Have you heard? Manoj Bajpayee, Pankaj Tripathi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui are OTT stars of 2021

Manoj Bajpayee, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Pankaj Tripathi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Most popular OTT actors of 2021

Manoj Bajpayee tops the list of the most popular OTT actors of 2021, followed by Pankaj Tripathi. Nawazuddin Siddiqui occupies the third spot, while Telugu actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who was seen in The Family Man 2, is at fourth position. Radhika Apte is placed fifth followed by Kay Kay Menon, Saif Ali Khan, Sushmita Sen, Jitendra Kumar and Tamannaah Bhatia. "I enjoyed the process of working on web shows. It was a refreshing experience. I am glad to know that the audience enjoyed my performances and showered me with love," said Bhatia, who ventured into the digital space with 11th Hour and November Story. Ormax Media took to Twitter to share the list based on audience equity research conducted from September to November 2020.

History lesson

Naseeruddin Shah incurred the wrath of a section of netizens for calling the Mughals ‘refugees'. In a viral clip of his interview with Karan Thapar, the veteran actor says, "The so-called atrocities of the Mughals are highlighted all the time. We forget that they have contributed to the country. They left lasting monuments, and the tradition of dance, music, painting and literature. Mughals came here to make this their homeland. You can call them refugees," he said. Shah faced backlash with naysayers telling him that he needs a history lesson. They told him the Mughals were "plunderers".

Nora, Shilpa test positive

Nora Fatehi is the latest from B-Town to test positive for COVID-19. The actor-dancer shared the news on Instagram. "It has hit me hard, and I am bedridden," she posted. "Please stay safe, wear your masks, it's spreading fast and affects everyone differently. It could happen to anyone," Fatehi added. Dubai-based '90s actor Shilpa Shirodkar has also contracted the virus. "COVID-19 positive, day four," Shirodkar wrote.

Irrfan's film to release

One of Irrfan's unreleased films, Murder at Teesri Manzil 302, finally sees the light of the day on an OTT platform. The late actor shot for Navneet Baj Saini's crime thriller 14 years ago. The film, also starring Ranvir Shorey, Deepal Shaw and Lucky Ali, drops on ZEE5 today. "After so much hard work, it's coming on New Year's Eve," posted Saini. The unit reportedly had a narrow escape while shooting in Thailand when the boat they were in faced an engine problem in the high seas.

Rumble in the jungle

Ananya Panday is ringing in 2022 at the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan. She shared a click wrapped up in woollens while on the jungle safari. Last year-end, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, and Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone holidayed at the wildlife reserve.

The breakfast in bed look

Kareena Kapoor Khan provided a glimpse of her morning routine with "her boys". Taking to the gram, Bebo shared a picture of husband Saif Ali Khan having breakfast in bed and elder son Taimur busy with his sketch book. She wrote that Saif asked her, "Bebo are you taking another picture for Instagram?" For Kareena, it was simply pout, click and post.

Sonam hits back

Sonam K Ahuja lashed out at BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar for his remarks about the LGBTQIA community. While speaking about the Maharashtra Public University Act 2016 bill, which aims to include LGBTQIA community members on university boards, the politician reportedly stated, "Are you going to include lesbians and gays as members? Have some seriousness." The actor, known to champion LGBTQIA rights, shared Mungantiwar's comments on Instagram Story and wrote, "Ignorant, illiterate and hurtful."

Wellness talk

Sonakshi Sinha will be in conversation with Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth talking about holistic well-being with "mindfulness, movement and nutrition". Sona shared that her virtual interaction with the Thor (2011) and Extraction (2020) star will be on January 2 in collaboration with a global health brand.

Something cooking?

Speculation is rife that Pakistani actors Ushna Shah and Saba Faisal are collaborating with Anurag Kashyap on his next. The trio is in Minsk, Belarus, shooting for a project, details of which are under wraps. What added credence to the buzz is Faisal's cryptic post about her "new outing" with a "great director". Shah later clarified, "Getting tips from the great AK doesn't mean a project with him. Will let you know when it happens." Looks like it's hush-hush for now.