strong-minded woman who stands her ground come what may, and that’s the learning point that I have taken from this film.”

Film Mix of Genres

The recently released trailer indicates that ‘Retta Thala’ will be a captivating blend of action, romance, revenge, and drama.

In an earlier exclusive interview, Arun Vijay described ‘Retta Thala’ as a gripping action thriller that explores what unfolds when the shades of grey in all individuals begin to emerge simultaneously. He revealed that he plays two characters in the film: Malpe Upendra and Kali.

Supporting Cast and Technical Excellence

Alongside Arun Vijay and Siddhi Idnani, the film will feature actors Tanya Ravichandran, Yogi Samy, John Vijay, Hareesh Peradi, and Balaji Murugadoss in pivotal roles.

The film is backed by an exceptional technical team. Music is composed by Sam CS, while cinematography is handled by Tijo Tomy. The editing is done by Anthony, and Arunshankar Durai takes care of art direction. With a high emphasis on action sequences, stunts are choreographed by P.C. Stunts. Costumes are designed by Kiruthika Sekar, and the songs have been choreographed by Suren R and Bobby Antony.

Actress Genelia Deshmukh penned an emotional note for her husband, Riteish Deshmukh, as he celebrated his 47th birthday. She referred to him as her “heartbeat” and the source of their “inseparable bond.”

Genelia took to Instagram, sharing a collection of monochrome pictures that showcased their love. In her heartfelt message, she acknowledged the curiosity of others regarding their closeness and happiness over the years.

“My Dearest @riteishd, I know everyone who knows us wonders how we are inseparable and yet so happy about it, even after all these years. But the truth is it’s all YOU,” she wrote.

She described Riteish as the embodiment of love and grace, noting how he makes her laugh, wipes her tears, and provides comfort simply by being himself.

“You are love. You are grace. You make me laugh, and even when I cry, you wipe away every tear,” she expressed.

Genelia praised Riteish for his effortless ability to connect with people, making everyone feel valued in his presence.

“You have the most amazing ways of making a connection, and everyone feels they matter when they are in your company. For me, I have you 24-7; just imagine what I get to experience from the man who has a heart of gold,” she added.

She also mentioned how fortunate she feels to experience his warmth and kindness every moment.

“I will celebrate you every day, every minute, every second because you are all that and more. Happy Birthday, my heartbeat. You have my heart, just keep it safe with you,” concluded Genelia, who married Riteish in 2012.

The couple met on the sets of “Tujhe Meri Kasam” in 2003 and fell in love. They tied the knot in 2012, honoring Marathi marriage traditions with a Hindu ceremony, followed by a Christian wedding the next day.

Genelia and Riteish welcomed their first child, a son named Riaan, in 2014, while their second son, Rahyl, was born in 2016. Together, they have worked in films such as “Tujhe Meri Kasam,” “Masti,” “Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya,” “Lai Bhaari,” “Mister Mummy,” and “Ved.”

Actress Divya Dutta recently shared memories from a wonderful evening spent with legendary actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak.

Celebrating Success

The occasion was a celebration of their acclaimed series, “Bandish Bandits 2,” which won the Best Series award at IFFI Goa, along with recognition for its music album and several nominations for the cast. Divya took to her Instagram to post a selfie featuring herself with Naseeruddin, Ratna, and Anand Tiwari.

In her heartfelt caption, she wrote, “Capture these moments in my heart…cherish them forever..our show #bandishbandits2 received the best series award at @iffigoa and best music album for @filmfare … n nominations for me and the lovely @sheeba.chadha …we celebrated…together.the show we are so proud to belong to !!! Captain @anandntiwari , thank you for the journey…@bindraamritpal u the best producer and host!! And to the most amazing cast n crew!!! love you all soo much. And sire @naseeruddin49 n @ratnapathak.s ..it was indeed a beautiful eve with you gracing it!” (sic)

A Musical Triumph

Prime Video’s musical drama “Bandish Bandits Season Two” was awarded the Best Web Series (OTT) Award at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Created by Amritpal Singh Bindra and directed by Anand Tiwari, the series is produced by Leo Media Collective Private Limited, with writing credits to Tiwari, Atmika Didwania, and Karan Singh Tyagi.

Set against the stunning backdrops of Kasauli and vibrant cities across India, the season features a stellar cast including Ritwik Bhowmik, Shreya Chaudhry, Sheeba Chaddha, Atul Kulkarni, Rajesh Tailang, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Divya Dutta, Rohan Gurbaxani, Yashaswini Dayama, Aaliyah Qureshi, and Saurabh Nayyar in key roles.

“Bandish Bandits Season Two” premiered on Prime Video on December 13, 2024.

Veteran actress Deepti Naval has praised Ranveer Singh for his “understated” performance in the film “Dhurandhar,” while lauding Akshaye Khanna as exceptional.

In an appreciation note shared on Instagram, she commended Ranveer for delivering a powerful yet subtle performance. Deepti also expressed her admiration for Akshaye, stating she is a die-hard fan and highlighting his excellence in the film. She extended her congratulations to the entire cast and the director for their commendable work.

Sharing a photo featuring Ranveer Singh, Deepti Naval wrote, “Saw the film. What a performance by Ranveer, and so understated. Of course I’m a diehard fan of Akshay, and here he excels! All the performances are amazing. Kudos to the director and his team!”

The film has received praise from various celebrities, including Preity Zinta, Shraddha Kapoor, and Smriti Irani. Recently, the ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ actress mentioned that the Ranveer Singh starrer is among the finest films she’s seen in a long time.

Preity’s heartfelt note elaborated, “Today was a fun day. After a long time I saw a movie in a theatre by myself. The afternoon show was packed & WOW what a ride it was! It’s probably one of the best films I have seen in a long time. Raw & real, adorned with flawless performances by @RanveerOfficial, Akshaye, @duttsanjay, @ActorMadhavan, @rampalarjun, Sara Arjun, @bolbedibol, @gauravgera and every other actor.”

She further added, “Loved the soulful and heart-thumping music & most of all LOVED the direction by @AdityaDharFilms. So hard and yet, with so much heart. This is not a film. It’s a love letter to every Unknown Man, Woman & Patriot who has stood in harm’s way to protect our country. Three and a half hours went by in a blink, and I’m already ready to see it again. Aditya Dhar, I have no words! When I do, I will call you and tell you how I feel and how much I loved this masterpiece.”

“Dhurandhar,” directed by Aditya Dhar, features Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Manav Gohil, Danish Pandor, Saumya Tandon, Gaurav Gera, and Naveen Kaushik.

Kannada star Kichcha Sudeep recently shared his thoughts on the entire unit of his upcoming film ‘Mark,’ playfully teasing actor Yogi Babu for his busy schedule. During a media interaction organized by the team of director Vijay Kartikeyaa’s ‘Mark,’ Sudeep was asked about his experience working with a large star cast.

In response, Kichcha Sudeep remarked, “‘Mark’ was an idea that the director and I came up with. All these people—they made ‘Mark.’ That is my experience. Everybody worked very hard. Nobody took any rest.”

In a lighter mood, he jokingly highlighted Yogi Babu’s hectic schedule, stating, “The most busy person on set was this person,” while pointing at the comedian. He humorously added, “This man has one leg in one set, another leg in another set, his hands in a third set…”

The audience chuckled as Sudeep continued, “Yogi Babu sir comes in instalments. If you buy a vehicle, you only pay for that in instalments. Do you get the vehicle in instalments? This person comes in instalments. We would have shot all through the night and be about to pack up for the day when the director would call us back to the set because Yogi has arrived. If we leave him, he will again go.”

When asked if everyone, including himself, waited for Yogi Babu, Kichcha Sudeep replied, “Why did we wait? That is because this man has that kind of talent. He is an asset. I can proudly say my entire team has worked day and night. There was not a single miscommunication. Everybody woke up every morning with the same intention.”

For those unaware, ‘Mark’ features Kichcha Sudeep in the lead role and includes Roshini Prakash, Deepshika, Naveen Chandra, Guru Somasundaram, Vikranth, and Yogi Babu among its cast.

This film, produced by Sathya Jyothi Films & Kichcha Creations, boasts cinematography by Shekar Chandra and music by Ajaneesh B Loknath. The production design is handled by Shivakumar J, and editing is done by SR Ganesh Baabu. Stunts are choreographed by Stunt Silva, Supreme Sundar, Vikram Mor, and Kevin Kumar, while dance sequences are choreographed by Shobhi Paulraj.

Actress Amanda Seyfried recently opened up about her dreams of performing on Broadway, revealing, however, that she would be too anxious to sing in front of a live audience.

Singing Challenges in The Testament of Ann Lee

Discussing the challenges of singing in her new historical musical drama, The Testament of Ann Lee, Seyfried shared her thoughts with Vanity Fair. “I’m always striving to just be a little better. But this movie has made me step back a bit and appreciate what I already have,” she said.

Her voice coach, who has been with her for a long time, expressed surprise, saying, “Where have you been?” To which Seyfried replied, “I’m okay now.” She explained that her original plan was to perform in a Broadway musical, but she decided against it due to her stage fright. “To be honest, my stage fright is like, life’s too short,” she admitted.

Liberation in Acceptance

Seyfried has come to find comfort in the realization that Broadway is not in her future. “When I decided that I wasn’t gonna do that for the foreseeable future, I just took a step back from voice lessons,” she reflected. While on set in Budapest, she recalled having two back-to-back nightmares about performing on Broadway. “I was talking to my agent during a break in my corseted dress and thinking, ‘I can’t put myself through that,’” she recounted.

“It’s a devastating thing to uncover about myself, but it doesn’t mean I’m weak. It just means that I know myself well enough to know that this will break me – and that was really liberating.”

Career Highlights

Seyfried made her feature film debut in the iconic teen comedy Mean Girls in 2004. The film, which also starred Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, and Tina Fey, became a massive hit with audiences, and Seyfried continues to receive reminders of the project.

When asked if she has revisited Mean Girls, she replied, “No. It’s on often enough, though. I love it. I really love seeing my face on people’s T-shirts.” However, she expressed a bit of frustration, revealing that Paramount still owes her money for the use of her likeness. “Every store sells Mean Girls T-shirts with our faces. Don’t I get something from that? Even the girl at TSA tells me it’s her favourite movie.”

Actor Vivek Oberoi recently shared a heartfelt birthday tribute to his father, Suresh Oberoi, expressing his deep admiration and affection.

Living Up to a Legacy

In his emotional post, Vivek opened up about how the Bollywood industry never intimidated him, but he was deeply concerned about living up to the incredible legacy his father left behind. He described Suresh’s unique style and charisma, stating, “The film industry never intimidated me. But what I really lost sleep on was the shoes I was meant to fill. @oberoi_suresh the stylish, charming actor whose dialogues boomed and roles exuded such fierce power, I was nervous as hell!”

A Son’s Reflection

Vivek also shared a personal insight, revealing that, despite being labeled a mama’s boy, he actually feels more like his father’s shadow. “On your birthday, I want to tell you that even though I tell everyone I am a mama’s boy, I hope you know that I am my dad’s shadow. Everything I learnt, I learnt from you. Everything I am, is because of you,” he added.

Pride in Recognition

He expressed immense pride when fans recognize him due to his father’s impact on their lives. “And when people recognise me because of how you touched their lives with your boundless grace and love, there is no one prouder than me in the world. I love you. Happy Birthday, Dad.”

Cinematic Journey

Vivek’s post also included glimpses from Suresh’s cinematic journey. In a featured interview clip, Suresh articulated his individuality: “I do not copy anyone. In fact, I do not even copy Suresh Oberoi.”

Suresh Oberoi made his acting debut in 1977 with “Jeevan Mukt.” He then took on lead roles in films like “Ek Baar Phir,” although they did not achieve the expected success. He later transitioned into notable character roles in films such as “Kartavya,” “Ek Baar Kaho,” “Surraksha,” and “Khanjar.”

Actress Namrata Shirodkar is mourning the loss of her beloved pet dog, Nobu, who held a very special place in her heart and in her family.

Taking to social media, Namrata shared an emotional note as she bid a tearful goodbye to her first “little big baby.” In her heartfelt message, she expressed how deeply Nobu will be missed, adding that he will always remain in their prayers. She fondly remembered him as an inseparable part of their lives who brought immense joy, warmth, and unconditional love to the family. On Wednesday, the ‘Pukar’ actress also shared a heartwarming video capturing cherished moments of her pet dog with her children.

For the caption, she wrote, “We will miss you nobu you will always be in our prayers u were our first little big baby and will always be … sending love and blessings to u.”

Namrata’s son, Gautam, also posted a series of photos of Nobu, simply captioning it, “Love you Nobu.”

This isn’t the first time the family has faced such heartbreak. In 2013, their beloved pet dog, Pluto, passed away. Namrata confirmed the devastating news on social media, fondly reminiscing about the beautiful moments spent with Pluto. She shared a few photographs of him and bid an emotional goodbye, expressing how terribly the family would miss their dear doggo.

She wrote, “We will miss you Pluto in our hearts forever and always.” Her daughter, Sitara, also penned a touching note for her pet: “I’ll miss you so much. You made it 7 years you beast.” Mahesh Babu, Namrata’s husband, shared a picture of Nobu on social media, accompanying it with a heart emoticon.

Namrata and Mahesh have always considered their pets as integral members of the family. Over the years, Namrata has shared numerous photos and videos of their dogs with their children, Gautam and Sitara. She often provided glimpses of her everyday life at home, frequently seen relaxing with her “beloved pet dogs,” underscoring how deeply these companions were woven into the family’s daily routine.

Politician, actress, and producer Khushbu Sundar recently paid heartfelt tribute to her late brother, expressing her belief that he is watching over them, guiding them, and loving them from above.

Taking to Instagram, Khushbu shared touching memories of her brother through a series of pictures.

She wrote, “It’s been three years since you left us Bhai. There is not a single day when we don’t miss you. But we know you are up there, watching us. Loving us. Guiding us. And smiling. We smile thinking of you with all the happy memories you have left behind with us. Your jokes, your laughter, your unconditional love.”

The emotional tribute continued, “We don’t cry because we know you are not in pain anymore. Our eyes do well up at your thought, but that’s because we feel your presence among us but we don’t see you. Bhaijaan, continue to guide us and love us, as always. We miss you Bhai. #bhaijaan #missyou #missyoubhai.”

Earlier this year, Khushbu had also shared an emotional post on her brother’s birth anniversary. She reminisced, “You would have been 60 today Bhaijaan. There isn’t a single day when you are not missed. Miss your sudden surprises and your words of advice. Your love and concern, your words of reprimand, your care.”

She added, “Today, you are not with us physically, but you continue to live in our hearts. We don’t mourn you, we celebrate you, just as you would have always wanted us to remember you. You lived life as a big celebration. And today, on your 60th birthday, we celebrate you. Happy birthday Bhaijaan. I am sure you are celebrating with Allah up there #Happy60 #happybirthday #bhaijaan.”

Actor Shekhar Suman recently took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reminiscing about his film Jaan Pe Khel Kar, where he shared the screen with Juhi Chawla. He expressed that he feels “extremely lucky” to have worked alongside stars like Rekha, Dimple Kapadia, and Madhuri Dixit.

Memorable Moments from Jaan Pe Khel Kar

Shekhar shared a monochrome picture with Juhi from the 1993 film, directed by S.A.K. Khan. The story follows Akash, a CID officer who is also a writer, while Kiran is a private detective on a mission to unveil smugglers.

He reminisced, “Throw back… with Juhi Chawla in a film called Jaan Pe Khel Kar. I had a triple role in that.”

Working with Bollywood Legends

Speaking further, Shekhar reflected on his experiences with some of the most beautiful actresses in India: “I was extremely lucky… I got to work opposite four of the most beautiful actresses of India: Rekha, Dimple, Madhuri, Juhi.” He accompanied this statement with the song “Gazab Ka Hai Din” from the 1988 film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, featuring Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla.

A Career Journey

Shekhar made his acting debut in 1984 with Utsav, where he starred opposite the veteran actress Rekha. He later collaborated with Dimple Kapadia in the 1990 film Pati Parmeshwar and starred alongside Madhuri Dixit in Manav Hatya, released in 1986.

Latest Projects

His most recent appearance was in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. This period drama is set against the backdrop of the red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore during the Indian independence movement, exploring the lives of tawaifs amid political and personal struggles under British colonial rule. The ensemble cast features talented actors including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sharmin Segal, and Taha Shah Badussha.