Entertainment

Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor, best known for his acting legacy, once stepped into the director’s chair for a grand cinematic experiment starring Amitabh Bachchan. The film, titled Ajooba, was released in 1990 and remains one of the most ambitious — and curious — projects of its time. Made on a reported budget of ₹8 crore, Ajooba was among the most expensive Indian films of the era. Despite its scale, international shoot, and star-studded cast, the film failed to impress Indian audiences and turned out to be a box office flop, earning only about ₹3.5 crore domestically. However, the film found unexpected success in Russia, where it reportedly performed well. 650 kg Dal Taken to Russia for the Shoot Decades later, the film has returned to public conversation after Kunal Kapoor, Shash...

Indian billionaire industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, recently appeared on Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, where he shared rare personal insights into his journey to leadership. In conversation with host Amitabh Bachchan, Birla revealed that despite being born into one of India’s most influential business families, his entry into the family enterprise was far from easy. In a newly released promo of the episode aired on December 29, Birla disclosed that his father, the late Aditya Vikram Birla, had laid down a non-negotiable condition: he would have to start from the lowest level and earn professional qualifications before joining the business. “No CA, No Job”: A Father’s Firm Stand During the interaction, Amitabh Bachchan pointed out how unusual it s...

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan celebrated his birthday on December 27 in grand yet heartwarming fashion at his Panvel farmhouse, where the festivities resembled a vibrant fairground. While the actor marked his milestone birthday with close friends and family, special arrangements were made for his niece Ayat Sharma, who shares her birthday with him. Visuals from the celebration continue to surface on social media, capturing tender moments between Salman Khan and little Ayat. One viral video shows the actor joyfully riding a Ferris wheel with his niece, drawing widespread admiration from fans. The clip highlights Salman’s playful side, with many fans commenting that he effortlessly “becomes a child with children.” A Farmhouse Turned Fairground For Ayat and other young guests, the ...

In the 1980s, when Indian television was dominated by mythological epics like Ramayan and Mahabharat, a quietly revolutionary series emerged on Doordarshan that shifted the focus from gods and palaces to street corners and ordinary lives. That show was Nukkad, a 39-year-old television classic that continues to resonate with audiences and holds an impressive 8.4 rating on IMDb. Airing between 1986 and 1987, Nukkad was created by celebrated filmmakers Saeed Akhtar Mirza and Kundan Shah. With just 40 episodes and 27 memorable characters, the series captured the everyday struggles, humour, and humanity of people living on the margins of urban India. Stories from the Streets Set in Mumbai, Nukkad portrayed lives often ignored in mainstream narratives — a tea seller, a paan vendor, a sa...

Actor Akshaye Khanna continues to remain in the spotlight following his exit from the much-anticipated film Drishyam 3. While speculation has been rife about his replacement, director Abhishek Pathak has now clarified that Jaideep Ahlawat is not stepping into Akshaye Khanna’s role, but will instead play an entirely new character in the film. Speaking to ETimes, Abhishek Pathak — who is also the son of producer Kumar Mangat Pathak of Panorama Studios — opened up about the circumstances surrounding Akshaye Khanna’s departure, revealing that it stemmed from creative differences. The producer had earlier sent a legal notice to Akshaye Khanna after the actor exited the project just days before the scheduled shoot. Ajay Devgn Left the Decision to the Director Abhishek Pathak also shared...

Renowned television producer Ekta Kapoor has strongly objected to the reuse of the iconic title ‘Pavitra Rishta’, accusing the makers of a new Zee TV show of using the name without her knowledge or permission. The original series, produced under her banner Balaji Telefilms, premiered in 2009 and went on to become one of Indian television’s most celebrated shows. Taking to her Instagram Stories, Kapoor expressed her anger and disappointment, questioning both the creative integrity and ethical standards of the makers. She criticised the decision to reuse the title, stating that when creators fail to generate original ideas, they resort to borrowing from the legacy of others. Kapoor described this practice as a sign of “terrible ethics” and “creative and intellectual bankruptcy.” She fu...

Mumbai: Ever since the success of Lage Raho Munna Bhai in 2006, fans have been eagerly waiting for the third installment of the iconic franchise. Now, actor Arshad Warsi has finally shed light on why ‘Munna Bhai 3’ has remained stalled for nearly two decades, revealing that the story for the film was ready almost 15 years ago. Arshad Warsi, who rose to immense popularity as Circuit alongside Sanjay Dutt’s Munna Bhai in Munna Bhai MBBS (2003), recently spoke about the long-delayed sequel in an interview with The Lallantop. He disclosed that the proposed third film, tentatively titled ‘Munna Bhai Chale America’, ran into trouble primarily due to concerns over originality. Similarity with Shah Rukh Khan’s Film According to Warsi, the storyline of Munna Bhai Chale America bore a strik...

Mumbai: Farhana Bhatt, the first runner-up of Bigg Boss 19, continues to make headlines even after her exit from the reality show. Known for her candid personality and fearless opinions, the actress recently grabbed attention after firmly calling out a paparazzo who allegedly made an inappropriate remark suggesting that she had been drinking. Farhana was spotted at a public event, stepping out in a black satin dress, when the incident occurred. In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the actress is seen confronting a photographer directly. Addressing the comment, she said, “You were saying something just now—what were you saying? That I had been drinking? You were saying something like that, right?” “Some Jokes Are Not Acceptable” Clearly upset, Farhana went on to se...

Mumbai: Television star Isha Malviya, who rose to prominence through music videos and reality shows, is all set to take a major leap in her career with her big-screen debut in Punjabi cinema. The actress has officially announced her first Punjabi film, with the poster and release date now unveiled, creating considerable buzz among fans. Isha Malviya will make her film debut with the romantic drama ‘Ishqan De Lekhe’, in which she will be seen opposite popular Punjabi singer-actor Gurnam Bhullar. The announcement was made jointly by the lead pair on social media, confirming that the film is scheduled to hit theatres on March 6, 2026. A Romantic Debut on the Big Screen Directed by Manvir Brar and written by Jassi Lohka, Ishqan De Lekhe is described as an intense love story. According...

Mumbai: Veteran actress Tabu recently grabbed attention on social media after she posed with Fatima Sana Shaikh during the screening of the film Ikkis in Mumbai. While the moment was nostalgic for cinema lovers, it also sparked a wave of reactions online, with several users controversially referring to Fatima as an “aunty.” The special screening of Ikkis, starring Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia, was held on December 29 and saw the presence of several prominent celebrities, including Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Salman Khan, and Shweta Bachchan. Among the attendees was Tabu, who posed for photographers alongside Fatima Sana Shaikh. During the photo-op, Tabu reminded everyone of their past association, saying, “She played my daughter in ‘Chachi 420’.” The statement instantly took fans down ...