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Rahul Roy says wedding dancing helps him rebuild his finances

Rahul Roy

MUMBAI: Indian actor Rahul Roy has revealed that he earns between 200,000 and 400,000 Indian rupees by performing at weddings, saying he has no shame about taking such work to meet his expenses after a serious health setback affected his career.

Roy, the winner of the first season of Bigg Boss, discussed his financial and professional struggles in an interview with Indian media. The actor suffered a brain stroke in 2020, which significantly affected his ability to work and led to a prolonged period of recovery.

Addressing criticism over videos of him dancing at wedding functions, Roy said he did not feel embarrassed about performing at such events because he needs money to cover his expenses.

The actor explained that working became difficult after his stroke and that he had done whatever he could in recent years to support himself financially. He said he can earn between 200,000 and 400,000 rupees from dancing at weddings.

Roy said people who troll him for performing at weddings do not understand his circumstances or financial needs. He added that the stroke had a major impact on his career and that much of the past several years was spent recovering, preventing him from working as much as he wanted.

Now 60, Roy said he is trying to rebuild his professional and financial life and establish himself again.

During the interview, the actor also discussed a legal dispute involving 3 million rupees with his brother and his financial situation following his divorce.

Roy said that during his separation, he transferred his assets to his former wife and is now working to rebuild his finances.

Momina Iqbal denies allegations made by PML-N lawmaker

Momina Iqbal

LAHORE: Pakistani actress Momina Iqbal has rejected allegations made by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lawmaker Saqib Chadhar against her and her sister, calling the claims false.

Chadhar’s interview recently went viral on social media. In response, Iqbal shared an Instagram story in which she also posted a video from the wedding reception of the host who interviewed the lawmaker.

Iqbal alleged that Chadhar gave the podcast interview with a friend and showed the alleged evidence to her, claiming that he also asked the same friend to verify it.

Addressing Chadhar, Iqbal said that if he had chosen to make the allegations publicly, he should also have presented the evidence publicly so that people could decide whether the claims were true or false.

The actress further said that she was unable to release certain material because of restrictions imposed by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.

She claimed she had voice messages from Chadhar and recorded phone calls allegedly sent by his wife, adding that even a short voice message could have challenged his claims.

Iqbal said she had placed her trust in God and would not be deterred by the allegations.

Momina Iqbal’s husband makes allegation

Separately, Iqbal’s husband, Hamza Habib, made a serious allegation against Chadhar in an Instagram story.

Habib claimed that after attempts to win people over to his side had failed, arrangements were allegedly being made to hire shooters to kill the couple.

The allegations made by both sides have not been independently verified.

Taapsee Pannu reveals how female film failures affect future projects

Taapsee Pannu

Bollywood actor Taapsee Pannu has spoken about what she described as a double standard toward female-led films, saying the failure of a major movie can make investors more reluctant to finance projects centered on women.

Speaking during promotions for her upcoming film “Gandhari,” Pannu said female actors face greater scrutiny when they lead big-budget action movies that do not perform as expected.

She said that when a major investment in a female-led film fails, questions are quickly raised about why so much money was spent on the project. Pannu questioned whether male-led films face the same level of scrutiny when they fail to meet expectations.

Pannu said films led by male actors can sometimes be considered successful even when their stories are not exceptional, while female-led movies are often expected to exceed expectations and deliver an unusually strong performance.

According to Pannu, investors can become hesitant to back female-led projects after a high-profile failure, with some planned films being delayed or abandoned before production begins.

Asked whether she had experienced the same situation following the reported failure of Alia Bhatt’s “Alpha,” Pannu said, “Yes, every year.”

Pannu said conversations with investors often change after a major female star’s movie underperforms. She said investors may ask whether projects featuring other female actors can succeed if a film starring a major Bollywood star has failed.

However, Pannu also pointed to the opposite effect when a female-led film succeeds. She said a successful movie can encourage producers and investors to pursue similar projects and create new opportunities for other actresses.

She cited the example of a successful female-led horror film, saying it could prompt the industry to conclude that audiences will support women in such roles and lead to more projects of the same type.

Pannu will next appear in “Gandhari,” in which she plays an action-oriented role. Her comments have renewed discussion about the opportunities available to female actors and the financial risks associated with women-led films in Bollywood.

Aima Baig’s Instagram status sparks speculation about separation

Aima Baig’

LAHORE: Pakistani singer Aima Baig has sparked speculation on social media after sharing an Instagram story in which she described her relationship status as “single.”

Baig recently posted a photo of herself on Instagram wearing a black outfit. She added “single” to the status on the story, prompting social media users to speculate about the status of her relationship.

The post quickly drew attention online, with some users linking it to ongoing rumors about a possible separation between Baig and fashion designer Zain Ahmed.

Rumors about differences between the couple have circulated on social media in recent months. However, neither Baig nor Ahmed has publicly confirmed that they have separated or divorced.

Baig married Canada-based fashion designer Zain Ahmed in August 2025. Reports of differences between the couple emerged only a few months after their marriage.

The singer’s latest Instagram story has once again fueled discussion about their relationship, although the “single” status alone does not provide confirmation of a separation.

Actress Kareena Kapoor regrets leaving education to pursue acting

Actress Kareena

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor has opened up about her decision to leave formal education before completing school, saying she still regrets not finishing her studies.

According to Indian media reports, the actor, who has enjoyed a successful career and appeared in numerous hit films, said the decision to leave education has remained with her over the years.

In an interview, Kapoor said she never completed her education despite having the opportunity to do so. She said she entered the film industry and stopped studying after the 11th grade because she wanted to pursue acting.

Kapoor acknowledged that some people might make fun of her decision or criticize her, but said she wanted to prove herself as an actor because acting was something she genuinely wanted to do.

The actor said she continues to feel regret about not completing her education.

Speaking about her sons, Taimur and Jehangir, Kapoor said she wants them to choose careers according to their interests. However, she stressed that they should first complete their education and then follow their passions.

Jamal Shah denies domestic violence allegations by ex-wife Faryal Gohar

Jamal Shah

KARACHI: Veteran actor Jamal Shah has denied allegations of domestic violence made by his former wife and actor Faryal Gohar, saying the loss of her pregnancy was caused by a dog bite and not physical abuse.

Shah addressed the allegations in a series of posts on X, strongly rejecting Gohar’s claims and providing details about their marriage and subsequent divorce.

“Our marriage took place in 1984. In 1985, she lost her pregnancy because of a dog bite,” Shah wrote. He said the couple lived in London from 1986 to 1988 while he studied at the Slade School of Fine Art and divorced in 1989.

Shah said there had been no domestic violence and that the couple did not plan to have more children while living in London.

He said he remarried in 2005 and described his current wife as caring, capable and sensible, adding that they have three children.

He also said his family lived a simple life and maintained a peaceful relationship. Shah invited people to visit his home and said they could verify for themselves whether there had been any domestic violence.

In another post, Shah said he had never spoken negatively about Gohar in any interview. He said he agreed to appear on a program after receiving a request from host Nida but was not initially told that Gohar would also be present.

Shah said he found it difficult to refuse after learning about Gohar’s participation. He described their five-year marriage as a relationship he did not regret and said they separated amicably and did not publicly discuss their divorce for a long time.

“I have already answered that I never committed violence,” Shah said in another post, adding that he would not make unnecessary statements simply to fuel media and social media attention.

Battagram chairlift rescue story set for Pakistan cinema release

Battagram chairlift

ISLAMABAD: A documentary film based on the dramatic 2023 Battagram chairlift rescue operation will be released in cinemas across Pakistan later this year, its creators said.

Titled Hanging by a Wire, the documentary highlights the underdevelopment and poor infrastructure of the Allai Valley while showcasing the courage and determination of local residents who helped rescue eight people trapped in a chairlift.

Producer, director and writer Mohammad Ali Naqvi, also known as Mo Naqvi, told Geo Digital that he wanted to take the story of the local rescuers and their bravery to an international audience.

“This was the first time the Pakistan Army, local residents and the administration worked together to save eight people trapped in a chairlift,” Naqvi said. He praised the local residents for successfully carrying out the rescue operation despite the area’s limited infrastructure.

Naqvi said the documentary was presented internationally to show the world the courage and resilience of Pakistanis. He added that the filmmakers also hope to improve the chairlift system used by children who travel to school in the region.

“We want to work with NGOs on projects that can help improve the infrastructure for these children,” he said.

Naqvi said the documentary contains original footage recorded during the incident. Some drone footage was captured by a local jewelry shop owner, Faisal, while residents also provided videos they had recorded, hoping to share their experiences, helplessness and efforts with the wider world.

Producer and writer Bilal Sami said stories about local Pakistani heroes often fail to receive international attention. He said the filmmakers wanted to bring the story to audiences around the world and highlight a positive image of Pakistan through the people who helped save lives.

Hanging by a Wire is currently being screened in cinemas in Britain and the United States. The documentary also earned a place at the Sundance Film Festival, where it received a positive response from audiences. It is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release in Pakistan this year.

The incident took place on Aug. 23, 2023, in Battagram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Two cables of a chairlift carrying eight people snapped, leaving the lift hanging about 900 feet above the ground by a single remaining cable.

Pakistan Army personnel rescued one person by helicopter, while zipline experts Ali Swati and Sahib Khan were brought in to help save the remaining seven people. After about 12 hours, all eight people were safely rescued.

Local residents have said that despite the high-profile rescue operation, little has changed in the area’s infrastructure, with chairlift systems in parts of Battagram still considered inadequate.

Actress Katrina Kaif faces trolling over postpartum weight gain

Actress Katrina

Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif has faced social media trolling over changes in her appearance following the birth of her son, with fellow actress Shivaleeka Oberoi coming to her defense.

Kaif, who married actor Vicky Kaushal in December 2021, welcomed their son Vihaan on Nov. 7, 2025. She remained largely away from the public eye after becoming a mother and made her first public appearance in months on Aug. 26, when she attended filmmaker Kuku Kohli’s funeral with her husband.

Photos and videos of Kaif from the event quickly went viral on social media. While many users congratulated her on motherhood and sent their good wishes, others criticized her for gaining weight and made mocking comments about her postpartum appearance.

Kaif and Kaushal have not publicly responded to the trolling. However, several fellow actors criticized the comments and urged social media users to show greater sensitivity toward women after childbirth.

Oberoi shared a photo of Kaif and called out those criticizing her body. She said it was inappropriate to judge the natural physical changes women experience after becoming mothers.

“People, what has happened to you? This is motherhood,” Oberoi said, emphasizing that postpartum recovery is different for every woman and can involve bloating, fatigue and other physical changes.

She also urged people to stop promoting unrealistic expectations that women should immediately return to their pre-pregnancy bodies after giving birth.

Oberoi stressed that a woman’s body does not need to return to its previous appearance immediately after childbirth and that women should not be shamed for natural changes during recovery.

The actress herself became a mother a few months ago, making her comments particularly relevant as an expression of support based on her own postpartum experience.

Kaif’s most recent film was “Merry Christmas,” in which she starred opposite Vijay Sethupathi. The film was released in 2024. Since becoming a mother, Kaif has kept a relatively low profile and has focused more on her personal life and newborn son.

Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan ad sparks dress controversy

Kriti Sanon

MUMBAI: A controversy has erupted over Bollywood actor Kriti Sanon’s outfit in a jewellery brand’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement, with some social media users calling the attire inappropriate for a family and cultural festival.

The advertisement featured Sanon celebrating Raksha Bandhan with her brother while also presenting her pet dog as part of the family.

Sanon wore an Indo-Western outfit consisting of a bralette-style blouse, a cape and a draped skirt. Some social media users criticized the outfit, saying it did not fit the cultural and traditional nature of the festival.

The controversy intensified after actor Kangana Ranaut made a sarcastic comment about Sanon’s outfit.

Responding to the criticism, Sanon said the essence of festivals lies in the emotions and traditions associated with them rather than clothing.

She questioned why women’s clothing should be treated as a measure of their culture or dignity.

Sanon said culture and traditions reside in a person’s heart and cannot be judged solely by an outfit or its neckline.

Following the controversy and criticism, jewellery brand founder Ashindra Agrawal said the company remained committed to the advertisement’s core message.

However, he said the advertisement was removed after conditions outside some stores deteriorated and created an unsafe environment for staff.

During the trailer launch of her upcoming film “Daira,” Kareena Kapoor was asked whether she also had any limits regarding clothing choices on screen.

Kapoor appeared cautious and avoided giving a direct response. Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar intervened and said an actor’s clothing should be determined by the character and the director’s vision for the film.

Gulzar added that it was not appropriate to ask an individual actor such a question because the nature of the character and the director’s creative vision determine costume choices.

Sanam Saeed and Emmad Irfani Reunite for Mehreen Jabbar’s New Drama ‘Gulbahar’

Pakistani actress Sanam Saeed

The news, confirmed by Emmad Irfani through his Instagram stories, has generated considerable buzz among drama fans, coming just months after the pair’s last collaboration, “Kafeel,” struck a chord with audiences. In that ARY Digital serial, written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Meesam Naqvi, Saeed and Irfani played Zeba and Jami, a married couple whose relationship was tested by Jami’s controlling and toxic behaviour. The performances, particularly the tension the two actors built on screen, were widely praised, and it is that chemistry producers are hoping to capitalise on again.

Director Mehreen Jabbar on set
Director Mehreen Jabbar. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

“Gulbahar” takes a gentler approach to marital drama. According to details shared so far, the story follows a couple navigating the everyday pressures and emotional strain of trying to conceive a child, a subject rarely tackled head-on in mainstream Pakistani television. The serial is written by Aliya Bukhari and brings together a strong supporting cast, including Komal Meer, Sabahat Bukhari, Saife Hassan, Shahood Alvi and Bakhtawar Mazhar, alongside newcomer Sheikh Sabahat.

Speaking about the shoot, director Mehreen Jabbar offered a candid, good-humoured account of the production, describing it as a mix of “lots of failed ACs and sweat but super teamwork to get it across the finish line” – a reminder of the often gruelling conditions Pakistani drama crews work under to deliver polished television. A first teaser for “Gulbahar” has already been released by HUM TV, giving audiences their first proper look at Saeed and Irfani back together on screen.

Pakistani actress Sanam Saeed
Sanam Saeed. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Fan reaction to the announcement has been largely enthusiastic. Several viewers took to social media hoping the show would let the duo explore a warmer, more romantic dynamic after their intense turn in “Kafeel.” “Now Mehreen Jabbar will bring out their romantic chemistry instead of wasting them,” one comment read, while another fan urged producers to cast Irfani in more positive roles, noting “he doesn’t look like a villain.” Saeed, for her part, continues to be regarded as one of the most consistent performers of her generation, with fans saying they are “eagerly waiting” to see her next performance.

Both actors have had a strong run in recent years. Saeed, who shot to fame with her career-defining role in “Zindagi Gulzar Hai,” has continued to pick projects that showcase range beyond the romantic leads she became known for early on. Irfani, meanwhile, has spoken previously about how his role in “Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum” marked a turning point in his career, helping him move into more prominent leading-man roles.

No official release date for “Gulbahar” has been announced yet, but with a teaser already out and a director of Mehreen Jabbar’s calibre at the helm, expectations are high that the serial will be one of the more closely watched dramas on Pakistani television once it goes to air. Fans will be hoping the second pairing of Saeed and Irfani lives up to, or even surpasses, the impact of their first.