He put India on the global map with his beautiful creations. But beyond the genius, he’s only human. He carries a heart that misses his near and dear ones, especially the actor who had the biggest influence on him. Designer Manish Malhotra reflects on his bond with late actor Sridevi, which continues through her daughter, actor Janhvi Kapoor. Excerpts from The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra:

Late photographer Rakesh Shrestha liked my sketches and introduced me to actors for styling them. I went to meet Sridevi for the first time at Mehboob Studio in 1991 and I was a big fan even before I met her. She was in a red outfit and was just going to the set. She was quiet. Then she called me to do a sweater, which was a continuity sweater for Khuda Gawaah (1992). I went to meet her, and somehow we connected.

Then, in 1996, we were in Las Vegas and she told me she was leaving films. She said she worked from the age of four and she wanted her life to carry on. I remember getting a little lump in my throat. I was so attached to her. And in the 15 years when she didn’t work and gave birth to Janhvi and Khushi, I was the one person who was always in touch with her. And I still called her ma’am. I continued my respect and friendship because I think she really contributed to my career. Her death was a big loss to the film industry.

I’m very fond of South Indian food and ma’am would get it to my house. That’s something that Janhvi sweetly does now, which is so nice of her. Every month, she makes it a point to come over, spend time, and get food from her house.

I was there at Rani Mukerji’s first shot for Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1997), Kareena Kapoor Khan for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000; she was the original heroine), Deepika Padukone in Om Shanti Om (2007), Alia Bhatt for Student Of The Year (2012), and Ananya Panday for Student Of The Year 2 (2019). So, I would say I’m the lucky mascot here. I’ve seen them grow and evolve.

In fact, with Kriti Sanon, Bipasha Basu and Lara Dutta, I worked with them before they became actresses, as models. I’ve seen their journeys from being newcomers to being established actors, with some even getting married and becoming mothers! Now we are working with the newer generation.

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra’s because the entire wedding was done by us. There were discussions about the décor, the surprises entry dance by Kiara, or the Reel that Sidharth did. And I forced them to put it up, saying, ‘Please put up this Reel!’ I am grateful to them for their love and respect. So happy! So I think that is one of my most cherished weddings.

Hina Khan and Rocky Jaiswal, who met on the sets of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai in 2009, got married in June 2025. On Valentine’s Day, the couple shares how their love has evolved over the years.

Since Rocky’s birthday is on the same day as Valentine’s Day, Hina says, “It’s a double celebration of love with the love of my life. Throughout the year, he has looked after me, so I am on a mission to make him feel special on his birthday. But there’s just this one day where every girl wants to feel special; it may be childish, but I like celebrating Valentine's Day. Rocky makes sure that the whole year is filled with love.”

Talking about what has changed after marriage, Hina explains, “Before marriage, I always said that I needed my own space, but it has changed for me. Now, we want to spend more time together.” Rocky’s perspective has remained constant.

“I’ve always wanted to be close to her. In the beginning, you think life is precious, so you want to spend more time. Later, you realize what makes life precious, and you simply want to be around that, and for me, that’s her,” he says.

Hina had a quiet wedding. The actress says that little of it was planned. She adds, “Everyone saw the best decor, mehendi artiste and wedding outfit, but there was nothing like that. Two-three days before the wedding, there were no elaborate arrangements.”

She adds, “Things came together slowly. I met Manish (Malhotra) for an event fitting, and he got to know I am getting married, and that’s how he decided to design my wedding outfit. Originally, we were supposed to sit on a couch and sign the papers, but a lot of people and things came together, and it just aligned perfectly to make our wedding memorable.”

Rocky shares, “We didn’t have a dream wedding in our minds, but it all just happened. Hina is in a profession where, out of 2,000 episodes, she was a bride in about 1,500 (laughs). So we decided we would have a simple wedding.”

Ask them about their decision to tie the knot after dating for 9 years, and Hina says, “It was me who said let’s do it now.” Rocky says, “In my head, I have always been married to her.” In 2024, Hina was diagnosed with breast cancer. She shares how her husband was a rock-solid support during her battle with the disease. Rocky says, “It is the most normal thing anybody can do.” Hina adds, “The storms in our life will not determine our love for each other. We love each other, no matter what. We are together in good and bad times.”

Singer Stebin Ben and Nupur Sanon’s pre-wedding celebrations begin today in Udaipur with haldi and mehendi ceremonies. The celebrations will continue with a Christian wedding ceremony scheduled tomorrow, while the pheras will take place on January 11.

Sources close to the couple revealed that the wedding will be marked by several heartfelt moments. “Nupur’s father will walk her down the aisle, while her sister, Kriti, will take on the role of maid of honour. Adding a unique and personal touch to the celebrations, the couple has planned a special 'roast-and-toast' segment during the wedding festivities. Their loved ones will either lovingly roast them or emotionally toast them. They’re extremely excited and looking forward to it,” said a source.

Fashion remains a key highlight of the wedding. The source adds, “All bridesmaid outfits have been designed by Nupur’s label and feature an aqua, Tiffany blue–inspired shade. Kriti’s outfit has been given a special touch to make it stand out.”

Music and nostalgia will also take centre stage. “Nupur and Kriti will be performing together to two fun songs at one of the events. These are special songs that they both used to dance to as kids, which are close to their hearts,” the source revealed. Designer Manish Malhotra has designed outfits for the entire Sanon family for the celebrations, including the main ceremony on January 11.

Saying no was out of the question when Saali Mohabbat came Anurag Kashyap’s way. After all, the Radhika Apte and Divyenndu-starrer was among the first few productions of designer Manish Malhotra, who is among his close friends. Couple that with the taut script of director Tisca Chopra’s howdunnit, and Kashyap was sold on the idea of featuring in a cameo.

“What drew me to Saali Mohabbat was, first and foremost, the script. I’ve also had a wonderful experience working with Tisca earlier on the short film Chhuri [2017]. So, the opportunity to collaborate again was an immediate yes,” he says. Then there was, of course, Malhotra.

“I’ve admired Manish since my first film Satya [1998], where he styled Urmila [Matondkar]. I have turned to him without hesitation whenever I’ve been unsure about what to wear for a major event. When he told me he was launching his production house and that Saali Mohabbat would be among his first films, there was no question of saying no.”

Kashyap, who enjoys his time in front of the camera as much as behind it, says sharing screen space with Divyenndu, Anshumaan Pushkar, and Sharat Saxena was a delight. But he has one minor grouse with the Zee5 movie.

“Unfortunately, I did not get to work with Radhika this time,” rues Kashyap, who directed her in Sacred Games and a short film in Lust Stories (2020).

Many films are born as adaptation of books. In contrast, Gustaakh Ishq was born because a book could not be adapted. First-time producer Manish Malhotra had initially approached Vibhu Puri to adapt a 400-page book. When the director said the adaptation would take far too long, Malhotra asked him one question: ‘Do you have something that you want to make?’ Enter Gustaakh Ishq, starring Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, and Fatima Sana Shaikh.

Puri recalls, “I told Manish this story set in old Delhi and Punjab. As soon as he heard it, Manish said he wanted to make it.”

For the director, reuniting with the veteran actor after Taj: Divided By Blood was a dream come true. But the dream was on the verge of not materializing. “Initially, I thought he would be khadoos. But Naseer saab was so nice to me during Taj that I fell in love with him. He agreed to star in this film, but then we had some date issues. So, Manish and I went to his house and I said, ‘If you don’t want to do it, tell me who I should work with.’ Naseer said that I was blackmailing him, to which I said, ‘Yes, I will. I have a right to do that to you’,” he grins.

Romances have dominated the box office in 2025. As he brings his love story, Puri believes the audience has had enough of action offerings. “Between 1987 and 1989, films like Aag Hi Aag [1987] and Aag Ka Gola [1989] were being made. Then suddenly, there was Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak [1988], followed by Maine Pyar Kiya [1989] and Aashiqui [1990]. It changed the entire decade. After COVID too, everyone thought people will only watch event films. But in the end, a person needs happiness, love, and affection.”

“This was long awaited,” says actor Tisca Chopra, who is marking her directorial debut with the film Saali Mohabbat that hits the screens later this year. She shares, “It has been on my bucket list as I enjoyed directing when I worked on a short film, Rubaru. Now, it’s been so satisfying to write and direct a story that is close to my heart.”

Speaking about the film, she says the scripting was finished just before the pandemic hit in 2020. “I wrote Saali Mohabbat back then, and I remember every time I narrated the script to a potential producer, I was told, ‘You have to direct this; you know it inside out’. This sentiment was echoed by Manish Malhotra (fashion designer) when I narrated the script to him. So here I am, a director, but my love for acting stays in place.”

While she is enjoying the new role, the last few days have been tough for Tisca, who had a close connect with the unfortunate Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad recently. “Some incidents leave an indelible mark,” she says, explaining how her husband, Captain Sanjay Chopra, a former pilot for Air India, had flown with the airline for many years.

She adds, “We both are still recovering from the shock. AI is dear to us. In fact, we once boarded the same aircraft that crashed. We and all our pilot friends are dealing with the loss and coping with the tragedy. Our hearts are heavy and we are praying for all those who lost their lives in the fatal accident.”

As Saali Mohabbat premièred at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) last month, director Tisca Chopra felt two contradictory emotions. On the one hand, she felt validated as her maiden directorial feature received praise; on the other hand, she remembers being harsh to her own work throughout the screening.

“I am hyper critical. Even as an actor, while going back home after a shoot, I am redoing everything in my head. I think, ‘I should’ve done this or that.’ I’m trying to be less compulsive about things now,” she smiles.

In Saali Mohabbat, Chopra has brought an eclectic cast of Radhika Apte, Divyenndu and Anurag Kashyap. Considering Kashyap is a prolific filmmaker, did she take any advice from him? “Anurag would give suggestions as an actor, not as a director. For instance, he told me to stage a shot a certain way to save time. And we did,” she says, adding that she and Kashyap go back a long way.

“He has never directed me and that’s a big grouse I have with him. He is a no-filter human being and that makes a quality performer because he is receptive. He was on board even before Manish [Malhotra, producer] was attached to it. On my first day as a feature film director, I was directing Anurag Kashyap!”

The other joy she experienced was directing Apte, who was her first choice for the protagonist. Chopra shares, “I had two people in mind. Radhika was number one, and there was another actor. But Radhika said yes, so we didn’t go to the other person. Radhika is an actor extraordinaire.”

For the film, Chopra has crafted a thriller in which Apte’s protagonist narrates a story of infidelity to a group of guests at her home. Was bringing a female gaze to the theme of infidelity important to her? The director views it differently.

“Infidelity isn’t the centre of the story. It was more about taking certain roles for granted, like the doormat, the wallflower, the simple person, and so on. But when pushed against the wall, how far will a person go? Society perceives women as being weak. But I want to question it in this film.”

For many female actors across Bollywood and Hollywood, the decision to turn filmmaker stems from a lack of characters. But Chopra’s reason is simple. “A story needs to be told in its own way, not as per the market. The idea is to make a story best for itself and to make sure it’s cocooned without it becoming a bastard child. I will act in some films, and write, direct and produce others.”

Glamour and style are the first things that come to mind when one thinks of Manish Malhotra. But after over three decades of creating fashion statements for movies, the couturier has acquired a new identity—of a filmmaker. As his maiden production, Saali Mohabbat, premièred at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on November 22, it was easy to see that his bent of storytelling is far removed from his work as a designer.

“My dream with Stage 5 was to start a different narrative from what’s expected out of me. [People expected] my films to star Kareena [Kapoor Khan] or the young girls, with lots of glamour. But this is not an extension of my brand. I can do glamorous storytelling tomorrow itself. But the most important thing is the script,” emphasises the new producer.

The story takes centre-stage in Saali Mohabbat, starring Radhika Apte, Divyenndu and Anurag Kashyap, and helmed by Tisca Chopra. The thriller revolves around a homemaker who is telling a story of infidelity and deceit to a group of people. Backing a middle-of-the-road film is not easy. Did Malhotra seek advice from his industry friends, especially filmmaker Karan Johar?

“When I told Karan about Saali Mohabbat, he was surprised. But he also knows if I’ve said yes to something, I will do it. I didn’t ask anyone anything. I just wanted it to be mine, be it good, bad or ugly. Friends are always protective about you and will say, ‘Make something else.’ But this had to be my voice.” Have Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor or other actor-friends asked him to make movies with them too? “I think when they see my work, they may say this,” he chuckles.

It’s not every day that a fashion designer turns filmmaker. But filmmaking was a natural step for him. “All fashion designers don’t have a film sense, but some do. With me, it was organic because I was in love with films since childhood, watching Mughal-E-Azam [1960] or the works of Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt. I love the ’70s, their songs and costumes. I am steeped in films. That’s why I get how it works,” says Malhotra, who also has Bun Tikki and Ul Jalool Ishq in the pipeline.

At the end of our chat, we ask him for an update on the Meena Kumar biopic that he was to direct with Kriti Sanon playing the late actor. He says, “I’m no longer doing the biopic. I’ll direct something else. Directing is one dream that remains unfulfilled.”

Model-actor-entrepreneur Lin Laishram is set to explore uncharted territory in her upcoming film Bun Tikki, produced by noted designer-turned-producer Manish Malhotra. In this project, Laishram steps into a negative role for the first time. 

Talking about the experience of working on the movie, Laishram shares, “Manish kept saying, ‘I can’t believe you are doing this between your wedding!’ He was so supportive, and the team was incredibly nice to me.” 

Laishram tied the knot with actor Randeep Hooda on November 29, 2023, in an intimate ceremony, but her schedule was anything but quiet. The actor shuttled between Mumbai and Delhi during the shoot, fitting in her nuptials and wedding reception between film commitments.

Reflecting on how she managed it all, Laishram says, “Bolte hain na, universe deta hai toh chhapad phaad ke, it was something like that. As an actor who has gotten work sparingly in this industry, I didn’t want to turn this opportunity down. Randeep told me, ‘You have to do it’. I kept going back to him, wondering if I could pull it off, and he always said, ‘You can do anything, be anything.’ All that energy has turned out to be very beautiful.”  

While the release date of the film, which also features industry legends like Shabana Azmi and Zeenat Aman, is yet to be announced, Laishram is confident it will be a defining moment in her career. “It is one project I am very proud of,” ends the actor, who made her Hindi film debut in 2007 with Om Shanti Om.

As the year is nearing its end, it’s a new start for Manish Malhotra. The fashion designer is taking his maiden production, Saali Mohabbat, to the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The Radhika Apte, Divyenndu and Anurag Kashyap-led suspense drama, which marks actor Tisca Chopra’s foray into direction, will premiere at the film festival on November 22. Malhotra was scouting for a powerful story to venture into filmmaking, when Saali Mohabbat came his way.

“The moment I read its script, I was drawn to its intense and thrilling narrative. At Stage5 Production, we work closely with directors to bring their vision onto the screen with artistry and care. Tisca Chopra’s commitment to crafting this story with such complexity made it all the more compelling,” says the designer-turned-producer.

Jyoti Deshpande, President of Media and Content Business at Reliance Industries, shared her happiness on the news, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Manish Malhotra, who is bringing his creative brilliance from the world of fashion to film—a natural progression for a visionary who has always made impactful statements. With Saali Mohabbat, Manish extends his legacy of creativity, now crafting stories that captivate just as his designs have. Saali Mohabbat is a thrilling and layered story that aligns with our mission to present unique stories from India. We’re honored to debut this film at IFFI and reinforce our dedication to meaningful storytelling.”

In Saali Mohabbat, Apte plays a homemaker who is telling a story of infidelity, deceit and murder to a group of people. While her listeners are riveted, one of them gets the message she intended. First-time director Chopra is thrilled that her ‘howdunit’ is premiering at the prestigious film gala.

She says, “Saali Mohabbat is a story close to my heart, and I’m grateful to Manish Malhotra and Jio Studios for trusting in my vision and supporting my journey as a director. I couldn’t be more excited to present it at IFFI, which celebrates diverse and bold voices in cinema.”

Meena Kumari’s fans have been looking forward to her biopic, which will see Kriti Sanon step into the actor’s shoes and couturier Manish Malhotra turning director. But it looks like the much-anticipated project has been postponed again. Sources say that Malhotra, who was supposed to call action on his first directorial venture in October, has now pushed it to early 2025. This isn’t the first time the biopic has been delayed. Originally, it was to roll in October 2023, which was then pushed by a year.

What’s the hold-up this time? We’ve heard that the writers are revisiting the script as Malhotra wants it perfected to the last detail.

The source says, “The material will be vetted by multiple script doctors before it goes into filming. In a way, the delay might be good for the team. Since it’s a period drama, this allows them ample time for pre-production. Costumes are also a big part when recounting the story of one of Hindi cinema’s finest actors, and their recreation will take time. It will most likely roll in the first half of 2025.”

The yet-untitled movie, which marks Sanon’s first biopic in her 10-year career so far, aims to capture Kumari’s life and legacy. Known as the ‘Tragedy Queen’ for her roles in poignant films, she gave Indian cinema some of the most memorable movies—from Baiju Bawra (1952) to Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962) and Pakeezah (1972)—before her career was tragically cut short by her death in 1972.

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai clocks 25 years today and actor Rani Mukerji, who played Tina in the film, says it feels “truly surreal because these are the people (the cast and crew) who I literally started my career with”. She adds, “What gives me immense happiness is the fact that we are such close friends. We are like family, whether it is my relationship with Karan (Johar; director) or Shah Rukh (Khan; actor).”

The film featured SRK, Kajol and her in the lead roles and Mukerji, 45, says she wasn’t sure if people would accept her alongside SRK on screen: “Right after I heard the narration, I shared a concern with Karan. I told him since Shah Rukh and Kajol were a part of DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge; 1995) that was an iconic hit, would the audience accept Shah Rukh’s character — Rahul — falling in love with Tina? He said, ‘You don’t worry about it. As long as you are doing the film, you leave that worry to me’.”

Mukerji recalls shooting the title track in Scotland. “Karan was shooting our honeymoon shots. He saw that I wasn’t wearing a mangalsutra. He asked Manish (Malhotra; designer) for it, but since he didn’t carry one, Manish told my mum, ‘Aunty, aapka mangalsutra de do’. I wore my mum’s mangalsutra and shot,” she ends.

Sultan Of Delhi promises to be a signature Milan Luthria fare, complete with larger-than-life characters, well-mounted action sequences and dialoguebaazi. At the same time, the gangster drama marks a departure for the director, who has turned lyricist with the number, Saaqiya. Penning the song was an organic process, says Luthria.

“When the melody was sung to me, I gave them a rough line, but couldn’t go further than that. I have worked with some of the best songwriters of my time, be it Vishal Dadlani or Rajat Arora, and the musical great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. You end up watching and learning from them,” says the director.

After giving the first line, Luthria started thinking how he could take it forward. “That night at home, I said, ‘Forget it, it’s not my job’ and went to sleep. When I woke up the next morning, I realized that I had written the mukhda at some point last night. My assistants, my producer and the music composer loved it. Later, on a holiday, one of my friends insisted that I complete the song, and I did!”  

Now that he is bitten by the writing bug, he is keen to pen more songs. “My mother, wife and daughter loved Saaqiya, as did Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan, Vishal-Shekhar, Pritam, and Manish Malhotra. That has given me some confidence, but I don’t know when I will crack the next one.”  

So, is a book of poems on the cards? Nope, maybe a book on his experience of shooting films, says the director. “I’ve worked with some of the biggest stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Rani Mukerji, Vidya, Akshay Kumar and Sanjay Dutt. I got to see a side of actors that few see—they are light-hearted, kind and caring. The book [can capture] the behind-the-scenes anecdotes of my film shoots. I’ll start working on it soon.”

A sea of people dressed in hues of white, boats sailing across Lake Pichola, and at the centre of it all, the groom going across the lake to wed his ladylove. This is what fairytale weddings are made of. And it came true for actor Parineeti Chopra and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member Raghav Chadha, who tied the knot at the Leela Palace in Udaipur yesterday.

The guest list was diverse, representing the two different worlds that the couple hail from—while the ladkiwale included tennis star-friend Sania Mirza and couturier Manish Malhotra, the politician-groom’s baaraat comprised Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Yuva Sena’s Aaditya Thackeray.

On D-day, the festivities began at 1 pm with Chadha’s sehra bandi at the Taj Lake Palace Hotel, where the groom’s side was put up. Around 2.30 pm, the baaraat along with local musicians made their way across the lake in boats, decorated with white flowers, to the Leela Palace for the nuptials.

A source reveals, “The baaraat milni, where the bride’s family welcomes the groom and wedding procession, took place at 3.30 pm, followed by the varmala ceremony and saat pheras. Keen to keep it subtle, the couple had chosen a pearl-white theme for the occasion. Parineeti wore a Manish Malhotra lehenga, drape and veil, all embellished with crystals. Raghav complemented her perfectly in an ivory-coloured sherwani, designed by uncle Pawan Sachdeva. His uncle, in fact, designed his outfits for the entire round of festivities.”

The nuptials that wrapped up by 6.30 pm were followed by a reception at 9 pm.

On Saturday, the couple hosted a sangeet ceremony. Chopra, an ardent fan of Punjabi music, roped in singer-actor Navraj Hans to perform at the ceremony.

When mid-day reached out to Hans, he said, “I sang Mundeya, Dumadum mast kalandar, Bolo tara rara, and ’90s songs, including Mere khwabon mein jo aaye. I sang Parineeti’s song Zehnaseeb too. She wanted me to end the show with Rabba, which is her favourite. She said, ‘You cannot leave without singing it.’ Both of them danced to all the numbers, including Gud naal ishq mitha.”

The newly-weds are expected to host a reception later this month in Delhi-NCR, and another in Mumbai.

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Actor Parineeti Chopra and politician Raghav Chadha’s wedding celebrations were a stylish affair in Udaipur (Rajasthan).

The couple had a blast at their cocktail-sangeet party that had a ‘Let’s Party Like It’s The ‘90s’ theme. Singer Navraj Hans serenaded the couple with Gur Nalo Ishq Mitha, Dil Chori Sada Ho Gaya and their favourite ’90s hits. The couple danced for around three hours. The menu included stalls of chaats, popcorn, candy floss and Maggi.

Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, designer Manish Malhotra, tennis player Sania Mirza, and cricketer Harbhajan Singh, among others attended the wedding.

Chadha’s outfits were designed by his maternal uncle, designer Pawan Sachdeva: “Raghav doesn’t wear anything that is heavy on embellishment. We replaced embroidery with texture on the fabric so that it looks rich and heavy. I made two or three looks for each function and he picked from them.”

In some photos circulating online, Chopra can be seen donning a silver three-piece ensemble and her husband-to-be sporting a navy blue jacket suit. The couple had a pearl-and-white theme for the entire wedding. Chopra also opted for minimal mehndi.

The couple had a joint haldi ceremony on September 23. A source tells us, “It was high on Punjabi vibes and songs. There was traditional giddha, too, which added a special touch and got the whole family together to shake a leg.”

Meena Kumari’s rich career and tragic personal life made her one of Hindi cinema’s enigmas. So, it’s not surprising that two filmmakers have found their muse in the late actor. While Kriti Sanon is set to play her in a biopic helmed by Manish Malhotra (My months with Meena Kumari, Aug 19), mid-day had reported in February that Kamal Amrohi’s grandson Bilal was developing a project that would trace Kumari’s love story with her filmmaker-husband as they set out to make Pakeezah (The heartbreak behind the magnum opus, Feb 10).

Bilal is unfazed that Malhotra is making a film on the celebrated actor. The couturier-turned-director’s biopic is reportedly referenced from many books written on Kumari. Bilal says, “I’m sure Manish will be a brilliant director. But I am not sure about the validity of that project, in terms of its reference point. I have Meena-ji and Kamal saab’s words to tell their story; they are going by someone’s else’s words.”

Bilal says neither Malhotra nor the production house has contacted his family regarding the biopic. “How will they use Kamal Amrohi’s name without the family’s permission? If you have to make a movie about Meena-ji’s life, you cannot disregard the biggest factor in it — my grandfather,” he asserts.

What Bilal is designing is an intimate look into the actor-filmmaker couple’s romance that began in 1951 and culminated in marriage in 1952. Guiding him in this project are the letters that Kumari and Amrohi apparently wrote to each other.

“I have my grandparents’ diaries, and the letters they exchanged for the years that they were said to be apart (1964-1972). There were rumours about them getting a [divorce], but there was nothing of the sort. Meena-ji was a married woman when she passed away. For the past 40 years, people have [showcased] their love story in every light possible. My bua [aunt] Rukhsar has vehemently spoken against them. [Some authors] wrote about Kamal saab hitting her! It’s sad because they couldn’t defend themselves as these books were written after they passed away. The dead cannot defend themselves. The letters that my bua has, are a testimony of their love. They were romancing each other even though the world thought they were apart.”

Bilal adds that he will initiate talks with actors only after the bible is ready.

Manish Malhotra and Bilal Amrohi

Vijay Varma’s versatility has enabled him to be part of diverse stories, but a good old romantic movie was missing from his résumé. Chalat Musafir then was just the thing he was looking for. Vibhu Puri’s directorial venture is a slice-of-life film revolving around unrequited love. Sources say the actor-director duo are planning to take the project on floors by January 2024.

“Of late, Vijay has largely played negative roles. After playing an honest cop in Kaalkoot, he was eager to explore more positive characters. In Chalat Musafir, he plays an endearing romantic guy, based in a small town of Punjab, who comes of age as the narrative progresses. Vibhu has written a cheerful story that explores unrequited love in a light-handed manner,” says a source.

The movie, to be streamed on Jio Cinema, is one of the three projects being produced by Manish Malhotra’s banner Stage 5. The couturier-turned-producer had initially approached Puri for another film. “But when Vibhu narrated the story of Chalat Musafir to Manish, he loved it. The team is scouting for the female lead and a senior actor to play the part of an elderly person.”

Ghoomer is her “revenge” against her cricket-fanatic family, laughs Shabana Azmi. In the upcoming R Balki-directed movie, she plays a cricket-obsessed woman who is a source of support to her cricketer-granddaughter, essayed by Saiyami Kher. This, when she isn’t fond of the sport in real-life.

“I’m considered panvati; I only have to look at the TV and somebody from the Indian team gets clean bowled. My family and staff boycott me [when a match is on]. If I enter the room, I am made to sit with my back to the TV. So when Balki offered me this role, I felt this was my revenge on the lot. Javed [Akhtar, writer-husband] is a sports buff and has tried to explain the intricacies of cricket to me often,” she smiles.

In her first collaboration with Balki, the veteran actor is deeply impressed by the director’s working style. “He is relaxed on the sets, but he will make you do the shot again and again till he gets what he wants. He adores cricket and Abhishek says this is his most emotional film.”

With Ghoomer, she comes full circle with the Bachchans. Having worked with Amitabh Bachchan earlier and more recently with Jaya Bachchan in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (RARKPK), she is delighted to team up with Abhishek.

“I had done Umrao Jaan [2006] with Abhishek earlier. He is a prankster, but also courteous and well-behaved with seniors. His role in Ghoomer is unlike anything he has done before and he has risen to the challenge impressively.”

Her last release, RARKPK, has been loved by audiences, with her character of Jamini Chatterjee being particularly appreciated. Had she expected such a warm response?

“It has been overwhelming. The credit goes to Karan [Johar, director] and Manish Malhotra in how they styled me. Anurag Kashyap said that seeing me in the soft, romantic role made him realise how important it is for directors to break the stereotypes in their heads, when it comes to casting. I’m lucky to do different roles, like the ones in Rocky Aur Rani...and Ghoomer, on the heels of one another. I’d be happy to do more of such roles in the future. This is a good time for actors because the stock stereotypes have been rejected.”

For weeks, fans played the guessing game as actor Parineeti Chopra and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha were frequently spotted on dinner dates, offering sheepish smiles as the paparazzi asked them about their rumoured wedding. Their short romance culminated into a star-studded engagement ceremony in Kapurthala House in Connaught Place, Delhi last evening. Sources tell us that the ceremony was held at a sprawling bungalow near India Gate.

It was a high-security affair with a guest list comprising 150 to 200 attendees. Security was a pressing point of the event, as several political leaders were on the guest list.

A source revealed, “Till Friday evening, the location of the engagement was not disclosed to guests for security reasons. On Saturday morning, special state-assigned security guards conducted a survey of the bungalow. At the function, guests were escorted through a meticulously guarded lane leading to the venue, making it an impenetrable fortress for trespassers. A dedicated space was built for the paparazzi outside the bungalow, thus ensuring that no angle of this extravagant affair went undocumented. An additional security company was put on the job to ensure no last-minute concerns.”

The swish set of Mumbai and Delhi came together for the do. From tinsel town, Chopra invited friend-fashion designer Manish Malhotra to share in her joy, who had recently designed Kiara Advani’s wedding trousseau. He dressed the actor on her big day.

Chopra looked resplendent in Malhotra’s floral outfit that was perfectly in sync with the dreamy pastel theme of the engagement ceremony. Actor-cousin Priyanka Chopra Jonas looked bright and cheerful in the neon ensemble. Sadly, husband Nick Jonas was missing from the family function.

The function saw prominent leaders from AAP as well as notable political journalists in attendance. The couple also invited political bigwigs including, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and wife Sunita, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi with wife Anita, TMC MP Derek O’Brien with wife Tonuca Basu, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, and Aaditya Thackeray. Some of the couple’s friends from London also flew down for the ceremony. We hear an October wedding is on the cards for the couple.

Before actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas found love in the arms of her husband, singer Nick Jonas, she was linked with multiple people from Bollywood. However, Priyanka never confirmed or denied the rumours. In a recent episode of Alex Cooper’s podcast Call Her Daddy, she spoke at length about all the actors she dated in India.

The Citadel star said she was a “serial monogamist” when it came to dating. “I went from relationship to relationship. I did not give myself time. I always ended up dating the actors I worked with or people I met on the set. I had an idea of what a relationship should be like, and I kept seeking that and trying to fit the people that came into my life into my idea of that relationship,” she shares.

Now based in Los Angeles (USA), the 40-year-old, during the chat, admitted that she would feel the need “to be the caretaker” in her previous relationships and always felt “like it’s okay to cancel my job or my work or my meeting or my priority to make sure that he’s propped up”.

Priyanka added, “It (prioritizing her boyfriends) was so normalized in my brain that I ended up giving the power [in the relationship to them and] I never stood up for myself. I literally would become like a doormat.”

While some of her “relationships may have ended really badly”, she believes that her exes have “been really wonderful”.

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Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas is headed to Delhi for her cousin, Parineeti Chopra’s engagement to politician Raghav Chadha in Delhi tomorrow (May 13). “She will be reaching Delhi tomorrow morning. Her husband, Nick Jonas, is not expected to accompany her,” says a source.

Couturier Manish Malhotra, who has designed Parineeti’s engagement outfit, will also be in attendance. The guests will be seen in pastel ensembles, sticking to the event theme.