Bigg Boss 18’s new episode featured a fresh wave of drama. After Arfeen Khan`s eviction, the dynamics in the house shifted noticeably. Just two episodes back, Sara Arfeen, Eisha Singh, Alice Kaushik, and Vivian Dsena were at odds, but in today’s episode, they celebrated Sara`s birthday like one big family. As the episode progressed, Digvijay Rathee questioned Vivian`s commitment to his duties as Time God and pointed fingers at Avinash Mishra for not fulfilling his own responsibilities. The episode took an interesting turn with the ration task.
Detailed Synopsis of Bigg Boss 18 New Episode
The episode started with Ravi Kishan meeting the housemates during a `Hae Daiya with Ravi Bhaiya` session. He first discussed the events of the past week, then kicked off an engaging task where housemates, blindfolded, had to taste various items and describe them to a partner. After Ravi’s exit, the episode continued with the usual drama, as housemates gathered to celebrate Sara Arfeen’s birthday. The big surprise came when Vivian presented her with a cake.
Later, Digvijay Rathee clashed with Vivian Dsena and Avinash Mishra over bathroom duties. This, however, was short-lived as the real excitement came with the ration task, which left contestants intrigued by Bigg Boss’s various bargaining options. But did you think the task would end smoothly? The episode saw a heated coffee-and-chai debate, as Vivian and Avinash proposed sacrificing five items each from the daily ration for coffee and chai. This led to a major argument that will likely carry over into tomorrow’s episode.
Today`s episode didn`t feature anything particularly standout. Digvijay seemed to provoke Avinash and Vivian intentionally, as he was heard telling Rajat Dalal, “Maje lete hai.” The ration task, however, did add some intrigue, and the episode’s ending succeeded in keeping viewers hooked to see how the drama unfolds in the next episode.
All about `Bigg Boss 18`
After Arfeen Khan’s elimination from the house, Chahat Pandey, Avinash Mishra, Shilpa Shirodkar, Tajinder Singh Bagga, Shrutika Arjun, Nyrra M Banerji, Chum Darang, Karanveer Mehra, Rajat Dalal, Eisha Singh, Vivian Dsena, Alice Kaushik, Digvijay Rathee, Kashish Kapoor, and Sara Arfeen are the remaining contestants of the Salman Khan-hosted `Bigg Boss 18`.
All market segments, including equity, derivative, and SLB, will not operate today. (AI image)
Stock market holiday today: Trading activities at both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) are closed today due to the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024. All market segments, including equity, derivative, and SLB, will not operate during this period. The holiday applies across all capital markets, futures, and options divisions. The BSE calendar indicates 16 trading holidays for 2024, with 14 already observed. The most recent closure was on November 15, Friday, observing Guru Nanak Jayanti. The next scheduled market closure is on December 25, Wednesday, for Christmas celebrations. To check Stock Market Holidays on NSE: 1. Visit the NSE website 2. Hover on the ‘Resources’ tab on the homepage 3. Click on the ‘Holidays’ option under the ‘Exchange communication’ section On Tuesday, Indian market indices showed initial gains but later reversed course. The Nifty50 concluded with a red-bodied candle featuring a long upper wick in the daily chart. The BSE Sensex finished up, rising 0.31% or 239 points to 77,578.38, whilst the Nifty 50 advanced by 64.70 points or 0.28% to 23,518.50. The Nifty has declined approximately 10% from its September 27 peak of 26,277, entering correction territory. A 20% decline from the peak would indicate a bear market in Dalal Street. Over the past three trading sessions, whilst Nifty attempted to recover above its 200-DEMA during Tuesday’s session, it was unsuccessful. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) continue their negative outlook on Indian markets in November, following October’s substantial exits, with withdrawals reaching Rs 22,420 crores in November’s first half.
Actors Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s web series ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ premieres on Prime Video today (November 7). Before we dive right into the show, it is paramount that as a viewer we understand the connection it has with the original ‘Citadel’ starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden.
Is Varun Dhawan Priyanka Chopra’s father in ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’?
‘Citadel’ starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas shows her as Nadia Sinh. Her father in the series Rahi Gambhir is played by Paul Bazely. Recently, Varun Dhawan shared a montage of clips from the show where Priyanka tells her daughter in the show that her grandfather is the toughest person she’s ever met. A man is seen describing Rahi as a criminal and a terrorist. The video cuts to Varun Dhawan. ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ shows Kashvi Majmundar as young Nadia while Samantha Ruth Prabhu plays her mother.
‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ shows Samantha as Honey, a former struggling actress who is recruited by Varun`s character, Bunny, to become a spy. The plot takes a thrilling turn when, years later, the two are reunited to protect their daughter, Nadia, from the dangerous enemies of their past. Packed with adrenaline-pumping action sequences and emotional drama, the duo navigates a world of espionage, betrayal, and danger. The series is set against the vibrant backdrop of the 1990s.
Written by Sita R Menon and directed by Raj and DK (Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK), `Citadel: Honey Bunny` is the Indian installment of the global `Citadel` franchise.
‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ is a stand-alone series
DK told ANI, “This is a standalone series of its own. And we were all very clear, us and even the Russo brothers, that this show will have its own tone and flavor. We wanted to make a show that is true to India, with Indian culture, Indian sensibilities, while standing up to a world standard. We never wanted to make a show that looks like a Hollywood show; we wanted to make a show that looks like it comes from India.”
Executive produced by the Russo Brothers` AGBO, ‘Citadel’ and its subsequent action-espionage original series span the globe, exploring the story of spy agency Citadel and its powerful enemy syndicate, Manticore. `Citadel: Honey Bunny` premieres on Prime Video on November 7.
A powerful voice adds weight to a subject. So, when Oscar-winning actor Tilda Swinton—a vocal advocate for the environment—came on board to narrate the documentary, Some Thoughts on the Common Toad, based on George Orwell’s writing by the same name, it garnered more credibility. The documentary, directed by G Anthony Svatek, will make its première at the All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF) 2024. Celebrating one of nature’s most overlooked creatures, the film blends thoughtful narration with striking visuals, providing audiences with an immersive look into the life and significance of the common toad.
A still from Some Thoughts on the Common Toad
Swinton guides viewers through a contemplative exploration of the creature’s role in maintaining ecological balance. Kunal Khanna, ALT EFF co-founder, expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s India debut, stating, “We are thrilled to bring Some Thoughts on the Common Toad to Indian audiences for the first time. This documentary, narrated by the legendary Tilda Swinton, reminds us of the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and the importance of even the smallest species in our ecosystem. Through this film, we hope to inspire viewers to appreciate the richness of biodiversity and reflect on our responsibility towards preserving it.”
Veteran Bollywood actress Shubha Khote, who is in her 80s, arrived at a polling booth in Mumbai early Wednesday morning to cast her vote for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. The video shared by paparazzi shows Shubha flaunting her inked finger as she heads home after fulfilling her duty as a responsible citizen. Watch the clip below.
Perhaps, one of the most underrated actresses in this space, Shubha started by playing second leads in films like `Seema`, `Paying Guest` and `Dekh Kabira Roya`. Later, she changed gears to supporting roles and eventually a wicked mother as well as mother-in-law in movies like the Kamal Haasan-starrer `Ek Duuje Ke Liye`, `Mohabbat`, `Swarag Se Sunder` and `Saudagar`. The actress currently does very selective work. She was last seen in the television show ‘Spy Bahu`.
For those unversed, Shubha is the sister of late actor Viju Khote, who passed away in 2019. The actor was highly admired for his portrayal of Kalia in the 1975 blockbuster hit `Sholay`. His character Robert from `Andaz Apna Apna’ movie also won many accolades and made him a well-known name in the industry. The late actor had made an everlasting impact in the cult Marathi film, `Ashi Hi Banva Banvi.` He has been active in theatres and in the TV industry, and is noted for his role in the serial `Zabaan Sambhal Ke.`
Bollywood celebs cast their vote in Maharashtra Assembly Polls 2024
Among the many celebs who arrived early to cast their votes included Akshay Kumar, Rajkummar Rao, Ali Fazal, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, Kartik Aaryan, and Suniel Shetty to name a few.
Voting began at 7 am on Wednesday for the single-phase Maharashtra assembly elections and will conclude at 6 pm. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies.
A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray. The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters.
Abhishek Bachchan spoke about an incident with Aaradhya and how it connects with his new film
Abhishek’s moment with Aaradhya
Abhishek recalled a moment when Aaradhya, then a young child, was reading a children’s book with a line that struck a chord with him. The book’s character described the most courageous word in the world as “help,” because asking for help signifies the willingness to carry on and face challenges head-on. He said, “That means you are not ready to give up. I will do whatever it takes to carry on.”
About I Want To Talk
Abhishek connects this ‘never-say-die’ attitude with his character Arjun in I Want To Talk, who also refuses to give up. “He is not afraid to ask for help,” the actor explained. “He is not afraid to go into the hospital. He is not giving up.” The actor highlighted how Arjun embodies resilience, even when faced with a lifetime of hardships. “Somebody who has dealt with the things that he has dealt with and continues to deal with, it’s very easy to be fed up after 31 odd years and say ‘bahut ho gaya hai, abhi aur nahi karna hai’ (I’ve had enough, I don’t want to go on). But no, the fact that he is still at it, still trying… is what makes him truly courageous,” says the actor.
Directed by Shoojit Sircar, I Want to Talk is slated to release in theatres on November 22. The film also stars Johnny Lever and Ahilya Bamroo and is produced by Ronnie Lahiri and Shoojit Sircar under Rising Sun Films.
Having grown up watching films from around the world, including India, Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh, says that Indian cinema has fascinated her for long. The 62-year old Malaysian actor, who plays the regal headmistress Madame Morrible in the upcoming musical Wicked, set to release on November 22, expresses a deep affection for the country’s vibrant film industry. When asked about the possibility of working in an Indian film, her response is immediate and enthusiastic: “Oh, absolutely. I would love that.”
Actor Michelle Yeoh
She adds, “I love India. I’ve been to India quite a few times. I love the culture and the whole extravaganza of Indian movies because I think Indians truly love movies. They love the whole culture of movies. So yes, I would immediately respond with a resounding, “Please call me!”
While Michelle says she has “quite a list” of people she would love to collaborate with, she playfully refrains from naming anyone. “I know some of them quite well, and I would love to be able to work with them, especially someone behind the camera. But I’m not going to tell any names. I’m going to get myself in trouble,” she chuckles.
Ask Michelle if she drew any parallels between Wicked and Indian films she’s seen, especially considering how Indian cinema is known for its larger-than-life spectacles and musical extravagance, Yeoh says, “It’s very similar — the whole concept of song and dance, big sets. It’s very Indian, if you look at it and compare it that way,” adding, “I feel that our Indian friends and fans out there would really take your heart with Wicked.”
When asked what drew her to Wicked, Yeoh credits director Jon M. Chu. Yeoh shares that when Chu first asked her (to join the cast), she hadn’t seen the musical in either the West End or Broadway.
“I used to be such a huge fan of musicals,” Yeoh admits, adding, “And I think for some years, partly because of Covid, partly because I had been so busy with work and filming, I stopped going. And then, thanks to Jon, he brought me back to the theatre and rekindled my love for musicals.” She adds, “I have an amazing working relationship and friendship with Jon—he’s like family. He’s so talented and he creates such a good space for his actors, he hones our skills to fit into such an extravaganza, such a splendid production. So, it was easy.”
Though she had never worked in a musical before, Yeoh was intrigued by the opportunity. However, she was “terrified” at the prospect of singing in the film. “I’ve never done a musical before. I never sang for a movie before. So I was very grateful for the opportunity. That was the key that drew me to this role,” she says, adding, “And Jon knows that I’m always up for a challenge. So he threw that challenge right at me and said, ‘We are going to make a little singer out of you.’”
Additionally, Yeoh reveals that getting to work alongside actors Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo made the decision all the more appealing. Yeoh tells us, “They sent me a video saying, ‘It’s imperative that you come and join us.’ How do you say no to those two angels?” she laughs.
Reflecting on her experience working on Wicked, Yeoh recounts a particularly magical moment on set. She shares, “The first time I stepped onto the set, it wasn’t a scene that I was going to do, but I was going to meet with Jon Chu to show him an amazing creation that Paul Tazewell (costume designer) had done for one of my costumes. I walked into the forest they had built and it was the most enchanted forest with the trees, the roots, the grass, the flowers coming through the wall. And then Cynthia started singing. Her voice just echoed in the stage. And it is a big stage because all our sets are massive and big. But when you hear her… you feel your heart soaring into the skies with that voice. Goosebumps.”
On the themes of Wicked — societal judgment and the misunderstanding of individuals — Yeoh notes that the story’s message is timeless. “I think this is something we’ve always dealt with in our society. There’s always been that, and even today, we are still trying to rectify the situation,” she says.
She also highlights the diverse cast and crew, reflecting on how much more inclusive the film feels compared to a decade ago and says that it’s what makes it especially relevant today. “I’m grateful to Marc Platt (producer) and his fellow executives for holding onto this incredible, important intellectual property and deciding to find the most perfect director and incredible cast—most diverse cast—that it can be done in its real splendour,” she says, adding, “If it had been done 10 or 15 years ago, I definitely would not have been chosen to play Madam Morrible. Jon Chu wouldn’t have been there, and it wouldn’t have been Ariana.”
Regarding the central theme that Wicked explores – the complex and evolving friendship between the characters of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande), Yeoh says she believes that friendship, especially among women, is something that enriches our lives. “I strongly believe in female friendship. I say that from personal experience, and I think anybody out there would understand this feeling,” she says, adding, “You are very blessed when you have friendship and when you cultivate a bond, a relationship like that with someone. And while this story is about two women, I think friendship is about people. So I think it reflects also very heavily on our society, where we all should look at it and go like, ‘We need each other. And together, we will all be stronger.’”
She speaks fondly of watching her co-stars, Cynthia and Ariana, embody their characters. “It was so amazing to watch Cynthia and Ariana blossom and flourish and nurture that beautiful bond.” She continues, “Wicked has shone the light on so many of these emotions, so many of these feelings that so many of us are going through. That’s why, over the two decades, people of different ages keep going back to it because they see and try and understand, they try and feel. And when they finish watching the musical or when they finish watching the movie, they will go out there and find their good friend out in the world.”
Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, is set to debut as a writer and director with an upcoming OTT series. This exciting announcement was made by the OTT platform, in collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan‘s production company, Red Chillies Entertainment. The yet-to-be-titled series is scheduled for release in 2025 and aims to provide a fresh perspective on the Bollywood film industry. The news was shared on social media platforms, stating, “Witness Bollywood like never before… on Netflix! Presenting Aryan Khan’s directorial debut in an all-new series, coming soon!” This announcement has generated significant buzz within the entertainment industry.
In response to the announcement, filmmaker Karan Johar, a close friend of Shah Rukh Khan, expressed his excitement with a heartfelt message: “Love you, Aryan!!!! I am so so so so proud of you and can’t wait for the world to see your incredible series.!!!! It’s going to rock and roll.” Alia Bhatt, echoed this sentiment by re-sharing the post with a simple yet enthusiastic comment: “Can’t wait!”
Aryan’s friends have also shown their support. Actress Ananya Panday expressed her excitement by saying, “Oh, so you are so not ready for this. Excited for you, Aryan.”
Notably, Kangana Ranaut expressed her happiness for Aryan, praising him for choosing a path different from many other star kids who often take the easier route into the industry. Suhana Khan also shared her pride in her brother’s achievement with a playful message: “Lots of laughs, drama, action and a little bit of trouble just like it always is with you. I cannot wait! So proud,” showcasing the close-knit support system within their family.
Shah Rukh Khan shared his thoughts on this project, stating: “We are excited to present this new series with Netflix that offers a refreshing look into the glamorous cinematic world and what it takes to succeed as an outsider. It’s a unique narrative brought to life by Aryan and many passionate minds at Red Chillies Entertainment. This one’s going to be all heart, all hustle, and a whole lot of entertainment.” As anticipation builds around Aryan Khan’s debut project, fans are eager to learn more about its storyline and cast. The series was buzzed to be titled ‘Stardom’ and is expected to feature notable cameos from various stars including Shah Rukh Khan himself, Karan Johar, Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, and Bobby Deol.
New ‘Aashiqui’ With Kartik Aaryan Soon? Anoushka Sharma Receives 11 Grammy Nominations
Should a story’s success go to the filmmaker or the writer? It’s a question often debated in entertainment circles. While OTT platforms have given good writing and writers centre stage, television lags behind. However, producer Guroudev Bhalla hopes to change that with his show, Jagriti—Ek Nayi Subah. At the show’s launch, the producer introduced the writers, Saima Ahmad and Rajesh Saksham, on stage and credited them for their contribution—a rarity in the world of television. In conversation with mid-day, screenwriter Ahmad and story writer Saksham discuss the show’s origin, the state of writers in the television industry, and why change is long overdue.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
How did the story of Jagriti—Ek Nayi Subah germinate? Rajesh Saksham: It started with my desire to write a story that is [connected to the soil] and I wanted to base it on those who were ignored by the [progressive] society. Being a writer on many historical shows, I had learnt that there are nearly 150 to 200 tribes in India, who fought wars alongside Maharana Pratap and Shivaji Maharaj. In the early 1780s, the tribes and kings coexisted peacefully because they never ventured into each other’s domain. However, the British were keen to explore the forests and the tribes rebelled against it, an example being the Chuar rebellion in Bengal. At that time, many tribes were criminalised and defamed [until] the Criminal Tribes Act [CTA] was repealed in August 1949, which decriminalised nearly [2,300,000 tribals] in India. However, after a few years, the Wildlife Protection Act was issued which made hunting illegal. That was a massive setback for the tribes who earned their living from hunting. The story of Jagriti [played by Asmi Deo] is based on one such small tribe and their exploitation. In the show, the tribe provides the animals they’ve hunted willingly to Kalikant Thakur [played by Arya Babbar] in exchange for a small amount of money and protection. While they are safe from the law, they are kept away from society. They stay away from education because they feel if they are exposed to it, they will lose the identity of their tribe. One voice rises against it all—Jagriti. We’ve shown her as a part of the fictitious Chitta tribe. She is born to a modern and educated woman, a magistrate. Jagriti’s aim is to change the fate of her tribe and unite them with the rest of society.
What are the themes you’re exploring through the story? RS: The story throws light on social discrimination, lack of education, freedom from the oppressor and from a rigorous mentality. In today’s society, we are trying to eradicate another kind of mentality of patriarchy, especially in light of some of the heinous things they do to women. We are making people think and maybe help free themselves from such an attitude.
Do you think such shows really influence people’s mentality and their views? Saima Ahmad: After watching the show, if your views about the help working in your own home change, if you ask them whether they have voter ID and you include them in your society, then I believe we would’ve accomplished our mission. People in the lower strata are dissatisfied about how society excludes them. In so many buildings, there are different elevators for residents and the service staff. If the show makes you wonder, why should there be a different lift for everyone, then it has successfully conveyed its message. If the urban audience stops treating the under-privileged as invisible, we would have achieved something.
Have you seen daily soaps effecting change in society? RS: I don’t have any personal experience of seeing drastic changes. However, I have heard that after Udaan, [there was renewed focus on bonded labour]. People are bought from Bihar, Bengal and Jharkhand to work in the brick kiln. Parents sell their daughters and sons to work in factories. It’s a kind of bonded labour. There was a report about it in NDTV, after which the police raided the place. I am not saying the change happened because of the daily soap, but when the domestic help in people’s homes are underage, we ensure to send them to school. It could be our consciousness or fear.
SA: What was normalised 10 years ago, we are at least questioning it now. I remember our house help had separate utensils and would eat in the kitchen. When I had asked my mother why her utensils were kept separate from ours, she claimed it was a habit, which she later changed.
This is the first event I attended where writers are introduced and given as much importance as the lead actors. Do you think writers are now getting their due? RS: When writers Salim [Khan] and Javed’s [Akhtar] Zanjeer [1973] came out, they wrote their names on the posters. I believe writers have to fight for their rights. The [director] might be making the film, but it is written by writers. It’s not that after we’ve written it, it becomes someone else’s intellectual property. It will always belong to the writer who wrote it.
On TV, every show has the same flavour today. Some writers are only concerned about the paycheque that comes their way. When a writer sees themselves like that, they don’t attempt to do something new, nor are they allowed to do something new. It’s a bold step for this show’s makers to take a stand for the writers and introduce them. Most channels don’t entertain such exposure.
SA: Despite it often being said that film is a director’s medium and TV is a writer’s medium, daily soap writers [rarely get their due]. It’s true that you have to fight for your place in the world. Women began to get liberated when they stood up and fought for their rights.
Do you think churning out episodes from Monday to Sunday is hampering writers from penning good stories? Should we have seasons like in the West? SA: [Some channels] are taking this initiative now, where they are looking for a [strong] story and are not changing it, irrespective of the TRPs. RS: If this happens, the fate of television will change in India. We worked on Jagriti—Ek Nayi Subah for six months in detail. We will not change our story, irrespective of the TRPs. You cannot bring math in storytelling.
Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s action-packed web series ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ premieres on Prime Video today (November 7). As fans flock to the OTT platform to binge-watch, a clip from the show has gone viral on social media, which features a steamy liplock moment between the two lead actors.
Varun Dhawan-Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s kissing scene goes viral
‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ has some high-octane action sequences, but it is also very much loaded when it comes to the chemistry between Varun and Samantha. Social media is abuzz with the duo’s kissing scene that has gone viral in no time. Watch the video below.
‘Citadel’ starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas shows her as Nadia Sinh. Her father in the series Rahi Gambhir is played by Paul Bazely. Recently, Varun Dhawan shared a montage of clips from the show where Priyanka tells her daughter in the show that her grandfather is the toughest person she’s ever met. A man is seen describing Rahi as a criminal and a terrorist. The video cuts to Varun Dhawan. ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ shows Kashvi Majmundar as young Nadia while Samantha Ruth Prabhu plays her mother.
Varun and Samantha in never-seen-before avatars
Varun told ANI, “I think North, South, East, West…hopefully, everyone in India will like it. The action is genuinely one step ahead of what you guys have seen so far. Hopefully, you will find this on global standards. You will see never-seen-before avatars of me and Samantha.”
About Raj and DK’s ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’
‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ shows Samantha as Honey, a former struggling actress who is recruited by Varun`s character, Bunny, to become a spy. The plot takes a thrilling turn when, years later, the two are reunited to protect their daughter, Nadia, from the dangerous enemies of their past. Packed with adrenaline-pumping action sequences and emotional drama, the duo navigates a world of espionage, betrayal, and danger. The series is set against the vibrant backdrop of the 1990s.
Written by Sita R Menon and directed by Raj and DK (Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK), `Citadel: Honey Bunny` is the Indian installment of the global `Citadel` franchise.
Executive produced by the Russo Brothers` AGBO, ‘Citadel’ and its subsequent action-espionage original series span the globe, exploring the story of spy agency Citadel and its powerful enemy syndicate, Manticore. `Citadel: Honey Bunny` premieres on Prime Video on November 7.
