Author: Ankita Singh

Global star Priyanka Chopra is back in India after a delightful Diwali celebration in New York. This time, however, she touched down in Delhi instead of her usual destination, Mumbai.

Delhi’s Charm Captivates PeeCee

While enjoying her time in the National Capital, Priyanka couldn’t help but express her admiration for Delhi’s unique allure. The ‘Barfi’ actress shared a selfie from her airplane seat on Instagram, captioning it, “Sometimes I feel like I live on a plane.” In the picture, she wore a brown hoodie and a grey cap, with her hair neatly pulled back. Along with a short clip of the plane taking off, she added, “And we’re off.”

Arrival in the Capital

To mark her arrival in Delhi, Priyanka posted a photo of a welcome sign that read, “Welcome to Delhi,” updating her followers that she had reached the capital.

Celebrating a Special Birthday

Priyanka revealed the reason for her visit—she is in town for her best friend, Tamanna Dutt. Sharing a lovely image of Tamanna, Priyanka wrote, “My sister’s big birthday… Delhi it is ❤️.”

Her feed also featured a video of Priyanka driving through the beautiful city, admiring the lush greenery. She expressed her love for Delhi by sharing, “Dilli ki khoobsoorti ❤️.”

Couple Goals with Nick Jonas

On Sunday, Priyanka’s husband, Nick Jonas, took on the role of hairdresser, showcasing another couple goal moment. Priyanka posted a clip of their commute to the airport, where Nick was helping her style her hair into a bun. Complimenting him on his newfound skill, Priyanka remarked, “You’re getting good at it.” In response, Nick humorously noted that he was multitasking—styling her hair while simultaneously watching a baseball match on television.

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan recently penned a heartfelt note for his younger daughter Akshara Haasan as she celebrated her 34th birthday. Using social media to express his love and admiration, Kamal shared an emotional reflection on their bond.

A Tender Memory

Recalling the moment he first saw Akshara as a newborn, Haasan wrote, “I did not see your eyes first. You were asleep. I looked into your mother’s green eyes and thanked her for the wonderful gift — you. Your mother told me you had her eyes. On inspection later I realised a bit of my brown was also seen. These are simple similarities that parents childishly claim. Let them be.”

Celebrating Growth

Kamal also praised Akshara for the beautiful person she has become, stating, “You have grown into a beautiful person both in form and thought as well.” He urged her to cherish the child within, emphasizing that this youthful spirit belongs to him too. “I’m glad to see you have preserved the child within you as well. That child is mine too. Guard her well,” he affectionately concluded, signing off as “Forever Yours, Bapu.”

Recent Work and Future Projects

On the professional front, Kamal Haasan was recently seen in Mani Ratnam’s “Thug Life.” The film, backed by Raaj Kamal Films International in collaboration with Madras Talkies, stars a talented ensemble including Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, and many more.

Released on June 5, “Thug Life” received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, although both Haasan and Silambarasan’s performances were lauded.

While he has yet to announce his next project, reports suggest that director Lokesh Kanakaraj is in talks with Haasan and superstar Rajinikanth for an upcoming drama. This potential project is rumored to be produced under Haasan’s own banner, Raaj Kamal Films International, although official confirmation is still pending.

As winter embraces the Canadian landscape, choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan is infusing the cultural warmth of Bollywood and Diwali into one of its metropolitan hubs.

Dancing with the Mayor

In a recent event, Farah Khan was seen shaking a leg with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. The two delighted the audience by dancing to a song from the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer ‘Om Shanti Om.’

Celebrating Diwali in Toronto

A video from the Diwali celebration has emerged, showcasing Farah in her element, executing the moves she originally choreographed for her film. Olivia Chow thoroughly enjoyed her time on stage, dancing to the iconic track from the movie.

About ‘Om Shanti Om’

The film featured Shah Rukh Khan alongside Deepika Padukone. Set against the backdrop of the Bollywood film industry, the story intertwines themes of love, betrayal, and reincarnation.

Om Prakash Makhija, portrayed by SRK, is a junior artist in 1970s Mumbai who falls for superstar Shantipriya, played by Deepika, unaware of her secret marriage to producer Mukesh Mehra. When Mukesh kills her in a staged fire, Om attempts to save her but dies in the process. He is later reborn as Om Kapoor, a successful actor who gradually remembers his past life and seeks justice for Shantipriya’s murder.

Cinematic Legacy

‘Om Shanti Om’ beautifully blends melodrama, humor, and self-referential satire, celebrating the nostalgia and excesses of Hindi cinema. The film boasts chart-topping music by Vishal and Shekhar, elaborate visuals, and turned out to be a major box-office hit, solidifying its place as one of Bollywood’s defining films of the 2000s.

It famously clashed at the box office with ‘Saawariya’, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, which marked the debut of Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor. Ultimately, ‘Om Shanti Om’ outperformed ‘Saawariya’ during Diwali. After 18 years, the choreographer-director once again commemorated Diwali in a poetic fashion on Canadian soil.

Chrissy Teigen, wife of Grammy-winning musician John Legend, recently opened up about her friendship with actress Meghan Markle.

A Strong Bond

At an event focused on advocating for type 1 diabetes testing, the 39-year-old Teigen reminisced about her appearance in season 2 of the Netflix series “With Love,” which starred Meghan. In an interview with People, Teigen expressed her admiration, saying, “I adore her. I really adore her. I think she is so incredibly strong. It is insane to me how polarizing she is for so many different people.”

Understanding Meghan

Teigen emphasized that Meghan is simply a kind person who desires the best for her friends and family. She pointed out that Meghan’s actions, often construed as “polarizing,” were not intended for public perception. “She just (lives) simply,” Teigen noted. Additionally, she commented on how people tend to interpret Meghan’s intentions in complex ways, stating, “People are always going to read into what they want to read into.”

Living in the Spotlight

During the event, where she represented a company that developed the first telehealth-enabled platform for type 1 diabetes screening, Teigen acknowledged the narratives people create about Meghan. “I think it’s cool that (Meghan) is just like, ‘Listen, say whatever you want. I’m happy and I’m healthy and I feel good,’” she added.

Playdates with the Royals?

When asked whether she and John Legend arrange playdates for their children—daughters Luna (9) and Esti (2), plus sons Miles (7) and Wren (2)—with Meghan and Prince Harry’s kids, Archie (6) and Lilibet (4), Teigen humorously remarked that while it would be enjoyable, she rarely leaves the house. “I’m not joking. I don’t go anywhere. I try to do every photo shoot, everything at our house. So no. But if the time comes, absolutely,” she concluded.

Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao, renowned for her work on ‘Eternals’ and ‘The Rider’, has pointed out several grey areas in Hollywood that require improvement.

The Oscar-winning director opened up about the challenges of financing films and the influence of neurodivergence on her storytelling. Reports indicate that her poignant historical drama ‘Hamnet’, which delves into the personal tragedy behind William Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ and stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, premiered recently at the London Film Festival.

The film received an emotional welcome at the festival, notably highlighted by a surprise appearance from producer Steven Spielberg. In discussing the film-making process, Chloe Zhao expressed her deep passion for rediscovering and preserving older storytelling methods that have largely been forgotten in modern society.

“Before we made everything factual and reasonable, there was a time where we’d see stories in different ways, from our dreams, our vision quests, from going into nature and listening to the birds,” she shared. “The language of ambiguity is, to me, vital for the health of a society. And I think even in Hollywood, we are not very good at preserving the language of ambiguity. If logos and mystery are in harmony, we would be living in a much better world.”

Zhao also acknowledged the common difficulty in securing financing for such narratives. While she insists that profiting from her films isn’t her ultimate goal, she recognizes the importance of financial backing.

“Maybe it’s because I’m Chinese, I don’t know what it is, but I’m so afraid of owing people money. I don’t like it. I don’t like being in debt. I want the people who put the money into my films to get the money back,” she explained.

Furthermore, she emphasized her respect for the financial comfort of her backers. “I don’t believe that my vision and the importance of my film should make people lose money. It’s just not for me. I try really hard to communicate with financiers or studios about how much they are comfortable investing to ensure their survival. Limitations, I promise, are your best friend,” she concluded.

Director Mohit Suri, renowned for the superhit ‘Saiyaara,’ has revealed the inspiration that fueled him throughout the last year and during the filmmaking process.

On Sunday, Mohit shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse on his Instagram Stories, featuring actor Rajkummar Rao and director Tushar Hiranandani on the sets of ‘Srikanth.’ The photograph captures both the actor and director engrossed in thought, staring at a phone screen. Mohit expressed his enthusiasm by writing, “Congrats @rajkummar_rao for winning the best actor #filmfareawards again for my brother @tusharhiranandani film #Srikanth. It’s the film that inspired me most last year! So so happy.”

Rajkummar Rao was honored with the Critics’ Best Actor Male award at the recently held Filmfare Awards in Ahmedabad. Additionally, Mohit shared this photo on his Instagram feed, saying in the caption, “@rajkummar_rao wins again #filmfareawards so well deserved!! Aur Yeh kaunsa secret formula dikha raha hain mere bhai @tusharhiranandani! Mujhe bhi Bata… after #saandhkiaankh best actress awards #srikant wins best actors award. #backtoback award winner.. aeeeinnn.”

About ‘Srikanth’

‘Srikanth’ is a biopic directed by Tushar Hiranandani, depicting the life of Srikanth Bolla, a visually impaired industrialist from Andhra Pradesh. Despite facing prejudice and being denied opportunities in India, where he topped board exams, he eventually found acceptance abroad based on merit. Upon his return, he established Bollant Industries and embraced social entrepreneurship, supported by mentors like his teacher Devika and business partner Ravi Mantha.

The film highlights themes of resilience, inclusion for persons with disabilities, dignity, and overcoming systemic barriers in education and entrepreneurship. It maintains a grounded and genuine portrayal, avoiding any heroic exaggeration.

Recap of the Filmfare Awards

Earlier, at the 70th Filmfare Awards, the opening segment featured a stunning drone show that paid tribute to some of Hindi cinema’s biggest stars while showcasing the coveted statuette. Unfortunately, as the show concluded, one of the drones malfunctioned and fell into the audience, injuring a female attendee. Fortunately, the injury was minor, and though it caused a brief moment of panic lasting about 10–15 minutes, the event quickly returned to its normal flow, allowing the rest of the ceremony to proceed smoothly.

Hollywood star Rami Malek, renowned for his role in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ recently opened up about the challenges he faced while working on the acclaimed show ‘Mr. Robot.’

During a ‘Mr. Robot’ 10th anniversary panel, the actor reflected on his experience portraying the complex character of Elliot Alderson, who grapples with addiction and mental health issues. The discussion took place at New York Comic Con and was moderated by Josh Horowitz, host of the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

Emotional Depth of Elliot

Malek shared insights into the emotional weight of the role. “There was a sense of gravity to that character from the very beginning. I mean the immense grief, profound alienation,” he stated. He found a unique resilience in Elliot that inspired him and instilled a sense of hope about humanity.

The Toll of the Role

However, he admitted that taking on such a nuanced and dark character was mentally taxing. “It was a lot of mental gymnastics day in and day out, and I’m not going to lie, the schedule and (show creator) Sam put me through absolute hell,” Malek confessed.

He explained, “I remember going from Monday to Friday, and by Friday, I felt like I had gone through a bit of a battle.” The Oscar winner noted that the filming schedule allowed no time for comfort, saying, “We had seven days to shoot an episode, so there was no time to do anything but sit in Elliot’s skin, and that was not the easiest place to be.”

Reflecting on the Experience

Despite the demanding workload, Malek expressed that his time on the show, which aired in the USA from 2015 to 2019, was “worth every second.” He mentioned the profound effect the experience had on his life. “From Sam just wanting to cast me, seeing something in me, that had a profound effect on me. Even the acknowledgment that I could take on this role was a feat,” he shared.

“Looking back on it now, this show changed my life, and I owe an immense amount of debt and gratitude to everyone involved. I learned so much from it,” he added. Malek concluded by noting that the experience helped him navigate future projects with newfound confidence.

Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon is a strong advocate for giving back to her community of actors. She has expressed a sincere desire to mentor the next generation of female stars in Hollywood.

The 49-year-old star is thankful for the support she received during the early years of her film career and is dedicated to “passing the microphone” to those navigating their own paths in the industry.

Speaking to E! News, Witherspoon stated, “Mentorship is everything. I just had lunch with my mentor yesterday, who helped me so much in my 20s. She really guided me and gave me great advice about choices I was gonna make in my career, but also my personal life. It’s important for women to find ways to connect in real life and learn from each other, really gather those best practices, those critical words of wisdom that can really guide you.”

Witherspoon has recently welcomed five new mentees into the Hello Sunshine Collective, her company, emphasizing that it was established to benefit others.

The ‘Walk the Line’ star remarked, “Hello Sunshine was never just about me. It is always about passing the microphone or shining a light on another woman and her accomplishments. So, the Collective is an extension of that.”

According to reports, Reese has produced hit shows such as ‘The Morning Show’ and ‘Daisy Jones and the Six’ through Hello Sunshine. She noted that her younger self would be “blown away” by the company’s success.

The ‘Legally Blonde’ actress shared, “I think my younger self would be blown away. She’d be astounded at the community that Hello Sunshine has become. I was always looking for connection with other people and celebrating my friends growing up. I think women are so interesting, so my natural curiosity has gotten me to this place.”

Bollywood actress Ameesha Patel, who last mesmerized audiences with her blockbuster ‘Gadar 2’, is taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

On Sunday, Ameesha shared a throwback picture on Instagram from a party she hosted at her residence. The photo features her alongside Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan and his ex-wife Sussanne Khan. The trio can be seen enjoying each other’s company, chatting, and sipping drinks, with Hrithik leaning on the chair behind Ameesha.

A Moment to Remember

In her long caption, she recounted the story behind the picture, stating, “SUNDAY THROWBACK, the cutest dinner party at my Mumbai Residence!! @hrithikroshan n me had finished wrapping a schedule of filming.”

Ameesha continued reminiscing, “As always we were happy to celebrate our sweet n cute milestones n we did!! This time was an impromptu dinner at my home! @hrithikroshan n @suzkr n me were always an inseparable cute trinity!! Golden days when the friendships between co-stars existed beyond the films they worked on and not just temporarily for that filming duration.”

Feeling sentimental, Ameesha previously revealed how she celebrated signing for the movie by raising a toast with director Rakesh Roshan and co-star Hrithik.

The actress shared two memorable photos from that evening. In one, she is seen holding two glasses while Hrithik pours champagne. In the other, she is feeding Rakesh Roshan.

Birthday Wishes for Rakesh Roshan

While wishing Rakesh on his birthday, she wrote, “@rakesh_roshan9 —these are pictures from my home in South Mumbai the day after I signed ‘KAHO NAA PYAAR HAIN’ n we opened champagne to celebrate before starting our shoot schedule!!”

Describing him as a true inspiration, she added, “From then to now u have been a beacon of inspiration with ur hardwork, discipline, professionalism, organisation n ur true resilience in the face of all adversity n challenges! U have been the best I cud learn from n was a privilege to be ur discovery!!! Wishing u the happpppiest bday n many many bumper years to follow. Your SONIA forever.”

Actress Priyamani recently shared her insights about working alongside veteran actor Manoj Bajpayee on the sets of “The Family Man 3.”

In an exclusive interview, Priyamani highlighted how Bajpayee’s instinctive acting style keeps co-actors alert. Being in his presence demands constant focus, as he often brings unexpected surprises to each scene. When discussing her collaboration with Bajpayee, she emphasized the importance of capturing the layered and authentic relationship between his character and that of Suchitra.

Priyamani stated, “I believe both of us are very instinctive actors. Whenever Manoj sir is on set, we rehearse thoroughly before going for a take. But you have to be very alert around him — always on your toes. You never know what surprise he might throw your way, so your presence of mind needs to be sharp.”

Delving into her character, she explained, “I don’t think Suchi has grey shades. From her perspective, she’s absolutely justified. At the end of the day, she just wants to be seen and heard. She wants someone to sit down and have a conversation with her — about what’s happening around her, especially in her personal and professional life. She’s seeking understanding, and in that sense, she’s valid in her stance. I wouldn’t take that away from her.”

Although she couldn’t disclose much about the guilt or tension her character experiences, she noted, “As a character, Suchi has grown a lot. Her dynamics have evolved significantly. You’ll understand more once season three releases.”

Priyamani will reprise her role as Suchitra Tiwari in “The Family Man 3,” the upcoming season of the Amazon Prime Video series. Created by Raj and DK, the show also features Manoj Bajpayee, Sharib Hashmi, Ashlesha Thakur, and Vedant Sinha. The new season is expected to premiere around Diwali 2025.