Vidya Balan shuts down body image critics; says, “I actually believe there is nothing wrong with me”

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National Award–winning actor Vidya Balan has opened up about her conscious decision to take a break from acting. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, she described the hiatus as a time of peace, self-belief, and growth—as opposed to stress or fear of fading from the limelight.

When asked whether stepping away from the screen makes her uneasy, Vidya said, “I think I am shamelessly optimistic. I have so much self‑belief. I have put myself out there at my biggest and not batted an eyelid.”

She added that, “I’ve had people tell me I should work on myself, that I should shed weight. But I actually believe there is nothing wrong with me. And I think that is a great attitude because it helped me sail through. I was still playing the lead, so I don't think those kinds of insecurities have ever weighed me down.”

For the first time, she admitted, she is in a “stress‑free phase.” “For the first time in my life, I am not experiencing stress. Knowingly or unknowingly, we go through a lot of stress. I am enjoying this period. I am reading scripts, meeting people, and I have decided on two films. Unfortunately, I am not able to talk about it right now,” she stated.

Vidya’s previous screen appearance was in the 2024 blockbuster Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, alongside Kartik Aaryan and Madhuri Dixit. Before that, she starred in the romantic comedy Do Aur Do Pyaar with Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D’Cruz, and Sendhil Ramamurthy.

Her upcoming project is the historical epic Raja Shivaji, directed by Riteish Deshmukh and starring Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, and Genelia D’Souza. It is slated for a theatrical release on May 1, 2026.

Also Read : Vidya Balan shares thoughtful message on overcoming rejection: “I must have had great reserves of self-love”

Siddhant Chaturvedi shares BTS video grooving to Dhadak 2 song ‘Preet Re’

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Siddhant Chaturvedi is gaining attention as Dhadak 2’s trailer and music dominate timelines. The actor stands out for his intense screen presence and the ease he carries off-screen.

Adding to the buzz, Siddhant recently shared a behind-the-scenes video where he’s seen grooving to ‘Preet Re’, a track from the film.

Captioned, “#PreetRe — here’s me grooving to one of my favourite tracks from #Dhadak2 with my boys @neerajny26 @jacklamaofficial @darshanravaldz and @jonitamusic bringing absolute magic to our ears! Choreographed by @neerajny26 Shot by @rohit.virdi,” the clip quickly circulated online, gaining engagement.

In the video, Siddhant, dressed in his usual street-style attire, dances with a laid-back energy that connects with viewers.

 

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From his role as MC Sher in Gully Boy to his action-oriented part in Yudhra, Siddhant has taken on diverse characters while maintaining a grounded presence off-screen.

With Dhadak 2 inching closer to its release, Siddhant continues to draw attention. The recent viral moment has added to the growing anticipation around the film.

Also Read: Siddhant Chaturvedi clears air on Ananya Panday’s growth; says, “She is a very strong girl, very, very talented”

Subhash Ghai lauds Saiyaara’s success; says, “Big stars don't guarantee big success”

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Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai has expressed his admiration for the success of Saiyaara, emphasizing the importance of storytelling over star-driven casts. Known for directing iconic films like Pardes and Taal, Ghai shared his thoughts on the changing dynamics of cinema and praised Saiyaara for proving that compelling narratives continue to resonate with audiences.

In a social media post shared on Sunday, Ghai commended the film for showcasing how heartfelt storytelling, the fresh pairing of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, and balanced production values can outperform exaggerated marketing and inflated star salaries. He wrote, “When a new star cast film creates a wave at box office. It sends us a clear msg to investors n producers not to make an over budget film more than a good story needs - not to invest on main actors more than your production cost - no money spend on stars whims - no extra spend on marketing stunts. Audience is surely ready to accept a good heart warming film with right casting all over India ????????.”

 

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The Taal director highlighted that audiences are fully prepared to welcome well-crafted, emotionally engaging films featuring the right cast—be it newcomers or seasoned actors. He added, “My heartiest congratulations to Adi Chopra n Mohit Suri for proving the fundamental principles of film making a Hindi commercial cinema and made a film Saiyaara a history today.

He attributed Saiyaara's success to its compelling direction, well-structured script, soulful music, and thoughtfully chosen cast, describing it as a film that has “made history today.”

He concluded, “Good producer good director good story script, good music n right casting big or new stars n balance budget n well shot film matters only. Nothing else. Wish u all great success. Cinema zindabad.”

Within just three days of its release, Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara has taken the box office by storm, becoming one of the top-grossing Hindi films of 2025. Marking the Bollywood debut of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film has already surpassed the ₹100 crore milestone globally, fuelled by full theatres and widespread word-of-mouth acclaim. With its momentum still going strong, Saiyaara now ranks as the 8th highest-grossing Hindi film of the year—and its box office run is far from over.

Also Read : Subhash Ghai leases commercial property in Mumbai for Rs 3.38 lakhs monthly, totalling Rs 2.24 crores over five years: Report

“I wanted Priyanka Chopra & Katrina Kaif together in Raajneeti,” reveals Prakash Jha

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Just before Priyanka Chopra, who celebrates her birthday on July 18, left Mumbai to pursue a career in the West, she starred in one final Bollywood film — Prakash Jha’s Jai GangaaJal. In it, Priyanka played a gritty, no-nonsense cop battling corruption in a small town in Bihar. Interestingly, the role was originally written for a male actor, making Priyanka the unequivocal hero of the film. However, with her Hollywood commitments looming, Priyanka had to leave Mumbai, and Jha was left to promote the film largely on his own.

Looking back, the filmmaker harbours no ill feelings. “She had other commitments. Priyanka had told me well in advance that her dates were locked for the shoot of a series abroad… She did try to address the media whenever she could by joining online!” Jha recalls.

In fact, Jha had hoped to collaborate with Priyanka again. “I had offered her the lead in Raajneeti with Ranbir Kapoor. For reasons best known to her, she decided not to do it, although I was very keen that she come on board. That’s when Katrina Kaif stepped in. I actually wanted to cast both Katrina and Priyanka together. But Priyanka had other plans.”

Despite the missed opportunity, Jha has nothing but admiration for the global star. “Today I am so, so happy to see how far she has come — much further than any of us could have imagined. It’s astonishing to see her being such a wonderful wife, a great mother, and a globally celebrated actress. Hats off!”

Would he work with Priyanka again? “I’d love to. But the question is — would she?”

Also Read: Prakash Jha praises Katrina Kaif’s hard work in Raajneeti; says, “She put in immense effort, learning her lines for 30-40 days to deliver them with confidence”

BREAKING: In a RARE instance, Saiyaara’s Monday morning shows run with strong occupancy in several centres; YRF goes against the norm and opts for Tuesday cheap ticket offer

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eet PaddThe Saiyaara wave refuses to die down. Usually, there is a drop in collections on weekdays after a film performs exceptionally well on weekends. But the latest Yash Raj Films (YRF) release is proving to be an exception.

As per reports coming from across the country, Saiyaara is all set to put up a huge number on the weekdays. The advance booking for Monday is very strong and what has caught the eye is that YRF has gone against the norm by incorporating the Tuesday offer.

Since April, theatres across the country have decided to sell tickets at discounted rates, that is, at Rs. 99/149/199, every Tuesday. Films that tend to do well in Week 1, like Raid 2 and Sitaare Zameen Par, didn’t opt for this offer. But YRF has refused to follow in the footsteps of the Ajay Devgn-starrer and Aamir Khan-starrer.

A trade expert commented, “It is a given that Saiyaara’s craze is tremendous and even without the offer, the occupancy on Tuesday would have been rock solid. Hence, it is heartening that YRF took the decision of having reasonable ticket prices for their film so that audiences can watch it without burning a hole in their pocket.”

The trade expert also remarked, “Price-conscious moviegoers usually would wait for a day, especially if they know that the ticket on the next day will be cheaper. But with Saiyaara, that’s not the case. There’s tremendous urgency to watch the film and hence, many haven’t waited for Tuesday's offer. As a result, Monday will be super-strong while Tuesday will be extraordinary. Usually, films drop on Wednesday after a huge Tuesday, but again, Saiyaara might prove to be an exception even in this regard.”

The only minor downside is that theatres won’t be selling tickets for Rs. 99 for Saiyaara on Tuesday, which they usually do for the front rows. However, moviegoers, dying to watch Saiyaara, won’t mind, especially since the price of the normal seats would not exceed Rs. 149 or Rs. 199.

Meanwhile, Saiyaara’s Monday morning shows are registering tremendous occupancy in many centres, which is a rarity. The 8:20 am and 9:00 am shows at Cinepolis Seawoods, Navi Mumbai, were nearly sold out and the same applied for PVR Capital Mall, Nalasopara near Mumbai. All shows of Roopbani Cinema, Purnia, Bihar, for Monday were sold out in advance, including the morning show at 9:30 am. The 9:10 am show at Cinepolis World Trade Park Mall Jaipur, was 50% full while the 10:00 am show was nearly full.

In Ahmedabad’s Inox Himalaya Mall, Saiyaara’s 9:20 am show was half-full and was fast-filling. Even in Bengaluru, the film is super-strong. The 8:45 am show at PVR Nexus, Koramangala had an occupancy of nearly 80%. With such craze, there’s not a shred of doubt that Saiyaara is poised for a double-digit Monday and Tuesday.

A duty manager in a Mumbai multiplex told Bollywood Hungama, “Post-pandemic, such strong Monday morning occupancies were seen only for big-budget movies. This reminded me of the pre-pandemic days when college students used to crowd cinemas for 8:00 am and 9:00 am shows on the weekdays.”

Also Read: Mahesh Babu showers love on Saiyaara: “What a beautifully made film with honest storytelling”

Karan Johar fires back after troll labels him ‘nepo kid ka daijaan’ over Saiyaara praise: Chup kar’

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Filmmaker Karan Johar recently extended high praise to Mohit Suri’s new musical romantic drama Saiyaara, featuring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. In an emotional Instagram post, Karan described the film as a transformative experience, where after watching it, “tears flowing and yet the feeling of immense joy.” He added, “I don’t remember the last time I felt like this after watching a film… Joy for the fact that a love story has conquered the silver screen and made the nation fall in love… Proudest that my Alma mater @yrf has bought love back!!!”

Highlighting the film’s unparalleled use of music, he wrote, “@mohitsuri makes the best film of his career and am blown away by his storytelling, his craft and his magnificent use of music… the music is not just a pillar but a character in this film.” Karan also saluted producer Aditya Widhani (@awidhani), calling his debut “officially out of the park.”

Karan showered the newcomers with glowing remarks: “What a debut @ahaanpandayy!!!!! You broke my heart and yet energised me as a filmmaker. Your eyes spoke volumes, and I can’t wait to see your journey ahead… You are spectacular!!!!! Welcome to the movies!!! @aneetpadda_, you gorgeous girl. How lovely and amazing are you!!! Your silences spoke volumes, and your vulnerability and strength moved me to tears…. Both Ahaan and you were beyond magical!” He also applauded the music and technical crew, making “special mention to the brilliant editing team” and giving a shout‑out to “the casting queen @shanoosharmarahihai ! Love you Shanoo!!!”

 

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Amid the supportive comments came a harsh jab from a troll who wrote in the comments section: “A gaya nepo kid ka daijaan.” Uncharacteristically, Karan responded with a sharp retort, “Chup kar!!! Ghar baithe baithee negativity mat paal! Do bachon ka kaam dekh!! Aur khud kuch kaam kar !!!!”

Fans swiftly rallied behind Karan’s defense. One commented, “Every time it’s not necessary to point out nepotism. If people are talented, they should be appreciated. You said it very well @karanjohar.” Another pointed out cynically, “Nothing succeeds like success. Had this film been a flop, Kjo wouldn’t have written all this!” Others encouraged a collaboration: “Please, Karan, make a good romantic movie with Ahaan and Aneet,” while many lauded the duo: “Excellent performance! Ahaan & Padda, you both nailed it.” One fan summed it up: “Only once in a while a movie like this comes out … totally heart‑shattering, but so uplifting.”

Also Read : EXCLUSIVE: Varun Dhawan-Janhvi Kapoor starrer Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari pushed; to release on October 2

Inside Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ 43rd birthday beachside celebration: “Winning at Life”

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Hollywood and Bollywood icon Priyanka Chopra marked her 43rd birthday with a joyful celebration filled with love, laughter, and scenic beachside moments. The actress took to her social media platforms to share a carousel of photos capturing the special day, expressing her gratitude and reflecting on her journey.

In her heartfelt caption, Priyanka wrote, "Winning at life. Grateful. Thank you all for the birthday wishes, messages and calls. My heart is full." The post resonated with her fans and followers worldwide, who flooded the comments with warm wishes and praise.

The photos reveal an intimate glimpse into her birthday celebrations. Priyanka appears radiant and relaxed, celebrating in a stunning purple dress on the beach, with a cozy bonfire in the background. Other images showcase her enjoying a day of fun in the sun, including playful moments on a swing over the water, and a romantic kiss with her husband, Nick Jonas.

 

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Fans and well-wishers took to social media to share their admiration. One user commented, "The energy of their whole family is top tier. She’s such an icon." Another praised her for her positivity, saying, "Wow, @priyankachopra, winning at life indeed! Your gratitude is radiating through this post." Many wished her a happy birthday, calling her a "queen" and celebrating her inspiring journey.

On July 18, Priyanka turned a year old. On the occasion of her birthday, the actress shared a post, which was a montage video, along with a caption reading, “As I prepare to go into another year around the sun. On my birthday eve, all I can be is grateful. I feel so protected by the universe and so grateful for all the gifts that have been provided to me. My family is my greatest gift and all of my incredible well wishers around the world. Thank you. So with immense gratitude I go into 43 baby!

 

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Speaking of the professional front, PC is currently seen in Amazon Prime Video’s latest film, Heads of State, co-starring John Cena and Idris Elba.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Director Ilya Naishuller on casting Priyanka Chopra for Heads of State; says, “She charms me in about 45 seconds”