Author: Ankita Singh

Ektaa Kapoor has issued a heartfelt public apology to all actors she has criticized over the years, following her recent appearances in advertisements.

In a video posted on the Stories section of her Instagram, she expressed, “After my recent bout of acting in the ads, I’d like to give a public apology to every actor I have said, ‘your performance was not up to the mark’. I am sincerely sorry.”

Recently, Ektaa has appeared in several advertisements for a diverse range of products. In one of these ads, she proudly stated, “I gave the world K-drama,” referencing her significant contributions to Indian television through iconic shows like “Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi,” “Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii,” “Kusum,” and “Pavitra Rishta.”

In another notable update, Netflix’s satirical comedy “Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery” received the prestigious title of ‘Best Hindi Film’ at the 71st National Film Awards. The ceremony was attended by director Yashowardhan Mishra, producer Guneet Monga Kapoor, producer Ektaa, and Monika Shergill from Netflix, where the director was honored with the award and medal by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.

The film features a strong cast, including Sanya Malhotra, Anant Joshi, Vijay Raaz, and Rajpal Yadav, and has made history as the first Netflix Original to win a National Award.

Sharing her experience, Ektaa remarked, “Attending the National Awards and celebrating Kathal’s win is a magical moment for our entire team at Balaji. This story was created to shine a light on authentic, quirky Indian narratives, and today’s recognition makes the journey unforgettable.”

She added, “Thank you to the jury and audience for embracing this story, and to Netflix, which took this story from the heartlands of India to a global audience. It inspires us to keep supporting bold, original storytelling.”

Actress Preity Zinta has praised Bobby Deol as he celebrates 30 years in Bollywood, referring to it as “just the start” of his cinematic journey.

Reacting to Bobby’s post, the ‘Dil Se’ actress shared her congratulations in the comments section, writing, “Congratulations Lord Bobby. This is just the start. Love you loads.” Preity made her acting debut in “Dil Se” in 1998 and starred alongside Bobby Deol in “Soldier” the same year.

The Abbas–Mustan directorial earned Preity significant acclaim and became the second highest-grossing Bollywood film of 1998, just after “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.” Over the years, Bobby and Preity have collaborated in films such as “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom” and “Heroes.”

In a 2020 interview, Bobby Deol expressed his wish to reunite with Preity on the big screen: “I would love to work with Preity. She is more of a friend and not just a co-actor. She has amazing energy and charm. I wish I get a chance to do something that suits our age, and I am sure we will get that opportunity in the future.”

To mark his 30-year milestone in the industry, Bobby also shared a video montage on Instagram showcasing the posters of his films, including highlights from his recent blockbuster, “Animal.”

In the clip, the ‘Barsaat’ actor stated, “I’ve been a part of some amazing films throughout my career. But then, Animal changed everything for me. Grateful and overwhelmed with the love I’ve always received from my fans. To all my fans who stood by me: I love you, I love you, I love you. I just started, and I have a long way to go.”

Bobby Deol captioned his post, “30 years of many emotions on and off screen… all made worthwhile by your love. That fire still burns, and I’m just getting started!”

The makers of “Jamnapaar” have unveiled the much-anticipated trailer for season 2, offering a glimpse into Shanky Bansal’s intense journey as he struggles with questions of identity and morality.

Amazon MX Player shared the trailer on its Instagram handle, captioning it, “iss baar Jamna ke uss paar ki kahaani hogi aur bhi hatke kya yeh trailer aapne share kiya apne doston ke saath? #JamnapaarS2, co-powered by @linkedin_in and @dr.fixit_india, releasing on 10 Oct only on Amazon MX Player, for FREE!.”

Ritvik Sahore returns as Shanky Bansal, promising an exciting continuation of the story that captivated audiences in the first season. The “Jamnapaar Season 2” trailer opens with a town that feels more challenging and complex than ever before. Shanky is no longer the optimistic newcomer from Season 1; instead, he’s a young man grappling with his identity, morality, and ambition after losing his CA license. He is caught between protecting his family’s small coaching center and navigating the deceptive schemes of the rival Uncoaching Academy.

The trailer also explores his strained relationship with his father, shifting dynamics within his community, and the personal sacrifices required for ambition-driven choices.

Amogh Dusad, Head of Content at Amazon MX Player, remarked, “Jamnapaar Season 1, with its raw, relatable, and authentic storyline, struck a chord with audiences across age groups. With Season 2, the narrative delves into the dilemmas that a young adult faces on the path to success. We are thrilled to bring back this powerful story to our viewers and are confident it will receive the same enthusiasm as Season 1.”

Ritvik Sahore highlighted, “Shanky’s journey in Season 2 is about more than just his career. It’s about self-worth, integrity, and standing tall even when life pushes you down. What excited me most was the emotional depth – his conflicts with his father, his love for Khyati, and his fight for Jamnapaar. Audiences will see a much more mature, layered, and vulnerable Shanky this season, and I can’t wait for them to experience it.”

Vijay Raaz, who joins the cast this season, expressed, “I liked the plot of Jamnapaar because of the complexity of its world. Working with this incredible cast has been a delightful experience. I’m sure the audiences will enjoy it.”

The new season features the return of the core cast, including Ritvik Sahore, Varun Badola, Ankita Sehgal, Shrishti Ganguly Rindani, Anubha Fatehpuria, Dhruv Sehgal, and Inder Sahani.

“Jamnapaar Season 2” is co-presented by Dot & Key and boAt, and co-powered by LinkedIn India and Dr. Fixit. The new season will stream from Oct 10 on Amazon MX Player for free.

Actress Shriya Pilgaonkar has shared her insights on narrating “PG Mates,” emphasizing the unique intimacy that audio storytelling provides.

Personal Engagement in Narration

Lending her voice to the series allowed Shriya to connect deeply with both the story and its listeners. She described the experience as special and immersive, stating, “PG Mates captures the chaos, camaraderie, and fun of co-living in Delhi, and narrating this series was a joyous ride. Audio storytelling gives such a unique intimacy, and I loved how every emotion, every quirky moment, translates directly into the listener’s imagination.”

New Original Series Launched

Audible and Pratilipi have introduced two original audio series: “PG Mates” and “Behind the College.” Shriya Pilgaonkar voices PG Mates, while Ahsaas Channa lends her voice to Behind the College.

Ahsaas Channa’s Experience

Ahsaas Channa shared her excitement about narrating “Behind The College,” calling it an incredible experience. She noted, “The story blends suspense, humour, and the thrills of student life, and I loved bringing Sameera’s journey to life through voice alone. Working with Audible and Pratilipi allowed me to explore the nuances of audio storytelling in ways that are both challenging and deeply rewarding. I hope listeners are entertained by the immersive show and the adventure as much as we did performing it.”

Commitment to Quality Content

Shailesh Sawlani, Country Manager – India, Audible, expressed delight in adding “PG Mates” and “Behind The College” to their collection of Audible Originals. He highlighted that these exciting titles reflect the diversity and depth of stories members appreciate. “This association with Pratilipi continues our commitment to elevate the exceptional content available on our service. We are confident that these new titles will deliver compelling stories and offer an unparalleled listening experience to our members,” he stated.

Exploring Urban Challenges

“PG Mates,” featuring Shriya, showcases her versatile voice in portraying the challenges and friendships associated with co-living in urban India. In contrast, “Behind the College” follows Ahsaas Channa as she goes undercover in a boys’ hostel in Shimla, facing unsettling visions and a mysterious campus cult.

One of India’s top music directors, Thaman, who is also an impressive cricketer, is on cloud nine after receiving praise from cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, who commented on his remarkable bat speed.

In a recent update on his X timeline, Thaman shared a picture with the Master Blaster and mentioned their travels from Dallas to Dubai. He wrote, “Traveling with God of Cricket, the Legend @sachin_rt. Had some lovely time all the way from Dallas to Dubai. Showed him the @ccl matches clips of mine batting. The master said you have a great bat speed. Uhf Sorted. Might work with him soon. #thaman #Sachin #MasterBlaster #SachinTendulkar.”

Thaman, a huge cricket enthusiast, plays for the Telugu Warriors in the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) and is known for his powerful striking abilities. Sources indicate that he often enjoys playing cricket with colleagues at his studio.

On the professional front, Thaman is riding high on the success of his latest film, ‘They Call Him OG,’ starring Pawan Kalyan. He has several major projects on the horizon, including ‘Akhanda 2 Thandavam’ and Prabhas’s ‘The Raja Saab.’

In fact, the director of ‘They Call Him OG,’ Sujeeth, has publicly acknowledged Thaman’s contributions to the film. Sujeeth tweeted, “@MusicThamananna has been a constant pillar of support, standing by me every step of the way since the very beginning. His music, his time, and his presence are something I will never forget. Eagerly waiting for people to experience his impeccable music; it will be cherished and remembered for years to come. See you tomorrow.. #OG.”

Additionally, there’s exciting news for fans as Thaman is set to return to acting. He began his acting career in director Shankar’s Tamil film ‘Boys’ and will reprise his role in director Aakash Baskaran’s upcoming romantic drama ‘Idhayam Murali,’ featuring actor Atharvaa in the lead.

Actress Sydney Sweeney, who portrays female boxing champion Christy Martin in the upcoming biopic titled ‘Christy,’ has shared insights on her significant changes to diet and exercise for the role.

Intensive Training Regime

The 28-year-old star, speaking at the Hamptons International Film Festival, revealed, “Every morning I would weight train for an hour, then I would go and do boxing for three hours, and then another hour of weight training at night.”

She added, “I did that every single day for three months, with a nutritionist, so eating a bunch of food and protein shakes and supplements. I, in that span of time, gained like 35 lbs (15.88 kg).”

Collaboration with Christy Martin

Sweeney emphasized that Christy was “very involved” during the film’s production, noting that her presence was invaluable in perfecting the portrayal of the boxer. “She kind of became my best friend. Having her with us was a really powerful experience,” Sweeney mentioned.

She further explained, “I’ve never had the person who I’m portraying watch me. You’re never really sure what they’re thinking. But as it went on, I just wanted her there the entire time because I was able to study her and listen to her and have her thoughts and opinions there whenever I needed.”

A Transformative Experience

The actress mentioned her commitment to fully embodying the role, stating, “So I try not to carry any of my own stuff into their life. But I honestly learned so much from Christy that I applied to myself.”

Sweeney had previously asserted her determination not to use a stunt double for any of the boxing scenes in the movie. “Every single fight you see, we are actually punching each other. We are going full force. I always believed that you would not be able to make it feel real if it’s a stunt double or if it’s faking the hits,” she said.

The Impact of Christy Martin’s Story

Christy Martin rose to fame as the most well-known female boxer in the US during the 1990s. She was also a victim of an attempted murder by her abusive husband, James Martin, in 2010. Sweeney expressed her shock that Christy’s story hasn’t been told on a “global” level.

One of Bollywood’s most beloved sibling duos, Sara and Ibrahim Ali Khan, made headlines by walking the ramp together for the first time in matching outfits.

What made the event truly unforgettable for Sara was when Ibrahim expressed his affection by saying, “sister I love you” while they were on stage.

The ‘Kedarnath’ actress shared a captivating video from the event on her official Instagram. As she took the spotlight as the showstopper for designer Abhinav Mishra, Sara looked stunning in a royal lehenga that featured rusty orange tones, embellished with intricate hand embroidery, mirrors, sequins, zari, and resham work.

Ibrahim complemented her in a matching sherwani crafted from earthy gold katan silk, adorned with detailed mirror work, as well as resham and zari embroidery.

In her heartfelt Instagram post, the ‘Atrangi Re’ actress expressed, “A night to remember with @iak” accompanied by a beating heart emoji. She emphasized the special moment by highlighting Ibrahim’s on-stage declaration: “Especially when he said sister, I love you on the ramp” with love and evil eye emojis.

Sara further added, “What else could make walking for @abhinavmishra_ once again even more special? Wearing this exquisite rusty orange ensemble, handcrafted with Abhinav’s signature mirror work, felt like stepping into a magical world of art, craft, and celebration. So happy to be a part of The Shrine — a night filled with beauty, light, and love.”

Recently, Sara and Ibrahim attended the wedding of one of Sara’s close friends in Spain, accompanied by their mother, Amrita Singh, during a delightful family getaway.

The ‘Zara Hatke Zara Bachke’ actress posted a series of photos from the wedding festivities, showcasing her elegance in both ethnic and Western outfits, with Ibrahim matching her in multiple looks.

In her caption, Sara wrote, “La vida es un momento (Life is a moment)” accompanied by love hands and evil eye emojis. She humorously added, “P.S sorry mommy if we were a Spain in the neck” with a duck emoji.

Filmmaker Milap Zaveri has paid tribute to his beloved ‘Baa’ on her death anniversary, reflecting on his profound feelings of loss and love.

A Heartfelt Tribute

Describing his mother as his “Universe,” Zaveri shared an emotional note on Instagram, expressing his deep longing for her. He wrote, “It’s been years since you left me, but I still shed tears because you left me. (Broken heart emoji) Every year on this day, 5th October, I get so jealous of God in heaven because he is so lucky to have you with him…Maari waalkudi…what I would give to see you again, hug you again… (sic).”

Cherished Memories

Recalling his mother’s last words, Zaveri shared, “Your last words to me were ‘Don’t forget me.’ I haven’t, Baa… I haven’t. In each joy, in each sorrow, in every breath, I miss you… #SushilaZaveri, you weren’t just my Baa, you were my Universe… (Red heart emoji).”

Along with his heartfelt message, Zaveri included a throwback photo of his Baa, showcasing her in a striking gangster mode. In the image, she holds a gun in one hand and a knife in the other, sporting a bandana and a WWF belt, complete with black sunglasses and a warm smile.

Upcoming Projects

On the professional front, Zaveri is currently immersed in the much-anticipated sequel, “Masti 4.” He expressed his excitement, stating he has taken “madness to an all-new level.”

He noted, “From writing the first two Masti films to now directing Masti 4, this is truly a full-circle moment for me. It’s an honour to take over the reins from the legendary Indra Kumar sir, whose vision shaped the first three installments of the franchise.”

Zaveri praised Kumar’s impact, saying, “His films set the benchmark for comedy entertainers, and I feel privileged to carry forward that legacy in my own style. With Masti 4, we’ve taken the madness to an all-new high — audiences can look forward to bigger entertainment, heightened drama, crazier chaos, and unstoppable laughter. The teaser is just a small glimpse of the laughter riot awaiting them on the big screen!”

Television actress Anita Hassanandani has expressed her distinctive approach to managing anger in an exclusive interview.

Calmly Expressing Emotions

When discussing how she typically handles anger, Anita emphasized her preference for a calm yet assertive expression of her feelings. Instead of resorting to yelling, she chooses to articulate her emotions clearly, often becoming emotional during conflicts with loved ones.

“I do get angry, but my way of showing it is very assertive and firm. I usually explain myself instead of screaming. If I fight with someone I really love, I cry and express my feelings. I don’t shout or scream. That’s who I am, and that’s exactly how I was on the show. When people I love get angry with me, I end up crying because I’m a very emotional person,” she shared.

Emotional Connections on ‘Chhoriyan Chali Gaon’

Anita reflected on her emotional experiences during the reality show ‘Chhoriyan Chali Gaon,’ stating, “Yes, very much. If I form a genuine emotional bond, I show all my laughter and tears. When Aarav came, I was very emotional. Even in the village, whenever someone needed help or was upset, I got emotional. The bonds I formed there are very genuine, and I’m grateful that I had a chance to create them.”

A Memorable Journey

Discussing her journey on the show, she noted, “I think it was a very beautiful journey with all the ups and downs. The growth I was hoping to gain, I achieved all that. It will also help me a lot in the upbringing of Aarav. I learned so much that will be useful in the future. It was very challenging, especially the physical tasks that I did and won. But when you win a trophy after working hard, it gives a different kind of happiness. I gave my hundred percent in every task, and I’m proud that I won. Overall, it was a beautiful and memorable experience.”

Anita Hassanandani emerged victorious on the reality show “Chhoriyan Chali Gaon,” where celebrities immersed themselves in rural Indian lifestyles.