Category: Entertainment

Actress Ankita Lokhande recently celebrated her birthday on December 19. On this occasion, she received heartfelt wishes from Shweta Singh Kirti, the sister of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Sharing a picture with Ankita on social media, Shweta expressed her good wishes: “Happy Birthday, Ankita. Hope you always stay happy and healthy. All my love, @lokhandeankita.”

Ankita and Sushant had a significant relationship that lasted for seven years, having met on the sets of their successful show Pavitra Rishta, where they played lead roles as Archana and Manav. The couple parted ways in 2017, which surprised many of their fans. Following their breakup, Ankita began dating businessman Vicky Jain, and they tied the knot in December 2021.

This year, Ankita celebrated her birthday in style, inviting her friends from the entertainment industry to join the festivities. Videos circulating on social media from the party depict the birthday girl personally attending to her guests and dancing exuberantly.

On December 20, Ankita took to social media to express her gratitude for being able to spend her special day with her “chosen people.” She remarked, “Friendships and bonds are two very different blessings in life. Friendship is something God gifts us, something pure and effortless. Bonds, on the other hand, are created by us—built with time, love, effort, and intention.”

Elaborating on the significance of true friends, she reflected, “Sometimes, we don’t realise how deeply relationships and friendships shape our lives. In moments of happiness, only a few people truly come forward to share that joy. And in moments of sadness, only a few choose to sit beside us and hold space.”

Ankita also expressed her gratitude for finding her chosen family in Mumbai. She wrote, “I feel incredibly grateful that in a city like Mumbai, I found my chosen people—people with whom I can share my happiness and my silences, my laughter and my tears. Each one of you who came to celebrate me and my day so beautifully reminded me how rich life truly is.”

She thanked her friends for making her birthday truly special, especially in the absence of her husband, Vicky Jain. “Thank you for making my birthday so special. I will always be grateful for this love. And when people say friends become family, you all proved it. Even when Vicky wasn’t here, you showed up—for me, for my happiness—so I wouldn’t miss out on a single moment.”

Ankita concluded her heartfelt message, saying, “With this, I gently close the chapter of 2025—grateful, fulfilled, and humbled. Looking forward to 2026: another blessing, another presence, another success, and a new story waiting to unfold. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Happy birthday to me.”

Actress Raashii Khanna, who plays a pivotal role in director Harish Shankar’s highly anticipated action entertainer “Ustaad Bhagat Singh,” featuring Pawan Kalyan, has shared some behind-the-scenes (BTS) videos from the film’s sets.

Taking to her Instagram, Raashii posted a couple of videos, stating, “Between action and cut, there’s stillness. And sometimes, laughter. @harish2you #ubs.” The videos clearly show that the actress has had an enjoyable shooting experience for this action-packed film.

Earlier this year, Raashii expressed her feelings about working with Pawan Kalyan in “Ustaad Bhagat Singh,” calling it a ‘true honour.’ She shared a selfie taken with Pawan Kalyan, expressing her excitement and gratitude for being part of this much-anticipated project. In her post, she mentioned, “It’s a wrap for @pawankalyan garu for #ustaadbhagatsingh. It has been amazing sharing this film with him, a true honour and a memory I’ll always cherish.”

For those unfamiliar, the makers of “Ustaad Bhagat Singh” announced in July that Raashii would portray a character named Shloka. They shared her first look on Instagram, stating, “Team #UstaadBhagatSingh welcomes the angelic @RaashiiKhanna on board as ‘Shloka.’ She brings her grace and charm to the sets. Shoot underway.” This introduction revealed Shloka as a compelling character that adds depth to the story.

Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, “Ustaad Bhagat Singh” features an impressive ensemble cast, including Sreeleela, Parthiban, KS Ravikumar, Ramky, Nawab Shah, Avinash (known for KGF), Gauthami, Naga Mahesh, and Temper Vamsi. This film also marks Raashii’s first onscreen collaboration with Pawan Kalyan.

Additionally, Raashii has previously worked with director Harish Shankar on successful films like “Hyper” and “Bengal Tiger.”

New mommy Parineeti Chopra has opened up about her experience with postpartum symptoms.

The actress recently shared a video on her social media account, showing her readiness to tackle the clutter at home. Dressed in smart casuals, she explained her intention to organize her storage while juggling new mommy responsibilities but ended up getting sidetracked.

She humorously noted, “Took out time to organize my storage today, got distracted, and did absolutely nothing.” Adding, “Confirmed symptoms of a postpartum gal,” along with sad and laughing emoticons.

Since welcoming her bundle of joy in October, Parineeti has been showered with love and gifts from family and friends. One of the highlights was receiving special gifts from her sister, global star Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and brother-in-law Nick Jonas.

In her excitement, Parineeti took to social media to showcase the thoughtful presents for her newborn son. Priyanka and Nick sent along a pair of baby shoes, a hairbrush, and soft fur clothes for their nephew. Sharing a picture, she wrote, “Neer getting spoilt already!” alongside a baby milk bottle emoticon. Expressing her gratitude, she added, “Thank you Mimi maasi, Nick masa, and Malti didi, @priyankachopra @nickjonas,” accompanied by a heart emoticon. Her affectionate reference to Malti as ‘didi’ (elder sister) was particularly endearing.

For those who may not know, Parineeti Chopra and her husband, politician Raghav Chadha, welcomed their first child on October 19. On the first month’s birthday of their son, Neer, the new parents revealed his name on social media.

They shared a heartwarming picture of themselves kissing their baby boy’s tiny toes, captioning it, “Jalasya rupam, premasya swarupam—tatra eva Neer. Our hearts found peace in an eternal drop of life. We named him ‘Neer’—pure, divine, limitless.” The couple had earlier announced the arrival of their baby boy on October 19.

Actor Vivaan Shah is gearing up for his upcoming film ‘Ikkis’ and has shared some intriguing insights into his role. He revealed that he plays a significant part in the final battle where the brave Arun Khetarpal was martyred.

Curiosity Sparked

Vivaan’s appearance in the trailer has ignited curiosity among viewers, who are eager to learn more about his role in this much-anticipated project.

Expressing his enthusiasm, he said, “It was such an immense honour to be a part of ‘Ikkis’. I loved the trailer! I was overjoyed to be featured in it. It was exhilarating.”

Collaboration with Sriram Raghavan

The actor spoke highly of working with filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, describing it as a milestone moment in his career. “To play a role of this sort and work with the great Sriram Raghavan was a dream come true,” he added.

Role of an Army Officer

Vivaan opened up about his character, noting that he plays an Army officer for the first time. He shared that his character serves as Arun’s tank commander, saying, “He is a part of the final battle and has a very interesting equation with Arun.”

A New Side of Vivaan

Regarding his performance, Vivaan expressed his hope that audiences will appreciate this new side of him on screen. He stated, “I hope audiences will accept and appreciate me in this different avatar. It is a role unlike anything I have ever played before, and I do hope to surprise the audience with my performance.”

About ‘Ikkis’

Directed by Sriram Raghavan, ‘Ikkis’ is based on the life of Arun Khetarpal, one of India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardees, who was martyred during the 1971 Indo-Pak war at just 21 years of age. The title directly reflects Khetarpal’s age at the time of his death.

The lead role is played by Agastya Nanda, marking a significant departure from conventional debut choices, as the film prioritizes realism over spectacle. Veteran actor Dharmendra also appears in a key role, adding generational weight to the narrative.

Actress Divya Seth Shah is documenting her first day of shooting following the loss of her daughter. On Saturday, she shared a heartfelt video on Instagram showcasing her day as she prepared for the shoot.

In a poignant caption, she expressed her feelings, writing, “Approached my first shoot day after you left with much trepidation. What if I couldn’t bear it? What if I dissolved into tears? What if you were right there, holding my hand, cheering me on just not at the door to see me off at 4:00 am or how to ask me when I had returned if I had eaten? But I will soldier on. It’s the only way I know how to survive.”

Divya’s daughter, Mihika Shah, tragically passed away on August 5, 2024, at the age of 23 in Mumbai, after suffering from a brief illness that included fever and a seizure. This devastating loss has deeply affected both the family and the film-TV community.

Known for her nuanced performances across film, television, and theatre, Divya started her career in the late 1980s, quickly gaining recognition for her emotionally grounded and relatable characters. She became especially popular through television, notably in the iconic sitcom ‘Hum Paanch’, where her portrayal of a strong yet affectionate mother resonated with audiences.

In cinema, Divya has featured in notable films like ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’, ‘English Vinglish’, ‘Jab We Met’, and ‘Haider’. She often excels in supporting roles that contribute depth and realism to the narrative. With a solid foundation in theatre, Divya brings a naturalistic style to her performances, defined by restraint and authenticity.

Outside of her acting career, Divya is respected for her low public profile, prioritizing substance over celebrity status. Her career reflects consistency, versatility, and quiet excellence, establishing her as a significant presence in Indian storytelling over the years.

Popular television couple, Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya, continue to inspire with their relationship goals.

In a recent video shared by Divyanka on her Instagram Stories, Vivek was seen preparing a delicious omelette for his beloved wife for breakfast. Divyanka shared that she is trying to incorporate eggs back into her diet after having stopped for a while following her trip to China. She explained, “Everything used to smell so much that I ended up leaving eggs.”

After enjoying the professional-looking egg and toast breakfast, Divyanka encouraged Vivek to join the cooking reality show “Laughter Chefs,” currently in its third season. “You are a chef, and you also keep making me laugh all the time,” she remarked.

After tasting the tasty omelette, Divyanka joked that she could hire Vivek as her chef permanently. In response, he mentioned that he doesn’t want the job since cooking is a passion for him.

Divyanka and Vivek’s Instagram feeds are filled with precious moments of the couple. Recently, as Divyanka celebrated her birthday on December 14, Vivek shared a heartfelt belated birthday wish for her on social media. He posted a series of cherished memories from her intimate birthday celebrations, accompanied by the caption, “Pal pal dil ke paas tum rehti ho, Divyanka T Dahiya! Yes, I know I’m a bit late, but I also know you’d rather we spend our time celebrating you than getting caught up in drafting/clicking and editing pictures. Let me be honest, my favourite part of the day is seeing you smile and I’d do my best to keep it as vibrant and Colgate like for as long as possible. Happy belated birthday love (sic).”

Condoling the loss of one of India’s greatest filmmakers, Tamil film actor and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan expressed his “respects to a remarkable mind” upon the passing of Sreenivasan.

In a touching tribute on his X timeline, Kamal Haasan wrote, “Some artists entertain, some enlighten, some provoke. #Sreenivasan did it all, with a smile that carried truth and a laugh that carried responsibility. My respects to a remarkable mind. Deepest condolences to his family and admirers.”

Tamil actress Khushbu also shared her condolences on X, stating, “Deeply saddened at the demise of a great actor and a fantastic writer of Malayalam cinema, Shri #Srinivasan Sir. He defied the norms of regular movie making and has delivered gems. More so he was a very loved and respected person. His common man’s image made him every household’s favourite man. He will be truly missed. Rest in peace Sir. #omshanthi #srinivasan.”

Malayalam actress Kalyani Priyadarshan, whose father Priyadarshan was a close friend of Sreenivasan, posted a tribute on her Instagram stories. Sharing a picture of her father with Sreenivasan, she recalled, “I have always said that there are a few friendships I watched growing up that made me want to get into cinema and work the way my dad did. And one of them was undoubtedly theirs.”

Kalyani added, “I grew up loving his work. It was always around me and without even realizing it then, it became one of the reasons I chose this path. This feels like a loss for cinema. It feels like a loss for my family. Rest in peace dear legend… You will always be cherished.”

For those who may not know, Sreenivasan was an iconic figure in Malayalam cinema, known for his versatile roles as an actor, writer, and director. He passed away at the age of 69 at the Trippunithura Taluk Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for age-related illness.

Sreenivasan is survived by his wife, Vimala, and his sons, Vineeth Sreenivasan, an acclaimed director, actor, and singer, and Dhyan Sreenivasan, a popular actor.

A remarkable talent, Sreenivasan appeared in nearly 225 films, showcasing his abilities as both a comedian and a leading man, often embodying the flawed everyman with unmatched authenticity.

Actress Ankita Lokhande recently celebrated her birthday surrounded by her “chosen people,” expressing heartfelt gratitude for the connections she has nurtured over the years.

The Value of Friendship and Bonds

In a reflective moment, the ‘Laughter Chefs’ contestant highlighted the distinction between friendship and a deeper bond. She shared her thoughts on Instagram, stating that while friendship is a divine gift, a bond requires effort and intention to cultivate.

“Friendships and bonds are two very different blessings in life. Friendship is something God gifts us, something pure and effortless. Bonds, on the other hand, are created by us—built with time, love, effort, and intention,” she noted.

Ankita emphasized how true friends stand by you in both joyful and challenging times. “Sometimes, we don’t realize how deeply relationships and friendships shape our lives. In moments of happiness, only a few people truly come forward to share that joy. And in moments of sadness, only a few choose to sit beside us and hold space,” she added.

Gratitude for Chosen Family

Expressing her appreciation for her close friends in Mumbai, Ankita shared, “I feel incredibly grateful that in a city like Mumbai, I found my chosen people—people with whom I can share my happiness and my silences, my laughter and my tears. Each one of you who came to celebrate me and my day so beautifully reminded me how rich life truly is.”

She extended her thanks to her friends for making her birthday memorable, even in the absence of her husband, Vikas Jain. “Thank you for making my birthday so special. I will always be grateful for this love. And when people say friends become family, you all proved it. Even when Vicky wasn’t here, you showed up—for me, for my happiness—so I wouldn’t miss out on a single moment.”

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on the past year, Ankita expressed excitement for the coming year. “With this, I gently close the chapter of 2025—grateful, fulfilled, and humbled. Looking forward to 2026: another blessing, another presence, another success, and a new story waiting to unfold. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Happy birthday to me.”

Hollywood actress Ashley Judd recently visited her ancestral home in Kentucky, reminiscing about her childhood in the neighborhood.

On Saturday, Ashley took to Instagram to share a collection of pictures and videos from her trip. In the content, she gave a tour of her ancestral home and the town, sharing the rich history of the area with her followers.

She included a heartfelt note in her caption: “Eastern Kentucky. My ancestral home. Avalon. My people, early 1700s. Pike County, Martin County, Lawrence County. Eventually, Boyd County, when Ashland, a small white town, was founded on Shawnee ancestral land. For this visit, I ‘batched’ my maternal great grandparent’s house, Central Park, where I bought snow cones for 25 cents and rode my bike, (& my dad played Little League & my Papaw coached), Winchester Avenue, where both my Papaws had their small businesses, Armco Steel, where my great granddaddy Roy Ogden worked for 40 years.”

She further expressed, “There is so much to remember & feel when I visit my home places. How many good cookies can I actually savor & metabolize in one day? Memories are like that, too! Tempo & pacing let me go deeper. Say no, to make space for more Yes. (I’ll be so glad when my episode of ‘Finding Our Roots’ on PBS airs, & I can show you more about one of my most extraordinary Pike County great grand mommies).”

Earlier, she also paid tribute to the late director Rob Reiner by sharing an old photo of the departed legend on her Instagram.

Rob and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were tragically found dead in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home from apparent sharp-force injuries. Their deaths have been ruled homicides, and authorities have arrested their son, Nick Reiner, who faces two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the situation. The investigation continues as the case moves through the Los Angeles County legal system.

Actress Manju Warrier on Saturday joined many people across the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to pay tribute to one of India’s greatest filmmakers, Sreenivasan. She pointed out that the legendary actor, screenwriter and director would survive the test of time in numerous ways.

Taking to her Instagram page, Manju penned a heartfelt tribute in Malayalam to the late filmmaker, who passed away in the early hours of Saturday. She expressed that leaving a timeless mark is the most beautiful legacy an artist can impart, and Sreeniyettan accomplished this through his writing, acting, and direction.

In her tribute, the actress shared that she had many personal memories with the legendary filmmaker. For the first time, Sreeniyettan, who typically ended with a hearty laugh, was making her cry.

While bidding her final farewell to the versatile actor, she took solace in the thought that what had been lost was merely a body and that his name would continue to resonate in various forms for a long time.

Actor, writer, and director Sreenivasan is an icon of Malayalam cinema. He passed away at the Trippunithura Taluk Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for age-related illnesses. He was 69 years old.

Sreenivasan is survived by his wife, Vimala, and their sons, Vineeth Sreenivasan, an acclaimed director, actor, and singer, and Dhyan Sreenivasan, a popular actor.

Over an impressive 48-year career, Sreenivasan left an indelible mark on Malayalam cinema, enriching its storytelling sensibilities with his sharp humour, social satire, and deeply human characters.

An actor of remarkable versatility, he appeared in nearly 225 films, excelling both as a comedian and as a leading man, often portraying the flawed everyman with unmatched authenticity.