In a striking revelation, actress Saba Azad has opened up about an unsettling experience that highlights the persistent impact of patriarchal mindsets within the entertainment industry. Azad, who has been a reputable voice-over artiste for about 15 years, recently found herself grappling with a decline in job offers.
Reflecting on why her work opportunities had dwindled, Azad disclosed a disheartening conversation with a former collaborator. Meeting this director-friend, she confronted him about why offers for voice-over work had ceased. The response she received was startling. The director, seemingly surprised by her inquiry, said, “We thought you wouldn’t like to do voice-overs anymore.” He elaborated that it was believed she might no longer be interested in such work due to her relationship status. “In short, he said he didn’t think I would do a VO’s job, given who I was dating,” Azad wrote in a social media post.
This response evidently irked the actress, who has not shied away from addressing the issue publicly. Although neither Azad nor Hrithik Roshan have officially confirmed their relationship, they have been seen together frequently, often praising each other on various public platforms and attending family functions together. Azad slammed what she called a “patriarchal mindset,” questioning, “Are we still living in the dark ages where we assume a woman in a relationship with a successful partner no longer has to put food on her own table?”
In another news, actor Drashti Dhami, widely recognized for her roles in television shows like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil, and Duranga, took to social media to announce a joyous personal milestone. Dhami is expecting her first baby with her husband Neeraj Khemka. The announcement came through a charming video on social media where a poster read, “Could be pink, could be blue. All we know is that we are due! October 2024.” Dhami further added a playful caption, “In a galaxy not so far away, a tiny rebel is joining our crazy tribe. Please send love, blessings, cash, and French fries.” The couple, who tied the knot in 2015, are evidently excited about this new addition to their family.
On a professional front, the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival has undergone a significant change in its leadership. Filmmaker Shivendra Singh Dungarpur has been appointed as the interim festival director of The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI). Dungarpur, who has been part of the MAMI board since 2021, is known for his dedication to cinema. Under his production banner, he has directed three award-winning documentaries, including two National Awards. Moreover, in 2014, he founded the Film Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Mumbai dedicated to the preservation and restoration of India’s cinematic legacy.
. His film restorations have been selected for premieres at prestigious events like the Cannes Film Festival, marking him an ideal candidate for this interim role.
Remembering the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Sara Ali Khan and Ankita Lokhande took to social media to honor his memory on his fourth death anniversary. Khan shared a series of unseen images with Rajput, reminiscing about her Bollywood debut in Kedarnath (2018), which she co-starred in with the late actor. Lokhande also paid tribute by sharing a touching picture of Rajput with his pet dog. Meanwhile, Rajput’s sister organized a prayer meet to commemorate his life. Rajput’s tragic and mysterious demise on June 14, 2020, continues to be a poignant moment for his fans and colleagues.
As the festive season approaches, audiences can gear up for some significant box office clashes. The makers of “Singham Again,” starring an ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, and Kareena Kapoor Khan, have announced the film’s release date for Diwali this year. The film is set to compete with Kartik Aaryan’s horror-comedy “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3,” directed by Anees Bazmee. The previous edition of Bhool Bhulaiyaa saw a successful run with Aaryan leading the charge, and this new installment is eagerly anticipated by fans.
In a segment dedicated to cherished memories, singers Anup Jalota and Talat Aziz fondly remembered their late friend, Pankaj Udhas, during an appearance on a singing reality show. Recollecting a performance they once shared, Aziz remarked, “This was one of the songs that Anup Jalota, Pankaj Udhas, and I performed together. This brought back beautiful memories of those times when the three of us used to perform together. Those days were beautiful; I will always cherish them.” Udhas’s passing in February left a void in the music fraternity that remains deeply felt.
Lastly, controversy stirred as YRF Entertainment’s highly anticipated film “Maharaj” did not premiere on Netflix as previously scheduled. The Gujarat High Court intervened, staying the film’s release following a petition by members of a Hindu sect who claimed the movie disrespects their religious sentiments. The film, featuring Aamir Khan’s son Junaid, stirred significant attention on social media leading to calls for a boycott. The High Court’s single-judge bench, Justice Sangeeta Vishen, issued notices to the Centre, Netflix, and Yash Raj Films, posting the matter for further hearing on June 18. Industry insiders noted that YRF and Netflix are challenging the order, emphasizing that “Maharaj,” adapted from Saurabh Shah’s book, is grounded in a real-life case and does not malign the Vaishnav community.
These narratives highlight the diverse and dynamic experiences shaping the lives of those in the public eye, from professional setbacks rooted in societal stereotypes to personal milestones celebrated amidst public adulation, and from preserving cinematic legacies to navigating the contentious waters of controversial cinema.
