Padma awardee and legendary actress B. Saroja Devi passed away on Monday in Bengaluru at the age of 87. Fondly known as ‘Abhinaya Saraswathi’, she acted in over 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema. Introduced to Tamil films in 1957 by B.R. Panthulu, she soon became one of Indian cinema’s reigning stars. In Hindi cinema, she starred in several hits alongside top actors like Rajendra Kumar and Shammi Kapoor, including Sasural, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, Hong Kong, and Suraj.
Ratan Srivastava
RGV on Deepika–Vanga Controversy: “If I can choose 23‑hour shoots, she can ask for an hour”
Ram Gopal Varma has waded into the Deepika Padukone vs. Sandeep Reddy Vanga dispute and dismissed the drama as overblown. In conversation with Hindustan Times, he argued that every artist is free to negotiate their terms. “I can say I want to work for 23 hours, and the actor says one hour—that’s the deal,” he explained, adding there was no coercion involved.
According to RGV, what was made into a controversy was a mutual choice—one side asked for an eight‑hour day, the other didn’t agree—and that’s perfectly legitimate. He believes the media amplified it unnecessarily. Meanwhile, Deepika reportedly walked away over scheduling and salary demands amounting to ₹40 crore, while the makers were offering ₹20 crore.
RGV is promoting his new OTT thriller Saree on Lionsgate Play, and he lightheartedly compared today’s drama to his media experience: “Every story becomes bigger than it is.” His point: dialogue and boundaries are fine—spin is not.
Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap End Marriage: “Choosing peace, growth and healing”
Olympian Saina Nehwal and fellow badminton star Parupalli Kashyap have announced their decision to separate, ending nearly seven years of marriage after over a decade together. In an emotional Instagram note, Saina said, “Life leads us in different directions… Kashyap and I have decided to part ways. We’re choosing peace, growth and healing—for ourselves and each other.”
She expressed gratitude for shared memories and requested fans respect their privacy. The couple, who tied the knot in 2018 after meeting at Pullela Gopichand Academy, will continue forward on their own paths. While Saina is already globally recognized for her Olympic bronze and world ranking, Kashyap remains prominent both as a former top player and coach.
Saina did not mention future plans, and Kashyap is yet to comment. For now, fans are reacting with emotional support for both athletes, as they prioritize healing over headlines.
Paresh Rawal Brands Salman ‘Like a Breeze,’ Aamir More Detail‑Driven Maverick
Paresh Rawal recently offered his take on the different working styles of Salman Khan and Aamir Khan. Speaking to Bollywood Bubble, he described Salman as effortless and intuitive: “Salman is like a gust of wind—he sweeps into the scene, charms, and it’s perfect.” In contrast, he said Aamir is meticulous: “He works on character depth, study, detail… so he takes longer.”
Reflecting on his decades in the industry, Paresh praised both approaches, calling Salman all natural magic and Aamir a highly deliberate performer. He also confirmed his return as Baburao in Hera Pheri 3, reuniting with Akshay Kumar and directed by Priyadarshan, with shooting set for 2026.
He celebrated Salman’s spontaneity and Aamir’s precision equally, saying real art comes from honesty in craft—no matter how fast or slow it happens.
R. Madhavan offers his view point on Hindi–Marathi Tensions: “Never Faced Any Barriers”
Based on his multilingual upbringing, R. Madhavan has offered his viewpoint in the midst of the contentious Hindi vs. Marathi debate. Speaking to IANS, he claimed that because he speaks Tamil, Hindi, and Marathi fluently, he has never encountered discrimination in his professional life.
“Language has never been a barrier for me; I studied in Kolhapur and learnt Marathi,” he said. Drawing on personal evidence that culture need not be a source of division, Madhavan’s statement encourages unity in diversity in the face of backlash against Maharashtra’s new law requiring Hindi in schools.
An excellent illustration of how language is flexible rather than restrictive and how respect for local voices captures the essence of Indian cinema is provided by Madhavan’s ascent from Jamshedpur to national fame.
Param Sundari’s Release Postponed: Janhvi and Sidharth’s Summer Love Hits August
Maddock Films has shifted the release of Param Sundari, headlined by Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra, from July 25 to August 2025. The producers say the delay ensures better visibility and avoids box-office clashes, particularly with Son of Sardaar 2.
The romantic drama is set in Kerala’s scenic backwaters, promising a charming collision of cultures, comedy, and heartfelt chemistry. Shot amid lush visuals and stirring music by Sachin–Jigar, it’s poised to be a stand-out summer romance.
With a moving score composed by Amitabh Bhattacharya and Sonu Nigam’s soulful “Pardesiya”, expectations are high. Audiences can look forward to trailers and marketing ahead as the producers build momentum post-April.
Chitrangda Singh Joins Salman Khan in ‘Battle of Galwan’: “He stood by his words”
Actor Chitrangda Singh has officially joined Salman Khan in Battle of Galwan, directed by Apoorva Lakhia. The war drama is based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between India and China — a brutal encounter fought at 15,000 feet without a single bullet fired.
Chitrangda revealed that Salman had once promised to work with her on a Marathi remake that never materialised. Years later, he kept his word. “True to his dialogue, ‘Ek baar maine commitment kar di…’, he honoured it,” she said.
She also praised Lakhia for casting her despite having access to bigger stars. “He trusted my craft. That means a lot to me,” she added. The film marks her first on-screen collaboration with Salman Khan.
The movie highlights the bravery of 20 Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in one of the fiercest non-fire battles in modern history. Salman had announced the project recently through his social media, sparking patriotic fervour.
Ali Fazal revealed: ‘I lost many projects trying to juggle between Bollywood and Hollywood’
Ali Fazal, who is renowned for his ability to transition between Indian and foreign films with ease, has finally discussed the price of treading this fine line. The actor has a remarkable international resume from roles in Death on the Nile, Furious 7, and Victoria & Abdul, but not without making sacrifices. In a recent interview, he acknowledged that while he was away filming in the West, a number of lucrative Bollywood projects fell through his fingers.
When questioned about juggling two industries, Ali responded, “It is difficult.” “I lose out a lot.” I regret missing out on two or three projects. It would be unfair to name my colleagues because they have already completed them and done a good job. The actor acknowledged this trade-off with a bittersweet smile.
Ali also responded to the criticism regarding his infrequent visits to India. “People often complain that you don’t show up much, but what can I do when I’m trying to balance the two industries?” he clarified. Although he admitted that his choice to work more abroad has caused him to become less well-known domestically, he is still motivated to push those limits.
Ali doesn’t hide from the lack of fanfare, even though he might not get the same marketing hype as some of his Hollywood peers. He acknowledged, “I do care. We are presenting ourselves at the end of the day, and I want to do that.” Ali is refocusing on Indian cinema with upcoming projects like Lahore 1947 and Mirzapur: The Movie, reminding fans that his story is still ongoing and simply taking place in two different worlds.
Soha Ali Khan supports Deepika Padukone’s 8-Hour Workday take: ‘I will consider it too’
Following Deepika Padukone’s departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, Soha Ali Khan has publicly endorsed the actress’s demand for an 8-hour shift. When Soha thought back on her own experience as a mother, she acknowledged that she completely agreed with Deepika’s plea for work-life balance.
Soha talked about how motherhood had taken over her identity in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India. “I temporarily lost my husband, and I also lost my friends.” She talked about the emotional strain of her early parenting days, saying, “I forgot everything.” Knowing that her priorities would shift, she gave birth to her daughter Inaaya at the age of 38.
In addition, Soha remembered sobbing on the Rajasthani set after spending the entire day apart from her daughter. We have a bedtime routine, so by 7 p.m., I start to feel nervous. So I started crying even on set,” she said. She also acknowledged that she would be happy to sacrifice her career in order to spend more time with her child.
“At seven if you don’t pack up with me, I’ll run off,” Soha said, expressing solidarity with Deepika. She acknowledged that some employers might be hesitant to hire her because of these decisions, but she has no qualms about putting her mental and emotional well-being first. More women speaking up could lead to a much-needed change in the conventions of the film industry.
Vikrant Massey in ‘White’, which will be shot in Colombia with ‘Narcos’ crew on Board: Deeds inside
As he prepares to take on one of the most significant roles of his career, Vikrant Massey will play spiritual leader Shri Shri Ravi Shankar in White. However, this biopic’s global scope, which includes the production team from Netflix’s Narcos, is what really makes it stand out.
White’s life isn’t a straight line, despite what some people initially believed. Rather, it will take place against the tumultuous backdrop of the 52-year-old Colombian civil war, in which Ravi Shankar’s international peace initiatives were crucial. The film seeks to combine a contemplative narrative with unadulterated socio-political drama.
To make the project appealing to a worldwide audience, producers Siddharth Anand and Mahaveer Jain are doing everything in their power. About 90% of the movie will be filmed on location in Colombia, with the remaining portion being finished in a studio in Mumbai.
Their decision to enlist the Narcos team is indicative of their dedication to authenticity. The start-to-finish schedule for the filming is scheduled for August 2025. To get ready for the difficult position, Vikrant is already going through rigorous workshops and readings. White has the potential to be a revolutionary film because of its compelling idea and global cast.
