Drama Series
COLORS presents its first love story of 2024 ‘Mera Balam Thanedaar’
Mumbai: As the curtains fall on a remarkable year of impactful launches, COLORS is all set to kick off the new year with another exciting love saga, ‘Mera Balam Thanedaar’. With a rich history of celebrating love with extraordinary narratives that bring societal change, stir emotions, and immortalize onscreen romantic pairs, COLORS continues its tradition of offering diverse content with this one-of-a-kind love story of two individuals, with opposite ideologies. The show stars Shagun Pandey and Shruti Choudhary as Veer Pratap Singh and Bulbul Rajawat respectively and traces the love story of a couple whose marriage is based on a lie that threatens to crumble the foundation of their relationship. Produced by Shashi Sumeet Productions, ‘Mera Balam Thanedaar’ premieres on 3 January and airs every Monday to Friday at 9:30 pm only on COLORS.
Set in picturesque locations of Rajasthan, ‘Mera Balam Thanedaar’ unfolds the journey of Bulbul and Veer who are as disparate as day and night but have intertwined destinies. Bulbul is a lively young girl who follows what her mother tells her to do. She is underage but unaware of this fact completely. On the other hand, Veer, an honest IPS Officer, firmly opposes deceit in any form. Bulbul doesn’t know that her parents have concealed her true age. Meanwhile, Veer, a crusader against underage marriages, unknowingly marries Bulbul, not knowing that she is a minor. Will love blossom in this loveless marriage against the backdrop of deception and destiny?
Producer Shashi Mittal expressed, “We take immense pride in crafting impactful stories that resonate with a mass audience, reaching even the hinterlands of India. Our new show, ‘Mera Balam Thanedaar,’ unfolds a distinctive love story between Veer and Bulbul, set against the vibrant backdrop of Rajasthan. Shot in real locations like Mandawa, Pushkar, and Kishangarh, the show captures the local essence of these beautiful places, aiming to authentically bring the look and feel of real Rajasthan to the audience.”
Producer Sumeet Mittal further added, “The collaboration between our production house and COLORS has consistently produced incredible shows, and this show stands out among our previous ventures as it addresses the issue of underage marriage wherein Veer and Bulbul find themselves entangled in a marriage scam. We are confident that viewers will appreciate the refreshing storyline and on-screen chemistry between Shagun and Shruti.”
Sharing his thoughts on essaying the role of Veer Pratap Singh, Shagun Pandey said, “I am thrilled to step into the shoes of an honest IPS officer who stands firm against deceit. This role is exactly what I’ve been eagerly waiting for, and I am delighted to introduce Veer Pratap Singh to the audience – a man of principles. He is known for his opposition to underage marriages, but under tricky circumstances marries Bulbul without knowing that she is a minor. Having previously collaborated with COLORS, it’s a pleasure to work with the brand again and I am hopeful that viewers will shower their love on my pairing with Shruti.”
Set to be seen embodying the role of Bulbul, Shruti Choudhary said, “In my acting journey, I’ve enjoyed playing different roles and I’ve waited for a long time to spearhead a show. I’m excited that my dream came true, and I landed an opportunity to work with COLORS for this exciting show. This role is special because I get to embody a teenager who is thrust into the complexities of adulthood and marriage based on a lie. My focus would be to bring out her nuances of innocence, vulnerability, and courage with a sincere effort to create a portrayal that instantly forges a connection between the viewers and Bulbul’s character.”
Will Veer and Bulbul restore the foundation of their marriage? Find out as ‘Mera Balam Thanedaar’ premieres on the 3 January, airing every Monday to Friday at 9:30 pm only on COLORS.
Drama Series
Eric Dane, Grey’s Anatomy’s McSteamy, dies after ALS diagnosis
Dane’s death follows months of campaigning on motor neurone disease
MUMBAI: Shakira’s hips don’t lie and neither does the buzz, the Colombian superstar is shaking up India with a long-awaited return, headlining the Feeding India Concert 2026 across two cities for the first time ever. Announced on 20 February 2026, the third edition of the music-for-change initiative organised by not-for-profit Feeding India alongside District by Zomato brings the multiple Grammy winner to Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse on 10 April and Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on 15 April. Presented by HSBC India and exclusively ticketed via District, the shows mark Shakira’s first major India gigs in nearly two decades.
Fans have been waiting eagerly for this Latin pop powerhouse known for anthems like Hips Don’t Lie, Whenever, Wherever, and the iconic World Cup hit Waka Waka to light up the stage again. But it’s not just about the beats, Shakira’s involvement amps up the national conversation on hunger and child malnutrition. Through her Barefoot Foundation, she’s long championed education and welfare for vulnerable kids worldwide, a mission that dovetails neatly with Feeding India’s push toward the UN’s Zero Hunger goal by 2030.
Shakira said, “Performing in India has always been special to me, and I’m excited to connect with my fans across Mumbai and Delhi. The Feeding India Concert is about more than music, it’s about standing together to ensure every child has access to the nutrition they need to thrive.”
District by Zomato CEO Rahul Ganjoo added, “This is a defining moment for the Feeding India Concert. Bringing an artist of Shakira’s global stature to two cities represents our commitment to scaling impact while delivering world-class entertainment. Music has the unique power to unite people across boundaries, and we’re leveraging that to drive meaningful conversations that can transform lives.”
Feeding India tackles hunger through government-backed systemic work, direct meal support in schools (low-income, government, and NGO), and a youth volunteer network that sparks awareness and action. The concerts unite artists, philanthropists, and everyday folks in collective action proving music can move crowds and move the needle on social issues.
Ticket details are rolling out fast, HSBC credit cardholders get exclusive 48-hour early access from 12 pm on 27 February to 12 pm on 1 March, with 10 per cent off up to Rs 1,000. General sales kick off at 1 pm on 1 March. District app users can hit ‘Notify Me’ for real-time updates. Plus, snag flexible payments Buy Now, Pay Later with 50 per cent upfront and the rest by 20 March 2026.
Opening acts drop soon via feedingindia and districtupdates pages on Instagram, or straight in the District app. Whether you’re there for the spectacle, the cause, or just to finally see Shakira live, this one’s got rhythm with real purpose turning dance floors into drivers of change.
LOS ANGELES: Eric Dane, best known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has died aged 53, less than a year after revealing he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a form of motor neurone disease.
Dane died on Thursday afternoon, after being diagnosed in April 2025. In a statement, his family said he spent his final days surrounded by close friends, his wife, the actor Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters.
Over the past decade, Dane was closely associated with two of television’s most recognisable characters. He played Dr Mark Sloan, nicknamed “McSteamy”, on Grey’s Anatomy, joining the series for a single episode before becoming a regular for six seasons. More recently, he appeared as Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, the troubled father of Jacob Elordi’s character Nate Jacobs.
Despite his illness, Dane continued working and completed filming for the upcoming third season of Euphoria, appearing in a wheelchair as his condition progressed. Speaking to People last year, he said he felt fortunate to remain active professionally while asking for privacy for his family.
ALS is a terminal degenerative disease that progressively impairs movement, speech and breathing. While there is no cure, progression varies widely among patients. In recent months, Dane emerged as a vocal advocate for awareness and research, using his diagnosis to highlight the condition’s impact.
Tributes followed swiftly from colleagues across the industry. Sam Levinson, creator of Euphoria, described Dane as both a gifted collaborator and a close friend, praising his warmth and generosity on and off set.
Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane appeared in more than 140 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy between 2006 and 2021 and starred in films including X-Men: The Last Stand and Marley & Me. His death marks the loss of a familiar presence in American television, remembered as much for his resilience as for his performances.
