Category: Entertainment

As Sushmita Sen’s father, Shubeer Sen, celebrates his birthday, the ‘Main Hoon Na’ actress has taken to social media to extend her heartfelt wishes for health and happiness to the “Bestest father and grandpa” in the universe.

Memorable Birthday Celebration

Sharing a glimpse of the midnight birthday celebration on Instagram, Sushmita posted, “THANK YOU GOD!!! Here’s to the kindest human being, the bestest Father & Grandpa in the UNIVERSE… Happyyyyy Birthday Baba @sensubir…. To your health & happiness always!!! I love you beyond #duggadugga #pronams @alisahsen47 @reneesen47 & forever yours, Titan (sic).”

The joyous video featured Sushmita and her daughters, Renee Sen and Alisah Sen, enjoying cake and laughter. In a tender moment, Sushmita was seen lovingly feeding cake to her father.

A Strong Bond

Shubeer Sen, a retired officer of the Indian Air Force, shares a deep and loving bond with Sushmita. She has often spoken about how her father has been her constant pillar of support during pivotal moments in her life, from her historic Miss Universe win in 1994 to making the groundbreaking choice to adopt as a single mother at just 24.

On November 19, Sushmita herself turned 50. To mark the occasion, Renee celebrated her mother with a touching social media post. She shared a photo with Sushmita and Alisah, writing, “Happppyy Birhtdaayyy Maa!” The post was captioned “Bestie turns 50,” accompanied by an emotional face and a red heart emoji. Another picture in the post featured the three ladies in front of a Goddess Durga idol during Durga Pooja, with Renee simply expressing, “I love you, birthday girl.”

Recent Work

On the professional front, Sushmita recently appeared in the third season of her acclaimed series “Aarya 3,” where she portrays a fearless woman navigating the treacherous world of crime to protect her children.

‘Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders’ director Honey Trehan has shared insights on the ongoing debate surrounding work hours in the entertainment industry.

Subjectivity in Work Hours

In a recent discussion, Honey emphasized that the matter ultimately rests between the director, producer, and the involved actor. He stated, “I think it’s very subjective, and it’s a community, and the understanding plays a very important role.”

He further clarified, “It’s not about 8 hours or 10 hours or 12 hours of shift in the first place. I feel that if someone is helpless, if someone has a valid or genuine reason, one should be considerate enough.”

Accommodating Collaboration

As he gears up for the release of ‘Raat Akeli Hai’, Honey discussed his experience with actress Radhika Apte, who recently became a mother. He praised Radhika’s dedication, noting, “Whenever I have called Radhika for an extra 6 hours or if I wanted her to shoot for one more day, she has given me that without any fuss. She has accommodated me in such a way.”

Honey added that Radhika has also adjusted her travel plans to meet professional obligations, remarking, “I feel this entire topic is very subjective and is a very small thing. We can sit together and work out. So, I don’t think it’s a big deal, and I don’t think it should be a big deal either.”

Individual Perspectives

Chitrangada Singh, who plays a key role in ‘Raat Akeli Hai’, chimed in on the conversation. “It’s a very subjective situation and depends on individual relationships,” she noted. She pointed out that strict work rules don’t apply here, saying, “If you need to finish a scene at 3 a.m., then you have to do it no matter what. You have to deliver the film.”

She emphasized the industry’s need for flexibility, explaining, “This industry isn’t like a corporate setup where you swipe a card and enter or leave at a fixed time. That kind of flexibility is part of filmmaking. I don’t know if it will ever be completely corporatized to that extent—maybe it will, maybe it won’t. But what exists here is a very human element.”

Understanding Industry Dynamics

Chitrangada elaborated further, stating, “People understand each other’s limitations. Actors often understand a director’s challenges; sometimes a setup doesn’t work, or it starts raining. These are things you have to work around. That’s how this industry operates, and that’s how I see it.”

About the Film

The crime thriller ‘Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders’, directed by Honey Trehan and written by Smita Singh, features a stellar cast that includes Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika Apte, Deepti Naval, Ila Arun Bajpai, Revathy Asha Kelluni, Rajat Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Priyanka Setia, Shridhar Dubey, and Akhilendra Mishra.

Actor-director Adivi Sesh is excited about his upcoming film, ‘Dacoit’. Recently, he expressed his admiration for the blockbuster ‘Dhurandhar’ during its teaser launch in Mumbai.

When asked whether ‘Dhurandhar’ did justice to the 26/11 subject, considering that Sesh’s own film, ‘Major’, is based on Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who bravely fought against terrorism, he shared his thoughts with the media.

Sesh said, “I even tweeted about the film. Aditya, the director, is a dear friend. I thought I had done extensive research on 26/11 and the black tornado operation. But learning about the Pakistani perspective was a new experience for me. I think it’s an extraordinary film. It genuinely deserves to be India’s biggest film at the moment.”

He added, “I am very proud that people are watching the film; the proper word of mouth is hitting. There’s a genuine interest among the audience to see it. Aditya has an extraordinary value system. I think I will watch it again tomorrow with my family.”

‘Major’, which was written by Sesh and directed by Sashi Kiran Tikka, explores Unnikrishnan’s life, detailing his early days, personal relationships, and decision to join the army, showcasing his courage during the tragic siege. The film was shot in both Telugu and Hindi, and it was dubbed in Malayalam. Produced by Sony Pictures International Productions and Mahesh Babu’s G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment, ‘Major’ received critical acclaim for its emotional depth, performances—particularly by Adivi Sesh—and realistic portrayal of bravery under fire. The film was a commercial hit, grossing around ₹64–66 crore worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of 2022.

On the other hand, ‘Dhurandhar’ is currently creating waves at the box-office. The film follows an Indian spy who infiltrates criminal and organized crime networks in Pakistan. It offers a fictionalized account of how the collusion between the Pakistani underworld and ISI leads to terrorist attacks in India.

This film has provided a boost to the Hindi film industry’s economy, contributing to the success of several superhits and blockbusters this year. It marks a significant evolution in the Indian spy-thriller genre.

It seems like Priyanka Chopra’s American husband, Nick Jonas, is currently enjoying Bollywood songs.

After the “Aavan Jaavan” track from “War 2,” Nick has discovered a new pre-show hype song, this time from “Dhurandhar.”

Nick took to his official Instagram handle and posted a clip of himself and his team members grooving to the “Shararat” song from Aditya Dhar’s direction. He shared that he has made this peppy number his new pre-show hype song.

The video showcased the Hollywood singer and actor dancing energetically to the track, along with everyone else in the room. “New pre-show hype song unlocked (sic),” Nick captioned the post.

Sung by Madhubanti Bagchi and Jasmine Sandlas, the track features electrifying music by Shashwat Sachdev. “Shararat” also includes some sizzling dance moves from actresses Ayesha Khan and Krystle D’Souza.

Recently, Nick revealed that he listens to Hrithik Roshan and Kiara Advani’s “Aavan Jaavan” from “War 2” before every show. He even uploaded a video of himself on Instagram, soaking in the melody of the Bollywood number. “My hype up song before every show on the tour,” read the text overlay on the clip.

Wife Priyanka reshared this post on her Instagram Stories, showing her approval of Nick’s song choice.

Embracing each other’s culture, Nick and Priyanka are also each other’s biggest cheerleaders. In a recent example, Priyanka couldn’t contain her excitement when the Jonas Brothers left their handprints in cement at TCL Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles.

Marking the occasion, she shared a heartfelt note, praising Nick as the most sincere, talented, and hardest-working person she knows. “So proud of you @nickjonas You’re the most sincere, talented and definitely the hardest working person I know. And this is not even my bias speaking. Watching you up there with your brothers, cementing (literally) your legacy in Hollywood was such a proud moment for me (sic),” she wrote.

Bollywood actress Mrunal Thakur, who stars alongside Adivi Sesh and Anurag Kashyap in the upcoming film Dacoit, recently revealed that this is her first project filmed in two languages.

Experience with the Teaser Launch

During the teaser launch of Dacoit, Mrunal connected with the audience in Marathi and shared her thoughts on collaborating with Shaneil Deo, Adivi Sesh, and Anurag Kashyap. She expressed that this film allowed her to explore a character reminiscent of her role in Love Sonia.

Mrunal’s Insights

She shared, “Khoop chhan vaat-ta mala. Dacoit is a very different film, and this is my first film that I have shot in Hindi and Telugu. It was an amazing experience working with Adivi Sesh. To see Hari in this avatar is really nice, the magic that he has created on-screen. And to work with Anurag sir was such a delight. I didn’t have many scenes but whatever I did was fantastic. I feel like it was a schooling, you get to learn a lot.”

Reflecting on her time with director Shaneil Deo, Mrunal said, “For me, I don’t think I’ve got an opportunity to tap into similar shades like Love Sonia. It was also fantastic to work with our director, Shaneil Deo. He is so crystal clear about the vision. I think that’s what an actor wants, someone who keeps pushing to perform and give their best. The happiness that you get after giving a perfect take is immeasurable and satisfying.”

Teaser Highlights

The teaser for Dacoit was released recently, featuring the leads in their roles as robbers. It also introduces villains Anurag Kashyap and Prakash Raj, along with Atul Kulkarni, who plays a police officer.

Directed by Shaneil Deo, Dacoit is set to hit theaters on March 19, 2026.

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s legal representative has stated that there was no Income Tax raid at her and husband Raj Kundra’s residence in Mumbai.

Media reports had claimed that officials from the IT department raided the couple’s home. However, Prashant Patil, the actress’s legal representative, clarified, “On behalf of my client Mrs. Shilpa Shetty Kundra, I can confirm that there is no Income Tax ‘raid’ of whatsoever nature against my client. There is a routine verification by the income tax officials pertaining to follow up with my client Mrs. Shilpa Shetty Kundra.”

He further stated, “Whomsoever has mischievously claimed in the public domain that these developments have anything to do with the alleged Economic Offence Wing case shall face legal consequences before the appropriate court of law. At the cost of repetition, my client Mrs. Shilpa Shetty Kundra states that there is no income tax ‘raid’ at her place.”

Prior to this clarification, the actress had firmly rejected “the baseless and motivated allegations” concerning the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police invoking Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code against her and her husband, Raj Kundra. On her Instagram Stories, she issued a detailed statement dismissing the allegations.

She mentioned, “We categorically deny the baseless and motivated allegations being circulated. The issues sought to be raised are being given a criminal colour without any lawful basis. A Quashing Petition has already been filed before the High Court and is pending adjudication. Having fully cooperated with the investigation, we are sanguine that justice will prevail and have complete faith in the law enforcement authorities and the judicial system of our country. We respectfully urge the media to exercise restraint as the matter is subjudice.”

The case involves an alleged INR 60 crore fraud and cheating scheme against Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Raj Kundra, filed by Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari. The complaint alleges that between 2015 and 2023, Kothari invested around INR 60 crore in Best Deal TV Pvt. Ltd., a company connected to the couple, based on promises of returns and repayment.

According to the FIR, it is claimed that the funds were diverted and not returned despite multiple requests, resulting in charges. The couple has denied any criminal intent, asserting that the matter is civil in nature due to business failures and insolvency proceedings of the company. During related proceedings, the Bombay High Court issued directions concerning travel restrictions. The investigation is still ongoing, and no conviction has been recorded.

Actor Sivakarthikeyan, in the lead role of director Sudha Kongara’s upcoming period film ‘Parasakthi’, recently expressed his gratitude to actor Ravi Mohan for taking on the antagonist role in the film.

During the ‘World of Parasakthi’ event held at Valluvar Kottam, Sivakarthikeyan spoke about the core cast and specifically acknowledged Ravi Mohan. He stated, “Ravi Mohan sir, thank you for accepting to play this role. It is easy for a hero to listen to a script and decide whether he wants to do it or not. But for someone who has successfully played a hero for all these years, playing a villain is a tough decision.”

He continued, “So, when he took that decision and said ‘Okay’ (to play villain), this is what I thought. For me, you are a villain only in the film. You are still the hero I saw when I was in college. And that is how you must be in my film set and in my film. That is how I will always think, sir.”

It is noteworthy that Sivakarthikeyan began dubbing for ‘Parasakthi’ in the last week of November. Dawn Pictures shared a video depicting the actor dubbing under Sudha Kongara’s supervision, captioning it, “When his voice turns into a storm. @sivakarthikeyan begins dubbing for #Parasakthi – Coming to theatres on January 14th.”

Both actress Sreeleela, who portrays the female lead, and Ravi Mohan have completed dubbing for their portions. Interestingly, Sreeleela has dubbed in her own voice for this film.

The production team confirmed on October 21 that the shooting for ‘Parasakthi’ has concluded.

The film has generated significant interest among fans and film enthusiasts. Set in the 1960s in the then state of Madras, ‘Parasakthi’ also features actor Atharvaa. A teaser released by the unit indicates that the storyline unfolds in Pachaiyappa’s College, where Sivakarthikeyan is depicted searching for something, emerging as a fearless leader, rallying students for a protest against an unjust system. The teaser highlights a change in a printed order on the wall from ‘Students – do not touch’ to ‘Do not touch students.’

The teaser also reveals a tense dynamic, showcasing Ravi Mohan’s character intent on killing Sivakarthikeyan’s character.

Previously referred to as #SK25, marking it as Sivakarthikeyan’s 25th film, ‘Parasakthi’ features music by G V Prakash and cinematography by the experienced Ravi K Chandran. Stunts are coordinated by Supreme Sundar. The film is expected to release in cinemas on January 14 next year, coinciding with the Pongal festival.

Hollywood actress Amanda Seyfried has described Sydney Sweeney as a “sweetheart.” The 40-year-old star shares the screen with 28-year-old Sydney in the new psychological thriller film, “The Housemaid.”

Based on Freida McFadden’s 2022 novel of the same name, the film has drawn praise from Amanda, particularly for how Sydney has navigated the pressures of fame and success, according to Female First UK.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Amanda expressed, “I don’t envy anything she’s going through. I’ve spent a lot of time with her; we just hit it off immediately. She’s a sweetheart. She’s a very generous, kind person at her core.”

She went on to reflect on her own experiences, saying, “I have to be honest, I did not have a moment like she’s having ever. ‘My Mean Girls’ co-star Lindsay Lohan and I are buddies, and it’s really, really, really harmful to people to have that kind of overnight spotlight. Any press, good or bad, is still a blinding spotlight, and you have to maneuver and negotiate your way around it and outside of it. It’s acrobatics that I don’t think most people are capable of figuring out at that age.”

Amanda believes that a sudden rise to stardom can be “dangerous.” Nevertheless, she has commended Sydney for how she manages the additional attention.

She stated, “It’s just dangerous, because when you have people s*** on you or idolizing you and following you around, it can’t be good for your psyche. It can’t make you feel safe in the world. But I actually admire the way Syd shows up for work.”

“She always has a smile on her face, even if she’s miserable. I hope it doesn’t change. I hope she doesn’t harden. I just want to keep watching her work. I have really great women in my life, great actors that I’ve gotten to work with and who have championed me,” she added.

The upcoming episode of the quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati will feature the host and megastar Amitabh Bachchan sharing insights into his food habits during his younger days.

Amitabh’s Food Journey

Big B reminisced about his past, revealing that despite a hectic shooting schedule, he would primarily eat homemade food. “During my young days I used to simply eat normal food and shoot for films,” he mentioned.

Guests Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday

Actors Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday joined the show to promote their upcoming movie Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri. Their reaction to Amitabh’s revelation was one of surprise.

As the conversation flowed, Kartik and Ananya shared their own food habits and fitness regimes. Both stressed the importance of exercise paired with a simple diet.

Healthy Living Explained

Kartik highlighted that many of his favorite foods now come with a healthier twist. “Sir, jab burger order karte hain, usme bread hoti hi nahi. Naam bas burger ka hota hai,” he said, explaining that his customized burgers often feature cabbage, cauliflower, or other vegetables.

Ananya added, “It’s just to give us a sense of satisfaction. Burger bahar se hota hai, aur andar se salad.” She also shared her fitness routine, noting, “I have a strict personal rule of not consuming food after 7 PM.”

Movie Release Details

Kartik and Ananya’s film is scheduled for a Christmas release on the 25th of December. The trailer, released on Thursday, has already garnered a positive response from audiences.

Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan recently expressed his reluctance to recommend a book he just finished reading. On Instagram, the actor shared a picture of himself holding the modern classic “1984,” written by George Orwell.

In his post, he wrote, “A part of me wishes I had never read this one! Now that I have seen it, I can never unsee it!! Nobody read this. Please. Just don’t. Trust me. Don’t.”

About “1984”

“1984” is a dystopian novel set in a grim, totalitarian future where the state exercises absolute control over truth, history, and individual thought. The narrative unfolds in Oceania, a superstate governed by the Party and its omnipresent leader, Big Brother. Citizens live under constant surveillance through telescreens, where independent thinking is deemed a “thoughtcrime.”

The story follows Winston Smith, a low-ranking Party member working at the Ministry of Truth, tasked with altering historical records to align with the Party’s ever-changing narratives. Disillusioned with the regime, Winston begins to question authority and seeks personal freedom through forbidden love and acts of rebellion.

However, the Party’s power is unyielding, employing psychological manipulation, torture, and fear to enforce obedience. “1984” delves into themes of authoritarianism, surveillance, propaganda, and the degradation of language and truth. Concepts such as “Newspeak,” “doublethink,” and “thoughtcrime” highlight how language and ideology can be weaponized to restrict human freedom.

Orwell’s novel continues to hold significant relevance, often referenced in discussions surrounding state control, misinformation, and privacy. Its lasting impact serves as a stark warning about the perils of unchecked power and the vulnerability of individual liberty against systemic oppression.

Interestingly, the book has also inspired the reality show “Big Brother,” which has been adapted in India as “Bigg Boss.”