Author: Ankita Singh

Actor Rajat Bedi, who made his return with Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, “The Ba***ds of Bollywood,” has shared nostalgic memories of how his home once buzzed with the brightest stars of Hindi cinema.

Celebrating a Legacy

Recently, Rajat commemorated the success of “The Ba***ds of Bollywood” during a candid conversation. He reminisced about the open lunches that were a tradition at the Bedi office, welcoming anyone from the industry. Coming from a prominent lineage, Rajat’s father, Narendra Bedi, was a successful filmmaker and producer, while his grandfather, Rajinder Singh Bedi, was a revered Urdu writer and a key figure in the progressive writers’ movement.

He recalled, “There used to be gatherings at home. The whole industry used to come and sit at home. For lunch, it was an open thing for the industry that if you want food, go to Mr. Bedi’s office and eat. We have seen such an environment. The films that my father made, like ‘Adalat’, ‘Benam’, ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’, and several others, constitute an incredible body of work.”

Praise for Co-star Raghav Juyal

Rajat also had high praise for his co-actor from the series, Raghav Juyal. He noted that Raghav is one of those distinctive actors who can dominate a scene and outshine his co-stars.

He expressed, “Raghav is outstanding. I mean, if you see Raghav’s story, he has worked so hard. What an actor! It was actually my first time working with Raghav. I didn’t have many scenes with him, but whatever I performed with him, I can assure you, he is a gem of an actor.”

“The Ba***ds of Bollywood” is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana, recently seen in the film ‘Thamma’, visited the renowned Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai.

Seeking Blessings Post-Release Success

The actor sought blessings from Lord Ganesha after ‘Thamma’ achieved remarkable success, recording a monumental opening of INR 25.11 crore nett in India. This achievement marks the highest opening for an origin story within the Hindi Film Industry’s unique horror-comedy universe, which includes hits like ‘Stree’ and ‘Bhediya’. ‘Thamma’ is now set to establish its franchise through this stellar performance.

Ayushmann was accompanied by Amar Kaushik, the co-producer of ‘Thamma’, known for his work on ‘Stree’ and its sequel, ‘Stree 2’.

About ‘Thamma’ and Its Unique Storyline

The film features a stellar cast that includes Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Paresh Rawal. Released on October 21, 2025, to coincide with Diwali, ‘Thamma’ tells the story of Alok, a historian who inadvertently awakens the ancient vampire Yakshasan, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui. This encounter leads to Alok becoming a vampire himself, embarking on a quest to halt Yakshasan’s reign of terror. The film introduces a fresh concept termed “betaalism,” setting it apart from conventional Western vampire narratives.

Ayushmann’s Reflections on His Career

Earlier, Ayushmann described ‘Thamma’ as a “tentpole” in his career. He shared a personal story, recalling how he used to visit theatres annually with his family to watch a superstar’s film. This time, he experienced that joy with his own movie.

Speaking about the film, Ayushmann expressed, “I’m an entertainer, so it brings me immense joy to see people loving and enjoying Thamma and my performance during this big Diwali holiday. When my visionary producer Dinesh Vijan told me about the Diwali release, I was thrilled as it was a dream of mine.”

He mentioned the significance of bringing his distinctive style of cinema to Diwali, a festival traditionally reserved for blockbuster releases by major superstars.

Production Details

‘Thamma’ is a horror-comedy directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik under the Maddock Films banner.

Actress Raveena Tandon extended her warm wishes for ‘love, peace, and prosperity’ this festive season.

Sharing a glimpse of her Diwali celebration on Instagram, Raveena posted a beautiful photo of herself sitting on the floor in traditional attire. The idols of deities were prominently placed on the table next to her, along with the items necessary for the Diwali puja.

The post also featured more glimpses of the puja ceremony, captioned with “Happy Diwali (Folded hands, Om and folded hands emoji) and a prosperous new year to all (Red heart, firecracker and folded hands emoji) love peace and prosperity (sic).”

Raveena’s daughter, Rasha Thadani, and son, Ranbir Thadani, were visible in the pictures, contributing to the festive spirit. Other family members, along with friends and pets, also joined in the celebration.

Recently, Raveena expressed her joy in embracing the season of festivities. She offered her gratitude to India for its rich cultural heritage, history, and countless reasons for happiness.

In a separate Instagram post, she shared images from her Karva Chauth celebration, which was organized by Sunita Kapoor, wife of Anil Kapoor, at her residence.

The gathering included several celebrities from Bollywood, such as Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Mira Rajput (wife of Shahid Kapoor), Natasha Dalal (Varun Dhawan’s wife), Geeta Basra, Maheep Kapoor (Sanjay Kapoor’s wife), Sonam Kapoor, and Bhavana Panday (Chunkey Panday’s partner), among others.

Raveena captured the essence of the festivities with her caption: “And the season of celebrations begins! Love, family, birthdays (happy 18th my son from another mom @raunakdhoot), happiness smiles, colors, laughter, music, dancing. Thank you, my India, my motherland, for giving me this rich colourful culture, history, and reasons for joy! (sic).”

Actress Elizabeth Olsen has shared her enthusiasm for filmmaking and her eagerness to reprise her role as Wanda Maximoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The Importance of Theatrical Releases

In a recent interview, Olsen elaborated on why experiencing films in theaters holds significance for her. She expressed a preference for starring in movies that receive theatrical releases rather than those made exclusively for streaming platforms. “If a movie is made independently and only sells to a streamer, then fine. But I don’t want to make something where that’s the end-all,” she stated.

Olsen emphasized the communal aspect of watching films, saying, “I think it’s important for people to gather as a community, to see other humans, and be together in a space. That’s why I like sports. I think it’s really powerful for people to come together for something that they’re excited about.”

Wanda Maximoff: A Character Close to Her Heart

When asked about her iconic role as Wanda Maximoff, Olsen admitted she had “no idea” if her character is still alive after The Scarlet Witch’s appearance in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Discussing the Marvel filmmaking experience, she described it as “goofy” and “ridiculous.” She remarked, “We’re grown people behaving like children on a playground. We’re flying. We’re shooting things out of our hands. It’s a character that I’ve gotten to return to so many times over 10 years. It’s good to put her down, and then I miss her and I want her back. I’d jump at the opportunity to be in her shoes again.”

A Sense of Community and Security

Olsen noted that working with Marvel has provided her with the “consistency of a community and a job.” She mentioned that it offers “financial security” and the ability to make choices, stating, “It’s offered me value, and that’s useful when making independent movies.”

Director Vignesh Shivan has decided to postpone the release of his upcoming film ‘Love Insurance Kompany’ (LIK) to December to avoid a clash with Pradeep Ranganathan’s film ‘Dude’. In the meantime, he shared a heartfelt note to mark the 10th anniversary of his hit film ‘Naanum Rowdy Dhaan’.

In a post on his Instagram page, Vignesh reflected, “Ten years of NaanumRowdyDhaan today… October 21st 2015 🙂 A life blessed with a lot of miracles started from this lovely day. How beautifully time has played its tune….”

The director expressed that he had envisioned this day differently, wishing that ‘Love Insurance Kompany’ would have reached “all your hearts, when your smiles, your words, your love would have made this day even more special for me.”

He added, “Somewhere deep down, I had kept my happiness saved for that moment. But life, in its quiet wisdom, taught me something far more beautiful today.”

Vignesh noted that even without the grand moment, he found himself smiling — truly and peacefully. He reflected that perhaps this Diwali was a reminder that happiness doesn’t always stem from applause, massive success, or specific release dates.

“We chase milestones thinking they’ll only make us happy. But happiness is not such a tough destination! If you keep the rules for it simple & silly,” he wrote. He highlighted that happiness can manifest as a gentle pause from daily busyness, a sense of calmness, and a warm hug from his loving wife—a kiss that reassures a deep love enduring for over a decade. He also mentioned the innocent laughter of his children, who remain oblivious to hidden pains, and the unconditional love from family and friends.

Vignesh emphasized, “All these are as good as the big wins we save our happiness for. I have learnt — you don’t have to ‘win’ to be happy.”

He concluded with a reminder that simply being present with all the small blessings around us is sufficient. “Sometimes dreams take a different route — but God, always, always finds a method and a specific timing to make you smile. Wait for it eagerly with a happy heart and positive energy. A heart that feels grateful, even when things don’t go as planned, is the heart that’s blessed, filled with love & acceptance.”

In his message, he also shared a thoughtful saying in Tamil: “Nenacchadhu nadandhaalum, nadakkalanaalum! Nalladheyyyy nadakkummm nu nambuvom” (Whether what you believe happens or does not happen, let us believe that only good things will happen.) He concluded with an optimistic note, “Believe that… Life is beautiful! God is great!”

Global sensation Priyanka Chopra embraced the joyous spirit of Diwali by sharing its beauty with those who might be encountering the festival for the first time.

Priyanka treated her followers on social media to glimpses of her Diwali celebration in 2025, held in New York. Radiating elegance, she donned a stunning red ethnic outfit. Her husband, Nick Jonas, complemented her look in a cream embroidered sherwani, while their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, mirrored her father in a matching frock.

Priyanka’s mother, Madhu Chopra, also participated in the celebrations. The family posed with friends, many of whom seemed to be experiencing Diwali for the first time. The festivities showcased little Malti helping decorate the house alongside her mother, followed by the family’s Lakshmi puja, and the kids enjoying temporary tattoos. It was clear that Priyanka’s New York Diwali was filled with fun and warmth.

Sharing snippets from the celebrations on her official Instagram account, Priyanka expressed, “A little bit of this and so much of that. This Diwali was full of heart and love. Sharing this festival with people who haven’t discovered its beauty was the highlight this year. Especially Malti’s friends.”

She also extended heartfelt wishes: “Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating. May this new year bring you love, joy, prosperity, and happiness.”

On Monday, Priyanka provided a glimpse into her daughter Malti’s Diwali celebration. Through her Instagram Stories, she shared a photo from the festive gathering at their U.S. home. In the picture, little Malti, dressed in a bright yellow top and skirt with pigtails, faced away from the camera while surrounded by friends. A woman, likely Priyanka herself, was spotted nearby in a white outfit.

A charming tattoo adorned Malti’s arm, and the snap was captioned, “Malti’s Diwali party was lit….”

Bollywood veteran star Pankaj Dheer passed away on the 15th of October, leaving the nation in a state of shock. The Dheer family, who have been missing the actor during Diwali celebrations, expressed their grief on social media.

Pankaj Dheer’s daughter-in-law and actress Kratika Sengar recently shared a heartfelt story online, revealing the difficulty of celebrating the festival without her father-in-law. Alongside a picture of a diya lit for Diwali, she wrote, “Only when you lose someone you love, you realise how heavy the festivals can feel,” accompanied by a heartbroken emoji.

Reports indicate that Pankaj Dheer passed away after a battle with cancer. He had recently undergone surgery as part of his treatment. On the 17th of October, the Indian Film and Television Fraternity gathered to pay their last respects to the veteran actor. A prayer meet organized by the Dheer family was attended by numerous industry colleagues and friends, who came together to honor his memory and contributions to Hindi cinema.

Notable attendees at the prayer meet included filmmaker Rohit Shetty and actors Sharad Saxena, Suresh Oberoi, Isha Deol, Zayed Khan, Tanvi Azmi, Mohit Raina, Aditya Pancholi, Mukesh Rishi, Puneet Issar, Ashok Pandit, and Mukesh Khanna, among others. Pankaj Dheer was best known for his portrayal of Karna in B. R. Chopra’s iconic television series Mahabharat.

The actor passed away at the age of 68. Despite his illness, Dheer remained active in his career, which spanned over four decades across film and television. In addition to Mahabharat, he was recognized for his roles in popular series such as Chandrakanta, Bado Bahu, and Sasural Simar Ka.

In Bollywood, he delivered memorable performances in movies like Baadshah, Soldier, and Zameen. Pankaj Dheer is survived by his wife, Anita Dheer; son, Niketan Dheer; and daughter-in-law, Kratika Sengar. Niketan, also an actor, is popularly known for his role as Thangabali in the film Chennai Express. Pankaj Dheer was a proud grandfather to his three-year-old granddaughter, Devika.

Bollywood superstars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh brought joy to their fans this Diwali by revealing their daughter Dua’s face for the first time on social media.

The couple, renowned for maintaining their privacy, shared a heartwarming family portrait that quickly went viral. Deepika captioned the post with “Diwali ki hardik shubhkamnayein” in Hindi, expressing her wishes for a Happy Diwali, complete with smiling and evil eye emojis.

In the delightful photos, the couple is seen in coordinated festive outfits. Deepika looked stunning in a red silk salwar kameez paired with heavy traditional gold jewellery, her hair styled in a bun adorned with jasmine flowers. Ranveer complemented her look in an ivory sherwani, accessorized with a layered pearl necklace and sunglasses, radiating his signature charm.

Their daughter Dua, dressed in a matching red outfit, appeared adorable in her parents’ embrace, her cute little ponytails enhancing the sweetness of the moment. Another image beautifully captured Deepika holding Dua close during the Diwali puja.

Dua was born in September 2024, nearly five years after Deepika and Ranveer got married. The couple, who first met on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram Leela” in 2013, developed a deep bond during the film’s production. After dating for around six years, they had a grand yet intimate wedding at Lake Como, Italy, in November 2018, following both Sindhi and Konkani traditions.

Since Dua’s birth, Deepika and Ranveer have been protective of their daughter’s privacy, avoiding sharing her face on social media until now. This Diwali marks their first heartfelt glimpse into their family life.

Just a few weeks prior, a video of Deepika and little Dua at the airport traveling in a buggy was captured by a fan and went viral. In the video, Deepika can be seen firmly asking the fan not to take photos or videos of Dua, but the request was unfortunately overlooked.

Actor Gulshan Grover recently shared a humorous account regarding veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha’s notorious habit of arriving late on film sets.

In a clip from one of Kapil Sharma’s shows, Gulshan recounted an incident from his early career when he was working with Shatrughan. When Kapil asked which actor had the tendency to cause delays during shoots, Gulshan promptly replied, “Shatrughan Sinha. He’s like my elder brother. It’s quite possible that I could get a beating from him after he sees this show. He was number one in coming late.”

Gulshan continued to reflect on how Shatrughan contributed to his career, saying, “He helped me a lot in my career. He gave me roles in many movies. One time, I was working in a film with him. I told the director to leave me by 2:00 pm as I got a second film to shoot, and it was the first day of shooting.”

He elaborated that the director suggested he request Shatrughan’s cooperation since they were close. “The director said, ‘You’re so close to Shatrughan Sinha, see if you could request him. I’ll leave you at 2:00 pm as soon as he comes.’ In that scene, Shatrughan Sinha, Rishi Kapoor, Mithun Chakravorty, and I were all involved. I reached Sinha’s house the night before the shoot. He was very happy. Food and drinks would go on till late at his house.”

After a hearty meal, Gulshan approached Shatrughan with a request: “Sir, I have a request.” When asked to share it, Gulshan explained, “I have a shooting with you tomorrow. If you come at 12:00 pm, the producer will let me leave at 2:00 pm for my next shoot.” Shatrughan agreed, saying, “Okay, for you, I’ll do it.”

Gulshan shared that he was ready by 11:00 am the next day, but Shatrughan did not arrive until around 4:30 pm. “He came at 4:45 pm or 5:30 pm. He had tea. My second picture was being shot at that time.”

Reflecting on the experience, Gulshan mentioned, “After that, he took me aside and said, ‘Look, the producer is using you to get something done. Today, he is using you; tomorrow, he will use someone else. I am ready to help you get five more pictures. But I will come on time.’”

Actress Sakshi Agarwal has expressed her gratitude to the Tamil Nadu Police for their prompt action in response to a bomb threat issued to her home and office.

Taking to her X timeline, she shared, “Thank you @tnpoliceoffl #tndgp for your due diligence and immediate response to the Bomb Threat to my house and office! To my fans, we are safe and the bomb threat is being investigated!”

According to sources close to the actress, the threat was communicated via email, prompting the police to take quick action to neutralize the situation.

Sakshi Agarwal is not the first celebrity to face such a threat. In recent times, numerous celebrities in Tamil Nadu have received similar bomb threats, many of which have been confirmed as hoaxes following police investigations.

Notably, actresses Trisha and Nayanthara, as well as actor Vijay, have also been targeted with threats. Earlier this month, a bomb threat directed at Trisha was quickly debunked. Police acted swiftly, arriving at her residence in Teynampet with sniffer dogs to conduct a thorough search, only to discover it was a false alarm.

Prominent figures, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and opposition leader Edappadi K. Palanisamy, have also received similar threats in the past.

Despite these threats being classified as hoaxes, the Tamil Nadu Police are diligently working to identify those responsible, as there has been a notable rise in such incidents recently.

Actor Vijay himself faced multiple bomb threats, including one targeting his Neelankarai residence shortly before another incident occurred following the Karur tragedy. Both instances were later found to be hoaxes. Additionally, a bomb threat directed toward former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami’s residence in Chennai last month had also raised alarms.