Author: Ankita Singh

Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra has marked a significant milestone by celebrating 25 years of his action thriller film “Mission Kashmir,” which features Hrithik Roshan, Sanjay Dutt, and Preity Zinta.

Chopra took to his Instagram account, sharing a carousel of nostalgic images from the sets of the 2000 film, which includes snapshots with Hrithik, Preity, Sanjay, Jackie Shroff, and Sonali Kulkarni. The carousel was accompanied by the soulful track “Rind Posh Maal.”

“Revisit the timeless love of Altaaf and Sufiya… Their bond in Mission Kashmir taught us that even in deep sorrow, love is the ultimate mission worth fighting for. Celebrating 25 years of #MissionKashmir,” he expressed.

About the Film

Set against the backdrop of conflict in Kashmir, the film delves into themes of terrorism, revenge, and the psychological trauma faced by children affected by war. It tells the story of Altaaf Khan, a young boy whose family is inadvertently killed during a police operation led by Inayat Khan, who later adopts him. Learning the truth drives Altaaf to radicalize into terrorism, ultimately returning to confront his past.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Legacy

Known for his impactful storytelling, Vidhu Vinod Chopra has directed notable films including the crime drama Parinda, 1942: A Love Story, and 12th Fail. He also produced the iconic Munna Bhai film series, 3 Idiots, PK, and Sanju under his banner, Vinod Chopra Films.

His latest project, Zero se Restart, highlights the resilience and teamwork needed to create cinema while working on his critically acclaimed film 12th Fail.

12th Fail Overview

12th Fail is inspired by the 2019 non-fiction book by Anurag Pathak, chronicling the life of Manoj Kumar Sharma, who conquered extreme poverty to become an Indian Police Service officer, alongside Shraddha Joshi Sharma, an Indian Revenue Service officer.

The film stars Vikrant, Medha Shankr, Anant Joshi, Anshumaan Pushkar, and Priyanshu Chatterjee. It follows the journey of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma, who bravely embraces the challenge of restarting his academic pursuits and reclaiming his destiny in a place where millions compete in the world’s toughest competitive exam, the UPSC.

Actor Arjun Rampal penned a heartfelt note in memory of his late mother, Gwen Rampal.

On her death anniversary, the ‘Om Shanti Om’ actor shared an emotional message on Instagram, expressing how much he misses her every day. He urged his followers to cherish and love their parents, stating they are “the luckiest people alive.”

Rampal shared a heartwarming video that highlights some of his most cherished moments with his mother. He wrote, “It’s been 7 years today Ma, and I miss you every day. All those who have their parents, go hug them, thank them, love them. You are the luckiest people alive. Life is short, but the love of a parent is unconditional.” The video features nostalgic childhood pictures and more recent memories, offering a beautiful glimpse into their bond. It also includes Elvis Presley’s song “Home Is Where the Heart Is” as the background score.

For those unaware, Arjun Rampal’s mother, Gwen, passed away on October 27, 2018, due to cancer. Just a few months before her passing, he had shared a heartfelt video on X, where she spoke about her battle with breast cancer and the challenges she faced. In that post, he reflected, “It’s been a roller coaster ride for my Mom and the whole family. Then my friend @LalitKModi introduced us to the #Champalimaudfoundation. I am eternally grateful to him, #CarloGreco, and his wonderful team. Here is our story. I do hope it.”

In the video, Arjun mentioned, “Cancer is becoming more and more epidemic these days. My mother underwent treatment for it and was cured. But 10 months later, cancer metastasized into her lungs. With the help of my friend, we went to the Champali Maud Foundation research centre in Lisbon.”

On the professional front, Arjun is preparing for the release of his next thriller, “Dhurandhar,” which features Ranveer Singh in the lead role.

Music composer and singer Salim Merchant recently expressed his admiration for the stunning beauty of Kashmir.

The musician, who visited Pahalgam, was captivated by the region’s scenic valleys and tranquil atmosphere. He shared his love for the destination and his eagerness to return. On his Instagram, Salim posted a video of himself enjoying the song ‘Awaaz’ from his album “Bhoomi 2025,” showing him walking through a lush green garden.

In his caption, he wrote, “I am just in love with Kashmir. Pahalgam had such beautiful valleys, views and vibes. Can’t wait to go back!”

Previously, Salim has praised the rich Kashmiri culture, highlighting its soulful music, vibrant art, and the genuine warmth of its people. He noted that the essence of Kashmir continues to inspire artists around the globe. On October 24, he shared images from his recent concert with Sulaiman and Noor Mohammad, showcasing the popular duo dressed in traditional Kashmiri outfits.

Salim captioned the post, “We love the Kashmiri culture so much – their music, their art, and the warmth of Kashmiri people all across the world. Go watch AWAAZ on our YouTube channel, sung by @noormohammad72807. Here are some stills from the shoot.”

In another update, Salim celebrated Diwali in grand style at New York’s Times Square. He shared a video of himself in front of the iconic location, where their new song “Jogiya” was being showcased on the big screen.

In the video, Merchant expressed his excitement, saying, “Hey Jogiya on Times Square. Wow. Thank you Sonu Nigam, Paradox, and Shraddha Pandit. It feels awesome, really.”

Hollywood star Vin Diesel has hinted at the return of his fantasy warrior character from ‘The Last Witch Hunter,’ which has now marked 10 years since its release.

Diesel took to Instagram to celebrate the tenth anniversary of ‘The Last Witch Hunter’ and announced that his character Kaulder will make a comeback in “The Lion’s Oath,” set to release in 2026. He shared several images featuring himself in the character’s signature tattered outfit, sword in hand, standing in a forest.

“Ten year anniversary! A decade ago, this weekend, Kaulder was first introduced… This year, you have resurrected him… The Lion’s Oath! 2026!,” he wrote in his caption.

About ‘The Last Witch Hunter’

The Last Witch Hunter is a 2015 American fantasy action film directed by Breck Eisner and written by Cory Goodman, Matt Sazama, and Burk Sharpless. It features Vin Diesel as an immortal witch-hunter tasked with preventing a plague from devastating the world.

In a heartfelt note on October 18, Diesel expressed his gratitude towards his mother, reflecting on her unwavering support throughout his journey in cinema. He reminisced about how she accompanied him to the Sundance Film Festival in 1997, where he earned recognition as a “Sundance Director,” alongside notable contemporaries like Darren Aronofsky and Jon Favreau.

“Mind if I take a second to talk about someone whom I have marveled at my whole life… My mother. Never forget how she came with me to Sundance in 1997, because her son was officially a ‘Sundance Director’ with contemporaries like Darren Aronofsky and Jon Favreau … a few years before my friend Chris Nolan,” he shared.

He highlighted her presence during a pivotal moment in his career, stating, “She was there…”

In addition, Diesel mentioned that he has begun reading a book on spirituality, a thoughtful gift from his mother. “And just yesterday, I started a book she gave me about Celtic Spirituality… she knows I have been tasked with developing the Kaulder Universe and thought it would be a helpful read,” he added.

He concluded with heartfelt gratitude, saying, “God was gracious when he allowed me to be born from this incredible woman…. Grateful and blessed.”

Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan recently experienced a fan moment when he met the legendary action icon Jackie Chan. In a light-hearted remark, he stated that his broken bones look up to the global superstar’s broken bones.

A Memorable Meeting

Hrithik took to Instagram to share two pictures of their meeting. The duo looked stylish in casual attire, smiling for the camera outside a hotel in Beverly Hills, USA. To honor the martial arts legend, Hrithik included the classic “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas as the background music.

In his caption, he expressed his excitement: “Fancy meeting you here sir @jackiechan My broken bones look up to your broken bones. Forever and always.”

Holiday Vibes

Currently, Hrithik and his partner Saba are enjoying a holiday in the US. On October 26, they shared romantic snapshots from their trip, showcasing their cozy moments together. Dressed warmly, they embraced in one of the pictures, with the caption: “Nothing better than winter walking.”

Exciting Projects Ahead

On the professional front, Hrithik is making his debut as an OTT producer with the thriller “Storm.” This project, in collaboration with Prime Video, is set in Mumbai, and production is expected to commence soon.

“Storm” is created and directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Ajitpal Singh, known for his work on the series “Tabbar” and the Sundance selection “Fire in the Mountains.”

It was also announced in April that Hrithik will make his directorial debut with “Krrish 4.” He is transitioning the franchise he has developed over the past 22 years. The film will be produced by Yash Raj Films in association with Rakesh Roshan. Hrithik will juggle directing and acting, portraying the titular superhero. The shooting for “Krrish 4” is scheduled to begin early next year.

Hollywood actress Demi Moore has opened up about her experience working alongside superstar Tom Cruise on ‘A Few Good Men,’ sharing an intriguing memory from the film’s production.

Moore recently speculated that her co-star might have felt “embarrassed” by her pregnancy while they were in pre-production for the film. Speaking with screenwriter Jia Tolentino at the New Yorker Festival, she revealed that she was nearly eight months pregnant when she began reading lines with director Rob Reiner and Cruise, who is 63.

The actress, who was expecting her second child, Scout Willis, shared, “I think Tom was quite embarrassed. I actually felt okay about it. I was moving around, though, right? But I could tell he felt that it was a bit awkward.”

Moore, who is also a mother to daughters Rumer Willis and Tallulah Willis with ex-husband Bruce Willis, elaborated that she believes Cruise may have felt uncomfortable since few in their Hollywood circle were having children at that time. She explained that there was significant pressure to choose between a career and motherhood.

“It’s one of the many things that didn’t make sense to me. I challenged that perspective by asking, ‘Why not? Why can’t you have both?’ But with that came a lot of pressure I put on myself to prove it was possible,” she reflected.

‘A Few Good Men,’ based on Aaron Sorkin’s 1989 play of the same name, centers on two U.S. Marines charged with the murder of a fellow Marine. Moore admitted that she became “a bit of an overachiever” in balancing motherhood with her acting career.

Looking back, she confessed, “I go, ‘What the f*** was I thinking?’ What was I even trying to prove? It wasn’t as supported then as it is today, you know, to be breastfeeding and then blocking and rehearsing a scene.”

Hollywood actor Simu Liu faced significant challenges while working on the sets of the new series ‘The Copenhagen Test’.

The ‘Shang-Chi’ star, at 36 years old, disclosed that he performed many of his own stunts in this espionage thriller. In the series, he portrays a Chinese-American intelligence analyst caught between his secretive agency and unknown hackers, as reported by People magazine.

Liu mentioned, “I got kicked in the face. Yeah. Many, many, many times.” He acknowledged the efforts of the “phenomenal” stunt coordinators James and Chris Mark, who strived to ensure safety on set. However, he noted that there is always an element of “risk” involved in stunt work.

“When you’re doing fight scenes or running full speed through a hallway and you gotta blast through three people or whatever it is, stuff’s gonna happen. Stuff’s gonna go wrong. I remember I got … been kicked in the face, been thrown against things, and things like that (on the set),” he elaborated.

According to People, Liu clarified that while some actors opt out of performing their own stunts to avoid injuries—and there’s “nothing inherently wrong with that”—it can lead to complications during post-production because editors have limited angles to work with. Some shots featuring a stunt double may not effectively sell the scene.

On the flip side, the ‘Barbie’ actor stated that when actors do their own stunts, it allows editors “infinite more optionality in terms of where to cut and when.”

He confessed that he thrives on the challenge of action work. “Here’s the thing, probably to my own detriment, I’m way too competitive of a guy. And I think ever since I was 4 years old, if I see someone doing something and I think I could do it just as good or better. I always, I’m like, ‘Great. Look, get me in there. I want in’,” he shared.

After enjoying all those Diwali desserts, Randeep Hooda is back in action, resuming his fitness training in full swing.

The ‘Sarbjit’ actor took to his official Instagram account and posted a couple of pictures of himself posing by the window, shirtless. Flaunting his chiseled physique, Hooda penned, “The body remembers the rhythm. Post-Diwali reset back to training, back to purpose. A new chapter loading. (Bicep emoji) (sic).” His caption hints that Hooda is all set to embark on his next cinematic journey.

Recently, Hooda and his wife Lin Laishram delighted fans with glimpses from their Karva Chauth celebrations, expressing their connection by stating they are “together in every phase from sunrise to moonrise.” The first photo in the post captured a selfie of Randeep and Lin, followed by a snap of Lin holding the pooja ki thali. Another photo showed Lin gazing at her husband through a decorative sieve. The final photograph featured Hooda gently touching Lin’s cheek while she looked at him through the sieve.

“Together in every phase from sunrise to moonrise. Happy Karwa Chauth #forevermine, (sic),” read the caption on their joint post.

For those unfamiliar, Randeep and Lin met at esteemed actor Naseeruddin Shah’s theatre group, Motley. After developing feelings for each other, they began living together during the lockdown and made their relationship Instagram official in 2022. The couple tied the knot in November 2023 in a traditional Meitei ceremony in Imphal, Manipur.

On the work front, Hooda has reportedly acquired the official movie rights to “Operation Khukri: The Untold Story of the Indian Army’s Bravest Peacekeeping Mission Abroad” by Major General Rajpal Punia and Damini Punia. The film aims to depict real-life events from 2000, when 233 Indian soldiers were taken hostage by rebel forces in Sierra Leone, West Africa, leading to a high-risk rescue mission.

Actress Aditi Rao Hydari has chosen to spend her Sundays cuddling with furry friends.

The ‘Heeramandi’ actress shared several snaps of her playing with dogs on her official Instagram handle. In her post, she praised those who rescue and nurture these animals, writing, “Sundays are for cuddles and squishes ❤️ More power to these incredibly inspiring humans for rescuing and looking after these furry babies.”

She did not hold back in expressing her disdain for those who mistreat animals, adding, “Tight slaps to evil humans who abandon them, torture them and behave like demons… @thepetcafehyd ❤️ @devenshopesociety Thank you Malli poo and mumsie pie for taking me there! @mallikareddyg.”

Earlier, Aditi also celebrated the revival of the historic Wanaparthy saree, which she regards as a tribute to her royal lineage. Coming from the royal family of Wanaparthy in Telangana, she took to social media to reflect on this revitalization.

The ‘Padmaavat’ actress shared, “My grandfather Raja J Rameshwar Rao worked towards this revival as a young man. He encouraged the weavers and ordered for the family from them. Had old designs sent to them to relearn and recreate. His ancestors, the art-loving rulers of Wanaparthy, had brought Pathani weavers to settle in their kingdom, and the saree and weaving then adapted to the region as it evolved.”

Aditi reminisced about a specific saree: “I remember one specific saree that my grandmother, mother and her sisters have, inspired by a famous Ravi Varma painting, the black asharfi saree. And now I realise that I was inspired by that saree too. Firmly locked and sealed in my subconscious mind, and it all emerged when the genius Sabyasachi was creating the half saree for Siddharth and my wedding at the Wanaparthy temple!”

She expressed her excitement further: “There is so much to write, and family histories are so interesting; I’ll have to ask my Amma for more! For now I’ll leave you with this exhibition… I’m so proud to bring this to you all. I hope the weavers of Wanaparthy reclaim their rich legacy.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is full of praise for the AI-generated retelling of the epic tale “Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh.”

The Chief Minister shared his appreciation on social media, posting the iconic Bhagavad Gita verse — “yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata…” to emphasize the series’ essence.

The makers launched the captivating trailer on social media, with the tagline: “Mahabharat – Har yug ka dharm… The greatest story of duty, betrayal, and war, brought to life with AI technology. Watch ‘Mahabharat – Ek Dharmayudh’ by Historyverse on JioHotstar starting October 25th and on StarPlus from October 26th at 7:30 PM (IST).”

Vijay Subramaniam, Founder & Group CEO of Collective Artists Network, discussed the project, stating, “Like millions of Inddigihunt, I grew up watching the classic Mahabharata on television every Sunday—it was an experience that shaped my imagination and my connection to our culture.”

He added, “With Mahabharat, our hope is to give today’s generation a similar touchstone that feels as immersive and unifying as it did for us, told through the possibilities of today’s technology. This is about bhakti and pragati walking together to create something that is both deeply rooted in tradition and boldly forward-looking.”

Produced by JioStar and Collective Media Network, “Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh” marks India’s first-ever AI-powered premium entertainment series.

JioStar has collaborated with Collective Media Network to present an AI-powered version of the Hindu epic Mahabharat. The series aims to illustrate how, ‘when a timeless epic meets groundbreaking technology, the outcome can be pure magic.’

Streaming on JioHotstar, this classic tale will also air on Star Plus starting October 26 at 7:30 PM. The first installment of the series includes 100 episodes.