Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Mumbai only city in world that makes dreams come true, says Nawaz

Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui on Tuesday (22) described Mumbai as a "city of dreams" that has helped several outsiders like him pen their success stories.

The Uttar Pradesh born actor's next release is Thackeray, a biopic on Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray who advocated the "Maharashtra for Maharashtrians" plank in the late 1960s.


The actor, who has done the pendulum shift from playing progressive Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto to enacting the role of Thackeray, dismissed fears of belonging to a Hindi speaking northern state and living in Mumbai and said the city welcomed everyone with open arms.

"I think Mumbai is a place which has the maximum number of outsiders. I am also an outsider there. Lakhs and thousands of people have realised their dreams in that city... Whoever has come there from the outside -- someone is a superstar, a writer, a singer. They have become someone or the other," Nawazuddin said.

Not so long ago, in the years before he became a star, the actor from Budhana village in Muzaffarnagar reportedly could not act in the local Ram Lila because of his minority status following objections from the local Shiv Sena unit.

But Mumbai dispelled many of his fears.

"If this zehniyat (mindset) had been prevalent in the city, all these things would not have been possible. I came out of a small village in UP and went there and saw dreams. No other place would have helped me make my dreams come true. And it happened in a bindas (carefree) manner. The kind of narrow-minded thinking that we harbour about Mumbai, it doesn't exist in the city," he said.

Nawazuddin's casting as Thackeray raised a lot of eyebrows but the actor said he has "full freedom" to pick or reject any role.

"Since 1991, I have only thought about becoming an actor day and night. Whenever I get a role like this, I feel happy that some of the hard work that I have done in the past 25 years will be executed.

"I will do whatever role I want to do. I enjoy doing challenging roles. I like to be pushed outside my comfort zone. Experiment as much as possible, there is only one life to live," he said.

However, the actor said he draws a line at doing some kinds of films and, stretching his arms in a gesture reminiscent of Shah Rukh Khan, said there are some roles he cannot do. The two actors had starred together in the 2017 film Raees.

Every character he plays has an effect on his personal life, Nawazuddin said.

He said his mother was overjoyed when she found out that he was playing the title role of Thackeray in the biopic.

"Her happiness is my happiness. That's it," he added.

If things were in his control, he would only do romantic films, he joked.

"I love doing romance. But Anurag Kashyap has spoiled me. He always puts a gun in my hand. My upcoming films Roam Rome Mein, Photograph and Motichoor are all romantic and I had a lot of fun working in these," he said.

As a National School of Drama graduate, Nawazuddin has a special connection with the capital.

Asked if he would like to go back to plays, the actor said he is currently enjoying his time at the movies.

"As of now, I'm very happy doing films. If I reach a saturation point, I'll definitely head back to theatre. It is has given me a lot," he said.

Also present at the event were actor Amrita Rao, senior Shiv Sena leader and producer-writer Sanjay Raut and co-producer Urvashi Raut.

Thackeray is set to clash with Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi this Friday.

More For You

Jeet Adani marries Diva Shah, Adani family pledges £950M for social causes

Jeet Adani and Diva Jaimin Shah tie the knot in an intimate ceremony

Instagram/Gautam Adani

Jeet Adani marries Diva Shah, Adani family pledges £950M for social causes

Jeet Adani, the younger son of billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, married Diva Jaimin Shah, daughter of diamond merchant Jaimin Shah, in an intimate wedding ceremony in Ahmedabad. The event, held at the Adani township, Shantigram, followed traditional Jain and Gujarati customs and was attended by close family members and loved ones. The wedding festivities began at 2 PM, with rituals conducted in a serene and traditional manner.

Despite the family’s prominence, the wedding was intentionally kept low-key, with no political figures or celebrities in attendance. Gautam Adani, who shared glimpses of the ceremony on social media, expressed gratitude and sought blessings for the newlyweds. "It was a small and extremely private function, so we could not invite all well-wishers even if we wanted to. I sincerely seek love and blessings for my daughter Diva and Jeet," he posted.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez recreate iconic 'Friends' scene at glamorous galantine's bash

Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez share a fun Galentine’s night, recreating an iconic Friends moment that sent the internet into a frenzy.

Instagram/lolavie

Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez recreate iconic 'Friends' scene at glamorous galantine's bash

Hollywood stars Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez recently turned heads with their star-studded Galentine’s bash, blending glamour, nostalgia, and a whole lot of girl power. The duo, who share a close bond both personally and professionally, hosted the event to celebrate their beauty brands, LolaVie and Rare Beauty.

The highlight of the evening? The internet went into a frenzy when the duo recreated an iconic Friends scene, paying tribute to the sitcom that made Aniston a household name. A viral video showed them lip-syncing to Rachel and Joey’s famous “Do you know something?” exchange, originally performed by Aniston and Matt LeBlanc. Fans couldn’t get enough, with many calling it the “collab of the century.”


The night was filled with heartwarming moments, from their matching all-black outfits to their playful photo booth sessions. Aniston took to Instagram to share glimpses from the evening, captioning it, “Had a nice early Galentine’s with my girls.”

Selena Gomez, who has often referred to Aniston as a mentor, shared how the Friends star has been a constant source of support and advice. “She’s always been there for me,” Selena said, talking about the importance of having strong female friendships in her life. Aniston, in turn, praised Gomez, calling their bond a “sister-mother” relationship where they uplift and guide each other.

Beyond the celebrations, reports suggest that Aniston is also helping Selena plan her wedding to music producer Benny Blanco. The guest list is rumoured to include A-listers like Taylor Swift and Meryl Streep, making it one of the most anticipated celebrity weddings of the year.

From their heartfelt moments to a Friends throwback that broke the internet, Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez’s Galentine’s night was a perfect mix of nostalgia, friendship, and lots of glam.

Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra walks brother Siddharth down the aisle, steals the show with dance & big sister energy

Priyanka Chopra brings star power and sisterly love to Siddharth Chopra’s wedding, making it a night of unforgettable celebrations

Getty Images

Priyanka Chopra walks brother Siddharth down the aisle, steals the show with dance & big sister energy

Mumbai was alive with celebration as Priyanka Chopra turned her brother Siddharth Chopra’s wedding into a full-blown star spectacle. The global star didn’t just attend but owned the moment, hyping up the crowd, dancing her heart out, and making sure the festivities were as grand as they were unforgettable.

Dressed in a stunning baby blue lehenga, Priyanka walked her brother down the aisle, turning the emotional moment into a celebration. She hyped up the crowd, encouraging them to cheer louder as she accompanied Siddharth to his bride, Neelam Upadhaya. She was every bit the doting sister, soaking in the joy of the moment. But we know Priyanka isn’t just a responsible sister—she was the life of the party. Earlier, she danced with abandon at Siddharth’s baraat, grooving to Gallan Goodiyan from her 2015 film Dil Dhadakne Do. Her infectious energy truly set the tone for the festivities, showing us that no one throws a celebration quite like the Chopras.

Keep ReadingShow less
Naga Chaitanya reacts to a fan saying he can’t act – Here’s what he had to say!

Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi share a fun moment during their Thandel promotions, leaving fans entertained with their candid interactions

Instagram/chayakkineni

Naga Chaitanya reacts to a fan saying he can’t act – Here’s what he had to say!

Naga Chaitanya, known for his charm and candidness, recently found himself in the spotlight during a fun Q&A session with his Thandel co-star Sai Pallavi. The actor, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film, faced a cheeky question from a fan that left everyone laughing.

When Sai Pallavi read out a fan’s question, “Acting epudu nerchukuntav? (When will you learn acting?)” Chaitanya appeared stunned for a brief moment, staring blankly at the camera as if processing the unexpected question. He then responded with a mix of surprise and humour, Epudu nerchukuntav enti? (What do you mean, when will I learn?)”


Instead of getting defensive, the Thandelstar took it in stride and responded with a smile: "Honestly, acting is a continuous process. You never fully learn it; you keep growing with every project. If you think you’ve mastered it, that’s when you stop progressing. So, I’m still learning every single day."

While some appreciated his humility, others found the moment hilarious. Social media was soon buzzing with reactions, with many praising Chaitanya for handling the question with grace rather than taking offence. Some fans even tagged the person who originally asked the question, letting them know their comment had made its way to the actor.

This isn’t the first time Chaitanya has addressed criticism. In a recent interview, he opened up about dealing with trolls, admitting that while it bothered him early in his career, he has learnt to ignore the noise. “Clarifying things only leads to more drama. It’s a vicious cycle,” he said, adding that he now focuses on his work rather than responding to negativity.

Chaitanya’s upcoming film, Thandel, marks his third collaboration with director Chandoo Mondeti and his second pairing with Sai Pallavi after their hit film Love story. The survival drama, set to release on February 7, has already generated buzz, with fans eagerly waiting to see the duo’s chemistry on screen once again.

Having faced a mixed bag of box office results in recent years, Thandel is a crucial release for Chaitanya. Fans are eager to see if this film will mark a new chapter in his career and whether his continuous learning process pays off on the big screen.

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' revival confirmed: Sarah Michelle Gellar returns for a new era

Sarah Michelle Gellar returns to the Buffyverse as a mentor in the upcoming revival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Getty Images

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' revival confirmed: Sarah Michelle Gellar returns for a new era

Sarah Michelle Gellar has finally answered the call of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans and it’s about time. After years of “will they, won’t they” rumours, she’s confirmed that a revival is officially happening. “I’ve always heard the fans,” she said, making it clear she wouldn’t come back unless it felt right. Now, with a fresh twist on the Slayer story and a killer creative team, the project is moving forward, and fans are already dusting off their stakes in excitement.

The idea for the revival started three years ago when producer Gail Berman set up what was supposed to be a quick coffee chat between Gellar and Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao. What was meant to be 20 minutes turned into a four-hour conversation about Buffy’s legacy and why it still matters. At first, Gellar wasn’t sold on the idea, but as talks continued with Zhao and writers Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, she started to see the potential.

Keep ReadingShow less