On Dilip Kumar’s 102nd birth anniversary on Wednesday, veteran actress Saira Banu has remembered her “Sahib” and recalled that whenever the legendary star was around her, he shed the aura of a legend and let the child within him emerge playful, carefree and unburdened by the weight of worldly chaos. Saira took to Instagram, where she shared a video montage featuring memorable moments with Dilip Kumar, who passed away aged 98 in 2021. For the caption, she wrote, “A few people walk into your life to stay, becoming a part of you in every possible way. That’s what happened when Dilip Sahib entered my life to stay with me forever. We are one in our thoughts and being.” “The days may change, and the seasons may pass, but Sahib has always been there, walking with me hand in hand. Today, on his birthday, I reflect on what a gift he is not just to me but to everyone fortunate enough to know him.” She said that to the world, Dilip Kumar was the epitome of mannerisms, poise, chivalry, and a presence that could silence a room. “Yet, whenever he was around me, he became something else entirely. He shed the aura of a legend and let the child within him emerge playful, carefree, unburdened by the weight of worldly chaos. He laughed with ease, teased with the innocence of a boy, and lost himself in the simplest of moments, as though the world beyond us had ceased to exist.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saira Banu Khan (@sairabanu) Dilip Kumar's love for travel and spontaneity “One thing I can say for certain about Sahib is that he could never sit still. He loved to travel. Whenever he had days off from shooting, he would ask us to accompany him to beautiful destinations. My brother Sultan’s children, others in the family, and I would often join him on these trips, creating some of our fondest memories together.” Sharing a memory, Banu noted, “His spontaneity still amazes me. I remember one such moment vividly. I had gone to the airport just to see him off, bidding him goodbye as he prepared to leave. He turned to me and asked, “Saira, what are you up to?” I casually replied, “My shoot got canceled, so nothing.” “What happened next left me astonished that he took me along with him! In those days, flight tickets were booked directly at the counter. Sahib promptly sent his secretary to secure a ticket for me and took me along with him.” “Now, picture this: I was dressed in a simple cotton salwar kameez, with no change of clothes and no preparation whatsoever. Yet, Sahib brought me to this grand wedding. I attended the entire ceremony in that simple attire, while Dilip Sahib walked beside me, hand in hand. His simplicity defined him, and it was this very trait that allowed him to effortlessly surprise me and draw me into his world…” Dilip Kumar would give away the gifts he received Saira Banu also spoke about how Dilip Kumar was not interested in material possessions. "Speaking of surprises, as meticulous as I am, I would spare no effort in making his birthdays special. I would handpick fine cashmere sweaters, select elegant cufflinks, and choose exquisite watches for Sahib. Yet, much to my amusement, he would give them away without hesitation to anyone who admired them. At first, I couldn’t understand it. How could a man part so easily with things so precious? But soon, I realized that Dilip Sahib was so fulfilled and content within himself that no material possession could rival the treasures of his art, his family, and the love he gave and received. It wasn’t just him, I’ve observed this in many iconic legends. They seem untouched by material desires, living so completely in their own being and their purpose. Dilip Sahib embodied this rare quality, a man so enriched by the intangible, so unaffected by worldly possessions. He inhabited a world of his own creation, where every action and every word carried meaning and purpose. As for me, I was blessed beyond measure to witness the man behind the legend. The world may revere him as its Kohinoor, but to me, he was simply the man who made the ordinary extraordinary. Happy Birthday, Yousuf Jaan!"
11 December,2024 01:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSaira Banu was recently diagnosed with pneumonia. The veteran actress is now fine and is completely focused on recovery. She also had blood clots in her calves. She spoke about her health and said that it has significantly improved and that she has been working on making herself fit. Sharing an update on her well-being after the recent health scare, Saira Banu told India Today, "I have improved a lot. The clots have dissolved. I have to get myself fitter and into physiotherapy. I am recuperating very well, and I am fine now." The actor faced several health challenges, including limited mobility earlier this year. However, her team confirmed, “She is fine now. All the above-mentioned things have happened before, but now she is much better.” Saira Banu has been facing repeated health issues after the passing of her husband and legendary actor Dilip Kumar in 2021. The veteran actress has been dealing with weak health ever since. When Saira Banu recalled wedding day from hospital bed Recently, when she was hospitalised she took to her Instagram handle to reminisce her moments with Dilip Kumar whom she calls Sahib lovingly. “A nostalgic reminiscence from the hospital bed of my dream wedding 58 years ago.“ ‘Do Sitaron Ka Zameen Par Hai Milan Aaj Ki Raat,’ that’s what played on the radio all night on the 11th of October, our wedding anniversary... a day I wish had never ended. If someone had told me, ‘O Saira, you’ve got wings for real; you can fly,’ I would have believed them without hesitation. That’s how surreal that day felt, 58 autumns ago.” "Our wedding, as beautiful as it was, was wonderfully chaotic. It was nothing extravagant. My wedding lehenga was stitched at a local darzi’s shop, we didn’t even have time to print our wedding invitations as everything happened so quickly. And thank goodness for that! Had we had more time, my mother, Pari Chehra Naseem Banu, would have left no stone unturned it would have been a parade of designers, jewellers, and whatnot. Originally the Nikaah was supposed to happen in November, but due to certain reasons, we had to rush. Dilip Sahib, phoned my mother from calcutta and said “Aap Ek Maulwi Ko Bulwaiye aur Nikaah Padhwa Dijiye! Nevertheless, the day filled with humorous little moments." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saira Banu Khan (@sairabanu)
11 December,2024 01:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Soha Ali Khan had spent a memorable weekend with her family including mother Sharmila Tagore, husband Kunal Kemmu, brother Saif Ali Khan and sister-in-law Kareena Kapoor Khan along with kids. Soha took to Instagram, where she shared a video of how “the weekend” she wanted, where Sharmila is seen playing with grandchildren Inaaya, Taimur and Jeh. Some moments also featured in the clip include Kunal jumping into the pool, a chat session and a peek into what their fun dinner table conversations are like. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soha (@sakpataudi) “The weekend we all wanted,” Soha captioned the post, which had the track “Kitni Haseen Zindagi” by singer Lucky Ali in the backdrop. Soha and Kunal got engaged in July 2024 and in 2015 the duo tied the knot. In the year 2017, they became parents of their adorable daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu Khan. On the work front, Soha will feature in horror-thriller ‘Chhorii 2’ which is a sequel to Nushratt Bharuccha-starrer 2021 film ‘Chhorii’. It is a remake of a Marathi film titled Lapachhapi. Recently, Kareena shared a glimpse from their weekend getaway featuring her favourite couple Soha and Kunal. Kareena took to her Instagram, where she shared a picture of Soha and Kunal sitting. In the image, Soha is seen reading a book, while her husband Kunal is listening to her with full attention. The Bollywood diva captioned the image: “Favourite couple Kunal Kemmu and Soha Ali Khan.” On December 8, Kareena celebrated the birthday of her mother-in-law and veteran star Sharmila Tagore. The actress took to Instagram to wish her mother-in-law on her birthday. She shared a picture of herself with the veteran actress. In the picture, both of them can be seen in comfortable clothing. “Who’s the coolest Gangsta ever? Do i need to say? Happy birthday to my mother-in-law. Just the Best,” she wrote as the caption. 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
11 December,2024 12:10 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSHollywood calling No one saw this coming! If reports are to be believed, Dhanush has collaborated with Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney for an upcoming international project. It is reportedly a Sony Productions film, titled Street Fighter. The online reports claim that the duo has wrapped up filming, and it is currently in post-production. While none of the parties have commented on the speculation, Dhanush and Sydney’s fans have expressed excitement over the reported collaboration. If true, the film will mark Dhanush’s third international project after The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir (2018) and the Netflix feature, The Gray Man (2022). Tigress for Tiger Punjabi actor Sonam Bajwa has been signed for producer Sajid Nadiadwala’s action-packed feature Baaghi 4 opposite Tiger Shroff. This will be the Punjabi actor’s first full-fledged film after Housefull 5, starring Akshay Kumar. Sonam had a cameo in Street Dancer 3D (2020) and Bala (2019). Tiger took to his Instagram Stories to welcome Sonam. He shared a picture of the actor and wrote, “Welcoming the new member of the Rebel Family! Thrilled to have Sonam Bajwa in the Baaghi Universe.” Filming for Baaghi 4 has begun, and Sonam is expected to join the set soon. The actioner, directed by A Harsha, will hit the screens on September 5, 2025. Ready for the paranormal It is a collaboration we love and have missed for 14 years—Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan. On Monday, the actor was on the set with his favourite director to begin the shoot of their film, Bhooth Bangla. Akshay took to his Instagram handle, to share the new poster of the film, captioning it: “Beyond excited to be on set with my favourite Priyadarshan as we begin the shoot of our horror comedy Bhooth Bangla today. Yeh darr aur hasi ka double dose aapke liye ready hoga April 2, 2026 ko! Tab tak ke liye aapke best wishes chahiye.” Paresh Rawal will also join the cast. What’s the big deal? Siddharth; (right) A still of Pushpa 2: The Rule South star Siddharth, who is known for his work in Rang De Basanti (2006) and Jigarthanda (2014), among others, does not approve of the recently released Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa 2: The Rule. A clip from Siddharth’s recent interview has gone viral, in which the actor can be heard comparing the Allu-starrer to the roadside construction done by JCB machines. He told the Tamil YouTuber Madan Gowri, “That’s all marketing. It’s not a big deal to gather a crowd in India. You bring a JCB for construction, and crowds will gather automatically. So, it’s not a big deal getting a crowd in Bihar. They [Pushpa 2] had a song and a film, so okay. In India, there’s no connection between gathering a large crowd and quality.” Despite the quality, the film did manage to pull massive crowds to the theatres, making it India’s biggest openers. So far, Pushpa 2: The Rule has reportedly collected R880 crore worldwide. Meri Maa Salman Khan; (right) Sohail Khan with mother Salma Khan It’s known that Salman Khan dotes on mother, Salma Khan. On her 83rd birthday, Salman shared a video on Instagram of his mother dancing with his brother Sohail Khan. The Khan family celebrated her birthday at daughter Arpita Khan’s newly launched restaurant in Mumbai. He captioned the video, “Mummyyyyyy, happy birthday... Mother India, our world...” Sohail added a few more dancing videos to Instagram with the tag “Mother India.” Only the audience matters There’s no doubt that Kartik Aaryan is raking in millions, and his peers are green with envy. In his latest GQ interview, Kartik candidly spoke about the lack of support he feels from the film industry despite his recent successes, including Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. Addressing the perception of his standing within Bollywood, he remarked, “I won’t get support from anyone in the industry. Everyone can sense that a large portion of them are waiting for my failure.” The actor expressed that he has no interest in earning the approval of anyone in the industry. He only wants to win over his audience. “They’re the only ones supporting me. That’s the only validation I need,” he added in the interview.
11 December,2024 11:17 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamMalaika Arora once again made headlines for her personal life. The actress who recently broke up with Arjun Kapoor was rumoured to be in a relationship with stylist Rahul Vijay. However, a source close to the actress has denied the relationship speculations. According to a report in HT City, the source clarified hat Malaika is not dating anyone presently and also revealed how Rahul Vijay and Malaika are related. "Please check your facts. She is a single and happy woman. Rahul Vijay is her son Arhaan's stylist, and therefore a friend. It ends there. This rumour is just plain ridiculous and bizarre. The relationship rumours surfaced when Vijay posted an Instagram story of Malaika enjoying AP Dhillon's Mumbai concert where she was also called on to the stage by the singer. Rahul Vijay, a fashion stylist and former fashion editor of GQ India, Harper's Bazaar India, and Elle shared pictures of Malaika from the concert. The two can be seen sharing a cozy frame. “Wait, was it a Malaika concert,” read his picture caption. Interestingly, Rahul has also styled Arjun Kapoor on several occasions. His roster of clients and collaborators includes Ahan Shetty, Athiya Shetty, and Vedang Raina, among others. Malaika Arora’s relationships Malaika and Arjun started dating in 2018. The duo, however, had never opened up much about their relationship but kept posting romantic pictures from their vacations as well as wishing each other on birthdays. After news about Malaika and Arjun’s breakup surfaced in the media, a source informed Pinkvilla, “They had a long, loving, fruitful relationship that has unfortunately run its course now. That doesn’t mean there is any bad blood between them. They respect each other hugely and have been a pillar of strength for each other. Over the years, they have given their relationship a lot of respect. They will continue to give each other the same respect despite them deciding to part ways.” Malaika was previously married to actor Arbaaz Khan. They have been co-parenting their son Arhaan since their divorce in 2017. Arbaaz, on the other hand, tied the knot with Sshura Khan in 2023.
11 December,2024 09:38 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDays after comedian Sunil Pal was kidnapped in Delhi under the pretext of being invited to perform at an event, 'Welcome' actor Mushtaq Khan has met the same fate. The actor was allegedly invited to an event in Meerut and was kidnapped and taken to Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor. The actor's business partner Shivam Yadav recalled what the actor went through after landing in Delhi for the event. Mushtaq Khan kidnapped Mushtaq Khan was invited for an event in Meerut on November 20. The advance amount was transferred to his account and he also received flight tickets from the organisers. However, upon reaching Delhi he was asked to step into a car and was driven away to the outskirts that is said to be somewhere near Bijnor. Shivam revealed that the alleged kidnappers tortured Khan for 12 hours and also demanded a crore in ransom. They eventually took more than Rs 2 lakh from Khan and his son's account. The next morning, he managed to escape from the place and sought help from the locals and police to return home. "Mushtaq sir and his family were completely shaken over what happened with him. However, he was always sure that he would file an FIR after he composed himself. Yesterday, I went to Bijnor and filed an official FIR. We have proof of the flight ticket, the bank accounts and even CCTV footage near the airport. He also recognises the neigbhourhood, even the house where he was kept. I think the police team will surely get the culprits soon," Shivam said. Mushtaq Khan's case similar to Sunil Pal kidnapping Khan's case is eerily similar to what happened with Sunil Pal recently. The comedian had gone missing after he went to attend a show in Uttar Pradesh. It is being speculated that there is a syndicate running to harm celebrities and dupe them of money under the pretext of inviting them to events. When asked about the same, Yadav said, "We had no clue about the case. After Mushtaq sir returned, we spoke about the incident with a few of our close friends. When Sunil's case was highlighted in the media, they informed us about the same. It is shocking that two public figures from the industry had to go through a similar ordeal. We hope there is awareness and protection in the future for everyone." The actor who was last seen in the super hit film 'Stree 2' is reportedly doing fine and will be addressing the matter once he gains composure.
11 December,2024 08:47 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Saiyami Kher says taking on the role of someone in uniform in “Agni”, especially as a firefighter, has been a journey of deep respect, understanding, and responsibility for her. In “Agni”, Saiyami stepped into the role of a firefighter. With this film, Kher aims to shed light on the sacrifices made by firefighters and the intense physical and mental demands they face daily. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, “Agni” also stars Pratik Gandhi and Divyendu Sharma. “I feel incredibly honored to portray a firefighter on screen,” Saiyami said. She added: “Taking on the role of someone in uniform, especially as a firefighter, has been a journey of deep respect, understanding, and responsibility. Firefighters put their lives on the line to protect others, often without the recognition they deserve.” The actress said that she feels ashamed how little she knew about all that the fire department does before this film. “My hope is that through this film, audiences will gain an appreciation for their sacrifices and courage, and that we can bring even a fraction of the honor they deserve to the screen.” For her role, Saiyami trained with real-life firefighters for ‘Agni’ The actress said: “As an actor with every film I have done I have gotten to learn a new skill. And I take immense pride in that. Be it horse riding for Mirzya, counting notes like a banker for choked, cricket for ghoomer and now firefighting for Agni!” She shared that preparing for this role was deeply inspiring and exciting. “Spending time with real firefighters gave me an understanding of how little I knew about firefighters in our city and what all they have to endure. The number of female firefighters also was an eye-opener. The training sessions were very exciting.” “I learned how to handle equipment, did the drills the firefighter do. Seeing the sacrifices these men and women make every day—often at great risk to themselves—was incredibly humbling. We want people witness the world of firefighters and the bravery it takes to do what they do. I wish and hope we have done justice to their commitment.” The cast also includes Sai Tamhankar, Jitendra Joshi, Udit Arora, and Kabir Shah. “Agni” premiered on Prime Video on December 6. 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
11 December,2024 07:55 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Divyenndu, who is receiving a lot of positive response to his recently released streaming movie ‘Agni’, has heaped praise on his co-actor Pratik Gandhi. The actor said that they both have mutual respect for each other since they come from theatre backgrounds. Recalling their first meeting, Divyenndu shared, "It all started with Agni. We shot Agni first and then moved on to Madgaon Express. From the moment Pratik and I met on the set, there was an instant connection. Both of us come from theatre backgrounds, so there was a sense of mutual respect and understanding right from the start”. This shared respect, combined with their easy rapport, translated seamlessly into their performances, even as their characters clash in the film. ‘Agni’ marks India’s first cinematic portrayal of the life and heroism of firefighters, serving as a tribute to their fearless spirit, honour, and sacrifices. The film is set against the backdrop of a city plagued by a mysterious series of fires, the film follows Vitthal and Samit as they reluctantly join forces to uncover the source of the escalating crisis. Through its gripping narrative and emotionally charged moments, the film delves into Vitthal's personal battle for respect within his community and family but also showcases the dramatic stakes of firefighting. “Our characters are at odds on-screen, but it is important to have a secure and grounded actor like Pratik Gandhi opposite me who made all the difference. He is such a wonderful person and actor, with no ego or baggage. Working with him was a lot of fun. We share an effortless bond. In fact, as individuals, he and I got along so well that it made the entire process much easier”, he added. ‘Agni’ is streaming on Prime Video. 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
11 December,2024 07:39 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Tamannaah Bhatia has treated her fans with behind-the-scenes of 'Da-Bangg Tour Reloaded 2024'. Tamannaah dropped pictures on Instagram and wrote, "The Shebang Behind the Dabangg Tour." Superstar Salman Khan features in one of the pictures. In the pictures, Tamannaah can be seen grooving with Bhaijaan. She also shared pictures from the backstage and rehearsals. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tamannaah Bhatia (@tamannaahspeaks) Tamannaah also dropped some stunning pictures where she donned a sultry glam gown with animal print that had a sweetheart neckline. Her makeup featured defined eyebrows, smoky, well-defined eyes and rouge lips. She completed her look with subtle makeup and drop earrings with brown pumps as accessories. Fans chimed in the comment section by dropping heart and fire emojis. Salman and Tamannaah gave a dance performance and dazzled the crowd in Dubai at "Da-Bangg The Tour - Reloaded" which was held on December 7. They were also joined by celebrities like Sonakshi Sinha, Sunil Grover, Maniesh Paul, and others. Meanwhile, on the work front, Tamannaah was last seen in 'Sikandar Ka Muqaddar'. Speaking about her experience working on the film, she said, "Neeraj sir's films are always about common people and how they deal with extraordinary situations. I've seen that as an audience, and I feel this kind of role hasn't happened in my career before." "I've done roles that were simple and not so glamorous. But in this film, the look and feel are very real, and playing such characters is always exciting for me," she added. The film also stars Avinash Tiwary and Jimmy Sheirgill, who plays Inspector Jasvinder Singh--a determined cop chasing a case that has haunted him for years. 'Sikandar Ka Muqaddar' is now streaming on Netflix. 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
11 December,2024 07:33 AM IST | Mumbai | ANI'Band Baaja Baaraat' will always remain special for actor Ranveer Singh as the film marked his debut in the Bollywood. To celebrate his 14 years in the Bollywood industry, Ranveer shared a clip from the film on his Instagram Story and wrote, "14 years since Band Baaja Baaraat, when my dreams became a reality". Ranveer made his Hindi film debut with 'Band Baaja Baarat' in 2010 and has long been known for his dynamic portrayal of the quintessential Delhi boy, a character he has perfected over the years. He starred opposite actor Anushka Sharma. Directed by Maneesh Sharma, he potrayed the role of Bittoo Sharma, a young and energetic Delhi boy with big dreams of starting his own wedding planning business. Talking about his personal front, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone have become parents to a baby girl named Dua. Meanwhile, on the work front, Ranveer was recently seen in Rohit Shetty's latest action-packed film 'Singham Again'. Featuring an ensemble cast of stars, including Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Arjun Kapoor, the film has garnered significant attention for its star power. Ranveer reprised his role from 'Simmba' in the movie. Ranveer will also be starring in Farhan Akhtar's upcoming 'Don 3'. 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
11 December,2024 07:29 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIActress Kalki Koechlin, who is the ex-wife of Indian auteur Anurag Kashyap, reunited with the filmmaker on the occasion of his daughter Aaliyah Kashyap’s pre-wedding festivities. Aaliyah Kashyap is tying the knot with her longtime partner Shane Gregoire in Mumbai on Tuesday. Kalki twinned with Anurag as she was seen in a dark green coloured Indian ethnic outfit as green appears to be the theme for the pre-wedding festivities. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Varinder Chawla (@varindertchawla) Anurag too was seen enjoying a candid moment with the paparazzi stationed outside the venue. When the paparazzi asked him to pose in front of the venue, he joked, “Abe yaar, Hosh nahi hai mereko chaar din se (I am not in my senses for the past four days)”. As per media reports, Shane and Aaliyah are set to tie the knot on December 11, at Bombay Club, Mahalakshmi Race Course in Mumbai. They have been dating for over four years now. The two got engaged in May last year, after which they threw an engagement bash for their loved ones in August 2023. Kalki, who has worked with Anurag in ‘Dev.D’ and ‘That Girl In Yellow Boots’, tied the knot with the director in 2011. However, the two parted ways in 2015. Kalki has said that she and Anurag have since been good friends. She has also said that the first few years after their divorce were difficult, but that they needed time apart to learn about each other's lives. It was Anurag’s second marriage, he was earlier married to film editor Aarti Bajaj with whom he shares daughter Aaliyah Kashyap. Kalki, on her part, gave birth to a daughter, Sappho, The film received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023. However, the film has not been able to secure a theatrical release in India. 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
11 December,2024 07:18 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
