For decades, menopause has been a taboo subject. Yet in recent years, something remarkable has happened—celebrities are starting to break the silence. More and more women in the limelight, particularly in Hollywood, are using their platforms to share their personal experiences with menopause. This shift is empowering millions of women to open up about their own journeys, but there’s still room for more advocacy, particularly in India. 

Let’s explore how Hollywood stars are leading the way and how Indian celebrities can learn from their examples by engaging with brands that offer solutions for menopausal women as shared by Tamanna Singh, Menopause Coach & Co- founder of Menoveda.

Hollywood’s Menopause Trailblazers In Hollywood, women like Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie, and Naomi Watts are helping to normalize conversations about menopause. Oprah, known for her candidness, has been open about her struggles with perimenopause and the changes it brought to her body. She’s used her platform to discuss the emotional and physical challenges she faced and emphasized the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding menopause.

Similarly, Angelina Jolie shared her personal story when she underwent a preventive double mastectomy and later had her ovaries removed due to a high risk of cancer. By going through early menopause, Jolie raised awareness about how medical conditions can affect menopause, making the conversation more nuanced and inclusive of all women.

Naomi Watts has taken her advocacy a step further by launching her own brand dedicated to menopause, called Stripes. She has been open about the struggles she faced during menopause, particularly the lack of information and resources. Her brand offers skincare and wellness products tailored specifically to menopausal women, showing how celebrities can not only share their experiences but actively contribute to improving the lives of women going through this life stage.

More Celebrities Join the Conversation Other stars like Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Meg Mathews have also shared their menopause experiences publicly. Gwyneth Paltrow’s brand Goop frequently addresses women’s health issues, including menopause, through its content and product offerings. Paltrow is known for encouraging women to embrace this phase of life, offering wellness tips that go beyond just treating symptoms.

Meg Mathews, the ex-wife of Oasis band member Noel Gallagher, is another outspoken advocate. After experiencing what she calls “the crash” of menopause, she founded Meg’s Menopause, a website offering information, support, and products to women going through the same experience. Mathews speaks openly about the mental and physical effects of menopause, helping to remove the stigma and encouraging women to seek the help they need.

In these cases, Hollywood women are not just sharing their stories; they’re building entire platforms and brands around menopause, offering real solutions to other women. This level of engagement and activism is powerful. However, it’s not just about individual experiences—it’s about celebrities using their influence to create change in how society views and addresses menopause.

The Indian Perspective: Time to Do More While Hollywood stars are paving the way, Indian celebrities have been slower to join the conversation. However, some progress is being made. Indian actress Neena Gupta has spoken about menopause and aging in her interviews, challenging societal norms about how women “should” behave after a certain age. Gupta’s openness about her life and health has resonated with many women in India, showing that it’s possible to age gracefully and confidently without shame.

Posting one picture on social media isn’t enough. Indian celebrities can leverage their vast influence to educate women about menopause and encourage them to embrace this natural phase of life. They can actively partner with or invest in brands helping to spread awareness and ensure women have access to the resources they need. By aligning with a brand that focuses on holistic well-being, these stars can not only destigmatize menopause but also provide meaningful support to women who are going through it.

Why Celebrities’ Voices Matter When a celebrity opens up about a personal health issue like menopause, it’s more than just a confession—it’s an opportunity to normalize the conversation for millions of women. Women often feel shame, confusion, and isolation when they enter menopause, largely because society has remained silent on the subject for so long. Celebrities have the power to change this. Their voices can reach millions, encouraging more women to speak up, seek help, and feel less alone.

महाराष्ट्र की राजनीति में बड़ा नाम और बॉलीवुड (Bollywood) से गहरा कनेक्शन रखने वाले बाबा सिद्दीकी (Baba Siddique) की मुंबई के बांद्रा में गोली मारकर हत्या कर दी गई. वे 66 वर्ष के थे और लग्जरी लाइफ जीते थे, इसके साथ ही समाज सेवा से जुड़े कार्यों में भी वे बढ़ चढ़कर हिस्सा लेते थे. बाबा सिद्दीकी अपने पीछे करोड़ों की संपत्ति छोड़ गए हैं, जिसका खुलासा उन्होंने 2014 में लोकसभा इलेक्शन लड़ने के दौरान चुनाव आयोग के सामने किया था और उस समय अपनी नेटवर्थ 76 करोड़ रुपये बताई थी.

कांग्रेस छोड़ अजित पवार गुट में हुए थे शामिल
कांग्रेस से चुनावी सफर शुरू करके अजित पवार गुट से जुड़कर एनसीपी नेता बने बाबा जियाउद्दीन सिद्दीकी (Baba Siddique) पर शनिवार को तीन हमलावरों ने ताबड़तोड़ गोलियां बरसाकर हत्या कर दी थी. इस हमले में उनके बेटे जीशान सिद्दीकी बाल-बाल बच गए थे. बाबा सिद्दीकी पर ये हमला उस समय हुआ था, जबकि वे अपने बेटे के साथ उनके बांद्रा के निर्मलनगर स्थित ऑफिस घर के लिए निकले थे. गोलियां लगने से गंभीर रूप से घायल अवस्था में उन्हें अस्पताल ले जाया गया था, लेकिन उन्हें बचाया नहीं जा सका. 

चुनावी हलफनामे में बताई थी इतनी संपत्ति
बाबा सिद्दीकी का जन्म पटना में हुआ था और मुंबई में राजनीतिक गलियारों से लेकर Bollywood तक उनका जलवा देखने को मिलता था. उनकी इफ्तार पार्टियों में फिल्म जगत की दिग्गज हस्तियां शामिल नजर आती थीं. लग्जरी लाइफ जीने वाले Baba Siddique की नेटवर्थ की बात करें, तो उनके द्वारा 2014 के लोकसभा चुनावों के दौरान इलेक्शन कमीशन को सौंपे गए हलफनामे के मुताबिक, 76 करोड़ रुपये के आस-पास थी. हालांकि, माना जाता है कि उनके पास इससे कहीं ज्यादा संपत्ति हैं. ऐसा माने जाने की वजह ये भी हो सकती है, कि साल 2018 में ईडी ने उनसे जुड़े सिद्दीकी और पिरामिड डेवलपर्स के 33 लग्जरी फ्लैट जब्त किए थे, जिनकी अनुमानित कीमत करीब 462 करोड़ रुपये बताई जाती है. 

करोड़ों का बैंक डिपॉजिट, शेयरों में भी निवेश
अगर बात चुनाव आयोग में सब्मिट चुनावी हलफनामे की ही करें, तो इसमें उन्होंने अपनी कुल संपत्ति 76.25 करोड़ रुपये बताई थी, जबकि 23.59 करोड़ रुपये का कर्ज होने की जानकारी दी थी. उनके और पत्नी व बच्चों के तमाम बैंक अकाउंट्स में जमा करीब 3 करोड़ रुपये बताया गया था. जबकि बाबा सिद्दीकी और उनकी पत्नी शेहजीन सिद्दीकी द्वारा उस समय शेयरों में 45 लाख रुपये से ज्यादा का निवेश किया गया था. इसके अलावा उनके नाम पर 72 लाख रुपये की एलआईसी पॉलिसी भी थीं. 

करोड़ों की ज्वैलरी और लग्जरी कारें
चुनावी हलफनामे के मुताबिक, दिवंगत बाबा सिद्दीकी ने चुनावी हलफनामे में संपत्ति से जुड़ी जो जानकारी दी थी, उससे उनकी लग्जरी लाइफस्टाइल का अंदाजा साफ लगाया जा सकता है. उन्होंने बताया था कि उनके पास, पत्नी और बेटी समेत करीब 6 करोड़ रुपये के सोने चांदी (Gold-Silver) के जेवर थे. वहीं कार कलेक्शन की बात करें, तो इसमें दो मर्सिडीज बेंज कारें शामिल थी, जिनकी कुल कीमत 1.15 करोड़ रुपये बताई गई थी. 
 
आलीशान घर में रहते थे बाबा सिद्दीकी
हलफनामे के मुताबिक, बाबा सिद्दीकी के नाम पर मुंबई के बांद्रा वेस्ट में एक कॉमर्शियल बिल्डिंग थी, जिसकी कीमत करीब 4 करोड़ रुपये थी. दो मकान भी उनके नाम पर थे, जिनकी कुल कीमत 18 करोड़ रुपये से ज्यादा बताई गई थी. वहीं पत्नी के नाम पर 1.91 करोड़ रुपये की कॉमर्शियल बिल्डिंग और 13.73 करोड़ रुपये की रेजिडेंशियल प्रॉपर्टीज दर्ज हैं. 

Bollywood actor Salman Khan reportedly took only one rupee as payment for his role in the 2004 film Phir Milenge, revealed the film’s producer Shailendra Singh.

The film, which aimed to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, featured Khan as an HIV-positive character who dies by the end of the story.

Shailendra Singh, speaking recently about the film, stated that it was crucial to spread awareness about the disease, particularly among the youth in India.

Despite facing rejections from several actors for the lead role, Shailendra Singh said Salman Khan agreed to play the part without hesitation.

“Phir Milenge was a significant project, aimed at reflecting society and educating the public about AIDS,” Shailendra Singh remarked.

“Salman Khan voluntarily took up the role and only charged a symbolic one rupee.”

The film, directed by Revathi, also starred Abhishek Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty.

Shailendra Singh credited Salman Khan as one of the biggest youth icons in Bollywood, both then and now, for his dedication to the cause.

Akshay Kumar celebrated his 57th birthday with a special announcement, revealing his upcoming film, Bhoot Bangla.

This new project marks a significant reunion for the actor and director Priyadarshan, who are collaborating for the first time in 14 years.

In a social media post, Akshay shared the film’s motion poster, which hints at a blend of horror and comedy.

The teaser features Akshay enjoying a glass of milk with a black cat perched on his shoulder, setting the tone for the film’s quirky premise.

He expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “Thank you for your love on my birthday, year after year! Celebrating this year with the first look of ‘Bhoot Bangla’! I’m beyond excited to join forces with Priyadarshan again after 14 years. This dream collaboration has been a long time coming… can’t wait to share this incredible journey with you all. Stay tuned for the magic!”

Akshay and Priyadarshan have previously teamed up on several successful films, including Hera Pheri, Garam Masala, Bhagam Bhaag, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa.

Their renewed collaboration is highly anticipated by fans and industry insiders alike.

Bhoot Bangla is set for release in 2025 and is produced by Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms in association with Akshay Kumar’s Cape of Good Films.

The film’s announcement adds to Akshay’s diverse filmography, following his recent film Khel Khel Mein, which performed reasonably at the box office.

Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao’s Stree 2 is continuing its remarkable box office run, shattering records and climbing the list of Hindi cinema’s highest-grossing films.

Directed by Amar Kaushik and penned by Niren Bhatt, the horror-comedy has now surpassed the Hindi box office collection of Baahubali 2 to secure the title of the fourth biggest Hindi film ever.

In just three weeks, Stree 2 has raked in an impressive Rs503.25 crore, with Rs70.2 crore collected in the third week alone.

Early estimates from Sacnilk suggest the film has now crossed Rs 516.40 crore. On its fourth Friday, the movie added Rs4.5 crore to its total, followed by Rs8.75 crore on Saturday. This makes Stree 2 only the ninth film to enter the Rs 500 crore club, a significant milestone for Hindi cinema.

Although still ranked as the ninth highest-grossing film in Hindi cinema, Stree 2 is poised to climb further. It’s on the verge of overtaking Sunny Deol’s Gadar 2, which sits at the eighth spot with a lifetime collection of Rs 525.7 crore.

With less than Rs 9 crore to go, Stree 2 is likely to surpass that number by Monday, despite the ongoing Ganpati festival potentially impacting its business.

The star-studded cast includes Abhishek Banerjee, Aparshakti Khurrana, and Pankaj Tripathi, with special appearances by Varun Dhawan, Akshay Kumar, and Tamannaah Bhatia.

As Stree 2 continues to thrive, the makers are reportedly considering a spin-off centered on Shraddha Kapoor’s character, diving into her backstory.

The film is a part of Dinesh Vijan’s Horror-Comedy universe, which will soon expand with Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna in a vampire-themed addition directed by Aditya Sarpotdar.

Pakistani actor and model Feroze Khan has expressed his desire to collaborate with Bollywood actresses Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt.

During a recent online interview with Indian journalist Faridoon Shahryar, clips of which have gone viral on social media, Feroze responded to a question about which Bollywood stars he would like to work with.

In the interview, Shahryar offered Feroze Khan four choices, including Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, Tripti Dimri, and Rashmika Mandanna.

Khan revealed that he would prefer to work with Bhatt and Kaif.

It is also worth noting that Feroze Khan is set to appear soon in a feature film alongside renowned Tamil and Hindi actress and model, Gathika Tiwari.

In the same interview, Feroze Khan’s response to a question about his former co-star Sajal Aly has gone viral on social media, sparking mixed reactions among fans.

During a rapid-fire round, the host asked how Feroze Khan would react if Sajal Aly served him tea with salt instead of sugar, referencing the duo’s past.

The actor was given two options: drink it quietly or tell her it would have been better with sugar.

Despite being forced by his sister to answer quickly, he ultimately chose the first option, saying he would drink the tea.

The clip from the interview went viral, with many fans criticising the journalist for bringing up Feroze Khan’s past relationship.

One user questioned the appropriateness of asking a married man about a former partner.

It’s worth noting that past reports have speculated that Feroze Khan and Sajal Aly were romantically involved, though the two eventually parted ways.