Category: Entertainment

Actress Namrata Shirodkar has kicked off the New Year by sharing heartwarming moments of her husband Mahesh Babu with their kids, much to the delight of his fans.

The actress posted a few pictures on her social media account. One image captures Mahesh gently kissing their daughter, Sitara, on the cheek. In another delightful shot, Sitara is seen sporting a festive New Year-themed hairband.

Additionally, a cheerful selfie features Namrata alongside their elder son, Gautam, as they prepare to embrace 2026 together. She wrote, “Looking ahead with gratitude, surrounded by family, and welcoming 2026 with an open heart. #HappyNewYear.”

On December 31, Namrata shared a recap video showcasing the joyful moments from her life in 2025. The montage included happy memories with her children, Mahesh Babu, her sister Shilpa Shirodkar, and members of her household and work teams. The video highlighted exciting vacations, cherished family moments, and much more.

For those unfamiliar, Namrata Shirodkar was a prominent actress in Bollywood during the 90s, known for her roles in films like Pukar, Vaastav, and Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai. She stepped away from her acting career to marry South superstar Mahesh Babu on February 10, 2005, in Mumbai.

The couple is blessed with two children: son Gautam Krishna Ghattamaneni and daughter Sitara Ghattamaneni.

Bollywood star Anil Kapoor has sent warm birthday wishes to his longtime friend and colleague, Nana Patekar, on January 1st. Along with his heartfelt message, Anil shared a delightful throwback clip from their hit film, Welcome Back.

Taking to social media, Anil expressed his affection and joy in celebrating Nana’s birthday. He included a funny scene from Welcome Back, showcasing their comedic chemistry.

The caption read: “Happy Birthday to the OG! @nanagpatekar The greatest male co-star any actor could ask for, and an even more solid dost! Hope you relive the madness and joy of our time on Welcome together with this hilarious clip. Looking forward to our next collaboration.”

For those unfamiliar, Anil and Nana have been a dynamic pair in notable Bollywood films like Parinda in 1989, Welcome in 2007, and Welcome Back in 2015.

Their most memorable collaboration, Welcome, directed by Anees Bazmee and produced by Firoz Nadiadwala, showcased both actors in a comedic light. Nana portrayed the boisterous yet lovable gangster Uday Shetty, while Anil played the laid-back, ‘artsy’ Majnu Bhai.

Even 18 years after the release of the film, their characters remain some of the most iconic in Bollywood history.

Welcome was a blockbuster, featuring a star-studded cast that included Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Paresh Rawal, Feroze Khan, and Vijay Raaz. Due to the immense success of Welcome, a sequel, Welcome Back, was released in 2015; however, it received a lukewarm response from critics and fans compared to its predecessor.

The New Year 2026 has rekindled a sense of nostalgia for Bollywood enthusiasts, especially with a reunion of two stars from the iconic movie Chak De! India.

Sagarika Ghatge and Vidya Malvade celebrated the new year together in Jaisalmer. Both actresses shared a delightful picture featuring themselves, their families, and friends who joined in the festivities.

In the social media post, the duo smiles brightly, standing hand-in-hand with their loved ones. The image includes familiar faces like actress Kritika Kamra and cricketer Zaheer Khan, who is Sagarika’s husband, holding their little one while Sagarika looks into the camera.

The Chak De! girls, known for their impactful performances in the 2007 sports blockbuster, shared a joyful moment on the last day of 2025, welcoming the new year together.

Chak De! India revolves around a hockey coach who transforms a demoralized and disjointed team of women players into champions on the international stage. Directed by Shimit Amin and produced by Aditya Chopra, the film starred Shah Rukh Khan as Kabir Khan, the coach of the Indian women’s hockey team.

The film boasted a talented ensemble cast, including Chitrashi Rawat, Tanya Abrol, Shilpa Shukla, Anaitha Nair, Shubhi Mehta, Sandia Furtado, Arya Menon, Masochon Zimik, and Kimi Laldawla. Sagarika portrayed Preeti Sabharwal, while Vidya played the role of Vidya Sharma, the team’s captain.

Released in 2007, the film achieved massive success at the box office.

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is taking a moment to pause and reflect on the experiences that have shaped him.

Recently, the actor shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, accompanied by a picture of himself sitting under an orange tree. In his caption, he emphasized the significance of patience, stating, “Paused under an orange tree, reminding myself that growth takes time and fruit comes when it’s ready. Here’s to a fruitful 2026.”

In an earlier update, Akshay announced the completion of his much-anticipated film ‘Welcome to the Jungle’. He described the project as one of the biggest in his career and expressed his gratitude to the extensive cast and crew for their efforts. Akshay extended warm Christmas greetings to his fans and followers, representing the entire team of ‘Welcome to the Jungle’.

The ‘Airlift’ actor revealed that the film has officially wrapped and called it one of the most significant projects he has ever undertaken. Sharing a video featuring the entire cast, Akshay wrote, “Wishing one and all a very Merry Christmas from the giant cast of Welcome to the Jungle! In cinemas 2026. Never have I ever been part of something so big…none of us have. We can’t wait to present our gift to you. It’s a wrap, people! Well done, gang. Such a huge effort from everyone involved in making this happen. From our big family to yours at home, we wish you nothing but the best for 2026 #WelcomeToTheJungle #Welcome3.”

Directed by Ahmed Khan, the upcoming comedy continues the legacy of the popular ‘Welcome’ franchise and is set to release in mid-2026.

Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney is a firm believer in going all in for her work. To prepare for her role as Christy Martin, she even built a gym in her house.

The 28-year-old actress expressed her excitement about transforming herself for the role, as reported by Female First UK. She shared with Britain’s OK! magazine, “I was excited to do it. I wanted desperately to do Christy justice and to make her proud.”

Sydney elaborated, “I really love to play characters that I can disappear into and just totally transform. I threw myself into every aspect of this character. I built a gym in my house, had a professional boxing trainer, a weight trainer, and a nutritionist. I was working hard every day to get where I needed to be physically.”

In her commitment to the role, the ‘Euphoria’ star gained 35 lbs. However, the process was not without its challenges. She admitted, “It was really just part of the process. It was building muscle, lots of protein shakes, and filling up with calories. It was a lot. I felt so sick all the time. I mean, it’s a lot harder to lose than it was to put it on, that’s for sure. But even with the high calorie intake, as soon as I started boxing, the weight would drop off. Afterwards, it was just a matter of redressing that balance.”

The physical demands of the role were just one aspect of the challenge. Sydney mentioned, “The physical stuff was fun. I could train and feel prepared. But then some days it was about going from that to a big emotional scene. It was a different challenge. We were so lucky to have Christy there with us. I was able to talk to her a lot and figure out what her mindset was in those moments. It was all about feeling the moment, working with the script, and just going for it. That’s the way I like to work.”

Reflecting on the experience, Sydney called making the film a “life-changing” experience. When asked what she had taken away from playing Christy, she said, “So much. This has been a life-changing experience for me in such a positive way. Playing Christy and getting to know her has taught me how to stand up for myself and what I need to do to feel stronger in my work life, as well as my personal life.”

She concluded, “It’s made me feel ready to stand up for the people in my life and to always be there for them. It’s also made me remember just how much I love boxing.”

Actress Athiya Shetty and her husband, cricketer K L Rahul, welcomed the New Year 2026 by sharing a rare glimpse of their baby girl with fans, capturing a calm and beautiful moment at the beach.

The couple posted a sweet picture from the shoreline, where Rahul and Athiya can be seen holding their daughter closely.

In another video shared by Athiya, the new parents are seen strolling hand in hand down the beach. The clip beautifully portrays the couple engrossed in love while enjoying a peaceful walk by the sea. To enhance the emotional vibe, Athiya used Dean Lewis’ instrumental track ‘Iris’ as the background score for their post.

Rahul and Athiya welcomed their first bundle of joy on March 24, 2025, two years after their marriage. A few weeks following their baby’s birth, the couple announced her name and shared her first glimpse.

They took to their social media to post a picture of Rahul cradling their baby in his arms, with Athiya doting on both. Their heartfelt caption read, “Our baby girl, our everything. Evaarah/इवारा ~ Gift of God (sic).”

On Athiya’s birthday, Rahul shared a heartfelt birthday wish, writing, “Happy birthday to my best friend, wifey, lover, stress ball, goofball (two hearts emoji). I love you more each passing year (red heart and hug emoji) @athiyashetty (sic).” The message stood out for its simplicity, playfulness, and emotional depth, reflecting the essence of their relationship.

Athiya and Rahul, who dated for a few years before making their relationship public in 2019, tied the knot on January 23, 2023, at Athiya’s father Suniel Shetty’s farmhouse in Khandala.

Actress and model Nisha Rawal has penned a heartfelt social media note as she welcomed 2026.

Reflecting on Emotional Healing

The actress took to her social media, sharing a candid picture with her son, Kavish. In this intimate moment, Nisha chose to keep Kavish’s face out of the frame, focusing instead on their hands. Young Kavish can be seen sporting vibrant, multi-coloured nail polish, while Nisha herself subtly showcases a nude base manicure.

Nisha captioned the post with a simple heart emoji and later added, “I have been holding space for what truly matters, and I realize you’ve been holding space for me.” She expressed gratitude for the love that patiently supported her during her healing process away from social media.

Gratitude for Love and Support

“On the first day of this year, I feel grateful for the love that waited patiently while I healed in silence,” she wrote. Nisha reflected on how overwhelming 2025 had been for her, yet she faced it with grace, fiercely protecting her son’s innocence and happiness. “Last year was a lot, but I survived it with grace, protecting the colours and innocence of my little one’s world,” she shared.

She concluded her note with heartfelt thanks, stating, “Thank you for showing up for me, even through my radio silence here.”

Nisha Rawal: A Glimpse into Her Career and Life

Nisha Rawal has built a versatile career across television, films, theatre, commercials, and reality shows. She rose to fame with her role in Main Lakshmi Tere Aangan Ki and showcased her fearless side in the reality show Lock Upp.

On the personal front, Nisha married television star Karan Mehra in November 2012. The couple welcomed their son, Kavish, in 2017. However, their marriage faced challenges, leading to a public separation in 2021 that garnered significant media attention. Since then, Nisha has been raising Kavish as a single mother.

Actress Mithila Palkar recently graced the sets of the popular quiz-based reality show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, and engaged the host, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, in a delightful exchange featuring popular Marathi phrases that kept the audience entertained.

Mithila’s Fun Phrases

Mithila began by asking Amitabh the meaning of “Shaana.” With a smile, he explained, “Someone who thinks they are very smart.” Mithila laughed in agreement, saying, “Correct!”

Her companion, Sharib Hashmi, contributed by asking about “Dedh Shaana.” Amitabh responded promptly with, “A person who tries to act extra smart.” Mithila nodded, clearly impressed by the rapid response.

A Playful Hint

Later, Mithila introduced the phrase “Sumdi to Komdi.” When Amitabh struggled with its meaning, she cleverly illustrated it by describing a relatable scenario—sneaking into the fridge at midnight to enjoy an extra Diwali sweet despite being told to limit herself to one. After a moment’s hesitation, Amitabh brightened up, saying, “Oh yes, stealing!” This prompted laughter from both of them, with Amitabh adding, “I will use this tonight.”

Laughter All Around

Mithila also revisited the slang “Vaat Laagli,” prompting Amitabh to humorously repeat it in his own style, which sent the audience into fits of laughter.

A Heartfelt Note

Beyond the light-hearted banter, Mithila expressed her gratitude on social media after meeting the legendary actor. She wrote, “Grew up watching him do his magic, grew up watching this show, and now got to be on this show with him. So grateful that I get to live this life!”

Upcoming Special Episode

The special episode will also feature actors Vir Das and Mona Singh on the hot seat, along with Sharib Hashmi joining the celebration. This segment aired just before the theatrical release of their upcoming entertainer, Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos.

Actress Kiara Advani has received an incredibly touching motivational note from her ‘mama’.

On December 31, Kiara shared a carousel post showcasing the best moments of her life from 2025. One of the pictures featured a heartfelt letter written by her mother just before Kiara returned to her professional commitments after taking a sabbatical post-motherhood.

A Heartfelt Message

The note expressed her mother’s pride: “My darling Kiara, Tomorrow you walk back onto the set for the 1st time after bringing our little angel into this world and returning with a bang.”

Kiara’s mother encouraged her to demonstrate how motherhood has made her stronger and better. “Go and have the most amazing shoot, laugh lots, pace slowly, and show the world that motherhood has only made you stronger, softer, brighter, and even more you!”

She added, “Yep, that’s double the superpowers, double the shine, and definitely double the attitude (the good kind).”

The note concluded with blessings, assuring Kiara that with divine support, she could smoothly navigate every role in her life. “God bless you, my child. I pray you will always balance every role in your life. With God by your side, you can do it all. your mama.”

Interestingly, the date noted below the letter indicated it was written on November 18, 2025, just before Kiara headed back to the sets.

Sharing Adorable Moments

Just hours before the New Year, Kiara delighted her fans by sharing adorable pictures of her daughter Saraayah Malhotra’s customized belongings.

One image showcased two bibs adorned with pink bow designs and an “S” monogram on a textured quilted surface. Another picture featured a pink diary with the bold text “MAMA ON A MISSION,” accompanied by two matching pink pencils that read ‘Sarayaa’s Mamma.’

In her social media caption, Kiara reflected, “2025 – The year my heart expanded in ways I couldn’t imagine, a year of firsts, of learning, of becoming, of evolution and of sweetest blessings.”

She further embraced the new year with optimism, stating, “Hello 2026, my heart is ready for you. Stepping into this new year with gratitude, excitement, and the cutest tiny hands that hold my whole world.”

Actor Jackie Shroff once shared his inspiring journey of overcoming challenges to become a prominent figure in the film industry, crediting filmmaker Subhash Ghai as a key influence in his life.

Recently, an old video from the IIFA awards has emerged online, showcasing Jackie’s heartfelt speech after receiving an honour.

He expressed, “I am a boy from chawl. I used to stay in a slum. I had no idea about acting or I had no idea that I was a South Mumbai kid. Subhash Ghai gave me the offer of being a hero and I became a hero. I don’t know how he got me to do this. I don’t even know Hindi properly. When I say something, it sounds different. My language is different. I can’t speak any language properly. But the way Subhash Ghai guided me in life, made me capable, gave me a podium like this to stand with great actors like Anil Kapoor.”

He continued with deep gratitude, “I mean, he is standing in front of you and asking me to say something. I can’t say anything, Subhash, I respect you a lot. You made me stand here today. Thank you so much.”

Jackie Shroff’s remarkable journey began in a modest chawl, where he faced financial instability and personal loss. Dropping out of school early to support his family, he took on various odd jobs before being discovered for modeling. Although acting was not a planned ambition, it soon became his lifeline. His breakthrough role in ‘Hero’ highlighted his raw intensity and authenticity, allowing him to make a mark in a competitive industry.

However, his path was not without its challenges. Jackie dealt with a fluctuating career, experiencing box-office failures and the pressures of maintaining stardom amid evolving Bollywood trends. Yet, he managed to adapt gracefully, transitioning from romantic leads to complex character roles.

Films like ‘Parinda’, ‘Gardish’, ‘Rangeela’, and ‘Devdas’ showcased his emotional depth and versatility, earning critical acclaim beyond commercial success. One of Jackie Shroff’s most commendable achievements is his steadfastness to his roots. Despite his fame, he has maintained a grounded persona, a spiritual inclination, and an unconventional lifestyle. Embracing reinvention long before it became a trend, Jackie has worked in both mainstream and regional cinema, further solidifying his status in the industry.