There was a time when Navjot Singh Sidhu’s shayaris would add spark to any episode of `The Kapil Sharma Show`, but in 2016, the former cricketer left, disappointing many fans. Now, five years down the line, with Archana Puran Singh having taken the chair, Sidhu has finally opened up about his sudden exit from the show. It was shortly after the Phulwa attack that Sidhu made comments on his X account, and now, discussing his departure, the politician has shared that there were “political reasons” behind it.

Sidhu recalled his memories of `The Kapil Sharma Show` while speaking on `The Grain Talk` show. He said, “The Kapil Sharma Show was a bouquet made by God. No one can take credit for it. It had different fragrances. When Kapil came to me, those days I had just come out of `Bigg Boss`, so we discussed and everything fell into place. Everyone was chosen to be a part of that show.”

Why Navjot Singh Sidhu left Kapil’s show

Explaining why he had to leave the popular show, he added, “There were political reasons I don’t want to talk about. There were other reasons… and the bouquet fell apart. I have a wish that the bouquet must get together again, the way it was. I will be the first to facilitate. His show is still doing very well. Kapil is a genius.” Many actors who were part of Kapil’s team back then, like Upasana Singh, Ali Asgar, and Sumona Chakravarti, left the show one after the other.

Sidhu- ’ You don’t have a genius like him’

He further shared how he always believed in Kapil’s talent even during his lows, saying, “When Kapil was not well, he was jittery, he was going through a tough time. People told me he was over. I said, ‘Guys, he’s a 20. If you can even find someone who is a 10 and make him stand in front of Kapil, I will listen. But right now, even a 5 doesn’t exist. You will have to replace him with something better. Otherwise, you will keep missing him.’ You don’t have a genius like him. Talent does what it can do; genius does what he must.”

‘I wish everyone could get together’

He then became nostalgic, remembering the good old days, and expressed his wish for a reunion with the original gang, saying, “There was dadi (Ali Asgar) and everyone. I wish everyone could get together… Everyone dispersed. Now Gutthi (Sunil Grover) is back. He met me in Goa. He is wonderful. He comes on for 10–15 minutes and regales everybody. He is another genius.”

Notably, this Friday, Sidhu will be reuniting with Kapil Sharma for a special episode on `The Great Indian Kapil Show`, which promises to be quite entertaining.

In A bid to replicate the era of the ’80s and ’90s, Aman Pant turned to analogue recording, conducted using tapes and manual instruments, instead of digital means like computer software. It’s the most crucial step he took to create the world of Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s Citadel: Honey Bunny, Raj and DK’s show that recently premiered on the web. 

Varun  Dhawan in Citadel

“Because the show has an international appeal, including the manner in which the action has been [choreographed], we wanted a vibe that aligned with it. It needed to be edgy. It was set in the ’90s, but we didn’t want the music to be reminiscent of Bollywood music from that decade, and hence chose to use this [recording method],” says the composer, who may not have met the international crew, helmed by the Russo Brothers, even though he says it was the American team that gave the final nod to his creations. 

Given that the Dhawan-starrer was touted as the Indian version of the original that featured Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Pant wanted the theme song to have an element of desi music to do justice to the franchise. “We came across this instrument called the Zitar, which is an electric sitar, and roped in the famous sitar player Purbayan Chatterjee to work on it. He also plays that [Zitar]. It is a challenging job to incorporate Indian instruments into this world, but it was a good decision. The instrument has a hint of Indian sounds, but it is also edgy.”

Actor and filmmaker John Krasinski has been named the Sexiest Man Alive 2024 by People Magazine. The actor is known for his role as the prank-loving paper salesman Jim Halpert in `The Office` which ran for nine years, as the intense former Marine turned CIA agent in the series Jack Ryan or the director of the recently released film `IF`. But John wasn`t exactly sure what to think when he got honoured with the title of the Sexiest Man Alive 2024. He  shared the news with his wife and actress Emily Blunt and revealed the promise she had made if he won the title. The couple has been married for 14 years and live in Brooklyn, America. 

Emily Blunt`s reaction to John Kransinski being Sexiest Man Alive 2024

Talking to People magazine, John said that his wife Emily was very excited to hear the big news from him. Krasinski revealed that Blunt joked about making the cover of the magazine their house wallpaper if he ever received the title. “Do we have that on camera? Because that’s like a binding contract, I think,” he says. “My children will love that, it won’t be weird at all.”

Krasinski, 45, lives with his wife and two kids in Brooklyn. They have two daughters named Hazel, 10 and Violet, 8. The actor appreciates the life he has built with his wife Blunt.  “It’s that beautiful thing where when you’re married to someone, you’re constantly learning and changing and evolving,” he says. “And I’m so lucky to go through all that with her.”

Talking about if this title will change anything for him, he joked, “I think it`s going to make me do more household chores. After this comes out, she’ll be like, ‘All right, that means you’re going to really earn it here at home.’ ”

About John Krasinski

Apart from his acting credits, he has also directed six projects. In 2009, Krasinski made his directorial debut in the comedy-drama film Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. He wrote the screenplay for the film based on David Foster Wallace`s collection of short stories, played a minor role in it and also served as producer. The film premiered on January 19, 2009, at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. He also co-wrote, directed and starred in A Quiet Place, which has grown into a three-film franchise, and created the short-lived but immensely popular pandemic-era web series Some Good News. Earlier this year, he debuted his sixth directorial effort, IF, a film about imaginary friends that also featured Blunt.

Veteran filmmaker Rakesh Roshan will not be directing any more films. Yes, you heard it right! The veteran filmmaker has announced his retirement in a recent conversation. The producer confirmed that he will be backing the superhero film `Krrish 4`, starring actor and his son Hrithik Roshan. The film will be made under the banner of Filmkraft Productions, but he has decided to step down from directorial duties.  

Rakesh Roshan announces retirement from direction

Rakesh Roshan, in an interview with `Bollywood Hungama`, opened up about his plans to give himself a rest by stepping down from directing films. He confirmed, “I don`t think I`ll be directing any further. But I`ll surely be announcing `Krrish 4` very soon.”  

Siddharth Anand to direct Krrish 4

Earlier this year, `Fighter` director Siddharth Anand reposted a fan edit featuring Hrithik Roshan in and as `Krrish` with the caption, “He`s coming back,” on his X handle and wrote, “Yup, he is.” This led fans to wonder if, after directing Hrithik Roshan in `Bang Bang`, `War`, and `Fighter`, he will yet again take the director’s chair for Hrithik Roshan’s `Krrish 4`. Well, Rakesh Roshan made `Krrish` into a cult franchise, and taking over the already exciting film to deliver what the audience expects is not going to be easy for any director.  

About Rakesh Roshan’s journey

Rakesh turned producer by launching his home banner, Filmkraft, in 1980. After initial hiccups, the production house delivered successful films like `Kaamchor` and `Shubh Kaamna`. The veteran took yet another plunge and became a director with `Khudgarz` in 1987. As a director, he was known for massy dramas like `Khoon Bhari Maang` (1988), `Kishen Kanhaiya` (1990), `Karan Arjun` (1995), and `Koyla` (1997).  

He shifted his focus to direction from 1990 to 1999 and launched his son Hrithik Roshan with `Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai` in 2000. He wrote, directed, and produced the cult classic. Rakesh enjoyed a fantastic career as a director. After the success of `Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai`, he directed Hrithik Roshan in the 2003 superhero film `Koi… Mil Gaya`, its sequel `Krrish` (2006), and `Krrish 3` (2013). It was a successful franchise. `Krrish 4` is also in the making. Rakesh`s last production was `Kaabil` in 2017, headlined by his son Hrithik and Yami Gautam.