Category: Entertainment

Well-known director Vysakh is eagerly awaiting the release of Mammootty’s Malayalam film ‘Kalamkaval’ directed by Jithin K Jose, set to hit screens on Friday. He has showered praises on the Malayalam superstar, highlighting how Mammootty doesn’t just act but evolves and constantly pushes boundaries.

Praise for Mammootty’s Craft

On his Instagram, Vysakh expressed his admiration in a heartfelt post. Currently directing Prithviraj Sukumaran’s much-anticipated film ‘Khalifa’, he wrote: “Some actors don’t just act… they evolve. They push boundaries. They make us believe again. And seeing Mammukka step into every new character with fresh fire — that’s a privilege we deeply cherish as an audience. Eagerly waiting to witness how you conquer this character!”

The director extended his best wishes for ‘Kalamkaval’, adding, “May this film become another shining chapter in his legendary journey.”

Best Wishes to the Team

Vysakh also reached out to actor Vinayakan, director Jithin K Jose, and the entire cast and crew. He stated, “Vinayakan — can’t wait to experience the intensity you’ll bring to the screen. Truly excited this time! Warmest wishes to director Jithin K Jose and writer Jishnu Sreekumar — your passion deserves to echo through every single seat in the theatre. Congratulations and all the best to dearest George Chettan and #mammoottykampany, the strong creative force behind this film.”

He concluded his post with enthusiasm: “First day, first show — booked. Because when certain films arrive… we show up with full hearts.”

About ‘Kalamkaval’

For those unaware, ‘Kalamkaval’ features Malayalam superstar Mammootty and Vinayakan in lead roles, and it has generated considerable excitement among fans. The film received a U/A certificate from the Censor Board, with Mammootty himself confirming the news by stating, “#Kalamkaval Censored with U/A 16+ Certificate. In Cinemas Soon.”

The film has created significant buzz since the teaser’s release, and its shooting wrapped up in November last year. The story and screenplay are by Jithin K Jose and Jishnu Sreekumar, with editing by Praveen Prabhakar and cinematography by Faisal Ali. Exciting music is composed by young talent Mujeeb Majeed, and stunts for the film are choreographed by Action Santhosh.

Moreover, there’s growing curiosity about the storyline, as the makers have hinted that ‘Kalamkaval’ will showcase Mammootty in a role unlike any he has portrayed before. Rumors suggest that he may play a character with shades of grey, adding to the film’s intrigue.

English star George Clooney’s children still “dig” him, but there are signs their enthusiasm for their father is waning as they grow older, with his daughter already starting to “roll her eyes” at him.

Clooney Shares Parenting Insights

Speaking on the New Heights podcast, the 64-year-old actor, who has eight-year-old twins Alexander and Ella with wife Amal, told hosts Travis and Jason Kelce: “I got eight year olds, and they still dig me, you know? That’s gonna change, as you know.”

Jason quipped: “The teenage years are coming.”

Clooney agreed, saying, “It’s coming, man. And I’m telling you, dude, even at (eight years old), I’ve got my daughter rolling her eyes now, which is a new thing. Like, I’d say, ‘Hey, you know, your dad’s a big star,’ and she just rolls her eyes.”

Family Dynamics and Marriage

The star married Amal in 2014, and he remarked that there’s never any point in arguing with the human rights lawyer. He joked: “Neither of us are gonna win the argument, so why get in? Dude, I’m 64 years old. What am I gonna argue about at this point?”

He expressed admiration for Amal, noting, “I’ve met this incredible woman, she’s beautiful and smart, and she stands for all the most important things that I believe in in the world… So what am I going to fight about?”

A Life Away from the Spotlight

Meanwhile, Clooney previously shared how “very lucky” he feels to be raising his children on a farm in France away from the spotlight. He told Esquire magazine: “You know, we live on a farm in France. A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm, and as a kid, I hated the whole idea of it. But now, for them, it’s like—they’re not on their iPads, you know? They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.”

He added, “I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood. I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life. France—they kind of don’t give… about fame. I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.”

Content creator and actress Prajakta Koli has shared her insights on the evolution of viewing habits since the 1990s. Back then, children had just a two-hour window for television and a mere six channels to pick from. Prajakta emphasizes that today, the power to decide a show’s recall value lies entirely with the audience.

Reflecting on her own experiences, she mentioned that television viewing was once quite restricted. “I remember when we were growing up, we were told that you have 2 hours in the evening. Now, there are 6 channels on TV. You watch whatever is there,” she explained.

The shift in the content landscape has been significant. “Today, most people who are consuming content can play something on their TV, Mac, or iPad. They can have it on their phone. They can have an audio going on. So, it’s extremely diverse right now. The recall value has also been reduced because of that,” Prajakta noted.

Despite this change, she disagrees with the notion that contemporary shows lack a lasting impact. “But then again, there are stories every now and then that come through that make you wait. Will it come again? Those questions still come,” she pointed out.

According to her, the responsibility now rests with the audience to decide what remains memorable. “So, the onus has moved on to the audience dictating which one will have a recall value and which not. But I don’t agree that it doesn’t have a recall value,” she concluded.

Prajakta’s upcoming project is titled “Single Papa,” which will be available on Netflix. The series features Manoj Pahwa, Kunal Kemmu, Prajakta, and Ayesha Raza Mishra. It revolves around Gaurav Gehlot, a lovable man-child whose emotional age can best be described as “work in progress.”

His unexpected decision to adopt a baby right after his divorce shocks his family to the extent that they consider rebooting him. The ensuing chaos sees the Gehlots scrambling to understand how someone who still misplaces his socks plans to raise an entire human.

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

Actress-singer Selena Gomez is gearing up to celebrate her first Christmas with Benny Blanco as a married couple.

Selena recently shared glimpses of the festive preparations taking place at their home on social media. The videos and photos on her Instagram showcase her and Benny collaborating on decorating their Christmas tree.

They were both seen dressed in cozy outfits, working together to make their house festive. Selena captured the moment with the caption, “our first Christmas as a married couple,” complete with wedding and Christmas tree emojis.

For those who may not know, the couple got married in September this year, and Selena has been openly cherishing their first weeks as husband and wife. She previously mentioned that the early months of her marriage have been a “dream,” as reported by Female First UK.

During a conversation with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, the DJ congratulated Selena on finding happiness with someone special, asking if the journey would only get better over time. Selena responded affirmatively, saying, “I definitely can agree to that. It’s been just a dream so far. And I know it’ll come with ebbs and flows, but (he’s) the most beautiful person I could do that with.”

In another heartfelt social media post, Selena shared some cherished moments from her marriage. She expressed, “As I step into one of the most special seasons of my life, I can’t help but think of you, my incredible friends who have been with me through every twist, turn and chapter. From my first days on screen to the songs we’ve sung together, and now to this new beginning, your love and support have meant more to me than I could ever truly put into words.”

IndiGo Airlines has come under fire from actress Mehreen Pirzada, who voiced her frustration over the airline’s app inaccurately displaying flights as on time until cancellations occurred at the boarding gate. She described the situation as chaotic and demanded accountability from the airline, insisting they “own up, explain what’s happening, and compensate the people you’ve stranded.”

Taking to her X timeline, Mehreen expressed her displeasure at the last-minute cancellations, stating, “Go to hell @IndiGo6E! This is absolutely unacceptable. Passengers have been stuck at airports for days while your app keeps showing flights as ‘on time’ until the moment you cancel them at the time of boarding. This isn’t a glitch — it’s negligence.”

She further emphasized the need for improved operations, saying, “With new DGCA rules in place, you should’ve fixed your schedules instead of misleading customers. The chaos you’ve created is outrageous. Own up, explain what’s happening, and compensate the people you’ve stranded.”

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has acknowledged that the airline is experiencing significant operational challenges. He mentioned that the immediate focus is to stabilize services and restore punctuality, though achieving this is “not an easy target.”

The airline has been dealing with a surge in cancellations and delays, with over 300 flights cancelled on a recent Thursday and many others running late throughout the day.

In response, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is closely monitoring IndiGo’s recovery and passenger support efforts until complete stability is restored. The ministry has taken the recent operational disruptions seriously, which have affected IndiGo’s network.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu recently chaired a high-level review meeting with IndiGo’s senior management, which included the Secretary of Civil Aviation, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and senior officials from the Ministry and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Veteran star Manoj Pahwa recently shared insights about his amusing and candid relationship with his wife, the talented actor-director-writer Seema Pahwa. He mentioned how she isn’t shy about scolding him, and he playfully teases her by saying all her characters resemble individuals chewing “khaini.”

Parenting Philosophy

When discussing his parenting style, Manoj revealed that he never imposed unrealistic academic expectations on his children. He stated, “When my kids were young, my strict instructions were 70 percent, 60 percent, 50 percent other people’s work. For your sake, because if you’re in the class, it’ll be very embarrassing for you, not for me. So, manage to get 33 percent pass marks.”

He expressed that he didn’t mind if his children didn’t turn out to “be anything,” as long as they found joy in their pursuits. “I don’t mind if you don’t become anything. Enjoy life. Enjoy life. And whatever you do, do it only when you enjoy it. If you enjoy it, you’ll do it well. If you force something, you’ll ruin it,” he added.

The Dynamic with Seema

Manoj humorously pointed out that Seema has always played the role of the stricter one both at home and in their professional lives. “My equation with my wife was that she always scolded me. Because she’s senior to me, she’s an actor, a director, a writer. So, she always scolds me. ‘What have you done? What did you do?’ … You are a little careless. No, no, I was sincere. No, no, I’ve seen it. I have seen your work…”

He added a lighthearted remark: “I’ve seen the film. I tell her… Ek toh tumhare yahan khaini dabi rehti hai… Har character tumhara khaini khaata hai…. So, I got scolded a lot.”

No Pressure on the Kids

Manoj emphasized that there was no pressure with his kids. “Let them do whatever they want. Keep an eye on them. Sometimes they need help. There were times like this. When you’re a teenager, you want to party,” he recounted.

He fondly remembered a time when he took on the role of a bartender for his children’s party at home. “I said, I’ll be the host. Keep it on the roof. So, everyone was happy. I remember I created an icebox. I created a table on the roof. And I was the bartender… Everyone stayed there till 2 in the night. So, stay at home. Do whatever you want.”

Manoj Pahwa will soon be seen in Netflix’s “Single Papa.”

The makers of director Boyapeti Sreenu’s much-anticipated action entertainer ‘Akhanda 2: Thaandavam’, featuring Nandamuri Balakrishna in the lead role, have announced that the film will not be releasing on December 5 as initially scheduled due to “unavoidable circumstances.”

Production House Announcement

In a heartfelt message on their X timeline, the production house 14 Reels Plus stated, “With a heavy heart, we regret to inform you that #Akhanda2 will not be releasing as scheduled due to unavoidable circumstances. This is a painful moment for us, and we truly understand the disappointment it brings to every fan and movie lover awaiting the film.”

Apologies and Commitment

They further expressed, “We are working tirelessly to resolve the matter at the earliest. Our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused. Your support means the world to us. We promise to share a positive update very soon.”

Cancelled Premiere Shows

It was previously noted that the production house had cancelled the premiere shows of the film in India. They stated, “The #Akhanda2 Premieres in India scheduled for today are cancelled due to technical issues. We’ve tried our best, but a few things are beyond our control. Sorry for the inconvenience. The overseas premieres will play as per the schedule today.”

Excitement and Censorship

The film has generated immense expectations and has been cleared for release by the Censor Board with a U/A certificate. Reports indicated that the film had completed its censor formalities, securing a runtime of 166 minutes (2 hours and 44 minutes).

Originally, the film was set to hit screens on December 5 this year.

Teaser Highlights

A newly released teaser has further amplified expectations. It portrays the country’s enemies conspiring against India, showcasing Balakrishna clad as a sadhu, declaring, “Where there is a bad, parallely, there is a God! Be brave,” in his signature style.

The teaser reinforces elements seen in the trailer, highlighting Balakrishna’s character, who embodies a divine force, taking on formidable black magic sorcerers aligned with India’s adversaries. Viewers are given glimpses of exciting action sequences awaiting them in the film.

From the teaser, it is clear that Balakrishna’s character will confront both the nation’s enemies and the malevolent forces seeking to disrupt peace and harmony in ‘Akhanda 2: Thaandavam’.

Production Details

Produced on an ambitious scale by Raam Achanta and Gopichand Achanta under the 14 Reels Plus banner, the project is being presented by M Tejaswini Nandamuri.

Bengali star Tota Roy Choudhury has shared his remarkable experience of working with Dhanush on the film Tere Ishk Mein. He expressed being “wonder-struck” by the actor’s transformative prowess the moment the camera rolls.

Tota took to Instagram to post a picture alongside Dhanush, captioning it: “With the actor par excellence…” He described how Dhanush’s quick shift from a soft-spoken, courteous demeanor to the intense and rage-filled character Shankar left him in awe.

“Upon hearing ‘action’, his transformation from a mild-mannered gentleman to the furious & rage-filled Shankar was so instantaneous and startling that oftentimes I just gaped at him, wonder struck,” Tota mentioned.

Having first become a fan of Dhanush after watching the 2019 period action drama Asuran, directed by Vetrimaaran and based on the novel Vekkai by Poomani, Tota now admires the actor not just for his talent but also for the wonderful person he is.

“Became a fan of the actor #dhanush after watching #asuran but became a bigger fan of the wonderful human that @dhanushkraja sir is, after working with him. #tereishkmein,” he wrote. In this film, Tota plays Yashwant Beniwal under the direction of Aanand L. Rai.

About the Film

Tere Ishk Mein serves as a spiritual sequel to Raanjhanaa and features Dhanush and Kriti Sanon in lead roles. The storyline revolves around Shankar, who forms a relationship with Mukti while she conducts her PhD research on him. After their relationship ends, Shankar joins the Indian Air Force, and years later, their unresolved past comes to the forefront when they meet again.

Tota is celebrated for his versatile performances, fitness, martial arts, and dance skills. His notable works include Feluda in the web series Feludar Goyendagiri, Chandon Chatterjee in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Rohit Sen in Sreemoyee.

He made his big-screen debut alongside Miss Jojo in Prabhat Roy’s Bengali film Duranta Prem in 1993. Tota’s breakthrough came with Rituparno Ghosh’s National Award-winning Bengali film Chokher Bali in 2003.

Singer Mohit Chauhan, celebrated for hits like “Pee Loon,” “Kun Faya Kun,” “Matargashti,” and “Saiyaara,” has unveiled his latest track titled “Heer.” This new piece, he describes, resonates with a gentle, old-school charm that feels effortless.

A Romantic Collaboration

“Heer” is a captivating musical creation that features the collaboration of Mohit Chauhan and Kavita Seth. Composed by the talented Raaj Aashoo, this romantic melody perfectly encapsulates the essence of love, longing, and connection.

Mohit expressed his admiration for the track, saying, “I have always been drawn to songs that tell a story, and ‘Heer’ has a gentle, old-school charm that doesn’t try too hard. Raaj Aashoo has composed this track with such simplicity that it allows the emotion to take center stage, and I think listeners will feel that ease when they hear it.”

Emotional Depth Through Harmony

The unique blend of Mohit Chauhan’s distinctive vocal style with Kavita Seth’s soulful voice creates an exquisite harmony that enhances the emotional depth of “Heer.” Raaj Aashoo’s composition pairs beautifully with Seepi Jha’s meaningful lyrics, capturing the nuances of love with both simplicity and depth.

Kavita Seth shared her thoughts, stating, “Every artist dreams of making soulful music, and ‘Heer’ has given me that opportunity. The melody flows naturally, and the lyrics touch something deep within. Working alongside Mohit Chauhan has been incredible – our voices blend in a way that brings out the soul of this track.”

A Journey of Emotions

Composer Raaj Aashoo reflected on the creation of “Heer,” describing it as a journey filled with emotions. “I wanted to craft a melody that felt both fresh and familiar, something that would resonate across generations. Having Mohit Chauhan and Kavita Seth lend their voices to my composition is a dream come true.”

He added, “Seepi Jha’s lyrics provided the perfect foundation for this musical landscape. Tips Music and Kumar ji have given this track the platform it deserves, and I’m grateful to everyone who believed in this vision.”

Power of Melody

Kumar Taurani, Managing Director of Tips Music Ltd., spoke about the release of the track, stating, “At Tips Music, we have always believed in the power of melody. ‘Heer’ is a soulful love song that will stay with you long after the track ends. Having stalwarts like Mohit Chauhan and Kavita Seth on the same track is truly special. Their voices bring a unique texture to Raaj Aashoo’s composition and Seepi’s beautifully penned lyrics. We believe this song will find a special place in everyone’s playlist.”

“Heer” is now available on all leading music streaming platforms.

Singer Sabrina Carpenter is aiming to highlight how women are “emotionally yanked” around in relationships with her controversial album cover titled “Man’s Best Friend.”

The 26-year-old artist stirred up discussions earlier this year with the album artwork portraying her on all fours, her hair being tugged by a faceless figure. Sabrina explained, “It was about how people try to control women, and how I felt emotionally yanked around by these relationships that I had, and how much power you’re allowing yourself to give them,” in a conversation with variety.com, as reported by femalefirst.co.uk.

She further elaborated, “It meant one thing to me and 100 things to other people, and I was looking at it going, ‘That’s valid. Mine’s valid. What’s for dinner?’ Not to bypass the weight that it did carry for some people. I saw it and was like, ‘That’s a great point. It wasn’t the point I was trying to make.’”

Sabrina often shares jokes about intimacy, a stance that some find provocative due to her fame as a child actor in shows like Girl Meets World. She remarked, “I think it wouldn’t matter so much if I wasn’t a childhood figure for some people. But I also can’t really help that. It’s not my fault that I got a job when I was 12 and you won’t let me evolve.”

Despite the often daring nature of her lyrics, the singer asserts that she maintains boundaries. “People think, ‘Oh, she’ll say and do anything.’ No, I really do have boundaries with myself – you’d be surprised! I’m just actually living my life, and you’re watching. If you don’t like it, it’s not for you. If you do like it, let’s play.”