What does one do after emerging as a breakout star? Most likely, go on a signing spree. But Sidhant Gupta, who burst on the scene last year with Jubilee, vanished from the spotlight. Now, over one-and-a-half years on, the actor is back on screen as India’s first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in Nikkhil Advani’s period drama, Freedom at Midnight.
“As an actor, you get to know yourself as you move along, when success and acceptance come in. Why am I doing this work? This has been a life-changing question for me. I asked myself this when no one wanted to work with me, and I ask myself this today as well. When I read the script of Freedom at Midnight, I got my answer,” begins the actor. He is aware that the audience would have expected to see more of him after Jubilee. But he instead dived deep into the SonyLIV series, which follows the events leading up to India’s partition and independence in 1947. “Nothing else mattered, not the perception of people. I didn’t want to take the safe route. I don’t want to keep doing the same three-film [deal] and back-to-back shifts. I want to stick to my guns,” he says.
That is not to say that Gupta is averse to commercial outings. After Jubilee, the actor read multiple scripts, but stayed true to his pursuit as an artiste. “If the characters are appealing, I might do those [mainstream projects] as well. I’m not hiding behind the character of Jawaharlal Nehru. I’m doing the job that actors sign up to do, which is to become someone else.”
Besides the creative satisfaction that Freedom at Midnight—also starring Chirag Vohra and Rajendra Chawla—offered, Gupta immensely enjoyed being on Advani’s set. He says the creator-director treats his unit like a family. Recalling an incident from their Patiala shoot, the actor shares, “One day, we had to stall the shoot as the rains weren’t stopping. A day’s cost is enormous in such a huge show. So, usually, you see directors and producers thinking about how to save money. But Nikkhil sir took the entire unit to Chandigarh for a day and threw a bash. When I told him it was commendable, he replied, ‘This will drive the team for the next 15-20 days.’”
Actor Lupita Nyong’o has joined the ensemble cast of ace filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s next film. The film also stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya and Anne Hathaway, and is shrouded in secrecy.
The film is set to release in theatres on July 17, 2026. Universal Pictures had no comment about Nyong’o’s casting. The upcoming feature is expected to start shooting in early 2025. As per reports, Nolan is writing and directing the movie.
Nyong’o is an Oscar winner, and is known for 12 Years a Slave (2013). This marks her first project with Nolan, but she has recently collaborated with Universal Picures on this fall’s unexpected box-office triumph, The Wild Robot, an animated adventure in which she voices the main character.
The actor’s expansive résumé includes Marvel’s Black Panther (2018) and the sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Jordan Peele’s horror thriller Us (2019) and the post-apocalyptic sci-fi prequel, A Quiet Place: Day One. The actor also scored a Tony nomination for the 2009 Broadway play, Eclipsed.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Veteran actor Moon Moon Sen`s husband Bharat Dev Varma died at his residence here on Tuesday due to old age-related ailments, family sources said. Dev Varma, 83, is survived by his wife and two daughters Raima and Riya who are also actors.
He breathed his last at their Ballygunge Circular Road residence, even as arrangements were being made to take him to a nearby hospital after his health condition deteriorated, the sources said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a post on X, said, “Saddened by the demise of Bharat Dev Varma, the husband of filmstar Moon Moon Sen, and himself a great well-wisher of mine.”
Saddened by the demise of Bharat Dev Varma, the husband of filmstar Moon Moon Sen, and himself a great well-wisher of mine.
He was indeed very loving and affectionate to me and I shall always treasure his memories. He truly considered me as part of his family and his demise is…
“After getting the news today morning, I visited their Ballygunge residence, where their daughter Riya was present. Moon Moon and Raima are coming from Delhi. I paid my respect to the departed and condolences to the family,” she said.
Moon Moon Sen, a former TMC MP, had married Dev Varma in 1978. He was a member of the erstwhile royal family of Tripura. “He was indeed very loving and affectionate to me and I shall always treasure his memories. He truly considered me as part of his family and his demise is a great loss for me,” Banerjee added.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
On an episode of Samay Raina’s show, a comedian used Deepika Padukone’s name in her set along with a dig at the actor’s battle with depression
Ever since the birth of their daughter Dua Padukone Singh, Bollywood’s beloved couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have been busy enjoying parenthood. Fans got a glimpse of Ranveer during the promotions of their film Singham Again. But the only way netizens have been keeping up with DP is through her social media posts, which are generally relatable reels about motherhood that she shares on her Instagram story. Well, the internet has been gushing over DP and her motherhood journey for the last two months. But today, Deepika’s fans united against a comedian after a joke was cracked on the actor’s battle with depression.
A joke on Deepika Padukone has left her fans enraged
On an episode of Samay Raina’s show India’s Got Latent, stand-up comedian Banti Banerjee stated, “Deepika Padukone also became a mother recently, right? Great! Now she knows what depression really looks like.” The comedian further insinuated that the actor was battling ‘break-up waala depression’. Before this, Banti mentioned that she herself is a two-year-old’s mother. During this set, Samay was joined on the judges’ panel by Sid Warrier, Balraj Ghai, Raghu Ram and Tanmay Bhat. Well, this joke on Deepika has left her fans enraged. For instance, one internet user lashed out, “That is Not even remotely funny. Making fun of depression. Attacking a women and accusing her of faking depression. Worst, it is uttered by a woman. That dialogue “aurat hi aurat ki sabse badi dushman hoti hain” comes to mind.”
A netizen agreed and wrote, “This is not funny at all. Shoutout to Deepika Padukone for getting help for her illness and turning her life around. I believe she also made people feel empowered to talk about mental illness. Even if her sharing her story helped one person, that is still one person she helped,” whereas another social media user stated, “Making fun of someone’s clinical depression is disgusting, but it’s even worse coming from a woman, all in the name of comedy. The lengths some people go to for male validation are truly pathetic. And what does she mean by ‘now she knows what real depression looks like now that she’s a mother’? Does she think postpartum depression is a joke?!”
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Nayanthara complained that while she was vilified and criticised over her relationships, none of her partners were ever called out.
In her new documentary, Nayanthara—Beyond the Fairytale, the popular South star has been uncharacteristically candid about her personal life. Nayanthara, who has always been hesitant to talk about her life beyond films, has opened up about not just her marriage but also past relationships in the series. Among these candid confessions and statements is a complaint about how she was vilified for her relationships. (Also read: Nayanthara talks past relationships, says she quit films at her peak as ‘the man told me to’)
Nayanthara on the poster of her new Netflix documentary
About Nayanthara
Nayanthara is now married to filmmaker Vignesh Shivn. The two have twins together. But before she began dating Vignesh almost a decade ago, Nayanthara was in two high-profile relationships—actor Silambarasan and actor-director Prabhu Deva. On both occasions, Nayanthara was subject to a lot of scrutiny in the media and by the fans, particularly when the relationships ended.
Nayanthara on negative articles about her
Addressing the negative news articles and rumours about her from back then, Nayanthara said on the show, “Just because I never openly addressed my past, people started writing their own stories. And, all of them were pretty bad. They started assuming the worst.”
Nayanthara’s relationships
Nayanthara was vilified for her relationship with Prabhu Deva, who was married then, with many fans labelling her a ‘homewrecker’. Nayanthara pointed out the double standards, but only she was singled out all this while. “How come none of the boys were asked anything? Why was I the only one questioned? I think I just trusted people very easily,” the actor said.
According to reports, Nayanthara and Prabhu Deva called it quits during her hiatus from cinema, as the director faced pressure from his family and wife to end the relationship. She began dating Vignesh Shivn in 2015 and tied the knot with him in 2022.
Nayanthara – Beyond the Fairytale is streaming on Netflix.
She will be seen in the upcoming period-action drama Rakkayie. It has been directed by debutant Senthil Nallasamy.
Amazon Summer Sale is…
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News/Entertainment/Tamil Cinema/ Nayanthara says people only questioned her for controversies in relationships: ‘None of the men were asked anything’
A photograph of music maestro AR Rahman and his estranged wife, Saira Banu, taken at the wedding of Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani earlier this year, has resurfaced and gone viral following the couple’s announcement of their separation. The image, which was posted by Rahman on his Instagram handle on July 12, has fans taking to the comments section to share their shock over the heartbreaking announcement of their split. Sharing with the caption, ‘#anantradhikawedding’, the photo saw the couple smiling and posing gracefully during the high-profile celebration. Several videos of the two walking the red carpet on the wedding day have also been shared online.
‘How many of you’ll are here after seeing their seperation news?” a fan asked. “They looked so happy together,” one commented while others flooded the comments section with broken heart emoticons. On Tuesday, AR Rahman and Saira Banu announced their separation in a joint statement. Divorce lawyer Vandana Shah cited “significant emotional strain in their relationship” as the cause of the split. “After many years of marriage, Saira and her husband A R. Rahman have made the difficult decision to separate from each other. This decision comes after significant emotional strain in their relationship. “Despite their deep love for each other, the couple has found that the tensions and difficulties have created an insurmountable gap between them, one that neither party feels able to bridge at this time,” read the statement. Rahman’s three children also took to their social media handles to ask fans, ‘Keep us in your prayers’.
Washington: Paul Teal, a TV and theatre actor best for his role “One Tree Hil” has passed away at the age of 35 in Raleigh, North Carolina, TMZ reported.
Teal’s representative confirmed that he passed away on Friday, revealing that the actor was suffering from cancer. Emilia Torello, Teal’s partner, shared with TMZ that the actor was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in April.
Torello took to her Instagram account to share an emotional tribute as she wrote, “You were my soulmate, my soon-to-be-husband, my rock, and my future. You were taken too soon, in a battle that you fought bravely without fail. While a part of me died with you, I promise to fight to find joy in life as hard as you fought to live every single day.”
Paul Teal gained recognition for his seven-episode role as Josh on ‘One Tree Hill’. His character’s storyline included pursuing Alex, played by Jana Kramer, before revealing his true identity as a gay man.
Bethany Joy Lenz, Teal’s One Tree Hill co-star and director, took to her Instagram account to share an emotional post for her friend as she recalled their first meeting during a 2006 theater production of The Notebook.
“I worked closely with Paul for months when he played Noah in my and @ronaniello musical production of The Notebook in 2006. He was shy and funny and so so comfortable on stage. Wow. Like his second skin. You couldn’t take your eyes off him. Later, I was giddy to be directing an episode of One Tree Hill where I’d get to cast a new recurring character, Josh- the sleazy movie star. With his self-effacing sense of humor and willingness to dive fully into any character, Paul was perfect for the part. He was a joy to work with in any environment and so generous,” a part of her post read.
Apart from ‘One Tree Hill’, Teal also appeared in ‘Dynasty’, ‘The Walking Dead: World Beyond’, ‘USS Christmas’, ‘Fear Street Part 2: 1978’, ‘Deep Wate’r, and ‘Descendants: The Rise of Red’. Despite battling cancer, he completed filming for the upcoming Starz series The Hunting Wives. Teal was also a celebrated stage actor, performing leading roles in productions like Newsies, Sweeney Todd, and Rent at theaters across the country.
Veteran West Coast rapper Saafir has died at the age of 54, his former Golden State Project groupmate Xzibit revealed.
Veteran West Coast rapper Saafir has died at the age of 54. The Oakland star, whose real name was Reggie Gibson, died at 8:45 am on Tuesday, November 19, his former Golden State Project groupmate Xzibit revealed.
American rapper Saafir dies at 54 (xzibit/Instagram)
Sharing a photo of Saafir, Xzibit wrote on Instagram, “I can’t believe I’m writing this right now, but don’t know what else to do at the moment. Approximately at 8:45am this morning, my brother Reggie known to the world as Saafir passed away. We have so much history I can’t even explain what I’m feeling right now. We surrounded him and let him know how much we loved him. He can rest now.”
Xzibit added, “Friends, Family, everyone that rocked with us from the Hip Hop community, if you could be so solid and reach out for @chopblack his younger brother, and @lilsaafir his son, the family really needs to be supported during this time. That’s all I have right now. My soul is crushed. We love you Bro.”
Saafir’s cause of death has not been disclosed. However, the rapper battled several health issues over the years. Hehad a cancerous tumour removed from his spine, following which he started using a wheelchair, TMZ reported. Sources told the outlet that Saafir died in his hometown of Oakland, California.
Saafir’s career
Xzibit, Saafir and Ras Kass were the rap trio that comprised Golden State Project. Saafir was part of Digital Underground too, People reported. This was a rap group formed back in 1987 with stars like Tupac Shakur and Shock G.
Besides his rapping career Saafir also appeared in the 1993 blockbuster Menace II Society, where he played Harold Lawson alongside Jada Pinkett Smith, Samuel L. Jackson and Larenz Tate. He was also featured on the film’s soundtrack. Saafir later bagged a record deal with the late Quincy Jones. Boxcar Sessions was Saafir’s debut album.
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News/Entertainment/Music/ American rapper Saafir dies at 54, friend Xzibit pays tribute, ‘Can’t even explain what I’m feeling’
Angelina Jolie and her youngest son, Knox, made a stunning appearance at the 2024 Governors Awards, turning heads with their coordinated looks. The 16-year-old, who shares a striking resemblance to his father, Brad Pitt, made a rare red carpet debut, looking dapper in a classic tuxedo.
Angelina Jolie, left, and Knox Leon Jolie-Pitt arrive at the 15th Governors Awards on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at The Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)(Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
The star-studded event was a glamorous affair of Oscar contenders, with A-listers like Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Daniel Craig, Jennifer Lopez, Andrew Garfield, and Jennifer Lawrence all making a splash, marking the first major campaign stop of the year.
Angelina Jolie attends the Governors Ball with her son Knox
he mother-son duo commanded the red carpet at the Ray Dolby Ballroom, where Knox—towering over his mother with a remarkable resemblance to his father, Brad Pitt—made a style statement with his dashing look perfectly complimenting his mother’s Angelina Jolie’s shimmering gold-and-silver gown. Jolie, often accompanied by one of her girls, was seen sharing an easy laugh and bonding with her son as they posed for photos.
The Maleficent star was seen promoting her recent biopic Maria, which chronicles the life of opera legend Maria Callas. The film, which previously earned a standing ovation at film festivals, is already generating Oscar buzz as one of the front-runners. Directed by Jackie filmmaker Pablo Larraín, the movie left a lasting impression on audiences with its powerful portrayal.
At the event, the mother-son duo mingled with a star-studded guest list, including Hollywood heavyweights like Pamela Anderson, Demi Moore, Nicole Kidman, and Elizabeth Olsen, among many others.
Brad Pitt’s strained relationship with kids amid legal war
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s lengthy legal battle shows no signs of slowing down, stretching into its eighth year with reports suggesting a potential resolution in 2025 as their “War of the Roses” heads to trial. Jolie earlier made serious allegations against Pitt, including an incident on a private jet in which she claimed he physically abused her in front of their children and used foul language.
Meanwhile, Pitt, who has been dating the much younger girlfriend Ines de Ramon, saw multiple children, including his biological kids with Jolie—Shiloh and Vivienne—opt to drop his last name, choosing instead to take their mother’s surname. Pitt and Jolie share six kids including Maddox, 22; Pax, 20; Zahara, 19; Shiloh, 18; and twins Vivienne and Knox, 15.
A source earlier told Life & Style that the actor was planning to leave Hollywood for Europe after reports that his kids have nothing to do with him. “Brad has always considered L.A. home for so long, it’s where his production company is based and so much of his real estate, plus he’s always felt like it was the best place to connect with his kids and give them some stability,” the insider informed the outlet. “But sadly, he’s rarely able to see them these days, which is heartbreaking for him,” they added.
The insider added, “He’s still haunted by being so close to them and yet so far. He’s now saying a change of scenery might be what his mind needs, at least until they start wanting to spend time with him again.”
Diddy is facing both civil and criminal lawsuits in the US
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been breaking prison rules by contacting potential witnesses in his upcoming sex trafficking trial, prosecutors have alleged.
The music mogul is accused of making “relentless efforts” to “corruptly influence witness testimony”, by using other inmates’ telephone accounts, and using three-way calls to speak to people who are not on his approved contacts list.
Prosecutors said a review of recorded calls also found that Mr Combs instructed his family to contact potential witnesses in his case, they said in a court filing.
The 55-year-old rapper, who has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and vehemently denied any wrongdoing, appeared in court on Tuesday as a judge weighed the new evidence, part of which was found in a notebook in his jail cell.
At the hearing on Tuesday, a judge ordered that prosecutors destroy copies of materials seized in Mr Combs’ jail cell as the judge weighed whether they could be used in court.
Judge Arun Subramanian, who is overseeing the case, ruled that the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York cannot use the material or any excerpts from it during Combs’ upcoming bail hearing on Friday. The judge said he would examine the materials and weigh in on whether that can be used at trial.
Mr Combs’ defence team claimed that government prosecutors illegally seized his personal notes during a search of his jail cell at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he has been detained since his arrest on 16 September in the lobby of a Manhattan hotel. They argued some of the materials detailed information that is protected under attorney-client privilege, which shields information discussed between a client and an attorney.
The government detailed that a “filter” team went through all materials before they were given to prosecutors. “The information at issue is not protected,” prosecutor Mary Slavik said at the hearing. They argued the information could be considered obstruction of justice and negate the typical protections of attorney-client privilege.
The musician, who is best known for 1990s hits such as I’ll Be Missing You and Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems, has been denied bail since his arrest, with multiple judges citing a risk that he might tamper with witnesses. He’s currently in custody in Manhattan.
His lawyers made a renewed bid for bail last week, proposing a $50m (£39.6m) package that would see Mr Combs be monitored around the clock by security personnel, while under house arrest.
Lawyer Alexandra Shapiro argued it was impossible for the musician to prepare for trial from behind bars because of the “incredibly voluminous” amount of material to review, especially without a laptop computer.
She also said his preparation has been hampered by conditions at the jail, including frequent lockdowns and officers taking away the pens he uses to take notes.
Detention is stripping Mr Combs of “any real opportunity” to be ready for trial, violating his rights under the US Constitution, Shapiro said.
In response, prosecutors argued that the request for bail should be denied, alleging that Mr Combs “poses serious risks of danger and obstruction of these proceedings”.
Reuters /Jane Rosenberg
The musician was previously denied bail at court hearing in September
In court documents, they accused the star of orchestrating social media posts in order to “influence a potential jury pool” at his trial.
Amongst those efforts, they cited an Instagram statement posted by a woman known only as “witness two”, countering allegations made by singer Dawn Richard in a civil lawsuit against Mr Combs.
Prosecutors alleged that her statement was drafted with Mr Combs during “multiple texts” and “multiple calls” from prison.
They further alleged there was a “strong inference” that Mr Combs “paid witness two, after she posted her statement”.
A video posted by the star’s seven children on 5 November was also cited as evidence of a “public relations strategy to influence this case”.
The video, which was reported by multiple media outlets, showed the family wishing Mr Combs a happy birthday during a prison phone call.
“The defendant then monitored the analytics – ie audience engagement – and explicitly discussed with his family how to ensure that the video had his desired effect on potential jury members in this case,” prosecutors said.
Diddy / Instagram
Sean Combs (back row, third from left) poses with his seven children, in a photo he posted on Instagram in March 2023
Mr Combs was also accused of using the phone accounts of at least eight other inmates to make calls, which is against prison regulations; and of “directing others” to orchestrate payment for this access.
Prosecutors characterised Mr Combs as running a “relentless” scheme to “contact potential witnesses, including victims of his abuse who could provide powerful testimony against him”.
‘Uncanny ability’
Urging the judge to deny Mr Combs’ request for bail, the prosecutors wrote that “no set of conditions” could eliminate the potential risks to the trial.
“The defendant has demonstrated an uncanny ability to get others to do his bidding – employees, family members, and [prison] inmates alike,” they claimed.
“There is no reason to believe that private security personnel would be immune.”
Prosecutors also rejected criticism of the conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, citing an interview from the star’s lawyer Marc Agnifilo, who said “food’s probably the roughest part” of Mr Combs’ adjustment to life behind bars.
The BBC has contacted his legal team for a response.
EPA
Cassie and Diddy in 2017. She later accused him of abuse and exploitation.
Mr Combs’ legal troubles began last November, when his ex-partner Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a civil lawsuit, alleging incidents of rape and physical assault between 2007 and 2018.
Although the case was quickly settled out of court, it led to a flurry of similar accusations and an investigation by the US Government.
The star’s properties were raided by federal agents in March, and he was arrested in New York in September.
Mr Combs was charged with three counts of sex trafficking and racketeering, in a federal indictment that described allegations of drug-fuelled, days-long sexual performances dubbed as “Freak Offs”.
The musician is simultaneously facing more than two dozen civil cases by men and women accusing him of sexual assault, rape and sexual exploitation.
The star has vehemently denied all of the charges against him, and the claims in the civil suits, arguing that the sexual encounters at the heart of his criminal case were all consensual.
2 lawsuits filed against lawyer
In a separate development on Monday, two separate lawsuits were filed against one of the lawyers known for spearheading more than 120 lawsuits against Mr Combs.
One lawsuit, filed by an unnamed “high-profile individual” against Texas attorney Tony Buzbee, alleged that Mr Buzbee attempted to extort him by threatening to make public “entirely fabricated and malicious allegations of sexual assault”.
In court documents obtained by the BBC, the plaintiff identified himself as a former associate of Diddy and acknowledged attending events with the embattled music mogul.
The lawsuit against Mr Buzbee claims the Houston attorney follows a “clear playbook” for extorting celebrities involving fabricating allegations and demanding letters seeking payment.
The lawsuit alleges that if the demands are not met, he turns to the media to apply public pressure.
Mr Buzbee, who denies wrongdoing, described the filing as a “last-ditch attempt” to stop him from naming the individual.
“It is obvious that the frivolous lawsuit filed against my firm is an aggressive attempt to intimidate or silence me and ultimately my clients,” he said in a statement sent to the BBC.
“No amount of money was included in the demand letters,” he wrote. “No threats were made. The demand letters sent are no different than the ones routinely sent by lawyers across the country in all types of cases.”
A second legal claim was filed Monday, by an unnamed woman, in New York alleging abusive behaviour toward women.
The summons states Mr Buzbee abused his power as an attorney and violated the3 unnamed woman while representing her as a client.
“Plaintiff brings these causes of action to address Defendant’s misconduct, which began with his assault of Plaintiff and escalated during his representation of her in divorce proceedings, where he prioritized concealing his actions over safeguarding her legal interests,” the claim states.
In a statement to the BBC, the attorney who filed the suit, Jeremy Bohrer called Mr Buzbee a hypocrite.
“There is nothing worse than when a black hat masquerades as a white hat.”
Mr Buzbee has not yet responded to the second lawsuit. BBC News has reached out for comment.
