Category: Entertainment

Actor Sanjay Dutt’s elder daughter, Trishala Dutt, recently shared a cryptic note on social media that reflects on the use of silent treatment as a form of emotional manipulation in relationships.

The Impact of Silent Treatment

Trishala, who is a psychotherapist based in the United States, highlighted that some individuals opt for punishment rather than communicating their feelings. This approach often targets those who have boundaries or differing perspectives. She expressed, “They are silently ‘teaching’ you that your voice is dangerous, and that speaking up will clearly cost you connection with them.”

Emphasizing the importance of healthy interactions, Trishala stated that being treated this way in a relationship is unacceptable, asserting, “Silence used as punishment is abuse.” She encouraged anyone facing such situations to reject this form of mistreatment and focus on preserving their peace.

Healing Through Communication

According to Trishala, genuine relationships should foster healing through open dialogue instead of teaching lessons through pain. She suggested that adopting “healthy silence” could be beneficial, but stressed the need for clarity during this cooling-off period. She advised, “I need a few hours to collect myself so I don’t say something hurtful.” This cooling-off should be followed by a return to healthy communication about underlying issues.

Trishala concluded her message by stating, “Silence that protects your nervous system is self-respect. Silence that punishes someone else is power play.”

While her message was not directed at anyone in particular, speculation often arises regarding whether it might pertain to her father and family.

For context, Trishala is the daughter of Sanjay Dutt from his first marriage to the late Richa Sharma, who passed away in 1996 due to a brain tumor. Sanjay Dutt later married actress Maanayata Dutt in 2008, and the couple welcomed twins – a son named Shahraan and a daughter named Iqra – in 2010. Unlike her younger siblings, Trishala has chosen to maintain a low profile and stay away from the media spotlight.

Actor Vivaan Shah, known for his latest film “Ikkis,” revealed that he had to “consciously work on looking more mature” for his role in this war drama featuring Agastya Nanda and the late star Dharmendra.

Transformation for the Role

Speaking about his transformation, Vivaan stated, “For this role, I had to consciously work on looking more mature. Interestingly, just before Ikkis, I was shooting for another project where I had to appear much younger than my actual age.”

However, the shift was significant when “Ikkis” came his way last August. “I had to do the complete opposite—build myself up and look more muscular,” he added.

Training Regimen

The actor, son of acclaimed star Naseeruddin Shah, shared that his first step was to start lifting weights. “I hadn’t touched weights for almost a year, so I shifted to an entirely different workout regime focused on strength training, aiming for a slightly more military-style physique,” he explained.

Vivaan acknowledged that such a transformation takes years to perfect but credited the film’s physical training schedule for aiding him immensely. “The training we did in Ahmednagar made a huge difference. We went through a basic boot camp with drills and PT, which helped immensely,” he noted.

Challenging Shoot Experience

He also spoke about the demanding nature of the shoot, emphasizing that handling tanks and performing physically challenging scenes contributed depth to his performance. “The tank training was especially memorable—we even got to drive the tanks ourselves,” he concluded.

About “Ikkis”

“Ikkis” is directed by Sriram Raghavan and features Jaideep Ahlawat and Simar Bhatia. The film is based on the life of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra award, and is centered around the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. The title refers to the age at which Arun Khetarpal attained martyrdom.

The second schedule of director Vetrimaaran’s highly anticipated action entertainer ‘Arasan’, featuring actor Silambarasan, also known as Simbu, is now in full swing and progressing smoothly.

Producer Kalaipuli S Thanu, from V Creations, confirmed this exciting development during his speech at the audio launch of ‘Moonwalk’. He highlighted that Simbu has been punctual on set, further underscoring the film’s professionalism.

Sources close to the production team have indicated that the second schedule is taking place in Chennai, with plans to shoot at various locations around the city. They anticipate that the shooting pace will ramp up starting from January 20.

The first schedule was successfully wrapped up in Kovilpatti on December 21. A source had previously mentioned that the next schedule would likely commence in the first week of January.

Anticipation for ‘Arasan’ is building for several reasons. This marks the first collaboration between Simbu and the renowned director Vetrimaaran. Additionally, it is produced by acclaimed producer Kalaipuli S Thanu, which adds to the excitement, especially after the announcement that Vijay Sethupathi is also on board for the project.

A promo for the film released last year begins on a light-hearted note featuring director Nelson. In the clip, Simbu shares with Nelson that what he is about to reveal is all true—the criminals, victims, names, and locations are all real. However, he requests Nelson to include a disclaimer, stating that many cases are still under trial. He expresses concern that if his revelations come to light, not just “innocents” like himself but also lawyers, politicdigihunt, police officers, and judges could face repercussions.

As Simbu makes this statement, the makers of ‘Arasan’ provide a disclaimer, reinforcing the film’s creative intent. Simbu emphasizes that by including this disclaimer, even if the incidents are based on true events, no one can question their portrayal.

In the promo, as he heads to court, Simbu’s lawyer coaches him. When he takes the stand, the judge informs him that he is charged with three murders committed in one night, to which Simbu maintains his innocence. However, the subsequent scenes suggest that he was indeed responsible for the gruesome acts.

The promo hints at an untold story from the world of ‘Vada Chennai’. Recently, the makers announced the film’s title as ‘Arasan’.

Alongside Simbu, Vetrimaaran’s film will feature prominent actors including Andrea Jeremiah, Vijay Sethupathi, Samuthirakani, and Kishore. Music for the project is being composed by Anirudh.

It’s important to note that Vetrimaaran recently addressed speculations regarding a sequel to his much-awaited film ‘Vada Chennai’. He clarified that while ‘Arasan’ features Simbu, it is not ‘Vada Chennai 2,’ although the story will be set within the same universe.

Actress and fitness icon Shilpa Shetty kicked off the week with a dedication to her fitness regime by engaging in mobility exercises.

Shilpa shared a video on her official Instagram handle that showcased her gym session, where she was focused on challenging floor exercises aimed at improving her mobility. The ‘Dhadkan’ actress emphasized that maintaining high mobility daily is crucial for enhancing life quality. It alleviates stiffness, boosts flexibility, and promotes healthy joints.

Encouraging her Instagram family to take on the challenge, Shilpa wrote in her caption, “Hip hip… no hooray…But mobility is so important for daily movement and quality of life. It helps reduce stiffness, improves flexibility and keeps the joints happy. So if you can get through this, you are already winning! Go give it a shot, while I complete my challenge (sic).”

Shilpa frequently inspires fitness enthusiasts by sharing snippets of her rigorous workout sessions online.

Like her sister, actress Shamita Shetty is also dedicated to a strict fitness regime and a clean diet. She recently posted a video on her Instagram, showcasing exercises aimed at improving her flexibility. The ‘Mohabbatein’ actress demonstrated an impressive range of motion while bending forward with her hands locked.

Shamita captioned her post, “Flexibility in motion. Mobility in control,” accompanied by red heart and evil eye emojis.

As the year draws to a close, Shilpa took a moment to reflect on cherished memories from 2025, expressing gratitude for everything it offered. She shared that she would carry the lessons learned into the new year.

With big dreams for 2026, the ‘Sukhee’ actress wrote on her Instagram, “A few moments that never made it to the gram…Ending the year warm, happy and grateful for all I received, achieved and learned from the highs & lows. Here’s to making every moment count and stepping into the next chapter. Manifesting big, positive dreams. See you, 2026. (sic)”

Bollywood actor-filmmaker Kunal Kemmu’s family comedy series “Single Papa” has officially been renewed for a second season.

Long-Form Family Story

Shashank Khaitan, the Executive Producer of the series, expressed that “Single Papa” was always envisioned as a long-form, family-first narrative designed to evolve with its characters.

Khaitan stated, “Seeing audiences connect so deeply with baby Amul, Gaurav and the Gehlots only reinforces our belief that their story was never meant to end with a single chapter. Our partnership with Netflix has been integral to building this world with honesty and heart. The Gehlots’ journey is far from over, and Season 2 allows us to explore their relationships, challenges, and joys with even greater depth and warmth.”

Star-Studded Cast

The show features a talented cast including:

• Prajakta Koli
• Manoj Pahwa
• Ayesha Raza
• Neha Dhupia
• Suhail Nayyar
• Dayanand Shetty
• Aisha Ahmed
• Dhruv Rathee
• Isha Talwar

Plot Overview

“Single Papa” centers around Gaurav Gehlot, a lovable man-child whose emotional maturity can be described as a “work in progress.”

His unexpected decision to adopt a baby immediately following his divorce leaves his family in shock, prompting them to briefly contemplate rebooting him. The series showcases the chaos as the Gehlots try to comprehend how a man who frequently misplaces his socks intends to raise a child.

Viewer Engagement

Tanya Bami, Series Head of Netflix India, shared, “We’ve been so touched by the love Single Papa has received. Seeing people laugh, feel, and open up to the conversations the show has sparked around parenting, adoption, and love, has meant everything to us. The fact that it’s been trending globally for two weeks since its release, and became No. 1 in India so quickly, reminds us why we tell these stories – because honest, simple emotions still connect deeply.”

Production Team

Created and co-produced by Ishita Moitra and Neeraj Udhwani, with Shashank Khaitan serving as the executive producer alongside directors Hitesh Kewalya and Neeraj Udhwani, the series is produced by Aditya Pittie and Samar Khan under the Juggernaut Productions banner.

“Single Papa Season 2” will be available on Netflix.

The makers of director Mohan G Kshatriyan’s highly anticipated historical film ‘Draupathi 2’ have announced that they have selected an alternative singer to perform the song ‘Emkoney’. Originally sung by Chinmayi, her version will not be included in the theatrical release.

Director and Producer’s Statements

In a conversation with the media, director Mohan G Kshatriyan and producer Chola Shakkaravarthi confirmed the decision. “The song will appear in this other person’s voice in the film,” producer Chola Shakkaravarthi stated.

Chinmayi had previously issued an apology on social media after the song’s release, expressing regret for her involvement. She mentioned, “At the outset, my heartfelt apologies for ‘Emkoney’. Ghibran is a composer I have known for 18 years since my jingle-singing days. When his office called for this song, I just went and sang as I usually do. If I remember right, Ghibran wasn’t present during this session – I was given an idea on how to sound tonally for the song; I finished the recording and left. It is only now that I have learned about the context. If I had known beforehand, I would never have collaborated because the ideologies are at complete contradiction to mine. This is the absolute truth.”

Complaints Filed

Director Mohan G Kshatriyan mentioned, “I had given time until last week in the hope that she would react. I have lodged a complaint with the director’s union, and the producer has lodged a complaint with the producers’ council. We have complained that without any cause, she has defamed our film in public. Both complaints have gone to FEFSI. The process takes time. We have chosen an alternate voice for her.”

Fan Expectations and Story Inspiration

The film has generated significant anticipation among fans and film enthusiasts. Mohan G Kshatriyan revealed that the inspiration for the screenplay came from a small book titled Moondram Vallalla Maharaja by historian Annal Kandar. “The prime historical events shown in the film are all based on facts. However, we have used cinematic liberties while developing characters. It took me almost a year to complete the script, as I had to meet a lot of people to learn about this subject. The third Veera Vallalalar ruled with Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu as his capital,” he explained.

Recently, the makers unveiled the poster featuring actor Chirag Jani as Mohammad Bin Tughlaq, which delighted fans. In his post on X, director Mohan G Kshatriyan stated, “Terror Wears A Crown. Unveiling the Delhi Sultanate #MohdBinThugluq…@JaniChiragjani nailed it. Roaring as First-Level Antagonist.”

Film Details

‘Draupathi 2’ is a grand multilingual period film set in 14th-century South India. The film has recently completed post-production and received a ‘U/A’ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for release.

Insiders suggest that the film will feature three powerful villains, with Chirag Jani as the primary antagonist.

The cast includes Richard Rishi in the lead role, Rakshana Indusudan as the female lead, and Natti Natraj in a pivotal part. The ensemble also features Y G Mahendran, Nadodigal Barani, Saravana Subbiah, Vel Ramamoorthy, Siraj Johnny, Dinesh Lamba, Ganesh Gaurang, Divi, Devayani Sharma, and Arunodayan.

Produced by Chola Shakkaravarthi under Netaji Productions in collaboration with G.M. Film Corporation, the film’s cinematography is handled by Philip R. Sundar, music by Ghibran Vaibodha, action choreography by Action Santosh, choreography by Thanika Tony, editing by Devaraj, and production design by Kamalnathan. Dialogues for the film have been penned by Padma Chandrasekhar and Mohan G.

Actress Neha Dhupia is starting 2026 on a positive and mindful note, expressing that she feels “renewed, recharged and ready” for the year ahead.

On Instagram, Neha shared a series of images from her beach holiday with husband Angad Bedi, their children, and family friends. The photos showcase not just beautiful moments but also the delightful food she enjoyed during the getaway.

In a fresh picture, she accompanied her post with a thoughtful caption that encapsulated her current mindset. “Refreshed… renewed… recharged… n ready for you #2026,” she wrote, adding the hashtag #BeKind.

Before embarking on her New Year holiday, Neha posted on December 28 about returning to the stage after nearly eight years. This marks her return to dancing for the first time since becoming a mother of two.

She shared, “One off the checklist in #2025 after almost 8 long years … danced my heart out, performed on stage, back to the naach gaana with my favourite set of dancers … first time after becoming a mama twice …. Uff the joys and perks of being in the entertainment industry … just when you think it’s all over, that’s when that phone rings all over again!!!”

On the work front, Neha was recently seen in the Netflix series ‘Single Papa,’ which also features Manoj Pahwa, Kunal Kemmu, Dayanand Shetty, Prajakta Koli, Neha Dhupia, and Ayesha Raza Mishra. The show follows Gaurav Gehlot, a lovable man-child whose emotional age is still a “work in progress.” His abrupt decision to adopt a baby post-divorce shocks his family into considering whether they need to “reboot” him. What ensues is an unprecedented chaos as the Gehlots try to comprehend how a man who misplaces his socks plans to raise a child.

Additionally, Neha appeared in the show ‘The Perfect Family,’ which tackles the mental health stigma prevalent in nearly every Indian household. The series has been praised for its sensitive storytelling and powerful performances. ‘The Perfect Family’ also stars Gulshan Devaiah, Seema Pahwa, Manoj Pahwa, Neha Dhupia, and Girija Oak, produced by Pankaj Tripathi and Ajay Rai, and directed by Sachin Pathak.

Actress Chitrangda Singh has shared her insights on the critical conversation about regulated shift timings on film sets. While actors generally receive ample care, she emphasizes the urgency of addressing the needs of crew members, who are the backbone of the film industry.

When asked about the importance of changing shift timings for mental and physical well-being, Chitrangda stated, “I think it definitely is important. Actors are still very well taken care of. There is a lot of, you know, regard for their time, for their comfort. Usually, producers, as much as they can, and directors try to work around their time.”

Highlighting Crew Struggles

Chitrangda pointed out that technicdigihunt, including light men, art department staff, and set workers, often endure longer hours than the actors. “But I feel what we also need to discuss is probably the light men, the set guys, who, the art and all these guys, because for a nine o’clock shift, if I come at seven for hair and makeup, they are there from 5.30 in the morning or maybe five in the morning, and then they’re the last ones to go and the first ones to come.”

She also mentioned the challenges of long travel times and limited transport options, which exacerbate their fatigue. “I feel that it’s very, very tough, you know, most of the time they’re sleeping on sets, poor guys. So that kind of regularization is something that I think actors should be pushing for.”

A Collective Industry Concern

Chitrangda believes that actors should actively advocate for changes that prioritize everyone in the industry, not just themselves. “I think that is a far more important conversation. Yeah, that is what maybe we should address as, you know, as a thought to the well-being of every person in the industry and not just the actors.”

Responding to the notion that structured work hours could stifle creativity, she firmly disagreed. “Better working hours will definitely help everybody. There is no doubt about that. There is no doubt about that, that better working hours will improve everybody’s efficiency.”

Balancing Creativity and Practicality

Chitrangda acknowledged the realities of filmmaking, saying, “But at the same time, sometimes there are small budget films, there are mid-budget films, and they have to look at the business end of it as well. So, that also has to be considered. I mean, it’s not a corporate job. I think that is something one needs to be very clear about.”

She further explained that filmmaking often requires flexibility, especially during the writing and editing phases, which frequently extend late into the night. “We cannot put the same kind of corporate rules to the film industry. So, there has to be a mature call on everything. You know, a balanced call is what I mean.”

Malaika Arora continues to set fitness goals in 2026 with her inspiring social media updates.

In her recent Instagram post, Malaika shared a glimpse of her productive Pranayama session, which included various techniques such as Bhastrika, Kapalbhati, Anuloma Viloma, Bharamri, and Udgeet. Accompanied by a clip of her workout, she captioned it, “Pranayama your body has been asking for” and listed:

1. Bhastrika
2. Kapalbhati
3. Anuloma Viloma
4. Bharamri
5. Udgeet (sic)

Malaika emphasized that Pranayama is essential for achieving overall well-being, describing it as the heart of yoga.

Previously, she mentioned her intention to prioritize both physical and mental health this year. Sharing her goals for 2026, Malaika posted a video with a text overlay that read, “2026 Train hard, Protect peace, Build wealth.” The post featured her engaging in various workouts, including weights, Pilates, and yoga.

“2026 goals: move your body, protect your peace,” she noted, highlighting her long-term commitment to fitness.

As she reflects on this quarter of the 21st century, Malaika described this phase of her life as one of change, growth, and constant reinvention. In a personal reflection, she stated, “Personally, it’s been a journey of reinvention for me, growing beyond glamour and dance into fitness, entrepreneurship, and now a published author.”

During an exclusive conversation, she also mentioned the films and performances that have defined this era. Her list of influential dramas that reshaped Hindi cinema includes iconic titles like “Lagaan,” “Dil Chahta Hai,” “Queen,” “Gully Boy,” and “Andhadhun.”

“As we close this chapter, films like Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai, Queen, Gully Boy, Andhadhun etc have truly defined the era,” she expressed.

Actress Preethi Asrani, who stars opposite Vidhu in director Rathna Kumar’s upcoming romantic entertainer ’29’, has revealed her character’s name in the film.

Character Reveal

Sharing stills from the film on her Instagram, Preethi announced, “Meet your VIJI. #29TheFilm.”

Teaser Highlights

The film gained excitement when the makers released a title teaser featuring men aged 29 responding to the question of who they are. While some shared their names, others mentioned their professions or passions. The same question is posed to the hero, who, lost in thought while gazing out of a bus window, admits he doesn’t know. Just then, Preethi’s character boards the bus and sits beside him.

Production Insights

’29’ is being produced by two of Tamil cinema’s leading production houses: G Squad, owned by director Lokesh Kanakaraj, and Stone Bench Productions, headed by Karthik Subbaraj.

During the title teaser launch, director Rathna Kumar shared a personal anecdote, stating, “The first time I got suicidal thoughts was when I was 29. It was from that point my outlook about life turned positive, and since then, people see me as a person full of positivity.”

Filming and Genre Focus

Rathna Kumar noted that the film was shot over 35 to 40 days. He emphasized the tonal shift, saying, “If my earlier rom-com film, ‘Meyaadha Maan’, had a capital C, this film ’29’ will have an ‘R’,” indicating that this film leans more towards romance than comedy.

Cast and Crew

Written and directed by Rathna Kumar, the film features Vidhu and Preethi Asrani in lead roles, along with Master Mahendran, Avinash, Shenaz Fathima, and Premkumar. Co-directed by Mathankumar, the music is composed by Sean Roldan.

Cinematography is handled by Madhesh Manickam, with editing by R S Sathish Kumar. Shanmugaraja is responsible for art direction, Praveen Raja for costumes, and Don Ashok for stunts. The film includes lyrics by Uma Devi and Bakkiyam Shankar, and features choreography by Sherif M and Leelavathi.