Category Entertainment

Having grown up on television sets and now navigating reality TV and digital conversations, Ashnoor Kaur has had a front-row seat to how the industry is evolving. Known for her early start as a child actor and more recently seen as a contestant on Bigg Boss 18, she believes that while formats are changing, television continues to hold its ground.

 “I feel the way people are consuming television today has changed significantly. Today, almost every GEC also has a strong OTT presence. For instance, Star Plus content is available on JioHotstar, and earlier Viacom18 content used to be on Voot. This shift has made content far more accessible. I’ve seen Gen Z audiences watching daily shows while travelling, directly on their phones, which was never the case earlier,” she says.

Her views come at a time when conversations across the industry are increasingly focused on format evolution, digital-first storytelling and the balance between traditional and new platforms, a trend reflected at forums like Content India 2026, organized by Dish TV India, where creators and industry voices discuss the future of the Indian content and entertainment ecosystem.

Despite the shift to on-demand, she maintains that television still has a strong connect.

 “The traditional habit of sitting at a fixed time to watch TV on a cable network has clearly evolved into on-demand viewing. However, in Tier 2 and interior markets, television still holds strong relevance and continues to be deeply embedded in daily routines. Going forward, while consumption formats will keep evolving, I don’t think television as a medium will lose its relevance. It caters to a distinct audience segment that continues to engage with it consistently.”

At the same time, she points out how the explosion of content has made it harder to hold attention. “I think it’s very different because of course with the advent of social media and short form content, the attention span has really gone down, it’s really reduced. So I think these days the hook of a video really needs to be engaging for the person to actually watch the entire video. Because right now there’s an overflow in supply and there’s limited demand. So the demand remains the same. But there’s so much content out there everywhere that it’s really important to find your niche and also get the right people to get to watch your content.”

Reflecting on how content today travels beyond boundaries, she adds,

“Content knows no boundaries. And I feel, you know, with events like Content India wherein we have people from all over the globe coming in, sharing their own insights, I feel it’s a great experience and it’s a great melting pot to kind of taper down to that one thing that connects us and that is content cinema movies.” 

Sony SAB’s Itti Si Khushi is set to take an intriguing turn with the entry of actor Bhumika Gurung, who joins the show as Saara Sethi, a character that brings glamour, unpredictability and a storm of emotions into the narrative. Known for her striking presence and layered personality, Saara’s arrival is set to disrupt relationships and shift the course of the story in unexpected ways.

Bhumika Gurung’s character Saara is a successful hotelier and a high-society South Mumbai personality known for her sharp mind, eccentric charm and unapologetically bold attitude. Stylish, witty and often unpredictable, Saara carries an air of confidence that is both captivating and intimidating, while beneath the surface lies a complex emotional world. Her entry brings her face-to-face with Virat, with whom she shares a history. As she re-enters his life, Saara shakes the world of Virat and Anvita, setting the stage for a tense and unpredictable turn in their journey.

Speaking about her role, Bhumika Gurung shared, 

“Saara is unlike any character I’ve played before. What fascinates me is how unpredictable she is, and that’s what makes her so exciting. On the surface, she’s glamorous, confident, and in control, but underneath that is a deeply complex and emotionally driven person. Understanding her mindset and the choices she makes has been both challenging and thrilling as an actor. The journey she takes in the story is intense, layered, and full of twists, and I’m really looking forward to the audience experiencing it.”

New Delhi, Mar 30: At the LTG Auditorium, a soulful evening of Bharatanatyam unfolded as Aayam presented Odyssey of Love, a solo recital by Tanusha Tyagi, disciple of Guru Sindhu Mishra. Conceived and choreographed by the Guru, the performance sought to trace love in its many resonances— cosmic, devotional, and deeply human, through the cosmic Shiva- Parvati pair.

Structured as a traditional Margam, the recital opened with an invocation to Ganesha and Shiva. The Ganesh Kriti, set in raga Nattai, established a tone of auspiciousness, with Tyagi’s vibrant movements carrying both the joy of praying to the Lord, and years of tedious practice. This was followed by Bho Shambho in Revathi, where the dancer moved between stillness and fluidity, invoking Shiva not merely as the cosmic dancer but as a compassionate, omnipresent force.

The central Pada Varnam, drawing from the Ramcharitmanas, explored Parvati’s steadfast devotion. Here, Tyagi carried the dual demands of nritta and abhinaya with sincerity and grace. The narrative—Parvati’s penance and her testing by the Saptarishis—was rendered with emotional clarity.

A more unusual presentation came with the Padam, again sourced from the Ramcharitmanas, depicting the wedding of Shiva and Parvati through the eyes of a startled and resistant maternal gaze.

The tension between fear and faith was delicately suggested, with Tyagi’s abhinaya depicting the nuance in Maena’s disbelief and Parvati’s quiet resolve.

The recital concluded with a lively Desh Thillana, where rhythmic agility took precedence. Tyagi’s footwork here was energetic, providing a fittingly vibrant close to this deep, contemplative evening.

The live orchestra—featuring G. Elangovan (Carnatic vocals and flute), Nitin Sharma (Hindustani vocals), Sachin Sharma (tabla), and Dr. Ramamurthy Kesavan (mridangam)—offered a textured musical canvas. Guru Sindhu Mishra’s nattuvangam anchored the performance, maintaining cohesion across the repertoire.

Odyssey of Love remained anchored in its thematic intent—exploring love as surrender, endurance, and transcendence.

Raulane Festival of Himachal Pradesh: A Centuries-Old Himalayan Tradition Celebrating Faith, Nature and Community

Bright and colourful images from Himachal Pradesh have recently gone viral on social media, drawing attention to the Raulane Festival, an ancient winter ritual celebrated in the Kinnaur district. The visuals—featuring masked performers, traditional costumes, and symbolic rituals—have sparked widespread curiosity about this unique cultural tradition rooted in Himalayan belief systems.

A Sacred Winter Festival of Kinnaur

The Raulane Festival is a deeply spiritual and culturally significant winter celebration observed in remote villages of Kinnaur. It is dedicated to “Saunis”, celestial fairies believed in local tradition to be gentle, radiant beings who protect villagers during harsh winters.

According to local belief, these divine beings provide warmth, guidance, and protection when life becomes difficult in the extreme Himalayan climate.

Symbolic Marriage Ritual: Raula and Raulane

One of the most fascinating aspects of the festival is its symbolic marriage ritual. During the celebration, two men are chosen to represent the divine couple:

• The Raula (groom)
• The Raulane (bride)

They are believed to act as spiritual vessels for the Saunis. This ritual is not a real marriage but a symbolic performance representing divine unity and protection.

The participants wear heavy traditional woollen clothing suited for the cold Himalayan weather. Their faces are fully covered with masks, and their hands are gloved, giving the ritual a mysterious and sacred appearance.

The Raulane, representing the bride figure, is dressed in elaborate attire with decorative ornaments, traditional jewellery, and detailed headgear, transforming the performer into a ritual identity rather than an individual.

Ritual Dance and Village Participation

A key highlight of the festival is a slow, meditative ritual dance performed at the Nagin Narayan Temple, one of the important spiritual centres in the region. The movement is calm and symbolic, reflecting devotion and spiritual connection.

The entire village takes part in prayers, gatherings, and celebrations, making the festival a deeply communal event rather than an individual ritual.

Cultural and Spiritual Importance

The Raulane Festival is not just a celebration—it is a living expression of Himalayan heritage. It plays a vital role in:

• Preserving ancient oral traditions and folklore
• Strengthening community bonding in remote mountain villages
• Honouring nature-based spiritual beliefs
• Maintaining cultural identity in harsh geographical conditions

Local traditions suggest that the festival may be thousands of years old, with some accounts estimating its origins to be nearly 5,000 years old, though this remains part of oral belief rather than documented history.

Why the Festival Is Trending Now

The festival has recently gained global attention due to:

• Viral social media images and videos
• Unique masked performances and costumes
• Curiosity about Himalayan spiritual traditions
• Increased interest in cultural and heritage tourism

Travel enthusiasts and cultural observers are now highlighting Kinnaur as a destination rich in untouched traditions and deep-rooted beliefs.

Conclusion

The Raulane Festival stands as a powerful reminder of India’s diverse cultural heritage. In the remote mountains of Himachal Pradesh, traditions like these continue to thrive, blending faith, mythology, and community life.

Beyond its striking visuals, the festival reflects a deeper message—of harmony between humans, nature, and spirituality, preserved through generations in the heart of the Himalayas.

New Delhi, Mar 23: The 2026 edition of the Habitat International Film Festival (HIFF) drew to a resounding close with the screening of the acclaimed Polish biographical film Chopin, Chopin, marking a fitting finale to a vibrant celebration of global cinema.

The closing evening was attended by distinguished guests and cinema enthusiasts, culminating in a deeply moving cinematic experience that resonated strongly with the audience. Chopin, Chopin received a standing ovation, underscoring its powerful impact and the audience’s appreciation for its artistic and emotional depth.

(L to R) H.E. Dr. Piotr Świtalski, Prof (Dr.) K G Suresh, Dr. Mariann Erdo, Ms. Małgorzata Wejsis-Gołębiak

On the occasion, Prof. (Dr.) K G Suresh, Director of the India Habitat Centre, made a significant announcement, declaring Poland as the Focus Country for the 2027 edition of the Habitat International Film Festival. The announcement reflects the growing cultural collaboration between India and Poland and builds upon the success of this year’s Polish showcase, including the Andrzej Wajda centenary retrospective.

As part of the closing ceremony, Prof. Suresh felicitated His Excellency Dr. Piotr Antoni Świtalski, Head of Mission of Poland to India, and Ms. Małgorzata Wejsis-Gołębiak, Director of the Polish Institute, in recognition of their continued efforts in fostering cultural exchange and strengthening Indo-Polish ties.

HIFF 2026 featured a diverse and engaging lineup of films from across the world, along with retrospectives, discussions, and special events that brought together filmmakers, scholars, and audiences in a shared celebration of cinema.

The festival’s successful conclusion reaffirms the India Habitat Centre’s commitment to promoting meaningful cultural dialogue through the medium of film, while setting the stage for an exciting and expanded edition in 2027 with Poland in focus.  

Mumbai, March 22: This season, Triune—founded by Jaipur-based designer Prasoon Sharma—returned to Lakmé Fashion Week 2026 with Fragile Dreams, a collection that unfolded as a deeply personal yet universally resonant exploration of change, vulnerability, and self-expression.

Presented on March 21, the collection redefined vulnerability—not as fragility, but as a source of creative momentum. Moments of uncertainty, nostalgia, and growth translated into colour-saturated silhouettes and tactile surfaces, where garments felt less like statements and more like stories in motion. With Fragile Dreams, Triune moved beyond conventional fashion narratives, presenting clothing as something lived in—intimate, expressive, and instinctively human.

At Lakmé Fashion Week 2026, the collection came alive through a 16-look menswear and unisex lineup that balanced fluid tailoring with relaxed ease. Bomber jackets layered over airy tanks, easy trousers paired with playful shorts, and separates transitioned seamlessly from day to night. Designed with travel and transition in mind, the silhouettes embodied an understated freedom—adaptable, seasonless, and quietly confident in their versatility.

Colour played a central emotional role. Drawing from nature’s shifting landscapes, the palette moved through earthy reds, sun-warmed yellows, and muted greens, accented with soft hints of gold. Rather than dominating, colour flowed organically across looks, mirroring cycles of renewal and evolution that informed the collection’s narrative.

Textiles brought the story closer to the body. Raw, unfinished denims contrasted with breathable cottons, creating a dialogue between structure and softness. Triune’s signature dori work—developed in-house—introduced dimensional textures that captured light and movement with subtle drama. Here, craft felt alive: less decorative, more experiential, allowing texture to emerge as a language of emotion.

Rooted in a seasonless philosophy, Triune continued to blur boundaries across gender and occasion. Prints appeared spontaneous yet intentional, silhouettes resisted rigid definition, and styling encouraged individuality—reflecting a generation that dresses by instinct rather than expectation.

Speaking about the showcase, Prasoon Sharma shared, “Fragile Dreams is very personal to me. Over the years, the brand has gone through phases, and I began noticing how similar that felt to the cycles we see in nature. There are moments of stillness, moments of chaos, and moments of renewal—and this collection is my way of translating those experiences into something everyone can connect with. I wanted the clothes to feel honest and lived-in—pieces that carry emotion yet remain light, joyful, and free.”

The story of Triune begins far from fashion capitals, in Dholpur, Rajasthan, where Sharma’s early inspirations were shaped by observation, travel memories, and a deep connection to nature. Now based in Jaipur, he translates these influences into garments that feel both escapist and personal—pieces imagined for journeys, transitions, and the in-between moments that shape identity.

With Fragile Dreams, Triune creates a world where softness leads without hesitation—transforming emotion into form and reminding audiences that strength can be gentle, expressive, and quietly radiant through colour, texture, and silhouette.

New Delhi, Mar 21: India Studio9, the premium content production arm of TV9 Network, has made its entry into India’s mainstream OTT landscape with Jazz City, a ten-episode historical espionage series now streaming on Sony LIV. Set in 1971 Calcutta against the backdrop of the Bangladesh Liberation War, the series marks a significant milestone for Bengali-language storytelling — and for Studio9 as a producer of prestige content.

Jazz City centres on Jimmy Roy (played by Bangladeshi star Arifin Shuvoo), the owner of a Park Street jazz club who is drawn from studied apathy into the dangerous currents of underground resistance. As Indian intelligence officer Sinha (Shantanu Ghatak) conscripts Jimmy into the world of espionage, what was once Calcutta’s most sophisticated nightspot becomes a covert nerve centre for spies, revolutionaries, war journalists, and refugees.

Created, written and directed by Soumik Sen — whose credits include the acclaimed OTT series Jubilee and the feature film Gulaab Gang — Jazz City is produced by Studio9 in partnership with StudioNext. The series features a diverse ensemble including Sauraseni Maitra, Sayandeep Sengupta, Shreya Bhattacharya, Shataf Figar, Tanika Basu, Aniruddha Gupta, Amit Saha and Alexandra Taylor.

Creative Producer Arpita Chatterjee helmed the production alongside Sen, delivering the complex multi-location shoot — spanning West Pakistan, East Pakistan, and Calcutta — to schedule and to a high technical standard, besides putting together a compelling star cast. Cinematographer Pratik Parmar’s recreation of 1970s Park Street is complemented by an original soundtrack composed by Arka Mukherjee, Diptarka Bose, and Soumik Sen, blending jazz with Rabindra Sangeet to reflect the cultural tensions of the era.

“Jazz City is my love letter to Bengal’s untold post-Independence saga,” said writer-director, Soumik Sen. “Delivering this under tight timelines without a single compromise on creative excellence has been thrilling. It’s proof that bold Bengali storytelling can command global stages. Studio9’s backing has unleashed our most ambitious work yet.”

Arpita Chatterjee, Jazz City’s creative producer, added:

“Jazz City on Sony LIV marks Studio9’s entry into prestige OTT content. It is our statement of intent: world-class narratives rooted in cultural truth, executed with precision. Our recent Asian Television Award for Fan and Fanatics showed what we are capable of. Jazz City is another testament to our growing capabilities.”

Jazz City is already receiving critical acclaim across media since its launch on March 18, 2026. IWMBuzz.com writes that “the show deftly conjures an atmospheric tapestry, weaving noir sensibilities that render the club an ambiguous sanctuary—simultaneously a refuge and a crucible of danger. Shuvoo combines charisma with world-weariness to create a believable transition from sceptical observer to unexpected hero.”

NewsBytesApp notes that Jazz City is “moody, politically charged, and artistic…Shuvoo’s sensational performance makes it an engaging watch. Sen constructs the era gone by with intricate details, and Kolkata’s iconic Park Street gradually turns into a crucial character.”

Studio9’s entry into the OTT space with Jazz City follows the company’s recent recognition at the 30th Asian Television Awards in Singapore, where its docu-series Fan and Fanatics won the Best Documentary Programme (OTT) award. The production house is also in post-production on Duologue with Barun Das Season 4, featuring Sourav Ganguly, Vijay Amritraj, Lothar Matthäus, Bianca Balti, and Aamir Khan, which is set to premiere on Jio Hotstar.

 

Gurugram, Haryana | March 20, 2026:
Music connoisseurs and cultural enthusiasts are set to experience an enchanting evening of Hindustani classical music as Baithaki 2026 takes center stage. Presented by Swaranjali Delhi in collaboration with Eternal Oasis Gurugram, the event promises a deeply immersive and spiritually uplifting journey rooted in the timeless themes of Raaga and Raasa.

Scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 5:30 PM, the event will be held at Anandam, 1st Floor, Eternal Oasis, 591A, Sector 42 Main Road (near Shiv Nadar School), Gurugram, Haryana.

Designed as an intimate baithak-style gathering, Baithaki 2026 aims to recreate the traditional ambiance of Indian classical music, fostering a close connection between artists and the audience. The evening will explore the emotional depth and spiritual resonance of ragas, offering a serene and contemplative experience.

Stellar Line-Up of Performances

The program features an impressive blend of vocal and instrumental performances by accomplished and emerging artists:

• Shri Subrata De – Sitar

• Master Arjun Ahluwalia – Sitar

• Dr. Rama Sundar Ranganathan – Vocal

• Smt. Sonali Natta – Vocal

Accompanists:

• Shri Jitendra Swain – Tabla

• Pt. Siddhartha Chatterjee – Tabla

• Shri Mukesh Bharadwaj – Harmonium

Together, the ensemble will present a rich tapestry of melodies, rhythm, and improvisation, reflecting the profound traditions of Hindustani classical music.

About Swaranjali Delhi

Founded in 2000 and registered as a Trust in 2003 by Shri Subrata De, Swaranjali Delhi is a leading non-profit organization committed to preserving and promoting Indian classical music and dance through the revered Guru-Shishya Parampara.

Over the years, the organization has built a strong reputation for nurturing talent and providing a platform for both established maestros and promising young artists.

Key Initiatives Include:

• Festivals: Gharana Festival, Murchhana Festival, Shraddhanjali, and Baithak series, often in collaboration with institutions like ICCR and India Habitat Centre.

• Training Programs: Vocal, instrumental, and dance education including Kathak, focusing on foundational techniques and artistic discipline.

• Inclusivity: Special initiatives to train underprivileged students while maintaining the purity of traditional art forms.

• Pan-India Presence: Active cultural programming across the country as a charitable Trust.

Upcoming Events by Swaranjali Delhi

Swaranjali continues its cultural journey across India with an exciting lineup of forthcoming events:

• Amritsar & Bathinda, Punjab: Baithaki Series – March 24 & 25, 2026

• Agartala: “Colours of India” – April 17, 2026

• Delhi: Swardhwani Festival – April 19, 2026, at Muktadhara (1 PM – 9 PM), in association with Dhwani Foundation

• Hyderabad: “Colours of India” – April 25, 2026, at B.M. Birla Auditorium (2 PM – 9 PM)

• Bhubaneswar: Shraddhanjali – June 27, 2026, at Suchana Bhawan Auditorium (4 PM)

An Evening of Musical Meditation

Baithaki 2026 is more than just a concert—it is a celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage and a meditative journey through sound. With its focus on Raaga (melody) and Raasa (emotion), the event invites audiences to pause, reflect, and connect with the deeper essence of music.

For lovers of classical arts, Baithaki 2026 promises an unforgettable evening of harmony, devotion, and artistic excellence.