Category: Entertainment

Veteran actor Sachin Pilgaonkar recently took a nostalgic trip as he celebrated 37 years of the beloved Marathi comedy “Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi.”

Reflecting on the film’s journey, Sachin shared a heartfelt note on Instagram, expressing gratitude to the audience for their unwavering love throughout the years. He posted a series of throwback photos and videos, captioning them, “37 years of Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi This is how many beautiful memories of Banvi. Lots of love to the audience.” In his post, he also tagged fellow actors Ashok Saraf, Ashwini Bhave, and Nivedita Ashok Saraf.

In some charming black-and-white shots, Sachin is seen striking candid poses with his co-stars from the film. He included nostalgic videos featuring songs from the movie as well.

“Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi,” a slapstick comedy buddy film in Marathi, was helmed by Sachin Pilgaonkar and produced by Kiran Shantaram under the banner of V. Shantaram Productions. The film, which was released on September 23, 1988, has become a cult classic in Marathi cinema due to its immense popularity.

The star-studded cast of the movie includes Ashok Saraf, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Laxmikant Berde, Siddharth Ray, Ashwini Bhave, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Priya Arun Berde, Nivedita Joshi Saraf, Nayantara, Viju Khote, and Sudhir Joshi.

Sachin Pilgaonkar, who is known for his multifaceted talent as an actor, director, producer, writer, and singer, has made significant contributions to both Marathi and Hindi cinema. He gained fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s by directing and acting in numerous Marathi films. His cinematic journey began as a child artist in the Marathi film Ha Majha Marg Ekla.

Over the years, Pilgaonkar has appeared in nearly 65 films as a child actor before successfully transitioning to adult roles. His notable works include “Geet Gaata Chal,” “Balika Badhu,” “Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se,” and “Nadiya Ke Paar,” which have earned him widespread recognition and solidified his status as a household name across India.

Actress Esha Gupta recently visited the iconic Shivoham Shiva Temple in Bengaluru, renowned for its impressive 65-foot Lord Shiva statue and the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra.

Seeking Divine Blessings

During her visit, Esha sought the divine blessings of Lord Shiva and participated in the temple’s Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, which simulates the journey to the revered shrine nestled in the Trikuta mountains.

Engaging Conversations

Esha also took part in an interactive podcast with AiR, discussing themes such as true happiness, love, and her journey towards self-realization. Additionally, she contributed her voice to a moving book testimonial for AiR, sharing illuminating teachings on achieving lasting bliss through self-knowledge.

A Transformative Experience

Reflecting on her visit, Esha expressed, “The Shivoham Shiva Temple is a haven of peace and divine energy. My experience at the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra was profoundly touching, reminding me of the potential within each of us.”

Discussing her podcast with AiR, she noted, “My discussion with AiR was inspiring—his insights on happiness and self-realization helped me grasp the purpose of life and true bliss. I’m humbled to be part of his work through the podcast and book testimonial, and I hope to return to this sacred place.”

Words from AiR

AiR – Atman in Ravi shared, “It was a privilege to have Esha Gupta visit Shivoham Shiva Temple. Her genuine curiosity and desire for spiritual growth align with our mission to guide seekers towards their true selves. Our podcast interview on happiness and her heartfelt testimonial reflect her commitment to spreading positivity and inner awakening.”

Upcoming Projects

On the professional front, Esha will soon be seen in the much-anticipated sequel “Dhamaal 4.” Directed by Indra Kumar, the film boasts a stellar cast including Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Sanjay Mishra, Jaaved Jaaferi, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Anjali Anand, Upendra Limaye, Vijay Patkar, and Ravi Kishan in key roles among others.

Television superstar Ankita Lokhande has every reason to be proud, as her husband, Vicky Jain, is set to appear in an upcoming Bollywood movie featuring Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi in lead roles.

Ankita shared a heartfelt and motivating message for Vicky on her social media account, saying, “So proud of you, @realvikasjainn. Every step you take, every milestone you achieve makes me cheer even louder. And now, as an associate producer for this incredible film Haq, your dedication, hard work, and vision shine brighter than ever.”

She also praised the movie’s team, adding, “A big shoutout to the entire team: Vineet Sir, Yami, Emraan Hashmi, Vartika Singh, Sandeep, Vishal, Juhi, and everyone involved. Wishing you all the very best. This film is going to touch hearts, and I can’t wait to see it on the big screen! (7th November) save the date.”

Moreover, she expressed her gratitude towards her friend, saying, “And my dearest @officialsandipssingh You are my chosen family. My first film as a leading actress was with you, and now with Vicky’s journey… you’ve always been a rock-solid presence in my life. So blessed to have you and to love what our friendship shares. To more upwards and onwards, always! Love, Ankita.”

The film “HAQ” draws inspiration from the Supreme Court’s landmark verdict in the Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum case. It revisits one of India’s most discussed legal battles from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

For those who may not know, Ankita Lokhande and Vicky Jain tied the knot in December 2021 after dating for three years. The couple is considered one of the most beloved pairs on Indian television. They also participated in Bigg Boss season 17 together, where their relationship faced numerous challenges, but they managed to navigate through them successfully.

Recently, Vicky Jain suffered an accident, resulting in hospitalization and 45 stitches in his hand. Throughout this ordeal, Ankita has stood by him, offering unwavering support at home and in the hospital. She was even seen getting emotional while caring for her husband during this difficult time.

Filmmaker and producer Mahesh Bhatt is gearing up for the release of his upcoming production, ‘Tu Meri Poori Kahani’. In a recent discussion, he addressed his approach to creating films with modest budgets.

Reducing Risks in Filmmaking

Bhatt shared insights on how he minimizes risks associated with filmmaking by avoiding excessive production costs. When asked about the trend of stars inflating film budgets with large entourages, he clarified his stance: “I don’t have to try. This has always been my way of filmmaking. I always believe that the lesser your cost, the more you can say something new. The higher the cost, the higher the risk. When the risk increases, the market is afraid. When the market is afraid, it sends you to the stars. When you go to the stars, the stars themselves are afraid of the market risks. They say, ‘This is good, but what if it doesn’t work, what will happen?’ The market creates films out of fear.”

The Essence of Fearlessness

He elaborated, “A frightened heart has a certain fragrance. There is something old about it. Something that has been done before. Something that was successful yesterday, something that was successful the day before. The work that is made with love, in which there is a feeling of having a lot of fun saying this, that is called fearlessness.”

Bhatt also expressed the importance of love in creativity, stating, “Love is fearless. That fearless heart is found in new people. Keeping this in mind, when we make a film or a song in a space that we like a lot, people are not different from us. You think you are an award-winning person. There is nothing like that. What you like, the other person likes. This is a fact.”

Release Date

‘Tu Meri Poori Kahani’ is scheduled to be released on September 26, 2025.

South Indian actress Roshini Prakash, who has now marked a decade in the film industry, recently shared a heartfelt post explaining how the universe played a role in her journey to becoming an actress.

On her Instagram page, Roshini, known for her roles in various Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu films, posted a video featuring clips from several of her movies, including “Vanangaan,” “Luckyman,” “Murphy,” “Dhonima,” “Gandeevadari Arjuna,” “Kavaludaari,” and “Mystery of Moksha Island.”

In her post, she expressed gratitude towards her audience, her film teams, and her family for their continuous support. She reflected, “Ever since I started thinking what I wanted to be in life, how would I like to spend my days after education, what does job mean to me, universe conspired.”

Roshini started filming her first project while studying in 2015, a decision that strengthened her desire to pursue acting. She described it as a choice that transformed her life and outlook.

She thanked her directors and producers for their faith in her, her family for their unwavering support, her co-actors for their shared experiences, and her friends for keeping her motivated. She wrote, “And especially to the audience who took time to watch my movies and write to me. You are the validation I looked out for. Here’s to learning and growing. Excited to see how life unfolds. Love.”

Notably, during the release of her critically acclaimed film “Vanangaan,” directed by Bala earlier this year, Roshini mentioned that she considers this film her lucky project. She elaborated, “Many didn’t know me before I signed this project. But once I did, all that changed. I will always consider this a lucky project.”

When asked about her journey into “Vanangaan,” Roshini shared, “I got an opportunity for the audition of ‘Vanangaan’ after the team came across my profile. I was asked to perform a few scenes, and immediately was selected to play the role.”

This celebratory reflection highlights Roshini Prakash’s gratitude and excitement for the future as she continues to evolve in her career.

Bollywood star couple Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal have announced that they are all set to welcome their first bundle of joy.

In a collaborative post on Instagram, the couple shared their exciting news about stepping into parenthood. They included a heartfelt photo of a polaroid, showing them gently cradling Katrina’s blossoming baby bump.

Exciting Announcement

“On our way to start the best chapter of our lives with hearts full of joy and gratitude,” they wrote as the caption.

Many of Katrina’s friends from the industry took to the comment section to congratulate the couple.

• Janhvi Kapoor wrote: “Congratulations, Congratulations, Congratulations.”
• Ayushmann Khurrana chimed in with “Congratulations guys.”
• Sonam Kapoor shared some heart emojis.
• Varun Dhawan expressed that his heart is full after hearing the news.

The couple tied the knot in 2021 during an intimate ceremony at the Six Senses Fort Barwara Hotel in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. Recently, there had been chatter about Katrina’s pregnancy, but the couple had remained tight-lipped until now.

A Sweet Beginning

Their journey together took a playful turn on stage at an award show when Vicky proposed to Katrina in a scripted moment that brought a blush to her cheeks. They first crossed paths at a party hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, where their bond deepened.

Current Projects

On the professional front, Vicky was last seen in the blockbuster “Chhaava.” This epic historical action film is based on the life of Sambhaji, the second ruler of the Maratha Empire, portrayed by Vicky. It is an adaptation of the Marathi novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant, and also stars Akshaye Khanna and Rashmika Mandanna.

Katrina was last featured in the upcoming film “Merry Christmas,” a mystery thriller directed by Sriram Raghavan. The film co-stars Vijay Sethupathi, along with Ashwini Kalsekar, Luke Kenny, and Pari Maheshwari Sharma. The plot is based on Frédéric Dard’s French novel Le Monte-charge (Bird in a Cage).

An intense confrontation is brewing between Abhishek Bajaj and his co-housemate Baseer Ali in the upcoming episode of “Bigg Boss 19,” centering around issues of hygiene.

Baseer will confront Abhishek, accusing him of failing as captain to manage key concerns in the house. He points out the state of the unclean bathroom, a messy washroom, and a dressing room cluttered with containers. Baseer emphasizes that Abhishek had previously agreed to organize the dressing room but failed to follow through.

Calling out Abhishek in front of the other housemates, Baseer asks, “Does this look okay to you? Please do your work nicely.” He even takes the others to the dressing room to showcase the disarray, labeling Abhishek a “flop captain” and criticizing his ineffective leadership.

Despite the accusations, Abhishek remains unyielding, asserting that the rooms looked fine “apne hisaab se” and dismissing Baseer’s grievances, which only escalates tensions further.

The argument escalates when Abhishek calls Baseer “lachak,” inciting anger in Baseer. He retorts, “What are you trying to say? Are you questioning my sexuality? You’re commenting on my walk?” The conflict intensifies, with both resorting to abusive exchanges—a surprising development, especially since Abhishek has previously claimed he doesn’t use bad language.

Ultimately, Baseer brands Abhishek as a “two-faced personality,” while Abhishek continues to insult him.

Current contestants in the ‘Bigg Boss’ house include Gaurav Khanna, Amaal Mallik, Awez Darbar, Ashnoor Kaur, Mridul Tiwari, Kunickaa Sadanand, Baseer Ali, Abhishek Bajaj, Tanya Mittal, Zeishan Quadri, Nehal Chudasama, Pranit More, Farhana Bhatt, and Neelam Giri.

“Bigg Boss,” based on the Dutch format of Big Brother, first premiered on November 3, 2006. The show has since completed eighteen seasons and three OTT seasons.

The initial 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 alongside Salman Khan. Since season 4, Salman Khan has been the primary host of the show.

The show is available for streaming on JioHotstar and broadcasts on Colors.

The drama inside the Bigg Boss 19 house intensified significantly when a simple kitchen chore escalated into a full-blown altercation between contestant Baseer Ali and Kunickaa Sadanand.

The Incident Unfolds

The tension began when Gaurav Khanna, who was busy chopping vegetables as part of his house responsibilities, asked Farrhana Bhatt and Kunickaa Sadanand to urge Baseer Ali to step in and take over. Although it appeared to be a minor request, Baseer reacted strongly. He was upset about interrupting his workout and bathing schedule for the chopping duty.

Escalation of Emotions

Baseer’s frustration quickly spiralled, leading him to accuse Kunickaa of manipulating the situation to get her way, despite her minimal involvement in Gaurav’s request. The scene escalated further when Baseer followed Kunickaa during her exercise routine, throwing harsh insults, making mocking faces, and even threatening to expose her.

His tone and behavior were largely considered derogatory and humiliating. Remarkably, Kunickaa opted not to engage with Baseer’s aggression, instead focusing on her workout and refusing to respond to his accusations and taunts. The audience expressed disappointment in Baseer’s actions.

Social Media Reactions

Reactions on social media were swift, with many users criticizing Baseer for his conduct and expressing their dismay at his arrogance and disrespectful behaviour. Meanwhile, Gaurav, observing the entire scenario unfold from his resting chair, remarked to Zeishan Quadri how Baseer had blown the situation out of proportion.

He pointed out that the task of chopping was not significant, as he had already completed most of the work and merely asked Baseer to chop half a ginger that was left. Gaurav suggested that Baseer created the drama for no valid reason, perhaps seeking to be noticed on camera.

Actor Shanthanu, in a pivotal role as a kabaddi player named Kumar in the upcoming Tamil-Malayalam bilingual sports action drama ‘Balti’, reveals that he has shed over nine kilos for this role.

Looking lean and fit like a genuine kabaddi player in the film, Shanthanu expresses his excitement, saying, “I have lost nine kilos. We had to undergo a training camp in Kabaddi and for stunts.”

Film Storyline

Set in the border region between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, ‘Balti’ follows four boys who use their kabaddi skills to settle scores with rivals. Shanthanu’s character specializes in the kabaddi technique known as ‘Dash’.

Career Highlights

The actor, known for his recent superhit ‘Blue Star’, is making a comeback to Malayalam cinema after nearly 15 years. The film has generated significant interest among fans and film aficionados. Initially slated for an August 29 release coinciding with Onam, the film’s premiere has now been rescheduled to September 26.

Supporting Cast and Characters

Shane Nigam portrays a kabaddi player named Udhayan, depicted as a fearless raider known for instilling fear in opposing teams’ defenses. This project marks a significant milestone for Shane, being his 25th film. Alongside him, actress Preethi Asrani will play a pivotal role, while acclaimed director Alphonse Puthren, recognized for his blockbuster ‘Premam’, takes on the character of a cold-blooded gangster named Soda Babu.

Technical Team and Production

Shanthanu Baghyaraj takes on the character of Kumar, with Selvaraghavan playing Porthamarai Bhairavan. ‘Balti’ is penned and directed by Unni Sivalingam, and produced by Santhosh T Kuruvilla and Binu George Alexander under the banners of STK Frames and Binu George Alexander Productions.

The film boasts cinematography by Alex J Pulickal and art direction by Ashik S. Music is composed by the young sensation Sai Abhyankkar. The editing is handled by Shivkumar V. Panicker, and costumes are designed by Melwy J. The action-packed film features two stunt masters—Action Sandhosh and Vicky.

Actress Salma Hayek recently offered a glimpse into her daughter Valentina Paloma Pinault’s stunning 18th birthday celebrations, which were nothing short of spectacular.

Sharing a series of pictures and videos on Instagram, Hayek expressed her joy, stating, “We ate, we danced, we laughed, we loved… and we kept the party going all weekend. Happy birthday mi cielo, celebrating you never feels long enough.”

On September 22, she posted a heartfelt message wishing her daughter well. The note reflected on how much has changed in Valentina’s life while emphasizing her unchanging essence.

“My beautiful dancing queen. Today you turned 18!!!!! So many things have changed in your life, but you are always soooo you. A kind passionate heart, a wise soul full of magic, a unique unstoppable force of nature with a witty sense of humor and stubborn tenacity,” Hayek wrote.

She further added, “Some things will never change; we love you forever and although you were always ahead of your years, you will always be in my heart, my dream daughter. Feliz cumpleaños Valentina Paloma.”

Salma Hayek confirmed her engagement to French billionaire François-Henri Pinault in 2007, along with the news of her pregnancy. Valentina was born on September 21, 2007.

The couple tied the knot on Valentine’s Day in 2009 in Paris and later renewed their vows on April 25, 2009, in Venice, Italy.

Hayek began her career in Mexico, gaining fame with starring roles in the telenovela “Teresa” and the romantic drama “Midaq Alley”. She later made her mark in Hollywood with notable films such as “Desperado”, “From Dusk till Dawn”, “Wild Wild West”, and “Dogma”.

Her iconic portrayal of painter Frida Kahlo in the biopic “Frida” made her the first Mexican actress to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress.