Category: Entertainment

Marking late star Dharmendra’s 90th birthday, actress-politician Hema Malini shared an emotional tribute, reflecting on her grief following the legendary actor’s recent passing. She revealed that it has been “more than two weeks” since she felt “heartbroken,” and she is still attempting to “gather up the pieces.”

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Hema posted two pictures with Dharmendra, affectionately referring to him as her “dear heart.”

“Dharam ji…Happy birthday my dear heart,” she expressed.

She further shared, “More than two weeks have passed since you left me heartbroken, slowly gathering up the pieces and trying to reconstruct my life, knowing that you will always be with me in spirit.”

Hema expressed gratitude for the years they spent together, their “two beautiful girls” who embody their love, and the cherished memories she holds in her heart.

“The joyful memories of our life together can never be erased, and just reliving those moments brings me great solace and happiness. I thank God for our lovely years together, for our two beautiful girls who reaffirm our love for each other and for all the beautiful, happy memories that will remain with me in my heart.”

On Dharmendra’s birth anniversary, she prayed for “the wealth of peace and happiness” for the actor, commending his humility, goodness, and love for humanity.

“On your birthday, my prayers for God to grant you the wealth of peace and happiness that you richly deserve for your humility and goodness of heart and your love for humanity. Happy birthday dear love. Our happy ‘together’ moments.”

Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89 on November 24th. Widely regarded as one of the most handsome and commercially successful film stars in Indian cinema history, he had a remarkable career spanning over six decades, featuring in more than 300 films.

He holds the record for starring in the highest number of hit films in Hindi cinema and was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2012.

Making his debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, he gained popularity in the mid-1960s with films such as Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Phool Aur Patthar, and Aaye Din Bahar Ke. He starred in several successful Hindi films from the late-1960s to the 1980s, including Ankhen, Shikar, Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Jeevan Mrityu, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Seeta Aur Geeta, Raja Jani, Jugnu, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Dost, Sholay, Pratiggya, Charas, Dharam Veer, Chacha Bhatija, Ghulami, Hukumat, Aag Hi Aag, Elaan-E-Jung, Tahalka, Anpadh, Bandini, Haqeeqat, Anupama, Mamta, Majhli Didi, Satyakam, Naya Zamana, Samadhi, Resham Ki Dori, Chupke Chupke, Dillagi, The Burning Train, Ghazab, Do Dishayen, and Hathyar.

In the late 1990s, Dharmendra took on character roles in several successful films, including Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Life in a… Metro, Apne, Johnny Gaddaar, Yamla Pagla Deewana, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.

He is set to be posthumously featured in Ikkis, directed by renowned filmmaker Sriram Raghavan. The film stars Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia and is a war drama based on the life of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. It also features Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher in significant roles and is expected to release in December.

After the announcement of Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros., which includes its film and TV studios along with its gaming business, acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur raised concerns about a crucial aspect that seems overlooked: the individual consumer.

Sharing his thoughts on X, formerly Twitter, Shekhar pointed out that while the industry is engrossed in discussions about corporate strategy and profitability, these conversations are based on the flawed assumption that large corporations can accurately predict what individuals will choose to watch.

He noted, “In the impending purchase of Warner Brothers by Netflix… everyone is looking at corporate strategy, corporate profitability, long-term business… and assumptions about what the consumers will want…(sic)”

Shekhar further criticized this notion by stating, “As if a large pool of historical IP, matched by delivery power to consumers at current state of technology, is the future… but most of those assumptions are wrong… why? Because a consumer is an individual… and makes individual choices. The assumption that corporations can predict or direct an individual’s choice on a large scale is fundamentally false…(sic)”

He emphasized that this belief is increasingly misguided with the rapid rise of AI, which he called “the most democratic technology we have had in a long time.” He elaborated, “Even more so with the onset of AI, for AI is the most democratic technology that we have had for a long time, primarily because it gives each individual the power of choice… and the ability to exert that individual power… and AI will give the individual the power to influence the collective (sic).”

According to Shekhar, who boasts accolades like a BAFTA Award, a National Film Award, and a Golden Globe nomination, AI will challenge the traditional idea that scale is an advantage. He stated, “And therefore AI will be anti-size… or anti the ability to encapsulate, or force consumers to choose according to corporate boardroom decisions…”

He added that AI will facilitate the creation of sophisticated content by individuals at significantly lower costs than corporations can manage, which can be shared directly among individuals. “Be it via YouTube or other platforms that could soon be created… AI will allow the battle between the democracy of individual content creation and the gatekeepers of content to be a one-sided contest… in favour of the individual.”

Shekhar pointed to the success of TikTok, which reached a near-billion-dollar valuation before Hollywood recognized its potential. He noted that micro-dramas and low-budget formats are rapidly gaining popularity. With AI further lowering barriers to entry, he warned that traditional content gatekeepers are facing “serious trouble.”

“Don’t forget that TikTok was almost a Billion Dollar valuation even before Hollywood had caught on to it… and now micro-dramas are becoming really popular… AI has lowered the entry bar to what was once high-budget content so much that the gatekeepers of content are in serious trouble (sic).”

He concluded with a stark reminder: “…and oh, by the way… almost 80 percent of the world’s population (therefore current and future potential consumers) lies outside the delivery power of the new behemoth… and the rising content/power of delivery will come from within this 80 percent (sic).”

Veteran actor Anupam Kher has shared a powerful message on resilience, offering a glimpse into his intense workout session.

As he sweated it out in the gym, the actor reflected on why failure will never be able to overtake him. In his latest Instagram post, the ‘Special 26’ actor emphasized the significance of discipline, consistency, and a strong mindset. Sharing a video of his chest workout, Kher wrote, “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough. A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. Jai Ho! #HarHarMahadev #GivingUpIsNotAnOption.”

In the clip, the veteran actor is seen posing with his back towards the camera while working on his back and chest. The video features Shankar Mahadevan’s Shiv Tandav Stotram as its background score.

At 70 years old, Anupam Kher frequently shares his workout videos, giving fans a look into his fitness routine.

On the professional front, his film “Tanvi The Great” has recently returned to theatres, re-released on September 26. The film boasts an ensemble cast including Jackie Shroff, Arvind Swami, Boman Irani, Pallavi Joshi, Karan Tacker, Nasser, along with Anupam Kher and Iain Glen.

“Tanvi The Great” narrates the story of a 21-year-old woman on the autism spectrum who lives with her mother and grandfather. Inspired by her late father, Captain Samar Raina, an Indian Army officer, she dreams of saluting the national flag at the Siachen Glacier one day.

Looking ahead, Anupam Kher recently announced his collaboration with filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya for his 549th film. On the first day of shooting, Kher presented the Hum Saath-Saath Hain director with an auspicious shawl from Ayodhya.

Calling Barjatya an “icon and an amazing person,” Anupam Kher expressed his excitement: “ANNOUNCING MY 549th FILM: Delighted to share that my 549th untitled film started today with one and only SOORAJ BARJATYA! Presented him the auspicious shawl which I got from #Ayodhya!”

Veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha recently paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary star Dharmendra, whom he described as ‘truly irreplaceable.’ In his emotional message, Shatrughan remembered Dharmendra, who would have turned 90 today, as his ‘first hero’ and ‘people’s hero’ in the truest sense.

A Loving Tribute

Shatrughan took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his deep admiration: “Remembering with immense love & fondness my ‘first hero’ & ‘people’s hero’ in true sense, like a dear elder brother @aapkadharam.”

He emphasized the significant impact Dharmendra had on both the film industry and the hearts of his fans, stating that his absence has left a massive void that can never be filled. “You have left behind a huge vacuum no one can ever fill. You are truly irreplaceable. You will live in our hearts forever. Long Live Dharamji! #BirthAnniversary,” he wrote.

Reflecting on Legacy

Shatrughan also took the opportunity to highlight the immense legacy Dharmendra leaves behind.

In a show of solidarity, he reached out to veteran actress Hema Malini, who is grieving the loss of her husband. “Met our dearest family friend @dreamgirlhema. It was heart breaking to meet her in these traumatic times of her tremendous loss of our dearest family friend, our elder brother @aapkadharam. Met her two beautiful daughters @Esha_Deol and #AhanaDeol, offering comforting words for their immense loss. Dharamji was a kind & gentle soul.”

He added, “He isn’t with us today but his memories will live with us forever. Prayers & condolences for their peace in these difficult times. God bless them all. (Om Emoji) Shanti.”

A Heartfelt Visit

Shatrughan also paid a visit to Dharmendra’s sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, to extend his sincere condolences. Sharing the experience on social media, he said, “On my return from Delhi, I went with a very heavy, sorrowful heart to our dearest family friend, our elder brother’s @aapkadharam home. It was heart-touching meeting his wonderful sons @iamsunnydeol and Bobby Deol, his attractive, charming wife Tanya, and their handsome sons Dharam & especially Aryaman.”

The outpouring of love and memories showcases the profound impact Dharmendra had not just on his family and friends, but also on the entire film industry.

Popular content creator-turned-actress Prajakta Koli has recently shared her journey of transitioning from creating her own content to being directed by filmmakers. She described the shift as surprisingly smoother than she anticipated.

When asked about the challenges of moving from original content creation to being directed, Prajakta explained, “I thought it would be a lot tougher for me to let go of a few behavioural patterns of mine.” She initially feared that her established habits as a creator would hinder her acting.

Reflecting on her new experiences, she said, “When I started acting, I realized that that was the first time I was performing characters I had not written. I always had this in my mind. I said, ‘How will I know what was the motivation of this line? What happened before this? How do I know? I don’t know instinctively how to act on a character that I didn’t build.’ But this lasted two days.”

Working with seasoned filmmakers provided her relief. Prajakta expressed, “When you reach a set and you work with creators who are far more talented, far more credible, and far more clear about how they want to tell the story, suddenly there’s a relief that you feel, I don’t need to worry about this. Because there’s someone smarter than me, more experienced than me, who’s at the helm of things.”

This initial relief quickly transformed into enjoyment for her. She noted, “So, I don’t have to worry about this. And that relief then turns into fun. When you get a break, go and have tea together and have fun. It’s also a little bit… you get spoilt also there, which I like.”

Currently, Prajakta is looking forward to the release of her upcoming series “Single Papa,” which features Manoj Pahwa, Kunal Kemmu, Neha Dhupia, and Ayesha Raza Mishra.

The series follows Gaurav Gehlot, a lovable man-child whose emotional age can best be described as “work in progress.” His sudden decision to adopt a baby right after his divorce shocks his family, leading them to consider rebooting him. The situation escalates as the Gehlots scramble to understand how a man who still misplaces his socks plans to raise a whole human.

“Single Papa” is set to premiere on December 12 on Netflix.

Actor Kiran Abbavaram, who stars in director Ravi Namburii’s much-anticipated Telugu romantic entertainer ‘Chennai Love Story,’ announced that the film’s unit has successfully wrapped up a major schedule.

The announcement was made by Kiran on his X timeline, where he expressed his excitement with the caption, “Magic Happened. Major Schedule wrapped up :)” accompanied by photographs of himself with the crew taken on set.

This film features Sri Gouri Priya, known for her standout performance in the Tamil romantic drama ‘Lover,’ as the female lead.

Recently, the makers celebrated Sri Gouri Priya’s birthday by releasing a special poster and revealed the character names of the main actors. Kiran Abbavaram portrays Steven Sankar, while Sri Gouri Priya plays Nivi.

A teaser released earlier features a dialogue between Steven Sankar and Nivi at a beach. Nivi queries Steven about his thoughts on the film ‘Baby,’ commending its portrayal of first love. She emphasizes that a failed first love can turn life into a nightmare, asserting that first love holds a unique purity, suggesting that subsequent relationships may lack that same honesty.

In response, Steven challenges her view, remarking, “If first love is the only one that is pure and honest, shouldn’t all our love stories stop with our mothers? For isn’t every individual’s first love his/her mother?” He goes on to highlight that many iconic love stories are not centered around their protagonists’ first love, suggesting that if someone’s first love falters, a more meaningful love story may be on the horizon.

Ravi Namburii, who is directing the film, has also crafted its screenplay. The story is penned by Sai Rajesh, who is among the producers.

Production Details:

• The film is produced by SKN under the banners of Mass Movie Makers and Amrutha Productions.
• Co-producer: Dheeraj Mogilineni.

Technical Crew:

• Music: Mani Sharma
• Cinematography: Viswas Daniel
• Lyrics: Anantha Sriram
• Art Direction: Bhaskar Mudavat
• Editing: Santhosh Naidu
• Costumes: Devi Parchuri
• Co-director: Lucky Bezawada

This romantic venture promises to deliver a fresh narrative and engaging performances as it heads toward its release.

Acclaimed actor Manoj Pahwa, known for his memorable roles in television shows such as “Office Office,” “Bol Baby Bol,” and “Just Mohabbat,” has reflected on the lasting impact of 1990s television, attributing its success to the careful crafting of content at that time.

Changing Landscape of Television

When asked why contemporary shows struggle to leave a similar mark, Manoj pointed out the drastic shift in the working culture of television, which has transformed into a “factory” model.

“In today’s shows, everything has become like factories. During our time, it was a golden period. We had to deliver only four episodes a month and the format was weekly. Each episode took about two to two and a half days to complete.”

He elaborated on the production process, noting, “Your producer-director used to allocate 10 days for a block. For ‘Just Mohabbat,’ we needed to produce four episodes.”

Benefits of a Slower Pace

Manoj emphasized that this slower pace was beneficial for everyone involved in the production.

“Writers had around 20 days to work on the next scripts. As actors, we too had time to prepare, and the subjects were evolving. That kind of thoughtful creation isn’t prevalent anymore,” he said, mentioning his upcoming role in Netflix’s “Single Papa.”

Literary Depth in Writing

Reflecting on the writing quality of that era, he highlighted the literary depth and the impressive writing teams. “We don’t do those kinds of stories anymore—adaptations of Munshi Premchand’s works or Ghalib’s poetry. ‘Just Mohabbat’ was deeply rooted in child-parent psychology. The creative minds like Kamanshu, Victor, Saurabh, and later Anmol contributed significantly to the narratives. Even ‘Office Office’ had that uniqueness, but then it shifted into a factory-model approach.”

Upcoming Series: Single Papa

“Single Papa” features an ensemble cast including Manoj Pahwa, Kunal Kemmu, Prajakta Koli, Neha Dhupia, and Ayesha Raza Mishra. The series revolves around Gaurav Gehlot, a lovable man-child whose emotional maturity is still “a work in progress.”

His impulsive decision to adopt a baby right after his divorce shocks his family, leading them to briefly consider ways to “reboot” him. The ensuing chaos has the Gehlots grappling with the challenge of how a man who frequently misplaces his socks plans to raise a child.

“Single Papa” is set to premiere on December 12 on Netflix.

Actor Arjun Rampal is brimming with excitement as he receives an overwhelming amount of love, support, and acceptance for his latest release, “Dhurandhar.”

In a heartfelt social media post, Rampal dropped behind-the-scenes photos from the action entertainer and expressed his gratitude, saying, “Ladies & Gentlemen, we were not ready for this. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this incredible love, support and acceptance you have given #Dhurandhar.”

He credited the film’s success to the vision and passion of director Aditya Dhar. Rampal noted, “The day you narrated me the film, I realized how important a movie you wanted to make—a story that would unfold in the unique narrative style. The level of research, the depth in all characters, the creation of each character from their look to their attitudes surprised me time and again. Most importantly, you absorbed all the pressure while filming and never had a bad day. Thank you, Boiya. Love you.”

Praising his co-stars—Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun—Rampal continued, “Your passion is inspiring. #MrOh and his whole team, incredible action! #AkshayKhanna, you owned it. Ruled it. Hit it out of the park—more power to you. @actormaddy, you are pure genius. I can’t wait to do scenes with you one day. @duttsanjay, you know I love you; thank you for just being you. Big Jappi. @therakeshbedi, mazza agaya, brother. What a full circle. @saraarjunn, congratulations, onward and upward. To the beast, the wrath of God. @ranveersingh, Hamza, watching your focus, determination, and mad methods to stay in character was a beautiful journey. You were unabashed, fearless, and endearing. Thank you for the ice baths. The last dance belongs to me. Love you.”

Rampal further extended his gratitude to the technical crew and producers for bringing the project to life.

Actor-comedian Kapil Sharma has shared insights about his experience filming a romantic song with co-star Hira Warina in “Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2.”

Comfort on Set

He highlighted how Warina played a vital role in helping him feel at ease while shooting the romantic track ‘Ranjhe Nu Heer.’ Kapil remarked, “It was a romantic song for Warina and me, and the very first day of the shoot in Bhopal was extremely hot. In the song, it may look like I’m lost in her eyes, but the moment the director called ‘cut,’ I’d take off my kurta and sit in my undershirt just to cool down.”

Kapil expressed his gratitude, stating, “I’d really like to thank Warina for making me feel so comfortable on set. Your performance truly depends on your co-star, and when you get a good response from the person opposite you, it naturally lifts your own performance too.”

Musical Essence

“Ranjhe Nu Heer” is a soulful romantic track rendered by Jubin Nautiyal. The melody, composed by DigV, carries a gentle, soothing charm, while Lavraj’s lyrics evoke the essence of classic, old-school romance. The song beautifully encapsulates the emotion of a lover pouring his heart out — a Ranjha speaking to his Heer.

A New Look for Kapil

Notably, Kapil Sharma takes on a full-fledged romantic avatar for the first time, sporting a turbaned look while romancing Warina on screen.

Film Details

The upcoming film, directed by Anukalp Goswami, is produced by Ratan Jain, Ganesh Jain, and Abbas Mustan under the banner of Venus Worldwide Entertainment in association with Abbas Mustan Film Production. The comedy-drama also features Manjot Singh, Tridha Choudhury, Parul Gulati, and Ayesha Khan in lead roles, with Gashmeer Mahajani, Saurabh Goyal, Pallavi Ajay, Kuldeep Sareen, and Hardika Sharma in supporting roles.

“Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2” is set to hit theaters on 12 December 2025.

The makers of director A R Jeeva’s gripping drama, “Lockdown,” starring Anupama Parameswaran in the lead role, have announced that the film will now be released worldwide on December 12 this year.

In a recent update on their X timeline, Lyca Productions, the production company behind the film, stated, “When life turns upside down, choices get harder. #Lockdown ⚡️ hits theatres on December 12.”

Originally scheduled for release on December 5, the film’s launch was postponed due to the continuous rains that affected Chennai and other regions in Tamil Nadu last week. The steady rainfall resulted from a deep depression caused by the remnants of cyclone Ditwah, which had devastated neighboring Sri Lanka, leading the makers to delay the film’s release.

Lyca Productions had previously communicated the postponement, emphasizing the importance of safety: “With the ongoing rains, the release of #Lockdown has been postponed. Your safety comes first. We’ll meet you in theatres soon. #LockdownInCinemasSoon.”

They further elaborated, stating, “Due to the ongoing heavy rains and adverse weather conditions, the release of our film #Lockdown has been postponed. In light of the current challenges, we are delaying the release to prioritize the safety of our audience, theatre staff, and partners. Please stay safe and take necessary precautions. We look forward to welcoming you to cinemas soon to experience ‘Lockdown’ on the big screen.”

With the rains now having lessened, the team has confirmed the new release date of December 12. The Censor Board has already granted the film a U/A certificate.

“Lockdown” is a woman-centric film that has garnered significant anticipation, as it is based on a true story.

The trailer sets the stage with Anupama Parameswaran, portraying the character Anitha, who expresses her fear of returning home, hinting at a troubling issue she cannot discuss with her family. Additionally, she faces unwanted advances from men around her.

Amid these challenges, a 21-day nationwide lockdown is declared to curb the spread of COVID, forcing Anitha to stay home. Her behavioral changes raise concerns for her parents. Her mother notices Anitha frequently checking her phone and losing her temper. The trailer also depicts Anitha and her friend trying to reach a doctor, who is unavailable due to isolation after contracting the virus.

In a scene that heightens tension, Anitha is seen calling friends to borrow money, prompting her parents to inquire about her financial needs. The trailer concludes with Anitha apologizing to her father, vowing not to repeat her actions.

Produced by Subaskaran of Lyca Productions, the film features a talented ensemble cast, including Charlie, Nirosha, Priya Venkat, Livingston, Indhumathi, Rajkumar, Shamji, Lollu Sabha Maran, Vinayak Raj, Vidhu, Abhirami, Ravathi, Sanjivie, Priya Ganesh, and Asha, among others.

The music score is crafted by the talented NR Raghunanthan and Siddharth Vipin, with cinematography by K.A. Sakthivel. The film is edited by V J Sabu Joseph and features art direction by A Jayakumar.

Choreography is handled by Sherif and Sri Girish, while stunts are choreographed by Om Sivaprakash. Costumes are designed by Meenakshi Shreedharan.