Author: Ankita Singh

Global star Priyanka Chopra has shared that stepping into the role of producer for “Born Hungry” resonated with her personal journey of living between cultures, despite her experiences not mirroring the turmoil of celebrity chef Sash Simpson.

Finding Parallels in Identity

Priyanka noted that, as someone who has navigated multiple cultures, she found “familiar echoes” in Sash’s attempts to understand his identity amidst differing cultural landscapes. However, she acknowledged that Sash’s deeper childhood wounds were beyond her comprehension. Priyanka expressed her thoughts: “Definitely. I mean, I didn’t have the struggles that Sash had as a child. That’s incomprehensible to me.”

Impactful Work with Children

Having backed the documentary through her production company, Purple Pebble Pictures, in collaboration with filmmaker Barry Avrich’s Melbar Entertainment Group, Priyanka reflected on her interactions with children facing challenging circumstances. She remarked, “There are so many children around the world whose lives and circumstances do not change. I’ve worked with many of these kids around the world. For him to build the life that he did is an inspiration to me every day.”

About “Born Hungry”

“Born Hungry,” set to stream on JioHotstar, chronicles Sash Simpson’s journey from being abandoned as a young boy in India to being adopted in Canada and emerging as a renowned chef.

Upcoming Projects

On the acting front, Priyanka’s next film features Mahesh Babu, directed by SS Rajamouli. She is also set to star in “Krrish 4,” which will mark Hrithik Roshan’s directorial debut. Additionally, the 42-year-old actress, who was crowned Miss World 2000, will portray a 19th-century Caribbean pirate in the upcoming action drama, “The Bluff.”

Bollywood actress Wamiqa Gabbi recently shared a candid moment on social media, wrapping up her day with an unfiltered post. She uploaded a series of close-up photographs “for no reason” and candidly expressed her exhaustion in putting her thoughts into words.

On Instagram, the hazel-eyed star noted: “Premiqa is exhausted today… posting these pictures for no reason… writing this caption for no reason… realising that I don’t need to write any of this while writing this… okay! (sic).”

She continued, “Maybe I should stop writing and rest… umm…. Maybe after eating something sweet… but I hope I rest… wait… why am I still writing? Okay Bye! Goodnight (sic).”

Upcoming Projects

In terms of her professional endeavors, Wamiqa was last seen in “Bhool Chuk Maaf,” a fantasy romantic comedy directed by Karan Sharma, which co-stars Rajkummar Rao and Seema Pahwa.

Excitingly, she is also set to star in the much-anticipated sequel “Pati Patni Aur Woh 2,” alongside Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan. This project, helmed by Mudassar Aziz, is slated for a theatrical release next Holi on March 4, 2026.

In addition, Wamiqa has several other films lined up, including “Bhooth Bangla,” “Kuku Ki Kundali,” “Tiki Taka,” and “Goodachari 2.”

Bhooth Bangla

“Bhooth Bangla,” directed by Priyadarshan, will feature the legendary trio of Priyadarshan, Akshay Kumar, and Paresh Rawal. The film will also include notable names like Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, and Mithila Palkar in key roles.

Produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms in collaboration with Akshay Kumar’s production house, Cape of Good Films, the film is co-produced by Faara Sheikh and Vedant Baali. The story is penned by Akash A Kaushik, with the screenplay written by Rohan Shankar, Abilash Nair, and Priyadarshan, and dialogues crafted by Rohan Shankar.

“Bhooth Bangla” is set for a theatrical release on April 2, 2026.

Veteran singer Nitin Mukesh recently celebrated 47 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Nishi Mukesh, and took a moment to share a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.

Nitin Mukesh posted a collection of cherished photos with Nishi, expressing his emotions with the words: “11 November 1978… 47 years today. Thank you dear God, for her… one lifetime is just not enough,” followed by a beautiful wish for “Saat janmo ka saath.”

The couple is proud parents to two sons, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Naman Nitin Mukesh.

Nitin Mukesh has made significant contributions to the music industry, collaborating with renowned music directors such as Khayyam, R. D. Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Bappi Lahiri, Rajesh Roshan, Nadeem-Shravan, and Anand–Milind during the 1980s and 1990s. His melodious voice has been a staple for legendary actors including Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Jeetendra, Anil Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff.

He is celebrated for his soft, velvety singing style, bringing life to iconic tracks like “Zindagi Ki Na Toote Ladi,” “So Gaye Hain,” “Wafa Raas Na Aayi,” “Jaane Kya Hogaya,” “Zindagi Aur Kuch Bhi Hai,” “Paisa Bolta Hai,” “Hanste Hanste Kat Jayen Raste,” “Chandi Ki Cycle,” “Zindagi Har Kadam,” “Duma Dum Mast Kalandar,” and “Teri Jheel Si Gehri Aankhon,” among others.

Turning to his son, Neil, his latest project is Ek Chatur, a black comedy thriller film written by Himanshu Tripathi and directed by Umesh Shukla, featuring Divya Khosla Kumar.

Set in a quirky small-town Indian backdrop, the story follows a seemingly charming woman whose naivety hides her sharp wit. Ambitious and cunning, she outsmarts those around her. When presented with a lucrative opportunity, she dives into a web of unpredictable twists and darkly comedic turns that challenge her cleverness.

Neil Mukesh began his career as a child artist in Vijay in 1988 and Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharnii in 1989 before making his full-fledged debut in Johnny Gaddaar in 2007. Since then, he has appeared in notable films like New York, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Golmaal Again, and Saaho. He also made his Tamil film debut with Kaththi and his Telugu film debut with Kavacham.

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has taken to social media to address the ongoing issue of film piracy.

Highlighting the Roots of Piracy

The director of ‘Sarkar’ attributed the rising problem to both the providers of these pirated movies and those who support them. He shared his thoughts on X (formerly known as Twitter), stating, “ROBIN HOOD RAVI…Piracy will never stop. Not because technology is too advanced or policing too weak, but because as long as there are a large number of people to watch a pirated film, there will always be Ravis to serve them. Now the funniest thing is Ravi supporters proudly comparing him to Robin Hood as if they discovered some Nobel Prize winning logic. (sic)”

Rethinking Robin Hood

Varma expressed strong opinions about the romanticism surrounding Robin Hood. He asserted, “First of all, Robin Hood is not a hero. Going by today’s definitions he’s the world’s first recorded terrorist. He loots and kills the haves to give to the have-nots, and the only crime of the rich is that they are rich. Imagine how depraved one is to think being financially successful is a crime punishable by theft and murder. It takes tonnes of ignorance to romanticize a criminal as a saint simply because the recipients are getting stolen goods for free.”

Questioning Convenience

He further criticized those who justify piracy by pointing out the high costs of movie tickets. “Those who say watching movies is expensive should also advocate for robbing BMW showrooms and distributing them among people for free. This kind of thinking will lead to social collapse, leading to anarchy. People watch pirated content not because of some moral revolution but mainly because of convenience,” Varma explained.

A Proposed Solution

Varma also offered a solution to combat piracy. He suggested, “Apart from criminalising the supplier, they should also criminalise the viewer. Because catching the pirate is difficult—he’s hiding behind secretive digital ghettos. But catching the viewer is easy.”

He concluded with a bold proposal: “Arrest a hundred random people watching pirated content and publicise their names.”

This commentary sheds light on the complexities of film piracy and calls for a proactive approach to tackle the issue.

Amitabh Bachchan has once again turned philosophical, sharing a series of thoughts that resemble a deep meditation on time, truth, and the wonders of human existence.

Thoughts on Documentation
In his latest blog post, the legendary actor expressed his views on “documentation” as the keeper of moments and the witness to time and events, dubbing it the “greatest informer” of all. He stated, “Documentation… the recordist of time place and happening… now the greatest informer. Do the do… the undo will do… (sic).”

Reflections on Belief
The octogenarian went on to ponder the concept of belief, emphasizing that trust lies in the hands of the informer, whether “formed or deformed.” He articulated, “Believability be the ability to believe the informer – formed or deformed (sic).”

Celebrating the Human Body
Bachchan then expressed raw admiration for the human body, referring to it as “the greatest invention ever.” He wrote, “AAHHHHH… the human body… the greatest invention EVER… they that can see inside and beyond it, be the ones blessed… AND BELIEVED.”

Current Engagements
Currently, the iconic actor is hosting the new season of Kaun Banega Crorepati, which is the official Hindi adaptation of the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? franchise. The format features contestants answering multiple-choice questions, selecting the correct answer from four options while utilizing lifelines if needed.

Fun Incident with Manoj Bajpayee
Recently, National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee recounted a humorous incident involving Bachchan, recalling how he nearly got him injured during a stunt on the show, where Bajpayee was a guest. Reflecting on an incident from over 26 years ago, Manoj shared that he has suffered from vertigo throughout his life and how Bachchan had cleverly urged him to conquer his fear of heights for a stunt.

Manoj revealed, “Amitji once almost got me killed. I have vertigo, intense vertigo. The action director and the director of my then movie asked me to jump from a waterfall that was about 150–200 feet high. They said that they would put a harness on me too.”

He humorously added, “The man who can’t even stand 20 feet above the ground was being told to go up 150 feet! I refused completely. I said, ‘I’ll die. I’ll get a heart attack.’ When no one could convince me, they all went to Amitabh Bachchan to persuade me.”

Actor Ali Fazal is currently immersed in shooting for the film adaptation of his hit series “Mirzapur.” Recently, the team wrapped up the Jodhpur schedule for this much-anticipated drama, and Ali shared some glimpses from a small celebration on Instagram.

Celebration Moments

He posted a video of a cake-cutting ceremony to mark this milestone, along with delightful photographs showcasing the fun evening.

Grateful for the memorable experience in Jodhpur, Ali expressed his appreciation with the caption: “And its a SCHEDULE WRAP for MIRZAPUR (film). Thank you Jodhpur for showering us with sooooo much love and hospitality (THE FOOD WAS AWESOME). Thank you Veer for hosting us tonight. (sic)”

In a humorous tone, he added, “This is the worst set of photos and video I could collect on our last day here (Face Savoring Food emojis)… enjoy. Onto our next stop – ANY GUESSES? Oh also sorry guys – we all collectively are blurred. To many more 5 am wakeup calls… #MTF #M.”

Behind-the-Scenes Fun

Ali has been keeping his Instagram followers engaged with sneak peeks from the shoot diaries of “Mirzapur: The Movie.” Just a few days ago, he shared two candid behind-the-scenes photos featuring co-stars Pankaj Tripathi, Divyenndu, Abhishek Banerjee, and Jitendra Kumar, all posing for a group selfie.

Additionally, turning cheerleader for Farhan Akhtar’s latest release “120 Bahadur,” he captioned a post, “From the M team – 7 idhar 120 udhar. Cinema gharon mein 120 Bahadur lagi hai dekhiyega. Aur hum? Humaara zara beyt keejiyega. Hum aapki taraf badh rahe hain. Coming Soon In Theatres (sic).”

Future Insights

A source close to the project shared that it was special to have the original cast come together for an important sequence, which is why Ali wanted to give fans a glimpse of that moment. “The team is putting in focused work, and the film will build meaningfully on the world Mirzapur has already created,” the source added.

Actress Rashmika Mandanna recently took a moment from her busy schedule to delve into the true essence of feminine energy.

Understanding Feminine Energy

The ‘Pushpa’ actress emphasized how this energy allows women to perceive things, people, and situations more clearly. It enables them to sense when something is off, often before they can articulate it.

Rashmika shared a heartfelt note on her Instagram handle, stating, “There’s something about feminine energy..I don’t know how to explain it but when you’re really in tune with yourself.. you just know. You see through things… through people… through situations. You feel something is off way before it actually happens; your gut tells you, but you ignore it because life makes it complicated.”

Support Among Women

She highlighted that when women support each other and genuinely listen to one another’s problems, life feels a little easier. Rashmika stressed that women’s unity makes them unstoppable.

“There is something so magical about women holding other women… women healing women… women listening to each other with just that gentle ‘I’m here’ energy,” the ‘Animal’ actress added.

Protecting Feminine Energy

Rashmika vowed to cherish the feminine energy she values so deeply, saying, “It took me sooo long to understand it… but now that I have, I’ll protect it with everything I’ve got. Feminine energy is not weak. It’s soft, yes… but it’s strong, intuitive, protective, and full of love.”

She concluded, “And when women come together with that kind of energy… gosh… it’s unstoppable. I’ve been seeing a lot of you share it… but for those who haven’t – I hope you have it… or I hope you find it! And I hope you are it!!”

The singing reality show Indian Idol Season 16 is gearing up for a touching and emotional moment.

A Heartfelt Reunion

Superstar singer and judge Shreya Ghoshal made a remarkable gesture by surprising contestant Abhishek Kumar with his father’s appearance on set. This unexpected reunion filled the atmosphere with emotion, visibly affecting the judges, contestants, and audience alike.

As Shreya invited Abhishek’s father on stage, the entire mood shifted to a powerful, heartfelt scene, showcasing the show’s ability to create lasting memories beyond just music. Abhishek was overwhelmed with emotion as he watched his father walk in. The young singer has frequently expressed gratitude for his father’s sacrifices and unwavering support.

A Meaningful Experience

The recollection of Abhishek’s heartfelt words added to the significance of the moment for everyone present. Judge Vishal Dadlani showed empathy by inviting Abhishek’s father to take his seat, symbolically allowing him to witness his son’s special performance from an optimal view.

This kind gesture elicited a huge round of applause from the audience, underscoring the show’s commitment to celebrating not just talent but also the individuals behind that talent. As Abhishek performed, emotions in the studio continued to soar.

Guest Appearance

Special guest Raveena Tandon, appearing for the show’s Yaadon Ki Playlist segment, was visibly touched by Abhishek’s heartfelt singing and the poignant father-son moment that unfolded. She was seen wiping away tears, praising Abhishek’s sincerity and depth in connecting with his music.

Raveena added a fun element to the episode as she joined singer and rapper Badshah, who is also a judge on the show, to make parathas together.

Actress and theatre artist Juhi Babbar, the elder daughter of veteran actor Raj Babbar, recently expressed her heartfelt wishes to her parents on their 50th wedding anniversary through her social media account.

Golden Anniversary Celebrations

Juhi shared a nostalgic photograph of Raj and Nadira Babbar from their younger days, accompanied by a touching caption: “… AND (NOT) just like that, they turned 50. Happy Golden Anniversary, Mummy Papa.”

Earlier in the day, her younger brother and actor Arya Babbar also took to social media to congratulate Raj and Nadira on their golden jubilee. He reflected on their 50 years of love, togetherness, and cherished moments, sharing heartfelt memories and celebrating their enduring romance.

In his post, Arya wrote, “Cheers to 50 years of love, laughter, and forever. Happy Anniversary, Mumma & Pappa. #happyanniversary #nadirababbar #aaryababbar #rajbabbar.” He shared a black-and-white photograph featuring a young Raj Babbar and Nadira Babbar, giving a glimpse into their beautiful journey together.

Family Moments Captured

Another photo showed the couple with their children, Arya and Juhi Babbar, while yet another image depicted the entire family smiling together at a recent event.

For context, Raj Babbar married Nadira in 1975. After their separation, he later married actress Smita Patil in 1983. Following Smita’s untimely death in 1986, Raj reunited with Nadira.

Coming from different religious backgrounds—Raj being Hindu and Nadira Muslim—the couple initially faced significant pressure from Raj’s family, who wished for Nadira to convert to Hinduism.

Raj has a son, Prateik Babbar, from his marriage with the late Smita Patil. Like his parents, Prateik is also pursuing a career in the Bollywood industry.

The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) will pay tribute to the nation’s cinematic heritage with the presentation of 18 meticulously restored classics. These films have been brought back to life under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) by the NFDC–National Film Archive of India (NFAI).

A Diverse Selection of Indian Cinema

Curated as part of the Indian Panorama Special Package, this selection features a rich variety of Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, and Marathi cinema. It reflects a vast spectrum of artistic expression that has been preserved with rigorous archival standards and deep respect for each film’s original creative intent. This year’s program carries significant historical resonance.

It celebrates 125 years of V. Shantaram and pays centenary tributes to renowned filmmakers and artists, including Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, Bhupen Hazarika, P. Bhanumati, Salil Choudhury, and K. Vaikunth. The festival also marks 50 years of NFDC, underscoring its pivotal role in shaping modern Indian cinema. A dedicated showcase of Shyam Benegal’s Susman further honors the visionary filmmaker’s enduring contribution.

Rigorous Restoration Process

The Indian restored titles presented at IFFI 2025 exemplify the project’s commitment to meticulous restoration, which includes painstaking frame-by-frame digital restoration and color grading. This process is often undertaken in collaboration with filmmakers, cinematographers, or their associates whenever possible.

Launched by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in November 2016, the National Film Heritage Mission stands as one of India’s most ambitious preservation initiatives. Its mandate encompasses the preservation, conservation, digitization, and restoration of India’s film heritage, which includes camera negatives, release prints, and rare archival materials sourced from rights holders, collectors, and international institutions.

Highlights of the Festival

Among the highlights is Ritwik Ghatak’s Subarnarekha, restored from the 35mm master positive in the NFDC–NFAI collection, with final color grading supervised by cinematographer Avik Mukhopadhyay. Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan has been restored from a preserved 35mm release print after the original negative deteriorated irreversibly, with Ali personally supervising the grading to maintain the film’s unique chromatic elegance. His earlier milestone, Gaman, returns in a newly restored version, with missing footage reconstructed from a subtitled archival print.

Equally notable are the restorations of Kalpana Lajmi’s Rudaali and B.N. Reddi’s Malleswari. Each of these films has been restored meticulously while preserving their textual and visual authenticity. The program also celebrates timeless classics such as Raj Khosla’s C.I.D., Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa, and V. Shantaram’s Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani, restored from surviving prints or dupe negatives after original materials were lost or damaged.

Modern-era films—including Ek Doctor Ki Maut, Ek Hota Vidushak, Kireedam (featuring Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee Mohanlal), and Musafir—also form part of the lineup.

A Unique Sensory Experience

One of the program’s rare treasures is Baburao Painter’s Muraliwala (1927), one of the few surviving Indian silent films. This film will be presented with a specially curated live musical accompaniment by composer Rahul Ranade, offering audiences a sensory experience reminiscent of early 20th-century film exhibitions, alongside the presence of Baburao Painter’s two surviving daughters.

Films such as Ramesh Saigal’s Shaheed (1948) and Mani Ratnam’s Gitanjali illustrate the varied eras and narrative traditions represented in this restoration slate, with each title presenting unique technical and archival challenges.

Together, these restorations showcased at IFFI 2025 celebrate the contributions of India’s most influential cinematic personalities. They reaffirm India’s commitment to safeguarding its moving image heritage, ensuring that the artistic, historical, and cultural memories embedded in these works continue to resonate with new generations.