
Dharma Productions responds to abuse allegations against 'Homebound' crew
The allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women surfaced on social media platforms, prompting Shah to delete his Instagram account amid a backlash.
To this, the production has said no formal complaints were made against Shah.
"At Dharma Productions, we have a zero-tolerance policy against inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment toward any individual working with us in any capacity, and we treat sexual harassment cases very seriously," the company said in a statement.
It also said that Shah, who worked as a freelance cinematographer on Homebound, was engaged for a limited duration.
The production house emphasised that during this period, no complaints were filed with the internal committee established under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment guidelines.
Homebound, which was the only Indian film to be featured at this year's Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, has garnered significant international attention.
The film, produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, received a standing ovation after its Cannes screening.
The film stars an ensemble cast, including Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


UAE Moments
8 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Six Bollywood Movies Like 'Saiyaara'
The 2025 film Saiyaara captured hearts with its poignant story of love and mesmerizing soundtrack. If you're still thinking about it days later, you're not alone. The haunting music and raw chemistry between the leads left a lasting impression on fans of tragic romance. For those yearning for more stories in the same emotional vein, here are six Bollywood movies that feel just like Saiyaara —deeply romantic, heartbreakingly beautiful, and unforgettable. 1. Aashiqui 2 (2013) This timeless musical tragedy is the go-to recommendation for Saiyaara fans. Starring Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor, Aashiqui 2 tells the story of a successful singer whose personal demons and love life collide in a heart-wrenching crescendo. Much like Saiyaara, its soundtrack is iconic, and the narrative leaves a lasting emotional impact. 2. Lootera (2013) Set in the 1950s, Lootera is a visually stunning period romance starring Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha. The story unfolds slowly but surely, layering themes of betrayal, healing, and longing. Its poetic tone and tragic ending resonate deeply with fans of bittersweet love stories like Saiyaara. 3. Rockstar (2011) Ranbir Kapoor delivers one of his most powerful performances in Rockstar, a film that explores the pain of love through the eyes of an artist. The music by A.R. Rahman is unforgettable, and the story's emotional arc will hit hard if you connect with Saiyaara 's emotional intensity. 4. Sanam Teri Kasam (2016) This underrated romantic drama starring Harshvardhan Rane and Mawra Hocane is a rollercoaster of emotions. With an old-school love story, dramatic twists, and a tear-jerking conclusion, Sanam Teri Kasam is perfect for fans of passionate and painful love tales. 5. Ek Villain (2014) Ek Villain mixes thriller and tragedy to tell a powerful love story. Sidharth Malhotra and Shraddha Kapoor's chemistry, combined with a tragic turn of events and a memorable soundtrack (especially 'Galliyan'), makes this a must-watch for anyone moved by Saiyaara 's intensity. 6. Shiddhat (2021) A modern-day take on soulmates and fate, Shiddhat explores how far someone can go for love. With layered storytelling, beautiful visuals, and emotional performances by Sunny Kaushal and Radhika Madan, this film feels like a spiritual cousin to Saiyaara. If Saiyaara made you believe in the beauty and pain of love, these six Bollywood films will continue that emotional journey. From tearful finales to sweeping soundtracks, each movie offers something special for those who crave cinematic romance that lingers long after the credits roll.


Khaleej Times
9 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Vidya Balan, Karan Johar: Bollywood stars with the biggest weight-loss stories
The flip side of fame is scrutiny, of what you wear and what you eat, of what you look like at your most vulnerable and at what you consider your best. And in the world of showbiz, where size zeros are 'just right', the quote 'you can never be too rich or too thin' seems to hold more, well, weight than ever before. Today we are armed with more solutions to those annoying extra pounds than ever before, and as usual it's a star-studded clientele that's showing the first effects. In the past few months, transformations have been popping up all over social media, with everyone from Bollywood's super director Karan Johar to Vidya Balan, posing for slimmer pictures. Here's a look at the A-listers on the fit list, and how they got there: Vidya Balan While the Kahaani actress has always had a legion of followers for her versatility on screen, she's had just as many admirers for her relatable figure. Recently, however, she was seen on the cover of The Peacock Magazine wearing a much more svelte form, stunning fans and sparking speculation about her bowing to industry pressure. However, the Bhool Bhulaiyaa star has been open about her weight issues, insisting in interviews that her weight-loss wasn't a result of injectables or physical stress, it is a result of her adopting an anti-inflammatory diet. 'I realised I wasn't just carrying fat; it was inflammation,' she was quoted as saying by EasternEye. Karan Johar The Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani director has spoken about his issues with body dysmorphia – obsession with perceived flaws on one's body – before, which is why when fans saw a thinner, more gaunt-looking Johar on Instagram, they expressed concern. However, Johar was quick to dismiss a person asking if he had used diabetes medication Ozempic to slim down his waistline on X. Instead, he said, he was trying the One Meal a Day (OMD) diet along with exercise sessions to better his health. He explained in an interview with Raj Shamani that the changes – eating one meal a day at 8.30pm, eliminating lactose, glucose, and gluten – had left him 20kilos lighter. Boney Kapoor At 69, one would assume a sluggish metabolism would keep weight static. But it isn't so for the late Bollywood actress Sridevi's husband, who has managed to shed 26 kilos, according to media reports. TimesNow quoted paparazzi as saying that Kapoor had used a strict diet plan, which included fruits, juices, and soups, to slim down. He showed off his new look on Instagram, captioning his post: 'Feels great to get into some old clothes. lost 26kgs, just a few more to go. Sharing this for those who need motivation. Do it. It's worth it! If l can, anybody can!' Feeling inspired yet? Ram Kapoor While this 56-year-old actor has often had to field insults for his weight, he kept silent, put his head down and decided to do the work. At 56, the man is rocking a body of one much younger, and as he explained to Indian anchor Cyrus Broacha, it's because he had a shift in mindset. 'You have to have the mindset of a healthy person,' he said. He has invested in a gym in his home and become a regular. The result: a 55kilo lighter Kapoor who is making headlines. Kapil Sharma Sharma has been a bit of a weight shuffler in the past, but this time, he's hoping it will stick. When he was spotted earlier this year walking around with a much sleeker silhouette, everyone wanted to know how he did it. Fortunately, his trainer Yogesh Bhateja offered up some clues. According to a report in Times of India, the Indian TV show host took on the 21-21-21 challenge, where for the first 21 days one focuses on incorporating a daily workout into one's schedule; the next 21 days on mindful eating and making healthy choices; and the last 21 days to focus on the psychological aspect of eating. This reportedly led to him dropping 11kilos in 60 days. Kusha Kapila Actor-influencer Kapila has struggled with her weight for most of her life. The star has spoken about being fat-shamed in interviews and about how it led to her body dysmorphia. She has over the years followed crash diets or strict regimens interspersed with periods of bingeing. This year, however, Kapila is hoping for a different outcome after shedding some pounds. The 33-year-old was quoted as saying by Live Min: 'For the first time in my life, I felt like I wanted to lose weight for myself. I told myself—'You are by yourself now. You're responsible for everything that happens in your life. Take care of yourself, because no one else is coming.'" Baadshah For a rapper – or singer of any description – it's important to stay fit because their craft depends on it. That control over lung power that allows you to spit fire requires a certain degree of robustness. So when Baadshah found himself gasping for air ahead of a live show during the pandemic, he began to reevaluate his life choices. He also realised that he suffered from sleep apnoea, a condition where you stop breathing while you nap. This disrupts the flow of oxygen to one's body and results in exhaustion (no matter how many hours you snooze). This year, the Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai artiste debuted a much fitter look than before. He apparently lost 20 kilos, which drew questions about the use of Ozempic, which he has denied. He told NDTV that his new physique is a result of portion control, clean eating, and regular workouts. Fardeen Khan His stint in 2024 Netflix show Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar has won him plaudits for his acting as well as his fitness levels, but Khan has over the years struggled with his weight. In 2016, he called out trolls who made fun of his physicality, saying he wasn't ashamed of it. However, as he grew older – he turned 51 this year in March – he realised that he needed to follow a healthier path. He told ETimes that he dropped 18kg in six months in October last year, because 'In the work that we do in our industry, you are expected to look your best and you indeed want to look your best.' How? Why, through diet and exercise of course. Sara Ali Khan She's made waves with stints in series such as Murder Mubarak and movies like Metro in Dino, but it's the changes she's made in her personal life that speaks volumes about the kind of commitment she has to her profession. The daughter of actors Amrita Singh and Saif Ali Khan grew up in a film-fuelled family and had a great desire to act in movies, but her weight kept her away from the big screen. At one point, the five-foot-four-inch star weighed 91kg. She has the hormonal disorder Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which kept her from achieving her goal weight for the longest time. However, with grit, determination – and the help of trainers – she began to heal and get fit. In the end, she said goodbye to about 45 kilos. She's not been shy about sharing her journey, inspiring others to begin theirs too. Ganesh Acharya As a choreographer and director, Acharya has a demanding, often unpredictable schedule. Over the years, this led to him putting on a lot of weight – in 2015, he had hit 200 kilos. Realising that something had to give, Acharya used diet and lifestyle to turn things around. He lost about 98 kilos in one-and-a-half years, a look he debuted on The Kapil Sharma Show in 2020. The best part: he's kept it off. Now if that's not inspiring what is?


Khaleej Times
10 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
State of play in Trump's tariffs, threats and delays
Dozens of economies including India, Canada and Mexico face threats of higher tariffs Friday if they fail to strike deals with Washington. Here is a summary of duties President Donald Trump has introduced in his second term as he pressures allies and competitors alike to reshape US trade relationships. Global tariffs US "reciprocal" tariffs -- imposed under legally contentious emergency powers -- are due to jump from 10 percent to various steeper levels for a list of dozens of economies come August 1, including South Korea, India and Taiwan. The hikes were to take effect July 9 but Trump postponed them days before imposition, marking a second delay since their shock unveiling in April. A 10 per cent "baseline" levy on most partners, which Trump imposed in April, remains in place. He has also issued letters dictating tariff rates above 10 percent for individual countries, including Brazil, which has a trade deficit with the United States and was not on the initial list of higher "reciprocal" rates. Several economies -- the European Union, Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines -- have struck initial tariff deals with Washington, while China managed to temporarily lower tit-for-tat duties. Certain products like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber are excluded from Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs, but may face separate action under different authorities. This has been the case for steel, aluminum, and soon copper. Gold and silver, alongside energy commodities, are also exempted. Excluded too are Mexico and Canada, hit with a different set of tariffs, and countries like Russia and North Korea as they already face sanctions. Canada, Mexico Canadian and Mexican products were hit by 25 percent US tariffs shortly after Trump returned to office, with a lower rate for Canadian energy. Trump targeted both neighbors over illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking, also invoking emergency powers. But trade negotiations have been bumpy. This month, Trump said Canadian goods will face a higher 35 percent duty from August 1, and Mexican goods will see a 30 percent level. Products entering the United States under the USMCA North American free trade pact, covering large swaths of goods, are expected to remain exempt -- with Canadian energy resources and potash, used as fertilizer, to still face lower rates. China focus Trump has also taken special aim at China. The world's two biggest economies engaged in an escalating tariffs war this year before their temporary pullback. The countries imposed triple-digit duties on each other at one point, a level described as a trade embargo. After high level talks, Washington lowered its levies on Chinese goods to 30 percent and Beijing slashed its own to 10 percent. This pause is set to expire August 12, and officials will meet for further talks on Monday and Tuesday in the Swedish capital Stockholm. The US level is higher as it includes a 20 percent tariff over China's alleged role in the global fentanyl trade. Beyond expansive tariffs on Chinese products, Trump ordered the closure of a duty-free exemption for low-value parcels from the country. This adds to the cost of importing items like clothing and small electronics. Autos, metals Trump has targeted individual business sectors too, under more conventional national security grounds, imposing a 25 percent levy on steel and aluminum imports which he later doubled to 50 percent. The president has unveiled plans for a 50 percent tariff on copper imports starting August 1 as well and rolled out a 25 percent tariff on imported autos, although those entering under the USMCA can qualify for a lower rate. Trump's auto tariffs impact vehicle parts too, but new rules ensure automakers paying vehicle tariffs will not also be charged for certain other duties. He has ongoing investigations into imports of lumber, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals that could trigger further duties. Legal challenges Several legal challenges have been filed against the tariffs Trump invoked citing emergencies. The US Court of International Trade ruled in May that the president had overstepped his authority, but a federal appeals court has allowed the duties to remain while it considers the case. If these tariffs are ultimately ruled illegal, companies could possibly seek reimbursements.