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Anil Kapoor credits daughters for major joy in his life

Anil Kapoor

MUMBAI: Veteran Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor has spoken about his family and career, describing his daughters Sonam and Rhea Kapoor as a major source of joy in his life.

Recalling the birth of his daughter Rhea, Kapoor said he arrived late at the hospital and regretted not being able to see her on time. He said the experience stayed with him throughout the night.

The 69-year-old actor, speaking on The Anil Kapoor Show, said his daughters were nothing short of a blessing and that his family was more important to him than his career.

According to Kapoor, Rhea’s birth made him realize the additional happiness that having a daughter could bring. With two daughters, Sonam and Rhea, he said that happiness had effectively doubled.

Kapoor began gaining prominence with the 1983 film Woh Saat Din and has built a career spanning more than four decades in the Indian film industry.

The actor remains active in show business and is currently hosting a quiz show.

Rajpal Yadav gets two-week deadline to deposit 20mn

Rajpal Yadav

NEW DELHI: India’s Supreme Court has granted actor and comedian Rajpal Yadav two more weeks to deposit 20 million Indian rupees in connection with a long-running financial dispute involving a bounced-check case.

According to Indian media reports, a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant gave Yadav a final two-week extension to deposit at least 20 million rupees with the Supreme Court registry.

The court said Yadav’s previous conduct was not sufficient to win its confidence. However, it granted the extension after his lawyer assured the bench that the actor would deposit the amount within the stipulated period and provide security for the remaining dues.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant questioned whether the court could rely on Yadav’s assurance, referring to his past conduct.

The court also extended Yadav’s pre-arrest bail until the next hearing, scheduled for Oct. 5, and directed him to surrender his passport.

Background

Yadav reportedly borrowed 50 million rupees from a private entity in 2010 to finance Ata Pata Laapata, his directorial debut.

The film failed at the box office, leaving Yadav unable to repay the loan. With interest and other dues, the amount reportedly increased to around 90 million rupees, leading to a prolonged legal dispute.

98% of men make fun of wives among friends, Sunita Marshall claims

98% of men

KARACHI: Pakistani actress and model Sunita Marshall has spoken about what she described as inappropriate behavior by men toward their wives, particularly in social gatherings.

Speaking on a morning show recently, Marshall said, “Around 98% of men make fun of their wives when they sit with friends. This is more common in our Desi culture, but you don’t see anything like this in the West.”

She said men sometimes ridicule their wives when they offer advice in front of others, even though the issue could be discussed privately and respectfully later.

“If a wife gives advice in front of everyone, the husband immediately says, ‘Keep your advice to yourself,’” Marshall said, adding that he could instead explain privately that he disagreed with her advice.

The actor said societal attitudes often condition men to view their wives as inferior.

She also pointed to differences in the way husbands and wives address each other, saying wives often use respectful terms such as “aap” when speaking to their husbands, while husbands commonly use the informal “tum” for their wives.

Marshall said some husbands believe they have the right to make fun of their wives because they consider them younger or inferior.

Her comments have gone viral on social media, with users sharing their views and many agreeing with her observations.

Actress Mahira Khan opens up about pregnancy at 41

Actress Mahira Khan

 Pakistani actress Mahira Khan says she never expected to become a mother again at this stage of her life, describing her pregnancy as an emotional and physically challenging new chapter.

Khan announced on Instagram a day earlier that she was expecting her second child, prompting an outpouring of congratulations and good wishes from fans and fellow celebrities.

Speaking in an interview with a female journalist during the Toronto International Film Festival, Khan opened up about her pregnancy and how different the experience has been from becoming a mother for the first time.

“I did not expect to become a mother again at this stage of my life,” Khan said, explaining that her life had already taken a particular direction. Her son had grown older, while she had become accustomed to her work, routines and independence.

The actor said she had imagined her life following a certain path, but beginning the journey of motherhood again after many years had brought a significant emotional change.

Khan said people make plans for their lives, but “Allah has His own plan,” which she described as the best plan.

She said the experience had taught her that people do not need to control everything or know the answer to every question in advance. Sometimes, she added, it is necessary to allow life to surprise you and surrender to God’s will.

Khan also reflected on the difference between her first pregnancy and her current experience.

She said she was 24 when she first became a mother and is now 41, making her emotionally and physically a different person.

The actor said her first experience came with a certain innocence, when she was healthy and less concerned about the possible challenges. This time, she said, the pregnancy has been physically more difficult.

“There are days when my body does not allow me to do what my mind wants,” Khan said, noting that she has always been used to staying busy, working, traveling and managing several things at once.

She said the experience was also emotionally different because people become more aware and cautious with age and develop a deeper understanding of life’s fragility and importance.

Khan said she was experiencing “fear, exhaustion and vulnerability” alongside immense happiness during her second pregnancy.

Khan married Ali Askari in 2007, and their son, Azlan, was born in September 2009. The couple divorced in 2016.

She later began a relationship with businessman Salim Karim, and the couple married in Bhurban in October 2023.

George and Amal Clooney face reported tensions amid busy schedules

George

LOS ANGELES: Hollywood actor George Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, are reportedly facing tension in their marriage, with the actor’s demanding professional schedule and continued media attention said to be putting pressure on their relationship.

According to reports, the 65-year-old actor is trying to improve the relationship. Sources cited by foreign media outlets claim Amal has suggested that her life was better before their marriage.

The reports say Amal has faced pressure from the intense media attention and public scrutiny that followed their relationship, while George’s busy acting career has made it increasingly difficult for the couple to maintain a balance between their personal and professional lives.

The couple’s nine-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander, have also reportedly added to the demands on Amal, with much of the day-to-day responsibility falling on her while George works on various projects.

George recently devoted significant time to a Broadway project and was reportedly left exhausted after the demanding work schedule, taking time to return to his normal routine.

Despite the reports of tension, sources said there has been no major dispute between the couple. Instead, the strain is reportedly linked to their increasingly busy professional lives and difficulties maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

George and Amal Clooney married on Sept. 27, 2014, in Venice, Italy. They welcomed twins Ella and Alexander in June 2017.

How ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’ changed Katrina Kaif’s dance career

How ‘Sheila Ki

MUMBAI: Bollywood Actress Katrina Kaif is now regarded as one of Bollywood’s most popular dance performers, but the actor once faced harsh criticism over her dancing skills early in her career.

Choreographer Bosco Martis recently recalled an incident from Kaif’s early days during a podcast featuring Bosco and Caesar, discussing her transformation as a dancer.

According to Bosco, another choreographer once criticized Kaif’s dancing and told her that she was a “zero” at dancing and should leave the field.

The criticism may have motivated Kaif to work harder and prove herself, Bosco said. Farah Khan, who was also part of the conversation, expressed surprise at the assessment, saying Kaif could not have been completely inexperienced. She estimated that Kaif’s dancing skills at the time were perhaps at a level of four or five out of 10.

Khan said the major turning point in Kaif’s dancing career came with “Sheila Ki Jawani,” the popular song from the 2010 film “Tees Maar Khan.” She said Kaif’s performance in the song showed a significant improvement, taking her dancing skills to what she described as a nine or 10.

Bosco also described “Sheila Ki Jawani” as a game changer for Kaif’s career. She later became known for her performances in songs such as “Chikni Chameli” and “Kala Chashma.”

Khan recalled choreographing Kaif in “Just Chill” from the 2005 film “Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?” and said she was not yet widely recognized as a dancer at that stage of her career.

Kaif has also spoken in the past about criticism of her dancing. She said there was a time when she began to believe she might never become a good dancer. Bosco, however, encouraged her, telling her that she could dance but needed to work harder on herself.

That encouragement reportedly helped change Kaif’s approach and motivated her to put in greater effort.

Bosco and Caesar later choreographed Kaif for “Touch Me” from the 2008 film “Race.” She went on to strengthen her reputation with performances in songs including “Kamli,” “Swag Se Swagat,” “Afghan Jalebi” and “Nachde Ne Saare.”

Kaif’s journey from being labeled a “zero” at dancing to becoming one of Bollywood’s prominent dance performers has since become an example of how determination and consistent effort can overcome early criticism.

Kaif was last seen on the big screen in the 2024 film “Merry Christmas,” alongside Vijay Sethupathi. She has remained away from major film releases since then and has focused on her family life.

Shah Rukh Khan’s childhood friend reveals his surprising weakness

Shah Rukh Khan

NEW DELHI: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan may be known for his acting, dancing and iconic dialogue delivery, but singing was apparently not among his strengths during his school days, according to an old friend.

Singer Palaash Sen, who studied at St. Columba’s School in New Delhi and was a year senior to Khan, recalled their friendship and revealed the actor was not particularly good at singing.

Speaking in an interview with a YouTube channel, Sen said he and Khan were close friends at school and often took part in sports, debates, quizzes and other extracurricular activities.

Sen said Khan appeared to be talented in many areas but struggled with singing. As a result, Sen would sometimes sing on Khan’s behalf during school events.

Recalling one particular musical programme, Sen said Khan was supposed to perform a role that involved singing. Since Khan could not sing, Sen stood backstage and provided the vocals while Khan performed on stage.

Sen described Khan as one of his closest friends from his school days and said their friendship was particularly strong at the time.

The singer’s recollections offer fans a glimpse into a lesser-known side of Khan’s early years, long before he became one of Indian cinema’s biggest stars.

Khan is currently preparing for his upcoming film “King,” which is scheduled to be released in cinemas on Dec. 24.

The special reason Salman Khan always wears this bracelet

The special

MUMBAI: Bollywood star Salman Khan is known for his distinctive style, but a turquoise stone bracelet worn on his wrist has also become one of his most recognizable accessories.

Whether at film events, television shows or in his daily life, Khan is rarely seen without the bracelet. The actor has previously revealed the emotional story behind why he continues to wear it.

In an old interview, Khan said his father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, used to wear a similar bracelet. As a child, Salman would often play with his father’s bracelet.

After Salman entered the film industry, his father gifted him a similar bracelet. Over the years, it became a permanent part of the actor’s style and public image.

Khan also has a personal belief associated with the turquoise stone. He has said he believes the stone absorbs negative energy and can crack when it takes on too much pressure.

According to the actor, several turquoise stones he has worn have broken over the years, and at the time of the interview he was wearing his seventh stone.

However, the belief that turquoise stones absorb negative energy is a personal belief and has no established scientific basis.

Indian media reports said in 2023 that Khan’s silver bracelet, including its turquoise stone, was estimated to be worth around 80,000 to 100,000 Indian rupees.

For Khan, however, the bracelet’s significance appears to go beyond its monetary value, as it remains a cherished gift from his father and a symbol of their emotional bond.

Shraddha Kapoor’s vacation photos with Rahul Mody go viral

Shraddha Kapoor

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor’s vacation photos with screenwriter and producer Rahul Mody have gone viral on social media, reigniting interest in their reported relationship.

According to Indian media reports, Kapoor generally keeps her personal life private and rarely shares intimate moments with her followers on social media.

The actress recently traveled abroad for a vacation and shared several photos from her trip on Instagram. However, it was the presence of Mody in some of the pictures that attracted widespread attention online.

The photos reportedly show Kapoor and Mody spending time together, including eating, reading books and exploring their holiday destination.

Kapoor captioned the Instagram post, “A little vacation toh banti hai na,” suggesting that she was enjoying a brief getaway.

Rumors about a relationship between Kapoor and Mody, a screenwriter and producer, first emerged in 2024. The pair have previously been the subject of reports about their personal lives, although neither has publicly confirmed their relationship.

The latest photos have once again fueled speculation about the two Bollywood figures.

Nora Fatehi faces Rs. 30m defamation claim over chartered plane remarks

Nora Fatehi

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi is facing a Rs. 30 million ($300 lakh) defamation and damages claim from an aviation company over comments she allegedly made about a chartered aircraft on social media.

The case is related to an incident in December last year, when Fatehi traveled on a chartered flight from Mumbai to Jaipur. According to the aviation company, the actress recorded videos inside the aircraft and later shared them on Instagram, describing the plane as a small toy and a “Lego airplane.”

The company has alleged that Fatehi’s comments were irresponsible and careless and had no connection with the aircraft’s technical specifications or actual condition.

According to the petition, Fatehi has more than 46 million followers on social media, giving her comments significant reach. The company claims the posts harmed its reputation and affected its business, including a 15% to 20% decline in flight bookings and an increase in cancellations.

The aviation company told the court that the aircraft featured in Fatehi’s posts was fully suitable for passenger travel and had been certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. It also said the aircraft was being operated in accordance with the prescribed National Standard Operating Procedures.

Along with seeking Rs. 30 million in damages, the company has asked the court to direct Fatehi to remove the allegedly defamatory videos and other related content from social media.

The company has also requested that the actress be ordered to issue a public clarification regarding her comments.

The case is scheduled to be heard by a court in Gandhinagar on Sept. 25.