ShowBiz

Mumbai, June 10 (IANS) The director of the upcoming drama, "Baby Do Die Do", Nachiket Samant, shed light on his decision to make the actress Huma Qureshi's character mute and deaf.

Shedding light on Huma's role as Baby Karmarkar, director Nachiket revealed that the film came into existence with a simple thought. "We were just riffing one day- has there ever been a Hindi film about a professional female assassin? We couldn't think of one. That gap was instantly exciting, so we went after that character, and the world kind of built itself around her," the filmmaker shared.

He added that Mumbai became an integral part of the story, with its crowds shaping assassin Baby's unique way of operating.

"She kills and disappears into the crowd. That's what's so unique about her- it's as much about the escape as it is about the kill," explained Nachiket.

Talking about making Baby a mute and deaf contract killer, Nachiket said the larger-than-life concept came naturally, but making the character feel believable depended on Huma's performance.

"All the rootedness, Huma brought. It's one thing to write a fantastic character- you still need a solid actor to bring it to life," he added.

The director also revealed that removing dialogue from the character became an interesting creative challenge. "Huma's a fully tayyar actor, but this time, suddenly taking away her dialogues seemed like the perfect challenge. It forced her somewhere I hadn't seen her go, and she rose to it completely," he added.

Headlined by Huma Qureshi, "Baby Do Die Do" also stars Sikander Kher, Chunky Pandey, Seema Pahwa, Rachit Singh, and Marudhar Shekhawat in pivotal roles, along with others.

Backed by Saqib Saleem under his banner Saleem Siblings in collaboration with Pune 04 Films, "Baby Do Die Do" is expected to reach the audience on 3rd July this year.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 10 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan's sister Sunaina Roshan in a video, has revealed how crash dieting left her battling tuberculosis meningitis; says it could have led to paralysis or coma.

She opened up about one of the most difficult phases of her life, revealing how crash diet obsession in 2001 sabotaged her immunity and ultimately led to a life-threatening health crisis.

In a video shared on her social media account, as part of her ongoing health journey series, Sunaina recalled the terrifying aftermath of the crash diet and how her family feared the worst after she was diagnosed with tuberculosis meningitis.

Sharing her experience, Sunaina said, "In Part 1, I shared how crash dieting led me to the hospital. What happened next could have changed my life forever. For two to three days, I had no awareness. My family was told by Dr. Udwadia that it could lead to paralysis, loss of eyesight, or even a coma. They didn't know what would happen next."

She further revealed how deeply the situation affected her loved ones.

"My brother even spent the night at a temple praying for me to get well. The doctor said the first sign of recovery would be that I would ask for food, and after days, that's exactly what I did. That one moment changed everything for my family."

Recalling her long road to recovery, Sunaina said, "I was in the hospital for a month after being diagnosed with tuberculosis meningitis. Then I was stuck at home for four more months to avoid a relapse. Heavy medication, all because my immunity had crashed. And the reason? Crash dieting."

She concluded with a message for her followers, saying, "That's when I realized no goal is worth risking your life. Always choose nourishment over shortcuts. If this made you think twice, share it with someone who needs to hear this."

Alongside the video, Sunaina captioned the post as, "In 2001, a crash diet led me down a path I never imagined. What followed was one of the most crucial chapters of my life and a lesson I'll never forget. It completely changed the way I think about health, nourishment and the shortcuts we're often tempted to take. Choose nourishment. Choose patience. If this story made you think twice, share it with someone who needs to hear it."

Earlier, while introducing the series, Sunaina had revealed that what started as a leg injury left her bedridden and pushed her towards crash dieting.

The post received emotional responses from her parents. Her mother Pinkie Roshan wrote, "Reliving your story after 25 years is overwhelming for me. I remember how you fought it so strongly mentally and physically... Dr. Farokh Udwadia finally after three weeks said you're out of danger now, but you have a long journey ahead for full recovery. God bless you my daughter for your courage and will to fight and survive."

Veteran filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, also her father, praised his daughter's courage, commenting, "Sharing your experience is giving strength to many."

Responding to her parents, Sunaina thanked both of them for their unwavering support and love throughout her recovery journey.

–IANS

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Mumbai, June 10 (IANS) Actress Malti Chahar, who was seen sharing a great rapport with Pranit More during her stay in the 'Bigg Boss 19' house, so much so that the two were even romantically linked at one point, has now called out the ₹370 biryani remark on the comedian's recent show.

She pointed out in her latest post on Wednesday that it is due to this attitude that women nowadays feel discouraged about getting married.

Taking to her X (Formerly known as Twitter) handle, Malti said that it is sad to learn that some people still believe that a woman's consent is not more valuable than a plate of biryani.

For those who do not know, a video from Pranit's recent show sparked massive outrage on social media as the 23-year-old Himanshu Jangra said that he went on a date with a woman where he paid ₹370 for a plate of chicken biryani, and therefore deserved a “return” on his investment.

His problematic statement has led to a new debate about consent and why women need to be financially independent.

In the post, Malti also talked about the backlash surrounding "Peddi" for the hypersexualisation of the leading lady Janhvi Kapoor.

“₹370 biryani and Peddi… make you realize why many women are hesitant about marriage, why we value our independence, and why we choose to split the bill. Some women are even financially supporting men entirely (sic),” Malti's post read.

“Yet, we continue to be objectified, and a woman's consent is apparently worth no more than a plate of biryani. After generations of fighting for equality, dignity, and respect, it's disheartening that we're still confronting the same underlying mindset," she went on to add.

Malti further advised all the mothers and future mothers, "Please teach your sons to respect women and understand the importance of consent."

"And to the audience - it's easy to dismiss something as "just a joke" or "just a film," but media shapes culture, and women often face the real-life consequences of what gets normalized on screen," she added.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 10 (IANS) Actor Jim Sarbh, who is receiving a lot of positive response to his recently released OTT series ‘Made In India: A Titan Story’, has compared the storytelling of the show with a time machine.

The actor, who essays the role of Xerxes Desai in the show, spoke with IANS during the promotions of the show in Mumbai. During the conversation, the actor said the show has an immense nostalgic vibe, and immediately teleports the viewers to an era gone by.

Sharing his experience of working with his co-actors on the series, he told IANS, “Vaibhav Tatwawadi has a different approach to acting. We're very different kinds of actors. And that's how we were as friends in the show. So then art was imitating life, and life was imitating art, and then the two were feeding each other. And the feeding of each other just kept making things grow and grow and grow. And so I loved it”.

He further mentioned, “Aditya, who shot it, has done a superb job. It has also been edited superbly. I love all the use of the old Hindi music. It creates this nostalgic vibe and feel that's just so nice. It just puts you in that time immediately. So I think everybody has worked with such honesty and love to make the project come out that I hope it resonates with people”, he added.

The show also stars Naseeruddin Shah, Lakshvir Saran, and Kaveri Seth. The series resonates with the spirit of the Make in India initiative, which aims to transform India into a global design and manufacturing hub.

The show documents the vision of J.R.D. Tata and Xerxes Desai, the men who built Titan, the brand that redefined India’s presence on the global stage.

‘Made in India – A Titan Story’ is available to stream on Amazon MX Player.

--IANS

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Chennai, June 10 (IANS) Popular director S S Rajamouli, actor Siddharth and well known producer Boney Kapoor were among those who paid glowing tributes to legendary Tamil fim director Bharathiraja, who passed away in the city early on Wednesday due to age-related ailments. He was 84.

Taking to his X timeline to pay tribute, S S Rajamouli said, "Bharathiraja garu was a true pioneer who revolutionized cinema with his raw and uncompromising storytelling. Those unforgettable rural narratives, that fearless vision and the authenticity he brought to the screen will live on forever. It was an honour to witness and celebrate his extraordinary body of work and legacy. Om Shanti."

Producer Boney Kapoor, for his part, said, "Deeply saddened by the passing of legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja, a visionary who transformed Indian cinema with his authentic portrayal of rural life, powerful storytelling, and unforgettable characters. Beginning with '16 Vayathinile', his groundbreaking films not only redefined Tamil cinema but also inspired generations of filmmakers and artists, leaving behind an extraordinary cinematic legacy."

Boney Kapoor further added, " His contribution to cinema will remain timeless, and his stories will continue to live in the hearts of audiences across the world. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and countless admirers during this difficult time. #Bharathirajaa."

Actor Siddharth took to his Instagram page to pen a tribute. He wrote, "Our Teacher has left us. Bharathiraja Sir is one of the main reasons I wanted to become a film-maker. He had countless students like me who saw their first cinema dreams because of him."

Siddharth went on to say, "He gave Cinema some of it's greatest Actors, Technicians and Storytellers. The world he showed us had never been seen in that unique way anywhere before him. His characters, his conflicts, his beauty, music, culture and his unparalleled storytelling shaped the Tamil Cinema we proudly represent today. Thank you for the gift that is your art, greatest Bharathiraja Sir. Our Guru. Our "Aasaan", Our Teacher...has left us. There will never be another like him. It is the end of one of the most defining Eras of all time. Rest in Cinema Bharathiraja Ayya."

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 10 (IANS) TV actress Surbhi Chandna recently got emotional as she marked the completion of Season 1 of “Ishk Dum Aur Idli Rasam.”

The actress took to Instagram to celebrate the journey of the show, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the entire team and collaborators who contributed to its success. Surbhi posted a couple of photos and videos from the wrap-up party and penned a lengthy note where he appreciated Ekta Kapoor’s creative vision, which focuses on stories that emotionally connect with audiences. She wrote, “When Balaji Telefilms & Feel Good Studios Came together to Make a Feel Good Show Ishk Dum Aur Idli Rasam ! Celebrating season one wrap of IDIR Thankyou for the crazy love for the show and the Cast @ektarkapoor Ekta Mam, thank you for believing in us and for giving IDIR a home under the Balaji family.”

“Your vision has always been about backing stories that connect with people, and we’re so grateful that Ishk Dum Aur Idli Rasam found a place in that vision. What has made this journey even more special is the love and encouragement you’ve personally shown towards the show.”

The note further read, “You couldn’t be with us at the celebration, but your presence was felt throughout the evening. We missed you Here’s celebrating Ishk Dum Aur Idli Rasam and the incredible woman whose faith continue to inspire us all @nitinburman A special thank you to You Nitin , the man who gave us Ishk Dum Aur Idli Rasam in the first place. Thank you for trusting us when it was just an idea, and for standing by us every step of the way. Through every high, every challenge, every moment of doubt and every reason to celebrate, you’ve been a constant source of support.”

“@mohammed_nagaman Mohammed, you are family. Thank you for always showing up, whether it was for the show, the talents , or one of my endless crisis calls. You’ve been my constant, my problem solver, and quite honestly, an angel in disguise. Thankyou to the entire team at @balajitelefilmslimited Kudos to the team effort @feelgoodstudiosofficial.”

On a related note, “Ishk Dum Aur Idli Rasam” also featured Abhishek Kumar and Shiny Doshi. It premiered on 11 May on the Balaji Telefilms YouTube channel.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 10 (IANS) Shah Rukh Khan turned cheerleader for actress Alia Bhatt after witnessing the powerful teaser of her upcoming spy thriller, "Alpha".

On Wednesday, SRK took to his social media handle and praised Alia for constantly pushing her limits as an actor and improving her skill set.

"Well done Alia, in years from breaking hearts and now to breaking bones your skill set keeps expanding (sic)", he wrote on the Stories section of his official Instagram handle.

Sending Alia best wishes for "Alpha", King Khan further went on to write, "May Alpha win hearts and still leave some villains standing for the sequel. Go get them Sigma girl!"

Praising Bobby Deol for once again charming his way into the audience's heart with his charisma, he concluded, saying, "Lord Bobby....you are so good when you are bad!!! Big hug. And all the best to Shiv and his team."

Refreshing your memory, Shah Rukh and Alia shared the screen in the 2016 drama, "Dear Zindagi".

Coming back to "Alpha", the preview opens with Alia's character celebrating her 18th birthday with her father, played by Bobby Deol.

However, the light-hearted celebration soon takes a serious turn as Bobby's character discloses that all the rigorous training her daughter underwent was not merely preparation for adulthood but for her very first mission on her 18th birthday.

We also see Alia getting into hand-to-hand combat, kicking down opponents, throwing punches, and executing daring action moves with remarkable intensity.

Bobby's character further shares a powerful philosophy about the world being divided into "wolves and sheep". He is heard telling his daughter that a wolf's daughter can only be a wolf.

The father later introduces his now adult daughter to the secretive "Alpha" programme, described as a mission to train India's next generation of elite soldiers.

Towards the end of the teaser, Bobby's character declares Alia's character as "our only Alpha.”

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 10 (IANS) Social media influencer and actor Elvish Yadav, who is seen sporting a turban for the song ‘Sadi Sun’, said that when he saw himself in the mirror for the first time, he was very happy.

One of the biggest highlights of the video is Elvish Yadav’s never-before-seen Sardar avatar. The popular star will be seen in a completely new look, adding a fresh dimension to the romantic track.

Elvish said in a statement, “When I saw myself in the mirror in this look for the first time, I was very happy. It’s a completely different avatar for me, and I hope the audience enjoys seeing me in this character. I am thankful to Anshul sir for this opportunity and excited for everyone to watch the video.”

Simrat Randhawa, who stars opposite Elvish in the music video, shared, “Sadi Sun is such a sweet and heartwarming song. Loved to be a part of it.”

Sung, written, and composed by Harsh Nussi alongside Deep Klair, Sadi Sun first found success through its audio on social media.

Singer-composer Harsh Nussi added that the response to the audio has been overwhelming and truly special.

“We created Sadi Sun with a lot of love, and seeing listeners embrace it has been incredibly rewarding. I am grateful to Anshul sir for believing in the song, and I hope the audience showers the video with the same love.”

Produced by Anshul Garg under Play DMF, the full video was unveiled on June 10.

Elvish gained recognition on YouTube, through his comedy skits, vlogs, and social commentary. He was then seen on “Bigg Boss OTT 2” and was named as the winner of the Salman Khan-hosted show. He was the first wild card contestant to lift the trophy.

In 2024, Yadav captained the Haryanvi Hunters team in the celebrity Entertainers Cricket League (ECL) T10 tournament. Under his leadership, Haryanvi Hunters dominated the league stage and reached the final, which was played against the Lucknow Lions.

He appeared in reality shows such as MTV Roadies XX: Double Cross as a gang leader and Laughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 10 (IANS) Actress Alaya F has shared her latest fitness milestone after successfully unlocking a challenging hollowback headstand.

Taking to Instagram, she showcased her progress in yoga and flexibility training. In the caption, she expressed excitement and gratitude for her consistent practice and balance journey. Sharing her video, Alaya wrote, “The balance Gods have been very kind to me lately! Hollowback headstand unlocked, babyyyyy!.” In the clip, the Jawaani Jaaneman actress is seen performing a hollowback headstand, showcasing her flexibility and control.

Interestingly, Alaya is an advocate of yoga and often shares videos from her yoga sessions on social media, giving a glimpse into her fitness routine and dedication to flexibility and mindfulness.

On the work front, Alaya F made her acting debut in 2020 with the comedy “Jawaani Jaaneman,” which featured Saif Ali Khan and Tabu in key roles. Looking back at her debut, Alaya had earlier described the film as a deeply special project in her career, noting that it was unforgettable not just because it marked her first film, but also due to the strong character, supportive cast, director, and overall filming experience.

She also appeared in “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan," where she shared screen space with Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Up next, Alaya F will be seen in “Storm,” a high-octane thriller series set in Mumbai. Produced by Hrithik Roshan, the series also stars Parvathy Thiruvothu, Srishti Shrivastava, Rrama Sharma, and Saba Azad.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 10 (IANS) Television superstar Ankita Lokhande shared an adorable birthday wish for her close friend and fellow television star Tejasswi Prakash.

Giving fans a glimpse into their strong bond, Ankita took to her social media account, and posted a collage of memorable moments featuring the two actresses.

She wrote, "Love you @tejasswiprakash Tu mazi ahes" (You are mine) along with heart, kiss and evil eye emoticons.

The collage posted by Ankita featured many of their candid pictures together from the sets of Celebrity Laughter Chef.

One frame captures the duo sharing a joyful hug, while another shows them enjoying a light-hearted moment during an event.

The girls, both hailing from Maharashtrian backgrounds, are offten seen having a ball of a time on the sets of Celebrity Laughter Chefs and chit chat in their mother tongue, Marathi leaving others hilariously confused.

Their behind-the-scenes banter, candid interactions and fun moments with the crew are seen often going viral on social media.

Ankita, who has been part of the entertainment industry for over 15 years, rose to nationwide fame with her debut television show ‘Pavitra Rishta’, where she played the iconic character Archana. Over the years, she has also appeared in reality shows and films, including ‘Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi’ and ‘Baaghi 3.’

Talking about Tejasswi Prakash, the actress has spent over a decade in the television industry. She rose to fame with her show Swaragini, where her portrayal of Ragini became a household favourite. Her popularity soared further after winning Bigg Boss 15.

Recently, Tejasswi also grabbed attention for her appearance on Netflix's reality series 'Desi Bling'.

She is currently in a relationship with actor Karan Kundrra, while Ankita is married to businessman Vicky Jain.

–IANS

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