Lawyer seeks to register Cockroach Janta Party separately from US-based founderSudhir Jakhar, the lawyer calling himself the party’s national convener, submitted the application to the ECI secretary Updated on: May 26, 2026 1:57 PM IST By Harsh Yadav Share via Copy link A lawyer from Haryana’s
Vedant Shrivastava posts correct CBSE answer sheet, alleges marks slashed for right answerClass 12 student Vedant Shrivastava has received his correct answer sheets after CBSE admitted to a mix-up with his Physics paper. Updated on: May 26, 2026 1:13 PM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link Class
SC stays Delhi HC ruling against barring law students over attendance shortageA bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the interim order while issuing notice on a petition filed by the Bar Council of India (BCI) against the November 2025 judgment of the Delhi HC Published on: May 26
Hema Malini’s blush pink saree for receiving Dharmendra’s Padma Vibhushan is all about elegance and simplicity. See picsVeteran actor Hema Malini looked graceful in a blush pink saree as she accepted late actor Dharmendra’s Padma Vibhushan at the 2026 ceremony in New Delhi
Bengaluru traffic police slaps auto driver over accident, viral video sparks outrageMany on social media have tagged Bengaluru Police, urging them to take a look into the matter where a cop allegedly slapped an auto driver. Published on: May 26
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday (May 25, 2026) called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume bombing Beirut in response to increased explosive drone attacks by Hezbollah on Israeli troops and northern Israel towns. Mr
Partnership, the firm cofounded by Indian entrepreneurs , Sanjeev Kumar and Ashish Kumar, has launched a dedicated frontier-tech investment platform, (Fundamentum Frontier Advisors), with Rs 3,000 crore to invest in artificial intelligence and deeptech startups.Of this, Rs 2
The U.S. military said it carried out “self-defence” strikes in southern Iran, including on missile launch sites and boats placing mines, even as President Donald Trump said on social media that negotiations were “proceeding nicely”. The strikes were done “to protect our troops from
Imtiaz Ali Clarifies ‘Good Girl Image’ Remark On Deepika Padukone
Imtiaz Ali Clarifies ‘Good Girl Image’ Remark On Deepika Padukone: ‘You Might Misunderstand…’
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has issued a clarification to Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone after his recent remark about her role in Cocktail sparked controversy online. He took to his Instagram stories to re-share the video about his statement, and explained that his remarks were made in a fun, light-hearted manner and were never intended to upset her. He further added that Deepika knows better than anyone how much he loves, admires and appreciates her. However, he was informed that his comments might have been misunderstood and could hurt the actress, which is why he chose to publicly clarify his statement.
In his Instagram story, Imtiaz Ali re-shared the viral video clip of his interview with News18, in which he shared why he thought she was perfect for Veronica’s role in Cocktail. In his message, Imtiaz Ali wrote that being mean to Deepika was “impossible" for him and that he never imagined he would have to write such a disclaimer for her.
“My dearest and loveliest Deepika Padukone, you are my pal, my buddy, my safe option for humour, I think you will never misunderstand my wannabe fun remarks because you more than anyone else know how much I love you, admire you, understand you, appreciate you…but I have been told you might misunderstand and be hurt so I am telling you pls don’t…To be mean to you is janam mein to possible nahin hai…I never thought I would write such a disclaimer to you but it’s been a while and I didn’t want to take a chance. Wish you the best and love always," wrote the filmmaker. Check out his story below!
The controversy began after Imtiaz spoke to News18 Showsha about why he believed Deepika was the perfect choice to play Veronica in Cocktail, a role that became one of the most memorable performances of her career.
He said that Deepika had initially been asked to read for the character of Meera, a role that was eventually played by Diana Penty in Cocktail. However, he felt Deepika would be a better fit for Veronica’s character instead.
Imtiaz explained that Veronica’s personality was very different from Deepika’s public image at the time, as she was largely perceived as a “good girl." However, having interacted with her personally in social settings, he believed she had a fun, spontaneous and uninhibited side that audiences had not yet seen on screen.
“I had written the story called Cocktail, and they were trying to cast it. They gave Deepika to read for Meera’s part, the role which later Diana played," he said.
He further added, “Then she called me, and I asked her to play Veronica. I said, ‘Why don’t you read it for Veronica?’ Veronica is so different from what Deepika’s image was at that point of time. But since I had been in the room and attended parties with her, I know how crazy and wild she can be, even though she was otherwise projecting a very ‘good girl’ image at that time."
“Now people have seen through the facade. So I thought it would be quite a new thing for Deepika to do. I knew that emotional ground exists, so that was exciting," he said.
For the unversed, Cocktail, starring Deepika, Diana Penty and Saif Ali Khan, was directed by Homi Adajania and written by Imtiaz Ali. The film was released in 2012.
Source: News18
Related Posts: Imtiaz Ali clarifies to Deepika Padukone for calling her Deepika Padukone and dad Prakash Padukone launch badminton school Imtiaz Ali Announces Friendship Day Special Film Dhurandhar Fame Sara Arjun To Play Female Lead In Imtiaz Ali’s Film Imtiaz Ali details casting process for Main Vaapas Aaunga Imtiaz Ali celebrates His Mother's 75th birthday In Pahalgam Imtiaz Ali Opens Up On Shooting Amar Singh Chamkila's Death Scene With Diljit Sharvari Kickstarts Shoot For Imtiaz Ali’s Next Starring Vedang Imtiaz Ali's next titled 'Main Vaapas Aaunga'- First poster OUT Ranbir Kapoor And Deepika Padukone\'s Delhi Round Trip And Hugs Sparks Buzz
South Korean Starbucks boss apologises for ad campaign that evoked massacreThe coffee chain sparked public outrage when it attempted to promote a large size of tumbler it calls a “tank” by declaring May 18 to be “Tank Day.” Published on: May 26
1 minutes ago
Attacks from suspicious residents complicate the fight against Ebola in CongoAid workers are at risk in Congo where residents are under threat of armed groups that have killed thousands of people and displaced many more in recent years. Updated on: May 26
1 minutes ago
Kerala Board Plus 2 Result 2026 Live Updates: The Department of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE) Kerala will declare the +2 or class 12 results 2026 today, May 25. It will be released at 3 PM. Students awaiting their DHSE +2 Kerala board results 2026 can view their scorecards on the official
2 minutes ago
Wall Street is abuzz with next month’s expected blockbuster debut of Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite maker SpaceX, but few of the biggest IPOs in recent years have paid off for investors who bought in when the deals came to market. A Reuters analysis of the 50 IPOs with the highest
1 minutes ago
Romanian director Cristian Mungiu won the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or top prize for the second time on Saturday with his Norwegian-set drama that explores clashing cultures, Fjord. This year’s jury president, South Korean director Park Chan-wook
2 minutes ago
Vishal calls Tamil Nadu CM Vijay ‘most prolific actor turned politician’ for implementing 5 shows a day for all filmsTamil Nadu CM Vijay permitted theatres to run 5 shows per day for new films in 1st week. Vishal had earlier requested relief for Tamil film industry. May 26, 2026
2 minutes ago
A Delhi court on Monday convicted Congress leader Alka Lamba for assaulting a police officer during a protest at Jantar Mantar in 2024, reported Bar and Bench. Lamba and several others had staged the demonstration ahead of the Lok Sabha elections to demand the implementation of women’s
1 minutes ago
World Football Day: How Jules Rimet turned Olympic success into the FIFA World CupMay 25 marks World Football Day, honouring the 1924 Olympic tournament and FIFA’s 1928 decision to create the World Cup. Updated on: May 26, 2026 1:11 PM IST Written by Aditya Maheshwari Share via Copy link Football
2 minutes ago
Convict who beheaded Gujarat trader, jumped parole, held after 12 years on runSatish Himmatlal Rupa Relia changed his name and lived a regular life with his second wife and her two children in Ahmedabad Published on: May 26, 2026 11:10 AM IST By HT Correspondent Share via Copy link In October 1994
2 hours ago
As temperatures rise, people across India begin searching for traditional summer drinks that can cool the body naturally. While aam panna and sattu often steal the spotlight, the Himalayas have their own centuries-old summer refresher — Burans Sharbat.As temperatures rise
2 hours ago
Padmini Ekadashi is a rare and powerful Ekadashi that falls during Adhik Maas, the extra lunar month in Hindu calendar. Date to timings, here are the details. Padmini Ekadashi 2026: As the auspicious month of Adhika Masa approaches, millions of devotees across the globe are preparing for Padmini
2 hours ago
May 26, Birthday Horoscope: Here's what the tarot cards have in store for youIf your birthday falls on May 26, here’s what your year ahead looks like, as per Tarot. Published on: May 26, 2026 11:00 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link If you were born on May 26
2 hours ago
Jailed Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) founder Abdullah Ocalan warned against any delay in taking legal steps to flesh out the peace process with Ankara, in a message shared on Monday (May 25, 2026) . Last year, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) formally renounced its armed struggle against the
2 hours ago
Govt eases LPG surrender rule, allows reconnectionThe amended rule is particularly beneficial for transferable employees, migrant households, tenants, students, and families shifting to non-PNG areas. Published on: May 26, 2026 8:35 AM IST By Rajeev Jayaswal
2 hours ago
Govt open to stakeholder views on reducing capital gains tax on stock investments: Finance ministerForeign portfolio investors have been fleeing Indian markets, driven by higher capital gains taxes, a weaker rupee, and shifting global allocations. Updated on: May 26
2 hours ago
Lajpat Nagar’s CarryMen ‘shopping assistant’ service sparks debate after viral pic of man holding bagsCarryMen is a startup through which people can book an assistant for as little as 30 minutes to perform tasks like holding their shopping bags Updated on: May 26
2 hours ago
Martha Mitchell was a flamboyant Washington DC socialite whose husband was embroiled in the Watergate scandal. Her shocking claims of a violent abduction and a "dirty business" were ridiculed as delusional – until they turned out to be true. Martha Mitchell was a character; everyone agreed on
2 hours ago
47-year-old single mom reveals 10 'boring' diet, workout, beauty secrets behind her glow: 'No ice baths, crazy detoxes'At 47, Raakhi Ganerriwal is proof that consistency beats intensity every single time – she credits her glow to 10 simple habits she performs every single day
2 hours ago
The Trump administration’s new policy that requires most immigrants seeking green cards to leave the US and apply from abroad is creating uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of people whose family- and employment-based permanent residency applications are already pending with the authorities
2 hours ago
Won't go and forcibly vacate: Centre tells high court over Delhi Gymkhana Club evictionSolicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Delhi high court that the possession of the Delhi Gymkhana land will be taken as per law. Updated on: May 26, 2026 11:20 AM IST By HT News Desk Share via Copy link Centre
2 hours ago
That Sunday biryani ritual. The quick masala dosa before work. The humble plate of idli that has kept Bengaluru fed and content for decades. None of it, if hotel associations are to be believed, is going to cost what it costs today for very much longer.That Sunday biryani ritual
2 hours ago
Anita Kanwal says '7 vanity vans, 50 people' for stars eat up film budgets: ‘There is nothing left for character actors’Veteran actor Anita Kanwal discussed the impact of top stars' entourages on character actors' opportunities and payments. May 26, 2026
2 hours ago
Virat Kohli is set to overtake Rohit Sharma and end IPL 2026 with a historic milestone. Kohli-starrer Royal Challengers Bengaluru have qualified for the second round of IPL 2026. Virat Kohli will create history and etch his name in the record books when he takes the field against Gujarat Titans
2 hours ago
‘We are not Pakistani’: Vedant Shrivastava’s brother after CBSE admits OSM errorAfter being wrongfully labeled a 'Pakistani' for highlighting a CBSE exam issue, Vedant Srivastava and his brother celebrated the board's apology Updated on: May 26
2 hours ago
Nepal's Supreme Court on Monday (May 25, 2026) issued an interim order barring the arrest of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his spouse Arzu Rana Deuba in a money laundering case. The Bench, comprising Justice Mahesh Sharma Paudel and Nityananda Pandey
2 hours ago
Step inside Shiv Thakare’s stylishly cosy abode in Mumbai that blends modern design with comfort cornersHere’s a sneak peek into Shiv Thakare’s Mumbai home, where contemporary interiors meet warmth, comfort and personal charm. Published on: May 26
2 hours ago
As global knowledge work evolves beyond execution and scale, India is entering a new phase of enterprise transformation. Increasingly, the country’s long-term competitiveness may depend on its ability to build globally influential organisations driven by innovation capability
2 hours ago
