Author: Ankita Singh

Before becoming a Hollywood icon, English actor George Clooney once worked as a shoe salesman, dealing with various challenges, including tending to the foot corns of elderly customers.

A Memorable Job Experience

At the age of 18, Clooney recalled his days as a shoe salesman on “Live With Kelly and Mark.” He humorously noted that he often had “a lot of 80-year-olds” presenting their feet right in front of him, exclaiming about their “hammertoe.”

Clooney, who gained fame as hospital medical technician Ace on E/R in 1984, shared, “I sold ladies’ shoes at a department store. For those of you ladies in the audience, it’s a miserable job for us!”

Working at McAlpin’s in Cincinnati, Clooney sold numerous support shoes meant for elderly women. “I was 18, and there would be a lot of 80-year-olds, like, ‘That’s a hammertoe!’” he said.

The Corn Treatment

He described a unique aspect of the job: “We had this thing – if old ladies came in with a corn or bunion, you had a little plastic corn, like a Mister Potato Head. You’d spray their foot with blue powder on the corn, put it in the stretching shoe that had holes, and then stretch the corn hole, basically.”

A Dream Deferred

In another part of the interview, the Oscar-winning actor reminisced about his childhood aspiration of becoming a professional baseball player. “I wanted to be a baseball player. I was back in Cincinnati, which is close to Kentucky, where my family worked, and I was just back there a month ago.”

Clooney recalled that the owner of the Cincinnati Reds showed up and brought him a contract for a day, making him an official Reds player. “We made the play-offs this year – I just want to say – and he also read my scouting report.”

However, the scouting report highlighted Clooney’s limitations, making him realize he was right to abandon his baseball dreams. “It was like, he’s got decent speed, he can kind of hit, and he’s got the worst arm. I’d been telling all my friends how I was going to be a professional player, and then you read that scouting report. Clearly, I was not ever going to be a professional baseball player.”

Clooney’s reflections reveal a fascinating glimpse into his journey, from selling shoes to Hollywood stardom.

Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma will feature in an upcoming episode of the quiz-based reality show “Kaun Banega Crorepati.” She will share an inspiring story with megastar Amitabh Bachchan about how her brother first recognized her talent as a cricketer.

Support from Family

In her conversation with Big B, Deepti reflected on her childhood and the pivotal role her brother played in her early cricketing journey.

She said, “I began playing cricket because of my brother. I used to accompany him to the ground just to watch him play. One day, I was sitting on the stairs when a ball suddenly came towards me. I threw it back from around 40–50 metres, and it directly hit the stumps. People there immediately said, ‘This girl should be playing cricket.’ From that moment, I never looked back and started playing seriously.”

A Brother’s Pride

The episode also highlights a sentimental moment when her brother, who was seated in the audience, expressed his pride. He remarked, “I feel proud to be known as Deepti’s brother,” acknowledging her growth in the sport. Additionally, he recited a heartfelt poem dedicated to Amitabh Bachchan.

A Special Guest Appearance

In the latest episode, India’s youngest cricket star Shafali Varma, along with her teammates from the India Women’s Cricket Team, joined Amitabh Bachchan. During the show, Big B humorously requested their coach, Amol Mazumdar, to allow the girls to enjoy some pizza following their recent win.

He asked, “Toh sir pureh saal bhar tak pizza khane denge aap inhe? Ab toh ye world cup jeet kar aaye hain. Ab inhe junk food allowed kar do.” Amol Mazumdar responded with a light-hearted “Nahi.”

Show Details

Amitabh Bachchan is currently hosting the new season of “Kaun Banega Crorepati,” which is the official Hindi adaptation of the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” franchise. The show’s format features contestants answering multiple-choice questions with the aid of lifelines if they are uncertain about their answers.

“Kaun Banega Crorepati” airs on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV, capturing the audience with its engaging content.

Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli has shared an emotional note for Prabhas as the star reached Japan, receiving an incredible welcome from fans of the iconic ‘Baahubali’ franchise. In his heartfelt response, Prabhas expressed that he was “missing you here” and assured Rajamouli that they would visit together again.

Prabhas took to Instagram, posting a picture of Rajamouli’s letter, which included a touching message: “Knowing you darling, if you’ve already tasted the love of the Japanese audience, you must be in tears right now.”

Rajamouli reminisced about his four visits to Japan, recalling how fans would consistently ask, “When will Prabhas come here?” He emphasized his desire for Prabhas to experience the immense affection from the audience, stating, “The more they expressed their wish, the more I wanted you to experience the love they have for you, and for them to see how much you care for them too.”

Describing Japan as his “second home,” Rajamouli expressed joy at the arrival of ‘Baahubali’ in the country, thanking his Japanese fans with a simple yet heartfelt, “Arigato gozaimasu.” He added, “Finally, my Baahubali has arrived in my second home. I hope you enjoy Japan as much as I have enjoyed every visit. To all my Japanese friends, love you all.”

In response to Rajamouli’s note, Prabhas shared a picture from his trip with the caption: “Daaaarlingggggg @ssrajamouli… love you so much. Missing you here in Japan… we’ll both come again.”

Prabhas is in Japan for the official release of “Baahubali: The Epic,” which is set for December 12. At a special screening, he addressed the audience with warmth and gratitude, saying, “Thanks for the love. After Baahubali, Rajamouli Garu, Shobhu Garu, and Lakshmi Garu (his wife) were all speaking about you so beautifully, such amazing fans, emotional people. And for the last 10 years, I’ve been hearing so much about Japan. So finally, I see you all. Thank you.”

He further expressed his excitement about fulfilling a long-held dream of visiting Japan and assured his fans of his deep affection, saying, “It was my dream to come to Japan and meet you all in person. And I hope, like Lakshmi Garu, I also come every year and meet you.”

Prabhas is currently gearing up for a lineup of exciting projects, including the highly anticipated films The Rajasaab, Spirit, Fauzi, Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryaanga Parvam, and Kalki 2898 AD Part 2.

Singer Shibani Kashyap is gearing up for a special performance at the Red Sea International Film Festival during the India Night, organized by the Indian Consulate in Jeddah.

Celebrating a Timeless Classic

The event will feature the iconic Bollywood classic “Umrao Jaan,” presented in the esteemed company of Rekha and filmmaker Muzaffar Ali. Shibani is set to honor this masterpiece by performing two memorable songs from the film: “Dil Cheez Kya Hai” and “In Aankhon Ki Masti Ke.”

A Divine Blessing

In an exclusive interview, Shibani was asked about the pressure of performing for such esteemed figures. She described the experience as a divine blessing.

“I know Muzaffar Ali ji well, as his son Murad Ali is a close friend. I also know Shahad very well. I am genuinely happy that I will be able to pay my own tribute to them. Yes, I am nervous—obviously any artist would be,” she shared.

Balancing Legacy and Contemporary Vibes

Shibani plans to blend legacy with modern energy in her performance. She emphasized that her artistic identity has always been a mix of contemporary and classic influences.

“I naturally gravitate toward fusing genres, and my music always carries a fusion element. The musicdigihunt accompanying me include Qawwali singer Aman Khan Sabri. We will also incorporate Qawwali elements through songs like “Damadum Mast Qalandar” and “Chaap Tilak.” I love performing and listening to these songs. The concert will feature a wide variety of music,” she explained.

Exciting Performances Ahead

Sharing more about the upcoming event, she noted, “On the eighth of December, many Red Sea Festival delegates will attend the show, so I look forward to performing on that truly global stage. On the ninth, I will perform for the Indian community there, which will allow me to present a complete bouquet of retro and contemporary Bollywood hits. I know I will certainly pay tribute to Bollywood.”

Actress Shriya Pilgaonkar has shared a gentle, poetic note reflecting her time in the hills, capturing the tranquil rhythm of winter days and the small joys they bring.

Shriya, daughter of Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar, took to Instagram to share a series of pictures from her mountainous getaway.

In her heartfelt reflection, she described “gaddi dogs and ginger-lemon honey tea purple flowers,” painting a vivid picture of slow mornings spent sunbathing on quiet rooftops beneath clear blue skies.

She wrote: “Notes from the hills Of gaddi dogs and winter lines, ginger-lemon honey tea and purple flowers… sunbathing on quiet rooftops under wide blue skies.”

Shriya also shared how postcards turned into wishes, old friendships were rekindled around a warm fireplace, and the “mountain magic” that slowly brings inner calm.

“Postcards turning into wishes, Old friendships around a fireplace mountain magic becoming inner peace,” she expressed.

On the film front, Shriya will next appear in Haiwaan, directed by Priyadarshan. The film commenced shooting in August this year and marks the reunion of Bollywood superstars Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after 18 years.

Saif and Akshay last collaborated in Tashan, which was both a commercial and critical failure.

In addition, Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar are working together on a project titled Bhoot Bangla. This horror drama is expected to release towards the end of 2025, reuniting one of Hindi cinema’s most successful actor-director pairs.

Shriya made her acting debut with the Marathi film Ekulti Ek in 2013, which earned her the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Debut. After debuting in Hindi with Fan, she established herself through successful web series such as Mirzapur, Guilty Minds, The Broken News, and Taaza Khabar, alongside her film Ishq-e-Nadaan.

Popular television actress Deepika Singh recently shared how a long-forgotten choreography she once watched online came to her rescue during a hectic shoot. She expressed how being both an actor and dancer has always benefited her.

Deepika took to Instagram to post a video of herself dancing alongside her “Mangal Lakshmi” co-star to the title track of the 1999 film “Taal.”

In her caption, she noted, “Nothing we learn in this world is ever wasted. If it’s good, it will serve some good purpose in the future. That happened this day when we were supposed to dance on set on the same song (sic).”

Explaining the importance of her skills, Deepika shared: “Being an Actor Dancer always helped me, many times on set. This choreo was inspired by my Odissi dancer friend @purnatamohanty choreography which I saw online long back.”

She added, “But as I got a chance to dance on ‘Taal’, her choreography clicked for me. We hardly had 15 minutes to finish this scene. @thearshiyasharma also followed the same choreography instructed by me.”

“Taal,” directed by Subhash Ghai, features a stellar cast including Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Akshaye Khanna, Amrish Puri, and Alok Nath. The film follows Mansi, who becomes famous with Vikrant’s help after being insulted by her former boyfriend’s family members.

Currently, Deepika stars in the show ‘Mangal Lakshmi,’ which is an official adaptation of the Kannada TV series “Bhagyalakshmi.” The cast also includes Sanika Amit, Naman Shaw, and Shubham Dipta. Directed by Faheim Ahmad, this daily soap airs Monday to Friday on Colors.

The crux of the story revolves around Mangal, who embarks on a journey to find her sister Lakshmi a perfect match, while love and trials test their sisterhood, revealing the power of destiny.

Deepika made her television debut in “Diya Aur Baati Hum,” where she portrayed IPS Sandhya Kothari Rathi opposite Anas Rashid, marking a breakthrough in her career.

After a hiatus, she returned to television in 2019, playing dual roles of Sandhya Patwardhan Jindal and Sakshi Patwardhan Salgaonkar opposite Namik Paul and Vin Rana in “Kavach… Mahashivrati.” Additionally, she portrayed an advocate in the web series “Halala.” In 2022, the actress made her film debut with “Titu Ambani” alongside Tushar Pandey.

As the film “Pushpa: The Rule” marks a year since its release in cinemas, actress Sreeleela fondly celebrated one year of the song “Kissik” from the film, sharing a treasure trove of memories featuring Allu Arjun and moments from the sets.

Sreeleela took to Instagram, posting a variety of images and videos from the song’s set, some of which included Arjun and director Sukumar. “1 year of KISSIK #GRATEFUL,” she captioned her post, accompanied by the track playing in the background.

“Pushpa 2: The Rule” is set to release in 2024. This sequel to “Pushpa: The Rise” is the second installment in the Pushpa film series, featuring Allu Arjun in the titular role alongside Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, Sunil, and Rao Ramesh. The storyline follows Pushpa Raj, a labourer who transforms into a red sandalwood smuggler while confronting escalating threats from rivals, including SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat.

The film has shattered several box office records, grossing over Rs. 1,800 crore worldwide. This achievement makes it the second highest-grossing film in India, the highest-grossing Indian film of 2024, the second-highest-grossing Telugu film of all time, and the third-highest-grossing Indian film globally.

On the career front, Sreeleela is set to star in director Sudha Kongara’s highly anticipated period film, “Parasakthi,” which features actor Sivakarthikeyan in the lead role. The actress has lent her voice for her portions in the film. The makers confirmed on October 21 this year that filming had been completed, following the wrap-up of the Pollachi schedule in August.

Originally referred to as #SK25, representing Sivakarthikeyan’s 25th film, “Parasakthi” boasts music by G V Prakash and cinematography by the experienced Ravi K Chandran. Stunt sequences are handled by Supreme Sundar.

Sreeleela began her career as a child artist and made her lead debut in the 2019 film “Kiss.” She has since appeared in titles such as “Pelli SandaD,” “Dhamaka,” “Bhagavanth Kesari,” “Guntur Kaaram,” and “Mass Jathara.”

The father of singer and composer Amaal Mallik, currently a contestant in ‘Bigg Boss 19’, Daboo Malik, expressed his gratitude to former housemate Baseer Ali for being a “true friend” to his son.

Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Daboo Malik referred to Baseer as Amaal’s “rock.” He stated, “Love to @Baseer_Bob. He was the rock who stood by Amaal as a true friend. Will never forget those moments of support. Don’t believe anything else but believe only my love for him… (sic).”

Daboo Malik also shared photos from a recent meeting with Baseer on his Instagram, accompanied by another heartfelt note: “Ye Lo Ji… Lots of love to my boy @baseer_bob. His support made Amaal the rockstar. Thanks for all the love my son… God Bless… He asks his fans to vote for Amaal… (red heart emoji) (sic).”

On Wednesday, Baseer tweeted, “@AmaalMallik for the win,” just days before the ‘Bigg Boss season 19’ finale set for December 7. Tanya Mittal, Gaurav Khanna, Pranit More, Farrhana Bhatt, and Amaal are among the top contenders this season for the trophy.

Despite the impending finale, the drama within the ‘Bigg Boss 19 house’ continues to intensify. Recently, Farrhana and Tanya engaged in a heated argument, accusing each other of manipulation and double standards.

Farrhana claimed that Tanya had previously referred to her as the “strongest contestant” in the house, expressing a desire to see her as the “only competition.” When Farrhana questioned this sudden change in Tanya’s stance, she accused her of resorting to “cheap tactics” for gaining support in the house.

In response, Tanya stated that “things change with time,” which led Farrhana to accuse her of playing “chindi games” for personal gain. The argument eventually ended with Farrhana telling Tanya to “go to hell.”

Acclaimed filmmaker Kiran Rao believes India’s independent cinema is “on the cusp of a global moment.” She emphasizes that platforms like the Tasveer South Asian Film Festival & Market (TSAFF & Market) are vital in accelerating this transformation.

Ahead of Tasveer’s inaugural India event, a two-film showcase in Mumbai on December 8, Rao describes the initiative as “an important cultural bridge” linking South Asian storytellers with global audiences.

Showcasing Talented Films

The Mumbai showcase will feature two Oscar-qualified South Asian films: Holy Curse by Snigdha Kapoor and Humans in the Loop by Aranya Sahay, with the latter being presented by Rao. Based in Seattle, Tasveer is the world’s only Oscar®-qualifying South Asian film festival and has dedicated over two decades to championing under-represented voices across the diaspora.

Rao was deeply impressed with Humans in the Loop when she first viewed it at Whistling Woods.

“What stayed with me was Aranya’s clarity and confidence as a storyteller,” she recalls. “The film explores something incredibly timely: the human labour behind AI, the erasure of indigenous knowledge systems, and the imbalance in representation of the global south in building these tools. It’s urgent, moving, and deeply empathetic.”

Bridging the Gap

A long-time advocate for independent cinema, Rao believes platforms like Tasveer can help bridge the gap between festival success and mainstream visibility.

“Any film that finds its audience can do well,” she states. “The challenge is access—reaching that audience. For that, we need a more cohesive ecosystem that supports independent creators at every stage.”

She also highlights a crucial issue: Indian films often fall short at global awards not due to a lack of merit, but because of limited campaign resources.

“Winning at the Oscars requires artistic strength, yes, but also visibility and robust outreach,” she explains. “Our films are powerful; we just need to help them travel.”

Bollywood actor Sudesh Berry, who has been a prominent figure in the Indian entertainment industry for over three decades, took fans on a nostalgic journey by sharing a priceless throwback picture from the sets of ‘Pehla Nasha’.

The actor posted the photo on his social media account, recalling the energy, passion, and excitement that filled the film’s team during its making.

The photo showcased young talents like Deepak Tijori, Pooja Bhatt, Raveena Tandon, Paresh Rawal, Archana Puran Singh, Kailash Nath, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Rahul Roy. Sharing this cherished moment, Sudesh wrote, “Some frames become history… and this is one of them. Honoured to have been sharing the screen in Pehla Nasha with an incredible star cast—Deepak Tijori, Pooja Bhatt, Raveena Tandon, Paresh Rawal, Archana Puran Singh, Kailash Nath, and myself… along with the unforgettable special appearances by Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Rahul Roy.”

He further expressed, “We were young, passionate, and full of dreams — and cinema brought us all together. Looking back at this moment fills me with gratitude for the journey and pride for the legacy we created. Timeless memories… Timeless cinema.”

For those unfamiliar, Pehla Nasha was released in 1993 and marked the directorial debut of acclaimed filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, who later directed iconic films like ‘Lagaan’, ‘Swades’, and ‘Jodhaa Akbar’. The film starred Deepak Tijori and Pooja Bhatt in lead roles, along with Raveena Tandon, Paresh Rawal, Archana Puran Singh, Kailash Nath, and Sudesh Berry in pivotal characters.

The movie was especially memorable due to the special appearances by rising stars of that time – Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Saif Ali Khan, alongside Aashiqui sensation Rahul Roy.

Sudesh Berry made his Bollywood debut with the 1988 film ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ and later garnered praise for his roles in ‘Naam Gum Jayega’, ‘Teri Baahon Mein’, and more. He also starred in popular TV shows such as ‘Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo’, ‘Devon Ke Dev Mahadev’, ‘Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki’, and ‘CID’.