Makar Sankranti takes an unexpected turn in 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai '

Makar Sankranti has arrived, bringing joy and festivities to the Poddar and Malhotra households. Dadi sa has organized a grand celebration, inviting numerous guests to mark the auspicious occasion. Little do they know that the day will take unexpected turns, as Abhira finds herself on a solo adventure, creating ripples of excitement and suspense.As the celebration kicks off at the Poddar house, Abhira unexpectedly runs out onto the road, leaving Armaan frantically searching for her. The festive atmosphere is momentarily disrupted as everyone wonders about Abhira's whereabouts. Ruhi takes charge, trying to manage the situation, but chaos ensues when a voice announces that Poddar's daughter-in-law is wandering on the road, leaving Dadi as embarrassed.
Amid the celebration, trouble brews as goons target Abhira. Just in the nick of time, Vandana aka Sayli Salunkhe from the show Baatein Kuch Ankahee Si appears as Abhira's savior, and together they bravely fend off the goons. Armaan arrives later, ensuring Abhira's safety and escorting her back to the Poddar house with Vandana. With Abhira safely back, the celebration resumes at the Poddar house. Dadisa extends a warm welcome to the arriving guests, including the presence of the renowned celebrity singer, Bhoomi Trivedi. The atmosphere is filled with laughter, music, and dance, as family members join in the festivities.
However, the joyous celebration takes an unexpected turn when Abhira seizes the moment to make a startling announcement in front of the gathered guests and journalists. The atmosphere becomes tense as everyone awaits Abhira's revelation, wondering if she will once again create a mess that could disrupt the festivities. The Maha Episode of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Baatein Kuch Ankahee Si promises a rollercoaster of emotions, combining the joy of Makar Sankranti and Lohri celebrations with unexpected twists and turns. As Abhira's announcement hangs in the air, viewers are left eagerly anticipating the resolution of this dramatic moment and the impact it will have on the lives of the Poddar family.

Lohri 2024: Here's how celebs plan to celebrate the festival

Rinku Dhawan
Lohri marks the end of the winter season and is a favorable period for harvesting, especially crucial for farmers. Typically, our families gather, and together we offer prayers to the fire. It symbolizes a new year, bringing fresh starts and blessings. The celebration revolves around food, dance and drinks. This year, I'll be joining the festivities in my society, where they celebrate with great enthusiasm and worship the fire. We perform a ritual of walking seven rounds around the fire, uttering a special saying, "Jine mere til sade unne mere pap chade." It holds deep significance for us, being both auspicious and spiritual. I'm eagerly anticipating the celebrations of Lohri and Makar Sankranti.
Nikhil Nanda
Lohri holds various meanings and is highly celebrated in Punjab and surrounding areas. Initially, it marked the end of winter and a prosperous rabi crop. Over time, it has become intertwined with the folklore of "bhatti wala," who heroically saved Hindu and Sikh girls from being abducted and enslaved by the Mughals. Bhatti wala earned widespread respect for his actions. There is even a song dedicated to him and the two girls he rescued, Sundari and Mundari, as a tribute to their memory.
Aneesha Madhok
I am so proud to be a Punjabi Indian and define the culture through my existence and my art as I share my light with everyone else. Lohri is a way I have connected with my grandparents for they are truly rooted in the tradition. We all get together usually at my Nani’s home, dance around the fire burning over the wood and get rid of all negative thoughts. We do that by metaphorically throwing makhana (water Lily seeds) and other dry fruits like peanuts and cashews along with jaggery. Lohri is a time to pray to the God of Fire and ask for blessings for the family and loved ones. The festival heralds the start of harvest season and the ripening of winter crops. As someone who wants to get back to my Punjabi roots and learn farming, Lohri is important to me for it is the start of a new season!
Charrul Malik
I eagerly anticipate the arrival of Lohri, a festival that holds a special place in my heart. Since childhood, we have been celebrating this occasion, although here in Mumbai, Lohri is not much celebrated. Lohri, also known as the til-gud festival, marks a day of new beginnings as we pay homage to the fire god. It holds great significance for farmers. We celebrate by offering rewri, gajak, popcorn, and peanuts to the sacred fire as part of the festivities. This annual celebration serves as a connection to our cultural roots. Jaggery, a traditional sweet, not only adds to the festivity but also boasts health benefits. I fondly recall the tradition of tying Lohri with my brother and sister, a ritual that often came with a monetary reward. The festival is adorned with numerous cherished memories for me.
Mohit Kapoor
Lohri festival holds significant importance in Punjab and Haryana. On this day, people express gratitude to God for a good harvest and also wish for an even better one in the coming year. The story of Dulla Bhatti is also crucial to hear on this day. We used to celebrate it with our parents in childhood. In our childhood, we used to go to different people for collection of wood, dry fruits, money etc and then we used to have the ritual in the evening and sing "Sunder Mundriye Ho!" song. This time we are planning to have a small rooftop event. It is customary to distribute sweets, especially til (sesame seeds), gur (jaggery), and peanuts during Lohri. These items are considered auspicious and symbolize abundance.
Angad Hasija
Lohri always meant family time to me. This festival to me is all about positivity, vibrancy, and looking forward to an even better tomorrow. Lohri has always been celebrated in a big way at home ever since I can remember. Gajak that is typically prepared and shared around Lohri is a hot favorite with me. The bonfire is the perfect way to celebrate. We wear colorful clothes. It is an important festival for punjabis. I have fond memories of Lohri.
Sheeba Akashdeep
Lohri is an opportunity for social bonding with family and friends, which gives us a sense of unity and festivity, making it one of the most cherished festivals in India. Lohri to me is like a thanksgiving. My favorite part of this festival is enjoying dishes like Sarso da saag, makki di roti, jaggery (gur), and sesame seeds with everyone because Punjab is famous for its delicious food. On Lohri, it's a good idea to share more yummy dishes and sweets with your family and neighbors. Also, don't forget to sing along to traditional folk music and dance around the bonfire – it makes the evening even more enjoyable!

Pranati Rai Prakash nostalgically takes us down memory lane in the Northeast

Pranati Rai Prakash, known for her versatile roles on screen, took a moment to reflect on the simplicity and beauty of life that often gets overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of the world. In an enchanting journey through time, actress Pranati Rai Prakash recently shared a glimpse into her early life memories, specifically the days she spent immersed in the tranquil landscapes of the Northeast. Pranati's heartfelt journey down memory lane began with a profound expression of gratitude towards her father, whose job postings led the family to experience the unique charm of the beautiful cities across India.
The shared images showcased Pranati wandering through the serene beauty of the Northeast, capturing the essence of her surroundings. From lush greenery to mist-covered hills to enhancing the beauty, or even posing and enjoying a cup of tea, each photograph painted a vivid picture of the actress getting lost in the tranquility of nature.
Her message conveyed a deep appreciation for the moments spent in the lap of nature, far removed from the trending chaos of the world.
In her heartfelt message accompanying the photos, Pranati Rai Prakash wrote, "Favorite times are always in peace, in nature, with good people, listening to Passengers, Beatles, Cold Play, Ed Sheeran, John Denver. #throwback to times in the northeast where I spent a year, thanks to my father’s postings to the most unique places that I revisit through pictures and memories when what the world’s trending on is not what I’m fascinated with but the surreal beauty of nature and simplicity. #happyvalley #Shillong #Kohima #northeast #India."

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2ABhuZIGwL/?igsh=MXAwam5ybW5xcmM1

The well travelled actress is often seen posting on the importance of travel and the learning it brings along with the peace of mind and knowledge on cultures across the country. Through her journey, she invites her audience to appreciate the quiet beauty that often goes unnoticed in the whirlwind of modern life.

Actor Sagar Parekh shares his Jhalak Dikhla Ja experience 

Actor Sagar Parekh is one of the wildcard contenders who got an entry to the show through his performance last week.Sharing his far journey in Jhalak he says, "It has been surprising and amazing. Almost like a dream because I am doing such things in life that I never imagined. And it is a surprise for me also. I didn't know that I could do such stunts and lift humans like that. Lifts and tricks, also dancing, on a professional level with every step in a professional way.”
Asked about his first performance in the show he adds, "I got an amazing response to my first performance. Everybody was shocked because being a non dancer they were not expecting a lot from me. But my performance came out to be really surprising for them and it was amazing. Everybody loved it. I got encouraging comments from all the judges and the channel. And of course my fans loved it more than ever as they witnessed something for the first time.”
During his rehearsals Sagar also hurt his feet on which he says, "When I started doing Jhalak and rehearsing for the first time my skin below my feet got peeled off and I couldn't even walk. But these excuses were not going to help me in any way. I had to just keep on dancing and practicing and rehearsing. I had so many scratches on my hand. I had swollen legs and muscle strain injuries and so many things that the list is neverending. But with lots of hard work, dedication and consistency I continued. I had to prove to everyone that yes, I can do what I am doing and what I am here for.”
After doing Anupamaa, which earned him a lot of popularity as an actor, Sagar is working hard to showcase his talent in Jhalak. It’s time for his fans to show him the most support and help him through voting.

Farnaz Shetty opens up on web series VideoCam Scam

Actress Farnaz Shetty is on cloud nine! Her debut web series VideoCam Scam has been recently released and has got a great welcome by her fans. She says that people want to know more about the topic it’s based on - sextortion. “If I talk about the video cam scam, it's a recent subject that everyone is struggling with and people are not open about it on sextortion. Previously, it used to be extortion and now sextortion because it’s easily available and its a breach of trust. People do sometimes, between the couple, sometimes it just happens to any random people. People have rackets where they do such scams to threaten innocent people. So we focused on all the aspects of the subject,” she says.
While she did not relate to the character, it added to the fun of playing her on screen, she says. “Why I chose to do this was because I honestly felt that this character is nowhere close to me. When I heard about this subject, I was like ‘aisa bhi kuch hota hai?’ No one in my circle of friends, never ever happened to talk on this subject. So, for me, it was really new. I never knew that something like sextortion also happens and people are victimised so brutally. And in my real life, I definitely cannot be a scammer. But onscreen, if I get a chance like this, it's fun to do. It's always fun to play negative roles because they have so many layers and shades to it. So for that reason I felt that this is something I want to do and it just grabbed my attention,” she says.
Talking about her character, she says, “My character name is Sweety. I live with two of my friends. One is Sonu and Titu . So these three of them live in disguise. They want an easy life. They are failures. College dropouts. The stupid idea pops into their head and that gives them a kick, a kick where they can make easy money without going anywhere, without doing anything and that's how they start scamming people and they choose that easy life for them.”
She says that this series is very different from all that is out there on OTT. “The first thing is that sextortion has never been covered so far. It's a very deep and recent subject where actresses Rashmika Mandana and Alia Bhatt and all these actresses got trapped in Deepfake but we made our project before that. So it's a recent subject that everybody is very scared about but people don't come in and talk about it openly. Even the real victims and real people who have not done it and yet they become the victim of these scammers and that's why the subject stands out. It’s a very sensitive subject and I'm really happy to be associated with something like that which will get alot of awareness to the audience and I myself have learnt so much from it,” she says.
Ask her how it was to work with actors Rajniesh Duggal, Amruta Khanvilkar, and Aradhana Sharma, and she says, “I had an incredible working relationship with producer Pavan Malu, director Vaibhav Khisti, DOP Amey, Actor Rajneish Duggall , Amruta Khanvilkar, Kunj Anand, Aradhana Sharma, all these were amazing. We worked like a family. The kind of bond we share on and off screen is incredible. In fact, off screen producers and everybody made us so comfortable that we never felt like we had associated only for this project. The bond was and is so thick. They gave us all the comfort that comes on screen when you see us perform and it was such a great experience to share screen with all of them.”

Aakhri Sach actor Shivin Narang’s new music video is a delight for the audience

In the enchanting melody of Baarish Ke Mausam Mein, Shivin Narang and Priya Banerjee set the screen ablaze with their sizzling chemistry. As raindrops fall, their magnetic connection unfolds in a visually captivating music video. Shivin, acclaimed for his striking looks, steals the spotlight, seamlessly embodying the essence of romance.
Drawing from his previous notable works, such as his charismatic performances in film like “Goodbye” starring Amitabh Bacchan and shows like “Aakhri Sach”, "Beyhadh 2" and "Internet Wala Love," Shivin's versatility as an actor shines through, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of viewers. His ability to convey emotions with depth and authenticity adds a unique charm to every role he undertakes.

In Baarish Ke Mausam Mein, Shivin elevates the narrative with his on-screen charisma, creating a memorable visual experience. The music video becomes a canvas for his expressive storytelling, and his collaboration with Priya Banerjee amplifies the magic of the song, making it a captivating visual and auditory delight.

Karan Sharma on being part of Udaariyan

Actor Karan Sharma, who has joined the cast of Udaariyan, says that he loves the storyline of the show. He says that he found his character graph extremely interesting.“When I heard the story and my character's narration, I found it very interesting. First of all, I'm playing a Muslim guy from Pakistan, so portraying a Pakistani character is entirely new for me. It's also my second time playing a Muslim role after many years. The first time was in my debut show, 'Pyaar ka Bandhan’. This role, however, is different. The character is in my age group, and I'm portraying a more mature guy. That's what makes it intriguing. I accepted this role because it's challenging and involves a variety of events. It's a character that requires a lot of energy. So, I found it interesting and agreed to take on the role,” he says.
Talking about his character, he says, “The character I am playing is Murtazim, who is associated with the royal family and has a political background. The character is deeply rooted in the political happenings of Pakistan.”Working with producer duo Ravie Dubey and Sargun Mehta is wonderful, he says, adding, “This is the first time that I am working with Ravie and Sargun. Working with them is exciting because they are not only part of my friend circles but have also transitioned from actors to successful producers. They are doing exceptionally well in their field. The way they manage their team and show dedication and love for their work is commendable. If every producer follows their example, the industry will thrive. I am delighted to be a part of their production house..”
The actor is currently shooting for the show in Chandigarh. “Indeed, it's very cold in Chandigarh, and shooting outdoors in such low temperatures, especially at night, poses a challenge. The first day was quite challenging and a bit hectic due to a late-night shoot. However, I am coping well, and while it's a different experience, I have no regrets. Health is a priority, and I am taking it as a healthy challenge.”
Meanwhile, Karan says that he loves being an actor. “The best part of being an actor in a daily soap is the opportunity to portray a wide range of emotions in a single day. Despite the long working hours, it's fulfilling to engage in various scenes, from action to romance, making it an enjoyable experience. Looking back, I see growth in my acting career from my arrival in Mumbai in 2008. Despite facing ups and downs, especially in my personal life affecting my professional life, things have stabilized since 2020. I am in a happy space, and my career is progressing positively.”
What next? Well, he says, “In my bucket list as an actor, I want to explore comedy, which I haven't done much in television. I come from a theatre background, and I would love to bring my experience in comedy to the small screen. Additionally, working in web series and films is on my list, and I've already started working on some exciting projects in the web space. Currently, I am content with my role in 'Udaariyaan,' and I am eager to see how the audience responds to it.”