Rashmika Mandanna Launches Personal Fragrance Brand ‘Dear Diary’
MUMBAI– Actress Rashmika Mandanna has launched her own fragrance line, Dear Diary, a brand inspired by personal memories and meaningful moments.
“For me, fragrance is memory,” said Rashmika. “Perfumes bring back special moments that might otherwise be forgotten. It’s how I hold on to the people, places, and experiences that shaped me.”
She described Dear Diary as more than just a scent — it’s a way for people to carry their stories, find comfort, and express themselves unapologetically.
In a heartfelt social media post, Rashmika wrote, “This isn’t just a perfume, it’s a piece of me. Scent has always played a powerful role in my life, and now I get to share that with you. I’m beyond grateful and also incredibly nervous, but I hope I have your blessings.”
Ahead of the launch, she teased the project with a video: “I’ve been working on something very close to my heart — not just a project, but something filled with love, inspired by every message and bit of support you’ve given me over the years. I hope you feel it and love it.”
The post was captioned: “Been keeping something special to myself for a while now… Just a little longer…”
Mouni Roy on Spy Thriller ‘Salakaar’: A Story That Demands Depth and Nuance
MUMBAI– Actress Mouni Roy says her upcoming series Salakaar offered a powerful opportunity to explore an emotionally complex world where political intrigue meets intimate human moments.
“Salakaar is unlike anything I’ve done before,” Mouni said. “Its intense narrative and layered emotions pushed me to grow as an artist. Every scene demanded careful attention to nuance and depth.”
Directed by Faruk Kabir and produced by Sphereorigins and Mahir Films, Salakaar is a gripping espionage thriller set across two timelines — 1978 and 2025 — and premieres August 8 on JioHotstar.
“I’m excited for viewers to see a side of me they haven’t seen before,” Mouni added. “The camaraderie on set and shared creative vision made this journey unforgettable.”
The teaser, released Monday, introduces a high-stakes story about an Indian spy navigating resurging threats as the past collides with the present. Inspired by real events, the series follows a legendary spymaster who uncovers a top-secret nuclear facility in Pakistan while working to protect national security.
Faruk Kabir described the project as “an intense spy thriller with a deeply emotional core,” emphasizing that the focus is on intelligence and sacrifice rather than flashy action. “This is my tribute to the unsung heroes who fought not just with weapons, but with brilliance.”
Naveen Kasturia, who also stars in the series, called the role “a unique challenge,” both physically and emotionally. “Playing an undercover operative demanded constant tension — one mistake could mean death. It was my first action-heavy role, and Faruk’s vision carried me through.”
Veteran actor Mukesh Rishi said Salakaar stood out for its cerebral approach to spycraft. “It values strategy and sacrifice as much as intensity. The script felt authentic, and the characters are deeply rooted in reality.”
Also starring Surya Sharma, Salakaar premieres August 8 exclusively on JioHotstar.
Anil Kapoor Praises ‘Tanvi The Great’: A Testament to Powerful Storytelling
MUMBAI– Actor Anil Kapoor says the overwhelming response to Tanvi The Great reflects the true power of storytelling to move and inspire.
Sharing his thoughts on Instagram, Kapoor wrote, “The love pouring in is a testament to the power of storytelling — not just to move people, but to shift something within. And you made this happen with your incredible vision, @anupamkher. You’ve poured your soul into every frame.”
He called Tanvi The Great more than just a film, describing it as an experience filled with “heart, hope, and humanity.”
Kapoor also praised debut actress Shubhangi Dutt, saying, “@shubhangidutt, you’ve brought Tanvi to life with such grace, strength, and honesty — what a remarkable debut.”
Encouraging audiences to see the film, Kapoor added, “Tanvi’s journey is touching lives, one theatre at a time. If you haven’t seen it yet, now’s the time. Go witness something truly special.”
The film, directed by Anupam Kher, opened in theaters on July 18. During a special screening, Kher shared an emotional video of Shubhangi and co-writer Ankur Chalisa interacting with a full house.
Reflecting on the moment, Kher wrote, “Crying isn’t always about sadness. Sometimes it’s about feeling something good. That’s what happened after the screening.”
He also noted the presence of autistic children in the audience and shared stories of viewers who found hope through the film. “One man was moved to tears thinking of his daughter who stammers. Another mother, Aneesha, saw hope for her autistic son in Tanvi The Great,” Kher said.
SC Grants Shreyas Talpade Protection from Arrest in Multi-Crore Scam Case
NEW DELHI– The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim protection from arrest to Bollywood actor Shreyas Talpade, who faces multiple FIRs across several states in connection with an alleged multi-crore chit fund scam.
A bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and K.V. Viswanathan issued notices to the Centre and the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The court also scheduled Talpade’s petition—seeking to consolidate all FIRs and transfer the investigation to Lucknow—for further hearing on August 29.
Until then, the court ordered that no coercive action be taken against Talpade.
The actor is accused of being involved in a fraudulent scheme run through The Loni Urban Multistate Credit and Thrift Cooperative Society Limited, which allegedly promised villagers that their investments would double in a short time. After collecting crores from investors, the company allegedly shut down and vanished.
The scam had reportedly been active in Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh, for nearly a decade. In February, Talpade and veteran actor Alok Nath were named in an FIR filed in Lucknow for allegedly duping investors of over ₹9 crore. Both were also implicated in a similar fraud case in Sonipat, Haryana, tied to a multi-level marketing scheme operated by the same cooperative society.
The actors are accused of publicly endorsing the scheme, which allegedly helped lure unsuspecting investors by adding celebrity credibility to the operation.
Soha Ali Khan: “Muscles and Mascara—Both Stay On”
MUMBAI– Actress and fitness enthusiast Soha Ali Khan kicked off her Monday with an intense workout, sharing a glimpse of her gym routine on Instagram.
“Muscles and mascara — both stay on as we do it again — and again — and again! #gymgirl #fitnessmotivation,” she captioned a video featuring functional training, kettlebell exercises, back workouts, ab crunches, and time on the cross trainer.
Known for promoting wellness, Soha regularly shares glimpses of her fitness journey. Last week, she posted her morning ritual: a white pumpkin (ash gourd) juice she drinks daily on an empty stomach. “It’s detoxifying, cooling, and great for gut health,” she wrote, adding hashtags like #selflove and #detox.
On the acting front, the 46-year-old star was last seen in Chhorii 2, where she played Daasi Maa in the horror thriller directed by Vishal Furia. The sequel to the 2021 film starred Nushrratt Bharuccha and was released on April 11, 2025.
Soha is married to actor and filmmaker Kunal Kemmu.
Alia Bhatt-Produced Difficult Daughters Selected for Asian Project Market at BIFF
MUMBAI– Difficult Daughters, produced by Alia Bhatt, has been officially selected for the prestigious Asian Project Market (APM) at this year’s Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
Directed by Soni Razdan and co-produced by Alia and her sister Shaheen Bhatt, alongside veteran indie producer Alan McAlex (Santosh), the project is one of 30 selected for the four-day APM, which will run from September 20–23 during the 20th Asian Contents & Film Market at BEXCO in Busan, South Korea.
According to Deadline, the APM lineup features a strong slate of emerging Asian cinema, including The Last of Them Plagues by Kunjila Mascillamani, produced by Cannes winner Payal Kapadia and actress Kani Kusruti. Other Indian projects include Moon by Pradip Kurbah and The Magical Men by Bangladeshi filmmaker Biplob Sarkar.
The slate also includes notable entries from Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan, and mainland China, many with a focus on women-led narratives and social issues.
Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt was last seen in Jigra, a thriller she produced and starred in, playing a woman determined to free her brother from a foreign prison. Up next, she’ll headline Alpha alongside Sharvari, where they play elite secret agents. Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha is slated for a Christmas 2025 release and will be the seventh installment in Yash Raj Films’ growing spy universe.
Vidya Balan Starts Monday with a Mind-Bending Riddle from Her Father-in-Law
MUMBAI– Actress Vidya Balan kicked off her Monday with a playful challenge — a riddle from her father-in-law, Kumud Roy Kapur.
Sharing a behind-the-scenes video on Instagram while getting her hair and makeup done, Vidya posed the brain teaser:
“What does Apkadevky Jekyllmon Opsqure 2 Vixs mean?”
She then repeated it with her stylist, laughing and teasing followers to “go figure.”
In the caption, she wrote: “Monday morning head-scratcher courtesy my riddle master father-in-law (Papa Roy Kapur).”
In other recent updates, Vidya visited Tirumala’s Lord Venkateswara Temple in June with her family, where she received Vedic blessings and temple offerings.
On the work front, Vidya was last seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, a horror comedy directed by Anees Bazmee. The film, set in Kolkata, also stars Kartik Aaryan, Madhuri Dixit, and Triptii Dimri.
A National Award winner, Vidya is known for reshaping female roles in Bollywood with acclaimed performances in Parineeta, Kahaani, The Dirty Picture, Tumhari Sulu, Mission Mangal, and OTT hits like Shakuntala Devi, Sherni, and Jalsa. (Source: IANS)
