Mrunal Thakur Rings in Birthday with Buzzing Response to ‘Son of Sardaar 2’
MUMBAI– Actress Mrunal Thakur is celebrating her birthday with a wave of praise for her role in the newly released comedy Son of Sardaar 2. Taking to Instagram on Friday, she shared photos from a special screening and thanked fans for the overwhelming love.
“Couldn’t have asked for a better birthday,” she wrote. “Son of Sardaar 2 is finally out, and I had all my people by my side. This film is full of madness, magic, and the most incredible cast.”
Introducing her character, Rabia, to the world, Mrunal added, “I hope you love her as much as I do.”
In a lighter moment, choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan posted a video of Mrunal teaching her cook Dilip the viral “Po Po Song” dance from the film—touting it as both fun and a jawline workout.
Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora, Son of Sardaar 2 stars Ajay Devgn, Mrunal Thakur, Ravi Kishan, and Sanjay Mishra. The film is a standalone sequel to the 2012 hit and marks the posthumous appearance of Mukul Dev. It follows a man who pretends to be a war hero to help a couple gain parental approval for their marriage.
#SOS2 is now in theaters.
Adah Sharma Reflects on Life-Changing Impact of ‘The Kerala Story’ After National Awards Win
MUMBAI– Adah Sharma says The Kerala Story transformed her life—and now, the film’s recognition at the 71st National Film Awards has made the journey even more meaningful.
The film took home two major awards, including Best Director and Best Cinematography. Speaking to IANS, Sharma said, “This film changed my life—and knowing it touched so many others makes every tear, every risk, every controversy worth it.”
She added, “I’m grateful to everyone who watched it, felt it, and stood by it. Full credit to Vipul sir, Sudipto sir, and Prasanthanu sir for having the courage to make this film. I’m so thankful they chose me to play the protagonist.”
Directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, The Kerala Story premiered in May 2023 and follows the story of three Kerala women portrayed as victims of “love jihad.” The film, featuring Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, and Siddhi Idnani, sparked widespread controversy over its portrayal of women allegedly being recruited into ISIS—accusations critics labeled as exaggerated and misleading.
Reflecting on the film’s impact, Sharma noted, “The audience and box office don’t care about your surname or background. I’m grateful to everyone the film has touched. I’m proud to be an inspiration to young women across India.”
Rani Mukerji Dedicates First National Award to “All Incredible Mothers”
MUMBAI– Rani Mukerji has won her first-ever National Award in her 30-year career, taking home the Best Actress honor for her performance in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway.
In a heartfelt statement, Rani said, “I’m overwhelmed to receive my first National Award. I’ve been fortunate to do some incredible films over the years, but this one is truly special. I share this moment with the entire team—my producers Nikkhil Advani, Monisha, and Madhu, director Ashima Chibber, and everyone who helped tell this powerful story about the strength of motherhood.”
The actress called the recognition a validation of her three decades in cinema, describing her craft as a spiritual calling. She added, “I dedicate this award to all the incredible mothers of the world. There’s nothing like a mother’s love—fierce, unconditional, and unbreakable. I felt this story deeply as a mother myself.”
Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway follows the harrowing true story of an Indian immigrant mother fighting a foreign legal system to reunite with her children.
Rani also expressed gratitude to her fans: “For 30 years, your love has kept me going. You’ve embraced every character and every story. Without you, I wouldn’t be here.”
Sonali Bendre Says ‘Pati Patni Aur Panga’ Is Completely Unscripted
MUMBAI– Actress Sonali Bendre has cleared the air on whether her new reality show Pati Patni Aur Panga is scripted. The answer? It’s not.
Speaking to IANS, Sonali said, “Our show is about the reality check of couples. When people are together, fights and fun happen naturally—you can’t script that. We create situations, but what happens next is all real.”
Hosting a reality show for the first time, Sonali admitted she was nervous. “I’m used to performing with scripts, but now I’m working with someone like Munawar, who thrives on spontaneity. It’s a bit scary for me.”
Comparing hosting to judging, she added, “Judging is reacting to what you see. Hosting is about steering the story. It’s like flying a kite—you guide the flow, adjust the pace, and hold the energy together.”
Pati Patni Aur Panga premieres August 2 on Colors TV, featuring celebrity couples like Hina Khan–Rocky Jaiswal, Gurmeet Choudhary–Debina Bonnerjee, Rubina Dilaik–Abhinav Shukla, and more.
Kajol Cheers for Ajay Devgn’s ‘Son of Sardaar 2’: “Full-On Dhamaka!”
MUMBAI– Kajol took to Instagram to show her support for husband Ajay Devgn’s latest film Son of Sardaar 2, posting a clip and writing, “Looking forward to the full-on dhamaka of #SOS2! Congratulations @ajaydevgn and the whole cast.”
Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora, the film is a standalone sequel to the 2012 hit and stars Ajay Devgn, Mrunal Thakur, Ravi Kishan, and Sanjay Mishra. It also marks the posthumous appearance of actor Mukul Dev and released in theaters August 1, clashing with Dhadak 2.
In an earlier interview with IANS, Kajol opened up about working alongside her husband, saying, “We’ve never had major fights over films. We’re usually on the same page.” She praised Ajay’s role as a producer, noting he’s “very hands-on,” involved in everything from scripting to marketing.
“He’s made sure every part—from the VFX to the music—works perfectly,” she added. “He’s an excellent producer.”
John Abraham Says ‘Tehran’ Blends Realism with Global Appeal Ahead of ZEE5 Release
MUMBAI– Actor John Abraham describes his upcoming geo-political thriller Tehran as a grounded yet globally relevant film, calling it one of the most intense roles of his career.
Streaming on ZEE5 from August 14, Tehran stars John alongside Manushi Chhillar, Neeru Bajwa, and Madhurima Tuli. Inspired by the 2012 Israeli Embassy bombing in Delhi, the film explores international tensions between Israel and Iran through a fictional lens.
John, who plays ACP Rajeev Kumar, said, “This isn’t a typical good-versus-evil story—it’s about moral conflict. My character is torn between duty and conscience, which makes it incredibly layered. Tehran is India’s first true international film, and I’m proud it’s being showcased globally through ZEE5.”
Director Arun Gopalan echoed the sentiment, calling the film “a mirror to a fractured world” that explores shifting loyalties and the human cost of geopolitics. “More than a spy thriller, it’s a tense, thought-provoking ride,” he added.
Neeru Bajwa called her role one of strength and integrity. “It’s rare to see women portrayed with such moral clarity in politically charged stories. Tehran is bold, timely, and deeply real,” she said.
Tehran premieres on August 14 exclusively on ZEE5.
Varun Dhawan Embraces Punjab’s Simplicity Ahead of ‘Border 2’
MUMBAI– As he gears up for the release of Border 2, Varun Dhawan is soaking in the serenity of rural Punjab. The actor recently shared peaceful snapshots from farm visits, capturing the charm of village life.
Clad in a white kurta-pyjama, Varun posted photos on Instagram posing in lush green fields, captioning the post simply: “Punjab Punjab Punjab.”
Currently shooting for the war drama, Varun has been offering fans behind-the-scenes glimpses. In one recent post, he hugged co-star Diljit Dosanjh on his last day of filming and wrote, “Diljit paaji ka shoot khatam hua, ladoo vi batt gaye… dosti da taste hi kuch aur hunda hai! Thank u paaji.”
Co-star Ahan Shetty also praised Varun for his humility and support on set, calling him “secure, generous, and a true big brother figure.”
Directed by Anurag Singh and co-starring Sunny Deol, Border 2 is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta. The film is set to hit theaters on January 23, 2026.
Rashmika Mandanna Says She Swears by Simplicity—and Rasam Rice
MUMBAI– Actress Rashmika Mandanna believes in the power of simplicity—especially when it comes to beauty and comfort food. Speaking to IANS, the Dear Diary founder revealed that many of her skincare remedies are straight from her mother’s kitchen.
“I’ve grown up with home remedies,” she said. “My mum was always mixing up something. I love it when simplicity works.”
Asked about her favorite comfort foods, Rashmika didn’t hesitate: “Rasam rice, a good poke bowl… or just dessert! Rasam rice always feels like a warm hug.”
On the work front, she was last seen in Kuberaa, starring alongside Nagarjuna Akkineni and Dhanush. Up next is The Girlfriend, a Telugu film directed by Rahul Ravindran, and Thama, a dark supernatural romance co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana. The latter, directed by Muniya’s Aditya Sarpotdar, explores vampire legends through the eyes of a determined historian, and features Paresh Rawal and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. (Source: IANS)
