Entertainment music

Veteran actor-singer Sulakshana Pandit passes away at 71 due to cardiac arrest

Veteran actor-singer Sulakshana Pandit has passed away at the age of 71, her brother Lalit Pandit confirmed in a statement to PTI. Sulakshana was being taken to Nanavati Hospital when she passed away. According to Lalit Pandit, “She passed away due to cardiac arrest around 7 pm. She had complained of breathlessness and seemed a bit unwell. We were taking her to Nanavati hospital, but she died before we could reach the hospital.”The esteemed artiste died on Thursday, November 6, 2025, while being rushed to Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai after experiencing breathlessness the previous evening. Sulakshana Pandit achieved acclaim both as an actor and as a playback singer. She made her film debut in 1975 with Uljhan opposite Sanjeev Kumar and went on to work with leading stars such as Rajesh Khanna, Shashi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna. Her filmography includes titles such as Sankoch, Hera Pheri, Khandaan, Dharam Khanta, Do Waqt Ki Roti and Gora among many others. In parallel, she built a successful career as a playback singer, lending her voice to songs in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Oriya and Gujarati. Some of her popular tracks include ‘Tu Hi Saagar Tu Hi Kinara’, ‘Pardesiya Tere Desh Mein’, ‘Bekrar Dil Tut Gaya’, ‘Baandhi Re Kahe Preet’, ‘Saat Samundar Paar’, ‘Somvaar Ko Hum Mile’, ‘Sona Re Tujhe Kaise Miloon’, ‘Yeh Pyara Lage Tera Chehra’, and ‘Yeh Pyar Kiya Hai’. Born into a musically inclined family from Hisar in Haryana, she was the niece of the legendary classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj. She began singing at the age of nine and launched her professional career alongside her brother Mandheer Pandit. Her siblings include Lalit Pandit, Jatin Pandit, and actor ­Vijayata Pandit. Her untimely passing leaves a void in both the world of acting and music. Tributes are expected to pour in from colleagues, fans and admirers across the industry.

bollywood Entertainment film media music

BREAKING: Thamma, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat and ALL other films to discontinue in Assam cinemas from October 31; to ONLY play Zubeen Garg’s final film, Roi Roi Binale; all set for a HISTORIC opening

Last month, the nation was plunged into grief following the untimely demise of the iconic singer and actor, Zubeen Garg. Now, his final on-screen appearance, Roi Roi Binale, is gearing up for a historic release this Friday, October 31. In an unprecedented tribute, every cinema hall across his home state of Assam will exclusively screen the film, suspending all other releases to honour their beloved legend. A trade source told Bollywood Hungama, “All the theatres in the North-eastern state will discontinue the holdover releases like Thamma, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle, Jolly LLB 3 and Regretting You from October 31. New releases like Baahubali: The Epic, Single Salma, The Taj Story, The Black Phone 2, Bugonia, Good Boy etc. will not be screened in any cinema of Assam. Each and every theatre in that state will only play Roi Roi Binale.”The advance booking for Roi Roi Binale has commenced and by Wednesday, almost all shows are sold out or nearly sold out. Shows begin as early as 6: 00 am in Assam’s capital, Guwahati. But in Tezpur, shows commence even before 6: 00 am. While SVF Cinemas in Tezpur will play the first show at 5: 45 am, Imp Cinemas’ first show is at 5: 20 am. TNZ Cinemas will play the first ever show in the whole of India at 5: 00 am. Outside of Assam, too, the response to the advance booking of Roi Roi Binale has been extraordinary. Even in places like Ahmedabad and Jaipur, its shows are fast-filling. The trade source further said, “The ticket sales of Roi Roi Binale in Assam is historic. Almost all shows over the weekend are full and shows of the weekdays are also filling fast. It seems like the film will break every record of all the films in the Assam circuit.”In Roi Roi Binale, Zubeen Garg plays a blind artist and it also stars Mousumi Alifa, Joy Kashyap, Achurjya Borpatra and others. The film is written by Zubeen Garg, and he was also one of its producers along with his wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and Shyamantak Gautam. Also Read: Ayushmann Khurrana on Thamma’s commercial success: “To see people enjoy and endorse my kind of cinema feels incredible”.

celebrity Entertainment international music musicindustry

Jonita Gandhi and Progressive Brothers to open for Enrique Iglesias in Mumbai

Multi-Grammy Award-winning music icon Enrique Iglesias is set to illuminate the MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai on October 29 and 30, 2025, marking his highly anticipated return to India. Joining him as the official support acts will be the talented Indo-Canadian singer Jonita Gandhi and the electrifying EDM duo Progressive Brothers. Jonita Gandhi states, “It’s truly a dream come true to share the stage with Enrique Iglesias. I grew up listening to his music, he’s such an icon. I’m incredibly excited to connect with fans and bring my energy to this concert.”PRO BROS state, “Opening for Enrique is an incredible honour. We can’t wait to bring our unique sound to the audience and set the stage for an unforgettable show!”Produced by India’s leading live event company, EVA Live, this mega concert promises an unforgettable evening featuring a nostalgia-filled showcase of Iglesias’ extensive career, including both classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers. This tour marks Iglesias’ third visit to India, following his celebrated performances in 2004 and 2012. With tickets available on the District App and one show already sold out, over 50, 000 fans are expected to attend across both days. Enrique Iglesias is revered as one of the world’s most prolific musical icons, and attendees can look forward to an immersive experience enhanced by a dynamic setlist, world-class production and stunning visuals. Jonita Gandhi started her journey by posting covers on YouTube, and has since released over 150 songs in more than 10 languages. She has collaborated with international artists like Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers and Michael Bublé, and shared stages with everyone from Shawn Mendes to Michael Bublé; establishing herself as one of India’s most versatile playback singers while successfully navigating a career as an independent artist-an impressive feat in the music industry. Progressive Brothers, comprised of Sunny Sharma and Karan Bhalla, are a notable name in India’s electronic music scene. They have shared stages with globally recognized artists such as DJ Snake, David Guetta, Dimitri Vegas Like Mike, Tiesto Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Kygo, KSHMR and Martin Garrix, and have played at prestigious festivals like Sunburn Festival, VH1 Supersonic, Road To Ultra and Electric Daisy Carnival. They have released music on global labels such as Edm. com, Tiesto’s Musical Freedom, Spinnin’ Records and Chuckie’s Dirty Dutch Digital. The event is powered by Mastercard. Also Read: Ed Sheeran teams up with India’s Jonita Gandhi for Hindi-English fusion track “Heaven”.

culture Entertainment film international music

Hans Zimmer collaborates with Shashwat Sachdev for the title theme of British series Virdee

In a landmark collaboration, two-time Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer-renowned for iconic scores such as The Lion King and Inception-has joined forces with India’s national award-winning composer Shashwat Sachdev for the title theme of the British television series Virdee. The title track also features Emmy-winning British film and television composer and music producer James Everingham, celebrated for his impactful contributions to projects like ‘Apollo: Missions To The Moon’. This collaboration epitomises the evolving dynamics within the global entertainment landscape, highlighting South Asian music supremacy whilst celebrating the cross-cultural intersections that define contemporary cinema and television. Shashwat Sachdev, celebrated for his work on films such as Uri and Article 370, not only makes history as the first Indian composer to co-compose with Zimmer but also as the only Indian artist to release music under his esteemed label, Extreme Music, which also boasts of Deadmau5, Quincy Jones, Snoop Dogg, and Timbaland on its roster. Sachdev’s earlier albums, ‘Euphoria (And the Following Realities)’ released in 2021 and ‘Shades of Cashmere’ released in 2022, have garnered significant acclaim, with ‘Euphoria’ winning the PRS Foundation’s Best Newcomer Award and the track ‘Dharma’ taking home the Best World Production Music Award at the 2021 Production Music Awards. Virdee, adapted from the gripping novels by A. A. Dhand, promises to be an exhilarating crime thriller set against the gritty backdrop of modern-day England. Directed by the talented Mark Tonderai-whose keen eye for tension and drama has enriched projects like Gotham and Locke & Key-the series features a stellar cast, including Staz Nair, Aysha Kala, and Kulvinder Ghir, ensuring captivating performances that align with the intense narrative. Reflecting on this significant milestone, Shashwat Sachdev shares, “The joy of composing across continents is realising that good sound doesn’t need translation it just needs truth. From Mumbai to Los Angeles, it’s still the same heartbeat. This collaboration carried humility, pride, and soulfulness all in one breath a reminder that music isn’t made, it’s remembered. Sometimes I feel like a nomad, a gypsy soul travelling through cultures and countries, exploring new musical worlds as I move along this journey and working with Hans and James was one exceptionally beautiful world that I ever stepped into.”Shashwat Sachdev’s involvement in this groundbreaking project signifies a transformative moment for Indian music on the global landscape, paving the way for a new era in the fusion of music and storytelling. Also Read: Producer Namit Malhotra wishes Hans Zimmer on his birthday: “Can’t believe you’re part of our Ramayana journey”.

bollywood Entertainment film music music industry

Indie sensation Aditya Rikhari makes Bollywood debut with ‘Raat Bhar’ from De De Pyaar De 2, watch

After making waves in the independent music scene with hits like ‘Sahiba’ and ‘Paro,’ singer-songwriter Aditya Rikhari is now set to make his mark in Bollywood with his latest track, ‘Raat Bhar,’ from the upcoming romantic drama De De Pyaar De 2. Released by T-Series on Wednesday, the song is a melodious ode to love, longing, and late-night nostalgia, perfectly capturing the chemistry between Rakul Preet Singh and Meezaan Jafri in the film. With his signature soothing vocals and contemporary musical style, Aditya brings a refreshing energy to the soundtrack, marking a smooth transition from his indie roots to mainstream cinema. Speaking about the track, he shared, “’Raat Bhar’ is very close to my heart. It carries the same honesty and emotion I’ve always tried to bring to my independent music, but this time, it’s a part of a larger story on the big screen. I’m grateful to T-Series and the team of De De Pyaar De 2 for trusting my sound and giving me this opportunity.”Over the years, Rikhari has built a loyal fanbase with his unique blend of heartfelt lyrics and soul-stirring melodies. With ‘Raat Bhar,’ he not only adds another feather to his cap but also cements his place as one of the most promising new voices in the Indian music industry. Also Read: From Priyanka Chopra and Arjun Kapoor to Nushrratt Bharuccha, industry stars applaud ‘De De Pyaar De 2’ Trailer: “Can’t wait to watch it in theatres”.