Have you heard? Rajesh Khanna was privately married to Anita Advani

Hold your cocktail

Homi Adajania

Actor Kriti Sanon has been confirmed as the female lead in Homi Adajania’s Cocktail 2, ending months of speculation. Reflecting on the announcement, she wrote, “This is gonna be a liberating journey.” The director shared a “work in progress” image of her via Instagram Stories, hinting at preparations underway and tagging the post The Sicilian Chapter, suggesting an international shoot. Reports indicate that Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna are also part of the cast, with filming expected to commence in Italy later this month. Cocktail 2 is the sequel to Homi’s Cocktail (2012), which starred Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Diana Penty.

Bringing home international accolades

A still from ‘Homebound’. Pics/AFP, Getty Images, Yogen Shah, Instagram

Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s poignant drama Homebound emerged as the biggest winner at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025, clinching the honours for Best Film and Best Director. Starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, the film explores belonging, displacement, and the emotional complexities of returning home and is also set to close the festival on August 24.

Neeraj Ghaywan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aamir Khan

Meanwhile, Abhishek Bachchan was named Best Actor for I Want to Talk. His actor-father, Amitabh Bachchan, celebrated the win with an emotional tribute on his blog, calling him the “pride and honour of the family.” Sharing pictures of Abhishek holding the award and gracing a magazine cover, he expressed his delight at the recognition. That’s not all — Aamir Khan was also honoured with the festival’s prestigious Excellence in Cinema Award, acknowledging his enduring legacy and influence over decades.

Is Saif’s secret out?

Soha Ali Khan and Saif Ali Khan

Speculation around Saif Ali Khan’s secret Instagram account has intensified after his sister Soha Ali Khan hinted at it in her birthday post for the actor. Sharing an unseen photo from her 2015 wedding, Soha wrote, “Happy birthday bhai, and now I must call you as you are not on Instagram and will not read this! [or are you?].” The post has fuelled curiosity among fans, who have long suspected that the otherwise social media-averse star might be quietly lurking on the platform. Saif, who turned 55 on August 16, was last seen in Netflix’s The Jewel Thief and will next appear in Priyadarshan’s thriller Haiwaan alongside Akshay Kumar, slated for release in 2026.

Laugh, na!

Shruti Haasan

Shruti Haasan’s witty response to a security guard at a Chennai theatre has gone viral. On the day of her film Coolie’s première, Shruti arrived at Vettri Theatre with friends, but the guard, failing to recognise her, stopped her at the gate. In a playful exchange, Shruti, seated in the car, said in Tamil, “I am in the movie, please allow me to enter, brother.” When he still looked doubtful, she added, “I am the heroine, sir,” leaving everyone in splits before being allowed inside. Theatre proprietor Rakesh Gowthaman later shared the clip on X, writing, “My man Raayal over performed his duty. Hilarious moment.” Fans praised Shruti’s humour, calling her “super cute.”

The secret life of a superstar

Rajesh Khanna and Anita Advani

Late superstar Rajesh Khanna’s long-rumoured relationship with actor Anita Advani has resurfaced with a startling revelation. In a recent interview with Meri Saheli, Anita claimed that she and the actor were “privately married.” She recalled, “We had a small temple in our home. He made me wear a mangal sutra, applied sindoor, and said, ‘From today, you are my responsibility.’ That’s how our wedding happened one night.” Anita further alleged she was kept away from Rajesh’s final rites in 2012. She added, “They had bouncers stationed there to stop me.” Despite describing herself as his “surrogate wife”, managing his household and caring for him during his illness, Rajesh remained legally married to Dimple Kapadia until his death.