Bollywood
Monica Chaudhary gains 20 kg for her role in ‘Salt City’
Actress Monica Chaudhary talks about gaining 20 kilos for her role in the web series ‘Salt City’, which also stars Piyush Mishra, Gauahar Khan, Divyendu Sharma, and Eisha Chopra, among others.
She talks about her role as Ela Bajpai and says: “It was one of the toughest decisions I have made in my entire life. The first and foremost requirement for me to play Ela was to put on 20 Kilos more weight.”
“Ela is stereotyped and fat-shamed throughout the series. There are scenes where she is running on the treadmill just to lose those extra pounds for her wedding so that she can look like the conventional pretty bride. In the series, we show how society’s harsh judgement affects and traumatises her,” adds the actress who was seen in ‘Apharan’, ‘Dark 7 White’ and ‘Rudrakaal’.
She continues: “For me at this stage of my career, putting on 20 kilos meant losing out on a lot of other work that was coming my way. But I decided to go ahead regardless as I fell in love with Ela’s character. Director Rishabh told me they will show different stages in her weight gain and weight loss journey and I’d have to prepare for the same.”
“I realised that it isn’t easy because it impacts your health negatively and you become lethargic. Now I’m back to being my normal fit self but have got stretch marks for life.”
Sharing about what prompted her to take the role, she reveals: “It was the ensemble cast as I have grown up watching movies of Piyush sir. When I met him, I told him how much I’d learnt from watching his performances.”
“Working with him was one item checked off my bucket list. And then there was Divyenndu whom I absolutely loved as Liquid in ‘Pyaar ka Punchnama’ and Munna Bhaiya in ‘Mirzapur’. I have always been a fan of Gauahar as well. When I met the director Rishabh, his narration of the series intrigued me and I wanted to explore this genre of family drama. So I said yes.”
Talking about her work experience with the entire cast, she says: “Working with an ensemble always gives you a lot to learn because every actor works using their own noteworthy style and method. And I’m that curious student who is looking to learn from everyone. I have been extremely fortunate that I have acted alongside some brilliant performers.”
“They have all been so helpful as well. I remember once I was in my own zone and wasn’t aware if my look was right for the scene. Guahar made sure of that, she fixed my hair. She is such an amazing and humble actor to work with. Also Divyenndu has helped me in every scene to bring out a fine performance. With Piyush sir, I used to ask him a lot of questions about his approach. So it’s always a learning experience,” she concludes.
Bollywood
BB 20: Qazi Touqeer reveals Arijit Singh can play sitar for 7 hours straight, talks about singer’s obsession with music

Mumbai, Sep 12: Bigg Boss 20 contestant Qazi Touqeer opened up about his longstanding friendship with star singer Arijit Singh.
While chatting with his fellow housemates in an episode of BB 20, Qazi showered praise on the playback singer for his passion, fighting spirit and down-to-earth nature.
Qazi, who shares a friendship with Arijit dating back to their days on the 2005 singing reality show Fame Gurukul, spoke about the singer with immense affection and admiration.
“Bro, I’m telling you. That guy is my life,” Qazi said while talking about Arijit.
Qazi also spoke about Arijit’s passion for music and recalled how the singer could remain completely absorbed in his musical world for hours.
“That guy is my life. Uska fighting spirit crazy hai. Woh 8 ghante tak nahi thakta.” “Sitar leke baithta hai.” (He sits down with his sitar.) “Shuru jab kiya usne toh time ka kuch pata nahi chal raha hai. Saat ghanta, chhe ghanta, constant. Usi cheez mein khoya hua hai.”
(His fighting spirit is crazy. He doesn’t get tired even after eight hours. Once he starts, he loses track of time. Seven hours, six hours, constantly. He is completely lost in it)
Qazi went on to praise Arijit’s love for the process of creating music, saying that for his friend, the joy lies in the process and the music itself.
“Mereko kapdon ka shauk hai, mereko aisa hai. Uske liye maza kya hai? Process. Uska sangeet.” (I have a fascination for clothes and such things. But for him, what matters is the process. His music.)
When asked about his favourite Arijit Singh song, Qazi became emotional and chose “Tum Hi Ho” from the 2013 film Aashiqui 2. He dedicated the song to his friend, saying he shared a very close bond with him and respected him so much that “alfaz kam padh jaaye”. (Out of words)
Qazi then added, “I love you, Arijit bhai. We love Arijit. Arijit bhai, I love you so much. The whole country loves him, bhai. Kuch bolne ki baat hi nahi hai.”
For the uninitiated, Qazi and Arijit’s friendship goes back more than two decades. The two met as young contestants on Fame Gurukul in 2005 and have remained close despite their careers taking very different paths.
Their friendship received another public endorsement after Qazi entered Bigg Boss 20. Arijit took to X and revealed that Qazi had given him a reason to watch the reality show for the first time.
“I will have to watch BIG BOSS for the first time in my life cz Apna Rockstar QAZI hai udhar,” Arijit wrote.
Bollywood
Akshaye Khanna enjoys a lunch date with longtime friend Rajat Rawail, latter shares rare pic

Mumbai, Sep 10: Actor Akshaye Khanna recently caught up with his good friend and filmmaker Rajat Rawail over a relaxed lunch in Mumbai.
Rajat Rawail, on Wednesday, sharing a candid glimpse of their get-together on his social media account, wrote, “super luncheon with my best best buddy, the super talented acting juggernaut akshaye khanna & rajat rawail bandra © wed 9/9/36 © friends for ever n ever.”
In the picture, the two friends can be seen seated across a table at a restaurant, posing for the camera.
Talking about Akshaye Khanna, the actor meanwhile, continues to be in the spotlight for his choice of different roles.
After making an impact with his recent performance in Dhurandhar, the actor is now preparing to surprise audiences with another striking transformation in the upcoming mythological film ‘Mahakali’.
In the film, reportedly Akshaye Khanna will be seen as Shukracharya, the guru of the Asuras. The makers had recently unveiled the first extended glimpse, titled ‘Shukracharya’s War Cry’, showcasing the actor in an intense and dramatically transformed avatar.
Directed by Puja Aparna Kolluru and written by Prasanth Varma, Mahakali is part of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe. The film also stars Sriya Reddy, Bhoomi Shetty and Rohit Saraf. It is slated to release in theatres on January 8, 2027.
For the uninitiated, Akshaye Khanna has also been riding high on the success of Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, in which he delivered a performance as Rehman Dakait which received widespread appreciation.
The action thriller, headlined by Ranveer Singh and featuring Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan and Arjun Rampal, released in theatres on December 5, 2025. Akshaye Khanna enjoys a lunch date with longtime friend Rajat Rawail, latter shares rare pics Khanna reprised his role in the franchise’s sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which released on March 19, 2026.
Bollywood
Suniel Shetty wishes ‘Hera Pher’ co-star Akshay Kumar as he turns 59

Mumbai, Sep 9: Actor Suniel Shetty wished his ‘Hera Pher’ co-star Akshay Kumar with a special social media post as he turned 59 years old on Wednesday.
He wrote on his X (Previously known as Twitter) timeline, “Some bonds don’t need too many words. Years go by, life gets busier, but the warmth respect and affection remain exactly the same. So many memories behind us… and plenty more ahead. Happy happy Birthday Akkii…have a great one. @akshaykumar (sic).”
Suniel even dropped a picture where he was seen posing alongside the birthday star.
Talking about the ‘Hera Pheri’ franchise, the primary instalment made under the direction of Priyadarshan, starring Akshay Kumar (Raju), Suniel Shetty (Shyam), and Paresh Rawal (Baburao), reached the audience back in 2000.
‘Hera Pheri’ was initially a sleeper hit, but later turned into one of Bollywood’s most beloved comedies, gaining cult status.
6 years later, in 2006, the makers released ‘Phir Hera Pheri’, bringing back the beloved trio of Akshay, Suniel and Paresh.
Now, the third instalment, ‘Hera Pheri 3’, is in the works, featuring both Akshay and Suniel.
It must be noted that apart from the ‘Hera Pheri’ franchise, Akshay and Suniel have shared the screen in various other projects such as ‘Mohra (1994)’, ‘Waqt Hamara Hai (1993)’, ‘Sapoot (1996)’, ‘Dhadkan (2000)’, ‘Awara Paagal Deewana (2002)’, ‘Aan: Men at Work (2004)’, Deewane Huye Paagal (2005), and ‘De Dana Dan (2009)’.
Talking about Akshay’s promising lineup, he will be seen reuniting with Saif Ali Khan after a long gap in Priyadarshan’s forthcoming thriller, ‘Haiwaan’. The project that will also see Shriya Pilgaonkar and Saiyami in crucial roles is a remake of the Malayalam drama ‘Oppam’.
In addition to this, Akshay has also joined the ensemble cast of Rohit Shetty’s ‘Golmaal 5’, alongside Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Kunal Kemmu, and Sharman Joshi.
Akshay has further been roped in for Anees Bazmee’s untitled next. Touted to be a family comedy, the movie will also see Vidya Balan and Raashi Khanna in important roles.
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