Mumbai, July 11 (IANS) Actress Neelu Vaghela, who essays the role of Ma Hukum in the show ‘Saajha Sindoor’, emphasised how the character’s strong, determined, and principled nature mirrors her own personal beliefs.

Neelu portrays Ma Hukum, the grandmother of the lead actor, with the same conviction and dedication she upholds in her own life, making this role a true reflection of herself.

Talking about the same, Neelu said: “The entertainment industry has given me many opportunities to portray strong, emotionally resilient characters. Audiences love to see me as the unwavering, supportive mother who stands as a solid rock behind her children, never leaving their side even in the toughest situations. It brings a deep sense of reassurance that a mother’s love and support are constant through thick and thin.”

Neelu is keen on bringing authenticity and depth to the character, ensuring that viewers connect with Ma Hukum on a personal level.

She added: “As much as audiences enjoy watching me in these powerful, emotional roles, I love playing them too. It helps me understand and appreciate the strength and emotional depth that I possess as an individual.”

Set against the majestic backdrop of a royal family in Rajasthan, the show beautifully captures the splendour and rich traditions of Rajasthani nobility. It delves deeply into the complexities of relationships and the struggles of women in society, addressing themes of love, betrayal, and societal challenges.

The show stars Sangeeta Ghosh, Sahil Uppal, and Krutika Desai in key roles.

‘Saajha Sindoor’ airs on Sun Neo.

Meanwhile, Neelu featured in 1981 movie ‘Supattar Binani’ at the age of 11. She has starred in movies like ‘Veer Tejaji’, ‘Nanad Bhojai’, ‘Lado Tharo Gaon Bado Pyaro’, ‘Jaatni’ among others.

The 54-year-old actress is also known for her work in TV shows like ‘Diya Aur Baati Hum’, ‘Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji’, ‘Main Maike Chali Jaungi Tum Dekhte Rahiyo’, ‘Aye Mere Humsafar’, ‘Pavitra: Bharose Ka Safar’, ‘Laal Banarasi’, ‘Mera Balam Thanedaar’, and ‘Dhruv Tara — Samay Sadi Se Pare’.

–IANS

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Mumbai, July 10 (IANS) ‘Bigg Boss 16’ winner and rapper MC Stan has teamed up with Punjabi singer Karan Aujla, who is currently riding high on the success of his latest song ‘Tauba Tauba’ from the film ‘Bad Newz’.

The new album is titled ‘Mehfeel’ and has a blend of hip-hop with Punjabi beats. MC Stan has delivered hits like ‘Basti Ka Hasti’ and ‘Tadipaar’.

‘Mehfeel’ is expected to be a musical journey, reflecting both artists’ experiences and backgrounds.

Talking about Aujla, who has given hits such as ‘Gangsta’ and ‘Mexico’ to name a few, hails from Ludhiana. He started as a songwriter for Jassi Gill’s ‘Range’, from his album ‘Replay’. He then went to Canada, where he wrote lyrics for various other artists including Deep Jandu and Elly Mangat.

It was in 2016, when he dropped his maiden song ‘Property of Punjab’.

He gained major stardom with songs such as ‘Yaarian Ch Fikk’, ‘Unity’, ‘Alcohol 2’, and ‘Lafaafe’. It was in 2018 when he amassed mainstream popularity with ‘Don’t Worry’, his first song to enter UK Asian chart.

‘Jhanjar’, ‘Red Eyes’ and ‘Kya Baat Aa’ entered top 10 in the chart, while ‘So Far’ entered top five in 2020.

–IANS

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Mumbai, July 11 (IANS) Actor Riteish Deshmukh has opened up about the ‘immense’ influence of superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan on his acting career, saying it has enriched his journey in the film industry beyond measure.

Riteish, who will soon be seen in the medical drama ‘Pill’ in the lead role of Dr Prakash Chauhan, revealed about his love for Hindi cinema.

“I’ve always been a huge film buff, often watching three to four movies a day. Until 2002, I watched every Hindi film on a VHS player, and I remain a bigger fan of Hindi films than any other. During my teenage years, I was an ardent fan of SRK and Salman. I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with them on screen,” said Riteish.

He further shared: “Their influence on me during my formative years was immense, and being able to collaborate with them has been a dream come true, enriching my journey in the film industry beyond measure.”

About the challenge of staying relevant in a growing industry like Bollywood, he commented: “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to sustain a long and successful career in Bollywood, and I consider myself truly blessed. My initial challenge was to remain relevant in an ever-evolving industry.”

“To achieve this, I have ventured into a variety of genres over the years, each presenting unique opportunities for growth and learning. Despite the many years I have spent in the industry, my passion for exploration remains undiminished. I still have a deep desire to explore new genres and diverse types of films, continually pushing the boundaries of my craft and embracing the endless possibilities that cinema has to offer,” added the actor, known for his work in movies like ‘Masti’, ‘Bluffmaster’, ‘Housefull’ among others.

‘Pill’ delves deep into the murky world of pharmaceutical scandals and unethical medical trials. From powerful tycoons to corrupt doctors, the series navigates a web of intrigue where a single pill’s journey exposes the nexus of power, greed and ethical dilemmas.

In the show, Riteish plays Prakash, a CDSCO officer battling against a formidable pharmaceutical magnate.

The show will air from July 12 on JioCinema.

–IANS

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Mumbai, July 11 (IANS) The 17-year-old Steve Jyrwa from Shillong, Meghalaya has surprised the judges of ‘India’s Best Dancer 4’ — Karisma Kapoor and Terence Lewis, with his amazing hip-hop moves and flawless footwork on the title track of, ‘I Hate Luv Storys.’

Steve, who shares a really close bond with his grandmother, had the opportunity to watch her grandson perform via a video call. The judges not only found this to be a sweet gesture but were also impressed with his power-packed performance.

Blown by Steve’s dance style, Terence shared: “After many years we’ve come across a dancer who reminded us of one flawless dancer who has earned a name in this industry with his hard work and dedication.”

“Just like you, he was once a contestant and then a choreographer on our show; his name is Tushar Shetty, ‘naam toh suna hoga?’ Grace, charm, elegance and ease, your performance had it all. It was so good to see you dance this way,” he added.

Karisma said, “Steve, you have your grandmother’s blessings. Honestly, my mother is a very important part of my life. She really looks after us. The values and the little of what I know is all what I’ve learnt from her. Your bond with your grandmother is very cute! Coming to your performance, I didn’t want it to end. What footwork and what expressions, I loved it.”

In a sweet moment, the judges called Steve’s family, and they talked with his grandmother. She mentioned that she would attend the show soon to cheer Steve. It will be interesting to see whether Steve will make it to the ‘Top 12’.

The show also features Geeta Kapur as the judge.

‘India’s Best Dancer 4’ will start airing on July 13 on Sony LIV.

–IANS

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Mumbai, July 11 (IANS) Actress Srishti Jain has transformed herself in just three months of joining the show ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ to enhance her look, and she followed a rigorous regime of intermittent fasting and workouts.

Her transformation journey includes a balanced diet, and a set of rigorous exercises.

Srishti, who essays the negative role of Monisha in the show, said: “When I joined ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ about four months ago, I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the way I was looking on screen. So, I decided it was time to set myself a fitness goal.”

“Given that I play the intense character of Monisha, I felt a certain sharpness was required to enhance the impact. I believe intermittent fasting has helped me transform and lose almost eight kgs in just three months. But that’s not the end of it, I work hard every day to maintain it, which is possible, only by staying committed to my workout routine and my diet,” she shared.

She further added: “My diet includes only home-cooked food, with the right amount of protein and carbs. I also keep sipping on herbal teas and do a cleanse with detox water two times a week. I also prefer walking around on the set, and whenever I can squeeze some time out, I prefer working out in the gym.”

In the upcoming episodes, it will be interesting for the viewers to watch how Poorvi (Rachi Sharma) and RV (Abrar Qazi) will save everyone from the hijackers in the show.

‘Kumkum Bhagya’ airs on Zee TV.

–IANS

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