Author: Ankita Singh

In the upcoming episode of the singing reality show Indian Idol, legendary singer Kavita Krishnamurthy and melody queen Shreya Ghoshal delighted everyone by breaking into an impromptu rendition of the iconic song “Dola Re Dola” from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas.

Kavita’s Admiration for Shreya

Kavita expressed her admiration, stating, “In this generation, I had the great honour and privilege of singing with this young and dynamic Shreya Ghoshal.”

Shreya’s Reflection

Shreya, recalling her early days, shared that she was terrified the first time she sang with Kavita, describing her as a guiding, mother-like figure. She mentioned how “Dola Re Dola” was recorded with over 100 musicdigihunt, calling it one of the most challenging and enriching experiences of her career.

About Devdas

Devdas is a romantic drama film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It features Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit in lead roles, alongside Jackie Shroff, Kirron Kher, Smita Jaykar, and Vijayendra Ghatge in supporting roles. The film is based on the Bengali-language 1917 novel of the same name by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, narrating the story of Devdas Mukherjee, a wealthy law graduate who returns from London to marry his childhood friend, Parvati “Paro”. However, when his family rejects their marriage, he descends into alcoholism, leading to his emotional deterioration and ultimately seeking refuge with the compassionate courtesan Chandramukhi.

The show airs on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.

Kavita’s Accomplishments

Kavita has recorded numerous songs in various Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Rajasthani, Bhojpuri, Telugu, Odia, Marathi, English, Urdu, Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati, Nepali, Assamese, Konkani, Punjabi, and more. She was honored with the Padma Shri in 2005 and married noted violinist L. Subramaniam in 1999.

Shreya’s Recognition

Shreya is celebrated for her wide vocal range and versatility. Often referred to as the “Queen of Dynamics”, she has recorded songs for films and albums in various Indian and foreign languages, earning numerous accolades, including five National Film Awards, four Kerala State Film Awards, two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, one Maharashtra State Award, one Telangana Gaddar Film Award, and a BFJA Award. Her debut songs “Bairi Piya” and “Dola Re Dola” won her the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer, followed by four more National Awards for “Dheere Jalna”, “Yeh Ishq Haaye”, “Pherari Mon”, “Jeev Rangla”, and “Maayava Thooyava”.

Actor Siddhant Chaturvedi took a trip down memory lane as he reminisced about the iconic ’90s party songs. These tracks, often centered around emotional confessions and trauma, were predominantly played on the piano.

Siddhant highlighted how the vulnerability of the characters was expressed through overtly directed lyrics. He noted that despite the depth of emotion in a single track, it often went unnoticed as everyone was too busy enjoying themselves.

On Instagram, the ‘Dhadak 2’ actor shared, “The ’90s were so goated…. Party songs were only for the piano doing emotional confession duty, heroes trauma-dumping & channelising his vulnerability through very obviously directed lyrics, and somehow it all goes unnoticed because everyone’s too busy having the best time of their lives…(sic).”

In terms of his professional journey, Siddhant is set to portray the legendary filmmaker V. Shantaram in an upcoming biopic. His first look in the role received positive feedback from netizens.

Expressing his gratitude, Siddhant reflected on the responsibility of depicting the iconic life of Shantaram. He wrote, “Thank you for all the love and support we’ve been showered with on the poster. It truly means a lot. Couldn’t have been a better time than now to tell and remind us of a story of rebellion and of the glory of Indian cinema that shaped the country. For me, it’s beyond words.”

Calling this a ‘dream role,’ he added, “From a boy who dreamt silently in frames, to standing in the shadow of a legend… AnnaSaheb – V. Shantaram. Every artist waits for that one story that tests your truth, your heart, and your hunger. This is mine.”

The biopic “V. Shantaram,” penned and directed by Abhijeet Shirish Deshpande, is being presented by Rajkamal Entertainment, Camera Take Films, and Roaring Rivers Productions. The production team includes Rahul Kiran Shantaram, Subhash Kale, and Sarita Ashwin Varde as producers.

Actress Divya Dutta found a soulful way to unwind after a long day as she immersed herself in a quiet musical moment, singing the timeless classic “Dil Tadap Tadap Ke.”

Sharing a glimpse of this musical session on Instagram, Divya described it as deeply therapeutic, giving credit to her brother, Rahul Dutta, for gently guiding her through the tune. She wrote, “And he subtly nudges me to take my cues..how therapeutic to sit with the brother @drrahuldutta n sing our tiredness of the day out…#milesurmeratumhara..#bedtimestories.” She also humorously added, “P.s..pls dont judge my singing skills..haha.”

The song “Dil Tadap Tadap Ke” was beautifully rendered by legendary singers Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh, and it was picturized on the iconic actors Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala in the 1958 classic film Madhumati, directed by Bimal Roy. This film also featured Pran and Johnny Walker, focusing on the story of Anand, a modern man who falls in love with a tribal woman named Madhumati, ultimately facing numerous challenges that lead to a paranormal twist.

On the film front, Divya was last seen in Chhaava, which is based on the life of Sambhaji, the second ruler of the Maratha Empire portrayed by Vicky Kaushal. This adaptation of the Marathi novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant is directed by Laxman Utekar, and the cast also includes Akshaye Khanna and Rashmika Mandanna.

In the digital space, Divya appeared in Mayasabha: Rise of the Titans, created by Deva Katta. The series stars Aadhi Pinisetty and Chaitanya Rao in lead roles, alongside Sai Kumar, Divya Dutta, and Nassar. Set against the backdrop of the volatile political landscape of Andhra Pradesh during the 1970s to 1990s, the series dramatizes the evolving relationship between two prominent political figures, Kakarla Krishnama Naidu and M. S. Rami Reddy, showcasing their journey from friends to political rivals.

Bollywood couple Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal recently expressed their support for a social media ban for children in India, echoing a similar move by Australia.

During a panel discussion at MET (Mumbai Education Trust) College, both actors were asked their views on Australia’s initiative to restrict social media access for individuals under 16 years old.

Sonakshi characterized the ban as a ‘very good thing’, advocating for its implementation in India as well. Zaheer added that while a complete ban isn’t always necessary, regulating the type of content children are exposed to on social media is essential.

He explained, “You can do extreme also. And you can ban things. But it’s also that you can control it properly. Like in my house, when my niece comes over, she has an iPad, but it’s very controlled in what she can use on the iPad. So, I think there’s a way to control it. You don’t have to. I mean, it’s good.”

Sonakshi emphasized the need for children to reach an appropriate age to distinguish between right and wrong before being introduced to social media. She stated, “No, I think it’s avoidable. Till a certain age at least. Till a child is old enough to understand the difference between right and wrong, and what is good and what is bad. I think till that age, it should not be exposed to a child.”

Zaheer also highlighted the importance of monitoring children’s screen time. He noted, “Yeah, and till then, also like you should really control it. Sometimes, you don’t know what buttons, where they go. So, it’s always good to monitor them when they are watching as well. I know it’s a pain. If someone is watching for 2 hours, and you are watching with them. But someone should.”

Actress Nimrat Kaur has shared insights on creating the captivating look for her villainous character, Mira, in the much-anticipated series. She credited costume director Neha R. Bajaj for shaping the intimidating and distinctive appearance of the antagonist.

Nimrat’s Vision for Mira

Nimrat, who looked stunning in the meticulously curated fabrics by Neha, emphasized, “Creating Mira’s look was extremely important to tell her story, requiring a super striking visual that reflected Raj & DK’s vision of her as a femme fatale.”

She explained that “Every detail was meticulously selected, including cuts and silhouettes picked under Neha’s guidance, along with personal jewellery and the trench coat, to ensure nothing was compromised and the part really shines. This styling also tracked her arc, ultimately making it one of my most cherished on-screen roles due to the visual striking appeal.”

Neha R. Bajaj’s Creative Insights

Neha R. Bajaj shared her thoughts on the challenge of designing for such iconic antagonists and hinted at her exciting future projects. “Designing for the brilliant new entrants, Nimrat Kaur and Jaideep Ahlawat, for The Family Man 3 was a rewarding challenge with the brief to create attractive, intelligent, and memorable villains,” she stated.

For Nimrat, Neha explained, “we created a sexy, high-end, boss-lady aura, working closely with her on every single outfit and every detail.” In contrast, for Jaideep Ahlawat, the focus was on effortless rustic swag with long hair, tattoos, and lived-in, non-stylised clothing to mirror his character’s dynamic lifestyle.

Neha also mentioned, “While those looks required intense focus, I served as the costume designer for the entire TFM3 show, and it’s been a thrilling time; I’m also currently focused on creating costumes for the film Toxic.”

About The Family Man

The Family Man is created by Raj & DK and features Manoj Bajpayee as Srikant Tiwari, a middle-class man secretly working as an intelligence officer for the Threat Analysis and Surveillance Cell (TASC), a fictitious branch of the National Investigation Agency.

The series also stars Priyamani, Sharad Kelkar, Neeraj Madhav, Sharib Hashmi, Dalip Tahil, Sunny Hinduja, and Shreya Dhanwanthary. Samantha Ruth Prabhu made her digital debut as the main antagonist in the second season, directed by Suparn S. Verma.

As the latest season of the popular cooking reality show “MasterChef India 9” prepares for its upcoming release, celebrity chef Kunal Kapur, who will be judging alongside Vikas Khanna and Ranveer Brar, shared exciting details about this season’s theme, which centers around three R’s: ‘Ras, Rasoi, and Rishtey’.

A Focus on Local Flavors

Kunal expressed that this season aims to bring local food to the forefront. “We are bringing our local food to the forefront this season,” he said. He explained that while the challenges are designed to be simple, they also incorporate twists through special ingredients and time constraints.

“If we talk about the contestants and the various challenges during this season, we have kept the challenges so simple that when you see them, you will be able to relate to them. However, at the same time, we have kept them so complex, whether it is with our twists or the time constraint, or by including such special ingredients, which will end up adding a twist to the local taste,” Kunal added.

Emphasis on Relationships

According to Kunal, this season’s real seasoning lies in relationships. “Overall, the real seasoning in MasterChef India 9 will be of relationships. This season, there are three special R’s, RRR, Ras, Rasoi, and Rishtey,” he revealed.

Promotional Buzz

The makers of the show recently unveiled the promo, featuring the tagline, “Desh Front Foot Par Chal Raha Hai” (The country is moving forward confidently). Sharing the video on Instagram, they stated, “Jab desh itna aage badh raha hai toh desh ka swaad peeche kyu rahe?” (When the country is moving forward, why should the taste of the nation lag behind?)

They further added, “Aa raha hai #MasterChefIndia duniya ko parosne har plate par India. Shuru ho raha hai 5 January, Mon-Fri raat 9 baje, sirf Sony Entertainment Television aur Sony LIV par.” This translates to “#MasterChefIndia is coming to serve India to the world on every plate. Starting January 5th, Monday-Friday at 9 PM, only on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.”

Premiere Date

“MasterChef India 9” is slated to premiere on Sony Entertainment Television from January 5.

Television actress Roopal Tyagi recently shared insights from her intimate haldi ceremony, which took place at home without any extravagant celebrations. For her first wedding event, she adorned a saree from the Linga Bhairavi temple in Coimbatore.

Roopal took to Instagram to post several images from the serene haldi ceremony, in which she wore a vibrant yellow saree with green borders. She wrote in the caption, “My Haldi began quietly, at home, with just family around me. No taam-jhaam, no spectacle… only the ritual, the prayers, and gratitude in my heart.”

She elaborated, “For my very first ceremony, I wore a saree from my Devi’s temple—Linga Bhairavi, Coimbatore. It felt only right to begin this journey wrapped in her blessings, seeking her grace, protection, and strength for everything that follows. Simple. Sacred. Divine.”

Roopal tied the knot with animation professional Nomish Bhardwaj in a heartfelt Hindu wedding ceremony in Mumbai.

Starting her career as a choreographer in 2007, she made her acting debut with the role of Mansha in “Hamari Betiyoon Ka Vivaah” and later featured in “Ek Nayi Chhoti Si Zindagi.” She is well-known for her portrayal of Gunjan in “Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke.”

In addition, Roopal participated as a wildcard entrant in the eighth season of “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa,” although she was eliminated after a week. She also appeared as a contestant on “Bigg Boss 9.”

In 2020, she addressed her concerns through an open letter on Instagram, criticizing the Indian television industry for underrepresenting female characters and highlighting the “backwardness” of some series.

Most recently, she was seen in the show “Ranju Ki Betiyaan,” which starred Reena Kapoor, Ayub Khan, Karan Khandelwal, Jeevansh Chadha, and Monika Chauhan. The narrative revolved around Ranju, who, after her husband leaves her for another woman, stands firm in a male-dominated society while raising her four daughters and helping them pursue their ambitions.

Megastar Chiranjeevi shared a heartfelt birthday message for Telugu star Venkatesh, expressing how much he valued their time together on the set of their upcoming film, “Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu.”

Wishing Venkatesh on his X timeline, Chiranjeevi wrote, “Wishing you many happy returns my dear @VenkyMama. You’ve always brought warmth and positivity wherever you go, and I cherish every moment we’ve shared during the shoot of #ManaShankaraVaraPrasadGaru. Have a truly joyful and blessed year ahead.”

In a notable collaboration, Venkatesh and Chiranjeevi, two of the biggest names in Telugu cinema, are working together for the first time in the much-anticipated mass family entertainer directed by Anil Ravipudi.

Venkatesh also shared his excitement on X after completing his part in the film. He stated, “Wrapped up my part today for #ManaShankaraVaraPrasadGaru, and what an incredible experience it has been! Working with my favourite @KChiruTweets was an absolute joy, and this film has left me with so many lovely memories. It was long overdue to share the screen with ‘Megastar Chiranjeevi,’ and I’m so glad @AnilRavipudi finally brought us together for this special film. Can’t wait to celebrate Sankranthi 2026 with all of you in theatres!”

The film makers have already filmed a vibrant dance number featuring both stars, shot in Gachibowli. This will be the first time that Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh will perform together in a grand celebration number.

Sources revealed that the dance number, composed by Bheems Ceciroleo, will feature over 500 dancers, transforming the set into a colorful carnival filled with rhythm and energy. The chemistry and exuberance between the two stars are expected to make this song a favorite among fans and moviegoers.

Initially referred to as #Mega157, the film is generating significant excitement, especially since Nayanthara is set to share the screen with Chiranjeevi for the third time following “Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy” and “Godfather.”

Another point of interest is Venkatesh’s cameo in the film, marking the first time these two icons will appear together on screen.

Produced by Sahu Garapati and Sushmita Konidela under Shine Screens and Gold Box Entertainments, with Smt. Archana as the presenter, the film is backed by a talented technical team. Bheems Ceciroleo is handling the music, while Sameer Reddy serves as the cinematographer. Tammiraju is responsible for editing, with A S Prakash as the art director. The film, co-written by S Krishna and G Adi Narayana, is scheduled to release for Sankranti 2026.

Filmmaker Aditya Dhar is currently enjoying the success of his latest release, “Dhurandhar,” and has confirmed that “part 2 is coming.” He expressed his determination to “do his best to live up to this encouragement” after Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan shared his thoughts about the film.

Hrithik initially praised “Dhurandhar” on Instagram on December 11, saying, “I love cinema, I love people who climb into a vortex and let the story take control, spin them shake them until what they want to say is purged out of them onto that screen. DHURANDAR is an example of that. Loved the storytelling. It’s cinema.”

He noted, “I may disagree with the politics of it and argue about the responsibilities us filmmakers should bear as citizens of the world. Nevertheless, can’t ignore how I loved and learnt from this one as a student of cinema. Amazing. #akshaykhanna has always been my fav and this film is proof why. @ranveersingh the silent to the fierce what a journey and so damn consistent. @actormaddy bloody mad grace, strength, and dignity!!”

Hrithik also praised Rakesh Bedi for his phenomenal performance, adding, “What an ACT, brilliant!! A huge big round of applause for everyone, especially the makeup and prosthetics dept! I can’t wait for part 2!!!”

Following this, Hrithik shared his reflections on X, stating, “Still can’t get DHURANDHAR out of my mind. @AdityaDharFilms you are an incredible maker man. @RanveerOfficial the silent to the fierce what a journey and so damn consistent. #akshayekhanna has always been my fav and this film is proof why. @ActorMadhavan bloody mad grace, strength, and dignity!! But man @bolbedibol what you did was phenomenal.. what an ACT, brilliant!! A huge big round of applause for everyone, especially the makeup and prosthetics dept! I can’t wait for part 2!!!”

In response to Hrithik’s second post, Aditya wrote, “Deeply humbled by your love for #DHURANDHAR, @iHrithik Sir. Every actor and every department gave more than 100%, and your appreciation is a huge boost for the whole team. Thank you for celebrating their craft. Part 2 is coming… and we’ll try our best to live up to this encouragement.”

“Dhurandhar” also features R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi, along with Manav Gohil, Danish Pandor, Saumya Tandon, Gaurav Gera, and Naveen Kaushik in supporting roles.

The film boasts a runtime of 214 minutes, making it one of the longest Indian films ever made. It draws inspiration from real-life events involving geopolitical tensions and covert operations conducted by India’s R&AW, particularly those related to Operation Lyari, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and the crackdown on gangs and criminal syndicates.

As the first of a two-part series, “Dhurandhar” was released in theaters on December 5. It narrates the story of an underworld saga following a network of criminals, informants, and operatives whose lives intersect as they navigate covert operations, espionage, and betrayals.

Actor Paras Arora has been cast as Jeetu Pandey in the upcoming show “Gharwali Pedwali.” He describes his character as beautifully relatable, emphasizing his desire for a simple and peaceful life, yet constantly finding himself in complicated situations.

Paras shared, “Jeetu is a beautifully relatable character, someone who wants a simple, peaceful life but always ends up in complicated situations.” He is particularly drawn to the character’s unpredictability, stating, “Playing a man balancing two wives—one real and one supernatural—is both hilarious and creatively challenging. What drew me to this role was its innocence and unpredictability.”

He further expressed his enthusiasm for the comedy genre, remarking, “Comedy as a genre is incredibly rewarding, and this script instantly connects with me because it offers humour rooted in emotion. I am excited for viewers to see Jeetu’s confusion, charm and journey as he navigates this utterly chaotic double life.”

Priyamvada Kant, portraying Latika in the show, describes her character as dramatic, affectionate, and delightfully mischievous. She said, “My character Latika is the heart of the show, dramatic, affectionate, old-worldly, and delightfully mischievous. As a spirit who genuinely believes Jeetu belongs to her, her emotions and actions drive much of the show’s humour and warmth.”

Kant added, “Supernatural comedy is such an unexplored genre on Indian television, and that’s exactly what drew me to this project. Latika is layered, expressive, and funny, and playing her allows me to blend comedy with emotional depth. I’m thrilled to return to television with a role this unique.”

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Varanasi, “Gharwali Pedwali” tells the story of Jeetu, whose life has always been shaped by unexpected “twos” – two mothers, two fathers, two bosses, and now, by destiny’s strangest turn, two wives.

Produced by Peninsula Productions, the show is set to premiere on December 15 at 10:00 PM, airing Monday to Friday on &TV.