At the Ranabaali pre-release event, the effortless camaraderie and warm chemistry between Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna stole the spotlight. Dressed in coordinated white ensembles, Vijay opted for a crisp traditional vest paired with dhoti pants, while Rashmika looked elegant in a white saree with gold embroidery and a red blouse. Their affectionate exchanges added to the buzz surrounding the event.

Their playful yet heartfelt demeanour came through in their speeches. Expressing his admiration for Rashmika’s dedication, Vijay said, “You have crazy willpower. You don’t work like a human, you work like a robot. When I see your growth, it fills me with pride.”

Earlier, Rashmika, known for her performances in Pushpa and Animal, affectionately addressed Vijay as “Vijju” and said, “Vijju, it doesn’t feel like I am married to you. I am a huge fan of your work. I am still a fangirl today.” Their mutual admiration was evident throughout the event. In Ranabaali, the actors play a married couple, bringing an added emotional dimension to their on-screen pairing.

If you thought Kiran Rao’s watchlist only holds niche festival cinema and moody art-house gems, think again. The filmmaker has officially caught the K-drama fever, and she has her heart set on one iconic classic.

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During an appearance on the podcast The Popcorn Hour, the Laapataa Ladies director opened up about her unexpected love for South Korean television. Acknowledging that she rarely tracks buzzy pop culture trends, she confessed, “I watch K-dramas. I mean, considering that I don’t usually follow popular culture, can you imagine me watching K-dramas? It’s crazy.” Yet out of all the shows she has explored, one series stole her heart completely.

“Best K-drama is a show called Reply 1988. It’s a fantastic show. It’s actually set in 1988. In fact, that’s something I would love to remake,” Kiran revealed, instantly sending cinephiles into a frenzy of excitement.

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Released in 2015, director Shin Won-ho’s Reply 1988 remains the undisputed gold standard of slice-of-life storytelling. It tracks five childhood companions growing up alongside one another in Seoul’s charming Ssangmun-dong alleyway. While teenage heartbreaks and coming-of-age quirks drive the plot, Kiran observed that the series’ genuine emotional weight belongs to the older generation.

“The genuine jewel of this show is the older women, the mothers, and the fathers. They are just so good,” she explained, admiring how gracefully the show handles their silent sacrifices and financial worries. Drawing a poetic cultural parallel between Seoul and home, she added, “It’s set in a para, as they call it, a neighbourhood in Seoul in 1988. In fact, in Kolkata also you call it para only.”

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It makes total sense why the narrative strikes such a deep chord with her. Rao’s cinematic sensibility, from the quiet urban connections in Dhobi Ghat to the grounded rural empathy of Laapataa Ladies, has always found magic in community bonds. Ssangmun-dong’s doorstep banter and shared dinners translated into an Indian neighbourhood with Kiran Rao at the helm? Now that is truly an adaptation dream Bollywood could get behind.

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If there is one celebrity pairing that audiences would love to see together on the Koffee couch, it is Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani. The much-loved couple, who won hearts with their on-screen chemistry in Shershaah before turning their real-life romance into a fairytale wedding, will make for one of the most anticipated conversations on Koffee With Karan Season 9.

While the two actors have previously appeared on the show separately, a joint appearance this year will offer fans a completely different perspective on their relationship. From how their love story began to the moments that brought them closer, there is plenty the couple could open up about during an unfiltered conversation with host Karan Johar.

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Sidharth and Kiara’s relationship has remained a favourite among fans, with their rare glimpses into married life often sparking considerable excitement. Their journey from co-stars to life partners has been followed closely, making a shared appearance on the popular celebrity chat show an exciting prospect.

The episode would also offer a chance to discover how the couple navigates their professional commitments while building a life together. Would Sidharth reveal more about his romantic side? Would Kiara share stories from their wedding celebrations or offer a glimpse into their everyday dynamic? And, given Karan Johar’s knack for drawing out unexpected confessions, could the conversation reveal details fans have never heard before? Well, only time will tell. 

For now, a joint appearance has been confirmed by our sources. And we’re super stoked to see the couple take on the Koffee couch together, their episode could easily become one of the season’s most talked-about moments.

Also Read: Photos: Mom-to-be Kiara Advani Shares Adorable Family Moments With Sidharth Malhotra and Saraayah