Author: Ankita Singh

Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani has revealed that the upcoming season of “Freedom at Midnight” will explore the turbulent months that shaped the subcontinent even more deeply.

Intense and Layered Exploration

He promised a more intense and layered investigation into events that continue to shape the nation’s identity. Discussing the second season of the show, Nikkhil stated, “Season 2 of Freedom at Midnight takes us even deeper into India’s most defining months. These were times of turmoil, courage, and impossible decisions, moments that shaped the soul of a new nation.”

Through this season, he emphasized the focus on bringing to life not just the political corridors where history was made but also the human stories that bore its weight. Nikkhil pointed out, “It’s a reminder of the sacrifice, leadership, and resilience that guided India through its most turbulent transition.”

Announcement and Teaser Release

Recently, the makers announced the new season of the historical drama along with its release date on social media. Sharing a teaser, they posted on Instagram, “The electrifying story of the aftermath of India’s Independence – Freedom At Midnight Season 2, streaming on 9th Jan only on Sony LIV. The History You May Not Know, The History You Should Know. #FreedomAtMidnightS2 #FAM2 #FAMOnSonyLIV.”

About the Series

Based on the acclaimed book by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins, “Freedom at Midnight” is an epic political thriller/drama that vividly depicts pivotal moments from the year of India’s independence. The series features a stellar ensemble cast, including Sidhant Gupta, Chirag Vohra, Rajendra Chawla, Arif Zakaria, Ira Dubey, KC Shankar, RJ Malishka, Rajesh Kumar, Luke McGibney, Andrew Cullum, Richard Teverson, Alistair Finlay, and Cordelia Bugeja in crucial roles.

Produced by Emmay Entertainment (Monisha Advani & Madhu Bhojwani) in association with StudioNext, the show is directed by Nikkhil Advani. Season 2 of “Freedom at Midnight” will be available for streaming starting January 9 on Sony LIV.

Saba Pataudi recently shared some priceless family memories featuring her parents, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore, along with her siblings, Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan.

The nostalgic pictures depict young Saba smiling at the camera alongside her loved ones. In her Instagram post, she wrote, “Old is Gold. Precious memories… Came across these recently… Abba my universe, our family pics. Ma and her tribe… US. 🙂 (sic)”

One of the photos features a young Saba with Bollywood’s Mr. Perfectionist, Aamir Khan. She humorously added, “And a random terrible one with Aamir from a shoot I barely remember and a size I never want to revisit either!!!!!”

Known for her active presence on social media, Saba often makes her family feel special through her heartfelt posts.

On Monday, she paid a touching tribute to her mother, the legendary actress Sharmila Tagore, in celebration of her 81st birthday. Saba uploaded a few rare family photos that included Saif, Soha, and Kareena Kapoor, stating, “Happy Birthday Ma! Diva to many, Mother to us. Moments and Memories, Treasured so much! A journey of a lifetime, Growing up with you, Learning the ropes, And surviving each other too! With love and blessings, Wishing you the best of health, Happiest Birthday Ammu! Love you Always and forever. Ayu baba … Happyyyy Birthday to u too! (sic)”

The post featured candid moments of a younger Sharmila Tagore with her children.

Sharmila Tagore and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi got married on 27 December 1968. They are parents to three children: Saif and Soha, who are both actors, and Saba, who is a jewellery designer.

Actor Karan Tacker is set to portray the late paranormal investigator Gaurav Tiwari in the upcoming supernatural thriller “Bhay – The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery.”

Overcoming Challenges

During the trailer launch event of the show, Karan shared insights into the challenges he faced while taking on such a unique role. He opened up about experiencing sleepless nights and even invited his mother to accompany him until he could finally fall asleep.

“I don’t want to sound very overindulgent as an actor, but for me, especially when it came to playing this part, I really had a challenge switching off from the heaviness of what you do on set, and you come back home,” he said. He explained how he often texted his mom on his way home from work, asking her to stay up with him. “Mom, can you just stay up for me? Just have a cup of tea with me or maybe lie down next to me until I go to sleep,” Karan recalled. He mentioned the weight of dealing with a real person’s story, saying, “Had this been just a show which was a horror show, which was fictitious and you were just building a character, there’s a lot of make-believe, but you’re dealing with a real person’s story… it does somewhere stay with you.”

Gaurav’s Final Days

Karan reflected on Gaurav’s final months, noting that he frequently expressed discomfort to his loved ones. “Gaurav, in his last few months, constantly kept telling his loved ones how uncomfortable he was and that something was not right. I took that as motivation for my character and kept that within me,” he added.

Honoring a Legacy

Karan hopes to honor Gaurav’s legacy with his performance. “At the end, I’m just really happy that it turned out very nice. I hope we can take the legacy of Gaurav Tiwari and his entire team forward.”

Television actress Surbhi Chandna has opened up about her personal journey of resilience and self-growth.

In her recent Instagram post, she reflected on moments of doubt, challenging phases, and the quiet rebuilding that has taken place in her life. Surbhi emphasized how every setback has shaped her path and how her unwavering determination has propelled her forward.

Recognition for Leadership

On Tuesday, the ‘Naagin’ actress shared a series of her images and wrote, “Winning An Award at Womenpreneur India for Leadership in Celebrity Entrepreneurship feels like a quiet moment of acknowledgement for a journey that has been anything but quiet. I’ve lived many lives on screen, but building my own music label, FEEL GOOD ORIGINALS, and now stepping into long-format storytelling with The Same Brand has been a journey that shaped me in ways the world never sees.”

She continued, “There were days of doubt, nights of rebuilding, and phases where nothing came easy… but I kept moving, kept creating, kept believing. Every challenge became a lesson, every setback a redirection, and every small win a reminder of why I started.”

Surbhi expressed her gratitude, stating, “I’m grateful for this honour, grounded by everything it took to reach here, and excited for the stories I’m yet to tell. Here’s to dreaming fearlessly, working relentlessly, and growing into the WOMAN I always knew I could be.”

Professional Ventures and Theatre

On the professional front, Surbhi Chandna is widely known for her roles in shows like “Ishqbaaaz,” “Naagin,” “Sherdil Shergill,” and “Sanjivani.” Most recently, she appeared in the web series “Rakshak – India’s Braves: Chapter 2,” which premiered in February 2024. Prior to that, she was seen on television in “Sherdil Shergill.”

Last month, she made headlines by revealing her decision to step away from the small screen for all the right reasons. Surbhi shared that her long-standing fascination with theatre—and her desire to overcome her fear of the stage—motivated her to explore the medium more deeply.

Announcing her theatre debut with “Manto Ke Dastavez,” she wrote, “I have been away for all the right reasons. From the sets of television to the lights of theatre… I have always been fascinated with Theatre as a medium and every time I would watch a play, I would be in awe of the entire process and question myself as an actor: will I ever be able to face my fear!”

Priyanka Chopra recently took to social media to share a cherished memory with Dia Mirza on her birthday.

Heartfelt Wishes

The desi girl expressed her warm wishes for Dia on her special day. In her post, Priyanka conveyed her affection, hoping for “lots of goodness” in Dia’s life and celebrating their wonderful moments together. Sharing on her Instagram stories, the ‘Baywatch’ actress wrote, “Happy happy birthday Dia, Wish you an abundant year with lots of goodness.”

Memorable Photo

In the accompanying image, Priyanka and Dia are seen posing together with Malti Marie in a stroller. Both actresses are displaying bright smiles while looking at the camera. Their friendship dates back to the Miss India pageant in 2000, where they first met as young contestants. Priyanka once shared a touching moment where Dia guided her with makeup in the bathroom, highlighting the early bond they share.

Recent Reunion

In September this year, the two actresses reunited in New York, USA. Dia shared a photo on her Instagram Stories featuring them holding water bottles in a park. She tagged Priyanka and wrote, “Love your #travellingbottle. Love you more,” and included the hashtag #UNGA.

Priyanka re-shared the post, saying, “The loveliest day with the loveliest girl. See you soon.”

Mutual Admiration

The two actresses have continually praised each other. A few months ago, after the release of Priyanka’s film “Heads of State,” Dia applauded her performance. The ‘Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein’ actress expressed her pride, stating, “Priiiiiiiii! So damn proud of the strength you embody. A treat to watch you. ‘She said she’ll take care of it’ and she does!!! What a woman @priyankachopra Go watch our desi girl pack a punch #HeadsOfState.”

Did you know that Kartik Aaryan initially turned down the ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ franchise?

During a session at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, Kartik revealed that when he was first approached for the project, there wasn’t a concrete story, just a basic idea for a sequel.

He expressed his initial reluctance, stating, “When the film first came to me, there was no story — just a sequel idea. I wasn’t keen. But Bhushan (Kumar) sir convinced me, we worked on it, and everything changed. Today, wherever I go, kids call me Rooh Baba. I’m glad I eventually did it.”

Both “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2” and “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” have turned out to be milestone movies for him.

Looking ahead, Kartik will star in the much-anticipated romantic entertainer “Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri,” where he shares the screen with Ananya Panday. This project, directed by Sameer Vidwans, also features Neena Gupta, Jackie Shroff, and Tiku Talsania in key roles, among others.

The film has been shot in stunning locations across Croatia, Rajasthan, and Mumbai over a span of 57 days. “Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri” is set to hit theaters on December 25.

In addition to this, Kartik will also be a part of “Naagzilla.” In this film, he will be seen in a new avatar as Preyamvadeshwar Pyare Chand, a shape-shifting naag on an adventurous journey.

“Naagzilla” is directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and written by Gautam Mehra. The film is being produced in collaboration with Dharma Productions and Mahaveer Jain Films.

Actor Shaheer Sheikh recently shared a glimpse of quality time spent with Mouni Roy, Sanjay Kapoor, and Nimrit Ahluwalia on social media.

The post beautifully captured the fun and camaraderie among these stars, showcasing their lighthearted moments and off-screen bonding. On his Instagram, Shaheer shared a series of images with the caption, “Good food, good locations and great company. #patiyala #chardikala.” The first photo features Shaheer smiling alongside Mouni Roy and Sanjay Kapoor. In a playful video, the group is seen having fun together, and additional photos include Shaheer striking a pose with Avinash Mishra and Nimrit Ahluwalia.

In other news, Shaheer Sheikh made headlines recently when he attended Prakriti Seth’s wedding, where he reunited with former co-star Somya Seth. The two actors were spotted celebrating together, sharing joyful moments from the ceremony on social media. He captioned his post, “Wishing you all the happiness in the world @sethprakriti…(sic).”

On the work front, Shaheer Sheikh is well-known for his roles in popular shows like “Navya… Naye Dhadkan Naye Sawaal,” “Mahabharat” where he portrayed Prince Arjun, “Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi,” and “Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke.” He has also ventured into digital platforms and films, marking his Bollywood debut in the thriller “Do Patti” alongside Kriti Sanon and Kajol. Directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi, the film was co-produced by Kriti Sanon and Kanika Dhillon.

In October, Shaheer celebrated the one-year anniversary of “Do Patti,” becoming emotional as he reflected on his experience working with Kajol and Kriti Sanon. He expressed how special it was to collaborate with such talented performers, describing the experience as both memorable and creatively rewarding.

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi recently marked 41 years of marital bliss with acclaimed writer Javed Akhtar in a heartfelt social media post.

She shared a touching photo on her official Instagram handle, where she is seen lovingly gazing into her husband’s eyes while he listens to her with a warm smile. Describing their enduring connection even after four decades, Shabana expressed, “To be able to look at each other with such tenderness after 41 years of marriage says it all… Happy Anniversary Jadu (sic).”

For those unfamiliar, Shabana and Javed Akhtar met at the home of Shabana’s father, the legendary poet Kaifi Azmi. At that time, Javed was married to his first wife, Honey Irani, with whom he had two children—Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar. Despite initial resistance from Shabana’s family, the couple tied the knot in 1984.

Over the years, Shabana has developed a cordial relationship with her stepchildren, Farhan and Zoya. On September 18th, as Shabana celebrated her 75th birthday, Farhan took to social media to wish her well. He shared a lovely photo of the two, accompanied by a birthday message that read, “Happy belated birthday, Shabana… Have the best year yet… filled with deep, meaningful conversation and frivolous antaksharis, work travel and girl trips, ambition and abandon… but please, please in this landmark year… say NO to cucumber sandwiches…!! Love you, @azmishabana18. (sic)”

Shabana frequently shares glimpses of cherished moments with Javed Akhtar on her social media. This Diwali, the couple enjoyed a delightful get-together with Shabana’s girl gang, which includes acclaimed actresses like Konkona Sen Sharma, Vidya Balan, Dia Mirza, Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal, Shahana Goswami, Divya Dutta, and Tannishtha Chatterjee.

Actor Ashutosh Rana has shared his thoughts following Jaya Bachchan’s recent controversial remarks about paparazzi.

Reflecting on the situation, he emphasized how human emotions and sensitivity can shape our reactions. Commenting on Jaya Bachchan’s statements, Ashutosh highlighted that everyone has inherent value and that emotions often drive us to react impulsively. However, he believes that our sensitivity can also prompt us to pause and understand that everyone is equally important.

“I believe that every person has his own value, and we are very emotional, and we are sensitive as well. So, because of our emotions, sometimes we feel that we attack someone. But at the same time, because of sensitivity, we realize that God has created us as much as he has created the other person,” he stated.

In a related note, ITA founder and actor Shashi Ranjan expressed his disagreement with Jaya Bachchan’s comments about paparazzi culture. He clearly stated, “It was Jaya Bachchan’s opinion, and I strongly disagree with her opinion.”

Ameesha Patel also voiced her support for the paparazzi, praising their commitment and hard work. The ‘Gadar 2’ actress expressed her admiration for photographers and media professionals, highlighting their relentless dedication.

For those unaware, at a recent event, Jaya Bachchan mentioned that she has no connection with the paparazzi. She questioned their qualifications and professionalism while criticizing what she described as increasingly intrusive behavior.

Critiquing their actions, the veteran actress said: “Yeh jo bahar gande, tight pant pehnke, haath mein mobile leke… they think just because they have a mobile, they can take your picture and say what they want. And the kind of comments they pass – what kind of people are these people? Kahan se aate hain? Kis tarah ka education hai? Kya background hai?”

Actress Kareena Kapoor created a heartfelt birthday post for Dia Mirza, who celebrated her special day recently.

Taking to the Stories section of her official Instagram account, Kareena expressed her warm wishes, saying, “Happy birthday dearest Dia (red heart emoji). Sending love, joy, and happiness to you… Always! (Rainbow emoji) @diamirzaofficial.”

For context, Kareena and Dia starred together in the 2009 film “Kurbaan,” which also featured Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Kirron Kher, and Om Puri in pivotal roles.

Interestingly, Kareena and Dia have not always shared a friendly relationship. During a media interaction, Dia revealed a not-so-pleasant encounter with Kareena at an event attended by several prominent Bollywood actresses.

Dia shared that all the actresses were instructed to wear cotton salwar kameez, but Kareena opted for a ghagra choli adorned with heavy jewellery. This decision sparked a heated exchange between the two, with Kareena reportedly raising her voice at Dia, leaving her stunned. Surprisingly, soon after, Kareena resumed talking to Dia as if nothing had happened.

On the professional front, Kareena is set to appear in Meghna Gulzar’s eagerly awaited film “Daayra.” She is excited to share the screen with Prithviraj Sukumaran for the first time.

Kareena recently took to social media to announce the start of the shoot for “Daayra,” sharing glimpses from her first day on set. Her Instagram caption read, “Day 1 of the 68th film, Daayra, with the most amazing @meghnagulzar and @therealprithvi. Send love and blessings.”

A source close to the project revealed, “Kareena has been shooting extensively for Daayra, traveling across various interiors with Meghna. It’s been a very hectic shoot for the team, moving from one location to another. However, the energy on set has been incredible. It’s a long journey to some remote places in Mumbai, but Kareena is enjoying every ride as she gets to explore the real Mumbai.”