Bollywood Roundup: Ananya Panday, Sushmita Sen, Rakul Preet Singh, and more…

Ananya Panday Shares Sweet Moment With Akshay Kumar’s Son Aarav Over Muffins

Mumbai — Bollywood actress Ananya Panday shared a glimpse of a casual outing with Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna’s son Aarav Bhatia, posting a picture of the two enjoying freshly baked muffins.

Ananya reposted the photograph on social media after it was originally shared by her friend Tahira Chawla, who apparently baked the treats.

In the picture, Ananya and Aarav are seated together, with Aarav holding a container of muffins while Ananya poses with pieces of the baked treat in both hands.

Ananya, the daughter of actor Chunky Panday and Bhavana Pandey, made her Bollywood debut in 2019 with Student of the Year 2. She has since appeared in films including Gehraiyaan, Dream Girl 2, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan and CTRL, as well as the streaming series Call Me Bae.

Aarav, meanwhile, has largely maintained a private life despite his famous parents. Akshay Kumar has previously said that his son prefers to stay away from the entertainment industry and establish his own identity.

The actor has also emphasized that he does not intend to pressure his children into following his career path.

Sushmita Sen Once Revealed She Chose Daughter Renee’s Name Years Before Adoption

Mumbai — Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen once revealed that she had chosen the name Renee for her future daughter at age 18, six years before adopting her first child.

During an earlier appearance on Simi Garewal’s talk show, Sen recalled how she approached the adoption process with a particular idea in mind: She would call each child Renee and choose the one who responded.

“My logic was that I had to meet every single child and call her Renee. And the one who reacted would be my baby,” Sen said.

She recalled meeting a sleepy infant who opened her eyes and smiled when she heard the name.

“Then, there was Renee, who was kind of sleepy, tired, and almost asleep. She just looked when we said Renee, and she just opened her eyes. She smiled and reacted to her name beautifully,” she said.

Sen later learned that the baby had experienced serious health complications, including gastroenteritis and bronchitis, and had spent months in the hospital. Despite concerns about the child’s health, the actress remained determined to adopt her.

After making her decision, Sen called her parents to share the news.

“Then, I called up my mother and father, at that point, and I said, ‘I found Renee,’” she recalled.

Reflecting on her decision, Sen added, “For this child, she had no choice. She didn’t choose me; I chose her. But, down the line, I hope she chooses me back.”

Sen adopted Renee at age 24 and later welcomed a second daughter, Alisah, through adoption.

Rakul Preet Singh Shares Glimpse of Life Beyond Film Sets

Mumbai — Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh gave fans a look at her life away from film shoots, sharing photographs highlighting her passion for fitness, healthy eating, travel and reading.

The actress posted seven pictures on social media showing how she spends her free time, captioning the collection, “Sooooo, now you know where to find me.”

One photograph shows Rakul enjoying a meal featuring grilled dishes and vegetables, accompanied by the caption, “EATING HEALTHY… MOST OF THE TIME.”

Another captures her lifting weights at the gym with the message, “LIFTING WEIGHTS AND LIFTING MY MOOD.”

The actress also shared a photograph from a seaside destination, hinting at her love for travel with the caption, “PLANNING MY NEXT BEACH ESCAPE.”

Other pictures show Rakul enjoying some personal time at a restaurant, trying different exercises and holding a book, reflecting her interest in staying active and making time for reading.

Rakul has frequently emphasized the importance of fitness in her daily routine, describing exercise as an essential part of her lifestyle. She regularly incorporates strength training and cardio workouts into her fitness regimen.

Karan Johar to Host ELITE Most Influential Awards at Oxford University

Mumbai — Filmmaker Karan Johar will host the sixth edition of ELITE Most Influential on December 14 at the historic Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford in England.

The event will recognize influential figures from business, arts and entertainment, celebrating individuals whose achievements and ideas have made a lasting impact.

“I’ve always believed that the people who leave a lasting mark are those who dare to think differently and create their own narrative,” Johar said.

“ELITE Most Influential celebrates that spirit, and bringing these extraordinary journeys to a place as steeped in history and ideas as Oxford makes the occasion particularly special,” he added.

Organized by ELITE Magazine, led by founder and editor-in-chief Puraskar Thadani, the event has previously been associated with prominent international landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Tower Bridge in London and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.

Previous editions have featured business leaders and entertainment personalities such as Indra Nooyi, Masaba Gupta, Sabeer Bhatia, Adi Godrej, Vivek Oberoi, Vikas Khanna, Kanika Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandez.

The December event will continue the platform’s tradition of recognizing individuals who have demonstrated leadership, creativity and influence across industries.

Akshaye Khanna Says His Introverted Nature Is Not by Choice

Mumbai — Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna, known for maintaining a low public profile, once revealed that his introverted personality is not a deliberate choice but something he has struggled to overcome.

During an earlier appearance on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, Khanna spoke candidly about his reserved nature, emotional sensitivity and difficulty connecting with people.

When host Simi Garewal suggested that he builds emotional walls around himself, the actor acknowledged that those barriers remain.

“I may have become slightly better at making them look a little transparent, but they are still there,” he said.

Khanna also described himself as deeply sensitive, particularly when it comes to people close to him.

“I am very sensitive to people whom I consider close to me. The slightest thing there, and I am like ‘Oh God’, it hurts me,” he explained.

The actor said he tries to be mindful of others’ feelings and believes in apologizing when he makes mistakes, describing saying sorry as a freeing experience.

Addressing misconceptions about his personality, Khanna clarified that he enjoys meeting people but finds social interactions difficult.

“I like meeting people and getting to know people, it is just that I do not have the skills to do it, that’s it. There is a big difference between not wanting to and being closed as opposed to not being able to,” he said.

Khanna has largely stayed away from social media and public appearances, preferring a private life outside his film commitments.

Mumbai Police Investigate Bomb Threat Naming Amitabh Bachchan’s Home and Diljit Dosanjh

Mumbai — Mumbai Police have launched an investigation into a threatening email that reportedly named Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan’s residence and singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh in connection with alleged bomb attacks.

The email was reportedly sent to a school in the Bandra-Kurla Complex area and referred to Bachchan’s Mumbai bungalow, Jalsa, as a potential target. It mentioned October 31 and November 27 as possible dates for attacks.

The message also referenced a purported bombing at Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse on November 27, where Dosanjh is scheduled to perform as part of his India tour.

According to reports, the email contained pro-Khalistan slogans and claimed to be from a group identifying itself as the “Khalistan National Army.”

The message also allegedly threatened schools and the mayor’s office at specified times.

Police are examining the email and its origins. The authenticity of the threats and the claims made in the message have not been independently verified.

The development follows security concerns surrounding Dosanjh’s October 30 concert in New Delhi, for which police had temporarily withheld permission.

Event organizer BookMyShow Live later clarified that the concert had not been canceled. Permission was subsequently granted after organizers submitted additional security, traffic and crowd-management plans.

Anupam Kher Calls Backstage Meeting With Stevie Wonder a ‘Surreal’ Experience

Mumbai — Bollywood actor Anupam Kher described meeting music legend Stevie Wonder backstage in Stockholm as a surreal experience, praising the singer’s warmth, generosity and kindness.

Kher attended the concert Wonders of Wonders – An Evening with Stevie Wonder and shared highlights of the performance and their meeting on social media.

“What an evening it was in Stockholm yesterday. One song after another, and with every note, Stevie Wonder seemed to fill the entire arena with magic,” Kher wrote.

The actor said watching Wonder perform up close was unforgettable, but meeting the Grammy-winning musician afterward made the evening even more special.

“And then came the surreal moment of meeting him backstage. I met not only a legendary singer but also a humanitarian, a deeply kind man, and someone whose warmth and generosity touched me profoundly,” he shared.

Kher said he was particularly moved by Wonder’s appreciation of his acting career.

“The way he appreciated me as an actor was so heartfelt. I left feeling grateful, humbled, and reminded that true greatness has a gentleness to it. Stardom may come and go, but kindness and grace stay with you,” he added.

The actor thanked his friend Brian Laroda, Wonder’s manager, for arranging the concert seats and backstage meeting.

Reflecting on the experience, Kher concluded, “Some stars shine brightly for a lifetime. Some, like diamonds, are eternal. Jai Ho!”

Rasika Dugal Calls for More Children’s Films That Encourage Curiosity and Imagination

Mumbai — Actress Rasika Dugal has emphasized the need for more meaningful children’s films, saying young audiences deserve stories that entertain while encouraging curiosity, creativity and independent thinking.

Ahead of the release of her upcoming film Little Thomas, Dugal said cinema plays an important role in shaping how children understand the world.

“Cinema is a wonderful way to expand your world and fuel your imagination. Many of the thoughts and ideas we have as adults can be traced back to the films we watched growing up,” she said.

“We therefore need films that children can relate to — films that embrace their curiosity rather than dismiss it.”

Dugal added that children’s movies can offer meaningful messages without sacrificing entertainment.

“Children’s cinema can be entertaining without being frivolous and meaningful without becoming preachy. I would love to see more filmmakers explore stories that children can enjoy and that open up new possibilities for their imagination,” she said.

Directed by Kaushal Oza, Little Thomas follows a curious seven-year-old boy growing up in 1990s Goa. His questions about where babies come from and his desire for a sibling lead to unexpected family conversations.

Dugal plays Jessie Miranda in the film, which explores family relationships and childhood curiosity through a young boy’s perspective.

The actress is known for her performances in films including Manto, Hamid, Lootcase and Darbaan. (Source: IANS)