Kareena on nepotism debate: ‘Same people pointing fingers are making nepotistic stars’

06/08/2020
Kareena Kapoor Khan, a fourth-generation actor, has weighed in on the nepotism debate that has been reignited in the wake of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. Those from film families have been at the receiving end of much criticism amid allegations that the late actor was shunned for being an outsider. In an interview with Barkha Dutt, Kareena said that instead of actually understanding the situation, people are in attack mode. She added that instead of looking at everyone from a privileged bac...

The door opened because of my surname, but I’m aware of the rejections I faced: Shruti Haasan

06/08/2020
Shruti Haasan gets candid again as she talks about what life would be like post the lockdown and also how her surname helped her, and also her share of rejections. Shruti Haasan is always candid when it comes to interacting or sharing Instagram posts. Right from talking about the lockdown and how life would be post its end to shedding light on Nepotism and groupism, she spilled the beans on all in her recent interview. In an interview, first talking about the lockdown and how it has changed h...

Minissha Lamba ends marriage with restaurateur Ryan Tham

06/08/2020
Minissha Lamba has ended her marriage with restaurateur Ryan Tham. The couple is divorced now. while several reports of the couple parting ways did rounds in 2018, neither the actor nor her then-husband had spoken about it. However, Minissha told that the couple has parted ways amicably and the legal separation has been done. Minissha married her boyfriend Ryan Tham in a quiet ceremony in Mumbai on July 6, 2015. The couple had a registered marriage, which was followed by a wedding lunch that...

I don’t want to make a decision like ‘Oh there’s no point in me living and I should just end it all’: Gulshan Devaiah

06/08/2020
As someone who pointed out that Bollywood was a tough place to be, while mourning the sad passing of Sushant Singh Rajput, Gulshan Devaiah, even after 50 days of the unfortunate incident, is trying to get over it. The actor says that every day since then has been about take care of himself more than ever before. “For me as an actor who has been in this industry for nearly 10 years, trying to get work and good work in order to further ones career, it’s very shocking. It’s shocking when somebody...

My romance with Tabu in A Suitable Boy’ beautiful, layered: Ishaan Khatter

06/08/2020
Actor Ishaan Khatter, who plays the role of Maan Kapoor in Mira Nair's adaptation of Vikram Seth's novel A Suitable Boy , says his character's relationship with Tabu's Saeeda Bai has a forbidden romance feel but it is shown in a beautiful and layered manner. Khatter is making his television debut with the six-part BBC drama, directed by Nair, who is known for critically-acclaimed international hits such as "Salaam Bombay", "Monsoon Wedding" and "The Namesake". Seth's novel charts the fortunes...

Long road to get here: Priyanka Bose

06/08/2020
Amid news of new educational policies being put in place, Pareeksha actor Priyanka Bose says revamping the system was overdue. Set to feature in a prominent role in Prakash Jha's upcoming ZEE5 release, Pareeksha, Priyanka Bose says the filmmaker's knowledge about the education system makes him best suited to explore the subject on screen. "[He has] clarity on the matter, and his understanding of where the story comes from, is on point," says the actor of the film that follows a rickshaw pull...

Negative comments can leave someone scarred for life: Sonakshi

05/08/2020
Sonakshi Sinha has teamed up with Mansi Dhanak and Vinav Bhanawat from Mission Josh to start a series of videos titled 'Full Stop To CyberBullying' Cyberbullying, trolling and body-shaming have become a menace and have not only created toxicity of social media platforms but have also affected a lot of people on a mental level. In an endeavour to spread awareness on the subject, ways to deal with trolls, legal options, and start a constructive conversation Sonakshi Sinha has teamed up with Ma...

It’s been very fulfilling: Vidya Balan on 15 years in Bollywood

05/08/2020
From "Parineeta" to "Shakuntala Devi", Vidya Balan has completed 15 years in the Hindi film industry and the Bollywood star says she is "grateful" to be living the only dream she had – to be an actor. There have been ups and downs along the journey, but Balan has always charted her own course in the industry, creating the way forward for women-led movies with the success of “The Dirty Picture” and “Kahaani”. "It's been very fulfilling. I'm very grateful that I'm living the only dream I ever h...

I don’t know the D of direction: Nawazuddin Siddiqui

05/08/2020
Nawazuddin Siddiqui's personal life has been under the scanner ever since wife Aaliyah sent him a divorce notice in May. There have also been allegations of abuse and misconduct as his estranged wife made startling revelations on social media. The actor fields the question calmly, stating, "I don't want to say anything about my personal life in public." He would rather concentrate on acting and his family occupation of farming in hometown Budhana. "I practice farming whenever I am back in my...

Becoming an actor was my dream and I am getting an opportunity to live my dream: Sanya Malhotra

05/08/2020
After creating quite the stir among the audience after the film was announced, the biographical drama film Shakuntala Devi finally saw a release today on Amazon Prime Video! And of course, it comes as no surprise that the audience has loved the film and highly commended performances by Vidya Balan, who plays Shakuntala Devi, and Sanya Malhotra, who plays her daughter Anupama Banerji. Talking about her experience in the Indian film Industry and her recent release, actress Sanya Malhotra says,...

Will finish shooting film with Ileana first: Randeep Hooda

05/08/2020
The atmosphere is anxious as actors contemplate going back to shoot amid the pandemic. Randeep Hooda, who had to leave the shoot of Unfair and Lovely mid-way, is keen to get back on the set, albeit with necessary precautions. "I was shooting for a comedy film in Karnal when the lockdown was announced. [Whenever things re-start] I will finish shooting the film with Ileana [D'cruz] first, although I am not sure when that will be," says the actor, who has been urging people to exit the lockdow...

Ayushmann Khurrana says he hasn’t developed many new friendships over the years

05/08/2020
From Chandigarh to Mumbai, and from radio and television to movies Ayushmann Khurrana’s journey is undoubtedly a fascinating one. And through all these years, and the highs and lows that are part of it, the one thing that has been a constant in his journey are his good ol’ friends. In fact, for his buddies, he is still the young boy they would hang out with and not the star that he has turned into today. “I haven’t developed many new friendships over the years. I have childhood friends who ar...

I have been detained at home in solo quarantine: Amitabh Bachchan

05/08/2020
Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan continues to share his experience of dealing with coronavirus. The actor on Tuesday took to his blog to write about the uncertainty of the disease and its treatment. In his latest blog post, Big B wrote, “The World doth change..it changeth each hour..it changeth now more than before..an invisible little unknown virus has laid humanity to rest, and brought it to its knees..and the efforts to know about it..to assess the cure..to develop its vaccine..to determ...

Jasmin Bhasin on Khatron Ke Khiladi – Made in India: Lucky to experience the thrill all over again

03/08/2020
After the tenth season of Khatron Ke Khiladi, Colors is set to launch a special edition of the show titled Khatron Ke Khiladi Made in India. For the first time, the reality show has been shot in India. It will feature champions of previous years Jasmin Bhasin, Haarsh Limbachiyaa, Aly Goni, Rithvik Dhanjani, Karan Wahi, Nia Sharma and Jay Bhanushali. While Rohit Shetty will continue as the host, Farah Khan will be step into his shoes for the first two episodes. Many times, contestant vow to n...

Sona Mohapatra says top talent is hired only if they are willing to ‘bow & scrape’ in front of Bollywood families

03/08/2020
Amid the ongoing nepotism debate, singer Sona Mohapatra has said that talented people are hired in Bollywood only if they are ready to ‘toe the line’ and ‘bow and scrape’ in front of Bollywood families. She also cited the film Fukrey Returns as an example of how ‘outsiders’ are treated in the industry. Talking about how Fukrey Returns (2017) was a far cry from the original film that came out in 2013, she wrote on Twitter, “Finally watched ‘Fukrey Returns’ on an OTT platform. Perfect showca...

Amitabh Bachchan on Amar Singh’s passing away: Only prayers remain

03/08/2020
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan paid tributes to close friend and Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh, cherishing the close bond they shared. Singh passed away on Saturday following a prolonged illness at a private hospital in Singapore. Singh, 64, had undergone kidney transplant in 2011 and was not keeping well for a long time. He was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore since several months. Bachchan, who shared nearly two-decade long friendship with Singh, took to his blog and posted a black-a...

Chelsea fan Abhishek Bachchan receives best wishes from football club

03/08/2020
Abhishek Bachchan is a happy Chelsea fan as the actor has received a special letter from the football club, wishing him a speedy recovery from COVID-19. The 44-year-old actor, who is currently admitted to Nanavati hospital along with his father Amitabh Bachchan, shared the photo of the letter on Instagram. "This made my week. Thank you so much @chelseafc The only thing that would top this is winning the FA Cup this evening. Come on Chelsea!!! #ktbffh," Abhishek wrote in the caption. Ln the l...

It is not the film industry but the film that matters to me: Aditi Rao Hydari

03/08/2020
Aditi Rao Hydari has appeared in several South Indian films over the past couple of years but her release count in Bollywood has been rather low. The actress insists says it is not the language or film industry, but the film that matters most to her. "More than often I am told that now I am focusing on my career in South and have left Mumbai. But I have not gone anywhere. Scripts and opportunities took me everywhere. Why should I say no to a film if the story is exciting? I think we are a gene...

Rachel White on her COVID-19 ordeal: “When I tested positive people on social media told me RIP”

03/08/2020
Actress Rachel White (who was seen in Karan Johar produced and Rensil D'silva-directed 'Ungli') had now tested negative for Coronavirus. Later in the day, we had a long chat with her on camera. Excerpts from the conversation: How did your COVID-19 ordeal begin? It began around July 8/9. I was shooting in Kolkata for15 days. I contracted fever, followed by diarrhea. I called up my doctor in Mumbai and she prescribed some antibiotics. She told me to immediately head for the COVID-19 test. I tes...

Challenging to shoot wedding scenes in Covid era: Aparna Dixit

03/08/2020
Actress Aparna Dixit says shooting elaborate wedding sequences in the Covid era has become a challenge. The actress recently shot a wedding sequence for her show "Pyar Ki Luka Chuppi", and recalls it was a difficult deal. "Wedding sequences normally are difficult because of the heavy bridal costume, extra makeup, jewellery and complex hairstyles, and generally these sequences go on for a long time. Sometimes, they go on for a number of days. When you are shooting from the first scene to the l...

My character lends different energy to Yaara: Shruti Haasan

02/08/2020
Actor Shruti Haasan kept busy during the lockdown making music, cooking and writing. And amid all this, she is also gearing up for her upcoming film Yaara, which is set to release on ZEE5 on July 30. Shruti is kicked about the movie because this is also the first time she is playing an older woman on screen. Yaara has been directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia and also stars actors Vidyut Jammwal, Amit Sadh, Vijay Verma and Kenny D Basumatary. A remake of 2011 French movie Gang Story, Yaara revolves ar...

I trust my directors completely: Nawazuddin Siddiqui

02/08/2020
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui says he is a director's actor and keeps his slate "clean" when he is prepping for a role. The 46-year-old actor, known for films such as "Gangs of Wasseypur" series, "Badlapur", "Bajrangi Bhaijaan", and Netflix series "Sacred Games", said he doesn't create a character in his head beforehand as he fears he may "get on the wrong track". "My acting process depends on directors, I trust them completely. I keep my slate clean. I consider myself foolish (about the role) ti...

Nusrat & Mimi sharing screen space in Bengali film

02/08/2020
Actor turned MPs Nusrat Jahan and Mimi Chakraborty are sharing screen space in Bengali film 'SOS Kolkata', shooting for which has started after the West Bengal government allowed resumption of film shoot in the state. Jahan and Chakraborty said they are happy to be back on shooting floors in 'SOS Kolkata' and are enjoying the 'new normal' experience. Jahan said on Thursday that she is happy that the role of female protagonist came to her, the role which is not usual and conventional for a fem...

Taapsee Pannu on 33rd birthday: I refuse to age sitting at home

02/08/2020
Taapsee Pannu has declared her 33rd birthday cancelled. “I refuse to age sitting at home; I’ll turn 33 next year now,” she chuckles, adding that this is the first year that her parents are with her in Mumbai and they will celebrate quietly at home. “I’m not a party person anyway, so birthdays are usually spent with family or on a vacation with my sister,” says the actress, who had brought in the day with a family get-together in Delhi last year. “It reminded me of my childhood birthdays where t...

Nimrat Kaur on nepotism: I did lose out on projects, but not because every time a star kid was plugged in

02/08/2020
Actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s sudden demise triggered several debates including the prevalence of nepotism in the film industry with many coming out and talking of their own experiences. Nimrat Kaur, however, wouldn’t like to attach somebody’s personal tragedy to the larger debate. “I wouldn’t like to go into that direction because one doesn’t know what Sushant went through and I feel this is such sensitive issue and time with due respect to his family and friends, who aren’t in the right space...

Shweta Tripathi on nepotism debate in Bollywood: Nawazuddin bhai, once told me, no one can ignore talent and sabka number ayega

02/08/2020
Bollywood actress Shweta Tripathi has come a long way in the film industry ever since her successful film debut in Neeraj Ghaywan’s romantic drama ‘Masaan.’ Sharing the screen with celebrities like Vicky Kaushal, Richa Chadha and Nawazudding Siddiqui among several others, it’s safe to say that the actress has successfully carved her name in the fraternity as a while ago she marked 5 years in Bollywood. Recently in an exclusive interview, Shweta Tripathi opened up about ongoing nepotism debate...

I love thrillers: Radhika Apte

01/08/2020
Actor Radhika Apte says, as an audience, she enjoys watching thrillers and her upcoming film "Raat Akeli Hai" is a great whodunnit. Set in north India, the crime thriller follows a small town cop, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who is summoned to investigate the death of a politician. "Raat Akeli Hai" marks the directorial debut of casting director Honey Trehan, known for films like "Talvar", "Udta Punjab" and "Delhi Belly". Apte said the film, slated to be released on Netflix on July 31, is...

Elli AvrRam announces her next big project on her birthday!

01/08/2020
Earlier this year, Elli AvrRam stunned everyone with a brilliant performance in Mohit Suri's Malang. With most crediting hers as one of the top acts in the action thriller, the actress has been flooded with several big offers from industry bigwigs. On her birthday today, Elli is all set to make a special announcement about her next project. Elli has been officially signed on board as one of the leads in Gaurang Doshi Productions' upcoming web series 7th Sense. With that, Elli will also join ...

I've been dropped out of many movies at the last minute so that hurts: Divya Dutta

01/08/2020
Divya Dutta is the latest actor to talk about how she was replaced in a lot of films, how it was hurtful, and why she felt it was important to make use of everything that was coming her way. Ever since the unfortunate demise of Sushant Singh Rajput, a lot of actors have come out and spoken about how they were treated by the Hindi film fraternity, how they were replaced in films without any information or intimation. And most of the actors who spoke about this were outsiders. Actresses like Di...

Taapsee on Kangana: ‘You are fighting for outsiders and simultaneously pulling down other outsiders’

01/08/2020
Actor Taapsee Pannu in a recent interview to India Tody opened up about her war of words with Kangana Ranaut in the wake of the tragic and untimely death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and the following insider-outsider debate. She mentioned it was wrong to fight harassment and bullying by bullying other outsiders. Speaking about how Kangana has targeted other outsiders, she said: “I have been perplexed for the last few months seeing people calling me out when I have only nice things to say abo...

Kirti Kulhari on 3 Years of ‘Indu Sarkar’: Political implications of this film never stopped me from doing it

01/08/2020
Kirti Kulhari is slowly but gradually making her way up the success ladder in Bollywood with her choices of films and performances. The actress, who played the titular role in Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Indu Sarkar’, received immense appreciation from all quarters. As the film clocks three years today, her character, and how she dealt with the controversies surrounding it. Excerpts… What was your first reaction when you were approached for the film? I was always grateful to be part of that film a...

Bobby Deol’s web series Aashram’ to release on August 28

01/08/2020
Actor Bobby Deol's digital debut series Aashram will premiere on August 28 on MX Player. The 51-year-old actor took to social media to share the premiere date and first look teaser of the web series, directed by filmmaker Prakash Jha. Here is the first look of #Aashram, I am looking forward to seeing it together with you all on August 28, 2020 only on @MXPlayer. @prakashjha27 @IamRoySanyal @AaditiPohankar @DarshanKumaar @AdhyayanSsuman," Deol wrote on Twitter. The series also features Chandan...

People go to see stars in theatres, on OTT it is about content: Atul Kulkarni

01/08/2020
Even as the opening of theatres stand pushed as of now and films are queuing up for release on OTTs, actor Atul Kulkarni feels that it is not a long term solution and there will always be a difference between the two mediums. “I don’t think the audience feels that way that OTT is going to be the way now. The audience is extremely clear about the platforms when they go and see a film. They perceive them both differently. They go to see star in theatres, on OTTs they are looking at content more....

Lootcase is something which was missing in my basket of variety: Rasika Dugal

31/07/2020
Actor Rasika Dugal is happy that her film Lootcase is releasing on an OTT platform. The actor expects the film to “cheer people up and take away the sense of gloom for a bit.” In an exclusive conversation, Dugal spoke about working on a comedy film, how films releasing on OTT platforms changes the game in the industry and much more. Excerpts from the conversation. Lootcase trailer looks like so much fun. What can fans expect from the film? I am pretty excited to know how people will respond ...

I never take my characters back home: Ayushmann Khurrana

31/07/2020
Ayushmann Khurrana is not a method actor, and does not like to take his characters back home. The actor said he likes to explore new things without putting undue pressure on himself. Ayushmann embarked on his Bollywood journey with offbeat roles, going on to become a poster boy of unconventional films and Bollywood's most unconventional hit machine. When the actor entered Hindi films with Shoojit Sircar's 'Vicky Donor' in 2012, he instantly won hearts with his charm and witty screen presence....

Ranvir Shorey says he is a ‘cynical man’ now: ‘Nothing really changes, theatre game is going to go back to the same’

31/07/2020
Actor Ranvir Shorey has been vocal about the functioning of Bollywood in the last couple of days. In wake of the tragic death of Sushant Singh Rajput, Ranvir has repeatedly spoken about the ‘gang’ in Bollywood and how it operates. In an interview with Times of India, to I am Kalam director Nila Madhab Panda, a fellow outsider, he expanded on the subject. Speaking about his angst, Ranvir explained, “Right now, the debate going on is about mainstream Bollywood, it is not about the Indian or Hind...

Don’t taunt people who are trying to be happy on social media in this pandemic: Gauahar Khan

31/07/2020
Gauahar Khan travelled to Pune earlier this month to take care of her ailing father, who needed an urgent surgery. She stayed there for over 20 days in a hospital, keeping a tab on her dad’s health, medicine and ensuring everything is always sanitised. But what has upset her are the comments she got when she posted a video of herself singing in her car en route to Pune. “They said, ‘Tumhe sharam nahi aati? Celebrities ke liye rules nahin hai’. Covid chal raha hai toh, kya aadmi jee nahi sakta?...

Vidyut Jammwal on being asked about competition in Bollywood: ‘I am top action star in the world, I find these questions a bit weird

31/07/2020
Vidyut Jammwal, who shot for Yaara in 2014-15, believes that this is the right time for it to release. Ahead of the film’s release on July 30 on Zee5, he told in an interview, “When the time is right, things happen, and I believe this is the right time for Yaara to release. Why it took so much time, I have no idea. Maybe it was meant to be releasing at this time. That is the way I think of it. For me, to work with a director like Tigmanshu Dhulia was the idea and I was fortunate enough to wor...