TV actors Mugdha Chaphekar and Ravish Desai have been a beloved couple for nearly nine years, often sharing their intimate moments on social media. However, they surprised their fans with the announcement of their separation.

Ravish took to Instagram to share an official statement detailing their decision to part ways. In the post, he mentioned, “After much contemplation and thought, Mugdha and I decided to part ways as husband and wife to pursue our own paths. It’s been more than a year now since we’ve been living separately.”

In his statement, he expressed gratitude for their shared journey, emphasizing that it had been one filled with love, friendship, and respect. Ravish also requested privacy during this time, asking fans and media for support and understanding as they navigated this transition.

He added, “We kindly ask our beloved fans and well-wishers to respect our need for privacy and not to believe in any false stories or statements. Thank you for your love and support.”

For those unfamiliar, Mugdha Chaphekar and Ravish Desai first met while filming the television series Satrangi Sasural in 2014. Their romance blossomed on set, and they began dating soon after. The couple wed in a private ceremony in Mumbai in December 2016. Despite nearly a decade together, they revealed they had been living apart for over a year and mutually decided to go their separate ways.

On the professional front, Mugdha is well-known for her portrayal of Prachi Mehra Kohli in the hit TV show Kumkum Bhagya.

In the meantime, Ravish Desai has displayed his versatility across various platforms, with roles in popular series such as Made In Heaven, She (Season 2), and Scoop. He also starred in the anthology series Yeh Hai Aashiqui and was recently seen in the sports drama Vijay 69, alongside a notable cast that included Anupam Kher, Chunky Panday, and Mihir Ahuja.

Manoj Kumar, affectionately known as ‘Bharat Kumar’ for his iconic roles as patriotic figures in films like “Upkar” and “Kranti,” was laid to rest with full state honours and a three-gun salute at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Juhu, Mumbai, on Saturday, April 5.

The veteran actor-director passed away on Friday at the age of 87 due to age-related health issues at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. He is survived by his wife Shashi and their two sons.

The funeral commenced around 11:30 AM, attended by notable figures from the Indian film industry, including megastar Amitabh Bachchan and esteemed screenwriter Salim Khan. Kumar’s sons, Vishal and Kunal, performed the last rites, lighting the funeral pyre in a poignant farewell to their father.

Among the dignitaries present were Raj Babbar, Abhishek Bachchan, Jimmy Sheirgill, Arbaaz Khan, Subhash Ghai, Anu Malik, Zayed Khan, Prem Chopra, Rajpal Yadav, Ranjeet, and Sunil Darshan, all gathering to pay their respects.

Following the cremation, Amitabh Bachchan, joined by his son Abhishek, and Salim Khan with his son Arbaaz, extended their condolences to Kumar’s grieving family. Prem Chopra, who starred alongside the late actor in numerous films, reflected on their long friendship, stating, “We have been together since the beginning. It has been a wonderful journey. Everyone who worked with him gained from the experience. His legacy lives on, especially when ‘Shaheed’ airs on television — I still receive calls about my performance in that film.”

Raj Babbar, a veteran actor and politician, reminisced about the time he sought Kumar’s blessings before embarking on his 1999 film “Shaheed Udham Singh.” He highlighted Kumar’s significant impact on Indian cinema, saying, “The film industry has lost a true gem. He brought dignity to India and its culture, portraying the pride of our nation both at home and abroad. A noble soul, he will always hold a special place in the hearts of the public.”

At Kumar’s Juhu residence, a large portrait from his youth was displayed at the entrance, allowing friends and admirers to pay their final tributes. The ambulance transporting Kumar’s body, adorned with a floral tribute in the colors of the Indian flag, left for the crematorium at 10:30 AM, symbolizing his lifelong commitment to themes of nationalism in his films.

In the wake of his passing, numerous veterans from the film industry, including Dharmendra and Madhur Bhandarkar, visited Kumar’s home to offer their condolences.

Born Harikrishan Goswami in Abbottabad, which is now in Pakistan, Kumar’s family relocated to Delhi following India’s partition in 1947. After graduating from Hindu College at Delhi University, he moved to Mumbai to pursue a successful acting career, leaving behind a rich filmography that included, besides “Shaheed” and “Upkar,” titles like “Roti, Kapda aur Makaan,” “Himalaya Ki God Mein,” and “Do Badan.”

Bollywood actor John Abraham has appealed to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to cancel the state government’s proposed development of 400 acres of green land in Kancha Gachibowli. The land, which serves as a critical green zone and wildlife habitat, is earmarked for industrial development, triggering widespread backlash from citizens and conservationists alike.

Actor raises alarm over environmental impact

Taking to social media platform X, John Abraham strongly criticized the plan, highlighting the irreversible consequences it may have on the region’s biodiversity.

“Request you to scrap the plan of clearing 400 acres of trees/forest in Kancha Gachibowli which serve as a green lung for the city & also habitat for numerous species of protected wildlife thriving inside it for decades. Clearing the trees will leave wildlife without a home and exacerbate man-wildlife conflict. Please stop this,” he posted, tagging the Chief Minister directly.

Students, activists join growing opposition

The project, which involves clearing forested land for IT parks and urban development, has sparked protests across Hyderabad—particularly at the University of Hyderabad, located near the proposed site. Student groups and environmentalists have voiced strong objections, warning of the ecological damage and loss of green cover the plan could bring.

Amid these protests, heavy machinery including excavators had already been deployed for land clearing, prompting legal and public outcry.

Supreme Court steps in, halts activity

Responding to the growing concerns, the Supreme Court has issued a stay on all activity on the land, barring actions specifically aimed at tree protection. The apex court questioned the urgency behind the state’s development plans and sought an explanation, citing the interim report submitted by the Telangana High Court that presented a disturbing environmental scenario.

Following the court’s intervention, the Telangana govt has agreed to pause the plan and form a consultative committee. This panel will include stakeholders such as civil society groups, the University of Hyderabad’s executive committee and protesting students to work towards a sustainable alternative.

Call for sustainable development

Environmentalists are urging the Telangana administration to reconsider the project in light of its long-term ecological impact. The forested land in Kancha Gachibowli has been a sanctuary for various species of wildlife for decades and its clearance could drastically alter the urban ecosystem and trigger man-animal conflict in surrounding areas.

As legal, political, and civic discourse continues, the future of the project—and the forest land—remains uncertain.