Bollywood Roundup: Farhan Akhtar, Dia Mirza, Sunny Deol, and more…
Farhan Akhtar Shares Hand-Drawn ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ Storyboards 25 Years Later
Mumbai — Farhan Akhtar is giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at “Dil Chahta Hai,” sharing his original hand-drawn storyboards as the hit film marks 25 years.
The filmmaker posted the sketches on Instagram, showing how he planned scenes and camera shots before digital tools became widely available.
“Long before AI and before software was easily (think affordable) available, this was how I did my storyboards on Dil Chahta Hai,” Farhan wrote. “Hand drawn with every character looking like a fingerprint. Maybe that’s what made them unique.”
He also challenged fans to guess which scene was depicted in the drawings.
Farhan and producer Ritesh Sidhwani also marked 25 years since launching Excel Entertainment and beginning work on “Dil Chahta Hai,” recalling that they were just 26 when they set out to tell stories in a different way.
Released in 2001, “Dil Chahta Hai” starred Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna, along with Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni and Dimple Kapadia.
Dia Mirza Calls on Government to Protect Elephant Corridors
Mumbai — Dia Mirza is calling for stronger government action to protect elephant corridors and ensure the animals can safely travel through their natural habitats.
Marking World Elephant Day, the actress and environmental advocate said elephant conservation must go beyond protecting forests and wildlife sanctuaries. She noted that elephants move across rivers, grasslands, farms and forests in search of food, water and mates.
“When we think about protecting elephants, we often picture dense forests and protected areas,” Mirza said in an Instagram video. “But what if I told you that the future of elephants depends just as much on the landscapes beyond these forests?”
She warned that roads, railways, settlements and mining are increasingly fragmenting ancient elephant routes, pushing animals into smaller areas and increasing conflict with people.
Mirza said governments should incorporate wildlife connectivity into land-use planning, while businesses and communities also have a role in protecting migration routes.
“This is what we call right of passage,” she said, urging support for the Wildlife Trust of India’s efforts to identify, secure and restore critical elephant corridors.
World Elephant Day is observed annually on Aug. 12 to raise awareness about threats facing elephants worldwide.
Sunny Deol Meets Subhas Chandra Bose’s Grandnephew Ahead of ‘Batwara 1947’
Mumbai — Sunny Deol and filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi met Sugata Bose, grandnephew of Indian nationalist leader Subhas Chandra Bose, as promotions continue for their upcoming period drama “Batwara 1947.”
Deol shared a video on Instagram Stories showing the pair speaking with Bose, who offered praise and good wishes for the film.
“Thank you Sugata Bose ji for your kind words and wishes for #Batwara1947,” Deol wrote.
The actor also recently visited the Partition Museum in Amritsar with his son Karan Deol. Reflecting on the visit, he said the stories of “pain, courage, separation and survival” should not be forgotten.
“Some chapters of history are painful, but we must remember them, so future generations understand the value of peace, humanity and togetherness,” he wrote.
“Batwara 1947” also stars Shabana Azmi, Preity Zinta, Ali Fazal and Abhimanyu Singh. The film marks Zinta’s return to the big screen after an eight-year absence.
The movie is scheduled to open in theaters on Aug. 14, 2026.
Lisa Ray Opens Up About Early Menopause After Chemotherapy
Mumbai — Lisa Ray has revealed that chemotherapy pushed her into menopause at just 37, opening up about the lasting impact cancer treatment had on her body.
The actress said she initially had little understanding of what was happening and spent years simply adapting to the changes.
“I went into menopause at 37. Chemotherapy pushed my body across that threshold,” Ray wrote on Instagram. “For years, I did what so many women do: I adapted. But survival and wellbeing are not the same thing.”
Ray said the experience also exposed what she described as a wider lack of awareness and support around menopause and women’s midlife health.
“The silence can be almost as difficult to navigate as the symptoms,” she wrote.
Her experience later helped inspire her to co-found NuHer, a platform focused on women’s hormonal and midlife health.
“I wanted to help build what I couldn’t find at 37: a place dedicated to women’s midlife and hormonal health,” Ray said.
Ray was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting plasma cells, in 2009.
Kareena Kapoor Reveals Sara Ali Khan’s Favorite Food in Birthday Post
Mumbai — Kareena Kapoor gave fans a glimpse into Sara Ali Khan’s food favorites while wishing the actress a happy 31st birthday.
Kareena shared a black-and-white family photo featuring herself, husband Saif Ali Khan, Sara and Ibrahim Ali Khan.
“Happy birthday Sara darling…to more pumpkin sabzi and now yoghurts. May your plate always be full,” Kareena wrote on social media.
Sara is Saif’s daughter from his first marriage to Amrita Singh. Kareena married Saif in 2012 and has previously described her relationship with Sara and Ibrahim as supportive and friendly rather than parental.
Sara celebrated her 31st birthday on Aug. 12 with wishes pouring in from family, friends and film industry colleagues.
She will next be seen opposite Ayushmann Khurrana in “Udta Teer,” which is scheduled to hit theaters on Oct. 9.
Mallika Sherawat Claims Tom Cruise Has a Crush on Her
Mumbai — Mallika Sherawat has made a surprising claim about Tom Cruise, saying the Hollywood superstar has a crush on her and sends her messages.
The actress made the revelation during an episode of the reality show “The Traitors” after comedian Aditya Kulshrestha asked whether she had ever had a crush on anyone.
“Everyone has had a crush on me. Tom Cruise has had a crush on me recently. I’m not lying,” Sherawat said, adding that she could have shown videos from their interactions if she had her phone.
Asked what kind of videos Cruise had sent, she clarified that they were clips from times when they had been partying together.
“He’s fabulous,” she said.
Sherawat has previously highlighted her connections in the U.S. Last year, she shared photos from a White House Christmas reception, describing the invitation as “completely surreal.” (Source: IANS)
