Bollywood Roundup: Malaika Arora, Alia Bhatt, Ektaa Kapoor, and more…
Malaika Arora says age is “just a number,” encourages women to embrace every stage
MUMBAI — Actor and fitness enthusiast Malaika Arora says she embraces her age confidently, calling it “just a number” and urging others to do the same.
Speaking on “Famously Fit with Sophie,” hosted by Sophie Choudry on Amazon MX Player, Arora discussed fitness, consistency, and the importance of listening to one’s body.
“Just wear it as a badge, age gracefully, and don’t get caught up in it. It’s just a number. No matter what age you are, whether 20 or 60, you are amazing,” she said.
Arora also addressed fitness trends, separating genuine healthy habits from marketing hype, and shared how her love of food led her into the restaurant business.
The episode also highlights her personal side, blending wellness with lifestyle insights. “Famously Fit with Sophie” is streaming for free on Amazon MX Player.
Host Sophie Choudry, a singer, actor and television personality, began her career as a backup singer before forming the all-girl band Sansara in 2000. She later moved into television hosting and acting, debuting in “Shaadi No. 1” in 2005.
Alia Bhatt jokes she won’t speak “until Tuesday” after hosting debut
MUMBAI — Alia Bhatt said she needed a break from talking after making her debut as an award show host, joking she would not speak again “until Tuesday.”
The actor shared photos from the event on Instagram, including moments with co-hosts Sunil Grover and Zakir Khan, and credited them for making the night “hilarious and fabulous.”
“Ladies and gentleman boys and girls last night was spent celebrating the magic ON screen and the magicians OFF screen My first as a host and I couldn’t have asked for better-more hilarious & fabulous co-hosts,” she wrote.
“This is me, Alia Bhatt, signing off. Hosting = talking for 4 hours straight. I will not be speaking again until Tuesday. Happy Monday.”
Bhatt called the evening a memorable celebration of cinema and those behind it.
She will next star in “Alpha,” alongside Sharvari, set for release July 10. The action film, produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by Shiv Rawail, marks Bhatt’s first collaboration with the studio and is positioned as a female-led action project.
Ektaa Kapoor says Akshay Kumar returned payment after box-office failure
MUMBAI — Producer Ektaa Kapoor said Akshay Kumar once returned his payment after one of their earlier films underperformed, calling the gesture rare in the industry.
Speaking at the trailer launch of “Bhooth Bangla,” Kapoor recalled, “Not many people know this about him but once, he returned the cheque saying that, ‘You have lost money because of this film’. I was in shock, nobody does this. I have been in the industry for 31 years, and I haven’t seen anyone doing that. He just casually handed over the cheque to me saying, ‘Take it’. I then told him, ‘No you will have to do a film with me’, and that’s how this film got made”.
The horror-comedy reunites Akshay Kumar with director Priyadarshan, along with Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav. The cast also includes Tabu, Jisshu Sengupta, Asrani and Mithila Palkar.
Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures in association with Cape of Good Films, “Bhooth Bangla” is set to release in theaters on April 16, 2026.
MUMBAI — Actor Shubhangi Atre said she stayed faithful to her popular character Angoori Bhabhi while working on “Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! Fun On The Run,” even as the film adds a fresh dimension to the role. The movie, based on the long-running television series, brings the characters to a larger canvas with new situations and settings. “No, I do not think so. We had to stay true to the character the way the audience has loved her for the past ten years. I do not think there was a need to do anything different. People love you for how you have been portraying the character. That said, the film does give each character a slightly different dimension because of the new situations, which was exciting to explore,” she said. Atre added that Angoori’s core traits remain central to the performance, even as the story expands. “That is the best thing one can do for a character that people already love so much. It has been ten years, and people have given us so much love that itself is a very big thing for any show. Now you get to see the same characters on a bigger scale, with a fresh story, beautiful locations, and a wonderful cast”. “It is a complete entertainer that you can enjoy in one go, full of laughter and fun. So definitely watch it, keep laughing, keep loving, and lots of love to everyone”, she added. “Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! Fun On The Run” is streaming on ZEE5. MUMBAI — Akshay Kumar said portraying officers on screen has shown him the powerful psychological impact of wearing a uniform, calling it a source of pride and discipline. Speaking on the quiz show “Wheel of Fortune,” the actor reflected on how a uniform changes one’s posture and mindset. “Ek baat main sab se zaroor kehna chahunga… jab aadmi uniform pehenta hai na, apne aap reedh ki haddi ko ek akad mil jaati hai. Mujhe nahi pata kya hai aap suit peheno, akad nahi milegi. Lekin jab aap uniform pehente ho, reedh ki haddi mein pata nahi kahan se woh josh aata hai… tadak kar ke seedhi ho jaati hai,” he said. He added that even wearing a costume uniform for a role creates a noticeable shift. “Jaise main Rustom film ke andar khada tha… mujhe nahi lagta main hamesha aisa khada ho sakta hoon. Woh nakli uniform thi, lekin uniform ki baat hi alag hoti hai.” Recalling his 2016 film “Rustom,” Kumar shared a line he still remembers: “Ek line mujhe abhi bhi yaad hai… meri uniform meri aadat hai, jaise saans lena. Apne desh ki raksha karna, yeh jhijhak ke bina, nishwarth apna farz nibhana… mujhe abhi bhi saari lines yaad hain.” “Rustom,” which earned Kumar a National Film Award for Best Actor, featured him as a naval officer alongside Ileana D’Cruz and Esha Gupta. MUMBAI — Karisma Kapoor said her uncle Rishi Kapoor’s 1980 film “Karz” remains her favorite, recalling how deeply it impressed her as a child. Speaking on an upcoming singing reality show, she said, “Main ek baat kahu, that Karz, I think that is my favourite movie of Chintu uncle.” She added, “Main kaafi choti thi, but I was mesmerized with this film, aur wo jo background score hai, ‘Tu Ru Ru.. Tu Ru Ru,’ that title track, the music in that film, the performances, woh joh script bhi thi, I think, ahead of its times, thi uss time ke liye.” Calling him one of Bollywood’s finest, Karisma said, “Toh I think to see an incredible talent like Chintu uncle, move to that kind of genre was amazing. Woh performance bhi karte the, intensity bhi, comedy bhi aur dance bhi karte the. He was one of the most exceptional talents, I feel, in the industry.” “Karz,” starring Rishi Kapoor, Tina Munim and Simi Garewal, is a reincarnation-themed thriller known for its music, including the hit “Ek Haseena Thi.” Rishi Kapoor, son of filmmaker Raj Kapoor, had a career spanning more than four decades. He died in April 2020 after battling cancer. (Source: IANS)Shubhangi Atre says ‘Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain!’ film stays true to beloved character
Akshay Kumar says wearing a uniform brings instant pride and discipline
Karisma Kapoor says ‘Karz’ is her favorite Rishi Kapoor film
