Bollywood Roundup: Bhumi Pednekar, Dia Mirza, Karisma Kapoor, and more…
Bhumi Pednekar Urges Action on World Environment Day
Mumbai — Bhumi Pednekar marked World Environment Day by urging people to treat nature with greater care and move from awareness to action.
The actress shared photos and videos on Instagram from natural surroundings, including a clip by a riverside and a picture of her embracing a tree.
“The Earth does not ask for much, just a little kindness returned to the hands that hold us,” Pednekar wrote, adding that people must shift “from taking to giving, from convenience to consciousness.”
She said the planet is “our oldest home, our greatest inheritance” and urged people to “leave it better than we found it.”
Pednekar was last seen in Prime Video’s “Daldal.” Her upcoming projects include a romantic comedy opposite Imran Khan and the second season of “Daldal.”
Dia Mirza Says Career Break at 24 Felt Like a ‘Homecoming’
Mumbai — Dia Mirza has opened up about taking a two-year break at the peak of her early career, saying the decision helped her reconnect with herself.
Speaking on Soha Ali Khan’s podcast “All About Her,” the actress said she stepped back in 2005 despite being financially independent and professionally successful because she no longer felt fulfilled by her work.
“Like many, I was also sucked into the world of commodification, and as a model, my primary job was really to sell everything. And, it’s very interesting because I felt so dichotomous. In fact, I felt conflicted even in so many parts I was playing because I realized that they carry the integrity or the intelligence or the ethos that I carried. And I was not able to embody that spirit in the parts that I was playing at some level or the other; then what was I standing for?” Mirza said.
The “Sanju” actress added, “I stepped back in 2005. I took a 2-year sabbatical at what is considered your prime. I was 24. And I said I don’t like what I am doing. I am not having fun. I have made money. I am independent; I have a home I can call my own in a city that is now mine because it embraced me, and I don’t have to worry about my bills, but this is not making me happy. And that’s when I realized I needed to go back to myself. So, it was like a homecoming of sorts.”
Mirza made her Hindi film debut with “Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein” and later appeared in films including “Dus,” “Lage Raho Munna Bhai,” “Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd,” “Shootout at Lokhandwala” and “Kurbaan.” She has also appeared in “Sanju” and “Thappad.”
Karisma Kapoor Recalls Watching Rishi Kapoor’s ‘Dafli Wale’ as a Child
Mumbai — Karisma Kapoor recalled watching her uncle Rishi Kapoor’s iconic song “Dafli Wale” in theaters as a child, saying the track still makes her emotional.
“Yeh song maine bachpan mein Metro Cinema mein jaake bohot baar dekha hai. I do feel emotional as Chintu Uncle ki yaad aati hai jab yeh song dekhti hoon aur woh kaise dafli bajate hain is song mein,” Karisma said.
The actress made the remarks on the dance reality show “India’s Best Dancer,” where she is currently a judge. Her co-judge Jaaved Jaaferi also praised Rishi Kapoor’s screen presence.
“Main Rishi sahab ka bohot bada fan raha hoon. Bohot kam actors hote hain jo convincingly musical instruments bajate hain, aur Rishi sahab jaise uss gaane mein dafli bajate hain, woh aapko convince kar dete hain ki woh sach mein dafli baja sakte hain,” Jaaferi said.
The comments came after contestant Geetanjali performed to “Dafli Wale” from the 1979 film “Sargam.”
The song, picturized on Rishi Kapoor and Jaya Prada, was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi. It was composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi.
Raveena Tandon Marks World Environment Day With Spiritual Celebration
Mumbai — Raveena Tandon marked World Environment Day with a spiritual celebration focused on nature, wildlife and environmental protection.
The actress shared photos on social media showing her spending the morning with cows, devotees and religious leaders. In one picture, a spiritual leader in saffron robes is seen feeding and blessing cows on a green lawn.
“What better way than to spend #environmentday with the blessings of Ma Gange , Pujya Swami ji , My soul sister @sadhviji … Har Har Mahadev Save our Planet , Save our wildlife , Save our Forests . Secure our planet Earth for future generations,” Tandon wrote.
Tandon has often used her platform to raise awareness about wildlife protection and environmental issues.
On the work front, she has had a career spanning more than three decades, with films including “Mohra,” “Dilwale,” “Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi,” “Ziddi” and “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.” In recent years, she appeared in “Aranyak” and “KGF: Chapter 2.”
Her daughter, Rasha Thadani, recently made her Bollywood debut in “Azaad” alongside Aaman Devgan.
Suchitra Krishnamoorthi Says She Is Waiting for Roles That Challenge Her
Mumbai — Suchitra Krishnamoorthi says she is being selective about her work and is waiting for roles that genuinely excite and challenge her.
The actress and singer said she has completed a few projects, though they have not yet been released, and is enjoying the range of stories available through streaming platforms.
“I have completed a few projects, although they have not been released yet. To be honest, I do not take on too much work because I have not received many offers that I find exciting enough. I am waiting for something that genuinely challenges and inspires me,” Krishnamoorthi said.
Asked about the growing role of publicity in the entertainment industry, she said visibility has become important.
“In the early days, there was actual reporting. Journalists would investigate stories, gather information, and then publish it,” she said.
“Today, much of what we see is driven by publicity and paid promotions. However, to each their own. If someone is doing something and finding success through it, then why not? This is an age where visibility matters. If people want to promote themselves, they should feel free to do so. Just because someone criticizes a particular approach does not mean you should stop doing what works for you,” she added.
Krishnamoorthi made her film breakthrough opposite Shah Rukh Khan in “Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa.” She later released pop albums including “Dole Dole,” “Dum Tara,” “A-Ha” and “Zindagi,” and returned to films with “My Wife’s Murder” opposite Anil Kapoor.
Urvashi Dholakia Says She Became Mother to Twin Sons at 17
Mumbai — Urvashi Dholakia has opened up about becoming a mother to twin sons at 17 while building her career in television.
Appearing on Rajeev Khandelwal’s show “Tum Ho Naa,” the actress reflected on starting work as a child actor and taking on responsibilities at a young age.
Correcting Khandelwal after he said she had children around 19 or 20, Dholakia revealed she became a mother at 17.
Recalling her childhood dream of acting, she said, “Toh shuru karti hoon 6 saal ki umar se. Tab purane time pe colour TV aate the, button wale aate the… jo bhi aate the. Tab main bohot saare ads dekhti thi, bohot saare ads dekhti thi, baby ads dekhti thi, uss mein bohot saare products hote the. Toh ek din maine suddenly mummy ko bola ki mujhe TV nahi dekhna hai. Toh mummy was like, ‘Chalo abhi padhai mein dhyan degi,’ maine bola, ‘Nahi nahi, mujhe TV ke andar jaana hai.’ Toh shuruaat wahi se ho chuki thi.”
She added, “Mere paas uska koi jawab nahi, because mujhe sirf aur sirf acting karni thi bachpan se.”
Dholakia said her parents played the biggest role in supporting and encouraging her through marriage, motherhood and difficult phases in life.
“Aur tab sabse bada haath mujhe support karne mein, protsahan dene mein, encourage karne mein woh aur kisi ka nahi tha siwaye mere parents ke,” she said.
Dholakia remains best known for playing the iconic negative character Komolika in “Kasautii Zindagii Kay.” She is the mother of twin sons.
Ananya Panday Reveals Her ‘Summer Obsession’
Mumbai — Ananya Panday has revealed her current summer fashion favorites: toe rings and the color blue.
The actress shared a picture on Instagram Stories showing silver toe rings and icy-blue nail polish.
“Cutie toe rings and this blue are definitely my summer obsession,” she wrote.
Panday was recently seen in “Chand Mera Dil,” directed by Vivek Soni and co-starring Lakshya Lalwani. The film follows two college lovers whose relationship is tested as they enter adulthood and face new responsibilities.
She made her acting debut in 2019 with “Student of the Year 2” and later appeared in “Pati Patni Aur Woh” and “Dream Girl 2.” Her streaming credits include “Gehraiyaan,” “Kho Gaye Hum Kahan,” “CTRL” and “Call Me Bae.”
She also received praise for her role as a lawyer in “Kesari Chapter 2,” starring Akshay Kumar. (Source: IANS)
