Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Salil Ankola: I enjoy every bit of playing in BCL

Salil Ankola will once again be playing in the MTV BCL this year. The actor says that he started his association some years back and enjoys every minute of it. “I was approached by Mr Ashwani Sharma to play for Delhi Dragons in the first season and we have won the trophy twice already. Ashwani is a very dear friend and I am playing in BCL as he is involved. Plus, it's the best team and I enjoy every bit of the game with all the players,” he says.

“BCL is fun cricket, where there is a lot of drama along with playing cricket. I am the team guide and will be very involved with the strategies of my team," he adds.


The actor says that he has been following a relaxed schedule and can easily take out time for the game. “At the moment, I am very relaxed with my shooting schedule. After the time lap of Shani, I have the time to spare to play BCL,” she says.

Salil, who has played cricket professionally as well, says that he has always been passionate about the game. “I have played cricket for India and have been passionate about the sport since my pre-teen years. It was all that mattered to me in my growing up years. I was obsessed with performing and gave it my 200%,” he says.

The actor says that playing cricket as part of BCL has its own challenges. “It's fun cricket but it is a challenge to bowl with the smiley ball, as it's difficult to control the direction and length of the ball. Even batting on this ball is difficult. Moreover, the ground is small, so lots of runs are scored,” he says.

Talking about how much he practices, Salil says, “I am a fitness freak and regular in my workout regimen and I have been in touch with the game, so I am not putting in anything extra. But I am definitely working on my bowling as it's very difficult to bowl with this ball.”

Ask him who his favourite cricketer is, and he says, “At the moment, my favourite is Virat Kohli as I find him to be a complete batsman in all forms of the game. He seems the only one who could match up to Sachin. I have played cricket with Sachin and Virat always reminds me of him when he bats.”

More For You

'Dear England' brings Gareth Southgate’s story to life on stage

Gwilym Lee (as Gareth Southgate) and members of the ensemble cast in Dear England at the National Theatre

'Dear England' brings Gareth Southgate’s story to life on stage

THERE was an element of art imitating life – or, more accurately, life imitating art – in the affairs of Gareth Southgate last week.

While the actor Gwilym Lee was at the National Theatre playing Gareth Southgate in a revival of James Graham’s play Dear England, the former England football manager was on the BBC delivering the Richard Dimbleby lecture.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tragic losses: Bollywood icons who died young
Sushant Singh Rajput

Tragic losses: Bollywood icons who died young

THE death anniversaries of late stars Meena Kumari (March 31) and Divya Bharti (April 5) fall in the next couple of weeks.

What both leading ladies had in common was that they died young – Meena Kumari in 1972 and Divya Bharti in 1993 – leaving the Hindi cinema industry in deep shock. There have also been other Bollywood stars who unexpectedly died young across the decades.

Keep ReadingShow less
Michael Theo

The Love on the Spectrum star makes his acting debut in BBC One’s new comedy

Getty Images

BBC star Michael Theo opens up about workplace bullying before ‘Austin’ debut

Michael Theo, star of BBC One’s new comedy Austin, has opened up about the difficult experiences he faced before breaking into acting. The Australian actor, who first gained recognition on Love on the Spectrum, described one of his previous jobs as the most stressful period of his life due to relentless bullying.

Theo recalled working at a kitchen manufacturing company, where he spent long hours sanding doors and handling hazardous chemicals. Instead of support from his colleagues, he was met with cruel insults. “I was called names every day. One person even told me I was a waste of oxygen,” he revealed. The experience took a toll on his mental well-being, but he never gave up on his dream.

Keep ReadingShow less
Salman Khan

Salman Khan’s £32,000 Ram Temple edition watch sparks controversy as a Muslim cleric calls it ‘haram and illegal’

Getty Images

Salman Khan slammed by Muslim cleric for wearing £32,000 Ayodhya Ram temple watch, calls it 'haram'

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has found himself at the centre of a religious controversy after wearing a limited edition watch featuring the Ram Janmabhoomi temple design. The accessory, which was noticed during the promotions of his upcoming film Sikandar, has drawn criticism from Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamaat.

Maulana Razvi has expressed strong disapproval, stating that as a Muslim, Salman Khan should avoid symbols associated with other religions. He referred to the act as “haram” (forbidden) under Islamic law and urged the actor to be mindful of his influence, especially given his large Muslim fan following.

Keep ReadingShow less
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar breaks down on Dance Jodi Dance Reloaded 3 as she reveals being abused by six people as a child

Instagram/Varalaxmi Sarathkumar

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar reveals she was abused by six people as a child

In a deeply emotional moment on the sets of Zee Tamil’s dance reality show Dance Jodi Dance Reloaded 3, actor Varalaxmi Sarathkumar broke down while recounting her traumatic experience of being sexually abused as a child. The revelation came after contestant Kemy shared her own story of surviving harassment by family members. Moved by Kemy’s words, Varalaxmi revealed that she, too, had suffered similar abuse, with five to six people assaulting her when she was young.

The actor, known for her work in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films, explained that her parents, veteran actor Sarathkumar and Chaya were working at the time, leaving her in the care of others. “Your story is my story,” she told Kemy, hugging her in solidarity. “I don’t have children, but I always tell parents to teach kids about ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch.’ It’s so important.”

Keep ReadingShow less