With the film Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, actress Sonam Bajwa stepped into a world that felt both cinematic and deeply nostalgic. High on emotion, sweeping visuals, and soulful music, the film taps into an old-school Bollywood romance that evokes the era of grand love stories, heightened drama, and unabashed theatricality. For Sonam, the journey into that world began much before the cameras started rolling. She recalls being completely transported during the narration itself. She said, "When I heard the narration, I was taken to that world of old romantic Bollywood movies — high on emotions, high on drama. I think it started from that moment. It definitely transported me to that era. I feel truly blessed to do something like this because we don’t have many films that are shot in this way. Wearing sarees, entering a rally — very high on drama, very filmy. There’s a certain kind of nostalgia and emotion that comes with filming something like this, and that definitely happened to me. I think I felt it the most during the narration because, by then, I didn’t have any shooting experience of this kind. I was fully transported. And I think after shooting, I realized, 'Oh, okay, at least I got to do something like this once in my acting career so far'." Sonam Bajwa on Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat OTT release As the film that also stars Harshvardhan Rane now finds a new home on ZEE5, Sonam sees the OTT release as a chance for Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat to find a wider, more diverse audience. While many viewers experienced the film in theatres, she believes the digital premiere will introduce it to those who may have missed it on the big screen and perhaps even draw back audiences who connected deeply with it the first time around. The idea of the film being discovered, rediscovered, and discussed across homes, age groups, and regions excites her. For an actor, she says, there’s little more rewarding than knowing a story will continue to live on and spark conversations beyond its theatrical run. Sonam reflects on 2025 The OTT release also comes at a reflective moment in Sonam Bajwa’s career. As she looks back at the past year, gratitude stands out as the defining emotion. With three Hindi releases in 2025 across comedy, action, and drama, the actor describes the year as both fulfilling and motivating. Each project allowed her to explore a different facet of her craft, making the year not just busy, but creatively enriching. More importantly, it marked her debut year in Hindi cinema — a milestone she acknowledges with pride and humility. Rather than viewing 2025 as a culmination, Sonam sees it as just the beginning. She believes she has only scratched the surface and is keen to push herself further in performances, dance, and overall cinematic expression. With 2026 on the horizon, her focus is firmly on growth, better choices, and continued hard work.
29 December,2025 01:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn an exclusive conversation with mid-day's The Bombay Film Story , singer Shilpa Rao opened up about the personal choices and emotional journey that shaped her, from changing her name to navigating a demanding guru-shishya relationship with her father, who trained her in music. Shilpa Rao on changing her name Apeksha Clearing long-standing confusion around her name, Shilpa revealed that she was always “Shilpa” at home. “I was born as Shilpa at home,” she said, explaining how names were often decided informally at birth. The name Apeksha, she shared, entered her life later. “Apeksha was when I went to school and you had to write a proper name.” While her school certificates still carry Apeksha Rao, official documents like her passport read Shilpa Rao. The decision to embrace Shilpa came when she was around 15 or 16. “When the passport was being made, I said, ‘I want to change my name.’” The reason was deeply emotional. “Apeksha was a heavy duty name… expectation hi hai,” she said, adding that she was never someone who thrived under pressure. “I’m somebody who likes to be in the background, doing your thing… not bogged down with a lot of expectations.” When asked about her first song Tose Naina from Anwar that turned into a major hit, Shilpa detailed how she bagged it and how it turned into a life changing moment for her. She said, "This was my first song, and many don’t realise it was a Mithoon composition for Manish Jha’s film Anwar. While the film may not be widely remembered, the song is still hummed everywhere and is the first one we start every concert with. I admired Mithoon’s unique musical sensibility from my college days and reached out to him with a demo CD, as was common then. Later, he called me to try a scratch track for Anwar. Manish loved the first recording, which was kept as the final version, even the outro humming came from that take. It taught me to never take any recording lightly." On finding her voice with her father's training Shilpa also spoke candidly about learning music under her father’s strict guidance. “My father had a hard time teaching me music,” she admitted, calling the relationship a “very difficult balance.” One incident remains vivid in her memory. “He came into my room and tore all my posters… Led Zeppelin, Leonardo DiCaprio.” His reason was simple. “Do you realise you have not practiced in a week?” For years, Shilpa believed success would make her father happy. “If I get my first break he would be happy… if I got that many awards he would be happy.” But she later realised that wasn’t true. “He is only happy if I have the yearning to learn more,” she said. “If I go to him like, ‘Dad, I want to learn this,’ he would be happy.” Compares her father to Aamir Khan from Dangal Describing her father as “like Aamir Khan from Dangal,” she shared how music was never treated as a hobby at home. “Someone asked me, ‘What are your hobbies?’ I said music. He was so pissed off. He said, ‘This is not your hobby.’” Today, she understands why. “I don’t have any hobbies. I do everything as if it is the main thing, even if I watch a film, I use that into my music.” Through discipline, conflict and deep emotional learning, Shilpa Rao found not just her voice, but her identity, one rooted in sincerity, curiosity and an unending desire to learn.
29 December,2025 12:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMiss World Manushi Chhillar delivered a show-stopping performance at the Hockey India League 2024 Launch Miss World Manushi Chhillar absolutely brought the house down at the Hockey India League opening ceremony in Ranchi on December 28, proving why she was the perfect choice to headline the event, delivering a high-energy performance that had the entire stadium buzzing and cheering out loud. About Manushi Chillar's performance Looking sensational in a stunning black embellished outfit featuring intricate cutout details and shimmering embellishments, Manushi drew everyone’s attention as she delivered show-stopping performances to some of the most hit dance numbers from Bollywood, including her latest hit Kufar. Manushi commanded the stage with the kind of confidence and charisma that only a global pageant winner and movie star can bring, and honestly, all eyes were on her from the moment she stepped into the spotlight. The performance was pure dhamaka from start to finish, and Manushi was an absolute scene-stealer. Joined by a crew of backup dancers in coordinated red outfits, she created a visual spectacle that perfectly captured the "Big is Back" theme the league has been promoting. But let's be real. Manushi's dance moves were sharp and perfectly executed, her stage presence was absolutely magnetic, and that radiant, infectious smile never left her face. She moved across that stage as if she owned it, switching effortlessly between powerful dance sequences and graceful, flowing movements. And backing her up, along with her dancers, was the crowd's energy, which was nothing short of electric. Social media has been flooded with clips of her performance ever since the ceremony wrapped up. Manushi gracefully managed to blend Bollywood glamour with the sporting spirit of the event and looked absolutely fabulous doing it. Her infectious energy, stunning appearance, and commanding performance showed that the Hockey India League made exactly the right call in bringing her on board. From her flawless hair and makeup to her show-stopping outfit and electrifying stage presence, Manushi proved once again why she's one of Bollywood's most captivating performers. Manushi's upcoming projects As per reports, Manushi has signed on for a new and ambitious project with producer Dinesh Vijan. The details of the new film are being tightly guarded, but reports confirm it will be mounted on a big scale. Manushi is said to have wrapped her look test smoothly. The film went on floors in October and has a completion target for January 2026. The team seems determined to keep the project on a fast track. Meanwhile, Manushi has opted out of the sequel Awarapan 2, starring Emraan Hashmi in the lead, due to scheduling conflicts. The makers are considering Disha Patani to replace Manushi.
29 December,2025 12:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe shoot for the highly anticipated film Drishyam 3 commenced in Mumbai earlier this month. After the Mumbai schedule, the makers will be heading to Goa after the New Year for a month-long schedule of the film. Goa is a crucial part of the Drishyam 3 narrative. Drishyam 3 heads to Goa Filming in Goa is set to commence from 8th January with the schedule expected to continue till end of February. The entire cast will be part of the Goa schedule with Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran and Rajat Kapoor returning for this edge-of-the-seat family thriller. The anticipation around Drishyam 3 has entered an exciting new phase as Jaideep Ahlawat officially joins the franchise as the film moves from Mumbai schedule to a crucial leg in Goa. Known for his intense screen presence and nuanced performances, Jaideep Ahlawat’s addition brings a compelling new energy to the Drishyam universe, promising a fresh and unpredictable dynamic as the story unfolds. About Drishyam 3 The original ensemble star cast including Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor and other celebrated actors, returns to this edge of the seat edition with the promise of a completely new and unexpected twist in the lives of the Salgaonkars as the story moves ahead in the quintessential Drishyam timeline. Will the simple Salgaonkars be able to outwit the system once more or will life bring a future that they cannot envisage? We will find out on Drishyam Day. Presented by Star Studio18, the Panorama Studios production is directed by Abhishek Pathak and written by Abhishek Pathak, Aamil Keeyan Khan and Parveez Shaikh. Produced by Alok Jain, Ajit Andhare, Kumar Mangat Pathak, and Abhishek Pathak, Drishyam 3 promises to reignite and elevate the family thriller genre to a new benchmark. About Malayalam Drishyam Meanwhile, the makers of the original Drishyam franchise have wrapped the third instalment of the film. Directed and written by Jeethu Joseph, the film stars Mohanlal in the lead. After the massive success of Drishyam and Drishyam 2, expectations around Drishyam 3 are naturally sky-high. Jeethu, however, remains grounded and focused on storytelling rather than spectacle. “I don’t make Drishyam for its twists. The story has to grow organically,” he explains. “The second part took place six years after the first and showed how the family, the police, and the case evolved. In Drishyam 3, we continue exploring what happens to each of these characters as time passes. Georgekutty is getting older — is he as confident as before? That’s what I’m interested in.”
29 December,2025 12:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIshita Dutta and Vatsal Sheth celebrated their daughter Veda's "Annaprashan" ceremony, giving their little one the first taste of rice. In the photos dropped by the Drishyam actress on social media from the traditional Bengali ceremony, Ishita was seen looking beautiful in a saree, while Vatsal and their son Vaayu twinned in a yellow kurta and white pajama. The ceremony was also attended by both Ishita and Vatsal's parents, along with other family members who showered love on the little bundle of joy. "Veda’s first taste of rice, wrapped in blessings, love, and tradition. Bengali Annaprashan (sic)," the caption on Ishita's post read. We could also see a cake in the pictures with a little girl sitting in front of a plate of food on it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ishita Dutta Sheth (@ishidutta) The annaprashan ceremony marks a baby's first intake of solid food. It is seen as a significant milestone in the growth and development of the little one. Ishita and Vatsal first met on the set of the popular television show, Rishton Ka Saudagar - Baazigar and ended up falling for each other. After dating for some time, the lovebirds finally tied the knot in 2017. The couple embraced parenthood for the first time in July 2023, as they welcomed their son Vaayu. Vatsal and Ishita became parents for the second time to a baby girl in June this year. They announced the arrival of their daughter on social media with a photo that showed Ishita holding the baby in her arms, while Vatsal and little Vaayu posed next to the latest addition to the family. "From two to four hearts beating as one. Our family is now complete. Blessed with a baby girl," they captioned the post. Recently, Ishita and Vatsal celebrated 8 years of marital bliss on the 28th of November. She wished her husband on their anniversary by sharing a picture from her wedding ceremony, along with the caption, “Happy Anniversary, Vatty. Eight years, two beautiful babies… and a lifetime of love to go. Us, always and forever.” 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
29 December,2025 12:16 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSPopular television actress Krystle D’Souza has opened up about replacing Tamannaah Bhatia in the much-talked-about Shararat from the film Dhurandhar. Speaking candidly to IANS, she emphasized that it was all about destiny, saying, “What’s meant to be, will be.” Krystle praised Tamannaah’s talent and beauty, while reflecting on how opportunities sometimes fall into place exactly as they’re meant to. When asked about reports claiming Tamannaah was rejected for the song, the Chehre actress said she had no idea about the decision behind the scenes but praised Tamannaah’s talent, calling her ‘amazing.’ Krystle shared, “I had no idea about all this, but I mean, she’s amazing, she’s beautiful, and she’s so good at what she does. More power to her, you know—what’s written in someone’s destiny, they receive. I feel like this was meant for me, it was meant for Ayesha, and we got it. But that doesn’t take away from how beautiful Tamannaah is or what a great performer she is.” “Maybe she would have added her own spark to a song—she brings her own aura, her own limelight, and I think that’s wonderful. I feel proud of every woman who is doing so well, and I’d love to see more women deliver amazing, crazy performances and support one another,” she added. Krystle D’Souza and Ayesha Khan featured in the song Shararat from Dhurandhar. The foot-tapping number has been sung by popular Punjabi singer Jasmine Sandlas and Madhubanti Bagchi. For the unversed, choreographer Vijay Ganguly recently revealed in an interview that he had initially considered Tamannaah Bhatia for the song, but director Aditya Dhar did not approve the idea. After Vijay’s statement went viral, he clarified on his Instagram stories that the Baahubali actress was never actually in the running for the song. In his statement, the choreographer wrote, “To clarify: Tamannaah Bhatia was never under consideration because her star power is so significant it might have overwhelmed the specific needs of this scene. In Dhurandhar, the music is woven into a high-stakes moment where the tension is key. The makers opted for two performers to keep the focus on the story’s progression. This choice was about protecting the film’s atmosphere and ensuring the narrative remains the hero of the sequence.” Vijay Ganguly added, “I genuinely enjoy conversations around cinema and the many layers that go into making a film. That said, I have often refrained from putting myself out there because, at times, words get selectively lifted, misquoted or sensationalised to serve headlines rather than the craft. It’s unfortunate that instead of the conversation staying on the song and the creative intent behind Shararat, the focus has shifted to comparisons between two wonderful artists, with strong and reductive terms like ‘rejections’ being used—something that was never the spirit of what was shared.” He concluded by saying, “Cinema is collaborative. It thrives on respect, nuance and context. I hope we can keep the spotlight where it belongs—on the work and the many people who pour their hearts into it.” 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
29 December,2025 12:06 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood actress Madhuri Dixit recently shared her thoughts on the changing dynamics of moviegoing, highlighting how rising cinema ticket prices are impacting theatre footfalls. Speaking exclusively to IANS, the Kalank actress emphasized that while quality films continue to draw audiences, the increasing cost of tickets is making families more selective about which films to watch in theatres, especially with the convenience of OTT platforms at home. Madhuri also pointed out that with OTT platforms, movies are easily available at home, making it more convenient to watch them after work. The 58-year-old actress explained that for many people, by the time they get home from work in the evening, it’s already late, so weekends have become the main time to visit theatres. Madhuri Dixit shared, “If the film is good, it will run and you have seen a few films running now in the theatres. So, it's not as if films are not running. I think if you go to see that even the cost of the tickets is very high. So, when one family goes there, they have to spend a lot of money. So, they really have to budget and think, which film to watch and which not to watch.” “Also, because of OTT, you know movies are at your fingertips. You're watching it at home whenever you want, when you get the time. Nowadays, even coming from work for people, by the time they get home, it is 8.30, 9.00. After that, going to watch a film has become a little difficult. Weekends is the time when they can actually go when they have vacations.” “So, all these things and they can, on OTT, you can watch the film anytime you know, you want at your convenience and I guess it's cheaper to watch a film at home. You can have all the popco2rn and everything, you know, made at home and enjoy it. So, a lot of reasons. But I don't think, I don't see a bleak future. I just think some things could be corrected and you know, make the cinema experience better for the people,” concluded Madhuri. 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
29 December,2025 11:57 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActors and couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are wrapping up their year quietly in New York City. Even as Ranveer’s latest film Dhurandhar continues its successful run at the box office, the couple is enjoying a holiday getaway in the American city. Pictures of Deepika and Ranveer soaking in the festive season in NYC have been doing the rounds on social media. Deepika and Ranveer in New York city Fans who encountered the celebrity couple in New York shared pictures with them online. One image shows Ranveer dressed in an all-black winter outfit, smiling for the camera. Deepika, meanwhile, was seen in a chic all-white ensemble, posing with a small group of fans. Deepika and Ranveer in New York ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AE6KRDBC6U — mommypika (@teek2810) December 28, 2025 Deepika and Ranveer at Mumbai airport Last week, Deepika and Ranveer were spotted together at the Mumbai airport as they headed out for their holiday. Walking hand in hand and twinning in coordinated winter blacks and greys, the power couple moved with calm, confident ease, grounded in their space yet fully aware of the frenzy they create. Ranveer, relaxed and basking in the Dhurandhar wave, kept his look casual with an all-black base layered under a grey jacket. Deepika complemented him effortlessly in a grey-and-black outfit elevated by an oversized striped jacket, once again proving why she is regarded as a global fashion force. Their walk, steady, stylish, and side by side, said it all. A superstar at the peak of a historic run, and a partner who matches his stride. About Dhurandhar Written and directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar draws inspiration from real-life geopolitical events and covert RAW operations, particularly those linked to Operation Lyari. The film stars Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna in key roles, along with Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun. Dhurandhar Part 2 is slated for release on March 19, 2026. The film will clash with Yash's Toxic and Adivi Sesh's Dacoit. The film has crossed the Rs 1000 crore mark at the worldwide box office. It also holds the record for the highest Week 2 and Week 3 collections in Hindi cinema and shows no signs of slowing down.
29 December,2025 11:54 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Tridha Choudhury recently opened up about the careful choices she has made while navigating opportunities across industries. In an exclusive interview with IANS, she explained that she was aware that doing nude scenes in a Hollywood project could have limited her future opportunities, especially in Bollywood and other industries. Tridha said she knew such a choice might have led to her being typecast or blocked from many other projects. The actress shared that since she has already explored the international space, she believes there are other ways to work globally without compromising her long-term career. Tridha Choudhury stated, “If I would have done one project in Hollywood, where I would have done nude scenes, it would have blocked a lot of my other projects. I knew that. So, I feel that if I have already tapped into the Hollywood space, I can still go ahead with a different approach. But for one project, I wouldn't risk the rest of my journey in Bollywood or somewhere else.” On the work front, Tridha Choudhury made her film debut with Srijit Mukherji’s Mishawr Rawhoshyo in 2013 and later gained recognition on television with the StarPlus series Dahleez, which aired in March 2016. In 2020, Tridha appeared in notable roles in Amazon Prime Video’s Bandish Bandits and MX Player’s popular series Aashram. Most recently, she starred in Kapil Sharma’s film Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2. The comedy drama also featured Hira Warina, Parul Gulati, and Ayesha Khan. When asked what prompted her to take up the film and whether it marked a deliberate move from intense or bold characters to comedy, Tridha shared with IANS, “I believe actors choose roles where the script feels stronger. If you’ve watched Ashram, you must have noticed how Babita’s character evolves. Her arc becomes deeply political, and that shift was part of the writing.” “After that, I never felt people were typecasting me as “bold,” though yes, sometimes the roles offered were more for eye-candy. But whether I’m punching someone or kissing someone, both are still acting. At the end of the day, everything we do is performance. Comedy, however, is a different kind of challenge. Through this film, I got to explore that zone, and I’m still learning.” 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
29 December,2025 11:33 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSArshad Warsi began his career in films as a choreographer before becoming an actor known for his impeccable comic timing. Over the years, he has entertained audiences with films such as Golmaal, Munna Bhai MBBS, Dhamaal, and several others. Recently, he reflected on his experience with the film Hulchul, which he considers an exception in his otherwise fulfilling career. In the film, he played the best friend to Akshaye Khanna’s lead character. Arshad Warsi says he was promised Akshay Kumar-like role In an interview with The Lallantop, Arshad said he generally does not complain about his work but had a particularly bad experience with Hulchul. He recalled, “Hulchul was a problem. Neeraj Vohra saab approached me when I was busy doing films and said, ‘Arshad, there’s a film and Priyadarshan is the director.’ I said, ‘Wow, done. What am I doing in it?’ He asked me if I had seen Hera Pheri and said it was the same role Akshay Kumar played. I was like, ‘Done, it’s a damn good role.’” Hulchul was a bad experience: Arshad However, things changed once he began shooting for the film. Explaining what happened next, Arshad said, “In that film, I realised there is a huge difference between ‘you both are friends in the film’ and ‘you are their friend in the film.’ When we reached the set, I got a shock, and I don’t think Priyadarshan knew about it—it wasn’t his fault. I was given a shirt that was knee-length with three-quarter sleeves. I couldn’t understand whether it was a nightgown or a shirt. I felt it was a mess. But since I had already committed to the film, I did it. I wore my own clothes in half the film, so it turned out to be a bad experience.” Hulchul was the Hindi remake of the 1991 Malayalam film Godfather. The remake starred Akshaye Khanna and Kareena Kapoor Khan in the lead roles and also featured Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, Amrish Puri, Arbaaz Khan, Shakti Kapoor, and others in pivotal roles. The film narrates the story of a couple from feuding families who fall in love and fight for their relationship despite strong family resistance.
29 December,2025 10:56 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAcclaimed singer Shilpa Rao, known for her versatility across genres, spoke candidly about her preference for singing live over lip-syncing. She also opened up about embracing flaws rather than pre-recording, as it gives a different kind of rush at live events. During a candid chat on mid-day's The Bombay Film Story, Rao revealed why she is not keen on doing too many concerts in Bombay. Shilpa Rao on lip-syncing at concerts Shilpa believes human error is necessary in life, as it makes us real and connects us with other human beings. When asked if she would lip-sync at a concert, the singer vehemently denied it and mentioned, “I would rather make an error on stage, but I would sing live as it has a thrill. That adrenaline rush of singing live and to be on your toes, being connected with audience where you forget so many things. It’s a beautiful moment I won’t trade it for perfection.” When asked why some songs sound different at concerts compared to their film versions, the singer revealed her favourite concert tracks and remarked, “All my songs are completely different on stage. We change everything. Tose Niana is different, Kalank is different and Ishq Shaava is something else, and we enjoy doing that. Because if you want to hear the same thing, you can do it on music apps as well.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shilpa Rao (@shilparao) She added, “The whole point of coming to a concert is we are here, the two hours are just us. Nothing matters, it’s just our voice, connection and that’s the beauty. That’s why it’s called performing arts. When you go and watch a play, you need to be present in that moment to know what's happening, it becomes imperative.” Why Shilpa hosts fewer concerts in Mumbai The Saiyaara singer further shared why she prefers doing fewer concerts in Mumbai. “In a year or two, I do concert in Bombay, otherwise it’s mostly outside. It’s because Bombay people are not very star-struck, which is a great thing. You can go to a restaurant and bump into your favourite artist. And it’s even nicer because then you need to try harder to impress someone, now it’s not your name, but what you are doing on stage.” She concluded,"Performing in abroad or small towns is amazing as we don't stay there. You are in the same room and that energy matters."
29 December,2025 09:50 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
