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The Nightingale will live forever in her 50,000 songs in 14 languages

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As the flames leapt up to consume the mortal remains of Lata Mangeshkar, Gulzar’s words set to R.D. Burman’s music, which the Nightingale immortalised with her ageless voice — “Meri awaaz hi pehchaan hai …” — kept swirling in the hearts and minds of her followers around the world.

There couldn’t have been more appropriate words to encapsulate the truth that only a few souls are able to stir the consciousness of generations, transcending all boundaries. Lata Mangeshkar was one of those rare souls.

The Nightingale’s radiant image seemed to shine above the political and tinsel stars who had converged at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park to pay their final respects to the departed soul. More than her smile, that famous twinkle in her eye seemed to assure Lataji’s countless fans that she was very much there.

And how can she ever go away? Each of her more than 50,000 songs in 14 languages will ensure her immortality.

As much as her voice is mesmerising, equally her carefully draped saree and tightly held hair with a small round ‘bindi’ in the middle of her forehead will remain etched in the memory of every Indian. She looked very much like a goddess in ‘avatar’. It wasn’t without a reason that generations has regarded Lataji as Goddess Saraswati incarnate.

Lata Didi, as the nation fondly calls her, has forever set the standards that perhaps may never be matched. Singing will never be like hers, although clones are in thousands.

Songs for every mood, every age, all seasons, festivals, celebrations, all occasions of happiness or sadness. From spiritually uplifting bhajans to soothing romantic numbers, to racy, pacy tracks, she did them all in her 73-year career as the voice of the nation.

Not a day or hour goes by when her songs are not being aired, sung by talent hunt participants, or remixed by sound engineers. remixed is not being aired or even hummed. Even for the upcoming generation, her songs are the lessons to be learnt and in musical talent shows aired on TV channels or FM radio, it is mostly her songs that are sung.

Lataji continues to live in her songs. She has been immortalised in her songs, and each time a song by her is sung, Lataji will come alive.

All her songs are iconic; each is unique in its own style. There is no one that is the best, because all are the best. Her voice gave that magical touch to Hindi movies that have always been mostly about song and dance.

Lataji is every singer’s dream, and for the masses her songs are emotions that they have grown with. Listening to her songs on the radio and TV, seeing them picturised in movies, singing them in school and college competitions, or in ‘antaksharis’, and dancing to them in wedding sangeet ceremonies, we have lived Lataji’s songs for decades. They have been a part of the growing-up years of all Indians. Lata Mangeshkar has always been there, the quintessential diet of our emotions.

“Meri awaaz hi pehchaan hai … chehra ye badal jayege … meri awaaz hi pechaan hai … ghar yaad rahe” (My voice will be my identity even if the way I look changes). Gulzar sahab seemed to have written these words, which Lataji sang with Bhupinder Singh in ‘Kinara’ in 1977, inspired by her life.

Lata Didi, as the world will always remember her as, her voice and her face radiating magnanimity will never fade away.

Bollywood

Delhi HC orders removal of ‘Kala Hiran’ links in Salman Khan personality rights case

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Mumbai, July 27: The Delhi High Court has directed the removal of social media links related to the upcoming film “Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy” from X, formerly Twitter, and YouTube.

The Delhi High Court has reprimanded the film’s producer, Amit Jani and told his counsel that he seemed to be drawing confidence from the fact that no order had been passed in the previous hearing.

The Delhi High Court further told producer Amit Jani, “You seem to think you are above the law. Things are only getting worse day by day. You cannot do this even to an ordinary citizen.”

However, Jani’s counsel argued, “This is only a teaser. How does it violate Salman Khan’s personality rights? I am not even taking his name.”

The counsel further submitted that the teaser does not contain any deepfake or AI-generated video.

“There is no protection over events or public performances,” the counsel argued.

Salman Khan’s counsel told the court, “In three out of the four cases, my client has been acquitted. In the fourth case, the sentence has been stayed. The teaser is attempting to turn an entire community against Salman Khan.”

Salman Khan had filed a petition before the Delhi High Court against the film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy.

The teaser of the upcoming film was unveiled on July 17 and was brimming with

‘Dabangg’ and ‘Sikander’ references

The movie has been directed by Bharat S. Shrinet and produced by Amit Jani.

‘Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy’ is reportedly inspired by Salman Khan’s 1998 blackbuck poaching case and also portrays his alleged rivalry with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

Salman Khan’s blackbuck poaching case involves the illegal hunting of two endangered blackbucks in October 1998 during the filming of Hum Saath-Saath Hain near Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

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Randeep Hooda shares heartwarming moments from daughter Nyomica’s first rice ceremony

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Mumbai, July 19: Actor Randeep Hooda shared heartwarming glimpses of a special milestone in his daughter Nyomica’s life.

Taking to Instagram, he posted adorable moments from her first rice ceremony, also known as Chakumba. The ‘Jaat’ actor also expressed his emotions and gratitude towards everyone who blessed her on the occasion. Calling it a moment he wished he ‘could hold on to forever,’ Randeep shared his joy over celebrating Nyomica’s special milestone with loved ones. Sharing a series of images, he wrote, “There are moments you wish you could hold on to forever! Nyomica’s #Chakumba was one of them. Her first taste of rice and a heart full of gratitude for everyone who blessed her.”

The first image from the ceremony featured Randeep Hooda sitting alongside his wife Lin Laishram, who was seen holding their daughter in her lap. The ‘Murder 3’ actor also shared pictures with his parents and other family members. One candid moment captured Lin cradling their daughter while Randeep lovingly played with her. Another picture showed guests sitting on the floor and enjoying a traditional meal as part of the celebrations.

Randeep Hooda was dressed in a traditional white kurta and dhoti for the ceremony, while his wife Lin Laishram complemented him in an elegant pink saree paired with a matching shawl. The couple looked graceful in their traditional attire as they celebrated the special occasion with their family and loved ones.

For the unversed, Chakumba is a traditional rice-feeding ceremony observed in the Manipuri Meitei community. The ritual marks an important milestone in an infant’s life, celebrating the child’s first taste of solid food, particularly rice, and the beginning of the weaning journey.

Randeep and Lin embraced parenthood with the arrival of their first child, a baby girl named Nyomica, on March 10, 2026. In an Instagram post, the couple revealed that the name, suggested by the actor’s sister, carries a beautiful meaning—symbolizing “divine grace, freedom, and limitlessness as the sky.”

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Somy Ali on Aamir Khan’s wedding with Gauri: ‘It’s never too late to choose happiness’

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Mumbai, July 4: Former actress Somy Ali has reacted to Aamir Khan’s wedding with Gauri Spratt, scheduled to take place on July 5.

She shared a heartfelt message for the couple, saying it is “never too late to choose happiness.” Extending her best wishes, Ali expressed hope that they embark on a joyful and fulfilling new chapter together.

Taking to Instagram, Somy Ali shared their photo and wrote, “To Guari & Aamir, Love doesn’t follow a calendar. Finding someone to share your life with at any age is just as beautiful as finding them at 20. It’s never too late to choose happiness. A heart that’s open to love is something to celebrate, not criticize. Age is measured in years, but love is measured in moments.”

“Congratulations on finding yours. Some people spend a lifetime looking for the right person. If that journey leads to marriage at any age, that’s not late—that’s right on time. The courage to begin a new chapter is inspiring. Wishing you both a lifetime of joy, laughter, and companionship. The best love stories aren’t defined by when they begin, but by how deeply they’re lived.”

She went on to state, “May those who judge your age one day understand that happiness has no deadline. Growing older is inevitable; growing together is a gift. The greatest achievement isn’t marrying young—it’s finding someone worth growing old with. These sentiments celebrate love, companionship, and the freedom to pursue happiness at any stage of life.”

Recently, during the screening of ‘Pritam and Pedro,’ Aamir opened up about his wedding with Gauri. He revealed that it is going to be an intimate affair with only their close family members and friends in attendance.

Aamir shared, “Yes, we are getting married on the 5th. It’s a very small wedding; we are doing it at home. The 5th is a very special day for us. There will only be both the families, along with some close friends. We are getting married at home only. We only want everyone’s blessings that we remain happy.”

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