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!
Srinagar- More than 100 current BBC employees have signed a scathing open letter accusing the broadcaster of failing its editorial standards and acting as "a mouthpiece" for Israel amid its coverage of the war in Gaza. The letter, also endorsed by over 300 media figures -- including actors Miriam Margolyes and Charles Dance, filmmaker Mike Leigh, and historian William Dalrymple -- criticizes the BBC for sanitizing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and for internal censorship. "All too often it has felt that the BBC has been performing PR for the Israeli regime and military," the letter reads, calling this "a cause of great shame and concern." Signatories allege editorial interference and pressure to avoid content critical of Israel, under the guise of neutrality. Staff also condemned the BBC's decision to pull its own commissioned documentary Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, which Channel 4 has since picked up, calling the move politically motivated. The letter further demands the resignation of BBC board member Robbie Gibb over what it calls a conflict of interest, citing his ties to The Jewish Chronicle, which it accuses of publishing anti-Palestinian material. Critics say the BBC has failed to report adequately on UK government arms sales to Israel or the broader legal implications of Britain's involvement in the war. According to Gaza health officials, over 57,000 Palestinians -- mostly women and children -- have died since Israel launched its military campaign in October 2023. Israel now faces genocide proceedings at the International Court of Justice and war crimes charges from the International Criminal Court.
New Delhi, Jun 29: At least 81 Palestinians have been killed and more than 400 injured in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, according to the Gaza-run health ministry, as the Israeli military continues its offensive in the territory, reports BBC. According to the BBC, the strikes included an attack near the Palestine Stadium in Gaza City, where tents sheltering displaced families had been set up. At least 11 people, including children, were killed in that strike. Additional casualties were reported in al-Mawasi and the Tuffah neighbourhoods, where entire families, ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 16 (ANI): The Indian government expressed regret on Tuesday over the reported demolition of the ancestral property of celebrated filmmaker and writer Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh and expressed its willingness to extend cooperation in its restoration. "We note with profound regret that the ancestral property of noted filmmaker and litterateur Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, belonging to his grandfather and eminent litterateur, Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, is being demolished," the Ministry of External Affairs said. Also Read | India Urges Bangladesh ...Read More >
Moradabad (UP), Aug 1 (PTI) The Moradabad district administration has cancelled the allotment of a government bungalow granted to former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. The Samajwadi Party (SP) has been asked to vacate the premises within 30 days. The bungalow, located in the posh Civil Lines area near the Police Training College (PTC II), was allotted to the SP patriarch 31 years ago. Spread across nearly 1,000 square meters on Nazul land, the property serves as the local SP office. District Magistrate Anuj Singh said the property is needed for housing officers and other ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], September 30 (ANI): Palestinian Ambassador to India Abdullah Abu Shawesh welcomed US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, echoing the sentiments of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. However, Abu Shawesh emphasised that the plan's success hinges on Israel's actions on the ground. Speaking at the Kerala Media Academy, Abu Shawesh stated that while the plan sounds promising theoretically, its practical implementation will determine its effectiveness. Also Read | NHS Takes Down Report on 'Benefits' of First-Cousin Marriages From Website Afte ...Read More >
MUMBAI: ICICI Bank has rolled back its rule requiring new savings accounts opened after Aug 1 to maintain a monthly average balance (MAB) of Rs 50,000 and has revised the threshold to Rs 15,000. The move follows a social media backlash against the higher balance requirement, which was criticised for making banking exclusive.The bank said it has revised its schedule of charges and MAB requirements following customer feedback. The changes do not apply to salary accounts, senior citizens above 60 years, basic accounts/PM Jan Dhan Yojana accounts, or those opened before July 31, 2025.Meanwhile, HD ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: After four days of relentless downpours, Telangana is expected to have a brief respite on Monday, with no rainfall alerts issued. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) placed the state under a yellow alert for thunderstorms. IMD data showed that Papannapet in Medak district received the heaviest 24-hour rainfall at 10.6 cm, followed by Manoor in Sangareddy with 9.28 cm and Nallabelly in Warangal at 9.15 cm. The statewide average rainfall for the day stood at 7.3 mm, notably higher than the normal 4.3 mm. Warangal's Sangem recorded the day's highest maximum temperature ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 10 (ANI): Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, said that the conflict between Israel and Gaza is not a conflict and termed it Israel's 'brutal aggression', which he said has continued for 642 days. He expressed hope that Israel's brutal aggression and massacre would come to an end 'very soon.' Speaking to ANI, Shawesh said that approximately 10,000 civilians have lost their lives due to the conflict in Gaza, which has lasted for the past 642 days. When asked about the Israel-Gaza conflict, he said, 'I find all the time myself having no other choice e ...Read More >
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], July 16 (ANI): Following the tragic road accident in the Muwani area of Pithoragarh district on Tuesday that claimed eight lives, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the state government would provide Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. This would be in addition to the ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which would be given to the next of kin of the deceased. Also Read | Weather Forecast Today, July 16: Check ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], September 29 (ANI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed the state's solidarity with the people of Palestine during a meeting with Palestine's Ambassador Abdulla Abu Shawesh. The meeting was held at the CM's chamber in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, a statement by the Chief Minister's Office said. Also Read | Typhoon Bualoi: 11 Dead, 33 Wounded and 13 Still Missing in Cyclonic Storm in Vietnam. The Chief Minister told the Ambassador that Kerala has always stood with the people of Palestine. He said that Israel, with US backing, has been ...Read More >
Thiruvanathapuram (Kerala) [India], December 16 (ANI): After the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting refused screening permission for several films at the International Film Festival of Kerala 2025, the Kerala CM, Pinarayi Vijayan, said that all films that were denied screening permission will be screened at the festival. On his Facebook page, Kerala CM called the Union Government's decision to deny screening of scheduled films "unacceptable". "The Union Government's decision to deny screening permission to films scheduled to be shown at the 30th International Film Festival of Ker ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sep 30: US President Donald Trump has unveiled a 20-point peace proposal to end the war in Gaza, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally accepted. Hamas, however, is reviewing it, and so far Hamas has not agreed to the plan yet, leaving its future still uncertain even as regional and European leaders voiced cautious support. The proposal, shaped with input from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and other partners, begins with an immediate cessation of hostilities and a freeze on current battle lines. Within 72 hours, Hamas would be required to lay ...Read More >
IFFK 2025: Kerala Govt Defies Centre, Screens 'Battleship Potemkin' and 18 Films Without CBFC Nod In this report from the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), India Today's Shibi Mol details the state government's decision to defy the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The Pinarayi Vijayan administration has decided to screen 19 films that were denied clearance by the Centre, including Sergei Eisenstein's classic 'Battleship Potemkin' and several Palestinian narratives such as 'Once Upon a Time in Gaza' and 'Wajib'. Shibi Mol notes that the state government has 'challen ...Read More >
Palestinian Ambassador to India Abdullah Abu Shawesh has emphasised the importance of addressing the Palestinian issue with a "rational perspective." Speaking at a discussion organised by the National Platform for the Rights of Disabled on Sunday, Shawesh also described the recent remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly as "dangerous." Shawesh specifically responded to Netanyahu's statement at the UN General Assembly, where the Israeli Prime Mi ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sep 30: The Palestinian Authority (PA) has welcomed US President Donald Trump's proposed Gaza peace plan, describing his efforts as "sincere and determined," the BBC reported, citing the PA's WAFA news agency. In its statement, the PA pledged to work with the United States, regional states and international partners "to end the war on Gaza through a comprehensive agreement that ensures the sufficient delivery of humanitarian aid, the release of hostages and prisoners, and the establishment of mechanisms to protect the Palestinian people." The authority also committed to political ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 7: The latest round of indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas concluded in Doha without any breakthrough, according to the BBC, quoting Palestinian sources familiar with the process. The session, which lasted over three hours, was held in two separate venues, with Qatari and Egyptian mediators facilitating the exchange of messages. Despite the diplomatic efforts, no significant headway was made. Talks are expected to resume late Monday, with mediators planning further separate meetings in an attempt to bridge persistent gaps. Two Palestinian officials told Reu ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 13: At least ten people, including six children, were killed in an Israeli air strike while they were waiting to collect water in central Gaza on Sunday, the BBC reported, quoting emergency service officials. The victims had gathered with jerry cans near a water tanker in the heart of al-Nuseirat refugee camp when the strike occurred. According to eyewitnesses cited by the BBC, an Israeli drone fired a missile at the crowd. "It hit people waiting for water," said one resident, describing scenes of panic and bloodied children. Videos shared online show chaotic aftermaths, with l ...Read More >
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Wednesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is maintaining a complete silence on the "horrific atrocities" in Gaza and this is "moral cowardice" and "total betrayal" of all that India has stood for. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote, "To appease his good friend President Trump and in solidarity with his other good friend Bibi Netanyahu, Prime Minister Modi has welcomed President Trump's new 20-point plan for Gaza." But fundamental and disturbing questions on the plan remain, he said. "Where are the people of Gaza themselv ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sep 28: With the two-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas conflict just over a week away, fears are mounting that the conflict may drag into a third year. More than 35 people were killed in Israeli strikes and gunfire since the early hours of Saturday, Gazal officials said. A strike on a house in central Gaza killed at least 11 people, more than half of them women and children, while nine members of a single family died in another strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp, reports BBC. At least six others were reported killed while seeking aid in central and southern Gaza. Local civil d ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 30 (PTI) Palestine Ambassador to India Abdulla Abu Shawesh on Tuesday said the proposal to stop the "genocide" by Israel in Gaza is a "welcome" and long-awaited move. Shawesh, who is in Kerala on a visit, told reporters that it would help ensure the people of Gaza do not die of hunger and would address other issues they are facing. He expressed hope that it would also compel Israel to return to the peace process. "We, the Palestinian Authority, look forward to finding a solution, and the solution is already there. The solution is international law and the UN Commissi ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], September 30 (ANI): Palestine has formally expressed interest in joining the BRICS grouping and has begun discussions with member countries. Palestinian Ambassador to India Abdullah Abu Shawesh stated that Palestine views BRICS as an essential platform and is hopeful of becoming a full member with India's support. "BRICS is a very important platform, and we look forward to being a full part of this. We are already in discussion with all the BRICS members, and we look forward to India supporting our request," Abu Shawesh told ANI. The envoy said Palestine ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 16 (PTI) The Left government in Kerala on Tuesday directed the organisers of the IFFK to screen all films selected for the event, challenging the BJP-led Centre after it allegedly denied clearance for the screening of more than a dozen movies. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Kerala Chalachitra Academy said all films would be screened irrespective of whether the Centre had granted clearance. In a Facebook post, Vijayan termed as "unacceptable" the Centre's denial of clearance to several films scheduled to be screened at the 30th edition of the International Fil ...Read More >
Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi's From Ground Zero, an anthology of 22 short films, captures the resilience of Palestinians under siege in Gaza. Screened at global festivals like Ajyal and Cairo, the film was denied permission at Dharamshala and excluded from Cannes, sparking controversy. The anthology, created under challenging conditions, features diverse storytelling forms, highlighting personal narratives of survival. Masharawi emphasizes cinema as a tool for resistance and preserving Palestinian identity. His latest film, Passing Dreams, follows a boy's journey through historic Pal ...Read More >
Amritsar (Punjab) [India], August 2 (ANI): Counter-Intelligence (CI), Amritsar, has busted a cross-border illegal arms smuggling module with alleged links to Pakistan and arrested five operatives, recovering six sophisticated pistols from their possession, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Friday. According to a statement issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Punjab, those arrested have been identified as Jagroop Singh of Dhun (Tarn Taran), Navdeep Singh of Patti Lahian Di (Tarn Taran), Arshdeep Singh of Shaliwal (Amritsar), Gurlal Singh of R ...Read More >
Hyderabad, Sep 14 (PTI) AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi slammed the BJP-led central government ahead of India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match, asking whether the value of 26 lives lost in the Pahalgam terror attack was more or the money earned through the match. Addressing a public meeting organised here on late Saturday, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that water and blood cannot flow together, that terror and talks aren't possible. "How much money will the BCCI get from one cricket match Rs 2,000 crore, Rs 3,000 crore? Tell us is the value of the lives of our 26 citizens m ...Read More >
Lucknow: Senior Samajwadi Party leader and former minister Gayatri Prajapati was attacked by a fellow inmate inside Lucknow Jail on Tuesday. The scuffle took place within the jail premises, after which prison authorities launched an internal inquiry. According to a statement issued by Dr Ramdhani, DIG Prisons, Lucknow Range, the incident occurred after Prajapati allegedly used abusive language towards another inmate, Vishwas Rajput. In response, Vishwas attacked Prajapati using a sharp object inside the cell. DIG Prisons clarified that the incident was not premeditated and dismissed any spec ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sept 30: Former UK prime minister Sir Tony Blair has been named as the first member of a new international "Board of Peace," which will temporarily oversee Gaza under a US-backed plan to end the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas. US President Donald Trump, who will chair the body, said Blair had agreed to join and that "leaders from other countries" would be announced soon. The board is part of a 20-point peace proposal that calls for an immediate halt to hostilities, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces fro ...Read More >
New Delhi: Chief of Congress, Jairam Ramesh, criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday for being silent on the current Gaza War, calling it extreme moral cowardice.In an article on X, Ramesh said, the PM has maintained a complete silence on the horrible atrocities that led to the murder of tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza. It is an extreme moral cowardice and a total betrayal of everything that India has defended. Ramesh alleged that to appease President Donald Trump and solidarity with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Prime Minister Modi welcomed Trump a new 20 -point plan ...Read More >
Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh on Monday accused the government of "indifference" on Israeli "genocide" in Gaza.Source : PTI New Delhi, Jul 14 (PTI) The Congress on Monday accused the government of "indifference" on Israeli "genocide" in Gaza and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence is "shameful, and goes against all that India has stood for". Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh said the Israeli "genocide" has now been questioned within Is ...Read More >
Thiruvanathapuram: After the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting refused screening permission for several films at the International Film Festival of Kerala 2025, the Kerala CM, Pinarayi Vijayan, said that all films that were denied screening permission will be screened at the festival. On his Facebook page, Kerala CM called the Union Government's decision to deny screening of scheduled films "unacceptable". "The Union Government's decision to deny screening permission to films scheduled to be shown at the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala is unacceptable," wrote CM Pinar ...Read More >
Hyderabad/Balah, Gaza Strip, July 19, 2025 (Maxim News): At least 32 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured on Saturday after Israeli troops reportedly opened fire on large crowds of hungry civilians near food distribution centers operated by the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to Gaza health officials and eyewitnesses. Here To Join Us On WhatsApp The tragic incidents unfolded near Teina and Shakoush, two areas in southern Gaza where GHF has been distributing food aid amid an escalating humanitarian crisis. Eyewitnesses claim that Israeli soldiers ...Read More >