Actor Salman Khan did not mince words in the latest Weekend Ka Vaar episode of Bigg Boss 20, telecast on Saturday, to condemn online trolling and intrusive celebrity coverage. He called out body shaming and ageist comments targeting celebrities, while also questioning the paparazzi’s habit of photographing female actors from behind. Salman came down heavily on issues around social media etiquettes and celebrity coverage.

“Why do you troll somebody who gets pregnant? Pregnant hone ke baad everyone puts on weight. Jab woh picture mein wapas aa jayengi, woh fit ho jayengi. She wanted to spend time with her family,” he said.

Many fans believed Salman was referring to actor Katrina Kaif, who was body shamed on social media after a recent public appearance in Mumbai.

The actor addressed trolling over his age and appearance after photos from a Mumbai event went viral in July, with social media users commenting on his lean frame.

In a surprise move, the actor went bare-bodied in a segment during the episode, and thundered: “Budha ho gaya, of course 60 saal ka ho gaya hoon. You cannot be Maine Pyaar Kiya all the bloody time.”

He also touched upon the constant online commentary about his shaved head, revealing, “People say, ‘I have gone bald. This is the look for the film. And the real reason is that a friend of mine passed away.”

“Paparazzi hip shots lete hain, taangon ke shots lete hain, aur agar peeche se shot mil jaaye toh woh bhi lete hain. None of these heroines like it. Meri apni niece chal rahi hoti hai, toh peeche se uska shot le rahe hain aur caption daalte hain, ‘Pehchaano ye kaun hai?’ I am saying all this to girls, agar aisa ho toh ghoom ke ek chamat maaro aur bolo, ‘Apni maa-behen ka shot le lo.’ Disgusting people! What is this mentality?,” he ranted.

Katrina faced online trolling after she was photographed with her husband, actor Vicky Kaushal, at the Ambani family’s Ganpati celebrations in Mumbai recently.

The appearance came months after the couple’s son, Vihaan, was born in November last year. Many social media handles inappropriately turned their attention to changes in Katrina’s physical appearance and postpartum weight.

Salman’s brother, actor Sohail Khan, was recently trolled over his physical transformation, while actor Varun Dhawan was also trolled over his signature smile around the release of Border 2.

Defending the actors, Salman said, “Ek samajh mein aata hai ke you lost weight or put on weight, but mazak udana Sohail ke upar, Varun ke upar, har ek ke upar. Pehle aap apna shakal dekh lo, apna jism dekh lo, uske baad karna yeh. Apne ma baap ko dekh lo pehle, unki sehat dekh lo, phir baat karna.”

Sohail Khan’s recent appearance at the wrap-up party of reality show Alliance sparked concern among fans, with pictures from the gathering prompting questions about his noticeable weight loss. While some social media users wondered if the actor was dealing with health issues, others speculated whether GLP-1 weight-loss drugs were behind the change.

Speaking to us, Sohail says his weight loss was linked to health issues he faced soon after entering the reality show: “I got a bit claustrophobic in the first few days, as it was my first time being a part of a reality show. A stomach bug added to that in the first week itself of entering the house. I must tell you, the love and concern, not only about my health, but at any given time by contestants, made me stay in for five weeks, though I was unwell in the first itself.”

The actor adds that the illness also forced him to watch what he ate so that he could continue participating in the show’s challenges: “I just needed to control what I was eating as I wanted to be a part of the challenges and be around the new family and friends that I made till the last day, and now for a lifetime. So no Ozempic, no fat burners, I’m only taking pure and loads of love and affection from everyone.”

If Sohail Khan’s participation in Alliance wasn’t enough to pique viewers’ curiosity, Seema Sajdeh’s entry into the reality show added another layer of intrigue. The former couple, who separated in 2022 after 24 years of marriage, found themselves under the same roof once again, prompting many to wonder if the arrangement would be awkward. However, the season unfolded without the discomfort many had anticipated, with the two maintaining a cordial equation throughout.

Seema reflects, “At the end of the day, we are parents to two beautiful boys. We’ve been divorced for four years now. We’ve gone through our motions and we’re a great team when it comes to the boys. We’re better friends than we ever were as a couple.”

During the show, Sohail said Alliance had helped the two reconnect and restored a “missing link” in their relationship.

Asked if living together in the house had changed the way she viewed their equation, Seema responds, “Sohail is an emotional person. I think being in captivity made him even more emotional. But no. Like I said, we’re a unit when it comes to our children and we’re co-parenting them beautifully. We’re great friends today. Every divorce has its stages of anger and lashing out. We’ve been through all of that, the toxic phase and the bad phase. It’s all done and dusted now because we both have to think about our two children, who never asked for any of this. I think we are better allies as friends than we ever were as a couple.”

Reflecting on her time inside the Alliance house, Seema believes many contestants misunderstood what the game truly demanded.

She says, “I was surprised by how competitive people were, as though they were competing in the Olympics. But Alliance isn’t just about the physical challenges because they take up only about 30 minutes of the day. For the rest of the time, you’re living with 16 people, building connections and forming emotional alliances. For me, that was a huge part of the game, and many contestants didn’t understand it.”

Reality shows are often synonymous with shouting matches and ugly confrontations, but Seema believes authenticity matters more than theatrics. “Bhaiyya, it’s not all about the TRPs. Ratings are temporary. After that, you have to step back into the real world and be able to sleep peacefully at night. The most important thing in life is to be authentic to who you are. For me, my dignity and my upbringing matter far more,” she signs off.

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Seema Sajdeh and Sohail Khan’s reunion on Alliance became one of the season’s biggest talking points. Reflecting on their equation after divorce, Seema says years of co-parenting have helped them move past the difficult phases, adding that they are better friends today than they ever were as a couple.

Sohail Khan recently opened up about a painful chapter from his childhood during the latest episode of Alliance. The Maine Dil Tujhko Diya actor revealed that he had faced sexual harassment as a young boy and kept the experience to himself for several years. Sohail shared this personal account while discussing his strong stance against bullying and ragging. He explained that his own past has shaped the way he guides and supports his sons, Nirvaan and Yohan.

While interacting with fellow contestants, Sohail spoke about the importance of creating an environment where children feel safe to share their concerns. He said he often encourages his sons to openly talk to him if they ever face bullying, discomfort or any situation that troubles them.

The actor said, “I am strongly against ragging. I have always told Yohan and Nirvaan, ‘Beta, don’t feel shy or embarrassed to come and tell me if someone is bullying you,’ because I have experienced this myself.”

“In fact, I was sexually harassed by someone when I was young, and I kept it to myself for years. When I grew up and became an adult, I finally confided in my father. I told him, ‘Daddy, this happened to me.’ He asked me, ‘Son, you kept this inside you for so many years?’ I said, ‘I am sorry, but I was too embarrassed to talk about it.’ It was not my fault, but at that time, you still feel the shame. So, I just keep on telling my children, “Boss, kuch bhi ho jaye, always share,” added Sohail.

Sohail Khan had earlier opened up about his marriage with Seema Sajdeh and reflected on the reasons behind their separation. The Tubelight actor admitted that his own actions and behavior played a role in the relationship falling apart.

“At that time, kaam theek nahi chal raha tha, so I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. Because of my behaviour, I lost someone I really loved.”

Actor, director, and producer Sohail Khan is set to make his reality show debut with Alliance. Calling it an opportunity to move beyond being only seen as “Salman Khan’s brother”, Sohail says, “In the show, there’s no family name to lean on. No industry clout. It’s just me, my mind, and how I play the game.” He adds, “If people walk away seeing a side of me they didn’t expect, good. That’s exactly why I’m here.”

Having watched his brother, Salman, host a reality show for years, Sohail says he never saw himself entering the same until now because the format demanded something different.

“I’ve seen what it takes, the energy, the drama, the emotional toll. And I always thought, ‘That’s his space, not mine’,” he says, adding, “Salman’s show is about personalities, conflicts and emotions. But this one is fundamentally different. It’s a game of the mind. Strategy. Outwitting people without them knowing they’ve been outwitted. That challenge appealed to me in a way nothing else has.”

Ask him how Salman reacted when he decided to participate, Sohail says his brother was both encouraging and cautious. “He was intrigued. And then he said, ‘You sure you know what you’re getting into?’ Which, knowing him, is both a warning and a blessing. I’ll take it,” says the 55-year-old.

Sohail also weighs in on what the Khan family dynamic would look like inside a reality TV show, saying each member would play the same role they do in real life. “The leader is obviously Salman.... He walks into any room and it reorganizes itself around him,” he says, adding, “The peacemaker would probably be Arbaaz (Khan, actor-director). He listens, mediates and keeps everyone grounded. And the master strategist? I’d say me, but honestly, it might be my mother (Salma Khan). She’s been managing this family for decades. Three sons, three different personalities, three different egos. If that’s not master-level strategy, I don’t know what is.”

As his son Nirvaan Khan, whom he shares with ex-wife, fashion designer Seema Sajdeh, prepares for his Bollywood debut, Sohail has one piece of advice: “He’s his own person. He’s going to find his own path, make his own mistakes and build his own career. The only thing I keep telling him is: be honest with yourself about why you want this. If it’s for the right reasons, the work will follow.”

Sohail shares, “That I’m someone who’s had it easy. Or that I’m ‘Salman’s brother.’ I’ve spent my career building things quietly, directing, producing, acting, without needing to be the loudest voice in the room.”

Mumbai: Noted film writer Salim Khan was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Bandra for an undisclosed ailment Tuesday morning. He is 90 years old.

His superstar son Salman Khan brought him to hospital from his home in nearby Bandstand which is located in Bandra suburb too. His other sons Arbaaz and Sohail Khan and daughters Alvira and Arpita were reported to be concerned and were preparing to visit him in hospital.

Born Salim Abdul Rashid Khan on November 24, 1935, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Salim Khan acquired a semblance of fame as a supporting actor in films like Baraat, Teesri Manzil -- and Sarhadi Lootera where he first met Javed Akhtar. Khan then struck gold as he went on to write stories, scripts, screenplays and dialogues for numerous movies.

He made a stellar combination with Javed Akhtar, and the Salim-Javed pair of writers achieved stardom with memorable blockbuster movies like Haathi Mere Saathi, Zanjeer, Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Deewar, Trishul, Don and Kranti.

It was Salim-Javed who fashioned Amitabh Bachchan's image as the Angry Young Man.

Khan won six Filmfare Awards as part of the Salim-Javed duo. In 2014, he was awarded the Padma Shri but he declined to accept saying that he deserved a higher honour.

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Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, 90, father of actor Salman Khan, was admitted to Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre in Bandra, Mumbai on Tuesday. The development was first reported by a paparazzi page on social media.

A video shot outside the hospital, located near the family’s residence at Galaxy Apartments, was posted by the page with caption, “Salim Khan admitted to Lilavati Hospital.” In another clip that surfaced soon after (inset right), Salman was seen leaving the hospital, appearing visibly concerned and surrounded by tight security.

Subsequent visuals showed other members of his family, including wives Salma Khan and Helen; and children Arbaaz Khan and Alvira also making their way to the hospital.

The reason for Salim’s hospitalization was not disclosed and the family was yet to release an official statement till the time of going to press.

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Mumbai: Screenwriter Salim Khan remains stable in Lilavati Hospital, Bandra, after being admitted on Tuesday morning.

Dr Jalil Parkar, senior consultant at Lilavati Hospital, released a health bulletin around 1 pm that read, "At 8.30 am on February 17, Mr Salim Khan was brought to the emergency dept. After initial assessment, he was treated there and shifted to the ICU on the 1st floor for further management. After due diligence by a team of doctors... a consensual modality of treatment was initiated. The patient was intubated for better-managed care and further investigations. On February 18, a procedure called DSA was performed by Dr Nitin Dange, which was uneventful and successful. No surgery was involved. The patient is haemodynamically stable and shall be weaned off the ventilator as per medical norms (the process was initiated). No further bulletin shall be released, respecting the family's wishes."

Meanwhile, apart from Khan's family, film industry colleagues, including Javed Akhtar and Sanjay Dutt, arrived at the hospital to enquire after his welfare.

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Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan is under medical care at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai after being admitted earlier on Tuesday, with doctors confirming that he is stable and out of immediate danger.

Dr Jalil Parkar, spoke to Bombay Times, after sharing a medical bulletin earlier in the day. Parkar told us, "Patient is hemodynamically stable and shall be weaned off the ventilator as per medical norms (the process has been initiated). With all due respect, no further bulletin shall be released respecting the family wishes."

He also added, "Discharge is not something to be discussed at this juncture. No prophecy. He is sedated. Yes, he had minimal brain haemorrhage but he is out of danger."

Earlier in the day, while sharing the updates with media, Parkar said, "Yesterday (Tuesday) morning he was admitted in the hospital. He was brought in by his family physician. After seeing him in the casualty, we realized he needed ICU hospitalization. He was having jerks. His blood pressure was high. We had to put him on ventilator as we had to do certain investigations. The ventilator was as a safeguard. He was not critical. We did the investigations as required.”

A digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed by a neurosurgeon. “We did a small procedure DSA, by a neurosurgeon. The procedure has been accomplished,” the doctor said, adding that doctors are optimistic about the next step. “He will be off the ventilator tomorrow.”

The bulletin also acknowledged that recovery may be gradual given Khan’s age. “Age is a factor, which is why the recovery process takes time.” Doctors further confirmed, “He did have a small haemorrhage in the brain.”

Khan, part of the legendary Salim-Javed duo with Javed Akhtar, is credited with writing some of Hindi cinema’s most influential films including Sholay, Deewaar and Zanjeer. News of his hospitalization has led to an outpouring of concern and good wishes from across the film industry and fans.

Salman Khan cycling through the streets of Bandra was once a familiar and cherished sight. The Bollywood superstar has always preferred this eco-friendly and healthy mode of travel for short distances around his home. It wasn’t uncommon to spot him riding from Galaxy Apartments to Mehboob Studios. However, ever since the attack on his house last year, Salman has been under heavy security, which has brought his cycling routines in the city to a halt. When asked if he misses riding around Bandra, Salman admitted, “Of course! I do miss it, but I still manage it at the farm (in Panvel).”

Speaking to us at the unveiling of Season 2 of the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL), where he serves as the brand ambassador, the Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor reminisced about learning to ride from his father, Salim Khan – a memory that clearly holds sentimental value. It’s a skill he has proudly passed on to the next generation.

“I taught my nephews Arhaan (Arbaaz Khan’s son) and Nirvaan (Sohail Khan’s son) to bike at our farm. They used to take turns and do wheelies at a young age. Their turns were such that they would grind the footrest on the ground,” shared the actor.

Salman also raised concerns about the growing trend of reckless biking stunts on Mumbai’s streets, particularly those done without safety measures. “I have lost a friend of mine, Timmy, when this Bandra Reclamation was under construction. They used to have these races, and he won the race, but his helmet got stuck and he couldn’t apply the brakes in time. This resulted in a crash, and he passed away.”

He also spoke about one of the best bikers he knows, saying, “You know (Zaheer) Iqbal’s father Iqbal Ratansi, he was one of the most amazing riders I have ever seen,” he said.

Last year, Salman had shared a picture on Instagram, where he was seen posing with a vintage bike alongside his father. He captioned it: ‘Dad’s 1st bike, Triumph Tiger 100, 1956.’ Getting nostalgic, he told us, “He bought this bike when he was 16 years old for Rs. 4800.”

The legendary writer later parted with the bike, but he would often recall it in conversations with Sohail Khan. Salman shared, “Sohail sourced this bike. It was lying in a junkyard in Hyderabad. So, we got this bike from Hyderabad, sourced all the parts (that were missing) and restored it for him.”

Eid has been a special moment for Salman and his fans, who gather in huge numbers to catch a glimpse of him waving from his balcony. However, this year the moment came with a stark change as the actor was seen behind a bulletproof glass barrier.

Reacting to this, he said, “It is not because of any other reason, but we had to do something about the security because sometimes we would find some fan sleeping in the balcony. They used to climb up and sleep on the balcony, so we had to cover that place.”

On the morning of April 28, Salman Khan announced on Instagram that The Bollywood Big One, his upcoming shows in the UK, was postponed in the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. 

The superstar’s post read, “In light of the recent tragic events in Kashmir, and with profound sadness, we have taken the difficult decision to postpone The Bollywood Big One shows... We feel it is only right to pause during this time of grief.”

Scheduled to take place at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on May 4 and OVO Arena in Wembley on May 5, the shows were to include performances by Salman, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, and Tiger Shroff, among others. 

mid-day has learnt that the decision was taken by Salman after a long meeting with brother Sohail Khan, organisers Jordy Patel and Farhath Hussain, on Sunday.

An insider shares, “Rehearsals had begun and the shows were a sell-out. But on Sunday, Salman called for a meeting at his Panvel farmhouse, where Sohail and Jordy were in attendance while London-based organiser Farhath joined over a video call. The superstar was clear that given the tragedy the country is going through, the timing was not conducive to host such a show. The organizers understood that the move would incur losses as both the venues were sold out, and there was high anticipation among the fans as Salman was to perform in the UK after a long time. But they unanimously agreed that rescheduling the tour was the respectful and right thing to do.”

We’ve heard that the two shows may happen in August, but the final decision will be taken only later. For now, the ticket holders will be issued refunds.

When mid-day reached out to Patel, one of the organizers, he said, “It was a big event, and we had got an excellent response from the audience, but that is fine. The shows will happen only when the time is right. It may be sometime in August, but only after everything settles down. It was a decision taken by all of us as we felt it wasn’t correct to go there and perform when such a big tragedy had taken place in our country. The current sentiment doesn’t allow us to perform. The money will be refunded to the ticket holders.”

Salman Khan is set to launch his nephew Ayaan’s debut English single, Universal Laws, in Dubai on February 20. Ayaan Agnihotri is the son of Alvira and Atul Agnihotri. Choosing music over acting, Ayan marks a fresh departure from the Khan family’s cinematic legacy. The grand event will see strong family support, with Salman, Sohail Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Alvira Agnihotri, Atul Agnihotri, Alizeh Agnihotri, Arpita Sharma, Aayush Sharma, Salma Khan, and Helen Khan attending. Salman’s nephews Nirvan Khan and Arhaan Khan, along with Ssuhra Khan, will also be present.

Adding to the star power, Bollywood celebrities Bobby Deol, Sonakshi Sinha, and Sunil Grover will be part of the launch, alongside music composer Himesh Reshammiya and actor Zaheer Khan.

Talking to mid-day, Ayaan said, "There’s no better feeling in the world than receiving acceptance and support from your loved ones. Everyone’s been so kind and I’m grateful to them all, always."

The event will be at the Belcanto Restaurant in the Dubai Opera on February 20 and the premiere of the music video is the grand finale of the do. He says, "We’ve chosen Dubai as an international hub as it is a centre point for a lot of international music and artists. We’re hoping the track finds its audience globally."

The music video for Universal Laws will premiere on Ayan Agnihotri’s YouTube channel, Agni, which also serves as his stage name, and will be available on all streaming platforms. It is an English song. Composed, written, sung, and rapped by Agni, the track is produced by Aditya Dev, with direction and creative execution by Jugaad Motion Pictures and backing from Reel Life Productions Pvt Ltd.

How did he ditch the acting route for this? "The song originated from the feelings of happiness and wonder, it’s a reminder that no one can predict what’s to come and that sometimes you find the greatest, most beautiful things when you’re not looking. Trust the process, it’s not over until it’s over. I have always been into music. It began with writing poetry and 16, which nobody will ever read as I can personally tell you they were not good. From there it evolved into spoken word pieces leading into writing rap verses, too chorus and eventually writing and composing entire songs. And for another 8 years with a key focus on sounding better so I could sing and rap my own music."

Agnihotri had a ball shooting this, he says. "I think the funniest thing that happened was that my producer Aditya Dev forgot that he had ever made this beat for me when I went back to him with the completed song."

But does it mean there won't be acting ever for him? "Who knows what the future holds? These Universal laws leave me in awe," he says, quoting the track.

Earlier this week, former actor and Salman Khan’s ex-girlfriend Somy Ali hit headlines when she reached out to Lawrence Bishnoi on social media and expressed her wish to chat with him. What made her reach out to the incarcerated gangster, who has issued life threats to Khan and has claimed responsibility for NCP leader Baba Siddique’s murder? Her anti-violence stand, said Ali.

“I have always been anti-violence. While I want to have nothing to do with Salman, I would never want him hurt, let alone be murdered,” the US-based former actor told mid-day over an e-mail interview.

Ali, who runs the not-for-profit organisation No More Tears, didn’t think her post would be deemed controversial. As someone who holds a Master’s degree in psychology, she said she wanted to dig deep into Bishnoi’s psyche.

“As a psychologist, I watched his interview four times, and concluded that his family must have brainwashed him since [his young days]. That’s why I’d like to have a Zoom call with him and dig deep into his psyche. Lawrence is a dimwit, but an educated dimwit as he has a law degree.”

Asked what she would tell Bishnoi if she got a chance to talk to him, she said, “I will assess why he is so hell bent on attaining fame by having people murdered. He wants people to revere and fear him to an unimaginable level, like Hitler.”

Over the years, Bishnoi has issued threats to Salman, vowing revenge over the superstar’s 1998 alleged killing of two blackbucks, which are considered sacred by the Bishnoi community. The October 12 assassination of Siddique is being viewed as the gangster’s warning to him.

Recently, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan vouched for his son, stating that Salman would never hurt an animal. Her take? “I have far too much respect for Salim uncle and Salma aunty. The most decent people in that household were the parents, Arbaaz and Sohail. The rest were awful to me.”

However, Ali did not share the screenwriter’s confidence. She recalled that she used to stay at Salman’s Galaxy apartment with him when the 1998 incident took place.

“I had accompanied Salman many times on his hunting [trips] even though I hated it and would come up with some ploy so that the animal could run away. He didn’t know the deer was deemed as God by the Bishnoi tribe. I can say this because this was talked about in the [Khan] household many times. If Salman knew this fact, he wouldn’t have even thought of shooting the deer. As much as he enjoys hunting, which stems from a narcissistic trait of power and control, he loves animals and children.”

Khan and Ali dated for eight years. At the time, their relationship often made news—one infamous incident involved the superstar apparently pouring Thums Up on her head. “Manisha [Koirala] is the only friend who stood up for me when Salman poured Thums Up on my hair,” she recalled. After parting ways with Salman in 1999, Ali moved back to the US.

“I had completely disconnected from Hindi films because it took me back to an awful past. I never wanted to look back. I have not been in touch with Salman or his family. The last time I spoke to him was in 2012, about my NGO.”

What would she tell Salman if she met him today? “I don’t ever want to see his face again. We have both moved on. I can’t stand the man, but I don’t want him murdered.”

Seema Sajdeh, Maheep Kapoor, Bhavana Panday and Neelam Kothari Soni weren’t exactly excited about including three outsiders in Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives, after fronting the past two seasons. Were they feeling territorial?

Maybe, admits Sajdeh. “We were a little resistant because we four can be clan-ish. We’ve been friends for long. You are in your comfort zone when you reach your 40s-50s, and to let new people in your life is daunting. But as we hung out with each other more, I had a lot of fun,” says the fashion designer of her new co-stars, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Kalyani Saha Chawla, and Shalini Passi.

The third season sees a face-off between the Bollywood personalities and the Delhi socialites. Sajdeh enjoyed witnessing Sahni, daughter to Neetu Kapoor and the late Rishi Kapoor, making her screen debut with the Netflix series. “I’ve known her for years, and had attended her wedding. She is a total hoot.”

In the course of the past two editions, Sajdeh’s personal life has undergone a change. She separated from actor-filmmaker Sohail Khan in 2022, after 24 years of marriage. In the latest season, she is seen speaking to her elder son, Nirvan Khan, about moving on in life after her divorce.

Sajdeh reflects, “He is like my best friend. When I have to make an important decision, the number one approval I need is of my son. I want him to look up to his mother. I want him to understand his mother’s journey. If there is one person I can be transparent with, it’s him.”

The Khan brothers — Salman, Arbaaz and Sohail — have always been known to be tight. In a recent interview, producer-actor Arbaaz Khan has opened up further about his bond with elder brother, actor Salman Khan, and younger sibling, producer-actor Sohail Khan.

“We are very close. When we were young, we were of course staying together. Then we started working and moved out of home,” he said in conversation with his son, Arhaan Khan, on the latter’s YouTube channel Dumb Biryani.

Admitting that they may not talk every day, Arbaaz said he knows he has his brothers’ support through thick and thin. “We may not be there when we’re doing individual things, but we are together in crisis. That’s when people usually run away from each other,” he said, adding, “Salman and I might not meet often or communicate that often, but if he realises I am in strife, that man isn’t going to hesitate, whether it’s me, Sohail or anybody else, and vice versa.”

This support goes beyond financial help. “I can’t help Salman financially because he has enough, but you need emotional support, too. You need to be there [for them], as a listener or a guide… that’s what people lose out on. Sometimes just being there is enough,” he said, adding that “respect” is what counts the most.

“Salman bhai, who is much older than us, if he walks into the room, I will immediately stand up. It’s just a gesture of showing respect,” Arbaaz added.

For the next few days, some Bollywood actors will trade their place in front of the camera for the cricket grounds of Sharjah. The 10th edition of the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) kicks off today in the United Arab Emirates with a match between Mumbai Heroes and Kerala Strikers. Like every year, Salman Khan—the brand ambassador for Mumbai Heroes, owned by brother Sohail Khan—will cheer for the team that includes Riteish Deshmukh, Suniel Shetty, Bobby Deol, Saqib Saleem and Aftab Shivdasani.

“Salman stands as our mentor, as somebody who [promotes] us on his social media platforms. He will also attend the first few games, and if we enter the semis, Bhai will attend that match too,” shares Sohail.

Since the amateur cricket league’s inception in 2011, Salman lent his support to the endeavour that comprises eight teams and has actors from different film industries showcasing their cricketing skills. Sohail, however, rules out the idea of the superstar playing for Mumbai Heroes.

“Among all of us, he plays cricket the best. Once he had attended our practice session, but he got injured and had to cancel two days of shooting. It’s a heavy price to pay being a superstar. For us, it is more than enough that Salman bhai is a part of CCL and supports us.”

Sohail reveals that the actors start training two months before the league commences. “We train slowly with our coaches, keeping our age in mind. Any injury on field can hamper [our acting commitments]. In one season, Sonu Sood had injured his leg, and as a result, couldn’t shoot a film for two months. It made us realize that however passionate we are about cricket, we cannot mess with our primary profession..”

At a press conference a few weeks ago, Salman Khan, in his say-it-like-it-is manner, had told the media that it was the first time in years that he has no film in hand after Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (KKBKKJ). Of course, filmmakers are making a beeline for him.

But sources close to the superstar say that after the underwhelming response to his passion project, he is in introspection mode, and has decided to take a break from signing anything new until Tiger 3 hits the screens in November. Khan apparently wants to gauge the audience’s reaction to his Diwali release, before cherry-picking his next.

Word on the street is that six projects have been offered to the actor, including Sooraj Barjatya’s Prem Ki Shaadi, and Karan Johar’s yet-untitled production. A trade source says, “If Salman doesn’t sign a movie until November, it means he may not have an Eid 2024 release. While he has been flooded with offers, he is reflecting on his choices after KKBKKJ is struggling to touch the Rs 100-crore mark after 10 days of release. His previous Eid offering, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai [2021] that had a hybrid release, too had not made much noise. So, after much thought, Salman felt that rushing into a project only to meet the Eid 2024 deadline would be wrong. He’d rather take his time to find a worthy film.”

Khan will, however, remain one of the busiest stars in the coming months. He is expected to shoot the Tiger 3 portions with Shah Rukh Khan, who has a cameo in the Maneesh Sharma-helmed spy thriller, in the third week of May. He will also focus on the next season of Bigg Boss, and the Dabangg Tour, which is currently in the planning stage.

The source adds, “On the film front, besides Barjatya’s drama and KJo’s next to be helmed by Shershaah maker Vishnu Vardhan, the actor has been offered Atul Agnihotri and Nikhil Namit’s next, Arbaaz Khan’s Dabangg 4, Sohail Khan’s Sher Khan, and Pawan Putra Bhaijaan. As of now, they are all on hold. But Salman is whimsical; if he finds an exciting story, he might just announce his next before Diwali.”

The 1998 film Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya remains a much-loved Hindi film even today. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that actor Arbaaz Khan, who played the role of Vishal Thakur (Kajol’s brother), continues to feel the love that it received back then.

“Aapne mujhe bataya ki 25 saal ho gaye hain tab mujhe pata chala. But it feels like it’s gone by in a heartbeat, itni jaldi nikal gaya yeh time. Pata hi nahin chala,” exclaims the actor.

Khan cannot overlook what made the film special in the first place. “It’s a film that remains close to our hearts as this is where we three brothers aligned for a project for the first time. The film was directed by my younger brother, Sohail. Of course, Salman was already a star. We had a lot of fun. Log bolte hain na ‘it was a family-like atmosphere on the sets’. Humara toh actually tha! We were producers, director and actor in it! Dharmendra (actor) ji bhi the,” he recalls.

The film’s music, he remembers, had caught on big time. O O Jaane Jaana and Tum Par Hum Hai both were chartbusters. “Gaane toh itne hit the hi, mere dialogues bhi kaafi hit hue the. Logon ko woh pasand aata hai,” Khan shares.

The 55-year-old says it feels nice to be part of films that are remembered even after decades. “When we do films, we don’t think whether it will be remembered after so many years. You shoot on time, do your work sincerely and then hope that people will like it. But, when it is well received, it feels good to know that you have left some impact, even if it’s small,” the actor says.

Salman Khan went missing from the big screen all of last year, single-mindedly focusing on his next, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. It is known that the actor-producer is sparing no expense to ensure that his Eid release matches the expectations of his fans. So much so that he even re-shot a song in entirety to make it visually grand. Now, we hear that Khan has edited the Farhad Samji-directed movie and is ready with the first cut, which will serve as the template for the film’s editor Bunty Negi.

The superstar wrapped up the shoot of the film—also featuring south star Venkatesh, Pooja Hegde, Shehnaaz Gill, Raghav Juyal and Siddharth Nigam—on February 8. Since then, Khan has been relentlessly working on the first cut.

A source reveals, “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan is Salman’s passion project. With the movie slated to hit the marquee on Eid (April 21), he did the first round of editing at a breakneck speed at his brother Sohail Khan’s studio in Bandra. He has a certain vision for the action drama, and wants it to translate well on the screen. He took a break from his editing duties this week as he was exhausted after attending and performing at some weddings.”

Samji’s directorial offering is a remake of the Tamil movie, Veeram (2014), which revolved around a man whose four younger brothers want him to get married so that they can settle down, too. After the first cut was ready, the superstar showed it to his family and staff at his Panvel farmhouse. The response was positive from all quarters, adds the source.

“Everyone loved the movie and found it a complete family entertainer. Some of them suggested certain changes, which Salman has passed on to Bunty Negi.  Now, as Bunty is set to begin work on the editing, he will incorporate the changes suggested by the superstar.”

Sohail Khan and Seema Khan were spotted at the Family Court in Mumbai yesterday. As per reports, the two filed for divorce after 24 years of marriage. The couple is yet to release an official statement, however, they have been living separately for some time now. Sohail and Seema got married in 1998. They have two sons Nirvan (20) and Yohan (11).

Sohail who began his career as a director with Auzaar, also acted in a number of films, while Seema, who is a fashion designer, was recently seen in an OTT show.

Talking about her relationship with Sohail, on the show, Seema had said, “Sohail and I are not in a conventional marriage but we are a family. We are a unit. For us, him and me and our children matter at the end of the day. ”

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Mumbai: Two days after actor Kareena Kapoor tested positive for Coronavirus, her house help has got a positive report. Meanwhile, after actor Sanjay Kapoor’s wife Maheep, her daughter Shanaya too has tested positive. Shanaya took to social media on Wednesday to post her symptoms are mild.

Kareena Kapoor, Maheep Kapoor and a few others had attended a gathering at filmmaker Karan Johar’s residence last week. Meanwhile, civic officials who had collected more than 100 swabs from residents of the buildings where Kareena Kapoor, Johar, actor Amrita Arora and actor Sohail Khan’s wife Seema Khan live, unsealed the societies on Wednesday after all the samples tested negative.

A senior civic official said they received the positive report of Kareena Kapoor’s house help on Wednesday. “We will be checking on their health till the time they are in isolation. Apart from these high-risk contacts, we also tested 108 people from four buildings of actor Kareena Kapoor, Amrita Arora, filmmaker Karan Johar and Seema Khan and all tested negative,” said the official, adding actors Alia Bhatt and Malaika Arora who were at Johar’s home tested negative. Officials are trying to reach designer Manish Malhotra who was at Johar’s home too for his health status.

When contacted, Vinayak Vispute, BMC assistant municipal commissioner, H-West Ward, confirmed the BMC has unsealed the buildings.

Johar took to social media on Wednesday where he put out a note which read: “My family and I and everyone at home have done their RTPCR tests and with the grace of God we are all negative. In fact, I tested twice just to be safe and am negative. I truly appreciate the grandest efforts of the BMC to ensure the safety of our city. Salute to them. To some members of the media, I would like to clarify that an 8 person intimate gathering is not a ‘party.’ And my home which we maintain strict protocols in is certainly no ‘hotspot’ of covid. All of us are responsible and masked at all times and no one would treat this pandemic lightly. My request to certain members of the media is to exercise some restraint in their extreme reportage without the assessment of facts! Lots of love and safety to all. Karan Johar.”

“Shanaya and her mother are in home quarantine at a building in JVPD,” said Prithviraj Chavan, assistant BMC commissioner, K-West Ward.