Earlier in the morning, it was reported that singer Monali Thakur, known for songs like Sawaar Loon, Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, and Laila Majnu, experienced breathlessness on stage during a live performance and was immediately rushed to the hospital. Now, the ace singer has taken to Instagram to dismiss all such claims, putting out a clarification stating that she is not facing any breathing problems and is not hospitalized. Monali Thakur clarified she isn’t hospitalised In a long clarification that Monali had put out she wrote, "Dear media and everyone concerned for my health, I hope you're doing well. I'm writing this to request that no unverified news about my health be shared. I truly appreciate all the love and concern, but I want to make it clear that I am not dealing with any breathing issues and I was not admitted to any hospital. That's false information." Further while giving an update on her health Monali wrote, "I was feeling unwell recently due to not getting enough time to recover from a viral infection/flu causing it to relapse and cause a slightly severe sinus and migraine discomfort and pain in flights. That's all there is to it. I'm now back in Mumbai, getting treatment, resting, and recovering. I'll be absolutely fine in no time!" "Let's not make this bigger than it is, especially when there are much more important things to focus on. Thank you so much for your love and support. Take care and lots of Love!" Monali concluded Monali Thakur's Varanasi concert fiasco Meanwhile, a couple weeks back, Thakur had penned a long note slamming the poor infrastructural management at her Varanasi concert which she abandoned 70 minutes into the show. She called out the event management for mistreating vendors and exploiting them. The singer took to her Instagram account on Monday where she shared details about the alleged mismanagement, and mistreatment against her and her team by the event organizers. "I had hoped not to end 2024 or begin the new year 2025 by addressing the horrific and negative incident my team and I faced in Varanasi. However, after much reflection, I feel it is important to share these unfortunate truths-not only to raise awareness but also to call for reforms in how such matters are handled. Attached is a confession and apology letter issued by the founder of the event-organizing company. Hope this letter is sufficient to clear any confusion anyone might have had about the credibility of any of the false defamatory accusations made against my team and me, as well as the treacherous and unethical conduct of the organizers," wrote Monali.
23 January,2025 07:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rohman Shawl, who recently made his debut as the antagonist in the Sai Pallavi and Shivakarthikeyan-starrer Amaran, has impressed audiences with his performance as Asif Wani, a terrorist. Rohman was praised for his performance, action sequences, and emotional storytelling. Amaran has emerged as one of the biggest successes of 2024, directed by Rajkumar Periasamy. After receiving appreciation for his role as an antagonist, Rohman is seen playing a police officer from Jammu & Kashmir in his next project. Azaadi garners critical acclaim To celebrate the 76th Republic Day and to honor the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police officers, the actor presents his next short film titled Azaadi, based on real incidents. The film has already received awards at the Jammu Film Festival and Jharkhand Film Festival. Presented by Kara Studios, the movie also stars Mir Sarwar in a pivotal role, with Abhimanyu Tomar making a guest appearance. Film's tribute to the brave hearts of Kashmir In Azaadi, Rohman Shawl plays the character of Adnan, a dedicated Indian police officer who is captured by militants during a family visit. As he faces unimaginable brutality, his unwavering love for his country and family drives him to fight for survival. With intense action, emotional depth, and an inspiring portrayal of heroism, the film sheds light on the untold stories of Indian police officers in Kashmir. Rohman's year of diverse roles Reflecting on his journey, Rohman says, "The back-to-back release of Amaran and Azaadi has been nothing short of life-changing for me. In the span of two films, I've traversed the spectrum of humanity, from protector to destroyer. It's been both a test and a triumph, and as a Kashmiri, these roles carry the weight of my roots as well as the universal struggles they reflect. Looking back, I consider 2024 a year of transformation. It's the year that truly defined me as an actor. In Azaadi, I play Adnan, an honest police officer wrestling with the moral and emotional chaos of conflict, while in Amaran, I portrayed a terrorist driven by darkness and desperation." In terms of personal matters, Rohan Shawl, who was previously dating Sushmita Sen, is still occasionally spotted with her, although they announced their breakup in 2021.
23 January,2025 07:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilm: Sky ForceDirector: Sandeep Kewlani, Abhishek Anil KapurCast: Akshay Kumar, Veer Pahariya, Sara Ali Khan, Nimrat KaurRuntime: 125 minutes Akshay Kumar and Sara Ali Khan's film Sky Force, which marks Veer Pahariya's debut, is based on true events that unfolded during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965. The film tells the story of Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya. The plot In 1965, on the night of September 6, Pakistan attacked several Indian air bases, including Pathankot, Halwara, and Adampur. This was a shocker for the country, and India decided to give it back to them. We attacked Sargodha, one of Pakistan's most protected and strongest air bases at the time. During this mission, one of our fighters, Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya, went missing in action. After several attempts to find him, he was announced dead and was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra in 1988, 23 years after the operation. The story of Sky Force is about how the country struck back at Pakistan with their not-so-well-equipped fighter jets, destroyed the advanced fighter jets the neighbouring country got from the USA, and how Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya sacrificed himself. Who plays what in Sky Force Akshay Kumar plays the role of Group Captain OP Taneja, leader of the 13-aircraft contingent, in Sky Force. His name in the Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani directorial has been changed to KO Ahuja. Meanwhile, Veer, who has been named T Vijaya in the film, portrays the role of Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya. The movie also stars Sara Ali Khan in a pivotal role that of Veer Pahariya's wife. Performance analysis Akshay Kumar is known for signing films that are inspired by true events, and there was a time when he was just doing such films. After taking a short break from his favourite genre, Akshay is back at it, but at what cost? The first half of the film features Akshay delivering dialogues that ooze patriotism, but were they convincing? It felt like he had a teleprompter to read the dialogues from. It is high time that Akshay started dedicating more than 40 days to a film and delivered one good movie before the audience lost faith in him. Sara Ali Khan was fairly okay, and a little extra, as she is in all her films. She didn't have much scope to show her work, but whatever she did, she delivered nicely. Nimrat Kaur, on the other hand, played Akshay's wife - a totally avoidable character in the movie. A surprise entry in the movie was by Sharad Kelkar. He played a Pakistani fighter pilot and prisoner of war. He has time and again proved how talented an actor he is, and we still hope to see him in a film where he isn’t making a surprise entry or doing a cameo. Kelkar deserves a full-fledged movie starring him in the lead. Background music & technical aspects Coming to the action - hands down, amazing. Any part of the movie that has no dialogue is the best part of Sky Force. Be it the training session, the war sequence, the air strike, or the fighter pilots saluting T Vijaya's wife as she receives the Maha Vir Chakra on his behalf, all these scenes gave goosebumps and were beautifully crafted. The movie lags behind in the music department. Veer and Sara's song didn't make it to the final cut, and B Praak screaming at the top of his voice didn’t leave any impact. Final verdict Will you cry in those two hours? Possibly, but that could only be because of the story of Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya and not because of how the makers have executed a well-written story. After delivering blockbuster films with their horror universe and impressing the audience with the Chhaava teaser, coming up with a patriotic drama just before Republic Day is an amazing move by Maddock. However, only if they had a better cast on board, this would have been another blockbuster for them.
23 January,2025 06:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Shachi ChaturvediFilmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has been reportedly arrested and sentenced to three months of imprisonment in a cheque bounce case. The Andheri Magistrate Court in Mumbai, after hearing the case for seven years, announced the verdict and reportedly issued a non-bailable warrant in RGV's name. Ram Gopal Varma sentenced to three months of imprisonment As per a report in Telangana Today, RGV was found guilty under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, which penalizes cheque dishonour due to insufficient funds or exceeding the account’s arranged amount. The director has also been ordered to pay a sum of Rs 3.75 lakh as compensation to the complainant. The court further ordered that if he fails to pay the amount decided by the court within the next three months, he will be subjected to an additional three months of imprisonment. Ram Gopal Varma reacts to the cheque bounce case In 2018, a cheque bounce case was filed by a company named Shree, through Maheshchandra Mishra, against RGV’s firm. The filmmaker received bail after providing a personal bond and a Rs 5000 security deposit in 2022. Though it has been reported that RGV was not present at the hearing, and a detailed judgment is awaited, he has reacted to the news on his X account, writing, "With regard to the news about me and Andheri court, I want to clarify that it is related to a 7-year-old case of Rs 2 lakh 38 thousand, involving my ex-employee. My advocates are attending to it, and since the matter is in court, I cannot say anything further.” More about Rama Gopal Varma Ram Gopal Varma has been in a reflective mood ever since the re-release of his cult classic film Satya, which starred Manoj Bajpayee and Urmila Matondkar. Since its re-release in theatres on January 17, the filmmaker has been looking back at the making of Satya, what it meant to his career in the movie business, and what transpired afterward. He has been posting his thoughts on social media, calling it his confession notes on Satya. In a latest update, the filmmaker has announced his next titled Syndicate, a crime drama, with the claim of making the biggest film ever.
23 January,2025 03:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Video announced February 7 as the premiere date for its critically acclaimed upcoming Original movie The Mehta Boys. Produced by Boman Irani, Danesh Irani, Vikesh Bhutani, and Shujaat Saudagar under the banner of Irani Movietone LLP in association with Chalkboard Entertainment LLP, The Mehta Boys is directed by Boman Irani who has also co-written the film alongside Academy Award winner Alex Dinelaris. Exploring the intricacies of family dynamics interwoven with complexities of a father-son relationship, the Original movie is brought to life by a superbly talented cast that includes Boman Irani, Avinash Tiwary, Shreya Chaudhry, and Puja Sarup in lead roles. What is The Mehta Boys about? The Mehta Boys follows the story of a father and son, at odds with each other, who are unexpectedly compelled to spend 48 hours together. The film follows their tumultuous journey and offers a nuanced exploration of the complexities often inherent in a father-son relationship. The Mehta Boys had its global premiere at the prestigious 15th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF) held in September 2024, winning the Best Feature Film Award at the festival followed by a Best Actor win for Boman Irani at the International Film Festival of South Asia in Toronto held in October 2024. The movie made its Asia debut at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa in November 2024 and also opened the Indian Film Festival Berlin in January 2025. View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin) "The Mehta Boys is a poignant and beautifully crafted film that delves deep into the emotional complexities of a father-son relationship. The appreciation it has received so far speaks volumes about its authenticity and universal appeal,” said Nikhil Madhok, Head of Originals, Prime Video India. “At Prime Video, we’re dedicated to championing stories that resonate with audiences globally, and The Mehta Boys masterfully captures the subtle complexities of human connections. Boman Irani brings a unique and refreshing perspective as a filmmaker, making this film truly special. We’re thrilled to have collaborated with him and the incredibly talented cast and crew to share this heart-warming story with our customers in India and across the world.” What Boman Irani said about The Mehta Boys “Bringing The Mehta Boys to life has been an immensely rewarding and fulfilling journey,” said Boman Irani. “As an actor, I have always been fascinated by the power of storytelling, and this project gave me the opportunity to explore a completely new creative avenue as a filmmaker. To me, the intricate bond between a parent and a child has always been intriguing – their dynamics are raw, relatable, and, most importantly, deeply human. I couldn’t have asked for a more compelling story or a better team. With Alexander Dinelaris’ unique perspective shaping the narrative, the incredible performances of Avinash, Shreya, and Puja breathing life into the characters, and Prime Video’s unwavering support, I am thrilled to share this dream project with audiences around the world starting February 7.”
23 January,2025 02:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn Thursday morning, actress and former Miss India Dia Mirza shared a rare throwback photo from 25 years ago. She shared a picture from the Miss India event where she, Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta were crowned winners. The actress recalled that finale day which was also graced by past winners like Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai and Diana Hayden. Not just that the finale also saw Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla as judges. Dia Mirza shares rare throwback picture from 2000 In the first picture shared by Dia, she can be seen seen sharing the stage with co-winners Priyanka and Lara. Along with them we see smiling faces of beauty queens Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai and Diana Hayden. The second picture sees Dia giving Lara a peck on the cheek after their winning moment. The third picture sees the winners posing with Shah Rukh Khan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dia Mirza Rekhi (@diamirzaofficial) Sharing the pictures, Mirza penned a long note recalling the people who were a part f the finale event. "Throwing it back to the beginning of a new millennium. 15th of January 2000. The Femina Miss India Contest was a truly grand spectacle! We had the most amazing women participating from across the country. Each of them has gone on to create their own unique story. We had the most iconic judges - Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Anjoli Ela Menon, Carolina Harera, Marcus Swarovski, Pritish Nandy, Mohammed Azharuddin and Waheeda Rehman ." The beautiful Malaika Arora and Rahul Khanna hosted the event. A spectacular set was designed by Omung Kumar. Hemant Trivedi and Nayanika Chatterjee mentored us and choreographed the show. Bharat And Doris Godambe did our hair and make up. Pradeep Guha and Satya Saran ensured each of us received the training necessary to help us shine in our individual light. All the previous winners descended on stage and made our winning moments even more special. The photoshoot with Shahrukh Khan right after our win happened backstage. What a moment of wonderment for a completely awestruck Hyderabadi who grew up adoring him with all my heart! The cover shot is evidence." Dia Mirza reveals final question of Miss India 2000 event Mirza further revealed the final question the contestants were asked which decided their fate in the competition. "The final question that lead to the win for Lara, Priyanka and me was “If you were the policeman in the garden of Eden, who would punish for the first sin. Adam, Eve or the serpent?” Sharing her answer to the winning question, she said, "My answer was unusual, i have no idea how I even thought of it with a one minute timer ticking loudly as we framed our responses and wrote them down. I think I said, “I would not punish any of them. For if they had not sinned, we would not be on this Earth today.” What answer would you have given? Time flies. Each of us has evolved and found our own way of making sense of our time on Earth. We have lost some people who were a part of this life changing moment.. but their influence and impact has surely shaped our lives. It’s been 25 years since this paradigm shift. And I am grateful for it.
23 January,2025 12:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRam Gopal Varma has been in a reflective mood ever since the re-release of his cult classic film 'Satya' that starred Manoj Bajpayee and Urmila Matondkar and others. Ever since its re-release in theatres on January 17, the filmmaker has been looking back at the making of Satya and what meant to his career in the movies business and what transpired after. He has been posting his thoughts on social media calling it his confession notes on Satya. In a latest update, the filmmaker has announced his next, a crime drama with the claim of making the biggest film ever. Ram Gopal Varma announces his next “Only man can be the most terrifying animal," began RGV on X in a post where he announced the title of his next and the concept for the same. "In CONTINUATION to my CONFESSION note on SATYA film , I DECIDED to make the BIGGEST film ever. The film is called SYNDICATE. It’s about a terrifying organisation which threatens the very EXISTENCE of INDIA," he wrote. Explaining the concept, the filmmaker wrote, "STREET GANGS which flourished till the 70’s were finished when they got absorbed into hardline political parties and later when the SMUGGLERS rose up due to heavy demand of electronic goods , gold etc, they too were destroyed by the economic reforms , and then the deadly corporate gangs like D COMPANY etc arrived , to be once again victoriously CRUSHED. Similarly the early BLACK SEPTEMBER terrorists paled in comparison to the DEADLY ALQAEDA ,which in turn looked like nothing in front of the HORRIFIC ISIS group. There has been no notable criminal organisation since the last 10 to 15 years in India,but right now the intense polarisation between various in the country makes the timing ripe for a new kind of criminal organisation to rise." He added, "But unlike the organisations of the past this new organisation joins forces from various groups including POLICING AGENCIES, POLITICOS, ULTRA RICH BUSINESS MEN and also the MILITARY thus making it a SYNDICATE." A futuristic crime drama Ram Gopal Varma wrote, "SYNDICATE is a futuristic story not set in the far away future , but what can happen even tomorrow or next week ..For example the entire world woke up to AL QAEDA on September 11 th 2001, but did not know its existence even on September 10 th SYNDICATE film begins with a statement “ONLY MAN CAN BE THE MOST TERRIFYING ANIMAL.” This sets the stage for a chain of unimaginable but highly TERRIFYING and intricately calculated events, orchestrated by a shadowy organisation called the SYNDICATE whose only goal is to REPLACE INDIA WITH A NEW INDIA SYNDICATE will be a very SCARY FILM not due to any super natural elements , but because it will SCARILY expose, what HORRORS HUMAN BEINGS CAN DO The film will deeply dwell into the cyclical nature of crime and terror proving that while we have our victories the DARK TRUTH is that CRIME and TERROR NEVER DIE . THEY KEEP COMING BACK in MORE DEADLIER FORMS I took a VOW to WASH AWAY all my CINEMA SINS that I committed over the PAST FEW YEARS with this JUST one SINGLE film called SYNDICATE The CAST and other details will be ANNOUNCED VERY SOON." “ONLY MAN CAN BE THE MOST TERRIFYING ANIMAL “In CONTINUATION to my CONFESSION note on SATYA film , I DECIDED to make the BIGGEST film ever The film is called SYNDICATE It’s about a terrifying organisation which threatens the very EXISTENCE of INDIA The CONCEPT STREET… — Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) January 22, 2025
23 January,2025 11:16 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn Wednesday, Mid-day had reported that three prominent figures from the entertainment industry — Rajpal Yadav, Remo D’Souza, and Sugandha Mishra — have received threatening messages. Now, it has come to light that comedian and actor Kapil Sharma has also received a death threat on email from the same source. According to the sources, the threats were sent via email, and the sender signed off as 'BISHNU'. Rajpal Yadav, Sugandha Mishra file complaint The email, sent on December 14, 2024, raised concerns and led to a formal complaint. The threatening message was sent from the email address [email protected] to Rajpal Yadav's team email account, [email protected]. This led to immediate action, with Yadav's wife, Radha Rajpal Yadav, filing a police complaint at the Amboli Police Station in Mumbai. Yadav has filed a complaint with the Amboli Police Station, following which a first information report (FIR) under Section 351(3) (criminal intimidation) was registered in the case. Meanwhile, on the basis of Mishra's complaint, the Oshiwara Police have lodged a non-cognisable (NC) complaint in the case. D’Souza has also approached the police to register a complaint. They are now conducting an investigation into the threat and the person behind the malicious email. On the complaint of Sugandha Mishra, the police have registered a complaint and started investigating the matter and after receiving the same threatening email, Remo D'Souza has also filed a complaint at the police station. As per the police, the threat email was sent from Pakistan. The email reads, "We are monitoring your recent activities and we believe it is important that we bring to your attention a sensitive matter. This is not a publicity stunt or an attempt to harass you, we urge you to treat this message with utmost seriousness and confidentiality." Recent celebrity related incidents in Mumbai Of late, Mumbai police have been on an increased level of vigilance as the law and order of the city seems to be shaken particularly after the fatal attack on politician Baba Siddique, threats to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, and the recent knife attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan. Earlier, Baba Siddique was shot dead near his house in the Bandra area of Mumbai in October last year. The responsibility for the murder was claimed by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's gang. Salman, on his part, beefed up his security, even installing bullet-proof windows on his balcony. It was a Baba Siddique Iftar party in 2013 that ended a long-standing feud between the two of the biggest superstars of Bollywood, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan after a five-year-long spat that divided the entire Bollywood into two camps of loyalists. The two hugged out at Baba Siddique's party, sending the industry into relief and encouraging cross-camp collaborations. A week ago, Saif was attacked by an assailant who barged into his Bandra house through his youngest son, Jeh's room during the early hours of Thursday. The actor reportedly went to the hospital on his own and was accompanied by his son Taimur. As per media reports, doctors removed the 2.5 inches of knife from his wound. The actor was stabbed multiple times in an attempt to fight off the accused. The actor sustained six stab wounds, two of which were said to be serious as they were closer to his spine. The incident took place as the accused allegedly barged into their Bandra home, and attacked their house help and then Saif when he intervened. Saif was woken up by the commotion in his son Jeh's room. He went inside the room to see the culprit arguing with their house help, looking at this, Saif intervened to save the house help with bare hands to fight off the intruder.
23 January,2025 11:11 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeer Pahariya is all set to make his big Bollywood debut with Akshay Kumar and Sara Ali Khan starrer Sky Force. The movie will release on January 24, ahead of Republic Day, but before the release of the patriotic film, there are a few facts you need to know. First and foremost, Sky Force is based on real-life events and draws its inspiration from the air war between the Indian and Pakistani Air Forces during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. The story also touches upon the life of Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya. Here's all you need to know about the film. The War In 1965, Pakistan attacked several Indian air bases, including Pathankot, Halwara, and Adampur. After this attack by the Pakistani army, India conducted its first-ever airstrike against Pakistan and targeted one of the most guarded air bases in Asia, Sargodha. During this operation, while the Indian aircraft were making their way home, Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya's aircraft was shot down by an enemy aircraft, and he went missing. The Aftermath After Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya went missing, several attempts were made by the Indian government to find the Squadron Leader and bring him back home safely, but we failed to get any details about his whereabouts, and he was presumed dead. He was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra in 1988, 23 years after the operation. He is the only fighter pilot to have been posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. Who Plays What in the Film Akshay Kumar will reportedly be seen playing the role of Group Captain O.P. Taneja, leader of the 13-aircraft contingent, in Sky Force. Meanwhile, Veer, who has been named T. Vijaya in the film, will portray the role of Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya. The movie will also star Sara Ali Khan in a pivotal role, with the actress playing Veer Pahariya's wife in the movie. The trailer of Sky Force promises to be a visual treat with breathtaking aerial combat sequences, showcasing the courage and skill of the Indian Air Force officers. Sky Force will hit theatres on January 24, 2025, just ahead of Republic Day.
23 January,2025 10:46 AM IST | MumbaiSinger Monali Thakur known for songs like 'Sawaar Loon', 'Moh Moh Ke Dhaage', 'Laila Majnu' experienced breathlessness on stage during a live performance. She was immediately rushed to the hospital. According to reports, Monali, who was performing at music festival in West Bengal, suddenly struggled to breathe mid performance. Reports state that it looked like Monali was in acute distress and thus immediately halted her performance. Monali was taken to the Dinhata Sub-District hospital after she was seen in distress by her team. Her team was quick on their feet and then arranged an ambulance to transfer her to a private hospital in Cooch Behar. The singer or her team is yet to issue an official statement on the matter. However, according to reports, the singer is receiving proper medical care at the moment. Monali Thakur's Varanasi concert fiasco Meanwhile, a couple weeks back, Thakur had penned a long note slamming the poor infrastructural management at her Varanasi concert which she abandoned 70 minutes into the show. She called out the event management for mistreating vendors and exploiting them. The singer took to her Instagram account on Monday where she shared details about the alleged mismanagement, and mistreatment against her and her team by the event organizers. "I had hoped not to end 2024 or begin the new year 2025 by addressing the horrific and negative incident my team and I faced in Varanasi. However, after much reflection, I feel it is important to share these unfortunate truths-not only to raise awareness but also to call for reforms in how such matters are handled. Attached is a confession and apology letter issued by the founder of the event-organizing company. Hope this letter is sufficient to clear any confusion anyone might have had about the credibility of any of the false defamatory accusations made against my team and me, as well as the treacherous and unethical conduct of the organizers," wrote Monali. Monali also shared that her team faced "severe negligence" in basic infrastructural safety that forced her to leave the stage in the middle of her performance. "It has been deeply troubling for me to process the reckless and irresponsible behavior of the event management company's team. Especially, their misuse of laws designed to protect against sexual harassment-laws that are vital for safeguarding people, specially women in our society-is both appalling and unacceptable. Weaponizing such laws for personal vendetta, ego satisfaction, or retaliation against those who refused to comply with unethical practices is not only a gross abuse of rights but also deeply disrespectful to genuine survivors of these heinous crimes," the singer wrote. "These reckless behavior undermines the credibility of survivors who show immense courage in seeking justice and hampers the hard work of those fighting to eradicate such crimes. It is particularly disheartening to see young women participating in such actions, as it damages the cause and creates distrust around an issue that should always be treated with the utmost seriousness," she added. Monali also criticized the "treatment of vendors" and those "working behind the scenes" at the event. "It is absolutely unacceptable to treat vendors poorly, cheat them of their hard-earned money, or con them in any way," she said. "Disrespecting and harassing those working behind the scenes... is not the way forward. Such behavior should never be tolerated or entertained." The highlight of the post, though, was the confession and apology letter from the organisers that she had attached. "I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Team Monali Thakur for their kindness, humbleness, support, and encouragement from the very beginning," wrote Aman, co-founder of Backroom Entertainments. Take a look at her post View this post on Instagram A post shared by Monali Thakur (@monalithakur03)
23 January,2025 10:43 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter her stellar and massy performance as Srivalli in Pushpa 2: The Rule, Rashmika Mandanna will soon be seen in Chhaava as queen Yesubai Bhonsale, wife of Maratha warrior Sambhaji Maharaj. On Wednesday, the actress attended the trailer launch event of the film along with co-star Vicky Kaushal where she spoke about the historical drama and her role in it. Rashmika Mandanna is happy to retire At the Chhaava trailer launch, Rashmika expressed her gratitude on getting the opportunity to play the role of a Maratha queen in the film directed by Laxman Utekar. Speaking to the media at the event, she said, "It is an honour. From a girl coming from the South to play Maharani Yesubai is the most privileged and special thing I could ask for in this lifetime. I tell Laxman sir that after this, I am happy to retire. I am not someone who cries but this trailer choked me up. [Vicky] looks like God, he’s Chhaava." Recalling how she was offered the role, Rashmika shared, “I remember being absolutely shocked how did Laxman sir even think of giving me a role like this to play? I just surrendered… you don’t have a reference. It’s a story. You know their story and they are such majestical, impactful characters and personalities. How do you play them?" She further added, “For me, specifically, I just surrendered to what Laxman sir wanted. There was of course a lot of rehearsal in terms of language and everything. But, it’s just the trust you have in the team because you know that if someone has to pull this off, you shouldn’t have any sort of barriers with yourself. You just have to say, ‘Sir, I am all in. Whatever you ask for, I am here to deliver." Rashmika attends trailer launch of Chhaava despite leg injury The actress recently suffered a leg injury at the gym. She was seen limping at the trailer launch. "This is a character that you get to play once in a lifetime, I wouldn't have missed this for the world. Today is the trailer launch of the most special film in my heart, and I would have given up anything to be here today. This is how much Chhaava the film and the team means to me. Even if I had to stand on one leg and travel all the way from Hyderabad to Mumbai, I would have still made it," Rashmika said as the crowd applauded. This speaks volumes about Rashmika's dedication to her craft. Although she suffered an injury, she didn’t let that affect her work commitments and made it to the event.
23 January,2025 10:21 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
