Category: ENTERTAINMENT

Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Actress Sonali Bendre revealed that her role in “Raakh” made her realise that protecting yourself as a person and being open as an actor are not mutually exclusive.

She added that playing Mona Arora in the OTT series gave her the opportunity to explore some uncomfortable and complex emotions.

Sonali’s role, shaped by grief, loss, and resilience in the aftermath of a massive tragedy, marked her return as an actor into the emotionally demanding territory.

Sharing the impact the project had on her on a personal level, Sonali said, “Over the last few years, I found myself naturally gravitating towards stories that felt lighter emotionally. So when Raakh came along, I did wonder what it would be like to spend so much time in such an intense emotional space. What surprised me was realising that I was able to engage with those emotions without carrying them home with me. As an actor, that was reassuring.”

Sonali further stated that the experience reminded her that one can go to difficult places at work and still continue to remain grounded in themselves.

Speaking about the personal takeaways from working on “Raakh”, Sonali shared that the project made her rethink something she hadn’t consciously examined earlier.

“I realised that protecting yourself as a person and being open as an actor are not mutually exclusive. Raakh allowed me to explore emotions that are uncomfortable and complex, while also trusting that I could step away from them when the work was done. That was an important discovery for me,” revealed Sonali.

Starring Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre, and Aamir Bashir as the core cast, “Raakh” has been directed and executive produced by Prosit Roy.

The show has been created, written, and co-directed by Anusha Nandakumar and Sandeep Saket.

Backed by Endemol Shine India, along with BhaDiPa, the series is expected to premiere on Prime Video on June 12 in India and also across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

–IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Adding another feather to his cap, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the longest-serving PM of India.

Congratulating PM Modi on a glorious tenure and wishing him all the best for the future, Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey shared during an exclusive conversation with IANS, “It is a good thing that he has been serving for so many years. A leader is someone whom the people choose to work for the country and for the people.”

Additionally, Shekhar Suman told IANS that true leaders are those who work for the nation. The veteran actor shared, “It is very good that our leaders continue to move forward in this way, taking care of the country and always thinking about its welfare, whether for 2 years, 20 years, or 40 years.”

Speaking to us, veteran actress Madhoo credited Prime Minister Modi for putting India on a very big global map.

Revealing what all the actress and Member of Parliament, Hema Malini has told her about PM Modi’s impressive work ethic, the ‘Roja’ actress added, “We have seen a lot of changes in his tenure. And Hema ji being a BJP member, told me how amazing he is and how quickly he wakes up in the morning and how quickly he holds meetings. She has told me that he calls her early in the morning, and before important rallies or important events, he personally meets the members and gives special briefings. He is so into spirituality, yoga and I don’t know what to say about Modi ji. I would just like to say that I feel that India has progressed a lot in his tenure.”

Madhoo concluded by calling PM Modi a “progressive Prime Minister”

“I would like him to continue doing this,” she said.

Narendra Modi has surpassed Indira Gandhi’s record of 4,077 days serving in the office in June this year.

–IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who earlier lost his cool at the paparazzi, was seen getting emotional at the funeral of his friend, Kumod Raney on Tuesday.

Salman was seen arriving at the funeral venue surrounded by security and close associates. The actor looked grief-stricken as he stood with folded hands and tried to hold himself together. At one point, Salman appeared to break down, leaving fans emotional after the visuals surfaced online.

Kumud Rane was said to be a close family friend of the Khans. Salman’s mother Salma Khan, his stepmother Helen, brother Sohail Khan and sister Arpita Khan Sharma were also seen attending the funeral to pay their final respects. Actress Malaika Arora was also seen at arriving to pay her respects.

Earlier, Salman Khan lashed at the paparazzi stationed outside a hospital in the city. A few days ago, the actor was seen coming out of the Hinduja hospital in the Mahim area of the city when he was mobbed by the media personnel. As he walked towards his car, he took a step and firmly told the paparazzi to behave after which, they apologized and stopped filming the video. However, it was not confirmed as to whom the actor paid a visit at the hospital.

Prior to this, Salman had assured his fans that he has plenty of attention from his vast social circle. The actor took to is X, formerly Twitter, and penned a long note in which he said that his previous statement about loneliness was simply a musing, and not the reflection of something that he is dealing with in life.

He wrote, “Arre yaar Mai apne bare mai nahi baat kar raha tha (Hey, I wasn’t talking about myself). How can I be alone when I have such a large amazing family n friends n how can I be lonely when I have u guys,your wishes n Duas, I would be the biggest na shukra (ungrateful person) ever”.

However, the actor then shared that sometimes his social battery runs out, and he just can’t deal with people. Hence, he prefers some “me time”.

“Kabhi Kabhi logon ke saath reh kar pak jaata hun, isliye some me time, Buss… Iss baar koi photo nahi breaking news bana diya, Mummy pooch rahi hai, Kya hua Beta? Chill maro yaar (Sometimes I get bored of being around people, so I take some time off, that’s it… This time, no photos, you guys turned it into breaking news, Mom is asking, ‘What happened, Beta?’ Chill guys)”, he added.

–IANS

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Chennai, June 9 (IANS) Actress turned director Geethu Mohandas, who celebrated her birthday recently, has now penned a note of gratitude in which she has opined that some wishes were delayed not because they were denied, but because God knew one would body-slam them before one learnt to receive them gracefully.

Taking to her Instagram page to pen the gratitude post, the director of upcoming film, ‘Toxic’, wrote, “Yesterday I turned another year older. And apparently, slightly unhinged. To everyone who loved on me ..thank you. Truly.”

She went on to say, “I’d been quietly wishing for flowers. Not hinting. Just wishing. The kind of wish too soft to say out loud. And yesterday, the universe answered with a whole, fragrant, theatrical abundance. Which brings me to 5AM.”

Geethu further said, “Nobody warns you that abundance doesn’t ask if you’re prepared. In daylight, my room was a dream. By night, those bouquets became a hostage situation. Tall. Still. Watching. I didn’t think. I didn’t negotiate. I wrestled a flower arrangement to the ground. The bouquet lost. Lying there on the floor surrounded by petals and poor decisions, it hit me!”

She concluded saying, “Maybe some wishes are delayed not because they’re denied, but because God knows you’ll body-slam them before you learn to receive them gracefully. Here’s to finally being ready. p.s. ‘Not sharing the after pics’.”

For the unaware, the makers of ‘Toxic’, featuring actor Yash in the lead, on Monday, had released a Behind The Scenes (BTS) video on the occasion of director Geetu Mohandas’s birthday.

The special behind-the-scenes video from the film’s set, offered audiences a rare glimpse into the filmmaker’s creative process and commanding presence.

The video showcased Geetu in her elements — calling the shots, orchestrating large-scale action sequences, guiding performances and leading a massive crew with confidence and precision.

Accompanied by the message, “Behind every shot that hit different, every silence that said more than dialogues ever could, there she was! Happy birthday @geetu_mohandas,” the video celebrated the filmmaker and her commanding, hands-on approach to bringing ‘Toxic’ to life, one of the most ambitious films mounted in Indian cinema.

–IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Actor Abrar Qazi, who is gearing up for his upcoming television show ‘Tu Hi Re Dil Mein’, has shared that his character in the show is deeply emotional yet strong in his values.

Abrar Qazi essays the role of Sanjay, who is a man of integrity and compassion who finds himself caught between duty and his emotions.

Talking about the show, Abrar Qazi said, “I am really excited to be a part of ‘Tu Hi Re Dil Mein’ and to bring Sanjay’s character to life. He is deeply emotional yet strong in his values, and I feel very connected to him. I truly believe this story will touch people’s hearts, and audiences are going to relate to his journey and dilemmas”.

The show is about destiny, relationships, and the unexpected turns life brings, and follows Vrinda, a girl believed to bring good fortune, whose life is guided by faith and destiny. While she dreams of a happy future and the man meant for her, fate takes an unexpected turn, leaving her heartbroken and questioning everything she once believed.

Vrinda, played by Priyanshi Yadav, is a pure-hearted and deeply devoted girl who is seen as a symbol of good fortune, yet silently endures neglect and hardship within her own family.

Priyanshi Yadav said, “Playing Vrinda has been an incredibly special experience for me. She is pure at heart, simple, and full of faith, and I feel a sense of positivity every time I step into her world. At the same time, it is a very challenging role because Vrinda has so many emotional layers, and portraying her journey has been both demanding and fulfilling”.

Simran Rawal shared, “I feel truly grateful to be a part of a show like Tu Hi Re Dil Mein. Swati is a strong, modern, and sorted girl, someone who understands life and relationships with clarity, and portraying her has been a very special experience for me. It’s an honor to bring such a meaningful character to life, and I’m excited to grow with this journey. I am really grateful to God for this opportunity; this is huge for me. I sincerely hope the audience connects with our story and embraces it with the same warmth and love with which we’re creating it”.

‘Tu Hi Re Dil Mein’ is set to premiere on June 15 on Zee TV.

–IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) After ‘Pallo Latke’, actress Shreya Sharma has once again joined forces with producer Prerna Arora for an ambitious promotional dance number that will feature in an upcoming Malayalam film.

The project gains significance as it marks Shreya’s first association with the Malayalam film industry. The song in question is expected to be released as part of the film’s promotional campaign ahead of the movie’s release by the end of the year.

Shedding further light on the exciting collaboration, Shreya shared, “Reuniting with Prerna Arora feels incredibly special because Pallo Latke received so much love from audiences, and that success gave us immense confidence. This upcoming song is completely different from anything I have done before. While Pallo Latke had its own charm and energy, this dance number is much bigger, bolder, and truly hatke. It is the official promotional song of the film and, in many ways, one of the biggest highlights of this Malayalam project.”

“What makes it even more memorable for me is that this is my very first association with the Malayalam film industry. After delivering a hit song like Pallo Latke, this becomes my second major musical outing, and I couldn’t have asked for a more exciting project. Prerna ma’am was very clear from the beginning that she wanted me to be a part of this song because she believes the Prerna-Shreya combination can once again create something spicy, fresh, and memorable for audiences,” she went on to add.

Revealing that the song with be shot in June, Shreya admitted that she is excited to work with the biggest choreographers in the Malayalam film industry, making it a learning experience.

“We are shooting the song in June, and the film is expected to release by the end of the year. I’m also thrilled because I’m getting the opportunity to learn from one of the biggest choreographers in the Malayalam film industry. Every rehearsal has been a learning experience and has pushed me to explore a completely new side of myself as a performer. I’m putting my heart into this project and can’t wait for audiences to see what we have created. I genuinely believe this song will surprise everyone and leave a lasting impact.”

–IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Samyuktha, who primarily works in Malayalam and Telugu films, has shared her admiration for South superstar Vijay Sethupathi.

In an exclusive quote shared with IANS, she described the experience of watching Vijay perform in person as “completely different.” Samyuktha, who will be seen alongside the actor in the film ‘Slumdog – 33 Temple Road’, said his on-set presence and natural style of performance bring a unique energy that stands apart from what audiences usually see on screen.

Speaking about working with Vijay Sethupathi, Samyuktha mentioned, “I’m a huge fan of Vijay sir. Watching him perform in person is a completely different experience. The way he transitions into a character is so seamless and natural. When he delivers his lines, it genuinely feels like they’re coming from within. As a co-actor, getting to witness that process up close was truly special.”

She also opened up about the challenges of portraying a character with extreme contrasts in “Slumdog – 33 Temple Road.” Talking about her role in the film, Samyuktha shared, “My character is a very beautiful one. I’ve never played something like this before. It has contrasting yet extreme variations, and that’s what excited me the most. It challenged me as an actor, and I’m really happy that I got the opportunity to portray such a unique character.”

Further, the actress spoke about the film’s director Puri Jagannadh and praised his unique filmmaking style and on-set energy. She said, “Everyone kept telling me that this film was going to be one of its kind, and once I came on set, I understood why. The way Puri sir directs is effortless, stylish, and truly beautiful. In fact, I should correct something people often say—he doesn’t just finish shoots on time, he starts on time and finishes early. It’s amazing to watch him work.”

Directed by Puri Jagannadh, the upcoming movie is slated to release theatrically on June 19, 2026.

–IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Model-actress Nehal Chudasama has described her latest music video ‘Qinniya Soni’ as a significant milestone in her career.

The actress called her first major release after her reality show journey. The track, composed and produced by genre-defying artist QARAN and released by Zee Music Company, features vocals by Ash King and stars Nehal alongside QARAN.

The actress added that the project was both emotionally rewarding and creatively enriching.

Nehal Chudasama said, “This song is incredibly special to me because it’s my first music video release after my reality show journey. Stepping onto the set and bringing this track to life felt like a fresh chapter in my career. The entire experience was both exciting and emotional, and I learned so much along the way. Working with QARAN & such an incredible team made the process even more memorable. Every song has a story, and this one carries a piece of my heart. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it and connect with it the way I did while shooting for it.”

For Nehal, however, the project marks more than just another screen appearance.

Known for her stint in reality television as well as her successful journey in the pageant world, Nehal has steadily carved a niche for herself in the entertainment industry. With ‘Qinniya Soni’, she takes another step forward, showcasing her on-screen presence in a vibrant musical setting.

Speaking about the song, QARAN shared, “Qinniya Soni” is about choosing someone in a world full of distractions and endless options. It’s about finding that one person who quiets the noise and becomes your certainty amidst the chaos. From the songwriting and production to Ash King’s voice and the lyrics IP Singh and I wrote together, every element was built around that feeling.”

Set against the backdrop of a lavish Indian wedding, ‘Qinniya Soni’ tells a heartwarming story of romance amid the chaos of celebrations. The music video follows a newly married groom trying to steal a few precious moments with his bride, only to find himself constantly interrupted by enthusiastic relatives and endless wedding rituals. As reality gets in the way, he drifts into daydreams of the moments they could be sharing, creating a narrative filled with romance, humour and energetic dance sequences.

Released under Zee Music Company, ‘Qinniya Soni’ is now available across all major music streaming platforms.

—IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Power couple Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan completed 4 years of marital bliss on Tuesday.

Commemorating the special occasion, Nayanthara treated the netizens with some rare family photos of the lovebirds and their twin boys – RudroNeel N Shivan and Ulag Daiwik N Shivan.

One of the pics from the album which seems to be from their recent vacay to the Vatican City shows the two giving a romantic pose in front of a bridge.

In another picture, Nayanthara and Vignesh were seen locking lips, with one of the boys sitting on the director’s shoulders.

From simply walking the streets of the Vatican with their two boys to flaunting their infectious smile for the camera, the post included many heartwarming moments of the cute little family.

“Happy Anniversary to Us (sic),” Nayanthara captioned the post.

Nayanthara and Vignesh came close while working on the 2015 Tamil film, “Naanum Rowdy Dhaan”. After being in a relationship for many years, the lovebirds finally tied the knot on June 9, 2022, in a grand ceremony in Mahabalipuram. The traditional nuptials were attended by many prominent names from the entertainment industry, such as Shah Rukh Khan, Rajinikanth, AR Rahman, Suriya, Vijay Sethupathi, and Atlee.

Taking the next step, the couple welcomed twin boys, Uyir RudroNeel N Shivan and Ulag Daiwik N Shivan, via surrogacy on September 22, 2022.

Work-wise, Nayanthara will soon be seen in Geetu Mohandas’s eagerly awaited action entertainer ‘Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups’, which will see ‘KGF’ actor Yash as the lead.

Earlier, talking about casting Nayanthara as Ganga in the movie, director Geetu Mohandas said, “I wanted to portray Nayan in a way that she’s never been showcased before. But as the shoot progressed I began to see how closely her own personality echoed the soul of the character. It wasn’t imitation, it was alignment. The depth, the honesty, the restraint, and the emotional clarity she brought were not performances layered on top of the character, they were qualities she already possessed.”

–IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Actor Danish Pandor has opened up about working with filmmaker Imtiaz Ali in his upcoming film “Main Vaapas Aaunga.”

In an exclusive quote shared with IANS, Danish, who is set to make a special appearance in the film, shared that he auditioned for the role just before the release of Dhurandhar and had already wrapped up shooting for the film prior to its theatrical release. Speaking about performing in front of Imtiaz, Danish stated, “So, whenever I used to perform or any other actor used to perform, he was right there, standing in front of you and seeing you as if he’s watching a play. And yeah, so that was a different feeling and an experience for me as well.”

Talking about working with the filmmaker, Pandor added, “Extremely humble soul, very polite, very, very calm, and he knows exactly what he wants from an actor. And he’ll make sure that he takes that thing out. And he doesn’t look at the monitor. He looks at the actor performing. Yeah. So, that’s a That’s a different thing, yeah.”

Danish Pandor, who received widespread appreciation for his strong performance in ‘Dhurandhar 2’, has kept details about his character under wraps, but hinted that even though it is a special appearance, the role plays an important part in the story.

On a related note, “Main Vaapas Aaunga” also features Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari Wagh, and Vedang Raina in important roles. The musical score is composed by A.R. Rahman, with lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil. The project is jointly produced by Birla Studios, Applause Entertainment, and Window Seat Films’ Mohit Choudhary and Shibasish Sarkar. The film is scheduled to release in cinemas worldwide on June 12, 2026.

–IANS

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