Showing posts with label Mika Singh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mika Singh. Show all posts
Shefali Jariwala passes away at 42; friends, colleagues shocked at her untimely demise
8:40 AM
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; June 29, 2025)
Shefali Jariwala, best known as the Kaanta Laga girl, passed away at the age of 42 on June 27 in Mumbai. She reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to a hospital by her husband, Parag Tyagi. She was declared dead on arrival. A post-mortem was later conducted at the hospital.
Rising to fame in 2002 with the music video Kaanta Laga, she later appeared in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and participated in reality shows like Bigg Boss 13 and Nach Baliye 5. Known for her candour, she had also spoken openly about battling epilepsy and mental health issues.
The news of Shefali Jariwala’s sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. Her friends and colleagues are “shocked and saddened” by the untimely passing of the actress.
I wish spent more time and made more memories: Mika Singh
Mika Singh, who had worked with Shefali in the music video Hoton Pe Bas, said, “Life is so unpredictable. I knew this beautiful soul for over 25 years. We did countless shows together, crossed paths at many events, yet never truly got the chance to work closely. Then in 2020, Shefali called me and said, ‘Let’s do a song.’ We finally made it happen. Now I sit here thinking, I wish we had done more. Spent more time and made more memories. This has made me realize life is short and we must keep in touch with our loved ones… because sometimes, we don’t get a second chance.”
On set, she was always cheerful and down-to-earth: Surbhi Shukla
Shefali appeared in the TV show Shaitani Rasmein last year. Her co-actor Surbhi Shukla said, “I’m still finding it hard to believe she’s gone. On set, she was always cheerful and down-to-earth. At the same time, she was very hardworking, often quietly sitting in a corner, going over her lines with full dedication. She was fit, committed and full of life. She was very kind, warm and a great co-actor. What I remember most is her at our 50-episode celebration — dancing, singing, and laughing. That happy image is what stays with me now.”
Her absence will be deeply felt: Rahul Vaidya
I had known her for 15 years — we had performed together at a few live shows. She supported me during Bigg Boss. The last time we spoke was a year ago. We had even discussed collaborating on a song. She was a kind-hearted and fun-loving soul. Her absence will be deeply felt.
Shefali wanted to adopt a child once
Earlier in an interview with us, Shefali had spoken about her plans to adopt a child. However, post the pandemic, she had said, “I have lost too many close ones in this period, which has made me realize that life is fragile. I am scared to become a parent now, but Parag is ready. I believe you should bring home your baby only when you are ready and confident. I have just taken a step back and will wait until I feel confident to take that step in life.”
– Inputs by Neha Maheshwri and Onkar Kulkarni
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Shefali Jariwala, who rose to fame with the Kaanta Laga music video, is suspected to have died of a cardiac arrest
S Farah Rizvi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 29, 2025)
Actor Shefali Jariwala, widely known as the “Kaanta Laga girl” for her iconic early 2000s music video, died at the age of 42 on June 27. Mumbai Police have confirmed her passing.
“Her body was found at her residence in Andheri. The police received the information at 1 am (early hours of Saturday). Her body has been sent to Cooper Hospital for postmortem. The cause of her death is not yet clear,” police told PTI on Saturday.
She was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in suburban Mumbai by her husband, actor Parag Tyagi, and three others around 11.15 pm on Friday, where she was declared dead. Parag was seen leaving the hospital but did not speak to the media till the time of going to press. The cause of her death remains unclear, though some sources suggest she may have suffered a cardiac arrest.
Shefali, also known for her dance numbers in films like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) and Hudugaru (2011), was earlier married to music composer Harmeet Singh. They separated in 2009 after five years of marriage. She married Parag in 2014. They had no children.
KIKU SHARDA
The actor-comedian was among the first to post: “Of course, it’s a shocker for all. Working with her on a couple of shows, she was so full of life and that big smile on her face. I mean, it’s unbelievable for all of us, the entire fraternity.”
VINDU DARA SINGH
”I worked with her on a show. She was a livewire on stage, no fatigue even when performing live for long stretches. Of late, she was worried about her father who was not keeping well. But Parag, as she always said, was her source of strength.”
SUYYASH RAI
“Parag and Shefali have been close to us. Shefali was among the most pleasant and happy people around. Whenever we got time to catch up at parties or gatherings, she was the brightest and happiest to be with.”
SHARAD MALHOTRA
Shefali worked with Sharad on a web series Ratri ke Yatri. He says, “She was among the best of co-stars. I remember during the promotions, she praised me as a good co-actor, and it was mutual admiration for the person and performer she was.”
MIKA SINGH
The singer wrote on Insta, “I’m deeply shocked, saddened, and feeling a heavy heart... Our beloved star and my dearest friend has left us. Still can’t believe it. You will always be remembered for your grace, smile, and spirit. Om Shanti.”
In an old interview clip that is going viral on social media, Shefali said, “There can only be one Kaanta Laga girl... and that is me. I love it. I want to be known as the Kaanta Laga girl till the day I die.”
It was horrible working with Bipasha Basu, Karan Singh Grover-Mika Singh
8:27 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (December 30, 2024)
Singer Mika Singh has called out actor-couple Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover over his experience of working with them on the OTT series Dangerous (2020), which was co-produced by him.
Speaking on the Kadak podcast, the singer said, “I wanted to cast Karan and a newcomer girl so that the project remains under budget, but Bipasha jumped into it. They didn’t exceed the budget, but the experience was horrible.”
Singh said that the couple created a “lot of drama”: “We took a team of 50 people to London for a month, but it ended up being two months! Karan and Bipasha caused a lot of drama. Since they were a married couple, I had booked a single room for them, but they were like, ‘No way, we want separate rooms.’ Then, they asked to switch to a different hotel, so we did.”
He also claimed that though a kissing scene was a part of their contract, the actors refused to perform it. “They even created issues while dubbing, with excuses like they have a sore throat. I couldn’t understand the drama, especially when they were paid for their work,” he said.
Mika Singh lost Rs. 15 crores when he postponed his world tour
8:51 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 23, 2023)
It has been a hard few days for Mika Singh, who had to take the “tough decision” to postpone his world tour after suffering from a throat infection. This lead to severe financial losses for the singer.
He had to cancel shows in Malaysia, Singapore, Bali, Thailand and Australia and will reschedule them next year. “We suffered a loss of around Rs. 10-15 crores because the shows were scheduled back-to-back. It was important for me to postpone the shows instead of playing CDs [in the background] or lip-syncing in name of a live show, which many singers do these days. Aaj tak ki saari mehnat, image, respect, sab kharab ho jaati [if I did so],” says Singh, who is in California (US) as his health didn’t permit him to travel back to India.
The Miss You singer is feeling “fit and fine”, will soon begin recording. Also geared up to recover from his loss, he says, “In 24 years, this is the first time I postponed my shows because of my health. I am always very careful and take many precautions, especially for my throat.”
Learning from this setback, Singh says, he “will never add tour spots in so many countries, at one go”. He adds, “I will divide it because it gets tiring and sabka nuksaan hota hai. Rest is also important.”
I feel only those who cannot sing live do lip syncing-Daler Mehndi
8:20 AM
Daler Mehndi talks about the trend of singers lip-syncing during concerts and how technology is affecting music
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 9, 2023)
Music has undergone a sea change in the last decade and with audio processors like autotune available at the tip of your finger, almost anyone can sound good. And that is what singer Daler Mehndi is apprehensive about, as he believes it (the use of autotune) is “going overboard”.
Singer Armaan Malik had tweeted about lip-sync being a common practice at live shows, with singers preferring to “vibe” and not sing live, while the song plays in the background. “Gurdas Maan (singer) ji live gaate hain, main live gaata hoon aur mera chhota bhai, Mika (Singh; singer), bhi live gaata hai. Other singers like Sonu Nigam and Shaan also sing live. I feel only those who cannot sing live do lip-syncing,” says Mehndi.
The 55-year-old adds that the issue of lip-syncing has been a matter of discussion for a long time. “This topic has been going on for the last 15 years now. Koi nayi baat toh abhi ho nahin rahi hai. I am sure some federation will raise this issue [in the coming days],” says the Garda (Atrangi Re; 2021) singer.
Ask him about the kind of changes that are the need of the hour as far as Hindi film music industry is concerned and the Dardi Rab Rab Kardi (1996) singer shares, “Main kuch badal toh nahin sakta. But I feel every song has a soul [which technology drains out]. Ab toh aisi technology aa gayi hai ki aap hello bolo mic pe aur pura gaana aapki awaaz mein record kar denge. I feel this is very dangerous and it affects the music scene at large.”
People call me names like buddhi and gold digger, and it’s heartbreaking-Chahatt Khanna
8:21 AM
The actor opens up about getting trolled, calls it heartbreaking
Syeda Eba Fatima (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 22, 2023)
Chahatt Khanna has often been on the receiving end of trolling, be it for her linkups with singer Mika Singh and conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar or for speaking her mind on social media. The 36-year-old calls all this “heartbreaking” and says the negativity gets to her.
“People call me names like buddhi and gold-digger, and it’s heartbreaking,” says Khanna, adding, “They say such mean things without realising how hard I work. Just because I am not seen on camera does not mean I am not working. I am busy with my startup, which is worth crores. I can’t go to people and tell them, ‘Hello, I am an entrepreneur’. But this disturbs me.”
Khanna feels she’s subjected to constant scrutiny for things that are “not even true”. She shares that no matter what she does, it somehow turns against her. “Every time I’m like, ‘Okay, there is another controversy’. Even if I post a picture, people think I am getting married, like when I posted Mika’s pictures. There was nothing between us, but still, it turned into a big deal,” she tells us.
All this has made the actor “wary of what I say or put in public”. She elaborates, “Main apne bhai ke saath bhi photo daalungi toh [log] bolenge ki naya boyfriend hai. I cannot stop living my life [due to this], but I will definitely stop sharing on social media.”
The Qubool Hai actor despises the fact that, as a public figure, she’s told that she must refrain from certain activities, including sharing her opinion on things, as she did for fashion influencer Uorfi Javed’s clothes. “People say, ‘At least tumhein toh ye sab nahin karna ya kehna chahiye’. And my question to them is: why this pressure and unrealistic expectation from me? Is it because I am a public figure? Aren’t we humans as well?”
Calling it unjust, Khanna points out how, like any other person, public figures also have opinions, “but every time we put them forward, we are trolled”.
Mika Singh and I are just friends, not a couple-Akanksha Puri
8:42 AM
The actress talks about her equation with Mika Singh post their swayamvar on national television and allegations of their match being fake
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; October 22, 2022)
Akanksha Puri was declared winner of the reality show Swayamvar - Mika Di Vohti, where the singer chose her as his future life partner. Soon after the show, Akanksha said that Mika and she would take things ahead one step at a time, and, eventually, decide about tying the knot. It’s been three months now and there is no news on that front. So, we asked Aakanksha about the rapport they share today and their future plans. In a candid chat with us, the actress said, “We mentioned on the show that we were friends for many years. We continue to be that. We are just friends and not a couple.”
But the show was about finding a partner for marriage and the two even exchanged varmalas, so weren’t they looking at taking their friendship to the next level in the past couple of months? Akanksha replied, “Yes, the swayamvar was about choosing a partner, so we decided on each other as we have known each other for almost a decade. We have never said that we are in love or displayed any romance. We were clear that we were looking for a life partner and preferably someone who has been a friend. But post the show, nothing has changed between us and we continue to be the same old friends that we were.”
She further added, “We are protective of each other and respect each other. We both individually have had bitter experiences in life, so we are going slow. We don’t hold hands or indulge in any PDA because we know where we stand. Also, currently, we are busy working; in fact, we are both workaholics and understand each other’s professional commitments.”
Right at the beginning of the swayamvar on TV, many people felt it would not lead to anything concrete. Later, when Akanksha was made the winner, they were further convinced that it was all fake, and that the two would pretend to be a couple and break-up in some time. Akanksha, however, is unfazed by these comments. “Mika and I are both used to people talking about us, it doesn’t bother us,” she said.
On the work front, the actress is currently shooting for a web show.
A lot of Punjabi singers, including Gippy Grewal and Mankirt Aulakh, have also received threats-Mika Singh
7:45 AM
Mika Singh opens up about plight of celebs and the fear that has engulfed the industry
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 3, 2022)
Singer Mika Singh is heartbroken about the death of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, in a shooting incident, and shares his worries about the gangster nexus targeting celebrities. “It is not just Sidhu who was getting threats; a lot of Punjabi singers, including Gippy Grewal and Mankirt Aulakh, have also received threats. The incident (Moosewala’s murder) should be a wake-up call for everyone,” says Singh, whose security has been beefed up as a precaution.
“Gangsters often demand money from singers in Punjab. Jaise hi aap hit hote ho, ya shows chalne shuru hote hain, threats aane shuru ho jaate hain. For instance, recently, Gippy’s film became a huge hit, and uske baad hi usko threat aa gaya, and security tight ho gayi,” he continues,
“Earlier, we used to hear about Mumbai’s underworld. Ab woh underworld Punjab mein shuru ho gaya hai. Kal ko celebs will stop coming to Punjab for shooting or shows.”
He reveals that he has to live with the regret that he didn’t ask Moosewala to move to Mumbai when he last interacted with him in May. “He came to meet me in Mumbai and was happy that he travelled alone from the airport to my home. He even asked me how I deal with such threats… Now, I feel bad that I didn’t ask him to shift to Mumbai,” shares Singh, who is currently filming a reality show in Rajasthan.
The singer feels celebrities have become easy targets, and asserts, “I am telling you from personal experience, dealing with threats is difficult... Ab aisa dar ho gaya hai ki anyone who goes to Punjab will think about this incident. I am not blaming the government, but the question is: are we safe in Punjab?”
Singh points out that the gangster nexus has become prevalent in the last six years in “Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh” and celebs make for easy targets. “In fact, artistes do give them the money they demand. But we need to get hold of these people,” he says, reiterating that a sense of fear has engulfed the industry.
“Sab dare hue hain. Kuch toh post bhi nahin kar rahe hain dar ke maare. Now, many will give the gangsters what they want, and not file a complaint against them. We need to speak up about it and find a solution, instead of getting into blame game,” he concludes.
How could I have missed out on planning my brother Mika Singh’s wedding?-Shaan
8:39 AM
The singer talks about returning to hosting on TV after 15 years with a show that has nothing to do with music
Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; May 15, 2022)
Shaan is gearing up to host a show on TV after almost 15 years. He will be seen hosting Swayamvar - Mika Di Vohti, a reality show where his buddy, singer Mika Singh will be looking for a life partner. So far, Shaan has hosted music shows, so why did he decide on returning with this show?
Shaan says, “How could I have missed out on planning my brother Mika’s wedding? In fact, I have been asking about his wedding for the longest time. He even used to tell me ki bhai aap jab bhi milte ho ek hi baat karte ho. I have always wanted this for him, that there should be someone jo Mika ko sambhale.”
Shaan says he will try to be different with his hosting skills in this one. “I don’t know how I will be hosting this show, whether I will bring in the comedy angle or not. But I’ve known Mika for the longest time now, and I will bring out the guy behind those dark glasses, the real Mika.”
On the music front, Shaan, who recently composed a song in his mother’s memory, has also started doing live shows. He says, “Live shows have resumed after two years, so I am pretty busy travelling to different cities.”
Talking about the current music scene in Bollywood, Shaan shares, “The great thing about the music of today is that there is something for everyone. You can ignore the music which you don’t like and find something which suits your taste. Also, I am more into composing these days. I have tried different genres and there are takers for all sorts of genres. I am really enjoying this phase as I am not being forced to fit into one kind of box.”
There are things which the singer misses. “Film music has become very confusing today. Songs earlier used to be larger than life and films had a lot of song and dance. But today’s tracks are closer to the story and are just background songs,” he adds.
Koi Mil Gaya singer Taz passes away
8:23 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (May 1, 2022)
Indian-origin British singer-composer Taz, 54, of the ’90s hit pop band Stereo Nation has died. According to multiple reports, he was suffering from hernia. His health had been deteriorating in the past few months and he was even in coma for some time. Earlier in March, his family had released a statement that Taz was out of coma and was showing improvement.
The singer, whose real name was Tarsame Singh Saini, was credited with being the pioneer of cross-cultural Asian fusion music. Some of his most notable tracks include Pyar Ho Gaya, Nachange Saari Raat, and Gallan Goriyan. He changed the desi music game back in the ’90s and formed Stereo Nation in 1996.
He also gave Bollywood hits like Daru Vich Pyar (Tum Bin; 2001), It’s Magic (Koi Mil Gaya; 2003) and Mujhpe Toh Jadoo (Race; 2008). Gallan Goriyan was even recreated for Batla House (2019).
Notable names from the music world took to social media to share condolences. Singer Mika Singh tweeted, “I’ve grown up listening to his music... May God bless his soul.” Singer Bally Sagoo posted, “RIP brother... You will truly be missed.”
Taking to Twitter, singer Jassi Sidhu wrote, “From my 1st ever tour alongside him in 1999 to now was always a gentleman. Made pop bhangra that we all hear now decades ago & took it to the masses a pioneer. Your legacy lives on...”
“He inspired many artists with his unique sound and amazing songs... Way ahead of his time,” singer Raghav Sachar wrote. And singer Jay Sean wrote, “You touched so many lives and continue to as your music lives on.”
Singer-composer Adnan Sami said, “Can’t believe it!! Extremely saddened and shocked...” HTC
Mika Singh ‘abuses’ a journalist after asked about Rakhi Sawant's participation in his swayamvar show
8:37 AM
Mika Singh ‘abused’ a journalist at a press interaction for his new matchmaking show when asked about the possibility of actor Rakhi Sawant’s participation in it
Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 4, 2022)
Singer Mika Singh is looking for a bride, but much before the commencement of his matchmaking reality show, Swayamvar - Mika Di Vohti, the drama has started unfolding. Singh, who was recently in Delhi for a press interaction for the upcoming show, lost his calm during the event and hurled abuses at a senior journalist.
A source says, “The incident took place at a banquet hall when a news channel editor asked Mika about (actor) Rakhi Sawant’s participation in the show (the duo made news for a kiss controversy in 2006). He maintained his calm in front of the media, but soon walked away from the venue. He called the scribe, the show’s entire team into a room and had a verbal spat with the journalist.”
An eye-witness adds, “Mika abused the journalist. He was really upset on being asked about Rakhi and said something to the effect of being in no comparison with her. He refused to do any interviews with the media present, claiming he was too big for them, but he agreed after coaxing by the team.”
Meanwhile, the show’s team apologised to the journalist and ensured whatever happened in the room didn’t leak out. “His (Singh’s) starry tantrums have already got the team stressed. The channel cannot even say anything to him, as he is the face of the show,” a source from the production said.
Singh maintained a “no comments” stance when asked about the incident. The journalist didn’t comment on the matter either.
I have said no to at least 100 to 150 rishtas in last 20 years-Mika Singh
8:19 AM
Riya Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; March 29, 2022)
After attending many weddings as a performer, it seems like the wedding bells are finally going to ring for Mika Singh. In the age ofdating apps, the singer has decided to find love on TV through a reality show. Going all out to find a life partner for himself, the Sawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag singer will be seen on an upcoming TV show Swayamvar - Mika Di Vohti. He shares that he was offered to do the show a decade back as well but he didn’t take it up then. However, now he felt that it was time for him to take the plunge.
In a chat with us, Mika revealed why he decided to take this route to find himself a partner. He says, “I think many people would want to have a swayamvar like this. I am lucky that I got an offer like this after many years. I was not ready earlier, I have said no to at least 100-150 rishtas in last 20 years, and my work was really important to me. People would think that I like to party and hangout with girls and that is my reason of not getting married but that was never the case. Meri family mein aaj tak meri itni himmat nahi hui ki main Daler paaji ko apni koi girlfriend dikhaun, humare mein yeh system nahi hai. Woh respect rehti hai. Finally, when this offer came Daler paaji said,‘Kar le, kya pata koi mil jaye. Tu waise toh humari baat nahi maan raha.”
But why now, we ask? “Right now, I am 44. Better hai ya toh main single rahoon, ya ab shaadi kar loon,” he shares. Talking about the kind of girl that he is looking for, Mika adds, “We should have an understanding. Girls know what they want and the kind of understanding they want, so I want someone like that.”
‘I PLAN TO FIND LOVE BY THE END OF THE SHOW’
When asked if he intends to find love by the end of the show, or does he plan to get married in the last episode, he says, “I am looking for love as well as marriage. Love hoga tabhi toh marriage hogi na! Love is blind, pyaar ek second mein bhi ho jaata hai and kabhi kabhi time lag jata hai. And sometimes hota hi nahi hai. Main show ke end tak pyaar dhundh lunga, phir shaadi bhi kar lunga. Wedding might not take place by the end of the show, but it’s a possibility. When couples get married, they post mushy pictures on social media for likes and comments. They want people to talk about them even if not many attend their wedding. That way, I am very lucky because each moment of my life will be telecasted. Meri khushi ka har pal saari duniya dekh rahi hogi.”
Talking about his family’s reaction, Mika shares that everyone is happy. “Mere ghar wale auntiyon wali baatein karte rehte hain. They say, ‘Koi hai toh bata de, main uske ghar pe baat kar lungi.’ Main bolta hoon koi nahi hai, toh kehte hain,‘Ho hi nahi sakta, sadda aina sona munda hai.’ They are happy that finally I have taken the first step. I don’t have a phobia or an issue in meeting people, mujhe bas saamne waale ke saath baith kar mana karna achha nahi lagta. I think what will her parents think and that’s why I have not met a girl for marriage in 20 years,” he says.
‘I TOTALLY LOVE MY IMAGE’
Does he want to change his image with the show, we ask? “I love my image, I don’t want to change it. Jo main hoon, mujhe pasand hai. I have had a very challenging life, main chaahe kuchh karu ya na karu tab bhi nazaron mein aa jata hoon. Agar main chup baitha hoon toh log chaahenge ki main kuchh karu – ya toh peeke gir jaaye ya gaadi thok de – but I love my image. I am a bad boy with a good heart and that’s why I have a huge fan following. I am here because of my fans, artistes announce their shows on social media, I don’t even do that. I have enough shows, songs and fans just like Salman bhai. Har insaan ki life mein do categories hoti hain – koi aapko pasand karta hai koi nahi karta, jisko apne artistes ko pasand karna hota hai woh karta hi hai,” he says.
Sharing about his former love interests, Mika points out he had a love life two decades back. “Uske baad main apne career mein hi busy raha. I had a girlfriend in 2001 and she was from Delhi so her parents were like, ‘Bollywood aisa hi hota hai, leave it’. I had another girlfriend during my struggling period and I told her that I am going to be an upcoming star, uske parents ne bola jab banega star tab dekhenge. Toh 2-3 meri girlfriends thi and teeno ki shaadi maine attend kari because meri life mein yeh important tha ki uske parents kya chahte hain. I am not selfish, I don’t want a life where me and my partner are cut off from our families, so it did not work out,” shares the singer.
He adds that he hopes to find a life partner through the show. Before Mika, Rahul Mahajan, Rakhi Sawant and Ratan Rajput have also taken this route to find a partner for themselves.
Now, singer Mika Singh to have a swayamvar on national television; Mona Singh to host
8:31 AM
Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; March 1, 2022)
After Rakhi Sawant, Mallika Sherawat, Rahul Mahajan and Ratan Rajput had their swayamvars on national television, we hear that Bollywood singer Mika Singh is all set to look for his bride on a reality show. According to a source, “The show will be similar to swayamvars from the past. It will go on air in a few months. Mika will not get married on the show, he will only get engaged and take his relationship further after that. Contestants participating in the show will be from across the country.”
Viewers are often skeptical about such shows because all three women celebs — Ratan Rajput, Rakhi Sawant and Mallika Sherawat — did not eventually marry the partner they chose on the show.
However, Rahul Mahajan did tie the knot with Dimpy Ganguly, a 25-yearold Bengali model and actress, who he met on his show Rahul Dulhaniya Le Jayega in 2010. The couple lived together for four years and eventually divorced in 2015.
In the case of Mallika, she chose a much younger Vijay Singh as her life partner on the reality show, The Bachelorette India, Mere Khayalon Ki Malika. Post the show in 2013, the two dated for a while before calling it quits. Ratan, who got engaged to Abhinav Sharma, called off her engagement soon after the show ended. The same happened in the case of Rakhi, who separated from Elesh Parujanwala, who she chose during her swayamvar.
Meanwhile, there is buzz that Rakhi is likely to appear on Mika’s show (remember their infamous
kiss that made headlines many years ago?). So, will she be a contestant? We’ll have to wait and watch.
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Vinay MR Mishra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 1, 2022)
Singer Mika Singh is all set to find a partner for himself. He will be part of a popular matchmaking reality show’s latest season.
Although, the show won’t be the next edition of the international series like the one that featured Mallika Sherawat, instead the concept is in the lines of the format that had celebrities such as Rakhi Sawant, Rahul Mahajan and Ratan Rajput hunting for their partner.
Furthermore, we’ve also exclusively learnt that actor Mona Singh is in talks to host the show. “The makers are keen to have Mona on board,” says a source close to the development. The team is yet to sign the papers.
When we asked Mona about it, she replies, “I don’t have any confirmation, (so) I’d like to not comment.”
Moreover, it is also said that Mika’s brother, singer Daler Mehndi will be an integral part in helping find the perfect partner for his younger brother.
“Mika is extremely kicked about the show, which is in the initial stages of making. He is on board, and has promised the makers to get his closest friends on the show as guests,” reveals an insider.
The untitled show will go on floors in July and depending on the singer’s availability, it’ll be shot either in Mumbai or an exotic location in India.
Mika and Daler didn’t respond to our calls till the time we went to press.
Mika Singh and I know way too much about each other to date-Akanksha Puri
8:26 AM
Akash Wadhwa (BOMBAY TIMES; January 8, 2022)
Akanksha Puri, who rose to fame with her character Parvati in the show Vighnaharta Ganesha, recently entered Bigg Boss Season 15 for a few days. Speculations about her entry have been rife ever since the actress first appeared on the reality show in season 13, when she was dating actor Paras Chhabra. “I finally went inside the Bigg Boss though for just a few days,” shared an excited Akanksha.
Akanksha also made news recently of being in a relationship with singer Mika Singh. Clearing the air, however, she said, “Mika ke saath toh meri engagement aur shaadi bhi kara di hai logon ne (laughs). I know him for more than a decade now. Mika and I know way too much about each other to date. Kabhi kabhi kisi ko bahot zyada jaanna bhi achha nahi hota. Mika is not someone whom I will get married to though we can play cupid for each other. Also, I don’t think Mika will get married now. I am not stuck up that I will not date anyone, I will if I get a good person.”
It’s disappointing to see people who once judged reality shows talk badly about them-Mika Singh
7:59 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; August 11, 2021)
Mika Singh’s team Punjab Lion won the reality show, Indian Pro Music League (IPML) recently. Talking about working during the Coronavirus pandemic, he says, “I was happy that we could resume work and sing again. Wapas kaam shuru hua, riyaaz karne aur musicians se interact karne ka mauka mila. While earlier the audience would watch us perform live, after we resumed the shoot, no one apart from the unit members could enter the set.”
He adds, “Main toh paida hi audience mein hua hoon. I have performed in over 25,000 shows in my career of 22 years. Jab audience saamne hoti hai mera toh ek mood banta hai gaana gaane ka. Toh aadat woh padi hui hai, aur mere gaane bhi phir saare naachnewale hain. However, given the restriction, I changed my strategy. I sang soft and melodious numbers. Our hard work bore fruit and we won on the show.”
While he enjoyed his stint on IPML, the singer says that he believes in taking a break from music reality shows to avoid overexposure. In his career, Mika has only judged only five shows.
He reasons, “I returned to judge a reality show after five years. I don’t want to be seen on TV regularly. We earn a lot of money through reality shows, but I also feel that your focus tends to shift from your first love — music. I feel that the audience gets bored of you eventually. If they are listening to you sing on a reality show, why will they wait for your song to be released? So, it’s imperative to take a break.”
Music reality shows have often been targeted for harping on contestants’ sob stories rather than focusing on their talent. Talking about it Mika says, “Look, people connect with such stories because all of us come across them in real life. The tears and emotions are genuine. It’s disappointing to see people who once judged reality shows talk badly about them today. They have also witnessed it during their seasons. Pichhle bees saal se chalta aa raha hai yeh rona dhona. It’s genuine and that’s why it is called reality. Problem ye hai ki jo log judge kar chuke hain aur dekha hai ye saara, aaj woh uske baare mein bol rahe hain. That’s wrong. Just because I am not approached to judge a reality show, I should not badmouth reality shows. Having said that, it’s the talent that takes you places.”
Kamaal R Khan itna sarr pe chadh gaya hai. Yeh cheez bahut pehle control ho jaani chahiye thi-Mika Singh
8:38 AM
Mika feels Kamaal R Khan is seeking publicity by picking names in Bollywood and it’s high time someone called out such people
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 7, 2021)
Mika Singh and self-proclaimed critic Kamaal R Khan (KRK) have been at loggerheads ever since the singer supported actor Salman Khan in his defamation lawsuit against KRK. And Singh is in no mood to back down; he says, “Isko seedha karke hi rahunga”. He tells us, “I’ve been watching KRK, and I keep thinking about his personal attacks. He has tried some on me too. Industry mein agar iss pagal ghode ko koi thik kar sakta hai, woh main hi hoon.” Until now, the singer refrained from getting into any feud for the sake of his family.
“They kept telling me, ‘Abhi sab achha chal raha hai, kya zaroorat hai’. That’s why I ignored. Ab woh itna sarr pe chadh gaya hai. Yeh cheez bahut pehle control ho jaani chahiye thi,” says Singh, 43, adding that a lot of people from the film industry are afraid of getting caught in KRK’s “dirty tactics”, and that’s why they keep ignoring him.
“Sabke baare mein itne gande remarks. [Late actor] Sushant Singh Rajput ke baare mein bhi he has said so much. Isiliye mujhe beech mein kudna pada,” Singh shares.
For the last two weeks, Singh and KRK’s feud has been gaining steam on social media, with the former announcing a song, KRK Kutta.
Explaining his stance, the Sawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag hitmaker says he’ll not take it lightly if KRK continues to talk about his family instead of critiquing his work. “He’s only seeking publicity by picking up names in Bollywood,” Singh adds.
But what took him so long to act against KRK’s defamatory statements? “He has also committed fraud by forging a signature while selling my cousin his property in Delhi. He apologized to me for that, and for targeting me on social media. I didn’t say anything back then to avoid controversies,” admits Singh.
In fact, he has already completed the song dedicated to KRK. “Gaane ke lyrics sunke dar jayega woh. Uss song ka meaning kuch bhi ho, but beats and sounds are very good. I’ll release it once things get better in the country,” Singh shares.
All about Mika-KRK’s war of words
Their spat started when Mika jumped into KRK’s ongoing legal tussle with actor Salman Khan over a defamation case. Backing Salman, Mika criticised KRK for making personal attacks against actors. Since then, Mika has been calling him out — from standing in front of his house in Mumbai to dedicating a song to him. KRK retaliated through Twitter, labelling him as a “chirkut singer”.
I’ve explored other genres, but people still associate me with love songs-Ankit Tiwari
7:59 AM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; May 26, 2021)
Ankit Tiwari, popularly known as the Sunn Raha Hai Tu music composer and singer from Aashiqui 2, has struggled to make a name for himself in the music world. Post Aashiqui 2, Tiwari has been known for his love songs in films such as Ek Villain and Roy. He says, “If my name is associated with love songs, I am proud of it, because to get associated with a genre is an achievement in the Indian music world. Having said that, I do want to explore other genres and have around 100 different songs in my bank.”
He adds, “A few years ago, I sang a song called Dil Cheez Tujhe Dedi from Airlift, but people were not ready to believe that it was my composition. They felt it belonged to Pritam Chakraborty. It was much later that people realised that I had composed it. The image of being a composer of love songs has stuck and I am happy about it now.”
Ankit is currently seen as a mentor for one of the teams in the music reality show Indian Pro Music League. He says, “I am junior to all the singers, who are participating in the show. Kailash Kher, Shaan, Sajid Khan and Mika Singh are all my seniors and have done a huge amount of work on television. I can never compete with them. I am new in this arena and learning my way around here.”
Ankit also had a music band, which unfortunately had to split up due to the lockdown. He says, “We are living in very uncertain times. I had some talented musicians in my band, but they had to relocate to their hometowns because there was not much work happening due to the pandemic. We are hoping for things to get better soon. If you are alive and healthy, then I consider it a blessing during these times.”
Ranveer Singh would be right for my biopic-Sukhbir
8:11 AM
Ankur Batra (BOMBAY TIMES; January 29, 2021)
When singer Sukhbir’s 90s hit songs Taare Gin Gin (Hindi Medium) and Sauda Khara Khara (Good Newwz) were featured in Bollywood films, he remembered his days of redoing old tracks on stage to make them peppier again.
Dubai-based Sukhbir, a Kenyan national, remembers taking Heera group’s Dowain Jaaniya on stage. “If someone says ‘Oh, we have grown old listening to Taare Gin Gin or Nachdi’, I tell them that Dowain Jaaniya was my era. And when they (Hindi cinema) played a bit with my songs, I was happy,” says Sukhbir.
He feels the recreated versions of his songs proved vital in bringing the older version back to life. “Some fans complain that my old songs reworked, whereas the new listeners have started connecting with it. Now, with Nachdi song too it helped people revisit the old times. Bollywood has extended the life of my songs.”
HINDI MEDIUM GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET IRRFAN SAAB
Talking about his meeting with Irrfan, he says, “When Taare Gin... was remade for it, I met Irrfan ji. Such an amazing soul he was. After the shoot woh mujhey kabhi nahi miley. Gazab insaan thay woh.”
BLACK GOGGLES HELPED IN STRIKING WORK-LIFE BALANCE
“When I remove dark black shades, no one recognises me. Once Kapil Sharma could not recognize me. Once, when Mika Singh, Guru Randhawa and I were together, they got mobbed but no one looked at me, only because I was without shades,” he says about his trademark look.
ENTERING PUNJABI CINEMA
Sukhbir, who will be seen in a Punjabi film, will also be singing in it. “The talks are on. When I was offered the film, I gave it a lot of thought. I am curious to explore it,” he signs off.
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‘Ranveer would be right for my biopic’
“I want Ranveer Singh to play my character if a biopic is made. However, if Deepika (Padukone) will play my wife then I will replace Ranveer and will play myself (laughs!),” he says. The singer,who dreams of flying a plane, needs to clock in another 26 hours to get his license. “One day, I want to fly a plane singing at the top of my voice,” he says. However, his son Kabir (6), wants to be an astronaut and fly a rocket. “I have twins — Kabir and daughter Kiran. My wife, Dimpy, wants them to follow their dreams.”
In my mind, I’m still 20. Also, smiling keeps you young-Shaan
8:20 AM
Shaan who, at 48, is having fun hosting silver jubilee concerts, turning into a Casanova gangster for the camera, and trying to establish himself as a film composer
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 6, 2020)
Singer Shaan who became a household name with Zee TV’s talent hunt show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, returned to host a 25-hour virtual musical concert, Ek Desh, Ek Raag, to commemorate the show’s silver jubilee in May and raise funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic. He admits that turning host again was fun, but he can’t do it regularly. “I’m not used to lenses and today, you need to read from the teleprompter unlike in the past when we were more impromptu. It was good when I was in my 20s, but now I’m in my 50s and it can only be a one-off event,” he admits. Point out that he still looks 20 and he quips, “In my mind, I’m still 20. Also, smiling keeps you young.”
In September, he had a chance meet with fellow singers Sonu Nigam and Abhijeet Bhattacharya when they found themselves cooped up in the same hotel, the Covid-19 scare stopping them from stepping out. “So, we got together, chatted, exchanged ideas and relived our musical journey. Sonu’s vlogs are anyway the talk of Covid times, and because of them, I got in the news too. Abhijeet da tested positive and since he was away from his family, I was worried for him, like a brother. He’d send me daily updates,” he reveals.
Meanwhile, Shaan himself has been creating a bank of new songs during the lockdown and now, is ready to release a Pinglish (Punjabi-English) party anthem, “Sniper”, the video for which was shot in Goa before the pandemic. “It didn’t feel right earlier, but now, with lockdown easing, the hip-hop track can bring the fun back into our lives,” he points out.
Interestingly, Shaan will be seen in a completely new avatar, that of a Casanova gangster. “My friends pushed me to try something new, reasoning that since I work out so much, I should put it to use and I fell into their trap. But hey, I am 48, and I thought abhi nahi toh kabhi nahi. So, I have a bunch of cool guys and girls around me in swimwear. I admit even I was a little apprehensive initially but after the shoot I realised the world has moved on and I should too,” he laughs, saying his kids were shocked to see their father like this while his wife called it a “mid-life crisis”. On his part, he quotes Mika Singh and promises you may love this new Shaan or hate him, but you won’t be able to ignore him.
He goes on to say that he wants to make his music available to as many people as possible, free of any commercial backing. “Music labels and producers take artists, make them big, then, leave them in some jungle and they are lost to the world. I’m fortunate to be one of the last few artists who still have control over their music. I know I’m no longer at my peak, but that shouldn’t stop me from having fun and exploring more,” he points out, saying he’s accepting smaller films to establish himself as a composer. “Hopefully, in the next three-four years I will be a brand.”
Check out free-spirited Kiara Advani in 'Hasina Pagal Deewani' song from Indoo Ki Jawani
8:09 AM
Kiara Advani goes berserk with a dating app in her upcoming film
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 15, 2020)
2019 was a career-defining year for Kiara Advani with Kabir Singh and Good Newwz. The actress had hoped to keep the momentum going with four releases this year, till the Coronavirus-triggered pandemic played spoilsport. Now, finally, Indoo Ki Jawani, a-coming-of-age story of a free-spirited, small town girl from Ghaziabad, is gearing up for release over the next couple of months and Kiara is smiling again. “None of us had imagined that our lives would pause like this. Last year, I was showered with so much love and support that multiplied with every release. I’m excited to reach out to the audience who have been so positive amidst the pandemic and bring joy in these gloomy times,” she exults.
Nikkhil Advani, who is producing the film with Bhushan Kumar and Ryan Stephen, describes it as a comedy, but is quick to add that it’s also a story of heartbreaks. “It’s because Indoo has broken up with her boyfriend that she decides to experiment with a dating app and brings chaos into her housing colony as she randomly swipes on it,” he explains.
For Kiara, her screen avatar and the essence of the film is encapsulated in the song “Hasina Pagal Deewani”. “Indoo is every young Indian girl… Endearing and lovable, quirky, feisty and spunky, all at the same time,” she states.
The Mika-Asses Kaur song is picturised on a heartbroken and sozzled Indoo, who creates a tamasha at a wedding in her own colony in the presence of her shocked parents and neighbours. “It is a fun song, composed by Mika, and also features Aditya Seal. Watch out for Kiara and Aditya, they are a riot together,” Bhushan promises. The film marks the Bollywood directorial debut of Bengali writer-filmmaker, Abir Sengupta.
Ask Nikkhil about the film’s release plan and he keeps it short, “We are committed to making films for the big screen.”
I would want my first child to be adopted-Shefali Jariwala
8:01 AM
Shefali Jariwala has convinced husband Parag Tyagi, but the process of bringing a girl child home has been interrupted by the lockdown
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 24, 2020)
When Shefali Jariwala signed up as a wild card entrant on the last edition of Salman Khan’s realilty show Bigg Boss, after refusing to feature in the first season and every subsequent offer thereafter, little did she know it would serve as prep for the coming months. Evicted in Week 17, she was basking in all the attention coming her way, till the Coronavirus-triggered pandemic brought the world to a halt. But the dancer-actress prefers this lockdown to being under the surveillance of 150 cameras while locked up in the Bigg Boss house. “At least there is no controversy here; no one is getting eliminated every week. I am also full of gratitude for all that I have with me through the lockdown—my family, the TV and phone. In the house, you don’t even get a piece of paper and a pen,” she points out.
However, she admits that had it not been for the show, she would have “gone nuts” under house arrest. “After learning to cook and clean bathrooms on camera, there was no shame in doing the same at home. Having been captain of the house, I had also learnt to delegate work. I gave Parag (Tyagi, actor-husband) a set of duties and kept the rest for myself, telling him to stay out of my way,” she chuckles.
During her time in the house, Shefali had spoken of her desire to adopt a girl child. She says she has been ready since the first time she visited an orphanage at the age of 10. “After five years of marriage, everyone was going, ‘bachcha, bachcha, bachcha’. That’s when I spoke to Parag about adoption. My life has been like a fairytale and I want to share this love and blessing with someone. It took a while for him and our families to understand and accept my decision,” she relays, rueing the delay brought on by the lockdown. “Research, paperwork and counselling sessions take time, but we are positive,” she adds wistfully. And what about a child of her own? “Never say never. But for having a baby, we have to be together, right?” she laughs, adding, “I would want my first child to be adopted. If we go for a second child, maybe I’ll have one of my own.”
But as of now, she’s busy with musician-friend Mika Singh’s music video. “He sent over the remixed version of ‘Honthon Pe Bas’ and asked me to collaborate. I loved the song and he managed to get it shot during the lockdown. I tried singing too, but I sound like a cockroach, so we both stuck to what I know best,” guffaws the self-proclaimed ‘thong girl of India’ who created a stir when she gyrated to a remixed version of “Kaanta Laga” for her debut music video in 2002, recreating the same in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. “It was the first time a remix was used in a film and with names like Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, there was no way I’d say no,” she points out.
However, Shefali has refused acting offers in films and TV because it was uncharted territory, choosing to do stage shows instead and completing her education on her father’s insistence. “Like every teenager, I wanted to see myself on TV. There was the added lure of pocket money. But coming from an academic family, giving up on a degree was never an option,” says the qualified computer engineer and partner in her sister’s gamification company in Dubai. “If the lockdown lasts longer, I’ll sign up for MBA. I’m also looking forward to doing a comedy; I am a funny girl,” she giggles, signing off.
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