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Showing posts from July, 2026

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...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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,...

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...

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...

Rekha to receive Excellence in Cinema Award at IFFM 2026, veteran actress to hoist Indian flag on August 15

Actor Rekha will attend the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026 as its guest of honour. She will also be present for a special screening of Umrao Jaan, directed by Muzaffar Ali, and will be honoured with the Excellence in Cinema Award at the festival. The Excellence in Cinema Award recognises Rekha’s contribution to Indian cinema spanning over five decades. Speaking on the recognition, Rekha said, “Umrao Jaan has never left me. She lives in my memories, in my silences, and in the hearts of those who have embraced her with a lot of love over the years. To revisit that journey and see the film being celebrated on a global stage is both humbling and moving.” She added, “Cinema has been my life’s greatest blessing, and to be honoured with the Excellence in Cinema Award at IFFM 2026 is special. I accept this honour with immense gratitude, not only as a recognition of my own journey, but also as a tribute to the filmmakers, writers, musicians and countless collaborators who have e...

Shagufta Ali calls Govinda a “bigger perfectionist” than Aamir Khan, says his habit of arriving late on set was “the only issue”

Veteran actor Shagufta Ali recently looked back on her experience of working with Govinda, describing him as an actor who constantly chased perfection on set. Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, she shared that despite his well-known habit of arriving late for shoots, Govinda never compromised when it came to delivering the best performance. Recalling the filming days, Shagufta said the atmosphere on set was always lively: "We used to have great fun whether Govinda or Karisma were on the set or not. We were on a paid picnic. The outdoor shoot in Ooty was great. We had stayed at Mithun Da's hotel. When he got to know about it, he came to meet us and treated us to seafood he personally cooked." Shagufta Ali says Govinda chased perfection in every scene While praising Govinda's talent, the actor admitted that punctuality was one issue that often affected the shoot schedule. She said, "Govinda used to come late on set here too. If the shift were 9 am, he would come by 1 o...

Rishab Shetty teams up with Spider-Man: Brand New Day in special collaboration; says, “My love for Spider-Man has only grown stronger”

National Award-winning actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty has joined hands with Marvel's beloved superhero in a special collaboration ahead of the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The unique association brings together one of Indian cinema's most celebrated storytellers with one of the world's most iconic superheroes, celebrating the enduring legacy of Spider-Man across generations. In a special promotional video, the Kantara actor-director is seen unexpectedly crossing paths with Spider-Man before sharing his long-standing admiration for the friendly neighbourhood superhero. Reflecting on his first experience of watching Spider-Man on the big screen, Rishab recalled how deeply he connected with Peter Parker's journey. “I still remember watching Spider-Man for the first time in a single-screen theatre many years ago and instantly connecting with Peter Parker. He has always reminded me that it’s okay to stumble, make mistakes, and even experience heartbreak, as long...

EXCLUSIVE: Sheetal Menon opens up on Tu Yaa Main’s tepid box office performance despite overwhelming word of mouth: “You feel helpless at times…how do you convince people to come to theatres?”

After making her mark as an actor, Sheetal Menon has now ventured into filmmaking. Following her directorial debut with the short film Siblings, she is all set to release her deeply intimate and ambitiously cinematic second short, Duet. Backed by acclaimed filmmaker and her husband Bejoy Nambiar, Duet stars Sidhant Gupta as a pianist going through a turbulent phase in his life. Duet also stands out for being the first film to release on Spotify. Meanwhile, earlier this year, Bejoy also had a release, Tu Yaa Main, starring Adarsh Gourav, Shanaya Kapoor and a terrifying crocodile. It was one of the most appreciated films of the year and yet, it didn’t get the box office success that it probably deserved. Moreover, it was a film meant for the big screen and to witness audiences freaking out and screaming in fear in some scenes added to the fun. Despite so many factors, the film missed the tag of a theatrical hit. Sheetal Menon, who was credited under ‘Special Thanks’ in Tu Yaa Main, open...

Manoj Muntashir calls Adipurush his “biggest mistake”, says he is “ashamed” of controversial dialogues

Lyricist and dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir has expressed regret over his work on Adipurush, describing the 2023 mythological drama as the biggest mistake of his life. The writer also apologised for the controversy surrounding the film and admitted that he now feels ashamed of the dialogues he wrote. Directed by Om Raut, Adipurush starred Prabhas as Lord Rama, Kriti Sanon as Sita, and Saif Ali Khan as Ravana. Despite generating massive anticipation before its release, the film faced widespread criticism over its visual effects, portrayal of mythological characters, and several dialogues that sparked outrage among audiences and religious groups. Manoj Muntashir apologises for Adipurush Speaking to Times Now, Muntashir admitted that working on the film was a mistake and said defending it after the backlash only made matters worse. "Adipurush was the biggest mistake of my life. Defending that film was an even bigger mistake. Whatever happened around the film because of me, I am ash...

“Step down Dharmendra Pradhan”: Jyotika backs students amid NEET protest, calls for accountability

Actor Jyotika has spoken out in support of the ongoing student protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. More than a month after the protest began, the actor shared a strongly worded statement on Instagram, expressing solidarity with students and calling for accountability and reforms in the education system. Sharing her views on social media, Jyotika wrote, "Step down Dharmendra Pradhan. Resign." Jyotika says she stands with students and education reforms In her post, the actor wrote, "Step down Dharmendra Pradhan. Resign. I stand with the students and the future of our nation! I stand with accountability. I stand for a democratic India! I stand for a reformed education!" She also praised youth leaders Sonam Wangchuk, Abhijeet Dipke and Saurav Das, writing, "As mothers we want to raise our children to be like you. Proud of you, Gen Z, for being unfiltered. You have proved that together...

Is Avika Gor returning to television? Cryptic post and SJ Studios visit spark fresh speculation

Actor Avika Gor has sparked fresh speculation about a possible return to television after sharing a cryptic post on social media. While the actress has not made any official announcement, her latest message about reconnecting with her roots has led fans to believe that she could be gearing up for a new project in the medium that launched her career. Taking to social media, Avika reflected on the idea of "coming full circle" and expressed gratitude for the journey that has shaped her career. Her Instagram story post read, "I don't think we talk enough about the beauty of coming full circle. We often celebrate moving ahead, reinventing ourselves, and exploring new paths. But sometimes, life gently nudges you back to the place where your journey first began, not because you've taken a step back, but because you've grown enough to appreciate it in a completely different way.” She went on to add, “There's something so comforting about reconnecting with your r...

Yash defends Ranbir Kapoor's Lord Rama casting in Ramayana; says, "He is a fabulous actor"

Actor Yash has come out in strong support of co-star Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Rama in Ramayana, asserting that the actor has approached the role with sincerity and dedication. The two actors, along with director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra, appeared together at a panel discussion held at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday to speak about the upcoming mythological epic. Yash defends Ranbir’s casting Speaking at the Ramayana panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Yash said, according to The Telegraph, “Nobody in this world can come and say, ‘I have the virtue to play Lord Rama’. The fact that he (Ranbir) said the same says it all. He is a fabulous actor. It’s not easy to play Lord Rama and the way he has really worked, huge respect to him.” When the film’s first teaser was released earlier this year, there were some questions about whether the 43-year-old actor suited the character’s younger years despite widespread praise for his regal look. Responding to the criticism, Yash sa...

R Madhavan speaks out on paper leak protests, appeals for justice and systemic reforms: “It can deeply affect the hopes, hard work, and dreams”

R Madhavan has voiced his support for the nationwide student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party, demanding accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak and other examination-related irregularities. His statement came shortly after a photograph from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) gained widespread attention online. The image showed the door outside the FTII chairman's office covered with a "Gayab" meme alongside a poster reading "NEET for Sale," as students questioned the chairman's silence over the ongoing protests. Reacting to the issue, Madhavan expressed concern over the disappointment and frustration being experienced by students and parents across the country. Sharing his thoughts on social media, he wrote, “As someone who has always believed in the limitless potential of India's youth, I share the concern and disappointment felt by so many students and parents today.” The actor emphasized that public trust in the educa...

Bobby Deol opens up on working with Vijay in Jana Nayagan; says, “He’s a very simple man”

Ahead of the release of Jana Nayagan, Bobby Deol had opened up about sharing screen space with Tamil superstar and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, describing him as remarkably grounded despite the scale of his fame. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Deol also reflected on the nature of stardom in the South and how it differs from Bollywood. Shot mostly indoors due to Vijay’s stardom Deol revealed that much of Jana Nayagan was filmed on studio lots rather than public locations, owing to the frenzy that surrounds Vijay. “It’s a fact. No work will happen if you take him on the street. He’s that big,” he said. Despite limited interaction with his co-star, Deol found him strikingly unassuming. He called Vijay “a very simple man. Very quiet, very much to himself,” adding that language barriers on set were smoothed over with the director’s help. On stardom in the South versus Bollywood Having previously headlined the Telugu film Daaku Maharaaj, Deol is familiar with Southe...

From 5:30 am celebrations to an emotional FAREWELL: Vijay’s Jana Nayagan creates HISTORIC craze in Mumbai; ‘Honourable Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’ title card, ‘man of the masses’ dialogues, end-credits glimpses add to the MADNESS

It was a normal Thursday for most Mumbaikars. But in certain pockets of the city, celebrations were in full swing from as early as 5:30 am, as July 23 marked the release of Jana Nayagan, the final film of Thalapathy Vijay, who is now the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. There were apprehensions over whether the film would make the desired impact, especially since it had been leaked a few months ago. However, the frenzy surrounding the superstar and his swansong during the early-morning screenings made it clear that the leak had not affected the film one bit. This writer watched the film at MovieMax Sion in Mumbai at 6:00 am. After the iconic Aurora Theatre downed its shutters, MovieMax Sion, followed by Miraj Wadala and theatres in Chembur, emerged as one of the city’s strongest-performing centres for Tamil films. MovieMax Sion particularly stands out for its proximity to neighbourhoods with sizeable Tamil population. Hence, watching a Tamil film there on the day of its release, especial...

Amit Rai compares Pankaj Tripathi’s Ohh My Dog role to Hugh Jackman’s The Sheep Detectives cameo; actor blushes, “Arre chodiye… hataiye!”

Director Amit Rai, his son and child actor Maahi Rai, actors Pankaj Tripathi, Pavan Malhotra, Shreedhar Dubey and Vijay Mishra, along with the dogs Oscar and Bruno, attended the trailer launch of Ohh My Dog at a multiplex in Mumbai. Amit Rai’s last film, OMG 2 (2023), also starring Pankaj Tripathi, along with Akshay Kumar, was a surprise super-hit, collecting Rs. 150 crores at the box office. Amit Rai was asked about it and also about Ohh My Dog’s clash with Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Amit Rai said, “I am not the right person to answer this question. I have made a film with full integrity, honesty and full loyalty. Moreover, I feel that this is one of those films which family audience would love to see. I want families to be together in the theatre, bhale woh 4 ki family ho ya 40 ki family ho! And if many such families come in hordes, then the box office collection will speak for itself.” Pankaj Tripathi made it clear at the event that he has limited screen time in Ohh My Dog but stil...

Arijit Singh’s new Awarapan 2 song ‘Yeh Awarapan’ out now

Vishesh Films and Sony Music India have released ‘Yeh Awarapan’, the latest track from Awarapan 2, on all streaming platforms. The song is sung by Arijit Singh, composed by Amaal Malik and written by Rashmi-Virag. The release follows ‘Ve Junoon’, the film’s previous song, which crossed 30 million views on YouTube and reached the number two spot on YouTube Trending. ‘Ve Junoon’ also featured on Spotify India’s Top 100 chart. ‘Yeh Awarapan’ features Emraan Hashmi and is set within the film’s storyline centred on his character, Shivam Pandit. The track continues the themes of love, longing and redemption associated with the Awarapan franchise. Arijit Singh’s first Hindi film song was for a Vishesh Films production, and the release marks a continued association between the singer and the banner. Awarapan 2 is a sequel to the 2007 film Awarapan, also produced by Vishesh Films. The sequel’s soundtrack is being released in stages across streaming platforms, following the same musical identit...

Ramayana Delhi trailer launch: Yash delivers a RARE speech in Hindi; calls Ranbir Kapoor “phenomenal”: “WHOLE of India will understand what MAGIC you have created!”

Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Ravi Dubey, director Nitesh Tiwari, producer Namit Malhotra, Kunal Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Arun Govil, Ajinkya Deo, Shobhna, sitar player Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, Swami Ramdev, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta and others attended the grand trailer launch of Ramayana held in Delhi. The event was hosted by Kumar Vishwas, who has also contributed to the film in a big way. Towards the end of the event, Yash came on stage and he gave a rare speech in Hindi. He began by saying, “I am really happy to be a part of this wonderful project. Sab Hindi mein baat kar rahe hain yahaan. Main bhi koshish karunga. Iss mukaam tak laane ke liye all credit should go to Namit Malhotra. Unhone mujhe yeh patra nibhaane ka avsar diya (laughs), uske liye main unko dhanyawaad kehta hoon. Hindi seekhne ka bhi mauka mila (smiles).” He added, “This is India’s dream. We all have come together with one vision and one conviction – to put our story on the glob...