Bollywood Roundup: Tara Sutaria, Anupam Kher, Madhuri Dixit, and more…
Tara Sutaria Reflects on Cannes Debut and Women in Cinema Honor
MUMBAI, India — Tara Sutaria said her Cannes 2026 debut was a deeply meaningful experience as she shared the international stage with accomplished women from across global cinema.
The Bollywood actress represented India at the festival and was honored at the Women In Cinema Gala hosted by the Red Sea International Film Foundation, an event dedicated to recognizing women’s contributions to storytelling and film.
“It feels very, very special. I’m just so happy, I’m so humbled, I’m so thrilled to be in a room full of women who are so celebrated and skilled, powerful, fabulous, beautiful, intelligent, just everything all at once. And to just celebrate our differences, our likenesses, our sameness, and to really celebrate coming together and this wonderful amalgamation of so many things that we share in common,” Sutaria said.
She added, “Of course, our love for cinema and storytelling. And I’m really happy that the Red Sea Film Foundation and everyone at Cannes invited us to be here, and to share this honor with them feels really lovely.”
Sutaria’s Cannes debut drew attention on social media, with fans praising her red carpet appearances and her representation of Indian cinema at the festival.
The appearance comes as interest builds around her upcoming projects, including “Toxic,” and marks a new step in her international profile.
Anupam Kher Honored at UK Asian Film Festival for ‘Calorie’
MUMBAI, India — Anupam Kher said his recent work reflects a conscious effort to pursue films rooted in real-life experiences after winning Best Supporting Actor for “Calorie” at the UK Asian Film Festival in London.
Kher received the Tongues on Fire Flame Award 2026 at the festival’s closing gala, which honored South Asian artists and filmmakers shaping cinema globally.
“‘Calorie’ is a truly special film, and I’m deeply honoured and happy to receive the Tongues on Fire Flame Award 2026 for Best Supporting Actor at the UK Asian Film Festival. Over the last few years, I have consciously tried to bring in stories that are real life, different, meaningful, and rooted in real-life experiences, and ‘Calorie’ is one such emotionally powerful journey,” Kher said.
He added, “The film explores themes of emotions and portraying this character was a special experience for me as an actor. I am grateful to the entire team of the film, and the audience for embracing our story with so much love. My heartfelt thanks to the UK Asian Awards for this incredible honour.”
“Calorie,” a Canadian-Indian drama directed by Eisha Marjara, centers on a Sikh-Canadian family in Montreal and Amritsar dealing with the aftermath of the 1985 Air India tragedy. Kher plays Mohan Singh, an elderly Sikh man.
The role drew critical praise for Kher’s performance and transformation. The film premiered at the 56th International Film Festival of India in Goa.
Jackie Shroff Wishes Madhuri Dixit Nene ‘Happiness Always’ on Her Birthday
MUMBAI, India — Jackie Shroff marked Madhuri Dixit Nene’s 59th birthday Friday with a brief tribute to his longtime co-star.
Shroff shared a photo of the two on Instagram Stories, writing “Happiness always” and tagging Dixit Nene. He also added the song “Sun Beliya” from their 1991 psychological thriller “100 Days” as the background music.
The two actors first appeared together in the 1987 action drama “Uttar Dakshin,” directed by Prabhat Khanna. They later worked together in several films, including “Ram Lakhan,” “Tridev,” “Khal Nayak,” “Sangeet,” “Prem Deewane,” “Vardi” and “Lajja.”
Dixit Nene has appeared in more than 70 Hindi films, including “Tezaab,” “Dil,” “Beta,” “Hum Aapke Hain Koun…!,” “Dil Toh Pagal Hai,” “Saajan,” “Devdas” and “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.”
She made her streaming debut in 2022 with “The Fame Game” and also starred that year in “Maja Ma.” Her recent work includes the web series “Mrs. Deshpande,” in which she plays a woman hiding a dark secret.
Shroff was recently seen in “Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri” and is set to appear in Ahmed Khan’s comedy “Welcome To The Jungle.”
Mallika Sherawat Looks Back on Cannes Debut With Jackie Chan
MUMBAI, India — Mallika Sherawat recalled the reaction to her Cannes Film Festival debut with Jackie Chan, saying a look once described as “too much” would be seen very differently today.
Sherawat shared photos from her Cannes appearances on Instagram while reflecting on her first time at the festival about two decades ago. She attended the event with Chan after appearing with him in the 2005 film “The Myth.”
“My first time at the Cannes Film Festival, with Jackie Chan 20 years ago ! I wore a dangerously low-cut blouse with a ghagra… and it set off a storm!” Sherawat wrote.
She added, “It made Headlines, even landed me in the Iconic Time magazine being compared to the superstar Brigitte Bardot. For a girl from a small town… it felt unreal. They called it too much. And now ….it’s Normal.”
Sherawat also wrote, “2000s: too much /2020s: iconic — same woman. What changed?”
In “The Myth,” directed by Stanley Tong, Sherawat played Samantha opposite Chan. The martial arts fantasy film follows an archaeologist who dreams of a past life as a Qin dynasty general.
Sherawat made her film debut in “Jeena Sirf Merre Liye” in 2002 and rose to wider prominence with “Murder” in 2004. Her other films include “Khwahish,” “Pyaar Ke Side Effects,” “Welcome” and “Kis Kis Ki Kismat.”
Rubina Dilaik Says Actresses Face Bias After Motherhood
MUMBAI, India — Rubina Dilaik said actresses often face unfair assumptions about their stamina, ambition and commitment after becoming mothers, costing many women work in the entertainment industry.
In an interview with IANS, the television actress said makers may hesitate to cast women who have recently given birth because they assume motherhood will affect their ability to handle demanding projects.
“Studies show that 62 percent of women do not resume work after pregnancy because society is unwelcoming towards a woman who has just given birth. At times, the industry looks down upon her and thinks, stamina will not be there, strength will not be there, there will be no ambition. And if there is no ambition, then maybe she won’t be able to prove herself. If she won’t be able to prove it, then keeping her in this project will be harmful for us. These are the thoughts women are constantly judged with,” Dilaik said.
She said that pressure can make women question themselves.
“Society never gives us that space to just be. It never says ‘it’s okay, we will not judge you, even if you make a mistake’. There is always this constant pressure, and not every woman may be equally strong or able to navigate her own path with confidence,” she said.
Dilaik, who has continued working after becoming a mother, said she hopes her own journey shows other women that motherhood does not have to close professional doors.
“Whereas I, with my journey, since I am blessed that I get this opportunity to show myself that there is still more that I want to achieve. There is a path that I want to pave for myself and my fellow contemporaries who are contemplating that after becoming a mother, not all doors will be closed. So this is for all of them,” she said.
Dilaik is preparing to travel to Cape Town to participate in the 15th season of “Khatron Ke Khiladi.”
Pooja Batra Celebrates Cannes Screening of Short Film ‘Echoes Of Us’
MUMBAI, India — Pooja Batra said she was proud and grateful after her short film “Echoes Of Us” screened at the Cannes Film Festival.
The actress-producer shared photos from the French Riviera on Instagram, including pictures with Iulia Vantur and Deepak Tijori, and thanked the Cannes and Marché du Film teams, along with the film’s director, Joe Rajan, and crew.
“Thank you @FestivalTheCannes & @MarcheDuFilm for the amazing experience and So proud to be screening my short #echoesofus in #cannes with my amazing #team Director Magic @joerajan27 Stunners @vanturiulia & @deepaktijoriteam Dripped in @nidhi_casadimoda always. Thank you @vinayshervegar @swapnilchobe for everything,” Batra wrote.
“Echoes Of Us” explores love, loss and human connection across cultures. The short film stars Deepak Tijori and Spanish actress Alessandra Whelan Merediz. It was written and directed by Rajan and produced by Glowbellinc, Batra’s Los Angeles-based production company.
Batra rose to prominence after being crowned Miss India International in 1993. She made her Bollywood debut in “Virasat” in 1997 and went on to appear in films including “Bhai,” “Haseena Maan Jayegi,” “Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye,” “Nayak: The Real Hero” and “Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story.”
She was last seen in the 2021 action thriller “Squad.”
Alia Bhatt Backs ‘Maskara’ Song From ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’
MUMBAI, India — Alia Bhatt showed her support for the song “Maskara” from Imtiaz Ali’s upcoming film “Main Vaapas Aaunga” while getting ready during her Cannes Film Festival appearance.
Bhatt shared a dressing-room video on Instagram Stories in which she applied mascara while humming the track, which features Sharvari and Vedang Raina.
“For my Alpha Sharvari, For my Jigra Vedang Raina and the ultimate rockstars Imtiaz Ali and AR Rahman,” Bhatt wrote.
The song, performed by Vedang and Nilanjana Ghosh, centers on the early excitement of young love. In the film, Sharvari plays Jiya, whose feelings are shown as playful and mischievous, while Vedang’s character, Keenu, experiences love in a quieter and more vulnerable way.
“‘Maskara’ is incredibly close to my heart because it let me step into the character in a whole new way, not just as an actor, but through music,” Vedang said when the song was released.
He added, “Recording with A. R. Rahman, sir, was surreal. His process pushes you to explore depths you didn’t know existed. And to be part of Imtiaz Ali sir’s world, where every emotion feels so lived-in, made this journey truly unforgettable.”
“Main Vaapas Aaunga” stars Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari and Vedang. The film is produced by Applause Entertainment and Window Seat Films and is scheduled to be released in theaters June 12, 2026. (Source: IANS)
