Bollywood Roundup: Ranbir Kapoor, Pooja Bhatt, Karisma Kapoor, and more…

Ranbir Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor share playful dance to promote ‘Daadi Ki Shaadi’

MUMBAI, India — Ranbir Kapoor and his mother, Neetu Kapoor, broke into an impromptu dance while being photographed in Mumbai’s Andheri area, recreating the hook step from the song “Senti” from Neetu’s upcoming film Daadi Ki Shaadi.

The lighthearted moment showed the pair matching steps before Neetu kissed Ranbir on the cheek and hugged him.

Neetu stars in the family entertainer alongside Kapil Sharma, while Ranbir’s sister, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, makes her Bollywood debut in the film.

Riddhima recently said Ranbir advised her to “stay honest in front of the camera” and trust her instincts.

The film follows a wedding thrown into chaos when the bride’s grandmother decides to marry a mysterious man, uncovering unexpected secrets. Directed by Ashish R. Mohan and backed by Rtake Studios, BeingU Studios, and Shimla Talkies, Daadi Ki Shaadi is set to release May 8.

Pooja Bhatt says Mahesh Bhatt refused to dub her voice in ‘Daddy’

MUMBAI, India — Pooja Bhatt recalled how filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt rejected suggestions to dub her voice in the film Daddy, insisting she be accepted as she was.

Speaking on Indian Idol, Pooja said there had been discussions about replacing her voice with a dubbing artist who sounded “more feminine.”

She said her father and director stood firm, telling others that audiences should either accept her as she is or reject her the same way.

Pooja described the moment as defining, saying it gave her confidence despite earlier insecurities about her voice.

Mahesh Bhatt also reflected on casting his daughter in the film, saying he wanted a young girl who could portray a daughter helping her alcoholic father overcome addiction, though he noted she was nervous at the time.

Responding, Pooja said some anxiety is necessary, adding that appearing on Indian Idol remains a significant moment for her.

Karisma Kapoor reflects on dance journey ahead of ‘India’s Best Dancer 5’

MUMBAI, India — Karisma Kapoor is looking back on her lifelong connection to dance as she prepares for the premiere of India’s Best Dancer Season 5 on May 9.

Marking International Dance Day, Kapoor said her journey began at a young age and has shaped her with every performance. She described dance as more than movement, calling it a way to feel and live each moment.

Fellow judge Jaaved Jaaferi emphasized individuality, saying dance is about personality and owning one’s unique style rather than striving for perfection. He encouraged performers to trust their instincts and express themselves freely.

Choreographer Terence Lewis highlighted dance as a universal language that connects people across cultures, adding that platforms like the show help nurture talent and transform lives.

India’s Best Dancer Season 5 will air on Sony Entertainment Television and stream on Sony LIV starting May 9.

Nikita Dutta shares quirky search history, admits ‘not proud’ of it

MUMBAI, India — Actress Nikita Dutta gave fans a candid look at her recent Google searches, joking that she’s “not proud” of some of them.

In a social media post, Dutta shared a series of everyday photos paired with what she had been searching online. Among them was “indirect ways to know HbA1C level,” reflecting curiosity about health.

Other searches ranged from “is Bhushan Pradhan tying the knot” to “easy chocolate ganache recipe,” along with topics like the bokeh effect, summer nail trends, calorie counts, and EMF blockers.

“Things I googled this week and I am not proud,” she wrote.

Dutta began her career in television before moving to films, appearing in projects including Gold, Kabir Singh, and The Big Bull. She was also seen in the Marathi film Gharat Ganpati alongside Bhushan Pradhan.

Akshay Oberoi says reunion with Siddharth Anand boosts confidence for ‘King’

MUMBAI, India — Actor Akshay Oberoi says reuniting with director Siddharth Anand for the upcoming film King has given him greater confidence, building on their earlier collaboration in Fighter.

Oberoi said he shares a strong level of trust with Anand, noting that he readily agreed to join the project without hesitation. He added that the filmmaker understands his actors well and brings out new dimensions in their performances.

Reflecting on Fighter, Oberoi said the experience helped him grow, citing the film’s scale and discipline as key factors in his development.

He said the journey from Fighter to King has helped him evolve as an actor and expressed gratitude for being brought back into Anand’s “cinematic world.”

Fighter, released in 2024, starred Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, and Anil Kapoor, and followed an Indian Air Force pilot’s journey to becoming a hero.

Saiyami Kher says sports remain central as she balances IPL role and films

MUMBAI, India — Actress Saiyami Kher says sports continue to play a defining role in her life as she balances acting with her stint as a cricket analyst during the IPL.

Kher said her passion for sports began early, recalling how her father once encouraged her to pursue sports broadcasting. While she chose to complete her education and later moved into acting, she said athletics have remained a constant influence.

She noted that the discipline and mindset gained from sports have shaped her approach to acting, adding that she has long stayed active through cricket, marathons, and Ironman events.

Calling her IPL involvement “incredibly exciting,” Kher said it offers a new perspective on the game, especially as she interacts with figures she admired growing up, including Virender Sehwag, Adam Gilchrist, and Harsha Bhogle.

Kher said she continues to juggle multiple commitments, including finishing two films and training for another Ironman, while aiming to maintain a balance between films, sports, and travel.

She added that both sports and cinema share a common thread of storytelling, driven by emotion and unpredictability, and said she hopes to bring authenticity to both fields.

Urvashi Rautela says real-life role in ‘Inspector Avinash 2’ brought added responsibility

MUMBAI, India — Urvashi Rautela says portraying a character inspired by real events in Inspector Avinash Season 2 came with a strong sense of responsibility.

Rautela, who reprises her role as Poonam Mishra opposite Randeep Hooda, said the authenticity of the story drew her to the project and motivated her to do justice to the real-life inspiration behind her character.

As part of her preparation, she met the real-life wife of Inspector Avinash Mishra, saying the interaction helped her understand the resilience required to support a police officer in a demanding profession.

Rautela said she spent nearly two years studying the mindset and behavior of a police officer’s spouse, focusing on speech, personality, and emotional depth.

She added that the role stands apart from her previous work, particularly in its focus on the often-unseen experiences and sacrifices of police families. (Source: IANS)