Bhumi Pednekar said her recent visit to the India-China border in Sikkim deepened her admiration and gratitude for the country’s armed forces. Speaking to the media, the actress described herself as highly patriotic and said the experience made her realise how much soldiers do to protect the nation while civilians often do little in return. Bhumi said interacting with military personnel and learning about the region’s history filled her with pride and appreciation for their sacrifices. She described the border area as extremely cold yet breathtakingly beautiful. On the professional front, Bhumi was last seen in the 2025 film Mere Husband Ki Biwi and has also appeared in several acclaimed films and the series Daldal. (IANS)
Tom Hanks explains why Oscars don’t need voice acting award
Actor Tom Hanks has said the Oscars do not need a separate category for voice acting, arguing that voice performers are already eligible to compete in existing acting categories. Speaking ahead of the release of Toy Story 5, in which he reprises his role as Woody, Hanks said any performance capable of moving audiences should be considered for awards recognition regardless of whether the actor appears on screen. Hanks pointed to Andy Serkis as an example, noting that his acclaimed performances in franchises such as The Lord of the Rings and Planet of the Apes demonstrate how actors can deliver award-worthy work without physically appearing as themselves. He suggested that a purely vocal performance could also earn recognition under current Oscar rules. Despite animated films having dedicated categories, no voice actor has ever won an Academy Award in an acting category. Hanks’ comments come as Toy Story 5 prepares for release more than 30 years after the original Toy Story debuted in 1995, helping launch one of animation’s most successful franchises. (IANS)
Katy Perry to debut new song at FIFA World Cup 2026
Singer Katy Perry has revealed that she will perform a song she has never sung live before during the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony in Los Angeles. Speaking at the Tribeca Festival premiere of her concert film Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour – Live from Paris, Perry described the mystery track as “very fitting” for the occasion and said it comes from one of her earlier albums rather than being a new release. The pop star will be part of a star-studded lineup that includes Anitta, Future, LISA, Rema and Tyla. The FIFA World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is the biggest edition of the tournament yet, featuring 48 teams and running until July 19. (ANI)
Sharvari describes Main Vaapas Aaunga as a journey of love
Sharvari has described her latest film, Main Vaapas Aaunga, as a deeply emotional story centred on love, longing and memories that transcend time and boundaries. Sharing her thoughts on Instagram, the actress said the film has always been close to her heart, from reading the script to portraying her character Jiya. She expressed pride in being part of the project and excitement about sharing it with audiences. The film, directed by Imtiaz Ali, features Sharvari as Afsana/Jiya, the emotional anchor of a cross-generational love story set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition. The movie also stars Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah and Vedang Raina in key roles and released in theatres on June 12. (IANS)
