Mumbai, Sep 16: Television actress Mahhi Vij revealed that she was originally selected by filmmaker Mani Ratnam for the role that Kareena Kapoor eventually played in the 2004 film Yuva, opposite Vivek Oberoi.

During a conversation with fellow Bigg Boss 20 contestant Kanika Mann, Mahhi opened up about her early days in the entertainment industry and recalled how she moved from music videos and South Indian films to what could have been her Bollywood debut.

Mahhi said that after arriving in Mumbai, she got her first music-video opportunity with the popular remix of “Tu Tu Hai Wahi”, in which she featured in a pink outfit.

“I went to Bombay and got a music video as soon as I arrived. It was the one where I wore the pink dress, ‘Tu Tu Hai Wahi’. That was my first music video,” she recalled.

“After that, I did a lot of music videos in my career, and all of them were hits,” Mahhi said.

Mahhi then also spoke about her transition towards films, saying she worked in South Indian cinema, including projects with Prabhu Deva and Malayalam superstar Mammootty.

“Then I did music videos, followed by South Indian films with Prabhu Deva. Then I did a film with Mammootty. From there, I was finalised for Yuva. Mani Ratnam selected me for Yuva,” she said.

According to Mahhi, she had been selected for the role of Meera, the character that Kareena Kapoor eventually portrayed in Yuva. In the film, Meera is the love interest of Vivek Oberoi’s character Arjun Balachandran.

The 2004 film was directed by Mani Ratnam and starred Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, Vivek Oberoi, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor and Esha Deol.

Mahhi said that the opportunity eventually slipped away after her equation with someone involved in the project turned sour.

“For the role that Kareena played, opposite Vivek Oberoi. But some equations with someone had gone a little sour there so it did not materialise,” she added.

Mahhi further recalled that after returning to Delhi, she had discussions for two or three other films, but those projects too were cancelled at the last minute.

“After that, I returned to Delhi. Two or three films were discussed, but they were cancelled at the last minute. So I said, ‘I will do television,’” she recalled.

Her decision eventually led her towards a successful television career. Mahhi became widely recognised for her role as Nakusha in Laagi Tujhse Lagan and later played Nandini in Balika Vadhu.

She also participated in reality shows including Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Khatron Ke Khiladi and Nach Baliye 5, which she won with Jay Bhanushali.

Meanwhile, Yuva, which released in 2004, also starred Ajay Devgn, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan and Esha Deol, with music by A.R. Rahman.

Mumbai, Sep 15: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has once again left fans intrigued with a cryptic social media post on happiness, expectations and contentment, shortly after making an appearance at Rahul Karnail’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

Salman shared a reel on his social media account, featuring a scenic mountain backdrop and a thought-provoking message about how a person’s perception of happiness can change once they get what they once desired.

The message read, “Jab thoda mila, toh khush tha, ab zyada mila, toh dukhi kyun? Jo chahiye tha kal mujhe, aaj mila toh zaroori kyun?”

(When I had a little, I was happy, so why am I sad now that I have more? What I wanted yesterday, why does it seem unnecessary now that I have it today?)

Somehow Salman did not reveal what prompted him to share the message.

The cryptic note came soon after Salman attended Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Salman was spotted arriving for the festivities and posing for the paparazzi before joining his family for the celebrations.

For the occasion, Salman opted for a casual festive look. He wore a light blue checked/striped shirt with light blue-white denim, while a bandana covered his head.

Videos and pictures from the celebrations showed the Khan family coming together for Ganpati darshan. Salman was also seen spending time with little children at the gathering.

For the uninitiated, Salman has regularly participated in Ganpati celebrations, including aarti and visarjan, over the years.

His family continues the tradition at home where Salman’s entire family celebrates the occasion.

The Khan family’s celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi has its roots in their close family tradition. Salma Khan, Salman’s mother, was born Sushila Charak in a Maharashtrian Hindu family, while his father Salim Khan is Muslim.

The family has over the years been known for celebrating festivals across religious traditions.

Mumbai, Sep 15: Veteran Bollywood star Anil Kapoor has looked back on his fitness journey, saying that four years after he last recorded a run like this, the journey has continued despite changing pace and shape.

Anil took to Instagram, where he shared a video of himself from a racing track. In the clip, the star is seen running as fast as he could.

For the caption the star wrote: “Four years since I last recorded a run like this. The journey never really stopped just changed pace, changed shape, and kept moving forward. Progress isn’t always about how fast you go.”

“Sometimes, it’s simply about continuing.”

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On the work front, the actor is currently seen the show “India Ke Top 1%” as a host.

Talking about the show, Anil, on August 7, had said that every challenge in the reality show tests observation, logic, presence of mind, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

Anil said in a statement: “I’m thrilled to announce that India Ke Top 1% premieres on 19th September. Witnessing the grand launch of the show in such a spectacular setting made this announcement even more special.

After running across the globe in countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Greece, Australia, Israel, Turkey, Ukraine, Mexico and the USA, the internationally acclaimed format The 1% Club is now making its much-awaited debut in India.

The show offers a refreshing take on the quiz genre, where it’s not about how much you know, but how you think. Designed for everyone, the format allows people of every age to play along from home, turning every living room into a shared family game night.

The show airs on Star Plus and JioHotstar.