After performing his new play Jaane Pehchaane Anjane in Mumbai last weekend, Anupam Kher is bringing it to Delhi. The veteran actor is also fresh off a proud international moment. He won the Best Supporting Actor award at the UK Asian Film Festival earlier this month for the 2025 Indo-Canadian film Calorie.

Even after over four decades in cinema, the 71-year-old says that an award still gives him a high, especially on a global stage. He tells us, “It may sound dramatic, but actors don’t get to officially represent their country globally like how sportspersons do... Whenever I work abroad, I say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ before every project; I’m representing 1.4 billion people.”

But celebrating such wins, he feels, has become difficult now. “I was just talking to (actor) Anil Kapoor that people have stopped celebrating life and their wins because they think usko bhi log kuch na kuch bol denge,” the actor opines, adding, “We used to have such amazing Bollywood parties earlier by (filmmakers) Yash Chopra or Subhash Ghai; we don’t have them today anymore kyunki logon ko celebrate karne mein darr lagta hai, ki kahin na kahin koi kuch galat nikaal lega.”

As an example, Anupam points to the trolling faced by actor Alia Bhatt after her recent appearance at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival: “Losers who have nothing to do in life just want to get noticed by criticising something iconic. Criticism has become the favourite national pastime. I don’t get angry with them anymore, I feel pity.”

The actor is currently busy with his new theatre play Jaane Pehchaane Anjane, which comes to Delhi this week after being staged in Mumbai last weekend. “I have been performing my one-man show Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai for the last 21 years. But this is a new play, and this is the first time we have so many actors in one play,” he shares.

Based on a Marathi play, it has been turned into a musical by composer Anu Malik, with Anupam singing the title track himself. “Theatre shows me that I can still push my boundaries and it keeps me alive as a person, not only as an actor,” he adds.

He grabbed attention online when he took the Vande Bharat from Jaipur to Delhi, in support of PM Narendra Modi’s save fuel campaign and austerity measures. In a Reel on Monday, he urged people to use public transport where possible: “Where possible, we should use public transport, do carpooling. We should avoid taking out our car for short distances... In our daily lives, we should make small changes.”

The tale of Dhurandhar continues, as does its rampage at the box office. Dhurandhar The Revenge, the sequel to Ranveer Singh’s 2025 action drama, is projected to have earned over Rs 72 crore in its Hindi version alone on the opening day, beating Jawan (2023) to become the biggest opener in Hindi cinema. Trade analysts believe the box-office run of Aditya Dhar’s directorial venture will surpass the three-week window it has before Akshay Kumar’s Bhooth Bangla arrives on April 10.

According to Rajasthan-based exhibitor Raj Bansal, the makers of the horror comedy should defer its release. “I am sure they will do it. The prices at which Dhurandhar 2 tickets are being sold, it will drain out the entertainment budget for a family [for that month],” Bansal told mid-day.

He added that director Priyadarshan’s film will have another disadvantage. “There will be an immediate comparison with Dhurandhar 2.”

Even as fans lap up the sequel, Bansal had a point to make. “At INOX, the ticket rate is Rs 1750! That is unheard of in Jaipur. There will be excitement among the audience through the weekend. But from Monday, they will have to reduce the ticket price.”

In June, Aamir Khan had announced that Sitaare Zameen Par would be a theatrical-only offering, categorically denying taking it to YouTube after its big-screen run (Amitji backed me to take the film only to theatres, June 7). But after the dramedy has collected Rs 167 crore in its six weeks of release, the superstar appears to have done a volte-face. On July 29, he announced that beginning August 1, the R S Prasanna-directed venture would be available on YouTube for Rs 100 per view.

The decision hasn’t gone down well with exhibitors, especially since the film is running in many theatres and a YouTube release would bring a premature end to its business.

Rajasthan-based exhibitor Raj Bansal tells mid-day, “The Multiplex Association of India honoured Aamir for his [theatres-only] stand. Now, we are disappointed with this decision. By bringing the film on YouTube less than eight weeks after release, he is going back on what he had promised. The film’s theatrical run hasn’t ended yet. It’s running in my theatre in Jaipur. Aamir’s credibility has been put at stake. No one will trust him next time,” he says.

In bringing Sitaare Zameen Par to his own YouTube channel, Khan is showing that there can be an alternative to the streaming giants. Whether the film industry adopts this new model will depend on the superstar’s success with his plan.

But exhibitor Akkshay Rathie, while appreciating the business move, believes the actor has made one misstep. “Strategically, it is the right decision. With digital penetration at its peak, now is a good time to experiment with transactional video-on-demand. But [he should have] kept a bigger window — an eight-week gap — between the theatrical and YouTube release,” assesses Rathie.

Bansal believes the model will only work among the urban demographic, which has disposable income. He decodes, “One viewing is for R100. If I [subscribe] to Netflix [at a competitive price], I will have a month to watch a wider variety of programmes.”

He believes Khan’s decision was also motivated by the movie’s box-office performance. “Maybe, the film didn’t perform according to his hopes. So, he thought of taking this route.”

Rasika Dugal exploring the markets of Mandawa

Rasika Dugal recently visited Rajasthan for a project and took the opportunity to explore its historic beauty. Already enchanted by Rajasthan, she got to shoot in Mandawa, a heritage town in Jhunjhunu district known for its havelis. The town's architectural marvels prompted Rasika to take a day off from filming and turn tourist.

She shares, “I had visited Mandawa many years ago for a short ad shoot but didn’t get to explore then. This time, I unexpectedly had an evening off, so we made the most of it. We wandered around the main market, visited quaint shops — one had the most beautiful juttis, so I did my share of festive shopping. We also discovered a store with gorgeous antique laces. Handiwork has always held a special place in my heart. Later, we toured the Mandawa Fort with a guide full of interesting stories. It was wonderful to see how well these heritage sites are preserved. We ended the day with a warm cup of chai at the highest point of the fort, enjoying a stunning view of the town at sunset.”

Rasika also got to experience Jaipur as she wrapped up her shoot. “Jaipur is a beautiful, bustling city. The markets and monuments offer the perfect mix of chaos and serenity. Every corner has a story to tell. I love strolling through the markets without an agenda, and indulging in some pyaaz kachoris. This time, I stayed at a boutique homestay with green lawns and warm hospitality," she says.

The actress, who debuted with Anwar in 2007, has appeared in numerous Bollywood films and is also active on television. When asked about the differences between the two mediums, she said, “Actors find it difficult to choose one format over the other because our approach remains the same, regardless. But I do find the long-form format of series fascinating. The extended timeline allows for depth, letting you explore the character and make adjustments along the way. It also allows for a true ensemble, where multiple tracks and characters can be well-developed. This has especially opened up opportunities for nuanced roles for women.”

When selecting projects, Rasika relies on her instincts. “Creative collaborations are rare, and it’s essential to be open to the possibility that some might not work out. I trust my instincts about the role and the people I’ll be working with, including the director and co-actors. As an actor, vulnerability is key, so it’s important to work in an environment that respects that. We have little control over the overarching message of the story, so trusting the director’s sensitivity and vision is important.”

Rasika further adds, "I’ve been fortunate to experiment with varied characters, genres, and formats. My roles as Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur and Neeti Singh in Delhi Crime are vastly different, showcasing the range performers crave. There’s so much more to explore, which is exciting and keeps me eager to learn and grow. I’d love to try a fun comedy or a biopic next.”

Chaos erupted at an event in Jaipur on Tuesday when actor Triptii Dimri failed to appear as the chief guest. Enraged attendees smeared her face on a poster with black paint, accusing her of ‘boycotting’ their event after allegedly accepting Rs. 5 lakh.

However, sources indicate that this narrative is misleading. The controversy traces back to the promotional activities for Dimri’s upcoming film Vicky Vidya Ka Voh Wala Video, in which she stars alongside Rajkummar Rao. October 1 was the day marked for the Jaipur promotions.

“Artists are all equally involved in the plan for promotions; once they approve, the production house goes ahead,” a source explained.

Dimri was initially set to walk the runway for Manish Malhotra at a Mumbai event on September 26, but heavy rains forced a re-scheduling to the same date as the Jaipur promotions, which had been planned a month in advance.

Despite efforts to accommodate both commitments, things did not go as planned. Dimri had agreed to participate in three promotional activities in Jaipur, including a FICCI event at noon.

“But her flight got delayed in the morning, and she reached a college half an hour late because of traffic. The second activity also got delayed. She eventually arrived at the FICCI Flo venue very late, and attending that session would have meant missing her return flight to Mumbai,” the source added. 

Given that Manish’s show was backed by the PMO, the circumstances were particularly sensitive. FICCI Flo’s senior team was also contacted and acknowledged that such delays can occur in the entertainment industry.

On Wednesday morning, Dimri’s team issued an official statement: “During the ongoing promotional campaign for her film Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, Triptii Dimri fully honored her professional obligations, attending all scheduled events and sessions related to the film. It’s essential to clarify that she did not engage in any personal appearances or events beyond her promotional duties and accepted no additional fees for her participation.”

Interestingly, a video confirming her presence at the FICCI Flo event was posted on Monday on FICCI Flo Jaipur’s Instagram page, adding to the confusion surrounding her absence.

We reached out to FICCI Flo for a comment, but chairperson Raghushree Poddar’s team only stated, “Senior management is trying to control the damage.”

Viral videos captured one attendee addressing the media, stating, “We will file a case against her, and Jaipur should boycott her movies because she has humiliated us today.” Another attendee claimed, “Since 11 o’clock, they have been telling us it will just be five more minutes. Triptii has boycotted FICCI Flo Jaipur after taking Rs. 5 lakhs.”

However, our source raised the question: Why would an actor of Triptii’s stature accept a mere Rs. 5 lakhs for an appearance? “Triptii has not taken any money; the coordinator present in each city for promotions does,” they clarified. This coordinator is responsible for organizing travel, hotel accommodations, and other logistical needs for the actors. “All payments have been settled, and everything is clear,” they added.

The Khan household is bustling with excitement as Ira Khan, daughter of Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta, is set to tie the knot with fiancé Nupur Shikhare in a traditional Maharashtrian-style wedding tomorrow. The pre-wedding ceremonies are on in full swing at the Bandra address. Today, the day will begin with a haldi ceremony being performed separately at the homes of the bride and groom. We hear an intimate mehendi function has been planned for the evening.

A source says, “The mehendi function will double up as a low-key sangeet ceremony, complete with music and dance. On January 3, the wedding will take place at Taj Lands End in Bandra, where it will begin with the ‘Antarpat’ ceremony. It involves a silk cloth being held between the bride and groom to keep them from seeing each other until the appropriate time. Before the wedding ceremony, a Ganpati puja will also be performed. As part of the rituals, there will be a special sankalp ceremony, where the bride and groom will read their vows.”

From January 4, the couple have lined up some personal parties, after which they will head out for a short holiday. They will, however, be back in time for their glitzy reception on January 11.

The source adds, “Aamir, Reena and the family were earlier planning to have the reception in Jaipur or Delhi [Beginning 2024 with a bang, Dec 30]. But now, they intend to host it in Mumbai. The guest list is star-studded, with over 1,000 people expected to attend—from Aamir’s B-Town friends to important dignitaries.”

Cheeni Kum actress Swini Khara is all set to tie the knot with businessman Urvish Desai on December 26. The couple, who got engaged in February, will have a destination wedding at a heritage property in Jaipur that will be attended by family and close friends.

Talking about the special day, Swini says, “The wedding will be a close-knit affair. We chose to have a destination wedding because we wanted our entire families to come together and celebrate the occasion at a nice place.”

The Baa Bahoo Aur Baby actress adds, “The wedding will be preceded by the sangeet, haldi and mehendi functions, and we also plan to have a pool party. I am super excited to get married and start this new phase.”

Swini, who acted along with Amitabh Bachchan as a child artiste in Cheeni Kum, shares how many of her child actor friends will be a part of the celebrations. “Richa Bhadra and Kartik Gantha (of Baa Bahoo Aur Baby) will be attending the wedding. We will host a reception in Mumbai later,” says Swini.

Sharing how she got introduced to Urvish through common friends, Swini said, "We are both very alike. He is very honest, simple and the last few months I have learnt many interesting things about him and realized that we want the same things in life."

The actress quit acting in 2016 to study law. Ask her if she plans to return to acting and she replies, “I would love to act if something exciting comes my way. Now, I am enjoying being an influencer on social media and hoping to land interesting projects.”

Festivals like Diwali provide some ideal moments to spend with loved ones and create cherished memories. For Hrithik Roshan, Diwali is a great opportunity for a family reunion. The actor, who was in Jaipur recently, shared his plans for the festival, his love for the city and more. Excerpts:

Diwali is one of my favourite festivals. With lights all around, everyone gets into the celebration mode. What makes the festival special is bringing the entire family and friends together for celebration. I love participating in puja with them.

It’s like me talking about my first love. Koi…Mil Gaya is the dearest emotion and will always remain special in my life. It gave me a chance to express my feelings and revisit my own childhood on the big screen. It was also a medium to escape the hardships that I had gone through in life. No exaggeration, but we took the biggest risk with this film, and I accepted the role with all my heart. If the character demands any skills, be it dance or action, I am happy to master it for my craft. Additionally, it helps me stay fit.

I have spent a lot of time here as I have relatives in Jaipur. Many of my summer vacations were spent here, having fun with my cousins, and exploring the beauty of Jaipur. I love the way the city has expanded, and it has some picturesque locations.

Having previously worked on Dream Girl (2019), producer Ekta Kapoor and director Raaj Shaandilyaa had a clear vision for the world of Dream Girl 2. Mathura, with its narrow bylanes and vibrant energy, was the perfect setting for the Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Panday-starrer. After an elaborate schedule in Mathura in October 2022, the team was to move to Jaipur to shoot key scenes at the Chomu Palace Hotel, which would be depicted as the grand residence of Paresh Rawal’s character Abu Salim. However, it is heard that only days before the unit was to head to Jaipur, Kapoor scrapped the idea of shooting in Rajasthan, instead asking the production design team to build an elaborate set of a haveli in Mumbai.

Reason? For starters, it turns out that Kapoor wanted a more opulent setting. More importantly, in the aftermath of the pandemic, the cast and crew’s safety was her top priority.

A source from the creative team reveals, “When Ekta saw the pictures of the Chomu Palace, she felt it didn’t look grand enough, and voiced her concerns to Raaj and production designer Rajat Poddar. She also highlighted that travelling with a large team outside Mumbai would be a safety hazard, as COVID-19 cases were still high at the time. While shooting in Mathura was non-negotiable as a chunk of the comedy is set there, Ekta felt the Jaipur leg could be scrapped. She instantly decided to conduct the stint in Mumbai instead.”

After the Mathura schedule was wrapped up mid-October, the production design team began building a lavish set of a palace in Mumbai. The haveli was apparently built in 10 days at Royal Gold Studios, in Aarey Colony, Goregaon.

The source adds, “With the set costing over Rs. 1 crore, the budget shot up. But to Ekta, ensuring her team’s safety and staying true to the vision was far more important. She ensured the set looked exactly as she had imagined it—a majestic structure with Moroccan influences and boasting balconies, corridors and stairways. She wanted it to look glamorous as a pivotal scene, in which Ayushmann’s character gets married, plays out against this backdrop.”

mid-day reached out to Kapoor and Shaandilyaa, who remained unavailable for comment.

Since late June, Navya Naveli Nanda is on a road trip. But it is far from the classic road trip with friends in the monsoon. Instead, Nanda—granddaughter to Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, and daughter to Shweta Bachchan Nanda—has been travelling the length and breadth of the country, spreading the good word. Through You Grow Girl, a 30-day roadshow in eight cities of India, she wants to equip college students to tackle street harassment.

Delhi was her first stop, followed by Bengaluru. She recently started her Mumbai leg with a visit to the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) campus and Sophia College. “Next up, we have Pillai College [of Engineering],” says Nanda, who is collaborating with Yuvaa for the initiative.

“We are visiting five campuses [in each city] to talk about dealing with street harassment. It also trains people to either help themselves in such a situation, or to step in if they are a bystander.” The programme teaches men and women the 5D methodology— distract, delegate, document, delay and direct.

Her next stops will be Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Pune. Even as she helps women become self-reliant, Nanda emphasizes the role of men in promoting women’s safety. “As fathers, brothers, partners and teachers, men play crucial roles in women’s lives. They have a responsibility of creating safe spaces for women.”

The roadshow also offers a fellowship programme, thus tying in with her efforts towards women empowerment. “We want to create a community where we can foster ideas led by women and support them—be it financially or by way of mentorship and resources.”

Wedding shenanigans go on until D-Day. Parineeti Chopra and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha, who had a dreamy engagement on May 13, have been scouting venues for some time. The couple was seen visiting a few palace hotels in Rajasthan last month. Sources reveal that the wedding festivities will begin by October-end, spilling into the first week of November.

While rumours have been rife that the couple were considering getting married at the Oberoi Udaivilas Palace in Udaipur, a source informs, “The Umaid Bhavan Palace, in Jodhpur is a strong option too. It is known to be the biggest palace in India, with spacious air-conditioned rooms and suites designed for royalty.”

Coincidentally, the Umaid Bhavan Palace was also the venue of Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas’s wedding in 2018, which is rumoured to have cost about Rs. 3 crores.

“The sangeet and mehendi ceremonies will take place at the palace hotel, followed by an intimate party with close friends and relatives. After the wedding, two receptions will be held, one and Delhi and the other in Mumbai. While Priyanka and Nick’s wedding was a grand one, Parineeti and Raghav’s nuptials will be an intimate affair, with attendance only from a few people from Bollywood. Parineeti is organizing every tiny detail herself,” the source adds.

On the work front, Chopra has Shiddat 2, which she will wrap up right before the wedding. The actor will pick up Imtiaz Ali’s Chamkila after a two-week break in November.

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Actor Parineeti Chopra and politician Raghav Chadha are busy scouting the perfect venue for their wedding in Rajasthan. They were spotted at Jaipur airport in May and stayed with their families in Udaipur for a few days as they carried out their recce.

While a recent report claims that the couple, who got engaged on May 13, have finalised The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur for the wedding, we have learnt from our sources that the couple is still on the hunt.

“Nothing has been confirmed so far. They did not like the room size at Udaivilas, and the room inventory (87 rooms) wasn’t sufficient either. Taj Lake Palace, too, didn’t make it to the shortlisted venues for the latter reason. They might pick any of these for the wedding functions, but all the guests cannot be accommodated here. So, it’s clear that their guest list is not small and it’s going to be a big fat wedding,” the source says, adding that the couple has shortlisted two properties in Jaipur (Sawai Man Mahal and Rambagh Palace) and Udaipur (Taj Aravali and Mementos) each.

The couple will tie the knot on October 28 or 29, according to sources. “Their family and close relatives from the engagement will be there for the wedding. There will be two receptions, one for Parineeti’s extended family from Ambala (Chandigarh) and one for the film fraternity (Mumbai),” says the source.

Meanwhile, the couple has been spending time in London together. A picture of them watching the India vs Australia World Test Championship final at the Oval was shared widely by Chopra’s fan clubs. The couple has previously attended IPL 2023 matches in Mohali too. A photo of Chadha and Chopra posing with a fan in the UK capital (below) also went viral.

Actor Parineeti Chopra and politician Raghav Chadha are likely to wed in Rajasthan. The couple has started looking at venues in the state for their wedding, tentatively scheduled between September and November.

On Saturday, Parineeti looked at luxe heritage hotels in Udaipur, say sources. She took a boat ride on Lake Pichola to soak in the evening vibe of the city and even met Shikha Saxena, deputy director, Regional Tourism Office, Udaipur.

Saxena tells us, “She loved the traditional welcome at heritage hotels, with rose petals and music. It gave her a feel of how the guests will be welcomed. I suggested November, she seemed open to the idea.”

On Sunday, the couple reportedly looked at venues in Kishangarh. They also plan to explore Jaipur.

The much-anticipated Sidharth Malhotra-Kiara Advani wedding at a fort hotel in Jaisalmer brought back the spotlight (yet again) on Rajasthan and showed us how the land of maharajas continues to be the favourite wedding destination for celebrity couples. From Elizabeth Hurley-Arun Nayyar and Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas to Vicky Kaushal-Katrina Kaif, over the years there have been many celebrity couples who chose to exchange their vows in Rajasthan’s regal surroundings. Wedding planners say that ample options of forts, palaces and heritage properties and the privacy they offer are some of the reasons why most celebrities opt for Rajasthan to say ‘I do’.

While it is true that picture-perfect locations, popular heritage properties and the charm of royal weddings attract celeb couples to the desert state when it comes to tying the knot, complete privacy from paps and curious onlookers is another reason why celebs prefer Rajasthan as a wedding destination.

“I think after Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas and Vicky Kaushal-Katrina Kaif’s weddings, most celebs are sure that it is very difficult to breach the privacy and security at heritage properties in Rajasthan. Also, these properties are usually located at remote locations, away from the main cities, which also helps high-profile couples keep their big day a private affair. We have been in talks with a celebrity couple who is planning to get married by the end of this year, and they want the wedding at a palace in Rajasthan, which can be fully booked and blocked for outsiders for four days of wedding festivities,” says a Mumbai-based wedding planner, who organised a celeb wedding in Udaipur last year.

“Privacy and security are of high importance when planning a celebrity wedding. Also, the quality of services, hospitality and crisis management at the event is to be minutely monitored. The other reasons why Rajasthan is the most preferred wedding destination are its royal charm, rustic beauty and authentic venue options, like the spectacular forts and palaces,” says Rajat Gera, Director of Sales & Marketing of the heritage hotel that hosted Vicky-Katrina’s wedding.

In the popularity chart, Udaipur and Jodhpur are rated higher than Jaipur, and wedding planners say that this is because of the availability of better heritage, luxury properties. “Also, Jaipur is mostly overbooked in the wedding season, and celebs look for an exclusive venue that is far away from the city centre. After Sid-Kiara’s wedding, queries for Jaisalmer have increased,” says Minnat Lalpuria, founder and CEO of a company that helps clients with luxury wedding destinations.

Anchor and event organiser Nitin Arora says, “Jaisalmer is becoming popular for celeb weddings, and thanks to Sid-Kiara’s shaadi, people have started looking for offbeat havelis and luxury palaces on the outskirts of Jaisalmer,” says Arora.

Apart from Bollywood couples, there are many other celebs who had their wedding in Rajasthan – including Isha Ambani’s wedding in Udaipur. Wedding planners say that connectivity of major cities in Rajasthan with other metros is one reason why it is easier to plan a high-profile wedding there. 

“Anyone who is having guests from overseas, would want to have a palace or fort wedding in Rajasthan. Popular locations like Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Jaipur have good flight connectivity,” says Arora.

Babil Khan was in Jaipur recently to attend an event hosted on his father Irrfan’s birth anniversary. Babil tells us, “With a lot of familiar faces in the crowd, I could feel the warmth of the beautiful relationship my father shared with people in his hometown Jaipur. The joy of meeting his fans and friends is inexplicable. When people say that I remind them of my father, they make me happy. It’s a validation for me and motivates me.”

Babil loves penning his thoughts and has written poems dedicated to his dad. Does he see himself writing a book on Irrfan? He says, “I don’t know if I would ever like to dedicate a book to my father. What we shared is too personal. I don’t want to put that on paper. My writings (songs and poetry) did help me navigate through my emotional highs and lows.”

Talking about how he realised his dream to make a career in cinema, he shares, “I think the first time I discovered that I could be an actor was in Class VIII, when I took part in a school play based on William Shakespeare’s The Comedy Of Errors. However, my desire to be an actor was always suppressed. I was so weighed down by the fear of being compared to Baba that I could never consider a career in showbiz. It took me a lot of time to accept that I could pursue acting as a career.”

Like other celebrity kids, Babil confesses to having felt the pressure of measuring up to a celebrity father. He says, “Of course, I still feel the pressure of being a celebrity kid, but I have realized that a true worth of a man is best realized when he has to deliver his best amid all the pressure. While my friends are enjoying life and falling in love, I am sitting at home and reading scripts because I cannot mess up my auditions, as I am Irrfan’s son.”

When asked if he’d like to trace back Irrfan’s acting journey, Babil says, “During my next trip to Jaipur, I want to go to Ravindra Manch and see the place that gave birth to Irrfan, the actor. I don’t want to visit that place as an actor, but as a son. My growth and journey as an actor has to be different from Baba’s journey.”

Before signing his debut film Qala, Babil had auditioned for 30 other projects. He says, “I have accepted the fact that being Irrfan’s son is a privilege, but it has not added to my market value. I have given more than 30 auditions in the past year. In fact, I had to audition for Qala thrice before I got picked. I have landed all my projects after auditions, after the makers were satisfied with my mettle as an actor.”

Actor Hansika Motwani got married to her long-time boyfriend, businessman Sohael Khaturiya in a private ceremony on December 4 at a 450-year-old palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The actor had taken a long break from work for the wedding, and she’ll dive right back into shoot mode.

“The wedding turned out exactly how Hansika had dreamed of. She made the most of the break with her family and friends, adding a fun twist to every function. For a pre-wedding party, the bride and the groom had a stylish entry in a vintage car,” a source reports.

The actor wishes to get her work commitments out of the way before jetting off for her honeymoon. The newlyweds have picked a romantic location, and the wait is till the end of the year. “They’ve [planned] to go to catch the Northern Lights. In all likelihood, they’ll ring in the New Year on their honeymoon, and usher in the new beginning with 2023,” adds the source.

The wedding was attended by her family and close friends. As part of pre-wedding functions, there was a haldi ceremony on the morning of December 4, a mehendi and sangeet function on December 3 and a Sufi night on December 2.

Actor Hansika Motwani, 30, is all set to get married to Mumbai-based businessman Sohael Khaturiya in December, and celebrations will begin next week.

While the couple plans to tie the knot in Jaipur on December 4, a source says the pre-wedding festivities will kick-start in Mumbai.

“The actor is planning a close-knit Mata Ki Chowki to start the wedding celebrations. While the wedding is in Jaipur, Hansika wanted to start the journey of getting married in Mumbai itself. That is why she is starting on a devotional note, by organising a Mata Ki Chowki in Mumbai next week,” says the insider.

The source also reveals that the function will be organised by Motwani’s family, after which the attention will shift to Jaipur, for the rest of the functions. While a Sufi night has been planned on December 2, the mehendi and sangeet ceremonies will be held on December 3. The haldi ceremony will take place on the morning of December 4 and on the same evening, the couple will tie the knot at the 450-year-old Mundota Fort.

The source says the wedding will be a close-knit affair, but some of the actor’s close friends from the industry have been invited. Invites crafted in silver, with a touch of Rajasthani culture, have been sent out, along with handmade chocolates and other “shagun ka samaan”. “Hansika has personally worked on the guest list and is taking a lot of interest in planning the whole wedding. It is a special phase of her life,” adds the source.

Hansika Motwani is set to get hitched in a month. The actor will tie the knot on December 4, we have exclusively learnt.

An insider close to the 30-year-old says, “The wedding festivities will be held from December 2 to December 4. It will be a destination wedding in Jaipur (Rajasthan).”

The pheras will take place on 4th evening, with Haldi ceremony in the morning. December 2 will see a Sufi night, followed by mehendi, sangeet the next day. The family will also indulge in a polo match. A casino-themed afterparty is also slated for 4th evening.

While a report stated that the actor is heading for an arranged marriage, a mutual friend reveals it is a love marriage: “She is getting married to her boyfriend of a few years.”

While the identity of the groom is yet to be revealed officially, we have learnt Motwani’s beau, Sohael Khaturiya, is a businessman from Mumbai. The two were close friends before dating and are also partners in a firm.

Motwani couldn’t be reached for a comment till the time of going to press.