Author: Ankita Singh

Sunny Deol has turned 68 years old and kicked off his birthday celebrations with firecrackers and heartfelt wishes.

The talented actor shared a video on his official Instagram handle, capturing the beauty of fireworks lighting up the sky against a stunning backdrop.

Currently, Sunny is likely busy filming “Lahore 1947.” In the clip, his team energetically wished him a “Happy Birthday,” and he joined in, saying, “Happy Birthday to me.”

Family and friends showered him with love in the comments. His brother, Bobby Deol, responded with cake and red heart emojis. Preity Zinta also chimed in, writing, “Happy Birthday to you! Loads of love, happiness n success today n always” alongside red hearts and a cake emoji. Rahul Dev added, “Stay blessed bhaiya,” with a red heart and cake emoji, while Archana Puran Singh expressed her good wishes, saying, “Happyyyyyy birthday Sunny! Lots of love and best wishes.”

On the day before his birthday, Sunny visited the Attari Border with his son Karan Deol and daughter-in-law, Drisha Roy. He shared a video featuring glimpses from their visit, where he was seen driving to the border and enjoying the ceremony with his family. Notably, it was Karan and Drisha’s first experience witnessing the event.

They even took photos with the Jawans and spent some quality time with them. Sunny proudly captioned the post, “Hindustan Zindabad! Spending some time with our BSF friends at Attari Border and @imkarandeol and Drisha’s first time witnessing the ceremony.” He added the “Vande Mataram (The Fighter Anthem)” track from “Fighter” to enhance the moment.

The makers of director Rahul Sadasivan’s highly anticipated horror thriller, ‘Dies Irae’, have urged fans and the public to refrain from creating, sharing, or resharing unofficial posters of the film. They stated that such materials distort the film’s intended tone.

Taking to social media, All Night Shifts, one of the production houses behind the film, expressed gratitude for the enthusiasm and creativity surrounding ‘#Diesirae’. They advised, “However, kindly avoid creating, sharing or resharing unofficial posters which alter the movie’s intended tone. All official artwork and updates are available on @allnightshifts across all social platforms. Thank you! – Team Diés Iraé.”

It’s worth noting that the Censor Board has cleared the film for release with an ‘A’ certificate. Previously tentatively titled #NSS2, ‘Dies Irae’ features Pranav Mohanlal in the lead role.

All Night Shifts shared on Friday, “#DIESIRAE Certified ‘A’! In Cinemas Worldwide from 31st October. #DIESIRAE starring @pranavmohanlal, written and directed by @rahul_madking, produced by @chakdyn and @sash041075, under the banner of @allnightshifts and @studiosynot.”

Anticipation for the film has been palpable since its announcement. The excitement intensified with the recent trailer release, which opens with an elderly woman telling a man he should have spoken up when he sensed something was amiss with a child. The man counters, asking how he could convey his feelings when worried about public perception. The woman retorts, “And now, didn’t that feeling turn out to be true?”

The trailer hints at the child in question being portrayed by Pranav Mohanlal, who plays the only son of a family believed to be cursed by their neighbors. His character encounters strange occurrences but struggles to voice his experiences, fearing disbelief.

Based on true incidents, ‘Dies Irae’ is set to premiere just in time for Halloween this year. The film has generated substantial interest due to the talented team behind it; it’s being produced by the same group that created the Malayalam cult classic ‘Brammayugam’, which starred the legendary Mammootty.

It’s notable that ‘Dies Irae’ commenced filming only in the last week of March this year. Principal photography took place in Vadakara, Calicut. Interestingly, the filmmakers aimed to finish shooting within 40 days but managed to complete the entire film by April, ahead of schedule.

Shehnad Jalal, whose work in ‘Brammayugam’ received critical acclaim, serves as the cinematographer for ‘Dies Irae’. The film’s art direction is handled by Jothish Shankar, also known for his work on ‘Brammayugam’, while editing is done by Shafique Mohammed Ali, who similarly edited the previous film.

Director Rahul Sadasivan’s ‘Bramayugam’ was a critically acclaimed hit, recognized as a period horror film set in Kerala’s historical backdrop. It revolved around three male characters and was shot in black and white, featuring Mammootty alongside Sidharth Bharathan, Arjun Ashokan, and Amalda Liz. The dialogues for this notable film were penned by Malayalam novelist TD Ramakrishnan, renowned for his novel Francis Itty Cora.

As the festive season unfolds, Bollywood celebrities are supporting the Government of India’s “Vocal for Local” initiative. Many actors have taken to social media to share videos promoting the idea of purchasing from local businesses, highlighting its significance for the economy.

Tripti Dimri Promotes Local Shopping

Actress Tripti Dimri posted a video on Instagram from a footwear shop, where she requests a selfie with the owner, who contributes to the nation’s wealth through taxes. She captioned the post, “There’s something special about shopping from people who know your name, your choice, your vibe. This Diwali, I’m choosing local because every small shop has a big heart. Let’s be #VocalForLocal @narendramodi @mygovindia.”

Madhuri Dixit’s Message of Togetherness

Similarly, actress Madhuri Dixit Nene shared a video from a festival lights shop. She also asked the owner for a selfie and wrote, “Diwali ki roshni tabhi poori lagti hai jab khushi apno ke saath baanti jaye. Let’s support our local shops, our own people, and spread the light of togetherness. #VocalForLocal @narendramodi @mygovindia.”

Rupali Ganguly Highlights Pride in Local Crafts

Actress Rupali Ganguly featured in a video from a saree shop owned by a fellow Bengali. Speaking in Bengali, she noted that the shop has contributed to the pride of many women through its fabrics. Her caption read, “From one festive season to another, our local shops never fail to bring that perfect Diwali warmth. Iss baar, khareedenge wahi se, apno se. Let’s celebrate India, let’s be #VocalForLocal @narendramodi @mygovindia.”

Sunil Grover Encourages Local Celebrations

Actor Sunil Grover shared a video from a gift shop, emphasizing, “Diwali pe sab kuch naya lena zaroori nahi — bas apne logon se lena zaroori hai. Shop local, smile local, celebrate local.”

PM Modi’s Push for Indigenous Support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative gains traction each Diwali, encouraging Inddigihunt to invest in homegrown products and small businesses. With substantial purchases anticipated during Diwali, the campaign aims to foster self-reliance, create jobs, and revive traditional crafts by urging citizens to opt for locally made goods over imported items.

Shankar Mahadevan’s Sweet Sentiments

Grammy-winning music composer Shankar Mahadevan also shared a video from a sweet shop, stating, “Har mithai ki mithai badh jaati hai jab woh apne sheher ki dukaan se aati hai. Iss Diwali, apni khushiyon ka sur banayein #VocalForLocal ke saath.”

PM Modi has reiterated that supporting local artisans, weavers, and small-scale manufacturers not only strengthens the economy but also preserves cultural heritage.

The makers of director Arun Anirudhan’s much-anticipated entertainer ‘Athiradi’, featuring notable actors Basil Joseph, Tovino Thomas, and Vineeth Sreenivasan, have unveiled the film’s title teaser.

Production Details

Produced by Basil Joseph’s own production house, Basil Joseph Entertainments, along with Doctor Ananthu Entertainments, ‘Athiradi’ aims to be a complete entertainer. Arun Anirudhan, a debutant filmmaker, previously contributed as a screenwriter for the first Malayalam superhero film, ‘Minnal Murali’, which was also directed by Basil Joseph.

Shooting Schedule

Shooting for ‘Athiradi’ is expected to kick off by the end of October. The script has been co-written by Paulson Skaria and Arun Anirudhan, with Sameer Thahir and Tovino Thomas serving as co-producers. This project marks a reunion of the creative team behind ‘Minnal Murali’ — consisting of Tovino Thomas, Basil Joseph, Sameer Thahir, and Arun Anirudhan.

Teaser Highlights

The teaser introduces Vineeth Sreenivasan’s character first, followed by Basil Joseph and Tovino Thomas. It suggests that ‘Athiradi’ is set to be a mass action entertainer. The punchline hints at a power-packed theatrical experience, with each actor portraying distinctly different characters, both in looks and personality.

Multi-Language Release

In addition to Malayalam, the teaser has been launched in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada.

Previously, a casting call with the tagline “Looking for mass boys who can deliver a solid punch!” was shared on social media. A few weeks ago, during the launch of his production company’s logo, Basil Joseph officially announced ‘Athiradi’ and revealed its initial details. The film has generated significant excitement among fans and cinema enthusiasts as it will be the first film to bring together Basil Joseph, Tovino Thomas, and Vineeth Sreenivasan on screen.

Technical Aspects

On the technical front, the film will feature cinematography by Samuel Henry, music by Vishnu Vijay, editing by Chaman Chacko, and costume design by Mashar Hamsa.

Playback singer Amit Kumar recently shared a memorable story about the late music director O. P. Nayyar during an appearance on one of Kapil Sharma’s shows. Despite a longstanding feud with Amit’s father, Kishore Kumar, Nayyar had always been eager to work with Amit.

Recalling the incident, Amit stated, “I once sang for the late music director O. P. Nayyar. He used to prefer Rafi sahab over my father. There was a past conflict between them. One day, he called me, sounding a bit different, and asked, ‘Amit, son, will you sing for me?’ I replied, ‘Yes sir, without a doubt.’ He requested me to arrive at the hotel by 10:00 am for a rehearsal along with Kavita for a duet and a solo. However, I arrived 10-15 minutes late, and he was waiting at the door.”

Amit continued, “He said, ‘Is this the time to come? Do you think you are Mohammed Rafi? I am a military man. You should be mindful about the time.’ We proceeded to record the song at Bombay Lab. We started around 10 or 10:30, and by noon, he declared, ‘Pack up.’ I felt dissatisfied and told him that I wanted to do another take. I believed I hadn’t sung it well.”

“I told him, ‘I want to go for one more take.’ He replied, ‘You can’t sing better than this,’” Amit shared, making the audience laugh.

He also fondly remembered the late music director S. D. Burman, saying, “I worked with many music directors and considered myself fortunate. Unfortunately, I never got to work with S. D. Burman, as he passed away before our collaboration.”

Reflecting on a touching moment, he added, “But he came to my first show and sat in the audience. He threw a garland at me, which was the best award I could have received.”

Cuban-American singer-songwriter and actress Gloria Estefan has officially announced her biopic, confirming that Hollywood actress Rachel Zegler will portray her in the film.

The 68-year-old artist shared that the project has been in development for quite some time, but she believes they have found the perfect leading actress in 24-year-old Rachel, known for her standout role in ‘Evita’.

Gloria stated, “I think she’s awesome, I think she’s incredible. I know she killed it in ‘Evita’. We’re still working on the green light because we’re figuring out where to do it, how to do it. This has been in the works for quite a few years now. And that’s how it is. You work, you work, you work, and then all of a sudden, boom, the trigger’s pulled and you’ve got to do it right away.”

She added, “But, she’s lovely. I think she would (accept). I just need to offer her an actual part. So we need to be greenlit completely and we’re almost there. I met her on Zoom. She’s got a beautiful singing voice and she’s a great actor.”

In addition to her film news, Gloria expressed her excitement about the possibility of performing on Glastonbury’s Pyramid stage. She mentioned her daughter Emily’s recent performance at the festival with Cyndi Lauper, saying, “It’s very exciting, big and complex from what I hear from Emily. Like, it was crazy. But that would be super exciting. If I’m still around, I’d love to do that. Now, Glastonbury likes all kinds of artistes.”

Rachel Zegler rose to fame for her debut role as María Vasquez in Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’, for which she earned a Golden Globe Award. Of Colombian and Polish descent, her breakthrough came from a YouTube cover that led to her casting. Following her acclaimed debut, she also starred in ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’.

Actor Rajat Bedi, who recently made his comeback with the Aryan Khan directorial, ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’, shared his experiences of staying positive during a long hiatus. After moving to Canada, he returned to Bollywood after a two-decade gap.

Maintaining Fitness

In a recent conversation, Rajat discussed how he has kept himself fit, even referring to his time in Canada as being in “cold storage.” He remarked, “The good part was I have kept myself fit at all times. It’s my hobby working out and being fit. The climate in Canada has also been very favorable. It feels like I have come back from cold storage. People ask me, ‘How did you maintain yourself?’ I told them I was in cold storage (laughs). They took me out of cold storage and brought me back.”

Learning from the Journey

Rajat reflected on his journey over the past 20 years, saying, “This journey has taught me a lot. My ups and downs have made it a beautiful experience. I have gone through a lot of pain and happiness. I got this opportunity, and I have matured a lot. Earlier, I had a lot of immaturity in decision-making. This experience will help me guide my son’s future. So that way, it has helped a lot. A lot of failures have been a stepping stone for me now.”

Iconic Role Recognition

Earlier, the actor revealed that Aryan Khan and his friends are huge fans of ‘Koi Mil Gaya’. In the recently released streaming series, Rajat plays the role of a ‘has been’ star, directed by Aryan, son of Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan.

He also clarified his previous comments about Rakesh Roshan, which had been misinterpreted. Rajat stated, “Aryan and many of his associates, as children, have been fans of ‘Koi Mil Gaya’, and I’m very blessed that Rakesh Roshan at that time gave me this opportunity to be a part of the film. I did feel a little bad after the film. But if you actually look at my whole journey, it is a lot thanks to ‘Koi Mil Gaya’. Even today, people ask me, ‘You were in the Alien film, right? You broke Rohit’s cycle, right?’. It is one of the most iconic and lovable films for the audience.”

‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ is available for streaming on Netflix.

The upcoming film starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sharvari is set to begin production on November 1, 2025. This yet-to-be-titled project is being positioned as a family entertainer and will display the signature style of Sooraj Barjatya.

Film Details

A source has shared insights, stating, “The film goes on floors on November 1. It is a romantic family entertainer and would have the trademark Sooraj Barjatya stamp. Besides Ayushmann, it also stars Sharvari.”

Following the success of “Uunchai,” Sooraj Barjatya’s last film, Rajshri Productions is collaborating once again with Mahaveer Jain Films. The source added, “Both Sooraj Barjatya and Mahaveer Jain had a wonderful time working together on ‘Uunchai,’ hence they decided to team up again.”

Ayushmann’s Enthusiasm

Last week, Ayushmann Khurrana attended the first day of the silver jubilee edition of FICCI Frames 2025. During his session, he confirmed for the first time that he had signed on for Sooraj Barjatya’s next project. He mentioned, “As for my line-up, ‘Thamma’ is my first big Diwali release. It would be followed by a Sooraj Barjatya film, which is for a wider audience. Then I am also doing a Dharma film, which also would be for a wider audience.”

The actor will be seen in the Diwali release ‘Thamma,’ co-starring Rashmika Mandanna and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

Sharvari’s Upcoming Projects

Meanwhile, Sharvari is also preparing for the release of YRF Spy Universe’s first female-led film, ‘Alpha,’ where she will share the screen with Alia Bhatt and Bobby Deol. The film is set to hit cinemas on Christmas this year.

Production Team

This family entertainer is produced by Rajshri Productions in association with Mahaveer Jain Films and Anita Gurnani. It marks Mahaveer Jain’s next big venture after ‘Naagzilla,’ which starred Kartik Aaryan and was directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, in collaboration with Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.

Hollywood star Walton Goggins, renowned for his roles in ‘Django Unchained’, ‘The Hateful Eight’, ‘The White Lotus’, and ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’, is set to star in the upcoming action film ‘Painter’.

A New Action Film

Goggins will be joining Amber Midthunder, known for her remarkable performance in 20th Century’s Predator movie, Prey. This project marks the directorial debut of veteran stunt coordinator Garrett Warren, as reported by Female First UK.

Plot Overview

Written by Derek Kolstad, the creator of John Wick, ‘Painter’ follows the journey of a young woman trained from an early age who must utilize her skills to rescue her kidnapped father. Midthunder will portray the young woman, while Goggins takes on the role of her father.

Ambitious Expectations

Drew Simon, the President of Production at Infrared, shared insights about the film, stating, “Painter will be a seminal action hero film, making Midthunder into this generation’s Sarah Connor. We loved Kolstad’s high-octane script, and we know with Garrett Warren at the helm, this film will kickstart an exciting new franchise in the world of action.”

Casting Changes

Initially, Alan Ritchson, known for his role in ‘Reacher’, was set to star alongside Midthunder but had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts, as mentioned by Female First UK.

Project Oversight

James Cameron will serve as the executive producer. Producing the film alongside Kolstad is Drew Simon and Sam Speiser of FilmNation’s Infrared Pictures, with J.R. Young overseeing the project for 20th Century.

Other Projects

On the horizon for Walton Goggins are several intriguing projects, including the animated film Harry and the Mutant Mid-Century Furniture. He will co-star in this sci-fi comedy directed by Michael Skolnick, alongside Ron Funches, Chris Parnell, and Shondrella Avery. Set in 1962, the story revolves around the fallout from atomic weapon testing that brings forth a bizarre new lifeform: mutant mid-century furniture.

Central to the narrative is Harry, a 10-year-old boy grappling with loss, who discovers unexpected allies in a wise old recliner and a spirited ottoman.

On the occasion of Dhanteras, actress Ankita Lokhande shared a glimpse into her “modern AnVi ki fairytale” with her husband, Vicky Jain.

Ankita took to Instagram to post a series of romantic pictures with Vicky from her recent Diwali bash. She captioned the post: “The Modern Fairytale #AnVi ki Fairytale No dragons, no rescues, no glass shoes, just a King and a Queen who chose each other every single day, even when the story got hard.”

She also extended her wishes for Dhanteras, the first day marking the festival of Diwali, celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu calendar months of Ashwin or Kartika. She added, “Wishing you all lots of #Dhan this #dhanteras.”

Ankita Lokhande, known for her past relationship with the late Sushant Singh Rajput, married Vicky in December 2021. The couple’s journey together began on-screen during the 17th edition of Bigg Boss, hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, where Munawar Faruqui emerged as the winner and Abhishek Kumar was the runner-up.

The couple was also seen in the culinary comedy show Laughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment, hosted by Bharti Singh and judged by Harpal Singh Sokhi.

On the film front, Ankita was last seen in Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, which is based on the life of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Directed, co-written, and co-produced by Randeep Hooda, who also plays the titular role, the film presents a detailed biographical sketch of Savarkar from his childhood and key life events, often portraying its central character in a near-worshipful tone.

Ankita made her acting debut as Archana Manav Deshmukh in Pavitra Rishta and has also appeared in films such as Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi and Baaghi 3.