'...there was a big party. The way he hugged me, I understood that deep friendship. And he understood the pain that I had gone through during my cancer.'
Veteran actor Shekhar Suman, known for his extensive career across cinema and television, has launched the Shekhar Suman Film Academy to impart his four decades of experience to aspiring performers and storytellers through a meticulously designed acting programme.
Everyone in Bollywood seemed to have the same entry in their busy dairy schedules on April 24: Attend the grand screening of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic Web series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.
Heeramandi, a passion project that took off after years in development and planning, mirrors Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film-making's finest and frustrating features, observes Sukanya Verma.
The young Mallikajaan is simply gorgeous in real life.
The actress is currently promoting the show and has been making eye-catching appearances in stunning ethnic outfits, in keeping with the period theme of the show.
'The primary set took over three months to build with 14,000-15,000 workers employed at a time.'
'We ensured that Mallikajaan's Shahi Mahal lived up to its name.' 'One zardosi panel cost around Rs 4 lakh; the one with the kalpavriksh was around Rs 5 lakh.'
'The people who are outraging, they don't have any substantial argument. They are enraging over manufactured memes and manufactured figures.'
Just in case anybody's forgotten how gorgeous Sonakshi Sinha can look, the actor sends a timely reminder.
'Over a span of three years, our entire studio was devoted to Heeramandi.'
Bhansali Productions will retain creative control, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, founder, Bhansali Productions, said that for him, powerful and meaningful cinema requires time, trust, and a deep respect for the process, which the company was able to align with Saregama India.
May offers a mix of original Web series and digital movie premieres on OTT.
'I joined Heeramandi's shoot right after completing Laapataa Ladies.' 'When I landed on the Heeramandi sets, I was like "Oh my God!" because this was for the first time I was seeing such a huge set in my life.'
'While I was performing it, I had a weird feeling that people would love it because it's so bizarre.'
Twenty five years after they created magic in Khamoshi: The Musical, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Manisha Koirala reunite in the director's costume drama Heeramandi.
As Heeramandi, set in 1920s Lahore, drops on Netflix on May 1, Sukanya Verma marvels at Bhansali's magnificent slices of history in 25 resplendent frames.
'Heeramandi is not for audiences of the Pakeezah/Umrao Jaan era. SLB has designed it as attuned to today's youngsters.'
Why did Lifestyle Asia magazine honour these Bollywood personalities?
If Sanjay Leela Bhansali could make Mumbai's Kamathipura sparkle in Gangubai Kathiawadi, Heera Mandi is bound to be drowned in glitter, observes Deepa Gahlot.
In the midst of crime and cop shows all over, a family comedy comes as a relief, notes Deepa Gahlot.
'I prefer keeping the aesthetics of the outfit intact but spice it up with unique jewellery. A bit of something western and something contemporary results in an interesting fusion.'
'In a world that's loud and fractured, this is my small offering of softness. Of love.'
'We are not AI. We are allowed to break, and rebuild.'
Subhash K Jha gives us the lowdown on what's going on in showbiz.
A recent report in The Hollywood Reporter has listed 46 women as the Most Influential Women in International Film, and the ladies in positions of executives, producers and creatives.
Sonakshi will make her Telugu cinema debut in the supernatural thriller, Jatadhara.
Film folk are mixing business with pleasure, and making lovely pictures on social media.
June's OTT line-up looks entertaining. There's a lot coming up in theatres this month too.
The Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest and India Entertainment Awards saw many winners, and the stars celebrate their wins on social media.
The Showsha Reel awards 2025 saw a splash of glamour on the red carpet, as Bollywood's actors lent some star appeal.
'I will be missing the celebrations tonight where our Heeramandi family will be together with her on the dance floor.'
'I need to disconnect from the stress, smell the roses, chase the butterflies...'
The who's who of Bollywood made sure to attend Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Web series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.
Film folk attended the screening of Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal's festival film Girls Will Be Girls at PVR theatre in Juhu, a northwest suburb of Mumbai. You can watch this film on Amazon Prime Video.
Sweet surprises are made of actors best known for their dramatics taking us by surprise by shaking a leg on screen.
The IIFA Digital Awards were announced on Saturday, March 8, 2025, night in Jaipur. Take the look at the winners.
'You don't have to be screaming and making faces to be evil.'
Sonakshi Sinha and her husband Zaheer Iqbal spent their Sunday with new parents Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal enjoying a potluck lunch.
Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD! Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi is number one on OTT.
