Have you heard? Saiyaara actress Aneet Padda`s LinkedIn account goes viral

Kartik’s playing it safe

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) on Saturday urged Kartik Aaryan to reconsider involvement in a US event reportedly organised by a Pakistani individual, but the actor’s team clarified he has no association with it. In a media statement, the FWICE claimed that the actor is scheduled to attend an event titled Azadi Utsav — The Indian Independence Day, set to take place in Houston on August 15, and organised by Aga’s Restaurant and Catering, owned by Pakistani-origin businessman Shaukat Maredia. The body cited its earlier directive, issued in the wake of the Pulwama attack in April, urging all members and stakeholders of the Indian film industry to boycott Pakistani artistes, technicians, and performers. In response, Kartik’s team released a statement that read: “Kartik Aaryan is not associated with this event in any capacity. He has never made an official announcement about participating in this event. We have contacted the organisers and requested to remove all promotional materials featuring his name and image.”

Backing up the Desi girl

Kal Penn. PICS/PTI, INSTAGRAM

Hollywood actor Kal Penn has come to Priyanka Chopra’s defence after she faced online criticism for choosing a hot dog over vada pav (Not a Desi girl, July 11) during a promotional event. “Are people not allowed to like other things?” Talking at Express Adda, Kal called Priyanka “completely authentic and wonderful”.

Though unaware of her exact comments, Kal recalled facing similar assumptions on MasterChef when he picked tacos as his favourite food. “They were clearly disappointed and asked if I didn’t like Indian food,” he said. “I told them I loved it, but now I’m definitely not cooking it on the show.” On the backlash, Kal added, “People just project their own likes and dislikes. I just laugh it off.”

Beauty with brains and relatability

Aneet Padda

Newcomer Aneet Padda, who shot to fame with the blockbuster Saiyaara, has become an internet sensation after fans unearthed her old LinkedIn profile. “Beauty with brains,” read a viral Reddit post featuring a screengrab from her student days at Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, where she studied Political Science. The bio, now widely circulated, reflects her passion for social change and human resources, shaped by her love for acting. Fans were charmed by her grounded journey, calling her “genuine” and “relatable.” Meanwhile, Saiyaara, also starring Ahaan Panday, continues its stellar run, earning R6.35 crore on Saturday and edging closer to the Rs 300 crore mark in its third week.

Taking home ‘fantastic paycheques’

Sonali Bendre

Actor Sonali Bendre says her decision to shift to television was once met with scepticism, but in hindsight, it turned out to be the “best thing” she ever did. She told PTI, “Everybody thought I had lost the plot. But I loved the concept and it was a fantastic paycheck.” Sonali credited her husband, filmmaker Goldie Behl, for encouraging the move. She shared, “He told me, ‘This is the future, television is going to become big’ and I listened to him.” Now 50, she believes TV helped her stay relevant. “Your life as a celebrity lasts as long as your fans remember you,” she shared. It also gave her the work-life balance she needed to raise her son.

A silent pillar through the storm

(From left) Hina Khan and Rocky Jaiswal

Actor Hina Khan got emotional while speaking about her husband Rocky Jaiswal on the reality show Pati Patni Aur Panga. The Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actor got emotional talking about Rocky’s unconditional support during her stage 3 cancer treatment. Fighting back tears, Hina said, “If there’s one person I can see in my father’s place, it’s Rocky. The last one-and-a-half years have been very difficult and there have been lots of ups and downs in the journey, but he stood by me selflessly. I remember a conversation when he made his entire family sit down and explained to them that his priority is me right now and it is a big thing for me.” The couple dated each other for 10 years, before tying the knot this June.