Category: Entertainment

  • Rajinikanth Honors Jayalalithaa on Her 77th Birthday in Heartfelt Tribute

    Rajinikanth Honors Jayalalithaa on Her 77th Birthday in Heartfelt Tribute

    On the celebration of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s 77th birthday, famous actor Rajinikanth honored her memory at her home in Poes Garden, Chennai. He placed flowers in front of her picture during a special ceremony attended by her niece, Deepa Madhavan, and former AIADMK leader Phugalendhi. Rajinikanth, speaking to the press afterward, said, “Even though she is no longer with us, her memories will stay forever.”

    Jayalalithaa, known as “Amma” by the people of Tamil Nadu, was a powerful leader who served as Chief Minister for three terms: from 1991 to 1996, 2002 to 2006, and 2011 to 2014. People loved and respected her for her work to help improve the lives of many, especially the poor. Before she became a politician, Jayalalithaa was a successful actress who starred in over 130 films.

    She joined the AIADMK party in 1982 and quickly became important in the party, serving as its propaganda secretary in 1983. Over her political career, she was a member of the Indian Parliament and later on the state legislative assembly.

    Jayalalithaa faced many tough times in her life, including going to jail. In 1996, she was arrested for one month after her house was raided and valuable items were taken. In 1998, she formed an alliance with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), but they later parted ways. In 2014, she was found guilty of corruption, which caused her to resign as Chief Minister, allowing O Panneerselvam to take over temporarily.

  • Hardik Pandya and Jasmin Walia: Rumored Romance Sparks During Cricket Match

    Hardik Pandya and Jasmin Walia: Rumored Romance Sparks During Cricket Match

    Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya is rumored to be dating UK singer Jasmin Walia. A fun video of Jasmin cheering for Team India during the India vs. Pakistan match in Dubai has gone viral online.

    In the video shared by a user on X (formerly Twitter), Jasmin, who is famous for her song “Bom Diggy,” can be seen wearing a stylish white dress and sunglasses. She excitedly blows kisses to Hardik and waves at him while watching the match.

    Jasmin Walia is not just a singer but also a TV personality. She has made music in English, Punjabi, and Hindi. She became popular with her hit song “Bom Diggy” in 2017, where she teamed up with Zack Knight. She also appeared in movies like “Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety” in 2018.

    She started her career on a reality show called “The Only Way Is Essex” in 2010 and later joined “Desi Rascals” in 2015 with her boyfriend at that time, Ross Worswick. Jasmin launched her YouTube channel in 2014 and has worked with artists like Zack Knight. Her list of songs includes hits like “Dum Dee Dee Dum,” “Girl Like Me,” “Temple,” and “Go Down,” all released in 2017.

  • How Anora Is Changing the Perspective on Sex Work in Hollywood

    How Anora Is Changing the Perspective on Sex Work in Hollywood

    It’s not often that a movie about sex work wins an Oscar. If Sean Baker’s film Anora wins big this Sunday, it will not only take home awards but also gain respect from sex workers.

    “Sean truly understands sex work,” says Casey Calvert, a porn actress and director. She’s busy shooting a scene in the San Fernando Valley, the center of the US porn industry. Eli Cross, a well-known adult film cinematographer, adds, “Sean is the only mainstream filmmaker who really gets it right.”

    Sean Baker began his Oscar journey in this Valley, famous for its connection to adult films. His earlier work, Starlet, tells the story of a young adult actress who befriends an elderly woman. Unlike many Hollywood films that disrespect sex work, Baker’s approach has built strong relationships with sex workers, leading to Casey’s involvement as a consultant on his film Red Rocket.

    Now, she and many others in the adult film industry are cheering for Anora as it competes for several Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress. “It’s so exciting!” Casey says. “This could finally shine a positive light on our industry.”

    Anora tells the story of a New York stripper and escort named Ani, who falls for a young Russian man connected to a wealthy family. Baker adds small details that show the real struggles and emotions sex workers experience. For Casey, these elements make it relatable.

    Often, movies about sex work have negative portrayals, like the well-known film Pretty Woman, which presents a false fairy tale. Many in the sex work industry are skeptical of Hollywood’s representations. Casey says, “Most films about sex work don’t show us in a positive light.”

    Baker intentionally avoids typical clichés, focusing instead on the real emotions and experiences of sex workers. He explores the stories of marginalized communities, making his films about their humanity.

    Anora has already won several awards, including the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Festival. Baker has often credited sex workers for his success, and actress Mikey Madison used her BAFTA speech to promise to support them.

    This changing attitude is significant in Hollywood, which used to resist discussing sex work openly. Some prominent figures, like Meryl Streep, previously opposed sex work decriminalization. The debate continues, with some arguing for protection against exploitation and others advocating for the rights of sex workers.

    Siouxsie Q, a pornographer, said it’s “amazing” to see a film about consensual sex work getting such recognition. “We’ve made great progress,” she said.

    However, the stigma against adult film remains strong. Many talented filmmakers in the adult industry struggle to break into mainstream cinema. On the set where Casey is filming, the neighbors were nervous about reporters lurking outside, showing the still-present fear about porn.

    Sean Baker stands out as a director who casts real porn actors and genuinely connects with both industries. Casey believes that Baker’s success with Anora is crucial in breaking down barriers between mainstream movies and sex work.

  • Ajith Kumar Survives Second Scary Crash: Fans Worry About His Safety

    Ajith Kumar Survives Second Scary Crash: Fans Worry About His Safety

    Actor Ajith Kumar recently survived a serious crash while racing in Spain. This was the second major accident he had in just one month. Ajith is competing in the Porsche Sprint Challenge and runs his own team.

    In a recent race in Valencia, a video showed Ajith’s car bumping into another racer. His car flipped over several times before landing on the gravel. Many fans are worried about Ajith’s safety. Thankfully, he was not hurt.

    Ajith’s manager, Suresh Chandra, shared a post about the crashes. He explained that in the first race, Ajith finished in 14th place, which people liked. But in the next race, he crashed two times because of other cars. Suresh said Ajith worked hard and got back into the race after the first crash, but then he flipped over again in the second crash. Luckily, Ajith is safe and can keep racing.

    Fans shared their thoughts online. Some believe he needs more practice before racing. Others were surprised he has had so many crashes. People expressed their relief when they learned he was okay, but many urged him to think more about his safety. One fan wrote that racing is thrilling, but nothing is more important than life and family.

    Ajith Kumar is known for his recent movie Vidaamuyarchi, which did not do well at the box office. He will act in another film called Good Bad Ugly. Ajith has taken a break from acting for the past year to focus on racing. This is his first professional racing opportunity in over 15 years!

  • TM Krishna Breathes New Life into Sree Narayana Guru’s Teachings through Music

    TM Krishna Breathes New Life into Sree Narayana Guru’s Teachings through Music

    When TM Krishna, a famous Carnatic musician, sat in his Chennai studio years ago, he decided to set the words of a great thinker to music. This thinker was Sree Narayana Guru, a social reformer who fought against caste discrimination in southern India during the late 1800s. Krishna, known for his activism, wanted to show the beauty and deep meaning in Guru’s writing, something nobody had really done before him.

    Krishna’s work came from a group called the Backwaters Collective, which focuses on making knowledge accessible. They collected Guru’s texts that discuss caste and fairness so that Krishna could transform them into music. Just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Krishna started performing concerts based on Guru’s poems across the country.

    In an interview ahead of his concert titled “The Prosody of an Emerging New,” Krishna talked about how he found inspiration in Guru’s works. He admitted that until then, he didn’t know much about Guru, even though he was a social reformer and spiritual figure. After discussing Guru with the Backwaters Collective, he realized there was much more to explore—like how Guru combined faith and social change.

    Krishna noticed that Guru wrote in several languages: Tamil, Malayalam, and Sanskrit. While many musicians use various poets’ verses, Guru’s work hadn’t been widely incorporated into Carnatic music. So, Krishna set out to change that, creating new compositions that had never been made before.

    Making music from Guru’s texts involved choosing specific verses to focus on. While traditional compositions often use the entire piece, Krishna picked only parts, which was a fresh take on this process.

    The verses themselves were special because they naturally had a musical quality, making it easier to set them to music. For example, Guru’s lines play beautifully with sounds, making them perfect for singing.

    Even though Guru passed away nearly a century ago, his ideas are still very important today. He didn’t just fight against caste discrimination; he also rethought what faith means. He believed that personal self-discovery and social action can go hand in hand. Krishna feels that singing Guru’s verses helps him and his audience reflect on important issues together.

    Krishna also discussed how caste is not just a social issue but also affects how people see themselves and access resources. He recognizes his own privileges in society and aims to challenge ideas surrounding caste through his music. He believes that real change comes from understanding our culture and connections.

    His concert series is called “The Prosody of an Emerging New,” and he is hopeful about how the younger generation will engage with Guru’s words. He feels they are more aware and thoughtful than past generations, which makes him optimistic about the future.

    As for visiting Varkala, the place where Guru lived, Krishna hasn’t been there yet but hopes to perform a concert there soon.

  • Gaurav Taneja Addresses India’s Got Latent Controversy!

    Gaurav Taneja Addresses India’s Got Latent Controversy!

    Gaurav Taneja, a popular YouTuber, has shared a detailed video discussing the recent controversy surrounding the show “India’s Got Latent,” which features comedian Samay Raina. In his video, Gaurav talks about what happened and explains everything step by step.

    He mentions how Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as BeerBiceps, made a comment during the show that upset many people. Ranveer asked a contestant a very strange question: “Would you rather watch your parents… or join in once and stop it forever?” This comment made a lot of viewers angry and led to complaints against Ranveer, Samay, and others involved in the show.

    Gaurav highlights that Ranveer was asked to hand over his passport to the police, which he found to be a serious decision. Ranveer explained that only people who might leave the country when faced with trouble usually get treated this way, calling it a harsh move.

    Gaurav emphasizes that everyone connected to the show is getting named in multiple FIRs (First Information Reports), even if they weren’t directly involved in the situation. He believes that this case is important because it might affect the freedom of speech online. If it goes to the Supreme Court, it could set rules for future cases involving internet creators.

    In his statement, Ranveer said he is cooperating with the police and admitted that his comments were insensitive. He expressed his sincere apologies, saying, “I will do better.”

  • Iconic Indian Films Showcase at Academy Museum in Los Angeles

    Iconic Indian Films Showcase at Academy Museum in Los Angeles

    Exciting news for Indian cinema lovers! The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles is showcasing a special event called “Emotion in Colour: A Kaleidoscope of Indian Cinema.” From March 7 to April 19, 2025, you can watch 12 classic Indian films that highlight how color has changed storytelling in movies.

    The event will feature legendary films like ‘Mother India,’ ‘Amar Akbar Anthony,’ ‘Devdas,’ and ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.’ These films celebrate India’s rich culture, history, and diversity, coming from various regions, languages, and styles.

    Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, who is curating the program, shared that in India, color is a big part of our culture, which is clearly visible in our films. He said this is a great chance to introduce Indian cinema’s vibrant range to audiences in Los Angeles.

    The films in this series show everything from beautiful period stories to powerful tales of women during colonial times, and the hopes of a newly independent India. Here’s the schedule for the screenings:

    – Saturday, March 7: Mother India (Hindi / 1957) – directed by Mehboob Khan
    – Monday, March 10: Manthan (Hindi / 1976) – directed by Shyam Benegal
    – Monday, March 10: Amar Akbar Anthony (Hindi / 1977) – directed by Manmohan Desai
    – Tuesday, March 11: Ishanou (Manipuri / 1990) – directed by Aribam Syam Sharma
    – Friday, March 14: Kummatty (Malayalam / 1979) – directed by Aravindan Govindan
    – Tuesday, March 18: Mirch Masala (Hindi / 1987) – directed by Ketan Mehta
    – Saturday, March 22: Devdas (Hindi / 2002) – directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali
    – Sunday, March 20: Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (Hindi / 1995) – directed by Aditya Chopra
    – Monday, March 31: Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi / 2008) – directed by Ashutosh Gowariker
    – Saturday, April 5: Kanchenjungha (Bengali / 1962) – directed by Satyajit Ray
    – Tuesday, April 8: Maya Darpan (Hindi / 1972) – directed by Kumar Shahani
    – Sunday, April 19: Iruvar (Tamil / 1997) – directed by Mani Ratnam

    Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the colorful world of Indian cinema!

  • Anurag Kashyap: Disappointed with Bollywood, Passionate About Film

    Anurag Kashyap: Disappointed with Bollywood, Passionate About Film

    Director Anurag Kashyap has shared his feelings about the Bollywood film industry. He has said he is thinking of making films in the South of India instead. In a recent interview with Forbes, he explained why he prefers watching movies at film festivals. He feels that going to Indian theaters is ruining his movie-watching experience because of interruptions and people making comments about the movies.

    When asked about the future of independent films, Anurag said, “I have stopped thinking about what’s next. Instead, I focus on my problems and look for solutions. I love watching films on the big screen, but at home, there are too many breaks and people acting like they know what’s best for everyone. It messes up my movie experience.”

    Anurag also mentioned that he is passionate about making films for life. He said, “If things go wrong, I can always go back to where I started. I just want to keep making films. Supporting other unique filmmakers helps me too. The more voices there are, the easier it will be for me to create my films. When I began, there weren’t many options for filmmakers like me.”

    His last movie, Kennedy, got good reviews at the Cannes Film Festival but hasn’t been released in India yet. Though he hasn’t directed anything since, he has acted in films like Leo, Maharaja, and Viduthalai Part 2.

  • Taylor Swift’s Surprising Role in It Ends With Us Sparks Legal Drama

    Taylor Swift’s Surprising Role in It Ends With Us Sparks Legal Drama

    A recent interview has brought back attention to Taylor Swift’s role in the movie It Ends With Us, which is based on a popular book by Colleen Hoover. Director Justin Baldoni and actress Isabela Ferrer talked about how Swift helped choose a key actor for the film.

    In an old clip from an Access Hollywood interview, Baldoni shared that he showed actor Isabela Ferrer’s audition tape to both Blake Lively and Taylor Swift. They both said “Yes!” to Ferrer playing the younger version of Lily, Lively’s character. Baldoni praised Ferrer for her amazing talent and how much she looks like Lively.

    Isabela Ferrer later confirmed Swift’s important role in her casting during a premiere interview with Extra. She said, “I don’t know if I’m supposed to say this, but I will! Yeah, she helped with the audition process, which blew my mind!”

    Blake Lively, who plays the main character, also talked about Swift’s connection to the movie. In a 2024 interview with CBS Mornings, Lively said she asked Swift if they could use her song “My Tears Ricochet” for the movie’s trailer and soundtrack. Lively mentioned it was a small movie, but they really wanted Swift’s song in it.

    However, Swift might be caught up in a legal issue between Lively and Baldoni. Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, claiming she defamed him by making false accusations about him on set. He said Lively tried to use her fame—and Swift’s fame—to pressure him during filming.

    In a message to Baldoni, Lively called herself “Khaleesi” from Game of Thrones and said that her husband Ryan Reynolds and Swift were her “dragons,” who protect her. This made Baldoni feel like he was dealing with two powerful celebrities.

    Reports say the legal situation has affected Swift and Lively’s friendship. Some sources close to Swift say she feels “used” and doesn’t like being called one of Lively’s “dragons.” Swift was also reportedly unaware of a meeting between Lively and Baldoni at Lively’s home.

  • Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif’s Adorable Date Night Out in Mumbai!

    Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif’s Adorable Date Night Out in Mumbai!

    Famous actors Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif went out for a date night in Mumbai, and fans shared lots of videos and pictures online.

    In one clip, you can see Vicky and Katrina getting out of their cars and walking into a building. They both wore cozy clothing: Katrina chose a black sweatshirt, matching pants, shoes, and a cap, while Vicky wore a brown shirt, black pants, and a cap too.

    In another video, they were seen leaving the place. Vicky stood in front of Katrina as a fan tried to take her picture. They held hands as they walked, and Katrina turned to thank someone. Vicky then helped Katrina into their car before getting in himself.

    Recently, Katrina praised Vicky’s new movie, Chhaava, on Instagram. She highlighted how amazing the film is and complimented Vicky’s performance. She wrote, “The last 40 minutes will leave you speechless. Vicky, you are outstanding! The way you change for your characters is incredible. I’m so proud of you!” Katrina also appreciated the whole team behind the film.

    Chhaava is a historical drama about the great ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, played by Vicky. The movie shows his heroic life, starting with his crowning in 1681. So far, it has earned ₹219.75 crore at the Indian box office in just a week!