Browsing: Entertainment

Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) It has been 25 years since Lara Dutta brought home the Miss Universe crown. However, May 12 holds a lot of memories for the diva as it happens to be her father’s birthday.Lara decided the mark the day with a puja ceremony with her parents. She took to her Instagram handle and shared a couple of sneak peeks from the puja, along with some throwback images from the pageant.Thanking everyone for the love she has received over the years, Lara also penned a heartfelt note saying, “Yesterday was a day of roller coaster emotions….. the 12th of May…….. a significant day in my life! Not just my Dad’s birthday, but also the day I won Miss Universe 25 years ago!. Time certainly flies!!! Marked the day yesterday with a puja to celebrate my father’s life…… knowing full well how fleeting and fragile life is, it’s important to acknowledge and be grateful for the gifts the universe bestows upon us.. Thank you for the love and for your companionship over the last 25 years!”Back in 2000, Lara created history by becoming the second Indian to win the Miss Universe, after Sushmita Sen, who bagged the title in 1994.After this, Lara went on to become a part of several Bollywood projects, including “Masti” (2004), “No Entry” (2005), “Bhagam Bhag” (2006), “Partner” (2007), “Housefull” (2010), and “Chalo Dilli” (2011), among others.On the work front, Lara has been roped in for the highly-awaited drama, “Welcome to the Jungle”. The sequel will mark her reunion with Akshay Kumar after the 2021 drama “Bell Bottom.”Helmed by Ahmed Khan, the project boasts an ensemble cast featuring Raveena Tandon, Suniel Shetty, Disha Patani, Aftab Shivdasani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, and Tusshar Kapoor, along with others.–IANSpm/

Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) Actor, singer and politician Babul Supriyo is remembering the late Bengali cinema legend Uttam Kumar.
On Tuesday, Babul took to his Instagram, and shared a monochromatic clip from a film starring Uttam Kumar. In the video, the actor can be seen in a dialogue exchange as he treats a patient, who has suffered a bullet injury. He then goes on to tell the patient that the bullet is not lodged inside his body before he asks him to run away.He says, “The bullet has not hit you, it has grazed through your stomach. There’s no risk. If you want to save yourself you take the back door. Get up. There is no other way”.Babul, who is the Cabinet Minister of Information Technology and Electronics in West Bengal, penned a long note in the caption.He wrote, “Uttam Kumar, a legendary figure in Bengali cinema, continues to inspire us with his remarkable acting prowess and enduring legacy. His captivating screen presence, nuanced performances, and versatility have set a high standard for actors. Through his iconic films, he has touched hearts, evoking emotions and sparking imagination”.“Uttam Kumar’s dedication to his craft and his ability to connect with audiences on a deep level serve as a timeless source of inspiration for artists, fans, and anyone passionate about the power of storytelling”, he added.Uttam Kumar was an Indian film actor, producer, director, screenwriter, composer, and playback singer, who predominantly worked in Bengali cinema. He was known as Mahanayak. His career spanned three decades, from the late 1940s until his death in 1980. He is regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema and also the most popular and successful film star in West Bengal.–IANSaa/

Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) In a landmark move, Sony Pictures Entertainment India had brought together actor Ajay Devgn and his son, Yug Devgan for their first-ever collaboration.The father and son duo have lent their voices to the Hindi version of “Karate Kid: Legends”, which will be released in theatres across India on May 30, in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.Sharing the exciting news, the makers penned on social media, “The master has a new voice. So does the student! Ajay Devgn & Yug Devgan are all set to bring Jackie Chan & Ben Wang’s epic journey to life in #KarateKidLegends (Hindi). Kick into action with the Hindi trailer dropping soon.”Ajay voiced the iconic character Mr. Han, portrayed by Jackie Chan, while Yug made his much-anticipated debut as Li Fong, the film’s lead character originally played by Ben Wang. This marks Ajay’s first-ever voiceover for an international film in his illustrious career, while Yug brings a fresh and youthful spirit to a globally beloved franchise.Set in New York City, “Karate Kid: Legends” follows kung fu prodigy Li Fong as he adjusts to life in a new school, forges unexpected bonds, and is drawn into an intense showdown with a local karate champion. Under the guidance of his teacher Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), and the legendary Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Li embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery, courage, and growth.Meanwhile, Ajay was last seen reprising his role as IRS officer Amay Patnaik in “Raid 2”.Starring Riteish Deshmukh and Vaani Kapoor in prominent roles, the film talks about Amay Patnaik’s 75th raid in which he tracks another white-collar criminal, Manohar Dhankar alias Dada Manohar Bhai (Riteish), a corrupt politician.Released on May 1, 2025, the sequel performed exceedingly well at the box office, becoming the third highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025.–IANSpm/

Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan, on Tuesday, took to social media to share powerful moments from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Adampur Air Base in Punjab.

The photos captured PM Modi interacting with air warriors and soldiers, highlighting his continued efforts to connect with the armed forces. In his heartfelt post hailing Operation Sindoor, Varun emphasized the country’s unity in the face of terrorism, stating that when it comes to national security, India stands as one and speaks in a single, powerful voice.He highlighted the secular fabric of the nation and acknowledged the tireless dedication of the armed forces—both men and women—who work relentlessly to protect the country. Varun also expressed profound gratitude, saying the nation owes an eternal debt to its soldiers and their families for the sacrifices they make.Sharing a couple of photos, the ‘Student of the Year’ actor wrote, “#operationsindoor The entire nation united as one giving one clear message to the world that India will speak one language when it comes to terrorism. We are a secular country where our brave men and women in the armed forces will protect us. In eternal debt to our nations armed forces and their families for their sacrifices. Bharat hum ko jaan se pyaara hain. Jai Hind.”On May 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to the Adampur Air Base in Punjab, where he interacted with the stationed soldiers. Sharing moments from the visit on his X handle, the Prime Minister highlighted his appreciation for the armed forces and their service to the nation. He wrote, “Earlier this morning, I went to AFS Adampur and met our brave air warriors and soldiers. It was a very special experience to be with those who epitomise courage, determination and fearlessness. India is eternally grateful to our armed forces for everything they do for our nation.”Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the Adampur Air Base holds added importance, as the site was previously targeted during Pakistani attacks. His visit comes just a day after his national address on Operation Sindoor, where he firmly stated terror and talk cannot take place together. He also strongly asserted that “water and blood cannot flow together,” reinforcing India’s uncompromising stance on national security.–IANSps/

Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) Actress Shalini Pandey looked back at her Bollywood debut alongside Ranveer Singh as “Jayeshbhai Jordaar” completed 3 years of release.Sharing some behind-the-scenes pictures from the shoot of the laughter-ride, Shalini penned a heartfelt note, thanking her co-star Ranveer Singh, director Divyang Thakkar, and producer Aditya Chopra for helping her take her first step in the B-town.The “Maharaja” actress penned on her Instagram, “Three years ago, Jayeshbhai Jordaar became my first step into the Hindi Film Industry:) a dream I’d carried (not so quietly) for years It came true with the magic of Yash Raj, the wild brilliance of @ranveersingh, the sheer faith of Adi sir and my amazing director who always believed in my instincts @divyangt I was nervous, wide-eyed, and full of feeling and they let me grow, stumble, fly. A quiet thank you to @shanoosharmarahihai for seeing me at a cafe and changing everything.”Sharing her gratitude for the entire team of “Jayeshbhai Jordaar”, Shalini added, “To the team that held my hand, and the audience that held my heart…thank you! To the entire team of Jayeshbhai thankyou guys. That was the beginning. Here’s to all that followed and to the cinema that makes us believe. Cheers to the movies.”Made under the direction of Divyang Thakkar, the project featured Ranveer Singh, Boman Irani, and Ratna Pathak Shah in crucial roles.The film revolves around the life of a nonconfrontational Jayesh (Ranveer) who decides to defy his patriarchal family and flee with his pregnant wife Mudra (Shalini) to save their unborn daughter from feticide.”Jayeshbhai Jordaar” reached the cinema halls on 13 May 2022.Shalini last graced the silver screen with the web series “Dabba Cartel”, alongside Shabana Azmi, Jyothika, Nimisha Sajayan, and Anjali Anand.She was seen essaying the role of a simple housewife, Raji, who is forced to be a part of a drug cartel under the guise of a food delivery company.–IANSpm/

Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) Actress Alaya F decided to push her fitness boundaries yet again as she performed a headstand on the paddleboard.

The “Freddy” actress nailed the headstand as she flaunted her perfect physique in a black two-piece. The diva was surrounded by water, with a beautiful backdrop, including greenery and hills.”Someone jokingly said, “You should try a headstand on the paddleboard.”Two minutes later, I was upside down in the middle of a river while my friends and family hyped me up from the boat.@konkanexplorersindia.”The video garnered a lot of attention from netizens who penned comments such as, “That someone is always me and look at you go effortlessly on it”, “Oh god…Is there anything you can’t do?”, “Well balance in water love you Alaya”, and “Oh goodness!! Bless Bless Bless Bless !! Have to show Samaya this”, along with others.Alaya keeps on shelling fitness goals with such inspiring videos on social media.Back in February this year, Alaya shared a video of a yummy yet healthy breakfast smoothie on her Instagram.The ‘Jawaani Jaaneman’ actress started with some frozen bananas and some frozen berries. Later, she added one spoonful of almond butter, along with one spoonful of Greek yogurt and just a little bit of almond milk. At the end, Alaya added a tiny little spoonful of honey and blended everything. She finally garnished the smoothie with granola, coconut, berries, chia seeds, and some almond butter.”What if I told you that your breakfast could taste like an ice cream/sorbet and still be really healthy? Lots of you wanted my smoothie bowl recipe so I decided to make a little video on it! It’s my favourite, enjoy!”, Alaya wrote in the caption.On a professional front, Alaya was last seen in “Bade Miya Chote Miyan” which starred Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead. She was also a part of “Srikanth”, co-starring Rajkummar Rao.Alaya has yet to announce her next project.–IANSpm/

Los Angeles, May 13 (IANS) Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey, who was cleared of charges of sexual assault, has booked a role in upcoming action-thriller ‘The Awakening’.
As the 64-year-old actor continues to revive his career following his acquittal in a UK criminal trial last year, the two-time Oscar winner joins a cast that includes Peter Stormare, Alice Eve and Julian Glover in the Matt Routledge-directed film, which was shot at Pinewood Studios, reports ‘Female First UK’.‘The Awakening’, first announced in 2023, follows Jason and Rebecca, played by newcomer Justin Tinto and 42-year-old Alice Eve, as they uncover a global conspiracy that plunges them into a race against time. Kevin’s role has not yet been disclosed, ‘Variety’ reported.The film is being produced by Camelot Films in partnership with Cloud9 Studios, who are launching worldwide sales at the Cannes film market this month. Also appearing in the movie are 70-year-old Peter Stormare, known for ‘Fargo’ and ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’; Steve Berkoff, 86, whose credits include ‘Red 2’ and ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’; 89-year-old Julian Glover from ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ and Matt Hookings from ‘Prizefighter’. Former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall, 36, who appeared in ‘Expendables 4’, also joins the ensemble.As per ‘Female First UK’, the film’s screenplay is co-written by Justin Tinto, Matt Routledge and Matt Hookings, with the 35-year-old also serving as producer alongside Tim Kent. Executive producers include Justin, Sally Woodward, Adrian Goodisman and Pia Patatian.Tim said, “We are all extremely excited about Cloud9 Studios set to bring this exciting film to market. “Filming our conspiracy thriller at the iconic Pinewood Studios added a unique layer of intrigue to the project.“The studio’s rich history of filmmaking, combined with our gripping narrative, has resulted in a film that we believe will resonate with audiences seeking thought-provoking and thrilling entertainment”, he added.Stunt coordination is being handled by Luke Tumber, whose recent credits include ‘Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One’ and ‘Venom: The Last Dance’. Since being acquitted of nine sexual offence charges in 2023, Kevin Spacey has taken on a number of roles, primarily in European projects, including ‘Control’ and ‘Peter Five Eight’.–IANSaa/

Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) Punjabi singer Guru Randhawa used social media to pen a heartfelt note to echo the emotions of millions across the nation amidst India’s ongoing tension with Pakistan.
Stressing the importance of staying united during these challenging times, Randhawa wrote on his Instagram, “India is not just a country, it is an emotion, a bond of oneness that transcends caste, religion, language, or background. We are all Indians first, and our unity is our greatest strength.”The ‘Ishare Tere’ singer believes that all those who speak against the country should shift to a place they feel more aligned with.”Whether Indian by birth or by heart, anyone who speaks against our motherland does not deserve to enjoy the privileges of this great nation. They are free to live wherever they feel more aligned, but not at the cost of disrespecting the very soil that nurtures us all,” he added.Showing his support for our Armed Forces, Randhawa shared, “We, the people of India, stand shoulder to shoulder with our armed forces. If ever the need arises, every Indian will rise with them, not just in spirit, but in action.”Reiterating the ‘Unity in diversity’ motto, he concluded saying, “Let’s remember: our diversity is our beauty but our nation comes first- always. Let us never tolerate any attempt to divide or defame India, because this land belongs to those who honor it with love and loyalty.””Let’s Unite, Let’s Stay Together as a Nation. Proud Indian. 🇮🇳.” Randhawa penned the caption.After many days of tension across the India-Pakistan border, the neighbouring countries agreed on a ceasefire on Saturday. However, Pakistan ended up violating the ceasefire within a couple of hours, leaving things uncertain on both sides.The Indian Armed Forces performed Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack, in which around 26 innocent tourists lost their lives.–IANSpm/

Chennai, May 13 (IANS) Actor Sriya Reddy has resumed filming for director Sujeeth’s much-anticipated film OG, which stars Pawan Kalyan in the lead role. The team has reportedly reassembled in Hyderabad to continue shooting, as excitement around the film continues to build.Sharing her thoughts on returning to the sets, Sriya Reddy expressed her enthusiasm about collaborating once again with director Sujeeth and the cast. “Back on the sets of OG with the best team — Sujeeth and gang — and excited to work with the man himself! This has been a beautiful experience. Essaying such a soulful character, I’m truly grateful,” she said.The actress, who received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Radha Rama in Salaar, is particularly thrilled to be back in Hyderabad. Reacting on the same she shared, “Hyderabad is always like a second home. Some of my dearest friends are from here. I’m not a foodie, but I still enjoy a few things. Can’t wait to try all the new restaurants that have opened here.”‘OG’ has been generating significant buzz for its promise of delivering a potent mix of stylized action sequences and deep emotional storytelling. With Pawan Kalyan in a central role and a strong ensemble cast, the film is expected to be a major cinematic event. Directed by Sujeeth, known for his unique visual style and gripping narratives, OG is shaping up to be one of the most awaited films of the year.The production team is currently filming key sequences in Hyderabad, and more updates are expected in the coming weeks. With Sriya Reddy back on set and momentum building, fans are eagerly awaiting the next glimpse into the world of OG.–IANSaal/ayk

Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) Ali Fazal took to social media to express his admiration for Tom Cruise, thanking the actor for his significant role in keeping cinemas alive.

In a heartfelt post, Fazal praised Cruise for his contributions to global cinema, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in the film industry. He also shared his hopes that the industry will continue to thrive, following in Cruise’s footsteps and keeping the magic of theatres alive for audiences around the world. The Fukrey actor also sent his best wishes to Tom Cruise for his upcoming film, “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” expressing confidence that the actor won’t need luck but sending heartfelt support nonetheless.Taking to his Instagram handle, Ali shared a smiling picture of him with Tom Cruise and captioned it, “Best of luck @tomcruise !! You wont need it .,but sending you wishes here as i also thank you for keeping the theatres alive and hope that we follow after .. and carry on makin movies and telling stories cuz thats really it, all of it- stories. I say this for all industries across the globe – we keep each other afloat one way or another, like kt or not. We break when we bow – not in humility but in servitude. And so, the title like a dilemma always fits – #MissionImpossible.”“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” will premiere at Cannes on May 14. The film will release in India on May 17 in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.Recently, actress Avneet Kaur shared a heartwarming moment with Tom Cruise as he prepares for the release of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.” Taking to Instagram, she posted a picture showing the two stars exchanging a respectful Namaste. For the caption, Kaur wrote, “Namaste mere aur Mr Cruise ki taraf se poore India ko. Great to see you again @tomcruise @missionimpossible.”–IANSps/