Gossip / The Times of India
Veteran actor Naseer Abdullah has voiced what many have quietly wondered for years, what really happened the night Indian cinema lost one of its brightest stars, Sridevi? In a recent interview with Free Press Journal, Abdullah opened up about the uncertainty and unanswered questions that continue to cloud the actresss sudden demise.
AR Rahman revealed that 'Khwaja Mere Khwaja,' the soulful track from Jodhaa Akbar, was initially a personal composition. Director Ashutosh Gowariker, seeking a song for a scene depicting Akbar's visit to Ajmer, insisted on using Rahman's existing spiritual piece, recognizing its profound connection. The song eventually became an integral part of the film.
Sparsh Shrivastava made headlines for his performance in Laapataa Ladies, and the actor has been receiving a lot of appreciation for his roles in 'Jamtara Sabka Number Ayega', 'Ae Watan Mere Watan', and more. Now, the actor has opened up about facing rejections like any other actor in the industryeven after 'Laapataa Ladies'.
Kapil Sharma and Anurag Kashyap's humorous collaboration in a recent soft drink ad showcases their comedic timing. The ad cleverly portrays the behind-the-scenes process of creating an advertisement, featuring a playful banter between the two. Kapil's upcoming movie, Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, is in the works, while Anurag Kashyap continues to impress with his acting roles in various films.
Veteran actor Naseer Abdullah recently opened up about one of the most shocking and heartbreaking losses in recent Indian cinema, the untimely death of Sushant Singh Rajput. The actors passing in June 2020 shook the nation and triggered a storm of media speculation, conspiracy theories, and public outcry. Abdullah, however, offered a different perspective.
A recent picture of Jr NTR has sparked widespread chatter on social media, with fans and critics alike dissecting everything from his noticeably slimmer appearance. While some online users speculated about the actors apparent weight loss and suggested the use of Ozempic, ardent supporters quickly stepped in to dismiss the rumours. His team has now put and end to these rumours.
Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai's relationship was once a major topic in Bollywood, with rumors swirling about a secret nikaah ceremony in Lonavala, which both stars never confirmed. Aishwarya later refuted these claims, stating that such a significant event would be public knowledge. She later revealed the painful reasons for their breakup, citing verbal, physical, and emotional abuse.
TIME Magazine revealed its list of 100 influential figures. Ed Sheeran, Scarlett Johansson, and Demi Moore are among those recognized. The list includes names from arts, icons, titans, pioneers, and innovators. This year's list lacks Indian representation. Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan were featured in previous years. The list curation involves a year-long process.
Hansal Mehta's acclaimed web series 'Scam 1992' faced initial rejection from major OTT platforms despite its eventual success. Mehta revealed that SonyLiv, driven by Sameer Nair's vision, ultimately backed the project and Pratik Gandhi. Despite low expectations and concerns about reaching a wide audience, the team persevered.
Dia Mirza and Mohit Rainas 2019 web series Kaafir has been re-released as a full-length feature film. Inspired by true events, the story centres on a Pakistani woman who inadvertently crosses the Line of Control and finds herself detained on the Indian side. Mirza recently shared that one of the sensitive scenes in the film deeply affected her both mentally and physically.
At the Red Sea International Film Festival 2023, Sharon Stone lauded Ranveer Singh as a great guy and a master of transformation. She celebrated his global influence and remarkable talent while presenting him with the prestigious Yusr Award. Stone highlighted his iconic performances and versatility, noting his journey from a dreamer to a powerful performer.
It is known that Tollywood star Allu Arjun has a private account followed by some of his close friends and family from the industry, including Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Trisha Krishnan, Rana Daggubati and others. Now, a story from the actors private account has stolen the spotlight after being unexpectedly shared by Rana.
Deepika Padukone skillfully dodged a comparison between Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh's acting prowess in an old NDTV interview, likening it to choosing between parents. Despite past romance with Ranbir and subsequent collaborations, Deepika emphasized appreciating their individual talents. She later married Ranveer, sharing a successful on-screen and off-screen partnership, recently welcoming their daughter, Dua, in 2024.
Mithun Chakraborty praises Prabhas. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh's new house is almost ready. Zaheer Khan and Sagarika Ghatge welcome a baby boy. Sharvari Wagh will star opposite Ranveer Singh in Don 3. Soha Ali Khan supports Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's decision to keep Raha away from the public eye. These stories are creating buzz in the entertainment world.
Urvashi Rautela shared news about a temple built for her in North India. Fans offer prayers there. She hopes for similar temples in South India soon. She has worked with Chiranjeevi and Balakrishna. Urvashi had a successful 2025 with films like Daaku Maharaaj. She has several projects lined up, including Welcome 3 and a music video with Jason Derulo.
Babil Khan, son of the versatile actor Irrfan Khan, is now gearing up for his next project a tech-thriller titled Logout. While his unconventional choices continue to earn him appreciation in the industry, his sincere nature has, ironically, made him the target of online trolls.
The Malayalam film industry, celebrated for its realistic storytelling and thematic depth, has had a fascinating journey in the horror genre. While mainstream Malayalam cinema has traditionally favoured socially relevant dramas or family-centric narratives, the horror genrethough sporadically exploredhas always left a lasting impact when executed well.
Randeep Hooda, known for his intense roles in films like 'Sarbjit' and 'Veer Savarkar,' recently discussed his extreme physical transformations for these characters. Speaking on the Shubhankar Mishra Podcast, Hooda revealed that he drastically reduced his food and water intake for 'Sarbjit' to realistically portray a prisoner's deteriorating condition.
Badshah shared a picture with his daughter Jessemy on social media. The father-daughter duo were seen shopping. The post garnered attention from fans and Bollywood celebrities like Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra. Badshah has previously spoken about his bond with his daughter. He mentioned that she thinks he is cool but isn't a fan of his music and prefers Blackpink.
Sharmila Tagore, preparing for her Bengali cinema comeback, reminisced about 'Chupke Chupke' on its 50th anniversary. She fondly recalled working with Dharmendra and highlighted Hrishikesh Mukherjee's vision as key to the film's success. Despite initial uncertainty about the comedy, the fun atmosphere on set and Mukherjee's confidence led to a timeless classic.
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, celebrated for their on-screen magic in iconic films, once playfully addressed the question of whether they would have dated if single. Kajol, during 'Dilwale' promotions, revealed she was already with her now husband Ajay Devgn during 'Baazigar'. Both are happily married, with SRK to Gauri and Kajol to Ajay.
Bollywood music reflects culture and emotion. 90s melodies still resonate across generations. Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik dominated with iconic voices. Modern songs rely on catchy hooks. Remixes introduce old tunes to new audiences. Millennials and Gen X prefer the nineties. Today's industry leans toward EDM tracks. Good music echoes across time.
Gopichand Malineni's 'Jaat,' starring Sunny Deol and Randeep Hooda, had a strong opening, grossing Rs 53.97 crore in its first week. Collections peaked at Rs 14 crore on Sunday, fueled by positive word-of-mouth. However, weekday earnings declined significantly, with Wednesday experiencing a sharp drop to Rs 47 lakhs, despite a star-studded cast.
Manoj Bajpayee's iconic role in 'Satya' is making headlines again, not for its cinematic brilliance, but for the symbolic Re 1 signing amount. Hansal Mehta revealed this detail, highlighting the film's humble beginnings fueled by passion.
Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayan' continues to generate buzz with its casting choices. Jaideep Ahlawat, known for his intense roles, was considered for Vibhishan but had to decline due to scheduling conflicts. Vijay Sethupathi was also previously in talks for the role. The film, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash, is progressing in phases, with some actors already filming their parts.
In a resurfaced 1997 interview, Shah Rukh Khan revealed his struggles with loneliness despite fame and success, expressing a deep need for companionship and acknowledging his attachment issues. He confessed his fear of losing loved ones, stemming from the loss of his parents, and admitted his difficulty in forming and maintaining friendships.
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are set to move into their luxurious new Mumbai home with their daughter, Dua. The quadruplex apartment, valued at over Rs 100 crore, spans the top four floors of a Bandra high-rise, offering stunning sea views. Located near Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan's residences, the couple also owns a bungalow in Alibaug.
Akshay Kumar, a Bollywood icon with a career spanning three decades, boasts a net worth of approximately $325 million as of 2024. His income stems from film projects, brand endorsements, and production companies. Kumar also owns the clothing brand 'Force IX,' invests in the Khalsa Warriors Kabaddi team, and supports organic farming through Two Brothers Organic Farms.
Amitabh Bachchan, the beloved superstar, playfully addressed his stagnant follower count on X, humorously seeking advice from his 49 million followers on how to reach the coveted 50 million mark. He then shared his own witty solution: Speak less, write less! Fans responded with humor and heartfelt messages, appreciating his signature wit and wisdom.
Zaheer Khan and Sagarika Ghatge, married since 2017, joyfully announced the arrival of their baby boy, Fatehsinh Khan, on Wednesday. The couple shared heartwarming photos on social media, prompting an outpouring of congratulations from celebrities like Diana Penty and Harbhajan Singh.
The Punjabi film 'Jaat' is nearing Rs 3 crore in North America, but it's underperforming expectations. Despite a wide release, it grossed $338,751 in five days, far below Gadar 2's success. Experts attribute the shortfall to weak marketing, poor word-of-mouth, and limited appeal, projecting a 60-65% loss in North America, serving as a cautionary tale for regional cinema distribution.
Akshay Kumar's Kesari Chapter 2, a historical courtroom drama based on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, has begun with a slow start, grossing Rs 8.53 lakhs in advance ticket sales. Despite positive early reviews, the film faces an uphill battle compared to its predecessor, Kesari. The film's shift to a niche courtroom drama genre may affect its initial box office performance.
Smita Patil's life, marked by her marriage to Raj Babbar and subsequent pregnancy, continues to fascinate. Despite societal challenges, she worked through her pregnancy, even filming the iconic 'Super Dancer' song. Patil's untimely death at 31, just after childbirth, led to her cremation as a bride, fulfilling her last wish.
Arbaaz Khan and Sshura Khan's recent visit to a women's hospital in Mumbai sparked pregnancy rumours after a video surfaced online. Despite fan speculation fueled by Sshura's attire and Arbaaz's protectiveness, reports indicate they visited a fibroid clinic, not a maternity ward. As of now, there's no official confirmation from the couple regarding pregnancy, suggesting the buzz is premature.
The legal fight between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni intensifies. Talia Spencer, a storyboard artist, supports Baldoni. She claims Lively tried to exploit Baldoni's kindness. Spencer alleges Lively seized creative control, altering Baldoni's vision. Lively sued Baldoni for harassment. Baldoni countersued Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds seeks dismissal. Lively also wants the lawsuit dismissed. The legal battle continues.
Soha Ali Khan emphasizes child-led learning, highlighting her daughter Inaaya's love for art as a relaxing and educational experience. She advocates for education that fosters discovery and individual talents over rote learning. Soha also appreciates the Indian media's respect for celebrities' privacy, particularly regarding their children, contrasting it with Hollywood's paparazzi culture.
Author Medha Bhaskaran, known for her biographies on Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji, recently praised Vicky Kaushal's casting in 'Chhaava.' Following the film's OTT release after grossing 600 crore, Bhaskaran stated Kaushal fit the role of Sambhaji, recalling his performance in 'Sardar Uddham.
Mumbai Police apprehended Mayank Pandya for sending a death threat to Salman Khan via WhatsApp, motivated by a desire to inflate his Instagram following. Pandya, a 25-year-old from Vadodara, confessed to mimicking threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Authorities confirmed Pandya's history of mental illness, undergoing treatment since 2014 after witnessing his grandfather's death.
Ajith Kumar's 'Good Bad Ugly' continues its successful box office run, earning an estimated Rs 6.50 crore on its sixth day, bringing the total India collection to approximately Rs 107.80 crore. The film opened strongly, particularly in Tamil Nadu, and maintained solid occupancy rates, showcasing Ajith Kumar's performance and the film's layered storytelling.
Before their acclaimed careers, Anurag Kashyap and Hansal Mehta's paths intertwined unexpectedly. Mehta received crucial early support from RV Pandit, leading to the film 'Jayate.' Kashyap, then struggling, penned the screenplay for Rs 15,000, marking his first film venture, though 'Jayate,' starring Shakti Kapoor and Shilpa Shirodkar, ultimately remained unreleased despite its initial promise.
Actor Aamir Ali recently shared a disturbing experience of sexual harassment he faced at the age of 14 while traveling by train. Despite this, he emphasized not generalizing people, citing his close friendships with gay men.
Daredevil: Born Again's thrilling first season concludes with a high-stakes finale as Matt Murdock confronts Wilson Fisk and the deadly Bullseye. Episode 9 promises intense action, emotional revelations, and answers to lingering questions about Foggy's attack and Fisk's secrets. With production already underway, fans can anticipate a second season filled with more drama and action in Hell's Kitchen.
Following an incident involving Saif Ali Khan, he and Kareena Kapoor Khan have requested the paparazzi to stop photographing their children. Inspired by this, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor have made a similar request regarding their daughter Raha.
Salman Khan's action film 'Sikandar' is struggling at the box office, with collections dwindling after a strong opening. Despite an initial boost from Eid, the film's earnings have dropped significantly, reaching a low of Rs 25 lakh on Tuesday. It's now facing challenges in crossing the Rs 110 crore mark domestically.
Babil, son of late actor Irrfan, addresses concerns about the pressure of his father's legacy, clarifying his mother's comments on the matter. While acknowledging the immense pressure, Babil emphasizes its importance in shaping him. He focuses on self-worth and navigating life's challenges, highlighting the significance of reacting positively to adversity and expressing oneself authentically.
Sunny Deol's action film 'Jaat,' also starring Randeep Hooda and Vineet Kumar Singh, is performing well at the box office, crossing 50 crore in six days. The film saw a jump over the weekend, particularly dominating in Rajasthan, UP, and Haryana due to its community connection.
Amid ongoing buzz about a possible rift between Govinda and his wife Sunita Ahuja, the latter has finally addressed the divorce rumours and set the record straight. Speaking to Instant Bollywood, Sunita urged fans not to believe any claims unless they come directly from the couple, while also expressing her unwavering confidence in her relationship with the iconic Bollywood star.
Salman Khan and Sangeeta Bijlani dated for nearly eight years and planned to marry in 1994, but called off the wedding last minute. Mushtaq Khan revealed Sangeeta never visited sets, but Salman once came to a hotel during Welcome shoot. Salim Khan encouraged Salmans theatre work early on.
Babil Khan, starring as a social media influencer in 'Logout', rejected being called a green flag, instead calling himself a narcissist. He emphasized personal responsibility and growth, dismissing label culture. In December 2024, he openly admitted his flaws, urging people to focus on self-improvement over judgments.