Have you heard? Set for a second edition

A still from Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar

Even though it has only been weeks since the release of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, the second edition of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's show has already been announced. The series told the story of Indian courtesans amid the freedom struggle. It starred Aditi Rao Hydari, Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, Sanjeeda Shaikh, and Sonakshi Sinha. "It's been a joy to see the show resonate with audiences worldwide. I'm happy to announce that we'll be back with season two," Bhansali shared. As per Variety, this time, the women of Heeramandi will head to India after the partition and look to settle in the Hindi or Bengali film industry.

Bachchan does a Tharoor

In a bid to showcase his distaste for Gen-Z's "trending lingo", Amitabh Bachchan, who is usually excited to explore new social media trends, took to his website to pen a rather convoluted note. "The lamentation is that my generation has extremely limited time to witness and evolve to the next level. Such a cliched expression, ‘next level'; used in all conversations and descriptions with impunity, and not knowing how to express the moment, idea, or achievement. Just convert the moment to a self-designed adjective, and languish in its inventive prodigious masterpiece, than to be irritatingly rational and follow the ‘so-called trended lingo' (sic)," he wrote. We guess, Gen-Z will need a baby boomer translator.

Film on India's first election commissioner

A biopic on the life of Sukumar Sen, India's first Chief Election Commissioner, has been announced. Yesterday, production banner Roy Kapur Films, along with Trickitainment Media, said they had acquired the rights to produce the biopic. Notably, the project's announcement comes a day before the vote counting for the 18th general election today. The project will chronicle the life of Sen, the architect behind India's first general elections in 1951-52. Sen, a mathematician and civil servant, was pivotal in transitioning India from a British colony to a democratic republic. Tasked with organising the world's largest democratic exercise, Sen managed an electorate of 175 million people spread across 565 princely kingdoms and newly formed states.

In support of Ravs

Kangana Ranaut, who is contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has come out in support of Raveena Tandon and condemned the attack on the actor. After a video of Tandon tackling a mob that attacked her for allegedly assaulting three women went viral on social media, it was revealed that the actor was falsely accused. Ranaut has now asked that the miscreants be punished for their "poisonous behaviour". "What happened to Raveena Tandon ji is absolutely alarming. Had there been five more people in the opposite group, she would have been lynched. We condemn such roadrage outbursts; those people must be reprimanded," wrote Ranaut.

Honouring Nigam

Sonu Nigam, who was in the UK for a concert series, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by a leading Indian diaspora students' organisation for his worldwide impact in the field of music. The National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK conferred Nigam with the fellowship during his performance at Wembley Arena in London. "You once mentioned that music is not just your profession but your reason for being. It is this passion, coupled with your commitment to give back to the community that resonates deeply with what we stand for at NISAU," said NISAU UK Chair Sanam Arora in her speech at the ceremony.

For the family

Bharti Singh, who is the host of Laughter Chefs Unlimited Entertainment, said that being a mother has made her fit and active. "I have become active after becoming a mother. I have also learned a lot of things. Today, since I have made some money, [I am comfortable]. But, our mothers worked outdoors, and then came back and worked at home. I am what I am because of my mother," she said. Singh says she enjoys "making food" for her husband, Haarsh Limbachiyaa. "When you have someone who loves to eat, you automatically start making good food."

Ananya's your Riley

Ananya Panday, who was recently seen in the streaming movie, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, has lent her voice to the character of Riley in the Hindi version of the upcoming animated film, Inside Out 2. The actor took to social media and announced her association. "I have been such a huge fan of animated films; these stories transport you to a world that is entertaining and relatable. Voicing Riley made me relive so many of my childhood moments," she said.