Author: Ankita Singh

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan recently shared his profound sorrow over the passing of legendary actor Dharmendra.

While hosting Bigg Boss Season 19, he remarked that the past week felt heavy not only for the nation but also for fans and particularly the Bollywood community. Without directly naming Dharmendra, he indicated that “this week the industry faced a huge loss.”

Expressing his emotional turmoil, Salman stated, “I wish I were not hosting Bigg Boss this week, but at the end, life goes on.” For those unaware, Dharmendra passed away on November 24 at the age of 89.

Salman Khan was among the first Bollywood personalities to arrive at the crematorium on November 24 and later attended the prayer meet held by the Deol family on November 27. He shared a special bond with Dharmendra, having starred together in the film ‘Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya’, which also featured Kajol and Arbaaz Khan.

The connection between Dharmendra and the Khan family spans over five decades, tracing back to when Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, co-wrote the iconic classic ‘Sholay’ with Javed Akhtar. In this beloved film, Dharmendra portrayed Veeru, a character celebrated as one of Bollywood’s finest.

The day after Dharmendra’s demise, numerous notable figures from the film industry paid their respects at the Deol residence. Prominent personalities such as Jeetendra, Rakesh Roshan, Rekha, Hrithik Roshan, Varun Dhawan, Jackky Bhagnani, Rakul Preet Singh, Ajay Devgn, and Allu Arjun’s father, Allu Aravind, visited the family to offer condolences.

At the time of his passing, Dharmendra was 89 and was set to celebrate his 90th birthday on December 8 this year.

Indian Idol’s latest episode brings a nostalgic ambiance as contestant Sugandha Date delivers a mesmerizing rendition of Bollywood singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s timeless hit, “Chunari Chunari.”

Captivating Performance

Sugandha’s graceful vocals and refreshing interpretation captivated the audience, even making Abhijeet fall in love with his own song anew. In a candid moment, he revealed something quite surprising: despite the song’s immense popularity, he has never performed “Chunari Chunari” live on stage.

“I have never sung this song on stage. But from today, I will start singing it! We recorded this song in Hyderabad with Anuradha ji,” he shared.

Emotional Reflections

During her performance, Sugandha recreated the infectious energy of the chartbuster, prompting Abhijeet to reflect on the deeper sentiment of being a part of the episode.

“Coming to Indian Idol always feels like coming home. With a theme like ‘Bass Itna Sa Khwaab Hai’, it feels like revisiting the dreams and emotions that shaped my musical journey. Hearing these young singers reinterpret songs like ‘Chunari Chunari’ with such freshness is incredibly moving. Their passion reminds me of why I fell in love with music in the first place,” Abhijeet expressed.

Tribute to Dharmendra

Recently, singer-rapper Badshah, who appears as a judge on the show, paid a heartfelt tribute to the late superstar Dharmendra.

In a video shared on the show’s social media account, Badshah was seen remembering the legend with deep love and respect. “Dharam paaji was the real essence of Punjab, and now it feels as if that beautiful fragrance and essence have been lost from the soil of our own Punjab. He was Dharam Paaji, everybody’s, every fan’s ideal idol…” he remarked.

He continued, “Dharam ji, wherever you are, be happy and hopeful and at peace.”

As part of his tribute, Badshah recited a shayari often associated with Dharmendra:

“Sab kuch paakar bhi, haasil-e-zindagi kuch bhi nahi, Kambakkht jaan kyun jaati hai jaate hue.”

In a moving display of respect, singer and fellow judge Shreya Ghoshal was also seen standing in tribute, visibly emotional.

Popular television actor Aditya Srivastava, renowned for his role as Inspector Abhijeet in the iconic crime-investigation series CID, recently celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary in style. He shared a touching photo collage from the celebrations on social media.

The actor captioned the collage, “From your 25th Manjula.” In one of the snapshots, Aditya can be seen in a groom’s attire, placing a flower garland around his wife’s neck. Mansi, looking stunning as a bride, radiated joy during the occasion.

Notably, videos and photos from Aditya’s anniversary celebrations quickly gained traction online. On this special day, the couple renewed their vows and remarried, celebrating a milestone in their relationship. Viral clips captured them taking nuptials and performing the saath pheras, both looking adorable in their wedding outfits.

Having tied the knot in 2003, Aditya and Mansi marked their 25th anniversary on November 22, with family, friends, and loved ones ensuring the day was memorable. The couple is also proud parents to two daughters, Aarushi and Advika.

Reflecting on his iconic role in CID, the show launched in 1998 and continued for nearly 20 years before concluding in 2018. The trio of ACP Pradyuman (Shivaji Satam), Senior Inspector Daya (Dayanand Shetty), and Senior Inspector Abhijeet (Aditya Srivastava) became household names during that time.

Beyond CID, Aditya Srivastava has made his mark in various films and projects, including significant roles in movies like Kaalo, Bhakshak, and Super 30.

The makers of director Jithin K Jose’s Malayalam film ‘Kalamkaval’, featuring Malayalam superstar Mammootty and Vinayakan in lead roles, have recently unveiled the lyrical video for the song ‘Redback’.

On its Instagram page, Mammootty Kampany, the production house associated with the actor, announced, “REDBACK Lyric Video from #Kalamkaval Out Now. Music & Lyrics – Jithin K Jose. Singer – Adyan Sayeed.”

About the Song ‘Redback’

The title ‘Redback’ refers to the Redback spider, and the lyrics are penned by Jithin K Jose, who also composed the music for the track. The song is characterized by its deep and layered instrumentation, beautifully rendered by singer Adyan Sayeed.

The lyrics suggest that the Redback spider serves as a metaphor for Mammootty’s character, adding an intriguing layer to the film’s narrative.

Film Release Details

Originally scheduled for a release on November 27, the film’s premiere was postponed. ‘Kalamkaval’ is now set to hit theatres worldwide on December 5 this year. The film has received a U/A certificate from the Censor Board, with Mammootty confirming the news by stating, “#Kalamkaval Censored with U/A 16+ Certificate. In Cinemas Soon.”

Fan Engagement and Teaser Insights

Interest among fans and film enthusiasts has surged since the teaser’s release. This teaser starts with a door being knocked on, with a Tamilian opening it and inquiring, “Who are you?”. We witness a police officer asking another officer about someone named Nath, leading to glimpses of both lead actors—Vinayakan and Mammootty. Vinayakan, appearing as a police officer, maintains a serious demeanor throughout, while Mammootty’s character exudes calmness as he surveys his surroundings.

Production Insights

‘Kalamkaval’ marks the seventh production of Mammootty Kampany and comes with the tagline, “The venom beneath.” Earlier this year, the team revealed a second look poster of Mammootty, describing it with the intriguing phrase, “Some Faces Raise Questions… Not Answers… Presenting The Second Look Poster of #Kalamkaval Directed by Jithin K Jose.”

The film, which completed shooting in November of last year, boasts a storyline and screenplay by Jithin K Jose and Jishnu Sreekumar. Editing is handled by Praveen Prabhakar, while cinematography is by Faisal Ali. Young composer Mujeeb Majeed provides the music, and stunts are choreographed by Action Santhosh.

Curiosity continues to build around the film, with claims that it will present Mammootty in an unprecedented role. Industry rumors suggest that Mammootty plays a character with shades of grey, though there has been no official confirmation of this yet.

Social media influencer Orhan Awatramani, widely known as Orry, recently made an interesting revelation in his vlog featuring Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan’s daughter, Ira Khan, and her husband, Noopur Shikhare. Orry shared that he possesses the iconic ‘Koffee With Karan’ mug, once owned by actress Sara Ali Khan.

The Mug’s Story

Orry explained how he came to own the mug, stating, “She (Sara Ali Khan) didn’t want it, so she was throwing it away. She then said I could have it. So I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll take it.’” The moment caught Ira Khan by surprise as Orry shared this personal tidbit.

Wedding Day Insights

In another part of the vlog, Orry jokingly questioned Noopur about why he opted to run to Ira on their wedding day instead of following a traditional baraat. Noopur responded, “We started dating during Covid, and there was no public transport available. When they started letting people go out and work out, I used to run to Ira. That was the special thing for both of us, that I could reach you anyhow; that’s why I came running.”

Ira Khan added humorously, “I feel really stupid for not knowing there would be media outside his house. I thought there would be media outside my house.”

Fan Interaction and Trolls

Ira also shared a light-hearted fan encounter, where a few fans approached her for a photo but ended up asking who she was after the picture was taken.

Orry also touched on the subject of being trolled for not knowing who Garba queen Falguni Pathak was. He candidly mentioned, “I mistook one famous Falguni for another. I genuinely didn’t know who Falguni Pathak was. But I remember when I was shooting for Farah Khan, Dilip didn’t know who I was. But I didn’t throw a tantrum about that. I took that upon myself.”

Notably, Noopur and Ira tied the knot in January 2024, marking a new chapter in their lives.

The news of superstar Dharmendra’s passing on November 24 shocked the nation, leaving a profound impact on the Bollywood fraternity. Following the announcement, many prominent figures from the film industry were seen visiting the Deol residence to offer their condolences.

Tributes from Bollywood Icons

Bollywood veteran Shatrughan Sinha expressed his sorrow on social media, mentioning his recent visit with Dharmendra’s sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. He shared, “On my return from Delhi, I went with a very heavy, sorrowful heart to our dearest family friend, our elder brother’s @aapkadharam home.”

In his heartfelt message, he wrote: “It was heart-touching meeting his wonderful sons @iamsunnydeol, Bobby Deol @thedeol, his attractive, charming wife Tanya, and their handsome sons Dharam & especially Aryaman.” He continued, “It was great meeting them all & remembering Dharmji for the remarkable person he was & will live forever for the many lives he touched. Prayed for their peace & strength in these sorrowful times. Om Shanti.”

Prayer Meets and Gatherings

On November 27, Sunny and Bobby Deol organized a prayer meet for their father that witnessed attendance from numerous Bollywood celebrities. Notably, singer Sonu Nigam performed songs honoring the late superstar, celebrating Dharmendra’s remarkable legacy.

Additionally, another prayer meet took place on the same day at the residence of Dharmendra’s second wife, Hema Malini, along with their daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.

Bollywood superstar Jeetendra also visited the grieving family on November 25, showing support to his best friend’s family, who appeared to be in distress. Hrithik Roshan and his father, Rakesh Roshan, were also among those who paid their respects to the Deol family.

For those who may not know, superstar Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89 on November 24. He had been placed on a ventilator in mid-November due to breathing difficulties but was later discharged and brought home for further treatment.

The makers of director Suresh Rajakumari’s ‘Sirai’, featuring actors Vikram Prabhu and L K Akshay Kumar in leading roles, have released the lyrical video of the first single from the film, titled ‘Mannichiru’. This has delighted fans and music lovers alike.

Produced by the renowned S S Lalit Kumar under Seven Screen Studios, the film is creating a buzz ahead of its release.

First Single Out Now

On their timeline on X, Seven Screen Studios shared the link to the newly released single, stating, “#Sirai First single #Mannichiru out now! Singers: @dsathyaprakash @aanandi_j. Lyrics: @justin_tunes. Worldwide in theatres from December 25 @7screenstudio.”

Vikram Prabhu also shared a link to the melodious track, which translates to “forgive me” in English. This romantic number revolves around a man expressing his apologies to his beloved. The song is composed by Justin Prabhakaran, who intriguingly has also written the lyrics. It features the vocal talents of D Sathya Prakash and Aanandi Joshi.

A Story Inspired by Real-Life Experiences

The film’s story, inspired by true events, comes from director Tamizh, known for the critically acclaimed ‘Taanakaran’. Reports suggest that Tamizh crafted this narrative based on a personal experience.

Suresh Rajakumari, previously co-directing with renowned director Vetrimaran, has taken charge of writing and directing ‘Sirai’. The plot revolves around a police officer and a suspect in custody, adding layers of intrigue.

Star Cast and Production Insights

Vikram Prabhu leads the cast, with actress Anantha starring as his romantic interest. The film also marks the acting debut of producer S S Lalit Kumar’s son, L K Akshay Kumar, who will be paired with actress Anishma.

Sources indicate that producer S S Lalit Kumar has invested significantly in this high-budget project, assembling an exceptional technical team.

Technical Team Overview

• Music: Justin Prabhakaran
• Cinematography: Madesh Manickam
• Editing: Philomin Raj, recognized as one of the best in the industry
• Stunts: Choreographed by Prabhu
• Executive Producers: Arun K and Manikandan

The shooting for ‘Sirai’ took place across multiple locations, including Chennai, Sivagangai, and Vellore, and has now wrapped up. The film is currently in its final post-production phase, gearing up for its release on December 25.

The makers of director Akhil Sathyan’s eagerly awaited horror comedy, ‘Sarvam Maya’, featuring Nivin Pauly in the lead, have delighted fans by releasing a Behind The Scenes (BTS) video clip. This clip showcases candid shots of the crew working on the film set.

Fire Fly Films, the production house behind the film, shared the BTS video on its Instagram page with the caption: “Catching the unscripted magic of Nivin Pauly…!!! Sarvam Maya✨ in theatres from 25th December.”

The BTS clip highlights the fun the entire unit had while making the film, particularly focusing on Nivin Pauly, who livens up the proceedings on set. The video concludes with an exhausted but cheerful Nivin. In a humorous moment, he mentions how the crew kept him from leaving after calling him for shoot, noting, “It turned to six, seven and now it is eight,” as the clip comes to an end.

Earlier this month, the filmmakers announced the completion of shooting for the movie. Nivin Pauly shared this news on his X timeline with the message: “It’s a WRAP. Get ready to go “Delulu” in theatres this Christmas. Sarvam Maya #SarvamMayaMovie #SarvamMaya #Akhilsathyan #Fireflyfilms #PrietyMukundhan.”

A teaser released recently has further fueled excitement among fans and film enthusiasts. The teaser features Nivin Pauly inspecting every room of a traditional house as a thunderstorm looms. He checks under beds, at ceilings, and into cupboards, ensuring he is alone, reassuring himself by saying, “Okay.” It also shows him enjoying a beautiful morning with Aju Varghese.

For those who may not know, Nivin Pauly stars in director Akhil Sathyan’s upcoming horror-comedy ‘Sarvam Maya’, which is set to release this Christmas.

Priety Mukundhan, who received acclaim for her role in the recently released Pan-Indian film ‘Kannappa’, plays the female lead in this entertaining project. Alongside Nivin and Priety, Aju Varghese will also feature prominently in the film.

Sources revealed that the unit had completed around 30 days of shooting, with key schedules taking place in Ernakulam and Palakkad, Kerala.

Akhil Sathyan, the director of ‘Sarvam Maya’, is the son of acclaimed filmmaker Sathyan Anthikad and has previously delivered critically acclaimed films, including ‘Paachuvum Albhuthavilakkum’.

The music for ‘Sarvam Maya’ is composed by Justin Prabhakaran, with art direction handled by the experienced Rajeevan. Cinematography is by Sharan Velayudhan Nair, who previously worked on the critically acclaimed film ‘Sookshmadarshini’.

Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh recently attended the IFP Season 15 in Mumbai, where she shared insights about her collaboration with the legendary Naseeruddin Shah in her newly released film, ‘Gustaakh Ishq’.

Engaging Discussion on Romance

During a conversation themed ‘Bringing Back Old-School Romance,’ Fatima and her co-star Vijay Varma opened up about the complexities of love, highlighting flaws, imperfections, and conflicts in relationships.

Fatima referred to Naseeruddin Shah as “inherently a teacher.” She reminisced about a poignant moment when she felt a mix of fear and admiration working alongside him. “I was actually very worried he would judge me. There was this one scene where I had to cry, and he did something really small, but it changed the whole moment. He placed my hand on his pulse so I could feel the heartbeat, basically telling me to be in the moment. What really empowered me was Naseer Sir saying, ‘It’s okay. Feel it. You don’t have to hit those beats perfectly.’”

Naseeruddin Shah’s Impact on Set

When asked how Naseeruddin Shah’s aura influenced the atmosphere on set, Vijay remarked, “Have you heard him? It sounds like God is talking to you directly. He has got that baritone, that voice that comes from somewhere else. It sounds like the voice of the universe.”

He compared Naseer’s voice to that of Hollywood’s Morgan Freeman: “Like Morgan Freeman is the voice of God in Hollywood, we have Naseeruddin Shah as the voice of God. His command over languages—Hindi, Urdu, English, even Punjabi and Parsi—is remarkable. He is an institution.”

Vijay shared his personal experiences, stating, “Just being around him, looking at him working, looking at him being, is an experience. I have had two profound experiences: one was with Mr. Bachchan during ‘Pink,’ and one was with Naseer Sir. It’s amazing to just look at them be.”

Modern Love Habits

When discussing modern love habits, Fatima expressed her fondness for video calls, particularly in long-distance relationships. “Those early morning voice notes or video calls are so cute,” she said.

In response to what his character in the movie understands about love better than he does, Vijay reflected, “I think my character really has failed visibly in love in the film. So I don’t think he knows better than me. I know better about love than my character in the film.”

About the Film

‘Gustaakh Ishq’ features Fatima Sana Shaikh, Vijay Varma, and Naseeruddin Shah and is produced by renowned designer Manish Malhotra, marking his debut in production. Released on November 28, the film has been receiving positive responses from both fans and critics alike.

Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor is making the most of his time as he waits for a delayed flight. The actor took to social media to share updates about the delay, expressing his annoyance but also turning it into an opportunity for motivation.

Flight Delay Updates

Shahid shared a story, writing, “These delayed flights these days, man,” accompanied by a sulking face emoji. In another post, he shifted gears by sharing an inspiring message for his fans, saying, “Sun sun ke seekho. Seeking has movement. Movement mein zindagi hai. Growth is life. I must not be a destination but the journey. Keep it real and always make each day count.”

Fitness Regime

Recently, Shahid returned to his intense fitness regime, posting a video of himself lifting weights at the gym and working on his biceps. In another clip, he was seen picking up additional weights and continuing his workout, all while grooving to peppy music in the backdrop. He captioned one of his posts, “Chasing the pump with my boy @bodyholics, back to it like old times. (sic).”

Upcoming Projects

On the professional front, Shahid is set to lead Vishal Bhardwaj’s ‘O’ Romeo’, featuring Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar, and Randeep Hooda. The film, set in 1990s Mumbai, explores the underworld in the post-independence era. This project will mark the fourth collaboration between Shahid and Bhardwaj, following their previous films ‘Kaminey’, ‘Haider’, and ‘Rangoon’.

A few weeks ago, after wrapping filming, Shahid excitedly announced on social media, “And it’s a WRAP. My 4th collaboration with this special man, @vishalrbhardwaj. Excitement levels are off the charts. Our secretly titled, soon-to-be-announced film is done. As always, it’s a new world and a madly different character for me to play. A titular part from him for the 3rd time. I am one of the KAMINEY. I am HAIDER, and now I am… (sic)”

He praised his co-stars, especially highlighting the talented Triptii Dimri, “This post can’t be complete without including the stellar cast, @tripti_dimri, who I had a total blast with. Watch out for her act in this one.” He further expressed gratitude to Nana Patekar for their layered scenes together and mentioned his excitement for future collaborations with others involved in the project.

Shahid’s dynamic posts showcase his journey both personally and professionally, keeping fans engaged and eager for what’s next.