Category: Entertainment

Amidst ongoing speculation about actors Siddhant Chaturvedi and Pratibha Ranta being in talks for the Hindi remake of the Telugu hit “Dear Comrade,” Siddhant has taken a moment to clarify his stance.

Siddhant Chaturvedi Clears the Air

The ‘Dhadak 2’ actor addressed the rumors on his Instagram Stories, stating, “Just to clarify guys – This isn’t true (sic).” He emphasized that he is currently steering clear of remakes.

Siddhant expressed his admiration for the original film and its actors but reiterated, “No remakes for me anymore, even though I’m a fan of the original film and the actors, much love and respect. Thank you.”

Interestingly, he did mention his interest in collaborating with Pratibha, but exclusively on original projects. His post concluded with, “Anyhow I’d love to collaborate with the supremely talented @pratibha_ranta on something original. Looking forward.”

Pratibha Ranta Responds

In light of the rumors, Pratibha also asked everyone to await an official announcement and to refrain from sharing unverified information. She shared on her Instagram Stories, “With due respect, I kindly request all media pages to please refrain from posting or circulating any unverified information and wait for an official announcement.”

Addressing the ongoing speculation about her involvement in different projects, she noted, “This has been happening with me for quite some time now, with several projects that I am not associated with, which often leads to unnecessary confusion. I would truly appreciate your understanding, cooperation, and continued support in this matter.”

About “Dear Comrade”

Directed by Bharat Kamma, “Dear Comrade” features Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna in lead roles. Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Big Ben Cinemas, the film was a box office success and continues to have a dedicated fan base even years after its release.

Bollywood actor Sunny Deol attended the song launch of “Ghar Kab Aaoge” from the upcoming film “Border 2,” sharing a personal insight into his inspiration for the original “Border.”

He mentioned to the media, “I did ‘Border’ because when I saw my father’s film ‘Haqeeqat’. I liked it a lot. I was very young then. When I became an actor, I decided that I would also do a film like my father.”

In a poignant moment, Sunny reflected on the influence of his late father, legendary actor Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24, 2025. The news of his demise saw the entire Bollywood community come together to pay their last respects.

Previously, Sunny had also expressed frustration at the media for constantly pursuing his family with cameras.

“Border 2” serves as a sequel to the original “Border,” which depicted the iconic Battle of Longewala during the India–Pakistan war of 1971. This sequel aims to reinterpret the spirit of the original for a new generation, enhancing both the scale and storytelling approach.

Headlined once again by Sunny Deol, “Border 2” is expected to retain the gravitas that made the first film memorable. It will expand its canvas through modern warfare themes, deeper character development, and advanced technical execution.

The film’s focus is not solely on combat action; it also delves into the emotional costs of duty, the families left behind, moral dilemmas, and the psychological burdens soldiers carry long after the conflict. “Border 2” seeks to balance patriotism with humanity, portraying soldiers as individuals shaped by courage, fear, sacrifice, and brotherhood, rather than just invincible icons.

The film is scheduled for release on January 23, 2026.

The makers of director Murali Kishor Abburu’s eagerly awaited film ‘Lenin,’ featuring Akhil Akkineni and Bhagyashri Borse in lead roles, have unveiled the first look poster of actress Bhagyashri in the film. It has been announced that she will portray a character named Bharathi in this action entertainer.

Sithara Entertainments, the production house collaborating with actor Nagarjuna, took to their social media accounts to share the poster. In their post, they wrote, “Vareva vareva.. vavva vavva vareva.. Introducing #BhagyashriBorse from #LENIN. First Single from JAN 5th.”

The shared poster carried the caption, “Introducing the love of Lenin, Bharathi.” Additionally, it confirmed that the film is expected to be released in the summer of 2026.

The film has generated significant excitement among fans and cinema enthusiasts. Notably, actress Sree Leela was originally set to play the female lead opposite Akhil Akkineni, but she opted out due to scheduling conflicts, leading to Bhagyashri’s casting.

On Akhil Akkineni’s birthday last year, the filmmakers also released a glimpse video of the film. This glimpse opens with scenes reminiscent of the final battle from the epic Mahabharata, introducing Akhil Akkineni’s character, who appears with an intense expression and a clenched fist, suggesting readiness for conflict. A voiceover narrates, “My dad said that when one is born, one has life and no name. Similarly, when one dies, one does not have life and only the name remains. How that name should be remembered is…” before the title ‘Lenin’ is revealed. The film features the tagline: “No war is more violent than love.”

With high expectations, the film showcases cinematography by Naveen Kumar and music composed by Thaman. Editing will be handled by Navin Nooli.

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, back in Mumbai for the upcoming season of ‘MasterChef India’, has voiced his concerns regarding the Mumbai airport. He shared a picture of the carpet from Terminal 2 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Friday via his Instagram Stories.

Khanna highlighted that the carpet could pose health risks to individuals with respiratory issues. However, he did commend the airport administration for its overall maintenance, suggesting that removing the carpet would enhance the airport’s standards.

He stated, “Though I feel that MUMBAI AIRPORT is super efficient….. I STRONGLY request the administration to remove this carpet. It is beyond cleaning. On behalf of every asthmatic & people with bronchial issues, this could be fatal.” His message resonated online, emphasizing the need for accessibility, cleanliness, and health-focused infrastructure in public areas.

Known for his advocacy beyond the culinary world, Vikas’s statement aligns with the empathy and responsibility he showcases on MasterChef India—a platform that promotes inclusivity and care.

In the latest episode of ‘MasterChef India’, the father-daughter duo Venu and Avni Sharma brought a distinctive cultural blend to the stage. Venu, a farmer and advertising agency owner, has inspired Avni, a food stylist who has absorbed culinary stories and flavors from her father.

During their interaction, Chef Vikas curiously asked, “You guys are doing so well. Why did you choose the MasterChef journey?” Avni responded with passion, stating, “When you go to a restaurant and open the menu, you will find North Indian cuisine, South Indian, Chinese, and Italian. You must have heard all this, but I have a small dream about our community’s cuisine, like Karada cuisine. I want to see a restaurant’s menu in the wing. So this platform is very important to me.”

When Vikas inquired about the name she would choose for such a restaurant, Avni suggested, “Maybe Karada Spice Box.” Chef Vikas, visibly moved, replied warmly, “I am in love with this.”

Reflecting on their experiences, Chef Vikas noted, “Most of my life I have spent in countries abroad; the identity of food is not just my representation but also represents my ancestors as well.”

‘MasterChef India’ is set to premiere on January 5 on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony Liv.

The makers of director Mohan G Kshatriyan’s historical action drama ‘Draupathi 2’ have recently unveiled the first look poster of actor Chirag Jani as Mohammad Bin Tughlaq, much to the excitement of fans and film enthusiasts.

Director’s Enthusiasm

Sharing the poster on his X timeline, Mohan G Kshatriyan expressed his excitement: “Terror Wears A Crown. Unveiling the Delhi Sultanate #MohdBinThugluq… @JaniChiragjani nailed it. Roaring as First-Level Antagonist.”

Building Anticipation

The film has sparked significant interest among audiences. Set as a grand multilingual period film rooted in 14th-century South India, ‘Draupathi 2’ has recently completed its post-production and received a ‘U/A’ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Sources from the film unit indicate that ‘Draupathi 2’ will feature three formidable villains, with Chirag Jani designated as the primary antagonist.

Chirag Jani’s Role

Discussing the casting of Chirag Jani, director Mohan G remarked, “Chirag portrays Mohammad Bin Tughlaq, not simply as a villain, but as a layered ruler whose brilliance often clashed with the consequences of his own choices. I wanted an actor who could convincingly bring together physical gigantism and intellectual brilliance. History remembers Tughlaq as an ‘intelligent fool,’ and capturing that contradiction requires tremendous control. Chirag immersed himself completely; he brings menace, dignity, calculation, and emotional depth to the role. He doesn’t just act the character; he lives it, and that presence lifts the film.”

Star-Studded Cast

‘Draupathi 2’ features Richard Rishi in the lead role, with Rakshana Indusudan as the female lead and Natti Natraj in a pivotal part. The ensemble cast also includes Y G Mahendran, Nadodigal Barani, Saravana Subbiah, Vel Ramamoorthy, Siraj Johnny, Dinesh Lamba, Ganesh Gaurang, Divi, Devayani Sharma, and Arunodayan.

Production Team

The film has been produced by Chola Shakkaravarthi (Netaji Productions) in collaboration with G.M. Film Corporation. It boasts cinematography 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.

Director and choreographer Farah Khan recently visited the home of Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways.

During their conversation, they discussed Nitin’s achievements with his YouTube channel. Farah mentioned that she has already received the silver play button from YouTube and is eager to get the gold play button, just like the politician.

Nitin also shared interesting anecdotes about his neighbors, revealing that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reside nearby. He noted how he often feeds the peacocks that visit his residence from Sonia Gandhi’s home.

He said, “Sonia Gandhi lives here. Manmohan Singh used to live here. We used to come to her house. I fed her peacocks.”

Earlier, Farah had visited Kunickaa Sadanand’s home as part of her YouTube series, where she explores celebrity homes, engages in light-hearted cooking segments, and enjoys candid conversations and gossip with her guests. During this visit, she opened up about becoming less of a control freak at home.

Farah revealed that after years of overseeing every detail on set, she now consciously allows her family to make their own decisions. She emphasizes maintaining balance and reducing stress in her personal life. Reflecting on her past controlling behavior, she mentioned, “I used to be that way earlier, but have now cut back.” She explained that her experiences on set created a habit of controlling everything, so now she prefers to let go at home.

She acknowledged that she can no longer tolerate unnecessary stress, as it only leads to exhaustion over time. This insight came after Kunickaa shared her emotional experience of breaking down when Farah reprimanded her for her behavior on ‘Bigg Boss 19’, even calling her a “control freak.”

Reality star JoJo Siwa has announced a name change as she enters the new year. The 22-year-old musician, dancer, and social media sensation revealed this notable alteration on her TikTok profile on New Year’s Eve.

Fans noticed that the “Karma” singer updated her name to “Joelle Siwa” for her 46 million TikTok followers. Discussions on Reddit highlighted that Siwa’s boyfriend, Chris Hughes, has also referred to her as “Joelle” in his now-expired Instagram story.

In her final TikTok of the year before 2026, Siwa hinted at exciting projects to come with a video of her lipsyncing to her 2016 hit “Boomerang.” Reactions in the comments section ranged from excitement about her new name to speculation about her upcoming work. “The name change perfect for 2026! Happy New Year,” one fan enthusiastically commented. Another wrote, “Joelle feels so authentic, wishing you every happiness in 2026.”

While some fans expressed confusion over the name change, many longtime supporters pointed out that “Joelle” isn’t a new name for Siwa. “Her real name is Joelle, Jojo was just a nickname. Are y’all new here?” quipped one social media user.

Aside from her professional endeavors, Siwa has made it clear that romance is also on her mind. After confirming her relationship with Love Island star Chris Hughes over the summer, the couple recently entertained discussions about engagement.

In a joint interview with The Sun’s Fabulous Magazine, Hughes shared his thoughts on the timing of a proposal, stating, “You always get people who get engaged (at) Christmas. You see it on Instagram; every year, you’re gonna see somebody who gets engaged. I kinda like the idea of it not being at a time where it could be expected.”

Actress-singer Jennifer Lopez has expressed that she feels “really good” about her children heading off to college.

The 56-year-old star, who shares 17-year-old twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony, is proud to watch her kids “thriving” as they step into adulthood. She believes they are “so ready” to carve their own paths in life.

When asked about the twins transitioning to college, Jennifer told Entertainment Tonight, “I feel really good about it. I’m like, can’t believe that we’ve gotten here, you know, just the three of us. It’s been a journey for all three of us through this life because I was a single mom since they were three years old. People have come in and out of my life, but it really has just been the three of us.”

She added, “And to see how they’re kind of thriving right now and the adults, like young adults that they’re growing into, and they’re so ready for their life. They’re so ready to get out there and I remember what that felt like at 18.”

Jennifer is “so excited” to witness the next chapter for Max and Emme. She reassured them that they will always have a “solid” home with her, no matter what happens. “I’m so excited for that because I know that they have this like, home for them to come home to that is solid and will be solid for them for the rest of their life,” she emphasized. “And they know that, even more importantly. So they have that love and they can go out and do whatever they want.”

Recently, Jennifer shared that she strives to keep her home life separate from her professional career. In an interview with E! News, she said, “It’s funny, my kids are not very involved with Mom’s work. They’re like, ‘work, come home, be home for dinner.’ That’s more what they’re concerned about. ‘Mom, are you going to be here in the weekend? Can we do this? Can we do that?’ You know, it’s a different life. It’s separate.”

However, the twins have attended her Up All Night Live residency in Las Vegas, and Jennifer revealed that they are “fans” of her music.

Cricketer Dinesh Karthik recently showered praise on two Malayalam films he watched, highlighting the unique quality of Malayalam cinema. Known for sharing his opinions on good movies on social media, Karthik noted that Malayalam films stand out distinctly.

Taking to his X timeline, Dinesh Karthik commended actor Basil Joseph for his impressive performance in “Ponman” and also praised Dinjith Ayyathan’s “Eko.”

High-Quality Cinematic Experiences

Karthik remarked, “Two high-quality movies I’ve watched this last week — ‘PONMAN’ and ‘EKO’. Unreal acting from @basiljoseph25 in ‘Ponman’. You literally live the movie through him and, as always, solid from the supporting cast as well.”

Following this, he expressed his admiration for “Eko,” stating, “‘EKO’ blew my mind in terms of cinematography, locations and such a unique story so beautifully woven together by Dinjith. Malayalam cinema is on a different level altogether. More power to all, make more such movies and keep putting the smile on the world that watches movies.”

About the Films

For those unfamiliar, “Ponman,” directed by Jothish Shankar, features Basil Joseph, Sajin Gopu, and Lijomol Jose in lead roles. The film has received widespread acclaim, enjoying a remarkable 50-day run in theatres. Notably, Bollywood director Anurag Kashyap praised Basil Joseph’s performance, calling it “so original and so much fun” and described him as “one of the coolest everyman actors we have today.”

On the other hand, “Eko,” directed by Dinjith Ayyathan, stars Sandeep Pradeep, Vineeth, Narain, Binu Pappu, and Biana Momin. This critically acclaimed thriller boasts a gripping story, screenplay, and dialogues by Bahul Ramesh, who also served as the cinematographer. The film features music by Mujeeb Majeed and editing by Sooraj E S.

The makers of director Adhvaith Nayar’s highly anticipated wrestling-themed action drama ‘Chatha Pacha’ have officially announced that the film will be released on January 22, 2026.

Reel World Entertainment, the production house behind the film, shared the news on their social media platforms, stating, “The wait is over! Chatha Pacha releases worldwide on 22 Jan 2026. Releasing in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada & Hindi! The bell rings on 22 Jan, only in cineMAS. Don’t miss the fight! #ChathaPacha #TheRingOfRowdies #MalayalamCinema #ReleaseDate.”

The release date poster of ‘Chatha Pacha,’ featuring bold gold colors, flying currency, and an electrified crowd with a wrestler caught mid-air, exudes a sense of controlled chaos. Notably, the phrase ‘In cinemas’ on the poster emphasizes the letter ‘M,’ fueling speculation about the potential appearance of Malayalam superstar Mammootty in the film.

Fans have actively speculated about Mammootty’s involvement, and the release poster seems to validate these predictions.

At its heart, the film delves into the vibrant and intense world of Kerala’s wrestling culture, inspired by the colorful chaos of Fort Kochi. Creative producer Shihan Shoukath, along with producers Ritesh and Ramesh S. Ramakrishnan, supports Nayar in his directorial debut. The film portrays a blend of bravado, brotherhood, rivalry, and humor, woven through an exciting tapestry of sweat, spectacle, and street-smart swagger.

The cast features Arjun Ashokan, Roshan Mathew, and Vishak Nair, supported by several well-known actors from the industry, each embodying clearly defined roles that propel the story.

On the technical side, the film boasts a distinguished crew. A major highlight is the legendary composer trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy, making their Malayalam cinema debut with a lively and engaging soundtrack.

Lyrics for the songs are crafted by Vinayak Sasikumar, with the background score composed by Mujeeb Majeed. Cinematography is handled by Anend C. Chandran, while action choreography is led by Kalai Kingson. Praveen Prabhakar oversees editing, and the screenplay is penned by Sanoop Thykoodam.