Latest news with #Antakshari
News18
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai Fell In Love On Bhansali's Film Set, Recalls Co-star: 'Their Affair...'
Smita Jaykar recalls Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai's affair during Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam shoot, says their chemistry elevated the film. Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai's love story remains one of the most iconic and talked-about relationships in Bollywood history. The two fell in love while shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's romantic drama Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), and according to their co-star Smita Jaykar, their real-life romance deeply impacted the film's magic. In a recent conversation with Filmymantra Media, veteran actress Smita Jaykar, who played Aishwarya's mother in the film, opened up about witnessing their bond develop on set. 'Yes, they fell in love there. Their affair flourished there. And it helped the film a lot," she said. 'Both of them had those moony-moony eyes, and romance was showing on their faces. That worked very well for the film." Recalling the warmth of the set, Smita shared how the entire cast and crew bonded like a family. 'We used to sit and play Antakshari. It was like a picnic," she reminisced. Smita also reflected on her experience working with Salman Khan and Aishwarya individually. 'Salman is quite a brat. I don't know how he is now, but at that time he was. He's a very nice person, large-hearted. I haven't seen him angry on set. People tend to exaggerate anger when it comes to celebrities," she noted. Of Aishwarya, she said, 'Very beautiful, even without makeup. Very humble, very grounded—at least at that time when I knew her." Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is regarded as one of the most visually rich and emotionally stirring love stories in Indian cinema. With soulful music by Ismail Darbar and a moving story of love and sacrifice, the film became a huge box office success and received numerous accolades. While the film marked the beginning of Salman and Aishwarya's romance, their relationship ended in 2002. Aishwarya went on to marry actor Abhishek Bachchan, while Salman remains one of Bollywood's most eligible bachelors. First Published:
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Smita Jaykar recalls sparks between Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai during Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam: 'It was showing on their faces'
Veteran actress Smita Jaykar , who memorably played Aishwarya Rai 's mother in Sanjay Leela Bhansali 's iconic film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, has opened up about the early days of Salman Khan and Aishwarya 's relationship, confirming that their real-life romance began on the sets and contributed immensely to the film's emotional depth. In a recent interview with Filmymantra, Jaykar candidly recalled the shoot, describing the atmosphere as festive and filled with camaraderie. 'We used to sit and play Antakshari. It was like a big family,' she said, fondly remembering the Delhi schedule. But what stood out most was the budding chemistry between the leads. 'The affair flourished there... it helped the film a lot' 'Yes, they fell in love there. The affair flourished there. And it helped the film a lot,' Jaykar admitted. 'Both of them had those moony-moony eyes, and it was showing on their faces. That worked very well for the film.' She refrained from commenting on any personal conversations with Salman about Aishwarya, but she called him a 'brat' in an affectionate tone and emphasized his 'large-hearted' and 'good-natured' personality. She also praised Aishwarya, saying, 'Without makeup, too, she looked so pretty. Very humble, very grounded—at least at that time when I knew her.' Bhansali's perfectionism and fairness impressed the cast Jaykar also offered rare insight into director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's working style, describing him as an ultra-perfectionist who never compromised on craft. 'Every frame was like poetry,' she said, pointing out that Bhansali gave equal importance to every character, not just the leads. Abhishek Bachchan Breaks Silence On Divorce Rumours With Aishwarya Rai She shared a moment where Bhansali allowed her to choose her sarees and jewelry for important scenes, based on her character's emotional state. 'He told me, 'Choose the colours you want, because it matters what you're feeling in the scene.' That made me want to give my best.' In recounting a humorous moment with Salman Khan, Jaykar revealed how the actor's soft dialogue delivery once caused her to miss her cue. 'I couldn't hear his lines—his lips weren't even moving. I didn't know when his line ended, so I couldn't start mine!' she laughed. 'Sanjay sir had to ask him to speak louder.'
India Today
31-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- India Today
Back to 90s classrooms: White shoes, rasna bottles and that annoying class monitor
It was always a race against the a modest Indian home of the 90s, mornings began with the hiss of the pressure cooker, the clinking of steel tiffin boxes, and a mother calling out names while tying shoelaces, braiding hair, and packing lunches : all at once. The uniform, ironed stiff the previous evening, was laid out neatly on the bed. A bottle filled with Rasna or water was pushed into one hand, and a stainless-steel dabba, still warm, into the PT shoes, chalked to near perfection on Sunday afternoon, sat by the door like soldiers ready for parade. The scent of coconut oil still lingered in the child's hair from the weekend champi. With one last shout of "Bus aa gayi!", the child dashed out, bag bouncing, ribbon flying, shoes squeaking slightly against the dusty remember waking up early every Sunday just to paint my PT shoes white - my mom would help me get the paste just right. My son now uses branded sports shoes that don't need any of that, but sometimes I wish he understood the pride in that little weekend ritual."- Ravi, 38, MumbaiTHE SCHOOL BUS: CHATTER, CHIMES & ANTAKSHARI On the bus, window seats were prime real estate. Laughter filled the air, as did the occasional hum of Antakshari. The ride to school was more than transit - it was a warm-up lap for the day's excitement, Assembly, and white-chalked shoes. In the 90s, school life came with its own set of unspoken hacks and sacred of them was the almost meditative act of rubbing white chalk on our canvas shoes before morning assembly, a desperate attempt to dodge the wrath of the PT teacher and his stick that could spot a dusty sole from a mile away. And then there was that one student, every school had one ,who had mastered the art of faking unconsciousness during assembly under the merciless clockwork, he'd wobble, clutch his head dramatically, and collapse just enough to make it believable. Five loyal friends would immediately rally around, carrying him to the classroom like paramedics, all of them slyly escaping the thirty-minute sunbake and earning a few bonus minutes of shade and mischief. It wasn't just survival - it was an art ROOM WHISPERSAnd then there was that one student the teacher's favourite, entrusted with the holy duty of carrying notebooks and answer sheets to the staff room. While the rest of us envied his VIP status, he had access to a world we could only imagine. The staff room, that mysterious, almost mythical space, wasn't just a room full of desks and tea was where chalk dust settled over gossip about the headmistress, someone's in-laws, or last night's TV serial. For students, it was the grown-up zone, the Hogwarts-for-teachers where whispers, laughter, and secrets lived. To walk in there, even for a moment, with a pile of copies in hand, was to taste forbidden power and possibly overhear that Mrs. Sharma had had it with Class BLACKBOARD AND THAT ANNOYING MONITOR Inside the classroom, the walls were bare but the windows were wide. Desks carved with names, ink stains on fingers, gave the room its character. There were no air conditioners, just fans and open windows through which the world peeked in. The blackboard held remnants of yesterday's lesson still faintly visible beneath the fresh chalk then there was that class monitor, the one who took their job too seriously, reminding the teacher repeatedly, "Madam, we have a test today!" Sometimes dreaded, often teased, but always the unspoken ruler of the classroom order."I still remember when I was made the class monitor, not because I was responsible, but because I was the only one who didn't talk during the teacher's lecture that day. For a week, I was excited for writing names on the board, pretending to be strict, and carrying the attendance register like it was a crown jewel. But the truth is, the power lasted only until my best friend's name came up and I quietly wiped it off before the teacher returned."- Sunita, 39, KolkataadvertisementTHE TREASURED GEOMETRY BOX & INK PEN Every student had that sacred Camlin geometry box , a shiny little treasure chest at the start of the year, and a mysterious junk drawer by the end. The compass was less about geometry and more about poking holes in erasers (and sometimes arms), while the divider felt like it belonged in a weapon plastic scale rarely made it past August without a chipped corner, and somehow, the protractor was always missing when you actually needed it. But nothing marked growing up quite like the switch from pencils to ink pens , a rite of passage we wore with pride. Along with it came the telltale blue smudges on our fingers, the messy proof that we were now in the league of serious students or at least pretending to WORK: GLITTER GLUE & HAND-DRAWN BORDERSWhen project time came around, it was a family affair. Chart papers were bought in bulk. Borders were hand-drawn with sketch pens, and headings were carefully colored in block letters. Glitter glue added final flair, sometimes smudged at the last moment. There were no Canva templates, no internet references, just creativity, scissors, and fevicol stains that refused to BOOKS: THE ORIGINAL SOCIAL NETWORK Then there were the slam books and autograph diaries the original social network. They were filled with confessions, silly poems, secret crushes, and motivational quotes copied from greeting cards. "Don't forget me" was a line scribbled in every other corner, as if everyone knew this moment wouldn't last."Our slam books were sacred. We wrote in blue ink with shaky hands, sharing secrets and silly poems. My son chats on social media now, but those digital messages don't have the same charm or permanence."- Manish, 40, BangaloreFLAMES: THE OG LOVE PREDICTOR Before dating apps and Instagram stalking, there was FLAMES the OG love prediction game that every 90s kid secretly believed in. Scribbled in the back pages of notebooks or whispered during free periods, it was our version of destiny. All you needed were two names, a little counting, and a lot of hope. Would it be Friendship, Love, Affection, Marriage, Enemy, or Sister? The suspense was real, and so was the heartbreak when your crush landed in the "S" category. Because in the 90s, FLAMES wasn't just a game - it was our first taste of teenage romance, drama, and the magic of LOST TEXTURE OF CHILDHOOD Today, school is smoother, sleeker, and smarter. Bags come with wheels, notebooks are digitised, and projects are often outsourced or printed. Ink pens have made way for styluses, slam books for story highlights. Convenience has grown, but so has the distance from the simple joys of school child of today may never know the thrill of perfectly chalked shoes, the pride in a handmade project, or the excitement of filling a slam book with maybe, without realising it, they're missing the very things that made going to school feel like coming AI by Vani Gupta
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
From miles to matcha, jenga to joy: Hyderabad's runners are mixing fitness with fun and friendship
In Hyderabad, weekends are evolving with a fresh concept: 'run plus' gatherings. These events blend physical activity with social fun, featuring everything from post-run brunches to casual tea sessions, making fitness a communal affair. Participants rave about the friendships formed over shared cooking experiences and playful games, emphasizing that these moments of laughter and teamwork enrich their lives beyond exercise. Lately, weekends in Hyderabad have taken on a new vibe. People are lacing up their shoes not just to run, but to hang out after — think pancakes after a jog, matcha over morning chats, or board games with a side of coffee. These 'run plus' sessions — like Run and Brew or Run and Cook — are turning fitness into something social, fun, and seriously good for the soul. 'It wakes up your body and makes your mind happy' You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad These sessions offer simple but meaningful rewards — like coffee after a run. Aryan Gill, a video editor who's not 'a typical runner or a coffee snob,' says, 'There's something special about bonding with strangers over playlists and brewing methods in the conversations that follow each session. It's a ritual that wakes up your body and lifts your mood.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Want Lower Bills Without Changing a Thing? elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo 'It's not just about the miles or the meals, it's about the magic' For many, cooking together after a run becomes a moment to unwind and connect. Satyapriya Khanna, a business manager, says, 'It's a soulful blend of energy and togetherness. Starting your day with a run that challenges your body, and ending it with food that nourishes your spirit,' she says. 'It's not just about the miles or the meals, it's about the magic when sweat meets spice and strangers turn into a community. Your heart races in the morning, and by noon, it's full of warmth, laughter, and the kind of joyful calories no one's counting.' 'It's not just networking, it's emotional bond creation' Beyond food and drink, the group often lingers to casual socialising — games, music, and conversations that move far from the running track. 'It's not just about stretching legs, but also minds. From playing Jenga with complete strangers to debating street food versus fine dining, it made me feel like home,' shares Natasha Pandey, an entrepreneur. Even those hesitant at first find themselves surprised. 'People drop their guard during Antakshari sessions, and unplanned discussions about folk dances. It's joyfully chaotic, deeply connecting, and somehow always leaves you lighter than when you came,' says Sejal Khanna, a software developer. 'That post-run matcha is my new finish line' Tarun Vella, a software engineer shares how a post-run tea-making ritual reshaped his mornings. 'I used to run solo, earphones in, world out. But here, after the run, we gather not to rush off, but to slow down,' he says, adding, 'One experience stood out — a fellow runner showed me her grandma's way of preparing matcha with a pinch of cinnamon. That tiny twist turned into a group tradition the next week.' For him, it's become a space of 'stories in sips' where 'the community runs together and rests together.' Our mission is to bring people together through morning runs — because it's not just about fitness, but about starting each day with real connection and community – Siddharth Duddu, co-organiser of the club These runs are proving that fitness can be fun, food can be truly communal, and that the best connections are often made naturally when you least expect them – Ruchira Bhattacharya, an engineer - Sarmistha Ganguli
