Siddhu Jonnalagadda on love, learning, and life beyond labels Siddhu Jonnalagadda: “I want audiences to know me through my work, not my personal life.”“Every role I play has a bit of Siddhu in it,” says Siddhu Jonnalagadda With Telusu Kada currently running in theatres, Siddhu Jonnalagadda steps into new territory as a romantic lead, breaking away from his much-loved Tillu image. The romantic drama shows him as Varun a man caught in the web of emotions, relationships, family ties, and the search for his own identity. Directed by debutant Neeraja Kona and featuring Raashii Khanna and Srinidhi Shetty as the leading ladies, the film marks a refreshing shift for Siddhu. In a candid chat with Priyanka Goud, he opens up about shedding stereotypes, navigating success and failure, and staying deeply rooted in his craft. On receiving mixed responses for his role in Telusu Kada I’m glad that Telusu Kada is doing well. It’s my first time playing a full-fledged romantic hero, and there’s been a lot of talk about my role. Like you said, I did come across a few people calling my character a ‘walking red flag.’ But honestly, I don’t really look at that whole ‘red flag’ part. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and that’s absolutely fine. For us, it was never about labelling the character we just wanted to portray him truthfully, with all his layers and flaws, and we went with that. On working with a debutant female director I never looked at it as working with a woman filmmaker or compared it to working with a male director. For me, she was simply my director that’s all that mattered. The thought of gender never even crossed my mind. Neeraja has always been very clear, confident, and straightforward about how she wanted things to be

Intro: Diwali is more than lamps and fireworks it’s about rituals, relationships, and creating cherished memories. Celebrities, too, embrace this spirit in their own ways, blending cultural traditions with modern celebrations. From heartfelt pujas to guilt-free feasts, here’s how stars like Adivi Sesh, Neha Shetty, and Avika Gor celebrate Diwali and what it truly means to them. Celebrity Quotes: Adivi Sesh: “I love the festive spirit that flows from Navaratri to Dussehra and then Diwali. At home, we perform Lakshmi Puja, and while I avoid crackers because of our pets, I enjoy watching the colourful sky. No festival is complete without sweets and spreading joy.” Neha Shetty: “Diwali is not just about lighting lamps, it’s about illuminating our hearts with hope, kindness, and courage. For me, parties, festive food, and time with close ones make this celebration special every year.” Avika Gor: “For me, Diwali is about spreading love, kindness, and warmth. I celebrate responsibly, visiting family and friends, exchanging hugs, and sharing sweets. The true spirit of Diwali lies in joy and togetherness.”

Kannada star Rishab Shetty, who captured nationwide attention with his 2022 blockbuster Kantara, is back with his much-awaited prequel, Kantara Chapter 1. At a recent press meet in Mumbai, he opened up about his journey from working as a driver and office boy in the city to becoming a pan-India actor and filmmaker. Speaking with honesty and gratitude, Rishab reflected on cinema’s power to transform lives and shared insights into the making of his ambitious new film.Your journey from driver in Mumbai to leading the Kantara Chapter 1 is inspiring. How do you look back on it?For me, Mumbai is very special. Back in 2008, I worked as an office assistant in a production house in Andheri West, and also as a producer’s driver. While eating vada pav on the road near that office, I never imagined I would come this far. Cinema has given me so much love, respect, and blessings far beyond what I could dream of. I’m incredibly grateful. Everyone is talking about how your village came together for the Kantara Chapter 1 event. Tell us about that. Everyone in my village, in Kundapura’s Keradi, was part of the filmmaking process. It felt like the entire place had turned into a film village. The whole town became a studio. I’m deeply grateful to my villagers, the crew, my wife Pragathi, professors, cultural dancers, their families, and even the seniors who guided us. This film was built on collective effort. The prequel is set centuries ago. How did you bring that world to life?It was one of the toughest challenges. We had no direct references for the 4th–5th century. Everything production, costumes, sets, was built from reading, listening, and imagining. We were very particular about the look, the backdrop, the characters’ behaviour, and even the language. The goal

Halloween is more than just a day for candy and costumes. It’s a celebration of community, creativity and a touch of spooky fun. As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, families everywhere are looking for ways to make this holiday special. If you are searching for ideas, Dhanush Kumar brings you some memorable and family-friendly Halloween ideas. Transforming your home into a haunted haven is a fantastic way to get everyone in the Halloween spirit.  Carving pumpkins is a family tradition. Lay out old newspapers, grab some carving tools, and let your family’s creativity shine. For younger children, painting pumpkins is a safer and equally fun alternative. Use warm, orange string lights to create a festive glow. Cast eerie shadows with paper cutouts of bats and spiders on windows. A simple ghost made from a white sheet and a balloon, or a string of paper bats, can add a lot of character without much effort. Choosing a costume is often the highlight of Halloween. Encourage a group of themed costumes for a fantastic family look. Go as a family of superheroes, a collection of farm animals, or characters from your favourite movie. Repurpose old clothes and craft supplies. A cardboard box can become a robot, and a green t-shirt with some design can transform into a friendly frog. The best costumes are often the ones that you make together. While trick-or-treat is a must, there are many activities to enjoy, such as: Monster Movie Marathon: Curl up on the couch with popcorn and a selection of age-appropriate spooky films. Classics like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, or Hocus Pocus are always great choices. Spooky Story Time: Gather around a fire pit or in a dimly lit room and share not-too-scary ghost stories. Themed Treats: Bake and decorate