Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 27, 2020)

The 10th season of Khatron Ke Khiladi suffered a setback when the Coronavirus-triggered lockdown resulted in a three-month hiatus. The stunt-packed reality show resumed airing from June 27 and concluded on a high with TV actress Karishma Tanna emerging as the first female winner after five seasons. Since then, it has got an extension with Colors beaming a special edition, Khatron Ke Khiladi: Made In India, with a mix of contestants from previous seasons. It began with Farah Khan leading the eight returning khiladis in the first week with Rohit Shetty back as the host in the following week. It is the first edition of the series to be shot completely in India, and is now nearing its end with the finale on Saturday and Sunday.

The finalists for this one-month special edition are comedian Bharti Singh, along with husband Haarsh Limbachiyaa, and TV actors Nia Sharma, Jasmin Bhasin, Aly Goni, Karan Wahi, and Jay Bhanushali. Rithvik Dhanjani, who had to quit the show in the second week due to personal reasons, returned in the finale to test his co-contestants’ flexibility by giving them some unique yoga poses.

The finale episode will also see some stunts involving pythons as Haarsh faces his biggest phobia. It will also have one of the biggest stunts designed by Rohit himself in full Bollywood action style. The contestants will have to find a stolen necklace while racing against time, driving through shattered glass, car blasts and other such hurdles to reach their destination.

Actress has joined a TV show that will air during the Ganesh festival
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 31, 2018)

Urmila Matondkar, who took a break from the spotlight after her low-key wedding with actor Mohsin Akhtar Mir in 2016, recently made a comeback with a special song in the Irrfan Khan and Kirti Kulhari-starrer Blackmail. Now, the actress is returning to the small screen as well. A source reveals that Urmila has signed up to be part of a special show titled Adbhut Ganesh Utsav that will premiere during the upcoming festival on Star Plus. Scheduled to air five days a week, it is expected to have many celebrity appearances.

“The Marathi mulgi agreed to be a part of the show considering it is a performance for the Ganpati festival. Among other things, she will be seen shaking a leg with dancer Shakti Mohan on the 'Pinga' song from Bajirao Mastani which was picturised on Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone. She will be seen wearing a nauvari sari. Shooting will take place on September 4 and 5 at Mumbai’s Film City studio in Goregaon,” a source close to the development told Mirror, adding that Urmila is scheduled to begin rehearsals with the team shortly.

The show will be hosted by actress Divyanka Tripathi, who plays the female lead in the hit TV show, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, and Rithvik Dhanjani, who was last seen co-hosting the acting reality show India’s Next Superstars with Karan Wahi.

According to the source, veteran actor Nana Patekar is also in talks to be a part of the show and will inform the team of his decision by the weekend. He has been approached to do the Ganesh Vandana aarti.

Urmila had earlier been on TV as a host of Waar Parriwar, a singing reality show that had families competing against each other and aired in 2008.

As the 2018 FIFA World Cup gets underway we look at who our actor-footballers are rooting for and which team they think could pull off a surprise win
Sanyukta Iyer and Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 19, 2018)

Ranbir Kapoor
Sports is a passion for me and I hope football becomes as famous in India as it is in Brazil and Argentina. I’m rooting for Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup this year.


John Abraham
I have a football club called the North-East United FC. We did not have a good season and hope to do better this year. As far as the World Cup goes, I wish I could say India but since that’s not happening, an exciting team I like and look out for is Germany. Will the Germans take the Cup home again? Well, this is the year of the underdog and I’d love to see an African nation lift the World Cup.


Abhishek Bachchan
In 2014, I cleared my schedule to fly off to Brazil to catch the semi final match of the FIFA World Cup, Germany versus Brazil, with the score card reading 7–1. I have supported Brazil since 1982 and it is my father’s (Amitabh Bachchan is a hardcore Brazil supporter) love for the team that influenced my liking for the boys in sunny yellow.


Bobby Deol
I used to play football in school. Then I stopped because I broke my leg, but I still watch it. It’s hard to predict who will win but I hope it’s Brazil. I’m rooting for Neymar and the boys. Iceland are the underdogs this year.


Ali Fazal
My association with football dates back to my days at the Doon School. I was really into hockey and basketball but football was the ‘joshila’ game we never missed. I’ve grown up juggling with the ball on the turf in school and also playing gali soccer in the sun and in the rain. I no longer play the game but when I see Ranbir (Kapoor) and the others, I think I should get back to the field again.

I’m very proud of India’s football team. We’re not playing the World Cup this year but it’s just a matter of time now. For now, I’m a die-hard Brazil fan, I grew up on their ball play and their flag tops my list. Brazil or Spain could win the Cup but Portugal could spring a surprise on fans.


Arjun Kapoor
I am cheering for Belgium this year, as well as England and Argentina. But France could prove to be the dark horse as the team has been consistently playing well. Yes, I am a football fanatic, and though I am right now on the road, I will make sure I catch the big matches.


Kartik Aaryan
I’ve been playing football since I was a child. I was the captain of my college football team and now I play for the All Stars Football Club. When work permits, I play every weekend as it keeps me fit and is a great stressbuster.

I think Croatia is going to surprise everyone this year. They have brilliant players like Ivan Rakitic and Luca. I’m supporting Portugal because I’m a huge Cristiano Ronaldo fan and he’s in top form right now. His hattrick against Spain was superb. They too have a good chance of winning.


Harshvardhan Kapoor
I’ve been watching football since I was 7–8 years old. I play once or twice a week but stopped playing during the release of Bhavesh Joshi Superhero as I was busy and wanted to avoid injuries. I hope England win, they have a lot of Manchester United players in the squad, but I know it’s a long shot. I think Spain will take the trophy.


Sikandar Kher
I have always loved Brazil since I saw the re-runs of Pele playing. I have loved Ronaldo and now it’s Neymar Junior who’s fantastic. Brazil doesn’t play football, they dance under the leadership of Captain Marcelo Silva. I love cheering for them.


Amit Sadh
Growing up, I used to play in and after school every day. Now, given our hectic schedule, it can be tough to gather players and commit to a league.

There are a few teams this year that look really strong, including Brazil, Germany, France, Spain and Belgium. I’m rooting for France, it’s a fantastic young team with hard-working players with a lot of flair. The underdog is Colombia. It’s not a team that figures in the list of potential winners for many but it’s a solid team — team being the key word — and it’s in the easiest group.

Rithvik Dhanjani
I am a Messi fan but unfortunately, he hasn’t performed well at FIFA in the past so I don’t know what he will do this year. Although I’m busy shooting I heard stories of the freekick Ronaldo took the other day so I’m rooting for Portugal but I’m also cheering for Spain. Colombia are the underdogs.

With Galti Se Mis-Tech marking her web debut, Anita Hassanandani on exploring different mediums in a 20-year career
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; April 24, 2018)

A successful run in television and a not-so-inspiring stint in movies behind her, Anita Hassanandani has finally given in to the lure of the digital medium. The actor will star in ALT Balaji’s Galti Se Mis-Tech, a series that offers a humorous take on love in the age of technology. In a chat with mid-day, she talks about jumping on the digital bandwagon and why television remains her first love. Edited excerpts from the interview:

What took you long to foray into the web space?
I was busy doing TV shows and was pressed for time. Secondly, nothing great was offered to me. I’ve been thinking about acting in a digital series for a while. The quirky storyline of Galti Se Mis-Tech appealed to me. It was the perfect opportunity to start my web journey.

Did it get awkward to romance Rithvik Dhanjani on screen?
Rithvik and I are good friends. We wanted to keep the show as real as possible; we brought our real-life equation to the table. I’m glad he is my co-star. Our familiarity helped build the chemistry.

Do you believe that lifelong relationships can be formed on social media?
It has worked out for some people I know. But I’m too old for all this. Having said that, Rohit [Reddy, husband] pursued me on Facebook. So, you can say that social media did have a small role in our relationship.

Which medium is more creatively satisfying — television or web?
The medium has never been an issue. Be it films, TV or web — they satisfy me all the same. Ultimately, it is the role that matters. Sure, foraying into the web space implies targeting a different audience.

You’ve been part of Yeh Hai Mohabbatein [YHM] for five years. Does it get monotonous?
Even when I was doing Kavvyanjali, it got boring after a point. Shagun [her character in YHM] has an interesting graph. My character has been swinging between positive and negative; it has a lot of variation, so I am far from getting bored.

Do you miss Bollywood?
I am not going to lie about it. I have never been offered anything exciting in films. Television is more secure. I’ve been doing this since I was 16 and I’m happy in this space.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 20, 2017)

Ajay Devgn, whose upcoming production, a yet-untitled action-drama, features Sanjay Dutt and Farhan Akhtar, spent a good half hour with the 58-year-old actor, his buddy of two decades, in his vanity van on Tuesday afternoon.

The two bumped into each other on the sets of Rohit Shetty’s reality TV show, Khatron Ke Khiladi. Ajay was shooting a special episode with the Golmaal Again team, while Sanjay was in the vicinity for another shoot. “They gave each other a jadoo ki jhappi and were catching up on all that they had missed out on when the heavens opened up. As it started to rain heavily, Sanjay made a hurried exit while Ajay continued to shoot,” a source on the scene told Mirror.

The day marked another reunion for the Golmaal team too, a month after they had wrapped up the film’s last schedule in Hyderabad. Tabu shook a leg to her Vijaypath chartbuster, “Ruk Ruk Ruk” but couldn’t persuade her dost-and-co-star Ajay to join her. He, however, did catch everybody’s attention as the quirky judge in a 10-minute comedy skit that they came up with within an hour for the show. “It was a courtroom setup with Ajay going 'Order! Order!' and Arshad Warsi defending 'Rohit Shetty — the director' against the prosecuting lawyer, contestant Rithvik Dhanjani, who whined about how Rohit was a tough taskmaster, and would never let any of his ‘khiladis’ binge. Arshad was quick to joke that there was plenty of food and fun on their shoot, a fact endorsed by his playmates Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade and Kunal Kemmu,” the source added.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 20, 2017)

Director Rohit Shetty is back in Khatron Ke Khiladi, taking the baton from Arjun Kapoor who hosted it last year. The eighth season will kick off in May, as soon as he wraps up the shoot of Golmaal Again. Shetty has hosted season five and six for the channel in the past.

A source close to the development informs Mirror that the team is expected to leave for Spain between May 12-15. “They will be shooting in Ronda, a town in the province of Malaga. It will be a month-long shoot. Among the confirmed contestants are wrestler Geeta Phogat, actor-host Karan Wahi, TV actors Shantanu Maheshwari, Rithvik Dhanjani, Ravi Dubey, actress Nia Sharma, model-anchor Shibani Dandekar and Bigg Boss 10 winner Manveer Gurjar,” informs the source.

Buzz is, the channel has approached former Bigg Boss contestants and rumoured couple, Prince Narula and Yuvika Choudhary, to come on board together.

The show is expected to go on air by July this year. “Rohit is in touch with the team planning new adventures and surprises for the viewers,” adds the source.

Ahead of Children’s Day, After Hrs gets celebrities to give a piece of advice to their younger selves
DNA (November 13, 2016)

Childhood brings back memories of pure and innocent moments and carefree days — spending hours playing games, fighting with siblings, indulging in sweets and getting wet in the rain. As we grow up, we tend to lose our spontaneity and curiosity, and get bogged down by the stresses of everyday life. Various personalities tell us what they would tell the child hidden within them.

‘Let my creativity thrive’: Rithvik Dhanjani, actor
To let my creativity thrive. We always say give a child a hammer and see what he or she does with it. We are extremely creative as children, and then discipline and worldly knowledge changes our thought process as we grow up. In the process our creativity goes down, which is unfortunate.

‘Change nothing about yourself’: Candice Pinto, model
The child in me is active most of the time — I’m hyperactive and fun and that’s me all the time. The one thing I’d tell the child in me is to be the way you are. Change nothing about yourself.

‘Never ever leave me’: Krushna Abhishek, actor
Never ever leave me and go. If the child goes, the innocence goes with it. All the masti will go. I still have that innocence and masti — I’ve not grown up, I never want to.

‘Be a kid at heart’: Jay Bhanushali, actor
Never think of being all grown-up and becoming mature. I like people who are still kids at heart because they are pure and can tackle all the problems without any stress.

‘Don’t lose a child’s instinct’: Aashka Goradia, actress
The one thing I want to tell the child in me is don’t lose your instinct. No matter what problem comes in front of you, your instinct is priceless. Nothing better than having a child’s intuition.

‘It’s always good to be curious’: Dino Morea, model turned actor
Always remember to remain like a child. When you have a child-like quality, there’s a certain curiousity, a zest for life. That way there’s constant learning. I always tell myself to be curious because if you think you know everything, then your learning process stops.

‘Just relax’: Sorabh Pant, comedian
Since I already have a child, I think he genuinely reminds me on a daily basis that everything is not as important as you make it out to be... like ambition. I’ve never really been the most ambitious person, in any case. I think if we take a step back and recognise the fact that babies and children are generally the happiest of the lot, it’s primarily because they really don’t give a s***. The main thing is to relax and enjoy simple easy things, like my son spends about 45 minutes being fascinated by how a car door works. And I’m sitting there doing calculations of how I have to pay service tax in 10 days or whatever and getting really worked up about it and he’s literally entertaining himself with a car door. Basically the point I’m trying to say, is I’m not going to pay my service tax anymore instead I’m going to play with a car door. The main thing I learn from kids is that happiness can be found in the easiest and simplest of things and you really don’t need to be stressed out all the time and take 10 minutes to sort of, do something which you like. It could be the simplest thing like dancing in the middle of a Virar local if you get space, playing with a ball, there’s so many things to do. That’s basically what the child in me tries to tell me, just relax.

‘Wonder in your eyes’: Shazahn Padamsee, actress
Always look at the world with wonder. And never listen to cynical people who tell me that such things are meant for kids, not adults.

'Let’s be spontaneous’: Gauri Shinde, director
I will tell the child in me, I will love you, take care of you like no one else can. Let’s always be this spontaneous and mad and never stop falling in love. I will take you out dancing more often.

‘Don’t ever be an adult’: Falguni Peacock, fashion designer
Don’t ever be an adult. Children have such innocence. They’re carefree and have no fear. I would like to deal with my life — be it any work-related issues fearlessly like a child. I should be ready to take on any challenge...

‘Make your own reality’: Payal Singhal, fashion designer
The one thing I want to tell the child in me is, ‘Don’t worry, everything will be fine and you are in charge of your own destiny. You make your own reality. So, dream big, work hard and love lots’.

‘Make more mistakes’: Payal Khandwala, fashion designer
Make more mistakes. I made quite a few anyway. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. I always wanted to do the right thing as a child. I was afraid to fall, I was a bit of an old soul. it makes you wiser as you grow up, ... because you never learn from other people’s mistakes.

‘Never stop learning’: Gautam Mehrishi, chef
Never stop learning, keep looking for teachers and always believe that the world is your classroom and everyone else your classmates!

‘Never be afraid to ask questions’: Arzan Khambatta, sculptor
Never grow up, never stop being curious, and never be afraid to ask the stupidest questions, if it helps you clear doubts.

‘Keep the faith’: Nachiket Barve, fashion designer
To keep the faith, I think it’s very important. Also to make more time for family and friends. At some level, not to worry so much.

‘Fill your life with knowledge and laughter’: Zeba Kohli, chocolatier
The one thing I want to tell the child in me is that the world is amazing and what we make of it, so make it fun and enjoy every minute of it. Fill your life with knowledge, laughter, love and prayer.

Mouni Roy is back with Naagin 2, that too in a double role, a first in her career
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; October 6, 2016)


How was the experience of playing a double role in Naagin 2?
I just shot for a scene which involves both the mother’s and daughter’s part. And I must say it was quite funny. These were chroma shots and I was talking to a long green bamboo. It seemed like a monologue because once I would talk as the mother and once as the daughter. But on a serious note, it is quite a challenge. While playing it, one doesn’t realise, but there is a distinct difference between a mother and daughter and I am trying really hard to get that right. The first thing one notices is the appearance, the face and judge how old they are — whether they are approachable, the aura, etc. I do minimal make-up, but to add on a few years, we are using certain camera tricks.

Are you taking any references to play the older role?
No, it doesn’t work with me at all. Whatever character I play, the acting comes from within. When you see Shivanya, you will also see a lot of Mouni in it. I have loved dancing since childhood and I know one thing for sure: To make a choreography your own and for it to look convincing, you can’t imitate anyone. You have to imbibe the choreography and then put your touches to it. It’s the same thing with acting. I am going according to what the creatives want.

Do you find any similarities between Shivanya and Shivangi?
No, Shivanya was driven by rage and the intention of avenging her parents’ death. Shivangi, on the other hand, is a happy-go-lucky small-town girl brought up in a joint family. She is a little innocent. Shivanya had a goal in mind, but there’s nothing like that with Shivangi. She is a normal girl and that makes her likeable. I relate to her in the sense of her being a small-town girl because I am also one. I can understand the values, the cocoon that she is in, the perfect, sheltered life. But the way I see her character growing, she is nothing like me.

Since taking on the show, you have become the butt of naagin jokes with even actors taking potshots at you. Does that bother you?
I play a naagin, I can’t help it. I can’t help the scale of the show, I can’t help what people are saying or the jokes. I can either enjoy or ignore them. It’s fine, it doesn’t bother me. It’s funny even, but initially, I used to get very embarrassed.

How was your stint as the host of So You Think You Can Dance?
I have to confess that it was only towards the end that I got comfortable. But in the beginning, for the Tuesday shoot... ‘I would get up and say ‘Oh My God!, I have to anchor today. Where should I go, what should I do?’ It was completely new territory for me. That was not my zone. I enjoy acting, and dancing is my passion. When I do either, I feel it in my skin. But here that feeling was not there. I was not used to being the sutradhar of a show, introducing people and controlling the audience. You get a little thrown off because nobody else talks with you. But Rithvik (Dhanjani) was a great co-host, he really helped me. By the time mid-season rolled around, I found my ground. I knew what I was doing and what I was saying. It has also to do with the kind of person I am — I am a lost person in general. I could be talking to you and go into some other zone. Once I stopped doing that, it was okay and I can’t wait to host Season 2, if it happens.

Would you say this is the best phase of your career?
Absolutely. We didn’t expect Naagin to do so well, but it did and so much stuff followed. There is a lot of visibility like I got an opportunity to perform at the IIFA as well. But you know, when I was shooting for Mahadev and Junoon, I didn’t get to know what other people were talking about. Even when I was shooting for Naagin, the same thing happened. You are following the same routine and your team is like your family, so nobody tells you how good you are looking, or about your work. It was when we went to an awards function that we realised we had become popular.

What about films? Are you looking at doing any?
Not right now, I am doing Naagin for the next six months, so there is no time.

There were reports about you being approached for Bejoy Nambiar’s Agni Natchathiram remake...
(Cuts in) I don’t like to talk about things that have not happened.

Celebrities tell the After Hrs team that it’s criminal that the animal offenders who knowingly hurt a dog got away with a petty fine. They suggest punishments that ought to be meted out to them
DNA (July 9, 2016)

Two medical students — Gautam Sudarshan and Ashish Pal — one of whom heartlessly threw a dog off the terrace while the other one filmed the macabre incident, were arrested and then released on bail in Chennai.

The incident shook the nation. The dog is reported to have suffered two fractures, one in her right hind leg and another in her spine, and is now under treatment. She has been named Bhadra (which means blessed).

The men were charged with offences punishable with fines of `10 and `50 instead of jail time. Now the question remains: is the token bail amount enough punishment for the inhuman act?

“The Prevention of Cruelty Act is pretty outdated, it is a 1960 law and we want a change in that because they can just get away with a fine of `50,” said animal rights activist Shravan Krishnan to a news portal. The video went viral and has sparked a lot of outrage and debate on animal cruelty laws on social media. We ask celebrities from the world of art, media and entertainment about what punishment the culprits really deserve...

‘Stricter laws are needed’: Sooraj Pancholi, Actor
It’s ridiculous that the person who committed the crime has been let off so easily. Rs 50 cannot be the price of anyone’s life — human or animal. Even animals have emotions and feelings. Not only the people who committed the crime, but also the people who let them off so easily should be questioned. I am slowly losing my faith in humanity. I feel these offenders should be made to serve prison time. We need stricter laws for such heinous crimes. Throwing a dog off the terrace is as serious a crime as harming a human being.

‘Should’ve kept them in jail for a week’: Riteish Deshmukh, Actor
I know what the laws to punish humans for anti-social activities like robbery and murder are, but I don’t know what’s the law for protecting animals and for such offences. This is documented evidence where he’s showing off what he can do! The collective thoughts of everyone made sure these two people were caught. I think they should have been kept in jail at least for a week because everyone can see what they actually did. Two people wished the poor dog dead, but so many people thought together so it was alive. There’s a certain collective energy working here which created this miracle. Genelia and I were so happy when we heard the puppy was alive.

‘Force them to work in animal shelters’: Sunny Leone, Actress
I think the men in question should have to pay all the pup’s medical expenses. Furthermore, they should be forced to work in animal shelters under supervision for free to help them learn animal compassion.

‘Losing their friends would be the biggest punishment’: Suniel Shetty, Actor
We need to educate people about pets and how much they mean to us. According to me, these guys are mentally unstable. Their parents should take that into consideration and check out their mental stability. What promoted them to do such a crazy thing? Rather than punishing them we need to understand their state of mind and work on it. As the video went viral they must have lost all their friends and that would be their biggest punishment. To be shunned like this is shameful for them. As far as being let off too easy what can you do? It’s a mental issue... some people fear stray dogs which bark and throw stones at them. They need to keep this in check.

‘Jail is a good punishment’: Tusshar Kapoor, Actor
I thought it was really sad that humans have become so sadistic, especially with a creature that’s so selfless and unconditional in its love. I am glad that the animal is alive. I have heard that the two men are out in bail. If that’s true then what about animal rights? If Bollywood has to give disclaimers for even using an animal harmlessly, why are these people not put behind bars? Jail is a good punishment for animal abusers. I love animals and for me a Rs 50 fine is not enough.

‘Throw the guy off the roof: Dino Morea, Actor
Sick people like these need to be punished for taking out a life. It’s insensitive and inhuman to do such a thing. It’s ridiculous that he was let off for a sum of Rs 50. Punishment needs to be harsh because there will be more sick guys who will do similar thing and be let off for Rs 50. I’ve seen the video a few times and saw that the guy was enjoying doing such a thing as was the guy recording the footage. Jail this guy for a year or throw him off the roof! Only then he will understand the real effect of his actions.

‘Whatever acts as a deterrent...’: Pooja Bedi, Actor
As human beings we have responsibility not only towards mankind, but also towards animals, nature and the environment. Animals are living creatures and they have a right to co-exist, and any act of barbarity should be punished. Whatever acts as a deterrent should be encouraged, whether it’s a hefty monetary fine, serving prison time or even community service.

‘Get a strong message across that it’s wrong’: Rithvik Dhanjani, Actor
I am deeply saddened by what has happened. I feel defeated that I am part of such a species that thinks only humans are important. We are so self-centered that we think everybody other than humans is a threat to us. What is alarming is that they attempted such a crime. Bawaal machna chahiye jo nahi hua. Also, how do you decide the price of a dog is Rs 50? That’s how cheap life is! In an alternative world, imagine you throw a human being and pay a fine of Rs 200. If it comes to me I will probably throw them down four-five floors and pay a fine of Rs 5000. I am not the one to decide the punishment, but there is a need of some sort of payback from those guys. And it shouldn’t be monetary. We have to figure out how we should get across a strong message that this is wrong. I cannot do much, but at least I can speak my heart out against it.

‘Throw them from the same spot’: Sanjay Gupta, Filmmaker
I saw the video and found it very upsetting and disturbing. The right thing to do is throw them from the same spot! I would have done it myself and then paid whatever fine was required. The animal laws have to change. It’s not about letting them off easy or anything... Letting them go with Rs 50 fine is ridiculous, it’s a joke!

‘...higher bail and jail time’: Diandra Soares, Model
I am in shock hearing about the Rs 50 fine. I definitely feel that the medical school should remove both of them. I understand that people at times make mistakes, but these two men were not uneducated kids. It’s very sad that in our country we don’t have strict laws for animal abuse. This case demands for a stricter punishment. If I meet this guy I think I might push him off a terrace myself. They should have been given a much higher bail amount and some jail time as well. I wouldn’t mind starting a movement for a harsher punishment. An example needs to be set.

‘There should be a national reaction against it’: Ruslaan Mumtaz, Actor
In India, people take life of humans and animals very lightly. India is supposedly the most religious and spiritual country. I am really disappointed that even today, our country does not do anything and lets go of all kinds of crimes. That’s the sad part. In this case, I honestly feel all the animal activists should come together and fight. They will not allow this person to go with the fine of Rs 50. There should be a national reaction against it.

‘They should be rusticated, not just suspended’: Mini Mathur, TV host
One can’t equate this act of throwing a dog from a terrace with the act of throwing a stone on a dog — it’s not the same kind of cruelty to animals. This case should be a wake up call to reform the law. It shows mental derangement, it’s a premeditated act of sadism. According to me the men should be arrested. They should also be rusticated and not just suspended from medical college. Such people are dangerous criminals and shouldn’t be allowed to treat humans and become doctors. They should be put behind bars and booked under sadism and unnatural acts. I sincerely hope some revocation to the Rs 50 fine is given and that they are ridiculed in public.

‘This crime was equivalent to manslaughter’: Divya Palat, Theatre actor and director
I think the best punishment for these men is imprisonment. If you are caught trying to murder someone you would be jailed. This crime was equivalent to manslaughter. I think we live in such a horrific world that anything perceived to be weaker whether it’s animals or women are hurt, beaten or raped. And we are okay with it? Animals should have the same rights as human beings. The dog hadn’t done anything wrong. Also, how much of a psychopath do you have to be to do something like this! And to think the man might become a doctor someday. The magnitude of the crime is deplorable. Such people who are let off for Rs 50 will do it again and again. Forget the law, there has to be some humanity left.

‘Usse lakhon logon ki baddua lagegi’: Ravi Dubey, TV actor
I think for somebody who is being inhuman, harming either a person or an animal, there has to be a much bigger punishment. I have a dog and I consider him my son. He is a part of my family. It was infuriating to watch that video, I wanted to put my opinion online. It is ridiculous after such a huge hue and cry, that guy was let off with a fine of just Rs 50. It was a cold-blooded act — he has no respect for life. I don’t know what the ideal punishment should be, but it should send across a strong message to someone who intends doing something like that to retain and sustain their humanity. He has been let off but usko lakhon logon ki baddua lagegi.

‘He is sick and should be in jail’: Mahhi Vij, Actress
If that man could do this to a dog, he can do it to a human too. His mindset is not right. He is sick and should be in jail. The problem is, we don’t have laws for such kind of things in India. I had a poodle and two drunkards driving a car ran over it when it was sitting at the corner of the gate. When I went to file a complaint, the cops told me that I can’t because nothing like that exists. Americans have a better system and laws against such cruelties. Animals also have a heart. They can’t speak, but that doesn’t mean you treat them inhumanly.

‘Consider it an attempt to murder...’: Jay Bhanushali, Actor
It is saddening that just for Facebook likes and YouTube hits, people are doing these kind of things. I think people who do this to animals should get the same punishment if they had done it to humans. It should be considered an attempt to murder. Otherwise, this will keep happening. At least, in the metros we need to change laws in favour of animal rights. And as Mahii said, an incident happened with our dog Angel and after fighting with the cops to file a complaint, I realised that since there are no laws, nothing can be done.

‘Nothing less than life imprisonment’: Rahul Da Cunha, Theatre personality
I feel people like the two accused who harm animals for fun, deserve nothing less than life imprisonment. And in the case of the BJP minister who attacked a horse who later succumbed to his injuries, to begin with, he should have at least been removed from the party.

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; July 30, 2015)

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; July 23, 2015)

On July 15, hitlist had reported about small screen actors Rithvik Dhanjani and Karan Patel landing in legal trouble after a video clip surfaced about them ridiculing national heroes on a reality show. It has now emerged that the person, who laid his hands on the clip, has been arrested for allegedly blackmailing the duo.

A source says, “Cops from the Aarey sub police station have arrested a youth, who had to trying to extort R 20 lakh from the two actors. He had shot a video of them insulting freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, and was threatening to circulate the clip if his demands were not met. Rithvik and Karan sought help of the city police and a trap was laid for the youth’s arrest.”

Vilas Chavan, senior police inspector of Aarey sub police station, confirms the development, stating: “We had received a complaint from the actor that someone was blackmailing them for money. We have arrested a man in this connection. He has been identified as Amit Warik from Bihar and was produced in court. The video was shot in a fun way and was shared within the actors’ friend circle, but somehow, this guy got the video and was blackmailing them.”

Karan and Rithvik did not respond to our text messages.

Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; July 15, 2015)

The ongoing season of Nach Baliye has come under the scanner after Rithvik Dhanjani and Karan Patel, who are hosting the dance reality show, passed objectionable comments on national heroes as well as India’s Constitution in a video currently being circulated online.

Advocate Devendra Patil says, “In this particular video clip that has been submitted before the Mulund Court, both actors are seen insulting national leaders and talking ill about our Constitution. We have furnished all proofs against Rithvik, Karan and Ekta Kapoor, who is producing the show. It also shows the audience and crew members enjoying the ridiculing act and none objected to it.” It is said after the clip started doing the rounds, a freelancer journalist decided to file a case. Patil says, “The court has admitted our evidence that prima- facie suggests they were part of this act. On July 29, it will give us the go-ahead to send notices to all parties concerned.”

While Rithvik and Karan did not revert for a comment, Ekta says, “I don’t think that they (the actors) have done this, but let me check and get back to you.”

A copy of the complaint is in mid-day ’s possession.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 8, 2015)

When Sushant Singh Rajput made his big Bollywood debut with Abhishek Kapoor's Kai Po Che! in 2013, television czarina Ekta Kapoor, promised his co-star from Pavitra Rishta that she would launch him in Bollywood with equal fanfare. Two years later, Rithvik Dhanjani, who starred alongside Sushant in the popular soap for six years, will make his debut in Ken Ghosh's erotica, XXX, being produced by Ekta.

"Rithvik play a casanova with magical powers that has girls flocking to him," reveals a source close to the film.

The TV actor who won Nach Baliye Season 6 last year, is the first male actor to sign Ekta's much-talked-about nudity clause. Kyra Dutt was the first actress to sign on the dotted line. Rithvik has agreed to a full frontal nude scene. "You will definitely catch a glimpse of his bare butt in the film. But still, the girls will reveal a lot more than the guys," adds the source.

In an interview to Mirror (April 8), writer-director Ken Ghosh had revealed that XXX has five different stories with Kyra as the narrator. Now, Mirror has learnt that Rithvik's character, a charismatic vagabond, too will appear in all the five stories which will see him have four different sexual escapades.

""His character binds the stories together and steams up the screen with not one but multiple actresses," reveals the source.

So where will Ekta and Ken draw the line?

"There will be no depiction of oral sex! Even with clever cinematography, neither Ken nor Bollywood is ready to handle the kind of sex scenes we've seen in Hollywood films like Basic Instict, Wild Things and Blue Valentine."

Roshni K Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; April 27, 2015)