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!
Dehradun (Uttarkhand) [India], July 6 (ANI): India's renowned writer couple, Hugh and Colleen Gantzer were awarded the Padma Shri this year, however due to health complications, Hugh could not attend the ceremony held in Delhi. Keeping that in mind, Uttarakhand's Government Secretary Shailesh Bagoli specially reached the writer's residence in Mussoorie and presented the Padma Shri at his home, according to an official statement. Colleen Gantzer has been given the honour posthumously. Highlighting the life of the writer couple, the statement read, 'Active in travel writing since the 1950s, this couple presented India's cultural diversity, historical sites and public life in a unique way.' 'The Gantzer's Travelogue' column and their travelogues broadcast on Doordarshan introduced readers and viewers across the country to the beauty and depth of India. 'Hugh's sharp journalistic vision and Colleen's gentle expression style together gave a new height to Indian travel literature. Their writings not only inspired people to discover their country, but also put the soul of India into words,' the statement added. Padma awards are one of the highest civilian award in the country. They are conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines/activities -- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. The Padma Shri is given for one's distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhavan every year. For the year 2025, the President approved the conferment of 139 Padma Awards, including a duo case (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one). The list comprises 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards. 23 of the awardees are women, and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI, and 13 Posthumous awardees. (ANI)
Thiruvananthapuram, May 21: Malayalam cinema's iconic actor Mohanlal turned 65 on Wednesday. The veteran star is celebrating the occasion with his entire family in Thailand. As he nears the golden jubilee of his illustrious acting career, Mohanlal's achievements continue to shine. He has won five National Film Awards, including two Best Actor honours, a Special Jury Mention, a Special Jury Award, and a Best Feature Film award as a producer. He has also been conferred with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, two of India's highest civilian honours. Coincidentally, his birthday comes when two of ...Read More >
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan has called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers, citing concerns over the legitimacy of election results. Ranjan raised doubts about the EVM's accuracy, suggesting that the results may be influenced and advocating for a ballot paper system like many other countries. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also echoed similar sentiments, accusing EVMs of wasting votes from marginalized communities. This comes after the Congress' defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly election. The Supreme Court, however, dismissed a petition seeking th ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Thursday backed the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' bill, stating that party supremo Nitish Kumar has always supported simultaneous Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. He added that the party had previously voiced its support for the bill and had approached the relevant committee. Jha remarked, "Our party welcomes this. We had approached this committee, and I was also part of the delegation. Nitish Kumar has always advocated for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha. We conveyed to the committee that ...Read More >
Delhi Election 2025: A heated controversy has erupted following remarks made by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi about President Droupadi Murmu after her address in Parliament. Priyanka Gandhi has stepped in to defend her mother, asserting that the comments were misinterpreted. The issue originated from a video clip where Sonia Gandhi was speaking informally with her children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka. In the clip, she commented on President Murmu's noticeable fatigue at the end of her lengthy speech, saying, "The poor lady, the President, was getting very tired by the end... she could hardly sp ...Read More >
Mumbai, May 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday paid tribute to veteran astronomer, science writer, and Maharashtra Bhushan awardee Dr Jayant Narlikar, acknowledging his immense contribution to popularising science through his writings. In a condolence message shared on X, CM Fadnavis said, "The news of the passing of senior astronomer and science writer Dr Jayant Narlikar is deeply saddening. He played a crucial role in spreading scientific awareness by creating rich literature on scientific subjects. For this, he received numerous accolades at the global level. H ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 26 (ANI): Ace Indian badminton player PV Sindhu on Thursday said that the Khelo India initiative is helping not only the senior but also the junior athletes. The Khelo India University Games 2025 will be hosted in Jaipur, Rajasthan, this November, it was announced on Wednesday. Poornima University and Rajasthan University will jointly host KIUG 2025. Speaking to the media about KIUG, PV Sindhu said, 'The Prime Minister has always supported and virtually talks to the athletes before we go to the Olympics. The entire government of India has been supportive, ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): In a milestone for cancer care in India, President Droupadi Murmu, formally inaugurated the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) Cancer Care Centre and interacted with cancer patients on Thursday. According to an official release, the Sri Ganga Ram Hospital is a cutting-edge facility dedicated to providing comprehensive care to cancer patients. The President ceremonially visited the premises, acknowledging the hospital's pivotal role in delivering ethical and affordable healthcare, marking a presence of pride and recognition for the institution's seven-decade-long ...Read More >
Sambalpur (Odisha) [India], June 28 (ANI): Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday participated in a mass plantation drive under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative. While speaking to ANI, Pradhan stated that the plantation of trees under this initiative increased hope for nature, fulfilled the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and was also a significant step towards making India a net-zero country by 2070. Also Read | West Bengal: Woman Accuses Padma Shri Awardee Kartik Maharaj of Rape and Forced Abortion, Monk Dismisses Allegations As Conspiracy. He fu ...Read More >
Patna: Nephrologist Dr Hemant Kumar, who served in the field of health, was nominated for the Padma Shri on the eve of Republic Day. In an interview with TOI's Sheezan Nezami, Dr Kumar talks about his journey, inspiration and his future plans. Excerpts: Congratulations on making it to the list of Padma Shri. How are you feeling and what about the celebration? My family, everyone associated with me, and I are very happy. I was awarded for my social work and my model of working, which focused on kidney diseases and primarily on its prevention. Can you share your journey in brief? What inspire ...Read More >
Hyderabad: In a significant boost for 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbharta' in the aerospace and defence sector, and Hyderabad's growing stature as a global aerospace hub, the complete fuselage of the Rafale fighter jet will now be made in India at Hyderabad. This move marks the first time that these Rafale components will be manufactured outside France for the Indian as well as global markets.French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has signed four production transfer agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for manufacturing key sections of the Rafale fighter jet, including the lateral ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will undertake an official visit to France, the European Union (EU), and Belgium from June 8 to 14, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs announced in a press release on Sunday. The visit marks a significant step in further strengthening India's strategic partnerships with Europe. The EAM will first travel to Paris and Marseille, France, where he will hold bilateral discussions with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean Noel Barrot. Also Read | Indian Citizen Dies in UAE: Civil Engineer Issac Paul ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 5 (ANI): Jitender Singh Shunty, a Social activist and Padma Shri awardee joined Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence of the Party's National Convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday. Jitender Singh Shunty is also the founder of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sewa Dal (SBS) Foundation. Upon officially joining the party, Kejriwal expressed his admiration for Jitender Singh Shunty's significant contributions to society during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted Shunty's dedication and efforts in supporting those in need and commended his commitment to ...Read More >
The Supreme Court halted new temple-mosque legal battles. The court will review the 1991 law impacting religious site status. This law froze the status of religious sites as of August 15, 1947. Several cases, including Gyanvapi and Shahi Idgah, challenge this law. The law's validity is being questioned. The court's decision impacts ongoing and future disputes.In its ruling on the keenly-watched Place of Worship Act case, the Supreme Court said on December 12 that no new Mandir-Masjid suits are to ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 27 (ANI): Actress Kajal Aggarwal has officially commenced filming for her much-awaited movie 'The India Story'. On Monday, the actress took to her Instagram stories to share her excitement with fans, posting a picture from the movie's sets while holding a clapperboard. Also Read | Padma Awards 2025: Pandit Ronu Majumdar Expresses Joy and Gratitude After Being Conferred Padma Shri; Says, 'This Award Gives Me Strength'. Alongside the picture, she wrote, "Kickstarting our first schedule in Pune, for The India Story! Excited to bring this untold, impactful ...Read More >
Patna (Bihar) [India] June 6 (ANI): Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi attended the 'Samvidhan Sabha' in Rajgir, Nalanda, on Friday. Addressing the gathering, Gandhi emphasised the need for a caste census and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance on the issue. He questioned PM Modi's claim of being an OBC while asserting that the BJP denies the existence of caste in India, emphasising the need for a genuine caste census. 'Narendra Modi used to say in every speech, I am OBC. Then, on the caste census, they say that there is no caste in India. If there is ...Read More >
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], June 7 (ANI): Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the 'government of the day is handicapped' as it can't register a first information report and said that the three-decades-old judicial order provides a 'virtually impregnable cover'. The Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, today said, 'The Government of the day is handicapped. It can't register an FIR. Because there is a judicial order. And that judicial order is more than three decades old. It provides virtually impregnable cover. Unless permission is accorded by a functionary at the highest level in ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 26 (ANI): The Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition on Tuesday seeking the reintroduction of the physical paper ballot voting system in elections in India. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and PB Varale dismissed the plea filed by evangelist KA Paul seeking physical ballot voting in India. During the hearing, the petitioner said that even leaders like Chandrababu Naidu and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had questioned Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering. To this the bench said what happens is, if you win the elections, EVMs are not tamper ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 27 (ANI): Delhi Police detained BJP workers and leaders who were protesting against AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and the Punjab Government regarding the vandalism of a statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar in Amritsar on Monday. The Delhi BJP, led by party chief Virendra Sachdeva, MP Yogender Chandolia, and national general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam, protested against AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and the Punjab Government. This demonstration was in response to the vandalism of a statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar in Amritsar. Also Read | Maha Kumbh Mela 20 ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 7: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, on Saturday, congratulated the University of Kashmir for getting an A++ grade in the NAAC inspection. The Lt Governor extended his heartiest congratulations to the Vice Chancellor, faculty, staff, and students of the University of Kashmir for attaining the prestigious A++ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), and securing an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.68 on a seven-point scale. Calling it a proud moment for J&K UT, the Lt Governor said, "The A++ Grade places the Un ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday visited the demolition site of the Madrasi Camp slum cluster, where they met with displaced residents, and intensified their attack on the BJP over the recent eviction drive. They alleged that Prime Minister Modi's promise to slum dwellers of 'jahan jhuggi wahan makan' - house at the site of their hutment - has "proved to be hollow like many others". There was no immediate response available from the BJP or the Delhi government over the accusations. The Madrasi Camp -- a jhu ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 11 (ANI): On the birth anniversary of former President Pranab Mukherjee, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge paid glowing tributes to the statesman, recalling his immense contributions to India's democracy and development. Kharge took to social media to share a heartfelt message, quoting one of Mukherjee's profound observations: Also Read | Atul Subhash Suicide Case: 4 People Including Bengaluru Techie's Wife Nikita Singhania Booked for Abetment of Suicide. "India's true story is the partnership of the people. Our wealth has been created by farmers and workers, ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], May 20 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the passing of Dr. Jayant Narlikar, a luminary in the field of astrophysics and said that the latter's writings have also gone a long way in making science accessible to common citizens. "The passing of Dr. Jayant Narlikar is a monumental loss to the scientific community. He was a luminary, especially in the field of astrophysics. His pioneering works, especially key theoretical frameworks, will be valued by generations of researchers," PM Modi posted on X. "He made a mark as an institution builder, grooming ce ...Read More >
Neeraj Chopra's invitational javelin event - NC Classic 2025 - has been rescheduled to be held on July 5 in Bengaluru, organisers JSW Sports confirmed on Tuesday. The NC Classic was postponed from its original May 24 date last month due to the India-Pakistan cross-border conflict last month. Some of the world's top stars are set to line up for the event at the Kanteerava Stadium next month. Former World Champions Anderson Peters and Julius Yego, as well as Rio 2016 champion Thomas Rohler, were a ...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 >
Amaravathi (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 28 (ANI): YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday paid tribute to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao on his 104th birth anniversary. Former Andhra Chief Minister Reddy remembered Bharat Ratna PV Narasimha Rao as a visionary leader who revolutionised India's economic landscape through his reforms. In an X post, the Reddy wrote, 'The visionary who transformed the country's economic condition with reforms, Bharat Ratna PV Narasimha Rao. On the occasion of the birth anniversary of PV, who provided numerous remarkable service ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the 'One Nation, One Election,' bill in the parliament, marking a significant step towards the electoral process, sources told ANI. A comprehensive bill is expected to follow this decision, paving the way for unified elections across the nation. Earlier on Wednesday, former President of India Ram Nath Kovind stated that the Central government must build a consensus on the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative, emphasising that the issue transcends political interests and serves the nation as a whole. Speaking to th ...Read More >
Baghpat (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 28 (ANI): Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has sought AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal's apology from the nation after BR Ambedkar's statue was vandalised in Punjab's Amritsar on January 26. A youth has vandalised the life-size statue of Ambedkar in Amritsar by climbing atop it and striking it with a hammer on Republic Day on Sunday. A video clip purportedly of the incident also went viral on social media. Also Read | Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: A Day Before Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan, 5 Crore Devotees Take Holy Dip in Triveni Sangam on January 28, Total Pilgrim ...Read More >
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 6 (ANI): Law student Sharmistha Panoli, arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through a social media post, has been granted interim bail by the Calcutta High Court on Thursday. The court directed her to cooperate with the investigation, not leave the country, and furnished bail on a personal bond of Rs 10,000. The court also ordered appropriate police protection for her. Also Read | Goa: Man Held for Trying to Trade Sensitive Data Online Using Cryptocurrency Transactions. Her father, Prithviraj Panoli, expressed relief, citing her health iss ...Read More >
Gurgaon: A chemist and a lab operator have been arrested for allegedly selling medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) kits illegally. Two separate FIRs were lodged against the accused at Sector 10 and Sector 9A police stations, police said on Friday.The pharmacy was sealed and medical officials have initiated proceedings to cancel its licence. District drugs control officer Suresh Verma said the department received information about illegal sales of MTP kits - also called abortion kits - from Juneja Chemist, located near Civil Hospital. A pregnant woman, who was deployed as a decoy customer, v ...Read More >