Bollywood
Kathak’s living legend, Pandit Birju Maharaj, dies at 83

The living legend of Kathak, Birju Maharaj, who had been diagnosed with kidney disease a few days ago and put on dialysis, died at his home here late on Sunday. He was 83.
Maharaj ji, as he was popularly known, was said to be playing with his grandsons when his health unexpectedly deteriorated, requiring him to be rushed to the hospital, where he died of a heart attack.
A recipient of the country’s second highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan, Maharaj ji was also a lifelong Kathak guru as well as a talented Hindustani classical singer and percussionist.
He will be remembered by cinema buffs for the two period dance sequences in Satyajit Ray’s historical drama ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’ (for which he sang as well) and for the ‘Kaahe Chhed Mohe’ track picturised on Madhuri Dixit in the 2002 version of ‘Devdas’.
Maharaj ji won the National Award for choreographing ‘Unnai Kaanadhu Naan’ in the Kamal Haasan multi-lingual megahit ‘Vishwaroopam’ and the Filmfare Awards for the Bajirao Mastani number ‘Mohe Rang Do Laal’.
Adnan Sami, one of the first artistes to pay his tributes to the doyen of Kathak, said in a tweet: “Extremely saddened by the news about the passing away of Legendary Kathak Dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj ji. We have lost an unparalleled institution in the field of the performing arts. He has influenced many generations through his genius. May he rest in peace.”
Another early tribute came from Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who tweeted: “Pandit Birju ji Maharaj was a doyen of India’s art and culture. He popularised the Lucknow gharana of Kathak dance form around the world. … His passing away is a monumental loss to the world of performing arts.”
Birju Maharaj was the son of the exponent of the Lucknow gharana, Jagannath Maharaj, better known as Acchan Maharaj, whom he lost when he was just nine. His uncles were the renowned Shambhu Maharaj and Lacchu Maharaj.
He taught at the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Kathak Kendra, both in Delhi, from where he retired as director in 1998.
Bollywood
Who Was Pankaj Dheer? All About Mahabharat Actor Who Died After Long Battle With Cancer At 68

Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer passed away at the age of 68 after a long battle with cancer on Wednesday, October 15. He was best known for playing the iconic role of Karna in BR Chopra’s 1988 TV series Mahabharat.
Pankaj’s last rites will take place in Vile Parle, Mumbai, on Wednesday. Reportedly, the actor’s cancer had relapsed a few months ago, leaving him critically ill. He had also undergone major surgery related to his condition.
An official statement from CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes’ Association) was released on Wednesday, confirming the news of Dheer’s demise: “With profound grief and deep sorrow, we inform you of the passing of our Trust’s erstwhile Chairman and CINTAA’s former Hon. General Secretary, Shri Pankaj Dheer ji, on 15th October 2025. The cremation will be held today at 4:30 pm, next to Pawan Hans, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai.”
Born on November 9, 1956, in Punjab, Pankaj Dheer came from a family with strong ties to the film industry. He was married to Anita Dheer and had a son, actor Nikitin Dheer, who is married to actress Kratika Sengar.
Pankaj’s father, C.L. Dheer, was also a renowned film director.
Dheer’s career spanned several decades, during which he became a household name in Indian television. He starred in several television shows including Chandrakanta, Badho Bahu, Zee Horror Show, and Kanoon, as well as films such as Soldier, Andaz, Baadshah, and Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge.
He also appeared in several Bollywood films, including Sadak, Soldier, and Baadsha.
Pankaj was last seen in the 2024 serial Dhruv Tara – Samay Sadi Se Pare, where he played the role of Giriraj Seth. He was also seen in the 2019 web series Poison.
Pankaj Dheer’s family is yet to issue an official statement.
Bollywood
Rajat Bedi says Aryan Khan is a huge fan of ‘Koi Mil Gaya’

Mumbai, Oct 14: Actor Rajat Bedi, who has made his comeback with ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’, has shared that the director of the show Aryan Khan, and his friends are huge fans of ‘Koi Mil Gaya’.
Rajat essays the role of a ‘has been’ star in the recently released streaming show, helmed by Aryan, who is the son of Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan.
Rajat recently spoke with IANS in the Bandra West area of Mumbai following the success of the show. He also cleared the air around his earlier statement about Rakesh Roshan which was misconstrued.
“Aryan and many other Aryan’s associates, as children, have been fans of ‘Koi Mil Gaya’ and I’m very blessed that Rakesh Roshan at that time gave me this opportunity to be a part of the film. I did feel a little bad after the film. But, if you actually look at my whole journey, it is a lot thanks to ‘Koi Mil Gaya’. Even today, people ask me, ‘You were in the Alien film, right? You broke Rohit’s cycle, right?’. It is one of the most iconic and lovable films by the audience”.
He further mentioned, “So, when Aryan and others saw ‘Koi Mil Gaya’, they grew up and when he was making something with a full Bollywood flavour, he was very sure that for this character, he needed me. He probably knew that I was relevant at that time. Then I disappeared for 20 years. So, Aryan found me. And what could be a bigger blessing than this? Really, when you ask for something from the universe and the universe fulfills it. I was waiting for the comeback that Aryan has given me”.
‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ is available to stream on Netflix.
Bollywood
‘My Wife, Sister Getting Hate Messages From Pak, UAE, Bangladesh’: Sameer Wankhede On ‘Ba*ds Of Bollywood Row, Defamation Case Against Red Chillies, Netflix

Former Mumbai NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede, on October 11, spoke about the defamation case he has filed against Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix. While speaking to news agency ANI, the former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer claimed that his family has been receiving hate messages from Pakistan, the UAE, and Bangladesh.
Wankhede said that his family has nothing to do with his profession or the case and asked, “Why are they feeling the brunt of these kinds of things?”
In addition, he also informed reporters that his sister and wife have been receiving threats. “Hate messages are coming from Pakistan, the UAE, and Bangladesh. I will not accept that because of me, they are facing the brunt of it,” he said.
He further added, “We have regularly informed the police about the threats that my sister and wife keep getting.”
Wankhede also said that he filed the case as it was about his self-respect, personal dignity, and honour, stating, “Whatever satire or parody you create, do it with your own people.”
He added that he would fight the legal battle as far as possible, saying, “I am a loyal soldier of the Government of India. There are numerous checks and balances in our system, and there is a proper rule book — the Constitution — according to which we work. One person does not make the decisions here. Everything has been done according to the rules and regulations. It is not about any publicity; it is about dignity. The kind of hate messages I have been getting, no self-respecting man will remain silent on it. I will fight this legal battle to whatever extent possible.”
Calling drug abuse a major issue for the nation, he further said, “By highlighting such things, you’re insulting not just one person but those who have worked with me, and others who fight against drug abuse.”
The case pertains to Aryan Khan’s web series, ‘The Ba**ds of Bollywood’*. The former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer has claimed that a character in the series bears a striking resemblance to him and has alleged that the show was “deliberately conceptualised and executed with the intent to malign his reputation.”
Wankhede has filed a ₹2 crore defamation case against Aryan Khan, Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt. Ltd (owned by Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan), and Netflix.
After filing the ₹2 crore defamation case, Wankhede told PTI, “I don’t want to comment on this. I will just say one thing — Satyamev Jayate (Truth alone triumphs).”
-
Crime3 years ago
Class 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra1 year ago
Mumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra1 year ago
Mumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra1 year ago
False photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News1 year ago
Ministry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra11 months ago
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News1 year ago
J&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime1 year ago
Baba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report