Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan took to Instagram and shared a series of pictures in a combined post for her father Krishna Rai’s birth anniversary, and a late photo dump celebrating daughter Aaradhya’s 13th birthday party. The post shows Ash and her baby girl in front of Krishna Rai’s portrait as they seek his blessings. The carousal further shows some unseen pictures from Aaradhya’s childhood. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s late birthday post for Aaradhya Aishwarya took to Instagram and shared pictures from Aaradhya’s birthday bash. She also featured a balloon that read, “You’re officially a teenager.” She wrote in the caption, “Happy Birthday to the eternal love of my life… dearest daddy-ajja and my darling Aaradhya. My heart, my soul, forever and beyond.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by AishwaryaRaiBachchan (@aishwaryaraibachchan_arb) Aishwarya and her husband Abhishek Bachchan acted together in 'Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke' in 2000 and later in 'Umrao Jaan' in 2006, where they became good friends. However, Abhishek revealed on the Oprah Winfrey Show that while filming in New York, he used to stand on his hotel balcony, wishing he could marry Aishwarya. Years later, during the premiere of their 2007 film ‘Guru’ at the same hotel, he saw it as a sign and proposed to her. They got married that year and welcomed Aaradhya in 2011. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s work front Aishwarya, who has ruled hearts since winning the Miss World title in 1994, has had a remarkable journey in the film industry. With hits like 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', 'Devdas', and 'Jodhaa Akbar', the actress has become one of Bollywood's most admired actresses. Her beauty, both on and off-screen, has earned her a global fanbase. Meanwhile, Aishwarya won the Best Actress in a Leading Role (Critics) award at the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) 2024 in Dubai which took place in September.The actress received the award for her outstanding performance in Mani Ratnam's film, ‘Ponniyin Selvan 2’. Aishwarya got candid about her bond with Mani Ratnam. "I can't even speak about his evolution as a maker because I have always respected him. So from the beginning, I just say I am very grateful that I got to work with him for my first movie. I was so honoured that he asked me to be his Nandini in 'Ponniyin Selvan',” she said. ‘Ponniyin Selvan 2’ is the sequel to the 2022 film. Actor Kamal Haasan lent his voice to the film's narration. Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman has composed the music for the film.
21 November,2024 09:58 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmitabh and Abhishek Bachchan’s joint appearances are often marked by their witty banter. Things, however, took an emotional turn as the duo shot for an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16, which will be aired tonight. As part of the promotions for I Want to Talk, Abhishek appeared on the quiz show along with director Shoojit Sircar and author Arjun Sen, on whose experiences the film is based. In the episode, Abhishek recounted how Sircar pitched the film to him. “Shoojit-da didn’t tell me the entire story. He only spoke about Arjun-da’s journey, and that alone left a lasting impression on me,” said the actor. I Want to Talk tells the story of a man whose medical diagnosis alters his life journey, following which he reaches out to his estranged daughter. With the movie offering a retelling of Sen’s personal experiences, the author recalled his battle with cancer and how his daughter Raka became his motivation to emerge triumphant. “My three-year-old daughter, Raka, asked me three questions, ‘What is dying? Are you dying? Will you dance at my wedding?’ I reflexively told her that I’d dance at her wedding. Seeing her eyes light up, it became my life’s mission to be there for her,” recounted Sen on the show. Abhishek then revealed that the movie’s profound exploration of the father-daughter relationship was the primary reason he agreed to front it. He reflected, “Aaradhya is my daughter, and Shoojit-da has two daughters. We are all dads to girls, and truly understand that emotion. What resonated with me the most was Arjun’s promise to his daughter. That unwavering commitment as a father is beyond words.”
21 November,2024 09:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRBollywood actress Swara Bhasker, who has taken a break from acting after she embraced motherhood with daughter Raabiyaa, has now strongly reacted to the criticism she’s received for her wardrobe choices after marrying a Muslim man. Swara shared a post that showed her dressing before and after marrying politician Fahad Ahmad. Swara Bhasker on criticism for her outfits post-marriage Swara Bhasker took to X, formerly Twitter, and wrote, “I didn’t realise my wardrobe choices post marriage are a national cyber debate (bizarre!)... Here are more pics of me post-marriage to give Sanghi vermin more fodder for their dung. I'm sorry @FahadZirarAhmad doesn’t fit your stereotype of a conservative Muslim husband. Lol!” I didn’t realise my wardrobe choices post marriage are a national cyber debate (bizarre!).. Here are more pics of me post marriage to give Sanghi vermin more fodder for their dung 💩 Im sorry @FahadZirarAhmad doesn’t fit your stereotype of a conservative Muslim husband. Lol! pic.twitter.com/z5SshleHCB — Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) November 20, 2024 Swara Bhasker married Fahad Ahmad in February 2023 in court under the Special Marriage Act. They are parents to baby girl Raabiyaa born in September of the same year. Who is Fahad Ahmad? Fahad Ahmad is a Samajwadi Party leader, who joined the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) and was fielded from the Anushakti Nagar seat against Sana Malik of NCP (Ajit Pawar) during the recent Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. Fahad Ahmad was a student activist, who fought against the scholarships for SC and ST, calling for equal opportunities for students to secure admissions. He took it up during his convocation and asked the chairman of TISS to look into it or he won’t accept his degree. As the institution tried to remove him from the PhD program, Fahad took the legal route and won the case in Bombay HC. Fahad has been a part of relief work during COVID-19 and also helped in relief work during the Delhi riots. Swara Bhasker’s work front Meanwhile, on the acting front, Swara has wrapped up the shoot of her upcoming film 'Mrs Falani'. The film is based on 8 different stories and will see the actress pulling off 8 different characters belonging to different regions, speaking different dialects, and sporting different attires in one single movie. In the film, Swara will be seen in the role of a homemaker representing different states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, and others. Reportedly, going the extra mile, Swara also got her nose pierced for the film. The film has been produced by 'Three Arrows' and 'Sita Films', and the makers will soon announce the release date of the film.
21 November,2024 09:28 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actress Raveena Tandon once spoke about why she has no intentions of entering politics. Known for her bold and outspoken nature, the actress admitted that her honesty and inability to tolerate wrongdoing would make survival in politics challenging. An old video of Raveena telling how her unwavering honesty and inclination to fight for what she believes in could make politics a dangerous space for her. In the clip that is doing the rounds on social media, the 'Patna Shukla' actress could be heard saying, “The day I enter politics, someone will shoot me. Because I can't turn truth into lies. It becomes difficult for me as whatever I dislike reflects on my face, and then I start fighting for it. In today's world, honesty is perhaps not the best policy. That's why whenever someone asks me to join politics, I say I'll be assassinated very soon. It will be difficult.” In 2022, Tandon, during an interactive session on X, was asked if she had any plans to join politics. The actress replied, "Never say never." Raveena went on to mention that there was a time when she seriously considered entering politics. The 'Mohra' actress revealed that she had received offers for political seats across various regions, including West Bengal, Punjab, and Mumbai. However, she ultimately declined these opportunities, admitting that she wasn’t fully prepared to take on the responsibilities at that point in her life. On the professional front, Raveena Tandon made her debut with the hit film "Patthar Ke Phool" in 1991. She is known for her performances in films like "Mohra", "Dilwale", "Aatish", and "Laadla", all of which were among the highest-grossing films of the year. She was last seen in the role of a lawyer in "Patna Shuklla". She also featured in the movie "Ghudchadi" alongside Sanjay Dutt. Raveena’s daughter Rasha Thadani is all set to make her Bollywood debut alongside actor Ajay Devgn’s nephew Aaman with the film "Azaad" directed by Abhishek Kapoor. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 November,2024 08:04 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor-politician Govinda was seen casting his vote at a polling booth in the city on Wednesday despite his health issues. The actor was dressed in all-white, as he walked towards his car and limped a bit. He was seen flaunting his inked finger. He also interacted with the paparazzi as he posed for pictures. This marks his first public appearance after he was discharged from a Mumbai hospital last month post a self-inflicted gunshot wound. When the paparazzi stationed at the polling booth asked him if he is doing fine now, post the accidental shooting incident, the actor said, “Sab achcha hai (All is well)”. He was then seen telling the paps “Arey kaahe chichiya rahe ho”. Last month, Govinda reportedly misfired his gun while cleaning his closet during the wee hours of Tuesday. He suffered an injury to his foot. As per media reports, a small part of the lock of his gun was broken which didn’t inhibit the accidental firing of the gun. The actor was set to head to Kolkata but prior to that he thought of organising his closet when the unfortunate incident happened because of the gun’s broken lock. At the time of the incident, there were 6 bullets loaded, and one misfired into his foot after which he was immediately rushed to the hospital in Juhu. The polling for Maharashtra Assembly elections was conducted across 288 constituencies in the state. This time around, 4136 candidates are contesting elections across 288 constituencies in Maharashtra, the state with the highest GDP per capita, and by virtue of it, the highest economy. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 November,2024 07:58 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActress and activist Somy Ali has recently opened up about the challenges Deepika Padukone faced during her battle with depression. Ali reflected on the harsh criticism and mockery Padukone endured from the public during a time when the actress bravely spoke about her mental health struggles. Sharing her thoughts on celebrities openly talking about seeking therapy, she mentioned the time when Deepika confessed about her battle with depression. Somy stated, “I have been advocating for years that anyone with a platform should openly discuss mental health. When Deepika Padukone spoke about her struggles on a public forum, it was a groundbreaking moment—not just for the industry but for the world. However, as I predicted, she was mocked by some, labeled as someone seeking publicity, and not taken seriously. Here is an actor of her stature publicly sharing that she was perpetually depressed and had suicidal thoughts, and yet, instead of empathy, she faced ridicule. I can’t say I was shocked. I experience the same response when I share anything truthful without sugarcoating it.” She added, “Despite the backlash, Deepika should be celebrated. She should be placed on a pedestal, given awards, and shown the utmost respect—not just for speaking out but for creating a mental health foundation. I bow my head in respect, particularly because my own mother suffered from mental health issues throughout her life and was physically punished by her own family and spouse for it. I thank Deepika for taking a stand—a stand no actor of her generation had the courage to take. If someone had done so years ago, perhaps Parveen Babi would still be alive today, taking her medication for paranoid schizophrenia.” Somy also talked about Aamir Khan taking joint therapy sessions with his daughter Ira Khan. Somy Ali expressed, “This is progress at its best. This is why I have always considered Aamir Khan to be one of the most intellectually talented celebrities in the industry, alongside Shah Rukh Khan and a few others.” She went on to add, “Personally, as someone who has studied psychology, holds a master’s degree in the subject, and has worked in a mental health clinic, I believe that every individual should have a therapy session at least once a week—whether it's solo, with their children, or as a family.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 November,2024 07:56 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSOther states join the league Following in the footsteps of the Madhya Pradesh government, the governments in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have also declared that taxes will not be imposed on the screening of The Sabarmati Report. Rajasthan chief minister Bhajanlal Sharma made the announcement on Wednesday, a day after a similar decision was taken by Chhattisgarh’s BJP government. The Vikrant Massey-starrer hit theatres on November 15 and promised to unveil the truth behind the February 27, 2002, incident in which 59 people, mostly karsevaks, were killed when a coach of the Sabarmati Express was set on fire, triggering riots in Gujarat. Previously, both Narendra Modi and Amit Shah heaped praise on the movie. More films in the making? Karan Johar, Kartik Aaryan, and Dinesh Vijan have fuelled speculation of a new collaboration in Bollywood. The development is being seen as another step in the reconciliation efforts of Johar and Aaryan after their fallout during the making of Dostana 2. The duo has a movie that is already in the works with Sandeep Modi as the director. This, we’re told, is a fresh project. Trade sources claim this will be a high-stakes venture. Details relating to the film are expected to be shared soon. An opinion of many! Director R Balki feels that the few blockbuster movies that have been released in the last few years have been the “worst films” made. At MIT World Peace University, he said, “[They] have actually been the worst films, not only from an artistic [perspective] but also from the [lens of] being masala entertainers. They’re damn boring.” He also drew comparison between these films and those of Manmohan Desai. “I was watching films by Manmohan Desai. They were fun. There is no fun in our blockbusters. It’s become like a project. They want to recover money. It’s just driving people towards believing something is good. By the time people believe it’s bad, the film has made its money,” he said. The man we cherish! Farhan Akhtar, Mahesh Babu, Shaan, Sachin Tendulkar, and Yuvraj Singh joined hands to unveil a powerful narrative that aims to redefine masculinity. The poem, part of Farhan’s Mard campaign, challenges traditional gender stereotypes and sees the stars emphasise the importance of respect, empathy, and equality when it comes to treating women. Mahesh Babu shared the poem, written by Javed Akhtar, and wrote, “Respect, empathy, and strength of character are the real traits of a man. He who stands for equality and brings kindness into his every action is a #RealMard.” Farhan lent his voice to the poem and wrote that he envisions “a gender-equal future”. The Mard initiative—which stands for Man Against Rape and Discrimination—was created to raise awareness about gender equality.
21 November,2024 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamThere is a new romance brewing in the city, albeit for the cameras. Only last month, it was reported that R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh were set to team up for a love story. Now, mid-day has learnt that the project has gone on floors. So, what is the actors’ maiden collaboration all about? From what we’ve heard, it’s a May-December romance of sorts, with Madhavan’s character coming across a younger woman on a dating app. Sources tell us that it is tentatively titled Tharki. Director Vivek Soni, who previously helmed Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dassani-starrer Meenakshi Sundareshwar (2021), is offering a light-hearted take on the unusual love story. An insider reveals, “Madhavan plays a virgin, who is in his mid-40s. He comes across Fatima’s character, a woman in her early 30s, on a dating app, and how the two fall in love forms the crux of the story. It’s a quirky and contemporary take on the relationship.” The cast includes Namit Das, who plays the protagonist’s close friend, and Karan Wahi in a special appearance. While the film rolled in Mumbai in early November, the unit’s next stop will be Kolkata in December. The OTT film, produced by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment, will find a home on Netflix. Tharki marks Madhavan’s return to the rom-com genre almost a decade after Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015). “Madhavan’s fans in the Hindi audience have always enjoyed his romantic comedies, be it the Tanu Weds Manu franchise or Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein [2001] that found a wide fan base over the decades. Tharki will be the perfect payoff for them, after his intense portrayals in Shaitaan and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect [2022]. In fact, he will also be seen in another romantic comedy, De De Pyaar De 2, but the love story won’t be centred on his character,” adds the source. Shaikh, meanwhile, also has Anurag Basu’s Metro… In Dino in the pipeline.
21 November,2024 07:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaSalman Khan has been receiving multiple death threats, but this didn't stop him from performing his national duty. Today, Salman Khan stepped out with heavy security to cast his vote for the Maharashtra Elections 2024. The actor arrived at the polling booth with tight security. Keeping Salman Khan's safety as the utmost priority, high-tech drones and commandos were stationed to ensure his vote-casting process remained safe and secure. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Salman Khan reached to vote On Wednesday afternoon, Salman reached the Mount Mary School polling booth to cast his vote in the ongoing Maharashtra Elections. He was accompanied by heavy security. Several videos of the actor have been circulating online, showing him wearing a grey T-shirt and jeans. He seemed to be in a happy mood as he was seen giving flying kisses to fans. It is said that Salman also took some time to click pictures with a few fans at the polling booth. Earlier in the day, his father, Salim Khan, and brother, Arbaaz Khan, were also spotted in the city casting their votes. Shah Rukh Khan snapped at a polling booth View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Shah Rukh Khan also arrived to cast his vote during the Maharashtra Assembly Elections in Mumbai. The actor was accompanied by his entire family, including Gauri Khan, Aryan Khan, and Suhana Khan. Shah Rukh seemed to be in a rush as he didn't stop to pose for the paparazzi and quickly made his way inside the polling booth. While many believed he would pose on his way out, he did not. Shah Rukh was seen wearing a white shirt paired with blue jeans, while Gauri aced her look in a white tank top paired with a beige coat. Aryan Khan, who is gearing up for his directorial debut, looked dashing in an all-black outfit, while Suhana looked adorable in a long green polka-dot dress. Akshay Kumar was the early bird at the pooling booth Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar was among the first celebrities to cast his vote in the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, which commenced on Wednesday morning. As the polling booths opened at 7 a.m., the actor was one of the early voters at the venue. However, after he cast his vote, a senior citizen approached the actor and complained about the public toilet near Juhu Beach. Other celebs who cast a vote Apart from Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, several Bollywood celebrities stepped out to cast their votes and fulfil their national duties. Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, and Ranbir Kapoor were among those spotted at the polling booth.
20 November,2024 07:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAnanya Panday recently shared an unseen photo of her Nani enjoying a beer, sparking some attention, especially at a time when public figures are expected to set responsible examples. In the photo, Ananya's Nani is seen holding a mug of beer. On Wednesday, the actress took to her Instagram stories to wish her Nani a happy birthday and posted the rare photo. In the picture, a young Ananya, as a toddler, is sitting on a bed next to her Nani. Alongside the photo, Ananya wrote, “Happy Birthday Nani! Love you, cheers,” adding beer and smiling emojis. The post has drawn attention, especially as the issue of celebrities' influence on their fans continues to be discussed. Ananya’s post comes shortly after Diljit Dosanjh made headlines for altering the lyrics of his song during a performance in Hyderabad. Diljit replaced references to alcohol, changing “5 tara theke” to “5 tara hotel” and “daaru 'ch lemonade” to "Coke 'ch lemonade." This move followed a notice from the Telangana government regarding songs that promote alcohol and drugs during his Hyderabad concerts. Diljit’s decision stands in contrast to Ananya's candid post. While both reflect different approaches, they highlight the ongoing conversation about responsibility in the entertainment industry and how celebrities navigate their influence on their audience. Last year, Ananya flew to Delhi with her mother, Bhavana, to surprise her Nani on her birthday. Sharing a video of her Nani’s surprised reaction, Ananya wrote, “Surprising Nani on her birthday in Delhi. Happy birthday Nani, love you!!” The video showed Ananya knocking on the door and singing a birthday song, as her Nani was delighted to see them. On the work front, Ananya, who was last seen in 'CTRL', will next star in the upcoming film 'Chand Mera Dil'. The film, which also stars Lakshya, is directed by Vivek Soni and is slated for release in theatres next year. Sharing the first poster of the film, Karan Johar wrote, “We have two chands ready to bring an intense & passionate love story like no other!!! Pyaar mein thoda paagal hona hi padta hai... Chand Mera Dil, starring Ananya Panday & Lakshya. Directed by Vivek Soni. Coming to cinemas in 2025.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
20 November,2024 06:51 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSGrammy and Oscar-winning music composer A. R. Rahman and his wife Saira Banu are headed for a divorce. The couple stayed together 29 years, completing silver jubilee, and were just short of clocking 3 decades of marital bliss. The divorce was apparently initiated by Rahman’s wife and points to growing indifference between the couple. However, Rahman and his marriage have an interesting connection with the late actor Dilip Kumar. Rahman, who was born A. S. Dileep Kumar, converted to Islam at the age of 23 and was married to Saira Banu, the namesake of Dilip Kumar’s wife. While the actor couple stayed together until the passing away of Dilip Kumar, Rahman and his wife parted ways after 29 years. Also, while Rahman converted to Islam and changed his name, Dilip Kumar was born Muhammad Yusuf Khan and changed his name to appeal to a wider audience. Earlier, Saira’s lawyer Vandana Shah had shared the cause of the marriage breakdown in the glamour world. She spoke in general about marriage and its dynamics in the film industries in an old video, “One is boredom in a marriage because you have seen it all. They move on from one marriage to the other because of boredom. And that is very very sort of peculiar to Bollywood and super-rich families. You know, so I feel that is one thing that I have not seen in a lot of other marriages. Secondly, I think they live very very different sexual lives”. She added, “I think that the expectations from a sex life are much higher in these set-ups than may be in a normal person's marriage. The main issues are boredom, and ‘I am not being given enough importance’”. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
20 November,2024 06:50 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
