TEHELKA Entertainment
By Tehelka Entertainment Bureau
When disaster strikes, celebrity support can often remain limited to social media posts. Sonu Sood, however,
chose to be on the ground. The actor travelled to flood-hit Nepal carrying essential supplies and meeting people affected by the devastation, making it clear that his involvement was not intended to end with a one-off visit.
Sharing glimpses of his time in Nepal, Sood spoke about helping families rebuild their lives and ensuring that assistance continues beyond the immediate crisis. Blankets and food supplies have already been sent, while his team is also assessing what else is needed on the ground. The actor has indicated that relief efforts will continue in the coming months, rather than being restricted to the initial aftermath of the floods.
That commitment has resonated strongly with his fans, many of whom have long associated Sood with humanitarian work. Social media was soon filled with messages calling him a real-life hero and even a “messiah on duty”. For an actor who has built a reputation for stepping in during times of crisis, the Nepal visit further strengthens that image.
The devastation in Nepal has also prompted other Bollywood voices to speak up. Manisha Koirala, who has deep roots in the country, has appealed to the international community to stand by Nepal. Her message went beyond immediate relief, urging people to return as tourists once conditions improve. For Nepal, she pointed out, tourism is essential to rebuilding livelihoods and restoring confidence.
Sunita Ahuja has also spoken emotionally about the floods. With her mother and grandmother having roots in Kathmandu, she described Nepal as her “matrabhoomi” and appealed to members of the film industry to contribute to relief efforts. She has also been trying to ensure that her own donation reaches people who genuinely need assistance.
A marriage stuck in limbo
Darshan Jariwala and Apara Mehta have been living separately for 23 years, yet their marriage has never formally ended
in divorce. Their long-standing separation returned to the spotlight earlier this year after Apara spoke publicly about what led to their split, including her claim that Darshan had told her she was the “ugliest woman” he had ever met.
Now, Darshan has offered his side of the story. The actor reportedly disputed Apara’s account and explained why, despite filing for divorce, the two remain legally married.
According to Darshan, the couple had simply grown apart over the years following their marriage in 1982. He said he did file for divorce, but the proceedings did not go through after Apara withdrew her consent before the judge. Darshan also recalled leaving their home with little more than a bag and said he gave the Santa Cruz house to Apara and their daughter.
He questioned why details of their marriage were being discussed publicly more than two decades after their separation. Darshan also said he could not comment on Apara’s motivations but maintained that he knew his own truth and rejected the version of events she had shared.
Apara, meanwhile, has described a very different account of the moment their marriage began to fall apart. She previously recalled a conversation on their wedding anniversary in which, according to her, Darshan told her that he had fallen out of love with her and no longer liked her. She said his remarks left her stunned, particularly because she had to leave soon afterward for a shoot.
Darshan also suggested that Apara may have felt insecure about her position on Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and that this could have influenced her decision to return to India. He said he was happy with his life today. The actor has been in a relationship with interior designer and architect Anahita Italia since 2010.
What makes the story particularly striking is that there appears to be no immediate resolution to a marriage that has effectively been over for more than two decades.
Both actors have moved on in their personal and professional lives, but their contrasting recollections have once again put a very private chapter of their relationship in the public eye.
Enter Hanuman Ansh
Yash-starrer Toxic was once expected to face a major clash with Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2. After Toxic was postponed
amid the Middle East crisis, the film eventually arrived in August without the anticipated competition. A strong opening suggested that it could dominate the theatrical landscape. But its momentum has since weakened considerably.
Hanuman Ansh, the devotional drama made for a reported Rs. 2 crore and released with little initial industry buzz, has emerged as an unlikely theatrical success story. Its journey has been particularly unusual: after opening at just Rs. 10 lakh, the film found an audience weeks into its run. By its fourth weekend, it had reportedly collected Rs. 28 crore net in India, followed by another significant jump on its 26th day. The most striking comparison came on Tuesday. Hanuman Ansh reportedly collected Rs. 8.50 crore net in India, edging past Toxic, which managed Rs. 8.20 crore on the same day despite playing in multiple languages and across substantially more screens.
The screen count tells an even more interesting story. Hanuman Ansh began its theatrical run in fewer than 100 cinemas and reportedly fell to around 20 screens in its second week. Its fortunes then changed dramatically. By the fourth week, exhibitors had expanded its presence to more than 1,500 screens.
That kind of turnaround is rare—and it explains why the film has suddenly become a talking point among exhibitors. In an industry where screen space is often dictated by opening numbers and star power, Hanuman Ansh is making a case for sustained audience interest. If the trend continues, it could find itself taking screens away from bigger releases.
Directed by Vishal Chaturvedi and led by Chandan Anand and Shobhinav Satyaa, the film was released on August 7 without the scale normally associated with a theatrical success. Yet it has already crossed the Rs. 50 crore mark and is now being projected as a potential Rs. 100 crore grosser.
The film tells the story of Lakshman Das and his spiritual transformation into Neem Karoli Baba. Chaturvedi, a doctor-turned-filmmaker, has mounted the story on a remarkably modest budget, making its theatrical performance all the more noteworthy.
So, while Toxic arrived with the expectations attached to a major pan-India star vehicle, Hanuman Ansh is quietly demonstrating that theatrical fortunes can change long after opening weekend. And in Nepal, Sonu Sood’s presence offers another reminder that, beyond Friday numbers and celebrity headlines, Bollywood’s public influence can sometimes be used more meaningfully.
