Author: Ankita Singh

Veteran actress Renuka Shahane recently shared insights into her relationship with her husband, actor Ashutosh Rana, acknowledging his naturally aggressive demeanor.

In a past interview with Lehren, the ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’ actress discussed their contrasting working styles and how they continually support and learn from one another, both personally and professionally. Renuka remarked, “I think we always encourage each other to improve, because he is an incredible actor. I think he is outstanding, and his inputs about my acting always help me to perform better. The drive and passion that he has for acting I lack. I am not ambitious, so the ambition that I see in him is very important for me as an actor to get that drive in me, so I am trying to bring that in.”

She added, “He is very aggressive, so I think because of me he has slightly mellowed down. We do help each other, and the best thing about us both is that being from the same profession, we are actors, and yet we have absolutely no egos among us. If I need to criticize his acting, he takes it in a very positive manner because we both believe that more than love, it is the respect that we have towards each other that is the main foundation of our relationship.”

Ashutosh Rana and Renuka Shahane tied the knot in 2001 and are proud parents to two sons. Their love story began at a preview of a Hansal Mehta film that never released, marking the beginning of a lifelong bond. On March 25 this year, the couple celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary with a heartfelt video on social media, showcasing their beautiful journey and cherished moments from their wedding day.

Actress Sonakshi Sinha and ace designer Manish Malhotra are the latest guests on the popular celebrity chat show “Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle,” hosted by Kajol and Twinkle Khanna.

Teaser Released

To give audiences a sneak peek of the episode, Prime Video has unveiled a teaser on social media, featuring the caption, “catching up is never out of fashion (Nail polish emoji) #TwoMuchOnPrime, New Episode Every Thursday.”

Insights from Manish Malhotra

During the heart-to-heart conversation, Manish Malhotra opened up about his maximalist approach to life. He also shared an interesting anecdote about his first design brief, which was for a funeral scene. He amusingly noted that, despite the somber occasion, the actor still had to look “hot.”

Malhotra further revealed that Kajol is credited with launching the sneakers-with-lehenga trend long before Instagram came into play.

When Twinkle prodded him about an actor he did not enjoy designing for, he opted for silence, leaving everyone to speculate.

Sonakshi’s Revelations

On the other hand, Sonakshi Sinha showcased her decoding skills by explaining ‘Farma Kato’, a term from BTS fashion lingo, during the episode. She also mentioned that she performs her own stunts in movies.

Exciting News about “Jatadhara”

In related news, Sonakshi and Sudheer Babu recently filmed the climax of their highly anticipated drama “Jatadhara” for a remarkable 24 hours nonstop.

The “Jatadhara” team described the climax as “one of the most challenging ever mounted,” complete with grand sets and intricate choreography.

Producer Shivin Narang expressed his excitement, stating, “The climax is the soul of Jatadhara — it’s where two powerful forces of light and darkness collide. We aimed for it to feel raw, real, and larger than life. What Sudheer Babu and Sonakshi Sinha have accomplished is beyond dedication — it’s devotion.”

He added, “They shot continuously for 24 hours over three days, giving everything physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s one of the toughest, most ambitious climaxes you’ll ever see on the big screen.”

Actress Mahhi Vij, currently in Lucknow for work, recently shared a heartfelt video on her social media stories expressing how much she misses her daughter Tara.

In her emotional message, Mahhi revealed that Tara, along with her foster daughter Khushi Ray, has been away for nearly 15 days on a vacation in Japan. She mentioned that it’s the longest Tara has ever been away from her, and she can’t wait to hug her beloved daughters. Additionally, Mahhi expressed that she has been missing her foster son, Rajveer Ray, who is back at their home in Mumbai.

Tara and Khushi are enjoying their trip in Japan with their father, Jay Bhanushali. While Mahhi openly spoke about missing her children, she did not mention her husband, Jay, which has further fueled rumors regarding their marital status. Speculation about Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij possibly heading towards a split has been circulating widely online.

As of now, there has been no official confirmation from either party regarding their relationship status. Recently, in the midst of these rumors, Jay posted an adorable picture with his daughter Tara on social media, noticeably without Mahhi. He included the song “My Girl My Girl” as the background score. Jay has been sharing numerous pictures and videos from their enjoyable time in Japan with Tara and Khushi.

The trio appear to be having a fantastic time on their trip. Interestingly, both Mahhi and Jay seem to have removed each other’s photographs from their social media accounts, adding to the speculation surrounding their relationship.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit recently shared an old video of the late Bollywood veteran actor Satish Shah, showcasing his singing talent in all its glory.

Melodious Memories

In the video, Satish, dressed in a simple t-shirt and trousers, beautifully sang the iconic Bollywood song “Yeh Raatein Yeh Mausam.” Pandit captioned the post, “Dear Satish. This talent of yours will keep on echoing in our memories.” He has been revisiting various nostalgic moments highlighting Satish Shah’s impressive acting career.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Previously, Ashoke also shared a still from the iconic television show “Yeh Jo Zindagi Hai,” featuring Satish Shah. His caption read, “The ‘Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi’ days! An experience of a lifetime when I was in the company of one of the greatest actors, #SatishShah, who kept the sets vibrant, full of laughter, singing, dancing, joking around, mimicking everyone, and occasionally scolding me.” He fondly remembered the directors Kundan Shah, Manjul Sinha, Raman Kumar, and co-actors Shafi Inamdar, Swaroop Rawal, Farida Jalal, Rakesh Bedi, Vijay Kashyap, and Sulbha Arya.

In another tribute from his show “FilmiChakkar,” Pandit expressed, “One of the highlights of #SatishShah’s enormous acting talent was his singing. My show #FilmiChakkar was uplifted because of his tremendous timing and love for Hindi cinema. Can’t believe you have left us and gone. Miss you, dost.”

A Sudden Loss

For those who may not know, Bollywood veteran Satish Shah passed away on October 15, leaving fans heartbroken. Ashoke Pandit was the first to announce the news of the actor’s unfortunate demise through a social media video and stood firm with Shah’s grieving family during this difficult time.

A number of actors, including Sumeet Raghavan, Rajesh Kumar, JD Majethia, Deven Bhojani, Ratna Pathak Shah, and other co-stars from his hit show “Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai,” attended his funeral. Reports indicate that Shah passed away due to kidney failure and is survived by his wife, Madhu Shah.

On October 27, a prayer meet for Satish Shah was held in the city, attended by many Bollywood stars who came to pay their final respects to the beloved actor.

Actor Shivam Khajuria, who plays Prem in the superhit television show ‘Anupamaa’, is thrilled about the new track in the series. Returning to the show after a brief break, he is eager to explore the new phase in Prem’s life, which resonates with his own aspirations.

Prem’s Entrepreneurial Journey

The upcoming storyline will highlight Prem’s entrepreneurial spirit as he embarks on the journey of starting his own restaurant. Viewers will witness his determination, emotional growth, and the drive to create something meaningful from scratch.

Talking about the new developments, Shivam expressed, “It feels fantastic. Personally, I’ve always had a dream of starting my own restaurant someday, so stepping into that journey through Prem feels very close to home. Showing the audience the challenges, hustle, passion, and small victories of building something from scratch has been really fulfilling. It adds a whole new dimension to Prem’s character, and I’m enjoying portraying that evolution. It’s definitely going to be an exciting ride ahead.”

Shivam continues to impress audiences with his sincere on-screen presence, known for infusing depth and warmth into his character.

Exciting Twists Ahead

As ‘Anupamaa’ prepares for fresh twists and emotional turns, Prem’s inspiring chapter as a restaurateur is sure to resonate with viewers.

Recently, the actor celebrated the show reaching the milestone of 5 years. Since its premiere, ‘Anupamaa’ has become a household name, captivating viewers with its relatable storytelling and emotional depth. The show consistently emphasizes themes of family, resilience, and empowerment, striking a chord with audiences across generations. Shivam highlighted that this connection with viewers has been the greatest reward for the entire cast and crew.

He reflected, “Honestly, it feels amazing that Anupamaa has completed 5 years. You don’t often see shows connect so deeply across all age groups, and to be part of that journey feels very special. The character I play has taught me a lot along the way, and every day on set still feels like I’m learning something new. The love the audience has given us is what makes it all worth it.”

Singer-songwriter King, known for his viral hits like ‘Maan Meri Jaan’, ‘Tu Jaana Na Piya’, and ‘Tu Aake Dekhle’, recently discussed the journey of his music, from creation to eventual cult status.

While promoting his new streaming music reality show ‘I-popstar’, where he serves as one of the mentors, King shared insights on the patience required in the music industry.

Navigating the wait for a song to achieve success can be challenging. He recalled his experience with the track ‘Tu Aake Dekhi Leki’, which he released in September 2021. After 7-8 months, the song became a hit, a development he hadn’t anticipated. “It’s an open space. I was working on my music as a routine. The navigation is to put your head down and keep doing your work. A song finds its place. It chooses its time,” he explained.

King added that while artists are aware of their craft, they often can’t predict what will happen next. “This is honesty. I recently dropped one project called ‘Shayad Koi Na Sune’. Those songs could work differently under different circumstances. But my aim was to name an EP as ‘Shayad Koi Na Sune’. When you listen to the songs, it’s personal, and you might wonder why they aren’t receiving more attention. Sometimes, it’s a matter of placement,” he mentioned.

He further elaborated on the life span of songs, stating, “It’s a small way for me to show that the context matters. Regardless of the quality, if placed poorly, it doesn’t hit like that. These songs have a life of 20 years; I can perform them until old age.”

You can catch ‘I-popstar’ streaming on ‘Amazon MX Player’.

Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor seems to be enjoying a delightful time with her pet husky.

Recently, she shared a humorous video at 2x speed where she was seen pampering and hugging her beloved huskies, who affectionately returned the gesture. On her social media account, Janhvi captioned the video, “Going to start a new series of all the times I’ve been suffocated by Bhaitama Saitama’s giant, overaffectionate brother and (am I allowed to say this?) my favourite child.”

The actress is known for her deep affection for her fur babies, frequently sharing photos and videos of them online. Janhvi was also recently a guest on the talk show Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle. During the episode, she paid tribute to her mother, Bollywood icon Sridevi, revealing that she had composed a poem in her memory. Reading the heartfelt lines brought an emotional moment to the audience.

The poem expressed her feelings: “Bachi thi phir achanak ek din woh haq kho diya, Jo laad mangti thi usse muh mod liya, Apni awaaz kho ke apni maa ki awaaz me baat karti hu, Issi jariye me unke paas bhi rakhti hu.” (I was a child who suddenly lost her right; the one I sought love from, I turned away; having lost my own voice, I now speak in my mother’s — and through it, I keep her close.) For those unaware, Sridevi tragically passed away on February 24, 2018, in Dubai due to accidental drowning at the age of 54.

Her death, occurring just months before Janhvi’s debut film Dhadak, left the nation in shock. Thousands of fans lined the streets of Mumbai to bid her an emotional farewell during her funeral procession. Following her debut, Janhvi starred in several films, including Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Good Luck Jerry, Millie, Bawal, and Mr & Mrs Mahi. Her younger sister, Khushi Kapoor, made her debut with The Archies in 2023 and has also appeared in Nadaniyaan alongside Ibrahim Ali Khan.

Janhvi Kapoor was last seen in the film Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, alongside Varun Dhawan, Rohit Saraf, Sania Malhotra, and Maniesh Paul.

Filmmaker Amar Kaushik has addressed the much-talked-about box-office clash between his latest release, “Thamma,” and “Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat.”

As both films hit theatres on October 21, coinciding with Diwali, Kaushik shared his perspective on the competition, viewing it as a natural part of the industry. He emphasized that every film finds its own audience. In an exclusive interview, the director explained that when good films receive appreciation, it’s a victory for everyone in the industry. He stated that there’s no real competition, as filmmakers are part of the same creative family working towards a common goal — delivering meaningful cinema to audiences.

Supportive Industry Dynamics

Amar Kaushik expressed, “I think it’s wonderful. When good films get appreciation, it’s a win for everyone. There’s no competition — we’re all part of the same industry, like one big family. We all wish success for each other. Negativity only harms, while mutual respect and admiration help us grow. Every good actor and filmmaker adds value to the industry. I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing artists — talented and humble human beings.”

Response to Thamma

Reflecting on Thamma’s overwhelming response, he shared, “The response has been fantastic — just as we expected. Audiences were eager to see the next chapter of our universe and understand how it’s evolving. Earlier, many viewers felt that filmmakers weren’t using the concept of a ‘shared universe’ properly, that stories didn’t connect well.”

“We took that feedback seriously. We made sure that the characters and the storyline continue to grow organically. And now that audiences are appreciating it, I’m truly happy. I’ve been getting countless calls, and people are watching it with great enthusiasm — it’s a very satisfying feeling,” Amar Kaushik added.

The Birth of Thamma

The director also shared how the idea for the horror-comedy “Thamma” first came to him. “Thamma was brought to me by Suresh Mathew and Arun Fulara back in 2019. At that time, the story had a different title. Later, when we began creating our cinematic universe — around the time we were making Bhediya — we realized we needed to expand it.”

“We wanted more characters, more villains, and a wider range of stories. Thamma was one of the stories that fit perfectly. We spoke with the writers and started rewriting it. The writing process continued for about three to four years, and now, finally, the film has been released.”

Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Maddock Films, “Thamma” features Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. On the other hand, “Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat,” directed by Milap Zaveri, stars Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa in the lead roles.

Singer-songwriter Aastha Gill, renowned for popular tracks like ‘Kamariya’ and ‘DJ Wale Babu’, has shared insights into her evolving approach as an artist in the ever-changing music industry.

During a promotional event for her new streaming music reality show, ‘I-popstar’, where she serves as one of the mentors, Aastha opened up about her journey.

The Responsibility of a Hit

For any artist, the pressure to deliver hits is palpable. Teams continuously inform them about market trends, output expectations, and production nuances.

When asked about the challenges of resisting market temptations, Aastha candidly reflected, “Honestly, it took me a lot of time to understand. I used to get stuck while making music because my commercial mind as a musician overpowered the artist in me. For almost two years, I have been changing my thought-process. I have cut myself from this noise, knowingly. I realised two years ago that I was lost. In my own art, I could not understand how to process.”

Finding Her Voice Again

She elaborated on her transformation, saying, “When I used to sit in a session, I thought, ‘I want to write my own song, I want to write my own story’. Now I have started composing; I’m no longer lost in that noise. Back then, I could not figure out what was missing, and it took me a lot of time. I could do some songs that I later realised I might have done incorrectly. But to gain that understanding was very difficult. I have learned it the hard way.”

‘I-popstar’ is currently available for streaming on ‘Amazon MX Player’.

Actors Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, and Shweta Tripathi have successfully completed the Varanasi shoot for the movie adaptation of “Mirzapur.”

Pankaj Tripathi on Varanasi

Pankaj, who portrays the iconic Kaleen Bhaiyya, expressed a profound connection to the city. “This city has a rhythm of its own—it’s spiritual, raw, and alive. Shooting Mirzapur: The Movie here reminded me why this world feels so real to all of us. Kaleen Bhaiya was born here in spirit, and every time I step into his shoes, it’s like revisiting an old chapter with new meaning. The warmth and curiosity of people here always make the experience special,” he shared.

Ali Fazal’s Reflection

Ali, reprising his role as Guddu Pandit, remarked on the unique energy of Banaras. “And that madness is a big part of Guddu’s journey too. Being back here felt nostalgic yet fresh. We’ve lived with these characters for years, but every new story brings a new challenge.” He noted the positive atmosphere, saying, “It’s inspiring to see how deeply Mirzapur has connected with people across generations.”

Shweta Tripathi Sharma’s Insights

Shweta Tripathi Sharma shared her thoughts on the significant role of Banaras in her acting journey. “Banaras has given me so much as an actor—it’s almost poetic that I keep finding myself here for roles that define me. Golu’s journey has been one of transformation and inner strength, and shooting in Banaras makes that emotion feel real.” She added, “The people here treat Mirzapur as their own story, and that’s such a rare and beautiful thing to witness. This schedule was intense, emotional, and full of gratitude. Now I’m looking forward to taking that same energy to our next schedule in Mumbai.”

About the Series

The crime-thriller series “Mirzapur” tells the story of Akhandanand “Kaleen” Tripathi, a crime boss and businessman who rules the Mirzapur district in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh, India. The first season features a notable 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 main cast, omitting Vikrant and Shriya, while introducing new faces such as Vijay Varma, Isha Talwar, Lilliput, Anjum Sharma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Anangsha Biswas, and Neha Sargam.

Filming for the series primarily took place across Uttar Pradesh, with locations including Mirzapur, Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Lucknow, Raebareli, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi. The film adaptation is reportedly set for release in 2026.