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Time of India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Meet the actress who faced 20 flops after a dream debut; fought a legal battle against her own father, but her smile tells a different story
Ameesha Patel instantly became a star with her blockbuster debut 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' opposite Hrithik Roshan in 2000,. She quickly followed up with the Telugu film Badri and then the historic success 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha' in 2001, cementing her status as a household name. However, after her promising start, her career gradually lost momentum. Between 2002 and 2010, most of her films struggled at the box office. She later took on supporting roles in big films like 'Race 2' and 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa', but none could replicate her early triumphs. Over the years, she has appeared in more than 20 films that failed commercially. Ameesha Patel's personal life has seen its share of struggles, something not many are aware of. In 2004, she found herself in a legal battle against her own father, accusing him of mismanaging her finances. As per a report in DNA India, She alleged that he had misused around ₹12 crore of her earnings and took the matter to court. Defending her decision, Ameesha stated, 'Why should I feel ashamed? That money was mine. Even parents have no right to take what belongs to their children. ' She also revealed that her parents had misled her grandmother, who ultimately stood by Ameesha's side throughout the legal fight. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo She is one of Bollywood's most talked-about actresses, has spent over two decades in the industry. Celebrated not just for her acting but also for her ageless beauty, she's experienced her fair share of highs and lows, both professionally and personally. For years, fans assumed she remained single and unmarried. However, in a recent interview, Ameesha surprised everyone by revealing that while she hasn't married officially, her heart is already taken. In a playful confession, she admitted her admiration for Hollywood star Tom Cruise , calling him her dream man. Ameesha even joked that, in her heart and mind, she already considers him her husband — a revelation that left her fans both surprised and entertained. Setbacks are a part of life and everyone has to endure it. What is important is how resilient someone is to come from that. In 2023, Ameesha made a strong comeback with 'Gadar 2' alongside Sunny Deol . After the tremendous success of 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha', the sequel also marked one of the biggest milestones in Ameesha Patel's successful career in Indian cinema.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Saurabh Sachdeva reveals he nearly turned down Animal, credits Sandeep Reddy Vanga's convincing pitch: 'He showed me the Triptii Dimri scene with Ranbir Kapoor...'
Saurabh Sachdeva almost declined his role in Animal. Sandeep Reddy Vanga convinced him to stay. Vanga showed him key scenes to ease his doubts. Sachdeva trusted Vanga's vision despite initial confusion. The film became a career highlight for Sachdeva. He looks forward to Animal Park. He was last seen in Maalik with Rajkummar Rao. Saurabh Sachdeva may have delivered one of the most compelling performances in Animal, but not many know he nearly walked away from the project. In a candid conversation with DNA India, the actor opened up about his initial doubts, how director Sandeep Reddy Vanga convinced him to stay, and how the film ultimately became a game-changer in his career. In an exclusive with DNA India, Saurabh shared that Animal marked a turning point in his career, significantly boosting his visibility. He recalled first hearing about the role at the Bambai Meri Jaan success party, when filmmaker Bejoy Nambiar mentioned that Sandeep Reddy Vanga was looking for him. Though initially intrigued, Saurabh admitted he forgot about it until a few days later when T-Series reached out for a script narration. After attending the meeting and hearing the script, Saurabh felt uncertain about the character and the film's overall tone. He even considered turning it down, citing confusion about the world the story belonged to—whether it was grounded in gritty realism like his previous projects Sacred Games, Haddi, or Bambai Meri Jaan. Encouraged by his manager, he requested a second narration with Vanga to better understand the role before making a final decision. To ease the actor's doubts about Animal, Sandeep Reddy Vanga took a more visual approach. After listening to Saurabh's concerns, the director brought him to the edit room and showed him select sequences from the film. The first was the intense interval gunfight scene featuring masked men, which initially left Saurabh feeling unsure. But it was the second scene—featuring Triptii Dimri and Ranbir Kapoor in a subtle, emotionally charged moment—that changed his mind. The combination of raw action and emotional depth convinced Saurabh to come on board. He further admitted that even during the shoot, he remained unsure about his character's journey in Animal. Despite the confusion, he chose to place his trust in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's vision. His very first scene was the film's climactic runway sequence—a chaotic bloodbath where he had no dialogue or clear action to anchor himself, only reactions to deliver. Yet, he went with the flow. When the film released, it exploded in popularity, and his character received immense love. Looking back, Saurabh credits Vanga for the breakthrough, acknowledging that Animal gave his career a fresh push, all thanks to the director's clarity and conviction. Animal Park is undoubtedly one of the most-anticipated sequels in recent times. When asked for an update, Saurabh Sachdeva shared that while there's no fixed timeline yet, he's hopeful the project will move forward once Ranbir Kapoor wraps up Ramayana and Sandeep Reddy Vanga completes Spirit. He added that he's genuinely excited about returning for the sequel. On the work front, Saurabh was last seen in Maalik alongside Rajkummar Rao.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Smriti Irani back as Tulsi in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi reboot: Here's how much she's charging per episode
Smriti Irani's fees for KSBKBT: The iconic daily soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is making a grand return with a reboot, and fans are thrilled to see Smriti Irani step back into the role of Tulsi Virani. The show's first look dropped online recently, sparking excitement and a wave of nostalgia among viewers who grew up watching the original. Let's take a closer look at Smriti Irani's comeback, her emotional message, the show's return, and her jaw-dropping fees per episode. Smriti Irani as Tulsi: The Character That Became a National Emotion Smriti Irani, who played Tulsi in the original series, quickly became a household name in the early 2000s. Her portrayal of Tulsi—an ideal daughter-in-law, a strong mother, and a symbol of Indian family values—won millions of hearts. Now, after more than 20 years, she's returning in the same role for the Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Reboot. Speaking about her return, Smriti Irani shared an emotional note, saying, 'Tulsi wasn't just a character. She became a daughter, a mother, and a reflection of many women's strength and sacrifices.' She also said that even after the show ended, people continued to call her Tulsi instead of her real name. That connection with the audience, she said, 'isn't written – it's a blessing.' Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Reboot: What to Expect The Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Reboot is a limited series with 150 episodes. It is set to air on Star Plus starting 29 July 2025 at 10:30 PM. Along with Smriti Irani, many of the original cast members are also returning, making the show even more special for long-time fans. When the first look was shared online, social media went wild. Fans filled the comments section with love, expressing how emotional and excited they felt about Tulsi's return. Smriti Irani's Fees: Now the Highest-Paid Actress on Indian Television Smriti Irani's return as Tulsi has not just made headlines for nostalgia, but also for her fees. According to a report by DNA India, Smriti is now charging a whopping Rs 14 lakh per episode, making her the highest-paid actress on Indian TV. This fee even surpasses that of Rupali Ganguly, who reportedly earned Rs 3 lakh per episode for her popular show Anupamaa, also aired on Star Plus. Smriti's comeback has clearly set a new benchmark in the industry. Smriti Irani Opens Up About Pay Gap and Gender Roles in TV Industry During her appearance on We The Women with Karan Johar, Smriti Irani discussed the challenges she faced as a female lead in television. She reflected on a time when gender pay gap and financial equity were not openly discussed. She added that her role as Tulsi helped break barriers—not just in terms of viewership, but also in showing the strength of a woman's character on prime-time television. Tulsi's Return Is More Than Just a Comeback—It's an Emotion Smriti Irani concluded her note with heartfelt words: 'Tulsi returns not just as a character, but as a memory, a feeling that never left. In today's world, where stories come and go, this return is an invitation to pause and feel again.' Her message shows how deeply she values the connection Tulsi had with Indian families. Is Smriti Irani Leaving Politics for Acting? In a recent chat with NDTV, Smriti Irani made it clear that although she's excited to return as Tulsi Virani, her main priority is still her political work. 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is just a side project,' she said, showing her strong commitment to politics over acting. Irani joined politics around 20 years ago and is now an important leader in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She described her return to acting as something she's doing part-time, much like other politicians who manage more than one role. Irani added, 'I may be the most recognised face among them, but I'm a full-time politician and a part-time actor.' Her comments show how she's managing both her political duties and her love for acting. With the Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Reboot, Smriti Irani is bringing back one of television's most loved characters. Her return as Tulsi, along with her record-breaking fees, proves that timeless roles and strong storytelling never go out of style. As fans count down the days to July 29, one thing is clear—Tulsi is not just back on screen, she's back in everyone's hearts.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Soundarya Sharma reacts to criticism against 'Housefull 5' for objectifying women: 'There have been actors who have worn bikinis'
Actress Soundarya Sharma was recently seen sharing the screen with Akshay Kumar and Abhishek Bachchan in the latest comedy thriller 'Housefull 5'. Amid the movie receiving good reviews from fans and audiences, Soundarya has addressed some comments the film generated regarding the objectification of the female body. Soundarya about her role in Housefull 5 movie 20:42 Actress Soundarya Sharma on her journey, struggles and more In an interview with DNA India, Soundarya reacted to concerns about the film placing more emphasis on the appearance of female characters rather than giving them meaningful roles. Soundarya was surprised to hear that, and she really had no time to scroll through such reviews due to being busy counting the box office numbers. 'I think the makers would be the right people [to answer], because an actor is just subjective to someone's vision. It's made in a very light way and with heart. I don't know kaun hai yeh log jo iss tarah baat kar rahe hai (I don't know who these people are who are talking like this),' she stated. Social media reaction Many Reddit users reacted to the matter with mixed opinions. Some criticised her for giving such a vague answer, while others appreciated her efforts in shaping her career without having any connections in the industry. Soundarya about her outfits in the movie Soundarya also addressed the criticism surrounding her costumes in 'Housefull 5'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo 'There have been actors who have worn bikinis as well as sarees for their roles. Aisa kuch samajh mein mere ko nahi aa raha hai (I'm not able to understand). People have been wearing all sorts of sarees for songs and everything.' About Housefull 5 'Housefull 5', directed by Tarun Mansukhani , was released in theatres on June 6. The movie features Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Johny Lever, Chunky Panday, Dino Morea, Fardeen Khan, and Sanjay Dutt in key roles.
News18
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Soundarya Sharma Reacts To Objectification Claims In Housefull 5: ‘I Don't See Any Of It'
Last Updated: Housefull 5 actress Soundarya Sharma responds to criticism about female objectification in the film, saying she doesn't see it and was surprised by the backlash. Actor Soundarya Sharma, who appeared in Housefull 5, has finally responded to criticism surrounding the portrayal of female characters in the recently released film. In a conversation with DNA India, the Bigg Boss 16 alum seemed caught off guard when asked about the objectification of women and the focus on looks over substance in the slapstick comedy. 'I don't see that, I don't see any of it," she replied, visibly surprised. 'Pata nahi, aap bol rahe ho toh… Honestly, I haven't gotten time to sit and read all of these because I've been busy counting numbers and celebrating. I think the makers would be the right people to answer this, because an actor is just part of someone else's vision. It's made in a very light way and with heart. I don't know kaun hai yeh log jo iss tarah baat kar rahe hai," she added, deflecting the criticism. Touching upon the criticism of the outfits worn by female actors in the film, Soundarya reasoned, 'I feel it's not the first time someone has worn something like that. It's also a reflection of society, not that they've forced anything. Actors have worn everything from bikinis to sarees before. Aisa kuch samajh mein mere ko nahi aa raha hai." Despite her defense, the internet didn't hold back. A clip of the interview surfaced on Reddit, with users debating whether she was downplaying the issue or simply toeing the industry line. One comment read, 'Poor girl's entire existence in the film was reduced to just being there for the male gaze and she thinks there wasn't any objectification?" Another added, 'This is her relaunch movie and she's happy to be a part of it, what else do people want her to say?" A more sympathetic user pointed out, 'She's not a nepo kid. It's a big deal for her to be in a star-studded movie. Speaking against the film could mean losing future opportunities." Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, Housefull 5 marks the fifth chapter in the blockbuster franchise that began in 2010. The film boasts a massive ensemble including Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, and veterans like Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Johny Lever, and Sanjay Dutt. It hit theatres on June 6 under the Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment banner. Outside of Housefull 5, Soundarya Sharma has appeared in films like Ranchi Diaries and web series such as Raktanchal 2, Country Mafia, and Karm Yuddh. Whether or not Housefull 5 elevates her to the next level remains to be seen—but for now, she's standing by the film that relaunched her in the Bollywood mainstream. First Published: June 15, 2025, 15:06 IST
