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*Pandit Birju Maharaj’s Legacy Finds Its Next Torchbearer in Granddaughter Shinjini Kulkarni* *XX June 2026, Mumbai :*The upcoming episode of *Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar* hosted by *Rajeev Khandelwal* will witness a heartfelt and inspiring moment as renowned Kathak master *Shinjini Kulkarni* Pandit Birju Maharaj's Grand daughter opens up about the challenges, responsibilities, and pride that come with belonging to one of India's most celebrated artistic families. Questioning her about the expectations attached to her performance, being the grand daughter of the kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj, Rajeev Khandelwal asked Shinjini _“Bade legend ki aap naati hai, jabhi perform karti hai aapke dimag mein aisa chalta hai ke yeh sab log jante hai aap innki naati hai”._ Shinjini shared, " _Ek chotasa mera apna struggle hai rajeev ji, ofcourse logo ke jeevan ke hisaab se yeh bohot badi cheez nahi magar logo ko aapse itni jyada apeksha hoti hai ki, aapko koi galti karna allowed hi nahi hai, aur agar aapne koi galti kar bhi di aapse pehle aapke guru ke naam pe, nana ke naam pe aanch aajayegi toh aap humesha itne high bench mark ke against compete kar rahe hote hai ki mushkil hota hai, kai bar logo ko yeh bhi lagta hai ki aare tumhe toh sab kuch paros ke mil gaya, bohot aasani se mil gaya, aur uske piche ka humara jo riaaz hai, ghanto ki mehenat hai, jo hum aapne balbute pe, apni mehenat pe badhne ki koshis kar rahe hai, kai bar woh credit bhi chala jata hai. Magar uss samay mujhe bas itna yad rehta hai ki main dance, ya main kathak iss liye kar rahi hu kyunki bhagwan ne mujhe chuna iss parivaar mai paida hone ke liye, aur mujhe kisi aur se validation ki jaarurat nahi hai._ " Applauding her perspective and strong mindset, Rajeev said, _"Absolutely, vo kehte hai na legacy woh humare samaj mai kaha jata hai sirf ladke aage leke jate hai kisi bhi legacy ko, yaha pe aap, itni mahaan legacy ko aage leke ja rahi hai, woh bhi apne aap mai kabile tareef hai aur woh aasan nahi hai aur main samajh sakta hu, aur aab ye jo talent hai yeh jo art hai usse aur aage jana chahiye, main sochta hu umeed karta hu aur aage jab aap jayengi zindgi mai, toh yeh tradition chalta rahe, toh yeh talent chalta rahe, yeh legacy kabhi khatam nahi honi chahiye, jaise aapki mummy ne bataya 9th generation se yeh legacy chali aarahi hai, yeh bhi aapke upar pressure rehta hoga ki yaar isse aage bhejna hai._ " Talking about how she would like to utilize the prize money, Shinjini revealed that if she gets the opportunity to win, she hopes to use it to preserve and strengthen the oral traditions of Kathak and support young students who are passionate about the art form. Later Highlighting the importance of preserving the generational heritage, she added , _"My great Grand father unhone 5000 Thumriyan likhi aur kyunki woh aise hi yaad hoti thi ek peedhi se doosri peedhi tak students ko yaad karayi jaati thi, aur agli generation mein kai log kam umr mein hi guzar gaye,woh 5000 mai se mere nana ke pass sirf karib 500 hi reh pai, baki sab khatam ho gai, sab kho gai."_ To which Rajeev replied _"Yeh heritage hai matlab jise aapko sambhalke rakhna padta hai, aur jaise innhone kaha agar kuch baccho ki ruchi hai iss art form ki taraf toh unhe protsahan milna chaiye kyunki woh humare desh ki shaan hai, humara desh jaana jata hai iss tarha ki art form se_ ." As Shinjini later performed one of the most legendary and celebrated choreographies of Pandit Birju Maharaj _’Mohe Raang Do Laal’_ , Rajeev curiously asked her _“Aur yeh jo apne nritya kiya aapne yeh bhi aapke nanaji ka hi kya hai”_ . Expressing about how lucky she felt of being the part of such a legendary creation Shinjini revealed _“Iski choreography nana ji ne hi kari hai aur main bohot lucky thi ki Delhi mai jab iski rehearsal chal rahithi to Sanjay Bhansali ke sath aur Deepika Padukone ji ke sath humne rehalsal attend ki, unko train karte hue dekha ki ek non kathak dancer ko itne chote se samay ke andar kathak ki barikiya kaise sikhai ja sakti hai yeh bohot hi amazing experience tha.“_ Later Rajeev asks, _“Aur kabhi mauka mila hai ki aap kabhi Pandit Birju Maharaj ke sath dance kar sake kabhi, kabhi sath mai stage share kiya hai”_ Further responding to Rajeev’s question She revealed the biggest flex of her career was when she had the opportunity to perform in the USA not only with her grandfather but also sharing the stage with legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain. Expressing his gratitude Rajeev said _“Bataaiye kitni badi hasti ke sath main iss samay ki baat kar raha hu, yeh actual mai, jo log aise parivaar se nahi aate hai unhe aisa lagta hai ki, kitni lucky hai aap ki aapke parivaar mai aise legend hai, aur ye art form inhone zinda rakhi hai, aur aane wali generations ko bhi woh de ke gaye hai"_ The emotional exchange serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibility that comes with preserving centuries-old traditions and ensuring that India's rich heritage continues to inspire generations to come, and Tum Ho Naa continues to celebrate the person that strongly holds on to the legacy. *Watch Tum Ho Naa - Ghar Ki Superstar, hosted by Rajeev Khandelwal, every Monday to Friday at 9 PM only on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.*

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MIFF 2026 Concludes on a High Note, Celebrating Global Excellence in Documentary, Animation and Short Fiction Cinema The 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2026) drew to a successful close today, marking the culmination of six days of cinematic celebration, creative exchange, and meaningful storytelling. The festival brought together filmmakers, industry professionals, film enthusiasts, students, and emerging creators from across the world, reaffirming MIFF’s position as one of the leading platforms for documentary, animation and short fiction cinema. A total of 17 awards were presented at the closing ceremony, honouring outstanding achievements across international and national competition categories. The prestigious Golden Conch for Best International Documentary Film, carrying a cash prize of ₹10 lakh, was awarded to the Polish documentary Silver. The Silver Conch for Best International Short Fiction Film and a cash prize of ₹5 lakh went to the Iranian film Under The Snow, while the Silver Conch for Best International Animation Film and a cash prize of ₹5 lakh was presented to the German animation film Maya’s Song. In the National Competition, Waai won the Silver Conch for Best Indian Documentary Film along with a cash prize of ₹5 lakh. The FTII-produced Small Clouds received the Silver Conch for Best Indian Short Fiction Film, while Tamil animation film Armstrong from Angaalamman Temple Street won the Silver Conch for Best Animation Film. Among the special honours, the FIPRESCI International Critics Prize was awarded to The Hug of Emptiness by Pradeep Kenchanuru, while the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari Award for Best Debut Director went to Pooja Tolani for Raaza. The IDPA Award for Best Student Film was presented to Milan Kumar for The Old Bull Knows, or Once Knew. MIFF 2026 witnessed an overwhelming global response, receiving 1,459 film entries from around the world. The Competition Section featured 144 films, including 52 international and 92 national entries representing 13 countries. The Non-Competition Section showcased 202 films from 46 countries across 24 curated segments such as Mosaic, Best of Fest, Busan Next Wave, Oscar Winners, Raimund Krumme Retrospective, NFDC Showcase, Echoes from North East, Marathi Films and IFFI CMOT. The film festival concluded as a vibrant celebration of cinematic excellence, cultural diversity, and the transformative power of storytelling.

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Pan India Film 'Nagabandham' Trailer Unveiled in Mumbai; Grand Mystery, Mythology and Adventure Spectacle Creates Buzz Mumbai, 20th Jun 2026: Mystery, mythology, serpents, hidden treasures and visually grand cinematic moments the trailer of Pan India film Nagabandham promises audiences a larger-than-life cinematic experience. The much-awaited trailer was unveiled at a grand event in the presence of the film's cast and makers including Virat Karrna, Nabha Natesh, Daksha Nagarkar, Rishabh Sawhney, Mahesh Manjrekar, Ganesh Acharya, director Abhishek Nama and producers Nishitha Nagireddy and Kishore Annapureddy. The trailer immediately captures attention with its intriguing opening visuals. It begins with a mysterious city where a spiritual leader speaks about a rare and mystical flower. Soon, a surprising term — Brahmakamalam — enters the narrative and sparks curiosity. As the story unfolds, a mysterious serpent appears as the protector of the sacred Brahmakamalam, taking viewers into a world filled with suspense and secrets. The pace of the trailer quickly intensifies with striking visuals featuring an Aghori, multiple serpents, and a young man awakening as if from a mysterious dream. Grand visuals of armies, priests, kings, and hidden treasures further expand the cinematic universe of the film. One of the standout moments arrives with Mahesh Manjrekar appearing in the role of a priest, creating a strong impact with his presence. The trailer also features divine visual elements inspired by Lord Shiva, adding a spiritual and mythological layer to the narrative. The final moments of the 3-minute and 19-second trailer are packed with high-scale visuals and several fan-worthy moments that leave audiences wanting more. Going by the trailer, Nagabandham appears to be one of the biggest mythological action adventure spectacles of the year, blending mythology with fantasy and action on a grand scale. Producer Nishitha Nagireddy and Kishore Annapureddy said, "Nagabandham is a very special project for us because we always wanted to present a story that combines mythology and mystery on a grand scale. Every stage of the film has been designed with passion and we wanted audiences to experience something visually rich and emotionally engaging." Director Abhishek Nama added, "Nagabandham takes audiences into a world of mystery, adventure and emotions. We have tried to create a larger-than-life universe with strong storytelling and visuals. The trailer only gives a glimpse; the film has many more surprises waiting for audiences." Produced by Kishore Annapureddy and Nishitha Nagireddy under the banners of NIK Studios and Abhishek Pictures, the movie is presented by Zee Studios and is releasing in cinemas on 3rd July 2026 in cinemas. Official Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5KijJwU7W8

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# ‘दीवाने हैं’ के साथ लौटा पुराने बॉलीवुड के जश्न का दौर, ‘वेलकम टू द जंगल’ ने दिया नया सेलिब्रेशन एंथम पिछले कुछ सालों में बॉलीवुड का म्यूजिक काफी हद तक डांस रीमिक्स, क्लब ट्रैक्स और हाई-एनर्जी प्रमोशनल गानों तक सिमट गया है। इस बीच वो सादे लेकिन दिल से जुड़े जश्न वाले गाने, जो मोहल्लों के लाउडस्पीकर, शादी-ब्याह और त्योहारों की शान हुआ करते थे, धीरे-धीरे फिल्मों से गायब होते चले गए। अब 'वेलकम टू द जंगल' का नया गाना 'दीवाने हैं' उसी पुराने एहसास को वापस लाने की कोशिश करता नजर आता है। फिल्म की विशाल स्टारकास्ट के साथ फिल्माए गए इस गाने में पूरे कलाकारों की टोली एक साथ नजर आती है। रंग-बिरंगे विजुअल्स, मस्ती, अपनापन और साथ मिलकर जश्न मनाने का जो माहौल इसमें दिखता है, वह पुराने बॉलीवुड के उन गानों की याद दिलाता है, जहां फोकस सिर्फ डांस नहीं बल्कि लोगों के साथ मिलकर खुशियां मनाने पर होता था। गाने के संगीतकार, गीतकार और गायक आनंद राज आनंद का कहना है कि उनका मकसद किसी ट्रेंड को फॉलो करना नहीं था, बल्कि ऐसा गाना बनाना था जिससे लोग पहली बार सुनते ही जुड़ जाएं। आनंद राज आनंद कहते हैं, "जब मैंने 'दीवाने हैं' पर काम शुरू किया तो मेरे दिमाग में कोई ट्रेंड नहीं था। मैं ऐसा गाना बनाना चाहता था जिसे सुनते ही अपनापन महसूस हो। यह ऐसा गीत है जिसे लोग शादी, त्योहार या किसी भी खुशी के मौके पर मिलकर गा सकें। हम सब ऐसे गानों के साथ बड़े हुए हैं जो लोगों को एक साथ ले आते थे और मैं उसी एहसास को फिर से वापस लाना चाहता था।" इस गाने को आनंद राज आनंद और अमृता फडणवीस ने अपनी आवाज दी है। म्यूजिक प्रोडक्शन विक्रम नागी ने किया है, जबकि अरेंजमेंट प्रकाश पीटर्स ने तैयार किए हैं। लाइव इंस्ट्रूमेंट्स, दमदार परकशन और कश्मीरी लोकधुनों की झलक इस गाने को खास बनाती है। बांसुरी नवीन कुमार ने बजाई है, जबकि लाइव रिदम और परकशन की जिम्मेदारी दीपेश वर्मा, रत्नदीप जामसांडेकर, शिखर नाद कुरैशी और विजय जाधव ने निभाई है। गाने की शुरुआत में फियोनी शाह की मासूम आवाज सुनाई देती है। वहीं बैकिंग वोकल्स में काव्या-कृति, जूही एम, साकेत बैरोलिया, सनी शर्मा, आशुतोष शर्मा, अभिषेक मुखर्जी, पल्लवी रॉय और तान्या माथुर की आवाजें भी शामिल हैं। वोकल्स और रिदम सेक्शन की रिकॉर्डिंग वाईआरएफ स्टूडियो में विजय दयाल और सागर साठे ने की, जबकि मिक्स और मास्टरिंग की जिम्मेदारी भी विजय दयाल ने संभाली। अमृता फडणवीस का मानना है कि इस गाने की सबसे बड़ी खूबी इसकी सादगी है। वह कहती हैं, "मुझे 'दीवाने हैं' की सबसे अच्छी बात इसकी खुशियों से भरी और सबको साथ जोड़ने वाली ऊर्जा लगी। यह गाना सुनते ही मुस्कुराने, गुनगुनाने और जश्न का हिस्सा बनने का मन करता है। आजकल ऐसे गाने बहुत कम सुनने को मिलते हैं।" फिल्म में यह गाना क्लाइमैक्स के करीब देखने को मिलेगा। अब तक 'वेलकम टू द जंगल' का पूरा प्रमोशन पुराने दौर की बड़ी कॉमेडी फिल्मों और नॉस्टैल्जिया पर आधारित रहा है। 'दीवाने हैं' भी उसी सोच को आगे बढ़ाता है। सोशल मीडिया ट्रेंड्स के पीछे भागने के बजाय यह गाना उस एहसास को पकड़ने की कोशिश करता है, जहां लोग एक साथ आकर खुशियां मनाते हैं। आज के दौर में जब कई गाने पहले रील्स के लिए और बाद में श्रोताओं के लिए बनाए जाते हैं, ऐसे समय में 'दीवाने हैं' पुराने बॉलीवुड के उन जश्न वाले गीतों की याद दिलाता है, जो सिर्फ फिल्म का हिस्सा नहीं बल्कि लोगों की जिंदगी का हिस्सा बन जाया करते थे। अहमद खान के निर्देशन में बनी 'वेलकम टू द जंगल' में अक्षय कुमार, सुनील शेट्टी, दिशा पटानी, जैकलीन फर्नांडिस, अरशद वारसी, जैकी श्रॉफ, परेश रावल, रवीना टंडन, लारा दत्ता, फरीदा जलाल, जॉनी लीवर, श्रेयस तलपड़े, तुषार कपूर, राजपाल यादव, कृष्णा अभिषेक, कीकू शारदा, दलेर मेहंदी, आफताब शिवदासानी, मुकेश तिवारी, यशपाल शर्मा, किरण कुमार, जाकिर हुसैन, विंदू दारा सिंह, उर्वशी रौतेला, हेमंत पांडे, बृजेंद्र काला, फिरोज खान (अर्जुन), स्वर्गीय पंकज धीर, पुनीत इस्सर, सुदेश बेरी, जीतू वर्मा, वृहि कोडवारा, आदित्या सिंह और भाग्य भानुशाली जैसे कलाकार नजर आएंगे। यह फिल्म ए.ए. नाडियाडवाला, केप ऑफ गुड फिल्म्स और स्टार स्टूडियो18 द्वारा सीता फिल्म्स और राकेश डांग के सहयोग से प्रस्तुत की जा रही है। बेस इंडस्ट्रीज़ ग्रुप प्रोडक्शन के बैनर तले बनी इस फिल्म के निर्माता राकेश डांग, वेदांत विकास बाली और फिरोज ए. नाडियाडवाला हैं। 'वेलकम टू द जंगल' 26 जून 2026 को दुनियाभर के सिनेमाघरों में रिलीज होगी।

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Alethea Advisors Expands Leadership Team to Accelerate Growth Across M&A, Transaction Advisory and Global Delivery India – June 17, 2026 — Alethea Advisors, a fast-growing independent strategic transaction and corporate advisory firm, has appointed Gyanendra N Pati (Gyan) as Chief Growth and Marketing Officer (CGMO) and Gaurav Jain as Director, Head of M&A and Global Delivery, as the firm builds out its M&A and cross-border advisory capabilities. Gyanendra, who brings 22 years of experience across technology, BFSI, fintech, and global capability centres, will lead the firm's growth strategy, brand positioning, and market expansion in India and international markets. Gaurav, with more than two decades in investment banking operations and M&A advisory, will lead transaction execution and the firm's offshore delivery operations across domestic and cross-border engagements. The appointments come as Alethea expands beyond traditional advisory into integrated transaction execution, valuation, IPO readiness, and global delivery — a model the firm is betting on as clients increasingly seek execution capability alongside strategic counsel. “The advisory industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Clients today expect far more than traditional consulting or transaction support — they seek strategic partners who can combine execution capability, global delivery excellence, growth intelligence, and market insight into one integrated model.” said Sumit Kumar, Founder and Managing Director of Alethea Advisors, who was earlier associated with Global Firms like Deloitte, KPMG, BDO & Grant Thornton. “Gyan and Gaurav bring exceptional leadership experience and complementary strengths that significantly enhance our ability to scale globally while delivering measurable value to clients.” Gyan joins from a career spanning Acuity Analytics, Moody’s, Infosys, and HP Inc., where he led global marketing transformation and enterprise go-to-market programmes. "Businesses today want sharper guidance and execution certainty, especially as markets get more complex," said Gyanendra N Pati as Chief Growth and Marketing Officer. "The opportunity here is to build an advisory brand that helps organisations unlock value and scale with confidence." Gaurav previously held leadership roles at Moody's Corporation and Acuity Analytics, with experience across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. "There's real opportunity for firms that pair institutional-quality analytics with agile execution," said Gaurav Jain as Director, Head of M&A and Global Delivery. "That's especially true in cross-border and growth-market deals, where clients need a partner across the full transaction lifecycle." As part of its next phase of growth, Alethea Advisors plans to further strengthen its capabilities across cross-border M&A advisory, strategic finance, valuation services, IPO and capital markets readiness, offshore delivery and India market-entry advisory. The firm also continues to expand its support for founders, growth-stage businesses, investors and corporate clients pursuing growth, transformation and expansion opportunities. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Alethea Advisors serves clients across industries and markets, partnering with corporates, founders, investors and institutions on strategic transactions, capital initiatives and business transformation programmes. About Alethea Advisors Alethea Advisors is an independent strategic transaction and corporate advisory firm providing services across M&A advisory, valuation, fundraising, financial diligence, strategic finance, IPO readiness, India market-entry strategy and transaction support. The firm partners with corporates, founders, investors and institutions to help create long-term business value through strategic advice and execution-focused support. For more information, visit www.aletheaadvisors.com

Alpha

Alia Bhatt & Sharvari are total Alphas in YRF’s popcorn action entertainer - Alpha! Trailer - Alpha.jpeg Catch the Alpha Official Trailer Here: https://youtu.be/QRqGwGwo1Y0 Yash Raj Films has dropped the trailer of Alpha, headlined by Alia Bhatt and also starring Sharvari, that sets up a relishing, fun origin story of two deadly girls in a popcorn action entertainer! The trailer also unveils more of the character of Bobby Deol, a ruthless mentor to Alia Bhatt. Alia plays an assassin raised and built to kill who goes toe to toe with her mentor turned foe. It also reveals Anil Kapoor, who is teased to be connected to the Alpha program! Packed with high-octane action, slick visuals with a promise of a super fun, thrilling ride, Alpha positions itself as a true-blue entertainer that celebrates the fearless Alpha attitude of two girls - Alia & Sharvari. Sharvari’s character arc is purposely kept under wraps in the trailer as she plays a very important role in the film, but the trailer signifies her teaming up with Alia in a bid to stop Bobby Deol at any cost. Elevating the stylised, cool visuals of Alpha is the pulsating background score! Global Top DJ HUGEL's worldwide chartbuster track Jamaican Bam Bam has been incorporated in the trailer to bring in a relentless burst of energy to the trailer, symbolic of the adrenaline rush that Alpha seeks to generate when people see the film in theatres. Directed by Shiv Rawail, the film is set to release worldwide, exclusively in cinemas, on July 3, 2026. .

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Rajeev Khandelwal Promises to Learn Authentic Village Delicacies from Contestant Anita on Tum Ho Naa 17th June 2026, Mumbai: In the upcoming episode ‘Tum Ho Naa – Ghar Ki Superstar,’ viewers will witness a deeply heartwarming and culturally vibrant milestone. The show, widely celebrated for putting a spotlight on everyday homemakers, takes a delightful turn when charismatic host Rajeev Khandelwal receives an unexpected, pure token of love from contestant Anita and her family, bridging the gap between small-town India and mega metros. Known to be a passionate advocate for green, sustainable living and fresh produce, Rajeev's face lit up with absolute excitement when contestant Anita surprised him with a giant basket overflowing with home-grown treasures brought all the way from her native village in Chhapra, Bihar. The special basket featured thick organic brinjals, raw mangoes, bitter gourds, and a magnificent, massive bunch of village bananas. Presenting the farm-fresh harvest, Anita affectionately explained that many sisters back home in Bihar specifically urged her to take these fresh green vegetables for their beloved 'Rajeev Babua,' knowing his immense fondness for wholesome, organic produce. They brought it along so that the true love of Chhapra could travel all the way to Mumbai. Deeply touched by the community's collective affection and the endearing regional sentiment, a humbled Rajeev Khandelwal expressed his profound gratitude to Anita on stage, stating, “Mujhe bas aap jaise pyaar dene wale logo ka saath milta rahe bas ye dua dijiye” The rustic aroma and sight of the fresh village harvest instantly struck a nostalgic chord with the host. Holding the organic produce, Rajeev fondly looked back at his own roots, openly sharing a delightful, mischievous childhood memory that connects him deeply to rural landscapes by saying, “Ye mere liye bahot-bahot mayne rakhta hai, bachpan ki yaadein.. Humare paas mai, logon ke khet mai jake, muli nikal lete the, khera nikal lete the. Abhi bhi, jab kabhi mai kisi chote sheher mai jata hu, khet mai jaata hu, aur kisi phal ya sabzi ko dekh hu, toh khudko rok nahi pata hu.” The emotional nostalgia smoothly shifted into a highly engaging, light-hearted banter when Rajeev, holding up the heavy bunch of Chhapra bananas, asked about the local culinary delicacies one could prepare with them. Anita happily dished out a mouth-watering list of authentic Bihari recipes, explaining in the third person how he could utilize the bananas to whip up traditional smoothies, raita, sweet malpuas, and local favorites like bulbula. Amused and thoroughly intrigued by these regional culinary secrets, especially the traditional bulbula, Rajeev Khandelwal playfully sealed a promise with the contestant by promising her, “Pakka, toh yeh saari chize mai aapse hi jaake sikhunga. Kahi na kahi aapki hi receipe dhundh nikalunga mai.”