Anil was not part of Ek Do Teen song
Veteran actor Anil Kapoor once revealed that he was not initially supposed to be a part of the iconic Ek Do Teen track from his 1988 release Tezaab. During his appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show, Anil shared that originally the track was supposed to be only picturized on the leading lady of the drama, Madhuri Dixit. However, after listening to the song, Anil was convinced that it was going to be a major hit, hence he urged the composer Laxmikant, “I will also be a part of this song”. When Laxmikant argued that it was a girl’s track, Anil replied, “I don’t care”. Then Anil called renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar and requested him to change the lyrics. “The song was not a part of the script, but I made it happen”, concluded the Animal actor. Directed and produced by N Chandra, Tezaab starred Anil and Madhuri as the lead pair, along with Anupam Kher, Chunky Panday, Kiran Kumar, and Suresh Oberoi as the supporting cast, along with others. Released on 11 November 1988, it became the highestgrossing Hindi film of the year, enjoying a golden jubilee run in the cinema halls.
Chitrangda backs content driven cinema
Chitrangda Singh continues to follow a selective approach to filmmaking, choosing projects based on compelling stories and meaningful characters rather than the number of releases. As she gears up for her upcoming film Maatrubhumi, the actress is entering an exciting new phase in her career with a blend of performance-driven and mainstream projects. Known for acclaimed films such as Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Yeh Saali Zindagi, Bob Biswas, and Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders, Chitrangda has built a reputation for taking on diverse roles across genres. Instead of signing multiple films each year, she has consistently prioritised quality over quantity. Among her most anticipated projects is Maatrubhumi, which also stars Salman Khan. The on-screen pairing has already sparked considerable interest, with audiences eagerly awaiting more details about the film. Outside cinema, Chitrangda has expanded her professional portfolio by hosting conversations on platforms such as The Rockford Circle and Falcons of Majlis, engaging with entrepreneurs and business leaders from India and the UAE. She has also explored film production, broadening her role within the entertainment industry. Despite these ventures, acting remains her primary focus. With Maatrubhumi and other major projects in the pipeline, Chitrangda continues to chart a career defined by thoughtful choices and versatile performances.
Triptii’s full-circle moment
Triptii Dimri recently became the first Indian brand ambassador for Victoria’s Secret India, marking a significant milestone in her career. Speaking during the launch of her curated collection at the brand’s Pune store, the actor described the achievement as a “full-circle moment” and reflected on how the iconic global lingerie brand was once a distant dream she admired while growing up. Triptii shared that she and her sister would eagerly watch Victoria’s Secret fashion shows as children and be fascinated by the glamour, confidence and empowerment the brand represented. At the time, it felt like a world that was inspiring yet far beyond their reach. She admitted that she never imagined she would one day become a part of that story herself. Calling the opportunity deeply meaningful, Triptii said being named the first Indian brand ambassador is special not only professionally but also personally. Looking back with her sister, she said the milestone reminds her that dreams often begin as quiet conversations, admiration and hope before gradually turning into reality with hard work and perseverance. The launch comes amid a successful phase in Triptii’s career. She has impressed audiences with O’Romeo and Netflix’s Maa Behen, and is now preparing for Spirit, where she reunites with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga opposite Prabhas.
Aditi calls for conscious storytelling
Aditi Rao Hydari believes stronger female representation in Indian cinema is gradually becoming a reality, but meaningful progress depends on the choices made by artists and filmmakers. She said change does not happen on its own and requires people to consciously support stories that reflect their values. According to Aditi, saying no to projects that do not align with one’s beliefs is as important as accepting the right ones, even if it means sacrificing immediate financial rewards. The actor stressed that cinema and artistry should always come before commercial considerations. She believes that staying true to creative instincts and backing honest storytelling eventually leads to lasting success, even if the results are not immediate. “Beautiful and honest art will always win,” she said, adding that artists who trust their instincts create work that leaves a lasting legacy. Reflecting on her own journey, Aditi said the love and recognition she has received are rewarding, but the real fulfilment comes from showing up with discipline, vulnerability, and complete dedication to the craft. While acknowledging that Indian cinema still has a long way to go in creating equal opportunities for women, Aditi said female-led stories are often viewed as risks worth taking. She emphasized that complete storytelling is impossible without women and called for female characters to be written with agency, emotional depth, individuality, and grace rather than being treated as secondary figures.
TAAPSEE’S ASPIRATION
Pannu has revealed that one of her biggest career dreams is to headline a large-scale Indian superhero film and play an Indian version of Wonder Woman. Known for taking on unconventional and content-driven roles, the actress said she has always been drawn to the idea of portraying a powerful homegrown superhero. Speaking about her aspiration, Taapsee shared, “I have always dreamed of being part of a big-scale Indian film like Avengers, where I could play an Indian version of Wonder Woman. An Indian-style superhero is a character I have always wanted to portray.” While excited about the possibility, she admitted that creating superhero films on the scale of Hollywood remains a challenge for the Indian film industry. According to the actress, the technology, visual effects, and budgets available to Hollywood are currently far beyond what Indian filmmakers can access. “I hope someone makes a film like that someday. But the kind of technology and budgets they have for those films are beyond anything we can even imagine,” she added. Over the years, Taapsee has built a reputation for balancing commercial entertainers with critically acclaimed films such as Pink, Badla, Manmarziyaan, Haseen Dillruba, and Rashmi Rocket. She will next be seen in Gandhari, which is set to premiere on Netflix.