Entertainment

Lyricist Manoj Muntashir, who has written the songs for the upcoming film Border 2, has responded to veteran poet and screenwriter Javed Akhtar’s recent remarks about turning down the project. Akhtar had revealed in an interview that the makers of Border 2 approached him to write the songs, but he declined the offer as he did not wish to revisit or recreate his earlier work from the original Border. Reacting to this, Manoj Muntashir spoke to IANS and expressed complete support for Javed Akhtar’s decision. “Absolutely, he is completely right. If something does not inspire him and he feels he does not want to add anything to it, then as a writer and creator, it is entirely his right. We respect that,” Muntashir said. He further explained that the filmmakers did the right thing by first...

Nearly four decades after its release, Mr India continues to be celebrated as one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic films. Directed by Shekhar Kapur and starring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi, the 1987 blockbuster owes much of its cult status to Amrish Puri’s unforgettable portrayal of the villain Mogambo. But few know that before Puri became synonymous with the role, it was Anupam Kher who had originally been cast—and even filmed portions of the movie. In a recent viral video shared on social media by Sikandar Kher, son of Kirron Kher from her first marriage, Anupam Kher opened up about this lesser-known chapter of his career. The veteran actor revealed that he had been finalised for the role of Mogambo and had already shot for several days. However, without any prior intimation, the makers deci...

Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh recently celebrated his 40th birthday, but a viral video from the party has raised questions on social media. In the clip, Singh is seen joyfully cutting his cake, while attention quickly shifted to a woman standing nearby, her forehead adorned with sindoor. Speculation immediately linked her to Mahima Singh, fueling online gossip. Amid the buzz, Pawan’s wife Jyoti Singh shared two cryptic Instagram posts. In one, she wrote, “Sita stayed with Ram during exile, yet Ram could not stay with her in Ayodhya.” In another post, she added, “Those embraced by Shiva are often rejected by the world.” Fans believe these posts were directed at Pawan, reflecting her feelings about the viral birthday video. As for the woman in question, it was soon clarified that Mahima Si...

Actor Govinda recently made remarks about his nephew Krushna Abhishek, suggesting that certain things are made to be said to Krushna on purpose, which end up upsetting him. Govinda claimed that these instances sometimes leave him feeling insulted during Krushna’s TV shows, though he tried to remain calm. Responding to his uncle’s comments, Krushna Abhishek told Hindustan Times with a lighthearted tone, “I love and respect my uncle Govinda. He is a great person with extraordinary thinking, which is perhaps why he sees things differently. One and the same thing may feel serious to some and playful to others. I always take it positively.” This comes amid ongoing family discussions between Govinda and his wife Sunita Ahuja, who had earlier accused Govinda of having extramarital relations...

The Oscar 2026 nominations will be announced on 22 January, drawing the world’s attention to cinema’s most prestigious awards. Indian audiences are particularly eager to see how ‘Homebound’ fares, along with other entries like ‘Kantara’ and ‘Sister Midnight’. The 98th Academy Awards, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), will take place on 15 March 2026, but the nominations reveal happens earlier. Indian viewers can catch the live announcement at 7 PM IST via the official Academy websites, oscar.com and oscar.org. The livestream will also be available on the Academy’s official Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube channels. International audiences can watch the live announcement on ABC’s Good Morning America, as well as via Hulu, Disney+, and ABC Ne...

It’s been 18 years since ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ took the world by storm. The film, directed by Danny Boyle, cast three young actors from Mumbai’s slums: Ayush Mahesh Khedekar (young Jamal), Rubina Ali (young Latika), and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail (young Salim). While the film brought fame, the actors’ journeys after the spotlight have been vastly different. Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, now 25, continues to pursue acting. He has been in the industry since age four and keeps a low profile, with his Instagram account set to private. Rubina Ali, who played young Latika, now lives in Mumbai and works as a makeup artist. After completing a fashion design course in 2020, she opened her own salon in 2022 and got married in 2023. Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, who portrayed young Salim, faced chall...

Veteran actress Farida Jalal, known for her memorable roles alongside Shah Rukh Khan in films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, recently shared her thoughts on Aryan Khan’s directorial debut web series, The Bads of Bollywood. At 77, Jalal remains active in the film industry and will next be seen in ‘O Romeo’, starring Shahid Kapoor and Tripti Dimri, set to release on 13 February 2026. In an interview with Zoom, Jalal praised Aryan for his effort and welcomed him into the world of cinema, saying, “Welcome to the family. This is your space, and there’s nowhere else to go.” However, she offered measured criticism of his show: “I watched it. It was okay, decent. He could have made it better, but it was good.” The Bads of Bollywood premiered on Netflix on 1...

A short video of Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam has gone viral, in which he makes a surprising claim about Sufi music, calling it “just a thought” rather than a musical tradition. Nigam states that Sufi music only emerged after 2000 and dismisses its existence prior to that period. His comments, however, have drawn widespread criticism for overlooking centuries of history. Sufi music has deep roots in South Asia, dating back to the 13th century Delhi Sultanate. Pioneers like Amir Khusro and Bulleh Shah shaped the genre, with devotional qawwali blending Persian and Indian musical traditions. Legendary artists such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen later popularized Sufi music internationally, influencing modern Bollywood soundtracks and fusion genres like Sufi rock. Sufi music c...

In a surprising revelation, veteran actor Anupam Kher disclosed that he was originally cast as the iconic villain ‘Mogambo’ in the 1987 cult classic Mr. India. Kher reportedly shot several scenes for the role, only to be replaced by Amrish Puri later—a decision in which his friend Anil Kapoor was allegedly involved. Directed by Shekhar Kapoor and starring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi, Mr. India remains one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated films, with Amrish Puri’s “Mogambo” still considered legendary. In a video shared by Kher’s stepson Sikandar Kher, Anupam revealed that he had been the final choice for Mogambo, but the filmmakers changed their mind without informing him. While initially disappointed, Kher admitted that Amrish Puri’s performance was unparalleled, making the casting deci...

The release of Thalapathy Vijay’s latest film Jana Nayakan continues to be mired in controversy—not just in theaters, but now on OTT platforms as well. The film’s makers have informed the Madras High Court that Amazon Prime Video has issued a legal notice over uncertainties regarding the streaming release. Originally scheduled for a January 9 theatrical release, the film was delayed due to certification issues with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). After submitting the edited version post-review, the makers claimed that the CBFC initially suggested a U/A certificate but then refused to grant certification, creating a legal deadlock. KVN Productions, representing the film, told the court that communication gaps with the CBFC from December 25 to January 5 left them unable...