Author: Ankita Singh

Oscar-winning actress Emma Stone believes her “Poor Things and Kinds of Kindness” co-star, Willem Dafoe, is an alien.

When asked on The Late Show which celebrity she thinks is most likely to be secretly posing as a human, Stone, who portrays a woman kidnapped by two men who suspect her to be an extraterrestrial in the new movie “Bugonia,” replied, “Willem Dafoe. Hundred percent.”

Host Stephen Colbert remarked, “You did not have to think about that very long,” to which Stone agreed, calling Dafoe an obvious choice, as reported.

She elaborated, “It’s so simple. I mean, don’t you — of course. If it was like, Willem Dafoe’s actually an alien, everyone would be like, ‘Yeah! Obviously. And a great one!’ Like, if they’re all like Willem, bring ‘em on! Land upon Earth, please!”

Colbert added, “He’s an alien in a very well-fitted man suit,” to which Stone responded, “My favourite alien.”

For her role in “Bugonia,” the actress shaved her head, but while she wore wigs in her downtime, she humorously sabotaged her efforts to keep her hairpiece under wraps.

She shared, “I’m so unsubtle and just generally stupid that I was like… the wig looked good, but the whole night I was like, ‘Can you tell it’s a wig?’ To everyone! And they were like, ‘We’re pretty sure she’s wearing a wig, since she moved it around a lot.’”

Stone admitted that she “misses” her bald look, saying, “It felt so good. Taking a shower with a shaved head is unbelievable. And every time you’re thinking, you really run your hand over your head. I miss it!”

Reflecting on her experience, she expressed regret for not showcasing her bald look more publicly during the film’s production, although she did reveal a pixie cut style at the Golden Globes earlier this year.

She told Vogue magazine, “I was bummed I wasn’t going out with it. Just straight-up bald. I think that would have been fun.”

Global head-turner Priyanka Chopra Jonas recently shared a series of pictures radiating tropical vacation vibes, all after a remarkable 37 retakes.

Priyanka, currently enjoying a family holiday, posted images of herself in a floral outfit and minimal makeup. One of the snapshots captured a sweet moment with her husband, American popstar Nick Jonas. She playfully captioned the post: “Not me pretending this wasn’t take #37.”

A few days ago, she shared a heartfelt image featuring Nick and their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. On her Instagram stories, Priyanka displayed a serene snapshot of the father-daughter duo during their beach outing, where the two were sitting together on the sand, gazing at the ocean. For the caption, she wrote: “The most precious.”

Priyanka and Nick began dating in 2018, marrying later that year in December at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, following traditional Hindu and Christian ceremonies. In January 2022, they welcomed their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, via surrogacy.

On the work front, Priyanka was last seen in the film “Heads Of State,” directed by Ilya Naishuller, alongside Idris Elba and John Cena, who portray the UK Prime Minister and US President respectively.

The actress, who has won two National Film Awards and the Padma Shri, will next star opposite Mahesh Babu in the tentatively titled film “SSMB29.” Furthermore, she has been cast in the upcoming “Krrish 4,” which will mark Hrithik Roshan’s directorial debut.

At 42, Priyanka, crowned Miss World 2000, is also set to play a 19th-century Caribbean pirate in the upcoming action drama, “The Bluff.”

Actor Rohit Saraf celebrated his mother’s birthday with heartfelt affection, declaring, “You’re my whole world.” He shared lovely photographs on social media, both of them twinning in yellow, and penned a touching note about her unwavering support.

Rohit expressed his gratitude in an Instagram post, saying, “Thank you for walking with me in silence… two steps behind, but always there in case I stumble. For quietly switching the light off and sitting beside me as I drift into sleep after a long, weary day (sic).”

He continued, “Thank you for loving me, silently and deeply every single day. I love you Maa! Happy Birthday! You’re my whole world.”

In a separate conversation, Rohit opened up about the fitness challenges he faces as an actor. When asked about the difficulties of gaining or losing weight for a role, he acknowledged that it’s incredibly tough for anyone. “It’s hard for anyone to transform their body. Everybody responds differently to diet and exercise. For this film, Sanya and I both went through body transformations. Sanya worked hard for a year, and I was on a strict regimen for 14-15 months. It was exhausting but rewarding,” Rohit mentioned.

On the professional front, Rohit garnered attention in Shashank Khaitan’s romantic comedy, “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari”, where he starred alongside Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, Maniesh Paul, and Akshay Oberoi.

Reflecting on the vibrant atmosphere on set, he shared, “Oh, we had an amazing time! It was so much fun because there were so many of us—Sanya, Varun, Jhanvi, myself, Manish, Abhinav, Mallika, and many others. The vibe was always lighthearted and full of energy.”

Rohit added that whenever it rained, they would play badminton or football while waiting for the weather to clear up so they could resume filming. “There was never a dull moment,” he concluded.

Actress Tanishaa Mukerji recently took fans on a nostalgic journey by sharing a heartwarming reunion picture on her social media. This lovely moment features her mother, veteran Bollywood actress Tanuja, alongside superstar Jaya Bachchan. Tanishaa captioned the image, “What an epic pic! #Throwback #Tanuja #JayaBachchan,” celebrating the reunion of two icons of Indian cinema.

In the picture, Tanuja and Jaya Bachchan are seen beaming for the camera, dressed in stunning traditional silk sarees. Tanuja opted for a pastel green saree, accessorizing with minimal jewelry and a string of pearls. Jaya Bachchan, on the other hand, dazzles in a striking pink and orange silk saree adorned with golden zari detailing, complemented by a statement ruby ring. The photo exudes nostalgia, suggesting it was captured during a festive event.

Both actresses have made indelible marks on Hindi cinema, particularly during the 1960s to 1980s. Tanuja, known for her charm and endearing screen presence, starred in iconic films like Jewel Thief (1967), Haathi Mere Saathi (1971), Anubhav (1971), and Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972). Jaya Bachchan, who launched her career with Guddi, went on to deliver memorable performances in classics such as Abhiman (1973), Koshish (1972), Chupke Chupke (1975), Mili (1975), and the legendary Sholay and Zanjeer.

Both stars hail from esteemed film families. Tanuja, daughter of actress Shobhna Samarth, was married to filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee and is the proud mother of actresses Kajol and Tanishaa Mukerji. Jaya Bachchan, a respected name in Indian cinema, married megastar Amitabh Bachchan at the height of her career and is the mother of actor Abhishek Bachchan and Shweta Bachchan Nanda. She is also the mother-in-law to Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has paid a heartfelt tribute to advertising king Piyush Pandey, who passed away recently.

Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account, Shah Rukh Khan expressed his sentiments, saying, “Working and being around Piyush Pandey always felt effortless and fun. It was an honour being part of the pure magic he created. He carried his genius so lightly and revolutionised the ad industry in India. Rest in peace, my friend. Will miss you lots.”

Earlier, Bollywood actor Gajraj Rao also extended condolences to the advertising legend. He described Piyush Pandey as the “Sam Manekshaw of Indian Advertising.” Rao praised Pandey’s unmatched understanding of Indian society, his ability to connect with both newcomers and seasoned veterans in the industry, and his irreplaceable talent and courage. He shared a monochrome image of the late advertising guru.

Rao further wrote, “Piyush Pandey, sir, in my eyes, was the general of the Indian advertising world, who used to stand in the front row with his pen on every small and big creative front. Every obstacle had a break. Their grip on Indian society was amazing, especially since he was the advertising guru who understood rural India better.”

He continued, “Whether it is a novice writer or a veteran client, Pandey Saab used to make a relationship with a bit of betkalluffy. He was Sam Manekshaw, General of Indian Advertising, rich with unique talent and courage; no one can replace him. Salute!!! #piyushpandey #rip.”

Several notable personalities from the Indian film industry also paid tribute to Piyush Pandey.

For those unaware, Piyush Pandey was a Padma Shri awardee and advertising stalwart who passed away at the age of 70. He served as Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Worldwide at Ogilvy and had been battling an infection that recently worsened, as confirmed by the agency.

In a statement, Ogilvy said, “To our entire Ogilvy family, it is with an unfathomable sense of loss that I write to you about the passing away of our beloved Piyush Pandey. Piyush was battling an infection that took a serious turn. He passed away peacefully this morning. I cannot even imagine how each one of us is going to process this terrible loss in our own way.”

Bollywood veteran actress and parliamentarian Jaya Bachchan has a reputation for her candid interactions with the paparazzi, often described by fans as “not so nice” or “extremely cold.”

Support from Karan Johar at Filmfare Awards

Recently, at the Filmfare Awards held in Ahmedabad, director and producer Karan Johar, who has known Jaya since birth, publicly supported her on stage. Inviting her to the Filmfare platform, Karan said, “Let’s give a huge round of applause and welcome to the one and only Jaya Bachchan Aunty.”

While presenting her with the Cine Icon Award, Karan stated, “I am sorry we are doing this stupidity, but we consider you as our mother. This whole thing, Shah Rukh and I have taken it upon ourselves to give you the award. We feel very happy, more than you. God bless you, and thank you so much.” He added warmly, “I have the right to call her Aunty J. She is like a mother to me. She has known me since childhood. I have had the amazing fortune of even directing Aunty Jaya. Her legacy precedes us. But more than anything else, it’s a warm heart, and everyone should know that, especially the paparazzi.”

Karan’s comments, particularly those aimed at the paparazzi, elicited laughter from Jaya. For context, Jaya Bachchan has been associated with the Johar family even before Karan’s arrival in the world, having worked on multiple projects under Karan’s father, Yash Johar’s banner. Jaya has played significant roles in films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Kal Ho Na Ho, both produced under Dharma Productions.

Jaya Bachchan’s Call for Respect for the Industry

During her award acceptance speech, Jaya made a poignant appeal. She urged attendees to abandon the term ‘Bollywood’ when referring to the film industry, advocating instead for recognition of its true identity. “This is not Bollywood or Hollywood. A lot of people present here – actors, artists, writers, directors, and the audience – are referring to it as Bollywood. Please don’t do this. This is the Hindi-Indian film industry, and give it its due respect. This is a request from a person who has been in this film industry for the last 55 years,” she emphasized.

Expressing her gratitude, the “Guddi” actress stated, “Thank you for all the love and your graciousness. I accept this with all humility. Thank you.” The award was presented to Jaya Bachchan by Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar.

Bollywood music composer and Bigg Boss season 19 contestant Amaal Mallik has ignited outrage once again after making derogatory comments about fellow contestant Farrhana Bhatt during a live feed conversation.

The remarks were so offensive that the show’s editors had to beep out the words before they aired on national television.

Following the clip’s circulation on social media, actresses Ayesha Khan and Falaq Naazz condemned Amaal’s language and behavior, labeling it cheap and disgusting.

Ayesha Khan expressed her disbelief on social media, saying, “Ew. Low, extremely low. Unbelievable how no one took a stand; I have not been following the show, but this is low and cheap. Casually giving names to a woman? Learn better. Saw another video of someone calling Farrhana a terrorist – inappropriate, disheartening, and low. You go, girl! Win the show!”

Falaq Naaz also shared her disappointment. She posted a still from the live feed, stating: “Whaattttt???????? Omg now don’t tell me ki pehle seasons me bhi gaaliyan di gayi hain… And iss insaan se to kya hi expect kiya jaa sakta hai… How can someone stoop so low! It’s not about gaaliyan ladki ko di ya ladke ko… iss insaan ne sabko gaaliyan di hain… itni gandi zubaan… Tauba!”

This controversy follows closely after Amaal had made another series of degrading remarks about Farrhana and her mother, calling them B-grade. He had also claimed that no one would cast Farrhana even in a C-grade movie, drawing significant backlash from fans who accused him of disrespect.

During the previous Weekend Ka Vaar episode, Amaal’s father, Dabboo Mallik, appeared on the show and publicly cautioned his son to watch his words and not cross lines in anger. He stated that while he supported Amaal’s game, he would not tolerate any vulgar comments that could bring shame to the family. The confrontation reportedly left Amaal in tears, but the latest incident has only intensified scrutiny regarding his behavior in the house.

Actress Zareen Khan recently took to social media to share an important personal update—her mother has been admitted to the hospital. In a heartfelt message on her Instagram Stories, she wrote, “Mom admitted to the hospital. Please keep her in your prayers (sic).”

While Zareen hasn’t provided further details regarding her mother’s health, she has made headlines for other reasons as well. She recently shared a video on Instagram addressing the unsettling comments she receives from netizens on her posts. The ‘Hate Story 3’ actress explained, “Hello everyone. Is this happening to you too? The moment I post something, such comments start flooding in. People post water and peach emojis; some write ‘service available’, ‘boys come over’, or even ‘need a boyfriend, alone at home.’”

She expressed her frustration, stating, “It doesn’t matter what I share; people find a way to post disgusting remarks. Some comments are so filthy, it’s shocking.” Zareen also captioned her post, asking, “Yeh kya chakkar hai…. Koi samjhaao please. Aur kya aap logon ke saath bhi yeh ho raha hai? Let me know in the comments.” (What is this about? Please, someone explain it to me.) (sic).

On the work front, Zareen made her debut in the short drama space with “Phir Se Restart.” She emphasized that the shoot was swift, and she had the opportunity to portray herself in the show. Reflecting on her experience with Pocket TV’s ‘Phir Se Restart’, she remarked, “This was my first time working in a vertical short drama format. The whole experience was really fun.”

Zareen is a celebrated actress who is not afraid to challenge norms. When dissatisfied with her costume designer’s creation, she turns it into a chance to discover raw talent by organizing a unique contest for aspiring designers to showcase their skills.

“The shoot was quick, the concept was refreshing, and I got to play myself in Phir Se Restart, Zareen Khan the actress. It was new, fresh, and something I really enjoyed doing. Short dramas have finally made their mark in India,” she added.

The unit of director Buchi Babu Sana’s highly anticipated action film ‘Peddi,’ starring Telugu superstar Ram Charan, has recently traveled to Sri Lanka for the next phase of shooting.

Scenic Locations Await

Sources connected to the film’s production reveal that filming will take place in the picturesque locations across the island nation over the next few days. A video circulating on social media shows Ram Charan heading to the airport, en route to Sri Lanka.

Production Details

Produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under Vriddhi Cinemas, and presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings, ‘Peddi’ is being made on a grand scale.

Notably, the film’s crew previously shot a spectacular song featuring an impressive 1,000 dancers. This grand sequence was filmed in Mysore on Vinayaka Chavithi, a day when many opted for a break. The song, choreographed by the renowned Jani Master, showcases Ram Charan in a stunning setting.

Post-Production Progress

Additionally, sources indicate that post-production work is underway simultaneously. The dedicated team is working tirelessly to ensure that the project stays on schedule.

Star-Studded Cast

Ram Charan has gone through a dramatic transformation for his role in ‘Peddi.’ The film also features Kannada legend Shiva Rajkumar in a pivotal supporting role, alongside notable actors Jagapathi Babu and Divyendu Sharma in key parts.

Technical Excellence

With a stellar technical team, ‘Peddi’ promises to deliver a rich cinematic experience. Renowned cinematographer R Rathnavelu is handling the visuals, while National Award-winning editor Navin Nooli oversees the editing process.

Release Date

‘Peddi’ is scheduled for a grand Pan-India theatrical release on March 27, 2026, aligning perfectly with Ram Charan’s birthday.

Oscar winner Emma Stone revealed that she used a “beautiful” stage name for six months after learning she couldn’t utilize her birth name, Emily Stone, while pursuing her career in Hollywood.

Choosing a Stage Name

During her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the 36-year-old actress shared, “I actually adopted a stage name for, I would say, like six months. Because the Screen Actors Guild, it’s like the Business Bureau. You can only have one person with that name.”

At just 16, Stone decided to call herself Riley for a brief period. “So I was Riley Stone, which is a beautiful name,” she added.

Struggles with Identity

However, Stone found it challenging to adjust to her new name during her work. She recounted an experience: “I did an episode, like a guest part, on Malcolm in the Middle, and they kept going like: ‘Riley! Riley!’ And I had no idea who they were talking to. Truly. And I was like: ‘I cannot be Riley.’ Like, it’s such a … It came out of nowhere.”

She humorously remarked, “I was just like: ‘Cool name. I’ll just be Riley.’”

Transition to Emma

Eventually, Stone opted for Emma Stone, as it was reminiscent of her real name. “So I then changed it to ‘Emma’ because it’s close enough to ‘Emily’,” she noted.

The Oscar-winner has expressed a desire to revert to Emily, citing confusion. She mentioned to The Hollywood Reporter, “When I get to know them, people that I work with do (call me Emily). It’s just because my name was taken (by another actress). Then I freaked out a couple of years ago. For some reason, I was like: ‘I can’t do it anymore. Just call me Emily.’”

When asked if she would correct a fan who mistakenly called her Emily instead of Emma, the actress replied, “No. That would be so nice. I would like to be Emily.”