Category: Entertainment

Actress Neelam Kothari Soni’s daughter, Ahana Soni, recently celebrated her 13th birthday, prompting a heartfelt tribute from her proud mother.

Celebrating a Milestone

Neelam took to Instagram, sharing two pictures from the intimate birthday celebration. She expressed her love in a touching message, saying, “And just like that my baby girl turns 13. Mama loves you too much. Wishing you happiness always.”

Family Background

Neelam married actor Samir Soni in 2011. The couple adopted Ahana in 2013, adding joy to their family.

A Glorious Film Career

Neelam made her film debut in Jawaani and rose to fame with her role in Ilzaam opposite debutant Govinda. The duo became a popular pair, working together in 14 films, including notable hits like Love 86, Khudgarz, Hatya, and Taaqatwar. She also starred in five successful movies with Chunkey Pandey, including Aag Hi Aag and Ghar Ka Chiraag. Additionally, Neelam appeared in the Bengali film Badnam alongside Prosenjit Chatterjee.

Recent Projects

Throughout her career, she has been part of significant films such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, where she played a cameo as a VJ, and the family drama Hum Saath Saath Hain. Her last film, the much-delayed Kasam, featured her opposite Chunky Pandey.

In recent years, Neelam showcased her personality in the reality series Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives on Netflix, alongside Maheep Kapoor, Bhavna Pandey, and Seema Sajdeh. After a brief hiatus from acting in 2001, she explored jewelry design and set up her own brand.

Television Appearances

On the acting front, Neelam was part of the series Made In Heaven, which follows wedding planners Tara and Karan as they run an agency in Delhi. She also appeared in The Ba***ds of Bollywood, portraying herself. This show stars a variety of actors, including Bobby Deol and Manoj Pahwa.

The series, marking Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, tells the story of Aasmaan Singh, an aspiring actor from Delhi who lands a significant role in a film produced by Karan Johar.

In this celebratory moment for Ahana also shines a light on Neelam’s illustrious journey in the film industry and her current ventures.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has granted a U/A certificate to director Krish Thirukumaran’s much-anticipated action entertainer, ‘Retta Thala’, featuring actor Arun Vijay in the lead role.

Confirmation of Release

BTG Universal, the film’s production house, announced the news on social media. They stated, “Certified. Charged. Ready. @arunvijayno1 ’s #RettaThala censored as U/A. Worldwide #Christmas release 25-DEC-25. Produced by @bbobby @BTGUniversal. Directed by @kris_thiru1. A @SamCSmusic’s Musical.”

Blessings at the Temple

In the lead-up to the film’s release, Arun Vijay and his co-star Siddhi Idnani visited the Arulmigu Vennankodi Muniappan Temple in Salem to offer their prayers. Arun Vijay shared photos from their visit on X, expressing, “Took the blessings from Arulmigu Vennankodi Muniappan Temple #Salem… #RettaThala in two days!! #RettaThala from December 25th.”

Character Insights

The film features Arun Vijay in dual roles. A recently released trailer opens with a voiceover stating, “People say a collection of happy memories is a good life. Whether it’s my life or my memories, I was happy only when I was with Andre.”

We discover that Andre is the character played by Siddhi Idnani, who asserts, “We live only once; we should live to the fullest.” One of Arun Vijay’s characters is evidently in a relationship with Andre.

Plot Twist and Revenge Theme

The trailer adds intrigue with Tanya Ravichandran’s character declaring, “I will gift this blank cheque to whoever kills the killer of my husband.” This hints at the film’s revenge angle. Hareesh Peradi’s character ominously states, “From this day on, his days are numbered.”

Arun Vijay’s character ominously remarks, “Death is laughing at me, saying, ‘I have surrounded you.’ It’s me against death. This will be a fight to the finish.” The trailer suggests that ‘Retta Thala’ will blend action, romance, revenge, and drama seamlessly.

Insights from Arun Vijay

In an earlier exclusive interview, Arun Vijay described ‘Retta Thala’ as a gripping action thriller that explores the complexities of human nature. He revealed the names of his characters, identifying one as Malpe Upendra and the other as Kali.

The Cast and Crew

Directed by Kris Thirukumaran, the film also features Siddhi Idnani, Tanya Ravichandran, Yogi Samy, John Vijay, Hareesh Peradi, and Balaji Murugadoss in pivotal roles.

Remarkably, the film boasts a stellar technical team. Music is composed by Sam CS, while Tijo Tomy handles cinematography. Editing is done by Anthony, and art direction is managed by Arunshankar Durai. Known for its thrilling action sequences, stunts are choreographed by P.C.Stunts, with costumes designed by Kiruthika Sekar and song choreography by Suren R and Bobby Antony.

Actress Kareena Kapoor recently shared a delightful glimpse from her son Taimur Ali Khan’s birthday celebrations on social media.

Lionel Messi-Themed Birthday Bash
Kareena took to her Instagram Stories to reveal details from Taimur’s Lionel Messi-themed birthday celebration. She posted a vibrant photo showcasing the football-inspired décor, which included blue and white balloons adorned with the message “Happy Birthday Tim.” Another balloon prominently featured “Messi 10,” encapsulating the spirit of the event.

The setup was dominated by football-themed elements, giving the celebration a sporty and lively atmosphere. Inspired by Lionel Messi’s illustrious FC Barcelona journey, the décor reflected the essence of his legendary career, particularly highlighting his iconic No. 10 legacy.

A Memorable Encounter with Messi
Recently, football legend Lionel Messi visited India as part of his highly anticipated G.O.A.T. Tour, receiving a grand welcome in Mumbai. Among the excited attendees was Kareena, who attended the event with her sons, Taimur and Jehangir Ali Khan.

Kareena shared a sneak peek of the family’s excitement on social media, capturing a moment just before their encounter with Messi. Dressed in a chic khaki ensemble, she was joined by Taimur, who proudly wore a jersey bearing Messi’s name, while Jeh sported a jersey that read “Argentina.”

Taimur Celebrates His 9th Birthday
On December 20, Kareena and Saif Ali Khan’s elder son, Taimur, celebrated his ninth birthday. Last year, the proud parents organized a sports-themed bash for Taimur, which quickly became a viral sensation. To commemorate Taimur’s 8th birthday, the family arranged a fun sports day, joined by younger brother Jeh, Karan Johar’s son Yash, and other friends.

This year’s celebrations once again highlighted Kareena and Saif’s commitment to making Taimur’s special day memorable.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan recently reflected on his ‘mundan’ ceremony, emphasizing the lasting connections between his family and the team that has supported his legendary father, Amitabh Bachchan, for generations. This relationship has evolved from a professional bond to a cherished family tie.

Aalim Hakim, a renowned celebrity hairstylist, shared a video where Abhishek affectionately referred to him as a “genius.” During the chat, Abhishek mentioned that Aalim has been doing his hair for so long that he has lost track of time.

“You all know him, Aalim the genius. Aalim has been doing my hair for so long; I’ve lost count. This is a family relationship,” he stated.

In a nostalgic moment, Aalim reminded Abhishek that his mundan ceremony was performed by his father. “Your mundan was done by my dad,” Aalim said, to which Abhishek responded warmly, acknowledging that Aalim’s father not only performed his mundan but also cut Amitabh Bachchan’s hair.

“Yes, your father did my mundan. His father used to cut my father’s hair, and now we’ve carried the tradition on,” Abhishek confirmed.

Abhishek went on to praise Aalim as the best and greatest hairstylist ever.

On the work front, Abhishek was last seen in “Kaalidhar Laapata,” directed by Madhumita. The film features him in the lead role as Kaalidhar, alongside Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and child actor Daivik Bhagela. It is the Hindi remake of Madhumita’s 2019 Tamil film “K.D.” The story revolves around a middle-aged man suffering from a progressive degenerative disease who discovers his family plans to abandon him and tries to fade away into a fair. During this journey, he forms a bond with an orphaned boy.

Looking ahead, Abhishek will appear in the action thriller “King,” directed by Siddharth Anand. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan and his daughter Suhana Khan, along with a stellar cast including Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi, and Rani Mukerji in supporting roles. “King” is slated for a theatrical release in 2026.

Ace director Vetrimaaran has disclosed that his assistant director Suresh Rajakumari, who is making his directorial debut with the upcoming police drama ‘Sirai’, is a just person with remarkable people management skills. During the pre-release event of ‘Sirai’, featuring actors Vikram Prabhu and newcomer L K Akshay in the lead roles, Vetrimaaran praised Suresh’s balanced nature and ethical approach to situations.

Exceptional People Management Skills

Vetrimaaran stated, “Suresh is a very balanced person. You cannot find another balanced person like him. Be it any situation, he will handle it patiently and calmly. More importantly, he will be just and ethical. He will stand by what is right. Even if I do something, he will not accept it just because I am doing it. His exceptional skills in managing people are evident. The producer is presenting a car to Suresh, and I believe his ability to handle pressure is one of the main reasons he made this film well.”

Conflict Resolution Excellence

To illustrate Suresh’s conflict resolution skills, Vetrimaaran shared an incident involving an office boy who was assaulted by local youths. Instead of escalating the matter to Vetrimaaran or involving the police, Suresh chose to resolve it himself. Understanding the potential repercussions of involving authorities, he patiently listened to the office boy’s concerns and tactfully addressed the issue with the assailants. Vetrimaaran learned of this commendable act only through others.

Positive Impact of the Film

Expressing his satisfaction, Vetrimaaran mentioned the film’s positive impact on viewers and praised its pacing—something he noted is challenging to achieve in procedural films.

Film Production and Story

Produced by the renowned S S Lalit Kumar of Seven Screen Studios, the story of ‘Sirai’ is inspired by real-life incidents and penned by director Tamizh, known for the critically acclaimed ‘Taanakaran’. Tamizh’s narrative is believed to stem from a personal experience.

Cast and Crew Details

Vikram Prabhu leads the film alongside actress Anantha, while L K Akshay Kumar, son of producer S S Lalit Kumar, makes his acting debut. Actress Anishma plays opposite Akshay Kumar.

The film features music by acclaimed music director Justin Prabhakaran, with cinematography by Madesh Manickam and editing by the skilled Philomin Raj. Stunt choreography is handled by Prabhu, and the executive producers are Arun K and Manikandan.

Shooting Locations and Release Date

Filming took place across various locations, including Chennai, Sivagangai, and Vellore. ‘Sirai’ is set to release in theaters on December 25 this year.

Ahan Shetty has opened up about the intense physical transformation he underwent for his role in “Border 2.”

The actor revealed that he shed nearly 5 kilos to achieve a lean, battle-ready physique suited for a soldier. To meet the demands of the role, Ahan followed a strictly planned diet focused on high protein, healthy fats, and clean eating, while significantly cutting down on carbs. Sharing his diet strategy for “Border 2,” Shetty stated, “I had to lean out for this film – lost around 5 kilos to get the right look for a soldier. The diet was strategically designed: high protein and healthy fats to maintain muscle mass and energy, while I cut down on carbs to shed the excess weight.”

Ahan emphasized the importance of timing, saying, “It was about precision – every meal timed around training and shoot schedules. Clean eating throughout, no cheat days during the shoot. Soldiers are lean, functional, operationally ready. I wanted that same credibility and authenticity in every frame.”

The ‘Tadap’ actor further spoke about his experience filming at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Pune. He described it as both physically taxing and profoundly transformative, noting that training and shooting at an actual military institution reshaped his approach to the role.

In “Border 2,” Ahan Shetty portrays a Navy officer. The first-look poster released by the makers showcases the actor in the midst of a battlefield, with blood smeared across his face, armed with a tank gun and fully prepared for combat.

Directed by Anurag Singh, this upcoming war drama features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Medha Rana, Mona Singh, and Sonam Bajwa. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta, “Border 2” is scheduled for a theatrical release on January 23, 2026.

Thrilled with the way director Suresh Rajakumari crafted the police drama ‘Sirai,’ set to release on December 25, producer S S Lalit Kumar surprised the director with a brand new car before the film’s debut!

Pre-Release Praise

The film has generated positive buzz from critics and industry experts, with special screenings held prior to its release. ‘Sirai’ stars Vikram Prabhu and L K Akshay Kumar in lead roles.

The car was gifted to the director’s mother during a pre-release event hosted by the film’s producers. Notable director Vetrimaaran, who mentored Rajakumari, handed over the car key to the director’s mother in the presence of several celebrities and media personnel.

Engaging Trailer

The trailer opens with Vikram Prabhu as a cop, tasked with escorting a prisoner, Abdul Rauf (played by newcomer L K Akshay), to the Sivagangai court. Accompanied by two policemen, Vikram takes the prisoner into custody, beginning their journey.

In a gripping moment, the prisoner begs Vikram not to handcuff him while moving from the bus stand to the court. However, the officers remain firm, explaining, “You must have thought about all this before committing a murder,” when Abdul shows his concern.

As the story unfolds, it reveals that Abdul’s predicament stems from his girlfriend’s troubled home life. The tension escalates when he escapes from police custody, taking one of their rifles with him. Now, the cops must capture Abdul or face dire consequences.

Inspired Storytelling

The film’s plot draws inspiration from real-life events and is credited to director Tamizh, known for his critically acclaimed film ‘Taanakaran.’ It is believed that Tamizh based this narrative on a personal experience.

Suresh Rajakumari, a co-director alongside Vetrimaaran, has both written and directed ‘Sirai.’

Star-Studded Cast

Vikram Prabhu heads the cast, while actress Anantha plays his love interest. Notably, this film marks the acting debut of producer SS Lalit Kumar’s son, L K Akshay Kumar, with actress Anishma portraying his on-screen partner.

Technical Excellence

Producer S S Lalit Kumar has invested significantly in this big-budget film, employing an exceptional technical team. The music is composed by renowned music director Justin Prabhakaran, with cinematography handled by Madesh Manickam and editing by the talented Philomin Raj. Stunt choreography is by Prabhu, while Arun K and Manikandan serve as executive producers.

Filming took place at various locations, including Chennai, Sivagangai, and Vellore.

Actress Sonam Bajwa will soon be seen opposite Diljit Dosanjh in the much-anticipated war drama, “Border 2”.

Speaking exclusively, Sonam shared that the original “Border” is one of her favorite films. She revealed that the J.P. Dutta directorial holds many cherished childhood memories for her, stating, “Growing up, I can’t even remember how many times I watched Border on television. It’s one of my favourite films and holds so many childhood memories. I feel beyond grateful and truly blessed to be a part of a film like this.”

Sonam elaborated on how she got involved in “Border 2”. She mentioned that filmmaker Anurag Singh, with whom she had previously collaborated on the 2017 release “Super Singh”, reached out to her for the project.

Highlighting the connection between the films, she noted, “Director Anurag Singh reached out to me for Border 2, and we already share a great working relationship, having collaborated earlier as well. Interestingly, both those films also starred Diljit, so our association in Punjab has been quite special.”

Discussing her role as Manjeet in “Border 2”, the actress, known for her work in ‘Housefull 5’, said, “In Border 2, I play a Punjabi girl named Manjeet, who comes from Ambala and is married to Diljit Dosanjh’s character, Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon. Anurag told me that I was the first person who came to his mind for Manjeet, which meant a lot to me. I was incredibly excited because the moment I heard Border 2 was in the works, it became a dream project for me.”

Presented by Gulshan Kumar & T-Series in association with J.P. Dutta’s J.P. Films and backed by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta, the film also stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, Anya Singh, Mona Singh, and Medha Rana in pivotal roles.

“Border 2” is set to hit cinemas during the Republic Day weekend on January 23, 2026.

Actress Meenakshi Seshadri has embarked on a musical venture as she reminisces about her beloved 1985 film “Lover Boy,” marking over four decades since its release in December.

To celebrate this milestone, Meenakshi has put a fresh spin on the film’s iconic romantic title track, offering it as a special Christmas and New Year gift to her fans and friends.

On Instagram, she shared a video of herself dancing to the title track of “Lover Boy,” which she sang herself. Reflecting on the track, she noted its romantic essence and lyrical charm.

“My movie ‘Lover Boy,’ co-starring Rajiv Kapoor and Anita Raaj, was released 30 years back in December. The title track, known for its romance and lyrical beauty, has always inspired me,” she expressed. “I decided to remix it in my own voice as a special Christmas and New Year gift to all fans and friends. Bahon me…”

“Lover Boy,” directed by Shomu Mukherjee, features Rajiv Kapoor in a double role alongside Meenakshi Seshadri and Anita Raaj. The film narrates the story of twins, Kishan and Kanhaiya, who switch identities to win over Radha, while Bijli complicates their plans with her love for Kishan.

Meenakshi Seshadri rose to prominence as one of Hindi cinema’s leading actresses in the 1980s and 1990s. She made her acting debut with “Painter Babu” in 1983, but it was her second film, “Hero,” that catapulted her to instant stardom.

She gained recognition with notable films such as “Aandhi-Toofan,” “Meri Jung,” “Swati,” “Dacait,” “Inaam Dus Hazaar,” “Shahenshah,” “Awaargi,” “Ghar Ho To Aisa,” “Damini,” and “Ghatak.” A documentary titled “Meenakshi Accepts Her Wings” was also made about her life.

Meenakshi was last seen in the 1996 action thriller “Ghatak: Lethal,” directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, alongside Sunny Deol, Amrish Puri, and Danny Denzongpa. The film achieved significant success, becoming the highest-grossing Bollywood film of that year in terms of domestic box office collections and second overall for worldwide earnings.

Hollywood star Tom Holland has successfully wrapped up filming for his upcoming movie “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who has expressed high praise for the actor.

Cretton took to Instagram to announce the completion of filming on Holland’s fourth Spider-Man movie, referring to it as “the biggest, most rewarding film I’ve ever been a part of.”

In his heartfelt message, Cretton acknowledged the support from his family during the production and commended the “amazing cast” for bringing life to beloved characters. He also appreciated the “unbelievable crew,” noting their unmatched creativity and craftsmanship that kept him laughing throughout the shoot.

He wrote, “I love you all so much and can’t wait for the world to see your stunning work on the big screen,” alongside a photo of himself with Holland adorned with flowers and another featuring the movie’s crew.

Cretton added, “And of course, to @tomholland2013, for your kind, generous leadership on and off screen, for your relentless work ethic, your fearless performances, and for your friendship.”

“That’s a wrap on Spider-Man: Brand New Day!” he concluded.

Holland began filming scenes for the movie in Glasgow, Scotland, in August. He shared videos from the set during his first day of filming. Notably, production briefly paused in September when Holland suffered a mild concussion. He was later seen back in the Spider-Man suit and filming after recovering.

Holland recounted his concussion experience while discussing an event with The Brothers Trust, the charity he runs with his three brothers. He mentioned in an Instagram post that he left the event early but was “feeling better and on the mend.”

In addition to his role as Spider-Man, Holland stars alongside his real-life fiancée Zendaya, with whom he got engaged around the holidays in 2024.