Varun Dhawan embraced parenthood in 2024 and welcomed daughter Lara. The actor has kept the little one away from the spotlight. In a candid chat, he opened up about a difficult phase as his daughter Lara was diagnosed with DDH at just 1.5 years old. The actor shared details of her treatment, recovery, and the challenges involved. Varun reveals Lara was diagnosed with DDH In a conversation at We Are Yuvaa, Varun revealed that when Lara was 1.5 years old, she was diagnosed with DDH. He said, “My daughter was diagnosed with DDH, in which the hip slips out of the hip socket. Ek pair lamba chota ho jaata hai, jiski wajah se walk tedi ho jaati hai (One leg becomes shorter than the other, which causes an uneven limp while walking). You can't walk or run properly.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by VarunDhawan (@varundvn) Varun added, “You get arthritis early, slip disc early. West mein iska bahut accha treatment hota hai birth pe hi. India mein har jagah nahi hai itna. But yahan bhi bahut acche doctors hain jo iska care karte hain (In the West, this condition is treated very well from birth itself. In India, that level of treatment is not available everywhere yet. But there are also many excellent doctors here who take care of it). She didn't need to undergo surgery. With one procedure, they could put the hip back. But she had to be in a spica cast. That means she had to be in a cast for 2.5 months, which is extremely difficult. To put her under anaesthesia and then have her wake up in a cast. Now the cast is out. I want to write a book on it.” He urged parents to closely observe their children’s movements and consult a paediatrician if they notice anything unusual. Varun Dhawan on keeping Lara out of the public eye Varun Dhawan and his wife, Natasha Dalal, welcomed their daughter, Lara, on June 3, 2024. However, the couple has still not revealed their baby girl’s face to the public. When a social media user asked him about his decision to reveal his daughter's face, the Border 2 actor replied, “I would rather leave that decision to her. Social media should be her choice, not something I decide for her,” he said. On the work front, the actor will be seen in his father David Dhawan’s directorial Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The film will arrive in cinemas worldwide on June 12, 2026. It also stars Pooja Hegde and Mrunal Thakur in pivotal roles.
27 March,2026 06:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Saba Azad has been hospitalised after suffering from Cyclospora cayetanensis infection, a parasitic infection. Saba said that even during these tough times, her beau Hrithik Roshan has been keeping her spirits high. The Who's Your Gynac? actress revealed that she has lost 4 kilograms within two weeks due to the disease, which she contracted despite eating home-cooked food and carrying her own water everywhere she goes. Saba Azad gets hospitalised Saba posted a picture of herself on Instagram, showing a peace sign while lying in a massive hospital bed. Sharing the ordeal of the worst 14 days of her life in the caption, she wrote, “Worst 14 days of my life. Cyclospora cayetanensis, you nasty piece of work!! For someone who only ever eats home food and carries her water bottle everywhere, this bug came out of nowhere, that too at the busiest time of the year for me. I’ve lost 4 kgs that I didn’t have to spare in two weeks, and I can barely walk. One day I’m training twice a day, doing pull-ups, lifting heavy, and the next I’m half my size, without the strength to lift a goddamn toothpick, let alone weights (sic).” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saba Azad (@sabazad) She advised everyone to wash their vegetables and fruits properly before consuming them. “So please, for the love of your gut, wash your salad leaves and vegetables like your life depends on it—because sometimes it really does!! Our new method is baking soda + veggie wash (Herbal Strategi has a good one),” she added. Saba Azad appreciates Hrithik Roshan Saba appreciated Hrithik’s talent for finding humour even in the darndest situations. “By @hrithikroshan, who’s kept my very grumpy spirits up and always manages to find humour in the darndest situations... PS - I haven’t shrunk quite as much as it may seem here; the bed is supersized and the angle is wide,” she concluded. Saba Azad’s upcoming projects On the work front, Saba will be seen in Storm, a gritty, high-stakes thriller series set against the relentless pulse of Mumbai. The series also stars Alaya F, Srishti Shrivastava, Rrama Sharma, and Parvathy Thiruvothu. The series is expected to explore themes of power, survival, and the difficult choices people make when pushed to their limits in an unforgiving city. It has been created and directed by Ajitpal Singh and marks the production debut of Hrithik Roshan, along with his brother Eshaan Roshan.
27 March,2026 06:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe legal troubles surrounding Hera Pheri 3 show no signs of easing. Following the face-off between the film’s lead actors, Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal, the project has now been hit by a fresh copyright controversy. Filmmaker Priyadarshan recently confirmed that the project is currently stuck due to unresolved legal disputes, and the film will go on floors once sorted. Priyadarshan on Hera Pheri 3 legal row In an exclusive interaction with India Today, filmmaker Priyadarshan confirmed that the much-anticipated sequel remains stalled due to legal issues. “It is still… there are some legal issues. We are trying to sort it out. Once that is sorted, then we’ll go ahead with that film,” he said. When asked about returning to comedy, he responded, “Let’s see. You also pray that I’ll have the brain to do it.” About Hera Pheri 3 copyright issue The highly awaited comedy Hera Pheri 3 has encountered a major legal hurdle after a South Indian production house moved the Madras High Court, claiming that it holds the copyright to the franchise, not producer Firoz Nadiadwala. The dispute has cast uncertainty over the future of the film. The first film, Hera Pheri (2000), directed by Priyadarshan, is a remake of the 1989 Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking, which itself was said to be inspired by the 1971 American TV film See the Man Run. According to Seven Arts International, it has full rights to the original content, including adaptations and sequels, and the company claims that Nadiadwala’s rights were limited to a single Hindi remake. Other Hera Pheri 3 controversy Hera Pheri 3 has not faced legal trouble only over its rights. At one point, Paresh Rawal had exited the film, following which Akshay Kumar reportedly moved court against him, seeking Rs 25 crore in damages. However, the matter was resolved quickly, with Akshay later withdrawing the case. Clarifying that the issue is resolved, Rawal said in a podcast, “There’s no controversy. I believe that when people have loved something so much, you have to be extra careful. It is our responsibility toward the audience. The audience has given you so much adulation. You can’t take things for granted. Mehnat karke unko (film) do.”
27 March,2026 05:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal’s interfaith marriage in 2024 sparked widespread discussion, with many speculating that her parents, Shatrughan Sinha and Poonam Sinha, were unhappy with the union. However, Sonakshi’s parents were very much present and actively participated in all her wedding celebrations. Now, Shatrughan Sinha has come out in support of his daughter and called the couple ‘made for each other’, dismissing rift rumours. Shatrughan Sinha on Sonakshi and Zaheer’s interfaith marriage In a recent interview with News 18, Shatrughan Sinha responded to questions about his reaction to the wedding, given that his residence is named Ramayana and his daughter has married a Muslim. He said, “Bilkul theek-thaak hai. Hum bahut khush hain. Sonakshi ki jo shaadi hui hai, made for each other lagte hain dono. (Everything is fine. We are very happy. Sonakshi is married; they both seem made for each other).” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonakshi Sinha (@aslisona) He noted that both are adults capable of making their own decisions. “Bachche jawan hain, bachche adults hain. Agar woh khush hain, toh miya-biwi raazi toh kya karega Qazi. Hume unka saath dena chahiye. Wholeheartedly, chattan ki tarah unke saath hoon (The children are young, the children are adults. If they are happy, if the husband and wife are happy, then what can the Qazi do? I support them wholeheartedly, like a rock),” he remarked. About Sonakshi and Zaheer’s relationship For the unversed, Sonakshi and Zaheer tied the knot on June 23, 2024, after dating for seven years. Keeping things private, the couple chose an intimate wedding ceremony at the actress’ Mumbai home, which was attended by their close family members and friends. They later hosted a star-studded reception, which was attended by who’s who of Bollywood. Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal are one of the most chaotic duos of Bollywood. These two do not miss even a single opportunity to pull pranks on one another. Their fun videos leave fans in splits. Sonakshi Sinha’s work front Workwise, the 38-year-old actress was last seen in Jatadhara alongside Sudheer Babu. The actioner was released in both Hindi and Telugu on November 7, 2025. Before this, she appeared in Nikita Roy and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi, where her role as Fareedan garnered immense praise.
27 March,2026 04:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Aneet Padda rose to fame with the 2025 film Saiyaara. Now, her sister Reet has been drawing attention on social media for her strong opinions on films like Dhurandhar 2, The Kerala Story, and The Kashmir Files. She also shared her views on Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ viral Oscars moment. Aneet Padda's sister on why she considers Dhurandhar 2 a propaganda Reet was responding to a comment on her post that called her out for labelling films like Dhurandhar 2, The Kerala Story, and The Kashmir Files as propaganda. The user also questioned her criticism of Priyanka Chopra for not reacting when her co-presenter at the Oscars stood up for Palestine. “Look at me actually responding to a comment on social media, shocking, I know,” Reet wrote. “Normally, I don’t bother, because trying to change someone’s mind here is like trying to teach cats calculus. But since you’ve invested time reacting to everything I’ve reposted, let’s go point by point.” Reet went on to explain her stance in detail. “First, about calling films like The Kashmir Files, The Kerala Story, and Dhurandhar propaganda. Dhurandhar serves as a government-friendly narrative, using political speeches to justify events like demonetisation. Call it propaganda? Yes. Deny it? Not a chance,” she said. She further added, “As for The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story, the films seem to rely on exaggerated numbers. Claims like ‘32,000 women converted’ contrast sharply with documented cases. That’s how propaganda works, take a sliver of truth and amplify it into a larger narrative against a community. Meanwhile, films like Punjab ’95, which tackle political issues but don’t align with the ruling narrative, struggle to get released.” Reet on Priyanka Chopra's silence at Oscars Responding to criticism of her remarks on Priyanka Chopra, Reet said, “Priyanka had a chance to oppose an illegal war while standing next to someone taking a stand, and she couldn’t even clap. If my sister gets such an opportunity, I hope she rises to the occasion. If she doesn’t, I will be the first to call it out.” In conclusion, she wrote, “I do not discriminate against individuals. However, I strongly oppose political figures who bring religion into politics, especially when it leads to violence. That is a crime, and I will speak against it. I am not afraid to take a stand, even if it goes against the majority.”
27 March,2026 04:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar 2 has become one of the most talked-about films in India. Even those who haven’t watched it are unlikely to have missed the buzz surrounding it. The sequel, released in theatres on March 19, is witnessing historic box office success. Dhurandhar 2 makes it to school exam Now, the film has made its way into academics. A viral image of an Accounts exam paper featuring characters from the film is doing the rounds on social media. Dhurandhar 2 stars Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, Akshaye Khanna, and others. The film has been praised for its gripping narrative, layered characters, and action-packed sequences. According to reports, the question paper is from a Class 12 Accounts exam. One of the questions reads: “Jameel Jamali, SP Chaudhary, Aslan, and Yalina Jamali share profits and losses of the firm equally. SP Chaudhary retires from the business. What would be the new profit-sharing ratio?” Another section reportedly referenced the character Rehman and even included a specific date linked to the storyline, making the paper all the more amusing for fans. The creative use of popular film characters delighted audiences, and the image quickly went viral online. Dhurandhar 2 box office Within just seven days, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge crossed the Rs 1,000 crore mark worldwide, cementing its status as an all-time blockbuster. It also became the second-fastest Indian film to achieve this milestone after Pushpa 2. Even after eight days in theatres, the film shows no signs of slowing down. It has surpassed the lifetime collections of major blockbusters like Pathaan and Kalki 2898 AD. Despite the usual weekday dip, the film’s domestic collection has reached Rs 674.14 crore net (Rs 805.32 crore gross). It is expected to cross the Rs 700 crore mark soon, continuing its phenomenal run. Overseas, the film has grossed a total of Rs 261.92 crore in eight days, pushing its total worldwide gross collection to Rs 1,067.24 crore. With that, Dhurandhar: The Revenge has surpassed Nag Ashwin and Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD, whose lifetime collection was Rs 1,042 crore, as well as the Bollywood blockbuster Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, which earned Rs 1,050 crore in its lifetime. It is now on its way to crush the lifetime collections of Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan, which stands at Rs 1,100 crore.
27 March,2026 03:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor and Jaya Bachchan addressed the controversial Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill during a Rajya Sabha debate on Wednesday. She strongly opposed the Bill, which has been tabled by the ruling party, and called for appropriate representation of the transgender community in Parliament. Jaya Bachchan on Transgender Amendment Bill The Bill, recently introduced by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, has drawn criticism for allegedly narrowing the definition of transgender identity and proposing additional procedural requirements for legal recognition. Activists and legal experts argue that the proposed legislation marks a departure from the landmark National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India (NALSA) verdict, in which the Supreme Court upheld the right to self-identify one’s gender without mandatory medical intervention. During her speech, Jaya Bachchan highlighted the cultural and mythological significance of transgender persons in India. She said, “This community, which we are discussing, has been immensely blessed by Ramji. He had said that on every special occasion, the presence of transgender persons would make the event auspicious.” Emphasising traditional practices, she added, “As per our customs, they visit homes during special occasions such as childbirth to offer blessings, which are considered auspicious.” Bachchan also strongly advocated for representation of the community in Parliament. She said, “We need representation of this community in both Houses. Make one among them a nominated member. Listen to their difficulties, pain, and struggles before bringing such a Bill to the House." More about the bill On Wednesday, a Supreme Court-appointed advisory committee on transgender rights urged Union Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar to withdraw the Bill. The legislation has sparked protests nationwide, with activists and members of the transgender community criticising it for relying on vague and unscientific criteria while criminalising their lived experiences. They have also raised concerns that mandatory medical scrutiny could lead to intrusive monitoring and undermine diverse gender identities. The amendment proposes significant changes to the existing 2019 Act, most notably removing the right to self-identify one’s gender. This right was recognised by the Supreme Court in the landmark National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India (NALSA) verdict, which allowed individuals to declare their gender without medical intervention. The proposed Bill replaces this with a state-regulated certification process, requiring individuals to undergo evaluation by a medical board led by a chief medical officer.
27 March,2026 02:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAparshakti Khurana is an actor who has refused to be boxed into a type ever since he stepped into Bollywood. Khurana put forth a promising foot with Dangal in 2016, and ever since then, he has recorded an illustrious decade in Indian cinema. From Stree to Jubilee, Luka Chuppi to Berlin, Aparshakti has shown range. Now, the actor looked back at his journey so far, reflecting on his evolution, film choices and expressing the desire to work in biopics. Aparshakti Khurana on his acting evolution Speaking about his evolution as an actor, Aparshakti humbly stated that his evolution is not for him to decide. He shared, “Whether I’ve evolved as an actor or not is for others to decide - the audience, my colleagues, and the outside world.” Reinvention has been the key for Khurana, and speaking about the same, he shared, “Personally, I’m satisfied with my journey so far. Touchwood, I’ve done a variety of films and characters, and that’s always been my approach - to explore different creative sides of myself. Not just acting, but even music and hosting give me a different kind of kick.” He added, “As for being selective, I somehow manage to make time for the things I truly want to do. And till now, I haven’t regretted saying no to any project that later became big.” Aparshakti Khurana on his dream project The actor acknowledged that there’s going to be a long list to collaborate with renowned directors and production houses, however, he does not let himself in the loop. “There’s always going to be a long wish list, big directors, big production houses, great roles—but that list never really ends. So I don’t dwell on it,” he said. Over the years, Aparshakti has headlined films and OTT shows across genres. And the actor is keen on doing more sports and musical biopics. “If I had to choose, I would love to do a sports biopic or maybe a musician’s biopic. Both are very close to my heart and bring out the best in me. For example, someone like Fauja Singh really inspires me; he was running marathons even at the age of 100+. Stories like his truly move me. Maybe even a musician’s biopic, someone like Lucky Ali. Let’s see what happens in the future.” And now that the actor has expressed a desire to work on a sports and a musical biopic, it’d be safe to say that he could mark a significant tangent in his film career while picking unconventionality yet again, and putting on his layered acting skills on display all over again!
27 March,2026 12:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhen Sitaare Zameen Par was initially released in August 2025, it was announced that the film would not be available on streaming platforms, even after its theatrical release. Now, as the film is set to launch on OTT, Aamir Khan recently said that releasing his film on OTT was always part of the strategy. He clarified that while the digital release was planned, he did not want it to happen immediately after the theatrical run. Aamir Khan always wanted an OTT release for Sitaare Zameen Par Speaking to PTI, Aamir said, "I was never in two minds. I always wanted an OTT release, but not so quickly after the theatre release. So it is now coming on SonyLIV on April 3, and I want audiences all across the country to enjoy the film. Those who have not had a chance to see it in theatres can now watch it on SonyLIV." Aamir revealed that in addition to the feature film, the streaming platform will also release a documentary titled Sitaaron Ke Sitaare. The documentary brings the spotlight to the real-life parents of the neurodivergent actors who starred in the film. Explaining the idea behind the documentary, Aamir shared, "It's a very special piece of content because it looks at the real superstars. The Sitaare are the superstars, but the real-life superstars are the parents of these 10 artists who have raised them and taken care of them. So that film really highlights the fact that the parents are the real superstars." Sitaare Zameen Par OTT release A few days ago, Aamir Khan's production house confirmed that Sitaare Zameen Par, which had earlier skipped an OTT release, will soon begin streaming on SonyLIV. Apart from Aamir Khan, Sitaare Zameen Par also stars Genelia Deshmukh in a pivotal role. The film features 10 debutant neurodivergent actors, namely, Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishnan Varma, Vedant Sharma, Naman Misra, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Ashish Pendse, Samvit Desai, Simran Mangeshkar and Aayush Bhansali. The 2025 film is believed to be a spiritual sequel to the 2007 film Taare Zameen Par. It earned Rs 265 crore worldwide and was one of the highest-grossing films of last year.
27 March,2026 12:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentStar couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh visited a dosa restaurant in Chowpatty, Mumbai. The couple was also accompanied by Ranveer's father, Jagjit Singh Bhavnani, as the trio stepped out amid the roaring success of Dhurandhar: The Revenge at the box office. Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh go on a dosa date The restaurant took to Instagram to share a selfie of the couple with the staff. In the picture, clicked by Ranveer Singh, he was seen smiling as he sported a black T-shirt and a white cap. The Dhurandhar star also carried a bag and wore dark sunglasses, looking cool. Deepika posed next to him, smiling, dressed in a black T-shirt. She tied her hair in a bun and held sunglasses. She also carried a beige bag while she flashed the peace sign. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Benne (@benne.bombay) Ranveer's father, Jagjit, stood behind them and also smiled at the camera. Along with the picture, the restaurant wrote, "Something and all is happening pt.2" Reacting to the post, a fan commented, "Wow! After a long time saw them together." Another comment read, "They look so happy and good together. Unnecessarily, she was getting trolled. She is with him throughout." Notably, this isn't the first time they have been to the restaurant. They visited another outlet of the restaurant in 2024, when Deepika was pregnant. Additionally, the couple was also spotted at a seafood restaurant in Mumbai on Sunday afternoon. About Dhurandhar 2 Aditya Dhar directed spy action thriller, Dhurandhar 2, released in theatres on March 19. The first instalment follows the story of an undercover Indian intelligence agent, played by Ranveer Singh, who infiltrates Karachi's criminal syndicates and political power structures in Pakistan to dismantle the terror network targeting India. The sequel saw the rise of Ranveer's character Hamza Ali Mazari in the Karachi underworld. It also delved into his origins as Jaskirat Singh Rangi. The movie also starred Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi. On the other hand, Deepika was last seen in Singham Again in 2024. She will next be seen in Shah Rukh Khan’s King, which is scheduled for a December 2026 release. Helmed by Siddharth Anand, the action thriller features a star‑studded ensemble cast including Suhana Khan, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Abhay Verma, Abhishek Bachchan, Arshad Warsi and Jaideep Ahlawat. Additionally, she is also working on director Atlee’s ambitious big-budget project opposite Allu Arjun, tentatively titled AA22XA6.
27 March,2026 12:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMalaika Arora often makes headlines for her personal life. Of late, she has been in the news for allegedly dating a “mystery man.” The actress, who was earlier dating Arjun Kapoor, says she is currently not seeing anyone, yet she makes headlines every time she is spotted with a man. In a recent interview with Curly Tales, Malaika spoke about the constant dating rumours and revealed how her son Arhaan reacts to them. Malaika Arora on how son reacts to her dating rumours Recently, Malaika was rumoured to be dating Sorab Bedi after pictures of them partying together and getting cosy surfaced online. Talking about the constant speculation around her relationships, she said, “It’s irritating, but now I just treat it as a joke. Arhaan and I have a good laugh about these things. I can’t plan these things; if it has to happen, it will happen. Right now, I am so happy exploring all that’s going on in my life.” Malaika, who was earlier married to actor-producer Arbaaz Khan, co-parents their son Arhaan. Speaking about companionship as a single mother, she said, “To be able to build things from scratch is what keeps me going and motivates me. Yes, companionship and having a partner are beautiful, but I am not actively seeking it. I am very proud of being a self-made woman, and I don’t need a man to complete me. If I choose to be with someone, it will be on my own terms.” My life is more than just my personal life: Malaika Before the Sorab rumours, it was reported that Malaika was dating a man named Harsh Mehta, with whom she was spotted multiple times. Around the same time, speaking on The Namrata Zakaria Show, Malaika addressed the constant scrutiny around her personal life and how it often makes headlines. “My relationships have always been spoken about and have always made headlines. At one point, I remember saying that my life is much more than just my personal life. It was becoming too much of the centre of attention,” she said. She added, “Unfortunately, people forget that because it doesn’t make headlines. I am at a stage in life where I don’t need to prove anything. I just want to do things that make me happy, and I want people to see that.”
27 March,2026 11:46 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
