Vaibhav Tatwawadi receives COEP Abhiman Puraskar, says feels honoured

Vaibhav Tatwawadi, who was seen in Article 370 and A Wedding Story, to name a few, is an alumnus of College Of Engineering Pune Technological University. This Engineer’s Day, his college celebrated him by awarding him the COEP Abhiman Puraskar. 
He took to Instagram to share the news, and wrote, “I am truly honored and humbled to be one of the youngest recipients of the ‘COEP Abhiman Puraskar’ on this Engineer's Day. For the longest time, I've faced interviewers who, in a condescending tone, would ask, ‘If you wanted to pursue acting, why did you study engineering?’ or ‘Why waste a degree from such a prestigious college?’ I would simply take a breath and reply, ‘Engineering is not just a degree, it's an attitude.’ But deep down, I'd think, ‘Let it go-this interviewer's shallowness won't allow them to grasp the depth of my answer.’ 
He continued, “After four years in Pune, my sarcasm remains sharp; however, today, I genuinely want to address this question. Four years of engineering in this college is not just about the subjects learned; it's much more. It's about the teachings that i have received from the college about life, and the amazing batchmates, seniors, and juniors who helped shape my thought process. Today, on my film set, at every moment, the COEP engineer in me is clearly visible through the teachings I learned in college. My work ethic, my culture, my discipline, my approach - all come from COEP. If someone were to ask me, ‘If we sent you back in time through a time machine to the day you were in COEP auditorium, waiting with the admission form in hand, would you choose something else?" my answer would be ‘NO’. I would once again choose to enroll in this college and pursue engineering all over again.

Bhakti Rathod’s first Hindi play set to premiere on October 6th

Renowned actress and playwright Bhakti Rathod is all set to debut her first Hindi play, a standup comedy set to hit the stage on October 6th. Known for her impeccable comedic timing and her knack for creating quirky, relatable characters, Bhakti’s latest venture promises a hilarious yet thought-provoking experience. This standup comedy play, written by Bhakti herself, is a sharp battle of wits between its characters, offering audiences an entertaining and intelligent take on humor. True to her style, Bhakti ensures that the comedy in the play is rooted in reality, steering clear of illogical humor.
Sharing her thoughts on the play, Bhakti said, "The play is a battle of wits between the characters. A once-upon-a-time that will allow one to resonate. I believe in keeping my characters quirky with reality and thrive to serve sensible comedy without the excuse of illogical humor. For me, entertainment is always the main dish; I dislike preaching as I believe the audience is intelligent enough to conclude morals."
With this Hindi standup comedy play, Bhakti Rathod is entering new territory, having previously made her mark on the Gujarati stage. "Writing comes to me as naturally as acting, and it is my happy place. After the initial plays were received well on the Gujarati stage, my pen became confident to explore more. It is a passion I derived from being a voracious reader, and wanting to tell my stories," Bhakti added.
As the premiere date of October 6th approaches, audiences can expect a show that blends Bhakti’s signature style of quirky characters with sharp, reality-based humor, making her debut in Hindi theatre a highly anticipated event. Fans of standup comedy and theatre enthusiasts alike are in for a treat with this witty and refreshing production.

“I was destined to be an actress”, Kanika Mann reflects on her journey

Kanika Mann, known for her role in Guddan - Tumse Na Ho Payega, is a shining example of how dreams can materialise when you're determined, even if it means stepping away from the traditions of a small town. In her interview with Small Towns Big Stories, hosted by platform-agnostic storyteller Pankaj Dubey, Kanika opens up about her journey from Panipat, a city famous for its battles and rich heritage. Her roots run deep, and so do her memories of growing up there. Reflecting on her roots, she fondly remembers the warmth of home, the pachranga achaar, and the close-knit family ties. “I didn’t visit Panipat for two years, but my family often comes to Mumbai,” she says, balancing her career and personal life with grace.
What’s fascinating is Kanika’s early struggles with her family’s approval. “It was written in my destiny to be an actor, but my father wasn’t thrilled about it,” she says. In fact, her father didn’t even allow her to perform at school functions, considering it a distraction from academics. But, in a surprising twist, it was her father who helped her with her first audition, pushing her to pursue her dream. “Now he encourages me to attend events and parties,” she laughs.
Kanika’s career began with Punjabi music videos while she studied law at Panjab University. “I shot around 70-80 videos during my final year of college,” she recalls. Yet, despite her success, she misses the warmth of the Punjabi industry, though she acknowledges the professionalism of Mumbai’s entertainment scene. She offers a key piece of advice for aspiring actors: mastering the emotional balance. “I’ve cried before shoots and then had to laugh on set,” she admits. It’s all part of the job, and Kanika has learned to thrive in these moments.
On a personal note, Kanika’s strongest bond is with her sister, and she believes emotional openness, even for men, should be normalised. Today, her father, once sceptical, is her biggest mentor, teaching her resilience. “In the end, it’s just you and your journey,” she says wisely. Kanika’s rise to fame didn’t happen overnight, and she urges young actors to be patient. “Success takes time,” she advises, reminding everyone that perseverance pays off in the end. You can watch the full episode streaming on Small Towns Big Stories.

SEVENTEEN’S 12TH Mini album spill the feel to arrive on Oct 14 

K-pop icon SEVENTEEN will return with their highly anticipated 12th Mini Album SPILL THE FEELS on October 14.SEVENTEEN revealed the mysterious title of the upcoming album through a short teaser clip featuring an anagram where the phrase ‘I FELT HELPLESS’ transforms into ‘SPILL THE FEELS,’ hinting at an emotional and introspective theme of overcoming helplessness by embracing vulnerability and spilling out honest feelings. This signals another album that continues SEVENTEEN’s long-standing mission of spreading positivity and hope through their music.
Prior to the title reveal, the teaser revealed on September 13 sparked numerous speculations among fans after a scene set in a dark, eerie subway station ended with the scrambled letters of ‘I FELT HELPLESS’ displayed on a billboard, leaving the meaning shrouded in mystery. The K-pop icon also dropped a series of concept photos between the teasers, capturing the members submerged in water with their eyes closed, evoking a sense of helplessness and loneliness. Other photos show the members gazing into the camera, their faces conveying deep, meaningful expressions that exude a sense of tranquility.
The announcement of their 12th Mini Album follows the group’s history-making performance as the first K-pop headliner at Lollapalooza Berlin. SEVENTEEN will soon hit the stage again with their [RIGHT HERE] world tour, kicking off on October 12 in Korea, and continuing through the U.S., Japan, and across Asia.

Saanand Verma: I feel very fortunate that I had an underprivileged childhood

Coming from a fairly modest background, actor Saanand Verma says that he feels blessed to have got the passion to make a name for himself. The actor, who is currently part of Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, adds that at times you need that push to make it big. “My career journey has been fantastic. I've experienced many ups and downs, seeing every colour of life. I feel very fortunate that I had an underprivileged childhood and we were not financially well off. This pushed me to work very hard and understand the real meaning of life and success. I believe my journey has been phenomenal,” he says. He adds, “I believe there should be a fire in the belly to achieve something big. Without it, you cannot become a super achiever. To become a super achiever, you need to have big ambitions and a drive to excel in your career. Nobody can sit at home and achieve greatness; it requires extraordinary hard work. Success should stem from your ambitions and a broad vision. Without that, frankly speaking, it's not worth it.”
"Talking about how he divides his time, he says, 'I take opportunities as they come. I'm not particularly ambitious, but due to circumstances, I've been working very hard since childhood. Hard work has become a habit for me. Going above and beyond, and doing extraordinary things, has been ingrained in me since I was young. That's why I work hard, and by the grace of God, with my mother's blessings and the good wishes of those who admire me, I continue to receive great opportunities in life. However, the truth is that I'm not an ambitious person; I'm very laid-back. I just want to relax and enjoy life. The small things and little moments of happiness are very important to me.'He explains, "When choosing a project, I look for the opportunity that stands out in all aspects. In the creative industry, there are multiple elements to consider, and I carefully evaluate the talent of the filmmaker when deciding between options. Since cinema is primarily a director's medium, the director's skills are critical for me. I compare their vision and go with the one who is more capable. Alongside the director's expertise, the significance of my character is another key factor. If my role is impactful and integral to the narrative, it becomes a decisive criterion. These are the two main aspects I prioritize when selecting a project."

Acting, at its core, is all about expressing oneself: Ssujata Mehta

With an impressive filmography that includes iconic movies like Pratighaat, Yateem, Pratigyabadh, Gunahon Ka Devta, Hum Sab Chor Hain, 3 Deewarein, and Chitkar (Gujarati), actress Ssujata Mehta has now also started focusing on writing and training people in acting. Speaking about her endeavor, she shares, 'I have a project called Superstar Jalsa, which isn’t just about acting—it’s about self-expression.' Through this initiative, Ssujata aims to inspire individuals to unlock their creative potential.
“Acting, at its core, is all about expressing oneself. So far, I’ve led five workshops, and they’ve yielded incredible results. I’m passionate about training actors, especially drama actors, before their final shoot because I also learn a lot from them,” she added. Ssujata believes that acting can’t be taught as it is about drawing out the expressions that already exist within people. “Some individuals are fully self-expressed, while others need guidance to unlock that potential—and that’s what I enjoy doing. I hope to contribute to the acting world by writing, acting, and directing, helping others discover their own self-expression,” she said. 
For Ssujata, constructive criticism is very important. She said, “When someone comes to watch my play or performance, I always ask for constructive criticism. Of course, it can feel uncomfortable at first because, as performers, we have our own perspective on how we conceive and portray a character. And, as human beings, we can’t always be perfect.” “However, when I receive feedback, especially in theater—since it's a live medium—I take it seriously. I go home, sit with my script, and reflect on the entire performance. I also seek advice from my directors and seniors, many of whom have greatly contributed to my career,” she added. 
As an actor, she is always open to possibilities and criticism. “If I’m playing a particular character and find similar roles in other films or plays, I watch them to gain insights and make any necessary adjustments to my performance. It’s a great way to improvise and grow as an actor,” she said. “Today, actors can watch themselves on monitors during shoots, but back in the day, we didn’t have that option. I would check my performance, and if I wasn’t satisfied, I’d talk to the director about making changes. Ultimately, though, the final decision rests with the director. I follow the principle of SBT—surrender, believe, and trust in my director,” she ended.

Raviraa Bhardwaj on trending music video Saanwarey: "The Experience Has Been Exhilarating!"

Actress Raviraa Bhardwaj, who has been trending on Instagram lately for her music video Saanwarey, shares that the experience has been overwhelming. She adds that seeing so many people connect with and love the song makes all the hard work worthwhile.“The experience of seeing Saanwarey trending on Instagram has been nothing short of exhilarating. Watching the song connect with so many people, receiving their love, and seeing their creative takes through reels and stories has been incredibly rewarding. When you work on a project with so much passion and dedication, it’s a special feeling to see it resonate with the audience,” she says.
Speaking about how she joined the project, she shares, “When Divyansh Pandit first told me about Saanwarey, he emphasized how the song would showcase different and sensual shades of my persona in the most classy and glamorous way. He had a clear vision of portraying this side of me with elegance, ensuring that the sensuality was expressed in a way that felt authentic and sophisticated. His confidence in the project and belief in my ability to bring out these nuances made me even more excited to be part of Saanwarey.”
The music video boasts a captivating visual style. Discussing the behind-the-scenes efforts, she says, “Shubhankar Jadhav and Divyansh Pandit crafted a stunning vision for Saanwarey, focusing on making me look uniquely different in each outfit. Their creative approach highlighted various aspects of my persona while maintaining a cohesive and captivating aesthetic. Each look was meticulously curated to ensure every outfit brought out a new dimension of my character, making the visuals as engaging as the music itself. What made this process even more enjoyable was the incredibly supportive and friendly work environment they fostered on set. 

The rise in cardiac arrests is due to the way we live today: Shivangi Verma

Actor Vikas Sethi’s sad demise has left the whole industry in shock. He died due to a cardiac arrest on September 8. Previously, actors Rituraj Singh and Sidharth Shukla too lost their lives due to cardiac arrest. Tera Ishq Mera Fitoor actress Shivangi Verma feels that our living style is one of the reasons behind heart attacks.
She said, “Cardiac arrests are obviously much bigger health issues. I just want to say that it's important to get regular health check-ups. Hospitals offer many health check-up plans, and you can take advantage of them to stay informed about your health. If something is wrong, you can address it early and find a solution. Otherwise, if it goes unnoticed, it may be too late. So I strongly urge everyone to get regular check-ups. It’s better to catch things early when they’re minor, rather than waiting until it’s too late.”
“I believe the rise in cardiac arrests is due to the way we live today. I don’t know the exact reason for cardiac arrests, but I’m sure something is definitely wrong,” she added. Such news is definitely upsetting, and she said, “Whenever I hear about these incidents, I get scared because no one wants to hear bad news, especially about death.”
Shivangi herself has not been feeling well lately. She said, “I remember falling sick on my birthday, August 24th, due to a viral infection. It’s been two weeks now, and after Ganpati, I think the exertion got to me again. I’m coughing and have a fever. I didn’t eat anything wrong, but it feels like people are falling sick due to something in the air.”

North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja announces grand venue change for 2024

In a historic and exciting announcement, the legendary North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja, Mumbai’s grandest and oldest star-studded Durga Puja celebration, is set to mesmerize devotees at a spectacular new venue this year. From 9th to 12th October 2024, the cherished cultural and spiritual event will now unfold at the sprawling grounds of SNDT Juhu, marking a significant shift from its long-standing home at Tulip Star, Juhu.
This year's North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja promises to be a larger-than-life experience, drawing Bollywood’s biggest names to the grandeur of SNDT Juhu. Devotees and fans alike can look forward to celebrating in the presence of their beloved celebrities, including Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and many more, all making their mark on this prestigious occasion. The relocation to SNDT ensures that the fusion of Bollywood glamour and traditional devotion will be even more immersive, offering attendees a dazzling blend of faith, culture, and stardom.
”This momentous move is about honoring our rich heritage while embracing an even grander vision for the future”_ *said he members of the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Committee* _”Our devotees can expect the same deep-rooted traditions, only now in a venue that allows for an even more lavish celebration. The heart of our Puja will remain the same, but the experience will be bigger, better, and more magnificent than ever”.