Category: Entertainment

British actor Idris Elba is set to be honored with a knighthood in the U.K., leading the list of names announced for the 2026 New Year Honours.

Despite a busy year, in which he ironically portrayed both the U.S. President and the British Prime Minister in “House of Dynamite” and “Heads of State,” respectively, Elba is being recognized primarily for his significant charity work. This includes his involvement in an anti-knife crime campaign and the foundation he established with his wife, as reported by Variety.

### Other Notable Honorees

Comedian, writer, and actor Meera Syal also received a top honor. Meanwhile, Cynthia Erivo has been appointed an MBE (Member of the British Empire). The star of “Wicked: For Good” expressed joy, stating it was “an honour I could never have thought would happen.”

According to Variety, OBE (Order of the British Empire) honors were awarded to various luminaries, including:

– Richard Osman, author of “Thursday Murder Club” and TV host
– Matt Lucas, comedian from “Little Britain”
– Roy Clarke, writer of “Last of the Summer Wine”
– Sally Lindsay, actress
– Bill Bailey, comedian
– Paul Chuckle, children’s TV star
– Warwick Davis, renowned actor

Warwick Davis remarked, “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’ve been in Star Wars!”

In addition to politicdigihunt, campaigners, and athletes, other honorees on this annual New Year list include singers Ellie Goulding and Eve Graham, TV chef Marcus Wareing, reality TV presenter Phil Spencer, sports presenter Gabby Logan, and soccer commentator Clive Tyldesley.

### Idris Elba: A Distinguished Career

Idris Elba is widely celebrated for his commanding screen presence and effortless charisma. He gained international acclaim with his intense portrayal of Stringer Bell in “The Wire” and further solidified his status with standout roles in “Luther,” “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” and major Hollywood franchises like “Thor” and “Fast & Furious.”

Elba blends physicality with emotional depth, skillfully transitioning between gritty drama and blockbuster action. In addition to his acting, he is an accomplished DJ and producer, often performing under the name DJ Big Driis. His career reflects a dedication to diverse storytelling, creative experimentation, and cultural influence.

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha is currently on a nationwide journey across India, recently taking some time to enjoy cricket at the ghats of Prayagraj.

He shared a delightful picture on Instagram, capturing a moment of him in action at the striker’s end. In the caption, he wrote, “Keep your eyes on the ball, and keep the childhood closer.”

Anubhav is using this tour to dive deeper into understanding cinema at the grassroots level. His goal is to grasp what audiences, particularly in tier 1 and tier 2 cities, desire from films.

In a recent video post, he spoke candidly about the purpose of his tour. He aims to engage with cinema enthusiasts and film consumers to explore the growing gap between the demand and supply in the film industry.

He observed, “For the last few years, especially every Friday when movies release, a new theory emerges about what kind of films will succeed. The communication gap between filmmakers, actors, and the audience has never been more pronounced.”

Sinha also acknowledged the influence of social media, noting that feedback from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter shows a decline in the ability to understand each other.

Reflecting on the diversity in Mumbai, he remarked, “There are two types of people in Bombay. One group consists of locals who grew up here, while the other includes those like me, who came from smaller cities. I believe I understand these smaller towns well.” He shared his experiences in Banaras, where he felt the city had evolved significantly over the past 30 years.

With a commitment to engage with various local communities, Sinha stated, “In the next two months, I plan to visit at least 15 to 25 smaller cities. I want to meet the local audience and understand their expectations from Bollywood. As a filmmaker, it’s essential for me to connect directly with the audience and hear their voices.”

He humorously added, “An added excuse is the chance to enjoy some good food along the way.”

Entrepreneur Mira Rajput recently shared a heartwarming candid picture of her ‘world’ on social media. The image captures her husband, Shahid Kapoor, along with their two adorable children, Misha and Zain.

In the picture, Shahid is seen engrossed in showing a beautiful scenic view to both kids as they stand by the riverbank. Misha and Zain are carefully listening to their father, completely captivated by his words. The couple’s firstborn daughter, Misha, was born in August 2016, while their son, Zain, arrived in September 2018.

A Strong Bond

Mira and Shahid tied the knot on July 7, 2015, in a private ceremony in Gurgaon, attended by close family and friends. Their relationship is often highlighted by their special family moments shared on social media.

Just a few days ago, Mira took a trip down memory lane, recalling Misha’s first visit to her Nani’s house. She expressed what ‘Nani house’ means to her children, sharing a picture of herself with her father. Mira wrote, “Misha’s first trip. The thing about Nani’s house is that you’re still the child of the house even though you have your own. Parents, Pampering & Parathas.”

Celebrating Little Achievements

Mira often shares delightful glimpses into her life with her children. In November, she excitedly posted about Misha setting up her own baking stall. Amidst the excitement, she revealed that all the cookies and muffins were sold out in no time. The proud mother celebrated her daughter’s entrepreneurial spirit, sharing several videos showcasing the delicious treats.

She captioned it, “So proud of my baby today! Mish Mash Bakery: Youngest founder in the fam.” One of the videos featured tempting cookies, including Oats n Raisins and Deep Dish Choco Chip, priced at Rs 200 each.

Through these moments, Mira continues to engage her followers, portraying the joy and love within her family.

Actress Ameesha Patel has expressed her gratitude to Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol for hosting a special screening of their late father Dharmendra’s final film, “Ikkis.”

After viewing the war drama, Ameesha described Dharmendra’s charming innocence as a key aspect that made “Ikkis” heartwarming. She shared her thoughts on Instagram, saying, “Thank u @iamsunnydeol n @iambobbydeol for the special screening of @aapkadharam (Dharamji’s) last film — a fitting tribute to our LEGEND!! Such a sweet, emotional n endearing film that truly touches ur heart !! Only Dharamji n his cute innocence cud have made IKKIS so heartwarming to watch 🙏🙏 (sic).”

Ameesha’s recent post featured a video from the special screening, showcasing her warm interactions with Sunny, Bobby, and other attendees at the star-studded event.

“Ikkis” marks Dharmendra’s last appearance on screen. He passed away on the same day the makers released a character poster from the drama.

This cinematic adaptation portrays the heroic sacrifice of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee during the 1971 war, with Dharmendra playing Arun’s father.

Additionally, the makers shared an emotional poem penned by Dharmendra, titled “Aj bhi ji karda hai, pind apne nu jaanwa,” which reflects his longing and nostalgia for his beloved village.

Sunny was visibly moved after witnessing his father’s powerful performance in “Ikkis.” He shared a glimpse of the movie on social media, stating, “Love you papa. Witness the true story of the youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee, a hero who was only 21 and became eternal – Second Lt. Arun Khetarpal. #Ikkis In cinemas on 1st Jan 2026 #ExperienceCourageOn1Jan.”

Produced by Maddock Films and Jio Studios, “Ikkis” also features Simar Bhatia, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, and Deepak Dobriyal in significant roles. The film is set to release in cinemas on January 1, 2026.

Actress Sonakshi Sinha and her husband Zaheer Iqbal are currently enjoying a vacation in the Maldives to celebrate the New Year and relax. The actress shared several enchanting photos from their luxurious getaway on her social media account.

In one of the images, Sonakshi flaunted her bodycon swimsuit while posing with Zaheer in their private swimming pool. Another post offered a glimpse of her stunning villa on the Maldivian private island.

Previously, Sonakshi celebrated Christmas with Zaheer, sharing lovely pictures from their festive celebrations. On December 25, she posted several snapshots capturing cozy moments that radiated love, joy, and the holiday spirit. The ‘Dabangg’ actress captioned one of the images, “Wish you a holly jolly Christmas (sic)”. The couple posed together in front of a beautifully adorned Christmas tree in the pictures.

Sonakshi and Zaheer, known for sharing amusing and laughter-filled videos on social media, consistently give fans a peek into their delightful personal moments.

For those who may not know, Sonakshi and Zaheer tied the knot on June 23, 2024, after dating for seven years. They opted for an intimate wedding ceremony at the actress’s Mumbai home, surrounded by close family and friends.

On the professional front, the 38-year-old actress was last seen in ‘Jatadhara,’ alongside Sudheer Babu. The film was released in both Hindi and Telugu on November 7, 2025.

Discussing her role in the movie, Sonakshi previously mentioned how easily she transitions in and out of her characters. “For me, walking in and out of characters is generally easy because I am a switch-on, switch-off actor; I don’t take my work home. When I’m on the sets of a film, being in the character, I keep it on the sets,” she explained.

She further added, “When I’m at home, I’m not in my character. For me, it’s not that big of a thing to be affected by the intensity of my characters because I don’t take my character home with me. Everyone has a different method, and each to their own.”

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who was last seen in ‘Singham Again’, is currently enjoying her holidays, spending quality time with her loved ones as they travel to various destinations.

On Tuesday, she took to her Instagram Stories to share a picture of her younger son, Jeh. His face is not clearly visible as he’s wearing a hoodie that covers it. She captioned the adorable image with, “Who that boy on the train? (sic)”.

The actress is taking a well-deserved break with her family and friends. Earlier, she posted a throwback birthday picture of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, celebrating him on his special day. Her heartfelt message read, “Happy Birthday to the one and only Tiger (red heart emoji) 60 years and Strong…Love you lots always (red heart and stars emojis) @beingsalmankhan. (sic)”.

Kareena and Salman have collaborated on several projects, much to the delight of movie buffs. Their first on-screen pairing occurred back in 2005 with the film ‘Kyon Ki’, directed by Priyadarshan, which also featured Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Rimi Sen, and Om Puri in key roles. They reunited for ‘Bodyguard’ in 2011, where Salman portrayed a bodyguard named Lovely Singh tasked with protecting a college girl, Divya, played by Kareena. Additionally, she made a cameo in the popular dance number ‘Fevicol Se’ from Salman’s ‘Dabangg 2’ in 2012, a track that became a major hit. Their latest film together was the blockbuster ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, released in 2015.

On the professional front, Kareena Kapoor Khan has ‘Daayra’ in the pipeline.

Bollywood actress Kajol recently shared her unique take on life as the year comes to an end. Taking to the Stories section of her Instagram, she whimsically declared her intent to offer “free bad advice,” inviting her followers to ask her anything.

Kajol’s quirky personality and unfiltered charm set her apart in the entertainment industry. Known for her spontaneity and refreshing honesty, she has never felt the need to conform to the polished image often seen in Bollywood. Whether through candid interviews, playful interactions on reality shows, or humorous social media posts, her effortless humor resonates with fans. Kajol embodies authenticity; she laughs heartily, speaks her mind, and embraces her flaws with confidence.

This genuine spirit is reflected in her on-screen performances, bringing her characters to life in a relatable manner. From light-hearted jokes at public events to playful teasing of her co-stars, Kajol’s ease in her own skin is a quality that endears her to audiences across generations.

In a heartfelt moment shared on social media, Kajol also wished Twinkle Khanna a very happy birthday in the sweetest way possible. Referring to Twinkle as her “partner in crime,” Kajol posted an image that showcased their close friendship and playful camaraderie, captioning it, “Happy Birthday to my partner in crime @twinklekhanna.”

The candid photograph featured both actresses smiling as they posed together, twinning in black outfits. This picture is from their popular talk show, ‘Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle,’ where they welcome various celebrities and engage in lively discussions on fun topics. The finale of the first season aired on November 13, 2025, featuring special guests Kriti Sanon and Vicky Kaushal.

Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez had a surreal experience as she made an emotional return to her alma mater.

Return to Sacred Heart School

The actress visited the Sacred Heart School, where she received her early education in Bahrain. She shared a video of her visit on Instagram, where she is seen meeting the teachers and students on campus.

In her heartfelt caption, she wrote: “Felt so surreal to be back here at my old school! Sacred Heart School! Thanks for this wonderful welcome.”

Jacqueline’s Background

Jacqueline comes from a multi-ethnic family. Her father, Elroy Fernandez, is Sri Lankan, while her mother is of Malaysian and Canadian descent. She gained recognition after being crowned Miss Universe Sri Lanka in 2006 and represented her country at Miss Universe 2006.

Film Career Highlights

Jacqueline made her film debut in 2009 with Aladin and featured in several successful films, including Murder 2, Race 2, Kick, Roy, Brothers, Dishoom, A Gentleman, Judwaa 2, Bhoot Police, Cirkus, and Fateh.

Her latest release is Housefull 5, directed by Tarun Mansukhani. This murder mystery comedy features an impressive ensemble cast, including Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Nana Patekar, Jackie Shroff, Dino Morea, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangada Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Soundarya Sharma, Chunky Pandey, Nikitin Dheer, and Johnny Lever. The film revolves around multiple imposters who claim to be the heir to a recently deceased billionaire, competing for his fortune aboard a luxury cruise.

Upcoming Projects

The 40-year-old actress will next be seen in Welcome To The Jungle, which also stars Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Disha Patani, Lara Dutta, Shreyas Talpade, Aftab Shivdasani, Mika Singh, Mukesh Tiwari, Zakir Hussain, Yashpal Sharma, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, Tusshar Kapoor, and Sayaji Shinde.

The makers of “Saraswathi,” marking Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s directorial debut, have announced that the film’s shooting has been completed.

In an emotional post on Instagram, Varalaxmi expressed her feelings, stating, “It’s been one hell of a year.. My directorial debut #Saraswathi… We started shoot a month ago and now it’s a WRAP for #Saraswathi.”

She extended her gratitude to everyone involved in the project, saying, “Thank you to every single person that was a part of this amazing journey. All my actors… team members… Every single light man to production amma. Thank you. I’m filled with gratitude. More to go. More to say… soon… Wishing everyone a fabulous new year ahead.”

Produced by Varalaxmi and her sister Pooja under the banner of Dosa Diaries, the film features an impressive cast, including Prakash Raj, Priya Mani, Radhikaa Sarathkumar, and Naveen Chandra.

“Saraswathi” also has a strong technical team. The music for the film is composed by Thaman, a leading music director in the Tamil and Telugu film industries. Cinematography is handled by Edwin Sakay, while editing is done by Venkat Raajen. Art direction is by Sudheer, and dance choreography is by Brinda.

Details about the film’s plot remain under wraps, but industry sources suggest it will be a new-age thriller, capable of keeping audiences engaged from start to finish.

On the acting front, Varalaxmi is set to star in a Hollywood film alongside British actor Jeremy Irons. She previously mentioned that working with the Academy Award winner felt surreal, stating, “It is surreal to be working alongside Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons. He is the voice of Scar from ‘The Lion King,’ a film I adore to a point that I know all the dialogues by heart. To be making my Hollywood debut in a film with him is a dream come true. He is such a respected actor not just in Hollywood, but in world cinema.”

Former Bigg Boss 19 contestant Malti Chahar has addressed rumors linking her to music composer Amaal Mallik, firmly dismissing the speculation and calling for an end to what she describes as a manufactured narrative.

Clarification on Relationship

In a detailed post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Malti clarified that there was never any romantic relationship, or “ship,” between her and Amaal. She stated, “Let’s clear this once and for all. Amaal and I had no relationship or any kind of ‘ship.’ He asked for my number, and we met only once. We talked and shared some personal information. After that, we were in touch over the phone. That’s it! There was nothing else between us.”

Reality Show Remarks

During her time on the controversial reality show “Bigg Boss 19,” hosted by superstar Salman Khan, Malti expressed her intention not to discuss matters from outside the house. She mentioned, “Bahar ki baat nahi karenge,” meaning that she would refrain from sharing personal details about Amaal.

Malti expressed her disappointment over what she felt were disrespectful comments made about her during the show, which she only became aware of after exiting the Bigg Boss house. “It was disrespectful of Amaal to create a narrative on the show suggesting that I was trying to impress him and to make derogatory remarks about me, something I saw only after coming out of the BB house,” she wrote.

Empathy and Regret

Malti further highlighted that Amaal had discussed his mental health multiple times, both prior to and during the show, and she had responded sympathetically at the time. “Yes, he mentioned his mental health a few times, both before and during the show. I was empathetic and tried to help in the moment so he wouldn’t have more regrets later. Now, I’m the one regretting it. That’s all. Spare me now. Please don’t associate my name with his. Thanks,” she concluded.