Biryani Maker

We are so happy that this season a few celebrities have made their relationships formal — actress Mansha Pasha and social activist Jibran Nasir being a heartwarming example. The two recently got engaged. But what’s more heartwarming is the fond way in which Mansha P speaks about her husband-to-be. Check out one of her revelations about Jibran N which went viral last week. She said he makes excellent biryani. How cool is that! After marriage, the hubby will not just be making speeches.

Still Single

Maya Ali fans, rest assured, she is still single. How do we know that? Well, an admirer of the actress asked her on Instagram when she shared a picture of hers whether she’s still married to Osman Khalid Butt. Yup, Osman KB. She was quick to respond, “Did I, Osman, my family, Osman or his family, ever mention this thing anywhere?” She also requested the person not to give statements about anyone.

Hmmm … family is definitely important.

Unless they mention such a thing, consider it not done.

Privacy Issues

It was wise of Shehroz Sabzwari to put out a video message for all his and his wife Syra’s fans about what’s happening in the couple’s life. Rumours were afloat about their divorce, and that too by those who have nothing to do with their lives but like to give opinions on social media about everything under the sun. Shehroz B told them that the two have not been divorced but only separated for the last six months, to mull over their relationship which had hit snags. Only if people can understand how insensitive it is to interfere in the lives of individuals in distress, this world would be a better place to live in. Shame.

Rod Punch

Sir Rod Stewart doesn’t just have a good, raspy voice; he, at 74, also has strong hands that can knock people down. On New Year’s Eve, the singer and some members of his family, including son Sean (39) and a few kiddos, tried to enter the children’s area at the Breakers Palm Beach Hotel in Florida. The guard positioned there, Jessie Dixon, stopped them from stepping into the kids’ zone because they didn’t have authorisation. This angered Sean S who quarreled with the guard and, a little later, Sir Rod punched Jessie D in the ribs. The father and son were arrested and have been issued a notice to show up at the Palm Beach criminal justice complex on February 5. Now the rock star can sing his famous song Forever Young at concerts with a lot more truthfulness.

MeToo, Another Version

We can’t make head or tail of this. The world is going bonkers. On January 3, a molestation case was filed against Nitin Satpute, lawyer of actress Tanushree Dutta, who had filed a case against actor Nana Patekar for sexual harassment. The lawyer is accused of using ‘abusive language’ against and ‘outraging the modesty of’ a woman in Mumbai. The woman, who lives in the same building as the advocate, has complained that, a few months ago, she had had a verbal showdown with Nitin S over replacing a small garden in front of his flat with a garden for children. Afterwards, she claims, he allegedly phoned and abused her and also used filthy language against her outside a police station. This reminds us of a line by Faiz Ahmed Faiz (someone currently being accused of being anti-Hindu by extremist Hindus in India), kisay wakeel karein, kis se munsafi chahein.

Opening Big

Vidya Balan is ambitious. She can afford to be, because she is a darn good actor. Her ambition can be gauged from the fact that she has expressed the desire for her films to have bigger openings than the Khans’. She believes that it’s an “interesting time” for the Indian film industry.

She looks forward to this decade because she is “amazed with the variety of roles and the kind of films I’m being offered at the age of 41.” Vidya B, you’d be pleasantly surprised to know that, given the kind of movies that the Khans are being offered (Zero, Thugs of Hindostan, Tubelight), they would be jealous of the kind of openings you are having.

Published in Dawn, ICON, January 12th, 2020