Category: Entertainment

As Bollywood sensation Ahaan Panday celebrated his birthday, his mother, Deanne Panday, took to social media to honor her son with a heartfelt birthday post, reminding him, “Always be you.”

Deanne shared some adorable and rare childhood photos of Ahaan on her official Instagram handle. One picture captured the birthday star alongside his cousin, Ananya Panday.

In her touching message, Deanne wrote, “Happy birthday to our love & life… You make us so happy, so proud. From the child that you were to the man that you are today, there is no one like you, you are just different. You are love, you wear your heart on your sleeve. Stay real no matter what the world throws at you, son. Be you, as you are so beautiful inside out. Love you so much… Happy Birthday to our sunshine, everyone’s Sunshine (sic).”

Ahaan’s aunt, Bhavana Pandey, and actor Bobby Deol expressed their affection for the post with red heart emojis.

Additionally, Ahaan’s co-star from ‘Saiyaara’, Aneet Padda, also shared a special birthday message filled with admiration and love. Aneet treated Instagram users to a series of unseen photos and videos of Ahaan, painting a vivid picture of a bright future for him.

She wrote, “I’ve seen the future. I’ve seen passersby smile when you laugh out loud, they can’t help it. I’ve seen colours change in the world around when your eyes are lost in thought admiring an old woman watering her plants, unaware. I’ve seen the scribbles in your notepad, holding the musings of an unusual mind, rare and magical. The change of your camera lens, stubborn in its search for beauty in the mundane. I’ve seen you be so selfless (sic).”

Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan’s mother, Pinkie Roshan, recently shared a heartwarming glimpse into her family life, delighting in her role as a grandmother.

Pinkie took to Instagram, sharing a joyful moment captured in a photo with her grandsons, Hridaan and Hrehaan, at the pre-wedding ceremony of actor Eshaan Roshan. In her post, she simply expressed her affection with the caption: “I’m a very proud dadi.”

Hridaan and Hrehaan are the children of Hrithik and his former wife, Sussanne Khan. The couple married in 2000 but separated in December 2013, finalizing their divorce in November 2014. As of 2022, Hrithik is in a relationship with actress Saba Azad.

On the professional front, Hrithik is set to appear in War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji. This film marks the sixth installment in the YRF Spy Universe and serves as a sequel to the 2019 hit War. It features Hrithik Roshan, N. T. Rama Rao Jr., and Kiara Advani. The plot revolves around Kabir Dhaliwal, a former RAW agent who goes rogue and poses a significant threat to national security, prompting the assignment of a special units officer, Vikram Chelapathi, to neutralize him.

In an exciting development, Hrithik is making his debut as a producer in the OTT space with the thriller Storm. He has partnered with Prime Video for this project, which is set in Mumbai, with production expected to commence soon, according to reports.

Storm is created and directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Ajitpal Singh, known for the series Tabbar and the Sundance selection Fire in the Mountains.

Additionally, it was announced in April 2025 that Hrithik will make his directorial debut with Krrish 4. He is taking the reins of a franchise he has developed over the past 22 years. Produced by Yash Raj Films in collaboration with Rakesh Roshan, the film will see Hrithik juggling both directing and acting roles as he reprises his role as the titular superhero. Shooting for Krrish 4 is slated to begin early next year.

Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has shared a heartfelt note praising Ashutosh Rana for his humility and profound respect, sparked by a video featuring the actor with his father, veteran singer Nitin Mukesh.

Nitin had attended Ashutosh Rana’s stage play “Humare Ram,” in which Rana takes on the powerful role of Raavana alongside Rahull R. Bhuchar.

In a deeply moving moment captured after the performance, Nitin joined Ashutosh on stage, where the actor bowed down to touch the veteran singer’s feet—a gesture of respect that left Neil visibly touched.

Calling the moment “truly heart-touching,” Neil expressed that the video moved him to tears. He shared his thoughts on Instagram, stating: “A must watch video. Such a beautiful video. @ashutosh_ramnarayan sir, your humility is truly heart-touching. Your love and respect for Papa are beyond words. I have always admired and respected you for your powerhouse performances, but today you truly won my heart.”

He further added: “@rahull_r_bhuchar ji, seeing you stand there holding my father’s hand as he sang brought tears to my eyes. Shree Ram, aapko mera naman.”

Ashutosh, known for his roles in the television serial Swabhimaan, continued his successful career with shows like Farz, Sazish, Jax Kabhi, and Waris. He also hosted TV shows such as Baazi Kiski and Sarkaar Ki Duniya. In 2010, he portrayed a negative character in the show Kaali- Ek Agnipariksha, and gained massive recognition for his roles in the films Sangharsh and Dushman, where he played a psychopathic killer.

His latest release includes “One Two Cha Cha Chaa,” an action-adventure comedy film directed by Abhishek Raj and Rajneesh Thakur.

On the other hand, Neil made his debut as a child artist in “Vijay” in 1988 and “Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharnii” in 1989. He had his full-fledged debut playing the title role in “Johnny Gaddaar” in 2007. Since then, the actor has starred in notable films such as “New York,” “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo,” “Golmaal Again,” and “Saaho.” He also made his Tamil film debut with “Kaththi” and his Telugu film debut with “Kavacham.”

On the work front, Neil’s latest release is the black comedy thriller titled “Ek Chatur Naar,” written by Himanshu Tripathi and directed by Umesh Shukla. This film stars Divya Khossla and is set in a quirky small-town Indian landscape. It follows a seemingly charming woman whose naivety masks her razor-sharp wit. Ambitious and cunning, she effortlessly outsmarts everyone around her. As a lucrative opportunity arises, she dives in headfirst, entangled with unpredictable twists and darkly comedic turns that test her cunning at every step.

Actor Jackie Shroff remembered the legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal on his first death anniversary, paying tribute to the director’s monumental contributions to Indian cinema.

An avid social media user, Jackie shared his tribute on Instagram Stories, posting a picture of the late director with the caption: “Shyam Benegal Ji (14 Dec 1934 – 23 Dec 2024).”

A Pioneer in Cinema

Often celebrated as a pioneer of parallel cinema, Benegal is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers since the 1970s. His remarkable filmography earned him numerous accolades, including eighteen National Film Awards, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan for his artistic contributions.

Benegal passed away on 23 December 2024, at the age of 90, due to chronic kidney disease while being treated at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai. His early films—Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, and Bhumika—established him as a leading figure in the new wave film movement.

His notable “Muslim Women Trilogy,” consisting of Mammo, Sardari Begum, and Zubeidaa, all received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. In 2018, he was honored with the V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jackie’s Recent Work

In more recent news, Jackie Shroff was featured in the comedy thriller “Housefull 5.” The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, and others.

The movie centers around a murder mystery comedy, revolving around multiple imposters vying to be the son of a newly deceased billionaire while competing for his fortune aboard a luxury cruise ship.

Looking ahead, Jackie is set to appear in Ahmed Khan’s upcoming comedy film titled “Welcome To The Jungle,” which features a star-studded cast, including Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, and more.

Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet feels that life is “better” with a “good meal and a bit of Radiohead,” among other small joys that helped her cope with unwanted attention.

Reflecting on the “horrific” intrusion into her personal life during her younger years, Winslet spoke about her experiences while promoting her role as director in the film “Goodbye June.” She discussed how, amidst the scrutiny that accompanied the breakdown of one of her marriages, she found comfort in simple pleasures.

During her appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Winslet shared how she managed the relentless attention. “A good meal, a shared conversation, a nice cup of coffee, a bit of Radiohead, and a good poo”—these were her strategies for fostering joy. She emphasized, “You know, life’s all the better for those things.”

The actress opened up about her struggles with body image while filming “Titanic” in her early 20s. She admitted that her life was “totally turned upside down” when the film released, making her a global star and leaving her “terrified” to sleep due to the invasion of her privacy. Winslet recounted, “I wasn’t ready for that world. It was horrific. There were people tapping my phone. They were just everywhere. And I was just on my own. I was terrified to go to sleep.”

Winslet also recalled advice she received early in her acting career which conditioned her expectations. A drama teacher had suggested she should be content with playing “fat-girl parts” if she wanted to succeed as an actress. She remembered, “I was a little bit stocky, when I did start taking it much more seriously and got a child agent I really remember vividly a drama teacher … she said to me, ‘Well, darling, you’ll have a career if you’re ready to settle for the fat girl parts.’ Look at me now. It’s appalling the things people say to children.”

Expressing her thoughts on the film industry, Winslet noted there’s still “so much we have to unlearn” regarding how women are spoken to in film. She pointed out that as a first-time director, she was subjected to remarks that she felt would never be directed at a man. “They might say things like, ‘Don’t forget to be confident in your choices.’ And I want to sort of say, ‘Don’t talk to me about confidence,’ because if that’s one thing I haven’t ever lacked, actually, it’s exactly that. That person wouldn’t say that to a man.”

Tollywood actor Vijay Deverakonda has announced his exciting new project titled “Rowdy Janardhana,” generating buzz among his fans eager for his next venture.

In a heartwarming gesture, actress Rashmika Mandanna, who is rumored to be engaged to the ‘Liger’ actor, expressed her support for him through social media. She re-shared the announcement of the film on her X (formerly Twitter) handle, writing, “Let’s go! Lets go! Let’s goooo!! @TheDeverakonda (sic).”

Not stopping there, the ‘Pushpa’ star shared another encouraging message for Vijay on her Instagram Stories. She wrote, “You Rowdy fellow. Such mental stuff this is! What visuals! What music! What vibe! What an actor! You boys are crazy and I love it (sic).”

In his announcement, Vijay treated fans to a power-packed first promo of the film on Instagram. He appeared in a fierce avatar, shirtless and drenched in blood, with long hair and a thick moustache. Sporting a dark lungi and wielding a machete, he will portray a feared rowdy from Kalingapatnam in this upcoming drama.

Vijay shared, “The Biography of a Wounded man. in 1 year. #RowdyJanardhana December 2026 (sic).”

Beyond their professional engagements, Vijay and Rashmika have been making headlines for their rumored relationship. Speculations about their romance have circulated for some time, fueled by their simultaneous appearances at airports and vacations in similar locations.

Recent reports suggest that Vijay and Rashmika are finally engaged after years of dating, with plans to tie the knot in February next year. However, there has been no official confirmation from either party as of now.

Global Latin sensation Enrique Iglesias and his partner Anna Kournikova have proudly announced the arrival of their fourth child together.

The 50-year-old singer and the 44-year-old former Russian tennis player shared a heartwarming post on Instagram, revealing their newest family member with a sweet picture. The couple already has twins Lucy and Nicholas, aged eight, and a five-year-old daughter named Mary.

Sweet Family Moment

Their announcement included an adorable image of the newborn, who was welcomed into the world last week, snuggled in a blanket with a hospital beanie, cuddling a stuffed animal sloth. In the caption, they wrote: “My Sunshine 12.17.2025.”

While the couple has not disclosed any details about the baby’s sex or name, insiders had hinted earlier this year that Enrique and Anna were gearing up for their fourth child.

Happy Parents Again

A source shared with People, “Anna and Enrique are very happy to become parents again. They have proven to be great parents to their three children, and both of them love the process. They enjoy the activities and all that goes along with raising children.”

Enrique has expressed hopes that his children will follow in their mother’s footsteps rather than pursuing a music career like his. Back in 2020, he stated, “I can honestly tell you, if I had to pick one, definitely sports. I love sports. I love golf, I love tennis, and I would not mind seeing one of my little girls play tennis.”

He also mentioned wanting to avoid being an obsessive father, telling Anna, “You can be the best coach in the world.”

Balancing Fatherhood and Career

The singer aims to be a “cool” dad, acknowledging a newfound sense of responsibility since becoming a parent. “It’s one of the best feelings in the world. I drive slower now and think about things a bit more before doing them. I hope to be a cool, easy-going dad.”

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was overwhelmed with emotion and pride as he watched his grandson Agastya Nanda in the upcoming war film “Ikkis,” describing his performance as “perfection in every shot.”

Reflecting on family memories, Amitabh began by sharing old photographs of his mother, Teji Bachchan, as a child alongside her father, Sardar Khazan Singh Suri, her British nanny, and her elder sister, Govind Maasi ji. He penned on his blog: “Ma ..with me maybe a couple of years old .. Ma .. with my Nana ji Sardar Khazan Singh Suri, on the right in white sari and with her, her British nanny, on the left Govind Maasi ji her elder sister ..(sic).”

He also reminisced about moments spent with his mother after returning home from the hospital following the 1982 Coolie accident, as well as an earlier photograph from before her marriage. He wrote, “Ma .. when I returned from Breach Candy after Coolie accident to home at Prateeksha .. and Ma .. an earlier picture, I think before marriage .. Now simply pleasant memories (sic).”

Connecting these memories to the present, Amitabh described the emotional experience of watching Agastya excel on screen. He recalled the day Agastya’s mother, Shweta, was rushed to the hospital during her final labor pains, holding her newborn just hours after his birth, even wondering if the baby’s eyes were blue. “Emotions flow .. As do they tonight when you witness the grandson excel in IKKIS .. the time when his Mother, Shweta is being rushed to Breach Candy Hospital as she encounters final labor pains .. his birth .. holding him barely a few hours later, and discussing whether his eyes were blue ..(sic).”

Amitabh traced Agastya’s journey from tender moments as a child, playing with his beard in his arms, to his decision to become an actor. “To the time when he grew a bit and holding him in my arms, and he fiddles with my beard .. to his growth .. to the final personal decision of his to be an actor. And tonight to see him in frame, unable to take my eyes off each time he fills the frames of the film .. (sic).”

Watching Agastya portray Param Vir Chakra awardee Arun Khetarpal in “Ikkis,” Amitabh noted he could not take his eyes off the screen when his grandson appeared. He praised Agastya’s maturity, honesty, and restraint, stating there was “nothing frill or froth.” “His maturity, his unfiltered honesty in his performance, his presence justifying the character he portrays .. nothing frill or froth, just the Arun Khetarpal soldier, who fought in his bravery as the 21-year-old, defending the nation during the India-Pak war of 1971…(sic).”

He added, “Nothing excessive, just the perfection in every shot .. when he is in the frame you only watch him .. and this is not a grandfather speaking, this is a hardened viewer of cinema .. (sic).”

Amitabh also described the film as flawless in its writing, direction, and presentation. “And the film flawless in its presentation .. its writing .. its direction .. And when it ends .. the eyes filled with tears of joy and pride .. unable to speak out .. In silence .. The silence that belongs to me .. my understanding .. no other .. (sic).”

Hollywood actor Michael Douglas has revealed that he spent a significant amount of time discussing Rob Reiner’s son Nick Reiner’s drug issues.

Tragically, director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead in their home on December 14. Their son Nick, open about his struggles with addiction, is currently in jail after being charged with double murder.

Douglas has faced similar drug problems in his own family; his son Cameron Douglas battled addiction for years. Michael expressed that he connected with Reiner over their shared experiences.

In the CBS News TV special, ‘Rob Reiner: Scenes from a Life’, Douglas said, “With this terrible tragedy, we’re realising how much pressure he was dealing with in his personal life with his son. I also had a son who had issues with drugs. I’m happy to say he’s overcome them and is living a prosperous life. We discussed a lot about what you can do as a parent and what you can’t do. Knowing all of that going on behind the scenes, this was a man who always gave it his best.”

Douglas also mentioned their common Hollywood experiences, growing up in the shadows of their renowned fathers—Douglas as the son of Spartacus actor Kirk Douglas and Reiner as the child of comedian/actor Carl Reiner.

“It’s tough watching someone like Rob. I could never be the man my father was. He could do everything. He was Spartacus. Stepping into the same industry makes that reality glaringly evident. In Rob’s case, the question is, are you as funny as your father?” he shared. “This also instilled tenacity and strength in him, qualities that aren’t often highlighted about Rob’s endurance.”

In the TV special, Reiner was also commemorated by his Misery co-star Kathy Bates. She likened landing the role in the Stephen King adaptation to a pivotal moment in Frank Capra’s 1946 classic ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, saying it redirected her life entirely.

“If I hadn’t done Misery, it would be like (the character) George Bailey realizing what his life would have been without his influence. I’ve always dreamed of being an actress, and without Rob, I don’t think I would have realized that dream in such a dramatic and incredible way,” she stated.

“Rob changed the course of my life, and if he hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here today,” she added.

Actress Nia Sharma celebrated her “bestie” and actor-producer Ravie Dubey’s 42nd birthday on Tuesday, describing their long-standing friendship as a journey “from annoying to awesome.”

Nia took to Instagram to share a series of vibrant pictures and videos from Ravie’s birthday celebration, expressing her delight at making it onto the “strict guest list.” She wrote, “Happy Birthday fav. bestie. 14 yearssssss onnnn.. From Annoying to Awesome, you’ve hit it out of the park with your hard work! Proud of you friend @ravidubey2312. @sargunmehta I made it in the strict guestlist.”

Nia and Ravie have a close bond, having featured together in the beloved television series Jamai Raja, which captivated audiences during its run. Their friendship, passed through years, often shines through their playful social media exchanges and public appearances.

Jamai Raja aired from August 4, 2014, to March 3, 2017, succeeding Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se and later replaced by Piyaa Albela. The sequel, Jamai 2.0, stars Ravi Dubey, Nia Sharma, Shiny Doshi, and Achint Kaur.

Nia was recently seen in “Laughter Chefs Fun Unlimited,” alongside Krushna Abhishek, Rahul Vaidya, Karan Kundrra, Ankita Lokhande, Vicky Jain, Reem Shaikh, Sudesh Lehri, Elvish Yadav, Rubina Dilaik, Aly Goni, and Kashmera Shah. The show, hosted by Bharti Singh, is judged by chef Harpal Singh Sokhi.

She also portrayed a witch named Nishigandha in “Suhagan Chudail,” a fantasy-thriller-romance show featuring Zayn Ibad Khan and Debchandrima Singha Roy in lead roles. Nia has starred in various popular shows like ‘Behenein’, ‘Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai’, ‘Meri Durga’, and ‘Kaali – Ek Agnipariksha’. Having participated in ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi: Made in India’ in 2020, she emerged as the winner. Furthermore, her web series appearances include ‘Twisted’ and ‘Jamai 2.0’.

Meanwhile, Ravie is set to appear as Lord Lakshmana in the much-anticipated film “Ramayana: Part 1.” Earlier this year, the makers unveiled the first look of this grand project, which stars Ranbir and Yash in pivotal roles. The CGI, crafted by Prime Focus and Academy Award-winning DNEG (known for their Oscar-winning VFX work on ‘Dune’), enriches the cinematic experience.

The film boasts an ensemble cast, featuring Ranbir as Lord Ram, Yash as Raavan, and actress Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita. Other notable characters include Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Amitabh Bachchan as Jatayu, and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi.

Music legends Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman are collaborating for this cinematic masterpiece.

“Ramayana” is envisioned as a two-part live-action epic, reimagined on a scale akin to the largest cinematic ventures produced to date. The film will be shot for IMAX and is scheduled for a global release, with Part 1 set to debut during Diwali 2026 and Part 2 in Diwali 2027.