Bollywood star Deepika Padukone recently made headlines with her protective demeanor as she shielded her daughter, Dua Padukone Singh, from the prying eyes of the media at Mumbai Airport. The actress, who had been visiting her hometown Bengaluru, was spotted with Dua on Monday afternoon as they returned to Mumbai. Despite Dua being well-covered, her tiny hands caught the attention of cameras. This sighting comes on the heels of Deepika’s public appearance at a Diljit Dosanjh concert in Bengaluru.

Videos posted by paparazzi on Instagram captured Deepika at the concert sporting a vibrant red outfit with her hair elegantly styled in a bun, complemented by chic sunglasses. She had Dua securely bundled up, with only her little hands visible as the duo landed back in Mumbai, where Dua seemed to be asleep.

The concert marked Deepika’s first public outing since embracing motherhood. Facing traffic outside the stadium, she walked to the venue, mingling with the concert crowd before Diljit personally invited her on stage. He serenaded her with the song “Lover” and generously endorsed her beauty products. Deepika embraced a casual yet striking look, donning the ‘Lover’ sweatshirt from Levi’s Dil-Luminati tour collection, paired with classic blue jeans and an oversized white T-shirt featuring eye-catching graphic typography.

Deepika has been on maternity leave since Dua’s birth and plans to return to her professional commitments in March 2025. A source informed News18 that she will participate in the filming of “Kalki 2” alongside celebrated actors Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Prabhas, with shooting slated to commence in early 2025. Additionally, she is gearing up to work on “The Intern,” co-starring Amitabh Bachchan, next year.

The recently premiered Tamil film “Amaran,” featuring popular actors Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi, has unwittingly sparked a controversy. An engineering student, Vageeshan, lodged a police complaint after realizing that his personal phone number was used in the film, attributed as Sai Pallavi’s character’s contact number. This unexpected exposure led to a torrent of unwelcome calls and messages from strangers, severely disrupting Vageeshan’s studies and sleep, and causing significant distress. The student has reportedly demanded a hefty compensation of ₹1.1 crore for the troubles caused, although the filmmakers have not released any official statements addressing the issue as of yet.

Released during the festive season of Diwali, “Amaran” delves into the life and sacrifices of Mukund Varadarajan, an Indian Army martyr. Sivakarthikeyan brings the character of Mukund to life, with Sai Pallavi playing the role of his wife, Rebecca Varghese. Directed by Rajkumar Periyasamy, the film is a production of Kamal Haasan’s prestigious Raaj Kamal Films International banner.

Despite the controversy, “Amaran” has been a commercial success, raking in over ₹300 crore worldwide. This achievement underscores both the film’s draw and the star power of its leading cast. However, the ongoing dispute regarding the personal phone number of Vageeshan certainly adds an unexpected twist to the film’s narrative outside the cinema halls. This incident accentuates the need for stricter scrutiny and sensitivity during the filmmaking process, especially when using real-life elements like phone numbers to avoid such personal invasions and legal complications. As audiences continue to flock to see “Amaran,” the outcome of Vageeshan’s complaint remains to be seen, and whether or not it will impact the film’s ongoing success.

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, who welcomed their baby girl on September 8, 2024, are likely to adopt a low-profile approach similar to other Bollywood couples when it comes to their daughter’s media exposure. Insights from Bollywood Life suggest that Deepika will be a hands-on mom, opting not to hire a nanny and following the example set by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in nurturing her daughter personally.

Additionally, Deepika and Ranveer may implement a no-photo policy to keep their baby away from the public eye, akin to the strategies used by Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt and Anushka Sharma-Virat Kohli for their children. The couple reportedly plans to introduce their daughter to the world only when the time feels appropriate. However, News18 Showsha has not confirmed the authenticity of these claims.

Upon announcing their daughter’s arrival on Instagram with the message “Welcome baby girl,” numerous Bollywood celebrities flooded their post with congratulatory messages. Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, Katrina Kaif, Sara Ali Khan, and Kareena Kapoor, among others, expressed their joy and sent their best wishes to the couple and their newborn.

Deepika Padukone, who was last seen in “Kalki 2898 AD,” is expected to take a break from her professional commitments until March 2025. News18 Showsha previously reported that her maternity leave will extend until that time, after which she will begin filming the sequel to “Kalki” alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Prabhas.

Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh is gearing up for his upcoming release “Singham Again,” and has “Don 3” lined up, where he will star alongside Kiara Advani under the direction of Farhan Akhtar.

After much anticipation, Kamal Haasan and Shankar’s highly awaited film ‘Indian 2’ is set for a global theatrical release on Friday, July 12. This sequel to the 1996 classic ‘Indian’ aims to surpass its predecessor in grandeur. Another installment of the movie is slated for release next year.

Kamal Haasan returns to his role as Senapati, an anti-corruption crusader and vigilante who had killed his own son in the original film. The new release features an ensemble cast including Siddharth, Rakul Preet Singh, SJ Suryah, Bobby Simha, Brahmanandam, and Samuthirakani, among others. The film also honors the late actors Vivekh and Manobala with their appearances. Anirudh has composed the music, while Ravi Varman and Sreekar Prasad handle cinematography and editing, respectively.

#Kalki2898AD is a larger than life Sci-FI Action Experience. The visuals and world building by Nag Ashwin are never before from Indian Cinema. However, Nag Ashwin shows some inexperience in building a proper drama and emotional connect with somewhat of a flat screenplay.

Still,…

— Venky Reviews (@venkyreviews) June 26, 2024

Despite the positive feedback on the film’s aesthetics and storyline, some viewers expressed disappointment over Prabhas’ limited screen presence. While the movie dazzles visually, some found the screenplay fell flat at times and noted that Prabhas’ role was not as prominent as anticipated. Drawing heavily from the Mahabharata and the Kalki Purana, the film is set in Kashi, a city of significant mythological importance among Hindus. In the film, Kashi is depicted as the last habitable city on Earth with available water and food. Combining Hindu mythology and science fiction, “Kalki 2898 AD” revolves around a modern avatar of Lord Vishnu, who descends to save the world from evil forces.

The story unfolds in Kashi, a resource-rich land ruled by Saswata Chatterjee’s character, who demands absolute loyalty. A prophecy reveals that a child will overthrow him, and Deepika Padukone’s character, Sumathi, carries this child. To maintain his reign, the king places a bounty on her head. Prabhas’ character, Bhairava, a top hunter, believes it is his destiny to capture her, while Amitabh Bachchan’s Ashwatthama aims to protect her.

Amitabh Bachchan shines as Ashwatthama, proving why he remains a superstar of Indian cinema. The film begins with a younger version of Big B, evoking nostalgia. At 81, he performs action sequences with perfection, especially his fight with Prabhas, which is a highlight of the film. Despite limited screen time in the first half, his presence grows in the second, delivering dialogues with an intensity that commands respect.

Prabhas impresses as Bhairava, with his long-haired avatar and casual demeanor adding charm. His character, along with Bujji, introduces humor. Although his action scenes in the first half lack energy, he redeems himself in the second half with a fierce performance. His fight with Amitabh Bachchan stands out as a major highlight.

Deepika Padukone, playing Sumathi, holds Kashi’s future in her hands, believed to be carrying Lord Vishnu’s avatar. Expecting her first child with Ranveer Singh in real life, she flaunts her baby bump proudly in the film. She gracefully portrays a range of emotions, making her a delight to watch.

Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan plays Yaskin with minimal screen time but impactful expressions, setting the stage for a larger role in the sequel. Special appearances by Dulquer Salmaan, SS Rajamouli, Ram Gopal Varma, Mrunal Thakur, and Vijay Deverakonda add extra excitement. Deverakonda’s cameo as Mahabharat’s Arjun hints at his potential in mythological films.

“Kalki 2898 AD” might remind viewers of Hollywood films like “Dune” or “Mad Max” due to its desert-like visual theme, though the storylines differ significantly. Director Nag Ashwin deserves commendation for elevating Indian cinema to a global level, blending the Mahabharata with modern elements seamlessly. While the first half’s action sequences and writing could have been stronger, the film gains momentum post-interval, combining action, visual spectacle, mythology, and technology.