Actor Rakul Preet Singh addressed online speculation after a man claiming to be a plastic surgeon alleged she had undergone plastic surgery.

On Monday, she reshared a video on Instagram in which the man named Dr Prashant Yadav, analyzed her ‘then and now’ looks, claiming she had got Botox, fillers, and a nose job done. He also criticized her for not openly discussing her cosmetic procedures and focusing on fitness, thereby setting what he described as ‘unrealistic expectations’.

Issuing a sharp warning, Rakul wrote (see inset), “Fraud alert: it’s scary that people like him are claiming to be doctors and making statements without any factual checks and misleading people.” She added that while she has no issue with anyone choosing to undergo cosmetic procedures, spreading baseless claims in the name of science is unacceptable.

The actor emphasized that physical changes can also come from consistent fitness and discipline. “I have no issues if people do surgeries, but there is also another thing called weight loss that comes from hard work.”

We tried reaching out to Dr Yadav, but received no response till the time of going to press.

Actor Rakul Preet Singh has come forward to set the record straight on the buzz surrounding her husband, producer Jackky Bhagnani’s financial struggles after the failure of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024). She clarified that the production banner, Pooja Entertainment aka Puja Films, is not shutting down, adding that the situation had been blown out of proportion. During her appearance on the Humans of Bombay podcast, the actor also noted that financial fluctuations are part of the film business, citing example of actor Amitabh Bachchan’s journey as a producer.

Speaking about supporting Jackky through the crisis, Rakul said, “It was a very challenging time for the family and for him. But a lot of things said in the news weren’t correct. No company is shut. Yes, it’s a fact that two to three films didn’t work, and it was a huge blow that brought a lot of financial loss — but that happens with every producer. It even happened to Amitabh Bachchan at one point. This is all a phase.”

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024) flopped at the box office. In the aftermath, social media was flooded with reports claiming that the production banner was facing a financial crunch.

Also, several crew members accused the studio of not clearing their dues on time. A report by Bollywood Hungama claimed that the seven-floor office of the banner in Mumbai has been sold off to clear their Rs. 250 crore debt, which they denied eventually.

Last year, producers Vashu Bhagnani and Jackky also filed a complaint against director Ali Abbas Zafar for siphoning the subsidy funds he took from Abu Dhabi authorities during the shoot of the film.

De De Pyaar De 2’s successful run at the box office has brought much joy to Rakul Preet Singh. What has made her happier is that she held her own in the family entertainer opposite strong performers like Ajay Devgn and R Madhavan.

“I didn’t feel apprehensive when I was approached for the movie, even though Ajay and Madhavan are brilliant actors. There was never a fear of getting overshadowed as I have craved opportunities that put me in front of good actors. That enhances one’s abilities to perform. In fact, I was excited to work with them,” she smiles.

Director Anshul Sharma’s film follows the hilarity that ensues when Singh’s character brings home her much-older love interest, played by Devgn, to introduce to her parents. De De Pyaar De 2 is the latest addition to the many feel-good films that Singh has fronted in the last few years, including Mere Husband Ki Biwi and Thank God (2022). As much as she enjoys the girl-next-door roles, the actor is now keen to shift gears.

She shares, “I have always wanted to break the glamorous and girl-next-door image because I don’t want to be put in a box where people think I can only do mainstream cinema. I would love to experiment with different genres — romance, intense  roles, action movies, historical dramas, and biopics. I hope I get the opportunity to play different roles and go absolutely de-glam if I have to for a film.”

While ‘De De Pyaar De 2’ is Rakul Preet Singh’s first collaboration with R Madhavan, it marks her fourth outing with Ajay Devgn after ‘De De Pyaar De’ (2019), ‘Runway 34’ (2022), and ‘Thank God’ (2022).

Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday paid tribute to the victims of terror attacks, and the security personnel who continue to bravely defend the country. Speaking at the Global Peace Honours 2025, SRK remembered the people who lost their lives in 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008, the Pahalgam terror attack in April this year and the recent blast near Red Fort in Delhi.

Talking about the resilience shown by security forces, he said, “No one has been able to stop us, defeat us or snatch our peace away because as long as this country’s superheroes, the men in uniform are guarding us, peace and security will always stay in our land. I want to salute the mothers who gave birth to such brave sons. I salute the spirit of their fathers; I salute their partners. Even though the soldiers were on the battlefield, you also fought that battle with immense bravery.”

Dedicating a few lines to the country’s soldiers, SRK in his deep timbre voiced, “ Jab koi pooche tumse kya karte ho, seena thok ke kehna, desh ki raksha karta hoon. Pooche agar ke kitna kama lete ho, halke se muskurakar kehna ki 140 crore logon ki duayaein kama leta hoon. Aur agar mud ke pooche tumse ke kabhi darr nahi lagta, toh aankh se aankh mila ke kehna... ke jo hum pe hamla karte hain, unko lagta hai.”

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Actor Shah Rukh Khan attended the Global Peace Honours 2025 in Mumbai on Saturday, where he delivered a moving tribute to victims of recent terror attacks and praised the courage of India’s security forces.

In a clip shared by ANI, Shah Rukh honoured those killed in the 26/11 attacks, the Pahalgam terror attack and the recent Delhi blast, saying, “My humble tribute to the innocent people who lost their lives… and my respectful salute to our brave security personnel who were martyred in these attacks.”

He went on to recite lines dedicated to Indian soldiers, urging people to rise above caste and discrimination and “walk the path of humanity” so that the sacrifices of the country’s heroes “are not in vain”.

The event was attended by Ranveer Singh, Sara Tendulkar, A P Dhillon, Rakul Preet Singh, Jackky Bhagnani and members of the Ambani family. A heartwarming moment from the ceremony also won the internet, showing Shah Rukh entering the stage hand-in-hand with two young girls. He bent down to receive kisses from them and hugged them before escorting them offstage, prompting fans online to praise his warmth and kindness.

For Rakul Preet Singh, Diwali isn’t just a festival rooted in nostalgia. It’s lit up with tradition and seasoned with values passed down from her father, Diwali continues to hold a special place in her heart no matter where in the world she is.

Rakul says, “Diwali is one of my most favourite festivals. It’s all about meeting people, celebrating together – and for me, there’s this one tradition I never skip: the pre-Diwali cleaning and lighting up the house with diyas. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid. I used to make these small rangolis outside the house, decorate every corner, keep the doors open in the evening, and do the Diwali puja.”

The De De Pyaar De actress adds, “As a kid, my fondest Diwali memories were just being with all the kids around the neighbourhood. My brother and I would burst crackers. I used to be super excited about anars and rockets. That was such a fun phase.”

But she recollects how that phase didn’t last long. “After I turned 10, I stopped bursting crackers. My dad said, ‘Let’s not waste money on crackers – let’s feed people instead.’ And that stayed with me. It was a big shift in how I viewed Diwali,” she shares.

With festive parties in full swing in the city, Rakul admits that sticking to a fitness routine during Diwali is no easy feat. “That’s a battle I fight in my head all the time,” she laughs, adding, “With all the Diwali indulgences and so many parties happening, my fitness routine definitely goes for a toss.”

But she has a strategy to stay on track (mostly!). She says, “What I try to do is have my dinner before heading out for parties so that I’m already full. That way, I only end up nibbling. I give myself one day where I decide, ‘Okay, this is the party where I will eat,’ and then I work out a little extra the next day. Not that it fully compensates for bad eating, but at least in my head, it helps.”

Rakul Preet Singh’s life has been shaped by her Army background. Her father, Col (Veteran) Kulvinder Singh served in the Regiment of Artillery, which fires long range guns, rockets and missiles.

Looking back on her formative years today on Father’s Day, the actor reflects on growing up with a father in the Armed Forces. “I grew up in the cantonment, so everyone you know is an Army kid; you think that’s a way of life. Everyone’s father is visiting for a month or a weekend,” she shares.

Living through her dad’s deployment in uncertain times has made her emotionally strong, Rakul notes, “Post Kargil, there was Operation Parakram; the Armed Forces were deployed again and so was my father. For three months, we didn’t know whether they were coming back. You grow up in an atmosphere of fearlessness. Because of this, today trolls don’t affect me.”

While Col Singh was often posted far from his family, Rakul notes that the distance never hindered them one bit: “We used to talk to dad on trunk calls. When he was stationed in the North East around 1999 due to disturbances at the border, a mediator would pass our messages to him — we could hear dad’s reply but he couldn’t hear us.”

Col (Veteran) Kulvinder Singh is as full of praise for his actor-daughter as she is for him. “It’s been a wonderful experience, being a father to Rakul,” he says, adding, “We were two brothers in our family, we didn’t have a girl. Rakul was the first girl child. Any family is incomplete without a daughter.” 

Recalling his days of serving the country, he continues, “Rakul saw me stay away for operations for years. [But] one thing about Rakul and (her brother) Aman was that they would not get cranky that papa was away.”

The Hindi film industry is going through a tough time, with many big releases failing at the box office, especially since the beginning of this year. While filmmakers such as Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, Hansal Mehta and Anurag Kashyap have spoken about Bollywood’s need for reinvention in recent times, actor Rakul Preet Singh is more optimistic.

”This is a temporary phase. Things are starting to get better, and by next year, we’ll be in a much better place. I’m positive that the industry is going to bounce back. Look at the number of hits we’ve already had. It means people are going to theatres,” she says, referring to films such as Chhaava and The Diplomat.

However, the 34-year-old acknowledges that the times are indeed challenging: “It is an uncertain time and even the number of films being made have reduced. But you must keep working.”

Ask how she deals with a low phase and Rakul replies, “You need to have faith in yourself. Today, we’re talking about a scenario where there are lesser films and lesser work. There was also a time, 12-13 years back when I started auditioning and there was no work at all. But I had the belief that I will crack it. So today, I need to reiterate that even if times are tough, I will sail through.”

She adds, “I’m not saying that I’m the most talented or the prettiest, but I’m the most hard-working. If your intention towards your work is right, the universe will make it happen for you.”

It’s her first Lohri post shaadi, and Rakul Preet Singh, who tied the knot with Jackky Bhagnani in February 2024, is excited to celebrate the festival with the family she’s married into. The actress exclusively posed for us dressed in traditional finery and spoke about the many memories associated with the festival and how she plans to celebrate it this year.

Rakul says, “Every festival is about getting the family together and enjoying the festivities. Today, on Lohri, I am looking forward to spending time with my family. I am going to miss my maa ke haath ka khaana. There is some magic in mom-made food. Every time I visit my parents in Delhi, I tell my mom what to cook for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so I can relish it to the fullest,” says Rakul, who loves indulging in garma-garam sarson ka saag and makki ki roti on this occasion.

The De De Pyaar De actress shares that her husband Jackky, who is Sindhi, is more Punjabi than she is. “My brother (Aman Preet) always jokes that Jackky is Punjabi and I am Sindhi. I, too, think that Jackky is a dilkhush Punjabi… he is more like khule dil khaana peena. I have also taught him some Punjabi words like khota (silly), siyapa (problem) and meesana (cunning). That has become our language when we have to communicate something when others are present,” she says.

Rakul gets nostalgic and fondly remembers her childhood memories of celebrating Lohri in her Delhi home. She recalls, “On Lohri, I always remember the celebration we would have as kids with our grandparents. We used to sing songs like Sunder Mundriye, and in return, they would give us gifts and money. My brother and I would compete to see who gets the most gifts. We would have a big bonfire on the terrace or lawn, which was perfect as it would be very cold in Delhi.”

During all these years, even with a busy working schedule, the actress has mostly tried to be home during the festival. However, she recounts the time when she celebrated Lohri on a film set. “I remember shooting for Aiyaary (2018) on Lohri. We had a bonfire on set and threw moongfali, gud and other things into the fire as offerings,” she says. Talking about the custom of dancing around the bonfire, she adds, “I can’t do gidda, maybe I can see others and copy a step or two, but yes, I can do bhangra.”

Actor Rakul Preet Singh recently left her fans curious after her photo dump from London, where she was holidaying for the New Year’s, had a caption that spoke about food guilt. Ask about it and she shares, “I have always been into wellness, but there is a fine line before it becomes an obsession, which has happened with me in the past. I had to constantly tell myself, ‘It’s okay, you don’t have to check your weight daily’. This is the first time I’m speaking about it.”

The 34-year-old adds, “I felt that a lot of young girls will resonate with it. It’s not just about actors anymore; in this age of social media, Gen Z and the younger generations seek validation from how they look online. It’s all about how many likes a picture gets. I was reading a report about how so many young girls are bulimic or anorexic, and it led me to say that we all go through this guilt, and it’s okay. We need to talk about food depression among people, especially young girls.”

Singh admits that many young girls aspire for the physiques that female actors have and become body conscious. She says, “Young aspirational girls feel that actresses look wow. They should know that it’s a lot of work. Nobody is born like this. We all worry about that one pimple that’ll come up before a shoot; it’s human.”

The actor also points out people’s changing priorities due to societal expectations. “I have met young girls who say that they need to lose five kilos as there’s a wedding. They’ll stop eating, but you have to ask, is that wedding your priority or your life? I am not an expert to talk about it, but I feel that more food experts in India should talk about how young girls are going through this,” says Singh.

In her profession, does she constantly feel the pressure to meet these high beauty standards? “It depends on the kind of role you are playing. If you are doing a glamorous role, where you are supposed to look hot and sexy, you have to look like that. If I’m not doing justice to my role, I am not doing justice to my job,” she says.

She goes on to talk about not feeling the pressure of constantly looking a certain way: “As an actor, you are already putting yourself out there for scrutiny. So, you need to take it with a pinch of salt. Also, nobody is asking anybody to be extra lean or anorexic. You are just asked to be presentable, because it’s the demand of your profession.”

Around her birthday in October, actor Rakul Preet Singh took to Instagram to reveal she had suffered a back injury, leaving many of her fans worried. However, by Diwali, the actor was back on her feet, although far from fully recovered. Giving us an update about her health now, the actor says, “Generally, an injury like this takes about six to eight weeks of recovery time. I’m in my sixth week now.”

Talking about how the injury happened, the 34-year-old informs, “I attempted a very heavy 80 kgs deadlift on October 5. At that moment, I felt the pain rising from my tailbone. But I didn’t stop — which was my biggest mistake. Assuming it’s just a spasm, I kept working with that pain and it aggravated so much by October 10, my birthday eve, that I felt as if my lower body was detached from my upper body. I fainted with that pain and my BP dropped. Afterwards, I was bedridden for 10 days.”

Recalling the “vulnerable” time, Singh insists that her husband, producer Jackky Bhagnani has been her rock: “He can handle the toughest situation in the lightest way. When you know that person can make you laugh in any weakest moment, that’s important. I’m so glad and grateful that I get that from Jackky.”

Actor Aman Preet Singh was among the six people who tested positive for consumption of cocaine in connection with a drug raid conducted at Janab Fort View Apartment in Hydershakote village, Rangareddy district. It was a joint operation by the TGANB and Narsingi Police, revealed officials in a press conference conducted on Monday evening.

“We arrested five peddlers and identified 13 consumers in the operation and seized 199 grams of cocaine worth Rs. 35 lakhs, two passports, two bikes, ten cell phones, and other incriminating materials. They will be tried under the NDPS Act,” said C H Srinivas, DCP Rajendranagar, adding, “We have apprehended Aman and four others as consumers after they tested positive for cosumption. He has mentioned his occupation as an actor, but we still need to verify his identity.”

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After completing the medical examinations of the consumers, the local law and order police issued a 41 Notice (Station Bail) and released them, revealed DCP Srinivas Gupta, who added, “All of them are required to be present for the court hearing whenever it is scheduled.”

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Aman Preet Singh, brother of actress Rakul Preet Singh, was among those who tested positive for consuming cocaine during a drug raid in Hyderabad on Monday evening. Following medical tests, the local law and order police issued a 41 Notice (Station Bail) and released him and four others who tested positive, revealed DCP Srinivas Gupta on Tuesday. “This bail is applicable to those whose offences carry a sentence of under seven years. All of them are required to be present for the court hearing whenever it is scheduled,” he added. TNN

“I am elated to be a part of such a legendary franchise,” says Rakul Preet Singh, who plays a major role in Indian 2, produced by A Subaskaran of Lyca Productions. The actress vividly remembers the impact the original Indian (1996) had on her.

“After watching it, I was like, ‘Wow, what a film’. It is one of those films that you remember for the kind of impact it had on society. I never imagined that there would be a sequel to that film and that I’d star in it. So, I’m just extremely happy to be part of such a grand film that could be the voice of the country,” she says.

Rakul is also elated that she got to tick two names off her wish list by working in the film, which is set to hit screens on July 12. “When you become an actor, there’s a checklist of people that you want to work with one day. With Indian 2, I got a chance to work with two of those people – Kamal Haasan sir and Shankar sir! I admire the work ethic of both these stalwarts in their respective spaces. On the first day, Kamal sir’s prosthetics makeup took four to five hours. We were shooting in the outdoor heat of Chennai. We were sweating without wearing any prosthetics, but Kamal sir went about it calmly. A person of that stature doesn’t need to take on so much hardship at this point in his career, but he’s pushing the boundaries with his work and that too with a happy smile,” she gushes.

She calls Shankar “a delight to work with”. “He has such clarity of thought. It’s not easy to handle so many people and such huge sets, but the calm and composed attitude with which he goes about it is just amazing,” she says.

The actress is all praise for her costar Siddharth, who she’s paired with in the film “We all know that he is a talented actor. Otherwise, it’s not easy to complete two decades in an industry that is so cutthroat. He is an extremely easy person to work with, as he is friendly, enthusiastic and always happy,” she says.

“My character in the film is that of a headstrong and focused girl. She is very sorted and clear about what she wants. She voices out whatever she feels. I relate a lot to her because parts of her are also how I am in real life,” says Rakul.

Father-son duo Meezaan and Jaaved Jaaferi are set to come together on the silver screen for the first time. A source says the two have started shooting for Ajay Devgn’s upcoming film De De Pyaar De 2. The Luv Ranjan directorial is the sequel to Ajay’s 2019 film, which also featured Rakul Preet and Tabu.

The source tells us, “Luv Ranjan has been extremely tight-lipped about the project. It is said that Meezaan plays Rakul Preet’s ex or new love interest, while Javed is expected to essay the role of Meezaan’s father. The two have started shooting for it.” Meezaan, who made his Bollywood debut with Malaal in 2019, was last seen in Yaariyan 2 (2003).

De De Pyaar De 2 also stars R Madhavan. It remains to be seen whether Tabu will be a part of the sequel. “The makers want to keep that as a surprise element. She may return with a cameo,” the source adds.

Earlier while talking to us, Meezaan spoke about finding his own path and craving his own destiny in the industry. Meezaan refrains from using his last name. On his Instagram the actor chooses to stick to his first name and ironically even for his debut movie Malaal, his first name was utilized. While others may stick to their legacy and may bank on it, Meezaan is quite certain of not doing that.

“When Malaal came my screen name was only Meezaan. We wanted the name to be as is because it doesn’t hold any religious or family baggage. Also, it’s a unique and a standalone name. Even for Instagram, I just wanted it to be Meezaan,” the actor told us.

He also added, “My father always said, ‘Do it on your own terms, you have a fresh image; this way you don’t let anything come in your way as such’. So this way I am creating a standalone identity of mine courtesy of my work and not letting because of my family. I want to be known for my performances."

Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh-starrer comedy De De Pyaar De (2019) is getting a sequel, which is currently in production. The film was earlier supposed to feature actor Anil Kapoor, too. However, he later opted out and was replaced by actor R Madhavan, marking a back-to-back collaboration between him and Devgn after Shaitaan. We’ve now learnt some exclusive details about his character.

A source close to the development says, “Madhavan will play Rakul’s father in De De Pyaar De 2. The plot of the film will now be on the lines of the hilarious one-upmanship that will ensue between Ajay and Madhavan — over Rakul’s character dating a man older than her father. With Anil, that plotline wouldn’t have had the desired impact, since Anil is older than Ajay, but now, with Madhavan essaying the role, it fits the narrative aptly,” confirming that actor Tabu, who played Devgn’s wife in the first film, will not be returning.

De De Pyaar De followed the story of Ayesha (Singh), who falls in love with the much older Aashish (Devgn). In the sequel, the story will focus on how Ayesha’s family reacts to her relationship with an older man. The film is being directed by Anshul Sharma and is presently being shot in Mumbai with Singh and Devgn.

For Rakul Preet Singh, cycling has always been a way of life while growing up in different army cantonments where her father had been posted. In a chat with us, the actress shares her fondest memories of riding the two-wheeler, and how she hops on to a cycle whenever and wherever she gets a chance.

Rakul’s father gifted her a bicycle when she was in the 5th grade and taught her to ride it. She shares, “I used to ride my cycle with the supporting side wheels, which I refused to take off because I was afraid of losing my balance. Then one day, dad made them so loose that they came off while I was riding the cycle and he yelled, ‘Look you are cycling without the side supporters.’ While I was riding fine until then, the minute my dad pointed that out, I lost my balance and fell. I still have the bruise on my leg from the fall that day.”

Sharing an anecdote from her growing up years at various cantonments, Rakul says, “I stayed in Deolali, Jalandhar and Firozpur army cantonments. My parents made sure that my brother and I would move around on cycles, rather than take car rides. So, from going to school to going for our swimming sessions, we would use cycles. Riding a cycle has been an integral part of my growing up years,” shares the actress.

Rakul also prefers cycling to work, especially when she’s shooting at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. “The outer ring road in Hyderabad has a dedicated cycling track. Once I reach the ring road, I get the cycle out of my car and ride it for an hour till I reach Film City, while my car continues to follow me. Then I put the cycle back in my car, have a shower in my vanity van and get ready for the shoot,” she says.

The actress often rides bicycles with her husband Jackky Bhagnani when they are on foreign vacays. She tells us, “Jackky and I love to cycle around London, especially at Hyde Park. I never ride pillion! Do I look like someone who would ride a pillion? Phir woh cycle ho, bike ho ya car… bas mujhe hi chalani hai (laughs). It’s so much fun to cycle around in Amsterdam and London. They have cycle stations where you can pick up cycles from anywhere and drop them anywhere. It’s so convenient. And the weather there permits you to ride too.”

On this day dedicated to bicycles, Rakul urges people to take to this healthy way of life, saying, “Everyone should try and make a conscious effort to cycle around for short distances. We all need to make a collective effort towards a better future otherwise we are just consuming everything the planet has to offer and not giving back anything in return. So, wherever we can, we need to take these small steps.”

Actor Rakul Preet Singh has seen the image of strength and sacrifice in her mother, Rini Singh. In our run-up to Mother’s Day on May 12, our special series reflects on the bond celeb kids share with their mums. Born and brought up in Ambala (Punjab), Rini did her master’s degree in economics, followed by BEd. She also taught professionally in school before deciding to take up the role of a homemaker. 

“Being a homemaker is the toughest job. I don’t think this generation, including me, has an iota of skills compared to our mums,” says Rakul.

The actor’s father, Col Kulvinder Singh, is a retired army officer, and Rakul insists that it is “the toughest job to be an army officer’s wife”. “At times, dad was posted at border areas. We didn’t have phones back then, but my mum was fearlessly raising me and my brother. We never felt that our father wasn’t around, or our mother was scared,” she shares.

Rini adds, “I never gave myself time to think about the negative. I kept myself busy and used that time to make my kids learn everything out there.”

Rakul goes on to recall the time when they were in the Northeast for four years. She says, “Dad was posted at the Manipur border. At that time, if we didn’t have anything to do at home, mum would ask us to dance or sing, and she’d record us. Often on weekends, we would travel in convoys to meet dad. Many wouldn’t do it due to the risk involved, but my mum was fearless.”

Ask Rini where she got the courage from, and she says, “Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.”

“Rakul was so confident during Miss India! I never thought she would be comfortable in a bikini, but she did it well. She was just 18, but her thinking was so mature. I feel proud to have given birth to such a strong woman. So many people tell us, ‘Bachcha ho toh Rakul jaisa’.”

“My mum was the one to identify my talent and say I should act and go for Miss India. I would watch the pageant diligently every year, and one day she told me I should apply. I was tomboyish and said I wouldn’t be able to do it, but she was confident. She went with me for my bikini shopping. While dad also never had any reservations, my mum was the one to tell him, ‘It’s her dream and if she wants to do it, we should let her’.”

It’s their first Holi together as a couple and they can’t stop grinning ear-to-ear as they pose exclusively for a shoot with HT City. Afterwards actor-couple Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani sit down for a chat with us, sharing their excitement of celebrating the festival as newlyweds. Excerpts:

Jackky: I am very excited because she has finally brought colour to my life.

Rakul: Arre yaar aisi baatein karke hi he takes all the brownie points! (laughs) We haven’t played Holi together before this. This shoot is the first time we have applied colour to each other because Jackky was in London for the first two years [of us dating]. And last year he was shooting for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, so I played Holi with my friends.

Jackky: I used to play a lot. But of late, I have become conscious about water conservation. Of course we throw colours, but I haven’t played the typical kind of Holi anytime recently.

Rakul: We would love to play the colour wali Holi [as kids]. Any festival is a celebration of your closest people coming together and just having a good time. It’s all about food and feasting.

Jackky: Once my friends and I started playing Holi at nine in the morning, which went on till midnight!

Rakul: In Delhi, we used to play the dirty Holi, throw eggs at each other. When I was in school, we used to throw balloons, use pakka colour that would leave our ears red for a week!

Rakul: I don’t feel even 1% change. When we started dating three years ago, we had a chat about this. We feel complete as individuals and together we are just happier. I don’t have to call him 15 times a day saying, ‘I am getting bored’, ‘How are you?’ I have to figure what I have to do in my life and it’s the same for him. When we are together, we leave work behind. Our biggest strength is that we are best friends!

Jackky: We respect each other’s space and work. I am proud of what she does.

Last November, it was heard that Rakul Preet Singh and Neena Gupta were set to collaborate on a comedy, although details of the project were scarce at the time. Now, mid-day has found out that the film, tentatively titled Ameeri, is a sharp look at the rich-poor divide in society. The slice-of-life comedy sees Singh and Gupta play domestic help while Chunky Panday and Simone Singh portray an uber rich couple.

Ashish R Shukla, who previously directed the popular thriller series Undekhi (2020) and Richa Chadha-led Candy (2021), has helmed the Sunir Kheterpal production. We hear the project went on floors in Alibaug last November and was wrapped up in February.

A source reveals, “It’s a wild, fun movie that examines the glaring difference in the lifestyles of the rich and the poor. Simone and Chunky play a snooty, powerful married couple from the upper crust of society in a metropolis, while Rakul and Neena play their disgruntled, underpaid domestic help. After being continuously mistreated by their employers, the two decide to take matters into their own hands and change their situation. Hilarity ensues as the two classes clash against each other. Through its tongue-in-cheek humour and laughs, the movie notes how amid the constantly widening social divide, the elite turn a blind eye to the needs of the underprivileged.”

The film is said to be an adaptation of a 2009 Panamanian satire that struck a chord with Kheterpal, who felt that the theme would resonate with the Indian audience. The source adds, “Ameeri has everyday incidents that Indian viewers across different strata will relate to. While Neena ji and Chunky have always been known for their comic timing, Rakul and Simone have matched them spark for spark.”

Currently, the cast—also including Anant V Joshi, who was seen in Kathal and 12th Fail (2023) —are dubbing their portions, after which the team will release a teaser sometime in May. We hear the makers are planning a theatrical release in the second half of 2024.

Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani are all set to tie the knot tomorrow (February 21) at a beach wedding in Goa. The groom has a special surprise for his would-be bride. Jackky is presenting a heartfelt song to Rakul, which symbolises their love story.

The song titled Bin Tere will add a special touch to the ceremony, where it will be played in the presence of guests.

It has been written by Mayur Puri and composed by Tanishk Bagchi, who has also lent his voice to the song along with Zahrah S Khan and Romy.

A source tells Bombay Times, “Jackky has poured his heart into this love song for Rakul and it will be an important part of the celebration. He wanted to gift her something meaningful and unforgettable. The song promises to be a musical celebration of Jackky and Rakul’s union and the beginning of their beautiful journey together.”

Jackky wanted Rakul to experience the magic first-hand during their intimate and dreamy wedding in Goa, hence, he kept this idea under wraps all along.

The wedding festivities have begun in full swing in Goa. Ahead of the guests that were expected to fly in on Feb 19, Jackky and Rakul flew to the destination on Feb 17 after taking blessings from the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai. BT had earlier reported that the duo will be seen sporting beautiful ensembles crafted by not one but five fashion designers - Tarun Tahiliani, Shantnu & Nikhil, Falguni Shane Peacock, Kunal Rawal and Arpita Mehta.

She owns a chain of gyms, while many of his celeb buddies pop by his fully-equipped at-home gym in Mumbai for a workout sesh, so it’s no surprise that the food at actor-couple Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani’s wedding will have health at the fore.

Sources looking after the food tell us about their menu: “A chef has been brought on board to design a menu which boasts all kinds of Indian and international cuisines. What sets this wedding apart is the couple deciding to make a special menu for health-conscious guests.” With fitness freaks like actors Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff expected to attend, guests can indulge in the food without a worry of their diet.

Our source adds, “Imagine healthier alternatives to [food like] sushi, their favourite. Gluten-free and sugar-free items are a highlight.”

The duo were spotted arriving in Goa on Saturday night and will kick-start the pre-wedding ceremonies. They are set to tie the knot on February 21 in a beach-themed wedding.