Entertainment

Shalini Pandey shares disturbing incident with south Indian director, opens up on comparisons with Alia Bhatt


Shalini Pandey

Shalini Pandey
| Photo Credit: @shalzp/Instagram

Actor Shalini Pandey has opened up about a disturbing incident in which a director of a South Indian film she was working on barged into her vanity van when she was changing clothes. The actor, who made her film debut with 2017’s Arjun Reddy, added that the incident taught her to establish boundaries very early on in her career.

Shalini said this in an interview with Filmygyan, while talking about her experience working with men in the industry. “It’s not that I have worked only with good men in my career, I have also worked with horrid men in my life. I am talking about on-screen, off-screen and within the crew. You just have to have boundaries. I have also faced the most chauvinistic men. That’s also the reality,” said Shalini.

The 31-year-old added that since she was an outsider to the industry, she had nobody to go back to. “Mere pass hota hi nahi tha to ask how one should be in such situations. Now, when I look back, I am glad I was like that. I was naive, but I had hard boundaries. Like, I would snap.”

This is when the actor shared the harrowing incident from when she was 22 years old. “I was doing a South film and this director walks into my van, doesn’t knock, and I was changing. He just opened the door and entered. This is a girl who has just done her first film. People usually tell you to be very sweet and not rub people the wrong way. They be like, ‘otherwise, you won’t get films’. I have been told all that.”

Shalini recounted how she yelled at the director, a reaction she said she was advised against. “Once he left, people told me that I shouldn’t have yelled. But, there has to be manners. Just because I am new, you cannot just enter without knocking. You cannot do that to me. And I realised that is something that I carried with me. I would come across as an angry person to people. But I had to do certain things to protect myself,” said Shalini, adding that she has now learn how to “manipulate such things rather than just snap at people.”

On comparisons with Alia Bhatt:

Meanwhile, in another interview with Instant Bollywood, Shalini addressed being compared with Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt, stating that she wishes to have her own individuality. “Alia hai! We don’t need another Alia. No one should be another Alia. Because Alia is so amazing. Not just because of her films — of course, she’s incredible onscreen. But personally, from what I’ve seen of Alia offscreen as well, I admire her.

“I don’t want to be that because there is one Alia. Of course, there are so many admirable qualities that you want to take, but I also want to have my own individuality. I want people to look at me for who Shalini is rather than box me into something. But when they compare with love, of course, it’s a great comparison because she’s just lovely,” added Shalini.

Shalini, known for working in films like Arjun Reddy, Mahanati, and NTR: Kathanayakudu, made her Bollywood debut in 2022, with the Ranveer Singh-starrer Jayeshbhai Jordaar. She was last seen in Netflix’s 2024 film Maharaj, co-starring Junaid Khan, and in the streamer’s 2025 series Dabba Cartel, co-starring Shabana Azmi, Jyothika, Nimisha Sajayan, and Anjali Anand.



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When Jaya Bachchan’s father praised Amitabh Bachchan for respecting her choice to use maiden name ‘Jaya Bhaduri’ after marriage |


When Jaya Bachchan’s father praised Amitabh Bachchan for respecting her choice to use maiden name 'Jaya Bhaduri' after marriage

Jaya Bachchan was in the news again for her insistence that Raya Sabha members stop addressing her as ‘Jaya Amitabh Bachchan‘. Last year she sparked off a social media debate when she stated her preferences and reignited the buzz once again when she reminded presiding chairman Birendra Prasad Vaishya, “For so many years, you used to call me Jaya ji only. Anyway, it doesn’t matter.”
While this subject has gained traction over the past few days, it has been an ongoing debate for several decades, it seems. Long before she could address the matter in the Rajya Sabha, Jaya, made the bold decision to keep her maiden name ‘Jaya Bhaduri‘ even after she married Amitabh Bachchan in 1973.
At a time when it was customary for women to take their husband’s surname after marriage, Amitabh won praise from his father-in-law for standing by his wife’s choice to to retain her maiden name for her film career. Taroon Coomar Bhaduri, a renowned journalist and writer, in a 1989 article for The Illustrated Weekly of India, reflected on his son-in-law’s unwavering support for Jaya’s identity and career. He recalled an instance where someone, in an attempt to flatter Amitabh, suggested that Jaya should be credited as “Jaya Bachchan” instead of “Jaya Bhaduri” in films.
Big B, responded saying, “Of course, she is a Bachchan, but you should know that in the industry and professionally, she is more famous as Jaya Bhaduri.”
With Amitabh’s support, Jaya continued to use her maiden name in film credits.
Taroon praised Amitabh for his support, and for the way he stood up against rumours about their alleged inter-cast marriage. “I would like to know just one good reason why my wife or I would have been opposed to the Bhaduri-Bachchan alliance,” he wrote, and shared his appreciation for Amitabh’s character. He further lauded the actor’s perseverance in the film industry, adding, “Initial failures did not deter him, and with a Teutonic doggedness, he pursued his career.”





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Priyanka Chopra’s Reunion With Daughter Malti Marie Is Love, Actually. See Pic



New Delhi:

Priyanka Chopra has finally reunited with her daughter Malti Marie after spending time apart while filming her upcoming project SSMB29 across various locations in India. 

The actress recently shared a photo with her little one on Instagram and it’s all things adorable. The caption read, “Home.” The image shows the mother-daughter duo sharing a tender moment. 

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Priyanka is dressed in an all-black outfit while little Malti wears a floral dress as they gaze affectionately at each other.

Just days before the reunion, Priyanka had been exploring Jaipur and documenting her experience in the Pink City through various social media posts on Instagram, though the specific reason for her visit remains unclear.

Priyanka and her husband, musician Nick Jonas, welcomed Malti Marie in January 2022 via surrogacy. The child’s name holds special significance, with “Malti” being the middle name of Priyanka’s mother, Madhu Chopra, while “Marie” honors Nick’s mother’s middle name. The couple married in a lavish ceremony at Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan Palace in 2018.

Professionally, Priyanka’s upcoming projects include the highly anticipated film SSMB29, directed by SS Rajamouli, where she stars alongside Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The team has been shooting in several locations, including Telangana and Odisha. 

Additionally, she has roles in forthcoming films The Bluff and Heads Of State, though release dates for these projects have not yet been announced.




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Steven Spielberg’s new film, Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ teased at CinemaCon


Christopher Nolan arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles

Christopher Nolan arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles
| Photo Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Hollywood studio Universal Pictures on Wednesday teased new movies from Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan, while showcasing footage from its upcoming sequels Jurassic World Rebirth and Wicked: For Good at the CinemaCon event in Las Vegas, US.

Spielberg “is currently shooting a film that promises to be a return to form, in the spirit of his monumental classics,” said Universal executive Jim Orr, at the movie theatre industry summit in Las Vegas.

The untitled film, out June 2026, is widely rumored to be a blockbuster sci-fi. Orr promised it would contain “a propulsive, modern, out-of-this-world twist,” without sharing further details.

Meanwhile, Nolan is in the Mediterranean shooting his star-studded version of The Odyssey, based on the millennia-old Ancient Greek epic saga written by Homer.

It is due July 2026, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, alongside Tom Holland, Zendaya and Anne Hathaway.

In a prediction bold even by the standards of Hollywood marketing, Orr suggested the film “will be a once-in-a-generation cinematic masterpiece that Homer himself would, quite frankly, be very proud of.”

The comments came at CinemaCon, an annual week-long summit at which Hollywood studios present their biggest upcoming movies to theater owners and press.

A theme of this year’s event has been a drive to get studios to commit to keeping new movies in US theaters for at least 45 days before they appear on streaming.

A source with knowledge of the talks told AFP Wednesday that three of Hollywood’s six biggest studios have committed.

Universal, which has in recent years brought many of its films to on-demand streaming very soon after they debut in theaters, has not yet agreed to the new 45-day “window,” the source said. The studio did not immediately comment.

But its efforts to court movie theater owners Wednesday included showing extended new footage and A-list stars from the next Jurassic movie — out this July.

It comes from the writer of the original 1993 Jurassic Park. The action returns to that film’s island setting.

Unlike the “Jurassic World” films where dinosaurs freely roamed the globe, the fearsome reptiles are now once again scarce, surviving in a few remote spots.

Star Scarlett Johansson said the film would “put the scares back into Jurassic” by keeping the dinosaurs hidden and ratcheting up the suspense.

Universal’s presentation ended with surprise appearances from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, whose second and final Wicked film will hit theatres November.

CinemaCon concludes Thursday with presentations from Paramount and Disney.



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Chhorii 2 Trailer: Nushrratt Bharuccha Returns To Battle Darker Forces. Bonus




New Delhi:

The trailer of  Chhorii 2 has crawled out of the darkness and into our nightmares, proving once again that nobody fights like a mother protecting her child, especially when faced with ghosts that clearly didn’t read the parenting manual on boundaries.

The sequel to the 2021 Indian horror hit ramps up the terror as it follows Nushrratt Bharuccha’s character Sakshi, who now faces an even more harrowing battle against supernatural forces threatening her daughter Ishani. 

The trailer effectively establishes a more intense atmosphere than its predecessor, taking viewers into unexplored underground caves where malevolent entities lurk in shadows.

Visually, the trailer delivers on creating genuine unease through its effective use of haunting imagery, from disturbing rituals to ghostly apparitions that seem determined to make Sakshi’s life a living nightmare. 

The cinematography appears to embrace darkness, using it to amplify the sense of isolation and vulnerability.

Soha Ali Khan makes an intriguing appearance as the enigmatic “Daasi Ma,” whose role appears pivotal to the unfolding supernatural drama.

What elevates this trailer beyond standard horror fare is its emotional core – beneath the jump scares and eerie atmosphere lies a story about maternal determination and the lengths one will go to protect their child. 

The film premieres on Prime Video on April 11, 2025, featuring a supporting cast that includes Gashmeer Mahajani, Saurabh Goyal and Pallavi Ajay. 







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Will Mohanlal and Prithviraj’s L2: Empuraan surpass the Hindi box office record of Unni Mukundan’s Marco? | Malayalam Movie News


Will Mohanlal and Prithviraj’s L2: Empuraan surpass the Hindi box office record of Unni Mukundan’s Marco?

Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s L2: Empuraan has been setting the box office on fire, emerging as a record-breaking success in Malayalam cinema. However, in the Hindi belt, the film has seen a relatively muted response, primarily due to its limited release. While the film has managed to become one of the biggest money-spinners for a Malayalam movie in Hindi, the question remains—can L2: Empuraan surpass the record set by Unni Mukundan’s Marco?

A Slow But Promising Start in Hindi

Unlike its phenomenal run in Kerala and overseas, L2: Empuraan has had a slow start in the Hindi market. In its first seven days, the film has collected just Rs 1.9 crore from Hindi screenings. While this number may not seem huge compared to mainstream Bollywood releases, it is still a significant achievement for a Malayalam film in the Hindi circuit.
One of the major challenges L2: Empuraan faces in Hindi is its limited number of shows. In Mumbai, for instance, the film is averaging around 35 shows per day for the upcoming weekend, restricting its reach among Hindi-speaking audiences.

Can It Cross Marco’s Benchmark?

Unni Mukundan’s Marco had an underwhelming first week in Hindi, collecting just Rs 28 lakh. However, the action thriller gained momentum in its second week, witnessing an unprecedented surge at the box office where it collected Rs 4.6 crore in the second week. By the end of its theatrical run, Marco had raked in an Rs 12.81 crore crore from its Hindi release—a record for a Malayalam film.
For L2: Empuraan to beat Marco, it needs strong word-of-mouth and an increase in show counts across major Hindi-speaking markets. If the film sees an expansion in screens and sustained audience interest, it has a chance to surpass the Rs 13 crore benchmark.
Empuraan recently underwent 24 cuts after it faced backlash from certain corners where it was alleged that the film was pushing anti-Hindu agenda. Mohanlal took to social media to apologize for it.





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Unko Lagta Hoga Ki Zaroorat Nahin Padti Mujhe




New Delhi:

Salman Khan’s latest release Sikandar has been struggling at the box office since its release on Sunday. Salman Khan, who tried different promotional stunts to promote his film, opened up about the lack of support from film fraternity for his films. Salman Khan said his friends think that he doesn’t need support while the superstar says he also needs backing for his films.

Salman Khan also admitted that he promotes his friends and colleagues’ films.

In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, Salman Khan said, “Unko aisa lagta hoga ki zaroorat nahin padti mujhe. (Maybe they think that I don’t need their support.). But, sabko zaroorat padti hai. (Everybody needs support, including me).”

Ahead of Sikandar’s release, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and director AR Murugadoss engaged in a fun chat as a promotional stunt. Salim Khan also joined the conversation and picked up his favourite Salman and Aamir Khan films.

Take a look at the video here:

At the trailer launch of Sikandar, Salman Khan addressed the issue of a 31-year age gap with heroine Rashmika Mandanna.  “They say there is a 31-year difference between the heroine and me. If the heroine doesn’t have any problem or the heroine’s father doesn’t have any problem, then why do you have a problem?” Salman Khan’s punchline made the press burst into laughter.

Salman Khan didn’t stop there. “And when she (Rashmika) will get married and have a daughter and then she becomes a big star then also we will work (together). We will get the mother (Rashmika)’s permission for sure,” Salman Khan said at the event.

Apart from Salman Khan and Rashmika, the project also features Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj and Sharman Joshi in important roles. Sikandar released in theatres on March 30.





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Jean-Claude Van Damme accused of sexual relations with trafficked Romanian women


Jean-Claude Van Damme

Jean-Claude Van Damme
| Photo Credit: Danny Moloshok

Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is facing serious allegations in Romania, where a criminal complaint has been filed against him for allegedly engaging in sexual relations with trafficked women.

According to CNN affiliate Antena 3, the Street Fighter star, 64, is accused of knowingly accepting five Romanian women as a “gift” from a criminal group led by Morel Bolea. The complaint, filed with Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT), claims Van Damme was aware that the women were victims of human trafficking.

Attorney Adrian Cuculis, representing one of the victims, told the outlet that the women “were in a state of vulnerability, with the suspicion that they were exploited.”

The alleged incident reportedly occurred in Cannes during an event organized by Van Damme. One of the women present at the gathering provided testimony to prosecutors, leading DIICOT to open an investigation.

“Several Romanians who are currently being investigated for forming a criminal group and pimping, allegedly offered Jean-Claude Van Damme five Romanian women… The person who received those benefits knew their condition,” Cuculis stated.

This case is linked to a broader human trafficking investigation that began in 2020 by Romania’s Prosecutor’s Office. Before any formal legal action can proceed, the High Court of Cassation in France must authorise criminal proceedings, after which suspects will be summoned to Romania for questioning.

Van Damme, known for his roles in Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and The Expendables 2, has not publicly commented on the allegations. His representatives and DIICOT have also yet to issue a response.



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Mohanlal and Prithviraj’s L2: Empuraan set to beat Prithviraj’s The Goat Life’s box office run | Malayalam Movie News


Mohanlal and Prithviraj’s L2: Empuraan set to beat Prithviraj’s The Goat Life’s box office run

Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran‘s L2: Empuraan has taken the box office by storm, setting a new record for the highest first-week collections in Malayalam cinema. The much-anticipated sequel of Lucifer has earned a staggering Rs 83.73 crore in its first seven days with one more day left for the week to go.

Breaking Down the Numbers

From its opening day, L2: Empuraan showcased its box office dominance:

  • Day 1 (Thursday): Rs 21 Cr
  • Day 2 (Friday): Rs 11.1 Cr
  • Day 3 (Saturday): Rs 13.25 Cr
  • Day 4 (Sunday): Rs 13.65 Cr
  • Day 5 (Monday): Rs 11.15 Cr
  • Day 6 (Tuesday): Rs 8.55 Cr
  • Day 7 (Wednesday): Rs 5.03 Cr

Setting New Records

With its phenomenal Rs 83.73 crore first-week collection, L2: Empuraan has already become the highest-grossing Malayalam film in terms of opening week numbers. This surpasses previous benchmarks set by other Malayalam blockbusters like The Goat Life ( Rs 47 crore), Manjummel Boys ( Rs 26.35 crore ), 2018 ( Rs 24.85 crore) and Aavesham ( Rs 30.45 crore) .
Moreover, the film’s global appeal has been evident in its overseas earnings, where it has become the first Malayalam film to gross over $14 million in just four days. In the UAE, L2: Empuraan ranked among the top opening weekend performers, trailing only behind massive Bollywood and Hollywood blockbusters.

On Track to Overtake The Goat Life

Given its momentum, L2: Empuraan is all set to surpass The Goat Life’s lifetime earnings of Rs 85 crore before the end of the day With its strong hold at the box office, L2: Empuraan is well on its way to rewriting the history of Malayalam cinema.
Despite its success, the film faced controversy in India over allegations of promoting an ‘anti-Hindu agenda’ due to its depiction of the 2002 Gujarat riots, thereby leading to 24 cuts in the film. The new version will be screened from today mostly.
The backlash led to Mohanlal addressing the concerns on social media. In his statement, he expressed regret over any distress caused, saying, “I have come to know that certain political and social themes in Empuraan, the second installment in the Lucifer franchise, have caused considerable distress among many of my loved ones. As an artist, it is my duty to ensure that none of my films promote hatred towards any political movement, ideology, or religious group. Therefore, both I and the Empuraan team sincerely regret the distress caused. We take full responsibility and acknowledge that such issues should be addressed. For over four decades, it is you, the audience, who have been part of my cinematic journey. Your love and trust are my strength. I believe there is no Mohanlal beyond that.” Following this, actor-director Prithviraj also shared Mohanlal’s statement, further addressing the concerns.





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Jean-Claude Van Damme accused in human trafficking case; accepted ‘five Romanian women as a gift’ during Cannes event |


Jean-Claude Van Damme accused in human trafficking case; accepted 'five Romanian women as a gift' during Cannes event

Action star Jean-Claude Van Damme is facing serious allegations in Romania.
Reports on Thursday claim that a criminal complaint has been filed against the actor for allegedly engaging in sexual relations with trafficked women. According to Romanian news outlet Antena 3 CNN, the complaint was lodged with the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT).
Van Damme has been accused of knowingly accepting five Romanian women as a “gift” from an alleged trafficking ring led by Morel Bolea. Attorney Adrian Cuculis, who represents one of the alleged victims, stated that the women were in a “state of vulnerability, with the suspicion that they were exploited within the meaning of Article 182 of the Criminal Code.”
The incident is said to have occurred at a Cannes event that he organised. A witness reportedly provided the testimony to prosecutors, prompting DIICOT to launch a criminal investigation.
Cuculis further claimed that the case is part of a broader probe into human trafficking and the exploitation of minors, which has been under investigation by Romanian authorities since 2020.
The actor’s representatives have yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
News of his involvement with a sex trafficking ring comes months after musician Sean Diddy Combs made headlines over his arrest on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Since his arrest, several other victims came forward to state instances of sexual assault by the singer. Some of these lawsuits have also been dropped over lack of evidence and other victims choosing to stay anonymous. Diddy is set to go to trial in May 2025.





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