Author: Ankita Singh

Almost six months after welcoming their baby girl, Bollywood couple Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani have finally revealed the name of their little bundle of joy.

Name Announcement

Sid and Kiara have named their baby girl Saraayah Malhotra. The new parents announced the name of their firstborn on social media with a heartfelt joint post stating, “From our prayers, to our arms (Folded hands emoji) our divine blessing, our princess, Saraayah Malhotra (Sparkles, folded hands, red heart and evil eye emojis) (sic).”

The post offered a glimpse of little Saraayah, featuring a sweet photo of Sid and Kiara’s palms holding their daughter’s socks-clad feet.

Industry Reactions

Filmmaker Karan Johar expressed his joy with a comment that read, “My love and blessings always…,” paired with a red heart emoji. Other entertainment industry names like Varun Dhawan, Manish Malhotra, and Sanjay Kapoor also showered love and blessings for the newborn in the comment section.

A Joyful Journey

On July 16, Sidharth and Kiara officially announced the arrival of their baby girl, sharing that their “world” has “forever changed.” New dad Sidharth shared a lovely announcement on Instagram in a pink theme, stating, “Our hearts are full and our world forever changed. We are blessed with a Baby Girl. KIARA & SIDHARTH (sic).” Accompanying the caption were heart, folded hand, and evil eye emojis.

While the official announcement was made on July 16, news of Sidharth and Kiara embracing parenthood began circulating on July 15. The couple had first announced their pregnancy back in February this year, with a joint post that featured an adorable photo of their palms holding a tiny knitted sock and the caption, “The greatest gift of our lives…Coming soon (sic).”

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur reunited with his ‘Bandit Queen’ actress Seema Biswas after many years at the 56th Indian International Film Festival in Goa.

Memories of ‘Bandit Queen’

Shekhar shared that he and the cast of “Bandit Queen” experienced a high level of intensity during the shoot of the 1994 film. Reflecting on their reunion, he expressed how meeting Seema after such a long time evoked memories from their time on set. He wrote on social media, “Bandit Queen. Probably the most intense film I ever made.. or will make. And the actors and I lived in the intensity of the film during the shoot (sic).”

Emotional Encounter

“It was so lovely to come across Seema Biswas after years at the Indian International Film Festival in Goa. And strange that the intensity of making that film still burns inside me. I can only imagine what Seema went through to portray that role with such amazing intensity!” the ‘Masoom’ director added.

Although the meeting stirred up traumatic memories for Shekhar, he mentioned that Seema helped him feel more at ease. “So being casual with Seema did not come easy. So Seema had to, as you can see from the picture, ease me out. I can still smell, feel, and often still be traumatised by the memories of making Bandit Queen,” he wrote.

Reflections on Filmmaking

When asked about making another film like ‘Bandit Queen’, Shekhar replied, “Never, I hope.” He elaborated, “Every film I make, I become each character myself. I become the story.. I become the landscape.. I become the film itself.”

He concluded his post by humorously questioning the ease of filmmaking, stating, “Well, whoever said filmmaking was an easy job.. maybe I should have stayed a Chartered Accountant?”

Stand-up star and actor Vir Das recently turned lyricist as he created a song highlighting Mumbai’s increasing smog problem, blending environmental concerns with his signature humor.

On Instagram, Vir shared a video of himself singing the lines “AQI, AQI, let me die,” which perfectly encapsulates the struggles faced by Mumbaikars each morning.

In the song, Vir reflects on his daily experiences amid the smog invading the city. He sings, “Woke up this morning and I took a little breath. God showed up because he thought that I was dead. I was like, hang on bro, it’s because of the smoke. It’s just life inside of this, he met her Oh AQI.”

The lyrics touch on various everyday realities in Mumbai, from dry throats in Bandra to the ongoing construction of oversized apartments. He croons, “My life And I really tried to keep the spirit of Mumbai. Smoke is wrong, we can’t see eye to eye. And my throat is dry Bandra world this evening I can’t see either side… Builders building every day. Do we need 9000 BHKs?”

While pondering the necessity of “9000 BHKs,” Vir highlights the impact on families, with children stuck indoors and elderly residents lamenting the deteriorating environment. He poignantly sings, “If your kids are locked in a room, you hear bulldozers boom, Dadaji is like, let me die beta, it’s not too soon Mere lungs hai bun, it’s no fun. If your customers are dead, who will buy your flat? AQI, AQI, let me die. This smoke is making me choke. Why can’t we see eye to eye? AQI.”

Mixing satire with sincerity, he captioned his post: “A.Q.I.YAI YAIII! Woke up, took a breath, wrote this.”

Actress Soni Razdan, mother of Bollywood star Alia Bhatt, has called for urgent seasonal measures to address Mumbai’s deteriorating air quality, emphasizing that winter conditions necessitate a distinct strategy to combat the city’s smog.

Taking to Instagram, Soni shared a news article highlighting that Mumbai is experiencing its “toughest winter air phase in years.” In a passionate appeal, she pointed out that winter land and sea breezes weaken, causing pollutants to linger closer to the ground.

She stated, “The land and sea breezes are affected in winter, which is one of the reasons why we always get the smog hanging in the air.” Soni further mentioned, “If this was May, the same amount of pollution would look different.”

Highlighting the need for adaptive measures, she remarked that the city cannot rely on the same regulations throughout the year, as winter consistently brings a heavy blanket of smog. “The point is we need a different plan for these months. How are we going to help ourselves? Construction has become more unregulated with longer hours being allowed. This has to change for these particular months,” she added.

In her caption, Soni urged: “All those who agree please repost this post and tag @my_bmc. Let us not be guilty of allowing apathy to kill us. Because that’s what will happen.”

On the acting front, Soni was last seen in Songs of Paradise, directed by Danish Renzu. The lead role is portrayed by Saba Azad, along with Soni and Zain Khan Durrani. The film also features Taaruk Raina, Lillete Dubey, Sheeba Chaddha, Shishir Sharma, and Lalit Parimoo.

This story follows the journey of a Kashmiri woman dreaming of becoming a singer, inspired by the music of Raj Begum. Renowned as the Melody Queen of Kashmir, Raj Begum was honored with the Padma Shri award and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

A seemingly ordinary moment inside the “Bigg Boss 19 house” turned heated on Friday when Malti Chahar and Farrhana Bhatt clashed. The tension escalated after Malti pushed Farrhana’s feet off the table while she was cleaning the area.

Promo Sparked Interest

A new promo shared on Instagram captured the moment, accompanied by the caption: “Takraar shuru ho chuki hai Malti aur Farrhana ke beech. Kya yeh sirf heated moment hai ya shuru hoga ek naya war?”

The Clash

The altercation began when Farrhana commented on the mess, saying, “Look where the tissues are.” Malti, who was trying to collect her belongings, told her to move her leg. When Farrhana didn’t respond, Malti kicked her foot off the table.

Farrhana reacted sharply, warning, “I’ll kick you out of here.” What ensued was a volley of personal jibes between the two.

Malti shot back, “People who live on the streets are better than you. What are you doing here?” To which Farrhana retorted, “You’re worse than them.”

Malti insisted she was only cleaning and accused Farrhana of intentionally putting her foot there. Farrhana stated, “It’s my wish. I put my foot down like this,” prompting Malti to call her an “idiot.”

Current Standings

In the latest episode of “Bigg Boss 19,” Gaurav Khanna became the first contestant to reach the finale, winning a task against Farrhana, Pranit More, and Ashnoor Kaur.

With Kunickaa Sadanand’s eviction in the recent Weekend Ka Vaar, the show now features contestants Tanya Mittal, Farrhana, Ashnoor, Gaurav, Shehbaz Badeshah, Malti, Pranit, and Amaal Mallik competing for the coveted trophy.

Show Background

“Bigg Boss” is based on the Dutch format of Big Brother and premiered on November 3, 2006. The show has completed eighteen seasons along with three OTT seasons.

The initial season was hosted by Arshad Warsi, followed by Shilpa Shetty and Amitabh Bachchan in subsequent seasons. Farah Khan led the Halla Bol season, while Sanjay Dutt co-hosted the fifth season with Salman Khan. Since Season 4, Salman Khan has been the primary host of the show.

Actress Yami Gautam’s sister, Surilie Gautam, recently delighted fans with an adorable throwback photo of the Gautam sisters.

Cherished Memories

The nostalgic image captures little Yami standing proudly behind her younger sister, with her hands resting on Surilie’s shoulders, showcasing her unwavering support.

Posting the heartfelt picture on Instagram Stories, Surilie wrote, “Always backing me,” accompanied by a red heart and a love-kissed emoji. Yami quickly shared the image on her social media as well, expressing her affection, “Always got your back…Love You,” and added several red heart emojis.

About Surilie Gautam

For those unfamiliar, Surilie is also an actress and made her television debut in 2008 with “Meet Mila De Rabba.” She later transitioned to film, marked by her debut in the Punjabi movie “Power Cut.”

Yami’s Recent Work

On the professional front, Yami has been receiving acclaim for her role as Shazia Bano in “Haq,” co-starring Emraan Hashmi. During an exclusive conversation, Yami referred to “Haq” as a deeply feminist film. She noted the evolving ideology of feminism, stating that there are aspects she doesn’t completely agree with.

Yami shared: “If you have the courage to tell the story of a really courageous woman, a woman of substance, a true blue example of what feminism is, then you’re on the right path.”

She elaborated, “There are many definitions of feminism today, and I may not agree with some of them. True feminism is not about fighting others; it’s about standing up for yourself, your children, and what is rightfully yours. It’s as basic as that.”

Film Insights

Directed by Suparn Verma, “Haq” focuses on the landmark Supreme Court judgement in the Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum case.

Actress-politician Hema Malini recently shared a heartfelt collection of personal photographs with the late star Dharmendra, describing them as “treasured” moments from their family archives. She mentioned that these images had never been published before, and revisiting them brought back an overwhelming wave of emotions.

Hema took to Instagram, posting a series of images featuring her with Dharmendra. Some photos also showed their daughters, Ahana and Esha, sharing smiles with their father.

In her social media post, she acknowledged that it may seem like an overload of photos, but emphasized that each one holds a special place in her heart. The collection beautifully captures warm, candid glimpses of their family over the years.

“Some lovely family moments… simply treasured photos. I know it is a surfeit of photos but these have not been published and my emotions are unfolding as I see these. #memories #family #moments,” Hema wrote in her caption.

On November 27, Hema Malini expressed her grief over the passing of her husband, the legendary actor Dharmendra, sharing an emotional tribute. She referred to Dharmendra as “everything to her.”

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Hema penned a heartfelt note, describing Dharmendra as “many things to me,” her “go-to person,” and conveyed that he was her everything.

She wrote: “Dharam ji. He was many things to me. Loving Husband, adoring Father of our two girls, Esha & Ahana, Friend, Philosopher, Guide, Poet, my ‘go to’ person in all times of need – in fact, he was everything to me! And always has been through good times and bad. He endeared himself to all my family members with his easy, friendly ways, always showing affection and interest in all of them.”

Reflecting on his public persona, she said: “As a public personality, his talent, his humility in spite of his popularity, and his universal appeal set him apart as a unique icon unequalled among all the legends. His enduring fame and achievements in the film industry will last forever.”

Addressing her personal loss, she shared: “My personal loss is indescribable and the vacuum created is something that will last through the rest of my life. After years of togetherness, I am left with myriad memories to relive the many special moments…”

Dharmendra passed away on November 24. He had been hospitalized at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital after reportedly complaining of breathlessness. Following treatment, he was discharged on November 12 and continued his recovery at home.

On the professional front, Dharmendra will be seen posthumously in the movie “Ikkis,” directed by acclaimed director Sriram Raghavan. The film also stars Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia and is a war drama based on the life of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.

Actress Tamannaah Bhatia has shared a heartfelt photo dump on her social media, revealing the various facets of her daily life. She expressed that she has long ceased trying to curate her posts, letting them come from the heart instead.

A Glimpse into Personal Moments

Tamannaah titled her post “my heart in slideshow format,” showcasing a mix of family moments, snapshots with her dog, professional pictures, and little details that make up her routine. She also highlighted her appreciation for heart-shaped pendants, which she often wears.

“I stopped trying to make sense of my photo dumps. Turns out my heart is the one curating them anyway,” Tamannaah shared. She continued, “This is my heart in slideshow format. Pendant hearts. Family hearts. Dog hearts. Work hearts. Tired hearts. Full hearts. Double tap if your heart also refuses to pick one aesthetic.”

Upcoming Projects

On the professional front, Tamannaah is set to share screen space with Sidharth Malhotra for the first time in the upcoming film “Vvan: Force of the Forest.” The movie also features Maniesh Paul and Shweta Tiwari in key roles.

In the OTT space, she recently appeared in “Do You Wanna Partner,” directed by Archit Kumar and Collin D’Cunha. This series stars Tamannaah and Diana Penty as two friends who embark on launching a craft beer startup in a male-dominated industry. The narrative delves into themes of female entrepreneurship, friendship, and resilience, enriched by an ensemble cast that includes Nakuul Mehta, Jaaved Jaaferi, Neeraj Kabi, Shweta Tiwari, Rannvijay Singha, Ayesha Raza Mishra, and Sufi Motiwala.

Tamannaah’s Journey in Film

With an impressive portfolio of 89 films, Tamannaah began her acting career in the 2005 romance “Chand Sa Roshan Chehra” and later made her mark in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She gained recognition through films like “Happy Days” and “Kalloori.” Notable works include “Ayan,” “100% Love,” and the iconic “Baahubali: The Beginning.” Her performances in “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion,” “Dharma Durai,” and “Aranmanai 4” have garnered well-deserved acclaim.

Actor-producer Shweta Tripathi is expanding her storytelling universe with her latest horror project, Nava. This venture marks her second production after the queer drama Mujhe Jaan Na Kaho Meri Jaan, featuring Tilottama Shome.

Stepping into Horror

Reflecting on Nava, Shweta shared, “Stepping into the world of horror with Nava feels like opening a door to a genre I’ve always admired from afar, and now I’m set to be a part of it. What excited me most was how the script uses fear, not just as a scare tactic, but as a feeling rooted in memory, landscape, and legacy.”

The Sundarbans: A Living Character

She emphasized the significance of the Sundarbans in the narrative, stating, “The Sundarbans as a landscape in this script and story is almost a living character, holding both beauty and unease in the same breath. That duality instantly convinced me to come on board with it.”

Passion for Diverse Storytelling

As a producer, Shweta seeks stories that challenge norms: “I am drawn to stories that surprise me, that push boundaries, and that honour the cultural backdrops they emerge from.” She expressed her enthusiasm for Nava, noting, “It does all of that with so much heart and so much conviction. Collaborating with Kowatanda Films India felt completely organic because we’re driven by the same curiosity for bold, textured storytelling. This film is a leap, and that’s exactly why I wanted to make it.”

A Haunting Narrative

Nava is set against the hauntingly beautiful yet formidable wetlands of the Sundarbans and follows Tara, who returns to her ancestral home only to become entangled in a chilling, generation-old mystery involving river gods, buried family secrets, and the uneasy coexistence of myth and memory.

Upcoming Projects

Shweta will soon be seen in the film adaptation of Mirzapur, a popular crime thriller series. This series revolves around Akhandanand “Kaleen” Tripathi, a crime boss who rules the Mirzapur district in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh.

In its first season, the show featured a talented main cast including Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyendu Sharma, Vikrant Massey, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Rasika Dugal, Harshita Gaur, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda.

The second season retains most of the original cast but replaces Vikrant and Shriya with newcomers Vijay Varma, Isha Talwar, Lilliput, Anjum Sharma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Anangsha Biswas, and Neha Sargam. The film adaptation of Mirzapur is reportedly scheduled for release in 2026.

Hugh Grant’s Candid Confession Surprises Justice Smith

English star Hugh Grant made a surprising revelation to his “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” co-star, Justice Smith, stating that he pursued acting solely “to be famous and make a lot of money.”

Smith was taken aback by Grant’s frank admission, and he’s still uncertain if the actor was joking. During an appearance on the podcast “What Are We Even Doing?” hosted by Kyle MacLachlan, Smith shared details about their interaction while filming.

When asked about his rapport with Grant, Smith said, “I did. Oh, I love Hugh. When I worked with him, I asked, ‘Hugh, do you still love what you do? Do you still love this?’ And he just replied, ‘No.’ He added, ‘I’ve never loved it. I just wanted to be famous and make a lot of money.’ I was like, ‘Really?’ and he said, ‘Yeah.’”

He further noted, “He is so funny. He mentioned, ‘I’ve always hated the acting part of it.’ I was like, ‘Oh.’ But he said it with such sincerity.”

The conversation left Smith intrigued, prompting him to bring it up with Rosamund Pike while filming “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.” Seeking her opinion on whether Grant was serious or just expressing typical British humor, Smith recalled, “She said, ‘No, I’m pretty sure he’s just British.’ I was like, ‘Are you sure?’ This conversation stuck with me. I thought, ‘Oh, I guess you can be a really good actor and still just do it for the fame and money.’”

Both Smith and MacLachlan acknowledged that the 62-year-old Grant is a true “perfectionist,” pushing himself hard in his craft. MacLachlan remarked, “Here’s the thing about Hugh that I think—I’ve known Hugh for a long time, and he has the same spiel. The challenge for him is that he’s such a perfectionist and takes it so seriously.”

He elaborated, “Everything he wants to be perfect. He seems to have some control issues, but it’s more about the struggle of that experience rather than just letting go and doing what he does. Still, I believe he finds joy in it.”

Ultimately, Smith concluded that Grant’s statement highlighted just what a remarkable actor he truly is. He reflected, “I would hope that he was joking, but also that British humor is so dry and sometimes hard to penetrate. He was so sincere. Even when we were working on a silly comedy, you could tell he really cares about it. He’s such a good actor; he’ll make you believe that he doesn’t.”