Entertainment
‘Madhuri Dixit is 2nd grade actor’: Congress’ Tikaram Jully’s IIFA Awards comment sparks controversy

The controversy began after reports claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Rajasthan government spent more than Rs 100 crore to host the IIFA ceremony in Jaipur last week.
The IIFA Awards in Rajasthan have caused a strong political debate, with Congress leader and Leader of Opposition, Tikaram Jully, adding to the controversy by calling Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit a ‘second-rate actress.’
The controversy began after reports claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Rajasthan government spent more than Rs 100 crore to host the IIFA ceremony in Jaipur last week. The Opposition Congress has criticized the ruling party, questioning why such a large amount was spent on a film event while important religious and public welfare projects were supposedly ignored.
नेता प्रतिपक्ष टीकाराम जूली का शिक्षा मंत्री मदन दिलावर पर तंज।
जूली ने कहा- “हमारे शिक्षा मंत्री स्कूल बंद करने में लगे हुए हैं। @TikaRamJullyINC @madandilawarpic.twitter.com/1wc4eCw5tr
— Dinesh Manzu Rawlani (@ManzuDinesh) March 12, 2025
While slamming the government, he stated, “While this government chants the name of Sanatan, it couldn’t allocate Rs 100 crore for Khatu Shyam Ji temple or Rs 120 crore for Govind Dev Ji temple. But they quickly approved Rs 100 crore for the IIFA ceremony.”
He also criticised the event’s guest list, stating that, except for Shah Rukh Khan, no major Bollywood stars attended the awards, reducing its importance. Defending his controversial comment about Madhuri Dixit, Jully said, “When Madhuri Dixit’s name was brought up, I said, ‘She is in second grade now. Her time is over.’ No big film stars came.'”
The politician further asked, “When Amitabh Bachchan didn’t come, what is there to say?”
The Congress leader further raised questions about the event’s benefits for Rajasthan, accusing the government of misusing taxpayers’ money. “Passes worth Rs 7 lakh were given out for free. What did Rajasthan gain from IIFA? The stars didn’t visit tourist spots, and the people of Rajasthan got nothing,” he reportedly said.
Jully’s comments have triggered anger among Bollywood fans and industry insiders, with many coming to the defense of Madhuri, who continues to be an iconic figure in Indian cinema.
During the event, Madhuri performed to some of her iconic songs alongside Shah Rukh. Several videos of their performance have gone viral on social media. The actress also gave a solo performance.
Entertainment
Pahalgam Terror Attack: Days After Trumps Backing, US Shuns Pakistani Journalist , Calls For Bringing Perpetrators To Justice
Pahalgam Terror Attack: Days after US President Donald Trump extended his unconditional support to India following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the US has called for the perpetrators of the terrorist attack to be brought to justice.
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Thursday (local time) shunned a Pakistani journalist during a press briefing for questioning her over border tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, adding that US President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio made clear that the US stood with India and strongly condemned all forms of terrorism.
“I am not going to be remarking on it. I appreciate this, and perhaps we will come back to you with another subject. I will say nothing more on that situation. The President and the Secretary have said things, as has the Deputy Secretary; they have made their positions clear. I will not continue with something of that manner,” Bruce said.
While addressing a press briefing on Thursday (local time), Tammy Bruce said that Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have made clear that Washington stands with India and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism. She said that the US prays for those who lost their lives in the attack and for the recovery of the injured.
On the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, Bruce said, “As President Trump and Secretary Rubio have made clear, the United States stands with India and strongly condemns all acts of terrorism. We pray for the lives of those lost and pray for the recovery of the injured and call for the perpetrators of this heinous act to be brought to justice.”
Here Are Top Updates
1. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing at least 26 tourists while leaving several others injured, in one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.
2. Asked whether the US sees Pakistan behind the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Tammy Bruce responded, “I put it at the top because it was a horrible situation. At the same time, that is going to be the extent of the comments at this point. What I can tell you, of course, as we all know, it’s a rapidly changing situation, and we are monitoring it closely, as you might imagine. And we, of course, are not now taking a position on the status of Kashmir or of Jammu either. So that’s really going to be the extent of what I can say.”
3. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the CCS meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post.
4. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission as Persona Non Grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. India has also decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours.
5. The US administration under President Donald Trump continues to support India after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and offered his condolences at the loss of lives in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Trump condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this “heinous attack”.
6. In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated, “President Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump @POTUS called PM @narendramodi and conveyed his deepest condolences at the loss of innocent lives in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. President Trump strongly condemned the terror attack and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack. India and the United States stand together in the fight against terror.”
7. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump condemned the terrorist attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, expressing solidarity with India. Sharing a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost and for the recovery of the injured.” “Prime Minister Modi and the incredible people of India have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!” he added.
(With agencies Inputs)
Entertainment
26-year-old dancer shooting for Riteish Deshmukh’s film Raja Shivaji drowns in Krishna river
The deceased dancer was identified as Saurabh Sharma, whose body was found on Thursday morning, two days after he went missing.
A 26-year-old dancer, who was part of the choreography team of actor- director Riteish Deshmukh’s movie ‘Raja Shivaji’, drowned in the Krishna river in Maharashtra’s Satara district just after finishing the shooting of a song, police said on Thursday.
The deceased dancer was identified as Saurabh Sharma, whose body was found on Thursday morning, two days after he went missing, an official said.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening at Sangam Mahuli, a village located at the confluence of the rivers Krishna and Venna in Satara district, around 250km from Mumbai, where the shooting of ‘Raja Shivaji’ was going on, he said.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening at Sangam Mahuli, a village located at the confluence of the rivers Krishna and Venna in Satara district, around 250km from Mumbai, where the shooting of ‘Raja Shivaji’ was going on, he said.
After finishing the shooting of a song in which colours were thrown around, Sharma went to wash his hands in the Krishna river. After washing his hands, he entered deep into the river for a swim, but got swept away by strong water currents, he said.
Police and district administration were alerted about the missing dancer, following which disaster response and rescue teams, including members from local private organisations, rushed to the spot and launched a search operation.
The search and rescue operation was stopped on Tuesday night due to darkness and it resumed on Wednesday morning and went on for the entire day, but the dancer could not be traced, said the official.
Sharma’s body was finally recovered from the river by police and rescue teams on Thursday at around 7.30 am, he said.
An accidental death case has been registered with the Satara police and further probe was underway, the official added.
‘Raja Shivaji’, a bilingual Marathi and Hindi film based on the life of legendary Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is being directed by actor Riteish Deshmukh, who is also playing the lead role in the movie.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from PTI)
Entertainment
Shehzad Khan reveals his father Ajit Khan warned him for mimicking his voice in ‘Andaz Apna Apna’: ‘Ainda aisi himakat mat karna…’ | Hindi Movie News – The Times of India
Actor Shehzad Khan recently opened up about his father’s initial reaction after watching him mimic his voice in Aamir Khan and Salman Khan’s ‘Andaz Apna Apna‘. He played the role of Vinod Bhalla in the cult classic, which left a strong impression on the audience.
In a recent conversation with Radio Nasha, Shehzad shared details about the casting process for ‘Andaz Apna Apna’. Director Rajkumar Santoshi had rejected the initial casting of the film, but for the role of Vinod Bhalla, producer Vinay Kumar suggested Shehzad’s name. “When I went there, Raj told me about the role and said that I had to use my father’s voice for the character, and that’s how the journey started,” Shehzad stated.
Actor Ajit was unaware of his son’s involvement in the film until others brought it to his attention. Shehzad recalled, “I never told my father about the film, and some people told him, ‘Your son’s new film has come out. A lot of people are talking about it. He has used your voice.’ Then he saw the film and told me, ‘Ainda aisi himakat mat karna (Don’t ever repeat this).’”
‘Andaz Apna Apna’ has achieved cult status, with fans fondly remembering its unique blend of slapstick humour and quirky characters. Alongside Shehzad Khan, the film features an ensemble cast including Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Paresh Rawal, Shakti Kapoor, and Viju Khote.
‘Andaz Apna Apna’ is set to return to select cinemas on April 25, 2025.
-
Entertainment2 months ago
J-Hope Gears Up to Release New Single ‘Sweet Dreams’ With Miguel
-
Lifestyle1 month ago
Kim Soo Hyun’s agency CONFIRMS past relationship with Kim Sae Ron in official statement; rubbish claims of involvement in actress’ death by suicide | – The Times of India
-
Entertainment2 months ago
Purav Jha creates a parody of Samay Raina’s India’s Got Latent, internet reacts: ‘Pakka FIR hoga’ | – The Times of India
-
Lifestyle2 months ago
Aamir Khan reveals Javed Akhtar and Amitabh Bachchan told him, ‘Lagaan would definitely be a flop’ | Hindi Movie News – The Times of India
-
CITIES2 months ago
Hampi rape case: 3rd suspect arrested from TN | Bengaluru News – The Times of India
-
Technology2 months ago
Sunita Williams is returning to Earth on… : Know how and when NASA astronaut will return from space | – The Times of India
-
Health2 months ago
The Top 10 Richest People In Asia In 2025 – Forbes India
-
Lifestyle1 month ago
Anupam Kher shares a fun video with Satish Kaushik’s daughter Vanshika on Holi: ‘They are back’ | Hindi Movie News – The Times of India