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Bollywood legend Dharmendra, often called the industry’s “He-Man,” passed away in Mumbai on Monday at the age of 89, news agency IANS reported. His death came just 12 days after he was released from Breach Candy Hospital, where he had been admitted in late October due to breathing difficulties. The actor would have celebrated his 90th birthday on December 8. Dharmendra began his film career in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere and initially portrayed everyday characters in movies like Anpadh, Bandini, Anupama, and Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke during the 1960s. He later moved on to prominent leading roles in classics such as Sholay, Dharam Veer, Chupke Chupke, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and Dream Girl. His most recent appearance was in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, alongside Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. His upcoming film, Ikkis, featuring Agastya Nanda, Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson, is scheduled for release on December 25. Source: NDTV    

British actor Rupert Grint says he does not expect to ever fully “step out” of the shadow of Ron Weasley, the character he played for a decade in the Harry Potter films, and he is perfectly comfortable with that. Speaking to BBC News at a community event in Highgate, north London, Grint said he still enjoys meeting fans who grew up with the franchise. “I’m fine with that. I think it’s great,” said the 37-year-old, who appeared in all eight films. Grint also said he has written a letter to Alastair Stout, the young actor who will portray Ron in HBO’s upcoming series based on JK Rowling’s books. Calling the experience “strange” and “cyclical,” he said he wanted to wish Stout well as filming begins. Grint, who lives in the area with partner Georgia Groome and their two daughters, drew a crowd at the Christmas light-switching ceremony hosted by local volunteers and community groups. He recalled being 11 when he was cast alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, calling the sudden fame “crazy” and “life-changing.” The Harry Potter films were released between 2001 and 2011, turning the trio into global stars. Since the series ended, Grint has appeared in films, on stage, in Ed Sheeran music videos and most recently in Apple TV’s Servant. He said he has several projects lined up for next year but cannot disclose details yet. Asked whether the constant association with Ron ever bothers him, Grint said he still feels pride in the role. “It has a deep meaning to a lot of people,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll ever quite step out of his shadow, but I’m fine with that.” He added that he sees “a bit of family resemblance” with Stout, and said the new series will be “its own thing,” which he believes will be “fun.” Grint said he would not discourage his own children from acting in the future and noted that his elder daughter has already enjoyed watching short clips from the films, though she finds the full movies “a little too scary.” The actor declined to comment on the ongoing tensions surrounding Rowling’s views on transgender rights, which several cast members, including Grint, have previously distanced themselves from. Asked whether he might revisit the wizarding world someday — as co-star Tom Felton recently did on Broadway — Grint replied: “Maybe in the future. Never say never.” He added with a laugh that he sees himself more as a Hufflepuff than a Gryffindor these days.   Source: BBC

In 1994, Sushmita Sen, who went on to become Miss Universe, posed for an unforgettable photoshoot in front of the Taj Mahal—an experience that turned out to be more challenging than glamorous. Designer Ritu Kumar recently shared a video from her archives capturing the iconic shoot. She captioned it, “Sushmita Sen’s Miss Universe Photoshoot,” and offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the preparations. Kumar recalled, “In 1993, I signed an agreement with the Miss India team to design clothes for the contestants. When Sushmita won the Miss India title in 1994 and subsequently Miss Universe in the US, I had the privilege of creating her wardrobe for the tour. I sent her outfits made from bandhani, zardozi, kurta-pajamas, and saris, all of which were well received.” The designer also shared the story behind the Taj Mahal shoot. Upon Sushmita’s return to Delhi after her US tour, Kumar received a frantic call. The shoot was scheduled for the next day, but the outfits sent were too casual—shorts and t-shirts, deemed inappropriate for the historic mausoleum. “At night, we rummaged through the store, found a pink sari, quickly tailored a blouse, and gathered some key pieces. Within hours, we were ready,” Kumar wrote. She added, “The shoot was hectic, and poor Sushmita even fainted at one point, but the final images were worth every bit of effort.” Kumar fondly remembered the moment: “I still think of her in that pink sari, crowned, with UP Police personnel around us applauding. These images were featured across the country’s leading publications, giving credit not just to us but, most importantly, to the weavers.” Sushmita Sen, a former Miss Universe, gained widespread recognition in films like Biwi No 1, Main Hoon Na, Do Knot Disturb, and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya. She returned to acting with the International Emmy-nominated series Aarya, recently appearing in its third season. She also starred in Taali, portraying transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant. Source NDTV  

After years of leading major commercial films, Deepika Padukone says she has deliberately begun stepping back from projects that don’t resonate with her personal values or creative instincts. In a recent conversation with Harper’s Bazaar, she explained that the traditional benchmarks of success no longer hold meaning for her. A Shift in Priorities Beyond Fame and Massive Box-Office Hits Deepika, who has increasingly used her influence to promote fair working hours and equal pay in the film industry, said her goals have changed dramatically. “At this point, that’s not what drives me anymore. It’s not about doing Rs 100-crore films, or even Rs 500–600 crore ones,” she said. In recent months, she reportedly exited two major films with Prabhas—Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD—due to her insistence on reasonable working hours and fair pay. Discussing her evolving approach, she added, “If something doesn’t feel genuine to me, I can’t do it. Sometimes people assume throwing money at you is enough, but it isn’t. And the opposite is true too—some projects may not be massive commercial ventures, but if I believe in the people or the message, I’ll support it.” Redefining Her Creative Purpose Deepika is increasingly focusing on supporting new creators rather than simply starring in big films herself. After producing projects like Chhapaak under KA Productions, she says she now finds greater fulfillment in backing stories and creative talent. “What excites me today is empowering others. My team and I are committed to nurturing storytellers—writers, directors, even emerging producers. That’s what feels meaningful now,” she said. Her evolving priorities come alongside a broader critique of the industry’s work culture, especially the glorification of burnout. “We’ve normalized overworking. We confuse burnout with dedication. The human body and mind need only eight hours of work a day. You can only give your best when you’re healthy. Bringing an exhausted person back onto a set does no one any good,” she told the magazine. As one of India’s highest-earning actors, Deepika’s move away from chasing massive paychecks and huge box-office numbers marks a significant reimagining of success—one grounded in authenticity, well-being, and long-term creative purpose. Source: NDTV

Shah Rukh Khan attended a lavish event in Mumbai alongside Rizwan Sajan, founder and chairman of the Dubai-based Danube Group, to launch a landmark property named Shahrukhz. Hosted at a luxury hotel, the event marked a major milestone — SRK is now the first actor to have a tower named in his honor. SRK shared that Rizwan insisted the launch happen in India rather than Dubai.“I really wanted this event to take place here because this is where I come from,” he said. “As this project progresses, I hope it helps people build better and more fulfilling lives.” SRK Says His Mother Would Have Been Proud“My mother would be very happy. It’s a huge honor,” he remarked. “When my kids visit, I’ll tell them, ‘Look, your dad’s name is written here.’ I’ve reviewed the building plans for the last two months — it’s modern, accessible, and perfect for people beginning their journey in Dubai.” SRK’s Stage Moments Go ViralShah Rukh delighted fans by striking his iconic arms-wide-open pose on stage. He also mimicked his famous “Don” walk and delivered the memorable Om Shanti Om line: “Itni shiddat se maine tumhe paane ki koshish ki hai…” He kept the energy high as he danced to “Chaiyya Chaiyya” with Farah Khan and Rizwan Sajan. About the TowerThe Shahrukhz project is expected to take three to four years to complete and will stand 56 stories tall. A statue of SRK’s classic pose will greet visitors at the entrance, offering a perfect photo spot. Sharing what drew him to the project, SRK said:“When Rizwan explained the vision — creating a place for people coming to Dubai with dreams of homes and businesses — I knew that if I could contribute or inspire them, it would be the greatest gift.”

The makers of SS Rajamouli’s highly anticipated action-adventure film, starring Mahesh Babu, have released the first look of Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini, marking her much-awaited return to Indian cinema. The film, tentatively titled SSMB29, is Chopra’s first collaboration with the director of RRR and Baahubali. In the character poster, Priyanka is seen in a mustard yellow saree, wielding a gun, and striking a commanding pose over rocky terrain in a dramatic, windswept setting. Sharing the image on social media, she wrote: “She’s more than what meets the eye… say hello to Mandakini.” Globetrotter is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious Indian films in recent years, reportedly drawing inspiration from African exploration adventures. Earlier, Rajamouli had unveiled Mahesh Babu’s first-look poster on the actor’s 50th birthday, featuring a rugged chest adorned with a rudraksh mala with a trishul and Nandi pendant, hinting at the film’s mythic undertones. The director also introduced Prithviraj Sukumaran’s character, Kumbha, described as “sinister and ruthless,” in a menacing all-black outfit seated on a high-tech wheelchair. The makers confirmed that the official title and first full glimpse of Globetrotter will be revealed on November 15 at a major launch event at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. The event will also be live-streamed on JioHotstar.   With inputs from NDTV

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s much-anticipated magnum opus Vrusshabha is set to release in theatres worldwide on December 25 this year, the makers announced on Friday. Originally slated for release on October 16, the film was first postponed to November 6 and has now been rescheduled for Christmas Day. Sharing the update on X (formerly Twitter), Mohanlal posted a video teaser offering a glimpse of an action sequence from the film. “Some stories are more than cinema, they're legacies. This Christmas, witness that legacy roar to life in Vrusshabha — a film that celebrates emotion, grandeur, and destiny. Releasing worldwide on December 25, 2025,” he wrote. The teaser featured the tagline: “A king’s arrival is royal. The preparations must be grand. Prepare for the king Vrusshabha.” Earlier, the film’s first-look poster — unveiled on Mohanlal’s birthday — had generated huge excitement among fans. The actor appeared as a fierce warrior king clad in golden-brown dragon-scale armor, with long hair, a thick beard, and a striking white tilak, exuding strength and regality. “This one is special — dedicating it to all my fans. The wait ends. The storm awakens. With pride and power, I unveil the first look of Vrusshabha — a tale that will ignite your soul and echo through time,” Mohanlal had said when releasing the poster. Written and directed by Nanda Kishore, Vrusshabha is presented by Connekkt Media in association with Balaji Telefilms. The epic drama has been shot simultaneously in Malayalam and Telugu and will release in five languages — Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada. The film is jointly produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, CK Padma Kumar, Varun Mathur, Saurabh Mishra, Abhishek S Vyas, Vishal Gurnani, and Juhi Parekh Mehta.   With inputs from NDTV

Bollywood stars Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on Friday morning, the couple announced in a joint post on social media. “Our bundle of joy has arrived. With immense love and gratitude, we welcome our baby boy. 7th November 2025 – Katrina and Vicky,” the post read. A source from HN Reliance Hospital, where the actress gave birth, confirmed that both mother and baby are in good health, though no discharge date has been set. “Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal were blessed with a baby boy at HN Reliance Hospital this morning. Both mother and child are doing well,” the hospital source said. According to the same source, the baby was born at 8:23 a.m., and both mother and newborn remain stable under observation. The couple had first announced their pregnancy in September through a heartwarming Polaroid shared on social media, showing Vicky holding Katrina’s baby bump. “On our way to start the best chapter of our lives with hearts full of joy and gratitude,” they had written. The birth announcement sparked an outpouring of love from the film fraternity. Priyanka Chopra Jonas commented, “So happy! Congratulations.” Kareena Kapoor Khan wrote, “Kat, welcome to the boy mamma club! So happy for you and Vicky.” Parineeti Chopra added, “Congrats, new mamma and papa!” while Sonam Kapoor Ahuja said, “Amazing, both of you. All my love.” Actress Rakul Preet Singh also congratulated the couple, writing, “Omggggg congratulations, you two! So happy!” Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal tied the knot in 2021 in an intimate ceremony attended by close family and friends. Source; NDTV

The first trailer of Michael, the much-anticipated biopic on late pop legend Michael Jackson, has been released, giving fans a glimpse of the King of Pop’s remarkable journey. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the film stars Jaafar Jackson — Michael Jackson’s nephew — in the lead role, portraying the global icon’s rise to fame and lasting influence on music and dance. The movie also features Miles Teller, Larenz Tate, and Laura Harrier in key roles. It is scheduled for worldwide theatrical release on April 24, 2026, after being moved from its earlier October 2025 date, according to Variety. The trailer opens with the line, “I know you have been waiting a long time for this,” before taking viewers through the pop star’s meteoric career, signature performances, and creative brilliance. It highlights Jaafar’s stunning recreations of Jackson’s famous dance moves, including the moonwalk, with the tagline: “Honour your past and embrace the future.” Produced by Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain, Michael aims to celebrate the life and legacy of one of the most influential entertainers in history. Universal Pictures India shared the teaser on Instagram, calling the film “a powerful cinematic tribute to the King of Pop.”   Source: NDTV

A primal punk spirit rages through Lynne Ramsay’s “Die, My Love,” a jagged, go-for-broke psychodrama starring Jennifer Lawrence as an increasingly unhinged new mother and Robert Pattinson as her husband. In this cauldron of marital nightmare, set in a ramshackle rural Montana home, there are fires, real and imagined, and a variety of wildlife. There’s an incessantly yapping dog, brought home by Jackson (Pattinson) shortly after the couple move in from New York. There’s a horse in the road, inopportunely. And on the shirt on Grace (Lawrence) is a tiger. But, more than these animalistic flourishes, there is Grace, herself. In a moment early in the film, she prowls on all fours through tall grass, with a knife in her hand. The shorthand description of Ramsay’s film, adapted from a 2012 novel by the Argentine writer Ariana Harwicz, is that it’s about a woman with postpartum depression. But that’s not quite right. It’s more about the power and urges of a woman who, like a beautiful, feral creature, is not taking to domestication. That’s the appealing through line of “Die, My Love,” though it can be difficult to firmly grasp it in Ramsay’s piercing but tediously overamplified character study. Still, as unkempt and overwrought as “Die, My Love” is, it’s not a movie that’s timidly weighing in on parenting and gender roles. There’s plenty to admire in Ramsay’s uncompromising and delirious portrait of marital hell, particularly in the bracingly raw performance of Lawrence. The abandon with which she throws herself into the role is enough to make you exclaim “Mother!” Grace and Jackson have moved near his childhood home. Their house belonged to Jackson's uncle before he killed himself. Jackson’s parents (Nick Nolte, Sissy Spacek) live nearby, and Spacek's knowing eyes suggest they went through something not so dissimilar long ago, casting Grace's struggles as part of a long, gothic American history. Soon after moving in, the couple dance ferociously before winding up naked on the floor. That scene is announcement of the pitch Ramsay, the great Scottish filmmaker of “Ratcatcher” and “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” is working at and of how much her stars are with her on the ride. This is the first movie together for the former teen idols. But I found myself wondering if Lawrence and Pattinson’s evident chemistry works against the film. Pattinson’s Jackson is some ways a stereotypical dude and foil to Grace. He drinks Budweiser, goes absent with work and can seem more interested in their young son, or the dog, than in Grace. But Pattinson has always exuded a bemused resistance to male tropes that makes him less of an oppositional force to Grace. Pattinson does a lot with concerned looks, as Grace’s behavior grows more extreme. But a more conventional leading man might have been better suited to the role, and clarified their dynamic. But clarity is also not what Ramsay is after. Working from a script she penned with playwrights Enda Walsh and Alice Birch, Ramsay sticks resolutely to Grace’s disturbed perspective. The sound design, by Tim Burns and Paul Davies, is purposefully chaotic, filled with barking and the children's music Grace blares as she stomps half naked through the house, ignoring housework and indulging in sexual fantasies. (LaKeith Stanfield has a small, peculiar part.) Grace is also a writer who isn’t writing, so her manic mindset has some echoes with Jack Torrance in “The Shining.” So, no, this isn’t postpartum, and Grace, herself, makes it clear. Her son is great, she says. “It’s everything else that’s f---ed.” What falls into everything else? It’s mostly the things that are trying to subtly and not so subtly conform Grace to a simple and restrictive mom persona. Heaven help the cheery suburban mothers who try to make small talk with her at a birthday party. Even the classic rock Jackson plays in his truck irks her. “I hate guitars,” she pronounces. It helps for “Die, My Love” to get out of the house, where the movie is overwhelmingly, even oppressively set. “Die, My Love” might have benefited from more scenes like these that let Lawrence use her comedic talents more. Instead, a live-wire performance gets suffocated, and the conceptual force of the movie ends up feeling more oppressive to Grace than anything else. “Die, My Love,” a Mubi release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for sexual content, graphic nudity, language and some violent content. Running time: 118 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.