Category: Entertainment

Actor Varun Sharma has reflected on the first quarter of the 21st century, sharing insights about his journey and the significant evolution of Indian cinema over the past 25 years.

A Humbling Journey

For Varun, this period has been both humbling and motivating, as audiences have embraced his performances across various genres. This acceptance has allowed him to grow as an actor without being typecast.

Unprecedented Evolution in Indian Cinema

According to Varun, the last 25 years have marked an era of remarkable change in Indian cinema. He stated, “The grammar of storytelling changed in Hindi cinema but it also managed to retain its core essence. Filmmakers reinvented existing genres and infused them with their own style. Technically, all departments took major strides.”

Varun, who first gained recognition for his role as Choocha in “Fukrey,” noted the introduction of the Rs. 100-crore benchmark, a new standard redefining box office success.

“The Rs. 100 crore film became the benchmark to judge the success of a film at the box office and introduced a whole new idiom. Today, people who are not part of the industry are invested in the business of cinema, which has been a major change,” he explained.

Global Reach with Local Essence

He believes that Indian cinema has successfully reached a global audience while still retaining its local flavor, marking yet another achievement for the industry.

Personal Milestones

Reflecting on his personal journey, Varun shared his entry into the industry came 13 years into the century and expressed gratitude for how audiences have embraced his work.

“I kicked off my journey 13 years into the 21st century, and the way the audience has embraced my films and my performances has been very humbling for me. Today people are not stereotyped according to the roles that you play,” he said, having made his Hindi cinema debut in 2013.

He added, “A good actor is just that, and filmmakers cast you irrespective of the genres you have excelled in. I believe I am just getting started and have miles to go.”

Future of Filmmaking

Looking ahead, Varun feels the next 25 years will be shaped by technology in filmmaking.

“AI, VFX, and other technological advancements will dictate how we make our films. We are in the digital age, which means it’s not just about making films but also the dissemination of content, which will be a game changer,” he noted. Varun is gearing up for his upcoming film “Rahu Ketu.”

With 2025 drawing to a close in just a week, actress Shweta Tripathi recently shared her most memorable moment of the year.

The actress took to Instagram to post a series of pictures from the sets of “Mirzapur: The Movie,” which is currently being filmed against the scenic backdrop of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. This Wednesday marks the final day of shooting at this stunning location, and Shweta offered fans a glimpse into the film’s vibrant setting and behind-the-scenes moments.

The images highlight the cast members, the delicious food she savoured, the clapboard from the first day of shooting, and moments where Shweta soaked in the sandy landscapes of this picturesque area.

In her caption, she mentioned, “One of the best things that happened jn 2025!! We began shooting for ~ Mirzapur, The Film Jald miltey hai (sic).”

About the acclaimed crime-thriller series “Mirzapur,” it revolves around Akhandanand “Kaleen” Tripathi, a crime boss and businessman who dominates the Mirzapur district in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh, India.

In the first season, the main cast included Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyendu Sharma, Vikrant Massey, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Rasika Dugal, Harshita Gaur, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. The second season retained the core cast from the first season, with the exception of Vikrant and Shriya, and introduced new members such as Vijay Varma, Isha Talwar, Lilliput, Anjum Sharma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Anangsha Biswas, and Neha Sargam.

The series was primarily filmed across various locations in Uttar Pradesh, including Mirzapur, Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Lucknow, Raebareli, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi. The movie adaptation of the series is reportedly set for release in 2026.

Shweta first gained recognition for her role in “Masaan,” portraying Vicky Kaushal’s girlfriend. Prior to her stint on the sitcom “Kya Mast Hai Life,” she worked at a post-production house in Mumbai and also ran a theatre company named All My Tea Productions.

She made her Tamil debut with “Mehandi Circus,” directed by Saravana Rajendran, and appeared in the web series “Mirzapur” as Golu Gupta. Shweta is also applauded for her performance as Begum Zainab in the third episode of season 2 of “TVF Tripling,” who is in love with an elderly Nawab. She made appearances in season 2 of “Laakhon Mein Ek,” and was featured in web series like “Kaalkoot” and “Escaype Live.”

Actress Kate Hudson shared that she almost took on the role of Mary Jane Watson in the 2002 “Spider-Man” movie, but ultimately, she decided against it. The iconic role was eventually played by Kirsten Dunst.

Reflecting on her decision, Hudson said, “It’s one of those things where I look back like, ‘That would have been nice to be in a ‘Spider-Man’ movie.’” During an interview on “Watch What Happens Live” with host Andy Cohen, she also mentioned the film she chose instead.

She explained, “But at the same time, I did a movie called ‘Four Feathers.’ I got to meet Heath Ledger, who became a very good friend, and I got an experience that I would have never had.” “Four Feathers,” a war drama featuring Hudson, Ledger, Djimon Hounsou, and Wes Bentley, was released a few months after “Spider-Man.”

Hudson added, “A part of me is like, ‘Life happens exactly the way it’s supposed to.’ And so, I’m grateful for it. But I do look at it and I’m like, ‘Aw, it would have been fun to be (Mary Jane).’”

The “Spider-Man” franchise went on to gross an impressive $826 million, leading to a trilogy featuring Tobey Maguire and Dunst, with all three films directed by Sam Raimi. Maguire took off his web-shooters after “Spider-Man 3” in 2007 but made a comeback in the MCU’s universe-crossing film “Spider-Man: No Way Home” in 2021.

Hudson expressed mixed feelings about the missed opportunity, stating, “It doesn’t feel good to talk about it ’cause the people who are in the movie are the right people, and your circumstances in life happen the way they happen.”

Additionally, she revealed that she has turned down offers for movies that would pair her with her mother, actress Goldie Hawn. “It’s gotta be really funny. It’s gotta hit in a different way. We think about it; it’s just we haven’t read it yet. We haven’t figured that one out,” she said.

Anupam Kher has extended a heartfelt birthday wish to his dear friend Anil Kapoor, who celebrated his 69th birthday on Wednesday.

Kher took to social media to share a touching message for the iconic actor, stating, “My dearest, dearest friend, Anil, a very happy birthday to you. May God give you all the happiness in the world, a long and healthy life, peace, success, more success. You are a great friend, a great person, and a great anchor.”

Reflecting on their long-standing friendship, Kher cherished their quiet mornings together. He said, “We have known each other for many years, and it took us a little time to understand each other fully. But my mornings with you, where you don’t talk much and I don’t talk much, are the richest moments of my life. I used to earlier say, as a joke, that you should put my name in your ration card, but that’s not important now. I am there in your life. Thank you for being the person that you are. Kind, compassionate, concerned as a human being and as an actor, fantastic. Nobody likes you.”

Praising Anil’s talent, Kher remarked, “You are a fabulous actor. I always say to you that you have a modern vision and native wisdom as a person. And I am overwhelmed sometimes thinking about the contribution you make in my space, especially at this stage of my life. I love you. You are the bestest.”

Kher also acknowledged his growing dependence on Anil after the passing of their close friend and actor, Satish Kaushik. He expressed, “After Satish went, I know that I became more dependent on you. And you understand that silently and you have been very kind to me, very silently kind to me. I know that.”

Concluding his heartfelt message, Kher wished, “May your year and years be filled with great performances. Already you are doing such great work. And happy birthday once again. Lots of love. Before I get emotional, I want to say to you. Happy birthday. Live long.”

The makers of actor and director Ken Karunaas’s upcoming film have announced that shooting has officially wrapped up.

Parvatha Entertainment, one of the production houses behind the film, shared a video clip via social media that featured a fun song shoot, culminating with the actor announcing the wrap.

In their post, they wrote, “Sixty days. Non-stop. Fun. Done. #Paarvathaa01💥 x #kenkarunaas. Huge thanks to @shobi_master for choreographing a super fun song and helping us wrap on a high! The fun begins now. First look and first single coming soon!”

For those unfamiliar, Ken Karunaas is well-known for his acclaimed performances in the Dhanush-starrer ‘Asuran’ and ‘Viduthalai 2’. In this project, he takes on the dual roles of lead actor and director.

The film features an impressive cast, including Anisma Anil Kumar, Meenakshi Dinesh, Priyanshi Yadav, Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Devadarshini in pivotal roles.

On the technical side, Vicky is responsible for cinematography, while music is crafted by National Award winner G V Prakash Kumar. Editing is handled by Nash, and the art direction is overseen by Ramu Thangaraj. Notably, Kavya Sriram, who is the exclusive costume designer for Tamil star Dhanush, is also working on this film.

Set against a school backdrop, the movie is produced by Karuppiah C. Ram, Kali Rajkumar, and Sulochana Kumar under the banners of Parvatha Entertainment and Street Boy Studio, all on a grand budget.

The film’s launch event took place recently, attended by prominent figures from the Tamil film industry. Leading actors such as Karthi and Vishal, director Vetrimaaran, actor and director R. J. Balaji, along with producers Kalaipuli S. Thanu, Dr. Isari K. Ganesh, and Arun, were present to congratulate the film crew.

As the first quarter of the 21st century comes to a close, Bollywood diva Malaika Arora reflects on a transformative phase characterized by change, growth, and constant reinvention. She notes that Bollywood has experienced a significant and exciting metamorphosis, reshaping storytelling, technology, and audience engagement.

Evolving Storytelling and Audience Dynamics

Reflecting on the first 25 years of this century, Malaika shares her insights into Bollywood’s evolution. She states, “Looking back at the first 25 years of this century, Bollywood has evolved beautifully. In the late 90s, storytelling was far more formulaic and star-driven. Today, it’s braver, more layered and honest.”

She emphasizes the advancements in technology, noting the shift from traditional filmmaking to cutting-edge VFX and the impact of OTT platforms. “And not just that, today’s audience has also changed. They are sharper, more involved, and open to diverse narratives,” she adds.

Surprising Shifts in Cinema

When asked which changes surprised her the most, Malaika admits, “What surprised me most was how content-led cinema and unconventional stories found mainstream acceptance gradually.”

Personal Reinvention and Growth

Malaika continues by discussing her personal journey, stating, “Personally, it’s been a journey of reinvention for me, growing beyond glamour and dance into fitness, entrepreneurship, and now a published author.”

Defining Films and Performances

Highlighting notable films, she identifies milestones such as Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai, Queen, Gully Boy, and Andhadhun, which have redefined mainstream Hindi cinema. “As we close this chapter, films like Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai, Queen, Gully Boy, Andhadhun, etc., have truly defined the era,” she remarks.

Malaika also acknowledges Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s extensive body of work, from Swades and Chak De! India to My Name Is Khan and more recently Pathaan. She points out these films’ significant influence on Bollywood’s emotional and cultural landscape across generations. “Alongside these, Shah Rukh Khan’s films have also shaped the emotional and cultural pulse of Bollywood across generations,” she states.

Empowering Female Narratives

She recognizes the iconic journeys of contemporary actresses like Kareena, Alia, and Kriti Sanon, whose performances in films like Jab We Met, Omkara, Gangubai, and Mimi reflect the evolution of strong, complex female characters.

According to Malaika, this blend of films, performances, and the rise of streaming platforms has established a solid foundation for the future of Hindi cinema. “Together, these films and performances, along with the rise of female-led narratives and streaming platforms, have laid the foundation for a future where Bollywood confidently balances scale with substance while going global, yet staying rooted,” she concludes.

Known for hits like “Millionaire,” “Desi Kalakaar,” and “Love Dose,” rapper-musician Yo Yo Honey Singh recently took a nostalgic trip down memory lane by revisiting an instrument he last played over two decades ago.

Honey Singh, whose real name is Hirdesh Singh, shared a video on Instagram where he is seen playing the congo during his vacation. In his caption, he expressed: “I played congo after 25 years! I use to play it in bal bhawan in early 90s! #yoyo #yoyohoneysingh #egypt #music.”

His latest track is “Phurr,” featured in Kapil Sharma’s new film “Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2.” Discussing the song, Honey Singh mentioned that Kapil is a dear friend and that creating a song for his movie was great fun.

He described “Phurr” as a total party banger with a groove that makes you want to hit the dance floor. “So, let’s all Phurr our way to the cinemas for Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2,” he added.

The film, written and directed by Anukalp Goswami, stars Manjot Singh, Hira Warina Hussain, Tridha Choudhury, Parul Gulati, and Ayesha Khan. As a sequel to “Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon,” it follows a man who wishes to marry the woman he loves but ends up marrying three women of different religions.

Honey Singh first made waves in the music industry with his Punjabi album “International Villager” in 2011. The album’s track “Gabru,” featuring J-Star, swiftly topped the Asian music charts, including the official BBC Asian charts.

His collaborations with artists like Diljit Dosanjh for “Lak 28 Kudi” solidified his standing in the music scene. Singh also sang his first Hindi song in “Mastan.” His rise to popularity on YouTube saw two of his videos, “Brown Rang” and “High Heels,” rank among the top trending that year. Following the success of “Brown Rang,” he released “Angreji Beat” in collaboration with Gippy Grewal.

In 2024, Singh launched his album “Glory,” featuring 18 tracks, including “Millionaire,” “Rap God,” and “Jatt Mehkma.” In December 2024, a documentary titled “Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous” premiered on Netflix.

Hollywood star Paul Rudd has expressed his excitement about starring in the upcoming film Anaconda, primarily because it allowed him to collaborate with his “hero” Jack Black once more.

“Every once in a while, something will happen where I’m afforded the opportunity to get to work with a hero of mine,” Rudd shared in a joint interview. Turning to Black, he added, “It happened on this one in the form of this old hunk of love.”

Rudd also took a moment to praise his co-stars in the action-comedy movie, Steve Zahn and Thandiwe Newton. He emphasized, “It’s the people, really, right?”

Black concurred, stating, “It is the peeps. It’s funny, because in this movie we are playing filmmakers, and so in a way we are playing ourselves. It was very close to home. These friends are going out to make their dreams come true. And that’s how I feel every time I go out to make a movie.”

Anaconda follows best friends Ronald “Griff” Griffen Jr. and Doug McCallister as they travel to the Amazon rainforest in South America to reboot the 1997 film of the same name, which originally featured Ice Cube, Jennifer Lopez, and Jon Voight. However, their project faces peril when a massive, bloodthirsty anaconda begins to hunt them down.

Rudd and Black have previously shared the screen in films like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and portrayed Beatles legends John Lennon and Paul McCartney in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. With Anaconda, which releases on Christmas, Rudd noted that this is the first time the duo has taken on lead roles together, and he thoroughly enjoyed witnessing Black’s performance.

“It really was the first time that I got to see him in action … People are in awe, rightfully so, of him. And the greatest thing about all of that was, no matter who it was at whatever age – especially kids – Jack is such a good dude. To see him interact with every single person was astounding,” Rudd remarked.

Speaking to Black, he added, “You gave everybody a bit of a Jack Black experience. It didn’t matter what the time was or where you were. You’re a very good person. Honest to God, it was inspiring to see.”

The popular duo of Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma, known for their roles in ‘Fukrey,’ is set to make a comeback on the big screen with a new comedy film titled “Rahu Ketu.”

A Spiritual Start Ahead of Release

With the film scheduled for release on January 16, Pulkit and Varun took the opportunity to offer prayers at the renowned Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling in Ujjain. Pulkit shared glimpses of their spiritual journey on social media, showcasing the entire team seeking blessings from Mahadev.

In one of the videos posted, Pulkit and Varun were seen riding in what appeared to be an e-rickshaw, enthusiastically chanting “Har Har Mahadev.”

Pulkit included a heartfelt caption with his post: “Har Har Mahadev 🙏🏻🪔 Mahakal ke aashirwad ke saath, Rahu Ketu taiyyar hai to see you all in cinemas on 16th January🙏🏻.”

A Talented Ensemble Cast

Directed by Vipul Vig, “Rahu Ketu” features an impressive ensemble cast, including Shalini Pandey, Piyush Mishra, Chunky Pandey, Amit Sial, and Manurishi Chaddha, among others.

Excitement for the Film

Discussing his upcoming project, Pulkit expressed, “We’ve had the most fun shooting this full-on, hilariously twisted chaos of a film. Can’t wait for audiences to see what we’ve created.”

Varun shared his enthusiasm as well, stating, “The moment I heard Rahu Ketu, I knew this was going to be unlike anything we’ve ever done—and what an experience it’s been!”

Director’s Vision

Director Vipul revealed his fascination with astrology, saying, “Astrology has always fascinated me, and reimagining it through humour and heart was something I was eager to explore. Having written the Fukrey films, working with Varun and Pulkit again—this time as a director—felt both familiar and thrilling. Making Rahu Ketu as my directorial debut has been nothing short of magical.”

The Film’s Plot

The storyline revolves around two clueless but endearing characters, Rahu and Ketu, who embark on a chaotic mission to retrieve Churu Lal’s magical notebook from the crafty Meenu Taxi.

Release Information

Backed by Zee Studios and BLive Productions, “Rahu Ketu” is set to hit theatres on January 16, 2026.

On the occasion of Bollywood legend Mohammed Rafi’s 101st birth anniversary, actor Jackie Shroff paid tribute to the iconic singer.

Jackie shared a monochrome image of Rafi on his X account (formerly Twitter) and included the timeless track “Aise To Na Dekho” from the 1965 film Teen Devian, picturised on Dev Anand and Nanda. He captioned the post: “Remembering Mohd. Rafi ji on his birth anniversary #MohdRafi.”

Rafi’s musical journey encompassed a wide spectrum of genres, ranging from fast, peppy numbers to patriotic anthems and deeply romantic songs. His versatility extended to qawwalis, ghazals, bhajans, and classical pieces. What set him apart was his remarkable ability to adapt his voice to suit the persona of the actor lip-syncing on screen.

Throughout his illustrious career, Rafi recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and in numerous Indian languages, in addition to several foreign languages, predominantly Urdu and Punjabi. He is credited with an astonishing 7,000 songs in languages including Konkani, Assamese, Bhojpuri, Odia, Bengali, Marathi, Sindhi, Kannada, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Magahi, and Maithili. He also sang in languages such as English, Persian, Arabic, Sinhala, Mauritian Creole, and Dutch.

Some of his unforgettable tracks include “Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho,” “Baharon Phool Barsao,” “Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe,” “Teri Aankhon Ke Siva,” “Yeh Reshmi Zulfein,” “Pukarta Chala Hoon Main,” “Kya Hua Tera Wada,” “Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai,” “Khoya Khoya Chand,” and “Gulabi Aankhen.”

Rafi passed away in 1980 at the age of 55 due to a massive heart attack, and his last recorded song was for the movie Aas Paas, with music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

In other news, Jackie Shroff will soon appear in Ahmed Khan’s upcoming comedy film titled Welcome To The Jungle, which boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Disha Patani, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, 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.