Category: Entertainment

The title track of the Bengali film ‘Projapati 2’ was unveiled recently. Composed and sung by Jeet Gannguli, the song marks yet another powerful collaboration between Gannguli and actor Dev.

Music Video Highlights

The video features prominent actors including Dev, Mithun Chakraborty, Jyotirmoyee, and Anumegha. Its music elevates the film’s core mood, bringing forth a festive and celebratory ambiance that builds excitement for the upcoming release. Leading both composition and vocals, Jeet Gannguli delivers a familiar emotional resonance combined with a fresh rhythmic vibe.

Insights from the Creators

Jeet Gannguli shared, “The title track of ‘Projapati 2’ was created with a lot of joy and nostalgia. Dev and I share a long journey, and this song reflects our comfort and chemistry. I am happy to bring this sound to the audience again.”

Dev added, “The title track of ‘Projapati 2’ carries a vibe that instantly lifts your mood. Working with Jeet always feels effortless because we understand each other’s rhythm. This song represents our journey and the energy of the film.”

Industry Perspectives

Mandar Thakur, CEO of Times Music, expressed, “Projapati 2 has strong appeal, and the title track captures its spirit perfectly. Jeet Gannguli has delivered a catchy and memorable song, and we are excited for listeners to experience it.”

The title track of ‘Projapati 2’ is now available across streaming platforms and on the Times Music Bangla YouTube channel.

Upcoming Projects

In other news, Mithun Chakraborty was recently seen in ‘The Bengal Files’. This film focuses on Direct Action Day, which occurred on August 16, 1946, detailing one of the darkest chapters in India’s history when brutal killings followed riots in Kolkata. These riots triggered a series of communal tensions across regions including Noakhali, Bihar, and Punjab.

Chakraborty also has ‘Fauji’ and ‘Jailer 2’ lined up for release.

Actress Kubbra Sait is gearing up for an exciting 12-day rafting expedition on the Brahmaputra river, describing it as a “mad experience.”

The inspiration for this adventure began when she first rafted on the Kali River near Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. Kubbra shared, “It has been on my bucket list ever since. This is going to be a mad experience.”

Last year, she achieved the remarkable feat of scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. For her upcoming trip, Kubbra will arrive in Dibrugarh, Assam, before setting off with her expedition group.

Embracing Challenges

Discussing her greatest challenge, she highlighted the rewards that come from stepping out of her comfort zone and facing nature directly. She expressed, “Facing real fears in such expeditions makes my career challenges feel smaller. Once you have survived nature’s tests, the fear of projects not working out or acceptance doesn’t scare you anymore. It’s a hard reset—no luxuries, just focus and grounding.”

Philosophy on the River

Kubbra also reflected on the lessons learned while rafting on the Ganga. She said, “I finally understood what ‘go with the flow’ truly means. The river doesn’t stop for anyone. When you’re without a phone and surrounded by nature, silence becomes part of the experience. On long expeditions, there is no reception and no distractions. Your bond with nature deepens.”

Looking Back

Reflecting on her year, Kubbra noted that it began with her Mahakumbh journey alongside her girl gang.

Upcoming Projects

On the film front, the actress is preparing for the release of David Dhawan’s Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai and Prakash Jha’s Laal Batti.

Kubbra has starred in films such as Ready, Sultan, Gully Boy, Deva, and Son of Sardaar 2. Her television work includes TVF Tripling, RejctX, The Verdict – State vs Nanavati, Farzi, Shehar Lakhot, and The Trial. She gained widespread recognition for her captivating role as Kukoo in the first season of the Netflix series Sacred Games and as Phara Keaen in the show Foundation.

On Salim Khan’s birthday, Bina Kak shared a touching tribute that highlighted the warmth and unity of the Khan family.

Celebrating a Strong Family

Bina applauded Salma Khan for raising an “amazing family” and acknowledged Helen’s graceful presence as another life partner. She praised the strong bonds that Salim Khan has fostered over the years.

Taking to Instagram, Bina shared a candid picture with Salim Khan, where the veteran writer rested his hands on her shoulders as they smiled for the camera.

In her post, the ‘Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya’ actress wrote, “A very happy birthday to the legend of man ..jinka koi saani nahi Salim Khan ..A Man apart from what all he did as his profession, most important that he and Salma raised a most amazing family ..with Helen as another life partner..Hat off to you and Jiyo.!!!!”

Bonding with the Khans

Bina Kak has maintained a warm and trusted relationship with the Khan family. Although she is close to many in the industry, her bond with Salman Khan has always been special. Known for their sister-like connection, Bina considers herself Salman’s rakhi sister. Their friendship has extended to the silver screen, with notable collaborations in films like “Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya” and “God Tussi Great Ho,” where she played his mother.

Earlier on Raksha Bandhan, Bina shared a series of pictures with Salman, celebrating their sibling-like bond. Accompanying the images, she penned a heartfelt note expressing her love and gratitude.

“Since I am recovering from a broken ankle I will miss you on Rakhi day my dear Salman my brother like son …I pray for your happiness, long, healthy, and a peaceful life ahead. Lots of love and blessings always dear Salman @beingsalmankhan,” wrote the veteran actress.

Actress-singer Iulia Vantur recently shared a heartfelt post on social media to celebrate the birthday of renowned writer Salim Khan.

In her touching tribute, Iulia referred to Salim Khan as a “blessing” in her life, conveying her deep respect and affection for him. On her Instagram handle, she posted several photos along with a heartfelt note that underscores the special bond she shares with the Khan family. Her caption read: “Happy birthday to my favourite human being Salim Khan: a father, a teacher, a friend, an inspiration, a motivation, a believer, a pillar, a blessing in my life. Beyond grateful Love each other or perish!”

She added, “May your heart be always full of love, happiness and compassion. May you keep inspiring and blessing more people with your wisdom and strength. I love you.”

In the first image, Iulia is seen warmly hugging Salim Khan while they sit together on a couch. The following image features her posing with Salman Khan’s parents and other family members. The last photo captures Salim Khan cutting his birthday cake.

Iulia Vantur enjoys a warm and affectionate relationship with the Khan family and is frequently spotted at their private celebrations and intimate gatherings. While rumors about her relationship with Salman Khan have circulated for years, neither has confirmed the nature of their bond. However, they are often seen together at public events and family functions.

Iulia has publicly acknowledged Salman’s pivotal role in guiding her career in India, especially his encouragement to delve into Hindi music. She has lent her voice to several songs in his films and has expressed her gratitude for the support he has offered in her personal and professional endeavors.

Recently, Iulia made headlines when she performed Salman Khan’s “Teri Meri Prem Kahani” at the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall before the Pope. She described the experience as “a prayer through music” that celebrated faith and unity.

Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o, known for her remarkable performance in 12 Years a Slave, shared her unique post-Oscars journey, highlighting that it did not open up a flood of diverse offers. Instead, she received roles that reflected similar themes.

Post-Oscar Experiences

“It really did set the pace for everything I’ve done since. But you know what’s interesting is that, after I won that Academy Award, you’d think, ‘Oh, I’m gonna get lead roles here and there.’ Instead, it was, ‘Oh, Lupita, we’d like you to play another movie where you’re a slave, but this time you’re on a slave ship,’” Nyong’o said.

The actress discussed this during an interview with Grammy-winning musician Angélique Kidjo on CNN Inside Africa. The opportunities she received in the months following her Oscar win were surprising.

Navigating Challenges

Nyong’o described this period as “a very tender time,” as she had to resist the noise from headlines speculating about her career trajectory.

“There were think pieces about: ‘Is this the beginning and end of this dark-skinned Black African woman’s career?’ I had to deafen myself to all those pontificators because, at the end of the day, I’m not a theory; I’m an actual person,” she reflected.

Expanding African Narratives

Born to Kenyan parents, Nyong’o expressed her desire to broaden African storytelling within the entertainment industry.

“I like to be a joyful warrior for changing the paradigms of what it means to be African,” she said. “And if that means that I work one job less a year to ensure that I’m not perpetuating the stereotypes that are expected of people from my continent, then let me do that.”

Nyong’o was recently featured in The Wild Robot and A Quiet Place: Day One. She will next appear in Lunik Heist.

Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai has spotlighted the significant impact of the massive box-office successes of Jawan and the newcomer-led hit Saiyaara, showcasing India’s rapidly growing theatre power.

Box-Office Benchmarks

Ghai pointed out the impressive benchmarks set by these films: Rs 800 crore for Jawan and Rs 400 crore for Saiyaara. He emphasized that these achievements demonstrate how audiences are more eager than ever to fill cinemas, providing a substantial boost of confidence to actors, directors, and producers across Bollywood.

In a post on his Instagram, Ghai shared a photograph of a theatre hall accompanied by a note. He wrote: “If a commercial film like Jawan cud do box office for 800 cr n SAIYARA for 400 cr with new comers in India- confirms that’s our housefull capacity in indian theatres if we are doing a business of any film with 100 cr means equal of 25 % of Saiyara N 12% of jawan WAKE UP SID Actors directors writers investors today Bless u.”

About Jawan

Jawan, an action thriller co-written and directed by Atlee, stars Shah Rukh Khan in a dual role as a lookalike father and son, alongside Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi. The film broke multiple box-office records for Hindi releases, surpassing the benchmarks set by Khan’s earlier blockbuster, Pathaan. With a worldwide gross exceeding Rs 1,148.32 crore, it became the highest-grossing Indian film of 2023, the second-highest-grossing Hindi film of all time, and the sixth-highest-grossing Indian film overall.

About Saiyaara

On the other hand, Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara features debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in lead roles. Produced by Yash Raj Films, the movie is loosely inspired by the 2004 Korean film A Moment to Remember. This film emerged as a significant commercial success, earning over Rs 5.79 billion (US$68 million) worldwide. Saiyaara has established itself as the second highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 and the highest-grossing Indian romantic film in history.

Hollywood star Antonio Banderas enjoyed his time on the sets of the “Anthony Bourdain” biopic, despite the “fishy” odors surrounding him.

Reflecting on the experience, Banderas mentioned, “We spent a month and a half filming in Cape Cod and Newport, constantly surrounded by the smell of fish. Every time I came back to the hotel, I had to shower because I absolutely reeked — I was cleaning fish every single day!”

At the Torino Film Festival, Banderas shared insights about the film “Tony,” directed by Matt Johnson, which reimagines the life of the renowned chef and globetrotter Bourdain as an aimless young man.

“He originally wanted to become a writer after finishing university,” Banderas explained. “But almost immediately, he began struggling with depression and drug addiction, so the film explores the very difficult early years of his life.”

In the film, Banderas portrays a Brazilian-born restaurateur who mentors the young Tony, played by breakout star Dominic Sessa from “The Holdovers.”

“Through this relationship, Tony begins to truly learn how to cook,” Banderas added. “So the film is not just about cuisine or culinary techniques; it’s about his life, his identity, and his way of being — shaped by this unique mentor.”

While the real Bourdain started his journey washing dishes at a restaurant run by Ciro Cozzi in Provincetown, Banderas’ character is a composite figure. He described this mentor as “a man from Brazil who works in the United States and has travelled the world.”

“My character studied at the finest institutions, graduating from the best gastronomy schools, yet he always remained an outsider,” Banderas continued. “He created his own restaurant outside the traditional world of elite chefs, developing his own dishes with ingredients accessible to ordinary communities — simple food for everyday people.”

During his time in Turin to accept a lifetime achievement award, Banderas emphasized the importance of mentors in his life.

“I am a theater actor,” he stated. “Cinema came by chance, thanks to Pedro Almodóvar — a ‘chance’ that led to 130 films, but still, it was chance. Theater was my first love, and for the past seven or eight years, I’ve returned to my home in Malaga and to my true home on the stage. My life has changed, and now I am finally doing what my life’s project was always meant to be.”

He also reminisced about actor Paul Newman, whose work is celebrated in a 24-film retrospective at this year’s Torino Film Festival. “I worked for a year in New York doing a musical,” Banderas recalled. “One day I was on stage, singing, and at a certain point, I saw Paul Newman with those eyes staring at me. I froze completely — it was incredibly powerful. We made a couple of films together, and I worked with his wife, Joanne Woodward, in ‘Philadelphia.’ He liked me, so we often went out to dinner in New York.”

Banderas fondly remembered Newman’s quirky habit: “He would always ask for a very specific beer and tell the waiter, ‘In exactly 2 minutes and 45 seconds, please bring me another!’ I still think about that.”

Singer Papon dedicated his 49th birthday to music, prioritizing his passion over taking a break. He shared that celebrating the day through his art brings him immense joy.

A Passion for Music

Papon expressed, “Music has always been my biggest celebration. I don’t feel the need to take a break on my birthday when I get to spend the day doing what I love.”

Fresh from the success of his Sham-E-Mehfil 2025 tour, he is in the final stages of completing a new album that fuses fresh poetry with soulful melodies, showcasing the signature depth he’s renowned for.

Heartfelt Creations

He mentioned, “This new ghazal album is very close to my heart, and the energy of the shows keeps me inspired. Of course, I’ll steal a little time to be with my family too—because they’re my grounding force. But for me, creating music is the best gift I can give myself and my listeners.”

Upcoming Projects

On the work front, Papon is preparing to release his upcoming ghazal album, featuring original compositions with contemporary poetry from today’s poets.

A Musical Journey

Papon began his musical journey in 1998 with the Assamese song “Nasaba Sokule” from the album Snigdha Junak. In 2004, he launched his first album, Junaki Raati.

He made his Bollywood debut with the song “Om Mantra” from the film Strings – Bound by Faith in 2006. His breakout hit, “Jiyein Kyun,” was featured in the 2011 film Dum Maro Dum.

In 2014, he sang “Lakeerein,” a poem by Gulzar, for the film Kya Dilli Kya Lahore, and “Sun Ri Bavli” for Nagesh Kukunoor’s Lakshmi. His successful tracks include “Moh Moh Ke Dhage” from the 2015 film Dum Laga Ke Haisha and “Humnava” from Hamari Adhuri Kahani. Papon also lent his voice for “Bulleya” in the 2016 film Sultan.

Actor-philanthropist Sonu Sood recently engaged in an insightful interaction with a tyre repairman in Dalkhola, near Siliguri, underscoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to support small businesses.

Sonu shared a video on Instagram where he was seen chatting with Mohammad, who operates a roadside tyre shop offering 24-hour service.

In the clip, Sonu said, “Today we are near Siliguri, in Dalkhola. Dada, have a cup of coffee for yourself. This is our brother Mohammad. He has a tyre shop here. And when do you wake up in the morning?”

To this, the repairman replied, “5 or 6 in the morning.”

Sonu praised the hard work of early-rising tradesmen, emphasizing the need to support small enterprises to help them grow. “A lot of people, our brothers and sisters, sleep at this time. You should wake up early in the morning, have a cup of coffee and work,” he remarked.

Inquiring about the daily rush of puncture repairs and the challenges of running the shop, Sonu asked, “Dada, tell me one thing. You have a tyre shop. You get punctured. Do you believe that if you get a puncture, you will come here? Tyre. Do you throw nails there?”

The repairman replied, “No,” adding that “There is 24-hour service in the system.”

Sonu appreciated Mohammad’s dedication to providing round-the-clock service, asserting that trades like these are essential for local economies and warrant broader support.

“There is 24-hour service, brother Mohammad. Keep serving like this. But it is good if people’s tyres are less punctured. By the way, keep coming to meet you… Our honorable PM Mr. Modi says that small scale businesses should be supported so that they can do bigger business.”

Popular television actress Urvashi Dholakia has beautifully captured the essence of womanhood.

Taking to Instagram, Urvashi shared a series of stunning photos from a short getaway. Renowned for her role as the iconic Komolika in “Kasautii Zindagii Kay,” she looked radiant in a striking blue saree that complemented the sea in the background.

“To be a woman is to play a thousand roles & still know exactly who you are,” she captioned the post.

Urvashi began her acting career at the young age of six with a TV commercial alongside Revathi. As a child artist, she portrayed Rajlaxmi in the Doordarshan series Shrikant. Her first adult role came in Doordarshan’s “Dekh Bhai Dekh,” followed by “Waqt Ki Raftar.” Throughout the 2000s, she featured in popular shows like “Ghar Ek Mandir,” “Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii,” “Kasautii Zindagii Kay,” and “Kahiin To Hoga.”

In 2012, Urvashi participated in the sixth season of the controversial reality show “Bigg Boss,” where she emerged as the winner. She later appeared in the historical fantasy series “Chandrakanta” as Queen Iravati. Last year, she made a notable return to the fiction genre in “Naagin 6.”

Earlier this year, in March, Urvashi made her television comeback with her role in “Pushpa Impossible.” Speaking about this return, she expressed, “Returning to Pushpa Impossible as Devi Singh Shekhawat feels like coming home. Devi has always been a strong, independent woman who stands firmly for what’s right, and this time, she’s back to support Pushpa when she needs her the most.”

Her latest project is “Power Of Paanch,” featuring a talented ensemble cast that includes Riva Arora, Jaiveer Juneja, Aditya Arora, Anubha Arora, Bianca Arora, Yash Sehgal, Barkha Bisht, and Urvashi Dholakia. The storyline follows a young girl named Bela, who learns that her four friends—Ranveer, Ali, Baggu, and Jhanvi—inherit elemental powers on their 16th birthday.