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Alia on ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’: She’s sunshine but there’s sadness in her

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Every time she comes on screen she gives her all to the role she plays. Actress Alia Bhatt, who currently awaits the release of her upcoming film ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, has talked about how emotionally draining it was to play an intense character like Gangubai in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial and described her as “sunshine” but with “sadness”.

‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ tells the tale a young girl named Ganga who becomes Gangubai, a madame in the red light area of Kamathipura. It is loosely based on the true story of Gangubai Harjivandas, popularly known as Gangubai Kothewali, whose life was documented in the book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’ written by S. Hussain Zaidi.

In a conversation with IANS, Alia spoke about the emotionally draining part of playing a real life character like Gangubai, who was sold by her suitor to a brothel.

Alia said in the candid chat: “One of the things that maybe you’ll also get to see in the trailer that there is a constant anger in her eyes so that comes with what happened to her and the situation she was put in. I remember whenever we used to play out scenes and there would always be that layer sir would ask me to bring in the character and maybe I didn’t understand it while I was doing it and bringing it I was understanding it but when I saw the film in a flow I understood what he was trying to do and that is something … that all adds up.”

“That was one of her biggest sensitive points that what happened to her was not fair and which world she had to enter is not fair but the beauty is what she does with that anger… She has it in her body and soul but how she turns it around.”

So how would you describe Gangubai?

“She is sunshine but there is sadness in her that is emotionally draining…to that to do what she did… “

The 28-year-old actress added: “Her picture was on every girl’s wall in Kamathipura for 50 years. That was the impact she had for women so put yourself out for other people and not really be there for yourself that is another weight to carry. Even when I was dancing, walking or laughing… Sanjay sir said ‘weight’. ‘Weight’ doesn’t mean physical weight… It means in the heart and head and that’s what translates hopefully in the screen.

Asked how much is too much an actor to invest in intense roles, Alia, who has given power-packed performances in films such as ‘Highway’, ‘Raazi’ and ‘Udta Punjab’ to name a few, said: “Well, it depends in your personality I am that kind of a person where I will give everything.”

“That’s how I think sir and I connected. I kind of feel we had a sould connect by the end of it. We are both number 6… I could hear him without him saying things to me.. That’s the kind of connect we have formed and I have seen how he gives everything.”

Alia added: “He does not even rest even when his back was hurting he would be standing in pain and would not let his crew down. It is a very soldier like attitude. You have to soldier on there is no excuse. So, I am that kind of person and so is sir.”

Bollywood

Kajol gives us a glimpse of today’s Anjali as ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ turns 28 years old

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Mumbai, Oct 16: One of Bollywood’s most iconic movies, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, completed 28 years since its release on Friday. Commemorating the milestone, Kajol took a trip down memory lane and recreated her look as Anjali from the drama, co-starring Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji.

The photos featured Kajol posing in a red jacket with short hair and minimal makeup, giving us an idea of how Anjali might look today.

She also wrote a hilarious caption to go with the images, “Can magic ever be recreated? Here’s Anjali a couple of years later (sic).”

Earlier today, the maker of the drama, Karan Johar, also uploaded a clip on his Instagram that included some precious memories from the film.

KJo’s latest post opened with Shah Rukh Khan’s popular dialogue from ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, “Pyaar dosti hai,” followed by some of Shah Rukh, Kajol and Rani’s BTS masti on the set, along with musical sequences.

At the end, we could once again hear Shah Rukh’s dialogue, “Hum ek baar jeete hain, ek baar marte hain, shaadi bhi ek baar hoti hai, aur pyaar bhi ek baar hota hai.”

The director further added the caption, “Our ode to everything pyaar & dosti Happy #28YearsOfKuchKuchHotaHai to all of us! Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (sic).”

Dropping the nostalgic video on his Insta Stories, KJo simply wrote, “28 years” followed by some heart emoticons.

The core cast of ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ has Shah Rukh as Rahul, Kajol as Anjali, and Rani Mukerji as Tina. The movie also saw Salman Khan as Aman.

The first directorial venture of Karan Johar, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ holds a special place in the hearts of movie buffs even now.

The songs such as ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, ‘Koi Mil Gaya’ and ‘Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai’ composed by Jatin-Lalit, also gained a lot of popularity among music lovers.

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Ajaz Khan on Imran Khan being asked to leave India: I consider him to be an American

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Mumbai, Oct 16: Actor Ajaz Khan has reacted to Imran Khan being asked to leave India after he recently attended a protest in Mumbai. While speaking exclusively to media, Ajaz said that given that Imran has an American citizenship, he considers to him to be an American.

“Imran Khan has taken American citizenship. I will consider him American,” he said.

Ajaz added that if Imran had participated in the protest as an Indian citizen, it would not have been an issue.

When asked, “Do you think it is right that he participated in the protest after becoming an American citizen?”, he told media, “If he had an Indian passport and went to protest, there would have been no problem. Now I have also come to know that he has American citizenship, which is wrong. I hate America, and I hate Elon Musk.”

Ajaz further talked about the ongoing Starlink controversy. He expressed his support for Prime Minister Narendra Malhotra’s decision, calling it a matter of National security.

“It is a matter of India’s security, and India’s security should be the first priority for the Prime Minister,” he shared.

Talking about Imran, he was directed by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to leave India by October 28 over his allegedly unlawful participation in the recent August Kranti Maidan protests, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The FRRO mentioned in its order that Imran allegedly violated the Foreigners Act by participating in the protest, as he is not an Indian citizen, but is an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI).

Additionally, on October 13, BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya approached the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and immigration authorities, urging them to issue a Look Out Circular (LOC) against the ‘Delhi Belly’ actor.

Imran now reportedly plans to file a Writ Petition in the Bombay High Court against the notice from FRRO.

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Yash says ‘Ramayana’ goes beyond one film industry, calls for unity in Indian cinema

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Mumbai, Oct 16: Actor Yash has emphasized that the upcoming epic film ‘Ramayana’ goes beyond the boundaries of any one film industry.

He called for the entire Indian film fraternity to come together to take the country’s stories, culture, and history to a global audience. Speaking at the trailer launch of “Ramayana” in Bengaluru, Yash said, “This Ramayana is in all our blood. So, when making this film, this is not a work that can happen from just any one film industry. The entire Indian film industry must come together.”

Talking about the need to take Indian stories beyond geographical boundaries, Yash stressed that the country must take pride in its culture and history. “What is our history? What is our culture? If we sit waiting for someone else to say it, it cannot be told.”

Yash was accompanied by his wife, Radhika Pandit, who came to support him at the event. The film’s cast, including Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Ravi Dubey, and Rakul Preet Singh, along with director Nitesh Tiwari and Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, were also present.

“Ramayana: Part One,” directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in association with Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, is scheduled to release in cinemas worldwide on 5 November 2026.

Yash had earlier lauded his ‘Ramayana’ co-star Ranbir Kapoor for his dedication to portraying Lord Rama, saying the actor had made “great sacrifices” for the role. Yash, Ranbir, and filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari participated in a panel discussion about the film at San Diego Comic-Con.

A video of Yash speaking about Ranbir went viral on X, formerly known as Twitter. During the discussion, Yash highlighted the immense responsibility that comes with portraying Lord Rama and expressed confidence that audiences worldwide would witness “a beautiful Rama”.

“I think that’s the most important thing I would like to add. Nobody in this world can come and say, ‘I have the virtue to play Lord Rama.’ That’s how we see it. Just the fact that he says, ‘I can’t do it,’ speaks volumes,” Yash said.

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