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Trinetra Haldar opens up about the most awkward comment she has ever receivedTrinetra Haldar rose to fame with her acting debut in the Amazon Prime Original Made In Heaven Season 2 (2023). She is one of India’s first transwomen to digitally document her medico-socio-legal transition from male to female.

After two years of her debut, she is back on OTT with her new show Kankhajura. The show drops on SonyLIV today

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Trinetra talks about how life has been after Made In Heaven 2, her thoughts on actors undergoing surgeries, and her “life has come full circle” moment with Roshan Mathew.

“I Don’t See You As A Woman, But As A Transwoman”

We ask if all the roles she has been offered so far are that of a transwoman, or have other roles too come her way.

Trinetra says, “I am not committed to playing only trans characters on screen. I am an actor. I want to tell stories. Period.”

Talking about the process of getting diverse roles, Trinetra tells NDTV, “I am not successful enough to be offered parts readily. I have given auditions so far. But I take my auditions very seriously. I am very proud to say that people in the industry are opening up to the idea of casting more trans people. Honestly, characters are beyond genders. We are not mere males and females. The joy of being an actor lies in telling stories; stories about rich and layered lives.”

Trinetra is ready to take up roles beyond trans characters. Does the industry show the same zeal?

The actor lets us in on the most awkward comment she has received on that front.

“A person recently said, ‘I don’t see you as a woman, but as a trans woman. I feel you’ll only play trans parts in your entire life,” says Trinetra, without revealing whether the person is a director, actor or producer. 

Trinetra’s Transition vs Actors’ Cosmetic Surgeries

In 2024, when there was a strong buzz over Rajkummar Rao’s facial transformation, Trinetra shared a post on Instagram.

An excerpt from the post read, “An actor was recently trolled into sheepishly admitting he had chin filler, and a topper was trolled for (not doing anything about) her facial hair in the face of obvious academic merit. Screwed if you do, screwed if you don’t, clearly. There is only this one body, this one life. If there is gender dysphoria, it has to be dealt with.”

We ask what her thoughts are on actors like Khushi Kapoor or Shruti Haasan, who have openly talked about their cosmetic surgeries. 

“I can’t speak for other people. For me, as a transwoman, the journey is very unique. Everything I have undergone in my personal medical journey has been related to my transition,” says Trinetra.

“I haven’t done anything just because a casting director asked me to do it. I have never taken any step in my personal life or transition for this career. It, my transition journey, was always for my self.

“My transition was to align my gender identity with my body. Because, unfortunately, I was not blessed with womanhood when I was born. I had to create it from the scratch. 

“I feel it’s people’s choice if they want to talk about their transformations or not. I have always been transparent about my journey,” sums up Trinetra.

Trinetra’s Moment With Roshan Mathew

In the series Kankhajura, Trinetra plays Roshan Mathew’s love interest.

Trinetra, who’s a great admirer of Roshan’s work, right from her medicine days, tells NDTV, “I watched his film Moothon (2020) when I was studying medicine. My Made In Heaven co-stars Shashank Arora and Sobhita Dhulipala were also a part of that film. So, it’s like a life-has-come-full-circle moment for me. In that film, Roshan plays a queer character. He said so much through his eyes. He brings a lot of energy to the sets.”

Trinetra also shared a funny Instagram reel recently, where she is seen learning Malayalam from Roshan.

“I love to learn language. So, I kept on asking him what this word would be called in Malayalam,” smiles Trinetra.Trinetra’s new show, Kankhajura, is directed by Chandan Arora and produced by Ajay Rai. It also stars Roshan Mathew, Mohit Raina and Sarah Jane Dias in lead roles. The series is an official adaptation of the Israeli series, Magpie.

Dipika was diagnosed with the disease last week

Popular television actor Dipika Kakar is undergoing surgery for stage 2 liver cancer, her husband and Sasural Simar Ka co-star Shoaib Ibrahim has said.

Dipika, who had complained of a stomach ache in May, was diagnosed with the disease last week.

What’s Happening

• In an Instagram Story on Monday night, Shoaib said Dipika, 28, is set to undergo a lengthy procedure to tackle the disease.
• “Dippi’s surgery is scheduled to happen tomorrow morning. It’s going to be a long surgery… She needs all your prayers & strength the most… Please keep her in your prayers,” he wrote.

• In a vlog, dated May 15, 2025, on his official YouTube channel, Shoaib said Dipika was diagnosed with a “tennis ball-sized” tumour in the liver. She would undergo more tests to check whether the tumour was cancerous, he said at the time.
• On May 28, Dipika revealed her cancer diagnosis in an Instagram post. “As you all are aware last few weeks have been quite difficult for us… walking into the hospital for a pain in the upper area of my stomach… and then finding out its a tennis ball size tumour in the liver and then Finding out that the tumour is Second stage Malignant (Cancerous) … it has been one of the most difficult time we have seen, experienced! (sic)” she wrote

Dipika’s surgery was delayed after she developed a high fever.

The actors, who are parents to two-year-old Ruhaan, also praised their son for behaving sensibly after learning about Dipika’s health condition.

“Bohut samajhdaari se usne behave kiya (He has behaved in a very mature manner)” Shoaib had said in one his earlier vlogs.

Dipika, who also appeared in the video, said Ruhaan understood that his mother wasn’t keeping well.

She had said, “Usko pata hai ki mumma theek nahin hai, wo samajh gaya hai. Woh ek-aadh baar din me aake mujhe bolta hai, par phir wo samajh jaata hai ki mumma theek nahin hai. But yes, sab log hain. So, we are staying strong (He knows mumma isn’t well. He comes to me once or twice a day but then he realises that mumma isn’t well. But yes, we have everyone around).”

Dipika, who was last seen on the first season of Celebrity MasterChef India, was diagnosed with a tumour in her liver last month. According to Shoaib, initial reports suggested the tumour was benign. After a battery of tests, the couple found out that she had stage 2 liver cancer.

Amid Deepika Padukone-Sandeep Reddy Vanga row, Pankaj Tripathi agreed on not overextending work hours if the commitment is fulfilled

Reports of Deepika Padukone putting down her foot down and asking for an 8-hour work shift led to her exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit. This has been a trending topic for weeks now.

In light of the ongoing feud between the actress and the filmmaker, several members of the film fraternity have shared their views. In addition to Mani Ratnam, Saif Ali Khan, Kajol, and Ajay Devgn, now Pankaj Tripathi too has shed light on the same.

What

• Deepika Padukone’s departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit had several demands posed by the actress that led to the decision.
• One of the requirements stated by Deepika was to get an 8-hour work shift, after which she asked to be paid for working extra hours.
• Now, recently in conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Pankaj Tripathi too has shared some similar sentiments. He spoke about why it is important to set boundaries and say “no” when it is needed. He emphasized why it is okay to not overextend work hours, once the commitment is fulfilled.
• He said, “Right now, I’m practising saying ‘no.’ Because everyone should know where the boundary is – that this is the line, and beyond this, it’s a polite ‘no.’ Kaam mein khiche jaa raha hai. 16 ghanta-18 ghanta ho gaya main laga hua hoon. Main bol bhi raha hoon, actor jaa chuka hain. Labour ruka hua hain. (The work hours are getting stretched. I am working 16-18 hours straight. I’m even saying, the actor has left, the labourers are still waiting).”
• “Phir laga nahi, abhi toh aap vinamrata purvak bol dijiye ki ‘Nahi, itna hi hoga.’ Humne commit ye kiya tha, commitment humari poori ho gayi. Ab dhanyavaad. Jo bacha hai, kal karenge.’ ( At this point, you should just politely say, ‘No, this is all that can be done. This is what we committed to, and we’ve fulfilled that commitment. Thank you. Whatever is left, we’ll do tomorrow’),” concluded Tripathi.

Mani Ratnam’s Support Towards Deepika Padukone

Mani Ratnam who is busy promoting his film Thug Life with Kamal Haasan, also addressed the work-life balance perspective recently.The filmmaker went on to offer a pragmatic solution, “If it doesn’t fit into your film, move on. But they should be respected for what they are asking. They are making a very fair demand, which is absolutely necessary, so we should acknowledge it and see how to live with it.”

Support From The Film Fraternity

Saif Ali Khan recently also spoke up on clocking comfortable work hours and returning home.

Khan said at the Arab Media Summit 2025, “I hate coming home and seeing the kids already asleep. That’s not success. Success is being able to say, ‘No, I need to go home now to catch that half hour with them.’”

Last week, actors Kajol and Ajay Devgn also supported the actors’ demand for eight-hour shifts, as they arrived for the trailer launch of Maa.

Devgn said, “Most of the honest filmmakers would not have a problem with eight-hour shifts for new moms. Also, other than new moms working for eight hours, most people have now started working eight hours. I think it’s person to person, and most of the industry understands.”

Background

Deepika Padukone, a new mom, had made some reasonable demands to be a part of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit. Her assertiveness regarding a strict 8-hour work shift did not sit well with the filmmaker, which led to her being replaced by Triptii Dimri.

Her other non-negotiable factors included not wanting to say her dialogues in Telugu. She also wanted a part of the film’s profit sharing and was also not comfortable with certain intimate scenes being planned in the film.

Soon after Deepika walked out of Spirit, Vanga put up a social media post, indirectly taking a jab at the actress and calling her “unprofessional.”

In A Nutshell

Amid Deepika Padukone-Sandeep Reddy Vanga row, several stars from the Indian film industry have spoken up on the importance of work-life balance. Coming out in support of new mothers who are in the acting profession, several stars have extended their agreement for an 8-hour work shift. Pankaj Tripathi also believes that there is no need to work extra hours if the commitment given initially is wrapped up within the stipulated time.

Ratnam also praised Deepika’s firm decision, “I think it’s nice when women ask for what they want and get what they want. It’s a very healthy sign.

Vishal Jethwa reveals what really happened in the viral video from Cannes 2025 where Janhvi and Ishaan are assumed to be having a tiff

Team Homebound featuring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa in the lead were recently at the Cannes 2025 Film Festival. The internet was flooded with pictures of the lead actors with director Neeraj Ghaywan and producer Karan Johar all over social media.

It is amid those series of pictures and videos, one clip went viral that led to the internet assuming that there’s some possible tension between Ishaan and Janhvi.

In the viral snippet, Janhvi is seen brushing off Ishaan’s hand who offered to help her as she was getting onto the stage. Vishal Jethwa reacted to the online buzz about a tiff between the Dhadak pair.

What’s Happening

• A clip of Janhvi Kapoor ignoring Ishaan Khatter at the Cannes 2025 Film Festival went viral online.
• In the video, Ishaan is seen offering his hand to help Janhvi get on the stage. Janhvi not accepting the gesture was assumed to be a reason behind some tension with Ishaan.
• Vishal Jethwa, the third lead of their film Homebound addressed the ongoing rumours and revealed what really happened in the video.
• Vishal told Zoom, “At Cannes, I remember holding her outfit’s trail and was struggling to figure out how to hold it properly. I was just trying to help her. And when Janhvi was climbing up, Ishaan was offering his hand. She was holding her clothes, which is probably why she didn’t take his hand.”
• He added, “Maine Ishaan aur Janhvi ko kaam karte dekha hai aur woh bohot hi comfortably kaam kar sakte hain. Woh dono ek doosre ke well-wishers hain. Bohot ache se baat karte hain (I’ve seen Ishaan and Janhvi work together and they are very comfortable with each other. They are well-wishers and talk very nicely to one another).”
• Vishal concluded by saying that Janhvi Kapoor is very respectful and the team is not bothered by the online speculations being discussed.

About Homebound

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound got an astounding 9-minute standing ovation at the Cannes 2025 Film Festival. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard category. It marked Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor’s Cannes debut.

The premise of the film as showcased on the Cannes Film Festival’s official website, read, “Two childhood friends from a small North Indian village chase a police job that promises them the dignity they’ve long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, mounting desperation threatens the bond that holds them together.”

While the legendary Martin Scorsese was an Executive Producer on the project, the film was produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra. Marijke de Souza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier were the co-producers.

In A Nutshell

There were a lot of rumours floating online about a tiff between Homebound co-stars Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor. Vishal Jethwa who has worked with them in the film, and was present at the Cannes 2025 Film Festival where their film was screened, cleared the air about the online rumours. 

Avantika Malik spoke at length about having a cordial relationship with Imran after divorce, and both of them being there for their daughter Imara

Imran Khan and actress and model Avantika Malik’s paths crossed and they got married in 2011. Their marriage was short-lived as the two got divorced in 2019, but continued to have a cordial relationship.

Avantika emphasised in a recent interview with Nayandeep Rakshit how she is not on talking terms with Imran. However, both of them as parents wanted to ensure their daughter Imara has access to both of them.

What

• Avantika Malik and Imran Khan got married in 2011 but parted ways in 2019.
• They have a daughter named Imara. In a recent interview, Avantika revealed how both Imran and she were on the same page about their daughter’s well-being.
• Avantika told Nayandeep Rakshit, “I think the actual separation comes when we say that, ‘Look we spent our youth trying our best. I know we both gave it our best!’ If it means living separately would bring more happiness, and it has reached that point when it’s not as compatible as before… there comes a day when it’s okay to choose me… I was devastated, it took me a long time. But we don’t (talk), not really. It’s cordial, but friends is a very strong term. We’re not there yet. Maybe someday.”
• Sharing her ideas on co-parenting, she added, “I think for both Imran and I, we always knew we were going to do our best when it came to her (daughter Imara). We were on the same page on that. She always has access to both parents. She spends an equal amount of time with both parents. So I think in that sense she knows that she has not lost anybody, everybody is still there. We have been conscientious about not letting her know about things that have been going on between him and me about divorce or lawyers… to be exposed to it. We were united on that front, to know that she is loved and protected and not losing anyone in her family. She knows that she is not responsible in any way, she does not carry any of the guilt or shame.”

About Imran And Avantika’s Love Story

Imran Khan and Avantika Malik were childhood sweethearts. They had dated for a long time before taking the plunge and getting married in 2011. They welcomed their baby girl Imara Malik Khan in 2014.

Imran Khan’s Comeback

Back in April, Film Journalist Rahul Raut shared on X that Imran Khan is all set to make a comeback with a Netflix rom-com with Bhumi Pednekar.

Though Imran Khan and Avantika Mallik’s marriage did not work out, they have been in tandem about letting their daughter Imara reach out to both of them. Avantika further added that “friend is a strong term”, but maybe both of them will reach that stage one day

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