Love stories in Bollywood often play out on-screen, but sometimes, the most genuine moments unfold away from the camera. That’s exactly what fans witnessed when Mira Rajput Kapoor shared a heartfelt birthday tribute to her husband, Shahid Kapoor, on February 25.
Taking to social media, Mira posted a series of intimate and romantic pictures, accompanied by a simple yet deeply personal message: “Simply the best… Happy Birthday love of my life.” The post quickly resonated with fans, offering a glimpse into the couple’s bond that has remained strong over the years.
The images captured a serene beachside setting, where the couple appeared relaxed and completely at ease in each other’s company. In one frame, Shahid, dressed casually in a black T-shirt and sunglasses, wraps his arms around Mira as they gaze out at the sea, soaking in the calm of the moment. Another candid shot shows them laughing freely, with Mira leaning back into his embrace.
Perhaps the most touching image in the series is one where Mira plants a gentle kiss on Shahid’s forehead, while he smiles warmly at the camera. The final photograph adds a playful touch, with Shahid lifting Mira as she hugs him tightly—an effortless display of affection and comfort.
Their story dates back to July 7, 2015, when they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Delhi. Unlike many celebrity relationships, theirs was an arranged match, brought together through family connections and spiritual guidance. Over the years, their relationship has evolved into one of Bollywood’s most admired partnerships.
Today, more than a decade into their marriage, the couple are proud parents to two children—daughter Misha, born in 2016, and son Zain, born in 2018. While Shahid continues to shine in the film industry, Mira has carved her own identity as an entrepreneur, building a strong presence in the wellness and lifestyle space.
On the professional front, Shahid Kapoor remains as busy as ever. After his recent appearance in O Romeo, he has an exciting lineup ahead with Cocktail 2 and Farzi 2, keeping fans eagerly anticipating his next performances.
Born into a family deeply rooted in cinema, Shahid is the son of veteran actors Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azeem, and shares a close bond with his half-brother, actor Ishaan Khatter.
Yet, beyond the film sets and public appearances, it is moments like these—quiet, affectionate, and deeply personal—that truly define his life. Mira’s birthday post serves as a reminder that even in the spotlight, love can remain simple, grounded, and beautifully real.
The Lions Club of Loutolim recently celebrated the achievements of two outstanding individuals from the village, Rupesh Jogale and Mario Pimenta, during a special felicitation ceremony held as part of the official visit of District Governor PMJF Lion Jai Amol Naik.
The event began with a warm welcome by President Lion Allen Araujo, who highlighted the consistent efforts of the club in serving the community despite being based in a rural area. Secretary Lion Alwyn Mascarenhas presented a detailed overview of the club’s initiatives since July, which included environmental efforts like sapling distribution during Vanamahotsav, educational support for deserving students, financial aid, and various charitable activities.
The highlight of the evening was the recognition of two local talents who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. Rupesh Jogale, a respected name in Goan theatre and direction, was honoured for his dedication to the performing arts. Known for his powerful portrayals, including roles depicting Jesus Christ, Jogale shared his journey and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the recognition bestowed upon him.
Mario Pimenta, a young and promising filmmaker from Goa, was also felicitated for his growing achievements in cinema and participation in various competitions. At just 21, Mario reflected on his journey, acknowledging the unwavering support of his family, especially his mother and sister. He encouraged aspiring individuals to pursue their dreams with confidence and action, noting that such recognition at a young age was both motivating and humbling.
District Governor PMJF Lion Jai Amol Naik congratulated both honourees and commended the Lions Club of Loutolim for its impactful work. He encouraged more individuals to join the Lions movement, emphasising its core philosophy of service and positive societal impact. During the event, he also presented letters from the International President of Lions Clubs International to veteran members, along with medals and badges, recognising their long-standing dedication.
Treasurer MGF Lion Joaquim Monteiro delivered the vote of thanks, expressing appreciation to all attendees and contributors to the event’s success. With nearly five decades of service, the Lions Club of Loutolim continues to play a vital role in fostering community development while celebrating and encouraging local talent.
The Entertainment Society of Goa has announced the 8th edition of the Goa Anti-Tobacco Film Festival 2026, set to take place on May 31, 2026. Organised in association with the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Goa Dental College and Hospital, the festival aims to use the power of cinema to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and reduce the incidence of oral cancer and heart diseases in Goa.
With the theme “Unmasking the appeal: Countering Nicotine & Tobacco Addiction,” this year’s festival invites filmmakers, students, and institutions to create impactful ad films that challenge the perception of tobacco and highlight its risks. The initiative not only focuses on public health awareness but also promotes film art through non-profit screenings.
The festival will be conducted in two sections — the Goa Section and the National Section — ensuring participation from both local and national talent. The Goa Section is open to films produced by Goan individuals, production houses, students studying in Goa, and local institutions. Entries can be in Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, or English, and must not exceed two minutes in duration, with mandatory English subtitles.
The National Section, on the other hand, is open to participants from across India, with films required to be in Hindi or English. Similar to the Goa category, entries must be ad films of up to two minutes and include English subtitles.
Interested participants must complete their registration by April 17, 2026, by submitting the official form available on the ESG website. The final deadline for submission of films along with supporting documents is May 13, 2026.
The festival also offers attractive prizes to encourage participation and reward impactful storytelling. In the Goa Section, the first prize carries ₹50,000, followed by ₹30,000 for second place and ₹20,000 for third. In the National Section, the top prize stands at ₹1,00,000, with ₹50,000 and ₹30,000 awarded to second and third place winners respectively.
By combining creativity with a strong social message, the Goa Anti-Tobacco Film Festival continues to serve as an important platform for filmmakers to contribute to public health awareness while showcasing their talent. As entries open, the festival once again calls on storytellers to use their voice and vision to inspire change and promote a tobacco-free future.
At 17, like many others trying to follow a “secure” path, he chose medicine. Enrolling in an MBBS program wasn’t just a career decision—it was also about living up to expectations, especially those shaped by family. But even while navigating textbooks and lectures, there was another side to him quietly growing stronger. He wrote poetry, stories, even drama—creative expressions that hinted at something deeper waiting to surface.
It didn’t take long for that internal conflict to become impossible to ignore.
Something didn’t align.
And that simple realization led to a much bigger question—who was he, really?
What followed wasn’t a sudden breakthrough, but a phase of exploration. Swapnil began trying different forms of expression, almost like searching for a language that felt truly his. Music came first. He picked up the guitar and flute, even played in a band. For a while, it seemed like this could be it. But slowly, doubt crept in. He felt he had started too late, that he might never reach the level he envisioned.
Writing, which had once felt natural, also began to feel limiting. Not because he didn’t love it—but because it didn’t fully capture everything he wanted to say.
And then, cinema happened.
During his college years, exposure to world cinema and a filmmaking workshop changed everything. It wasn’t just about watching films—it was about understanding them. Breaking them down. Feeling them differently.
For the first time, he found a medium that didn’t ask him to choose between his interests. Cinema allowed him to combine them all—music, writing, visuals, performance. It was collaborative, layered, and limitless.
It felt like home.
Like many filmmakers, his influences were shaped by what moved him. The raw honesty of Anurag Kashyap left a strong impression early on. He admired the craftsmanship of Vijay Anand and the storytelling brilliance of Salim–Javed, even before he consciously realized their impact.
Over time, his cinematic world expanded. Filmmakers like Mani Ratnam and Mahesh Bhatt added new layers to his understanding of storytelling.
Across regions and borders, inspiration continued to flow—from Lijo Jose Pellissery and Umesh Kulkarni to global masters like Bong Joon-ho, Akira Kurosawa, Park Chan-wook, and Martin Scorsese. He also holds Billy Wilder among his absolute favorites, alongside Woody Allen and Kathryn Bigelow.
Beyond cinema, literature shaped him just as deeply—especially the works of Haruki Murakami. But above everything else, Swapnil believes that life itself is the greatest teacher.
His approach to storytelling reflects that belief.
Ideas don’t arrive in a structured format. They come as fragments—a visual, a feeling, a line of dialogue, sometimes even a news report. His film Stolen was born from one such moment—a disturbing real-life incident where misinformation spread through WhatsApp led to mob lynching. But instead of simply recreating the event, he chose to explore the psychology behind it. Why do people behave the way they do in a crowd? What drives fear into violence?
That curiosity became the foundation of the film.
His process is meticulous but organic. A spark becomes a premise. A premise becomes a logline. That expands into a paragraph, and eventually a detailed treatment of 30 to 40 pages. Only then does the screenplay begin.
And even then, it’s just the beginning.
The first draft—often stretching between 100 to 150 pages—is far from final. For Swapnil, writing is rewriting. And in filmmaking, rewriting doesn’t stop on paper—it continues on set, and even in the editing room.
Collaboration plays a crucial role here, especially with actors. During Stolen, he remained closely involved throughout the shoot, constantly refining scenes. He values the way actors interpret moments, often catching nuances that might escape a writer or director too close to the material.
But like most independent filmmakers, the journey hasn’t been without challenges.
Reaching the right audience remains one of the biggest hurdles. While mainstream films like Pushpa: The Rise are built for mass appeal, independent cinema often struggles with distribution—both in theatres and on OTT platforms.
This is where film festivals become vital.
For Swapnil, they weren’t just platforms—they were gateways. Stolen connected with audiences far beyond India, resonating in countries like Italy, Germany, and China. Its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in 2023 marked a defining moment in his journey.
But what makes that milestone even more powerful is the journey behind it.
The film began in November 2019 and went through nearly 70 drafts before reaching its final form. Years of persistence, doubt, rewriting, and rebuilding—all leading to a story that finally found its audience.
At its core, Swapnil’s work is driven by connection.
He wants audiences to feel something—whether it’s laughter, discomfort, fear, or empathy. He sees himself as both an entertainer and a storyteller, someone who can engage while also making people think.
And he’s far from done exploring.
Currently, he’s venturing into horror and thriller genres, while also working on a deeply personal story about two societal misfits—another example of his instinct to explore the human condition from different angles.
On a personal level, the success of Stolen brought something beyond professional validation.
It brought emotional closure.
Walking away from medicine without industry backing wasn’t easy. But today, seeing his parents proud of the path he chose—that makes it all worth it.
Stories, for Swapnil, are not just a profession—they’re a way of life. He consumes them endlessly—books, films, poetry, graphic novels. There are days he watches three to four films back-to-back, simply because he wants to understand storytelling better.
And if you asked him which fictional world he’d step into?
It would be Breaking Bad—to experience life as Walter White.
Because at the end of the day, what fascinates him most isn’t just stories—it’s people. Their choices, their contradictions, their journeys.
And maybe that’s why, if given a superpower, he wouldn’t choose invisibility or flight.
He’d choose storytelling.
The power to move people. To persuade. To connect.
Because sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do… is tell a story well.
Making a memorable debut at the 79th British Academy Film Awards, Alia Bhatt brought a refreshing desi touch to one of cinema’s most prestigious global platforms. Held at the iconic Royal Festival Hall in London, the ceremony witnessed a moment that quickly became a fan favourite.
Taking the stage as a presenter for the Best Film Not in the English Language category, Alia began her speech with a warm and confident “Namaskar,” instantly capturing attention and admiration. She followed it up with a light-hearted clarification in English, saying, “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet,” drawing laughter and applause from the audience.
Her gesture wasn’t just charming—it symbolised a growing global acceptance and celebration of diverse cultures in mainstream cinema. By choosing to speak in Hindi on such a platform, Alia effortlessly showcased her roots while connecting with an international audience.
The award category featured notable films like It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sirāt, and The Voice of Hind Rajab, with Sentimental Value taking home the honour.
Social media quickly lit up with praise for the actor, with fans calling the moment “iconic,” “classy,” and a proud representation of Indian culture. Many appreciated how naturally she balanced elegance with authenticity, making the moment feel both powerful and personal.
Adding to the glamour of the evening, Alia stunned in a custom silver gown by Gucci, paired with a white stole. Inspired by the timeless style of Marilyn Monroe, her look perfectly complemented the sophistication of the event.
In her own words, shared with British Vogue, Alia expressed her excitement about the appearance, stating that she wanted to bring glamour while keeping the look elegant.
Her BAFTA debut was more than just a red carpet appearance—it was a statement of identity, confidence, and the universal language of cinema that transcends borders.
