Thursday, August 06
After his elimination from The Traitors, casting director Mukesh Chhabra reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of betrayal, trust, and gameplay. In this candid ETimes interview, he shares lessons learned, his willingness to return, and whom he'd cast as traitors in Bollywood. Mukesh reveals how reality TV challenged both his instincts and his trust in people.
After his elimination from 'The Traitors', renowned casting director Mukesh Chhabra opens up about the emotional impact of betrayal—both on the show and in real life. He recalls a painful personal experience involving a trusted assistant who stole his company data and opened his own company in Mukesh's absence. Chhabra reflects on trust, deception, and hard-learned lessons.
On Raj Babbar's birthday, his son Aarya Babbar shared insights into their bond, recalling when he realized his father's stardom and how he accepted his father's second marriage with maturity. Aarya emphasized Raj's dedication to providing a good life for his family despite a demanding work schedule. He now views his father as a close friend and confidant, valuing his advice and unwavering support.
Following Deepika Padukone's discussion on implementing 8-hour work shifts after her 'Spirit' exit, Sonakshi Sinha has voiced her support. Sinha, promoting her upcoming film 'Nikita Roy', believes that accommodating shorter workdays for actors is achievable.
Aamir Khan's 'Sitaare Zameen Par,' also starring Genelia D'souza, exceeded expectations, earning ₹10.7 crore on its opening day. The film experienced substantial growth over the weekend, with collections doubling on Saturday and further increasing on Sunday, driven by positive word-of-mouth. By Monday afternoon, the film had grossed ₹59.66 crore, indicating a strong start despite a weekday dip.
Akshay Kumar's Housefull 5 continues its box office reign, becoming the second-highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2025 with a net collection of Rs 175.95 crore. The film surpassed Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2, driven by its mass appeal and ensemble cast. This success marks a significant comeback for Akshay Kumar, solidifying the Housefull franchise as a bankable comedy series.
Jaideep Ahlawat has confirmed that he was indeed approached for a role in Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. The Paatal Lok actor revealed in a recent interview that he was offered the role of Vibhishana, Raavana’s righteous brother, but had to let go of the opportunity due to scheduling conflicts.
Following Sunjay Kapur's sudden demise, his sister Mandhira Kapur shared a heartfelt note revealing a four-year estrangement due to ego clashes. She expressed deep regret over their broken relationship and urged others to reconcile with loved ones, emphasizing life's fragility. Karisma Kapoor, along with Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor, attended the funeral.
Bollywood stars are redefining parenthood by prioritizing their children's privacy, exemplified by Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, and Ranbir Kapoor's requests to media. Some, like Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli, have relocated to provide a calmer environment. This shift reflects a growing belief that children deserve agency over their public image, fostering a more respectful relationship with fame.
