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Mumbai, Aug 12 (IANS) Actress Alpana Buch, best known for her role in the popular television show ‘Anupamaa,’ has spoken about the double standards women continue to face in society.

In an exclusive quote shared with IANS, Alpana highlighted how women are often judged for their clothing, lifestyle choices and personal decisions, while stressing the need for a change in the way society views female independence. The ‘SarawatiChandra’ actress pointed out that a woman can be judged for wearing a short dress, staying out late, choosing not to marry at a certain age or simply expressing herself with confidence. According to her, these choices often become reasons for others to question a woman’s character and independence.

Alpana stated, “A woman is judged for wearing a short dress, staying out late, choosing not to marry at a certain age or simply speaking with confidence. Many times, the clothes are not really the issue. They become an excuse to question a woman’s independence. I think society changes when people stop participating in that judgement. Families, friends and colleagues have to understand that a woman’s choices belong to her.”

“Television can also play a role by showing independent women as normal rather than making them look rebellious just because they want to live life on their own terms.”

Alpana also expressed that with women from different generations being portrayed through characters like Anupama, Leela, Prerna, and the younger women, each generation has something to learn from the others.

“Every generation has its own understanding of independence. Older women have a strength that comes from experience and from knowing how to survive difficult situations. Younger women are more willing to question things and refuse to accept certain limitations. I don't think one generation is right and the other is wrong. Strength can look different at different ages. If women listen to each other instead of comparing their choices, there is a lot they can learn from one another.”

Alpana Buch plays the role of Leela Baa in Deepa Shahi and Rajan Shahi’s ‘Anupama.’ The show also stars Rupali Ganguly and Adrija Roy, Shivam Khajuria.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 12 (IANS) Actress Gautami Kapoor shared a glimpse of a challenging workout that puts balance, strength and concentration to the test.

Gautami, who is married to actor Ram Kapoor. shared a video of herself from a pilates studio performing a challenging balance exercise, showcasing her core power

The image also has a text overlay: “Let's gooooo Test of balance and concentration.”

Gautami met Ram in 2000 on the set of Ghar Ek Mandir. After dating for two years, the couple got married in February 2003. They are parents to two children.

Gautami is best known for playing the role of Jaya in the TV series Kehta Hai Dil. She was recently in Parvarrish - Season 2.

Ram made his onscreen debut with the television serial Nyaay in 1999. He took up three more shows Heena, Sangharsh and Kavita.

In 2000, Ram acted in popular family drama Ghar Ek Mandir, He worked with Amir Raza Hussein once again in the play The Fifty Days of War – Kargil which ran for 10 days in New Delhi as a tribute to the heroes of the Kargil War. In 2001, he made a cameo appearance in Mira Nair's film Monsoon Wedding.

His fame skyrocketed with his work in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain. The actor has worked in films such as Dhadkan, Awaz-Dil Se Dil Tak, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Karthik Calling Karthik, Student of the Year, Agent Vinod and Student of the year.

Ram was recently seen in “Lock Upp 2”. Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh host the Netflix show. The finale is set to take place in the weekend.

The show currently has names such as Pamala Serena, Akanksha Chamola, Shilpa Shinde, Akanksha Chaudhary, Ram Kapoor, Yogesh Rawat, Shreya Kalra, Shivangi Joshi, Harshad Chopra, and Varun Yadav, aka Laila, to name a few.

The first edition of “Lock Upp” was hosted by Kangana in 2022. Karan Kundrra was introduced as Jailor for the entire season. Munawar Faruqui was named as the winner.

The second installment will have 14 inmates, 2 jailers, and 1 lock-up for 6 weeks. As per the rules, inmates must complete tasks to earn in-game currency required for even the necessities such as food, supplies, and privileges.

--IANS

Chennai, Aug 12 (IANS) The makers of director Venky Atluri's eagerly awaited wholesome entertainer, ‘Vishwanath & Sons’, featuring actors Suriya and Mamitha Baiju in the lead, have now announced that the final sound mixing of the film had been completed and that the film was now ready to hit screens.

Sound Vibe Studios, the firm assigned the task of handling the sound mixing of the film, took to its social media timelines to make the announcement. It wrote, "LOCKED & LOADED. That's a Wrap in Sound Mix. Once again, we're happy to work with our director @venky_atluri Garu. Starring 'THE ONE' @actorsuriya. A @gvprakash Musical. Sound Mix."

The film has triggered huge expectations among fans and film buffs.

In fact, actor Suriya is betting big on this film, which he has said will give him another new identity.

During the audio launch event of the film, which was held in Coimbatore recently, Suriya said he had already watched the film and that he was thoroughly satisfied with the way it had shaped up.

Praising director Venky Atluri, he said, "Venky Atluri said that he manifested working with me. I think I was the one who manifested. I loved your film 'Lucky Bhaskar'."

Suriya then said, "Different directors have given me different identities. For me, 'Vishwanath and Sons' will be another new identity. And it is Venky who has given me this identity. It has been a very long time since I did such a character."

"I have so much respect for his writing. There are three women characters in this film and he has written those characters so beautifully. This film will talk beautifully about relationships. When you watch this film, you will have a smile on your lips all through. This film will talk about family, romance, there will be comedy throughout and the elevation that the hero's character receives will not come down at all. This will be a wholesome entertainer. This is a film for the fans and the families of fans," Suriya had said.

For the unaware, the film, which has been produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi & Sai Soujanya, is slated to hit screens on August 14 this year. Mamitha Baiju plays the female lead in this film, which will also feature actress Radhika Sarathkumar in a pivotal role.

The film has music by National Award winner G. V. Prakash Kumar and cinematography by Nimish Ravi. Editing for the film is by Navin Nooli and production design by Banglan.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 12 (IANS) Actress Urvashi Dholakia shared a string of pictures from her London holiday featuring her friends, whom she tagged as her “right tribe”.

Urvashi shared a string of pictures from her recent getaway in Oxford with TV Czarina Ekta Kapoor and Bollywood actress Nargis Fakhri to name a few.

For the caption, she wrote: “Like attracts like. The right tribe just feels like home.”

Talking about Urvashi, she made her acting debut at 6 for a commercial ad with Revathi. As a child she appeared as Rajlaxmi in the Doordarshan TV series Shrikant.

Her first TV role as an adult was in Doordarshan's Dekh Bhai Dekh followed by Waqt Ki Raftar. Later in the 2000s, she was seen in Ghar Ek Mandir, Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii, Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Kahiin To Hoga.

The actress had also participated in the sixth season of the controversial reality show “Bigg Boss” in 2012, where she emerged as the winner of the season and then was seen in historical fantasy series Chandrakanta as Queen Iravati. In 2022, Urvashi made a comeback to the fiction genre in Naagin 6.

The actress is currently seen in the reality show Maa Hai Na, a reality cooking series premiering on ZEE5. It is hosted by Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.

Urvashi was recently seen in “Maa Hai Na”, a reality cooking series hosted by Shilpa Shetty and produced by Preeti Simoes and Neeti Simoes. In the show, celebrity contestants compete in pairs, each pairing a public figure with a parent or adult child, in cooking challenges and comedy segments.

Each episode pairs a celebrity with a parent or adult child to compete in cooking tasks and team challenges. The show was announced on Mother's Day 2026; filming had already begun by that date.

--IANS

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Mumbai, August 12 (IANS) Actress and television personality Aditi Malikk has spoken out about the ‘ugly’ comments she recently received about her body after she posted a video featuring herself on her social media account.

She urged people to be more considerate before passing judgements on someone’s appearance. The actress opened up after a recent social media post led several people to assume that she was pregnant simply because her paunch was visible in the way she was sitting.

Taking to her social media account, Aditi shared a video addressing the comments and said that remarks about weight, bloating or someone’s stomach may seem harmless to the person making them but can have a much deeper impact on the person receiving them.

“You put on weight, you have a lot of weight on your stomach, oh your face looks bloated,” she said, urging people to be more mindful before commenting on someone’s appearance.

“I feel everyone should be a little more considerate when they comment, whether it's in person or on social media,” Aditi said.

The actress then spoke about a post she had shared a few days earlier, which prompted pregnancy assumptions because of the way she was sitting.

“2-3 days ago, I posted a post where people thought I was pregnant. Because the way I was sitting, I could see my paunch my stomach,” she said.

Aditi made it clear that she is comfortable with her body and does not allow such comments to dictate how she sees herself.

“I honestly am not very conscious about all this because I love my body, I respect my body, it's a mother's body,” she said. “I personally believe that being healthy is more important.”

“So I don't take any shortcuts,” Aditi said, adding that managing one’s health can become challenging when daily responsibilities and food habits are taken into consideration.

Towards the end of the video, she said, “Comments matter a lot. Whatever we comment about, we don't know when that thing hurts someone.”

“I think we all should understand that. Good day,” she concluded.

Alongside the video, Aditi also shared a message asking people to pause before making assumptions about others. She wrote, “Not everything you see on social media needs a comment, a question or an assumption. There’s always more to someone’s life than what makes it to the feed. So, before we hit “send”, maybe pause and think, would I say this if they were standing right in front of me? A little more thought before we comment, a little less assumption and a little more kindness wouldn’t hurt.”

For the uninitiated, Aditi, who is married to actor Mohit Maalikk, embraced motherhood when the couple welcomed their son Ekbir in 2021.

On the professional front, known for her television work, Aditi has been associated with shows including Shararat, Banoo Main Teri Dulhann, Meri Awaaz Ko Mil Gayi Roshni, Pyaar Ko Ho Jaane Do and Kumkum Bhagya, apart from appearing in other television projects.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 12 (IANS) Singer-actress Demi Lovato is celebrating a full-circle moment as she returns to the world of ‘Camp Rock’ with the upcoming third instalment, ‘Camp Rock 3’. She expressed excitement about seeing a new generation of campers carry the franchise forward.

Lovato, who will reprise her iconic role as Mitchie Torres and executive-produce the film, took to Instagram, where she shared a string of images from the film's promotional campaign.

“The most full circle!!! so excited to watch the next generation of campers bring what we started to life in their own way. incredibly proud to EP on camp rock 3 and bring mitchie back (don’t miss the final jam) cheers to 18 years of knees haha!!!” she wrote as the caption.

Camp Rock was first released in 2008. Matthew Diamond directed it. The film stars Demi Lovato, Joe Jonas, Meaghan Jette Martin, Maria Canals-Barrera, Daniel Fathers, and Alyson Stoner.

In the film, aspiring teenage singer Mitchie Torres visits Camp Rock, a summer music camp.

The second installment, “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam,” was released in 2010. It stars Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers, Maria Canals-Barrera, Meaghan Martin, and Alyson Stoner. In the film, Camp Rock contends with Camp Star, a new, wealthy rival summer music camp.

It was in June, when Nick had heaped praise on the new cast and tagged them as “absolute superstars”.

Nick appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he spoke about returning as Nate Gray in “Camp Rock 3” and also revealed a cameo by the Jonas Brothers.

Nick had said: “Camp Rock 3, to basically reintroduce this franchise to a whole new audience, there's a new group of campers. They're all absolute superstars. They're going to be in arenas themselves very soon.”

He added: “Me and the brothers have a little cameo in it, which was so bizarre to be back at Camp Rock all these years later…. But it's amazing. These kids, they just blew me away, and I think people are going to love Camp Rock 3.”

--IANS

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Los Angeles, Aug 12 (IANS) Football star Cristiano Ronaldo got married to his long-time lady love Georgina Rodriguez in an intimate wedding at Portugal.

The 41-year-old Portuguese soccer star tied the knot with his longtime partner, model Rodríguez, in a civil ceremony on August 11, 2026 in Cascais, Portugal, according to a press release obtained by people.com.

The ceremony was a “private and intimate moment” attended by their five children. After the wedding, the soccer star posted a photo of the couple’s hands with their wedding bands with the caption: “C (heart emoji) G”.

The couple have been together since 2017 and share 5 children.

The wedding comes one year after Rodríguez, 32, announced their engagement in August 2025.

Rodriguez had shared a picture of her hand over Ronaldo’s, offering a close-up look at her massive, oval-shaped diamond sparkler.

“Sí, quiero. En esta y en todas mis vidas,” Rodríguez wrote in the caption, which translates to,

“Yes, I do. In this and in all my lives.”

They have five children twins Eva Maria and Mateo,daughter Alana, daughter Bella, and 16-year-old son Cristiano Jr., whom Ronaldo welcomed in a previous relationship.

He and Rodríguez previously announced the death of Bella’s newborn twin brother, Ángel, in April 2022.

Ronaldo first met Rodríguez when she was working as a sales assistant at a Gucci store in 2017. In January 2017, the two made their red carpet debut at the Best FIFA Football Awards in Zurich. By May, they made things Instagram official when Ronaldo posted a photo of himself and Rodríguez.

In Rodríguez’s 2022 Netflix reality series, I Am Georgina, Ronaldo opened up about the early days of their romance.

The sports person had then said he thought Rodríguez was a “very interesting girl, so much more mature for her age,” but that he didn’t expect the romance to last.

--IANS

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Mumbai, August 12 (IANS) Filmmaker and fashion designer Vikram Phadnis remembered seems to have become extremely emotional on account of his late father's first death anniversary on August 12.

He shared an emotional note about losing him and revealing that his father’s biggest wish was to see him make his first Hindi film.

Phadnis shared a set of pictures on his social media account, and recalled the evening when his father went to hospital and never returned home. He said that although a year had passed and he had continued working and celebrating professional milestones, a part of him still felt incomplete and he misses his ‘daddy’.

He wrote, “12th August.... One year ago today, I lost my father. He went to the hospital that evening... and somehow, never came back home. I still remember that evening. I remember the anxiety, the fear, the feeling that something was terribly wrong.”

He added, “And sometimes I wonder... was I anxious because I was losing my father, or because somewhere deep inside, a part of me already knew that after that night, life would never feel the same again? A year has passed.

I’ve grown older. I’ve celebrated milestones in 2025 worked harder, kept going... but there is still a part of me that feels incomplete.”

He further wrote,, “My father had only one wish ... to see me make my first Hindi film.

He believed in this dream before I even knew how to make it happen.

And life took him away before he could see it.”

“Today, as I fly to Melbourne for the World Premiere of my first Hindi film, my heart is filled with emotions I can’t quite put into words.

I’m excited. I’m grateful. But more than anything... I wish my father was here.

I wish he could sit beside me and know that the dream he believed in actually came true.”

He further added, “I made this film for my mother .... the person who has held me together through everything, who stood beside me when things were difficult, and who never stopped giving me the strength to keep going. But in every frame, every word, every struggle, every sleepless night and every little victory... there was also my father.”.

He further wrote, “This film is for my mother. But this moment... is for my father His dream. My journey. Our film. I wish you were here,daddy I miss you more than I will ever be able to say. I love you the most.”

Vikram Phadnis is currently geared up for his upcoming film Pal Bhar Ke Liye, starring Saiyami Kher, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Viineet Kumar Siingh and Ishwak Singh, which is set to have its world premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2026.

Vikram Phadnis also has a long association with Bollywood as a costume designer and has worked on films including Biwi No. 1, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Golmaal: Fun Unlimited, Salaam-e-Ishq, Namastey London, Golmaal Returns and Dulha Mil Gaya.

He also made his directorial debut with the Marathi film Hrudayantar in 2017. The film starred Subodh Bhave and Mukta Barve and marked Phadnis' first step behind the camera as a director. He followed it with Smile Please in 2019.

–IANS

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Mumbai August 12 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan seems to have been missing his mother Teji Bachchan a little extra on her birth anniversary on August 12.

The megastar took to his social media account to remember her and penned a short yet sweet note, on Wednesday morning.

Describing her as a “symbol of inspiration, morale, patience”, the doting son said that she remains an entire world residing forever in his heart.

The actor shared two posts on the occasion. In his first post on X, he wrote,

“T 5823 - August 12, Mother's Birthday !

Symbol of inspiration, morale, patience - A

complete vast world forever residing in the heart.”

In another post on his personal blog, Bachchan wrote the same and added the reason as to why he chose not to put up a picture of her on social media on her birth anniversary today.

He wrote in Hindi,which further in English read as, “Will not put up a picture because who resides in heart forever, cannot be captured in a still.

For the uninitiated, Teji Bachchan, born Teji Suri on August 12, 1914, was the wife of celebrated Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and mother of Amitabh and his younger brother Ajitabh Bachchan.

She passed away on December 21, 2007, in Mumbai, aged 93, just a few months after grandson Abhishek Bachchan's wedding with Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

For the uninitiated, Teji married Harivansh Rai Bachchan in 1941 and was also known for her association with the literary and cultural circles surrounding the celebrated poet.

She also was a theatre artist and participated in stage productions, including a Hindi adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Talking about her children, Amitabh and Ajitabh were the couple's two sons. Ajitabh has largely stayed away from the film industry's limelight, and went on to pursue a career in business, while Amitabh Bachchan went on to carve his humongous identity in the world of Hindi cinema.

Talking about Amitabh Bachchan, the actor who has been a part of the entertainment industry for over five decades, is currently seen hosting the quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 12 (IANS) Veteran Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, recently recollected an incident when actor Sunny Deol tore his jeans during the briefing of a scene.

During the latest episode of the quiz based reality show, ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, the veteran actor told Sunny, “I heard one thing once. You were shooting on a set. It was an action sequence. The action director was telling that Sunny was standing and he put his hand in his pocket. And he was listening to what was happening”.

He further mentioned, “And he doesn't agree with what he is being told. He doesn't want to do anything. He didn't agree at all. After a while, there was a sound of a cloth being torn. He was so angry. He pressed it so hard. He couldn't take it out. He was feeling shy. But he doesn't have any shame in his hands”.

The said incident is reportedly from the filming of ‘Darr’ when Yash Chopra told Sunny that his character loses to Shah Rukh Khan’s character during a fight sequence. Sunny didn’t agree with the director primarily because his character belonged to the forces, and was trained to neutralise any threat. But when the director didn’t listen to him, Sunny lost his cool but kept his hands in the pocket to not let the aggression leak through.

Elsewhere in the episode, Big B had a light-hearted exchange with Sunny Deol, as he asked the actor why he took 18 seasons to finally come on the show.

A promo was shared by the channel on Instagram with the caption, “Computer ji, lock this fun conversation and legendary moment”.

In the promo, Amitabh was seen asking Sunny, “Sunny, I want to ask you something. This is the 18th season. What were you doing for so long? Why didn't you join us?”

To which Sunny said, “I was very scared of the show. I had to think”.

Bollywood star Aamir Khan replied, “Sir, I have been here 6-7 times”.

To which Sunny said, “He doesn't think, I do”.

Aamir and Sunny were seen on the show promoting their upcoming film ‘Batwara 1947’. With Sunny in the lead, the drama also features Shabana Azmi, Preity G Zinta, Ali Fazal, and Abhimanyu Singh in key roles, along with others.

Kaun Banega Crorepati is the official Hindi adaptation of the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? franchise. It is presented by actor Amitabh Bachchan, who has hosted the show for its entire run except for its third season, during which Shah Rukh Khan, another actor, replaced Big B.

--IANS

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