As we all are ready to usher in the New Year, here’s a recap of all the happenings from the entertainment industry that made headlines in 2021
From lavish weddings to Bollywood stars becoming parents to some big break ups, the year saw everything and of course, we saw some of our loved celebrities bidding adieu to us forever.
Band Baaja Baaraat
Here’s a glimpse of the most talked-about celebrity wedding of 2021
Katrina Kaif - Vicky Kaushal
This has to be the most talked-about wedding of the year. The couple tied the knot in an intimate wedding at the Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur on December 9. A few hours after they tied the knot, the couple took to their respective Instagram accounts and shared several pictures. They captioned the post, "Only love and gratitude in our hearts for everything that brought us to this moment. Seeking all your love and blessings as we begin this new journey together." They also shared pics from their pre-wedding festivities including haldi and mehendi ceremonies which excluded love, masti and fun.
Rajkummar - Patralekha
The couple had been in a relationship for over a decade and finally, they tied the knot at a beautiful intimate wedding at The Oberoi Sukhvilas Spa Resort on November 15. The event was a close-knit affair with only close friends and family.On completing the first month of their wedding, Rajkumar shared a photo on Instagram where the two are lying on wet soil and grass. Patralekha is wearing a bikini while Rajkumar is shirtless. "It’s already been a month,” read the caption.
Varun Dhawan - Natasha Dalal
Varun Dhawan married longtime sweetheart Natasha Dalal in an intimate ceremony which was held in The Mansion House in Alibaug, Maharashtra on January 24. It which was attended by the couple's close friends and family members. Sharing the first official pictures as a married couple, Varun Dhawan took to Instagram to introduce his better half to the world. Sharing beautiful clicks from the wedding, the Kalank actor wrote, “Lifelong love just became official. Talking about the low key pandemic wedding. Varun , was quoted as saying, "We had to be responsible during this period and follow rules. I'm someone who didn't want to do something big, you've to respect whatever things have been put in place. I had elderly citizens from my family coming, and I wanted everyone to be safe, that's why it was low key."
Yami Gautam - Aditya Dhar
The Vicky Donor actor married filmmaker Aditya Dhar on June 4 amid the hills of Himachal Pradesh in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh in the presence of 20 guests. Dhar had directed Gautam in the 2019 blockbuster Uri – The Surgical Strike. “The more I attended big weddings, I knew I didn’t want that. Of course, we don’t know the meaning of marriage early on, but going by my understanding and experience of attending weddings, I was sure about what I didn’t want. I am fortunate that both Aditya and I shared this thought” Yami was quoted as saying. Sharing the first picture from her wedding, she wrote, "In your light, I learn to love - Rumi. With the blessings of our family, we have tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony today. Being very private people, we celebrated this joyous occasion with our immediate family. As we embark on the journey of love and friendship, we seek all your blessings and good wishes. Love, Yami and Aditya." Aditya also shared the same message on his page.
Dia Mirza - Vaibhav Rekhi
Dia Mirza’s ‘sustainable’ and ‘eco-friendly’ wedding to businessman Vaibhav Rekhi, on February 14, which had a woman priest Sheila Atta solemnising the ceremony, got noticed for its simplicity and elegance. The wedding, which took place in the garden of her apartment complex in Mumbai was attended by close family and friends, and the actor has said she ensured a no-waste ceremony.
The couple became parents to a baby boy named Avyaan Azaad Rekhi on May 14 2021. On July 14, Dia Mirza and Vaibhav Rekhi took to social media to announce the birth of their son and also revealed that the baby was born prematurely and via an emergency C-section.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The family factor
Lot of celebrities became parents in 2021. Here’s a dekko
Anushka Sharma - Virat Kohli
The celebrity power couple embraced parenthood on January 11 2021 with the birth of their daughter Vamika.
The couple has been closely guarded about the privacy of their daughter. Virat, in an Instagram live with his fans, had even mentioned that the couple has decided not to reveal Vamika’s face in public till she grows up and is old often to take her own decisions. Since the toddler's birth, the couple have shared pictures of their baby girl on social media – without showing her face.
Saif Ali Khan - Kareena Kapoor Khan
Actor Saif Ali Khan and his wife actor Kareena Kapoor, welcomed their second child, a son named Jehangir Ali Khan (lovingly called Jeh) on February 21. The couple already has a son named Taimur Ali Khan, who was born on 20 December 2016. The actress-author often shares posts featuring her children on Instagram.
Preity Zinta - Gene Goodenough
Bollywood actress Preity Zinta and her financial analyst husband Gene Goodenough took everyone by surprise on November 18 when they announced the arrival of their twins – son Jai Zinta Goodenough and daughter Gia Zinta Goodenough into the family through surrogacy.
The 46-year-old dimpled actor shared the news tweeting, “Hi everyone, I wanted to share our amazing news with all of you today. Gene and I are overjoyed and our hearts are filled with so much gratitude and with so much love as we welcomed our twins Jai Zinta Goodenough and Gia Zinta Goodenough into our family”. She further added, “We are very excited about this new phase in our lives. A heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses and to our surrogate for being part of this incredible journey. Loads of love and light – Gene, Preity, Jai and Gia.”
Kapil Sharma – Ginni Chatrath
Ace comedian Kapil Sharma and his wife Ginni Chatrath became proud parents to their son – Trishaan – on February 1. The couple is also doting parents to their daughter Anayra, who was born on 10th December 2019. The couple had got married in Jalandhar on 12th December 2018.
Neha Dhupia - Angad Bedi
The couple became parents for the second time this year, welcoming a son on October 3. Revealing the news, Angad Bedi posted on social media: "Bedis' boy is here! The almighty today blessed us with a baby boy. Both Neha and the baby are well. Mehr is ready to pass on the "baby" title to the new arrival. Waheguru mehr kare. Neha Dhupia, thank you for being such a warrior through this journey. Let's make it a memorable one for all 4 of us now." They have however not revealed the name of the son yet. The couple also has a daughter, Mehr, who was born on November 18, 2018. Neha was three months pregnant with her when she tied the knot with Angad Bedi in an intimate wedding ceremony in a Delhi gurudwara in May 2018.
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The big losses
Bollywood industry lost several gems in the year 2021. Here’s a look at those who left for their heavenly abodes in 2021:
Dilip Kumar
On July 7, veteran actor Dilip Kumar, who was 98, breathed his last in a Mumbai hospital after prolonged illness. Celebs, fans and politicians were seen mourning the demise of one of Hindi cinema's biggest icons known for films like Mughal-e-Azam, Devdas, Naya Daur and Ram Aur Shyam, Dilip Saab as he was fondly called. Remembering his late husband, actor’s wife Saira Banu was recently quoted as saying, “(I believe) he is walking side-by-side with me with his hands in mine. He is very much there, that's the way I think and that is the way I want to live and be alive. It is unimaginable for me to walk without him, you know, we have shared a life together. It’s been 55-56 years of togetherness,”
Siddharth Shukla
The death of The Balika Vadhu fame actor and Bigg Boss 13 winner Siddharth Shukla was undoubtedly one of the most shocking news of 2021. The 40-year old passed away following a massive heart attack on the morning of September 2. As per reports, the actor had already passed away by the time his family was able to take him to Cooper Hospital, in Mumbai.
Surekha Sikri
Veteran actress Surekha Sikri died on 16 July at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest. The actress had been unwell for several months and had suffered a brain stroke in 2020. The Balika Vadhu star had won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress thrice, for her roles in Tamas (1988), Mammo (1995), and Badhaai Ho (2018).
Amit Mistry
Actor Amit Mistry, who worked in TV shows like Tenali Rama, Maddam Sir and played roles in many films like Yamla Pagla Deewana, Shor In The City and also web shows, died of a heart attack on 23 April. The 47-year-old actor was at his residence in Andheri with his mother when he breathed his last. “He woke up, had his breakfast and even exercised before he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was absolutely fit and fine. Amit had no underlying medical condition. It's an absolutely shocking news,” the actor's manager Maharshi Desai was quoted as saying.
Rajiv Kapoor
Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor’s younger brother and Raj Kapoor’s son, Rajiv Kapoor, died of a cardiac arrest, at the age of 58 on February 9 this year. He was rushed to Inlaks Hospital, Chembur, but was declared dead on arrival. Neetu Kapoor, wife of late actor Rishi Kapoor, was the first to confirm the news on Instagram. She wrote “RIP” alongside a picture of her brother-in-law. The actor was cremated after a small family funeral.
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Of break ups and more
Here’s a look at the celebrity splits of 2021 and what went wrong.
Aamir Khan - Kiran Rao
The popular Bollywood celebrities Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao announced their separation in a joint statement on 3 July, ending their 15-year marriage. “In these 15 beautiful years together we have shared a lifetime of experiences, joy and laughter, and our relationship has only grown in trust, respect and love. Now we would like to begin a new chapter in our lives - no longer as husband and wife, but as co-parents and family for each other. We began a planned separation some time ago, and now feel comfortable to formalise this arrangement, of living separately yet sharing our lives the way an extended family does. We remain devoted parents to our son Azad, who we will nurture and raise together. We will also continue to work as collaborators on films, Paani Foundation, and other projects that we feel passionate about," the statement read.
Aamir tied the knot with Kiran on December 28, 2005 and welcomed their son Azad Rao Khan through surrogacy in 2011.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu - Naga Chaitanya
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, a popular South actress, separated with her actor-husband Naga Chaitanya, (who is son of famous actor Nagarjuna) in October 2021. The couple issued a joint statement on October 2, confirming the same which read, “To all our well-wishers, After much deliberation and thought, Chay and I have decided to part ways as husband and wife to pursue our own paths. We are fortunate to have a friendship of over a decade that was the very core of our relationship which we believe will always hold a special bond between us. We request our fans, well-wishers, and the media to support us during this difficult time and give us the privacy we need to move on. Thanking you for your support. (sic)” Samantha and Chaitanya got married on 6 October 2017.
Yo Yo Honey Singh - Shalini Talwar
On August 3, 2021, rapper-singer Yo Yo Honey Singh's wife Shalini Talwar filed a domestic violence case against him. The complaint was lodged under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. Shalini Talwar has filed for divorce on the grounds of repeated domestic violence and serial infidelity amongst a litany of other damning allegations, seeking compensation and regular alimony to the tune of several crores.
Taking to his official Twitter handle on August 7, Honey Singh wrote: “I am deeply pained and distressed by the false and malicious allegations levied against we and my family by any companion/wife of 20 years, Mrs. Shalini Talwar. The allegations are severely odious. I have never issued a public statement or press note in the past despite being subjected to harsh criticism for my lyrics, speculation on my health, and negative media coverage in general.
The duo were childhood sweethearts, and Honey Singh had tied the knot with his ladylove on January 23, 2011.
Karan Mehra - Nisha Rawal
Nisha Rawal and Karan Mehra’s crumbling marriage entered the spotlight in June. The details of the fight came to light after Karan Mehra was arrested, following a complaint by Nisha Rawal. Karan was later granted bail. After this, Karan and Nisha hurled accusations at each other, with Nisha saying that Karan physically abused her, and that he was also having an extra-marital affair. She also shared photos of her bruises. Nisha had also called for a press conference where she showed the bruises on her head and claimed Karan of hurting her physically. Karan, on the other hand, said that Nisha had created the entire scene to portray him wrongly and extract a large amount as alimony.
While the case is still in court, in a recent interview Nisha stated that she doesn’t want anything from Karan, apart from the sole custody of their son Kavish.
According to Rawal, her lawyers have informed Karan that she does not want any alimony. Demanding sole custody of her son, she shared that Karan will be allowed to meet him regularly. However, Nisha shared that Karan hasn’t been agreeing to the same.
“I don’t want any alimony. What will he provide me with that I haven’t given him? We built everything together. I started earning at a very young age and supported him throughout even before he became a part of Yeh Rishta. I have done so much work and whoever I collaborated with will vouch for the fact that Karan was in charge of the commercials,” she had told a leading Indian newspaper.
Karan Mehra and Nisha Rawal got married on November 24, 2012 and welcomed their first child, a son named Kavish on June 15, 2017,
Kirti Kulhari - Saahil Sehgal
On April 1 of the year, 2021, actress Kirti Kulhari announced her separation from her husband Saahil Sehgal. Kirti Kulhari, who has featured in movies such as Pink, Uri: The Surgical Strike, Mission Mangal, and Shaitan, shared a simple note stating their mutual separation decision and reassured everyone that she is in a "good place" right now. She admitted that the choice was not "easy," but that "it is what it is."
The note read, “A simple note to let everyone know that my husband Saahil and I have decided to separate. Not on papers, but in life. A decision that’s probably harder than the decision of “being with somebody”, because coming together is celebrated by everyone you love and care about. And the decision of “not being with somebody” brings along pain and hurt to the same people. It’s not easy. Guess it is not meant to be easy but IT IS WHAT IT IS. To all those who really care, I am in a good place and hope everyone who matters in my life is too. Will not be commenting further on this. Upward and Onward… Always ?? Kirti Kulhari.”
When asked if she tried to save her marraige, she was quoted as saying, "Being in the marriage had stopped me from being at peace. It wasn’t making me peaceful. It wasn’t adding to my peace. It was rather taking away from itI tried a lot, I have never tried so much. I tried because I wanted to give it everything I had. When all that failed, then I had to let go."
Kirti Kulhari married actor Saahil Sehgal in June 2016