Bollywood veteran Zeenat Aman has always been progressive, both in style and thoughts, and her movies back in her hit era spoke volumes of the same. The actress recently took to her social media account to share a video clip from her superhit movie Dostana, which also starred Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha. In the video shared by Zeenat Aman, she shared a scene that reflected the patriarchal mindset and condescending attitude of men back in the 70s era. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zeenat Aman (@thezeenataman) The sequence from the movie shows her character, Sheetal, walking along a beach in beachwear when she gets harassed by a man. A fearless Sheetal drags the offender straight to the police station, where Inspector Vijay, essayed by Amitabh Bachchan, takes the man into custody. What follows next is sure to raise eyebrows of the current generation. Vijay is further seen questioning Sheetal about her ‘revealing’ beach outfit and asks her to reflect on her choice of clothing. He rebukes her by saying that in the past, women preferred wearing more clothes, whereas the newer generation wears less, something he struggles to understand. Sheetal firmly stands her ground and asks what exactly was wrong with her attire, and states that her choice of clothes is completely her freedom, trying to put Vijay back in his place. To this, Vijay is heard saying that it was his “duty” to suggest, and the rest depends on her. In the classiest way, Zeenat, after about 45 years of the movie’s release, took to social media to reflect deeply on the patriarchal mindset casually shown in the movie. She wrote, “Every now and then I’ll find myself flipping through clips from my old movies, in search of something to share with you. Today I found one from Great Gambler, one from Don, and then the algorithm offered me this. A scene so ripe for social commentary that it sent me into a spin!” “When one is young, one thinks the moralities of the time are set in granite. Absolute and unyielding; at best to be chipped at by one’s own impotent acts of rebellion. Then the years turn, and one day you look up from your screen and think “wow, everything changed”. Okay, perhaps not everything. The moral police is no doubt as vigilant as ever today, but the narrative has certainly progressed,” she added. “If you’re a woman who watched this clip, let me make a few guesses – you were infuriated by the eve-teasing and resonated with Sheetal’s discomfort and anger, having probably experienced such a thing firsthand. You loved that she dragged her harasser to the police station, a triumph you probably never felt… And then you were incensed by our hero, Inspector Vijay’s, condescending opinion and tone! Am I right?” asked Zeenat. She added, “Well that opinion and tone were par for the course back in the day. The patronising attitude to women who defied convention, the barely veiled “you’re asking for it” gaze and that superior air! She added, “Oh, I am glad you’re annoyed. That’s what’s changed. Back in the day your average woman would think Vijay to be a mighty upstanding gentleman because Sheetal deserved a reprimand just as much as her harasser. But the young woman I showed it to earlier today? She sneered at the poor Inspector and said, “What a loser.” I had a good laugh at that.” The actress mentioned that she has become more realistic. “Now I myself have graduated to being more of a realist. I absolutely support the right of women (all people, actually) to wear what they please, while also understanding that the world doesn’t operate on my ideals and that some outfits are more suitable for one place than another. Is that archaic of me?” Aman wrote. She added, “Perhaps, but be patient. My every hair has turned silver, and the truth is that the new social codes and lingo are as confusing to me as those ones were stifling. I would love your comments on this. Especially if you’re better informed than me!” For the uninitiated, Dostana was released in the year 1980 and was a superhit. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 December,2025 10:39 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActress Divya Khossla Kumar has been vocal about her journey, struggles, and the negativity that exists in the industry. She recently shared her conversation with Mukesh Bhatt over the Jigra comment controversy. Now, she took to her social media and indulged in an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session, where she called Bollywood a place filled with crocodiles. She even addressed divorce rumours with Bhushan Kumar. Divya Khossla calls Bollywood a place filled with crocodiles One user asked, “How do you maintain your mental health amidst all the toxicity in Bollywood, pressure to look a certain way always, and many such things? You always seem very positive and childlike innocent to me.” In response, Divya said, “I myself feel that Bollywood is a place where there are crocodiles all around, and you feel like you are navigating your way through it.” Divya added, "I think the most important thing is to remain true to your own self. I will never sell my soul to get work. Hota hai toh theek hai, nahi hota toh bhi theek hai (If it works then good, if it does not, then also okay), and what's more important is when you reach up, you should have a good slate of karma to carry with you." Divya Khosla addresses divorce rumours Another user asked, "Are you divorced?" Divya replied, "No, but the media really wants that." Divya is married to film and music producer Bhushan Kumar, who is the chairman and managing director of T-Series. Answering if she has gone under the knife or had any surgery done, Divya said, “Nai baba, no surgery.” Another user asked, "Which film did you enjoy working on the most?" She replied, "Savi. The most amazing filming in Britain, in temperatures of around minus 10 degrees, for 42 days straight. But the production was so organised that it set a standard for me to compare my experience on the sets of Savi with all my other films." Most recently, Divya was seen in the thriller comedy Ek Chatur Naar, which also featured Neil Nitin Mukesh. She also addressed her co-star Neil and said, “He is very down to earth and a great co-star. My first meeting with him was at CM’s house at Ganpati last year. He really praised my work in Savi, and I was very thankful to him for that.”
05 December,2025 10:38 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actor Aishwarya Rai recently turned heads with her appearance at the Red Sea Film Festival 2025 in Saudi Arabia. Several videos and photos of the actor are now doing the rounds on the internet. At the festival, the actress opened up about Aaradhya Bachchan’s Cannes moment and admired the inherent strength of women. Apart from this, the actress grabbed eyeballs for her interaction with Materialists actress Dakota Johnson. Aishwarya Rai poses with Dakota Johnson On December 4, a video of Dakota and Aishwarya interacting at the Red Sea Film Festival 2025 surfaced online. The two were seen holding hands and engaging in a sweet conversation on the red carpet. Dakota was heard talking about her India visit in January this year. She told Aishwarya, "We went to Maha Kumbh," and Aishwarya expressed her joy over her visit. In another picture from the event, Aishwarya was seen posing with Dakota, Jessica Alba, and Jomana R. Alrashid. Unexpected Collab Aishwarya Rai X Dakota Johnson #AishwaryaRaiBachchan #DakotaJohnson #RedSeaIFF25 pic.twitter.com/UZyzSTxjv8 — Aishwarya Rai Fan ❤ (@in_aishwarya) December 4, 2025 As soon as the glimpse went viral, fans got ecstatic, calling it an unexpected collab. One comment read, “Unexpected collab.” Another wrote, “Two divas in one frame.” Another commented, “Both are so beautiful.” One more read, “My queens.” Aishwarya Rai on Aaradhya Bachchan’s Cannes moment During one of the interactions, the actress recalled how her daughter Aaradhya has been familiar with the environment of Cannes and enjoys it. Recalling a viral moment, she shared, “It was just one of those incidental days that she walked out with me because she was still holding my hand, and I wouldn't let go, obviously, because she was enjoying it. You keep it real. We continued coming down, and then I was like, uh-oh, now we're already out here, and there she is, and she's like, 'Mama,' and she's twirling. I'm like, okay, and then all these moments go viral, whereas actually it was just mama and daughter having their real moment." She added, "Women by birth are strong. All women are immensely strong. You are shakti, devi; you are the embodiment of strength, beauty, and femininity. Enjoy every aspect of being who you are, and we need to be celebrated every second of our existence. Inherently, women are strong, and they are always striving, figuring out how to tie all that life throws at you—how to embrace it and deal with things. That's who we are in every role of life: as daughters, sisters, mothers, wives." Workwise, the actress last collaborated with Mani Ratnam for Ponniyin Selvan 2.
05 December,2025 09:35 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol were on cloud nine as their iconic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) clocked 30 years of release. They celebrated the milestone by unveiling a new bronze statue in Leicester Square, London. The statue captured their iconic dance pose from the hit song Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna. Kajol, SRK unveil bronze statue in London Braving the cold and rain, the iconic Bollywood duo lit up the unveiling ceremony with radiant smiles, engaging with the press and delighting fans by recreating their legendary DDLJ poses. The bronze statue depicts Shah Rukh and Kajol in a signature pose from the film. They also recreated the pose after unveiling the statue. Hours after the ceremony, SRK took to Instagram and celebrated the moment with his followers in full filmy style. He began the post with his iconic dialogue: “Bade bade deshon mein, aisi chhoti chhoti baatein hoti rehti hain, Senorita! Thrilled to unveil the bronze statue of Raj & Simran at London’s Leicester Square today, celebrating 30 years of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) He also shared a few pictures from the event, where Kajol’s children, Yug and Nysa, were present. Interestingly, the kids wore a black leather jacket and a white suit, reminiscent of the outfits Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan sported in the Tujhe Dekha Toh song from DDLJ. SRK and Kajol were dressed to the nines for the event. The actor looked dapper in a black suit, while Kajol exuded grace in a stunning mint-green saree. The bronze statue becomes the first-ever Indian film to be honoured with a statue in Leicester Square, London. It joins iconic characters from historic films, including Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Paddington, and Singin’ in the Rain, as well as heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman. Kajol and SRK on DDLJ Speaking at the launch, Shah Rukh Khan said, “DDLJ was made with a pure heart. We wanted to tell a love story, how it can bridge barriers, and how the world would be a better place if it had a lot of love in it. I think this is why DDLJ has had a lasting impact for over 30 years now! Personally, DDLJ is part of my identity, and it is humbling to see the film, and Kajol and me, receiving so much love since it was released.” Kajol reflected on what the honour means to her: “It’s incredible to see Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge continue to receive so much love, even 30 years later. Watching the statue being unveiled in London felt like reliving a piece of our history — a story that has truly travelled across generations.” For those unversed, DDLJ tells the story of Raj and Simran, two non-resident Indians who fall in love during a trip across Europe and India, beginning on a train from King’s Cross station. The location couldn’t be more fitting, with Leicester Square featuring in DDLJ in a scene where Raj and Simran first cross paths.
05 December,2025 08:39 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAt ‘We The Women’ event in Mumbai earlier this week, Jaya Bachchan expressed her displeasure with the paparazzi as she said, “Yeh gande gande pant pehen ke, mobile leke [aa jaate hai]… They think that because they have a mobile, they can take your picture, say what they want. The kind of comments they pass!” While the senior actor’s sharp comments were deemed as “elitist” by several industry voices, the issue has now escalated further. Some of Bollywood’s paparazzi agencies are preparing to file a formal complaint with the Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) against the veteran actor’s remarks. They are said to be in discussions before submitting their official complaint. Bachchan’s statements, where she questioned the background and attire of paparazzi, have left many in the community feeling demeaned, with some photo syndicates considering boycotting her. Speaking to mid-day, Manav Manglani, who runs an entertainment photo syndicate of about 20 stringers, said, “She doesn’t want to be clicked; we won’t click her. Jayaji is not someone who gets eyeballs anyway. If she is with her family and wishes to pose happily, then we may [photograph her].” Manav Manglani and Varinder Chawla Leading photographer Varinder Chawla, who runs an agency employing 15 stringers, told mid-day that the remarks were uncalled for. “We should have some self-respect and not cover her. Every time we have clicked her pictures, we have referred to her as Jayaji. She hasn’t been disrespected. It’s not okay for the privileged to insult those who are doing an honest day’s work. Jayaji’s comments need to be responded to and sternly so. Why couldn’t Jayaji have a conversation with us? We always listen. Ranbir [Kapoor] and Alia [Bhatt] asked us not to click Raha [their daughter], we don’t.” Besides the complaint, the agencies, in association with CINTAA, are hoping to establish a code of conduct that addresses actors’ concerns about intrusion and safety, and paps’ concerns about mistreatment. Chawla admitted that zealous fans sometimes blend in with photographers, leading to incidents of verbal run-ins or crowding at events. The sentiment is that there is an urgent need for formal guidelines governing interactions between celebrities and photographers. “There is no unity among paps today; anyone with a camera gets clubbed with us and we get a bad name. There are fans posing as us, trying to get inappropriate with actors. Between Yogen Shah and me, we want to ensure that a meeting takes place with actors where we can discuss the issues. Earlier, we had requested Suniel Shetty sir to facilitate this,” added Chawla. ‘A lot of kids pretend to be paps, comment on celebrities’ Leading paparazzo Viral Bhayani talks about the unregulated pap culture, even as he calls out Jaya Bachchan for her statement about photographers’ clothes Jaya Bachchan and Viral Bhayani I like Jaya Bachchan more than I do Amitabh Bachchan because I’m like her — I’m straight-forward, I say whatever is in my heart and that sometimes gets me in trouble. Jayaji has been very sweet to me, and at times, she has snapped at me as well. You have to understand her mood. Every time I would ask her politely for a picture, she wouldn’t deny. What she said is partially true, especially when she mentions that paps pass [disrespectful] comments. If you look at the history of paparazzi [in India], there were very few in the beginning. We had ethics and responsibility towards our work, and respected everyone. We maintained decorum. [We were mindful] about our language. Also, we weren’t loud. Patience is important in our profession. But today’s kids don’t have patience. They start screaming and get anxious when an artiste doesn’t come on time. What has happened now is that the pap [culture] is not regulated. There are a lot of kids who just take phones and pretend to be paparazzi. In case they make a comment at a celebrity, we wouldn’t know. I’ve seen this happen outside some restaurants in Bandra. It’s awful. Some of them click women if they are wearing short clothes. That has created a bad image of us. Paparazzi is not supposed to be running after semi-naked women. We are interested in good content and good celebrities. We try to educate our [employees] about how to cover funerals as well. We tell them to cover it in a dignified manner. We should have a moral code, a shared sense of responsibility within the community on how to cover celebrities and events. For instance, I have a rule that nobody in my team will click selfies with celebrities. If you’re seen posing with your arm around a female celebrity, you’re out of my office. But what I didn’t like is Jayaji speaking about someone’s poverty. Anyone can be poor. Everyone works hard. Don’t underestimate anybody. I have also risen from a poor background. We change things with our hard work and determination. You can also not comment on someone’s attire. It’s not right to make such statements on clothes or someone’s appearance. Jayaji works well on social media, but she does not like being filmed. That is her choice, and we can respect that. If at any point she feels [comfortable] with it, we’ll happily film her. There is no ban on her or her family. As told to Priyanka Sharma
05 December,2025 07:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuSet is up for satire Earlier this week, mid-day had reported that filmmaker Shoojit Sircar is set to direct a “mytho-humour” entertainer featuring Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao (Comedy from the pages of Mahabharata, December 1). The project is now gaining momentum, with the makers confirming that “a massive, elaborate set” is being constructed by Sardar Udham (2021) National Award-winning production designer Mansi Dhruv Mehta. Insiders tell us that the film is inspired from “a key chapter from the Mahabharat, and the world is designed to fuse mythology with a contemporary, satirical edge.” We have learnt that the project is in full-scale pre-production and is scheduled to go on floors in early 2026. The movie will also star Saurabh Shukla and Viineet Kumar Siingh. Chaos before D-Day As Dhurandhar releases in cinemas today, its run-up has been marked by multiple last-minute changes. Press previews scheduled for Thursday evening (December 4) in Mumbai were cancelled, with the red carpet at the same venue also scrapped. Film previews for the press in New Delhi were also cancelled. According to the film’s team, the press will be shown the film on Friday at 9.30 am instead. The makers’ teams had first informed the Mumbai photographers that the event would shift from 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm, before saying that “no one would be arriving” and the red carpet stood cancelled. Exhibition sources additionally say the IMAX version may be delayed, leaving theatres to screen the standard format on the day of release. The film stars Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun in the lead. Tollywood calling now Gulshan Devaiah and Samantha Ruth Prabhu After marking his Kannada debut with Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, actor Gulshan Devaiah is set to make his Telugu debut in Maa Inti Bangaram, produced under Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s banner, Tralala Moving Pictures. Directed by Nandini Reddy, the film marks Samantha’s second outing as producer after Subham. Gulshan, who has long hoped to collaborate with Samantha, says he can’t reveal his role yet but describes it as a “challenging turn” in his filmography.
05 December,2025 07:46 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamEven as 2025 winds down to a close, Ajay Devgn has no plans to slow down. mid-day has learnt that the actor wrapped up the shoot of director Jagan Shakti’s Ranger earlier this week, and will dive into the world of Drishyam 3 from December 15. An action adventure also starring Tamannaah Bhatia, Ranger sees Devgn’s forest officer locking horns with Sanjay Dutt, who plays the antagonist out to loot the jungle’s natural resources. Sources have told us that the final schedule was filmed in Palghar. A source reveals, “Initially, the last leg was to be shot in the forests of Thailand and Sri Lanka. But after Cyclone Ditwah hit Sri Lanka last week, the makers decided to film the portions in India. They quickly zeroed in on Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary and Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary in Palghar district of Maharashtra.” Sanjay Dutt and Tamannaah Bhatia Now, Devgn is geared up to reprise his role of Vijay Salgaonkar from the hit thriller franchise Drishyam. From December 15, Abhishek Pathak, who helmed Drishyam 2 (2022), will call action on the third part in Mumbai. The source adds, “The cast, including Akshaye Khanna and Tabu, will be a part of the 10-day Mumbai schedule during which indoor scenes will be canned. They will shoot till Christmas, before taking a New Year’s break. Drishyam 3’s shoot will resume from the first week of 2026, with the plan to wrap it up by April 2026.” Did you know? ‘Drishyam’ may not be the only film tying Ajay Devgn and Malayalam superstar Mohanlal. The buzz is that Devgn has initiated discussions to adapt Mohanlal’s thriller ‘Thudarum’ in Hindi
05 December,2025 07:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRActor Celina Jaitly recently received a big relief in the matter related to her brother, Maj. (Rtd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, an Indian Army official who has been detained in the UAE for a year. He was allegedly detained in the UAE since September 2024 over national security concerns. The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to inform Retired Major Vikrant in the next consular access that his sister Celina wants to communicate with him. The High Court also asked the Ministry to facilitate her communication with her brother Celina reacts to HC order Taking to Instagram, Celina shared a family photo of her and her brother along with their parents and wrote, “Ma & Pa.. I am doing my best! I Haven’t Spoken to Vikrant in 15 Months. Today, Hope Was Placed on Record.. Thank you, Universe !! My petition seeking access to and legal representation for my brother, Maj (Retd) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been abducted and detained in the UAE since 6 Sep 2024, was heard by the Hon’ble Delhi High Court today.” She added, “The Ministry of External Affairs filed its Status Report and appointed a Nodal Officer to coordinate with me for access to my brother. While I still haven’t been able to speak to Vikrant, it’s been 15 months now. The Additional Solicitor General, Govt of India, Sr Adv Chetan Sharma apprised the Court that they will make their best efforts to get me to speak to Vikrant.” She concluded the note saying, "The Hon’ble Judge directed the Ministry to make efforts to facilitate my access to speak to Vikrant. I’m grateful to Ld. ASG, the Court and those who recognised my suffering and acknowledged our family’s 4 generations of contributions to the Indian armed forces. The next date in Court is 23 Dec. I look forward to the next steps optimistically. At this time, I will not be able to answer any questions from members of the media or press. They may kindly contact the leading counsel on my case from India, Mr Raghav Kacker, Kacker & Co., who is leading & assisting me in navigating these very challenging times." Speaking to ANI outside the court earlier on Thursday, Celina shared her reaction, saying, "It has been 15 long months. I am very happy about today's court directions, which will allow me to see and contact my brother." HC orders MEA to facilitate Celina's contact with her brother On Thursday, the Delhi High Court directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to inform Retired Major Vikrant in the next consular access that his sister Celina wants to talk to him. The High Court also directed the Ministry to facilitate her communication with him through the TAMM App or by any other mode. Justice Sachin Datta, after giving the direction, called for a fresh status report from the Central Government. The bench also perused the status report filed by the MEA. It was informed that pursuant to the previous directions, a nodal officer has been appointed by the Central Government. During the hearing, Jaitly broke down, and she was consoled by her counsel. It was also submitted that she is not able to talk to her brother through the TAMM (UAE government App) as she is not a citizen. Only UAE citizens can use the app. The matter has now been listed for December 23. On November 3, the Delhi High Court issued notice to the Ministry of External Affairs on a plea moved by Celina Jaitly. Her brother Maj. (Rtd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly has been in detention in Abu Dhabi, UAE, since 2024. She approached the Delhi High Court seeking a direction to the Indian authorities to provide legal and medical assistance to her brother. (With inputs from ANI)
04 December,2025 10:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRanveer Singh is all set for the release of his much-awaited film Dhurandhar, wherein he plays the lead role alongside Sara Arjun. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film is reportedly made on a massive budget of a massive Rs 250 crore. Now, the salaries of the cast have surfaced online. Dhurandhar cast fees According to reports, Ranveer Singh, who plays the role of an Indian Intelligence agent, was paid Rs 30-50 crore for his part in the film. Meanwhile, R Madhavan, who plays Ajay Sanyal, a role believed to be inspired by India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, reportedly charged Rs 9 crore for his role. Akshaye Khanna will essay the role of crime lord, Rehman Dakait, who has taken home Rs 2.5 crore, while Sanjay Dutt, who appears as Pakistan’s stern police officer, SP Chaudhary Aslam, was paid Rs 10 crore for his role. Actor Arjun Rampal reportedly took home Rs 1 crore for his role of Major Iqbal, an ISI officer believed to be inspired by terror figure IIyas Kashmiri. The lead actress of the film, Sara Arjun, was reportedly paid Rs 1 crore. Mukesh Chhabra opens up about Dhurandhar casting Casting director Mukesh Chhabra, who attended the ongoing 56th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on Thursday, has shared an interesting anecdote about the casting and the production of the upcoming film 'Dhurandhar.' The casting director spoke with IANS on the sidelines of IFFI in Goa on Thursday, and shared that the earlier the production of the film was limited but during the pre-production of the film, the makers realised that they need big faces to mount the film and do justice to the story and the scale. That's when additional cast members were added to the line-up. He told IANS, "At first, we thought that we would reduce the budget of the film. And not hire a very big star. But we felt that the film deserved a big star. That's why we thought about R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna and Arjun Rampal. The grandeur of the film has increased. And the casting is so interesting. I've been watching it all day. It was happening on stage and now it's happening on social media. It's going to be Dhurandar. It's going to be a big hit. It's going to be released on 5th December". He also spoke about the importance of casting in a film, as he said, "90% casting is very important for any film. If you have a good story, good director and correct casting then nobody can stop you". Talking about the data shift in cinema, he said, "I think it's everyone's responsibility. Everyone should think for themselves. We should work comfortably for everyone. We should take care of seniority. Director, producer, actor. It should be their individual call. It should be as per the demand of the film". (With inputs from IANS)
04 December,2025 08:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShehnaaz Gill, a Punjabi actress and singer, rose to prominence after appearing on Bigg Boss 13 in 2019. Following her appearance as a finalist on the Salman Khan-hosted reality show, her acting career in Bollywood took off, with roles in films like Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and Thank You For Coming. This year, Shehnaaz also ventured into film production. Shehnaaz addressed Salman Khan on stage during her latest appearance on Bigg Boss 19 to promote her debut film Ikk Kudi, 'Mere upar koi paise nahi laga raha, toh maine khud par laga diye.' In a recent chat with Faridoon Shahryar, she explained why she made the statement. Shehnaaz Gill talks about getting used as a prop in Bollywood Shehnaaz opened up about not receiving good offers in Bollywood, “That statement came from the fact that I am not getting good stories, and I am being used as a prop in films. I am seeing the same kind of stories; there is nothing unique, and they have no great messages. I was getting a lot of offers, but I feel putting that money on me should be worthwhile. I have been offered Punjabi films for the last five years, but I wasn’t doing them. I wanted someone to bet on me with a different concept. I wanted to make a comeback in the Punjab industry in a different way, especially when I was returning after 3-4 years. I was waiting for that.” Shehnaaz on shifting back to Punjabi Industry Shehnaaz went on to add, “A lot of people told me I wasted time. I don’t think so. That time I was learning, and that was very important. It’s crucial to understand scripts and films. I just didn’t want to do anything for the sake of it, because these things stay. I have experienced that and saw that people didn’t enjoy it; they wanted to see more of Shehnaaz. And I believe that if you are seen on screen even for two minutes, it should be impactful, but that wasn’t happening. I thought, why not do something in our own Punjabi industry where we can actually make a difference? Why are we just running behind Bollywood? I will work there someday, but first I want to prove myself. I am giving auditions for Bollywood, doing the best I can, but first proving myself as an actor was very important, and I am glad people are seeing that now. Shehnaaz Gill also pointed out how Bollywood films cannot do without Punjabi songs. The actress praised the Punjabi business, saying, "The Punjabi industry is huge; Bollywood films don't work unless they have a Punjabi song in them." Our industry is so enormous that they have to use such songs and dance to them. The Punjabi industry has advanced to the next level. They are also doing well in movies. A lot of money and effort is being invested in movies, so I hope the audience watches and provides input so that we can improve."
04 December,2025 07:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndian cricketer Smriti Mandhana's wedding music composer-filmmaker Palaash Muchhal has been making headlines for a while now. The couple was all set to tie the knot in Sangli, Maharashtra, on November 23; however, the wedding was postponed on the D-day, after Smriti's father had to be hospitalised. The wedding then turned into a social media spectacle with several unexpected turns. Now, Palaash's sister Palak has spoken about the postponement for the first time. Palaash and Smriti Mandhana's wedding postponed On the morning of their wedding day, that is November 23, reports claimed that Smriti’s father, Srinivas Mandhana, had been hospitalised after experiencing heart attack-like symptoms. Within hours, newer reports emerged claiming that Palaash had also been admitted due to viral symptoms and acidity complications. Soon after, Palaash’s sister, singer Palak Muchhal, issued a confirmation that the wedding had been postponed, highlighting that health and family well-being were the priority. Taking to Instagram stories, she wrote, "Due to Smriti’s father’s health, Smriti and Palash’s wedding has been put on hold. We would request all of you to respect the privacy of the families during this sensitive time." Both, Smriti’s father and Palaash were discharged soon after. However, the silence from both parties deepened the speculation online, especially after reports of Palaash cheating on Smriti on the night before the wedding emerged. Palak Muchhal breaks silence Now, in a first official comment from the Muchhal family since the incident, Palak Muchhal shared with Filmfare about how the families have been coping with the aftermath of the wedding being postponed and the intense public scrutiny. She was asked about how difficult it was for her and Palaash to stay focused amid the noise. Palak responded, “I think the families have been through a very, very tough time and like you just said… I would just want to repeat that we would like to believe in positivity at this time and spread positivity as much as we can. And stay strong… yeah.” Both families have chosen silence and optimism over engagement with speculations, especially amid the sensitive time. Some reports recently claimed that the wedding is expected to take place on December 7, 2025.
04 December,2025 07:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
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