Bollywood Roundup: Anupam Kher, Kriti Sanon, Karishma Tanna, and more…

Anupam Kher Says He No Longer Feels the Same Need to Impress as an Actor

Mumbai — Veteran actor and filmmaker Anupam Kher says his approach to acting has changed over the years, with experience making him more relaxed and curious about his craft.

Kher reflected on his career in an Instagram post featuring images of several characters he has played over the years. Looking back at his journey from the National School of Drama to the present, he said he no longer feels the same pressure to prove himself.

“Actors are vulnerable people. We willingly expose emotions that most people spend their lives trying to hide,” Kher wrote, adding that truthful performances require both skill and emotional openness.

Kher said that early in his career, he was often eager to demonstrate his range. Entering the film industry without a “godfather” but with training from the National School of Drama, he recalled feeling the need to show audiences what he could do.

“But over the last ten years, something has changed. I am much more relaxed. I don’t feel the same need to impress,” he said.

Kher said he now enjoys exploring a character’s silences, contradictions and weaknesses while challenging himself with less anxiety.

“Perhaps that is one of the nicer things about growing older as an actor: you stop trying to show how much you know… and start becoming curious about how much you still don’t know,” he wrote.

Kriti Sanon Responds to Criticism Over Raksha Bandhan Ad Outfit

Mumbai — Actress Kriti Sanon has responded to criticism over her outfit in a recent Raksha Bandhan advertisement, saying a woman’s respect for tradition should not be judged by what she wears.

Sanon appeared in an advertisement for jewelry brand GIVA wearing an off-white outfit featuring a bralette-style blouse, cape and draped skirt. The campaign sparked criticism online from some users who said the look was inappropriate for a traditional festival.

Responding on Instagram, Sanon said the meaning of festivals lies in their emotions and traditions rather than clothing.

“The essence of festivals is not in the clothes you wear, it is in the emotions and meaning you hold for the traditions,” she wrote.

Sanon also said she and her sister tie rakhi to each other as a symbol of protection and extend the tradition to their dogs, whom they consider family.

She also pushed back against criticism of women’s clothing choices.

“Culture & Traditions are in her heart, not in her neckline!” Sanon wrote, arguing that ethnic fashion has evolved and women should not have their cultural values measured by their attire.

Actress and politician Kangana Ranaut had also commented on the controversy, saying women have a wide range of clothing choices but should maintain certain boundaries when observing traditional occasions.

Karishma Tanna Recalls ‘Carrying the Most Beautiful Secret’ During Early Pregnancy

Mumbai — Actress Karishma Tanna has shared a throwback from a photoshoot taken when she was one month pregnant, recalling the excitement and nervousness she felt while keeping the news private.

Tanna said she entered the shoot “carrying the most beautiful secret” and was quietly thinking about how much her life was about to change.

“One month pregnant in this picture…I remember walking into this shoot carrying the most beautiful secret,” she wrote on social media. “I was excited, emotional, nervous and silently dreaming about everything that was about to change.”

The actress said she now looks back at that period with affection and is also focused on regaining her strength and confidence after becoming a mother.

“I’m also manifesting my way back to feeling strong, fit and confident in my body again,” she wrote. “Slowly, gently, one day at a time.”

Tanna and her husband, Varun Bangera, welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on July 29, 2026.

Taapsee Pannu Says ‘Gandhari’ Character’s Resilience Drew Her to Role

Mumbai — Taapsee Pannu says the determination and resilience of her character in the upcoming film “Gandhari” were among the qualities that attracted her to the role.

The film’s trailer, released Tuesday, shows Pannu as Bani, a mother whose daughter is abducted from a railway station.

“What stayed with me throughout Gandhari was Bani’s refusal to give up, even when everything seemed stacked against her,” Pannu said. “The role demanded a great deal physically, but it was her resilience, conviction and unwavering spirit that truly drew me in.”

Set in the fictional town of Joypurra, the film follows Bani as she takes matters into her own hands while searching for her missing daughter. The story also features the mysterious Behrupiyas, who form part of the town’s cultural fabric.

Pannu said she was pleased to reunite with writer-producer Kanika Dhillon and Netflix, describing their creative partnership as one built on trust and an interest in telling stories about complex women.

Directed by Devashish Makhija, “Gandhari” also stars Ishwak Singh, Jatin Sarna, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Chhaya Kadam.

The film will premiere on Netflix on September 3.

Shalini Pandey Marks 9 Years of ‘Arjun Reddy,’ Says ‘This Is Where It All Began’

Mumbai — Actress Shalini Pandey has marked nine years since the release of “Arjun Reddy,” the Telugu film that launched her acting career.

Pandey shared a still from the film on Instagram Stories on Tuesday and thanked audiences for their continued affection for her character, Preethi.

“This was the beginning. This is where it all began,” she wrote. “Thank you for giving me so much love, for giving us so much love, and for making Preethi a part of you forever.”

“Arjun Reddy,” directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, also marked his directorial debut and helped establish Vijay Deverakonda as a major star.

The film became one of the most discussed Telugu releases of its time, earning praise for its intense storytelling while also drawing criticism over its portrayal of possessive relationships, aggression and masculinity.

Vanga later remade the film in Hindi as “Kabir Singh,” starring Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani.

Pandey has since worked in both Telugu and Hindi projects and was most recently seen in “Dabba Cartel.”

Salman Khan Threat Case: Police Say Accused Fabricated Gang Messages in Extortion Plot

Mumbai — Mumbai Police say they have uncovered an alleged extortion plot targeting Bollywood star Salman Khan in which the accused fabricated WhatsApp chats and identities to make it appear that an organized crime gang was threatening the actor.

Police said investigators found discrepancies in the messages, while CCTV footage did not support the accused’s account. During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted to creating a fake identity and fabricated chats in an effort to frighten Khan and extort money.

Investigators also recovered two mobile phones that the accused had allegedly hidden near the Bandra seafront. Screenshots of the purported WhatsApp conversations were seized as evidence.

Police said the investigation found that the accused received about Rs 1.30 lakh from Siwan, Bihar, through PhonePe and later collected the money in cash through a transfer agent in Bandra.

The accused has been booked under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.

Police are continuing to investigate whether the accused acted alone or whether others were involved in the alleged scheme.

Kareena Kapoor Shares Glamorous Selfie From the Set

Mumbai — Kareena Kapoor Khan gave fans a glimpse of her workday Tuesday by sharing a selfie from the set on social media.

The actress posted the photo on Instagram Stories, showing off a polished look with subtle makeup and a side-swept hairstyle.

“Good afternoon from set,” Kapoor captioned the picture, adding a pizza emoji.

Kapoor frequently shares updates from her personal and professional life on social media, including family moments, photoshoots and behind-the-scenes glimpses from work.

She recently made headlines after a paparazzi video sparked speculation that she was expecting her third child with husband Saif Ali Khan. Kapoor later brushed off the rumors during an interaction with photographers, joking, “Pagal kar dete ho tumlog,” which translates to, “You guys drive us mad.”

Kapoor was last seen in Rohit Shetty’s “Singham Again.” (Source: IANS)