Have you heard? Things that matter

Alia Bhatt took to her Instagram to advocate for animal welfare, highlighting the need for strict punishment for people who abuse animals

Extending her support to Sophie Choudry, who first highlighted an incident of a dog being abused by a “monster maid”, Alia Bhatt said “stronger, stricter punishment” has to be taken against those who hurt animals. Taking to her Instagram stories, she wrote, “Next time you see someone do this to a dog/cat or any pet, take a video, and show it to the authorities. There has to be stricter punishment against people who think they can take out their frustrations on a pet.” Bhatt has previously advocated for animal welfare on several occasions, and also backed the series, Poacher, to further the cause. She did, however, court controversy for carrying a leather bag at a brand event in Mumbai soon after. 

Baby on board

Fashion designer-actor Masaba Gupta is all set to embrace motherhood. In a joint post with husband Satyadeep Mishra, she announced the news by sharing a pregnant emoji and writing: “In other news—two little feet are on their way to us! Please send love, blessings and banana chips, (plain salted only). Baby on board.” Her mother, actor Neena Gupta, shared, “My children are about to have a child. There couldn’t be happier news.” Masaba and Mishra tied the knot in January 2023.

Kajol on motherhood

Ahead of her daughter’s 21st birthday today, actor Kajol took to social media to pen a post about motherhood. Nysa was Kajol’s first born, whom she welcomed in 2003.  Sharing an old picture of her holding Nysa on her lap, she wrote, “Today is about me, and how I became a mom. She made my greatest wish come true and makes me happy, every single day, just by being herself. She makes me grateful and [in awe of] her love and unflinching support. I can be wrong, but I can never be in the wrong.” Nysa, who Kajol shares with Ajay Devgn, also has a younger brother, Yug. 

Rao fields questions on plastic surgery... What?

Rajkummar Rao found himself fielding a question that has, until now, unfortunately been primarily directed to female actors alone. Yesterday, the actor denied rumours of having undergone plastic surgery after his photos from a recent event sparked a social media debate about his looks. Rao, who is currently 
promoting his upcoming biographical drama, Srikanth—also starring Alaya F— had posed for shutterbugs at a concert. Many commented on the fact that he looked different. “I’ve not gone under the knife. I have not done any kind of plastic surgery. That picture, if you see it again, is certainly a touched-up picture, because my skin looks so flawless. How is it possible that in 14 years, there’s [only] one picture [like that]? Even I was amazed at how flawless [I] looked without any makeup, and after shooting the whole day,” Rao said in an interview. He did, however, admit to getting fillers several years ago to “look and feel better”.

I’m voting and I’ll show it

Pics/PTI

Actors Vijay Sethupathi, Rajinikanth, Ajith Kumar, and Dhanush were among those who turned up to register their votes for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Sethupathi, who was most recently seen in Merry Christmas and Jawan, was seen engaging in conversations with other voters as he waited his turn to cast his vote. Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut, actor and BJP nominee from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh, appealed to voters to exercise their right. “Today marks the first phase of voting—let’s show up in numbers and cast our votes for a brighter India. Every vote matters,” she wrote. 

On road to recovery

Yeh Hai Mohabbatein actor Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya is on the road to recovery after breaking her forearm after suffering a fall. Her husband, Vivek Dahiya took to social media to share an X-ray image of the actor, 39, and revealed that she was set to undergo surgery yesterday. “A mishap occurred; she fell from a height, due to which she broke both her forearm bones, and was advised immediate surgery. We appreciate all the love and prayers being bestowed upon us. While Divyanka is in pain, and will recover, we would love for her to do so in privacy,” he had previously shared. 

Making Brits do the bhangra?

Gurinder Chadha has piqued curiosity with her new venture, a film that will be frontlined by The Big Bang Theory fame actor Kunal Nayyar. Titled Christmas Karma, the movie is touted to be a Bollywood musical set in contemporary London, and inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Other actors associated with the film are Eva Longoria, Boy George, Billy Porter, and Hugh Bonneville. BAFTA-nominated Chadha said, “My aim with Christmas Karma is to create a festive classic for our times and for generations to come. I am making a British film from my unique point of view, but one that resonates with Dickens’ masterful statement on the human condition.”

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