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Time of India
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shefali Jariwala once revealed she suffered from epilepsy for 15 years: 'Stress and anxiety would lead to seizures'
The sudden demise of actress and model Shefali Jariwala at just 42 has left the entertainment world shocked and heartbroken. Famous for her smashing hit 'Kaanta Laga', Shefali's passing has brought tears to many eyes. In a throwback interview, she once spoke honestly about her health problems and why she pulled back from her career. In a past chat with Etimes, Shefali had shared that she had been living with epilepsy since she was a teenager. Opening up about how it started, she said, 'I had an epilepsy seizure at the age of 15. I remember at that time I was under tremendous pressure to do well in my studies. Stress and anxiety can lead to seizures. It's interrelated, you could get a seizure due to depression and vice versa." Shefali spoke bravely about how the condition knocked down her confidence. 'I have got seizures in classrooms, backstage, while on roads, and somewhere that lowered my self-esteem," she revealed. Why she stayed away from the limelight after 'Kaanta Laga' Shefali became a household name overnight after 'Kaanta Laga' took the country by storm. Her stylish look and stunning dance moves made her an instant favourite. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Gorgeous Women, Ranked BigGlobalTravel Undo Many wondered why she didn't go on to do more films and shows. Shefali finally answered this question in the same interview, saying, 'After I did Kaanta Laga, people asked me why I didn't do more work. I can now say that it was because of the epilepsy seizures that I couldn't take up much work. I didn't know when I would get my next seizure… this went on for 15 years." 'I am proud of myself' Though she battled epilepsy for 15 long years, Shefali also spoke proudly about how she managed to get better. 'I am proud of myself because I managed my depression, panic attacks and anxiety naturally and with the help of a strong support system," she had said. On Thursday, Shefali Jariwala passed away, reportedly due to a cardiac arrest, however official confirmation on this is awaited. Her husband Parag Tyagi and some others took her to Bellevue Multispecialty Hospital, but sadly, she was declared dead on arrival. After that, her body was moved to Cooper Hospital for a post-mortem. So far, her family has not put out any official statement. Fans and friends from the industry continue to share their shock and sorrow on social media, unable to believe that the smiling star is no more.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Avneet Kaur, Anushka Sen, Jannat Zubair; From small screen to streaming stars: How these child actors grew into OTT icons
Once known for their innocent faces on Indian television, these child actors have gracefully grown into confident, versatile performers in the fast-paced world of OTT entertainment. Their journeys—from daily soaps and reality shows to powerful digital roles—reflect not just personal evolution, but also how India's content landscape has transformed. With diverse roles, global recognition, and dedicated fan bases, these stars are proving that early fame was just the beginning. Ahsaas Channa: From Divine Roles to Digital Darling Many remember her as the lovable child in Oh My Friend Ganesha and from mythological shows like Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev , but Ahsaas Channa has since reinvented herself as a prominent face on the web. With popular shows like Girls Hostel , Kota Factory , and Sisters , Ahsaas has carved out a strong digital identity. Her ability to portray layered, relatable young characters has made her one of the most loved names among Gen Z OTT audiences. Avneet Kaur: From Dancing Star to Digital Diva Avneet Kaur began her journey at the age of 8 with Dance India Dance – Li'l Masters , impressing everyone with her charm and talent. She smoothly transitioned into TV with shows like Meri Maa and rose to fame with Aladdin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga as the leading lady. Now, she's exploring her place in the OTT universe with projects like Babbar Ka Tabbar and Party Till I Die , while also maintaining a strong presence across social media platforms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jolie-Pitt Family Shows Support For Shiloh's Change Drivepedia Undo Anushka Sen: A Global Face in the Making Starting with Yahaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli , Anushka Sen grew to prominence with shows like Baal Veer and Jhansi Ki Rani . On OTT, she's impressed with Dil Dosti Dilemma and Crash , building a strong connect with digital viewers. But Anushka's ambitions now span beyond India. She became the Honorary Ambassador of Korean Tourism in 2023 , and has worked on her first Korean film Asia , and show Crush . Speaking exclusive to Etimes, Anushka said, 'I like to focus on multiple things and I'm capable of doing that because I love what I do.I feel I'm representing India globally, and that makes me happy.' Anushka Sen Returns from Cannes in Style Jannat Zubair: From Phulwa to Fierce Competitor Jannat Zubair, who won hearts as the little girl Phulwa on Colors TV, has steadily built her career with a range of TV roles. As she grew older, she explored reality TV through Khatron Ke Khiladi and is currently seen in the reality game show The Traitors . With a strong digital following and polished presence, Jannat continues to expand her creative choices. Siddharth Nigam: From Ashoka to Action-Filled Avatars Siddharth Nigam started strong with his Bollywood debut as young Aamir Khan in Dhoom 3 , and quickly became a TV star with roles in Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat , Chandra Nandini , and Aladdin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga . On OTT, he's taken on more stylised, modern roles in series like Escaype Live , Amly , Blue Tick , and Hai Junoon , signaling his readiness to experiment and evolve with the times. Rajat Tokas: From Historical Hero to OTT Explorer Rajat Tokas became a household name with historical TV dramas like Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan and Jodha Akbar . Known for his intense expressions and quiet strength, he's now exploring more nuanced and darker characters in digital storytelling. While his OTT projects are still under wraps, the actor is clearly preparing for a shift in tone and medium. Mahima Makwana: Quietly Bold, Steadily Rising Mahima Makwana started young with TV shows like Balika Vadhu and Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke . Today, she stands tall alongside Bollywood heavyweights like Emraan Hashmi and Naseeruddin Shah in her OTT project Showtime and the gritty political drama Rangbaaz . Speaking to the ETimes, she confessed feeling the weight of responsibility: 'It's like carrying a huge responsibility on one's shoulders. I'm already very critical of my work and push myself constantly. But getting to work with names like Dharma Productions is a dream come true. It's something I never thought was possible—but maybe I manifested it.' These actors—once beloved as child stars—are now redefining themselves through powerful OTT roles. Their journeys reflect more than personal ambition; they signal a generational shift in Indian entertainment, where screens may have changed, but talent continues to shine brighter than ever. As storytelling evolves and boundaries blur, these young performers stand as proof that early fame doesn't fade—it transforms.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Has Bollywood challenged stereotypes and promoted authentic Queer stories?
When Bollywood sings about love, it usually means boy meets girl, cue dramatic monsoon, and a dance number in Switzerland. But what happens when boy meets boy? Or girl loves girl? For the longest time, such characters and stories were either brushed aside or turned into punchlines. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now June is a month of vibrant celebrations and heartfelt reflections, marking Pride Month, a time to honour the struggles, resilience, and triumphs of the LGBTQIA+ community. Indian cinema, particularly Bollywood, has long been a powerful storyteller, shaping societal attitudes. So the question is, has Bollywood really evolved in the way it represents LGBTQIA+ lives? Let's take a closer look. Looking back: Shadows of stereotypes in early Bollywood Long before Bollywood embraced rainbow-hued love stories, it played a damaging game, portraying queer characters as comic relief, villains, or completely sidelining them. In slapstick comedies like 'Humshakals' or 'Mastizaade', queer characters were written purely for laughs. But even beloved films like 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' featured a sequence where a house help reacts with disgust after mistakenly thinking two men are romantically involved. The message? Queerness is something to laugh at or be repulsed by. Etimes reached out to voices from the queer community to weigh in on the matter, Instagram creator Shantanu Dhope reflects, A lot of the stereotypical portrayals in older films where queer characters were either over the top, used as comic relief, or portrayed as predatory felt deeply alienating. These depictions weren't just inaccurate, they were damaging. They made queerness feel like something to laugh at or be afraid of. It made it really difficult for a lot of us to see ourselves with dignity or pride. Shantanu Dhope, Content Creator Films like 'Dostana' (2008) might have been the first big banner attempt at showing two men in a relationship, even if they were faking it, but the way they exaggerated their behaviour fed into every tired gay stereotype. 'Student of the Year' (2012) included a principal who was stereotypically gay, secretly in love with the sports coach, and constantly irritated by his wife. 'Raja Hindustani' (1996) introduced queer characters Kammo and Gulab Singh, both somewhere were not represented with absolute honesty. And then there's the case of Bobby Darling, one of Bollywood's first transgender figures, who was repeatedly cast in hyper-comic roles in films like 'Apna Sapna Money Money' and 'Kya Kool Hai Hum'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Her representation was so exaggerated that she became a punchline, contributing to harmful ideas about trans women in Indian pop culture. The shift begins: Sensitive stories take centre stage Thankfully, not all was lost. Independent filmmakers and a few brave mainstream voices began changing the narrative. Director Onir's 'My Brother… Nikhil' (2005) was a quiet revolution. Based on a true story, it follows Nikhil, a state-level swimmer diagnosed with HIV in 1990s Goa. Ostracised by family and society, except for his partner Nigel and sister Anamika—Nikhil's journey highlighted the legal and emotional struggles faced by queer people at the time. Then came 'Aligarh' (2015), where Manoj Bajpayee played Professor Siras, suspended from his job after being caught in a consensual moment with another man. The film didn't shy away from portraying his loneliness and dignity, showing the audience the human behind the label. 'Kapoor & Sons' (2016) offered one of Bollywood's most subtle queer narratives, with Fawad Khan playing Rahul, a closeted gay man in a dysfunctional family. His identity was revealed without fanfare, and it wasn't used as a joke. And in 'Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga' (2019), Sweety, played by , realises she's in love with a woman, not a man. The story revolves around her traditional Punjabi family's journey from rejection to acceptance—a scenario many Indian queer youth could identify with. Bollywood gets bold: Queer love goes mainstream The true test of progress came with the commercial success of 'Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan' (2020). For the first time, two men—Ayushmann Khurrana and Jitendra Kumar—played lovers in a mainstream rom-com format. Ayushmann, known for choosing offbeat roles, had explained his decision in an ETimes interview, 'This was important for the film because we have to normalise it. I recently saw two boys kissing in a mall and then I realised, we are ready for it. We normally don't see PDA between same-sex couples but that happens abroad. That will happen in India also. It's about basic human rights. People think that it is unnatural, abnormal because they are wired like that. So, acceptance is importance.' The film's boldness didn't stop at casting. Ayushmann and Jitendra shared a kiss on screen, something rare even in today's cinema. On this, Ayushmann added, 'Right now we are discussing the same-sex kiss, and I think the next step will be that nobody will ask this question again when it happens in a film. Just like nobody asks a question about a heterosexual kissing scene anymore.' He also touched on the responsibility of mainstream actors, 'This is another kind of risk and I guess this is the day and age when you can take a lot of risks. You have to give something different to the audience. And for me, it's not just about entertainment, it's also about certain value creation, coupled with entertainment. That's what I try to do with every film of mine, and 'Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan' is no different. I guess we are ready for a homosexual love story. Because it's 2020 we have become more progressive as a society. There's a lot of acceptance out there.' And indeed, the audience responded with warmth, laughter, and understanding. Rajkummar Rao : Love is love Speaking to Bombay Times, Rajkummar had shared, 'I am glad that there are more and more films being made on the LGBTQIA+ community, because we need more voices and more awareness.' Reflecting on Pride Month back in 2022, the actor said, I think every day should be a Pride Day and everyone should have the freedom to live their life the way they want to live. We all should be there to support each other and be proud of each other's choices. Love is love. Just be who you are. Rajkummar Rao, Actor The gaps that still remain While gay and lesbian narratives are finally finding their place, other identities remain largely invisible. Stories of trans people, non-binary individuals, bisexuals, and asexual characters are few and far between, and often misrepresented. 'Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui' (2021) featured a trans woman lead but cast a cisgender actor in the role, sparking backlash. Authentic representation means giving queer actors the opportunity to tell their own stories. Shantanu points out, 'Trans and non-binary stories are still underrepresented, and when they are shown, it's rarely from a place of authenticity. We need those stories to be told by people from within the community with nuance, honesty, and lived experience. It's time for the industry to create space for queer voices not just in front of the camera, but behind it too.' He continues, 'The evolution is happening, but we have to be vigilant about calling it out when old patterns resurface. Representation should never come at the cost of dignity.' From Reel to Real: The power of being seen Cinema isn't just about entertainment; it's a reflection of society. And sometimes, it can lead. Shantanu explains how films helped him feel seen, 'The short film in 'Bombay Talkies' directed by Karan Johar stood out to me. It was one of the first times I saw a queer character in a setting that felt real and layered, not exaggerated or made into a joke. The story wasn't trying too hard; it just showed how complex and human these experiences can be. It didn't solve everything, but it made me feel seen in a small but meaningful way. Sometimes, that's enough to shift something internally.' He added, ''Sheer Qorma' (although not a mainstream Bollywood release) was beautifully authentic. It handled queer love and generational conflict with such quiet power. The performances, the silences, the intimacy—it all felt so real. It didn't feel performative; it felt lived in.' So, has Bollywood really evolved representing Queer stories ? Yes, but there's still a long way to go From being the punchline to becoming the protagonist, queer characters in Bollywood have come a long way. There's more authenticity, more acceptance, and more awareness. But the journey isn't over. Bollywood has the power to shape hearts and homes. It's time to tell all queer stories—with honesty, complexity and, above all, respect. As Rajkummar Rao aptly said, 'Love is love. Just be who you are.' Because real change doesn't end with representation. It begins with it.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Kuberaa' box office collections day 2: Dhanush's thriller holds strong; mints Rs 30.75 cr
Dhanush's latest thriller 'Kuberaa' is enjoying a healthy run at the box office, showing strong momentum on its second day. According to early estimates from Sacnilk, the film collected Rs 16 crore (India net) on Day 2 (Saturday, June 21), taking its two-day total to Rs 30.75 crore across all languages. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A steady growth Reportedly, 'Kuberaa' had opened on a solid note with a Rs 14.75 crore India net collection on Day 1. This was led by strong numbers in the Telugu (Rs 10 Cr) and Tamil (Rs 4.5 Cr) markets. The film saw a positive jump on Saturday. It earned an additional Rs 16 crore. The film was largely driven by increased occupancy in Telugu-speaking regions. Occupancy rates The film registered impressive occupancy rates in major languages on Saturday. Telugu occupancy stood at an overall 66.19%, with night shows peaking at 83.67%. Tamil version saw moderate traction. 'Kuberaa' clocked 35.89% overall occupancy, which picked up during evening and night shows. Hindi version saw a gradual rise from morning (4.68%) to night (19.91%) shows, and it reported a modest 10.87% occupancy. Kuberaa Review: Dhanush & Nagarjuna Deliver Fireworks | Rashmika's Surprise Act | Fans React What's next for the Dhanush starrer? Etimes gave the film a rating of 3.5 stars and our review reads," Kuberaa is not your usual commercial potboiler—and that's precisely what makes it worth a watch." 'Kuberaa' features Dhanush, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Rashmika Mandanna, Jim Sarbh, and Dalip Tahil. The film is directed by Sekhar Kammula. 'Kuberaa' is set for a strong first weekend. If it maintains this momentum, the film could emerge as one of the biggest South Indian hits of 2025's second half. On the other hand, Dhanush was last seen in the action drama movie 'Raayan' which received good reviews from the audiences.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Sitaare Zameen Par' box office collection day 1 (LIVE): The Aamir Khan starrer has a decent start, expected to earn Rs 7-8 crore on opening day
'Sitaare Zameen Par' has now released in theatres on June 20, Friday. The film has been highly anticipated. Though it is not exactly a sequel to 'Taare Zameen Par', it is like a franchise movie which also deals with kids and brings across a special message. The early reviews of the film are encouraging and it may lead to growth in the box office numbers over the weekend. But on Day 1, the opening day number was clearly not expected to be huge, like Aamir's other movies like 'Dangal'. Sitaare Zameen Par Movie Review This clearly is a word of mouth movie and not those big mass blockbusters. Thus, as per trade analysts a single digit number is expected from the movie on day 1. According to Sacnilk, till Friday afternoon, the film has collected Rs 3.89 crore. The number can be expected to increase during the night shows. The film may end up having a Day 1 number of Rs 7.5 or 8 crore. Trade expert Taran Adarsh told ETimes, "This is a word of mouth film. This is not a Dhoom or 'Ghajini' that will open with a bang. Now, as I said, it all depends on the public reports. I think Rs 7.5 to 8 crore is what we are looking at." 'Sitaare Zameen Par' is expected to do better in multiplexes and in big cities as opposed to the two-tier, three tier centres where 'Housefull 5' may still dominate. But it all depends on positive word of mouth, which may eventually lead to more numbers over the weekend. Film trade expert Girish Wankhede, told Etimes, "At this moment, I can say that this film would not do more than 30-35 crores in the weekend." Day wise collection of 'Sitaare Zameen Par' Day 1 [1st Friday till afternoon] ₹ 3.89 Cr ** - Total ₹ 3.89 Cr
