Karan Johar began his journey as a filmmaker with the iconic romantic drama Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, a film that went on to redefine Bollywood love stories. Featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in lead roles, with Rani Mukerji and Salman Khan in supporting parts, the movie became a cultural phenomenon. But behind its glossy sets and chart-topping songs lies a lesser-known story — one where a nervous debut director found himself crying inside Salman Khan’s vanity van.

Speaking recently on Manyavar’s YouTube channel, Karan Johar opened up about his first-ever collaboration with Salman Khan and how intimidating the experience initially felt. Working with a superstar of Salman’s stature left the young director extremely anxious. Karan recalled walking into Salman’s vanity van on the actor’s first day on set, only to find him casually dressed in a T-shirt and jeans.

Karan told Salman that the film’s set was grand and ornate, and that the scene required a groom-like look. But Salman had a different idea. With his signature confidence, he responded, “If for the first time a groom comes in jeans and a T-shirt, it will be a new style. I’ll bring the swag.” While Salman sounded excited, Karan’s panic only grew stronger. He worried about how the casual outfit would fit into the elaborate wedding sequence, especially with Kajol dressed in a heavily embroidered lehenga.

Overwhelmed by the pressure of directing his first film and handling such a big star, Karan admitted he broke down and started crying right there in Salman’s vanity van. The sight of the young director in tears made Salman nervous. Trying to calm the situation, Salman eventually agreed to change into the suit for the scene. That moment, Karan recalled, led to the filming of his first-ever sangeet song sequence — now one of the most memorable scenes in the film.

Karan has previously shared how difficult it was to convince Salman to take on the role of Aman Mehra. Before Salman came on board, actors Chandrachur Singh and Saif Ali Khan had both declined the part, leaving Karan disheartened. He once recalled attending a party at Chunky Panday’s house when Salman approached him and said he had heard Karan was “shopping” for an actor. Salman encouraged Karan to be confident about the role and asked him to narrate the script the next day.

That narration changed everything. Salman agreed to join the cast, and the rest is Bollywood history. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai went on to become one of the biggest hits of its time, launching Karan Johar’s illustrious directorial career.

From nervous tears to cinematic triumph, Karan and Salman’s first collaboration remains a story fans still love to hear.

Transitioning from Bollywood superstardom to establishing a name in Hollywood is no easy feat, but Priyanka Chopra took on the challenge with fearless determination. After conquering the Hindi film industry, she set her sights on global stardom — a move that came with uncertainty, skepticism, and countless behind-the-scenes struggles.

Priyanka’s breakthrough moment arrived when she signed a talent deal with ABC Studios and landed the lead role of Alex Parrish in the American thriller series Quantico. When the show premiered in 2015, it made history, with Priyanka becoming the first South Asian actor to headline an American network drama series. While audiences worldwide celebrated her rise as an international star, few knew the difficult journey that led to that moment.

Her longtime manager, Anjula Acharia, recently opened up about those early days and the doubts they faced. Speaking on The Ok Sweetie Show, Anjula revealed that many in the industry questioned whether a “brown Bollywood star” could ever break into American television. Some even called her decision to back Priyanka “crazy.” Recalling a moment of uncertainty, Anjula said she turned to Jimmy Iovine, co-founder of Interscope Records, for reassurance. His response stayed with her — he reminded her that people once thought he was crazy for wanting to launch a white rapper named Eminem. The comparison strengthened her belief that groundbreaking success always starts with disbelief.

Anjula also shared how humbling Priyanka’s initial Hollywood journey was. She described attending meetings where they were introduced not to decision-makers, but to “the assistant of the assistant.” The experience, she admitted, was heartbreaking. She painted a powerful picture: being with “the Beyoncé of a country” while no one in the room knew who she was. Priyanka would politely introduce herself, saying, “You don’t know who I am, but I’m Priyanka Chopra,” as they sat in cafeterias for small meetings. Despite the situation, Priyanka remained poised, professional, and ego-free — a quality that deeply impressed her manager.

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Working closely with Priyanka, Anjula said, taught her valuable lessons in humility and perseverance. She revealed that there were moments when she felt Priyanka deserved better treatment, but the actress would insist on doing the hard work anyway, refusing to believe she was above any opportunity.

Today, Priyanka Chopra stands as a global icon. On the work front, she will next appear in the R-rated pirate adventure The Bluff, playing Bloody Mary alongside Karl Urban. The film is set to premiere on Prime Video on February 25.

She is also preparing for a grand return to Indian cinema with S.S. Rajamouli’s ambitious project Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran — proving that her journey across continents is only getting stronger.

Deepika Padukone’s reported exit from Spirit recently sparked a major debate in Bollywood — not just about casting, but about exhausting work schedules in the film industry. What began as a routine production update quickly turned into a larger conversation about long shooting hours, work-life balance, and whether an eight-hour workday should become the norm for actors and crew.

While several industry voices have supported regulated working hours, others argue that extended shifts are sometimes necessary to meet production demands. Now, veteran actor Suniel Shetty has stepped into the discussion with a firm stance on prioritising health, discipline, and personal boundaries.

In an interview with Mid-Day, Shetty revealed that he has always been strict about limiting his work hours. “Even being a part of the industry, I have only made sure that I work during my work hours. If it’s a 9 to 6, I would expect it to be 9 to 6,” he said. However, he added that he is willing to stretch his schedule in exceptional situations. “If my producer is in trouble, I’ll do a 9 to 9 the next morning. But that understanding is important; otherwise, you can’t get the best output from me.”

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The actor was clear that routinely long shifts are unrealistic and counterproductive. “You’re talking about 12-hour or 18-hour work. It’s not possible,” he stated, emphasising that creative and physical performance inevitably suffers without proper rest.

Shetty, known for his action-heavy roles, admitted that missing breaks directly affects his temperament. “If I don’t get my break or my lunch, I become the most irritable person. I need that break because that’s what recharges me. If you want the best output, give me my breaks,” he explained.

At 65, Shetty credits his discipline and fitness for his longevity in the industry. He shared that overexertion is not a badge of dedication but a path to burnout. “You can’t achieve anything by constantly pushing your limits. Fitness is my life. If you take away the gym from me, you take away my life. People who expect me to work need to understand that too.”

Deepika Padukone previously addressed the controversy in an interview with CNBC, pointing out a long-standing double standard. She stated that male superstars have worked eight-hour days for years without scrutiny. “By virtue of being a woman, if that comes across as being pushy, then so be it. It’s no secret that many male actors work eight hours a day, Monday to Friday, and don’t shoot on weekends,” she said.

As Bollywood continues debating work culture reforms, voices like Shetty and Padukone are pushing for a healthier, more sustainable future behind the scenes.

Vicky Kaushal’s historical epic Chhaava ruled the box office through most of 2025, becoming one of the year’s biggest blockbusters before Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar finally overtook it in December. But while the film enjoyed record-breaking commercial success, it also sparked intense controversy — particularly over its portrayal of the conflict between Maratha warrior-king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Now, music maestro A. R. Rahman has broken his silence on the debate, openly acknowledging that the film was indeed divisive.

Following its theatrical release, Chhaava triggered unrest in parts of Maharashtra, with reports of riots in Nagpur. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis later stated that the violence stemmed from public anger over Aurangzeb’s depiction in the film. As the debate around artistic freedom versus historical sensitivity grew louder, Rahman’s candid remarks have now added a new layer to the discussion.

In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Rahman spoke about creating art in an increasingly polarised environment. Addressing the responsibility of artists during such times, he said, “That’s the reason God is giving more power to people like us — so we can replace the bad with good through word, action, and art.” His statement reflected a belief that artists hold a moral responsibility to heal rather than divide.

When asked whether today’s divisive climate has made him more cautious about choosing projects, Rahman admitted that intention plays a key role in his decisions. “Some films are made with bad intention. I try to avoid those movies,” he said, making it clear that purpose matters more than popularity.

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Rahman also addressed his earlier statement about being proud of Chhaava’s soundtrack despite the controversy surrounding the film. Confronting the contradiction, he stated honestly, “It is a divisive film. I think it cashed in on divisiveness, but the core of it is to show bravery.” He revealed that he had even questioned the director about why he was chosen for the project. “I asked him, ‘Why do you need me for this film?’ And he said, ‘We need only you,’” Rahman recalled.

Despite acknowledging the polarising elements, Rahman expressed faith in the audience’s intelligence. “It is an enjoyable film, but people are smarter than that. They have an internal conscience that knows the truth and recognises manipulation,” he said.

The composer also shared how honoured he felt to work on a film centered on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, calling the character “the blood of every Maratha.” He described the film’s emotional climax as deeply moving and said he was proud to have scored a story that carries “the pulse and soul of every Maratha.”

However, Rahman didn’t shy away from calling out cinematic clichés either. Addressing scenes where characters shout religious phrases during violent moments, he dismissed such portrayals as lazy stereotypes, bluntly calling them “cringe.”

Ending on a hopeful note, Rahman said he has immense faith in humanity, believing people possess conscience, compassion, and the ability to see beyond misinformation.