Category: Entertainment

Bollywood actress Ananya Panday’s mother, Bhavana Pandey, recently made a surprising revelation about her husband, actor Chunky Panday, stating that he has never gifted her anything during their 28 years of marriage.

Chunky Panday and Bhavana Pandey on MasterChef India

In the special Shadi week of MasterChef India, Chunky and Bhavana graced the show, bringing laughter and fun as Bhavana playfully called out her husband. During a candid chat with the judges, she mentioned that although Chunky has promised her a special anniversary gift every year, he has yet to deliver.

“Shadi ko 28 years honewale hai aur har saal Chunky bolte hai ki main tumhare liye kuch bohot badhiya Anniversary ka gift launga, aaj tak nahi hua,” she exclaimed.

In defense, Chunky responded, “Aaj jaha leke aaya hoon, I have brought you to the world’s biggest cook show, jaha aapko hindustan ka har kone ka khana milta hai, har plate mein hindustan ka naam aur bill bhi nahi bharna pade.”

This light-hearted exchange set the tone as the judges introduced a blind guessing challenge for the couples, where they had to identify the ingredients placed in front of them.

Chef Ranveer Brar praised the participants, stating, “Masterchef India ne duniya bhar ke masterchefs ke liye benchmark set kardiya hai ki yeh naya bharat hai.”

Chunky and Bhavana tied the knot on January 17, 1998, and are proud parents of two daughters, Ananya Panday and Rysa Panday. Chunky often expresses his gratitude towards Bhavana, highlighting how she has stood by him like a rock during his tough times in the industry.

Actress Manasi Joshi Roy, who plays Lakshmi in the television show ‘Lakshmi Niwas’, believes that mothers, both in real life and on screen, share common traits like quiet awareness, constant concern, and an instinct to protect.

A Heartfelt Story

‘Lakshmi Niwas’ delves into the everyday lives of middle-class families where dreams are nurtured quietly and responsibilities often take precedence over personal desires. Manasi revealed that stepping into Lakshmi’s character evoked feelings that felt deeply familiar. The quiet worry, protective instinct, and unwavering hope epitomized what it means to be a mother.

Emotional Depth of Lakshmi

Discussing her emotional connection to the role, Manasi Joshi Roy remarked, “What drew me to Lakshmi was the emotional depth she carries. I’ve always gravitated towards characters that have lived experiences and layers. Age has never been a limitation or something to shy away from. I don’t believe in hiding who I am or altering myself to fit a certain perception; honesty is far more compelling to me as an actor.”

Strength in Restraint

Lakshmi’s strength lies in her restraint, absorbing pressure without complaint while standing by her family. Manasi’s portrayal brings a sense of authenticity to the role, making Lakshmi feel like a familiar presence in many households.

“I am a mother myself, and while Lakshmi’s circumstances may not mirror mine exactly, the emotional instinct is universal. A mother, whether on screen or off screen, carries the same quiet awareness, constant concern, and the need to place her family’s well-being above her own. Lakshmi embodies that truth with restraint and dignity. Playing her felt instinctive rather than performed, and that’s what made the character deeply fulfilling for me,” she added.

Production Details

Produced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms, ‘Lakshmi Niwas’ airs on Zee TV.

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has shared how he persuaded the legendary Farida Jalal to use abusive language in his upcoming film, O Romeo.

Convincing Farida Jalal

At the trailer launch of O Romeo, Vishal revealed, “The first thing I told Farida ji was that there was a question of abusive language in the scene. She asked what it was and if it was very bad, and I said that whatever the language is, it is necessary for the character.”

He elaborated, “The character of Shahid is someone the whole city fears, the underworld fears, but in front of his grandmother, he is powerless. She could have controlled him completely. That was the character, and Farida ji accepted it.”

Praise for Her Performance

Vishal praised the iconic actress for her powerful performance in O Romeo, stating, “She delivered the line with such intensity that it went viral. We made her wait a lot for the shoot, and it was very painful for her, but we are extremely thankful to her for being a part of this film.”

Influence of Strong Women

The filmmaker reflected on the strong women in his life, sharing insights from his childhood. “As far as I remember from my childhood, I have seen the women in my family as very dominant and strong. I truly believe women are stronger than men. Men may be hot-tempered, but women are more calm and carefully handle everything. I have seen their strength closely. In Meerut, when boys from the locality would roam around at night, if my aunt shouted at them, the whole group would run away. That is the strength I have seen in women from childhood.”

About O Romeo

Regarding O Romeo, which stars Shahid Kapoor and Tripti Dimri, Vishal, without disclosing too many details, said, “The film’s name is O Romeo, and it is actually a love story, with a violent backdrop. It is an unrequited love story of this character and is a strong love story.”

O Romeo is set to release on February 13.

Actress Arti Singh recently expressed her happiness after meeting Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan at a community event, praising him for embodying the Bachchan legacy “gracefully.”

In a charming carousel post on her social media, Arti, alongside her husband Dipak Chauhan, warmly greeted Abhishek, who reciprocated the affection. Arti wrote, “Thank you so much for your warmth and love … you carry your legacy with so much grace and you yourself so so amazing person and graceful … god bless you always… @bachchan.”

A video shared by Arti captured a sweet moment where Abhishek touched her cheeks affectionately, showing his warmth and care, especially considering that Arti is the niece of Bollywood superstar Govinda.

Arti has been open about various aspects of her life, providing fans with glimpses into both her personal and professional experiences. She has previously discussed her struggles with mental health, particularly her ongoing battle with anxiety.

In a heartfelt conversation on Rashmi Desai’s podcast, “Rashami Ke Dil Se Dil Tak,” she revealed how the deaths of her friends Sidharth Shukla and Shefali Jariwala profoundly affected her emotionally. Arti explained that the loss stirred feelings of anxiety, fear, and vulnerability within her.

“It is extremely scary and also makes me anxious,” she remarked, reflecting on the absence of Sidharth and Shefali, both well-known figures in the television industry. “I feel extremely nervous and scared, and at times I even get emotional and call up Paras Chabbra to calm myself down. It just scares me,” she admitted.

Arti also shared how her husband, Dipak Chauhan, has played a vital role in helping her manage her anxiety. “I have calmed down a lot after marriage. My panic and hyper moments have reduced significantly because Dipak is very sensible. He understands me and handles situations with maturity whenever I get overwhelmed. He stays calm and calms me down,” she said.

Aarti Singh and Deepak Chauhan had a lavish wedding ceremony in Mumbai in April 2024, having met through an arranged marriage setup. Arti is also the sister of renowned comedian Krushna Abhishek and the niece of the legendary Govinda.

Actress Mithila Palkar is garnering positive feedback for her role in the recently released film ‘Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos’. She describes herself as a director’s actor, emphasizing the importance of fully surrendering to the director’s vision.

During the film’s promotions, she expressed her belief in being present in the moment to deliver her best performance. “I think that I am a director’s actor. I surrender myself to the script and my directors because it’s their vision. Whatever I can contribute is based on that. I strive to connect deeply with the character,” she shared.

Mithila admitted that some aspects of her role were particularly challenging. “What was tough was to hurl expletives in the film. Beyond that, I’ve never slapped anyone like that in my life, and I don’t think that instinct comes naturally to me. So that was very, very challenging. To slap Vir Das and then not feel guilty about it immediately was tough because I have to remind myself that I am playing the character, not Mithila.”

She praised her co-star Vir Das, highlighting his professionalism. “Vir Das was incredible; he would just not lose character. But the moment I slapped him, you could see it in my eyes and on my face that I felt very bad. So I had to learn to manage those reactions and train myself.”

Mithila also mentioned that comedy is a new genre for her. “I haven’t explored it before, and it doesn’t come instinctively to me. One key piece of advice from Vir Das was to not play the comedy. Play the lines, and the comedy will naturally come through, as you need to have conviction in your character and the universe,” she concluded.

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has defended the open usage of slang and ‘gaalis’ (swear words) in films without any censorship.

Freedom in Expression

At the trailer launch of his upcoming movie O Romeo, Vishal shared his thoughts on why swearing should be retained in cinema, describing it as ‘poetry’ when used appropriately. He stated, “I feel that gaalis in movies shouldn’t be ‘beep, beep, beep.’ It should be said fully, exactly as it is meant to be spoken.”

Hypocrisy in Society

Vishal highlighted the hypocrisy surrounding language in society: “As a society, we are very hypocritical. We accept these abuses on the streets, but when they appear in cinema, we say that cinema is doing something wrong, that cinema is corrupting you, cinema will reform you. That’s not how it works. Cinema, according to me, is a mirror of society and it reflects exactly who you are!”

He further elaborated, “If today there is violence shown in cinema, then this violence exists in our society. And as for abuses, I think there is poetry even in abuses, if they are used properly. So go ahead and use them; there’s no problem.”

Convincing Farida Jalal

The director recounted how he persuaded the veteran actress Farida Jalal to use abusive language in O Romeo. He explained, “The first thing I told Farida ji was that there was a question of abusive language in the scene. She asked what it was and if it was very bad, and I said that whatever the language is, it is necessary for the character.”

He added, “The character of Shahid is someone the whole city fears, the underworld fears, but in front of his grandmother, he is powerless. She could have controlled him completely. That was the character, and Farida ji accepted it.”

Appreciation for Jalal’s Performance

Applauding Farida Jalal for her performance, Vishal mentioned, “She delivered the line with such intensity that it went viral. We made her wait a lot for the shoot, and it was very painful for her, but we are extremely thankful to her for being a part of this film.”

Strong Women in His Life

Recalling the strong women in his family, Vishal said, “As far as I remember from my childhood, I have seen the women in my family as very dominant and strong. I truly believe women are stronger than men. Men may be hot-tempered, but women are more calm and carefully handle everything. I have seen their strength closely. In Meerut, when boys from the locality would roam around at night, and if my aunt shouted at them, the whole group would run away. That is the strength I have seen in women from childhood.”

About O Romeo

Discussing O Romeo, which stars Shahid Kapoor and Tripti Dimri, Vishal stated, “The film’s name is O Romeo, and it is actually a love story, with a violent backdrop. It is an unrequited love story of this character, and is a strong love story.”

O Romeo is set to release on February 13.

After wrapping up the primary schedule for his forthcoming sequel, “Khosla Ka Ghosla 2,” veteran actor Anupam Kher has commenced filming his next project with filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya.

Gali Cricket Fun

During the shoot, Kher and the team enjoyed some gali cricket. He shared a video of himself playing, captioning it on social media: “Glimpses of street cricket! Enjoyed playing cricket with the people of the unit during the shooting of my dear friend and India’s best director #SoorajBarjatya! I didn’t post the video of the balls I got clean bowled on!!! Did correct?? #Cricket #Fun.”

Back in November, Kher had posted another video featuring the ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’ maker. To commemorate the first day of shooting, Kher presented Barjatya with an auspicious shawl from Ayodhya.

Celebrating Milestones

Referring to Barjatya as an icon, Kher announced on his official Instagram: “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!”

Reflecting on his long collaboration with Barjatya and Rajshri films, Kher added, “Sooraj was #MaheshBhatt Saab’s 5th assistant for my first film #Saaransh! It has been a long, happy, amazing and creatively joyous journey with him. Actually, I am an integral part of @rajshrifilms and their family for all these years! As is the tradition, I have the privilege to be in the first shot of the film! Jai Shri Krishna! (Love eyed, Om and red heart emoji) #549th #GodIsKind #LifeIsBeautiful #Blessed.”

What’s Next?

While further details about the project—including the title, cast, and subject—are currently under wraps, there’s great anticipation surrounding what Kher and Barjatya will bring to the screen for audiences.

Actress Debinna Bonnerjee has shared insights into the importance of teaching children through observation, particularly for parents.

On her social media, Debinna posted a candid video of herself preparing for a shoot. The clip showcases her in a busy atmosphere, where both her husband Gurmeet Choudhary and their young daughter make charming appearances.

Debinna wrote, “Getting ready in the vanity. Layers of glam, quiet focus. And then she walks in. One of those days. No school. So she comes along with me. She sits there, watching. Between mirrors, makeup, and conversations. I pick her up, she settles in. As if this space was always meant for both of us.”

She further expressed, “Her father joins us for a moment. A kiss. A pause. And as we step out, I notice something. She’s wearing gloves too. Just like mine. Maybe this is how it begins. Not by teaching. But by letting them watch.” Debinna revealed that her daughter was on set due to a holiday from school and highlighted how her daughter mimicked her by wearing netted gloves as well.

The actress has frequently discussed motherhood, addressing both its challenges and joys. Previously, she shared her experiences traveling with toddlers on her social media, emphasizing the struggles of “missed naps” and “tired legs.” She reflected on a trip to London, stating, “This London trip looked beautiful from outside. But travelling with toddlers isn’t easy — missed naps, tired legs, and moments where patience runs thin. Still, I tried to stay there.”

Debinna continued, “To soak it in. Because now I’m home, and those days already live only in my memory. That’s the thing about motherhood — time moves faster than we realise. You don’t have to enjoy every second. Just be present in it. To every mom doing her best in this phase — you’re not alone.”

In December, Gurmeet shared a cheerful family picture on social media, capturing a delightful moment at New Year with Debinna and their two daughters. He wrote, “London, here we are. Once just the two of us, now four hearts, two tiny miracles. Winter mornings, full circle moments… Grateful beyond words. #London #2025 #Family.”

For those unfamiliar, Gurmeet and Debinna welcomed their first daughter in April 2022 through surrogacy, followed by their second daughter in November 2022.

Actress Raveena Tandon has joined the viral “2026 is the new 2016” trend, sharing throwback photos and videos on her Instagram from a decade ago.

Throwback Memories
The ‘KGF: Chapter 2’ star posted stunning glimpses of herself from 2016, featuring her daughter Rasha Thadani, who recently made her Bollywood debut with “Azaad”. In one of the snapshots, Raveena and Rasha are smiling together for the camera. Other pictures showed Rasha with her mother and brother, Ranbir Thadani.

Raveena’s throwback collection also included cherished moments spent with family members, including her parents and husband, Anil Thadani. Her 2016 diaries showcased encounters with notable personalities, such as filmmaker Karan Johar, designer Manish Malhotra, and legendary actor Jackie Chan, along with Ranveer Singh, Rana Daggubati, and former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev.

Mother-Daughter Bond
Raveena and Rasha are beloved as a mother-daughter duo in Bollywood. Recently, Raveena shared snippets of their bonding time during a shoot, expressing her joy on Instagram: “Fleeting moments of emotions … ❤️ The gup shup doesn’t end when @rashathadani and I are shooting together .. With my babies all.”

Rasha’s New Journey
On the professional front, Rasha is gearing up for her Tollywood debut with filmmaker Ajay Bhupathi’s upcoming project, tentatively titled “#AB4”. This venture is presented by Ashwin Dutt and produced by Gemini Kiran under the banner of Chandamama Kathalu Pictures.

Rasha announced her new journey on social media, sharing her excitement: “New beginnings, endless gratitude! Mee andariki prema tho, I’m stepping into Telugu cinema. Thank you @ajaybhupathi sir for this opportunity. Chala excited to start this journey! 🤪 #AB4 #TeluguDebut Presented by #AshwinDutt Produced by @geminikiran_official, under the @ckpicturesoffl banner.”

In addition to “#AB4”, Rasha also has “Laikey Laikaa” in the pipeline, featuring Abhay Verma.

Actress Ridhi Dogra, known for her compelling roles in various television series, is all set to embrace a new challenge with her participation in “The 50.” Ridhi aims to uncover more about herself through this reality show, which she believes will push her to “step out of my comfort zone.”

Pushing Boundaries

“As an actor, I’m always looking at new ways of unlearning and pushing myself out of the bubble actors can get into,” Ridhi shared. She emphasizes that this opportunity allows her to experience a different kind of journey—one without a character to portray.

Authenticity in the Journey

“It allows me to step into a whole new world where there’s no character. All I will do is show up as myself, and you, the audience, will watch me as I go beyond my comfort zone,” she explained.

Ridhi expresses gratitude for her fans, referring to them as her guiding force. “My audience and well-wishers are my support and my angels, the wind beneath my wings,” she states. As she prepares to enter what she calls the “lion’s den,” she is eager to share every triumph, setback, and learning moment with the people who have supported her throughout her journey.

A Glimpse at Her Career

Ridhi Dogra has made a significant mark in the television industry with shows like Asur, The Married Woman, Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak?, and Woh Apna Sa. She also has reality show experience, having participated in Nach Baliye 6 and Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 6. Before her television career took off, she was a dancer at the Shiamak Dawar Dance Institute.

In 2013, she showcased her talent in Nach Baliye 6, and her notable roles include Savitri in Savitri, Aditi in Diya Aur Baati Hum, and Nisha in Woh Apna Sa. Most recently, she starred in The Married Woman, playing the titular role under the direction of Sahir Raza.