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EXCLUSIVE: Ramanand Sagar’s grandson Shiv Sagar shares FASCINATING trivia: “Vikram Aur Betaal cost Rs. 1 lakh per episode; it was shot and edited in our garage as we COULDN’T afford elaborate sets”

Four years ago, Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan-starrer Vikram Vedha (2022) was released to considerable critical acclaim. The film drew inspiration from the ancient Indian folktale of Vikram and Betaal, which generations of viewers were already familiar with through the iconic television series Vikram Aur Betaal. The show was produced by Ramanand Sagar before he went on to create his most iconic television epic, Ramayan. His son, Prem Sagar, directed and co-produced Vikram Aur Betaal. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Shiv Sagar, Ramanand Sagar’s grandson and Prem Sagar’s son, shared fascinating trivia about the making of the series. Shiv Sagar said, “My father made Vikram Aur Betaal, which was a precursor to Ramayan. It also featured several of the same actors. Arun Govil ji, who later played Rama in Ramayan, essayed the role of Vikramaditya, while Arvind Trivedi played the tantric before portraying Ravana. Vikram Aur Betaal served as a kind of test marketing. We wa...
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Rasika Dugal explains why she chooses morally ambiguous women; says, “Being interesting is far more important than being likeable”

Actor Rasika Dugal has built a filmography around women who resist conventional definitions of a heroine, from Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur to Neeti Singh in Delhi Crime. Her characters have been noted for embracing contradictions rather than perfection, spanning roles such as Safia in Manto, Savita in Hamid, Dolly in Out of Love and Mallika in Lord Curzon Ki Haveli. Speaking about her approach to choosing roles, Rasika Dugal said, “I’ve never consciously gone looking for characters who are morally ambiguous. I’ve always searched for are characters that reflect the complexity of real people. Human beings are contradictory, inconsistent and constantly evolving. That’s what fascinates me as an actor. If I can understand why a character makes a certain choice even if I personally disagree with it then I know there’s something worth exploring.” She added, “For a long time, female characters were expected to be symbols of virtue, sacrifice or perfection. Today, writers are allowing women to ...
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Somy Ali says Chupp forced her to confront her deepest wounds; says, “It became the beginning of my purpose”

Former actor and humanitarian Somy Ali, who has appeared in films including Anth, Krishan Avtaar, Yaar Gaddar, Teesra Kaun?, Aao Pyaar Karen, Mafia, Andolan and Chupp, said acting gave her more than a career, shaping her understanding of human behaviour, a perspective that now informs her work through her NGO, No More Tears, which supports survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Reflecting on how acting shaped her outlook, Somy said, “Spending years stepping into different characters completely changed the way I see people. When you live inside someone else’s pain, silence, fear and quiet strength for weeks or months, you stop judging human behaviour so quickly. You begin to understand the invisible weight people carry. What looks like weakness is often survival, and what looks like strength is sometimes the only option left. Acting taught me to look beneath the surface, and real life has taught me to honour what I find there.” Among all her roles, Somy said Asha in Chup...
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7 times Mona Singh proved classic and contemporary style can go hand in hand

Mona Singh has continued to showcase her range as an actor, with recent releases including Subedaar, Maa Ka Sum and Pritam Pedro marking a busy 2026 for her on screen. Alongside her work, Mona’s fashion choices have reflected a similar versatility, moving between florals, structured silhouettes, drapes and statement sarees. Here is a look at seven of her recent style moments. Pretty in florals Mona embraces soft, feminine glamour in a dreamy blush-pink floral ensemble. The flowy silhouette, covered in delicate blue blooms and green botanical detailing, creates a romantic yet contemporary aesthetic. Paired with statement diamond jewellery, soft waves and a radiant smile, the look strikes the perfect balance between elegance and ease.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Mona Singh (@monajsingh) Denim, but make it chic Taking a more playful route, Mona makes a statement in a strapless denim midi dress. The structured bodice, button-down detailing and contrasting ...
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Karishma Tanna reveals why she delayed parenthood; says, "I didn't want a baby because I felt the world wasn't ready for another child"

Actor Karishma Tanna spoke about one of the most personal decisions of her life, embracing parenthood, during her appearance on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s chat show Double Date. Karishma revealed that she and her husband, Varun Bangera, were initially hesitant about having a baby because of the uncertain state of the world. From the COVID-19 pandemic to ongoing global conflicts, the couple questioned whether it was the right time to bring a child into the world. Karishma Tanna and Varun are now blessed with a baby boy. Reflecting on their thought process, Karishma shared that the decision was not an easy one. She said, “I didn’t want a baby because I felt the world wasn’t ready for another child. There was COVID, there are wars happening, and so much uncertainty around us. We were genuinely confused about whether we should bring our baby into this world.” Karishma added that despite their fears, they eventually chose to move forward with hope, saying, “But then, finally, we decided,...
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Sanjay Dutt's twins Shahraan and Iqra pen heartfelt birthday wishes, call him the "best dad"

Sanjay Dutt rang in his 67th birthday on July 29, and the celebrations came with a heartfelt tribute from his twins, Shahraan and Iqra, who took to social media to shower their father with love and gratitude. Both siblings shared personal photographs with the actor, accompanied by warm captions describing him as a constant source of support and inspiration in their lives. Shahraan’s note for his father Shahraan posted a picture with Sanjay from what looked like a special occasion, with the father-son duo dressed in matching white traditional outfits. In his caption, Shahraan wrote, “Happy birthday to the best dad anyone could ask for. Thank you for always being there, supporting me, and inspiring me every day. Wishing you good health, endless happiness, and many more amazing years ahead. Love you always.”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Shahraan Dutt (@duttshahraan) Sanjay responded to the post with a comment of his own, writing, “I love you and I will alw...
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Gauahar Khan slams Nikhil Chinapa over perimenopause remark on Alliance: “Get your facts right and please be sensitive to women”

Reality series Alliance has found itself at the centre of a controversy after contestant Nikhil Chinapa's remarks about actress Gauahar Khan and women's health drew sharp criticism from the latter. Gauahar took to social media to express her disappointment, calling out Nikhil for bringing up a sensitive issue like menopause and perimenopause while responding to her opinion about his gameplay on the Amazon Prime Video reality series. During a conversation on the show, Nikhil Chinapa initially expressed gratitude towards Gauahar Khan after learning through her husband Zaid Darbar, who is also a participant on Alliance, that she had always respected him despite the two never having met. However, his subsequent comment sparked backlash. Referring to fellow contestant Mini, Nikhil said, “Maybe Mini will know more about this because she deals a lot with menopause and perimenopause. So maybe she may have some insights on why Gauahar said whatever she said." Responding to the rem...
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