Lauren Gottlieb performs Grah Pooja as she moves into her new Mumbai home, calls it an invitation for “peace and gratitude”

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Actress and global dance sensation Lauren Gottlieb has stepped into a new phase of her life, and she’s done it in the most heartfelt way. Moving into her new home in Mumbai, Lauren chose to mark this joyous milestone by performing a traditional Grah Pooja, grounding the moment in positivity, blessings, and spiritual grace.

Lauren’s relationship with India has always been special, a bond that goes far beyond her successful career in the entertainment industry. Over the years, she has embraced Indian values, traditions, and spirituality as her own. She was once given the loving nickname Foreign Ki Lauren, but India has claimed her and she has happily claimed India right back. Her commitment to honoring Indian culture isn’t symbolic, it’s deeply personal, lived, and celebrated through moments like these over a span of 13 beautiful years.

“I’ve built a life here in India, made memories, and now I’m building a home here once again. Performing a Grah Pooja was my way of inviting peace, gratitude, abundance, and good energy into my new home in Mumbai from day one. India has given me so much love, purpose, and belonging over the years, and incorporating these traditions into my life feels incredibly natural now. In this moment, I just feel incredibly grateful for my journey, for the beautiful people in India who have embraced me like family, and for building a home rooted in positivity and culture. I’m excited for everything this new beginning brings," shares Lauren.

 

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From her unforgettable performances in ABCD and ABCD 2, to going from contestant to judge on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, and countless hit music videos to proudly representing Indian cinema at global events, Lauren has consistently been a cultural bridge between India and the world at large. Her electrifying performance of 'Naatu Naatu' on the prestigious Oscars stage, merging both her roots in Bollywood and Hollywood, remains a moment of national pride, showcasing her love and dedication to India on one of the biggest stages ever.

This marks one of the most anticipated comebacks in recent memory. Our beloved dancing diva stepping back into her power, ready to take the world stage by storm once again.

Also Read: ‘Sajri’ girl Lauren Gottlieb feels India is home: “When I stepped foot in India, I went, ‘I’m home!’, I just connect with the people in India”

From Saiyaara, War 2 to Mrs: Bollywood dominates India’s trending movies of 2025; but none reach the global top 10

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Google Trends’ 2025 ranking of the most-searched movies in India reveals a strong sweep by Hindi cinema. Titles like Saiyaara, War 2, Sanam Teri Kasam, Housefull 5, Mrs, and the animated epic Mahavatar Narsimha led the country’s search charts, signalling the continued influence of Bollywood across digital spaces. Yet despite this dominance at home, not a single Hindi film — or any Indian film — managed to enter Google’s global Top 10 searched movies list for the year.

In India, Hindi films clearly steered search curiosity. Saiyaara stood out as a top romantic musical and one of Mohit Suri’s most-talked-about releases. War 2, powered by Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, held its position as one of the year’s most anticipated action spectacles. Sanam Teri Kasam resurfaced strongly thanks to the nostalgia around the 2016 original and renewed discussion ahead of its 2026 sequel.

Comedy franchise Housefull 5 maintained high online attention because of its ensemble cast and franchise legacy, while Mrs, headlined by Sanya Malhotra, sparked conversations for its layered storytelling and digital premiere. Meanwhile, Mahavatar Narsimha made a major impact as the biggest Indian animated success of the year, further fuelling the Hindi-dominant search landscape.

Even with South Indian juggernauts like Kantara Chapter 1, Coolie, Marco, and Game Changer also appearing in the India region list, Hindi titles emerged as the strongest cluster — but the absence of any Indian movie from the global Top 10 points to a demographic difference in what drives worldwide search trends.

As Indian cinema continues to expand its footprint through star-driven blockbusters and high-engagement OTT titles, the 2025 search data highlights a key contrast: strong national popularity doesn’t always translate into global trending status. With several major Hindi films slated for 2026, the coming year will determine whether any homegrown title can finally break into the worldwide search charts.

Also Read: Sony MAX announces World TV Premiere of Saiyaara on December 20

Diljit Dosanjh confirms second collaboration with Imtiaz Ali after Amar Singh Chamkila

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Diljit Dosanjh has officially confirmed his second collaboration with filmmaker Imtiaz Ali through a behind-the-scenes vlog shared from his ongoing shoot in Punjab. Posted on Instagram on Thursday, the video gives fans a rare peek into his daily routine and subtly reveals that he and Imtiaz are reuniting after the massive success of Amar Singh Chamkila.

In the vlog, Diljit is seen beginning his day at 4:30 am, followed by a workout session. He then has breakfast consisting of fruits and protein before heading to the shoot with his team. The video captures him filming in front of a green screen and sharing warm interactions with Imtiaz Ali, confirming that the director is once again helming Diljit’s next, currently untitled, project. After wrapping up the shoot, Diljit returns to a scenic haveli where he is staying during the film’s production. This upcoming film marks the duo’s second association after the critically acclaimed Amar Singh Chamkila, based on the life of the iconic Punjabi musician. Parineeti Chopra starred as Amarjot, Chamkila’s wife. Known as the “Elvis of Punjab,” Chamkila was celebrated for his electrifying performances, bold lyrical style, and cultural impact. His tragic assassination alongside Amarjot in 1988 remains one of Punjabi music’s greatest losses.

 

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Amar Singh Chamkila earned two nominations at the International Emmy Awards Best Actor for Diljit Dosanjh and Best TV Movie/Mini-Series. Despite not winning, the recognition spotlighted Punjabi and Indian storytelling globally and reinforced the enduring influence of Chamkila’s music. Diljit will next be seen in Border 2, the highly awaited sequel to J.P. Dutta’s 1997 classic. Directed by Anurag Singh, the film features Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, and Diljit in key roles, portraying brave soldiers safeguarding the nation. Produced by T-Series and J.P. Films, Border 2 is slated to release on January 23, 2026, promising large-scale action, emotional intensity, and a patriotic storyline for today’s audiences. Also Read : Team Dhurandhar pulls off a masterstroke: Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Ez Ez’ launched with live performance at music launch

Sholay 4K re-release restores original vision and James Bond line

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Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay returns in an enhanced 4K version titled Sholay – The Final Cut, releasing on December 12 across more than a thousand theatres in its fully restored form, literally. The controversial replacement in the trailer of “James Bond” with “Tatya Tope” has also been reversed.

Clarifying the issue, Neeraj Joshi, in charge of Marketing & Strategy, says, “It was ‘Tatya Tope’ in the original version, and then ‘James Bond’ came in to give the dialogue a more viewer-friendly thrust. Now in the version being released, it’s ‘James Bond’ again.”

The new edition of this timeless classic, piloted by director Ramesh Sippy’s nephew Shehzad Sippy, retains its legendary stature, with exquisite production values, dialogues that have become an intrinsic part of India’s pop culture, and performances that remain endlessly resplendent.

Three vital sequences have been added in this restored version, viz. a scene where a brave Sachin Pilgaonkar confronts the dreaded Gabbar. (In the original cut, Sachin’s character Ahmed was shown riding through the ravines and later discovered as a corpse on a horse.)  A moment featuring Thakur’s faithful aide Ramlal (Satyen Kappu) hammering nails into the sole of Thakur’s shoe. And, of course, the spectacular finale where Thakur (Sanjeev Kumar) stomps Gabbar with his spiked shoes.

This gruesome yet glorious climax now ends with a deeply emotional moment of shared grief between Thakur and Veeru never seen before.

The restoration took three years to complete, says Shehzad Sippy, “All credit goes to the original cast and crew for the masterpiece they created, as well as the Film Heritage Foundation for the amazing restoration job they’ve done. I am just happy we have been able to put out the makers’ original vision fifty years later and preserve this classic for future generations. I hope everyone gets to see this on the big screen for the first and hopefully not the last time.”

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Team of Sholay – The Final Cut lands in soup over 1,500-screen release claim; STRUGGLES to get 1,000 screens due to long length, HIGH rates & Dhurandhar wave

Oscar-winning filmmaker Darren Aronofsky teases collab with Kartik Aaryan after chai meet-up

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Kartik Aaryan sparked widespread speculation online after sharing a brief video featuring acclaimed Hollywood filmmaker Darren Aronofsky. Known for films such as Black Swan, Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler, and the Academy Award–winning The Whale, Aronofsky’s appearance alongside the Bollywood actor immediately drew attention.

The buzz intensified when Aronofsky commented on Kartik’s post with, “Should we announce our collab here?” The light-hearted remark prompted curiosity about a potential project involving the two. While no official confirmation has been made, the exchange fuelled discussions about the possibility of a cross-industry collaboration.

 

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Kartik later posted an Instagram story describing the meeting and expressing his admiration, writing, “Black Swan, The Whale are some of my fav films and you are a legend my friend, it was lovely to have chai with you!! Can't wait for you know what.”

The interaction adds to Kartik Aaryan’s growing visibility outside India. In recent years, the actor has appeared at major international events and expanded his global outreach through endorsements and festival appearances. His meeting with Aronofsky has further contributed to the conversation around Indian performers taking on an increasingly prominent role in global entertainment.

Also Read: SCOOP: Trailer of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri expected to be launched on December 15 in a GRAND event in the presence of Kartik Aaryan, Ananya Panday

Bombay HC asks Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra to deposit Rs 60 crores for travel, and LOC relief

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The Bombay High Court has directed actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, to deposit Rs 60 crore or provide a continuous bank guarantee from a nationalised bank before it will consider lifting a Lookout Circular (LOC) restricting their foreign travel. This order came during a hearing on their urgent plea to visit London for Kundra's ailing father, who is undergoing serious medical treatment. The bench of Justices AS Gadkari and RR Bhonsale emphasised the need to demonstrate bona fides amid doubts about their return to India.

The LOC stems from a Rs 60.48 crore fraud complaint filed by Deepak Kothari, Director of UY Industries Pvt Ltd, alleging the couple induced him to invest in their now-defunct Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd between 2015 and 2023. Kothari claims the funds, provided as a loan with Shetty's personal guarantee, were misused amid heavy business losses, with no recovery despite repeated demands. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police is investigating, having issued the LOC to ensure the couple's availability.​

Senior Advocate Abad Ponda, representing the couple, argued against depositing the full amount, suggesting surety or a reasonable alternative, and stressed the trip's medical urgency with a firm return commitment. The bench rejected partial measures, insisting on the entire sum via deposit or bank guarantee, and scheduled further instructions for next week. The couple denies criminality, calling the case malicious and aimed at extortion by tarnishing their reputation.

Best Deal TV, launched in 2015 with endorsements from Shetty and ex-partner Akshay Kumar, collapsed after burning Rs 100 crore in 18 months, fuelling allegations of fund diversion to personal expenses or linked entities. No arrests have occurred, but prior pleas for quashing the FIR or LOC relief were denied without repayment. The case highlights rising scrutiny on celebrity-backed ventures post-demonetisation business failures.

Also Read: Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra move Bombay HC seeking travel permission amid father’s health crisis in London

Kritika Kamra makes her relationship with Gaurav Kapur Instagram official; shares breakfast date pics

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Actor Kritika Kamra has just made her relationship with one of India’s most loved cricket hosts and content producers, Gaurav Kapur, Instagram official. The actress shared a set of warm, candid pictures from a cosy breakfast date with Gaurav, subtly confirming their romance that fans had been speculating about for months on social media platforms.

Kritika kept the caption understated yet playful, writing only “breakfast with…”, a gentle nod to Gaurav Kapur’s massively popular show Breakfast with Champions. The long-format series, known for its intimate conversations with India’s biggest sporting icons, has made Gaurav one of the most recognisable names in cricket entertainment.

The couple, who have been going steady for the last few months, looked relaxed and happy in the photos, a rare glimpse into their otherwise private equation. With this post, Kritika has officially taken the relationship public.

 

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While neither of them has spoken openly about their relationship until now, the post marks a sweet new chapter for the two, confirming what many had sensed already.

Also Read: Kritika Kamra celebrates the power of female-crafted storytelling as she leads Anusha Rizvi’s The Great Shamsuddin Family: “A privilege to be centered in a woman’s story”