Monika Singh: This Valentines Day is rather painful for me

While love is a beautiful feeling, encompassing everything around it, it can also lead to excruciating pain when it goes away. Actress Monika Singh says that this Valentine’s Day is the first one after a break up, and she is still healing from the hurt and pain.Monika, who is known for Tulsi Dham Ke Laddu Gopal, says, “Heartbreaks take time to heal. This Valentine’s Day is rather painful for me because it’s the first one after my break up. I am missing all the love, attention care, and most importantly, the person whom I loved the most. But everything happens for a reason, and I am sure there will be better days ahead,” she says.
She adds, “Love is unconditional and beyond everything for me. My life seems to be hollow and incomplete without love. It's a feeling that makes my heart skip a beat. But love is not only the romantic kind, right? This Valentine's Day, I might celebrate with my friends as they have been standing with me through so much, my pillars of strength.”Ask her how she feels love should be celebrated, and she says, “For me, celebrating love is about expressing your feelings and making your loved ones feel special. It could be through small gestures like surprise dates, heartfelt messages, or even cooking their favourite meal. There are many ways by which you can make your partner feel special.”
Love after marriage and before marriage is different, says the actress, adding, “I feel that love takes its own course, and has a life of its own. In my opinion, love after marriage is a deep and stable bond that connects both partners. It's a beautiful journey of growing together and cherishing each other's presence. But, having said that, I also feel that today the concept of love is changing gradually. People are not as unconditional as they claim to be now.” She adds, “From my experiences in love and relationships, I've learned that communication, trust, and understanding are key. It's important to listen to each other, support one another, and appreciate the little moments that make the relationship strong.”

Yashashri Masurkar: Having someone to love in my life is paramount

For actress Yashashri Masurkar, the feeling of loving and being loved is the best emotion one can feel. The actress, who is seen as Bela in Dabangii: Mulgi Aayi Re Aayi, says that, for her, there is no purer emotion than love.“For me, having someone to love in my life is paramount, and so is the feeling of being loved. I feel this feeling cannot be compared to any other emotions. It is the most profound and purest form of expression,” she says.
This Valentine’s Day, she plans to make herself feel special. “I am not dating anyone right now but yes, I am taking myself out. Loving yourself and making yourself feel special is the best kind of love I feel. Only when you love yourself, can you love those around you,” she says. Meanwhile, she says that love matures with time. “There has to be love to stay together, doesn't it? Love before marriage sets the base for you, while love after marriage is what helps a couple set their life together,” she says, adding, “You must respect your partner and give them space to relax and grow. Be a person with whom they can be themselves. That’s the best form of love you can give them. If love is true, you don’t have to fight for it. If it’s yours you will know and you will never be scared of losing it.”

Ssudeep Sahir: Love for me means being comfortable in silence

Love is all about finding the right ease and unconditional care, says actor Ssudeep Sahir. He adds that love means to be with someone and give them the space they need as well.“Love, for me, is being comfortable in silence with someone and getting happiness from little things. Giving the right amount of space and, at the same time, never letting your partner feel lonely, is what love is all about,” he says.
Talking about Valentine’s Day, he says, “For me, making Valentine's Day special for Anantica is about cherishing the little moments and showing love every day, and not just on one designated day. I believe that it's the consistent effort and small gestures that truly make her feel loved and appreciated.”
He adds, “So, this Valentine's Day, I'll continue to celebrate our love in the everyday moments that mean the most to us.” Ssudeep says that love takes its own course in one’s life. “Love before marriage is like a whirlwind romance. But love after marriage, especially with a child in the mix, takes love to a whole new level. Love after marriage, with a child, is about teamwork, patience, and unconditional love. It's a love that stretches your heart to new limits, making you realise just how incredible the journey of parenthood can be. Celebrating love is about embracing the quirks and imperfections of your partner, and finding beauty in the everyday moments you share together. It's about building a strong foundation of trust, respect, and affection,” he says.

Daanish Khan: Love has a transformative power, turns the impossible into possible

Love is a transition from I to you to we, says Daanish Khan, who is married to late music composer Naushad’s granddaughter Umarah Naushad Ali. Daanish, who is an event planner and is part of the senior management in a prominent hotel in Dubai, says that life with Umarah has been nothing much blissful, such is the power of their love.“The significance of love in my life lies in its transformative power, turning the impossible into the possible. I genuinely believe that love provides guidance and enhances every aspect of a person's journey, making them better in all aspects of life. The idea of love for me is friendship. The love that you have for your partner does pass to the phase of friendship and then she is your best friend. It's about trust, loyalty, understanding, standing with each other through thick and thin, and giving respect to each other and your loved ones and your partner's loved ones. Love is also about two people not giving up on each other when nothing goes right. They become from I and you to we,” he says.
He adds, “For me, love is synonymous with friendship. It's the journey where romantic love evolves into a deep companionship, where your partner becomes your best friend. It's built on trust, loyalty, honesty, understanding, and unwavering support through life's challenges. Love means respecting each other and embracing not only each other but also each other's loved ones.”Ask him how he plans to make Valentine’s Day special for her, and he says, “Every day spent with Umi is a treasure, as we embark on our journey as a couple, discovering new facets of each other. Whether apart or together, each moment holds its significance. While I may not have specific plans for something extraordinary, I can confidently say that every day and every morning has been filled with the magic of her presence. I just want to paint a canvas of life with a lot of beautiful memories.”
He adds, “I am relishing this current phase of life with her. One valuable lesson I've learned is that when one person is upset, the other needs to stay composed, and vice versa.” He says that he wants to promise to give her the best life and companionship possible. “I would want us to make a simple vow to each other: we'll strive to stay by each other's side until the end, navigating life's challenges together. We promise not to let outside influences interfere and to resolve our differences solely between us, continuing to love each other unconditionally,” he says.
He adds, “I have learned over time that love and human relationships are simple, it's we who make it complex. We just need to be honest and speak out and stop keeping things that we don't like to ourselves. It's ok if someone does not like it but you will be at peace that you spoke what's inside you. Through experience, I've come to realize that love and human connections are inherently simple, it's our actions that complicate them. All it takes is honesty and open communication; withholding our grievances only adds unnecessary complexity. It's alright if someone disagrees; what matters is finding peace in expressing our true feelings.”

'I keep my personal life very private': Charrul Malik

Charrul Malik, a former news anchor-turned-actor, is not one to talk about her personal life in front of the media. She feels that once a public figure starts to shield it from them it stays that way.“Personal and professional are two different words and should not be mixed. I firmly adhere to the principle in my life that personal is personal, and professional is professional. I believe it's a straightforward concept. As an actor, I don't find it challenging to shield my personal life from the media. It depends on us and what we choose to reveal. Today's media connected to Bollywood and TV are not very investigative, except for the paparazzi, and we all know they primarily follow those who are extensively popular. Otherwise, I don't think it's difficult to protect one's personal life. It's in your hands—how you shape it, deal with it, and handle it,” she said.
“I keep my personal life very private. I believe it eventually stays protected if you don't share too much. It's completely in your hands. Secondly, when you're working on set with your co-actors and the team, you should only discuss what you want. Keep your personal life to yourself and keep it protected,” she added.Charrul also emphasised that it has become a trend for some to share every aspect of their life. She believes that it does give them publicity but at the cost of their privacy.
“On social media, work-related content used to be predominant, and not everyone was as active. However, the landscape has changed, and now everyone is on social media, eager to share every aspect of their lives. It seems like we are willingly removing the layers of privacy. For instance, today I might feel like posting about myself, and tomorrow I might share family updates if it garners attention. On YouTube, people have a keen interest in the personal lives of actors. And celebrities seem to be adapting to the trend, going with the flow, and catering to an audience that craves glimpses of their personal side,” she said, adding that it becomes more important once they start trending.
“The influence of social media is evident, as everyone strives to trend, sometimes forgetting the distinction between what's considered good or bad. The desire to trend leads people to go to any extent. While some actors are strategic and cautious, thinking before sharing anything, others are more protective of their personal lives and families. However, a significant portion of the crowd seems eager to publicize every detail. It appears to be a trend that many are blindly following,” she added.
She also spoke about how new parents these days reveal their baby’s face soon after the birth. She feels this is one side of the money-driven platform that social media is.“In the past, social media didn't exist, but now they're prevalent and commercialised and everyone is aware of it. Consequently, people have become more commercially oriented. They reveal their baby's faces for likes and seek attention for their accounts. The consideration of whether or not to share such personal aspects seems to be overlooked. In my opinion, the quest for attention has led people to post their baby's faces and openly discuss them,” she said.
“Now, YouTube is also part of this trend. It has become a money-centric game for many, including celebrities. They strategically plan and become the talk of the town, consistently making headlines in newspapers, magazines, and gaining attention on social media. Undoubtedly, it's all part of the money game. On the other hand, there are individuals who remain unaware of the commercialization of social media,” she added.So where do you draw the line? “For me, I choose not to discuss my personal life. I am the one who can decide where to draw the line, and I believe I have delineated it finely by deciding to discuss only up to a certain extent. I prefer to keep my family away from public attention. I have no intention to unnecessarily highlight my family. This inclination has been intrinsic to me since day one, and I remain protective of my family, choosing not to disclose any details. My intention is simple – personal life is personal, and professional life is professional. These words themselves carry a clear and distinct meaning,” Charrul ended.

Himani Shivpuri embracing Paw-positivity on the sets of 'Happu Ki Ultan Paltan'

Himani Shivpuri, currently portraying Katori Amma in &TV's Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, is one of the most recognised and renowned actors in the Indian entertainment industry. Not many know that the veteran actress is also extremely fond of animals and goes above and beyond to feed the furry pets she has on the sets of Happu Ki Ultan Paltan. She navigates her life with her furry companions by her side and stands as a beacon of love and compassion, showcasing paw-positive attitude always.
Sharing details on adopting stray dogs, Himani Shivpuri, aka Katori Amma, commented, “Since childhood, I have been an ardent animal lover. From birds, rabbits, and cats to dogs, I have been a mother to all of them. A furry friend at home can make us smile with a simple woof and cuddle. But strays are as loving and loyal as purebred dogs and deserve the same kind of love. While everyone looks after pedigree pets, it is necessary to give a home to these stray dogs who need food, protection, and shelter. ‘Like mother, like son’ - my son Katyayan is also a big dog lover. When he was small, we had a dog named ‘Raja’, an Asian breed who unfortunately passed away due to circumstances beyond our control. Sadly, I had to hide Raja’s death from him and lie that he ran away, as he was his best friend and deeply attached to him. Wherever I go, I make dog friends. Similarly, on the sets of Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, I adopted all the stray dogs and cared for them like a mother. It’s been six years now, and all the dogs are very much attached to me. I provide them with food, water, shelter, and basic veterinary treatment. I have also named my dogs ‘Jenny’, ‘Tiger’, and ‘Scotty’. Whenever I am not on set or have a day off, I inform the team to feed them and take updates on their well-being. In my building as well, I feed two dogs regularly. My dogs enjoy my weekly special menu that includes oats, sweet potatoes, eggs, rice, and various meats (laughs).”
Talking about her pet dog, Himani Shivpuri adds, “At home, we have this beautiful Indie Labrador named Arya; she is the star of our house. I remember when Katyayan was small after Raja was gone, he insisted on getting a dog, but I always denied it. But my mother decided to fulfil his wish and suggested getting him a dog. At that time, my son brought Arya home. Arya is naturally very playful and brings a lot of joy and laughter to our home. Her antics, expressions, and playful behaviour are entertaining and lighten the mood. As an animal lover, I would suggest that if you are considering bringing a furry friend into your life, please visit local animal shelters, and rescue organizations, or check with local communities to find a stray dog in need of a loving home. You may be surprised by the immense joy and fulfilment a stray dog can bring to your life.” Watch Himani Shivpuri as Katori Amma in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan at 10:00 pm, airing every Monday to Friday only on &TV!

Power star Pawan Singh,Shivani Singh unveil their latest blockbuster song "Tikuliya Ae Raja"

Powerhouse duo Pawan Singh and Shivani Singh are set to captivate audiences once again with their latest musical masterpiece, "Tikuliya Ae Raja”. Penned by the talented Raushan Vishwash and featuring the melodious composition of Priyanshu Singh, this track promises to be an instant hit.With Shivani Singh's emotive vocals infusing depth and passion into the lyrics, and Pawan Singh's signature style adding an irresistible charm, "Tikuliya Ae Raja" promises to resonate with audiences across all demographics.
"Tikuliya Ae Raja" explores the trials and tribulations faced by married couples, delving into the common challenges that arise in relationships. The narrative follows the journey of a protagonist whose life takes a dramatic turn post-marriage. Formerly accustomed to freedom and autonomy, he finds himself entangled in the complexities of domestic life, grappling with the expectations and demands of his spouse. The song chronicles the protagonist's struggles with communication. Despite his efforts to explain his actions, misunderstandings ensue, leading to tensions within the relationship. However, the couple ultimately finds a resolution, reaffirming the enduring strength of love and commitment.
Reflecting on the song, Pawan Singh says ”'Tikuliya Ae Raja' is a reflection of the highs and lows of real-life relationships. Through its lyrics and melody, we aim to encapsulate the essence of love, understanding, and resilience in the face of adversity. I am sure many people will relate to the song and enjoy the same. Eagerly looking forward to people’s reaction to it.”

Elaborating on the significance of the song, Shivani Singh says, “Tikuliya Ae Raja' narrates a journey through the complexities of love and marriage. I was excited as the theme of the song was very relatable and I was sure that my listeners will definitely love it. It was an amazing experience making the song with Pawan and I hope people will enjoy the song as much as we enjoyed creating it.”