Dimpled girl Preity Zinta, who established herself as one of the most prominent faces of Hindi cinema in the 2000s with a slew of successful movies such as Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Veer-Zaara (2004), Salaam Namaste (2005) and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006), is returning to spotlight after a five-year hiatus. Her comeback vehicle, titled Bhaiaji Superhit stars her as a mercurial, loud-mouthed woman Sapna Dubey, who does not trust people easily and can shoot a pistol at the drop of a hat.
Recently, our Mumbai correspondent, Mohnish Singh, got an opportunity to sit down with the actress at JW Marriot Hotel, Juhu. In this brief interview, Preity Zinta talks openly about her role in Bhaiaji Superhit, her experience reuniting with frequent co-star Sunny Deol, how Hindi cinema has changed over the years and who she would like to play on silver screen if offered a biopic.
Preity, you are making a comeback to films after a long time. What convinced you so much about this character that you could not say no to it?Were you nervous when you faced the camera after a long gap?
I was extremely nervous when I started shooting for this film because, throughout my entire career, I have always been offered roles which are very modern, very sophisticated and very educated. But no one ever offered me an out-and-out desi character with loads of shades. I think the only role where I played a cracker was Madhubala in Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001). Despite having many layers, you can see through her; it was that kind of a character.
Coming to Sapna Dubey, my character in Bhaiaji Superhit, it is very rustic and high-spirited. Initially, I was very concerned about her look in the movie. But after a series of discussions, we decided to use Varanasi’s handloom as much as possible in designing her outfits. We used a lot of Banarasi prints, Banarasi saris and fabrics. The most challenging part, however, was to catch the mannerism and body language of the character because Sapna Dubey comes from Varanasi. I worked a lot on the language. There is a certain way people of Varanasi speak. So I had to keep that in my mind while playing the part.
In the trailer of the film, we saw you mouth some extremely funny dialogues in English...
(Laughs) My character is very fond of English. Though she is a 12th fail woman, she believes her English is better than that of London’s queen. Let me tell you, incorporating that in my character was really challenging. Her dialogues have a lot of variation as well as humour. I had to prepare a lot to nail this. A lot of preparation was involved in getting that accent. I had to destroy my English to play this character (laughs). I have worked really hard on it. If I had to put it in a filmy-style, I have given my blood and sweat to this character and I hope people like it.
Preity, you have also been a very strong woman in real life. Do you relate to your character at all?
Sapna is not as strong as you think. She is very insecure. She has a lot of trust issues and that is why her catchphrase in the flick is ‘What the shak?’ Insecurity is something that ruins a person. Sapna is not a strategist. Whatever is there in her mind, she will blurt it out without worrying about consequences. Someone who is mouthy cannot become Chanakya. The same is with Sapna. She is a pure soul who does not take things to her heart. But, at the same time, she is somebody who is very mercurial. In a nutshell, Sapna is not at all like Preity. I am very straightforward like her and that’s where all similarities between us end. She is not structured like me.
You have known Sunny Deol, who is your co-star in Bhaiaji Superhit, for many years now. You did a couple of films with him in initial years of your career. How has he changed over the years, according to you?
He is still the man of very few words. He still dances the same way (laughs). Jokes apart, working with him is always a pleasure. He always brings home cooked food on sets. That has not changed at all over the years.
Talking about my relationship with him, I think I share a better equation with his younger brother, Bobby Deol. I have been his heroine as well. I don’t speak too much in front of Sunnyji. If there is one actor in my career who I did not talk to very much, it has to be Sunnyji. But in this film, I had a number of scenes with him. So I tried to kind of compensate that. Having said that, he is always Bobby’s elder brother to me. So we don’t share that informal relationship with each other. That casualness is not there. But I used to hover around him during lunch breaks because, as I mentioned earlier, he gets delicious home cooked food for lunch. That white butter and sarson ka saag... it’s delicious.
What kind of change do you see in Hindi cinema since you did your last film a couple of years ago?
Nowadays, everybody is talking about content-driven films. Everyone is saying that Bollywood has started producing more content-driven movies. Let me tell you, content-driven films have been there since the time of Mother India (1957). So there is nothing like that content-driven films have come into existence now. Even female-oriented films have been around for ages. The first film of my career was a female-oriented film. What difference I really see is that now there is a lot of pride about being an Indian. A lot of films are being made which centres on our own nation, our culture and our people. A lot of biopics are being made today. There is Dangal (2016), a film on women wrestlers; there is M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016), a film on a cricketer and there is also a film like Sanju (2018). So that is a change.
Audiences have changed a lot over the years. Social media has got a pivotal role in deciding the fate of a film. There is a lot more transparency in what are you doing and how are you doing. So that way the industry has definitely changed. Otherwise, there are still formula films which have always been there. You cannot change that. And there are still masala films. A lot of films which used to be shot in foreign countries have now started filming in India. Now we want to make movies about us; not about us in foreign countries but about us in our own country, and I think that is really nice.
If you are given a chance to star in a biopic, who would you like to play on silver screen?
See, biopics choose you, you don’t choose biopics. I don’t think Rajkumar Hirani could have gone to anyone else except Ranbir Kapoor for the part of Sanju. Ranbir looked like Sanju. So if I resemble any important person, then I would like to play her (laughs). For M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, the makers chose Sushant Singh Rajput because he looked like him. Suppose they would have chosen Rajkummar Rao for the part. Despite being such a phenomenal actor, he would not fit the role. So biopics choose you, you don’t choose biopics, I believe.
Also featuring Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, Arshad Warsi, and Shreyas Talpade, Bhaiaji Superhit hits cinemas on 23rd November.
Jury in Sean "Diddy" Combs’ sex trafficking and racketeering trial sends fifth note to judge.
Concern raised about one juror’s ability to follow instructions; judge advises deliberations to continue.
Jurors request transcripts of Cassie Ventura and Daniel Phillip’s testimonies.
Combs faces five charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, and could face life in prison.
Jurors in the high-profile criminal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs have raised new concerns as deliberations continue, sending a fifth note to the judge questioning whether one juror can follow instructions. The jury also asked to review key testimonies from singer Cassie Ventura and witness Daniel Phillip, signalling the complexity and weight of the decision they face.
Diddy trial jury raises alarm over juror and demands key witness testimoniesGetty Images
Jury seeks witness transcripts in Diddy sex trafficking trial
On the second day of deliberations, the jury asked to review four specific pieces of testimony: three from Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and one from male stripper Daniel Phillip. The requests relate to critical events, including an incident at the InterContinental Hotel and a Cannes Film Festival encounter.
The defence and prosecution are currently negotiating which parts of these testimonies should be submitted to the jury. Combs, who has denied all charges, remained in court as the latest note was read and legal teams reconvened.
The jury’s focus on testimony details suggests they are carefully weighing evidence linked to the most serious allegations, including coerced sexual encounters allegedly orchestrated by Combs as part of a broader racketeering conspiracy.
Marc Agnifilo, attorney for Sean "Diddy" Combs, arrives at federal courtGetty Images
Concerns over juror raise questions during deliberations
Just hours into the first day of deliberations, the jury sent a note to Judge Arun Subramanian expressing concern that one juror “cannot follow” legal instructions. That juror, reportedly a scientist by profession, had earlier described the trial as a “good break” during voir dire.
Judge Subramanian instructed the jury to continue deliberating, reminding them of their duty to follow court instructions. Legal experts say such internal jury issues can complicate proceedings but are not uncommon in high-stakes trials.
Sean 'Puffy' Combs arrives at Manhattan Supreme Court in 2001Getty Images
If found guilty, Combs could face a minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison. The charges include racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting women for prostitution. The trial, now in its final phase, has drawn intense public interest and influencer coverage outside the Manhattan courthouse.
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Diljit Dosanjh in a still from Sardaar Ji 3 set for overseas release only
Sardaar Ji 3 rakes in £275,000 (₹3 crore) on opening day in Pakistan, surpassing Sultan.
Diljit Dosanjh responds to backlash: “When we shot the film, everything was fine.”
Film was not released in India due to controversy over Pakistani actress Hania Aamir’s casting.
Worldwide opening weekend collection touches £1.6 million (₹18.1 crore).
The Punjabi-language horror-comedy Sardaar Ji 3, starring Diljit Dosanjh and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, has become the highest-grossing Indian film ever released in Pakistan. Despite being banned in India, the film grossed £275,000 (₹3 crore) on its opening day and £825,000 (₹9 crore) over the first weekend in Pakistan alone.
The movie was released internationally on 27 June but did not receive clearance in India due to political tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack. Its success across the border has reignited debates around cross-border cultural collaborations and censorship.
Sardaar Ji 3 Pakistan box office collection sets new benchmark
Despite ongoing tensions and a ban on Indian films in Pakistan since 2019, Sardaar Ji 3 was cleared by the Pakistani censor board and released nationwide. The opening day collections broke the previous record held by Salman Khan’s Sultan, which had earned £265,000 (₹2.9 crore) on day one in 2016.
Nadeem Mandviwalla, a leading cinema distributor in Karachi, called it “the best opening for any Indian or Pakistani film in recent years,” adding that school holidays and the lack of quality cinema had contributed to packed halls.
Diljit Dosanjh shared videos of audience reactions from Pakistan on his Instagram, celebrating the overwhelming support while refraining from commenting directly on the boycott in India.
Diljit Dosanjh defends overseas release, says “situation changed after shoot”
The controversy stems from the casting of Hania Aamir, which violated the Indian film workers’ ban on Pakistani artists. Actor Naseeruddin Shah publicly defended Dosanjh, criticising attempts to scapegoat him for political gain.
Speaking in an interview, Dosanjh clarified, “We shot the film in February when everything was fine. After the attack, the producers knew they couldn’t release it in India. They’ve spent a lot on this film, and releasing it overseas is the only way to recover costs.”
Ranbir Kapoor calls Lord Ram the most meaningful role of his career during his final-day speech.
Ramayana: Part 1 shoot wraps after an extensive schedule led by director Nitesh Tiwari.
Ravi Dubey, who plays Lakshman, is seen sharing an emotional hug with Ranbir on set.
The film is set to release in cinemas during Diwali 2026, followed by Part 2 in 2027.
The filming of Ramayana: Part 1, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, has officially come to an end. Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram in the ambitious mythological film, delivered a heartfelt speech during the wrap ceremony, calling it the most significant role of his career. A now-viral behind-the-scenes video captures Ranbir hugging his co-star Ravi Dubey, who plays Lakshman, as the cast and crew celebrated the emotional milestone.
Producer Namit Malhotra reveals how AI will make Ramayana resonate globally with native-language realism IMDB/Reddit
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Ranbir Kapoor calls Lord Ram his most meaningful role
In a clip circulating on social media, Ranbir Kapoor can be seen standing before the full cast and crew on the final day of the shoot. Addressing the team, he expressed deep gratitude for being part of what he called a “once-in-a-lifetime” project. “Portraying Lord Ram has been the most meaningful role of my life,” he said, standing beside Ravi Dubey, who portrays Lakshman. Ranbir also thanked co-stars Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol, and others, acknowledging their contribution to the massive production.
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Director Nitesh Tiwari also addressed the gathering with an emotional speech, which was met with cheers and applause. Videos from the day show a close-knit crew cutting a cake and capturing candid moments, one of which was Ranbir embracing Ravi in a warm hug.
Ramayana Part 1 set for Diwali 2026 release
With filming now complete, Ramayana: Part 1 is set to enter post-production. The star-studded cast includes Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi. The film is being mounted on a grand scale, with Oscar-winning VFX studio DNEG handling visual effects.
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The first instalment is expected to hit theatres during Diwali 2026, with Part 2 planned for a Diwali 2027 release. An official poster reveal is expected on 3 July, as anticipation builds for what is shaping up to be one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious mythological sagas.
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Ensemble Festival 2025 returns to Royal Docks with bold new outdoor shows
Ensemble Festival 2025 to be held on 26–27 July at Royal Victoria Docks, London.
Free outdoor event featuring circus, dance, street art and physical theatre.
Highlights include new works by Sadiq Ali, Vidya Thirunarayan and Miss High Leg Kick.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of organisers Certain Blacks.
This summer, London’s historic Royal Victoria Docks will transform into a hub of vibrant outdoor performance as Ensemble Festival 2025 returns on 26 and 27 July. Presented by arts organisation Certain Blacks, the free weekend event features an interesting line-up of new circus, dance and street theatre works, while also celebrating a decade of championing diverse and underrepresented artists.
Set across two full days, the Ensemble Festival 2025 programme includes exciting new commissions such as Tell Me by Sadiq Ali Co., a Chinese pole circus piece tackling HIV stigma, and Holy Dirt, a visceral collaboration between director David Glass and Indian artist Vidya Thirunarayan.
Vidya Thirunarayan in Holy Dirt brings myth and ritual into raw physical form The Clay Connection
The festival also sees the return of audience favourite Miss High Leg Kick with Palais de Danse, a multi-sensory throwback to the 1950s dance hall era. Nandita Shankardass’s Roots to Rise brings together Indian classical movement with contemporary dance to explore memory, ancestry and women’s resilience. Other acts range from aerial theatre in Hug by Levantes Dance Theatre to climate-themed installations like Hydropunk by Artizani and Tenderfoot Theatre.
Sadiq Ali's pole performance explores HIV stigma with athletic graceLuke Whitcomb
Certain Blacks marks 10 years of championing diversity
2025 is a milestone year for Certain Blacks, the East London-based organisation behind Ensemble Festival. Known for spotlighting talent from across socio-economic, ethnic, gender and neurodiverse backgrounds, Certain Blacks has become a vital force in the UK arts scene.
Sadiq Ali delivers a daring upside-down act in his powerful show Luke Whitcomb
“Our aim has always been to bring diverse artists from the margins into the mainstream,” said artistic director Clive Lyttle. “This year’s Ensemble Festival reflects that, with a powerful mix of voices and perspectives, many being showcased on this scale for the first time.”
Ensemble Festival forms part of Without Walls, a major UK network that supports ground-breaking outdoor performance. As one of its partners, Certain Blacks plays a key role in shaping new work for public spaces across the country.
Dancers in Nandita Shankardass’s Roots to Rise connect movement with memoryJohn Evans
The festival remains accessible with step-free access and dedicated facilities, and also continues its commitment to sustainability with green practices across production.
TikTok is testing a new one-way messaging feature called bulletin boards.
Jonas Brothers, People magazine, and Paris Saint-Germain among early testers.
The feature mimics Instagram’s broadcast channels but may expand further.
Only creators can post; followers can react with emojis but not comment.
TikTok is trialling a new feature called bulletin boards, allowing select creators and brands to send direct broadcast-style messages to their followers, similar to Instagram’s broadcast channels. The Jonas Brothers, football club Paris Saint-Germain, and People magazine are among the first to test the tool, which shows TikTok’s growing focus on creator-fan intimacy beyond its traditional feed.
TikTok’s new tool mimics Instagram’s broadcast channels
Unlike regular TikTok posts that rely on algorithms or viral reach, bulletin boards aim to offer a more direct communication path. Only the creator can post updates, which may include text, videos, or images, while followers can respond with emoji reactions but cannot comment. The format is clearly inspired by Instagram’s broadcast channels, launched in 2023, where artists and influencers routinely share behind-the-scenes content and personal messages.
The new bulletin system was first spotted by marketing strategist Christina Garnett, who shared screenshots via Threads, showing how fans are invited to follow these boards. Once subscribed, users receive notifications whenever a creator sends out a new update.
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Big-name creators signal broader rollout plans
Early involvement from mainstream acts like the Jonas Brothers indicates TikTok is positioning bulletin boards as a premium tool for high-engagement fanbases. With creators constantly seeking ways to reach audiences without relying on the platform’s unpredictable feed algorithm, the feature could become a valuable line of direct communication.
It is also a clear move in the current trend of social platforms “borrowing” each other’s best features: Instagram mimicked TikTok’s short-form videos with Reels, while TikTok introduced Stories in 2022. Now, it is returning the favour with this broadcast-style tool.
People's Bulletin boardICYMI
The key question remains whether TikTok will differentiate its version with interactive additions like polls, which Instagram already offers. But for now, bulletin boards could offer artists and brands a streamlined way to share announcements, tour updates, and exclusive previews straight to their superfans’ inboxes.