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Shekhar Kapur expresses concern that filmmaking has lost its joy while prepping for ‘Masoom’ sequel

Mumbai, Oct 28, 2025

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur opened up about his upcoming project, “Masoom: The Next Generation,” a sequel to his acclaimed 1983 classic “Masoom.”

Sharing his thoughts on social media, the veteran director reflected on how the spirit of filmmaking has evolved over the years. Kapur expressed concern that many filmmakers today view the process as a “task” rather than a joyful creative journey. He added that with his new film, he hopes to recapture the pure excitement and emotional connection that once defined his work.

On Tuesday, Shekhar Kapur posted a throwback image of him and penned a lengthy note that read, “Those beautiful happy days when I was directing Masoom. Making that film was such a joy. For everyone. And that joy can be seen in the film, even though it’s so long ago. That why today, all these years later, I cannot go anywhere without people coming to me and talking to me about Masoom. Most of them so young that they were not even born when the film released. They’ve seen it on TV / YouTube/ etc ..”

“Now as I am heading to make Masoom-the next generation, I really want to recapture that sense of joy of film making .. but I worry ..I’ve just come back from an extensive trip in Mumbai and all my film maker friends speak of film making as a ‘task’ .. not as something joyful. Most talk about ‘interference’ from finding sources. I find that really surprising.”

Shekhar added, “Masoom was my first film. I had not assisted anyone, nor even read a book on film making .. I just wanted to tell a story, and told it as best as I could .. and as simply as I could .. And as honestly as I could .. Is it true that words like simplicity, joy, honesty , story telling has gone out of films in Mumbai ? Have the new systems of funding created a system that is anti-creative .. a system of interference by those that have come from (for example) MBA and management backgrounds .. ? .. by those that forget that true creativity comes from intuition.”

From Instinct. From a sense of individuality.. with large dollops of humility .. Well.. I am about to find out , aren’t I ? Hopefully Masoom-the next generation, will be made with the same sense of joy you see in the picture above ..” (sic)

“Masoom – The Next Generation” also stars Shekhar’s daughter Kaveri Kapur in a pivotal role.(Agency)

Bengal SIR drive: About 2 crore electors expected to provide documents to retain name in voters’ list

Kolkata, Oct 28, 2025

Around 2 crore existing voters in West Bengal will have to provide any one of the documents, as specified by the Election Commission of India (ECI) during the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise, for getting their names retrained in the voters’ list, an estimate by the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said.

This is because the names of these voters were not included in the list for 2002, the last time when the SIR was conducted in the state.

The task of “mapping & matching” of voters’ list with that in 2002 has already been completed for all the districts in West Bengal except for the two North Bengal districts of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri, because of the devastating flood and landslide that affected the two districts badly, earlier this month.

Based on the inputs and records available from the districts where the work of “mapping & matching” has already been completed and based on rough estimates for Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri, the CEO’s office has concluded that around two crore voters will have provide any one of the documents specified by the ECI to get their names retained in the voters’ list.

An insider from the CEO’s office said that most of these voters who would have to provide any one of the ECI-mandated documents are from the districts having international borders with the neighbouring Bangladesh.

As per SIR protocol, voters having names in the 2002 list will have their names automatically registered in the new voters’ list, and such voters will not have to furnish any document to prove theirr eligibility as a voter.

However, those not having their names in the 2002 list will have to provide the documents, as mandated by ECI for that purpose. Although the AADHAR card has been included in the list of such documents, the ECI has made it clear that only the AADHAR card will not be enough and the voter concerned will have to furnish any one of the 11 other documents for proving their citizenship, as specified by the commission.

Notably, the AADHAR is neither treated as proof of citizenship nor of age.(Agency)

Manoj Bajpayee-starrer ‘The Family Man’ Season 3 to premier from November 21

Mumbai, Oct 28, 2025

The third season of National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee-starrer ‘The Family Man’ is all set to premier from November 21 on Prime Video.

The fresh new season features the cast led by Manoj Bajpayee, Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur joining him, along with Sharib Hashmi, Priyamani, Ashlesha Thakur, Vedant Sinha, Shreya Dhanwanthary, and Gul Panag.

Manoj Bajpayee returns as the quintessential protagonist and elite undercover spy, Srikant Tiwari, who serves his nation with unwavering dedication while juggling the equally demanding life of a loving husband and doting father.

Written by Raj, DK, and Suman Kumar, featuring dialogues by Sumit Arora, the series is directed by Raj & DK, with Suman Kumar and Tusshar Seyth joining as directors this season.

Creators, directors, and writers Raj & DK said, “Over the years, the love and adulation that audiences have showered on The Family Man have been truly overwhelming. We know the audience has been patient, and we wanted to ensure that the wait was worth it—raising the stakes this season with even more high-octane action, a gripping narrative, riveting performances, and an elevated, edge-of-the-seat experience.”

The two added: “This season, the hunter becomes the hunted, as Srikant faces a threat unlike any before, in the form of Rukma—one that endangers not just him and his career, but his family too. We’re confident that on November 21, audiences around the world will enjoy the new season with just as much excitement as the previous two seasons and perhaps even more.”

In the new season, the stakes and dangers are higher as Manoj’s character is pushed to his limits when he comes face-to-face with formidable new adversaries in Jaideep Ahlawat (Rukma) and Nimrat Kaur (Meera).

On the run, Srikant must navigate uncharted territories while confronting threats and enemies from both within and beyond the nation’s borders.

“The Family Man has redefined long-format storytelling, becoming part of everyday conversations, social discourse, and the broader cultural zeitgeist. It exemplifies our very successful collaboration with D2R Films, who have consistently cut through the clutter with stories that are both extremely engaging and widely entertaining, perfectly complementing the diverse repertoire of Prime Video,” said Nikhil Madhok, Director & Head of Originals, Prime Video, India.

Madhok added: “The upcoming season promises an even more thrilling ride, with its signature blend of humor and action backed by stellar performances from the ensemble cast. And we are truly excited to bring this to audiences across the world.”(Agency)

Cyclone Montha: CM Naidu urges NDA MPs, MLAs to stand by people

Amaravati, Oct 28, 2025

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday asked the NDA MPs, ministers, MLAs and other leaders to stand by the people in the wake of severe cyclone Montha.

In a teleconference with the NDA MPs, ministers and MLAs, he said from cadre to leader, everyone should help people in the time of calamity.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president told the leaders of TDP, Jana Sena and BJP to be available to people in the cyclone-affected areas.

Stating that cyclone Montha is going to affect the state, the Chief Minister informed the leaders that, as per the current information, it is approaching the state from a distance of 270 km from Kakinada at a speed of 15 km.

The cyclone is likely to cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam. There is a possibility of heavy rains in Krishna, West Godavari, Konaseema and Eluru districts.

CM Naidu spoke about the steps being taken to completely reduce the loss of life and prevent property damage.

“We are sending messages to mobile phones in real time depending on the severity of the situation. We have informed the authorities about the steps to be taken to save the crops from being submerged.

He wanted NDA workers to come forward as volunteers and participate in relief activities by sensitising the people.

The Chief Minister also told the NDA MPs that the coalition government will also seek Central assistance if necessary.

“The government’s goal is to save the lives of the people and reduce the loss. We should be there for the people in times of crisis. The NDA machinery should cooperate with the government machinery in cyclone relief measures,” he said.

Recalling that the government dealt effectively with Titli and Hudhud cyclones, CM Naidu exuded confidence that it will also effectively deal with Montha.

The Chief Minister told the NDA leaders that the rains under the impact of the cyclone were affecting 39 constituencies.

The government has deployed NDRF and SDRF personnel at the field level in view of the possibility of flash floods.

“We are making arrangements to remove fallen trees and poles on a war footing. We have brought back the fishermen who went fishing in the sea. The NDA cadres should also have coordination with them,” he said.(Agency)

Bigg Boss 19: Rohan Mehra slams Tanya Mittal, Neelam Giri for body-shaming Ashnoor Kaur

Mumbai Oct 28, 2025

Television actor and former Bigg Boss season 10 contestant Rohan Mehra has come out in support of BB 19 contestant Ashnoor Kaur after she was body shamed by fellow housemates Tanya Mittal, Neelam Giri and Kunickaa Sadanand.

Sharing a video of the three body-shaming Ashnoor, behind her back, Rohan wrote, “Body shaming is unacceptable. What happened to @ashnoorkaur today was wrong and needs to be called out. Respect and kindness should be the bare minimum. Shame on you, @iam_kunickaasadanand, @neelamgiri_, and @tanyamittalofficial,” giving a thumbs down emoticon.

In one of the live feeds that aired recently, Tanya Mittal and Neelam Giri were seen gossiping about Ashnoor’s sudden weight gain. Tanya was seen telling Neelam that despite hitting the gym every single day without fail, Ashnoor had still been putting on weight. To this Neelam had added that despite Ashnoor hitting the gym, working out every single day and doing nothing else in the house, she was surprised as to how Ashnoor was still putting on weight.

Tanya was also heard saying that a few weeks ago, Ashnoor had lost a significant amount of weight but has now gained some of it back and is looking like her mother. The girls were also seen discussing the dress Ashnoor wore during the Bigg Boss Weekend Ka Vaar episode. Both unanimously agreed that the outfit did not suit Ashnoor’s body type, especially since she had put on weight.

Towards the end of the video, Tanya was heard saying that if the dress that Ashnoor wore had been worn by Tanya herself or Neelam, it would have looked much prettier. Talking about Rohan and Ashnoor, the two were a part of the iconic show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.

They essayed the role of siblings, and even in real life, the two continue to maintain a similar bond. Rohan has been seen always coming out in support of Ashnoor during her BB 19 stint.(Agency)

TN to appoint 76 animal welfare officers, set up 138 new centres for stray dog control

Chennai, Oct 28, 2025

In a major step toward curbing the stray dog population and preventing rabies outbreaks, the Tamil Nadu Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has announced the appointment of 76 district-level animal welfare officers across the state as part of a large-scale sterilisation and immunisation drive.

The initiative will be implemented in coordination with the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB), which is preparing to roll out a mass anti-rabies vaccination campaign in collaboration with corporations, municipalities, and town panchayats outside Chennai.

The move comes amid growing concerns over stray dog attacks and the spread of zoonotic diseases.

According to a recent government order, the 76 new appointees will include 38 district-level animal welfare officers and 38 veterinary surgeons with expertise in Animal Birth Control (ABC) surgeries.

These positions will be filled on a one-year contractual basis, with extensions possible based on performance and requirements.

The recruitment process is expected to be completed by the first week of December. The newly-appointed officers will oversee multiple responsibilities – from ensuring the humane conduct of traditional events such as jallikattu and taking legal action in cases of animal cruelty, to conducting awareness campaigns on responsible pet ownership, rabies prevention, and sterilisation.

To strengthen infrastructure for the upcoming drive, the department has also proposed the establishment of 38 new ABC centres with shelter facilities capable of accommodating up to 100 dogs each.

Additionally, another 100 centres are planned without shelter facilities, focusing exclusively on sterilisation and vaccination procedures. In a bid to scientifically track and manage the state’s stray dog population, the TNAWB has initiated the procurement of 2.4 lakh RFID (radio frequency identification) tags to microchip sterilised and vaccinated dogs. This will help local bodies monitor coverage and prevent duplication.

“The veterinary surgeons will handle ABC surgeries, provide post-operative care, and administer vaccines. Supporting staff for the operation of these centres will also be appointed soon,” said a senior official from the department.

The large-scale programme marks one of Tamil Nadu’s most comprehensive efforts in animal welfare, combining public health goals with humane management of stray animals.(Agency)

Rupali Ganguly keeps Satish Shah’s legacy alive with heartwarming “Sarabhai” posts

Mumbai Oct 28, 2025

Television superstar Rupali Ganguly has been constantly seen breaking down post the demise of Bollywood veteran Satish Shah. The actress who seems to be missing her favourite co-star has been sharing an umpteen number of video clips featuring Satish Shah from their iconic hit show Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai.

While she has not captioned the stories shared on her social media stories, it is evident that the actress is missing Satish Shah, whom she dearly referred to as Kaka. During the actor’s funeral, Rupali, who was one of the first people to attend, stayed till the very end. She was seen breaking down into tears and sobbing as she said farewell to the legendary star.

Rupali and Satish essayed the roles of the on-screen father-in-law and daughter-in-law in the iconic series Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. The respective roles of Monisha and Indravadan Sarabhai went on to become the most iconic characters of Indian television. For the uninitiated, Bollywood veteran Satish Shah passed away on the 15th of October, leaving fans in a state of shock.

Actors Sumeet Raghavan, Rajesh Kumar, JD Majethia, Deven Bhojani, Ratna Pathak Shah, and his other co-stars from his superhit show Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai attended the funeral. For the uninitiated, the actor passed away on Saturday due to kidney failure, as per reports.

He is survived by his wife, Madhu Shah. A prayer meet for Satish Shah was held in the city on the 27th of October. During the funeral, as the pyre burnt, the team of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai bid the most heartfelt goodbye to their beloved Indravadan.

The entire group were seen singing the title song of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai as they fought back tears and bid the veteran goodbye one final time.(Agency)

Aastha Gill talks about changing her thought-process as musician: ‘Learnt it the hard way’

Mumbai, Oct 28, 2025

Singer-songwriter Aastha Gill, who is known for tracks like ‘Kamariya’, ‘DJ Wale Babu’ and others, has shared that she has changed her thought-process as an artiste, and to navigate the industry and its dynamics.

The singer spoke with IANS during the promotional run of her new streaming music reality show ‘I-popstar’, on which she serves as one of the mentors.

For any artiste, there is a responsibility on them to deliver a hit. Their teams constantly feed them with what is happening in the market, what should be the output, how it should be made.

When asked if it is very tough to keep yourself away from the temptation which the market forces put on her, she told IANS, “Honestly, it took me a lot of time to understand. I used to get stuck while making music because my commercial mind as a musician over-powered the artiste in me. For almost two years, I have been changing my thought-process. I have cut myself from this noise, knowingly. I realised two years ago that I was lost. In my own art, I could not understand how to process”.

She further mentioned, “When I used to sit in a session, I used to think, ‘I want to write my own song, I want to write my own story’. Now I have started composing, I have started writing my own story as I’m no longer lost in that noise. Back then, I could not figure out what was missing, it took me a lot of time. I could do some songs which I realised later that I might have done it wrong. But to bring that understanding, it was very difficult. I have learnt it the hard way”.

‘I-popstar’ is available to stream on ‘Amazon MX Player’.(Agency)

RSS ban row: Karnataka HC stays govt order mandating approval for events in public, state-owned venues

Dharwad, Oct 28, 2025

In a major setback to the Congress-led government in Karnataka, the High Court’s Dharwad Bench on Tuesday issued an interim stay on the order, which made prior approval from authorities mandatory for holding events in public and state-owned venues.

The government had issued the order recently following a letter from Minister for RDPR, IT and BT Priyank Kharge to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in public places and government-owned premises across the state. The issue had also sparked a war of words between Congress and BJP leaders.

The bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the interim order in this regard. The writ petition was filed by Punaschetana Seva Samsthe, an NGO, challenging the legality of the government order.

The petition contended that the order, which deems gatherings of more than 10 persons illegal and mandates permission from authorities for holding foot marches or public events, is unconstitutional.

Senior counsel Ashok Harnalli, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the order issued by the Home Department violates both the law and the Constitution. He stated that prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 persons in parks, grounds, pools, and lakes is impermissible under the law.

The order, he added, curtails the constitutional rights of citizens guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution. “At the very outset, it is evident that the order is unconstitutional,” he submitted.

The counsel, representing the state government, sought one week to present arguments. The bench observed that it is unclear what the government is trying to achieve through such an order. The court also issued notices to the Home Department and the state government.

The Karnataka government mandated approval from authorities for holding events in public and state-owned venues during the cabinet meeting on October 16. Although the RSS is not directly mentioned, sources confirmed that the move is primarily aimed at restricting RSS activities.

The official statement regarding the order stated, “Government, government-aided schools and colleges, grant-in-aid educational institutions, parks, playgrounds, public roads, open spaces, and other properties/lands are designated for the rightful use of citizens. It is essential to ensure that no obstacles or threats arise that prevent the public from using them. Likewise, it is also necessary to prevent problems relating to law and order and to address public grievances.”(Agency)

Congress demands digitally identifiable voter list, Aadhaar Card inclusion in ID verification

Bhopal, Oct 28, 2025

The Congress party has called for the implementation of digitally readable voter lists and mandatory Aadhaar card verification, following the Election Commission of India’s announcement of a Special Intensive Revision campaign aimed at overhauling Madhya Pradesh’s electoral rolls.

The campaign, launched on Monday, marks a significant step in updating the state’s voter registry.

Speaking to reporters in Guna, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh expressed concern that the Election Commission has not provided the Congress party with digitally identifiable (machine-readable) voter lists.

He reiterated his party’s demand that voter lists shared with political representatives be in a machine-readable format to facilitate digital cross-verification and identify duplicate entries across constituencies.

Singh also criticised the Election Commission for excluding Aadhaar cards from the list of acceptable identity proofs, arguing that registering every eligible citizen is both a fundamental right and a core responsibility of the Commission.

He further pointed out that, despite Supreme Court directives, the Commission has excluded the Aadhaar card from the list of 11 documents that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are instructed to verify during their door-to-door survey.

Under the Commission’s directive, every voter in the state will undergo fresh identity verification. Voter lists at each polling station across all 230 assembly constituencies will be meticulously scrutinised. This comprehensive exercise aims to fulfil several key objectives: enrolling new voters who have turned 18, removing names of deceased individuals, those who have permanently relocated, and duplicate entries.

Additionally, corrections will be made to inaccuracies in names, addresses, and other personal details to ensure the voter lists accurately reflect the current population.

To execute this task, BLOs will conduct door-to-door visits in both urban and rural areas, distributing forms, collecting data, and verifying identities using officially recognised documents.

Madhya Pradesh currently has an electorate of approximately 57.4 million people. Supporting this massive revision effort are 65,014 polling booths, 119,940 BLOs, 762 assistant returning officers, and 55 district election officers working in coordination.

The gender breakdown of the voter base includes around 29.2 million men and 27.8 million women. An analysis of the age demographics reveals a youthful skew in certain segments.

The state has 1,119,161 voters aged 18 to 19, 13,388,424 in the 20-to-29 age group, 15,144,883 between 30 and 39, 11,528,407 aged 40 to 49, 8,131,709 in the 50-to-59 bracket, 4,815,858 aged 60 to 69, 2,211,505 between 70 and 79, and 752,420 citizens aged 80 and above.

The second phase of the revision has already ignited political debate. The Election Commission, describing the initiative as a special and intensive process, emphasised its commitment to maintaining the integrity and reliability of the voter registry, thereby laying a strong foundation for free and fair elections in the future.(Agency)

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