Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts
Bollywood never gave me a chance to do roles that were lively-Vidya Malavade
8:30 AM
Injury strikes at career milestone, but the actor pushes through rehab and packed schedule
S Farah Rizvi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 6, 2026)
Actor Vidya S Malavade recently sparked concern after sharing a health update on Instagram following a physical setback. “Yes, I injured myself as I tore my calf muscle, leaving me on recovery for eight weeks,” she revealed, posting a glimpse into her healing journey that began at the height of a professional milestone. Reflecting on the incident, she spoke about the unpredictability of live performance. The injury occurred just after the premiere of her first musical in Singapore.
“As the curtains went down and I was about to take a bow with the team, I don’t know what happened. What I remember is I was in excruciating pain and I was unable to walk,” she said.
What followed was a ‘crazy week’ of intensive rehabilitation. “I had to rest my right leg. I had a doctor and physio there for a lot of needling and healing… but I had to fly back after a week,” she noted. Since returning home, she has been working with her trainer and physiotherapist to keep other muscles active while the tear heals.
On taking up her first musical, she added, “Bollywood never gave me a chance to do roles that were lively… After all these years, when this play came along, I had to say yes.”
For her, the trade-off was worth it: “Toh kuch paane ke liye, kuch pain toh uthana padta hai.” Despite a packed schedule, she remains determined. “I am working hard to be back on stage in 10 days’ time. Also, I am limping my way to a shoot,” she said.
She is set to film the finale of Mismatched later this year, alongside projects including one starring Huma Qureshi.
Exciting that Diljit Dosanjh was putting out a song celebrating something I have been championing-Chandrika Ravi
2:41 PM
The desi face of Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS, Chandrika Ravi, talks brown beauty, rejection from India, reclaiming the tag of sex symbol and playing Silk Smitha in an upcoming biopic
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 15, 2026)
When Chandrika Ravi appeared in Diljit Dosanjh’s music video Saanvle, the word itself was evidently the message that both Ravi and Dosanjh were making. The title translates to “dusky”, which is an uncomfortable word that has existed in Indian beauty culture. In the video, Ravi stands exactly for every contradiction that the word offers. When she sits down for a conversation with Sunday mid-day, she starts with why the project felt personal.
“What got me the most excited about the project was that someone like Diljit, having the global impact he has, was putting a song out celebrating something I have been championing for as an Indian actress for years. The visibility, especially for young girls, that they are beautiful as they are and our brown skin should be celebrated was what I needed growing up.”
It is a simple idea, but for Ravi it has been a long fight. Long before she became a viral sensation or a global face of Kim Kardashian’s shapewear brand SKIMS, Ravi was a young woman growing up outside Melbourne, convinced her future needed to be better. “I come from very humble beginnings. I was born in a small town outside of Melbourne to immigrant parents born in Singapore. But I had always told everyone around me that I was going to move to Los Angeles and be an actor, without knowing how or when I could do it,” she says.
Ravi had already been training in dance and acting since the age of three, but Australia’s film and television industry felt limited in ways she couldn’t ignore. “I was starting to feel a lot of discouragement in Australia because they simply weren’t writing parts for people of colour. I took the leap of faith and booked a ticket with whatever money I had, packed three suitcases and left for LA with USD 500 in my bank account and a dream. It’s the best decision I have ever made. I learnt resilience and determination as a person. As an artiste, I have trained with the best, and have learnt the ins-and-outs of the industry.”
But the journey toward confidence did not arrive without bruises. Some of the deepest ones came from the place she felt most connected to — India. “India broke me. It was essentially the Indian film industry that broke me as a person and performer. I was devastated,” she says.
The pain, she explains, was not about failure. It was about something far more difficult to accept. “It was a very hard concept to grasp that my talent wasn’t enough to be cast in something in India. That ultimately, the colour of my skin would dictate whether or not I got a part. Having trained my whole life on my craft, and having represented India and Indians on a global stage, it felt like I was constantly being rejected by my own people. I had to keep reminding myself that I had to keep fighting, not just to prove my worth, but for the other young boys and girls who grew up feeling like they too weren’t good enough because of colourism,” she says.
If Ravi speaks openly about rejection, she speaks just as openly about pride. “A constant reminder has been how much my skin colour and features are celebrated in America. I love when people ask me if I’ve come back from a vacation because my skin looks sun-kissed, but it’s my blessing of being born as an Indian woman.”
The larger point, she says, is about resisting a culture that constantly tells women they need fixing. She says, “In a world where women are especially picked apart and constantly made to feel like they have to be a certain way with beauty standards constantly changing, I am proud to still stand strong with my decision to not alter my appearance and embrace how God made me.”
In the age of paparazzi nicknames, Ravi has acquired one she finds both amusing and flattering: Chandrika Kardashian. The comparison emerged around the same time she became the first Indian woman associated with Kim Kardashian’s brand SKIMS. “It’s very flattering, I’ll take it!” she laughs, “She is confident, hot, and has great style!”
For Ravi, the irony isn’t lost. “Being associated with a name and a brand that is synonymous with being sexy — as an Indian woman sometimes does not feel real, especially when I was always told I was undesirable because I was so different.”
For her, being called desirable now feels like an inversion of the rejection she experienced earlier in life. She says, “Curves, long hair, strong features, and a glowing tan. Being called a sex symbol is a label I embrace with open arms. Being seen as desirable for being authentically myself in a country where I once fought to even have a seat at the table is a battle well fought. Being seen as desirable after being born in a Western country where I was told for years that I was not attractive enough to be in front of the camera means I became the representation I needed growing up of a confident, sexy Indian woman who was unapologetically herself.”
The next chapter of Ravi’s career may also be her most ambitious. She is currently co-creating and starring in the official biopic of cult screen icon Silk Smitha, popularized by Vidya Balan in The Dirty Picture [2011]. “What drew me to her story was how misunderstood she was,” she says, adding, “What she did, no one has ever been able to recreate. The command of attention she had with just a glance in your direction. The number of films she starred in less than two decades. The confidence she had to be seen as a sex symbol at a time where it was seen as taboo. The amount of turmoil she was facing in her personal life yet she was still able to have constant box office hits.” In many ways, reclaiming Silk Smitha’s story is also Ravi reclaiming her own.
Celina Jaitly accuses husband of domestic violence, property fraud; seeks damages worth Rs. 50 cr
9:22 AM
MUMBAI MIRROR (November 26, 2025)
Actor Celina Jaitly has alleged that her husband, 48-year-old Austrian resident Peter Haag, “weaponized” their children during their ongoing marital dispute – a charge she has placed at the centre of a newly filed domestic violence petition.
In her complaint, Jaitly, 47, claims Haag used the children to emotionally pressure her, including an incident on November 14 where he allegedly orchestrated a video call in which the children appeared anxious, avoided eye contact, and seemed to be receiving cues off-camera.
Jaitly, describing the episode as “painful”, later wrote to their schools seeking updates on the children’s wellbeing and now has sought meaningful virtual access to them under Section 21 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA).
Jaitly, on Tuesday, submitted chat transcripts and audio recordings to support her allegations. In these exchanges, she is heard pleading with Haag to follow basic hygiene, telling him he “stank of sweat” and was setting a poor example for their children. Haag allegedly dismissed her concerns, called her a “lunatic,” and repeatedly threatened divorce.
Her petition, filed under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA), accuses Haag of emotional abuse, intimidation, and financial coercion. The complaint was presented for verification before Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) SC Tayade in Andheri, marking the first procedural step before the court considers protection and residence orders.
A major portion of the petition centres on the couple’s Versova apartment, which Jaitly claims was wrongfully taken from her after Haag allegedly pressured her into signing a gift deed in 2019. She says she now fears Haag may attempt, from abroad, to use legal mechanisms to evict her or sell the property.
Sessions Court has now issued an interim status quo order, preventing any change in ownership or possession until the next hearing. Jaitly has also sought a residence order under Section 19 of the PWDVA, requesting that Haag be barred from entering the flat or disturbing her possession of it.
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Rebecca Samervel (THE TIMES OF INDIA; November 25, 2025)
Mumbai: Celina Jaitly Haag, a former Miss India and Bollywood actor, has initiated legal proceedings against her husband, Peter Haag, under the Domestic Violence Act. The couple, married for 14 years, is embroiled in a contentious dispute, with Celina accusing Peter, an Austrian national, of making racist remarks and undermining her financial independence and dignity.
Represented by Karanjawala & Co, Celina is seeking Rs 10 lakh in monthly maintenance and Rs 50 crore in compensation. She claims that Peter restricted her from pursuing her Bollywood career, forcing her into lesser roles to cover personal expenses. The family, after living in Mumbai, Dubai and Singapore, eventually settled in a remote Austrian village. According to the plea, Celina was left without access to money or transportation in this isolated location, and Peter allegedly belittled her by suggesting she find work as a cleaner in the village.
The complaint further details an incident on Sept 3, when Peter allegedly served her a divorce notice in a "calculated and deceitful" manner. The divorce proceedings were filed by Peter in Austria. Celina claims that Peter tricked her into accompanying him to the post office under the pretence of collecting a "gift". Upon presenting her ID, she received a sealed German envelope, which Peter dismissed as routine correspondence. It was only at home, with the help of her 13-year-old twin sons, that she discovered it was a divorce notice. Celina also alleges that Peter offered no support during her brother's detention in the UAE.
The first divorce hearing on Sept 22, 2025, was reportedly distressing for Celina. She claims Peter attended in his wedding suit, which she perceived as an attempt to cause emotional harm. Additionally, she struggled to understand the "high-level German" proceedings and received inadequate assistance from the court-appointed interpreter, for which she was charged a €500 (Rs 50,000) fee. Celina felt victimized by a perceived racial and cultural bias within the Austrian judicial process, exacerbated by Peter's legal representative allegedly belittling and intimidating her in court.
Celina's complaint also highlights consistent verbal and emotional abuse, including racist and degrading remarks. She claims Peter frequently used profanity and referred to her as his "maidservant" or "the help". The plea states that Celina, a mother of three, is currently unemployed and unable to afford legal representation. It alleges that Peter has blocked her access to their children, who are in his custody in Austria, and seeks an order for unhindered virtual and telephonic access to them. The complaint was presented before SC Tadye, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Andheri, who issued a notice to Peter. The next hearing is scheduled for Dec 12.
Celina's complaint details a marriage registered on Sept 18, 2010, claiming her career and finances were systematically dismantled by Peter. She alleges he misappropriated Rs 1.26 lakh from her Versova flat's rental income and pressured her into signing a gift deed for the property while she was undergoing "severe depression" following the tragic death of her newborn twin son, Shamsher, and both her parents within a few months of each other.
The plea describes Peter as narcissistic and self-absorbed, with a short temper and alcoholic tendencies, accusing him of emotional, physical, verbal, and financial abuse. The complaint alleges that the abuse was so severe that Celina was eventually forced to "flee the home of the parties in Austria in the middle of the night" to return to India, leaving behind her three children.
Citing physical abuse, the complaint alleges an incident in Singapore where, after she asked him to wash feeding bottles, a drunk Peter struck her hard on her back, leaving a handprint. She was also physically pushed out of the apartment three weeks post-partum in Dubai after asking him to extend his paternity leave. She also alleged that a smartwatch worn by her began recording their exchange when Peter was allegedly aggressive with her in 2024.
Celina has also filed a civil suit in the Dindoshi civil court to cancel a gift deed transferring her Versova flat to Peter. The matter is pending for hearing and final disposal.
Peter's documents submitted as part of legal proceedings in Austria claimed that Celina is primarily interested in outward appearances, physical appearance, public image, and the attention she receives. The document is part of Celina's complaint in Mumbai.
Peter alleges that her main ambition is focused on this, leading to her devoting herself "extensively to her own beauty care and fitness". She is accused of having a "highly escalatory nature," "quarrelsomeness," "erratic behaviour and aggression, screaming, and anger." Peter also accused her of failing to achieve a higher German language level due to her "lack of commitment and willingness to learn". He alleged that he had to take over "almost all of the household management and childcare duties," including schooling and medical administration, to cope with her behaviour.
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Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; November 25, 2025)
Actor Celina Jaitly has moved to a Mumbai court, accusing her husband, Austrian businessman Peter Haag, of domestic violence, financial coercion, and emotional cruelty. The application, filed under the Domestic Violence Act, has been admitted before the Judicial Magistrate in Andheri, and a notice has been issued to Haag, returnable on December 12.
Speaking to Bombay Times, Jaitly’s lawyer Niharika Karanjawala Misra confirmed the status of proceedings. “The case is before the regional magistrate in Andheri in Mumbai. It is a domestic violence case, and a notice has been issued returnable by 12 December.”
Misra said Jaitly approached her legal team earlier this month. “She reached out to us in November itself, and we filed the case on the 21st of November. The violence has been sort of on and off through them. It’s been continual through the marriage, unfortunately," she told us.
Jaitly has also sought financial relief with an alimony of Rs. 50 crores, which her lawyer confirms. “We have made a claim for alimony and for money required, as it was her funds primarily that were supporting the couple, her savings through the marriage. In 2017, Mr. Haag coercively induced her to transfer her Mumbai property to him in a gift deed. So, there is a separate civil litigation pending in Bombay for the reversal of that deed. And we also believe that this is money owed to her. They also purchased certain properties together in Vienna that he had sold without her knowledge," Misra told us.
Furthermore, Misra reveals to us that it was Jaitly's husband Haag who filed for the divorce first. “There’s also a divorce case pending in Austria filed by Mr. Peter Haag. He filed it earlier this year," she says.
On what could be the reason behind him filing for a divorce, the lawyer says, “Earlier this year… a fight broke out due to the fact that she discovered that he had sold their Vienna property. He has now filed against her in the court in Austria and is attempting to try and prove that he does not have to split any of the property with her, as he is blaming her for the breakdown of their marriage in the Austrian court. Something that we believe is very unfair. She even asked him to do a divorce by mutual consent for the sake of the children, but he was not willing to do that.”
The December 12 appearance will determine the next steps in the Mumbai case. “I think he will take time in order to file written submission giving his version of events, as he is in Austria," the lawyer adds.
Jaitly and Haag married in 2011 and are parents to three sons. Jaitly, known for films such as No Entry, Apna Sapna Money Money, Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, Golmaal Returns, and Thank You, moved to Austria post her wedding.
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Deep Saxena (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 25, 2025)
Actor Celina Jaitly has reportedly filed a domestic violence case against her husband Peter Haag in Mumbai seeking damages, child custody, and maintenance. Celina, who married the Austrian entrepreneur and hotelier on September 18, 2010, also alleges that he fraudulently took her property in India and sold their jointly-owned property in Austria.
Celina’s counsel Rytim Vohra Ahuja of Karanjawala and Company Advocates, told HT City says: “We have filed for virtual and telephonic access to their three children Winston, Viraaj and Arthur, maintenance of Rs. 10 lakh per month and damages of Rs. 50 crore for the physical and mental trauma caused to her.”
Ahuja adds, “During this period, Celina lost both her parents and in the same period she lost her child (Samsher), while she was in depression and her husband forcefully took the property via gift deed. We have filed a suit for cancellation of the gift deed.”
The Mumbai court has issued notice to Haag, with the next hearing on December 12. Celina returned to India on October 11, while the children remain with her husband. She hasn’t filed for divorce, though Haag did it in Austria earlier this year. Celina shared on social media her struggle during this turbulent period. HT City could not reach Haag for comment.
I want to know exactly what happened the day Zubeen died-Garima Saikia Garg
8:00 AM
Shantanu Nandan Sharma (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; October 26, 2025)
In the serene hills of Sonapur, just beyond Guwahati’s bustle, the place where Assam’s music icon Zubeen Garg was cremated is a site of pilgrimage, visited by thousands every day. On the night of October 21, when ET reaches the spot, there are about 4,000 people—some lighting lamps and incense sticks, others draping gamosas, the traditional red-and-white scarves, over photographs of their beloved Zubeenda.
A group of young fans climb a small hillock nearby and their voices ring in the dark sky—“Joi Zubeen da”, “Justice for Zubeen”. Night buses from Guwahati pause for a few minutes for passengers to step out—with bowed heads, they leave flowers, prayers and tears for the legend whose voice had once united them all.
It has been over a month since Garg’s untimely death on September 19 in Singapore, where he reportedly drowned while swimming without a life jacket. Authorities in Singapore and Assam continue their investigations to determine whether there was foul play.
The site in Sonapur is now called Zubeen Kshetra after his wife, costume designer Garima Saikia Garg urged his fans not to use the word samadhi (memorial). She said the effort would be to keep Zubeen alive forever. She has kept the sindoor on her forehead—a symbol of their bond that began in 2002 when she married the celebrated singer of Maya and Mayabini fame. In their modest apartment in Kahilipara, Guwahati, a new piece of digital art adorns the wall: there’s Zubeen with his guitar and Garima in her red bindi.
In an interview with Shantanu Nandan Sharma, she talks about the lingering questions she has about the day he died—“How could everyone neglect an artist like Zubeen Garg in such a manner?”—and her attempts to protect and preserve his legacy. Edited excerpts:
Tell me about this image of you and Zubeen Garg on the wall.
It is a digital artwork prepared by Ashwini Barkataki, an artist from Jorhat. It reflects my decision to retain the sindoor and the bindi after Zubeen’s death. The guitar represents Zubeen’s music and his strong presence. I love this photo as it captures the emotions I’m going through now. That I need to be strong is also very much visible on my face here.
Do you suspect any foul play in Zubeen’s death?
I want to know what exactly happened on that day. Zubeen was taken out for a yacht party on September 19, but I—and our entire family—want to know every minute detail from the previous night. A video circulating on social media shows how he was enjoying the previous night, singing “Tears In Heaven” (by Eric Clapton) with a local artist. But if you see his videos the next day (on the yacht), he is wearing the same dress. I want to know whether he got a chance to sleep that night at all. Zubeen was not a person who woke up early in the morning. He was not a day person. He always slept during the day and got up at 3 or 4 in the evening. Nothing in the world excited him during the day. He used to go to bed in the morning, and we ensured he never got disturbed during the day. But that day (September 19), he was taken to the yacht so early.
The previous night, he replied to a WhatsApp message from one of our team members in Guwahati at 11:25 pm. That means he was awake at 2 at night Singapore time. I want to know whether he slept that night. Were there people sitting around him the whole night? Was he taken out for the party very early in the morning? We have learnt that he did not get a chance to have breakfast. Also, from his face, as seen in the video, you can make out that he did not sleep the previous night. He was looking very tired. He seemed so exhausted.
How did you come to know about the tragedy?
There were two missed calls from his manager Siddharth (Sharma, now in judicial custody). I called him back. It was about 1:15 pm (India time). He picked up the phone, and I heard him crying, ‘Dada, dada.’ I asked what happened to dada (Zubeen). I immediately suspected there could have been a seizure attack, so I first asked him: ‘Did he take the medicine in the morning?’ He did not reply. I asked him: ‘Are you taking him to the hospital, or have you called a doctor to the hotel?’ I had no idea that Zubeen was not in the hotel but inside a yacht.
What happened then?
I heard him say CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, an emergency procedure that is given when heart stops). I could not believe it. Zubeen had no cardiac issues. I said, ‘Tell me what happened to Zubeen?’ Siddharth passed the phone to someone who identified himself as Abhimanyu Talukdar (president of the Assam Association of Singapore) who said Zubeen was in the water and possibly had a seizure attack. I got scared. I asked: ‘Why then is CPR being given?’ He was fumbling. I asked: ‘Is Zubeen breathing properly? When did the convulsion stop?’ After all, such convulsions last 15–20 seconds, sometimes less.
I also asked him if there was a doctor there or not; who was giving him the CPR? I was told some coastguards were giving him CPR. I was shocked. Why coastguards? I was screaming. He assured me that they were all trained. Only then did I come to know that Zubeen was in a yacht and there was no doctor nearby. I was told it would take some 10 minutes or so to reach the coast where there was an ambulance.
What did you do next?
I immediately informed Bhanti (Zubeen’s younger sister and academic Palme Borthakur) and my brother. I started praying. I also kept calling, asking how long it would take them to reach the hospital. Every time the answer was: 5–10 minutes. It was at that moment that I decided I would fly to Singapore as soon as possible. I had to be with him at the hospital during the treatment.
And then?
I realized I needed a visa to go to Singapore. So, I called up Pabitra Margherita (minister of state for external affairs, who was once Zubeen’s roommate and anchored his music shows in the 1990s). He told me to send a photo of my passport, and assured me that there wouldn’t be a problem getting a visa. I was readying to go. By then, I kept calling to ask whether Zubeen was being treated by doctors or not. After some 45 minutes, I came to know they had reached the hospital. Siddharth called me to get the prescription of medicines Zubeen was taking as the doctor was asking for it.
Which medicines did Zubeen take regularly?
Zubeen took two medicines regularly—Starpress tablets for blood pressure and Levipil for seizures. These two were a must. He also took Vitamin E tablets. Much later (after his mortal remains reached Guwahati), when I was asked to identify his bags, I spotted these three medicines in the bag he was carrying (to the yacht). As he was not having breakfast, maybe he thought he would have some food during the day and then take the medicines.
Did you make any video call to see Zubeen’s condition?
I made video calls, but I did not see his face. Once in the hospital, Sanjive Narain (a media owner who was in Singapore to participate in the Northeast India festival) spoke with me. I requested him, please show me Zubeen. I also told him, if he’s in the ICU, never take the ventilator off. Zubeen will fight back. Singapore has some of the best doctors. Let them try their best. As I was speaking with him over the phone and praying to god for Zubeen’s recovery, there was already a large gathering outside our home. That meant the news (of his death) was already out. No one told me directly that Zubeen was no more. I understand that.
Do you feel there is too much politics around him now, against the backdrop of his immense popularity?
I won’t talk politics, but everything (leading to his death) was not as easy and straight as I initially thought. If you see what happened from the previous night, it was pure negligence. When Bhanti (sister-in-law) and I watched the videos after two-three days, we were wondering how everyone could neglect an artist like Zubeen Garg in such a manner. How could such an incident happen when there were some 14–15 people around him? How was he allowed to swim without a life jacket?
When the shooting (of his upcoming film) Roi Roi Binale was going on in Sri Lanka, he was swimming in the sea, but we persuaded him to return. This time too, Siddharth and Shekhar (Jyoti Goswami, a drummer and bandmate of Zubeen) were there. They were like our family members. Even Amrit Prabha (an Assamese singer, in jail now) was there. Siddharth and Shekhar, in particular, accompanied Zubeen all the time. They know everything. The video shows how exhausted he was after returning to the yacht. He should have been stopped from playing in the water again. At least they could have done that. He should have been taken away right then. It was such negligence.
Do you suspect any conspiracy behind it?
I can’t say if there was any conspiracy — the investigations are on. While there are many videos, the last part is somehow missing.
Have you seen the last video (of unconscious Zubeen being carried to the yacht)?
I have not seen that video either. We want to know the exact sequence till the last moment. Until I know every minute detail, I won’t be able to live peacefully. It’s such deep pain... I can’t even explain it.
What are your next steps in carrying forward Zubeen’s legacy?
We must carry forward his ideology and legacy. First, we have to protect the intellectual property rights of his creations. He sang around 40,000 songs, many of which he composed. We need to protect and archive them. We want Zubeen’s memorial to be known as Zubeen’s Kshetra to keep him alive in our hearts. We must never feel that he’s no more. He must always live with us.
Is there any indication how soon the structure will be built?
It will take time. We don’t want to hurry this. We have some ideas which we have put up in the first meeting of the committee [the Assam government formed an 11-member committee to oversee the planning and building of a memorial at Sonapur].
You just mentioned protecting the intellectual property rights to Zubeen’s creations. Aren’t these with Zubeen?
Not all copyrights are with us. Things have yet to be streamlined. Also, much of the work Zubeen did needs to be documented and preserved for future generations. It will be a gradual process. I won’t be able to work at Zubeen’s pace, but I’m sure his admirers across the state will help me in this endeavour.
Will Zubeen’s last film, Roi Roi Binale, where he reportedly plays the role of a blind person, be out on October 31 as scheduled?
It was his dream film, and it will be released as scheduled. On September 21, he was to return from Singapore and finalize some post-production work. That did not happen. We completed some patchworks recently. He told us he was not very happy with two-three scenes.
There have been a lot of news reports claiming that you don’t know much about Zubeen’s finances. Is that right?
I have never been involved in money matters. Zubeen himself believed that husband and wife must not be involved together in financial matters. Even in my own work (as costume designer and film producer), he gave me complete freedom. He did help me but never interfered in my professional work. He was okay even if I was away for a month for work. I mostly accompanied him to his shows, but I never got involved in his fees or monetary deals. In fact, he himself did not show much interest in such matters.
Several reports suggest he was careless in monetary matters, that he did not even know how much money he earned or spent.
I won’t say he was careless, but he did not want to get involved in such matters. He believed that spending time on balance sheets would hamper his creativity. Zubeen lived in a different world. New ideas used to hit his brain all the time. There were times when he would suddenly rise from sleep and start composing a song or create new music. If he had one or two sentences of a new song or new music, we sometimes recorded those instantly. There was no point telling such a creative man that he should handle his finances better.
Twist in Zubeen Garg death case: Manager delayed medical help, says band member; recalls how events unfolded in Singapore
10:35 AM
Prabin Kalita (THE TIMES OF INDIA; October 5, 2025)
Guwahati: The probe into Zubeen Garg’s death has taken a dramatic turn, with fresh allegations of poisoning now at the centre of an intensifying criminal inquiry.
In the past 12 hours, the case has escalated sharply with three major developments — now public SIT’s arrest memo for manager Siddharth Sharma citing a co-accused’s claim that Zubeen was poisoned, the one-man judicial commission led by Gauhati HC Justice Soumitra Saikia launching its independent probe, and Zubeen’s wife, Garima, returning the autopsy report to investigators, stating it was not her personal document and should be handled at their discretion.
The SIT’s arrest memo for Zubeen’s manager, Siddharth, revealed explosive grounds for arrest — citing allegations from a band member and co-accused that Zubeen was poisoned in Singapore, where he died on Sept 19.
The SIT claimed that co-accused and key witness, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, has made explosive allegations against Siddharth and Shyamkanu, the organiser of the event where Zubeen had gone to participate.
The arrest memo cites that Shekhar, who was Zubeen’s band member, has alleged before it that “Shri Sharma and Shri Shyamkanu Mahanta had poisoned the victim and deliberately chosen a foreign venue to conceal their conspiracy. Shri Sharma also instructed him not to share the yacht videos with anyone.”
Saying that Shekhar has made the poisoning claim before the SIT, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The viscera report from the National Forensic Laboratory is expected by Oct 10, and only then we will know the truth.”
According to Shekhar’s statement, recorded by the CID under Sec 175 of BNSS, Siddharth forcibly took control of the yacht from its sailor during the Singapore event, causing it to wobble dangerously in mid-sea, thereby endangering all passengers onboard. He alleged that Siddharth instructed Tanmoy Phukan, an NRI and member of the Assam Association Singapore, not to arrange drinks, insisting that he alone would provide them.
During the critical moments when Zubeen was gasping for breath in the sea, Shekhar alleged that Siddharth was heard shouting “jabo de, jabo de” (let him go, let him go). Shekhar said Zubeen was an expert swimmer, who had personally trained both him and Siddharth, and therefore could not have drowned under normal circumstances.
Shekhar alleged that when Zubeen began frothing at the mouth and nose, Siddharth had dismissed it as acid reflux, assuring others that there was nothing to worry. Instead of seeking medical help, Siddharth allegedly facilitated early demise of the singer by delaying intervention.
Legal experts caution that a co-accused’s statement, unless corroborated, holds no evidentiary value during trial. Senior advocate Angshuman Bora of the Gauhati HC said, “If the statement is recorded as a confession, it must first implicate the person making it. Only then can it extend to implicating others. A confession is an admission of guilt — it must be inculpatory in nature. In this case, the statement appears to be exculpatory, as it does not implicate the accused himself. An exculpatory statement cannot be treated as a confession, because a confession must be inculpatory implicating himself in the commission of offense.”
Singer Zubeen Garg suffers seizure while swimming in Singapore, dies
9:27 AM
Mukut Das (THE TIMES OF INDIA; September 20, 2025)
Guwahati: Renowned Assamese singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg tragically passed away on Friday in Singapore after suffering a seizure while swimming at Lazarus Island. His wife, Garima Saikia Garg, confirmed the incident.
Known for his powerful voice and advocacy for Assamese identity, Zubeen was in Singapore to perform at the 4th North East India Festival at Suntec, where he was scheduled to take the stage on Sept 20. He had arrived there on Sept 17 as a cultural brand ambassador for the event.
“Zubeen, along with seven or eight others, including drummer Shekhar and Sidhartha, went to the island on a yacht. They swam together and returned to the shore on the yacht. All of them were wearing life jackets. But Zubeen went to swim again and suffered a seizure attack. He suffered seizure attacks on several occasions earlier but escaped death. Other team members rescued him after seeing something unusual. He was kept in the ICU at Singapore General Hospital for about two hours,” said Garima, rejecting claims of his demise while scuba diving.
Zubeen breathed his last at 2:30 pm at the Singapore General Hospital. He was 52. People from all segments of society, including PM Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, Bollywood actor from Assam Adil Hussain and singer Jubin Nautiyal mourned Zubeen’s demise.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was campaigning in Chirang for Bodoland Territorial Council elections, rushed to Guwahati, to make arrangements to bring back Zubeen’s mortal remains.
The CM said, “Today Assam lost one of its favourite sons, and I am at a loss for words to describe what Zubeen meant for the state. He has gone too early; this was not an age to go.”
He added, “His unique voice stirred the masses, creating music that touched the hearts and souls of people from all walks of life. His untimely death will leave a void that will never be filled,” he said.
The CM added that future generations will remember Zubeen as a stalwart of Assam’s culture, and his creations will inspire many more talented artists in the days to come. “Besides his music, his connection with people and passion for helping them will always be remembered. I will greatly cherish all my interactions with him,” he said.
The CM said the legendary artist always reached out to help those in need. He added that Zubeen, with his magical voice and unforgettable creations, would live forever in the hearts of the people. Sarma offered his heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.
Himanta Biswa Sarma told the media after visiting Zubeen’s residence at Kahilipara that efforts will be made to bring the mortal remains of Zubeen Garg by Saturday evening. His body will be brought to Delhi from Singapore and then to Guwahati. His body will be kept at Sarusajai sports complex for one day for public tribute.
Education minister Ranoj Pegu said on his X handle, “In view of the untimely death of Late Zubeen Garg, all Inspectors of Schools are instructed to postpone the half-yearly examination scheduled tomorrow until the cremation of the mortal remains of the legendary artist.”
Prayers were offered at the satras, naamghars (community prayer halls), temples, and mosques for the eternal peace of the departed soul across the state.
On the other hand, thousands of fans of Zubeen gathered outside his residence at Kahilipara as well as at Kharghuli in the city, lit candles and earthen lamps, and sang his soulful hits, including ‘Mayabini Ratir Bukut’. Zubeen, who sang over 35,000 songs in different Indian languages, wished that his song ‘Mayabini Ratir Bukut’ be played when he dies during a show at the B Borooah College in 2019.
Hundreds of people gathered at the historic Latasil playground to pay rich tribute to their beloved singer.
Pawan Kalyan’s eight-year-old son injured in fire at Singapore school
10:07 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 9, 2025)
Actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s younger son, Mark Shankar, has suffered injuries in a fire mishap at his school in Singapore on Tuesday morning. The information was shared on the official X handle of Pawan’s Jana Sena Party.
According to the tweet, Mark has suffered burns on his hands and legs in the fire, which broke out due to unknown reasons. He also inhaled smoke, resulting in respiratory discomfort. The child is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore.
Meanwhile, Pawan, who is presently on an official tour of Alluri Sitarama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh, has been advised by party leaders and officials to shorten his trip and head to Singapore to be with his son.
However, the Deputy CM plans to attend the scheduled programmes before departing for Singapore from Vishakhapatnam, a party leader said.
Mark is the younger son of Pawan and Anna Lezhneva, a Russian model-actor he married in 2013. They also have an elder daughter, Polena Anjana. Pawan also has two children, Akira Nandan and Aadya, from his earlier marriage with actor Renu Desai.
After marriage, I get to live with my best friend now-Sonakshi Sinha
2:29 PM
Back to work in two weeks of marrying Zaheer Iqbal, Sonakshi Sinha calls herself ‘a lucky girl’; says ‘nothing much has changed’ in her life after marriage
Monika Rawal Kukreja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 7, 2024)
Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal might have kept their relationship under wraps for seven years, but their recent wedding was all over social media. “I feel everyone has attended my wedding,” laughs Sinha, adding, “In fact, Zaheer and I went to Singapore and at the coffee shop, people were sending us congratulatory messages with pastries. Everyone who came to us and spoke to us was like, ‘Oh, we have seen all the videos from your wedding’, and I was like, ‘Yes, everyone has been a part of our big day.”
The newlyweds just went for a “short and quick” honeymoon and even shared glimpses on social media: “Actually, my bestie had a baby five days before our wedding, so she couldn’t make it. So, we decided to go to Singapore to surprise her and meet the baby.”
The couple got married on June 23. It’s been barely two weeks and Sinha has already resumed work, promoting her upcoming film, Kakuda. “I am happy being back at work,” she says.
Since the two dated for many years, have their lives changed at all ever since they got married? “It’s great and that’s the beauty of it. Nothing much has really changed in my life except that I get to live with my best friend now. And that’s the most fun part. That’s what lovely relationships do, they don’t make you change who you are. He’s lovely. I am a lucky girl,” Sinha smiles.
Sharing a fun anecdote from her wedding, Sinha says how there was never a clear demarcation about guests from the groom’s and the bride’s side. “Zaheer and I were having tu-tu, main-main ki Saqib (Saleem; actor) kiske side se aayega. Ladke walon ke side se ya mere side se,” she laughs, and adds, “We have the same friends, hamare dost itne overlapping hain ki sab party badal rahe the. Ek din ladki wale the, ek din ladke wale the. Pata nahin kya ho raha tha, but we were very happy. We had the perfect wedding.”
Shah Rukh Khan would come to slums at night to meet his staff’s family-Sunil Pal
8:21 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 7, 2024)
Comedian-actor Sunil Pal unearthed from the memory bank a heartwarming gesture that actor Shah Rukh Khan used to extend to his staff member’s family, sans entourage or security.
“Shah Rukh’s boy Subhash — he is no more — used to live in the slum where I also used to live on rent. SRK used to visit his house once every four to six months. If it was his kid’s birthday or if there was another occasion,” Pal told Bollywood Bubble, adding, “He would come after 12 or 1 in the night, when it was dark. He would come silently, stay for 10-15 minutes and leave.”
Pal, who has never shared screen space with Khan even though the two appeared in cameos in Krazzy 4 (2008), went on to recall a memorable meeting with the actor in Singapore.
“I had gone for a tour to Singapore. A show was being held in a stadium there and I remember, after the event, Shah Rukh introduced every artiste, including me, to the audience. (Choreographer) Ganesh Hegde, who was also present, told me to come to the green room and perform in front of SRK. He entered the room with a drink and cigarette in his hand, and I started mimicking his popular dialogues in front of him,” he shared.
BT Exclusive: Yes, finally I am getting married-Tanuj Virwani
8:11 AM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; November 22, 2023)
Tanuj Virwani got engaged to his girlfriend Tanya Jacob, a corporate professional, who he has known for nearly nine years.
The Inside Edge actor, who is actress Rati Agnihotri’s son, says, “Tanya’s parents and my family have been good friends from many years. I have known Tanya for nine years, but we started dating a year ago. She relocated from Singapore to Mumbai so that we could get to know each other. We got engaged on November 17 in Singapore in the presence of friends and family members.”
Tanuj excitedly adds, “Yes, finally, I am getting married. I have always felt that one should not get married only because they have hit a certain age or there’s pressure from the family. My mum wanted me to get married ever since I turned 32, but I wanted to settle down financially and in my career. Marriage is all about compatibility and friendship, so I waited for the right girl.”
Talking about marrying a girl who is not from the film industry, Tanuj, who has done web shows like Code M and films like Love U Soniyo, says, “Tanya does not belong to the film industry, but since the past one year, she has been accompanying me to parties and even on set. She has understood my work and is very supportive. She brings a sense of calm to my life. After marriage, she will work in Mumbai.”
About their marriage plans, and he says, “We are finalizing details. There will be a big announcement soon.”
Hrithik Roshan locks script of Krrish 4, to shoot in 2024
9:05 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 22, 2023)
Actor Hrithik Roshan has locked the script of the fourth part of his superhero franchise, Krrish. A source tells us that the script has been written by the actor’s father, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, and modifications were made after Hrithik went through it.
“He (Hrithik) wanted to be super sure about the story as they are reviving the franchise after a long time and don’t want to get it wrong. He went through the script and introduced some changes. The script is now locked,” an insider says, adding, “He is ready to start shooting in February or March next year.”
The actor, we have learnt, has almost wrapped up the shoot of Siddharth Anand’s Fighter and is in prep mode for Krrish 4. He is expected to undergo a fitness transformation for the role.
Meanwhile, the makers are in search of an international destination to shoot. “They might revisit Singapore for some important sequences. But the focus is on shooting in a place where they get the best subsidy,” says the source.
The franchise kicked off with Koi... Mil Gaya in 2003 that also starred Preity G Zinta and Rekha. The makers might reach out to actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who was seen in the last two instalments of the franchise. “There is no chance for Zinta to return, but the makers want Priyanka to revisit her role and are planning to reach out to her soon to check about her interest. The team is hoping to seal the deal with her,” the insider shares.
My father’s blessings from above are with me and my intent has always been right-Ayushmann Khurrana
3:24 PM
Ayushmann Khurrana, who recently received the Time100 Impact Award in Singapore, feels validated by the honour
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 22, 2023)
It’s been a smashing year for Ayushmann Khurrana on the professional front. After his film Dream Girl 2 became a money-spinner at the box office, the actor has now been awarded the Time100 Impact award for the second time.
Calling it a “beautiful surprise”, he remembers his late father, P Khurrana, and says, “My father’s blessings from above are with me and my intent has always been right. It’s a huge validation for my genuine efforts to disrupt my filmography.”
Khurrana was in Singapore on September 17 to receive the award, where he quoted a verse from the Bhagavad Gita in his acceptance speech. “It was incredible to connect with icons across the world, who keep pushing the envelope in their own ways. It was amazing to witness how they view India and our contribution,” shares the 39-year-old.
The Doctor G (2022) actor was particularly happy about meeting the Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) actor, Ke Huy Quan, at the event. “It was a fan moment for me! His childlike quality and energy were infectious. He has a balanced mind because of his journey,” he says.
Ask him if these international honours make a difference to his career, and he replies, “Whenever we achieve something at a global stage — be it sports, science or cinema — it gives us a reason to celebrate.”
Khurrana is also ecstatic about his “efforts getting noticed” at a global platform. “I’m just making my earnest effort as a socially responsible artiste. This (getting recognition) will further encourage me and fellow Indians to push for progressive storytelling,” he wraps up.
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.”
Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Amrita Arora to come together for a show?
8:43 AM
Sources say Netflix is developing reality series Guts that focuses on glamorous lives of actor-friends Kareena, Karisma, Malaika and Amrita
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 30, 2022)
Remember the time when Kareena Kapoor Khan revealed that she has a WhatsApp group named Guts — consisting of sister Karisma Kapoor, bestie Amrita Arora, Malaika Arora and Karan Johar — where they dissect fellow stars’ outfits and airport looks? Well, we can’t be privy to their chats, but if the latest rumours are anything to go by, we might just get an insider pass to their glamorous lives.
mid-day has learnt that Bollywood’s OG girl gang — Kareena, Karisma, Malaika and Amrita — are set to team up for a Netflix show titled Guts.
The reality series has apparently been in the making since before the pandemic. A source says, “After months of discussions, it’s only now that the makers have put a structure in place. The series will be shot in the four fashion capitals — Paris, New York, London and Singapore. It will give an inside view into the four friends’ lives as they juggle their work, travel, and party together.”
The OTT giant tasted success with the 2020 reality series, Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives. The source adds, “Guts will be different in tonality, focusing more on travel, food and shopping.”
mid-day reached out to Netflix India, which remained unavailable for comment.
The Coronavirus cases in Singapore rose from 3,000 to 15,000 in a matter of days-Rituparna Sengupta
8:16 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 16, 2022)
On February 14, Singapore recorded the highest number of Coronavirus deaths since December 5, 2021. This surge comes at a time when the cases are plateauing in most parts of the world. Actor Rituparna Sengupta, who is based in Singapore, says, “The cases rose from 3,000 to 15,000 in a matter of days.”
She says the restrictions have now been relaxed, since life has to go on. “Institutional quarantine and isolation isn’t working out anymore. We’ve been instructed to quarantine at home if we fall sick. It’s not possible to keep imposing restrictions,” she says, adding that only a group of five is allowed in public places now.
Sengupta explains that it (the volatile Covid-19 situation) has become “mentally exhausting” now. “People have given up. The fear has waned away,” says the actor, who is happy that schools continue to function: “My daughter has started going to school. If a student tests positive (for Covid-19), they are required to isolate at home for five days and then they can go back to school.”
The actor, who tested positive for Covid-19 last month for the second time, is happy that she doesn’t need to get herself tested before flying out of the country for sometime now: “There’s a rule in Singapore that if you’ve had Covid-19, you need not test yourself for the next three months.”
For the first time, I was missing work-Kajol
8:02 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 5, 2021)
Last year, Kajol flew to Singapore with daughter, Nysa Devgn, who resumed college after the first wave of Coronavirus subsided. After more than six months, the actor returned to Mumbai and resumed work two weeks back. While her days in Singapore made for a special mother-daughter bonding time, Kajol confides that she had been “dying to return to Mumbai by the end of it”.
She tells us, “I had a great time in Singapore. But my son (Yug Devgn) was in Mumbai. As a mother, you feel that a piece of you is missing when you aren’t around one of your kids. So, you aren’t completely happy.”
She also shares that she was elated to be back to a set after a long time. “I’ve gone through long periods of not working and have always been quite okay with it... But for the first time, I was missing work,” she admits.
The actor, who turns 47 today, loves celebrating birthdays. While she’s upset about not being able to call her loved ones over, she “spaced it out and met her friends over the week”. She reveals, “I try to keep myself free for at least a week so I can enjoy the day. I’m not working today either.”
On the professional front, speculations are rife that Kajol has been roped in for filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani’s next. Clearing the air, she says, “They haven’t approached me yet. I’m reading and listening to scripts and virtually meeting people. But I haven’t locked anything.”
From a rocky relationship, my father and I went on to become best buddies-Ram Kapoor
7:54 AM
The actor talks about his equation and love for his father, adman Anil Kapoor, who passed away recently
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; April 17, 2021)
Your father had been unwell and undergoing treatment in Singapore…
My father was detected with cancer 10 years ago and the doctors then said that he had around 6-12 months left. We started his treatment and miraculously he recovered, stunning the doctors. He lived a pain-free life for 10 years, travelled around the world, worked well and was fine. But last year around February, he travelled with his friends to Singapore and that’s when the cancer came back and his situation deteriorated. He also got stuck there because of the lockdown that followed in March. A few months ago, he called and told me that he wanted to return to India. It was challenging amidst COVID-19 restrictions, but we managed to get an air ambulance. He was admitted to a Mumbai hospital, where visitors were not allowed due to Coronavirus. But with precautions and permission, I stayed with him during his last few days in the hospital. My family was worried about how I was managing, but for me, it was a great sense of satisfaction and peace that I was around him.
While your father was one of the advertising industry veterans, you chose to become an actor. Why did you not want to use his name to get work?
I learnt a lot about theatre at Sherwood boarding school in Nainital. So when I told my father about my decision to pursue acting as a career, he did not take me seriously. He did not discourage me either and just told me to follow my dreams. Also, when I went abroad to learn acting, he thought I wasn’t serious and I would quietly come back and do something else after the initial struggle. So, it was a challenge within myself to prove to him that I would create my path and make him proud, one day. I wanted to prove to him that I could make my career without his help and support. I was highly inspired by Nicolas Cage, a Hollywood star who is also the nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola, but he never took the surname and created his own identity.
So, what was wrong in using your father’s name or his connections?
I don’t see anything wrong in fathers or mothers helping their kids in showbiz, but in my case, the reason why I never used his name was that his respect and confidence in me mattered to me the most. He was a self-made man and a true legend, and I wanted to prove to him that I could also be a self-made man like him. Today, I feel happy that I may not be a Khan, but I have carved a place for myself in the profession. People take my name with respect and though I am nowhere near my legendary father, my work and career has reached a stage, where people started identifying my father as Ram Kapoor’s father. It took me 10 years to impress him, and from a rocky relationship that I shared with him during those initial years, we went on to become great buddies. He used to proudly tell people how I was his best friend.
You mentioned how you bonded with him in the last few years…
Both he and I had busy careers and it was challenging to be physically present and share common things. But, we bonded a lot over phone calls and long conversations, which lasted for 2-3 hours. We used to fight, argue and have the best advice for each other. It is because we kept our work lives separate and were self-reliant, we became such a close father-son duo. In many ways, I am similar to my dad and that’s why I am what I am, today. And though I was aware of how he turned around a dying ad agency to one of the top five agencies in the country and his achievements, I always detached from his profession. Similarly, he must have watched all my films, my TV shows and series, but he never once complimented me on my work. Through my wife, mother or sister, he would convey that he was very happy with my achievements. He had a lot of expectations from me and I am happy I fulfilled them. In his last days, we discussed death, not in a morbid way but as a matter of fact. Even now, there are times when I wake up crying and miss him a lot, but in my heart, I know that I have healed, and feel a sense of satisfaction, I could give him a send-off, like the way he wanted.
I miss the positivity and synergy of Durga Puja celebrations in Mumbai-Rituparna Sengupta
8:24 AM
Debarati Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; October 25, 2020)
With Durga Puja celebrations being done in a low-key manner due to the Coronavirus pandemic, actress Rituparna Sengupta couldn’t come to Mumbai to participate in the festivities this year. The actress has been stationed in Singapore with her family over the last seven months. Talking to Bombay Times about her Durga Puja plans, she says, “My days in Singapore during the pujo are all about little outings with friends, but only five at one time as that’s the rule here. To celebrate the festival here, I wear sarees, offer prayers to Maa Durga and have a lunch that includes traditional Bengali delicacies.’ On a nostalgic note, she tells us, “What I really miss about Mumbai’s Durga Puja celebrations is the positivity and the synergy. The cosmopolitan crowds are a huge part of the festival, and that gives it a beautiful dimension.”
Rituparna further adds, “Since association pujas aren’t allowed anywhere, everyone is celebrating in their own way. We will do some charity work through an organisation. That’s something we do every year in Kolkata. I will try to offer anjali virtually. I will miss wearing my red tika and a brand new saree that I wear every year while praying to Maa Durga at our own pandal. A lot of my friends will have small pujas at their residences in Kolkata and we will wait to see their pujo and aarti virtually. I will miss all the delicious food and bhog this year.”
The actress hopes that the festive atmosphere boosts people’s morale amid the pandemic. She says, “Our minds are clouded with a lot of indecisiveness and sadness. I think Maa Durga will eradicate that and help us rebuild our confidence.”
Panvel birthday for Ajay Devgn's son, Yug
8:08 AM
Kajol and daughter Nysa, who are currently in Singapore, will miss the celebration of Yug's special day that will be held at family's farmhouse
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 9, 2020)
A 10th birthday is one of many landmarks in a child's life that parents eagerly await. But at the Devgn household, celebrations for Yug will be significantly muted this time around, owing to the pandemic. Sources tell mid-day that Ajay will mark his son's birthday on September 13 at their Panvel farmhouse in the absence of wife Kajol and daughter Nysa, given that the duo is currently in Singapore where Nysa is set to resume her education at the United World College of South East Asia.
"Ajay has been looking after Yug at home while working on a few home-productions, including Bhuj: The Pride of India. But, he wants to mark Yug's 10th birthday, and make it special. Since Kajol and Nysa are not here, he has invited his relatives, who will drive down to his sprawling farmhouse over the next few days," says the source, adding that while the celebration will be curtailed, Ajay has order Yug's favourite cake, and has a few surprises in store for him.
It was the parents' decision to keep their daughter company amid a pandemic, owing to which Kajol took off to Singapore with Nysa. The source says she is likely to spend a couple of months there before returning home. "This is the first time that Kajol won't be with Yug for his birthday. She will connect with him on video-call."
Last year, the duo had marked Yug's birthday together at their Juhu bungalow.
Kajol in Singapore with daughter Nysa, while Ajay Devgn spends time in Mumbai with son Yug
8:36 AM
While Ajay Devgn spends time in city with their son Yug; actor has been working on two scripts during the lockdown
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 1, 2020)
Days before a nationwide lockdown was announced in March, Kajol flew to Singapore to bring her 17-year-old daughter Nysa home, after the latter’s school shut down following the Coronavirus-triggered pandemic. Over the last five months, Ajay Devgn and Kajol have spent quality time with their kids, Nysa and son Yug. Earlier this month, Kajol took off with Nysa to Singapore as schools and colleges reopened.
“Nysa is studying at United World College of South East Asia in Singapore, and Kajol and Ajay don’t want their daughter to miss out on studies. At the same time, they don’t want her to be alone in a foreign country in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, which is why Kajol accompanied her there. She will be staying in Singapore for the next few months. In 2018, Ajay and she bought an apartment in the city to make their stay more comfortable,” informed a source.
Meanwhile, Ajay is working on two scripts for his home production and also overseeing the post-production of his upcoming films. On shooting front, he is constantly monitoring the on-ground scenario and will get back to set only when he feels it’s safe. “Right now, he is happy to be home with son Yug,” the source added.
Meanwhile, there is some patchwork left on his war film, Bhuj: The Pride of India, that he has to get back to, followed by Maidaan, the Syed Abdul Rahim biopic which chronicles the golden era of Indian football. Films that are yet to go on the floors include the Kaithi remake, Golmaal Five and Chanakya to name a few. He also has an extended cameo in Rohit Shetty’s upcoming copdrama, the Akshay Kumar starrer-Sooryavanshi.
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