Drama Series
“Kyunki… is popular because it has managed to touch a chord with the masses”
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Clad in casual jeans -n-tee with a floppy hat she seems a teenybopper enjoying her cuppa in the neigbourhood cafe, but appearance aside ,there is nothing remotely laid back about her.
A known face on television, Ritu Chaudhary aka 'Shobhaa' of As of now, she is stuck with playing Miss goody- two -shoes. Besides the daily soap on Star Plus, she is currently wowing 'gharelu' audiences as Manasi in the first edition of  This self-proclaimed control freak Taurean met up with indiantelevision's Trupti Ghag for a tete-e-tete. Excerpts- |
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From being a marketing executive to 'Shobhaa' in 'Kyunki Saas bhi kabhi bahu thi', how was the journey charted? During my marketing stint, I was handling media marketing – I guess the field excited me. Then during one of the auditions, I was noticed by Balaji Telefilms and was signed for a new show on Sony Kucch Jhuki Palkein. Contrary to popular perception, Kyunki…. came much later. |
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Till date, the roles you have picked up are the 'good girl' ones, no risks taken so far. Why? I did however consciously avoid taking up similar projects that came my way. As a result, I had been out of work for 10 months, but then I was offered Chausath Panne. The role, the cast and the concept were quite interesting so took it up. |
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| Did you take any acting classes? No. I think acting is not something that you can learn. |
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After modeling, facing the camera mustn't be that difficult but how did you go about acting? Niyati in Kucch… was a small town girl married into a rich family and trying to cope with the changes in her life whereas Kyunki's Shobhaa is essentially a fun-loving family oriented girl. I just had to understand their frame of mind and go by my instincts. Whereas Chausath Panne was not as easy a task. The character that I play in the serial, Manasi,goes through various shades of emotions. The screenplay begins with her life as a wife, mother of a four year old son and a daughter-in-law who then has to deal with the sudden disappearance of her husband. Later, just as her life is returning to normal, a man enters her life with the promise of a future. Since the story culminates in 64 episodes, the script was extremely tight and therefore it required a quick grasp of the character and some effort to emote. |
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| If you could describe your acting technique in a word, what would it be? Spontaneous. I can not go through the rehearsals. All that I need to do is understand the scene and act. Personally speaking, the first reaction that one gives is usually with no pretence. That is what acting is all about… being natural. Your acting should look effortless. |
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| Any memorable scenes so far? I think the 'bidayee scene' in Kyunki. Till the last minute, I did not know what I was going to do but as soon as I saw my screen mother 'Tulsi' emoting, my tears started flowing. She is such a great influence… a wonderful actor. |
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According to you, what is the reason behind Kyunki's popularity ? I do not belong to a joint family so it was difficult to relate to the Virani household's story initially. I had not come across anybody like 'Tulsi' so I couldn't understand her so well either but after portraying 'Shobha', I came across many such people who live that kind of a life. |
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What do you mean by middle class? The family portrayed does clearly have an influential background. |
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Speaking of 'Kyunkii…', Mihir's character was changed thrice. Has it affected the co-stars? |
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| Why aren't you doing any more projects with Balaji? Are the working conditions not creatively satisfying? Well, I am very much present in Kyunki… In fact Balaji are both, good task masters and good pay masters. I never had any problem with them. |
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What is the essential difference between performing for a daily and a weekly? Plus, for a weekly, you only shoot for 10-15 days in a month so it is relatively less time consuming but nevertheless it is very challenging in terms of performances. At this stage, I would like to do some more weeklies. |
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Is it difficult maintaining a balance between home and career, especially since you are newly married? |
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How would you rate yourself as an actress ? |
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Who are your favourite actors and directors ? |
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How has the telly industry been so far? Many actors complain that it is difficult to make friends in showbiz. Is it true? |
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| Do you have any dream role as such? Not a dream role per se. But I want to do theater. I think it is a good learning experience plus I want to experiment a little. |
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| Is there a Bollywood foray on the cards? No. Not till the scenario changes. Acting in Bollywood is too cliched. |
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As an insider, what do you think will be the future of television? What are the kinds of serials that we can expect in the near future? My personal bet is on comedies and short films just like Gubbare, Rishtey or Best Sellers. |
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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.
