Desi Talk

“I Wanted To Stand On My Own Terms”: Bigg Boss 19 Winner Gaurav Khanna Dedicates Victory To Fans F ollowing a thrilling finale that kept audiences glued to their screens, actor Gaurav Khanna emerged tri- umphant, lifting the trophy of Bigg Boss 19. Hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, the grand finale of Bigg Boss 19 saw Khanna competing against top finalist Farrhana Bhatt, who finished as the first runner-up. Shortly after his win, Gaurav Khanna spoke to ANI and expressed his thoughts on lifting the show’s trophy. Dedicating the victory to his fans, Gaurav said, “I would like to dedicate this journey to my fans. It wouldn’t have been possible without them. I would like to dedicate this journey to every normal person who goes to work in the morning and works hard. This is a victory of an ordinary person. People have asked him a lot of questions and taunted him a lot.” Reflecting on his performance in the show, Gaurav shared how he wanted to win the show without indulging in vio- lence or aggression. “I wanted to stand on my own terms without doing all this. I wanted to speak only when I had to speak and not on provocation,” he added. The ‘Anupamaa’ star emphasised how he managed to connect with the audi- ence, which he believed helped him win the show. “Many people who are connected to TV have come to the show in the past, but did not win. So I believe that I am connected to the public. So, that’s why I won. Even if I am on TV or in any other profession, it doesn’t matter. It is important for you to connect with your viewers,” he shared. Contestants Tanya Mittal, Amaal Mal- lik, and Pranit More were also among the top five. Gaurav Khanna was awarded the win- ner’s trophy along with prize money of Rs 50 lakh -ANI PHOTO:ANI B ollywood actress Sara Ali Khan remembered the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput on the seventh anniversary of her debut film Kedarnath. The actress also shared throwback photos from the movie’s production. Taking to her Instagram handle, Sara Ali Khan penned an emotional note thanking the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput for encouraging her to remain “curious” and for introducing her to black coffee, trekking and mountain cuisine. Titled ‘7 years to Kedarnath’, Sara wrote, “If only I could go back to 2017 not to change a single moment but to relive, cherish and truly appreciate every nanosecond of that magi- cal time. I miss it every day. But I really am grateful for all that it gave me and all that it taught me. And honestly, every time I go back to my favourite valley, it continues to give me, teach me, love me, nurture me and remind me of all that I have been given.” Sara Ali Khan also reflected on the impact Sushant had on her life, highlighting the various interests and passions they discovered or developed, likely during their time together. She was grateful for the experiences and lessons learned, including their love for black coffee, trekking, moon obsession, photogra- phy, and Pahadi cuisine. She appreciated Sushant’s influence in sparking her curios- ity and encouragement to keep learning. She added, “My introduction to black coffee, the genesis of my love for trekking, the start of my moon obsession, true desire for the camera, gratitude to my audience and the realisa- tion of my fondness for pahadi khana. Thank you, Sushant, for introducing me to all of this. But mostly thank you for remind- ing me to always be curious and always try and learn.” In the series of photos, Sara Ali Khan was seen posing with the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Sara also shared throwback images from the film’s production. -ANI “Thank You, Sushant, For Introducing Me To All”: Sara Ali Khan Remembers Late Actor www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 20 ENTERTAINMENT December 12, 2025 M alayalam superstars Mohanlal and Mammootty have been known for sharing a close friend- ship over the years, supporting each other through thick and thin. In a recent gesture, Mammootty hon- oured his friend and co-star Mohanlal on his Dadasaheb Phalke Award win. Taking to Instagram, Mammootty shared a video from what appeared to be the sets of their upcom- ing film, ‘Patriot’. In the video, Mammootty could be seen fe- licitating Mohanlal with a shawl and a flower bouquet, before the duo shared a warm hug. https://www.instagram.com/p/DR7NsF- DEhsJ/ Other members also came forward to hon- our Mohanlal with similar gestures. In his caption, Mammootty wrote, “To dear Lalu who won the Phalke award. With love.” Earlier in September, Mammootty cel- ebrated his friend’s Dadasaheb Phalke win with a heartfelt post and wrote, “More than a colleague, a brother, and an artist who has embarked on this wonderful cinematic journey for decades. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is not just for an actor, but for a true artist who has lived and breathed cinema. So happy and proud of you, Lal. You truly deserve this crown.” At the 71st National Film Awards, the ‘Lu- cifer’ star received the award, the country’s highest film honour, from President Drou- padi Murmu. “This moment is not mine alone; this belongs to the whole Malayalam industry. I never dreamed of this day coming true, and I accept this award on behalf of the forerun- ners of our industry and our fans,” Mohanlal said. Mohanlal, 65, is the youngest recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the second artist from the Malayalam film industry, af- ter Adoor Gopalakrishnan, to win the award. On the work front, Mohanlal and Mam- mootty are all set to bring their real-life camaraderie to the big screen with ‘Patriot’. The makers recently unveiled the film’s teaser, giving a glimpse of an intense narra- tive focused on two individuals “who once controlled the country together.” The film also features a look at Nayan- thara, Kunchacko Boban, and Revathy’s characters. Written and directed by Mahesh Naray- anan, ‘Patriot’ is produced by Anto Joseph and KG Anil Kumar. It is made under the banner of Anto Joseph Productions. Details surrounding its plot or release date are yet to be unveiled. -ANI Mammootty Honours “Lalu” Mohanlal On His Dadasaheb Phalke Award Win PHOTO: INSTAGRAM @SARAALIKHAN95 PHOTO:VIA ANI Gaurav Khanna Sara Ali Khan with Sushant.