Category: Entertainment

Actress Mallika Sherawat has expressed her grief over the passing of veteran star Dharmendra, who left us at the age of 84. She fondly remembered her experience working alongside him in the 2004 black comedy Kis Kis Ki Kismat, describing it as nothing short of a blessing.

Heartfelt Tribute on Instagram

Mallika took to Instagram, sharing a series of images from the film’s sets, including a poster featuring both her and Dharmendra. She captioned her post: “Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Dharmendra sir. Doing a film with him was a blessing I will cherish forever. His kindness, wisdom & warmth made a lifelong impact on me. Rest in peace, legend #dharmendra #rip #kiskiskikismat.”

About Kis Kis Ki Kismat

Kis Kis Ki Kismat, directed by Govind Menon, also features actors such as Satish Shah, Tinnu Anand, Jagdeep, Viju Khote, Dinesh Hingoo, and Shivaji Satam. The film revolves around Hasmukh Mehta, who faces accusations of having an affair with a young woman named Meena under peculiar circumstances. In the story, a hotelier who is indebted to him exploits the situation, while Mehta’s son develops feelings for Meena.

Dharmendra’s Health and Legacy

Dharmendra passed away on November 24. He had been hospitalized at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital due to complaints of breathlessness. After receiving necessary treatment, he was discharged on November 12 and continued his recovery at home.

On the professional front, Dharmendra is set to be seen posthumously in the film Ikkis, directed by ace director Sriram Raghavan. This war drama also stars Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia. The storyline is based on the life of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.

Dharmendra is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most handsome film stars in the history of Indian cinema. With a career spanning over six decades, he has appeared in more than 300 films and holds the record for starring in the highest number of hit films in Hindi cinema. In 2012, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan.

Veteran actress Meenakshi Seshadri has expressed her heartfelt gratitude while reflecting on her role in Dharmendra’s iconic production, “Ghayal.”

A Tribute to a Legend

Paying tribute to the legendary actor, Meenakshi recalled how the film became a turning point in her career, appreciating the trust he placed in her. She took to her Instagram to share a throwback image of the ‘Sholay’ actor, stating, “Dharmendra ji at 89 passed away and last rites are also over in a private ceremony. A He Man, Extraordinary human.”

Meenakshi stated, “I cherish the opportunities I had to costar with such a legend. I’m grateful for being cast in his home production ‘Ghayal.’ My condolences to all his family. May he rest in peace.”

About ‘Ghayal’ and Its Success

“Ghayal,” the 1990 action drama written and directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, was produced by Dharmendra. The film starred Sunny Deol, Meenakshi, along with Raj Babbar, Moushumi Chatterjee, Om Puri, Amrish Puri, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Shafi Inamdar, Annu Kapoor, Sudesh Berry, and Sharat Saxena. It grossed Rs 20 crore and became a blockbuster hit at the box office.

Meenakshi Seshadri and Dharmendra shared the screen in several Bollywood films over the years, including “Main Balwaan” and “Pyar Ka Karz.”

Recent Events

Dharmendra passed away on November 24. Earlier this month, he was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital due to breathlessness. Following treatment, he returned home on November 12 to continue his recovery.

In terms of his work, the veteran actor was last seen in the 2024 film “Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya,” alongside Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. He will also make a posthumous appearance in Sriram Raghavan’s upcoming war drama “Ikkis,” which features Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia. The film is based on the life of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.

Celebrated as one of Indian cinema’s most iconic, charismatic, and commercially successful actors, Dharmendra enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades and appeared in over 300 films.

Ace director and actor Selvaraghavan, elder brother of renowned actor Dhanush, has raised a question regarding why Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has not been appointed captain of the current Test side, which is currently trying to avert defeat in the second Test match against South Africa in Guwahati.

Selvaraghavan’s Tweet

Taking to his X timeline, Selvaraghavan expressed his thoughts, saying, “I’m an ardent cricket fan. Forever. I just want to ask. Why @Jaspritbumrah93 is not the captain? #bestbowlerintheworld #superblyintelligent @BCCI @GautamGambhir.” His hashtags indicate that he regards Bumrah as one of the smartest bowlers and the best in the world.

Reactions from Fans

Selvaraghavan’s tweet garnered attention, receiving both likes and responses from fans. One follower pointed out that Bumrah himself had asserted he wouldn’t be suited for the role of Test captain due to fitness concerns. This person emphasized that Bumrah believed a captain should play in every match, which he felt he could not commit to.

Dhanush on Childhood Cricket

In a lighter moment during a film event, Dhanush shared a nostalgic story about playing cricket with Selvaraghavan, revealing how his brother would often “cheat” to win. He reminisced, “Actually, I was a naughty boy when I was a kid. But my brother Selvaraghavan was even naughtier than me. He was an introvert and would feel shy to even pose for a photograph. But inside our home, he was a naughty boy.”

Dhanush continued with a humorous account, “He was eight years older than me, so he always looked much bigger. Whenever we played cricket, he would somehow win the toss and choose to bat first. As a small kid, I had a hard time getting him out. I bowled for three to three and a half hours, and he wouldn’t get out. When I finally managed to take his wicket, he would drop the bat and run away, refusing to bowl. Most of the time, I ended up just bowling without getting a turn to bat.”

This playful exchange between the brothers adds a personal touch to Selvaraghavan’s cricket enthusiasm.

The exit of Kunickaa Sadanand has created a significant void inside the “Bigg Boss 19” house, with contestants Tanya Mittal, Amaal Mallik, and Farrhana Bhatt recalling her as one of the season’s most spirited players.

Contestants Remember Kunickaa

In a recently shared promo on Instagram, Tanya expressed her take on Gaurav and Kunickaa, asking, “kya aap karte ho uske iss opinion se relate?” The video features a conversation in the garden area, where Tanya, Farrhana, and Amaal discuss how Kunickaa’s presence was felt in every task.

“Are we all missing Kunickaa ji?” Farrhana inquired, to which Tanya quickly replied, “We miss you!” Amaal reminisced, saying, “She used to be involved in every task. She would not budge. She would be in the game.”

Light-hearted Moments

Tanya shared a funny moment from the bucket challenge, noting, “She used to win in the bucket game. She would tell Neelu (Neelam Giri) to not lose because of her age. How sweet!” Amaal joined in with a laugh, adding, “Even in that game, she made us fall.” Tanya nodded in agreement, stating that Kunickaa had an “unshakeable fighting spirit.”

Tanya also commented, “I don’t think Kunika ma’am deserves to be here more than Gaurav Khanna.”

Current Contestants

Kunickaa Sadanand is the latest contestant to exit the show, which now features Tanya, Farrhana, Ashnoor, Gaurav, Shehbaz, Malti, Pranit More, and Amaal Mallik.

A Popular Format

“Bigg Boss” is based on the Dutch format of Big Brother and first premiered on November 3, 2006. It has successfully completed eighteen seasons and three OTT seasons. The inaugural season was hosted by Arshad Warsi, followed by Shilpa Shetty in the second season and Amitabh Bachchan in the third. Farah Khan led the Halla Bol season, while Sanjay Dutt co-hosted the fifth season with Salman Khan. Since season 4, Salman Khan has been the primary host of the show.

Actress Genelia Deshmukh and Riteish Deshmukh’s elder son Riaan has turned eleven years old. Celebrating this special milestone, Genelia shared a few adorable photos with her son on social media.

Two pictures captured cherished moments of Genelia and Riaan enjoying quality time together, while a third snap featured the birthday boy posing with his furry friend.

An elated mother expressed her heartfelt birthday wishes for Riaan. She noted that her son’s dependence on her has significantly diminished over the years.

Her touching post read, “My Dearest Riaan, it feels like yesterday we were celebrating your first birthday and today it’s already your eleventh. I can see you all grown up, capable of taking your own decisions, capable of figuring out the path you want to take. I know the dependence on me is so much lesser. But do you know what I love the most, Riaan? I love that in all these changes, you still turn back and pause to make sure I feel a part of your world, and that means everything to me. Just to know there’s this boy who I’m obsessed about and he calls me Aai (green heart emoji).”

Genelia further promised to be her son’s biggest cheerleader and, at times, his toughest critic.

She added, “I will be your biggest cheerleader…I will be your biggest critic too…But I will always be your Aai, who only wants to see her little boy being the best version of himself. Baaki sab doesn’t matter…Happy Birthday Baby Boy (green heart emoji).”

For those unfamiliar, Genelia and Riteish first crossed paths on the set of their debut film, “Tujhe Meri Kasam,” in 2003. Their undeniable chemistry led them to collaborate on various projects, including “Masti,” “Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya,” and “Ved.”

The couple eventually tied the knot in 2012 during a traditional Maharashtrian wedding, followed by a Christian ceremony. They are proud parents to two sons—Riaan and Rahyl.

Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has shared a heartfelt note for her cousin Armaan Jain on his birthday. Referring to him as her “darling bro,” she expressed her eagerness to celebrate together soon.

Kareena took to her Instagram stories to shower Armaan with love and best wishes, creating a delightful moment for fans. She also shared a monochrome picture of herself posing alongside Armaan and his wife, Anissa Malhotra.

In her message, she wrote: “Happy birthday darling bro Love you loads and loads. Can’t wait to celebrate soon @therealarmaanjain.”

Kareena and Armaan are currently making headlines for the Netflix special “Dining with the Kapoors.”

About “Dining with the Kapoors”

• This hour-long special features cousins, siblings, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and in-laws, offering a lively and candid celebration of family ties.
• Directed by Smriti Mundhra and created by Armaan, it provides a glimpse into the family’s cherished traditions.

One standout moment from the special had Kareena calling the family “funny, loving, and united,” while emphasizing their shared passion for food. It was revealed that Armaan organized a luncheon in honor of what would have been Raj Kapoor’s 100th birth anniversary.

Kareena’s Upcoming Projects

On the professional front, Kareena was last seen in “Singham Again,” starring alongside Ajay Devgn. The film also features Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff.

Currently, she is shooting for ‘Daayra’ with Meghna Gulzar and Prithviraj Sukumaran. “Daayra” dives into the complexities of today’s society, addressing urgent and unsettling truths that resonate with contemporary issues.

This gripping crime-drama thriller explores the timeless conflict between crime, punishment, and justice, showcasing Kareena and Prithviraj in powerful roles imbued with raw intensity.

Following the success of “Sam Bahadur,” this project marks Meghna’s next directorial venture, promising a compelling narrative brought to life by a stellar creative team.

A simple cookbook gifted by the late star Raj Kapoor to his granddaughter Karisma Kapoor years ago has become the emotional centerpiece of Netflix’s upcoming special, Dining With The Kapoors.

A Special Gift

In the show, Karisma shares a heartfelt memory with her cousin Armaan Jain. The actress excitedly reveals, “I had something very special to show… This is a cookbook that Dada ji gave me.” The treasured cookbook holds a handwritten message from Raj Kapoor himself, which reads: “To Lolo, My darling, a woman’s way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I want you to try all these recipes on your grandfather before you meet HIM.”

Karisma fondly recalls, “The cookbook contained all the things he liked,” as she smiles reminiscing about those cherished moments.

Family Favorites

As Armaan flips through the lovingly crafted pages, he quickly realizes what the family meal should be. “Fried peanuts, cheese balls… I think this is what’s going to be on the menu. We need a lot of fried food that day,” he comments with enthusiasm.

Karisma’s offering doesn’t end there. Alongside the cookbook, she unveils a touching photograph of her as a young girl sitting on her grandfather’s lap. “With this, I found his picture… please look at my stomach, I was a foodie from that time only,” she jokes.

Armaan responds, “You were a full Kapoor from that time only. Such a cute picture. He loved you… he loved all of you. I wish I could meet him.”

Premiere News

Dining With The Kapoors is set to premiere on Netflix, bringing audiences a glimpse into the Kapoor family’s rich history and memories.

Raj Kapoor was renowned as India’s greatest showman, holding a legendary status in the Soviet Union and the Middle East. His films, especially Shree 420, presented an authentic portrayal of Bombay, leaving a lasting impact on filmmakers. Often drawing from his own life, Raj Kapoor played the lead in many of his films.

Raj Kapoor passed away in 1988 at the age of 63 due to kidney failure, heart failure, and asthma, having suffered a severe asthma attack while attending an awards ceremony.

The makers of director Mohan G’s eagerly anticipated Tamil-Telugu historical drama ‘Draupathi 2’ have unveiled an eye-catching first look of actress Rakshana Induchoodan as Draupathi Devi. Fans and film enthusiasts are thrilled with this reveal.

A Key Character in the Narrative

Draupathi Devi is poised at a vital narrative crossroads in Mohan G’s vision, adding a new layer of dramatic depth and emotional resonance to the film. This introduction sets the stage for what is expected to be a defining role in the franchise.

Production Insights

Produced by Chola Chakravarthy of Netaji Productions in collaboration with G. M Film Corporation, ‘Draupathi 2’ has generated significant interest among fans.

According to sources, the film takes place in the 14th century, highlighting the reign of Hoysala emperor Veera Vallalar III. It intricately weaves the valor and resistance of the Kadavarayas of Sendhamangalam with the shifting dynamics caused by the Mughal invasion of Tamil Nadu.

Connecting the Past

In this grand reconstruction of history, the character of Draupathi Devi serves as a crucial anchor, connecting the emotional essence of the first film to the expansive narrative arc of its sequel.

Rakshana Induchoodan’s portrayal is both dignified and commanding, capturing the cultural richness, poise, and strength associated with her character. This strong feminine force enhances the historical and emotional depth of the storyline.

A Talented Cast

Joining Richard Rishi and Rakshana Induchoodan in key roles is actor and cinematographer Natti Natraj. The film also features Y. G. Mahendran, Nadodigal Barani, Saravana Subbiah, Vela Ramamoorthy, Siraj Johnny, Dinesh Lamba, Ganesh Gaurang, Divi, Devayani Sharma, and Arunodayan, further enriching the film’s historical scale and dramatic impact.

A Solid Technical Team

The cinematic team is equally impressive, with Telugu dialogues written by Samrat and music composed by Ghibran Vaibodha. Cinematography is handled by Philip R. Sundar, while choreography is led by Thanika Tony. Action Santosh has choreographed the stunts, and editing is managed by Devaraj, with art direction by Kamalnathan.

Sources indicate that post-production work is progressing swiftly, and the makers plan to unveil more details about the film in the coming days.

Shahid Kapoor recently paid tribute to the legendary Dharmendra with a heartfelt post on social media.

In a black and white photo shared on his Instagram Stories, Shahid wrote, “A true original. The kind of soul that made cinema feel bigger and life feel lighter. Rest in power. (sic).”

Dharmendra last appeared on screen in Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon’s film “Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya,” which was released on February 9, 2024. He portrayed the character of Jai Singh Agnihotri, the grandfather of protagonist Aryan, played by Shahid Kapoor. Notably, in this film, Dharmendra was credited as Dharmendra Singh Deol for the first time in his six-decade-long career.

Directed by Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah, “Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya” achieved commercial success at the box office. Following this release, Dharmendra is set to make his final appearance in the film “Ikkis.”

In his posthumous project, he will be seen as Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal, the father of Arun Khetrapal, played by Agastya Nanda. The makers of “Ikkis” recently unveiled a gripping poster featuring Dharmendra, accompanied by the caption, “Fathers raise sons. Legends raise nations. Dharmendra ji, an emotional powerhouse as the father of a 21-year-old immortal soldier. One timeless legend brings us the story of another. #IkkisTrailerOutNow. Ikkis in cinemas worldwide on 25th December 2025 (sic).”

The poster also showcased Dharmendra’s voice, where he can be heard saying, “Yeh mera bada beta, Arun. Yeh humesha ikkis ka hi rahega.”

Dharmendra was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on October 31 after experiencing severe breathlessness. After receiving the necessary medical care, he was discharged on November 12 and was recovering at home. Sadly, he passed away on November 24.

Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher discussed the theme “giving up is not a choice,” his breakthrough performance in “Saaransh,” and his friendship with Hollywood star Robert De Niro during a masterclass at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

Kher was just 28 when he portrayed a 65-year-old man in Mahesh Bhatt’s “Saaransh” in 1984. He later ventured into Hollywood with films like “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012) and the series “New Amsterdam.” Over his illustrious career, he has acted in “almost all Indian languages,” as reported by variety.com.

A long-time admirer of Robert De Niro, Kher wrote papers on “Mean Streets” and “Taxi Driver” during his academic years. Decades later, while pursuing an international career, he landed a role in David O. Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook,” a project that De Niro was associated with.

Initially, De Niro expressed reservations about Anupam’s character in a crucial scene after reviewing the script. Kher shared how he took the bold step to voice his perspective on the scene, risking both his role and the chance to act alongside his idol. That evening, while offering De Niro a drink in his van, Kher received praise for his performance, as mentioned in variety.com.

“Because I was truthful and not worried about being unpopular with the unit,” Anupam said, “today I can claim that Mr. Robert De Niro is one of my best friends.”

During the session, Kher recounted numerous moments in his life when giving up was simply not an option.

“What happens in your life goes on to become the story of your life. Why should life be easy? Why should life be simple? Why should life not have problems? Because it’s your problems that will make your biopic a superstar biopic,” he reflected, contemplating his journey from a small town to performing alongside legends across the globe.

“Failure is an event,” he emphasized, “not a person, and the film of your life deserves a blockbuster ending.”