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Mumbai, August 11 (IANS) Composer-singer Salim Merchant celebrated 30 years of friendship with fellow musicians Sonu Nigam and Shaan.

The actor shared a picture that captures the camaraderie they have maintained over three decades along with other musician friends.

Salim shared a picture in a joint social media post with his brother and musical collaborator Sulaiman Merchant. The picture features many familiar faces from the music fraternity, including Salim Merchant, Sulaiman Merchant, Sonu Nigam and Shaan, along with other musicians and industry friends.

The picture shows the group posing together indoors, with smiles and laughter capturing the easy camaraderie between the musicians. Salim's post was accompanied by a nostalgic caption celebrating three decades of friendship.

Salim write, “30 years of friendship. Through every high, every low, every laugh and every crazy moment... we’re still here, still together, still laughing like we’re 25. Here’s to three decades of friendship and to all the stories we’re yet to write. #30YearsOfFriendship #FriendsForLife #OldFriendsNewMemories”

For the uninitiated, Salim and Sulaiman Merchant have worked together on the music of more than 100 films, with their credits including ‘Chak De! India’, ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’, ‘Kurbaan’, ‘Fashion’, ‘Aaja Nachle’ and ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’.

Their collaborations with Sonu Nigam have produced many popular songs like‘Ishq Hua’ from ‘Aaja Nachle’, ‘Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte’ from ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’, ‘Shukran Allah’ from ‘Kurbaan’, ‘Rab Rakha’ from ‘Love Breakups Zindagi’ and ‘Kulfi’ from ‘102 Not Out’ amongst many more.

With Shaan, Salim-Sulaiman's best-known collaboration includes ‘Hey Shona’ from ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum’, which also featured Sunidhi Chauhan amongst others.

---IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 11 (IANS) Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who is gearing up to welcome her first child with husband Raj Nidimoru, talked about the power of manifestation in her latest post on social media.

Posting a glimpse of her diary on her official Instagram handle, Samantha wrote that she practises writing details of the life she wishes to live in the future, and then watches them come true with hardwork and dedication.

Samantha went on to confess that at times, she has ended up writing things that were too big for her to even imagine.

The 'Yashoda' actress shared a note on social media that went, "Day 484 of a 1000 day promise I made to myself. There is something powerful about writing down a life that doesn’t exist yet. Some of the things on my list were so big, I almost felt stupid writing them down.

I wrote them anyway. And now I can look back and see how many of those impossible things became my life. (sic)."

Samantha further added that it is not enough to simply write down one's aspirations but also to constantly keep working towards them.

"Give the dream a timeline.
Drown the noise.
Put your head down.
Do the work. And keep going long after the excitement of the dream has worn off", she went on add.

The 'Majili' actress further shared that "the best part about keeping these pages is being able to go back to the beginning."

She added that by revisiting these pages, one can meet the version of themself who wished for something so badly but still did not allow themselves to believe that they can have it. However, they are later filled with joy as they realize that they were finally able to achieve what they wanted.

"Believe bigger than what your life looks like today.

Believe.
Believe.
Believe. Especially when it looks foolish to everyone else," concluded the post.

--IANS

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Mumbai, August 11 (IANS) Actor Ayushmann Khurrana seems to have traded the glitz and glamour of Bollywood for the raw and natural beauty of Africa during his adventurous safari at Masai Mara.

The actor gave fans a glimpse of his “wild” and “filmy” getaway in Kenya’s iconic Masai Mara.

Taking to his social media account, Ayushmann shared a series of pictures and videos from his safari, and offered a glimpse into his close encounters with the wilderness.

In the opening picture, the actor can be seen posing beside a safari vehicle against a clear blue sky, sporting sunglasses and a rugged safari look.

“A little wild. A little filmy. #Africa #Mara,” he captioned the post.

The actor gave the wild moments captured during the safari a hilarious Bollywood twist and made every moment relatable to iconic Bollywood songs.

The video dump takes viewers deeper into the Masai Mara landscape, with videos of giraffes roaming across the grasslands, a lioness resting amid the bushes and another lioness chasing a zebra to hunt it down, but in vain.

For every wildlife moment, Ayushmann dedicated it a Bollywood song. For the resting lioness, he was heard singing “Sherni Baaga Ma Bole” instead of “Morni Baaga Ma”.

For the giraffe video, he sung "Beedi Jailaile" and tweaked it into, 'Kitni Sardi Hai Kisika “Giraffe” Liyelie.'

Talking about Ayushmann Khurrana’s career front, he made his Bollywood debut with Vicky Donor in 2012 and went on to establish himself with his unconventional choice of subjects.

He went on to headline films such as Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Andhadhun, Badhaai Ho, Article 15, Dream Girl, Bala and Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, among others.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 11 (IANS) Actress Vedika Pinto, who shared screen space with Vikrant Massey in ‘Musafir Café’, has opened up about her experience of working with the actor.

Recalling their time on the project, Vedika admitted that working with someone she admired could initially feel intimidating, but Vikrant made her feel comfortable and safe on set. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Vedika said she was impressed by both his acting skills and his personality.

She shared, “Vikrant is a wonderful human being and an exceptional actor. I learned so much from him. When you work with someone you admire, it can be intimidating, but he made me feel completely comfortable and safe. He gave me a lot of confidence, and I will always be grateful for that.”

She also mentioned that ‘Musafir Café’ has been the most validating experience of her career. “Musafir Cafe has given me the most validation and appreciation from the audience. Since it is a romantic story, I think people naturally connect with romantic characters, and the response has been overwhelming.”

Speaking about her decision to be a part of ‘Musafir Café,' Vedika Pinto stated, “The biggest reason was that I wanted to do a love story. More importantly, I fell in love with Sudha's character and her confidence. There are many qualities in Sudha that I wish I had in my own life, and that is what attracted me to the role.”

"Sudha doesn't overthink. She follows her instincts and is very confident about whatever she wants to do in the moment. While playing her, I tried to think like Sudha and trust my instincts rather than overanalyzing every situation,” she added.

‘Musafir Café’ features Vikrant Massey, Vedika Pinto, and Mahima Makwana in key roles, along with Adil Hussain, Rajeev Siddhartha, Anubha Fatehpuria, Loveleen Mishra and Sadia Siddiqui. Created and written by Sharanya Rajgopal and directed by Ruchir Arun, the series is based on Divya Prakash Dubey’s popular novel of the same name. ‘Musafir Café’ premiered on Netflix on July 24.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 11 (IANS) Actress Pashmina Roshan, who was last seen in ‘Ishq Vishk Rebound’, has shared glimpses from the shooting of her yet-to-be-titled film in which she stars opposite action star Tiger Shroff.

On Tuesday, the actress took to her Instagram, and shared a series of pictures from the sets of the film. In the pictures, she can be seen posing in front of her make-up chair, indulging in some delicious food and drinks, preserving her notes, and her work routine thereby building anticipation around the project.

Alongside candid moments from her makeup room, she also shared a photograph of her script, hinting at the intense preparation underway for the film. The images provide a rare look at the actress's life behind the camera as she immerses herself in what is being touted as a major action entertainer.

She wrote in the caption, "Nothing beats days spent on a film set, this one feels extra special”.

What makes the film interesting is that Tiger considers Pashmina's first cousin Hrithik Roshan as his idol. The film has already generated significant buzz due to the fresh pairing of Pashmina Roshan and Tiger Shroff. Known for his high-octane action spectacles and impressive screen presence, Tiger's collaboration with Pashmina is being keenly awaited by audiences.

The untitled action-thriller is directed by Remo D'Souza. The film officially went on floors on August 1, 2026, in Mumbai and marks a shift into the action genre for Pashmina.

With an intriguing script, an action-packed backdrop, and a promising new on-screen pairing, Pashmina Roshan's upcoming film is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated projects on the horizon. As filming progresses, these behind-the-scenes glimpses have only heightened curiosity about the project, leaving fans eagerly awaiting more updates and a first look at the much-anticipated entertainer.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 11 (IANS) Ahead of the release of Yash starrer 'Toxic', actress Rukmini Vasanth has already started working on her next project.

On Tuesday, Rukmini took to her official Instagram handle and posted a picture of herself with the clapboard for her forthcoming untitled Mollywood drama, named 'NP51' for now.

She will be seen sharing screen space with Malayalam star Nivin Pauly in the film backed by acclaimed filmmaker-producer Martin Prakkat, best known for 'Charlie' and 'Nayattu'.

Expressing her excitement for her new cinematic journey, Rukmini wrote on the photo-sharing app, "And so it begins (white heart emoji) #NP51. There's something very special about finding yourself in a place you've admired from afar for so long. To now be a small part of it feels like a very special first for me. So grateful for this one (Raising hands emoji) (sic)."

Nashid, who was one of the writers of 'Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey', is directing 'NP51'.

Actress Anupama Parameswaran reacted to Rukmini's post with the comment, "Yayyyyy", along with a fire emoji.

In the meantime, Rukmini is also waiting for the release of 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups', in which she will be starring alongside Yash, Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, and Huma Qureshi.

The recently released trailer of 'Toxic' has added to the buzz for the already hyped drama. It gives a peek into the complex relationship between Raya and his son Ticket (Both roles played by Yash). These two are also surrounded by a web of relationships and rivalries.

Made under the direction of Geetu Mohandas, 'Toxic' has been jointly produced by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations

After being pushed several times, 'Toxic' is finally expected to get a theatrical release on 26 August this year.

Rukmini's promising lineup further includes 'Dragon', alongside Jr NTR. The action thriller has been made under the direction of Prashanth Neel.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 11 (IANS) Singer Falguni Pathak is all set to return with Navratri Utsav 2026, and for her, the festival holds a much deeper meaning than just music and celebrations.

Speaking about the upcoming festivities, the singer shared that Navratri is an emotion that brings people together through music, devotion and celebration. Pathak also expressed her excitement about performing at the Jio World Convention Centre this year, saying the venue will allow audiences to celebrate on a much grander scale.

Talking about the Navratri Utsav, Falguni Pathak said, "Navratri has always been more than a festival for me, it is an emotion that brings people together through music, devotion and celebration. Every year, it is incredibly special to see generations come together to sing, dance and create memories that last a lifetime.”

“I am truly blessed and excited to return for Navratri Utsav 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre, a venue that allows us to celebrate on an even grander scale, without interruptions. There is nothing quite like sharing these nine nights with thousands of people who come together for the same joy, energy and tradition. I can't wait to celebrate with everyone once again.”

Navratri Utsav 2026 is set to return to Mumbai as one of the city’s biggest Navratri celebrations. Organized by TribeVibe Entertainment and Alphonso Studios, the nine-day event will take place from October 11 to 19, 2026, at the Jio World Convention Centre. Garba icon Falguni Pathak will perform live every night during the celebrations.

Shoven Shah, Founder & CEO, TribeVibe Entertainment, added, “Navratri Utsav was envisioned as an experience that honours the essence of India's most loved festival while elevating it through world class production and execution. Together with Alphonso Studios, we are proud to bring back an event that has become a landmark celebration for audiences across generations. With Falguni Pathak performing live across all nine nights in a premium indoor setting, Navratri Utsav 2026 will once again deliver an experience unlike any other.”

Vaibhav Kanabar and Saumitra Bhatkhalkar, Co-Founders, West Avenue Realty, Title Sponsors for the Navratri Utsav 2026 stated, “Falguni Pathak’s Navratri Utsav is an iconic celebration that transcends generations and is deeply rooted in the spirit of Mumbai. For us, this association is a natural extension of our belief in creating experiences that become a part of people’s lives.”

An exclusive pre-sale for people who attended last year’s Navratri Utsav will begin on August 12, at 12 noon IST. Tickets will then be available for everyone from August 13, at 1 PM exclusively on BookMyShow.

--IANS

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Mumbai, August 11 (IANS) Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has hit back at veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah amid the ongoing debate over Bollywood's response to the student protests.

The actress cum politician called Shah a “lomdi” and alleging that he “eats” the country's roti but “fights” for the neighbouring country.

Kangana shared a news report on her social media account featuring actor Piyush Mishra's recent remarks about Shah and his earlier “dog with a bone” comment. She accompanied it with a strongly worded message defending her own position and questioning Shah's commitment to India.

In her post, Kangana wrote, “Sach toh yeh hai har koi kisi na kisi ka kutta hai, lekin mujhe iss baat ka garv hai ki main jis ghar (desh) ki roti khati hoon uski rakhwali karti hoon/ uske liye ladti hoon, Nasir Saab khaate toh iss desh ka hain lekin ladte padose desh keliye hain.

(The truth is, everyone is someone’s dog, but I am proud that I guard and fight for the home (country) whose bread I eat. Nasir Saab eats the bread of this country, but fights for the neighbouring country)

She added, "P.s In today’s time it’s a compliment for humans to be called dog because loyalty and cuteness is so rare I rather be a dog than a lomdi like Nasiruddin.”

The latest attack from Kangana stems from a comment made by Shah while discussing the silence of many prominent Bollywood personalities on the student protests.

Naseeruddin Shah had earlier spoken on why A-list celebrities had not spoken publicly about the demonstrations.

He had said, “They’ll do it when their conscience tells them to. There’s a saying: a dog with a bone in its mouth can’t bark. As soon as the bone drops out of their mouth, or it breaks their teeth, then they will bark.”

His remark was subsequently brought up by Piyush Mishra while speaking in support of students protesting in Ranchi over issues concerning the Jharkhand Public Service Commission.

The actor had questioned which “dogs” with “bones in their mouths” were silent over the JPSC protests, with a clear reference to Shah's earlier analogy.

Kangana had earlier unboxed a box of worms after her repeated criticism of sections of the Gen Z-led student movement.

She had particularly objected to videos from the protests in which some protestors allegedly used abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She subsequently sparked another controversy by referring to a section of youth as “Gutter chap.”

–IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 11 (IANS) Television actress Nia Sharma took to social media to reveal a glimpse of her Sawan ritual.

The ‘Naagin’ actress shared that she plans to visit a temple on all four Mondays of Shravan, following her mother’s advice. Sharing her Sawan ritual, Nia wrote, “Happy Sawan ki Shivratri Om namah shivaaya! Mummy ne bola hai sharavan ke 4 somvaar mandir jaana hai…… to janaaa hai.”

In the images, the actress could be seen holding a puja thali and performing aarti. She also followed the tradition of whispering her wish into Nandi’s ears. Some of the images showed her performing puja for the Shiva Parivaar. Known for her bold fashion choices, Nia opted for elegant traditional outfits during her temple visits. In one of the images, she was seen wearing a pink suit, while another featured her in a vibrant yellow and red ensemble.

Nia Sharma has often given a glimpse of her spiritual side through her social media posts. The actress is known to celebrate festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali and Navratri with enthusiasm and has frequently shared moments from these celebrations with her followers.

On the work front, Nia was last seen in the comedy reality show ‘Laughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment.’ She rose to fame with shows such as ‘Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai’ and ‘Jamai Raja’ and later headlined popular shows including ‘Naagin 4,' ‘Ishq Mein Marjawan,' and ‘Suhagan Chudail.'

Apart from fiction, Nia has also participated in several reality shows, including ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ and ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10.’

Recently, Nia Sharma bid an emotional farewell to ‘Laughter Chefs 3.' Reflecting on her journey on the show, the actress described it as a place where she “reached without a brain” and laughed the most in the last two years.

Nia wrote, “As the final episode of laughter chef airs tonight.., I’ll remember it as The place where i reached without a brain and laughed the most in the last 2 years and left a peace of my heart. Also a better cook now shall move on in life with the sweetest memories and a tear or two at times when I miss everyone… Goodbyeeeeee.”(sic)

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 11 (IANS) Actor Mukesh Rishi has contradicted CINTAA’s (Cine & TV Artistes’ Association) claims of no mass resignations happening within the body.

On Tuesday, the actor spoke with IANS, and said that the thing did eventually go south in the association as members felt they were not heard, and their concerns weren’t addressed.

He told IANS, “Gradually, everyone started feeling that we were not on the same page. There was a lack of willpower, and whatever was happening within the committee was creating a sense that things were not moving in the right direction. Initially, everyone felt that whoever wanted to contribute could do so. All actors, irrespective of their financial background, could come forward and participate. If you reached the committee, you could contribute. It was rather simple”.

He further mentioned, “But as time passed, naturally, tensions started developing. I would say that the situation became complicated, and several things were happening that did not seem right. For instance, if someone was removed from a particular post, another person was left without a position. These kinds of situations were taking place, and gradually, everyone began questioning whether we should continue coming to the committee or whether it would be better to step away”.

Earlier, alleged mass resignations of 11 members of the body was widely reported. Out of these 8 were elected Executive Committee members.

“Eventually, everyone felt that it would be better if we came together and were on the same page. That was the message and understanding among us. So, we all met, discussed the situation and signed the resignation. We also gave the reasons behind our decision, which was something everyone wanted to communicate”, he added.

--IANS

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