ShowBiz

Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Shraddha Kapoor, on Tuesday, gave a glimpse of her fun side as she hinted at “work mode” with a playful social media post saying “attendance lagao.”

Taking to Instagram, the ‘Stree 2’ actress shared her candid photos and wrote, “Office wale attendance lagao.” In the images, Shraddha could be seen smiling while posing for the camera. Dressed casually in a purple top and blue trousers, the actress struck happy poses. In one of the images, she is seen sitting on a couch with coffee in one hand, while her pet sits on her lap.

Shraddha Kapoor often shares photos and glimpses from her personal and professional life on social media.

On the professional front, the 39-year-old actress will next be seen in the lead role of the biopic based on the life of renowned Marathi folk artist Vithabai Narayangaonkar, titled “Eetha.” The makers have announced on social media that the film will release on August 28.

The upcoming movie also stars Randeep Hooda and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub in key roles. “Eetha” tells the story of legendary Maharashtrian Tamasha and Lavani artist Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar. It will capture her remarkable journey from the 1940s to the 1990s. The film showcases how she rose to prominence while also portraying the challenges and hardships she encountered throughout her life.

It is scheduled to release alongside Siddharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia’s “Vvan.” Shraddha’s upcoming projects also include the third installment of her popular “Stree” franchise.

Shraddha Kapoor was last seen in “Stree 2,” which turned out to be a massive blockbuster. The film also starred Rajkummar Rao, Abhishek Banerjee, and Pankaj Tripathi. It also featured a special cameo by Akshay Kumar.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Veteran filmmaker Ramesh Sippy has lauded actress and politician Hema Malini for her professionalism as she clocked more than 60 years in cinema.

Hema Malini is set to be honoured through ‘The Dream Girl’s Diamond Jubilee Concert’, an event organized in collaboration with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). The event will be held on July 10 at Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion, Mumbai.

A press conference regarding the event was held at The Millennium Club, Mumbai. Ramesh Sippy, who made films like ‘Andaz’, ‘Sholay’, and ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’ with Hema Malini, singer Anup Jalota, FWICE President B.N. Tiwari, Advisor Ashok Pandit, General Secretary Ashok Dubey, Treasurer Gangeshwar Lal Shrivastava ‘Sanju’, actress Vijayta Pandit, singer Shabbir Kumar, RJ Anirudh Chawla, actress Kiran Juneja, and others shared their memorable experiences related to Hema Malini.

Looking back at the actress’ journey of over 6 decades in cinema, Ramesh Sippy told IANS, “It's a very good journey. She has taken different forms, she has played different roles. And, she has played all of them in a very good way. And, I think there are very few people like her. There may not be someone who can claim as much as she has done”.

When asked about the powerful roles that he wrote for the actress, and the way she portrayed them, the director credited the actress for her ‘charisma’.

He said, “Why not say that she has been so good, that she has gone ahead of the roles that were offered to her. So, there must be an actor and an actress, who can show their charisma. She has done a great job”.

At the ceremony, it was announced that this will not just be a concert, but a memorable glimpse into Hema Malini’s six-decade-long film journey. Actress Padmini Kolhapure, music composer Annu Malik, singers Kavita Krishnamurthy, Purnima, Sudesh Bhosle, Suresh Wadkar, actress Vijayta Pandit, Anup Jalota, Shabbir Kumar, and others will also perform at the event.

He also spoke about her political career, as he said, “She always wants to do something good. She was doing for her films, She was doing for the film industry. And, now, she is doing for the common people”.

Meanwhile, talking about the event, Hema Malini herself will share anecdotes from her life and career during the event. The audience will also get to hear popular songs from her films and stories from people who closely witnessed and experienced the golden era of Indian cinema.

In a video message, Hema Malini spoke about the concert, FWICE, and the lakhs of workers associated with it. The actress said that for the first time, she will share her 60-year journey in films and music with her fans. She mentioned that she and Dharmendra have always received immense love from audiences, cinema workers, co-artists, producers, directors, writers, lyricists, and musicians, including FWICE and its President B.N. Tiwari, and that this show is an opportunity to express gratitude to them.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Actress Smita Bansal is all set to commence a new chapter in her career with her OTT debut in the upcoming series "The Pyramid Scheme," in which she will be seen essaying the role of Pramila Singh.

Touted to be a comedy-drama, the show talks about ordinary people getting caught up in the world of multi-level marketing and pyramid schemes. The series delves into topics such as ambition, rapid success, and the decisions people make in the pursuit of their dreams.

Revealing what attracted her to the project, Smita shared, “What drew me to 'The Pyramid Scheme' was the opportunity to be part of a TVF project. I have watched and admired a lot of TVF’s work over the years because of the way they craft relatable, engaging stories that connect with audiences across generations. I had always hoped to collaborate with them someday, so when this opportunity came along, it was very special for me.”

The 'Balika Vadhu' actress shared that she was also intrigued by the story of "The Pyramid Scheme".

She said, “At the same time, the story itself was something that immediately caught my attention. It explores themes that are extremely relevant today: ambition, the desire for quick success, and the choices people make in pursuit of it. The character, the writing, and the overall vision of the show felt fresh and exciting."

Smita added that as actors, they are always looking for projects that allow them to step outside their comfort zones, and the character of Pramila in "The Pyramid Scheme" gave her the opportunity to do just that.

Created by Shreyansh Pandey and backed by The Viral Fever, "The Pyramid Scheme" has been made under the direction of Ashish R Shukla and Shreyansh Pandey.

Premiered on June 5, the series is available to stream on Prime Video.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra shared a heartwarming glimpse of her perfect birthday celebration, which she enjoyed with her family by her side.

On Tuesday, she posted a video from the special day on Instagram. The clip shows Shilpa cutting the cake with her husband Raj Kundra, while her kids sing the birthday song for her. The doting mom also eats the cake and receives a special gift that leaves her surprised.

Alongside the sweet video, the ‘Dhadkan’ actress wrote, “Just the perfect Birthday, with my loved ones. Thankyouuuuuu for all your good wishes and blessings. Heart is filled with soooo much love Heartfelt gratitude.”

Yesterday, Shilpa had posted a funny, quirky video of herself in which she was seen sitting on her lap and smiling. The ‘Hungama 2’ actress captioned the post, “Birthday or no, growing up was never part of the plan.”

On her 51st birthday, Shilpa Shetty was showered with heartfelt wishes from her husband Raj Kundra, her sister Shamita Shetty, and other close friends and family on social media. Raj Kundra marked the occasion by sharing a special video montage where he expressed his admiration for the actress and highlighted the qualities she brings into his life.

He captioned the post, “A different Birthday post this year … Not about celebrations or moments. But about what you truly mean and stand for in my life. Strength when life gets difficult. Grace when emotions overflow. Faith when everything feels uncertain. And light even in the darkest phases. You have always carried the energy of a Devi nurturing, protecting, forgiving and fiercely strong all at once Happy Birthday my love. May Maa bless you with everything your heart deserves @theshilpashetty.”

Extending her greetings, Shamita Shetty wrote, “Happy Birthday my darling Munki. My forever blessing. For me you've always been the blueprint for strength and grace, inspiring me in so many ways. Thank you for being my sister, my guiding light. Can't imagine my life without you. Love you to infinity.”

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Actor Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor has clarified that he has not taken a break from acting and is actively working on a new film.

Responding to a fan’s query on X, he shared that he has been deeply involved in the project for the past few years, which he is also producing. Harsh also explained that his films often take longer due to their unique and unconventional nature. He added that his upcoming project is shaping up to be his most special work yet. Tagging the actor, the fan shared a poster of Harsh’s film ‘Bhavesh Joshi’ and tweeted, “@HarshKapoor_ I’ve been wondering why you’ve stepped back from acting. You’re genuinely a talented actor even if the films didn’t become big blockbusters, your performances were widely praised. Why stop now? Keep hustling, bhai. And if you ever need a role model, you don’t have.”

In his reply, Anil Kapoor’s son said, “I haven’t stepped back at all been working on a new one since the day thar released it took 5 years to get thar made .. it took many years for vikram to make bhavesh and its taken me 2-3 years now to finish this film ok working on which I finish filming on June 30 th.. I’m also producing it .. I guess people are used to actors doing multiple films a year .. if you want films like bhavesh and thar and Ak vs Ak/ Ray it’s not gonna happen once or twice a year that’s just the reality .. but thank you and the new film is the best one yet 100 percent its extremely unique.”

For the unversed, Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor began his acting career with the romantic drama “Mirzya,” which released in 2016. He then appeared in action-oriented films, including “Bhavesh Joshi Superhero” and “Thar.” He also appeared in one of the episodes of the Netflix anthology series “Ray.”

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) The war of words between television stars Shilpa Shinde and Hina Khan appears far from over.

In a latest video shared on social media, Shilpa was seen taking an indirect dig at Hina's recent statements and lengthy social media notes against her.

She was seen urging the actress to instead use her influence to support educator Khan Sir amid the controversy surrounding him.

Beginning the video with a sarcastic reference to her own English-speaking abilities and Hina’s long English notes, Shilpa said she preferred speaking directly rather than posting long messages online.

"Hi guys, main Shilpa Shinde hoon aur main phir se wapas aa gayi hoon. Haan, meri English itni achhi nahi hai. Waise bhi itni achhi English ka kya fayda, mujhe nahi pata. Sorry. Mujhe itni lambi-lambi English mein likh kar post karna nahi aata. Isse behtar hai ki main saamne aa jaaun."

(Hi guys, I am Shilpa Shinde and I am back once again. Yes, my English isn't very good. Anyway, I don't know what the use of such great English is. Sorry. I don't know how to write long posts in English. It's better that I come forward and speak directly)

The actress then shifted focus to Khan Sir and appealed to Hina to stand up for him instead of targeting her.

Shilpa said, "Main yeh kehne aayi hoon ki mujhe insaaf milne ke baad bhi chalega. Jo log mujhe saza dilwana chahte hain aur jo producer se insaaf maang rahe hain, unse main kehna chahti hoon ki free mein kuch kharch nahi hoga. Ab waqt aa gaya hai ki sahi insaan ke liye lada jaaye. Khan Sir ke liye."

(I want to say that I can wait for justice for myself. To those who want me punished and those seeking justice from the producer, I want to say that it won't cost anything to speak up. The time has come to fight for the right person — Khan Sir)

Backing Khan Sir, Shilpa further added that his work and contribution had earned him the support of people across the country.

"Aaiye, main bhi aapke saath hoon. Pehle unhe insaaf dilaaiye, uske baad mujhe saza dijiye. Unhe mera salaam. Unka kaam hi aisa hai ki uspar koi sawaal nahi uthta. Puri duniya unke saath khadi hai. Main bhi unke saath hoon. Aap bhi unke saath khade ho jaiye."

(Come forward, I am with you too. First get justice for him and then punish me if you want. My salutations to him. His work speaks for itself and cannot be questioned. The whole world is standing with him. I am standing with him too. You should stand with him as well)

Continuing her appeal, the actress urged Hina to raise her voice for Khan Sir, claiming that her support could bring greater attention to the issue.

"Aap bolenge toh kitna asar padega. Saara media aapko cover karega. Hai na? Aaiye, aaiye. Aur mere liye jo do shabd bole gaye hain, chahe woh toote-phoote hi kyon na ho, iss baar aap unke liye zaroor boliyega. Aaiye. Mujhe pata hai aap unke liye insaaf ki maang zaroor karengi. Aur iss baar main bhi aapke saath hoon. Uske baad aap mujhe saza de dena. Main aisi nahi hoon. Aaiye."

(If you speak up, it will make a difference. The entire media will cover it, right? Come forward. And for the few words that were spoken against me, however broken they may have been, this time please speak for him. I know you will definitely appeal for justice for him. This time I am with you too. After that, you can punish me if you want. I am not that kind of person. Come forward)

The latest video of Shilpa, comes a few days after Hina Khan urged her followers not to indulge in trolling or personal attacks while supporting her.

Talking about the latest remarks come amid the controversy surrounding educator Khan Sir, who has found himself at the centre of a political and legal storm following a violent incident outside his coaching institute in Patna.

Recently, an FIR was registered in connection with a firing and vandalism case near the institute, with Khan Sir's name also figuring in the investigation.

Khan Sir has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that rival coaching centres were behind the attack.

–IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) The reality show ‘Lock Upp’ is returning with its 2nd season. The makers of the show took to social media to announce the new season through a special activity mirroring the theme and the vibe of the show with cryptic sightings of masked prisoners across cities, and social media buzzing with theories.

The show is set to drop on June 27. The host for the show and the contestants will be revealed later. The show has been made by Ektaa Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms in association with Netflix, and is returning to the fore after 4 years.

The first season of the show was hosted by Kangana Ranaut and saw Munawar Faruqui emerging as the winner. However, things have changed quite a lot in the past 4 years, Kangana has graduated to a Member of Parliament after she won on a BJP ticket from the Mandi parliamentary constituency in Himachal Pradesh during Lok Sabha 2024 elections. Munawar went on to win ‘Bigg Boss 17’.

The show earlier streamed on ALTT, the platform which came under intense regulatory scrutiny in India for hosting content that authorities described as obscene, vulgar, and sexually explicit. In July 2025, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ordered the blocking of ALTT along with 24 other OTT platforms, citing alleged violations of the Information Technology Act, IT Rules 2021, and laws related to the indecent representation of women. Internet service providers were directed to disable access to the platforms.

Government officials stated that the action followed warnings, consultations with multiple ministries, and complaints from child- and women-protection bodies. The ban became one of the largest crackdowns on adult-oriented streaming services in India and sparked debate over content regulation, censorship, and creative freedom in the digital entertainment industry.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Comedian and television host Bharti Singh shared a hilarious anecdote about her admiration for Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit, revealing why she often avoids getting clicked with the superstar despite working closely with her on the dance reality show 'Dance Deewane'.

Speaking on her podcast during a special episode featuring Madhuri Dixit, Triptii Dimri and Dharna Durga as part of the promotions of 'Maa Behen', Bharti spilled the beans on why she conciously chooses not to get clicked by with Madhuri Dixit besides her in the same frame.

Bharti said, " Main Dance Deewane mein jab hum shoot karte the na, toh screen par dekhti rehti thi ki Madhuri ma'am kahaan hain. Kyunki agar main unke saath photo khinchwane chali gayi toh meri photo kaun click karega? Aur mujhe bahut sharm aati hai jab ek insaan photo khinchwa raha ho aur doosra aankhen band karke khada ho. Main sochti thi ki nahi yaar, main Madhuri ma'am ke saath photo khinchwane nahi jaaungi. Woh bhi nahi aayengi. Sach bolun toh mere dil mein yeh baat thi."

(During the shoots of Dance Deewane, I would keep looking at the monitor wondering where Madhuri Ma'am was. Because if I went to get a picture clicked with her in front of the paparazzi, who would even click my picture? And I feel very awkward when one person is posing for a photograph while the other is standing there with their eyes closed. So I used to think, no, I won't go and ask Madhuri ma'am for a picture. She probably wouldn't come either. Honestly, that is what I felt in my heart)

Haarsh further added, " Jab humne pehli baar Madhuri ma'am ke saath Dance Deewane kiya tha, tab Bharti kehti thi ki Madhuri Ma'am bilkul apnon jaisi hai. Aur main kehti thi ki woh bahut typical hain. Kyunki mujhe lagta tha heroine aisi hi hoti hai. Aap log mera joke nahi samjhoge ya phir der se samjhoge.” Bharti added, “Main aur Harsh hamesha kehte hain ki yeh hamara humour hai. Main Harsh se kehti hoon ki mera humour aisa hai ki sab log nahi samjhenge, lekin jo samajhte hain na, unmein se ek Madhuri ma'am bhi hain."

(When we first worked together on Dance Deewane, she used to say that Bharti feels like family. And I used to say that she is very typical, because I thought heroines are supposed to be like that either they won't understand my joke. You will understand it much later)

(Bharti added, Harsh and I often say that this is our kind of humour. I tell Harsh that not everyone understands my humour, but among those who do, Madhuri ma'am is one of them)

Both Bharti and Madhuri along with Haarsh have professionally worked on the dance reality show Dance Deewane.

Meanwhile, talking about Madhuri Dixit, the actress has been receiving appreciation for her role in 'Maa Behen'.

–IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Popular television faces Nia Sharma and Deepika Singh brought out their inner Madhuri Dixit in their vanity van as they grooved to the iconic 1990s number “Choli Ke Peeche”.

Deepika in a collaborative post with Nia on Instagram is seen dancing on the number dressed in red and blue saree respectively.

The caption mentioned: “POV: She’s @niasharma90 ‘Lakho divane’ outside, ‘meri pasand jaisa’ nowhere to be found So we chose violence... and this song Manifesting your pasand jaisa aashiq next, Nia.”

The song “Choli Ke Peeche”, which is picturised on Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri, is from the 1993 film “Khal Nayak”. The song is sung by Ila Arun and Alka Yagnik.

Khal Nayak released in 1993 and was directed by Subhash Ghai. The film also stars Anupam Kher, Rakhee Gulzar and Jackie Shroff in. It plot follows two police officers, Ram and Ganga, as they attempt to apprehend escaped criminal Ballu.

Talking about Deepika, she made her television debut with Diya Aur Baati Hum, where she played IPS Sandhya Kothari Rathi opposite Anas Rashid. It proved to be a breakthrough in her career.

Following a break, Deepika returned to television in 2019. She played dual roles of Sandhya Patwardhan Jindal and Sakshi Patwardhan Salgaonkar opposite Namik Paul and Vin Rana, in Kavach... Mahashivrati. She also played an advocate in the web series Halala. In 2022, the actress made her film debut with Titu Ambani opposite Tushar Pandey.

She was then seen in ‘Mangal Lakshmi,” an official adaptation of Kannada TV series “Bhagyalakshmi,” also stars Sanika Amit, Naman Shaw and Shubham Dipta. Directed by Faheim Ahmad, the daily soap airs every Monday to Friday on Colors.

The basic crux of the story follows the character of Mangal, who embarks on a quest to find her sister Lakshmi’s a perfect match. However, love and trials test their sisterhood, unveiling destiny's power.

Meanwhile, Nia is known for her roles in ‘Behenein’, 'Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai’.‘Meri Durga’, ‘Kaali - Ek Agnipariksha’. In 2020, she participated in ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi: Made in India’ and emerged as the winner. Nia has also worked in web series like ‘Twisted’, and ‘Jamai 2.0’.

The actress is also back on the sets of the new edition of “Laughter Chefs Fun Unlimited.”

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 9 (IANS) Actress Rakul Preet Singh enjoyed a food-filled outing in New York with her husband Jackky Bhagnani.

The couple explored some of the city’s popular eateries together. Sharing glimpses from their trip, Rakul gave a look at their relaxed time spent trying different cuisines and enjoying the vibrant food scene of the city. Taking to Instagram, the ‘De De Pyaar De 2’ actress posted a series of photos and videos in which she is seen enjoying pizza, croissants, and other delicious snacks.

Alongside the post, Rakul wrote, “A little bit of New York, a lot of good food, and the best kind of company.”

For the unversed, Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani got married on February 21, 2024, in a grand beachfront celebration at ITC Grand Goa in India. The couple hosted a star-studded wedding ceremony featuring two different traditions—an Anand Karaj ceremony held in the morning, followed by a Sindhi wedding ritual in the evening.

Professionally, the actress will next be seen in “Indian 3,” directed by S. Shankar. The film, which is a continuation of the iconic 1996 release Indian, also stars Kamal Haasan.

Meanwhile, Rakul Preet Singh recently spoke about online criticism, trolling, and the impact of social media on actors. In an exclusive interaction with IANS, the actress shared that it is important for actors to distance themselves from constant online chatter and not let it affect their work. “I think when you are newer and when you just start out, you get affected. Luckily, when I started out, social media wasn't so prominent. This is only the last five years, and I think people have started having an opinion only through the pandemic. I think the last five, six years, when there was a lot of time and social media was around.”

“So, I feel that ultimately as an actor, you have to shut that noise and you have to distance yourself from the chatter. And just put your blinders on and work, and then disconnect. Because if you start getting affected by what everyone is saying on social media, then you will be a disaster,” concluded Rakul.

--IANS

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