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Shefali Jariwala’s sudden passing came as a huge shock to everyone, leaving her close friends and family heartbroken. A day after Shefali’s passing, her husband Parag Tyagi was seen walking their pet dog Simba in the compound, as shown in a video that surfaced online. The clip sparked strong backlash, with many criticizing him for his actions during such a tragic time.Addressing the criticism around the viral video, Shefali’s close friend and Bigg Boss 13 co-contestant Paras clarified the situation and shared the emotional truth behind the moment. In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Paras revealed that Shefali Jariwala and Parag Tyagi were extremely close to their pet dog, treating him as a family member. The trio lived together, and Shefali’s sudden passing left a deep emotional void in their home. Paras shared that in such a moment of grief, it’s only natural for Parag to hold on even more tightly to their pet, who now represents a part of Shefali’s presence.

He further shared, “Shefali and Parag were very close to their pet. He was a family member to them. Three members were living together in a house, and one of them is suddenly gone. In such a situation, you should understand Parag’s mental state. He would want to keep him even closer and very close to his heart. There is a sense of fear and longing at the same time. People might think it’s strange, but since I know them closely, I understood his psychology. Moreover, their pet has grown old and cannot see properly. So, Parag’s responsibility towards him increases even more.”The Vighnaharta Ganesh actor also mentioned that the pet seemed to sense Shefali’s absence. “Dogs are very sensitive—they can feel when something is wrong. The pet also knew that Shefali is no more. He was visibly sad and affected by her passing.”A video of Parag Tyagi taking his dog for a walk just hours after Shefali Jariwala’s passing rapidly spread across social media. The footage drew heavy criticism from netizens, who questioned his behavior during such an emotionally delicate moment.Shefali’s close friends Rashami, Paras and others came out in Parag’s defence. They slammed the trolls and people to show kindness and empathy during this difficult period.

British thespian Bill Nighy and “Gavin & Stacey” star Mathew Horne have joined the cast of genre-bending fantasy feature “Welcome to Paradise,” alongside WWE superstar Jordynne Grace making her screen debut.

Richard Summers-Calvert (“Drive Me to the End”) is writing and directing the indie, which is currently in post-production. The surreal fantasy film blends psychological drama, dark comedy and mythic surrealism, centering on a mysterious carnival where winning may mean survival and losing could trap visitors in an alternate reality forever.

Rising stars Georgina Bennett and Kirk Patterson topline the ensemble, which also includes Togo Igawa (“Tetris,” “Johnny English”), Tracey Wilkinson (“Carnival Row”) and the late Simon Fisher-Becker (“Harry Potter,” “Doctor Who”). Nighy provides voice work for the project.

The story follows Lisa, who awakens on a mysterious beach with no memory. After meeting a creature who tells her she’s arrived at “The Carnival,” she discovers a vibrant venue populated by humans and magical beasts. There she meets Harvey, another lost soul, as they attempt to uncover the truth about their pasts and find redemption — though everything comes with a price.

“I watched this film going in blind, and I’m now convinced Richard Summers-Calvert is both a genre-bending genius and a deeply deranged soul — in the best way,” said actor-disability advocate Adam Pearson (“The Elephant Man”). “This film is a joy to behold.”

Summers-Calvert describes the project as “ambitious and unapologetically bold.”

“Some may doubt it could work, but that’s because they’ve never witnessed something like this in the flesh,” the helmer said. “This film has moments that people will have never seen, heard, or even dreamt before — and that’s what excites me most.”

Crucible Films and Silent D Pictures are producing, with the latter’s Djonny Chen overseeing. Silent D’s recent slate includes “High Wire” (starring Isabella Wei of “1899”), “Finding My Voice” (with Michelle Ryan of “Bionic Woman”), “Follow The Dark” (with James Cosmo of “Game of Thrones”) and Indonesian box office hit “Before Night Falls.”

The film is eyeing a late 2025 delivery with major festival berths in its sights.

When the ceremonial flame is lit beneath Tallinn’s iconic Song Arch on 5 July, it will signal the return of one of Europe’s most remarkable cultural gatherings: Estonia’s Song Celebration.

Held every five years, this event is no ordinary festival. It is a profound expression of national character, where music, language and memory converge. For a small country long familiar with the forces of occupation and upheaval, it is a public declaration of cultural continuity – and a joyful assertion of who Estonians are.

This year, more than 32,000 singers, including 1,500 performers from 45 international choirs, will take to the stage beneath the soaring shell of the Song Festival Grounds, singing for an audience of over 100,000. The theme of the XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Celebration is “Iseoma” – a word that speaks of something deeply personal: authentically ours.

“We shape our own lives and happiness,” writes Heli Jürgenson, the artistic director of the Song Celebration. “We sing our own songs with our own voices… To love our very own Estonia.”

Adding to the significance of this year’s gathering, all three artistic leads – for song, dance, and folk music – are women. It marks a historic first in the event’s 156-year history.

A festival born of resistance and belonging

The Estonian Song Celebration has long carried political as well as artistic significance. It began in 1869, during the national awakening, when choirs offered an oppressed people a way to give voice to their language and heritage. In 1918, that cultural movement contributed to Estonia’s first declaration of independence.

During the Soviet occupation, the tradition endured in spite of censorship. In 1988, tens of thousands sang patriotic songs at the Song Festival Grounds in what became known as the Singing Revolution – an act of collective defiance that played a decisive role in Estonia regaining its sovereignty in 1991.

The stage, then, is not only for performance – it is for history.

Grand procession

The celebrations begin with the grand procession on Saturday, 5 July, when tens of thousands of participants in national costume will parade through the streets of central Tallinn towards the Song Festival Grounds.

The opening concert begins at 7:30PM. The flame will be lit, President Alar Karis will address the crowd, and the united choirs will perform Mihkel Lüdig’s “Koit” and the Estonian national anthem. The programme that follows centres on regional dialects and traditional melodies, including works by Arvo Pärt, Mart Saar, Eduard Tubin, Ester Mägi, Veljo Tormis and others whose compositions form the backbone of Estonia’s choral canon.

The evening will conclude around 11:00PM, although the atmosphere is likely to linger long into the night.

A day-long choral spectacle

On Sunday, 6 July, the main concert begins at 12:30PM, with gates opening at midday. Choirs of pre-school children will open the day, followed by a procession of children’s, boys’, women’s, men’s and mixed choirs – supported by wind ensembles and a full symphony orchestra.

In total, more than 31,000 singers and instrumentalists from 990 ensembles will take part in the Song Celebration. Among them will be 6,000 pre-school performers, 5,300 children’s choir members, and 10,800 mixed-voice singers. They will be led by nearly 800 conductors, bringing to life 40 musical works, ranging from historic pieces to newly composed works.

As tradition dictates, the final performances will feature Estonia’s most cherished choral pieces: Tuljak by Miina Härma, Ta lendab mesipuu poole by Peep Sarapik, and the emotional anthem Mu isamaa on minu arm by Gustav Ernesaks.

“Ta lendab mesipuu poole” performed at the Estonian Song Celebration in 2019.

Tradition meets sustainability

This year’s event places strong emphasis on environmental responsibility. Attendees are encouraged to travel by public transport, bicycle or on foot. Until 6 July, all public transport within Tallinn is free, and Elron trains are also free within city limits. Shuttle buses will ferry guests to and from the venue. Full details, diversions and real-time updates are available via the City of Tallinn’s transport site.

Visitors are asked to minimise movement during performances and to follow waste reduction guidelines in keeping with the event’s sustainability goals.

The Song and Dance Celebration is one of the last great unifying rituals of its kind. While many nations grapple with how to keep folk culture alive in the digital age, Estonia does so with quiet confidence. It does not preserve tradition in amber, but renews it through participation.

And once again, as voices rise beneath the arch and the audience joins in, Estonia will sing not only of its past – but of its future.