Stand-up comedian and television host Kapil Sharma recently gave back to a troll on social media as he welcomed the New Year in his trademark style. He clapped back at the criticism with wit, sarcasm, and a playful comeback. He also extended New Year wishes to the troll as well as his fans after giving a befitting reply. Kapil Sharma claps back at troll It started after a user shared a clip from The Great Indian Kapil Show online. The clip was from the episode featuring women cricketers and their coach Amol Muzumdar as guests. The user accused Kapil of confusing real-life hockey goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi, by whose life the film Chak De! India was inspired with the fictional coach Kabir Khan, portrayed by Shah Rukh Khan in the film. Idiot @KapilSharmaK9 should know that the real hero was Mir Ranjan Negi not Kabir Khan the reel hero ! I wish Amol Muzumdar had fact check this clown pic.twitter.com/jIwCtQ6Pug — Sameer (@BesuraTaansane) December 31, 2025 The troll shared the clip and wrote, “Idiot KapilSharmaK9 should know that the real hero was Mir Ranjan Negi not Kabir Khan the reel hero! I wish Amol Muzumdar had fact check this clown (sic)." Kapil respond to the post, clarifying that he was referencing Shah Rukh Khan, and that the remark was clearly made in a humpurous way. Kapil replied, “Dear sir when did I say Kabir khan? I said Shahrukh khan, and it was in a humorous way, which you will never understand bcoz apka taansane to besura hai hahaha, anyways happy new year. Stay happy n spread happiness (sic)." What Kapil Sharma said During the episode with Amol Muzumdar and the Indian women's cricket team, Kapil can be seen telling Amol, “Since you won the cricket World Cup, do you know that people are comparing you to Shah Rukh Khan from Chak De online? Seriously, sir. You are handsome too. Do you feel like Shah Rukh?” The coach of the Indian women's cricket team smiles and replied, “No, not like Chak De.” Just then cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues interrupted before Amol could finish his sentence. She joked, “He is lying; he even changed his name from Amol Muzumdar to Kabir Muzumdar,” referring to the name of Shah Rukh’s character, Kabir Khan, in the hit 2007 film Chak De! India.
01 January,2026 08:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTelevision actor Arjun Bijlani was seen getting emotional as he paid his last respects at the funeral of his father-in-law, Rakesh Chandra Swami, in Mumbai on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Videos of heartbroken Arjun breaking down in tears have surfaced on social media. Arjun Bijlani breaks down at father-in-law's funeral The funeral was held at the building premises of the family’s Mumbai residence. Their close family members, friends and relatives were seen gathering to pay their final respects. In one of the viral clips that has surfaced from the funeral, Arjun is seen breaking down in tears as the last rites are performed. He is seen struggling to hold back his emotions during the difficult moment. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TellyMasala (@tellymasala) The video posted on Instagram shows the actor standing with folded hands, paying his last respects. Arjun's son is also seen in the video clip, accompanying his family during the final farewell of his grandfather. His final rites took place on Thursday afternoon at the Oshiwara crematorium in the presence of family members. Rakesh Chandra Swami is survived by his daughter, Neha Swami and his son, Nishank Swami. Arjun Bijlani's father-in-law passes away According to a source close to the actor, Rakesh Chandra Swami suffered a brain stroke on December 29, 2025, after which he was undergoing treatment in Mumbai. He breathed his last on January 1, 2026. According to a Hindustan Times report, a family member of Arjun and Neha shared, "He was fit and fine, set to have dinner when suddenly he suffered a stroke and was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was on a ventilator. The entire family is in shock, as Neha and Arjun had met the family before flying off. It was a sudden shock, and we are all still grappling with the situation." The report also mentioned that Arjun was very close to his father-in-law since his own father passed away quite early. Arjun and Neha were reportedly in Dubai for the New Year holidays; however, they had to cut their trip short due to a medical emergency. They urgently rushed back to Mumbai on Tuesday to be with their family.
01 January,2026 07:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTelevision actor and host Arjun Bijlani's father-in-law, Rakesh Chandra Swami, died on Thursday, January 1, 2026. He was reportedly admitted to the ICU for three days and had been on a ventilator since Monday evening. However, hesuccumbed to the medical emergency on Thursday morning. He passed away at the age of 73. Arjun Bijlani's father-in-law passes away According to a Hindustan Times report, a family member of Arjun and Neha told the portal, "He was fit and fine, set to have dinner when suddenly he suffered a stroke and was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was on a ventilator. The entire family is in shock, as Neha and Arjun had met the family before flying off. It was a sudden shock, and we are all still grappling with the situation." The report also mentioned that Arjun was very close to his father-in-law, since his own father passed away quite early. Earlier on Father's Day, Neha had shared a special post and wrote, "Happy Father’s Day to my daddy. I’ve always admired the way you loved, led, and protected our family. I always hoped Arjun would learn from you — your strength, your patience, and the way you make fatherhood look like a blessing..A father’s love is the foundation of a family, and yours has shaped who I am and what I seek in the people I love. Thank you for being the example every father should strive to be. Love u daddy." Rakesh Swami is survived by his son, Nishank, and daughter, Neha. Arjun Bijlani and Neha Swami rush back from Dubai vacation Notably, Arjun and Neha were in Dubai for the New Year holidays. However, they had to reportedly cut their trip short and hurriedly rush back to Mumbai on Tuesday to be with Neha's father who suffered a medical emergency. The couple tied the knot in 2013. Earlier, Arjun had revealed his New Year's Eve plans with Times Now, sharing that he had just begun shooting for Laughter Chefs season 3, which left him with no major plans. However, he assured that he would still enjoy a nice dinner with Neha and his son, adding that his resolution for the coming year was to become a better version of himself.
01 January,2026 06:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTelevision actor Gaurav Khanna was declared the winner of Bigg Boss 19, which came to an end on December 7. While supporters celebrated their favorite's victory, a few of his competitors asserted that he was able to win because of his reputation and lineage. Because he is Colors TV's face, some even thought he had won. But Gaurav has now responded to these allegations. Gaurav Khanna reacts to the recent controversy In a chat with Faridoon, Gaurav Khanna reacted to the allegations of being Colors face and winning Bigg Boss 19. He said, "People say I won because I am famous, but I have really worked hard. Twenty years of hard work is no mean feat. I have not been a Colors face for the last 15 years. My last show on Colors TV was Yeh Pyaar Na Hoga Kam with Yami Gautam, which aired in 2010. So, if in 2025 people still think I am a Colors face after doing just one show with them 15 years ago, I must be really great then. There are no free lunches; I won’t just win a show because of my pedigree or body of work, I also have to perform well in it." Gaurav Khanna further shared how Bigg Boss 19 became a learning experience for him, "I never went there to compete with others. Being a part of television for so many years, I know people will target you on Bigg Boss, they will shame you, defame you, and try to pull you down. But my entire aim was to become a better person. My life has been the sum of my choices. Bigg Boss is a very intelligent game if you play it intelligently. I kept that in mind from day one; I wasn’t there to please those 15–16 people." Gaurav Khanna's stint with Bigg Boss 19 One of the rare contestants in Bigg Boss history to win the competition without getting into pointless altercations or fierce rivalries was Gaurav. Salman Khan initially chastised him for playing on the back foot and not being particularly noticeable in the home. But after the fourth week, Gaurav started to voice his thoughts more forcefully and was astute enough to keep his relationships with other people intact. The actor eventually made it to the top two and defeated Farrhana Bhatt to win the prize. Additionally, he won the cash reward of Rs 50 lakh.
01 January,2026 06:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentItti Si Khushi follows Anvita’s (Sumbul Touqeer Khan) journey as she is torn between Sanjay’s (Rishi Saxena) rising insecurity and Virat’s (Rajat Verma) lingering influence. Further complicated by the involvement of Virat’s powerful father, Rajnath Verma (Farukh Saeed), Anvita is forced to make difficult choices that put her strength and relationships to the test. The upcoming drama in Itti Si Khushi As the story moves ahead, the drama intensifies with Percy Cafe’s future hanging by a thread. Just when Anvita is close to fulfilling her dream of launching the café, life throws her an unexpected challenge as Virat returns, but not as the man Anvita once knew. Changed, bitter, and emotionally distant, he accuses Anvita of turning him into a soulless person like his father. Declaring himself the rightful owner of the café, Virat orders Anvita to vacate the premises, revealing his plans to demolish it to make way for a modern building. Refusing to give up on a space that stands for memories, warmth, and community, Anvita tries everything she can to save Percy Cafe. When hope seems lost, Dhruvi (Garima Kaushal), a strong believer in preserving heritage and community spaces, steps in and extends her support to Anvita. United by a shared vision, Dhruvi and Anvita join hands to fight against the odds and protect what Percy Cafe truly represents. Will Anvita succeed in saving Percy Cafe with Dhruvi Garima Kaushal essaying the role of Dhruvi “The moment I heard Dhruvi’s character and understood her belief system, I felt an instant connection. What I love most about Dhruvi is that she stands for something much larger than herself. She isn’t just entering the story to support Anvita, she enters with a belief system. Personally, I have always believed in protecting spaces that bring people together, whether it’s nature, art, or places filled with stories and emotions. That’s why stepping into Dhruvi’s shoes felt very organic to me. Her decision to stand by Anvita comes from empathy and courage, and I feel audiences will connect with that.” Sumbul Touqeer Khan, who essays the role of Anvita, shares, “This phase of the story is very close to my heart because it talks about standing up for what truly matters, even when the odds are stacked against you. I think many of us have something in our lives that feels personal, something we would fight for no matter how difficult the situation becomes. Anvita’s fight to save Percy Café is driven by emotion, resilience and belief and I think many viewers will relate to that.”
01 January,2026 04:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIkkis, the second feature film of Agastya Nanda, the grandson of Amitabh Bachchan, opened in theaters on Thursday. Additionally, the movie commemorates the posthumous release of the late, renowned actor Dharmendra. Along with his co-star and debutante Simar Bhatia, who is Akshay Kumar's niece, Agastya made appearances on the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati to promote the movie. Big B is seen pulling Agastya's leg and making fun of him in the show's promo videos after he assisted Simar with her saree trail. Amitabh Bachchan teases Agastya Simar was asked by Amitabh how she felt about appearing on KBC for the first time, and he urged her to voice her opinions without fear of Agastya's orders. Simar answered him by saying, “I am feeling really nice seeing the way you are talking to Agastya. He had scared me. He told me that I have to maintain a decorum in front of you.” "Koi decorum-vecorum kuch nahi," Amitabh informed her right away. You can accomplish anything you want. Be at ease. Avoid taking on stress. Then Agastya went up to Simar and said, "When did I say this to you?" "Why are you scaring her?" Big B asked him in response. "But he took care of me on set of the film," Simar said. Big B then had another opportunity to make fun of Agastya, joking, "You do stuff like this? Kya baat hai." Big B was seen making even more fun of Agastya in another scene from the show. He emphasized how the actor supported Simar in sitting on the hotseat and with her saree trail. He said, “I noticed how you held her trail and put it on the back of the seat to help her sit. I congratulate you for the same but I have seen you do this for the first time in my life. You never did this before? What can be the reason?” Big B paid a heartfelt tribute to Dharmendra In another heartfelt promo of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, Big B honored his co-star Dharmendra and related a story from Sholay about how Dharmendra once gripped him so firmly during a scene that he was in excruciating pain. He said, “He had a quality, which I would describe as his physical quality. He was a pehelwan. I got to learn this myself. In the death scene, when I am in agony, it is because of him. He held me so tightly, I was acting naturally here.”
01 January,2026 02:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTelevision actor Arjun Bijlani reportedly rushed back to Mumbai after cutting short his New Year holiday in Dubai following a medical emergency involving his father-in-law. The actor and his family had travelled to Dubai to celebrate Christmas and New Year together when they received news that his wife Neha Bijlani’s father had been admitted to the ICU, prompting an immediate return. Arjun Bijlani and Neha Swami return to Mumbai Arjun and Neha had been sharing glimpses from their festive vacation on social media, enjoying family time with their son before the sudden health scare disrupted their plans. According to reports, the condition of Neha’s father worsened unexpectedly, leading to his urgent hospitalisation. As soon as Arjun learned about the situation, he reportedly arranged to fly back to Mumbai without delay to be by his family’s side. The actor has not made any official statement regarding his father-in-law’s health or shared further details about the situation. The family has chosen to maintain privacy during this difficult time and focus on his recovery. Meanwhile, fans and members of the television industry have taken to social media to send prayers and messages of support to Arjun and Neha. Before leaving for Dubai, Arjun had spoken about keeping his New Year celebrations low-key due to work commitments. He had recently resumed shooting for the next season of his show and had mentioned that his plan was to spend quality time with family, enjoy a quiet dinner, and reflect on personal goals for the year ahead. On the professional front for Arjun Bijlani On the professional front, Arjun has been riding high on success. He recently emerged as the winner of a popular reality show Rise and Fall, taking home the trophy and prize money of Rs 28 Lakhs, and has been receiving praise for his consistent television work. Despite a busy schedule and professional milestones, the actor prioritised family when faced with the medical emergency. As Arjun remains in Mumbai supporting his wife and her family, fans continue to hope for his father-in-law’s speedy recovery. As they have been sharing in the comments section of Arjun's recent posts from Dubai.
01 January,2026 01:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Paras Chhabra, in an emotional yet realistic conversation with Rashami Desai on her podcast Rashami Ke Dil Se Dil Tak, spoke of how he no longer believes in the concept of saving money for the future, especially after the sudden deaths of his Bigg Boss 13 mates. The actor, while speaking to Rashami on the show, shared that growing up, he always believed in saving money for the future. However, over the years, especially after witnessing the untimely deaths of his friends from his BB 13 season, he has come to feel that one should also live in the moment as much as possible. 'Life is unpredictable,' said Paras. Looking at what has been happening around us, with two of our friends from Bigg Boss 13 passing away before their time, nothing is certain. We don't know who's going to live until when and how much life we have. I feel like just living on! If you want to buy something, if you want to do something that your heart says, irrespective of its cost, etc., just buy it; just do it,” said Paras. He further mentioned how his mother still saves every penny. “My mom is the saver in our house. She even chooses to walk instead of taking a 10-rupee rickshaw sometimes, and she exercises too,” said Paras. “That’s how mothers are — they save quietly, care deeply, and always think ahead.” Arti Singh, who accompanied Paras to the podcast, had a different stance on it. Her reflections touched on her practical approach to life and finances, where she said she was careful with money, preferring to shop only during sales and emphasising the importance of savings. She said, “I still do save money. I don’t ask for much, and I am not someone who spends money impulsively. I still love shopping, but only during a sale. I can’t bring myself to buy clothes at full price. I always choose to shop smart, because financial security matters more to me than momentary indulgence.” She added, “I have seen how unpredictable life can be. No matter how limited your savings may be, things can change anytime, so it’s always better to be prepared for the future. I constantly remind my husband, Deepak, to save money. No matter what the journey is, you must take it steadily and move forward with caution, not carelessness.” For the uninitiated, Paras Chabra, Arti Singh, and Rashami Desai were all a part of Bigg Boss 13, which also saw the late Sidharth Shukla, the winner of Bigg Boss 13, and also actress Shefali Jariwala. Sidharth passed away in September 2021 after suffering a heart attack, as per reports and Shefali Jariwala passed away in June this year. Both Sidharth and Shefali were in their early 40s, and their untimely passing away shook the entire nation. 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
01 January,2026 12:05 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSTV actor Sara Khan and husband Krish Pathak, who recently tied the knot, have now turned into business partners. The couple has ventured into production by launching their own production house. Sara Khan and Krish Pathak start a production house While talking about why they chose to build a production house, Sara told IANS, "We decided to be life partners, so this is how we are building our life together. We love the way we both work equally." The actress opened up about her admiration for Krish's creative mind, saying, "I truly admire Krish's creativity; it's amazing. He already has many projects ready that he has created himself." She revealed that the creative excitement and respect for each other's talent encouraged her to collaborate closely with him. The couple is currently working on a film script jointly. They are also developing four songs across completely different genres. Additionally, they have been travelling to different cities for live shows. Krish and Sara's feature film The duo is also gearing up for their next big venture, a feature film in the action-comedy genre, which is set to go on floors in February. Produced under their own banner, the film will feature an ensemble cast, with Sara and Krish both playing important roles in it. Talking about multitasking, Sara and Krish highlight how balancing love and work has been an interesting and fulfilling journey for them. Sara explained, "This is my favourite part, personally, that you get to spend the most time with the person you love. She also shared that disagreements are a natural part of working together. While they do fight often and become extremely serious at work, she believes those moments add depth to their relationship, saying, "It's fun. It's good to see that side of each other too." Creatively, their visions sometimes differ. Talking about it, Sara revealed, "I lean more towards budget-friendly content where creativity matters more and the investment is less. But Krish thinks larger than life." However, she also mentioned that music is the space where they connect the most, as their understanding and passion align strongly there. Reflecting on her biggest learning from working together, Sara said, "For me, my biggest learning has been patience, understanding that things can be done calmly and steadily, and listening to each other." Looking ahead, the couple dreams big. "We genuinely want to make that kind of cinema the way hits used to be made: entertaining, theatrical, and unforgettable," she shared, hoping their work remains meaningful, high in quality, and truly appreciated by audiences. Sara Khan became a household name with Sapna Babul Ka Bidai and later worked in shows like Preet Se Bandhi Ye Dori Ram Milal Jodi. The two had earlier collaborated on a music single titled Dar Dar Jaun. The couple tied the knot on October 6th this year. (With inputs from IANS)
31 December,2025 06:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAkriti Negi, the winner of Splitsvilla 15 and a finalist in Rise and Fall, has recently been the target of trolling due to social media rumors that she broke up with her boyfriend Anshumat Srivastava. When the couple unfollowed one another on social media and removed some of their shared photos, rumors started to circulate. Anshumat has now defended his girlfriend Akriti on social media following trolling. In a message posted on his Instagram story, Anshumat Srivastava criticized trolls for disparaging Akriti Negi amid rumors of their split. His Instagram story is currently trending on social media. Anshumat Srivastava comes out in support In a message posted on his Instagram story, Anshumat Srivastava expressed his displeasure with online mocking of his girlfriend, Akriti Negi. He then penned, “Be kind. You never know what someone is quietly fighting. I usually refrain from putting up stories like this but can't be quiet when an individual who means a whole lot to me is being put down for no reason." Anshumat Srivastava went on to mention that digging up someone’s life for clicks wasn't acceptable. He then stated, “Digging up on someone or tearing someone down for clicks doesn't make you strong. It just makes you look stupid. This is a good time for all of you to celebrate and spend time with family. There's no point assuming things and commenting on people you don't know." Social media users are responding to Anshumat Srivastava's statement, which is currently trending. For those who don't know, Anshumat also appeared on Rise and Fall to back competitor Akriti Negi, who was hosted by Ashneer Grover. Akriti Negi and Jaswanth Bopanna Akriti Negi previously dated Jaswanth Bopanna, with whom she defeated Rushali Yadav and Harsh Arora to win Splitsvilla X. Speaking about the split, Bopanna claimed that his relationship with Akriti evolved over time and ultimately resulted in their separation. He continued by saying that they saw a change in their relationship's equilibrium and realized that a partnership flourishes when both parties are equally committed, which was no longer the case with them. Jaswanth told Etimes, "This was a tough decision, but it was something that had to happen. I don’t hold any blame or hard feelings, even if there’s been some confusion, I know clarity took time. Moving forward, I just ask for space and respect for both of us. I hope we can be supported as individuals as we move ahead in our own ways."
31 December,2025 06:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe mythological fantasy of the year, Naagin 7, starring Priyanka Chahar Choudhary (as Purvi), Namik Paul (as Aryamaan), and Eisha Singh (as Ananta), has taken audiences by storm with its spectacular return, reaffirming that Naagin is back and reigniting the magic of India’s most beloved fantasy franchise. Set against the backdrop of the Mahakumbh, this season raises the stakes by blending mythology, high-octane drama, and cutting-edge VFX into a cinematic spectacle. From the very first episode, Priyanka’s portrayal of Purvi has struck a chord with viewers nationwide. What makes her performance particularly compelling is the duality she brings to the character, Purvi, who is introduced as an innocent, awkward girl trying to navigate life and achieve her dreams. Priyanka Chahar Choudhary to pay homage to all Naagins For Priyanka, stepping into the world of Naagin means carrying forward a legacy built over six successful seasons. Opening up about her journey and inspirations, Priyanka shared, “The moment I was offered Naagin 7, I felt an immense sense of responsibility because Naagin is a legacy that spans years. From Mouni Roy in Season 1 to Tejasswi Prakash in Season 6, each actor has donned the avatar of the Naagin with utmost dedication, and each of them has maintained and added to the legacy of this beloved franchise. I’ve taken inspiration from all the earlier Naagins, studying how they brought their own strengths and interpretations to the role. Of course, kudos to the OG Naagin, Mouni Roy, who set the benchmark and turned it into a true cultural phenomenon. I’ve received immense support from all the previous Naagins, which has been incredibly encouraging. My goal is to take the legacy of Naagin forward while paying homage to all the previous Naagins and adding my own twist to it. I want audiences to see the essence of what made the earlier seasons iconic, but also discover something fresh and new in Purvi, a character who carries her innocence and strength in equal measure, and who fights not just for revenge but for something much bigger.” Upcoming track of Naagin 7 In the current track, Purvi remains blissfully unaware of her true identity as the Serpent Queen. As deadly challenges emerge and mysterious forces close in, her hidden powers begin to awaken. With danger at every turn and her destiny unfolding, audiences are left on the edge of their seats with one burning question: Will Purvi discover her real identity before it's too late?
31 December,2025 05:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1767276601765_d.png "Arjun Bijlani with wife at father-in-law's last rites (Pic/Yogen Shah)")
