Category: ENTERTAINMENT

Mumbai, Jan 14 (IANS) Actor Ahan Shetty is all set to take forward the legacy of his father, Suniel Shetty, with his next, “Border 2”.

In a wholesome moment, the father and son duo were seen grooving on the revamped version of the “Jaate Hue Lamhon” track from the sequel.

It must be noted that the original version of the song was picturized on Suniel in the 1997 drama “Border”.

Wishing everyone on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sakranti, Ahaan reflected on the glorious legacy that has been bestowed upon him by his father.

He shared the caption in Hindi, “Waqt ke saath patang badalti hain par virasaat hi dor har udaan ko taqat deti hain. Patang aur dor alag sahi par hamesha jude huye. Makar Sakranti ki shubkamnaye (sic).”

Meanwhile, Suniel got teary-eyed during the launch of the revamped version of the song “Jaate Hue Lamhon” as he opened up about Ahan’s major setback after his debut movie “Tadap” (2021) failed to perform at the box office.

He added that “Border 2” is the best possible movie Ahan could have gotten as his second project.

Visibly emotional, Suniel was heard saying, “It is his second film aur itni badi film milna… Bahut hi responsible film hai. When Ahan was doing the film, maine tabhi unse kaha tha ke ‘Ahan, it is not just uniform. Remember this…”

“If the country is known for its progress, it is also known for courage and the courage these officers give us. And the only thing I told him was whatever you do, do it with your heart….Getting such a big film is huge. From a father’s point of view, indebted”, he added.

Suniel further shared that, contrary to the perception that star kids have it easy, Ahan faced a challenging phase in his professional life.

“After his first film, there was a little break. You know, there’s always turmoil in our lives. Sab bolte hain ke Suniel Shetty ka beta hai kaam toh bahut hi milta hai…. But somewhere or the other, there’s a lot that Ahan went through in life,” shared the ‘Dhadkan’ actor.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Jan 14 (IANS) Actors Suvinder Vicky and Mihir Ahuja will be seen in an upcoming drama web series, “Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz” us rooted in the cultural heartland of Punjab and will soon premiere digitally.

Supported by Mahi Raj and Taranjit Kaur as Mihir’s sister and mother, respectively, the series is directed by Ameet Guptha, best known for directing Bakaiti.

Rooted in the cultural heartland of Punjab, “Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz” is an intimate, deeply human family drama set within a close-knit household bound by faith, tradition, and inherited expectations.

The six-episode series follows Ghuppi, a stammering teenager whose burning passion for football stands in stark contrast to the life envisioned for him by his father, a revered Ragi singer determined to see his son carry forward the family’s sacred musical legacy.

At its core, it weaves together a father’s devotion to legacy and a son’s longing for self-expression. Yet its emotional canvas extends beyond generational conflict, exploring identity, fear, and courage. As Ghuppi grapples with the weight of inheritance and the vulnerability of his stammer, he embarks on a journey to find his own voice.

Speaking about the show, Kaveri Das, Chief Channel Officer &TV and Business Head – Hindi ZEE5 shared, “India has a strong cultural legacy of family-first values and deep respect for elders, and Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz sensitively examines the emotional tensions that arise when these traditions intersect with a new generation’s desire to choose its own path.”

“Set in the cultural and emotional landscape of heartland Punjab, the series feels lived-in, culturally grounded, and emotionally truthful, reinforcing our commitment to narratives that honour tradition while embracing evolving aspirations.”

Producer Mayank Yadav, Rusk Media said, “With Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz, we wanted to tell a story that feels lived-in and honest. The world of Ragi singing, the pressures of legacy, and a young boy’s silent rebellion through sport felt like a powerful metaphor for so many families today.”

Produced by Rusk Media, ‘Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz’ will premiere soon only on Hindi ZEE5.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Jan 14 (IANS) Actress Rani Mukerji, who is all geared up for the release of her “Mardaani 3”, was seen flying kites on the occasion of Makar Sankranti in Gujarat and was thrilled to see the love pouring in for her upcoming film.

Starting her promotional journey from Gujarat, Rani told people in Ahmedabad: “I’m so happy to be in Gujarat, to be in Ahmedabad on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. It is such an auspicious date, and I am thrilled to see the love for Mardaani here. Thank you so much for giving me my film this kind of love. It is really precious. Thank you.”

“I had a great time flying a kite,” she was heard saying on the mic.

During her visit, Rani went to a girls’ college to discuss the issue of safety for women in India and also interacted with female cops in the state and thanked them for their incredible service to society.

It was on January 12 that the trailer of “Mardaani 3” was unveiled. In the new installment of the franchise, the actress who returns as the formidable Shivani Shivaji Roy will be taking on a spine-chilling mission to trace and rescue a group of missing girls, as per the trailer.

Actress Janaki Bodiwala of Shaitaan fame also enters the Mardaani franchise to play a pivotal role. Mardaani 3 has been written by Aayush Gupta of The Railway Men fame.

The film is directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra. While Mardaani exposed the grim realities of human trafficking and Mardaani 2 explored the disturbing psyche of a serial rapist who challenged the system, Mardaani 3 delves into another dark and brutal reality of our society, further strengthening the franchise’s legacy of impactful, issue-based storytelling.

“Mardaani 3” is scheduled to release in theatres worldwide on January 30.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Jan 14 (IANS) Salman Khan and former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni joined singer AP Dhillon for an adrenaline-packed muddy adventure in Bollywood superstar’s farmhouse in Panvel, where the trio was seen tearing through slush on all-terrain vehicles.

Dhillon took to Instagram to share a series of photographs capturing the trio in high spirits during the muddy escapade. The images show the stylish men splattered with mud as they rode an ATV through the slush.

One frame features MS Dhoni and the “Excuses” hitmaker flashing broad smiles as they stand beside the crashed vehicle. Another picture sees Salman Khan, Dhoni, and Dhillon posing together, smiling warmly at the camera, perfectly capturing the camaraderie and fun of their off-road adventure.

In the caption, Dhillon asked: “Who do you think crashed it?”

The post comes after a video from singer Dhillon’s concert featuring the singer and actress Tara Sutaria went viral on social media.

Talking about Salman, who was last seen on screen in Sikandar in 2025, will next be seen in ‘Battle of Galwan’, based on the Galwan stand-off between India and its expansionist neighbour, China, on June 15, 2020, during the thick of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India.

The Indian and Chinese troops clashed in the Galwan Valley, eastern Ladakh. It was part of a larger border standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The clash turned violent when both sides attempted to patrol disputed areas, leading to hand-to-hand combat.

The fighting resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, while China also suffered casualties. This was the deadliest India–China face-off in over four decades, escalating tensions and prompting both nations to increase troop deployments and engage in diplomatic talks to avoid further conflict.

Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the film is set to release on April 17.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Jan 14 (IANS) Bollywood’s beloved mother and daughter duo, Raveena Tandon and Rasha Thadani, are often seen spending time together, from posing for the shutterbugs to going on a spiritual spree. However, this time these two were seen shooting together.

While it is not clear what exactly these two were shooting for, Raveena and Rasha were seen enjoying a fun gupshup session while working together.

Uploading a glimpse of their fun session in front of the camera, Raveena wrote on her Instagram, “Fleeting moments of emotions … (red heart emoji) The gup shup doesn’t end when @rashathadani and I are shooting together .. With my babies all (sic).”

Rasha reacted to the post with red heart emojis.

In her latest post, aside from Rasha, Raveena was also seen posing with her pet babies, accompanied by some other precious family moments of the ‘KGF: Chapter 2’ actress.

Meanwhile, in December, Raveena revisited Ooty after more than 25 years.

During her time there, she paid a visit to many locations where some of her most popular songs were filmed.

Admitting that it felt surreal to be back, Raveena penned on the photo-sharing app, “Back to Ooty after 25 years or more and totally loving it! Revisited all the locations! Memories, songs, people.”

She further treated the netizens with a string of photos of her and her team having a gala time in Ooty.

Shifting our focus to Rasha, after making her Bollywood debut with “Azaad”, she is all set to step into Tollywood with filmmaker Ajay Bhupathi’s next.

Named “#AB4” for now, the drama is being presented by Ashwin Dutt and backed by Gemini Kiran under the banner of Chandamama Kathalu Pictures.

Spilling her excitement, Rasha mentioned on her Instagram, “New beginnings, endless gratitude! Mee andariki prema tho, I’m stepping into Telugu cinema. Thank you @ajaybhupathi sir for this opportunity. Chala excited to start this journey! (Dizzy emoji) #AB4 #TeluguDebut Presented by #AshwinDutt Produced by @geminikiran_official , under the @ckpicturesoffl banner. @vyjayanthimovies @swapnacinema @anandiartcreations (sic).”

Additionally, Rasha’s lineup also includes “Laikey Laikaa”, alongside Abhay Verma.

–IANS

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Los Angeles, Jan 14 (IANS) Actress Helen Mirren shared her thoughts on the cosmetic procedure that’s gaining popularity among a younger population.

“If women or men are seriously diminished, defeated, or depressed when they look in the mirror and are brought down by what they see, and they have the financial ability and the mental ability or whatever to change it, fine,” the 80-year-old told Elle.

Mirren continued, “I do think because of social media and what apps can do, you (can) look at the reality and you get literally depressed. I think that’s a very, very sad state of affairs.”

The Oscar winner then suggested the one simple change that could sway someone’s decision to go under the knife.

“Before contemplating anything, get really good lighting in your bathroom so that whenever you look in the mirror, you are lit beautifully and look great … It’s a lot cheaper than getting a facelift. I am serious about the good lighting in the bathroom,” she said, reports people.com.

“Bad lighting is so depressing. I think it would be a terrible mistake to get plastic surgery when you’re in your twenties. Your face changes. I don’t like to criticize or attack people for doing what makes them happy. But to try to look like a fake picture of yourself would be terrible.”

Mirren in 2025, reflected on the beauty standards in Hollywood alongside Kathy Bates, Niecy Nash-Betts, Parker Posey, Cristin Milioti and Keri Russell.

During the conversation, the star revealed that she was “told to have a nose job in my 20s.”

“Someone said, ‘You’ll never get work if you don’t have a nose job,’” Mirren recalled, adding, “I said no. I didn’t want to be a pretty actress anyway. I elected to be not so pretty.”

–IANS

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Mumbai, Jan 14 (IANS) Actor Vivian Dsena has exited the reality show ‘Laughter Chefs: Fun Unlimited 3’, as he is set to begin work on a new fiction series, which remains under wraps, “but those close to it hint at a familiar universe returning in a new form.”

A source close to the channel shared, “After completing his stint on Laughter Chef, Vivian Dsena has stepped away to focus entirely on a new fiction series with Colors.”

According to sources, the actor has been deeply involved in workshops and pre-production meetings for an upcoming fiction series with Colors.

“The project remains under wraps, but those close to it hint at a familiar universe returning in a new form. With workshops and pre-production keeping him fully booked, Vivian is preparing for something he prefers to let his work reveal — in its own time,” the source added.

Vivian’s career started with a call from Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest. He was among the top 10 finalists in Gladrags Manhunt contest in 2007. He later walked the ramp for designers like Vikram Phadnis. The actor has said he was rejected 350 to 400 times.

He made his acting debut with the Indian television soap opera Kasamh Se in 2008. He later gained major reach for his portrayal of Abhay Raichand in the supernatural teen drama Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani.

He was then seen as a superstar in the romantic drama Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, social drama Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki, and romantic drama Sirf Tum.

The actor played a cameo role in the romantic drama Udaariyaan. He also participated in reality shows such as Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa season 8, Khatron Ke Khiladi 7, and Bigg Boss 18.

Meanwhile, Laughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment is an Indian competitive cooking comedy reality series. The series is hosted by Bharti Singh and judged by Harpal Singh Sokhi. It is based on the Tamil comedy cooking reality show Cooku with Comali.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Jan 14 (IANS) Actor Abhishek Banerjee has shared that his cameo appearance in the second season of “Freedom at Midnight” is a tribute to late star Om Puri, whom he says defied the very meaning of what it took to be a hero.

“I have grown up admiring one of the biggest acting legends of India, the Late Om Puri sahab. He was truly a trailblazer and defied the very meaning of what it took to be a hero. When people see his filmography, one thing that is great takeaway is that he always did roles and films, never evaluated them based on the size of the role,” Abhishek told IANS.

In the series, Abhishek essays the role of a rioter driven by vengeance after losing his pregnant wife to communal violence, a journey that ultimately leads him to surrender before Mahatma Gandhi in the series, which is based on the partition of India and Pakistan, and the religious and socio-political dynamics of the era.

The character was also portrayed by Om Puri in the Ben Kingsley-starrer “Gandhi”, which was directed by Richard Attenborough in 1982.

“When Nikkhil asked me to do this cameo, I wanted to make sure I showed up. That’s what I believe is the true spirit of our industry. The role is an homage to Om Puri Sahab’s role from Gandhi, and just having the opportunity to step into this character was deeply an honour for me.”

Abishek says that he has “no comparison” to Om Puri’s legacy and his craft.

“He will and is truly a cinematic icon. But to step into his footsteps, even for this small cameo role, is truly an honor for me. I want to always remember that roles aren’t always about their size; sometimes it’s the smallest parts that leave behind the highest impact, and the feedback since the release of Freedom at Midnight 2 has been just that. I have been getting so many messages and calls, tags on social media appreciating the cameo,” concluded Abhishek.

The second season of the show delves into the pandemonium that followed Partition, capturing the chaos of communal violence, the refugee crisis, the integration of princely states, and the political tensions among leaders.

It was in 2017 when Om Puri died aged 66 following a heart attack. He was honoured at the 89th Academy Awards in the “In Memoriam” segment for his contribution to world cinema.

–IANS

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Chennai, Jan 14 (IANS) Dismissing the criticism that she had misportrayed leaders of the Congress in her recently released film ‘Parasakthi’, ace director Sudha Kongara has now stressed upon the fact that she had shown Congress leaders to be extremely positive leaders and pointed out that her film portrayed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as one of the greatest leaders ever to have led the country.

During an exclusive interaction with IANS, the ace director’s attention was drawn to the claim made by the Tamil Nadu Youth Congress that its leaders had been mis portrayed in the film.

Responding to the question, Sudha Kongara said, “Not at all. Can there be a greater leader than Nehru who comes and who says, ‘I want to ally your fears, I want to tell you, do not fear. Till my brothers from the south (the non-Hindi speaking states) say ‘yes’, Hindi will not become the sole official language.’ He promises. The protagonist actually tells one Hindi-speaking person, the loco pilot, saying that Panditji had promised us in the Parliament and he’s not going to go back on his words and that’s exactly how they lived and how he was such a great leader. People believed him.”

The director then went on say, “Then you show Mrs. Gandhi. Who in this world can actually go and meet a leader of that stature? People are trying to stop her. People who actually misled her. She actually says stop when they’re trying to pull him (the protagonist) away. She says “Stop!” and she listens to him. She’s having a dialogue with him and how much better can a democratic leader be than this? She’s great and I’ve shown her as one of the greatest leaders ever.”

“I have the utmost respect for Mrs. Gandhi, Mr. Nehru and I have shown them as extremely positive leaders who came down here who actually were democratic. They were not dictatorial,” she said.

For the unaware, director Sudha Kongara’s film ‘Parasakthi’, featuring Sivakarthikeyan and Sreeleela in the lead, revolves around the anti-Hindi agitation that rocked the state of Tamil Nadu in the 1960s.

Apart from Sivakarthikeyan and Sreeleela, the film also features Ravi Mohan as the antagonist and Atharvaa in a pivotal role.

‘Parasakthi’, which was tentatively being referred to as #SK25 as it is Sivakarthikeyan’s 25th film, has music by G V Prakash and cinematography by experienced cameraman Ravi K Chandran. Stunts for the film are by Supreme Sundar. The film hit screens on January 10 for the festival of Pongal.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Jan 14 (IANS) Global head turner Priyanka Chopra Jonas shared a glimpse into her personal favourites from the Golden Globes 2026 as she shared her latest ‘randoms’, featuring husband Nick Jonas and BLACKPINK member Lisa.

The global star also heaped praise on Hollywood actress Zoe Saldana, fondly calling her an “icon” in her Instagram stories section.

The actress first shared a reel on her Instagram. The clip featured Priyanka getting all dolled up for the Golden Globe Awards. It also featured her husband Nick Jonas and BLACKPINK member Lisa.

Before stepping into the event, the actress and her husband Nick were heard saying, “So we did it, heading out, see ya,” on the red carpet. The video also featured glimpses of Priyanka’s outfit, the actress undergoing red light therapy for her face, and posing with Lisa, who debuted in August 2016 and went on to become part of one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.

For the caption, Priyanka wrote: “Randoms…”

She then took to her Instagram stories section, where she shared a news article about Zoe Saldana becoming the “highest grossing actor of all time”.

Priyanka captioned it: “Queen Zoe Saldana wow! What an icon.”

Talking about her film work, Priyanka is currently in Hyderabad for the shoot of her upcoming movie starring South star Mahesh Babu, helmed by SS Rajamouli.

Priyanka, who has been feted with two National Film Awards and a Padma Shri, will next be seen sharing screen space with Mahesh Babu for the first time in the upcoming film.

In addition to this, she has also been roped in for the latest instalment in the popular franchise “Krrish 4”, marking Hrithik Roshan’s debut as a director.

The 42-year-old actress, who is the winner of the Miss World 2000 pageant, will also be seen as a 19th-century Caribbean pirate in the forthcoming swashbuckler action drama, “The Bluff”.

She was last seen in “Heads Of State” directed by Ilya Naishuller. It stars Idris Elba and John Cena as the UK Prime Minister and US President, respectively.

–IANS

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