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Prajakta Koli becomes UNDP India’s first youth climate champion

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Content creator and actress Prajakta Koli has become India’s first UN Development Programme (UNDP) Youth Climate Champion under her partnership with the organisation.

The title has been conferred to her following her contribution towards mental health, women’s rights and girl child education through various global social campaigns.

UNDP aims to eliminate poverty, achieve sustainable growth and scale up human development in countries where it is required the most.

As a part of her responsibilities now, Prajakta will be entrusted with interacting with young minds to raise awareness around climate crisis, global warming and biodiversity loss and their impacts, the tremors of which are being felt by all sections of the society, especially the poor and marginalized communities.

Speaking on the occasion, Prajakta said in a statement: “I am extremely humbled and honoured to have been entitled with this unique responsibility to champion a cause that is close to my heart. As the very first UNDP India Youth Climate Champion, I would like to produce and participate in opportunities that propel conversations around climate action and the urgent measures we must take.”

Commenting on how youth can make a difference, her statement further read: “The youth need to be the torchbearers of this revolution and foot soldiers who will work towards the common goal of an enriched and empowered future where the human species doesn’t become endangered. We have created this problem, but we can solve it too. With UNDP, I will strive to work with young minds across the globe to take appropriate measures for climate action.”

Welcoming Prajakta, Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India says: “We are excited to have Prajakta on board as the UNDP India Youth Climate Champion. Young people are the leading voice to make the world more sustainable. Prajakta has a strong connect with millions of young Indians. I am sure her voice reaches the hearts of youth, and inspires them to take climate action.”

In the past, the content creator has spoken up on issues like body shaming and online bullying with ‘Shameless’ as part of her campaign #iPledgeToBeMe which came into force on World Mental Health Day in 2016.

As a global ambassador for YouTube’s ‘Creators For Change’ initiative, she drew the attention of people to trolling, female subjugation and homophobia through her campaign ‘No Offence’ which was showcased at the UN headquarters in New York on International Tolerance Day.

In 2018, saw three initiatives and social cause partnerships from her, first with YouTube for Social Impact Girl’s Education campaign, with Instagram on their Safer Internet Week campaign and with One.org for their Girl Education campaign.

In 2019 she received an invite from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for their annual Goalkeepers Summit.

Last year, she joined Google’s Impact Challenge to aid grants to non-profits addressing economic inequities faced by women and girls.

Bollywood

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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