Bollywood Roundup: Deepika Padukone, Preity Zinta, Kajol, and more…

Deepika Padukone Not Part of ‘Brahmastra 2,’ Spokesperson Says

Mumbai — Deepika Padukone is not part of the upcoming “Brahmastra” sequel, her spokesperson said Monday, dismissing recent reports about her casting.

“All recent reports of Deepika Padukone being a part of ‘Brahmastra 2’ or associated with the project in any capacity are untrue,” the spokesperson said.

Speculation had intensified that Padukone could return as Amrita, Shiva’s mother, after making a brief but important appearance in the first film. The character is associated with the Jal Astra and plays a central role in Shiva’s origins.

Recent reports had suggested Padukone was in talks for the sequel, with some claiming her casting was nearly finalized. Production has reportedly been considered for 2027, though no official schedule has been announced.

The clarification follows renewed discussion about Padukone’s departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s “Spirit,” starring Prabhas. She exited the project in 2025 amid reports of disagreements over compensation and working conditions.

Padukone will next appear in Shah Rukh Khan’s “King,” which is scheduled for release in December.

Preity Zinta Visits Kanapathy Temple in Paris on Last Monday of Sawan

Mumbai — Preity Zinta offered prayers at the Kanapathy Temple in Paris during a short trip to the French capital on the last Monday of Sawan.

The actress shared a video from the visit on Instagram, showing her dressed in traditional attire as she prayed at the temple.

“Who would have thought that I would end up going to the most beautiful Indian temple in Paris on the last Monday of Sawan,” Zinta wrote. She said the visit was a last-minute plan but felt as though she was “always meant to come here.”

She added that the temple visit made her brief Paris trip especially memorable and encouraged followers visiting the city to stop by the Kanapathy Temple.

Zinta has also been promoting her upcoming project “Vibe,” which stars Kunal Kemmu and Sparsh Shrivastava. The film is written and directed by Kemmu and is expected to be released on Sept. 18.

Kajol Says She Chooses Peace Over Arguments

Mumbai — Kajol shared a witty message on Monday about avoiding arguments with people she believes seek attention more than logic.

“I don’t argue with people who need attention more than logic. #namaste #ichoosepeace #humourousbone,” the actress wrote on Instagram.

Kajol accompanied the post with photos of herself wearing an off-shoulder black dress. Her sister Tanishaa Mukerji praised the look, commenting, “Nysa ki mummy! Looking stunning!”

The actress recently also reflected on appreciating the positive things in life, writing that “the amount of good things in your life depends on your ability to notice them.”

Kajol, who turned 52 earlier this month, also thanked fans for their birthday wishes, saying she felt lucky to have a “loyal & delightfully crazy group of people” supporting her.

Kangana Ranaut Criticizes Kriti Sanon’s Raksha Bandhan Ad

Mumbai — Kangana Ranaut has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Kriti Sanon’s attire in a recent Raksha Bandhan advertisement.

Jewelry brand GIVA released the ad for the festival, featuring Sanon in an off-white outfit with a bralette-style blouse, cape and draped skirt. The look sparked criticism on social media from users who said the attire was inappropriate for a campaign centered on a traditional Indian festival.

Ranaut addressed the controversy on Instagram Stories on Monday, saying women today have a wide range of clothing choices but should still consider the occasion.

“It is a wonderful time to be a woman, our closets are full of variety of clothes,” Ranaut wrote. She questioned why someone would choose what she described as “bikini/undergarments” for a Raksha Bandhan setting and called the advertisement “intentionally creepy.”

Sanon has not publicly responded to the criticism.

Urvashi Rautela Credits Sushmita Sen for Giving Her ‘Wings to Fly’

Mumbai — Urvashi Rautela reflected on the influence of Sushmita Sen after sharing the stage with the former Miss Universe while serving as a judge at Miss Universe India.

Rautela, who judged the pageant for the fourth consecutive year, described Sen as her first mentor and “guru.”

“She was the woman who gave me the wings to fly,” Rautela said, recalling that Sen personally crowned her on her coronation night. She called the moment one of the most memorable experiences of her life.

Rautela said Sen’s early faith in her has stayed with her over the years and expressed gratitude to her family, fans and mentors for supporting her career.

The actress also wore a tricolor gown at the event and spoke about her pride in representing India. She said she was told that her fourth consecutive appearance as a Miss Universe India judge had set a record.

Lisa Ray Opens Up About Marriage After Chemo-Induced Menopause

Mumbai — Lisa Ray has reflected on the challenges of entering marriage while dealing with the effects of early menopause following cancer treatment.

In an Instagram post, the actress said she experienced chemotherapy-induced menopause at 37 and met and married her husband at 40.

“Entering marriage while experiencing the aftermath of menopause was…interesting. No wonder those first few years were volatile,” Ray wrote, adding that greater awareness of what was happening in her body might have helped her navigate that period differently.

Ray also shared what she called an “unofficial husband’s guide” to supporting women through perimenopause and menopause. She urged partners to understand that mood changes, exhaustion, sleep disruption and brain fog can be part of the experience.

She also advised men not to immediately try to “fix” every problem, to give their partners space when needed and to avoid dismissing feelings as simply hormonal.

Ray, a cancer survivor, entered early menopause after undergoing high-dose chemotherapy during treatment for multiple myeloma.