Kangana vs Javed Akhtar case: Shabana Azmi refutes mutual settlement claims

While reports suggest that Javed Akhtar and Kangana Ranaut have mutually settled their defamation case, Shabana Azmi has refuted all these claims. In a recent interview, Shabana Azmi opened up about the case and clarified that, contrary to the mutual settlement reports, Javed Akhtar has won the case. Shaban Azmi on Kangana vs Javed Akhtar case In a conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Shabana Azmi shared, “They had asked for no monetary compensation but for her apology in writing. The victory is his and his lawyer Jay Bhardwaj’s." She added, “But I’m mystified why the press made it seem as though it was a mutual settlement but did not mention that it was the apology in writing which he was seeking and why he had fought the case for four and a half years." What happened in the court As per a court report, Kangana Ranaut had said, “The statements made by me in the interview dated July 19, 2020 and thereafter were a result of misunderstanding. I hereby unconditionally withdraw all the statements made by me….and I undertake not to repeat the same in future. I apologise for the inconvenience caused to Mr Javed Akhtar, who is one of the senior most members of the film fraternity, and I have the highest regards for him." To this Javed Akhtar reacted saying,  “In view of the statements made by Ms Kangana Ranaut, I agree to withdraw the complaint…" What was the case about? Akhtar had claimed that Ranaut defamed and damaged his “immaculate reputation” by dragging his name into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death in her interview with a news channel in July 2020. In one of her claims, Kangana had stated that Akhtar had asked her to apologise to co-star Hrithik Roshan, who, in 2016, filed a lawsuit against her seeking an apology after a public spat over a statement on their alleged relationship. For a long time, Kangana was also involved in a very public feud with Hrithik after they did a film called Krrish 3 together. It was rumoured that during the filming, Hrithik and Kangana fell in love. While Kangana has openly spoken about the relationship, Hrithik has never admitted to it. Meanwhile, in 2021, Ranaut hit back by filing a counter-complaint against Akhtar before a magistrate’s court, alleging criminal intimidation and insult to modesty. She claimed that during her meeting with Akhtar at his residence in 2016, he criminally intimidated her, demanding that she apologise to a co-star.

27 March,2025 04:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ishaan Khatter. Pic/Yogen Shah

Ishaan Khatter's zero-guilt approach to wearing the same outfits

Actor Ishaan Khatter has revealed that he repeats his outfits all the time and also talked about how fitness is an important part of his life.  Asked Ishaan, who turned muse for designer Pawan Sachdeva at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, if he believes in repeating his clothes, he told IANS: “Do I believe in repeating outfits? Yeah, 100 percent. I repeat outfits like this all the time. I'm going to repeat an outfit later tonight.” Fashion trends are always evolving, how does he stay ahead of them? Ishaan, who is the son of actors Nileema Azeem and Rajesh Khatter said: “I think fashion is cyclical like anything else. So sometimes the way to stay ahead is to look back.” For Ishaan, fitness is now a part of his lifestyle. “Well luckily, it's (fitness) part of the job, I kind of had a head start into it because I'm a dancer and something that I do for myself and also for my mental health now because it just allows you to pull away from the overthinking for a hot second, so it's just a part of my lifestyle and I crank it up or pull it down depending on the roles that I'm doing,” he added. Ishaan made his first screen appearance as a child in the 2005 film Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!, which starred his half-brother Shahid Kapoor. He had his first leading role in Majid Majidi's drama Beyond the Clouds in 2017. He was then seen in the romantic drama Dhadak and he has since starred in the British miniseries A Suitable Boy and the American miniseries The Perfect Couple. The actor is all set to star in the series “The Royals”. In the series, Ishaan is all set to star alongside Bhumi Pednekar. It is slated to be a part of their 2025 release lineup. Going by the teaser of the series, Ishaan portrays Aviraaj Singh, the charismatic heir to the royal throne of Morpur. He crosses paths with Bhumi's character, Sophia Kanmani Shekhar, a driven and no-nonsense CEO. “The Royals” marks the first collaboration between Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar. Meanwhile, Ishaan recently featured in the music video titled ‘Pyaar Aata Hai’ with Tara Sutaria. The heartfelt song features vocals by Rito Riba and Shreya Ghoshal. Produced by Anshul Garg under Play DMF, the track was filmed against the stunning backdrop of Kashmir's picturesque landscapes. "Pyaar Aata Hai,” which marked Ishaan and Tara's first onscreen collaboration, was released on March 7. 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

27 March,2025 12:47 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Neha Kakkar Pic/Instagram

Neha Kakkar breaks silence after Melbourne concert row: 'You'll regret for...'

Popular singer Neha Kakkar faced backlash after she allegedly arrived three hours late for her concert in Melbourne. As the crowd grew restless, Neha broke down on stage and apologised to the audience. The Kala Chashma hitmaker has finally broken her silence over the issue and shared a one-liner on her Instagram stories, which read, “Wait for the truth. You’ll regret for judging me so quickly.” Tony Kakkar defends sister Neha  Neha’s brother, singer and composer Tony Kakkar, came to her defense. On Tuesday, Tony took to his Instagram account to share a statement that read, "Suppose I invite you to my city for an event and take full responsibility for all arrangements- booking your hotel, car, airport pickup, and tickets. Now, imagine you arrive only to find that nothing has been booked. No car at the airport, no hotel reservation, and no tickets. In that situation, who is to blame?" In another post, the singer simply wrote, "Artist maryada mein rahe, aur janta? (An artist should remain within their limits, but what about the public?)." What happened at the Melbourne concert  Viral videos show Neha Kakkar in tears as she apologized to the audience. The singer can also be seen assuring the fuming crowd that she would make up for the lost time. "You have been sweet and patient, waiting for so long. I hate it. I have never made anyone wait in my entire life," Neha said. "I was so worried about what would happen. It means a lot to me. I'll always remember this evening. Since you have taken out your precious time for me, I will make you all dance," she added." Neha Kakkar, who has belted out hits such as 'Second Hand Jawaani', 'Sunny Sunny', 'Manali Trance', 'London Thumakda', 'Dilbar', 'O Saki Saki', started her journey in singing by participating in the second season of the singing reality show, 'Indian Idol'. Apart from playback singing, she has been a part of several television reality shows as a judge, including 'Indian Idol' and 'Superstar Singer' season 3. On the personal front, Neha married Rohanpreet Singh on October 24, 2020, in an intimate ceremony at a Gurudwara in Delhi. This celebration was later followed by a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony. For the unversed, their love story began on the set of their music video, Nehu Da Vyah.

27 March,2025 12:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Picture Courtesy/Rashmika Mandanna's Instagram account

Sikandar actress Rashmika Mandanna fears these two things the most

Actress Rashmika Mandanna has revealed that she fears deep waters and heights. The actress treated her fans with a question and answer session on Instagram, where she was asked about her “biggest fear.” To which, she said: “Hmmm… Heights or deep waters.” An ardent K-Drama fan herself, the actress was asked about her favourite Korean show. “Most favourite hmmm…. Almost every series I’ve watched so it's really hard to pick… but if I really have to then I’d say ‘It’s ok not to be okay’ (sic).” A user wanted her to suggest some “good dramas”, Rashmika replied: “I just finished watching love scout. There’s this Chinese drama which I loooooooved called the First Frost… So cuteeee it was! And now I am watching something called the undercover high school (sic).” On the work front, Rashmika will be seen sharing the screen with Salman Khan in the highly-awaited "Sikandar". Helmed by A.R. Murugadoss, "Sikandar" has been produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. Along with Salman and Rashmika as the leads, the cast also includes Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar in important roles. The film marks the reunion of Salman with producer Sajid Nadiadwala after the 2014 blockbuster, "Kick". "Sikandar" is slated to reach the cinema halls on March 31st on Eid al-Fitr. She also has the Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer "Thama". Made under the direction of Aditya Sarpotdar of ‘Munjya’ fame, "Thama" revolves around a relentless historian who delves into ancient texts, unraveling chilling truths about local vampire legends, as supernatural forces awaken. This quest not only unearths history but also ignites a battle for the town's very soul. In other news, the actress on March 20 shared a picture from the gym as part of her ongoing series, 'no one can stop me from doing the things I love'. She dropped some post-workout pictures, flaunting her abs and infectious smile. The actress penned in the caption, "No matter where, no matter how, no matter in what state... I will always find a way to workout....Ps: no one can stop me from doing the things I looooooveeee..part - 2." 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

27 March,2025 11:41 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Saif Ali Khan  with daughter Sara. Pic/Yogen Shah

Saif Ali Khan's knife attack changed Sara Ali Khan's life forever

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan, who was recently seen in ‘Sky Force’, has spoken up on the incident when her father, Saif Ali Khan was attacked by an assailant at his Bandra house in January this year. Recently, the actress attended the 6th edition of the NDTV Yuva event in the national capital, and expressed her gratitude to the almighty for keeping her dad safe. She said during the event, “It makes you realise what truly matters. The entire family only felt gratitude because it could have gone so wrong. I am so grateful that everything is fine. It was a reminder almost of the life we have”. “We all talk about practicing mental health. Being grateful for your life is so important. And moments like that make you realise it”, she added. The actress also shared what the unfortunate incident taught her, as she said, “It made me realise that life can change overnight. So every day deserves a mindful celebration. It made me realise just being grateful”. On January 16, 2025, Saif was stabbed multiple times in an attempt to fight off a burglar during the wee hours. The actor sustained six stab wounds, two of which were said to be serious as they were closer to his spine. The incident took place at 2:15 am when the burglar allegedly barged into their Bandra home, and attacked their house help and then Saif when he intervened. Saif was woken up by the commotion in his son Jeh’s room. He went inside the room to see the culprit arguing with their house help, looking at this, Saif intervened to save the house help with bare hands to fight off the intruder. 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

27 March,2025 11:39 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Shahid Kapoor with wife Mira Rajput. Pic/Instagram

Shahid Kapoor shows off his playful side with wife Mira Kapoor

Actor Shahid Kapoor recently let loose and showed his playful side as he enjoyed a fun-filled game of pickleball with his wife, Mira Rajput.   The star wife shared a lighthearted moment, capturing Shahid embracing his goofy side. Taking to her Instagram stories, she posted a photo featuring herself and Shahid. What caught the most attention were the actor’s playful expressions. In the image, while Mira takes a selfie, Shahid poses with a ball on his head, pulling a goofy face. The couple is seen relaxing after enjoying a game of pickleball. Alongside the photo, Mira wrote, “In a pickle.” Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput often share adorable photos of each other on social media, teasing one another with playful captions and moments. Their lighthearted posts give fans a glimpse into their fun-filled, loving relationship, with both frequently engaging in affectionate banter and cheeky exchanges online. Last month, Mira penned a heartfelt birthday note for the ‘love of her life’ Shahid. Sharing their blurry image, she wrote, “Love of my life, light of my world. Happy Birthday to my forever In the middle of everything and at the end of it all, you’re the one The magic is in you.” A few days ago, Shahid gave a glimpse into a fun-filled pool day with his family. The 'Deva' actor posted a collection of pictures with his wife, Mira Rajput, and their son, Zain. His brother, Ishaan Khatter, also joined the family for a day of relaxation and joy. The series of photos captured the four of them enjoying their time together. On the professional front, Shahid was recently seen in “Deva,” directed by Rosshan Andrrews. The film also featured Pooja Hegde, Pavail Gulati, Pravesh Rana, Kubbra Sait, and Girish Kulkarni. The Shandaar actor will soon be seen in an upcoming film directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, starring alongside Triptii Dimri. Speaking on the green carpet at IIFA 2025, Shahid shared an exciting update about the untitled project, revealing that the film is currently in production and is slated for release by the end of 2025. 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

27 March,2025 11:24 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Malaika Arora. Pic/Yogen Shah

Malaika Arora longs to share screen space with Shah Rukh Khan again

Malaika Arora has expressed her desire to reunite with Shah Rukh Khan for future collaborations, particularly after their iconic “Chaiyya Chaiyya” number in 1998.   The song, which became a massive hit, marked the beginning of their on-screen chemistry and is still remembered as one of the most memorable dance sequences in Bollywood history. In a recent interaction with us, Malaika shared her excitement about the possibility of teaming up with SRK once again. She told IANS, “If it happens, it will happen. I’m always open to it.” “Chaiyya Chaiyya,” an Indian pop-folk song, was featured in the film “Dil Se.” The track, written by Bulleh Shah, with music composed by the legendary A.R. Rahman, and lyrics penned by the acclaimed Gulzar, remains a timeless classic in the world of Indian cinema. Sung by Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi, the song was picturized on Shah Rukh and Malaika, where they performed the song on top of a moving train. Malaika also shared her thoughts on the evolution of Bollywood songs and how they have changed over time. Speaking about the timeless chemistry she shares with Shah Rukh Khan in hit tracks like “Chaiyya Chaiyya,” “Kaal Kaal,” and “Gare Damaal,” she acknowledged the growing shift in the music industry and its impact on the attention these kinds of songs are receiving today. “I believe that while there are many songs that become extremely popular and even outshine the films they’re a part of, a lot of songs today are made with social media in mind. The focus is on creating songs that will go viral, especially through platforms like Instagram reels. It’s a trend. But I do think there are still songs that become very popular, whether they help the film or not. It’s a mixed bag, but the song itself sometimes becomes more significant than the movie,” the actress explained. Meanwhile, Arora will be seen judging the reality show “Hip Hop Season 2” with Remo D'Souza. 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

27 March,2025 11:10 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Salman Khan with mother Salma. Pic/Instagram

The unexpected issue that tested Salman Khan's parents' love and marriage

It's not a regular occurrence anymore to see Bollywood superstars make big statements in the digital age. However, superstar Salman Khan made an exception on Wednesday, as he narrated the story behind his father Salin Khan and his mother, Salma Khan's marriage.   Salman shared that more than the religion, his father, legendary screenwriter Salim Khan's profession was the bone of contention in his marriage. The 'Sikandar' actor revealed that the disagreement for the marriage from his maternal side were never over the difference in the Hindu and Muslim culture of both the families. Speaking to the media in a Mumbai based hotel, he revealed, "It was never about the difference in the Hindu and Muslim culture and the practices, the bigger and more concerning thing at that time was, 'Ye toh film line se hain'," as he spoke of his father's profession, the same Salim Khan whose pen along with his partner Javed Akhtar gave blockbusters after blockbuster and brought in a lot of respect for the writer community. Meanwhile, the trailer of ‘Sikandar’ was unveiled a few days ago, and it sets the stage for a quintessential Salman Khan entertainer with a generous dose of action, suspense and drama. The trailer promises a larger-than-life spectacle that is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. In the trailer, Salman is seen in the titular role, he is a man on a mission. His portrayal of Sikandar is as raw as it is powerful. His trademark larger-than-life persona blends seamlessly with the character’s drive for revenge, love, and justice. Rashmika Mandanna, who plays the female lead in the film, captivates the audiences with her charm. Her screen presence is magnetic, drawing attention in every scene. The stunning visuals paired with her natural beauty make her a standout. The film seems poised to be another major success for the producer, who has a proven track record of delivering films that not only entertain but also strike a chord with audiences across the nation. 'Sikandar' is set to release on March 28 in cinemas. 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

27 March,2025 10:59 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Siddhant Chaturvedi. Pic/Yogen Shah

What Siddhant Chaturvedi learnt from Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone's careers

Actor Siddhant Chaturvedi has shared some fascinating insights into the distinct work methods of Bollywood’s leading ladies—Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, and Katrina Kaif.   The actor revealed how each of them brings a unique approach to their craft, offering a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the film industry. During his conversation at NDTV Yuva, Siddhant was asked to reflect on the similarities and differences in the work styles of these actresses. He responded, “They are all exceptionally beautiful and talented, but each one approaches work in their own distinct way.” “To start with Alia, she's very spontaneous. She's impromptu. She's always ready with her lines. Deepika preps a lot but she looks effortless. She sits with a pencil, marks important lines in the script. But I don't know how she manages to look so effortless on screen,” the actor mentioned. Siddhant added, “Katrina is technically very sound. She shares her insights about the script. She knows how a line will land. We did a horror comedy, so she was very good at it.” Chaturvedi rose to fame with his breakout role in the Alia Bhatt-starrer “Gully Boy.” Following that, he shared the screen with Deepika Padukone in the critically acclaimed “Gehraiyaan.” He also starred alongside Katrina Kaif in the horror-comedy “Phone Bhoot.” Siddhant Chaturvedi, who hails from a small town in Uttar Pradesh, also opened up about how "Gully Boy" became a pivotal moment in his career. He shared, “Before I had any work, I used to think I should accept whatever came my way. But Gully Boy changed that. It gave me the freedom to be selective and gave me options.” He also recalled how, after the success of the film, actor Vicky Kaushal reached out to him. "I didn’t know him at that time, but he appreciated my work," Siddhant said. On the work front, he is all set to star in "Dhadak 2" alongside Triptii Dimri. 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

27 March,2025 10:56 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Pic/AFP

Did Aishwarya Rai’s bouncer slap BEST bus driver who hit her luxury car?

The video of a BEST bus hitting Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's luxury car in Mumbai's Juhu suburb on Wednesday went viral. As per officials, nobody was injured in the accident. The former Miss World was also not present inside the vehicle when the bus rear-ended the vehicle. However, the latest reports suggest that Aishwarya’s bouncer allegedly slapped the bus driver, leading to the police getting involved.            View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Varinder Chawla (@varindertchawla) Aishwarya’s bouncer slaps BEST bus driver Aishwarya’s bouncer from a bungalow near megastar Amitabh Bachchan's residence on Juhu Tara Road came out and slapped the bus driver, a BEST official told PTI. According to the official, the bus left the Juhu Depot, and as it neared Amitabh Bachchan's residence, it hit the high-end car. "The bus driver got down to see the damage suffered by the car. At this point, a bouncer from a nearby bungalow came out and slapped the driver," he said. After that, the driver called the police control room, and a team arrived at the spot, according to the official of the civic undertaking. "When the police arrived, supervisory staff from the bungalow apologized to the bus driver. The driver ended the matter at this point and steered the bus towards the Santacruz suburban station. No complaint or FIR was registered," the official added.  Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s work front  Aishwarya, who has ruled hearts since winning the Miss World title in 1994, has had a remarkable journey in the film industry. With hits like 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', 'Devdas', and 'Jodhaa Akbar', the actress has become one of Bollywood's most admired actresses. Her beauty, both on and off-screen, has earned her a global fanbase. Aishwarya, on the other hand, was last seen in Mani Ratnam's 'Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2’ for which she won the Best Actress in a Leading Role (Critics) award at the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) in Dubai last year. Ponniyin Selvan is a cinematic adaptation of author Kalki Krishnamurthy's Tamil novel of the same name, which was released in the form of a series during the 1950s.  The film also stars Vikram, Trisha Krishnan Karthik Sivakumar, Jayam Ravi, and Sobhita Dhulipala.

27 March,2025 09:50 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Salman Khan on losing the lead role in Ghajini Pic/Yogen Shah

'Salman Khan has anger issues': Sikandar actor on losing lead role in Ghajini

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who is gearing up for the release of Sikandar, recently engaged with the media as a part of the promotional activities. Salman told ETimes that he was considered to play Aamir Khan's role in Ghajini but lost the opportunity after remarks made by Pradeep Rawat, who played the titular role and antagonist. For those unversed, Ghajini and Sikandar have been directed by AR Murugadoss.  ‘Salman Khan has anger issues’  When Salman was asked about him being considered for Ghajini, the actor replied, I’ve heard it from Pradeep Rawat, who we lovingly call Ghajini. He’s my friend and we have done 4-5 films together. Pradeep said that, ‘AR Murugadoss is disciplined and sincere. How will Salman work? Salman has anger issues.’ He has done 5 movies with me, and he said this. I thought, ‘Okay.’ I never met him after that. If I do, I will certainly ask him - ‘When did I ever get angry at you?’” Sikandar X Ghajini Recently, Salman and Murugadoss met with Aamir Khan and created a fun promotional video. The clip shows Aamir and Salman giving intense expressions as they sit down for a conversation with Murugadoss. It takes a dramatic turn when Aamir asks his Ghajini director to tell who, between him and Salman, is the real "Sikandar." Not to mention, the Sikandar trailer revealed that Salman Khan’s character in the film is named Sanjay. This revelation comes as a nod to Aamir Khan’s character in Ghajini, who also went by the same name. Ghajini talks about a rich business tycoon, Sanjay Singhania (Aamir Khan), who suffers from short-term memory loss due to being hit by a metal pole during an attempt to save his girlfriend, Kalpana Shetty (Asin). About Salman Khan’s Sikandar  Sikandar, produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, is being touted as one of the biggest action entertainers of 2025. The trailer, filled with high-octane action sequences and gripping visuals, has already created a buzz among fans and movie enthusiasts.  Get ready for an epic cinematic experience this Eid 2025! Salman Khan returns to the big screen, joined by the stunning Rashmika Mandanna. Also starring Sathyaraj, Prateik Babbar, Kajal Aggarwal, and Suniel Shetty, the film will hit the big screens on March 30. 

27 March,2025 09:13 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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