Legendary screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar celebrated his 80th birthday on 17th January this year. While it has been over 10 days, the celebrations for the noted artist continue. Filmmaker Farah Khan hosted a birthday bash for the acclaimed writer at her residence recently and Shabana Azmi took to social media to share a glimpse from the same. Akhtar's wife also thanked the hostess for celebrating his birthday with such love and warmth. Karanveer Mehra, Chum Darang and others at Javed Akhtar's birthday The gathering saw a mix of people from the entertainment industry. Fans were pleasantly surprised to see Bigg Boss 18 winner Karanveer Mehra and his co-contestant Chum Darang. The two are also rumoured to be dating. In the video, they are seen walking towards the camera along with actor Anil Kapoor. We can also spot Sajid Khan, chef Vikas Khanna, Sunita Kapoor, Siddharth, Ashutosh Gowariker, Avinash Gowariker, Aamir Ali, Mukesh Chhabra and Ranveer Brar. Thanking Farah, Shabana wrote alongside the video,"Javed’s never-ending birthday Mashallah! Thank you Farah Khan for hosting one last night with the most finger-licking dinner ever !!!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shabana Azmi (@azmishabana18) Javed Akhtar's star-studded 80th birthday Earlier, actress Urmila Matondkar also dropped a few insights into Javed Akhtar's star-studded birthday bash on social media. One of the pictures had her facing the camera with Javed Akhtar. Aside from this, she was also clicked with Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan during the celebration. In addition to this, the 'Kon' actress shared a video where Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, Shankar Mahadevan, and others can be seen singing "Happy birthday" for Javed Akhtar. Urmila Matondkar's post also included the caption, "An absolute epic day that it was..with some of the best talents our industry has!! Afternoon full of love, laughter, affection, admiration, and great camaraderie...Because it was a Special Birthday of someone very special to all us..”Jaadu” in real sense as the entire nation is spellbound with his words for decades.. #oneandonly @jaduakhtar Thank you dearest @azmishabana18 for these awesome moments which truly enrich my life." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Urmila Matondkar (@urmilamatondkarofficial) Earlier, Akhtar had celebrated his birthday with filmmaker Subhash Ghai at the Whistling Woods' convocation in Mumbai. As the two legends faced the paparazzi, Javed Akhtar took a dig at the cameraman saying, "Dekhiye ek baat samajh lijiye ap log, writer aur director ke beech kabhi chaku na laye, samajhe (Never bring a knife between a writer and director). This remark by the accomplished writer left everyone in splits. (with inputs from agencies)
29 January,2025 09:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActors Alyque Padamsee and Sharon Prabhakar’s daughter Shazahn Padamsee, who is known for her work in movies like Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year and Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, shared pictures from her roka ceremony with fiance Ashish Kanakia. The two got engaged in November last year after Ashish proposed to Shazahn by going down on one knee. Sharing the pictures of their roka on Instagram, the actor wrote, “New beginnings.” Ashish is a businessman who runs the Kanakia Group. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shazahn Padamsee (@shazahnpadamsee) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shazahn Padamsee (@shazahnpadamsee) View this post on Instagram A post shared by EPICSTORIES (@epicstories.in) Shazahn wants people to call her Sashaa In an interview with IANS, Shazahn said she initially decided she wanted to be known by her nickname Sashaa simply because ‘it's easier to pronounce’. But she also feels that the name Sashaa which is an acronym for her real name, signifies both personal and professional growth. Shazahn wants to enter the music industry Having acted in Bollywood films like Housefull 2, Sashaa has garnered recognition and acclaim in the Indian film industry. On where she has been all these years, Sashaa said that she took a bit of a break from films since the projects that were coming her way were not very interesting. She will also be foraying into the music scene with an indie Hindi album very soon. Talking about the same, she shared: “Music has always been a childhood passion of mine and so I used the time to build and develop myself as a musician, a singer/ songwriter, and composer and I learnt the piano as well.” “This whole phase has been a journey of self-discovery. I have so much more to offer now to my performances. I feel refreshed and enthusiastic to be back. OTT has expanded the acting canvas. It’s such an exciting time,” added Sashaa. Shazahn Padamsee’s work front She was last seen in the Hindi film Pagalpan Next Level. The film starred Guru Mann in the lead. It was an embodiment of Guru’s relentless pursuit of a dream and offered a raw and authentic portrayal of his extraordinary journey. The film was shot in diverse locations of Punjab, Mumbai, and California, providing a vibrant backdrop to the inspiring tale. It also starred Rituraj Singh, Suprana Marwah, Aarya Babbar, Rakesh Bedi, and Avtar Gill. The film was directed by Aryeman Keshu Ramsay and was released in October 2023.
29 January,2025 04:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs Priyanka Chopra prepares to make a comeback on the Indian front with SS Rajamouli's next, it is now reported that Bollywood’s muscle hunk John Abraham will also be a part of the project alongside Mahesh Babu. Interestingly it will reunite Priyanka and John after 2008. They were last seen together in the rom-com Dostana. The pre-production phase is in full swing, with the script finalized. In May 2024, Mahesh embarked on a trip to Germany to prepare for his physically demanding character in the movie. Earlier, Rajamouli disclosed that his film with Mahesh Babu is going to be a globetrotting action adventure. John Abraham in SS Rajamouli’s next According to a source quoted by News24, "Earlier, Prithviraj Sukumaran was considered for the role, but things could not materialize. Now, John will be seen sharing the screen with Priyanka Chopra. He has quite a few scenes with her and the shoot will happen in Hyderabad itself." After months of speculation, ace filmmaker SS Rajamouli seems to have confirmed his upcoming project with superstar Mahesh Babu, tentatively titled 'SSMB29'. He humorously shared that he had "caged the lion" (referring to Mahesh Babu) in an Instagram post and even taken the actor's passport, implying that he would be tied up with the film's shoot. Mahesh Babu responded with a famous dialogue from the 2006 blockbuster 'Pokiri.' His comment read, "Okkasaari commit ayithe naa maata nene vinanu," which translates to, "Once I commit, I won't even listen to myself." Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra, who recently hinted at a "new chapter" in her life while in Hyderabad, also seems to have confirmed her involvement in the project as she commented "finally" under the post. John Abraham’s work front John Abraham is all set to come up with his film The Diplomat soon. The movie will be released in theatres on March 7, 2025. Directed by Shivam Nair and written by Ritesh Shah, the film is inspired by a true story that shook the nation, promising a "gripping tale of power, patriotism". John was last seen in Vedaa, which also starred Sharvari and Tamannaah Bhatia. It faced a box office clash with Akshay Kumar's 'Khel Khel Mein' and 'Stree 2' last year and performed poorly.
29 January,2025 02:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood’s versatile actor R Madhavan, who completed 25 years in the film industry has warned his son Vedaant about navigating fame after earning recognition as a freestyle swimmer. For those unversed, Vedaant bagged a gold medal in the men's 800m freestyle at the Danish Open swimming event in Copenhagen. He won medals for India at the 2023 Malaysia Invitational Age Group Swimming Championships. He also represented Team Maharashtra in the Khelo India 2023 tournament, winning five gold and two silver medals. R Madhavan’s strict warning for son Vedaant In an interview with Miss Malini, Madhavan shared the warnings he has given his son when it comes to his fame. He said, "It feels really proud when a common man comes up and says, 'We like your work, but we are so proud of you because of Vedaant'. But I had to tell him ‘You know your life, unfortunately, or fortunately, is going to be privileged because you’re my son’.” He added, "'You can't be seen with your shirt off and sleeping in any bed because one photograph of you in that kind of pose is national news. You can't afford to be as carefree as your friends. You bear the responsibility of being recognized and being a role model'.” R Madhavan on completing 25 years despite being an outsider “I have done everything that people said couldn’t be done,” he told Mid-day, recalling the time he was told he wouldn’t make it on the big screen due to his popularity on TV, thanks to Banegi Apni Baat and Saaya. “When I over-exposed myself by doing 1,800 episodes of a show, people said, ‘You’ll never become a film actor.’ I told them I didn’t want to be one. Then, I got a debut that big producers and directors can’t for their kids—a film with Mani Ratnam, AR Rahman, and PC Sreeram [cinematographer],” says Madhavan of Alai Payuthey (2000) that launched him as a leading man in Tamil cinema. R Madhavan’s work front R Madhavan is reuniting with his Tanu Weds Manu co-star Kangana Ranaut for an upcoming movie. The currently untitled film will be directed by Vijay, known for his work on the biographical film Thalaivii, which starred Kangana in the lead role. The movie will be produced by R. Ravindran of Trident Arts. The upcoming thriller is set to be a bilingual release in Hindi and Tamil. The film has already generated significant interest due to the team behind it. G.V. Prakash Kumar, known for his exceptional music, will compose the score for the film, while celebrated cinematographer Nirav Shah will serve as the Director of Photography.
29 January,2025 02:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood filmmaker and Dharma honcho Karan Johar proudly announced the Bollywood debut of Ibrahim Ali Khan. In a heartfelt post reminiscing his first meets with Ibrahim’s parents and actors Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, Karan asserted that “films are in their blood”. If reports are to be believed, Ibrahim will step into the movies with Sarzameen. Karan Johar recalls his first meeting with Saif and Amrita Karan took to his Instagram handle and shared candid shots of Ibrahim alongside a lengthy note where he recalled his first meeting with Ibrahim’s mother Amrita Singh and father Saif Ali Khan. He wrote, “I met Amrita or Dingy, how the loved ones like to call her…when I was just 12 years old. She did a film for @dharmamovies with my father called Duniya, and I remember so vividly the grace, the energy, and the commandment over the camera she had. But, what I remember the most is the warmest chinese dinner with her and her hairstylist of the time after our first meeting, followed by a James Bond movie! She treated me like her own the second we met and that was the power of her grace…which lives on through her and her children too!.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) He added, “With Saif, it was in Anand Mahendru’s office where I first met him. Young, suave, charming, and effortless…VERY much like the first time I met Ibrahim. And a strong friendship that continues from our generation to luckily our kids!!! I know this family for 40 years. Worked with them in different capacities - Duniya with Amrita, Kal Ho Naa Ho to Kurbaan with Saif, and of course, Simmba with Sara followed by many more (to come!!) I know this family for the heart they have.” Karan Johar welcomes Ibrahim Ali Khan to Bollywood The post further read, “Films are in their blood, their genes, and their passion. We make way for a new wave of talent, one that I cannot wait for the world to see. So, stay tuned as @iakpataudi makes his way into your hearts and soon…onto the screens!” Sarzameen will also star Kajol and South actor Prithviraj Sukumaran. For those unversed, Ibrahim was also Karan's assistant on his last film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
29 January,2025 01:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Video India unveiled an intriguing trailer for its much-anticipated Original movie, The Mehta Boys. The movie is directed by Boman Irani, who has co-written it alongside Academy Award winner Alex Dinelaris, and is produced by Boman Irani, Danesh Irani, Vikesh Bhutani, and Shujaat Saudagar under the banner of Irani Movietone LLP in association with Chalkboard Entertainment LLP. A heartfelt father-son story, the movie features a highly talented and versatile cast, featuring Boman Irani, Avinash Tiwary, Shreya Chaudhry, and Puja Sarup in lead roles. The Mehta Boys is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India on February 7. About The Mehta Boys trailer The trailer for The Mehta Boys offers a heartfelt and emotionally charged glimpse into a story brimming with family conflict, vulnerability, and growth. The stellar performances of its cast shine through, in the trailer, capturing the raw, unfiltered dynamics of a father-son relationship strained by misunderstandings and unspoken emotions. With its blend of light-hearted moments and intense emotional depth, the narrative unravels the imperfections of its characters, making them deeply relatable and authentic. This moving tale promises to explore the complexities of human connections, offering viewers of all ages, a story that's as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Boman Irani on acting and directing “For me, The Mehta Boys is an extremely personal journey," said Boman Irani. "The relationship between a father and son is one of the most complex and emotionally charged dynamics. With this film, I wanted to delve into how the bond between two people who deeply care for each other can be tested by time, misunderstandings, and unresolved issues. It is a story that has stayed with me for years, and I’m thrilled to finally share it with audiences. I am deeply grateful to the talented cast for bringing their characters to life with such depth and authenticity, enriching the story in every way,” he added. Avinash Tiwary and Shreya Chaudhry on their roles Avinash Tiwary, who portrays the role of Boman Irani’s son Amay in the movie, shared, “Amay’s character is layered with complexities, torn between familial loyalty and personal resentment. Certain circumstances force him into an intense and transformative encounter with his father, reshaping his perspective in ways he never anticipated. Portraying this journey was both challenging and rewarding. I am proud to be part of a movie that explores such relatable themes of family ties and reconciliation.” Shreya Chaudhry who plays Zara, said, “My Character Zara, Amay's girlfriend, is a strong, independent woman with her own perspective. She plays a key role in encouraging Amay to confront his issues with his father instead of continuing to pretend they don’t exist. What I loved about my character was that she is not in the shadows as someone’s love interest, but has a meaningful role in shaping the story with her own strength and individuality, even though the storyline revolves around the dynamics of a father-son relationship.”
29 January,2025 12:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWe’re bemused when Aditya Kripalani says Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays a banker-turned-bad actor in his next, Main Actor Nahin Hoon (I’m Not an Actor). How do you make Siddiqui act badly, is the first question that enters our mind. “He is such a brilliant actor that when he has to act badly as part of a film, he knows how to be pitch perfect at that as well,” laughs the director, before adding, “Usually bad acting is simply loud acting. When you think of a bad actor, you won’t think of Nawaz bhai in a million years. We wanted that shock value.” Aditya Kripalani I’m Not an Actor, also starring Chitrangada Satarupa and Naveen Kasturia, revolves around Siddiqui’s Frankfurt-based character, who, upon retirement, pursues his love for acting. At an audition, he comes across an actor from the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII). The film follows the protagonist as he, over phone and video calls, does acting workshops with the FTII graduate. With the movie set in Frankfurt and Mumbai, the director shot it in the two cities simultaneously over 36 days. While Kripalani led a team of 40 in the German city, he supervised chief assistant director Anubhav Jain and another crew that filmed the Mumbai portions. “It’s a unique way of shooting. For instance, if Nawaz’s character is taking a tram in Frankfurt, Chitrangada’s character would be taking a train at the same time in Mumbai. For the next 14 minutes, we’d shoot it across the two locations in sync,” explains the director. What made him adopt this approach? He reasons, “We wanted the performances to be authentic and on point. You can shoot the portions separately. But here, the conversations, when synced, felt like an extension of a fresh equation that started virtually.” The director plans to tour with I’m Not an Actor for the next six months, beginning with its première at the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival in California in March. At a time when OTT platforms are being careful of acquiring films, he believes having Siddiqui as an actor-co-producer will be a big push. “Nawaz bhai is the face of OTT. He really pushes good stories and smaller films. I feel middle-of-the-road cinema is alive only because of actors like Manoj Bajpayee and him. Everyone else is either too mainstream or too indie.”
29 January,2025 11:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuThe much-awaited film Sky Force, starring Akshay Kumar and debutant Veer Pahariya, hit theatres on Friday, January 24, and received a positive response on its opening day. The patriotic action-drama, based on real-life heroics, features Veer as Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya, a Mahavir Chakra recipient. Veer, is the grandson of former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sushilkumar Shinde. His parents are business tycoon Sanjay Pahariya and Smriti Sanjay Shinde, the founder of Sobo Films. In a recent interview, he opened up about his parents’ divorce and how it affected him. Veer Pahariya felt ashamed after his parents’ divorce Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, Veer shared, “It’s not good for any child when their parents separate. Back then, there wasn’t social media or any way for me to understand what was happening. It was a very strange experience growing up. Newspapers were constantly publishing details about their court proceedings, and everything was on the internet. I felt ashamed to go to school and didn’t have many friends. I stayed away from people and was very nervous and underconfident as a child. I wish it doesn’t happen to anyone.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Veer Pahariya (@veerpahariya) Veer Pahariya's relationship with his father Veer further stated that therapy helped him cope with the family’s dynamics and asserted that when we go through any kind of trauma in life, it needs to be discussed. He focused on therapy and acting workshops to heal from the same and maintained that despite his parents calling it quits, he still believes in love and marriage. He added that despite not being close to his father initially, they share a close bond now. “I didn’t see my father much, but we are very close now. My parents always played their roles as parents well, even though they weren’t great as husband and wife. But I never felt their absence as parents,” said Veer. About Sky Force Sky Force opened at the box office with a total collection of Rs.15.30 crore from national chains on its first day, according to trade analyst Taran Adarsh. With this, Veer Pahariya has become the first debutant to record this opening. Directed by Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani, 'Sky Force' is a story of India's retaliatory strike on Pakistan's Sargodha airbase during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani air war. The film is produced by Maddock Films. Apart from Akshay and Veer, Nimrat Kaur and Sara Ali Khan are also a part of the film.
29 January,2025 11:11 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran Bollywood actor and The Great Indian Kapil Show fame Archana Puran Singh met with a severe accident on the sets of her upcoming film. The comedy star, who recently launched her YouTube channel documented it all in her vlog. Archana had to be rushed to the hospital and was asked to undergo surgery for her fractured wrist. She also sustained bruises on her face and swelling on her right hand and lips. Archana speaks about her accident Archana’s son Ayushmaan Sethi broke the news to his brother Aaryamann, who was moved to tears upon learning about their mother’s accident. The actor was admitted to Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital. In the video shot by her husband and actor Parmeet Sethi, she said, “I was in shock. Never thought something like this would happen to me. I was doing a night shift in Virar. I called Rajkummar Rao and told him that I was very upset about leaving the shoot. So, today, I’m returning to Virar to complete the shoot, because those poor guys are going to suffer losses otherwise. I’m wearing a full-sleeve outfit, and they’ll shoot me from angles where you won’t be able to tell I’m injured.” She added, “I have learned a lot of lessons through this experience. Anything can happen but eventually everything turns out to be alright. My face could have gone. But it's just my wrist. It will be fine. This has happened for a reason. They’ve told me they need me only for a few hours.” Archana Puran Singh’s work front Meanwhile, Archana Puran Singh was last seen on Netflix’s popular comedy show The Great Indian Kapil Show season 2. Indian cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu left The Kapil Sharma Show in 2019 and was subsequently replaced by Archana Puran Singh, who has since become a regular. Archana was also seen in the 2024 movie Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video alongside Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri. Helmed by Raaj Shaandilyaa, it also stars Mallika Sherawat. It promised a "perfect blend of laughter and drama, immersing viewers in the charm and energy of the swinging 90s." It traces a newly married couple's hilarious journey, as they, along with their family, go all out to recover their missing "suhagraat CD" in the scenic town of Rishikesh.
29 January,2025 09:22 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt’s been about two weeks since Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed at his Bandra home in a theft attempt. While Saif and his actor-wife Kareena Kapoor have been provided police protection, the couple have heightened security measures at their abode in Satguru Sharan. After installing CCTVs in the building, the duo got a wire fence built on their balcony. Watch the video below. Saif-Bebo adding security measures to their homebyu/inmyelement inBollyBlindsNGossip What happened at Saif and Kareena’s house? Saif was attacked by an intruder identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, from Bangladesh, who entered his home with the intent to commit theft. After a violent confrontation with the accused, Saif sustained stab wounds to his thoracic spine and other body parts. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital for immediate treatment following the attack. Saif was discharged from Lilavati Hospital after surgery last week. Upon returning to his Bandra residence, he greeted the media and acknowledged their presence. Mumbai Police claim to have ample evidence The Mumbai Police held a press meeting, claiming they had ample evidence against the arrested accused. The police also confirmed that the accused entered India from Bangladesh and stayed at various locations in Kolkata for several days. During the press conference, Paramjit Singh Dahiya, Additional Commissioner of Police, shut down rumours that the fingerprints did not match the accused. The spokesperson said, "Whenever an accusation is arrested, multiple pieces of evidence are collected against it. We have found much oral, physical, and technical evidence against the accused... We have caught the right person." Saif Ali Khan's work projects Meanwhile, Saif Ali Khan was last seen in 'Devara Part 1', which hit theatres on September 27 last year. The film, which stars Saif alongside Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor, was released in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi. The film's ensemble cast also includes Prakash Raj, Srikanth Meka, Tom Shine Chacko, and Narain. Saif will next be seen in the heist thriller 'Jewel Thief - The Red Sun Chapter', directed by Robbie Grewal. The film also features Jaideep Ahlawat in a prominent role. This project marks Robbie Grewal's first collaboration with Saif Ali Khan. The storyline will reportedly centre around a gripping battle between Saif Ali Khan's and Jaideep Ahlawat's characters.
29 January,2025 08:39 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMilestones often bring moments of reflection. Naturally then, R Madhavan, who completes 25 years in the film industry, is looking back at his journey these days as much as he is looking forward to his 2025 slate that includes De De Pyaar De 2, Dhurandhar, and a romantic comedy with Fatima Sana Shaikh. Asked how he views his journey so far, the actor-director describes it succinctly in one word—“anomaly”. “I have done everything that people said couldn’t be done,” he shares, recalling the time he was told he wouldn’t make it on the big screen due to his popularity on TV, thanks to Banegi Apni Baat and Saaya. “When I over-exposed myself by doing 1,800 episodes of a show, people said, ‘You’ll never become a film actor.’ I told them I didn’t want to be one. Then, I got a debut that big producers and directors can’t for their kids—a film with Mani Ratnam, AR Rahman, and PC Sreeram [cinematographer],” says Madhavan of Alai Payuthey (2000) that launched him as a leading man in Tamil cinema. Madhavan’s self-confessed anomalous ways showed up throughout his career. While the crossover of south Indian stars in Hindi films has surged only in the recent past, the actor explored Hindi movies in the early 2000s, beginning with Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001). “When they said I was a Tamil hero, that’s when I did Hindi films. And when they called me a Hindi hero, I did Tamil films,” he smiles.
29 January,2025 08:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaADVERTISEMENT
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