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Can Disha Vakani still return as Dayaben in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah?
With the reports of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah makers finalizing a new actress for Dayaben's role coming in, fans are devastated that they won’t be able to see Disha Vakani playing the role anymore. But while it is true that the makers are aggressively trying to fill the position because of the character being missing from the show for years now, it is also correct that there is still a tiny possibility that Disha Vakani might return to the show. In conversation with Screen, Asit Modi, while reacting to the news of a new Dayaben being locked, said, "People have been eagerly waiting for Daya Bhabhi, and I will finalize her soon. People say that without Dayaben, they don’t enjoy the show as much, and I agree. We, as a team, are trying to fill Daya Bhabhi’s absence as much as we can. But she will return soon." When asked about Disha Vakani's possible comeback, Asit said, "We can only pray that Disha Vakani returns as the character. She is like my sister, and she has some family duties to fulfill, which is why it might be difficult for her to return. We miss her even today. She was very sincere and caring towards her co-stars and the team. We hope to find someone just like that." Kajal Pisal to play Dayaben in TMKOC? Meanwhile, soon after the news came out that the makers have finalized the new Dayaben, reports surfaced that television actress Kajal Pisal has been selected to play the role of Dayaben in TMKOC. Along with this news, Kajal's picture in Dayaben's look has started going viral on social media. While reacting to such claims, in a conversation with Zoom, she shared, “I am already working on Jhanak, so this is entirely incorrect. Yes, I did audition for Dayaben in 2022, and those pictures are resurfacing now. But as of now, I can confirm that this is totally fake news." Makers found a new Dayaben? A source close to the makers of the much-loved show told News18, “Yes, it is right. Asit ji had been looking for a new Dayaben, and recently, one of the auditions impressed him a lot. Mock shoots with the actress are underway. It’s been around a week that she has been here, shooting with us," the source said. "I am still trying. I believe Disha Vakani can’t be back. She has two children. She is like my sister. Even today, we have a very close relationship with her family. My sister Disha Vakani has tied a Rakhi to me. Her father and brother are also family to me. You work together for 17 years, and it becomes your extended family," Asit has earlier said in an interview with the portal.
02 April,2025 10:29 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Arti Singh opens up after brother Krushna Abhishek hints at her pregnancy
Television actress Arti Singh has finally addressed the speculation surrounding her personal life after her brother, Krushna Abhishek, hinted at her pregnancy. The actress broke her silence to clarify the rumors, shedding light on the situation. On Tuesday, Arti took to her Instagram handle to set the record straight, clarifying that she is not expecting. She humorously mentioned that Krushna bhaiya will become a "mamu" (uncle) when the right time comes. The 'Thoda Hai Bas Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai' actress wrote, “Krushna bhaiya's words were just filled with love, excitement, and a little manifestation—'Woh kab mamu banenge?' He jokingly said, 'Jaldi sunao, woh kab aa raha hai!' but that doesn't mean I'm expecting it. And well, he said it so dearly, let's call it an indirect manifestation—uparwale ki daya se, jab Bhagwan chahega, tab ho jayega. Till then, Dipak and I are enjoying our journey, and when the right time comes, Krushna bhaiya will finally get his wish of becoming a mama. Keep sending your love & blessings.” (sic) Arti’s statement comes a day after she made a joint appearance with Krushna, where he addressed the rumors about Arti's pregnancy. During the conversation with paparazzi, the comedian mimicked a pregnant belly gesture and joked, "Humko news sunao ke wo kab araha hai," making Arti blush as everyone around laughed heartily. For the unversed, Arti Singh and Dipak Chauhan tied the knot on April 25, 2024, in an intimate ceremony at the Iskcon Temple in Mumbai, surrounded by their close family and friends. Notably, Arti’s uncle, the superstar Govinda, attended the wedding, putting aside their past family differences to bless the couple. In addition to Govinda, guests at Arti Singh's wedding included Kashmera Shah, Bipasha Basu, Karan Singh Grover, Rashami Desai, Paras Chhabra, Mahira Sharma, and many others. 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
02 April,2025 10:28 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Jennifer Winget owns up making fashion and makeup mistakes early in her career
In a candid revelation, actress Jennifer Winget admitted to making several fashion and makeup mistakes early in her career. Reflecting on her journey in the industry, she shared how her evolving sense of style has shaped her today, offering a glimpse into the challenges and lessons learned as she grew into a fashion icon. Jennifer told IANS, “I didn't have a fashion style; I didn't really have that much style, but I think over a period of years, you know, you watch and you learn and you grow, and I think now I'm more into sustainable chic, and I try to keep it as minimalistic as possible.” When asked about her biggest fashion regrets, the 'Dill Mill Gayye' actress, who was at the Magnum lounge at the Lakme Fashion Week, responded candidly, saying, "So many, so many of them. Especially early in my career, I had no idea what I was doing with my makeup or with my clothes. I was just kind of... but that's how you learn, right?" Although she couldn't pinpoint any specific outfit she regretted, Winget acknowledged that her early days in the industry were filled with trial and error. "I don’t remember any one particular outfit, but man, I’ve made mistakes," she shared with a laugh, adding that those mistakes were part of the learning process. The 'Kasautii Zindagii Kay' actress went on to add, “When I'm playing a character, it's the character's outfit, not Jennifer's outfit. If I'm playing a lawyer, I have to dress accordingly, but I don't dress like that in real life. Although, you know, there are some; sometimes there are similarities, but mostly they're very different from each other.” Jennifer Winget, who began her career as a child artist in the 1995 film “Akele Hum Akele Tum,” made her television debut in 2002 with the popular show “Shaka Laka Boom Boom.” Winget rose to fame through her memorable roles in hit shows like “Kasautii Zindagii Kay,” “Sangam,” “Dill Mill Gayye,” “Beyhadh,” and “Bepannah.” 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
01 April,2025 10:52 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Anita Hassanandani shares why she can't lose a few kilos
Actress Anita Hassanandani, who is known for her work in shows such as “Kkavyanjali”, “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi” and “Naagin 3”, made a hilarious revelation about why she cannot lose a “few kilos.” Anita took to her Instagram, where she shared a video of herself walking playfully with her son Aaravv Reddy. On the video, an overlay text read: “I would like to lose a few kilos. But I never lose. I’m a winner.” For the caption she added: “Me post eating @tossinpizzaindia and @babafalooda.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anita H Reddy (@anitahassanandani) Natasha made her acting debut in the television series Idhar Udhar in 1998) and had her film debut with the Telugu film Nuvvu Nenu in. From 2001 to 2002, she played Tanushree in Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii. Her career marked a turning point in 2005, with Kkavyanjali. In 2007, she first played Swati Bhatia in Kayamath and then appeared in the Hindi films: Dus Kahaniyaan and Just Married.From 2007 to 2008, she played Sanchi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi opposite Naman Shaw. The actress was then seen in Kasamh Se, Kya Dill Mein Hai and Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil to name a few. She took a break due to her pregnancy and made her comeback with the Hindi film Maarrich opposite Tusshar Kapoor. She established herself among the leading actresses of Hindi television with her portrayal of Shagun Arora Raghav in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, Yeh Hai Aashiqui. From 2018 to 2019, the actress played Vishakha, a shape-shifting serpent in Naagin 3. In 2020, she reprised her role as Vishakha in Naagin 4. She returned to television with Hum Rahe Na Rahe Hum, where she played Roshni Sahni opposite Jay Bhanushali.Since September 2024, she is seen portraying Devika Gupta Mittal in Suman Indori. The actress married corporate professional Rohit Reddy in Goa in 2013. In 2020, she announced her pregnancy and welcomed her first child, a boy, in 2021. 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
01 April,2025 10:41 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Tanmay Nagar on his Pushpa Impossible character
Tanmay Nagar initially auditioned for another role. While he didn’t get the part, the makers of the Karuna Pandey-starrer Pushpa Impossible had a good impression of him. Months later, without another audition, they roped him in to play Arjun Shikhawat—the love interest of the protagonist’s young daughter, Rashi (played by Deshna Dugad). “We did a mock shoot before the actual shoot. I had initially auditioned for the role of Prabhas, which Bhavya Gandhi later played. So when this character came to me, I didn’t have to test for it,” he shares. A still from Pushpa Impossible Nagar claims that while his character seemed to have been loosely “modelled on Shahid Kapoor’s Kabir Singh [2019],” the makers won’t call him a hero. He says, “He is a perfectionist, and honest but has anger issues and is aggressive. Any minor incident could trigger his anger, which he corrects after realising his mistake. He is neither your typical hero nor villain.” The actor believes that Arjun feels more real as he has both positive and negative attributes, and as the show progresses, viewers will connect with him. “We all wear a mask in society and have a bit of negativity in us. Arjun has his own parameters of right and wrong; he is not worried about rubbing people the wrong way. His childhood trauma manifests as anger and rigidity in adulthood. We don’t showcase him as a hero when he is wrong—it was a conscious effort not to portray him as one in those scenarios. I didn’t have to prepare much for the role,” he adds. While he is set to play the character for five to six months, he is positive that his role will be extended if the audience connects with and loves it.
01 April,2025 07:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam Abraham
Did Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah makers lock Kajal Pisal for Dayaben’s role?
Just a few days back, reports came in that the makers of the popular comedy show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah have finally liked someone for the role of Disha Vakani's character, Dayaben. Soon after the news came out that the makers have finalized the new Dayaben, reports came in that television actress Kajal Pisal has been finalized and will play the role of Dayaben in TMKOC. Along with this news, Kajal's picture in Dayaben's look has started going viral on social media. Kajal Pisal on playing Dayaben Now, as these reports have gone viral, the actress broke her silence and refuted all such claims, sharing that she did audition for the part but never got a call back from the makers of the show. In a conversation with Zoom, she shared, “I am already working on Jhanak, so this is entirely incorrect. Yes, I did audition for Dayaben in 2022, and those pictures are resurfacing now. But as of now, I can confirm that this is totally fake news." Even back in November 2022, such reports had gone viral. Then, too, Pisal had reacted to the news. While taking on her social media, she wrote, "There are multiple things written about me on playing Dayaben. To bring an end to this discussion, I’d like to say that yes, I went for the look test but got no revert. But in no way has it affected my career. Just that I felt playing Daya would be my biggest opportunity, but everything is about DESTINY. I'm an artist and will continue to give my best to upcoming projects." She further continued and said, "As media twists a lot of things with no accurate information, like they are doing now with my statement... Maybe they had done the same with Asit Modi Sir's statement on me that he said, ‘Who Kajal Pisal is?' Yes, it’s true that we don’t know each other either personally or professionally. Maybe Daya was a chance for me, but certainly missed it... With due respect, I still look forward to working with you in the near future." Makers found a new Dayaben? A source close to the makers of the much-loved show has told News18, “Yes, it is right. Asit ji had been looking for a new Dayaben, and recently, one of the auditions impressed him a lot. Mock shoots with the actress are underway. It’s been around a week that she has been here, shooting with us," the source said. “I am still trying. I believe Disha Vakani can’t be back. She has two children. She is like my sister. Even today, we have a very close relationship with her family. My sister Disha Vakani has tied a Rakhi to me. Her father and brother are also family to me. You work together for 17 years, and it becomes your extended family," Asit has earlier said in an interview with the portal.
31 March,2025 10:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Karan Kundrra reveals THIS is why he met Tejasswi only 4 times since December
Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash are among the most loved couples in the television industry. The couple, who met inside the Bigg Boss 15 house, fell in love during their time on the reality show. Now, with rumours of the couple tying the knot by the end of 2025, Karan recently revealed on a podcast that, due to the actress' busy schedule, he has only met her four times since December. Karan Kundrra on Tejasswi Prakash’s busy schedule Karan Kundrra, who is currently seen on Laughter Chefs, appeared on Bharti Singh's podcast and talked about his lady love, Tejasswi. The actor said, "To date, Teja works very hard. Now she is doing MasterChef, and they started shooting from the end of December. Since then, I have only met her four times. She puts in double the effort compared to others. After shooting for 12 hours, she gives VD for 2 hours and then does grooming sessions. Sometimes she stays back at my house. In the morning, I search for her, and she is busy preparing something with my cook. She had almost won Khatron Ke Khiladi; if her eye hadn’t gotten injured, she would have won the show." The actor also talked about his first meeting with Tejasswi's parents after they came out of the Bigg Boss house. He shared, “I sat with her parents for 30 minutes, after which her mom said, ‘You can take my daughter with you now.’ They are very sweet and simple people. Even Tejasswi is very normal and down to earth. She is often very bossy, but her best quality is that she doesn’t get suppressed. You cannot dominate her. If I cannot explain the logic behind something, it won’t work. She is very street-smart that way." Karan Kundrra on wedding rumours with Tejasswi Meanwhile, earlier in a conversation with Karan, we at mid-day asked him about his marriage plans. Turning the conversation into a rather hilarious chat, Karan said, “I think woh AI tha, AI (Artificial Intelligence). Aajkal AI itna khatarnak ho gaya hai na.” But when we told him that Tejasswi Prakash's mom would hit him for this answer, he laughed and said, “Aunty is too sidha, she won’t hit me.” Further, when we questioned him if the wedding is on the cards for him and his lady love Tejasswi Prakash this year, the actor said, “Arre mujhe kya pata, mere papa aa rahe hain, unse puch lena. Ye sari baatein bachchon se thodi puchte hain.”
31 March,2025 04:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Barkha Bisht recalls confronting Indraneil Sengupta over alleged affair
Actors Barkha Bisht and Indraneil Sengupta parted ways after 15 years of marriage. In a recent interview, Barkha opened up about her marriage and what caused it to end. She accused Indraneil of cheating on her which was the cause for their separation. However, she said that she tried to make the marriage work even after learning about his affair. She worked on the marriage for two years but Indraneil eventually chose to walk out. Indraneil chose to move out: Barkha Speaking to Siddharth Kannan about her divorce, Barkha said, “It’s a choice to move out of a marriage and it was Indraneil’s choice to move out of the marriage. He chose to move out of the marriage for reasons best known to him. If it were in my hands, I would still be married. We had a good marriage. For four years, I have constantly felt that I wish I could was lesser in everything—maybe things could have been okay.” Talking further about her ex-husband's infidelity, the actress said, "Infidelity, cheating, falling out of love all these things happen. It is a choice. Cheating and infidelity is a choice that you make. The second choice is what you do after that.” She further said that she experienced what true heartbreak is while in the marriage. “Jo dil ka tootna kehte hain—heartache—I felt it. It feels like physical pain. It was an experience I had to go through. My belief in humanity broke at that time, not my faith in marriage or love and it is still somewhere broken. The worst thing you can do to a woman is break her trust because she cannot take betrayal.” Barkha further said that she tried her best to save the marriage even though he cheated on her. “I was among those women who would say that I would walk out of a marriage if I was cheated on but when it actually happens to you, you realise it is easier said than done. I have no shame in saying that I would would have forgiven Indraneil and I even tried to save my marriage for two years after that,” she said. Barkha on confronting Indraneil over alleged affair At the time, there were rumours of Indraneil having an affair with Bengali actress Ishaa Saha. She confronted him regarding the same. “His answer wasn’t satisfying,” she said. She added, “Indraneil made a choice—maybe he can justify it now. He can give you a hundred reasons of why this marriage broke but his actions are not on me. He has to justify them,” she said.
31 March,2025 12:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Jennifer Winget reveals her go-to red carpet look
Celebrated television actress Jennifer Winget revealed her go-to red carpet look. Speaking exclusively to IANS, the diva shared, "Well, it depends - what kind of event it is- if there is a theme? So, it just kind of depends on what the theme is, what the event is, and what my mood is." Jennifer who was at the Magnum lounge at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week also talked about her biggest fashion mistakes. She shared, “So many of them. Especially early in my career, I had no idea what I was doing with my make-up, with my clothes. I was just kind of, but that's how you learn, right? I don't remember any one particular outfit, but man, I've made mistakes.” When questioned "How would you describe your fashion style from before to now?" Jennifer replied, “I didn't really have that much style, but I think over a period of years, you know, you watch and you learn and you grow, and I think now I'm more into sustainable chic, and I try to keep it as minimalistic as possible." The 'Dill Mill Gayye' actress also disclosed that when it comes to fashion, her on screen persona has no effect on her personal choices. “When I'm playing a character, it's the character's outfit, not Jennifer's outfit. If I'm playing a lawyer, I have to dress accordingly, but I don't dress like that in real life. Although, you know, there are some, sometimes there are similarities, but mostly they're very different from each other", Jennifer stated. When asked how she impresses the person she’s going on a date with, Jennifer told IANS, “By having a very interesting conversation.” During her tenure as an actress, Jennifer has delivered some powerful performances in popular serials such as 'Kasautii Zindagii Kay, 'Sangam', 'Saraswatichandra', 'Beyhadh', 'Bepannah', and 'Dill Mill Gayye', to name just a few. 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
31 March,2025 12:38 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Krissann Barretto claims she was denied work for talking about Sushant
Actress Krissann Barretto, known for her work on the TV show Sasural Simar Ka, has opened up about the emotional and professional toll she underwent for speaking up about the demise of her dear friend Sushant Singh Rajput. She recalled not getting work for being vocal about his passing. Sushant's death was widely discussed and became a raging national debate. Krissann: I risked my career, my life Krissann recently appeared on Shardul Pandit’s podcast Uncensored, where she opened up about the tough time she faced for talking about Sushant. "In India, if you are an actor, you can’t grieve," she said. "If your friend passes away, people assume you’re posting for attention. Just because you’re in front of a camera, they think you’re performing. There’s no room for genuine emotion." Sushant died in 2020, and his passing led to a national discussion, taking up prime-time slots and involving central agencies like the CBI and NCB. “There’s a reason nobody was talking about it," she said. "It comes with risks. I risked my career, my life… even my parents were furious with me for speaking out." Reacting to criticism of her using Sushant's name for fame, Krissann firmly said, "No one is so foolish as to risk their life for attention. People don’t realize how many doors get closed on you when you take a stand like this. It’s happened to me. I was denied work." She added, "I lost a lot and gained nothing. I did it for my friend, not for fame. I don’t care what I lose. Even my friends told me to stop. They’d call and say, ‘Mat baat karo.’ But I couldn’t stay silent." CBI files closure report on Sushant Singh Rajput's death The central agency recently filed a closure report in the alleged suicide case of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. According to news agency PTI, the CBI has submitted its findings before a special court in Mumbai, which will now decide whether to accept the report or order further investigation by the agency. Rajput was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in suburban Bandra, Mumbai, on June 14, 2020. He was 34. His postmortem report stated that the cause of death was asphyxia, as reported by ANI. The postmortem was conducted at Mumbai's Cooper Hospital. The central agency had taken over the probe from Bihar Police, which had registered an abetment of suicide case based on a complaint filed in Patna by his father, KK Singh. In its conclusive medico-legal opinion to the CBI, forensic specialists at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) dismissed claims of "poisoning and strangling" made in the case.
31 March,2025 12:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Exclusive
Eid Special | Vivian Dsena reveals eating THIS for every iftar during Ramadan
Eid Mubarak! With the entire country celebrating the auspicious festival of Eid-ul-Fitr today, Vivian Dsena, who was recently seen in Salman Khan-hosted Bigg Boss 18, had an exclusive chat with us at mid-day and took a trip down memory lane. From recalling the first time he ever kept a roza to observing Ramadan during the pandemic, Dsena got candid about everything. Vivian Dsena’s first roza ever While getting nostalgic, when asked how it was for him to keep a roza for the first time during Ramadan, Vivian Dsena recalled, “I think because main bohot zyada paani peeta hoon and I love drinking coffee, initially it was very difficult. To be very honest, fast rakhte rakhte aadat ho gayi.” Vivian Dsena’s sehri & iftar menu Being a foodie, does he wait for iftar time to dive into some amazing food coma? The Shakti star shared, “Actually, honestly, my iftar is usually 3 dates and a glass of milk—that's it. I have realised that during most Ramadans, I am the fittest as compared to the whole year.” While talking about iftar, he also shared that his iftar usually remains very light. “My sehri is usually very light; it includes some eggs or dates and a glass of milk—that is it,” shared the Madhubala fame. Ramadan during Pandemic Each and every person suffered during the pandemic, and it was the toughest time of our lives for many. When asked about celebrating Eid and the auspicious month of Ramadan during those tough times, Vivian shared, “Ramadan during the pandemic was about sab apne apne ghar mein the and friends ko nahi mil pate the. You know, iftar ke liye catch up nahi kar pate the. But I think we are blessed, and this Ramadan is the best—just like every year. Obviously, as compared to the pandemic, ye Ramadan toh bohot hi better tha.” The month of Ramadan is usually about praying and meeting friends and family members for iftar parties. With Vivian being spotted at Sara Arfeen and Arfeen Khan’s iftar party, we wondered if he is someone who attends several iftar parties. When asked about it, Dsena shared, “See, I am not very social, but ya of course, I go and visit friends and relatives because it is then my responsibility to be a part of the celebration.”
31 March,2025 11:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Shachi Chaturvedi