One of Bollywood's most legendary actors, Dharmendra, would have turned 90 years old on Monday. Marking the special day, his nephew, and actor, Abhay Deol, recalled a fond memory with his uncle. The 'Dev D' actor took to his official Instagram handle and uploaded a throwback photo with the 'He-Man' of Bollywood, where a little Abhay and Dharmendra were seen gazing into the distance. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Abhay Deol (@abhaydeol) Revealing the story behind the image, Abhay captioned the post, "Must’ve been 1985 or ‘86. I had just been scolded so I was upset. He called me to him, sat me down by his side and said, “look at the light”, and had the photographer click this pic. (sic)." The 'Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!' actor added, "I look forward to the moment I hear him say those words to me again, when my time comes. Today was his birthday." For the unaware, Dharmendra’s younger brother Ajit Singh Deol is Abhay's father. Marking her father's birthday, Esha Deol promised to continue Dharmendra's legacy with 'pride & respect' in a heartfelt post. Reflecting on her equation with her late father, who passed away on November 24, she wrote on her IG, "To my darling Papa...Our pact, the strongest bond . “ us “ through all our lifetimes, all the realms and beyond ….. We are always together papa . Be it heaven or earth . We are one (sic)." "For now I have very tenderly, carefully & preciously tucked you in my heart … deep deep inside to carry on with me for the rest of this lifetime. The magical precious memories….. life lessons , the teachings, the guidance , the warmth, the unconditional love , the dignity and the strength you have given me as your daughter cannot be replaced or matched by any other," Esha added. Dharmendra was admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital after reportedly complaining of breathlessness. However, after getting the necessary treatment, he was discharged from the hospital on November 12, continuing his recovery at home. 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
08 December,2025 02:05 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSRanveer Singh’s Dhurandhar has managed to create an uproar and recorded a good opening weekend at the Indian box office. From storyline to acting and action sequences, the film is receiving praise for all the right reasons and garnering footfalls due to positive word of mouth. The opening weekend collection of Ranveer Singh's film is now out and it has earned over Rs 106 crores. Dhurandhar's opening weekend collection On its first day, the film collected Rs 28.60 cr. It was followed by Rs 3.10 cr on Day and Rs 44.80 cr on Day 3 (Sunday). With this the total opening weekend collection stands at Rs 106.50 crores. Talking about the worldwide collection, the film minted Rs 160.15 crore. With this, Dhurandhar has emerged as third third-highest opening weekend grosser of 2025. Top weekend grossers of 2025 include’ War 2 (Rs 130 crore), Chhaava (Rs 121.43 crore), Dhurandhar (106.50 cr**), Thamma (86.89 cr) and Saiyaara (84.50 cr). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jio Studios (@officialjiostudios) Currently, Tere Ishk Mein is running in theatres, which has recorded an impressive run. However, with Dhurandhar, the film is seeing dip in collection. In upcoming days, Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, TMMTMTTM, will be released in theatres. With midnight and early morning shows running in theatres of the actioner, how will these film perform? Only time will tell. About Dhurandhar Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar is inspired by real events from Pakistan’s Lyari, and the Indian intelligence’s role in dismantling the terror network there. The film also stars Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R Madhavan. Part 2 of the film will release on March 19, 2026, concluding the story. While the film is enjoying monstrous run, director Sidharth Anand praised it. Recently, director Siddharth Anand took to X to commend the team for their outstanding work. He wrote, “Dhurandhar is nasha. It stays for long with you. It is a prime example of EVERY department performing to their peak! How! How? Because the director, Aditya Dhar, propelled all of them with his conviction. And his passion. Which shows in every scene." He continued, “There are some scenes that are executed like a seasoned maestro. Each performance, all of them, have just submitted and allowed their best to be extracted." He also mentioned in his tweet that he will watch the film again. “And, I don’t remember wanting to see a film again in the theatres for years…so happy!! Kudos team DHURANDHAR."
08 December,2025 01:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentVeteran actress Rekha enjoys a massive fan following. While the actress last appeared on screen in 2014, fans still go gaga over her appearances at events. The diva was recently spotted at the airport with her manager Farzana. However, she found herself at the receiving end of criticism after she pushed a fan who came close to her for a selfie. Rekha pushes fan asking for selfie The incident took place during Rekha's recent public appearance at the airport. The actress was seen wearing a beige top with a long black overcoat and loose pants. What caught our attention was that she was also seen sporting sindoor. Apart from this, she donned shades and opted for a messy bun. She generously smiled and waved to the paps stationed there. While she was making her way inside, a fan came close to the actress and immediately took out her phone to capture the moment. However, the actor did not seem to be in a good mood and instead of obliging, she pushed the fan. Her manager Farzana was also seen pushing the fan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) As soon as the clip went viral, netizens started bashing Rekha and even compared her to Jaya Bachchan. A user wrote, “I feel bad for the woman… what was so difficult about spending a few seconds for someone who considers you their fan?” Another commented, “OMG, started acting like Jaya Bachchan,” while one wrote, “Isme bhi apni sautan ki aatma aa gayi kya.” Many also called her rude and disrespectful. This is not the first time the actress has disrespected a fan. Even in August, her manager came under scrutiny after she pushed a fan. About Rekha The diva recently celebrated her 81st birthday, and celebs from all corners wished her. Rekha was honoured at the 2025 Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, where her enduring legacy as one of Indian cinema’s most iconic stars was celebrated. She made a rare public appearance at the screening of the newly restored 4K version of Umrao Jaan. For the uninitiated, Rekha has starred in more than 200 films and is the recipient of several accolades, including one National Film Award. She has often played strong and complex female characters, from fictional to literary, in both mainstream and independent films. Beyond films, Rekha also served in the Rajya Sabha. Her last big-screen appearance was in the 2014 film Super Nani.
08 December,2025 11:57 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRanveer Singh’s Dhurandhar is definitely roaring at the box office. The film, featuring an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, draws inspiration from a real-life incident. Dutt essays the role of SP Chaudhary Aslam, a notorious police officer. Aslam’s widow, Noreen, has now commented on her husband’s portrayal in the Ranveer Singh-starrer and expressed disappointment. Aslam Chaudhary’s wife on legal action against the makers Appearing on a podcast by Dialogue Pakistan, Aslam’s wife Noreen said that her husband had been a fan of Sanjay Dutt ever since he watched Khalnayak in the 90s. She was sure the actor would do justice to her husband’s personality. However, she did have one complaint. The trailer of the film has a character describe Aslam as the offspring of the devil and a djinn. Objecting to this, Noreen said, “We are Muslims, and such words are disrespectful not only to Aslam but his mother, who was a simple, honest woman. If I see my husband being portrayed wrongly or any propaganda against him in the film, I will definitely take all the legal steps I can. It is strange that Indian filmmakers find no other subjects but to malign Pakistan.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jio Studios (@officialjiostudios) For those unversed, Chaudhary Aslam joined the Sind Police in the 80s as an ASI and worked in several towns across the Pakistani province. In the 2000s, he was appointed to lead the Lyari Task Force in the government’s crackdown on the gangs in the Karachi township. He played a major role in assassinating Rehman Dakait. About Dhurandhar Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film was initially touted to be based on the life of Major Mohit Sharma. The film also stars Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun. The real story that inspired the Bollywood film Dhurandhar is Operation Lyari. Operation Lyari was the longest-running covert operation conducted in Karachi’s notorious Lyari area. Ahead of release, the film was mired in controversy after the parents of Ashoka Chakra and Sena Medal awardee Major Mohit Sharma sought a stay on the release, claiming the film took inspiration from the life of their son without permission. However, the Delhi High Court on December 1, 2025, led the CBFC to quash the family's objections.
08 December,2025 11:13 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKaran Johar has often been disarmingly candid about his personal life. From opening up about anxiety and mental health to a turbulent love life, he has bared it all. In his recent post, the filmmaker shares his struggle with travel anxiety. On the risk of getting trolled, KJo opened up about what might be considered a champagne problem by some, hoping many others will be able to resonate with him. Karan Johar on travel anxiety He started the post by giving a disclaimer and continued: “So disclaimer: not that it matters, you are free to troll me… What I am about to write may be considered a champagne problem… but I do feel many will resonate… Raise your hands if you have travel anxiety! First, I have a desperate need to reach the airport early (sometimes even before the ground staff have arrived). Then, in the lounge, I check my passport and my boarding card 50 times.” He continued, “And once I am seated… I wait for the pilot to announce the duration of the flight… as if my life depends on it… then I wait for him or her to tell us about the weather en route… if we are told it’s ‘a smooth ride,’ I can breathe… but some pilots say ‘few bumps on the way’… Then, right through the duration, I wait at the edge of the seat for those expected bumps… then I check the map every 10 minutes on a short-haul flight….” Karan concluded, “On a long-haul flight, I pop a pill and pray for sleep (subconscious mind is always turbulence aware)… Then I feel the desperate urge to be hugely polite to the cabin crew (in case of an emergency, they will be kind to the kind), so I smile like a Colgate ad! And say thank you at every given point of time… Then, an hour before we land, I am all ready (not at all ready for any circling or air traffic)… then I rush out and want to overtake every passenger like it’s a limbo race… (no particular reason at all)… Ok, that’s all… (there are some packing idiosyncrasies, but that’s for another post).” Karan Johar’s work front He was recently seen making an appearance in The Ba***ds of Bollywood and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. Apart from this, he is bankrolling Chand Mera Dil. He has two projects with Kartik Aaryan: Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri and Naagzilla.
08 December,2025 09:35 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDharmendra’s death left a deep void in the Hindi film industry. The legendary actor would have turned 90 today. On the special occasion, the Deol family has planned a special celebration at their farmhouse with his fans. Now, his daughter Esha Deol got emotional remembering her father and penned a heartfelt note cherishing precious memories with him. Esha Deol on Dharmendra’s birth anniversary On Monday, Esha took to Instagram and shared a couple of pictures posing with Dharmendra. Along with the pictures, she penned an emotional note remembering him, which read: “To my darling Papa. Our pact, the strongest bond. ‘Us’ through all our lifetimes, all the realms and beyond… We are always together, Papa. Be it heaven or earth, we are one. For now, I have very tenderly, carefully, and preciously tucked you in my heart… deep, deep inside to carry on with me for the rest of this lifetime.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by ESHA DHARMENDRA DEOL (@imeshadeol) She added, “The magical, precious memories… life lessons, the teachings, the guidance, the warmth, and the unconditional love you have given me as your daughter cannot be replaced or matched by any other. I so painfully miss you, Papa… your warm, protective hugs that felt like the cosiest blanket, holding your soft yet strong hands which had unspoken messages, and your voice calling out my name, followed by endless conversations, laughter, and shayaris.” She concluded with a promise to continue his legacy with pride and respect, and wrote: “Your motto, ‘always be humble, be happy, healthy, and strong’ — I promise to continue your legacy with pride and respect. And I will try my best to spread your love to the millions who love you as I do. I love you, Papa. Your darling daughter, your Esha, your Bittu.” About Dharmendra’s death For the uninitiated, the late superstar Dharmendra passed away on November 24 at the age of 89. He had been put on a ventilator in mid-November after he faced breathing difficulties. He was soon discharged from the hospital and was brought back home, where his treatments continued. Several celebs attended his funeral and prayer meet, offering condolences to the bereaved family. On the work front, the late actor will appear in Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, which also stars Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia. The biography honours Arun Khaterpal’s life.
08 December,2025 09:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentJealous much? Actor Jaideep Ahlawat, who will next appear in filmmaker Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, admits he gets “jealous” every time he spots someone in an Army uniform — his childhood dream career. The Pataal Lok star, who has several friends in the Army, revealed that he failed the Services Selection Board exams twice, a fact he now narrates with a mix of nostalgia and mischief. He said, “I thought I’d be a good Army officer, but unfortunately, I was sent back home. It is an emotional moment for me. I have many friends in the Indian Army. Whenever I see someone in uniform, I get goosebumps because that was my first dream as an 18–19-year-old boy who wanted to join the Army.” In a happy space Kiran Rao, Aamir Khan and Gauri Spratt Superstar Aamir Khan opened up about his harmoniously blended family during his appearance at a recent event in New Delhi. The actor said that he remains close to ex-wives Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao, sharing, “Reena is an amazing person. The fact that we fell apart as husband and wife does not mean we fell apart as human beings.” On Kiran, he added, “We decided to part ways as husband and wife, but we are family.” Aamir also revealed he did not expect to find love again at the age of 60, but praised his new partner Gauri Spratt, stating, “She brings a lot of calm and steadiness [in my life]. I feel very fortunate that I met Reena, Kiran, and now Gauri.” ‘Actors are very insecure’ Manoj Bajpayee Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who is earning widespread praise for The Family Man 3, recently opened up about industry insecurity during a chat with comedians and actors Kusha Kapila and Ravi Gupta. He said, “In our industry, actors will never praise each other. They’ll never call to appreciate someone’s work because they are very insecure. Even now, I still call people to ask for work. Kyunki main paidayshi struggler hoon.” The show’s new season dropped last month after a wait, after a wait of four years. According to Prime Video India, it has reportedly become this year’s most-watched series. It follows Manoj’s Srikant Tiwari as he becomes a wanted man after a mishap in the Northeast. Shooting the final act Meghna Gulzar, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Kareena Kapoor Khan Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar has begun the final shooting schedule of her upcoming film Daayra, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The filmmaker shared the update on Instagram. She posted a photo of a car salon with packed bags on Sunday (December 7), and captioned it, “Final schedule.” The film is described as a crime-drama that taps into the “pulse of the people” as it confronts the “topical and diabolical realities unfolding in society today.” On helming this movie, Meghna had said, “Kareena and Prithviraj bring the lead characters to life, the narrative dynamics are all set to elevate further.”
08 December,2025 08:08 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamThe year 2025 will always be memorable for Delhi Indie Project. It not only marks the band’s tenth year together in the music world, but also saw them release their first album, Lakshya 2025. As the band — comprising lead vocalist Ashish Chauhan, vocalist Nysha, keyboard player Ayush Gupta, drummer Siddhant Boruah, and bassist Akhil Sindhwani — marks a decade of music-making, they are now looking ahead to a future filled with experimentation, global ambitions, and original work. “From opening for Bryan Adams to headlining a show of his calibre — that is the vision,” says Chauhan. But so much of the future is shaped by the past, and it has been a glorious past 10 years for the band, which is known to blend rock, fusion, and folk music. Their most defining moment, as Chauhan mentions, was the chance to open for Bryan Adams in the Gurugram leg of his India tour in 2024. “We were selected from numerous bands,” he remembers. Having started out in 2015 by doing covers of hit songs, Delhi Indie Project released its maiden single Guzarish in 2018, the first of many hit numbers to follow over the years. With time, the band’s sound continues to evolve — shaped not just by global influences and individual journeys, but also by diverse audiences across the world. With more than 800 shows behind them, every destination has taught them something. “Every location possesses its unique culture, cuisine, and musical style. Goa remains our favourite though,” Chauhan reflects. Performances in Dubai, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand have expanded their artistic vocabulary. Beyond the stage, Delhi Indie Project has composed for internationally recognised titles, including Jalpari — The Desert Mermaid, and Discovery Channel’s I Should Have Stayed Home. The creative process shifts dramatically across mediums. “For film and television, one has a storyboard or theme to guide the composition. In a live band performance, there is the freedom to craft our own narrative,” notes Chauhan. As they step into their 11th year, they hope to take their sound global with projects for film, television, and OTT. Yep, it’s that band! Delhi Indie Project shot to fame in 2024 when they opened Bryan Adams’s concert in Gurugram
08 December,2025 08:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Komal RJ PanchalIn a rehearsal room in Mumbai, long before the tickets for his India tour went live, singer Nisschal Zaveri found himself in an unusual moment. He was singing a familiar ghazal line, but he recalls that afternoon, the sound of the sarangi and a 30-piece Western orchestral palette rose around him. “That’s when I realised that the mehfil’s intimacy could coexist with orchestral scale,” he remembers. That realisation became Whispers of the Infinite, a production that blends ghazal and symphony. But grandeur isn’t what he is chasing with the concerts. If anything, he is gentle with the idea of scale. “Every arrangement is designed to breathe with the poetry, not sit on top of it. The strings rise only when the sher rises, the choir appears for a moment and disappears. In a way, the grandeur actually protects the silence,” shares the Delhi-born artiste who grew up training in Hindustani classical music. Now, with over 100 original ghazals to his credit, his discography includes collaborations with Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and AR Rahman’s KM Conservatory. With the latest endeavour, Zaveri believes he is carrying ghazals forward without changing their core. “I’m not breaking the form, I am honouring it. The structure of the ghazal remains untouched. All I’ve done is expand the canvas around it. When the intention is rooted in respect, even traditional listeners feel included, not threatened.” The fear of alienating traditional listeners never found its way into his process. In a world filled with synths, loops, and hooks, the singer believes listeners are hungry and the ghazal offers an antidote. He shares a recent incident to prove how the young audience too tunes into ghazals. He recalls, “Just a few days ago, during a rehearsal for Whispers of the Infinite, five or six young girls, barely six to 10 years old, walked into the room and sat through almost four hours of rehearsal. I am certain they didn’t understand a word of the Urdu I was singing. But they sat there, listening. That moment reminded me that music, when it’s honest, can be boundless. A ghazal doesn’t rely on language; it relies on feeling. In a world full of hooks and algorithms, a ghazal gives you emotion in its purest form.” Ghazals rendered by Nisschal Zaveri: . Silsile Tod Gaya Woh Sabhi . Kabhi Kaha Na Kisi Se . Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar
08 December,2025 07:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuAfter having built a robust career spanning over four decades, Manoj Pahwa often looks for a sense of responsibility in his work. The actor couldn’t be happier that it came in the form of Perfect Family. “When you come to this industry, you do a lot of work because you need to keep your kitchen running and pay the rent. But there are some works that make you realise your purpose and what you can do for society. After working for 30-40 years, you ask yourself, ‘Are you fulfilling your responsibility as an artiste?’ This is one of those shows,” he says of the Gulshan Devaiah and Girija Oak-led dramedy that highlights the importance of mental health. Personally, Pahwa believes that mental health awareness is essential. But it took him some time to reach this realisation. Initially, he was dismissive about therapy. “Seema [Pahwa, wife and co-actor] mentioned a few times that we should see a psychiatrist. My reaction was typical of a chauvinist Punjabi man from Delhi. I told her, ‘What’s wrong with my mind? Everything is going great.’ I had no big ambitions. We were getting to eat and drink what we wanted; that was enough. But gradually, I realised the importance of therapy and mental health. I haven’t sought therapy, but we’ve understood that it’s a good thing to do.”
08 December,2025 07:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuOnly a month after his directorial venture Haq hit the screens, Suparn S Varma is presenting Flames, the maiden directorial feature of Ravi Kaushik. As it premièred at the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival on December 6, Varma says the movie’s “visceral and brutal” quality made him come on board almost immediately. “Meeting Ravi felt like meeting a like-minded, passionate soul who had put everything on the line. He was doing a full-time job while making his film. I remember writing my first script while still working at [a news website]. That’s how it is for so many dreamers without a back-up system,” he says. Shot in rural Haryana with local residents and one professional actor, Vikram Kochhar, Flames follows a family under emotional strain while observing the caste currents woven into everyday village life. Varma analyses, “The [caste] divide can go unnoticed, yet it’s all around us. And when it hits you, it does like a hammer.”For Kaushik, however, the theme of casteism came second. Flames was born from an emotional urgency — he had spent over a year developing another story about a father grieving a child’s death. “Those thoughts impacted my mental health adversely. As part of therapy, I pivoted to a story about survival and what a parent would do for their offspring. Once I found that emotional core, I had to get the film out of my system before it affected my personal life,” he recalls, before adding, “The caste layer forms the subtext, and naturally shapes what happens to the family.” Suparn S Varma and Ravi Kaushik That said, the engineer-turned-director has tackled the subject head-on. “Casteism may not always be overt, but you feel the undercurrent in daily conversations. While I focused on the father’s journey, it was imperative to reflect that underlying layer of discrimination and exploitation.” Dec 6When ‘Flames’ premièred at the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival
08 December,2025 07:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuADVERTISEMENT
