Festive season sounds lovely until you remember the heavy lehengas, complicated sari drapes, tight blouses and jewellery that starts feeling like a workout by dessert.
From playing the quietly determined Lata Mehra in Mira Nair's A Suitable Boy to stepping into the supernatural world of Tooth Pari: When Love Bites, Tanya Maniktala has built a career around characters that are anything but alike.
September marked India's highest-ever monthly EV retail volume. More than one in nine two-wheelers retailed in September was electric.
In Rediff's series on modern marriages, Pratik, 36, tells Rediff's Divya Nair how the difficult decision to stay away from both sets of parents, among other things, helped strengthen their marriage.
Lord Ganesha comes in various forms and each one lives in your heart. Enjoy these pictures from Rediff readers.
Shah Rukh Khan sought Lord Ganesha's blessings as he visited Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai with wife Gauri Khan and daughter Suhana.
Glimpses of Mumbai's Ganeshotsav preparations, from a Warkari-inspired mandal decoration to eco-friendly festive displays in Lalbaug.
Glimpses from Janmashtami celebrations taking shape across India before the festival.
Mumbai is abuzz with Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations as Ganesha idols arrive in homes and pandals across the city. The 11-day festival, marked by devotional chants, elaborate pujas, and vibrant decorations, culminates in grand immersions on Anant Chaturdashi. The city is adorned with lights, and markets are bustling, while authorities have deployed extensive security measures to ensure safe festivities, despite recent idol collapse incidents.
'I had narrated a script to Nana Patekar, and four days before the end, he told me that once he returned from Goa, he would take the project forward. I still can't believe he is never coming back. He was always so fit, proudly flexing his muscles and urging me to work out.'
For World Cotton Day, we're looking at how celebrities are making cotton feel anything but basic, taking it from everyday kurtas and breezy dresses to playful co-ords, sharp tailoring and romantic silhouettes. These looks make even the most comfortable fabric feel fashion-forward.
Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem's new film Bunker received a remarkable 16-minute standing ovation at the Venice film festival, marking the longest applause for a premiere at this year's event.
Some people leave behind a business. A rare few leave behind a place in people's hearts. Appa leaves behind both.
'Earlier, Ganeshotsav was social. Now it is all about social media.'
Nikhil Rasal from Satara and Adarsh Mitra Mandal of Gharat Aali, Alibag, have used their Ganpati decorations to highlight the work and public service associated with Tukaram Mundhe, commissioner of food and drug administration turning the festival into a platform for social awareness.
Every home welcomes Ganpati in its own special way. Some idols are playful and mischievous, some look calm and peaceful, while others have a grand, regal presence.
'Growing up in Bangladesh, I always felt that I was a piece of meat. As soon as I walked down the street, I could be the president of Bangladesh and I would still be a piece of meat because I am a woman.'
Bandhani has been around for generations but the girlies are giving it a very different life now with exotic blouses, pre-draped saris, lehenga-sari hybrids and unexpected colour combinations.
Thank you, Dear Readers, for sharing your pictures of Lord Ganesha.
Mahindra & Mahindra is contemplating another price increase across its SUV portfolio in response to recent commodity price surges, with a decision expected within the next two weeks, according to Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO Automotive Division, Mahindra Group.
'Very few people are fortunate to make such a quick and quiet exit from the world. He would have been miserable in a hospital.'
The Vvaan - Force Of The Forrest, which is now screening in theatres, has put the spotlight firmly on Tamannaah Bhatia's sari wardrobe.
The colourful food fight drew participants on August 26, while residents prepared homes ahead of the event.
It isn't a fancy food. It doesn't have the national recognition of litti or baati. Outside its little corner of Vidarbha, many people may not even know it exists.
A look at some of the oldest, richest and famous Ganesh pandals in Mumbai.
On Friday, Kashmiri Pandits participated in a colourful procession as part of Janmashtami celebrations in Srinagar, with tight security arrangements deployed along the route.
Discover the most dazzling celebrity fashion moments from September, featuring Tamannaah's opulent sari, Kareena's vintage-inspired drape, Priyanka's show-stopping Dior ensemble and more.
Aarushi Bajaj may be starring in Alia Bhatt's production Don't Be Shy, but when it comes to fashion, there's clearly no holding back.
Ahead of Ganeshotsav, which commences on September 14, Rediff's Divya Nair visits a workshop in Mumbai where young girls, most of them first-timers, are using their brushes to bring Lord Ganesha to life.
In Pune, 31 prominent Ganapati mandals celebrated a "DJ-free" Dahi Handi, advocating for traditional instruments over high-decibel sound systems for upcoming festivals like Ganeshotsav. This initiative, led by Punit Balan, aims to preserve Maharashtra's cultural heritage and reduce noise pollution, gaining support from around 200 mandals and the Chief Minister.
Mumbai's Koli (fisher) community marked the Narali Purnima festival with sea offerings, folk performances, boat rituals and traditional coconut games.
Celebrate Amitabh Bachchan's 84th birthday with a look back at his most iconic and electrifying dance numbers.
'...because of the character, how it was to be portrayed, the speech, the scenes.' 'There was a physicality involved because he was a TB patient who eventually had cancer and passed away.'
Penlope Cruz brought a piece of India to the Toronto International Film Festival in a breathtaking white gown that had everyone looking twice.
Mahindra has launched the Thar OG, an upgraded version of its popular SUV, built on a new M Glyde 4G platform with advanced features like Frequency Dependent Damping and Electric Power Steering, while retaining an accessible starting price of 10.32 Lakh.
'Ma would fiddle with the radio's knob until the static gave way to music; then, the voice would come on. I would be half-asleep still, understanding little of the Sanskrit words I heard but the words in chants, interspersed with songs, cast a spell. I still remember the goosebumps I felt as the epic tale of Goddess Durga's birth and battles unfolded,' says Radha Roy Biswas.
India's white-collar job market experienced a 14 per cent year-on-year growth in August, with the auto, healthcare, and retail sectors leading the surge, according to a report by Naukri.com.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a time for prayer, family and always feasting. Nine recipes for you.
'When I was shooting the scene, I started welling up and I don't know why.'
The sari may be timeless, but the blouse is having a serious main-character moment. From giant bows and corsets to dramatic back details, halter necks and sheer overlays, celebrities are proving that the right blouse can completely change the personality of a sari.
