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Hyderabad, Aug 6 (IANS) The makers of director Srikanth Odela's eagerly awaited action entertainer 'The Paradise', featuring Telugu star Nani in the lead, have now released the much-awaited teaser of the action entertainer, much to the delight of fans and film buffs.

More significantly, the makers have announced that the film will now hit screens on September 24 this year.

'The Paradise', which is backed by SLV Cinemas, was originally set for a grand release on March 26, 2026. However, its makers chose to postpone the film's release to August 21. Now, the makers have chosen to further push the release date to September 24.

Taking to its social media timelines to release the teaser, SLV Cinemas, which is backing the film, wrote, "Jadala Zamana Shuru. #TheParadiseTeaser out now! Grand release worldwide on 24.09.26. Natural Star @NameisNani in an @odela_srikanth cinema. An @anirudhofficial musical."

The teaser released begins with a voiceover asking, "Henceforth, to whom does this place belong?" Nani then announces his arrival in quite a dramatic manner, performing an acrobatic stunt. Sporting two plaits and drenched in blood, he walks slowly sipping what appears to be a beverage.

We then see Mohan Babu, who plays the antagonist, referring to the people as "My beloved people of Paradise."

As a series of action sequences follow with blood being spilled quite generously, we hear a woman asking, "Is the government meant for your feudal lords or for the people?"

After this, we hear a man saying, "Our oppressed race must rise in rebellion. The very black they spat on in disgust will be the colour of our flag and the crow will be our emblem. Let's show them what will happen when the crows they spat on draw their swords!"

Soon cries of "Whose land is this? Ours! Whose country is this? Ours!" are heard. The teaser ends with Nani, soaked in blood and carrying a chain made of blades and sitting on a pile of bodies, wards off the evil eye.

In all, the teaser gives the impression that Paradise will be a grim, intense action thriller that will revolve around Nani leading the oppressed in rebellion against tyranny!

The film has triggered huge expectations among fans and film buffs and the teaser has only added to the excitement. It is expected to release in eight languages namely Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, English, Spanish, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Shreya Kalra, who won the 2nd season of the streaming captive reality show ‘Lock Upp’, has credited her victory to her rivals, who “cornered” her.

She spoke with the media after claiming the title, and said that her rivals in the show, which practically includes everyone except Madhuri Jain Grover and Shilpa Shinde, are at fault for making her the winner.

She told the media, “I was never one versus all, they made it, and that is their fault. I have said this that they have cornered me and made me a finalist and gave me a trophy. That is their fault. They did not want to be friends with me. I have tried so many times. I offered food when I got the chance. I have won tasks for them. When I was becoming a gang leader, I cheered for Shivangi when we had a fight the day before. I have given a premium plate to Shivangi Harshad when I could have eaten it myself”.

She further mentioned, “I have tried to be their friend, but they never tried enough to even know me. They used to sit and tell only about themselves that I have done this, I have done this show, I have done this here, I have had such a journey. You can ask the interviewers how much they know about me”.

Shreya walked away with the coveted trophy and a whopping Rs 1 crore cash prize. Shivangi Joshi finished as the first runner-up, while the other finalists were Ram Kapoor, Shilpa Shinde and Yogesh Rawat. Ahead of the finale, Varun Yadav and Akanksha Chamola were eliminated from the competition. Akanksha was evicted after Yogesh, Shreya and Varun unanimously voted her out when host Riteish Deshmukh asked them to take a collective decision.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna has said that he learnt the ropes of the cooking business while operating his first venture, a small kitty party catering business from his home in Amritsar.

Vikas graced the latest episode of the chat show ‘Shekhar Tonite’, and reflected on his childhood, and the journey to becoming one of the biggest names in the culinary arts across the world.

Welcoming Vikas Khanna to the show, host Shekhar Suman applauded his incredible achievements and recalled how the celebrated chef has made not just India but the entire world proud. As the conversation unfolded, Shekhar took Vikas back to Amritsar, the city that gave him his roots, dreams and purpose.

Reflecting on his childhood, Vikas Khanna says, "My journey has never been a straightforward one. I was born during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, and doctors told my parents that I might never be able to walk like other children. I spent years undergoing treatment, but my mother always believed in me. She would say, 'My son wasn't born to walk, he was born to fly’. Since I couldn't play sports like other children, I found my world in the kitchen. Looking back, I truly believe that when one door closed for me, another, much bigger one opened, and that has been the story of my life”.

He further mentioned, “Food became my passion at a very young age. My mother and sister encouraged me to follow my love for cooking, and together we even started a small kitty party catering business from our home in Amritsar. Their faith gave me the confidence to dream bigger. Later, when I was introduced to cuisines beyond Punjabi food, I realised there was an entire world waiting to be explored. That moment changed my life and inspired me to dedicate myself completely to cooking, a journey that eventually took me from the streets of Amritsar to kitchens across the world”.

‘Shekhar Tonite’ streams on YouTube.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Veteran actor Annu Kapoor celebrated 33 years of the iconic musical show “Antakshari.”

He expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the show a timeless favourite. Sharing a heartfelt note, Annu described “Antakshari” as a journey filled with music, memories, laughter, and the immense love of millions of people. The ‘Ram Lakhan’ actor reflected on how what started as a television programme went on to become an integral part of countless Indian households.

Annu Kapoor shared a video on Instagram, giving a glimpse of the celebration. In the clip, the actor is seen expressing his happiness while holding a bouquet, with a cake placed nearby.

For the caption, he wrote, “33 years of Antakshari A journey of music, memories, laughter and the boundless love of millions of viewers. What began as a television show became a part of countless Indian homes and hearts. I remain deeply grateful to every viewer, every participant, every musician and every member of the team who made this extraordinary journey possible. Thank you for making Antakshari timeless.”

Antakshari, also known as Zee Antakshari, was one of the most popular musical game shows on Indian television. The weekly show aired on Zee TV from 1993 to 2007 and was created by filmmaker Gajendra Singh. The show gained immense popularity for its unique format, where participants competed through songs, making it a memorable part of Indian television history. Annu Kapoor hosted the show from 1994 to 2005 and became synonymous with Antakshari. He was joined by several co-hosts over the years, including Rajeshwari Sachdev, Pallavi Joshi, Durga Jasraj, Renuka Shahane and Shefali Chhaya.

In its later years, the show saw hosts like Himani Kapoor and Sunil Pal, while singer Karan Oberoi also took over hosting duties.

The show also expanded its reach beyond India and was filmed at international locations including Dubai, London and New York.

‘Antakshari’ went on to become a major success and earned a special place among television audiences. Annu Kapoor reportedly sang over 4,000 songs during the show’s run. The game show earned the actor a popular household name.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Actor Sunny Deol gave a glimpse of his fun-filled bond with son Karan Deol during a flight journey.

The father-son duo indulged in some playful banter, which Sunny lovingly described as ‘Baap Beta Dialoguebaazi’, showcasing their adorable camaraderie. Taking to Instagram, the ‘Gadar’ actor shared a video from what appears to be a private jet, where he is seen enjoying his coffee and reciting a dialogue from his upcoming film “Batwara 1947.”

In the video, Sunny says, “Yeh mera iraada hai, agar tereko aitraaz hai toh main tereko sorry bulwaunga.” Karan Deol responds, “Tu mere baap ko nahi jaanta, chal sorry bol.”

For the caption, the ‘Ghatak’ actor simply wrote, “Baap Beta Dialoguebaazi Thank you all for showing so much love to our dialogues , socha thodi hawa mein masti karte hain Kaisa laga?.”

Sunny Deol is currently gearing up for promotions of his action thriller “Batwara 1947” with his son Karan Deol.

Recently, the makers unveiled the trailer of “Batwara 1947” and it offered a powerful glimpse into one of the most defining and painful chapters of Indian history — the Partition of India.

Starring Shabana Azmi, Preity G Zinta, Ali Fazal and Abhimanyu Singh alongside Sunny Deol, the film follows a family whose lives are forever changed as violence, fear and displacement disrupt communities that once lived together peacefully.

Reportedly banned in Pakistan, the film has generated additional curiosity around its historical narrative. “Batwara 1947” also brings together the acclaimed trio of Aamir Khan, A. R. Rahman and Javed Akhtar, who previously collaborated on the iconic film “Lagaan.” The project marks the much-awaited reunion of filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi and Sunny Deol after nearly three decades. Produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit, “Batwara 1947” is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on August 14, 2026.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, Aug 6 (IANS) Actress-director Michelle Yeoh has been crowned as the Asian Filmmaker of the Year for the upcoming 31st edition of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

The festival honours an Asian film professional or organization for exceptional contributions to the advancement of Asian cinema, reports ‘Variety’.

Michelle Yeoh made her screen debut in Hong Kong action cinema with ‘Yes, Madam’ in 1985, and followed it up by ‘Police Story 3: Supercop’ in 1992 and ‘Wing Chun’ in 1994, helping redefine what an action heroine could be on screen.

As per ‘Variety’, she had an international breakthrough with ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ in 1997 and ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ in 2000, the latter a rare non-English-language title to land both box-office success and critical acclaim worldwide.

She won the Miss Malaysia World contest at the age of 21 in 1983 and went on to represent Malaysia at the Miss World 1983 pageant in London where she finished at the 18th spot amongst 72 delegates from around the world.

After this, the actress started working in television commercials getting her break in a television commercial alongside the legend, Jackie Chan. Yeoh, who has stated that she had a limited proficiency in Cantonese, was informed during her initial Cantonese phone conversation with the production company that she will be working alongside ‘Sing Lung’. It was only after she entered the studio she realised that she will share the frame with Jackie Chan in the commercial and that ‘Sing Lung’ was the Cantonese name of Jackie Chan.

She went on to star in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ and ‘Wicked’, before her turn in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ which fetched her the Academy Award for lead actress, a first for an Asian performer. The awards run also carried her to victories at both the SAG Awards and the Golden Globes.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Actor Avinash Wadhawan, who was once seen as a promising name in the Hindi film industry, revealed that he had missed out on several major opportunities.

In an exclusive quote shared with IANS, the ‘Bidaai’ actor shared that he was offered Ajay Devgn’s “Phool Aur Kaante” and Shah Rukh Khan’s “Deewana,” but he turned down the roles due to various reasons. When asked why he could not become the next superstar despite being a part of the same era as Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn, Avinash said that the reasons were a mix of circumstances and destiny.

Avinash also recalled another missed opportunity after his film “Junoon” with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. He shared that he was offered “Sir,” which would have featured him opposite Pooja Bhatt, but he lost the project due to issues involving his secretary.

“There were many reasons and also destiny. I was offered Ajay Devgn’s Phool Aur Kaante, Shah Rukh Khan’s role in Deewana… both these roles I refused due to many reasons. After Mahesh Bhatt’s “Junoon”, I was offered his “Sir,” again opposite Pooja Bhatt, but lost out due to my secretary’s manipulation. I was finalised for Akshaye Khaana’s role in “Border” but I was unceremoniously dropped at the last moment.”

“Yash Chopra ji wanted to cast me as one of the two heroes in Yeh Dillagi & personally called me to his office but somehow I couldn’t reach on that particular day. It was too late by the time I went there.”

Avinash added, “Even though I lost out on these plum projects, I still had some excellent films which did very well at the box-office. They were directed by renowned directors like Mahesh Bhatt, Partho Ghosh, K.C. Bokadia, Lawrence D’Souza, Anil Ganguly, Ashok Gaikwad etc.”

“I was also paired opposite almost all the top heroines of that era right from Pooja Bhatt to Ayesha Jhulka, Bhagyashree, Divya Bharti, Karishma Kapoor, Nagma, Madhoo and many more. Few films did excellent business, few average and few did not work. But the main hurdles in my career were my own personal setbacks, my unsettled marriage which affected me emotionally to such an extent that I lost ambition… didn’t want to be in Mumbai & I started taking reckless & absurd decisions. And, I blame myself for all this fiasco. These are the things in your life which you can’t explain but you can feel.”

Avinash Wadhawan is known for playing lead roles in films like “Aayee Milan ki Raat,” “Meera Ka Mohan,” “Junoon,” “Geet,” “Balmaa,” “Dil Ki Baazi,” “Paapi Gudia” & many more.

Apart from his film career, Avinash Wadhawan has also been a popular face on Indian television and has been part of several popular shows over the years. He appeared in notable series including “Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai,” where he played Indrajeet Rajvansh, and Balika “Vadhu.” He has also featured in shows such as “Maat Pitaah Ke Charnon Mein Swarg,” “Shobha Somnath Ki, Junoon – Aisi Nafrat Toh Kaisa Ishq,” “C.I.D” and “Doli Armaano Ki,” among others.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Katrina Kaif extended warm wishes to Mini Mathur on emerging as the winner of the reality show 'Alliance'.

Mini took to her official Instagram handle and published a string of happy pictures of herself posing with the trophy.

The caption on the post read, "And just like that… the queen wears her crown (sic)."

While many used the comment section to congratulate Mini, Katrina also commented, "Congratssssssss".

In addition to this, Malaika Arora penned, "Awesome mini".

Ridhi Dogra also shared the comment, "Miniiiiiiii you were so good. You made me feel so good about being a woman. May I grow into a version of you in time to come. So much to learn. So level headed and present and dignified. But also your energy is so light and fun. Well deserved. Congratulations Much love. @minimathur."

It must be noted that Katrina has collaborated with Mini's director husband Kabir Khan on multiple projects, including 'New York (2009)', 'Ek Tha Tiger (2012)', and 'Phantom (2015)'.

Meanwhile, during an exclusive conversation with IANS, Mini opened up about husband Kabir Khan’s reaction to her winning 'Alliance.’

She revealed that she has never seen Kabir being so emotionally invested in any of her projects before this.

Mini said, “I do not think anyone in my family expected me to survive without my phone, my people, my routine, and everything I hold close. When I came back, I was amazed to see how invested Kabir had become in the show. There were endless family WhatsApp conversations discussing every move made by every contestant. I honestly do not remember another project in my career where Kabir was this emotionally invested.”

“I am sure he is extremely proud of me, just like my children and the rest of my family. To be honest, everything still feels surreal. I have only just stepped out of the house, and I had no idea what people outside were saying about me. This entire experience has given me a completely new lease on life,” she went on to add.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Actress Gulfam Khan, who has been a part of the industry for over two decades, recently opened up about the changing landscape of television and how audience preferences have evolved over the years.

The ‘Diya Aur Baati Hum’ actress shared her thoughts on the growing acceptance of diverse storytelling formats. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Gulfam reflected on the transformation in television content and said that there was a time when makers believed audiences preferred only a particular kind of show. She recalled how rural-based narratives like “Balika Vadhu,” “Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo” and “Pratigya” connected with viewers, while urban family dramas such as “Kumkum Bhagya” and “Kundali Bhagya” also went on to become popular.

When asked about changing TV trends, Gulfam Khan shared, “Earlier, we believed that audiences preferred only a certain type of content. There were shows like Balika Vadhu, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, and Pratigya, which were rooted in rural India. Later, urban shows like Kumkum Bhagya and Kundali Bhagya also became popular.”

“What I have realized is that audiences do not prefer just one genre—they enjoy all kinds of stories. Every show has its own audience. Some people enjoy urban narratives, some connect with rural stories, while others relate to middle-class families from cities like Delhi, Punjab or Mumbai.”

Gulfam added, “Then there are universal stories like Aladdin, mythological shows, and Ramayana, which appeal to people across age groups, irrespective of their religion or background. Therefore, creators should continue making different kinds of shows because every genre has its own audience.”

Gulfam Khan is best known for portraying the character of Nazneen in the fantasy drama series “Aladdin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga,” which aired from 2018 to 2020. She began her acting journey in 2003 with the television show “Lipstick,” where she played the role of Guddi.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Actress Mouni Roy has showcased her love for her Bengali heritage as she embraced her roots and celebrated the rich culture and traditions of her homeland.

Taking to Instagram, the ‘Gold’ actress shared a video of herself flaunting her elegant traditional look. In the clip, Mouni showcased her graceful dance moves in a shimmery outfit, which she paired with long earrings and a maang tikka. Elevating her traditional look, the actress opted for subtle, natural makeup that perfectly complemented her elegant appearance. For the caption, she simply wrote, “Bengali belle.”

The ‘Brahmastra’ actress set her video to the timeless Rabindra Sangeet "O Je Mane Na Mana," written by Rabindranath Tagore. The beloved Bengali classic is a soulful love song that beautifully captures the emotions of longing, unfulfilled love, and the pain of rejection.

Mouni Roy hails from Cooch Behar in West Bengal and grew up in a Bengali-speaking household. She comes from a family with deep roots in the performing arts, with her grandfather being a renowned theatre artist and her mother actively associated with theatre as well. Interestingly, Mouni has always taken pride in her Bengali roots as she often celebrates her cultural heritage through elegant traditional ensembles.

On the work front, Mouni Roy has been roped in for an upcoming untitled project directed by filmmaker Suresh Krissna. The film will be produced by Prerna Arora.

Talking about the movie, Prerna Arora said, “Suresh sir has been one of my all-time favourite filmmakers. The moment he narrated the vision, I instantly knew I wanted to back this film. It’s a very young love story with a relatable narrative set in the age of social media, and I truly believe audiences will connect with it.”

“We both instinctively felt that Mouni Roy was the ideal choice. She is mesmerizing, elegant, and a wonderfully talented performer. She immediately said yes, and with Mouni coming on board, the film has acquired an entirely new dimension.”

--IANS

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