Actor Neha Dhupia admits that shooting through her third trimester comes with a lot of struggle. But she’s putting all the energy into her work to set a precedent, with a hope of bringing about change in the business, so that there’s more work for pregnant women. “Shooting during the Covid-19 times is hard. Plus, I’m in my third trimester, so the exhaustion is more. But, I’m doing this to prove that if I can do it, others can, too,” says Dhupia, who turns 41 today. She points out that a lot of women are forced to choose between their personal or professional lives. “If I can strike a balance now, things might change in the business. I hope this would result in more roles, not just for women, but pregnant women as well,” says the actor. Listen to all that’s been trending in the world of Entertainment & Lifestyle with Mallika Bhagat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Masala Bytes: HT City Daily News Wrap

Neha Dhupia on shooting in her third trimester | Arjun Mathur on his lockdown phase | Nusrat Jahan on giving birth to baby boy

In light of the Afghan crisis, Tisca Chopra took to social media to share that she spent a major chunk of her childhood in Kabul. She tells us, “We were part of the Indian community there. My dad was the principal at the India School, Kabul. We spent 10 years there”. Her heart goes out to those who are stuck in the country or are leaving. Listen to all that’s been trending in the world of Entertainment & Lifestyle with Mallika Bhagat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Kakkar isn’t inclined towards revisiting a song and touching its legacy| Tisca Chopra on Afghan crisis

Pedro Alonso aka Berlin from Money Heist is one character that gets under your skin. In an exclusive with HT, Pedro opens up about Money Heist's crazy following in India. “In the recent years, in Spain, many Bollywood productions had a moment of presence. I was surprised to see the level of production and the magnitude of Indian industry. I’ve seen Indian movies, but honestly, I don’t have a serious connect with Indian actors. I’m more connected with the mythology of your country. Listen to all that’s been trending in the world of Entertainment & Lifestyle with Mallika Bhagat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ursula Corbero aka Tokyo, doesn’t believe in limiting herself | Pedro Alonso on Money Heist's Crazy Indian following

From taking a 200-member crew to the UK to shoot a film from start to finish amid the pandemic last year, to wrapping up five films since then, Akshay Kumar has been leading by example. On what changes he sees in the business of filmmaking, theatres and the mood of the fraternity, Kumar says, “I can’t comment about others, but I am going about doing business as usual. I’ve already completed five films during the pandemic. And, I’m onto the next one, Cinderella, with the same team as BellBottom, directed by Ranjit Tewari. But then, this has always been the way I’ve worked — doing an average of four films a year. Yes, the avenues to showcase our films may change a little. I know even before shoot begins, that some films are being planned for an OTT release only. Also, another term I have recently learnt is hybrid release — when a film releases in theatres and on an OTT platform, simultaneously. One way or another, the show must and will go on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Akshay Kumar on shooting films in pandemic | Sabyasachi's collab with H&M | Justin Bieber leading nominations of MTV Video Music Awards

Sidharth Malhotra shares a rather personal connection with his “labour of love”, Shershaah. Ask the actor about it and he says that the film hits home for more reasons than one. “My grandfather got injured at the Indo-China war and took an early retirement. My father is an Army brat and he has seen my grandfather serve. He’s just happy that one of his son has become a pretend Army soldier and is playing this amazing character,” he says. While feedback from the audience and the critics matter, what he is looking forward to the most is a positive nod from his and Captain Vikram Batra’s family: “My father knows what sacrifices one has to make to serve their country. I hope Captain Batra’s family thinks that I’ve done justice to his story,” he reveals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sidharth Malhotra on Shershaah | Aahana Kumra on shooting in UK | Farhan Akhtar to direct a film with Kat, PC and Alia

At his first Olympics appearance, Bajrang Punia gave his all on the mat, and won a bronze medal in the 65kg freestyle wrestling event in Tokyo. But the wrestler is not satisfied. “I have won a medal but it is not the one I wanted. Nonetheless, I am happy to have made my country proud,” says the 27-year-old, whose victory is part of India’s biggest medal haul at the quadrennial mega event. Punia’s bronze gave India its second medal from wrestling in Tokyo after Ravi Dahiya’s silver. Punia says, “I was struggling with a knee injury, but I knew that the hopes of my nation are pinned on me, so I moved past the pain and tried my level best.” Listen to all that’s been trending in the world of Entertainment & Lifestyle with Mallika Bhagat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bajrang Punia on his Olympic Win | Filmmaker Goldie Behl on his wife Actress Sonali Bendre | Veteran Actor Anupam Shyam passed away

A disappointed Shah Rukh Khan tweeted minutes after the India women's hockey team lost the bronze medal match at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics to Great Britain. The nail-biter concluded with India losing 5-4. Shah Rukh Khan, who'd been invested in the team's progress throughout the tournament, wrote in a tweet, "Heartbreak!!! But all reasons to hold our heads high. Well played Indian Women’s Hockey Team. You all inspired everyone in India. That itself is a victory. Listen to all that’s been trending in the world of Entertainment & Lifestyle with Mallika Bhagat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor Vineet Singh on India's win in Olympics | Shah Rukh Khan tweeted for Indian Women's Hockey Team | Jimmy Sheirgill on OTT Platforms

Venturing out today and working amid the pandemic is a big task for actors, considering they’ve to remove their masks. And in such a scenario, Rashmika Mandanna not only managed to keep working, but also shifted cities and houses. She has bought herself a new house in Mumbai, with her eyes set on Bollywood after Kannada and Telugu films. Mandanna, 25, was shooting for Goodbye until recently with Amitabh Bachchan. “It has been amazing shooting with him. When you shoot for a long time, you gel with the other actors really well. It’s this blend, which gives performances that are really fun. I’ve been grateful enough to be doing that. We give out performances, and when people see your comfort, the director and everyone, they’re happy,” she gushes. Listen to all that’s been trending in the world of Entertainment & Lifestyle with Mallika Bhagat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rashmika Mandanna on working with Amitabh Bachchan | Kumar Sanu on Bollywood remixes | Kajal Aggarwal on OTT platforms and Big Screen

Varun Sharma, a self- proclaimed fan of digital content, is glad to have made his debut on OTT. The actor starred in a web series, Chutzpah, which talked about how the internet is deeply embedded in our world. “It is World Wide Web for everyone, but for some people it is weird wide web,” says Sharma, adding, “I have always played characters that are relatable. Be it Chucha or Sexa, they work for me. The digital space is such an interesting medium as people of all ages watch content online and there is something for everyone.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Varun Sharma on his OTT Debut | Ashnoor Kaur on scoring 94% in 12th Boards

Sonu Sood is not big on birthdays, but nothing can stop his fans from making it special for him. Another temple is being constructed for the actor in Andhra Pradesh, and he feels humbled by it. “I’m humbled to see the love being showered by them. The moment I started helping people, I didn’t focus on one village or state, it was pan India. I want to continue making it bigger,” he shares. Listen to all that’s been trending in the world of Entertainment & Lifestyle with Mallika Bhagat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sonu Sood on his special birthday wishes | Ankita Konwar slams racism against North-Eastern people

"We’ve reached a brink where we’ve pushed our planet to a point where things have gotten out of control. If you see what’s happening around — the flash floods in Germany, parts of Maharashtra and China — it’s all bad. There are forest fires in the US, there’s heatwave in Canada. It’s important to understand that we’ve pushed it beyond our control and if we don’t set things right, and then the future is not going to be good,” cautions Pednekar. Listen to all that’s been trending in the world of Entertainment & Lifestyle with Mallika Bhagat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bhumi Pendekar on climate change | What About Artistes Who Are Suffering At Home?: Sonu Nigam

Olympics silver- medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu opened India’s medal count at Tokyo Olympics in a resounding victory, clinching a silver medal in 49kg category in women’s weightlifting event.“Sab sapna jaisa hai. Bahut bada moment hain mere liye (This feels like a dream),” shares Chanu who always dreamed ahead and has showed the world that dreams do come true. Listen to all that’s been trending in the world of Entertainment & Lifestyle with Mallika Bhagat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karan Kundrra speaks up on the ‘Kundra’ gaffe | 'Ladki Sirf Padhi Nahi Sport Bhi Kar Sakti Hai': Mirabai Chanu

For Armaan Malik, social media should be a place to have conversation infused with kindness and compassion, instead of toxicity. And that’s what the singer-songwriter is trying to do through his presence in the virtual world. “In the pandemic, it’s important that we’re there for each other. I may be going through a lot, but we can help each other by just being able to share that with people, or people sharing their stories with me,” admits Malik, who turned 26 yesterday. Listen to all that’s been trending in the world of Entertainment & Lifestyle with Mallika Bhagat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arman Malik comments on social media | Sania Mirza to represent India in Olympics for the 4th time

Raj Kundra has been sent to police custody till July 23 for alleged involvement in a pornography case. Vasisth was also arrested in the same case and is out on bail. Her publicist released a statement on her behalf saying, “Police should investigate fully as there are more skeletons in the cupboards of the rich." Listen to all that’s been trending in the world of Entertainment & Lifestyle with Mallika Bhagat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raj Kundra sent to police custody | Yami Gautam announced her wedding

Lucky Ali describes commercial music as aggressive and overtly expressive. He further says, “When there’s commercialization of music, there’s an end to those things; it is evident right now. When things lose their validity, nature itself takes its way and makes it defunct. You can do all you want but nature doesn’t allow for that to happen.” Listen to all that’s been trending in the world of Entertainment & Lifestyle with Mallika Bhagat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BTS-first K-pop act to get a Grammy nomination | Lucky Ali describes the commercial music as aggressive

HT city now for your ears only. Listen to all that's new and trending in the world of entertainment and lifestyle. From old television shows like Ramayan, to what's new on Netflix. From Salman Khan to A.R. Rehman. Masala Bytes packs it all. This is a Hindustan Times production brought to you by HT Smartcast.

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Masala Bytes: HT City Daily News Wrap

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