Ananya Raj dies at 27 after year-long health struggle

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is expected to begin work on the much-anticipated Madhubala biopic in September after completing his ongoing film Love & War. The upcoming project will focus on the life and legacy of legendary Hindi cinema actress Madhubala, with Sara Arjun set to play the iconic role. Bhansali is currently wrapping up the final schedule of Love & War, which features Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal in key roles. The film’s last song is reportedly scheduled to be filmed at Royal Palms in Goregaon by the end of August. Once the Love & War shoot is completed, the same location is expected to be transformed for the Madhubala biopic. The production design team will reportedly begin working on the sets immediately after Bhansali finishes his current project. The location is expected to be redesigned to recreate the period associated with Madhubala’s life and career. The biopic is expected to go on floors in September, marking the beginning of a new phase for the highly discussed project. Jasmeet K Reen, who previously directed Darlings, will helm the film. Bhansali is attached to the project as a producer, a development that helped the film move forward after facing delays. The Madhubala biopic had reportedly been put on hold earlier because of financial difficulties. However, the project eventually gained momentum after Bhansali joined the production team. His involvement has further increased expectations surrounding the film, particularly given his reputation for creating visually elaborate period stories. Sara Arjun has reportedly started preparing for the challenging role. The actress and the team are said to be working on Madhubala’s personality, mannerisms and expressions to ensure that her portrayal captures the essence of the legendary performer. The production will also focus on recreating the atmosphere and visual style of the era in which Madhubala rose to fame. Sara recently received increased attention for her role in the Dhurandhar franchise, where she portrayed Yalina Jamali, the love interest of Ranveer Singh’s character. Taking on Madhubala will represent a major opportunity for the young actress, as she steps into the role of one of Hindi cinema’s most recognisable stars. Madhubala remains an enduring figure in Indian cinema, remembered for her beauty, charm, screen presence and memorable performances. Her life and career have continued to attract public interest long after her passing, making her story a natural subject for a major biographical film. As Love & War nears completion, Bhansali is expected to shift his focus towards the Madhubala project. The film will seek to explore the actress’s journey, career and lasting legacy while bringing the golden era of Hindi cinema back to life through its production design and storytelling.

Doctor Bahu wrapped up last week, and while viewers were divided over the finale, star Kubra Khan had only warmth and gratitude for her team. In an Instagram reel posted on Wednesday, Kubra shared behind-the-scenes clips from filming. She explained she deliberately left out the show’s OST, since audiences had already heard it enough times. Instead, she said the experience reminded her of a line from Elton John’s “Your Song.” She described the mix of emotions as something both funny and hard to hide. She said Doctor Bahu carried a similar weight for her, tied not just to the script but to the entire set. She believes a good atmosphere on set makes half the work easier, and this project proved it. Nine months of filming passed quickly, she said, thanks to how much fun the cast and crew had together. She joked that actors are known to laugh during romantic scenes, but on this set, they laughed during sad ones too. Kubra admitted the cast and crew were not quite like family, despite what people often claim. She compared the bond more to friendships built in high school or college, where everyone sticks together no matter what. Whether it was rain, sunshine, or a rough day, the team always supported one another. Without wanting to sound overly sentimental, she credited the people behind the project for making the experience special. She specifically thanked director Mehreen Jabbar, writer Sanam Mehdi Zaryab, and director of photography Tayyab Shah. Khan also expressed appreciation for her fellow cast members. She emphasized the crew’s role in particular, crediting them for making the set such a beautiful place to work. She ended her note on a reflective note, saying she was not sure she would ever work with a team quite like this again. Still, she said she would always look back on the experience fondly. Khan added that the show has raised her expectations for future projects. She admitted the bar now feels impossibly high after her time on Doctor Bahu. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbnI7m0on5o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor has opened up about the emotional challenges her elder sister, Karisma Kapoor, faced during the early years of her acting career, revealing that the journey was far more difficult than many people realized. Speaking on a television reality show, Kareena reflected on Karisma’s struggles as she entered the film industry at a young age. She shared that despite belonging to the legendary Kapoor family, Karisma did not receive the support many would have expected. Instead, she encountered rejection and criticism from various quarters while trying to establish herself as an actress. According to Kareena, several people in the film industry refused to work with Karisma when she was starting out. She also revealed that there was a period when even their father was unable to stand by her career decisions, leaving their mother to shoulder the responsibility of supporting both daughters through difficult times. Kareena praised her mother for remaining strong and encouraging Karisma despite the emotional and professional obstacles the family faced. She said her mother never lost hope and constantly motivated Karisma to keep moving forward, even when circumstances seemed overwhelming. Recalling those painful memories, Kareena said the hardships deeply affected Karisma emotionally. She remembered seeing her elder sister crying late at night after facing repeated disappointments. As a young child, Kareena would quietly watch from behind the curtains, witnessing the emotional toll those struggles had taken on her sister. She added that people often underestimated Karisma and tried to discourage her, making her early years in Bollywood especially challenging. Kareena said watching her mother and sister endure those difficult moments taught her valuable lessons about resilience, determination, and the importance of family support. The actress emphasized that although Karisma belonged to one of Bollywood’s most celebrated film dynasties, success did not come easily. She had to prove herself through hard work and perseverance rather than relying on her family name. Kareena said her sister’s journey remains an inspiring example of overcoming adversity through dedication and courage. Karisma Kapoor made her Bollywood debut in 1991 at the age of 16 with Prem Qaidi. Despite facing criticism and setbacks during the initial phase of her career, she gradually established herself as one of the leading actresses of the 1990s. Over the years, she delivered several commercially successful and critically acclaimed performances, earning widespread recognition for her talent. Kareena noted that looking back at those years fills her with admiration for both her sister and her mother. She believes their strength and determination played a significant role in shaping not only Karisma’s successful career but also her own outlook on life and the entertainment industry. This is not the first time Kareena has spoken about her sister’s struggles. In an earlier interview, she also reflected on the emotional hardships Karisma experienced before achieving success, highlighting the sacrifices and determination that helped her become one of Bollywood’s most respected actresses. Today, Karisma Kapoor’s journey is widely regarded as a story of perseverance, proving that talent, resilience, and unwavering family support can overcome even the toughest challenges.