Category: Entertainment

The makers of renowned director S. S. Rajamouli’s highly anticipated film have announced the title as ‘Varanasi,’ featuring Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu in the lead role. Mahesh Babu will portray a character named Rudhra.

To further excite fans and film enthusiasts, the team released a captivating title teaser for the film. The clip indicates a narrative that traverses different time periods and regions, incorporating a devotional theme.

During the announcement event, S. S. Rajamouli expressed his thoughts, saying, “I had this habit of keeping a press meet and announcing the story of some of my films. However, for this film, we realized that mere words wouldn’t do justice to the scale and scope of this project. Therefore, we decided to create an announcement video instead. Without uttering a word, we wanted to convey the grandeur of this film. Though the release got delayed, we are excited to share it now.”

Despite facing some technical challenges, the team successfully launched the mesmerizing title teaser.

Rajamouli also praised veteran actor Krishna, Mahesh Babu’s father, for introducing multiple technologies to Indian cinema. “When I was young, I didn’t recognize Krishna garu’s greatness before entering the film industry. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate his contributions. To introduce new technology, one needs to forge new paths, and he has done just that.”

He proudly mentioned that this film will showcase a groundbreaking technology called Premium Large Scale Format Filmed For IMAX.

The title ‘Varanasi,’ previously known as ‘GlobeTrotter,’ was unveiled at a spectacular event held at Ramoji Film City, attended by thousands of enthusiastic fans. This gathering is being celebrated as a once-in-a-generation spectacle, marking one of the largest live fan congregations in Indian entertainment history.

The event featured one of the most impressive stages ever constructed for a film launch, standing 100 feet tall with a 130-foot wide screen accompanying it. Among the highlights of the evening was a dance performance by Shruti Haasan.

Additionally, the makers have introduced the characters and looks of Prithviraj and Priyanka Chopra. Prithviraj will take on the role of the antagonist Kumbha, while Priyanka Chopra is set to portray Mandakini in the film.

Audiences have been eagerly counting down since the announcement of the grand event, Globe Trotter, which aimed to showcase India’s biggest reveal yet.

The event kicked off spectacularly at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, where the title of S.S. Rajamouli’s much-anticipated project was unveiled—‘Varanasi’, featuring Mahesh Babu.

A massive 130 ft x 100 ft screen showcased the teaser, heightening excitement among the fans. Following the title reveal, another major announcement was made: the film is set for a Sankranti 2027 release.

The excitement peaked when Prithviraj Sukumaran’s intense first look as Kumbha and Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s strong portrayal of Mandakini were unveiled.

S.S. Rajamouli, the visionary filmmaker behind the project, drew a turnout of over 50,000 fans in Hyderabad, bolstered by superstar Mahesh Babu’s unmatched fanbase.

On November 13, the movie’s poster featuring Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini was unveiled via social media by Rajamouli. He welcomed the global icon to the Varanasi team, saying, “The woman who redefined Indian cinema on the global stage. Welcome back, Desi Girl! @priyankachopra Can’t wait for the world to witness your myriad shades of MANDAKINI.”

Priyanka also shared the poster on her social media with the caption, “She’s more than what meets the eye… Say hello to Mandakini. #GlobeTrotter.”

Rajamouli also released the poster featuring South star Prithviraj, expressing his admiration: “After canning the first shot with Prithvi, I walked up to him and said, ‘You are one of the finest actors I’ve ever known. Bringing life to this sinister, ruthless, powerful antagonist KUMBHA was creatively very satisfying. Thank you @therealprithvi for slipping into his chair… literally… #GlobeTrotter.”

Television star Tejasswi Prakash recently appeared on comeddigihunt Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbaachiya’s podcast show.

Facing Sleepless Nights

During the conversation, the actress opened up about her ongoing struggle with sleepless nights. Haarsh, attempting to lift her spirits, remarked, “It’s not like that. If you sleep early, you’ll get sleep early. You don’t get sleep after a certain time.” Tejasswi responded candidly, “No, I don’t get sleep anyhow. I just lie down. I don’t have a mobile or TV in hand or for distraction. I just lie down and keep looking at the fan for hours.”

The Frustration of Insomnia

Tejasswi continued, expressing her frustration: “Literally, it’s so frustrating. You know, hours go by, and sometimes you see the sunrise through the curtains. And you don’t get sleep for a single night. Seriously, there are so many nights in a week that I don’t sleep at all. Not even for a minute. Also, because I live in a row house, and I am on the ground level, sometimes I hear the sound of birds early in the morning. I can hear it, and then I know that it is morning now.” Haarsh then inquired about how she manages to function the next day without any sleep.

Coping with Sleep Deprivation

Tejasswi explained, “This has been happening for the last year, I think. In the beginning, there was a lot of irritation over ‘why didn’t I sleep?’ I used to be so tired that ideally I should have crashed to bed instantly, but no, I was wide awake. That would make my day go bad and make me even more cranky.” She added, “But after a while, I realised that ‘even though I didn’t sleep the last night, why should I waste the next day?’ So now I wake up and say, ‘That it’s okay, I didn’t sleep, and it’s fine.’”

Struggling with Limited Sleep

Tejasswi shared that on the day of the podcast shoot, she had only slept from 6 AM to 11 AM. Haarsh was taken aback and asked how she managed with just five hours of sleep. She replied, “I just can’t sleep!”

Career Highlights

For those less familiar, Tejasswi Prakash has been in the entertainment industry for over a decade. She gained fame with her show Swaragini and her participation in Bigg Boss season 15. The actress also starred as the main lead in Ekta Kapoor’s Naagin. Currently, she is featured in the entertaining show Laughter Chefs and recently ventured into entrepreneurship.

Bollywood star couple Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa have welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on November 15.

Since the announcement, their friends and well-wishers in the Bollywood industry have taken to social media to congratulate the couple.

Celebrities Extend Their Wishes

Bollywood star Sonali Bendre expressed her joy by sharing the announcement post. She wrote, “A lovely day made even lovelier with her arrival. Congratulations @rajkummar_rao and @patralekhaa. Wishing your little family all the joy ahead.”

Filmmaker Karan Johar also congratulated the new parents, saying, “Huge congratulations to both of you… all the love and blessings… @patralekhaa @rajkummar_rao.”

Heartfelt Messages from Friends

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra, who themselves welcomed a baby girl a few months ago, shared their blessings. Kiara wrote, “Congratulations and God’s blessings on your precious baby girl. The best chapter has begun!”

Sidharth chimed in with, “So happy for you both! This new chapter is going to be pure magic.”

Farah Khan joined the celebrations, sharing sneak peeks from the baby shower. She advised the couple to relish this beautiful phase of their lives and stated, “The baby is here!! Congratulations @patralekhaa and @rajkummar_rao… enjoy this beautiful phase of life, and remember, for any baby advice… main hoon na.” She humorously added, “P.S.- @iamhumaq luckily we just about did the baby shower in time.”

A Special Day to Remember

Rajkummar and Patralekhaa welcomed their first child on their fourth wedding anniversary. The couple announced their excitement in a joint Instagram post that read, “We are over the moon. God has blessed us with a baby girl. Blessed parents, Patralekhaa and Rajkummar.” The post concluded with, “The greatest blessing God has given us on our 4th wedding anniversary.”

Kamya Punjabi on Upcoming Project Discusses Menopause: ‘Being a Part of ‘Me No Pause Me Play’ is a Responsibility’

With an objective to shatter stereotypes and spark crucial conversations, the trailer of Kamya Punjabi’s film ‘Me No Pause Me Play,’ directed by Samar K. Mukherjee and written and produced by author Manoj Kumar Sharma, has gone viral on social media. This film is billed as India’s first mainstream feature focusing on menopause and boasts a powerful ensemble cast that includes Kamya Punjabi, Deepshikha Nagpal, Sudha Chandran, Manoj Kumar Sharma, Amiee Misobbah, Karan Chhabra, and Aman Verma.

In a recent statement, Kamya Punjabi addressed the importance of breaking the taboo surrounding menopause and enhancing societal acceptance of the subject. She remarked, “When I heard the story, it felt like someone had finally put words to emotions many women silently carry. Being a part of Me No Pause Me Play is not just another role for me—it’s a responsibility. Menopause is spoken about far too little, and this film finally gives it the voice it deserves. If our work encourages even one woman to speak her truth, it’s worth it.”

Heart of the Film

At its core, Me No Pause Me Play is a cinematic celebration of strength, self-discovery, and transformation. The storyline challenges long-standing taboos around womanhood and aging, aiming to initiate a vital discussion within Indian society. In the trailer, Kamya Punjabi leaves a strong impression with her confident screen presence and emotional depth. Known for her bold portrayals, she embodies resilience and empowerment in a role that resonates with authenticity and grace.

Manoj Kumar Sharma, who steps in as both actor and producer, delivers a performance marked by understated strength, providing the emotional backbone of the narrative. Together, the team showcases powerful moments that linger with audiences long after the trailer concludes. Director Samar K. Mukherjee’s vision is evident, emphasizing that this film transcends mere themes of aging or transition; it is also about rebirth. The trailer skillfully conveys that life is a continuous evolution.

Filmmaker Insights

Samar K. Mukherjee shared his vision for the film, stating, “As a filmmaker, I wanted to tell a story that not only moves people but also opens their eyes. Me No Pause Me Play is about transformation — it’s about rediscovering joy, identity, and purpose. Women don’t pause; they reinvent themselves, and that’s the essence of this film.”

Adding to the discussion, filmmaker and actor Manoj Kumar Sharma noted, “This film is a tribute to every woman who embraces change with courage. We wanted to break the silence around menopause and celebrate it as a new beginning, not an end.”

Me No Pause Me Play, featuring Kamya Punjabi alongside Deepshikha Nagpal and Sudha Chandran—who portray strong, mature women— is set to release on November 28, 2025.

Filmmakers Aarti Kadav, Rohan Kanawade, Kanu Behl, Alankrita Shrivastava, and Nidhi Saxena recently engaged in an insightful discussion at the Yellowstone International Film Festival in Mumbai.

Insightful Conversations on Cinema

During the session, moderated by filmmaker and screenwriter Hardik Mehta, the panelists shared their experiences and the inspirations behind creating cinema that resonates with contemporary audiences.

Arati Kadav, known for her work in Cargo and Mrs, discussed the complexities involved in casting decisions. She remarked, “Finding Sanya Malhotra’s husband in Mrs was the toughest. That one choice shapes how the entire story breathes.” She expressed her views on the industry’s tendency to prioritize star power, stating, “The producers were keen to have a star. In my mind, a star was the last thing that the film needed. I actually met an actor’s son and convinced him not to do it, saying it will be negative for him to start his career with a role like that… It took a lot of convincing to cast Nishant Dahiya.”

The filmmakers explored the pressures of crafting emotional depth in a market flooded with content, as well as the balance between personal vulnerability and audience expectations.

Creative Momentum and Masterclasses

Adding to the festival’s dynamic atmosphere, a special acting workshop was conducted by celebrated acting coach Anne Moore from Grey’s Anatomy. Participants were guided through the Stanford Meisner Technique, making the interactive masterclass a standout experience for aspiring performers seeking professional insights.

For those unfamiliar, Mrs, featuring Sanya Malhotra, premiered on February 7, 2025, on an OTT platform. The film is a remake of the acclaimed Malayalam hit The Great Indian Kitchen, released in 2021.

The narrative follows Richa, portrayed by Sanya Malhotra, a newlywed dancer who enters a rigidly patriarchal household. As she navigates her domestic duties, she gradually confronts the challenges of invisible labor expected of her, ultimately challenging the prevailing patriarchal norms in society.

Filmmaker Karan Johar has sent heartfelt congratulations to new parents Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa as they welcomed their first child, a baby girl.

Wishing the couple, KJo shared his love and blessings on Instagram Stories, writing, “Huge congratulations to both of you…all the love and blessings…@patralekhaa @rajkummar_rao. (sic).”

Since the announcement of their baby girl, an outpouring of well-wishes has flooded in for the proud parents.

Well-Wishers from Bollywood

Bollywood couple Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra, who recently became parents themselves, also extended their heartfelt blessings. Kiara took to her Insta Stories, saying, “Congratulations and Gods blessings on your precious baby girl. The best chapter has begun!”

Sidharth joined in the celebration, expressing, “So happy for you both! This new chapter is going to be pure magic (sic).”

Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan added her wishes too, sharing sneak peeks from the baby shower on social media. She encouraged them to enjoy this special time in their lives, captioning her post, “The Baby is here!! Congratulations @patralekhaa n @rajkummar_rao .. enjoy this beautiful phase of life (sparkling heart emojis) n remember for any baby advice.. main hoon na.. (winking face with tongue emoji) (sic).”

She humorously added, “p.s.- @iamhumaq luckily we just about did the baby shower in time (face with tears of joy emoji).”

Celebrating a Milestone

Rajkummar and Patralekhaa celebrated the arrival of their first child on their fourth wedding anniversary. Sharing their joy on social media, the couple announced the news in a joint Instagram post that read, “We are over the moon. God has blessed us with a baby girl. Blessed parents, Patralekhaa and Rajkummar.” The post continued, “The greatest blessing God has given us on our 4th wedding anniversary.”

Earlier in July, they had announced their pregnancy with an adorable drawing of a cradle and the words “Baby on the way,” signed with their names.

Singer-songwriter Justin Bieber is currently facing significant challenges due to a recent injury that has left him in excruciating pain while singing.

The 31-year-old star injured his hip after falling off his one-wheel, a self-balancing electric skateboard that requires users to lean forward and backward for movement, as reported by Female First UK.

During a Twitch livestream with friends, the ‘Let Me Love You’ hitmaker shared, “My rib hurts so f** bad, bro, you saw it happen, right? That s bro is hurting me bad, bro, I’m trying to play it cool, bro, this s is f** with me. Chad, I f** fell on my side on that one-wheel and landed on my (hip), so even singing, laughing, everything hurts.”

In the same Twitch session, the two-time Grammy Award winner revealed his reluctance to tour extensively. He expressed his concern about leaving behind his 28-year-old wife, Hailey Bieber, and their 15-month-old son, Jack Blues. “Touring takes so much out of you, and I’ve done it since I was a kid. Even the idea of touring sounds super daunting. I always start out really loving it and then it gets to a point where I am super burnt out,” he explained.

Despite these challenges, Bieber is interested in selecting locations where he can perform two-night engagements. The star, who is set to headline the Coachella music and arts festival in 2026, stated, “I really wanna do a spot-date where I pick a city and do a couple of shows and not commit to a whole two years.”

Meanwhile, Hailey recently shared insights into their parenting approach regarding Jack Blues. She emphasized their commitment to being “very protective” of their son, an approach she feels “really comfortable” with. The model admitted she wasn’t fully prepared for the challenges of motherhood but noted, “We’re just taking it a day at a time. We both feel very protective of our son and I don’t think that’s ever going to change, but our life is our life, and it is really public, so I think we’re just going to cross every bridge that we need to when we get there.”

Hailey added, “But as of right now, I feel really comfortable about the way we are sharing things and not sharing things.”

Tollywood sensation Mahesh Babu paid tribute to his late father, legendary actor Krishna, on the 3rd anniversary of his passing.

He shared a heartfelt post on his official Instagram, featuring a photo of Krishna alongside a younger version of himself from a film set. Mahesh Babu expressed his emotions with the words, “Thinking of you a little more today…and knowing you’d be proud nanna (sic).”

His wife, Namrata Shirodkar, also commemorated the moment on Instagram, stating, “Honouring his spirit today… a life lived with dignity, goodness, and so much heart. Forever remembered with love and gratitude.”

Their daughter, Sitara, shared an old photo with her grandfather, captioning it, “Missing my Thathagaru as always… His love, his blessings, and his quiet strength continue to guide us in everything we do. I know he’s always watching over us… (white heart emoji).”

Krishna, revered for his contributions to Telugu cinema as an actor, director, and producer, passed away on November 15, 2022, at the age of 79.

On this anniversary, the team behind Mahesh Babu and SS Rajamouli’s upcoming project, Globetrotter, is set to host a significant event at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad.

An independent industry source shared insights about the event, stating, “The Grand Globetrotter Event on November 15 is shaping into a cultural moment in itself. The scale being planned is unlike anything the industry has attempted; we are looking at over 50,000+ fans gathering under one roof. It will be the biggest ever stage and screen in films across the world, with a 100 ft height and a 130 ft wide screen.”

The source further mentioned, “With Prithviraj’s powerful first look as Kumbha setting the internet ablaze and excitement rising by the hour, the event is now gearing up for a movie announcement that the country is looking forward to. The magnitude, energy, and build-up are unprecedented, turning this into one of the biggest events ever mounted in Indian entertainment.”

The grand event for SS Rajamouli’s Globetrotter is anticipated to feature notable personalities including Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran.

Sanjay Dutt’s sister Priya Dutt recently commemorated the memory of her late mother, veteran actress Nargis Dutt, through an emotional post on social media.

Reflecting on her mother’s profound compassion, Priya expressed how it shaped her own life’s purpose. She mentioned that Nargis’ deep love for children inspired her dedication to nurturing young minds through the Nargis Dutt Foundation. Sharing a cherished family photograph, Priya emphasized its special significance. The black and white image captures Nargis surrounded by her nieces and nephews, showcasing her role as the center of their world.

In her caption, Priya wrote, “I’ve always believed that every child deserves love, encouragement and a chance to grow into their best self. My mom’s love for children and her compassion inspired me to dedicate my life to seeing potential in every child and nurturing young minds through education with @nargisduttfoundation.”

She also wished a Happy Children’s Day, adding, “This picture holds a very special place in my heart. Happy Children’s Day to all the amazing little stars out there! #HappyChildrensDay.”

Priya frequently shares treasured memories of her parents on social media. On Parents’ Day, she honored the legacy of her late parents, legendary actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis, reflecting on the greatest gift they bestowed upon her: a life rooted in purpose and love.

Her heartfelt post stated, “Children are a reflection of their parents. I watched my parents stand for what mattered. They showed me what it means to serve with sincerity, to lead with heart, and to give without needing recognition. They were my strength, my soft place to land, and the reason I believe in the goodness of people. Their actions and their values became my path to follow.”

Priya continued, “This Parents’ Day, I celebrate the greatest gift they gave me, a life rooted in purpose and love. Today as a parent, I have their blueprint to follow to pass on this legacy to my children. To all parents out there, #HappyParentsDay.”

Nargis Dutt is remembered as an acclaimed Indian actress and politician, leaving a lasting impact on Hindi cinema. She is regarded as one of the greatest actresses in the history of Indian film.