When Hrithik Roshan’s acting coach, Vinod Rawat, approached him with the idea of presenting his directorial debut, the acclaimed actor was initially skeptical. “I couldn’t quite imagine or visualize the film. I remember thinking it was a great germ of an idea, but it seemed absurd to me that he would give up everything and put all his finances into executing it,” Roshan reflected. However, months later when Rawat showcased the final cut to him, Roshan was utterly mesmerized. “Pushtaini had a heart, and it had won mine,” remarked Roshan, who subsequently agreed to come on board as presenter and even shared the first glimpse yesterday. “Vinod was not only exceptional as an actor, playing Bhuppi with all his heart, but also showed an incredible command over the craft as a director. I was bowled over by how he wore all the hats and delivered a film full of moments that stayed with me long after the screen faded to black.” Rawat, who is known for co-directing the Sushmita Sen-starrer Aarya, has truly made a mark with this latest venture.
In other news, India’s recent victory in the Indo-Pak cricket match had fans gripped till the very last ball, leading to an outpouring of reactions from the masses as well as celebrities. Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan expressed his jubilation on social media. Sharing a picture of star bowler Jasprit Bumrah on platform X, he wrote: “I was watching the match, and switched off the TV midway, assuming that we were losing. Now, when I saw the internet, [I learned that] we won!” Actress Preity Zinta also celebrated India’s comeback and lauded the efforts of the team, particularly praising the bowlers for defending a modest total of 119 runs.
Meanwhile, there is buzz building around Sonakshi Sinha and actor Zaheer Iqbal, with rumors of their wedding on June 23 in Mumbai making rounds. The duo, having starred together in Double XL, has managed to keep their relationship under wraps for several years. The current speculation suggests they have sent out invitations to industry friends, planning a city-based ceremony followed by a reception at a renowned eatery. Whether this speculation turns out to be true, only time will tell.
In an exciting development for Telugu audiences, Rose Audio Visuals has partnered with filmmaker Nandini Reddy and Kanakavalli Talkies to create 100 original fiction and non-fiction shows.
. Rose Audio Visuals’ founder Goldie Behl expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Partnering with Nandini Reddy is a heartfelt decision. Our shared passion for storytelling and creative vision [will help us entertain] the Telugu audience.”
On a different note, Salman Khan is gearing up for his next action-packed venture, Sikandar. Last seen in the spy-universe film Tiger 3, Khan will start shooting for AR Murugadoss’s directorial on June 18. The film’s first sequence is set to be an aerial action scene in Mumbai, filmed 33,000 feet above sea level aboard an aircraft. Rashmika Mandanna is also part of the project, which is aimed for an Eid 2025 release. Khan’s dedication to delivering high-octane action sequences continues to keep his fans eagerly anticipating his next moves.
For fans eagerly awaiting the return of newcomer Agastya Nanda to the screen post-The Archies (2023), there’s exciting news. Nanda, Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson, recently shared a behind-the-scenes picture from the set of his next film, Ikkis. This film, also starring veteran actors Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat, is a war drama based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. Nanda’s growing portfolio is generating a buzz as he steps into these challenging roles.
In the political arena, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann offered a striking comment on the incident involving actor and MP Kangana Ranaut. Reacting to a CISF constable’s assault on Ranaut, Mann suggested it was a reflection of public discontent fueled by her previous “venomous statement.” “It is an unfortunate incident,” Mann stated, “but Kangana should also have exercised restraint before labeling all Punjabis as terrorists.” He highlighted the significant contributions made by Punjabis in India’s freedom struggle, defence sector, and food production, emphasizing that “immature statements do not behove a public figure of Kangana’s stature.”
As the week unfolds, Bollywood continues to buzz with excitement, controversies, and celebrations, keeping fans and cinephiles equally enthralled.
