Author: Ankita Singh

Kajol and Twinkle Khanna welcomed World Cup champions Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma for a special episode of “Two Much with Kajol.”

Jemimah’s Journey to Cricket

In an engaging segment, Jemimah shared the intriguing story of how fate nearly steered her towards hockey instead of cricket.

She revealed that before taking up cricket, she had started playing hockey. After moving from Bandra to Bhandup, her uncle encouraged her to give hockey a shot. Jemimah excelled quickly and earned a spot on the state team.

“I moved from Bhandup to Bandra because there was a lot of travelling. That was a big change, considering Bandra is quite expensive, and we were from a middle-class family. When we arrived, one of my uncles handed me a hockey stick and said, ‘Go play, my daughter also plays.’ I played, and eventually did well in hockey too. Interestingly, I was selected for the state hockey team before the cricket team. My friends thought I was going to represent India in hockey,” she said.

Choosing Cricket

When it came time to make a decision, Jemimah ultimately chose cricket.

“I reached a higher level in cricket than in hockey, so we decided to pursue cricket. But my dream is still to play both for India,” she stated.

Reflecting on her initial experiences in cricket, Jemimah noted that girls’ cricket wasn’t very popular at the time.

“There were no specific nets for girls, so my dad enrolled me in an academy filled with boys. I was the only girl among around 400 boys,” she recalled.

Memorable Experiences

Jemimah reminisced about her time at the academy, saying, “We had a warm-up where we would put our hands on each other’s shoulders and swing our legs to get mobile. But no boy would come near me. If a guy did talk to me, his friends would tease him later. So, nobody would really approach me.”

This candid reflection highlights the challenges she faced and the determination it took to carve her path in cricket.

Kareena Kapoor celebrated her best friend Natasha Poonawalla’s birthday with a heartfelt message on social media.

In a warm tribute, Bebo affectionately referred to Natasha as a ‘queen.’ Sharing a selfie on her Instagram stories, the Jab We Met actress wrote, “Happy Birthday Nats. Once a Queen always a Queen Love Love…Always Always @natasha.poonawalla.” The joyous image captures the deep bond between the two friends.

Strong Friendship

Kareena Kapoor and Natasha Poonawalla share a robust friendship, often spotted together on trips and at social functions. Their camaraderie frequently grabs headlines, showcasing their stylish outings and adventurous vacations. The duo enjoys attending social gatherings and celebrations as a pair.

About Natasha Poonawalla

For those unfamiliar, Natasha Poonawalla is married to Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SII), one of the largest vaccine manufacturers in the world. As a philanthropist, she frequently makes appearances at high-profile events, including the Met Gala. Natasha also shares a close friendship with the Kapoor sisters, Kareena and Karisma.

Kareena’s Birthday Wishes

Kareena is known for never missing a chance to wish her close friends on their birthdays. Recently, she celebrated her cousin Armaan Jain’s birthday, calling him her “darling bro” and expressing her excitement to celebrate together soon.

She shared a monochrome picture of herself with Armaan and his wife, Anissa Malhotra, on her Instagram stories. The caption read: “Happy birthday darling bro Love you loads and loads. Can’t wait to celebrate soon @therealarmaanjain.”

Recent Celebrity Highlights

Kareena and Armaan recently made waves with their Netflix special, “Dining with the Kapoors.” This hour-long special featured a heartfelt and candid celebration of family dynamics, bringing together cousins, siblings, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Directed by Smriti Mundhra and created by Armaan, it offered fans a glimpse into the cherished traditions of the Kapoor family.

Veteran actress Meenakshi Seshadri recently shared her profound connection with Bharatanatyam through a captivating social media announcement about a new series.

Deep Dive into Bharatanatyam

In a video, the acclaimed actress and classical dancer elaborated on her plans to break down the traditional curriculum of this intricate art form, celebrating its richness alongside her lifelong training. On Instagram, she posted a clip showcasing her performing Bharatanatyam, where she meticulously demonstrated each step, guiding viewers through the choreography.

For her caption, the ‘Ghatak’ actress expressed, “With a most humility, I want to say that I am very fortunate to have been trained in the Indian classical dance style of BharatNatyam. I’m starting a small series which puts down what is the curriculum in a course of Bharat Natyam Dance #dance #celebrity #course #curriculum #fundamentals.”

Engaging with Fans

Meenakshi is known for her vibrant presence on social media, frequently offering glimpses into her personal life. Previously, she delighted fans with a video of herself singing the beloved song “Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye” at an event in Kolkata.

A Celebrated Career

On the professional front, the 62-year-old actress gained fame as one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated faces during the 1980s and 1990s. She began her film career in 1983 with “Painter Babu,” but it was her second film, “Hero,” that catapulted her to overnight stardom.

Throughout her illustrious career, she delivered memorable performances in blockbusters including “Aandhi-Toofan,” “Meri Jung,” “Swati,” “Dacait,” “Inaam Dus Hazaar,” “Shahenshah,” “Awaargi,” “Ghar Ho To Aisa,” “Damini,” and “Ghatak.” Her remarkable journey was even chronicled in a documentary titled “Meenakshi: Accept Her Wings.”

Her last appearance was in the 1996 action thriller “Ghatak: Lethal,” directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. The movie starred Sunny Deol, Amrish Puri, and Danny Denzongpa, becoming the highest-grossing Bollywood film domestically that year and the second-highest worldwide.

The makers of director Mithun Balaji’s upcoming Tamil psychological thriller ‘Stephen’, featuring actors Gomathi Shankar and Smruthi Venkat in lead roles, have released a gripping trailer that has delighted fans and film buffs alike.

Produced by Jayakumar and Mohan, the much-anticipated thriller is set to premiere on the OTT platform Netflix on December 5.

An Intriguing Narrative

In a world where reality often surpasses fiction, ‘Stephen’ aims to challenge perceptions of guilt and innocence. The newly released trailer opens with a man walking into a police station to confess to murder, leading the plot into increasingly unsettling territory. The suspenseful score heightens the film’s sense of unease, as viewers are taken on a thrilling journey where nothing is as it appears.

Character-Driven Thriller

Directed by debutant Mithun Balaji, ‘Stephen’ introduces Gomathi Shankar in his first leading role. This tense, character-driven thriller delves into themes of guilt, morality, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.

Gomathi Shankar expressed his excitement about stepping into his debut lead role: “This is my very first film, and it can’t get better than this! Stephen isn’t your usual lead – he’s layered, unpredictable, and always keeps you guessing. Stepping into his world was exciting, challenging, and satisfying. Co-writing the film made it a tad bit easier to adapt. I owe a lot to my director, Mithun, for trusting me with such a complex role and guiding me through it, and to Netflix for offering a global stage for us to showcase our talent. I’m so glad my journey begins with a film and character like Stephen.”

Mithun Balaji shared his thoughts on the project: “’Stephen’ is a quiet film, but it says a lot — about guilt, memory, and everything that lingers in between. Telling this story felt both personal and risky, which made it exciting. Gomathi brought such an honest energy to the role, helping shape the world we were trying to build. I’m grateful to Netflix for trusting a first-time filmmaker and helping us create this thriller for global audiences.”

A Thrilling Experience Awaits

As the lines blur between guilt and innocence, and memories twist into something more sinister, the film transforms from a simple whodunnit into a complex why-dunnit. Prepare to question everything in Stephen, streaming on December 5, exclusively on Netflix.

Veteran actress Mumtaz shared a heartfelt tribute to Dharmendra on social media.

Accompanying her post with images from their 1973 film “Loafer,” she wrote, “Dharam Ji you were and you are always with us! May you rest in peace (sic).”

Mumtaz and Dharmendra worked together in “Loafer,” which marked their only on-screen collaboration. The film, directed by A. Bhimsingh, also featured Om Prakash, Premnath, K. N. Singh, and others in supporting roles.

The storyline revolves around Ranjeet (played by Dharmendra), a carefree loafer and pickpocket affiliated with a gang. He falls in love with Anju (played by Mumtaz), unaware that she is spying on him for the leader of a rival gang.

With music composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, “Loafer” became the 7th highest-grossing Bollywood film of 1973.

Superstar Dharmendra was set to turn 90 on December 8 this year but sadly passed away at the age of 89 on November 24. He had been admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital after experiencing breathlessness but was discharged on November 12 to continue his recovery at home.

Dharmendra is survived by his first wife, Prakash Kaur; their four children—Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Ajeta, and Vijayta; along with his second wife, superstar Hema Malini, and their two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.

On November 25, numerous Bollywood personalities visited the Deol family to offer their condolences. Notable figures like Hrithik Roshan and Rakesh Roshan were spotted paying their respects. Earlier, Ajay Devgn, filmmaker Farah Khan, Ananya Panday, Kajol, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Jackky Bhagnani, Rakul Preet Singh, and filmmaker Abbas Mastan also visited the grieving family during this difficult time.

The makers of director Pradeep Advaitham’s sports drama ‘Champion’ have unveiled ‘Gira Gira Gingiraagirey,’ the enchanting first single from the film, featuring lead actors Pradeep Advaitham and Anaswara Rajan.

Melodic Delight

Production house Swapna Cinemas shared the lyrical video on its X timeline, stating, “Let this enchanting melody fill your hearts with love. Presenting the First Single #GiraGiraGingiraagirey from #Champion. In Cinemas Worldwide on 25th DECEMBER 2025.”

This soothing track, composed by Mickey J Meyer, captivates with Ram Miriyala’s charismatic vocals and Shyam Kasarla’s engaging lyrics, enhancing its appeal. The song beautifully encapsulates the essence and spirit of Chandrakala, portrayed by Anaswara Rajan.

Collaborative Effort

‘Champion’ is a collaborative production from Swapna Cinemas, Anandi Art Creations, and Concept Films, presented by Zee Studios.

The teaser introduced audiences to the tenacious Michael C Williams, while the recent glimpse showcased Chandrakala as a strong-willed village belle with aspirations that exceed her surroundings. She dreams of shining as a drama artist and wishes to establish her own troupe.

Character Dynamics

Anaswara Rajan’s portrayal radiates charm, ambition, and vivacity, highlighting her pivotal role in the narrative. The song features delightful chemistry between Roshan and Anaswara, establishing their love story as a central and heartwarming element of ‘Champion.’

Impressive Technical Team

The film boasts an impressive technical team. Alongside Mickey J Meyer’s music, production design is handled by National Award winner Thota Tharani. R Madhie excels in cinematography, creating immersive visuals and striking color palettes, while Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao takes care of the editing.

‘Champion’ is set to hit screens on Christmas, December 25, this year.

Actress Kriti Sanon recently shared a lighthearted moment from her travels with filmmaker Aanand L. Rai on social media.

A Fun Candid Moment

She captured a playful scene of Rai peacefully asleep during a flight, adding a fun element to the countdown for their upcoming film, “Tere Ishk Mein.” On Wednesday, Kriti posted a photo on her Instagram, showing Aanand L. Rai dozing off with his mouth slightly open by the window. She captioned the image, “Pretty Calm for a director who’s film is about to release in 2 days @aanandlrai. #TereIshkMein.”

About the Film

Kriti Sanon is collaborating with Aanand L. Rai for the first time in the romantic comedy “Tere Ishk Mein.” The film, which also features Dhanush, is currently in the promotional phase. Notably, “Tere Ishk Mein” marks a reunion for director Aanand L. Rai, Dhanush, and Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, who previously worked together on “Raanjhanaa” and “Atrangi Re.”

The movie is presented by Gulshan Kumar, T-Series, and Colour Yellow and produced by Aanand L. Rai, Himanshu Sharma, Bhushan Kumar, and Krishan Kumar. It is set to hit theaters on November 28 in both Tamil and Hindi.

Behind the Scenes

In July, Kriti expressed her gratitude to the “Tere Ishk Mein” team after wrapping up the shoot for this much-anticipated film. She shared a couple of behind-the-scenes photos on her Instagram Stories, celebrating the spiritual successor to “Raanjhanaa.”

The ‘Heropanti’ actress wrote, “And it’s a wrap on #TereIshkMein!! Love wrapped in Anand Rai style drama and intensity!! After a roller coaster ride and a marathon of emotionally and physically draining schedules, another beautiful journey comes to an end… but this one has given me memories and equations that will last forever!!”

She also thanked Aanand L. Rai, saying, “@aanandlrai thank you for holding my one hand through this journey to find Mukti, and for feeding me the yummiest food with so much love with the other hand. I have enjoyed every moment being directed by you, sir!”

For Dhanush, she wrote, “@dhanushkraja you are one of the finest and most intelligent actors I have worked with!!! Such a pleasure doing scenes with you, my friend! Here’s to many more together!! Stay amazing and stay in touch!!”

Rakul Preet Singh recently celebrated a special occasion by wishing her parents a happy anniversary, expressing her gratitude for the constant love they have shown her.

Sharing a heartfelt video compilation featuring adorable moments of her parents over the years, Rakul took to her official Instagram handle to convey her emotions. She wrote, “Happy anniversary to the two people who have shown me what love truly looks like — steady, patient, kind and ever-growing (sic).”

The ‘De De Pyaar De 2’ actress emphasized that the bond her parents share has significantly influenced her understanding of love.

“Mom and Dad, your journey together has been the foundation of everything I am today. The way you support each other, the way you laugh together, the way you stand strong through every storm… it inspires me more than I can ever put into words. Your love has built our world, shaped our values, and filled our lives with warmth that I will carry forever. I’m endlessly grateful to have grown up watching a bond so pure and powerful,” she shared.

Rakul extended her wishes for many more years of marital bliss, saying, “May your hearts continue to beat in the same beautiful rhythm for all the years to come. Love you both more than anything. (Three red heart emojis).”

She also included the “Tum Ho Toh” track from “Saiyaara” as the background music for her post.

Following her recent film ‘De De Pyaar De 2,’ where she starred alongside Ajay Devgn and R Madhavan, Rakul expressed her appreciation on social media.

“My heart is so full. The love and appreciation you’ve shown to Ayesha means the world to me. She is, and always will be, one of the most loved and special characters (sic),” she wrote.

“Seeing your messages has been incredibly touching. I may not be able to reply to everyone, but please know that I’m reading everything and I’m truly, deeply grateful,” she added.

Actress Soha Ali Khan has expressed her concern regarding the deteriorating air quality, as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in various cities reaches alarming levels.

On her Instagram stories, Soha shared a picture of the sky adorned with a “toxic” sticker, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic changes to combat pollution. She stated, “The AQI is at a severe level. Almost and rising. We are breathing in toxic fumes. Please can we implement some systemic changes to address this?”

Currently, the air quality in Delhi and Mumbai remains in the ‘very poor’ and ‘poor’ categories, respectively. A thin layer of fog settled over India Gate and Kartavya Path around 7:40 a.m., resulting in low visibility and an AQI around 350, which signifies very poor conditions.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicates that Delhi’s overall AQI is at 337, showing only slight improvement from the previous day. Out of 39 monitoring stations in the national capital, 34 reported ‘very poor’ air quality, while five stations indicated pollution levels in the ‘poor’ category. In Mumbai, six stations recorded AQI values exceeding 200, resulting in a drop from the “moderate” to “poor” category.

On the professional front, the 46-year-old actress was last seen in the horror drama “Chhorii 2,” where she delivered a notable performance as Daasi Maa. Directed by Vishal Furia, this film serves as a sequel to the 2021 thriller “Chhorii.” The sequel features Nushrratt Bharuccha in the lead along with key performances from Gashmeer Mahajani and Saurabh Goyal. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Vikram Malhotra, the film was released on April 11, 2025. Soha is also set to appear in the upcoming film “Bridge.”

Soha began her acting journey with the romantic comedy “Dil Maange More” in 2004 and gained recognition for her roles in the drama “Rang De Basanti” and the romance “Ahista Ahista.” In 2017, she authored the book “The Perils of Being Moderately Famous.”

Actor Chandan Roy Sanyal recently shared a heartfelt tribute to the late Dharmendra, reminiscing about his debut Bengali movie “Paari,” which was later adapted into Hindi as “Anokha Milan” in 1972.

Chandan expressed his emotions on Instagram, reflecting on Dharmendra’s legacy following his passing at the age of 89.

A Hero Remembered

He wrote, “Waqt laga likhne mein… jab sab thamm jaaye, ruk jaaye. Dharam ji. Hero — woh hero jo is desh ki Hindi cinema ki pehchaan hai. Woh alaukik sitaara jinhone 6 dashakon tak ek chhatr raaj kiya logon ke dil mein. Woh sitaara jo Hindi cinema ka paryaya-vaachi ban gaye.”

(“It took me time to write these words… when everything felt still, when the heart just stopped. Dharam ji… a true hero — the kind of hero who became the very identity of Hindi cinema. That divine, alaukik sitara who ruled the hearts of audiences for six decades. A star who became a synonym for Hindi films itself.”)

Cherished Memories

Chandan fondly recalled working with Dharmendra in the 2011 film “Tell Me O Kkhuda.” He stated, “Unse milne ka, unhe jaanne ka saubhagya mila… unke saath ek film mein kaam karne ka bhi mauka mila. Unko shraddhanjali. Aane waali sadiyon tak kitne actors unpar prabhavit honge. Unka janam is dharti pe ek kalakaar banke aana hum sabke liye ek vardaan tha. Deol parivaar ko mera naman. In shabdon ko baandhne mein sach mein waqt laga. Dharmendra amar rahe. Long live Dharmendra. Adios.”

(“I had the good fortune to meet him, to know him… and even got the chance to work with him in one film. Today, I offer my shraddhanjali. For centuries to come, countless actors will continue to be inspired by him. His very birth on this earth as an artist was a blessing for all of us. My salaam to the entire Deol parivaar. It took time to string these words together — Dharmendra amar rahe. Long live Dharmendra. Adios.”)

Recalling ‘Paari’

Chandan reflected on the era of the Bengali film “Paari,” directed by Jagganath Chatterjee, based on a story by Jarasandha. This film marked Dharmendra’s debut in Bengali cinema, alongside Pronoti Ghosh, and featured Dilip Kumar in a guest appearance.

He noted, “Ek film mili — Bangla “Paari” (1966), jiska Hindi version bana Anokha Milan (1972). Kya log the… kya kalakaar the… Dilip, Dharam, aur unke zamaane ke saare artists — cinema ke liye hamesha tatpar.”

(“There was one film he got: the Bangla classic Pari (1966), whose Hindi version became Anokha Milan in 1972. What people they were… what kalakaars… Dilip saab, Dharam ji, and all the artists of that era — always ready for cinema, always devoted.”)

Favorite Film

When asked about his favorite Dharmendra film, Chandan shared, “Meri unki sabse favourite film hai Pratiggya. Bachpan mein dekhi thi — itna hansa, itna hansa… OMG! Dhanyavaad Dharam ji — aapki filmein, aapke gaane hamesha aapki yaad dilaayenge. Yeh gaana unki Bangla film Pari ka hai. So long… shat shat naman.”

(“My most favourite film of his is Pratiggya. I watched it in childhood — I laughed so much, so much… OMG! Thank you, Dharam ji. Your films, your songs will always bring your yaad back to us. This song is from his Bangla film Pari. So long… shat shat naman.”)