Working parents’ delight
Rajkummar Rao turned proud husband and delighted new father at the Jagran Film Festival, where he accepted an award on behalf of his wife, actor Patralekhaa for her performance in Ananth Mahadevan’s Phule. With Patralekhaa still in hospital after the birth of their daughter on November 15, Raj praised her talent, saying she has always excelled whenever opportunities came her way. He added that he was eager to return to the hospital “where both my darlings are waiting for me.” Raj dedicated the award to their newborn and to girls everywhere, calling it a tribute to those striving every day to build their own futures.
Inspired by Tom and Jerry
Priyadarshan
Filmmaker Priyadarshan, known for delivering some of Indian cinema’s most loved comedies like Hulchul (2004), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), among others, revealed the one work that still makes him laugh: Tom and Jerry. Speaking while receiving the Jagran Achiever’s Award at the Jagran Film Festival, he said his sense of humour was shaped not by films but by comics, and cartoons like Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. He said, “There’s a child in every man’s mind,” he added that Tom and Jerry continues to inspire his approach to slapstick and comedy, noting that making people laugh is “the most difficult thing” because humour must connect instantly.
All is well
Dharmendra and Anil Sharma
Director Anil Sharma has offered reassuring news for fans concerned about veteran actor Dharmendra’s health. Speaking at the Jagran Film Festival Awards, the filmmaker, who has enjoyed a long association with the Deol family, said the actor is “doing much better than before” and requested the audience to continue praying for his full recovery. Sharma added that if his health permits, Dharmendra’s 90th birthday on December 8 will be celebrated with great enthusiasm. Sharma previously collaborated with Dharmendra on Apne (2007), which also starred the actor’s sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. Reportedly he has been working on Apne 2, which is set to go on floors soon.
Craving pyaar at the box-office
(L-R) Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh in ‘De De Pyaar De 2’
Actors Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh’s De De Pyaar De 2 has registered an opening weekend total of R34.75 crore at the domestic box-office. The sequel, directed by Anshul Sharma, has performed better than Ajay’s recent release Son of Sardaar 2 but is trailing behind De De Pyaar De (2019), which opened at R39 crore, including paid previews, and went on to earn Rs 104.13 crore in India. While the new film benefits from Ajay and R Madhavan’s reunion after Shaitaan (2024), its start at the box-office remains comparatively modest. With multiple releases set to arrive in the coming weeks, the film’s long-term prospects may be tested.