Days after Jaya Bachchan’s controversial remark against paparazzi sparked a debate in the industry, actress Huma Qureshi has now broken her silence on the paparazzi culture. She stated that paparazzi is important for the ecosystem, noting that everyone is simply doing their job. Huma went on to admit that celebs call paparazzi to promote a film or get visibility. Huma Qureshi opens up about her relationship with paparazzi During a conversation with India Today, Huma described her relationship with the paparazzi as “very healthy." She said, “I think they are also important. I won’t lie, but we use them when we need to promote our films or bring a certain aspect of our lives into the public eye. There have been times when we needed to promote our films, so we invited them to premieres. When we want to be spotted somewhere, we call them. I don’t want to put all the blame on them." Ellaborating on her equation with the paps she said it has evolved over time. He shares how whenever she isn’t looking her best or doesn’t want to get clicked, she simply requests them not to take a picture of her, and they oblige. She added, “Maybe it hasn’t been the same for others. There have been times when they’ve taken pictures of me from bad angles. But now I stop them and tell them not to do that." Huma further continued, “If you want to intrude on my privacy, you will ask questions that I won’t find appropriate. Or I might be wearing a certain dress, and you’ll try to capture it from a particular angle, which isn’t right. There’s a limit, which I think people should never cross. But we do cross that line, that’s the reality. I’m not saying anything new. As a female actress, I have experienced all of this. Someone asked me a very inappropriate question during a press conference." The Maharani 4 actress concluded saying, “My philosophy is simple: don’t misbehave and don’t let others misbehave." Jaya Bachchan's remark on paparazzi Jaya Bachchan, during an interview with Barkha Dutt, was asked about her views on paparazzi culture. To this, the veteran actor shared, “You know, it’s very strange. My relationship with the media is fantastic. I am the product of media. But my relationship with paparazzi is zero. Who are these people? Are they trained to represent the people of this country? You call them media? I come from the media. My father was a journalist. I have tremendous respect for such people." She further added, “But yeh jo bahar gande, tight pant pehenke, haath mein mobile leke (those who wear cheap tight pants and hold a mobile in their hand), they think just because they have a mobile, they can take your picture and say what they want. And the kind of comments they pass! What kind of people are these people? Kahan se aate hain, kis tarah ka education hai? Kya background hai? Will they represent us? Just because they can get through to YouTube or whatever social platform?"
12 December,2025 09:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, made his directorial debut in 2025 with the series The Ba***ds of Bollywood. The show became an instant hit, and fans loved it for its storytelling, performances and digs at the showbiz. However, now, Shah Rukh Khan’s Don 2 co-star, Alyy Khan, has expressed his disatisfaction over the show. Alyy Khan slams Aryan Khan's The Ba***ds of Bollywood The British-Pakistani actor was seen on the ARY podcast wherein he voiced his opinion saying, “Recently maine Aryan ka kaam dekha The Ba***ds of Bollywood mein, mujhe bohot ajeeb laga. Ek toh family ke saath aap dekh nahi sakte hain kyunki language itni ajeeb hai. Aur uss language ki koi justification bhi nahi thi, aur jiss level ke log dekh rahe thay aap, kya woh aise sadak chap language use karte hai (Recently, I watched Aryan’s work in The Ba***ds of Bollywood, and I found it very strange. You cannot watch it with family because the language is so unusual. And at the level of the people being portrayed in the show, do they actually use such street-level language)?" He went on to add, “Mujhe kabhi kabhi lagta hai ki eyeballs ke liye, ratings ke liye, iss tarah ke informed decisions liye jaate hai. Wohi cheez kehne ki bohot tareeke hote hai. Aur agar gaali dene bhi hai, toh closeup ki tarah honi chahiye na. Ki jab chahiye tab bolo aap, that’s when you get the impact. Agar har jumle mein woh aa rahi hai toh cringe hai woh, boriyat ho jaati hai (Sometimes it seems to me that such decisions are made just for eyeballs, for ratings. There are many ways to convey the same thing. And if you want to use expletives, it should be like a close-up, say it when it matters, that’s when it has an impact. If every sentence has it, it becomes cringeworthy and boring)." About Alyy Khan For the unversed, Alyy Khan is a British-Pakistani actor and host. He has worked in Hollywood, Bollywood, and Lollywood films as well as television series. He is best known for his roles in films like A Mighty Heart, Traitor, Don 2, 3 Bahadur, Actor in Law, and Mogul Mowgli. His parallel lead role in the telefilm Anjuman is also well-known.
12 December,2025 08:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs Mumbai’s AQI (Air Quality Index) continues to deteriorate with each passing day, singer Armaan Malik recently voiced his concerns, stating that he was very much worried about Mumbai’s poor AQI, noting that people have been falling sick. He penned a couple of posts on X, urging Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to 'figure out a strategic plan' to control the poor AQI in the city. Notably, on December 12 morning, the AQI crossed 150 due to dust and smog in the air of the city. Armaan Malik about Mumbai's worsening AQI In his first X post, Armaan Malik highlighted how people’s health has been affected by pollution in Mumbai. He wrote, “Mumbai’s air feels heavier every day. I’ve seen more people fall sick this month than ever before, and it’s not the weather… it’s the air. The smog. The dust. The reality we’re breathing. From kids to elders, everyone is coughing or struggling. How are we expected to live, work or feel safe like this? This deserves immediate attention from those in charge. We can’t air-purify our way out of a crisis. We need real solutions now.” Armaan Malik went on to add how he loves Mumbai a lot and wants to continue staying here for the rest of his life. He wrote, “I love my city and my country deeply, and I want to continue living, working, and growing here because this place is home. All I’m hoping for is that the authorities can take necessary steps to help make our living conditions healthier and more sustainable for everyone. When basic necessities and overall quality of life improve, people feel rooted and confident about building their future right here. That’s all any of us really want.” Armaan Malik's appeal to BMC In a trailing post on X, the singer added, "mybmc, this is a humble request – can you please look into this and figure out a strategic plan - coz this affects ALL OF US. Including the people (and families) working for your organisation.” .@mybmc, this is a humble request - can you please look into this and figure out a strategic plan - coz this affects ALL OF US. Including the people (and families) working for your organisation. https://t.co/W0d0lVm6p1 — ARMAAN ✦ (@ArmaanMalik22) December 12, 2025 Hi posts are now going viral on social media, with netizens agreeing with his thoughts. Several users have also asked him to visit Delhi, which currently has the worst AQI.
12 December,2025 08:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Assam Police, which is probing the death of popular singer Zubeen Garg, on Friday filed a 12,000-page chargesheet before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Guwahati. The chargesheet was submitted by a team of SIT led by Rosie Kalita. Chargesheet filed in Zubeen Garg case In the chargesheet, the SIT charged murder under Section 103 of BNS against four accused - Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddharth Sharma, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta. SIT Chief and Special DGP (CID) Munna Prasad Gupta told ANI that the main chargesheet is around 2500 pages and including other documents the volume of the chargesheet is around 12,000 pages. "Section 103 of BNS has charged against four accused persons - Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddharth Sharma, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta. Section 3(6), 3(7), 3(8), 61(2), 103(1), 316(5) of BNS charges against Siddharth Sharma, 3(6), 3(7), 3(8), 61(2), 103(1), 308(2), 318(4), 238 of BNS charges against Shyamkanu Mahanta, 3(6), 3(7), 3(8), 61(2), 103(1), 316(5) of BNS against Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, 3(6), 3(7), 3(8), 61(2), 103(1), 238 of BNS against Amritprava Mahanta. On the other hand, Section 105 of BNS charges against Sandipan Garg, Section 61(2), 316(5) charges against each Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya," Munna Prasad Gupta said. The SIT team submitted various documents, technical and electronic evidences along with chargesheet. The SIT team had recorded statements from around 300 people during its investigation. On October 21, the SIT team, led by Special DGP (CID) Munna Prasad Gupta, met Singapore authorities regarding the case. So far, the SIT has recorded statements from over 300 individuals. During the probe, the SIT has arrested seven people, including main event organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Zubeen's manager Siddharth Sharma, his cousin Sandipan Garg, bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, co-singer Amritprava Mahanta, and Zubeen's PSOs Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya. All the accused are currently in jail. Assam CM reacts to Chargesheet filing Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday asserted that the promise made to the people of the state in connection with singer Zubeen Garg's death has been fulfilled with the filing of the charge sheet by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) within the stipulated time frame. "We had taken the responsibility of ensuring justice to Zubeen Garg and we fulfilled this with the SIT submitting the charge sheet within a record time in the court today," Sarma said on the sidelines of a programme in Kokrajhar. (with inputs from agencies)
12 December,2025 08:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNaveen 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 NambiarADVERTISEMENT
