Author: Ankita Singh

Veteran actor Anupam Kher has praised the rise of regional cinema in India, noting how films from the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Bengali industries are bringing the country’s narratives back to the forefront.

In an exclusive interview, the ‘Special 26’ actor observed that while regional films are thriving and presenting authentic Indian stories, Bollywood has largely overlooked this rich storytelling tradition. When asked about the current state of regional cinema, Anupam stated that it is no longer merely “regional” but has transformed into genuine pan-India cinema.

He reflected on his vast experience, having worked in nearly all Indian languages, except for a couple like Assamese and Gujarati. Kher highlighted that regional industries are more organized and aspirational, aiming to connect with global audiences. He applauded regional cinema for its authentic storytelling, contrasting it with Hindi cinema, which he feels has forgotten these traditions.

The 70-year-old actor shared, “No, it’s not like that. First of all, it’s not regional anymore. It has become pan-India cinema. But the second thing is that I have worked in almost all the languages of India, except one or two—Assamese, Gujarati, etc. They are much more organized because they are aspirational, wanting to be accepted by the whole world. And that’s what COVID did. It showed us films that we didn’t watch—Malayalam cinema, Telugu cinema, Tamil cinema, Bengali cinema.”

He added, “Now people are in a mood to watch good films. Hats off to regional cinema for telling the stories of India. Hindi cinema has forgotten. We have to tell the stories about India and Indianness. That’s why Tanvi the Great is an Indian story. It’s about an Indian girl facing the universal issue of autism. I believe we will come out of it.”

Anupam Kher was speaking on the sidelines of the Jagran Film Festival, which is currently being held in Mumbai. The festival, running until November 16, aims to honor and celebrate the art of storytelling in cinema.

Ace director Suresh Krissna, known for his impactful films, has recently unveiled his spiritual feature film “Anantha”. During the shooting of this film, he experienced what he describes as one miracle after another.

About ‘Anantha’

“Anantha” is produced by Girish Krishnamurthy and stars notable actors Jagapathi Babu and Suhasini Maniratnam in lead roles.

Director’s Emotional Journey

At the music launch event held recently, Suresh Krissna expressed immense gratitude, stating, “Words cannot express my happiness today. My heartfelt thanks to Girish for making this project possible. I have directed several commercial films, but when I was told to make a film on Sai Baba and that it should also have commercial appeal — I saw it as a divine challenge.”

The director excitedly shared a miraculous experience from 2009.

“A friend who wanted to make a biopic on Baba took me to Puttaparthi. When I stood before Baba, he looked at me and said in Telugu, ‘Where have you been all these years?’ and I broke down. Two years later, Baba attained samadhi. Years passed, and one morning, Baba appeared in my dream. That same day, my friend informed me they had just been discussing making Baba’s film with me,” disclosed Suresh Krissna.

The Vision for the Film

Following this profound experience, producer Girish approached him with the vision of creating a film that would resonate with devotees globally, aiming to introduce even those unfamiliar with Baba to his teachings.

“I asked for three days to reflect. But the next day, at 3 AM, inspiration struck. In one hour, the entire story flowed through me — as though Baba himself was writing it. The film tells several real-life stories where Baba’s presence and miracles are felt. Deva sir composed a song for the film in just 10 minutes — truly divine grace! Every single day of shooting, we witnessed one miracle after another. I was blessed with a wonderful team who worked tirelessly with devotion. I sincerely believe ‘Anantha’ will touch every viewer’s heart,” he expressed, filled with hope.

Music and Cast

The music for “Anantha” is composed by Deva, and the grand audio and teaser launch occurred recently in the presence of the entire cast and crew.

In addition to Jagapathi Babu and Suhasini Mani Ratnam, the film features a talented ensemble, including Y Gee Mahendra, Thalaivasal Vijay, Nizhalgal Ravi, Sri Ranjani, and Abhirami Venkatachalam.

On the occasion of Children’s Day, Rupali Ganguly embraced her inner child, cherishing the joyous moments from her childhood.

Celebrating the day with youthful energy and mischief, the ‘Anupamaa’ actress took to Instagram, sharing a delightful video featuring her younger brother, Vijay Ganguly, cousin Anuja Pednekar, and her daughter. In the amusing reel, Rupali is seen dancing playfully, reminiscing her carefree days.

Alongside the video, she wrote, “Happy Children’s Day to the inner child in us. Reliving and revisiting childhood by channeling the cousin energy and madness 🙂 Mummy, Maasi, and Rachana watching the chaos like it’s a reality show. No choreography, no edit, no filter, no makeup—just pure unadulterated laughter and happiness. P.S – Rudransh absolutely refused to be a part of this.”

Rupali is known for capturing every special occasion on her social media platforms.

Recently, she made headlines for a more somber reason, as she was spotted in tears at the funeral of veteran actor Satish Shah. Many cast members from the beloved sitcom “Sarabhai vs Sarabhai” attended the funeral, including Ratna Pathak Shah, Rajesh Kumar, and Deven Bhojani.

Rupali and Satish portrayed the iconic on-screen relationship of daughter-in-law and father-in-law in the celebrated series, with their characters, Monisha and Indravadan Sarabhai, leaving a lasting impact on Indian television.

For those unaware, Satish Shah passed away on October 15 at the age of 74 due to a kidney ailment.

The cast of “Sarabhai vs Sarabhai” came together for an emotional tribute at a prayer meet, honoring his memory by singing the show’s unforgettable title track.

Singer-rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh has opened up about his bond with Kapil Sharma as the duo reunited for the high-energy party track “Phurr” in “Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2.”

Effortless Collaboration

Honey Singh shared that working with Kapil is always effortless and filled with laughter. He expressed, “Kapil is a very dear friend, and doing a song for his film Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 was a lot of fun. Phurr is a total party banger, it’s got that groove that’ll make you want to hit the dance floor and not leave! So, let’s all Phurr our way to the cinemas for Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2.”

An Electrifying Anthem

The foot-tapping number “Phurr” is filmed in a massive stadium setting illuminated with disco lights and electrifying energy. Sung by Honey Singh and Josh Brar, the track features music produced by Honey himself, with lyrics penned by Raj Brar. The song embodies the vibrant spirit of a high-voltage party anthem and features Kapil Sharma, Tridha Choudhury, Parul Gulati, and Ayesha Khan.

A Nostalgic Reunion

Actress Parul Gulati reflected on reuniting with Yo Yo Honey Singh after a decade for this special song. Sharing her excitement about collaborating with Honey Singh again, Parul described the experience as nostalgic and exhilarating, marking a full-circle moment in her career.

She stated, “When I met Honey after so many years, it truly felt like time had stood still. We both instantly went back to those Zorawar days, the rehearsals, the laughter, the fun chaos on set.”

“Working with him again after ten years felt nostalgic but also very refreshing. He has the same infectious energy, the same passion for music, and it’s amazing to see how much he’s evolved as an artist. Shooting this song together brought back so many memories, and I couldn’t have asked for a better reunion. It felt like coming full circle,” added Parul Gulati.

Well-known stunt choreographer Kalai Kingson, acclaimed for his work in films like ‘Marco’ and ‘Bramayugam’, has choreographed a special fight sequence for actor Ken Karunaas’s upcoming film. This project will also mark Ken’s directorial debut.

Production Highlights

Parvatha Entertainment, one of the production houses behind the film, shared a video clip on social media showcasing Kingson’s dedication on set. They posted, “@kalaikingson – the mastermind behind the stunts of #Marco, #Bramayugam, #Vaazha, #DiesIrae and upcoming #ChathaPacha #BhaBhaBha cooks up an intense and gripping fight sequence for our Production No 1. Thank you, Master, for bringing your brilliance and energy to our set. Fun begins soon.”

Ken Karunaas’s New Role

Ken Karunaas, known for his noteworthy performances in Dhanush’s ‘Asuran’ and ‘Viduthalai 2’, is stepping not just into the role of a hero but also taking the reins as a director with this film.

Supporting Cast

In addition to Ken, the film will feature Anisma Anil Kumar, Meenakshi Dinesh, Priyanshi Yadav, Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Devadarshini in significant roles.

Technical Team

• Cinematography: Vicky
• Music: National Award winner G.V. Prakash Kumar
• Editing: Nash
• Art Direction: Ramu Thangaraj
• Costume Design: Kavya Sriram, known for her work with Tamil star Dhanush

Setting and Production

Set within a school backdrop, the film is being produced by Karuppiah C. Ram, Kali Rajkumar, and Sulochana Kumar under the banners of Parvatha Entertainment and Street Boy Studio, with a grand budget.

It’s worth noting that the film’s launch event was recently held, attended by prominent figures in the Tamil film industry including actors Karthi and Vishal, director Vetrimaaran, actor-director R.J. Balaji, and producers like Kalaipuli S. Thanu, Dr. Isari K. Ganesh, and Arun, who congratulated the film crew.

Pointing out that actor Dhruv Vikram has only one official social media account, which is on Instagram, his publicist Yuvraaj has alerted users about the prevalence of fake accounts maintained by imposters on various platforms.

Official Account Awareness

Taking to his X timeline, Yuvraaj stated, “Dear Press, Media, Fans & Friends, This is an important awareness message! Please note that Mr. Dhruv Vikram has ONLY one official social media account, and that is his Instagram: – dhruv.vikram.”

He added, “Other than this, he does NOT have any official account on platforms like Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, or any other application.”

Caution Against Misuse

Yuvraaj further explained, “Recently, many have been misusing AI-generated voices and photos of #DhruvVikram to create fake accounts and misleading content. We kindly request everyone to stay alert and not fall for any unofficial profiles or posts. If #DhruvVikram opens any new official account in the future, we will inform you through official sources.”

Success of ‘Bison: Kalamaadan’

For those unaware, Dhruv Vikram, son of renowned actor Vikram, is currently celebrating the success of his recently released film, ‘Bison: Kalamaadan,’ which has emerged as a superhit.

Numerous celebrities, including Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and well-known actor and producer Udhayanidhi Stalin, have praised the film. Udhayanidhi, in particular, referred to the sports drama, directed by Mari Selvaraj, as “a powerful film.”

He expressed on his X timeline, “Have watched #Bison. Director @Mari_Selvaraj sir has once again delivered a powerful film. Bison is a heartwarming sports drama about an Arjuna award-winning Kabaddi player who rises above a violent and troubled society. Mari sir captures the journey of a young man who places his faith in sport more than anything else, which ultimately leads him to greatness.”

Further, the Deputy Chief Minister lauded Dhruv Vikram, saying, “@DhruvVikram5 and the rest of the cast have delivered exceptional performances, deeply understanding what the story demanded from them. A big congratulations to the entire team of Bison – Kalamaadan. @beemji”

Box Office Success

The critically acclaimed film has made a significant impact, collecting over Rs 70 crores at the global box office.

Actress Aishwarya Rajesh, alongside actor Arjun Sarja, stars in director Dinesh Letchumanan’s eagerly awaited investigative thriller ‘Theeyavar Kulai Nadunga’. In a recent pre-release event, Aishwarya revealed that the film is inspired by a real-life incident.

Powerful Real-Life Inspiration

She stated, “Theeyavar Kulai Nadunga is inspired by a real incident. When director Dinesh narrated the script to me, I was left shaken. The incident happened in our place. It is only when you narrate real stories can the audience connect with it. When true stories are narrated on the big screen, it makes a huge impact and will also create social awareness, thereby ushering in change. That is why I liked this script and I chose it. This is a script that is close to my heart.”

Censor Board Approval and Release Date

The film has received clearance from the Censor Board with a U/A certificate and is set to release worldwide on November 21 this year.

Teaser Sparks Interest

A teaser released previously generated significant buzz among fans and film enthusiasts. This crime investigative thriller’s teaser showcases a series of gripping sequences, heightening anticipation for the movie.

At its core, the film carries a powerful message: while law, justice, and righteousness may intersect, it is righteousness that ultimately prevails.

Teaser Highlights

The teaser opens with Arjun discovering that a fictional narrative by a renowned writer named Jawa seems to be based in reality. This leads him to investigate a series of events that are bound to keep the audience engaged. Arjun is confirmed to play a police officer, while Aishwarya Rajesh’s character, though not fully revealed, is pivotal to the storyline. With scenes of inquiry, suspense, and sudden intensity, the teaser hints at a thrilling cinematic experience.

Cast and Crew

Alongside Aishwarya and Arjun, the film features a talented cast that includes Bigg Boss fame Abhirami, Ramkumar, G. K. Reddy, P.L. Thenappan, Logu, writer-actor Vela Ramamoorthy, Thangadurai, Prankster Rahul, and O. A. K. Sundar, among others.

Cinematography is handled by Saravanan Abhimanyu, with music composed by Aasivagan. Editing for this investigative thriller is overseen by Lawrence Kishore, and the art department is led by Arun Shankar.

Multilingual Release

The film is set to have a simultaneous release in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.

Cardi B Embraces Motherhood for the Fourth Time

Cardi B has welcomed motherhood for the fourth time with the arrival of a baby boy, whom she had with boyfriend Stefon Diggs. This marks the couple’s first child together.

In a joyous announcement on social media, the 33-year-old rapper shared a video of herself lip-synching to “Hello,” a track from her recently released album, “Am I the Drama?”.

In her caption, Cardi B expressed how she has brought both new music and a baby into the world almost simultaneously. She wrote, “My life has always been a combination of different chapters and different seasons. My last chapter was the beginning of a new season. Starting over is never easy but it’s been so worth it! I brought new music and a new album to the world! A new baby into my world, and one more reason to be the best version of me, one more reason to love me more than anything else or anyone else so I can continue giving my babies the love and life they deserve (sic).”

She described this challenging yet exhilarating new chapter as a ‘Me vs Me’ showdown, emphasizing her personal growth and resilience.

Cardi B also mentioned that she has started preparing for her upcoming tour, focusing on getting both her mind and body in shape.

“This next chapter is Me vs. Me! It’s me against all odds, me against everything meant to get in my way. I’ve started prepping for tour, getting my body right, getting my mind right. There’s nothing that’s gonna stop me from giving you guys the performance of a lifetime! I’ve learned, I’ve healed, and I’m loving the woman I’ve become! That’s what this next era means to me, and I’m stepping into it better than ever,” she concluded her post.

As soon as the announcement went live, a flood of congratulatory messages filled her comments, celebrating the new mom.

Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has an important question for herself as she gears up for work.

Bebo shared a sunkissed selfie from her car on the Stories section of her official Instagram handle, captioning it, “Subhah wali selfie,” along with red heart and rainbow emojis.

In her next post, Kareena posed a question: “Do I learn my lines for the day?” She quickly answered her own inquiry, revealing, “Of course I already know them,” paired with rainbow and star emojis.

While Kareena didn’t specify which shoot she was heading to, it’s believed she is currently busy with Meghna Gulzar’s “Daayra.” Recently, she announced on social media the commencement of her next project, which marks her 68th film.

On her Instagram account, Kareena shared glimpses from her first day on set, stating, “Day 1 of the 68th film, Daayra, with the most amazing @meghnagulzar and @therealprithvi. Send love and blessings (sic).”

Director Meghna Gulzar also posted a video from the shoot, captioning it, “A journey of blurred and crossed lines. We begin. (sic).”

Prithviraj Sukumaran, who stars alongside Kareena in this drama, expressed his excitement, stating, “#Daayra is officially rolling. A new story, a new journey that challenges and excites in equal parts. Thrilled to be stepping into this world (sic).”

Co-written by Yash and Sima along with Meghna Gulzar, “Daayra” is poised to be a gripping crime-drama thriller. Earlier, Kareena spoke about the much-anticipated project, saying, “Daayra promises to be a cinematic experience that challenges and inspires, and I look forward to working with Meghna, Prithviraj, and the team at Junglee Pictures on this powerful, timely film.”

Bollywood heartthrob Salman Khan is currently in Qatar for his highly anticipated show, Da-Bangg: The Tour Reloaded, in Doha.

Before thrilling his fans with an electrifying performance, the ‘Sultan’ actor shared a fun backstage moment on social media. Salman took to his official Instagram handle, posting a photo of himself getting his leg stretched. Dressed in a gray T-shirt and black denim, he had his leg placed on a man’s shoulders, accompanied by the amusing caption, “Aahhhhaaa.”

Salman arrived in Qatar on Thursday amidst heavy security and was escorted by his head of security, Shera. Captured at the Doha airport, he wore cream pants, a light thistle-colored T-shirt, a jacket, and a cap. Notably, he sported a moustache as part of his look for his upcoming war drama, “The Battle of Galwan.”

Joining Salman for the Da-Bangg: The Tour Reloaded are actresses Jacqueline Fernandez and Tamannaah Bhatia, both seen at the Mumbai airport en route to Doha. The show will also feature electrifying performances by Sonakshi Sinha, Stebin Ben, Sunil Grover, Prabhu Deva, and Maniesh Paul. The event is scripted and directed by Sohail Khan Entertainment and JA Events.

For those unaware, Da-Bangg: The Tour Reloaded is scheduled to take place on November 14 at the Asian Town Amphitheatre in Doha. Announcing the tour on social media, Salman previously posted, “Qatar, get ready for Da-Bangg The Tour Reloaded on 14th November 2025 (sic).”

Amidst all this excitement, the ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ actor is balancing multiple roles, serving as the host of the reality show “Bigg Boss 19” while also filming “The Battle of Galwan.” Recently, he even visited veteran actor Dharmendra at a hospital in South Mumbai.