XG sell-out Shanghai performance as new single sees global chart success

XG's world tour, which has seen a surge in sold-out tickets, experienced a rapid sell-out for their Shanghai performance, with over 160,000 purchase requests in just one second! Their latest song, "SOMETHING AIN'T RIGHT," has made a strong global debut and is off to a flying start!
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XG, the hip-hop/R&B-inspired girl group, is achieving remarkable success with their latest song "SOMETHING AIN'T RIGHT," released on July 26, the follow-up to their previous hit "WOKE UP." "SOMETHING AIN'T RIGHT" serves as the first pre-release track from XG's upcoming second mini-album, set to drop on November 8. This track features a retro vibe built on garage rhythms, showcasing addictive refrains that highlight each of the seven members' unique personalities. It also blends minimalism with diverse sounds hidden within the track. The song is directly produced by JAKOPS (SIMON JUNHO PARK), the representative and Executive Producer of XGALX, infusing it with XG's originality and creating music that inspires everyone to dance, regardless of age or gender, The music video, released on the same day as the song, visually represents "XG living their daily lives while concealing their alien instincts." It depicts a sudden reveal of XG’s special abilities while disguised as humans, leading to chaos in the city.

In less than a week since its release, the music video has surpassed 5 million views and ranked on the YouTube trending charts in 13 countries and regions, including first in Japan, ninth in Brazil, and eleventh in the UK, drawing global attention right from its debut. On the iTunes Song Chart (Dance), the song ranked first in 14 countries and regions, including the United States and Saudi Arabia. In the iTunes Song Chart (Overall), it reached the top 100 in 18 countries, securing first in Singapore and third in Japan, showcasing its popularity. Fans have taken to social media to express their excitement, commenting:
"It's so addictive that I can't stop listening!"
"This is the perfect summer song!"
"The gap from 'WOKE UP' is incredible! I can't help but get hooked!"
"It’s going to be so much fun to sing live!"
Their enthusiasm suggests great potential for future success.

Having a true friend nowadays is a blessing: Jhumma Mitra
 

With International Friendship Day just around the corner, Jhumma Mitra, who plays Padma in Prateek Sharma and Parth Shah’s Studio LSD’s Pyaar Ka Pehla Adhyaya: Shiv Shakti, believes true friends are very rare these days.She said, “With the lack of time and our ever-rising busy schedules, having a true friend nowadays is a blessing; it is what keeps us grounded and connected to reality, be it on screen or off screen. Friends are very important.” She stressed that, for her, honesty is very important in friendship. She added, “As an actor, the whole world praises you and gives you a sense of superiority, but a friend is someone who should be honest enough to point out your good and bad qualities rather than creating a fake cocoon of only praise; he or she should keep your ego in check and make you humble.” 
Jhumma has two best friends: Roma Sinha, my childhood friend, and Niveen Ramani, my bestie from the entertainment world, and she shares everything with them. She said that there are times that she doesn’t speak to her childhood bestie for months because of her busy schedules, but at the end of the day, she knows they are there for each other no matter what. She added, “Thanks to social media and all the messaging apps that allow video calling, keeping in touch is not very difficult, but being truthful rather than making excuses for not keeping in touch helps maintain a healthy friendship.” 
In her ongoing show, she made friends with Parineeta Borthakur, who was seen as Mandira in the show. “Our friendship was very evidently seen in our scenes too, and we have had many fans compliment our onscreen Jodi, so a great friend on set always makes work more fun, and the outcome is amazing too,” she said. 
She also pointed out that the characters’s friendships in the show are obviously fabricated by the writers. She said, “On screen, Padma is a selfish, self-centered person who only makes friends to get something out of the other person. Except for Mandira, who has become a very dear friend, and I couldn't stop my tears on her last day of shooting. But in reality, Jhumma is nowhere close to Padma in her nature. If I make friends, it's for life, and I'm very choosy about making friends.”

As life changes, new friends come and go, says Hansa Singh on Friendship's Day

Actress, tarot card reader, healer and occultist Hansa Singh, who has been part of projects like Human, Criminal Justice 3 and the film Goodbye, says that at different points in life, we encounter different people and they become our friends. The actress adds that she has a few people, currently part of her life, who are her biggest support system.
“I'm very particular about the meanings of words like family, friendship, and love. They carry a lot of weight, and I can't use them loosely. The significance of ‘friendship’ is particularly important in my life. As a child, I believed that school friends were best friends for life, but that hasn't always been the case. As life changes, new friends come and go,” she says.
She adds, “In today's scenario, if I were to consider friends like family, I have two: Munisha Khatwani and Dr. Veena Shinde. Munisha and I have been through everything together, standing by each other in good times and bad. Dr. Veena Shinde has been a constant presence since I began my life in Mumbai. We share our love, sorrows, and the ups and downs of life, always encouraging and supporting each other. These two are my friends and family in Amchi Mumbai.”

Friendship is unique because it’s the only relationship you create for yourself: Shiwani Chakraborty

Actress Shiwani Chakraborty, who is currently seen in the show Maati Se Bandhi Dor, says that her friends will always be special for her. She adds that she is very particular about how she chooses her friends.“Friends are the best part of life. God has made every relationship, and some are said to be made in heaven. But friendship is unique because it’s the only relationship you create for yourself. It's a gift that we get to choose our friends, and choosing the right ones is a very important task. Sometimes we become friends without much thought or judgment, but in this world, it's crucial to be clear about who should be your friend and who shouldn't. It may sound harsh, but it's necessary, especially for emotional people like me,” she says.
She adds, “You don't need to have a lot of friends; having a bunch of friends is great, but the best friend is always one because ‘best’ is singular. For me, friendship is a bond that can exist with anyone—your mother, sister, brother, or anyone else. Your best friend could be someone from your nursery days to college or even for life. What's essential in a friend is that they don't judge you. Friendship is a beautiful relationship to celebrate.”
Talking about her best friend, she says, “I have a best friend, Simran Wadhwa, who has been with me since nursery school. We didn't know how it started; maybe we were just sitting together on a bench, sharing something through little gestures. As we grew up, we realised that we were best friends in every situation—school, college, tuition, coaching, and whatever came our way. We were partners in crime in our hometown. Simran's name brings back so many memories, especially since I'm a filmy girl. She's happily married now, living in Bangalore with her family, but those memories of giggling, laughing, teasing, and all the crazy stuff from school remain.”
She adds, “About ten or twelve years after school, we met again. It was hectic; I remember rushing from a shoot, and she was in Mumbai with her friends. It was raining, but I made sure we met. The same energy, smile, and innocence were still there. There are so many stories from school, but one I’ll share is about a picnic; I even have a picture from it.” She wishes that everyone finds such a good friend. “I wish everyone finds a great best friend, whether in your family, school, or college. I feel blessed to have good friends, not many, but a few who are very close to me. We love each other without judgment or grudges. Happy Friendship Day!” she says.

Star-Studded launch party for Ali Asgar and Bakhtyar M Irani’s "Chuddy Buddy" podcast

The vibrant city of Mumbai witnessed a star-studded affair as renowned entertainers Ali Asgar and Bakhtyar M Irani hosted a party to celebrate the launch of their much-anticipated podcast, "Chuddy Buddy", held at the Baamee, Andheri on 1st August. This unique podcast promises a hilarious, witty, and interesting take on friendships, ensuring listeners are entertained and engaged with every episode.
The atmosphere was electric as celebrities from across the industry gathered to show their support and join in the festivities. The guest list featured an array of well-known personalities, including Poonam Pandey, Tannaz Irani, Delnaaz Irani, Krushna Abhishek and Kashmera Shah, Ayub Khan, Manasi Rach, Vivek Dahiya, Celebrity astrologer Ajay ludhra, Ridhiema Tiwari and Jaskiran Singh Gautam Rode, Navina Bole, Narayani Shastri, Mitaali Nag, Sherlyn Chopra, Donal Bisht, Pranitaa Pandit, VIP, Vaquar Shaikh, Geeta Kapur,, Rupesh Sonar and Palash Dutta.
As guests mingled, shared laughs, and got a sneak peek into the hilarious, witty, and heartfelt journey that " Chuddy Buddy " promises to be. Ali Asgar and Bakhtyar M Irani , known for their impeccable comedic timing and magnetic personalities, did not disappoint. They shared snippets from their upcoming episodes, teasing the crowd with the kind of humor and insight that only they can deliver. Their playful banter and genuine camaraderie hinted at the magic listeners can expect from each podcast episode.
"Chuddy Buddy" dives deep into the nuances of friendships, offering a refreshing take that's both entertaining and relatable. The podcast will premiere on the YouTube channel "Madiranis by Tannaz / Bakhtyar," with new episodes dropping every Friday at 12 noon, starting from August 2. Fans are in for a treat as Ali and Bhaktyar bring their signature style to stories that celebrate the essence of friendship.