Bollywood Roundup: Adah Sharma, Malaika Arora, Dia Mirza, and more…

Adah Sharma to Play Chaotic Superhero in ‘Super Velli’

Mumbai, India — Actress Adah Sharma is set to headline the upcoming film “Super Velli,” in which she plays an unconventional superhero described as chaotic, lazy, and capable of causing as much trouble as she solves.

The film is directed by Rajesh Bachchani and presents a satirical take on the superhero genre, featuring a protagonist who would rather nap than save the world but repeatedly finds herself at the center of chaos.

Speaking about the project, Sharma said the title emerged after a social media post sparked speculation that she was idle or out of work.

“A few days ago I put out a video on Social media saying ‘I’m Velli’ and news channels picked it up saying I’m out of work and idle. People told me to clear it up. But then i thought ‘what would Velli do? She would be too lazy to correct it. So in the spirit of being Velli, here’s ‘Super Velli’. With great power comes great responsibility,” she said.

Director Rajesh Bachchani said Sharma’s earlier performance helped inspire the role.

“I remember Adah’s fun character Bhavna Reddy from ‘Commando’ movies. Her genuine raw talent with an intelligent, sharp yet quirky personality, and humour and action there was no doubt that Adah is our ‘Super Velli’. I’ve been working on the script for 3 years and we are making something new and fresh for the audiences,” he said.

Following the attention around “The Kerala Story,” Sharma said she prefers not to comment on projects she is not involved in, including the film’s sequel.

“I enjoy speaking about a film I am part of. When I’m not a part of a film, I feel speaking about it just to be in the news isn’t right. Whether I was offered the sequel or not is something that should remain between the makers and the actor and not really be discussed publicly,” she said.

Malaika Arora Launches Lifestyle Accessories Brand Maejoy

Mumbai, India — Actress Malaika Arora has launched Maejoy, a lifestyle accessories brand created in partnership with Exceed Entertainment and Myntra Jabong India Private Limited (MJIPL), the B2B wholesale arm of Myntra.

The brand debuts with more than 250 styles across handbags and lab-grown diamond jewelry, including crossbody bags, shoulder bags, totes, backpacks and clutches, alongside rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets set with IGI and GCI certified lab-grown diamonds in 925 sterling silver.

Speaking about the launch, Arora said, “Maejoy is a labour of love. Throughout my career, whether on screen, in business, or through my personal style, I’ve championed the idea that fashion should be empowering yet effortless. ‘The Joy of Being Me’, is a celebration of self and the brand aims to democratise the global fashion trends while offering women something that can extend the feeling of luxury every day, while being accessible, be it a lab-grown diamond or a perfectly crafted handbag.”

Suman Saha, CXO and Head of House of Brands at MJIPL, said the brand combines Arora’s fashion perspective with an accessible accessories offering.

“Maejoy brings together Malaika Arora’s distinctive style perspective with a strong proposition in the accessible yet elevated accessories space. We believe the brand’s fashion-forward designs and thoughtful positioning will connect strongly with discerning consumers,” Saha said.

Afsar Zaidi, CEO of Exceed Entertainment, said the partnership blends Arora’s creative influence with Myntra’s brand-building expertise.

“Building celebrity-led brands requires a delicate balance of authenticity and market viability. Having successfully worked with Myntra Jabong in the past, it was easy working with them on Maejoy. Malaika is a rare talent who commands equal respect as a fashion icon and a savvy businesswoman. We are proud to facilitate this partnership that brings together her creative clout and Myntra’s brand-building excellence,” he said.

Nimrat Kaur Celebrates Birthday With Visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Mumbai, India — Actress Nimrat Kaur celebrated her birthday with a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, where she took part in the Mangal Aarti and offered prayers to Lord Shiva.

The “Airlift” actress shared photos from the visit on Instagram, marking her first time at the Jyotirlinga shrine. In the images, Nimrat is seen dressed in a pink saree offering prayers at the temple. She also shared glimpses from her trip, including a sunset view from her balcony and a boat ride on the river.

“Brought in my birthday in with Baba Vishwanath’s blessings at the Mangal Aarti this morning. So grateful for all the love, warmth and all your kind wishes. Whatever the universe has planned, there couldn’t have been a better start to my new year, my first ever time in Banaras…My heart is full, thank you life…Har Har Mahadev (sic),” she wrote.

Earlier this year, Nimrat also paid tribute to her late father, Major Bhupender Singh, marking 32 years since he was killed while serving the nation.

Lisa Ray Shares Emotional Note on Dubai Tensions

Mumbai, India — Actress and author Lisa Ray has spoken about the emotional impact of recent tensions and events unfolding in Dubai, describing it as difficult to watch developments in what she calls a “second home.”

Sharing a reflective note on social media, Ray said she has long turned to poetry during uncertain times and revealed she has been privately working on a book of poems.

“A few years ago, I opened a quiet corner of the internet to share poetry. Words have always been my refuge — the place I go when clarity disappears and language is the only steady ground beneath my feet,” she wrote.

Addressing the situation in Dubai, she added, “Watching events unfold in our second home, Dubai, has been difficult- and yes I know citizens of the UAE are relatively safe and the leadership is excellent. I know that. But. The uncertainty. The messages between friends. The collective holding of breath.”

Ray said a poem she shared was written spontaneously and dedicated in part to her husband, who grew up in Lebanon during periods of conflict.

“My husband grew up in Lebanon with missiles overhead. This is a tribute to his spirit, and to the resilience of his family — and to families across the world for whom ‘normal’ has always included the sound of sirens,” she wrote.

Ray has had a diverse acting career across Indian and international cinema, gaining recognition with films such as “Kasoor” and the critically acclaimed “Water” directed by Deepa Mehta.

She has also spoken openly about her battle with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer she was diagnosed with in 2009, later announcing she was cancer-free after treatment.

Dia Mirza Shares Gym Moment With Son Avyaan

Mumbai, India — Actress Dia Mirza shared a glimpse of her workout routine on social media, posting a video from the gym where she was joined by her young son Avyaan.

In the black-and-white clip posted on Instagram Stories, Mirza is seen doing squats with her hands in a namaste position while counting to ten, as Avyaan stands beside her and imitates the exercise.

The “Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein” actress frequently shares moments from her fitness routine online, often featuring her son in similar posts.

Mirza also uses her platform to speak about environmental issues. Recently, she expressed concern about environmental degradation, noting that even her nearly five-year-old understands the importance of protecting trees and natural ecosystems.

She wrote, “More Green Please. Our trees are not martyrs. They were never meant to be.”

Addressing the ecological challenges facing Mumbai, Mirza added that forests, mangroves and other natural systems that protect the city cannot simply be replaced with new saplings planted elsewhere. (Source: IANS)