Top 20 Celebrity News Stories — Thursday, October 8, 2026
Here are 20 major celebrity stories making news in India and around the world today, rewritten in original, publication-ready language for a news website.
1. Nana Patekar Dies at 75, Bollywood Mourns a Legendary Actor
Veteran actor Nana Patekar died on October 8 at the age of 75 following a cardiac arrest in Goa. His death has sent shockwaves across the Indian film industry, with actors, filmmakers and political leaders paying tribute to an artist regarded as one of Hindi cinema’s most powerful performers. The Maharashtra government has announced that his last rites will be conducted with full state honours.
2. Shah Rukh Khan Pays Tribute to Nana Patekar
Shah Rukh Khan joined the industry-wide mourning following Nana Patekar’s death. The two actors shared a professional and personal association, and Khan recalled the veteran performer with affection as tributes continued to pour in from across Bollywood.
3. Akshay Kumar Leads Tributes to Nana Patekar
Akshay Kumar was among the prominent Bollywood personalities remembering Nana Patekar following his death. Tributes described Patekar as an exceptional performer whose intense screen presence and distinctive acting style helped redefine the Hindi-film character actor.
4. Mithun Chakraborty Remembers Close Friend Nana Patekar
Actor Mithun Chakraborty paid an emotional tribute to Nana Patekar, recalling their friendship and describing a warmer side of the actor that audiences did not always see. Patekar’s death has prompted memories from several generations of Bollywood performers.
5. Manisha Koirala Remembers Her ‘Khamoshi’ Co-Star
Manisha Koirala expressed grief over the passing of Nana Patekar, with whom she worked in films including Khamoshi and Agnisakshi. She remembered him as a remarkable screen presence and a major figure in Indian cinema.
6. Nana Patekar’s Final Films Become a Focus of Attention
Following the actor’s death, renewed attention has turned to his upcoming and unreleased projects, including Eetha, Shakti Shalini and The Confession of Mary. Producers and collaborators have begun discussing his work and the performances audiences may still see.
7. Rajkummar Rao Responds to Backlash Over Dada Poster
Rajkummar Rao has addressed criticism surrounding the poster for Dada. The actor acknowledged the controversy and indicated that his team had learned from the episode, saying the material should not have been rushed.
8. Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam 3 Continues Strong Box-Office Run
Ajay Devgn is enjoying another major box-office success with Drishyam 3. The film has continued its strong theatrical performance and has reportedly crossed the ₹366 crore mark by its sixth day, strengthening its position among the year’s biggest Hindi releases.
9. Kamal Haasan’s Indian 3 Project Revived
The long-awaited Kamal Haasan project Indian 3 has received fresh momentum after a period of uncertainty. Production house Lyca Productions is reportedly moving to revive the project, giving fans renewed hope of seeing Haasan return as the iconic Senapathy.
10. Ajith Kumar Faces Fan Backlash Over Racing Support
Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar, who has a strong connection with motorsport, has faced criticism from some fans after comments concerning support for his racing activities. The episode has generated discussion among his extensive fan base and racing followers.
11. Shakti Arora Defends Television as Entertainment Platforms Evolve
Actor Shakti Arora has weighed in on the debate over television’s place in the entertainment industry following Rohit Roy’s controversial description of TV as a “dustbin medium.” Arora argued that television, Bollywood, OTT and newer short-form formats each have their own strengths and audiences.
12. The Kardashians Return With an AI-Themed Season Premiere
Kim, Kourtney, Khloé, Kendall, Kylie and Kris Jenner returned for Season 8 of The Kardashians, with the premiere opening with AI-generated versions of the famous family. The unusual storyline uses artificial intelligence to explore questions surrounding celebrity identity, technology and authenticity.
13. Kourtney Kardashian Addresses Jennifer Lawrence’s ‘Annoying’ Comment
Kourtney Kardashian has spoken about actress Jennifer Lawrence’s earlier remarks describing her as annoying. During the new season of The Kardashians, Kourtney revealed that Lawrence subsequently contacted her to apologize and explain the context behind the comments.
14. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Continue to Make Headlines
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce remain one of the world’s most closely watched celebrity couples. The newlyweds recently celebrated Kelce’s 37th birthday with a private dinner in New York, attracting considerable attention for their coordinated fashion and low-key appearance.
15. Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid Marriage Rumours Intensify
Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid have once again fueled marriage speculation after being photographed wearing matching gold bands in Paris. The couple has not publicly confirmed that they are married, but the matching rings have renewed widespread interest in their relationship.
16. Andrew Garfield Says Playing Sam Altman Changed His View of AI
Actor Andrew Garfield has revealed that playing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in Artificial changed his attitude toward artificial intelligence. Garfield said the experience made him more cautious about using AI technology and raised concerns about how rapidly the technology is developing.
17. Ben Affleck Discusses the Future of Movie Stars
Ben Affleck has opened up about Hollywood’s changing landscape, including the decline of traditional movie-star culture, comic-book films and the future of filmmaking. His comments came as he discussed Artists Equity, the production company he founded with Matt Damon.
18. Britney Spears Visits Dollywood With Her Sons
Britney Spears recently visited Dollywood in Tennessee with her sons, Sean Preston and Jayden. The singer shared moments from the family outing and expressed her surprise and delight at discovering the theme park founded by the late country music icon Dolly Parton.
19. Toni Braxton Celebrates 59th Birthday With Glamorous Photos
Grammy-winning singer Toni Braxton celebrated her 59th birthday with a glamorous social-media photo shoot. The singer embraced aging with confidence, sharing photographs that highlighted her fashion and style while receiving birthday wishes from fellow entertainers and family members.
20. Sydney Sweeney Reportedly Has a Family Link to Marilyn Monroe
Sydney Sweeney is attracting fresh attention after reports highlighted a possible family connection to Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe. The claim has added another layer to comparisons between Sweeney and Monroe, particularly given Sweeney’s previous interest in the iconic actress and her legacy.
Biggest celebrity story of the day: The death of Nana Patekar at 75 dominates Indian entertainment news, with tributes from Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty, Manisha Koirala and many other film personalities.
