Bollywood Roundup: Akshay Kumar, Mrunal Thakur
Akshay Kumar Says IPL Inspired Mumbai Clean League Initiative
MUMBAI, India — Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar said the idea for the Mumbai Clean League was inspired by the Indian Premier League, blending sports-style competition with civic responsibility to promote cleanliness across the city.
Speaking about the concept, Kumar said, “As we see IPL, Indian Premier League, an idea came to my mind from there, so I told Amit Satham ji and sir that why not make a Mumbai Clean League, in which everyone will participate, because our city, Mumbai, every person, I mean, you all know that approximately 250 million people live here, and everyone wants a good life. The place is small, Mumbai is small, but there is a lot of energy here, and it is a financial place of our country also”.
He added, “So, why don’t we, everybody wants to live very happily, in a very clean environment, polluted free, completely, so let’s try and do something. See, since childhood, whenever we go to school, we have a sports day, we have an allocation day, we have a monitor, someone comes first, someone comes second, someone comes third, so our mindset has always been like this. So, I just told Gagrani ji, ‘Why don’t we do this, let’s start a league, where the whole of Mumbai will come, and participate in the competition’”.
The Mumbai Clean League, launched by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, uses a competitive format to rank city wards on sanitation, waste management, citizen participation, and recycling innovation. The initiative includes audits, surprise inspections, and public dashboards to improve accountability, while aligning with broader national cleanliness efforts under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Mrunal Thakur Visits Pune Temple, Shares Glimpse of Ganpati Darshan
MUMBAI, India — Actress Mrunal Thakur offered prayers at Pune’s Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir, sharing moments from her visit on social media.
Dressed in a red ethnic outfit with minimal makeup, the “Jersey” actress posed with folded hands. She captioned the post, “If I came to Pune and did not have a darshan of Bappa, then what did I do?”
Thakur, known for sharing personal moments with fans, was recently seen reuniting with her former “Kumkum Bhagya” co-stars. Actress Supriya Shukla posted photos from the gathering, along with a heartfelt note celebrating veteran actress Madhu Raja’s birthday and reminiscing about their time together.
On the professional front, Thakur is set to star in the upcoming action film “Dacoit” alongside Adivi Sesh. Directed by Shaneil Deo, the film also features Anurag Kashyap, Prakash Raj, Sunil, Atul Kulkarni, Zayn Marie Khan, and Kamakshi Bhaskarla.
Kajol Shares Humorous Take on Weight Gain in Social Media Post
MUMBAI, India — Actress Kajol offered a lighthearted take on weight gain, sharing a humorous “mantra” with her followers on social media.
Posting a witty message, she wrote, “When ur weighing scale tells u that u have put on weight but can’t see it always assume it’s gone to ur head and u have just become smarter ! #namaste Follow me for more hidden gems. (Sic)”
Known for her playful online presence, Kajol frequently shares quirky and humorous thoughts with fans. In a recent post, she reflected on everyday moments, writing, “Deciding whether I should shut the door or leave it open… And somehow that became the shot! A lot like most of life (sic)”.
On the professional front, Kajol will next appear in the action thriller “Maharagni: Queen of Queens,” where she plays a woman on a revenge mission in a story centered on a mother-daughter duo.
Dia Mirza Highlights Son’s Awareness of Flamingo Migration, Mangrove Protection
MUMBAI, India — Actress and environmental advocate Dia Mirza shared that her six-year-old son, Avyaan Azaad Rekhi, is already aware of flamingo migration patterns and the importance of protecting mangrove ecosystems.
Mirza posted images from a visit to the flamingo habitat in Airoli, Navi Mumbai, showing children observing birds and participating in awareness efforts around mangrove conservation.
“The seed of love is sown through connection. This was Avyaan’s third visit to Airoli. He knows where the flamingos come from, why they return each year, how long they stay. He has watched them, learnt about the mangroves, and understands that this place is sacred. He loves it. And now many of his friends do too!” she wrote.
She also raised concerns about the reported destruction of mangroves, adding, “As citizens come together to peacefully oppose the destruction of over 45,000 mangrove trees, I find myself asking: what will it take to understand that destroying living ecosystems is self-destruction?”
“Mangroves are not just trees. They protect our coasts from flooding, store vast amounts of carbon, support fisheries, filter pollutants, and sustain biodiversity. These are not ‘services’, they are life-support systems.”
Mirza emphasized that afforestation cannot replace mature ecosystems, noting, “A plantation cannot replace an old, living ecosystem built over decades. Survival rates are low, biodiversity is lost, and the complex relationships between soil, water, and life cannot simply be recreated.”
Reflecting her son’s perspective, she added, “In Avyaan’s words: ‘How can they be so cruel?’ To destroy what protects us… is to dismantle our own future.”
Ranbir Kapoor Jokes About Birthday Cake for Alia Bhatt at Airport
MUMBAI, India — Actor Ranbir Kapoor shared a playful moment with paparazzi as he returned to the city with Alia Bhatt after celebrating her birthday in Hong Kong.
As photographers greeted Alia and wished her, Ranbir jokingly asked if they had brought a birthday cake. When they said they had not, he responded with mock disappointment, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Ranbir kept a casual travel look in a navy T-shirt, jacket, jeans, and a New York Yankees cap, while Alia opted for an oversized white sweatshirt and loose trousers paired with a red cap and minimal makeup.
The couple’s daughter, Raha, was not seen as they exited the airport. The family had traveled to Hong Kong for Alia’s birthday, which she celebrated on March 15. (Source: IANS)
