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Jiya Shankar shuts down engagement rumours with Abhishek Malhan

Jiya Shankar has finally addressed the swirling rumours about her alleged engagement to Abhishek Malhan. The actress took to Instagram to dismiss the claims as “false” and shared a romantic photo with a mystery man, hinting that she is dating someone else. Her post comes amid viral reports suggesting that she and Abhishek got engaged. Jiya Shankar dismisses engagement rumours On Tuesday night, the actress took to her Instagram handle and dropped a romantic photo with a mystery guy, suggesting she isn’t dating Abhishek Malhan but somebody else. In the caption of her picture, Jiya addressed rumours of her engagement and called them “false.” “Let’s leave false rumours in 2025!” she wrote. This comes a day after a viral post by Telly Khazana claimed that Jiya and Abhishek were planning to get engaged and were likely to tie the knot soon. “It’s official! Fukra Insaan and Jiya Shankar have made their relationship public, and reports say an engagement could be on the way. Wishing this cute couple love and happiness always (sic).” However, several other viral posts on X claimed that the two are already engaged. When Jiya debunked rumours “Saying this for ONE LAST TIME to whoever it concerns! I’ve got nothing to do with Fukra Insaan or these meme pages. We shared nothing but friendship, and even that no longer exists. I don’t even follow any of these meme pages or have any knowledge of how this works. I always assumed they made this sort of stuff for views, or I’ve no idea if someone pays for this shit, but if the blame comes on me with nasty comments on my character and family, then hear it, Panda Gang: I’M SELF-MADE, LOUD & PROUD! I’m because of ME and not because of anyone else. Way above these CHEAP STUNTS! So stay in your lane and keep my mother’s and my name out of your filthy mouths,” the Kaatelal & Sons actress stated. On the work front, apart from Bigg Boss OTT 2, Jiya Shankar has been a part of multiple shows like Pishachini, Kaatelal and Sons, Laal Ishq, Meri Haanikarak Biwi, and Queens Hain Hum. She also rose to prominence with her appearance in the Marathi film Ved alongside Riteish Deshmukh.

31 December,2025 11:44 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Arti Singh and Shefali Jariwal

Arti Singh faces anxiety after losing Sidharth Shukla & Shefali Jariwala

In a profoundly emotional conversation on Rashmi Desai’s podcast Rashami Ke Dil Se Dil Tak, television actress and good friend Arti Singh revealed how the passing away of her Bigg Boss 13 friends Sidharth Shukla and Shefali Jariwala has deeply impacted her emotionally and mentally.  Speaking candidly with good friend Rashmi Desai, Arti described how the loss of her friends has stirred anxiety, fear, and moments of vulnerability. “It is extremely scary and also makes me anxious,” she said, reflecting on the fact that Sidharth Shukla and Shefali Jariwala, both popular faces in the television industry, are no longer with us. “I feel extremely nervous and scared, and at times I even get emotional and call up Paras Chabbra to calm myself down. It just scares me,” she said. The actress elaborated on how her husband, Deepak Chauhan, seamlessly managed to bring about calmness in her life, especially in moments of anxiety and fear. “I have calmed down a lot after marriage. My panic and hyper moments have reduced significantly because Deepak is very sensible. He understands me and handles situations with maturity whenever I get overwhelmed. He stays calm and calms me down,” she said. For the uninitiated, Sidharth Shukla, the winner of Bigg Boss 13, passed away in September 2021 after suffering a heart attack, as per reports. 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. Talking about Aarti Singh and Deepak Chauhan, the two got married in a lavish wedding ceremony in Mumbai in April 2024. The couple met through an arranged marriage setup. Arti Singh is the sister of star comedian Krushna Abhishek and the niece of superstar Govinda. 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

31 December,2025 11:20 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Hina Khan. Pic/Yogen Shah

Hina Khan shares what intimacy looks like after 13 years with Rocky Jaiswal

Television superstar Hina Khan has stated what intimacy means to her and has expressed her immense love and gratitude for her husband, Rocky Jaiswal, who never fails to make her feel special, even after 13 years of togetherness.  The couple who are on a vacation to the Maldives have been sharing a lot of pictures and videos straight from their luxurious trip. In one video especially uploaded by Hina, you can see a romantic note written by Rocky for his lady love. The actress, who was overwhelmed by his gesture, took to her social media account to share how Rocky has been making sure to make her feel loved and special for the past 13 years of their relationship.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by 𝑯𝒊𝒏𝒂 𝑲𝒉𝒂𝒏 (@realhinakhan) “This is one of his ways to express his love for me; it has been his love language for more than a decade now. He will leave such love notes for me wherever we travel in the world. Blessed,” wrote Hina. She added, “It feels so nice when your husband acknowledges your efforts, loves you with the same intensity even after 13-plus years of togetherness, and, in fact, loves you more with each passing day.” The actress mentioned how she feels physical intimacy, after a long-term relationship period, takes a backseat, and then it is all the small and romantic gestures that make the relationship bloom. “In my experience, physical intimacy takes a backseat in a relationship from time to time for multiple reasons: stress, workload, long distance, health, hormonal changes, responsibilities, and, in fact, sometimes a rough patch in a relationship... I’m not saying it’s not important; it’s equally important, but it does take a backseat many times in a relationship... especially if you have spent more than a decade with each other and weathered storms together,” she wrote. The actress further wrote, “What keeps a relationship going is emotional intimacy. choosing each other again and again and again... The urge to STAY no matter what... And it’s always a two-way street... you will get what you give... it’s that simple. it’s been more than 13 years with rockyj1 We have seen the best and the worst times together. Been through so much. But one thing never changed. Love and respect for each other.” She added how Rocky over the years has been her staunch pillar of support and motivates her each time. “He encourages me to put my guard down to be truly seen and supported and understood. I feel like a kid in a candy store when I am around him... demanding yet so, so vulnerable... when I say he’s my best best friend first, I mean it.” Khan highlighted what the concept of ‘intimacy’ means to her. “That feeling of deep connection, mutual respect, trust, supporting each other through thick and thin, choosing each other time and again. Thisssss is INTIMACY for me. And it should never fade. Little gestures of expressing love and fondness are enoughhhh... Itne Mai hi dil Khush ho jaata hai. You feel ALIVE, haina... kar ke dekhna...” Hina further mentioned that romantic gestures aren't gender specific and that every woman must take such steps to make her partner smile. “Aur Haan, as I mentioned, don’t just expect all this from your man; practice it yourself as well. As a woman, it is equally our responsibility to make our man’s life better, easier, and filled with love, warmth, and respect so that he can express himself effortlessly by being himself. In this world where reality shifts as per convenience, nothing is bigger than being in love with someone who lets you be real (sic).” The couple has always celebrated every festival and occasion together with utmost love. On the eve of Karva Chauth this year, they shared glimpses of their first celebration post-marriage. What caught everyone's attention was Rocky Jaiswal bowing down and touching Hina Khan's feet in a symbolic gesture, breaking stereotypes. Sharing the picture, Rocky wrote, "Just as the universe came into being when Shiv met Shakti. My universe, my life, became divine the moment she decided to accept me with all that I was and made me more! She is the Devi who graced my existence by her presence, her warmth, and her infinite love. I am forever at peace at her feet. Her divine energy radiates my soul. Happy First Karwa Chauth, My Love.” For the uninitiated, Hina Khan and Rocky Jaiswal first met on the set of the popular TV show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. At that time, Hina was the lead actress playing the character Akshara, while Rocky was working as the supervising producer on the show. The couple, after dating for 13 years, tied the knot on the 2nd of June, 2025, in an intimate ceremony at Rocky’s home in Mumbai. 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

31 December,2025 11:10 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Malti Chahar and Amaal Mallik

Bigg Boss 19: Malti Chahar dismisses dating rumours with Amaal Mallik

Even though Bigg Boss 19 has ended, its contestants continue to stay in the headlines for viral statements. During her stint on the show, Malti Chahar had claimed that she knew Amaal from outside the show and that they had met at multiple parties. Now, addressing the speculation surrounding her equation with Amaal, Malti has issued a strong statement clarifying they had no relationship and urged netizens not to ‘ship’ them. Malti Chahar dismisses dating rumours with Amaal The Bigg Boss 19 contestant wrote on X, “Let’s clear this once and for all. Amaal and I had no relationship or any kind of ‘ship.’ He asked for my number, and we met only once. We talked and shared some personal information. After that, we were in touch over the phone. That’s it! There was nothing else between us. On the show, when I said ‘bahar ki baat nahi karenge,’ I meant that I would not share his personal information.” Let’s clear this once and for all.⁰Amaal and I had no relationship or any kind of “ship.” He asked for my number, and we met only once. We talked and shared some personal information. After that, we were in touch over the phone. That’s it! there was nothing else between us.On… — Malti Chahar🇮🇳 (@ChaharMalti) December 30, 2025 In the post, Malti also accused Amaal of setting a false narrative about her. She further wrote, “It was disrespectful of Amaal to create a narrative on the show suggesting that I was trying to impress him and to make derogatory remarks about me, something I saw only after coming out of the BB house. Yes, he mentioned his mental health a few times, both before and during the show. I was empathetic and tried to help in the moment so he wouldn’t have more regrets later. Now, I’m the one regretting it. That’s all. Spare me now. Please don’t associate my name with his. Thanks.” Malti’s statement on meeting with Amaal During Bigg Boss 19, Malti had earlier disputed Amaal's claim that they had met only briefly before entering the house. She clarified that the meeting had lasted much longer and that he had even sung four songs for her. These remarks fuelled speculation among viewers that she might be the 'mystery girl' Amaal repeatedly mentioned on the show. Amaal later clarified in an interview that none of her housemates was his mystery girl. He said, “Jitni bhi ladkiyaan ghar mein thi, wo meri mystery girl nahi hai. Jo aaye, gaye, the, koi nahi… jisne jo bola hai, I want to quash it completely. None of the girls in the house was of my interest.”

31 December,2025 09:48 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Bharti Singh

Bharti Singh warns fans about AI-generated images of her newborn son Kaju

Celebrities are increasingly weighing in and alerting netizens about the surge of AI-generated images. Recently, Bharti Singh became a victim of it. The comedian, who welcomed her second baby boy, revealed that people have been creating and circulating AI-generated images of the infant’s face, despite the couple not having revealed him yet. Bharti Singh on AI-generated pics of Kaju In her recent vlog, Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa revealed that the AI-generated photos of Kaju were first noticed by her niece Diksha. The Laughter Chefs 3 host said, “Log ek photo bana rahe hain jisme Golle (Bharti and Haarsh’s first son) ne ek bachcha pakda hua hai aur Haarsh bhaiya aur Kaju hain (People are making one picture where Golla is holding a child, along with Haarsh).” She added, “Toh humne face cover kiya hua hai. Obviously, ek time ke baad batayenge, but log usko AI se kuch bana kar bhej rahe hain. Log humein mail kar rahe hain Insta pe ki ye Kaju hain. Toh ye sab kuch nahi hain, bilkul fake hain, AI hain (We have covered Kaju's face, which we will reveal later, but people are using AI to make his face and then sending it to us on mail and Instagram. This is fake).”           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Harssh Limbachiyaa (@haarshlimbachiyaa30) The actress continued, “I also want to clarify this. We always keep a cartoon face or an emoji to cover Kaju's face. But many are using AI to create his face.” She concluded, “Toh main bata du, guys, ki Kaju ka face humne reveal nahi kiya hai. Ye AI se pata nahi kya-kya kar rahe hain. Chalo, unki khushi—jo karna hai karte jao… lekin jab hum Kaju ka face reveal karenge, tabhi asli Kaju dikhega. Jitne bhi log AI se Kaju bana rahe hain, woh nakli Kaju bana rahe hain. Asli Kaju hamare paas hain (So I would like to say that we have not revealed Kaju's face yet. Those who are making these pictures—let them make—but it is not real. The real Kaju is with us)!” More about Bharti Singh Bharti Singh and writer-producer Haarsh Limbachiyaa welcomed their second child, a baby boy, on December 19. The two announced the good news on their Instagram account and documented the journey on their YouTube channel. Bharti also opened up about her postpartum difficulties in her most recent vlog, admitting that she had been crying relentlessly.

31 December,2025 09:03 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Amitabh Bachchan with Agastya Nanda on the set of ‘KBC 17’

KBC 17: Amitabh Bachchan gets candid about family during Ikkis special episode

When a contestant sits on the hot seat, Amitabh Bachchan — the eternal host of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) — asks the questions appearing on his computer screen. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have questions for the veteran actor. In tonight’s episode of the quiz game show, the cast of Ikkis — Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia, and director Sriram Raghavan — finally satisfy their curiosity. But that’s not all. The episode also features Amitabh’s grandson Agastya Nanda — who plays Param Vir Chakra recipient Arun Khetarpal in Ikkis — along with his sister Navya Naveli Nanda and mother Shweta Bachchan Nanda, albeit on video. Shweta Bachchan Nanda; (right) Navya Naveli Nanda Giving a low-down on the special episode, KBC’s showrunner Sujata Sanghamitra says, “The highlight [tonight] are the Bachchans [and Nandas] coming together to support Agastya and [remembering] late actor Dharamendra. The whole episode is a mix of fun, emotions, and patriotism. Navya and Shweta also expressed their pride in Agastya’s performance in Ikkis.” The episode begins with a tribute to Dharmendra, followed by Raghavan, Ahlawat, and Agastya recounting the experience of working with the icon. “Throughout the season whenever there is talk on Dharamji, Amitabh sir spoke about his close [friend]. He has been very disturbed by the loss. [Often seen reciting his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s poems], sir discussed about how Dharamji wrote his own poetry in the film with the cast,” shares the showrunner. (L-R) Sriram Raghavan and Jaideep Ahlawat. Sanghamitra recounts how Raghavan compared Agastya to a young Amitabh from his Saat Hindustani (1969) days. “Sriram shared that he met Agastya when he was 21, the same age as the protagonist of his film.” In the final leg of the episode, an inquisitive Ahlawat takes over the mic to ask Amitabh about his family — “Who is the most pampered? Who keeps track of everybody’s movement?” “[He said that] they have a family group so every morning he knows who is going where. Sir gets embarrassed when questions are asked about the family,” she smiles. Sujata Sanghamitra Did you know? Agastya Nanda first appeared on ‘KBC’ to promote his debut Netflix film, ‘The Archies’ (2023)

31 December,2025 07:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBR
Imran Khan and Salman Khan

Imran Khan shares his experience on being a guest in Bigg Boss: 'It's like zoo'

The popular reality show "Bigg Boss" has drawn criticism from actor Imran Khan, who recalled how unsettling his stay to the BB home as a guest was. He claimed that although he had been to the house about a decade ago to promote his movie, he was unaware of the current state of the set. But at the time, he remembered that the set was constructed within a massive warehouse studio, with a short corridor surrounding it where the camera operators sat and continuously watched the competitors. Imran described it as feeling like a "zoo," and he thought it was quite strange and unsettling. Imran Khan talks about his experience on entering Bigg Boss house In a candid chat on Samdish Bhatia's podcast, Imran Khan revealed, "I have been a guest on the show. It is very disturbing. It is terrifying. It is the most twisted social experiment. Ye 12 saal pehle ki baat hai. I don’t know how they have built the set now. At that point they had this giant warehouse studio in Lonavala. You enter and the first thing is that you have to divest yourself of all electronic devices. You leave your phone and all. And they give you black overalls. Inside this big warehouse, the set is built. First you enter the warehouse, and in the centre you see this black mass. They have built the house in the centre. All the way around the house, in the periphery is a passageway. All the inner walls of the house are lines with mirrors." Imran Khan calls the house a zoo Imran went on to explain, "Behind those mirrors, camera crews sit and observe the contestants continuously. That’s why we wear black, so they don’t see us. There’s glass there, and we can sit this close and watch two people." Imran then said, “It feels dystopic. I was disturbed by it. The whole thing is weird and creepy." He further shared, "It’s like a zoo. They’re deprived of food. They’re trying to create an environment where people will be reactive and lash out." Imran responded, "They should be exploited," when told that this is what many are prepared to do in order to succeed in life. 'Unko nanga kar ke bhuke rakho.' "Strip them naked, keep them hungry, throw one chicken on the ground, and say, 'Fight, fight.'" Imran Khan had made many candid revelations in the chat, from his career to personal life. 

30 December,2025 01:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Parth Samthaan in Seher Hone Ko Hai

Exclusive | Parth Samthaan learns Urdu for his role Mahid in Seher Hone Ko Hai

In an exclusive conversation with mid-day, Parth Samthaan opened up about his return to television with Seher Hone Ko Hai and why the show felt like the right project after a long break. The actor plays Mahid, a complex and layered character, and says the role pushed him creatively in ways he had not experienced before. “I wanted something obviously interesting to come back to television because I haven’t heard any good shows coming out in the past few years,” Parth says. Pointing out how several actors have been stepping away from the medium, he adds, “A lot of actors are opting out. They’re not getting good scripts. So, it’s very important for any actor because it’s a longer commitment. You have to be mentally prepared.” Parth Samthaan on playing Mahid What convinced him to say yes was the nature of the character. “If the character is challenging, if it’s artistic, it will be good. It will be fun to explore. That’s what made me choose this character,” he explains. Describing Mahid, Parth says, “I would say he’s edgy, dark. Obviously not completely dark, but grey.” He elaborates on Mahid’s mindset, saying, “He feels that he’s right about whatever he does, be it being religious or giving justice to anyone going through injustice. According to his perspective, he’s doing whatever is written in his religion to help people.” Parth adds that Mahid is unapologetic about his methods. “Now, that method can be wrong or right, but he doesn’t care. He’s not bothered about what people think or what the system feels.” The character’s emotional baggage also played a key role in attracting Parth. “He’s very vocal about not getting along with women because of the traumatic past he carries. He has made sure he stays away from falling in love or getting into any emotional nuances,” he says. “That’s what made me feel this character is interesting.” On learning Urdu for the role The actor insists there has been no second thought since taking up the role. “Trust me, there is not even one day’s regret. I’m loving it every day and learning something new about the character.” Language and authenticity were crucial to Mahid’s portrayal. “This guy is a scholar. He’s well educated and has come from Saudi. He’s teaching children about religion, so I had to make sure I know the language in and out,” Parth says. Talking about learning Urdu, he adds, “It’s not a little bit. Urdu is a language where clarity is very important.” To prepare, Parth immersed himself fully. “I had to get English out of my mind. I had to come to Hindi first and then travel from Hindi to Urdu,” he shares. Staying in Lucknow for the show helped. “Morning to night, I used to speak to people there. I incorporated their culture and manners. The more I took it inside, the more authentic it became.” Summing up his journey, Parth says, “Every day I’m still learning new words. It’s very important for the character to look and feel authentic.”

30 December,2025 11:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Shruti Sampat
Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa

Bharti Singh's emotional confession on dealing with postpartum depression

Comedian Bharti Singh has talked candidly about the emotional difficulties she is dealing with following the birth of her second kid. On December 27, Bharti and her husband, Haarsh Limbachiyaa, went home with their newborn son, Kaju. Bharti opened up about her postpartum difficulties in her most recent vlog, admitting that she had been crying excessively. Haarsh's tender support won hearts on social media. Bharti Singh breaks down as she talks about post partum depression Bharti Singh broke down in her vlog, explaining that she hasn't been able to stop crying for reasons she doesn't understand. She shared,  “Main abhi ro ke hati hoon, pata nahi kis baat ka rona aayi jaa raa hai mujhe samajh nahi aarahi. Bethe bethe rona nikal raha hai, kis baat pe rona nikal raha hai samajh hi nahi aarahi. Sab kuch sahi hai ghar mein, kaam kaaj waale log bhi bahut hai, har cheez ke liye banda hai ghar mein (I’ve just stopped crying, and I don’t know why I feel like crying. I don’t understand it at all. Tears start flowing while I’m just sitting, and I don’t even know the reason. Everything is fine at home, there are plenty of people to help with work, and there’s support for everything).” Bharti went on to share about experiencing emotional distress and confusion, she said, “Mujhe khudh samajh nahi aaraha mujhe kyun rona aaraha hai, mere saath kya ho raha hai yaar. Bhagwan ne itni khushiyan di hai, yeh postpartum effect kya hota hai? Kyun? (I don’t understand myself why I’m crying or what’s happening to me. God has given me so much happiness, so what is this postpartum effect? Why does it happen?)” Netizens laud Haarsh Limbachiyaa When Haarsh got home later in the video, Bharti expressed her sadness at not being able to travel like others and started crying once more. Haarsh was seen giving Bharti a hug, comforting her, and attempting to lighten the situation by making jokes and softly wiping away her tears. Viewers were moved by his tender gesture and showered the comments section with compliments. "Only lucky people get a husband who loves like this" was one response. "Haarsh bhaiya is so sweet," someone else commented. A third person said, "You two are couple goals," while another said, "He cares for you so much." While shooting for Comedy Circus in 2009, Bharti and Haarsh initially crossed paths. After dating for a short time, their friendship quickly turned into love, and in 2017 they were married in a small ceremony in Goa. Since then, the couple has co-hosted a number of shows and keeps amusing audiences with their comedic timing. In 2022, they welcomed their first son, Laksh, and on December 19, they welcomed their second son, Kaju.

30 December,2025 10:41 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Nandini CM

Tamil and Kannada TV actress Nandini CM dies by suicide in Bengaluru

Kannada television actor Nandini CM, 26, was found dead on Monday at her paying guest accommodation in Bengaluru, in an incident that authorities have termed a case of suspected suicide. The incident occurred in the Kengeri area of the city, news agency PTI reported, citing police officials. Investigation around Nandini CM's sudden demise According to a senior police officer, a death note was recovered from the room, in which the actor reportedly spoke about her ongoing personal struggles and depression. In the note, Nandini is said to have expressed distress over family pressure to “settle down.” She reportedly wrote that while her family wanted her to get married or take up a government job, she wished to continue pursuing her career in acting. Police have registered a case of unnatural death and stated that there is, at present, no indication of foul play. A police spokesperson told LiveMint that statements from Nandini’s family members and close acquaintances are being recorded as part of the investigation. “Further details will be shared once the investigation progresses,” the official said. At the time of her demise, Nandini was playing the lead role in the Tamil television serial Gauri, where she portrayed dual characters, Durga and Kanaka. The demanding role had recently drawn attention due to a storyline in which her character consumes poison, a scene that has since sparked discussion across social media platforms following the news of her passing. About Nandini's career graph Nandini began her television career with supporting roles in Kannada serials before gradually establishing herself as a familiar face on the small screen. Over the years, she appeared in several popular shows, including Sangharsha, Madhumagalu, Jeeva Hoovagide, and Neenade Naa, earning praise for her dedication and screen presence. Her last Instagram post was a promotional video for Gauri. She had also shared a series of personal photographs on the platform shortly before her death, captioned simply, “Love love.” Friends and colleagues noted that she was active on social media and regularly engaged with her followers. Members of the television industry have expressed shock and grief at Nandini’s untimely demise, remembering her as a committed actress whose work resonated with audiences. As the investigation continues, authorities have said more information will be made public in due course.

30 December,2025 10:09 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Kumar Mangalam Birla, Ratan Tata

KBC 17: Kumar Magalam Birla on immense respect and trust in late Ratan Tata

Industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla recently appeared on an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, where he spoke candidly about his family values, personal journey and the deep rooted relationship between the Birla and Tata families. In conversation with host Amitabh Bachchan, the Aditya Birla Group chairman shared anecdotes that highlighted trust, legacy and mutual respect. Kumar Mangalam Birla talks about his father and grandfather Recalling his upbringing, Birla spoke about the influence of his late father Aditya Kumar Birla and his grandfather B K Birla. “My grandfather and father always believed that business should be built on values, not just numbers,” he said, adding that discipline and ethics were ingrained in him from an early age. “Those lessons stay with you for life,” Birla noted. During the episode, Birla opened up about the close ties his family shared with Ratan Tata and the Tata household. He revealed that at one point, the Birla family held more shares in some Tata companies than the Tata group itself. “Itna bharose ka rishta tha,” Birla said, stressing that the association was founded on trust rather than control or rivalry. On his bond with Ratan Tata Speaking about the bond between his grandfather and J R D Tata, Birla said, “Their relationship was not transactional. It was built on respect, affection and shared values.” He added that the warmth between the families continued across generations. “Even my interactions with Ratan Tata have always been guided by simplicity and mutual admiration,” he said. Birla also praised Ratan Tata’s personal qualities, calling him “a man of integrity and compassion.” He added, “He always placed people and principles above profit, and that is something I deeply respect.” Amitabh Bachchan observed that the names Tata and Birla are often mentioned together when people speak about India’s industrial history. Responding to this, Birla said, “Both families have always believed in nation building. Business was never just about growth, but about giving back to society.” The episode concluded on an emotional note, with Birla expressing gratitude for the legacy he has inherited. “I feel fortunate to be part of a lineage where trust, humility and responsibility come first,” he said, leaving viewers with a glimpse into the values that continue to shape one of India’s leading business leaders.

30 December,2025 09:38 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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