Bollywood's biggest stars ignite the screen! From the dazzling premiere of [mention a recently released film or event] to the brewing controversies surrounding [mention a current entertainment scandal], India's entertainment scene is ablaze. This week saw [mention a significant entertainment event, e.g., a music launch, award ceremony, or box office milestone], further cementing India's position as a global entertainment powerhouse. The battle for box office supremacy heats up as [mention competing films or actors], while the digital realm witnesses the rise of [mention a trending OTT series or online sensation]. Beyond Bollywood, regional cinema continues to flourish, with [mention a noteworthy achievement in regional cinema]. From the vibrant world of music to the captivating realm of television, Abtak.com brings you the pulse of Indian entertainment. Dive in and stay updated on the latest news, reviews, and exclusive interviews—your ultimate destination for all things entertainment. Explore the captivating stories unfolding now!
The film started well with brilliant characterisations, but ended up underwhelming Over the years, actor-director RJ Balaji established himself as a creator with a defined vision. As an actor, he explores different genres, and despite his limitations, Balaji pushes the boundaries with the scripts he chooses. Director Sidharth Vishwanath's Sorgavaasal is one such film that highlights the 1999 riots and presents a gripping prison-break drama. Parthiban (RJ Balaji), hailing from a lower-economic background, runs a food cart. Shanmugam (Param), an IAS officer who frequents Parthiban's food cart, helps him secure a loan to open a hotel in his locality. However, Shanmugam's untimely death and circumstantial evidence send Parthiban to jail. In the prison, there's Kattabomman (Karunas), a jailer trying to climb the ranks through hard work. There's Siga aka Sigamani (Selvaraghavan), a notorious rowdy who has the prison under his control. Then, there's SP Sunil Kumar (Sharaf U Dheen), who doesn't follow the rules. These three characters, along with Parthiban, find themselves trapped in a web of desire, greed, jealousy, and ego. Director Sidharth Vishwanath's Sorgavaasal is an intense drama with multiple sub-plots. The film starts off on a strong note and is told through the perspectives of Parthiban, his mother, fiancé and Kattabomman, all retelling their accounts to Ismail (Natarajan Subramanian), the investigation officer on the case. Sorgavaasal makes you invested in its story right from the word go. It introduces us to the reasons behind Siga's (Selvaraghavan) rise to power and why he commands respect and fear in the prison. As the story progresses, we delve into the lives of Parthiban, Kattabomman and Sunil Kumar. It also shows that being true to oneself and focusing on your job will not benefit you in a corrupt system fuelled by ego, power struggle and jealousy. Some of the dialogues in Sorgavaasal are written with utmost conviction. The scene where Anthonythasan Jesuthan's Seelan says that we don't need God to become a good person struck me the most. Many characters in Sorgavaasal often sprinkle such philosophies. While some resonate deeply, others get lost in the larger scheme of things. RJ Balaji, in his initial portions, proves that he has improved as an actor. However, in emotional sequences, his performances stick out like a sore thumb. Selvaraghavan's portrayal of Siga is introduced as that of a dreaded gangster, but his performance does not match the aura created for his character. Natarajan Subramanian plays the investigation officer with acidity issues, but it's unclear why this detail is included or what it adds to the story. Sorgavaasal builds the story by showing characters with their flaws, emphasising that everyone has shades of grey. It also shows how a corrupt system uses people as pawns and how everyone is easily replaceable. While the story gradually builds up, the payoff in the second half felt underwhelming. The big reveal felt rushed. Apart from the screenplay, it is the performances of Karunas, Hakkim Shah, Balaji Shakthivel and Samuel Robinson that stole the show. Sorgavaasal feels like a blend of Virumaandi and Vada Chennai. But, it fails to achieve the magic that both of the films did. Nevertheless, the film is a decent attempt to showcase the 1999 riots that killed many prisoners and police officers.
A temple locked since 1978 communal riots in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has been reopened by authorities during an anti-encroachment drive. The Bhasma Shankar temple, containing idols of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling, was rediscovered during an electricity theft inspection. This follows recent violence and heightened tensions in the area, including a mosque survey dispute and loudspeaker fine.The Sambhal administration here on Saturday uncovered and reopened a temple, which is said to have been closed ...Read More >
New Delhi: Actor Kajol says she isn't a fan of horror films and will be watching "Maa", her own entry in the genre, solely for professional reasons. "Maa", directed by Vishal Furia, is the first horror project of Kajol's career of over 30 years. The movie shares the same universe with the 2023 movie "Shaitaan", which featured her actor-husband Ajay Devgn. "I don't watch horror films. I have watched a lot of big films. I'm not a horror film aficionado at all. "I haven't watched 'Maa' yet. Only in parts with lots of green screens behind me so that I don't get scared, and no background music, ...Read More >
SRINAGAR: Vedic hymns reverberated in Kashmir hills as Amarnath yatra officially began on Thursday with over twelve thousand devotees paying their respects and having darshan of fully formed natural Shivling or ice-lingam of Lord Shiva at Amarnath cave-shrine. The first day of the annual pilgrimage to the revered place of Hindu worship tucked away in the Kashmir Himalayas at a height of 12, 729 feet (3,888 metres) was marked with Prathan Pooja or the first prayer beside several feet -high naturally formed Shivling at the Sanctum-Sanctorum. A report said that the Shivling has been reduced con ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 10 (ANI): Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday extended his greetings on the occasion of Guru Purnima. In a post on X Rahul Gandhi stated,'Heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima. Thanks to all the Gurus who show us the path of compassion, kowledge, patience and truth in life.' A Guru is considered an essential guide for one's success in life. Thousands of people visit their respected Gurus on this day, presenting gifts to them as per their abilities. The belief is that respecting Gurus on ...Read More >
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], August 4 (ANI): The Jharkhand government declared a three-day state mourning, starting Monday, following the passing of the state's former Chief Minister and co-founder of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Shibu Soren. "In honour of the late Honourable former Chief Minister-cum-Rajya Sabha MP, the State Government has decided to observe 03 (three) days of state mourning from August 4 to August 6," the message from the Jharkhand government read. Also Read | Kerala Shocker: 47-Year-Old Man Dies by Suicide After Failing to Arrange Funds for Son's Engineering College Admission. ...Read More >
Jammu, July 1 (UNI) On the eve of Amarnath Yatra, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today attended the 'Tawi Aarti' at Tawi Riverfront, Jammu. The Lieutenant Governor sought the blessings of Suryaputri River Tawi and Baba Barfani and prayed for a peaceful, blessed and memorable pilgrimage for all the devotees. "Entire J&K is experiencing spiritual bliss on the eve of holy pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath. People of J&K are ready to welcome devotees of Baba Barfani coming from across the country. May Lord Shiva bless everyone with health, happiness and harmony," the Lieutenant Gove ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said the state govt was consistently working to provide better resources to the doctors and quality healthcare services to the citizens.He mentioned that medical colleges were being established in every district.While there were only six medical colleges in 2014, the number has now increased to 15, and nine new colleges are under construction. As a result, MBBS seats in the state increased from 700 in 2014 to 2,185, at present. The state govt aims to increase the MBBS seats to over 3,400 by 2029, said Saini.The CM was addressing a ...Read More >
MUMBAI: The Indian equity indices opened lower on Friday as heavyweights like Axis Bank and Bharti Airtel were among the top losers in the BSE benchmark. At 9.25 am, Sensex was down 171 points or 0.21 per cent at 82, 087 and Nifty was down 35 points or 0.14 per cent at 25, 075. In the Sensex pack, M&M, Tata Steel, Power Grid, L&T, UltraTech Cement, Infosys, Tata Motors, BEL, NTPC, TCS, Trent and Maruti Suzuki were top gainers. Axis Bank, Bharti Airtel, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tech Mahindra , HDFC Bank, Eternal (Zomato), HUL, Sun Pharma, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank, Titan and Bajaj Finserv ...Read More >
Hyderabad, July 18 (UNI) In view of the ongoing heavy rains in Hyderabad, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed all concerned departments to stay on high alert and ensure swift response to public grievances. The Chief Minister instructed officials from GHMC, HMDA, Water Works, Electricity, and Police departments to work in close coordination to prevent any rain-related disruptions. He also emphasised the need for immediate action in areas facing waterlogging, power outages, or other rain-induced issues. CM Revanth Reddy further directed the deployment of SDRF, NDRF, Hydra teams, and ot ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 7 (ANI): Kerala Governor, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, on Friday, greeted the Muslim brothers and sisters of Kerala on the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Ad'ha. "Eid-ul-Ad'ha glorifies the spirit of sacrifice and everlasting faith in the Almighty, inspire humanity to stay united through love, compassion and kind deeds that foster brotherhood and social harmony," the governor's X post read. Also Read | Indus Waters Treaty Suspension: Desperate Pakistan Wrote 4 Letters to India, Pleading Reinstatement of IWT, Say Sources. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi ...Read More >
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 28 (ANI): The three-member panel, appointed to investigate the Sambhal violence case, submitted its report to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, according to the state Information Department. The 450-page report consists of details about the November 2024 Sambhal violence and also touches on the previous riots which took place in the city. Also Read | JeM Terrorists in Bihar: Police Issue High Alert As 3 Jaish-E-Mohammed Operatives Enter State via Nepal Border, Release Their Sketches. The report also mentions key details about the demograph ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sep 29 (PTI) Homegrown Premier Energies on Monday announced securing multiple solar contract worth USD 19.95 million (around Rs 177 crore) Republic of Benin, West Africa. These projects are part of a national initiative by the Government of Benin to expand access to reliable, sustainable clean energy, Premier Energies said in a statement. Implementation will be carried out by Premier Energies in collaboration with the General Directorate of Energy Planning and Rural Electrification, under the Ministry of Energy, Water and Mines, Republic of Benin. The scope of the contracts cover ...Read More >
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], October 9 (ANI): Zupee, India's leading online gaming and entertainment company, has now introduced Zupee Plus Membership, a premium subscription designed to enhance user experience by offering ad-free gaming and unlimited access to Zupee Studio's short-format dramas on a single platform. According to company information, the new membership aims to create a seamless experience for players by integrating gaming and entertainment in a unified ecosystem. Subscribers will enjoy uninterrupted gameplay across Zupee's most popular titles such as Ludo Supreme, Carrom, and ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 10 (ANI): Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday extended his greetings on the occasion of Guru Purnima. In a post on X Rahul Gandhi stated,Heartiest greetings to all of you on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima. Thanks to all the Gurus who show us the path of compassion, kowledge, patience and truth in life. A Guru is considered an essential guide for one success in life. Thousands of people visit their respected Gurus on this day, presenting gifts to them as per their abilities. The belief is that respecting Gurus on Gur ...Read More >
Janaki vs State of Kerala (JSK), starring Union Minister Suresh Gopi, informed the Kerala High Court on Wednesday that the film received the censor board approval on July 11, 2025, and will be released this week. In view of the submission, Justice N Nagaresh observed that the primary grievance of the petitioner -- the film's production company -- stands redressed and disposed of its plea. The court also declared that, given the peculiar circumstances in which a revised version of the movie was ...Read More >
Rahil Pillarisetty (RACR Castrol Power1) produced a stunning lap (1:10.972s) late in the qualifying session to snatch the pole position from Chiranth Vishwanath (Petronas TVS Racing, 1:11.249s) in the premier Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open category, kickstarting his campaign in the Rolon Round of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2025 at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore on Friday. Raj Kumar (Motul Sparks Racing) in Super Stock 165cc Intermediate, Mohamed Mikail (Ma ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
New Delhi: The pan-India mythological drama 'Kannappa', starring Vishnu Manchu and featuring cameos by Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, Prabhas, and Kajal Aggarwal, hit cinemas on June 27, 2025. Despite its star-studded cast and grand production, the film has seen a slow start at the box office. According to early estimates from Sacnilk, 'Kannappa' earned ₹9 crore net in India on its first day of release. Although this marks Vishnu Manchu's biggest opener, it falls short of expectations considering the film's massive budget of ₹200 crore and the presence of big-name stars. The film saw varying occupa ...Read More >
Ujjain, July 10: On the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, the sacred Bhasma Aarti was performed at the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain. Devotees gathered in large numbers to witness the early morning ritual, which is considered very divine. The temple resonated with chants and spiritual fervor, marking the worship of Lord Shiva and spiritual gurus. Today also marks the end of the month of Ashadh and the beginning of the month of Sawan. From today, the Kanvar Yatra will also begin. Guru Purnima 2025 Date and Shubh Muhurat: Know Vyasa Purnima Tithi Timings and Significance of the Day De ...Read More >
Jammu- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday reviewed the ongoing restoration work of the historic Mubarak Mandi complex, which was the power centre of the Dogra kings in Jammu, and stressed on enhancing its heritage appeal. The Mubarak Mandi Complex is one of Jammu's most significant architectural heritage sites and is envisioned as a comprehensive cultural centre, housing museums, conference venues and heritage hospitality services. Accompanied by Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Yudhvir Sethi during the visit, the chief minister was briefed in detail on the multi-phas ...Read More >
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticizes media for defaming kanwar pilgrims and associating them with terrorism. He emphasizes the unity and dedication of the pilgrimage and accuses detractors of inciting division. The yatris, from diverse backgrounds, showcase unity and devotion on their spiritual journey. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has strongly criticized efforts to malign kanwar pilgrims in the media. The chief minister contends that these pilgrims are unfairl ...Read More >
Mumbai: Bombay High Court has now got its fifth bench, located in Kolhapur. The HC bench at Kolhapur will start functioning from Aug 18, as stated in a notification issued on Friday."I, Alok Aradhe, Chief Justice of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, with the approval of the Governor of Maharashtra, appoint Kolhapur as a place at which Judges and Division Courts of the High Court may also sit, with effect from August 18, 2025," the notification dated Aug 1 said. The other benches of the HC are at Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Goa, apart from the principal bench in Mumbai.Lawyers and bar associa ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 10 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar offered wishes on the occasion of Guru Purnima on Thursday. In a post on X he said, 'Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, I bow to all the Gurus. The knowledge and guidance of the Gurus shape our lives.' https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1943149215766712441 A Guru is considered an essential guide for one's success in life. Thousands of people visit their respected Gurus on this day, presenting gifts to them as per their abilities. The belief is that respecting Gurus on Guru Purnima brings positive ...Read More >
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 14 (ANI): As IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with his crew from Axiom-4 mission, is set to undock from International Space Station (ISS), his family in Lucknow is excited to welcome him back home Speaking with ANI, Shubhanshu Shukla mother, Asha Shukla, expressed her desire to meet her son, If we had our way, we would rush to meet him there. But that is not possible. Asha Shukla also said that her family prayed to Lord Shiva for the safe return of her son. There is so much excitement... Today is a special day for Lord Shiv. We woke up early i ...Read More >
Jammu, Jul 18 (PTI) Senior officials of the Jammu and Kashmir government reviewed the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the 13-day-long Budha Amarnath pilgrimage in Poonch district that will begin on July 28. Deputy Inspector General of Police Tejinder Singh reviewed security in Poonch and stressed ensuring the safety of the devotees. "The first batch will depart from the Bhagwati Nagar basecamp in Jammu on July 28, moving towards the Mandi tehsil in Poonch in a regulated convoy amid full security arrangements," a spokesperson said. Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspec ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 19 (ANI): A contingent of 23 athletes supported by Reliance Foundation look to compete at the World University Games across six cities in Germany, with events running until July 27. Representing athletics, archery, and judo, these young talents aim to improve international rankings, achieve personal bests, and bring home laurels. The athletics team forms the backbone of the foundation campaign, with 18 athletes competing in sprints, jumps, throws, hurdles, relay, long jump, decathlon, among other events, beginning July 21, a release said. James Hillier, Di ...Read More >
Sorgavaasal X Review: Sidharth Vishwanath directed Sorgavaasal X, a Tamil crime drama that will be released in theatres on November 29, 2024. The film, produced by Swipe Right Studios in conjunction with Think Studios, stars RJ Balaji and Selvaraghavan in crucial parts and is accompanied by an excellent ensemble cast that includes Saniya Iyappan, Sharaf U Dheen, Natarajan Subramaniam, Karunas, Samuel Abiola Robinson, and Balaji Sakthivel. A average man, trapped in a corrupt system, ends himself in prison, wrestling with a profound question: can jails reform people or push them deeper into the ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 7 (ANI): Kerala Governor, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, on Friday, greeted the Muslim brothers and sisters of Kerala on the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Ad'ha. 'Eid-ul-Ad'ha glorifies the spirit of sacrifice and everlasting faith in the Almighty, inspire humanity to stay united through love, compassion and kind deeds that foster brotherhood and social harmony,' the governor's X post read. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also extended his wishes on the festival. The Chief Minister said, 'As we celebrate Bakrid, we renew the remembrance of sacr ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday announced the provisional attachment of assets worth approximately ₹131.45 crore in Spain, including a luxury yacht and immovable properties, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). These assets belong to Pavel Prozorov, a Spanish national and the alleged mastermind behind the unauthorised forex trading platform OctaFX. The attached assets comprise a commercial Italian-model luxury yacht cruising in the Western Mediterranean, a minijet boat, a luxury car, and two residential properties in Spain. The ED's probe was launched ...Read More >
Shimla, Jul 17 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to remove encroachments on forest lands, including the fruit-bearing trees, all across the state and not limit it to some areas. The order was passed by a division bench consisting of Justices Vivek Thakur and Bipin C Negi on Wednesday after the Advocate General placed on record fresh instructions issued by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, informing that 2,456 apple and other fruit trees have been felled from forest lands in Chaithla village, and 713 and 490 trees in Rohru and Kotgarh forest divisions, r ...Read More >