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Ankita Lokhande: I know Sushant is proud of me

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 The line between real and reel-life was often blurred between Ankita Lokhande and late Sushant Singh Rajput’s characters ‘Archana’ and ‘Manav’ when the TV series ‘Pavitra Rishta’ started airing in 2009. The show went off air in 2014 and leading man Sushant shockingly passed away last year on June 14. 

As the new season of the show ‘Pavitra Rishta 2.0’ is all set to release, Ankita, the actress, girlfriend and co-actor of Sushant, says she is trying to keep the memory of Sushant alive through the show and she believes that Sushant must be feeling proud of her.

Ankita told IANS: “What our fans saw between ‘Manav’ and ‘Archana’ was love, and love is magical. Perhaps that is why the chemistry between the two characters looked so magical. When I and Sushant started working for the show, everything was created in a very organic way, you cannot forcefully create magic that the audience saw between me and Sushant. It was love, pure love.

“When I went back to set for the shooting of the new season of the show, thousands of things crossing my mind. I have been living with ‘Pavitra Rishta’ and all its memories for the last 12 years. This time, when I went back to set, knowing Sushant is not there with me, it really is hard to explain how I felt. I doubt if anyone would understand what my state of mind is…and I will never be able to explain it in words ever.”

Ankita then broke down in tears.

She continues, “But I always think that Sushant is watching all of us, the way we are creating the show and I know Sushant is absolutely proud of me. Sushant created ‘Manav’ and I am trying to keep his legacy alive through the show. Look, nobody can replace Sushant or his presence in ‘Manav’ the way he brought life to that character.

“I am sure the chemistry I shared with Sushant, can never be shared with anyone, but we can create another ‘Manav’, right? When I and Sushant started working we did not know how our on-screen ‘jodi’ would be accepted, but it happened. I hope, the same happens in the new season because Shaheer is also a good actor and he is also putting in his hard work.”

The new season of ‘Pavitra Rishta 2.0’ will release on September 15 on ZEE5. In the new season, the character of ‘Manav’ will be played by Shaheer Sheikh.

Last year, after the sudden death of Sushant, the insensitive media coverage, media trial, constant trolling on social media and an unwanted toxic environment affected everyone associated with Sushant including Ankita as she was also trolled on social media.

Asked now when she looks back, how she explains the whole situation, Ankita replied, “When I go back to those old episodes, watch myself and Sushant together, of course I go through a lot of emotions, ups and downs, the feeling of love is still there and it will remain forever. I still break down every now and then but I know I also have to grow with the experience and thank God for at least giving me the opportunity to live the life I am living, and create memories with him.”

“You know, Sushant’s demise was almost like a personal loss for even those who never knew Sushant personally, ‘Wo tha hi itna pyaara…'(He was so sweet) now imagine how tough it is for those to accept that he is no more, who lived with him and have beautiful memories with him. It is too painful for me to talk as I cannot hold my tears anymore,” she signed off.

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Ananya Panday says ‘Happy birthday handsome’ as dad Chunky Panday turns a year older

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Mumbai, Sep 26: Actress Ananya Panday compiled an adorable birthday wish for her father, actor Chunky Panday, as he turned a year older on Saturday.

She took to the Stories section of her official Instagram handle and uploaded a throwback black-and-white picture of her father.

Wishing the ‘Housefull’ actor on his special day, Ananya wrote on the photo-sharing app, “Happy birthday handsome! Love you papa (red heart emoji) @chunkypanday (sic).”

Chunky also reshared his daughter’s post on his Instagram Stories and penned, “Annnchuuuuu”, along with red heart and love-struck emojis.

Ananya’s younger sister and Chunky’s younger daughter, Rysa Panday, also dropped an old pic of her father on social media, along with a sweet birthday wish that read, “Happy birthday to the coolest dad (sic)”, followed by a red heart emoji.

Ananya loves to share glimpses from her everyday life on social media, keeping the netizens hooked.

Recently, Ananya revealed that she was able to return home just in time to welcome her favourite, Ganpati Bappa.

Embracing the festive spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi, Ananya expressed her joy in a heartfelt post that read, “Back home just in time for my fave to come home. Ganpati Bappa Morya.”

Her post also included a couple of images posing with her parents, father Chunky Panday and mother Bhavna Pandey.

Wearing multicoloured ethnic attire, Ananya was seen standing in front of the Ganpati Bappa idol with folded hands. In another snap, the ‘CTRL’ actress was seen with one of her fur babies.

Meanwhile, on the professional front, Ananya last graced the screen in Vivek Soni’s directorial ‘Chand Mera Dil,’ co-starring Lakshya Lalwani.

The romantic entertainer chronicles the journey of two college students whose feelings for one another are put to the test as they step into adulthood and navigate the challenges and responsibilities of the real world.

‘Chand Mera Dil’ got a theatrical release on May 22 this year.

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Raza Murad slams Bollywood stars for skipping Mushtaq Khan funeral: ‘Would serve as waiters at industrialist’s son’s wedding’

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Mumbai, Sep 26: Veteran actor Raza Murad has slammed Bollywood superstars for their absence at the funeral of veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, who passed away on September 24.

In a strongly worded video message, Raza questioned why none of the “big faces” from the film industry came to offer their final respects to the actor, who had devoted nearly five decades to the Hindi film industry.

Mushtaq Khan’s last rites were performed on September 25. Many of his colleagues and fellow actors attended the funeral, but Raza expressed disappointment that no major Bollywood star was present.

“Dukh ki baat yeh hai ki aise mauke par koi bhi star, jise hum star kehte hain, unhe apna aakhiri salaam pesh karne nahi aaya. Jabki unke bahut saare colleagues, actors, sab aaye.”

(The sad thing is that on such an occasion, no star, whom we call a star, came to offer his final salute. While many of his colleagues and fellow actors came)

Raza then made a sharp comparison, saying that Bollywood stars would readily attend lavish celebrations involving influential people.

“Haan, agar kisi industrialist ke bete ki shaadi hoti, toh ye stars na sirf wahan shaamil hote, balki wahan mehmaanon ki seva waiter ki tarah bhi karte.”

(Yes, if the son of an industrialist were getting married, these stars would not only attend, but would also serve the guests like waiters.)

“Ya jab koi political party apni laathi dikhaati hai, toh ye bheegi billi ki tarah wahan pahunch jaate hain. Lekin us shakhs ki funeral mein shaamil nahi hue, jisne is film industry ko apne 50 saal diye, apni poori zindagi de di. Aur aap uske liye 50 minute bhi nahi nikaal sake.”

(Or when a political party shows its power, they reach there like a meek cat. But they did not attend the funeral of the person who gave 50 years of his life, his entire life, to this film industry And you could not even take out 50 minutes for him)

He reminded the film fraternity that fame and success are temporary and that a person’s conduct and deeds are what ultimately matter.

“Yeh mat bhooliye ki aaj aapka yeh roshan chehra hai, kal yeh bhi marne wala hai. Kal yeh andhere mein doob jayega. Agar koi cheez aapke kaam aayegi, toh aapka achha bartav, aapke karm kaam aayenge. Aur kuch nahi aayega.”

(Do not forget that today your face is shining, but tomorrow it too will die. Tomorrow it will sink into darkness. If anything will be of use to you, it will be your good behaviour and your deeds. Nothing else will matter)

Praising Mushtaq Khan, Raza said the actor had built his own identity through his work and had never relied on flattery or misleading others to make his way in the industry.

“Mushtaq Khan ne apna bahut bada naam banaya. Unhone kabhi kisi ko gumrah nahi kiya, na kabhi kisi ki khushamad ki. Woh sirf apne kaam ke dum par yahan tak pahunche.”

(Mushtaq Khan made a very big name for himself. He never misled anyone, nor did he flatter anyone. He reached this point solely on the strength of his work.)

“Unhe apni zindagi mein kabhi aapki zaroorat nahi padi, na unhe apni zindagi ke baad aapki zaroorat padegi.”

(He never needed you in his life, nor will he need you after his life.)

He also expressed regret that several prominent stars who had worked with Khan did not come to pay their final respects.

“Haan, yeh zaroor hum sabke liye afsos ki baat hai ki aisa koi star nahi hai jiske saath Mushtaq Khan ne kaam na kiya ho, aur woh unhe kuch pal ke liye salaam karne bhi nahi aaya.”

(Yes, it is certainly a matter of regret for all of us that there is hardly any star with whom Mushtaq Khan had not worked, yet they did not come even for a few moments to salute him.)

Raza concluded by reminding everyone that fame, wealth and status do not last forever.

“Yaad rakhiye ek baat, yeh shohrat, yeh daulat, yeh izzat hamesha nahi rehti. Shohrat ki bulandi bhi ek lamhe ka tamasha hai. Jis shaakh par aap baithe hain, woh bhi toot sakti hai. Yaad rakhiye.”

(Remember one thing, this fame, this wealth and this honour do not last forever. The height of fame is also a spectacle of a moment. The branch on which you are sitting can also break. Remember this.)

For the uninitiated, Mushtaq Khan was known for his memorable supporting performances across Hindi cinema, with credits including Welcome, Aashiqui, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke and Jodi No. 1.

His long career spanned several decades, during which he worked alongside some of the biggest names in the Hindi film industry like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, and others.

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Vicky Kaushal’s brooding look from Bhansali ‘Love & War’ promises a tale of love and war

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Mumbai, Sep 26: The makers of “Love & War” have unveiled a first look from filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming romantic drama, showcasing a rugged and brooding avatar of Bollywood superstar Vicky Kaushal.

Taking to their Instagram, the makers shared the first-look poster of Vicky and wrote: “Nazre milengi, lekin hatengi nahin! Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War on 21st January 2027.”

In the poster, Vicky is seen lighting a cigarette and sporting an intense gaze. The star brings an undeniable edge and commanding presence to the character.

Love & War will release worldwide in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The project, which stars Ranbir alongside Alia Bhatt and Vicky, has now moved into the post-production stage ahead of its January 2027 theatrical release.

Love & War was initially announced for a Christmas 2025 release. Its release was subsequently pushed, with March 20, 2026 being the earlier announced date before the makers confirmed January 21, 2027 as the new release date.

It was on September 24 when the first poster of Ranbir Kapoor from the film was unveiled.

The poster featured Ranbir in a rugged look, with a blood-stained sleeve and a bullet mark on his shirt.

The actor is seen sporting a serious expression, with the caption stating: “Woh rutba, woh raub, woh junoon!Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War on 21st January 2027 See you at the movies! #LoveAndWar @saregama_official #RanbirKapoor @vickykaushal09 @aliaabhatt.”

The film marks Ranbir’s reunion with Sanjay Leela Bhansali after the actor made his Bollywood debut with the filmmaker’s Saawariya in 2007.

Alia previously worked with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Gangubai Kathiawadi, while Love & War marks Vicky’s first collaboration with the director.

Talking about Vicky, he was last seen in “Chhaava” in an epic historical action film based on the life of Sambhaji, the second ruler of the Maratha Empire. An adaptation of the Marathi novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant, the film is directed by Laxman Utekar.

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