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Mumbai, May 8 (IANS) After hilariously getting caught red-handed sleeping on the sets of his latest film ‘The Sheep Detectives,' Hollywood star Hugh Jackman jokingly asked a question if he was "napping or meditating" to cover up his funny crime.

A relaxed Jackman shared a behind-the-scenes video of himself on Instagram, where he was seen asleep between shots on a chair on the film set.

The actor jokingly questioned in the caption section: “Meditating or napping??? Between shots on location filming @thesheepdetectives #george #BTS @workingtitlefilms.”

“The Sheep Detectives,” which is directed by Kyle Balda, is based on the 2005 novel Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann.

Jackman stars alongside Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau, and Emma Thompson.

Actors who have lent their voices include Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O'Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, and Brett Goldstein.

As per the synopsis, the film revolves around a shepherd named George Hardy, who loves to read murder mysteries to his sheep. He never suspected that they could understand him.

When George is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the sheep decide to solve the crime themselves, even if it means leaving their meadow for the first time and facing the fact that the human world isn't as simple as it appears in books.

Talking about the 57-year-old star, Jackman’s breakthrough role was Wolverine, which he played across the X-Men film franchise and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe from X-Men to Deadpool & Wolverine.

He has been feted with a Primetime Emmy Award, a Grammy Award and two Tony Awards, along with nominations for an Academy Award and a British Academy Film Award.

In a journey spanning over 27 years, he has worked in a variety of genres in cinema.

His filmography boasts of romantic comedies such as Kate & Leopold, action-horror Van Helsing, drama films such as The Prestige, period romance Australia, the science fiction film Real Steel, the musical Les Misérables, thrillers such as Prisoners, the musical The Greatest Showman, the political drama The Front Runner and the crime drama Bad Education to name a few.

--IANS

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Mumbai, May 8 (IANS) Bollywood fashionista Sonam Kapoor is celebrating a decade of togetherness with her husband Anand Ahuja and said that ten years later, she loves him more gently, intentionally, and completely than she knew was possible when they “first began”.

The actress shared a video montage featuring all the memorable moments with her then beau and now husband, Anand. The clip also covered their journey from their dating days, to getting married and having children.

She wrote in the caption section on Instagram: “A decade with you. Eight years married Three cities. Three homes. Two beautiful boys. Countless dreams built from scratch. So many risks taken, lessons learnt, businesses created, failures survived, victories celebrated and moments where we held each other a little tighter through the uncertainty of it all.”

Sonam added: “And somehow, through every version of life we’ve lived together, one thing has only become more certain…my love, respect and compassion for you have only grown deeper.”

She revealed that Anand is still the first person she wants to speak to in the morning and the last person she wants beside her at night.

“The calm in my chaos. The person who makes me feel safest, strongest and most myself. Ten years later, I love you more gently, more intentionally and more completely than I knew was possible when we first began.”

Sonam concluded: “Thank you for building this life with me. For the laughter, the friendship, the resilience, the family and the kind of love that evolves instead of fades. There’s nobody else I’d rather do this life with. Happy anniversary my love. #everydayphenomenal.”

Sonam married Anand in 2018. In 2022, they welcomed their first son, Vayu. The couple became parents to their second son in 2026.

On the acting front, the actress was last seen in the film Blind in 2023. The crime thriller was directed by Shome Makhija. It also stars Purab Kohli, Vinay Pathak and Lillete Dubey in supporting roles. Blind, a remake of the 2011 Korean film of the same name, centres around a blind police officer in search of a serial killer.

--IANS

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Mumbai, May 8 (IANS) Actor Ronit Bose Roy penned a romantic note for his wife Neelam and said that she is his life’s “main focus”.

He shared a picture of himself and his wife. In the image, Ronit and his wife sharing a warm. The actor is seen embracing his wife, who appears to be blurry and reacting shyly with her head tilted down.

“Photo main bhale tu out off focus ho, meri life ka tu main focus hai (“Even if you’re out of focus in the photo, you’re the main focus of my life)! Photo credit @agasthyaboseroy,” he wrote as the caption on Instagram.

It was in December 2003, when Ronit married actress and model Neelam Singh, with whom he has a daughter Aador and a son Agastya. He was previously married to a woman named Joanna Mumtaz Khan.

Talking about the 60-year-old actor, Ronit shot to fame for playing Mihir Virani in the show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Rishabh Bajaj in Kasautii Zindagii Kay.

He made his debut in the industry in 1992 with Jaan Tere Naam, which also stars Farheen. The actor was then seen in Bomb Blast in 1993 alongside Aditya Pancholi and Kishori Shahane.

Ronit gained stardom after he showcased his prowess in the 2010 film “Udaan,” which brought him back into the screens with films such as That Girl in Yellow Boots, Student of the Year, Midnight's Children, Shootout at Wadala and Ugly.

It was in 2013, when he was seen in a negative role in Akshay Kumar’s Boss and then seen in Arjun Kapoor-Alia Bhatt’s “2 States’. The actor has also worked in films such as Kaabil, Jai Lava Kusa, Sarkar, Machine, Lucknow Central, Loveyatri, Liger and Gumraah.

The actor was last seen on the big screen in Kajol’s “Maa,” a spinoff to the 2024 film Shaitaan, being set in the same universe.

--IANS

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Mumbai, May 8 (IANS) Bollywood actor Harshvardhan Rane revealed that he is training in the middle of nowhere while shooting for an action sequence for his upcoming film Force 3 and used Newton's Second Law of Motion as a reference while working out for an intense scene.

Harshvardhan shared a reel video of himself doing some heavy lifting for his back, shoulders, and biceps.

He starts with a band workout for his triceps and then moves to a bench workout for his muscular back, and ends the exercise with a set of shoulder shrugs.

Taking to the caption section, the 42-year-old actor revealed that he could not travel to Mumbai for training as it would take over five hours, and hence he requested his trainer to train him “in the middle of nowhere.”

Using Newton's Second Law of Motion, the actor used it as a fitness reference while training for intense sequences in Force 3.

He wrote: “F = m x a I couldnt come to mumbai as the travel time both ways is above 5 hours per day, so requested @rohityson_ sir to train me in the middle of no where while we shoot for action sequence for #FORCE3.”

The actor, who made his debut in cinema in 2016 with Sanam Teri Kasam, on May 7 shared a glimpse into his routine and spoke about getting “Vit D from Sunlight, Vit B from Breakfast, and Vit F from Force 3”.

Sharing a video from the shoot location, the actor could be seen sitting outside his caravan, soaking up the sun while enjoying a hearty breakfast.

“Vit D from Sunlight, Vit B from Breakfast, Vit F from Force3 #Action #Force3,” he wrote as the caption.

It was last month, when the makers of “Force 3” announced that the film had been locked for a May 19, 2027, release. It also stars John Abraham and Tanya Maniktala.

The makers also shared that the three stars are deep into the shoot for the first schedule of the third installment of “Force”.

“Force” first released in 2011. The action thriller film was directed by Nishikant Kamat. It was a remake of 2003 Tamil film Kaakha Kaakha. The film stars John Abraham, Genelia D'Souza, Vidyut Jammwal, Raj Babbar, Mukesh Rishi and Mohnish Bahl.

Force 2 was released in 2016. It featured John alongside Tahir Raj Bhasin, and Sonakshi Sinha.

--IANS

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Mumbai, May 8 (IANS) Kritika Kamra is a “fashion enthusiast” and says she has always dressed up for herself. The actress added that the approval she enjoys the most is from her girlfriends or women in general.

Speaking about navigating the tension between dressing for yourself and dressing for the gaze that comes with being in the public eye, Kritika told IANS: “This is something I realized very early on in life, that I enjoy dressing up. I do it for myself.”

“It makes a difference to my day, to my confidence.”

Kritika went to a design school in New Delhi to study Fashion Communication, which she says has helped her “really understand fashion differently.”

“I'm excited about how my clothes are made or, you know, I know what it takes to make a certain textile or what kind of work goes into the making of anything I wear. So, I’m usually really curious about that.”

Kritika says she is aware of what’s happening in the fashion world in terms of “trends.”

She added: “Because I’m a fashion enthusiast. But I have always dressed up for myself. And if anything, I think the approval I enjoy most is the approval of my girlfriends or women in general, because we look at fashion in a very different way, and we have that eye for detail.”

“I’ve never dressed to please anybody,” the actress said.

She added: “But if there is any feedback I enjoy, it is definitely from the women in my life. And, of course, I get to work with very talented people, incredible designers and stylists, so my job gives me that privilege.”

“I’m really inspired by their work, but when I put a look together, I think it’s more instinctive. It is definitely inspired by other people’s work, and it is, most of the time, about working with these beautiful clothes that have come especially for me. So that’s something that I’m really grateful for.”

Kritika says she is “very much involved” in the process of putting her look together with her team.

She concluded: “I am very instinctive about it because I do enjoy this a lot.”

--IANS

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Mumbai, May 8 (IANS) Actor Harsh Chhaya believes Indian television underwent a massive transformation after the arrival of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.

He further stated that there has been a clear distinction between the kind of content that was being made before 2000 and what followed after the iconic family drama which changed the landscape of Indian TV.

In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Harsh reflected on the changing content and receptiveness of television in the context of storytelling.

He said, “There is a very distinct change in what was happening before 2000 and what started happening after the first episode of ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’. There is a clear difference between the two.”

Elaborating on his observations, recalling a recently watched sequence on a popular TV show, Harsh said how he was left dumbfounded by the whole idea and look of the particular scene.

The actor said, “By chance, I was watching a scene from a daily soap while scrolling, and I saw family members standing in a balcony, worried about something, while the hero and heroine were hanging from a kite flying in the air. The heroine was scared she might fall or die, and the hero was trying to hold on with one hand. And you could clearly see the aluminium support holding them. So what more do I say?”

He further recalled another scene he had been offered. “I was playing a doctor. Someone falls sick, I bring him home, everyone is panicking, and suddenly I put my hand on his stomach, open his eyes and say, ‘He has taken a drug.’ Then I open my bag, take out an antidote and give it to him. I was thinking, how do I know what drug he took? Why am I carrying its antidote with me? How did I figure out the drug just by opening his eyes and without any tests”

Expressing frustration over the creative process today, Harsh added, “Earlier, if you had doubts about a scene, you could speak to the director and make changes. Today, there’s someone on set whose only job is to finish 22 minutes of content. You ask questions, and the answer is always, ‘Sir, we don’t have time.’”

Despite his criticism, the veteran star maintained his love for the medium. “Having said that, for a matter of fact, I love television. Whatever identity I have today, it has come through television,” he said.

For the uninitiated, Harsh, with a career spanning over three decades, has been part of acclaimed shows like Hasratein, Tara, and Koshish – Ek Aashaa, and continues to be appreciated for his work across television, films, and OTT.

He was recently seen in the OTT show Undekhi for which he received great reviews.

The show also starred Varun Badola, Gautam Rode.

–IANS

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Mumbai, May 8 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Sunny Deol showered love on his actor-brother Bobby Deol, whom he lovingly called “Lord Bobby” for his work in the upcoming film “Bandar”, while nephew Karan joined in the admiration club as he said, “Bobby chacha, you look phenomenal.”

Sunny took to Instagram, where he shared the teaser of “Bandar”, which was unveiled on Thursday, and wrote: “Loooking sooo gooood my Lord Bobby (sic).”

Responding to his brother in the comment section, Bobby replied with a string of heart emojis.

Bobby’s nephew and Sunny’s son Karan Deol too shared the teaser on his Instagram and wrote: “Woah!! So looking forward to #Bandar. Bobby chacha you look phenomenal.”

Talking about the teaser, Bobby is seen in a retro avatar bringing back the disco era as he’s seen grooving to a reimagined version of the popular 1970s track ‘Come On Baby, Dil Kisko Dogi’.

Penned by Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, who have also written Paatal Lok, Kohra, and Udta Punjab, the film also stars Sanya Malhotra, Raj B Shetty, Sapna Pabbi, Saba Azad, Riddhi Sen, Jitendra Joshi, Indrajeet, and Nagesh Bhonsle.

“Bandar” marks Bobby’s return to the silver screen as a solo lead hero after 17 years. He was last seen in Ba***ds of Bollywood. The movie is set to release in cinemas worldwide on June 5.

The actor also has Alpha, an action thriller directed by Shiv Rawail, in the pipeline. The film also stars Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Anil Kapoor, and R. Madhavan. The film has been described as the first female-led film and also the seventh installment in the YRF Spy Universe.

He will also be seen in Jana Nayagan, a political action thriller film, starring TVK Chief Vijay. The upcoming film also stars Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain, and Priyamani.

--IANS

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Chennai, May 8 (IANS) Director M R Bharathi, who is best known for having directed 'Azhiyadha Kolangal 2', has now disclosed that his upcoming film, 'Cycle Gap', will be a musical triangle love story in which music will form the emotional bridge between the characters.

Giving out more details, Bharathi said, “Music has always had the power to express emotions that words cannot.'Cycle Gap' is a relationship drama where music becomes the emotional bridge between the characters. We wanted the film to feel contemporary in presentation while retaining the soul of classic musical romances.”

For the unaware, M R Bharathi has consistently explored emotionally layered narratives through his films. His critically appreciated 'Azhiyadha Kolangal 2' earned recognition for its mature emotional storytelling, while his recent outing 'Dream Girl' drew attention for its unconventional exploration of love, dreams, and memory.

Continuing his artistic journey, Bharathi now presents 'Cycle Gap', a youthful romantic musical designed to resonate with today’s generation through emotionally driven storytelling and a strong musical backbone.

Talking about the film, the film's producer and lead actor Nawaz said, “As someone passionate about cinema, I have always admired how musical love stories stay with audiences for years. 'Cycle Gap' has been designed with that emotional intent. Bharathi sir’s storytelling carries realism, poetry, and strong emotional depth. Through Tube Light Productions, we wanted to create a film that feels youthful, visually fresh, and musically memorable.”

Produced by Tube Light Productions, 'Cycle Gap' will feature Nawaz and newcomer Sherry Agarwal in the lead. The film will also feature Prabhu Shasta in a pivotal role, shaping the film’s layered romantic narrative.

The film features music composed by debutant Sathish Padmanabhan, with vocals by Naresh Iyer, Srinisha Jayaseelan, and Kaushik Shridharan, positioning it as a strong music-led cinematic experience. The project is spearheaded by Executive Producer Suja Suriya Nila, with cinematography by Solomon Boaz DS, editing by Saravana Edayagnanam, and dialogues by Hemanth Selvaraj.

--IANS

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4 Stars (****)

The film revolves around Kapil, who is navigating an arranged marriage setup when he meets Sadia Khateeb, his prospective match. Just when things begin to settle into a traditional roka, the situation takes an unexpected turn, Sadia’s daadi announces her own decision to get married, completely shifting the emotional and social dynamics of the family.

The story moves to Shimla, where the daadi (Neetu Kapoor) lives alone. Her two sons and daughter rush to Shimla after reading online about her decision to remarry at this age, especially as her phone is switched off, leaving them worried and unable to reach her.

Caught in the middle of this chaos is Kapil, who is deeply in love with Sadia Khateeb. Even after his own roka is called off under the belief that his union cannot continue if the daadi is remarrying, he chooses to stay connected to Sadia. He eventually joins the family’s chaotic mission, though with a very different intent: to stop the daadi’s wedding and salvage his own love story in the process.

What unfolds is a mix of emotional clashes, comedic misunderstandings, and generational conflict, eventually building towards a surprisingly heartfelt resolution that touches upon family, acceptance, and letting go.

Performances:

Neetu Kapoor is the undeniable anchor of the film, delivering a graceful yet fearless performance as the daadi. She brings warmth, dignity, and emotional unpredictability, making her character both endearing and impactful.

Kapil Sharma balances humour and emotion with ease. His performance feels natural, especially as his character transitions from a hopeful groom to someone emotionally entangled in a much larger family conflict.

Sadia Khateeb lends quiet strength to her role, portraying confusion, affection, and emotional restraint with sincerity. She remains the emotional bridge between the chaotic family dynamics.

The supporting cast, playing the daadi’s children, effectively drives the central conflict, bringing in frustration, humour, and generational resistance that fuels the narrative.

Direction and Writing:

The film stands out for its emotional clarity and grounded storytelling, leaning into relatable family dynamics and human reactions. The writing is on point and effective, allowing situations to unfold naturally rather than forcefully.

Ashish R Mohan’s direction is confident and patient, often letting silence, reactions, and awkward family exchanges carry as much weight as dialogue. This gives the film its authenticity and emotional depth.

Music and Visuals:

The music complements the narrative without overwhelming it, subtly enhancing emotional and light-hearted moments. Visually, the film maintains a warm, accessible tone, making the world feel familiar and lived-in.

Verdict:

A heartfelt, well-crafted family entertainer that blends generational conflict, humour, and emotion into a cohesive experience. It works because of its sincerity and its ability to find humour within emotional chaos.

Final Word:

Warm, chaotic, and deeply human, this is family cinema done right.

Mumbai, May 8 (IANS) Actor Babil Khan, who has resumed shooting and is amid a demanding schedule for his upcoming project, revealed that he turns to music between work as it’s his way of spending time with himself.

Babil has been juggling long hours on the set and spends his downtime in his vanity van with his guitar, making the most of quiet moments between shots.

“Whenever I get some time in between work, I naturally gravitate towards music. Playing the guitar and singing has always been something I genuinely enjoy, it’s fun, calming, and just my way of spending time with myself,” said the son of the late acclaimed star Irrfan Khan.

In March, the actor commenced shooting for his next in Bhopal. He had also posted a video from his vanity van and mentioned, “Back to the grind, time to make you proud again.”

A source close to the development had then shared, “Babil has been excited to be back on set. Acting is something that grounds him, and being in front of the camera again feels very natural to him. The message shared is from the sets of his next project, which he just began shooting for in Bhopal”.

He was also training in the martial art form Muay Thai.

A source close to IANS had then shared that Babil took various classes to learn the MMA form that originates in Thailand.

Speaking of Babil, the 27-year-old started as a camera assistant on the Bollywood film Qarib Qarib Single. In 2022, he made his acting debut with Anvita Dutt's psychological drama Qala alongside Triptii Dimri.

In 2023, he was seen playing Juhi Chawla's son Siddharth Menon in Friday Night Plan. He was then seen in the web series The Railway Men, a story on Bhopal Gas Tragedy, alongside Divyendu Sharma, Kay Kay Menon and R. Madhavan.

In May 2025, Babil deleted his Instagram profile, after he shared a video (later deleted) in which he appeared visibly upset and in tears.

--IANS

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