Actor, director, and producer Sohail Khan is set to make his reality show debut with Alliance. Calling it an opportunity to move beyond being only seen as “Salman Khan’s brother”, Sohail says, “In the show, there’s no family name to lean on. No industry clout. It’s just me, my mind, and how I play the game.” He adds, “If people walk away seeing a side of me they didn’t expect, good. That’s exactly why I’m here.”

Having watched his brother, Salman, host a reality show for years, Sohail says he never saw himself entering the same until now because the format demanded something different.

“I’ve seen what it takes, the energy, the drama, the emotional toll. And I always thought, ‘That’s his space, not mine’,” he says, adding, “Salman’s show is about personalities, conflicts and emotions. But this one is fundamentally different. It’s a game of the mind. Strategy. Outwitting people without them knowing they’ve been outwitted. That challenge appealed to me in a way nothing else has.”

Ask him how Salman reacted when he decided to participate, Sohail says his brother was both encouraging and cautious. “He was intrigued. And then he said, ‘You sure you know what you’re getting into?’ Which, knowing him, is both a warning and a blessing. I’ll take it,” says the 55-year-old.

Sohail also weighs in on what the Khan family dynamic would look like inside a reality TV show, saying each member would play the same role they do in real life. “The leader is obviously Salman.... He walks into any room and it reorganizes itself around him,” he says, adding, “The peacemaker would probably be Arbaaz (Khan, actor-director). He listens, mediates and keeps everyone grounded. And the master strategist? I’d say me, but honestly, it might be my mother (Salma Khan). She’s been managing this family for decades. Three sons, three different personalities, three different egos. If that’s not master-level strategy, I don’t know what is.”

As his son Nirvaan Khan, whom he shares with ex-wife, fashion designer Seema Sajdeh, prepares for his Bollywood debut, Sohail has one piece of advice: “He’s his own person. He’s going to find his own path, make his own mistakes and build his own career. The only thing I keep telling him is: be honest with yourself about why you want this. If it’s for the right reasons, the work will follow.”

Sohail shares, “That I’m someone who’s had it easy. Or that I’m ‘Salman’s brother.’ I’ve spent my career building things quietly, directing, producing, acting, without needing to be the loudest voice in the room.”

Actor Bhuvan Arora and his wife Vaneja Gupta are all set to welcome their first child, five years after marriage.

Recalling the moment he found out that he is soon going to be a father, he shares, “My wife took me to the Gurudwara… it is a special place for us, and broke the news to me there. I got a little teary-eyed… Every day, I feel a little more grateful. It’s a beautiful phase.”

With the couple expecting the baby in June, the 39-year-old adds that he is “only expecting for a healthy baby... Boy or girl doesn’t matter. But, I am preparing to sing lori to the baby.”

Ahead of the baby’s arrival, the actor plans to cut down his working hours to prioritise family: “Paternity break should become a mandate in India. Both parents are equal and they both need to contribute equally. It’s high time we normalise giving paternity leave to both father and mother.”

Life at home has already shifted for him. “I am not allowed to get angry… I have to keep my temper in check… I have to smile,” he says.

The actor, known for the web series Farzi, also starring actor Shahid Kapoor, calls the timing special. “I got married when I was doing Farzi (Season 1), and now I’m having my first kid while working on Season 2.”

He also reveals that he shared the good news with his co-star. “I had shared the news with Shahid bhai… I’ve learned from him how to balance work and family,” he says adding that there was one more star who gave him tips, “I was working with Arbaaz Khan (in Raazdar), and he also guided me on how to make it easier for the mother, which is the top priority.”

Saturday evening saw actor Shah Rukh Khan visit veteran screenwriter Salim Khan at Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital, extending support to the Khan family after the 90-year-old’s recent health scare.

Salim, father of actor Salman Khan, has been admitted since February 17 after suffering a minor brain haemorrhage. Pulmonologist Dr Jalil D Parkar had earlier told the media that Salim’s condition is stable and he is under observation in the ICU following a medical procedure that did not require surgery.

SRK spent over an hour at the hospital before leaving late in the evening. Soon after, actor Malaika Arora, former wife of Salim’s son, actor-producer Arbaaz Khan, was also seen arriving to check on the veteran writer. Zeeshan Baba Siddique, son of late politician Baba Siddique who was a close associate of Salman, along with photographer Avinash Gowariker, were also spotted visiting the same evening.

Hospital authorities have said that the veteran screenwriter is responding well to treatment. Meanwhile, the Khan family has requested privacy as Salim continues his recovery.

Mumbai: Noted film writer Salim Khan was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Bandra for an undisclosed ailment Tuesday morning. He is 90 years old.

His superstar son Salman Khan brought him to hospital from his home in nearby Bandstand which is located in Bandra suburb too. His other sons Arbaaz and Sohail Khan and daughters Alvira and Arpita were reported to be concerned and were preparing to visit him in hospital.

Born Salim Abdul Rashid Khan on November 24, 1935, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Salim Khan acquired a semblance of fame as a supporting actor in films like Baraat, Teesri Manzil -- and Sarhadi Lootera where he first met Javed Akhtar. Khan then struck gold as he went on to write stories, scripts, screenplays and dialogues for numerous movies.

He made a stellar combination with Javed Akhtar, and the Salim-Javed pair of writers achieved stardom with memorable blockbuster movies like Haathi Mere Saathi, Zanjeer, Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Deewar, Trishul, Don and Kranti.

It was Salim-Javed who fashioned Amitabh Bachchan's image as the Angry Young Man.

Khan won six Filmfare Awards as part of the Salim-Javed duo. In 2014, he was awarded the Padma Shri but he declined to accept saying that he deserved a higher honour.

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Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, 90, father of actor Salman Khan, was admitted to Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre in Bandra, Mumbai on Tuesday. The development was first reported by a paparazzi page on social media.

A video shot outside the hospital, located near the family’s residence at Galaxy Apartments, was posted by the page with caption, “Salim Khan admitted to Lilavati Hospital.” In another clip that surfaced soon after (inset right), Salman was seen leaving the hospital, appearing visibly concerned and surrounded by tight security.

Subsequent visuals showed other members of his family, including wives Salma Khan and Helen; and children Arbaaz Khan and Alvira also making their way to the hospital.

The reason for Salim’s hospitalization was not disclosed and the family was yet to release an official statement till the time of going to press.

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Mumbai: Screenwriter Salim Khan remains stable in Lilavati Hospital, Bandra, after being admitted on Tuesday morning.

Dr Jalil Parkar, senior consultant at Lilavati Hospital, released a health bulletin around 1 pm that read, "At 8.30 am on February 17, Mr Salim Khan was brought to the emergency dept. After initial assessment, he was treated there and shifted to the ICU on the 1st floor for further management. After due diligence by a team of doctors... a consensual modality of treatment was initiated. The patient was intubated for better-managed care and further investigations. On February 18, a procedure called DSA was performed by Dr Nitin Dange, which was uneventful and successful. No surgery was involved. The patient is haemodynamically stable and shall be weaned off the ventilator as per medical norms (the process was initiated). No further bulletin shall be released, respecting the family's wishes."

Meanwhile, apart from Khan's family, film industry colleagues, including Javed Akhtar and Sanjay Dutt, arrived at the hospital to enquire after his welfare.

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Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan is under medical care at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai after being admitted earlier on Tuesday, with doctors confirming that he is stable and out of immediate danger.

Dr Jalil Parkar, spoke to Bombay Times, after sharing a medical bulletin earlier in the day. Parkar told us, "Patient is hemodynamically stable and shall be weaned off the ventilator as per medical norms (the process has been initiated). With all due respect, no further bulletin shall be released respecting the family wishes."

He also added, "Discharge is not something to be discussed at this juncture. No prophecy. He is sedated. Yes, he had minimal brain haemorrhage but he is out of danger."

Earlier in the day, while sharing the updates with media, Parkar said, "Yesterday (Tuesday) morning he was admitted in the hospital. He was brought in by his family physician. After seeing him in the casualty, we realized he needed ICU hospitalization. He was having jerks. His blood pressure was high. We had to put him on ventilator as we had to do certain investigations. The ventilator was as a safeguard. He was not critical. We did the investigations as required.”

A digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed by a neurosurgeon. “We did a small procedure DSA, by a neurosurgeon. The procedure has been accomplished,” the doctor said, adding that doctors are optimistic about the next step. “He will be off the ventilator tomorrow.”

The bulletin also acknowledged that recovery may be gradual given Khan’s age. “Age is a factor, which is why the recovery process takes time.” Doctors further confirmed, “He did have a small haemorrhage in the brain.”

Khan, part of the legendary Salim-Javed duo with Javed Akhtar, is credited with writing some of Hindi cinema’s most influential films including Sholay, Deewaar and Zanjeer. News of his hospitalization has led to an outpouring of concern and good wishes from across the film industry and fans.

The Dabangg franchise, headlined by Salman Khan’s popular cop character Chulbul Pandey, is set to return. After years of speculation following the release of Dabangg 3 in 2019, producer Arbaaz Khan has confirmed that Dabangg 4 is officially in development.

Speaking to Zoom, Arbaaz said, “We are currently working on it. It’s something that is in the pipeline, but I don’t know the timeline… Everyone keeps asking when Dabangg 4 is going to come, and this is the only honest answer I have right now.”

He added that the film will move ahead only after further discussions with Salman: “It is something that Salman and I will discuss and do. I don’t know when, but whenever it happens, it’ll be something to look forward to.”

Meanwhile, on the personal front, Arbaaz and his wife Sshura Khan welcomed their first child, a daughter, earlier this year, and the producer shared the first images of the newborn on Wednesday. Arbaaz is also father to son Arhaan Khan from his previous marriage to Malaika Arora.

Actor-producer Arbaaz Khan and his wife, makeup artist Sshura Khan, announced the name of their newborn daughter on Wednesday. She was born on October 5 in Mumbai.

“Welcome baby girl Sipaara Khan. With love Shura and Arbaaz,” read their joint Instagram post. The caption of read, “Alhamdulillah.”

Meanwhile, on the same day, Arbaaz was seen with the newborn baby in his arms as he left the hospital premises. As he was entering his car, he smiled at the paparazzi stationed outside.

Sshura was admitted to PD Hinduja Hospital on Thursday, October 4, a few days after the family hosted an intimate baby shower attended by close friends and relatives, including actor Salman Khan. “Both the mom and the baby are fine. It’s an emotional moment for the whole family, and they are just happy,” a source had previously told Hindustan Times.

Arbaaz and Sshura got married in an intimate nikah ceremony on December 24, 2023 at the latter’s sister Arpita Khan Sharma’s residence in Mumbai.

Arbaaz became a father again after two decades. He has a 22-year-old son Arhaan Khan from his previous marriage to actor Malaika Arora.

Sonakshi Sinha is having the time of her life. The actor, who is all set to make her Telugu debut, has been basking in wedded bliss, having married her best friend, actor Zaheer Iqbal last year.

Since theirs is an interfaith union, some end up wondering whether this aspect plays a role in their marriage. Addressing it on the weekly show The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra, Sonakshi shares, “No, it’s never played a role. There are certain customs he and his family follow that I respect, and certain customs my family follows, which they respect. That’s the beauty of being brought up in a country with diverse religions.”

The actor also asserts, “Religion is something that will never come in between the two of us. There’s never been a fight or tension when it comes to this. Our strength lies in respecting each other.”

Asked whether her parents (actor Shatrughan Sinha and politician Poonam Sinha) give Zaheer typical ‘damad ji’ treatment or treat him like her brothers Luv and Kush, Sonakshi replies with a laugh, “100% damad! When he’s home, everybody runs helter-skelter ki, ‘Damad ji aa rahe hain!’ Food has to be ready, my mom will ask me, ‘Kya khayega?’ She wants to cook elaborate dishes for her damad ji. Dad loves spending time with him, they have become really good friends. When they’re together, I’m usually khamosh!”

As for how they keep the love alive, having dated for seven years before they got married, the 38-year-old notes, “We say we want to find someone we want to grow old with. After being with a person like Zaheer, you realize you need someone you can remain a child with. Ussi se hansi mazak barkarar rehta hai. You are constantly laughing. This was something I was missing in my life. Ab aa chuka hai, toh I couldn’t be happier.”

When Arbaaz Khan read Maine Pyar Kiya Phir Se’s script, he knew he wanted to lead Sabir Sheikh’s directorial venture. If he needed another factor to reinforce his faith in the script, it was right there — Dharmendra was part of the cast.

“The story’s emotional depth connected with me. When I saw the names attached to the project, especially Dharam ji, it felt like the right film,” says Khan. It will mark Dharmendra and Khan’s reunion 27 years after Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998).

A lot has changed in these 20-plus years. But Dharmendra is happy to note that his co-star has remained the same over the decades. Having met Khan at the film’s mahurat last week, the veteran actor shares, “It was lovely reconnecting with Arbaaz after so long. At the mahurat, we spoke about Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya. It brought back beautiful memories. Arbaaz hasn’t changed at all — he is still the grounded, respectful, and good-natured person he always was.”

Khan is equally enthusiastic about sharing screen space with the senior actor again, as he says, “His presence adds so much value to the film. We reminisced about the old days, and spoke about how cinema has evolved. Dharam ji’s warmth and energy remain the same. His passion for cinema is alive as ever.”

Maine Pyar Kiya Phir Se will roll on July 15 in Mumbai, with the makers eyeing a November release. What drew Dharmendra to the project was that it isn’t a run-of-the-mill family drama. He explains, “It’s a family drama with elements of thrill. The story combines emotions, relationships, and suspense. I’m playing retired Colonel Ajay Singh.”

Khan adds, “It’s a story about love rediscovered and second chances in relationships, with suspense woven in. At this stage, I’m drawn to well-written roles that have substance.”

The Deols and Khans have been family friends for years. It would be exciting to see a film that brings actors from both families together. Evidently excited at the idea, Khan says, “Absolutely! The Deols and Khans share a strong bond, professionally and personally. It would be iconic if someone like my father [Salim Khan] could pen a story that brings Salman, Sohail, Dharam ji, and his sons together in one film.”

From the electric thrill of falling in love again, embracing fatherhood with wide-eyed anticipation, to weathering harrowing threats that sought to shake his family’s foundation, actor Arbaaz Khan address all the topics for once and all in an exclusive chat with us.

Arbaaz, who has started filming his next film Maine Pyaar Kiya Phir Se, admits the script seemed interesting to him. “It seemed a little fresh and new. I always look for something that is a little challenging, sometimes a little different from what I've done in the past,” he tells us. Interestingly, the film’s theme of falling in love again mirrors a chapter in Arbaaz Khan’s own life — after his separation, he found love anew with makeup artist Sshura Khan, whom he married.

Ask him about giving love a second chance, and he explains, “If you fall in love once, you can fall in love again, because you have love in you. If you have love in you, you can keep giving love. I am not of the principle that if you've loved once, you can never love again. Why should that be the case? You have whole life to lead. Are you really going to worry about the fact that you loved somebody in your early years and then the rest of your life you're supposed to sit down in some kind of anticipation. You should be hopeful, and you should be happy with loving coming in your life at whatever stage. If it continues with the same person, great. If it doesn't and you receive it from somewhere else, sometime else, be very open and willing for it. Loving something or someone is never a problem. Hating somebody and doing wrongful things is a problem. Why should loving somebody be a problem?”

He adds, "Everybody should have a chance and second shot at falling in love. There's nothing wrong in loving again."

The actor admits he has “always been very private”. “I've become more public now,” he says, adding rhetorically, “You cannot put your entire life out. Where is the compulsion? Then might as well live in a Bigg Boss house or a Truman show, have camera everywhere and let people know what the hell you're doing from morning to evening.”

He continues to stay mum about his marriage with Sshura to maintain the sanctitiy of the relationship. “Of course (I want to keep the sanctity of my relationship). Why not? You should be able to choose what you need to let people know, unless it's required. I think most celebs don't like to talk about their personal lives. Why me? I'm not some exception. It's now just become the pressure that the public wants to know. But it's in our hands how much we would want. I want to keep my personal life private, as much as I can. When I step out, people see us, then that's a different thing,” he explains.

Arbaaz and Sshura’s videos are quite a hit amongst the paps. He confesses, he has never called them nor paid them. “I've never paid for anything in my life... We have now accepted that. We've got no complaints with anybody for that matter. We're just happy that the way they've taken a liking towards her in particular. They've been very nice, affectionate, polite, respectful and kind towards her,” he adds.

The two got hitched in 2023 and the couple is expecting their first baby. For the first time, the 57-year-old confirms the pregnancy, adding, “Yes, it is there. I'm not denying that information because right now it's something that is out there, my family knows about it. People have got to know about it, and it's fine. It's pretty evident also. It's a very exciting time in both our lives. We are happy and excited. We're going to welcome this new life in our life.”

Ask him if he is nervous, he replies, “Everybody tends to be nervous. Any person would feel (the nerves); I'm also getting into fatherhood now after some time. It's a fresh new feeling for me all over again. I'm excited. I'm happy and I'm looking forward. It's just giving me a new sense of happiness or responsibility. I'm kind of liking that.”

Arbaaz has been a father to Arhaan, ask him what kind of parent he thinks he will be, and he states, “There are no categories. You just have to be like a parent who is good. A good parent is someone who's around for their child, who's attentive, who's probably caring, loving and is doing the best to provide to the child. That's all that I want to be.”

On the subject of his family’s safety and security, the last one year has been tough for the Khans, with brother Salman receiving repeated death threats leading to heightened security in their Bandra home. He addresses the issue, “We've always been a very tight knit family. We've always been together in each and everybody's highs and lows.”

Salman's brother Arbaaz Khan has consistently emphasized Salman's unwavering support, especially during challenging times. In an April 2024 interview on his son Arhaan Khan's podcast 'Dumb Biryani', Arbaaz stated, "We are together when there is a crisis and that is the time when people run away from each other. Salman, me and him may not meet or communicate that often but when he realises that there's some kind of a problem, that man is not going to hesitate."

This highlights Salman's reliability and commitment to his family, showcasing his willingness to stand by them no matter the circumstances. Arbaaz also noted in an October 2024 Times of India interview that he draws inspiration from Salman's "dedication."

In the face of threats, he refuses to bow to fear: "There's nothing about being scared or not. We can only take the necessary precautions. Otherwise, there is nothing to. Who knows what's going to happen next. What are you going to do? Shut yourself in a goddamn room and sit."

At a recent red carpet event, Malaika Arora caught everyone’s attention when she revealed her new tattoo, albeit unintentionally. Her new ink, which reads sabr shukr, obviously has a deep-rooted meaning. We spoke to Malaika about this new addition to her life and the thought behind it.

Malaika, who is really excited about her new tattoo, explains, “For me, tattoos come at significant turning points in my life. I don’t get them just for the sake of it, they have deep personal meaning. This particular one symbolizes the year that 2024 has been for me. The words ‘patience’ (sabr) and ‘gratitude’ (shukr) are very comforting. These words resonate with me when I think about where I am now, compared to where I was just a year ago.”

2024 was a challenging year for the actress – she lost her father Anil Mehta in September. Also, her breakup with Arjun Kapoor made headlines for most part of the year.

Malaika believes that every tattoo should tell a unique story. “I see tattoos as symbols of memories and thoughts I want to carry with me forever,” she says, adding, “I got this new tattoo on the day it got revealed. They had placed a plaster over it, and it was irritating me, which is when the cameras caught it. I didn’t even realise it then. My previous tattoo was done eight years ago, after my divorce (from Arbaaz Khan). That tattoo shows three birds in flight marking a new phase in my life.”

Taking a cue from her tattoo, we ask Malaika if she is open to seek love again. She replies, “I’m not focused on that right now. These are things you can’t plan. I’m just grateful for the patience I’ve had, which has helped me reach a better headspace. I wasn’t in a great place before, but I’m in a much better, calmer and happier space now. I can’t force what happens next… if it’s meant to be, it will be.” Talking more on matters of the heart, Malaika adds, “I’ll always believe in love, until my last breath. Love drives me, and I’ll always have love in my life.”

Malaika is often seen sharing her thoughts on Instagram, leading many to believe that her posts are cryptic and hinting at certain things or people. One of her recent posts read, “Touching a heart for a second can touch a soul for a lifetime,” while another one read, “Some days you are healing, some days you are feeling, some days you are thriving, some days you are just getting by and it’s all valid.”

Talking about that, she says, “There’s nothing cryptic about my posts. They are not aimed at anyone. They are just my thoughts that I feel like sharing. People sometimes overanalyze them and create their own stories. Many of these posts are shared by my mom. I like them, so I post them on social media. That’s all there is to it.”

Salman Khan is set to launch his nephew Ayaan’s debut English single, Universal Laws, in Dubai on February 20. Ayaan Agnihotri is the son of Alvira and Atul Agnihotri. Choosing music over acting, Ayan marks a fresh departure from the Khan family’s cinematic legacy. The grand event will see strong family support, with Salman, Sohail Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Alvira Agnihotri, Atul Agnihotri, Alizeh Agnihotri, Arpita Sharma, Aayush Sharma, Salma Khan, and Helen Khan attending. Salman’s nephews Nirvan Khan and Arhaan Khan, along with Ssuhra Khan, will also be present.

Adding to the star power, Bollywood celebrities Bobby Deol, Sonakshi Sinha, and Sunil Grover will be part of the launch, alongside music composer Himesh Reshammiya and actor Zaheer Khan.

Talking to mid-day, Ayaan said, "There’s no better feeling in the world than receiving acceptance and support from your loved ones. Everyone’s been so kind and I’m grateful to them all, always."

The event will be at the Belcanto Restaurant in the Dubai Opera on February 20 and the premiere of the music video is the grand finale of the do. He says, "We’ve chosen Dubai as an international hub as it is a centre point for a lot of international music and artists. We’re hoping the track finds its audience globally."

The music video for Universal Laws will premiere on Ayan Agnihotri’s YouTube channel, Agni, which also serves as his stage name, and will be available on all streaming platforms. It is an English song. Composed, written, sung, and rapped by Agni, the track is produced by Aditya Dev, with direction and creative execution by Jugaad Motion Pictures and backing from Reel Life Productions Pvt Ltd.

How did he ditch the acting route for this? "The song originated from the feelings of happiness and wonder, it’s a reminder that no one can predict what’s to come and that sometimes you find the greatest, most beautiful things when you’re not looking. Trust the process, it’s not over until it’s over. I have always been into music. It began with writing poetry and 16, which nobody will ever read as I can personally tell you they were not good. From there it evolved into spoken word pieces leading into writing rap verses, too chorus and eventually writing and composing entire songs. And for another 8 years with a key focus on sounding better so I could sing and rap my own music."

Agnihotri had a ball shooting this, he says. "I think the funniest thing that happened was that my producer Aditya Dev forgot that he had ever made this beat for me when I went back to him with the completed song."

But does it mean there won't be acting ever for him? "Who knows what the future holds? These Universal laws leave me in awe," he says, quoting the track.

Earlier this week, former actor and Salman Khan’s ex-girlfriend Somy Ali hit headlines when she reached out to Lawrence Bishnoi on social media and expressed her wish to chat with him. What made her reach out to the incarcerated gangster, who has issued life threats to Khan and has claimed responsibility for NCP leader Baba Siddique’s murder? Her anti-violence stand, said Ali.

“I have always been anti-violence. While I want to have nothing to do with Salman, I would never want him hurt, let alone be murdered,” the US-based former actor told mid-day over an e-mail interview.

Ali, who runs the not-for-profit organisation No More Tears, didn’t think her post would be deemed controversial. As someone who holds a Master’s degree in psychology, she said she wanted to dig deep into Bishnoi’s psyche.

“As a psychologist, I watched his interview four times, and concluded that his family must have brainwashed him since [his young days]. That’s why I’d like to have a Zoom call with him and dig deep into his psyche. Lawrence is a dimwit, but an educated dimwit as he has a law degree.”

Asked what she would tell Bishnoi if she got a chance to talk to him, she said, “I will assess why he is so hell bent on attaining fame by having people murdered. He wants people to revere and fear him to an unimaginable level, like Hitler.”

Over the years, Bishnoi has issued threats to Salman, vowing revenge over the superstar’s 1998 alleged killing of two blackbucks, which are considered sacred by the Bishnoi community. The October 12 assassination of Siddique is being viewed as the gangster’s warning to him.

Recently, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan vouched for his son, stating that Salman would never hurt an animal. Her take? “I have far too much respect for Salim uncle and Salma aunty. The most decent people in that household were the parents, Arbaaz and Sohail. The rest were awful to me.”

However, Ali did not share the screenwriter’s confidence. She recalled that she used to stay at Salman’s Galaxy apartment with him when the 1998 incident took place.

“I had accompanied Salman many times on his hunting [trips] even though I hated it and would come up with some ploy so that the animal could run away. He didn’t know the deer was deemed as God by the Bishnoi tribe. I can say this because this was talked about in the [Khan] household many times. If Salman knew this fact, he wouldn’t have even thought of shooting the deer. As much as he enjoys hunting, which stems from a narcissistic trait of power and control, he loves animals and children.”

Khan and Ali dated for eight years. At the time, their relationship often made news—one infamous incident involved the superstar apparently pouring Thums Up on her head. “Manisha [Koirala] is the only friend who stood up for me when Salman poured Thums Up on my hair,” she recalled. After parting ways with Salman in 1999, Ali moved back to the US.

“I had completely disconnected from Hindi films because it took me back to an awful past. I never wanted to look back. I have not been in touch with Salman or his family. The last time I spoke to him was in 2012, about my NGO.”

What would she tell Salman if she met him today? “I don’t ever want to see his face again. We have both moved on. I can’t stand the man, but I don’t want him murdered.”

Actor-filmmaker Arbaaz Khan opened up about the shocking death of politician Baba Siddique for the first time at an event on Wednesday. Arbaaz’s brother, actor Salman Khan and the whole Khan family were quite close to the politician, who was gunned down in Mumbai on October 12 by three assailants.

Speaking at the event, the 57-year-old shared, “Baba Siddique sir was a close family friend and a loved person. Unke sath dekho aap hamesha Eid ke time pe puri industry jama hoti thi toh unke jaane ka bada afsos ho raha hai.”

Arbaaz also opened up about his brother Salman’s safety in a conversation with Zoom: “Of course, everyone [in the family] is worried... I wouldn’t say we are all okay right now, but we are trying to do what we can do best. We are ensuring that everybody, along with the government and the police, goes the way they should, and he’s (Salman) protected.”

Siddique’s assailants claimed to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, the one that allegedly fired shots outside Salman’s residence earlier this year.

There are two plans in Arbaaz Khan’s mind—to make a lifestyle change and to act in and produce more content. He has been on a high with the runaway success of his chat show, The Invincibles, and has started prepping for its third season. Early this month, his Telugu film Shivam Bhaje released in theatres. The actor-producer credits his newfound enthusiasm to wife Sshura Khan, who he claims has been a solid support and motivator.

Waiting for the release of Tanaav season 2, Arbaaz says, “I have green-lit two projects under my banner. I’m also looking to do more web shows and work on my third season of The Invincibles. While I plan to sign a few movies, right now, I am focused on my transformation, which will take two to three more months. I want to lose the excess weight to look great on screen. I had let myself go in between.”

Back in the business, Arbaaz is becoming consistent with his health, workout, and diet. He believes that marriage to Sshura has “brought a bit of discipline and responsibility” in life.

“When you marry at my age, you are not doing it without a thought. You have to make changes that are beneficial for both [partners]. Although it is not her job, Sshura keeps a check on me, my gym, and food. She is my mirror,” adds Arbaaz.

They’ve weaved tales that have gone on to become evergreen cinematic classics, but it is their own story that has caught the attention of cinephiles over the years. Ardent admirers of writers Salim-Javed—comprising Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar—will witness the story of how two of Bollywood’s greatest writers came to be collaborators as the makers of Angry Young Men eye an OTT release.

The docudrama that was initially announced in 2021 is set to chronicle the lives of the duo that worked together on 24 films between 1971 and 1987. In their journey spanning several decades, they interacted with and influenced the lives of several artistes, many of whom fittingly contributed to the short. Khan’s son Arbaaz says the veteran’s friends and family found in their lives enough fodder for the making of the documentary.

“They are legends and need to be documented appropriately. They have never been documented, be it in books or autobiographies. [Without this film], their grandchildren would not know about their humble existence, rise to fame, or why they went their separate ways. The platform that [our family] has in the film industry today is due to the base that they built,” says Arbaaz.

The actor-producer shares that work on the documentary has wrapped up. “I believe it has been picked up by an OTT platform. It is expected to come out in the next two to three months,” says Arbaaz, who also filmed his father and Akhtar for his show, The Invincible Series with Arbaaz Khan.

A source close to the production says that the documentary’s title traces back to the character that the two created for Amitabh Bachchan in Zanjeer (1973).

“This film will showcase rare footage of them and their movies. It will also include interviews of people they worked with and their friends and family who have shared the stories behind their screenplays, and how some of their iconic characters came to be.”

Initially slated as a theatrical release, the makers felt the film deserved to unfold on the web platform owing to the “sheer volume” of content they planned to include. “Zoya [Javed Akhtar’s daughter] has been documenting them for a while because she knew she wanted to record their rise to fame.”

Directed by Namrata Rao, the film will be co-produced by the writer-duo’s children, Salman, Zoya, and Farhan.

Mumbai: In his police statement, actor Salman Khan (58) has alleged that he believes gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his gang members were behind the firing incident outside his Bandra residence on April 14. Khan said he believes the attack was carried out with the intention of killing him and his family members.

Observing that there is ample prima facie evidence on record to proceed against the accused, a special MCOCA court on Monday took cognizance of the chargesheet filed in the case earlier this month. On April 14, a biker and a pillion rider discharged several rounds at the balcony of Khan’s Bandra home and absconded.

In his statement made in June, which is part of the chargesheet, the actor said, “There had been attempts to hurt me and my family prior to this as well. I have learned from social media that Lawrence Bishnoi and gang have taken responsibility for the attack. So, I believe that it is the Lawrence Bishnoi gang who have carried out the firing at my balcony.”

As a result, Khan always advises his family members and those around him to stay alert. Khan has been provided with Y-Plus security from Mumbai police. He has weapon-trained policemen, bodyguards and private security for protection too.

Recalling the events of April 14, Khan said he heard a cracker-like sound when asleep. Later, at 4.55 am, his police bodyguard informed him that two people on a bike had fired at the first-floor balcony of his home in Galaxy Apartment.

Khan uses the balcony at various times, including while greeting fans gathered outside his home, socializing with family and friends during late hours, to get fresh air when he returns tired from work, and when he wakes up early.

In addition to the recent firing incident, Khan mentioned there had been previous attempts to harm him and his family. In 2022, his father filed a complaint at Bandra police station after finding a threat letter on a bench opposite their building. In March 2023, a case was registered based on an email threat from Lawrence Bishnoi. In Jan, two unidentified men using fake names tried to trespass Khan’s Panvel farmhouse, and an FIR was filed.

Khan’s brother, actor and film producer Arbaaz Khan, too provided a statement to the police. Arbaaz confirmed the incidents of threats and trespassing at their Panvel farmhouse, Arbaaz stated their father found a threat letter signed by “GB” and “LB’ during his morning walk, and their office received a threatening email from someone claiming to be Lawrence Bishnoi.

The chargesheet also includes transcripts of a conversation over Signal app between wanted accused Anmol Bishnoi and shooter Vikas Gupta. In the conversation, Anmol instructs Vikas to fire thoughtfully and in a manner that scares “Bhai” (referring to Khan).

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How would one define Arbaaz Khan’s chat show, The Invincibles? He views it as an oral history of legendary Hindi films and their making. Its inception was driven by the actor-producer’s concern that if such stories are not documented, they will be lost.

“The inspiration came from my father [Salim Khan]. He is 85, and so many of his stories need to be shared. The industry can learn so much from them. It’s easy to know about hits and flops, but you need to know what drives people. A lot of their stories are also how they navigated their personal lives, which reflected in their work. I did the pilot episode with my father, and then used it to convince Helen aunty, Waheeda-ji [Rehman] and others,” he states.

While the first season kicked off in 2023, the second edition opened in July with Shabana Azmi. In the course of the season, he will interview Ramesh Sippy, Subhash Ghai and many more. Khan says there is a passionate team helping him pull off a show that goes beyond “getting a headline”; instead, the idea is to understand the person and their process.

“We go into a lot of research on what we should ask. Even if it is personal, it isn’t frivolous. For instance, we asked Shabana-ji how she dealt with her husband’s [Javed Akhtar] alcoholism. I sift through the material, choosing what I like and introducing some questions. While I am doing it, I sense what we can go further into, it’s largely spontaneous. In every episode, I discover things I had no idea about. Seniors have pearls of wisdom that you cannot have enough of.”

As the host, Khan believes The Invincibles fills the gap in chat shows in India. “From comments, I [can gauge] the show is going to the youth, who don’t know these stalwarts. India has a major gap in late night chat shows, something like what Jimmy Kimmel does [in the US]. We need to create chat shows that go beyond the surface and hold conversations that stay in public memory. I’m not looking for controversy. If someone has said something that’s political or religious, we are careful. But at the same time, we don’t sanitize these interviews; they are insightful.”

Mumbai: Even as investigations into the shootout outside actor Salman Khan's house gathered pace, a stream of fans kept arriving outside his residence near Bandra Bandstand to show solidarity with 'Bhai' as they call him. Most were out-of-towners on a summer vacation to Mumbai. They took selfies at the building entrance, with the Galaxy Apartment plaque firmly in frame.

At 6.20 pm, a group of friends from Pune including Ehtesham and Wajahat landed a scoop when they shot videos of Salman Khan leaving his apartment in a white SUV amid a convoy of vehicles. Among the onlookers was a maulana who teaches at a madrassa in Surat. He came with his wife and three children after having toured Haji Ali and Mahim dargahs. "I offer dua'as for Salman's welfare," he said.

Policemen who are keeping vigil in 12-hour shifts pointed to the broken gate of Galaxy Garden opposite the building. "The gate gave way after a large crowd of fans crashed into it as they tried to duck a police lathi charge on Eid ul' Fitr April 11. Welding work is under way and it will soon be repaired," said a watchman. "Thousands of people had arrived to greet Bhai and see him appear on the balcony at Eid. Otherwise the tarpaulin sheet covering the verandah usually remains drawn."

Reports said Khan was keen to resume work after the mishap. He has requested celebrities to avoid visiting the apartment, given inconvenience caused to other residents of the society. Since the incident, politicians Baba Siddique, his son Zeeshan and Raj Thackeray as well as filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar arrived at Khan's residence.

In the first official statement from the family, Salman's brother, actor Arbaaz Khan wrote on Instagram Monday evening, "The recent incident of firing by two unidentified persons on a motorcycle at Gal- axy apartment the residence of the Salim Khan family is very disturbing and unnerving. Our family has been taken aback by this shocking incident that took place. Unfortunately some people claiming to be close to our family and pretending to be the spokesperson have been making loose statements to the media saying it's all a publicity stunt and the family remains unaffected which is not true and these views should not be taken seriously (sic)."

"No member of the Salim Khan family has made any statement regarding this incident to the media. At this time the family is helping and cooperating with police in the investigation of this untoward incident. We have faith in Mumbai police and we have been assured they will do everything in their capacity to protect and secure our family. Thank you everyone for your love and support." His father told a TV channel, “They just want publicity.”