Category: Exclusive

Veteran actor Suniel Shetty has revealed that his daughter, Athiya Shetty, has chosen to step away from her acting career in Bollywood. In a heartfelt interview with Zoom, Suniel opened up about Athiya’s decision to quit films and embrace a new chapter in her life. “She said, ‘Baba, I don’t want to,’ and she just left. And that’s what I salute her for — saying, ‘I’m not interested. I don’t want to do films,’” Suniel shared. “After Motichoor Chaknachoor, a lot came her way. But she chose not to pursue any of it. She’s comfortable, and she’s at peace.” Athiya, who debuted in 2015 with Hero — backed by Salman Khan — acted in only three films, with her last release being Motichoor Chaknachoor opposite Nawazuddin Siddiqui in 2019. Despite her limited filmography, she carved out a niche as a fashion icon and brand ambassador. Now, Athiya has shifted her focus entirely to her personal life. “Today, she’s got the best role of her life — that of a mother. And she’s loving it,” Suniel added, referring to her recent transition into motherhood. Athiya married Indian cricketer KL Rahul in January 2023 in an intimate ceremony at the Shetty family’s Khandala farmhouse. While her fans may miss seeing her on the big screen, Athiya seems content with her new journey beyond the spotlight.

Set in the 14th century, Kesari Veer attempts to bring to life the heroic tale of Hamirji Gohil (Sooraj Pancholi), who rises to defend his people and the revered Somnath Temple from the oppressive Tughlaq dynasty. Rooted in a real historical backdrop, the film begins on a spiritual note but soon devolves into a conventional and overlong action-drama. 🔱 The Plot:The Tughlaqs, led by the cruel vizier Jallaludin Zafar Khan (Vivek Oberoi), aim to loot the riches of Saurashtra and destroy Hindu temples. With the help of the Shiva-worshipping Bhil community, led by Vedgaji (Suniel Shetty), Hamirji rises to protect his homeland from tyranny. But what should have been an emotionally stirring tale of valor, faith, and rebellion struggles under the weight of poor pacing and weak writing. 🎭 Performances: 🎶 The Flaws: 💔 The Verdict:Kesari Veer had all the ingredients for a compelling period drama — historical gravitas, cultural richness, and a grand visual scale. But despite these strengths, weak storytelling and overwrought execution turn this ambitious project into a missed opportunity. It’s a film with its heart in the right place, but it struggles to deliver a soul-stirring experience. ⭐️ Rating: 2.5/5

Urvashi Rautela’s appearance at the 78th Cannes Film Festival has once again become a subject of intense social media scrutiny—but this time, it’s not about the glamour. 🌀 The Staircase Controversy: A viral video captured Urvashi Rautela in a heavily embellished golden gown with dramatic cape sleeves, blocking a grand staircase at her hotel during a photoshoot. Guests trying to descend were visibly stuck behind her, unable to move without stepping into the shoot. Despite the awkward situation, Urvashi continued posing while her photographer clicked away—unmoved by the mounting queue. 👜 Fashion Faux Pas – Again: The staircase incident is only the latest in a string of awkward moments: 👗 Wardrobe Malfunction Alert: Days before, Urvashi walked the red carpet in a sheer black Naja Saade gown that appeared to be torn near her left armpit. The tear became a talking point online, with users questioning how such a glaring error made it past fittings and stylists. 🧨 Public Reaction: The overwhelming sentiment on social media is one of disappointment and secondhand embarrassment, especially as Urvashi is perceived to be representing India on an international stage. 🗨️ Key Takeaway:While red carpet appearances are meant to dazzle, courtesy and self-awareness go a long way—especially in global settings like Cannes. This episode serves as a reminder that elegance isn’t just in the gown—it’s in the gesture.

⭐ What Works: 🎵 Music & Technical Aspects: 📝 Plot Snapshot: Ranjan (Rajkummar Rao), a young man from Varanasi, must secure a government job within two months to marry Titli (Wamiqa Gabbi). Just as things begin to fall into place, he finds himself trapped in a time loop on the day of his haldi ceremony. The loop becomes a transformative experience full of apologies, lessons, and love. ✅ Verdict: ‘Bhool Chuk Maaf’ is a delightful, feel-good film perfect for a family watch. With heartfelt performances, a charming love story, and thoughtful humour, it steers away from melodrama and heavy messaging. Karan Sharma delivers a story that’s as touching as it is entertaining — one that lingers even after the credits roll. Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Indian cinema had a proud and emotional moment on the global stage as Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. The film, starring Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa, received a thunderous 9-minute standing ovation, making it a landmark occasion for Indian storytelling. As the applause echoed through the auditorium, emotions ran high. Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa shared a warm hug, visibly overwhelmed. Director Neeraj Ghaywan joined the actors onstage, and the trio called Janhvi Kapoor in for a heartfelt group embrace. Watching the touching moment unfold, producer Karan Johar was seen wiping away tears, moved by the film’s reception. Janhvi’s sister Khushi Kapoor and her boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya were also spotted in the crowd, enthusiastically clapping as chants of “Bravo!” filled the air. Homebound is a stirring tale of two childhood friends from a North Indian village who dream of becoming police officers to escape societal limitations and earn respect. But as desperation mounts, their once-unbreakable friendship faces a critical test. The screenplay, penned by Ghaywan and Sumit Roy, dives deep into themes of ambition, inequality, and friendship, delivering a story that resonated powerfully with the international audience. As the only Indian feature at Cannes 2025, Homebound not only brought global recognition to its cast and crew but also reaffirmed the potential of Indian cinema to tell raw, grounded, and universally impactful stories.

Actress Kayadu Lohar, who recently rose to prominence with her role in Ashwath Marimuthu’s Dragon alongside Pradeep Ranganathan, is now reportedly under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the TASMAC scam in Tamil Nadu. According to a MidDay report, Kayadu has come under the ED’s radar after individuals arrested during recent raids allegedly named her during questioning. She is reportedly being probed for her alleged involvement, with claims that she charged ₹35 lakh for attending certain “night parties” connected to those involved in the scam. The TASMAC scam revolves around alleged financial irregularities in Tamil Nadu’s state-run liquor distribution agency, TASMAC (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation). The ED had launched a money laundering probe into the case, citing corruption worth over ₹1000 crore. However, the Supreme Court recently stayed the probe, criticizing the ED for “crossing all limits” and violating federal principles of governance. The law officer, defending the agency’s actions, stated that the case involved significant corruption and that the ED’s actions were justified. As of now, Kayadu Lohar has not issued any public statement addressing her alleged involvement in the case. About Kayadu LoharKayadu began her acting career in 2021 with the Kannada film Mugilpete after winning Fresh Face Season 12. She later ventured into Malayalam and Telugu cinema with Pathonpatham Noottandu and Alluri in 2022, and made her Marathi debut in 2023 with I Prem U.

In a striking new venture, Bollywood action icon Sunny Deol is set to make his OTT debut with Netflix in an intense, high-stakes action film directed by Siddharth P Malhotra. The upcoming film, produced by Suparn Verma, is the official Hindi adaptation of the 2007 Hollywood thriller Death Sentence, which starred Kevin Bacon. The news, first reported earlier this week, has now been confirmed by Pinkvilla, adding to the buzz surrounding Deol’s move to the streaming space. The adaptation will retain the emotionally charged core of the original while incorporating gritty, stylized action—perfectly complementing Deol’s larger-than-life screen presence. A source close to the production revealed, “Sunny Deol is making his Netflix debut with an action-packed feature film, and the same will be directed by Siddharth P Malhotra. The film is based on Death Sentence and has been adapted in Hindi by Suparn Verma.” The yet-to-be-titled film is set to go on floors in July 2025 and will premiere on Netflix in 2026. With a substantial fee and bulk shooting dates allotted by Deol, the makers are aiming for a big-budget, emotionally engaging action thriller that caters to a global digital audience. Siddharth P Malhotra, known for Hichki and the political drama series Maharani, brings a strong narrative sensibility to the project, promising a balance between emotion and adrenaline-pumping action.

Renowned actor Dhanush has been officially announced as the lead in the upcoming biopic Kalam, based on the life of Bharat Ratna Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The film was launched at the prestigious 78th Cannes Film Festival, and Dhanush took to Instagram on May 21 to share the powerful first-look poster. Featuring two silhouetted figures and a missile ascending skyward, the poster symbolizes Kalam’s pivotal role in India’s missile development. Expressing his gratitude, Dhanush wrote, “I feel truly blessed and deeply humbled to be portraying the life of such an inspirational and magnanimous leader — our very own Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, sir.” The film is directed by Om Raut and produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Bhushan Kumar under Abhishek Agarwal Arts and T-Series, with the screenplay penned by Saiwyn Quadras. Kalam will chronicle the extraordinary journey of India’s 11th President — from his humble beginnings to becoming the ‘Missile Man’ and the ‘People’s President’. Director Om Raut described the project as a “moral and cultural responsibility,” aiming to inspire global youth with Kalam’s legacy of education, innovation, and humility. Producer Abhishek Agarwal called the film one of Indian cinema’s most prestigious ventures, promising a grand, globally impactful spectacle. The release date for Kalam is yet to be announced.