Nicole Kidman is setting the record straight about the viral 2001 photo of her throwing her arms up in celebration. Speaking to GQ as part of their cover story for Men of the Year on Monday, the 57-year-old actress said that the iconic photo-turned-meme was not about her divorce from Tom Cruise.
Nicole Kidman reveals the truth about her viral 2001 photo, widely believed to have been taken after the finalisation of her divorce from Tom Cruise
Nicole Kidman reveals the truth about her viral 2001 Tom Cruise divorce celebration photo
The photo, in which Kidman can be seen wearing a sheer patterned top, green capris, and sneakers, has long been thought to have been taken after the finalisation of her divorce from Cruise. When asked if those rumours hold any weight, the Babygirl star said, “That’s not true.”
“That was not me; that was from a film, that wasn’t real life. I know that image!” the Oscar-winner said of the photo, which shows her walking down the street with her arms stretched out in the air and mouth wide open as if she was feeling relieved. The iconic photo recently made headlines in September when Jenna Dewan posted it on her Instagram story after settling her divorce from her ex-husband, Channing Tatum.
Kidman tied the knot with Cruise in 1990 and adopted two children together: daughter Isabella, 31, and son Connor, 29. However, the pair called it quits after 11 years of marriage, filing for divorce in 2001. Years later, the Bombshell actress began dating Keith Urban in 2005. She exchanged vows with the country singer in 2006 and went on to welcome two daughters: Sunday, 16, and Faith, 13, in 2008 and 2010, respectively.
As for the Mission Impossible actor, following his split from his second wife, Kidman, he was married to Katie Holmes from 2006 to 2012. The pair welcomed daughter Suri Cruise, now Suri Noelle, 18, in 2006. Cruise’s first wife was Mimi Rogers, whom he married in 1987, two years after they first met in 1985. However, the Top Gun actor filed for divorce in 1989, which was later finalised in 1990, the same year he married Kidman.
A freak accident on the set of Rupali Ganguly’s Anupamaa has claimed the life of a camera assistant. Reports state that the crew member, relatively new on the job, was electrocuted while handling equipment during the shoot. He came into contact with a live wire. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has taken responsibility for investigating the case and compensating the family.
Weather Forecast: US West coast braces for once-in-a-decade bomb cyclone
A storm developing off the coast of the US northwest is forecast to bring high winds, flooding and snow to over seven million residents living in states along the Pacific Ocean.
It started impacting the region Tuesday and is expected to worsen through the end of the week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Beyond wind, rain and snow, the storm could also bring flash flooding, rock slides and debris flows as well as heavy mountain snow and blizzard conditions in areas of high elevation.
The “bomb cyclone” – as forecasters call it – is caused by air pressure quickly dropping off the coast, which has rapidly intensified the weather system.
Getty Images
A bomb cyclone previously hit California in March 2023.
When and where will it hit?
Parts of the northwest are already starting to feel impacts from the storm, with strong wind gusts already observed in the Seattle area.
NOAA’s weather prediction centre said the storm is expected to bring heavy, wet snow to mountain ranges in the Pacific Northwest with accumulation rates of 2-3in (5-8cm) per hour and wind up to 65 mph (29mps).
The weather could bring whiteout conditions that will make travel difficult, according to NOAA. There could be 10-20in (25-50cm) of snow in spots.
Wind gusts could bring power outages, downed trees and high surf along the coastline, the US weather agency said, which issued a “high risk excessive rainfall outlook” for northwest California.
The heaviest rainfall – which could bring mud slides – is expected to hit northern California and southwest Oregon, according to the NOAA.
The National Weather Service also issued winter weather alerts and a winter storm warning through Wednesday for several other areas along the Pacific coast.
“Numerous flash floods, hazardous travel, power outages, and tree damage can be expected as the storm reaches max intensity,” the National Weather Prediction Centre wrote in a post on X.
What is a bomb cyclone?
Bomb cyclone is a term given by meteorologists to a storm that appears to intensify rapidly, with its central air pressure dropping to at least 24 millibars in 24 hours.
They are referred to as ‘bomb’ cyclones due to the explosive power of these storms caused by the rapid fall in pressure.
The storm brings with it an array of weather, ranging from blizzards to severe thunderstorms to heavy precipitation.
BBC Weather forecaster Helen Rossington has said that the bomb cyclone will first deliver strong winds, rain and snow to the north-west coast before the region is walloped by a prolonged spell of heavy rain, mountain snow and flood risk.
These weather events are not unusual for this time of year.
Similar atmospheric river events – when small regions of moisture travel outside tropical regions – have occurred throughout North America over the last few weeks.
But the conditions of an atmospheric river combined with a bomb cyclone can create a major weather event.
Prime Video announced November 23 as the premiere date of its first-ever talk show, The Rana Daggubati Show. Created and hosted by the charismatic Rana Daggubati and executive produced by him under the banner of Spirit Media, the unscripted Telugu Original eight-episode series will feature a dazzling line-up of guests, including Dulquer Salmaan, Naga Chaitanya Akkineni, Siddhu Jonnalagadda and Sree Leela, Nani, S.S. Rajamouli and Ram Gopal Varma, and many more, as they indulge in entertaining conversations peppered with intimate repartee and engaging activities that bring out a never-seen-before side of Rana’s guests. The Rana Daggubati Show will premiere exclusively on Prime Video starting November 23 in India and across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide, with new episodes dropping every Saturday.
About The Rana Daggubati Show
Brimming with unfiltered conversations and unexplored facets of celebrities, The Rana Daggubati Show presents a refreshing take on the celebrity talk show format, as Rana and his guests unmask their fun side and reveal insights into their personal lives that are unknown to their fans and unheard of by the world while partaking in exciting activities and passionate hobbies that go beyond the silver screen.
“The Rana Daggubati Show is an unconventional take on talk shows, going beyond surface-level exchanges to explore engaging conversations and intriguing activities that Rana and his guests fully immerse themselves in. The mystique surrounding some of the industry`s biggest names piques the interest of audiences and fans, and Rana creates a warm, inviting atmosphere on the show, encouraging guests to shed their inhibitions and connect authentically with their fans,” said Nikhil Madhok, Head of Originals, Prime Video, India. “The Rana Daggubati Show offers a unique perspective on the personality behind the celebrity, and there’s no one better suited than the charming, hospitable, and talented Rana Daggubati to host this show and bridge the gap between celebrated guests and their fans. Building on the success of Dhootha, Prime Video remains committed to delivering exceptional content to the Telugu audience, and with this show, we’re thrilled to introduce a new genre of content to our roster that will entertain, engage, and captivate our audience.”
What Rana has to say about his talk show
Rana Daggubati, host, creator, and executive producer of the show said, “For too long, talk shows have just scratched the surface when it comes to getting to know our favorite celebs. But we’re flipping the script! Our show is a backstage pass into the real lives of these stars—many of whom are my buddies and colleagues. Think chill vibes, no filters, and a whole lot of unexpected moments. It’s like hanging out with your favorite icons as they spill the tea, share wild stories, and dive headfirst into the stuff they absolutely love. I’m excited! Soon fans in over 240 countries will get to kick back and experience this fun ride with us on Prime Video starting November 23! Get ready for all the feels, the laughs, and moments you’ll be texting your friends about—because this is as real and up-close as it gets!”
Film: Gladiator II Cast: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Derek Jacobi, May Calamawy Director: Ridley Scott Rating: 3.5 Runtime: 148 min
This sequel to Ridley Scott’s landmark period spectacular is a great movie experience as a standalone. Written by David Scarpa (“Napoleon”) and directed by an 86-year-old Scott who continues to blend Machiavelli, pageantry, and visual grandeur in epic proportions, this is a movie experience that is still top-notch (even if it does not match up to the much-vaunted original).
Twenty-four years ago, the slash-and-burn hyperviolent “Gladiator” which blended in Cecil De Mille’s epic proportions with intensely engaging philosophies of warfare and romance while incorporating novel VFX was a near hypnotic experience and continues to be revered by most who have experienced it. “Gladiator II,” may not become as well-loved but it is a wonderful experience nevertheless.
The entire film is centered around Paul Mescal as Hanno/Lucius whose voyage comes full circle when he enters the coliseum as a captive of Rome. The story here complements that of the original film and provides some fan service too. The credit sequence hearkens back to the original and lends the unschooled some idea of what took place 16 years before. Incidentally, Lucius Verus was sent away as a pre-teen, to a safe place in order for his life to be spared. It’s not a surprise then to find him a descendant of Maximus.
In one of the dialogues, Lucius admits he does not have the strength of his father and the film plays strongly to that vein. Mescal is no Crowe. His Hanno/Lucius goes from commander to captive to gladiator not with contemplative raging hostility that Maximus displayed but with a fixated vengeance-led rage.
His rage is centered around General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) who ordered the killing of his wife Arishat(Yuval Gonen) at the battle for Numidia, and later on spreads to the rulers of Rome– twin-brother emperors, Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), both extremely fey yet as vicious as Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) in their actions. Lucius Verus is also not shown as a swordsman. He is a wily fighter though and has experience as a commander of a small battalion of the Numidian army. Mescal doesn’t possess Crowe’s physicality nor does he exhibit Maximus’ silent fury. The film sets him up as an unequal to Maximus and that’s a good thing here. Mescal’s Lucius is branded by nobility and therefore not as rugged and imposing as Maximus.
The narrative and character development are not as robust as the original. The script draws so many parallels between the new film and the old one that they begin to feel one and the same. There’s no new dramatic thrust to speak of here. The storyline feels rushed, and some character arcs lack depth. Lucius’ goalposts transition from revenge to saving the nation within a hair-breath. It felt as though the director and writer wanted to cram-in as many events as possible to make the narrative consequential.
The characters that work are pivotal to the telling of this tale. Connie Nielsen who returns from the original cast as Lucilla, the mother who sent Lucius away from Rome as a boy after the death of Maximus and Macrinus (Denzel Washington), the former gladiator who rises up to the post of second-in-command in Rome’s power hierarchy. The wily ease with which Denzel tackles this role and the tremulous heart with which Nielsen establishes her pathos, lend the film quite a bite. Ravi (Alexander Karim), a soulful former slave and gladiator originally from India, who earned his freedom but chose to become a healer for the wounded combatants may not be an important character but he gets quite a bit of screen time and is impactful in helping put an end to the scheming and dealing in Rome.
Gladiator 2 uses CGI & practical effects to rousing affect. The neoclassical epic spread of brutal warfare, lavish Colosseum duels, stunning decapitations, and decadent palace intrigue is well served by it. The music score is a little overwhelming with way too many nostalgic callbacks for it not to sound similar to the original’s score. The battle scenes are also quite spectacular. The cinematography, as in every Ridley Scott film is extraordinary. It’s the story that falls short dependent as it is on contrivance and familiarity. Nevertheless, this sequel is still a highly enjoyable film and deserves to be seen in all its glory on the big screen!
Sushmita Sen is one of the most loved actresses in Bollywood. The actress, who gained widespread popularity for her role in Shah Rukh Khan`s `Main Hoon Na`, once revealed that Farah Khan had apologized to her because the final cut of the film barely featured her. The 1994 Miss Universe winner spoke about the unique trajectory and “small but powerful role” of her character, Chandni Chopra—a sentiment reaffirmed by the late film maestro Yash Chopra.
Sushmita shared that `Main Hoon Na` became career-defining because everyone “keeps going back” to the film. Recalling a pivotal moment during the film`s final edit, Sushmita mentioned that director Farah Khan had apologized for her limited screen presence.
Farah Khan apologised to Sushmita Sen for limited screen presence
In an interview with `Humans of Bombay`, Sushmita revealed: “She (Farah Khan) called and said, ‘Sush, I have seen the final edit, and I have to apologize to you. Shah Rukh, of course, has the role, Zayed and Amrita have a role, but you are barely there.’ So I was like, ‘That’s okay, Farah. We had a deal—you kept your promise, and I kept mine. It’s done; now don’t worry about it.’ But inside, I was thinking, ‘Oh no, I am barely there!’ The (`Main Hoon Na`) screening happened at Film City. My phone started ringing. And I didn’t know why Yash ji (Yash Chopra) was calling me. The whole gamut of the industry was calling. So, scared, I picked up the phone.”
Yash Chopra praised Sushmita Sen for her work in Main Hoon Na
She recalled the unexpected and heartfelt praise she received: “‘You have done amazing work; I could not take my eyes off you.’ Yash Chopra told me he wanted to see me in the second half of the film. I had avoided the screening, fearing disappointment since Farah Khan had mentioned my limited presence. But from the response, I knew something had changed. The role hadn’t changed, but the impact had. The role was still as small as it was, but it was powerful enough.”
One of the most remarkable outcomes following the film`s release was the transformation of its promotional posters. Initially, they prominently featured Shah Rukh Khan, Amrita Rao, and Zayed Khan. However, the posters were later revamped to spotlight Sushmita alongside Shah Rukh. This change was driven by the audience’s palpable demand to see her more prominently associated with the film.
Sushmita shared: “The reaction of the audience was so intense that the first posters of `Main Hoon Na` all over Bombay had Zayed Khan, Amrita Rao, and Shah Rukh, or Shah Rukh alone. By Saturday, after the film had released, there were posters of Shah Rukh and me everywhere. That is the power of people and audiences, and I have huge respect for that… The audiences were like, ‘We want her; we want to see her up there with him (Shah Rukh).’ Farah called me and said, ‘All the posters are being brought down, and new ones are being put up. You better go for a drive today.’ And I did.”
About Main Hoon Na
`Main Hoon Na`, Farah Khan`s directorial debut, featured Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, Suniel Shetty, Amrita Rao, and Zayed Khan. The film centers on Major Ram Sharma (played by Shah Rukh) undertaking a covert mission as a university student to protect a general`s daughter, Amrita, from a treacherous soldier.
Samay Raina seemed unfazed by the controversy surrounding a joke on Deepika Padukone’s depression on the latest episode of his show, India’s Got Latent.
Comedian Samay Raina is the creator of India’s Got Latent
Samay Raina’s post
On Monday, Samay took to his Instagram Stories and shared a screenshot of a Reddit notification about the controversy surrounding the joke. “Comedian’s joke on Deepika’s depression sparks outrage,” read the title. Samay wrote alongside, “To everyone who is outraging on Twitter, one request: Could you please outrage in my YouTube comment section so I get some ad revenue from the traction, at least.” The comedian then added the link to the YouTube video of the latest episode of India’s Got Latent in which the joke was told.
What was the backlash about
India’s Got Latent is an online talent show created by Samay. In the latest episode, he was joined by Tanmay Bhat, Raghu Ram, neurologist Dr Sid Warrier, and Balraj Singh Ghai on the judges’ panel. A contestant named Bunty Banerjee made a joke about the birth of Deepika and Ranveer Singh’s daughter Dua. “Deepika Padukone also became a mother recently, right. Great, now she knows what depression really looks like,” she said. The joke was received with laughter and applause from Samay and the rest of the panellists.
Following this, both the show and the comic were criticised online for trivialising mental health. One Redditor wrote, “People are finding it unfunny because it trivializes a common mental health condition and that too in a dumb way, comparing apples to oranges. It is punching down, unintelligently.” The judges, including Samay, were criticised for laughing at the joke. “As much hilarious the panel is at times, sometimes the panel has the most brain-dead takes like come on comedy ke naam pe kya kar rahe ho (what are you doing in the name of comedy),” read one comment.
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Picture this: Nayanthara is about to marry Vignesh Shivan in 10 days. Unlike other bridezillas, she’s totally chill, doodling away, lost in her thoughts, and oblivious to the wedding planning happening around her. That is until it lands on her that she cannot have the Tirupati wedding she dreamt of. She pauses what she’s doing, dramatically gets up, and walks away for peace and quiet. (Also Read: When Dhanush revealed to Radhika Sarathkumar that Nayanthara was dating Vignesh Shivan: ‘Do you have any shame?’)
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale explores the actor’s personal and professional life.
When a 1-hour-20-minute documentary begins like that, you expect chaos to follow. It doesn’t. Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale on Netflix promises to reveal the person behind the superstar, the true story behind the legend, and the bare-it-all story of a woman from Kerala who beat all odds to become one of the biggest stars in South India.
Instead, you get a tale of how anything is possible for the Lady Superstar – almost like a masala movie script. If not for Tirupati, she will find a way to celebrate her love in Chennai. If she’s fat-shamed, she will wear a bikini in her next film to prove a point. But I’ve gotten ahead of myself.
Nayanthara – the actor and superstar
Parvathy Thiruvothu says at one point, “Right now, being a boss babe is a cool thing. She did it at a time when all that was akin to witchcraft. I don’t know how she cracked it. And for me to say, you did it, and you did it alone.” The issue is that at the end of the documentary, you still don’t know how she cracked it.
The documentary briefly touches on topics such as sexism in the workplace, relationships, and the perils of being a woman in a glamorous industry. Still, Nayanthara never reveals anything beyond what is already known to the public. Why did Diana Mariam Kurian agree to be Nayanthara in the first place? Her mother, Omana Kurian, says she was studying to be a chartered accountant.
Sathyan Anthikad, who directed her debut film Manassinakkare, says, “I feel like Nayanthara’s entry into cinema was by fate or God’s decision.” He saw a picture of her on the cover of Vanitha that impressed him, launching her on this path. But while Nayanthara admittedly didn’t watch many films growing up, we aren’t offered anything beyond the fact that ‘she wanted to act in films’.
Can women have it all?
This issue permeates the documentary, no matter what the topic. An often debated subject is whether women can have it all but not simultaneously. Nayanthara wants to prove otherwise with her happy marriage to Vignesh, babies Uyir and Ulag, and a successful career in multiple film industries.
She wants to say that you might find love in the most unsuspecting place, and your career might skyrocket after a forced hiatus. But there’s little depth offered for you to root for the heroine. The only side of Nayanthara shown is the one that seemingly loves unconditionally, calls her mother thrice a day no matter how busy she is and cares for her ailing father.
The Nayanthara who was fat-shamed for her outfits in the 2008 film Ghajini, who received backlash for playing Sita in the 2011 film Sri Rama Rajyam, the one who was written off before her ‘comeback’ with 2013’s Raja Rani is seen only briefly. She persevered, but where did that strength come from? Her mother credits God.
The oddities of love
Nayanthara discusses three relationships. The first one, Nagarjuna interjects, was so ‘turbulent’ that calls from her beau would leave her feeling down. “We would all dread her phone ringing,” he says, talking about shooting with her in Switzerland for 2006’s Boss. “I remember asking her, why are you doing this to yourself? You’re an accomplished lady,” he adds.
Nayanthara defines it as one based on ‘trust more than love’, trusting that he loves her as much as she loves him. Before she delves further, she digresses, questioning why the men weren’t ever questioned. How come it was just her who was talked about? The second one, she says, asked her to quit films in 2011. “It was the man who told me to quit cinema. It wasn’t like I had an option. I was told to leave, and I agreed,” she says.
The past is in the past, but even when talking about the moment she fell for Vignesh on set, there’s never an ‘aha’ moment of relief that she finally found the one. Nayanthara describes him as ‘cute’ and says they could ‘talk differently’. She hints at the ‘stress’ of not being sure if they should date, and Vignesh talks about how his ‘focus’ was only on his debut film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan.
“He didn’t meet me initially. I asked him to meet me, and it took him a month,” she says, without delving much into what they went through then. She says they just ‘knew’ they were in love when they met again.
The peek behind the curtain
The documentary’s best portions are when Nayanthara and Vignesh lay bare their vulnerabilities, even showing their humorous side. Director Nelson Dilipkumar reveals Vignesh would call him, telling him he wanted to leave whenever the couple fought, only for them to be back together and pretend like nothing happened the next day.
“Angelina Jolie was also interested, but I said no because she’s not south Indian. What is that question?” jokes Vignesh when asked why he said yes to Nayanthara – she took the first step in their relationship. His humour peeks through later, too, when he admits to his now-wife he doesn’t like the ‘bench’ they’re sitting on and questioning her interior decorating skills, only to receive a whack on his neck from her under the guise of killing a mosquito.
Vignesh gets emotional and defensive when discussing an offensive meme on their relationship, asking why a ‘beauty’ can’t choose the ‘beast’. As for when he finds her pouting about missing out on the Tirupati wedding, he reminds her, “When it comes to us, nothing is easy. Even if we have to step out for a meal, do you think we can do it? No, right? This is a wedding. Did you think getting married in Tirupati would be so easy?”
If only Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale truly dared to show us more of such moments and of Diana to do justice to the phoenix that is Nayanthara. She has soared through personal and professional hurdles; there’s no doubt about that. The real story is in decoding how she emerged on top rather than telling us what we already know.
The news of AR Rahman and Saira Banu’s separation after nearly three decades of marriage has left their fans shocked. Saira issued a statement on Tuesday night, which was shared by India Today, explaining that their decision was due to ’emotional strain and challenges’ that had become ‘insurmountable’ over time. Amid this, an old interview of AR Rahman with Rahmaniac.com has resurfaced, offering insights into his married life and family dynamics. Rahman spoke about the adjustments needed in their early days, especially as his South Indian family adapted to Saira’s Gujarati background. He shared, “You know, it’s always difficult for any family to adjust to anyone new coming into the fold. Like all mothers, my mother was possessive about me, and as we all lived together as a joint family, a period of adjustment was necessary. In 1995, my eldest daughter Khatija was born, and everything was fine after that.” Rahman also opened up about his temperament and how he interacts with his team and family. He admitted, “I’ve lost my temper with my team at home and the studio. I act as if I’m angry so the job gets done—don’t show this to my guys.”
AR Rahman and Wife Saira Banu Call It Quits
However, when it came to his family, Rahman clarified that his anger was mostly an act. “My children are sensitive and know when I’m upset. That’s very important. I only have to show my irritation—that’s all I need to do.” He also spoke about the close circle of friends and collaborators who have supported him through the years, including those from his teams in India and London. Rahman reflected on his preference for solitude, adding, “I’m not crazy about being mobbed. I prefer some quiet time. I prefer being alone.”
The couple, who tied the knot on March 12, 1995, in Chennai, are parents to three children – Khatija, Raheema, and Ameen. While details surrounding their separation remain private, the announcement marks the end of a nearly three-decade-long journey.
New Delhi: It was Vikram Bhatt who came to Sushmita Sen’s defence when she was called a ‘Gold Digger’ after her relationship rumours with Lalit Modi made headlines. Sushmita who once upon a time dated Vikram Bhatt spoke about her affair with the filmmaker on Simi Garewal’s show Rezendevous. Talking about dating a married man, Sushmita who appeared on the show with Vikram, said,” His wife and he were not living together. I can’t condemn a man or make him feel guilty if he had a bad marriage. I don’t have anything against his ex-wife or his daughter. Some things aren’t meant to be. I don’t feel guilty because I have done something very openly. He was in a divorce when I met him, and I wasn’t going to wait to tell the world that I love him just because he hadn’t got through the divorce yet.”
Their relationship was short-lived, but both Sushmita and Vikram have spoken warmly about each other in interviews, maintaining mutual respect. Over the years, Sushmita has often been praised for her fearless approach to life and relationships, staying true to her beliefs despite societal scrutiny.
Sushmita Sen is currently single as in 2021 she announced her breakup with Rohman Shawl who was 15 years younger than her. Lately, Rohman in his interview mentioned that he and Sushmita don’t care about public opinions over their bonding despite the breakup.
