Category: Entertainment

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has granted a U/A certificate to director Maari’s upcoming romantic comedy, ‘Anaganaga Oka Raju’, featuring Naveen Polishetty and Meenakshi Chaudhary in lead roles.

Release Details

Sithara Entertainments, one of the production houses involved, announced on their X timeline, “#AnaganagaOkaRaju Certified U/A. Where laughter has no age limit. #AOR In Cinemas on Jan 14th. #AORonJan14th Star Entertainer @NaveenPolishety @Meenakshiioffl #Maari.” The film is set to release during the Sankranthi festival on January 14 this year.

Film Background

Since its announcement in January 2022, the film has generated considerable buzz. The title was revealed through a teaser, which also showcased the first look of Naveen Polishetty, signaling that the film would be a full-fledged comedy.

Naveen Polishetty portrays Raju, a pompous groom preparing for his wedding. Fans have been eagerly anticipating the film, though there have been several changes in the unit over time.

Teasers and Highlights

The makers released a humorous teaser, dubbed a ‘Pre-wedding video’, showcasing guests preparing to eat from golden plates at Raju’s wedding. A comedic moment occurs when a guest is about to enjoy a Kaju Kathili, only to have it snatched away by a supervisor, who insists that the treat must be gold-covered. The guest expresses he’s fine with silver foil, but the supervisor insists that everything must meet the wedding’s opulent standards. The teaser also features Raju in a lighthearted exchange with industrialist Mukesh Ambani about his son’s wedding.

Originally, the teaser suggested a release in 2025; however, this was later updated to January 14, 2026.

Production Team

The film is directed by Maari, with cinematography by J Yuvraj and music composed by Mickey J Meyer. It is produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas.

Actor Sohail Khan recently shared a heartwarming picture capturing three generations of the Khan family: his father, the legendary Salim Khan, himself, and his son, Nirvan Khan.

Capturing a Dream

Sohail expressed his joy in the post, referring to it as a ‘dream’ to have the grandfather, son, and grandson all in one frame. He captioned it, “Grandfather son grandson, living a dream (sic).”

Family Moments Shared

Sohail has often delighted his fans with glimpses into his family life. In December, to celebrate his son Nirvan’s birthday, he posted a lovely picture of the birthday boy with his grandparents, Salim Khan and Salma Khan.

In a light-hearted manner, Sohail humorously credited himself for Nirvan’s luck in having “beautiful grandparents.” He wrote, “Happy birthday nirvan, you’re blessed with beautiful grandparents, thanks to me @nirvankhan15.”

Recent Controversy

A few weeks ago, Sohail was in the news following a video that showed him riding a luxury motorcycle in Mumbai without a helmet. The video drew significant criticism on social media. In light of the backlash, the actor publicly apologized, acknowledging that his actions were misguided.

Sohail addressed the issue on his social media, stating, “I would like to request all the bike riders please wear helmets. I avoid wearing them at times as I feel claustrophobic but that’s no excuse to not wear one. Riding has always been my passion since childhood. It began with BMX cycles and now I ride bikes (sic).”

He added, “I mostly ride late nights when there is not much traffic to cut risks, that too at a slow pace and with my car following me. I assure fellow riders that I will make a genuine effort to overcome my claustrophobia and wear a helmet, so please bear with me. My sincere apologies to the traffic authorities, and I assure them that I will follow all the rules henceforth. I salute all the riders for wearing their helmets at all times despite the discomfort, as it is necessary for our safety. It is better to be safe than sorry. Once again I am really sorry (sic).”

Actress Shibani Dandekar Akhtar celebrated her husband, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar’s birthday with a heartfelt note, describing their life together as an ‘adventure.’

A Loving Tribute

In a touching post, Shibani shared a video montage showcasing cozy throwback moments of the couple. Alongside the montage, she wrote: “My best friend. My happy place. My everything. This life with you is the greatest adventure and I can’t wait to keep exploring. Happy birthday my sweet guy @faroutakhtar. Love you with all my heart @faroutakhtar.”

The video features a variety of joyful and quirky moments that Shibani and Farhan have cherished throughout their journey together.

A Joyful Union

Shibani and Farhan tied the knot in February 2022 in an intimate ceremony at the Akhtar family home, Sukoon, in Khandala. The couple had been dating for nearly four years before their marriage, which began around 2018. This wedding marks Farhan’s second marriage, following his previous union with Adhuna Bhabani, which ended in divorce.

Birthday Coincidence

Interestingly, Shibani’s sister, VJ and actress Anusha Dandekar, also shares the same birthday as Farhan Akhtar—January 9. To celebrate her sister’s special day, Shibani penned a sweet birthday message, sharing a nostalgic childhood video. Her note read: “Happy bday chicken. I love you endlessly my little superstar. Dream big, shine bright and stay as beautiful as you are always @anushadandekar.”

Anusha responded with an adorable comment, saying, “I love you so much! I’ll always be this small for you, I know. Hence the tracker on my phone, hehe. Thank you for loving me as much as you do.”

This celebration beautifully reflects the love and joy shared among the Akhtar-Dandekar family.

Actress Anusha Dandekar has revealed that she has a ‘tracker installed’ on her phone thanks to her sister, Shibani Dandekar.

Shibani took to her social media account to wish her beloved younger sister and VJ Anusha on her birthday. In response to Shibani’s heartfelt message, Anusha highlighted how, in Shibani’s eyes, she will always be a ‘small little girl,’ which explains the tracker installed on her phone. Anusha wrote, “I love you so much! I’ll always be this small for you, I know. Hence the tracker on my phone, hehe. Thank you for loving me as much as you do (sic).”

Shibani shared a charming video from their childhood, offering a sweet caption for the birthday girl. The birthday wish read, “Happy bday chicken. I love you endlessly my little superstar Dream big, shine bright and stay as beautiful as you are always @anushadandekar (sic).”

In the adorable clip, both sisters, appearing to be around 3-4 years old, are seen singing a song in a garden with their parents and family. Their cute pigtails add to the charm of the moment.

Interestingly, Anusha shares her birthday with Shibani’s husband, actor-director Farhan Akhtar.

On the professional front, Anusha has made a name for herself as an Indian television host, VJ, actor, and model. She became widely recognized for hosting shows such as MTV Dance Crew, MTV Love School, and MTV Teen Diva. Additionally, she has appeared in Bollywood films like Mumbai Matinee, Viruddh, and Delhi Belly.

In parallel, Shibani Dandekar is also an accomplished Indian actor, singer, model, and television host known for her contributions to Bollywood films and digital content. She started her career as a VJ and later starred in movies including Roy, Shaandaar, and Naam Shabana.

Shibani is also a singer and part of the music band Shibani Kashyap Project. Recently, she has been in the spotlight for her relationship and marriage to Farhan Akhtar in 2022. As a daughter-in-law of esteemed writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar and veteran actress Shabana Azmi, Shibani’s family connections also draw attention.

Hollywood actress Jodie Foster has expressed her disappointment regarding artificial intelligence (AI) for not acknowledging her iconic role in the original ‘Freaky Friday’ movie.

The 63-year-old actress pointed out that when users ask ChatGPT, “What are the ‘Freaky Friday’ movies?”, it fails to mention her character Annabel. In the film, she famously has a confrontation with her mother Ellen, played by Barbara Harris, before they magically swap bodies and experience each other’s lives. Instead, the AI only recognizes the 2003 remake featuring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, along with the upcoming 2025 sequel titled ‘Freakier Friday’.

Foster noted in an interview with Variety, “You know who forgets that I was the original Annabel in Freaky Friday is AI. If you go on something like ChatGPT and ask, ‘Hey! What are the Freaky Friday movies?’, they mention an original with Jamie Lee Curtis, and then the new one that just came out. They don’t mention me. AI has no recollection of the ’70s.”

The original ‘Freaky Friday’, released in 1976, was a commercial success, grossing over $25 million on a budget of just $5 million. It was later remade by director Mark Waters, who cast Lindsay Lohan as Anna Coleman, inspired by Foster’s Annabel, and Jamie Lee Curtis as Tess Coleman, based on Harris’ character.

In 2025, the sequel ‘Freakier Friday’ was directed by filmmaker Nisha Ganatra, a version that Foster has yet to see. She remarked, “I haven’t seen the brand-new one, but I did see the other one, and of course, I love Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. It’s funny how different it was because it was a different time period, and Jamie and I laugh about that since she’s a very good friend of mine. We do often chuckle about how we were in that same movie.”

Singer-songwriter Elton John has expressed that he has no issues with alcohol and is not “anti-alcohol.” The legendary musician, who has maintained sobriety for the past 35 years, has introduced the Elton John Zero range of alcohol-free sparkling wine. He believes this new offering will “fill a need” for him and his husband, David Furnish, especially during social gatherings.

A Toast to Togetherness

Elton, 78, shared his thoughts with The London Standard, saying, “David and I spend a lot of our time entertaining people and it’s boring just drinking water. Especially if someone’s here at the house and it’s a special occasion. You want to raise a toast to someone and toasting with water just doesn’t do it. We’re not anti-alcohol.”

He elaborated, “We just choose not to drink it. We were just a bit selfish in that we wanted something to fill a need in our life. It’s been a long time since we could entertain and partake, but we will serve wine to people who drink. So it’s nice to be able to ‘join in’. Drinking the Blanc de Blancs really makes me feel a little better and brighter, and brings a joy that elevates the occasion. My personality comes through a bit more, and my mood shifts to a brighter place. That’s something I want people to get out of it: enjoyment.”

Reflections on Celebrations

Elton also mentioned, “Plus we have a lot of lovely glassware that we don’t use. I don’t think I’ve drunk out of a champagne glass for 35 years, so it would be nice to dust them off.”

According to reports, Elton wrapped up his touring career in 2023, although he continues to perform at various gigs. He enjoys spending quality time at home with David and their children, Zachary, 15, and Elijah, 12.

When asked about his plans for 2026, the singer stated, “To stay present. I’ve spent decades racing ahead and always planning for the future—tours, albums, deadlines. These days, I am much better at enjoying the important things, and the most important thing is time at home with my family and friends.”

Recently, Elton also honored his husband on Instagram to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their civil partnership.

Director Tamizh Dhayalan’s gripping survival drama ‘Gevi,’ featuring Aadhavan and Sheela in the lead roles, has officially entered the race for the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026). This achievement makes the film eligible for consideration in the prestigious nomination process.

About ‘Gevi’

Directed by Tamizh Dhayalan and produced by Artuptriangles Film Kampany, ‘Gevi’ is a powerful survival drama inspired by true events. Set against the rugged landscapes of the Western Ghats, the film tells a compelling story of survival and the fight for justice.

The plot revolves around a couple living in a rural village near Kodaikanal, exploring themes of resilience, justice, and human endurance against the unforgiving forces of nature.

Cast and Cultural Relevance

In addition to lead actors Aadhavan and Sheela, the film boasts an ensemble cast that includes Jacqueline Lydia, Jeeva Subramanian, B. Ganesh, Vivek Mohan, and Umar Farook. Deeply rooted in the cultural, social, and environmental realities of rural India, ‘Gevi’ presents a universally resonant narrative driven by emotional depth and cinematic scale.

Academy Screening Room Submission

The film has been successfully uploaded to the Academy Screening Room (ASR), the secure digital platform where Academy members can view eligible films while voting for the final nominations.

Producer’s Remarks

Commenting on the film’s Oscar journey, producer Jagan Jayasurya stated, “As the producer of ‘Gevi,’ I believe the film possesses the scale, craft, and emotional resonance that align strongly with the Academy’s Best Picture sensibilities. The film’s reception to date has reinforced our confidence that ‘Gevi’ can compete meaningfully at the highest level, and we are now seeking to engage in a focused, well-structured awards campaign.”

Joining Other Contenders

As an official contender for the 2026 Academy Awards, ‘Gevi’ joins other notable Indian entries, including the shortlisted ‘Homebound.’ Academy members will cast their votes for final nominations from January 12 to January 16, 2026, with the official list of nominees set to be announced on January 22, 2026.

Director-choreographer Farah Khan recently revealed that actress Nushrratt Bharuccha is “vertically challenged.” In the latest episode of her vlogging show, Farah visited Nushrratt’s home.

During the show, Nushrratt took Farah to her walk-in closet, proudly showcasing her extensive collection of footwear and bags. When Farah noticed the heels, she commented on how Nushrratt dances while wearing them.

She said, “She dances with the heels because she is a little,” to which Nushrratt humorously added, “I’m short heighted.” Farah quickly interjected, “Don’t say that. You’re vertically challenged,” prompting laughter from Nushrratt. She then mentioned, “I rehearse in high heels. I need to be really comfortable.”

Farah remarked on the impressive heels displayed, and Nushrratt pointed out one pair, saying, “One minute. See these. Those are nothing. I think this one is at least 6.5 inches.”

The episode also highlighted Nushrratt’s culinary skills, as she prepared her special home-style dish, Mutton Uppu Kari, during a fun-filled cooking session with Farah. Dressed casually yet chic in a white T-shirt and denim, Nushrratt added to the warm, homely vibe of the episode.

Farah praised Nushrratt’s performance in ‘Akelli,’ noting the emotional intensity of the film. She said, “You did a great job. You were the only girl throughout the film; it was so intense that it made my blood pressure rise.” This comment drew laughter, emphasizing the impact of Nushrratt’s gripping solo performance.

‘Akelli’ marked a significant milestone in Nushrratt Bharuccha’s career, as she carried the entire narrative almost single-handedly. Her portrayal of a woman trapped in a hostile environment received critical acclaim for its emotional depth, resilience, and realism.

On the professional front, Nushrratt has carved a strong niche for herself with a diverse body of work across genres. She gained popularity with films like ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’ and ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2,’ followed by successful outings such as ‘Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety’ and ‘Dream Girl.’ In recent years, she earned critical acclaim for her intense performances in content-driven films like ‘Chhorii’ and ‘Chhorii 2,’ impressing audiences with her powerful portrayals in the horror genre.

Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan celebrated Farah Khan’s 61st birthday by sharing a heartfelt message on her social media account. In her post, Kareena expressed her affection, promising to “always dance on beat” when Farah is around. She accompanied the message with a lovely photo of the birthday girl, stating, “Happy birthday dearest Farah… big hug @farahkhankunder.”

Farah Khan has choreographed Kareena in several popular songs, including “Bole Choodiyan,” “Fevicol Se,” and “Oh Re Kanchi.”

Earlier that day, actresses Kajol and Shilpa Shetty also took the opportunity to extend their wishes to the renowned filmmaker and choreographer.

Shilpa, celebrating her longtime friend, posted a picture and said, “To the one-woman army I can never say NO to! Stay healthy, happy, and amazing, my darling. Love you @farahkhankunder.”

Kajol, sharing a warm hug with Farah in a photo, wrote, “To the Queen of choreography & cooking, a very happy birthday! @farahkhankunder.”

For those unfamiliar with her journey, Farah Khan has been a significant presence in the entertainment industry for over thirty years. She began her career as a background dancer before achieving immense success as a choreographer. Farah later transitioned into directing with the blockbuster movie “Main Hoon Na,” starring Shah Rukh Khan.

On the personal front, she is married to Shirish Kunder, and the couple is blessed with triplets.

Actress Nyra Banerjee, currently preparing for her role in ‘One Two Cha Cha Chaa’, has opened up about her relationship status, revealing that she is single.

Singlehood Preference

In a recent interview, Nyra shared her thoughts on being single, saying, “I am single, and I plan to remain single until I get married. When there is understanding, trust naturally follows. Love and companionship are very simple. They exist where there are no expectations. You give love, and you receive it. Companionship includes friendship, and friendship is built on respect. Without respect and freedom, love and companionship cannot survive.”

Challenges on Set

Nyra discussed her biggest challenge while working on ‘One Two Cha Cha Chaa’, particularly highlighting the Bihari accent. “One of the biggest challenges for me was the Bihari accent. I do not know the Bihari dialect at all. I never had close friends from Bihar, nor had I worked on such roles before. Of course, we see a lot of content on social media, and that flavour is very entertaining,” she said.

She further described her experience, stating, “But when Ashutosh Rana ji delivers his dialogues in Hindi with a Bihari touch, it comes out in such a pure, classy, innocent, and lovable manner. Responding to him in the same accent during our romantic scenes made everything look incredibly cute, something I had not even imagined myself.”

Reflections from Bigg Boss

Commenting on her personality during ‘Bigg Boss 18’, Nyra reflected, “I think I showed my calm side. In reality, if I were violent, that side would have come out naturally. After the show, I realised that Bigg Boss puts the entire world into a pressure cooker. Situations arise suddenly, and you either react or respond.”

“I chose to respond, and maybe that is why my journey was not very long. Those who react tend to stay longer. What I learned is that decision-making in difficult situations is extremely important,” she added.

Nyra’s insights offer a glimpse into her journey as an actress and her approach to relationships and challenges on set.