Bollywood Roundup: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Rajkummar Rao, Ridhi Dogra, and more…
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Heads to Cannes With Daughter Aaradhya
MUMBAI, India — Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was seen leaving for the Cannes Film Festival with her daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan, as the actress prepared for another appearance at the international event.
The mother-daughter duo wore black and posed briefly for photographers before entering the departure area at Terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
Aishwarya has been a regular presence at Cannes for years and remains one of the Indian film industry’s most closely watched red-carpet figures at the festival.
The trip comes weeks after Aishwarya marked her 19th wedding anniversary with Abhishek Bachchan by sharing family photos with their daughter on social media. Aishwarya and Abhishek married on April 20, 2007, and welcomed Aaradhya on Nov. 16, 2011.
The couple also recently made a rare public appearance together at the wedding of Arjun Tendulkar, son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, where they were joined by Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan.
Rajkummar Rao, Patralekhaa Move ‘Raftaar’ Release to October
MUMBAI, India — Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa have postponed the theatrical release of their debut production, “Raftaar,” moving the film from July 24 to Oct. 16.
The couple announced the new date in a joint Instagram post, saying the film needed more time because it marks their first step into theatrical production.
“They say building a dream takes time, but living it takes even more hustle!” they wrote. “RAFTAAR is not just a film, it’s our first step into the theatrical world, a labour of belief, grit and countless dreams.”
They added, “When you see RAFTAAR, you won’t just watch a film, you’ll recognise the hustle, the ambition, the fear and the hope that drive every dream.”
Set in India’s fast-growing ed-tech industry, “Raftaar” follows the rise of a startup and a relationship tested by ambition, greed, power and money.
The film stars Rajkummar Rao, Keerthy Suresh, Anurag Thakur, Rohan Verma, Tanya Maniktala and Rajat Kapoor. Directed by Aditya Nimbalkar, it is produced by Patralekhaa under Kampa Film and is an Amazon MGM Studios Original. PVR INOX Pictures will distribute the film.
Ridhi Dogra Urges Young People Not to Romanticize Marriage
MUMBAI, India — Actress Ridhi Dogra has urged young men and women to stop expecting “fairytales” from marriage, saying relationships today require more honesty, independence and respect.
Her comments came amid public discussion over the deaths of Twisha Sharma and Deepika Nagar, both of which have led to allegations of dowry harassment.
In a social media note, Dogra said the world has changed and young people should not view marriage through the same lens as earlier generations.
“Marriage is not the same,” she wrote, adding that women today have more financial and social independence and should not be expected to follow men blindly.
Dogra also cautioned women against expecting their partners to become “Prince Charming” after marriage. She said both men and women are adjusting to changing social norms and should enter marriage for love, respect and companionship, not dependency.
She also addressed feminism, saying it means equality and should not be seen as an attack on men.
“True feminism is just equality. Thats it,” she wrote. “When I speak for girls I also speak for boys.”
Twisha Sharma was found dead at her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12. Her family has alleged dowry harassment and cruelty by her husband and mother-in-law. A post-mortem report found the death was a suicide by hanging.
Deepika Nagar, 24, died after jumping from the terrace of her marital home on May 17. Her family alleged she had faced daily cruelty and demands for additional dowry. Police have arrested her husband and father-in-law in connection with the case.
Nia Sharma Says She Would Never Repeat Crocodile Stunt
MUMBAI, India — Nia Sharma revisited one of her scariest moments from “Khatron Ke Khiladi,” saying she would never attempt the crocodile stunt again “for no amount of money.”
The actress shared an old clip from “Khatron Ke Khiladi: Made In India,” the 2020 spin-off hosted by Rohit Shetty. In the video, Sharma is seen crying and panicking before a task that required contestants to move baby crocodiles from one tank to another with their bare hands.
Shetty tried to calm her down during the segment, telling her she would be able to complete the stunt once it began.
Sharma reshared the clip on social media and wrote, “Will never do this again! For no amount of money.”
Sharma became known for television roles in “Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai,” “Jamai Raja,” “Naagin 4” and “Suhagan Chudail.” She is currently appearing on the celebrity cooking-comedy show “Celebrity Laughter Chefs” with Sudesh Lahri.
“Khatron Ke Khiladi” is set to return for its 15th season, with contestants shooting stunts in Cape Town, South Africa.
Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal to Attend Launch of Indian Film Festival in New Zealand
MUMBAI, India — Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal will attend the official launch of the Indian Film Festival of New Zealand on June 2, ahead of the festival’s debut next year.
The event will include a special screening of “Girls Will Be Girls,” the couple’s first production. The coming-of-age drama, written and directed by Shuchi Talati, stars Preeti Panigrahi, Kani Kusruti and Kesav Binoy Kiron.
“We’re very happy to be part of the launch of TIFFNZ. Film festivals play an important role in building dialogue and creating space for diverse stories,” Chadha and Fazal said in a joint statement.
They said bringing Indian cinema to New Zealand “in a structured, celebratory way feels both timely and meaningful.”
The festival, founded by Petrina D’Rozario, is scheduled to debut in October 2026 and will be New Zealand’s first dedicated Indian film festival. It is planned as a four-day event across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, with screenings, workshops, cultural events and industry discussions.
Organizers expect the inaugural edition to feature about 30 feature and short films highlighting Indian cinema and South Asian voices in Aotearoa.
Pooja Bhatt Shares Throwback Photo With Aamir Khan
MUMBAI, India — Pooja Bhatt shared a throwback photo with Aamir Khan from an old shoot by celebrated photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha.
The actress and filmmaker posted the vintage images on social media, showing her and Khan dressed in white and posing candidly on Rajadhyaksha’s balcony at his home on Hughes Road.
“Someday I will share the story behind these impromptu photos shot on Gautam Rajadhyaksha’s balcony,in his sprawling home on Hughes road. But not yet.. Not just yet,” Bhatt wrote.
Bhatt and Khan starred together in the 1991 romantic drama “Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin,” directed by Mahesh Bhatt. The film, which also featured Anupam Kher, became one of Bollywood’s best-known romantic hits.
Bhatt made her acting debut in “Daddy” in 1989, while Khan’s first lead role came in “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” in 1988.
Bhatt was recently seen in “Bombay Begums” and “Bigg Boss OTT 2.” Khan has recently been supporting his son Junaid Khan’s Bollywood career.
Rajadhyaksha, one of India’s most noted celebrity photographers, died in September 2011 after a cardiac arrest.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas Enjoys Hyderabad Mangoes During Shoot
MUMBAI, India — Priyanka Chopra Jonas shared a glimpse of her love for mangoes while working through a shoot schedule in Hyderabad.
The actress posted an Instagram story showing a tiffin filled with diced Himayat mangoes, writing, “Mango season… #himayat #hyderabadimangoes.”
She later shared a video from her vanity van as she got ready, with a bowl of mangoes placed in front of her. “Mango love,” she wrote.
Priyanka is in Hyderabad for “Varanasi,” directed by S.S. Rajamouli. The film also stars Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
The adventure drama reportedly follows Rudhra as Varanasi faces the impending arrival of an asteroid, with the story spanning multiple timelines and continents. The film has been described as a globetrotting adventure rooted in Indian cultural themes.
“Varanasi” is scheduled for theatrical release in April 2027.
Priyanka is also attached to “Krrish 4,” which will mark Hrithik Roshan’s directorial debut, and “Reset,” a survival thriller co-starring Orlando Bloom.
Shehnaaz Gill Says Her Heart Belongs to Herself
MUMBAI, India — Shehnaaz Gill shared a lighthearted but candid message about self-love while posting a dance video from the set of a project.
The actress-singer uploaded a clip of herself dancing to “Sheesha (Aakhya Mai Aakh Ghali Jo Bairan)” by Mitta Ror and SV Samrat. Dressed in a colorful Indian outfit, she is seen swaying to the track and mouthing the lyrics.
In the comments, Gill wrote, “My heart belongs to me. #shehnaazgill.”
Gill rose to fame on “Bigg Boss 13,” where her chemistry with the late Sidharth Shukla drew a large fan following. She was recently seen in the music video “Bezaaf” with Moroccan pop star Saad Lamjarred.
She made her Hindi film debut in Salman Khan’s “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan” and is next set to appear in “Ishqnama,” a romance drama based on true events and scheduled for release on July 24, 2026. (Source: IANS)
