Sunita Ahuja is reportedly in talks for the next season of the popular reality show, "Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives". Sources claim, "We heard Sunita Ahuja is going to be considered for the upcoming season of The Fabulous Housewives. She has been someone the audiences have truly loved, and her fan following has increased by the day." However, an official confirmation is still awaited. Sunita has recently been making headlines due to the speculations about her separation from husband Govinda. The reports claimed that Sunita had issued a divorce notice to Govinda six months ago. However, Govinda's manager refuted such rumours saying that nothing of such sorts have been put into action by Govinda. In an exclusive conversation with IANS he stated, “Right now, the news is being spread all over the place. So we are keeping an eye on it. Yes, she has sent a legal notice in the court. I am aware of that. But there is no concrete matter as to what it is. The legal notice hasn’t yet reached us”. The manager also said that Sunita has been doing such acts, which intrigue the audience with regards to Govinda, for the past few days. He continued, “You must have seen that something or the other has been coming up. This or that. Sunita ji has said something or other about Govinda ji. She said she taught him acting or dance”. The manager said that Govinda lives in the bungalow for most of the time while Sunita lives in a flat but there isn't any lack of interest on actor’s part when it comes to looking after Sunita and his family. “There are certain things that are going on. But they are on their own terms. But it is not like there is any lack on his part about looking after for the family. Govinda is a man of a different nature. He stands for others, and for his family”, the manager shared. However, Shashi refused to call this set-up (the actor spending a generous time in his bungalow and Sunita living in a flat) as the couple living separately. “They don't live separately. Govinda lives in his bungalow. Most of the time, he lives there. Yes, he comes and goes to his house. He lives in a bungalow for a few days. He works in a political party, he is in the ministry. He is associated with the government. So, it’s very natural for him to spend some time in his bungalow”, he added. Govinda and Sunita got married in March 1987. The couple has two kids, their daughter Tina, and son Yashvardhan.
08 March,2025 10:55 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBollywood beauty Manushi Chhillar, who was spotted with Sky Force actor Veer Pahariya at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding, ended up making headlines for their rumoured affair. Quashing all such speculations, the former Miss World said that a lot of things written about her personal life are false and that Veer simply accompanied her since she didn’t know anyone. Manushi on dating rumours with Veer In an interview with Bombay Times, Manushi said, "A lot of things written about my personal life have been completely false. If I spend too much time with my girlfriends, does it mean I’m not interested in boys? And if I hang out with a male friend, does it automatically mean we’re dating?" Speaking about her linkup rumours with Veer, she added, “No (we are not dating), absolutely not. He’s a good friend. He was lovely enough to give me company during a wedding where I didn’t know anyone. That’s pretty much it. That’s my only interaction with the boy." In 2022, Manushi was reported to be dating businessman Nikhil Kamath. For the uninformed, Nikhil is the co-founder of a financial services company and was previously married to Amanda Puravankara. However, they separated within a year and got divorced in early 2021. He is currently rumoured to be dating Rhea Chakraborty. Manushi Chhillar’s work front On the work front, the young diva made her acting debut in 2022 with the historical drama Samrat Prithviraj, in which she essayed the role of Sanyogita. Manushi then featured in 2023 in the comedy-drama The Great Indian Family, opposite Vicky Kaushal. She then essayed the role of a wing commander in the 2024 Hindi-Telugu bilingual movie Operation Valentine. She starred opposite Varun Tej in the action drama film, which was based on the 2019 Pulwama Attack and the retaliatory Balakot Air Strikes. Manushi last featured in the science fiction action film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, which featured Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles. Manushi now has an action thriller Tehran in her kitty. It is directed by Arun Gopalan and produced by Dinesh Vijan. The movie stars John Abraham and Neeru Bajwa.
08 March,2025 08:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWho’s more funny? Men or women? While the age-old stereotype would make one think that men are funnier than women, there is no right answer to it. Skills do not have gender, bias does. For a long time, comedy has been dominated by the stereotype that women are not as funny as men, often dismissed as lacking the sharp wit or boldness needed to succeed in the field. This perception has been reinforced by societal norms that expect women to be poised, agreeable, and less outspoken, making the raw, unfiltered humor often celebrated in comedy seem unfeminine. “The kind of wicked and dry humour that women writers are coming up with has a lot to do with suppression also because for very long they have been relegated to the corners of the room where their observant eye had a great time viewing various things that are going on in the society. When it comes to giving words to their observation, women are coming with tremendous humour,” notes writer and actor Sneha Desai who is credited for films like Laapataa Ladies and Loveyapa. ‘Women and liberty have not gone hand-in-hand in the past While today, more and more women have occupied space in the previously male-dominated field of comedy, it has taken a long time for women to break into this space. Ishita Moitra who is credited as writer for films like Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Call Me Bae speaks about how liberation plays a role in comedy. “Comedy is about observing something that's slightly off or weird in the world around you and then presenting it in the palatable (mostly!) form of a joke. Thus it is a liberating experience and obviously, women and liberty haven't gone hand in hand in the past. A traditional "good woman" isn't supposed to find fault in the system, she's supposed to be obedient, patient, not answer back or question. Hence, a woman who makes jokes is "unbecoming" and "unladylike". She's a troublemaker. Perhaps, this is why it's taken women so long to break into the comedy scene,” she said. Stand-up comic Sonali Thakker, on the other hand, had quite different experience while performing for live audience as opposed to reactions online. One look at the comments section on my social media will reveal that many audiences there still feel that way. And there's an audience that doesn't agree with them. There's a little bit of everything online. However, in person, I almost never get those backhanded compliments like, “Oh, you’re funny... for a woman,” or “You’re the only female I know who can crack jokes and still be funny.” Thank God. That's ancient history. Live audiences have stopped segregating humour based on gender,” she shares. Drawing the line While the country has lately been occupied in moralising jokes after a comment by a content creator on a no-filer comedy YouTube show went viral. While the discussion around drawing the line in comedy is an ongoing one, gender has also inherently played a role in this. Society conditioning is such that it considers certain jokes acceptable only by men and not women. “I hundred percent feel that people get more offended when they hear abuse from a woman. Or anything that's slightly more sexually explicit or about women articulating their desires in general makes people uncomfortable,” says Moitra. She adds, "It has definitely become difficult to write anything not just comedy. I first think of a joke then think of how many people it could offend. Then change it to the most vanilla or rather alu matar version of it. This kind of second guessing has its perils as well as advantages. Peril: Self censorship. Advantage: You are able to speak to a wider audience." Sneha Desai believes that a writer's words have the potential to shape society. "As a writer, you need to understand that your joke will influence a lot of people. In a small way, you are shaping how society reacts to things or how society laughs at things. I think one should take that a little more responsibly." However, Sneha also believes that when gender comes into play, male comics get away with more than female comedians. "They enjoy a lot more liberty than comediennes. We tend to judge female comics, bracket them, and create a specific image in our minds about the kind of jokes they tell. We then start attributing those jokes to their personal beliefs. That is a societal condition that needs immediate undoing." Sonali feels that the offline audience at stand-up shows are aware of what to expect and are unbothered by the gender of the comic but feels it's a completely different game online. "The online crowd is distinctly different. In the online space, a wide range of people are encountered – from which a few people are present to ensure they are not being offended. A simple joke around not liking pineapple on pizza is as though a war has been declared on Italy. In the online space, I believe everything is significantly amplified; especially when one discusses something that incorporates delicate topics such as cultural or religious values. I think this is because there is less context online."
08 March,2025 08:16 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya NambiarOne of the most beloved cult comedies in Indian cinema, Andaz Apna Apna, will be making its grand return to theatres this April, 31 years after its original release. Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, who was recently at the India Today Conclave revealed that his co-actors Karisma Kapoor and Raveena Tandon had a bit of a conflict back then which jeopardised their shoot. Conflict between Karisma and Raveena Aamir Khan recalled, "We had a lovely time. Also, have to say it was also a tough time because I was the only actor who used to come on time. Karisma used to come for the shoot and leave, and then Raveena would come. It was a challenge to shoot it.” He added, "Don't know if I should say this. Raveena and Karisma were having some conflicts. I used to think how this film would ever be completed. People didn't want to shoot with each other). But I really believed in that film. It was so wacky and mad. We were at our peak, Salman (Khan) and I, at the time. But the film didn't even run for a week. I was flummoxed because I thought it was a great film. But now I believe it is the number one film in home entertainment. Every generation has seen it, every generation wants to see it." About Andaz Apna Apna Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, Andaz Apna Apna was originally released on November 4, 1994, and quickly became a fan favourite. The film went on to achieve cult status over the years, becoming one of the most loved comedies in Bollywood. Alongside Aamir Khan and Salman Khan, the film features notable performances by Raveena Tandon, Karisma Kapoor, Paresh Rawal (who played dual roles), and Shakti Kapoor. The storyline revolves around two charming yet deceptive men who attempt to woo an heiress to inherit her father’s wealth. However, they soon discover that the heiress has swapped identities with her secretary, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings and mishaps. The original film's screenplay was inspired by the 1972 film Victoria No 203. The remastered version of Andaz Apna Apna will be shown across India in April. Fans can expect a fresh viewing experience of the 1994 comedy.
08 March,2025 05:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhile adaptations and remakes have become a norm in Indian cinema, Salman Khan’s upcoming film Sikandar stands as a refreshing and bold testament to originality. Going by the teaser, it is a film that offers something entirely new to the audience, with every scene, and every frame carefully crafted to bring an entirely fresh experience to the big screen. After rumours were rife that the film is a remake of Vijay’s Sarkar and inspired by Prabhas’ Salaar, AR Murugadoss has now cleared the air. Sikandar is not a remake Quashing rumours about Sikandar being a remake, AR Murugadoss set the record straight and said in a statement, "This is a completely original story. Every scene, every frame of Sikandar has been designed and executed with authenticity, offering a fresh narrative and experience. It’s not a remake or adaptation of any existing film An essential part of the film's originality is its stunning background score, crafted by the immensely talented Santosh Narayanan. His music perfectly complements the film’s energetic tone and vibrant visuals, adding an emotional depth that enhances every scene.” Sikandar first song out Sikandar's song Zohra Jabeen, which was released last week, features stunning visuals, with a grand ensemble of dancers bringing the energy to the dance number. From the first beat, you can feel the celebration in the air—an explosion of colours, rhythm, and excitement that is perfectly matched by Salman and Rashmika’s sizzling on-screen chemistry. The track showcases Salman Khan’s perfectly synchronized dance moves with Rashmika Mandanna’s grace, every frame highlights their unmatched chemistry. About Salman Khan’s Sikandar Going by the teaser, Salman Khan’s larger-than-life presence is undeniable, as he delivers powerful dialogues and jaw-dropping action sequences that will leave you at the edge of your seat. His electrifying performance, combined with the heart-pounding background score, sets the tone for a film that will be etched in audiences’ memories for years to come. Along with Salman Khan’s power-packed performance, Rashmika Mandanna adds a touch of charm to the intense drama unfolding on-screen. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Sikandar promises to be a cinematic marvel packed with high-octane action, intense drama, and raw emotion. The film also stars Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar.
08 March,2025 04:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actors Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor, who were once a power couple but called it quits due to reasons unknown reunited at an event in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The two have worked in films like Fida, Chup Chup Ke, Jab We Met, and Udta Punjab. They were romantically involved for about 5 years and went on to marry their respective spouses. After making headlines for ignoring each other at public events, they hugged each other and conversed during the event. Watch the video below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Kareena and Shahid parted ways after 5 years Kareena tied the knot with Saif Ali Khan in 2016. The two have worked together in LOC Kargil (2003) and Omkara (2006), but it was on the sets of the 2008 film Tashan that they fell in love with each other. Shahid and Mira got married on July 7, 2015, in an intimate wedding in Delhi. They are doting parents to daughter Misha and son Zain. Misha was born in 2016 while Shahid-Mira welcomed Zain in 2018. Kareena Kapoor Khan’s work front There has been no update on Kareena’s film front yet. 2025 started on a rough note for her since Saif was stabbed multiple times by an intruder at their Bandra home. Last year she was seen in films like 'Crew', 'The Buckingham Murders' and 'Singham Again'. Helmed by Rajesh A Krishnan, 'Crew' revolves around the journey of three working women set against the backdrop of the aviation industry. On the other hand, 'The Buckingham Murders' revolves around Sergeant Jasmeet 'Jass' Bhamra (Kareena) dealing with the loss of her young son Ekam (Mairaaj Kakkar). She is assigned a case of a missing boy, Ishpreet, roughly as old as Ekam. It is directed by Hansal Mehta. Speaking of 'Singham Again', it is helmed by Rohit Shetty. In the movie, she shared screen space with Ajay Devgn, Arjun Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Ranveer Singh. Shahid Kapoor’s work front Shahid Kapoor was last seen in ‘Deva’, co-starring Pooja Hegde. In the movie, Shahid portrays a rebellious police officer who delves into a high-profile case. As he digs deeper, he unravels a complex web of deceit and betrayal, plunging into a perilous journey of investigation while Pooja Hegde is the leading lady in the role of a journalist. It is directed by acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews.
08 March,2025 03:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe world celebrates Women’s Day today. But what is a celebration if it’s not preceded by change? In the past few years, Bollywood has witnessed positive change as there has been increased representation of women on and off camera. But it’s a long road ahead to equality, finds out mid-day as we talk to women in different streams of filmmaking, including direction, editing, writing, cinematography and stunts. Why are basics elusive? Mrs director Arati Kadav highlights that even in 2025, women on set often don’t have access to basic amenities like hygienic washrooms. “When I started out, there was one washroom for all the HoDs. I protested that I didn’t want to share washrooms with men. You have to ask for something that I thought was a given. If you are a director, you will probably have a better working condition. But if you’re a female AD or an assistant in any department, there are no special provisions made for you. Since I was given a separate washroom [as a director], I encouraged women crew members to use mine,” complains Kadav. Senior cinematographer Neha Parti Matiyani, who has worked on titles like My Name Is Khan, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Netflix' upcoming show Royals, says she has seen a lot change over 20 years of her career but it’s sad something as basic as hygiene is still an issue on smaller productions. “Sadly enough it is the same problems that existed when I started. Which was, luckily I worked with production houses which took care of issues like bathrooms for women. But across the board, if you are not on a ‘A’ grade production, then bathrooms for women is still a problem," she says. This is not restricted to sets. Leading editor Deepa Bhatia, who recently worked on Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous, shares that offices of studios and production houses too are lacking on the sanitation front. “Editors complain of poor sanitation maintained in the bathrooms,” she says. Cinematographer Pranjal Picha, who has assisted on films like Mere Husband Ki Biwi and Khel Khel Mein (2024), says it takes just two simple words to bring about a change. "All a woman needs is a separate “ONLY FEMALE” door on set and not just only on the shoot days but also on prep days, during set ups and lighting. So no matter how big or small budget the project is, if you have women working on sets, it be actors, juniors, technicians or crew, make sure they don’t have to ask for it, just give it already," she says. Work Hours Screenwriter Kalyani Pandit points out that work timing is another issue. Apparently, many male writers like working late into the night. She notes, “When a woman joins the writers’ room, they try to keep the discussions [and writing sessions] during the day. But it’s made out to be such an inconvenience. If you’re adjusting, toh jata kyun rahe ho?” she asks. Safety concerns Every day, thousands of women go to work to what’s called Bollywood. And every day, the fight stars way before they reach and long after they leave the workplace, even in 2025. Kadav stresses on a systemic change when it comes to women travelling to and from sets. “Sometimes, the pack-up happens at 1 or 2 am. The expectation is that the women in the crew will figure it out with their male colleagues. Sometimes, shoots happen in obscure locations, deep inside Film City. Those at the executive level should think about how women will come to set at early hours and leave so late.” Bhatia echoes Kadav’s sentiment, noting that the physical safety of women working late at nights is not discussed enough. “Editing involves late working hours. [The production houses] don’t think about how the women are reaching home. I have a small WhatsApp group where whenever a member leaves, they drop a text, saying, ‘This is the rickshaw/cab number,’ and on reaching home, they leave another text. Simple things like making sure that people reach home safely [should be looked into]. Also, one needs to consider that when associates, assistant editors or even the editors are the last people to leave the establishment, is the right kind of staff present? I remember an incident where an office boy misbehaved with a woman in the team, and we had to get him out. So, we should ask: Is it safe when she is the last person leaving the studio or the office?” Oddly, safety concerns also cost women opportunities. Pandit says, “I have heard how for outdoor shoots, productions try to avoid taking women citing safety concerns. This hampers opportunities for women.” Genres have genders? We have more women-centric stories on screen, and more women screenwriters. While that is a reason for celebration, the discrimination is evident in the smallest things, says Pandit, who has written the dialogues of 2023 Marathi film Unaad. “Female writers aren’t even offered horror or stories with ‘angry-young-man’ characters. They come to women writers for female-centric stories. The mindset is still that women are better at writing slice-of-life stories. she rues, adding that there are also times when producers hire a female writer only for tokenism. “I have seen cases where even for a female-centric story, they will hire men and just one woman just to show diversity in the writer’s room.” A female writer's fight is not just for rightful inclusion, but also to be heard. Pandit shares how creative heads often favour the opinion of a male writer over his female counterpart, even if the latter holds expertise over the subject. "No matter if I am more experienced than my male contemporary or I have more personal experience of the subject that the story revolves around, if a man is speaking in a meeting, his opinion gets more weightage than what I say. Because, unfortunately, internalised patriarchy is also an issue, I have seen that even if there's a female creative producer in a meeting, she will pay more heed to my male co-writer or male director. In one such case, where my co-writer didn't have such a mindset, I found a solution to get my point across. I would tell him, 'You share my idea, because it will get approved if you say it. It won't if I share it.' This really bothers me. It comes down to how many battles can you fight? You know finally, the credit will be shared by both the writers, so you let go of what happens in a meeting." 30 women came together to form Indian Women Cinematographers Collective (IWCC) in 2016. It has grown to 200 members today, but Matiyani, its founding member, says there has been much growth in people’s attitude towards hiring female cinematographers. “To get independent work it is still a bit difficult for people who started out after us and the problem remains the same that women have to prove themselves versus people, who would take a chance on a male DoP starting out. That hasn't changed very much. So whatever the change, that's not substantial enough.” Picha spells the reason. “People somewhere still have a mindset that men can do better as cinematographers than women because it’s a technical and a physical job." The silver lining There have been positive changes over the last few years. Make-up artist Hrida Advani, whose work includes Sky is Pink (2019) and Mirzapur, notes that production houses now view make-up as an integral part of storytelling, making them feel more included on set. “It has been a long journey from being addressed as ‘parlour wali’ to a ‘professional artist’,” she says. Stunt artist Geeta Tandon, having a 17-year experience that includes huge productions like Chennai Express, The Family Man and Citadel: Honey Bunny, acknowledges that work for stuntwomen is more than ever, and in a healthy environment. “I have more work than ever and there is more action to do. Female stunt women are taken more seriously now. Earlier there was a notion that men could also do stunts for female actors but now these opportunities are exclusively offered to stunt-women. There is either a vanity van or AC tents for women action staff. If we are in locations like Ladakh, where these things are not possible, we are given rooms with toilets and other facilities. Earlier, when I would be on my period, I used to feel shy to ask for a break to change my sanitary pad. My clothes would get stained, but I would be asked to do one more shot. Now I can ask for breaks, and use the washroom as and when required. This is the best time to be in this profession as more and more women-led actioners are being made.” Pandit mentions that there’s a shift in the industry culture since the MeToo movement that broke out in 2018 and had many women in Bollywood sharing accounts of sexual harassment at workplace. “There’s a difference between pre and post-MeToo. There’s definitely more awareness, not just from individual men but also from whoever is the final authority, like the producers. They also are watchful about the behaviour of other men on sets. Some comments, which would have been passed as healthy flirting, teasing or pulling someone’s leg aren’t welcomed by the authority. It’s probably just to save themselves. But that’s still a silver lining for the immediate future. So, maybe their mindset hasn’t changed, but they fear accountability so they are careful. There’s certain alertness exhibited by production houses and studios. I have seen people being fired for inappropriate comments. That’s the advantage of corporate culture. It does takes away the agency of creatives, but it makes one legally strong.” An executive working in the development team of a mid-scale production house, on the condition of anonymity, says having women in leadership position has made a huge difference for working conditions for women in the industry. "We are an all women team, and you can feel the change. There's more comfort, empathy and understanding. A lot of the issues that my peers face, I don't because I have women in senior positions.” But a systemic change is what will cause a permanent shift, believes Bhatia, who still witnesses “clannish” behaviour from men. “I still worry about the sexually inappropriate conduct that’s placed in a very passive, quiet sort of way from people in power, it could be director, producer or someone lower down the picking order. There are still sexually inappropriate remarks. The clannish behaviour of men on sets concerns me. So, while we talk about sexual harassment, are people understanding what constitutes that? There needs to be a better system to report sexual harassment. We have our contracts that they tell us there won’t be any inappropriate behaviour from any HoD or anyone else. But some orientation sessions are needed for teams. Do we take the 100 people on set and say this is not acceptable or similarly to the post-production team? I have been editing for 20-25 years. In the last two years, after the lovely burst of women in post-production, I am actually noticing a dip in applications. I just gave a shoutout for the staff I needed for a project and I found the ratio skewing towards men. There are hardly any girls applying. I keep asking myself why is that happening. That’s something one needs to think about.”
08 March,2025 03:03 PM IST | Mumbai | Komal RJ Panchal | Priyanka SharmaA metropolitan magistrate’s court in Andheri has finally closed the sexual harassment case registered against Nana Patekar and three others by Tanushree Dutta. The investigation conducted by Oshiwara police concluded that the complaint filed was false, and the summary provided by the police helped the court close the proceedings. As per Hindustan Times, Metropolitan Magistrate N.V. Bansal on Friday closed the case against Patekar, stating that the police had filed the closure report beyond the period of limitation. The magistrate noted that the FIR was filed in 2018 under Sections 354 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code for an incident that allegedly occurred on March 23, 2008. About the MeToo allegations In 2018, Tanushree Dutta made serious allegations against Nana Patekar. Earlier, the actor made a fresh statement about those allegations, stating that he never got angry because, from the very beginning, he was aware that whatever Tanushree was saying was nothing but lies In an interview with The Lallantop, Nana Patekar addressed the allegations Tanushree made against him, saying, "I knew that it was all a lie. That's why I didn't get angry. When everything was a lie, why should I be angry? And all those things are old. They have happened. What can we talk about them? Everyone knew the truth. What could I say at that time when nothing like this happened? Suddenly, someone says that you did this, you did that. What would I have answered to all these things? Should I have said that I didn't do this? I know the truth that I didn't do anything." Later, in 2022, Tanushree talked about the backlash she received for making these allegations. In an interview with HT, she revealed, “A lot of stuff has happened since I came back to India. I am trying to resurrect my career, and people are interested in working with me, despite the image that these Bollywood mafias have portrayed as being difficult… I am getting offers for films as well as web projects, in fact, signed some also, but have noticed none of them materialize. All of a sudden, the producers or directors go incognito, or sponsors drop.”
08 March,2025 01:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA movie named Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar was all set to release, but on Friday, the Bombay High Court put a halt on its release, considering that the title and content of the film violate ace filmmaker Karan Johar's privacy and personality rights and infringe on his brand value. This decision came after Karan Johar approached the High Court in June 2024, seeking a restraint on the film's release. Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar release cancelled A single-judge bench of Justice R.I. Chagla, while ordering a stay on the release of the film, stated that its title would inevitably result in people directly associating it with Johar. In June 2024, when Johar sought a halt on the movie's release, he argued that “unless his consent is taken for using his personal attributes, such as his name and profession, there is a violation of such rights.” Karan Johar believes makers wish to cash on his goodwill He also stated that the makers of Shaadi Ke Director Karan Aur Johar had not acted on the cease-and-desist notice he had sent in June. Clarifying that he has no connection with the film, Johar stated that the makers wished to cash in on his goodwill and reputation by giving it a name that would make the audience associate it with him. Karan also claimed that the movie script contains dialogues and remarks that defame him, and he believes the film falls into the 'adult category.' Why Karan Johar was in news Karan Johar recently made headlines for his massive weight loss. After his drastic physical transformation, many called him out and pointed fingers at him for allegedly taking Ozempic to lose weight. However, Karan has not reacted to any such claims as of now. Bollywood multi-hyphenate Karan Johar recently sold off 50 percent of his stakes in his production company, Dharma Productions. Adar Poonawalla’s Serene Productions took over a 50 percent stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Dharmatic Entertainment. The association met with a strong reaction from internet users. The strategic move aims to craft compelling content for a global audience. The filmmaker will serve as the Executive Chairman, driving the company’s creative vision forward. Dharma Productions has been struggling of late, as the majority of its films have underperformed at the box office. The rising overhead costs seem to have pushed KJo to sell 50 percent of the company’s stakes, which his father, Yash Johar, founded.
08 March,2025 12:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood multi-hyphenate, Farhan Akhtar, whose recent production ‘Superboys of Malegaon’ has been getting a lot of positive response, attended the launch of a helpline to help victims of cyberbullying and sextortion. The actor spoke with the media on the occasion, and lauded the initiative. The actor said that in cases of sextortion the victims should own up to their mistake, if they feel they have committed a mistake. The second step is to talk to people who could help them and give solutions to set the course right. He told the media, “Children while growing up due to shame or some accident, can harm themselves. So, ‘Brush of Hope’ is a very good thing. We have come here in support of it. So, I hope that through us and our friends, we can spread this awareness”. When asked about how the problem area can be effectively tackled, the actor said, “It all comes down to shame. Everyone feels that what they have done is wrong. If you feel that you have made a mistake, the first thing you should do is to own up to your mistake. And you speak to people who can help you”. “I would just say that the kind of structure that Maharashtra Cyber has made and the kind of helpline that Brush for Hope has created, that is very heartening to see. I am very happy that there are all these tools out there which can help boys, girls, men and women”, he added. Cyberbullying and sextortion have emerged as a major threat in today's digital age, with an increasing number of people becoming victims of online abuse. Brush of Hope (BoH), a non-profit organisation, in collaboration with Maharashtra Cyber, has launched a dedicated helpline 022-65366666 to assist victims of cyberbullying and sextortion, the helpline aims to provide timely support by providing psychological counselling, legal guidance and emergency intervention, ensuring that affected people get the help they need without delay. The helpline will have two operational lines, which will be available six days a week from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, through which counselling will also be provided to the victims of cyberbullying. The launch was also attended by BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, and actress Jacqueline Fernandes. Yashasvi Yadav, ADG, Maharashtra Cyber, said that in today's time, women are victims of cyberbullying, sometimes they do not come to the police, it is their fear of their mind. The helpline will appeal to the victims to come forward so that they get justice. 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
08 March,2025 10:13 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSAs part of IIFA's Silver Jubilee celebrations, a special event was held on the eve of International Women's Day in Jaipur. Titled 'The Journey of Women in Cinema', the event featured a thought-provoking conversation with Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit and Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga. The discussion was hosted by IIFA Vice-President Noreen Khan. During the conversation, Madhuri Dixit shared her thoughts on her personal and professional journey. She said, "I have lived my life well after marriage. My partner is very supportive, and living with family is like a dream. I have also had the opportunity to play some incredible roles in my career." Speaking about her choices in films, she reflected on 'Mrityudand', an art film that remains a landmark in her career. "When I chose to do 'Mrityudand', people discouraged me, saying it wasn't the right move for my career. But I went ahead with it, and the film turned out to be a significant milestone." On the growing influence of social media, she added, "Today, actors are not just movie stars but also Twitter stars, Instagram stars, and social media influencers. I enjoy creating reels and engaging with my audience in new ways." Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga shared her inspiring journey, recalling her early struggles. We used to live in a rented house, but I always dreamed of moving to Bombay to make films. I aspired to become a producer, and over time, I gradually learned the entire filmmaking process. That journey brought me to where I am today." She also spoke about her early work in film distribution, managing acclaimed projects such as 'Gangs of Wasseypur' at the age of 27 and 'Lunchbox' at 29. Madhuri Dixit, reflecting on her 39-year career, shared insights on how women's roles in films have evolved over time. She highlighted that female characters are no longer just supporting figures but are now central to compelling narratives. Guneet Monga, on the other hand, spoke about her struggles in the film industry, her journey to winning an Oscar, and the importance of women's leadership. She emphasised that women's participation in Indian cinema is growing, bringing hope for a more inclusive future. The discussion focused on the changing role of women, their challenges, and their increasing influence in the film industry. Both speakers shared personal stories that served as inspiration for the new generation of filmmakers and artists. IIFA Vice-President Noreen Khan said, "As IIFA completes 25 years, we remain committed to recognising and celebrating women's contributions to cinema and beyond. 'The Journey of Women in Cinema' is not just a discussion but a movement. By sharing stories of courage, creativity, and leadership, we not only honour successful women but also inspire future generations. IIFA will continue to work towards positive change through platforms, events, and collaborations that amplify every voice and empower the collective belief that 'I can bring change'." 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
08 March,2025 09:27 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
