Category: Entertainment

Director Vineeth Varaprasad’s eagerly awaited action entertainer, featuring Harish Kalyan and Preity Mukhundhan in lead roles, has officially been titled ‘Dashamakan,’ as announced by its makers on Saturday.

Insights from the Director

During the title promo launch event, Vineeth Varaprasad shared that Harish Kalyan portrays a rapper in the film. He expressed his excitement, stating, “Although this is my second film, this is the first time that I have got a stage to express myself. I was not given a stage the last time I did a film. That was when I decided that instead of wondering why I wasn’t given a stage, I will create a stage myself for several other people.”

He continued, “I wanted to lift others up and enjoy that experience. In this film, I have got 137 junior artistes to act, and we have identified eight new rappers through this project.”

Plot and Theme

The film focuses on the life of a young rapper. Vineeth noted, “Dashamakan will be a musical-oriented film. It is not purely a musical because a lot of other elements are included.”

Talking about his connection to the title, he shared, “Dashamakan is a place that I grew up in. It is very familiar to me. Many people celebrate Chennai, and being someone who grew up here, I wanted to showcase this city to the world the way I saw it. Chennai is a place that nurtures talent, and several talented people and progressive thinkers have emerged from here. I think North Madras is the Brazil of Chennai, and I believe I have captured that in this film.”

Technical Team

The film features cinematography by Karthik Ashokan and music by Britto Michael, with editing handled by Madhan.

Bollywood actress Ananya Panday recently celebrated her co-star Kartik Aaryan’s birthday by sharing a heartfelt message on social media, along with the teaser for their upcoming film, Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri.

On November 22, Ananya posted the teaser and wished Kartik, affectionately referring to him as her “Ray.” She wrote, “Happy birthday, Ray, from your Rumi. My gift to you and our return gift to everyone. #TuMeriMainTeraMainTeraTuMeri TEASER OUT NOW!” In response, the birthday boy also shared the teaser, expressing gratitude for the birthday wishes: “Thank you for all the birthday love… yeh raha Ray ka return gift. #TuMeriMainTeraMainTeraTuMeri TEASER OUT NOW! In cinemas THIS CHRISTMAS!”

The teaser highlights the duo enjoying lively moments against beautiful backdrops, with Rumi and Ray seen twirling, dancing, and having a blast together. Originally set to release on December 31, 2025, the film now has a new release date and is slated to hit cinemas on December 25, 2025.

Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri also marks the reunion of Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday, who will be showcasing their chemistry once again after their previous collaboration in Pati Patni Aur Woh. The romantic comedy is produced by Dharma Productions and Namah Pictures, with Sameer Vidwans at the helm, who previously directed Kartik in the popular film Satyaprem Ki Katha.

On a personal note, Kartik celebrated his birthday by visiting the Siddhivinayak Temple to seek blessings from Lord Ganesha, turning a year older that day.

Actress Shilpa Shirodkar seems to have taken a trip down memory lane. The talented star recently celebrated 36 years since her Bollywood debut film, Bhrashtachar, on social media.

Sharing a few stills from the movie, Shilpa expressed her emotions in a heartfelt post. She wrote, “36 years since the film that introduced me to all of you! #Bhrashtachar gave me my first role, my first lesson, and my first family in cinema. Playing a blind girl in my debut and sharing screenspace with @rajinikanth ji, #Rekha ji, @mithunchakrabortyofficial, @anupampkher ji and @abhinavchaturvediofficial was itself a huge responsibility and challenge.”

She further added, “This film came to me at the right time with the right people, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Grateful for this beautiful start, the journey that followed and all that awaits ahead #ShilpaShirodkar #36YearsOfBhrashtachar,” complemented by a red heart and love emoticon. Shilpa, who appeared in Bigg Boss season 18, received immense love for her stint in the popular reality show in 2024.

Recently, Shilpa celebrated her birthday on November 20, prompting fans and loved ones to express their love on their respective social media accounts. Bollywood star Kajol sent birthday wishes, commenting, “Happy birthday (red heart emoji) (sic).”

Actress and Bigg Boss 7 winner Gauahar Khan also took a moment to wish her, writing, “Happy happy birthday, dear Shilpa ma’am. You’re amazing, and only the best shall be a part of your life. (red heart emoji) God bless you.”

Shilpa’s sister, actress Namrata Shirodkar—famously known as South Superstar Mahesh Babu’s wife—celebrated her sister’s special day with a touching post. Namrata shared her joy at Shilpa’s return to the silver screen with “Jatadhara,” stating that it was incredibly special for her to witness this comeback.

Overwhelmed by the love she received on her birthday, Shilpa penned a gratitude note, reflecting, “Another year older, but forever grateful for the people I get to share life with. Thank you for all the beautiful messages, surprises and blessings! (Clinking glasses emoji) My heart is so full (red heart emoji) (sic).”

Well-known actress and VJ Ramya Subramanian is experiencing a renewed sense of fulfillment as she resumes her Bharatanatyam training after several years. She emphasizes the importance of never stopping one’s quest to learn and remain curious.

In a recent post on her Instagram, Ramya shared a brief clip of her practicing Bharatanatyam, stating, “Today’s reel isn’t just a dance rehearsal clip. It’s a small bookmark in my life.”

Reflecting on her journey, she explained, “I learned Bharatanatyam from the age of six for 10 years. But as life, work, and responsibilities took over, everything pushed it to the side. This year, I faced a few signs—a health scare and some heavy choices—reminding me to slow down, sharpen my mind, and take care of the body I’ve been borrowing all these years.”

Recounting her return to dance, Ramya shared, “I walked into this dance class after a gap of nearly 15 years, feeling shy and distant. But something in me unlocked again. It feels different now; I’m learning with a fuller heart, a steadier mind, and a deeper curiosity than I had at age six.”

The actress noted that returning to dance felt like rediscovering herself: “The muscle memory helps me align my movements easily. The joy of learning again with a classmate and friend I reunited with makes it even more special @vijnavasudevan!”

She concluded with an important message: “Our quest to search, learn, and be curious should never stop. When we have a purpose in our existence, each day feels blissful and grateful, and our problems begin to distance themselves from us. Here’s to recycling and repurposing life and goals.”

Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre celebrated Kartik Aaryan’s birthday as he turned a year older on November 22.

Sharing a snapshot of themselves at an event, Sonali took to social media to express her wishes, saying, “Happy Birthday, @kartikaaryan. Wishing you the best, always!” Ananya Panday, fellow actress and co-star, also joined in the celebrations by posting a birthday wish for Kartik. She shared the teaser for their upcoming film titled “Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri.”

In her post, Ananya wrote, “Happy birthday, Ray, from your Rumi. My gift to you and our return gift to everyone. #TuMeriMainTeraMainTeraTuMeri TEASER OUT NOW!” Birthday boy Kartik responded by sharing the teaser as well, expressing gratitude, “Thank you for all the birthday love…yeh raha Ray ka return gift. #TuMeriMainTeraMainTeraTuMeri TEASER OUT NOW! In cinemas THIS CHRISTMAS!”

The film “Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri,” starring Kartik and Ananya, is set to release in cinemas on December 25, 2025. This marks their reunion after working together in the 2019 movie “Pati Patni Aur Woh.”

Earlier in the day, Kartik visited the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai to seek blessings from Lord Ganesha on his special day. Fans were thrilled to see their favorite star and took the opportunity to click selfies with him, making their day unforgettable.

Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu celebrated the birthday of S S Karthikeya, one of the producers of his upcoming film “Varanasi,” expressing his admiration for Karthikeya’s remarkable ability to hold everything together effortlessly.

Birthday Wishes

He shared his sentiments on X, stating, “The silent man behind everything we build… Happy Birthday Karth. Always amazed to see you hold the toughest pieces together with ease… Wishing you a great year onwards and upwards. @ssk1122.”

Title Announcement Success

The title announcement event for “Varanasi,” held last week, was met with resounding success. Previously referred to as “GlobeTrotter,” the film’s title was unveiled at an extravagant gathering in Ramoji Film City, attended by thousands of enthusiastic fans.

This event has been dubbed a once-in-a-generation spectacle, drawing one of the largest live fan congregations seen in the Indian entertainment industry.

Event Highlights

Key features of the event included:

• One of the biggest stages ever constructed for a film unveiling
• A staggering height of 100 feet
• A 130-foot-wide screen enhancing the experience

S S Karthikeya posted a video on X showing eager fans capturing the title teaser on their phones. He reflected, “Tried something new for the first time so that no one who turned up to the event would be disappointed with the view or the traffic, and I hope we pulled it off. As I said, the farther you stood, the better it got! Loved seeing this video. Shot it from almost the very end.”

Character Reveals

In other updates, the makers revealed the character roles and looks of the film’s cast. Mahesh Babu stars as Rudhra, Prithviraj takes on the role of the antagonist Kumbha, and Priyanka Chopra portrays Mandakini.

Hollywood actress Maya Hawke has expressed a strong desire to work on projects that bridge the gap between Hollywood and Bollywood.

A Vision for Collaboration

Opening up about the Indian film industry, the ‘Stranger Things’ actress conveyed her concern over the distance between Hollywood and Bollywood. She believes that collaboration between the two industries could result in exciting opportunities.

In a conversation with IMDb, Hawke noted that working alongside Bollywood stars would be an amazing experience, as she admires their impressive body of work.

She remarked, “The Indian film world is so expansive, incredible, and gorgeous. It’s always sad to me how separate Hollywood and Bollywood are, and that the two don’t integrate more. I would love to do something that brings those two worlds together.” She added, “It would be an incredible experience and I would feel so honoured to work with people who make those films, because they do such gorgeous work.”

Upcoming Projects

On the work front, Hawke is set to appear in the final season of the popular series “Stranger Things,” which features co-stars Caleb McLaughlin, Finn Wolfhard, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, and Natalia Dyer.

Reflecting on his time on the show, Wolfhard shared some of his favourite moments, highlighting how The Duffer brothers (Matt and Ross) played 80s music to maintain the era’s vibe on set. He recalled, “Duffer Brothers would play scores from other movies sometimes. There were a lot of scores, including Spielberg scores, a lot of different Carpenter scores.”

Co-star McLaughlin chimed in, stating, “They would play Snowball, Time After Time, and The Police as well. That’s what made the show. It’s what brings out the nostalgia. Without the music, people wouldn’t talk about the nostalgia or it being a topic.”

Wolfhard reinforced the importance of music, saying, “Music is a huge part of the show. The intro and title music brought everyone in.”

Actress Utkarsha Naik has joined the cast of Itti Si Khushi as Madhavi Bhosle and expressed an immediate connection upon reading the character brief.

Character Overview

Utkarsha’s portrayal of Madhavi Bhosle reveals a poised, disciplined, and deeply traditional school teacher. She embodies quiet strength that has significantly shaped her son’s life. As a single mother, Madhavi is rooted in values and approaches life with heartfelt sincerity. Her character brings depth and charm to the narrative of the show.

Utkarsha’s Thoughts on the Role

Sharing her excitement about joining the show, Utkarsha remarked, “I am delighted to be part of Itti Si Khushi, a show that beautifully captures emotions and relationships. The moment I read the character brief, I felt an instant connection.”

She elaborated, “Madhavi is someone rooted in values yet unintentionally humorous in the most endearing ways. She’s disciplined, traditional, and emotionally layered. What drew me in was the sincerity with which she loves her son.”

Representation in Character

“There is a quiet strength in her, the kind that isn’t loud but is deeply felt. I believe audiences will not only enjoy her presence but will also see shades of their own mothers, aunts, or teachers in her.”

Show’s Overview

The series follows the journey of Anvita, played by Sumbul Touqeer Khan, a young girl dedicated to holding her family together through various challenges, including her father Suhas’s battle with addiction, portrayed by Varun Badola, and her own complicated love story involving Virat and her childhood friend, Sanjay Bhosle.

Air Time

“Itti Si Khushi” airs on Sony SAB.

About Utkarsha Naik

Utkarsha is well-known for her roles in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon (2011), Market (2002), and Aahat (1995). She gained recognition for her role as Manorama in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon, famously associated with her catchphrase “Hello, Hi, Bye-Bye.”

Punjabi singer, songwriter, and performer Sukhbir is gearing up for an exciting performance in Udaipur, sharing the stage with global icons like Jennifer Lopez and Tiesto. He describes it as a tremendous honour to be part of a “magnificent celebration” alongside “legendary global artists.”

### A Grand Celebration

Sukhbir, who will perform at the extravagant wedding of US millionaires, expressed, “It’s an honour to bring my music to such a magnificent celebration, especially alongside legendary global artists. Udaipur’s royal charm makes this event even more special.”

The upcoming celebration promises electrifying performances from Jennifer Lopez and world-renowned DJ Tiesto, creating an exceptional blend of international talent on one stage. Lopez is slated to treat guests to a special performance at Manek Chowk this Saturday.

### Wedding of Netra Mantena and Vamsi Gadiraju

The festivities centre around the wedding of Netra Mantena (Elizabeth), the daughter of American billionaire Rama Raju Mantena, and her groom, Vamsi Gadiraju, who was born in the US. The events will unfold from November 22 to November 24 across Udaipur’s luxurious heritage venues.

Several high-profile guests are expected to attend, including Donald Trump Jr., who arrived in Udaipur on Friday ahead of the wedding celebrations set for November 23 at the iconic Jagmandir Island Palace. This marks Trump Jr.’s first visit to the city. He landed at Dabok Airport with his girlfriend, briefly greeting the large crowd that gathered to welcome him. He initially stepped out to wave at onlookers but retreated inside due to the overwhelming crowd near his vehicle.

### Pre-Wedding Festivities

The pre-wedding celebrations have already turned the city into a cultural extravaganza. A vibrant Haldi ceremony took place at the Taj Lake Palace, where family members and guests danced to traditional tunes. Later, Bollywood glamour illuminated the City Palace, featuring performances by stars like Ranveer Singh, Madhuri Dixit, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Kriti Sanon.

The main venue, Jagmandir Island Palace on Lake Pichola, has been lavishly adorned for this royal affair.

Actor Rohit Roy has recently showcased his singing talent with a heartfelt rendition of one of his favorite Kishore Kumar songs, “Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar Jaate Jo Makam” from the classic film “Aap Ki Kasam” featuring Rajesh Khanna.

Showcasing His Talent

After wrapping up his shoot, Rohit connected with his inner artist and delivered this melodious number in his impressive voice.

He shared his thoughts on Instagram, stating, “Post pack up with nothing to do, I did the thing that makes me HAPPY! Couldn’t hack it with the music so just went for it (Beaming Face with Smiling Eyes emoji). Karaoke tracks are faster sometimes and they take away from the feel of the song (Grinning face with sweat emojis).”

Rohit added, “PS: One of my all-time fave Kishore da tracks! Melodious and meaningful… watch till the end (Smiling face emoji).”

Praise from Peers

Rohit’s candid performance caught the attention of his peers. Singer and actor Neil Nitin Mukesh commented, “One of my favourites,” along with two red heart emojis. Actress Sandhya Mridul encouraged him, stating, “Been a while since I heard you sing. Don’t stop, Ro, you still got it!”

A Fabulous Getaway

Earlier this month, Rohit also ventured on a solo trip to Australia, describing it as ‘fabulous.’ He shared snapshots from his enjoyable vacation on his official Instagram, where he looked stylish in all-black attire paired with trendy sneakers and holding a leather jacket.

Reflecting on his experience in Australia, Rohit wrote, “Last few snapshots from probably the best solo trip ever!!! I’m in love with Australia … I wish I could find something to critique but everything has been fabulous. And considering I’m the fussy type, I should find at least ONE thing to complain about! (Grinning Face With Sweat Emoji) But nothing! (sic)”

He expressed his appreciation for the destination, stating, “The food, the people, the warmth, the topography et al… TOPNOTCH! And I saved the best for last! @stillwatertasmania !!! The food is insane as is the location of the hotel! Crazy good! #seeaustralia @australia.”