Bollywood Roundup: Priyanka Chopra, Mithila Palkar, Hina Khan, and more…
Priyanka Chopra Jonas Says Hollywood Barriers Are Falling
Los Angeles — Priyanka Chopra Jonas said new platforms are making it easier for emerging filmmakers and performers to enter Hollywood, citing the low-budget horror hit “Obsession” as an example.
“I feel like if you have an idea, shoot it, put it on YouTube, and it can become ‘Obsession,’ the movie that just came out,” she said at the Cannes Lions conference.
“What a wonderful time to be an entertainer, to be in the entertainment business, because ideas are your currency,” she added.
Chopra Jonas said she entered the film industry without connections because her parents were doctors and her family did not know how to navigate the business.
She said she later started a production company to support “new filmmakers, or filmmakers who have great ideas but don’t have the ability to open doors that I may be able to open.”
The actress also said she wants to expand her English-language career after working across a wider range of genres in Indian cinema.
“In my Hindi-language career, I’ve worked with all the best filmmakers and the best actors, I’ve told amazing stories and done a variety of genres. Whereas in America, in Hollywood, in my English-language work, I haven’t really done that as much,” she said.
She credited streaming services and the pandemic with encouraging audiences to watch more international content.
Mithila Palkar Says ‘Super Subbu’ Blends Humor With Human Emotion
Mumbai — Actress Mithila Palkar said her upcoming Netflix series “Super Subbu” balances comedy with genuine human emotion.
The series stars Sundeep Kishan as Subramanyam “Subbu” Chillukuri Rao, a teacher sent to the fictional village of Maakipur, where he is unexpectedly assigned to teach sex education. Murali Sharma also appears in a key role.
“What drew me to ‘Super Subbu’ was the way it balances humour with genuine human emotions. Beneath all the chaos, curiosity and laughter, there is a story about relationships, acceptance and people learning to understand each other better,” Palkar said.
She added that returning to Netflix felt like a homecoming after appearing in “Little Things,” one of the platform’s early Indian originals.
Kishan said the series approaches a subject people often hesitate to discuss with humor, warmth and honesty. His character faces job setbacks, relationship problems and growing tension with the villagers while trying to please his father.
Written by Mallik Ram, Ramesh Eligeti and Shivani Dhobal, “Super Subbu” is produced by Rajiv Chilaka and Bharath Laxmipati under Chilaka Productions.
The series will premiere July 2 on Netflix.
Hina Khan Reacts to Ketan Agarwal Murder Case
Mumbai — Actress Hina Khan has reacted to the alleged murder of Pune resident Ketan Agarwal, saying people increasingly find it easier to take a life than accept the truth.
“Aaj ke time mai Sach Sunna Aur Sach kehna itna mushkil ho Gaya hai ki log kisi ki jaan lene ko bhi taiyaar hain.. (Nowadays, hearing the truth and speaking the truth has become so difficult that people are even ready to take someone’s life.) (sic)” Khan wrote on Instagram Stories.
“It seems it is easier to take someone’s life than to accept the truth you could have spared him, Bus Ek sach bolke and lived your life with any XYZ.. whyyyyy? Afsos #ketanmurdercase,” she added.
Agarwal was initially believed to have died in an accidental fall while trekking at Lohagad Fort on June 18. Police later treated the death as an alleged murder and arrested his fiancée, Siya Goyal, and Chetan Chaudhary.
According to reports, Goyal allegedly pushed Agarwal into a gorge during a birthday outing at the fort. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
Pooja Hegde Shows Off New Short Haircut
Mumbai — Actress Pooja Hegde showed off her new haircut in a video shared on Instagram.
“I’m a short hair girlie now,” Hegde captioned the post, in which she was seen running her fingers through her freshly cut hair.
Fans praised the new look in the comments, with several saying she looked beautiful with both short and long hair.
Hegde recently also shared a workout video showing her walking backward on a treadmill while wearing an orange crop top and matching shorts.
On the work front, she was last seen alongside Varun Dhawan and Mrunal Thakur in David Dhawan’s romantic comedy “Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai,” which was released in theaters on June 5.
Sonakshi Sinha Celebrates Anniversary With Zaheer Iqbal
Mumbai — Sonakshi Sinha shared a humorous video from her anniversary celebration with husband Zaheer Iqbal, joking that she was going on a dinner date with “Vasooli Bhai.”
“Going for my anniversary dinner date with Vasooli bhai,” Sinha said before turning the camera toward Iqbal, who mimicked Mukesh Tiwari’s character from the “Golmaal” films.
“Can you fix your hair, please? Can’t go with Vasooli Bhai. Okay, okay,” she told him as he adjusted his hair.
“Bringing in anniversary with Vasooli bhaaaiiii,” Sinha captioned the video.
The couple celebrated their wedding anniversary in Phuket on June 23. Sinha also shared pictures of their romantic dinner.
Sinha and Iqbal married in a private registered ceremony at her Mumbai home on June 23, 2024, after several years together.
Sonu Sood Enjoys Mumbai Rain, Recalls Childhood Memories
Mumbai — Actor Sonu Sood shared a video of himself enjoying Mumbai’s rain and reflected on how the monsoon brings back memories of his childhood.
“Today, the first rain of Mumbai has started, and it’s beautiful. When we were kids, we used to go out in the rain. We never used to think about it. We used to have all the fun,” Sood said in the video posted on Instagram.
He encouraged people to reconnect with their childhood and enjoy the season.
“If you don’t go out in the rain in Mumbai, then what’s the point of living in Mumbai?” he said. “And may this monsoon bring lots of luck, health, happiness to all of you.”
“The rain returns. So do the memories,” Sood captioned the post.
Mumbai received heavy rainfall on June 24, prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue a red alert for the city and neighboring Palghar district. (Source: IANS)
