Author: Ankita Singh

Veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha recently paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary star Dharmendra, whom he described as ‘truly irreplaceable.’ In his emotional message, Shatrughan remembered Dharmendra, who would have turned 90 today, as his ‘first hero’ and ‘people’s hero’ in the truest sense.

A Loving Tribute

Shatrughan took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his deep admiration: “Remembering with immense love & fondness my ‘first hero’ & ‘people’s hero’ in true sense, like a dear elder brother @aapkadharam.”

He emphasized the significant impact Dharmendra had on both the film industry and the hearts of his fans, stating that his absence has left a massive void that can never be filled. “You have left behind a huge vacuum no one can ever fill. You are truly irreplaceable. You will live in our hearts forever. Long Live Dharamji! #BirthAnniversary,” he wrote.

Reflecting on Legacy

Shatrughan also took the opportunity to highlight the immense legacy Dharmendra leaves behind.

In a show of solidarity, he reached out to veteran actress Hema Malini, who is grieving the loss of her husband. “Met our dearest family friend @dreamgirlhema. It was heart breaking to meet her in these traumatic times of her tremendous loss of our dearest family friend, our elder brother @aapkadharam. Met her two beautiful daughters @Esha_Deol and #AhanaDeol, offering comforting words for their immense loss. Dharamji was a kind & gentle soul.”

He added, “He isn’t with us today but his memories will live with us forever. Prayers & condolences for their peace in these difficult times. God bless them all. (Om Emoji) Shanti.”

A Heartfelt Visit

Shatrughan also paid a visit to Dharmendra’s sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, to extend his sincere condolences. Sharing the experience on social media, he said, “On my return from Delhi, I went with a very heavy, sorrowful heart to our dearest family friend, our elder brother’s @aapkadharam home. It was heart-touching meeting his wonderful sons @iamsunnydeol and Bobby Deol, his attractive, charming wife Tanya, and their handsome sons Dharam & especially Aryaman.”

The outpouring of love and memories showcases the profound impact Dharmendra had not just on his family and friends, but also on the entire film industry.

Popular content creator-turned-actress Prajakta Koli has recently shared her journey of transitioning from creating her own content to being directed by filmmakers. She described the shift as surprisingly smoother than she anticipated.

When asked about the challenges of moving from original content creation to being directed, Prajakta explained, “I thought it would be a lot tougher for me to let go of a few behavioural patterns of mine.” She initially feared that her established habits as a creator would hinder her acting.

Reflecting on her new experiences, she said, “When I started acting, I realized that that was the first time I was performing characters I had not written. I always had this in my mind. I said, ‘How will I know what was the motivation of this line? What happened before this? How do I know? I don’t know instinctively how to act on a character that I didn’t build.’ But this lasted two days.”

Working with seasoned filmmakers provided her relief. Prajakta expressed, “When you reach a set and you work with creators who are far more talented, far more credible, and far more clear about how they want to tell the story, suddenly there’s a relief that you feel, I don’t need to worry about this. Because there’s someone smarter than me, more experienced than me, who’s at the helm of things.”

This initial relief quickly transformed into enjoyment for her. She noted, “So, I don’t have to worry about this. And that relief then turns into fun. When you get a break, go and have tea together and have fun. It’s also a little bit… you get spoilt also there, which I like.”

Currently, Prajakta is looking forward to the release of her upcoming series “Single Papa,” which features Manoj Pahwa, Kunal Kemmu, Neha Dhupia, and Ayesha Raza Mishra.

The series follows Gaurav Gehlot, a lovable man-child whose emotional age can best be described as “work in progress.” His sudden decision to adopt a baby right after his divorce shocks his family, leading them to consider rebooting him. The situation escalates as the Gehlots scramble to understand how a man who still misplaces his socks plans to raise a whole human.

“Single Papa” is set to premiere on December 12 on Netflix.

Actor Kiran Abbavaram, who stars in director Ravi Namburii’s much-anticipated Telugu romantic entertainer ‘Chennai Love Story,’ announced that the film’s unit has successfully wrapped up a major schedule.

The announcement was made by Kiran on his X timeline, where he expressed his excitement with the caption, “Magic Happened. Major Schedule wrapped up :)” accompanied by photographs of himself with the crew taken on set.

This film features Sri Gouri Priya, known for her standout performance in the Tamil romantic drama ‘Lover,’ as the female lead.

Recently, the makers celebrated Sri Gouri Priya’s birthday by releasing a special poster and revealed the character names of the main actors. Kiran Abbavaram portrays Steven Sankar, while Sri Gouri Priya plays Nivi.

A teaser released earlier features a dialogue between Steven Sankar and Nivi at a beach. Nivi queries Steven about his thoughts on the film ‘Baby,’ commending its portrayal of first love. She emphasizes that a failed first love can turn life into a nightmare, asserting that first love holds a unique purity, suggesting that subsequent relationships may lack that same honesty.

In response, Steven challenges her view, remarking, “If first love is the only one that is pure and honest, shouldn’t all our love stories stop with our mothers? For isn’t every individual’s first love his/her mother?” He goes on to highlight that many iconic love stories are not centered around their protagonists’ first love, suggesting that if someone’s first love falters, a more meaningful love story may be on the horizon.

Ravi Namburii, who is directing the film, has also crafted its screenplay. The story is penned by Sai Rajesh, who is among the producers.

Production Details:

• The film is produced by SKN under the banners of Mass Movie Makers and Amrutha Productions.
• Co-producer: Dheeraj Mogilineni.

Technical Crew:

• Music: Mani Sharma
• Cinematography: Viswas Daniel
• Lyrics: Anantha Sriram
• Art Direction: Bhaskar Mudavat
• Editing: Santhosh Naidu
• Costumes: Devi Parchuri
• Co-director: Lucky Bezawada

This romantic venture promises to deliver a fresh narrative and engaging performances as it heads toward its release.

Acclaimed actor Manoj Pahwa, known for his memorable roles in television shows such as “Office Office,” “Bol Baby Bol,” and “Just Mohabbat,” has reflected on the lasting impact of 1990s television, attributing its success to the careful crafting of content at that time.

Changing Landscape of Television

When asked why contemporary shows struggle to leave a similar mark, Manoj pointed out the drastic shift in the working culture of television, which has transformed into a “factory” model.

“In today’s shows, everything has become like factories. During our time, it was a golden period. We had to deliver only four episodes a month and the format was weekly. Each episode took about two to two and a half days to complete.”

He elaborated on the production process, noting, “Your producer-director used to allocate 10 days for a block. For ‘Just Mohabbat,’ we needed to produce four episodes.”

Benefits of a Slower Pace

Manoj emphasized that this slower pace was beneficial for everyone involved in the production.

“Writers had around 20 days to work on the next scripts. As actors, we too had time to prepare, and the subjects were evolving. That kind of thoughtful creation isn’t prevalent anymore,” he said, mentioning his upcoming role in Netflix’s “Single Papa.”

Literary Depth in Writing

Reflecting on the writing quality of that era, he highlighted the literary depth and the impressive writing teams. “We don’t do those kinds of stories anymore—adaptations of Munshi Premchand’s works or Ghalib’s poetry. ‘Just Mohabbat’ was deeply rooted in child-parent psychology. The creative minds like Kamanshu, Victor, Saurabh, and later Anmol contributed significantly to the narratives. Even ‘Office Office’ had that uniqueness, but then it shifted into a factory-model approach.”

Upcoming Series: Single Papa

“Single Papa” features an ensemble cast including Manoj Pahwa, Kunal Kemmu, Prajakta Koli, Neha Dhupia, and Ayesha Raza Mishra. The series revolves around Gaurav Gehlot, a lovable man-child whose emotional maturity is still “a work in progress.”

His impulsive decision to adopt a baby right after his divorce shocks his family, leading them to briefly consider ways to “reboot” him. The ensuing chaos has the Gehlots grappling with the challenge of how a man who frequently misplaces his socks plans to raise a child.

“Single Papa” is set to premiere on December 12 on Netflix.

Actor Arjun Rampal is brimming with excitement as he receives an overwhelming amount of love, support, and acceptance for his latest release, “Dhurandhar.”

In a heartfelt social media post, Rampal dropped behind-the-scenes photos from the action entertainer and expressed his gratitude, saying, “Ladies & Gentlemen, we were not ready for this. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this incredible love, support and acceptance you have given #Dhurandhar.”

He credited the film’s success to the vision and passion of director Aditya Dhar. Rampal noted, “The day you narrated me the film, I realized how important a movie you wanted to make—a story that would unfold in the unique narrative style. The level of research, the depth in all characters, the creation of each character from their look to their attitudes surprised me time and again. Most importantly, you absorbed all the pressure while filming and never had a bad day. Thank you, Boiya. Love you.”

Praising his co-stars—Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun—Rampal continued, “Your passion is inspiring. #MrOh and his whole team, incredible action! #AkshayKhanna, you owned it. Ruled it. Hit it out of the park—more power to you. @actormaddy, you are pure genius. I can’t wait to do scenes with you one day. @duttsanjay, you know I love you; thank you for just being you. Big Jappi. @therakeshbedi, mazza agaya, brother. What a full circle. @saraarjunn, congratulations, onward and upward. To the beast, the wrath of God. @ranveersingh, Hamza, watching your focus, determination, and mad methods to stay in character was a beautiful journey. You were unabashed, fearless, and endearing. Thank you for the ice baths. The last dance belongs to me. Love you.”

Rampal further extended his gratitude to the technical crew and producers for bringing the project to life.

Actor-comedian Kapil Sharma has shared insights about his experience filming a romantic song with co-star Hira Warina in “Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2.”

Comfort on Set

He highlighted how Warina played a vital role in helping him feel at ease while shooting the romantic track ‘Ranjhe Nu Heer.’ Kapil remarked, “It was a romantic song for Warina and me, and the very first day of the shoot in Bhopal was extremely hot. In the song, it may look like I’m lost in her eyes, but the moment the director called ‘cut,’ I’d take off my kurta and sit in my undershirt just to cool down.”

Kapil expressed his gratitude, stating, “I’d really like to thank Warina for making me feel so comfortable on set. Your performance truly depends on your co-star, and when you get a good response from the person opposite you, it naturally lifts your own performance too.”

Musical Essence

“Ranjhe Nu Heer” is a soulful romantic track rendered by Jubin Nautiyal. The melody, composed by DigV, carries a gentle, soothing charm, while Lavraj’s lyrics evoke the essence of classic, old-school romance. The song beautifully encapsulates the emotion of a lover pouring his heart out — a Ranjha speaking to his Heer.

A New Look for Kapil

Notably, Kapil Sharma takes on a full-fledged romantic avatar for the first time, sporting a turbaned look while romancing Warina on screen.

Film Details

The upcoming film, directed by Anukalp Goswami, is produced by Ratan Jain, Ganesh Jain, and Abbas Mustan under the banner of Venus Worldwide Entertainment in association with Abbas Mustan Film Production. The comedy-drama also features Manjot Singh, Tridha Choudhury, Parul Gulati, and Ayesha Khan in lead roles, with Gashmeer Mahajani, Saurabh Goyal, Pallavi Ajay, Kuldeep Sareen, and Hardika Sharma in supporting roles.

“Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2” is set to hit theaters on 12 December 2025.

The makers of director A R Jeeva’s gripping drama, “Lockdown,” starring Anupama Parameswaran in the lead role, have announced that the film will now be released worldwide on December 12 this year.

In a recent update on their X timeline, Lyca Productions, the production company behind the film, stated, “When life turns upside down, choices get harder. #Lockdown ⚡️ hits theatres on December 12.”

Originally scheduled for release on December 5, the film’s launch was postponed due to the continuous rains that affected Chennai and other regions in Tamil Nadu last week. The steady rainfall resulted from a deep depression caused by the remnants of cyclone Ditwah, which had devastated neighboring Sri Lanka, leading the makers to delay the film’s release.

Lyca Productions had previously communicated the postponement, emphasizing the importance of safety: “With the ongoing rains, the release of #Lockdown has been postponed. Your safety comes first. We’ll meet you in theatres soon. #LockdownInCinemasSoon.”

They further elaborated, stating, “Due to the ongoing heavy rains and adverse weather conditions, the release of our film #Lockdown has been postponed. In light of the current challenges, we are delaying the release to prioritize the safety of our audience, theatre staff, and partners. Please stay safe and take necessary precautions. We look forward to welcoming you to cinemas soon to experience ‘Lockdown’ on the big screen.”

With the rains now having lessened, the team has confirmed the new release date of December 12. The Censor Board has already granted the film a U/A certificate.

“Lockdown” is a woman-centric film that has garnered significant anticipation, as it is based on a true story.

The trailer sets the stage with Anupama Parameswaran, portraying the character Anitha, who expresses her fear of returning home, hinting at a troubling issue she cannot discuss with her family. Additionally, she faces unwanted advances from men around her.

Amid these challenges, a 21-day nationwide lockdown is declared to curb the spread of COVID, forcing Anitha to stay home. Her behavioral changes raise concerns for her parents. Her mother notices Anitha frequently checking her phone and losing her temper. The trailer also depicts Anitha and her friend trying to reach a doctor, who is unavailable due to isolation after contracting the virus.

In a scene that heightens tension, Anitha is seen calling friends to borrow money, prompting her parents to inquire about her financial needs. The trailer concludes with Anitha apologizing to her father, vowing not to repeat her actions.

Produced by Subaskaran of Lyca Productions, the film features a talented ensemble cast, including Charlie, Nirosha, Priya Venkat, Livingston, Indhumathi, Rajkumar, Shamji, Lollu Sabha Maran, Vinayak Raj, Vidhu, Abhirami, Ravathi, Sanjivie, Priya Ganesh, and Asha, among others.

The music score is crafted by the talented NR Raghunanthan and Siddharth Vipin, with cinematography by K.A. Sakthivel. The film is edited by V J Sabu Joseph and features art direction by A Jayakumar.

Choreography is handled by Sherif and Sri Girish, while stunts are choreographed by Om Sivaprakash. Costumes are designed by Meenakshi Shreedharan.

Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor has showered praise on actress Rashmika Mandanna’s latest release, “The Girlfriend,” describing it as a “mandatory watch.”

Janhvi took to Instagram to share a story featuring a pivotal moment from the film, which showcases Rashmika. She captioned her post with “#TheGirlfriend. Mandatory Watch.”

About ‘The Girlfriend’

“The Girlfriend” is a 2025 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama directed by Rahul Ravindran. The film features Rashmika Mandanna, Dheekshith Shetty, and Anu Emmanuel in lead roles.

The storyline revolves around a young woman named Bhooma as she navigates love, compatibility, and self-discovery during her college years, confronting complexities in relationships and personal growth.

Janhvi Kapoor’s Recent Work

Janhvi was last seen in the romantic comedy “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari,” directed by Shashank Khaitan. This film also stars Varun Dhawan, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, Maniesh Paul, and Akshay Oberoi.

The plot follows Ananya and Vikram, both heartbroken after their partners choose to marry each other. Sunny and Tulsi then join forces to crash the wedding of their former lovers.

Janhvi will next portray Achiyyamma in Ram Charan’s upcoming film, “Peddi.”

Recently, the makers unveiled two intriguing posters of Janhvi, showcasing her character as fierce and fearless. In one poster, she stands atop a jeep with her arms raised, while in another, she poses with her left hand on her head.

Release Details of ‘Peddi’

“Peddi” is set to be released in theaters on March 27 next year. Produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under Vriddhi Cinemas and presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings, the film boasts a grand scale.

Notably, the production team had filmed a spectacular song featuring a remarkable 1,000 dancers for the film. This was shot during Vinayaka Chavithi, a day when many others opted to take a break. The song, highlighting Ram Charan, was filmed in Mysore and choreographed by Jani Master.

The cast also includes Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar in a significant supporting role, with Jagapathi Babu and Divyendu Sharma playing key parts.

“Peddi” is scheduled for a grand Pan-India theatrical release on March 27, 2026, coinciding with Ram Charan’s birthday.

Sunny Deol honored his recently deceased father, Dharmendra, who would have celebrated his 90th birthday.

Reflecting on this poignant day, Sunny shared on social media, “Today is my father’s birthday. Papa is always with me, inside me love you papa. Miss you. (sic).”

He also posted a nostalgic video of Dharmendra relishing the breathtaking beauty of the mountains, where he expressed, “I am really enjoying my son, it’s lovely.”

Recently, Dharmendra was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai due to complaints of breathlessness. After receiving appropriate treatment, he was discharged on November 12 and continued his recovery at home.

Following his passing, Dharmendra’s last rites were conducted at Pawan Hans crematorium in Mumbai, attended by numerous Bollywood stars and family members. His demise resonated through the industry, leaving a significant impact.

During the grand finale of “Bigg Boss 19,” host Salman Khan, who shared a close bond with Dharmendra, became emotional while recalling the ‘He-Man’ of Bollywood. With tears in his eyes, Salman stated, “Dharmendra passed away on the 24th of November, on my father Salim Khan’s 90th birthday.”

Describing Dharmendra, he noted, “He was the He-Man of Bollywood, with an innocent face and the body of a He-Man, with a 60+ years of legacy.” Salman’s voice broke further as he revealed that Dharmendra’s birthday is on December 8, which coincidentally is also his mother’s birthday.

He praised the dignity with which Dharmendra’s funeral was conducted, saying, “I have seen two funerals being conducted with full dignity to date; one was of filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya’s mother, and the second was Dharamji’s. Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and the entire family of Dharmendra ji conducted the prayer meetings also with so much dignity, love, and grace. It was such a beautiful moment to see so many people celebrate his life with so much love.”

Bollywood actress Genelia Deshmukh turned motivator on Monday morning with a heartening note, reminding everyone that the upcoming week is manageable, regardless of what it brings.

Instagram Inspiration

Genelia took to Instagram to share three stunning images of herself in traditional Indian attire. In one of the photos, she donned a deep maroon silk saree, pairing it with a layered kundan-style necklace and classic round earrings.

Her uplifting caption read: “This is a Monday morning reminder – that you can handle whatever the week throws at you.”

Upcoming Projects

The actress will soon appear in Ram Gopa Varma’s much-anticipated horror comedy, “Police Station Mein Bhoot,” alongside Manoj Bajpayee. This project marks the first time Genelia and Manoj will share screen space.

Expressing her excitement about this collaboration, Genelia posted on September 1: “First time stepping into a world where fear meets fun. Had a scarily good time sharing the screen with @bajpayee.manoj in POLICE STATION MEIN BHOOT, directed by the maverick @RGVzoomin.”

She described the film as “a thriller like no other, built on a chilling thought: ‘When we’re scared, we run to the police. But where do the police run when they’re scared?’ #PoliceStationMeinBhoot,” added the ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ actress.

A Multifaceted Career

Genelia began her acting career with the Hindi film Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003, gaining recognition in the Tamil film Boys the same year. She received acclaim for her roles in the romantic comedies Santosh Subramaniam and Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na in 2008.

Over the years, she has appeared in various films including Satyam, Masti, Sye, Sachein, Happy, Dhee, Ready, Katha, Urumi, Force, Velayudham, and Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya.

After marrying Riteish Deshmukh and welcoming two sons, Genelia took a significant break from acting. She made a successful comeback with the Marathi film Ved in 2022.