Entertainment

Movie actors added to the chorus of concerns pouring out over potential loss of biodiversity spread across 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli of Rangareddy district of Telangana. The land, located in Hyderabad’s IT hub, was proposed to be auctioned by Telangana government’s Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC).

“Students are raising their voices for a future where nature thrives. Forests, not IT parks, offer young people a chance at a sustainable tomorrow. ‘Development’ at the cost of biodiversity is DESTRUCTION. Save Kancha Forest in Gachibowli, Hyderabad,” Dia Mirza posted on X. 

“The destruction of 400 acres of forest in Hyderabad goes to show that the lives of your kids don’t matter. We have learnt nothing from our gas-chamber like existence in the north .  It is Eco-cide being committed in the name of development. No point expecting better from ANY leadership. They’re all at the mercy of their greedy, myopic, corporate overlords ! ,” posted Richa Chadha. She has reposted other posts related to the issue on the social media platform. 

Samantha Ruth Prabhu posted Instagram stories of reels on call to step in to save the 400 acres land. 

A note circulated by multiple government departments on Tuesday (April 1, 2025) states that the 400-acre land was not shown as a forest either in Revenue or Forest records. The State Cabinet Ministers said on Tuesday that the government is committed not to disturb the lake and rock formation in the land parcel. 

A still from ‘Demonte Colony 2’ and director Ajay Gnanamuthu with team ‘Demonte Colony 3’
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement and @AjayGnanamuthu/X

Demonte Colony 2, the sequel to director Ajay Gnanamuthu’s directorial debutDemonte Colony, which was released last year, ended on a cliffhanger, teasing a sequel. The makers have now confirmed that Demonte Colony 3 is in the works.

Ajay took to social media to share an image from Sliema, a town on the northeastern coast of Malta, with the film’s crew and it looks like the team is out for location scouting. With the post, Ajay has also confirmed that the sequel will be his next project.

The director, on his X post, also tagged Arulnithi, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Meenakshi Govindarajan and Muthukumar, who were a part of Demonte Colony 2, confirming that they will reprise their role in the sequel too. The director also tagged music director Sam CS and cinematographer Sivakumar Vijayan.

The third film in the franchise is expected to follow the story of Srini (Arulnithi), who has to find his family’s connection to Demonte and rescue his twin brother, Raghu.

More details on the cast and crew of the film are expected soon.

Kunal Kohli’s Hum Tum with Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji in the lead, is to date, one of the most loved rom-coms of all time. From Saif and Rani’s impeccable chemistry to the plot, and the cracker of a music album, the film continues to have a loyal fanbase.

The film was released in theatres on May 28, 2004.

However, recently at Indian Now and How, Kunal Kohli revealed that even though Aditya Chopra and he had full faith in the film’s potential, Yash Chopra begged to differ.

Speaking about how Yash Chopra did not want to invest much in the film, Kunal said, “Yash Chopra wasn’t very happy with Hum Tum’s script. He said Mujhse Dosti Karoge! is Mughal-E-Azam in front of it. He called the script ordinary and said it was a travel log. He agreed to give Rs 7.5 crore and refused to give a penny more. Only Aditya and I believed in the film.”

The director added, “Yash ji had even said that he would not put his name in the film if it didn’t work and would put Aditya Chopra’s name instead, but after watching the final cut, he appreciated the film and said, ‘I was wrong, you both were right.’ I had tears in my eyes. He said, ‘I will proudly put my name’.”

Hum Tum had an interesting concept where part of the film had animated sequences of cartoons. Kunal Kohli revealed how he brought down the cost to Rs 50 lakhs for the animation bits.

Kunal said, “I just kept basic sketches of the cartoons and removed the background, 3D, and everything.”

He also said that the Paris and New York sequences of the film were shot in Amsterdam to cut down on the budget. Karan Johar had helped in bringing stock images of New York when he was shooting Kal Ho Naa Ho there.

Kunal Kohli further revealed how the late Rishi Kapoor did not want to do a cameo role in Hum Tum. The reason is that he had only done big hero roles in YRF movies. However, he eventually caved.

Recalling the moment, Kunal shared, “Rishi ji told me, ‘I don’t do guest appearances in films, especially in a Yash Raj Films production, because I have always played a hero and done important films for them’.”

Kunal concluded by saying that several trade analysts had declared Hum Tum a flop, after watching it. However, the box office verdict for the film was a hit, and the rest is history.

Swara Bhaskar and Fahad Ahmed got married on February 16, 2023. They welcomed their baby girl Raabiyaa, in the same year, September. Now and then, Swara shares some delightful pictures with her daughter Raabiyaa on social media. 

The occasion this time was Eid. Swara took to her Instagram to share some lovely pictures with her family. While the ones that truly stole the show were her pictures with Fahad, and the trio together with their daughter Raabiyaa.

Swara captioned the post, “Eid 2025 dump. (Purple heart, sparkles, nazar amulet, and cherry blossom emojis). Gratitude. Joy. Duaas (prayers).”

From celebs to fans, the comments section was flooded with love.

Commenting on the post, Gauahar Khan mentioned, “Beautiful”, another internet user said, “Thank you @reallyswara for promoting diversity and inclusion. Respect each other and live in peace.” 

Another fan remarked, “@reallyswara looking so pretty. Mam, Eid Mubarak to you and your family.”

Earlier, Swara had put up an adorable post announcing the birth of her baby girl.

The caption read,  “A prayer heard, a blessing granted, a song whispered, a mystic truth… Our baby girl, Raabiyaa, was born on 23rd September 2023. With grateful and happy hearts, thank you for your love! It’s a whole new world.”

For the unversed, Fahad is a Samajwadi Party leader. It was at a rally that Fahad and Swara’s paths crossed for the first time. They then went on to meet at several protest sites, where they together raised their voices against several questions pertaining to the status quo. Their relationship was kept under wraps, until their wedding in February 2023.
 

Gauhar Jaan, first Indian artiste to record on gramophone

When Thomas Alva Edison wrapped tin foil around a metal cylinder to create the phonograph (a crude recording device), in 1877, he sang ‘Mary had a little lamb’ to test it. He couldn’t possibly have imagined that in just 25 years, his ‘favourite invention’ would travel to India in its evolved version as the gramophone and record raag Jogiya rendered by Gauhar Jaan, an Indian courtesan of Armenian descent.

The career choices that Gauhar Jaan and her colleagues — all highly skilled musicians and divas in their own right — made in that period would forever alter who could hear music, where and when. Stories about how these artistes pioneered the Indian music industry were shared by musician and researcher Vidya Shah in ‘Women on Record’, which was part of Bangalore International Centre’s commemoration of Women’s Day. Titled ‘Unheard Narratives,’ BIC’s series included talks, film screenings and concerts.

‘Women on record’ was packed with stories about how women artistes pioneered the Indian music industry 

‘Women on Record’ highlighted how the first voices to inhabit gramophone technology in India belonged to women — courageous, talented and farsighted enough to know that this enterprise would be worth the risks. Unfiltered, bold voices,  superb artistry and musicianship and also flamboyant personalities shone through the and stories about these trailblazers, known variously as tawaifs, baijis, gaanewaalis, courtesans and devadasis. They played a crucial role in democratising music, because male maestros of the time steered clear of the gramophone — fearing loss of voice and the sullying of classical music, if it were to be made widely available. 

The gramophone, thanks to these women who went on record, became a household object (at that time, in the homes of the rich), later spawning street corner soirees, riddles, advertisements and jokes in its name.

Though women who chose to record were commercially successful, their social standing was diminished over time by Victorian morality and British politics. The erasure of information about their role and contribution to Indian history and culture is remedied by ‘Women on Record’ (that also exists as a film that Vidya co-created with Parthiv Shah, and in a book called Jalsa (Tulika Books). Vidya says she found it “particularly endearing and inspiring” that these women had “thought through their lives and creative processes in very practical, clever ways”.

Musician and researcher Vidya Shah

“Two artistes, other than Gauhar Jaan, who touched me deeply in terms of their music and entrepreneurship were Janaki Bai Ilahabadi and Sundera Bai Punekar,” says Vidya. “As a musician today, I am aware of the need to be savvy and entrepreneurial. These women did that at a time when resources were really limited. Janaki Bai Ilahabadi managed to not be caught up in tight contracts by negotiating with labels. She taught us by example that the artiste should matter. Sundera Bai Punekar went on to make enough money to buy properties in places such as VT in Mumbai, and, at one point, even owned a film theatre.”

The stories behind the music fascinated her more than the music, shares Vidya. Fifteen years ago, when an audience member shared a cassette of songs by artistes from this era, it was their names and location that got her curious. “I became interested in the gender-technology connect. If you look at technology as a thing, it tends to be more male oriented, but here I observed the opposite,” she says. Grants and fellowships facilitated research that would lead to the film, book, exhibitions and concerts.

Janaki Bai Ilahabadi 

Vidya’s intent was to understand “how knowledge gets transferred through the record by women who are not necessarily acknowledged through that mainstream tradition. There is this whole cleansing that has taken place”, she points out. ‘Women on Record’ attempts to address that. The challenge was not about “actually getting the records but to get to the stories behind the names and to find people to share stories, more anecdotal than academic. Some of the songs were collected from friends’ grandmothers. That has been the nice part of the project,” she adds. 

Gauri Khan has sold her Kohinoor Altissimo apartment in Dadar West, Mumbai, for Rs 11.61 crore. The nearly 2000 square feet apartment was purchased by Gauri in August 2022 for Rs 8.5 crore, according to an X post by Zapkey.

The interior designer and Shah Rukh Khan’s wife has made a profit of Rs 3.1 crore from this transaction, which marks a 37% gain over the holding period, the post added. This translates to an approximate 13% annualised return on her investment.

In the post, Zapkey wrote, “Gauri Khan, a well known interior designer and wife of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, has sold an almost 2000 sq ft apartment located in the project Kohinoor Altissimo in Mumbai’s Dadar West area for Rs 11.61 cr.”

They added, “Having purchased the apartment in August 2022 for Rs 8.5 cr, Khan realised a profit of Rs 3.1 cr from this transaction, marking a 37% gain over the holding period (approx. 13% annualized).”

Gauri Khan, a well known interior designer and wife of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, has sold an almost 2000 sft apartment located in the project Kohinoor Altissimo in Mumbai’s Dadar West area for Rs 11.61 cr.

Having purchased the apartment in August 2022 for Rs 8.5 cr, Khan… pic.twitter.com/5DAZzaTFEU

— Zapkey (@ZapKeyIndia) April 1, 2025

While Gauri Khan’s recent real estate move is making headlines, the Khan family’s iconic residence, Mannat, is set to undergo a massive renovation. 

The project, which is expected to take almost two years, will reportedly involve expanding the annexe by adding two more floors. To facilitate the extensive work, the Khan family has decided to temporarily move out of the property while the renovations are in progress. 

Wondering where SRK and his family will be moving during the renovation of Mannat? Well, they will temporarily relocate to two luxury duplex apartments in the Puja Casa building, located in Mumbai’s Pali Hill area of Khar. 

The new home spans approximately 10,500 sq ft, which is significantly smaller compared to their expansive 27,000 sq ft bungalow, Mannat. 

Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan got married in 1991. They are proud parents to three kids – Aryan Khan, Suhana Khan, and AbRam Khan.

Actor Swara Bhasker and her husband-politician Fahad Ahmed celebrated Eid with their daughter Raabiyaa as well as their family members. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Swara shared a bunch of pictures from the celebrations.
Check out the photos here:
Festive Moments Captured in Photos
In the photos, Swara, Fahad, and their family gathered on the terrace, dressed in festive attire. Swara wore a blue and white suit, while Fahad matched in a coordinating kurta and pyjama. Their daughter, Raabiyaa, looked adorable in a pink suit.

In one photo, Swara and Fahad shared a laugh as she held Raabiyaa in her arms, with the little one looking away from the camera. Swara chose not to reveal her daughter’s face. Another picture featured Swara posing beside Fahad as he took a selfie. A few more captured Raabiyaa with her parents.
Swara’s Special Eid Post
Swara took a selfie in her bedroom while Raabiyaa played in the background in one of the photos. Another picture featured her showing off her mehendi. Sharing the moments, Swara captioned the post, “Eid 2025 dump” along with emojis of a purple heart, sparkles, a nazar amulet, and cherry blossoms. She expressed gratitude, joy, and prayers. She also geo-tagged the location as Baheri, a town in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district.

Gauahar Khan and Fans React
Reacting to the post, Gauahar Khan commented, “Beautiful.” While one fan wrote, ‘Thank you @reallyswara for promoting diversity and inclusion. Respect each other and live in peace’, another one added, ‘@reallyswara looking so pretty mam eid Mubarak to you and your family.’
Welcoming Daughter Raabiyaa
Swara and Fahad welcomed their daughter, Raabiyaa, on September 23, 2023. They shared the news two days later, along with the first pictures of their little one in their announcement post.
Revealing her name, it read, “A prayer heard, a blessing granted, a song whispered, a mystic truth… Our baby girl, Raabiyaa, was born on 23rd September 2023. With grateful and happy hearts, thank you for your love! It’s a whole new world.”
Fahad, a leader of the Samajwadi Party, first met Swara at a rally. Their bond grew stronger as they crossed paths at various protest sites, sharing similar ideologies. Eventually, they fell in love but kept their relationship private until they officially registered their marriage in February 2023.
Later, they celebrated their union with multiple wedding functions in March, including haldi, sangeet, walima, and receptions. In June 2023, Swara shared the news of her first pregnancy with Fahad Ahmad.

Keanu Reeves is all set to be back as super assassin John Wick in the fifth part of the action franchise that has acquired cult status over the years and spawned a spin-off.

In the fourth chapter of the movie, Reeves’ John Wick is shown to have died after gun duel with close friend Caine, played by Donnie Yen but it seems that the character is set to return from the dead for a new adventure.

Director Chad Stahelski, who directed the previous four entries of the franchise, is also set to return.

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson announced the fifth movie in the franchise at the annual CinemaCon convention and trade show on Tuesday, according to entertainment news outlet Variety.

The studio is also developing an animated prequel film as well as a standalone adventure movie, focusing on actor Yen’s character of Caine, which was introduced in 2023’s John Wick: Chapter 4.

The first film John Wick in 2014, starring Reeves as a retired assassin who is forced to return to his job after a group of well-connected goons kill his pet dog, gifted by his late wife.

The film was followed by three sequels—John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), and John Wick: Chapter 4. The franchise is set to expand with the upcoming movie Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas. Titled From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, the movie will introduce Armas as Eve Macarro, a ballerina-assassin, who sets out to exact revenge for her father’s death. The movie will be released in theatres worldwide in June.

Set after the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the film will feature a cameo by Reeves.

Reeves will also voice the character in the upcoming animated film, which will go back in time to tell the story of John Wick before the first film as he completes the impossible task — killing all of his rivals in one night — in order to free himself from his obligation to the High Table and earn the right to be with the love of his life, Helen.

The animated feature will be produced by Stahelski, and Reeves as well as Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee.

The spin-off on Caine will be directed by Yen, known for appearing in Hollywood blockbusters such as Rogue One and XXX: Return of Xander Cage.

Billed as a Hong Kong-style action thriller, the film will have a script by Mattson Tomlin, writer of the upcoming The Batman Part II. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Rashmika Mandanna will be turning 29 on April 5. Ahead of her birthday, the actress shared a happy selfie of herself and wrote, “It’s my birthday month and I’m so excited. I’ve always heard that the older you get… you start losing interest in celebrating your birthday… but clearly it’s not the same in my case… the older I’m getting the more excited I am to celebrating my birthday. I can’t believe I am already turning 29… I made it one more year healthier and happier and safely! Now that’s worth celebrating!”

We agree, Rashmika. 

Take a look at the post:

Rashmika was paired opposite Salman Khan for the first time in the Eid release Sikandar. Ahead of the film’s release, Rashmika talked about how she perceives the competition in the South in an interview with NDTV. 

Rashmika Mandanna said, “I read this quote in one book saying, ‘What separates you as a star from an actor is the choices that you make.’ Now it was my choice to go to different industries – Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and tomorrow I want to do a Malayalam film also. Hopefully, I get that opportunity.”

She added, “These were my choices and the films that I am doing today are also my choices. I do not have any other reference because I do not know if any other person has come from Coorg, gone to the Kannada industry and made a debut there and then in Tamil and Hindi. So I do not have a reference point. My life is my life. I will make these choices and whatever happens tomorrow is on me.”

Sikandar opened to mixed reviews. The Salman Khan film managed to earn Rs 74.5 crore within three days of release. 

Sunny Deol made a grand comeback with Gadar 2. The film, released in 2023, is one of the highest-grossing Indian movies of all time. 

While the movie wowed audiences worldwide, did you know that Sunny Deol was initially scared to make the second instalment of his 2001 blockbuster hit? 

The actor recently opened up about his fears and revealed that he was worried that Gadar 2 might not live up to the legacy of the original film.

In a conversation with Komal Nahta, Sunny Deol said, “Gadar 2 banane se bohot darr raha tha because voh film ka ek pyaarapan tha, ek khoobsurati thi jo logo ke dil main baithi hui hai. Doosri film, uska part 2 karoon, kahin uske andar agar galat ho gaya toh logo ne jis cheez ka maza liya voh kahin kharab na ho jaaye. [I was really afraid of making Gadar 2 because the first film had a certain warmth and beauty that had settled in people’s hearts. I feared that if I made a sequel and something went wrong, the essence that people cherished might get ruined.]”

The actor added, “Uss darr se main badh nahi raha tha lekin jab kahani suni… Acchi baat film ki yeh hai ki hum vohi characters ko, ussi zamane ko, ussi tarah se usse poore confidence ke saath nibhaya. Humne uspe kuch zyada aaj ka modernisation karne ki koshish nahi ki… would have fallen flat on our faces. [I was not able to move past that fear, but when I heard the story… The good thing about the film is that we stayed true to the same characters, the same era and portrayed it with full confidence. We did not try to modernize it too much… because we would have fallen flat on our faces.]”

Directed by Anil Sharma, Gadar 2 brings back Sunny Deol as Tara Singh, Ameesha Patel as Sakeena and Utkarsh Sharma as Jeete. Gaurav Chopra, Manish Wadhwa, and Manoj Bakshi are also part of the project.

Meanwhile, Sunny Deol’s upcoming film Jaat will be releasing in theatres on April 10, 2025. Gopichandh Malineni’s crime thriller also features Randeep Hooda, Regina Cassandra, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Saiyami Kher in key roles.