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Close friend John Abraham ghosted me in time of need, says Bobby Darling: ‘He didn't even reply to my texts, how can someone be so rude?'

Close friend John Abraham ghosted me in time of need, says Bobby Darling: ‘He didn't even reply to my texts, how can someone be so rude?'

Indian Express08-07-2025
Bollywood is no stranger to friends turning into foes and the fallout of once-warm camaraderies. As unfortunate as such incidents are, the industry has witnessed many over the years. While some of these stories reached the public eye, quite a few others remained confined within the four walls of the industry. Recently, trans actor Bobby Darling shared one such story, recalling how her close friendship with John Abraham faded away.
Opening up about her career and cinematic journey, Bobby shared that it was director N Chandra's Style (2001) that put her on the map. She also mentioned that working on the project gave her two invaluable gifts: actor-model Riya Sen and her mother, veteran thespian Moon Moon Sen, whom she described as her 'second home' during an interview. Bobby further revealed that it was Riya who introduced her to John Abraham.
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'He's very humble, down to earth and sweet. But he doesn't talk to me anymore, nor does he respond to my messages. There was a time when the three of us would go to Prithvi Theatre to have chicken dhansak, a Parsi dish. He liked it a lot. We also used to go to movies often. That time has passed. But what hurt me the most was when I texted him a year or two ago saying I wished to meet him, he didn't even reply. How can someone be so rude? He could have at least acknowledged the text,' she shared during a chat with Bollywood Thikana.
'You interact even with rickshaw pullers… but when an old friend, who once supported you, reaches out, you should at least send a reply. Even if it's just, 'I'm busy, we'll meet some other time', do send it,' she added. She explained that she is looking for work and has been facing hardship. Known for films like Maine Dil Tujhko Diya (2002), Chalte Chalte (2003), Tum? A Dangerous Obsession (2004), Page 3 (2005), Kyaa Kool Hain Hum (2005) and Navarasa (2005), Bobby Darling was most recently seen in the Bengali television soap opera Krishnakoli.
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Following the moderate success of Shivam Nair's political thriller The Diplomat (2025), in which he starred alongside Sadia Khateeb, Jagjeet Sandhu, Kumud Mishra, Sharib Hashmi, and Revathy, John Abraham is currently working on Arun Gopalan's Tehran, produced by Maddock Films, wherein he stars alongside Manushi Chhillar and Neeru Bajwa.
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All that glitters: Trump revamps White House with maximalist touch; not everyone's loving it
All that glitters: Trump revamps White House with maximalist touch; not everyone's loving it

Hindustan Times

time4 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

All that glitters: Trump revamps White House with maximalist touch; not everyone's loving it

There is a lot going on in the White House. We are not referring to the bevy of international leaders who have descended upon the US president's official workplace, but to the bold, maximalist makeover transforming its interiors. Once defined by sedate décor and understated carvings, the interiors now gleam with gold flourishes, bold artworks, and a decidedly 'extra' vibe. The Oval Office in the White House has been revamped to include gold touches These décor changes can be attributed to its current resident – US President Donald Trump – who is leaving his own mark upon the White House. All that glitters at the White House It is not unusual for presidents to make decor changes on entering the White House, according to a report in Business Insider. Trump, in his second term in office, seems to be incorporating his love for gold into the Oval Office. 'Trump has revamped the Oval Office by splashing the room in gold, from the stars surrounding the presidential seal on the ceiling to gold statues on the fireplace to the mantel itself,' noted columnist David Smith in a piece for The Guardian. Before-and-after pics shared online show the contrast. There are now gold-colored appliqués on the fireplace. The walls showcase more artwork – all in ornate frames. The mirrors are gilded and Rococo-style flourishes abound across the president's official residence and workplace. And that is not all. Trump is also planning to add a massive new $200 million, 90,000-square-foot state ballroom to the White House for official receptions. Décor proves divisive Not everyone, however, is a fan of the changes that Donald Trump has made to the Oval Office. One critic of the US president compared the Oval Office to a Vegas buffet lobby. 'Please. Vegas buffet lobbies aren't that tacky,' another said in response. 'It's hideous,' an X user wrote. 'He has no class. It looks cheap,' another added. A third person called it 'so tacky'.

Bollywood's infamous villain's henchman, body double to Amitabh Bachchan, met an untimely end at just 37
Bollywood's infamous villain's henchman, body double to Amitabh Bachchan, met an untimely end at just 37

Indian Express

time6 hours ago

  • Indian Express

Bollywood's infamous villain's henchman, body double to Amitabh Bachchan, met an untimely end at just 37

Long before stunt performers were credited or celebrated, Bollywood's high-octane action scenes were shaped by unsung heroes behind the camera. Among them was Manik Irani, a dedicated stuntman and character actor who spent much of his career doubling for Amitabh Bachchan and supporting villains in classic Hindi cinema. Born on October 23, 1953 into a Parsi family in Mumbai, Manik Irani was fascinated by physical strength from an early age. Inspired by wrestling icon Dara Singh, he was drawn more to bodybuilding and physical training than to academics. But unlike most young men dreaming of stardom, Manik had a different ambition: he wanted to be a stuntman. That dream began to take shape when he started boxing on the streets and came into contact with MB Shetty, a prominent action director and stunt coordinator of the time, and father of filmmaker Rohit Shetty. Impressed by Manik's skills and physique, Shetty invited him to join his stunt team. It was a turning point Irani had long waited for, and he joined without hesitation. It was as if his story was already being written by fate. Manik Irani entered the film industry at a time when romantic heroes were fading from the spotlight. Rajesh Khanna, Hindi cinema's first superstar, was losing his hold on audiences, while a new, brooding force named Amitabh Bachchan was rising rapidly with his portrayal of gritty, simmering anger. For years, Manik Irani's roles remained small, often uncredited. But that changed with Mr. Natwarlal (1979), where he played a mute villager secretly working for the villain, essayed by Amjad Khan. It was a modest role, but one that gave Manik visibility. From the 1980s onward, he began receiving roles with dialogues and distinct screen presence. Manik adopted a more fearsome look in the early '80s, growing a full beard, bulking up, and sporting an intimidating smile that left an impression. He then appeared in major big budget films of that decade, including Shaan (1980), Naseeb (1981), and Silsila (1981). After collaborating with Don filmmaker Chandra Barot, Manik Irani was set to appear in his next project, Boss, alongside Vinod Khanna. However, the film was eventually shelved. It was finally Subhash Ghai's Hero (1983) that gave Manik the screen identity that stuck for life. He played a menacing goon named Billa, and though Jackie Shroff was the film's breakout star, the name of Manik's character became so popular that it became his off-screen identity too. From then on, he was known as 'Billa' — both in the industry and among audiences. Among his notable roles in the 1980s were his portrayal of Zebisko in Manmohan Desai's Mard (1985) and the monster in the Ramsay Brothers' Purani Haveli (1989). Although Purani Haveli didn't make a major mark at the box office, it marked a departure for Manik Irani. Playing the monster in the horror film allowed him to break away from the stereotypical villainous characters he was known for. He had already begun moving away from his established image, exploring different shades on screen over the years, occasionally taking on positive roles, most notably in Vishwanath (1978) and Aamne Samne (1982). He also made a rare appearance in Marathi cinema with Maal Masala (1992), where he was credited as 'Black Belt Champion Manik Irani' in a comedic karate instructor role alongside Ashok Saraf. Also Read | Film and TV actor, who worked with Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi, was not at peace with fame; left showbiz at the peak of his career and embraced spirituality Manik remained active in films well into the early '90s, starring in films such as Chor Pe Mor (1990), Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri (1990), Farishtay (1991), Saugandh (1991) and Deedar (1992), the latter two featuring a young Akshay Kumar. But fame brought with it a personal struggle. Manik reportedly became a heavy drinker, and despite being warned after a jaundice diagnosis, he continued to consume alcohol. His fitness declined, and he began to appear visibly heavier in his later roles. Tragically, he passed away on June 16, 1991, at the age of 37. News of his death remained relatively unknown at the time. Films featuring him continued to release posthumously, including Talaashi (1996) and Badla Aurat Ka (2001), leading some to mistakenly believe he was still alive. Though never a leading man, Manik Irani lived the life he aspired to. In an industry dominated by stars, he managed to carve out a unique space for himself.

British restaurant just launched the UK's first water menu and it is giving Michelin-starred drama
British restaurant just launched the UK's first water menu and it is giving Michelin-starred drama

Time of India

time6 hours ago

  • Time of India

British restaurant just launched the UK's first water menu and it is giving Michelin-starred drama

Forget swilling Bordeaux or sniffing a Chablis, the UK now has a restaurant where the fanciest flex on the table could be sparkling Portuguese mineral water. La Popote, a chic French-style eatery in Cheshire, has become the first in Britain to roll out a full-on water menu. Yes, diners can now browse their choice of seven premium bottled waters, plus tap water, like it is the new champagne. The water sommelier who made it happen This liquid revolution is thanks to water sommelier Doran Binder, the man behind Crag Spring Water. Binder convinced La Popote's chef-owner Joseph Rawlins and his partner Gaëlle Radigon to treat water with the same reverence as wine. Rawlins once dismissed the idea as 'ridiculous,' but after a tasting at Binder's Peak District 'water bar,' he was floored. The couple quickly realised that water could totally change a dining experience. 🇬🇧 RESTAURANT SERVES WATER LIKE IT'S LIQUID GOLD - $24 PER BOTTLEA fancy UK spot is offering a water-only menu where the sparkliest bottle costs £ 'water sommelier' says water isn't just water - and apparently it tastes better when it's from Portugal and costs more than… Pairing Parma ham with a salty French sip The menu spans Europe, from Italian Lauretana sparkling water with a feather-light 14 TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) to the mineral-packed Vichy Celestins from France, clocking in at a bold 3,300 TDS. Rawlins explained that the French water tastes salty at first, but when paired with Parma ham, the saltiness disappears, leaving the flavour of the meat lingering longer. Basically, it is a bougie science experiment for your taste buds. Move over merlot, pass the vidago Prices range from £5 for a large Crag Spring bottle to £19 for The Palace of Vidago, a sparkling Portuguese water. And no, it is not served ice cold like supermarket bottled water. Rawlins insists that water, like wine, loses its character if chilled too much. Diners are encouraged to sip it at room temperature with a slice of lemon, classy, right? Why now? The sober-curious shift With fewer people drinking alcohol (Gallup reports American alcohol consumption dropped from 67% in 2022 to 58% last year), La Popote is simply surfing the sober wave. Binder, who has never touched alcohol, said that restaurants often shove wine lists at him, but a water menu makes him feel included while opening up a fresh revenue stream. Water snobs unite In a world where mocktails, sober bars, and alcohol-free bottle shops are trending, La Popote's move feels both futuristic and cheeky. For anyone bored of Pinot Grigio or Cabernet Sauvignon, there is a new way to flex at dinner: water connoisseurship. Michelin drama, but make it H2O.

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