Bigg Boss 20: Qazi Touqeer recalls being labelled “arrogant” after turning down Ekta Kapoor’s TV offer in 2005: “Main chhota tha, 20 saal ka…”

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Bigg Boss 20 contestant Qazi Touqeer recently opened up about the opportunities he received in the early years of his career, including a television offer from producer Ekta Kapoor. During a conversation with Aamrapali Dubey, the singer recalled meeting Kapoor in 2005 and explained why he eventually turned down the opportunity.

Qazi, who shot to fame after winning Fame Gurukul with Ruprekha Banerjee in 2005, said, “TV maine kabhi kiya nahin. TV ki opportunity bahot badi badi thi. Main khushkismat tha jiske liye Ekta Kapoor ji aayi 2005 mein and she narrated the story.” Qazi Touqeer recalls Ekta Kapoor’s narration Qazi went on to recall his interaction with Ekta Kapoor, saying, “Main sirf unki anguthiyan (rings) dekh raha tha. Rockstar ka pura character Ekta ji mujhe narrate kar rahi hai.”

Rather than directly telling Kapoor that he did not want to take up the project, Qazi said he communicated his decision through a woman named Anupama. He explained that he already had a film commitment and a contract in place. “Ma’am, I am already doing a film. I have a contract, it’s already signed,” Qazi recalled telling her. Qazi says media reports portrayed him negatively The singer also remembered the media coverage that followed his decision. According to Qazi, reports the next morning suggested that he had deliberately turned down Kapoor’s offer because he had a bigger opportunity. “Main subah breakfast mein dekh raha hoon, ‘Qazi ditched Ekta Kapoor. Qazi has a bigger fish to fry.’ Ye paper aisa hi hai, media aisa hi hai,” he said.

Qazi pointed out that there was no social media at the time through which he could immediately clarify his side of the story. “Us time clarification karne ke liye thodi tha hamare paas social media. Ho gaya badnaam, ban gaya arrogant” he added. Qazi Touqeer’s journey from Fame Gurukul to Bigg Boss 20 Qazi became a household name after winning Fame Gurukul alongside Ruprekha Banerjee in 2005. The reality singing competition also earned him a cash prize, a music contract and a car.

He later explored acting, including an appearance in the song ‘Afghan Jalebi’ from Phantom, and participated in the reality show Sarkaar Ki Duniya. He subsequently spent years performing live and working on other projects before returning to the spotlight as a contestant on Salman Khan-hosted Bigg Boss 20 in 2026.

Also Read: Bigg Boss 20: Prince Narula REACTS to Nakul Dhull-Gullu clash, praises Kanika Mann for calmly handling the situation

Ramayana International trailer shares a glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama having an epic face off with Yash as Ravana

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The international trailer of Ramayana: Part 1, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, was unveiled in Bengaluru on October 15, marking the beginning of Sony Pictures’ global campaign to take Namit Malhotra’s ambitious adaptation of the Indian epic to audiences across international markets. The launch was attended by Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Ravi Dubey, composer A. R. Rahman and director Nitesh Tiwari, among other members of the cast and crew.

Hosted by Prime Focus Studios and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, the event offered audiences a fresh look at the film ahead of its worldwide theatrical release. The international trailer presents the story on an expansive fantasy scale, centring on the cosmic conflict between light and darkness and the battle against tyranny.

The nearly two-and-a-half-minute preview opens in a mythic era of celestial order, when men and gods are depicted as coexisting, with Kunal Kapoor appearing as Lord Indra. The narrative then shifts to the rise of Yash as Ravana, who declares, “Before me, every head will bow”, establishing the central conflict that drives the epic.

Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama is presented as a righteous figure confronted with an extraordinary destiny, with the character emerging as humanity’s hope against the looming threat. The trailer features Rama’s resolve in the line, “If I don’t stop him, the world will fall”. Sai Pallavi as Sita also features in glimpses that hint at the emotional dimension of the story, while the preview places considerable emphasis on large-scale battles, ancient architecture, atmospheric landscapes and visual effects by DNEG.

The film’s score, composed by Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman, further shapes the trailer’s expansive presentation of the epic. The preview offers a glimpse of the scale on which the makers have envisioned the story for the big screen, combining its mythological setting with large-scale fantasy elements.

Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the two-part saga is produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations.

With Sony Pictures spearheading its international campaign and handling distribution globally outside India, the film is being positioned for audiences across markets. Dharma Productions will distribute it in the Hindi-speaking market. The film will release in IMAX and in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam across India.

Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled to release worldwide in cinemas on November 5, 2026. The second instalment is slated to arrive during Diwali 2027.

Also Read: Ramayana international trailer to be unveiled at Bengaluru event; Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi to attend

BREAKING: Ramayana is Ranbir Kapoor's second film after Animal to be 3 hours+; gets PG-13 rating in USA

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The grand Diwali release, Ramayana, is three weeks away from release, and the excitement is steadily building up with each passing day. It's going to have the biggest release for an Indian film ever globally and the makers have been steadily working towards it. In a significant development, the censor process in the United States of America has been completed.

The Motion Picture Association has passed Ramayana with a PG-13 rating. This rating is similar to U/A in India and means that some material maybe inappropriate for children below the age of 13.

As per the Motion Picture Association website, Ramayana was awarded the said rating due to 'sequences of strong violence and action, and some bloody images'.

The other major development is that Ramayana has been passed internationally with a runtime of more than 3 hours. As per the website of IMAX, the duration of the film is 3 hours and 15 minutes. However, as per trade sources, the English version of Ramayana is expected to be shorter, at around 2 hours and 45 minutes. A clearer picture on this front will emerge in a few days.

Ramayana is Ranbir Kapoor's immediate release after Animal (2023). Incidentally, it is also the second film of his career, after Animal, to have a duration of more than 3 hours.

Also Read: Ramayana: Anupam Kher lends his voice to Jatayu as makers unveil new poster titled ‘The Wings of Dharma’

Koffee With Karan 9: Salman Khan takes a dig at Karan Johar over Shah Rukh Khan feud; says, “You were scared of me because of Shah Rukh Khan”

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Salman Khan made a dashing entry on Koffee With Karan Season 9, bringing his trademark humour and decades-long camaraderie with host Karan Johar to the couch. However, what began as a playful exchange soon took an interesting turn when the superstar brought up his highly publicised fallout with Shah Rukh Khan, leaving the filmmaker at the centre of a conversation about one of Bollywood’s most talked-about feuds.

During their conversation, Karan Johar admitted that Salman had always made him nervous, saying, “No one gets me more stressed, nervous, and hyper than you. I don't know why, it hasn't changed.” Salman was quick to respond with a teasing question: “Is it because of you or is it because of somebody else?” The remark appeared to allude to Shah Rukh Khan, with whom Salman shared a close friendship before their relationship reportedly soured in 2008.

The fallout between Salman and Shah Rukh became one of the biggest talking points in Bollywood at the time. The two superstars, who had shared a warm equation through the 1990s and appeared together in films, reportedly had a disagreement at a birthday party hosted by Katrina Kaif in 2008. The incident was widely discussed in the media, with reports linking the rift to tensions surrounding Salman’s personal life and his relationship with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. However, the precise circumstances behind their disagreement have remained a subject of public discussion over the years.

Karan Johar’s presence at the party also became part of the conversation, given his close friendship with Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan. Against that backdrop, Salman’s playful interrogation of the filmmaker on the Koffee With Karan couch carried an added layer of significance.

Putting the matter into perspective, Salman told Karan, “Right now you should not be stressed because everything is all good. It's been good for the longest time,” referring to the now-repaired equation between him and Shah Rukh. The two actors famously appeared to put their differences behind them when they reunited at politician Baba Siddique’s Iftaar party in 2013, after years of speculation surrounding their relationship. Salman, however, was not done teasing the filmmaker. He added, “At one point of time, it was not good. So, I could have understood that you were scared of me because of not you, because of Shah Rukh.”

Karan chose not to prolong the discussion, but Salman’s candid remarks brought the spotlight back to a chapter in Bollywood history that continues to intrigue fans. With the two superstars having since maintained a cordial relationship and supported each other’s film appearances, the exchange offered a reminder of how far their equation has evolved since the highly publicised fallout.

Also Read: Salman Khan REACTS as Karan Johar revisits ‘Are You Still A Virgin?’ moment in Koffee With Karan Season 9 promo: “Control yaar, Brother”

Bigg Boss 20: Kushal Tanwar aka Gullu’s team alleges Nakul Dhull entered show with plan to fight him, demands eviction

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A physical altercation between Kushal Tanwar, popularly known as Gullu, and Nakul Dhull has sparked a fresh controversy inside the Bigg Boss 20 house. Following the confrontation, Gullu’s team has accused Nakul of entering the Salman Khan-hosted reality show with an intention to pick a fight with him and has questioned how details of the incident allegedly surfaced before it took place.

Tuesday’s episode appeared to hint at some history of conflict between the two contestants. During the confrontation, Nakul was heard threatening Gullu, saying, “Gurgaon mein aa ke marunga, jab bole tab.” Gullu responded by calling him out, saying, “Story kaa badmash hai tu.”

Nakul then referred to an alleged earlier incident involving Gullu, saying, “Goa bhaga tha na tu. Mere gaon ke ladke aaye the na, Goa bhag gaya tha tu.” As the argument escalated, Mahhi Vij intervened and remarked, “Ye firak mein hai do din se maarne ki.”

 

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Gullu’s team questions how fight was allegedly leaked beforehand

Following the altercation, Gullu’s team addressed the incident through his social media channel. The team questioned why someone with alleged unresolved issues with Gullu was allowed to enter the reality show. “This is so unfair. How are people like this even allowed to enter the house in the first place, and for what reason?” the team wrote.

Gullu’s team further alleged that Nakul had entered the house “with a plan to fight with Gullu” and questioned whether the confrontation was pre-planned. The team also raised questions about reports surrounding the altercation allegedly emerging on Saturday, a day before the fight reportedly took place on Sunday.

“Physical altercation between him and Gullu was leaked on Saturday when the actual fight happened on Sunday. How could such specific information about an incident be out a day before it even happened? Because, at that point, the incident hadn’t even taken place in real time,” the team stated. Team demands action against Nakul Dhull Gullu’s team also condemned what it described as unnecessary physical violence and an alleged breach of personal boundaries inside the Bigg Boss 20 house.

“Secondly, unnecessary physical violence and crossing someone’s personal boundaries are absolutely unacceptable. Bigg Boss is a show, not a place where people should be allowed to threaten or physically attack others,” the team said.

Maintaining that Gullu had entered the reality show to participate in the competition rather than be targeted, his team called for action against Nakul. It referred to Nakul as a “goon” and concluded its statement with a demand for his eviction.

 

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Also Read: Bigg Boss 20: ScoutOp’s friend questions Salman Khan’s criticism; accuses makers of targeting him

Sona Mohapatra takes dig at Rahul Gandhi over Himachal Pradesh, says “repair” state before democracy

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Singer Sona Mohapatra has questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on democracy and the BJP-led government, asking him to focus on governance in Himachal Pradesh before speaking about “repairing democracy”.

Taking to X, Sona said she was shocked by the condition of the state after returning to Himachal Pradesh following nine years. She claimed that she saw garbage-strewn hills and rivers affected by pollution, and urged the Congress to make the state an example of good governance.

“Dear @RahulGandhi, before repairing democracy, could you start by repairing Himachal Pradesh? I returned after 9 years and was shocked by garbage-strewn hills and choking rivers. Make this Congress-governed state a model of governance. Earn the people’s mandate, don’t just demand it,” she wrote. Sona Mohapatra responds to Rahul Gandhi's remarks Sona's post came after Rahul Gandhi commented on the Chief Election Commissioner and the BJP-led government. In a Hindi post on X, the Congress leader said that the departure of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the current government would pave the way for changes in the country's democratic system.

While responding to those remarks, Sona shifted the focus to Himachal Pradesh, which is governed by the Congress. Her comments centred on civic conditions and governance in the state, based on what she said she observed during her return after several years.

Dear @RahulGandhi, before repairing democracy, could you start by repairing Himachal Pradesh?I returned after 9 years & was shocked by garbage-strewn hills and choking rivers. Make this Congress-governed state a model of governance.Earn the people’s mandate,don’t just demand it🙏🏾 — Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) October 13, 2026

The singer also called on the Congress to demonstrate its governance record in Himachal Pradesh, rather than only seeking electoral support at the national level.

Also Read: Sona Mohapatra calls out lack of female-centric heartbreak songs in Bollywood; recalls being “flabbergasted” by ‘Zaalima’

SCOOP: Playback sensation Heer of Batwara 1947 and Peddi fame to make acting debut in Imtiaz Ali and Mahaveer Jain’s Side Heroes

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In July, Bollywood Hungama was the first to inform readers that Imtiaz Ali and Mahaveer Jain were planning to introduce fresh faces as the female lead in their upcoming friendship comedy, Side Heroes. We have now learned that the makers have zeroed in on playback sensation Heer for one of the female leads in the film.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Heer is not just a talented singer but also a promising performer. She gave an impressive audition, and the makers felt that she would be perfect for the part. Interestingly, her character in the film is also a singer. Hence, casting a real-life playback singer would lend authenticity to the character.”

The source further revealed, “The makers are in advanced discussions with Heer and are expected to make an official announcement about her casting soon.”

About Heer

Heer has lent her voice to several notable songs in recent times. In Aamir Khan's production Batwara 1947, she sang 'Tabassum' alongside Sonu Nigam and 'Chal Anjaane'. Both songs were composed by A R Rahman, who also composed the music for Ram Charan-starrer Peddi. In this Pan-India film, Heer lent her voice to the song 'Hellallallo'.

Her other recent songs include 'Roop Di Rani' from Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, alongside Guru Randhawa, and 'Chhaap Tilak' from Ginny Wedss Sunny 2. Both songs were composed by Tanishk Bagchi.

About Side Heroes

Side Heroes is a hilarious friendship-reunion film with a touch of nostalgia, set in the heartland of India. Besides Heer, ot stars Varun Sharma, Abhishek Banerjee and Aparshakti Khurana. It is produced by Imtiaz Ali, Mahaveer Jain, Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and Shikha K Ahluwalia, written by Siddarth Sen (director of Good Luck Jerry) and Pankaj Matta, and directed by Ssanjay Tripaathy.

In September, Bollywood Hungama exclusively reported that Side Heroes would be among the rare Hindi films to be shot entirely in Bihar. The film is scheduled to release on Friendship Day 2027.

Also Read: Imtiaz Ali reveals how Subhash Ghai SAVED Socha Na Tha: “He bought the film at a price higher than its actual value”; admits Showman was once FURIOUS with him: “He signed me for a film, but I backed out”