United News of Bangladesh

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has responded to the support he has received from Bollywood celebrities amid the state’s ongoing food safety campaign, saying public backing should also lead to concrete action. Actors including Preity Zinta and Mallika Sherawat have publicly praised Mundhe and his work. Zinta recently showed her support by wearing a black T-shirt bearing the words "Team Tukaram Mundhe." She also praised the FDA chief’s efforts. "It is time to celebrate these heroes," Zinta said when asked about Mundhe. Mundhe said he had not spoken personally or over the phone with Zinta but appreciated her public gesture. "No, I haven't spoken to her personally, nor have we talked over the phone. But I am grateful that she mentioned Team Tukaram Mundhe," he told PTI. While thanking those who have supported the campaign, Mundhe said public gestures should be followed by participation and action. "I feel that people with good intentions exist at every level and in every sector of society. A team should be formed around these good causes; good ideas, thoughts, and actions should be promoted," he said. He stressed that simply wearing a T-shirt showing support was not enough. "Simply wearing a T-shirt with 'Team Tukaram Mundhe' is not enough. Merely displaying the title won't suffice; the actual work must be done, and the right mindset must be adopted," Mundhe said. Mallika Sherawat praises Mundhe Mallika Sherawat also shared a video praising Mundhe and the FDA's food safety campaign. In the video, Sherawat was seen eating idli and chutney while speaking about the inspection drive. "Aap ki wajah se ab main shanti se khana kha sakti hu... Aap ki nazro se kuch bachta nahi," she said, meaning that she could now eat peacefully because nothing escaped Mundhe's watch. Responding to the wider issue of food safety, Mundhe urged citizens to remain alert about what they eat, especially products that may be adulterated, unsafe or unhealthy. "I believe that every citizen must keep 'nazar' (vigilant eye) on items that are adulterated, unsafe, or unhealthy, specifically those high in fat, sugar, or salt that could harm one's health," he said. He also described food safety as a shared responsibility rather than the task of one person. "I am trying to do my part and carry out my responsibility. However, I feel this isn't just a task for one individual; it is a team effort," Mundhe said. Twinkle Khanna jokes about inspections Actor and writer Twinkle Khanna also joined the discussion with a humorous take on the FDA's inspection drive. She joked about what might happen if inspectors visited her home, imagining them finding a packet of "Shahi Masala" that had expired around the time of the Mughal Empire. Source: NDTV

Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan playfully called out actress Preity Zinta for not responding to his birthday wishes during the premiere episode of the 18th season of popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). Preity Zinta, actor Sunny Deol and filmmaker Aamir Khan appeared as special guests on the opening episode of the show. During the episode, Bachchan reminded Zinta that he sends her a birthday message every January 31 but has never received a reply. "I have a complaint with you. I wish you every January 31 on your birthday, but you never reply to me," Bachchan said. Zinta quickly responded that she does reply, but sometimes takes about a week to do so. Bachchan then displayed an old post from his X account on the show's big screen, in which he had wished Zinta a happy birthday while joking that she had not replied to his message. The exchange left Zinta momentarily speechless and drew laughter from the audience. Bachchan and Zinta previously worked together in Karan Johar's 2006 film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. During another light-hearted moment, Zinta revealed that Bachchan is especially popular with her children — but not because of his films. She said her children enjoy one of Bachchan's songs and refer to it as the "sherwala gana". Bachchan responded by saying that parents often tell him their young children recognise him as "KBC uncle" whenever they see him on television. Zinta, who has worked in the film industry for more than two decades, joked that despite her long career, her children do not remember her by any particular character, while Bachchan is widely recognised through KBC. Bachchan has hosted the quiz show for most of its run and has become closely associated with the programme, which has attracted viewers across generations. The 83-year-old actor has also spoken about the demanding schedule involved in filming the latest season. In a recent blog post, he said he worked for 24 hours, starting at 7am one day and finishing at the same time the following morning. He said he had to complete the work on time because KBC's new season was scheduled to begin broadcasting the following day. Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 airs on Sony Entertainment Television and is also available on Sony LIV. Source: NDTV

Actress Preity Zinta has revealed that a simple, disciplined lifestyle is the key to her glowing skin, saying she avoids smoking and alcohol, drinks plenty of water and sticks to basic skincare. Responding to a fan on social media, Zinta said her skincare routine is minimal and focuses on natural care rather than expensive or harsh products. She said she regularly uses sunscreen, chooses clean products and avoids strong ingredients like retinol, while also keeping makeup to a minimum so her skin can breathe. The actress also said, skincare goes beyond what is applied externally. She stressed maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, proper sleep and managing stress, describing them as game changers for healthy skin. She advised avoiding smoking, alcohol and unhealthy foods, noting that these can speed up skin ageing and affect overall health. Zinta also pointed out that habits like smoking, drinking alcohol and consuming inflammatory foods can speed up ageing and damage the skin, advising people to avoid them. She added that staying hydrated is crucial, saying she drinks plenty of water and focuses on staying active and positive. “Stick to the basics and be consistent,” she said, adding that simple habits can bring long-term results both in skincare and in life. She is now 51 and a mother of two, continues to impress fans with her youthful appearance. She gained wide recognition for her role in Veer-Zaara and remains active in public life, often sharing lifestyle tips with her followers. With inputs from NDTV