The world of Bollywood witnessed a flurry of significant events on January 6, 2026, blending personal joy with industry-wide debates and moments of sorrow. The day's headlines were dominated by a celebrity wedding, a controversy over a legendary actor's final rites, and a major diplomatic appeal concerning a banned film.
Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben Begin Wedding Festivities in Udaipur
Actress Nupur Sanon and playback singer Stebin Ben have officially commenced their wedding celebrations. The couple was photographed at Mumbai airport on Wednesday as they boarded a flight to the royal city of Udaipur for their upcoming nuptials. Adding to the star power of the entourage was Nupur's sister, popular actor Kriti Sanon, who was accompanied by her rumoured boyfriend, Kabir Bahia. The group was all smiles as they headed for the destination wedding, marking the start of the much-anticipated festivities.
Shobhaa De Voices Disappointment Over Dharmendra's Funeral
The passing of veteran superstar Dharmendra on November 24 in Mumbai was followed by a surprisingly low-key funeral, which left many fans and industry insiders expecting a state honour for the icon. This decision sparked speculation and debate. Renowned columnist Shobhaa De recently addressed the issue, expressing her clear disappointment. In a conversation with Vickey Lalwani, De stated she completely agreed that Dharmendra should have been accorded a state funeral.
"There have been others in the past who were given this honour. Surely someone of Dharmendra’s stature should have got it too. He richly deserved it," De remarked. She found the situation puzzling, suggesting it could have been an oversight or due to political reasons. "If Sridevi could get a state funeral, who was so loved, surely someone of Dharmendra’s stature should have got one too," she added, calling the episode both "strange and disappointing."
IMPPA Seeks PM Modi's Help Over 'Dhurandhar' Middle East Ban
In a significant industry move, the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the ban on the film 'Dhurandhar' across several Middle Eastern nations. Despite the film's record-breaking global box office run, it remains prohibited in countries including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
IMPPA's letter to the PM appeals against what it describes as a "unilateral and uncalled-for ban." The association emphasized that the film was released after full certification from India's Central Board of Film Certification and argued that the prohibition suppresses freedom of expression. Noting the strong business ties with these "India-friendly countries," IMPPA urged diplomatic intervention to have the ban revoked promptly.
Other Notable Updates from the Industry
Gautami Kapoor on Marriage Controversy: Reacting to the backlash faced by Kajol and Twinkle Khanna for their comments on infidelity, actor Gautami Kapoor shared her perspective. While expressing love for Kajol, she suggested the controversial remark might have stemmed from light-hearted banter. Kapoor reflected on modern marriages, stating, "If you really analyse marriage today, I think marriage already comes with an expiry date—if you don’t work on it." She attributed challenges in relationships to "too many options, too many temptations, and almost no patience."
Shukla Kumar Passes Away: The film fraternity mourned the loss of Shukla Kumar, wife of late cinema icon Rajendra Kumar and mother of actor Kumar Gaurav. A pillar of support during Hindi cinema's golden era, she was married to the star fondly known as "Jubilee Kumar." She is survived by her son and two daughters. A prayer meeting has been scheduled for January 10.
