Naveen Kaushik, fondly known as Donga in the hit film Dhurandhar, has been winning praise for stepping into a world far removed from the urban boss roles he has played for nearly 15 years. In an exclusive chat with mid-day, the actor opened up about his journey, his long-standing desire to explore grittier characters, and how the film became a deeply personal milestone. Kaushik began by reflecting on the professional mould he had been boxed into. “I’ve spent almost 15 years doing roles that were based on office bosses… because the first big part I ever did was Rocket Singh, where I played Ranveer Kapoor’s manager,” he said. That early image created a perception he struggled to break. “The work centred around offices, bosses, authority-type figures… and people weren’t able to see me in a role like this before.” The turning point arrived when casting director Mukesh Chhabra called him for Dhurandhar. Kaushik recalls, “He said, Listen, there is another part… I want you to go meet Aditya because I feel this part is perfect for you. It’s got everything you’ve been wanting to do — action, comedy, roughness, a dark side.” A single meeting with director Aditya Dharr sealed it. Kaushik was blown away by the character’s depth. “Right there and then, I said, So I’m doing this film.” The name ‘Donga’ and its roots Even his character’s quirky name had an unexpectedly funny origin. “I asked him why the name Donga… I know Donga in Punjabi means a big bowl to put food in. My character is slightly roundish… so is it because he looks like a round bowl?” Kaushik recalls asking. “He gave me a slight smile and said, yeah, that’s the reason.” The actor praised the detailed world-building. “Before the film came to any actor, everything was worked out — names, nicknames, places they go to.” A set that felt real The recreated Lyari in Bangkok reminded Kaushik of his childhood. “I grew up in old Delhi… I could feel the grime, the heat, the narrowness, the claustrophobia of the gullies.” He added, “There are sets that look fake, sets that look real, and then sets that feel real. This one actually felt real.” From angithis with real fire to food smells wafting through the alleys, the environment pulled the actors into character completely. For Kaushik, the film’s sequences evoked memories of the 26/11 attacks, the Parliament attack and the Kandahar hijacking. “A lot of us born in the 80s and 90s saw it unfold on TV. We wanted to do something but felt helpless.” Acting in Dhurandhar was cathartic. “This is our tribute to the people who suffered… I’m doing my little part to make you hate me as the character, so you can feel the rage we felt.” The dream action sequence with Akshaye Khanna Kaushik’s favourite moment? The heroic action sequence where Donga almost saves Akshaye Khanna. “It was a dream come true… I’d never gotten the opportunity to do something really gritty.” The team ensured he felt confident in every stunt. “Even if you make a mistake, we have backups… We’ll do it again.” His improvised battle cries even got Aditya’s approval. “He came to me with a sly smile… he said, That looks good, keep it up.” Now that the “boss” stereotype has been shattered, Kaushik hopes the industry sees his true range. “I really want to spread my wings… something unique, something interesting.” Genres he’s eyeing? “I am damn scared of horror… I watch horror movies on mute. But I want to try something in horror. And more action… maybe an army movie. Murder mysteries, too.” With Dhurandhar, Naveen Kaushik has finally stepped into the world he always wanted, raw, intense and authentic. And if his performance as Donga is any indication, this is just the beginning of a long-awaited second act.
12 December,2025 06:27 PM IST | Mumbai | Shruti SampatJioHotstar is going to exclusively premiere Walking On Water, the highly anticipated fifth studio album by multi-platinum rap icon DIVINE. Streaming on Thursday, 18 December 2025 at 9 PM IST, the event marks a landmark moment in Indian music—an Indian rapper unveiling a studio album to audiences nationwide through an exclusive OTT premiere ahead of the official album release. JioHotstar announced the news on its official Instagram handle: View this post on Instagram A post shared by JioHotstar Reality (@jiohotstarreality) About Walking on Water A pioneer of Indian hip hop, DIVINE pushes new boundaries with Walking On Water, expected to be his most personal and ambitious body of work to date. The exclusive stream will offer an immersive experience featuring special performances, behind-the-scenes stories, creative insights, and a striking audiovisual introduction to the album. Presented in Hindi, the premiere invites fans across the country to be part of this unprecedented musical moment. DIVINE states, “Walking On Water is the closest I’ve ever come to who I truly am—as an artist and as a person. To share this moment with fans across India is something I’ve always dreamed of. I hope everyone tuning in at 9 PM feels the emotion, the evolution, and the fire that built this album.” This collaboration reinforces the platform’s commitment to spotlighting culture-shaping artists and youth-driven experiences. Catch the exclusive stream of DIVINE’s Walking On Water, streaming only on JioHotstar on 18th December 2025 at 9 PM IST. Divine performs at Rolling Loud India 2025 Last month brought JioHotstar’s breakthrough foray into hip hop with Rolling Loud India. Produced in partnership with District by Zomato, this was the global hip-hop festival’s first venture into the subcontinent. Scheduled for November 22 and 23 this year at Loud Park in Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, Rolling Loud’s Indian debut had two stages and immersive pop culture activations. DIVINE, the country's biggest hip-hop luminary, joined the ranks of the music festival’s headliners and set the stage ablaze with his rap. An insider close to the development had revealed on anonymity, “DIVINE is the undisputed frontrunner when it comes to Indian hip hop, and the line-up for the debut edition of Rolling Loud India would feel incomplete without the architect of the gully sound taking center stage.”
12 December,2025 05:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Parul Gulati, who made her big screen debut with Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, which released on Friday, recently shared an emotional video. In the video, she is seen speaking about the challenges she has faced in her career, especially while facing back-to-back rejections. Parul Gulati gets emotional about Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon release Taking to her Instagram handle, the actress shared a video of her getting emotional while talking about her debut movie. In the caption, she wrote, "15 years of long wait.... Is it too long... is it too little i don't know but whenever i would get rejected for projects, i would always think something might be wrong in me, and Mumma would remind me - no nishu, there is something better written for you and today i have faith in the almighty & in my kismat." (sic) In the video, she was heard saying, "After 15 years, my first movie is releasing...Acting is my first love. Acting is something I am married to; business is a child. If I did not have my acting career, I don't think mein business kar pati. Both go hand-in-hand..." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Parul Gulati 🤍 (@gulati06) Reflecting on her entrepreneurial success, Parul says that acting has remained her deepest passion. She added, “Acting is like my marriage, and business is like my child. The first love will always be acting." She credits her mother for instilling in her the philosophy that guides her even today: keep trying, because what is meant to happen will always find its way to you. Parul Gulati further shared, “I have worked my way up from nothing but hope, belief, and the willingness to start over, again and again. There were years when the phone didn’t ring, when auditions didn’t go my way, when I felt like maybe this dream wasn’t mine to live. I tried different paths, I built a business, and I learned how to stand on my own feet. But the voice and desire inside of me never stopped wanting to see myself on the big screen. Today, after 15 years, that wish has finally come true. These tears you see are not of sadness; they are the tears of someone who never stopped trying, even when it hurt. I am proud of this journey, of its scars, of its surprises, and of where it has brought me today." Celebrities react Soon after Parul shared the post, several celebrities shared their good wishes and supported her in the comments. Shanaya Kapoor dropped red heart emojis, while Manjari Fadnis commented, “Parul I’m so proud of you! Watched the film last night… u r looking STUNNING in every frame! & i enjoyed the film so much! May this be the beginning for you to bag some amazing roles in big films & series." Jiyaa Shankar wrote, “Congratulations Gulati ! Sending you all the love and my best wishes." (sic) Kritika Kamra wrote, "What a star! What a journey! I’m so happy for you Parul" Sonam Bajwa said, "So proud of you." Actress Eli Avram, who was seen in the first part of the film said, "Aaaaaaaaw so happy for you!!!!! such a fun film to be part of! Giving you much much love Paru."
12 December,2025 05:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAditya Dhar’s directorial Dhurandhar is enjoying a strong run at the box office. Released worldwide on December 5, the film stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, and Arjun Rampal in prominent roles. Inspired by real events, it follows an Indian spy who infiltrates Pakistani gangs to extract information about potential attacks on India. The film has completed a week in the theatres and shows no sign of slowing down at the box office. Dhurandhar week 1 collection The film has had a dream run at the box office. It opened at the box office with a collection of Rs 28.6 crore. It's box office numbers only strengthened over the days, bringing the total of week 1 to Rs 218 crore at the Indian BO. On Thursday, the film collected more than its opening day collection. On Wednesday and Thursday, Dhurandhar registered Rs 29.2 and Rs 29.4 cr respectively. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh notes, "What's remarkable is that despite being an A-certified film and releasing on a non-holiday, the business is nothing short of historic." Gulf countries ban Dhurandhar According to a report in Bollywood Hungama, the narrative of the Aditya Dhar directorial led to the ban in the UAE/GCC region. A source told the portal, “Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have not released Dhurandhar. There were apprehensions that this would happen as the film is perceived as an ‘anti-Pakistan film’. In the past, such films have failed to procure a release in this region. The makers still attempted a submission, but none of the countries approved the film’s theme.” Dhurandhar OTT rights sold for a whopping price According to a Bollywood Hungama report, the film has closed a massive deal for its OTT rights. The streaming rights of Dhurandhar have been sold to streaming giant Netflix for a whopping Rs 130 crore for both parts. Sources reportedly told the portal, “Netflix has paid Rs. 130 crores for the streaming rights of Dhurandhar. This includes both parts. Hence, one can say that the rights were sold for around Rs. 65 crores each for Dhurandhar Part 1 and Part 2." Further, the source added, “Nevertheless, this is a huge figure in today’s times when the OTT prices have crashed. Also, it is a significant shot-in-the-arm for Ranveer Singh. This is his biggest OTT deal yet, if we count the amount given to both parts of Dhurandhar."
12 December,2025 05:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMusic plays a pivotal role in film, and in recent times, Dhurandhar has proved it. From using Arabic music to collaborating with international artists and recreating old classics with a modern flair, the film has all kinds of music ruling our playlists. While the music is gaining popularity, Daiaphi Lamare, popularly known as Reble, has showcased her talent by rapping in a couple of songs featured in the film. Let’s know more about her. Who is Daiaphi Lamare aka rapper Reble? Hailing from the verdant West Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, Daiaphi Lamare, aka Reble, is one of the leading female rappers in the country. She recently impressed listeners with her sharp, confident verses in Dhurandhar tracks such as Run Down the City – Monica and Naal Nachna. Her dynamic voice and energetic style have stood out. She was inclined towards music from the age of 5, when she started noticing sounds like rock, hip hop, and indie. By 10, she was scribbling rhymes, rapping, and trying to find a place for herself. She drew inspiration from artists like Linkin Park, Eminem, André 3000, and others whom she listened to while growing up. She exploded into the mainstream with impactful singles like Terror, Set It Off, and New Riot. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Daia Lamare (@rebleofficial) Her artist name reflects that defiance. “Reble comes from rebellion. I always hated being told what to do,” she once said. One of her notable recent highlights includes her collaboration on the Malayalam film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, where her contribution added a fresh musical edge. About Dhurandhar The film is said to be inspired by real-life events, focusing on geopolitical tensions and covert operations carried out by India’s RAW. It particularly highlights Operation Lyari, a crackdown by the Pakistani government targeting gangs and criminal networks in Karachi’s Lyari area. The film also stars Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, and R. Madhavan in pivotal roles. Released on December 5, 2025, the makers have confirmed that the sequel, Dhurandhar 2, will hit theatres on March 19, 2026. Recently, the film came under scrutiny due to polarised opinions. While celebs are praising the cinematic storytelling, a section of the audience is displeased by the portrayal of politics.
12 December,2025 05:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Richa Chadha has shared a powerful and deeply personal note on her social media, opening up about the emotional, physical and professional challenges she has faced since becoming a mother, and her journey back to work after almost two years. Her candid post is striking for its vulnerability and for the unfiltered honesty with which she addresses both motherhood and the realities of the entertainment industry. Richa on the challenges of balancing work and motherhood In the note, Richa spoke of the difficulty of returning to work, acknowledging that although she wanted to be back sooner, her body and mind simply weren’t ready. "On Sunday, I went back to work after nearly 2 years. She begins by saying, "As much as I would have liked to get back sooner, my body, my mind wasn’t ready at all. But other than these tangible issues, I have had to deal with deep professional betrayals from close quarters." She reflected on the disorienting experience of losing touch with the person she was before becoming a mother, remarking, "If it takes a village to raise a child. It takes amazing support to help the mom cuz Mommy doesn’t remember who she was before the baby was born. The mental recovery from it took longer than I hoped." She emphasises the need for a support system to help a new mother rediscover herself. Without sugarcoating things, the Gangs of Wasseypur star shed light on the ugly side of the industry. Recalling her painful experiences, she called out betrayal and a lack of ethics in the industry. "I have learnt that in the industry, a rare few have ethics and courage. Most people operate from such deep-seated inferiority complexes and scarcity mentality that they never mean what they say. They’re never happy, like dementors - they suck all joy out of life." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Richa Chadha (@therichachadha) Her post also critiqued the pressures placed on public figures, especially new mothers, to constantly generate “content” on social media. Feeling exhausted at the idea of turning every moment into content, she wrote, "Everyone tells you to post more, create more ‘content’, but I am not employed by SM. I have a life. And I have been so afraid to share the littlest snippet from it, lest I receive podcast invites to 'talk about it,” with cameras rolling, zooming in to every tear." "I miss the days when IG used to be a place where you uploaded photos of what you ate and other mundane things," she concluded. Richa questioned the commodification of vulnerability and the way personal struggles are often reshaped into marketable narratives. She expressed longing and nostalgia for a simpler and old-school digital era, when sharing did not demand performance or branding. Richa Chadha on becoming 'bindaas' Speaking during the IFP Season 15, Richa revealed she used to be a pushover in her 20s. Citing a particular incident, the Fukrey actress was heard saying, "The person that you see today, who is 'bindaas' and confident, and bold, all those adjectives that have been added to my name in the public, I wasn't always like this. In my 20s, I was such a pushover that one day I woke up, and I was on a set, and I was like, "When did I sign this movie? What happened? Why am I doing this item song kind of gyration?" This is a typical male gate. The director is telling me I need a male choreographer, and you need to do like thrusts, and I'm like, who are these dated efforts? What is going on?" Sharing how one is subjected to constant judgement in the industry, Richa went on to say, "I realized somebody has just came like a manager, telling you what to do and you think okay this is what I should be doing, I should not be doing this, this is what I should be doing, all the while they'll be rating you and they're like you know maybe your lips are or maybe your face is a bit like, what are you doing, you know stop drinking water 3 days before the song, stop having salt."
12 December,2025 05:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKashika Kapoor’s rise in the film industry has been marked not just by her performances, but by the sincerity she brings to every frame she inhabits. In a landscape crowded with newcomers, Kashika stands out for her emotional honesty, her cultural curiosity, and her unwavering commitment to telling stories that mean something. In an exclusive conversation with mid-day, Kashika opens up about her journey as an actor. From an accidental Bollywood debut with Aayushmati Geeta Matric Pass to finding her rhythm in Telugu cinema, and her philosophy on beauty, work culture, and craft. Kashika on her Bollywood debut Kashika’s first brush with Bollywood was almost accidental. While shooting an advertisement, her director took one look at her and declared, “You’re my Geeta.” She didn’t fully grasp the weight of those words until she heard the film’s narration- a story rooted in women’s empowerment and education. “Preparing for Geeta required empathy,” she recalls. “I had to understand her resilience, her silences, her emotional world.” Even while unwell, she delivered the film’s intense one-take climax, driven by the belief that storytelling should spark conversations and touch lives. Kashika stepped out of her comfort zone right after her Bollywood debut. Kashika stepped into Telugu cinema with LYF (Love Your Father), a move that proved transformative. She describes the industry as a space where “discipline meets warmth,” a balance she deeply cherishes. Working in a new language pushed her beyond spoken dialogue. Classical dance rehearsals, emotionally layered scenes, and precise coordination helped her expand her artistic vocabulary. “It taught me reinvention,” she says. “And it made me fall in love with storytelling all over again.” Kashika on working hour debate As conversations around work culture in the industry gain momentum with Deepika Padukone bringing light to it, Kashika believes the ongoing shift is healthy and necessary. While filmmaking often demands unpredictable hours, she has seen encouraging change. She said, "I think every creative industry goes through phases where conversations about work culture evolve, and it’s wonderful that ours is doing the same. Filmmaking is an intensive process, it involves large teams, unpredictable requirements, and sometimes long hours become a part of that rhythm." “I’ve worked with teams who are extremely respectful of time and well-being,” she says. For her, the focus shouldn’t be on blame but on building systems that allow creativity and balance to coexist. “And from what I’m seeing, we’re definitely moving in the right direction.” On breaking the beauty mould In an industry obsessed with perfection, Kashika chooses authenticity, something rare and refreshing. "In an industry where perfection is constantly projected, I choose to show up as myself, with my natural skin, my dark circles, everything. There’s a quiet power in honesty." “Beauty isn’t a mould it’s authenticity,” she insists. She wants young girls to know their individuality is their strength. “Confidence doesn’t come from fitting in—it comes from embracing what makes you different.”
12 December,2025 04:53 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya NambiarCelebrity interviews are often insightful, giving fans a peek into the lives and thoughts of their favourite stars. In one such recent interview, veteran actor, Shatrughan Sinha, was seen reflecting on his bond and close friendship with late actor Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24 following age-related ailments. However, the insightful interview soon took an unusual and hilarious turn when Shatrughan's unintentional slip of tongue left the audience in splits. Shatrughan Sinha's slip of tongue During a recent interview with Aaj Tak, Shatrughan Sinha was asked if he ever imitated or hid away from the world and recited the iconic dialogues of Dharmendra, whom he considers his idol. he recalled how Dharmendra was so affectionate with him that they would often jokingly say the most offensive things to him and tease him. He even shared how his wife, Poonam Sinha, would often joke about Shatrughan being the only person who could get away with murder when it comes to Dharmendra. He went on to add that not many people know that Dharmendra had a great sense of humour, and the way he would crack jokes was something very rare. Shatrughan then spoke about Amitabh Bachchan's sense of humour when the scadalous slip of tongue occurred. He said, "Very few people know that Amitabh Bachchan has a great sex of humour" He soon realised and corrected himself, saying, "I said sex," followed by his iconic dialogue, "Khamosh!" before rectifying himself. Shatrughan Sinha’s slip of the tongue about Amitabh Bachchan pic.twitter.com/utCXAAD2uz — News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) December 11, 2025 Interestingly, the clip of his 'oops' moment was edited out of the video. Nevertheless, netizens have got their hands on a clip of the moment and shared it on X. Many users commented on the post sharing thier hillarious reactions. One user notes, "wild how one line can stir up the whole internet like this" Another user wrote, "Shatrughan Sinha's candid slip about Amitabh Bachchan's humour is a rare glimpse into their complex relationship." Many users joked about his remarks being intentional. Shatrughan Sinha confronted Dharmendra During a conversation with India TV, Dharmendra had revealed how Shatrughan Sinha confronted him when he recommended Amitabh Bachchan for the role of Jai in Ramesh Sippy's iconic film Sholay. Recalling the incident, Shatrughan Sinha had shared, "We would have also done Sholay together, but fate willed it otherwise. It is always a pleasure to work with an actor who has no feeling of one-upmanship. Dharmendra is a very confident man and an artist. He has never coveted other actors' roles, never indulged in competitive games. There is not a malicious bone in that rugged body."
12 December,2025 04:48 PM IST | MumbaiAkshaye Khanna is being hailed for his performance in the recently released Dhurandhar directed by Aditya Dhar. The actor plays the role of the villain, Rahman Dakhait in the espionage drama. Starring Ranveer Singh in the lead, the film has been receiving rave reviews from all quarters. Amid this, clips and memes featuring Khanna have been doing the rounds on social media. The fan favourite meme currently is the one from Farah Khan's directorial Tees Maar Khan. Akshay Kumar reacts to viral memes In the film Tees Maar Khan, Akshay Kumar is a thief who plays a director and lures Akshaye Khanna to make a film with him. Khanna plays an actor who aims to win the Oscar one day. Kumar's character convinces him that his fake film will help him attain his goal of winning the Oscar. An X user shared a meme from the film and wrote, "Thank you director saab, for giving the nation such an amazing actor" referring to Kumar as the director. Reacting to the joke, Kumar quote-tweeted it and wrote, "Kabhi ghamand nahi kiya bhai…kabhi ghamand nahi kiya". Meanwhile, filmmaker Farah Khan has revealed that she has been sharing all Tees Maar Khan memes to Khanna who is not on any social media platform. Kabhi ghamand nahi kiya bhai…kabhi ghamand nahi kiya 😜 https://t.co/9uBi3fgA9w — Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 12, 2025 Akshay Kumar reviews Dhurandhar Actor Akshay Kumar has come out in support of Aditya Dhar’s latest directorial venture amid the ongoing controversy surrounding its alleged distorted portrayal. On Wednesday, the Airlift actor took to his X handle and shared a note where he described the film as a “gripping tale.” Akshay also extended his appreciation to Aditya, noting that stories like these need to be told in a hard-hitting way. The actor wrote,“#Watched Dhurandhar and I’m blown away. What a gripping tale and you’ve simply nailed it @AdityaDharFilms. We need our stories to be told in a hard-hitting way and I’m so glad the audiences are giving the film all the love it deserves.” Akshay Kumar’s post comes at a time when the Ranveer Singh–starrer is caught in the middle of a controversy. The film showcases Sanjay Dutt as the late Pakistani police officer SP Chaudhary Aslam, a prominent figure known for spearheading operations against Karachi’s criminal syndicates. However, Aslam’s wife, Noreen, has reportedly voiced her dissatisfaction with the on-screen representation of her husband. To note, many celebrities have come forward to support the film. Actress-politician Smriti Irani shared a note praising the action thriller. Sharing Ranveer Singh's image, she wrote, “If you have looked into the eyes of the wife of a fallen soldier and walked her to the cremation ground, if you have visited the Jagti camp in Jammu, if you have seen the deserted temple premises of Sharika Devi in Srinagar, if you have met those who were on duty during the Parliament attack or have family that survived the 26/11 Mumbai attack, then nothing in Dhurandhar should lead you to outrage—after all, it’s just a film. ” Praising Aditya for his direction, Smriti said, “As a storyteller, adityadharfilms is a craftsperson par excellence; as a research fiend, even more so. It’s the quiver in the face as he pulls the cover off a dead son that makes Akshaye Khanna’s performance a lesson in craft, and ranveersingh’s piercing eyes that speak when he doesn’t are a must-watch for those who aspire to be consistent in their pursuit of a legacy, and that rampal72 can be so menacing is a revelation.”
12 December,2025 03:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWith the sole aim of highlighting the importance of menstrual health, actress Neha Dhupia took the lead and launched the Go Flo Run initiative. She has also been a part of a breastfeeding campaign. In an exclusive chat with mid-day, the actress shared how maternal health became a cause for her when she embraced motherhood. She also opened up about work-hour balance and upcoming projects. Neha Dhupia on health and fitness Talking about how she dealt with postpartum depression and other changes after motherhood, Neha shared, “It's something you're not ready for. But I feel that life throws these curveballs at you. And health and fitness have been important to me always.” When asked how she deals with outdoor shoots with no washroom facilities, she said, “I've been on Roadies. There's no washroom ever. But you work around it by finding the closest place or talking to production. I feel that actors are kind of subject to a little more care. I just initiate conversations around more hygienic places for all women on set. So that’s how you change the narrative and change the voice. Just because a woman is on a period doesn't mean she should miss out on opportunities.” Neha Dhupia on gender bias Recalling the gender bias that existed on sets earlier, the Perfect Family star said, “I started at a time where these conversations were not even had. Now the climate has changed so much, and I'm so happy that it did. When I started off, I felt like there was a lot more hierarchy based on gender. But now I feel that it's fair. Someone’s need for emergency or attention is not divided based on gender, and it’s so beautiful. The new people in the business don’t come with fears.” Neha Dhupia on career choices Reflecting on her journey, Neha recalled how Roadies was a brave decision she made. “I was doing mainstream cinema and worked with renowned directors like Priyadarshan and Anees Bazmee. Most people at that time would have thought that a mainstream actress does not do reality shows. But that decision paid off for me. I know that a lot of people were approached then, and I am glad they picked me.” Neha on the work hours debate Neha also shared her thoughts on the work hours discussion. When asked how long she has worked at a stretch, she answered, “The longest I've worked is 36 hours, and this was over two different things that I did. It was not on one set, as I was moving from one place to another to finish the backlog. I chose to do it, but I don’t advocate it. Take rest, divide your day, and ensure you have enough personal time. But I think the definition of work hours completely changes when there is a shift towards family and kids. A cut-off point is a good place to actually start from.” On a parting note, she opened up about Single Papa and spoke about how men are sensitive and equally good at handling chores. “It’s a very important thing. Men are also extremely sensitive and can look after home and kids when a woman is away. It’s about us giving them chances as well. Society needs to make that shift, and in many nuclear families, men and women are equally supporting each other.”
12 December,2025 03:07 PM IST | Mumbai | Aakruti BaglaActor Salman Khan has revealed a stunning fact about his personal life: he has not gone out to supper in the last 25 years. He noted that his life revolves mostly around his business and travel obligations, summarising his daily schedule as "bas ghar se shooting, airport, ya hotel". Salman attended the Red Sea Film Festival on Thursday and participated in a session where he shared insights on his life and career. Several videos from the session have been shared on social media. Salman Khan talks about his personal life During the talk at the film festival, Salman also discussed the loss of close friends and admitting to times of complacency in his career as an actor. “Most of my life I’ve always been around my family and friends, jismein se kafi nikal li hain aur bas bhi 4-5 hi hain jo bahut phele se hain mere saath (I have lost a few of my close friends, and now just have 4-5 of them with me now. They have been with me for a long time),” Salman mentioned on the stage. Salman went on to share, "25-26 saal hogaye hain ke main kahin bahar dinner pe nahi gaya hoon. Shooting se ghar, ghar se shooting, ghar se airport, airport se hotel aur hotel se yahan. That’s it. This is my life (I haven’t stepped out for dinner in the last 25 years. My life is all about going to shoot, airport, hotel or to the event and then back to the shoot)." Salman Khan on whether he has any regrets When asked whether he regrets it, Salman shared, “And I don't mind it… Ya toh yeh chaiyeh ke aap ghumo phiro aur yeh sab na ho, that is something that I don’t want. Itni izzat dete hai aur pyaar dete hain.. Ussi ke liye mehnat karta hun… Beech beech mein thodha complacent ho jaata hun.. But usko bhi enjoy karta hun kyeh sochke ke aa gaye kya aane wala hai.” Which translates to, "Either you want to wander around and have none of this, which is something I don’t want. They give so much respect and love… that’s why I work so hard. Every now and then, I do get a little complacent… but I also enjoy it, thinking about what’s coming next and what the future holds" This was his second time attending the Red Sea festival, when he also met Hollywood icon Johnny Depp. On Wednesday, Salman attended the Golden Globes gala dinner at the film festival. Several photographs from the dinner were posted on the film festival's official Instagram account. The shots show Salman alongside Idris Elba, Edgar Ramírez, and other attendees during the meal.
12 December,2025 03:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
