Jewellery brand Joyalukkas has announced actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu as its new global brand ambassador. The award-winning actor, known for her versatile performances and strong fan base across industries, will now represent the brand’s timeless designs and legacy of craftsmanship in international markets.

Sharing the news, Joy Alukkas, Chairman of Joyalukkas Group, said, “Samantha embodies the spirit of the modern woman – confident, stylish, and truly distinctive. Her persona resonates deeply with our ethos of celebrating life’s treasured moments with fine jewellery. We are honored to welcome her into the Joyalukkas family as we continue to inspire jewellery lovers across the globe.”

Samantha, who has often expressed her love for jewellery, said she was delighted to join hands with the brand. “Jewellery has forever been a personal expression of who I am – a tale of emotion, celebration, and strength behind every piece. Joyalukkas embodies all these aspects, and more. I’m thrilled to partner with a brand that celebrates beauty with substance and inspires women everywhere to shine with confidence.”

With this announcement, Joyalukkas strengthens its star-studded global presence, as Samantha now joins Kajol as one of the faces of the brand. The collaboration will soon roll out through an integrated global campaign showcasing Samantha in signature Joyalukkas creations, aimed at furthering the brand’s universal appeal.

Also Read: Samantha Ruth Prabhu shares thoughts on not shooting five films at a time after health scare: “I need to listen to my body”

October 8, 2025, is going to be a landmark day for the residents of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, will be inaugurating two highly awaited infrastructure projects, the Navi Mumbai International Airport, and the phase 3 of the underground Mumbai Metro 3. He’ll also grace the Global Fintech Fest in Bandra Kurla (Complex), where’ll be joined by the United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. And now it has come to light that Keir Starmer will also travel to Andheri for a film-related reason.

Keir Starmer will pay a visit to Yash Raj Films (YRF) Studios, and this was confirmed by Sanjay Jaju, secretary, Ministry of I&B today, October 7, at the silver jubilee edition of FICCI Frames 2025 in Mumbai. While the exact reason for his visit is not clear, a source told Bollywood Hungama, “Since Stramer will be in the capital of Bollywood, he wanted to have a look at a Hindi film studio. The authorities suggested YRF Studios since it is one of the biggest and one of most prominent in the country.”

Sanjay Jaju at FICCI Frames 2025 said, “International collaborations and co-productions are very important. The Prime Minister of the UK is coming to Mumbai tomorrow. He’s also visiting Yash Raj Films Studios.”

Sanjay Jaju further said, “We have co-production treaties with close to 17 countries. We have incentives being offered. It's important that filmmakers look at these treaties and incentives and create content that can cater to the audience on both sides. That’s what is important here. We might think that we have a great story in hand. But that great story should have the potential to travel international borders.”

#TB King @iamsrk with the Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, Kareena Kapoor and Yash Chopra on the sets of https://t.co/f1nptANnlk pic.twitter.com/f2FtmzFQu2 — SRK FAN CLUB JAIPUR (@SRKFCJaipur) June 21, 2018

YRF Studios – the one stop for film-obsessed world leaders Keir Starmer is not the first world leader to visit YRF Studios. Exactly a year ago, in October 2024, the President of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, met the CEO of YRF, Akshaye Widhani, in the studio premises, and the two spoke about the 50 year legacy of YRF and the forecast for the Indian film industry in the next 5 years.

In December 2010, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met a delegation of filmmakers at YRF Studios like Yash Chopra, Reliance Big Entertainment chairman Amit Khanna, Ramesh Sippy, Rakesh Roshan, Mukesh Bhatt, Randhir Kapoor, Manmohan Shetty and Puneet Goenka of Zee Group.

Medvedev, along with Yash Chopra, later dropped in on the sets of Ra.One (2011) at a time when Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor were shooting for the song 'Chammak Challo'.

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan called “Bhoot uncle” by young KBC contestant in hilarious moment

Netflix India has partnered with the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) and FICCI to support students in India’s AVGC-XR sector, which covers Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality. The MoU was signed in the presence of Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, during the 25th edition of FICCI Frames. The collaboration aims to combine Netflix’s creative experience, IICT’s industry-focused curriculum, and FICCI’s network to help nurture talent in India’s creative-technology field.

Netflix will work with IICT to help develop its curriculum and provide opportunities for students to learn from industry professionals. The collaboration will include workshops, masterclasses, and guest lectures either directly or through partners aimed at mentoring students, improving the learning environment, and equipping them with skills to succeed in the creative industry.

Under this MoU, Netflix will use the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity to provide scholarships to selected students, chosen in collaboration with IICT. The fund is aimed at creating opportunities for underrepresented talent in the media and entertainment industry.

To support this partnership, Netflix will join three of IICT’s national councils the R&D Council, the Academic Council, and the Industry Development Council bringing together experts from academia, industry, and policy to contribute to the growth of India’s AVGC-XR ecosystem.

Mahima Kaul, Director - Global Affairs, Netflix India, shared, “Building on our efforts to promote skill development and inclusive access in the media and entertainment sector, this collaboration with IICT and FICCI aligns with the government’s vision to strengthen India’s AVGC sector. By nurturing world-class talent, IICT aims to serve as a catalyst for India’s digital economy empowering youth and enhancing the nation’s creative capabilities. Together, we aim to equip every aspiring creator with the tools and opportunities to drive innovation in entertainment.”

Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, Chief Executive Officer, IICT, shared, “This collaboration with Netflix and FICCI marks a significant step in bridging the gap between academia and the creative industry. By providing our students with hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to global best practices, we are equipping the next generation of storytellers and technologists to thrive in India’s dynamic AVGC-XR ecosystem.”

Munjal Shroff, Chairman, FICCI AVGC-XR Forum, shared, “The establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) as the National Centre of Excellence marks a transformative moment for India’s AVGC-XR sector. This MoU with IICT and Netflix underscores our commitment to building an industry-led ecosystem where academia, industry, and policy converge to unlock new opportunities. FICCI is proud to facilitate this collaboration, which will not only strengthen India’s position as a global hub for creative technologies but also nurture future-ready talent, drive innovation, and create pathways for sustainable growth in the sector.”

Ayushmann Khurrana had an interesting conversation with journalist Mayank Shekhar on day 1 of the silver jubilee edition FICCI Frames 2025 at a five-star hotel in Mumbai on the choice of his films and a lot more. Ayushmann gave an interesting answer when asked about his love for ‘hybrid films’, that is, films that are mainstream but at the same time, they also push the envelope and challenge the status quo.

Ayushmann Khurrana said, “I have always done hybrid movies from day 1. That was my staple, be it Vicky Donor or Dum Laga Ke Haisha or Shubh Mangal series. The risk-to-reward ratio is very different when you see it from my lens because these films are not very expensive. They are low budget to mid budget films and are high on content. Toh itna risk toh le hi sakte hai (smiles). At the same time, it gives you a different high as I come from the street theatre background. While doing street plays in Chandigarh, we used to mix social issues entertainment. This seems to be like the extension of my theatre personality.”

He added, “Having said that, the entertainment quotient should always overpower the messaging. Audience bacche ki tarah hoti hai. Unko meethi goli deni padti hai dawai ki. Dawai kadvi lagegi toh mazaa nahin aayega! Subtle messaging with entertainment is most important.”

Is there a difference in the cinema pre-pandemic and post-pandemic? Ayushmann remarked, “We are having this discussion on this subject since half a decade. I really believe a good script is a good script. At the same time, I have deviated post-pandemic. My choices pre-pandemic was more taboo based. I am staying slightly away from taboo but not from quirk. So, it has to be for a bigger palette, more rooted, more commercial.”

He further said, “As for my line-up, Thamma is my first, big Diwali release. It would be followed by a Sooraj Barjartya film, which, again is for a wider audience. Then I am also doing a Dharma film which also would be for a wider audience. Lekin main beech mein panga leta rahunga. I’ll continue to do tedhi films as that’s my core!”

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This is probably the first time that Ayushmann Khurrana confirmed that he has signed Rajshri Produtions and Dharma Productions’ next.

Also Read: Ayushmann Khurrana brings his signature charm to Amazon Pay’s ‘Payments ka A to Z’ campaign

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, are facing a police investigation in connection with an alleged Rs 60 crores fraud.

According to officials from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police, Raj Kundra is accused of transferring about Rs 15 crores from the total amount into a company account owned by Shilpa Shetty. To understand her role in the matter, Shilpa was called in for questioning this week.

She was at the EOW office for more than four and a half hours, where she answered questions about her financial involvement. During the interrogation, Shilpa reportedly shared bank statements and details about the transactions linked to her advertising company. The police have also collected important documents from her, which are now being examined.

So far, statements from five people, including Raj Kundra, have been recorded. Raj’s own statement had earlier been taken in September. Officials say they are still tracking the flow of funds to check the purpose behind the alleged transfers.

In a recent update, Mumbai Police confirmed: “Investigations are going on against actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra in an alleged fraud case of Rs 60 crores.”

Meanwhile, the couple’s request to travel abroad was turned down by the court. Shilpa and Raj had asked for permission to go on a family vacation to Phuket, Thailand, from October 2 to 5, but the Bombay High Court denied their plea. The two had also sought a stay on the lookout notice issued against them by the EOW, which has not been granted.

The case continues to remain under investigation.

Also Read: Shilpa Shetty unveils Navarambh with limelight lab grown Diamonds and redefines bridal gifting

Bigg Boss 19 has continued to stir strong reactions online, with the latest Weekend Ka Vaar episode sparking conversations among fans and followers of the show. Host Salman Khan addressed contestant Nehal Chudasama’s dynamic with Tanya Mittal, suggesting that Nehal was envious of Tanya — a moment that left many viewers surprised and disappointed.

Following the episode, fanclubs and social media pages have been actively sharing older clips and achievements of the contestants, particularly Nehal, in an effort to provide context and defend her journey.

Nehal Chudasama’s Homecoming Video Resurfaces Online One video making the rounds shows Nehal Chudasama’s return to Mumbai after winning Miss Diva Universe 2018. In the clip, she is seen wearing her crown and sash, standing through the sunroof of her car and waving at a large crowd of supporters. She is also seen giving autographs and posing for pictures, visibly happy and overwhelmed by the warm welcome.

The video was widely shared with captions like: “Bigg Boss 19 — we all know who is jealous of whom! Janta sab dekhti hai (the audience sees everything).”

Nehal’s brother, Pranay Chudasama, also commented on the clip, writing: “It was a six-hour-long homecoming; she stood for people until she became dizzy and unconscious. Proud brother here!” Fans expressed support, with one user commenting, “She’s been a sweetheart from the beginning. Everyone makes mistakes, but at least she’s not fake or malicious like others.” Another added, “Even Tanya admitted she’s jealous of Ashnoor and Nehal.” Other comments read: “Nehal was right, Tanya can’t be like her in seven lifetimes.”, “Tanya’s journey doesn’t compare to Nehal’s achievements.”, “Salman Khan should see this before making such comparisons.”

What Happened on Weekend Ka Vaar During Weekend Ka Vaar, Salman Khan addressed the tension between Nehal and Tanya, questioning Nehal’s behaviour and implying she might be envious of Tanya. To illustrate his point, he asked the housemates who had won beauty pageants.

Tanya responded, “I was crowned Miss Asia Tourism Universe 2018.” When Nehal mentioned “Miss India Universe”, Salman asked whether she had participated or won it. Nehal clarified she had been crowned Miss Diva Universe 2018, which led to her representing India at Miss Universe 2018 — a prestigious achievement. The exchange sparked backlash online, as many felt Nehal's accomplishments were downplayed.

Tanya Mittal’s Current Equation with Housemates Since the episode aired, Nehal has chosen to keep her distance from Tanya and has refrained from commenting further on the matter.

Meanwhile, new wildcard contestant Malti Chahar has entered the Bigg Boss 19 house. She expressed interest in joining Amaal Mallik’s group, which led to some friction with Tanya. Tanya appeared visibly unsettled when Malti confronted her with opinions circulating outside the house. After the conversation, Tanya was seen accusing Malti of being jealous of her.

Also Read: Bigg Boss 19: Salman Khan takes subtle dig at Abhinav Kashyap; says, “People go on podcasts and talk rubbish”

Music composer and singer Amaal Mallik, currently a contestant on Bigg Boss 19, has found himself at the center of online criticism following a clip from the show that has gone viral. The video shows Amaal engaging in what many viewers have called unhygienic behavior, sparking a flurry of negative reactions on social media.

Amaal Mallik Spotted Spitting in Sink on Bigg Boss 19 In the now-viral clip, Amaal is seen drinking water directly from a hose typically used for filling bottles, without cleaning it beforehand. He is later seen rinsing his mouth and spitting into the kitchen sink, a space shared by all housemates for food preparation and cleaning.

This moment did not go down well with the online audience. Social media users quickly condemned the act, calling it unhygienic and inappropriate, especially in a shared environment like the Bigg Boss house. One user wrote, “Drink water like Amaal… directly from the hose and don’t even clean it after... spread germs yay! Why can’t he just use a bottle or a glass?” another commented, “Big celebrity but zero class. Spitting everywhere is not swag, it’s unhygienic.”

Others added: “Fame doesn’t teach basic hygiene… Spitting like that is a no-go — Amaal, take notes.”, “He’s the same person who once put a used spoon back into the rice pot. Gross.”, “Drinking from the hose and not cleaning it, then spitting in the kitchen sink? That’s just nasty.” Some even questioned his upbringing and manners, while others expressed disappointment over his behavior on national television.

Amaal Mallik’s Recent Controversies Inside the BB House This isn’t the first time Amaal has stirred controversy in the house. Just last week, he made headlines for a heated exchange with fellow contestant Abhishek Bajaj, after making a comment about Ashnoor Kaur, claiming she “barks like a dog.” Abhishek, who is a close friend of Ashnoor, confronted Amaal, and the argument quickly escalated.

The situation became tense when Amaal reportedly leaned in and touched foreheads with Abhishek, prompting the latter to push him back forcefully. Other housemates had to intervene to prevent the conflict from turning physical. Despite the incident, host Salman Khan did not address the altercation during the weekend episode, which led to accusations of bias from viewers.

Amaal’s brother, Armaan Malik, also shared his frustration with the show on X (formerly Twitter), saying the show’s team was portraying Amaal unfairly through edited promos. However, the tweet was later deleted.

Also Read: Bigg Boss 19: Bigg Boss SLAMS housemates over “Save Neelam Giri from nominations” drama; calls it “irrelevant and useless” discussion

Actress Shweta Tripathi has officially commenced shooting for the highly anticipated Mirzapur: The Movie, stepping once again into the shoes of her beloved character, Gajgamini “Golu” Gupta. Known for her powerful portrayal across the web series, Shweta now brings Golu to the big screen for the first time, marking a new chapter in the franchise’s journey.

According to sources, Shweta was visibly elated and emotional as she stepped onto the sets in Benaras, the city that has been integral to Mirzapur’s world. Having lived with the character for several years, Shweta shared that Golu continues to hold a deep and personal place in her heart.

Speaking about the experience, Shweta Tripathi said, “Golu is not just a character for me, she has been a companion, a part of my life for so many years. To see her journey unfold on the big screen is overwhelming and surreal. Benaras is like my second home, it is so special because so many of my milestones are connected to this city. From Masaan to Mirzapur seasons 1 and 2, from Escape Live to Kalkoot, every project here has given me something unforgettable. My trainer Tridev Pandey, who is like a brother to me, is also from Benaras, which makes it even more personal. This beautiful city of worship keeps calling me back, and I keep returning for its people, its food, and the love it has always given me.”

With Mirzapur: The Movie set to carry forward the legacy of the cult-favorite franchise, fans are eager to see how Golu Gupta evolves in this cinematic adaptation.

Also Read: Ali Fazal takes traditional route to bulk up for Mirzapur: The Movie, ditches protein shakes, trains like a wrestler

Yami Gautam, who has built a career defined by thoughtful choices and consistent performances, continues to prove that she’s among the most dependable and versatile actors in Hindi cinema today. Confirming that she’s currently juggling multiple projects, Yami revealed, “I have five films that I have locked, and one of them is up for release soon — you’ll hear about that very shortly.”

Her strong filmography and commitment to content-driven cinema have made her a favourite among audiences who value meaningful storytelling over formulaic fare. Yami’s upcoming slate looks both diverse and ambitious. Among her confirmed projects is Tamasur, the much-anticipated biopic on Shah Bano, scheduled to release this December. She also has Haq, co-starring Emraan Hashmi, in the pipeline.

Adding to the excitement is the sequel to her hit heist thriller Chor Nikal Ke Bhaaga 2. The film is officially in development, with both Yami Gautam and Sunny Kaushal returning to their roles. While the first film revolved around a mid-air heist, the sequel raises the stakes considerably. According to a source, “The entire plot of Chor Nikal Ke Bhaaga 2 unfolds on a cruise, where all the madness begins.” Shooting is expected to begin by the end of 2025, promising another edge-of-the-seat entertainer.

And now, the actor is all set to headline Aanand L. Rai’s upcoming horror-comedy Nai Naveli. The project, currently in advanced stages of pre-production, marks a new genre venture for Yami, who continues to surprise audiences with her bold and unpredictable choices.

Also Read: Yami Gautam Dhar expresses gratitude over love being showered on Haq teaser; says, “Thank you”

Superstar Akshay Kumar had an interesting conversation with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis on day 1 of FICCI Frames 2025 at a five star hotel in Mumbai. In his trademark style, he set the mood from the moment he set foot on stage. Meanwhile, Devendra Fadnavis also raised laughs while raising an important point.

Akshay Kumar asked Devendra Fadnavis about his favourite film. The CM said, “There are many films that have had an effect on me. But as far as politics is concerned, I’d like to mention one film. It has influenced me but it also has caused problems for me. And that film is Nayak (2001)!”

He added, “In Nayak, Anil Kapoor ji’s character becomes a Chief Minister for just one day and yet, he manages to finish lot of work. Wherever I go, people tell me, ‘Nayak jaisa kaam karo. Unhone ek din mein kitna kuch kar diya. Unhone kaise ek din mein duniya badal di’.”

Devendra Fadnavis raised laughs as he revealed, “One day, I happened to meet Anil Kapoor ji. I asked him, ‘Aapne kyun banayi Nayak? Logon ko lagta hai ki aap Nayak aur hum Nalayak! Ek din mein itni saari cheezein kaise kar di aapne?’.”

He continued, “So, I feel that Nayak has set a benchmark. But films overall have played a vital role in shaping my feelings and emotions. Sometimes, our emotions get dimmed and cinema activates it. Hence, I feel like a normal human being after watching films.”

Also Read: “Main nahin sudhrunga!” – Akshay Kumar jokes about his mango question to Narendra Modi at FICCI Frames 2025; asks Devendra Fadnavis, “Aap orange kaise khaate hai?”

Richa Chadha moderated an interesting session at Waterfront Indie Film Festival (WIFF) last week featuring Shoojit Sircar, Rajat Kapoor, Deepa Gehlot and Sridhar Rangayan where they spoke about the challenges of making an independent cinema.

At one point in the conversation, Richa Chadha told Shoojit Sircar, “You have a producer like Ronnie Lahiri, who is your sounding board and who (backs your vision) is so important. The need for such producers is very important, who believe in you and stand by you through and through.”

She then asked all the panelists, “Why is it that the biggest head honchos of global networks keep selecting some or the other MBA to be the deciding authority to select films? They are like ‘Yeh mere platform pe jaayegi’ or ‘This suits my algorithm’. We have access and we meet people from all over the world. Why is there not even one person from the industry who says, ‘I know VCs, I know hedge funds, this is the risk, this is the monetizable streams of revenue…here’s Rs. 100 crores, you can give 10 films or 3 films or 100 films. This is the money you have to return’. For instance, there’s a Chanel Grant that gives you Rs. 2 crores. You don’t even have to pay that money back. It's soft money. Where is that person? Why doesn’t that person exist?”

After a brief pause, Deepa Gehlot answered, “There is no person but an organization called NFDC (National Film Development Corporation). It was meant for this purpose. I don’t know where that purpose has gone now.”

Richa Chadha revealed, “The NFDC people would argue that they still exist. They even recently announced the line-up for their Film Bazaar. They would say that they are trying to do all that they can. However, I would like to inform on this note that the NFDC promised us X amount for Girls Will Be Girls (2024) and gave us only half of it! When I told my co-producers, they told me, ‘Sarkar se paisa nikalna bahut mushkil hai. Woh sab kuch pehle hi le leti hai’. (This is) just my little bit of frustration.”

Girls Will Be Girls starred Preeti Panigrahi, Kani Kusruti, and Kesav Binoy Kiron and was well received at more than 20 film festivals, including the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it had its premiere. The coming-of-age finally premiered on Amazon Prime Video on December 18.

Also Read: Following the success of Girls Will Be Girls, Ali Fazal to back more women-led stories

Actor Vijay Deverakonda escaped unharmed after his car was rear-ended on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru Highway in Telangana’s Jogulamba Gadwal district earlier today. The incident took place while the Liger star was travelling from Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, to Hyderabad in his Lexus LM350h. Reports indicate that the rear portion of his vehicle sustained damage in the collision.

As per reports, the other vehicle involved in the accident did not stop and continued towards Hyderabad. Deverakonda’s driver has lodged a police complaint, and authorities have launched an investigation into the hit-and-run incident.

Just a day before the incident, Vijay Deverakonda had visited Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram in Puttaparthi along with his family. His visit followed reports of a private engagement with actor Rashmika Mandanna on October 3, which was said to have been attended only by close friends and family.

???? Vijay Deverakonda’s Car in Minor Accident — All Safe A Lexus carrying Vijay Deverakonda and his family was involved in a small accident near Undavalli in Gadwal district after a Bolero reportedly took a sudden right turn. pic.twitter.com/bTyXyvNYrJ

— Aristotle (@goLoko77) October 6, 2025

Fans also spotted a ring on Vijay’s finger during his visit, fueling further speculation about his relationship with Rashmika. Sources suggest that the couple plans to get married in February 2026, although neither Vijay nor Rashmika has officially confirmed their engagement.

Several videos purportedly showing the damaged vehicle have been circulating on social media, though their authenticity has not been verified. Police confirmed that Vijay Deverakonda switched to a friend’s car following the accident and reached Hyderabad safely.

His team has also lodged an official complaint concerning the incident. So far, neither the actor nor his family has released any public statement regarding the accident.

Also Read : Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna reportedly get engaged in private ceremony; wedding planned for February 2026?