Bollywood Roundup: Rakul Preet Singh, Tinaa Dattaa, Poonam Dhillon, and more…
Rakul Preet Singh Says She Does Not Want To Be Put In A Box
Mumbai — Rakul Preet Singh says she wants to keep exploring new sides of herself as an actor and avoid being limited to one kind of role.
“I don’t want to be put in a box. Every film should teach me something new and help me discover different shades of myself as an actor,” she said.
The actress said her choices are increasingly guided by stories that connect with audiences and help her grow as a performer.
“I have realised that the audience connects with honesty. I want to be part of stories that stay with people and make me grow as an actor,” Rakul said.
For Rakul, fame remains secondary to the work itself.
“Stardom is beautiful, but for me, the work matters the most. If people love my films and appreciate my performances, that is the biggest reward,” she said.
Rakul also said actors need to block out social media noise and stay focused on their craft.
“So, I feel that ultimately as an actor, you have to shut that noise and you have to distance yourself from the chatter. And just put your blinders on and work, and then disconnect. Because if you start getting affected by what everyone is saying on social media, then you will be a disaster,” she said.
Tinaa Dattaa Says Her ‘Personal Trainer 2’ Role Has Many Layers
Mumbai — Television actor Tinaa Dattaa says her role as Neha Malhotra in the upcoming web series “Personal Trainer 2” allowed her to explore a layered new character.
Dattaa said she connected with the role because fitness has long been part of her own life.
“In my real life, I have always been into fitness, whether it’s yoga, gym workouts, or Pilates. So when I heard about Neha Malhotra, I instantly connected with her. But she is far more than just a fitness enthusiast; she is a woman of many faces and layers, and what I love most is how those layers slowly unravel as the series progresses,” she said.
Dattaa said viewers will see a different side of her in the new season.
“Audiences will get to see a side of me they have simply not seen before. Personally, I was really impressed with the story of Season 1, and when the makers approached me for Season 2, I didn’t take a second to say yes. The way my character evolves throughout the show is truly amazing,” she said.
The series also stars Akanksha Puri, Poonam Pandey and Rrahul Sudhir.
“Working with Akanksha Puri was wonderful; she is also very passionate about fitness, and we shared many fitness tips on set. It was also great working with Rrahul Sudhir. He is a fantastic actor and brought a lot of depth to our scenes together. I’m sure audiences will love Personal Trainer 2 as well,” Dattaa said.
The second season explores the world of Mumbai’s elite gyms, where power games unfold behind the pursuit of sculpted bodies.
“Personal Trainer 2” is scheduled to premiere on Hungama OTT on June 18.
Poonam Dhillon Says Her Daughter Is The Only Person Who Can Make Her Cry
Mumbai — Veteran actress and politician Poonam Dhillon opened up about her journey as a single mother and said her daughter is the only person who can make her emotional.
Dhillon spoke about raising her children, Anmol and Paloma, during an appearance on the game reality show “Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar,” hosted by Rajeev Khandelwal.
“Yes, I was a single mother. I have two children, Anmol and Paloma. When we become mothers for the first time, we don’t know what is right and what is wrong. As parents, sometimes we make mistakes, but I try to be everything to them. I try to be their nurse, their teacher, their friend, everything to them. There’s only one person who can make me cry, and that’s my daughter. I am the only supporter of my daughter,” she said.
Dhillon also recalled how she managed her work around her children’s routines and kept them close while shooting.
“I remember that I was doing a series called Kitty Party. So before going to school, she (Poonam’s daughter) would come home and say, ‘Mom, make my ponytail,’ and when she came back from school, she would come with her homework. She used to sit on the set and do homework with me. So you know, all mothers have to fulfill their responsibilities,” she said.
Dhillon married filmmaker Ashok Thakeria in 1988. The couple divorced in 1997 and share two children, Anmol and Paloma.
The actress rose to fame in the late 1970s and 1980s with films such as “Noorie,” “Basera” and “Yeh Vaada Raha.” Her daughter Paloma made her Bollywood debut in 2023 with “Dono,” opposite Rajveer Deol.
Madhoo Says Her ‘Diljale’ Role Helped Win Her Husband
Mumbai — Veteran actress Madhoo says her role in “Diljale” helped win over the man she would later marry.
In an interview with IANS, Madhoo said her husband, Anand Shah, saw the film in Singapore and was impressed by her performance.
“That’s the role that won me my husband. My husband saw this film in Singapore, I believe, and he felt, “Who is this girl. She is amazing”. The next thing I know, I am married to this man,” she said.
Madhoo married Shah on Feb. 19, 1999. The couple has two daughters, Amaya and Keia.
Directed by Harry Baweja, “Diljale” starred Ajay Devgn, Madhoo and Sonali Bendre, along with Parmeet Sethi, Shakti Kapoor, Gulshan Grover and Amrish Puri. Madhoo played Shabnam, a terrorist, in the film.
Madhoo had earlier made her Bollywood debut opposite Ajay Devgn in “Phool Aur Kaante.” Reflecting on that film, she said some scenes that were once viewed as romance would not be acceptable today.
“In Phool Aur Kaante, the first two songs are only eve-teasing. The boys are chasing on a college campus and whisling, and I am looking at it as romance, and we all looked at it as romance. I fall in love with the boy who is teasing me and harassing me. Today, you will call that and put him behind bars. If a boy chased you today in college and campus and did all this, it would not be accepted,” she said.
Shruti Haasan Says Tough Days Offer Good Lessons
Mumbai — Actress-singer Shruti Haasan says challenges are part of pursuing one’s passion, but difficult days often bring valuable lessons.
Speaking to IANS at the Rugby Premier League Season 2, Shruti said passion and purpose help people stay committed despite setbacks.
“Whether it’s rugby or anything you love to do, there will be a lot of challenges. You know, it’s always like that. They can be internal, a lot of them external to the world,” she said.
“But I think when you know you love something, and you really passionately believe that that is what you want to do in your life, and that’s your calling, then even the tough days are good days for lessons, and the good days are reminders to keep going,” she added.
Shruti also shared videos of herself performing at the RPL Season 2 opening ceremony, which was held June 16 at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad.
The actress was last seen in the action thriller “Coolie,” directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. The film stars Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj and Rachita Ram, with Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde in special appearances.
She was also recently seen in a dance number in the Ram Charan-starrer “Peddi,” a sports action drama directed by Buchi Babu Sana.
Shruti made her adult acting debut in the Hindi film “Luck” in 2009. She later appeared in films including “Anaganaga O Dheerudu,” “7 Aum Arivu,” “3,” “Gabbar Singh,” “Race Gurram,” “Krack” and “Waltair Veerayya.”
Priyanka Chopra Calls Mother Madhu Chopra Her ‘Queen’ On Birthday
Mumbai — Priyanka Chopra Jonas wished her mother, Dr. Madhu Chopra, on her 73rd birthday Wednesday, calling her the “Queen” of the family.
Priyanka shared a photo with her mother on social media and wrote, “To the Queen… happy birthday @drmadhuakhourichopra always leading the way.”
Her younger brother, Siddharth Chopra, also posted a birthday message for their mother, sharing a family photo from Priyanka’s wedding to Nick Jonas.
“Wishing the Mother a very very happy birthday. Your grace charm and resilience are most admirable. May you shine bright always as the star that you are. Love you maa. Have a great birthday,” he wrote.
Madhu Chopra is a physician and served in the Indian Army along with her late husband, Dr. Ashok Chopra. She is also reportedly involved in managing Priyanka’s work and her production banner, Purple Pebble Pictures.
Priyanka has often spoken about the influence of her parents on her life. At an event in the U.S. earlier this year, she credited both her mother and Nick’s mother for helping care for her daughter, Malti Marie Jonas, allowing the couple to focus on work.
Priyanka also recently remembered her late father on his 13th death anniversary, sharing throwback photos and writing, “You and me dancing together always. Miss u dad. You’re always here.. in every decision and every moment of life. Love you.” (Source: IANS)
