Author: Ankita Singh

As the year 2025 nears its end, singer and composer Armaan Malik has described it as one of the most challenging years of his life.

He shared that the past year compelled him to reevaluate himself and others, leading to the emergence of a new version of himself. In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), he stated, “Putting work and accomplishments aside, this has been the most difficult year of my life and I know I am not alone in that. This year forced me to see myself and others with a clarity that broke me open and gave birth to someone new. (sic)”

Embracing this transformation, Armaan is excited to welcome 2026 with renewed energy. He expressed, “In the Year of the Snake, I shed an entire skin and stepped into a new version of myself. Welcoming new energy and healing as we step into the light of the sun and into the new year: 2026.”

In another update, Armaan voiced his concerns regarding the deteriorating air quality in Mumbai. He highlighted the severe pollution affecting residents’ health.

His post on the micro-blogging platform read, “Mumbai’s air feels heavier every day. I’ve seen more people fall sick this month than ever before, and it’s not the weather… it’s the air. The smog. The dust. The reality we’re breathing. From kids to elders, everyone is coughing or struggling. How are we expected to live, work or feel safe like this? (sic).”

He urged authorities to implement an immediate plan of action to tackle the crisis, adding, “This deserves immediate attention from those in charge. We can’t air-purify our way out of a crisis. We need real solutions now.”

Dia Mirza celebrated a special milestone this festive season as her Christmas tree reached the impressive age of 20. The actress and environmentalist emphasized that reusing the same tree and decorations each year serves as a powerful reminder to abandon habits that no longer benefit people or the planet.

Celebrating with a Video

Dia shared a video of her beautifully decorated Christmas tree on her Instagram stories. She tagged it “the most wonderful time of the year” for those fortunate enough to be safe, warm, and at home. In her caption, she remarked, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year for those who are fortunate enough to be safe, warm and home… Our Christmas Tree makes it to year 20.”

Additionally, she pointed out that many decorations on the tree are even older than her son, Avyaan. “Many of the decorations are older than Avyaan,” she noted.

A Conscious Practice

Dia highlighted that reusing the same tree and ornaments annually has been a conscious practice for her family. She concluded her post by stating, “Reusing these ornaments and the tree each year has been a practice that the kids will now learn from… Reusing is a great way of letting go of patterns that don’t serve people or the planet.”

Career Highlights

The actress, who debuted in the Hindi film “Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein” in 2001, has appeared in various films including “Dus,” “Lage Raho Munna Bhai,” “Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.,” “Shootout at Lokhandwala,” “Kurbaan,” “Sanju,” and “Thappad.”

Dia was last seen in “Nadaaniyan,” directed by Shauna Gautam, which features Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor, alongside Mahima Chaudhry, Suniel Shetty, and Jugal Hansraj. The film revolves around a privileged South Delhi school girl who hires a boyfriend to rebel against her family and classmates.

After concluding his India tour, legendary footballer Lionel Messi shared a special montage video on social media, highlighting memorable moments from his visit.

Memorable Meetings

Among the standout moments for Messi was his meeting with Bollywood superstar Kareena Kapoor and her two sons, Taimur and Jeh. Thrilled to be featured in Messi’s farewell video, Kareena gave a special shout-out to her elder son, Taimur. She re-posted Messi’s video on her Instagram Stories, writing, “Ok Tim then this happened (heart emoji) for you (heart emoji) (sic).”

Star-Studded Interactions

During his time in India, Messi met several prominent figures from Bollywood, including Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff, Shilpa Shetty, and Geeta Basra, among others. On Wednesday, he treated his followers to a heartfelt video along with a farewell message for his Indian fans.

The clip showcased moments of Messi interacting with children at the stadium and meeting cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. However, it was his encounter with Kareena and her sons that made it into the montage.

A Heartfelt Message

In his post, Messi expressed his gratitude, stating, “Namaste India! What incredible visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Thanks for the warm welcome, great hospitality, and all the expressions of love throughout my tour. I hope football has a bright future in India (sic).”

Tour Highlights and Challenges

Messi’s Indian tour began in Mumbai. However, it didn’t start on the best note, as he faced an embarrassing situation in Kolkata. The footballer had to leave early from Salt Lake stadium due to the event being overshadowed by political and influential figures, which left fans disappointed, as many had paid substantial sums for tickets to see him.

Following Kolkata, Messi traveled to Hyderabad and then Mumbai as part of his itinerary.

Actress Madhuri Dixit is set to make her much-awaited return to the screen in the thriller “Mrs. Deshpande.”

In a recent exclusive conversation, Madhuri opened up about her limited on-screen presence. The ‘Dhak Dhak’ girl expressed her desire to focus only on projects that genuinely excite her. She also mentioned her intention to collaborate with directors who she trusts to bring the characters to life.

When asked why she appears infrequently on screen, Madhuri stated, “Well, I want to do roles that are exciting. I want to do characters where every morning I get up and say, ‘Hey, I am going to work on this film or on this series,’ and be very excited about it.” She specifically highlighted her interest in working with filmmakers like Nagesh Kukunoor, whom she believes will do justice to the characters they create.

Madhuri emphasized that filmmaking is a collective endeavor, saying, “I think everything has to come together. You cannot be a one-man show; it’s not possible. The character has to be well written, and you need a good director, good writers, and good producers to bring the whole project to fruition. That’s what I am looking forward to, and those are the kinds of projects I want to pursue.”

In “Mrs. Deshpande,” Madhuri will portray an intense and thrilling role as a serial killer. The show, backed by Applause Entertainment in collaboration with Kukunoor Movies, is based on the French thriller “La Mante” and is directed by Nagesh Kukunoor.

Kukunoor shared his thoughts on the project, stating, “Mrs. Deshpande has been a truly fascinating and enjoyable journey for me. As I worked on the script, I saw only Madhuri in the title role, and to have her play this complex character was an absolute joy.”

As ‘Homebound’ secured a spot among the top 15 Best International Feature Films for the upcoming Oscars, actor Vishal Jethwa, who portrayed the charming character Chandan Kumar, expressed his delight. He shared that this achievement is something he could have only dreamed of.

Vishal’s Heartfelt Reaction

“This moment feels surreal and incredibly humbling. To see Homebound being shortlisted and progressing towards the Oscars is something I could have only dreamed of,” Vishal remarked.

Competition Ahead

“Homebound” will compete for the ‘Best International Feature Film’ alongside notable films such as:

• Argentina’s “Belen”
• Brazil’s “The Secret Agent”
• France’s “It Was Just an Accident”
• Germany’s “Sound of Falling”
• Iraq’s “The President’s Cake”
• Japan’s “Kokuho”
• Jordan’s “All That’s Left of You”
• Norway’s “Sentimental Value”
• Palestine’s “Palestine 36”
• South Korea’s “No Other Choice”
• Spain’s “Sirat”
• Switzerland’s “Late Shift”
• Taiwan’s “Left-Handed Girl”
• Tunisia’s “The Voice of Hind Rajab”

Vishal expressed gratitude for the love and support the film has garnered from audiences worldwide. He said, “I want to sincerely thank Karan Johar sir for believing in this story and in us as artists. His vision and backing gave Homebound the wings it needed.”

A Nod to the Director

Discussing director Neeraj Ghaywan, he stated, “His sensitivity, honesty, and clarity as a filmmaker pushed me to explore emotional depths I had never touched before. Working under his direction has been nothing short of transformative.”

Vishal also acknowledged Ishaan Khatter’s contribution: “His passion and commitment elevated every scene. We learned so much from each other on this journey. This recognition belongs to the entire team that poured their heart and soul into the film.”

Looking Ahead

The final nominees in all categories are expected to be revealed on January 22. The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026, with Conan O’Brien returning as the host.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher has switched on his ‘Dhurandhar’ mode as the country continues to buzz around the film and its music.

Sharing his excitement on Instagram, Anupam revealed that with the whole nation immersed in ‘Dhurandhar’ fever, he felt compelled to soak in the vibe as well. He posted a video with the song “Na To Karvan Ki Talash Hai” playing in the background, where Anupam set out on a long drive with close friends to celebrate the music of the film.

In his caption, he wrote: “Jab poora desh Dhurandhar film aur uske music ke junoon mein dooba ho, toh maine socha, kyun na main bhi! Toh hum teen dost (Harman, Ankur aur main) nikal pade ek lambi drive par. Aditya Dhar ki jai ho! #DhurandharMode.”

Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, features an impressive cast including 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.

The film, which is the first of a two-part series, unfolds an Indian intelligence mission over ten years as an undercover agent infiltrates Karachi’s criminal and political world to dismantle dangerous cross-border terror networks. It is inspired by real-life events related to geopolitical tensions, including the 1999 Indian plane hijacking, the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, covert operations conducted by India’s R&AW associated with Operation Lyari, and the crackdown on gangs and criminal syndicates.

Currently, the film is performing exceptionally well at the box office, racing towards becoming the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 and the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of the year. The sequel, “Dhurandhar: Part 2 – Revenge,” is slated for release in 2026.

British star Charlie Hunnam, known for his roles in Sons of Anarchy, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, and Green Street, is still driven by his original ambition of becoming a writer-director, despite a long and successful career in acting.

Reflections on Career Path

During an appearance on the Prestige Junkie podcast, Hunnam shared insights into how his acting career took an unexpected turn. He initially entered film school with dreams of being a writer/director, having spent his youth enamored with films, storytelling, and the art of direction.

“I went to film school wanting to be a writer/director,” he reflected. “I spent all my entire youth watching films and thinking about film and storytelling and always thought I would be a director.”

Hunnam’s career trajectory changed after he was cast in Byker Grove, a long-running children’s television series filmed in Newcastle, where he grew up.

“And then I got an opportunity somewhat randomly, although I don’t think these things are random, to do an acting role in a show called Byker Grove, which was a children’s TV show where I shot in Newcastle, where I’m from,” he said.

This early opportunity led to acquiring an agent and landing a role in Queer As Folk, which was just his second audition. By the time he was 18, nearly 19, he had moved to America and was focused on his acting career.

“And here we are, like 27 years later, I’m still a frustrated writer-director,” he added.

Upcoming Role as Ed Gein

Hunnam’s current year has been marked by his portrayal of serial killer and body snatcher Ed Gein in the drama Monster: The Ed Gein Story. Initially, he faced challenges in understanding the psyche of the Butcher of Plainfield, whose horrific acts inspired characters in films such as Norman Bates in Psycho, Leatherface in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs.

Hunnam eventually managed to delve deeper into Gein’s mindset, finding the role immensely rewarding.

“I thought with Ed’s, when I accepted the role and started getting into it, it felt utterly impossible. It just felt too great of a challenge. I couldn’t find who I thought this guy was, and I was really panicked and really afraid of the darkness and bleakness of the subject matter,” he shared.

“But as I journeyed through that and continued to force myself to move forward and go deeper, it ended up being one of the most rewarding processes I had.”

Actress Sydney Sweeney has made waves with several high-profile projects in 2025, including notable roles in Christy and The Housemaid. As the festive season approaches, she is eagerly anticipating some much-needed downtime over Christmas.

First-time Holiday Travel

Sweeney revealed that this year will mark her first experience of traveling during the holidays. She shared her excitement during an interview with Extra, stating, “I’m going to travel … I’ve never traveled for the holidays before.”

Eager for Euphoria Season 3

The actress has been immersed in filming the third season of Euphoria in recent months and can’t wait to share her insights on the new series with fans. “I’m really, really looking forward to being able to finally talk about it. It’s going to be coming pretty soon, so I’ll have way more to share in the new year,” she explained.

Exploring Character Depth

Sweeney thrives on exploring “different versions of life” through her on-screen characters. Having enjoyed a meteoric rise in her career, she reflected on the roles she selects. As Cassie Howard in Euphoria, she told The Hollywood Reporter, “I think that I’ve chosen a lot of characters that I get to explore different versions of life and lose myself to.”

Rejecting Stereotypes

Addressing comments around her characters being overly sexualized, Sweeney clarified, “Cassie has definitely been very culturally relevant and a huge thing, so I think that’s very in the forefront of everyone’s minds. But everything since then hasn’t been (overtly sexual). Eden wasn’t, Reality wasn’t, Americana wasn’t, White Lotus wasn’t. It’s just whatever people want to talk about.”

Commitment to Craft

In Christy, Sweeney portrays a former professional boxer, a role she fully immersed herself in. She expressed pride in the effort she put into the project, saying, “I put a lot of love and hard work into this, so it feels good that people are recognizing that and that the story is resonating with people.”

It has been 40 days since Sussanne Khan lost her mother, Zarine Khan. Remembering her ‘angel,’ the designer expressed how much she misses her mom constantly.

Sussanne shared a video compilation of some rare moments with her mother on her official Instagram handle. Reflecting on her memories, she wrote, “My Mummsy Angel.. Everything stops when I think of your face… today your soul is 40 days away from us… to our most Spectacular MotherShip… I am blessed coz you chose me to be yours… I remain yours in every way every day…. Miss you All the time… and in between that too ❤️🙌✊ your forever baby girl Suzi ❤️ (sic).”

In a heartfelt conclusion, she added, “P.S let’s dance together in my dreams through life’s every struggle. I know I will overcome coz of you (😢).”

Sussanne has been active on social media, often sharing unseen photos and videos of her late mother. In a recent post, she expressed her commitment to making her mother proud and mentioned that she feels her mother’s presence in everyone around her, including herself.

Paying a touching tribute, Sussanne shared, “Beyond the Silence… I hear your voice in my thoughts. I feel your love in Farah Simone Malaika and Zayed’s embrace, I hear your wisdom in my Hrehaan’s ideas, I see your excellence in Hridaan’s Art, I see your strength in Papa’s eyes. You are here in me and in all of us… We will keep the brilliance of your heart lit up in every action and every deed (sic).”

She concluded, “I dedicate the rest of my existence to being a little more like you every single day.. Ur my Saint n my MotherPower and I promise you to make you very proud of me…a little more each day. 💛🙏.”