Rashmika’s unordinary moment
From making a mark in the South film industry to becoming one of Indian cinema’s most recognisable pan-India stars, Rashmika Mandanna believes her career has been shaped by choosing instinct over convention. The actress recently shot for a Crocs’ monsoon campaign. The campaign talks about wonderfully ordinary, and while peaking about what she calls her “wonderfully unordinary” journey, she says, “I think moving to a completely new industry, without really fitting into any mould, was my wonderfully unordinary moment. At the time, it felt a little intimidating because everyone around me seemed to have a plan, and I was just following my instincts. But looking back, that’s what made the journey special. I’ve realised that the things that make you different are usually your biggest strengths.” Rashmika says one of the highlights of the shoot was the collaborative atmosphere on set, where everyone worked towards bringing the creative vision to life. For the actor, individuality isn’t just a campaign message but something she’s learnt through experience. “That’s why I connect with the campaign so much. You don’t have to fit in to belong, you can simply be yourself.”
Kajal gets candid
Actor Kajal Aggarwal has revealed that the quality of roles, rather than language, influenced her decision to focus on South Indian cinema over Bollywood. Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, Kajal said South films consistently offered the kind of meaningful characters she was seeking. “The quality of work I was getting down South was not something I was getting in Bollywood. My priority was always quality over quantity,” she said, adding that she had no reason to accept average roles in Hindi films when better opportunities were available elsewhere. She stressed that language was never a barrier. From making a mark in the South film industry to becoming one of Indian cinema’s most recognisable pan-India stars, Rashmika Mandanna believes her career has been shaped by choosing instinct over convention. The actress recently shot for a Crocs’ monsoon campaign. The campaign talks about wonderfully ordinary, and while peaking about what she calls her “wonderfully unordinary” journey, she says, “I think moving to a completely new industry, without really fitting into any mould, was my wonderfully unordinary moment. At the time, it felt a little intimidating because everyone around me seemed to have a plan, and I was just following my instincts. But looking back, that’s what made the journey special. I’ve realised that the things that make you different are usually your biggest strengths.” Rashmika says one of the highlights of the shoot was the collaborative atmosphere on set, where everyone worked towards bringing the creative vision to life. For the actor, individuality isn’t just a campaign message but something she’s learnt through experience. “That’s why I connect with the campaign so much. You don’t have to fit in to belong, you can simply be yourself.” “My priority has always been meaningful cinema. It took me seven films to truly fall in love with acting, but once I did, I became completely committed to it,” she said. Kajal also highlighted the difference in work culture between the two industries, saying Bollywood could learn punctuality from the South. Recalling her experience with Salman Khan, she said he often arrived on set in the afternoon or evening, unlike the disciplined schedules she was accustomed to in South cinema. The actor also welcomed the changing portrayal of women in South films, saying female characters are now stronger and more progressive. “They are no longer obsessed with female navels. I always drew the line and never agreed to such scenes,” she said.
Vikrant recalls industry bias
Actor Vikrant Massey has reflected on the stereotypes and discrimination he faced after transitioning from television to films, despite being a popular face on prime television. The actor recalled how he was often told that being a “TV actor” would limit his prospects in the industry and also doubted his professionalism just because he hailed from TV. In an exclusive conversation with this news agency, Vikrant said, “When I came from television to films, many people used to say, ‘He is a TV actor, what will he do? He doesn’t know how to work.’” The actor further asserted that success is determined by ability rather than one’s professional or socio-economic background. “And not just TV, I think if you come from any socioeconomic background, that can’t decide whether you are capable or not. It depends on your ability whether you are capable or not. So I don’t believe at all that where you come from or what your background is,” he said. Looking back on his two-decade-long journey in the entertainment industry, Vikrant expressed gratitude for the love and support he continues to receive from audiences.
Priyanka’s parenting tips
Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra has often spoken about the importance of raising confident, emotionally secure children through empathy and active listening. Reflecting on her parenting approach, the global star believes that making children feel heard from an early age plays a crucial role in shaping their confidence and sense of self. Sharing her thoughts, Priyanka said, “Being present and listening to what she is saying, hearing her even at a really small age. It makes such a big difference to a child’s confidence when they feel heard.” According to the actor, confidence is built not through grand gestures but through everyday moments of attention, respect and validation. By listening to a child’s thoughts and emotions without dismissing them, parents create a safe environment where children feel valued and comfortable expressing themselves. Priyanka’s message highlights that every child deserves to know their voice matters. When parents are fully present and genuinely listen, children develop trust, emotional security and the confidence to communicate openly. Conversely, repeatedly ignoring or dismissing a child’s feelings may lead them to suppress their emotions and question their self-worth. Her parenting philosophy serves as a reminder that simple acts of patience, presence and attentive listening can have a lasting impact on a child’s emotional well-being and future confidence.
Aamir shares career’s toughest phase
Aamir Khan has revealed that his rise to stardom was far from smooth, despite the blockbuster success of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988). Speaking at the BFI London Film Festival, the actor recalled being labelled a “one film wonder” after a string of box office failures, including Love Love Love, Raakh, Awwal Number and Tum Mere Ho. Although QSQT made him an overnight star, Aamir said the filmmakers he admired did not approach him. Following the industry trend of actors juggling multiple projects, he signed eight to ten films, mostly with debutant directors. He later realised that filmmaking is ultimately a director’s medium and that trusting a director’s vision is as important as believing in the script. Despite regretting his choices, Aamir honoured every commitment, often working three shifts a day. As consecutive films failed, he admitted feeling trapped, saying he would return home and cry because he was unhappy with the work he was doing. The actor also recalled rejecting a film offered by Mahesh Bhatt during the lowest phase of his career because he did not connect with the script. Looking back, Aamir described that decision as the biggest turning point of his life, saying it helped him avoid a career built on compromises. Soon after, Dil revived his career and cemented his place in Hindi cinema.