Category: Entertainment

Well-known music director Santhosh Narayanan is developing an ultra-transparent, affordable music streaming platform aimed at artists and listeners worldwide. He recently shared his concerns regarding the expectations set by emerging artists, describing them as “unrealistic.”

In a heartfelt post on his X timeline, he stated, “I have been flooded with emails and messages from so many emerging artists and performers from the Indie scene in the past few months since we announced my music company. Some of the expectations they set for themselves are worryingly unrealistic.”

He emphasized the importance of artistic integrity, advising future stars and legends that it’s perfectly okay to be unknown or irrelevant. “As long as what you create has integrity towards what you really want deep inside you as an artist, the art piece always finds its audience,” he added.

In October, Santhosh announced the initiation of his music streaming platform, describing it as one of his dream projects. He expressed excitement, saying, “Starting one of my dream projects today. Building an ultra transparent affordable music streaming platform from India for anyone in the world who streams music. Will see a massive set of legendary artists and upcoming superstars in this platform.”

This music director, known for his support of independent artists, also mentioned that “we will keep artist payouts and affordable subscription (if any) at the forefront. It will be built, operated, and served from India. We will also be conducting a few hackathon events to identify deserving young talent.”

Santhosh, recognized as one of the top music directors in the Tamil film industry, has composed music for several notable films, including director Pandiraj’s ‘Thalaivan Thalaivi’ with Vijay Sethupathi and Nithya Menen, as well as Karthik Subbaraj’s ‘Retro’ featuring Suriya and Pooja Hegde.

Last year, he launched his own venture, Rakitaa Entertainment. Speaking about this initiative, he recalled his journey, stating, “I arrived in Chennai in 2004 as a 20-year-old musician, ambitious to make my mark in the music industry. For nearly a decade, I navigated the industry, parched for opportunities, facing countless challenges to showcase my talent.”

He further explained his vision: “Through this journey, I came to realize the need for a platform that accelerates the careers of deserving musicdigihunt, helping them avoid the long waits and struggles I experienced. This vision has now materialized as Rakitaa Entertainment, a venture I’ve been nurturing for the past two to three years.”

Santhosh launched Rakitaa Entertainment on his wedding anniversary, emphasizing its dedication to musicdigihunt. He stated, “Rakitaa Entertainment is committed to transparency in ownership, payments, and long-term support. We are also in the process of launching a state-of-the-art studio to empower our artists to use as their creative playground.”

National Award-winning Tamil filmmaker Parthiban has shared the compelling reasons behind his decision to cancel a trip to Dubai and travel to Kochi instead, expressing a deep desire to pay his last respects to renowned Malayalam filmmaker Sreenivasan.

For those who may not know, Sreenivasan, a respected actor, writer, and director, passed away on Saturday at Trippunithura Taluk Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for age-related health issues. He was 69.

Personal Journey to Pay Homage

Parthiban elaborated on his intense journey to Kochi via a post on X. He recounted the challenges he faced: “If you listen to how I reached Kochi, it was intense beyond words. There were no flights available from Chennai to Kochi. At 7:55 PM, I took out my Benz and drove myself. I reached the airport at 8:40 PM. On the way, I narrowly escaped accidents at four different points. I was driving alone.”

At the airport, he encountered further difficulties. “The flight was scheduled for 8:50 PM. Even after entering the airport, there were no seats available. Half seriously and half jokingly, I told the senior manager at Indigo that even a pilot’s seat would be perfectly fine if that was the only way to get me on the flight. Finally, at 9:25 PM, one of the staff stepped down, and that seat was given to me. I remain grateful to the senior manager for making this arrangement possible.”

Timing and Accommodations

Parthiban reached Kochi by 11:00 PM without a plan for accommodation. “I eventually found a modest three-star hotel near Sreenivasan sir’s home. I was actually supposed to be in Dubai today. I cancelled my flight. I cancelled my hotel. And yet, the strangest thing is this—within my own mind, I could have offered my condolences from anywhere. Still, something pulled me here.”

Reflecting on his motivations, he said, “I kept asking myself: why did I run all the way from there to here? Something inside me was hitting very hard.”

A Gathering of Legends

Upon his arrival, Parthiban observed that he was amidst other legends like Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Dileep. “What stood before me was not money — rather, a pure soul and a great creator, someone deserving of immense respect. I carried jasmine flowers with me to pay my respects to a dear friend. I knew I might not be recognised, and that was never the point. What mattered to me was that this act would be registered with the universe.”

Parthiban continued, “When something is done with complete sincerity, it reaches where it is meant to reach—to that friendship—even if it is only the universe that bears witness.”

An Unexpected Connection

To his surprise, Parthiban learned that he had not gone unnoticed. “I genuinely thought nobody had recognised my presence, and I was completely at peace with that. However, Director Rajesh, with whom I had worked on the film ‘Escape From Uganda’, noticed my presence and later sent me a few messages. That moment quietly stayed with me.”

Rajesh’s message touched Parthiban deeply: “Seeing you in that crowd today made me genuinely happy. Pure friendship. Pure respect. Coming all the way from Chennai just to be there for Sreeniyettan says everything about you. A good human, a true friend. Touched my heart, big brother. Big hug, huge respect.”

Parthiban added, “Today you taught me a powerful life theory, more than a lesson, a philosophy. I truly learned something that will stay with me.” Reflecting on the younger generation, he noted, “Among all the heroes I met there, you are the biggest hero. They are all Gen Z kids. I want to show them what a real hero is.”

British singer-songwriter Elton John and his partner, David Furnish, recently celebrated a significant milestone in their relationship.

The couple marked their 20th wedding anniversary with heartfelt tributes on Instagram. John shared a nostalgic photo of them together, captioning it, “Happy anniversary to my incredible husband, @davidfurnish. Today we celebrate 20 years since our civil partnership, 11 years of marriage, and many more years of happiness to come.”

In a similar spirit, Furnish, 63, posted a collection of pictures and expressed his feelings, writing, “20 years ago today we were civil partnered. 11 years ago today we were wedded. Happy Anniversary to my magnificent husband @eltonjohn. I’m so grateful for the beautiful life we have built together. Love you forever.”

The couple first crossed paths at a dinner party hosted by a mutual friend in 1993 and hit it off instantly. Their first date followed the very next day. In December 2005, John and Furnish entered a civil partnership, and they officially tied the knot nine years later after same-sex marriage was legalized in the U.K.

They became parents in 2010 when they welcomed their elder son, Zachary, through surrogacy. Their younger son, Elijah, entered their lives in 2013, also via surrogacy.

The key to their enduring relationship lies in a weekly tradition of exchanging love letters or messages. Furnish shared in a 2018 interview that every Saturday, they would exchange anniversary cards because they first met on that day. “You write about the week that’s passed and the week that’s coming, and you connect, and you tell each other you love each other,” he explained.

Singer and composer Armaan Malik celebrated a significant milestone recently, marking 18 years in the music industry. To commemorate this special occasion, he took a nostalgic trip down memory lane by sharing a photo from his first professional photoshoot on the Stories section of his Instagram.

In his heartfelt post, Armaan expressed gratitude for his journey, writing, “18 years in the music industry today! This was my first professional photoshoot, before my debut Bollywood song. Grateful for my journey, always ❤️.”

Additionally, he thanked everyone who has supported him throughout this incredible journey. He remarked, “18 years flew by real quick!! Just feeling thankful for all my angels who’ve been part of this ride from day one. Your love never goes unnoticed. Onwards and upwards.”

Armaan made his professional debut as a child singer back in 2007 with the song “Bum Bum Bole” from Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par.” He also made his primary on-screen appearance in 2011 in the film “Kaccha Limboo.” Since then, he has released memorable tracks that have resonated deeply with music lovers.

Reflecting on the challenges of the past year, Armaan called it one of the most difficult years of his life. He mentioned that the year forced him to reevaluate himself and others around him, leading to profound personal growth.

In his social media update, he shared, “Putting work and accomplishments aside, this has been the most difficult year of my life and I know I am not alone in that. This year forced me to see myself and others with a clarity that broke me open and gave birth to someone new.”

Armaan went on to describe his transformation, stating, “In the Year of the Snake, I shed an entire skin and stepped into a new version of myself. Welcoming new energy and healing as we step into the light of the sun and into the new year: 2026.”

Actor Aditya Pancholi recently celebrated Govinda’s birthday by sharing a touching tribute to their enduring friendship.

A Timeless Bond

Pancholi expressed that the foundation of their friendship was established the day they first met. He referred to Govinda as “one of a kind” and shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), “HappyBirthdayGovinda! I first met Govinda in 1986, and from that moment, a bond of friendship was formed that has stood the test of time. Over the years, we’ve shared the screen in numerous films, creating memories that will last forever. Govinda is truly one of a kind.”

Memories from the Set

Pancholi further described his experiences with Govinda on set. He said, “Whenever I face him on set, I make sure to come fully prepared because his spontaneity is unmatched, and his energy is in a league of its own. Working with him has always been both a challenge and a joy. We still catch up every now and then.”

Collaborations in Film

The two actors appeared together in the 1993 movie “Muqabla,” directed by T. Rama Rao. Pancholi played Deepak alongside Govinda’s character, Suraj. The film also starred Karishma Kapoor and Paresh Rawal in significant roles.

Shatrugan Sinha’s Tribute

Another notable co-star of Govinda, Shatrugan Sinha, also penned a heartfelt message on social media for the celebrated actor. He referred to Govinda as “an actor par excellence, and a fine human being.”

In his post, Sinha wrote, “Birthday wishes for our friend & favorite, a complete entertainer, an actor par excellence, a fine human being #Govinda. God Bless this evergreen actor abundantly always. Profound regards to the family. #BirthdayWishes.”

Sinha and Govinda have co-starred multiple times in notable films, including “Gautam Govinda” (1979), “Ilzaam” (1986), and “Aakhri Baazi” (1989).

Actor Pierce Brosnan is keen to discover who will take on the iconic role of James Bond next. The 72-year-old star portrayed 007 in four films from 1995 to 2002 and shares the public’s excitement about the successor to Daniel Craig.

Brosnan expressed his anticipation in an interview with The Times, saying, “I’m as excited as the next man or woman to find out who’s going to play that role again. It’s always exciting. I loved Sean (Connery), I loved Roger (Moore), Daniel is amazing, and Tim Dalton was amazing, too.”

Interestingly, the MobLand star has never watched his Bond films with his sons—Christopher, 53, Sean, 42, Dylan, 28, and Paris, 24. He remarked, “I don’t look at the movies. I’ve never seen the Bond movies with my boys. I don’t know why. They’re just tucked away.”

When asked how 007 might spend Christmas, he was dismissive, stating, “I don’t really want to answer the question, and I’m not going to answer the question. Because I couldn’t give a f***! Why would I waste my time thinking about where James Bond would be at Christmas?”

However, Brosnan did share his own holiday plans, mentioning, “I know where Pierce Brosnan’s going to be spending Christmas. At home with my wife, in my little island retreat in Hawaii.”

Previously, Brosnan has expressed interest in returning to the James Bond franchise, suggesting that it will be “exciting to see what happens.” In a chat with GQ magazine, he said, “Of course, people ask about Bond, ‘Would you?’ and whatever, but that’s another man’s job. But the possibilities of working within that film, entertaining… so it’s going to be exciting to see what happens. I think everything changes, everything falls apart, so you just sit back and enjoy it all.”

Moreover, Brosnan has revealed that he does not plan to retire from acting, stating his desire to “be an artist ’til the last breath.” Speaking about his recent work in MobLand and ‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ he noted, “It’s just been a delight for two years of working back to back. In this time and place in age, it allows me to play characters.”

Bollywood actress Tamannaah Bhatia is celebrating her 36th birthday today. To honor her special day, numerous personalities from the entertainment industry took to social media to share heartfelt wishes for the ‘Baahubali’ star.

Heartfelt Messages from Friends

Samantha Ruth Prabhu posted on her Instagram Stories, saying, “Happy birthday to a woman who continues to redefine herself at every stage. You inspire through all that you do and in the way you show up for everyone around you. God bless (red heart emojis). May this be your best year yet. @tamannaahspeaks. (sic)”

Rasha Thadani shared a lovely picture with Tamannaah from their Holi celebration on her Stories, writing, “Happy birthday, thanku for being my person. Forever. I love u @tamannaahspeaks.”

Rakul Preet Singh extended warm wishes to the ‘Odela 2’ actress, saying, “Warm birthday greetings to Tamannaah! May your special day reflect the grace and positivity you bring wherever you go, and may the year ahead be truly rewarding.”

Siddhant Chaturvedi, who will be collaborating with Tamannaah in the much-anticipated biopic, “V Shantaram,” expressed, “Happy birthday @tamannaahspeaks. This year is going to be special for a ton of reasons. May all your wishes come true and sending you the best of love, laughter and luck,” along with a red heart emoji.

Upcoming Projects

Tamannaah will portray the role of Jayashree, Shantaram’s second wife, in Abhijeet Shirish Deshpande’s directorial venture. Speaking about her character, Tamannaah stated, “It’s a great responsibility to portray a character rooted in one of the most influential eras of our cinema. And I feel immensely honoured to bring to life Jayashree, as she has been part of such legendary projects and the amount of grace she had was surreal.”

“Bringing a piece of that legacy to the screen is truly a special feeling, and I am thankful for the makers of V Shantaram to see me as Jayashree,” she added.

Actor Kunal Kemmu is receiving a positive response to his recently released streaming series ‘Single Papa’. He emphasizes that laughter cannot be faked, a sentiment he shared during the promotional campaign for the show.

### Directorial Debut: ‘Madgaon Express’

Kemmu discussed the challenges of mounting a film like ‘Madgaon Express’, marking his directorial debut. He expressed, “I always say that for an actor, acting is for free. A major part of an actor’s job is waiting; that’s what you get paid for. As a writer, I can speak for myself: I wanted to tell the story, so I wrote it. Did I know how to mount it? No, I had no idea. Did I know I was going to direct it? No. At best, I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll just play one of the parts of the three friends.’ But it’s been its own journey. I wrote it in 2015, and like seven years later, somebody read it and said that they really liked this.”

### The Journey to Direction

He continued, “The producers said, ‘We should make it.’ I was like, ‘Okay.’ Then they said, ‘You should direct it.’ I was like, ‘Great, let’s do it.’ Things, when they have to fall into place, fall into place. So I would be lying if I gave you a solid answer saying this is what it takes to mount a film because it takes a lot, and sometimes it takes nothing. If your stars are in your favor, it will happen like that or it might just not happen. But I’m very happy that for me, it did happen, and it happened at the right place with the right people.”

### The Impact of Laughter

Reflecting on the trailer launch, he shared, “It was interesting to be there when there was silence, and I was so nervous, saying, ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen.’ But when it played, the room went berserk. I think that’s the good thing with laughter. It’s pretty much like being on stage because it’s so natural. You can’t fake laughter. You can either laugh or you can’t laugh.”

Actor Govinda, who is celebrating his birthday on Sunday, once shared an interesting insight about his work ethic, revealing that he can go without sleep for straight 12 days.

An old video of the actor, shared by Prasar Bharati, captures him discussing the importance of conviction and hard work. In the video, he stated, “I have signed so many pictures and I am working so hard because of my conviction. Because I can work for 12 days without sleeping. I have also worked for 12-13 days without sleeping. And I don’t get wrinkles on my face. So it is my conviction as to how much work a person can do. If you think you can lift 100 kilos, then you can. If you think you can’t lift 20 kilos, then you can’t. The question is how much work a person can put in. There is no doubt about it. There is no doubt that working too much has a bad effect on the picture.”

He further added, “And I have realized this. That is why I have stopped signing pictures. But there is goodness in every crime. And I have benefited from it.”

Govinda rose to superstardom in the 1990s and carved a unique space for himself with slapstick comedies and family entertainers that beautifully blended humour, romance, and music. Films like ‘Coolie No. 1’, ‘Hero No. 1’, and ‘Dulhe Raja’ transformed him into a household name, especially among single-screen audiences.

His performances were notable for their spontaneity, with his ability to switch from broad comedy to emotional sincerity, lending warmth to his characters beyond typical caricature. As a gifted dancer, he popularised an earthy, freestyle approach that sharply contrasted with choreographed precision, influencing an entire generation.

Despite experiencing career ups and downs and the evolving trends in the industry, Govinda remains culturally iconic, often referenced for his golden-era comedy and unmatched screen energy. His legacy endures as a symbol of Bollywood’s joyful, crowd-pleasing cinema.

Hollywood star Ariana Grande showcased her own rendition of Mariah Carey’s iconic song, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” during her monologue on “Saturday Night Live.”

The Christmas Episode

Her monologue humorously tackled the challenges of gift-giving, titled “What Do I Get for Christmas for This Dude?” This Christmas episode was a highlight of season 51, featuring Grande as the host and Cher as the musical guest.

A Bittersweet Farewell

The episode also marked the end of an era, as cast member Bowen Yang made his final appearance following the announcement of his departure from the show. Yang, who has shared the stage with Grande in “Wicked” and this year’s “Wicked: For Good,” joined her during her playful take on Carey’s hit.

Holiday Spirit and Stress

Grande expressed her love for December in New York, stating, “December is my favorite time of year in New York. I love the decorations, the snow on the ground. I love shopping for all my loved ones. But I have to admit, I get a little stressed shopping for certain other people in my life.”

The audience erupted in cheers when they recognized Grande’s twist on “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” She humorously added, “I don’t know what to get for Christmas for my cousin’s boyfriend Steve. I don’t know a thing about him; I only see him on Christmas Eve.”

Life as a Star

In her monologue, Grande also made light of her busy schedule, particularly the nonstop press tour for “Wicked: For Good.” She joked about her director Jon M. Chu not allowing her any bathroom breaks, sharing, “Haven’t shopped a lot for Christmas, ‘cuz my schedule’s never free. Had so much press for ‘Wicked’, Jon Chu will not let me pee.”

When Bowen Yang joined her on stage, Grande teased him about his limited lines in “Wicked.” “Can I just say how much I loved your line in ‘Wicked’? Thank you,” he responded. Grande playfully corrected him, “You’re welcome,” to which Yang retorted, “No, that was my line.”

This episode marked Ariana Grande’s third time hosting “SNL,” making it a memorable night for both her and the audience.