On January 6, 2026, Bollywood grabbed headlines with a mix of personal milestones, industry debates and moments of loss.
Nupur Sanon, sister of
Kriti Sanon, and singer Stebin Ben jetted off to Udaipur ahead of their wedding festivities. IMPPA sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention over the Middle East ban on Dhurandhar, while Shobhaa De weighed in on the controversy surrounding Dharmendra not being accorded a state funeral. Here’s a look at the top entertainment stories of the day.
Nupur Sanon jetted off to Udaipur
Actress Nupur Sanon and playback singer Stebin Ben have officially kicked off their wedding celebrations. The duo was spotted at Mumbai airport on Wednesday as they flew to Udaipur for the festivities. Joining them were Nupur’s sister, actor Kriti Sanon, along with Kriti’s rumoured beau Kabir Bahia, all snapped as they headed to the royal destination.
Shobhaa De on Dharmendra state funeral controversy
Dharmendra’s passing on November 24 in Mumbai led to a low-key funeral, surprising many fans and industry members who felt the legendary actor deserved a state funeral. Speculation around tensions between the Deol family and Hema Malini also surfaced, though both sides chose not to comment and held separate ceremonies to pay their respects.
Columnist Shobhaa De recently addressed the issue in a conversation with Vickey Lalwani, voicing her disappointment. When asked if Dharmendra should have been accorded a state funeral, she said, “I completely agree. I’ve written about it as well. There have been others in the past who were given this honour. Surely someone of Dharmendra’s stature should have got it too. He richly deserved it. He was so loved.”
She added that the situation seemed puzzling, saying, “It seemed like it was an oversight or political reasons why it didn’t happen. If Sridevi could get a state funeral, who was so loved, surely someone of Dharmendra’s stature should have got one too.” De also noted that Dharmendra’s critical health condition was widely known and that arrangements could have been made swiftly, calling the entire episode “strange and disappointing.”
Gautami Kapoor on Kajol and Twinkle Khanna marriage controversy
Kajol and Twinkle Khanna recently faced backlash after comments on their Two Much talk show were interpreted as trivialising infidelity in marriages. Twinkle’s remark, “raat gayi, baat gayi,” in particular, drew sharp criticism online.
Reacting to the controversy in an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Gautami Kapoor said, “I love Kajol—and I think Twinkle said this—but whoever said it, I love them for it,” suggesting the comment may have stemmed from real-life observations or light-hearted banter. However, she also offered a broader perspective on marriage, saying, “If you really analyse marriage today, I think marriage already comes with an expiry date—if you don’t work on it.”
Gautami clarified that she does not believe marriages are inherently short-term. “You want it to be for life—but marriage is not easy. You go through many dynamics as a couple,” she said, adding that modern relationships suffer due to “too many options, too many temptations, and almost no patience.”
Shukla Kumar passes away
Shukla Kumar, wife of late Hindi cinema icon Rajendra Kumar and mother of actor Kumar Gaurav, has passed away. The news has left the film fraternity mourning her loss. A prayer meeting is scheduled to be held on January 10.
Though she stayed away from the limelight, Shukla Kumar was a constant pillar of support during Hindi cinema’s golden era. Married to Rajendra Kumar, fondly known as “Jubilee Kumar,” she witnessed his immense stardom through classics like Sangam and Mere Mehboob. She is survived by her son Kumar Gaurav and daughters Dimple and Manorama.
IMPPA seeks PM help on ‘Dhurandhar’ Middle East ban
Despite Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar continuing its record-breaking run at the global box office, the film remains banned across several Middle Eastern countries. The Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) has now written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking diplomatic intervention in the matter.
In its letter, IMPPA appealed against what it termed a “unilateral and uncalled-for ban” imposed by countries including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The association stated that the film was released after receiving certification from the Central Board of Film Certification and argued that the ban amounts to a suppression of freedom of expression.
IMPPA further urged the Prime Minister to intervene, noting that these nations are “India-friendly countries” with strong business ties across sectors. The association concluded by expressing hope that freedom of expression would be upheld and the ban “revoked at the earliest.”
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